Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-08
IN THE INDIAN COUNTRY.
Policeman Ceinar Tells Some of His Army
Experiences Out West.

Experiences Out w est
Speaking of the Indian troubles Policeman
Ceinar Of the first precinct said to a STAR re-
porter that it was very tiresome TO hear the
talk Of Indian sympathizers. II served five
years among the sayages." he continued, 'and
experience taught me that an Indian is only
good when in his grave. When they surrender
and everything looks bright ahead. then is the
time to keep a sharp lookout, for Lo is too
treacherous TO be trusted. To be sure some Of
the Indians agents do not do the things they
ought TO do and do the things they ought not,
and this puts the red skins in bad humor, but
even if they were treated the best in the world
they would not be satisfied. Then there is too
much power in the hands OF the agents and
they can do inst about as they please. If n
company or two of soldiers appear At an agency
they are under the agents orders
SOLDIER GIVEN Up AND SHOT.
Il remember on one occasion company
reached an agency where there were three COM
psnies of cavalry. One of our men had hadsome
dispute sirh an Indian. and the agent knowing
there would be trouble about the affair allowed
the three companies Of cavalry 10 leave the
agency. leaving only sixteen of US (infantryl
there The next morning about 800 Indians APP
pesred at the agency and demanded that the
sgeut turn over the soldier to them. He did so
and right there in our presence our comrado
was Shot TO death. We we're powerless to do
anything. for the 900 Indians would have cleared
Us out OF the way in short order.
uARDsHIrs OF SOLDIERS LIFE.
''SSl,iiering in the Indian country" continued
the officer, lis not what many people think it
is had enough of it during my five years of
service In the summer time it was hot enough
to almost roast us alive. Our company had to
pass through large section of the country and
a great deal of the sandy lands in Arizona had
to be Travelled over. Sometimes il would be
hours before n stream OF water would be
reached. On one occasion our company started
on a march and about IL o'clock in the day our
eantcsns gave out. and during the hours of the
weary march all the vinegar was consumed and
night came on and still no water had been
reached- In the morning got word that
there Was a stream six miles off, and the MEM
bers OF the company resumed their march
through the sand and heavy sage brush. When
The stream was reached the men were all ex-
haustcd and many of them jumped right into
the water.
CAMPING IN THE SNOW.
I'm cold weather marching was no better and
the men had to endure just as many hardships.
I remember one night particularly. After
long march through deep snow night came ON
and we were still some distance from the In
dian settlement that we were marching for.
Many of us were exhausted from a long march
and We had the option of continuing the march
through the night or going into camp. We
chose the latter and there we were compelled
TO brush away the snow and make our beds ON
the ground. No fire could be lighted. for that
would have given the hostileS warming of our
presence in their country. During the long
marches an Indian here and there would fire
into our ranks from some distant hill top or
hollow, but it was impossible to get sight of
him. Tor soldiers who we're sent in The direction
Of the shot always failed to find the Indian who
had fired it. Footprints could be seen and
thai was all
NO, sir, concluded tine officer, people can
talk about good indians. but none of them are
good until they are dead