Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-07-21

Northern Pacific road, some twenty eight
miles from Brainerd, was the scene of
a tragic incident which carried the ideas
of all old settlers back to the early days.
The main fact-that of the deliberate
murder of one of the chiefs of the Mile
Lac band of Indians-has already been
given to the public through the columns
of the GDoBE. The details border upon
the romantic, and are as follows:
During Sunday number of the deni-
zens of that wild country assembled
at Aitkin, and of course there
was high old time. Among
Among the revelers were two young
Iuen, named George Harris and Henry
Taylor During the evening they visited
the camp of a band of Indians and
made themselves offensive to the occu-
pants of the tepees, and the young bucks
1,red them out. Filled with bad whisky
and revenge they armed themselves with
n Winchester rifle, which they stole IN
The village, and returning, proceeded to
fire into the camp promiscuously. Un-
fortunately one of the shots took effect
in the neck of Quake ge-shick, BROTH
or of the head chief of the Mile Lac
land, causing instant death, aud wound
jng one or two others. At the time
the Indians were sitting around the camp
fire peacefully smoking their pipes.
RALLY OF THE BRAVES.
The occurrence raised storm at once
among the Indians, and runners were at
once sent out to notify the braves of what
had taken place, and by Monday morn
ing the little village was surrounded by
fully $50 braves, all demanding life for
life. In the meantime Sheriff Tibbetts
had been informed of the tragic event,
and he soon traced the murderers to their
resting place and arrested them and
lodged them in Jail. On Monday
the excitement grew apace. The
Indians began to arrive from
different quarters, and a universal
demand was made that the murderers be
given up to them. They notified the
sheriff that they would give him two
days to deliver the men into their hands,
and if this demand was not complied
with they would proceed to wreak ven
geance upon the Inhabitants of the vii
]age. The situation was a critical one
and but for the coolness of Sheriff Tib-
belts the result might have been disas-
trous. He knew the Indian character
and temporized with them until County
Attorney Holland, of Brainerd, arrived,
when grand council was called and the
matter talked over In the mean
time W. W. Erwin, Esq, of this
city, was telegraphed for to
defend the culprits and telegram was
sent to Governor Pillsbury for aid
DEMAND FOR THE PRISONERS.
County Attorney Holland, of Brainerd,
arrived at Aitkin on the evening of the
18th and at 10 a. m. on the 10Th Che -bosh-
kong, head chief of the Mile Lac band,
whose brother was the victim of the
murder, made formal demand that the
prisoners be delivered over to the Indians
for punishment. A council was held in
EnoX's Hall, composed of the Indian
chiefs and braves to the number of some
sixty or more, and the leading business
Inen of the village. John Lyons, an old
upper Mississippi river pilot, acted as
interpreter. Many speeches were made
on both sides. The Indians demanded
that the two men be instantly killed in
their presence, and cited as a precedent
the summary hanging of certain Indians
by Sheriff Ans. Northup some years ago
for a like offense. County Attorney Hol-
land explained the law of the white men,
and that he would be held responsible for
their trial by high court to be held at
Brainerd the third week in September
He further explained that the Great
Father (Gov. Pillsbury) at st. Paul, would
punish him if he failed to do his duty,
and that the governor had instructed him
10 have them sent to st. Paul, Mime
apols or Stillwatera for safe keeping un-
i'll they were tried by the white mans
law. He assured the council that the two
men should be sent to the
stone Jail at St. Paul, where they
would be kept securely until they were
tried and if found guilty would be pun
ished Several of the braves in reply
called the governor to witness that the
prisoners should never be allowed to
leave Aitkin alive.
THE WHITE MANS LAW.
Finally the leading chief, Cha bosh-
kong, brother of the murdered man, de-
cided to abide by the white mans law,
when nearly all his braves deserted him,
and broke up the council. During all
this time the jail where the prisoners
were confined was guarded by Indians,
and the entire town was surrounded by
Indians, who would not permit white
man to leave. In fact perfect reign of
terror existed, and the inhabitants
OF the small hamlet, numbering some
$50 whites, young and old, were at the
mercy of the infuriated savages Signal
shots were fired at intervals all around
the town, showing that the Indians were
Non guard.
ERwIN's STRATEGY.
In the meantime it had been circulated
among the Indians that purse had been
raised to employ great lawyer from st.
Paulto clear the murderers, and the In
dians were anxiously inquiring where
the lawyer was as they were desirous to
wreak their vengeance on him as well as
on the murderers. Mr. Erwin did not
keep himself hid by any means, but
boldly walked into the council room
and stated that he sympath1zed
with the widow and children of
the deceased, and in token of the fact
begged the head chief to accept small
contribution towards their relief, at the
same time handing the chief $50 bill
1t was gratefully received. and Mr.. Err
a..