The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1891-01-09
INDIAN MASSACRE.
Indian Situation Most Serious One, and
the Signs all Point to Terrible
and Bloody Conflict Before
Next Sabbath.
SETTLERS IN DEADLY PERIL

SETTLERS IN DEADLY PERIL.
CHICAGO, Jan. S.-The Bee correspond
ent telegraphs as follows from Pine Ridge
Agency, s. D., via Rushvilc, Ncb.: AS
to the situation here, considered in its en-
tirety, the indications are that the great
est battle in Indian history is almost at
hand. The alarming reports OF every
scout adds new and strong support to
these indications that were only empha-
sized by the bloody affair on Wounded
Knee. General Miles believes exactly
this and has said SO in strong words and
the small handful of Indians employed
here affirm it, Before the terrific clash
comes they want to try to rescue their
relatives from the cncmy's camp and are
now talking with the authorities for per-
mission, at the risk OF their lives, to make
the attempt These Indians in the gov
eminent employ also express the hope that
they can induce many of those who were
friendly before the Wounded Knee battle,
and were remaining here according to in
structions, to also come in and he saved
from the certain death that awaits them
in the ranks of the hostilcs. Extensive
rifle pits are reported as being dug Twelve
miles west by the hostiles and the report
is of such n nature that the authorities
rely upon its truthfulncSs
Last night the hostilcs burned many
houses belonging to settlers along White
river, and finished killing the last of the
great herd of government cattle that they
raidcd so heavily about Il month ago and
have been drawing On ever since With
out desiring to make the situation par
ticle darker than it really is, for God
knows the truth is hard enough, every
thing consirains me TO say that the dan
ger in which Pine Ridge Agcncy's white
populace stand at this hour and must re-
main until the crisis is all over, is
ONE or THE MOST FEARFUi. PERKS
that can be well imagined. | say this,
not for moment forgetting and knowing
perfectly what military protection We have
here. Since General Miles arrived he has
received the most urgent admonition from
the administration TO avoid further blood
she'd Further bloodshcd, however, can
not be avoided, and before the light of an
other Sabbath morning the truth OF the
assertion will have been proven.
There is rumor current in official cir
cles here that general call for voiun-
tecrs to protect adjacent territory will l'''
made.
The shooting of an Indian war arrow,
covered with pitch partially burned last
night, created considerable comment. The
Indians have Il superstition that if the
first fire arrow fired into the encmy's camp
is cxtinguishcd in its flight, it is evidence
that their contemplated raid will he fail
ure. The arrow that came in last night
was shot from the north and barely missed
the head of Il tcamstcr who was unhitch-
ing his team few wards south Of the no.
tel where the correspondents arc quar-
tered, which is nearly the center Of the
agency.
Gen. Schofcd said that an investfga-
ton of the Wounded Knee fight is proha-
bly, now being conducted by Gen. Miles.
The general management Of the fight is
also to he looked into but the particular
point in question is the death of women
and children Considerable criticism
against Col. Forsythc's suspension is heard
in the War department. 1t seems to he
directed against the policy Of relieving an
officer during the progress of a campaign,
instead of waiting until after the
troubles are over.
As to the charge that Col. Forsythc al
lowed his men to kill women and children
it is asserted that it would be impossible
in the hurry and confusion OF an uneX-
pectcd fight and subsequent stampede and
pursuit to detect The sex OF the Sioux.
One officer remarked: 1T is preposterous
to say that it is necessary in an Indian
skirmish to stop firing long enough to
find out just what you are shoot
ing at. The women and men look very
much alike in their blankets, and the for
mer are quite as fierce fighters rs the men.
4 Sioux squaw is as bad an enemy as Il
buck at times. Little boys too, can shoot
quite as well rs their father and, and what
spectacle it would be for soldiers, on
seeing l0-year old pointing loaded gun
at him, with rs true an aim as the best
marksman, stop his progress and cry; MY
son YOU must dsop that gun for YOU are a
minor and am not allowedito hurt you. y
Another officer said that: ''At this rate
the Sioux troubles will grow to be just as
bad as even in the first three years OF
the war, when every officer holding an in
dependent command had not only an enc
my in front Of him but Il court martial be-
hind him.
Still another officer said: sit was a
grave error to relieve Col. Forsythe at this
stage Of the proceedings, and thus hold ~
a warning finger to every commander in
the little army around Pine Ridge to tel
them that the death of each Sioux must
he explained"