The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-04-09

realize by the sale of lands was not placed
In the care of the court but orders were even
given that the money should he given to the
care of parish priests or the heads of families
Lands were also taken out of chancery and
sold out rapidly. and land sharks were about
making all they could by taking advantage
OF the peculiar feature of the infant provls-
ion. The half breeds themselves were an
easy going people. and the lands and scrip
granted to heads of families were in many
cases squande1ed Doubtless there were
numerous abuses of this kind, but the law
was generally acceptable to the half-breeds
of Manitoba. and they took full advantage
of 1t Now, beyond the confines of Manitoba,
in the Northwest Territory, lay q few half
breed sections, for the Inhabitants of which
no provision was made in the Manitoba act
As matter Of fact, the inhabitants OF these
places did not demand an apportionment of
land at the time. The St. Laurent district,
the seat OF the present uprising, was among
these sections
THE AGITATION AT ST. LAURENT
About ten years ago. however, the settlers
OF this district began to wake up to the fact
that they should receive some consideration
and asked to be placed on the same footing
with regard to homesteads and lands as the
surveyors were sent into the country to lay
out the lands Here tho same difficulty was
met a. in the Red and Assinaboine
river districtA The half-breeds. accord
ing to their French custom, had laid
eone sse b aa%' of he
wan and it's branches, and the surveyors
were of course compelled to destroy this ar
rangement The people earnestly protested.
They also renewed their claims for grants of
24O acres per capita, and from that time to
this the agitation has been kept up. Various
complications have arisen in the meantime,
and complaints have been made of delays
and arbitrary acts on the part OF the govern
ment hel was again called upon for
counsel and advice. He was visited in Mon
tation of the half-breeds, and in response to
their appeal went into tho St Laurent
county. The half-breeds in the meantime,
had laid their grievances before tho domin-
lon parliament at Ottawa Last September
they held meeting at st laurent at which
following 10 the substance:
First. the subdivision into provinces Of the
Northwest territories; second. the half breeds
as the Manitoba half-breeds; third, patents to
be issued at once to the colonists in possession;
fourth the sale OF half million acres OF domin
tablishment in tho half breed settlements Of
schools. hospitals and such-like institutions,
and to the equipment Of the poorer half breeds
with SEED grain and implements: nth the res
distribution among the children Of half breeds
during the next 100 years; sixth, . grant of at
le8St 31sOUU LOT the maintenance OF an 1nStltu-
ton to be conducted by the nuns in each half
breed settlement: and seventh, better provision
forthe support Of the Indians.
The last item, it is said, was inserted by
Riel In order to please POundmaker, an In
dian chief who has made common cause
with the half-breeds The bill of rights ap-
Parently asks for a good deal more than
the rebels have any idea Of obtaining, but it
is said that Monsignor Grandin, the Roman
Catholic bishop of that region, and most of
the English speaking settlers are in favor of
it. Since Riers presence in the Saskatche-
wan country he has been actively. At the
head of the movement for rights, and under
his leadership the forces have organized and
the present rebellion has been engineered
The events of the conflict are still fresh in
the memory of ali.
TIE PRESENT REBELLION
Tho rebellion war started in tho early
part of last week. At first tho do
minton government professed to con-
slider the insurrection a. of no i'm
portance but the cutting of the telegraph
Indians all through the Saskatchewan terri
tory as we'll IA the imminent danger In which
tho Canadian Pacific railroad is placed has
thoroughly aroused them, and troops are
being rapidly hurried to the front by special
the field. The exact strength Of RieTs forces
is not known 1t Is said to he composed Of
500 to l, 800 men, armed with Remington
and Winchester rifles, and Gen Middleton
who is to command the government troops
declines to advance to the front with less
than 500 men. The first troops left VIM
nipeg for the scene Of the rebellion on Thurs
day of last week. They comprised six COM
panies of the Nineteenth battalion in all 27O
men; to these are to be added the regu-
lar mounted police already on the ground.
the settlers residing in the section where the
rebellion is in progress. The troops, however,
are at Qu'Appelle, waiting for reinforce
mentA The first regular battle between the
rebels and the police took place last Thurs
day afternoon Ten civilians of Prince Al
bert and two policemen were killed and four
civilians and seven constables wounded
The rebel loss was fifteen killed. A second
fight Mt Duck lake, on Friday, resulted in the
killing and wounding of thirteen policemen
and volunteers and the death of forty rebels
Fort Carleton was also destroyed on the 9th
by Col Irvine, of the police force, to prevent
its falling into the hands of the rebelA Vol
unteers are being called for by the govern
ment, and are responding in large numbers
AS fast as equipped they ara being pushed
ready to leave Winnipeg for the scene of
war In few days
THE INDIANA At BAr11EroRD.
Winnipeg Special: The following was 70
cetved this morning:
Battleford, March 3l.-An residents in town
and settlers in the nei9hborhood have moved
their families into the barracks. Several hun
dred Indians came down from Poundmaker's
reserve yesterday, ratding formers houses on
their way. and are now in possession of the
Methodist school, helping themselves to
what they want. They profess peace but
their actions belle their words. Three
police and ten Prince Albert volunteers
known to be killed. The Indians who are on
the south side OF Battle river want the Indian
consent to . conference with the chiefs on mid
d1o grounds The Crees and Stonees of the
Earle hills refuse TO join in the disturbance
The following was received at Qu'Appelle
ut IL O'Clock to day:
Members Of the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth COM
pantes, Nineteenth battalion. under command OF
Aat. boswell arrived at Fort Qu'Appelle at 2