The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-01-13

Buffalo Bill thus: "Your request for nv
opinion of the Indian situation is, by reason
of complications and the changeable nature
of the red mans mind and action, puzzle.
Every hour brings ont a new opinion. Indian
history furnishes no similar situation. You
must imagine 5000 Indians, an unusual pro-
portion of the warriors, better armed than
ever known before, hemmed in Gordon OF
about sixteen miles in diameter, composed
OF over three thousand troops, acting
like slowly closing drag-net. This
mass OF Indians is now influenced by a per-
centage as deSpairingiy desperate and fan
atical as the late Big Foot party. 1t con-
tanned also restrained neutrals, frightened
and diSaffected Ogalallas, hampered by
powerful Brules, backed by renPgades and
deSperadoes from all the other agencies
There are about $500 acting and believed to
De friendly Indians in and around the
agency. Such is the situation General
Niles and the military confront. Any one
of this undiscipiined mass is able to precipi-
tate terrible conflict from the most unex-
pected quarter. Each of the component
quantities is TO be watched, to be measured,
TO be just to.
DELICATE POSITION.
in fact, it is war with a most willy,
savage people; yet the whites are re-
stained by a humane, peaceful desire to
prevent bloOdShed and save this people
from themselves. 1t is like eooiin @ and
calming volcano. Ordinary warfare shows
no parallel. General Miles seems to hold
hrm grip on the situation, The Indians
know him, express confidence in his honor.
truth and justice to them, and they fear his
power and valOr as we'll. As the matter
now stands he and they should be allowed,
unlranmeled even by a suggestion, to settle
the question, as no one not on the spot can
appreciate the fearfuily delicate position
Chatf must be sifted from wheat, and in this
instance the chatf must be thrashed. At
the moment | would say it will be peace,
but smoliering spark is visible that may
preclpltate terrible conflict at any time in
the next few days. However it ends, more
and prompt attention should be paid in the
future to the Sioux Indian in his rights, his
complaints and even his necessities l think
it looks like peace, and if so the greater
the victory"
AGENCY SYSTEM DENOUNCED.
SIOUX FALLS Is. d., Jan. 12-Last even
ing at the st. Augustine (EpiscopaD Cathe-
dral Bishop Hare gave r two hours talk on
the Indian situation. The bishop has Just
returned from the scene of the Wounded
Knee struggle. He was satisfied the soldiers
simply did their duty. The speaker thought
the red m II had good cause for complaint,
and denounced the present Indian agency
system as the cause of the present out
break.
SWEAR VENGEANCE.
CoULEE CITY (Wash), Jan. 12-Particu-
lars Of the lynching of the Indian who muir
dered freighter Cole have just been re-
ceived. /. |. Baldwin of Ruby CITY. who
was cent here by the city authorities $ Of Of
Ruby City says: 'Stephen, a cousin of
Captain John, who was killed bv Deputy
Sheriff Ives, came in and gave himself up
10 the author. t!eS, with the understanding
tnat they should try him for killing
1eamster Cole by law, as he believed
he could prove himself Innocent This was
on December 5th q On the 7th he was
examined His bonds were fixed at 5000.
While his relatives and friends were getting
bonds twenty-five masked men, at o'clock
III the morning Ga the Sth inst, went To the
jail and demanded at the points of guns the
prisoner. They took him ii half mile below
Ruby City and hung him to a tree. He was
not more than 10 years of age. The body
was sent down to Smetekin, above the
OkanOgan bridge, to his tribe for burial.
The man that took the remains down
mad TO be guarded on his way back,
AS the Indians seemed determined
to kill him. They say they
know some of the parties implicated. and
they swear vengeance against them. There
are many families al RuDy City and Con-
conully that are at the mercy of the saw
ages should an outbreak occur. The Indians
We're gathering on the Chitawhist and
having pow-wow. Parties ac-
qua inted with Indian movements are fear
tul that IN outbreak is certain. In reply to
telegram the Governor teegraphed Satur-
day that he vould send 200 rifles and 6O00
rounds of ammunition, which will prob
tonight, and not later than Tues
day evening. Upon their arrival they will
be at once dispatched - Ruby aud CONGO
nully under charge of an escort. Troops
were also ordered TO hold themselves IN
readiness to move at a moments notice, and
Company 6 of the National Guard of Spo-
kane has been notified to be ready to move
If required.
Chief Moses and His Men.
The only news received at army head
quarters in this city concerning Indian
troubles is in reference to the reported
trouble in the southern portion Of the State
Of Washington. The Governor of that State
has sent a telegram to General GIbbon here
saying that trouble is expected among Chief
Moses men. The General teleeraphed for
further information.