Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-05-09

Endian Massacre on the O%VerIand ROuIe.
From the Rocky Mountain News, April 1s.I
We are under obligations to Hon. Gordon N.
Mott, Federal judge, and the newly elected del
egate to Congress from Nevada Territory, for
the particulars OF 3 most horrible Indian mas.
secTe, and remarkable escape on the route west
Of Salt Lake Judge Mott left Carson City on
the coach that arrived here on Tuesday evening
last, and was the only passenger to Reese river,
where an old gentleman named Leverettson
snd his two sons, aged respectively twelve and
fourteen years, got IN, bound for their homes in
Iowa. On Sunday, the 22d ult, when ap-
preaching g station eight miles west Of Deep
creek, which is sne hundred and sixty miles
beyond Salt Lake City, It was discovered that
the house was surrounded and filed by Indians.
The driver, whose name was Hank Harper,
formerly Of this city, we believe, rsined his
team in toward its usual stopping place until
quite near, when something seemed to have ex-
cited his suspicion, and he turned back into the
rosd, at the same time giving his horses the
whip, and starting them into q keen run.
AT the same moment the Indians opened fire
upon the coach, discharging some six or eight
rife shots and a perfect shower Of arrows.
Judge Mott and the tive boys were at the time
in the coach. with the curtains closely butlened
down. Neither Of the three were hurt. The
other passenger was on the box beside the dri-
yer. After going about hAlEa-mile, the driver
called to Judge Mott to come to bis assistance,
which he did, opening the curtains and climb
ing around the box. There a horrible sight met
his view. The passenger was shot through the
head, snd had fallen into the boot, while blood
and brains were despatched over the entire front
of the coach. The driver was shot through the
body in the region of the heart, but still manful-
" retained bis post and performed bis duty.
Judge Mott took the reins and assisted the dri.
yer down into the boot under the seat, where
be continued ~to-sssist and advise the mansge-
ment of the team until he died, which was less
thar half an hour.
The race now became one of life and 6eath.
The Indians were 10 pursuit, some on foot and
some on horseback, firing as long and as far as
they had any hope Of hitting the coach, but the
team was 3 good one, and seemed to appreciate
the emergency of the occasion, and at the end
of half a dozen miles the impr0mptu driver had
the satisfaction of seeing the last one fade from
sight in the distance. At the end Of eight miles
is Deep Creek station, but when it came in sight
a new alarm presented itself. A herd of ami
mails we're on the plain near by, which the Judge
took to be Indian ponies, and naturally enough
supposed that their owners had possession, and
were lying in wait at the station also. He So
bered his team down to q walk and studied
what was best to do. Finally he determined to
cut three of the horses out Of the harness, put
the boys on two Of them and mount the third
himself, when ne was satisfied that they could
outrun any Indians.
Having got all in readiness, opened his knife
and communicated his plans to his boys, he
told them TO halloo as loud as they eould-she
Judge was suffering with hoarseness and una
bic to speak above his breath-thinking thereby
20 make the occupants Of the house, whoever
they might be, show themselves. The russ was
successful and the result gratifying, as a dozen
v hite men made Their appearance, and the coach
was driven up and delivered into their care.
The driver was found 10 be dead, but ths other
man was still alive up to the time Judge Mott
left, which was nearly twenty-four hours after,
although bis brains were oozing from the
wounds in the top of his head. Il was subss-
ouAuily learned that the Indians had killed,
stripped and scalped two men at the station be-
fore the coach cam up.
The telegraph was put in requisiion, and in
an hour or so troops were moving eastward from
Ruby Valley, and westward from Salt Lake to-
ward the scene of the tragedy. The next day
the Judge came on alone, the boys remaining
with their father, who would certainly soon die
There is fair probability that the Indians would
be overtaken and punished. We hope they may
be extermiuated. The arrows, many of which
we're sticking in the coach, were pronounced
Shoshone arrows. The route west is doubtless
safe now, and will be 50 for some time, so that
passengers need have no fears.