Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-07-11
CHEYENNE SITUATION.
The Trouble a Question of Discipline.
The Situation Still Critical

J. ii. Hallowell, one of the government
additional farmers of the Cheyenne Agency.
is in the city, who left the seat of Indian
headquarters, on the 9th inst, was inter
viewed by a reporter of the EAGLE yester-
day when the following information was OBJ
tanned:
Mr.. Hallowell stated that the Indians
were mostly in the vicinity ofthe ageny and
that all of the Cheyennes were represented
at the beef issue at the agency on the LIST
and are now between Canton and the agency.
some are camped on the Canadian river an d
King Fisher creek The medicine camp
broke up last Sunday. 1t was reported
that party was going TO the Panhandle but
did not go and are now supposed to be near
Cantone.
Indian Agent Dyer has been in some
danger and many threats were made against
him on account of discipline and trouble
growing out of crops in the agency. 1t APP
pears that the farming Indians have been
troubled by the dog Indians who will not
farm or work but throw every obstacle
in the way of those who do and their chick
ems and dogs have been shot and they have
been forced against their will into medicine
lodges. One Indian, Cloud Chief, has 40
acres under cultivation and the dogs tried
TO force him to go into tue medicine lodge,
which he refused to do. The Indians have
1000 acres under cultivation and very fine
harvest is anticipated, with corn at Sl.50 per
bushel, and many of the Indians making
money very fast. But it appears that part
of the tribe is opposed to those who cult
vate the soil. The old men say TO the young
men that they must farm as they cannot
fight the whites, but when in the medicine
lodges they twit they with lack of bravery,
and as having no experience in seal taking
which tries the young men and they get ter
ribly aggressive and put on the war paint
and say they would like to show what they
could do.
Mr.. Hallowell says that the Indians are
very sensitive on what the papers say, as
they are well posted on every paper that
comes TO the agency. The local editor there
was in danger for an article published in
reference to the difficulties.
The Bent brothers are half-breeds but are
TO all intents Cheyennes and have always
lived with them but are large ssock raiscrs.
They are now selling all their stock as well
as other leading men who have surplus Of
stock. and n large amount Of arms and am
munition are owned by them. They have
gunny sacks of cartridges which they gam
bic on instead Of money. Agent Dyer,
considering the feeling has great influence
with them and is very firm in discipline and
is making every effort to induce them
to farm and make civilized people.
He has frequently told them that they
ought to be disarmed and they understand
his position and the impression has gone out
among them that they will have TO submit
or parcipitate war.
Mr.. Hollowell asked number of the lead
ing men their opinion of the situation and
all agreed that it was critical and depended
on the action of the government in the dis
armment of the tribe. Bent and his broth |
ers are friends Of the government. George |
Bent says that the impression is general
among the Indians that the government will |
force them TO surrender their arms, and il so |
they will be forced into fight. The Indi-
ans are well armed and have a great deal of |
ammunition. They play monte with the car
tridges. They are not good shots having |
had but little practice.
The leading men at the agency were of the |
opinion that the Indians would fight ana |
that war was almost certain AS their lead
ers were selling off their stock, the Bents be-
ing foremost in selling.
The agent is willing that the Indians should
keep their guns if they would let the farm
ing Indians alone. but under the circum-
stances he thinks they ought to be disarmed.
Mr.. Hallowell csmped with the Indians
At King Fisher on his way up and conversed
with them. They numbered thirty and had
800 ponies. The Indians living there were
we'll known TO Mr.. Hallowell and while there
he had talk with them and they seemed
quite friendly.
The reporter gathered from Mr. Hsllowell
the following summary: one-half of the
Indians are in favor of farming
md opposed to war but he believes the
others will force them into il.
That the dog soldiers are being augment
ID by dissatisfied working Indians. Wolf
Rope was the last to join the insurgents.
having left his house and good crop of corn.
The situation is very critical and every
move of the Indians is watched with appre-
tension. A war would be 8 terrible calami-
v as many new settlements are exposed TO
heir mercy. One peculiar thing in connec-
ion with the Indians is that they are more
Ifrsid of cowboys than they are Of the SOL
iiers.