The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-06
RUMoR OF A MASSACRE.
Soldiers and Correspondents Reported
to Have Been Killed.

to Have Been Killed.
WALKER Mimi, Oct 5-A hard fight
with the Indians occurred to-day, and the
reports from the scene of the battle on tho
other side of Leech lake are somewhat con-
f1icting, although all reports agree that the
result has been considerable shedding of
blood and some loss of life on both sides.
No word has come from the front for sew
eral hours, which fact is considered some
what ominous. The most serious report is
that the detachment of troops with General
Bacon was massacred, the general himself
being said to be among the dead. Three
newspaper correspondents-Brill, of the st.
Paul Pioneer-Press; Beaton, of the Mime
apolis Tribune. and Knappen. of the Mime
apois Times-are known to have been in
the fight and one report is that they were
killed, while another says they are now
prisoners in the hands of the Indians.
This little town has been full of excitement
all day, and as the reports from the other
side of the lake came in the people became
frantic and efforts were made to get up
force to go to the help of the troops. This
will be sent in a few hours, reinforcements
coming on a special train from Brainerd.
However, additional soldiers are most need
ed, and the feeling is general that they cam
not come too soon.
To-days fight occurred thirty miles from
Walker a point jutting out into the lake
near Bear island. The soldiers 100 strong
under command of Gen. John NJ. Bacon and
Major Wilkinson, arrived here last evening
and at 4:3O this morning they went board
boats and were carried TO the point named,
where landing made with consider
able difficulty, gale of wind having stirred
up a lively sea. The landing was effected
oI0 oso \
through the bush in every direction and for
three hours no trace of Indians could be
found Every precaution against ambush
had been taken. Finally at about 80 the
soldiers were drawn up in an open space
near the shore of the lake and preparations
were about to begin for dinner. The soldiers
were still in line, though the coffee-making
had commenced. Suddenly a shot was fired
from the house of Bog-Ah-Mah-G Ge- Shiek
the Indian who has been the head and CEN
ter of this whole difficulty. Ex-Marshal Ed
Harris, Walker half-breed, was struck, his
arm being broken. This shot seemed to be
signal for Immediately shots came from
every direction, and three men dropped and
were carried to the rear.
The soldiers, who are veterans not alone
| of the Santiago battle, but of many an In
dian skirmish, knew what to do, and at the
frst shot all found shelter and awaited an
other volley to tell them where to shoot.
General Bacon and Major Wilkinson
steadied their men with encouraging words,
| and with a second volley the Indians at
tempted a rush on the soldiers. The rafting
volley from the regulars that met the on
coming Reds stopped the rush and drove
BACK the Indians, although half dozen of
them were dropped by the soldiers fire.
The fire from the Pillagers then became
| more scattering and the soldiers made a fine
charge and drove them back, though the
| firing continued. The steamers on which
the soldiers had come, as well as those used
by the newspaper correspondents, were fired
on by the Indians with effect. Inspector
Tinker received a shot in the leg and had
his sleeve riddled.
Brill, of the Pioneer Press Reatop 30
the Tribune. and the Times correspondent
had landed prior TO the arrival of the SOL
diers, a previous experience having made
them believe the danger was slight. They
were thus brought into the thick of the
fight. and fought with the soldiers. The
nen on the steamers saw them in the fight
taking vigorous part with their revolvers
until they were compelled to fly. closely
pursued by the savages Tonight an In
dian who arrived from Bear island stated
that all the men out of uniform had been
killed. but that he could not tell how many
soldiers had been shot. No direct word has
come from either the correspondents who
were with the troops Or from the soldiers
This is looked on as additional cause for ap-
prehension. as II is believed that General
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