Son, Things Were Slightly More Lively at Fort Sedgwick, Colorado Territory, Located on the South Platte, Just a Few Miles from the Nebraska State Line

Fort McPherson, 1871

Th0ugh the old year had ended in relative calm at Fort McPher• son, things were slightly more lively at Fort Sedgwick, Colorado Territory, located on the South Platte, just a few miles from the Nebraska state line. Events there, which relate to Fort McPherson, were reported in the Nebraska press: FT. SEDWICK, C. T. /Wednesday,/ Jan. 4, 1871. To the Editor of the HERALD:

Deeming it of sufficient importance, I would res• pectfully invite your attention to the circumstances con• nected with a scout made from this post, consisting of a Seargent and eight men, accompanied by Mr. Reubfn Wood, Will Greenham /sic, Greenbow/, George Larson and Mr. James Miller, his employes, in search of a number of cattle that strayed from the corral of Mr. Wood. The party left here on /Thursday,/ the 28th ult., in fine spirits and in full expectation of success. They took the trail of General Carr's expedition until they struck Frenchman's Fork, following the creek due south /It runs almost entirely in a southeastern direction./ a distance

of some fifty miles, when they reached a wooded country which has heretofore not been known. Diligent search was made, but their efforts were not rewarded with success, other than finding the trail of the cattle, and by a sur• prise of Indians, by whom they were surrounded while crossing -- - ~ ------,- 1871 - 2

~ a ravine about fifty miles below the place where they first

struck the cre•k, to the number of 75 to 100. The tribe was evidently intent on mischief, but seeing the determined atti• tude of our little party contented themselves with a few "How How's," and withdrew, with a present of a small amount of coffee and sugar, much to our satisfaction. The parley between the two parties was quite amusing. The Indians finding that we were prepared for them displayed a flag of truce, which was answered by Mr. Wood, with a towel fastened to the muzzle -. of a"musket. The Indians were very anxious to approach us in numbers, but were not permitted, more than one at a time •. While in conf-lab with the Chief the contrast was striking, Mr. Wood standing with his musket, with the towel in the muzzle, against the breast of the Chief, at the same time the soldiers with their aim at the others, who were trying to move up after the Indian Chief. The Indiana were then motioned back by the Chief, and withdrew from the ravine, when the Chief was taken to our wagons and given some coffee, sugar and crackers, after which we were enabled to turn back, and go up out of the ravine and reach the table land. We traveled till dark that night, unmolested, but after dark

were again made aware of their following us by their fire-lights a half mile in our rear, but keeping up a brisk march, arrived in camp in safety, where we kept a sharp lo0kout until daylight next morning; then, starting for the Platte, and 7 arrived here at this post about 10 o'clock that night, but, 1871 - 3

very much to our dissatisfaction, leaving the trail of our cattle, which we have every reason to believe we would have got that afternoon. rt is now hoped that there will be, at once, men sent out and recover the loss that Mr. Wood has met with. Respectfully J. BURGESS /Omaha Weekly Herald, Wednesday, 11 January 1871./ Mr. Burgess was a greenhorn traveling with the above group, ap• fY-•••~1,, fro._~;t)• parently, from the mixed tone of his letter. Except1 for the experience of Reuben Wood, it~ would have been easy for the confrontation to

to the Indian, during negotiations, to Burgess, but it is plain from the rest of the letter that they hurried, if not ran scared, back to Fort Sedgwick. Savages should not be able to do this to superior whites is the message of this letter, not always written between the lines. But, in all probability, the Indians had no more plans than at what they succeeded--the intimidation of the party and the "gifts" of coffee and sugar. Since the encounter with the Indians an~he trail of the cattle had ended in Southwest Nebraska--probably Chase County, word of the event was telegraphed to Headquarters, Department of the Platte, in Omaha, and then forwarded to General Emory at Fort McPherson, requesting that he send troops t@ the area, if feasible. Emory answered: 1871 - -

Fort McPherson /Saturday, January/ 7 1871 To Genl C/hristopher/ C/olon/ Augur Cavalry can be sent without harm to Frenchmans fork provided corn is sent to feed the animals and I have wagons enough to feed a squadron ten lays A hunting party of L company came in today which met another party of half breeds from North Platte directly from the Medicine south of O Fallons who saw no tndians The country south has many small parties of whites trapping and hunting and I do not believe there are any Indians but if you say the word I can send a squadron to look without injury to the horses. w. H. Emory Col Comdg I A few hours later, Colonel Emory sent a follow-up telegram to General Augur: I wish to modify my telegram of this date slightly Since sending it information of a letter from a noted Indian E~pert has been received here saying Indians from Red Cloud Reservation have gone South my exact information does not extend south of the Medicine if it is concluded to send out Command please order the man who saw the Indian

to accompany & show the locality. I Plans proceeded for an expedition to the Frenchman in search of Wood's cattle. On the 7th, the day it was to depart, the follwwing telegram was sent to the Department of the Platte, 1871 - S

Ft McPherson Nebr /Wednesday,f January/ 11 1871 To Maj Geo D Ruggles Two parties of Indians supposed to be Sioux are reported to have crossed the Platte within the last forty eight hours going south the first party twenty five in number with three (3) horses crossed between Willow ~eland and Plum creek the other party twenty two in number with two horses crossed be-

tween Brady Island & Willow Island these parties were dis-

mounted & the information seems to be reliable. AB Tay.lor Capt 5th Cavalry Comdg I It may be wondered why the above was sent by Captain Taylor, rather than by Colonel Emory. It is likely the Colonel was very busy that day, as explained in the folliwing letter: FT. McPHERSON /Wednesday,/ Jan. 11, 1871. To the Editor of the HERALD: Reuben Wood, post trader at Sedgwick, reached here a few days ago with a telegram from General Augur, asking the commandant of this post to send an esc0rt with him (Wood) into the Indian country to search for eighty-three head of

stock which the Sioux had d.riven off, and Company I, in command of Major /Gustavus/ Urban, was to have started after them this morning, but just after the reveille had been sounded the post was thrown into a startle of great excitement by the report that Major Urban had committed suicide, and upon examination, the report was found to be true. His wife states that he arose as usual at about half past six, this morning and soon afterwards she heard the 1871 - &

~ report of a pistol; upon rushing into the parlor she found her husband dead. The deed seemed to have been deliberate, for he had first placed a newspaper under his bead, apparently for the purpose of keeping the blood from staining the carpet, and then inserting the muzzle of a Colt's revolver into his mouth, pulled the trifger, and in an instant was dead. The ball entered the roof of his mouth and passed out through the top of his head. The expedition will probably be delayed until orders can be received from Omaha. Captain /Alfred

Bronaugh/ Taylor will, it is thought, be placed in command, General Carr being sick and he (Captain Taylor) being the senior officer at this post. Buffalo Bill, Rube Wood, Will Greenbow andJt myself will accompany the troops. Cody, as guide and scout, Wood, Gree~ow and your humble servant, will probably be of great help to the troops (in keeping their extra ration from spoiling). Should anything of importance occur I will report, from the nearest mail or telegraph station, and if, on our return, I~ can find a fat buffalo calf, I will send you the "hind" quarters. I killed my first buffalo yesterday, and at once secured bis "caudle appendage" as a trophy. Heap big hunter. Yours truly, D. F. POWELL P.s. The report has just eeached here that John Weister, the Indian hunter, has met with a very serious accident. It ➔seems that while snipe hunting, this morning, his horse threw 1871 - 1

him and fractured his media-externo-superficial faschia. Doctor Home~ Worden is doing all in his power to relieve the suffer. /David Franklin Powell, letter, Omaha Weekly Herald, W~4nesday, 18 January 1871, reprinted from, Paul D. Riley, "Dr. David Franklin Powell and Fort McPherson"; Nebraska H1.story, Vol. 51, No. 2 (Summer 1970), 154-55; hereafter cited as Riley, "Dr. Powell"./ Dr. Elbrey•s report of the suicide adds little to Powell's letter, ~ - only saying that, "The motive that induced the act remains un• known.• He was a man of very temperate habits, he enjoyed excellent health and seemed happy and content." /11P°st Surgeon's Returns", January 1871./ The expedition in search of Wood's cattle was delayed for nearly two weeks, or at least Companies Hand I left for thef,publican on

