Los Angeles herald., 1890-11-19

at Standing Rock agency alone. 1t was
learned this afternoon, however, that
the alarm was unnecessary. EVERYTHING
is quiet at Fort Yates, and no trouble is
expected there. Very few soldiers are
now kept in the forts in this nelghbor-
hood, 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 for enlarging the garrisons at
Forts Yates and Lincoln will be re-
newed.
MINNEAPoLIs, Nov. 1S.-A Chadron,
Neb., special to the Tribune says: 1t is
reported here that the Indians at Pine
Ridge agency have become unruly be-
yond control, and have already begun
depredations in the way of stealing
cattle and other property. Three hun
dred soldiers from Fort Robinson passed
through here today.
CHICAGO, Nov. 18.-On receipt of dis
patches tonight announcing the move
ment of troops in the department of the
Platte toward Pine Ridge agency, an
Associated Press reporter called on Gen
eral Miles. He said: "The newspapers
really ought not to publish this sort of
thing, for it will all be in the Indian
camps in less than twenty-four hours.
There is nothing in it, except that troops
are being sent to the vicinity of the res
ervations to prevent, if possible, anv
outbreak, and to encourage the local
peace element among the Indians; also
to protect the agencies which report the
Indians as turbulent and past control.
1t was hoped this excitement might pass
without serious trouble, and up to this
time no Indians have left the reserva-
tions. The causes of this threatened
trouble are the failure of their crops. de-
lay of congress in making appropriations
for their support, and subsequent delay
in getting supplies to them, resulting in
their being brought to the verge of star
vation and worked into frenzy. They
are getting rations now and possibly the
difficulty may be bridged over. The
movement of troops is simply precau-
tionary, but at the same time they may
have serious work"
The reporter asked if it would not be
unusual for the Indians to go on the
warpath at the beginning of winter.
The general replied: "Not at all;
those northern Indians are tougher than
leather"
ST. PAUL, Nov. 1S.-General Ruger,
commanding the department of Dakota,
has returted from visit to several west
ern points. His aide, Lieutenant Wood
ruff, referring to the Mandan scare,
said: "The Indians located nearest
Mandan are forty-fve miles away, on
the Cannonball river. They are thrifty,
Industrious, peaceful people, who have
taken up claims, built huts and houses,
own cattle, ponies and wagons, and are
in good circumstances. They have no
faith in aboriginal superstitions, and
dislike this Messiah craze. People who
have land, homes, cattle, wagons and
crops are not anxious to go to war, and
yet these are the ones whom the people
of Mandan have sent scouts to
watch. The band which may give
trouble is that headed by Chief Hump,
and situated southwest of Standing
Rock. He is very wild, and if the
promised Messiah does not arrive in the
spring, he will probably tell them the
whites are using their influence to keep
him back, and the best way to aid him
is to kill some pale-faces. However, in
any emergency, the troops will be fully
equal to the occasion. 1t must be taken
into account that some of the agents are
new men, unused to the ways of the In
dams"