Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1885-08-13
THEY MUST GO.

The President Meets tho Cattlemen'B Com
mittee and Informs Them in Unmistaks-
BILE Terms That the Order to vacate Car
Not be Modif1ed-General Sheridan's Re
port.
WASHINGTON, D. c., August 5.-The
delegation of leaseholders and cattlemen
and others interested in an extension OF
the forty days allowed by the Presidents
proclamation for the evacuation of the
Indian Territory were received by the
President and Secretary Lamar at the
Executive Mansion at four O'Clock yes
terday afternoon. The cattlemen were
introduced to the President by Senator
Cockrell. Ex-Representative Pollard
read the resolutions ad opted by the
leaseholders, setting forth that interests
aggregating 100000, and affecting
many States and cities, were involved,
and that one-half the total amount in
vested might be sacrificed by the eXecu.
ton of the proclamation. This resolu.
ton declared it impossible to properly
move or provide other ranches for the
cattle; set forth various arguments in
detail, and asked for an extension of time
until next April, promising prompt and
entire preparations for evacuation.
Messrs. Moore and Mumford, of Kan.
sas City, made statements of the finan-
cial losses and panic likely to be occa-
stoned by the execution of the order, and
Colonel Denning, of the Cheyenne &
Arapahoe Cattle Company, reviewed the
hardships and losses involved in an en-
forced move at short notice at this sea-
son.
The President, after listening atten-
lively to the resolutions and remarks, re-
piled:
'Gentlemen, the application for an ex.
tension of time or modification of this
order is inadmssable. You appear to
overlook the vital question of public in
terest snd policy involved. We have re-
Gently seen the panic that very small
Indian outbreak occasions and the fear
and horror which it carries to all the
people in the vicinity. To prevent such
outbreaks and ascertain the cause of dis
turbance, we have sent our highest mill
tary officer and ablest Indian authority
to the scene. and he reports that the
trouble with the Indians arises from the
presence of cattlemen upon their
grounds. He reports that the en-
tire army is required to guard
against troubles arising from this
long as the leases hold. It is true that
the Indians in most instances consented
to the leases. but they now find in them
a source of trouble and dissatisfac-
tion and dissension. 1t Is true the In
terror Department approved these leases,
but always with the provision that they
could be nullified on short notice,
The question resolves itself into a con-
test between private interests, involv-
ing pecuniary loss and Inconvenience,
and the all important public interest
of peace, safety and good government.
Delay until next spring under these cir
cumstances is out of the question. This
order can not be modified. This order
was carefully reviewed and Endorsed In
Cabinet consultations. Three days after
its issue absolute assurance was given
that it could not be amended, and yet
twelve precious days have now been
wasted. We desire to avoid unnecessary
loss and Inconvenience to you, al
though some is inevitable. What
ever indulgence is granted will have
to be on satisfactory evidence
of energetic efforts during the time al
lowed. There is no limit to energy and
ingenuity. can not but think that this
order can be complied with. 1t must be.
must ask your cooperation in carrying
out this necessary work Of relieving the
army of this charge and the settlers of
this constant menace and danger, and
the Government will in turn endeavor to
protect you from unnecessary loss"
No reply was made to the Presidents
remarks.
GENERAL sHERIDAN's REPORT.
WASHINGTON, D. c., August 5.-Gcn-
eral Sheridan's report on the condition
aoi =
and the cattlemen's leases
in the Indian Territory was made public
yesterday. General Sheridan, upon his
arrival, learned from Indian Agent Dyer
that the leasing of reservation lands and
the presen &c of SO many whites had a
tendency to breed discomfort and dissAt-
isfaction among the Indians. He then
consulted some of the Indian chiefs, and
the burden of their complaint was the
leasing of the lands of their reservation;
which they had opposed, whenever op-
portunity was afforded, III the strongest
terms. They complained that many OF
their ponies had been stolen and their
small herds of cattle absorbed by cattto-
mems cowboys.
General Sheridan blames Indian Agent
Miles for much of this trouble. Inter
views with Indian chiefs who had signed
leases showed they had been imposed
upon by Miles. General Sheridan saw
the lease holders, who claimed that a
general council was held, and that chiefs
and head men representing ninety five
per cent. of the Indians, consented to
leasing the lands. Whether this be COR
rect or not, he says, is hard to determine
now.
He estimates that 2lO, 200 cattle are on
the leased lands. The rent has been
paid, aud the iessees have fulfilled their
although the Indians have
done much to aggravate them by killing
their stock when rations were short.
The ranches of these lessees, however,
without fault of theirs, have become the
of rowing, restless class
of adventurers, who are lawless and I'M
and whose influence on the
Indians is of the worst character when
and leads to theft and some
times murder.
In concluding the General recommends
In the strongest terms a complete organ
ization of the affiirs of the reservation.
''There are" he says, "within it's limits
too many white people who have no |
business there. These should be obliged |
to leave at once, and no one allowed to |
remain who is not officially connected |
with the agency or with the military |
post" |
In Honor of Grant.