The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1937-07-30

An important feature was said to have
been a program for the enlistment of
of a number of young bucks for service
in the ranks of the army. It was not
composed of Indians, as first proposed
by some army officers, for the reason
that it was not regarded as perfectly
safe to bring such a large body of
"uncivilized t~reacherous people togeth-
err" Separate companies would be
formed, it was stated, with n attached
each to the infantry and cavalry reg
provided that the commanding officers
of these Indian companies would be
especially selected for their knowledge
of Indians and their habits.
General Miles, it was reported,
strongly recommended the plan, ex-
pressing that the future peace among
the Indians could best be secured by
bucks who would otherwise make it
incumbent on the army to exercise the
keenest vigilance to keep them out of
mischief.
IF the government has to support
the Indian" said the Miles City Stock
growers Journal, probably it is just
as well to make them do something to
earn their salt and keep them occupied,
for when u~noccupied, Indians look to
the devil to find something for their
hands to do. But on this theory more
than 1000 should be taken up and put
into blue clothes"
The problem was also being ap-
preached from another direction. A
bill had been introduced in congress
to make it a felony to sell or give
firearms or ammunition to Indians.
It was thought, however, that such a
law vas liable to meet with so many
Interruptions that it was a question
whether the bill would become a law
at the then session Of congress. State
Sen. o. F. Goddard had a bill before
the Montana legislature to the same
effect, it vas stated, which forestalled
the proposed federal law, which would
manded, not only by Montana, but
throughout the west, operative in the
state.
That it was deemed expedient to
effect the separation of the Cheyenne
from the Sioux was seen in the re-
ported statement made by American
Horse, one Of the Sioux chiefs who
matters pertaining to the Sioux res
ervation. American Horse was quoted
as having said:
II signed the Sioux reservation ceding
treaty, but when I saw how the mouths
of my people were closed in Washing
ton, I told Little Chief Noble (secretary
Of wary that I would no longer be a
leader of my people, but would mingle
with them as a warrior in the ranks
rather than lift my voice again on
behalf of the white man."
Louis Prineau of the Standing Rock
agency, who acted as one of the in
terpreters with the party, vas also
quoted as saying that in view of this
visit and the excitement Of the fall of
1890, there would be some trouble in
the spring of 1892.
It was not until in early April, 1891,
that the Cheyenne Indians were safely
escorted to Montana. No demonstration,
was staged, but when the news was di-
gested by the Indians at the Lame Deer
agency their desire to visit with the
newcomers at Fort Keogh could not
be resisted. BY mid-April only about
200 Cheyenne were at home at Lame
Deer, the rest, to the number Of seven
or eight hundred were putting in their
time at the Cheyenne Indian camp at
Miles City, visiting those who had come
up from South Dakota.
1.-THE rations issued at Lame Deer
are full limit: three pounds Of beef,
gross, per diem, that is one and one
half pounds net are issued to each
Indian be he or she one day OF n
hundred years old. The agent, Captain
John Tully, is a kind and beneficient