The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-26
Lieut.. Robertson. Of Fort Custer,
Talks About Some Experiences
With Indians.
How the Cheyennes Lost Faith In
the Power of the Indian
Messiah.
The Way 10 Ciyliixs the ndian II tn
Mako \ soldier OF Him--Ths
Crow Scouts.

uW0 u N6IlUA VAPUlI0NOO III AVhvAo o vICGS
having been stationed in Arizona during
the Indian troubles there a number Of years
ago, and since In Montana. During the
troubles with the Northern Cheyennes last
summer he was stationed at the agency on
the Rosebud, and with his troop did a great
deal TO allay the fears Of the settlers.
While believing that in many respects the
Indians have been unjustly treated, nj tho
same time he is of the opinion that the
duty of the army il first to protect settlers.
The lieutenant tells q graphic story Of
the murder Of a young cowboy by two
Cheyennes last fall. and the latter's fool
hardy death at the hands of the troopers.
When the murder of the cowboy WAS re-
ported to Major Carroll, in charge OF the
troops at the agency, it was determined to
mako 4 thorough search for the body. The
boys horse had wandered home riderless
with the saddle covered with blood. All
the soldiers in the camp and thirty Chey-
ente scouts were sent out on the search.
Each day some point was selected as a TO-
Gus, and the searchers, only five yards
apart, worked in a circle towards this
focus. The lieutenant says they could have
found a base bali by the system. On ths
evening Of the third day a hat filed with
clay and stained with blood was
picked up in q thicket. Toward
four o'clock in the afternoon word
came to Robertson that the body had been
discovered. 1t was in the most unlikely
place, almost half way up a steep hill, and
so thinly covered with earth that the toes
Of the shoes, protruding, attracted the at
tentlon Of the troops. Mr.. Gaffney, the
boys uncle, h was with the searchers,
side the mutilated body, he called down
upon the murderers Of his boy the wrath of
heaven, telling his hearers how the boy, but
four months from the east, had ridden
away from the ranch in the morning of the
day of his death, in tho best of spirits.
never to return alive again. Lieut.. Rob-
ertson says it WAS one of the most impres-
siye scenes he has ever witnessed. The sun
had gone behind the hills, the country was
wild and rugged. and all the surroundings
such as to impress it upon the minds of
those present. Grouped below the grave
and extending TO the foot Of the hill. were
soldiers and Indians. the former listening
intently to the old mans plea for
vengeance and the latter as stolid
as though nothing unusual were happening.
Gaffney's address WAS a terrible arraign-
ment Of those who were responsible for the
boys death, and the whole affair was prob
ably the most uncanny of its kind which
ever occurred in the northwest.
A.few hours after the finding Of the body
the Indian police reported to Agent Cooper
that they knew the murderers; they were
two young Cheyennes, absolute believers in
the Messiah story, who had boasted Of the
murder. An attempt was made to arrest
them, but they had already found safe
refuge in the hills. In the course OF a few
days word came to the agent that on a GER
tain day the two murdsrers would come to
the agency and give the troops battle.
their richest blankets, the finest legRings,
the showiest moccasins and the most
magnificent war bonnets in the
tribe. On the day appointed troops were
stationed about the agency. as it was not
known Just what the disposition of the
the agency, and they numbered 2lO fighting
men, while the troops could muster less
than 100. Lieut.. Robertson was sent with
nil troop to guard a certain road, and the
remainder of the soldiers were placed SO as
to intercept the Indians should they pass
we're covered with Indians anxiously await
ing the appearance Of the stars on the
stage. Suddenly, from out of q heavy
growth Of timber about 500 yards away.
two Indians dashed, sending their ponies ut
q terrific gait. Up a hill which no one but
horseback. they rode. Gaining the crest.
one of them d~ismounted, and while the
other held his horse, the Indian on foot
a . war song, ~recounting the valor0us
deeds of the Cheyennes and defyinR the
white soldiers. Then his companion did
Likewise.
This part Of the programme completed,
the two fanatics opened fire on those Of
Robertson'a command who were in sight at
the foot Of the hill. Their fire was without
effect, but the return by the soldiers 70
suited in the killing Of one Indians pony.
Meantime Robertson, with four men, had
got around to the rear of the hill, and was
pretty well up when the two Cheyennes,
one on foot and the other ON horseback,
charged toward the agency. As they rode
they loaded and fred their rifles from the
hip.
One was killed in the charge by Lieut..
Pitchers troops, and the other rstrsated to
ans Robertson did not know till later, snd
o n arriving at the top of the hill, and see-
ing pufs of smoke coming out of a ravine,
he concluded both the Indians were there.
Then the Indians OF the hills turned their
attention 10 the lieutenant and his four
troopers.
I'VE must show these Indians that white
soldiers have grit said Robertson to his
followers, and placing himself at their head,
the party advanced toward the spot from
which the bullets we've coming thick and
fast. As the advance was made the troops
When about forty yards from the ravine
the IRE suddenly ceased. Arriving at the
spot. Robertson found . handsome young
buck, supsrbly dressed, lying at full length
on a bed Of pine leaves with the life blood
gushing from q Rhastly wound in his head.
What hopes the Cheyennes may have
built on receiving supernatural aid should
they attack the whites was dispslled by the
death of tine two fanatical bucks, and the
cloud which had been lowering over the
settlers on Tongue river began to tighten
from that day, SO that in a few weeks the
troops who had been in the field for five
months were ordered back TO their posts.
The death of Lieut.. Casey, head of the
Cheyenne scouts, places Lieut.. Robertson
at the head Of this experimental branch of
the army. Last September he was author
lied to enlist thirty Grow Indian scouts.
He selected that number from among the
best OF the tribe, afterwards increasing
the number to sixty. Robertson has
great faith in this latest move
10 employ the Indian, and fully believe
that systematically carried out It will do
more TO ~civiliZs him than all the mission
aries that could be sent out. As conrisrs
able TO travel a hundred miles a day for
ponies. Army regulations FIX q special uni
tidy affair. Instead of the cavalry boots
worn ty the troopers the Grow scouts re-
tain their leegings and moccasins. After
Robertson had gotten his men somewhat
used to their new duties at the fort he told
thsm one day that he did not expect to
make fort soldiers of them, but that he
did expect the whole army, after a little
while, to say they were the best
oAyalrvmeu and the best Oouriera in