Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1885-10-10
THE INDIAN eG I'll T0H

tlio3 VI ii4c - lAit S 1' -
in a state of continuous tinkering. 1t has
been advocated that most all, If not all,
the Indian outbreaks could be prevented
if persons holding responsible positions
had not been dishonest or negligent. In
regard to this assertion so often made, it
has been asked how it is that persons
seeking an Indian a~gency-the salary
amounting to $50 per month-are will
ing to pay a bonus Of $1,000 to $4,000 to
procure the position-keeping in line
with the barter and sale Of post trader
ships. The Indian agent, generally speak
ing, is on the make. How much money
there in it, is paramount to al other con
siderations.
There is nothing new in all this, It
has been ventilated again and again in
the public press, with little effect. Even
President Grant, with the best intentions,
found himself powerless in presence of
the Indian ring, to enforce Whist he con
sidered justice to the red man. 1t is there
" Z i i ShiS kaitb " 1ti~ as tfiio fttSt
amount Of political power and patronage,
profits and spoiIs hedges in the Indian
department, SO long will the Indian trou-
bles continue. Has the time not arrived
to break up this Indian ring, curtail the
powers of the Indian bureau, lessen the
number Of commissioners and reduce the
Indian agencies? This can be easily eff
fected, and with a large saving to the
country, by turning over the entire bust
ness to the management Of the War de
partment. Why this should be done is
conclusive: the facilities of the Quar-
termaster and Commissary departments
in issuing as we'll as receiving supplies,
and the fear Of the military power Of the
government. How often has it happened
that the Indian agent has been menaced
and blockaded and besieged in his own
dwelling by his pets" who felt they ware
unfairly dealt with? The writer witness
ed such occurrences at Apache, in Ari-
o On such occasions the agent hoist
ed the white flag on the gency seeing
which a detachment Of soldiers repaired
to the scene, and prevented impending
troubles.
Does not this instance here cited tend
to show from any and every point Of view
the necessity Of controlling the Indians.
and that the power Of force" is not vest
aH in tho Indian afro~4G Tjor>F-,n - =,
sound policy and productive of the very
best results to leave the care and manage
ment of the Indians to the War depart
ment. Had this been done some time
ago Gernimo with his outlaws could not
come and go at will from the San Carlos |
reservation through the settlements, ieav-
ing a trail Of rapine, robbery and muir,
der. 1t is a sad thing for the lonely and
unprotected settlers, or the few miners
far apart, to be left thus unprotected. it
is disgraceful to our government that 4
half-breed ruffian with a band of thirty
two pillaging m%arauders can set all au-
thority at defiance and roam almost at
Il ' AZ ScttllIGStGIu tbi elOti vi /
Arizona.
1t is we'll understood, there has not been
at any time sufficient troops stationed in
Arizona. The military posts are remote
from each other. and the country Of the
Apaches difficult for military operations.
1t is to be deplored that soldiers are not
Cnpt frnr, ,1aanS ~larn +hnx- ,., ~ ,ra1I
spared, to where they are most needed.
Of all the Indians those Chirucahua
Apaches are the most warlike and dss-
perate. They do not know what fear is,
and are not unwilling to fight our soldiers
man to man.
True it is that acts of folly, indiscretion,
injustice and tyranny perhaps upon our
own part are conducive towards Indian
outbreaks and revolts. We do not con
slider the Indian has any rights; we do
imagine he has any feeling. In short,
We have no consideration for him, except
to get out of the way and keep out of it.
We may not be over unwilling to use and
abuse him, kick him aside as a thing to
be spurned.
Near the entrance to Apache Pass
Camp Bowie-there is a single stuntsd
tree standing. This has a history. Nearly
quarter Of a century has elapsed since
the California Volunteers, under General
Geo. ". Bowie Of Sacramento, marched
through Arizona, establishing posts and
extending to the Rio Grande. CHS, or
Oh e the since famous chief of the
and his brother were captured.
md on the tree above referred to the
Young chief was hanged for defiant att.
7ude and i~nsolent bearing. Caodise Was
4 prisoner in d tent guarded by soldiers.
lie ripped the back OF the tent and es.
under fire from the soldiers. The
begun at once. The Indians
stirred up everywhere; the tale told, ana
'eyenge and murder commenced forth
sith, the Apaches sparing neither child,
Soman, or man. At the entrance of the
Pass and to the right thereof, on an ele-
spur Of the mountain range, is a
KNOLL or mound, called "I1elen's Dome"
u doom. This is invariably pointed out
o the traveller as a tragic spot. Here was
enacted one of those crimes that makes
'stron. men shHdaer md angels weep"
was the wife Of the superintendent
It a mining COMPANY, located at ADacEe