Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 October 1898 — FIGHT TO THE DEATH. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FIGHT TO THE DEATH.

HOSTILE INDIANS ENGAGE OUR TROOPS AT BEAR ISLAND. Major "Wilkinson, Five Soldiers and Many Red* Are Killed-General Outbreak of the Savages and Attack on Minnesota Settlers Is Feared. Hostile Indians and the small detachment of troops under General Bacon met in deadly conflict at Bear Island lake Leech. The casualties of the two days’ fighting are six soldiers of the Third infantry, 'including Major Wilkinson and Sergeant Cobb, two friendly Indians and many Pillagers killed; nine soldiers wounded. The number of Indians killed i* unknown. The Pillagers carried their ■dead to the rear as rapidly as they fen. The Indians have learned that pine trees do not afford the protection they did in former years. The Ivrag-Jorgenson bullets plow through two ordinary trees. As soon as the Indians learned this they fell back. The redskins proved to be wonderful marksmen, however, and spotted their then. Reports from Deer River say that there are about 400 Indians within five miles of that village, comprising the White Oak, Winnibigoshish, and some of the Leech and Bow String bands. They are ■camped on the banks of Ball Club lake. It was reported that they were holding * war dance, and they may yet be called

■on to assist the Pillager braves. A couple of runners were in Deer River from Leech lake, and it was learned through men who knew them that they were scouring the section, calling councils and asking assistance at Leech lake. An instructor in the Indian school at the agency says that, despite protestations of friendship, the agency Indians are in an ugly mood and, when they talk unobserved and freely among themselves, their sentiments are warlike. He fears that trouble will come from this source before the affair is settled. People in and around Walker are apprehensive of the outcome and are demanding that the redskins be pursued untU they are broken in spirit and thoroughly cowed. They say that if the trouble is allowed to drop now it will be but a short time before they again become defiant, and that life and property will not be safe. Inspector Tinker has wired the Secretary of the Interior, asking for at least 5,000 troops. Three companies of infantry under Lieut. Col. Harbach. numbering 215 men and divided into four detachments, landed on Bear Island to re-en-force Gen. Bacon. A Gatling gun and 1,000 rounds of ammunition accompanied one squad, which left Walker for the scene of hostilities. A slaughter of every Indian on the island is predicted unless the tribe surrenders or retreats beyond reach of the troops now in the field. Rumors have spread that the Bear lake savages are being re-enforced in large numbers by tribes from Cass and Red lakes. A general uprising is feared by settlers in northern Minnesota. The War Department issued orders for three more companies of soldiers at St. Paul to prepare for service. The calling out of a battalion of Minnesota volunteers was also authorized. FIGHTING RECORD OF THE THIRD Regiment Was in Thickest of Fight at Santiago. The Third United States infaptry, which was sent against the Bear Lake Indians, was one of the first regiments to move in

the late Spanish war, and underwent all the hard lighting in Cuba. For several years it has been stationed at Fort Swelling, Minn. It was first sent to Mobile, and later was transferred to-Tampa. The Third accompanied Gen. Shafter’s expedition and landed in Cuba June 21. It was ond of the first regiments to take up the mureh from Bniquiri to Santiago. It narrowly escaped the tire sent into the ranks of the rough riders, and was being hurried toward the firing line when the Spaniards fled. For a time the Third was stationed at Siboney, doing guard duty with the Second. On July 1 the Third participated in the fight on San Juan Ilill, and covered itself with glory by taking an active part in driving the Spaniards from their trenches. The regiment lost heavily in 'the second day’s fighting, and throughout the <anipaign occupied posts of danger. Indians Well Whipped. Walker, Mitiu., special: Gen. Bacon says he has whipped and scattered the hostile Pillager Indians, and has come to Walker because he was unable to find any more of the enemy. The hostiles are still at large and in arms. If it were not that twenty Indians were to be arrested, the fighting would be at an end, is the verdict of the army officials. So long, however, as the Indians who are wanted at Duluth as witnesses refuse to surrender, or avoid the officers, the military will remain in the field. Bog-Ah-Mn-Ge-Shig and his sixty followers iuoist they will never give up.

