The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-11-18
ROBBED THE RED MEN.
How The Contractors and Agents ThriYta
and The Indians Suffered

ST. LOUIS, Nov. ia dispatch from
Pierre, S. Oak, says: q party who has ar
rived from Cheyenne Agency confirms the
report of alleged frauds at the agency on
the part of Government officials. Inspeetor
Sessney is now at the fort examining wit
nesses and making thorough investigation.
There have been rumorS OF fraud in the air
ever since the late Indian uprising year
ago. At that time supervision over the
agency was given into the hands of the Mill
tary authorities. They on numerous occa-
sions stated that contractors who had con-
tracts for furnishing beef were furnishing
very inferior quality, that in no way came
up 10 what the contract called for. They
refused to receive beef on several Ocea-
sions. and this greatly displeased
Shoenfeldt, the agents clerk, and he
uttered many threats. Captain Hurst
was the commanding officer in charge,
and after this smelt a rat. He con-
unued the investigation and succeeded in
getting conviGting evidence 1t was sub
mitted TO the Interior Department, but they
have been slow TO act, thinking that it WA
only an endeavor on the part of the War
DEPARTMENT to get charge of all Indian
agencies. After many more rumors OF
crooketness, however, they finally got their
eyes Opeu and sent on Inspector Sessney,
who has had no trouble in finding plenty Of
evidence to convict Indian Interpreters and
Clerk Shoenfeldt, son-ln-law of Agent
Palmer. Nothing has been found to di-
rectly implicate the agent further than he
could not very well have been around and
not know what was going on. Two Indian
INSPECTORS when put on the stand testified
that they had been in the habit of permitting
cattle TO be brought in aud sold to the
agency at cents per pound, and they got
them passed through as cattle belonging to
the Indians. The law permits Indians 10
turn In cattle at this price. For this they
receive So per head for each animal 50
passed. Besides this big source of revenue,
they bought hay for So per ton and turned
it IN for $40, tho Government limit. 1t is
impossible to tell the amount of the steal,
but 1t viii run into the thousands of dollars.
THE INDIAN SITUATION.
WA sIIINGToN, Nov. II. A telegram
has bean received at army headquarters
from General Brooke, comma nding the
Department OF Dakota, in response
to the one sent by General Schefeld,
asking the truth about the rumor that Big
Foots band had left the reservation and
started for Pine sRidge. General Brooke
stated that he had been unable TO learn any
thing definite about the movement but
would hnd out the scope aud significance at
once. There is no apprehension felt here
that the movement will be followed by any
thing like last winters outbreak. General
Schufield said to-day: The state of things
in Indian country to-day is far better than a
year ago. There Is more content among thu
Sioux this winter than last 1t is mainly
due to the fact that the affairs of the Gov
eminent, as far as they affect the indians,
are, L believe, being batter administered.
l do not think there are any discernible
signs of trouble this winter, for as far as 1
can see the tribes are quiet"