The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1881-08-15
SPOTTED TAIL.

Particulars OF His Murder-n was
the Result of N Conspiracy - The
N1urderers Arrested and Held for
Trial.
The Indian office has received additional
information Of the killing of Chief Spotted |
Tail, arrest of his murderer and the real
cause of the murder. In his first com
munication to the Department, John Cook,
agent of the Rosebud agency, stated that
the probable cause of the murder was
jealousy. The excitement among the In
dams was intense, although none of
them showed disposition TO modest
the whites at the agency. This state
of affairs lasted few days and then
died out Tho agent issued orders
| to arrest Crow Dog, Spotted Tails murderer.
At first 1t was not thought an easy task, as
Grow Dog had large following among the
disailectcd Indians. Spotted Tail looked
forward to his visit to Washington with the
greatest anticipations, and expected to de-
rive much pleasure thcrcfrom. On later
date Agent Cook writes, announcing the
arrest of Grow Dog and his accomplice,
Black Grow, both hcadsmen of the Brule
Sioux They were sent under guard to
Fort Niobrara, thirty-five miles away,
to be confined until q deputy United
States marshal from Deadwood ar
rived, when they would be formally
| transferred 10 IllC CIVIL lOi tiihis
Says Agent Cook stated in my letter
that the murder was the result of q long
standing feud. While this is particularly
true, new evidence has been discovered
which throws different light upon the af-
fair 1t seems to have been the object of
long and we'll matured plan to rid them
selves of Spotted Tail. The conspirators
were few, but of a desperate character who
had made up their minds that If Spotted
Tail would not resign they would kill him.
The ringlcader was Black Grow, who now
makes no secret Of his intentions.
His ambition was to hold Spot
ted Tails position, and if it could not
be secured by fair means, they did not
scruple TO use the most foul and cowardly
measure Upon asccrtaining these facts, l
had Black Crow arrested as an accomplish
5 to the murder and sent him to bear COM
! pany with Crow Dog. With their leaders
gone, the disafiected element will rapidly
dispense and no longer exist as an organiza-
] ton In connection with the subject of a
t head chief over the entire nation,
position of head chief is hindrance
: to civilization. The main object Of this
: parsonage is to centraliZc all power in him.
: self To do this he must strive to continue
s tribal relations; to prevent his people scat
tering over the reservation, for the
:. purpose of taking up allotments o.
n land He must gather them in vii
!, lagos where they can keep alive
s their barbarous customs, Dances etc. In
short, to retain his hold rs chief over the
nation he must act in opposition to the
!, measures adopted by the Government fol
!, ;, the ultimate civilization of the Indians
:, ~ The minor chiefs arc already squabblinl
= for the Office, but l have Informed
them that it must come through
= the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
7, respectfully recommend that no successor
a be appointed; that Spotted Tails son
W young Spotted Tail, be recognized as thu
chief of his own immediate band, and tina
y at any time representative Of the trib
s. shall be desired at Washington for con
IS fcrring upon the interests of this people, HI
ol should be chosen with special reference to hi
intelligence and loyalty to the Government
&c In the meantime have appointed Whit
d Thunder, of the Loafer Sioux, to take TIN
l. place of Spotted Tail. The prompt actor
is in the arrest of Spotted Tails murderer ha
., had the most soothing effect"
Up to late hour to-day the 1nterio
l. Department had taken no action on thu
l. recommendations of Agent Cook.
n The War Department has issued instruc
s tons to General Crook, commanding De
o partment of Platte to hold Crow Dog, whC
killed Spotted Tail, and Black Crow, wht
i was accessory to the murder, for action o
y thecivil authorities.