Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1889-06-21
THE MILE Laos TROUBLE.

THE MILE Laos TROUBLE.
Last Fridays St. Paul papers con-
tanned the startling information that
the Indians on the reservation at
Mile Lacs had begun massacreing
the white settlers on the reservation,
that sixteen whites had been killed,
that Gov. Merriam and the Fl. Smell
ling 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 undoubt-
ed, but that there had been an upris-
ing of the Indians was not believed in
this community-situated as it is only
30 miles from the reservation, and
having q good understanding Of the
character of the Indians. Later re-
ports showed the slight foundation for
the wild rumors. An Indian named
Wadena, a low, drunken fellow who
had recently been released from gov
ernment confinement for selling
whiskey to other Indians, had shot
and wounded man named Magnus-
son, who had taken a claim on the
reservation. Wadena was drunk at
the time, and the injured nah was
taken to St. Cloud and is recovering.
All the trouble there was was
slight, and was brought on by the eu-
croachments Of white settlers on the
lands belonging to the Indians, and
by the whiskey that the Indians
obtained. 1t is but natural
that when the Indians be-
come intoxicated they should make
threats to drive the intruders from
their reservation. There are now
about 1, 900 Of the Mile Laos tribe,
and they are without government aid
or protection, being left the free prey
Of whiskey selling whites. There is no
one among them to exercise govern
ment authority and promptly punish
violations of the law. Under the cir
cumstances it is surprising that there
has been so little trouble with them,
and it is due to the fact that they are
a friendly and peaceable tribe, always
willing to be at peace with the whites.
During the great Indian outbreak in
1852 those Indians 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 industrious habits, and large
numbers work in lumber camps ant
OH the drives, and supply the lum
bermen with hay. A few are success
fully conducting farms, but with NJ
one to instruct them this exampl;
will be followed slowly. There is ne
tribe in the Northwest that could be
more easily induced to adopt the in.
dustrial 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 thei,
land, Notwithstanding the government
guarantee that they can remain a
long as they behave themselves. Thu
fact that expulsion would probabl,
follow an outbreak, gives som,
grounds for the belief that interested
parties are endeavoring to create
disturbance.