The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-04-01
The Troops and the Trespassers.

Three Indian reservations are just now
watched by military forces with view to
fair play for tho red men and tho white.
Capt. DouaHERrY's company Of the First
Infantry. with a small body Of the Fourth
Cavalry, has cncamped on the Round VAL
Icy lands in Mendocino county. CAL. where
disorders have been threatened. COL
WADE. Fifth Cavalry. Is to undertake to
drive intruders from the CHEYENNE and
Arapahoe reservations In Oklahoma. before
its approaching opening to settlement.
Major BERNARD will look after tho Sisseton
reservation in Dakota. should this prove
necessary, with two troops OF the Eighth
Cavalry. from Fort Yates. reinforced by
two companies OF tho Third Infantry from
Fort Smelling.
These three reservations have interesting
histories. The resort to troops in Round
Valley has more than once been required.
Perhaps the establishment Of that reserva-
ton was n mistake. but at any ratio for
years 1t has been encroached upon. Score
tary NOBLE told the last Congress that out
OF 102, 900 acres not more than 5000 were loft
to the Indians. white squatters having over
run the rest. The trespassers also got out
injunctions against having the military
forces used to disturb them. Some Of them
declared that they had settled and made
improvements on the lands before the res
ervation was established. President HAIR
RIsoN, however, in specially laying the sub
iect before Congress. insisted that while
any Just claims OF this sort should be met,
in other cases 1.-THE position OF these in
truders Is ono OF simple and barefaced
wrongdoing." Gen. HOWARD reported that
1.-The iniquity perpetrated is glaring." At
length an act was passed by the last Con-
gress for reducing the reservation, and a
Commission was appointed to appraise any
improvements made by other persons on
lands retained by the Indians. But the con-
dition in which tho subject Is left makes
the presence Of troops necessary.
The Sisseton and Wahpeton reservation
is around Lake Traverse, IN South Dakota.
The negotiations for opening it to settle
ment were begun years ago. These 1ndl-
ans were very well advanced in civilization.
and the project Of severalty allotment was
favorably received. The obstacle was the
indemnity they demanded for the unjust
confiscation of their lands after the Sioux
outbreak OF 1861. In which they were wrong
fully accused OF participating. Some OF
them had even volunteered to help suppress
the Sioux outbreak and had served as
scouts. Their plea was heard. and the price
fixed upon for their lands was large enough
to wipe out all old scores against the Gov
eminent. The allotment in severalty was
finished some time ago. and the 18th Of
April. 1892. set as the day for opening to
settlement the 100000 acres which had
%h,,c I>on
covered that pioneers had been stealing
into the region for tho purpose OF picking
out the best spots. and while the agent and
his police are trying to check these intru-
sions. the troops have been notified that
they may have to help.
The third reservation, that OF the Chey-
ennes and Arapahoes, is much the most inn
portapt in area. Under the agreement rat
flied March 8, 1891, about 5000 900 acres are
to be opened. Last April five agents were
appointed to make tho severnlty allot-
ments. The Indians informed them that
when they produced the money they could
have the lands. That caused u delay. but
the addition OF two moro agents helped
matters. Then. when about 1900 allotments
had been made, the appropriation gave out.
However. 1t was arranged that the land
should be opened early in April,
The race for homestends when great In
dian reservation is opened Is marvellous
sight, seen nowhere but in America. And
II the lines OF tents. brush huts. and
prairie wagons along the boundary before
the start form an impressive spectacle.
much more extraordinary is the scene
when. MS in the rush for Oklahoma. the
hour Of noon by central standard time on
the day appointed arrives. and tho COM
petitors get tho word Ego" What the
Government is bound to do ia to give every
body fair start. and to insure this. it has
made regulation disqualifying whoever
rushes on tho land before the time ap-
pointed. Still. as some men will risk
going into the promised land prematurely.
the troops ''ro kept in readiness to hunt for
and expo! Item.