Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-05-09
THE SITUATION f.. JOHN, N. D.,
IS ALAF1.s.Nf.
Breed. Prepare a .bor. snd at the
Approach of Stfan9ers Active
Preparations for a Battle In :
Begun by the In
Al dams.
THE REDS ARE SARCASTIC.
They 1nvfte Marshal Cronan 4.
Come. and See Them They
Laugh ut the Authorities.

~. "oHH. ~" D.v May 0.-Ine N5tH-
breed camp at Joseph Langans .4as
thoroughly rcconnoitered by Che
marslials. 1t is about two miles north
east "f town. and is large log house,
and log barn about fifty feet long,
built OF round logs. The breeds have
removed the thinking from the logs
to the height of the shoulders, leay-
ing an opening between the logs
large enough to point their guns
through in such a position as to give
thanking fire from either side. There
is long ravine in front. They keep
scouts and pickets out in all direc-
lions. AS soon as any party of men
appear the scouts begin falling back,
and the breeds can be seen running
from the house tc the barn ready for
defense. The location can be plainly
seen from the roof of the railroad en-
CINE house on the north edge of town.
Fresh arrivals have been coming in
all day in small parties, and one OF
two Red river carts have been driven
in loaded with supplies. The Indians
Killed dog and are holding a pow
WOW. A few half-breeds from the res
ervation Joined them to-day. There
were 2O7 Of them to-day when the
messenger left, but large numbers
more came in from the north later.
They are we'll provisioned, having
over twenty cattle and secured plenty
of flour in their raid into town Thurs
day night. They are all men. hav-
ing sent their women and children
across the boundary into Manitoba.
Deputies Shindler and Flynn drove
in a la,
shot. The scouts fell back and lined
the ravine, while the others manned
the house and barn.
Marshal Cronan stopped a half
breed who had come from the reser-
walton, and sent him into them with
a message warning them of the con-
sequences of further resistance to the
United States, and asking whether
they intended resisting the arrest of
the men with them for whom he had
warrants. In reply they sent the fol-
lowing rather sarcastic message:
MIR. Cronan: Why are you so scared
to come and see US? You have come
to see us and you don't come to us.
Don't be scared. Come with one of
your men, or alone, but no arms with
you. We are not going to give up
our men. Wait until we get an an
swer from our great father. We
wait, for day by day. Yours truly,
Red Thunder"
Cronan declined the request to go
in, because they talked the matter
over with him thoroughly when he
met them last Sunday, and from their
talk can do no good. They have over
fifty Winchesters, besides their shot
guns, and were busy to-day loading
cartridges with the powder and shot
they secured in the raid. With the
defensive position they have they
could not be dislodged without ar
tillery. The house can be approached
under cover to within about 800
yards, over which = charge would
have to he made under fire from both
the house and barn. Even if this was
done, what men got across could do
little against those now in the
house. A messenger sent by Agent
Hall from the reservation says Little
Shell and a good sized band intend
leaving there tonight to join the
breeds here. Hitherto the reservation
Indians have held aloof, but the re-
fusal of the attorney general to allow
troops to be sent has added weight
to. Little Shells argument that the
United States would not do anything
to punish them. Marshal Cronan
and his deputies are brave enough
but there is no sense in ordering tn IN
to run their heads against a wall.
The breeds are ready to fight and
mean to fight. and the longer troops
are delayed the larger their strength
grows.
Washington, May 5-No troops have
been ordered to Turtle Mountain, N.
D.. though the war department has
everything in readiness to send them
as soon as they are needed. 1t an