Minnesota weekly times., 1857-04-18
FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE INDIAN
OUTRAGES. sA

While the editor of the Minnesotian has sought
to ridcule the action of our citizens in respond
ing to the calls of the inhabitants of the Mime
sofa Valley, the editor of the Pioneer, although
expressing his belief that the accounts were exag-
gerated, has treated the matter in humane and
gentlemanly manner.
The letter we gave in our paper of yesterday
morning, from MIR. Hezlep, was written on the
afternoon of the 18th, while the particulars we
give below are embodied in a letter to the Pho
neer dated Mankato, the 18th. 1t will be seen
that the advices we have received are the latest.
although not 80 definite as the information COM
municated in the article which follows, and which
is no doubt rsliable:-
Correspondence Of the Pioneer and Democrat.
MANKATo, April IL, 1857.
Messrs. Editors,-In our last we endeavOred to
inform the public through your columns, of the
state of affairs on the Des Moines and particular
ly at Spirit Lake. The messengers which had
been dispatched to Fort Ridgely, together with
the soldiers, left here on the morning of the 23d,
and proceeded to Springfield on the Des Moines,
Is miles from the scene of depredations. They
reached Springfield on the morning of the 4th OF
April, the soldiers still in doubt to the correct
ness of the report, but upon entering the town,
what was their surprise to find that the Indians
had been there; that on Tuesday, April I'd, q
band of Sioux had attacked the town, killed sew
en-, wounded three and carried four women into
captivity. The Captain Immediately dispatched
company to the Fort for reinf0rcemcnts and
provisions. Among the killed was William
Wood, George Nj. Wood, Mr.. Church and Josiah
Stewart.
The attack was without provocation, and unex-
pected by the settlers. VIM. Wood was an old
resident of Mankato and trader at Springfield.
1t appears that in the commencement, he went
out to the bank of the river to talk to the Indi-
ans, and as he turned about to 60 home, he was
shot dead and Immediately set on FIRE; his body,
when found, being awfully burned. Several of
the citizens were temporarily absent, but have
since returned. Those that fortified themselves,
escaped being murdered. Two Indians were
killed one was shot by Mrs. Church, who loaded
guns for the men in one of the houses. The names
of the women taken prisoners we do not know,
with the exception of two, Mrs. Marvel and q
Miss Gardner.
MIR. Chefins, the messenger, who was sent first
to the Fort, has since returned from Springfield,
and says he buried five men in one grave the day
before he left. He reached Isaac Slocum's, on
the Watonwan river, twenty miles from Mankato,
on Thursday last, and reached this place on Fri
day evening. MIR. SlOcum sent down to Manka-
to for assistance Gas he anticipated danger) by
Mr.. Chef6ns, who brought the sad intelligence Of
the massacre.
A large meeting was Immediately held, and 38
volunteers, we'll equipped, were sent to their as
sistance. They reached Slocum's on Saturday
night, and found Indians there. DR.. w. F. Lew
is was chosen captain, and with a few men went
over to the tents, where they found nine Indians,
who Immediately ran at the appearance of the
whites, throwing their hatchets into the air and
firing at the whites. The whites Immediately
charged upon them and killed four. None of the
whites were injured, with the exception of one
man, who received a slight wound in the hand.
This it appears was the signal, and Immediately
upon the return of the whites to the house, it was
surrounded by $50 Indian warriors. A messen-
ger who has just arrived, brings the above state
ment, which is correct.
Word was sent to Traverse des Sioux and St..
Peter for assistance, and this morning fifty of the
citizens of st. Peter arrived under Capt. Dodd's
command, and will probably reach the scene of
battle tonight, as they left Mankato at O'Clock
this afternoon. Another reinforcement will be
up from Traverse in the morning to join the par
ty. The settlers from that neighborhOod, and in
fact all through the country, are alarmed and are
fleeing into town with their families.
The account from the town of Springfield is ta-
ken from MIR. Chef6ns, who, as we stated before
accompanied the soldiers there, and is correct
1ue Otuer Is COfTODOrdIcu ny ulHeTonI me6Scu-
gers, who are going to and from Slocum's and
this place. Unbiased by the fever of excite
ment and alarm, if spared, will give you further
intelligence as soon received. S.
From what we have already given, and from
that which is published this morning, our readers
can form their own opinions whether we have
been justified in arousing our citizens to action.
We hold to the doctrine that it is far better to
err on the side of humanity than to bury all the
noble impulses of the heart under the surface of
golden dollar. Nor shall we stop to inquire
whether our course suits this or that man, or
whether it will be the means of depriving US of
our support-it is enough for us to know that our
fellow-men are in danger, and that it is the COM
mon duty of all to render them aid. We hope
the reports are exaggerated, but in any event,
should similar call be made upon US, we should
pursue a similar course.