The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-03-30
CRAZY SNAKE
MAKES OFFER
TO SURRENDER
He Says He Never Wanted to
Fight-Story Believed to
Be Reliable
tue Ull lTll IlIIIl ne VfnT
THE MILITIA WILL Be kept
ON GUhRO FOR PROTECTION
Story of the Clash in Battle Between
the Indians. Halfbreeds, Negroes
and State and Federal Officers and
State Militia.

N,eetAA 49, OhaSt'' -hoASh oU-S1d dLy
Snake or Chitto Harjo. chief Of the
Snake Indians, offered today to sur
render. The proner of the willy old
chief. who has been sought by five
companies of the state militia since
Sunday, was made to the officers OF
the militia this morning. He sent
word that he desired to come but
feared surrendering to the local au-
thorities. The chief states that he
never desired to fight. djutant Gen.
eral Canton. to whom the news Of
Crazy. Snakes wish to lay down his
arms was brought shortly before
noon today, expressed the belief that
the report was reliable. The militia
will be kept on the ground for the
protection of the Indians who will be
brought in.
With Crazy Snake and large por-
tion of his band of Indians, half
breeds and negroes apparently
trapped in the North Canadian bot
toms, more than 300 Oklahoma mill.
tary. deputies. cowboys and farmers
hurried forward at dawn today to
join those already on guard. 1t was
believed that the chieftain, outgen.
eraled by his pursuers. could by no
possibility break through the Gordon
which compassed him. The Indians
were in a timbered stronghold. On
all sides extends dense growth of
underbrush. flanked by great trees.
Into this forest Crazy Snake and
portion Of his band crept last night
when Col. Hoffman's pursuing sol.
diers got too near for comfort. Here
they prepared to make their stand.
Whether this would be diplomatic
contest over the terms of surrender
or an argument with bullets the
young soldiers did not know as they
took up march, but they and their
officers were prepared for both.
Crazy Snake had every reason to fight
from his point of view.
House Burned
The house of Crazy Snake. near
Hickory Grounds was burned yester-
day by Indians to divert attention from
the bushwhacking fight near by. This
was related by Deputies Jones and
Frank Smith after they had reached
Checotah last night for more ammuni-
ton.
"The fight took place at IL O'clock"
said Jones. 1--WE were pressing the
Indians pretty close. when our atten-
ton was called to fire in the dis
tance. Harjo's house was burned to
the ground. The fight was warm.
but we did not dare push it long, for
we were short on ammunition"
George Woodruff, attorney for the
of the interior, reached
today from Washington and
will go to Henryetta tomorrow.
Captured Aides
A detachment Of deputies last even
ing captured Sandy Tabler, half
breed. who for a long time has been
one Of Crazy Snakes chief aides. Chief
Odom believes he was one of those in
the Snakes house in Thursday even
ing's fight.
Deputy Flynn took Tabler to the
Okmulgee Jail after passing part of
the day with the militia. He said
were placed on the
Snakes trail and that the chances
were favorable for his capture with
in twenty-four hours.
Situation Serious
"Those negroes and Indians are
not afraid of blue blood" said Flynn.
"They know no fear as long as they
stand together and 1t was wise gener-
alship in scattering them. I regret
to say that the situation is more criti-
cal than it appears on the surfaca
The visitor goes over the country and
sees no excitement and concludes
there is no danger. but the people
ought to know better. While the
trouble has consisted principally Of
skirmishes. the lives of many people
are continually endangered. Some Of
the people want to suppress the news
because it is bad advertising for this
part of the state"
One Of the largest crowds ever con-
gregated in the little town of Checo-
tab attended the funeral of Herman
Odom. the 22-year-old deputy who was
killed in the fight at the home Of
Crazy Snake. Every business house
was closed for an hour.
The body of Edward, who was kill
ed in the fight. was sent to Fort
Smith for burial. Several families
have deserted their homes in the vi
,inity of Pierce on account of the In
1ian troubles. Treacherous and fear
less redskins hide in the woods and
hills ond occasionally come into the
open.