The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1895-01-19
Tekoa Boston Men" Teuorized
by the Charge Of the Reds.
BATTLE OF THE TWO PETERS
he W ,r CO respondent OF the whiried
Breakes Into Poetry aud
Song.

ties that Indians were in this country
were at an end, but the engagement at
Tekoa on the afternoon of the 7th inst.
would rather disprove this.
The Occur d Alene Indians have the
reputation of being a peaceful, tenn
perate industrious, honest and relig-
ious tribe. They may merit these good
qualities, but when in their opinion
their rights are trampled upon, they
mix religion and pugilistic qualities in
equal proportions and act accordingly.
The conflict was precipitated on ac-
count of an attachment gotten out for
the purpose of taking possession of the
team of Peter Nohngers," a sub-chief
of the tribe, against whom several of
the citizens OF Tekoa had a claim which
he refused to pay. The town was full
of Indians making purchases out of
money paid them for the Harrison
townsite. AS the officers proceeded to
take possession of the team, Peter
NOfingers" dOnned his war paint and
raising his tomahawk (Which in this in
stance was buggy whip high over
head, and with a whOOp that ratified
the windows, charged upon the gather
ing host with savage vengeance. The
assault was terrible. Prominent citi-
zens most of them merely spectators
to the scene, and who often before had
! faced danger in every form without
finching, were seen hiding behind ash
barrels or crawling under the sidewalk.
any place where they felt they might be
safe from the impending danger, and
could only be induced to come to light
after being assured that all hostilities
ried from the field.
After the right wing of the savages
had carried everything before it, RED
! Eyed Pete, the tall warrior of the
Hangman charged down the center.
! spreading death and devastation right
and left, He was braYely met by the
city marshal who held him at bay until
peace negotiations could be carried out.
1t is believed had the marshal been
properly supported by the militia, the
slaughter would not have been so great.
The marshars terms OF peace being ac-
cepted. hostilities ceased, the. din of
conflict died away on the slopes of Mt.
Tekoa, the sun went down red in a bed
of smoke and white winged peace
spread her snow pinnons over the field
Of carnage. After the smoke of pro-
family had cleared away the ground
was found covered with retreating foot
prints and Indian moccasins.
The dead were buried in trenches,
but ii is thought the state Of Washing
ton will erect a monument to commem-
crate their heroism, their fidelity and
their untimely death. Every business
house and private residence in Tekoa
floats a white flag and the Indians are
spending much time in invoking the
aid of the saints to protect them so
the public need fear no further blood
shed.
No more shall the war whOop sever,
Or the streets be strewn with the dead !;
} For they Danish their chances forever,
When they gobble the teams of the Red
CHORUS,
Under the mud and the snow.
Waiting the coming of light.
Under the one-"poor Lo:'
Under the other, the white.
r Still, as a precautionary measure, the
city council has been petitioned to pur-
chase three rapid firing, grape discharg-
ing, death dealing gatling guns, so
placed as to command the three prin-
cipal streets. Each gun to be provided
with a bullet prof apartment in which
the SuuueIS can lOdu ana IRE the piece
without exposing themselves.
Put away the tomahawk,
Lay aside the gun.
Better have a quiet talk
The warriors work is done
The conflict will be known in history
as the Big Medicine" massacre or
THE Battle of the Two Peters"
Public sentiment runs in Tekoa about
, in this strain:
Let the Red man have his way,
Lay the Boston in the shade;
5 Better knuckle every day,
Than to lose the .Ininn, trade