The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-29
INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY MONING FEBRUARY 20, 1884

ance with company of twenty-nine soldiers,
armed with muskets and provided with howitzer
The troops were drawn up in line before the
Indian camp in semi-circle The chief was
sent for. He soon made his appearance, and the
officer repeated his demand for the Indian who
had slain the OK of the Mormon emigrants The
chief again, with sorrowful solemnity, said
81 cannot give you the man you demand. He
does not belong to my camp. But you can have
all the horses you demand in payment for the
OK
No, sir, was the reply And as the old chief
turned his back to consult his tribe he was
shot severely. Both the infantry and artillery
opened fire the Indians, who seeing that
the soldiers were full of fre-water and
that fight was inevitable, made full prepara-
tons to meet them. After the first volley the
soldiers began to fee but they were quickly
surrounded by the Indians and. like the battle of
Thermopyle, but one was left to5ell the tale of
his comrades He survived only a few days,
and died of his wounds.
"Thus ended said the frontiersman, zone of
the most uncalled- for massacres ever enacted and
recorded as a matter of history. These facts were
obtained by most reputable gentleman who
was in the country at that time. making scien-
tifc Investigations for the Academy of Natural
Science"
Did this end the trouble?" l inquired.
mo, indeed" he replied "In 1850 General
Harney was ordered with troops to proceed to
the Brule country and punish the tribe. He
found an encampment of Indians at Ash Hol-
low who were in no way connected with the
Grafton massacre He killed eighty three old
men, women and children in cold blood.
In December 1866, another frightful massa-
occurred, known as the Fort Phil Kearney
massacre. This fort is situated midway between
the Platte and Big Horn rivers, on the eastern
slope of the Rocky Mountains. The fight oc-
CURED in the dead of winter, and ninety
one men and accompanying officers We're
killed All that was ever known Of this
sad affair was cleaned from the Indians who
were engaged in the battle. A few years after
the Phil Kearney slaughter the mem
orable invasion of the Black hills of Dakota was
made. 1t was rumored that the Black hills
possessed marvellous riches in precious metals
A plan was agreed upon here in Washington be-
tween the War and Interior Departments to
carry out the invasion, ostensibly for the Dur-
pose of general exploration. 1t drove out the
game and the Indians, and the Custer massacre
followed"
Evidently you blame the troops and the gov
ernments officers for the past trouble with the
Indiansl' l suggestively queried.
You are right. Had the troops and govern
ment officials attended to their own legitimate
business we would have had no trouble with the
Indians during the past decade, and consequent
ly we would be more men and money in pocket
What DO you think the best manner to solve
the Indian problem"
Put them all onareservation in a comfortable
climate and civiize and educate them. 1t will
cost little more than the present way of caring
for them for ten years; oftcr that they Will care
for themselves"
"Do you think men who served in Indian
wars should be pensionedF
Yes sir, the same as other soldiers"