The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-19
Rival Agencies for Instilling Civil
lization into the Redman's
Nature.
Each Side Has Much that is True
to Say Against the
Other.
Carlisle and Ham pton Schools VI. BuasIo
BiIfs Wild West'SbOw-His Grea1
Exploit Njpped.

WARRINGTON, Feb. 1s.--Now shat the Ds-
kota campaign Ia over the interior depart
mcnt has leisure to resume certain investi-
gstions into the recent management Of the
red man.
One Of the questions 10 consider Ia the ef-
feet Of the absence Of Indians from the
reservation for education or exhibition.
There have teen charges that some Of the
SiOHx who went to Europe in the
Wild West show we're illtreated or
neglected, and that on returning to their
homes last year their grievances added
To the general discontent. This accusation
has been met by the friends of the show
with general denial, and with the asseY-
tion that, on the contrary, the Indians were
improved by the educational influences OF
travel. They had learned how large the
world is, and how much their wretchsd
tepees in Dakota lacked of the possibilities
OF life. They made counter-attack on
the school system, declaring that the young
Indians educated at Carlisle had Joined
the messiah revolt, and that it was one OF
these who had killed Lieut.. Casey. Then
Buffalo Bill, as will be remembered, showed
great activity in the Sioux campaign. He
planned an aadacious movement for the
capture OF Sitting Bull. According to
the scouts, he headed q small body of
followers for this purpose, and was
attired in dress coat, silk hat, and 20 on.
Had he made the capture and lived to tell
the tale, the representation Of this dramatic
scene would have made the fortune of a
future Wild West show, especially could
Sitting Bull have been secured and recap
4 ri AL MnJ~
Saturday matinees. But the Washington
authorities would not have it, and, it was
said, revoked the authority to arrest the
famous Sioux chief when Buffalo Bill was
near the scene of his proposed exploit.
Be that az it may, it is certain that Buf-
falo Bill obtained the command of Nebrs ska
militia for service in the Sioux campaign.
and that at its close Gen. Miles thanked
BRIG. Gen. w. F. Cody, Nebraska Nation
| al Glard," for his services. II feel that
the state troops" said he. "may now be
withdrawn with safety, and desire through
| ven TO express to them my thanks for the
confidence they have given your people In
Meanwhile on their part the Indian bu-
reau authorities have not abandoned their
| purpose to investigate the conduct OF the
circus shows, and have resented the charge
tnat students or Carlisle and Hampton
habitually revert to the most unciviiized
practices of Indian life on going back TO
the reservations. 1t is admitted, however,
that these boys and girls are under
| strong pressure to take up the old wsys. and
that some of them disappoint the hopes
placed in them. Perhaps II is only natural
that they should act with their fathers and
mothers and kinsmen and tribe in q Qreat
controversy, especially where their people
have been palpably wronged. II dur
ing the civil war officers educated
at West Point and Annapolis went with
| their states. it is no serious reprosch to
Carlisle and Hampton that Indian lads
taught there for few years should sympa-
| thiZe with their own race, especially when
! the government itself admitted that the
Indians had been unjUstIy dealt with.
Still, it il denied that the Indian who
killed Lieut.. Casey was Carlisle student,
| and il has even been said that few of the
young men Of the disafected Sioux bands
had ever been at Carlisle.
One thing settled is that no more licenses
will be issued to take Indians from the res
ervations for exhibition purposes, even
under contracts fortifedby bonds; and for
this many people will be very sorry, be-
cause the Wild West Was very enjoy able
show. But a series Of inquiries directed to
the reservation agents has brouess ont the
opinion that the show business INJURIES the
Indians who take part in it economically,
physically and morally"