Washington telegraph., 1853-05-25
The Murder of Mrs White,

The Murder of Mrs White.
The following account of the capture Of
Mrs. White and her daughter, and subse-
quent murder, by Indians, is given in a let
ter from the late Indian agent at Santa Fe,
New Mexico, to the "Ohio State Journal p
1.-The Indian department in New Mexico
is surrounded with difficulty. An Indian
agent is supposed to have no authority ex-
cept in the Indian country.
It has been decided by one of the Judges
here that there is no Indian country in New
Mexico The government of Spain, as also
the Government of Mexico, never acknowl-
edged the right of Indians to hold lands as
they were not Christians. The government
of the United States, with more Justice and
humanity, do acknowledge their right to
their own country, and do not take it with
out compensation.
A treaty was made with the Jicarillas by
Gov. Calhoun, in which it was stipulated
that they should be rewarded by the Senate.
The agent tells them they must remove from
the settlements to the country west of the
Rio Grande. They stop and argue the
question in such a way that it is impossible
to answer them, for they have right and JUS
tice on their side. They say, comply with
your part of the treaty; pay US and we are
ready to 60" A great deal of Indignation
was felt by the people of the United States
against this band of Indians, about three
years ago, for the murders committed by
them at that time.
Having had an opportunity of cultivating
the friendship of the captains of this band
and feeling strong desire to arrive at the
truth in relation to this matter, | have let
slip nc opportunity for my communications
with Apaches, Utahs, Mexicans and Amer
leans, to get the correct history of what oc-
Cured, and | herewith send you the result
OF my Investigations And 1 will take the
occasion TO say that have never known an
instance of a murder being committed by an
Indian In New Mexico, except in revenge
for the loss of some of his people, who had
been unjustly killed by some of his more
civilized neighbors.
In August, 1919, band of Jicarillas
and Apaches with their families, visited the
town Of Las Vegas for the purpose of ira
ding.
The officer then in command of the Uni
ted States troops at that place, having heard
rumor (Which afterwards proved to be a
false one) that the Apaches had killed
Mexican in the Rio Abajo, sent a peremp-
tory order to the captains of the Jicarillas
to visit his quarters to form treaty of
peace.
From the manner in which the demand
was made the Indians became alarmed and
mounted their horses to return to their vii
lage, about mile distant, on the road to the
States, near the Compo Santo A Lieuten-
ant was ordered by the commanding officer
to mount his company of dragons to pur-
sue the Indians, and to bring in the chiefs
by force to make the treaty.
The Indians not knowing the object of
their rspursuers, fed in every direction The
soldiers fired upon them, killing three of
their number, and charged upon them with
their sabres. The Indians did not show
light, but as they ran they cried out, " For
what are the Americans killing us % and
the reply of the Mexicans was, "Ouieu
Saoe Five women, boy, and a young
man were taken prisoners, and lodged in
jail, where they remained in confinement
for nearly year.
The Indians, exasperated at what thew
considered the treachery of the Americans,
determined upon having revenge.
On the 1St of October following, Mr.
White, his wife and little daughter, two
black servants and two Mexicans, left Mr..
Aubrey's train of wagons with whom they
had been travelling from the States, as far
as the Clmarron, in order to travel more
rapidly to Santa Fe, their destination. Mr..
Galloway, the wagon master, accompanied
them.
When near the point of rocks, 70 miles
from Barclays Fort, they were attacked by
a large party of Jicarillas Apaches and
Utahs, who fired upon them, from behind
rude breast works, that had been thrown up
by the side of the road. Mr.. White, Mr.
Galloway, the two Mexicans and one of the
negroes were killed, and Mrs. White, her
daughter and the negro woman taken pris-
oners, and carried off by the Indians to the
canon of Red river.
The melancholy intelligence soon reached
Las Vegas, and sergeant with detach-
ment Of 20 men, was ordered in pursuit of
the Indians. One of the Indian women
who had been taken prisoner by the troops
at Las Vegas, daughter of Lobo, captain
VI the Jlcarillas, was taken along, partly in