Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-11-18

the reservations is savage. and the
younger men are spelling for a fight.
In order to understand the situation
one should have Il map Of the Northwest
before him as he reads. For many years
it has been the habit of the Indians TO
journey back and forth in the fall be-
tween the Sioux reservation at Pine
Ridge. in South Dakota, the Wind River
reservation In central Wyoming, aud the
Crow reservation in southern Montana.
These travelling Indians have always left
behind them a trail Of carcnsSes OF elk,
deer and other wild game. and the au-
thorities have been unable to put stop
to the slaughter. In addition TO the wild
game, the Indians have not hesitated to
slaughter such cattle belonging 10 the
ran ehInen as came in their way. This
has led to great bitterness on the part
OF the whites, and on more than one
occasion there have been narrow escapes
from fatal conflicts.
For s6Ise time band Of Indians from
South Dakota have been hunting In Con
verse County. Wyoming. and ranchmen
were angry because they slaughtered
cattle as well as game. Settlers warned
the reds to get cut OF the State, but the
Indians only laughed ut them and said
that the government had so reduced
their rations tllat they must hunt meat
or starve during the coming winter
Finally Sheriff W III. Miller OF ganized a
posse and set out In search Of the In
dams. The posse came upon the lndian
camp on Beaver creek but it was de-
serted BY all save the sqnaws and chill
dren. The squaws were busy preserving
meat for winter The entire camp was
arrested and sent to Newcastle in charge
OF Lieut. Hilton. Then the posse set
out IN search of the braves. They were
located on Lightning creek, just at dusk.
Sheriff Miller tried to have the In
dams submit to arrest quietly. but they
refused. They were under the leader
ship Of Eagle Feather, "a graduate Of
Carlisle. and Black Kettle. noted war
rior.
When the sheriff finally called on
Eagle Feather to surrender he refused
and Black Kettle suddenly raised his
rifle and shot fhe sheriff, killing him.
Members Of the posse then opened FIRE
and shot down Black Kettle. For time
the ensuing fight was a hot one. Both
sides sought cover and the redskins held
their ground in the darkness until Eagle
Feather was shot in both legs Their
they stole away one at time and the
whole party set out in the direction Of
the Bad Lands in South Dakota.
Besides Sheriff Miller Deputy Sheriff
WauEkenburg was killed, being shot IN
the neck aud bleeding to death. Several
braves besides Black Kettle were killed
and a number. including the wounded
Eagle Feather, weFe taken prisoners.
The whites sent coariers for help and
camped for the night, guarding their
prisoners.
As soon rs possible Sheriff John Ow.
ems OF Newcastle organized mother
posse and set out to intercept the fleeing
reds before they could get TO the Bad
/ Lands. where they would he compara-
! lively safe from pursuit. Once in tbs
Bad Lands the reds could hide and re-
( turn one by one 10 the reservations and
4 1t would be aia9ost impossible to identity
/ them.
| On Monday came the report that
1 Sheriff MeDermott with still another
! posse had had severe fight with d
! band Of Indians near the Horseshoe
] Raach about fifty miles east OF where
/ Saturdays fight took place. 1t was re-
/ ported that ten IT the Indians were kill
/ ed and nine taken prisoners. and that
/ none OF the posse was Eliured.
Only the influence OF the older men
/ who realize the folly OF war, Keeps the
/ younger braves who are yes on the res.
/ ervations from leaving and joining their
/ brethren who are roaming nj libcrt.- and
who may almost he said to be on tn;
! warpath