Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-26
THE HOME OF CRIMINALS.
All Desperadoes Find q Refuge q
Indian Territory.

Gov. Ffshback of Arkansas has ADDRESSED
the following open letter to President
Cleveland '.
To the President:
Dear Sir: The developments incident %
the recent train robbery and murder at
oliphant, in this state. render Il proper, n
seems TO me- that I call your attention TO
the dangerous relation which the Indian
territory west of us occupies to the states
of the Union. and especially TO the adjacent
states of Arkansas, Kansas, Texas ana
Oklahoma territory.
Upon the person Of one OF the captures
robbers was found the map OF the route
they had taken from the Indian territory.
l75 miles from the scene Of the robbery,
and also a map of the country around
Chattanooga. Tenn. showing that another
robbery Was contemplated at or near that
city.
1t also appears that the captured leaders
are noted characters in this business.
and inveigled some very respectable citizens
along the border into this robbery.
l have good reason to suspect that q very
large percentage of the bank and train
robberies which take place west OF the
Alleghenies and east OF the Rocky noun
tains are organized or originated in the
Indian territory. Let me also add that
I lue WHICH SpdTSeiy SttUeu rem
devious OF outlaws affords to criminals ~
constant temptation 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
sixty-one acquisitions upon the Indian
territory authorities for fugitives. while
we have reason to believe that many
more are hiding among their comrades IN
crime in this asylum OF criminals.
Those criminals who find refuge in THE
territory are rapidly converting the Indian
country into a school of crime.
They are demoralizing the Indians. ana
are especially stirring up the young In
dams to deeds OF blood and theft Young
Henry Starr, for example. although less
than twenty years of age. and OF fins
every crime in the catalogue. and IL 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, yet they do not tell one-ten.h
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
half a million dollars worth of business In
that country every year. Their clerks
would make periodical collections. travelling
openly, and known to have large sums Of
money with them. yet nobody was ever
molested-trayel was safer than In the
states
Now. according to the estimates OF one
newspapers puDusneu year VI wv
since in Mugogee. the number OF murders
reached the appalling figure OF 2uO In one
year that were not cognizable In the Ted
eral courts. The federal jail at Fort Smith
is, at all seasons. nearly full OF prisoners
from this territory. ana the federal courts
hold sessions continuing through nearly
every month of the year.
This state of semi-chaos and the fares
of government which exist in this ter11-
tory, rendering IL a constant menace 70
the peace and order of all the states OF
the Mississippi valley. suggest the very
serious question whether the time has not
arrived for the federal government 20 as
sert its right Of eminent domain over tins
part of the national domain and change
its political relations with the United states.
l can think OF no valid reason upon which
! TO base the opinion that an Indians rights.
either of person or property, are any more
sacred than those of the white man, which,
| il is 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 of the Indian himself. demands
/ the suggested change.