The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-14
CAPTURE OF THE CHEYENNE.
CAPT. sToUcH SENDS IN AN INTER-
ESTING STORY OF THE AFFAIR.

Cowboys ana herelore the MUIR
derer Refused to Surrender to The
FOrmer-The Murderer Anxious to
Die Fighting, But the officer in
Command Feared General Out
break If He Was Not Taken Peace
ably.
Washington, June 14-The Indian bu-
reau has received from Capt Stouch OF
the Tongue River, Mont, agency, a de-
tailed report on the recent troubles there,
arising from the murder of Settler John
Hoover by David Stanley, a Cheyenne
brave.
After much diplomacy on the part of
the agent, Stanley, with his two accom-
plices, Sam Grow and Yellow Hair, are
now lodged in Jail at Mills City, and will
be tried by the civil courts. Capt. Stouch's
description of the trouble is interesting
in that 1t shows constant conflict between
the state and federal authorities over the
arrest of the Indians. In this case, the
presence of the sheriff and a large posse
came near causing a conflict with the In
dians, The reports states that soon after
Hoovers body was found, on May 2, Capt
the head men, being satisfied that it was
members of his band who committed the
murder. The old chief came in response
to the summons, and expressed his regret
at the occurrence. Capt. Stouch told him
to tell the head men that the band would
be held responsible for the murder unless
they discovered the real culprit apd
brought him to the post. This they prom
ised to do and an old Indian named Bad
ger made the remark, Il promise the
agent that if 1 find out, and I will try
to find out, will tell him, if it is my own
son." 1t turned out to be the son of the
old brave who killed Hoover This con-
ference took place on May q, and that
same day Sheriff Gibbat of Custer county
and band of twenty-five armed men
rode up to the agency and informed Capt
Stouch that they wanted the murderers.
The agent replied that he was doing ev-
erything possible to discover and arrest
the Indians guilty, and if not
interferred with was confident
that he would succeed. The
sheriff left four deputies and departed
That evening Capt. Read. with two troops
of cavalry, also arrived. Soon after this
White Bull came into the agency and told
Capt 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
he would not allow the fight, but that the
chiefs must compel Stanley to give him.
self 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 wanted TO fight had spread and
the Indians had become restless. The
squaws and the children took to the hills
away from the agency, while the bucks
rode in and stationed themselves on the
hill tops near the post buildings. They
were all heavily armed and had their
horses. They informed the agent they
had como to see Stanley fight. Capt
Stouch then says: Capt. Read returned
to the agency with his command about
$3.50 in the afternoon. About this time
Stanley was on high Hill In the rear and
not a great distance from him had his
horse and. squaw with him and was in his
war dress and paint, and was
heavily armed. He was all
ready for the fight. 1t was the desire of
Capt. Read to charge and capture or kill
him. At this juncture greatly excited In
dian on horseback approached with the in
formation that Stanley did not want TO
fight the soldiers but did want to fight
their citizens. meaning the deputy sheriffs
who were there. l told him to go back and
tell Stanley l did not want any one to
fight him and for him to come in and sur
render Deputy Sheriff Smith told me he
would attempt his capture If 1 could guar
antee his safety from the other Indians.
1 told him L could not so guarantee, and
moreover there would be no fight and
that Stanley must be captured without
any bloodshed. 1 wanted this done as an
example for those amongst the Indians,
who contemplate wrong doing, and knew
perfectly well that II permitted Stanley
to fight and he was killed, he would be
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 Mute, Of whose
heroic deaths stories are told around the
fire, making every young man anxious for
a singular death. / believe II was in 1880,
that these two young red men killed a
white boy and hid the body in the hills,
where It was found after a search Of sew
eral days The murderers were discover
ed Through their boasting of the deed,
and their surrender was demanded, but
II was refused, though they were willing
to be killed and would die fighting. Their
proposal was accepted, and the five
troops OF cavalry stationed here were or
dered 10 prepare for the ARRAY. At the
appointed time the troops took their sta
tion In the rear OF the agency building.
and each young man took his position on
a hil on either side of the troops. The
young men charged down the hills on
horses on the troops. singing their death
songs and firing az the soldiers. They
.were killed. after shooting a few Of the
horses OF the soldiers. Stones mark the
footsteps OF the horses on the hillside, and
the bodies OF the braves were buried In
a grave prepared for them beforehand.
The squaws watched the fight. and at It's
close sang the death songs. urging the
bucks 20 avenge the death OF the young
men. The men became very much excit-
ed. and notwithstanding the presence OF
five troops Of cavalry, a fight was mar
rowly avertcd.
Thus these two young men became he
roes. ana 10 prevent a repetition OF this
Incident I forbade any nghung. ala
not think u wise and prudent to make
the attempt with but two troops OF cav
airy here. and while believe The Indians
were not disposed 10 resist the capture
OF Stanley. still there r. no telling what
they would do when one OF their people
uan h0lnw nred lnon and had thaw mad