The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-12
THE WOUNDED KNEE MASSACRE.
How Cruel Soldiers Butchered Helpless
Women and Children.

WASHINGTON CITY, Feb 1.-THE Indian con-
ference closed today, and the Indians start home
Friday. The feature of t0days talk was the
story of the fight at Wounded Knee. Turning
Hawk said that at given time when the men
had delivered up their guns they were separated
from their families and taken to certain spot.
A crazy man, a young man of very bad infiu-
ence, fired his gun, killing an officer. The other
Indians began drawing knives, although they
were exhorted from all sides to de-
sist, and firing began Immediately ON the
part OF the soldiers. All the men who
were in the bunch were killed right there, and
those who escaped the first fire got into ravine
and as they went along the ravine for long dis
tance were pursued on all sides by soldiers aud
shot down. The women had no firearms TO fight
with. They were standing off at a different
place, and when the firing began those of the
men who escaped the first volley went in one
direction up in ravine and the women went in
different direction, through an open field but
met the same fate as the men.
American Horse said that when the firing be-
gan the people who were standing Immediately
around the young man who fired the first shot
were killed, and then the soldiers turned their
guns on the women who were beside the lodges,
standing there under flag of truce. OF course
as soon as they were fired upon they fled.
There was woman with infant in her
arms killed as she almost touched the flag OF
truce. Right near the flag another was shot
down. Her child, not knowing the mother was
dead, was still nursing, and that was very sad
sight The women they were fleeing with
their babies on their backs were killed together,
and wemen heavy with child were also killed.
After most of the Indians had been killed
cry was made that all those not killed or
wounded should come forth and they would be
safe Little boys who were not wounded came
out of places of refuge and as soon as they came
in sight number of soldiers surrounded and
butchered them.
Commissioner Morgan said TO the interpreter:
81 wish you would say to him that these are
very serious charges TO make against the army.
do not want any statements that are not abso-
lutely true, and ! want any one here that feels
that the statements are too strong TO correct
them"
American Horse replied; "of course it would
have been all right il only the men were killed,
but the fact of the killing of women, more
especially Of young boys and girls, who are TO
make the future strength of the Indian people,
we feel very seriously
The commissioner replied: 'Does American
Horse know these things OF his own personal
knowledge, or has he been told them?
American Horse said: IL was not there at the
time before the burial of the bodies, but did go
there with some Indian police and many people
from the agency, and we went through the bat
tlefeld and saw where the bodies were from
the tracks of blood"
Rev. Mr.. McCook. Sioux half breed, pastor
OF the Episcopal church at Pine Ridge, among
other things, said: much has been said about
the good spirit with which the members OF the
Seventh cavalry went into that action 1t has
been said that a desire to avenge Clusters death
was entirely absent from their minds. In com
ing towards Chicago in company with General
Miles ] talked with his own scout. who
almost killed because he was compelled To fly
with the Indians, being fired upon by the
men whom he tried to serve ana help.
He told me that after be recovered IRON his
fright and succeeded in getting among the
soldiers after they all got in after the killing OF
the indians, an officer OF high rank, beyiid not
know whb, came to him ana Eh.il how we
have avenged Clusters death. sszg scout
said TO him, Yes, but You hadta s11, s,fe to
| fight for your lives that day. He.e o. Eeo-
| pie did not have that epportuEt ,se CO. sand
| fght for themselves. II Us bes esWs,u#
| OF the spirit OF a number off y,~LtcsAt
| pany, am sure ths seFenyets hNcs1
| there with the kiadest of f'es QaG IL
bring those poorPeople o.&AIH
| After severy Others 20. NIt
sionsr declare the conifs e., dDVJ s.
". %.s.,ss sss.s AN m4LDING, |
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