THE OMAHA ILY BEE
/TWENTIETH YEAH. OMAHA , THURSDAY MORNING , JANUARY a isoi. NUMBER 2
SCALP TAKEN.
A Soldier's ' Dead Body Fonnd Near Pine
Hldge Horribly Mutilated ,
A MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM RED CLOUD.
Eo Bays Uc Will Oonto fn With A.11 His
Followers.
CHIEF LITTLE V/OUND HAS A MISSION ,
Ho Will Tell tlio Story of His People's
Wrongs in the Easti
WAR RECORDS OF THE MILITARY AGENTS.
Eighteen Companies of Mllltla 1'a-
trolllnf ? tlio Frontier Comment
on lliu Interview With Sec
retary Noble.
5 Ripen AciES'or , S. D. ( via Itushvlllo ,
Nob. ) , Jan. 7. [ Special Telegram to THIS
Bin.j : The mut instance of n soldier bolng
scalped or otherwise mutilated according to
the horrible cede of the Indians , came to-no-
tlco yesterday , Some scouts while patrolling
seven miles northwest of hero , cnmo'across
the dead and partly decomposed body of Von
Franschcttl of troop 8 , Seventh cavalry.
Franschetti was probably killed in tno heavy
Bklrmlnh that took place a week ago in the
vicinity of the Catholic mission. The dead
tfoldior had been scalped and otherwise muti-
In a manner too horrible for publica
tion. The remains wcro given a military
burial.
The hostiles have withdrawn Into a canyon
on ihO west side of White Clay creek , a point
eighteen miles from hero. They seem to
have relaxed in their intention of attacking
the agency for the time being. Such nt least
Is the report of spies and scouts sent from
\liorc , These reports will undoubtedly hold
military operations In nboynnco for a tlmo.
No ono can toll \vhat an hour may bring
forth.
The Indians hare at the agency to the nutnr
bcjof thirty or forty , headed by faithful and
oW American Horse , held a council
i Koycr and Cooper yesterday afternoon.
'I'ho point of the council was that they were
opposed to the idea of substituting army oltt-
cors for civilians as agents of the-Indian de
partment. The delegation was composed of
some of the most intelligent , best educated
and most civilized Indians on tbo reservation.
All is quiet hero this morning. Paymaster
Major Baker , who left Kushvlllo this morn
ing for the ugcucy with a wagon full ot
money to pay off the soldiers , is expected to
arrive nbout 2 p. m.
Some of the hostiles were seen leaving
their camp last night nnd making their way
over the country towards the various ngcu-
cles. Whether their errand signifies disinte
gration or nn effort to secures recruits Is not
yet known , though the scouts think the for
mer. Captain < E. P. Evans of the Fifth In
fantry has been put In charge of the surren
dered Indians wounded lu the late battlo. An
107 beeves was made this morning.
IfOltMt FJtOM 11KH CL.1WD.
113 Offers to Come laVltli All Hi *
Followers.
Rmais AaBNor , S. D. , ( via Rushvillo ,
) Jan. 7. [ Special Telegram to Tlic
The situation remains practically the
sainoas that of yesterday , with the exception
thnt the dlfllculty is ono day nearer settle
ment. What that sottlemout will bo no one
may tell. '
Couriers from among tbo hostiles repeat
tno announcement that nothing can arrest
bloodshed , while at headquarters hopes are
qjitertnlncd that the trouble will soon end in
vcnco. General Miles has not yet heard from
" me Head , Jack Ueil Cloud , Ho Dog and Llttlo
Hawk , who conferred with him on Monday
last , and returned to the hostllos. Ho expects
them tonight or early tomorrow. Iff they do
not como , then It Is probable that but llttlo
delay will take place before ho will take the
Held nftcr them.
Lnto this evening the general received
word from Red Cloud to the effect thnt ho
would como In tomorrow morning nnd bring
all the Indians ho could with him. The gen
eral thinks that Two Strike will accompany
lied Cloud nnd thnt they may bo followed by
all the other Indians. General Miles ro-
olved from Washington a telegram announc
ing the approval of his suggestion of putting
the agencies where the trouble exists under
military control. This will glvo the
oftlcors in charge authority 10O"
' exercise police rcgulitions in nny matter effecting
fd
fecting tbo peace , good order , conduct and
comfort of the Indians.
General Miles Is satisfied that this reform
will Inure to the benefit nnd happiness of the
Indians. Ho bases his opinion upon the rec
ord of the men whom ho has recommended
for the several positions nt the Tongao rlvor ,
Standing Uock , Rosebud , Choyciino river
ami Pine Kldgo agencies. The ofllcers and '
their records coltoinlzod nro as follow s :
Caplala Ewers , Fifth Infantry , success
fully handled over two thousand Indians , st
the close of the Sioux war and for four years tl
at Mandnn , protected their families and In
duced thorn to cultivate their fields and raise
largo herds of cattle ; Captain J. M , Leo of
thoTUnth Infantry , successfully managed the
Indians In Indian Territory In 18S3 and the
Bnn Carlos Indians in Arizona lu
1SS7 ; Captain T. E. Plorco , First
Infantry , served through the war ,
controlled the San Carlos Indians for years ,
built Irrigating ditches and Induced his
ishi
rtiargos to raise bountiful crops ; Captain
Eighth Infantry , had charge of tbo [
Indians in California. Ho is now sick , and
\ In his place Captain J. H. Hurst
jnw been appointed. Ills nucccss-
isid
ful experience was In Arizona and
Dultota. Captuln W , . Duughcrty , First
Infantry , had charge of the Indians tn Cali
fornia , \vbcro ho stood for their rights when
ever they were invaded. And all of these
men served during tlio wnr and the aggre
gate of their army life Is 140
years , They hnvo not yet been assigned to
their stations. General Miles believes , al
though ttic agents still retain their positions ,
these ofllcers will bo nblo to Improve the In-
( IItin not alone In aKrlciiltut.il and cducntlon.il
matters , but In cvcryllilugolso tending to his
advancement.
