The Wichita daily eagle., 1895-06-15
Captain Fifth Cavalry.
Acting Indian Agent.


dian Service, Cheyenne and Arapahoe
Indian Agency, Darlington, Oklahoma
June 18th. 1895.
To T. S. Shahan, Esq, Deputy Sheriff "G'
County, Arapahoe, Oklahoma.
Sir:-I am in receipt of your commu-
nication of the Sth inst. informing me
that some unknown Indian committed
a rape upon an old lady sixty years
old. few miles southeast of Arapahoe
and made his escape, no one seeing
him except the old lady.
l note what you say in regard to Sc
curing the assistance of the Indians in
the apprehension of the guilty party
and that citizens have offered a re-
ward of S65 and a pony, If the Indians
will turn over the person who commit
ted the offense, and that the Indians re-
fuse to assist in any way without my
approved.
In reply you are informed that
regret the fact that any Indian of this
gency has been guilty of such gross
and outrageously criminal conduct and
wish to assure you that nothing will be
left undone an my part to aid in the ap
prehension of the person who commit
ted the offense.
Twill instruct the farmer in charge
and the Indians of the district, to use
all possible effort to aid you in this un-
dertaking, and trust that you will be
able to secure the guilty party. 1t is
proper, however. to caution against
hasty action in this case, and to enjoin
care and judgment to the end that no
innocent party may be caused to suffer
In such a case the Identification, un-
less complete and beyond any question
of doubt, is likely to involve an inno-
cent party; and since you say that no
enc saw the offender but the old wo-
man, great care should betaken to rem
der the matter of Identification, by her,
beyond question.
1t is proper to add that the indispo-
sition of the Indians to aid in the ar
rest of the offender, grows out of lack
of moral courage and of their indispo-
sition to draw upon themselves the
criticism and censure of the relatives
and friends of any person who may be
arrested under suspicion of guilt.
I desire you to express to the citi-
Zens Of Arapahoe and vicinity my SYM
pathy and disposition to join them in
their efforts to securea the arrest of the
guilty party, and that under no cir
cumstances will 1 encourage the Indi-
ans of that vicinity in the belief that
they will be held responsible for such
acts of violence and certain punish
ment TO follow, which is fixed by the
statutes.
l have endeavored at all times to i'm
press upon theIndians under my charge
the fact that they are now amenable
to all civil and criminal laws of the
territory, and that they must so con-
duct themselves as not 10 incur the
penalties for violations of the same !:
and my earnest efforts are being eXer-
ted to render them subservient to such
laws, and to promote their progress to
a higher civilization.
/ have just received information from
George f. Coleman, farmer in charge
of Watonga district, that Cosah Red
lodge had been arrested and placed in
the Watonga jail on suspicion that he
is the party that committed the offense
and that he would be taken on the fol-
lowing day to Arapahoe for trial.
/ have instructed Richard Davis. the
farmer in charge of Arapahoe district
to secure proper counsel for the Indian
to the end that he may have a fair
trial. and trust that you will aid him
in this effort and permit no violence to
be inflicted upon the person of this In
dian. Very respectfully.
(Signed) A f. WOODSON,
Captain Fifth Cavalry.
Acting Indian Agent
Department of the Interior. L. s. In
dian Service. Cheyenne and Arapa-
hoe Indian Agency, Darlington, Okla
homa, June 18th, 1895.
To Richard Davis. Esq. Additional Farm
er. District No. $, Arapahoe, Oklahoma
Territory.
Sir:-I inclose copy OF letter to the
deputy sheriff for your information
and guidance. l want you 10 say TO the
Indians that / am sorry TO learn that
one of their number has been guilty OF
such serious crime. which, under the
white mans law, involves severe pun
ishment
l want them 10 assist in securing the
arrest Of the guilty party and TO turn
him over 70 the sheriff; il Is their duty
10 do so when called on by the civil
officers. and If they refuse 70 act when
called on by him. they Will subject
themselves 10 punishment under the
law
/ want you to instruct your young
men that they cannot be too careful in
their intercourse with the whites. and
that they will surely be punished II
they commit acts OF violence or crimes
prohibited by local laws.
Offenses OF this character will set all
the white people OF that section against
them and result in bad feeling on their
part and great injury 10 the Indians
Say 10 the chiefs and head men that
they are looked 10 by me 10 counsel and
advise obedience 10 the laws of the ter
ritory and 10 use their influence 10
maintain good order in their district.
and 10 aid the civil officers when called
on. Very respectfully.
(Signed) A z. WOODSON,
Captain Fifth Cavalry.
Acting Indian Agent