Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1898-11-04
RECALLS A MASSACRE.
DREAD WORK OF INDIANS IN MINNIE
sofa IN 1862.

Brutal Sioux Murdered six Is.s4al
settlers-A Bloody Drsma which
Shocked the Civilized World - Trivial
Incident which Reused the Red Mon.
The Indian outbreak in Minnesota
viyidly recalls the great massacre in
that state in 1862. in which 600 set
tiers were killed, aud which holds an i'm
portant place in the literature devoted
to the red man.
The massacre in August Of that year
at the Fort Ridgeley agency shocked
the country, and, indeed, the whole
civilized world, accustomed though it
was to the bloody drama that attended
the advance of civilization in the north
west.
Engaged in the massacre were
numbers of M'dewakanton, wahpe-
kuta, Wahpeton and Sisseton tribes
of the great Sioux or Dakota nation.
The immediate cause Of the outbreak
was the failure of the United States
government to pay money for lands
secured by treaty. The country being
in the throes Of civil war, the red
skins took advantage of Uncle Sans
need of soldiers in the South, believ-
ing that they could bring the nation
to its knees.
Emigration to Minnesota rapidly
followed the organization Of that ter
ritory in lS49. In 1854 the Indians
were induced to signa treaty by which
they transferred 50 the United States
some 80, 900, 900 acres, reserying for
their own home a tract $50 by 20
miles in extent along the upper Min
nesota. In 1852 the In iians also
ceded this tract, agreeing to accept
such location as the president should
select. But the Indians did not move.
In 1860, two years after the admission
of Minnesota into the Union, the gov
ernment purchased half this tract.
The Indians were pro disposed to
hostility against the whites by reason
of the restrictions with which the gov
ernment had surrounded them. Then
the traders a1de to this feeling by
robbing them outrageously. The adj
vent of the whites on the purchased
lands for which the Indians were not
paid bid fair to drive the red men
away. The whites cut down trees,
the steamboats, frightened the beaver
aud waterfowl, and the deer and the
buffalo were driven away.
The night before the fateful 18th
day of August, 1862. great Indian
council was held at Rice Creek, and
it was determined to go to st. Paul, if
necessary, to urge the making of a
pay nent on the purchase made by the
government. 1t was found that the
no tiles could bring into the field 1900
warriors, all armed and fierce with
hatrel for the whites, who, they
charged, had swindled them.
Strange as it may seem, the actual
killing OF the whites began with dis
pute among foar Indians over two
hens eggs. The quartet, passing
across a prairie, discovered the eggs.
Two proposed eating them; the other
two said no-that the eggs were the
property Of the whites. One Indian
threw the eggs to the ground and was
called coward This same redskin
then, to show his bravery, shot an
OK, and again was called coward.
'.You break eggs and kill an OK"
said one. "You are woman. / am
brave man. L have been on war
parties and taken scalps."
The quarrel was kept up until the
four thirsted for scalps aud likewise a
chance to show their bravery.
Soon they arrived at the home of
Howard Baker. They accepted the
hospitality of the white man, and
finally arose as ifto go. Instead, how
ever, they suddenly turned aud
opened fire on the whites, the shots
taking effect on Baker, two men
name Webster and Jones. All were
killed Then a Miss Wilson was
dragged from the house and shot.
Mrs. Baker and Mrs. Webster hid in
the cellar, and after the Indians re-
tired sent a boy to Ripley with the
news of the murder. Captain Whit
come of Forest City, with twelve or
fifteen men, hastenel to the place and
held an inquest. While so engaged
eleven Indians passed. on horseback.
One soldier opened fire and the red
skins fed The relatives of the four
then resolved upon a gen
efal massacre to shield the quartet
from apprehension.
On the morning of the 18th of Aug
ust the Indians began their march.
Two miles from the agency they num-
bered l59 mounted and armed men,
all mad with the desire to shed white
mems blood. There they were Joined
by the great chief, Little Grow, as
leader. Swift messengers were sent
to all the tribes asking them to Join
in the murderous work.
When the Indians entered the little
agency village a signal gun sounded.
Then the awful work began. The first
shot, fred at Myrick's store, killed
James Lynde, a clerk. Dirall, clerk,
and Fritz, the cook, were the next to
fall. Young Myrick attempted to es-
cape but was slain by arrows. At
Forbes store the Indians killed JOS
eph Belland and Antoine Young; at
Roberts store, one Brusson and one
La Bate. Many others in the imme-
iiate vicinity were also killed. Geo.
Bourat made a dash for liberty. He
was twice shot. The Indians stripped
his clothing from him and piled a
number OF logs on him, promising to
return and cut him to pieces. He sue
,eeded in extricatiug himself and
made his escape. All the stores and
houses were looted as fast as the
owners were murdered.