Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-04-30
FIFTY WHITES KILLED.
Volunteers Collecting For Attack.
GEN. SHIELDS IN COMMAND
dol THE POOR INDIANA"
MANKATo, April II, 1857.

MANKATc, April II, 1857.
Mr.. EDIToR.-In our last we endeavored
to inform the public, through your columns
of the state of affairs on the Des Moines
and particularly at Spirit Lake. The mes
senger who had been dispatched to Fort
Ridgely, together with the soldiers, left
here on the morning of the Esd, and pro-
ceeded TO Springfield, on the morning o.
the 4th of April, tie soldiers still in doubt
as to the correctness 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, a land
of Sioux had attacked the town, killed seven,
wounded three, and carried four women in.
to captivity. The Captain Immediately
dispatched a company to the Fort for rein.
forcements and provisions. Among the
killed, was William Wook, George M
Wook, Mr.. Church, and Josia Stewart
The attack vas without prorocation, and
unexpected by the settlers. William Wood
was an old resident of Mankato, and a
trader at Springfield.
1t appears that in the commencement,
he vent out to the bank of the river to
talk to the Indians, and as he turned about
to 90 home, he was shot dead, and imme-
diately set on fire, his body, when found,
being awfully burned. Several of the citi.
zens were temporarily absent, but have
since returned. Those that fortified them
selves, escaped being murdered. Two In
dams were killed; one was shot by Mrs
Church, who loaded guns for the men in
one ofthe houses. The names of the wo-
men we do not know, with the exception Of
two-Mrs. Marvel, and Miss Gardner
Mr.. Choffins, 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 raech.
ed Isace Slocum's, on the Watonwan river.
20 miles from Mankaton. on Thursday last,
and reached this place Oh Friday evening.
Mr.. Slocum sent down to Mankaton for
assistance, las he anticipated danger,) by
Mr.. Chefiins, who brought the sad intelli-
gence of the massacre.
A large meeting was Immediately held,
and SO volunteers, well equipped, were sent
to their assistance. They reached Slocum's
on Saturday night and found Indian:
there. DR.. w. F. Lewis was chosen Cap
tain, and with a few men went over to the
tents, where they found nine Indians, who
Immediately ran at tie appearance of the
whites; throwing their hatchets into the
air, and firing at the whites. The whites
Immediately charged upon them, and kill
ed four. None of the whites were injured,
with the exception of one man who receiv-
ed a slight wound in the hand. This, ii
appears, was the signal, and Immediately
on the the return of the whites to the house,
it was surrounded by Is Indian warriors.
A messenger who has lust arrived, brings
the above statement.
Word was sent 10 Traverse de Sioux and
st. Peters for assistance, and this morning
fifty of the citizens fist. Peters arrived I'm,
der Captain Dodd's command, and will
probably reach the scene of battle tonight,
as they left Mankaton at 8 o'clock this af-
ternoon. Another reinforcement will be
up from Traverse in the morning to join the
party. The settlers from that neighbor-
hood, and all through the country, are alarm
ed, and are fleeing into town with their fam
lilies. The account from the town of Spring-
field is later from Mr.. Chefins, who, as we
stated before, accompanied the soldiers
there, and is correct. The other is cor
roborated by different messengers, who are
going toard from Slocum's and this place.
Unbiased by fever, and excitement, and
alarm, if spared, I will give you further in
telligence as soon as received.
LATER.
The Shacopee Herald of the 10th, says:
"FItty-three Persons Reported KiHedE
We are indebted to Henry Kinds for the
privilege ofcopying the following portion of
a letter dated
"TRAvERsE DE Sioux, April Is, 81.
"Great excitement in the towns along the
river from an unexpected attack of the ST.
oux Indians. The inhabitants were awaken
ed early yesterday morning by messenger
from Mankaton, who reported that all the
inhabitants have been killed as far as Wan
tonwan, on the west. The whole number
reported killed was fifty-three, and four girls
taken prisoners. A company was immedi-
ately formed and at st. Peters, numbering
200; a portion advancing immediately
Mr.. Mcleod and myself, left on horses, at
8 o'clock, P. NJ, for Mankaton, where we
arrived at 5 o'clock. Another messenger
has just reached us, that a skirmish was had
with a body of Sioux Indians, 20 miles
above Mankaton, and several of the Man.
katon band killed. The Indians were kill
ing and burning everything before them
We left Mankaton just before midnight, and
reached home at one this morning. The
bells were rung, and a meeting called i'm
mediately, and another company formed,
which marches at eleven. The women and
children are fortified in several stone build
ings in town. The forces are all under the
command of Captain Dodd.
Yours, truly, J. KINDS.
VERY LATEsT-ARRIvAL OF II EQUATOR.