Daily Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1854-1855, 1854-11-08
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Mr.. John Noble, q reoldcnt OF V9ucVuScI,
furnishcs the following horrible details oil
the bloody massacre committed by the Snake
Indians, upon party of emigrants, near Fort
Boise in Oregon:
On the morning Of the 23d of August last,
party OF eighteen men left IT. Boise, for
ttAe purpose Of rescuing three ladies' and
number OF children, who we're supposed TO
be in the hands OF party of aWinnass In
dams Zone Of the small tribes Of the Snake
| Indians, who live on Boise river.) who at
tackled Alex. Wards train from Missouri,
on the goth Of August, about noon, twenty
| i've miles from IT. Boise, on the south side
OF Boise river.
| This party on arriving at the place where
| the irst attack was made, found the bodies
lof Alex. Ward and his eldest con Robert,
Samuel Mullgan, Charles Adams. VIM.
Babcock, and German, name unknown.
Frou, the statement OF the surviving boy,
Newton Ward, it would appear that no et-
tectual resistance was offered BY any OF the
party, except DR.. Adams and Mulligan, who
fought bravely.
/ Following the trail, in about three hun
lred yards, the body OF young Anon was
found, a lad Of seventeen years of age; Che
was one OF the seven who came to the res
cue on the day OF the attack, with VIM. Yam
Itis.) This young man fought with great
valur, pursuing the Indians to the bushes.
where he was killed. About one hundred
wards further on, the body of Miss Ward was
found, having been shot through the head
with musket bali.
Her person was much bruised, her hands
showing signs Of her having fought most
desperately to resist the flemish attacks OF
those sarages upon her youthful person.
The marks of teeth were plainly Implanted
upon her left cheek; a hot piece of iron had
been thrust into her, doubtless while alive.
ito punish her for resistance. and their being
unable to accomplish their hellsh designs
upon one 50 young. Within few rods a
wagon had been burned, and the bodies of
two dogs found crispcd up.
About fifty yards OH, in the brush, three
more wagons were burned. The trail was
followed up. and in about six hundred yards
the body of Mrs. White. the wife of VIM.
White, who lives in Looking-glnss Prairie,
Umpquz Valley, was found stripped of her
clothing and scalped. Herhead was beaten
in by clubs. and also a mnskct ball had passed
through her head. Her person showed signs
of most brutal violence.
The trail was followed from her and in
about half mile through dense thicket Of
brush and underground the fifth wagon was
found, having been run into a deep ravine
and left.
In abolt thirty yards further, came to the
river on the north bank ofwhich was discoy-
cred where they had been encamped; it con-
sisted Of sixteen lodges made of willow bush
es. Here the body Of Mrs. Ward and three |
children were found Mrs Ward was lying
in the encampment, in front OF a fire, her |
person having been robbed Of all its covering,
and her body much cut and SCARED by bru-
fish bruises. Her face had deep wound
inflicted BY tomahawk, which probably
caused her death
The children were lying upon the fire in
front Of her, having evidently been burnt
alive. as portion OF the hair still remained
upon their heads, showing that they had
had been held up by the head until they were
burned to death, in front of their mother, and
she, doubtless, compelled to witness this
whilst they had their war dance, and they
violated her person. She was soon to be |
mother, which rendered the sight still more
shocking Several parts Of limbs were
picked up some distance from the fire, hay-
ing been dragged away by the wolves or the
Indian dogs, for several had been left inthe
camp by them. Having scarcely any imple-
ments, the bodies were inferred in the best
manner possible, under the circumstances.
There was still lad and three children
missing. A digent search was made for
heir bodies without success. From the
statement of the surviving boy, twas known
hat this lad was wounded ard ran to the
'ushes, and has probably since died and
is more than possible that three children
re still captiyes, or reserved for some bar
arous ceremony.
From the statement Of Mr.. Masterson,
Tho is brother to Mrs. Ward and Mrs.
White it appears that the booty that the
indians carried off consisted Of forty
cad of cattle, FIVE horses, and about 81 900
: 50 200 in money; besides guns, pistols,
This party of seven finding the Indians
realty superior in number, were obliged to
bandon the pursuit. William Yantis, on
eturnng to the scene of the first attack |
iscove red Newton Ward, a lad about |,
ears Of age, the only survivor of the party !
eyereIy wounded, and brought him off in
afety.
The following are the places from which |
he above named party emigrated
Alexander Ward, wife and seven chill |
lren, Samuel Mallagin, and Mr. Babcock,
awyer, from Lexington, No.
DR.. Adam and brother from Michigan.
Mrs. White and child from Missouri -
The husband Of Mrs. White is supposed to
i've in Umqua county.
Mr.. Anon from Missouri
Two Germans aud Frenchman--name
aot known.
The massacre has created great excite
ment in Oregon, and the Acting Governor
has issued a proclamation calling for two
of yoiuntperc NJ IN ,ne, e.ch Ia