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Show They believed the threats of being sent to jsil and of being hung were true, ltnd they saw no trick in Manning's instructions, given in their hearing, to shoot their horses if they tried to get away. In an interviev with Constable Manning he was asked why he did not tie the Indians on theirhorses anJ thus effectively prevent their escape. He said i n r e p l ~ : "The trailwas a dangerous one and if a horse fell the Indian tied on might get hurt and I would have been censured." Asked vhy it was necessary to kill the escaping prisoner8 when he knew their names and addresses and conld hws subsequently obtained his prisoners by going to the Fort Hall Agency for them, he said: "The agent would probably refuae to give up the Indians if any demand were made for them." From Mr. MsnniugI learned that none of the horses of the escaping party of Indians were shot, notwithstanding his order, hut that at least six Indians were hit by.bul-lets. Of these, Timeha, en old man, was killed; Nimits, a boy of about 20, waa wounded 80 that he could not esoap, and the others got away. Constable Manning said to me: "The old Indian was killed ahbout 200 yards from the trail. He was shot ia the back and bled to death. Ha would have been aoqoitted had he come in and stood his trial, for he wae en old man, almost blind, apd his gnn was not fit to kill nnxthing." When the body of this old, sink, blind man was found after lying unburied in the woods far abobont twenty days it was found he had been shot four times in the back. The boy, Nemits, who was wounded, was shot through the body and arm. He was left on the ground where the shooting occurred,-and remained there, living on some dried meat for ten days. He orawled for three nights to reach s, ranch of a man friendly to Indians, and was seventeen days without medioal attendance. The whole affair was, I believe, a premeditated and prearrenged plan to kill some Indians and thus stir np suffioient trouble to subsequently get United States troops into the region and ultimately hme the Indians shut out from Jxokaons Hole. The plan was suaeessfully carried out and the desired results obtained. It would, how-ever, be but sn aat of simple justice to bring the men who murdered the Indian, Timega, to trial. I would state, however, in this conneotion that there are no officials in JmksonsHol+county, State,or national-who would holdany of Manning'sposse for trial. Either the suti-Indian proolivities of these officials or the fear of opposing the dominating sentiment of the community on this question would lead them to discharge all of these menshould they be brought before them for shearing. August 19, 1895, Agent Teter telegraphed tbis office as follows: Bannook Indians are very sullen and very much dissatisfied. Have recently had several brawls with whites, and if another Indian is killed an outbreak is liable to occur; md I will advise as a preoautiouary measure that soldiers be stationed on reservation until Indi8nsquiet down. Signalfires have heenburning on the highest points of the reservation for several nights. Your telegram promising Indians increased rations andemployment did not pleoate tham. They still demand privilege of hunting. The War Department was thereupon advised of this information, which was transmitted to Brigadier-General Doppinger, who stationed a small military force on the reservation, to remain until the Indians become quieted down. On August 26,1895, the agent telegraphed: Consider it neceasery for purpose of allaying discontent mong Indians to send party of Indians into Jaeksons Hole to obtain their property held by settlerq and will request authority to have an employee accompany them, Answer. This was also submitted to the War Department for a,n opinion as to the advisability of allowing these Indians to go to the sceneof thelate . |
