Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-04-24
NET is DRAWING CLOSER.
circumstantial Evidence Against Sol
d;er Renjns to Take Form.


Tama, April 24.-It seems now that
a web of circumstantial evidence is
being slowly wound around George
Soldier as the murderer of Nellie, the
Indian woman. The motive, it is claim
ed, was jealousy, perhaps revenge
aided by whisky, which, as rule,
practically destroys an Indians reason
and fills him with frenzy that is un-
comfortable.
Some white men will now testify
that on the fatal 4th Of last March,
Soldier and Nellie were seen together,
walking in westerly direction to-
wards the location where her body was
found. They will also testify that Sol
der had a bottle, presumably whisky,
and that both were drinking out of It.
For some reason best known to
themselves, Soldier and Nellie had sep
arated, and both had selected other
helpmates, but it is also well known
that Soldier chung with great tenactty
to his former wife, and was full OF re-
gret at their separation. 1t is another
remarkable and perhaps pertinent fact
that his second wife was the daughter
Of Jim Poweshiek, one of the factions
that has been hostile to the chief,
Push-Ton-E-Qua, grandfather of Nell
lie. 1t is somewhat remarkable that a
portion of the tribe led by Push-Ton-
E-Qua himself has been opposed to
an investigation of this murder and
has sought to keep it from the know
ledge of the white authorities.
There is an undercurrent that there
is more back of this murder than the
influence of whisky and the fires of
jealousy. 1t is very doubtful if enough
white mems testimony can be secured
to warrant conviction of George Sol
der on this serious charge. He is
known to be an Indian Of dissolute
habits, entirely unprincipled, but when
it comes to proof, for some reasons the
Indians will be silent.
Tragedy Of Former Days.
AS an illustration of this peculiar
feature among them, many will recall
the murder of the Pawnee that oc-
CURED on the reservation over quar-
ter of a century ago. 1t was trag-
edy that should have been met with
speedy and rigid punishment. In the
early spring of 1880, four Pawnees
called at the home of Colonel George
OdtcllpOll, wiz was lIlSI OIAlCu
States Indian agent of the Sac and
Fox Indians in Iowa. His familiarity
with the Indian language allowed him
to converse with them freely, and af-
ter thorough interview he was sat-
isfied that their mission was entirely
friendly but, with his accustomed eau
ton, before he permitted them to en-
ter the reservation, he called a coun-
ell of the Indians. Old Chief Ma
tau A-qua was then alive, AN Indian
of great protity and sagacity. A full
council was had, and after an inter-
view with the strangers, they were
formally welcomed, the pipe of peace
was smoked and they mingled freely
with the tribe, partook of they hos
pitalities and had a general good time.
They prolonged their stay for several
days, and one morning prepared to
leave.
One of their number retired for
to secluded spot on the
bank Of the river, when Black Wolf,
one of the tribe, sneaked up behind
him and, without a word of warning,
shot him dead. 1t was piece of cold
blooded, premeditated murder. There
was no cause, no provocation. nor any
motive except wanton desire to kill.
Murderer is Arrested.
Colonel Davenport Immediately noti-
fed the civil authorities and Black
Wolf was apprehended. A coroner's
inquest was held. and the testimony
Of Indians who were eye witnesses to
the event was clear and conclusive as
TO the murder and the guilty party.
Black Wolf then had a preliminary ex-
animation before justice of the peace,
where the same testimony vas ex-