The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-19
II WAR SCARE.

"There was n sound Of revelry by
night" and 80 forth and SO on. The
capital city Of Helena wal thrown into a
state OF dire confusion on Saturday
evening by the rumor OF imminent In
dian invasion. Reports we're for a time
OF the most conflicting nature, but it
gradually leaked out that a band Of In
dian bucks was massed in the neighbor-
hood OF Wolf creek, and that a night
descent upon the city might be looked
for. 1t was true that no tidings came
of rapine and bloodshed, but men who
knew the bloodthirsty nature Of the
noble red man shook their heads and
recalled the fight at Wounded Knee,
and The late experiences at Pine Ridge.
Wild-eyed mothers darted out into the
streets, and, snatching up their cherubs
from their play, darted home to consign
them to a place OF safety in the cup
board or the attic. But the male con-
~tingent-we are proud to say-stood
firm as a wall. Immediate measures
were taken for the safety Of the threat
ened population. A special train wal
speedily male up, and held in readiness
for the transportation OF the army to
the front. While they were spending a
few hours in pathetic leave-taking and
affectionate farewells, it was decided to
guard against any possibility of surprise,
and the Salvation army band, with ban
nsrs flying, drums crashing and comets
footing, marched proudly down Main
street to take up a position at the
steamboat block. There is but one
blot on the fair fame OF the
city to be recorded. The Aborigi-
inies Protection society, invited by the
members of the council Of city defense
70 go forth and shed the light OF reason
upon their red brethren, declared to a
man that they were under medical care
and that the night air was injurious to
their lungs.
Latest advices are decidedly reassur-
ing. The invaders are of the gentle
manly tribe Of the Crees. We have had
business transactions with the Crees
before, and we know the stuff they are
made of. The council OF city defense
has decided that it would be a signal
waste Of good ammunition to expend
any OF it upon their hides, and no at
tempt is to be made to prevent their
marching upon the city, if they desire.
But all necessary precautions have been
taken. Their appearance in the valley
WILDE the signal for a warning peal
from the fire tower. The good house
wives, who call Monday wash-day, have
been notified by postal card that it will
be wise to remove every specimen of
clothing within doors. The aborigines
protection society has recovered it's cor
oorate health, and protests against the
use of such a harsh and intolerant
measure as the violation of the rights OF
the much misunderstood Indian. The |
council OF city defense, however, has de- |
clined to give way in this matter, but,
IN difference to the strong appeals Of the
society, they have requested every
owner OF a cur in the city to tie him Sc
curely in some place of safety, so that
our dusky visitors may net be interfered |
with in their harmless little pastime of
sneaking into citizens yards and picking
up unconsidered trIhes. If a thorou Oh
canvass of the city fails to afford them
satisfaction, they are to be allowed to |
camp in the vicinity of the dump and
reap the rich harvest it bears. 1t is be-
Iieved that two days at most will suffice
for that labor, and then will come the
browning piece Of strategy, which will
deliver us for ever from the Crees. They
are to be decoyed to the n%atatorium,
plunged in against their will and
scrubbed thoroughly clean by the mem
bers OF the a~borigines protection society.
If the members are lost in the shuttle
the citizens are perfectly willing to give
them a public funeral. and think the
whole business cheap at the money.