The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1906-08-02
BLOOD FLOWS Al
CAMERON DAM
STATE MlLITIAMEN AND OFF,
GERS IN BATTLE WITH DIETZ
FAMILY.
TAKE DHTz DEAD OR ALIVE
ONE OR TWO COMPANIES OF MI.
LITlA WILL NOW BE SENT TO
GET DlETZ.

Ladysmith, Wis, July 2S.-Blood-
shed at Cameron dam in Sawyer coun-
ty, resulting from a sharp battle yes
terday between the family of John F
Dietz and a squad Of six militiamen,
led by Sheriff Gylland. in which Clar.
ence DietZ and one of the miitiamen
We're wounded, perhaps fatally. is ex-
pected to be followed by the dispatch
of one or two companies of the Wis
consin national guard with orders to
take Dietz dead or alive.
Gov. James O. Davidson himself
picked the six miIitiamen who aided
Sheriff Gylland, and it is declared that
DietZ's latest fragrant defiance of the
dignity and authority of the state
speedily will be punished by force Of
arms if necessary.
'H'll Shoot Anything"
'I'll shoot anything on the river
hereafter" was the angry last word Of
Dietz yesterday, and he now holds I'M
disputed sway for the time bein- even
the watchers stationed near the ia.
nous dam having dCc1mped in fear OF
death.
The lOng-eXpected clash between the
squatter and repr" sentatives of the
state was particil / in by practical
ly the entire Dietz family.
AS soon as the sheriff and militia
men came in sight of the Dietz cabin.
DietZ, his wife, two of his sons and
one daughter came out armed with re-
peating rifles. After the first volley
from the DietZ side one of the militia
men fell WOD.. o.. Bullets struck
him in the ankle, hip and neck. The
fusillade was returned by the militia
men, and after the smoke had cleared
away 1t was seen that Clarence Dietz
had fallen. Then the would-be captors
of Dietz retired behind stumps and
trees.
Battle Lasts an Hour.
For over an hour the battle was
continued. Fully $50 shots were fred
by each side
When it was seen that Dietz was
determined not to give up, Gylland
and his force of militiamen retired to
the Mississippi River Logging compa-
ny camp at Cameron DAM nalf a mile
from the Dietz cabin, and there dress
ed the wounds of the miItiaman
Then they drove thirty-six miles to
this city for medical assistance and to
receive further orders.
How badly wounded Clarence Dietz
is cannot be stated. as DietZ would al
low no outsider to approach the cabin
he was wounded was dragged by his
mother and sister 10 the cabin, while
the other son and he father II med
on the field TO face tne sheriff and mil
itiamen.
Reports Arc Confirmed.
Additional IT, II confirming
reports of the clash was brought in by
James Hedrin2tCn and James Rice,
the Mississippi Logging company's
dam watchers. They assert positively
that the first volley Of shots was fired
by the Dietz perry. According to
their story, John F. DietZ and Stanley
and Leslie, his oldest sons, fired first.
friendly to him, and as soon as CYL
land and party were near Dietz's
cabin he was notified CT his danger
and was fully ready to meet the emer.
gency.
Appeal to the Governor.
Up to a month ago the Saw coun-
ty sheriff had made four un Zee assful
attempts to get Dietz. About four
weeks ago Sheriff Gylland went to
Cameron dam with deputies, Mt this
attempt, like the others. ended in fail
ure.
Gov. Davidson was then prevailed
upon to assist the county authorities
to the extent of furnishing the aid Of
militiamen. Gylland and the militia.
men are considered to have shown
commendable cNura~e in irving to
make the arrest TIE fact It only
one of the attacking party was injur.
ed is considered rem rkhble as they
were making tie attack under great
disadvantage. \ IRE force of armed
men-one or two 90 o)anies of mill
tia, in all probabili'''-will now be
dispatched to the Cameron dam to
take Dietz dead or a,i~a.
The Cause CT tic Trouble.
Dietz for a long tine has held pos
session Of the Thorn Apple river dam,
preventing the driving of several mil
lion feet of logs belon ing to the Chip
pewa Lumber and Doom company
The logs are rotting Hrd the company
has for some time past been endeav.
oring TO have Dietz served with legal
papers compelling him to show cause
why the company should not be allow.
ed to drive the logs.