Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1885-07-15
DIFFICULTIES IN FIGHTING INDIANS.
How the Apaches Make Their Raids and Se.
cure Practical Immunity.

atrocities of the Apache Indians in
New Mexico and Arizona have been
conflicting as to the damage done to
property and life, and as to the cir
cumstancas of the outbreak and the
condition of the military service en-
gagged in its suppression. Oliver Sum-
ner Teall, the vice president of a ranch
and cattle company, was seen by re-
porter Tuesday, and asked if the
raids were so dangerous as has been
reported.
"The reports" he said, "are always
to a great degree sensational hearsay.
The troubles arise either from the dis
satisfaction of the Indians with their
treatment on the reservation or, as in
this instance, from fear of pInish-
ment for some breach of regulations.
The result is an outbreak, the news
of which is usually first communicated
by the report of the massacre of some
poor fellow. Then the whole country
becomes alarmed, and the most sensa-
tional stories are sent to the papers.
In comparison with those endangered,
few lives are actually lost, because of
the Indians method of warfare. He
never takes any risks. At daybreak a
man is killed. He is shot by ambush
ed savages as he comes from his cabin
door. He could not even see his
treacherous foe. AS the day wears on
a white settler is found here and there,
and at night the Indians wind up their
work seventy-five miles away from the
starting Of their raid. This stealthy,
secret, but diabolical work goes on
day after day, till at last, through the
arousing of public concern, enough
troops have gathered to surround the
marauding braves, and drive them
back on their reservation or across the
line into Mexico.
'In no other part of the United
States, however, could an outbreak
occur and so little real damage 10
done. The country is rolling and
mountainous, covered with gramma
and buffalo grasses, and habtable on
ly here and there in spots that resem-
bic desert GASES. The country is not
agricultural. Mining and cattle-rais-
ing are the chief pursuits of the set
tiers. The government is responsible
and must pay for all losses to proper
ty. But many settlers are killed dur
ing an outbreak, and frightful out
RACES are committed. The suffering
is fearful, and yet by our peculiar
military and civil methods the Indians
escape. Their loss is usually only
three or four, and when they find
themselves surrounded they surren-
der. TO prevent the continuation of
the RAID they are promised immunity
from punishment. They return to
their reservation. They are most con-
siderately treated oy the Indian agent,
who feeds them well, gives them new
blankets, new ponies, new guns, plen-
ty of ammunition, and then at the
slightest provocation they break out
again.
why don't the cavalry catch the
Indians?"
That is just the question all eastern
people ask" answered Mr.. Teall,
land we rejoin, why don't the gov
ernment send more troopsp' The
question for the people of both sections
TO ask and the one most important to
determine, one which has gone un-
settled since our birth as a nation, is
this: What is the best methods of In
dian management We need more
business principle and less sentiment.
The Indians have for years been sub
ject to dual authority. While on
the reservation they are under the con-
troll of civil officers; as soon as they
break out the army is called into ac-
ton. They recognize the fact that
they can indulge all their vicious pro-
pensities, and by the time there are
troops enough around They can play
penitent, surrender, and receive par
don.
This is the history of raid after
raid. Our cavalry can not stop it for
WaakS and nftan months Tho Tn