Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-01-15
MORE IMAGINARY THAN REAL
The Situation Among the Indians is
Not as Dangerous as
Reported.
General Miles Prevents a Conspiracy
to Attack School And
Kill the Teachers.
All Due Precautions Are Taken To
Repel An Attack When it
Occurs.

PINE RIDGE, Jan. 9.-No one can tell
what the cover of darkness may impel
the Indians to undertake. That they
have contemplated an attack upon the
agency is believed by all informed people
and that they are now awaiting chance
is almost and established fact.
Red Cloud is in his louise in
the midst of all his friends
at a signal from the hostiles it is believed
he will communicate the same to his
friends. The agency could then be at
tackled from all sides. There are now less
than 1000 soldiers within mile of head
quarters. Before those in the field could
reach here, much damage could be
with this fact, is extending the breast
mand The largest extent of the friends
camp He also received word from Cen
Brooke that a number Of hosties last night
tried to break through his lines and escape
to Rosebud. They found the line too
strong. however, and returned.
Col. Kent and Capt. Baldwin who are
Collecting facts in the wounded knee fight
have examined a number of eye witnesses.
Troop "a, Seventh cavalry, Captain Ma
han left as an escort to-day with Paymas-
ter Baker and Camegus, who will visit
all the troops in the field.
Red Cloud says there are 100
wounded Indians among the hostile Little
Wound wants to send to agency. Gen.
Miles has placed Col Shafter, first infant
ry, N command Of the troups at the
agency Sitting Bear and Lauf Bull have
written Gen. Miles that they propose to
come with their followers and be good
Indians
1t is learned that Gen. Miles reason for
ordering the extension of the breastw0rks
about the school grounds is due to discov-
ering the fact that one of the plans of the
hostiles, with the assistance of the ALLEGED
friendlies was to attack the school. The
attack would not be made after the child
rem had left the building. This evacua-
ton was to be accomplished at a given
signal and Immediately preceding
it the scholars were to set upon and
overpower the teachers then the work of
destruction was to begin. The story is
well authenticated and was brought to
Gen. Miles attention. He has taken due
precaution. Col. Shafter issued an order
to the officers in command of several de-
tachments to take every precaution to repel
night attack; IN the event of such a sur
prise, several troops and companies
are to repair immediately to a
designated position which they
The White post could be satisfactorily de-
Tended during the day by the breastworks,
Hotchkiss and gatling guns and four
pieces of artillery 1t could not be so
well protected in the event of surprise
at night. This order has doubtless been
suggested for the purposes OF allowing
the fear Of a night attack, which exists
among the whites. Late this afternoon
the Seventh cavalry was moved from
the battalion in which it had been
stationed at the hill Immediately east,
which commands view of the agency.
From this position they can more easily
respond to call from any part of the
agency at any time, day or night. Shortly
after the change three fires were noticed
from the school house. 1t is thought that
the houses of The Mexican, Young Man
Afraid of His Horses and Standing
Soldier were fired by the settlers.
he Dog, Jack, Red Cloud and
about 100 others have returned to camp,
still more have promised but have failed
to keep their words. Gen. Miles says that
at the last account the Indians were fight
ing among themselves, their camp was a
pandemonium; there was no head to the
hostiles; the desperadoes were destroying
their own people. If those Indians
who belong to this agency came
in the others, generally tanks they will
endeavor to get back to their own reserva.
ton. The hostile element, he saws, is
composed of Ogallalla from the Standing
Rock Cheyenne River and Rosebud Teser-
vations Troops on the other side fire..
quenty skirmished with them and will
follow them if they come. Should
such be the case the general
thinks the military problem will be
solved. The control of the Indians in
peace, he holds, will still be matter of
serious consideration because he will have
to be so careful as not to bring terror to
the people OF these states and drive then
to go t. war in spring even if they should
desire to. Gen. Miles TODAY received a note
in Indian, couched in the terms of angelic
sweetness. It came from Short Bear anC
Short Bull They had stopped theii
ghost dance they said because the 9. nera
had babe them, they would come in ant
be good Indians. 1t is unnecessary to sa,
the words Of these chiefs was no
respected. From the first the Y have beer
credited before witha sserting that they
would never come in even if only fit,
removed out. The letter was INTENDED
for purpose and General Miles seems t
understand what that purpose was. Thl
afternoon a detachment of ninth
cavalry. armed, and escorting twenty
four Indians who have succeeded
in breaking away from the hostiIes. Tn
Young Man Afraid of His Horses report
ed to General Miles this afternoon that h
had visited Ogalallas and they would star
for the agency this afternoon, camping to
night near the school house at Wounde
Knee.
PAcArEILo, Ida, Jan. 9.-lhe re
ports of serious trouble or fears of an out
break among the Indians on the Fort Hal
reservation surrounding this place ar
utterly without foundation. A visit t,
Blackfoot on the edge of the reservation
at the agency itself fails to reveal an
cause for apprehension, while the Indian;
have been dancing, these demonstration
partake of the same character as those bel