The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1878-10-19
GOOD NUNS.
Agent Patten contradicts an Omaha Telegram
Published In The Leader.

SHosnoNE AND HAMMOCK AGENCY,
Wyoming, October IA, 1873.
To The Editor Of The Leader:
noticed a telegram in your issue of
the 10th inst, stating that "a well
known citizen of Omaha has re-
ported that 80 Arapahoes, belonging
to this reservation, had disappeared in
small squads of three or four during
the last two weeks, ETC., etc. This is
utterly false. For the information of
the people of Wyoming | desire to state
that the number of Indians belonging
to this agency is as follows, viz: Sho-
shones, 1,250 eastern band), under
Washakie; Arapahoes northern band),
under Black Coal and Sharp Nose, equal
chiefs, 93S. Included with the latter
are 52 C%heyennes, consisting of 10 men,
the balance being ONE and children.
The above named Indians have all
remained quietly at the agency during
the entire summer, say during the
period of Gen. Merritt's recent expedi-
tion through this country in search of
the hostile Bannocks, when every avail
able man of these bands Joined the
soldiers with the greatest enthusiasm,
and up TO date assisted in the capture
Of % hostiles, who are now at Camp
Brown, held as prisoners of war; and l
think, if Investigated, the fact will
appear that every prisoner taken was
through these faithful Indian allies.
There is no question Of the peaceful
intentions of my Indians, and there is
no such thing as dissatisfaction among
them. They have proved their friend
ship to the government and the white
people of this country by az strong evil
dence us any nation in the world can
give-that Of maintaining the common
peace, and in aiding in the suppress
sion of hostilities on the border during
the past three years, and indeed proved
the truth Of this "well known citizen
OF O~maha's" report, that they .'were
fierce and determined warriors'' in
several hard fought battles against the
Sioux and Cheyenne Indians in the last
Sioux war; several being killed and
many wounded Of both ~Shoshones and
Arapahoes. More than this a man
cannot do than to lay down his life for
his friends.
1t is positively untrue that the In
dams of this reservation have the re-
hottest idea of joining the Cheyennes
or any other body of Indians in a war;
fare against the government; but, on
the contrary, they will at a days no.
tice join our soldiers in any expedition
against our enemies, from whatever
quarter.
AT the present time the ~Shoshones
are out on their annual buffalo hunt
on the northern portion of their reser-
walton, and the Arapahoes have gone
on their hunt in and about the head of
the Powder river mountains. 1t would
have been desirable to have kept these
Indians on their reservation, but by
article four of their treaty with the
United States, the Indians are granted
the right to hunt on the u%noccupied
lands of the United States so long as
game may be found thereon, and so
long as peace subsists among the whites
and Indians on the borders of the hunt
ing districts.
The Indians left the agency on the
10th inst, not however without first
comforting with their agent, and also
Maj. J. J. Upham, commanding Camp
Brown. They did not slip away sin
small squads.n The head men have
passes from the United States Indian
agent having charge over them; the
authorities, civil and military, have
been duly notified OF their going, and
there is nothing mysterious or suspi-
cious in any of their movements, not
withstanding the insinuating statement
of this "well known citizen of Omaha"
l would advise him to take better sight
the next time he shoots.
Let us be just towards our Indians,
and not circulate falsehoods about
them. Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES J. PATTEN,
f~.rIfnited Stntaa Indian Apapt