The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-05-11
Death OF WiI1ian, Garit.

y
Marshal. Mr.. Gavitt left this city about two
years ago last March, and has since we be-
lieve, been principally in Mexico:
SAN Francisco, Sept. 10TH 1s49.
HIS ErceLtency Gen. Jos. Lane:
Thrice before this time have endeavored
to address myself from the gold region, but
doubt very much, that my communications
have reached you. You will, expect, rec
oilect my name. when remind you ola Ger
man travelling companion on your route from
Toxano to larson, in Sonora, last winter
I owed you the information about the fate of
two men employed in your escort. That is
a man from Indiana. believe VIM. Gavett
and our pilot George Waldow.
You will recolIect that Mr.. McKim. of Gin
cinnati, and myself staid at larson to recruit
our animals and to get more information
about the rich mineral country of that neigh
borhood. The day after you had started to-
wards the river Gila with your escort, came
one deserter IN, an American, and short
time after that, another, an Irishman. The
next day called Waldow and Bill Gas he was
commonly called) at my house, and we gave
them the information that Charley was prob
ably on the way back to Lavacca.
The lrishman was given in charge of the
Commandante, who pledged himself to keep
him safe. On new horses, Waldow and Bill
overlook Charley on the road to Lavacca,
who was that night asleep IN Mexican camp.
After short struggle for his pistols he
gave himselfapparentIy up, and pretended
to follow them back to join the command.
The Irishman, and Charley, who returned
with the two citizens to larson, were before
shutdown in my yard, starting with Waldow
and Bill willingly back. / noticed when |
called all four into supper Charley would
not eat, but with the expression of man
who is resolved to do anything, pretended to
be perfectly calm. | cautioned Waldow.
begged HIM to call on the Mexican Comman-
dante for guard, and we, both McKm and
myself felt uneasy when they all four started
alone on the road. After Charley was noun
ted, l examined his holsters, but they had not
pistols, though he carried his rifle (not load
ed.)
Next day the two mules on which the de-
serters were mounted, came running loose
into town. This startled US, and we pre-
vailed on the Commandante to send soldiers
out to look for the party.
These soldiers Lad just reached the La
COON ten miles distant from larson, when
they saw Prima Indians, who had lett that
morning larson, on foot, buryng in a sand
hill the bodies of Wdldow and Bill. which
they had drawn with several things out of the
Lagoon.
Bill had one ball wound in the forehead,
Waldow had two wounds in the neck, and,
believe, one in the breast. think that Wal
dow and Bill, exhausted. in the night fell
both asleep, and were murdered with the re-
volvers they themselves carried.
My friend McKim and myself went out on
the place where the deed was committed. got
the bodies brought into town, and had them
buried inside of the fort, near the church.
after the rites of the Catholic Church. The
Mexican Commandante (commander) de-
serves our fullest thanks and acknowledge
ments for his kindness and good will to us as
Americans.
IL is certainly great favor to have them.
our countrymen, buried after the rites of the
Holy Church.
That same day sent an express after
you, but he returned pretty soon out of fear
OF the Apaches. An express to the Cover
nor OF Sonora informed him OF the deed, and
did send him description of the murder
ers On their apprehension the Governor
set a reward Of $500 co. Those two men
supplied with money, which they must have
taken from Waldow, have lately been seen,
as | heard, on the road to chihuahua. II
thought it would be of consequence for Wal |
doW's and Mr.. Gavett's families to get inform
ed of their sorrowfuI fate and have herewith |
reported it to you.
l beg of you to accept from me and my
friend McKim, who worked all this summer
with me in the mines, with very good success,
the expression of our highest unremitted
health, in Oregon, whose citizens have often
and often heard speaking of the universal
love and respect from all those who are so
happy TO be under your protection.
Very Respectfully
Your ob'dt serv't
A. I. WEAVER.
I@Geo. d. Prentice, ESQ.,, Editor ofthe