The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-08-02
CAPTAIN BECK EXCITED
lie Openly Insults Nebraska'a
Congressional Delegation,
AND DENIES THGIR AUTHORITY

The Agent of the winnebago Indians De.
clares Tint the FIou,noy Company Ba,
systematically Robbed the Indians, and
Its Members Are "Liars and Scoundrels."
OMAHA, July 26.-Indian Agent Captain
Beck and the congressional delegation had
stirring session yesterday, and violence
was imminont for several minutes at tho
Winnebago agency. He offended tho on
tire Nebraska congressional delegation In
his office, and would have ordered tho
senators and congressman from the room
had 1t not beon for Senator Allon. Tho
proceedings began when Senator Allen
stated that the two senators and three
representatives OF the congressional dole
cation Of Nebraska had come for the pur.
pose Of informing themselves as to the
condition of affairs. In reply to this Cap
tain Beck made short statement He
stated that tho Flournoy company had
Systematically robbed the Indians, and
that 1t was q corrupt concern generally
Captain Beck said the members Of tho
Flournoy company and every one OF its
friends and sympathizers wore Infamous
liars and scoundrels.
Just as the captain finished John Il.
Meyers, tho treasurer of tho company,
entered the room. "You are not telling
tho truth and you know it, he said.
II giant fire cracker had been exploded
under the captains feot he could not have
been more excited
Get out OF here" he cried, "got out Of
here. This is my Office. l will not have
you in it. l nm master here. You have
been arrested by tho United States mar
shall and ought to be in Jail. will not
have you here. Get out before have you
thrown out"
An exciting scene ensued. Senator
Thurston remarked: 81 wish to know
whether or not this delegation, represent
ing a majority of the members OF the Ne
braska congressional delegation, has TO
proceed without a repetition OF such scenes
as the one we have just seen enacted. We
are amply able to preserve order without
Interference or assistance on the part OF
any one. II this delegation Is hero with
out right-the right OF American citizens
to know how their own affairs are being
oonducted-I, for one, am roady to retire
at once"
Captain Beck jumped to his feet and ex-
citedly exclaimed that he did not recog-
nize the authority OF the delegation. Ho
did not understand that 1t had any rights
which he was bound to respect. 1t was
not committee empowered to act. 1t
had no right to Investigate him. He was
responsible to the secretary of the interior,
and him only He would not be insulted
In his own office.
Mrs. Beck who had been sitting at the
captains back acting rs n sort of advisory
counsel, was also aroused. Sho did not
address the congressional delegation, but
In voice loud enough to be heard by
many she referred to the senator who had
spoken as an insolent man and insulting
meddler. She suggested to those nearest
her that the captain ought to order the
| entire delegation out OF his Office.
The silence which followed the scene
| was oppressive and Captain Beck again
rose to his feet. ''Sit down." said Sena'
tor Allen, and the captain sat down. The
investigation proceeded without further
trouble. Captain Beck submitted letters
and kilograms to show that he had the ap.
proval Of the interior department In every
thing he did.