The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-07-18
General Crook in Washington.

The Philadelphia Times Washington cores
pondent thus describes the appearance In that
city of General Crook, the great indian ngnter
"a tall, soldierly-looking, sandy-whiskered
man was ushered into the room OF the Secretary
of War this morning and the latter quickly rose
to his feet and grasped heartily the hand of his
visitor. { | am glad to see you, General CROOK,
said the secretary, and the few spectators OF the
meeting gazed intently at the celebrated indian
fighter The general was anxious to report the
result of his campaign, however, ana crave9
private audience with the head OF the war de-
partment This was promptly accorded MIN
and II was after midday before the conference
ended. 1t being cabinet day, Secretary Lincoln
was due at the White House about noon, but
when he walked from the war department 10
his destination he was accompanied by General
Crook. The latter was anxious to meet the
President and after being presented to Secre-
tary Chandler and Postmaster-General Gresham
in the ante-room he remained until the
President came in from his cottage at the
soldiers home. General Crook went into the
cabinet room, and his story must have proved
interesting, as all formaities were dispensed
with and it was announced that the cabinet
meeting had been postponed till next week
Indian hunting and fishing were then freely
discussed, the President taking an active part
in the dialogue. General Crook created a sensa-
ton wherever he appeared to-day, and his
quarters at the hotel have been besieged with
visitors, who wanted just to get sight
of him. He Is about six feet high, weighs in
the neighborhood of one hundred and seventy
five pounds, and his hair which is inclined to be
sandy, is tinged with gray. He is probably on
years of age, and his appearance Is enhanced
by the brown moustache and sharp-polnted
beard. In conversation with ex-Gov. Fletcher
of Missouri, who met Gen. Crook several years
ago while the former was acting as an Indian
commissioner it was stated that the general
knew everything necessary for the proper treat
ment of the Indians. While resting on q
blanket with General Crook in Arizona, said
Governor Fletcher, he gave me more informa-
ton in one night concerning the people he mad
subiugated than could be obtained from from
tierslnen In a month. lie had shown a
thorough knowledge of the savages, and the
speaker was not surprised that his campaign
had been crowned with success. 1t was i'm
possible for him to be mised by any actions OF
The Indians and they feared and respected
him more than any other officer on the from
tier. Seven years ago he had tanned a tribe Of
| Apaches by his resolute bearing and kindly
solicitude Tor their welfare, and had actually
succeeded in instilling love for farming IL
| them. Whatever advice he would give lii thu
present difficulty would be the result OF atten
| ton to his charges and practical knowledge
of their wants. The true and practical way
| of dealing with the savage tribes, said TIT
| governor is to plant them east of the Missis
| sppi and in the very middle of civilization, in
| stead of fencing them off from it, as is nov
| done. 1t would be cheaper to feed and CLOTH
them in the East, cost OF lands, ETC., included
| The expense of our Indian policy is immense
| We have to pay double for everything on tn
frontier, with the army to maintain additionally
Such practical men as Gen. Crook agree VIII
| me in this.