Omaha daily bee., 1891-05-29
"A Statement from Chicago.

CHICAGO, May 2S.-Inquiry at the military
headquarters in this city concerning the
trial of Plenty Horses for the killing of
Lieutenant Casey elected the following state
ment: The facts in the case are that if ever
there was condition of hostiities prevail
ing it existed during the latter part Of De-
cember and January. While information
was sent to the hostlles that the only safe
road was to return to the agency and sur
render, orders were given to tho troops to
press them on all sides and force them back
to the agency. Lieutenant Casey was in no
sense a spy, although in civilized warfare
his capture might perhaps have been jus,i-
fable. He was not in the enemy's camp or
in any way disguised. He wore the
uniform of United States army
officer in tho execution of his duties
as such. He was accommodating the
country, grounds and position of the enemy's
camp and was killed by one of the hostile In
dians. In war between civilized nations
the manner of his killing would probably be
considered by what is known as a military
commission. The hostile Indian who killed
him was arrested oA an order issued by Gen
cral Miles long before any civil indictment
was found against him or before it was safe
for any sheriff or United Sta es marshal to
go through that country with posse of civil
officers. He was sent to Fort Mead and
placed in the guard house by a military es-
cort in order that he might be subject to
civil tribunal for them to determine the
,mp9rtaqf question of Justification or
life of Lieutenant Casey. He was not with
held for time by General Miles Order but
by order of the war department. The first
question for the court to decide was whether
the Indians in starving condition ana under
treaties violated, can make war against the
United States. Secondly when in condl-
tion of hostility as TO their amenability from
trial for taking the life of an officer in the
discharge of his duty. The prosecution in
the trial of Plenty Horses asked for informa-
ton from the military rs to the status ofaifairs
existing at that time, and received all the IN
formation that the military could give them
The defense also asked for informa-
ton and received IL in the same way,
and the whole matter has been left
for the Judge and twelve intelligent jurymen
to execute the law and afford justice to all
concerned. The military has nothing what
ever TO do or say, nor any desire To express
an opinion. A warm friendship existed be-
tween General Miles aud the murdered
officer and General Miles once offered him
position on his staff which was reluctantly
declined for reasons that were understood
ana approved by the former.
The Worlds Fair Convention.
YANKToN, 5. d., May Is. Especial Tele-
gram 10 TnE BEE. The South Dakota
worlds fair convention adjourned at IL
O'Clock today after two sessions extending
over forty-eight hours. 1t was a convention
OF business men delegated by the various
counties, cities and commercial organizations
in the state because of their peculiar fitness
for transacting large amount of business in
a short time aud with accuracy. The con-
vention succeeded in doing what was ex-
pected, the devising Of a plan for raising
funds for defraying the expense of South
Dakota exhibit at the worlds fair, a board
of commissioners consisting OF eighteen men
has been created, two delegates being named
from each judicial circuit, and two At large.
The commissioners are: First circuit,
Bartlett Trlpp OF Yankton, and r. @.
Hills of Scott; Second circuit, Colonel
c. Il. Baker of Sioux Falls, and Oliver
Gibbs, H.. of McCook county; Third circuit,
Charles Keith Of Volga, and Il. l.. I-oucks OF
Clear Lake; Fourth circuit, j. X. Smith Of
Mitchell, and Charles h. Huns of WoOn-
socket, Fifth circuit r. A. Burdick Of Aber-
deem, and g. W. Barringer Of Huron; Sixth
circuit, l.. II. Conniff OF Pierre, ana H. e..
OF Gettysburg; Seventh circuit,