Emporia News, December 11, 1868.

Major General Sheridan, commanding the Department of the Missouri, has forwarded his annual report of affairs within his command for the year 1868, to Lieut. Gen. W. T. Sherman, commanding the Military Division of the Missouri. The following is a copy of the report.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, IN THE FIELD, FT. HAYS,

November 16, 1868.

GENERAL: In reply to your letter of Oct. 1, calling for an annual report, I regret to state that I will be compelled, in consequence of my presence in the field being necessary, to make a much more incomplete report than I had desired.

I assumed the permanent command of the Department of the Missouri, March 2, 1868, relieving Brevet Major Gen. A. J. Smith, Colonel Seventh Cavalry, temporarily in command. The Department comprises the districts of New Mexico, the Indian Territory, Kansas, the Upper Arkansas, and the State of Missouri.

The District of New Mexico, commanded by Brevet Major Gen. C. W. Getty, is an old and established command. It has within its limits the Navajo nation of Indians, the Utes, and wandering bands of Apaches, together with a few bands of semi-civilized Indians. This District has been, with the exception of an occasional depredation on the part of the Apache bands, comparatively quiet. During the past year the Navajo Indians were successfully moved, under the authority of the Lieutenant General, from their temporary reservation near Fort Sumner to their permanent reservation in the northwestern portion of the Territory. The Utes have remained friendly, although more neglected by the Government than any other Indian tribe within my command. In fact, the suffering from hunger and want in some of the smaller bands has been very great. This District has been ably and economically administered by its distinguished commander.

The District of the Indian Territory is also an old District, having in it the posts of Forts Gibson and Arbuckle, and has been under the command of Brevet Major Gen. Grierson, Colonel Tenth Cavalry, since May, 1868. It had previously been commanded by Brevet Major Montgomery Bryant, Captain Sixth Infantry. This District has in it all the semi-civilized bands of Indians, the principal tribes being the Cherokees, Chickasaws, Choctaws, and Osages. It also contains the new reservations of the Kiowas, Comanches, Arapahos, and Cheyennes, as fixed by the Treaty with the Indian Commissioner of last fall. Of these bands a portion of the Kiowas and Comanches visited Fort Cobb early last spring, the point designated for their agent to reside at, apparently for the purpose of obtaining their annuities and other supplies. The Indian Department having failed to purchase the supplies, they fell out with the agent, drove him off, destroyed the agency building, and came up to their old haunts on the Arkansas, threatening war if their demands were no complied with. No other events of importance occurred in this District during the last year. The District was fairly and economically managed by both its commanders. Troops were sent twice or three times to Cobb, on requisition of the agent, who appeared to be constantly in trouble, either through his own fault or that of his IndiansCmost probably the latter, as they told me they did not like him, but wanted Mr. Tappan, the Indian trader at Larned, to be their agent, and that they put a halter about his neck and had him led out on the prairie, and that if they had anymore bad agents, they would hang them.

The District of Kansas has been under the control of Brevet Lieut. Col. T. C. English, Major Fifth Infantry, since the departure of Gen. Hoffman about the beginning of May, 1868. It comprises within its limits the posts of Forts Riley and Leavenworth, with one company of soldiers at the Kaw crossing of the Cottonwood, not far from Council Grove, and one company on the Republican, at the Big Bend. The District has been very well commanded.

The District of the Upper Arkansas embraces nearly all the Territory of Colorado and that portion of Kansas west of a north and south line through Fort Harker, and has been commanded by Brevet Brig. Gen. A. Sully, Lieutenant Colonel Third Infantry, since May, 1868, previous to which time it was commanded by Brevet Lieut. Col. T. C. English, Major Fifth Infantry. This District was the most difficult to manage and the most pregnant with events during the year. It had within its limits the territory of the Cheyennes, Arapahos, Kiowas, and Comanches, which they had agreed to give up in their treaty with the Peace Commission. The two great commercial highways to Colorado and New Mexico, and the lateral roads connecting them from Harker to Larned, and Hays to Dodge, and Wallace to Lyon, pass through the district; also the western line to frontier settlements in Kansas and the eastern line of settlements in Colorado, which, from their scattered and helpless condition, were much exposed and invited the cupidity of the savage. It is likewise the hunting ground of Sioux, northern Arapahos, and northern Cheyennes, and it was the permanent residence of the first named tribes. These Indians (the Kiowa, Comanches, Arapahos, and Cheyennes) were able to put into the field about 6,000 well mounted and well armed warriors, with from two to ten spare horses each.

To guard the lines of the Union Pacific Railroad and the Denver stage line, and other interests in this State, there had been established in 1867 the posts of Forts Harker, Hays, and Wallace, and the outpost of Cedar Point; and to guard the line of the Arkansas to New Mexico there were the posts of Larned, Dodge, Lyon, and Reynolds, and the outposts of Zarah and the mouth of Little Arkansas. All these posts were garrisoned during the summer by companies of the Tenth and Seventh Cavalry, Fifth and Third Infantry, and four companies of the Thirty-eighth Infantry, all ver much reduced in numbers, which gave me a force of 1,200 Cavalry and about 1,400 Infantry. After distributing this force for the protection of the railroad and the different posts, and along the line of settlements, I had available for the field at the commencement of hostilities only eleven companies of CavalryCseven of the Seventh and four of the Tenth CavalryCin all about 800 men. [For particulars touching the outbreak I respectfully refer you to my report of Sept. 26, 1868, appended hereto.] With this small force for offensive operations, it was impossible to accomplish a great deal in so extensive a country. The Indian, mounted on his hardy pony and familiar with the country, was about as hard to find, so long as the grass lasted, as the Alabama of the ocean. The seven companies of the Seventh Cavalry, joined by West=s company of the same regiment, moved to Fort Dodge, while the four companies of the Tenth Cavalry moved from the Saline to the crossing of Walnut Creek, on the road from Fort Hays to Ford Dodge, and there awaited information of the direction in which the families and villages of the Indians had moved, while Brevet Col. G. A. Forsyth, with a party of fifty scouts, moved north of the railroad to Beaver Creek, to watch the direction of the trailsC

all of which he reported as leading to the south of the Arkansas.

On the 7th of September Gen. Sully, whose command had been increased by a company of the Seventh Cavalry from Lyon, and Brevet Major Page=s company, Third Infantry, in all between five and six hundred men, crossed the Arkansas at Dodge to strike the villages of the Indians reported on the Cimarron, about forty miles distant.

On arriving at the Cimarron, it was found that the villages had moved; and the trail was followed with more or less skirmishing until the crossing of the Canadian or Middle River was reached, when the Indians made a brisk attack, but were driven off, after which the command moved north toward Fort Dodge and went into camp on Chalk Bluff Creek to await a further escort of Infantry for the wagon train. The amount of Infantry with it not being considered sufficient to guard it successfully, Capt. Hale=s company, from the Solomon; Capt. Asbury=s, from Larned; and Brevet Major Beebe=s company of the Thirty-eighth were sent. So much time was consumed in getting these companies from remote points that the rations for the expedition at Dodge and with the command were eaten up, and not much has since been accomplished by this column. The Indians lost in the series of skirmishes on this movement south of the Arkansas from seventeen to twenty-two killed, and an unknown number wounded. The troops lost two killed and one wounded.

While Gen. Sully was operating south of the Arkansas, Capt. Graham, with his company of the Tenth Cavalry, was sent out from Wallace to give as much protection as he could along the stage line to Denver. On the 15th of September he was attacked on Big Sandy Creek by about 100 Indians, defeated them, killed eleven, and wounded an unknown number. Meantime, Brevet Col. G. A. Forsyth, with his company of scouts, took the trail of a party of Indians who had committed depredations near Sheridan City, and followed it to the Orrikaree Fork of the Republican, where he was attacked by about 700 Indians, and after a very gallant fight on the 7th of September, repulsed the savages, inflicting a loss on them of thirty-five killed and many wounded. In the engagement Lieut. F. H. Beecher was killed, Forsyth twice wounded, the command living on horse flesh for eight days. The gallantry displayed by this brave little command is worthy of the highest commendation; but was only in keeping with the character of two gallant officers in command of it, Brevet Col. G. A. Forsyth and Lieut. Frederick H. Beecher. While the command was beleaguered, two scouts stole through the Indian lines and brought word to Fort Wallace of its perilous condition, and Brevet Col. H. C. Bankhead, Capt. Fifth Infantry, commanding Ft. Wallace, with the most commendable energy, started to its relief with 100 men from the post, and Brevet Lieut. Col. Carpenter=s company, then en marche protecting the stage line to Denver, reaching Forsyth on the morning of the 25th of September.

About the same time Brevet Brig. Gen. W. H. Penrose, from Fort Lyon, Colorado Territory, pursued a party of Indians who were driving off stock from the settlers, and killed four of them. While these operations were in progress, the Governor of Kansas, knowing how hard we were pressed for troops, proposed to relieve the companies I had on the eastern frontier settlements of Kansas, if arms, ammunition, and rations could be issued by the Government for 500 militia from the State. This I gladly assented to, and these conditions were carried out by direction of the Lieutenant General.

As soon as the agreement was consummated, I drew the two companies of the Seventh Cavalry at Harker, and proceeded to Larned to try to induce the Kiowas and Comanches to return to their reservation at Fort Cobb. I offered to furnish them rations to the post, and Brevet Maj. Gen. Hazen, sent by Gen. Sherman to conduct the Indians to their reservations, agreed to feed them during the winter, and issue their annuities. This proposition was accepted, but only as a decoy to get their families out of the proximity of the post and then openly to become hostile. There is no doubt in my mind of the young men having done so previously.

Previous to this interview with the Kiowas and before Gen. Sully moved south of the Arkansas, in order to keep a portion of the Arapahos, who were not known to be hostile, out of the war, he invited their principal chiefs to visit us at Fort Dodge. I then offered to provide for them during the winter, which proposition they accepted, but only as a cover to get their stock and families out of the reach of the troops, and when Gen. Sully moved south they were the first to attack him. I mention this circumstance to show that we exhausted every alternative to be friendly with Indians not known to be fully engaged in the strife, as we had exhausted every alternative during the summer to preserve the peace with all the tribes.

During the period embraced in the events the Lieutenant General ordered Brevet Major General C. C. Augur, Commanding Department of the Platte, to send from Fort Sedgwick to the forks of the Republican River six companies of the Twenty-seventh Infantry, and at the same time notified me that the seven companies of the Fifth Cavalry would report to me at Harker. General Bradley arrived on the Republican River on the 25th of September, in time to be of material assistance to Col. Forsyth by the approach of his command, since which time he has been operating east and west on the headwaters of the Republican; but his command being principally infantry, it cannot do much ore than cover the country. After it became fully known that the Kiowas and Comanches were engaged in hostilities, we had against us the full number of 6,000 warriors, well mounted and armed, and I deemed it necessary to say our force was too small, and orders were received to call on the Governor of Kansas for one regiment of Cavalry 1,200 strong. This regiment will soon be organized and ready for the field.

On Sept. 29 seven companies of the Fifth Cavalry arrived at Fort Harker. They were at once equipped and sent north of the railroad from here on Beaver Creek, under command of Brevet Col. W. B. Royall, Major Fifth Cavalry, but as yet have not succeeded in finding the Indians. On Oct. 12, Gen. Sully ordered Custer=s command from Chalk Bluff Creek to scour the country on Medicine Lodge Creek and the Big Bend of the Arkansas, pending the accumulation of supplies at Dodge for an expedition to the Canadian River and Wichita Mountains. Only small parties of Indians who had been depredating on the line from Harker to Dodge were found, and who drew south to watch the movements of Custer. Two Indians were reported as probably killed in some small dashes made by them at sundry times, but no families or villages were found.

