The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-04-25
Indian Nlassacres in Minnesota.

indian Mass0cTes III minnesota.
: But few weeks ago we had accounts Of
some shocking murders committed by the
Sioux Indians at Spirit Lake in Iowa, and
now the most exciting reports come from
Minnesota Of murders committed on the
white settlers by the same band. Six OF
eight hundred Indians a. pcared to be en-
gagged in these hostili,icz .-enough to get up
quite an Indian war. Ne copy the follow
ing from the Chicago I2ress of Tuesday:
! Intelligence reached US yesterday from
| Minnesota that band of six hundred Sioux
/ Indians had been committing depredations
near the south bend of the Minnesota river
. and of painful rumor that Mankato had
been attacked, destroyed by fire, and many
of its inhabitants cruelty murdered.
The Indians are said 10 be the same band
that committed the Gepreda,ions ana muir
ders at Spirit Lake, 1Cwa-about forty miles
distant from Manka;o.
The inhabitants Of the surrounding coun-
try were focking into ST. Peter for security.
Several companies of troops from Fort
Ridgey were in pursuit Of :hc Indians, ant!
cavalry had been sent for to Fort Smelling.
Great panic existed throughout the vari-
, Gus settlements in the Big Woods around
Maukato. The farmers and Others were
aru,ing themselves and preparing to join in
pursuit.
Our informant states that, though there
may be some cXaggeration in the reports a.
given above, there is scarcely doubt but
that several citizens of Mankato have been
murdered.
Naukato is about ninety miles from Fort
Smelling, tiirty-iive from Font Ridgcly, and
twelve from St. Peter.
Ind the Press of Thursday appears letter
from ST. Paul, confirming the above accounts,
and giving some further particulars. We
copy:
In the massacre at Springfield in Blue
Earth County. the number killed had not
been precisely known, but VIM. cod, Geo.
N. Wood, Mr. Church, and Josiah Stewart
are among the number.
The attack was without provocation, and
was unsupported hy the settlers. Mr. Nm.
Wood, trader, and an old settler of Man
ka'o, had been proceeding to have talk
with the Indians on the bank of the river,
when he was SHOT dead and his body burned.
After this general massacre took place ia
which all VINO were not armed suffered more
or less. Those who were armed barely VS.
capped. Two Indians were kiIled-one hay
ing been shot by Mrs. Church, who loaded
guns for the men in one OF the houses. Sc
veIal women were taken prisoners by the
Indians, AIN NJ whom are Mrs. Marvel and
Miss Gardner.
Thirty , ght volunteers left Maukato IN
der Capt. Lewis, immediately on receipt "i
the intelligence Of the massacre. The com
pany reached S.ocum, on tie Natonwan
River. on the evening OF the Ilth-whrre
tbcy met body of Indians eRcams leo
on their approach fled, throwing "A h
cts in the air, firm. back a. they ran. The
company killed four Indians. This. how
ever, WAS BAT an outpost; for immediately
afterwards 80 armed Indians made their ap
pearauce and showed tight.
They therefore sent word to 81. Peter for
assistance, when Gen. Dodd and fifty yoluu-
teers started for the scene Of war.
Intelligence reached Ia,.bau.f, calling on
Gen. Sheds for ~s.~taucc. - ho immediately
raised d company Of volunteers and started
for Mauka,o, accompanied by A!,x. FAN
bault, and several Indian runners. Some Of
these runners had returned, confirming the
rIn.or> 0! the maSsacrcs II Blue Earrh couu-
IL and stating that 1t least fss'y settlers had
been nas>acrrd near tine i :. Bead.
\ company had also been raised at Pres
cot. " -. auI were ou the ! ,.Ac and ilIy
ready to -tart. iseI. news from Fort S.,..u-
arrived, -tp-u- tAat troops sufficient hal
been dispatched. The people u. FTc---u
volunteered mos, ruu.y.
: -rnj.gu1n had arrived at Prescott, who
left M4nkgt. un TIE ji-H, w..u states 20. uy
To that d-tr h-mEato had MT been t.ken, rlt
that some llly murders nai n.ru committed
by SIOUX luGrai.5 30 Blue Earth County.