OCR Text |
Show REPORT OF THE CO.\IMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAII18. 83 1 murders, and suppress lamlessness committed bn bodies of armed men," with whom he declared the Choctaw authorities mere unable to cope without terrible sar,rificeof life, and to be at Tushkahoma with Indian police and soldiers wl~eu the Choctaw council convenes in October." The agent having telegraphed Governor Jones' request to this office, it mas reported to the Departmeut September 13,1892, with the recom-mendation that 1' In view of the obligation of the United States to pro-tect the Choc t a~sfr om domestir, sti'ife and the magnitude of the crisis as described in Agent Bennett's telegram and the press dispa.tches * * ' the War Department be requested to issue the necessary orders by which a sufficient military forae of infantry and ea,valry can be made available for immediate service in assisting Agent Bennett, of the U~ ~ i oAng ency, in maintaining peace and order in the Choctaw Nation, if called upon by hi111 for SIIC~I ~eryice.~' On September 14, 1892, a telegram from Agent Bennett, who was at MeAlester, Ind. T., was received as folloms, vie: Most reliable reports show that more .th:~n 300 Choctaw Indians nro ill arms. I csma hare from Caddo last night and to-day nrrauged aud held, Indian police protect- I in,^ place, conference between nu;rrmed rapresentatives of oppos i~gfa ctions, Gover-nor Jones attending same. This oonferenae agreed to surrender it11 who partioipstted in recent murders to oonstitnted zuthoritieri for s. trial. Agreed all armed bodies should immedia,tely disband ant1 submit diferenoea to the law. This conference dispassionate and hilrmoninus sod representatives present will use every endeavor to oarry ou agreement, but eseiterneni intense. Have jnat reoeived telegram from Hartshorn asking aid; that 30 armed men now surround house Sheriff Perry, whose lifo they seek. I have dispatched runner on horseback to Perry's, 12 miles east. If ho reaches there in time Perry's life will be saved. If result of to-day's conferellen can reach people before commission of murders, I am sanguine temporary peaoe will prevail, but oonfarenoe to-day unanimous that my presenae at October council vith police and soldier8 absolrltely essential to preserve peaoe there. Auy apprehension shoved br Governor Jones and conservative men both factions that 4 I peace agreement to-day'8 conference will not reach and be nnderstood by people until fnrther overt acts (of) violence are committed precipitating more serious tron-ble and loss of lives. h5ilitary aid asked for 8hould.be made available. The sanieclay the following telegram was sent Agent Bennett by this office: On receipt of yonr first telegram yasterday office recommended that War Depart-ment have troops available for immediate aservioe when called upon by you. Your second telegram sent to Secretary thia morning. Will advise you what military offioers to call opon when this office is informed. Both telegrams were reported to the Department September 14,1892. The peace a.greement entered into between the opposing faotious of Chocta\vs September 13,1893, contained two important stipulations, via: First. That within tveuty-four hours, or by 12 o'clock noon of to-morrow, Sep-tember 14, 1892, esoh nud all of the persons who participated in the killing of Joe Hscklechubbie, Frauk Frazier, Elina Colbert, and Robison Nelson shall surrender to the constituted euthorities of tbe Choctaw Nation, to wit,to s. deputy sheriff or sheriffs, who shall he a member or members of the National party, said surrender |