Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-10-13

Mr. Simon read law with Mitchell q
Dolph.
Butler will or ought to poll few less
than $500 votes next month, and the
county few more than 1900.
1t is expected that Senator Quay Will
take the stump in Philadelphia this
week to reply to Mr.. Wanamaker.
The Trouble at Leach Lake.
The northern part of the state of Min
nesota is full of lakes which form the
source of the Mississippi river. Some
of these lakes are very large Leecn
lake is about thirty miles long and
half that wide and its southern shores
form the boundary of an Indian reser-
walton. occupied by the Chippewa and
Pillager Indians. On point OF iano
iutting into this lake, some OF THESE
indians ambushed a company of I. 5:
soldiers last week, and killed SIX OF
them More troops were sent to the
scene. and the outbreak is supposed to
| be over. ~.
The trouble which eliminated IN the
ontbreak is of long standing 1t had Its
beginning about three years ago, when
Chief Bog-A- Ma -Go-Shig was arrested
and taken to Duluth, when he was want
ed as n witness in case then pending
in the United States court. AT the con-
clusion of the court proceedings the
Chief was dismissed with SCENT cour-
tesy. Both his witness and mileage
fees were refused him and he was com
nelled to walk from the city to his
home He arrived at Walker footsore
and hungry, and with feelings not OF
tbe kindest toward the white men who
had wronged him. He then declared
before number of white men In the
trading store that he would never go
hack as a witness in any court, no
matter what its nature was. An In
dian's oath is sacred, and once he has
has made a solemn vow ne cannot cas-
ily be persuaded by argument or en-
treaty to break it. How well Bog-A-
Ma Go -Sheg kept his word the sequel
shows.
At the next term of court the case
came on again for trial, and again he
was subpnnaed as witness. He fatty
refused to obey the summons. was at
once arrested and was rescued by
several of tn, younger braves. No
attempt was made to pursue the matter
further until few weeks ago, when n
United States marshall went to Bear Is
land and again attempted to place the
old man under arrest. Again the chief
was rescued by the bucks and the mar
shaI went away. He returned with an
Indian inspector and with warrants for
the chief and the bucks who rescued
- ,x,oe Irixor, off thQ island
Encouraged by their success, the In
dians began boasting loudly OF tneir
prowess. and defied the authorities
Their island was deemed impregnable
against any assault, being situated In
the middle CT Leach Lake, with high
and rocky bluffs all around and with
the water so shallow as to make land
ing from steamers impossible After
they had expelled the marshall and his
posse when he attempted to serve the
warrants the last time, the Indians re-
sumed their aboriginal manners. The
hatchet was dug up and the bucks put
on war pants and feathers and began
their war dances. The tobacco was
sent to all the tribes on the northern
reservations, and the fleet courlers
spread the word through the wilderness.
Signal fires were lighted on the hills.
The few who had adopted the dress OF
white men discarded it for the beech
clout and blanket. Members OF the
tribe visited Walker and other towns,
and under the guise of friendly Indians
purchased all the arms and ammunl-
ton to be procured there. Almost be-
fore any one knew what was going on
the bucks were armed and ready to fight.
Il rQnnrtad H.
alton and asked for soldiers. Fifty
men under command of Lieut.. Humph.
rev were sent from Walker. As soon
as he arrived on the scene Lieut.
Humphrey saw that his small force
aefms n ahd h teRe ta RRE3R{ hff asR
ments. Eighty more rlen under com
mand of Gen. Bacon were sent to Wal
ker and Immediately started for the
scene of trouble. The Indians had in
the meantime left the island and taken
position ON point of land opposite it.
Their location was ascertained by the
Indian police, and it was on this point
that Gen. Bacon deterlained to make a
landing. He did so unopposed and or
dered a reconnaissance. The bush was
beaten for some distance back from the
lake, but not trace of an Indian was
found, and Gen Bacon ordered his men
to stack arms and prepare dinner.
While the order was being carried out
private soldier accidentally discharged
his gun, and in a twinkling shot
came from the woods. In the space OF
a minute two more shots came, and
then with warwhoops the Indians rush
ed from cover and made for the sol
diers, firing as they ran. and evidently
bent on driving them into the lake.
Gen. Bacon, Major Wilkinson and
Lieut.. Ross formed their men and re-
treated to cover With the first voliey
from the Krag-Jorgensens the advance
of the Bucks was checked and an oppor-
tuniLy was given Gen. Bacon to form
his firing line. The three officers walk
ed calmly up and down the firing line
steadying the men and displaying the
utmost GOODNESS and bravery.
Major Wilkins was shot in the leg
and taken to the rear. where his wound
was dressed. He then went back to
his command, and five minutes after
ward was shot through the abdomen
He died in less than half an hour there
after
The fighting was furious for the next
fourty-five minutes. A tug that was
near shore was fired on and the pilots
arm broken. The Indians fought with
bravery, but the discipline of the sol
diers told in the end and the Indians
withdrew to the brush, carrying their
dead and wounded. All night long and
next day firing was kept up, and the
soldier who ventured to show his head
was promptly made target.
Besides Major Wilkinson six men
were killed and eleven wounded.
Three of the wounded men are seriously
hurt. but it is not thought that any will
die. The sick and wounded men were
taken to st. Paul in special car.
Holiday School.