The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1891-01-16
NEARING A CRISIS.
Hostile Indians Within a Mile Of
Pine Ridge.
SOLDIERS PREPARED FOR TROUBLE.


Peace, but the Latter Thinks That
Nothing Is Dead-Ccrtain--A View of
the Redskins from the Agency as They
Made Their Appearance-The Bucks
Cut "A Few Very Warlike Capers.
PINE RIDGE AGENCY, S. d., Jan. H.
Last night it looked as though the Indian
troubles would be ended to-day, and that
with many warlike demonstrations and
firing of rifles, had advanced to within
about mile of the agency, and Gen.
Miles confidently expected that by to-
night peace would reign at the agency
Scout Gourard report that the savages
were wild and growing more uneasy as
they approached the agency. They feared
they were going to be swept off the face of
the earth for the deviltry they had COM
mitted. The crisis will be reached when
the savages go into camp here. Then it
will only take spark to set off the whole
magazine. Artillerymen were galloping
through the camp yesterday placing their
heavy guns in more commanding posi-
tions Everything was so arranged that
any hostile demonstration ON the part Of
the savages would be met by a fire which
would instantly crush them I
Approach of the Indians.
The hostiles reached their camping
ground about noon. The spectacle was
wildly grand. Of a sudden the sentinels
in Capt. Dougherty's fort saw the heads Of
the scouts OF the savages pop up over the
ridges at the north. Here they remained
for fully ten minutes, apparently scanning
the agency They then disappeared. Fiji
teen minutes after squad of horsemen
appeared on the crest of distant butte
Behind them was another squad, and then
came other bands until the summit of the
snOw-covered range swarmed with the red
skins. Through glasses they appeared in
all their barbaric splendor. In their
white sheets they looked like demons
ready for battle. They were now so close
that their rifles could be seen slung to
their saddles.
BuIIdozing the Old Men.
After remaining motionless for several
minutes, as though to give all Pine Ridge
an opportunity to see them, the hostiles
moved slowly down the sides of the buttes
and into the winding valley which leads
towards Red Clouds house. They bolted
again, and the soldiers in Capt. Dougher-
TVS redoubts saw another grand spectacle.
The war feeling evidently broke out
afresh in the camp, for the young war;
riors could be seen firing their rifles about
the ears of the old men, who were doubt
less counseling surrender.
Ouieted Down at Last.
Then they attacked their own horses and
dogs, shooting them down in all direc-
tions. This demonstration was made
within 200 yards of the great rifed can
non which peeps over the breastworks
thrown up by Capt. Dougherty Skin
mishers were quickly deployed from the
redoubts with instructions not to fire.
But gradually the Indians quoted down
and everything looked peaceful; still ev-
cry precaution was taken against sur
prise during the night. i
Miles Writes to Buffalo Bill.
Last evening Gen. Miles sent the fol- |
lowing communication to Buffalo Bill, |
who is in command of the Nebraska state |
troops: 81 am glad to inform you that |
the entire body of Indians are now camped |
near here, within mile and a half They |
show every disposition to co nply with the |
orders of the authorities. Nothing but |
an accident can prevent peace being es-
tablished, and it will be our ambition to |
make 1T of II permanent character / feel |
that the state troops can now be with |
drawn with safety, and desire through !
you to express to them my thanks for |
the confidence they have given your peo |
pie in their isolated homes. Like infor- |
nation has this day been given Gen. |
COlbv ~