Omaha daily bee., 1897-06-01
EARLY REPORT of THE TROUBLE.

as soon as the excitement dies out
EARLY REPORT OF THE TROUBLE.
Indians Said to Have Murdered n
Dozen Men.
DENVER, May 31.-A special to the Re-
publican from Helena, Mont, says: The
Cheyenne Indians have gone on the war
path, and so far are said to have killed al
most a dozen men, including five United
States soldiers. The Indians have no reser-
vation of their own, but roam over the
southern part of the state, near the Crow
Indian reservation. The white settlers are
up in arms and the women and children are
being sent into the northern towns for
safety. The Cheyennes make the Lame Deer
agency their headquarters. Hoover, sheep
herder, was recently shot while herding
sheep, and 1t was proven that Indians did
it. He was killed because he caught sew
eral Indians killing sheep. This so incensed
the stockmen that they have armed them
selves and will fight to project their homes,
help and stock.
Two companies of colored cavalry from
Custer were ordered to the agency Wednes-
day and Saturday a courier arrived from
the agency with informationi that George
Walters, the postmaster, and Lou Anderson,
a stockman, had peen shot and killed; also
that the Indians had shot into the cavalry
and killed five, and had sixty armed cow
boys surrounded. The cavalry from Fort
Keogh and company E OF the, infantry left
Saturday for the scene. pJ .s
STOCKMEN ARMING.
There are certainly grounds for fear. The
Cheyennes are determined, and they are
being reinforced by renegade Crows, Rose
bud ranchers received consignment OF
rifles and ammunition at this point today.
Settlers have moved all their families from
near the reservation. Ranchmen and stock
of
and demand the Indians who killed Hoover.
The names Of the Indians are known, and
they are protected by fifty bucks Sherln
Gibbs and Coroner Bateman have returned
from Barringer's ranch, in the neighborhood
of which the inquest was held on the body
of Hoover The verdict was that he came
to his death by two shots fired by Cheyenne
Indians.
While the inquest was proceeding sixty
men under Legislator James T. Brown ar
rived on their way to the agency. me
sheriff pleaded with them to return, and
told them that sixty Of them against 400
or 500 Indians armed, and such fighters as
the Cheyennes are, would be helpless. Ihe
sheriff learned that the crime was com
mitted by three of the band led by White
Bull, who said day OF so previous 'nat
his heart was bad, that he wanted to eat
white man. The agent said that he knew
one of the murderers and thought that with
In a little time they could find the others
and would arrest them and turn them over 10
the civil authorities with whatever evidence
they had. He had requested a suthclent
force of soldiers to surround the Indians and
said he would cut off rations till the muir
derers were turned over. The sheriH ana
committee went back to the main pouy'
which had been augmented by twenty men
from the Rosebud, and made report.
Though there was much dissatisfaction at
the turn affairs had taken, they agreed
to disperse for two weeks, to allow the
agent time to make the arrests. III not tneh
done, the original plan OF attacking the
Indians is to be carried out
MURDERERS ESCAPE.
The women have been gathered at sew.
eral ranches for protection under guard OF
tan or twelve men in each instance. The
sheriff left four deputies at the agency, with
Stock Inspector Smith as CHIEF. On the
road down, Friday, courier overlook the
sheriff and his deputies, saying that White
BulIs band had during the night escaped
from the agency and the force OF settlers
was being reassembled; that two companies
of cavalry from Custer had been sent over
and the Indians had killed some OF them
and that the band OF Indians was liapie 10
do much damage to ranchers, white men
and cattle while at large. Women and
children are being sent down the Tongue
river to more secure places.
The county attorney has received tele-
gram from Stock Inspector Smith that Agent
vation. Deputy Sheriffs WI ID. Smith and
Matt Winters have arrived at Miles City,
after having been ordered of the Cheyenne
reservation by the military agent, Captain
Stouch. They report that when the ne
groes from Fort Custer arrived at the agency
the Indian who admits doing the killing
could easily have been arrested, as he was
pointed out to the troops, who prepared Tor
action II necessary to make the arrest, but
the agent did not desire the arrest made at
,toIt the.n off In
mand of the troops from exercising author
ity then. The Indians were decked out In
war paint and riding the 'ominous circle,
waving their blankets. displaying their rifles
and challenging the citizens to come out
and fight them .asuo
WANT TO FIGHT SETTLERS.
They said they did not want to fight the
soldiers. but that they fdldl want to fight
the citizens. Captain stouch asked the
citizens TO leave the agency. The deputy
sheriff refused to go unless upon written
order This he gave them. stating their
presence might incite the Indians to further
deeds of violence. The deputies that came
to Miles returned with Sheriff Gibbs. hav-
ing warrant for the arrest OF Agent Stouch
for interfering with officers in the discharge
OF their duty and warrants for the Indian
knowa and two John Doe warrants.
Orders were given 10 the ordnance officer
at Fort Keogh to have 10000 rounds OF am
munition ready for issue. II is supposed
that more troops are to go to the agency.
There are now there six companies under
command OF Major Noryell of Fort Custer
Settlers wives and children from the
Tongue river country are arriving at Miles
CITY In all kinds OF improysed eonyeyanees.
Some have put up at the hotels and others
have gone into camp in the outskirts of the
city. All kinds OF rumors are rife, but, as
news has to come for the most part OF the
distance by courier, nothing definite Is known
as to these reported killed Mrs. stephens,
vile OF the ex-agsnt. who was riding over