Arizona weekly citizen., 1883-11-24
Ex.Indian Agent Wheeler.

The CITIZEN has already published a
 statement in vindica,iou of the ofiiclal
 acts of NIT. Wheeler, late Indian agent
 of the Pima and Papago Indians. But
 by request we publish the following from our Casa Grande correspondent:
 EDITOR CITIZEN: -t IS not often that
 I am found in the role of a defender oi ! Uncle Sans officials, especIally that ! portion of It winch k connected with and Is said 10 bring Iudigns frr n lle ! barDarOus to life civilized. have always looked upon this branch Ot the service as identical ID it's component parts Hitn l ihe overseer of the Southern slaves. One | bOssed the dark-skInned, shOrt-halred ! slaves of the Suuthern states for so much a month and housed. The Indian agent of Uncle Sam occupies the same position, an indolent life tull of inertia and dismterestedness.
 1 would especially call attention to ex- Indian agent Roswell c. Wheeler, formerly agent of the Pima agency at this point. Mr. Wheeler came 10 this
 territory a philHn;hroPIst mOued with a correct spirit taking the most decided and firm position in every respect ;LHI would tend to tine material advance ment and welfare of the Indian mental ly. physically, aud morally. He im medlately made vIgurOus attach against their habits of drunkenness and immortality. A police system was estaJ- iished which preserved order and ar- rested drunks. Mr. Wheeler was called upon to remove certain parties or tres passers from the PdpagO reservation, who were known to be intrdders tue police were compelled to act very de cided and apparently harsh, burning up the cabins and removing the household effects to open air This act drew down upon Wheeler severe personal comments and even litigation m the courts of the Territory. Agslu be was ceiis-i upon G. arrest renegade Indians who g ere selling whisky to the Indians, be sent hir police tO arrest some and they be- came involved m Q ighs with India. iesperadnes resulting in the police klli- ing three of them. Wheeler gave he orders and wanted them obeyed. He was a mn enthused with hls work, and could be classified as a man who cEru- esIly endeavored to do bis duty, and li- l par icular ann seems tO have been for
 
 way. He has done more for the Indians . than any agent who ever preceded nm | He had enemies spring up around him . who fought tooth aud nali for hIs over 1 throw. They became so c.amorous and | revengeful against Agent Wheeler, and | SO bold Tn their lOud mouthec, calumui ting attacks, that he and his wife con cluded to 20 Co California, until ID @ calm moment the government could iustly hear both sides of the que-tiuu. The time came for his justification. He several times to the Plml agency in the very face of hIs enemie- and Overhauled every account or trus that had been cOnfided to ham. Ihe ! United States government ai Washing ! lon has unanimously indorsed all Ot hi- actions and dismissed every charge ! lrought against him as frivolous and acking foundation. Any one acquainted ! with Mir. Wheeler, and who has wit lessed the onslaught made on him by he yelping pack that ba kei at he heels, knows how he faced them and l'e- ore an impartial jury was yiudicated, iu- iorsed md crowned in e manner Of manly triumph.
 TIE OLD MAS OF GRgNTAR.