Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1859-10-20
Interesting from the Far West
Corr dependence Of the Fayetteville Observer.
VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON TERRITORY,
September 3, 1889.


September 8, 1889. !
Mr.. OBSERVER
SIR If the following is worth in
serting in your columns, you have it.
1t may be that some Of your readers
will be interested in learning some
of the border transactions Of the Pa
cifc coast. Perhaps change of ideas
from those Of dense population to
such as pioneer life naturally engen-
ders, would pass away moments Of in
creased interest. Recondly there has
been considerable excitement with
the Indians and English. But a few
days ago an express man WAS sen t
from the Island OF San Juan, no.i-
flying General Harvey that the En-
glish we're infringing on the rights Of
American citizens, who were there
for the purpose Of making perma'
nent homes, for cultivating the soil
Of the Island. Therefore, by author.
lily vested 10 him, they claimed pro
lection under the American Flag from
Her Majesty's subjects. The Gen
eralimmeaiately dispatched four com
panies from this post to the Island,
several companies from other forts;
also started an express man TO San
Francisco ordering two men-of-war
to the Island, with directions to de.
fend it to the utmost of their ability.
The first companies that arrived sue-
ceeding in getting on the Island. IN
der the cover Of night, and hoisted
lie American Flag to glisten in the
first rays of the merning sun. and
doubtless as target for the British
is they wished to enjoy the privilege
of turning their field pieces 10 that
direction. But inasmuch as their ret
respective ability awakened bygone
actions which revealed disappointed
ambition, and caused them to DELHI
crate with that prudence which drove
spiles into the frepaps of their brass
pieces, the tocsin Of war did not min
gle its sound with that Of the burst
ing waves, but happy silence reign.
ed supremely.
| Governor Douglas, who is COM
mander-iD. chief OF Vancouver Colony,
While these intimations of hostilities
we're in their bud, issued proelana-
ton claiming that the sovereignty
of the island of San Juan and the
whole Of Haro Archipelago had al
ways been claimed by the Crown Of
Great Britain. and that he solemny
protested against the occupancy of
the island by any other power. To
which General Harvey replied by
saying, as the military commander Of
Oregon, and having received his or
ders from the President of the Uni
ted States, by that authority he pla-
iced a military command on the Is
land Of San Juan TO protect Amerl-
can citizens from the insults anG in
dignities e British authority. Al
this time there are eight companies
on the Island, who are putting it in
Ia State of defense. and it appears
that Governor Douglas and General
Harvey are quietly awaiting further
orders from their respective govern
ments. 1t seems that the island is
lon or about the line between Eng
land and America. Hence the dis
pute. The space Of a few months
must elapse before the result can be
known, but it is hoped that the dil-
ficulty will be amicably settled
But short time sine the Snake In
dams, who occupy Gne region Of
country known as the Snake River
country, situated on the head waters
lof Columbia River, made an attack
on the Warm Spring Reservation and
Slaughtered some women and chill
dren, who were alone, the men being
absent fishing and hunting, with the
exception of four or five. The war
riors were beaded by chiefs Howlark
and Parquita and numbered one hun.
bred and ninety-ihree. One Of the
chiefs waved scalp, evidently that
of white man, as the color of the
hair was light. A portion Of them
were mounted on drsgoon horses,
had on red shirts, and it is feared that
Captain Wallen aud his men, who