Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-07
\ WAR in MlNEEso TA.
Attempt TO suppress Indian Troubles l'l' 1t
Leech r..Se Results In Battle. 4

Leech Lake Results in Battle.
WALKER. MINI. Oct. 6.-In battle
which began at II o'clock yesterday
morning between q detachment OF
United States troops, under command
of General Bacon, and a band OF Bear
Indians numbering from $50 to 200,
four soldiers were killed and nine
other whites were wounded. The loss
on the Indian side is not yet known,
but several were seen to drop during
the engagement. Desultory firing was
continued during most of the day, but
ceased at 4:10 o'clock, and the Indians
were driven to the bush.
The battle was fought thirty miles
from Walker, at -Ap.Me-Ge-Shirk's
Point, close to Bear Island. The de-
tachment of, 100 men under General
Bacon wasrlanded on the point shortly
after o'clock. The landing was ef-
fected with considerable difficulty ow-
ing to high sea- After landing a sor-
tie of the bush was made in all direc-
lions. The soldiers went through the
thick underground very carefully and
with every precaution taken against
ambush.
No Indians were seen until nearly
IL o'clock. Then men had been or
dered to line up in an open space near
the shores of the lake. Charges were
drawn and preparations made for dim
ner. The order to make coffee had
been given and the soldiers were
standing in column formation when
the first shot was fred. 1t came from
Bog-Ap-Me-Ge-Shirk's house. The
ball struck Ed Harris, ex-marshal OF
Walker, half-breed. Immediately
the firing became general from all
directions. The soldiers jumped for
cover and when the next volley came
from the Indians the soldiers fired,
killing half dozen Indians and send
ing the rest back yelling like fends.
The soldiers again sought cover, but
the firing by the Indians continued in
a desultory manner. Fear is enter
tanned that the troops have been wiped
out, as no report has been received
from Gen. Bacon. Reinforcementsa are
being pushed to the front as rapidly
as possible.
ST.. PAUL, Oct. 6.-An unconfrmed
rumor has reached here that the SOL
diers and General Bacon have been
massacred by the Indians at Leech
Lake. A Brainerd operator says the
reported massacre is true.
CHICAGO, Oct. GA special to the
Tribune from Lothrup, Mimi, says:
This afternoon at $3.50 o'clock it was
learned that General Bacon and his
small band of seventy or seventy-two
men were still fighting on Bear Island,
but it can not be learned what the
outcome of their fighting has been up
to this hour, s o'clock. An attempt
was made to land on the island this
afternoon and rescue the wounded
soldiers and get the bodies of the un-
fortunate blue coats who were killed.
This attempt was partly successful, so
far that four bodies were recovered
and nine soldiers who were wounded
were rescued, but the citizens were
driven to the boat aid the boat driven
from the shores by the skulking red
skins. A special train with 2l3 of the
Third infantry from Fort Smelling,
under command of Lieutenant Colonel
Harbach, of the department of Dakota,
arrived in Walker at 3 o'clock this
afternoon. Another special train will
leave Brainerd tonight with 200 or ESQ
more soldiers. Inspector Tinker
expresses the opinion that with 500
soldiers the Indians will be subdued,
but thinks there will be more blood
shed and perhaps lots of it. 1t is said
the Indians from the Mile Lac reser-
walton have started, 800 strong. to join
the Leech Lake Indians, and if this is
the case it will require 500 additional
troops to quell the disturbance. They
are reported to be well armed and
going north at a rapid rate
MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 6-Major Wilkin.
son, six privates and one Indian police.
man are dead, and Colonel Sheehan
is slightly wounded. Thirty Indians
are dead. The journal dispatch boat
has just returned from the battle
grounds. There was desperate fight
ing all morning. The Journal boat
brought out Deputy Marshal Talman
and Colonel Sheehan, who is not badly
wounded. While the boat was trans
iering the wounded she was fred upon
from ambush. This was a signal for
the re-opening of hostilities. The
troops opened on the Indians and soon
as fierce fight as that of yesterday
was in progress. We handled the pro
visions and medicines. The firing be-
came so hot that we were compelled
to weigh anchor and steam out into
the lake. The Indians appeared to be
in force. General Bacon's command il
too small to take the aggressive. The
detachment is entrenched in a gooC
position and can hold out as long as
the ammunition lasts.
WALKER, Mimi. Oct. THE trouble
at Leech Lake originated in the arrest
made by deputy United States mar
shall. The Indians rescued the prison
er. and the troops were sent there te
assist the marshal in arresting the res
cuerS.
Dreyfus Case Will BE Revised.
PARIS. Oct. GA formal application