Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1884-10-23
AGENCY AND GARRISON.

Inc people OF this section who are in !,
terested and ought to know something
OF the movements which are being made
by the Government in reference to the
Lapwai Garrison and Indian Agen,y are
often kept in ignorance Of what is being
projected in relation thereto. Last win
ter a rumor gained currency that there
was movement on foot to abandon Fort
Lapwai, upon inquiry it was ascertained
that such movement had been contcm-
plated by some Of the military authori-
ties and that efforts were being made to
accomplish it, the settlers were consider
ably exercised upon the matter and took
immediate steps to ascertain from head
quarters at Washington whether such re.
port was true and at the same time enter
cd their protest by remonstranccs nnmcr-
ously signed against said abandonment
setting forth their grounds Of objections,
one Of which was that it left the settlers
in an unprotected state, being surrounded
by tribe CT indians portion Of whom
had become hostile and caused the muir
der OF many Of our valuable citizens and
the destruction Of large amount Of prop
erty and serious derangement of bust
ness and the serious apprehension Of
numerous families who were in the rural
districts about said reservation. Besides
there were several other tribes in the i'm
mediate vicinity who, at times, were dis
affected and many Of whom were incliaed
to go to war could they have nucleous
for hostile operations. where there were
any chances Of success. The heroism OF
those who in 1878 had displayed such
courage in fighting the whites had in
spired desire on the part Of some Of the
young Indians bloods to have another op-
portunity to display their own valor.
The response from the department pre-
sented to US, through our Delegate in
Congress, was that no such an abandon
ment was contemplated This quieted
the apprehension but, Notwithstanding, a
few weeks later orders came for the with
drawal Of troops from this garrison to the
garrisons below, which finally resulted in
leaving at this garrison only about 10 or
II men. And the taking away to other
points of most Of the garrison property.
The garrison was not abandoned absolute
ly but practically it amounted to the same
thing SO far as an adequate protection in
case of an outbreak was concerned. This
last was done, as it is said, without orders
from the department at Washington and
done upon the discretionary order Of Gen.
Miles, the commander Of this department,
and subsequent to the adjournment Of
Congress and unbcknown to our Delegate
who had then left Washington. We learn
that one of the causes Of this change was
in contemplation made by the Interior
Department ultimately designing that the
post should be abandoned and that the
Interior Department should come into
possession Of the buildings and ground Of
the fort to be converted into an Indian
training school. Agents and attaches of
the interior Department have been work
ing for this for some time as we have
good evidence for believing. We learn
that one W. r. Hill came up here for
the purpose of visiting Kamai, desiring
to consult with the resident agent here in
reference to the improvement Of the
schools for Indians at Kamai, but said
agent being absent, and he returned i'm
mediatcly without awaiting his coming
and as he expressed himself when he went
below to certain parties that he thought
he would be able to get possession Of the
Lapwai post buildings and establish the
schools there and that there was no neces-
sity for doing anything further in refer
cncc to Kamai and that he should work
strenuously with the Departments to af-
feet that end. We further understand
that there are parties in our own vicinity
who have encouraged and are still encour-
aging that change. How far they will
be able to succeed we are unable to tell
their movements are quiet and done by
secret correspondence with the Depart
ments and unbeknown to the people here
who have deep interest in the matter
1t is maintained by those who are ac-
quainted with Indian training schools
that their success depends very much upon
educating the young Indians where they
are removed from the association Of their
parents and other friends that the habit
ual contact with Their home associations
among the Indians is great bar to their
Improvement. The Indian schools at
Carlisle aud Forest Grove are isolated