New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-09-03
VAS GENERAL SHERIDAN DEcEITEDi
MR. SINfMo THINKS THAT MISTAKE WAS MADE
IN SETTLING THE CATTLE TROUBLES.
far TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUSE.J

Chicago, Sept. 2.-Joseph Nimmo, jr., late
chief Of the Bureau OF Statistics who Is his way
the states Territories embraced in the cattle, horse
and sheep growing area OF the Interior with view Of
writing upon that subject, said in an interview
to-day that he came TO this city direct
from tho western portions OF Kansas and
the Indian Territory. tho OF the recent
troubles regarding the cattle men and the Cheyenne and
Arapahoe Indian tribes "As the result OF careful In
yestigaon" said he, my views have been radically
changed IN regard to tho merits OF the whole subject
since left Washington. 1t appears to me that the
whole difficulty has had It's origin 10 tho fact that num-
ber OF Army officers with their friends were formerly
largely engaged In the herdng OF cattle on the Cheyenne
and Arapahoo lands without paying cent for the privi
lego which was terminated by the leasing or the
lands Hundreds OF thousands OF other cattle were
also grazing the Cheyenne ard Arapahoe reservations
without any compensation whatever to the Indians
These latter cattle ostensby passing through the
Indian Territory the trails extending from Texas
10 the Northern ranges but, In fact being held ON
the Arapahoe lands. where they were fattened
and shipped large numbers TO the markets OF Kansas
CITY St Louis anu Chicago. After mature discussion OF
the whole subject between the Army officers at Fort
Reno tho agent and tue tribes assembled In council II
oa decided best to lease the lands 10 responsible
persons, one twentieth part OF whch lands were
occuped or needed by the Indians for any purpose.
Secretary Teller. at first refused to accede TO this
proposition, but hnay prevailed upon 10 DO so on
arguments showing that snoh leasing woun oe pro,
their welfare The strongest argument OF this sSr as
made by Army officers stationed at Fort Keno who ap-
neared 10 have not been In the ring. GEN
sraI Pope Commander,of the Department wrote long
snd oarnest appeal In favor OF the plan or leasing
and General sheridan cordially indorsed all that was
saJd nv General Pope | will mention as one OF the
ornusng features OF the business the fact that
eighths OF the original essees were Democrats and that
thew secured tho appreciation OF the Secretary OF the
fnteror almost entirely through the influence OF Demo
cratic Senators aud Congressmen.
" am of opinion that thorough investigation OF the
recsnt difficulties Will disclose the fact that they had
hair ri,n discOuteut
Indian leaders OF bands who kept themselves aoof from
tbe main body OF their tribes, certain squawmen and
eer,aIn Army oifcers and their friends stationed at
Camp supply outside the Cheyenne and Arapahoe
the latter have In connection with the
had Indians and the squawmen been using all
thsr Efforts 10 STIR up discomfort and TO poison the mind
of the General against the cattlemen The
nns appears to arisen from the fact that their
business OF raising was cut OF at the time OF leas
Ing the lands I believe 1t was these Indians who
msde all the trouble and that General Sheridan
grossly deceived In regard TO the whole matter be-
neve further that the leasing OF the lands by the Indians
had mn 10 the end the appreciation OF nineenths Of the
irhes and that proved to be beneficial to them, IL
was a large and valuable source OF revenue"