Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-01-01
HORRIBLE INDIAN MASSACRE OF OREGON
EAIIGRANTS.
MOTHERS EATING THE DEAD BODIES OF TIfrlr
HUSBANDS AND CHILDREN.


The following horrible news We gather fros
letter GO the New York Herald, dotted For
Walla WOlla, Washington Territory, Nov. sth
1907 Ho.
The command Of Capt. Dent, United StateI
Army, has just reached this point from the seen,
Of the late Indian massacre near Fort Boise
bringing with him twelve men, women and
children, who have been rescued from this mas
sacre, which has been one of the ssddest thai
has ever occurred on the emigrant route.
These wretched creatures were found almost
naked, aud eating the dead bodies of those thai
had been massacred, and in one case eating the
head OF u man that had been buried for ten days.
The party numbered forty-four souls, out of
which twenty nine were massacred and fifteen
saved. They had moved from Wisconsin up to
Fort Hull, where they received an escort of dfa-
goons, who guarded them to near Salmon Falls.
on Snake river, when the dragoons turning back,
they were left alone for 800 miles. when thew
expected TO reach Walla Walla,
Near Fort Boise they were attacked by from
100 to 200 Snake Indians. They fought for
two days, when finding their men falling, they
abandoned everything and fed for their lives
The next day they saw by the smoke that their
train bad been destroyed. They moved on for
several miles on foot, the mothers, many of
them, carrying their infants ut their breasts,
berries, where they had remained five weeks,
vntil the troops found them. Two men had
made their escape and gave the information,
upon which Colonel Wright ordered out troops
to their relief
The troops moved rapidly, and when they
came up with the emigrants il is said that the
heart Of every soldier was moved at the saddest
spectacle that humanity ever witnessed. The
poor people, men, women and children, bowed
themselves on the snndy desert where they were
found, ard offered up solemn and ferycnt pray
or to God at their most miraculous escape, and
with one feeling the soldiers sWore vengeance
against the sayages who have reduced this band
Of emigrants to this condition.
But the most horrible sight was yet to be wit
messed. They were without food or clothing
aud had made shelters for themselves out Of
willow and grass, and the infants that had been
lett after their mothers had been massncred,
were eaten most rayenously, and one lady ate
Two OF her own children that had died Of s,arya-
uon, and afterwards dug up her own husband,
and the troops found his head roasting over the
fire when they reached them. They SAID it was
not until starvation drove them to il that they
could allow themselves TO be thus reduced to
live upon human flesh, and that, TOO, in a putrid
state.
The women had been ravished by tho leish
savsges, aud their naked dead bodies bore all
the marks of horrible brutality. When will our
government take some action to guard and pro-
tect our emigrant ronds to the Pacific coast -
This last act calls for vengeance loud and deep
rumor has also reached here that the Flat
head Indians in the Bitter Root Valley had risen,
and were giving great trouble at Fort Owen.
Everything has been done by Col Wright, the
commander of this department. that q humane
and noble commander could do, and much credit
is due the officers and troops under Captain
Dent, for their efficient aid and kindness to these
emlgrants. Lieutenants Anderson and Reno,
and DR.. Taylor, United states Army, the officers
with the command, did everything that could
relieve these poor people 10 their Distress.
body Of troops had been sent out from this |
post, as 1t was supposed, to bring in and protect
any emigrants that might be lett on the road, /
but the troo,s returned in August without
bringing in any emigrants We eau only trust,
thnt the government may take warning IRON |
III e, and initiate such steps to prevent its re-
urrenoc.