The record-union., 1892-09-01
ON THE FRONTIER.
Life Among the Military at Fort
Bidwell.
Are Military Systems Adapted to the
Successful Transaction
of BuSineSsl

post, as the distinctive feature OF the
place, was the principal object of interest.
Captain @. III. Gale, who has lately
been promoted to the command of the
post after six years. service on the from
tier and four as an instructor at West
Point, was very courteous and hospitable
in his attempt to give civilian clear
idea Of military life. The post has stables,
barracks, parade grounds, pastures,
garden and officers quarters for two
companies of cavalry. At present it is
garrisoned by little less than seventy
men. They have library. a reading
room and "canteen, (which is combl-
nation Of gymnasium and bar, where
light drinks are dispensed. The old log
buildings remain to show what officers
quarters were in early days.
The Government reservation includes
four sections. There is plenty of fertile
valley land for pastures and garden, with
water for irrigation and domestic uses,
and large tract of hill and forest land.
Inc soldiers have become wonderfully
adept in drill and target practice. In
firing off hand at 800 yards distance was
informed that 40 out OF a possible 200 hit
the targets, which represented row of
soldiers standing and another rank kneel-
ing in front of them.
For long time it has been one Of my
hobbies that almost all service of pub
lie nature would be done by the Govern
ment in that sweet bye-and-bye when our
civil service should combine the integrity
of the army officer with the economy and
efficiency of the postal service. Now L
am shaky on that proposition. They tell
story in military circles of storehouse
in the commissary department some
where on Lake Superior having taken
fire, and as the officer in charge had no
other means of saving the property, he
sent down for the tire-boat. 1t was sue
cessful in its mission, and bill was sent
in for the service. The Auditor had no
power to allow it, as the contract was not
let to the highest bidder, as provided by
law.
THE HORSE DEAL.
The country all about the post is over
run with horses that have spent their colt
hood running over rocky hills. Perhaps
they cannot be excelled in endurance in
the world, especially for service in those
mountains. The leading merchant of the
section was anxious to have me look him
up buyer for fifty 10 hundred sound,
young horses, from to years old, and
weighing $50 to l. ,l50 each, at $50 apiece.
Perhaps the farmers take so much
pleasure in telling this story that they
exaggerate little, but here it is, as it
came from farmers and soldiers.
Several months since the Government
needed six additional horses, which was
duly advertised. They were authorized to
pay Sl34 each and the requirements were
clearly set forth in the book of instruc-
lions. 1t took about three months to
find six horses to fill the bill and one of
those was so broken down that he would
not stand half days march, and from
vicious that not even an expert vacquero
was safe upon his back. The old horse
had his teeth filed up to appear young,
and he was fat, stylish and built exactly
according TO the book. The other was on
his good behavior when they bought him.
but doped with a medicine in which
chloroform was an ingredient until he
was quiet for the hour.
Now, it is probable that a good horse
buyer, who was hampered by no d1rec-
tions, would be able to purchase thou
sand horses in that section within thirty
days that should, almost every one of
them, render good service, at cost of
$50 to $50 each. The man who bought
these was q veteran officer who prided
himself especially on his knowledge of
horses, and no one questioned his integ-
,1ity. How about running railroads by
similar regulations?
When Captain Gale told how long he
was in the service before he saw whole
regiment together, and we discussed how
few veterans of the war that ended twen-
ty-SiX years ago are now in a state of
health to endure field service, began to
feel as though we had very good frontier
policemen, but no army. What if we
were called upon to oppose such a cam
paign as Won Moltke made against
France?
Captain Gales suggestion seemed very
practical, that in view of the improba-
bility Of any marked increase of our
standing army it would be well to ar
range some method of cooperation be-
tween regulars and militia by which
regular officers should have the advan-
tage every year OF attending encamp-
ments where large bodies of troops are
moved and militia officers should come
in contact with those who have made
military science and training life study
| was also impressed with the idea that
soldiers would be better contented and
more efficient if their daily duties in
cluded so much of drill, mountain riding
or other service as to keep them COM
fortably busy.
So long as the post is so near the center
of the section tarthest removed from rail-
roads ofshe United States and surrounded
by so many hundreds of Indians, among
whom many retain tribal relations work
only spasmodically, are subject to super
stltlous excitement and sudden turbu-
lence, and neglect to adopt any of the
good habits or avail themselves of any
conditions favorable to civilization, an
1nulan ponce Will De necessary, and If
the post should be abandoned by the
Government settlers would consider it
necessary to hold themselves ready to
assume military functions at any time.
Let Judge Saunders tell you how ais
party OF four tracked the murderers of
Mrs. Allen for many days and shot down
eighteen of them in the early dawn, and
you will realize something Of how from
tiersmen treat Indians. You won't shed
many tears for them when you have
heard Mr.. Allen tell how they shot his
wife at the breakfast table, then beat the
baby's brains out against the fireplace,
kicked another who was creeping on the
floor till they thought he was dead and
broke the little sisters skull with a blow
from a dubbed rifle.
To prove that this spirit is not dead
they instance one who sometimes lin his
cups gnashes his teeth and cries with
rage to think his people cannot. or dare
not rise and avenge their wrongs upon
those who have taken their hunting
grounds.
Half the buildings at the post might be
available for purposes OF an Indian train
ing school now. Another generation
trained in the school and employed in
white families might redeem them to civ
llization and avert the destiny which
seems SO surely overtaking them.
FRANK :. CHAPIN.