The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1909-04-02
SNAKE GREEK INDIANS
ARE ON THE WARPATH
Crazy Snake and Band Of 100
Figure in Uprising.
Indian Uprising In Oklahoma Creates
A Reign OF Terror-Troops Are
In Hot Pursuit OF Hostile Reds
To The Number OF 200, Under
Crazy Snakes Leadership-They
Burn Their Camp And Flee To A
Strongly Intrenched Position
Chiefs Son Cruelty Tortured By
Deputies To Make Him Talk.

Oklahoma City. Ok. Especially -
Five companies of Oklahoma militia
marched against Crazy Snakes band
of Creek Indians, half-breeds and
negroes entrenched in the Hickory
Hills, seven miles from Henryetta.
The heavily armed troops are I'M
der orders either to capture or ex-
terminate the murderous band which,
since Thursday, has caused the death
OF six men, the wounding of many
others and brought about condi-
ton of terror in Henryetta, Pierce
and all the surrounding country.
The troops left Henryetta at 3
o'clock and reached Crazy Snake S
camp at 8 O'Clock p. NJ. They found
1t 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 Snakes men number about
200, all armed with modern rifles
and plentifully supplied with am
munition. They had prepared two
months for this, their final stand
against lawful authority. They de-
family sent out word that they would
fight to the death.
The militiamen's officers declared
that they would shoot to kill from
the first.
Crazy Snakes band strongly en-
trenched itself early in the day and
was reinforced from time to time
by rowing companies which Were
scared away from Henryetta by the
approach of the troops.
Crazy Snake, or Chito Harjo, the
Greek chief, is in personal command.
This was established by the testi-
mony checked out of his college-bred
SON by means of a nice, new, inch
rope. Young Harjo was strung up
by the determined deputies until
nearly 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.
The first real Indian uprising has
held this region on edge for three
days. 1t had been plotted and pre-
pared for two months. 1t broke out
last Thursday when several deputy
sheriffs went to Henryetta to arrest
negro cattle thieves. They were fired
on by negroes and half-breed friends
of the criminals and forced to re-
treat.
A few hours later they returned
with additional forces, and were fir
ed on by the band, then augmented
by a number of Crazy Snakes In
dams. In this fight three negroes
were killed and five wounded, ac-
cording to the Official reports, al
though it is thought many more In
dams were wounded, as scores of
shots were fired at close quarters.
This clash resulted in Al arrests.
Meantime Crazy Snakes followers
determined ON an aggressive cam
paign. The chiefs plans had to be
prematurely sprung on account of
the unexpected attack by deputies on
Henryetta. Deputies famed the
flame by hunting strenuously for the
leaders. and Crazy Snake, forced to
the wall, determined to strike hard
blow in an effort to escape.
Part of his band was run to cover
by deputies in a search for leaders
of Thursdays fight. Marshal Baum,
of Checotah, and Deputy Odim. of
Eufaula, paid their lives as price.
They were shot down, according to
Crazy Snakes son, by Charles Cox
er, a Seminole Indian. This event
aroused the state authorities. Gov
ernor Haskell, ordered out the mill
tia, and the word was passed out
that the band must be captured or
Lillo1