Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-10-12
OREGON.


first intelligence here Of a serious outbreak
among the Indians of Rogue River Valley and
vicinity. An express arrived direct from jack
sonyile, of an attack made upon the white set
Elements in that neighborhood, and some twenty
five whites had been killed. 1t appears that for
some months past the Rogue River, Shasta, and
one or two other tribes of Indians have been
combinedly making preparations for war, and
with the avowed object Of DISCRIMINATING the
whites from that district. They are said to be
we'll armed and well supplied with ammunition,
procured from the whites with whom they have
for some tinrc been trading, for rifles, muskets,
pistols, lead, powder etc. From their number
and evident hostile determination, they are be-
yond doubt formidable and great CONSERVATION
Is created throughout the entire settlement
All work has been suspended and preparation
made for defense. Capt Alden, commanding
at Fort Jones, SCOTS Valley, having been sent
for, arrived at Willow Spring, near Jacksonville,
with ten United States troops, fifty stand OF
arms and about 600 rounds of cartridges. Some
three or four hundred persons had volunteered
under command of Capt. Alden, but are said to
be badly off for ammunition and weapons. A re-
QUESTION has been made by the Governor upon
Col. Bonneville, at Columbia Barracks, and some
sixty stands of arms and 1000 rounds OF cart
ridges, with one howitzer were Immediately dis
patched
By the first express received, we have the
names of Thomas Wills, John X. Hardin and
Dr. Rose, out Of about twenty-five, who were
killed. Since then another dispatch to Column
bia Barracks for more guns and ammunition, ar
irving here on the oath, reports the death of
Judge A. A. Skinner, our recent candidate Tor
delegate to Congress, who is said to have been
attacked from an ambuscade and brutally MUIR
dered. This last account described the Indians
rs quite numerous and active and effectually
prepared for hostility that they 60 in small par
ties, secrete themselves, attack parties inferior
in Numbers, destroy dwellings, crops and other
property, kill cattle, etc.
Gov. Lane is reported to have raised party
of 10 men in the Umpqua Valley, and is now on
his way to the scene of strife.
TIE u. s. surveying steamer Active arrived
at Astoria few days since, reporting that as
they left Port Oxford, Capt. Smith with his COM
pany of Dragons was about leaving that place
for the Oregon trail about the 18th Of this month
He will probably arrive in the neighborhood OF
Jacksonville i'm season to be of some service, al.
though at the time of the departure of the Active
news had not been received of the Indian troub.
les at Port Oxford. must refer you to some OF
our papers which send accompanying for more
detailed information.
The want of some harbor near the large MI
ming population of the Rogue River Valley,
Shasta, and the neighboring Placers, has prompt
ed this season an investigation along the coast
from the mouth of the Umpqua to Humboldt
Bay. The very great difficulty heretofore, aside
from the insecurity of harbor and difficulty OF
entrance, has been the almost impossible condi-
ton of the country between the coast and the
mines. The coast range of mountains present
barrier for almost its entire length from Hum
bodt to the Columbia River, that to make even
n good mule trail for transportation has been
until recently looked upon as impracticable.-
Within the past few months much interest has
been excited by examination of Kowes Bay
emptying into the ocean about 20 miles below
the Umpqua River. 1t has always been assert
ed By persons attached to the Hudsons Bay
Company, and other residents of the Territory
who are acquainted with the coast, that this Bay
has fine and entirely practicable entrance, anC
we'll sheltered and secure harbor inside.
From recent reports, and they are generally
looked upon as reliable, careful examination
shows the entrance to the Kowes Cor rs some
call it the Koose) Bay to be about one and &
half miles wide, with from twenty-three to TWEEN
ty-eight feet water on the bar at low tide. The
high bluff land Of Cape Amago forms the south
ern headland of the entrance, and affords in
southerly weather an excellent protection tc
vessels entering The Bay opens out to Q
width of from four to six miles, with two arms
well protected on all sides. On the south OF
easterly arm, about ten miles from the entrance
a settlement has been made, from which the
road to the mines commences. A trail from
this point has already been marked out and trav
eled, striking the Oregon and California roat
about ten miles below Winchester. 1t is de-
scribed as good mule trail, and along its whole
course is well supplied with grass, and compar
atively free from mountains. Until the recent
Indian difficulties, so favorably have the people
of that vicinity been impressed with its eligibil-
hy, as point of entrance and supply for their
section of country, that number of persons
have been actually engaged in improving the
road, and il is confidently asserted that good
wagon road is entirely practicable. So much
attention has this subject attracted in the mines
and in the southern portion of our Territory
that have no doubt we will soon have correct
and detailed accounts thereof.
The immigrants from across the plains are
now beginning to make their appearance. A
few families have arrived. 1t is remarked this
season better health prevails among those arriv-
ed, and their stock is much better conditioned
than the early immigration last year, The re-
ports of the number on the way to Oregon and
Washington vary from s to 10000. All fowev-
er, agree that the immigrants are in better cir
eumstances, and less sickness prevails than pre-
yious vpars