The record-union., 1898-10-06
INDIAN TROUBLES
AT LEECH LAKE,

Continued from First Page)
blood and some loss of life on both
sides. No word has come from the
front for several hours. which fact is
considered somewhat ominous.
The most serious report is that the
detachment OF troops with General
Bacon was massacred, the General nirn-
self being among the dead. Three
newspaper correspondents, Brill OF the
ST. Paul Pioneer Press" Beaton of
the Minneapolis Tribune" and KNAPP
Pen of the Minneapolis Times are
known to have been in the fight, and
one report is that they were killed,
| while another says they are now pris-
| oners in the hands Of the Indians.
This little town has been full of ex-
cttement all day, and as the reports
from the other side of the, lake come
in, the people become frantic and ct
forts were made to get up force to
go to the help Of the troops. This will
be sent in a few hours, with reinforce
ments coming on special train from
Brainerd. However, additional SOL
djers are most needed, and the feeling
is general that they cannot come too
soon.
To-day's fight occurred thirty miles
from Walker, on a point jutting out
into the lake near Bear Island. The sol
diers, 100 strong, under command Cf
| General John NJ. Bacon and Major Will
kins, arrived last evening, and at 4:3O
o'clock this morning they went on
board boats and were carried to the
point named where a landing was
made with considerable difficulty, a
gale of wind having stirred up lively
sea. The landing was effected at about
o'clock. Scouts We're hustled throug 4
the brush in every direction and for
three hours no trace Of the Indians
could be found. Every precaution was
taken against ambush.
Finally, ats about 11:30 O'Clock, the
soldiers were drawn up in an open
space near the shore Of the lake ard
preparations were about to begin for
dinner. The soldiers were still in line,
though the coffee-making had COM
nlenced Suddenly a shot was fired from
the house of Bog All Nah -Ge-Shig, the
Indian who has been at the head ard
center of the whole difficulty. EX-
Marshal Harris, a Walker half eed.
was struck, his arm being broken. This
shot seemed to be a signal, for imme-
d;ately shots came from every direc-
ton, and three men dropped and were
carried to the rear. The soldiers, VINO
are veterans not alone of the Santiago
battle. but Of many an Indian skirmlsh,
knew what to do, and, and at the f1fst
shot all found shelter and waited fer
another volley to tell them where TO
shoot. General Bacon and Major VIII
kinson steadied their men with encour-
aging words, and with second Volley
the Indians attempted to rush on the
soldiers. The rafting volley from the
regulars that met the oncoming reds
stopped the rush, and drove back the
Indians. although about a dozen or
them were dropped by the soldiers fire.
| The fire from the Pillagers then be-
came more scattering. and the soldiers
made a final charge and drove thcm
back. though the firing continued. Inc
steamers on which the soldiers had
come. as we'll as those used by the news
paper correspondents, were fired on by
the Indians Inspector Tinker received
a. shot in the leg and had his sleeve
riddled.
| Brill Of the Pioneer Press" Beaton
| of the Tribune and the Times" cor
respondent had landed prior to the ar
rival of the soldiers, a previous expe-
rience having led them to believe the
danger was slight. They were thus
| brought into the thick of the fight
| with the soldiers. The men on the
steamer saw them in the fight, taking
vigorous part with their revolvers un-
til they were compelled to fly, closely
pursued by the painted savages.
Tonight an Indian 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.
The outlook at this hour is that the
agency Indians may go on the warpath
at any moment They have been hold
ing council all night and receiving re-
ports every half hour by runners de-
scribing the condition Of affairs. Two
of the old war chiefs want war, but
there are others who are trying desper-
ately to stem the tide of discomfort
and to prevent any conflict with the
| troops.
A statement has been secured from
United States Marshal O'Connor. He
says that General Bacon told him he
| thought it likely that they would have
| to remain several days. and O'Conno1
| thereupon said he would return here
| for supplies. O'Connor started In a
| skiff for his steam launch, which was
some distance from the shore. and just
| then the battle commenced. The troops
; did not return the fire for some time
| When ordered to fire they did so with
good effect.
| Mr.. O'Connor says it was folly to &C
there with so small a force, and thinks
| that it will take at least 1000 troops tc
| restore peace.
| A dispatch boat that has just arrived
announces that although they cruistd
up and down near the scene of the
battle for two hours, they were unable
/ to see a man. and fear that all the
soldiers and officers have fallen About
| 100 armed citizens, including the de.
tachment from Brainerd, are about tt
| start for the scene.
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