Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-05-13

Oregon, ha. explored the Indian territory
and a, the vast region of the upper Missouri;
This last winter, compelled BY failing health
he left his post, and during the past foul
months has been visiting in the east but
nov, with the opening of the spring season,
he feels that it is time for him to return to
active service, and this afternoon he will
leave his snug quarters at the Sherman
House for the ruder fare of Fort Randall,
where his regiment is stationed.
In conversation yesterday, Col. Lugen-
beel expressed some fears of another Indian
outbreak this spring. "The Sioux" lie said,
shave been, and always viii he, the most un.
ruly of the redskins. They are like lot Of
children, who never know what is good 70,
them, and who need the rod every now and
then to keep them in order"
"Why are the Sioux worse than any othe,
tribes?"
"Because, for one reason, they are fal
more numerous than any other tribe, and
therefore have q greater opinion of their
own strength. There are now at least 25,.
600 Sioux along the Missouri, and they are
increasing in number continually"
"People generally think that the Indians
are dying out and will be entirely extinct
before many years."
II know that is the popular impression
but there are ten times as many Sioux to.
day as there were century ago. They arc
hardy because they have always lived in
the extreme north. The southern tribes are
fading away or have died out. The Semi.
noles, the Creeks, the Cherokees, are practi.
cally no more, for their remnants have been
SO far civilized that they can scarcely be
considered as Indians. But the Sioux have
lived in the cold latitudes, and have attain.
ed u stronger physical condition, and at the
same time have maintained their native
ferceness. The time of life when the male
Indians are most troublesome is naturally
between the ages of Is and so. The older
men are generally peaceable. With the
squaws, however, a different rule prevails.
1t is the old women who make the most
trouble.
"How large are the families of the Sioux,
on an average"
"About the same as among the whites.
The reason why there is not a greater in
crease of population il that the mortality is
40 great. The life of the Indian is one OF
continuous exposure to the weather, to the
incidents of war, and to disease without
medical relief. There are very few old In
dams. One who has reached the age of 20
ia curiosity"
"You have had wide experience among
the different tribes"
/ served, after graduation at West Point.
in the Seminole war in Florida, and assisted
in transferring the Seminoles to the Indian
territory. was down on the Rio Grandc
before the Mexican war. l have been there
twice."
You have seen something, then. of the
operations Of the raiders on the Mexican
border?'
"Yes. have for many years been con-
vinced that the only way to prevent raiding
wonld be to establish Gordon of military
posts, with a complete system of telegraphs
along the river. 1t would be still better if
the government could get possession of the
Mexican territory as far as the Sierra Madre
range, from Monterey to chihuahua. The
are the natural barriers any way;
the Rio Grande is not sufficient. By having
forts along the base of the mountains the
frontier could be perfectly secured, and all
future difficulties could be avoided.
Gen. Terry forwards to Gen. Sheridan a
telegram from Col. Miles at Fort keogh,
dated April 25, which says that Lieut.. Bald
win, while at Fort Peck for supplies, re.
ceived urgent requests from the Indian agent
at Poplar creek that he visit that place.
While there small party Of hostile Indians
surrendered to him and the agent. Others
are reported en- route to surrender.