Tuesday, January 24th, returning Thursday, February 2nd. It was under the command of Captain William H. Brown, and marched a total of 190 miles. It is not known, however, if Cody and Powell were among those who accompanied it. David Franklin or Frank Powell, as he was usually known, was on a pleasure visit to the fort, where he would later live. He, too, became the hero of several dime novels, became something of a prof• essional showman, served as mayor of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and was a business partner of Cody in several of his turn-of-the-century ventures. Though Powell had several real adventures while in\the West, it does not appear that any of them were used in the dime novels about him, less interesting fictional plots taking their place. 1871 - I

Powell was born in Kentucky in 1847, the son of Dr. and Mrs. c. H. Powell. The father died in 1865, and Mrs. Powell and her children moved to Nebraska Territory in the 1860s, first to Omaha and later to Lone Tree (Central City), Merrick County. By July 1868,

Powell was a druggist in Omaha, working for J. K. Ish. Possibly as early as 1869, Powell was awareed a medical scholarship, available to Nebraskans, to the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky. During the years he was in school, he made at least two visits to Nebraska, this being the first of them. But it was not until 1873 that Powell returned to Fort McPherson for any length of time. /Riley, "Dr. Powell'', 153-54. The main sources for Powell's life are, Mary Hardgrove Hebberd, "Ndes on Dr. David Franklin Powell, Known as 'White Beaver'fl, Wisconsin Magazine of History, Vol. 35, No. 4 (Summer 1952), 306-09, and Mary Hardgrove Hebberd, ''Notes on the Medical Prac• tice of Dr. David Franklin Powell", Wisconsin Magazine of History,

Wol. 36, No. 4 (Summer 1953), 188-91./ Nothing of great importance occurred at the fort during February, though there was something of an epidemic of tonsillitis and related disorders during the latter part of the month., Dr. Elbrey did note that, "During the month the post traders Messers Worden and Snell erected a new portable frame building outside of the post on a line parallel with the front of the officers quarters, Size 43 by 23 feet ••• for the use of the officers of the post as a billard room." /"Post Surgeon's Returns", February 1871./ To the south, on the Republican, however, life was not so dull.

The buffalo hunters were beginning to reach into the region, in pursuit 1871 - '

of hides or buffalo meat. Because of the rough country between the Republican and the Platte, most of the professional hunters reached the Republican, the center of the buffalo range, from the line of the Kansas Pacific Rail Road in central Kansas. They hauled the hides and meat back to these railroad sidings, rather than to the Union Pac• ific in Nebraska. Homesteaders from the slttled portions of Nebraska often made winter hunts to the Republican, not only to supply their own larders, but for profit. They, however, dealt as much in meat as they did in hides. The following account is about a group of hunters from Mil4'ord, Seward County, in eastern Nebraska, who visited the region south of Fort McPherson in late January and early February: ••• Traveling south-west-waadly, they struck the Republican, and traveled up that stream about 125 miles, until near Big Medicine Creek, where they halted; nine days were consumed in the journey. Previeus to arriving at this place they had met the three men who had been left by the former expedition •••• The combined forces now proceeded to filling their wagons with buffalo meat. After securing one wagon load they de&uled to move farther on, which they accordingly did, taking new quarters 15 miles further up stream. Here they found the desired animals in great numbers, and in two and one-half days filled the three remaining wagons with the choicest

young beef, and besides secured forty fine robes •••• The most of their freight they have disposed of at five and six cts. per lb •••• One of the most notable things observed by the party during their journey was the discovery of twenty-five or 1871 - 10

thirty buffaloes frozen into the ice of the Republican River. Judging from appearances, it was inferred that this small party had endeavored to cross upon the ice when it was insufficiently strong to support them. Coming to the midle of the river they had broken through, and in floundering in the water, unable to get upon firm ice, had become exhausted, and perished. They also discovered an Indian papoose, consigned to its last resting place according to true Indian custom. It was wrapped up in blankets and placed in the crotch of a large tree. /Milford .fil!!! Valley Record, Friday, 16 Feb• ruary 1871./ But it was not only the buffalo hunters, who were entering the Republican country, thus complicating Indian affairs. Homesteading frontiersman had began to settler on the lower reaches of the Repub• lican in 1870. By the end of the summer of 1871, scattered settle• ments would reach nearly to the mouth of the Medicine, to the south of Fort McPherson. During this same summer, settlement would begin gradually from Lincoln County over to the Medicine and then slowly south down that stream. On Tuesday, March 7th, a regular correspondent of the Omaha Herald, wrote from Fort Randall, Dakota Territory, near tne Brule Sioux reservation on the Missouri River: A war party of fifteen or twenty Minnie-ka jo Sioux have gone to the Pawnees to steal horses. They passed through Spotted Tail's camp on White river ten days ago. 1871 - 11

Others were induced, by this noted chief, to return home and not molest the Pawnees. The Brules under Spotted Tail are anxious to go to the Republican river on a hunt, and will probably get per• mission if Gen. Augur does not object. They are very peaceable and almost naked. /"Traveler" letter, Omaha Weekly Herald, Wednesday, 22 March 1871. The identity

of "Traveler11 is not known, but it would seem he was an old fur trader, who had followed the Brule to their res• ervation on the Missouri. He had traded on the Republi• can south of the Fort McPherson area in the early 1860s./ Before the above letter could be published, Indians struck a horse herd west of the fort, near North Platte:

NORTH PLATTE ,,, /Sunday,/ March 12, 1871. To the Editor of the HERALD: -4, We had some excitement here this forenoon about eight Indians running off thirteen horses for Mr. Keith and some others owned by parties unknown. Maj. /William

Henry/ Brown with twenty cavelrymen and some citizens started north after them, and have not yet returned this 9 o'clock P.M. Our fears were ended at 8 o'clock, when three Indians and one squaw came into town from a camp of ninety lodges camped on the Republican near Blackwood creek, and asked for traders, stating that they had five hundred robes, and that Red Cloud, Spotted Tail and all Indians except 1871 - 12

the Winnebagoes are going down there if they ean get permits, and that buffalo blacken the prairies from near here to the Smoky Hill fork. I spoke to them about the morning raid, and they say that three days ago, they soldiered on eight Winnebago Indians who had mistreated them last winter, and were,

determined to stay on the war path; and it must be these Indians that run our stock off. Which tale, under the circumstances, has satisfied us that their story is correct; besides I know all the party. Respectfully yours. W/ashington/. M/allory/. Hinman /Omaha Daily Herald, Tuesday, 14 March 1871. The official military account of the raid is brief: ••• capt. w. H. Brown, 5th Cav. and 30 men "F" /Co./ th Cav. left sub-post of North Platte March 12, 1871 in pursuit of Indians said to be within three miles of that place driving off stock. After a chase of about 40 miles threugh marshes and over sandhills the chase was abandoned and the troops returned ta North Platte arriving there at 12 A. M. March 13, 1871. /"Post Returns," March 1871./ Hinman was another of the experienced frontiersmen who settled in Lincoln County. He had traveled from military post to military

post, since the early 1850s, with a portable steam sawmill, which was used in the construction of many crude outposts. His travels 1871 - 13

had taken him almost to Oregon, but since the late 1850s, he had stayed mainly in the area from Fort Kearny to Fort Laramie. At Fort McPherson, he was joined by his brother, Beavh Hinman, who quickly became one of North Platte's most prominent

,1:;~ive in Democratic politics. Wash Hinman was knowledgeable ~·the ways of the Sioux but at speaking their language. For most of the month, the enlisted men were involved in re• building shops for the post butcher, carpenter, teamsters living quarters, and the post saddler's shop. It was noted that, "The mechanics sleeping room is the only room in the building that is lathed and plastered, all of the other rooms have no lining whatever.'' One wonders if repairs were made to the leaky baraacks of the enlisted men, which had been reported the previous year. It was also noted by Dr. Elbrey that Isadore P. Boyer had had a number of - sheep die near the poet, which the army had finally removJ..., for health reasons. Boyer, along with Charles McDonald and others, were able to live on the military reservation as squatters, because, they had been their prior to the building of the military post, and, either the military did not have funds to buy them out or they refused to sell. Elbrey also noted_,. the quality of the beef, which had been purchased from contractors, was not up to the quality demanded, though the rest of the food was satisfactory. This was not an un• common complaint on the military fr~ntier, and Texas ste~r was noted\ for being tough and stringy. /"Post Surgeon •s Returns'', March 1871./ Early in April, "Traveler" wrote another letter, this time from the Brule Agency at Wh,tstone on events at that place, which would have a bearing on Fort McPheran: 18?1 - 14

