Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-18
MElKLEJOHN'S IDEAS
Assistant Secretary of War Tells of His Trip
Through the West.
HIS INSPECTION OF MILITARY POSTS
Fort Mckenzie is Likely to Be Made Per.
manent Institution.
LOCATION A VERY STRATEGIC POINT
Nearness to Large Indian Reservations Rem
ders it Quite Important.
)CATloN A VERY STRATEGIC POINT
FORT ROBINSON NOT TO BE ABANDONED
Fears That the Government Mirht
Give II up Arc GroundIess-Mr.
McikIciohn Goes Back to
Washington.

Hon. George d. Meiklejohn, assistant Sec
retary of war, was in Omaha for brief
time Friday afternoon. He came in from
| Sheridan, Wyo., where he had been for the
purpose of inspecting the temporary mill
tary station of Fort Mackenzie, and left on
the first train for Washington. On his trip
to Fort Mackenzie Mr.. Meklejohn was ac-
companied by Major Brad d. Slaughter, Cap
tain Grote Hutchoson of tho Jr'ted States
army in this city; Captain II f.. Palmer
OF Omaha and Hon. +. Nj. Wetherald OF
Hebron.
Mr.. Meiklejohn expressed his unwilling
ness to discuss the matter of his rumorcd
appointment military governor of Cuba.
Il know nothing of such n movement being
on foot" eaid the assistant secretary OF
war. "All gossip in connection with it has
arisen since my departure from Washington
and 1t Is a matter to which have not given
the slightest thought. My visit to the west
at this time has been for the purpose Gr
examining certain military posts and rescr-
vations. | am now just returning from the
inspection of the last one at Fort Mackenzc.
1t Is temporary military station. estab-
lished since the abandonment of Fort Gus
ter, and is located within two miles NJ
Sheridan, Wyo. There is military reserva-
tion Of 5000 acres. Within sixteen miles
of Fort Mackenzie to the north Is the Big
Crow Indian reservation, the largest in that
immediate territory, and one of the most
extensive in the west. Adjoining the Crow
reservation is the Northern Cheyenne Indian
reservation. To the southwest little way
is the Shoshone Indian reservation. Across
the line in South Dakota are the Cheyenne
River and Pine Ridge Indian reservations.
May BE Permanent
THE nearest military posts to Fort Mac
kenzie are Fort Keogh on the north in Mon
tana, and Forts Meade and Robinson ON the
eaet in South Dakota and Nebraska. A per-
manept military post has net yet been es-
tabllshed at Fort Mackenzie, but bills seek
ing this end will be introduced in the next
congress by the Wyoming congressional dele
cation, asking that the president designate
1t as a permanent military post. On account
of the proximity of the Crow and Shoshone
Indian reservations and the remoteneas of
the military posts in Montana, South Da-
kota and Nebraska. which have mentioned,
/ believe the location of Fort Mackenzie to
be a strategic point for the establishment of
permanent post. The fact that this meas
ure was favorably recommended by the last
congress and will be recommended by the
War department to the coming congress will,
believe, result in its permanent location.
Fort Custer. near whose site Fort Mac
kenzie is located, on the Crow Indian
reservation in Montana. 1t derived its water
supply from a stream which ran through
the Indian reservation. On account OF the
contamination of the water by the Indians
there was an epidemic of typhoid fever
among the troops, recurring with such fire.
quency that the post had to be abandoned
on account of lack of sanitary conditions.
/ shall recommed that the site of Fort Gus
ter be turned over to the Interior depart
ment.
Reasons for Present Trip.
Beside visiting Fort Mackenzie was also
at Fort Meade. in South Dakota, and Forts
Niobrara and Robinson, in Nebraska The
reason / made this trip at this time is that
in 1897 / made tour of inspection of the
various army posts when i was unable to
get around to these four because of lack OF
time. The principal recommendations
shall make in connection with Forts Meade,
Niobrara and Robinson will relate to the
reparation Of certain buildings. l have
learned that there has been some anxiety
on the part of residents In northwestern
Nebraska, fearing the abandonment Of Fort
Robinson. There is absolutely no founda-
tion for such rumor The location OF Fort
Robinson so near the Pine Ridge Indian
reservation makes 1t one of the most i'm
portant military posts in the west 1t has
suffered Just as have all other western posts,
by reason of the depletion OF troops. made
because of the hostilties in the
The replacement of these troops
and the occupancy of the various posts with
their full quota OF troops depends entirely
upon the cessation OF military operations
in the Philippines. The depletion of these
posts by no means indicates a probability
of their abandonment.
81 have enjoyed this tour OF inspection
more than any official duty which has fallen
to my lot for some time. / love the west,
and especially Nebraska. but / must leave
the state now and will be IN Washington
Just as soon as this train can get me
there"