Secretary of the Interior Rogers C.B.Morton, expressed "concern" today over recent events in Gordon, Nebraska, following the death of Mr. Raymond Yellow Thunder, an Oglala Sioux of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.
The Secretary noted that five persons were arrested and charged under a State law by local officials in Gordon, Neb., with various counts of false, imprisonment and manslaughter following the death of Mr. Yellow Thunder.
"Both Commissioner Bruce of the Bureau of Indian affairs and I ate watching developments carefully concerning this matter," Morton said.
"I have today asked the justice department to look into the matter and take appropriate action.
"In addition," Morton said, "I have directed the Field Representative and Regional Solicitor of the Department of the Interior, who have been on the scene, to investigate the matter fully and report their findings as soon, as possible to Commissioner Bruce and me."
