Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-06-10
THE INDIAN TROUBLE.


Capt. Reed Wants the Whites to Return
| to Their Homes and Promises Ample
| Protection, but the Settlers Think They
Know More About Indian Warfare Than
the SoIdiers-The killing Of Hoover Com
| Kessed.
DENVER, Col, June 3.-A special to
the News from Miles City, Mont, says:
capt. Reed, commanding the Fort
| Custer soldiers at the reservation. has
sent lengthy document for publica-
ton, telling the families to return,
that they are sure to protect both the
Indians and white people. This state
ment is claimed by the whites to be
| absurd, for it is a fact that 200 Indians
are off the reservation and not under
submission. The settlers are mostly
| old-timers, buffalo hunters, and be-
| lieve they know more about Indians
| than Capt. Reed.
From a reliable source it is learned
that the settlers on Otter creek, east of
Tongue river, are gathering at the
Circle Bar ranch, and are building a
stone fort, in which to protect their
wives and children from the Indians.
Capt. c. C.. Holmes, former marine
officer, and man of reliable iudg-
soon be in a condition to withstand an
attack by the Indians.
1t was learned to-day that the three
Indian runners sent over to the Sioux
at Pine Ridge, asking help, had re-
returned bringing the report that the
Sioux declined to come and aid the
Cheyennes.
It is claimed that the Indians are
supplied with government arms and
ammunition, and that the Indian agent
and his subordinates are endeavoring
to keep the sheriff and his deputies
from going upon the reservation, which
is necessary in order to secure evidence
to convict the murderers when brought
to trial.
This is causing a strong demand for
the removal of Indian Agent Stouch
by the authorities at Washington.
The Indians implicated in the murder
of young Hoover are: Philip Badger,
now under arrest; Sam Crow, Standing
Elk and half-brother of Chief Red
Bird. The latter three are still at
large, and unless caught asleep. like
Badger, will not be easily captured.
Standing Elk, like Badger, is gradu-
dCC VI AAC
that Sheriff Gibbs and four of his dep
uties had been killed is not true.
A settler brings the information that
the Indians attacked small squad of
white men on Otter creek Several
shots were exchanged, and the Indians
were assisting a crippled comrade. It
is supposed that one of the bullets
from white mans rifle had taken
effect.
Badger, since his arrest, has con-
fessed to the interpreter at the reser-
walton. He with three others were
travelling along the hills and they came
upon young Hoover and asked HIM for
tobacco, which he was about to give
them, when Badger fired and shot him
in the arm. This wound caused pain
and of course he cried for assistance,
which enraged the Indians.
They then ended his sufferings by
putting two more bullets in his body.
This confession is undoubtedly cor
rect, as Hoover had large wound in
his arm, and a tobacco sack partly full
of tobacco was found by his side.
When asked why he had committed
the crime, Badger said he did it just
for fun. The settlers will not return
to their homes unless some permanent
protection is provided by the govern
ment.