Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-07-11

ana expresses the condlfion of the counties
on tie southern border OF Kansas.
TOPEKA, Kan, July 9.
TO the Hon Secretary of War:
For over foriy-eight hours past a dozen
cour It's in soI;hN rstern Kansas have been
in state of wild excitement and panic.
thousands Of settlers have abandoned their
homes, their crops and stocks and fed to the
tow rs for protection, which, if the supposed
danger had been real, could n"t have been
afforded them by the towns for the tow Ms
people were no better armed nor better pre-
pared to rrpel an Indian raid than those of
the country districts. For weeks past the
imminent danger of such panic has been ap-
parent rhe Cttyennes were known to be
discontented and threatening and our south
W. stern borders were exposed and defenseless
More than two weeks ago called the atten-
ton of the Honorable Secretary of War to
this state of affairs, and on the 26th dav ui
June last, earnestly requested the general
commanding this department to station cav
airy force on the southern border of Kansas
between Barber and Meade counties. in order
to prevent an Indian invasion. and give as
surance OF protection 10 our peaceful citizens
If the National government locates in the
Iudian territory large number of savage,
di-conteDfed and dangerous indians. il is its
plain duty TO provide an ample force to re-
strain III, m within the boundaries OF thai
territory and on their reservation. The
State OF Kansas can not afford to maintain a
standing armv on its southern border and
should not be compelled to maintain such an
army IN order to protect Its borders from in
vasion by Indians, and give assurance of
safety to its citizens. This duty the general
government, not the State, should discharge.
SO long as the Cheyennes or other tribes
are in Indian Territory, so long will the
borders of Kansas be menaced BY such dan
gers and disasters, such sutferlngs and losses
as have resulted during the past forty eight
hours 1t is the plain duty of the National
goverDment, il seems to me to station a per
manent military force on the southwestern
border of Kansas Posts should be located
and maintained at convenient points from the
west line of Barber and Howard counties
Calling your attention to this condition OF
affairs, ! request that prompt and adequate
measures be adopted for the protection of the
borders OF this State against any possible in-
vasun by Indians of the territory. In the
name of the people of Kansas enter a pro-
test against further continuation OF the policy,
whether civil or military, which has twice
before permitted the lndians TO invade our
borders with fire. and which has during the
past forty eight hours has set thousands OF
people, men, women and children, fleeing in
terror from their peaceful homes. The com
manding general of tbs department has Just
ordered eight companies of cavalry to our
southwestern border. This force, situated
as have indicated and permanently main
tanned, will be ample to give the citizens of
the exposed country assurance or protection.
Signed JOHN MARTIN,
Governor of Kansas.
Gen. Augur commanding this department
has sent Gov. Martin copies of two orders
issued to the commanding officers of troops
now in Western Kansas. Gov. Martin says
the action of Gen. Augur mas been prompt,
energetic and effective, and that with troops
stationed as Gen. Augur has directed he be-
lieves the southwestern frontier will be fully
protected and Indian invasion made impossi-
bic.
WASHINGTON, July 10.
A telegram received at the War Depart
ment today indicated that Indian difficulties
had occurred in a new place. The despatch
was from Gen. Terry and read
Col. Brooks, commanding the district of
Montana, has received information from the
Canadian authorities that % lodges of in
surrectory Canadian Indians under a son of
Big Bear are going towards the boundary
line. They probably intend to go to the Crow
reservation. They would be a disturbing
element if suffered to join our Indians. No
action was taken on the despatch TODAY.
The Indian troubles as looked upon from
Washington are becoming more serious
The President this afternoon sent the fol
lowing letter to Gen. Sheridan
In view of possible disturbance that may
occur among the Indians now in Indian Ter
ritory and the contemplated concentration
of the troops in that locality deem it de-
sirable that you proceed at once to the loca-
tion where the trouble is to be apprehended
and advise and direct those in command as to
the steps to be taken to prevent disorder and
depredations by the Indians. and as to the
disposition of troops. Your acquaintance
with the history and habits and customs of
these Indians leads me also to request that
you invite statements on their part as TO any
real or fancied injury or injustice towards
them or any other causes that NAV have led
to discomfort, and to inform Yourself gener-
ally as to their condition. Your are justified
in assuring them that any cause OF complaint
will be fully examined by the authorities here
and if wrongs exists they shall be remedied.
l think | hardly need add that they must be
fully assured of the determination on the
part of the government to enfore their peace
tul conduct and by all the power at its hands
to prevent and punish acts and lawless ness
and any outrages upon the settlers.
Signed GROVER CLEVELAND.
Gen Sheridan left here tonight for Fort
Reno, Indian Territory. The general de-
sired to be at the scene of conflict. Tele-
grams have been sent to the officer in COM
mand which say that the outbreak must be
suppressed even if the Cheyennes are wiped
out of existence.
Gen. Miles is expected to arrive in Indian
Territory not later than the first Of next week
Hope is expressed that he may be able to
quiet the disturbance without bloodshed He
is we'll known TO the Indians and is said to
have considerable influence over them In
trouble with the Cheyennes some wears ago
they surrendered to him voluntarily. Prior
TO that it was their custom to refuse to sur
render.
An Addition TO the Western Union Tel.
esraph Company.
NEW YORK, Jaly 10.
The Western Union Telegraph Co., today