The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-09-25
DIrFIcuLT1Es IN FIGHTING INDIANS.

DIFFIcuLTIEs IN FIGHTING INDIANS.
How the Apaches Make Their Raids and se.
cure Practical Immunity.
The telegraphic 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
cumstancas of the outbreak and the
condition OF the military service en-
gagged in its suppression. Oliver Sum
ner TEAL, the vice president of a ranch
and cattle company. was seen by a re-
porter Tuesday, and asked If the
raids were so dangerous as has been
reported.
"The 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 a fear of panish-
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. He
never takes any risks. At daybreak a
man is killed. He is shot by ambush
ed savages as he comes from his cabin
door. He could not even see his
t%reacherous foe. AS the day wears on
a white settler is found here and there,
ana at night the Indians wind uptheir
work seventy-tive miles away from the
starting OF their raid. This stealthy,
secret, but diabolical work goes on
day after day, till at last, through the
arousing of public concern, enough
troops have gathered to surround the
marauding braves, and drive them
back on their reservation or across the
line into Mexico.
SIN no other part of the United
States, however. could an outbreak
occur and SO little real damage be
done. The country is rolling and
mountainous, covered with gramma
and buffalo grasses, and habitable on
ly here and there in spots that resem-
BILE desert GASES. The country is not
agricultural. Mining and cattle-rais-
ing are the chief pursuits of the set
tiers. The government is responsible
and must pay for all losses to proper
ty. But many settlers are Killed dur
ing an outbreak, and ~fri.htful out
RACES r committed. The suffering
is fearful, and yet by our peculiar
military and civil methods the Indians
escape. Their loss is usually only
three or four, and when they find
themselves surrounded they surren-
der. To prevent the continuation of
the raid they are promised immunity
from punishment. Thoy return to
their reservation. They are most con-
siderately treated oy the Indian agent,
who feeds them we'll, gives them new
blankets, new ponies, new guns, plen-
ty of ammunition, and then at the
slightest %provocation they break out
again.
why don't the cavalry catch the
lndians?"
That is just the question all eastern
people ask answered Mr.. Teall,
''and we rejoin, why don't the gov
eminent send more troopsp' The
question for the people of both sections
to ask and the one most important to
determine, n which has gone I'M
settled since our birth as a nation, is
this: What is the best methods of In
dian management We need more
business principle and less sentiment.
The Indians have for years been sub
iect tot dual authority. While on
the reservation they are under the cou-
troll of civil officers; as soon as they
break out the army is called into ac-
ton. They recognize the fact that
they can indulge all their vicious pro-
pensities, and by the time there are
troops enough around they can play
penitent, surrender, and receive par
don.
This is the history of raid after
raid. Our cavalry can not stop it for
weeks, and often months. The In
dams equipment is of the simplest
kind. He wears only leggins and
moccasins, and carries nothing but a
gun and his ammunition. Each brave
will have from one to three or -four
horses, and if he is without other food
he AN kill and eat the poor horse he
has ridden nearly to death. In times
of peace q cavalry company is reduced
in fighting force to only about twenty
Or twenty-five men. The horses have
to carry besides their riders a heavy
saddle, a gun, revolver, ammunition,
blankets, and often two or three DAYS
r~ations. No new mounts are provid'
ed. Their guides are friendly Indians
on foot, who can easily walk dowr
the horses. How, under these cir.
cumstances, can you catch the In
dians' owe rough mountains ant
through a strange desert countryp
..The reservation Is miserably loca
ted for Indian government. 1t is il
southeastern Arizona. about fiftee1
miles west of New Mexico, and 1St
miles north of Mexico. 1t contain,
about 3,000,00 @ acres, and is tn,
home Of about five thousand Indians
All the Indians on a raid need do is tt
scoot across the country killing ant
burning, into Mexico, and they ar
perfectly safe. Our troops can no
followsthem there. And all this fear
full scourge will continue SO long a
the reservation remains SO near TIL
border and u policy is SO weak
) NeW To7ka; Tribune.
The Last Great Discovery.
1t has truly been said that the age j
one of important inventions. Neve
before in the history of the worlds
lar as we know it-have there been S,