The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-02-16
RED CLOUD.
The Experiences of Dr.. V. II.
McGillicuddy.
IDEAS OF AN INDIAN AGENT.
A Good Word for the Saw
age Tribes.
OMAHA, Feb, II, 1879.

agency the continent, that Of Red Cloud. in the
present eversh state Of feeling among these Indians
las been the subject of much comment n this mill
tary department by army officers and civilians. DR..
Irwin believed here be entirely capable and
honest agent an exceptionally good man for the
position and the army attributes largely to him the
Improved condition of affairs at this agency. At
such time change of agents has been generally
garded dangerous experiment Al the same time
Dr. V. I. McGillicuddy, the agent is said by
good men who have been associated with him for
Years to be clear headed. determined man, of con-
siderable experience with the Indians and who has
many friends among the Red Cloud band. with HON
army surgeon he has been stationed. DR.. and
Mrs. McGillcuddy in this city. and the
HERALD correspondent called upon him and obtained
the following interview, finding the Doctor man OF
about thirty-hve years and fluent talker:-
CoRREsPoSpENT-Wha has been your experience,
Doctor with the Indians9
Dr. McGIIIIcUDDY-My entire experience the
frontier is not what you call extended. dating
back only to the spring Of 1874. when came out
with the expedition to locate the boundary line be-
tween Montana and British America. passing through
the country where Sitting Bull is. During that
year. and particularly since that time, crcum-
stances have brought great deal in direct con-
tact with the Indians, among whom have found
many friends sincere finds. l be-
leve know something of the needs of the Indian,
of his nature, of the wrongs which he has suffered
and of the difficulties which stand in the way of the
agent. have taken deep interest i'll the subject
and have much sympathy for the Indian or l should
not have accepted this appointment.
CoRREspoNDENT-You attended Crazy Horse after
he shot, am told?
Dr. McGILLIcUpDY-I with the old chief when
he died, and had valuable experience with his band.
My experience. in brief. to complete my answer
frs+ hat in he Dtar fol wiz
that survey of the mountain line went to Washing
ton and made up my report. The next spring (1S75)
was sent ont by the Indian Bureau in charge of the
Typographical portion Of Jennys Black Hills survey.
In the spring of 1876 l accompanied General Crooks
big Horn expedition against Sitting Bull. Return
ing that fall l at Camp Robinson and
physician to the Red Cloud Indians in ad-
dition to duty as medical officer to the mill
tary Then 1 attended the Crazy Horse
Indians. When Red Cloud removed in the fall
of 1877 ordered with the troops to attend the
Red Cloud Indians. remained with them on the
Missouri River until they returned to their present
location. This winter l accompanied Companies
and l. of the Third cavalry from Red Cloud Post, on
the Missouri, leaving there January 5. 1879 On the
return ~ Camp Robinson threw up my position
a surgeon and proceeded to Washington, where was
appointed agent. There no political Church
influence i'll the appointment.
CoRnEsPoNDENT-Why did Dr. Irwin resign?
DR.. McGILLIcUDDY-Some differences between him
and the bureau was the cause. believe.
CoRREspoNDENT-What is the condition of affairs at
the agency
DR. Mc(irILIcuppY-Matters are all in a satisfac-
tory shape, lar know, and the Indians very
peaceably disposed If they had been otherwise they
would not have furnished the army with scouts
against the Cheyennes. Moreover, think DR.. Irwin
square and honest man in every respect, and think
him earnest in his endeavors to civze the Indians.
The Red Cloud band is in good condition, and with
tair and honest treatment will continue
THEORIES AND REFORMS.
CORRESPONDENT suppose you have theories of
your in regard to Indian management and
reforms you would like to inaugurate?
DR.. MC(iILLIcUDDY-Oh, yes; i am exception to
Indian agents generally in this regard. am anxious
TO benefit the Indians in every way possible have
learned i'll my experience with them that physician
can have more influence with them than ybody
else not excepting Catholic priests. When they have
once been placed under physicians care and have
received tangible benefit from it they have great
spect for him. succeeded while with the Red Cloud
Indians in far gaining their confidence and
coming their superstition as TO attend their women
in several cases of confinement which they will al
low their medicine do The salutary effects
OF proper medical treatment in these did much
10 give their friendship. Iopened hospital for
their sick. At first could only obtain three inmates
the Indians having strong prejudice against it.
The number increased, however, to upward of two
hundred per month. treated inside and outside 1
shall pursue the same course and give them the ben
eft OF medical practice which largely obtained
in hospital work. believe can soon have a
cessful hospital in operation, with
from their own number. OF course there are
many difficulties in inaugurating even reforms
which founded upon their peculiar
natures. / well aware OF the magnitude
of the duties which will devove upon the agent at
Red Cloud. | rely great deal however upon my
honest purpose to benefit them added to my know-
edge OF their character. You know the Indians give
the physician a title which means 'holy man"
miraculous man." and hold him in even higher es-
TEEN than their own medicine men. My wife accom-
panies me. She is as well acquainted with these Ind
fans myself and has made great efforts benefit
them. They hold her IN high esteem, and her ability
TO assist me in my undertaking had much 70 do with
my accepting the agency. She is an Old campaigner
IN the long rides and harlships of the frontier and
endure as much myself.
CoRREsPoSDEST-What in your opinion, are the
serious obstacles the agent has contend with?
THE WHITE HORSE THIEVES.
DR.. MCGHLIcUDDY-rhere many. One fruitful
source trouble in the past has been the depreda
OF white outlaws particularly the thieves
There is the greatest difficulty in executing the laws
a reservation. The agent is "a little king but his
power has some serious limitations. The law makes
1t necessary for him to obtain warrant from the
nearest legally constituted authority before he
make arrest. The nearest authority to the present
agency is at Yankton, about three hundred miles
distant The agent has the power to drive law
breaker from the reservation. but he may at any
time return. and the only remedy is to drive
him from the agency again procure
warrant for his arrest by sending three
hundred miles. and when the officer arrives
with the warrant the evil doer may have left the
eryation. Under the posse comitatus law even the
military have no authority against yolators of the
military reservation. The 'squaw men" who 20
ana come as they please. in spite OF the agent,
many OF them, outlaws of the worst kind, driven
from civilized communities and who, take up with
life IN the Indian reservations. They constantly
breaking the laws I'm various WAYS In the face ~ nii
this IL is expected that the unciyilized red man
Should exercise greater magnanimity than would
white man under the same circumstances. They
expected to obey a law which protects the stock
thief and leaves them at his mercy The Indians
often pursue and oyertake these stock thieves and
variably bring them in unframed 1 remember an
Instance. Young an-Airaid-ofH is-Horses pursued
stock thief from the reservation and overlook and
captured him. He brought him into the agency
harmed and delivered him up Not being then agent
said To the Indian. "Why don't you shoot these
fellows when you md them p His expression OF
establishment was comica he looked at and
said. II cannot shoot him. he Is white man." This
was no exceptional remark for an Indian. They
hlxous to obey the laws Time and again at Rod
CtOud II has been necessary to turn outlaws loose
alter applying first to the authorities Sidney and
thch 10 omaha for assistance. one startling
comes 70 my mind III which murderer
escaped punishment in this way. California
joe. old scout under sheridan in
Texas and reliable man, murdered in
cold blood by man named Newcomb. Joe with
me ia the Black Hills survey in 1873. and with custer
IN the Rosebud campaign Ncwcomb shot him in
the back, the affair occurring at camp Robinson, In
October, 1876 Ncwcomb was put in the guardhOusc
III IL. In, l.Llt lL.a