Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-13


of the department October 8 to order United
States troops to Tuskahoma, the capital OF
the Choctaw nation in the Indian territory
to preserve peace between the rival factions
of the Choctaw tribe, each Of which was
eDdeavoring to obtain control of the official
machinery of the tribe and in doing so, was
threatening the peace of the community and
bidding defiance to constituted authority.
Bloodshed Threatened.
From the correspondence it appears that
October o the Secretary of the Interior in
formed the Secretary of War that rival
factions of the ChoctaWs had assumed po-
sition of armed hostility at Tuskahoma and
that bIoodshed and loss of life We're likely
to result. He had been informed by the
Indian inspector and agent that serious
trouble could be averted only by the pres
ence of troops. He requested, therefore,
that two companies of troops be ordered I'M
Tediately to TuSkahoma to assist the in
spector and agent in preserving peace, avert
ing violence and protecting the legislative
body in the performance of it's duties.
In accordance with the request, the Sec
rotary of War at once directed the com
handing general of the Department of Mis-
souri, to send two companies of infantry to
Tuskahoma for the purpose of assisting the
inspector and agent in charge in the preser-
walton of peace and in avoidance of conflict
and violence and in protecting the legisla-
tive body from such interference
Later on the same day the Secretary OF
War received another communication from
the Secretary of the Interior urging haste
in the sending of troops to Tuskahoma. as
the danger of serious trouble was imm!-
nent.
Military Arrive.
Major c. G. Starr of the 18th Infantry
reported October 10 that he had arrived at
Tuskahoma on October IL with COMPANIES
F and G of the 18th Infantry. He found
that the council house of the Choctaw ma
ton was in the hands of armed men. that
many on the outside were armed and that a
conflict was likely to occur at any time.
The agent desired that all members of tho
nation should be allowed to pass in and out
oil the council house freely in the transac-
ton of proper business. Major Starr ex-
plains that some of the armed men in and
about the building were Indian police some
were deputy United States marshals, some
were Light Horse" and many were pri-
vate individuals
Despite the protests of the United States
marshal, who objected to any tnterferenee
with the armed men and was Inclined to
oppose any attempt of the agent to clear the
council house. Major Starr after hearing
statements of both sides. placed one COM
pany inside the 3o0-feOt Enclosure about thu,
building and then with detail went
through the building and cleared 1t of all
armel men, whether marsnals police or
others He placed guard about the build
ing with instructions to allow no arms to
be taken inside. All then were notified that
they were at liberty to go in and out at
Will, the only condition being that arms
must be left outside the inclosure
This action" says Major Starr seemed
taken in good part by all except the United
States marshal. who threatened me with
all manner or dire consequences of the law
demanded my orders and generally made
himself obnoxious, but to whom / paid lit
tie attention
Threatened Trouble Averted.
The threatened trouble, beyond a few
hsticuffs did not mater!alize. Major Starr
did not attend the meetings In the council
house and did not allow his men to attend
them except in the first few minutes of the
session OF the legislature, when he was in
formed that hgh: was in progress ION
going In, says he, II found five men in a
struggle for actual possession of the speak
er S chair, but as they seemed about equal
in their chances for II l left them alone In
moment and allowed them to conduct
their parliamentary business In their own
way"
The military guard was maintained with
out further trouble until the breaking nm
Of the camp on the 18th of October Major
Starr says he did not investigate the claims
OF the several parties. but simply caused al,
armed persons to remain away from the
council house. No arms were confiscated
no one was arrested. and beyond keeping
ell arms off the territory Immediately sur
rounding the building nobody was inter-
fe1ed with. The method adopted for keep
ing the peace was entirely successful saws
Major Starr, but he does not doubt that
certain individuals or factions who were not
allowed to carry out their plans for good
or bad, as the case might be, win find
ground for complaint"