The Mankato free press., 1921-09-09

IN the little church Is cross or
pipestone, made by the Indians and
presented to the church. On the al
Sioux language. The society mem
tar were two bibles written in the
bers were told that $50 Indians at
tend the church services twice ev-
cry Sunday, an example which could
be followed to a greater extent by
their white brothers.
They then rode through Morton,
and to the top of high hill where
w. ]. Lynch of Morton had prepared
the picnic grounds for the visitors.
There are two monuments on this
high hill, one is dedicated to the
memory Of six Indians who aided
the white people during the mas
sacre. They not only saved the lives
least eighty people, but helped
in any other way possible. The other
monument was to the memory of
the soldiers who fell in the battle of
Birch Coulee.
From the top of this hill one could
see for miles below. the hills and
woods showing green, and the river
winding like a silver ribbon in be-
tween.
Tablecloths were spread on the
ground, and an hour was spent in
feasting on all the goodies which
make a picnic so enjoyable.
The historians then gathered near
one of the monuments and listened
to Thomas Hughes, president of the
society, as he told of the Indian out
break One thing which was made
clear was the fact that the Indians
had not received their government
pay for several months, was not the
direct cause of the massacre, as so
! many think it was. 1t, of course,
added to the bitterness of the red
skins, but the direct cause was four
young Indians of "a tribe made up of
all the desperate characters who had
been put out of their own tribe.
These four Indians had gone hunt
ing, and one finding a nest of eggs,
took some of them, but was halted
by another one who told him those
belonged to a white man. The first
Indian said he was afraid of no
white man, and to prove it would
shoot the first white man they met.
An argument ensued ending by all
the Indians going to the home of d
white settler Here the Indians per-
suaded the white men there to shoot
at marks and after the latter's guns
were emptied, and as the Indians
started to leave, one of them turned
around and killed a white man. The
other men were shot, and the Indians
hurried to their encampment and told
what had happen ed. The tribe then
gathered together some of the other
tribes, and told them the only way to
keep the Indians from being killed
was to annihilate the whites. Little
Crow, one of the most influential Of
the chiefs, did not approve of this,
but was overruled by the majority OF
the Indians.
Mr.. Hughes then introduced Robert
Hinman, who talked for short time
of the outbreak. Mr.. Humans father,
Rev. S. D. Hinman, was at the mission
at the time of the massacre. Mr..
Hinmau has known and talked to
Chief Big Thunder and other Indian
leaders who were participants OF the
battles fought Mr.. Hinman was, up
to two years ago, at the head OF the
Indian mission school, and is an au-
thority on the facts Of the massacre
Of 1862. A very interesting feature Of
the program was the little speech
which Mr.. Hinman gave in the Sioux
language.
The party then drove to the battle,
field at Birch Coulee where markers
were pointed out 1t was at this point
that the members realized that 1t was
just fifty-nine years ago Saturday
that the battle of Birch Coulee had
taken place At three o'clock in the
afternoon, the exact time that the
society were there Saturday. re-
endorsements were received from Fort
Ridgely at the battle Of Birch Coulee.
The anniversary of this battle was not
thought of until someone gave the
date of the battle.
The party then repaired to Fort
Ridgely and were told the history Of
this important place. The way was
then resumed to New Ulm, where aft
err supper in Turner Hall park. the
picknicers wended their way home,
talking over the places of interest
and hoping that the trip can be made
again sometime.