The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-29
Quite Apparent In the Body Of the
Annexed Special from
Butte.
John Manning and Two Allies Sur
round and Massacre Twenty
Seven Indians.


BUTTE, AUG. 90.-[6pecial. There 10 an
interesting story back Of the recent return
Of John Manning to the Black Hills country
which was only this morning made public.
No ono supposed from the quiet manner in
which he left for his return trip that II was
in response to a somewhat urgent request
from the United States marshal in Dead
wood, but 20 It il now stated. In CONVERSE
tion one Of Mr.. ManninR's nearest friends
this morning gave the following account Of
tho causes which induced this somewhat
sudden ride: "Fsw men were better known
in the country in an carly day than
Johnny Manning, as he came here
in '68. Some time after he was
made deputy sheriff Of Deer Dodge county
and served in other public capacities,
whore he made himself we'll known
character aside from tho characteristics
which would have made him marked man
in any locality. He was among the first of
the enthusiasts who fiocked to the Black
Hills country in '75 and '76 and was soon as
we'll known there as he had been here. As
result Of that popularity he was elected
sheriff of the county ID which Deadwood
was situated and served for several terms.
Prior to that time, however, he had become
involved in some trouble with party of
Cheyenne Indians which was the origin Of
the present difficulty. 1t seems that
these Indians had been stealing
all the loose horses they could
find in the country, and a reward had been
offered for their capture without any
especial emphasis being placed upon the
necessity for bringing them back alive.
In the course Of their depredations they
happened to round mp few Of Manning't
horses, a delicate little attention he tailed
to appreciate, as was doubtless intended
Securing the assistance of two rustlers, one
German and the other a Spaniard. he
started in pursuit and shortly had the
entire band of twenty seven bucks sur
rounded. All of the pursuing party wert
armed with Winchesters. and having the
advantage of the surprise, they soon had tht
bucks so badly ratified by their cross fir
that they did not know which way to turn
The result was that before they could re-
cover from their surprise they were al
dead, and the seventy-fve horses they had
gathered upon the trip were in the posses
sion of their original owners. In ordel
VI
securing the reward the German cut off the
head of one of the Indians and carried il
into camp. where he proceeded to have
some fun upon the strength Of the capture
After he had spent the reward he pawnet
the head in one of the saloons for drinks
and it was kept there for some time az |
sample Of the treatment given Indian hors'
thieves by the Black Hills pioneers. Whil'
this German was on his little toot he &
thoroughly advertised himself and com
panions that every one in the camp knew
what had been done, and the Rratuitous in
formation given by him at that time ma,
be used against Manning at this time. Al
that time, however, it was regarded o'
rather the proper thing, and no doub
assisted materially in his repeated election
TO the Office Of sheriff. Before leaving here
Manning said the other. two had been tried
and acquitted, and that he was the only one
left who would have to answer for killing
these Indians. He did not apprehend any
difficulty in securing his triumphant ac'
quittal, but he did not enjoy the enforced
trip and absen ce from his business in thu
loaak .