The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-09-05
Assisted Away by Friendly
Indians.
PASSAGE THROUGH THE WILL,
DERNESS.
500 WOMEN AND CHILDREN
IN THE FORT,
FIVE DAYS, FYGHTI.rG,
Safe Arrival of Missionaries
at Henderson.
NARRATIVE OF d. w. MOORE.

From the Daily Pioneer Of Aug. %.
Mr.. D. w. Moore of New Jersey, with
bis wife, arrived in this city yesterday from
Henderson, having been among the party
composed of the missionaries and their fam.
lies, who escaped from the Upper Agency.
We had conversation with Mr.. Moore,
last evening, from which we make up the
following narrative of their exciting Jour,
ney:
Mr.. Moore and wife had beea boarding
for some weeks with the Rev. Mr.. Riggs at
the Hszlewood Republic, about six miles
above the Upper Agency.
On Monday night, August 18th, about
nine O'Clock, some Of the friendly Indians
came to Mr.. Riggs, and said the Indians
were killing the settlers at the Lower Agen>
cy, and urged him to gather the settlers and
leave for Fort Ridgley. Very coon after
other friendly Indians came in and reported
the Indians at the Upper Agency, and we're
urgent in their appeals for Mr.. Riggs to go.
The settlers got Mr.. Cunningham's team,
and guided by friendly Indians we're plloted
to an island in the river about three miles
from Hazlewood, where they remained SCI
creted until Monday afternoon.
The families that were secreted on the
Island were Rev. Mr.. Riggs and family,
Mr.. Cunningham and family, Mr.. Petit.
john and family, and D. w. Moore and
wife.
The friendly Indians brought them pro
visions on the island, and seemed very
anxious for their safety.
All of the Indians belonging to the Ha.
zelwood Republic we're in great fear for
their own lives. and, as soon as they bad
word of the outrages being committed, put
on their blankets.
The friendly Indians having taken Mr.
Cunningham's horses to reconnoitre, and
failing to return, Mr. O. went back to the
Indian village, and found horse and buggy,
which be brought to the island.
! On Monday afternoon Andrew Hunter
came 10, and reported bis family and a part
of DR.. Williamson's secreted further down
the river, and that be had bis team and
cattle, and Was ready to start The party
united. and on Tuesday evening they com>
msnced their dangerous journey. A provi-
dsntial thunderstorm obliterated their
tracks, so that the Indians could no. trail
them. They started out upon tie prairie,
10 norteasterly direction, and on Wednes-
day incoming southeasterly, till they struck
the Lac qui Parle road, and thence directly
towards Fort Rldgey.
On Friday afternoon they passed near
Beaver Creek settlement. where they were
joined by Rev Mr. Williamson and the re-
nainjer of bis family. makipg the whole
plumber of the party about forty souls.
When within six mi es of the Fort, they
saw two Indians Oh horseback, who gazed
at them for few minutes, and then made off.
| Andrew Hunter then undertook the PERI
lous feat of going Toward in ad9ance aud
communicating with toe Fort, which be
succeeded in accomplishing about eleven
O'Clock on Friday night.
At midnight he came back, Guiding the
party had come up to within mile and
hall Of the Fort, and reported that be had
been in the Fort, hid seen Lieut.. SheehaD,
and The latter told him that it would be
safer for the party to keep awey from the
Fort and epdeavor to reach Henderson.
Lieutenant Sneehan Said his soldiers had
been obliged to fight almost continually Tor
FIVE days. and that they were very much ex-
hausted and could not hold out much long
err; that there were nearly five hundred
women aud children in the Fort, aid it was
difficult to obtain water, ard that it would
be much the better plan for the Missionary
party to make their escape, if possible.
Acting on the information brought by
Mr.. Hunter, the party struck out for the
prairie, and Travelled for some time, when
they halted fer two hours to rest, after
which they proceeded in northeast direc-
top, until they reached the Henderson road
on Saturday. and arrived safely at Hender-
con on Monday.
As they Travelled along the road on Sat.
urday and Sunday, at every farm they could
| see the evidence of the panic which bad
prevailed. Houses were deserted, just as
though the occupants had not stopped even
to close the doors. On some farms they
saw oxen yoked, and standing in the yards,