Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-12-14

MASSACRE OF CAPT. GuNNIsoN AND PARTY BY
THE lNDIANs.-This startling news of the death
of this accomplished officer reached this city on
Sunday morning last-and was most painful
surprise TO our citizens He so lately went
from us full Of health and buoyant hope that
we can hardly realize that he has met such an
untimely fate. The source from whence this in-
formation is derived, and the particulars given,
leave US no room to doubt that the sad news is
too true. As an officer he was brave and ac-
compished; his appointment to the position
which he held at the time of his death, and in
the discharge of the duties of which, he fell,
shows the estimation in which he was held at
Westinghouse citizen he was amiable in de-
pertinent, generous in all his impulses, and was
beloved by all who knew him-as husband
and parent he was always indulgent, kind and
affectionate. His death at this time is public
loss which will be deeply deplored. He also
leaves an amable wife and three small children
to mourn his loss Here are all the particulars
which have reached us at the present writing
they come by telegraph: G. r. Enquirer.
ST. LOUIS, Nov. 80.
The Salt Lake mail has arrived at Independ-
ence, and brings intelligence Of the massacre of
Capt. Gunnson and his exploring party. An ex-
press reached Gov Young on the 3lst October,
from Capt. Morris, giving an account of the mas
sacre by the Indians on Levere river The kill
ed were Capt. Gunnison and Mr.. Kern, Of the
Typographical Engineers, Mr.. Porter, guide,
two others, and three privates of company A,
mounted rflemen. The following are the par
ticuars:
Capt. Gunnison and twelve of his party had
separated from the main body, and while at
breakfast, q band Of Indians intending to destroy
k.,.
fired with rifles, and then used bows and arrows.
Shots were returned by the Gunnson party, but
they were overpowered, and only four escaped.
Gunnison had twenty-siX arrows in his body,
and when found one Of his hands was off. The
notes of the survey, which had been nearly
completed, besides instruments and animals, were
taken.
Gov. Young sent aid to Capt Morris to re-
lease him from his critical position in the midst
of the Indians, and endeavered to regain the lost
property. The party intended soon to 60 into
winter quarters. A party of Cheycnnes sur
rounded the mail and demanded nearly all the
provisions, which were given them.
THE PANAMA RAnRoAD-The New York
Journal Of Commerce furnishes the following
particulars relative to the Panama Railroad, de-
rived from forthcoming report of the direct
ors:
The whole length ofthe road between the two
oceans is "a miles; of this, fraction over %
miles has been in operation since July 1852
Eight miles more, or thirty-one from Aspiuwall,
will be in operation by January lst, leaving eigh-
teen miles TO be completed. The latter section
has already been commenced at both ends, and
the iron for the whole is on the ground. From
the Obspo, the place to which the cars will soon
be running, the road runs along the valley of the
river, crossing it twice, after which it crosses the
summit ridge between the two oceans. The
highest grade on the Atlantic slope is 81 feet
per mile, and on the Pacific 70 feet per mile
the total rise being $50 feet above the level of
high tide at Panama
The heaviest work will be at the summit,
where there is a cutting of twenty-four feet in
the greatest depth, and one thousand three hun
dred feet long. The estimated cost in compile
thug the road, with repairs, &c, on that already
constructed, is less than fifteen thousand dollars
In addition to rights ofway for the road, the CON-
pany own the island of Mazanilla, on which the
city of Aspinwall is situated, comprising an area
OF six hundred and fifty acres, on which three
hundred houses have already been erected yield
ing an annual ground rent of $4,000. The COM
pany also own over 100000 acres of wild lands
along the line of the road, and half of three is
lands in the Bay of Panama. If no unforeseen
obstacle be encountered, the road will be finish
ed from ocean to ocean, by next fall, or at the
fartherest in all Of next year. Meanwhile, the
portion finished, is doinga splendid business,
constantly increasing.
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