The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-04
CONTROL OF THE INDIANS.
General Crook Throws a Flood of Light on
Indian Management in Arizona.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3-Brigader- general
Crook, commanding the Department of Arizona,
In his annual report, describes at considerable
length the circumstances which attended the
outbreak of the Chircahuas. under Geronimo,
Mangas and other Chiefs last spring, and de-
clares substantially that the want of harmony
between the agents of the Interior Department
and the military makes such outbreaks posi-
bic. He says that upon returning to the De-
partment of Arizona, in 1882, he found the
Apaches huddled about the agency,
where there was no land for them
to cultivate. The Indians complained
of this, and the agent, Mr.. Wilcox, acknowledged
the justice of the complaint, but said he was
acting in strict compliance with his orders in
keeping them there He said, however, that if
General Crook would take the whole RESPONSE
'bil1ty OF their management he (Wilcox) would
make no objection to their removal to other
localities within the reservation. The Chirica
.buas were then out and it was agreed on all
hands that it was best to bring in all that could
not be killed. This whole matter" writes
General Crook, twas fully understood before
started for the Sierra Madre." Soon afterwards
General Crook ordered to Washington for
consultation, and in his presence after full dis
cussion, memorandum was signed by the
By which the police control of the
entire reservation was vested in the War De.
partment "The scope of this control" he says
twas thoroughly discussed and was thoroughly
understood not only by myself, but by other
persons present, viz, the Secretary of War the
Secretary of the Interior and the Commissioner
Of Indian Affairs. The idea that the authority
which had already exercised on the reserva-
ton, simply as a matter of necessity, was to be
In any degree lessened or limited was never
drtia nd
powers We're by the agreement expressly recog-
niZed and made of record. and were exercised
and enforced without any objection for nearly
two years. Upon this express understanding
/ made myself responsible for the peace
and quiet of the Indians. For more
than two years there was not single depreda-
ton committed by the Apaches, the first time
within the memory OF white men that so long an
interval of peace had been enjoyed in Arizona
and New Mexico. AS have said before up to
this time the Indian department seemed only
too willing to have me manage the entire Indian
business, giving me the most hearty co-opera-
ton, and certainly could not conceive that.
with the added danger of the Chircahuas, there
would be any less degree of co cooperation.
Months afterwards it appears that on the very
day the above agreement was entered into, the
Secretary of the Interior wrote Agent Wilcox in
terms which must have convinced him that
neither he nor the Commissioner of In
dian Affairs were in accord with
my views in reference to Indian
management; and at the time saying that
the agreement was makeshift to relieve them
from responsibility, and to transfer it to my
shoulders also, limiting that an expression of
views adverse to my method of settlement would
be agreeable to the department. The result was
inevitable, and. on the 18th of September, find
that Agent Wilcox is complaining to the In
terror Department with reference to the agree
ment stating that it deprived him of his power
IN his government of the Indians. and left little
to sustain his authority and influence, and
m matt
have no knowledge of the contents Of confden-
tial communications between the Indian depart
ment and its agent. but, the sequel,
/ find that, early in December following
In less than five months, the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs, in letter to the Secretary of the
Interior, takes the ground that the agreement
was make with the express understanding that
she military officers were to have the supervision
OF the police regulations on the reservation, un-
der the direction and with the approval of the
Indian agent With this action of the Interior
Department officials at Washington, it is not to
be wondered that the dangers of divided control
and want of cooperation should become mani
fest"
In December Agent Wilcox was relieved and
Mr.. Ford was appointed in his place. The new
agent worked in harmony, but by the
course General Crook reported the mat
ter, and asked that his administration be
sustained, or he be relieved of responsibility.
He was instructed pending conferences between
bn6 TWO departments at w dSnlDgJOn, not TO
interfere with the farming operations of the In
dams who are not considered prisoners" and
informed that the question of relieving him
would, for the public interest, be held in abey-
ance for the present. Thereupon, General
Crook wrote the Adjutant- general letter, the
concluding paragraphs of which are follows:
LAS this right of control has been with
drawn from me, | must respectfully decline to
be any longer held responsible for the behavior
of any of the Indians on that reservation.
Further, regret being compelled
to say that in refusing to relieve
me from this responsibility las requested in my
= letter of Jan. 20j, and at the same time taking
from me the power by which these dangerous
Indians have been controlled and managed, and
compelled to engage in industrial pursuits the
War Department destroys my influence, and
does an injustice to me, and to the service which
represent"
The,putcome of the matter was the appoint
ment of Captain f. E. Pierce, of the First In
faItry, as Indian agent at San Carlos, and the
dangers of divided responsibility were at an
end.
Daring Daylight RObberies In Chicago.
nac Sc L. L.