The Shasta courier., 1859-12-31
A Few Words to our LegisIators about
Gen. kibbe's Pit River War Expedition.


Comparatively a few months since the eastern
portions of Shasta and Tehama counties were
the scenes Of frequent murders and rapine per-
petrated by the hostile Indians living in that
section of country, upon the persons and pro-
perty of white settlers and travellers. Indeed
these murders and plunderings became of such
frequent occurrence as to cause settlers to aban-
don their claims and flee to the towns, while
travellers to Honey Lake, Fort Crook and Yreka
via Lockhart's Ferry, were compelled to band
themselves together in order to make the trip
with any sort of safety. In fact, all that portion
of the two counties was literally overrun with
about one thousand savages, who were waging
" war to the knife and the knife to the hit'
upon all white men. And by their successes
against individuals they became so emboldened
as to extend their raids into the very heart of
the Valley. And, for time, it was no rare
thing for the citizens of Red Bluff to be startled
by the glare Of burning houses, barns, fields of
grain and hay. stacks, which were set on fire by
the torch Of these red devils.
OF course during all this time the people were
calling upon Government, State and Federal,
for protection. Their voice was unheeded, un-
til at last an event so awful as to fill the State
with horror, occurred within sight of Red Bluff,
we allude to the burning of the residence of
Col. Stevenson, and in it his wife and two chill
dren aad his overseer and wife. Then the peo-
pie addressed Gov Weller with such arguments
as were irresistible. The Federal authorities
could or would do nothing. He therefore de-
termined to protect the lives and property of
our citizens. Accordingly Gen. Kibbe was or
dered to organize expedition against the hos
tile tribes. Gen. X. repaired to Red Bluff and
formed n company of as brave men as ever
fought But here he was brought to a stand
still. The men could not fight without food and
clothes. The Governor was not empowered by
law to draw upon the Treasury for money for
this purpose. And individuals hesitated to fur
nish the necessary supplies, for the reason that
they would have no absolutely binding claim
against the State for remuneration. Gen Kibbe
and Gov. Weller could only pledge their word
to use their influence with the incoming Legs-
lAture to have their claims allowed-they could
do no more. Hence, as We remarked, the expe-
diticn was being brought to- stand still, for the
reason that no person willing to the
great risk necessarily involved in entering into
such a contract with the State Here however,
j. G. Doll, Esq.-a man noted for his enterprise,
Hberality and patriotism-stepped forward, and
agreed TO furnish the Commissary's depart
ment of the expedition for a short time. At
the expiration of that period, however, General
kibbe still found it impossible to get any ono
else to furnish the necessary supplies, and thus
Mr.. Doll was forced to continue furnishing the
expedition, or see it itignominiously fail. Yielding
more to the promptings of his noble impulses
than to the dictates ofprudence, he nobly chose
to run the risk-and the consequence was, he
supplied Gen. Kibbe with about S24, 900 worth
Of the " sinews of war"
The question now is, VIII the Legislature re-
compense him and Others who, to less extent,
have furnshed'the expedition with supplies for
the aid rendered? Will it promptly return Mr..
D. the S24, 900 which he so nobly expended
in order that the State might do that service
which honor demanded at her hands
We do not permit ourself to doubt for single
moment that Legislators will act fairly, honor
ably and promptly towards Mr.. Doll, and such
others as may have aided the expedition. We
are assured that he furnished the supplies to the
expedition at precisely the same rates he would
have scfd them to regular traders in good stand
ing. If this be not so, the Legislature can easily
ascertain the fact. If bis prices are too high,
cut them down-but do it speedily What is
bis'due, let him have at once. Do not keep him
waiting for justice at your hands from day to
day all through the session. But for his prompt
ness the eight hundred or one thousand Indians
recently removed to Mendocno would still be
scourging the white settlements of Shasta and
Tehama. But for his patriotism Gov. Welers
administration, and through it the State of CAL
ifornia would have been dsgraced. But for ]. |
G. Doll, Gen. Kibbe, after organizing company
by order of Gov. Weller, would have been COM
pelled to sneak back to the capital in disgrace,
instead of returning, as he did, with thousand /
captives, composed of some of the most savage |
and dariugtribe in the State
We trust the Shasta and Tehama Legislators
will move in this matter at an early day of the
session. Bet the daring men who composed the
expedition and the noble and patriotic men who
fed and clothed it for the State, be paid prompt
ly for their services