The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-02-07
WHERE IT DROPPED
Volumes Of Early Correspondence on
the Cree Question.
EFFORTS OF THOMAS Q. MILES
Notes From Blaine. Weed, Gov
ernor ToOle, Departm ent of Da-
kota and the Canadian Author
tiles, StIll the Pests Are Here.

ceiVed by Governor RICHARDS from Sec
rotary Olney on the Cree question,
mentioning the agreement which had
been arrived at with the Canadian
government in 1892.
There are not many who realize how
near the people came to getting rid of
the Crees at that time, and few know
the circumstances under which the re-
moval of the pests was suddenly cut
short.
The credit OF accomplishing what was
accomplished in this movement four
years ago is due primarily to Thomas
q. Miles, Of Silver Bow Junction,
who first started the agitation to re-
move the Crees and who has the entire
history of the movement in documcn-
tary form.
Mr. Miles has probably had to endure
more from the Crees than any other
one man IN the state. Every winter
big band Of the pests come to Silver
Bow county and locate here, and al
ways pick out n camp close to Miles
ranch. lie has suffered from their pc
Culations more than any man could be
expected to suffer
Mr.. Miles first began the agitation OF
the removal of the Crees TO Canada
more than four years ago. He first pub
lished a letter in the Inter Mountain
detailing the pest. The letter came to
q I
j.. d. Weed. who wrote Mr.. Miles tho
following letter:
MY attention was drawn to your re-
cent communication I'm the Inter Noun
tain relating to the Cree Indians. 1t
is not to be wondered at that you and
other settlers In the vicinity have about
lost patience with the dilatory methods
of the United states government in
dealing with this matter. These rene
gades should be taken back to the Brit
ish possessions where they belong. They
have no rights here whatever ana arc
trespassers pure and simple. | am al
together unable to understand why the
government does not insist upon their
speedy removal Very respectfully.
'E. -. Weed"
Mr. Weed followed this letter up with
a letter TO Washington, as follows:
Honorable Secretary of War. Wash
ington, ID. c.:
'Sir-I enclose herewith printed copy
OF letter OF Thomas o. Miles, Silver
Bow Junction, Mont, relating to a
large number of Cree Indians who are
now encamped in Silver Bow and Deer
Lodge counties. Mont. These Indians
are the renegade Crees from the British
possessions. They belong across the
border and should be under the charge
of the officials of the Canadian govern
ment. They are mere trespasseTs With
in the United States. Their presence
here Is very offensive to all settlers who
are fortunate enough to live in the vi
cinity of their camps. II is the habit
of these renegade Indians to wantonly |
destroy all game, without regard to
local laws or regulations, TO steal stock |
of the settlers, and generally subsist by |
larceny and plumber. They have no |
business whatever here and should be |
Immediately removed to the British |
possessions where they belong. / re-
spectfully recommend that such meas |
ures rs may be necessary for this pur- |
pose be taken without delay by the |
general government. believing that I'm /
the event nothing should be done look
ing to their removal there is reason to
Hpprehend serious difficulty between
them and the white settlers. Very re-
spectfully,
"E. ID. Weed. L. s Attorney"
Much correspondence followed be-
tween Mr.. Weed and the secretary of
state at Washington. The various un-
lawful acts Of the Indians were recited |
and the details Of the contagious dis
ease affecting their horses and other
domestic animals and communicated to
animals Of white settlers. were laid be
fore the officials at Washington as well
as before State Netinary Surgeon Hol-
loway.
on Jan %, 1892. the following was re-
ceived by Mr.. Weed from the secretary
of state:
II have the honor TO Acknowledge
with thanks the receipt of your letter
OF the 18th inst. relative To tho incur
sion of Cree Indians from Canada into
the United States. and To inform you
that action has been taken by this de-
partment looking to the adoption OF
measures fer the removal ot the In
dams in que tion from our territory.
am, sir. your obedient servant,
james G.. Blaine"
That was encouraging indeed and /
through NJ. Blaine's interest in the
matter rapid progress was made. Sen
ator Thomas {. Power who had also
become active in the matter. received
an autograph letter from Mr.. Blaine
which Is in Mr.. Miles possession and
IS carefully treasured by him. IL is as
follows.
Department Of State. Washington. ID.
g. April %, 1892.
THE Honorable Thomas c. Power,
Senate.
"Sir-Referring to your letter OF the
Goth OF February last. in relation - a
band Of Canadian cree Indians that
has settled I'm Silver BOW county. Mont.
have the honor 10 enclose FOR your
Information copy Of a note from the
British minister at the capital. enclos-
ing a certified report OF the Canadian
privy council from which il appears
that the Canadian authorities are pre-
pared 10 take back the Indians. belong !
ing 10 Canada. upon their being taken
10 the border b. our authorities fc1
that purpose
"A copy OF Sir Julian Paunccfotcs
note, above mentioned, Will be- sent 20
the interior and war departments. re-
guessing those departments to instruct
the proper officers 20 cooperate with
the governor Of Montana in the matter
of sending the Indians ia question back !
10 Canada. / have the honor 20 be, sir.
your obcdient servant.
James G.. Blaine" 4
Enclosed with Mr. BlaIna's note was
the following.
British legation. Washington. April j
G. 1892. ;
1.-THE Hon. James Blaine Secretary