Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1909-03-29
Aborigines Are Headed by Crazy
Snake and Are Well Armed.
BAND IS STRONGLY ENTRENCHED
First Real Uprising in Oklahoma for
Many Years.
TROUBLE STARTED THURSDAY
Attempt to Arrest Negro Horse
thieves Ends in Fight-sIx Men
Have Been Killed and
Many Injured.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oh1., March r.
Five companies of Oklahoma militia are
marching tonight against Crazy Snakes
band of Creek indians half-breeds and
negroes. entrenched in the Hickory hills,
seven miles from Henryetta.
A bloody battle was regarded inevi-
table. as the heavily armed troops set out
either to capture or exterminate the muir
derous band, which since Thursday has
caused the death of six men, the wounding
of many others and brought about a con-
dition of terror in Henryetta, 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 expected that they could
not reach the scene ready for battle much
before o'clock.
Crazy Snakes men number about DO,
all armed with modern rifles and plent-
fully supplied with ammunition. They had
been preparing for two months for this,
their final stand against lawful authority.
They defiantly sent out word today that
they would fight TO the Geath.
OF course there can be only one outcome
In the clash. but It is certain 70 be a
murderous affair as the militiamen's Of
ficers have declared that they shoot to
Kill from the first.
Long Fight Expected.
1t was regarded as certain that the In
dams would be defeated, but 1t is realized
that It might take all night and all day
tomorrow to crush the band into the con-
dition of subsection such as the military
authorities decided upon.
Crazy Snakes band strongly entreanched
itself early in the day and was reinforced
from time to time by rowing companies
which were scared away from Henryetta
| by the coming of the state troops at.
o'clock. Crazy Snake is in personal COM
mand. This was established by the testi-
money choked out of his colese-bred son
by means of a nice new inch rope. Young
HarJo was strung up By The determined
deputies until nearly dead When he gasped
out that his father was in command; /;
| named the Indian who killed the deputies;
told theo fficers how to trail the band.
and did everything which a stocial red
man is supposed not to do when in the
hands of his enemies.
First Uprising for Years.
This first real Indian uprising OF years
has held this portion of the territory on
edge for three days past. 1t has been
plotted and prepared for two months II
broke out last Thursday, when some dep
uty sheriffs went to Henryetta to arrest
some negro cattle thieves. They were fired
on by negroe and halfbreed friends of the
| criminals and forced to beat a hasty re-
| treat. A few hours later they returned
with additional forces and were fired on
by the band then augmented by number
of Cracy Snakes Indians. In this fight
three were killed mad five wounded, sc-
cordlng to the official reports, al though
II is thought many more Indians were
wounded. as scores of shots were fired at
close quarters. This clash resulted in
forty-one arrests.
Indians Decide to Fight.
Meanwhile Crazy Snakes followers de-
termined upon an aggressive campaign.
The chiefs plans had TO be prematurely
! spr9ng on account of the unexpected raid
of the deputies on Henryetta. Deputies
famed the flame by hunting strenuously
| for the leaders and Crazy Snake, forced to
| the wall. determined TO strike a hard blow
in an effort TO escape. Last night part
! OF his band was run TO cover by deputies
IN a search for leaders in Thursdays fight
Marshal Baum of Shecotah and Deputy
odom of Eufauls paid their lives as a
price. They were shot down. according to
Crazy Snakes son, by Charles Coxer, a
| Seminole Indian. This event aroused the
state authorities Governor Haskell or
/ dered out the militia and the word was
passed out thtat the band must be cap
tured or killed Not till today did the peo-
pie of Henryetta realize the serious con-
dition. Threatened by raids by some of
Crazy Snakes men. the yhurriedly armed,
patrolled the roads leading to the town.
sent to surrounding towns for arms and
ammunition and sent urgent appeals TO
Governor Haskell to hurry the militia 10
the scene. Not until the soldiers arrived
at o'clock this afternoon were the peo-
| Lcnn4I....a a.. a....a - :.