176 



RECREA TION. 



well supplied curio shops and taxidermists obtain 

 their supplies of heads, antlers, horns, etc., 

 entirely from the former, or very nearly so, at 

 least. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

 Frank C. Armstrong, 



Acting Commissioner. 



From the Secretary of the Interior. 



Mr. G. O. Shields. 



Sir: — Your communication of the 24th ultimo, 

 in relation to the alleged wanton destruction of 

 game of all kinds by Indians outside their Re- 

 servations, was referred to the Commissioner of 

 Indian Affairs,- and I herewith enclose a copy of 

 his report thereon. 



It is shown by this report that this Depart- 

 ment has already taken steps to prevent the 

 Indians from wantonly destroying game, and 

 efforts in that direction will be continued. The 

 Indians are not, however, responsible for all the 

 damage done, and much of the blame cast on 

 them ought properly to be placed elsewhere. 

 Very respectfully, 



Hoke Smith, 

 Secretary. 



From Mr. Webster. 



My Dear Sir : — Am glad to notice from your's 

 of the 17th inst. that you are still agitating, at 

 headquarters, the question of destruction of the 

 game of the country; I believe you can be of 

 great service, not only to the settlers of the west 

 but to the whole country, on that line. I have 

 no doubt that the Secretary of the Interior, and 

 probably the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 

 may be somewhat influenced in their judgment 

 of this question, by reports they may get from 

 Indian agents, and possibly from contractors of 

 Indian supplies. I have talked with some of 

 these gentlemen and find they are inclined to 

 ridicule the idea of the Indians destroying more 

 game than the settlers. They may be ignorant 

 of the situation, or may have interests in the 

 Indian hunting. However that may be, I have 

 become acquainted with many of the settlers in 

 the most remote districts, and know that they 

 look upon the destruction of the game by the 

 Indians, as being a very serious matter. I have 

 noticed that in parts of Idaho where there are 

 some elk, and a good many deer, but where the 

 Indian roams but little, and where the tame sheep 

 herds do not actually graze, both deer and elk 

 seem to hold their own. I feel sure the rigid 

 laws of Montana, Wyoming and Idaho will be 

 enforced as against whites by the settlers. In 

 the neighborhood of the head waters of the 

 Green river, I have some acquaintances, and 

 they feel as though the Indian was about hav- 

 ing his own way with the game. They some- 

 times get the agents at Washkie and Fort Hall 

 agencies to call in the Indians, but this seems to 

 last but a short time until they are out again in 

 the mountains securing the coveted skins for 

 gloves and moccasins. The settler finds little 

 if any profit in killing deer or elk, or antelope, 

 and only kill, so far as I have been enabled to 

 learn, for the necessary meat. It seems right 

 that they should have this privilege, as they, un- 

 like the Indian, live from their own resources. 

 These settlers who hunt at all, usually find more 



profit in the pelts of bears, and such game as 

 have valuable pelts. I shall be glad to read the 

 January number of Recreation, or any com- 

 munication from you which will go to show that 

 something is being done on this important sub- 

 ject. I was informed this fall that there was as 

 many as 400 Indians from Washkie and Ft. Hall, 

 at one time hunting in Jackson's Hole. They did 

 great damage before they were called in by the 

 agents. This I know from results, as well as 

 from statements made to me by reliable persons. 



From Mr. Baird. 

 Mr. G. O. Shields, Editor Recreation. 



My Dear Sir: — Yours of October 24th, and 

 of November 26th, came to hand. I am aho 

 in receipt of a communication from Mr. Webster, 

 of Omaha, Nebraska. 



Mr. Bortree, our President, has been sick, but 

 is now much better, and as soon as he is out, we 

 will call a meeting of the Executive committee 

 of the association and this matter will be taken 

 up and given prompt attention. 



Our association have also in view the amend- 

 ment of our laws by Congress in such a way as to 

 more effectually stop the unreasonable slaughter 

 and transportation of game. I am not at liberty 

 at present to state what we contemplate until 

 the association map out the amendments, 

 which we expected to do in time to 

 have them introduced at the next session 

 of Congress. This being a short session, we 

 thought it better to wait until the long session, so 

 that we would be more certain of getting through 

 the desired amendments. 



I have written Mr. Webster in regard to the 

 matters stated in his and your letters, and the 

 association v at the next meeting, will take the 

 matter up. 



Our association is now following up some of 

 the illegal shipments of game from Wisconsin 

 and Minnesota, and we expect that parties in 

 Minnesota will be indicted soon, and a vigorous 

 and successful prosecution carried out against 

 them. 



As soon as our association meets and take 

 action in these matters, I will communicate with 

 you. Meanwhile, thanking you for the kind in- 

 formation w/e have received and hoping that 

 Recreation, and the National Association can 

 work hand in hand, and accomplish some good 

 results, I remain Respectfully yours, 



F. S. Baird. 



The following cyclists have applied to the 

 Century Cycle Club, of America, for records: — 

 A. J. Rosenstreter for the 45 hour record, and 

 John S. Johnson, for the one mile straight away 

 record, of 1 m. 35 2-5 s. The L. A. W. refused 

 to recognize the latter record, because it was not 

 made on a track, and the Century Road Club, 

 because the requiste number of timers was not on 

 hand when the trial was made. 



The cycle show which will occur in Chicago 

 this month will certainly be a success, judging 

 from the number of makers w r ho have taken 

 space. The importance of the wheel industry 

 can be realized by attending this exhibition. 

 Thousands of machines of this year's models will 

 be shown. 



