, 1885-04-17
THEY WANT WAR.
Settlers in Johnson County Make
an Appeal for Arms.
Some Lively Correspondence About
the AIledged Indian Troubles.
Scouting Parties Out and the Mill
tary Fully Prepared.

About two weeks ago a man named
Sawin wrote letters to several country
newspapers, and eventually to Governor
Warren, in which he stated hat an out
break of Indians was imminent in john
son county. Since that time all sorts of
Indian rumors, some sensational and
some contradictory of the hostile stories
have been circulated, and fully fifty letters
relating to the situation of affairs have
been received by Secretary Morgan.
The next day after Governor Warren's
recent departure for the east Secretary
Morgan received a letter from Col. Comp
ton, of the 5th cavalry, commanding at
Fort Mckinney, in which it was plainly
stated that all reliable information denied
the probability of an Indian outbreak.
Wednesday night Acting Governor
Morgan received an official communion
ton from the board Of county commits
sioners of johnson county which was too
serious to be lightly treated. The com
missioners stated that reports of impend-
ing trouble had been made to them and
asked that 100 stand of arms be sent to
them for distribution among the settlers.
Governor Morgan was powerless to grant
the request, for the law plainly states that
the territorial arms shall be issued to
militia companies only and upon proper
bonds. Aside from the legal obstacles in
the way of the issuance of the arms Gov
ernor Morgan wal not disposed to issue
weapons to the settlers of johnson
county, for it is patent that by so doing
he would, by implication at least, give
them carte blanche to kill any Indians
they might see, thus bringing about the
very thing which it Is desired to avoid.
He telegraphed to Gen. q. o. Howard,
commander of the department of the
Platte, stating the situation. asking that
troops be sent to Tongue river, and also
asking for any information Gen. Howard
might have or be at liberty to communicate
regarding the alleged trouble. Gen.
Howard replied courteously and at length.
He said the military was ready to act at a
moments notice, that a scouting party
was now in the field in johnson county,
and that his information warranted him
in saying that the danger of an outbreak
had been exaggerated.
Last evening Gen. Morgan sent the
following dispatch to the commissioners
Of johnson county:
CHEYENNE. Wyo.. April IL, 1885,
To the County Commissioners Of John
son County, Buffalo, Hyo.. The only
way provided for the issue Of arms is as
provided in chapter 81, compiled laws
and chapter GO, laws of 1882.
On receipt of your letter of the nth
inst, | telegraphed the facts fully to the
commander of the department of the
Platte, at Omaha, requesting him TO
send troops to Tongue river, or vicinity,
to allay alarm and prevent possible trouble
from Indians" To-day | received a tele-
gram from him. He had been and was
thoroughly investigating the reports
about Indians referred to and thus far
there appeared to be no good foundation
for them" Further, That five days ago
he had sent a scouting party to Tongue
river that troops are held in readiness
to take the field if there be the slightest
need, and that he earnestly advises that
no aggressive movements just now be
.,aIn 49, IT, t~,o,a - ott,vo,.
While ] am anxious to do my utmost
to aid your people, it is all important that
every citizen should do all in his power to
avoid a rupture with the Indians, which
would result in the destruction of life and
property, and | beg you to notice, care
fully, what the commander of the de-
partment says and advises.
We have communications from the
northern portion of your county which
fully accord with that of the department
commander. Communicate to me by
wire any important facts as they occur;
let me know what you deem essential in
the matter, and I will do my best to CO.
bItA1Nt WIN sRhs
tSigned.) f. S. n. MORGAN,
Acting Governor.
There is little to add to the above.
Gov. Morgan certainly was not warranted
in sending arms to people in johnson
county for the purpose of starting an
Indian war. The most reliable informa-
ton shows that there is no serious danger
of an outbreak, and it is clearly shown
that Gen. Howard and Col. Compton are
ready to suppress the first hostile demon
STATIONS. Mr.. Thos. Sturgis received a
letter yesterday from Mr.. Il. II. Becker,
editor of the Big Horn Sentinel, in which
that gentleman states that the rumors are
utterly without foundation.
The opinion obtains in this part of the ter
ritory hat many ofthe rumors of an Indian
outbreak have been maliciously started, or
circulated for a purpose. There is GER
tainly no danger, and the military are
competent and able to control the Indians