The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-08-16
More ef the Spotted Tail s dTur.
der

Washington, 15.-The following
report containing additional details
of the killing of SpottedTail, together
with important suggestions and pro-
posalS in the change in local Indian
government, was received at the in
terror department to-day from Rose
bud agency:
STR stated in my letter OF
yesterday the murder of Spotted
Tail by Crow Dog and an accom-
plice named Black Crow, beth head
men of the Brule SiouxS. 1t was
the result of a long-standing feud.
While this is particularly true,
new evidence has been developed
which throws different light upon
the affair. 1t seems to be a project
of a long and well matured plan to
rid themselves of Spotted Tail. The
conspiratOrS were few, but of a des-
perate character, who had fully
made up their minds that if the
chief would not resign they would
kill him. The ringleader was
Black Crow, who now makes no
secret of his intentions. His am
bition was to hold Spotted Tails pO-
SitiOn, and if it could not be accom-
plished by fair means they did not
STOP to use most foul and cOwardly
means. Upon ascertaining these
facts l had Black Crow arrested as
accessory to the murder and at.the
same time to bear Crow Dog COM
pany. With their leader gone, the
disatfected element will rapidly dis
organize, and no longer exist
as an organization. In con-
nection with the subject of
the head chief over the people
! beg to offer the following sugges-
tions which l trust will receive your
early consideration: The position of
the head chief, as regards TO civiliza-
ton, may necessitate this parsonage
to centralize all power in himself;
to do this he must strive to continue
the tribal relations. To prevent his
people scattering over the reserYa-
ton for the purpose Of taking up al
lotmentS of land he must gather
them in the villages where they can
keep alive their barbarouS customs;
in short to retain hold as chief over
the nation. He must act in OppOsi-
ton to measures adopted by the gov
eminent for the ultimate civilization
of the Indians. Minor chiefs are
already squabbling for office, but
have Informed them that the ap-
pOintment and recognition of
so important a position must
come from the office Of Indian
affairs. | therefore recommend no
such successor to Spotted Tail be APP
pointed, that his son, young Spotted
Tail, be recognized as chief of his
own Immediate band, and that at
any time representative of the
tribe shall be desired at Washington
fer comforting upon the interests of
his people he shall be chosen, with
special reference to his intelligence
and loyalty to the government. Of
this the agent would be the best
Judge. If the Office Of Indian
affairs should direct this it will for
ever preclude the possibility of
such an occurrence as that of yester-
day. Being Of the opinion that it
W d. uOCCocoetly GuoO IL OuOulU .DO rep
resented at the coming conference
with the honorable secretary of the
interior, appointed White Thun-
der, chief Of the loafer Sioux to take
Spotted Tails place in the delega-
tion. He is a man Of barely ordin- |
airy ability, but of unquestioned |
loyalty and was the only available |
person to be found at the time to be /
trusted.
I trust my action in the matter /
viii receive gOur approval. I have |
to add that the prompt action in ar
resting the murderer Of Spotted Tail |
mas had most soothing effect upon !
the people at large. Ali excitement |
is allayed, and at the present one |
would not imagine we had just !