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President Roosevelt requests that General Bell see him and bring in a letter from Captain Harry O. Williard addressed to Commissioner Francis E. Leupp about his being detailed to the army school at Fort Leavenworth. Roosevelt remembers that Williard did well with the Navajos and would like to grant his request if possible.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-15
President Roosevelt directs Secretary of War Taft to order Colonel Hugh Lenox Scott to Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico to investigate charges made by Howard R. Antes against troops serving under Captain Harry O. Williard and William T. Shelton, superintendent of the San Juan Indian School. The troops recently arrested By-a-lil-le, a Navajo medicine man and leader and ten of his followers. Shelton played a part in the affair. En route, Scott should stop in Oklahoma to secure the services of “one or two” Native Americans to accompany and assist him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-01
President Roosevelt approves of the way Captain Harry O. Williard handled the conflict on the Navajo Reservation in a response to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Leupp.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-06
Commissioner of Indian Affairs Leupp responds to a letter that Edward J. Wilcox sent to President Roosevelt criticizing the way that Captain Harry O. Williard handled a conflict on a Navajo Reservation. Leupp provides context for the situation and argues that Captain Williard was justified in his actions, adding that other Navajo on the Reservation are pleased with the outcome.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-03
As per President Roosevelt’s request, Commissioner of Indian Affairs Leupp encloses a letter that presents the facts about the conflict on a Navajo Reservation in New Mexico. Leupp wrote the letter in response to a complaint from Edward J. Wilcox about how the situation was handled by Captain Harry O. Williard and William T. Shelton, the Superintendent of the San Juan Indian Agency. He knows that Roosevelt feels similarly that there are times “when it is necessary to enforce some salutary lesson by painful methods.” Leupp defends Williard’s and Shelton’s character and their actions in the conflict.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-05