Mrs. Sykles , formerly superintendent of the
Indian schools nt this agency , has received
permission of General Miles to take Little
Wound to Chicago and the cast. The lady
hopes to have this warrior , who Is now
among the noslllcs , and was ono of the o
earliest disaffected , tell the story of the re
ported wrongs of his people. She
returned , only a few days njo ; from
Wu'ihlngton and bore a letter from the presl-
dent to General Miles on the strength of
which the request was granted. The lady
also bore recommendations from Dr. Jtlc-
Pherson and Dr. Uubsnulusof Chicago.
Yellow Hair , who was wounded on the 80th
ultimo , was brought Into the hospital today.
He endeavored to prevent the attack on Captain -
tain Jackson of the Seventh and got between
the two tiros. It Is not known whether ho
\vns struck by his own people or by the sol
diers ,
MeJical Inspector Bacho reports twenty-
llvo wounded Indians and fifteen soldiers in
the hospital.
General Colby of the state militia has
eighteen companies pat rolling the towns of
Valentino , Cody , Cordon , R'lshvlllo , Hay
Springs , Chadron , Crawford and Harrison ,
extending 150 miles along the western boun
dary of tuo Pine Uidgo nnl ( Rosebud agen
cies. The companies comprise TOO men ,
Buffalo Bill Is assistant to Oencal
Colby ana will arrive aj the agency tomorrow
to confer with General Miles. Colonel Baker
of Omaha and Major Comegys of Cheyenne
arrived today to pay the trooos In the Hold.
It will require SCO.OOO.
Coloaol Shutter , \vlio has been on sick
leave , returned tonight.
The interview with Secretary Noble of the
Interior department , regarding the reports of
alleged starvation of the Indians , published
Monday j , reached the agency this morning.
Among : other thlngs.tbo secretary is reported
to t have said that the story of starving
among r the Sioux was a pure fabilcatioti.
The treaty of 1S77 obliged -tho gov
ernment < , ho said , to furnish them with
a [ certain amount of food , clothing ,
Implements , horses , cattle , etc. , and until
they became self-supporting1. After ten
years , ho continues , during which tlroo the
government spent millions with n view of
placing the Indians on a self-supporting basis.
Members of cdngress very properly began to
inquire whether if , was the purpose of the
government to continue indefinitely and for
ever the ixilloy of feeding the Indians who
persisted In living iu idleness. They thought
it about tinio , said the secretary , to test
the ability of the Indians to support
thorasol es and so the appropriation had been
reduced $100,000. Not a very largo amount ,
the secretary considered , when compared I
with the vast sum which the usual appro
priation called for. Thereupon , con
tinues the secretory , the Indian began
to complain , but made no effort
toward feeding himself. The secretary ,
it Is reported sincerely regretted that the
recent action of the military had resulted In
oloodshed , and congratulated himself tbat
his department was in no
for It.
This Interview provoked general discussion
at the agency. THE BUB representa
tive investigated the .subject and dis
covered that , on the 7th of last
November , Secretary Noble of the Interior
department transmitted to the president n
letter from the agent at the Cheyenne river
agency , S. D. , dated the 29th of the preced
ing month , in which it Is stated that the
best means of preventing an outbreak
among the Indians , on account of
the ghost dances , would bo to take the lead
era of the dangerous clement out of the reach
of their followers and also , that the only ef
fective way to stop the dances at
that agency would bo to use the
military. In another letter dated No-
vcmbor 10 the secretary of the interior
transmitted to the president the report of
the special agent in charge of Rosebud agency ,
which sot forth that the Indians at that
place wore extremely dissatisfied nndtroublo- j
soito an account of religious nxcltomcut
( ghost dances ) , aggravated by al
most starvation ; that thcro was
'
but ono romcdv to apply , unless
the Indians wcro to bo permitted to control
the agency , and that was fora sufllcient force
of troops to bo sent to prevent an outbreak ,
which it was stated was imminent.
There were a numborof other letters trans
mitted to the president , by the
same official , referring to % other
.
agencies and disclosing a similar state of af-
fulrs , the result of which , it Is claimed , Is the
presence of the troops now in the field , In
the departments of the Plutto mid Dakota.
In view of thcso incts it is not understood ,
here how the secretary could give expression
to tlio views contained in the latest Inter-
views , unless ho had forgotten tbo sub
stances of the reports transmitted by him to
the president.
FlitKlt OX Tllll 1'ICKJKTS ,
All Attempt to Surprise Brooke's Com
mand Which Fulled.
PJSE Ruian AOENOV , S. D. ( vln Uushvillo ,
Neb , ) , JIMI. 7. A courier from the cantp on
Whlto Clay creek says no now developments
' have occurred at that point. All are anxiously
waiting for word to attack the liostllcs.
General Brooke and staff are encamped at
Wounded Knee , whiro they have established
headquarters of tha department of thoPlatto ,
The cordon of troops Is closing in around the
hostllcs in the valley of the Whlto Clay
creek. General Brooke has given instruc
tions to each commander ot troops In this vl-
clnlty to patrol the country from ono com-
maud to the other and sco that no party of
hostllcs escajKJs.
Late last night the camps wore aroused by
shots from the outlying pickets about
two miles from camp. Tho. pickets
ratio Into camp and tmld n b.md
of Indians tried to surprise them ,
shooting at them from behind a pile of rocks.
They Immediately returned tlio Urn. As the
night was dnrlc the number of Indians is not
known , but judging from the number of
shots fired they must have numbered at least
twenty. Two troops of cavalry were hur
ried out to the scene , but on tliolr arrival
thcra they could find no Indians. During the
firing ono of the pickets was wounded.
lieutenant Casey Klllo I.
PINK UtnoK Aocxor , S. D. , ( via Hushvlllo ,
Nob. , ) Jan. 7. [ Special Telegram to Tun
BEB. ] Lieutenant 13. W. Casey of the
Twenty-second infantry was killed last nlglit
during a skirmish within two mlloi of General
oral Brooke's camp by a Brulo squaw.
itti >
llo Carries Glioflt Shirting Unck to the
Hostile Cninp ,
PIVE HtnoB Aonvcv , S. D. ( via Nashville ,
Nob. ) , Jan. 7. [ Sfcclal Telegram to Tun
Iii : : . ] The very astonishing discovery has
been made , or claimed to have been made ,
that there nro nearly three thousand llvo
hundred Indians hero at the agency now.