WHETSTONE AGENCY, D. T. /Monday,/ April 10th, 18?1 To the Editor of the H!HALD: Orders have been received here from Washington, for the removal of the Agency to a point on White river, 200 miles west of this place. The abandonment will take place about the 25th inst. "Spotted Tail'' has finally obtained permission from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to• make a two,months• Buffalo hunt in the Republican country. He will not leave his present camp, on White river, before the 1st of May. General Sherman strongly remonstrated against this "hunt" of "Spotted Tail," and predicts serious results; but it was expressly stipulated in the treaty of 186?, at Laramie, that he should be allowed to hunt there until buffalo entirely disappeared. There is not a particle of danger of a collision and the settlers. TRAVELER. /Omaha Daily Heral~ Tuesday, 18 April 1871./ Since the Laramie treaties, there had been continual problems with both the Brule and Oglala as to the siteSor their agencies. This problem would not be resolved, and then not favorably, until after the Indian troubles of 1876 and 187?. Though "Traveler", an optimist when it came to the Brule, was correct in forecasting little trouble betwean the Indians and the whites on the Republican, he overlooked that~he moving of the agency would put it much nearer the Platte and Republican rivers, thus increasing the probability of future troubles. Spotted Tail, though friendly on the surface, found it somewhat e~sy, if not handy, to overlook the actions of his wilder young men. 1871 - 15

Dr. Elbrey reported that the post garden was tilled in April and some of the earlier vegetables were planted. The only major excitement was on the 27th, when the new blacksmith shop, seventy-seven feet by twenty, collapsed, slightly injurting six men and seriously injurnng a seventh. The building was built of logs and its roof was covered with sod. ''Soon after its completion a heavy rain having much increased the weight of its earth roof, the roof fell in burying beneath its ruins the seven workmen engaged at the time •••• " /"Post Surgeon•s Returns", April 1871./ In May, several expeditions left the post, all going north of the Platte. Lieutenant Edward M. Hayes and Lieuten•ant Edward Godfrey Stevens, with thirty men, left the post ontl May 23rd, scouting in the vicinity of Birdwood Creek, near ~orth Platte. The following day, they "surprised and captured a party of six Indians, sis:ty head ar ponies and mules. Returned to post arriving on the 26th. These Indians are now held at this post awaiting further orders." /"Post Returns", May 1871./ On Tuesday, the 30th of May, there was a report of possible Indian problems to the west, near the Union Pacific siding of Ogallala: A party of Indians, numbering about thirty, have bean hovering around this place since yesterday, evidently watching a chance to run off the stock. Fifteen were ten miles north• west of here yesterday, and three more stood on a bluff within

three miles of this station in plain view of a passing team last evening. Several head of cattle are missing. A party went out in search of them this morning and scouted the coun• try between here and /the/ North Platte /River/. They have 1871 - 16

just returned. They came upon the camp fires, still. burning, and followed the trail of the Indians and missing cattle about five miles from here. They followed it about seven miles, and, losing the trail, came back. Serious trouble is looked for in this vicinity. /Omaha Daily Herald, Wednesday, 31 May 1871./ Sptotted TAil' s Brule were apparently moving south to the Repub• lican in small groups, for there were continual reports of Indian sightings and small numbers of cattle being stolen from Plum Creek on the east to Ogallala on the west. In every case, troops were sent to the area, or in pursuit if any real damage had been done, but they had no contact with any of the Indians. Just after the alarm at Ogallala, another took place at North Platte, which created some controversy, NORTH PLATTE /Saturday,/ June 3, '71. To the Editor of the HERALD:

Quite a commotion was created in our usually quiet town last night by the bugle at the Post sounding "boots and saddles," and a general skedaddle of the soldiers to their quarters. On inquiry it turned out that a dispatch had reached camp that the Indians had made a raid on the stock near McPherson, driving it off, killing the herders, and raising the devil generally. A detachment

of cavalry was started in hot haste, and are now absent. To-day it turns out, as near as I can learn, that the only ground for this report was the return of a negro herder's horse riderless, and his companions took it for granted that 1871 - 17

---)~ the reds had gone for Sambo's wool, sure. He is probably enjoying a quiet snooze on the hot side of a sand bank, serenly oblivious to the excitement his aupposeddamise has raised. A dozen such reports have been put in circulation within the last two weeks, by parties interested in stock raising., for the evident purpose of frightening emigrants from coming to this county. There are a few men here, who are interested in this business and are growing rich rapidly by it, who are bound to keep emigrants away as long as possible, and are throwing every obstacle in the way of their coming. But these selfish, bigoted men will find they are fighting against manifest destiny, for another year will usher in a grand tidal wave of emigration that will sweep them into the bluffs and adjacent valleys, or beyond the boundaries of our county. Our people are feeling unusually good and self-satisfied lately, from the fact that the Union Pacific Railroad Company are about to pay their taxes, and have partly done so, in all amounting to S6o,ooo. This places us right side up, finan• cially, and places our county's credit at par. Formerly it was several degrees below zero. Our crops are looking splendidly, and growing with a luxuriance equaled only by the evergreens of the tropics. An abundance of rain has fallen, and from present appearances we shall produce such a crop as was never before seen in ➔western Nebraska. 1871 - 18

This land, that in our school days we styled the Great

American Desert, will soon become the garden of the west. Years ago scarcely any rain fell during the summer months, but since the completion of the Union Pacific road the quantity has increased with each year, and now we have an abundance for all farming purposes. I can account for this only on the theory of a breaking up of the old electric currents by the tilling of the soil and the concussion of the passing trains, and the forming of new atmospheric combinations. PIONEER.

/Omaha Daily Herald, Tuesday, 6 June 1871.I Others besides "Pioneer" credited the railroad with the increase of rain, and, at about this same time in eastern Nebraska, the theory that "rain follows the plow" was being developed. Thie account is of interest in that "Pioneer", a supporter of the farmer, blamed ranching interests for the alarm. It is a~ '7:-ly sign of troubles to come for the two interests. Within a few years, rumors of Indian troubles on the Republican would be blamed at Platte Valley and Union Pacific interests, trying to divert settlers from going to the valley to the south. The letter of "Pioneer" quickly brought an answer from Fort McPherson: FORT McPHERSON, /Thursday,/ June 8, 1871. To the Editor of the HERALD: "Pioneer," in his letter dated North Platte, 3d inst., conveys a wrong impression in stating that the Indian scare at this place consisted of the return of a negro herder's horse riderless. If Pioneer would have taken the trouble to 1871 - 19

learn facts he would have stated that twenty-eight head of riding stock was stolen--twenty-three head from Mr. C/harles/. McDonald, three from Mr. B/enjamin/. Gallagher, and one from Mr. /John?/ Wilson. The negro is still missing. Capt. /Phineas Pierce/ Bernard, with a squad /Company H/ of /5th/ cavalry, returned last night from the pursuit. They were unable to follow the trail any further, owing to late heavy rains. Night before last the Indians tried to steal Mr. Derr•s stock, and last night they made another attempt on Ben Gallagher's.

Pionetr Will please make a note of this and in future adhere to facts. SUBSCRIBER. /Omaha Daily Herald, Saturday, 10 June 1871./ "Pioneer" was quick to rejoin the fray, re.ady to repeat his charge that rat:l&hing interests were behind the Indian scares;

NORTH PLATTE, /Saturday,/ June 12, 1871. To the Editor of the HERALD: As I stated in a former letter, there is a class of men in this county interested in the stock business who are using every effort to hinder emigrants from locating here, and for this purpose have raised the cry of Indian atrocities and depredations. One of this number remarked in my hearing the other day that he "had rather see this valley filled up with Texas cattle than all the beggarly em~grants in the Eastern States."

