Neither the cowmen or the early settlers were ever molested by the Indians except that occasionally a few horses were stolen from the ranches. Red Cloud and the lesser chiefs frowned upon such acts which were in the most instances committed by young men who wanted the excitement and adventure to break the monotony of camp life.

After the establishment by the Indian agent, Dr. McGillycuddy, of the Indian police under Captain Sword, in 1880 or 1881, these acts of lawlessness entirely disappeared.

One Indian Scare

In the winter of 1890 and 1891 the people of the county, particularly those residing in the eastern portion thereof and nearest the Sioux reservation, experienced a genuine Indian scare. A weird religious excitement had sprung up among the Sioux which was given expression in what was termed "ghost dancing." The fanatical unrest finally precipitated the Battle of Wounded Knee between the Indians and the

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

United States army. It was next to impossible for anyone to inform themselves as to what was really transpiring on the reservation or the causes which brought a considerable number of troops to the agency and when it was known that an engagement had taken place between the Indians and the troops, it was only natural that much excitement should prevail among settlers. Most of those residing east of Chadron moved their families either to Chadron or Hay Springs and so filled the town that not a few camped in the court house at Chadron. The residents of the towns also became agitated over the prospect of an Indian outbreak.