Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-03-28
Indian Talk.

Captain Frank ID. Baldwin member
Of General Miles staff, in speaking OF
the late Indian war, said:
IL was present when the Indians sur
renderd at Pine Ridge. 1t was the
third time some Of the old Sioux chiefs
had surrendered TO General Miles and
they said il would be the last time, as
the general was always too much for
them. The Indians do not hesitate in
saying that they did not intend to go to
war during the winter, but were making
all their plans for big war in the spring.
They acknowledge that the United
Searned of their plans in time to nip the
uprising in the bud. The army is pre-
pared for an emergency this spring. II
would only require few hours notice
TO have 1000 soldiers on their way to
surround the Indian country, and with
IN twenty-four hours they would be
ready for fighting. The Indians know
this. and consequently any talk OF their
fighting this spring is absurd.
"The official report which l will SUBJ
NIT to General Miles. will show that POI
Indians were killed--and have been
buried--as a result Of the Big Foot bat
tie. The total surrender of arms was
6S2 pieces, most of which were good
Winchester rifles. This is the largest
surrender of arms which has ever taken
place in any Indian war. The Indians
are now practically all unarmed, but
they may not remain so very long, as
an Indian without gun doesn't feel
quite. right. Already they are com
mencing to be supplied with arms. and,
upon being traced up, we haye found
that they are being sold to them by
persons along the Missouri river in
South Dakota. 1t was part of my mis-
sion to Pierre to see Governor Mellette
and see II he would not issue proclama-
ton, calling upon the people not TO SUD-
ply arms to the Indians. Already the
governor of Wyoming has issued such a
pTOcldiudtiOns aiu tuc ANcuiaSha iSbiSia-
ture now in session will pass strict
law againt the selling of guns or am
munition to Indians. I am sorry to
find that Governor Mellette is away
from Pierre now, but he will no doubt
receive such a request from head.
quarters.
81 have just come from Fort Sullyl
where the Sitting Bull and Big Foot
bands have been held as prisoners ever
since they were captured. These Indians
are completely subdued, and l am
, eubtful if they could be forced to fight
s.t,ain. They have got all the war they
want, and they are now anxious TO set
tie down and become civilized. The,
fHve made application to be allowed t.
a back to their homes so that they car
commence the work ofputting in crops
for the coming year. The department
will make great mistake if they do no
let them 60 back to their homes at once
for delay of several months will make
it too late for them TO put in crops thil
year. shall certainly advise that the,
be released. OF course the soldiers and
Indian police will watch them and set
that they keep their promises, but
think there will be no question abou
that.
"Indian Commissioner Morgan is abou
the worst crank know Of He would
like to prevent Buffalo Bill from takin.
100 Indians TO travel with his show
Why, it would be mighty good thing i
the government could loan out all tn,
Indians to go into the show business
1t would be a big saying on rations."-
Pierre Capital.