Flight From the Indians

The Sioux Uprising of 1862 caused thousands of settlers in the Minnesota River Valley to flee for their lives. Their fear was fully justified. About 500 people were killed during the uprising. Among those fleeing for their lives were the Durocher family.

The story is told by Mim's sister, Rosanna Durocher Houde Bourassa, and by Pip. Pip's account is:

"Cyprien Durocher and Celinas Durocher (nee Cormier) the father and mother of my dear wife. Both born in Canada and were about the same age. Soon after their marriage, which took place in Montreal, migrated to Minnesota, first residing in St. Paul, in 1856. Sometime there after settled on a farm at Rush River in Sibley Co. Minn. The Indian outbreak in 1862 caused them to abandon their farm, coming to Minneapolis. After selling their farm for little or nothing went home to Canada."

"Her parents with Fred (1848-1906) and herself left Canada and traveled to Henderson, Minnesota in 1854. Her brother Cyprien "Louis," 1856-1940 (owned the Durocher Department Store on 7th and Minnesota at the turn of the century) married Judge Bazil's daughter and had one son, Harold. Her two sisters were also born in Minnesota. Mary Louise 1858-1916, married Prudhomme, had a son George (whom my mother and her two sisters thought was the most handsome man and nicest person of the relatives). Matilda "Minnie," 1860-1932, married Frank Robert who became the deputy sheriff of Ramsey county. They had 5 sons, Alex, Paul, Dick, Harry, Frankie and a daughter Mabel who married Leo Hansen (their children were Iris, Charles, Bernice and Peggy)."

"One night in Henderson in 1860, a horseman came galloping through the town telling every-one that there was a Sioux uprising. Memere's parents told her that Fred was helping them load the wagon and she was to keep the children quiet. They packed the necessities and left for Minneapolis, 55 miles northeast of Henderson. Where they arrived in their ox-cart to hear that Little Crow and a band of Sioux burned everything and killed and took captives shortly after they had left. They decided to return to Canada and continued to Ste. Hyacinth, Quebec."

I have not found a record that Henderson was attacked. New Ulm was attacked and burned. Over 100 settlers were killed there. New Ulm is located about 30 miles southwest of Henderson. Rush River is located between Henderson and New Ulm. The fear was real.

A site about the 1862 Sioux Uprising can be found here .