South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-07-19
Indian Frauds Unearthed.
Discoveries Nude at Crow Creel Age,.cy
a Record IF Robbery and Corruption.


WAsnINGToN, July IA letter has
just been received at the Indian Office
making startling disclosures of the
numerous frauds practiccd at the agen-
cy OF the crow Creek Indians, Dakota
Territory, during Agent Livingstou's
administration. The letter gives de-
tailed accou AM description Of some
fifty fraudulent vouchers, the most
OF which are for Indian labor, aud
describes the frauds as being the bold
est and most unblushing' ever having
occurred in that region. Indians who
worked at any little thing a day or two
were rated at $50 and 800 per month
for whole quarter, and several for
six and eight quarters, as long as money
was available. 1t is impossible the
writer says, 'to put your hands OH 4 pa
per in the Office without clutching n
fraud
Indian chiefs say that DR.. Living
ston appeared at Brule Agency with .
handful Of So bills and gave one to each
of the chiefs and hcadmcn, distributing
in all about $50 The vouchers call
for $3.50 as being expended in that man
ner. a description is given Of the pur-
chase of seven tons of hay nj So per
ton, and accounts rendered for seventy
tons at $500.
Tue correspondent says that the Indians
arc much provoked ut the prospect Of an
agent coming out. and have manifested
their dissatisfaction by saying that the
land between Crow Creek agency and
the James river belongs to them, and
that they have right TO live anywhere
upon the track they choose. lie. does
not think, howcver,th many of the In
dians will leave the agency on tia, &C.
count. The chiefs have been question:
ed in relation TO the immense cxpendi-
lures by the bureau for annuity goods of
tue last four years AMI in regard to
their losses of cattle, and have shown bv
their replies tia, tic annuity goods had
not been received, and that their cattle
losses were very heavy IL is stated in
this connection that DR.. Livingston has
| u private herd OF COO.
The following statement is made,
showing the difference between the a.
mount Of stock reported on hand by the
| agent and the amount actually found
upon investigation Tobacco reDorted
on hand 2,2l2 lbs. actually found c.
6,3O5 lbs. Potatoes reported on hand
100 bush. actually found 200 bushels.
Horned cattle reported on hand 10 /;
actually found more than 400 head.
The document describes ut length
various forged vouchers az having been
discovered, and sets forth that upon off,
cial investigation, from the inform alton
now in possession, those guilty cannot
escape punishment. Every possible CT
fort is being made by the Indian Office
to prosecute the guilty parties.
A special dispatch says: Livingston
began life as theological student. He
gave fonts and stained glass windows TO
churches during the time he was agent.
!Ie is now very wealthy, owning large
landed estates, town lots, and interests
in three Nevada silver mines. In Yank-
ton lie is interested in almost every in
dustry, and stands high. The life OF
1
! Gen. Hammond has been threatened by
| anonymous letters, aud il is freely as
serted that it will be taken if the ring
can't break him down by SANDER and
force a compromise.
The lower Brulc and Cheyenne agen-
cies have also been seizel !, and il is re-
ported that n secret investigation into
their affairs. which is still incomplete,
has developed conspiracy between the
agents and traders that even startles the
natives.
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