The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-04-21
The Threatened Outbreak Of Restless
Northern Cheyennes Caused by
Dissatisfaction.
Troops at Custer and Keogh VIM
Be Able to 5ubdue
Them.
The Band II Not an Easy Ono to Man.
age-History OF Their
II Troubles.

WARRINGTON, April 20.-Agent Upshaw's
call for troops to prevent menaced upris-
ing of the Indians on the Tongue river res
ervation in Montana, is something of a SUR
prise, as there had been no recent intima-
tion Of trouble. But the band is no easy
one to manage, while mistakes made from
time to time have irritated these Indians,
and visitors from other bands sometimes
created more or less disturbance. In the
present case the arrest of two Bannocks ID
asked for.
The relations Of the government with the
northern Cheyennes haye long been far
from fortunate. It was portion of this
tribe which. with conspicuous lack Of good
sense, was removed from a colder climate
down to the Indian territory, where
after many complaints of ill treat
ment, which brought no redress, and after
great ravages from disease in the unsuit-
They were overtaken and subdued after
plundering and numbering raid, which end
ed in their being surrounded and subdued
in the sanguinary affair at Camp Robinson.
In later years the northern Chevennes at
Pine Ridge agency have sometimes teen
anxious to join those at the reservation on
Tongue and Rosebud rivers, and the latter
have seemed disposed to have them there.
During the summer of 1887 large arty Of
the former migrated to Tongue river, and
Agent upshaw called for troops to remove
them. This was accomplished after a con-
ference in which the newcomers were as
sured that, on returning to Pine Ridge, they
should be protected from ill-treatmont by
the Sioux, and also that representations
should be made to the president of the
to be united at Tongue river. Hut
the latter project was out of the
question. as the condition of the lands
would not Justify such an addition to the
population. Another complaint was that
Agent Upshaw at one time caused beef cat
rations to be taken to a distant point, from
which some of the cattle escaped to their
old ranges, in consequence Of which the 10
sue of rations of beef were suspended foI
weeks together; and also that neglect to
accumulate suitable stock Of -four at the
agency caused temporary lack of rations
of that article during the following winter,
as a great BnOwstOrm, prevented the for
warding of supplies when needed. That
/ the agent had reasons for this course, and
government, may be assumed from the fact
that he is still employed under the present
as under the former administration; but 1t
serves to show how one complaint has been
added to another.
On one occasion in recent years many
parties at Fort Keogh and other posts beg
ging for food, and representing that they
had not sufficient rations and clothing and
could not find game, and that there were
many sick and helpless upon their reserva-
tion. Col. Robert +. A. Crofton, Fifteenth
infantry, made report to the war depart
ment upon the necessity of extending aid to
these Indians.
The last annual report Of Brigadier-G Gem
Thomas II. Ruger mentions an expedition
of two troops Of the First cavalry, under
Major Hamilton, from Fort Custer, to in
tercept and prevent a party of Sioux from
entering the Tongue river reservation. A
second expedition, consisting of three
troops of the same regiment, under Major
Carroll, was sent to the Tongue river
| agency last May to prevent the Indians
| there from holding sun dance, and to turn
back to Pine Ridge party of visitors un-
der the leadership of Grasshopper, ,{who pro-
posed to take part in the dance. Doubt
less by this time forces from Fort Custer or
some other garrison are ON the way to
Tongue River to protect life and property
there.
There ia no reason to fear an inability of
the troops to cope with the Tongue River
Indians, whatever the outcome of the
present difficulties. For many years
strong force has been kept in Montana and
Dakota, and the Northern Pacific railroad
is of great assistance in transportation.
Fort Custer contains garrison between
400 and Zoo strong, as also does Fort Keogh,
and there are other available troops in that
region.