Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1890-11-28
The Indians Generally Understand
it is Useless to Fight the
US. Government.
Army Headquarters in Chicago Very
Dull and no War News
Available.
One Report From Pine Ridge Says
the Indians Are Plundering
Deserted Homes,
A SquaW Mans Opinion.

RUsHvILLE. Neb. Nov. 25.-To-day, or at
the farthest tomorrow, is the time set
for the bloody engagement between the
soldiers and Indians at Pine Ridge, but adj
vices up to noon to-day report all serene on
the battle field. Your correspondent in
terYiewed a courier named Baptistc, a
suuaW man living on the Sioux reservation,
and having an Indian wife and many child
rem. lie is called Big Bat by the Indians and
has lived among them for 30 years and is
intelligent, wealthy and of wide influence
among them. He stated in substance that
no outbreak or depreciation OF any nature
would occur. "The Indians have been
dancing'' said Big Bat, "but that does not
signify that they want to murder the
white settlers or fight soldiers" Being
asked if the Indians would peacefully stop
their dance and surrender their arms, he
said they undoubtedly would if it was de-
much about giving up the dance" said he,
"but they would kick some on giving up
their guns. They would not fight for their
guns though" "Are many ofthem armed 9"
yes, about tWO-thirtls of the males, but
they do not want 10 fight. | attended the
council of dances night before last when
they discussed all their matters ami the
leaders speeches to the young bucks were
all to the effect that while they could cas-
lily wipe out the troops now on hand, if they
did so there would be ten soldiers there
the next day to where there was one the
day before and it would BE- only a question
OF few days until rhe last Indian would
die. Beside, they said, where would we 60
to: We are surrounded on all sides by
soldiers and settlers. We have no provi
sions for a campaign and would surely
StarVe and our sQuaWS and paUoUsrS would
perish before our eyes The whole coun-
Gil united in advising and agreeing to sub
nit peacefully to whatever the govern
ment demanded. Biz Bat urged tlp neces.
their arms and ammulilinn--npt because
ne thought All uprising probable at any
time, but To make chem less rowing and
ShlltlesS and feel more dependent upon
manual labor or civilized pursuits. Gen
er, Brooke asked II. o. Puyh, issue clerk
OF IN supply department, what rations the
Indians were getting. "Thov are getting
this replied pugEl: "Ten bounds Of bacon,
three pounds Of beans, 100 pounds of bee,
one pound of baking powder. four puulluo
or coffee, fifty pnunts Of flour, two pounds
OF salt, two pounds OF soap, seven pound,
Of sugar "Thi> is the quantity allowed
to 100 Indians to-day for two weeks" add
to" little! exclaimed the general witt.
much emphasis. "Who Of us don't know
thai people cannot live on thar, | don't care
whether they are Indians, or what they
are? People can't be satisfied if they ,n';
nave enough to eat, and the government
should be finding it out pretty soon.'
"For one thing" said Agent Roger. they
don't get all the beef that is coming to
them. Beef weighing 100 pounds when it
gets here to us, SllrinkS tC 700 before il gets
To the Indians, and the Indians are the
losers" "But it is not beef alone that is
Short resumed the general. sit is about
everything else except soap, and there
seems plenty of that"
FRIGHTENED AT PINE RIDGE.
PINE RIDGE, s. d., Nov. 25.-The condi-
tion to day is considered critical. General
Brooke and Agents Roger and CooHer held
a consultation this morning. and all admit
that the aspect Of affairs is serious. Indi-
cations are now that the good Indians are
on the point of joining the ghost dancing
faction. What the result will be cannot as
yet be toreseen.
THE WAR ENDED IN CHICAGO.
CHICAGO, Nov. 25-Throughout the at
ternoon and up to late hour to. night,
army headquarters in the Pullman build
ing was very quiet place in comparison to
the lively times which have for the past
two weeks prevailed there by reason of
the Indian excitement in the far north
west. General Miles was at his office dur
ing the day, and for little diversion from
business matters, attended a theatre with
his family this evening. After the per-
formance he returned to his Office. but
found no dispatches from the northwest
which were Of public Importance.
OMAHA. Neb.. Nov. ga special just
received from Pine Ridge says it was
learned there tonight that Indians en-
route to Rosebud, some 900 strong, are
plundering the deserted settlers houses
along their route. They are killing cattle
| and feasting on fresh beef.
! Governor Mellette's Appeal.
CHICAGO, Nov. 25.-Last night General
Miles received the following telegram from