Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1890-02-14
The Soldiers We're Almost Poweriess
to Resist the First Rush of
the B0Omers.
They Overpowered the Guard, But
We're Overtaken by the Cav
airy and Sent Back.
At Chamberlain the Rush Still Con-
tinues, and Townsite Companies
Forming Everywhere.
The Situation at Pierre,

PIERRE, S. D., Feb. 1.-THE situation
here to-day over the opening of the Sioux
reservation is nearly the same as it was
last night. The crowd continues to mass
along the river with no signs OF abatement
in the excitement. The evening trains
brought in large addition. the through
cars being loaded down and many being
compelled to ride outside. The weather
continues warm and all the circumstances
seem to combine and make it favorable for
settlers and boomers. Last night attempts
land were kept up, it seeming that the
boomers never sleep. The soldiers are
taxed to the utmost in attempting to keep
the excited crowd at bay, and unless rein
fOrcements are had Immediately. there is
no possibility of their holding out. An
by South Pierre boomers last night at
about II O'Clock. They had over twenty
five teams with wagons loaded with lum-
ber and supplies and had managed by the
closest secrecy to cross the ice entirely,
about one mile below the city and just
above what is known as Farm Island.
as they were driving up steep hill near
the bank of the, river. The sentry at
tempted to give the alarm, but was seized
from behind by party that had been ly-
ing in ambush and was
BOUND HAND AND FOOT
and laid in the bushes. The boomers then
proceeded over the hill to the number OF
about 500 and had almost succeeded in get
ting beyond the lines when they were dis
covered by skirmshing party. To raise
an alarm they fired over the heads of the
boomers. Immediately a company of
mounted infantry was dispatched from
Fort Pierre, and were soon in hot pursuis.
The boomers scattered in all directions,
but were nearly all captured, V. E. Prem
tice, the great town site boomer and part
ner of United States Senator Pettigrew
was shot i'll the leg He was taken to the
guard house at Fort Pierre, and the mill
tary authorities refused to give him up to
friends in this city. The boomers returned
to this side of the river all worn out and
somewhat discouraged over the loss OF ten
teamsand wagons loaded with supplies.
About the same time that the South Pierre
boomers were making this attempt. anOth-
er crowd, though somewhat smaller, made
a desperate effort about half a mile north
at the boat landing. This crowd numbered
about 200, most OF whom were on foot, and
they were accompanied by only five small
wagons and twenty hOrSemen. They sue
ceeded in making the other bank. A re-
porter who got into Fort Pierre.
ON HIS HANDS AND KNEES
to-day found people there penned up by
the military authorities, who would not al
low them to cross the river to purchase
food. The soldiers are said to have gone
to the stores in the village and bulldozed
citizens into giving them supplies and the
citizens are in bad shape. The soldiers
are losing heart. The boomers are get
ting too numerous and they are worn out
doing double duty. Many are down with
grip and the officers say that unless rein.
forcements are sent, bUOmers will have no
trouble in having their own way. The
party before mentioned who got over on
the ice and boat crossing were discovered
as they reached the other side and made
grand rush up the brink and scattered in
all directions. Wagons escaped into the
Interior of the reservation and the boomers
are scattered over the lands. The other
half OF the boomers who were caught re-
turned to this city after being roughly
treated by the soldiers. West of Mile
Square there are large number of homes
built by indians and half breeds who will
claim all the land adjacent to Mile Square.
Last night several boomers built houses on
the quiet in that neighbOrhood and all were
$5G, BURNED BY SOLDIERS
this morning. All night long the boomers
were sneaking over in ones and twos, and
many escaped the guards. This morning
the Indian police found colony OF boom
ers ten miles west of here, whose horses
and effects they burned and carried the
boomers prisoners to Fort Sully. The
boomers are becoming anxious, but tits ex-
pected tomorrow an order to allow them
on the reservation will be received. United
States Marshal Fry arrived tonight from
Chamberlain with forty deputies, and a
desperate effort will be made tonight to
keep the boomers off the. reservation.
The Rush at Chamberiain.
# CHAaiRERLAIN, :. D., Feb. II - Last
night In the absence Of any official infor-