St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1860-11-22
Startling News from Southern
-. ...r, - Kansas.
The Settlers on the Cherokee Indian
Lands Driven A,cay by y. s. Troops
-Seventy:fus houses Burned-One
Hundred Fan,ilie. Turned Out on tie
Prairie.
From the Leavenworth Times.

element of other days in Southern Kansas
The scene is removed little further south
than on former occasions, but there is the
same "irrepressible''' incentive underlying
it all. During the last few days there has
been an exhibition Of one Of the most bar
barous spectacles, on what is termed the
Cherokee neutral lands, ever known in any
civilized community. For the last six
years, that district which embraces an area
some twenty-five miles by forty, has been
filling up with honest and industrious pio-
neers, who have settled there tor perma-
nent homes, and in as good faith as any
citizens of Kansas They have made all
the ordinary Improvements, and are sur
rounded by crops and herds, like the old
residents in other countries.
A few mornings since, they were sur
prised by the report that the u. s. troops
were on the way from the South, to drive
them from their premises. In few hours:
the report was confirmed by disappearance
of the Indian agent, whom they call Col.
Cowan, accompanied by q company of cav
airy, sixty in number, commanded by Cap.
Sturgess. They commenced Immediately
applying the torches to the dwellings of
the settlers, travelling northward, with
their work of devastation and ruin
Nearly all the settlers on what is called the
"Lightning Greek Settlement" were thus
visited by them. They came on to Cow
Greek, a branch Of the Dry Wood, and
there showed the same relentless spirit.
The news of their destructive raid travelled
before them, and the settlers on the Dry
Wood rallied to the number of three or
four hundred, who sent committee Of
conference to visit the "Col" The COM
mittee contended that whatever might be
his right to disturb the settlers further
south, that they, on the Dry Wood, were
on what is called the "eight milo stri p"
and that they were on no part Of what is
called the Cherokee tract, but on lands not
subject to preemption At least, they
commended that question was IN . measure
unsettled, that they should be favored, and
allowed to remain until a new survey could
be made, and the while matter legally ad-
justed. s':& .--".'.#@1 p: >.':s :s...' ;. ~
p TO hasten our particulars, something that
they call = "streaty" was finally agreed to,
and written pledge was signed on the
part Of the citizens that they would abau-
don that district previous to the 25th Of
November next, provided the agent would
spare their dwellings At this time, and
leave the country. Accordingly the in
cendiary withdrew, but threatened them
in this wise as he WIS leaving that if
every man Of them did not leave before
the day specified, he would burn not only
their houses next time, but all their feed,
grain, and everything he could find valua-
ble. ~ %s> 1.'' ;5< i5: -, %s'.' ']z@ '.79 80 ~
When this news came to eur citizens in
this portion Of the country, they immedi-
ately7 sent down delegations to learn the
facts and report. Some Of these gentle
men have returned, and report . most dis
tressing scene. Seventy four houses have
been burned, and at least one hundred
families turaed out upon the bare prsiiriies
I'll By that subtle influence Of ours called
1.-The power of 'the Feleral Go 1ernfnents Il
have, during the last twenty. .four ohours,
oonversed - with at, least twenty persons
ffomn. that county; md all gave it. . the
saddaet scene ever witpes d ii Kansas p
Women, Mud Mud children HE now sheltered IN
bushes dong tho cifoeks; mourning their
hard It'll. They foil 'disconsolatc air. !
Paick of' liife. - Some ssl the5 @dtdld. .1oen
de u j1ay1 thiee 1uSSltlsSyj ny they hiVeat66