, 1859-06-17
For the Pioneer and Demoent.
BLUST's Island LIGHrHors sE, W. T., |
Z


Juns 10, 1859. I
Ma. FuRsTE In your issue of June sd, under the
head of shipping, etc. your reporter makes a state
ment which think does great injustice oo'those con
cerned in the affair spok of. Thinking perhaps a
true statement Of the case would be acceptable 70
your readers, have prepared brief account Of the
facts as they actually occurred, without any attempt
at literary embellishments.
On the afternoon Of May 2gth the schooner Caro-
ens, Capt. Jones' when Belvue Island, encoun-
tered three large northern filled with warriors
who told him they were going to Blunts or Smiths
Island After a short conversation in which he in
vain attempted to persuade them to return to VictO
ria they bore away for Blunts Island singing a song
which a northern Indian sailor the schooner said
was their war song. Capt. Jones Immediately turned
back and informed US Of the fact, saying that he be-
eved they intended robbery and murder and advised
us to leave Immediately, adding, don't wait to save
anything but escape while you can" Capt and Mrs
Vail Immediately left, but mot before part Of the In
dams had landed and attempted 10 intercept. them
remained behind, voluntarily, for the purpose oil
keeping the Indians out Of the house until assistance
could arrive, knowing that Capt Vail would return
with help at the earllst possible moment. had little
doubt Of being able to keep the Indians at bay.
then proceeded to barricade the doors and windows
aud prepared to resist any attempts at fOrcble entry
Hardly had completed my preparations when the
Indians made their appearance. They seemed very
much excited said that the BOstons had hung three
Of their hWicums at Por Townsend. They then tried
to induce me TO come out of the house. In rery
friendly iody, they said they would be angry if did
nOt ne Ntne hNIfetef) LOld Ine tnaL hiS neaTL was
good to the Americans, but that his friends not
Being fully coHrinced Of heir good Intentions" !
told them that ] had particular antipathy against
being killed in the open air and preferred staying
where | was.
On arriving at Port Townsend, Capt. Vail stated
the case To the people. party Of vounteer-ffteen
in number Cncuding the Chapman troupe almost en-
nasse)-were quickly mustered, under the command
Of Deputy Sheriff Van Yalzah and proceeded in the
schooner Cdroicns Chartered for the occasion by
Capt Fowler) to Blunts Island. Owing to light
winds they did not reach here until the morning
the 3Oth On arriving 70 the leeward of the Island
they took in sail preparatory to anchoring The In
dans then embarked and bore down on the schooner
with the evident intention Of boarding her. Before
the schooner could be got under way, the Indians
were within two or three rods of them they then
dared The BosfOnS TO fight, but as the Indians num-
bered from seventy to ninety, they declined the un-
equal combat. As soon as the schooner got the
wetahergague Of the Indians, Capt. Vail came on
shore. Finding the Indians had committed no seri-
Gus depradatons, he returned to Port Townsend for
his family. After watching the movements Of the In.
dans until assured OF their intention to return to Vic
toria, the gallant party returned to Port Townsend
fully convinced that the danger was not over-estima
ted. have no doubt that but for the prompt assist
ance rendered me, my head would have added one
more TO the trophies Of Indians perfectly peaceable
As proof OF this, on the afternoon Of the 3lst was
tired on as was passing the tower window, by par
ty OF Indians In ambush gave them two shots in
return, when they left afterwards saw o trail Ol
blood leading from were the Indian stood at which
last fired. II this is perfectly peaceabe and desir
Gus to remain So, would like to get party OF no
tile savages to remain the Island. Before leaving
the Indians told Capt. JONES' and the Indian sailor
before mentioned, that they were marked, and that
they would kill them tie first opportunity.
]. K. APPLEGATE,
Assist. Keeper B. L. Lighthouse