The figures seem incredible . A mistake
must have been made somewhere. They
wcro \ given me this morning by Agent Koyer
In ' reply to inquiries ns to the number of
Indians hero ns Indicated by tlio issuing of
107 beeves toJay. These llgures were ob
tained principally by reports mnilo to the
ngcnt by the heads of families , Indians em
ployed nbout the agency. About nlno-
tcnthsof the .1,500 , are said to bo squnws
and children , principally children. The idea
has Impressed all of us steadily that tbcro
was an unusually largo number of children
hero and quite a largo number of squaws ,
but I think I state n fact when I say. that
none of us have for a moment supposed there
were nny such number as Just stated. . That
it Is , and nil along has been possible for
Indians of uncertain attitude concernlngtho
matter of pence and wnr , to slip In hero , ono
or two nt a time , either day or night and
spend as much tlmo as they please , is
a fact that has caused a largo amount of
comment and added very materially to the
cause for uneasiness.
No stronger proselyting power Is possessed
by any people or class in the world than that
of Indian over Indian , and it is right hero
that is found the cause for the unecrtainnoss
of these so called friondlies nt critical times.
The great stampede of n week ago last Mon
day night is attributable , to a very largo extent -
tent , to the effective work , that had been
going on up to that time , of hostile spies
who had been visiting the Indians
here , constantly , ever since the beginning of
this trouble. A departure of vitnl Import
ance then , tbat should have boon inaugur
ated weeks ago , but that la needed more than
over nt the present tlmo , Is n system ot the
strictest survcillnnce , whereby no Indian can
cnt r the agency camp without llrst being
thoroughly understood and vouched for by
some of' the older official members , of the
Indian police force. Agent Koycr cannot bo
expected to know all of the 5,700 Indians
accredited to this reservation , but
ho has a good sized force of
trusted , thoroughly well posted Indian
lieutenants , who undoubtedly do know nearly
every ono and who could spot the spies nnd
dangerous nilschiof makersat , a glance. The
arrest nnd ] atllng of some of those prying
hostiles would without a doubt put a gicat
check on this trouble making amount thojo
hero who are really disposed to bo poacablo ,
and would also result in a much smaller num
ber of the blood-letting hostiles sneaking inhere
hero , particularly on days when supplies are
Issued and taking back quantities' to swell
tlio commissary on the border of the bad
lands.
The appointment "under authority
from the president" of Captain
E. P. Ert-ers of the Fifth Infantry to take
general charge of the surrendered Indians ns
prisoners of war and arrange their camp
ground nnd draw rations for them trom
Agent Iloynr , is but ono of six or seven other
similar appointments around nt the various
agencies. From the highest oflloinl source I
have it that tins is purely a war-times move
for the solo purpose of giving the agents at
these reservations effected by the present
trouble the relief from the care of the cap
tured Indians , which is nn absolute neces
sity. These military appointees will ,
I am further informed , have nothing
whatever to do with the business of the
agency and in no wav partake of thq author
ity of nn Indian agent.
I was shown the oraer appointing Captain
Ewers and found the specification of his du
ties as I have given thorn.
It Is claimed that while .lack Hod Cloud
was in hero Monday night , on his peacq er
rand to General Miles , ho bought fifteen
yards of ghost shirting and took it back to
the hostile camp with him.
This Is but one of n thousand llttlo Inci
dents that show how the uecdlo of
the war compass n the camp of the
hostllcs Is wabbling.
Ono of the soldiers who and to do with the. ,
handling of the Indian dead after the battle
of .Wounded Knee stated , In the presence of
a number of people , including myself , last
night , that two out thrco of tb e Indians
whom they found dressed llko squaws were
discovered to bo bucks. The matter will un
doubtedly bo given , with other assertions In
connection with the battle , a thorough sift-
Ing. Should It Do found true , nnd I know of
no reason for doubting tho'soldlcr's ' asser
tion , the fact will make a material change lu
the general phase of that affair.
Anottcr surprise in the matter of the num
ber of Indians hero was given us this foio-
noon when nearly a thousand young bucks ,
nil well armed , put in appearance nt the beef
killing nnd , with a whoop , Joined In the bar
barous work which Commissioner T. J. Mor
gan , head of Indian affairs , is now putting
forth every effort to do away with. At least
two-thirds of these armed bucks came In dl-
rcct from the camp of the hostiles. 'W hen
they bad secured a good chunk of beef
and tied It to their saddles , they
flow back to their camp , some clghtosn miles
north. American Horse , the ono real chief
who sto d solid as n rock lor peace , order nnd
obedience , nil throughout this trouble gave
the young Ducks an excellent talk this mornIng -
Ing , when they had assembled for the beef
killing. Ho cited the fact that these who
had remained good and true to the govern
ment were being well fed and cared for.
nut ho told them that If they must fight tboy
should hnvo mallncss enough not to take their
families with them Into wnr thereby causing
the innocent to bo slaughtered.
Late this afternoon in response to an oflc-r
of 110 reward for the finding of the body of
Isnno Miller , an employe of the government
herder , the remains were speedily brought In
by an Indian of indefinable attitude. Uour.il
on the boards of a wagon , such as Is most
commonly used by graders for hauling dirt ,
and was fully exposed to the vluw of the
largo numbers oi squaws , Indian children
and gray haired Indians , whoso nature , in
stinct or whatever you please to call it ,
led them to bunt forth in laugh
ter at the corpse us though It
wcro a "Punch nnd Judy1' ' show. Never before -
fore In all my life have I been an oye-wlt-
ncss to so revolting a spectacle. It was tl'O '
first tlmo that I had over been convinced that
there Is something nbout the .distorted . re
mains of a white man , known to have been
robbed of life by Indians , that give * satisfac
tion to the average red man nu\l \ that fur
nishes him with a source * of gcnulno
hllnrltv. As they logkcdi upon the
mangled victim t > f thoH brothers
treachery , they laughed heartily , a
hundred times tnoro heartily than lliavoovcr
soon them laugh on nny other occasion sittco
my coining horo. eight weeks ago. There was
something awful in It , when considered as it
truly must bo , as nn Inborn trait or charac
teristic of the raco.