The sentence just expresses their idea, exactly. 1871 - 20

-~ Your correspondent from McPherson is evidently one of this class, or he would not have been so eager to rush into print in support of his pet theory upon so slight a basis. Now, the Indians of the plains are mean and barbarous enough to commit any species of rascallity, but this does not signify that every act of thievery should be charged to their account, fer this western country contains hundreds of

white men as brutal as the savages themselve9, who are ready for any deed of violence, provided a reasonable prospect of escape is presented. And if the real offenders are not dis• covered, the crime is charged to the general account of Indian depredations, like the recent fiasco at McPherson. rt is now generally conceded that the red skins had nothing to do with that affair, but that the missing negro, in company with some white men, are the guilty parties. Mr. Walker, of this place, in whose employ he was at the time, traced the matter up until he became satisfied suchi was the fact, and then dropped it. The stock was taken within a mile and a half of the fort, where five companies of cavalry are stationed, and General Emory is not the man to allow a few miserable savages to run off a whole herd of stock from under his very nose, especially when he has such a scout to keep him posted as gallant Buffalo Bill. As to the more recent events alluded to by your corres•

pondent, I can only say, that I was informed by Mr. Durr, to ~ day, that it was white men who attempted to steal his stock, 1871 - 21

and doubtless such was the case at Mr. Gallaher•s. Trusting the next time "Subscriber•• toots his horn, it will be upon a more truthful subject. I remain, Very Respectfully, PIONEER /Omaha Daily Herald, Sunday, 13 June 1871./ Now others were willing to join combat, or at least serve as ref• eree, between "Pioneer" and "Subscriber": NORTH PLATTE /Friday,/ June 16. To the Editor of the HERALD: In recent issues of your valuable paper we have noticed some correspondence in regard to the late Indian (for they were no other) depredations in the vicinity of Fort McPherson. Now, Doctor /George Miller, editor•/, we have no town lots that we are anxious to sell, had no thought of getting rich in land speculations, neither have we any large plundering ("Pioneer" will excuse our barrowing the word) herds of cattle to boast of, so that we may pass for a medium, between Pioneer and Subscriber. .. . Pioneer (though unknown) we believe to be a good fellow, he must be, ~or he reads the HERALD, besides he has written some sensible letters to that largely circulated and ably edited journal, concerning this place, which has been the means of enduring him to us, not a little. At the same time, we admire "Subscriber's" way of cautioning "Pioneer," who

has bean known to indulge, at times,(not in liquor) but in slight exaggerations in reference tothe charms of our young, though prosperous county. 1871 - 22

--=>~ In making the statement, we do believe we have nothing to influence us either way. We give the simple, unvarnished truth, when we state that there are some portions of the land in this vicinity (the bottom chiefly) capable of raising any kind of produce; while there are other portions, composed of nothing but a sandy wash, which would hesitate (mild patience would cease to be a virtue) in producing white beans. We have hundreds of miles of sand and sandy, broken country--of the above quality--fit for nothing but stock to run on, and for this purpose it has no equal, it being

clothed with an abundance of rich bunch and buffalo grass, on which stock subsists and fattens the year round, without being fed a spear of hay.

We have a desire to encourage and bid welcome1both farmers and stock men. We have room for both, and especially the latter. Ten thousand head of cattle have been wintered here this last winter and nearly that number will be shipped from here before fall to Eastern markets. we are told by reliable parties that we shall have one hundred thousand wintered here the coming winter. It is useless to state that the owners pay taxes on these immense herds, and had it not been for them last year; had the u. P. have beaten us, our financial condition would ➔have been at low ebb. 1871 - 23

The Eastern part of our somewhat purified young State can point with pride to its large and beautiful farms, and why should not we, in the Western part, excel all others in furnishing our Eastern States beef in quantity and quality. We tell your many readers facts when we state that a four year old steer can be raised for ten dollars and turned into beef for forty dollars. With these glaring facts staring "Pioneer" in the face, we wonder at his expressing himself in the way he does in his letter of the 3d inst., referring to stock owners getting rich; and we think if we were carpenters we should lay aside our tools immediately and rush into the stock business. Should he want posting, we would advise him to call on some intelligent stock men. .. . We have got some good county officers who, like

"Pioneer;• are disciples of, and worshippers of the QMAHA HERALD, and when we marshall our forces for our Democratic

President in 1872, we shall not be found wanting. Apologizing for trespassing so long on your valuable space, we remain, very respectfully, MANY CITIZENS. /Omaha Dail~ Herald, Sunday, 18 June 1871./ As to whom committed the original depredations, it c~n only be said that the military followed up every rumor, sometimes having an actual trail, without catching any of the thieves. This was partially• caused by an abundance of rain during June. 1871 - 24

July was calmer than June with almost no rumors of Indian depredations. Thie was probaby caused in part by the Indiana having crossed the Platte valley and were hunting in the Republican. The cattle stolen, if that be the case, were probably stolen as subsis• tance rations, until they were able to reach the herds of buffalo to the south, for "Traveler" had implied in the spring tht the Brule were in poor condition, and, as Indian agents as a rule:&;; I' a add disapproved of their "wards" going on the hunt, they seldom rationed out more than a bare necessity of food. Evenso, the military made several expeditions from the Platte north into the Loup country, in search of ranging or stolen cattle. Since iexas cattle were notorious S~,M for their far-ranging habits, it would almost --•IS that the cattle ranchers were being subsidized by the federal government, being allowed the use of military troops to keep track of their cattle. It continued to be a rainy summer, with hail storms damaging Fort McPaerson's garden in both June and July, damaging some of the vegetables. The question of the civilian squatters on the military reservation did come up in July, and Dr. Elbrey gave a rather lengthy account of it from the military viewpoint. That a number of these men were politically important, on both a state and local leval, did not intimi• date General Emory. It also might be noted that the majority were

Democrats, "'...:U. R0publican statea and federal government"; A brief history of the conflict between the Military Authorities of the Post and certain citizens who now reside on this Military Reservation is worth of record. These citi• zens had their present residences before the Fort McPherson Reservation was declared by General Order No.66, Headqua,rters 1871 - 25

~ Department of the Platte, Dec. 17th, 1869, and they claim that they cannot be ousted without allowing them a full comp• ensation for their improvements which they assert to have made upon lands regularly taken up according to the Provisions of the Acta of Congress. It has been the endeavor offehe Post Commander from the time that this reservation was declared·to the present to have these citizens, who carry on business, in competition with the Post Traders, removed. Negotiations for the buying up of the improvements of these citizens have been pending for some time without arriveing at any definate results. Many endeavors have been made to prevent the soldiers at this Post from dealing with these people by placing guards near their residences. All of these endeavors have proved futJlile for means were faund as might be expected to elude

the guard by going to 'the store by other directions. The following order was therefore issued.

Special Orders Headquarters Fort McPherson, Nebr. No. 18 /Thursday,/ June 15 1871 Pursuant to orders from War Department this day received on and after the 18th instance no person except the Post Trader will be allowed to trade, peddle, or sell goods, by sample or otherwise, within the limits of this reserve and in order that these instructions may be strictly complied With and to avoid evasion of the order by shutting the front door and dealing from the rear on and after this date no officer, enlisted man, or civilian in the employ of the Government will be permitted to visit the places of trade 1871 - 26

on this reserve except the Post Trader under penalty of disobedience of orders. By order of w. H. Emory. Signed, By W. c. Forbush. Lieut. & Adjt. Whether this will have the desired result in compelling these people to move away by cutting off all communications

with them or whether the order will prove a barrier at all is

a matter at present for conjecture. /"Post Surgeon's Returns0,S.,",l17t/ Though matters were worked out in the future, it need only be said that the General Order was not an immediate success. Though the following letter from North Platte, deals mainly with that vicinity and with farming, it is included to show that the gradual demise of Fort McPherson was underway, that it was located in a back• water, further .and further away from the places where it was needed.

