The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-10-11
THE INDIANS.
No Further Trouble Expected.
Gen. Crook on the Indian Troubles.

New York Oct. 10.-An Omaha despatch
of the 9th says it is untrue that the Shoshones,
Bannocks and Arrapahoe Indians are travelling
south to join the Utes. Capt. cambridge says
trouble. Major Upham has had council with
Chief Washable and the Shoshones and ARA
pahoes, who said if the Utes came to Fort Wa
Shake they would fight them.
1t is stated at the headquarters at Omaha
that Gen. Merritt. would undouDtealy prepare
the railroad-a great undertaking, as he lacks
the necessary ambulances and mules. When
that is accomplished he unquestionably will
push on to the agency to learn the condition OF
affairs there and Agent Meeker's fate.
New York, Oct. 1O.-A letter of Gen. Crook
is printed, discussing Indian affairs, in which
he says:
much m re than quarter of a century, dur
ing which time have been thrown in contact
with them both in peace and war, in all grades
of military rank from brevet second lieuten-
antcy to that of general officer, and had I'M
der my control reservations whereon were con-
gregated Indians in numbers varying from sew
eral hundreds well up to thousands"
After referring to the manner in which the
indians have been treated by commissioners,
agents, etc., which generally has resulted in
war and bloodshed, Gen. Crook says: =,
= "The true, the only policy to pursue with
he Indian is to treat him just as one should a
settlement, punish hint but amer he has been
reduced to submission protect him IN life and
property. Keep white thieves from plumber
ing him. let him see that peace means pro
gress, that he has market for every pound OF
beef, and every hide, and every sack OF grain,
and my word for it, he will make rapid ad-
vances. Self-interest will impel him to imi-
tate us, to send his children to school, to adopt
our clothing, perhaps our language, and to de-
vote his attention to raising cattle and horses,
ua1l IN nualifv himgalf for ctiZ6n-
ship.
Were we to treat our foreign immigrants as
we have treated the Indians it would not take
long to turn them into prowling vagabonds,
living by robbery and assassination"
Merritt's Reported Fight Explained.
CHEYENNE, WV, Oct. 9.-The statement eff
the mail carrier that Merritt had fight with
the hostiles before reaching Payne's command
was contradicted, because Gen. Merritts re-
port, and all other communications from his
command, made no mention OF having met
the Indians while going in. Letters received
here to-day by army officefs from members Of
Merritts command speak of no engagement
before the junction with Payne's command,
but state that on Sunday morning, October 5,
after relieving Payne Gen. Merritt. with Co.
M, Fifth Cavalry under Lieut. Cherry, left
camp to visit Thornburgh's battlefield. On
the way there they were attacked by Utes, and
one man was wounded and four horses killed.
the Indians were repulsed. These letters were
dated Sunday evening, while Merritt's report
was written Sunday morning.
No News From the Front.
NEW YORK, Oct. 10.-A Rawlinssxspecial of
to-day says: -,
"No courier has arrived for two days and the
| mail carrier due here at midnight from Snake
River has not yet got in. We are anxiously
awaiting the arrival of couriers over the now
| almost deserted route of nearly 200 miles be-
| tween here and the Ute Reservation, where
| Merritt's command is supposed to have ad-
| vanced.
| The midnight Union Pacific train from the
| East brought Gen. Crook from Fort Steele.
| He continued westward to find out the dispo-
| sition andsintentions of the Uintah Utes,. he
| believing the Mormons likely to know best
about the movements and intentions OF this
tribe The Uintah Utes are the next UteS be-
low White River Agency, and there is every
reason for believing that they intended to join
RADIO is assured that they will be found either
already on the war path or about to commenoe
hostilities and Gen. Crooks present journey
and inquiry will determine the matter.
The fate of Agent Meeker and family is still
unknown.
Chief Ourays Order.
WAsHINGoN,T Oct. 1O.-The Indian Bureau
to-day received by mail communication from
Mr.. Stanley, Agent at Los Pinos, Colorado, in
closing copy Of Chief Ouray's order to the
Utes at White River Agency. The head chiefs
deplore the trouble existing at White River
and are anxious that no further fighting or
bloodshed should take place and have COM
manded the Utes there to stop. The report
Pinos is not credited at the Indian Bureau.