Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-06-11

The people of western Minnesota have been
badly frightened, and there was probably scri-
Gus danger for time of an Indian war with all
its atrocities What these are, they remember
too well, since only ten years ago the Chippewas
made a descent upon the frontier settlements,
killing, scalping and burning, according TO the
mereiess custom Of Indian warfare. Not many
days ago a family named Cook, living at Oak
Lake, were murdered apparently by indians.
No special alarm was occasoned by this, as it
was supposed 10 be the act of chance party of
drunken savages, without any generally hostile
purpose. But it was soon rumored that mes
sages were passing between the Pillagers, fierce
and unruly tribe on the extreme northwest Dor
der of the state, and the various bands of the
Chippcwas, having in view the formation of an
alliance with hostile designs against the whites.
These rumors caused so much uneasiness in
the remote settlements, that Governor Austin
thought it proper TO send a competent person TO
make inquiries as TO the actual disposition and
purposes of the Indians, so that protection nigh
be given to the settlers if necessary, or theii
fears might be quieted if there was no occasion
for them. A Dr. Day of ST. Paul was sent on
this GRAND, who found as he approached the
frontier, the reports of impending danger more
numerous andcircumstantial,a and the whole coun-
try side almost in panic. Men were leaving their
homes and taking refuge, with their families
aud cattle, in the forts and palisades. 1t was
believed that the alliance between the Pillagers
and the Chippewas had been concluded; that the
Indians were sending their women and children
into thewoods north Of Leech lake and that fifteen
hundred warriors were assembled to ravage the
settlements. DR.. Day, however, not able to trace
these reports TO any authentic source, pushed on
until he came to the reservation of the White
Earth band of Chippewas, and there held a coun.
Gil with their chiefs and satisfied himself Of
their peaceful intentions. They admitted that
a message had been received from the Piager.
inviting them 10 a council with view to coop
Grating against the whites, but declared tina
they had answered that, if the Pillagers mad
any attack upon the whites the Chippewa
would take sides with the latter. They hat
also sent spies among the PIagcrs TO give tn,
earliest news of any hostile movement. Theil
chief had afterward received reply from The
Otter.tails, one of the Pillager bands, to the
effect that they would oppose any out
break and, il one should take place
would unite with the Chippewas and the whites
against the rest of the Pillagcr tribe. With
this reassuring information Dr. Day set ont on
his return, relieving the anxiety of the settlers
as he passed. He had not gone very far before
word was sent by one of his associates in his
mission OF inquiry, that the Piliager chiefs anC
warriors desired to hold council with the gov
ernor at Branard, frontier post, and proposed
to bring with them for surrender the murdercri
OF the Cook family. The conference was to hav'
been held yesterday, and all fear of Indiar
troubles in that region will no doubt be set a