Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-05-02
The Indian Rising in Minnesota.

in 1857. -ABdny Eroning Journal
-
The Indian Rising in Minnesota.
BY mail and telegraph We have various loose
reports of the rising of the Sioux Indians in
Minnesota against the white settlers. The
theatre of the trouble is in Blue Earth county,
on the grea, bend of the Minnesota river, above
ST. Peters-one of the most interesting AMI rap
idly developing sections OF the Territory. The
origin of the fighting is not clearly stated, but
the blame is Of course attributed to the Indians.
The first assault was at Spirit Lake, which is
on the line between Iowa aud Minnesota, which
was followed up by more serious attack upon
MankaiO. The first victim was William Wood,
an old resident of Mankaio, and trader at
Springfield lie went out to the bank of the
river TO talk to the Indians, and as he turned
about to go home, he was shot dead, and i'm
mediately set on fire, his body, when found, be-
ing awfuily burned. Several of the citizens
were temporarily absent, but have since return
ed. Those that fortified themselves escaped
being murdered
Thirty volunteers, under w. +. Lewis, star
ted in pursuit of the Indians, and coming up
W ltH uhO VI lilCIi thCdlilpHltuNS, tudlbtu uIbn
it, killing A. Fifty men, under Capt. Dodd,
had gone from ST. Peters, and another party
from Traverse de Sioux.
A later account says the party under Capt
Dodd had fight with the Indians, killing IL,
and losing none.
A party of 100 Winnebago warriors had gone
out against the Sioux.
Gen. Shields, with company Of volunteers,
had also started for the seat of war.
The Shakopee (Minnesola) Herald Of the
10Th, says that SO persons in the neighborhood
Of Manka,o, had been killed by the Sioux, and
four women taken prisoners. Ii is supposed
that about seventy persons have been killed and
taken prisoners.
A letter from Fort Dodge, Iowa, April 10Th,
describes the tour Of a volunteer company which
had followed in the track of the devastdions Of
the Indians, rescuing those who had been driv-
en- from their homes, though saving their lives,
but not finding the Indians anywhere. The
company had returned, and report that the U.
S. soldiers had scared the Indians on, of reach
The following details Of some Of the doings of
the savages at Springfield and Mankato, are
given by the Iowa letter. The other accounts,
from Minnesota, seem neither So full nor intel
hgent -
"They (the Indians) next called at the house of
Josiah Stewart, and shot him through the head
His wife begged for her life, to which they replied,
'nepo squaw' (kl squaw,) and shot her also in the
head. Her two little girls were killed with war
clubs. John Stewart, little boy eight years old
hid himself behind log and escaped. Major Will
liams has taken him home and will bring him up
lie has now good protector. They then proceed
ed to the house of Mr.. Thomas; several families
had here collected together, and there were some
eight or nine rifles in the house. Umpashota, an
old Indian chief, well known in this neighborhood
ran past the house shouting to the inmates,
q # w SsP% %s s t. the door
ans, posted behind hay stack, about five rods dis
tant, fired upon them, killing son of Mr. Thorn
rs, aged ten years; Mr.. Thomas was wounded in
the arm, rendering amputatiOn necessary; David
Carver was shot through the arm, the ball lodging
in his side, the wound is not considered dangerous
and Miss Drusella Swyer received ball in her
shoulder, the ball passing out upon the opposite
side. The doors were instantly shut and barrica-
ded. Some of the inmates engaged themselves in
moulding balls, others in loading the rifles, while
John Bradshaw and a man named Markham, fired
upon the Indians without. Their chief and n num-
Der Of others were killed; the exact number is not
known. 1t was reported by an Indian to a man
ded. Towards night the Indians withdrew, carry
ing their dead aud wounded with them. No white
person was killed after the first fire.
"The men sent to Spirit Lake have returned.
They have buried twenty -nine bodies; two were
found burned, besides; it is not known, of course,
whose skeletons they were. They first visited the
house of Mr.. Thatcher, and found two bodies
those of A. Noble and Mr.. Ryan. They then vsi-
ted the residence Of Jonathan House; here nine
bodies were found dreadfully mangled-men wo-
men and children, all indiscriminately murdered
the body of Jonathan House is reported missing
The next house was. Granger's, near the Lake
Here, probably, sharp conflict had ensued. A
man named Snyder was found dreadfully mangled
with broad-axe. The Changers have one miss
ing, probably both killed. The body of man was
found upon the Lake near the house. so mangled
that it was impossible to recognize him. Broker
rifles found about this house, and other signs
indicative of a fight. They next went TO Mattock''
house, where eleven were found This house had
been burnt. The men and women shot, and chill
dren tomahawked-were some twelve persons on,
missing"