East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1864-06-29
By the time he gained this compli-

uut h0 WuS tiio Sfoutert bCouuuISl
that was ever allowed to live. Thiev-
ing and numbering was his constant
occupation. No foe was too insignif-
icant or powerless to escape his fend-
ish malignity but as he was extreme
ly useful, the English fur Company in
Canada, paid him enormous wages to
act as their interpreter, until discover
ing that he was always drunk, and
inordinately addicted to appropriating
their property to his own use, they
discharged him from their service,
and he returned TO the Indians again.
Some time after this company OF
Yankee spectators having learned
Col. Ovoton's characteristics, made
him fine offer to enter into their EN-
ploy. The nature was in keeping
with the man. The speculators, who
were trading with the Indians, agreed
to give him handsome compensation
for cheating the savages in every bar
gain TO the fullest extent of his ability.
Ovoton accepted the offer, entered
into il with his whole soul, and for u
time affairs between him and his eni-
ployers progressed wonderfully well /;
but the latter were not long in making
the discovery, that besides cheating
the Indians he was also defrauding
them 10 far greater extent than they
were willing to bear. They brought
all their Yankee cunning into play,
but it was of no use. The willy
agent constantly over-reached them,
and at length the sacred alliance was
dissolved.
He now retired to tho mountains,
claiming and receiving the protection
of the Mexican government. Under
the protection Of this, he commenced
a new series Of depredations, from
which it was manifest that though he
was constantly changing his manner
of doing business, he was progressing
in skill and villainy.
Away up somewhere in the noun
tains, tho precise location of which
was secret to every one except HIM
sell, he had provided himself with a
| house, 10 which ho returned at stated
periods, and remained days and weeks
at time. His skill was so valuable
and so widely known, that in spite of
his consumate vi'lainy, he was con-
stantly importuned to act as interpret
er between the different trading par
ties. He would make his appearance
accompanied 10y number OF rogucs,
Inferior to him only in cunning, and
the trade would commence. While it
was in progress he was all smiles and
blandness, and conducted it with such
seeming justice that iii short time it
was finished, to the entire satisfaction
Of all concerned. The trade ended, a
keg of whiskey would be produced,
and ali concerned were expected to
partake. Ovoton and his companions
would swallow but few mouthfulls,
but devote their whole energies to
getting the other parties drunk. As
much skill was not requisite to ac-
complish this, in short time they
would all be in such state Of beastly
intoxication as to be perfect madmen.
now was the golden moment for the
prince of villains First he would tell
the traders that the Indians were only
waiting for theni to got asleep III or
der to to murder them and get poses
sion of their goods, and then crossing
over to the Indians, under the pretense
OF trying TO disuade them from such a
crime, he would pour the same story
into their ears, adding that their only
chance OF preserving their property
lay in DISCRIMINATING the Traders
These insiduous falsehoods could but
set the passions of the two parties
aHame, and the result would be a
most sanguinary and terrible fight,
fight waged by each company with
the set determination Of annihilating
each other.
While the infuriated combatants
were thus struggling together, Ovoton
and his men, under the pretext Of
making everything safe, would load
up all the goods on the pack mules,
and make all haste to Santa Fe,
where they were disposed of at hall
their value. Their remarkable cheap
ness might occasion a remark of sus-
picion with some, buta Santa Fe NOR
chant land they are mostly Americans)
cares little how his wares have been
obtained, SO that they come into his
hands at price which affords him a
good bargain.
This very trick, precisely as we have
described it, Colonel Ovoton practised
again and again upon the whites and
Indians, until he and his partners had
accumulated fine fortunes, and had
become the terror Of every one. His
yillainies and murders were SO num-
erous, that small parties Stunned him
as they would pestilence, and all
united in resolve to rid the country
Of such a monster. Large bands of
Indian warriors secured the noun
tains for his scalp, the English swore
they would have him, and it was the
firm intention of the Yankee traders
10 put him to the Indian torture. =
The Mexicans, also, who for time,
had protected him, offered u reward
for his head.
AT this time Colonel Ovoton took a
sudden aversion to mankind, and dis
missed his companions, who scattered
and gradually escaped FROM the coun-
try, while he withdrew within the
mountains, and nothing was seen or
heard of him for nearly three years.
1t was generally believed that he was
dead, and oil parties congratulated
themselves upon being lid Of the in
cubus of his existonee.
But one day, as war party of In
dians were returning to thor homes,
they unexpectedly encountered a man
on horseback. A glance only was
~..lls.a A Il ill.,. that ha xt-oa