FEAR AN UPRISING. Minnesota Farmers Greatly Disturbed by Hostile Actloa of Indians. Excitement prevails along the Kne «f the Northern Pacific from St. Paul to Brainerd. The people, although quite outside the region of danger, appear to think a general Indian uprising is at hand and to feel that in any such event they ought to be at the front. Farmers in blue overalls. “hickory” shirts and slouch hats troop to the trains and ask questions of the conductor and the passengers as to how go the fortunes of war at Leech lake. As a rule none of the questions is answered at all satisfactory to them, but still the country people come and stand about the platforms, patiently waking for news. At St. Paul, the Fourteenth Minnesota volunteer infantry is holding itself in readiness to go to Leech lake. The citizens of St. Paul are much agitated over the situation and wired the authorities at Washington to send at least 1,000 soldiers to Bear Island in order that further slaughter of brave men may be averted. If there is nervousness among the people between Brainerd and St. Paul it is as nothing compared with the state of mind of those further on in the direction of the seat of trouble. These farmers and villagers feel they have a very personal and immediate interest in developments, and this interest leads them to stay awake of nights within arm’s length of their rifles. Reports from the region of Cass lake tell of increasing alarm there. Whether it be justified or not men are coming in from their farms, bringing their wives and children and such effects as they can carry, and with their dogs trailing at their heels. They wish to ally themselves with their white brothers of the villages for defense against the belligerent Chippewas, who ar meandering through the woods in

The Bear Islander who was rescued from United Staes Marshals and who Is the cause of all the trouble. small bands, painted and equipped for massacre. TROOPS TO PROTECT SETTLER*. Minnesota Artillery Botteres Ordered to Leech Lake District. Batteries A and B, Minnesota artillery, were ordered to proceed at once to Walker, iu the Leech lake district, as a protection to the settlers, who, in fear of an attack by the Pillager Indians, petitioned Gov. Clongh for assistance. Both batteries are equipped with two Gatling guns, two rifled cannon, two brass Napoleon field guns, 150 sabers, seventy-five carbines, 100 Springfield rifles and 3,000 rounds of ammunition. They are iu command of Captain Bennett of Minneapolis and Captain Avery of St. Paul. Foldiere 1-ought Bravely. Speaking of the conduct of his men under fire, Gen. Bacon said: “No soldiers ever put up a gamer fight, and, considering that four-fifths of the men were recruits. their showing was one of which

every American soldier may fool proud. I’oor Captain Wilkinson died like the bhivc officer that lie was. A storekeeper at Gfeenburg, Ky., hns on exhibition what he claims to he the largest shoe ever made for n woman. It is the exact size of sixteen pairs that were made for a mother and five daughters, natives of Tennessee. It measures 13V& inches in height,.l3 inches in length and 5 inches nen««s the largest part of the sole. Women saved the village of IncasviHe, Ohio, from destruction by fire during the absence of nearly all of the men by forming a bucket brigade and keeping the flames confined to the barn In which the fire originated.

JEALOUS WOMAN MURDERS, Mrs. McKinley’s Brother Is Shot to Death at Canton, Ohio. • Canton, Ohio, is in a state of great excitement over the murder of George D. Saxton, the brother of Mrs. McKinley, the President’s wife. Mrs. Anna C. George was arrested on suspicion of being the murderess. Saxton was shot down shortly after dark by a woman in front of the house of Mrs. Eva B. Althouse, a friend of Saxton, and a widow, who not long ago instituted peace proceedings against Mrs. George, alleging that she had threatened her with violence and death. Saxton’s lifeless body was found prostrate on the ground, with thjrVe bullet wounds in it. Neighbors’ descriptions of the woman who shot Saxton tallied with that of Mrs. George. She is a tall, graceful woman, more than ordinarily good looking, and not yet middle aged. Saxton was one of the successful business men of Canton, and was possessed of considerable property. He was 50 years old. The murder is supposed to be the outcome of trouble of long standing between Saxton and the George family, growing out of the former’s relations witn Mrs. George. Saxton lived in the upper stories of his business block, and when Mrs. George came to Canton six years ago from Columbiana County, leaving her husband behind, she opened a dressmaking establishment in the Saxton block. Some months ago Sample C. George, the husband of the woman, sued Saxton for $30,000, alleging the alienation of his wife’s affections. The case was settled by Saxton paying the husband $1,825. In a number of other cases Mrs. George was plaintiff against Saxton, and she several times created scenes in the Saxton block, in which officers were obliged to interfere. Last fall the Federal grand jury indicted her, charging improper use of the mnils in sending threatening letters to Saxton.

MAJOR M. C. WILKINSON. Officer Killed by Minnesota Indians.

LKFCH LAKE AGENCY

RESIDENCE OF CHIEF BOG-AH-MA-GE-SHIG AT BEAR LAKE.

BOG-AH-MA-GE-SHIG.

BEAR ISLAND.