The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-10-07

TOPEKA, KAs., October 5.-Full particu-
lars have been received here Of the Indian.
raids north OF the Kansas Pacific Railroad.
After crossing the railroad the Indians
went southwest, andstruck the Settlements
in Decatur county. Decatur is one of the
outermost counties touching Nebraska on
the north, and the settlers are mainly
homesteaders, living in dug-outs and
cabins. The main depredations were
committed on Sappa Creek, tributary of
the Republican River. Every residence.
for distance OF y miles, was raided, and
almost every thing destroyed. All kinds
OF clothing and provisions were taken,
feather.beds ripped open, clocks torn to
pieces, and dishes broken and strewn
about the prairie; and to add to the disas-
ter and make it complete, herds OF cattle
were stampeded, and have eaten and des-
troyed the scant crops OF settlers, their
only dependence for the winter.
The number OF people killed and wound
ed can not be accurately stated, but the
bodies OF the following have been brought
into the little town OF Oberiin and buried:
n. S. Humphrey, James G. Laning, Thos.
and Miss Kelley, Mr.. Lule, Marcilus Felt,
VIM. Laning, II. F. Abernathy, Mr. Ir-
win. Two other members OF the Laning
family have been killed since the troubles
began, and Mrs. Laning, an old lady, wife
OF one OF the murdered men, and mother
OF the other three, was knocked down and
brutally outraged by several Of the Indians,
and left for dead near her burning house.
John Marshall was badly wounded in the
back and shoulder, and lay concealed in
the creek willows until the rescuing party
from Oberlin came upon him. A man
named Stedman was also badly wounded
\ in the arm, and Mr.. Wright and Fred.
Walters are missing, though the wife and
children OF Walters have been found.
Some Of the incidents Of defense and es-
eape on the part OF the settlers are very
thrilling. Z. D. Colum, wife and two
children were in log house In what is
known as the Robinson Draw, branch
on the south side OF the south fork OF the
Sappa. When the Indians were first dis
covered. Colum knocked out post hole
on each side Of his house, and his wife
putting the little girls under the bed, took
one post hole and he the other, he with 4
shotgun and she with revolver. When
an Indian had approached close enough,
Colum fired at him with his revolver, and
he returned the fire without effect, and
within half IN hour not an Indian was in
sight, and in about two hours the relief
party enabled Colum to load his family
into his wagon and go TO town.
At KeeieRs Ranch, on the South Fork, 4
cattleman named Lynch and one herder,
boy and Mrs. Keefer and seven chill.
dren, were the only occupants. Lynch,
when opportunity offered, fired and
killed, or badly wou nded, an Indian, and
that was all the trouble they had there, or
at least it was the first OF the Indians
showing themselves. J. ]. keeter and ".
| J. Atwall, who were returning from the
North Fork ofthe Sappo to Keeie's Ranch
with yoke OF cattle and wagon, and
when within few rods Of South Fork,
discovered the Indians aud run their cattle
into the creek, and, taking to the brush
and goingto the creek NOTICED Mr. Humph-
raw and Mr.. Bride and family, and Law
out in the brush with them until after
: dark.
Mrs. LAning, after being outraged, and
seeing her sons killed and her house burn.
ed, made her way several miles along the
creek in the darkness TO Keeiers Ranch,
| arriving there about midnight in terrible
plight. Nearly all the settlers along thg
Sappa have taken refuge in Oberlin, and
the little town is exerting itself TO the al.
most to care for them. They have Utterly
, nothing left in the way Of teams, ciothint
: or provisions. Their crops are all pont
and their cabins destroyed Almost ever
family had some killed or wounded, a,
, escaped only with the loss OF all their III
= tie property. There was not enough M
). in all the little settlement 70 get . eofir
for one Of the dead men, and lumber IA,
j. that purpose was contributed by the poot
!. people Of 0berlin. Allreports to-day con
!. cur in saying that the troops have iinaIl,
overpowered the Indians, and scattepe:
them In all directions, and Il Is safe 10 con
lecture that the worst il over, and nothin,
d serious Is further 70 be aFprehended.