A FIGHT WITH INDIANS

Spotted Elk (Big Foot) lies dead in the snow at Wounded Knee.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, January 2, 1891.

A FIGHT WITH INDIANS.

INDIANS MOWED DOWN LIKE GRAIN BEFORE A SCYTHE.

Troops Fight Desperately—Hand to Hand Encounters—An Hundred of the Indians Wiped Out—Particulars of the Encounter.

   WASHINGTON, Dec. 30—Gen. Schofield, this afternoon, received a dispatch from Gen. Miles, dated Hermosa, S. D., Dec. 30, as follows: "Gen. Brooks telegraphs as follows: Col. Forsythe says sixty-two dead Indian men were counted on the plain where an attempt was made to disarm Big Foot's band and where the fight began. On other parts of the ground there were eighteen more. These, do not include those killed in ravines, where dead warriors were seen, but not counted. Six were brought in badly wounded and six others were with a party of twenty-three men and women, which Capt. Jackson had to abandon when attacked by about 150 Brule Indians from the agency. This accounts for ninety-two men killed and leaves but few alive and unhurt. The women and children broke for the hills when the night commenced and comparatively few of them were hurt and few brought in; thirty-nine are here, of which number twenty-one are wounded. Had it not been for the attack by the Brules an accurate count would have been made; but the ravines were not searched afterwards. I think this shows very little apprehension from Big Foot's band in the future. A party of forty is reported as held by the scouts at the head of the Mexican creek. These consist of all sizes and the cavalry from Rosebud will bring them in if it is true." (Signed) JOHN R. BROOKE.

   Those Indians, under Big Foot, were among the most desperate. There were thirty-eight of the most desperate of Sitting Bull's following that joined Big Foot on the Cheyenne river, and thirty that broke away from Humph's following when he took his band and Sitting Bull's Indians to Fort Bennett, making in all nearly 160 warriors. Before leaving their camps on the Fort Cheyenne river, they cut up their harness, mutilated their wagons, and started south for the Bad Lands, evidently intending not to return, but to go to war. Troops were placed between them and the Bad Lands, and they never succeeded in joining the hostiles there. All their movements were intercepted, and their severe loss at the hands of the Seventh cavalry may be a wholesome lesson to the other Sioux. (Signed) MILES.

   Gen. Schofield said the fight was a most unfortunate occurrence; but he did not see how it could have been avoided. He sent a telegram to Gen. Miles saying he regarded the news received from him as still encouraging and expressing the opinion that he, Miles, would be master of the situation very soon. He also expressed his thanks to the officers and men of the Seventh cavalry for the gallant conduct displayed by them.

   OMAHA, Dec. 30.—The Bee correspondent, at the camp on Wounded Knee creek, telegraphs as follows, concerning yesterdays battle. The military, not anticipating that the Indians would fire upon them, had gathered in very closely and the first firing was terribly disastrous to them. The reply was immediate, however. The soldiers, maddened at the sight of their falling comrades hardly awaited the command and in a moment the whole front was a sheet of fire, above which the smoke rolled, obscuring the central scene from view. Through this horrible curtain Indians could be seen at times flying before the fire, but after the first discharge from the carbines of the troopers there were few of them left. They fell on all sides like grain, in the course of the scythe. Indians and soldiers lay together and wounded fought on the ground. Off toward the bluffs, the few remaining warriors fled, turning occasionally to fire but evidently caring more for escape than battle. Only the wounded Indians seemed possessed of the courage of devils. From the ground where they had fallen they continued to fire until their ammunition was gone or until killed by the soldiers. Both sides forgot everything excepting only the loading and discharging of guns.

   It was only in the early part of the affray that hand to hand fighting was seen. Then carbines were clubbed, sabres gleamed and war clubs circled in the air came down like thunderbolts The Indians could not stand that storm from the soldiers; they had not hoped to. It was only a stroke of life before death. The remnant fled and the battle became a hunt. It was now that the artillery was called into requisition. Before, the fighting was so close that the guns could not be trained without danger of death to the soldiers.