On Oct. 5, Gen. Bradley notified me that the trail of the Indians Col. Royall was sent after had crossed Beaver Creek in a southwesterly direction. Brevet Major General E. A. Carr, Major Fifth Cavalry, who arrived soon after the detachment of his regiment had taken the field, was ordered to join his command and take the trail reported by General Bradley with directions to Brevet Col. Bankhead, at Fort Wallace, to furnish him with Brevet Lieut. Col. Carpenter=s and Capt. Graham=s companies of the Tenth Cavalry, numbering about 120 men, as an escort. Gen. Carr, while carrying out these instructions, was with his party attacked on the 18th inst., by about 400 of these Indians on Beaver Creek, and after an engagement of six hours repulsed the Indians, killing nine and wounding an unknown number. Three of the escort were wounded.

The above gives you an account of the principal movements and principal combats since the 25th of August; but in addition there were a number of movements from posts, especially from Forts Wallace, Dodge, Lyon, and Hays, in which some Indians were killed. In all contests and skirmishes which have taken place up to this time about ninety-two Indians have been killed and an unknown number wounded. No villages have as yet been destroyed, and no large amount of stock captured. The above number of Indians killed, I think, can be safely relied upon as correct. The number of soldiers killed in this period has been six, and of scouts in the Government service five; of soldiers wounded, ten; and of scouts, sixteen. The number of citizens killed and officially reported is as set forth in the accompanying list of Indian outrages and murders, and will number seventy-five killed and nine wounded. In nearly all cases the most horrible and savage barbarities were perpetrated on the bodies of the victims.

The amount of stock run off in Colorado and Kansas, and from the freight trains to New Mexico and Colorado is very largeCin excess of five thousand head. The settlements have been driven in and ranches abandoned, making the damage done to all interested very large. In fact, unless the Indians are crushed out and made to obey the authority of the Government, there will be a total paralysis of some of the best interests of this section of country. All confidence is destroyed. The people had felt some degree of security from the assurance of the Peace Commission, and many of them have met a horrible fate in consequence. No peace which will give confidence can be hereafter made by paying tribute to these savage bands of cruel marauders.

I am exceedingly glad that the Peace Commission resolved at their late meeting that the Indian tribes should not be dealt with as independent nations. They are wards of the Government, and should be made to respect the laws and the lives and property of citizens. The Indian history of this country for the last 300 years shows that of all the great nations of Indians, only the remnants have been saved. The same fate awaits those now hostile, and the best way for the Government is to now make them poor by the destruction of their stock and then settle them on the land allotted to them. The motive of the Peace Commission was humane; but there was an error of judgment in making peace with those Indians last fall. They should have been punished and made to give up the plunder captured and which they now hold, and after properly submitting to the military and disgorging their plunder they could have been turned over to the civil agents. This error has given many more victims to savage ferocity.

The present system of dealing with the Indians, I think, is an error. There are too many fingers in the pie, too many ends to be subserved, and too much money to be made, and it is the interest of the nation and humanity to put an end to this inhuman farce. The Peace Commission and the Indian Department and the military and the Indians make a Abalky team.@ The public treasury is depleted and innocent people murdered in the quadrangular management in which the public treasury and the unarmed settlers are the greatest sufferers. There should be only one head in the government of Indians; now they look to the Peace Commission, then to the Indian Department, both of which are expensive institutions, without any system or adequate machinery to make good their promises. Then the Indian falls back on the military, which is the only reliable resort, in case he becomes pinched from hunger.

I respectfully recommend, in view of what I have seen since I came in command of this department, and from a long experience with Indians heretofore, that the Indian Department be transferred to the War Department, and that the Lieutenant General, as the common superior, have sole and entire charge of the Indians; that each department commander and the officers under him have the sole and entire charge of the Indians in his department. There will then be no Abalky team,@ no additional expense in salariesCa just accountability in the disbursement of the Indian appropriations. The machinery necessary to support the army can, without additional expense, supply the Indians.

Our success so far in the number of Indians killed is fully as great as could be expected, and arrangements are now being made for active operations against their villages and stock. As soon as the failure of the grass and the cold weather forces the scattered bands to come together to winter in the milder latitudes south of the Arkansas, a movement of troops will then take place from Lyon, Bascon, Dodge, and Arbuckle, which I hope will be successful in gaining a permanent peace.

I have the honor to be, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant.

P. H. SHERIDAN,

Major General United States Army.

Emporia News, May 7, 1869.

CHICAGO, May 3. Writing under date of March 29th, from Fort Sully, Gen. D. S. Stanley, after recounting the murder of a soldier at Fort Randall, says that what has been done to make peace with the Sioux as a nation is an entire failure. The Indians are just as far from peace today as they were two years ago. They boasted while at this place of having killed white men this winter over on the Platte and stealing horses. I believe there are war parties out now to depredate on the line of the Pacific Railroad. Their hostility may run on in the same way, without showing itself only by an occasional murder, though I fear it may develop in a worse form, in the way of heavy attacks on the frontier. Unfortunately for the ideas of our peace advocates, these Indians say they do not want peace; that the whites are afraid of them, which is the reason that we send so much for them to eat; that they will make us leave this country, and stop boats on the Missouri River. The portion of the Sioux that were friendly two years ago have continued so, and are friendly today. They have gained none in numbers, and all reports to the contrary that have been circulated through the country and asserted at Washington are false.

Emporia News, June 4, 1869.

The following items in relation to the Indian troubles on the frontier we take from the Topeka Commonwealth.

We have seen a letter from a citizen of Washington, Washington County, dated the 24th inst., in which it is stated that two days before six men were out on White Rock Creek buffalo hunting, when they were attacked by Indians, and four of their number killed, the remainder escaping. This is said to have occurred some twenty-five miles above the camp of the Excelsior colony on White Rock. The members of the colony are very much and doubtless very justly alarmed.

From another letter from a citizen of Cloud County, of the same date, we make the following extract, which doubtless refers to the same occurrence.

AInformation has just been received here of Indian depredations on White Rock Creek, in Jewell County. As some buffalo hunters, seven in number, were out on Friday, May 21st, while four were engaged in skinning the buffalo, they were suddenly surprised by Indians; when they retreated, or attempted to. The three who were left in camp, seeing the fight, came down to the settlement, some seven miles, and reported their comrades dead. They made an alarm, and a large party of settlers have gone to bury the dead, and investigate the whole affair.

AThe foregoing I think is reliable. The Indians committing the depredations are supposed to be the Platte River Sioux, and perhaps some others. They were armed with revolvers, bows and arrows, and spears. The party attacking is estimated to have numbered thirty or forty, with a great many others back in sight. Quite a number are out on the buffalo grounds; among them I understand, three females. Great anxiety is felt for all the hunters, as they comprise some of our best farmers, who are thus endeavoring to secure their meat for summer.@

On Friday evening the track of the Kansas Pacific was torn up at Fossil Creek, twenty miles east of Hays, and two section hands killed. The eastward bound train did not reach this point until about nine o=clock last night, being detained, we presume, by this occurrence.

We have before mentioned the dash into Sheridan, and the driving off of stock.

At the present writing, the Waterville dispatch, which gave an account of a reported fight between Swedes and Indians, in which four of the former were killed, lacks confirmation. It may be true, and the story may have grown out of the affair first above referred to.

It is likely that the New York colony, on White Rock, or a portion of them, will be organized into a militia company, and supplied with arms and ammunition. It is certainly to be hoped that they will be able to maintain themselves in their present position.

Two companies of mounted militia are being organized to patrol the border. It is thought these will be sufficient to scout the exposed frontier, and to give such timely notice of approaching danger that the settlers may be prepared to defend themselves. If the number shall prove insufficient, it is likely that it will be increased. Gen. Schofield has sent a company of cavalry to the Solomon Valley, and will send another to scout the country in the direction of the Arkansas, until the militia can be made ready to take their places.

Emporia News, June 11, 1869.

Notwithstanding the announcement of Generals Sheridan and Custer a few weeks ago that the Indian war was ended, it is now raging on our northwestern border with renewed ferocity. It is a little strange that our border cannot be protected by the Government. The Indians have been treated in a way to make them more bold and impudent than ever. We are not in the habit of crying Ablood,@ but it does seem to us that the only plan to stop the Indian depredations at this stage of their warfare is Awar to the knife.@ They will respect no other treatment. It is of no benefit now to talk about what might have been done years ago to prevent the present trouble. The Government, it seems to us, ought to wake to the realization that it has a merciless Indian war on its hands which is not going to be stopped by boys= play, or prattling of peace. Everybody knows that the only way to get peace from a treacherous Indian, is to whip him into it. The sooner the Government commences to act on this principle, the better for all parties. Our settlers have been and are being murdered by the score in the northwest. Something must be done at once to stop these outrages. Governor Harvey is doing all in his power. He is comparatively helpless, as the Government will neither furnish him troops or permit him to raise regiments in Kansas. It looks now as though the people of Kansas must take the matter in their own hands and defend their own homes. Indeed, considerable numbers are already on the Awarpath.@ If that foolish and do-nothing policy which characterized the Government in the first stages of the recent rebellion, and which has so far characterized its treatment of these Indian difficulties is continued, nothing can check the indignation of the people of our border, and there will be some precious (?) Indian blood spilt. Sympathy for the redskins is worn threadbare in Kansas.

Emporia News, June 11, 1869.

A dispatch received last evening from Waterville states that an attack had been made upon the settlers on the Republican by a large body of Sioux, Cheyenne, and Kiowa Indians. The settlers were driven across the river. Seventeen settlers who had recently come into the country were killedCamong them a Mr. Winkefiel, late a prominent citizen of Atchison. The larger number of these were killed while crossing the river.

Geo. W. Crowther, of the Irving Recorder, writes the following particulars of late Indian murders to Governor Harvey, dated Waterville June 2nd.

AThe reports of Indian massacre and pillage I find upon examination have not been exaggerated. In fact, they have committed more depredations than have been reported.

ARepresentative Smith, of Marshall County, has just arrived from the country west of the Solomon. He was one of the party of ten that went out for the purpose of hunting and looking up locations. On last Saturday evening about four o=clock five of the party, while hunting near the forks of the Solomon, were set upon by about 100 Sioux and Cheyennes; the party were separated, and they took to the brush, eluding the Indians until dark, at which time they singly struck for the settlements. Four of them, after being chased two days, and suffering untold hardships for the want of food, water, and sleep, have arrivedCthe most terribly dilapidated mortals I have ever seen. The fifth man, John Wilson, Smith says, was headed by the Indians and was compelled to run through their camp; since then nothing has been seen or heard of him. It is thought he was tomahawked in the camp.

ASix of a hunting party of seven from this place were massacred at the mouth of White Rock. They made a gallant fight of two days duration, but their ammunition giving out, they fell easy victims to the merciless tomahawk. The following are the names of those killed belonging to the Waterville party: R. Wendlefleck, E. Wendlefleck, and two persons named Cole, just from Michigan. It is truly heart-rending to learn that those killed are not the only sufferers. Mr. Burke, well known, I believe, to your Excellency, leaves a family consisting of a wife and eight childrenCall girls, in all but destitute circumstances. Mr. Wendlefleck, a much honored citizen of this place, leaves a family of a wife and six children, who were entirely dependent upon him for their daily bread.

