Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-08-01
THE INDIAN SCARE.
Several papers of the west, includ-

Several papers of the west, includ-
ing n 'half-dozen Kansas papers are
laying the late Indian scare at the door
OF the EAGLE. Some of the same pa
pers are also attempting to defend the
governments action with reference
to the grass leases, the cattle men and
the refusal TO disarm two or three very
wild and dangerous bands of Indians.
We reply:
Several days prior TO the Indian
scare this paper was in possession of
news from the most reliable sources
that unless something was done 10
prevent it and that promptly that the
Cheyennes would not only make a
raid into Kansas but before starting
would in all probability murder the
white people at Darlington and at
Cantonment. We have in our poses
sion information that cannot be over
turned that the Indians were beyond
control and threatening to do these
things at least a week before the EAGLE
sent out a single word TO the associate
press. In the meantime kilograms
were flying all over, setting troops in
motion. Not until the matter was
learned through the War Department
by the Chicago papers did We venture
to say anything. although fearing ev-
cry day that the news of a massacre
would astound the country. The dan
ger al Darlington was more iminent
than has yet been made known, a fact
disclosed by each officer in turn upon
his arrival on the grounds, and not
until four or five thousand troops
rushed on to the border did the dan
ger abate. Ii the authorities at Wash
iEgton were not gravely apprehensive
why the general of the armies sent
out in such post haste: And further,
we will now say, that for
days previous to the arrival
of the main body of troops an attack
from the Indians was hourly expected.
1t is claimed at the agency that differ
ent times had even been settled upon
b. the turbulent bands for an attack.
No one acquainted with Col. Dyer
will accuse him of cowardice OF a
want of kno Wedge of the Indian and
his ways. The military officers at
Reno do not claim that the EAGLES
dispatches were untruthful-they
were only chagrinncd that SO much
truth was allowed to leak out Sher-
idan and his staff admit it all and
more by turning the Indians over to
the military. We do not deny, but on
the other hand claim, that the feeling
between the cattle men and the mill
tary was and is bitter, SO bitter that
instead of the Indians being dis
armed as Col. Dyer demanded
they were organized into so-called
police force and allowed TO go scott
free, retaining their arms. Then fol
lowed Sheridan's report and the pres
ident's order.
Now the people of Kansas don't
propose TO rest with this menace on
their southern border. 1t unsettles
everything in this section of the state
A settler with his wife and babes
away out Oh his claim is not going to
stop to inquire into the truthfulncss
of any Indian scare but will get up and
flee at once. One of the greatest safe
guards was the cowboy. If they are
driven out, which is now the order,
then il is due the people of the new
counties, due the most vital interests
of this state, that the general govern
ment station stuff cient num-
Der of soldiers along the bor-
der and in the territory
to make everybody feel secure while
these counties are being developed
by the thousands upon thousands of
people who have gone in them 10
make homes. Governor Martins head
is very level touching this matter of
protection, and we hope that our sem
ators and entire congressional deiega-
ton will urge upon the administration
the Importance Of keeping the troops
just where they are until the Indians
have been disarmed or the question
settled for good and all possible dam
ger avertcd.
The Champion and Commonwealth
of this state, the Kansas City Times
and the Chicago papers are at last on
the right track, as the EAGLE was
from the start.