The Portland daily press., 1892-06-07
PLEADING FOR JUSTICE.
Jean Louis Legare's Claim Against
the Government.
The Man Who Procured the Surrender OF
Sitting Bull and His Followers
Shabby Treatment Accorded
Him By Uncle Sam.
Especial Washington letter.

beats all the dime novels ever written.
Senator Davis, Of Minnesota, on March
10, introduced the following bill:
"Be 1t enacted by the senate and house Of
representatives of the United States Of Amer-
ca In congress assembled, That the sum of thir-
teen thousand four hundred and twelve dollars
be, and the same is hereby appropriated out OF
any money In the treasury not otherwise ap
propr1ated, for full compensation to Jean Louis
Legare, OF the dominion Of Canada, for services
and money expended in bringing into the United
States and procuring the surrender of Sitting
Bull and his followers, under the direction of
the war department; and that the secretary of
the treasury Is hereby authorized and directed
to make payment Of the same
The bill was referred to the commit
tee on Indian affairs; and the following
report has been made by that commit
tee:
'ThiS claim grows out Of services performed
by the claimant for the United States army and
for supplies furnished Sitting Bull and his band
of Indians, to induce their surrender to the
United States
After the battle Of Little Big Horn,
in the year 1875, in which Gen. Custer
was killed, Sitting Bull and his follow
ers, being pursued by the army, crossed
from the United States into the terri
tory of Canada, where they were not
only an annoyance te the Canadian gov
eminent, but were constant menace
to our government by their raids across
the line, making it necessary to main
tain large number Of troops on the
frontier to prevent trouble from these
Indians.
Repeated efforts were made during
the years 1877 to 1881 to secure their
surrender. But all efforts failed until
the claimant, who was peculiarly fitted
for the work by his life among the
northwest Indians, at the solicitation Of
Maj. Brotherton, undertook to secure
their return to the United States, and
their surrender to the army at Fort Bu-
ford, Oak. This he accomplished during
the year 1881.
Legare undertook this work after an
interview with Maj. Brotherton, corn
mander of the post at Fort Buford, who
assured him that, If he was successful in
bringing in these Indians, the govern
ment would undoubtedly pay him for his
services.
After the claimant had brought in the
first lot of Indians, Maj. Brotherton
telegraphed Gen. A. Fl. Terry as fol-
lows:
FORT BUFoRD, D. T., May 90 lea1.-GEN A.
II. TERRY, Commanding DEPARTMENT. Dakota,
ST. Paul, MINI: I have considered 1t best to
retain Mathews troop, as sending 1t away would
reduce the garrison to one hundred and eighty
six present for duty. Mr.. Legare, trader at
Woody mountain, who has brought in his last
two trips forty-eight Indians, brought in on the
others to Yates. sent back with him two Of
those he brought in after they had seen and
talked with their friends here. Mr.. Legare
tells me that the fact that their friends have
gone below peaceably and were well treated
while here, will, he thinks, produce movement
at once Of the Indians at Woody mountain In
this direction to surrender, as they are starv-
ing where they are, and also that there is now
strong probability that Sitting Bull himself,
finding so many of his adherents leaving him,
even his own daughter, will have to come in.
have known Mr.. Legare since last summer;
he is well known, reliable, and I have every
reason, from the way things look now, to be-
heve his impression will be realized. He has
been here quite number Of times, but usually
very reticent on the subject Of Indians coming
in, but Is now outspoken, and seems thoroughly
convinced that all will come in. With this in
view thought best to retain Mathews troop,
as presume all that come In will be shipped to
Yates.
Tho Indians shipped the other day embarked
cheerfully and willingly to all appearance I
sent with them Allison and Running Antelope.
Mr. Legare left here yesterday with his train
for Woody mountain said he would return in
about two weeks with all the Indians VINO de-
sired to come in. He brings these Indians in,
hauling their plumber on his CARTS and has SO
far fed them on the way. Cannot he be reim-
bursed In some way?
(Signed) D. e. BRoTHERToa,
Major Seventh Infantry, Commanding.
While claimant was en- route with Sit
tinQ Bull and two hundred of his follow
ers, Maj. Brothertcn sent out train to
meet him, with the following letter:
FORT BUEoRD, Oak. Friday, 18th July, 1881.
MR.. LEGARE-Dear Sir: Your messenger with
your good news arrived last night. sent out
train this morning with rations at your request.
Isend few soldiers to take care of wagons on
the road; did not send an officer, as I thought
from your letter that you did not want any. The
men In charge will be directed to report to you
so that you can dispose and issue the rations
as is best Have sent small present for each
of the six chiefs, as you wished. which You
can give to them. You can say to them that
am told by the department commander to say
to them, Sitting Bull included, that they will be
well treated here, and they need fear nothing in
coming in Wagons will travel as fast as they
you get here. D. H. BRoTEERToN,
Major Seventh Infantry, Comman ding.
On August so, 1881, Maj. Brotherton
wrote to the assistant adjutent general
as follows:
FORT BUFoRD, Oak. August 80, lse1.-Ass1sr-
ANT ADJUTANT GENERAL, Department Da-
kota, Fort Smelling, Minn.-Sir: I have the
honor to state that have delayed answering
dispatch Of the 5th inst, referring to the amount
of compensation that should be allowed MIR.
Louis Legare for his services in bringing in to
this post Sitting Bull and other Sioux Indians,
until had again heard from him as to the pros
pect of his being able to bring in the remainder
Mr.. Legare has been engaged in this business
since the early part of May last. It has been
followed up by him to the neglect Of his bust
ness as freighter; he also had 70 feed these In
dams, not only op the way in, but also for some
time before they came in. The total number
brought in by him, including those under Sit
ting Bull, numbered two hundred and thirty-Ave
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
d. II. BRorHERroN
Major Seventh Infantry, Commanding.
This was Endorsed by P. Fl. Sheridan,
lieutenant general, and W. T. Sherman.
general.