New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-10-06
The Santa Fe Expedition.


made up from the evidence elected on the triai oil
Dr. P1efontaine, ior larceny, In taking the money
of Chaves he has been convicted. From this
account it appears that John Mcdaniel, the
commander of the Expedition, was formerly
merchant in Liberty, Clay CO., Mo-, and that on
falling re, he went to Texas. where he resided
for several years. Last fall he returned to Liberty,
and staid till spring-without any business tie
tried TO enlist company there against the Mc1l-
cans, pretending that he had a Texan COMMISSION
for raising volunteers. He was active. spirited,
and genteel fellow, and in March started with
few whom he had persuaded to accompany HIM
At the Missouri they met DR.. Prefontaine, and
went on to place Of rendezvous about ~ miles
west of West Port, where their numbers we're increased 10
IS men large number who had promised 10 60 backed
ONT fearing the interference ol the S troops AT the
place of rendezvous the company was formally organzed-
John Mcdaniel chosen Captain, and Dr. harms was
elected Sergeant The other members OF the company were
named as follows: Samuel o. Berry, Nathaniel! Morton
BENJAMIN F. Talbot, WIN. Harris Dr.. Joseph R D. Prefon
tame John Mccormick, William Mason, David slDanie
Joseph Brown Gaa;n Searcy Christopher searcy schuy
Ter Oldham, and Thomas Towson
The baud struck into the Santa f. trace and Travelled
along until they near 10 the Council Grove
where they Mexican runner on mule with whom
Johh VI Daniel held conversation In the Spanish From
MIN they learned that he OF small company OF
exicans consisting Of Antonio jose Chaves, Mexican
trader and five hands his employment, who their
wsv TO the United States from Santa Fe. They learned from
him that Chaves had considerable amount OF bullion and
money! aud beaver fur and other articles They We're
also informed that consequence oil want OF grass in the
praes at that Of the year. ms horses and mules
nearly broken down and given out and that this rGnne had
been despatched Independence to procure mules and other
assistance to aid bringing these Mexican traders
He was permitted pass towards the United States
and h band took the trace towards Santa Fe but after
wards John u Daniel proposed take the Mexican
prisoner fearing he would their apprehension by u
troops The proposition opposed by several Of the
pany ard voted down. but afterwards carried into effect
He continued travel with the company the Little
Arkansas when they again fell into the main Santa Fe road
abou, 1870 miles west Of the Council Grove and found that
wagon had recently passed along the road towards the u
States They followed the wagon and overlook the
Mexcans who appeared much alarmed at their approach
The band rode up and called the MeYicans TO know il
any of them could speak English TO which they replied
the negative John Mcdaniel addressed them IN the Spanish
language and told them that he Texan ohcer and re-
excans and the Texan band took possession of the Next
tber wagon and its contents started back left the road
aud went down small few miles and encamPed Tor
the night They there unloaded the wagon, found money
and bullion OF the value Of about IS 000 On that ght all
the horses and mules made their escape and not ecov
cred Next day they took the wagon to pieces made
bridge OF par, Of it put the money bullion and fur the
four wheels of the wagon and dragged it few miles down
the creek Next morning Of the company determined
to return to the United States. They Dr. Harris VIM
Harris Nathaniel Morton, John Mccormick DR.. Joseph
Benz. F. Talbot and Samuel o. Berry They
each received S50S their share Of the plumber and started
back 10 the United States foot and had further
nexou with the company
The remaining party aerward retook their horses aud
went south about % 80 miles and the Great Ar
kansas River The party who returned aedse that they
did so because Mcdaniel and others intended murder
Chares Soon after they departed Chaves taken
by Mcdaniel, Mason and Brown, and murdered. A
siderable Of money found on his and
flask Of gold-dust was found the baggage with about
600 The company OF Prefontane hid the principal part
of their money the prairie, and struggled into Jackson
County on foot Mcdaniel and his party in and
scattered about in upper counties Mcdaniel got board
steam having the furs and about So 900 worth bullion
and money and registered himself passenger for New Or
leans 1t so happened that Santa Fee trader named Gentry
board the boat who had started from Santa Fe after
Chaves who had where his wagon had lett the road
and sspec,ed that he was murdered When he N'Dan
ie he knew him. and with the Captain Intended m arrest
when the boat should arrive Liberty Landing hese
conferences were perceived by NDan- and he left the
boat, went to Liberty deposited his money and bullion IN
the clerks Office and arrested about an hour and halt
afterwards by party from Independence About the
time Mason arrested independence Landing, put
irons and chain fastened about his neck aud immediate
death threatened and he confessed the whole
and is used witness against the other blenders
After Pefontane and his company came IN he took man
named Yokum aud privately returned 10 the place where
they had hid the money the prare and stole the whole
of IT, in violation OF the law of honor among rogues.-
On their return he arrested the Indian Territory by
party Of citizens who for The purpose O. Berry
Harris David Mcdaniel, Mccormick, Norton and Brown
were taken soon afterwards The Searcys, oldham,
Talbot and Dr. Harris made their escape aud have not been
taken Indictments for murder have been found against
John Mcdaniel, David Mcdaniel William Mason Joseph
Brown, Gallerin Searcy and Christopher Searcy.
Indictments larceny have been found against Pfelon-
tame, TWO Har1ises, Mccormick Morton Talbot and 0
Barry.
The District Attorney has entered nole posequi the
case Of Mason who has become States evidence The
cases of larceny will be tried the term the indic,
meats for murder viii be continued Ill spring. The
four Mexcans who were in company with Chavss here
as witnesses; they appear be Mexican Indians aud speak
no English II very strange that his company aitel
having committed so agant crime, should have all re
turned 20 United States instead of gong to Texas,
they would have been honoed and rewarded for their
murder and robbery OF the MsSicans.
II The band of M'Daniel, indicted at Jefer-
son City, Mo, were on trial on the 22d ult.
Prefontaine, one of them, has been found guilty
OF larceny in stealing the money Of the murdered
man Chaves The St Louis Republican says
that the highest punishment that can be inflicted
upon him is one years Imprisonment and Sl,cO0
fine 1t complains Of the slight penalties IN
ficted by law upon those who rob IN the Indian
territories