Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 August 1883 — WESTERN. [ARTICLE]

WESTERN.

President Arthur remained at Fort Washakie one day. and held a council with the head men of the Arapahoe and Shoshone tribes of Indians. Propositions were made to the Indians looking io a complete change in their method of life, and a transfer of their control from the Interior to the War Department A correspondent of the Chicago Tribune, who witnessed the most notable council, telegraphs as follows: “Next to the President sat the great Chief of the Snakes, Washakie, and near by Black Coal, of the Arapahoes. The Secretary of War reclined on a cushion from an ambulance, a silent but interested spectator. Gen. Sheridan flitted about as one thoroughly accustomed to such scenes. Long before the time of convening the dusky . horde peered curiously at the powerful visitor, the squaws making many gestures of approbation of his stalwart form. When all was ready Chief Waskakie lit the peacepipe and handed it to the President The latter drew a short whiff and passed the pipe over to Chief Black Coal After the leaders had smoked to each other's eternal welfare Waskakie spoke. He assured the Great Father of his perpetual friendship, of his long-buried hatchet, and the industry of his tribe. He extended to his pale-face visitors the hospitality of the reservation, with its abundance of fish and game. The startling Indian policy of Gen. Sheridan was then presented to the tribe. He proposed to do away with all reservations as such, and Indian agencies and agents. In the piece of the lands thus taken the Government would issue bonds bearing interest the same as any other Government bonda These bonds would be issued in payment for all property lost, and the interest paid semiannually. Under this act the Indians would be obliged to take up homesteads and live on the interest of the bonds, and the product of the farms thus secured. The interest of the bonds would be payable at certain convenient forts by United States officials, in the same way as the army is paid. This would effectually release the Indians from the control of the Interior Department and place them absolutely at the mercy of the Department of War. There would be no agencies, but the citizens would be protected by existing lines of forts. • Gen. Sheridan claimed that nearly all the Indian troubles of the last few years have arisen through the corruption of Indian agents. Under his methpd the Indians would be held responsible as citizens, and would be liable to both civil and military law in the district in which they reside. He claimed that the Government would be benefited by the issuance of bonds, and the’ Indians would secure all that is due them under the present system. In fact, the latter would receive more than they do now, as so much is absorbed in passing through different hands. There was a great flurry in Indianapolis financial circles last week, caused by he embarrassment of the First National Bank and the Indiana Banking Company, both of which closed their doors. The former bank reopened within a few hours, a powerful syndicate coming to its aid. The stockholders decided to increase the capital stock by <400,000, the present owners of stock to double their amounts or sell out at 50 cents on the dollar, and the former plan obtaining with the majority. On this basis the institution was reorganized, with W. H. English as President. This arrangement resulted in a return of confidence in business circles, and merchants made their daily deposits. * News has been received at Rule valley of a terrible affair among the Shoshone

Indiana A buck murdered Ms squaw, breaking her lega and arms, and then buried her alive. The tribe took the murderer, tied his hands, on his back, and tied his feet to a tree. A rope was coiled about his neck, and stout bucks slowly pulled at each end tai he was choked to death. Twelve men Jost their lives by an accident in the Northern Pacific tunnel at Bozeman, Mont Three boys and a dog were killed by a thunderbolt near Lincoln, Neb. L. C. Watkins, charged with cattlestealing, waa taken from the Sheriff at Cannon City, CoL, and shot to death by an armed mob of cowboys Crop reports from Minnesota and Dakota Indicate that the grain yield will be greater than it has ever been before. In Southern Minnesota a splendid, harvest is promised- * The Wisconsin farmers are quite well satisfied with the prospects The grain and corn crops of Nebraska are excellent The reports from Michigan, Kansas and Arkansas, are also qjiite satisfactory. Adjutant General Drum has sent a circular to the Adjutant Generals of the Stated, inquiring If the militia could be mobilized within forty-eight hours, and will make report to Congress on the subject. A stage was stopped near Riverside, Arizona, by robbers, who killed the express mesymgar and-secured <3,200 in coin. Another stage was plundered near Prescott, but flSeßhount takerfW not known.