THE DUSTIN MASSACRE
A state of terror prevailed on the Minnesota western frontier for many months after the Sioux Uprising of 1862. Roving bands of Sioux continued to elude pursuers and attack settlers. The Dustin massacre occurred on June 29, 1863, one third mile northwest of this spot. Amos Dustin was moving his family to a new claim in the southwestern part of Wright County. There were six in the party: Amos Dustin, his wife Kate, their three children, Alma 6, Robert 4, and Albert 2, and Dustin's widowed mother, Mrs. Jeanette Dustin. Their wagon was drawn by an ox team. A party of Indians fell upon them from ambush, shot three to death with arrows, and mortally wounded a fourth. Alma and Albert were left unharmed. The victims are buried in a cemetery at Waverly. It has always been believed, although never proved, that the massacre was perpetrated by members of Little Crow’s party who were in the vicinity at the time. Four days later Little Crow was shot and killed near Hutchinson while picking berries with a son. Erected by Wright County Historical Society June 29, 1963.
On U.S. highway 12, about 1.5 miles west of Howard Lake Minnesota
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