The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-11-26
PROTECTION OF THE BORDER.
Governor Martin Writes u Letter Urging
Some Action i'm thu Matter.


| Some Action in thu Matter.
TOPEKA, November 17.-Regarding the
protection of settlers in Southwest Kansas
from the Indians, Governor Martin writes
the Kansas Representatives as follows:
My DEAR SIRS:-I address you, as the rep
-esehtatives of Kansas, on a subject of grave
interest to many OF the citizens of this State.
within the past year settled in the counties
of Barber, COmanche, Clark, Meade, Seward,
Finney and Ham ltOn. These counties are
n m nvn rr, nnss ba
who have occupied them are there by
invitation of tho United States Govern
mcnt. They are peaccabe, industrious, in
telligent people. Thousands of them served
in the ranks of the Union army during the
late civil war, and they are, one and all,
justly entitled to the protection of the Gov
ernmcnt.
South of the counties mentioned. the Gov
efnmept has located several tribes of In
dams. Many of these Indians are savage,
turbulent and dangerous. The fact that
they are peaceablc to-day, is no guarantee
that they will be peaceable next week Or
next month. So long as they are where they
are. and what they are, and the borders OF
Kansas are left exposed and defenseless. the
people Of the counties lying next the Indian
Territory will be uneasy and apprehensIve.
Indian raids are possible ut any time. There
is nothing to prevent an invasion of the bor-
ders of Kansas. or to protect our citizens
from its resulting horrors. The State of
Kansas can not afford to maintain n standing
army on its southwestern front err in order
to keep the Indians within the boundaries Of
their territory, and it should not be expected
to maintain such an army in order to protect
its peaceable citizens. and give them assur-
ance of security. This is duty which prop
erly and rgbtfully devOlves on the Govern
ment of the United States.
In my Judgment absolute protection and
security can not be guaranteed to the cit
liens of Southwestern Kansas unless the
General Government establishes at least two
military posts on or near our southern
boundary bound line ;h one post should DC estaD
Meade County. And all these posts should
be maintained as long rs the Indian Territory
is reserved for the occupancy of Indians
having tribal relations.
II may be said that there is no danger of an
Indian outbreak. That is always the reply Of
the Government to the demand of its citizens
within the past few years have the borders
of Kansas been invaded by the same In
dams who now occupy the country adjOin-
ing Southwestern Kansas. knowledge of
these facts naturally and inevitably inspires
u feeling of uneasinesS and apprehension.
The settlers do not know when an outbreak
may occur; they do know that no adequate
been adopted. Thus they live IN constant
dread of an Indian rdid and are liable, at any
moment. to be thrown into panic, which
will send men, women and children flying in
terror from their peaceful homes. Such
panic occurred early in July last, ami the
losses. the suferlngs. the decentralization at
tending it were almost as great and as dis
tressing as though an actual invasion had
occurred. These people are justly entitled.
not only to absolute protection against
Indian raids, but to such an assurance Of
protection as will inspire confidence among
them and prevent that apprehension which
breeds panic. And such assurance can not
be given unless military posts are sstab
lished and ma ntained along the southwest
ern borders of Kansas.
l do not know by what authOr:t: such
posts are located and ma ntained If the nc
ton of Congress is required. trust that you
will. at the earliest possible moment, intro
duce and urge the passage of u bill having
this end in view. II the posts can be estab-
!ished by the order of the President. or Of
the General commanding the army. l hopc
you will urge upon these officers the vital
Importance of prompt action. to the end that
the people of Southwestern Kansas may not
only be assured OF protection, but Of such
adequate safeguards will Inspire cun0.
dence aud prevent a!ar,c and panic.
JOHN A. MAR1lk