Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-05-22

L
We have received intelligence from Salt Lake
City, that the chief of the Par-Vant Utahs has de-
lvered up several of his tribe who were connect
ed with the murder of Capt. Gunnison, u s A.,
Mr.. Kern, of Philadelphia, and others, on the
Sewer river, in October, 1852. Shortly after the
arrival of Colonel Steptoe in Utah, that officer
made demand on Can-Osh for the surrender OF
all those concerned in the affair. According TO
Indian usage, that chief offered to give up man
for man, and Col. Steptoe, out of regard for the
the detenseless Mormon settlements in the Par
Want country agreed to receive seven Indians for
the white men killed.
Matters being finally arranged, party, con-
sisting of Major Reynolds, Surgeon Writ, and
Lieut.. Allston, of the United States Army, and
Major Hert, Indian Agent, with twenty three ar
tillerymen, started from Salt Lake City on the
Oath Of February to receive the murderers, and
reached Fillmore City, the capital of Utah, the
headquarters of the Par-Vant tribe, on the 26th.
Immediately on hisarrival, Major Reynolds form
ally demanded the surrender of seven men Can
osh was very peaceably inclined, and said that he
intended to fulfill his promise.
The soldiers were then disposed so as to be
ready for any emergency, and in few hours the
whole Par-vant tribe, consisting of about sixty
warriors, entered the main square of Fillmore,
bringing with them the individuals that were to
be given up Can-Osh then turned over to Major
Reynolds four men, squaw who had helped to
Major Reynolds refused to receive the child, but
took charge Of the men and the squaw, stating to
Can-O sh, through the interpreter, Mr.. Bean, that
he still held him responsible for the delivery in
Salt Lake City of the remainder.
Major Reynolds, accompanied by Can Osh and
his wife, returned to Salt Lake City with the
prisoners on the Sd of March. Three of these
only indicted, and the others were discharged.
The trial was held at the city of Neph, Hon. j.
f. Kinney presiding. II appears that the prison
ers and others were near the Severe river hunt
ing duck. when the American party were about
TO camp for the night. On discovering them the
Indians said: "There are the Americans, let us
go and kill them
They went to their own camp, made prepare
ton for the attack, and started off in the drec-
tiaH of the unfortunate party, near sun down,
armed with guns, bows and arrows. A squaw,
who testified with clearness, remained behind and
about sunrise heard the firing of guns. In a few
hours afterwards, the prisoners and others return
ed with much booty, saying that they had killed
the Americans. 1t was also satisfactorily proven
by the testimony of two citizens and the chief of
the prisoners, that they had acknowledged that
they assisted in killing the Americans.
The defense relied upon was, that the prisoners
were ignorant savages, and as they, at some pre-
vious time, had one of their number killed by the
whites, (of which, however, there was not par
ticle of proof,) therefore, according to their Gus
toms, they have a right to avenge his death by
taking life. Mr.. Babbitt also commended that the
jury could only bring in a verdict of manslaugh-
ter.
The court explained to the jury the different
grades of homicide, and concluded by informing
them that, under the law, they could not bring in
verdict of manslaughter; that the testimony
clearly established the fact that the crime was not
committed in the sudden heat of blood, and the
jury must either bring in verdict of guilty of
murder, or acquit the prisoners.
Notwithstanding the solemn and impressive
charge of the court, the jury, after few hours
deliberations to the astonishment of the court and
all others who heard the trial, brought in ver-
dict of Granddaughter. -
Whereupon the court sentenced the prisoners to
three years confinement in the penitentiary, the
extent of the law.
Still later intelligence, up to the 3lst of March,
informs US that the Indian prisoners sentenced to
three years imprisonment, made their escape
from the new jail, n few miles from the city. The
murderers of Gunnison have thus entirely eluded
the hands of Justice. Thus ends Col. Steptoe s
expedition. The Colonel was sent out to Utah
expressly to obtain redress for Gunnisons muir
DER
We learn by the same advices, that Col. Step
toe has declined the nomination of Governor of
Utah, and that Judge Kinney, the chief justice,
has been offered the appointment. He has stated
that he will accept.
Col. Steptoe's command leaves Salt Lake City
on the 5th April for Rush Valley, from which
camping place they start for California in the be-
ginning of Navy Y. Herald.