Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1905-10-14

gen. CUSTER TELLS OF
RAlN-lN-THE- FACES ARREST
The Mandan Pioneer says: Through
the courtesy OF Major Bingenheimer,
who has many relics which he secured
while Indian agent at Standing Rock,
we are able to give herewith copy
OF the telegram sent by Gen. Custer
bearing on the arrest of Ring-Race or
Rainrin-the- Face. Now that so much
is being said about this noted Indian
1t Is very interesting reading:
Fort Lincoln, D. T. via Bismarck, D..
T., Dec. 16, 1874. Assistant Adjuttnt
General, Department of Dakota, ST..
Paul, Mimi: sent a hundred (100)
Cavalry from this post and Fort Rice
on the morning Of the twelfth (12) to
Standing Rock Agency, under com
mand OF Captain Yates, for the p,1r
pose Of arresting Ring Race, an In
dian Of the Uncapapa band of Sioux,
for the murder of Veterinary Surgeon
Housinger and Mr. Baliran. The party
returned today, having been entirely
successful in executing the above or
der. Ring-Race is now confined in the
guard house at this post. He has re-
peatedly acknowledged having killing
(kiMed) both the gentlemen named,
and has traded and has still in his
possession, articles which belonged to
at least one of them. Fortunately the
troops sent to make the arrest hap
pened to be at agency on the day for
issuing provisions to the Indians, and
this man, Ring-Face, was arrested
almost in the act of receiving his
rations, thus illustrating what has so
often been charged and SO often
denied, that the government feeds;du
ing the winter the Indians who make
war upon the frontier during the
summer. Another fact worthy to be
noted is that Ring-Race had In his
hands. at the moment Of his arrest a
breech loading rifle of the latest ip-
proved pattern, and loaded with ball
cartridge. The arrest occasioned great
excitement, and an earnest attempt
was made by chiefs and prominent
tIndians?) to incite the Indians Of the
agency to attempt a rescue One
chief reminded the Indians that they
had iboasted that no troops should ever
arrest one of their number, or If done
at all the troops should be over
powered, and that now was the time
to make their words good AT this
juncture and with a desire to Induce
the agent, named Palmer, to exert his
influence with the Indians to allay the
excitement, Captain Yates, the officer
In command, sent request To the
agent, who kept himself in his quar-
tiers, to repair to the scene Of excite
ment, within a few yards of the.
agents quarters. As fair sample Of
the good faith of an Indian agent in
affairs of this kind, Palmer declined to
come, sending message in rgeply
that if Capt Yates desired to. see him,
he-Captain Yates knew where to
find him. Fortunately, owing to the
prudent and courageous conduct Of the
officers and men making the arrest, no
rescue was attempted, although sever
al hundred armed warriors maintained
threatening attitude for sometime
The officers who accompanied the de
tachment from here unite in the state
ment that the agent, Palmer, did not
act as If desiring them to succeed IN
discharging this delicate as well as
dangerous duty. They furthermore
state that had they acquainted him.
When. they first reached the agency.
with the precise object of their visit
ne would have acted in such manner
as to defeat them. AS 1t was. acting
under my instructions they gave out
the impression upon their arrival, that
their object was to effect the arrest az
three other Indians charged with the
murder. As a result, these three
could not . 9 found, but the man whose
arrest was really desired, was secured
Here is a case Of a reservation In
dian who with his tribe has been fed
and clothed and armed by the govern
ment, and who confesses to have killed
two men employed in civil pursuits.
railway survey. 1t may be claimed
that this was an act OF war, but the
claim Is unfounded, as not a shot had
been fired or a hostile act performed
until the murder referred to was cnm.
mitted, and even II war existed 1t was
not with his band which was then. a
now, supported and fed by the govern.
ment at its agency on the Missouri
river. "a s8s57