St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-04-04
A STATE OF SUSPENSE.
The Condition of the People of the
Northwest Territories on Account
Of the Uprising.
The Wires Between BattlefOrd and
Humboldt Cut and Communication
with Winnipeg Broken.
and Making Rapid Progress Toward
the Theater of Action.


The Condition Of Affairs at the Front From
Late Authorizations Theories Of
the Trouble.
Special to the Globe.
WINNIPEG, Man, April 3.-The telegraph
wire was cut last evening between Humboldt
and Battleford, probably at some point near
Clark's crossing, so nothing has been heard
from Battleford for more than twenty-four
hours. There is very uneasy feeling here
as to the probable fate of the besieged, and
intense anxiety for the troops to be sent for
ward. A and B batteries are making better
time than was expected, and will probably
reach Port Arthur about II O'Clock to- night
running on through and reaching here to-
morrow evening Gen. Middleton has de-
clded not to advance further than Fort
Qu'Appelle until more troops come up.
William HOWE of High Bluff, Manitoba, who
returned to that place yesterday from the vi
cinity of the rebel headquarters, says:
'Two weeks ago last Wednesday Riel,
with a gang of about four hundred,
declared war and started on marauding
expedition. The day before Riel started he
addressed large meeting of half-breeds in
the Catholic church near Batouche's cross
ing. He advised all to arm themselves and
prepare for fight, as it was evident that JUS
tice could be secured by no other method.
The first unlawful act committed by the
rebels was breaking into the settlement store
kept by Walters & Baker on the opposite side
OF the river. In all cases the rebels took
what goods they found and then made pris-
oners of the storekeepers. The object
of the rebels seemed to be to
strike at the Dominion government,
as they imprisoned all government
officials and clerks they could lay hands on.
Riel sent couriers up to Chief White Cap to
have his band join them. He said he was 60
ing to clean out the whole settlement at
Prince Albert. They had fifty prisoners, all
Batouche's crossing before Howie left. Howie
says the rebels and half-breed followers have
$50 repeating rifles willie the Indians are
armed with shot guns. AS to cannon pos
sessed by Riel, Howie says the tracks of
wheels were found in several places. He is
of the opinion that the cannon have been
taken from Fort Carlton. Gabrielle Dumont
and a man named Garneau are the chief
men next to Riel in the rebellion. English
half-breeds did not join Riel, as he expected,
but they went to Prince Albert and allied
themselves with the whites and police, who
are all in the fort there. A Calgary dispatch
Of to-day says: ''Maj. Gen. Strange arrived
by train yesterday afternoon. Col. Herch-
mer and Capt. Cotton of the mounted police
also arrived. They had a long conference
last night at the fort. Col. Herchmer will
return to Medicine Hat on Saturday. He is
making necessary arrangements for steam
boat transportation of troops and supplies
down the Saskatchewan. A message from
Fort Macleod gives assurance that the Blood
Indians are all quiet There seems to be
nothing to fear from them or from the Black
feet. The extensive block built by the late
Gov. Cauchon took fire this evening. One
wing, occupied by several families, was al
most destroyed, and the tenants lose most
all their furniture. Total loss, $4,000; in
sured.
EARLIER REPORTS.
Last night three half-breeds, with a cart
and blackboard, were loading up goods
from store in the south part of town, when
party of three police and twelve civilians,
under cover of a field piece, went over and
succeeded in capturing the blackboard and
horse and wounding one of the men; but
the others, with the cart. got into the woods
while the party were crossing the river.
Houses were visited, and the full extent of
the ravages committed bv the rebels ascer-
tanned. Some are badly plundered and
others cleaned out entirely. The Taylor set
tlement, twenty-five miles west of Battleford,
was raided and everything destroyed.
large body of Indians, with their families and
cattle, are encamped twelve miles away,
They are moving slowly south toward Sound
ing lake.
Calgary reports no apprehension of imme-
diate danger there. 1t appears that nervous
people have been telegraphing absurd reports
OF the Indians rising. The Indians have as
yet made no hostile demonstrations. No
cattle or sheep have been killed or stolen and
it is believed that assistance will arrive in
time to avoid trouble of this kind. The In
dians are keeping a sharp lookout and may
attack if the opportunity arises. The Indians
are posted as to movements North, and if
they are successful will, it is believed, give
trouble. The half-breeds are leaving, osten-
sibly to hunt, but it is thought TO join Riel,
of whose movements they are informed. 1t
is hoped that the government will send
troops.
Edmonton is quiet as yet, but the half
breeds are dissatisfied with land regulations.
The situation depends greatly on the attitude
of the Bloods at Macleod.
man named Blondin arrived at
Qu'Appelle yesterday from Humboldt. He had
his freight taken from him by the rebels, who
gave him an order for it, signed by Alex
ander Fisher, lieutenant governor Of Sas-
katchewan, and by Gourveny, secretary.
En- Route to the Seat of War.
Special to the Globe.
CHICAGO, April 3.-A number of promi-
nent Canadian officials passed through here
en- route to Manitoba. 1t was learned through
conversations with them that the Dominion
government is taking active precautions
against Fenian invasion and that the govern
ment is in receipt of information which
shows conclusively that the Fenisns are Coz
templating some kind of a movement All
the entrances tn the DarIiament bufldinp at