The state herald. (Holyoke, Logan County, Colo.) 1887-1921, 1895-09-20
BANNOCKS ABUSED.
REPORT OF INDIAN RIGHTS
AGENT.
Rev. W. j. Cleveland Who Was Sent Out
by thu Society Says That the Jsckson's
Hole Mon Ara To Blame.


by thu Society Says That the Jsokson's
Hole Mon Are To Blame.
Madison, 8. D., Sept. 16.-The Rev
w. ]. Cleveland of Madison, the agent
recently selected by the Indian Rights
association Of Philadelphia to investi
gate for 1t the Bannock Indian out
break Of few weeks ago and report
fixing the responsibility for the troubles
on the guilty parties, has completed his
work and will file his report In a few
days. The document will be substan-
TALLY as follows:
The Bannock Indians of the Fort Hall
agency In Idaho went out last spring
according to their usual custom from
time immemorial. for their annual hunt
in the mountains of Wyoming, around
the Jackson's Hole country. They did
so this year, as they have done since
1865 under treaty with the United
States government granting them that
privilege, and with permits from the
agent. They We're clearly within their
treaty rights in doing so, and, having
pone but peaceful intentions, took with
'hcii thtI WIVES uliu CllluTcH.
During July, after some game had
been secured, they We're suddenly, and
without warning, followed up and sew
eral detached parties of them put under
arrest by armed white men from Jack
sons Hole. In every case these parties
We're deprived of MI their possessions,
including their guns, game, extra horses,
ETC., and two parties were successfully
Drought before the justice of the peace
lat Jackson's Hole on the charge of vio-
hitting the game laws of Wyoming, pro-
nounced guilty and fined beyond their
ability 10 pay. They would thus have
been sent to the Jail at Evanston had
not the payment of the fine in one case
by friend and the escape of the other
party during the night prevented. In
the third case the party was being
marched In for trial under cover of
rifles, when. supposing the intention of
their captOrs was TO shoot them In cold
blood, they became alarmed and fed
through the thick timber.
They were Immediately fired upon,
with the result that one old man, nearly
blind, was killed. another seriously
wounded and two little children lost In
the brush. falling from their mothers
arms in the excitement. One of these,
about two and one-half years old, was
afterward found by the white settlers,
crying alone in the wood, but by n sad
mistake, was sent Off to distant reser-
walton far from its. own people. The
other must have persisted, being a mere
babe.
The people of ,Iackson's Hole, ON their
own admission, elected their present jus
tice of the peace and constable and
swore in about thirty deputy marshals
with the express intention of keeping
the Indians out of the mountains this
year. They had a special reason for
wishing to do so. Nine-tenths of the peo-
pie, at least, so their justice stated, de-
rive their support from game-hunting
tourists, for whom they act as guides at
high rates. These tourists leave thou
sands of dollars in the Hole each year
and are increasing In numbers and Gag
erness TO kill a bull elk" and get his
horns at any cost.
From my observations I am led to
make the following recommendations:
l. The Indians, by treaty provisions
are entitled TO full remuneration for the
game and other property unlawfully
taken from them at Jackson's Hole.
.. All persons interested in the arres,
and shooting of these Indians should be
speedily tried and severely punished.
3. The governor of Wyoming and
other high officials Of the state are, In
a measure, responsible for what &C
Cured, and should be dealt with accord
lngly, ms being particcps crimlnis in this
matter through having directed the Jus
tlce OF the peace TO arrest and punish
9Th" Indians under t'sc laws Of Wyoming
" uehanee or regard OF the higher law
oi the uni,ed States as contained In Its
ucay WIN uhem ana 10 when alone
'he 'iui'hs nre ninchabie:
T. me euor's OF the department oil
.nc Interior 10 prlhg THESE parties TO JUS
ucc' hir.hu! pcguh' should be warmly
sceoi.ueu, CLOSELY watched. ana, In or
ger 10 prevent iarclcal termination
they shouiu De tried before United
suites court pu' not In the state OF wy
ohiihs' No Jury there could be relied
upon 10 nci Without prejudice.
D. agent ie'er should be strongly
supported III MS painstakine and fear.
less ehorts 10 secure Justice for the In
uiahs' ana me attempt OF some now
being made TO secure his removal from
Office, ana to within his fidelity TO duty
III me jackson Hole AFFAIR and the pro
posed reservation irrigation scheme
alone render MN obnoxious. should be
defeated.
u. Inc position OF the issue clerk nj
the fort Hall agency, recently abolished
should be Restored and continued. al