The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1907-10-16

dLiiiS, as IOllOWS, rather and moth
er and six children; Mr.. Henderson
and wife and two children, Mrs.
White and four children; Dave Car
rothers, wife and three children;
Mrs. James Carrothers and two
children, Jehial Wedge and John
Doyle.
Within five minutes from starting
we noticed 16 Indians who suddenly
rose to view about 80 rot southeast
from US, and coming IN a direction
to cross orr road a little ahead of
US. AT the same time looked back
and saw the three Indians who had
been about our house, fall in behind
US. Very quickly the Indians had
formed line across our road and
gradually drawn in until we were
entirely surrounded. When:the lead
er made sign for US to stop we did
SO. Mr.. Henderson, who understood
their language better than the rest
OF US, went forward to talk with the
chief. We saw by signs and ges-
lures that he was holding a very
earnest council with them which
occupied about ten minutes. When
ne returned to US, the Indians main
tanned their circle around us though
hardly any were visible as they had
concealed themselves in various
ways. On his return Mr.. Hender-
son told us that the Indians had at
first told him that they intended to
kill all of us. but that after talking
they offered to let us pass if we
would give up all our teams and
guns. Mr.. Henderson told them
that we would not give up our guns
under any circumstances and to this
firm decision is due the fact that
any OF us escaped for with us totally
disarmed they would have slain all
without any danger to themselves.
Mr.. Henderson also demanded to
keep the colts and spring, wagon in
which his wife was lying, and they
also consented to this. It seemed
that this was the best we could do
for we had only five guns against
their nineteen and three of ours
loaded with shot and stones while
theirs were all loaded with balls.
And more than all we had no am
munition to reload our guns. What
better could we do? And besides
Mr.. Henderson said that they had
agreed to furnish us an escort to
the Fort so that no other Indians
should modest US. So the terms
were accepted and Mr. Henderson
gave the signal whereupon the In
dams came to claim their property.
The women and children descended
from the wagons which, with the
teams, we turned over to the In
dians who Immediately detached
them and then demanded the colts.
Mr.. Henderson protested and re-
minded them of the agreement. But
they only said he could have a yoke
of oxen. He tried to show them
that he could not use the oxen be-
cause the iron neck yoke was bolted
to the end of the buggy pole so that
the pole could not enter the yoke
ring. This made no difference.
They said they intended to have the
colts anyway, so we proceeded to
unhitch the colts and give them up.
In the meantime the women and
children had started on and had
gained quite a distance1 on the way.
After giving up the scolts, Dave
Carrothers went to get yoke of
oxen which stood eight or ten rods
away. As he went he broke down
a weed and on reaching them he
swung the weed over their heads in
place of a whip and started towards
us with the oxen. Just then an In
dian stepped out, placed an arrow
to his bow and raised it threatingly
at Carrothers, who saw the threat,
left the oxen and came back to us.
The Indians were standing about
intermingled with us, their guns
ready and both barrels at full cock.
One unfortunate move on the part
Of any one Of us would have re-
suited in the instant death Of all.
Why they did not kill US then and
there, | cannot understand. Ger
tain it is that our preservation was