The Globe-republican., 1893-12-29
A CRYING SHAME.
Coz. fishback Writes to the President ON
Indian Territory Outlawry.

| Gov fishback Writes to the President ON
Indian Territory Outlawry.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. Dec. 26.-Gov. Fish
/ back. of Arkansas, has addressed the
! following open letter to President
| Cleveland:
Dear Sir: The developments incident TO the
( recent train robbery and murder at Oiphant In
/ this state renders it proper, ii seems 10 me-
/ that call your attention to the dangerous re-
! lation which the Indian territory west OF US
! occupies TO the states OF the union. anc eS-
| pc tally 70 the adjacent states Of Arkansas,
! Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma territory.
Upon the person Of one Of the captured rob-
bers was found a map Of the route they had
taken from the Indian territory, 1s5 miles 10
the scene OF the robbery, and also map OF the
country around Chattanooga. Tenn, showing
that another robbery was contemplated At or
near thar city.
1t also appears that the captured leaders are
noted characters in the business and inveigled
some very respectable citizens along the border
into this robbery.
have good reason TO suspect that a very
large percentage Of the bank and train rob-
berries which take place west OF the AleghenieS
and east of the Rock mountains are organized
or originate in the Indian territory. Let me
also add that the refuge which this sparsely
settled rendezvous Of outlaws affords 10 Grim
inais is constant temptation to crime in all
the countrv around
During the past twelve months there have
issued from the states Of Arkansas ard Texas
and Oklahoma territory sixtv-one acquisitions
upon the Indian territory authorities for fugi-
tives while we have occasion TO believe that as
many more are hiding among heir comrades
in crime in this asylum OF criminals
Those criminals no find refuge in this ter
ritory rapidly converting the Indian ccun-
try into a school of crime
ha- izip nj
especially stirring up the young Indians to
leeds Of blood and theft Young Henry Starr.
for example although less than - ears Of age
and of fine capacity, has been charged with al
most every crime in he catalogue, and is now
under sentence of death for murder The
records of Paris and Fort Smith reveal a start
ing story in this direction. yet they do not tell
one ten tn Of the whole story.
Prior TO the late civil war l resided in the
city OF Fort Smith on The border Of this terri
tory. The merchants Of the place did % ,GO
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
nolested-travel was safer than in the states
Now, according to the estimates OF one of the
newspapers. published o year or TWO since in
Muscogee the number of murders reached the
appalling figure Of 200 in one year that were
cot ccgnizable in the federal courts The fed
sral jail at Fort Smith is at all seasons nearly
full Of prisoners, and the federal court holds
sessions continually throughout nearly every
month of the year.
This state of semi haos and the farce of gov
eminent which exists in this territory. render.
ing it z constant menace to the peace and order
Of all the states Of the Mississippi valley. sug-
gests c very serious question whether the
time has not arrived for the federal govern
ment TO assert its right OF eminent domain
ever this part of the nationa! domain and to
change its political relations with the United
States
l can think of no valid reason upon which to
base the opinion that our Indians rights either
OF person or OF property, are any more sacred
than those of The white man, which it is con-
ceded must give way 10 the public good
In this case. not only the public good but |
pubic safety. as well as The highest interests |
Of the Indian himself demands the sugges ed |
change. VERY respectfully,
W. NJ FIsHBACk, CT vernon of Arkansas.