Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-31
Most conspicuous among the products of


the so-called Indian troubles in northwest
ern Wyoming are the scouts who never
secuted and Indian fighters who, in bar
room visions, have massacred countless
hosts of the unfortunate red men. These
frontier characters now occupy a large
share of public attention in those places
where they are not known, and corre-
spondents who are of the "tenderfoot" va
riety are mainly responsible for the wide
circulation which has been given the
maudlin views of those whose bloodiest
deeds have been done as members of
lynching parties. The sanguinary stories
uncorked by these Wyoming and Idaho
heroes to the contrary Notwithstanding. 1t
may safely be asserted that there has not
during the past month been any likelihood
of an Indian war. The grain and the chaff
being separated, there does not exist any
testimony that shows hostility on the part
of the Bannacks. OF rumors of wholesale
slaughter by the Indians there has been
no lack, but time, which always brings the
truth to the surface fails to produce even
the fimsiest of support for the allega-
lions which little while ago were being
SO freely made. originally in frontier gin
mills Careful investigation shows conclu-
sively that no white man, woman or child
has been slain by the Bannacks who are
alleged to be on the war-path. But several
Indians have been killed, and it is of
record that they were shot down in a man
ner cowardly that Wyoming will have
something to be ashamed of for quite
while to come. Condensation of the state
ments made by white mentor no word
has yet been received from the Bannacks
themselves-shows conclusively that the
hv no into
ence of settlers who believed the state
law to be superior to the treaty made be-
tween the United States and the Indians,
and who, when the captured Bannacks en-
deavored to escape, fired upon them with
out Justification and killed nearly all of
those who were, under the terms of the
treaty, doing what they had right to do,
but who, according to the Wyoming game
laws. were guilty merely of a INSIDE
meanor.
1t may he that later developments will
reveal conditions much more serious than
any that are now believed to exist, but
every present indication points to the prob
ability that the jewellers In the disturbed
region from Market Lake to the southern
boundary of the Yellowstone Park and as
far east as the Indian hating community
OF Lander are playing the same old game
which has been worked so successfully in
times gone by. Nothing stimulates bust
ness more in some portions of the west
than an imitation Indian campaign; even
a real campaign is productive of financial
improvement. Wherever any considerable
body of troops is in motion, large sums
of money are being disbursed for there
must be supplies for the soldier and the
soldiers horse, and there is demand by
quartermasters for teams aud teamsters.
That the saloon-keepers and gambling
sharks, and the population generally from
Market Lake to Marysvlle, are looking
forward to a season of prosperity is evil
dent from a dispatch which arrived east
last night, and in which it was said
"A very bitter feeling exists against the
Indians among the whites, and it will be
necessary to retain troops in the region for
some time to prevent further trouble. un-
less the Indians absolutely forbidden
to come into the region. The Indians, too,
are very angry over the killing of their
people, and it is feared will await a favor
able opportunity to make raid on the set
Elements, to be revenged."
The most reliable reports yet received are
to the effect that the number of male In
dams in Hoback Canon does not exceed
seventy-five, and 1t is pure surmise to
imagine that they have prepared them
selves in any way for offensive operations.
Rumor says that the Indians have fortified
themselves in an impregnable position, but
1t is only rumor: not one of the many
valiant scouts and Indian-fghters who have
been riding recklessly up and down in the
newspapers has cared to hold converse
with the little hunting party that has as
sumed dimensions sufficiently great to call
for the expedition which Gen. Coppinger
has organized. There would nol have been
any trouble at all had there bean no clash
of authority between the state and the
general government 1t is history that
white men have been responsible for every
Indian disturbance this country has ever
known history is now repeating itself.