AFour citizens of Rose Creek, Nebraska, near the Kansas line, were at the head of White Rock, in this State, looking up farms, and were ruthlessly set upon by the savages, on Thursday last, and brutally murdered and mutilated. Two Swede farmers were massacred on Thursday, on White Rock.

AMr. Pillsbury, of Smith=s party, in his wanderings, found the body of a Dr. Rose, on the Solomon, terribly mutilated. It is feared that the remainder of a party of four, of which he was the head, are murdered, as they have not been heard from.

AMr. Smith says that he knows of seven squads of hunters, averaging five to the squad, who were about twenty miles west of him when he was attacked, and it is fear that, owing to the fact that they have not been heard from, they have fallen victims to the scalping knife.

AMr. Smith stopped at Lake Sibley, where Capt. B. C. Saunders, who commanded a company of the Indian militia last year, was very busily employed organizing the settlers who had flocked there for protection.

A. . . Mr. Smith intends raising an independent company of men, and calculates to go up on White Rock to protect the settlers. [He left with his command yesterday. ED.]

AThe Excelsior Colony have deserted their locations, and are scattered all along the Republican, from Scandinavia to Lake Sibley.

AMr. Smith says that the Indians who attacked his party wore broad brimmed hats, and were armed with new Colt=s revolvers.@

From Capt. Brunswick, of Junction City, who arrived in the city yesterday, we have learned the names of the parties who were murdered by the Indians on Spillman=s Creek, ten miles from Ellsworth. Mr. Brunswick saw the bodies on Saturday last. He says they presented the most shocking sight he ver beheld or conceived of. The brains of the children were beaten out and their teeth driven into their mouths. The bodies of the adults were mangled, bruised, and tortured. The names of the killed were A. C. Lovington and wife, Mrs. Alderdyce and four children aged respectively eight, five, and two years, and a babe of seven months; Christopher Peterson, John Wetzel, and Hermann Mayhoff. George Smietz and Wm. Alderdyce were wounded. Topeka Commonwealth.

Emporia News, February 25, 1870.

TELEGRAPH NEWS.

CHICAGO, Feb. 23. A letter from Fort Sully says that Little Swan, a Sioux Indian, arrived at the Cheyenne Agency on the 14th instant. He gives the particulars of a desperate fight between three hundred Sioux and Crow Indians in the early part of January, about the mouth of Yellowstone River, in Missouri. It appears that a party of twenty-nine Crows came on foot to steal horses from the Sioux Indians, and met two young Sioux Indians, one of whom was killed and one wounded, who managed to escape, which alarmed the Sioux Indians, and the warriors mounted their horses and hurried to the point where the Crows had fortified themselves in a fort built with loose stones, and defied the Sioux Indians, who charged several times unsuccessfully, losing five killed. The last attack was made near sundown, under Spotted Eagle, who was killed. The Sioux Indians then managed to overpower the Crows, everyone of whom were killed in a hand to hand encounter. The Sioux Indians lost twelve killed on the ground, and five died the next day. Many were dangerously wounded.

Emporia News, March 4, 1870.

Emporia News, March 4, 1870.

TELEGRAPH NEWS.

CHICAGO, March 2. A letter received today at Sheridan=s headquarters from Col. D. Stanley, Dakota Territory, gives a discouraging account of Indian affairs in that region, based chiefly upon information brought to that post by a Sioux Indian chief, named Little White Swan. This chief, who is very friendly toward the whites, and considered perfectly reliable, says he had entertained hopes of bringing in all his people, but recently the notorious renegade and murderer, John Richards, had so stirred up and influenced them against the whites that hostilities this coming season will probably be worse than ever before. Several tribes besides the Sioux are brewing hostilities, and are sending out war parties in every direction.

Walnut Valley Times, May 6, 1870.

General Sheridan received a letter from General Stanley, commanding Fort Sully, Dakota, dated April 9th. It says that for a week previous the Indians on the Cheyenne reservation have been insolent and there are strong indications that they will soon break out into open hostilities. There are eight hundred lodges of Sioux at or near Fort Sully, of which five hundredCthe BrulesCare hostile to the whites. They offer all sorts of insults to the Indian agent at that point, dancing war dances before his headquarters, and exhibiting the scalps of white men whom they have murdered. They are led by Red Leaf, the Indian who led the attack and massacre at Fort Phil Kearney. They have ordered the Two Kettle and Foot's bands across the Missouri River, these bands being friendly to the whites. Most of the employees of the agency have left through fright. Gen. Stanley is firmly convinced that there can be no peace, and no living near the hostile Sioux, until they are soundly thrashed. He is in constant fear for the fate of the agencies on the Cheyenne reservation. General Sheridan is confident that he can get the upper hand of the Brules, being thoroughly acquainted with all their modes of living and fighting. General Sheridan and several members of his staff will go West next week, to personally survey the situation.

Walnut Valley Times, May 6, 1870. Front Page.

An Indian war is said to be imminent. Twenty thousand Sioux are reported to be on the warpath. The 15th and 17th regulars of infantry are ordered to Sioux City, and all the recruits from the recruiting station in New York will be sent to Fort Leavenworth. General Sherman goes to Montana next week.

Walnut Valley Times, May 6, 1870.

The Indians cut a stringer on the Union Pacific bridge, three miles east of Antelope Station, and threw fourteen cars of the eastern bound freight train from the track, recently. All the trainmen except one brakeman got on the engine and ran to the next station. After they left, the Indians broke open a number of cars, when the remaining brakeman fired upon them a few times, and they left. The westward bound train was delayed there six hours, waiting for the wreck to be cleared.

Denver (Col.) Tribune.

Walnut Valley Times, May 6, 1870.

The Approaching Indian War.

Washington, May 2. General Parker, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, estimates the number of Indian Warriors in the neighborhood of Fort Sully at about 8,000. They are well armed and mounted. About 6,000 of them are Sioux, and the remainder is made up of scattering tribes. He is satisfied that they are bent on War, and if it shall take place it will be the most destructive and expensive Indian War that ever occurred. He says these savages are better prepared with horses than our own cavalry, and the Indians can raise in all about 12,000 warriors. The Sioux and their allies were never in all better condition to give battle. One of the immediate causes of alarm to the Indians is the threatened approach of the Big Horn expedition, which numbers about 2,500 men, assembled, at CheyenneCminers, surveyors, farmers, etc. They are expected to start in a few days to inspect the Big Horn range of mountains, Big Horn River and slopes, and discover, if possible, the immense gold deposits said to be in the region.

Walnut Valley Times, Friday, May 13, 1870.

General Sheridan and several members of his staff left Chicago on the 4th inst. for Salt Lake City and other points in the far west, intending to make a thorough investigation into Indian affairs in Wyoming, Montana, and the territories. The party will be absent about two months.

The military authorities will conduct the threatened Sioux war with utmost vigor, and have nearly completed preparation for the expected trouble. The number of available troops in the department of Dakotah is about 4,000; this force is considered ample to cope with the 10,000 brutes, but it will be augmented if necessary. It has not been decided who shall command these forces. General Stanley is at present in command of the middle district, the scene of the trouble.

Walnut Valley Times, May 13, 1870.

Information has been received from the Northern Indian country, at the Interior Department, that Red Cloud and several of the hostile chiefs in Dakota have sent in word that they desired to come to Washington and have a conference upon the causes of difference, and the Secretary has indicated his readiness to receive them. This is considered a very hopeful sign, and the first indication received for some time that a widespread war may be avoided.

Emporia News, June 10, 1870.

Red Cloud, the Indian chief, now visiting Washington, declines to have his photograph taken. That=s the first Indian we ever heard of who didn=t want to figure in the picture galleries.

Emporia News, June 17, 1870.

The great Indian pow-wow at Washington does not seem to have been very harmonious, or very beneficial in its results. Red Cloud made several speeches. In this respect he is as prolific as some of our Kansas politicians. He told the government authorities a good many plain things. He said he didn=t want any more musty flour or Arotten terbacker.@ He says the government can=t play that on him any more. Neither does this chieftain want any more Aold soldiers= clothes colored black.@ He says the officers in the Indian country are all whiskey drinkers, and that the soldiers are all afoot, and the government is Athrowing away money for nothing.@ Secretary Cox did not succeed to any alarming extent in convincing him that the government would live up to its treaty stipulations, and he went back saying he would not take the paper with him, as it was Aold lies.@ He said he would not return angry, although it was evident, says a telegram, that the Indians were not well pleased with their visit. It is a matter of extreme doubt, in our estimation, whether the benefits of this pow-wow were worth $50,000, the sum Congress proposes to appropriate for Red Cloud=s traveling expenses, presents, etc.

Emporia News, June 17, 1870.

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

Dispatches received from General Pope=s headquarters say: Fifty Indians attacked Hugo Spring Station, thirteen miles west of Kit Carson, Colorado, and were driven off by the guard, with a loss of three killed and several wounded. No whites hurt.

A dispatch to the Commonwealth, states that the well diggers at the end of the Kansas Pacific track were attacked a few days ago, by Indians, and two of them killed.

The Senate has passed the bill granting lands for the extension of the Central Branch Union Pacific railroad. The grant enters upon even-numbered sections as well as odd, so that the effect is to give all the land the Government owns in a belt fifty miles wide and two hundred long, and part of this is now held by the Government at $2.50 per acre. The Washington correspondent of the St. Louis Democrat says: AIt is doubtful whether this measure would ever have passed the Senate with such an excessive grant, but for the persistent lobbying of the former principal owner, at present Senator Pomeroy.@ Senator Ross voted against the bill.

An appropriation of $50,000 is asked for to pay the traveling expenses of Red Cloud and his staff.

Emporia News, June 24, 1870.

The Interior Department was very generous in complying with Red Cloud=s request for horses. It gave him seventeen splendid animals. He says now his Aheart is big,@ and he returns to the scene of his depredations in an excellent mood. He thinks the Great Father, as he terms President Grant, a perfect gentleman.

Emporia News, June 24, 1870.

THE INDIAN QUESTION.

It is a noteworthy fact that the East and West are in opinion diametrically opposed to each other on the Indian problem. Is it because our Eastern brethren are so far in advance of us upon questions of a humanitarian nature, is it because they are so much more civilized, cultivated, and refined that they advocate a sugar and plum policy with reference to the red man, while we of the West believe soldiers and soldier=s bullets are sometimes necessary? We do not believe there is any less true philanthropy in the West than in the East. The only difference between the two sections in this respect is that the Western people are on the ground, in close contact with the Indians and are thus enabled to thoroughly understand their nature, and intelligently determine what sort of treatment will alone be effective. Should it be so ordered by Providence that a number of these Eastern philanthropists be compelled to come to the frontier and pass four or five years where every day they could behold the noble savage and witness his praiseworthy mode of life and become victims of his pleasant treachery, they would find it easy to discover a more deserving subject for whose benefit to propagate their Ahumane@ theories.

