Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-03-29
[R. Associated Press.l


KLAHOMA CITY, Okla, March 2S.
Five companies of Oklahoma
~ militia marched tonight against
Crazy Snakes band of Creek Indians,
half breeds and negroes, entrenched in
the Hickory hills, seven miles from
Henryetta.
A battle is regarded as inevitable, as
the heavily armed troops are in
structed to capture or exterminate the
murderous band which since Thursday
has caused the death of six men. the
wounding of many others and brought
about d condition of terror in Henry
eta, Pierce and all the surrounding
country.
The troops left Henryetta at
o'clock. They had seven miles to go.
Encountered with arms and equipment,
it was not expected that they could
reach the scene ready for battle before
o'clock.
Crazy Snakes men numbered about
200, all armed with modern rifles and
plentifuly supplied with ammunition.
They had been preparing for two
months for this, their final stand
against lawful authority They de-
family sent out word today that they
would fight to the death.
Crazy Snakes band entrenched itself
strongly early in the day and was re-
lnlOTCeQ ITOIl tlillC W lliilC Wy AOoibiio
companies of Indians. Crazy Snake
was in personal command.
Takes Desperate Stand
The willy old redskin apparently
realized that he was in tight place
and prepared to make desperate
stand This first real Indian rising in
years was planned two months ago. 1t
broke out last Thursday when some
deputy sheriffs went to Henryetta to
arrest negro cattle thieves. They were
fired upon by negroes and halfbreed
friends of the criminals and forced to
beat hasty retreat.
A few hours later they returned with
additional forces and were fired upon
by the band, then augmented by
number of Crazy Snakes Indians. In
this fight three were killed and five
wounded, according to the official re-
ports, although it is believed many
of shots were fired at close quarters.
This clash resulted in forty-one ar
rests. -
Meanwhile Crazy Snakes followers
determined upon an aggressive cam
paign. The chiefs plans had to be
sprung prematurely on account of the
unexpected raid by the deputies on
Henyretta.
Crazy Snake, forced to the wall, de-
termined to strike a hard blow in an
effort to escape.
Part of his band was run to cover
last night by deputies in search for
the leaders in Thursdays fifht. Mar
shall Baum of Checotah and Deputy
Odom of Eufaula paid their lives as
the price.
According to Crazy Snakes son they
were shot down by Charles Coker, a
Seminole Indian. This aroused the
state authorities and Governor Has
kell ordered out the militia.
Not until the soldiers arrived this
afternoon was the peoples apprehen-
sion relieved. Then the Indian bands
scurried away to avoid clash with the
militia, preferring to cast their lot with
the larger band entrenched under
Crazy Snakes command in Hickory
hills.
Militia Encamped
Darkness closed day of unrest, un-
easiness and desultory sldrmishing
throughout a large part of the former
Greek nation.
Reaching Hickory Ground at o'clock
this evening, the militia, in command
of Colonel Roy Hoffman, pitched tents
and will await orders for action to-
morrow.
Before leaving Henryetta, Colonel
Hoffman made a request of AdJutant
General Frank Cannon that 500 more
members of the state troops De held
in readiness for call.
Colonel Hoffman does not expect
trouble until early tomorrow. but his
message stated people of that part OF
the state had gone to the limit of en-
durancc with the outlaw bands and
must be given protection. Every armed
Indian is to be arrested.
That there will be armed resistance
bv the Snakes is the opinion of the
military, for it was learned this after
noon the Indians had received $4,000
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