Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-12-09
NO. 32y

NO. 32Y
HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Address of Judge Flandrau on tho Mas
sacre Of 1857.
regular meeting Of the historical society
was held at the capitol last night. Gen. Sibley
presiding, . large number of prominent citi-
zens bt ing in attendance.
Before proceeding with the regular business
the president introduced Judge @. E. Flandran,
who in response to q cordial invitation from
all present, read an exceedingly able and inter-
esting paper on tho Ink-pa-du-ta, or Spirit
Lake Indian massacre of 1857, the subsequent
circumstances of which formed a thrilling
chapter in bis early career frontiersman
and United States Indian agent:
In commencing his succinet and scholarly
address, the speaker adverted to the treaty of
1912, by which the Sac and Fox tribes of inci-
ans oeded certain land west of the Mississippi
river.
After q passing reference to remnant of
the Wax be ku.ti tribe, which took no part in
a subsequent treaty of 1851, by which lands
owned by them in Minnesota we're ceded to the
government, the speaker referred to a remnant
OI V6u-Ol.6ap8O OanO Oh UlteoQ lOOgc6, under
the chieftainship of Ink-pa-du-ta, who had
settled in the neighborhood of Spirit lake, and
were considered a bad lot of vsgabonds.
Attention was then directed to q settlement
at Spirit lake in the spring of 1857, projected
by the Hon. William Freedom, and consisting
of six or seven families also to Q settlement,
fifteen miles from Spirit lake, at tho head of
the Des Moines river, called Springfield. Judge
Flandrsu here spoke of his appointment as In
dian agent for the Sioux, which took place in
1855, the agencies of which were on the Min
nesota and Yellow Medicine rivers.
The early troubles caused by Ink-pa- du-ta's
band and the incident which led to the massacre,
was described as originating from the killing
of dog by one of the tribe, which provoked
the settlers TO such an extent that they re-
taliated by going in body to the camp and
indignity, which took place while hunting on
the Rock river, the tribe proceeded northwest
to Spirit lake. arriving at which on the 9th or
9TH of March, they ut once proceeded to mas
sacre the settlers.
Al tho men, forty.two in number. were
killed. four women being carried away az cap
tives, their names being: Mrs. Mobiles, Mrs.
Thatcher, Mrs. Marble and Miss Gardner, The
savages then proceeded 20 Springfield, where
they killed all the members of the post, includ-
ing Mr.. VIM. Wood. its founder. The discov-
cry of the massacre was graphically described,
as made by Mr.. Morris Markham, member of
Mr.. Gardner's family who had fortunately been
absent at the time Of the savage onslaught.
The excitement following the news of the
massacre were here adverted to, together with
the prompt measures that were set on foot to
rescue the captives and punish the pcrpetra-
tors. The speaker then outlined the difficult
ties encountered by an impromptu expedition,
organized by himself, with the assistance of
Col. Alexander and staff, of the Seventh in
fan,ry, who received orders to follow and pun
ish the enemy, the conduct of both officers and.
sv.E vnk he
obstacles, being alluded to In the warmest Ian
gusge.
The terrible obstacles encountered and the
hardships endured by the brave little band in
| their march through the wilderness was delin-
! Gated in the most graphic word-painting, Capt.
Bees resolution to execute his orders at all
hazards being cited as the most remarkable
test of soldiers courage. The sad rites at
tending the burial of the dead, upon reaching
the scene of the tragedy. and the return to the
fort of Capt. Bee and men. leaving Lieut.. Muir
ray and twenty-four men to stand guard at
Spirit Lake, was touchinely alluded to.
The purchase of Mrs. Marble by two broth
ers, Markpe-ya-ka-lo-ton and se-ha-ho-ta. was
here given and her safe return to tho Yellow
Medicine agency graphically alluded to, very
entertaining description being given of her
picturesque appearance on returning to civii-
cation. A copy of the letter sent by the two
braves describing the manner of her purchase
| was given, the letter concluding with demand
| ing $500 each for the brave and noble service.
| 1t was learned from Mrs. Marble that the other
women were still alive, and so great did the in
terest in their welfare become that the legisla-
ture passed an act appropriating $4,000 to
apply to the rescue of the captives.
Reference was here made to territorial
bond issued by Mr.. Riggs, and the speaker,
previous to hearing of the appropriation. The
agency found it necessary to raise $1,000 to
keep good faith with the friendly Indians,
and forward another expedition, and as there
was no money in the treasury they resorted to
this mode of raising money, the bond to be
drawn on hope and charity, payable in three
months after date. The bond is a unique
| apeclmen of fnanciering and reads as follows:
l, Stephen r. Riggs, missionary among the
Sioux Indians, and 1, Charles E. Flandran,
United States Indian agent for tho Sioux,
| being satisfied that INSTRUMENTATION and
Si-ha-ho-ta, two Sioux Indians. have performed
| a valuable service to the Territory of Minneso-
Mrs. Margaret Ann Marble and delivering her
to the Sioux agent, and being further satisfied
that the rescue of the two remaining white
| women who are now in captivity among Ink
| pa-du-ta's band of Indians depends much upon
the liberality shown towards the said Indians
who have recovered Mrs. Marble, and having
| full confidence in the humanity and iberality
| of the Territory of Minnesota, through its
government and citizens, have this day paid to
said two above named Indians the sum of
| $500 in money and do hereby pledge to
| said two Indians that the further sum of $500
will be paid to them by the Territory of Min
nesota or its citizens within three months
| from date hereof. 1t is unnecessary to say
| that the money was raised and that the Indian
braves were paid their ransom. An expedition
was then gotten up at Yellow Medicine, leaving
| that place on the 29d of MAY, taking with them
| remaining captives. Arriving at the camp of
friendly Yanktons they learned of the killing
of Mrs. Noble and Mrs. Thatcher, and that Miss
GARNER had been sold to a Yankton warrior
named Wam-a-dus- ka-i-han-ki, or the END of
the Snake" that lady being afterwards pur-
chased for two horses, two blankets and several
small articles.
An account was here given of q subsequent
expedition to the Yellow Medicine river and Of
the killing of a savage belonging to tho Ink-pa-
du .ta's, who was visiting lodge of friendly
Indians, and who was the only one of the
butchers who was ever put to death for the
massacre.
The reading of the able and interesting paper
was listened to with profound attention, and
at its close, a vote of thanks WAS returned for
the same, and it was referred to the commit
tee on publication.
oTHER BUSINESS.
Gen. r. W. johnson, from the committee on
Hennepin celebration, reported that arrange
ments for that event are in full progress.
number of valuable gifts were reported, among
them a complete set of Van Nostrand's En-
cheering Magazine. from Col. VIM. Crooks.
Hon. William Dawson and Judge E. Elan
drau were proposed and elected as life mem
bers.
A proposal of A. @. Lounsberry to sell the
society ten portraits of ex-governors, for $780,
was debated, and laid over until the next
meeting.
PERSONAL.