We do not believe in being unnecessarily cruel to the Indian. We know he has suffered irreparable injuries at the hands of rogues and rascals, still in every instance that he has been abused, he has taken his revenge by butchering innocent white men and outraging innocent white women. His work of retaliation is more than complete. But whatever may the wrongs on either side, it should be borne in mind that if the demands of the Indians be granted, then civilization must suffer at the hands of barbarism. They virtually insist that thee shall be no more railroads built across their country, that there shall be no more mines explored along their hills, nor any more white men settle along their streams; that no more of their soil be cultivated; but they want money, and blankets, and food, and horses and powder, lead, and rifles. If the Indians in demanding their rights did not thus come in conflict with the growth of our country, and block the wheels of the car of progress, then their requests would be entitled to some consideration. But if what they ask for should be granted, then the pioneer must be restricted to certain well defined bounds, the developing of mines must not be extended beyond such and such limits, and the building of railroads with the tide of teeming multitudes of busy, active men they carry with them must be checked. But the fact is, this state of things cannot come to pass. The encroachments of civilization are inexorable. The buffalo, the antelope, and the deer retreat as the white man with his ax, his plow, and his shovel advances. The red man must, in the natural course of things, unless he is willing to give over his romantic life, lay down his bow and arrow and become a tiller of the soil, depart also. There is no other way for it. The progress of the world cannot be stopped in order that he may hunt his game unmolested.

No man, be the color of his skin red, black, or white, has any right to insist that mankind must stop its work in order that he may live in idleness and ignorance. Red Cloud and Spotted Tail must either take hold and help the white man develop the great West, constructing railroads, working mines, and building towns, or they must remove to new hunting grounds. Extermination is a terrible word; but finally, we fear, they will come to know fully its bitter meaning unless they subdue their wild, restless natures, and consent to engage in the peaceful pursuits of civilization.

Emporia News, July 1, 1870.

Red Cloud, when allowed to look upon the piles of gold in the United States Treasury, was rude enough to remark to Boutwell that he did not like the looks of the gold as well as he did those of the female clerks in the department. The savage was at once taken into the open air.

Near the close of his speech in Washington, Red Cloud pointed to a lady present, Mrs. Fanny Kelly, and generously asked that she should be paid for the property his people had destroyed in Dakota out of the money apportioned to them. Mrs. Kelly is young and fresh-looking, bearing no marks of hardship or trouble. She said that while a captive to them the terrible war chief had treated her with the greatest respect and kindness.

Walnut Valley Times, July 29, 1870.

Gen. Parker says all the reports for the last five or six days from the Indian country are quite favorable. He does not believe there will be any trouble with the Sioux or any other northern Indians, and hopes to avoid trouble with the southern Indians, some of whom have recently shown indications of hostile intent. Three or four members of the peace commission will probably leave for the plains at an early day, and if all cannot go, the commissioners will send other gentlemen as temporary substitutes to represent the views of the department.

Emporia News, January 20, 1871.

Red Cloud says his tribe is starving, and wants Government rations. The Crows have stolen sixty horses from them, and two hundred from the Cheyennes. The latter recovered their stock after a fight in which seven Crows and one Cheyenne expired.

Emporia News, January 27, 1871.

By order of the President, Red Cloud=s Indians are to be fed this winter on government rations, and 1,000 head of cattle are to be bought and sent to them. The Indians at Fort Laramie are also to be fed, and supplied with enough ammunition to hunt all game except white folks. If the Indians were only allowed their natural rights to scalp and rob the whites, they would not be thus reduced to the deplorable necessity of accepting government beef and hard tack. We look for a sympathetic editorial from the New York Tribune.

Emporia News, April 28, 1871.

Governor Harvey has written a letter to the President protesting against allowing Red Cloud, the Sioux, and other Indians to hunt on our frontier.

Emporia News, June 30, 1871.

TELEGRAPHIC.

WASHINGTON, D. C., June 23. The following contracts for the transportation of Indian supplies were awarded, by the Indian Bureau, to Chick, Brown & Co., of Kit Carson; from Kit Carson, Cal., to Forts Defiance and Wingate, Losperous agency, one dollar per cwt. per one hundred miles. John H. Coad, Omaha, from Fort D. A. Russell to the Red Cloud agency, one dollar and forty-five cents per cwt. per one hundred miles. D. J. McCaun, Nebraska City, from Fort D. A. Russell to the Whitestone agency, one dollar and seventy-five cents per cwt. per one hundred miles.

Emporia News, July 28, 1871.

NEWS CLIPPINGS.

Red Cloud and party are making ready for the war path.

Walnut Valley Times, September 22, 1871. Front Page.

A STRANGE STORY.

A refugee from the wild Indians of the plains, calling himself John Brooks, arrived last Saturday, and left the same night en route for Illinois. He walked across from Fort Leavenworth, and was come across in the country by a couple of young gentlemen of the Gordon family, who learned his story; and becoming interested, aided him to town. Here they took steps to enable him to prosecute his journey to Illinois, where he supposes his family formerly lived.

He tells a strange story. When he was six years old, as he supposes (he is now 22), his father, with the family, left Illinois to cross the plains to California. There were four of them: father, mother, sister, two years old, and himself. They joined a train and had arrived at a point beyond Salt Lake. Here while the train parked, his father went out to bring in a mule. He was fired on by the Indians and fell. His motherCholding his little sisterCwitnessed it. She ran out to her husband, followed by little John. The Indians seized the infant sister, dashing out her brains against a tree, and snatching up John, turned and fled.

The Indians proved to be a band of Sioux under Red Cloud. They took him to their village, where he was adopted and raised by Red Cloud. The Indians had six other white prisonersCfive boys and one girl. By conversing with each other, they preserved their knowledge of the English language.

John was badly treated until he became large enough to take care of himself. Red Cloud's boys, especially, delighted in beating him, and otherwise abusing him. So with the Indian who boasted of killing his father. He taunted John with the possession of his father's scalp. Little John treasured the matter up, and swore, when old enough, to revenge his father's murder on this Indian.

John grew up and was a skillful hunter. He wanted to marry the white girl, but Red Cloud desired another wife, and took her himself. Soon after, about three months ago, he returned one day from a hunt, and riding by the lodge of the Indian who had killed his father, was accosted about that terrible tragedy. He dared the Indian to fight. The Indian seized his gun, and John drew his revolver. The Indian fired, but missed. John put a ball through the Indian's head, and then turned and fled. He had a good pony, but quick pursuit was made. Several times he was on the point of capture, but saved himself by shooting down the pony his nearest pursuer rode. In this manner, before the pursuit was abandoned, he shot down six ponies.

The Indian village from which he escaped, he says, was somewhere near the head of the Yellow Stone River. He struck for the Platte. He fortunately encountered a detachment of Federal troops coming into Fort Leavenworth. He accompanied them.

John Brooks does not know whether his mother was killed, but he recollects that his father came from Illinois. He is going there, with an indefinite idea that somewhere in Illinois he will gain tidings of his father's or mother's family. His appearance is rather prepossessing, and very well agrees with his story.

Emporia News, October 13, 1871.

The following is from the Pueblo (Colorado) Chieftain, of October 5th. Mr. Hadley, as many of our citizens will remember, was for some months an employee of this office. He was quite extensively known to the towns of Southern Kansas. All will regret to learn of his death. Poor Jim! He had his faults, but with all, had many good qualities, and it is with a sad heart we chronicle his untimely and cruel death.

AOn the 12th inst., a party of herders composed of A. H. Haines, J. H. Hill, H. C. Moore, E. K. Womey, Charley, and another individual who responded to the name of Whiskey Bill, while riding along Sand Creek, in Bent County, stumbled upon the remains of a wagon and a few camp equipments, which were scattered about over the ground in much confusion. These indications led the party to suspect that some foul deed had been committed, and continuing their search for other evidences, they soon came upon the ghastly skeleton off a man, who had probably been killed three or four weeks. Much of the flesh had been stripped from the bones by the wolves, but the ground about the body was deeply indented in places, showing the deadly nature of the struggle, while cartridge shells were scattered all around, showing that the victim had fought bravely, and probably against fearful odds, to the last. The murder was no doubt committed by some of Red Cloud=s braves. All the clothing was gone, but the scalp was untouched, and examination showed that the left arm was broken, while the chest and legs of the unfortunate man were riddled with bullets, each producing a wound sufficient to cause his death. From the position in which the corpse was found, it was evident that the man, after having been left for dead by the Indians, had attempted to crawl to a ravine nearby in search of water, and had died in the attempt. Near the mutilated corpse was found a large memorandum book, while the ground was strewed with letters and photographs which the Indians had evidently examined and thrown away as useless. The blood from the hands of the murderers is still visible on these letters, and from them we are enabled to establish the identify of the victim. It seems that the name of the murdered man is James A. Hadley, and his last place of residence, Emporia, Kansas.

AThe family of the deceased belong, it seems, to the Society of Friends, for the well known expressions peculiar to the order, Athee@ and Athou,@ are common. First, we notice a letter from the father, who writes from Dublin, Indiana, bearing the date of June 27, 1871. This is well written, and contains some good, fatherly advice, among the rest a hint to be careful about endorsing notes for other parties. And then we have a note from Jame=s sweetheart, a young girl who writes from Hesper, but gives no other clue by which we can ascertain the place. They are like all love letters, interesting but for only two persons in the world, but they breathe the spirit of chase maiden love and devotion. They are now crumpled, torn and stained with the life blood of the lover, who probably fought to the last, incited by the memory of the maid who wrote them, but they are none the less binding. The meeting which she so earnestly prayed for will take place some time, but in a happier world than this.

There are also other letters, one from his elder sister, Sarah, who seems to reside at or near Lawrence, Kansas. The photographs, of course, embrace the relations of the deceased

and are uninjured. These, together with the letters and memorandum book, are in our possession, and will be delivered when called for.

Emporia News, April 14, 1871.

Sioux Indians have just massacred two parties, comprising 15 white men, on the divide between the Yellowstone and Muscleshell River, Montana.

Emporia News, April 28, 1871.

Governor Harvey has written a letter to the President protesting against allowing Red Cloud, the Sioux, and other Indians to hunt on our frontier.

Emporia News, June 30, 1871.

TELEGRAPHIC.

SIOUX CITY, June 21. We learn from the second clerk of the steamer Kioutz, who has just arrived up the river, that Indians in the vicinity of Forts Berthold and Buford are very troublesome. A herder had been badly wounded a mile from Fort Berthold and 25 cattle run off with. A party of soldiers and wood-choppers were attacked 3 miles from Stephenson; a soldier was fatally wounded. The government cattle have been run off with at Sulley. The Indians declare that the Northern Pacific R. R. shall not run through their country, and much trouble is expected.

Emporia News, July 28, 1871.

TELEGRAPH NEWS.

WASHINGTON, July 2. A letter from Fort Sill says that Kiowa Indians have made efforts to induce the Cheyennes and Sioux to join them in a war against the whites, but thus far they have failed.

Winfield Courier, Saturday, February 1, 1873.

The Indian Commission to audit the claims of settlers who sustained losses from the depredations of tribes along the border between the years of 1861 and 1871, will make an elaborate report in a short time, giving an itemized statement of the amount allowed each claimant. The total amount of bills presented to the board was $191,917.06, amount allowed $119,807.66. A nice little sum for our state to pay for the ravages of poor Lo on the frontier, besides assisting to support them while committing their depredations.

The Quaker policy will ruin these western states yet.

If we pay a soldiery to protect us, turn them loose and allow them to do it.

The question arose in the state senate on the fourth day and this is the opinion our statesmen have of it.

