Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-10-07


were on their way to the United States
from Santa Fe. They learned from him
, that Chaves had considerable amount OF
: money and bullion, some beaver fur, and
other articles. They were also informed
that, in consequence of a want of grass in
the prairies, at that season of the year, his
horses and mules were nearly broken down
and given out, and that this runner had been
despatched to Independence TO procure
mules and other assistance, to aid in bring
4 ing in these Mexican-traders. The Mexi-
can runner was permitted TO pass on to-
wards the the United States, and the band
took the trace towards Santa Fe; but af-
lterwards, John MDaniel proposed TO take
the Mexican as prisoner, and urged as
reason that probably the United States
Dragons would pursue the company to
break up the expedition; and that if they
should meet this Mexican, he would give
them information as to their strength and
progress, and thus be the cause of their
capture; but that if they were to take him
prisoner, and take him back two DAYS Jour
ney, it would enable them to get four days
further on their journey before the runner
could meet the dragons. The proposition
TO take the Mexican was opposed by sever
al of the company and voted down, but was
afterwards renewed and carried into effect.
He continued TO travel with the company
beyond the Council Grove, across the Lit
| tie Arkansas, and several smaller streams;
and after passing by near way, or cut off,
tor some distance, they again fell into the
main Santa Fe road about 100 miles West
of the Council Grove, and found that
wagon had recently passed along the road
towards the United States. They followed
the wagon and soon overlook the Mexicans,
who appeared much alarmed at their ap-
proach. The band rode up and called on
the Mexicans TO know if any of them could
speak English, to which they replied in the
negative. John Mcdaniel addressed them
in the Spanish language and told them that
he was Texan officer, and required them
TO submit. No resistance was made by the
Mexicans, and the Texan band took pos
session of them, their wagon and its con-
tents, started back, left the road and went
down a small stream few miles and en-
camped for the night. They there unload
ed the wagon, found money and bullion of
the value of about $4,000 90. On that
night all the horses and mules made their
escape and were not recovered. Next day
they took the wagon to pieces, made a
bridge of part of it, put the money, bullion,
and fur on the four wheels of the wagon
and dragged it a few miles down the creek.
Next morning seven of the company de-
termined to return to the United States
They were DR.. Harris, VIM. Harris, Ma
thanel Morton, John Nc Curmick, Dr. Pre-
fontaine, Benz. F. Talbot and Samuel o.
Berry. They each received $5Os as their
share of the plumber, and started back to
the United States on foot, and had no fur
Their connection with the company. The re-
naming party afterwards retook their
horses and went south about 25 or 80 miles
and come to the Great Arkansas river
When II was first proposed TO take posses
| sion of the wagon and property, several of
the company objected to the proceeding,
but were over ruled by Mcdaniel and
others. The party who returned alledge
that they did so, because MDaniel and
others intended to murder Chaves, and they
objected TO the act, and would not remain
in company where such deed of vio-
lence was intended. Soon after they de-
parted Chaves was taken out by MDaniel,
Mason, and Brown and murdered. A con-
siderable amount of money was found on
found in the baggage worth about $4,000.
The company of Prefontaine hid the prin-
cipal part of their money in the prairie, and
struggled into Jackson county on foot
Mcdaniel and his party soon came in and
scattered about in the upper Counties
Mcdaniel got on board steamboat, hav-
ing the furs and about $4,000 worth of bull
lion and money, and registered himself as
a passenger for New Orleans. 1t so hap
pened that Santa Fe trader named Cen
try was on board the boat, who had started
from Santa Fe after Chaves, and who had
seen where his wagon had left the road,
and suspected that he was murdered
When he saw Mcdaniel he knew him, scru-
tinized his baggage, recognized the mark of
Chaves on the furs. He gave information
of these facts to the Captain Of the boat,
= and an arrest was intended when the boat
should arrive at Liberty Landing. These
conferences were perceived by Mcdaniel
and he left the boat, went to Liberty, de.
posted his money and bullion in the
: Clerks Office, and was arrested about an
! hour and half afterwards, by party from
n independence. About the same time Ma
e son was arrested al Independence Landing
: pu, in irons and chain fastened about hi,
J. neck, and immediate death Threatened, anc
q he confessed the whole transaction, and i,
! now used as witness against the other of
tenders. After Prefontaine and his com
y pany came in, he took man named Yo
;; KUN, and privately returned to the place
where theyhid the mony in the prairie. anc
l. II l.. Il