Smyrna times., 1909-03-31
BATTLE With
INDIANS LIKELY
Troops Set Out to Capture or
Kill MuTdeTOuS Band.
SIX men ALREADY SLAIN

Wnen Soldiers Reached the Indians
Camp They Found 1t Deserted and
In Flames - Redskins Fled to a
Stronger Position, Where Battle
Will Likely Be Fought-Their Last
Stand Against Lawful Authority.
oklahoma City, Okla, March 20
Five companies if Oklahoma militia
marched against Crazy Snakes band
of Creek Indians. half breeds and ne
groes, entrencted in the Hickory hills,
seven miles from Henryetta.
A battle is regarded as inevitable, as
the heavily armed troops set out either
to capture or exterminate the MUIR
derous band, which since Thursday
has caused the death of six men, the
wOunding of many others, and brough
about a condition of terror in Henry
eta, Pierce and all the surrounding
country.
Crazy Snakes men number about
200. all armed with modern rifles and
plentifully supplied with ammunition.
They had prepared for two months for
this. their final stand against lawful
authority. They defantly sent out
word that they would fight to the
death
The militiamens officers declared
that they would shoot to kill from the
first.
When the state troops reached the
camp of Crazy Snake they found it
deserted and every tepee, hut and tent
in flames. The Indians had fed to a
stronger position to the north, where
a battle likely will be fought.
Crazy Snake is in personal CON
mand. This was established by the
testimony, choked out of his college
bred son by means of a nice new inch
rope. Young Harjo was strung up
by the determined deputies until near
~ dead. Then he gasped out that his
father was in command; named the
Indian who killed the deputies; told
the officers how to trail the band, and
did everything which a stoical red man
is supposed not TO do when in the
hands of his enemies.
This first real Indian uprising for
years has held this region on edge for
three days. 1t had been plotted and
prepared for two months. 1t broke
out last Thursday, when several dep
uty sheriffs went to Henryetta to az
rest negro cattle thieves. They were
fred on by negro and half breed
friends of the criminals and forced t
retreat. A few hours later they re
turned with additional forces, anC
were fired on by the band, then aug
mented by a number of Crazy Snake
Indians. In this fight three negroes
were killed and five wounded. accord
ing to the official reports, although i
is thought that many more Indian
we're wounded, as scores of shots wer
fired at close qua rs. This clash re
suited in forty-one arrests.
Meantime Crazy Snakes follower
determined on an aggressive cam
paign. The chiefs plans had to b
prematurely sprung on account of tn
unexpected attack of deputies on HeI
1yetta. Deputies famed the flames b
hunting starenuously for the leaders
and Crazy Snake, forced to the wal
determined to strike hard blow in a
effort to escape.
Thursday night part of his band wa
run to cover by deputies in a scare
for leaders of Thursdays fight. Ma
shall Baum. Of Checotah. and Deput
Odom, of Eufaula, paid their lives
a price. They were shot down b
Charles Coker. a Seminole Indian. Tn
event aroused the state authoritie
Governor Haskell ordered out the mi
tia. and the word was passed alor
that the band must be captured
killed.