S. C. R. No. 1, in relation to Indian depredations on the frontier, was then taken up for consideration.

Mr. Edwards, in explanation of the intention of the resolution, called attention to the frequency of the depredations committed by Indians in the western portion of Kansas, and the injury it was doing the state in preventing that portion of it from being as rapidly settled as others. He said the Sioux and Arapaho tribes of merciless savages were fed and maintained by the government and allowed to roam at will over the western border counties of Kansas and other portions of the country, committing what depredations and acts of violence they saw fit, robbing the settlers and murdering defenseless women and children. He instanced the massacre of the two Jordan brothers, which occurred in the latter part of last September, and the captivity or murder of Mrs. Jordan, the wife of one of the boys. A most thorough search and investigation was made, but no clue has ever been obtained of Mrs. Jordan.

He instanced this as a fair specimen of the Quaker policy of the government towards the Indians. He wanted the legislature of this state to pass this resolution, send a copy to the authorities at Washington and demand of them that this matter be thoroughly investigated, means devised for the better protection of the citizens of western Kansas, and that a diligent inquiry be made by the authorities as to the fate of Mrs. JordanCa fate worse than death, if indeed she is yet alive. He was of the opinion that if the daughter of our respected president should be making a tour of the plains and should become a captive in the hands of this thieving, marauding band of Arapahos or Sioux, the entire force of the government would be speedily brought to her relief and rescue.

The same course should be pursued in the case of Mrs. Jordan, and the legislature of Kansas should demand protection for her citizens from the fallacious and ruinous Quaker policy of the United States government in relation to Indian affairs.

At the conclusion of Mr. Edwards' remarks the resolution was adopted unanimously.

The weakest point a man has is his pocket-book when attempt is made to reach him by taxation, and when an honest farmer is asked to pay taxes to support a worthless race of Indians and then in return for his generosity, pay them over again to remunerate a neighbor for damages sustained from a worthless gang, that are so highly fed from the country of a lenient government.

"Poor Indian!" bah! we have heard enough of it here on the border.

What Kansas wants is protection from marauding bands.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 27, 1873.

The commission sent to the Red Cloud agency to prepare the Indians for the building of the Northern Pacific railroad report that they have seen a number of representative Indians and whites. If they are not decidedly hostile, they are constantly opposed to the project. They want no white people, other than trades, on their lands.

Walnut Valley Times, September 12, 1873.

General Custer's official report of his recent skirmishes with the Indians up the Yellowstone is published, and exhibits a course of conduct highly creditable to him. He outwitted the Indians in their attempts at fighting in ambush, and in a square, open fight, put them to flight with considerable slaughter. It is evident that Custer is the right man in the right place, and it is hoped the Government will permit him to deal with the treacherous red-skins as he deems best, until they have been made to fear the power which feeds them.

Winfield Courier, February 20, 1874.

A special dispatch from Cheyenne W. T. of Feb. 14, says: "A Cheyenne runner has just arrived there from Red Cloud Agency, saying that Red Cloud was killed last Monday night by a party of Sioux of whom he had complained for not returning stolen stock. He reported that nearly all the Cheyennes and Sioux have left the agency and that 150 lodges are now within fifty miles of Fetterman and will come in or send to that post. He reports plenty of buffalo in the Big Horn country and thinks the Sioux will go there. Two companies of cavalry were ordered from here to Fort Laramie today."

Winfield Courier, April 3, 1874.

The Indians made an attack on a ranch at Scott's Bluffs, Nebraska, Tuesday, killing one man and running off horses. The Sioux at Fort Laramie and the various Sioux agencies are reported very sullen and discontented. It is thought that they meditate immediate hostilities. Red Cloud and Spotted Tail are among those declared unfriendly.

Winfield Courier, April 17, 1874.

A correspondent of the Cheyenne Leader states that the United States Indian Peace Commissioners have returned from interviews with the Chiefs, Spotted Tail and Red Cloud, without having accomplished anything. They refused to consent to the removal of the agencies, and Spotted Tail wants his words written down "this time" to the effect that he has been "pestered so much by these flies from the Great Father that he won't talk to them any more."

Winfield Courier, Friday, July 3, 1874. Front Page.

Special Correspondence.

As there are many readers of your valuable journal meditating a trip to the mines of Colorado, and knowing the great interest you take in furnishing your patrons with the latest and most reliable information of the passing events of the day, I thought it might be interesting to you, or otherwise, to hear a voice from among the snow clad peaks of the Rocky Mountains. I will not weary the reader with a tedious detailed account of the journey; but only notice the leading points en route to this place.

Wheeler, Captain Jack, Brown, and myself left Cowley County for Colorado May 4th, 1874, and passed through Wichita. Struck the A. T. & S. F. railroad at Hutchinson on the 8th inst., county seat of Reno; eight hundred inhabitants; an unusually windy day; a perfect land storm passed through the streets. Wheeler stole a hound, owner came and claimed his dogCno fight. Passed through place; temperance town; did not camp for private reasons. Soil poorCsand and gravel. Encountered a terrific hail storm, the green fields of corn and wheat withered before the cutting blast. Camped in Raymond, a deserted railroad town and one of the inhabitants regaled us with the past glories of the place, how it had run ten dozen houses in the flush times, and thirty-three murders had been committed in one year. The chivalrous inhabitants were too brave to live long.

Elmwood, small town; fine lands but no timber. Good schoolhouses on the line of the Fort Sarah railroad, abandoned; they are made of fine cut stone. The people's money wasted.

Cross big Walnut at Great Bend city, which is a snug little town, has a splendid courthouse and is surrounded by some of the best land in Kansas.

We nooned at Bull Chip Grove, in the vicinity of which wild lands are $5 per acre. We next came to Pawnee Rock, named from a big fight between the Sioux and Pawnee Indians many years ago, in which the latter were victors. Kit Carson, while standing here on guard, shot his own mule, mistaking it for an IndianCrather a bad joke on the mule, but a good shot for Kit.

Larnard [Larned] is a quiet town with no business, and the neighboring towns are staked out with buffalo heads.

Camped on Muskrat Creek next and shot three rats. It rained hard all night, and horse thieves tried to stampede our stock. The boys turned out of their blankets in the morning, wet and disgusted, but the cheering presence of the demijohn revived their then drooping spirits. Cars passed while taking a drink, engineer wanted some, could not stop. Saw two Indians and plenty of antelope. Four lead miners from Missouri joined the train, and stood first guard. It rained, blowed, and thundered all night. The next morning was pleasant, prairie lands good, shot twice at antelope, missed, too far off, rain again, mercy how the wind blows, no wood, no duck, no supper tonight, serious reflections about the comforts of home.

Rode over to Fort Dodge, no better, don't feel any better. Arrived at Dodge City, took everything out of the wagons to dry after the storm. Villainous looking set here, a few stock ranches around Dodge City.

Country getting high and rolling, camped at railroad tank, ten soldiers stationed here. The soldiers say that about four months ago a part of Indians fired into this tank, and a guard of ten men was immediately stationed at each tank on the line of railroad for the protection of section men. Emigration to Colorado this spring is sufficient to protect all soldiers stationed on the route. Went antelope hunting, no luck. Good lands. The river bottoms and plains are covered with sheep and cattle. Saw first sage brush and Spanish caynots, stood guard last night and think the boys throwed off on us about an hour. Killed eleven duck, Captain Jack shot the first antelope on the trip, they are good meat; three prairie dogs killed, nooned at a cool spring of water, all hands took a wash.

Camped on Arkinsaw [Arkansas] River; three men waded over to an island for wood in the still hours of night, and loud splashes were heard over on the island. An alarm in camp, all hands under arms except Glasford, who had to unload his wagon to find ammunition. We laid in wait for the enemy fifteen minutes and discovered that Bouroes [Burros] had caused the alarm.

We passed on by Syracuse, a few ranches, some poor lands, and the dilapidated little town of Sargent, situated near the state line of Kansas and Colorado.

Grenada, the terminus of the railroad, is a lively town and has a large depot. It also does an extensive wholesale business. A company of cavalry camped here for a few days.

Our boys are beginning to get disgusted with the monotony of the culinary department, but there is no help for it now. Saw large herds of stock grazing on both sides of the river.

Men working on irrigating ditch at Ella, don't think it will ever be much of a town as there is too much sand and gravel there.

Our next camping ground was near two abandoned Forts: Bent and Lyons, large droves of cattle going to Colorado.

Regular old salt grass now, and out of the buffalo range, none were seen on the trip. One of our horses was bitten by a rattlesnake, we drenched him with a quart of whiskey, lanced him, and burned powder on the wound. We then wiped off the green poison that raised to the surface after each blast, and old Tom is all right again.

New Fort Lyons is a large and extensive military post. But the old Fort was just as good a provision depot for the soldiers. The people's money wasted again.

The country is now dry and desolate, scarcely a blade of grass to relieve the wearied eye. There is an oasis ahead. Hurry up, boys, and we will graze our stock. How green the tall waving grass; how cool and inviting the shade of yonder cottonwoods; what a splendid camping ground. Halt! What is this notice? "No camping allowed on government reservations.@ So there is no help for it, we must drive on, no matter what the condition of the emigrant's stock. They are not permitted to pluck one blade of grass within the sacred limits of these reservations. We drive slowly on and in language more profane than poetic, we express our opinions freely of the manner in which government protects emigration.

This morning I rode ahead as usual and how very familiar did these old landmarks look; there to the northwest stands Pike's Peak, towering its frosty head high above the fleecy clouds; and there again to the southwest can be seen the snow-capped Spanish peaks, standing away out on the plains in cold relief. My ride from Las Animas to Pueblo was really delightful, as I passed through a beautiful country, and scenery characteristic of Colorado, one decided anomaly.

I observed the view on the west was particularly Californian, and on the east was as markedly central in appearance; the country to the west undulating and marked with lines of trees and foliage, skirting the streams, and irrigating canals led the eye far beyond to the foot hills; and they again to the snowy range, and lofty peaks towering to the skies, the interval interspread with pleasant houses of the farmers. Looking back or east a vast extent of plains dotted with grazing stock met the eye; such a sight as can nowhere be met with except in the great west.

Today we are getting well up to the foot of the mountains, dwelling houses comfortable and pleasant surroundings.

Arrived in Pueblo, nice little town nestled between the bluffs of the Arkansas; elegant private residences and delightful gardens, a large wholesale and retail business done here; a central outfitting point, supplying all the mining camps in southern Colorado narrow gauge R. R. to Denver City.

Stock raising the principle business of the inhabitants in the adjacent country; heavy rains in the mountains, road closed to Del Norte.

Wheeler, Brown, and Winfield party switched off for the mining town of Fairplay. I stopped at the Lindell Hotel. Landlord glad to see Californians come into the country, and requested me to recommend his house to the traveling public. My conscience forbids me: George Washington never told a lie and I cannot, after paying first-class prices for common hash house fare.

Pleasant weather again. The birds are singing gaily in the trees, and all nature seems refreshed; the great mountains covered with their white mantles, and it seems more grand and majestic than ever before.

As I started out on horseback for Del Norte, passing round the southern point of the snowy range, crossing the summit by the Sangree Christo, "Blood of Christ," I passed grand mountain scenery on every hand; but I am too tired to be romantic. The Spaniards in their search for gold discovered this pass upwards of one hundred and fifty years ago, a gradual descent from the summits to the far off Rio Grande. A grand panorama of mountains, hills, and valleys presents itself to the view as I rest beneath the tall pines, graceful poplars that grow on the summit, and discovered copper mine at "Dead man's camp,"

Fort Garland, two companies stationed here, arrived at last on the inundated banks of the Rio Grande; the river bottom is either crusted with white alkali, or deep sand; camped near Mexican stock ranch; good grass, slept with horse, lofty mountains covered with snow, nearly surrounding this nook in the valley.

