The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-18
HE IN DAMS.
Horrible Outrage by Red Devils
in Texas.
The KI0WA AND COMANCHE MURDERS.
Little PhiPs Radical Cure for
Bad Injun.
SPOTTED TAIL ON AN EASTERN TOUR
Murder and Mutilation In Texas.

WASHINGTON, July H. 1872.
The War Department has an Official report OF the
massacre by The Indians OF tile family OF Abel Lee
residing Clear Fork Brazos River, about sixteen
miles below Fort Griffin, Texas.
Lieutenant Gibreath. of the Eleventh infantry,
who, with party OF soldiers was sent to investi-
gate the case, reports that the massacre was one
OF exceeding brutality.
The following persons were in the house at the
time OF the attack which was halfpast five O'Clock
on Sunday afternoon, June s:-Abel Lee and
Lille Lee, each aged about sixty years;
Frances Lee, aged eight years; Cordelia Lee.
aged fifteen years; Susanna Lee, aged
seventeen years; John Abel Lee, aged
six years, and a man named Mccarthy Abel Lille
and Frances Lee were killed-thy old man while sit
ting at the door, the old lady Ia the same room and
the little girl while running from the house. They
were killed with arrows, and all OF them were
scalped. Every particle Of skin upon which hair
grew was removed from their heads Mrs. Lees
ears were cut or anu the bodies of both herself and
husband were mutilated and arrows left sticking in
them. The body Of the little girl had in 1t only the
arrow that killed her. C0rdelia, Susanna and John
Abel Lee were taken prisoners by the Indi-
ans. The bodies OF the dead were buried
by citizens. Colonel Wood, commanding the post at
Fort Griffin, writes that Immediately Oh the return
sent in pursuit Of these Indians but owing to the
high water 1t was about eight hours after starting
before they could cross the Clear Fork BY sending
the men, equipments, &c. across In small skin
crossed by sunset OF july IL. Owing to the small
number OF troops at the post and the preparations
being made for Colonel MCKenZie's expedition it
was Impossible to send very large parties, and so
much time elapsed before the Clear Fork could be
crossed owing to the high water, Of which the
Indians TOOK advantage, that there Is little hope
OF overtakng them. The non commissiOned officers
In charge of the detachment have however been
instructed to every effort to ascertain the fate
of the captives the direction of the trail and what
Indians compose the party. General Augur, COM
mandng the Department OF Texas, says that Colo
mel Mckenzie got or from Richardson on the 14th,
and it is hoped his movements may prevent these
raids on the northern Texas frontier for the time
being, at least. General Augur fears that more eX-
tensiye operations will have to be taken against
these Indians before they will remain peaceable.
WI, Win Mexico on one side and the reservation on
the other as places or refuge and security for Them
selves and their plumber, the present defensive sys
TEN Will not effect much.
The KiOwa and COmanche Murders and
Thefts-1Iilitary Cures Proposed.
Major Schoneld, of the Tenth cavalry, command
ing at Fort Sill, under date OF June IL, encloses
correspondence between himself and Indian Agent
Mr. Laurie Tatem in relation to the stealing OF 100
mules from the troops north Of Camp Supply by the
Kiowa Indians. and the efforts made to recover the
mules A letter from one OF the government scouts
at Camp Supply states that it was done by six men
and one woman, all Kiowas. The Cheyenne In
dams had since brought in twenty-five Of the mules.
Major SchOdeld SAYS the man referred to by Mr..
Tatem as having been killed near this post on the
The party Is said to have been led b SON Of
SSantanta, who was killed last year when General
ae n was a te pes e an WaS
done to avengc the death OF Santanta, and that
they are now satisfied, after having killed three
satisfied that other depre datiOnS were committed
by the same party.
Major SchOfeld Says
cannot learn that any OF the Quahada Co
ma were with young Santantas party, but
Texas is done BY that band. In view Of the fact
that the agent for these Indians confesses himself
poweriess to prevent this numbering OF men and
was and Quahada Comanches uncomfortable by
him [Aportion Of the report Is here
In one OF his letters Agent Tatem SAYS
Cyrus Beds, by order Of +. Hoag superintendent
council Of the Kowa Indians at the wsshta agency
II effected. We may procure q part or all Of the
camp supply mules, but do not apprehend that we
Texas or procure the arrest OF the perpetrators OF
the various thefts and murders.
General Augur endorses this as f0ll0ws:-
We will walt the result Of the council. though
General Sheridan's endorsement is as follows:-
doubt very much II the mules stolen Will be re-
turned and know that the Indians who committed
the within mentioned murders will not be punished
py tneir own people. we can never stop the wild
Indians from numbering and stealing until we
punish them. II white man in this country CON-
mits murder we hang him. II he steals a horse
we put him in the Pcnitentiary II an Indian COM
mts these crimes We give him better fare and more
blankets think may with reason say that under
this policy the civilization OF the Wild red will
progress slowly.
Spotted Tail Coming to Town.
Spotted Tau. Chief of the Brule Sioux Indians, with
twelve or more Of his principal chiefs, will arrive
In Washington in the latter part OF the present
week, to settle with the government questions with
regard to the location OF agency, &C. Spotted Tail
has kept peace now for seven years. and Is believed
to be the fnestlooking Indian Chief on the Cont
nent.