The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-12-10
TIE INDIAN QUESTION.
General Crook Makes His Report, Fully
Reviewing the Indian Troubles.

Reviewing the Indian TrOuDies.
WASHINGTON, December 4.-Brigadier
General Crook, commanding the Depart
ment of Arizona, in his annual report de-
scribes at considerable length the circum-
stances which attended the outbreak of the
Chiricahuas, under Geronimo, Mangus and
other chiefs last spring, and declares sub
stantialIy that the want of harmony be-
tween the agents Of the Interior Depart
ment and the military makes such outbreaks
possible. He says that upon returning to
the Department of Arizona in 1882 he
found the Apaches huddled about the
agency, where there was no land for them
to cultivate. The Indians complained Of
this, and the agent, Mr.. Wilcox, acknowl-
edged the justice of the complaint but said
he was acting in strict compliance with his
orders in keeping them there He said,
however that if General Crook would take
the whole responsibility of their manage
ment, he (WilIcox) would make no objec-
ton to their removal to other localities
within the reservation. The Chiricahuas
were then out, and it was agreed on all
hands that it was best to bring in all that
could not be killed.
THE WHOLE MATTER.
''This whole matter" writes Crook, "was
fully understood before l started for the
Sierra Madre. Imagine my surprise when
/ reached the border on my return from
the Sierra Madre with a portion Of the
Chiricahuas as captives to learn that the
agent had teIegraphed to Washington pro-
testing against their being brought on the
reservation"
Soon afterwards General Crook was
ordered to Washington for consultation
and in his presence, after full discussion,
a memorandum was signed by the Secre-
taries of War and the Interior by
which the police control of the entire
reservation was vested i'm the War Depart
ment 1.-THE scope of this CONTROL" he
says, twas thoroughly discussed and was
thoroughly understood, not only by myself
but by the other persons present. viz: the
Secretary of War, Secretary of the Interior,
and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
The idea that the authority which l had
already exercised on the reservation, simply
as matter of necessity, was to be in any
degree lessened or limited was never
limited at. On the contrary, my duties and
powers were by the agreement expressly
recognized and made record and were eXer-
ciSed and enforced without any objection
for nearly two years.
THE EXPRESs UNDERSTANDING.
''UpOn this express understanding |
made myself responsible for the peace and
I'll I,as,
wears there was not single depreciation
committed by the ApacheS the first time
within the memory of white men that so
long an interval of peace had been emjOyed
in Arizona and New Mexico. AS | have
said before, up to this time the Indian De-
partment seemed only too willing to have
me manage the entire Indian business, Civ
ing me the most hearty cooperation. and L
certainly could not conceive that with the
added danger of the ChricahuaS there
would he any less degree of cO-Opera
ton. Months afterwards it appears that
on the very day the above agreement was
entered into the Secretary of the interior
wrote Agent Wilcox in terms which must
have convinced him that neither he nor the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs were in ac-
cord with my views in reference to III
dian management and at the same time
relieve them from responsibility and
transfer it to my shoulders; also
limiting that expression of views adverse to
the method of settlement would be agree
able to the department.
THE RESULT INEVITABLE.
"The result was inevitable, and on Sep
TENDER II find that Agent Wilcox is
complaining to the Interior Department
with reference to the agreement that it de-
prived him of his power in his government
of the Indians and left little to sustain his
authority and influence, and recommended
its termination. OF course | hare no
knowledge of the contents of the confiden-
tial communications between the Indian
Department and its agent but as the sequel
find that early in December following, in
less than five months, the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs, in letter to the
Secretary of the Interior, takes the ground
that the agreement was with the express
understanding that the military officers
were to have the supervision of the police
regulations on the reservation under the di-
rectiOn and with the approval of the Indian
agent. With this action of the Interior
Department officials at Washington il is
not to be wondered that the dangers of di
vided control and want of cooperation
should become manifest"
THE NEW AGENT.
In December. 1854, Agent Wilcox was
relieved and q Mr. Ford was appointed in
his place. The new agent worked in har-
mony, but by the middle of January he
took another course. General Crook re-
ported the matter, and asked that his al.
ministration be sustained or that he be re-
lieved of responsibility. He was instructed.
pending a conference between the two de-
DartmentS at Washington, mot to interfere
with the farming operations of Indians vino
are not considered as prisoners" and in
formed that the question of relieving him
must in public interest be held in allowance
for the present Thereup0n General Crook
wrote the Adjutant General a letter the con-
ending paragraphs of which are as follows:
Gas this right of control has now
been withdrawn from me, must respect.
fully decline to be any longer held respou-
sible for the behavior of any of the Indians
on that reservation. Further. | regret he.
ing compelled TO say that in refusing To re-
lieve me from this reservation as requested
in my letter of January 90, and at the same
time taking from me the power by which
these dangerous Indians have been con-
trolled and managed and compelled 10 Ell
gage in industrial pursuits, the War De
partment destroys my influence and does
an injustice TO me And the service which
represent"
The outcome of the matter was the ap-
pointment of Captain F. E. Pierce, First In
fantry, as Indian agent at San Carlos and
the dangers from divided responsibility
were at an end.
Conductors Bounced.
DENVER, Col, November S.-Since Sun