The snow falls in the mountains in November and melts in July, very little land under cultivation, late frosts have an injurious effect upon early crops.

Arrived in Del Norte Sunday, June 7th, having traveled six hundred and sixty-four miles in thirty-four days. "What constitutes the town of Del Norte?@ There are two lines of disconnected houses one and three quarters of a mile long with a good wagon road between; the buildings are on every third and seventh lot, all the vacant ones are for sale. At some of the business houses I observed the following notice posted in a conspicuous place, "Town here, inquire within."

The celebrated San Juan mines are one hundred and ten miles distant from this point. The only communication between the two places is by a burro trail which crosses forty miles of deep snow on the crust. I have not been to the mines yet, but I have investigated the matter pretty thoroughly and examined large quantities of ore from the mines; they are low grade and what we call base ores on the other side of land, containing some silver, but it yet remains to be seen whether in sufficient quantities to pay for working where the seasons are so short and they have such big snows to contend with. The mines are numerous, large, and well defined, and of fuel for smelting purposes there is no lack. Machinery is now on the road to the mines, and I have no doubt that in one or two years from this date, the mines will be in full blast and pay well.

WILLIAM CHATFIELD.

Winfield Courier, August 28, 1874.

Our last advices from General Custer's expedition furnish a new illustration of the hackneyed saying that where there is smoke there must be a fire, for they show that, in this instance, at least, popular rumor was right. It is well known that the sight of nuggets of gold in the possession of the Sioux Indians, and necklaces of gold scales, has often tempted our frontiersmen to penetrate, even by marriage and adoption, into the tribe of the Black Hill region, but that these attempts were always unsuccessful. The Black Hills are the sacred land of the Sioux, made so by tradition and by the rude law of the tribe. So earnest has been their seclusion on the part of the Indians that the absolute prohibition of the entrance to all white men was made the first condition of the Laramie Treaty, concluded in the year 1868. But the mysterious territory has now been explored, and the news of the mineral treasure there discovered will result in the speedy opening of this gold region. The people of BismarckCthe most advanced outpost of civilizationCare already preparing to make a rush for the new Eldorado, and these will only be the advance guard of an invasion resembling in magnitude that which amazed the world in the early days of California.

Winfield Courier, September 4, 1874.

About the 5th of this month, an expedition of five hundred pioneers is to start from Sioux City for the gold region of the Black Hills.

Winfield Courier, September 4, 1874.

New Gold Fields.

Gen. Custer's expedition after Indians in Dacotah Territory has developed the fact that untold mineral wealth exists in the Black Hills. The Black Hills lie about two hundred miles north of the Union Pacific railroad, and about three hundred and fifty miles northwest from Sioux City. Besides other minerals, gold is found in limitless quantities, in gulch and quartz. For years the existence of gold in that region has been known, but the country belongs to the Sioux Indians by treaty and no white man was allowed there. The whole country is ablaze with the news of the discoveries and several expeditions are preparing to take possession of the mines. Gen. Sheridan has issued an order forbidding people from going in there, but the probabilities are that the gold seekers will not heed this order.

Winfield Courier, September 18, 1874.

Gen. Custer's final official report to Gen. Terry recapitulates his former statements, and takes strong ground in favor of the immediate opening of the Black Hills for military reasons, endorses the part of gold discoveries, and suggests further operations next season. Nevertheless, professors Winchell and Donaldson asserted that Custer does not know of his own knowledge that any color of gold was found in the Black Hills.

Winfield Courier, March 11, 1875. Front Page.

WITCHER AND GORDON, two members of the party which left Sioux City for the Black Hills in October last, have returned to that place for reinforcements and supplies. The story of their adventure, as related on their return, is as follows.

The expedition was composed of twenty-seven men and one lady and her son. There were six wagons. The party were well armed, and supplied with provisions and mining tools. The expedition left Sioux City October 6; struck the Niobrara about 120 miles above its mouth and followed that stream some distance, then struck across the country to a point east of the Black Hills, on the Cheyenne River. Met a party of 200 mounted Indians, and held peaceable parley with them. After reaching a pass at the foot of the Hills, they struck into the mountains, and, after picking their way, reached a point within two miles of Harney's Peak in fifteen days from the date of their entry into the Hills. They erected a stockade, eighty feet long, and built log cabins from the abundant timber. They found that cold weather greatly impeded their prospecting. They sunk twenty-five prospecting holes and struck gold in every instance, from grass to bed-rock. They found numerous gold and silver-bearing quartz lodes, and some specimens that Mr. Witcher has brought back are pronounced very rich. The party never saw an Indian while in the Hills. Witcher describes the parts of the Hills they saw as having magnificent valleys, seemingly limitless forests of pine, abundance of elk, deer, and other game. The greater portion of the return trip was made through snow drifts, over a trackless country, in most stormy and severe weather. They discovered in coming out of the Hills a good natural road that shortens the way out by thirteen days. Their animals lived on grass they found beneath the snow. Witcher says he can take loaded ox-teams into the Hills from Sioux City in thirty days. The members left in the Hills are in good health and spirits. There is no evidence of other parties being in the Hills. Nothing was heard or seen of the two disastrous army expeditions sent out to intercept them.

Winfield Courier, March 11, 1875.

FROM THE BLACK HILLS!

MR. J. W. CURNS. Dear Sir: I am sitting in my cabin this night, and as a courier starts for Cheyenne on Monday, I thought I would write you a few lines and let you know what I am doing. A party of twenty-five men started from Sioux City on the 6th day of October, last, and reached this camp on the 23rd of December. We have built a camp and done some prospecting, which has proved very satisfactory. We find gold in every hole we dig, which reaches as high as fifteen cents to the pan. We have commenced to mine where we think it will pay. We started a rocker and run it about one hour and cleaned up two dollars in fine gold. But it is so cold that we cannot do much just now, but it bids fair now for a fine winter and spring. If we get as good diggings as we are satisfied we have, we will make at least ten dollars to the man per day.

I think this is one of the richest gold fields ever struck in this or any other country, as there is fine quartz cropping out all over, and not only gold but some of the finest silver ledges in the United States. About twenty miles north of here, the hills are covered with beautiful pine timber. In the fine valleys our oxen and horses have grazed right along ever since we got here on what they pick.

I will say to all those wishing to come to this Eldorado, that there will be one of our party in Sioux City, on or about the first of March, and expects to return immediately, but if there is a company it will be far the best route by way of Cheyenne, as there is no established route. Yet by taking a map you can see the direction as well as I can give. It would please this whole party to see your party in here by the first of April.

Winfield Courier, March 11, 1875.

Feb. 1st.

FRIEND CURNS: As the messenger did not get started to Cheyenne this morning, but will start in the morning, I will write you what we did today. We ran one rocker; one man rocked while one dug dirt for two hours and one half and got four dollars. We can get ten dollars if we can work all day. I should like to see some Cowley folks here by the first of April, so I will not have to leave here, as I think we can better pay large profits to those who wish to fetch goods here, than to go out and get them ourselves. Please tell all that wish to come to not wait, as the first will get the cream.

Anyone who will fetch a stock of goods here by the first of May will make at least five hundred percent, above all cost, and by the first of April he can double that amount. You can write or come to Sioux City and find when the messenger will return; but if you or anyone who wishes to will come to Cheyenne and come in with a mule train, it will be far the shortest route, as it is only 198 miles from Harney's peak, which is ten miles north of us. To reach us you must travel a northeast course, which will fetch you direct to our camp.

There are several who wished me to write to them, but you can show this to all who want to know the good news. I will close by asking you to answer this at Sioux City, Iowa, in care of Charles Collins, Times office, where all letters will be called for. But don't wait to write, but come right along and bring all the news.

If the editor of the COURIER will find room enough in his columns, he will do a great favor by publishing this letter.

Further information may be had by calling on J. W. Curns.

Good bye for the present.

J. J. WILLIAMS.

Winfield Courier, March 11, 1875.

THE BLACK HILLS FEVER.

The letter from J. J. Williams, which we publish in another column, has given the gold fever to several of our citizens. The writer is well known here, and his statements are relied upon. He left here last fall for the hills and in a post script to his letter promises to correspond regularly with Mr. Curns, as to affairs in that interesting locality. Mr. Williams has had considerable experience in Colorado as a miner and knows what he is talking about. The government and the Indians undoubtedly will make an attempt to keep the white man out of that country.

Winfield Courier, March 11, 1875.

Capt. Hunt is making up a party for the Black Hills.

Winfield Courier, March 18, 1875.

Mr. Wm. Bartlow proposes to start for the Black Hills with his steam saw mill about the first of April.

Winfield Courier, March 18, 1875.

The St. Louis Democrat contains an interview in which Gen. Sherman says, most emphatically, that the miners will be kept out of the Black Hills by the military.

Winfield Courier, March 18, 1875.

The Chicago Inter-Ocean publishes the list of enterprising adventurers who, in defiance of the Indians, the military, and the threatening winter, pushed into the Black Hills last fall. The name of J. J. Williams, Winfield, Kansas, appears in the list.

Winfield Courier, March 25, 1875. Front Page.

The Secretary of War has addressed a communication to General Sherman, saying that all expeditions into that portion of the Indian Territory known as the Black Hills country must be prevented as long as the present treaty exists. Efforts are now being made for the extinguishment of the Indian title, and all proper means will be used to accomplish this. If, however, the steps which are to be taken towards the opening of this country to settlers are not successful, those persons at present within that territory without authority must be expelled.

Winfield Courier, April 8, 1875.

Armstrong Menor and son have gone to the Black Hills.

Winfield Courier, April 22, 1875.

Several parties in this city, confident that they will "strike it rich," will start for the Black Hills shortly.

Winfield Courier, April 29, 1875. Front Page.

[Black Hills]

A dispatch from Fort Laramie, 16th, says that Captain Meyer's company, who were sent after the mining party, at Harney's Peak, has secured the whole of them, consisting of fifteen men, one woman, and a boy. They were expected to arrive at Fort Laramie on the 18th. There have been heavy snows in the Black Hills, and high waters everywhere.

Winfield Courier, April 29, 1875. Back Page.

ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS.

[From the St. Louis Democrat, 21st.]

THE BLACK HILLS.

Commissioner Smith, in a recent conversation regarding the Black Hills and the probability of the extinguishment of the Indian title, said to a representative of the Omaha Herald:

Three delegations of Sioux are starting to Washington about this time, one of the Ogallallas, in charge of Agent Saville, of the Red Cloud Agency, another from the Brule Sioux, under charge of Agent Howard, of Spotted Tail Agency, and the third delegation is made up of chiefs from the Northern IndiansCthe Winneconjons, Sans Arcs and Unepapas, in charge of Agent Bingham, of the Grand River Agency.

They are going to Washington for the purpose of consultation, mainly upon the Black Hills question. Congress, however, made provisions for two new agencies to be established, into one of which the Northern Sioux are to be gathered, and the location of these agencies is another object of this visit.

After they have returned to their own country, it is expected a commission will be sent out from Washington, which will complete the negotiations in respect to the extinguishment of their title to the Black Hills, and also select a point in the reservation for the new agencies.

Regarding the making of a treaty, I do not think the chiefs will go on with sufficient authority to do that. Obtaining their consent to give up the Black Hills will be so difficult to accomplish that it will probably require considerable machinery to bring it about.

I think the object of their going to Washington is to secure in advance the cooperation of a considerable number of their prominent men when they conduct the negotiations with their tribes.

