Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-12-28
HOTBED OF CRIME.
INDIAN TERRITORY SWARMS WITH
THUGS AND ROBBERS.
Gov. Iiskback Declares II a Menace 10
the safety of surrounding States, and
Appeals 10 the President in Behalf uf
Government Intervention.

MEMPHIS Tenn. Dec 25-Gov Fish
back of Arkansas ma, addressed til. follow
ing open lctter 10 PrcNidrn, Cleveland:
| TO the President:
/ Dear Sir; The developments incident to
the recent train robbery aud murder at
! Ollphant, IN this state. render it proper, il
seems TO me, that I call your attention 10
! the dangerous relation which the Indian
! Territory west OF us occupies TO the states
of the Union. and especially to Tho States
OF Arkansas, 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.
| Lao miles, to the scene Of the robbery. and
also map of the country AROUND Chottau-
ooga, Tenn, showing that another robbery
was contemplated at or near that city. 1t
also appear, that the captured leaders arc
noted character, in the business aad in-
veiglcd some very respectable citizens along
the border into the robbery.
/ have good reason to suspect that a verv
large per ceutage of the bank and train rob-
! berries which take place west Of the 4 lle-
ehenioa and east Of The Rocky Mountains.
are organized or originate in the Indian
! Territory Let me giso add th9- the ree,j-
gees which hi- srarsely settled rendezvous
| of outlaws affords 90 criminals. is constant
temptation to crime in all the country
| around
During the past II month, there have
issued from the states of Arkan,as Texas,
Kansas and Oklahoma Territory. 81 rcqui,i-
! iiono upon the Indian Territory authorizes
! for fugitivcs. while we have reason to be-.
lioro thct a, many moro are hiding among
| their comrades m crime in this asylum OF
criminals
The criminals who Gud refuge in this
territory are rapidly converting the Indian
| country into a school of crime They ars
demoralizinE the Indians and arc especially
stirring up the young Indians to deed, Of
blood and theft. Young Henry Starr Tor
example. although less than n years of age,
and of fine capacities, has been charged with
almost every crime in the catalogue and
is now under sentence of death for murder
The records OF the federal courts of Paris
and Fort Smith reveal a startling story in
this direction vet they do not tell onc-tenth
of the whole story.
Prior to the late civil war resided in the
city of Fort Smith. on the border Of this
territory. The merchants of the place did
$500. 900 worth Of business in that country
every year. Their clerks would make period
ical collections travelling openly and known
~ llt'f It StillN OF money Win IltIll, TtL
nobody was ever molested. Travel was
safer than in these days.
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 cognizable in the federal
courts. The Federal Jail at Fort Smith is at
all seasons nearly full Of prisoners from this
territory. and the Federal court holds sesS-
ions continuing through nearly every month
of the year. This state of Semi-chaos
and the farce of government which exists in
this territory, rendering it constant
menace to the peace and order
of all the states OF the Miss
isSiupi Valley, suggest the very
serious question whether the time has not
arrived for the Federal government to as
sert 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 Indian, rights
Of person or of property are any more sa-
cred than those of the white man. which it
is conceded must give way to the public
good In this case not only the public good
hut the public safety. rs well a. the highest
interests of the Indian himself demands tho
suggested change. Very Respectfully
v. NJ. FloEE>,N.
Governor of Arkansas.