Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1880-03-09
cELLAH EouS.
LETTER FROM DAKOTA,
Fort RANDALL, DAKOTA,
Eahrnnru lE 1880


Designed writing you n letter upon the SUBJ
Jeot of Indians. The dismissal of the late
Indian Commissioner, Hayt, has called it to
mind. A year or so ago 1 was riding in the
cars from Yankton, Dakota, to Sioux CITY,
Iowa. Upon the train was Governor How
ard, then and now Governor of Dakota. to
whom l was introduced. In conversation he
referred TO tho trouble then existing at Red
Cloud Agency upon the Missouri, and related
to me the following: "The Chief, Red
Cloud, was promised by the President of the
United States last fall, 1877, that if he
went to the Missouri river and remained
until spring he should then 20 and choose
some place on the reservation away from the
Missouri river for permanent agency. The
spring OF 1878 having arrived, Red Cloud
demanded of his Agent, Doctor Irving,
tuihIment of the promise of the President.
Doctor Irving, who considered the promise
truthful and sacred, wrote to Commissioner
Hayt, urging the execution of the agreement
Commissioner Hayt, after vainly trying to
put off Red Cloud aud DR.. Irving, the agent.
who took sides with the Indians) fiually left
Washington and came out to Red Cloud
Agency Meeting Doctor Irving, he asked
tor private interview with him. in which
he said: "Now, Doctor, We must use
diplomacy with these Indians" Tho Doctor
replied Diplomacy! What do you mean by
diplomacy" "Why, wo don't intend to let
these Indians go back again from the rivor:
we intend to keep them right here" The
Doctor answered, "but Mr. Hayt, tho Presi
dent promised them that they should 60 back
this spring, and have reassured tbem, and
upon these conditions they came in last fall
and settled upon the river against their will
for the winter" Said the Commissioner:
doctor! That's all very true; but VIC are
not going to do that; and We must treat them
win poi'ey, with diplomacy, and keep them
here on the river" The Doctor replied
"Is TINT what you call diplomacy Mr.
Hay1 That is what call lieiug." Heyt
returned to Washington. Matters remained
in this condition until fall. Cthe time of our
conversntion) when Red Cloud vexed beyond
endurance, took the herd of Indian cattle.
the herders, and his people, and marched out
one hundred miles; then sent word 10 Agent
Irving that he would remain there. pro.eot
the herd and Government property till tho
agent went to Washington, saw the Great
Father and learned whether he intended to
keep his promise. The telegraph wires car.
ried the news to Commissioner Hayt before
DIR. Irving got further than Sioux City. The
good Commissioner Immediately telegraphed
Agent Irving to come no further East: 10
stop at fankton, employ all the teams it
were possible to secure, and transport Rad
Cloud and tho entire effects of his people TO
where they desired TO go (15O miles out upon
White river. This was done, but it was tho
month OF October; the grass had all been
burned of. Every pound of forage for the
transporting animals had to be hauled along
(they had No grass to feed upon.) Any price
had to be paid to secure teams, and the Gov
ernment was mulcted into an extra uppe,
cessary expense of from s25, 900 to slOO 900.
(and that was Hayts diplomacy
In the spring of 1877 it was determined
to remove the Ponca Indians to the Indian
Territory. 1t was alleged that they had con-
sented and desired to GO Finally. arrange.
ments were made by authority of Commits.
sloner Hayt to begin the move, but for some
reason the Poncas did not seem to desire tn
CO. In short, they determined they yould
not go; SO the wild Indian department an,
thor'ties had an incentive provided in the
way of company of soldiers from Fort Ran,
dali. When the soldiers marched into the
agency with the ostensibIe purpose of FIGHT
ing them, the Poncas decidedly said no. and
old not scare worth cent, and would not b.
coerced. After days Of threatening. pronis.
ing parlying and diplomacy, they arrested
two ehiefs-Standing Bear and another
."eI1 OA IoEty miles 10 Fort Randall and
put them in the guard>house to force them
to surrender their opposition to going and to
take their influence from tie rest of the
tribe. Finally they were returned to the
agency, and the Poncas, by fair means or
foul, were induced to start upon their jour
ney to the Indian Territory, the military
company from Fort Randall accompanying
them over one hundred miles to Columbus,
Nebraska. 1t is said by the soldiers accom-
panying them that during the night before
and after their departure such howIings and
lamentations of grief and sorrow they never
heard before. It was heart-rending.
Spotted Tail and his tribe of 5000 Sioux
came into the river aud occupied the vacant
Ponca Agency and Reserve. But with Red
Cloud, Spotted Tail the next year went back
Oh to the Rose Bud Creek, Q5O uiles) and
there established his agency, and the Ponca
Reservation is once more dssolate and unoc.
eupied. For two hundred years this has not
happened before. The brave Poncas long to
come back TO their agency aud occupy the
home of their fathers. They have already
los. one-third of their $50 in the Indian
Territory. Alas! for the poor POncas. Tho