The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-07-29
Cattle Men Must Move from the Indian
Territory.

Territory.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., July 23.-The Presi-
dent to-day issued the following proclama-
ton directing the cattle men in the Cheyenne
and Arapahoe reservations in the Indian
Territory to remove their cattle within forty
days:
"By the President of the United States of Amer
lea prOclamatiOn
Whereas. Certain portions of the Cheyenne
and Arapahoe reservations in the Indian Ter
ritOry are occupied by persons other than
Indians. who claim the right to keep aud Craze
cattle thereon, by agreement made with the In
dams for whose special possession and occupancy
said lands have been reserved by the Government
OF the United States. or under other pretexts and
licenses; and
Whereas. All such agreements and licenses are
deemed void and OF no effect. and persons
cupying said lands with cattle are considered I'M
lawfully upon the domain OF the United States 50
reserved a aforesaid: and
Whereas, The claimsiof suchpersons under said
leases and licenses and their unauthorized pres
enee upon such reservation has caused complaint
and discomfort on the part of the Indians located
thereon, and it is likely to caused serious
breaks and disturbances,
Now, therefore !, Grover Cleveland President
OF the United States, do hereby order and direct
that all persons other than Indians who are now
upon any part OF said reservation do. within forty
days from the date OF this proclamation. depart
and entirely remove therefrom, with their cattle,
horses and other property.
In witness whereof have hereuntO set my hand
and caused the seal OF the United states to be AZ
fixed
Done at the city of Washington the 23d day of
July 1885, and the year OF the independence of the
United states the one hundred and tenth.
lSigned GROVER CLEVELAND.
BY the President:
TT. BAYARD, Secretary OF State
In explanation of the situation at Chey-
enne and ArapahOe agency and of the rea-
sons that influenced the President in issuing
his proclamation directing the removal of
cattle men from that reservation, the follow
ing Geographic correspondence has been
furnished for publication:
Inspector Armstrong recommends the re-
organization OF the entire management of
the agency, and the ejectment of all white
men not properly on the reservation.
On the 10th the Inspector says he had n
council with the Indians, who ask to have
the leases revoked, as they were influenced
to make them by the former agent.
On the 22d he says he completed the count
Of the ArapahoeS and Cheyennes, which
showed there Gere 1877 Indians and later
on the same day he says the Arapahoes num-
Der 100, or over 900 less than have been
drawing rations. A similar state of affairs is
shown to have existed among the Cheyennes.
This proves" says Inspector Armstrong,
that the Government has been issuing
rations TO a much larger number than really
existed. 1t is the first count ever made
where each one was required to show up"
On the 18th General Sheridan telegraphed
the President as follows:
have found at the Southern cheyenne and
ArapahOe Agency very complicated condition
OF affairs, which will eventually result i'm an out
break il not settled at early day The origin of
the evil Is in leasing the Hands of the reservation
and the dissatisfaction principally exists amongst
the Cheyennes. The reservation i mostly fenced
in by wire, and about 100000 head of cattle are
now upon H. This number will, of course. be
largely increased. II Is not for me to determine
a. 10 the legality OF these leases. but they have
produced irritation which can only be allayed by
either making war on the Indians
and whipping them into a state of subiection
and discipline. or temporarily transferring them
to the control OF the military until the vexed
questions are settled and confidence restored and
then returning them to the Interior Department.
| urgently recommend this latter proposition.
d Inc present agent IS poweress TO maintain good
place. Should the President be pleased 10 adopt
| this view, there will then be bnt one authority
enforce respect and compiiance with the poicS of
| the Government. | know this measure would
produce feeling OF security in the settlements
bordering on the Indian Territory now I'm con
dition OF great alarm suggest Captain Jesse NJ.
Lee, OF the Ninth United States Infantry. an
officer suited by experience to act as Agent. am
authorized to say that General Miles and Commits
plan.
To this telegram the President replied
July 21:
Lieutenant General r. III. Sheridan:
The cattle leases are void, and the Government
has an undOubted right to remove the cattlemen
and their herds from the reservations and Indians
may be assured OF a determination to protect their
rights. What i your Judgment 10 the necessity
OF the immediate removal OF the cattlemcn as a
solution OF the difficulty Please remain nj Fort
Reno until the question i determined.
(Signed) GROVER CLEVELAND.
The following response was made by Gen
errl Sherman yesterday:
| The President:
Replying to your telegram OF the 2ist I have the
IL
| men and their cattle should be removed from the
Cheyenne and ArapahOs reservations within a
period of forty days. This viii give all the time
necessary TO care for tAeig interests,