Arizona silver belt., 1895-05-11
THE SAN CARLOS AGENCY INDIANS.
The Present Discomfort and it's Causes.

The BELT has always been oonserva.
 tive in it's publications concerning the Indians and affairs on the San Carlos reservation, and while our statements have sometimes been objected to by self-interested persons, they have nev- or been refuted The BELT is no Alarmist, but believes in keeping citi- gems informed in regard to the move ments and intentions of the Indians, that they may know what to expect and be prepared to protect their fami- lies and possessions from sudden in cursions by their red brethren.
 It appears that what we said in our issue of April 27, regarding the oppo- sition of San Carlos Agency Indians to the building of railroad across the reservation, their threatening demean- or, and the belief that the Indians were instigated by white men, has given ofiense to one person, if no more, at San Carlos, who construes our lan- guage as rehecting upon him, although In the article referred to there is no personal allusion to anyone. The same tender skinned individual has also said that we have wronged that old reprobate, Es-kim-in-zin, whom he alleges is a good Indian if so, his re- generation must have been of recent date, due, doubtless, to the medication of religious principles by his compa- dre, Geronimo, while tue latter was Q Sunday school superintendent in Ala bama.
 The present discontent amongst the San Carlos Agency Indians is not ima- ginary, nor trifing, we are sorry to say. Tho disaffection exists princi- pally amongst the White Mountains and the Tontos It is believed there is no opposition in the San Carlos tribe which cannot be overcome, while the Mohaves favor the construction of the railroad. The IELT's statement of the hostile feeling exhibited by cer- tain of the IndianE toward the railroad is confirmed by Ave persons whom we interviewed tie present week, and who had lately come through the res eryation ard conyersed with the h. dians, sorle of whom speak English. They declare that they will not permit the construction of the railroad across the reservation to proceed unless the c mTany pays a large indemnity as Es-Iim-in-zin expressed it, 'mueho mouey." From another source it was learned that they demanded $500 apiece for every Indian on the reser- va,ion, numbering about 450O, which would aggregate S2, 25O,00O The knowledge of the educated Indians is being turned to account. By reading the newspapers and talking with tray elers through the reservation they know pretty much all that transpires and communicate their information to others of their band or tribe.
 They say when the 'poo-poo" loco- motive comes there will be no safe for their grain and hay. The 'poo- poo" eats no hay or barley and tnere- fore, in their estimation is q poor sub stitute for wagon trains. They ap- prehend that many white people will come onto the reservation, and take their coal lands, and gold and silver mines in Trumbun mountain They want the soldiers to return to San Car los and the freighting by wagons to continue, as they would then have a market for the products of their farms.
 Two ofour informants told us that an old Indian showed them a promontory near Navajo Bills place, four miles east of the sub-agenoy, where the h. dians would make their stand and fight if an attempt was made to build the railroad "they will tenr up the track and fight, and if the soldiers come they will escape into Mexico" said he.
 When the surveyors of the Midland Construction Company entered ti.e reservation to continue the survey, and pitched thelr camp a few miles within the reservation line, on the Gila river, the Indians plainly showed their displeasure, and fearing they might make a hostile demonstration, tho surveyors prudently withdrew to the line, near Fort Thomas. Every one of those with whom we have con versed corroborates our stated belief that the Indians' opposition to the railroad is not of their own volition, but that whites at San Carlos and Fort Thomas suggested and urgedit. There is evidence on every side of dissatis- faction among the agency Indians and preparation for hostilities. Pow-wows, at which toulpai (tiswin) is freely drunk, are of frequent occurrence at the Indian camps along the Gila river, and the Indians are making extrava- gant offers for guns and ammunition a wagon and two ponies for winches- ter and cartridges, and one pony for thirty cartridges Ben Fox, of Globe, was offered one dollar for six car tridges, by Indians who are here oi leave of absence. Certainly there are enough signs of impending trouble to warrant the authorities at San Carlos to take steps to curb the uDruly In dians and avert threatened danger, If necessary (and we believe it advisa- ble) regarrison San Carlos with troops and double the rations of the Indians. Much of the discontent arises from their impoyerished condition; many of