Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-11-24
HOSTILE INDIANS
Stll Heavily Armed, Restless
ind On The 1oIe.
Troops Wen Infosmsd and Prepared
sog Any Sudden o1thssak.

CHICAGO, Nov. 23.-Gen. Miles vas ai
his desk early in the forenoon. a. were
Gen. Williams, Col. Corbin and other U.
S. Army officers. The hrst telegram re-
ceived from the Indian country came from
an army officer at the Rosebud agency.
saying that information had been received
that hostile Indians were moving from
Pass Creek toward Pine Ridge agency in
two parties. the Bucks with Short Bull
along the White River route, and the old
men, women and children on the medicine
root road.
This news comes from Indians returned
from Pass Creek. Louis Richards says it
10 reliable. They report that they were
going 10 Pine Ridge Agency to get the In
dians to talk 70 the commanding officer 10
their behalf. The report also says that
Chief Two Strikes intends to stab the COM
msnding officer - signal for an attack by
his band. There SCENE to be no doubt that
the leaders mean war, and are only using
Short Bull as pretence to keep the In
dians together.
Gen. Miles says the troops are fully ap-
prised concerning these matters and pre-
cautions have been taken. Gen. Miles
received another letter from the frontier
today from Capt. Higeins. dated at Great
Falls, Mont. Nov. l3. The Captain says
''Joseph Culbertson says that the Indians
at Poplar Creek are better armed today
than they have ever been before. lie says
they have no religious dances, nor Is there
any great excitement, but he only knows
two half breeds, and not single Indian who
does not confidently believe in the new su-
perstition. He says there isno talk of any
hostility against the whites. He asked him
why he was so well armed, replied, "Oh,
there is some game in the country yet, and
its nature for Indian to carry q gun il he
can." learned white gun of Sitting Bulls
messenger who stopped at Poplar Creek
agency last week, on his way back to
Dakota, after visiting the Indians in
Canada. White Gut reported that the In
dians north Of the line were richer and
more prosperous than those who surrend-
cred. finding good deal of game, trapping
and fur when they wished TO work getting
better wages than Indians on the reserva-
ton. White Gut gave orders that If
hostile gun was fred ct any time in South
Dakota or elsewhere sll Indians every
where must rise and do what damage they
could and join Sitting Bull and Kicking
Bear at Bear Butte in the Black Hills re-
aion. This was to take place in the spring.
White Gut says the conditions are more
favorable now for an Indian war than ever
before as cattle are scattered everywhere
through the country. He pointed to the
case of the Cheyennes who came
from the South to the Tongue river
through q country containing no game
but found an abundance Of cattle
for sustenance, while the settlers were too
few or too scattered to offer resistance.
Indians with Sitting Bull have talked all
this over. They say that they can muster
more warriors now, are better armed than
at the time of the Custer affair, and the
country is better now for their warfare
than it was then. Their main reliance is in
supernatural aid.
Joe Culbertson thinks that the Indians
think they have manifestations and wonders
which prove beyond doubt the truth OF
the present movement. He thinks that
Sitting Bull wanted next spring to assemble
as large q force of warriors as possible,
thinking that even if he hoped for divine
assistance that should no. come. he could
stand off the troops for 3 time, perhaps win
some great victories, and eventually, il
necessary, make his way to the British line,
where he thinks it would be again as safe
as it should be, and could if necessary treat
and exact terms.