Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-17

To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
While so much wise speculation is being in
dulged in as to the cause Of the recent uprising
OF the Indians Of the northwest, is it not per-
haps possible that . little attention to some Of
the facts Of the situation might, like the tabled
"straws," throw some light upon the condition
Of affairs up there?
notice by the dispatches Of few days since
TINT the people Of North Dakota are fearful of
an uprising Of the Turtle mountain Chippewas
and have requested the government to send
troops to proven such an occurrence.
The writer Of this has had occasion recently to
investigate the situation Of these Indians and
knows whereof he speaks. Over nine million acres
OF the lands of these Indians have been taken
by the government. forcibly, and occupied and
sold without one cent Of compensation to them
therefor. The proceeds of the sale of these
lands Is in the Treasury Of the United States
while the wide domain Of this once powerful
people has been gradually narrowed down till
they are now confined within the limits Of two
small townships, helpless and almost starving:
This much Of the story is bad enough, but
1t is the most endurable feature of their situa-
ton. Within the last few DAYS. and since the
country has been notified by telegraph OF the
uneaslness' apparent among these Indians
the writer has received information Of the con-
dition of some of them that sad as il is, is only
one among many instances of its kind.
Last fall an Indian boy named Roger Jerome,
just returned from one Of the training schools
was arrested on the charge of cutting timber on
the public domain. He had cut some fence
posts and did not understand that he was on
lands claimed by the government or that he
was doing anything wrong. Nevertheless he
was seized by the United States marshal, taken
to Grafton, over 100 miles, and thrown into
Jail. The father being informed went to see
him and was also arrested and imprisoned.
After much delay friends procured two white
men to go upon their bonds, the Jeromes Civ
ing chattel mortgages upon all their stock
horses and cattle-as security. Upon being re-
leased they were not notified when to return,
and not understanding the white mans laws
failed to do so. Their bonds were accordingly
forfeited, the bondsmen took their stock and
sold it, and in December last they were rear
rested and again imprisoned at Grafton, where
they now are.
1t should not be forgotten that the land
upon which these Insignificant posts were cut
has been the home Of these Indians for GEN.
turtles and is part Of the land that has been
taken from them by force and without eompen-
sation! While the father and son are in jail
many miles away, the mother and children are
at home, their only means of support-their
horses and cattle gone and themselves left I'M
protected in the midst of the rigors Of North
Dakota winter. The letters written home by
the imprisoned Jeromes, some Of which are in
the writer's possession, while manly, are indeed
pitiful Under date Of December % young
Jerome writes to his brother:
Dear Brother:
Father and have been brought up to court today
and sentenced by the Judge to Imprisonment at Grafton
Iof ttry DAYS. We have also been fined. We will
know anything about the horses and wish you would
Try to see the Sondsmen and i You can get the
know we did not steal the wood from the government
We Thought IT was our own send best COM
pliments TO all friends at Turtle mountain send best
compliments TO you and to all the family also kiss
Your ovins 6roshsI, '' mountain TOT New soaER.
Here is one from the old man:
Dear Wife
Roger and have been sentenced to thirty days i'm.
prisonment in the Grafton Jail. There also a fine
IMPOSED of 500, but, poor, I think we will
not De held IN prison ~ paid but viii probably
Try to get along as well you and earn living
and we shall soon be out to help you We send our
best regards to ell brothers and sisters and 10 your
self. Anectiopately LOIYIS
This is the way these people are treated
robbed Of the only thing they possess that oan
protect them from starvation: torn from their
families and thrown into prison, far from
home, in the dead Of winter, and all because
they cut few fence posts from lands that have
belonged to them and their fathers from time
tmmemorial and the title to which they have
never coded or surrendered.
In view of such facts as these is il a matter
of surprise that Indians kill? Would it be a
matter of surprise if they were to determine to
tight 1t ont till the last one should expire in his
tracks, knife in hand? Ii 1t any wonder that
every day or two the telegraph announces that
there Il great uneasness among these peo-
pie and that trouble is anticipated?'