True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-09-19
Indian War in Nebraska---Militia Or.
dered Out.

Otfe0 Out.
The NebraskIan Of the list inst, publish
ed in Omaha city, the new seat of govern
ment of Nebraska, is filed with articles Of
a decidedly warlike character The Gov
ernOr of the territory has called out . por-
ton of the volunteers Of the First Brigade,
and the whole territory seems to be excited
aud alarmed.
The immediate cause of these military
movements was the murder of GegeOr Dem
aree and Jackson Porter, and the inAicting
of severe wound upon the person of Mrs.
Porter, near Fontenelle, by a band Si-
oux Indians. This occurred on the 29th
sult, and the Nebraskian gives the follow
ing account of it, on the authority Of Mrs.
Porter:
Demaree and Porter, during the week,
had been out on Bell creek, about four
miles below Fontenelle, engaged in break
ing prairie. The wife of Mr.. Porter ac-
companied her husband to do the cooking
for the party. On Saturday evening they
set out to go to Fontenelle to spend the
Sabbath, but were overtaken by thun-
derstorm which came up suddenly that
evening, and in consequence of the dark
ness, were compelled to camp within about
one mile Of Fontenelle.
The party remained in camp until about
ten o'clock on the following morning, when
hearing the report Of a gun in the vicinity
of small lake near by, and thinking some
of their Fontenelle friends were there in
quest of game, Demaree and Porter start
ed in that direction. They had proceeded
but short distance when they were met
by party of some fifteen Sioux Indians,
who at first appeared friendly and shook
hands with them; but suddenly one Of the
Indians approaching Demaree and Porter,
killing them both instantly. Mrs Porter,
who was close by, rushed to the prostrate
body of her husband, when an Indian struck
her with a spear, wounding her severely
in the hip. How she escaped with her
life, she does not know, but certain it is
that she made her way to Fontenelle and
gave the alarm. The citizens immediate
ly rallied, but before they could reach the
scene of the outrage, the savages had made
good their retreat, taking with them the
scalp of Demaree, and the tent and camp
fixtures of their victims
Information of this affair was immedi-
ately communicated to Governor lizard, by
committee of citizens appointed for the
purpose; and the Governor forthwith issu-
ed orders to Gen, Thayer, of the First Bri.
gade, Nebraska Militia, requiring him to
raise volunteer company of forty effec-
tive men, in addition to the First Company
of Nebraska Volunteers, to take position
at some eligible point near Fontenellc, in
Dodge county, to protect the lives anC
property of the settlers from further az
gressions, until relieved by an adequate
force of the U. S. Troops,
| The citizens of Omaha city, and otheI
| points to which the news soon spread, i'm
mediately volunteered their services, ant
company Of men, mounted and in wag
ons, and equipped as well as circumstan
ces permitted, we're soon on their way Il
Fontenclle. 1t is said not to be the inten
ton to pursue the Indians, but to act OIL
the defensive. Governor lizard has com
municated the facts to the government, ant
it is expected that IN adequate militar,
force will be at once ordered to the Terri
tory.
Cen Thayer returned to Omaha city
from Fontenelle, on the I'd of August, an
reported that the volunteers we're station
ed at Fontenelle for the present, and wer
constantly on the alert; that another mil
itary post would be Immediately establish
ed at Tekamah, with the intention ofkoeE
ing up constant communication from tha
place to the mouth Of Horn river, thus guar
ding the entire frontier The Omaha Ii
dians heve also agreed to cooperate wit
the Nebraskians in defending the frontie
thinking this, doutless avery good OF
! portunity to avenge themselves on the
| ancient foes, the Sioux.
'"
RGrWe learn from one of the document
of the Agricultural division of the pater
ofSoo tbot tbnra hoo hoan cultivated