The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-10-08
1t Is Rumored, Though Not Con-
firmed, That Gen. Bacon and
Command Were Massacred.
One Report Says Four Soldiers Were
killed and Nine wounded-In-
dams Meet with Losses.
Farce sent Against the Redskins Too
smaII-Reenforcem Are or-
dered ia lie Sent.


St. Paul, Mimi. Oct. Gan uncon-
firmed rumor has reached here that
the soldiers and Gen. Bacon have been
massacred by the Indians at Leech
Lake. A Brainerd operator says this
reported massacre is true.
story of the Battle.
Walker, Mimi, Oct. with the sim
gle exception of Santiago there was
not as bloody land battle fought dur
ing the Hispano-American war as that
which occurred around the hour OF
noon Wednesday away of on the bor-
der land of Minnesota civilization
Bear island, Leech lake. There are
dead Indians all over this island. There
may be half a dozen of them, as re-
ported in the early evening bulletins,
and there may be 40. The place is so
isolated--1s miles by water east OF this
point-there is so much confusion and
the people are in such state of fright
that il is difficult 10 get any further
information than that a fierce fight
lasting over three hours has occurred;
that a lot of red men and white men
were killed and that the Indians are
not yet under control.
The battle began at 1910 and was
rot ended until shortly before three
Among those thus killed were six In
dams, one half-breed, one timber in
gpector and two soldiers OF company
L, Third regiment United States in
fantry-Private Cole and Sardy.
Indians Resist Authority.
Lieut.. Humphrey with n squad of
regulars just home from Cuba went TO
the neighborhood OF the trouble last
Saturday. After accommodating and
finding that there were over 800 pilla-
ger Indians ready TO resist the govern
ment, Lieut.. Humphrey reported the
seriousness OF the situation, and Gen
Bacon, with so additional men, was or
dered to Walker. They left ST. Pau
on Tuesday morning and arrived here
In a snowstorm Tuesday evening
Tuesday night Gen. Bacon and Marsha
O'Connor held n conference lasting
until far after midnight and plans
were laid for the day. These were tina
the troops should go TO the island Will
the marshal. who should demand thu
surrender OF Bush Ear. the chief, an'
II there was resistance the troop
should do the rest.
At daylight the steamers Flora an
Chief were boarded by full compan.
of regulars in command OF Gen. Baco
and Col. wilkinson, who were accom-
panied by Marshal oConnor, nine del
uties and a squad Of agency indiana
who went along as interpreters an
peacemakers.
bush ear VIII Not Listen.
The boats arrived at Bear island
little after eight o'clock, but becau'
there was n heavy fog and good man
indians around two of the Leech Lal
reds were sent ashore TO explain whit
was wanted The landing of the trool
was effected little after II o'cloc
and after Gen. Bacon had told his m,
what they should and should not {
In action, Marshal 0'Connor begi
operations by trying 10 get Bush T.
put for a conference The old ma
who claims 20 he go years old, said {
air was so raw that ne didn't want
take chances In the open air. on Q
count OF lung trouble. This was
ueved TO be only n ruse, and Marsf
O'Connor reported the facts 10 Go
Bacon.
Indians Open Fire.
While they were talking and co
pany T.. Third regiment, was standi
at "order arms" a shot was Sc
straight into the ranks OF the troc
from Bush Ears hut. immediate
afterward, as II this were signal,
startling "ping, ping" OF rifle bull
came from the north and east fr
among the bushes. Twenty-Five She
which did awful havoc, were fired
fore the soldiers could regain tn
composure. "Steady, boys, stead
cried Gen. Bacon. "Lie down on "
faces and do not shoot until you see
Indian. Now. steady, fire." The q
stood their ground bravely. and 81
began 10 do deadly execution on
reds who ten minutes later were =
fying toward the northern part OF
island. Stopping for a few minutei
carry the dead and wounded out
the line OF fire. the soldier boys forI
again and moved forward In the di
ton the Indians had been seen fly
They had scarcely gone 100 va
however, before the Indians bega
fierce FIRE again. They were In
heavy timber and the soldiers ain
ceased their firing. only sending
Krag-Jorgensen bullet In the direc
OF the reds when they saw a head.
pIilagers let up on their firing SC
what. too. and thus the battle ra
until nearly three o'clock. when d