The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-04-18

SAINT PA UL:
SATURDAY, 3. A: APRIL Is, 1857
THE RUMORKD SIOUX WAR;
Our city was thrown into state Of mos
feverish excitement early on Tuesday morn
ing, by the publication of an extra from tn
Times Office, calling our "citizens ~ arms,
upon a rumor that the Sioux Indians had in
ysded the settlements of Southwestern MIN
nesota, and were actually on the eve OF tax
ing some of the larger towns in the thlckl.
settled counties of Brown, Blue Earth and
Nicollet. We give the Times extra in full
with the exception of the belligerent head
ing: o, x,-,.
We lose no time in laying before our read
ers in an Extra the following startling infor-
nation lust received from gentleman who
came through from st. Peter, and who as
sures us that the information is reliable
Our informant is Mr. II. B. Nelson, who
states that the citizens Of st. Peter were
startled BY the rumor that the Sioux Indians
had been numbering the whites at Blue
Earth, and pillaging and burning the dwell
ings, and were moving down upon Mankato
with the determination of destroying the
lives of all the whites.
A meeting of the citizens Of st. Peter and
Traverse was Immediately called, and mea-
sures taken to ascertain the truth OF the re-
port. A messenger was sent out, but before
his return, gentleman arrived from the
scene of action and corroborated what had
previously been stated by the first gentle
man. Soon after, the messenger sent out by
the St. Peter people returned and gave as
surance that the report was true. The citi-
zens again met and appointed committees to
procure all the arms and ammunition in the
place and provisions necessary for cam
paign. Also to fortify the Hotel and all the
stone buildings. Great Excitement prevail
ed Captain Dodd, of the Militia, was &C.
tive in enlisting volunteers to impede, if poss-
ible, the progress of the savages until aid
could be procured from the citizens in the
towns below, and the troops at Fort SHELL
ing. Mr.. Nelson used four horses on his
way to the Fort, where he met the COM
mander and communicated the news. He
was assured that three companies of infantry,
consisting of 100 men and three weeks ra-
tons, should be Immediately despatched to
the scene of action. His arrival here last
evening with the following letter from Mr..
Hezlep to Mr.. Howes, president of the St.
Peter Company, now in this city. and both
gentlemen well known to our citizens, pro-
duced profound sensation, and leaves not a
shadow of q doubt but the information is
entirely correct.
ST.. PETER, April 14th, 4 o'clock A. NJ.
DEAR HowEs A terrible excitement pre-
walls here and above us. Reports have come
that the Indians have broke out on the Blue
Earth and Walton One, and are numbering
the inhabitants. Some 40 men left Manka-
to yesterday, and like number leave here
this A. NJ. Send without delay arms, ammu-
milton, and provision. We have sent with
the volunteers all, or nearly all the provs-
ions we had. Gen. Dodd has taken the
command, and has sent the express that
takes this to the fort, and to the acting Gov
ernor. See that the acting Governor acts.
Yours, HEZLEP.
Borrow no trouble about your family.
& General Dodd forwarded letter
by Mr.. Nelson to the acting Governor of the
Territory, (Mr. Mccullough signing him
self Commander of the Western Division of
Militia of Minnesota, calling upon him for
camp equipments. He also forwarded let
ter to the commander at Fort Smelling.
A meeting Of citizens was called and held
at the Court House at eight o'clock yester-
day morning, to take measures to relieve the
frontier settlements, in case the news should
prove true. The following is copy of the
proceedings:
Meeting at the Court House.
A large number of the citizens of st. Paul
met at the Court House, on the morning of
the l4th, when, on motion of Judge Tuls,
Hon. John 3. Brisbin was called to the
chair, and I. NJ. Newson appointed Sccrc
tary.
Mr.. Brisbin made known to those present
the call of the meeting, when Mr.. Nelson
(the bearer Of the despatch from St. Peter)
was called upon and gave statement of the
numbering by the Indians, cleaned from re-
liable sources.
Mr.. Schwarar, a member of the Pioneer
Guards, ON behalf of that company, stated
that the members were ready to march to
the scene of action.
Mr.. O'Gorman, a member of the Shields
Guards, rendered the services of that COM
panyy when, on motion, the meeting unani-
mously requested the said companies to be
in readiness at the call of the acting Cover
nor. 1.-THE new Governor has not yet ar
rived.l
T. NJ. Newson moved that a committee of
ten be appointed by the chair, to wait upon
the citizens and procure means for the pur-
chase of firearms, ammunition and provi-
sions for whatever volunteer force might be
required.
The Chair appointed the following gentle
men:
Wilbur NJ. Hayward, C. c. Hoffman. W.
B. McGrorty, H. E. Baker, N. P. Langford
Mr.. Stewart, Edmund Rice, A. B. Bracket
j. W. Prince and Captain White.
Mr.. Ryan suggested that from the charac
ter of those present, he had reasons for the
belief that large number of persons woulC
volunteer, and be would therefore move tina
the citizens of St. Paul be requested to vol
unteer their services, which motion wa
adopted.
Mr.. O'Gorman stated that he had infor
nation from Capt. Roberts, who desired t.
know what action the meeting intended t.
take, and if necessary he would delay hi
boat to carry up men and ammunitions.
On motion of Mr.. E. L. Sproat, commit
Tee of three was appointed on the part of tn
Chair to wait upon Capt. Roberts, and re
quest him to detain his boat (the Time ant
Tide) until IL o'clock to-day. Ell. Sproat
Geo. W. Moore, and Patrick Ryan, were ar
pointed said committee.
Resolred, That gentlemen come forwar
and sign their names as volunteers.
Acting on this resolution, many came fol
ward and signed their names, when the mee
ing adjourned.
JOHN. B. BRISBIN. Pres.
T. NJ. NEwsoN, Sec'y.
In accordance With fbo ohoro Tim p;onoe