The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-07-29
FIFTY THUGS
IN TIE BULlPEN
BONESTEEL ViGllANTES IN A
BLOODY BATTLE WREST RULE
FROM GRAFTERS.
MORE TutN DOZEN ARE WOUNDED
HUNDREDS OF BULLETS SPIN
THROUGH AIR DROPPING NOW
AND THEN A MAN.

Bonesteel, S. D.. July 26.-The reg
istration for Rosebud lands closed
with a furious pitched battle in which
four SPECIAL policemen and a dozen
grafters we're more or less seriously
wounded. Two hundred persons par
ticipated in the bloody conflict, which
took place after the crooks had been
driven like SO many cattle a mile east
of town by the vigilance committee
and Officers.
Hundreds of bullets spun through
the air, dropping now and then a
man, and as a result Bonesteel's re-
spectacle element has taken from the
thugs the power hat they possessed
for fOur Gays of the last week. For
the first time since the mad rush for
free lands began, the authorities have
been successful in attempting to lay
hands on the daring cut-throats who
were rulers of the city, and a half
hundred Of the crooks, captured after
a hard fight, were
Lodged in a Bull Pen,
guarded by over one hundred armed
and enraged special police. The wild
disorders which had prevailed since
Tuesday afternoon came to a tragic
climax when the citizens Of the town,
worked up to a pitch which could find
expression in blood alone, collected
themselves into an old-fashiOned Wig
lance committee, took every shotgun,
rifle and revolver from the shelves of
the hardware stores, and marched out
determined to quell the reign of un
e~easing riot. Mayor Erb, urged on by
respectable men, concluded hat mob
rule must end. Not a CRATER was
there who would not shoot a hole
through any man who crossed him.
Peace had been purchased for three
days from the gang by going into part
nership with them, and by protecting
the business of the thugs. Commits
sioner Richards had threatened to re-
move the land office to Fairfax, and it
was time to call a halt.
Fear Night Attack.
A big bull pen was built for impris-
onment. 1t was grudgingly that every
street retreat was taken before the
march Of the relentless force. They
had not only to keep driving back
ward the grafters, but also keep pris-
oners whom they had captured. Out
upon the prairie they moved. Then
the mob of thugs turned about and
swooped upon the officers, yelling and
shooting as they ran. Immediately
the battle began. 1t was evidently
the purpose of the grafters to recap
ture their comrades. For the first time
in a week the town is orderly, but a
night attack is feared from the de-.
parted gamblers.
The Total Registration
for homesteads on the Rosebud reser-
walton was 106,324, distributed as fol
lows:
Bonesteel ..34,O64
YanktOn ,434
Chamberlain 6,l36
There are about $500 qu~artersec-
tons to be opened to homestead en-.
try. the drawing for which will be
held under government supervision at
Chamberlain, S. d., beginning July %.
Registration was light Friday and
Saturday, only about 10000 appearing
during the two days.
During the roundup OF undesirable
| persons the police captured a wagon
containing a large quantity of dyna.
mite and a kit of burglars tools.
These were confscated and three men
were arrested. About forty of those
gathered in have been deported.
Was Quiet on Sunday.
One more man shot, a comparative
" quiet Sunday, scores Of gamblers
and leaving on each train and
i~mprobability that troops will be
called out, sums up the situation at
the edge of the Rosebud reservation.
E. E. Moree Of Missouri, seen hur.
rying through an alley during the
was dropped by a bullet from armed
guards. He may die. He is not
thought to be a CRATER, but orders
were to shoot on sight. Two hundred
guards still patrol the town. Having
wrested control from the thousand
thugs who ruled them, the citizens
feel rather easier, though still appre'
hensive of revenge from the crooks.
Fell Under Street Car.