Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-04-02
CHIEF CRAzYSNAKE
STLLDEFIEST TROOPS
CHECOTAH Is ALARMED OVEE.
REPORTS THAT CREEK INDI-
ANS ARE PLANNING ATTACK
IN ABSENCE OF MEN OF TOWN.

HENRIETTA. Okla. March Sl.-The
report that Crazy Snake had been cap
tured or surrendered is not confirmed
this morning. Col. Hoffman telephones
from Pierce today that the rumOr was
groundless. The Assoc lated Press OBJ
tanned similar reports over the long dis
lance telephone from Checotah, Muskogee
and Thompson.
Search Resumed at Dawn
Deputy sheriffs travelling on horses and
the militia under Col. Hoffman today
resumed the search for the Creek lead
er at dawn. Col. Hoffman's party spent
the night in their blankets, four miles
from Stidham. The weather was damp
and chilly and huge log fires were in
sufficient to protect them from the cold.
Col. Hoffman. when informed of the
report that the Indian leader had been
captured, expressed great surprise. The
old chief might be apprehended in some
out-of-the-way spot by some stray posse
without his knowing 1t, the colonel said,
but it certainly had not occurred with
in the district occupied by the troops.
Up to 1 o'clock this afternoon no posi-
tive news had been received from Okla
homa confirming the reported capture of
Crazy Snake 1t is possible and even
likely that the chief may have been
dependent squad and is being taken Sc
cretly to the federal prison at Muskogee
to aliay excitement but this cannot be
stated to be a fact.
MUSKOGEE, Okla, March a.-Checo-
tab is alarmed over a report that the
Creeks are planning to attack the town
while most of the male citizens are out
in the field, scouting, sixteen miles away.
Morgan d. Upton has been sent to
Muskogee to secure arms and have spe-
cial train ready to rush a posse to Chec-
otah If the Indians attack the town.
Town Spent Terror Night
There was some apprehension during
the night that Checotah might be the
scene of an Indian raid. Alarming rumor
was circulated that the Creeks were
planning to attack the town while most
of the male citizens were out in the field
scouting. Morgan d. Upton came to
Muskogee and arranged for a special
train to rush a posse to Checotah. Inc
attack did not materialize, however.
Captain ]. ]. Davis. Of the Chandler
militia company, is authority for the
statement that the troops are under or
ders to capture the entire band OF
Snakes, variously estimated at from 300
to 600. Most of these would soon be re-
leased, but the authorities regard the
wholesale arrest plan as the most e.
fective method of getting the leaders.
Adjutant General Frank Canton ex-
presses himself as we'll satisfied that the
troops have the situation well in hand,
but admits that conditions might get
worse.
w. NJ. Duffy, mayor of Checotah, was
emphatic in his assertion that the Snake
band must be scattered.
Crazy Snake Under the Ban
"once there was sympathy for Crazy
Snake" he said because people gave
him credit for being at least half square,
but they no longer have any confidence
in him. His people are dangerous to. the
community. 1t is necessary that thcy
be cleaned up or else they will eventual
IL depopulate this part of the country Of
whites.
Next to Crazy Snake, the most dan
gerous Indian in the Creek nation is
Abe Grayson, the half negro, who was
captured near Pierce. He is the captain
of the negro element of the outlaw
band"
Grayson was discovered in a bayfield,
by Deputy Sheriff Sam Baker. He had
deserted his home and taken his bed to
the field. Rather than approach him,
Baker set fire to the hay and drove him
out The militia then captured him
without a fight.
Blacks Worse Than Reds
The negroes are reported as being
highly indignant over the capture Of
some of their race by the militia. This
is regarded as adding danger to the sit
uation. Discussing this point, Mayor
Barclay Morgan, of Henryetta, said:
MANY of the Snake Indians and ne
groes affiliated with them, are a men,
ace to the country and should be cap
tured. In my opinion the negroes are the
more dangerous During the last few
years from $50 to 500 blacks have drifted
here from Texas and other southern
states. They were worthless and have
caused a great deal of trouble"