New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-08-05
SHERIDAN'S INDIAN REPORT.
MISTAKEN METHODS OF AGENTS.
UNwIsE EFFORTS TO CIvILIzE THE CHEYENNEs
AND ARAPAHOFs


the Cheyenne and Arapahoe troubles made public
this evening He reports his arrival at Fort Reno on
July Is. He sent for Agent Dyer, who said that the
ArapahOes numbering by the old 1866 indvidu
ais, well-disposed, but to a certain extent
liable to terrorism the part Of the Cheyennes and In
case Of outbreak would be obliged to furnish con-
tingent to the hostile party The Cheyennes, number
ing by the old 1905 individuals had seemingly
accepted the situation that had existed before the
mencement OF bis Dyers) administration, except those
represented by Stone CALI numbering about l2OO souls
Mr. Dyer, when he took charge in April, 1884, found
that little progress had been made with these Indians In
the way OF farming aud OF making themselves
sesupporting and that had determined to ac-
complish much possble this line from the start
He had therefore, informed them that 1t was necessary
they should go to work. settle down places near the
agency and endeavor to improve their condition fast
rs possible. IIo had made some progress inducing
about thirty Cheyenne families to 90 to work at farm
ing had found 1t difficult task and he salts
fed the only way to accomplish the policy he had In
view compel obedience by physical foroe. which
could only be done by maintaining a large number OF
troops the reservation by dsarmng the Indians and
arresting and banishng the evdisposed. whose bad
example and ile rowing disposition exerted an in-
hucnce much greater than any he could exercise by
moral suason. In reply to inquiry whether tho leas
ing OF the lands and tho consequent Of the
whites. many Of them unauthorized did not
lie believed that was the case to certain extent.
but he had had anything do with the leases
and totally ignored them, his views based on the
general principle that the Cheycnnes needed correction
and discipline and that Stone Calf AMI tho element he
represented should be required to settle down in the
vicinity OF tho agency and be obliged to make some
effort toward earning livelihood In this he felt
satisfied he could in few accomplish the desire OF
the Department and make those Indians selfsupporting
General Sheridan next hal interview with Stone
Calf Of the principal chiefs OF tho Cheyennes who
spoke generally for those who are termed the dsaected
Cheyennes The burden the troubles OF these Indians
he found to be the leasing Of their lands, though they
made many loud complaints against the agent and the
persons connected officially with the Agency They said
that when the leases made their opposition was
manifested whenever consulted or opportunity
Oft. red. in the strongest terms They had
refused to sign the leases and had never accepted
any OF the lease money Pressure had been brought 10
upon them give their consent hut they had re-
sisted in the belief that their interests would suffer
and injury would be the ultimate result From
this be gan what termed and since
then th-rc had In the tribe conflict OF opinion
Que party gunblng ana complaining about the leases
another sustaining the agency policy. and still another
ready to sign away anythings when the influences OF
the agency were exerted in that direction for the merely
temporary benefits they would receive from the
small sums OF money paid them sem-annually by the
points the reservation. with the Intention doubtless
OF finally settling down perm lnepty and the Stone Cali
element had mostly made their homes In the neighbour
hood OF the old military canonment and on the northern
fork OF the Canadian and the Waha. and this country
was covered by the leases the leases there came
"A new population. and vast herds Of cattle we're
from one end to the other OF their
lands only barred by the fences which divided
the different leases They complained that ponies
roll IN
absorbed their small patches OF cultivated ground over
and destroyed and their efforts To establish home
steads frustrated.
I'm Nav Issl, the feverish situation was aggravated
by the killing OF Running Buffalo by white man named
Horton Horton had no Connection with the leases out
driving herd othorsss over tue reservation unaw
ly without reference TO the recognized trails He at
tempted 10 pass through Cunning Buhalos place and
was forbidden to do 40. Needless OF the warning the
herd kept and Running Buffalo rode to its head ana
Inmediateiy Horton attacked and killed him. Tie
Indians became AT once frenzed AID 1t was with great
difficulty that further bloodshed was avoided ana the
usual Indian butcherles In the white settements were
prevented. From this date the discomfort aud irritation
ngrnt aud some OF his employees state OF general de-
set in and peaceful control disappeared
on part OF the agent the vigorous policy which he
had Outlined from the date of his arrivals the constant
agency where could Immediately supervise the labor
he desired them to perform; the threats made
compel this by bringing troops and forcing the
accomplishing OF his aims, Observation-Disclosures about
r
ne situation They Ia the or the agent their
concentration fow Of land and the balance OF
their reservation practically transferred TO the cattle
men for n long period Of years II not permanently
The Chryeuncs." General Sheridan says ARE fno
specimens OF the wild Indians. and as they still main
tain most OF their Aboriginal customs and loyalty 10
III habits OF the uncvilzed nothing could have
been mere mistaken than endeavor TO crowd
upon them in quick succession the customs OF civilza
ton None other than the slowest and most patient
processes could succeed with them"
General sheridan next laet number o, men who had
gnrd the leases. and gathered that while they had
agreed to the leases they had become sick Of the bar
gain II was a-rent that the signing had been done
in an capacity and by the encouragement II
not the forcbc persuasion OF the former agent, j. o.
Miles hts employees and large number OF interested
individuals who lived lawfully and unlawfully around
the agency They they had mado mistake.
but while they had thus far exhibited other spirit
than that submission 10 their fate 10 had become
GEAR that an obligatory ab snionment OF the places
many OF tne had settled upon and which evidently
ra by tho of the leased lands and the white
had wrought feeling OF dissatisfaction that
rond only remodied In their view by cutting or the
eases Many of their cattle had now been absorbed
In the large herds. ana their ponies had been stolen
They had complained Of the general character OF the
agency management. and particularly emphasized their
iisko tho official interpreter IN whom they had lost
all confidence.