The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1937-09-03

OHoA4 o6AAA 80 :8S%XN1 81
of cattle rose to be a
a moot question.
Complaints on the
part of the stock "Mon Tana Lou" Grill
men were numer-
GUS. Out of them came the rumors Of
Indian upriSingS, which in 1891 were
augmented by the so-called Messiah
Craze, which, it was said, arose in part
on account of hunger experienced by
the government wards.
A series of Incidents, similar in ma
ture and in which was an element of
travesty, was the reported levying of
a tax of one steer by the Cheyenne
Indians for each herd crossed over the
Fort Keogh reservation. The Indians
spring of 1891 from the Pine Ridge
agency following the Wounded Knee
fight which had taken place during
the latter part of the previous Deem
Der. Captain Ewers of the 5th Infantry,
who was in charge of the Cheyennes
before they were eventually removed
to the Lame Deer agency, explained
leading cattle outfits generously do
mated a steer in the beginning to the
Indians for moving their camp a short
distance to make it more convenient
to get its cattle across the Yellowstone.
Then another cattleman, not to be out
OOllC VI ouCIl d ulSpldy VI BSllC1 OSlIy
said he would give a steer for the same
courtesy, which vas followed by an
other cattleman, until the custom came
to be established.
Captain Ewers added that if any of
the Indians should become eXacting,
or should demand as a right what was
intended as a gift, all that was needed
was to report the matter to him, or
in his absence, to the officer at the
time in command at Fort Keogh.
Before the rations system for In
dams was firmly established the dis
cussionS rested upon the form which
should be adopted. The Billings Ca
zette, in early January, 1892, stated
that sometime since the Grow Indians
tiles at Washington for the purpose
Of d%iscontinuing the distribution by
the agent of goods as annuities and
in lieu thereof asked that trial be
made of the cash system. It is stated
that Senator Power interested himself
in this project and finally. gained the
point and an experimental cash issu-
ance will take place at the Grow agency
on January 81. Should the Crows de-
velope the proper shreWdness and bus
mess sagacity in handling this money
it is likely that the system will be duly
recognized and continued by the de-
partment."
SO e 1AAuAoAA
1t was learned later from Major
Wyman, who had been in Billings fol
several days arranging with Grow res.
ervation grass customers for specia.
privileges on the coded strip, that ap-
proXimately $13 900 was to be distri-
buted to the Indians at the agency
but that the sum would amount tt
not more than Sc a head for the Crows
In seeking a solution OF the 1ndiar
feeding problem. the federal govern.
ment turned to another departure
which it was believed might NEE
present requirements and provide fol
the future. A dispatch from Washing.
ton, under date of March 8, 1892, statec
that the commissioner of Indians at
plying the Indians of the northwes,
with mich COW and bulls. A total O.
1900 had been purchased at price!
varying from $3.50 to $23.98 per heae
for cows, and 400 bulls at from $26,2t
to $685. each: The aggregate of thu
contract was $780, OO. "Of the whole
number Of mich COWS 1900 nNo will b
Indians at Standing Rock agency, 2,50t
will be sent to the Pine Ridge, 200 tx
the Rosebud agency, 600 to the Grow
Creeks, 600 to the Lower Brules, 200 tt
the Santees, 140 to the Flandreau res
ervation, and 60 to the Poncos."
Another experiment involved the de.
livery of cattle on the hoof for issue
to the Indians, which, as in the cast
of the Pine Ridge and Rosebud agen.
cies, required the employment of
chief herder and assistants. This plar
was not considered as being the answer
to the Indian feeding problem. During
the early spring of 1892 the substitu.
ton Of dressed meat for cattle was
urged. The recommendation. was in
dorsed on the grounds of humanity
economy and the financial interests Of
the Indians. It was held that if dressed
beef was delivered at railroad points
nearest the agency and from thence
transported by the Indians the rev
enue from hauling would be much
greater than they then received from
the sale of hides. Agency expense
would be decreased, it was urged, as
the services of the chief herder and
his assistants could be dispensed with
"there would be no shrinkage or loss
and the beef would be delivered with
much more regularity and satisfaction
and the present system Of shooting
and Gripping beeves and torturine
cattle would be done away with"
Were the Cheyenne Indians getting
enough to eat? was a question which
arose in late August, 1892. when Capt
John Tully, agent at Lame Deer re.
ported that at least so Indians with
their families had been out hunting
since the first Of that month. They
had a written permit to hunt on theil
reservation. but had none to 60 outside
its limits. However, they went beyont
"ouIhoohn trails NJ 1ono aoo IN livs