Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-04-09
The Trouble in the North West
THE HALF-BREEDS' REASON.

THE HALF-BREEDS' REASON.
CHICAGO, April "a number of
prominent Canadian officials passed
through here to-day ca route for Man
itoba. 1t was learned through con-
versatiou with them that the Domin-
ion government is taking active pre-
cautions against the Fenian invasion.
and the government is III receipt of
information which shows conclusiyely
that the Fenians are contemplating
some movement. Al entrances to
the parliament building are closed
except one door, and there are two
policemen constantly on duty to pre-
vent any one not well known
from entering the building. It's ex-
pected the Fenians will confne them
themselves IN assisting Riel III the re-
bellion IN the Northwest. The half
breed grievances seems to be that they
sold out lands granted them by the
dominion government for anything
offered them, and moved back into
Prince Albert's country. Here they
became dissatisfied and sent to the
United States for Rel to visit them,
and during the visit, which every one
supposed was of friendly and con-
clhatory nature, he quietly
sOwed the seeds of dissension
which finally eliminated in rebel
lion. The dominion authorities ex>
pect long guerilla warfare which
will probably last q year or more.
Military authorities are actively en-
gagged IN organizing troops and get
ting arms and accoutrements in read
mess and preparing to make q vigor-
Gus warfare.
FIGHTING AND PLUNDERING.
WINNIPEG, April 3.-The telegraph
wire was cut last evening between
Humboldt and Battleford, probably
at 'me point near Clark's Crossing,
an nothing has been heard from
Bat, sford for more than "a hours.
TheI is very uneasy feeling as to
the probable fate of the besieged. and
intense anxiety is felt for troops to be
sent forward "A' and ''B" batteries
are making better time than expected
and will probably reach Port Arthur
about II o'clock tonight, running on
through and reaching here tomorrow
evening.
Gen Middleton has decided not to
advance farther than Fort Qu'Appelle
until more troops come up. William
HOWE, of.High Bluff, Manitoba, who
returned from that place yesterday,
from the vicinity of the rebels, says:
Two weeks ago yesterday Rel with
q gang of about 400 declared war and
started on maranding expedition.
The day before Riel started he ad-
dressed large meeting of halfbreeds
IN q Catholic church near BattOuches
Crossing. He advised all to arm
themselves and prepare for fight
as it was evident that justice could
be secured Ky no other method. The
FIRST unlawful acts committed by Riel
were breaking into a settlement store
kept by Geo. Kerr, and sacking of
the 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 prisoners
of the storekeepers. The object of the
rebels seemed to be to strike at the
dominion government, as they
imprisoned all government Off
Gals and clerks that they
could lay hands on. Rel
sent couriers up to Chief White Cap
to have his band join them. He said
he was going to clean out the whole
settlement at Prince Albert. They
had fifty prisoners locked up in the
Catholic church, near Battouches
Crossing before Howie lett. HOWE
said the rebels and half breed foI~
lowers have $50 repeating rifles,
while tne Indians are armed with
Ac ~ lo
sessed by Riel, HOWE states that
tracks of wheels were found in several
places. He IS of the opinion that
cannons have been taken from Fort
Carlton. Gabrielle Dument and a
man named Tarneau are the chief
men next to Rel in the rebellion.
The English half-breeds did not
join Rel as he had expected,
but went to Prince Albert and allied
themselves with the whites and police
who are all IN the fort there. A Coll
gary dispatch to day says that Mai.
Gen. Strange arrived by train yester~
day afternoon. Col. Herschmer and
Captain Cotton, Of the mounted
police also arrived. They had long
conferences last night at the fort.
Col. Herschmer will return to Medi~
cine Hat on Saturday. He is making
necessary arrangements for steamboat
transportation of troops and supplies
down the Saskatchewan. A message
from Mcleod gives the assurance that
the Indians are all quiet. There
seems to be nothing 10 fear from
them or from the black feet.
An extensive block built by the
late Gov. Cancheon, took fire this
evening. a wing occupied by several
families. was almost destroyed with
the furniture.