The Black Hills have been regarded as a kind of "sacred soil" and a common ground by all the Northern Indians. They have threatened hostility to any white man who should visit there at all. They have made it their common rendezvous whenever they contemplated any incursion or emergency. One of their strongest feelings is against any white man going to the Black Hills, and, of course, to induce them to give up that objection and to relinquish their own right to go there will require a great deal of persuasion. Their love for the Hills is simply because it is in the center of their reservation, the various bands of the Sioux being located on three different sides. They value it also on account of its comparative inaccessibility.

Mr. Smith is of the opinion that, while there may be rich gold deposits in the hills; the reports thereof have been greatly exaggerated. As a hunting ground for the Indians, it is worthless, the game being almost exhausted, and as there is a strong desire on the part of the Government to open the country to the whites, it is probable matters will be settled with all possible expediency.

Winfield Courier, May 6, 1875.

The party of miners who were brought out of the Black Hills by the military passed through Omaha on their way east, and hundreds more are on their way.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 27, 1875. Front Page.

The Black Hills.

The fever to go to the Black Hills in search of gold is abroad. The Indians, according to all precedent and regardless of treaties, will have to look up some other hunting grounds. The white man wants the gold, and the whole army won't keep him out of the land that promises to "pan out.@ We call it the march of civilization. When we desire to violate a treaty, we secure possession of territory occupied by Indians, select some remote territory, sign new treaties, sacredly giving our pledges never to intrude upon their new hunting grounds, which in the future will again be violated in the interests of what we call civilization. It is not this phase of the question, however, that we started to say a word upon, but to utter a caution to the many restless spirits among the young men on the farms.

With the glittering stories of these new gold fields where fortunes are to be easily made, and their labors having shown such meager results the past two years, it is only natural that a feeling of dissatisfaction may arise, and a hope be entertained that possibly the money would come easier in the New Eldorado. But there is another side to this which we only wish now to foreshadow. In the first place, the story of the great gold deposits of the Black Hills rests upon the most indefinite heresay and lacks practical proof. Far removed from supplies, with the government troops harassing all who may endeavor to prospect for gold, it seems to men of common sense that starting on such a venture is an evidence of lunacy. Beyond this there are suspicions that there is a future railroad enterprise at the bottom of the excitement, that this is the preliminary step to asking for a grant of land to build a branch road.

We say to the young men on the farm, don't let a bubble excite you. There are thousands of old experienced miners in the territory west of Kansas who will develop the gold of the Black Hills if there is any there. It will pay to stick to the honest labor of a farmer, rather than become a wandering adventurer, vainly hoping to find riches easier than by useful labor.

Winfield Courier, May 27, 1875.

CAPTURED.

A courier arrived at Sioux City, Iowa, on the 21st inst., bringing information that Gordon's train, consisting of 47 four-mule teams and 170 men, well armed, were captured on the 13th inst., by a detachment of 37 soldiers from Fort Randall, D. T., and are now en route to that post in charge of the troops. No resistance was offered to the troops. The point where the party was captured was in Nebraska, some 350 miles west of that place and 40 miles south of the Indian reservation. The party had given up the idea of going to the Black Hills and concluded to move on to the Big Horn country till the Hills were opened.

Winfield Courier, May 27, 1875.

In view of the fearful ravages of the grasshoppers last year, and the prospect that they will be as bad in many localities this year, the significance of the resolution offered by Mr. Manning, in the Congressional Convention at Emporia last fall, will be fully appreciated. That resolution was to the effect that the general government should appoint a commissioner to investigate the origin of these pests, and devise some plan for their prevention or destruction. The government will yet have to take the matter in hand, and the sooner the better. It is of vastly more concern to the western people to have their crops protected from grasshoppers, than the solution of the problem of gold in the Black Hills, and yet Uncle Sam makes haste to make a geological survey of that country to solve it. And that just for the gratification of a hand-full of greedy adventurers.

Winfield Courier, June 10, 1875. Editorial Page.

Red Cloud is becoming civilized. In Washington yesterday, he refused to have his picture taken unless the photographer paid him $25 for the privilege. He evidently understands the way of Washington as well as the white people.

Winfield Courier, June 17, 1875.

A. Menor has returned from the Black Hills. His party was turned back by the military after having their arms taken from them and their transportation burned.

Winfield Courier, June 24, 1875.

T. A. Blanchard, Esq., has returned from the Black Hills to await the opening of that Territory.

Winfield Courier, July 1, 1875.

SENATOR INGALLS' VISIT.

Hon. John J. Ingalls honored Winfield last Saturday with a visit. In company with Hon. M. M. Murdock, he arrived here about one hour before sundown from Arkansas City, having entered the county on the west at Oxford. Immediately upon his arrival, our citizens began calling upon him. He was taken in a carriage around the town to the places of interest, and out upon the mound east of the village he obtained, as he said, "one of the most enchanting views his eyes ever beheld.@

Upon his return at dusk, callers continued to flock about him to form his acquaintance and do him honor. Finally so many citizens expressed a desire to hear some public declara-tion of his sentiments upon affairs of state and nation, the assembly was called to order by nominating Mayor Millington as chairman and the Senator spoke for a half hour or more, pleasantly, forcibly, and decidedly upon matters of interest to southwestern Kansas.

His compliments to our crops, soil, climate, and enterprising people were very flattering. He pledged himself unequivocally to aid in every possible way in opening railroad communication direct south through the Territory to the gulf. He spoke frankly and fully against the present Indian policy, whereby a barrier to commerce and national intercourse was being established to the south of us. He repudiated the present Quaker Indian policy, and avowed his purpose to withhold no efforts in attempting its overthrow and the establishment of a territorial government in the Indian Territory. He especially deprecated the effort now being made by the administration to transfer 40,000 Sioux from the north to the fair lands of the Territory south of us.

His opinions and purposes were heartily applauded, and his hearers felt that they had a man truly in sympathy with them as a representative in the councils of the nation. He assured his audience of a desire to become acquainted with their wants and necessities, and invited communications and information upon all important questions.

The social intercourse was kept up until a late hour.

On Sunday morning the Senator departed for Wichita, more than well pleased with his visit, our people, and our country.

It was the first visit either he or Mr. Murdock ever made to this section of the country, and they pronounced the region over which they had traveled the garden of the state.

By his short visit here, the Senator made many friends and won the confidence and esteem of all who met him.

Winfield Courier, July 1, 1875.

News from the Black Hills.

The scientific exploring party sent out by the government report the following.

Gold in large quantities and of good quality has been discovered in Custer's Gulch, on French Creek, and along this stream for a distance of upward of seven miles toward the source.

Since my latest advices sent to you at Chicago from the expedition of explorations, the plans of the scientific corps have been entirely changed, and Camp Jenney, on the east fork of Beaver Creek, has ceased to be the permanent point from which investigation radiates. We were to have been through the hills on Tuesday, June 9th, but were delayed.

Colonel Dodge, with three cavalry companies as a military escort, left Camp Jenney for the purpose of locating a permanent camp in some available place in the vicinity of Harney's Peak. The command marched almost due north along Beaver Creek, then northeast, when, at the end of the second day's march, Custer's trail was struck in the midst of snow and rain. That officer's line of march was pursued in a southeasterly direction along Castle Creek, where

THE FIRST INDICATIONS OF GOLD

were discovered.

The event induced Prof. Jenney, of the scientific corps, to remain in Castle Creek Valley for three days in order to prospect, a cavalry company being left with them. The place at which the geologists camped is located 1,400 feet east of the 104th meridian, and was named Camp Tuttle. With the remainder of the command, Colonel Dodge proceeded in a southeasterly direction until Custer's Peak was reached, and last Monday camp was reached on Custer's Gulch, and in close contiguity to the stockade built by the miners whom Captain Mix brought out of the hills this spring. On General Custer's cavalry camp ground prospects were speedily made, and

A GOOD COLOR WAS PANNED OUT

of gold that was a fine quality. This was done in the presence of your correspondent. The gold fever spread so rapidly that there was hardly one in the command who had not seen and panned out gold color from these placers or gulch mines. About Camp Harney for a distance of seven miles there are scattered along French Creek four different mining parties, numbering twenty-five men, that have taken up claims, from all of which good color has been panned. There are also

SEVERAL QUARTZ LODES,

which promise rich returns, but the greatest stress should be placed on the gulch gold diggings. When gold was discovered the scientists were at Camp Tuttle, and only arrived here yesterday afternoon. They were somewhat astonished at the discovery. It is intended to make this the permanent camp, where the command will remain until the return of the supply train from Laramie.

Winfield Courier, July 1, 1875.

Dispatches from the frontier state that large parties of Sioux, Cheyennes, and Arapahos started on the warpath lately. The objective points are thought to be the Pawnee, Ponca, Ute, and Shoshone agencies, which have been warned of the impending raids. It is believed by men well posted in savage ways that the Sioux and other hostile tribes are preparing for a gigantic Indian war, and that the government will have to decide which course it will pursueCprotect the peaceful tribes and the settlers, or leave them to their fate and keep miners out of the Black Hills. The troops are not strong enough to do both.

Winfield Courier, July 22, 1875..

The Black Hills business is fizzling out.

Winfield Courier, August 12, 1875.

The miners are ordered out of the Black Hills in dead earnest this time by the Government. Two companies of cavalry and one of infantry are now en route, to carry into effect this order in case of opposition.

Winfield Courier, August 12, 1875.

The Government has at last found a practical solution of the vexed Indian question. The President insists on placing the Sioux tribe, numbering some 40,000 in the Territory just south of Kansas, notwithstanding the manly protest of Governor Osborn. If this be done, then the Indian question is speedily settled. There are not troops enough in the United States to keep these rascally Sioux on their reservation. Friend Enoch can't keep a handfull of peaceable Kaws at home, then what is he to do with 40,000 wild, war like, scalp-lifting Sioux? These Indians take to theft and plunder as naturally as a duck takes to water, and in order to find something to steal they must come over into Kansas, or cross to Missouri, Arkansas, or Texas. In either case, their doom is sealed. The war of extermination begins, and does anyone doubt the result? Of course not. Seventy-five thousand people on the Kansas border alone, each man a regular half-dozen Buffalo Bill's when his goods, say nothing of his hair, is the prize, will soon put the last redskin on his way to the happy hunting grounds.

Winfield Courier, August 26, 1875.

The Sioux Indians have unanimously resolved not to treat away the Black Hills country.

Three or four thousand Indians are expected to attend a grand council at Red Cloud shortly.

The miners in the Black Hills are most all leaving in obedience to military orders. They report rich mines.

Winfield Courier, December 9, 1875.

A railroad is to be built from Omaha towards the Black Hills next summer.

Winfield Courier, January 20, 1876.

Andy Corcoran, who resides here, returned some weeks since from the vicinity of the Black Hills. He intends returning there in the spring. Last Tuesday he received a letter from an associate at Sydney, the nearest railroad station, informing him that a miner was just in from the Hills with over $1,000 in gold dust of his own digging. The miner returned with several loaded teams for the Hills. Seth Blanchard, a brother of T. A. Blanchard of this place, is in the Hills and has been all winter. He writes home each week or two, as opportunity offers for sending letters to the railroad. He says several hundred men are in the Hills and that paying gold is there and that times will be lively in the spring.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 9, 1876.

