The Progress. [volume] (White Earth, Minn.) 1886-1889, 1889-06-29
Little Falls Transcript.
The Mile Laos Trouble,

The NTille Laos Trouble.
Last Friday st. Paul papers
contained the startling informa-
ton that the Indians on the res.
erYation at Mile Laos had began
massacreing the white settlers on
the reservation thrt sixteen whites
had been killed, that Gov. Merri-
am and the TT. Smelling officers
had been called on for aid, that
three companies Of regular soldiers
had been sent to the front, and
that the militia Of the state was
under orders to be ready to march
instantly. That troops had been
asked for and forwarded was un-
doubted, but that there had been
an uprising Of the Indians was not
believed in this communicative
ated as it is only 30 miles from
the reservation, and having a good
understanding Of the character of
the Indians. Later reports showed
the slight foundation for the wild
rumors. An Indian named Wa
dena, q low, drunken fellow who
had recently been released from
government confinement for sell
ing Whiskey to other Indians, had
shot and wounded a man named
Magnuson. who had taken claim
on the reservation. Wadena was
drunk at the time, and the injured
mas was taken to St. Cloud and is
recovering.
All the trouble there was was
slight, and was brought on by the
encroachknents Of the unite settlers
on the lands belonging to the Indi-
ans, and BY the. whiskey that the
Indians obtained. It is but natu-
raj that when the Indians become
intoxicated that they should make
threats to drive the intruders from
their reservation. There are now
about l 900 Of the Mile Laos tribe,
and they are without government
aid or protection, being left the
free prey of
Whisky Selling Whites.
There is no one among them to ex-
ercise government authority and
promptly punish violation of the
law. Under the circumstances it
is surprising that there has been 50
little trouble with them, and it is
due to the fact that they are a
Friendly and PeaceabIe Tribe,
always willing to be at peace with
the whites. During the great In
dian outbreak in 1862 those Indl-
ans refused the urgent appeals of
other tribes to join in the war, and
even prepared to take the side of
the whites, if the tribes north of
here made an attack. For all their
loyalty, friendship and constant
good behavior the government has
never shown any returns. An
agent should be placed in charge
of them, part of their lands and
timber sold and money obtained to
start them in farming and other
industries. There are now among
them many who have adopted in
dustrious habits, and large num-
bers work in lumber camps and
on the drives, and supply the Ium-
bermen with hay. A few are sue
cessfully conducting farms, but
with no one to instruct them this
example will be followed slowly.
There is no tribe in the Northwest
that could be more easily induced
to adopt the industrial customs of
the whites, and a little interest on
the part Of the authorities would
greatly benefit them.
The whites have been invading
their reservation, and they are in
constant fear that they will lose
their land, Notwithstanding the
government guarantee that they
can remain as long as they behave
themselves. The fact that expul-
sion would probably follow an out
break, gives some grounds for the
belief that interested parties are
endeavoring to create disturb
ance.'
Chief Gabriel Ranvill and Roy