There were continued troubles on the Loup rivers to the north and on the Republican river to the south, yet, in neither location, were the troubles worth the price it would cost the government to rebuild.at either or both locations. Thus the post remained on the Platte, too distant to be of immediate help of either area: NORTH PLATTE . /Tuesday,/ Augus~ 1. To the Editor of the HERALD: Perhaps a few items from this "burg" might interest your many readers. The severe storms which have recently prevailed along the railroad have generally given our section the go by. The hills on either side seems to afford ample protection from these destructive visitors. Crops have done unasually well this season. This year has amply demonstrated that vegetables and grain will thrive 1871 - 27

and do well here, notwithstanding the assertaions of the Immigration Board, who had the kindness to designate this locality as "sand hills." During the past season we have had numerous showers of rain, and hhe most active grumbler cannot find fault on that score. Harvesting has commenced in earnest, and barley, oats, wheat, etc., exhibit a splendid return. Potatoes, espec• ially, have done well. one of our farmers, Otto Uhlig, raised 1,800 bushels on a five acre patch. Judge /R. c./ Daugherty also raised a large crop. Much land has been entered during the past four.months, and the railraod also report large sales in this vicinity. Several members of the Chesaning (Michigan) colony have arrived, selected their locations and gone to work energetically. Some 250 families are expected here September 1st. A colony from Warren, Indiana, are coming during the fall. TheY are now engaged in framing their houses, which they intend to ship ready for erection. Thus, you see, Lincoln county is soon to become thickly populated with industrious people. Mr. Saunders, brother of Ex-Governor /Alvin/ Saunders, arrived recently, and will immediately bring in an immense herd of cattle. He expresses himself as well pleased with the locality. Several houses are in course of erection in around town. J. F. E. Kramph, Esq., is building a large dry goods establishment; Messrs. /William/ Penniston, /L./ Walker, 1871 - 28

Welty, /Andrew J./ Miller and others, are putting up houses on their respective farms, which makes times somewhat lively for the builders. Mr. J. R. Cantlin, who has ably filled the office of agent for the railroad company at this point, was recently removed, and Mr. Bell, of Omaha, succeeds him. Of the latter gentleman we know nothing, but our citizens all express their surprise at Mr. Cantlin's removal, as he always seemed watchful of the company's interest. Your coreespondent recently visited the command, of General /Nelson Bowman/ Sweitzer, on the south side of the Platte river. Here we met with many gallant officers, among them Capt. /John/ Mix, General Sweitzer, Major /John Breckin• ridge/ Babcock, and a host of others. These gentlemen are entertaining a select party of ladies and gentlemen from Omaha and North Platte, and seemed to vielJ with each other in affording pleasure to their guests. Their camp is pleasantly and tastefully fitted up. Major Brown, post commander at this point, /North Platte Station,/ has recently returned from Washington and appears to be benefitted by his trip. Spotted Tail's band of Sioux crossed the Platte near this place. They were bound for a hunt on the Republican. So far they have not committed any depredations. Local politicans are alr.,e;and y laying their plans for the fall campaign. Lincoln county, as usual, roll up a handsome Democratic majority. PEDRO. /Omaha Daily Herald, Wednesday, 2 August 1871./ 1871 - 29

Undoubtedly the most talked of matter at Fort McPherson that summer, and at military posts acorss the country, was that of pay. On July 1st, pay for privates dropped from Sl6.00 to $13.00 a month. Dr. Elbrey wrote of its results at Fort McPherson: The reduction of the soldiers pay which from the

lat of July has been $13.00 per month in place of $16.00 has not caused as many desertions from the army as were apprehended. During the month of July there were 24 deser• tions, during the month of August, 11, whereas during the months of May and June there were 26. Nevertheless.it is apparent that the desertions from the army are incredibly frequent. Desertions take place with a great degree of impunity, the capture of deserters being infrequent. It is for this reason that desertions are so numerous, the amount paid for apprehension of deserters, S3o,oo, is altogather too small to ensure their capture. Perhaps another cause for these desertions is the em.p loyment of soldiers in other than military duties, the addi~onal duties being incidents of

frontier service, where the Posts are meagerly built, and needing of repairs and additions and reconstruction etc, all of which, with the fatigue duties, entail considerable

manual labor upon the soldiers. /''Post Surgeon• s Returns~, August 1871./ Considering that the number of enlisted men at the post, at the end of August was 277, the rate of desertion was rather high. But, at the rate of pay and the type of duties, it might seem rather low. ¼articularly in an age demanding little or no identification. The 1871 - 30

immediate problem being getting away from the locality of the fort and"ay from the Union Pacific railroad. -~o escape from Fort McPherson called for riding the rails or walking, unless one could purchase fr steal a horse, which was dangerous. Gming North led no where and going 8outh was heading into Indian country, where a horse was a necessity. Going West meant the possibility of running into people who knew you--the West was not all that settled. And going East meant traveling along the line of the railroad, again bringing for the problem of being identified. The closest escape was probaby trying to get to Denver an¾he mining towns of the Rocky Mountains. Military life was bad, but trying to escape it certainly had its hazards, and, if one failed, there was not even the $13.00 a month pay. September came and went with only one major excitement. General Philip H. Sheridan and party arrived fro~the East on Friday, Septem• ber 22nd and left the following day for an overland trip to Fort Haya, Kansas, which included time out for buffalo hunting. Cody served as guide for this much written up hunt. Fort McPherson brought forth all the pomp it could muster for the noted general and his guests, and, in a very few months time, it would result in international publicity for the post. /Russell, Buffalo Bill, 170-73. It is interesting to note that the "Post Returns11 and "Post Surgeon's Returnstt give the visit only the slightest of mentions./ The same day as the General left for Fort Hays, Lieutenant

Alfred Boyce Bache, with Company G, marched to Killickenick or Red Willow Creek, in search of illegal whiskey traffic, though none was found. Thia brief expedition received as much space i,.n official reports as the visit of the leneral. /"Post Returns, September 1871./ 1871 - 31

Washburn wrote the Commissioner of Indian Affair from Whetstone Agency, en Wednesday, September 13th, in regard to the hunt: I have the honor to report that application was made to me by Spotted Tail and the other Chiefs and Headmen belonging to this Agency for permission to go on the prom• ised hunt to the Buffalo country, and also to senl Mr. Todd Randall a whiteman, and lately Sub Agent for Spotted Tail, along with them. I have granted the required permission and deputed Mr. Randall to accompany the party in accordance with your~n• structions dated March 20, 1871. I have notified Genl Augue Comdy. Dept. of the Platte of the intended hunt. /"Whetstone Agency, Letters Sent", RG508, u.s. National Archives (microfilm, Nebraska State Historical Society), hereafter cited as"Whetstone Agency"./ Ten days later, J. A. Wham, the Oglala agent, sent his own tele• gram gram to Washington, regarding the Brule hunt. Because of the distance between Whetstone and Fort Laramie, the Bureau of Indian Affairs had not considered that Washburn might have already selected a sub-agent to travel with Spotted Tail. Whatever the cause, it created a number of problems during the comthng weeks. Fort Laramie w. T. /Saturday,/ Sept 23 1871 To Hon H. R. Clum Actg Comm Ind. Affrs. In obedience to your verbal instructions a sub agent has been appointed for Spotted Tail hunting party The hunting party has received its supplies and started. All 1871 - 32

satisfied. Other men are now here and claim that right to go as Sub. agents without any authority from me whatever They say they are determined in this matter. I would ask the confusion to be stopped at once. /.!J2!,!./ Two days later, he sent another telegram to Clum, staing, "Please revoke Todd Rand&lls authority to accompany Spotted Tail to the Rep• ublican." /Ibid./ Wham did nt>t explain his two telegrams for two weeks, and, even then, he did not explain hie reasons for wanting to get rid of Randall. Many agents particularly disliked Randall over ,, ., the years, but they usually had or at least gave good reasons. Meanwhile, September had had one major excitement at Fort Mc• Pherson. Genpral Philip H. Sheridan and party arrived on Friday, September 22nd and left the following day on an overland trip to Fort Hays, Kansas, with time out for buffalo hunting on the way. Cody served as guide for this much written up hunt. Fort McPherson brought forth all the pomp it could muster for the noted general, and, in-a very short time, it would result in international publicity for the post and for Cody. /Rua@ell, Buffalo Bill, 170-73. The "Post Returns" and "Post Surgeon's Returns" gave the visit only the slightest of mention, and the Nebraska press gave it no attention at all./ The same day as the General left for Fort Hays, Lieutenant Alfred Boyce Bache, with Company G, left for Red Willow Creek, in search of illegal whiskey dealers. He reported upon hisreturn as fallows: Fort McPherson, Neb. /Tuesday,/ October 3, 1871 Lieut. w. c. Forbush Adjutant 5" Cavalry Post Adjutant 1871 - 33