Omaha, Neb., January 29. A large number of citizens have left here for the Black Hills during the past week. Many persons are arriving daily from the eastern route for the gold region. Much trouble is anticipated from Indians in that section this summer. The Arapahos, who have been south this winter, say they are all determined on a war for the possession of the Black Hills country, and are prepared for it. It is not thought that the Government will interpose to keep the miners out, but it may leave them to protect themselves.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 23, 1876.

Information has been received that Bear Wolf, a Crow chief, had been at Fort Pease, at the mouth of Big Horn; that he had a battle with the Sioux, killed six, and that forty or fifty Sioux are around Fort Pease, killing the inhabitants at every opportunity, five persons having already been wounded.

Winfield Courier, February 24, 1876.

KANSAS CITY, Feb. 21. A dispatch from the Kansas City Times special correspondent to the Black Hills, from Cheyenne, Wyoming, says: "A general concentration of troops is now being made at Ft. Fetterman, for an expedition, which will be commanded by General Crook, and will consist of eleven companies of cavalry; no wagons. All the available pack mules in the country are being gathered in and shod. The expedition is destined, either for the Big Horn region or for the removal of the Sioux, Cheyennes, and Arapahos from the Black Hills. All the cavalry at Ft. Laramie are under marching orders."

Winfield Courier, March 2, 1876.

The Black Hills fever is still raging, and many are making preparations to start for the gold mines in a short time.

Arkansas City Traveler, March 8, 1876.

There is a prospect of a lively time on the frontier in the course of a few weeks. The Associated Press Agent at Omaha says he has official authority for the statement that the Sioux, Cheyennes, and Arapahos have been and are yet making extensive preparations for an outbreak.

They have been purchasing large quantities of ammunition and arms wherever they could get them, going as far south as the Indian Territory for this purpose. Most of the warriors have left the agencies, and a descent on the frontier settlements may be looked for at any time. Advices from Washington are to the effect that the War Department is making arrangements to proceed against Sitting Bull, who is one of the troublesome chiefs.

Winfield Courier, March 9, 1876.

T. A. Blanchard is going to the Black Hills.

Winfield Courier, March 9, 1876.

We are permitted to publish the following letter, received by Mr. T. A. Blanchard, from his brother, Seth, who is in the new Eldorado. As so many are seeking information that is trustworthy, we give considerable space to the subject. The writer is well and favorably known here.

DEAD WOOD GULCH, BLACK HILLS, January 16th, 1876.

BRO. TOM: Your interesting letter, of December 5th, found its way to me, after many delays, a few days ago. Since I wrote last I have abandoned Castle Creek, and moved about fifty miles further north. We are now about eighty miles north of Custer City. I think this creek, and others in this vicinity, contain far richer diggings than have before been discovered in the Hills. Prospecting has not been very extensive here as yet, but enough has been done to convince miners that money can be made here, probably $10 or $15 per day, and some say as high as $50, with sluices, from two cents to fifty and seventy-five cents to the pan. Two parties are fixed for sluicing on a small scale on this creek, but owing to the cold weather can do but little. I am now engaged in putting up another cabin. Think I shall go into quarters here for the winter. Don't expect to take out much gold this winter, but will saw out lumber, dig ditches, etc., and be in readiness to go to work when spring opens. I think I might now venture to advise you to try the Hills in the spring, that is, if you are so situated that you can do so without any very great sacrifice, financially or otherwise. I am strongly of the opinion that you will stand a good chance to make two or three thousand here during the summer, and return in the fall if you wish. I wish you were here now, as men are pouring in by hundreds, but I guess if you leave home by the 1st of April, you will be in time. We are not posted as to what is being done at Washington in regard to the Hills, but are strong in the faith that we will not again be molested by the Government, but anticipate some troubles with the Indians in the spring. If you should decide to come, you had better come by railroad to Sidney, and from there you can easily get transportation to Custer City, or any point in the Hills. Supplies are already beginning to come in, and the probabilities are that by the 1st of May anything we need can be procured here at reasonable rates. Flour is worth $10 and $12 per hundred now, and other things in proportion.

I have had the pleasure of meeting J. J. Williams and W. W. Andrews, of Winfield. They are located in this Gulch.

The winter so far has been very mild, at least compared with Kansas winters. We are entirely exempt from those cold, chilling winds, as the country is a succession of hills, densely covered with pine timber, with the exception of an occasional patch of beautiful rolling prairie, from two to four miles across, which we call parks. Horses and cattle are doing well on the range. Pack ponies are indispensable here in the hills. While packing from Castle Creek to this place a few days ago, and while descending a very steep mountain, one of my ponies made a misstep and rolled something near a hundred yards down the mountain. Jim looked on in dismay to see his mate getting such a fearful fall. But, contrary to our expectations, on landing at the foot of the hill, she got up and quietly walked off. No serious injuries.

Tell Mary she can calm her fears, as far as my starving is concerned, for I not only have plenty of flour, fruit, coffee, tea, bacon, sugar, etc., to do me till the 1st of June, but also a good gun, and the country abounds in gameCdeer, elk, etc., so that instead of starving, our life in the Hills is one continual feastCalmost equal to a Harvest Feast at Bethel.

A. S. BLANCHARD.

Arkansas City Traveler, March 15, 1876. Front Page.

The Black Hills.

Mr. Windom, (Rep., Minn.) in Congress, opposed the substitute. He said there were 1,200 or 2,000 persons now in the section known as the Black Hills. He believed the reports of gold there were well founded, and the Senate should not by this substitute compel those persons to leave that reservation.

Mr. Edmunds (Rep., Vt.) asked if they had any rights there.

Mr. Windom replied, technically no. He argued that the treaty with the Sioux Indians of 1868 had been violated by them, though the Government had faithfully complied with its part, and appropriated the million and a quarter annually for these Indians. At the end of the four years, the alternative was presented that the Government should continue to pay this million and a quarter or fight.

The Government had now tacitly given its consent to miners going to the Black Hills, as no efforts had been made during the last two months to keep them away.

He moved an amendment to the substitute providing that the provisions of this act shall not apply to that part of the Sioux reservation lying in and between the north and south forks of the Cheyenne River and east of the east line of Wyoming Territory. He said he was determined that the people of the United States should have the rights to go to the Black Hills and develop the wealth of that country.

Mr. Edmunds said if the Indians have violated the treaty, it was no excuse for any citizen of the United States going on their reservations, killing the Indians, and pocketing the gold. He argued that the gold hunters did not go to the Black Hills with the consent of the Government of the United States. On the contrary, the Government did all in its power to prevent them.

Arkansas City Traveler, March 15, 1876. Front Page.

Springfield, Dakota, Feb. 24. Wagon trains of every description are constantly passing here, bound for the gold fields. The different parties as they pass have from two to twenty-five wagons each. One party camped in town last night, and one could see camp fires of three other trains on the prairie west of here. Another Springfield party will start at noon today, consisting of seven wagons and twenty men. In this party are some of the best businessmen of this town, and they have better teams and outfits generally than any who have yet left here. The party is jubilant, and will be in the Hills in a few days.

Arkansas City Traveler, March 15, 1876.

DAVE LEWIS writes from the Black Hills that the IndiansCSiouxCattacked Custer City, killing one man and driving off all the stock.

Winfield Courier, March 16, 1876. Editorial Page.

Just how many citizens of Cowley are seriously intending to spend the summer in the Black Hills? The COURIER would induce every man to remain at home if it could. But the desire to go is spreading. It is unfortunate. A large majority of those who yield to the desire will recognize the misfortune when too late to avail anything. The regret will begin to creep over some when on the road and they will turn back. Others will not realize their mistake until they reach the Hills and find them swarming with 30,000 adventurers. Others more persevering will spend the summer in the delusive chase. Of the one hundred men or more who will go from this county, eighty percent will return in the fall. A few will engage in per-manent occupations along the route or at the Hills, and a few will never return. The Black Hills will furnish the sable robes of their everlasting sleep.

In money expended, in time lost, in opportunities wasted, three hundred dollars to the man is a low estimate of the loss that the hundred men from Cowley will experience. This amounts to thirty thousand dollars. . . .

Winfield Courier, March 16, 1876.

CUSTER CITY, BLACK HILLS, February 24th, 1876.

FRIENDS AT HOME: Being blessed with another chance to send out a letter, I will improve it. I left Dead Wood Gulch about a week ago, and arrived in the beautiful little city of Custer yesterday; and a lively little city it is, though only a few months ago it was a military camp, carefully dodged by the few miners then in the Hills. I have wandered around the town and surrounding country today, and for fine scenery and picturesque beauty, it certainly surpasses anything I ever saw, not excepting our dear old Winfield. The surrounding country is a succession of small parks, and groves of pines, with here and there a romantic looking cliff of granite, and altogether, closely resembling (in my imagination) the original Garden of Eden. While standing on an eminence overlooking the town, I counted 180 houses completed, and I should judge there is as many more under process of erection. A steam saw mill is at work near town, and those majestic pines are being rapidly converted into substantial houses. Lumber is selling at $60 per thousand.

On the route here we passed through Hill City, situated on Spring Creek, 18 miles north of this place. It has about one hundred houses, and is building up very fast, and it also has a saw mill.

A town is now being laid out on the northeast side of the Hills, near where Rapid Creek empties into the Cheyenne River, with the view of getting supplies from Bismarck or some other point up on the Missouri River, the route to strike the Hills at said town, on the Rapid.

There are, at the lowest calculation, two thousand men in the Hills, and the cry is, "still they come.@ In short, the country is being rapidly developed. Gold bearing quartz and silver ore has been discovered in several localities, which assays well. A stage line will be in operation soon, from Cheyenne to Custer City, via Red Cloud Agency.

We are not posted as to what Congress is doing toward the opening of the country, but we consider the Hills open to all intents and purposes.

I wrote to Tom some time ago, advising him to try the Hills. I gave the advice then reluctantly, and do now; but, at the same time, confidently believing he can make it successful. I am satisfied paying mines are here, and if you can spend the summer in the Hills without too great a sacrifice at home, why come ahead and come early.

As to the best way of coming, I can hardly say; but certainly it is not necessary to bring supplies, for even now they can be bought here at what I consider very reasonable rates, and by the time you get here will be much cheaper. I think it would be as well to come by rail to Sidney or Cheyenne, and there you can easily get transportation to Custer, and probably to any point in the Hills.

Would like if you could be here by the 1st of April or the middle at latest, as I have some claims which I have some doubts about being able to hold longer than that time. Unless a man stakes his own claim and applies in person for record, it is not respected. A mining claim is 300 feet of gulch.

It gives me infinite pleasure to hear that the Grange is still marching on toward success and victory. I have great faith in the organization and its principles, and though I have temporarily laid aside the plow, spade, and hoe, and taken up the pan, pick, and shovel, I look forward with pleasure to the time when I shall again be permitted to unite with you in the great work of reform in which we are engaged and in which I feel confident we will eventually meet with grand glorious success.

I have received several letters lately which are as yet unansweredCamong others, one from Speed and one from Burns. Give them my regards, and tell them I will answer as soon as possible, and that I shall be most happy to see them on Dead Wood. Would send you a specimen of Dead Wood gold, only I consider our means of sending out mail a little unsafe, so I will reserve it for my next.

Would like to write more, but my friends are ready to take their departure for Dead Wood, so I must close. Ben, if you and Tom come out, you had better not wait to hear from me again.

Yours, etc.

A. S. B.

Winfield Courier, March 16, 1876.

Jim Moses is going to start to the Black Hills next week.

Winfield Courier, March 16, 1876.

A gentleman who knows the fact