The morning call., 1890-11-19
ON THE MARCH.
United States Troops Ordered
to Indian Agencies.
Precautionary Measures Taken to Prevent
an Outbreak In The Northwest.
Intense Excitement at Mandan-The City
Full Of Refugees From the Surrounding
Country-Pfeparing 10 Act.
Special to THE MORNING CALL

Fort Omaha left for Pine Ridge Agency this
afternoon, with full complement of mules
and wagons. The other four companies
were notified to be ready to move on short
notice. Troops at Fort Mckinney were also
ordered out and left this morning for
Douglas. Wyo. Troops at Forts Niobrara and
Robinson. hich are not far from the scene
of difficulty. will march tomorrow.
1t was said that two reliable Indians, now
in this city, had stated to the army officers
that there was no Messiah craze among the
Indians just north of the Nebraska line.
Private advices from Valentine give differ
ent origin than the messiah craze" to the
Indian uneasiness. Since August the In
dians at Rosebud have been restless, claim
Ing that the agent was not giving them a
square deal on supplies. Some of the fami-
lies living northwest of Valentine have
moved away. Alex Mouwseau, an 0gallala
Indian and Government scout atFort Robin
son, is in the city. he said to-day, referring
to the Indian craze: "Some think it is so and
some know what to believe. The Indians at
talking. Some of them are wild about it,
but some don't know what to believe"
Telegrams from Valentine and Crawford
Nebr., and Cheyenne, Wye, say troops
have been ordered from the forts to proceed
to Pine Ridge 10 keep the Indians in check.
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES.
CHICAGO, Nov. 1S.-On recei Dt of dis
patch tonight announcing the movement
of troops in the Department of the Platte
toward Pine Ridge Agency an Associated
Press reporter called on General Miles. He
said: THE newspapers really ought not 10
publish this sort Of thing, for 1t will all be
in the Indian camps in less than twenty
four hours. There is nothing in it except
that the troops are being sent to the vicinity
of the reservation 10 prevent if possible,
any outbreak, and to encourage the local ell
ement among the Indians: also 10 protect
the agencies which report the Indians as
turbulent and past control. 1t Is hoped this
excitement may pass without serious trouble,
and up to this time no Indians have left
their reservations. The causes Of this
threatened trouble are failure Of their crops
delay of Congress in making appropriations
for their support and subsequent delay in
getting supplies to them. resulting in the ir
being brought to the vergeof starvation
and worked into frenzy. They are getting
rations now and possibl v the difficulty may
be bridged over. The movement Of troops
is simply precautionary, but at the same
time they may have serious work"
The reporter asked if it would not be un-
usual for the Indians to go on the warpath
at the beginning of winter The General
replied, Not at all. Those Northern In
diaus arQ tOuphpr than 1pathprp
INTENSE EXCITEMENT.
MINNEAPoLIs. Nov. 1s.-The Tribune S
Mandan On. Dak) special says: Every
house in town is full to overtiOwiug with
refugees from the country districts. The
most intense excitement prevails in the
country. The settlers are prepared to be-
lieve anything alb ut the lndians In town
receipt of 800 guns to-day from the State
Government and the fact that a
company of soldiers will be here
tomorrow morning from Fort Totten,
Tonight there are 200 Indians in town
armed, but the citizens are armed too, aud
patrols will be out aud the people will sleep
with their clothes on. A date will be fixed
by committee of citizens, and the Indian
Agent be notified that after that date any
Indians found in this country without Il
pass from the agent will be killed on sight.
The population is excited, and although
quiet the angry ones. there is every reason
to believe that unless the Government takes
immediate steps to increase the force OF
soldiers here and at Fort Lincoln, every In
dian coming into the country will be killed"
A Chadron (NeOr.) special to the Tribune
says: 1t is reported here that the Indians
at Pine Ridge Agency have gotten entirely
beyond control of the agent, and had al
ready begun depredations in the way of
stealing cattle and other property. Three
hundred soldiers from For. Robinson passed
through here to-day"
A FALSE ALARM.
BISMARCK On. Dak.), Nov. 1s.-Late las,
night the city was startled by the report OF
an Indian outbreak. The report came from
Mandan that the Indians at Standing Rock
Agency had left the agency and were ad-
yancing on Fort Lincoln. The State Coy
erDment was called on for aid and this morn.
ing the excitement was intense. The reduc.
iion of the forces at Forts Lincoln and Yates
has made the settlers apprehensiye, for
there are 5000 Indians at Standing Rock
Agency alone. 1t WAS learned this after
noon, however, that the alarm was unneces-
sary. Everything is quiet at Fort Yates nnd
no trouble is expected there. Very few
neighborhood. and the settlers are easily
alarmed. The Indians could sweep the
country west Of the Missouri River before
assistance could be had, and the demand fol
enlarging the garrisons at Forts Yates and
Lincoln will be renewed.
THE MANDAN SCARE.
ST. PAUL, Nov. 1S.-General Ruger, com
manding the Department of Dakota, has
returned from Il visit TO several Western
posts. His aide, Lieutenant Woodruff, re-
ferring to the Mandan scare, said: The
Indians located nearest to Mandan are
forty-five miles away on the Cannon bali
River. They are thrifty, industrious and
peaceable people, who have taken up
claims, built hutS and houses, and own
cattle, ponies and wagons, and are in good
circumstances. They have no faith in the
aboriginal superstitions and dislike this
Messiah craze. People who have land,
homes. stock, cattle, wagons and crops are
not anxious to go to war. and yet these are
the ones to watch whom the people of
Mandan have sent scouts. A band which
may give trouble is that headed by Chief
Hump. and situated southwest of Standing
Rock. He is very willy. and if the promised
Messiah does not arrive in the spring he
will probably tell them tho whites are using
their Influence TO keep him back, aud that
the best way to aid him will be to kill some
palefaces. However. in any emergency,
the troops will be frliy equal to the occa-
sion. 1t must be taken into account that
some of the agents are new men, unsued to
the ways of the Indians"
A Pioneer Press special from jamestown
N. OAK, says: 1.-THE Messiah craze has struca
the Indians at Fort Totten and they are in
clined to be ugly. One. hundred armed
bucks were seen crossing the railroad tracl
at Minnewaukan, en- route from Turtle
Mountains TO join the Sioux at Standing
Rock. They said they were going hunt
ing"
SALT LAKE CITY. Nov. 1S.-All thu
troors at Fort Douglas. except one com
pany, have received orders to hold them.
selves ready to march TO the scene Of the
Indian loubles.
CLOSELY WATCHED.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1S.--The War De-
partment has received no news OF an,
change in the situation at Pine Ridge
Standing Rock or other Sioux agencies. As
competent officers are on the watch at al
points where trouble is threatened. whose
business it Is to report any significant
events, it is taken for granted that no i'm
mediate trouble is ut hand.
Acting Indian Commissioner Belt has re.