Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-12-28
a CRYING SHAME.

Gov FishbRck Writes to the President on
Indian Territor, Outinwry.
MEMPHIS, Tenn, Dec. 20. 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 Ollphant In
this state renders II proper, II seems TO me,
that call your attention TO the dangerous ro-
iation which tho Indian territory west OF US
occupies 10 tho states Of the union and cs'
pc Tally to the adjacent states Of Arkansas,
Kansas Texas and Oklahoma territory.
Upon the person Of one Of the captured rob
bors was found n map Of the route they had
taken from the Indian territory, iIb miles 70
the scene Of the robbery, and also map Of the
country around Chattanooga, Tenn, showing
that another robbery was contemplated al or
near that CITY.
II also appears that the captured leaders are
noted characters IN the business and inyeiglod
some very respectable citizens along the border
into this robbery.
Ihave good reason 10 suspect that very
large percentage Of the bank and train rob
berries which take place west OF tho Alleghenios
and east Of the Rocky mountains arc organized
or originate In the Indian territory Lot mo
also add that tho refuge which this spirsely
settled rendezvous Of outlaws affords 70 Grim
inals Is n constant temptation 10 crime In all
tho country around
During tho past twelve months there have
issued from tho states OF Arkansas and Texas
and Oklahoma territory slHty.one rcquisitions
upon the Indian territory authorities for fugi.
tiyes while we have occasion 10 believe that as
many more are hiding among IN hoir comrades
in crime In this asylum of criminals
Those criminals who nnd refuge In this ter.
rltory arc rapidly converting the Indian cOun-
try into q school Of crime
Thog are demoralizinR tho Indians, and are
especially stirring up the young Indians TO
deeds Of blood and theft Young Henry Starr,
for example. although less than - ears Of age
and Of fne capacity, has been charged with al
most every crime In the catalogue, and Is now
under sentence Of death for murder The
records Of Paris and Fort Smith reveal start.
ling story ia this direction yet they do not tell
onc.tenth OF the whole story.
Prior TO the late civil war I resided In tho
city OF Fort Smith on the border " this torrl-
tory. The merchants Of the place dld $4,000
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
molestod-travel was safor than In the states
Now, according 10 tho estimates Of one Of the
newspapers. published year or two since In
Museogee the number OF murders reached tho
not cognlzabo In the federal courta The fed.
oral jail at Fort Smith IL, ut 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 tho farce Of gov.
ernment which exists In this territory, render.
Ing IL a constant menace to the peace and order
VI oil the states Of tho Mississippi valley. sug.
scsts tie very serious question whether the
time has not arrived for the federal govern
nent TO assert It's right OF eminent domain
over this part Of the national domain and to
'hange Its political relations with the United
States
can think Of no valid reason upon which to
base the opinion that our Indians rights, either
y person or OF property are any more sacred
han those OF the white man, which II Is con.
'eded must give way 10 the public good
In this case, not only the public good, but
public safety, as well as ihe highest interests
" the Indian himself demands the suggested
,hangn Very respectfully,
w M EIannAC OK. q .Nernnr Of Arlnnana