Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-04-24
iAs KooTENAl TROUBLE.

Chief Eneas Admits the JustIce of
Hanging the Indian Krurderers.
Arlee, Mont, April 22.--In his report
to Maj. Gen. Ruger on the recent
trouble between the Kootenai Indians
and the settlers near Ashley, Agent
Kenan says: .s ia
It Is fact that the citizens OF that
vicinity did execute two Kcotenai In
dians some time last month, and that O
third one made his escape OK hs would
have followed the fate OF the other two.
From diligent inquiriesi among the In.
dians OF thiH reservation, am afraid
men is true, and tnat no mistake. was
made by the citizens az to the identity
| of the Indian murderers. The white
men were killed about the 17th of laat
june, at place called Wolf creek, on
the trail leading to Tobacco PLAINS. The
Indians Who Committed the orimes !, and
who were lynched, are said to belong to
the band of Chief Eneas, who have their
homes on the reservation, and live about
six miles north of she agency IT Day.e..
creek. One of the mnFderers, who is
etili at large, confessed the crime TO re-
liable Indians OF this reserve. It seems
that o party of some ten
Kootenai Indians, while passing
along the trail, noticed three
white men encamped. One Indian pro-
posed to two others to 60 TO the camp
and intimidate the whites. On hearing
them the Indians fired over their heads,
but the white men only laughed; where.
upon the Indians decided to kill them
Two OF the white party being seated eas
ing in range, bullet fired By an Indiap
passed through both men, killing them
instantly. The, third was fred upon
and wounded, and WAS killed by the
blows OF an AK, No motive was given
for the crime. I sent for, Chief Eneas
of the reservation KootenaiH, and he told
me he had met party of white men al
Dayton creek, Their leader, one Kapas-
| dale, told him they had hung two OF his
Indians, and were there to find ont wha
he WAS going to do about 1t. It was exI
planned to. Eneas thatla white traveller
who had camped near Dayton creek, or
hearing of the hanging of the Indians
mounted 9 horse and rode into Ashies
and stated that the band OF Eneas, weft
in arms; that they had attacked him
and he made his escape while the In
dians were ip1undering his wagon. Thil
was easily rsfuted by Eneas. The actor
of the white man who caused the excite
meat on the reservation is inexcusa
Bile. Chief Eneas, In his talk to me
stated thatif murder had been com,
| mitted by the Indians, is was nothing
more than justice to hang the guilt,
ones, but was sorry that the lake settlers
took the law into their own hands ans
lynched the prisoners, az trial, con
viotion and execution by due process o
flaw would have more snlutary effae
upon ths Indians and prevent reeours,
to revenge In regard to the state o
things relative to the security OF thi
white settlers. i cannot see what 1eausl
they can have for excitement, especial,
as tn chief Of the band to which th
culprits belonged states thai. no tronbl
will come from him or his people, as, j
/ is conceded fact that they were mn
jpst,fiable murderers OF white people
and deserved their fate; whether b,
lynch law or otherwise. "A move 10
thu establishment of o military, post ii
4 that region hes a abgreat tendency,
4 think TO stimulate some OF the peopl
TO keep up up'excitement and 10 exaggerat
she real state OF affairs. rss3f74if na1 j.