Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-11-13

u1tlIS WIZ oAC vi
the reservations is savage, and the
younger men are spelling for a fight.
In order to understand the situation
one should have a 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, and the
Crow reservation in southern Montana.
These travelling Indians have always left
behind them a trail of carcasses Of elk,
deer and other wild game, and the au-
thorities have been unable to put a stop
to the slaughter. In addition to the wild
game, the Indians have not hesitated to
slaughter such cattle belonging to the
ranchmen 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 some time band of Indians from
South Dakota have been hunting in Con-
verse County, Wyoming and ranchmen
were angry because they slaughtered
cattle as we'll as game. Settlers warned
the reds to get out of the State, but the
Indians only laughed at them and said
that the government had so reduced
their rations that they must hunt meat
or carve during the coming winter.
Finally Sheriff w. H. Miller organized
posse and set out in search Of the In
dams. The posse came upon the Indian
camp on Beaver creek, but it was de-
serted by all save the squaws 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, a noted war
ror.
When the sheriff finally called on
Eagle Feather to surrender he refused
and Black Kettle suddenly raised his
rifle and shot the sheriff, killing him.
Members of the posse then opened fire
and shot down Black Kettle. For time
the ensuing fight was hot one. Both
sides sought cover and the redskins held
their ground in the darkness until Eagle
Feather was shot in both legs. Then
they stole away one at a time and the
whole party set out in the direction Of
the Bad Lands in South Dakota.
Besides Sheriff Miller, Deputy Sheriff
Waulkenburg was killed, being shot in
the neck and bleeding to death. Several
braves besides Black Kettle were killed
and number, including the wounded
Eapla Feather were taken prisoners
The whites sent couriers for help and
-camped for the night, guarding their
prisoners.
AS soon as possible Sheriff John Ow-
ems of Newcastle organized another
posse and set out to intercept the fleeing
reds before they could get to the Bad
Lands, where they would be compare
lively safe from pursuit. Once in the
Bad Lands the reds could hide and re-
turn one by one to the reservations and
it would be almost impossible to identify
them.
On Monday came the report that
Sheriff McDermott with still another
posse had had a severe fight with
band of Indians near the Horseshoe
Ranch about fifty miles east Of where
Saturdays fight took place. 1t was re-
ported that ten of the Indians were kill
ed and nine taken prisoners, and that
none of the posse was injured.
Only the influence of the older men,
who realize the folly of war, keeps the
younger braves who are yet on the res
ervations from leaving and joining their
brethren who are roaming at liberty and
who may almost be said to be on the
WarDath