The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-06-02
IMPORTANT INDIAN NEWS.
Line Murderers Of the Jew
EFT Family Intercepted
and Killed.
NO other Party known to he on
the Frontier.

NO Otner Party known to be on
the Frontier.
Letter from Fort Wadsworth,
From Our Regular Corresponde,,-
Fort WADswoRrH, D. T., Nav 10, 1855.
To the Editor Of the Pioneer:
Major Brown received a dispatch on the 10th
from Ecanajinka, chief of the scouts stationed
at the Hawks Nest, conveying the gratifying
intelligence that party OF ten scouts, under
Two Stars. had met five Indians returning from
the frontier, and killed four of them. The fifth
being well mounted fled during the fight, and
was promptly pursued by Two Stars and One
Road, who pushed him so closely that he aban-
doned his horse, and plunged into large lake.
He had been fired at several times during the
pursuit, and after he reached the lake-with
what success is not known. The scouts hav-
ing expended all their ammunition took the
horse and all the plumber of the Indian, except
bis arms, leaving the scoundrel nothing but
his breech-clout and moccasins in shape of
clothing. "a = .ag
The only casualty among the scouts was
occasioned by the bursting of gun during the
flight, which terribly lacerated the hand of one
of the most reliable, energetic and firm men of
the party. Two of his fingers were entirely
carried away, and many of the muscles of the
hand and wrist utterly destroyed. When the
messengers left the camp he was still bleeding
profusely, and was suffering great pain.
During the fight young man of IS or 10
years was taken prisoner temporarily, from
whom the following information was obtained:
The party started from Chiefs Bluff. Two Of
the sons of White Lodge, John Campbell and
nine others formed the original party, and their
destination was this post, and the Indian
camps in the vicinity; their object was to
steal horses and kill whites and friendly In
dams. Four other Indians subsequently join
ed them, and the party numbered sixteen
when it reached the Coteau. Finding the
chances unfavorable for their business in this
vicinity they concluded to 60 in search of
more favorable locality. The four that Joined
after the party had started, went toward the
James (they are probably the four that stole
nine horses from the James River Yanktonais,)
two of the original party went down the
Coteau (hey returned from Buffalo Lake on
toot,) and ten kept together until they reach
ed the Two Woods, near which place they OBJ.
tanned two horses, and the White Lodges sons
and two Others turned back. Campbell and
five Indians proceeded toward the settlements,
and finally reached the Winnebago reservation,
where they murdered a family, and plundered
the house of all they could carry. Suisse
quently Campbell was taken prisoner, and at
the time of his capture. the entire party was
surrounded. The five Indians wer subsequent
ly obliged to move very cautiously, as they
were pursued by the whites. They finally
eluded the pursuit, and had all reached this
point witout injury. This party had gone to
the settlements he said, 40 the earnest and
repeated solicitation of Campbell.
When asked if there were any other party
behind, he said that no other party had visited
the settlement, and that no signs had been
seen below the head of the Redwood either as
they were going down or returning, and he
did not believe any other party had approach
ed the frontier.
After the scouts had arrived and obtained
what information they deemed important the
young scamp was sent to join his associates In
crime.
There is no doubt about this being the party
that murdered the family on the Winnebago
ply of mems, women's and childrens wearing
apparel, bedding, curtains, dishes, knives
and forks, spoons &C., &C. They also had q
mare and colt and two horses that were taken
from the whites One of the horses was shot
during the fight.
In the face Of the thrilling reports of hordes
of hostile Indians having infested the settle
ments, it is q reckless disregard of public
opinion for me to say that Campbell and his
five associates constituted the entire force Of
hostile Indians that have visited the settle
ments since the opening of spring, and yet I
affirm positively that there have been none
others from the hostile camps In the northwest.
If other hostile Indians have been there they
came across from the Missouri. But do not
believe there have been any others.
Take the reports of the encounters between
the whites and Indians after the capture of
Campbell, and the depredatiOns committed by
them, and you find that all took place within
dams "got out of the woods" 1t is stated
that in the second fire upon the soldiers when
Mr.. Jolly was killed, that the boys thought the
Indians fred from ten to fifteen shots" This
is the only statement have found where there
were more than five Indians seen. In this case
to quicken the powers of multiplication in the
minds of 1.-THE boys" When the fire was re-
turned "the boys" thought an Indian was
killed. but think that he has not yet been
found.
The fact is that the five Indians that went
down with Campbell, after the murder of Mr..
Jewett and family, found themselves hemmed
In by the whites and. as the young Indian
stated, were hunted through the woods for
several days. They were seen, and committed
depredatiOns, at several points during that
time. Hence the idea of numerous parties.
We all recollect the horrors perpetrated in
Nicollet county in 1862. There were frequent
reports of hundreds of Indians being seen in
body, in different places; yet the record
shows that nine Indians committed all the
murders that were committed and burned an
the buildings that were burned In the county.
When this matter can be examined dispas-
sionately, think all candid men will admit
that five Indians and the miscreant Campbell
committed all the depredations Committed in
Blue Earth county in 1865.
Campbell and four of his associates land
probably the ffihl have paid the penalty Of
their crime, and I think the frontier will not
again be troubled with hostile Sioux. In my