   Now with the Indians flying where they might, it was easier to reach them. The Gatling and Hotchkiss guns began heavy firing, which lasted half an hour, with frequent heavy volleys of musketry and cannon. It was a war of extermination now with the troopers, and it was difficult to restrain them. Tactics were almost abandoned. About the only tactics was to kill while it could be done. Wherever an Indian could be seen, down into the creek and up over the bare hills, they were followed by artillery and musketry fire, and for several minutes the engagement went on until not a live Indian was in sight.

   The Bee's special from Rushville, Neb., says: "Advices from the seat of war give the news of another encounter between the troops and Indians, at a point within four miles of the agency. The Seventh and Ninth cavalry were just coming in from yesterday's battle field, followed at some distance by their provision train. On reaching the point named a large band of Indians, headed by Chief Two Strikes, dashed suddenly upon the train, captured it and were making off toward the Bad Lands when the cavalry wheeled and gave pursuit. In the battle which followed over thirty Indians were wounded, but no soldiers were killed. Two Strikes' Indians had yesterday been considered peaceable and subdued; but their sudden change of mind causes the gravest fears here that, perhaps, none of the so-called friendlies can be relied on. However, word from Gen. Brooke to the settlers, to-day, is somewhat reassuring, it being that a great body of the savages have remained loyal all the while, and that nearly all rebels are dead. He further says the settlers here are not now in danger. Col. Henry is now approaching the agency with 700 Indians captured in the Bad Lands. This is believed to include all the remnant of the rebels on the reservation and hopes are entertained of a speedy settlement. It has cost the lives of 250 Indians and twenty-five or thirty soldiers to bring about this result. The body of Capt. Wallace and the dead soldiers arrived here at noon from the agency and will be shipped to Fort Robinson, the nearest military post. Rushville is crowded with settlers. The churches and all public rooms are thrown open and no effort is being spared to make the refugees comfortable."

   ROSEBUD Agency, S. D., Dec. 30.—The troops of the Ninth cavalry and three companies of the Eighth infantry, last night, received orders to start at once for the Bad Lands. The pickets at Rosebud have seen Indians signalling with a looking glass. A scheme of twenty young men to steal horses and break for the Bad Lands was foiled by the arrest of the first man who tried it.

   WASHINGTON, Dec. 30.—The commissioner of Indian affairs, this afternoon, received a telegram from Special Agent Cooper, at Pine Ridge, dated to-day, saying that in yesterday's fight, at Wounded Knee, twenty-five soldiers were killed, 350 wounded and about 150 Indians were killed and thirty wounded and captured.

Wounded Knee: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wounded_Knee_Massacre

Black Elk Speaks:

http://www.firstpeople.us/articles/Black-Elk-Speaks/Black-Elk-Speaks-The-Butchering-at-Wounded-Knee.html

"Grimes' Cellar Door."

   Mr. James B. Mackie, the celebrated comedian, supported by a new and first class company, will present the above named musical burlesque in Cortland Opera House on Friday evening, January 2d, 1891. James B. Mackie is well and favorably remembered for his clever work as "Grimesey Me Boy," in "A Bunch of Keys," which part he played successfully for four seasons. His present work as Billy Grimes in Thos. Addison's burlesque, "Grimes Cellar Door," is by far the best he has ever done and firmly establishes him an original comedian of many accomplishments.

   Prices, 35, 50 and 75cents.

HERE AND THERE.

   Hugh Duffey, of this place, has been granted letters patent on a railroad cart.

   The annual meeting of the Erie & Central New York railroad will be held in this place Feb. 17th.

   Miss Lizzie Boyd, the evangelist, opened a series of meetings at the M. E. church in Homer, last Sunday evening.

   The next meeting of the Chautauqua Circle will be held at the home of Mrs. James Tanner, No. 17 Lincoln Ave., January 5th.

   There are several huge piles of snow which for nearly two weeks have caused no small amount of annoyance to traffic on our principal streets.

   Retiring Justice of the Peace Jerome Squires will continue to occupy his old offices and attend to the wants of all callers as an attorney.

   Quarterly communion at the Universalist church, Sunday morning. In the evening the topic will be, "Crumbling Continents." Free seats. All are invited.

