Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-11-22
LAWLESs SQUAw MEN.
Why They Can Justly He Termed the Curse
OF Indian Territory.

" ny Ahcy NSu unity no xeE~G0 inc SUI9O
OF Indian Territory.
1.-The curse of the Territory, as is
well recognized by all who are ac-
quainted with its condition. is what
are called the 'squaw men, that is.
whites who have married Indian rom-
en- and been adopted into the tribes.
/ do not believe that so low and law
less set are to be found anywhere
else in America They are 2early
without exception men who have made
their own homes too hot to hold them
and whose only refuge is in the Indian
Territory. They never become fully
identified WITH the tribes, but form q
race by themselves. rejected by the
whites and not accepted by the Indians
But they are of inestimable value to
the outlaws who infest the southern
border of Kansas and northwestern
section of Arkansas. These despera-
does are greatly given to horse and
cattle stealing, driving their prey
across the line to the squaw men, who
take charge of it and dispose of it
among the Indians, or pass it from
hand to hand to the southwestern Dor
der, where it can safely be sold. These
fences are the pests of the
border. and if they could be put down
fully ninety per cent. Of the lawless-
ness now prevalent would be stopped.
Besides serving in this capacity. their
homes are the refuge of all criminals
closely pressed by the authorities, and
the great difficulty experienced by the
United States marshals in making ar
rests is due to the fact that these rem
egsde whites, knowing the country,
are able to conceal fugi-
tives from justice so securely as to
render capture almost impossible,
The officials of the United States Court
At Fort Smith, where. by the way.
more men are sentenced to death every
year than in the whole Of the country
outside, could tell some curious tales
Of the murders committed by these
men. and the list of United States.
who have fallen by their
hands Is q long and bloody one. In
The most lawless days Of the mining,
towns no such set of thieves and ruff
ians ever was collected together -
can now be found in the Indian Terri
tory, as there they run very little risk
Of capture and make their raids almost
Is secure from successful pursuit a. "a
hey came from q foreign country.
From these men, and not from tho
Indians. comes the chief opposition to
The opening Of the Territory to white
as they know that with their
advent their nefarious trade will be
put q stop to. They afiliste little with
The Indians, but are hand and glove
With the half-breeds, who, as is we'll
Known to all having had any expert
ence with them, seem to have the vices
If both races with the virtues Of
neither. Nearly as bad in its effects
Is their propensity to robbery is the
act that through them alone 10 whisky
into the Territory. No
natter how peacefully disposed an In
liam may be. in combination with
whisky he is perfect fiend, and nearly
Ill the murders committed by Indians
AN be directly traced to the dram
shops kept by the 'squaw men, No
aw or order can be expected as long
V they arc allowed to remain IN tho
Territory. their presence is q constant
70 the neighboring States. and
he only remedy Is to refuse to recog-
ire their adoption by the tribes and
rider them out Of the Territory. -
would be done had they NO connection
nth the Indiana Should this rule b
the courts Of Southern Kan
- and Western ArkAnsas would lose
linety-nine per cent. Of their patrouc
'ge."-Sk Loxis Post iepoeaA