The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-07-25

From Southern California suKhter Of Irving and
his Psrty.
We have copy OF the Angeles Star of May 81,
which furnishes more crcumstantia account of the
massacre OF Captain lrving's party:
Irving's party first went to Felipe Lugos. and broke
open and entered the house Whether not they stole
anything of value is not certain They Tansacked the
trunks and scattered the clothing about and probably
took away articles OF small value They then pro-
ceeded to Jose Maria Lugos, six miles from Felpes
The people the ranches fled al their APPROACH but ii
does appear that they entered any houses except those
of the Lugos 1t is the prevailing opinion that their OBJ
ject was to murder the two young Lngos Various cir
cumstances tend to strengthen this belief
Irving had been heard to say that he would take the
scalp Of the young Lugos, and there be little doubt
that he was bent on murder as well as plumber.
Not finding the Lugos at home, Irving left the prem
ses. and struck into road leading into the mountains
He must have supposed that he could gain the valley be-
yond or he would never have allowed himself TO be sur
rounded in the manner in which he was.
The Cowes, many OF whom are domciated at Lugos
followed up lylngs party and attacked them with bows
steep banks of which prevented his egress, and here it
that the whole party slain. Not was left to
tell the tale. The Indians first shot them down with
rows, and then beat in their skulls with stones Persons
who have the dead bodies describe them being
mangled in manner shocking TO behold.
Those who are known 10 be killed are John Irving,
and George Clark. Besides these men, there were known
TO be with Irving when he left here VIM ODonnel
Peter, supposed TO be the brother of ODonnel Alfred
Spencer, Mason, Boge, and three men called Mac, SAM
and Pat II possible that the three last named
included among the foregoing, whose Christian
are not given.
Only one Indian was killed. and two or three wound
ed, far be ascertained. Some suppose that
large number killed, and that the Indians concealed
their actual loss We inclined TO believe that but
was killed The Indian known TO be killed was an acade
OF the Apoiians. and was cut of from the main body
and shot, it is said, BY Irving.
The force of the Indians variousy stated The most
reliable account represents that they had from three hun
dred TO four hundred men in the conflict. portion OF
them mounted.
The Indians say that Irving, or the man who appears
to be the captain Of the party fought very bravely and
conspicuous throughout the engagement encouraging
his men. and charging into The very midst OF his oppo
nents. He was found with five arrow wounds in the
gon OF the heart.
1t supposed that Irvings men had about five thou
sand dollars with them, all of which fell into the hands
OF the Indians.
The bodies were found entirely naked. the Indians
having stripped them OF their clothes, which. together
with the and horses they carried from the ranchera
as spos OF war
1t does indeed appear almost incredible that twelve
men, most OF whom had service in Texas,
and all of whom fought desperately, should have been
conquered by Indians and all slain, while their antago-
nists sustained loss OF but OF their number But il
must be remembered that they fought at great dsad
vantage. So long they kept upon the plain. they could
otter resistance to their pursuers with show OF
success but the they entered the Canada their
doom sealed. The Indians easily gained access TO
the hills above, and if lvings party had consisted of
twice thrice twelve men, they must have all
fallen easy prey. Those who have viewed the
OF conflict not at all surprised at the result.
ii probable that the Indians impressed with
the idea that they had the authority pursue these
Years ago the authorities here gave TO the chief of the
Apoans permission direction to capture all thieves
who might niesi their neghborhood and ii is stated
that recently THE authority has been renewed by the
jadge OF one OF our courts
The brief account which we copied from the San
francisco Courier, it will be remembered said that Capt
Irving not among the killed. We believe, however
ha, the above narrative is later well specific
in its details.