Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-12-09

Active operations have been conducted by
the department with the aid of the military
under instructions from the Secretary of War
for the removal of all persons found intruding
with cattle or otherwise upon that unoccupied
portion of the Indian Territory commonly
known as the Oklahoma country. and 1 am
pleased to be able to report that the measures
adopted and work performed have been effect
i've in practically clearing that country and
keeping it clear of trespassers of all kinds, and
in so completely obstructing all efforts and de-
mands made for its unlawful invasion as to
check all open and active movements OF law
less combinations of persons organized for the
forcible entry and settlement upon these lands
dedicated by treaties to specific purposes. The
reports received indicate that there is gen.
eral sentiment on the border and in the vicin-
ity of the Territory to submit in law-abiding
spirit to the decision and policy of the Govern
ment and await the action of Congress on the
matter.
The Commissioner repeats his suggestions OF
last year that the Indians in the Indian Terri
tory occupying lands west of ninety-eight de-
grees of longitude be removed to the surplus
and more fertile lands east thereof, and thus
fill up the unoccupied Oklahoma country, and
that the lands vacated, together with the public
land strip, be sold to actual settlers and he
recommends that Congress authorize the ap-
pointment of commission to visit the Indians
and ascertain their wishes in regard to the pro-
posed removal.
dams crossed the international border line and
located near the Fort Belknap Agency, Mont.
They had evidently taken part in tie HOSTILE
ties which had just been suppressed in the
British possessions. In the absence of any
specific demand from the Dominion Govern
ment for the return of these Indians to Canada,
no power existed in the executive branch of
the Government to send them over the line.
Such subsistence supplies were absolutely
necessary to prevent starving have been fur
nished them from the War Department and the
cost reimbursed to that department from the
appropriations made in act of March 3, 1885, to
relieve distress among Indians not having
treaty funds.
The Chiricahua Apaches who in May, 1885,
left the same Carlos Reservation, in
Arizona, under the leadership of Ger
enimo, committing horrible cruelties
and depredations upon the people of Ari-
IONA. New Mexico. and also OF Mexico, contin-
ued on the war-path throughout the past fiscal
year. They kept no small portion OF our terri
ritory in state CT alarm and dread, retarding
its DEVELOPMENT. The theater of their move
ments was largely confined to the mountains Of
Mexico, where they were hotly and vigorously
pursued by the United States troops.
In my last annual report I urged that the
'iless guilty of the rebellious Chiricahuas
should be removed during the coming
winter to some place where they can be more
securely guarded Those of that band re-
manning upon the reservation, while not active
~ engaged with Geronimo, were suspected OF
furnishing aid and comfort to those who under
his lead were committing depredations and
deeas of violence of bloodshed-
Attention was called to the fact that an ex-
listing law GO Stat, 313) forbids the removal of
any Indians from New Mexico or Arizona to the
Indian Territory. Congress took no action in
the matter. The winter passed and the open
ing of spring found that section of the country
still in a state of excitement from fear of the
hostiles who were vet at large marking their
pathway with the blood of many victims. On
March 90 1885, the main portion of these hos
tiles appear to have surrendered to General
Crook but on the same night about thirty-five
broke away again. Seventy-seven OF them,
counting men, women and children, were, how