Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-08-16
SPOTTED TAILS DEATH.
The Result of q Conspiracy to Put Black
Crow in as Chief. sa ~

The Result of Conspiracy to Put Black
Crow in as Chief.
WASHINGTON, Aug 15.-The Indian bureau
to-day received another report from Agent
Cook, at Rosebud agency, about the killing Of
Spotted Tail He had arrested Crow Dog, the
murderer, and Aleck Crow, an accomplice,
and sent them to Fort Niobara for coDfne-
ment until the arrival of the United States
marshal to take charge of them. They will
be tried for murder under tbs laws OF Dakota
Territory. Agent Cook reports that Black
Crow aspired to be chief in place OF Spotted
Tail, and bad organized gang of adherents,
that Grow Dog was his chief assistant, and
that the murder of Spotted Tail was the re-
suit of regular conspiracy to get hun out OF
the way, and put Black Crow in his place.
Black Crow made no concealment o: this, but
boasted of it. Cook appointed White Thun-
der as temporary chief to succeed Spotted
Tail, and recommends that Spotted Tails son
be appointed by the Interior department to
succeed his father. Cook reports that the
prompt arrest of the murderers broke UP the
conspiracy and all is quiet at the agency.
ANOTHER REPoRT-PROPosED CHANGE.
The following report containing additional
details of the killing of Spotted Tail, together
with an important suggestion proposing a
change in local Indian government was re-
ceived at The Indian department to-day from
Rosebud agency: Sir: I stated in my letter
of yesterday the murder of Spotted Tail, by
Grow Dog, and an accomplice named Black
Crow, both head men of the Brule Sioux, was
the result Of long standing feud. While
this is partially true, new evidence has been
developed which throws different
light on the affair. It seems to have been a
long and well matured plan to rid themselves
of Spotted Tail. The conspirators were few,
but of desperate character, who had fully
made up their minds, If the chief would not
resign, they would kill him. The ring leader,
Black Grow, now makes no secret that
his intention was to hold Spotted Tails
position. If it could not be accomplished
by fair means they did not scruple to use the
most foul and cowardly means. On ascer-
tainlng these facts had Black Crow arrested
as accessory to the murder and sent to bear
Grow Dog company. As their leader has
gore the disaffected element will rapidly dis
perse, and no longer exist as an organization.
In connection with the subject Of head
chief over the people, beg leave to offer the
following suggestions, which l trust will re-
ceive your early consideration. The position
of head chief is hindraDce to civilization.
Il6 main OOJeCI OI tulb pcIoOuaSC 10 W Cou-
tralize all power in himself. To
do this he must strive to continue the
tribal relations, and to prevent his people
scattering over the reservation for the pur-
pose of telling their allotments of land. He
must gather them in villages where they
can keep above their barbarous customs,
dances, &C. In short to retain his hold as
chief over the nation he must act
in opposition to the measures adopted
by the great father for the ultimate
civilization OF the Indians. The miner
chiefs are already squabbling for the Office,
but have informed them the appointment
and recognition of so important a position
must come from the Office of Indian affairs.
I have, therefore, to recommend no success
sor to Spotted Tail be appointed; that his son,
youpp Spotted Tail, be recognized as chief
of his own Immediate band, and that
any time representative of the tribe shall
be desired at Washington for conferring on
interests of this people he shall be chosen
with special reference to his intelligence and
LOYALTY to the government. OF this the agent
would be the best guage. II the office Of In
dian rffairs should direct this it will forever
preclude the possibility Of such an occurrence
as that of Yesterday. Being of the opinion
this is necessary it should be represented at
the coming conference with the honorable
secretary OF the interior.
lsipned) JOHN Cook.