New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-25
TRACING THE "MESSIAH."
KNOWN IN NEVADA AS THE PEACEMAKER
THE SINGULAR HISTORY OF JOHNSON SIDES
GENERAL MILES THINKS THE ALLEGED
PLOT TO KILL GENERAL BROOKE
WAS MERE GOSSIP.

tBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUSEI
Chicago Nov 24-Genera Miles attaches little
Importance TO the reports OF plot to assassinate
General Brooke at Pine Ridge, South Dakota
some drunken Indian warrior made extraVagahe
threats while in the presence Of his fellows, ana hat
Is the way the story GOT abroad said he today.
Concerning the report that a number OF braves
had left the Pine Ridge Agency to continue the
Ghost Dance, General Miles said: "The orders
given the officers regarding the suppression OF these
Ghost Dances, iSrgsy discretionary. Their
mission is to restore confidence among the Indians
and allay the excitement. They are expected 10
their own judgment as to the best means for
accomplishing that end. II it is considered the
better policy to suppress these dances at once the
officers have the means OF doing IL. However, they
may deem II better policy to employ less harsh
measures at The start.
q must be guarded in what say to the press OF
the contemplated movements OF the Army. The news
that is published here reaches the Indian camp in
twenty -four hours after 1t is published and to give out
our intentions would be equivalent to publishing them
TO the enemy"
General Miles added that he had the situation as
regards the Indians within his grasp. and the first
hostile demonstration would be met with prompt and
decisive action the part Of the Army. letter re-
ceved today by General Miles from Army officer at
Los Angeles, Cal, says
Il know it will be surprising when I say to you
finding Is as follows Last spring Indian called and
said he would like to speak TO the commanding gen
eral The messenger introduced him to and
turned him over to another officer for that purpose.
But in few moments he was turned over TO me
again. took him in the room and he gave history
Of himself He said his name was Johnson Sides
that re was known the Peaccmaker among all
Indians and the whites of Nevada where he lived.
"To substantate his story he showed me a medal
hiS ppcl a
legend to the that he presented with the
medal by some Christian society for his efforts toward
doing good TO his fellow-mcn, whether white or RED.
He could talk good English. lie was dressed like an
ordinary laborer but had the Indians way of wearing
his hair lie told me that he read or knew the Bble
that he was desirous OF making peace with every one
and that was why he was named Peacemaker He
said that Indians had come from afar 10 see Nun
and he pulled out a pipe such as is made by
the Northern Indians which was recognized as
having come from either Montana or Dakota Johnson
Sides said that it came from Dakota; that the ind
of clay of which it was made could not be iounu III
Nevada and that the stem OF peculiar wood not
found in Nevada California. lie mehuoHeu Inc
names OF the Indians who had visited MN, ana lNN
tribes they belonged to- also giving the time they hAu
called
firmly believe that this IS the goodnatured In
dian who has caused all this trouble; that he has
taught the members Of his tribe the story OF Christ or
the Messiah and that the time viii come when he VIII
once more visit this EARTH as 1t has been taught MN
nv the Christian people interested in his welfare lie
has told these visiting Indians of the paradise In store
for all people when the son Of God shall once more
visit this earth and the Indians paradise is whatever
his Imagination may lead him to believe, the same as
white man. He has, no doubt, delivered the story In
s tIue light and the Indians, reteng the story nave
warped and woven 1t according to their understanding
.Johnson sides Is well known TO all people living
a,on5 t,r line Of The Cent~i Pacific Railroad neef
Reno, Nevada
General Miles, after reading this letter. seemed I'M
pressed with the idea that Johnson Sides was the same
Indian as the one referred to in the letter of Captain
Huggins from Poplar Creek Agency few days ago.
Whether this explanation Of the craze be the true one
or not WILL however, not alter In the least the pahs
OF the General for promptly repreSsng the threleheu
widespread outbreak ,,. ,,oooa
Buffalo Bill went to Nebraska last night, summoned
by the Governor take command OF the state inlitd
lie said: "Of all the bad Indians, sitting Bu Is the
worst Rock Bear and Red shirt are hghtln9 ti.e
and will do whatever Is necessary to defeat sitting
Bull They were with me. lie can always be found
with the disturbing element, and II there Is no ds-
urbance he will fonen one He is dangeroI, indan
and his conduct now PortehGa arsrdy to the whites
was the leader OF the Fort Phil Hearny massacre.
lie has son who is out with the ghost dancers ana
looking for chance to win his spurs. Inc pest
fighting blood Of the sioux tribe as wel as ot ono
Cheyennes Is represented in the dancers. what ap-
pears most ominous TO me IL the widespread influence
of this Messiah movement. The Indians DO not teie-
craph nor write letters. They cannot communicate
except by couriers yet we ma an unPsc TeSCe fnn
tribes from the coast to the Mississippi ana from
British Columbia to Arizona dancing the ghost dance
and hooking the coming Of their great leader Sev-
ers,l of the chiefs will assist the whites