Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-05-11

Every day two Indian who had never before
been seen with gum would suddenly appear with
bran L S. rife Every one stoutly denied
selling them any. and in fact there none known
to be for sale ou tho river. 1t quite evident
that there scoundrols loose somewhere, bent on
making money though it should be at tho sacrifice
Of hundred lives but with all the vigilance
exercised, they remained undetectcd. At length
dead OK was found, belonging to white on tho
Salmon, with wound reaching to tho vitals made,
it is supposed, by a round-headed arrow. The
whites, thereupon, considering it high time for
somo move to be made, resolved to fall upon their
ranches, unawares, and take their arms forcby
from them. This was done, or rather attempted,
as most Of the Indians succeeded in hiding or get
ting oil with their guns to the mountnas. The
Upper klamath and Salmon Indians however, pro.
fesscd their friendship by yielding theirs up VOL
notwithstanding that they had always been
friends to the whites, md desired still to bo
But those possessing ranches about here, md
place few miles below called " Bcd-caps Bar"
could not be found They wcro known to he the
bravcst and most warlike ofany on tho klamath
and then at the time Of the search, as events
bu. too soon proved, concealed in the mountains
round about preparing for o descent upon the
whites.
Ny duty here is to tako charge Of the business Of
the owner Of the post, Messrs. Osborn and Lufkin,
while they arc absent their farm, or with their
mule train. am frequently left alone the entire
day. Such was the case the 9th ofJanuary ult.,
the first of the two days whercon was enacted this
bloody tragedy.
Towards noon of that day. while | was sitting b.
the st5vc one Of the firm Of the Camp Creek
Mining Company" rushing in, pale, and
under great excitement, his left hand grnspcd in
that of his right and his shirtseeve dripping with
blood. 1" Look out for yourself" said he, "look
out for yourscf-tho Indians out - My
God ~ exclaimed I, 4" what has happened-are
you wounded - lie showed me his wrist-a ball
had struck it, going through and through, causing
a horrid wound. l imme1 e1iatcy washed anl band
aged up the wound, we'll as I could and coun-
sccd him to leave at for "Orleans Bar
(about n mile and hale from, horo>-~h-~a ho
could have it properly seen to, lie lett, advis
ing me to be on the look OUT as the Indians might
be expected here any moment. at once shut up
the house and set about dcvisng to save and
defend myself There arms in the house
hut little old shotgun, hardly good enough to
shoot squirrel with; this however seized, loaded
heavily, ana with some ammunition left the house
for a small log shop, distant perhaps twenty steps
-dccning the latter place secure, the
former made wholly only Of short thin split
clapboards. or shingles. short distance down
the river and the opposite side, there is high
point, formed by the water, which there is
claim worked by there men-Mcssrs. Campbell,
Proctor, and Durham. Tho two latter saw at
work at their sluices, ms was going to tho shop;
and at once formed the intention Of proceeding to
the river bank, opposite, and haloons to them,
to let them know their danger and come over here,
whore could all better defend ourselves. But,
alas tho doom Of the two sealed, past
all human nervention-for the creeping savage
already upon them. Suddenly heard two or
threo shots in the direction OF the iiver-I looked
and the miners were gone. a few minutes after |
saw two persons walking along the bcl ch, on the
opposite side of the river, in the direction Of canoe
| concluded at once that they had obtained know-
edge Of danger, and were returning to this place for
safety. l could not see them when they launched
into the river, but watched intenty, expecting
every moment to sec them appear above the bank
on this side. But what was my horror and di.may,
tJ observe, while thus Watching two or tn ec sava
geS, nearly naked, and armed with guns, dlItine
into the bushes directly for the place where they
would lanI-not moro than dozen rods from ne,
and on this side. 1 leaped back, my brain whirl.
ing with anxiety. Whether should have rushed
forth or, indeed, what should have done in this
horrid emergency, I do not know-for Immediately
l heard the report Of their guns-convcyine to my
the sad intelligence Of tho sacrifice Of two vic
Tins. did not doubt but that they were killed. and
allowed to float down the current
a new thought occurring to me, seized the gun
and IN and rnn t,, bo bo,s
the doors, and assembled ladder to a story directly
under the roof and stationed myself at the hole with
gun lcvelled This, of course, was my best plan,
for against war party of savagcs, whose numbers
had no means Of ascertanng there could be no pos
sible chance of successfully defending myself in an
exposed situation, especially as I was alone, and
armed with but miserable apology for a shooting
iron. Here the chances were in my favor, though
the Indians hundred strong, for as they would
be compelled to appear at time, the charge in
the gun would be good for one, and then its
club would beat them back, and thus delay matters
till succor arrived, which knew would not be long.
Ny greatest fear of their setting the house on
fire, which, if no one appeared, would of put
end to But such destined to be my
fate, neither wa. destined to the close light
had prepared for, for the first intimation Of the
outbreak the whites had flown to their arms in all
directions.
While breathles.ly awaiting the attack the
ages, beard the agreeable shout of white man
outside. Come back come back :" screamed
.ome one and Immediately after, heavy discharge
Of fire arms l descended speedily as possible,
and on the threshold Of the door met Mr. Osborn at
the head Of eight or ten men II thrust revolver
into my hand, and sci7ing my shot gun, was ready
FOR duty. By the discharge have mentioned,
have since learned that two Indians instantly
killed and two vounded-one Of the wounded being
the leader Of the gang. The distance, however
very great, the Indians being the opposite side of
the river, pillaging tho cabin Of the two miners l
have before spoken of. On the firing they disap-
pcarcd in the woods, but after appeared again.
evidently resolved securing their booty llthey
got, however, another voley of bullets from the
whites, when they glad to " break" for good.
Unfortunately therc wa. no means Of Furnishing
them, from tho impossbiiity Of getting across the
river, but their doom is sealed Several Of the
miuers have ialler and their fall will be avenged,
though the miners have to hunt the savagemurder-
crs to the confines of creation.
A hurried consultation wa. then had and it was
decided that tho miners should remain here to defend
the place. inasmuch there was stored here large
quantity Of provisions, making it thereby probable
that an attack upon the premises would not be
long delayed, Accordingly guard was stationed
at varou, points about the house. and the vAluabes
Of the post removed to the log shop have before
mentioned, it being determined TO fortify that in
preference to the house. By night arrangements
were completed repel successfully any attack the
savage, might make, though they were thousand
strong.
After full preparations for defence had been made,
and while the mon busy in SO arranging their
arms and ammunition as to be ready at any moment,
a subdued cry was heard in tho direction of the
river. 1t was at first thought to be an Indian whoop
or signal; but on its repetition, some one remarked