The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-11-03
Last Nights Dispatches.


WASHINGTON. Nov. ]. Some time ago
a report was received by Commissioner
Hoyt from the Ponca reservation in the
Indian territory that Big Snake, chief OF
Poncas, was threatening to kill the agent,
who last summer caused his arrest and
Imprisonment for a month at Fort Reno
for brutal and disorderly conduct, making
himself terror to the Indians as well as
the agency employees. His arrest was
ordered and detachment of soldiers from
Fost Reno was employed to effect it, Big
Snake resisting arrest, was shot dead by
the soldiers. The occurrence caused con-
siderable excitement among the Indians
but it was soon quieted.
At late hour to night Secretary Schurz
received dispatch from Special Agent
Adams, dated Los Pinos, Col, Oct. 90.
via Del Norte. Nov. /, 10 which, after re-
porting his arrival at Los Pinos On the
morning OF the Goth, he informs the Sec
retary that he had another long council
with the White River Utes at Grand
River, Oct. 26: that they are willing that
the guilty parties shall be surrendered aud
punished; that he has faith 10 Ouray's
ability TO compel the surrender of those
found guilty. and that iD order to assure
this he (AdaDs) recommends the appoint
ment OF a com mission o: three-one of
make thorough Investigation to ind out
the guilty. and determine their punishment
Chief Ouray iavors this course and Gen.
Adams strongly recommends it for the
reason that, although a resump ption of hos
tliltIes at the present time would event
ualiy lead to the certain defeat OF the In
dIans, the war would be attended with all
the horrors OF border warfare, great des-
truction of lite and property and terrible
loss to the people of Colorado At the
time of writing this dispatch Gen. Adams
had not yet received the instructions teie-
graphed him on Sunday by Secretary
SchuTZ. which covered the same points
aud proposed the same terms and which
designated as members of the commission
Gen, hatch, Chief Ouray and Gen. Adams
himself. The settlement of the whole
olmcuity now appears highly proba BILE.
Los PINos, Col, Oct 29 Gen. Adams
and Count D9nhoff have Just arrived from
White River. They succeeded in reaching
Merritt's command ,salthough it was at
tended with much difficulty and came near
costing them their lives. The troops had
deployed and were advancing to recover
the body of Lieutenant Weir killed eleven
days previous, while out oD hunt. Two
solitary horsemen advancing, the whole
company deployed TO give them battle as
the scout had report that Adams and his
escort of % Indians were over 300 strong.
The Indians not pleased with the out
LOOK, had retired to safe distance, leay-
Gen. Adams and Coaut Deohoff alone,
The officer chanced to discover a flag of
truce inst as the troops had covered them
with their rifles for the fatal shot. It was
close call. Gen. Adams and the Count
have had rough time. They came back
from White River, 200 miles, in four days,
having Travelled over the mountain trails.
The pluck aud energy of Gen. Adams and
Count Danhoff are truly oommendable.
Men OF fasa energy would have failed.
Gen. Adams is Of the opinion tha. the af
| fair will be amicably settled by the surren-
of the guilty parties in accordance with
the wishes of the Interior Department
RAwLINs, Wyo. I. Nov "A courier
came in sfrom the frontzlast Gight, with
dispatches aud mail. All is quiet at Mer-
ritt's camp. On the 29ih an Indian came
into Merritt's camp to have peace talk.
| He was informed that Merritt had 40
authority to make peace. He tlen grave
| ly told the Generaiif he would give up his
arus. a,umuDition, horses and mules. he
would be allowed to leave with his men. Af
ter the Indian left the camp numerous signal
| fires were observed in the neighborhood
of the camp. Two companies of infantry
will be stationed at Snake river TO protect
| stores and furnish the escorts for wagon
trains with supplies for Merritts