Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1895-07-31
THE INDIAN MASSACRE
Agent Teter Telegraphs the Wash
ington Bureau Denying
the Report.

Washington, D. c., July 27.-No in
formation whatever has been received
at the war department in confirmation
or denial of the reported Indian mas
sacre at jackson Hole in Wyoming
The department up to noon was without
positive information as to whether its
troops had reached Market Lake, but it
is taken for granted that they have, as
both Gen. Coppinger. and his command ma
was due there at o'clock today. They
ought to reach Jackson Hole in about
thirty-six hours The department Off
Gals decline to discuss the reported mas
sacre, but it is believed from their man
ner,' when the subject is referred to, that
the report is not accepted as true 1hey
also decline to say what policy will be
Indian Bureaus View.
A dispatch sent by Agent Teter of the
Fort Hall Qd) Indian agency from Idaho
Falle shortly after midnight was received
at the Indian bureau today. 1t stated
that the agent has joined Gen. Coppinger
en- route to the scene of the trouble.
Messengers sent from the agency to the
Rannocks have returned from Jackson
Hole and report that the Indians will
not resist arrest. The disp2&A.h makes
no mention Of the reported wholesale
credence is given the massacre story by
bureau officials. They say that in the
event of such a massacre the bureau
would be Immediately notified by the
agent or his representatives,.
The dispatch giving the news of the
alleged massacre comes from Market
Lake, Id, fifteen miles north OF Idaho
Falls. 1t is thought strange that suc1 IN
formation should have been received at
one of the towns and not have reached
the other as both are on the same ral-
road and telegraph line. 1t is said at the
Indian bureau that there is no road from
Market Lake direct to Jackson Hole and
that the troops must start from !daho
Falls. w. W. Teter, brother of Agent
Teter, arrived in Washington yesteraay
from Idaho. where he had been visiting
his brother. He left Fort Hall July IL.
He does not credit the stories OF the mas
sacre and thinks the whole matter Is
much exaggerated.
The first news received at the agency
of the trouble was from a squaW man at
Jackson Hole, who rather derlded the
efforts of the settlers to enforce the game
laws. Writing ON July IA, he said that
the Justice of the peace had been issuing
warrants and the constable serving them
and so far had arrested one blind Indian
and two papooses. Mr. Teter says the
Bannocks are usually well-behaved. On
July II, when he left Idaho. thirty Ban
nocks were known to be south OF the res
ervation returning from trading with the
Navajo Indians there.
Only nine Bannocks were reported IN the
back Jackson Hole district at that time.
Mr. Teter says the trouble comes from the
settlers who have been acting as guides
to parties of Yellowstone park tourists
and from the white hunters. He denies
positively that the Indians kill game
wantonly or wastefully, and says the
what they can at the moment and leave
the rest to spoil. When the carcass is
found the whites charge it to the Indians.
when an Indian kills an elk" concud.
ed Mr.. Teter, she takes and uses all OF
it. hair, hide, meat, hoofs and horns.
That is his nature"