Miller came to his death at tlio hands of tin
Indian to whom ho had given up his only
bed , hislii't mcnlof victuals on many nn oc
casion. It wns late In the afternoon of
the bloody affair of Wounded Knee
the treacherous assassin nnd another
Indian mot Miller on the prairie. The former
said something about fight. Miller told Inui
that ho didn't want to light , particularly with
a man whom ho had thought enough of to
render any service In his power , and
Miller tossed him the only weapon
ho had , a revolver , but the
Indian hud Biilffed the blood of Wounded
Knco uattlc. It had sent him upon the war
path , and catching nnd cocking Miller's ' re
volver ho exclaimed : <
"You give mo load ns n'frlond , I glvo you
load ns an enemy , " and with'this ' shot Miller
squarely In the "forehead. This treacherous
slayer of Isnac Miller Is known , nnd if ho is
not kilted in battle before peace is restored ,
ho will undoubtedly swing'from a govern
ment scaffold , as he no thoroughly deserves.
The slayer of Miller bid a companion ,
but whether the latter was an ac
complice is something yet to ho proved.
One thing Is true , however , that Miller was
not only shot , but had bis hoatl beaten almost
out of "semblance to the head of a human
being. m
The wounded soldiers who still remain
here , being these who are in tlio most critical
condition , are nil doing well'nl though none
of them , perhaps , have passed the danger
point. As to tlic situation , It remains so far
as can boliscci-talncii , as critical nnd wholly
uncertain ns over , Wo are promised another
bogus Christ nfllictlon tomorraSv , in the per
son of John St. Clalr of Jlelrosc , Scotland ,
Ho arrived in Hushvillo toaay drunker than
a lord. It Is safe to 'assert ' that ho
will remain hero enl so long
n time ns h required for htnvfo make the ac
quaintance of the too of AgentKo.ver's ofllclal
boot. |
There Is a rumor hero tonight which seems
to cmlnuto from ofllcial circles , to the effect
that Commander Morgan of jtkd department
at Washington has resigned.n
The. . Philadelphia Ledger Compli
ments The ( Ice's Representative.
Referring to TUB Dii'stnagnlliccnt : ro-
oorts from the Indian countr.Vt.tho Philadel-
hla Ludgjr , ono of the raijst ! conservative
pr.pcrs in the country , says ; . ,
"Since the Crimean war ditrnonstratod the
possibilities of war correspondents , sotro of
these reporters of events have made nlmost
as much fame as the generals whoso deeds
they criticised. The Indian1 War near the
Pine Hidge ngencj ; hasdovcktptd another war
correspondent , as yet unknown to fame , who
deserves honorable mention ) Ho writes for
which papier has been the
chief source of Information ; respecting the
movements of the Indians. Tim Bun corro-
suondent differs from moW famous war
chroniclers in that ho slinplfl relates facts as
be | sees or hears thorn and Ici cs criticism to
others. Ho has been romarki | ly accurate in
his f tatomcnts.thoughsomotUiips twenty-four
hours ahead of govcrntnontfreports , and bo
deserves honorable mcntloq'vlor keeping n
cool head and sticking to'c sjustoad of
glorifying himself af Lcwtii J . uol f
war correspondents. "
FH.tlt .lAOr/fJBK FfGllT.
The Militiamen licln Sent North of
the Itnllrond Towns.
Rusiiviu.n , Nob. , Jan. 7. [ Special Tele
gram to Tin : CKE.J CompaalesD nad E of
the First Infantry , regulnrs , that arrived
hero from the west last night were hurried to
the agency this morning early. There is
every indication that n great fight is close at
hand and from the unusual activity in army
circles it would seem us if some fears nro en
tertained that such an engagement will
occur before the army Is fully
ready for it. ftushvillo being the nearest
railroad town to the agency , as well ns the
base of supplies both for the army and Indian
service. The ofllcers of thqNational guard
who arrived this morning have established
headquarters hcio , and the movement of the
militia now on the frontier will bo directed
irom this point. General Colby and
bis stuff. Colonel Cody nnd others
have comfortable quarters , and 1m vo
bcon extremely busy all morning disposing
of bodies ot militia so as to best secure the
protection of settlements. They have kindly
furnished your correspondent ; > vitn informa
tion thnt detachments of guards will be
thrown out from llvo to ton miles north of
the railroad towns mid In sycu other local
ities ns seem most in tlaugerifbut there is not
enouch men to cover the cntiro field
exposed to the reservation. '
Company 1C from Central City , In charge
of Captain Hanson ; company H from Nelson ,
in charge of Captain II , W ( 3harp ; recruits
for company A from York , and detachments
of companies C , N "nU I , First
regiment , and O pf the Second
regiment , arrived last night , and this morn
ing. They have all gonointotemporarycamp
hero with tbo guards previously on hand before -
fore marching to the front , i
The government paymnateij arrived this
morning and with hli shokcl-wos escorted
to the ngoncy by a dotachinontof the Seventh
cavalry. A very much ooslor feeling pre
vails , not only in tlio towns but through the
country , and people are calling dawa Jjless-
ings UDOII the heads of these who are instru
mental ns well ns responsible for these meas
ures of protection to the life and property of
tbo hardy pioneer.
T1IK fXUfAX OVtetiTlOV.
Correspondence Kvp'nlhlntf tlio Al-
111 nlstrntlon'fi 1'iinltion.
Wt iuNiTOjf , Jan , 7. Correspondence wns
made nubile today explaining the position of
the administration on the ndlan question ,
The first document Is from , bo president to
the secretary of war undec i ate of October
31 , fofwardlng communicatlo is. from the sec
retary of the Interior regard ! ig tbqspread of.
the Messiah cr.izo. The prea dent directs tbo
secretary of war to causa u. | < ersonal Investi
gation to bo made by n difislon or depart
ment commander of the condition of things
among the Sioux and rcportjqulckly. In the
meantlmo tbo secretary ahfculd see that all
necessary precautions are taken to have the
troops In that vicinity prepared to co-operate
In the execution of , any orders that may be
adopted. The next is a letter from the pr csi
dent to the secretary of war under data of
November 13 , transmitting communications
from the secretary of tlio interior , commis
sioner of Indian affaire and agents at the
difforcnj , points relating to the disturbed con
dition of the Indians and giving instances In
which the authority of ; ho agents and Indian
police have been violently defied. ,
' Ttio sltuatlun seems to me , "
added the president , t'to ' bo serious , The
authority nnd discipline of the agents must
be maintained and adequate and early steps
taken to prevent any outbreaK that may nut
in peril the homos lu . adjacent states. You
will thoruforo assume the direction' and re
sponsibility for such steps as may bo neces
sary to these ends. You will 300. tbat the
troops whoso services will bo in requisition
la the case of an outbreak are In
& state of quick readiness to take nnd
[ CONTINUED ON cecoxo I'AOI.J
\rnTfiT\Tn P 'PYT'P
MT EXCIHNC SCENE ,
Independents Insist That El dor Shalt Pro-
sida Over tbo Joint Convention.
