The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-07-17
INDIAN TROUBLES.
The President Sends Gen. Sheri.
dan TO the Indian Territory.
Thousands of Alarmed People in
Kansas Leave their Homes.

threatened uprising of Cheyenne Indians
in the Indian Territory has caused great
alarm and excitement among the people of
that region, particularly the residents of
dozen counties in southwestern Kansas, thou
sands of whom fled from their homes. A
Washington dispatch of the 10th says: The
Indian troubles, as looked upon from Wash
ington, arc becoming more serious. General
Sheridan left here tonight for Fort Reno,
Indian Territory. The general desired to be
at the scene of the conflict n telegram has
been sent to the officer in command,
which says the outbreak must be sup
pressed even if the Cheyennes are wiped
out of existence. General Miles is expected
to arrive i'll the Indian Territory not later
than the first of next week Th1 hope is ex-
pressed that he may he able to quiet the dis
turbance without blooished, He is well
known to the Indians, and is said to have
considerable influence over them. In trou-
BILE with the Cheyenncs some years ago they
surrendered to him voluntarily. Prior to that
it was their custom to refuse to surrender
The Indian commissioner declined to say
to-day whether it was the intention of the
government to disarm the Cheyennes. He
said that great harm might be done by the
premature publication of the intentions of
the government as it enabled the Indians to
prepare themselves for resistance. Never
theless it can be said that the interior de-
partment is strongly in favor of dsarming
the Cheyennes, and that Inspector Armstrong
has recommended the adoption of this pre-
caution.
General Sheridan's departure for the In
dian Territory was at the instance of the
President, who to day addressed the follow
ing letter to the general:
Executive MANSION, Wash
ington, July TO- 1885.
LrEUT-GEN. Phil H. SHERIDAN-SIR: In
view of the possible disturbances that may
occur among the Indians now in the Indian
Territory, and the contemplated concentra-
ton of troops in that locality | deem it de-
sirable that you proceed at once to the loca-
ton where trouble is to be apprehended and
advise with and direct those in command as
to the steps to be taken to prevent disorder
and depredations by the Indians, and as to
the disposition of the troops.
Your acquaintance with the history and the
habits and customs of these Indians leads me
also to request that you invite statements on
their part as to any real or fancied injury or
injustice toward them, or any other causes
that may have led to discomfort, and to inform
yourself generally as to their condition. You
are justified in assuring them that amy cause
OF complaint will be fully examined by tho
authorities here, and if wrongs exist they
shall be remcdied.
think hardly need add that they must be
fully assured of the determination on the part
of the government to enforce their peaceful
conduct and by all the power it has at hand
to prevent and punish acts of lawlessness and
any outrages upon our settlers. Yours truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
a Topeka kansas dispatch says: Gov
ernor Martin forwarded long letter to Sec
rotary Endicott yesterday on the Indian sit
uation. He says that within the past forty
eight hours a dozen counties in southwestern
Kansas have been in state of wild excite
ment and panic. Thousands of settlers have
abandoned their homes their crops and
stock, and fled to the towns for protection.
which, if the supposed danger had been real,
could not have been afforded them by the
town for the townspeope were no better
arme nor better prepare to repel a raid For
weeks the imminent danger of such a
panic if not an Indian invasion, has been
apparent. The Cheyennes were known to be
disconnected and threatening, and the south
western borders were exposed and defence.
less 1t was, therefore, the plain duty of the
national government to station an adequate
force on the border to protect the inhabi-
tants. Kansas, the governor says, cannot
afford to keep standing army. He there
fore calls upon the secretary to provide ade-
quate measures for such protection.
General Augur. commanding this depart
ment. sends Governor Martin copies of two
orders issued to the commanding officers of
the troops now in southwestern Kansas.
Governor Martin says that the action of
General Augur has been prompt, energetic
and effective, ard that, with troops stationed
as General Augur has directed, he believes
the southwestern frontier will be fully pro-
tected and an Indian invasion will be made
impossible.
From Wichita, Kansas, comes the follow
ing: Dispatches from the Indian Territory
leave little doubt that the situation there is
more menacing than has been admitted by
the authorities. Agent Dyer, under instruc-
tions from the commissioner of Indian affairs,
undertook to mako census of the Chey
ennes but was stopped by the Dog Soldiers,
who threatened with death any
who should report for enrolment, at tho
same time placing two of their number as
guards of the agents office They stopped
work on the farms and threatened Dyer
with death if he persisted in carrying out his
orders. They openly declare that Dyer must
go, as he restricts their liberty. On Welnes-
day night, after midnight, party of paint
ed Dog Soldiers rode into the agency and
called for the agent. They were told that he
had gone over TO Fort Reno, and after a
short council the Indians rode away.