Whereas the Cook family was slain about 100 miles away, Helen McArthur's disappearance took place uncomfortably nearby. Brainerd had at least 1,000 able-bodied men, but they were unorganized.

Brainerd was afraid. With the lynching of the two half-breeds, there was fear that the Indians would avenge their deaths.

The night after the lynching, two exaggerated rumors spread throughout the town, one from the east and one from the west, colliding in the middle of Brainerd throwing a stiffening scare into the townspeople.

Seventy-five soldiers came to Brainerd, as a result of a wire from Sheriff John Gurreli, based upon the reports that Indians, sullen and threatening, were gathering in large, numbers.

After a survey of the local situation, 50 of them were sent back to St. Paul the day after they arrived.

About this same time, a number of Indians were seen moving into the town -- on foot and canoe. As it turned out, they were coming to Brainerd with blueberries to sell.

Thus ended the "Blueberry War."

Reproduced from the Centennial Edition of the Brainerd Daily Dispatch (1871-1971).