Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-23
DAK0TA'S COMING WAR.
TRAVERSE AND WIIMOT EACH
FILLED WITH ARMED MEN.

Both Sides Ready and Rather Anxious
! for Observation-Disclosures Leaps from
Helplessness into Sufficient Strength
to Assume the Offensive-WilmOt Ex-
pected to Precipitate the Battle.
TRAVERSE, DAKOTA, Dec. PA spy who
arrived from WilmOt yesterday says that a
conference of $50 men was being held in
mans Office at WilmOt. The Chairman stand
ing on top of the stolen safe said that the com
bination had been telegraphed for, and if it
was not received by Sunday morning the safe
would be blown open. He asked the question,
"What shall we do if the books are not in the
safer motion was made and carried amid
cheers and hOWls TO go to Traverse, and sack
and burn every building and hang every man
found. All the men at the meeting were
armed with Wlnchesters and shOtguns. On
receipt of this news the Traverse officials or
dered the women and children to leave the
town, and the order was rapidly Obeyed. The
mob was not expected to reach here much
before dark. Buildings were bar
ricaded and there were runners out
all over the county for arms and men,
The force in Traverse was rather small for
such an emergency, but the men on the
ground were well armed and determined to
make desperate fight. All the weak -kneed
were asked TO leave the town, but none left.
Men from the northeastern part OF the county
were coming to the rescue. The officers were
cool and made the most of their circum
TO call every mauin the county to his assist
ance and note every one who refused. Ex-
cltement ran high. The county records were
secreted, and no one except the Register of
Deeds knew where they were.
TRAVERSE READY FOR THE ONSLAUGHT.
TRAVERSE, OAK, Dec. D. II 80 P. M.-The
situation remains unchanged since last even
ing. blizzard has been blowing since yes
terday, and 1t is extremely cold The Their
mometer was 20 degrees below zero at noon
L0-G4 haG hDa Afr,f for
arms, and sufficient have been secured. Men
from all parts of the county are constantly
arriving, despite the cold weather, and the
o1hclals now feel relieved. The headquarters
are at the court house, where the Register of
Deeds has removed the records. 1t is
f9Ousnf IS now that on HAND sufficient sb%cS iGrGs
keep them. 4 spy '" has just arrived rived
from WllmOt. The men are trying to open
the safe, but have not yet succeeded. The
mob VIII be kept under arms until the safe Is
opened and the contents discovered. If the
records are not found, the mob will imme-
dlately move upon Traverse. No one is per
mltted to leave the town without examIna-
ton. The Sheriff, having a sufficient force to
secure the safety of Traverse, will tomorrow
Win posse attempt to make some arrests.
TO ASSUME THE OFFENSIVE.
II resisted, he will take his whole force and
serve warrants regardless Of consequences.
his forces are sufficient to enable him to take
o1enslYe. Although much smaller in number
than the mob, his men are much more reli-
able. being mostly Americans and leading
citizens of the county. If the two forces meet
a regular battle Will be fought. A conflict
must take place in a day or two. If the
Sherit's posse should be resisted to-
moOryw and any injured, it would
make war to the knife. Every man in Ira
verse is Deputy Sheriff. Their motto is,
Peace, if Possible; Force, if Necessary" A
telegram has been received from the United
States Marshal to the effect that a Deputy
marshal is on the way with warrants for the
arrest OF all those overhauling the mail. The
Governor will furnish all assistancs to have
the meb punished to the full extent Of the
law.