The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-04-25


The feeling of jealousy harbored by
our Indian neighbors of the authority of
the Government of the United States
exercised over their Territory, culmi-
mated last Monday, the 18th instant, in
a fearful deed Of bloodshcd, falling little
short OF wholesale massacre of the agents
OF the Government. On the 11th in
stant, white man named J. J. Kester.
son, living in the Cherokee Nation, near
the Arkansas line, about l1fty niles from
this city. come here and fled informa-
tion before United States Commissioner
Churchill against one Proctor, also q
white man, married to Cherokee wo-
man, for assaulting him with intent to
kill. Ho stated that while in his saw
mill, on the 18th OF last February, Proc
tor came in, walked up without provoca-
ton, and shot his wife dead. Proctor
then fired his revolver at him, tho ball
striking just above his left eye. Before
Proctor could fire again, Kesterson es-
capped. Proctor was subsequently put
on trial for the murder of his wife at the
court house, in Snake District, about
seventy-five miles North west of here.
A writ was issued, and deputy mnrshaIs
were instructed to go to the court house
and remain until the trial was over, aud
If lie was not convicted. to arrest hIm on
the other charge. When tho party Of
deputies and assistants approached the
court house, they found it filled with
Proctor's friends, armed to tho teeth,
who had come to see that he should not
be convicted. A conflict cnsurd, brief
but terrible, in which eleven persons
were killed and as many more wounded.
Among the killed were threc United
States marshals, named Owens, Hawkins
and Wilson. The sheriff was also killed,
and tho Judge received three buck shot
IN his knee. Iudeed. it appears from
the sudden and deadly assault upon the
marshnls force. that the people inside
the court house had been fully informed
OF their Gpproach, and were prepared
for them. The officials had Instructions
to make demands for Proctor only in
case Of his ncquttal, and expected some
resistance. should they attempt to arrest
Proctor after his ncqnittal; but for tho
murderous volley on their first approach,
they were not prepared; hence their
slaughter.
This is one of tho most terrible affairs
ever known i'll this country, originating
in distrust and jealousy, with which the
more intelligent portion OF the inhubi-
tants OF Indian Territory arc misled by
ba1 white men.
What protection can be had, may be
surmised from the fact that Proctor has
committed eighteen murders and is still
nnhung It is the stern determination
OF the United States marshal in this dis
trlct to bring to justice the mnrderons
and rebcllious crew in the Nation at any
sacrifice or expense.
T,innt C,n CI,or;3,,, L..
Gen. Grierson, with two companies Of
capture and drive ont mnrderers and
mnraudcrs from the Iudian Territory. It
is expected tho action of the Govern
ment will restore confidence between
settlers and pcaceable Indians on the
borders of Arkansas The fort was
abandoned by an order OF Gen. Pope,
bnt this terrible afIray shows tho neces-
sity of keeping a force of soldiers in
Loss OF LIrR-The sailing boat
Annie. formerly tho Belle, left the wharf
yesterday forenoon, tn proceed to Sulli.
vans Island, the wind blowing heavy
from the North west, with considerable
sen, and when near Fort Ripley, about
two miles below the city, she was struck
by q heavy wind and capsized. The
ballast in her hold caused her to sink,
but being on the middle ground, she
took bottom before her mast was sub
merged, by which means Mr.. James
Hanlon and two senmcn were enabled to
keep themselves nfoat by Folding on to
the upper portion Of the spar until they
were picked up, about nn hour after
wards, by a fishing boat. and were
brought to the city. Mr.. Jas. McCartv,
q seaman, aud the fourth person in tho
Annie, was unfortunately drowned in
tho struggle to sccnrc himself.
The yacht Edith started from tic
Schutzenplatz, yesterday, at half-past 3
o'clock, with two whito men md two
colored men aboard. for n pleasant sail
up the Ashley River. When opposite
the Ball plantation, Richard Prince,
one of tho colorcd mon, attempted to
walk on tho lecward side Of tho yacht,
and fell overheard. Ropes were thrown
when he fell, and every effort made to
save him. but he did not rise, and was
lost. Prince lived in Vandcrhorst st, Get,
where it is said ho leaves q wifo and
children. Tho yacht returned after