Political Retaliation at the Yakima Reservation
An Indian Agent attempts to replace an old Union soldier with a Confederate veteran, only to be overruled by federal authorities after local veterans organize.
Indian Agent Lewis T. Erwin, of the Yakima reservation, is not quite so much of a czar in his little realm as he thought he was. Some time ago he conceived a dislike for and promptly discharged the carpenter and wagonmaker on the reservation, named Embree. There appeared to be no particular objection to Mr. Embree, except that he was an old Union soldier and a man who had served in the Confederate army wanted the place. When Embree was discharged the Confederate was appointed. The matter was then taken up by the Grand Army post at Walla Walla and all the facts placed in the possession of Representative Wilson. He immediately went before the commissioner of Indian affairs and intimated pretty strongly that this would make a splendid text for a nice little speech on the floor of the house. As soon as the Indian bureau was officially informed of the removal, Agent Erwin was promptly notified that his action was not confirmed by the department and Embree was ordered reinstated.
“Indian Agent Lewis T. Erwin, of the Yakima reservation, is not quite so much of a czar in his little realm as he thought he was.”
This incident exposes the deep political tribalism of the Reconstruction era, where civil service positions were spoils of war-era loyalties. It underscores how veterans' organizations like the Grand Army of the Republic acted as powerful civic lobby groups in the late 19th century.
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