New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1895-07-17
MASSACRES SURVIVORS MEET
At the Scene of their Suferings. Expert
ences of those Present.

There was one notable gathering on
the Fourth of July, in this vicinity, that
was not of the usual kind, and yet which
was worthy Of note, even though remin-
iscent of sad scenes and terrible suffer
ings i'll the early days of settlement. 1t
was "a reunion of early settlers who were
participants in the terrible Indian mas
sacre of 1862, and the meeting was on
the old battle ground at Lake Shetek.
Our friend Neil Currie kindly furnishes
the News-nessenger the following &C
count of the gathering, and d sketch OF
the experience in that terrible event OF
each one who was present at the meeting
He writes:
Some of the older settlers of Minneso,
ia may recollect how in the latter part OF
August and the first days of September
1862, the cry of Indians was raised, and
the people tlocked to the towns and vii.
lagos for safety. CThey got what guns
they could, then armed themselves with
axes, hay forks, or whatever weapon they
could find to defend themselves. This
alarm arose from the fact shat the Sioux
or rather the Dakota, Indians had brok
en- out with the intention of killing al
of the settlers throughout western Min
ncsota. They had also attacked the from
tier posts. Those of the settlers thai
had eluded them were fleeing east. Thi:
section known as Lake Shetek had beer
highly spoken of by the early explorers
and had attracted band of hardy pic.
neers, until in 1862 they numbered some
mine or ten families, besides several sin,
gle nen who came trapping and Others
to take claims under the new homestead
law. They settled along the lake and
head waters of the Dies Moines river
where they had timber and water and
all that could I've desired to form happy
and prosperous homes. On the Fourth
of July, 1862, this handful of settlers
met to celebrate for the first time in Muir.
ray county this great national holiday by
having a picnic in the grove on Smith
Lake. On the twentieth day of August
following, the Indians came upon them,
il all of their savage cruelty, and drove
them from their happy homes.
A reunion of the survivors of that
was decided upon for the fourth
day of July this year, and the following
were present. Aaron Myers, Thomas lie
land, Mrs. Lav1na Eastlick, her son John
ME and Charles D. Hatch, as were also
Daniel and John Burns, who lived at
Walnut Grove at the time of the mas
sacre. Most of them came here on this
occasion for the first time since the out
break 33 years ago and they also met for
the first time since they parted on that
day.
On the twentieth day of August A. D.
1862, a party Of Indians, among them
Chaska, Tizzae Tonka, Titonah, and Bad
OK, came to Aaron Myers early in the
They rode into his corn and
on Mr.. Myers asking them what they
were doing they said ''have some fun"
Mr.. Myers walked up towards them and
told them he would give them all the fun
that they wanted, and asked them if he
had not always used them we'll. They
said "Washade' livery good.) He then
said: II will knock some of the tun out
Of you.'' They then told him to 90 and
eat his breakfast and he would feel bet
ter and so rode off. Mr.. Meyers soon
discovered that they were killing the
settlers below him. He loaded his wa
9on with provisions; put his sick wife
and family on board and started for New
Clm. After several narrow escapes they
'eached Mankato, where his wife died
rom exposure. He now lives at Garrett
son, So. Oak.
Thomas Ireland Uncle Tommy was
1t work making hay, when he heard of
The shooting of his neighbors, John
Voight and Andreas Koch. He at once
started with his wife and family and met
The rest of the settlers below him at Mr..
Wright's house, where the Indians came
Upon them. After parley the Indians
agreed to let the settlers go if they would
cave their effects behind them; this thew
greed to do and started with one team; ;
hsy had not gone far when on looking
Jack they saw the Indians pursuing
hem; they fastened on and took refuge
n slough where the Indians shot and
eft for dead, as they supposed, all that
efused to come out to them as prison.