The Shasta courier., 1862-08-02
Indian outrages in Humboldt County.
We take the following from the Humbold
Times of the 10Th inst:

We take the following from the Humboldt |
Times of the 10Th inst:
In last Saturdays Times we stated that
news had just arrived Of the murder, by In
dians, of W. I. Olmstead and Hiram Lyon,
at the crossing of the Upper Mad river. on
the Hydesvile and Trinity trail Subse-
cholly intelligence of the death of Mr. Lyon.
While in common with his other friends we
mourn his uLtirndly fate, it is with ioy we
make record that Mr. Olmstead, Though bad
ly wounded, is still alive. and there is every
reason to hope that be viii recover in a few
weeks. The circumstances of this savage
onslaught are as follows:
a party of our citizens, consisting of the
two gentlemen named above, with Stephen
Adams sand-Ground, were en- route to
Trinity eounty with drove of beef cattle,
and. on Thursday evening. the l0th inst,
stopped for the night at the usual camping
place, some three hundred yards from the
river Soon after coming into camp-all be-
ing busy with preparations for the night
a dog owned BY one of he party gave warn
ing. and Mr. Olmstead cast his eyes around.
when. On the ridge back of the camp, they
fell upon a band OF some forty armed sava-
ses he involuntarily exclaimed, !" My God
bows, see the Indians!" The Indians were
within easy rifle shot, and at this moment
number of themfred. Mr.. Lyon sprang up
and fell dead without saying a word having
received five six bullet wounds, any one
of which would have proved fatat. Ohm
stead was hit several times, though but two
shots took serious effect. Instinctiyely the sur
vivors sought a less exposed spot. Adams
remained however a short time to search
for his revolver, which was corered up with
blankets; he waited as long as he thoughtit
was 'sany good thing" the balls in tie
meantime playing lively tune about his
ears, but left without finding it and joined
Omstead. who said, Adams, let's fgh.
EN-" Adams replied, it's no use to try
that they wouldn't give me time to find my
pistol, so I've nothing to fight the damned
hounds with" Fighting being out Of the
ease, it was now each to save himself ifpos-
sble.
Adams struck out by cireuitous route
for the settlements, arriving at Large's
ranch, hack on the trail at daylight
Ground seoreted himself several honrs, and
found he was near the place Of attack next
morning. Henrriyed at l.arge's N the course
cf the day.
Finding he could not escape by fight,
Omstead directed his course tc a drift pile
in the river, the Indians in pursuit. One
of the savages getting too near, 0lmstead
drew his Eisto. back and SHOT the red skin
dead. lie then plunged into the river, and
swan under the drift wood where he was out
of sight, standing to his armpits in water
The Indians howled and ragged around him
for several hours like so many incarnate
hcnds, bat aid not succeed in hitting him or
making him break cover. At about mid
night the Indians left, and 0lmestead crawled
ont on to the l.ank where, being unable TO
travel. he remained until the next evening,
quietly ruminating upon the pleasures of
frontier life in general. while with particu-
lar force his mind would dwell upon his slim
chance of escape, in case the enemy should
return before the arrival of friends.
As quickly as possible after his arrival at
Large's Adams raised raised few settlers
who returned with him to the camp. They
found the body of Lyon horribly mutiated-
the throat cut apparently with dull edged
knife. from ear to ear. the body ripped open
and th hea taken out The body had been
dragged near the ire SO that one arm had
fallen in ar consumed. The horses were
found killed and The saddles and camp equip
age were destroyed. but strange to say, none
Of the cattle We're killed a few CT them were
near by grazing, the balance having returned
to the settlements Mr.. Oimstead was taken
to i.arge's ranch, and DR.. Felt Summoned
from Hydesvile. who promptly responded
The news Of the attack was not broken to
Mrs. O,mstead until the result was known,
upcn hearing which she Immediately rejoined
her hu sband.
\ gentleman familiar with the locality in
forms us that the place where the attack was
made is distant fr, IN Fort Baker about four
miles. This explains. probably, why the
savages lid not long remain in the vicinity.
CAUSE OF THE EMEUTE AT SAN QUENTIN
1t is surmised that the outbreak at San
Quentin was the strong desire of the State
Prisoners to aid the Peace Democrats at the
coming election, whom they know to be
sound on the political hastile question. The
prisoners naturally infer that party which
is opposed to the confinement q traitors
wretches who have inaugurated an era of
wholesale murder for the purpose Of destroy
ing the Uuion-would of course not keep in
durance vile TIE lesser offenders at San Quen-