The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-09
GENERAL CROOK.
The Sensation Produced by His Appearance
in Washington.

in Washington.
Washington Special.
A tall, soldierly-looking, sandy-whiskered
man was ushered into the room of the Secre-
tary of War this morning and the latter
quickly rose to his feet and grasped heartily
the hand of his visitor. II am glad to see
you, General Crook" said the Secretary, and
the few spectators of the meeting gazed in
tently at the celebrated Indian fighter The
General was anxious to report the result OF
his campaign, however, and craved a pri-
vate audience with the head of the War De-
partment. This was promptly accorded
him, and it 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 to
his destination he was accompanied
by General Crook. The latter was
anxious to meet the President, and after be-
ing presented to Secretary Chandler and Post
master-general Gresham in the ante-room,
he remained until the President came in
from his cottage at the Soldiers Home. Gen.
Crook went into the cabinet room, and his
story must have proved interesting as all for
malities were dispensed with, and it was an
nounced that the cabinet meeting had been
postponed till next week.
Indian hunting and fishing were then
freely discussed, the President taking active
part in the dialogue.
General Crook created sensation wher-
ever he appeared to-day, and his quarters
at the hotel have been besieged with WIS.,
itors who wanted lust to get sight of
him." He is about six feet high, weighs
in the neighborhood of 175 pounds,
and his hair, which is inclined TO be
sandy, is tinged with gray. He is probably
fifty years of age and his appearance is en-
HANGED by a brown mustache and sharp
pointed beard. In conversation with ex-Gov-
ernor Fletcher, of Missouri who met General
Crook several years ago, while the former
was acting as an Indian Commissioner, it was
stated that the General knew everything ne
cessary for the proper treatment of the In
dian. while resting on blanket with Gen
eral Crook in Arizona" said Governor Flet-
cher, "he gave me more information in one
night concerning the people he has recently
subjugated than could be obtained from from
tiersmen in month. He had shown thor
ough 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 misled by any
actions of the Indians, and they feared and
respected him more than any other officer on
the frontier. Seven years ago he had tanned
a tribe of Apaches by his resolute bearing
and kindly solicitude for their welfare, and
had actually succeeded in installing love
for farming in them. Whatever advice he
would give in the present difficulty would
be the result of attention to his charges and
practical knowledge of their wants. The
true and practical way of dealing with the
savage tribes" said the Governor, sis to
very midst of civilization. instead of fencing
them off from it, as is now done. 1t would
be cheaper to feed and clothe them in the
East cost of lands, ETC., included. The ex-
pense of our Indian policy is immense. We
have to pay double for everything on the
frontier, with the army to maintain add-
tionally. Such practical men as Gen. Crook
agree with me in this"