Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 April 1885 — THE CANADIAN REVOLT. [ARTICLE]

THE CANADIAN REVOLT.

The Government Taking Prompt Measures to Suppress the Rebellion. Causes of the Trouble—Character of the Rebels—Fenians to the Rescue. Causes of the Trouble. J. L. Bowen, of Calgary, Northwest Territory, arrived m Chicago the other dty, and was promptly interviewed. In speaking of the rebellion in Manitoba, Mr. Bowen sa d the residents throughout the Northwest are greatly excited, and even at his place, which is 300 miles west of the scene of the present troubles, the people aro making active preparations to resist a general Indian outbreak. Mr. Bowen, however, is of the opinion that the rebels will not go so far west unless Riel and his followers should advance in that direction, in which case the Blackfeet and neighboring Indians, numbering three thousand fighting men, might join in the rebellion with the hope of securing plunder. The Crees, who are located in the extreme northwestern part of the terrdory, and number fully 15,1 ff 0, he believes are only waiting for a favorable opportunity to join Riel. The latter has already sent emissaries among the three tribes, and is using every argument to induce them to join him. The Blackfeet and others are poorly equipped for war, but the Crees have an abundant supply of arms and ammunition, and if they should attach themselves to the rebels the outbreak will become a very serious m itter. Referring to the c tuses of the trouble, Mr. Bowen said that for some time there had been general dissatisfaction in the territory on account of the British Government refusing to recognize the land claims of the actual settlers as against the governmental grantees, and heretofore the sympathy had nearly all been with the halfbreed settlers. The recent outbreak, however, and the loss of lire had reacted against them. Before that the opinion seemed to be general that the claim of the halfibreeds •was a just one. and should have been allowed by the English Government. When asked about the future action of Riel, Mr. Bowen said he believed that Biel would eventually desert his men and seek safety for himself in the United States, and that the Government would present the halfbreeds with a grant of land, and thus prevent further trouble.

Character of the Rebel*. A recent dispatch from Ottawa, Canada, says: A gentleman, now living here, who was at one time in the employ of the Hudson Bay Company, tells something of the character of the half-breeds who are stimulating the uprising in the Northwest. He says that after the Red River rebellion a large number of these half-breeds moved into Montana and located on Milk River. In the very nature of things it could hardly be possible for such desperadoes to remain quiet for any length of time, and subsequently they organized bands to plunder stores iu the vicinity. The United States authorities sent Sheriff Healy and his deputies to arrest them and confiscate the plunder. 'The majesty of the law, however, was not vindicated by the officers, alb three of whom were captured and kept as prisoners for a full week. By way of breaking the monotony the officers were daily marched to a tree in close proximity to the encampment, and the mock ceremony of lynching carried out, amid the jeers of the outlaws. They were finally rescued by the United States troops, who recaptured the stores and drove most of the half-breeds back to British territory. This was in 1880. Fenians to the Rescue. A recent telegram from New York says: It is said here that 300 Fenians have 3 left New York for Northwest Territory to assist Riel in his contest with the Canadian authorities. Capt John McCafferty, who was supposed to be “No. 1,” has been in this city consulting with the Irish leaders during the last five days, and he left for the West to-day with an Irishman who has just ended ten years of service as an officer in the United States army. They go to take charge of the Fenian expedition. Two of Beil’s agents accompanied them, and one remained behind. W. D. Rohan, a member of the Fenian Executive Committee, said to-day that the rumors that the Fenians intended to help Riel had good foundation. He would say no more. The members of the expedition will go to Chicago, thence to St. Paul, and thence to B tittleford, Manitoba. From “John Murray” it was learned that the quotas raised in the different cities were as follows: New York, 300; Brooklyn, 100; Jersey City and Hoboken, 50; Buffalo, 100; Albany and Troy, 50; Detroit, 50; Chicago, 250; Milwaukee, 50; St. Paul, 50; St. Louis. 50; Omaha, 50; Dubuque, 25; Sioux City, 50; Grand Forks, 50; Leadville, 25; Denver, 25; Cheyenne, 25; and Minneapolis, 25; total, 1,325. Troops Leaving Montreal. A Montreal dispatch says: The Sixtyfifth Infantry Regiment of militia left here this evening by the Canadian Pacific Railway for the scene of hostilities in the Northwest. Thousands of citizens collected in and around the railway station to cheer the men on their departure. Business was partially suspended all day, through the anxiety of all classes of citizens to give the men a hearty farewell. A patriotic fund has been inaugurated by subscriptions of citizens, who give $5,000 to aid the families of all married men who have gone to put down the rebellion. The Sixth Fusileer Regiment, all English, will leave within twenty-four hours, and the Eighty-fifth Regiment in forty-eight hours. Others are awaiting orders. Cowboys Enlisting. A Winnipeg special reports: Capt Stewart, who owns a ranch near Fort McLeod, and who was at Ottawa when the rebellion broke out, returned to-day, commissioned by the Government to form a corps of mounted cowboys for service during the insurrection. The horses will be furnished by ranchers, and many who will join will, doubtless, have their own animals. Many of tlie men will have arms themselves, but; to those who have not the Government will supply.