Sir: I have the honor to report that in compliance with s. o. 151, dated Headquarters Fort McPherson, Neb. Sept. 28, 1871, I left this Post that day with Company "G" 5".Cavalry, one officer and Mr. /Edward/ Moran, the Indian interpreter,

and marched south by the cannon known as "Moran' s11 and camped that night at the forks of the stream, distance marched about 33 miles. On the 29" with the command, I crossed the South branch of the Medicine, and marched to the Killikinicke" or."Red

Willow'', a distance of about 17 miles, camping that .. day on the south bank of that stream. On the 30" I sent 2nd Lieut E.G. Stevens, 5" Cavalry, with half the command, to scout the "Killikinicke" towat,l the East and Medicine, while I with the rest of the command, scouted the stream to the west for the distance of 10 or 12 miles. I found no recent signs either of white or Indian camps on the stream, passed on my march westward, an old Indian camp of some six weeks or two month's standing. Both scouting parties returned to the original camping ground on the evening of the 30". Lieut. Stevens reported to me, on his return, that he had scouted the stream east for the distance of 12 or 13 miles, finding nothing but an old Indian camp of apparently four II Tepes", which had not been occupied for some weeks. 1871 - 34

On the 1st of October, I left the Killikinicke and marched to the South branch of the Medicine, 16 miles, and camped on the south bank of that stream. On the 2d. I crossed both Medicines and marched to this Post. I have to report, from my own observations and the report made to me by Lieut. E.G. Stevens, 5" Cavalry, that no parties have been on Killikinicke, or Red Willow for some weeks •••• Very Respectfully Your obedt. servt. Alfred B. Bache, 1st Lieut. 5" Cavalry, Comdg • Co , 11G 11 /nwhetstone Agency'!/ Meanwhile, on Saturday, September 30th, Emory issued his General

Order, No. 30, dealing with a typical military problem: It has come to the attention of the Commanding Officer that some of the non-commissioned officers at this Post are in the habit of gambling by means of which the money of a few ine~perienced persons is made to pass into the hands of a few unprincipled men to the great injury of dicipline and the encouragement of desertions, therefore, any non-commis• sioned officer who shall be reported t~he Commanding Officer for gambling will at once be reduced to the ranks and otherwise dealt with in a summary manner and any enlisted man found gambling will be brought to trial for disobedience of orders. /"Post Surgeon's Returns", September 1871./ Gambling was not the only problem to be found at frontier military posts, for a number of low dives, usually referred to as "hog ranches", 1871 - 35

grew up neaby, dealing in liquor and women. Fort McPherson was no different, as is shown by a letter written only three days after Emory issued his order on gambling: MEPHERSON STATION, /Tuesday,/ Oct. 3--3 P. M. Last night between the hours of 11 and 12, our peaceful town was aroused by pistol shots and the cry of murder. The circumstances, as near as we can learn, are as follows:

There was a dance at O'Mallery & Miller's house of ill fame, where everything went smoothly until they went to sup• per, when Miller had some words with one of the girls and undertook to choke her, whereupon Wilborn, who cooks for the establishment, came in and interfered, taking the girl's part.

Miller then released his hold on the girl, drew his revolver and struck Wilborn several blows about the head,

but Wilborn was more than a match for him, and would have used him up had not others interfered and took Miller's part, using glasses, bottles and other articles about Wilborn's head. Wilborn received one shot in his left side, his head is fearfully cut up and his ankle is cracked in two places. Dr. Elbrey of Fort McPherson was sent for to dress his wounds, and pronounces them dangerous.

Budge Daugherty has gone down to take Wilborn's dying statement.--NORTH PLATTE DEMOCRAT. /Omaha Daily Herald ' Friday, 6 October 1871./ No other information is available about the case, so we do not know xkH if Wilborn died or not. Meanwhile, Agent Wham was stilling 1871 - 36

worrying about Spotted Tail's band and Todd Randall, as shown by his letter of Wednesday, October 4th, to the Acting Commissionerf of Indian Affairs: I have the honor to inform you that Frank D. Yates has been appointed u.s. Sub In(i.an Agent (subject to the approval of the Department) to accompany Spotted Tail's hunting party to the Republican. Appointment to date from September the 22d 1871, at a slar~ of $5 Five Dollars per die um. /"Whetstone Agency"./ Two days later he wrote a longer letter, without explaining why he was replacing Randall: Red Cloud Agency Wyo /Wednesday,/ October 4th 1871 Sir I have the honor to state that after the Spotted Tail hunting party had been gone fro~his Agency two days on their way to the hunting grounds, a man by the name of Todd Randall, joined them and represented that he had an appoint• ment as Sub Agent, for the purpose of Conducting this party on their hunt and succeeded in getting some fifty Lodges to seperate themselves from the main party, and proceed to the hunting grounds, as an independent party This has already caused dissatisfaction among the Indians, and I

fear will result in very serious trouble, if some measures are not taken to stop it. I would therefore ask that the Secretary of War be requested to authorize Post Commanders near the hunting party to assist the authorized Sub Agent Frank D. Yates, now in 1871 - 37

charge of the Indiana to expel the said Todd Randall from among them, or any person who may be in any way obnoxious

to the interests and peace and wellfare of Said Indians. Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt J A Wham u.s. Special Ind Agt /Ibid./

Three days later, Wham sent another letter off to Washington, this time not mentioning Randall by name, but intimating a gneral plot against the Brule and the authority of the Indian Bureau: Red Cloud Agency Wy. /Saturday,/ Oct 7th 1871 Hon. H. R. Clum Act Com Ind Arrs Washington D.c. Sir I havP the honor to state that I am apprehensive that irresponsible parties may attempt to join the Spotted Tail hunting Party now on the Republican River for the pur• pose of trading with the Indians or else establishing trad• ing posts or Ranches adjacent to the hunting grounds. If this is permitted at all there will be whiskey smuggled in with other articles and sold or traded to the Indians, which is invarrably attended with disast•rous results and as a means of preventing this, I would respectfully ask that the Secretary of War be requested to forbid any trading with Indians at any military Post or station south of the Platte River and authorize the military to assist the Sub. Agent in charge of hunting Party to suppress any illegal traffic 1871 - 38

with the Indians and expel any such traders from his Camp. I am Si.r Very respectfully Your Obt Servant, J. W. WHam u. s. Indian Agent /Ibid,/ Spotted Tail had not reached the Republican yet, but was only at Alkali Station, between Ogallala and North Platte. Though it was not mentioned in the "Post Returns", it apparently had been worked out so he could receive his annuity goods at that point: 0 'FALLON STATION, Neb., /Saturday,/ October 21, 1871. To the Editor of the HERALD: Spotted Tail, with his band of Sioux arrived at

Alkali to-day; he will remain there until he has received his provisions and supplies, which will arrive there to-night in charge of Lieutenant Hayes, from Fort McPherson, Nebraska.

Lieutenant Emory, accompanied by Mr. Cody•

(Buffalo Bill), passed here to-day at 2 P.M., on horseback, on their way to Alkali. On the arrival of the supplies they will superintend their distribution. The number of Spotted Tail's band is estimated at 1,800. Buffalo are to be found in abundance on the South Platte. Company K, Second Cavalry, now stationed here,.will arrive at Omaha Barracks about the 15th of November. They will leave here about the 1st of November. It is currently reported here that Spotted Tail is dissatisfied with his agent, and wishes the government to 1871 - 39

appoint an agent of his own selection. BLUE WATERS. /Omaha Daily Herald; Tuesday, 24 October 1871./ Not in any apparent hurry to reach the buffalo range, Spotted

Tail 'fook the time to visit North Platte, as "Pedro'' reported among other• things in a letter to Omaha: NORTH PLATTE /Wednesday,/ October 25, 1871. To the Editor of the HERALD:

