The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-05-06
RED THUNDER TAKEN
UPRISING OF HALF-BREEDS IN
NORTH DAKOTA SQUELCHED.
ROlIa, and Their Surrender Snved
Bloody Frontier Battle.

ROLLA, y. d., May 5.-The half-breed
uprising has been squelched and without
loss OF life Marshals came here Saturday
from st. John in consequence of informa-
ton received that an attempt might be
made to rescue Laspele LANCER, who
arrested Saturday. Pickets were left on
duty at night, but attempt made.
Deputies were astir soon after daybreak
this morning, Marshal Croning having de-
cided that further effort at inducing
peaceful surrender was misplaced and de-
termined if they would not surrender their
fort at Langans TO storm il. A posse left
here in a wagon soon after o'clock and
drove sixteen miles to the half-breeds' fort.
AS ii was known that they had mounted
scouts watching the direct road the posse
struck east, coming on them from an un-
expected direction, so they had no time to
gather from the outlying country. The fort
was reached at 9:30 o'clock, the wagons
being left half mile in the and the
deputy marshals advanced, spreading out SO
to command the north and west sides.
those being easiest of access. Spades had
been brought and the marshals began pre-
pairing rifle pits. Marshal Cronin and Indian
Agent Hall, leaving their rifles behind.
walked up 10 the fort, the deputies keeping
a sharp lookout for any hostile movements
should the half-breeds refuse TO talk with
Cronin. but they told Hall they wanted still
further time TO hear from Washington.
Cronin told them TO make up their minds
quick, as he meant to attack at once.
BY 1890 o clock Marshal Cronin was ready
to begin, when the half breeds sent out "a
message that they wanted to see him. He
returned word that they could send out one
of their chiefs, and they sent Chasseur
Lepotreau, who was chief in the raid in St
Johns hardware store on Thursday night,
when they stole all the guns and ammuni-
ton. Lepotreau wanted time TO hear from
Washington, but was told that il was too
late Then he offered to surrender the men
for whom warrants were out except Red
Thunder. but Marshal Cronin told him that
he would give him the conditions. They
must surrender absolutely and give him all
arms and ammunition and he should arrest
all he wanted. If he did not like these
terms the marshals had come there To
fight and were ready. All this time the
deputies had been working near, and by
now had temporary cover provided within
a hundred and fifty yards, at which dis
tance the Winchester bullets would easily
riddle the logs.
Soon after IL o'clock the haf-breeds sur
rendered Internationally. though it was
nearly O'clock before the prisoners were
found, most of their Winchesters having
been hidden. but they can be found later.
fdcn man WdS required 10 write MS name
on his gun. Only those for whom warrants
were already out were taken to town. the
others being allowed to go for the present.
They are Red Thunder, Joe I.angan, Joe
Demarios. Chasseur Lepontreau. Francois
Langan. Alex. Leroque and Daniel Short
Rel Thunder made a desperate resistance
when arrested. attacking Deputy Dagge,t
with his knife. 1t took three men to hand
cuff him. He is eighty-seven years DID, but
almost crazy and possessing maniacal
strength. While negotiations were pending
he had tried 10 kill one of the half-breeds
for favoring surrender.
The prisoners were brought to Rolla this
afternoon. The others present were told
they could have their shotguns by applying
to the marshal and being identified as the
men whose names were attached to the
guns, thus furnishing conclusive evidg ne
of their participation in the outbreak. the
intention was to arrest all present for
armed conspiracy. Much credit is due to
Marshal Cronn for the way this has been
handled without loss of blood. A repulse
of the marshals would have started serious
trouble. Agent Hall is also entitled to much
half breeds in the fort counselng submis-
sion. About fifteen citizens of Rola and
st. John brought out arms and acted with
the marshals.
Chief Little Shell was arrested on the
reservation and brought in tonight. When
returning TO the agency after the surrender
Agent Hall met a band of $50 half breeds
and Indians on the way to ST Johns 20
reinforce those at Langans. who courier
had notified them, were being attacked by
marshals. They were headed by Little
She'll the head chief of the reservation.
Agent Hall succeeded in persuading them
to turn back. informing them that the
others had all surrendered. If they had
arrived while the attack was in progress
it might have been unpleasant for the