The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-03-30
DEPUTY SHERlFFS SURROUND A
BAND OF RED MEN AND
ENCOUNTER OCCURS.
ONE BELL|GERENTIK|LLED
Crazy Snakes Followers Take Refuae
in Chiefs House, Which Is Ad-
vanced Upon by Armed Officers
Posse Fires Steadily on Building
and Occupants Are Forced to Flee

Oklahoma City, March 2e.-Chitti
Harjo Cray Snake), was surrounded ID
at midnight in the North Canadian
bottoms near Pierce. Three hundred d
militiamen, cowboys and deputy
sheriffs were closing in upon him and
his capture is expected at daybreak.
Oklahoma City, March "a de-
tachment of Crazy Snakes band OF
belligerent Indians was surrounded by
deputy sheriffs this afternoon near
Crazy Snakes home and a lively bat
tie ensued. More than 200 shots were
fired and one Indian was killed. Eight
Indians were captured and the rest
fled, with the deputies in pursuit.
There were about Is Indians in the
band that had taken refuge in a
house. Deputies had tracked them for
some distance and We're informed by
farmer of their location
Advancing from all four sides, the
posse fired at the frail house. The
Indians rushed out. scattered among
the trees and made a valiant defense.
The posse. firing all the while, stead
lily advanced and soon routed the
band. None of those captured is SER
iously injured, but it is known that a
number of Indians were hit by the
posses shots
Crazy Snakes band has apparently
broken up into numerous small groups.
1t seemed at nightfall that each was
trying to accomplish his own escape.
without regard for the grand dreams
of the chieftain. to realize which they
were called together Sunday by the
smoke of signal fires. All effort at
organized resistance seemed to have
been dropped with the sinking of the
sun.
Wisdom Evident.
The militiamen seemed we'll able to
cope with this latest phase of the
situation, however, which became evil
dent late this afternoon. They, too,
scattered out into bands. They in
vaded the hilly and wooded districts
of the Creek hation in a determined
effort to hunt down the war party.
The wisdom of their policy at once
became evident, for by o'clock to-
night they had captured eight promi-
nent members Of Crazy Snakes forces,
including Little Tiger, sub chief
The captiyes We're started for the
camp at Hickory Ground under heavy
guard. orders were issued that the
search be kept up and numerous par
ties went out during the early hours
of the night to round up the rene
gades AS fast as they are captured
they will be hurried to Hickory
Ground, where a recommendation camp
will be established. This morning the
authorities expected to avoid
a pitched battle but regarded it as
certain that numerous smaller engage
ments would be fought
Only Fatality.
The Indian killed by the posse was
the only fatality of the day reported
Gus rumors Of engagements here ana
there, with varying numbers of ia
talities. 1t is reported that a posse of
farmers near Checotoah fought a large
band of negro renegades and killed
20. This, with similar reports, can
not be confirmed. A very disquieting
condition exists throughout the trou-
bled districts, however, and almost
anything in the way of a fight would
not be surprising.
Deputy Sheriff Frank Jones early
today reported to his superiors at
that he believed his posse
had part of Crazy Snakes band sur
including the chief himself.
This gave rise to a story that the
leader was killed. No confirmation of
this could be obtained and it probably
is incorrect as nobody could be found
tonight who had seen Crazy Snake
during the day.
AS the troops prepared to enter upon
the activities Of the night it was
thought that he had carried out his
intention of seeking refuge in the
Hickory hills, and that he was sup
ported there by some of his leaders
Gun Fighters.
Scores of cowboys and frontiersmen,
all expert gun fighters, joined the
in the chase during the
day and evening. They know the
rugged country as well as do the
Greeks. These men declared that If
Crazy Snake were anywhere in the
district. he would be run down before
The militia officials have
yet to find anybody who has seen
Crazy Snake since Sunday morning.
Their only real knowledge that he Is
the Indians personally is
the information choked out of his son
by the deputies when they threatened
to hang him. The young man may
have been misleading the deputies at
that. The militiamen insist, however
that they have the best of reasons
'or believing they are near to captur-
ng Crazy Snake, and ending his up
rising.
The house of Crazy Snake near
Hickory Ground was burned today by
Indians to divert attention from the
u.