Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-01-06
REp-cLovu AND spo1rED TAIL.
General John E. sni.A,s story Regards.
Indian MismAnaKemeMt.

y General John e. Smith's story Re1ardls
Indian Mlsmanagement.
D CHICAGO, Dec. 20, 1S78.-Colonel w.
Whipple, adjusant general military diviaio
Of the Missouri, Chicago, Ill. 3
ss1A:=-Is have the honor To- submit u
following report being the result of fou
years experience and observation in th
'~l-nAuaSement Of the Red Cloud and Spottet
Til agencies, from 1870 to 1874.
The temperizing policy and want of sys
tenn in the management of these agencies
has been dsplorable, csomplicating our rela,
lions with the Indians, resulting in dissatis
faction and great loss to the government. II
was notorious that Indians did not receive
the amount or quality of food sent them, u
reported by their agents.
The commissions sent out from time to
time to investigate the administration Of
affairs at these agencies were imposed upon
By their witnesses, who were men depend
emit upon the good will of the agents and
contractors, and would not hazard the los.
of their positions by telling the truth. If
these witnesses could have been protected,
facts that were freely admitted to the under
signed would have been ELECTED BY the in
~yes,igating committee which were not, for
the reasons stated.
1t was notorious, with rare exceptions,
that the beef was very poor !; not in guam
,tity or quality, as required by contracts.
This came under the observation of COM
missioners on several occasions.
One Otis w. johnson, a witness before
the commission of which Bishop was chair
(see report dated Washington, April
%. 1874, informed the undersigned that a
stated number of beefcattle would be
weighed and returned to the herd; several
days after inspection, lots for issue would be
driven up and accounted tor on the basis OF
those weighed. 1t was, also, notorious that
the commissioners were shown u very supe.
rior lot Of beef cattle at or near the con.
tractors ranch. on the North Platte river,
supporting to be such as we're furnished to
the agency ; but, as soon as the commission
ers left, this lot of cattle was shipped to
Chicago from North Platte Station Retr-
ence, Nj. George Arnold ct al, North
Platte Station.
II was observed during the spring Of 1874,
that many Indians, particularly half-breeds.
had -four and corn largely in excess of their
requirements being stacked up in an extra
tepee or lent quite full. Some of the -four
was being fed u their ponies, but most Of it
and the corn found it's way to the Indian
traders store.
The military were frequently called upon
to furnish supplies, agents alleging hat they
we're short. and they must have them to pre-
vent dissatisfaction. With proper manage.
ment this condition Of affairs could not have
happened.
Beef and all other kinds Of supplies are
issued largely in excess Of the number Of
Indians present. Agent Saville reported
that he was issuing to $1,000 at his agency
(Rd CLOUDY; an enumerat,on of the 10.
di.o- at that agency, completed March %,
1874, taken from his (SavllIe's) books, give.
the following number:
Men, heals of families....... ......... 55
omen $50
CnllQlen 1868
a& -
!Ota .6,9oS
Allowing a liberal estimate for Indians cas-
uaIy al agehcy........... 500
Making a grand total Of. IS SASS
This is believed to be largely in excess OF