River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-08-13
FIGHTING INDIANS
How the Apaches Make Their Raids an
Secure Practical immunity.

The Geographic dispatches about the
atrocities of the Apache Indians in
New Mexico and Arizona have been
conflicting as to the damage done to
property and life, and as to the cir
cumstances of the outbreak and con
dition OF the military service engaged
in lis supDrcssion. Oliver Sumner
TEAL. the vice president of ranch and
cattle company, was seen by reporter
Tuesday, and asked if the raids were
so dangerous as had been reported.
"lhe reports" he said. "are always
TO a great degree sensational hearsay
The troubles arise either from the dis
satisfaction of the Indians with their
treatment on the reservation or, as in
this instance, from fear of punish
ment for some breach of regulations
The result is an outbreak, the news of
which is usually first communicated by
the report of the massacre OF some
poor fellow. Then the whole country
becomes alarmed, and the most sensa-
tional stories are sent to the papers.
in comparison with those endangered,
few lives are actually lost, because of
the Indians method of warfare. lie
never takes any risks. At day break
man is killed He is shot down by am
pushed savages as he comes from his
cabin door lie could not even see his
treacherous foe. AS the day wears on
white settler is found here and there,
and at night the Indians end up their
work sevcnty-five miles away from the
starting point of their raid This
stealthy, secret, but diabolical work
goes on day after day, till at last,
through arousing of public concern,
enough troops have gathered to sur
round the marauding braves, and drive
them back on their reservation or
across the line into Mexico.
''In no other parts of the United
States, however, could an outbreak oc
cur and so little real damage be done.
The country is rolling and mountain
Gus, covered with gramma and buffalo
grasses. and habitablo only here and
there in spots that resemble desert
GASES The country is not agricultural.
Mining and cattleraising are the chief
pursuits of the settlers. The govern
neut is responsible and must pay for
all losses to property. But many set
tiers are killed during an outbreak, and
frirhtful outragcs are committed. The
suffering is fearful, and yet by our pc
culiar military and civil methods the
Indians escape. Their loss is usually
ONLY three or four, and when they find
themselves surrounded they surrender.
To prevent the continuation Of the raid
they are promised immunity from pun
ishincnt. They return 10 their rescr-
walton. They are most CONSIDERABLY
treated by the Indian agent, who feeds
them well, gives them new blankets,
new ponies, new guns, plenty of am-
munition, and then at the slightest
proyocation they break out again.
"Why don't the cavalry catch the
| Indians?"
That is just the question all eastern
people ask, answered Mr.. Teall,
land we rejoin, Why don't the
government send more troops?' The
question for the people of both sec
| tions to ask and the one most import
| ant to determine, one whica has gone
unsettled since our birth Us a nation, is
| this: What is the best method of In
/ dian management? We need more bust
! ness principle and less sentiment. The
| Indians have for years been subjected
| TO a dual authority. While on the
reservation they are under the control
| OF civil officers; as soon as they break
out the army is called into action.
/ Tney recognize the fact that their civil
| masters are not masters ut all, and that
they can indulge all their vicious pro-
| pcnsities, and by the time there arc
troops enough around they can play
| penitent, surrender and receive pardon.
This is the history of raid after raid.
| Our cayelry can not stop it for weeks,
and often months. The Indians equip
ment is of the simplest kind. He wears
only logging and moceasins, and ear
ries nothing but gun and his ammu-
| milton. Each brave will have from one
| 10 three or four horses, and if he is
without food be can kill and eat the
/ poor horse he has ridden nearly to
death. In times of peace a cavalry
company is reduced in fighting force to
only about twenty or twenty-five men.
The horses have to carry besides their