Doc Ch. 27

"I was sent here by Congress to look into the Indian situation. They feel after the Custer Massacre at the Little Bighorn something needs to be done about the Indians once and for all!"

As this was going on Charlie stood up and started throwing his weight around like a typical bully so I pulled my pistol on him and said. "I think you have something that belongs to me!"

"Mr. Manypenny appointed me Marshall now since you quit!"

"He doesn't have the authority to make such an appointment."

Manypenny then said "I was sent here by Congress so I do have the authority to appoint Charlie as a Marshal so he is the law, not you!"

"US Deputy Marshal's are appointed by the Justice Department not Congress. I have a good mind to throw you in jail for impersonating a Deputy Marshal. Since you have no authority to wear that badge. Manypenny can join you, there, as he had no authority to give you my badge.

"As for as the Indians here you'll find that what happened to Custer was his own fault. He exceeded his authority in attacking the way he did. General Terry was in charge, not Colonel Custer. He went off on his own and attacked the Indians when General Terry was charged with putting down an uprising. General Terry was more known for his diplomatic skills in dealing with the Indians and he was one of the signers of the original Fort Laramie Treaty. So I say again, hand back my badge, now!"

Reluctantly, Charlie unpinned my badge and handed it back to me. Manypenny was still blustering about it.

He said "That doesn't change things. I was sent by Congress to do something about the Indians. Congress feels that because of the Little Bighorn massacre that the Sioux should be moved to a reservation and the Laramie Treaty is no longer in effect."

"That's the biggest bunch of bullshit I ever heard. It seems they're just trying another way of stealing the Indian's land. Just how do you propose to do this, and force them to give up their land and move to some barren wasteland that no one wants?"

"They won't have much choice. If they don't move to a reservation, the Army will be forced to bring in troops. All supplies that are currently allowed as per the Laramie Treaty will be stopped, forcing them to either comply or starve. As I see it, you will have no choice but to comply."

I could tell history was trying to repeat itself here. I was going to do my best not to let that happen.

"All I can see this is a bunch of greedy bastards from Washington trying to steal the land that was legally granted to the Souix. This has nothing to do with Custer, that is just an excuse to steal their land, since gold was discovered, here. A bunch of greedy rich bastards are trying to get richer by stealing what is not theirs. I think you will find that the leases are legal, due to the fact that the Indians own this land according to the Treaty that was signed before the leases were granted. What you are doing Sir will start an Indian uprising that will turn this land into a bloodbath. Eventually, you may crush the Sioux. But how many lives will be lost? The way things are right now, the White Man and the Indian are coexisting."

Charlie spoke up and said. "I can tell you're just some kind of Indian lover! I see you even have Indians with you now."

"Yes, I do! I'm married to three Indians and one Chinese, Tall Bear here is my adopted brother and Standing Bear is the son of one of my Lakota wives. I can tell you right now that all of them have more honor in their little toe, than all of you people, combined."

Manypenny stood and said. "I don't need to sit here and be insulted! Congress appointed me to get things done. The Sioux will be moved to a reservation, and guarded by a troop of cavalry. Congress wants to open the Black Hills and the Lakota are in the way."

"You, sir, are being a pompous ass! Right now the Treaty stands as written. As far as I'm concerned that is the law. If you so much as attempt to break that law you will find your ass in jail. I will not have you starting a war that will cause people to lose their lives while your 'good friends' sit on their fat asses, back in Washington.

"So far the US government has broken every single Treaty ever written with the Sioux Nation, because some greedy politicians decided that some of their friends need more money than they already have, at the cost of someone else.

"Using the Little Bighorn battle as an excuse, is ludicrous, as Colonel Custer was a fool in the way he conducted himself and his troops. When he sent Lieutenant Reno to attack the Indian encampment, Reno and one hundred and seventy-five of his men dismounted and fired into the Indian camp. They killed women and children, almost exclusively. How were the Indian supposed to react? It was just like kicking a hornet's nest! It's no wonder Custer was wiped out to the last man.

"Now you're here to punish the Sioux by stealing their land. Little Bighorn was not just the Sioux Nation! It was also the Northern Cheyenne and the Arapaho, too . Are you trying to steal their land, also? Of course, gold was not discovered on their land, was it? As far as I'm concerned you're just a bunch of thieves!" Turning back to Grandpa and the others I said. "Come on, let's get out of here. If I stay much longer I might just decide to shoot this bunch of thieves."

We left there and headed straight to the Mercantile, to see what they had in the way of used rifles and shotguns to sell to the Lakota, so they would at least have reliable weapons for hunting.

Grandpa turned me and said "Clay, do you really think it is a good idea arming the Lakota?"

"I'll have a talk with Chief Red Cloud to make sure that the weapons are used only for hunting or self-defense. I'm sure he will give his word that they will not use them to start trouble."

"What's this about the guns being 'misplaced around the area?'"

"You know, legally, I gave you the guns for the Lakota. However, there is no law against being absent-minded about where I may have left my rifle or shotgun."

We were able to purchase six used rifles and three shotguns along with several boxes of shells for each. Soon we were on our way back to the ranch.

Edited By TeNderLoin, PCbondsman, and The Old Fart