MEIKLEJOHN'S AUTHORITY DEFIED ,
His Order Tint tbo Returns Bo Opened
and Published Ignored ,
RECEDENT AND CUSTOM SET ASIDE.
An Effort to Have the Contest Referred tea
a Oommittjo of Fifteen ,
H OUR HOURS OF PANDEMDNIUM.
The I-ilontonnnt Governor Ho fuses to
Yield Ills Position and an Ad
journment Is Taken Until
Tills
LIXCOLV , Nob. , Jan. 7. [ Special Telegram
0 THIS BEK.J Both houses wera virtually
at a standstill up to neon. The dignified sen
ators were watting all morning for the rep-
cscntatlvcs to get ready for the all Import
ant Joint session. Early fn the day
ho ofllcUl announcement of this fact wns
inndo to the house. The .represent
atives wcro wr.iugling all morning over the
natter of scats. The great crowd
of spectators ilstonod nrausod. At
1 :4. : " , n committee of five was sent from
the house to thu senate to inform that body
thnt they were re.idy to confer with a similar
committee from the senate on the matter of
,
election returns and a message wss received
from the senate announcing thnt a similar
committee had boon appointed by that body.
The house then adjourned until 2:30. :
At the afternoon session of the bouso Mr.
Kruso of Kuox offered the following resolu
tion :
Itcsolvcd , That the Joint rules govcrnlnc
the senate and IIOIIMJ of tlio session of I Uljo
adopted , with tliu o.xceptlou of rule 15 , which
slmfl bo amended to read us follows : "Whim
there shnll bo a joint convention of thosuimlo
uiid hotibc , tlio procccdliiKS shall bo entered at
luiiKth on the journal of each house , Thu
speaker of the liouso Hliall prcsldn over Midi
convention and the sourotury > ( tbo f-oiuilo
shall aot as clerk , assisted by tlio chief eloik
of the house. "
Tuylor moved the previous questlo n on the
adoption of the resolution , which wns
carried , nnd the resolution was linnlly
adopted , but not without vigorous opposition
on the part of the democrats. White of Cuss
refused to vote on the ground that tlio house
had no constitutional right to change the
rules pending the counting of thu vote Tor
stnto ofllccra.
Under a resolution by Schroder the follow
Ing j oflicers were elected : Mrs. E. AI. Ullles-
plo. postmistress ; IWss Jennie Can-others ,
assistant ; W. M. Brown , assistant door-
kooper.T ; , J. Young , mail carrier , Janitors
S. 13. Hughes , M. Murphy , M. T. Ward , S.
E. Keene , T. J. Honnlck. Assistant sergcaut-
at-arms , W. O. Dungan ; custodian of tbo
cloak room , E. M. Carr ; speaker's clerk , W.
II. IXilWn. Ten pages 'wero also elected ,
The committee on seats v reported that thij
iadcpcndchts'sliould'scloct seats' ontho'left
of the speaker , and Jho republicans nnd dem
ocrats on the right. The recommendation
wns adopted nnd a fifteen minute recess wns
taken to make the selection of seats.
The republican and democratic mom
burs of tlio house wore astounded
by Speaker Elder coolly announcing
during the session that there would bo no
discussion or jangles amongtho Independents
on the floor , and that their differences wo.uld
all bo settled in caucus.
Whlio all this was In progress In the house.
Lieutenant Governor Mloklcjohu surprised
the independent senators by a ruling that
somewhat upset their plans. Senator i'oyn-
tor of Boonc , moved that a committee of
three bo appointed consisting of Collins ,
Beck and Chrlstoffcrson , to confer with n
like committee of the house to set
a tlmo for canvassing the election returns.
The chnlr ruled the motion out of
order holding that no business would bo in
order until after the organization of the
house , as a conference of the Joint committee
took precedence of all other business , The
senate then adjourned till 2 o'clock p. m.
At 3 o'clock the house and senate went Into
Joint session for tno purpose of canvassing
the votes cast at the last general election.
As soon ns the two houses were fairly
seated in Joint convention it became evident
that trouble wns nt bund. The house him
Just amended tbo joint rules , providing that
tha speaker , and not tbo lieutenant governor ,
should preside over the Joint convention ,
when the senate was announced , and that
body had taken no action on the matter.
The lieutenant governor taking his position
unopposed , behind the speaker's desk , spoke
as follows :
"Gentlemen of tno Joint Convention Bj
virtue of the authority in mo vested as lieu
tenant governor of the stnto of Nobinska , I
now declare the house of representatives as
duly organized : that there Is now present a
majority of each house of the legislature , to
witness the opening and publishing of the returns
turns of the general election hold within niu
for tlio state of Nebraska , on the 4th day o :
November , 18'JO , of the votes cast for thi
members of the executive departments ant
proposed amendments. Mr. Speaker , you wll
now proceed in accordance with the constitu
lion to canvass the said yoto. "
Speaker Elder asked : "How will you have
the contest disposed off" [ Hisses. ]
Senator Stevens of Lincoln introduced the
following resolution :
Whorans , A contest for ccitaln state offices
is now pending ,
Itosolvcd , That the cnuntlnt ; and publishing
of tin ) votes be .suspended until thu contest la
decided In the manner prcacilbod by law ,
Kesolved , Tliiit tlio publication and an
nounclnxof the result or tlio vote shall not bi
construed as uU Ins any right to either con
tostantb or contesti'cs to the ruspootlvi
oil I ccs.
