Democratic Sentinel, Volume 21, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 June 1897 — SETTLERS IN DANGER. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SETTLERS IN DANGER.

CHEYENNE INDIANS START ON THE WARPATH. Rumor* that at Leant a Dozen White Men Have Been Killed Further Slaughter Likely to Follow if Troops Do Not Interfere.

Cheyennes in Revolt. The Cheyenne Indians have gone on the war path in Montana and are said to have killed almost a dozen men, including five United States soldiers. The Indians have no reservation, but roam over the southern part of the State. The white settlers are up hi arms and the women and children are being sent into the northern towns for safety. The Cheyennes make the Lame Deer agency their headquarters. Hoover, a sheep herder, was recently shot by Indians while herding sheep. He was killed because he caught several Indians killing sheep. This so incensed the stockmen that they have armed themselves and will fight to protect their 'homes, help and stock. Two companies of colored cavalry from Custer were ordered to the agency Wednesday, and'Saturday a courier arrived from the agency with the information that George Walters, the postmaster, aud Lou Alderson, a stockman. had been shot and killed; also that the Indians had shot into the cavalry and killed five men and had sixty armed cowboys surrounded. The cavalry from Fort Keough and Company E of the infantry left for the scene. There are certainly grounds for fear. The Cheyennes are determined and theyare being re-enforced by renegade Crows. Rosebud ranchers received a consignment of rifles and ammunition at this point. Settlers have moved all their families from near the reservation. Ranchmen and stockmen have organized at Cheyenne agency and demand the Indians who killed Hoover. The names of the Indians are known and they are protected by fifty bucks. Sheriff Gibbs and Coroner Bateman have returned from

Barringer’s ranch, in the neighborhood of which the inquest was held on the body of Hoover. The verdict was that he came to his death by two shots fired by Cheyenne Indians. While the inquest was proceeding sixty men under Legislator James Brown arrived on their way to the agency. The Sheriff pleaded with them to return and told them sixty of them against 400 or 500 Indians armed and such fighters as the Cheyennes are would be helpless. The Sheriff learned that the crime was committed by three of the band led by White Bull, who said a day or so previous that his heart was bad; that he wanted to eat White man's heart. The agent said that he knew one of the murderers, and thought with a little time they could find the others, would arrest them, and turn them over to the.civil authorities with what evidence they had. He had requested a sufficient force of soldiers to surround the Indians, and said he would cut off rations till the murderers were turned over. The Sheriff and committee went back to the main body, which had been augmented by twenty men from the Rosebud, and made report. Though there was much dissatisfaction at the turn affairs had taken, they agreed to disperse for two weeks to allow the agent time to make the arrest. If not then done the original plan of attacking the Indians is to be carried out. The women have been gathered at several ranches for protection under a guard of ten or twelve men in each instance.

INDIAN COUNTRY IS SHADED.