Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-08-05
| ClamOrOus Pennsylvania Democrats.
| EX-GOVERNOR CURTIN's MISSION IN WASHING

Gen. Sheridan ON the Indian Troubles.
HIS REPORT TO THE PREsIDENT-THE LEASES
OF INDIAN LANDS THE CAUSE OF DIssAT1s-
FACTION.
Gen. Sheridan's report to the President on the
Cheyenne and Arapahoe troubles says that he
was told by Agent Dyer that the Arapahoes
were we'll pleased, bnt were led away by the
Cheyennes. The agent ignored the existence of
leases of Indian lands to white cattlemen. and
was determined that the Indians should settle
down about the reservation and do something
to earn living.
Gen. Sheridan talked with Stone Calf, leader
of the disaffected Indians, and found that their
chief trouble was the leases With the leases
there came a new population, and vast herds OF
cattle were graZed from one end to the other OF
their land, only barred by the fences which d.
that their ponies were stolen in large numbers:
their small bands of cattle absorbed; their small
patches OF cultivated ground overrun and de-
strOyed, and their efforts to establish home
steads frustrated. The immediate cause of the
present difficulty was the killing of Running
Buffalo by white man, who drove his herd
through Running Buffalo's place against the
Indians protest.
"The Cheyennes," General Sheridan saws
care fine specimens Of the wild Indians, and as
they still maintain most of their aboriginal Gus
toms and a loyalty to the nomadic habits of
the unciviliZed, nothing could have been more
mistaken than an endeavOr to crowd upon them
in great succession the customs of civilization.
None other than the slOwest and most patient
processes could succeed with Them"
have been persuaded, If not forced, by former
agent, j. o. Miles, and his employees to sign
away their lands for little or nothing, while
they fancied that they discovered in Agent
Dyer's severe discipline and threats of military
subjugation an attempt to confine them to a
small part of their reservation and turn over
the rest on long leases, If not permanently, to
stockmen. Through Miles influence the Indians
signed away, without any realization of what
they were doing, leases Of all but Its, S9I
acres Of land. Miles appeared as the represen-
tative OF the Indians. Later a new lease was
made covering 714,OOO acres more and leaving
the Indians but 465, 651 acres Unbiased. and
that in the poorest part of the reservation.
There was In this instance no council, and,
although about the same signatures are at
tached to the lease, there was an universal feel
ing against renting any more land. How the
signers were persuaded, If at all, Is not salts
factorily explained. From the day this lease
went into effect all classes began to realize that
their possessions were very much diminished
and that the white man had Overreached them.
This ground comprised all their best winter
grazing and many Of their houses.
In conclusion the general thinks that there
are within the limits Of the reservation too
many white people who have no lawful bust.
ness there. All who are not owners or en-
ployes, or who are not officially connected
with tine agency or the military post, should be
obliged to leave at once.