Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1905-11-21
LAWLESS INDIANS
SLAUGHTER DEER
Red Men Disregard
Territorial Game
Laws.
CAUSE OF GREAT TROUBLE.
Warden Otero Says Govern
ment Ignores Complaints
Advises Action.

That the Pueblo and other Indians
OF New Mexico have little regard for
the laws of the Territory, especially
the game laws. and the law in refer
ence to their not being allowed off
lhelf reservations is made manifest by
the numerous recent complaints that
are being received by Fish and Game
Warden Page B. Otero, relative to the
Indians hunting in Socorro, Grant,
Valencia, Taos and other counties.
Game Warden Otero is also in re-
ceipt OF a letter from Captain John f.
Fullerton, of the New Mexico Police,
which reads In part
while Lieutenant Cipriano Baca
was returning the other day, togeth
er with Private Myers, from a scout
ing trip, they came upon nine San Fe
lipe Indians who had in their posses
sion four female deer hides. The lieu
tenant did not make any arrests, as
he states that they were in an ugly
frame of mind and that he would have
had to kill some of them to accom-
plish an arrest, SO he ordered them
home, and will arrest them on. the res
ervation later. am also informed
that party of nineteen Indians has
left the Datil Mountains for Jemez on
hunting trip, but as we haven't suf-
flcient men to arrest them unless we
swear in a number of ranchmen,
have decided to warn them to return
home and arrest them after they get
home"
Prepare for Slaughter.
A letter received by Mr.. Otero from
w. E. Manning, who lives in the Da-
til Mountains, states that large par
ty of Indians are hunting in that re-
gion. He states that they had with
them seven wagons and that in his
estimation the wagons would not re-
turn empty.
Letters from residents of Socorro
County say that at least $50 Indians
are in that county for the purpose of
hunting, many of whom are from Is
leta. The residents of Socorro County
are greatly stirred up over the fact
that the Indians are allowed to hunt
out of season, virtually slaughtering
the game, in apparent freedom, while
they, if guilty of the same act, would
be hauled into court and fined.
In speaking of the matter Game
Warden Otero said:
81 have repeatedly written the De-
partment of the Interior at Washing
ton concerning these depredations by
the governments charges, but so far
it has done no good. 1t is a well
known fact that for the past twenty
five years the Indians have been liv-
inc from 40 to GO miles off their res
ervations, taking up the water holes,
and driving white settlers away from
them"
Nothing is Done.
'In joint memorial No. 8, passed by
the seth Legislative Assembly, we es-
necially called the attention of the
commissioner of Indian affairs to the
breaking of these laws by the In
dians, but so far nothing has been
done by the department at Washing
ton that has borne fruit | am going
to send all the letters | have received
relative to the Indians disobeying the
game laws, to the commissioner OF In
dian affairs at Washington, and am not
going to give them any peace until
tbey take some steps to have these
t,agrant violations of the game law
stopped.
Il have just received advices from
one of my deputies in Taos County
Floyd +. Hamblin, to the effect that ne
has arrested nine of the Indians Tor
shooting deer out Of season. These
are the first arrests that have Deen
made SO far. 1t is impossible Tor me
to get around to all the different parts
Of the country where the Indians are
reported to be hunting, and nave
advised those living in that part ol
the country to organize among them
selves a party OF deputies, ana that
would send them all COMMISSIONS
That would be the easiest and most el
fective way of stopping them ana y
confiscate their arms and fine them OF
nut them in jail. 1t will teach then
lesson"
Perry Notifies Indians.
A letter received from R. Perry
superintendent of the Navajo Agenc!
at Fort Defiance, states that he ha
dispatched a policeman to notify tn
Indians in that district that they can
not hunt off the reservation, as it i
much good that will do sal
Game Warden Otero, telling then
something that they already know.
have sent out notices Of the game lay
to nearly every Pueblo in the Terr