The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1890-02-21
KEPT0FFBY TROOPS
Boomers at Pierre Turned
Back From tho Reservation
by the Military.
Attempts to CROSS the River
Result in the .Wounding of
a Settler.


to-day has been nearly the same as last
night. The crowd continues to mass along
the river, with no signs of abatement in
the excitement. The evening trains
brought in a large addition to the throng,
the cars being loaded down, and many
being compelled to ride outside. The
stances seem to combine to make the situa-
ton exciting and make everything favora-
bic for the settlers and boomers. Last night
the attempts to cross over ON the promised
land were kept up all night and 1t seems
that the boomers never sleep. The soldiers
are being constantly taxed to their utmost
in their attempts to keep the excited crowd
at bay, and unless reiniorcemcnts are had
Immediately there is no possibility
of them holding out Another at
tempt was made by the South Pierre
boomers last night about IL o'clock. They
had over twenty-five teams with wagons
loaded with lumber and supplies, and man
aged by closest secrecy to entirely cross the
ice about one mile below this city and Just
above what is known Us Farm island. They
were discovered by a sentry just us they
were driving up u steep hill near the bank
ofthc river. The sentry attempted to raise
the alarm, but was siczed from behind by
parties who had been lying in ambush, and
was carried to the wagons and bound hand
and foot and laid in the bushes. The boom.
ers steadily proceeded over the hill to the
number of about 500, and had almost Sue
cccdcd in getting beyond tho lines when
they were discovered. The skirlnisliing
party
COMMENCED AN ATTACK
to raise the alarm and fired over the heads
of the boomers. Immediately company
ofmountetl infantry were dispatched from
Fort Pierre, and were soon in hot pursuit.
The boomers commenced to scatter in all
directions, but were nearly all captured.
One was shot i'll the lcg--V. +. Prentice, a
great town site boomer who has five add-
tions to this city and is u real estate partner
of Senator X. +. rcttigrew. Prentice was
taken to the guard house at Fort Pierre, and
the military authorities refuse to give him
up to friends in this city. The boomers re-
turcd to this side all worn out and some
what discouraged with the loss of ten tennis
and wagons loaded with supplies. About
the same time the South Pierre boomers
were making this attempt another crowd,
though somewhat smaller, made a
desperate effort about llalt
mile north ut the boat landing,
This crowd were all OH foot, and were nc
companicd by only five light wagons and
about twenty on horses, nearly two hun
drcd in all. They succeeded, finally, in
making the other bank. When discovered
the boomers made grand rush up the river
bank and scattered in oil directions. The
wagons all escaped into the interior of the
reservation, and about half of the boomers
are scattered over the lands. The other
half of the boomers were returned to the
rity, and were used very roughly by the
loldicrs. After this all was quiet. Your
correspondent crossed 1t the mouth of lad
river and went through the brush OH hands
and knees and up through the streets of
Fort Pierre. Guards were all around and
the people of Fort Pierre were asking
for permission to cross the river
und get food and delicac;cs, but
THE MILITARY AUTHORITIES
:cf,lsctl to allow the permission. Soldiers
have looted stores in the village and bull
dozed the citizens to give them catablcs ur-
til the citizens are in bad shape. The cor
respondent learned THAT the military are
losing confidence. The boomers arc getting
too numerous, and the soldiers are getting
worn out doing double duty. Many are
sick with the grip, and, to one not used to
The conditions, constant watching has over
done them. Officers say that unless rein
forcenlcnts arrive the boomers will not lave
much trouble to cvade the guards. Your
correspondent went over to learn the exact
situation. No one is allowed to cross the
river either way, and a strong guard is kept
opposite the city. One line is ulong the
bank Of the river, and the other is OH the
icc | managed to evadc the first guard my
crossing in the center of the stream over u
portion of the ice marked dangerous.
Twice it broke through, and it will not be
ublc To withstand tile rush of boomers to.
morrow. The correspondent sneakcd back
Of Fort Pierre and found many houses dot
ting the land west of the mile
llali-brcels. who will claim ali the land
adjacent to the mile square, found several
boomers building houses OH the quiet, but
all were burned by the soldiers this morn
ing. All night long boomers were sneaking
over in ones and twos, and many escaped
the guard. Prominent citizens of this place
were caught and returned to the city, the
guard house Mt Fort Pierre being full. This
morning squad of Indian police found u
colony of boomers ten miles west of here.
The police burned the houses and effects of
the boomers. and carried their prisoners up
to Fort Sully. The boomers are getting
and it is expected that an order
will be received tomorrow afternoon by the
officers Of the military to allow the boomers
to 80 on the land. United States Marshal
Fry arrived from Chamberlain tonight with
forty deputies to assist in keeping the crowd
back, and desperate attempt will be made
Tonight and Tomorrow not to allow any
boomers to escape on the land.