The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-08-17

The BannOck Indian Affair Reviewed
"A Shame to Us.


New York Commercial Advertiser.
Unless the official report of Indian Agent
Teter to the Commissioner of Indian Az
fairs relative TO the alleged rising OF the
a scandalous fiction the history of the
case is one OF the most disgraceful In the
whole annals of Indian and white rela-
tions. 1t Is scarcely less disgraceful TO the
white men concerned in it than the crimes
attributed to the Indians themselves by
the early settlers. Had the situation been
reversed and the white men the prisoners
would be ringing with Indignation over the
treacherous cruelty of the savages and de-
handing exemplary punishment.
According to the report a hunting party
OF nine Indians, with their families, was
discovered in camp upon the banks of
stream in Uinta county, Wyoming, by a
body of armed settlers numbering twenty
seven. The Indians were surrounded and
made to surrender their arms. The party
was then divided, the men being sent for
in the rear. AS they approached a clump
of woods an order was given to load up
all the weapons. Upon sight of the prep
naturally supposing that the men were
about to be executed. Hearing this and
reaching the same conclusion the latter
suddenly made a break for the woods.
They were completely unarmed; their fam
lilies were held as hostages. and there was
not the slightest riglt on the side OF the
stance. Nevertheless, at the first move
ment of the flying prisoners the crowd
opened fire. One Indian fell dead, another
rest escaped. The women scattered with
the children. all meeting again next day.
Two children were missing. besides the
two men. The survivors made their way
back to their reservation, falling in with
friendly Indians on the way, who gave
them food. The wounded Indian was
later. He had subsisted on the little food
he had when shot. One OF the missing
children was found; the other undoubtedly
died.
This official narrative to be fully appre-
ciated must be read In the light of the fact
that the Indians were bent upon a per-
by their treaty with the United States to
be where they were when captured by the
whites. They had committed no hostile act
and meditated none. When fired upon they
had given no offense and were unarmed. In
short, no element was lacking to make the
butchery as disgraceful and cowardly as
the affair throughout for the settlers hav-
ing provoked the Indians to general mas
sacre were now seized with a panic. expect
ing every day to hear OF an uprising to
avenge the murders. No such uprising oc-
Cured, but the terrors Of their guilty con-
sciences spurred the murderers to appeal
for help, which duly arrived In the form OF
troops.
Agent Teter now warns the department
through the commissioner that these In
dams are determined to hunt again after
the harvest. If they do there will probably
be real trouble for the settlers.
Heretofore IN our relations with them IL
is notorious that the Indians have come off
second best. They have learned TO look with
contempt upon the white mans justice and
have naturally taken tie law into their own
hands with the certainty. that they could
not otherwise obtain redress. The case I'M
der consideration gives the administration
an opportunity to teach quite another les
son, both 70 the cowardly whites and the
Indians. Backed up though the former are
by the State authorities, the federal gov
eminent ought to spare no effort to bring
the white murderers to justice and punish
them to the full extent of the law.