Muskogee, I. T., Jan. 22—Three hundred full blood Creek Indians armed to the teeth are scouring the country forty miles southwest of here, terrorizing the whites and trying to make the members of their own tribe observe the old tribal laws. News of the uprising reached the United States Marshall Bennett here today.

Marshal Bennett has kept well informed as to the movements of this band of Indians, which is known as the “Snake Band,” but never before did he think that their actions would call for federal interference. Information received by him today, however, convinced him that he could not quell the present uprising and he immediately telegraphed the secretary of war for a troop of cavalry and is expecting word any moment saying that a troop had been ordered from Fort Reno, Oklahoma. A troop from Fort Reno can reach the scene of the uprising within twenty-four hours after receiving orders, but whether or not a single troop will be able to quell the disturbance is considered problematic.

Five Hundred Don War Paint

There are four distinct bands of these Indians, who are armed to the teeth, and they claim a membership, including men, women and children, of over five thousand. Their leader Crazy Snake, was in Choctaw yesterday purchasing supplies, and was heard to remark that five hundred full bloods are ready to fight for their old laws and customs and were going to oppose to the end all schemes to deprive them of their independence. He stated that they would better die than be trampled under foot by the white man and that they were going to fight for their rights. The towns mostly affected by the uprising are Fentress, Furris, Senora, Watsonville, Proctor, Burney, Bald Mountain, Bad Creek and the settlements along the Deep fork of the Canadian river, altogether embracing an area of about twenty-five miles square.

Information received by Marshall Bennett is to the effect that white men, women and children are fleeing from the town located in this district, stores are locked up and barricaded and the riotous Indians are confiscating all the good horses in the settlements. So far there has been no report of bodily harm to the whites, but those Indians of the Creek tribe how have anything to do with the whites or employ them in any way are handled roughly by the bands.

The feeling against the whites and friendly Indians is so bitter that they deem it best to leave immediately. Notices have been posted by the Snake band, stating that all members of the Creek tribe who employee white labor will be given fifty lashes on the bare back. General Pleasant Porter the chief of the Creeks, is in Washington and the Indian authorities are powerless to afford any protection.

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