Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-22

of sending such a party to make researches
in northern India, but the scheme has not
yet been carried out owing to the expense
Of such rtip. While they have no con-
nection with the geological survey in any
way, these expeditions usually receive con-
siderable assistance from the Interior and
War Departments in the way of maps,
data, and sometimes equipments.
How the Parties Arc Made Up.
The parties are usually made up of the
graduating students, and appointments are
eagerly sought for, as it makes a pleasant
experience for the young men, and gives
them a novel outing in the west prior to
settling down to active work AS a rule
the parties are made up of about dozen.
They go to the nearest large town to the
field which it is expected to work. and
there they secure their outfit. A big four
horse wagon Is utilized for carrying the
camp outfit and for bringing back the spec
linens. The young men themselves travel
on horseback, and the ''outill" makes quite
a formidable appearance. The party is
always supplied with rifles and ammuni-
ton, and on several occasions in the past
expeditions of this sort have been threat
ened by hostile Indians. but there has
never been any serious mishap. The trip
is usually confined to the two months Of
July and August. 1t is customary to have
one CT more older men in the party. In
tho present instance Mr.. A. A. Brownlee
was member of the class of 81. and has
since been in the theological seminary at
Princeton in addition to acting in the ca
pacity of tutor to the Garrett boys. The
party Is also supplied with guide and
teamster, who are secured on the field. 1t
Is thought that If the emergency arose the
party could put up a pretty good fight In
self defense.
The BannocIk Indians.
According to information received in this
city, the Bannock Indians left their reser-
walton near one Of the army posts in
Wyoming several weeks ago on hunting
expedition. Bad feeling was caused by
complaints made by the whites to the eff
feet that they were unlawfully killing
game, and this got the Indians in trouble
with the state authorities. fight ensued,
in which several Indians were killed, and
since then they have been wandering at
large through a wild section Of Wyoming.
Letter From Young Pierce.
P. B. Pierce, father of T. E. Pierce, one
Of the party of Princetonians said to have
been captured by the Bannock Indians in
Idaho, this morning received letter from
his son, dated July 10. with a postscript
dated July Is. The postscript was written
at the mouth of Perry creek. about sixty
miles from Jacksons Hole, where the
troubles are said to have occurred. Young
Pierce stated that the party was about to
start for the Yellowstone through the Union
pass. Gov. Richards dispatch to the Sec
rotary of the Interior last week fixed the
date of the fight as July 10. AS the students
could not have reached the locality before
the 18th, Mr. Pierce entertains little anxiety
in regard to them. Prof. Hatcher Is said
to be experienced in Indian ways. and Mr..
Pierce has full confidence in his ability to
handle the party safely.
No knowledge at the War Department
If the party of students is in any danger
the officials Of the War Department are not
aware of 1t, as the matter has not been
brought to their atten ton in any form call
ing for the least action on their part. Gen.
Vincent, who, as acting adjutant general,
would be first advised of any information
in the possession Of the military concerning
the party, said today that he knew nothing
whatever of the affair beyond what he had
read in the newspapers. In his opinion,
there was no cause for apprehension as to
the safety of the students. The Bannock
Indians, he said, are not on the var path,
and would not be likely to modest travellers.
Although they are off their reservation. 1t
Is probably only in the pursuit of game.
They seldom make trouble, and are gener-
ally regarded as peaceable Indians. AL
though no orders have been issued on the
subject, Gen. Vincent said he took it for
granted that the troops in the vicinity
will afford all assistance in their power to
persons known to be In distress. 1t was
his opinion, however, that the present re-
port originated with some over-anXicus
parent, and that time will show that there
was no actual cause for alarm.