Itosolvcd , That there ho n special commit
tco of fifteen nix from the bonato mill nln
from thn house to whom all questions relut
Ing to tlieso contests shall bo referred , niu
who hliall hnvo lull power to send for person
and papers , nnd shall report to this body a
soon as pr.iutlciiblo.
John C. Watson arow nt this juncture nn <
proceeded , amid loud objections from hide
jxMulents. to make a point of order that sue !
a resolution could not bo entertained as I
would bo contrary to the constitution.
Speaker Elder proceeded to put the motto
on the adoption of the resolution , but I'rcs !
dent Meiklejohn , in a clear and distill ctvolco
stated that according both to tlio Joint rule
of the two houses and , by a usage running
back to twenty ope sessions , he was the Icgn
presiding ofllccr of the body and proposed t
so act.
This statement was received with lou
cheers by both democrats nnd republicans ,
Speaker Elder sat down , nroteitlng in
rather inaudible voice that ho was the presiding
siding ofllccr.
Confusion now broke loose nnd members on
nil sides called upon the speaker to "put the !
motions. " .
Quiet being comparatively restored
President Meiklojohn in a linn voice , quoting
the constitution and citing authorities for hi
action , sustained the point made by Watson
and declared that nothing would bo in ordo
spoaipt the opening of the returns by th
spoa tier and publishing the result of th
election.
Cheer after cheer from the excited am
Jubilant democrats rent the air at this an
nounccment.
Senator Stevens ( tnd ] of Lincoln count ,
nnvvuroso uud appealed from the
decision.
Mr , Meiklejohn , extending his hand , am
umidviklmost breathless silence , said : "
must hold that this being a plain and palpa-
bio violation of the constitution , thai )
ippcal will llo.
Pandemonium now rolpned supremo.
Senator Slovens at length demanded tit
ho gnllcrlcs bo cleared , but Whlto of Co is
ras on his feet In an Instant , Insisting th , ' ,
ho legislature could not sit with closed
loors. This demand had a salutoty effect
upon the crowd , and when the nolso abated
somewhat , PresidentMoiklojohn , turnlnpto
ho speaker said ! "Mr Speaker , 1 now ink
tint you proceed to open and publish the re-
.urns . of the last general election In accord-
nnco with the provisions of the constitution
of the state of Nebraska. "
Bpoakerllldoi' , ! ! ! replysnlil : "Noticehaving
icon served upon mo that a contest is pcnit-
ng In icgnrd to certain statOofllcers , Iileoliiia
o do so until so directed by this Joint conv on-
tlim "
Meiklojohn repeated the demand atnkl the
wild din rimed by tlio independents.
Taylor now moved to adjourn until 10
o'clock tomorrow , but tlio lieutenant-gov
ernor ruled that If this motion should carry
in his opinion this legislature could transact
10 legal business ,
t'atrlck Ford of Omaha now got tlio floor
and shouted that no adjournment coujd bo
taken , as they might keep on adjourning till
summer.
Spoaltor Elder by this tlmo hail recov
ered his breath , and at the demand of the in
dependents put Taylor's motion to adjourn
nnd declared It carried.
Still no indoDcndcnt moved from his sent.
John C. . Watson again got the floor-mid
nnJo n conciliatory speech , hoping tno mem
bers would not net like school boys or ward
bummers , but would remember that they
were sworn olllcors of the law , nnd bound by
their oath tooboy the constitution.
President Meiklejohn again demanded thnt
tbo speaker open the returns , and that ofllcer
proceeded to Oo so , when Attorney Lamb
rushed up nnd whispered in his car , nnd ho
immediately doslslod ,
Put Ford of Om ihn acnln got the floor and
demanded what the prohibition lawyer was
doing with the returns , mid why ho was
coaching the speaker.
Speaker Klilor braced up aenin and put the
Stevens resolution and declared It carried.
Republicans nnd democrats abstained from
voting. The resolution was now read by
Assistant Cleric Holdcn , nnd It looked as If
the independents had carried the point , but
President Meiklejohn declared the motion
had not been entertained and again de
manded that the speaker proceed with hib
duty.
Sneaker Kldor now read a list of members
making the committee of Jlftcen wiled for by
the Stevens rcoolutlon , nnd tno members
named , with Stevens at their head , came for
ward , and fora momoiit it looked ns If they
would carry away the returns and other pa
pers , but wiser counsel prevailed. Tom
Cooke was observed standing near the
speaker , and some independent called atten
tion to tbo matter nnd stated that Cooke
might nniko aivnv with the papers. Speaker
Elder declared that Cooke could not getaway
with tlio papers so long as ho was there , anil
ho would ilcfond thorn with his life , which
provoked roars of laughter.
Senator Stevens now nindo an Impassioned
speech , disclaiming on the pnrt of. Uiaitulc-
pcndcnts'anv desire to violate the constitu
tion , but luslstliip that each member had trio
rlulit to construe thntlnstruincrit. For him
self he was answerable only to Ills own con
science.
Speaker Elder got in another speech , say
ing : ' 'My ( Jed , boys , settle this thing. I
am ready to go ahead when so directcil by
this joint convention. 1 have faced enemies
before and am notnfralrt now. "
Senator CtirlstolTerson of Douglas now got
the floor and proceeded to talk against time ,
reviewing the whole situation and declaring
that Boyd should lirst bo seated , and then
the content opened in regular form , citing
authorities to sustain his position. Ho was
subjected to a merciless lire from the Inde
pendents.
Stevens ( ind ) of Furnas made a lengthy
spocph , insisting that the farmers had n right
to put their own construction upon the con-
stltutioiif nnd should not allow themselves to
dtovcns ( tnd. ) of Filmoro spoke In thosamo
strain
Motion after motion to adjourn was nut bv
the speaker and declared tarried , but still
tdo Independents held their seats.
Kruso of Knox rushed up to the clerk's
desk , demanding that the speaker should put
their motions , and dolled the lieutenant gov-
crno'r , who threatened to put him under ar
rest.
