Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-10-02

MINER BUTCHERS HIS FIVE COMPANIONS
WHILE THEY SLEEP, AND FEAsTs UPoN THEIH
FLESH.
saquache, Colorado, despatch, Of fsept. 7th. to St
Louis Globe.
Here in Saquache county, southwestern
Colorado, the people have lately been awak-
ened to one Of the most dreadful and diabol-
ical crimes on record. A few weeks ago a
man who was bound over to await trial at
the sitting of the next district court, escaped
from the custody of the sheriff of this county.
About two weeks afterwards august l3th)
the rema ins of five bodies were found by a
Capt. Graham and party, near the lake fork
of the Gunnison river, about one hundred
miles from the town of Saquache, in San
Luis park The murdered and the murderer
were easily identified.
On the last day of November last a party
Of twenty-one miners lett southern Utah to
come across the mountains to the the new
San Juan mines in Colorado. They were in
wagons, and struck what is called the old
johnson trail. They found it perilous
season Of the year to travel through the
mountains. After travelling nearly two
months through deep SHOWS, after losing
their way and having to make, with pick
and shovel, their own roads over the noun
tains, they happened to come upon the winter
camp Of the Ute Indians, on a stream called
the Uncompagrc. Almost iamished and
worn out, they were most kindly received by
the Ute chief, Omay, who ministered to
their wants and urged them TO remain and
not attempt further passage until spring
These men speak most highly Of their treat
ment by the Utes.
Most Of the men were content to remain.
bat two small parties OF them struck out,
thinking they could get through to the settle
ments. The first of these, consisting of five
men. travelled about twenty days. and would
doubtless all have perished had they not fall
en- upon the "cattle camp of the Indians.
They had been without food several DAYS,
and had all given out but one man By the
name Of Burk. They were wise enough not
to make another attempt soon.
The second company started a few days
after the first, taking a different route.
They are supposed to have suffered much,
and to have lived on wild berries for some
time. Their last camping grounds were
those above spoken Of, where their bodies
were found, all but one of the six. lie who
went by the name Of Packer arrived at the
Los Pinos Indian agency in two months,
making it the latter part ofMarch. lie told
a sad enough story Of the fate Of his com
radeS; said they became crazed with hunger,
and drew lots to see who should be shot to
furnish food for the rest This horrible tale
Of cannibaliSm was published in the terri
torial papers at the time lie claimed to be
the lucky and last man-as indeed he was
the last
But his companions of the original party
did not give crelence to his story, and were
sure Of foul play. And one day while on a
big spree in Saquache he incautiously dis,
played some of the property which was rec
oguized as having belonged to those who
were missing. Then he was arrested and
bound over as above mentioned.
The bodies found were recognized as those
missing, and it was further to be seen that
they had all been struck about the head with
a hatchet; only one shot. He must have Ia
ken his chance when all Of them were asleep.
They were in a small grove Of pines, shelter
ed by steep cliffs. The remains Of rude
brush tent showed that Packer had remained
there some time, and had partly lived off the
flesh Of his dead comrades Most of them
had money. which was more than induce
ment enough for such fiend to murder
them.