The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-06-14
fl1cial Report Of Trouble Received BY
= the War Department
Indians Wanted to Fight the
Deputy 6heri6s.
CaiGiR Sioseh Relates casss et irritation and
Asks Tor Treopa

WhbHiu8tous JuHo Auc AHoa""
Uflics has received an Official report of
the Indian trouble at Tongue river.
Mont, which arose over the murder OF
. settler and the arrest OF the Indian
murderer.
The report states that soon after
tIoover's body was found on May 23.
Captain Stouch sent for White Bull and
some OF the head men. being satisfied
that II was his band which committed
the murder The old chief came In re-
sponse to the summons and expressed
mis- regret at the occurrence. Captain
Stouch told him to tell the head men that
the band would be held responsible for
the murder unless they discovered the
real culprtt and brought him to the post.
This they promised to do. and an old In
dian named Badger made the prophetic
remark. II promise the agent that IL /
f1pd out. and will try to find out. I will
tell him II II Is my own SON."
1t turned out to be the son OF the old
brave who killed Hoover. This confer
ence took place on May n. and that
same day Sheriff Gibb Of Custer county
and band OF % armed men rode up to
the agency and informed Captain
Stouch that they wanted the murder
ers. The agent replied that he was do
ing everything possible to discover and
arrest the guilty Indians. and II not in
terfered with wcs confident that he
would succeed. The sheriff left four
deputies and departed.
That evening Captain Read, with two
troops OF cavalry, also arrived. Soon
after this White Bull came into the
agency and told Captain Stouch that
Stanley had confessed to the murder,
but would not surrender having sent
word that he would fight at 3 O'Clock.
To this the agent replied that ne would
not allow fight, but that the chiefs
must compel Stanley to give himself up.
A courier was sent to recall the cavalry.
which had started for the scene of the
killing. By this time the news that
Stanley was to fight had spread, and the
Indians became very restless The
squaws and children took to the hills
away from the agency. while the bucks
rode In and stationed themselves on the
hilltops. They were all heavily armed
and had Their horses. They informed the
agent that they had come to see Stanley
hght. Captain Stouch then says
Defiant Indian.
"Captain Read returned to the agency
with his command at about $3.50 in the
afternoon. At this time Stanley was
on a high hill in the rear OF the agency
and not at a great distance from II. He
had his horse and squaw with him, was
in his war dress and paint and was
heavily armed. He was all ready for
the fight. 1t was the desire OF Captain
Read to charge and capture or kill him.
AT this juncture greatly excited In
dian on horseback appeared with the
information that Stanley did not want
to fight the soldiers, but did want to fight
the citizens. meaning the deputy sheriffs
who were here. I told him to go back
and tell Stanley would not allow any
one to fight him and for him to come in
and surrender. Deputy Sheriff Smith
told me he would attempt the capture
If would guarantee his safety from the
other Indians. told him could not 80
guarantee. and moreover there would
be no fight. and that Stanley must be
captured without any bloodshed I
wanted this done as an example for those
amongst the Indians who contemplate
wrongdoing. and / knew perfectly well
that If he were permitted to fight and
was killed he would he hero and brave
IN the eyes Of the tribe, whose example
should be emulated by the young men.
Stanley followed In the footsteps Of Head
Chief and Crazy Mule. of whose heroic
deaths stories are told around the fires.
making every young man anxious for a
similar death.
did not think II wise and provident
to make the attempt with but two troops
Of cavalry here; while believe the In
dians were not disposed to resist the
capture OF Stanley. still there was no
telling what they would do when one of
their people was being fired upon; had
they made resistance there il no tell
Ing where It would have ended.
Knowing Of their disposition TO re-
sist In 1891. when much weaker than
now. I thought two troops Of cavalry
would not stand much show Of overcom-
ing these warriors whose fierceness Is
noted.
AS the presence Of the deputy sheriffs
interfered with his Investigation, Cap
tain Stouch asserted his authority and
ordered the deputies of the reserva-
tion. BY this time Stanley had disap-
peared. After much trouble he was To-
Gated at Black Eagles camp. Captain
Stouch Immediately started for the
camp and found the braves fully armed
and dlsinclined to surrender without q
fight. Finally he consented to accom-
pany the agent back to the post. still re-
fusing to give UP his arms. He was then
persuaded to give up his rife, and when
The agency was reached he was prompt
1y locked up. In the meantime Sheriff
GLIB returned and presented Captain
Stouch with warrant for his arrest for
violating the state laws In interfering
with the sheriff In his attempt TO arrest
the Indian. Then the sheriff demanded
the person Of Stanley. but the agent
positively refused to deliver him up.
feeling that II would defeat the ends OF
Justice, az ne hoped to secure from the
prisoner evidence which would lead 10
the apprehension Of his accomplices.