St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-11-28
The CRAZE CRIPPLED,
Gen. Miles Is an Optimist Re-
gapding the Indian
Troubles.
He Assures Gov. Mellette That
All Precautions Are
Taken.
Buffalo Bills Mission to Sit
ting Bull Said to Be Inn
poptant.
Reports From Pine Ridge Are
Of a Pacific Ma
tupe.

CHICAGO, Nov. 27.-At army head
quarters in the Pullman building Gen.
Miles was at his desk early this morn
ing, and the first business which he
transacted was to send Gov. Mellette.
of South Dakota, reply to the dis
patch received from the governor
which was given publicity yesterday.
Gov. Mellette WAS assured that nothing
would be left undOne 10 give every as
sistance for the protection of life and
property in the Northwest where the
Indian excitement now exists.
81 have received quite satisfactory
news from Gen. Brooke to-day" said
Gen. Miles this evening. ale reports
that the Indian Chief Little Wound
came into Pine Ridge agency yesterday.
and that every hour seems to lessen the
strength Of the disaffected Indians.
S hort Bull, of the Rosebud agency, and
his people, about 500 lodges. numbering
nearly 1850 Indians. are reported as
also coming toward the agency. / coll
slider Short Bull one of the worst and
most treacherous Indian chiefs in the
Northwest. Gen. Brooke has a strong
command under him and ready for
summary action at moments notice.
Gen. Miles attention was called to
the dispatches from Missoula, Mont.
stating that fierce battle had occurred
between the United States troops and
Northern Cheyenne Indians near Fort
Keogh, Mont; that lively skirmishing
was in progress, and that the Indians
had been driven back with loss of sew
eral killed.
81 have uot had any official advices
concerning this reported conflict" said
he. ''All that ! know of such an oc-
currenee is the newspaper reports. 1t
is now late III the day, and / have not
heard word. In the absence of official
information l am inclined not to be-
iieve the story. 1t may be that troops
have been ordered to Fort Keogh. as it
Is an important point, to be stationed
there for reserve force"
A letter was received by Gen. Miles
from Judge E. c. Rice, of Mandan, n.
D., saying: II desire to address the
head OF the government in regard to
the danger we are in here from the
Indians. The Indians are led to be-
lieve that Messiah is toLraise the dead
and help them kill the white men.
They are buying all the arms they can
and are willing to pay any price tor
guns and ammunition, even though they
are we'll posted as to the value of things.
One instance which came under my
immediate notice will illustrate. A day
or two since an Indian traded horse
for a gun. The horse was worth S75,
the gun about g. Sitting Bull tells the
Indians that even if they are defeated
they will not be punished, but get
double rations, and he recites how they
have been treated. The government
sends out men to investigate. They see
no Indians. They have lots of talk
and go away thinking there Is
no danger, While old Indian
scouts and men who have lived
among the Indians and can talk
with them say there is danger. Even
the authorities say there is dagger. The
people are talking about arming them
selves, as also many about leaving the
country. 1t turns out that the Indians
have been purchasing ammunition in as
large quantities as they could for long
time. In behalf of the people and my
self. we ask that something be done.
That troops may be sent in sufficient
numbers to protect us until this craze
has passed away. The people of the
East know nothing of the nature of the
Indians"