During n lull in the proceedings an assist
ant scrceant-at-nrms demanded of the presi
dent whether they wcro bound to obey his
orders , and was nnsweiea , "As long as I am
presiding officer I think I have the power to
control the employes of this bodv. "
Dut still bis orders wore disobeyed. Mc
Kesson ( rop.l of Lancaster finally got the
floor nnd snid , "If It were notforthc presence
of some two by four lawyers ( referring to
Lamb , Allen and Stilclcler ) this wrangle
would never have occuired. "
President Moihlejohu now turned to Speak
er Elder nnd sternly said :
' As presiding ofllccr of this joint conven
tion , I again demand that you proceed to per
form your duty. Will you open thu returns ,
count the ballots and publish the result ac
cording to the constitution yon hnvo sworn to
support ! "
Again SpeakerEldorafllrmed that ho would
leave the matter to the convention , and was
answered by a ringing cheer from the indo-
pcndcnU.
Dunn ( ind ) of Colfax nhoutcd out , "Let us
drop both Boyd nnd Powers and putlliclmrtls
in for governor , " which put Doth sides in
comparatively good humor.
Christofforsou disclaimed having any ani
mosity towards 1'oweis , but hintsd that n
third party ( meaniiiB Thnycr ) . unless nil tlio
forms of law were complied with , would use
thli as a pretext to sol the ofllce.
Tha motion to adjourn being nirnln pressed ,
the president said thnt as the seal hud been
broken nothing was in order but to open uud
complete the count.
Elder shouted out that tlio package was
not scaled ; that ho had only untied the
string , which again brought down the houso.
The "motion to adjourn , coupled with a proviso
vise that the returns should remain in the
possession of the sneaker , was renewed.
This frightened Elder , who cried out , " 1
don't think these returns should go out ol
this cnpitol. I don't ' want to take them to my
room down town and try a.ud protect them.
You huvo a governor and supreme court , nn < !
a secretary ofstato , who uavotho bafos , aiu
lot thorn keep the returns. I call upon you to
protect mo. "
A motion that the speaker and lieutenant
governor should jointly act as custodians was
met with a flat refusal by 1'rcsiaent Alelklo-
John.After
After four hours of Incessant jangling , botn
sides being worn out , Mr. Wutson , through
Church Howe , oll'cred the following :
Itosnlvcd. Tlmtthls convention take a roeo ° s
until luo'clock tomoriow , and thu returns In
placed In tlio custody of the sccietury o
bttttU.
1'rosldeiit Mollilojolm called in vain upon
the clerks to read the resolution. Finding
that thwy would not do so , ho read the rmolu
tlon himself and put tlio motion , which car
nod unanimously.
Church Howe then nroso nnd stated that i
wns rumored on the floor that the returns hud
been tampered with , and that the ballots
from ono countv hail ben abstracted.
This brought KUler to his foot , who
hastened to assure the convention that he
hnd kept the returns unilor Mi ojo nil the
time , and hat the rumor was absolutely
without any foundation.
Secretary Cowdery at length appcnredtool ,
charge of the rotmns , mid tbo members and
vast uudionco poured out of the capital build
Ing.Thus
Thus ended the first day's contest invlia
promises to bo the most exciting polltloa
struggle In the history of thu stnto , Tlio in
dependents are no\v \ in caucus , and under th
ndvlco of their attorneys will probably sel-
control ot .bo Joint convention tomorrow nnd
oust the Houtcmxiit governor from his right
ful position as president. The fooling on
both sides in Intense , and many predict tha
open violence may yet follow ,
In the morning the battle will bo renewed
and whnt tha outcome may bo ib beyond coti
Jocturo ,
Mokljohii'H < Hack bone.
Ltscoi.v , > fe.b. , Jan. 7 , - [ Special to Tut-
BKK , | The Ihdopenuonts wcro bully out-
gcncralid toiay by the bjld and gritty
Melklejobii , lieutenant governor. Wlicn In
replied to the appeal of Senator Stevens , tnu
J from so plain a construction of the constltu <
I tlon an appo.nl will not llo , ho struck th *
toy note of the situation , anil bv on
mster stroke practically settled the 'wbol
controversy , Had tlio senator from Lincoln
iroccedoil to put his own appeal , as many ox
xvtod ho would do , thosltuntlotuould'tmv *
HYomo very serious Indeed. Mclhlololm held
us plnco , and every tinio the speaker put n
lucstioti ho declared thoquestlon not carried ,
"nt tlioitgh every ofllccr nnd clerk was
ignlnat him his decisions ucro finally ac
cepted.
'llio pnrlliuneiitnry skill of John C.
\\iitbon never came in hotter plar
ami the masterly initmigeiiioiit of thu case bv
JhrlstolTerson won the adtnlratlou of oven
.ho Independents.
At ono time It looked M If Lieutenant Oov-
jnior Mi'lklojolm would bo removed by force.
Kcproseiitatlvo Sehrooder wo\cd down . the
ilslo and faced the ollleer , declaring that they
lid not leeognho hltn , ami callinir upon tha
speaker to put his motions. Kru.su of Knox
walked up to the clerk's doalrand would not
sit down. An nssistnnt norijoaiit-nt-nriiis
openly defied the presiding ofllcor , and the
sergcnnt-nt-nrins of the senate did not put la
an nppcnrniico ,
A motion toailjnurn at 5 o'clock wns put
lytlio spc.iUcriiiul declaicd carried-no re-
iiibllcnns or democrats votlng-but still the
ncinbcw remained , hold In-their places by
.bo firm and resolute conduct of the presld-
lie ofllccr.
Senator Clirlstoffcrson at length obtained
.ho lloornnd spoke for ncnrlv nn hour on the
ncrlts of the case. Cluncli Howe finally In-
irmliiccda resolution , providing tlintn recess
should bo taken , anil the president ruled this
notion In ardor. The clerks of both homo
Hint senate refused to obey the1 order of the
ircsldent , and Lieutenant Ciovcrnur Melklo-
ohn rend the ivholiitlon himself , and tlio
notion carried with no opposition.
A MiulminiH Served on lOldcr.
LIXCOI.V , Is'ub. , Jan. 7. [ Special Ti'legrnni
c Tun BKI : . ] A inamlauiin , Issued on
petition of State Auditor Uoiiton , has been
suh-ed on Speaker Uldcr , roqulriiig him to
iroroud with the counting nnd publishing of
.ho returns ns required by the constitution.