The usual election excitement has passed and our vil• lage once more assumes a quiet aspect. Politics were lost sight of in the contest for county officers, and the men were chosen mostly on their merits. Prairie fires have been numerous and destructive during the past three weeks. Large quantities of hay, together with fences, corral~, horses, &c., have been destroyed. As yet no lives have been lost. Spotted Tail has been in town with a number of his warriors since last Friday. He is emphatically dissatis• fied with Agent Whalen /sic, Washburn/, and in a recent con• versation with Gen. Emory, commander of this department, he stated that he had not received one-third of the annuities promised him by the government. There is evidently a screw loose somewhere. Gen. Emory promised to have the matter investigated. The Gov• ernment allowed Spotted Tail's band 1,800 pounds of tobacco, 1871 - 40

and he has only received an ounce box. He /Spotted Tail/ says the agent has taken advantage of him. Quite a number of emigrants from Indiana and Michigan have arrived during the present month, and they report that

many families are coming in the spring. All the vacant land in the neighborhood has been taken up, and it now seems that our long neglected county is soon to be populated-• a desideraimn much wished by. our people. Many buildings have been erected this fall, and new houses dot the prairie for miles around. The branch lumber estab•

lishment of GAo. Hoagland & Son has sold an immense quantity of lumber. Sales in the various branches of merchandise have been very active. Several new ato41es have been started, includ• ing a hardware establishment, by Mr. Jas. Belton. Our citzzens look forward to a new era for their county, and it would seem that she is to take rank among

the producing counties of the 1state. So mote it be. PEDRO. /Omaha Daily HPrald, Saturday, 28 October 1871./ Agent Wham's expectations of dire trouble apparently was not com• municaman to the citizens of North Platte, busy about their business affairs, even though nearly two thousand potenially dangerous Sioux were camped within riding distance of the village. It might be noted that Spotted Tail might have been correct in complaining he had not receivea all the annuity goods due him. As he was away from his res• ervation, it is likely the Brule were given only a portion of their good~• • 1871 - 41

Agent Wham was not ready to give up. His accusations had begun against Todd Randall, spread to include unnamed traderB, who might bring whiskey into the Brule camps, and now he positively stated that a whiskey trade was taking place. Again, the men are not named, and he apparently did not know that the Brule were still on the Platte. He wrote Acting Commissioner Clum, on Monday, October 23rd, a rather wild and slightly incoherant letter: I h&v• the honor to state, for your information, that there are at present a number of white men engaged in the traffic of whiskey, arms and ammunition and other articles with the Indtans now on the chase, south of the Platte and

respectfully ~e~~ee~ ask that the War Department be requested to issue orders to Post Commanders in the vicinity of said Indians to expel all white men who are not authorized to be in the Indian Camp there from-- /Whetstone Agency"./ Wham need not have worried, as the problem of Spotted Tail and his sub-agent had been taken care of--and not in the way he had wanted it. General Francis A. Walker had been sent west by the Secretary of Interior to investigate problems at the Brule and Oglaaa ~•s agencies, and he had the opportunity to visit with Spotted Tail at North Platte: North Platte, Neb. ) /Wednesday,/ 25, Oct. 1871 To the Secretary of the Interior ., Washington, D. c. Satisfactory conferences with Spotted Tail, have placed Randall in full charge. Indians go south tomorrow, I strongly recommend temporary trading post at Red Willow, 1871 - 42

forty miles south of McPherson. Gen. Emory highly approved. I go to Cheyenne tonight. Please inform Mrs. Walker of my heatth. F. A. Walker /Ibid./

W. H. Smith, the Acting Secretary of the Interior, forwarded Walker's telegram to Clum at the Bureau of Indian Affairs:

Department of!!!! Interior Washington, DC. ._ Sir, /Friday,/ October 27th 1871 1,~ac\ nowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th instant. and accompanying communication from P/hineas/. W. Hitchcock, u.s. Senator, in relation to granting a permit to certain parties to trade with the Sioux Indians, who are now hunting buffaloes on the Republican fork of the Platte /sic/ River. I transmit, herewith, a copy of a telegram from Gen. F. A. Walker, dated North Platte, the 25th of October, sug• gesting the importance of establishing a trading post at ''Red Willown for the Indians refeered to, and as no time should be lost in carrying these recommendations into effect-• the 3d Regulation "concerning the granting of licenses to trade

With the Indians'' is hereby suspended in the matte~ of licen• sing a trader for the Indians referred to, for the time they remain south of the Platte, and you are authorized to grant such license. Very respectfully, W. H. Smith Acting Secretary /Ibid•/ 1871- 43

While the Indian Bureau worked out• its problems, things were calm at Fort McPherson. No expeditions left the post during October, and the garrison was mainly involved in enlarging the quarters of the regimental band and building a new kitchen and mess room for Company A. The problem betwean the military and the civilian squatters was finally worked out, as reported by Surgeon Elbrey: Th0 antagonism existing between the military author• ities of the Post and certain civilians claiming residence on the reservation as referred to in the record for the month of July,1871, has been adjusted by the proper authorities in an agreement on the part of the government

to pay these citizens for the improments made by them. The valuation of their improvements to be fixed by arbit• rators which being done the citizens are to be removed from the reservation. It is supposed that all this will

be effected by the 1st ofma next January. /"Post Surgeon's Returns", October 1871./ The Indian Bureau had apparently forwarded Wham's claim that whiskey was being sold on the Republican to the Department of the Platte, who forwarded it to Fort McPherson. General Carr answered: Hfla dquarters Fort McPherson, Neb. /Thursday,/ November 23, 1871

Respectfully returned. On the 2811 of September, 1871, the Commander of this Post sent an expedition to inquire into the matter, which had already been brought to his attention. The expedition returned October 2, 1871, having found nothing. I enclose a copy of arder directing the movement, and report of officer in command. It is evident that the information on whica Agent Wham 1871 - 44

makes his report was given at about the same time as that on which the Commander of this Post acted without suggestion from the Indian Bureau. In this communication, I feel it a duty to remark that I know of no law which would authorize the expulsion of any white men from any Indian camp in the State of Nebraska, unless such camp should be on an Indian Reservation. I ob• serve that in the endorsements on this paper neither the Honorable the Secretary of War, the Lieutenant General Commanding the Military Division of the Missouri, nor the Commanding General of this Department, order such action. From general rumor, I feel confident that whisky, arms and ammunition are being sold to the Indians now on the headwaters of the Republican, and I think it highly probable that collisions will soon take place between them and the settlers. But I do not see how the Commander of this Post could act with effect, either legally, or illegally, and I therefore return these papers. E. A. Carr Major 3rd Cavalry Commanding /"Whetstone Agency./ Carr's communication was returned to Fort McPherson with the following endorsement from the Department of the Platte: Headqrs. Dept. of the Platte Omaha, Neb. /Wednesday,/ Nov. 29, 1871 Respectfully returned to the Commanding Officer, Fort McPherson, Neb. who will ascertain more definitely in regard 1871 - 45

to the rumors spoken of by Major Carr. He will send Mr. Moran to the Indian camps to ascertain whether any irregularities of this kind are being practiced, and will then report the result of the investigation. By Command of Brig. Gen. Augur Geo. D. Ruggles Asst. Adjt. Genl. /~./ But Rajor Carr and the Fifth Cavalry were gone by the time his letter was returned--perhaps that explains for part of his bruskness. After being at Fort McPherson only a year and a half, the Fifth Cav• alry was transferred to Arizona Territory. Their last month in Nebraska gave them memories for their time in the desert regions, for Dr. Elbrey reported:

The severity of the weather during this month and the snow storms that have prevailed are unprededented forming a striking contrast with the character of the month.the previous year. The postal service has been often interupted. /"Post Surgeon's Returns", November 1871./ In spite of the weather, health at the post had remained good. Dr. Elbrey noted, however, that once the new troops arrived, he ex-

, pected an upsurge in sickness due to climate change. Company Et Second Cavalry, arrived on the 23rd of November, to man the fort until the rest of the regiment arrived, while Company K arrived three days later to take over North Platte Station. The Fifth Cavalry departed on the 27th, four days after Carr wrote his letter, leaving behind a detachment to care for their horses, until the sei:,nd arrived. If 1871 - 46

the departing troopers thought sadly of Fort McPherson, it was prob• ably due to the horses they left behind, rather than any love of the post and the region itself, though they might miss the excitement of the buffalo hunt, once they reached their new station. Company A, 9th Infantry, also took up temporary station at the fort, and Captain William H. Jordan, 9th Infantry, served as commanding officer until the Second Cavalry arrived in January. The command till then con• sisted of seven officers and 155 enlisted men. /Ibid., and "Post Returns", Nove11rb~r and December 1871./ But the problems of the Brule and the traders was not yet over. JO,-l'B. Park, an experienced surveyor on the frontier and now a resi• dent of Northftlatte, wrote to u.s. Senator Phineas w. Hithcock of recent events.atxtlax Though Yates had been removed by cffieral Walker, he was still traveling with Pawnee Killers band of Cut-off Oglala. North Platte Nebraska /Thursday,/ November 29th 1871 Hon P. w. Httchcock Dear Genl: I write you with ~view of calling the attention of the Indian Dept. to this fact. On the Republican river a!ut 65 miles Southwest from here is a party of cut off Ogalalla

