Evening journal., 1909-11-08
INDIAN FIGHTERS
AFTER PENSIONS
John Guthrie, Survivor Of a
Massacre, Active in the
Project

John Guthrie. Of this city, veteran
Indian fighter and survivor OF the Fort
kearney massacre. is actively engaged In
urging legislation by Congress that will
grant pensions 10 veterans Of the cam
paigns against the Indians during the
massacre days out West twenty to forty
years ago The National Indian War
Veterans Association has been formed.
and Senator Warren. OF Wyoming, will
Introduce the bill 10 put the Indian
fighters on the pension list.
Mr.. Guthrie has sent the following let
ter to Congressman Heald:
"Hon. William II. Head. NJ c.. Dear
sir: I take the liberty OF enclosing you
copy Of a petition TO Congress by In
dian war survivors OF whom / am one,
praying for legislation placing as on the
same footing as to pensions that Is al
lowed survivors Of the war OF the re-
hellion--pensions for disability from age
and for disabilities not the result Of Vi
cious habits. I am citizen OF VIII
mlngton, Delaware. and there are 9TH
er citizens and residents Of our state
interested In the legislation prayed for
in the petition. Anything you may feel
at liberty TO do toward furtherng the
relief prayed for in the petition win be-
gratefully appreciated by the petitioners
am Very Respectfully. your obedicn
servant. John Guthrie"
The petitions IS as follows:
To the Honorable. The Congress Of th
United State OF America:-Your peti
TONERS. being citizens OF the United
States and cx-soidiers OF tho United
States Army. and participants in one OF
] FOL.
lows. to-wit: The campaigns against
Sioux the Cheyenne and Arapahoes I'm
kansas and the Indian Country in 1867,
resulting In tho destruction OF Black IeI-
/ tie and his allied band OF Indian rbcs;
the Campaign IN Utah Wyoming and
Nebraska in 1867. including the massa-
ere Of Fetterman and his command near
Fort Phil Kearney. the Campaign against
the Sioux Indians iu Dakota and Wy
omlng. 1867. including the massacre Of
General Custer and five troops Of the 7th
T.. S. Cav: The Modoc Campaign Of 1878,
including the murder Of General Candy
and the Peace Commissioners; the Mes
Pearces Campaign Of iS77-S, whore many
casualties occurred tho Cheyenne and
Arapahoe Campaign Of 1874 and outbreak
OF same Indians IN 1889. where consid-
ed: tho Campaign against the Apaches
In Arizona and New Mexico, 1873 to 1855
and the Sioux Campaign Of 1889. includ
ing the outbreak at Wounded Knee Da'
kota. where many casualties occurred
BannoclS and Pluto Campaign, 1878; Snake
and sheepeater Indians, 1873; Campaigr
against the allied Indians, oregon IN 1873
where considerable losses were sustained
The Campaigns named with minor onel
intermediately not named. it will be seei
took place more than 43 and not less thar
20 years ago. and involved long and
tedious marches and severe exposure, re-
quiring great vigilance and activity M
the records OF the War Department vii
show: most OF as arc broken in health
from the exposure involved IN the servic'
and weakened from age. many Of ui
have passed 10 years Of age, uniting M
to successfully earn a support by man
uai labor. We therefore petition the Hon
orable Congress OF the United states q
allow us the benefits OF the Acts Of Con
gress approved June q. $780, May
1900. and the Act Of February O. 1907 and
your petitioners will ever pray"
Mr.. Guthrie also wrote 10 c. r. hau
ser. of Denver Col, secretary and treas
urer Of the National Indians war Vet
Grams IN behalf OF the movement sec
retarv Hauser has issued circular IT
behalf Of the project to the newspaper
Senator and congressman