Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-12-26
HATCHERY OF CRIME
Governor Fishbsck Sends cIsys-
land a Letter
STATING INDIAN TERRITORY
!. Aa Asysun fsr crtminsls--ssxsy- ons
fteass>issons fsr Thievss MA,is
- Twelve Meash&
STATING INDIAN TERRITORY

Fishbsck ct Arkansas has addressed the
following opsa letter TO President Cisvs-
land:
To the President:
DIAM Sfs-Ths developments incident
te the recent train robbery and murder
a Oiiphsni. In this state. renders IL
proper. II seems 10 me. thst call your
attention 70 the dangerous relation
which the Indian Territory rest Of W
occupies TO the stafes Of the union. aad
especially 20 the adjacent states Of Ar
kansas. Kansas. Texas and 0klahoma
Territory. Upon the person Of one Of
the captured robbers was found the map
Of the route they had taken from the
Indian Territory. l75 miles to the sceas
Of The robbery. and also q map OF the
eountry around Chattanooga. Tennes-
zee. showing that another robbery vac
contemplated ct or near that city. Il
alec appears that the captured leaders
are noted characters In this business and
inveigled some very respectable citizens
along the bordsr into this robbery.
L. . Robbers' Retreat
have good reason to suspect that .
very large percentage OF the bank and
train rofberies. which take place west
OF the Alisghsnies and east Of the Rocky
mountains. are organized or originate In
the Indian territory. Lot me also add
that the refuge which this sparsely set
tied rendezvous Of outlaws affords 70
criminals il a constant temptation OF
crime in all the country around. Dur.
- q -. -
issued IRON the states Of Arkansas
Texas. Kansas and Oklahoms territory.
sixty -one acquisitions upon the Indian
territory authorities for fugitives. while
We have reason to believe that as many
moro are hiding among their comrades
In crime In this asylum OF criminals
Those criminals who find refuge in this
territory are rapidly converting the In
dian country into school OF crime.
Dcmoraiixing the Indians
They are demoralizipg the Indians and
are especially stirring up the young In
dams 10 deeds of blood and theft Young
Henry Starr tor example. although iess
than ID years OF age and OF fine capaci.
ties. has been charged with almost every
crime in the catalogue aud is now under
sentence OF death for murder. The rec
ords OF the federal courts OF Paris and
Fort Smith reveal Q startling story in
this direction. yet they do not tell one
tenth OF the whole story. Prior to the
late civil war resided IN the city OF
Fort Smith on the border OF this terri.
tory. The merchants OF the place did
half q million worth OF business in that
country every year. Their clerks would
make periodically collections, travelling
openly and known to have large sums
ever molested-trayei was safer than in
the states.
United States Asked TO Act.
Now. according to the estimates Of one
OF the newspapers published year or
two since in Muskogee. the number OF
murders reached the appalling figure OF
200 in one year that were not equitable
in the federal courts. The federal Jail
NJ Fort Smith 10. at all seasons nearly
fullof prisoners FROM this territory and the
federal court holds sessions continuing
throughout nearly every mouth Of the
year. This state Of semi chaos and the
farces OF government which exist in this
territory. rendering ii q constant menace
TO the peace and order Of ali the states
ofthe Mississippi valley. suggests the very
serious question whether the time has
not arrived for the federal government
20 assert its right OF eminent domain
over this part OF the national domain
and TO change Its political relations with
the United States. can think of
no valid reason upon which to base the
opinion that an Indians rights either OF
person or Of property are any more
sacred than those of the white man
which it is conceded must give way ID
the public good. In this case not only
the public good. but public safety. az
well as the highest interest OF the In
dian himself, demands the suggested
change.