Sioux, 120 lodges, of which Pawnee Killer claims to .be chief, but who have no real Chief. Under Mr. Whams juris• diction, a young man by the name of Yates, was employed to go with them, as a Special Sub-Agt. About ten days ago, Yates accompanied by Pawnee-Killer, and a dozen other Indians came to town and remained Several days. Yates drinking and playing cards and the Indians roaming about 1871 - 47

town, part of the time drunk, to the terror of the inhab• itants. Pawnee Killer complained to me that his men were getting liquor, and that Yates would not help take care of them, which I have the best reasons to believe to be true. Three days ago, Yates left with the Indiana for camp. Yesterday he returned without them, and is here now, without any apparent reason or business. To day two of Todd Randalls men came in from Spotted Tails Camp and report a part of the Ogalallas 30 miles South of here and very discontented be• cause Yates did not Kmmax~anxxE1&tx•t•x1x does not Stay with them. Pawnee Killer told them that if Yates did not come back immediately the Ogalallas would come to North Platte. I Know from a talk Pawnee Killer had with me, that they have not the slightest confidence in Yates, and that, on account of age and habits he is a very unsafe man to be with them. Although it is none of my business except for the general welfare of the Indians as well as white people, I am frank to say I believe this man Should be removed and a good man who understands !he Indians, their needs, manners and customs, and who can talk their language understandingly, Should be put in his place immediately, with a view of con• ciliating them, and keeping them within due bounds.· The best man I know of for this duty wouldbe Leon Palardy, who is now with Todd Randall in Spotted Tails Camp, and who I think would Serve the Govt, to better effect with the ogalallas. They all have Known him for many years, and have the fullest confidence in him. He acted as interpreter when Spotted Tail had a con- 1871 - 48

ference with Genl. Walker here a few weeks ago. I presume the GE=>n. will remember him. He is Said to be the best interpreter in the Dept. I Submit these remarks on my own responsibility, from a close observation of matters here and believe it to be best for the Govt. and its wards. I am Gen. Very Truly &c J B Park I heard from Spotted Tails camp to day. They /are/ all right, but loosing Stock on account of the Severe Storma The following clipping, enclosed by Park with his letter, was probably from the North Platte Demo~: Pawnee Killer, one of the Ogalalla Chiefs paid us a visit last evening, and made some statements that do not reflect much credit upon certain parties in town who it seems have been trying to.prejudice the Indians against the system of trade adopted by the u.s. Government. It is supposed that the authorities at Washington know the best policy to be pursued in the management of these wards of the Government, and any efforts on the part of citizens to.incite them to rebel against these regulations, and create among them discontent and jealousy, will not be re-ceived with much favor by the Hon. Commistioner of Indian affairs or the people generally. Pawnee Killer also complained that his men had, while in town, been furnished whiskey by parties he mentioned, and appeared very much agrieved about that. It is to be hoped (but not very probable,) that these parties do not understand 1871 - 49

the law with regard to furnishing Indians with liquor, and that the Indians are proper witnesses against them. To have a number of drunken ·ndians roaming through town would not be very agreeable to the citizens, to say noth• ing of danger that might occur from the effects of liquor among them. The Sub-Agents understand their duty, and it is expected they will perform it, and keep the Indians away from the white settlements. If they do not, they had better be looking for a successor that will. /Ibid./ fJAJ" Edward Morin sent to the Republican by. Captaifi Jordan, the temporary commander of Fort McPherson, as sug• gested by General Ruggles. He returned with a note from Todd Ran• dall, denying al. of the allegations: Big Timber, Republican River /Sunday,/ December 10, 1871 Commanding Officer Fort McPherson, Sir, Your messenger Mr. Moran informs me that Whiskey has been traded in the Indian Camps on the Republican River. Sir, I can inform you it is not the case. There has not been any whiskey traded to the Indians since I have been with them, in case there are any person or persons found in the Country with Whiskey or any unlawful Trade, I will inform you immediately. Yo\Ar e Sly. Todd Randall U. s. Sub Agt

Captain Jordan forwarded Randall's note, along with the results of his conversations with Morini 1871 - 50

Head Qrs. Fort McPherson, Neb. /Saturday,/ Dec. 15, 1871 Respectfully returned to Headquarters Department of the Platte, with the information that Mr. Moran, Interpreter returned to this post from the camp of Spotted Tail's band

of Brule Stoux on the head\faters or the Republican, the 1411

inst. having left here on the 611 inst. under instructions to visit all the indian camps referred to within.

He reports after a careful investigation that there is no truth whatever in the rumors that whisky, arms or ammu• nition have bean sold to these indians by any person. Owing to the severe weather and great depth of snow, he was unable to reach the Camp of Red Clouds band of Ogallala Sioux, but that he saw two indians belonging to this band, and they informed him that there had not been any unlawful trading with Red Clouds band at all. I have been informed by persons who know of what they speak, that the laws and regulations of the indian camps on the head~aters or the Republican river strictly prohibit the selling of liquor, arms or ammunition to members of their bands, and I am fully satisfied that these laws are not vio•

lated at all, and that no irregularities of the kind have been practiced. Enclosed please find copy of a letter from Mr. T. Ran• dall, Sub-Agent of the Brule Sioux on the subject. Wm. H. Jordan Captain 9" Infantry, Commanding. /ills!./ 1871 - 5•

Dr. Elbrey•s report closed out the year:

The citizens heretofore refeired to which have for a long time resided on the reservation are now preparing

to leave the reservation. They c La Lme d priority of o ccu-.

-~ation but the matt~r h~s been adjust~d by payilierit of them

the arbitrated sum for their improvements.

The policiing of the post has been interferred with during the month by the severity of the weather and

the Lnade quat.e numl)er. of men at the _post •. All improvements have stopped.

The health of the command is very good. A considerable number of cases of frostbite have occured but none of a

serious nature. /11Post Surgeon's Returns", De cembe r 1871./ But as the year was drawing to a close, an important event loomed· on the horizon. That was the visit of the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia to the United States. Fo~~ as his visit progressed, it appeared that his tour of the United States would include at least one buffalo hunt. General Philip H. Sheridan was involved in the planning of the tour, and he had been treated royally at Fort McPherson in September. The

North Platte Democrat in early December announced what had been but a rumor: It has now oeen definitely aacer-t aa ne d that the

Grant Duke, accompanied by General Sheridan, Mr. Catacazy, • the Russian Minister Plenipotentiary to this country, and

a score of dist'nguisaed c L't Lzene of the United. States1 will I artive at North Platte in the course ot·two we~ks •

. The programme so far as we learn it·, i~ this: . Th·e whole party to come to North Platte~ and be j6ined at 1871 - ,t.

this point by Mr. Cody and several military officers, then proceed to the Red Willow, south of here, and spend

three days in hunting buffalo and antelope. .. This will afford our royal visi to_rs an oppor~uni ty "to see the Great .American Plains and also to note what great agricultural resources.our conntry possesses. Madame Catacazy, who ia said to be the handsomest woman in the world, will also be a member of the party. /Reprinted

_ in, Omaha Weekly He r-a Ld, Wednesday, 13 _ Decembe r l871.1

- The&, Herald a 1 so ·edi tori.alized upon the upcoming event:

By yesterday's telegrams comes the news thatOmaha

is to be hoiored by the presence of a sprig of roy~lty from the great Empire of Russia. We are glad of this, · for many reasons, and there can be no stronger one than

the uniform friendship and good feeling which existed between Russia and the United States from the formation

of the Fp,deral Government •••• We shall most cordially welcome the Grant Duke to Omaha, and hope that his visit to the "home of the Buffalo"

will be both pleasant and instructive. He could not find

himself in better company for such an excursiou than that of the.gallant I5HIL. SHERIDAN; /Ibid./

But the two weeks came and went, and the trip to the West was delayed, perhaps because Fort McPherson was so poorly manned that it would not seem an appropriate pla.ce to entertain so exaulted a guesto