The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-04-01
OKLAHOMA INDIANS
co ON WARPATH
Under Leadership of Fanatic,
Redskins Make Trouble
for Troops.

Oklahoma City, Okla, March 31.--One
hundred Creek Indians, half breeds and
negroes, under personal command OF
chief Crazy Snake kept up their march
on the warpath early today, but were
falling utterly to spread abroad the
terror among the people at large that
like events In earlier days caused.
Rather they were ~retreating before five
companies of determined Oklahoma
militiamen in an effort to reach a
stronghold in the Tiger mountains be-
fore making a final stand against the
troops. a
The militiamen ordered out yesterday
by Governor Haskell as a result OF the
uprising after a clash at the home OF
crazy Snake in which Marshal Baum
and Deputy Sheriff Odom were killed,
camped for the night at Hickory Hills,
the camp which had been hastily evac-
uated by Crazy Snake at their APP
proach. At break Of day they moved
forward to give battle to the redskins.
Meanwhile the chief. through the
agency of his sleepless scouts, had been
watching every move and he led his
forces away, apparently not daring. or
at least not caring to fight his white
foes in the open. =
At Double Quick.
The militiamen at this junctIlre
pushed forward at double quick. The
Indians were 10 miles away from them.
but they were determined that they
should not be allowed to choose the
battle-ground and thus gain enormous
advantage. The troops outnumbered
the Indians three TO l and the officers
know that could the opposing forces
meet in the open, there could be only
one o~utcome-the Indians would have
to surrender or be killed. Once the
redskins gained the shelter of the hills
though the result would not be sure.
At h rate OF progress they were
making the troops were In a fair way
to overhaul the Indians shortly after
noon and force them into a. fight under
conditions unfavorabia TO the
ments Of Crazy snake.
The night passed without any undue
alarms after the soldiers had bivouaced
at the Indians forsaken camping
ground. Firing was heard there, but
this was due to the restlessness OF row
ing bands OF the negroes and half
breeds. The Indians themselves kept
closely within their camp between the
north Canadian liver n Deep Fork
creek, about II miles from Henrietta.
They had hurried through the 10 miles
between this and their deserted camp
and in obedience to the chiefs com
mands, were resting after the events OF
the day.
negroes Are MutInouS.
The indications were at this time that
Crazy Snakes negroes were giving him
much trouble. They came from h
turbulent never-do-well class of the
south, many OF them fed to Oklahoma
to escape the consequences of their
crimes. Never amenable to authority,
they were reluctant to obey the chiefs
commands, although they gladly en-
rolled under his standard in the old
chieftain's wild and misguided cam
paign against the white father. This
element of weakness, militia officers
said might cause the Indians to yield
without a fight, to ascertain whether
the negroes might be regarded in times
Of need.
Frontier men acting as scouts for the
state troops passed most of the night
in or near the Indians camp. These
returned shortly after daybreak with
news that the old chieftain's forces
we're showing signs Of disintegration.
The half-breeds and negroes, overawed
at the unusually active measures OF
the whites, and the certainty Of crush
ing defeat should a clash come. were
counselling either abject flight or COM
plete surrender. These propositions
Crazy Snake contemptuously refused.
He said that all those who cared might
go at once, but that all who a real
red hearts would stay by him and help
him forcefully to redress the wrongs
under which his people writhed.
In. VA Dance.
To a man the Creeks expressed their
intention OF staying by the undertake
ing and Of fighting the states soldiers
to the death. So enthusiastic had they
become after Crazy Snakes appeal that
Q war dance was started by some of the
older Indians. The younger Indians
- l. - KI~ On ~ WA In an
uproar. Crazy Snake arrayed himself
in savage toggery which hitherto had
been kept hidden, and appeared In All
his glory. The yells occasioned by tnis
added to the fearful din. The scouts
had seen enough. Hastily they went
back to their camp at Hickory Hills
and reported that the Indians really
meant to fight.
The order to advance then was given
and the soldiers were soon after their
red foes. Arrangements were made TO
keep up the search throughout the Gay
for the renegade bands to which Ii
Rscribed most OF the blame for the up
rising.
Plotted for Months.
Crazy Snake has been plotting the
event for two months, but was forced
to begin sooner than he expected on
account OF his men being drawn into
lllt HkIl ldGL ~ SN"J
negro allies from arrest. Then again
on Saturday night, when his house was
surrounded, it was done by deputies
seeking to apprehend the leaders in
Thursdays trouble. But II his plans
We're forced p~rematurely, this did not
detract from the determination WIN
the old chieftain who pushed forWaro
the affair when once he had entered IT,
The militiamen do not attempt 10
conceal their apprehension that much
lighting will be necessary before the
band could be subdued.
The Creeks have been planning TINS
thing for a long time" said n OF the
officers, and they are well prepared
for it. Crazy Snake, whose real nanie
is Tom Wilson, is a full blooded creek
and one Of the few bloodthirsty aoorl-
gines left in Oklahoma. He led the re-
volt of the band of Greeks who MADE
war against the conservative members
of the tribe in 1901. l am afraid that
there will be much oeiore
troops conquer h insurgents.
KILLED IN GAMING ROOM.