Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-01-10


troubles, without the danger of being
lectured into silence by the honorable
secretary of the interior.
Let us now come down to the mat
ter OF the removal of the Red Cloud and
Spotted Tail Indians and their return to
points further west last fall.
Interference to this matter | made no
accusations against the Indian bureau.
| simply stated, Il had hoped that the
agencies of these Indians Red Cloud
and Spotted Tail would have been re-
tanned ON the Missouri river. where they
could have been fed and looked after
at comparatively small expense, but
this would not have suited the traders
and contractors, who, | fear, labored
Systematically last summer and fall TO
work up the result which has been OBJ
tanned, and now these Indians are on
worse ground than the Missouri river
bottom, and located at points beyond
the river lines of transportation; for IN
stance. Red Clouds band, where the
expense will be probably five times rs
great as on the Missouri river. In ad-
dition, these Indians are now located
near the line Of travel to the Black
Hills, and are on the extreme western
limit of their reservation. and where
contact with the whites is liable to fire.
quently occur, and | doubt, if the pre-
sent frame of mind Of the Red Cloud
Indians, the two races can live so close
ly together without fighting" This
does not charge anything on the Indian
bureau, so that it viii be seen that
again the honorable secretary puts
charges into my mouth which | never
made, and gives them 10 the public in
the same way. The history of the
above conclusion in my report
is rs follows The treaty of the
Black Hills (see report Of COM
missioners) required the Red Cloud
and Spotted Tail people to reside on
the Missouri river, where the lands
were better for cultivation, and supplies
could be delivered cheaply. The re-
port says the Indians were willing to
80 there, and congress ratified the trea-
ty, and it became law. Gen. Ham
mond, Inspector of the Indian depart
ment, makes the following report of the
fertility of the soil, the good supply Of
timber, etc: THE locations finally de-
cided on were old Ponca agency, on
the west bank of the Missouri, sixty
miles above Gankton, for Spotted Tail,
and Yellow Medicine for Red Cloud
The lands on Ponca Reserve, about
$4,000 acres, are among the very best
in Dakota for either agriculture or
stock-raising, with enough timber, and,
considering the water-tronts and bot
tom-lands on the Niobrara, Ponca and
Missouri, this reserve is the best on the
river" "The lands are fertile,
and, should the rainfall ever become
sufficient, there is enough farming land
for the whole Dakota nation. 1t has
enough timber, and a good permanent
landing" Timber is very
scarce III Dakota, and found only Oh
streams. 1t is available on streams
near the Missouri, and on that river"
So there was no good reason why the
Indians could not live there, and be out
of the way Of the line Of travel Of the
rough characters incident to the settle
nent of the Black Hills. Gen. Crook
similar opinions, rs will be
seen by the following telegram
Fr. RENO, via FT FETTEnMAN, Wyo,
March y, 1876.
Gen. Sheridqq, chicago.
Cut loose from wagon train on 9TH inst, scout, |
here %%Snee and Rosebud rivers until satisfied |
.cross country toward Powder RIVER '"tieIf'ftey<
lolds, with part of his command, was pushed
Onward on a trail leading to village OF Crazy
Horse near mouth Of Little Powder river: this
ie attacked and destroyed on the morning 81 the
9TH, finding il a perfect magazine 81 ammunl-
81 4 n,1y nrnl nltaa
Horse had with him the Northern CheyenneS and
ZONE of the Minncconjous, probably, in all. one
lalf of the Indians OF the reservation. Every |
evidence was found TO prove these Indians TO be
n copartnership with those at the Red Cloud and
spotted Tail Agencies, and that the proceeds 81
heir raids upon the settlements have been taken
nto those agencies, and supplies brought cut IN
eturn. In this connection l would again mr.
gently recommend the immediate transfer OF the
indians of those agencies to the Missouri. Am
satisfied If Sitting Bull If on this slde OF the
Yellowstone that he Is camped at the mouth OF
Powder river, but did not 90 there for reasons TO
DC given by letter, Had terribly severe weather
turing absence from wagon trans, showed
very day but Que, and the mercurial thermome.
Ter ON several occasions failed to register, VIII
be at Fetterman, 26th instant. and II you desire
me TO move these Indians, please have insiruc-
ions for me by this date, or else shall return
he cavalry 10 railroad al once for recupeFation.
GEORGE CROOK, orig. Gen.
Subsequently to this telegram, | had
1 conversation with him, which result
ed in the following telegram from me
being sent to the headquarters Of the
army:
CHICAGO, April 10, 1877.
Gen. " r. Sherman, Washington, " c.
| have your dispatch OF yesterday. think the
Indians should 90 to the Missouri river as quick
v as possible but il is necessary to trst get the
iosules in and dsarm aud dlsmourt them, Then
i will be necessary for the Indian bureau TO
make arrangements TO receive and supply them
III the Missouri river Ut such points as may be
elected Gen. Crook can move them over with
out little EXPENSE at least, so he informed me
when met him short time ago, and | recon-
mend that he be allowed to do II. We Will have
% 20 a little slow for a short time. Indians are
very uncertain. but the Indian bureau can 90 on
Il fast as possibl IN selecting the new locations
md making the necessary preparations, but
.hould not officially announce the removal until
ne are ready to carry IL out.
7. II. SHERIDAN. Lieut.-Gen.
But change occurred on the part of
.he Indians, and Gen. Crook also
his mind. Now why did this
change Of front occur? 1t was thus: If
he Indians went to the Missouri river,
al the supplies for, say, $1,000 Indians
would probably be taken new direc-
ion up the Missouri. The line Of the
Union Pacific railroad would not then