It Is rumored that the indcpendcnt-H In caucus
Iccliled to Ignore the writ , anil ugly rumors
arc afloat to the effect thnt they will deny nd-
nh'slon ' to President Meiklejohn to the' hall
of the house tomorrow , or roftiso to rccog-
ilzohlmas president of the joint convention.
N"otrs
Patrick Ford of Omtihnhns undertaken the
ob of coaching Speaker Kldor.
Chaplain DilTeii bachor otllcintcd from the
clerk's desk for the llr.sl tlmo this imnning ,
Thu capital Is literally overrun \\lth boys
and girls , all expecting to bo appointed pages.
Speaker 131der is proving to be n natural
iiimorlst , and bis humor crops out on all oc
casions ,
Jt looks now as if all Important legislation
will uovdctermlncd In tlio secret caucus of the
ndependents.
Put Ford of Douglas amused himself all
morning by puz/.linglho speaker on parlia
mentary points ,
Church Ilown has finally been recognized.
Speaker llldrrappointed him a member of
thn committee to arrange for the drawing of
cats.
Sneaker Elder , Chief Clerk Johnson and
Assistants llnlilen and lilgolow appeared be
fore Chief Justice. Cobb this morning nnd
took tbo oath of of1U'i > .
CSood nnturcd Tom Cooke Is provlnp in-
vnluablo to the independents iu the organba-
tion of tbo houso. They lliul it almost im
possible to dispense with his services.
At their caucus last night nnd' this mom-
ing tlio independents derided to wnivo tbo
canvass of thovotcon the fctnte oOli-ors mid
refer tbo contest to a joint committee of fif
teen ,
AVhlla a motion to appoint throe from each
party to provide for drawing seate was po d-
{ rtgtho lnq'ulry , r'How ' munyii parties -ai" ,
represented heraj" wns 'raised nrtd the
speaker icplicd , "Thcro hadn't ought to bo
any,1' , which provoked a roar.
There nro only .seven lawyers in the house
three republicans mid four democrats. The
republican members nro Church Howe , John
C. Watson , nnd Cornish of Lancaster. The
doinocrnts are Dreen , Bcrtnitul , Capek mid
Felker , all of Omaha. There is not n slnglo
lawyer among the Independents.
Burrows is working might nnd iraln to
have the legislature exclude nil daily piipois
from both houses. The republicans nnd
democrats declare tbat Durrows will run
iiL'.ilnst nsnag Ir ho attempts to force the
Independents 10carry this through , llopro-
senlatlvo Watson will champion tlio cause Of
tno dally papers.
TlIJi KA\S.tS SJK.\.lTOItSlllI\
tVn Interostliin hotter I'lihlinhcd In
tlio Alllnuoo Orir'in. '
TOPBKA , Ivan , .fan. 7. The Alliance Advocate -
cato , the organ of the ICatisas state farmers'
nlllnnco , In to-dav's Issue published n letter
from Congressman F. .T. Turner of Kansas to
Frank IcGrath , president of 'tho Kansas
farmers' alliance , la connection with the
pptidinc senatorial contest. Tlio letter has
created considerable of a sensation in political
circles. The following excerpts nro
taken from It , "Ingnlls will
tr.v to force bis election or drive nlllnnco men
Into a caucus to Agree upon their man in
order to force the election of an alliance manse
so ho can oirry the party down with him.
Have just received n letter from Furwoll nt
Oshorn nnd be says their representative does
not llko the nlllnnco candidate and would
vote for some good republican , but not for
Iniralls. Fnrwell wants to know If I want
his vote : thinks it can bo hud. I snw Squ
alor Berry 01 Marshall horn yesterday. Ho
19 positively opposed to Inpnlh , but will
vote for him if thcro Is no other re-
publican. Judge Perkins asked mo to
talk to him in- his ( Perkins1) ) Interests and
I did so. I told him to talk to
Senator Wilson of Hnys City , ns 7 thought
ho hit ns Barry did. I shall wnto Wilson
tonliiht nnd nslt him \vlint , lie thinks about
the possibility of my election. I hnvo no
money to spend In tbo light. If I succeed f
could and would put up000 , but It is dlfli-
cult to use it thnt way , yet you may have
some friends who would bo willing to tnko
sneh a osnnco. Noiv , T will leave tbowholo
matter with you nnd Wilson nnd
nblilo the results with contfliit. Un
less Ingills erots some nlllnnco votes
ho will go In witli Wwho will vote for him a
ronsnnablo number of times , but as soon M
thi'ir Instructions nro completed they will
leave him , Some of the alliance candidates
may expect to got some republican votes
when they leave Inwlls. That would keep
nil of them in the field. Codding thought he
could Ket the republican vote when ingalls
wns out of the way. Of course tlio alliance
caucus would name a man and a time to sol-
tie It. "
Tills letter came to Mrfirnth's ofilco with
other correspondence and was opened by his
confidential clerk , who turned It nvor to
ChnlrmatiChaso of the alliance legislative
committee , Copies were miulo of tbo letter
and the original was turned over to Me-
Ornth , The alllancn leaders then asked Mo-
Grain to glvo tlio Ic.ttor to tbo publlp and
clear himself of any suspicion which might
attach to the proposition contained In It. Ho
refused to irlvu tlio letter tn Clinlrinnn Cnnsa
for publicity , knowing nothing of thocopls
having been mado. Olinso then tuuird ovr
his copy of the letter to the rdltorof the
Advocate , Accompanying the publica
tion is a note by the editor ,
Dr. McUlly , saying : ll\V o rou-ret the
position In which the publication of this Ict
tor plncostho picsidcat of the state nlllanra
nnd member of the executive ho.inl ( Cod
dingVo ) lcu\o them to mnlco such explana
tion ns they rnnv have to tnnlto Stories that
are mi founded In this IntcrcHtlng dccument
uro worthy of some consldorntlon at this
tlrni'Vaaxpccl thli publication to lend Ixj
other dcivclon-niontH , nhMi wo slmU elvo to
oil r render * an tlio plotunfolda. "
McUralh said tonUit that tbo alliance offl-
err * wcrent liberty to Inspect all his loiters.
II'MouHl unt pii'vrntpeonlo from wilting to
him. Further than this ho would no * tul'