The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-26
OUTLAWRY IN THE WEST.
NR. cLBTELLND ADDRESSED ON THH
SUBJkCT BIZ cor. FISHBiCH.

The Indinn Territory Considerrd the Ceutre
froa whites the CrirInrIs work-Ths
Governor Asks the President " II Isn't
Time for The Federal Government 60 Act.
MEMPHIS. Dec 25.-Gov Fishback Of Arkan-
sas has addressed the following open letter to
President Cleveland:
To Ne Pr,sfdsrL
DEAR Sin: The developnn ents Incident to
the recent train robbery and murder at OIL
phant, in this state. render 1t proper II seems
to mo, that call your attention to the dan
gerous relation which the Indian Territory
west Of us occupies to the states OF the Union.
and especially to the adjacent States OF Arkan.
sss. Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma Territory.
Upon the person OF one OF the captured
robbers was found the map OF the route they
had taken from the Indian Territory. 175
miles. to the scene OF the robbery. and also .
map OF the country around Chattanooga.
Tenn. showing that another robbery was con-
TEN plated at or near that city. talso appears
that the captured leaders are noted characters
in this business. and inveigled some very re-
spectacle citizens along the border into this
robbery.
large percentage OF the bank and train rob-
berries which take place west Of the AlleEhe
MES and east Of the Rocky Mountains are or.
ganized or originate in tho Indian Territory
Lot me also add that the refuge which this
to criminals lie a constant tenn ptation TO crime
in all the country around.
During the past twelve months there have
issued from the States OF Arkansas, Texas,
Kansas, and Oklahoma Territory slxty-ons
reauisitions upon the Indian Territory au.
thorltirs for fugitivee, while we have reason To
believe that as many more are hiding among
their. comrades in crime in this seylum oil
Those criminals who IND refuge in this
Territory nre rapidly converting the Indian
moralizing the Indians, and are especially
stirring UP the young Indians TO deeds OF blood
and THEFT Young Henry starr i?r SSam5PisI
nne capacities, has been CHARGED with almost
every crimc in the catalogue. and Il now un.
Of the Federal courts of Of Paris and Fort Smith
revea-a startling story in tbs direction yot
Prior TO the late civil war ! resided in the
city OF Fort smith. on the border OF this Terri
million dollars worth Of business in that coun.
try every year. Their clerks would make
periodical eolIections travelling Sneniy s snS
them, yet nobody was over molested: travel
was safer than IN the states.
/, newspapers published ayear or two since IN
Muskoeee, the number Of murders reached
were not cogn liable In the Federal courts. The
Federal jail at Fort smith Is. at all seasons.
and the Federal court holds sessions continu.
| ing through nearly every onth OF the year. .
This state Of semd,c6aos and the iaIee OF
and order OF all the states OF the Mississippi
Valley, suggests the very serious question
| whether the time has not arrived for tho
Federal Government to assert it's right OF en-
inent domain over this part OF the nat ion al ter
ritory and to change its political relations with
| the United States
Il 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 II 10
conceded must give way to the public good.
| In this case not only the public good. but
public safety as well as the highest interests o.
| the Indian himself demands the suggested
change. Very respectfully. .
| Nv. n. FIsHBACK. Governor Of Arkansas"