   The funeral of Miss Ella Dobbins, the daughter of Mr. Dennis Dobbins, who was suffocated by coal gas at her residence in Homer about two weeks ago, occurred on Monday.

   Kellar, the world-renowned magician, will give one of his wonderful entertainments in Cortland Opera House on the evening of January 15th, 1891. Be sure and see him.

   The interior of G. J. Maycumber's insurance office is being improved by the addition of a neat ceiling of pine, transom and other requisites for comfort and health.

   Albert Haskell is the proud possessor of a litter of six English greyhound pups. The father and mother are from the celebrated Hornell-Harmony kennels at Covert, N. Y., and are direct descendant from noted prize winners.

   An exchange puts it as follows: "It seems difficult for many people who attend entertainments to get enough for their money. On no other ground can be explained the senseless demands in the shape of encores for the repetition of nearly every song or dance or part rendered. To the actor the encore has lost its old significance, and to the major part of the audience it is an irritating bore."

   Seventy-five couples attended the Christmas party given by Mr. W. S. Freer, at his hall in Higginsville, and all who attended pronounce it to be one of the pleasantest parties of the season. The music was excellent, and the supper was all that; the most devoted epicure could have desired. In fact, the reputation of the hostess, who gives her especial attention to the cuisine department, has long been established and thoroughly tested, and never fails to come up to the mark.

   The Cortland Wheel Club will give an opening reception in their rooms in the Democrat building the fore part of this month.

   Mr. C. W. Wiles, of this place, has been appointed Superintendent of the Water Works at Homer. The appointment is a good one.

   Dunning Bros. have sold their stock of groceries in the Churchill building to Mr. F. W. Clark, of Nassau, N. Y., who has taken possession.

   Mr. J. D. Doran had a force of men employed filling his mammoth ice house with clear, crystal ice just prior to the recent heavy fall of snow.

   A large force of men were engaged in unloading ice at the D. L. & W. station, Wednesday. It was shipped in from the field of the Little York ice company, and was stored in individual houses.

   The following are the officers of the Normal base ball nine for the ensuing year: A. D. Call, president and manager; S. Slauson, secretary; E. D. Clark, treasurer; F. Hulse, captain, and L. A. Squires, scorer.

   Miss M. F. Hendrick will give a description of her visit to the Yellowstone Park and Garden of the Gods, illustrated with stereopticon views, at the parlors of the Presbyterian church on Friday evening, Jan. 2d, at 8 o'clock. Admission 15 cents.

   The two new additions, 104x36 feet, three stories high, to the works of the Cortland Manufacturing company, are sided up and the metal roof has been put on during the favorable days of the past month. It is expected that the buildings will be ready for occupancy early in February.

   The stock of Lewis & Kalvrisky, for a few years past proprietors of the Boston variety store on Main street, was sold at sheriff's tale at 10 o'clock, Tuesday morning, to Mr. Solomon Harris, of Syracuse. Price bid being $2,500. The firm closed up business on Christmas evening. Mr. Harris has moved the stock of goods to Syracuse.

   The lease of the Cortland steam laundry to Messrs. Amerman and Knickerbocker expired last Saturday. Mr. H. C. Beebe took possession of the same on Monday morning, where he will be pleased to see the numerous patrons of the establishment and all who desire their laundry work done well. Mr. Beebe still remains as proprietor of the "Model" market on North Main street.

   Christmas eve, of 1890 will long be remembered by Mrs. A. T. Smith, of Freetown, as the time of her narrow escape from fatal injury. At that time she and another lady were engaged in quilting at her home. Upon the frames was laid a board, upon which were two lighted kerosene lamps. One of these exploded, throwing burning oil upon Mrs. Smith, setting fire to her garments. In leaping back from the blazing oil she overturned the other lamp, which also exploded, setting the quilt on fire. Mrs. Smith at once ran out of doors and extinguished her burning clothes by rolling in the snow. She then re-entered the house and assisted in carrying the burning goods out of doors. Her hands were burned so that the flesh almost fell from the bones; and her clothing was completely burned from her body, which was also fearfully burned.