, 1876-10-14
,Vhc WnlioVya Valley Trouble.

Judge S. c. Bruinarl of Union Co.
e,2rn., has written letter to Gen. How
ard. giving the situation Of things in the
Walowa Valley. We give the letter Of
Judge Brainnr,l and "A portion of one
written by Mccall to Judge b. both of
which were published in the Ongoni0,;
UNION, OREGON, Sept. /, 1876.
GEN. o. o. HOWARD, ,RrLANp, OGN.
Dcor Sir-Accompanying this | send a
letter from John Mccall and Others of the
Wullowa valley. Mccall must not be
contoundcd with McNall who had the
difficulty. The settlers in the valley
understand that they have the right to
locate there, and to the protection OF the
State. Joseph and his band can hardly
he cMsscd ns wild Indians, being ncCus'
toned to the habits and ways Of the
whites: hence the sentiment is becoming
general that forbcarancc has almost Ceas,
ed to be II virtue.
From the last interview of Col. Wood
with Joseph ut LNpwai, you have no
doubt noticed the dnim,S of the letter.
The band collectively are insolent and
aggressive, They have no doubt helped
themselves at different times to beef,
They have been accused of taking horses,
hut the last charge think cannot be sub.
stantiated by positive proof,
| have enlalvOrcd to restrain all ug-
grcssive action on the part Of the whites
to the present time, and in conclusion,
General, permit me to say that have
been careful to present the situation
truthully and without prejudice, and
that it seems absolutely necessary that Il
small force be stationed in the valley or
that some other precautionary measures
be taken to preserve the peace.
Very respectfully, your obcdicnt servant,
&c. BRAINARD,
County Judge.
Following is copy of the letter re.
Y ceivej by Judge Brainard, and forward.
ed to Gen. Howard:
HEAD OF WALLowA LAKE, Aug, q, 1876.
Hon. 4. G. BRAINARD-Deur Sir :.
4 This evening we--Jom Mccall, George
Wilson and II. Perkins-loaded Perkins
seine for the purpose of making II haul
of fish on our fishing claim (Which we
have complied with the law in putting
up our notices and using the same for
fishing purposes) when two Indians
X commenced striking at me John McCalD
with clubs, using ut the same time loud
talk. Thought it meant fight, and with
considerable dodging and parrying man
aged not to receive any severe bruises
from the Indians. There were at the
N same time about fifteen Indians collected
q on the beach, but only two of them took
an active part in the fight. The Indians
also made their threats to Mr.. Perkins
and others, that they were going to stop
Y the whites from fishing here in two days
from now. We have spent considerable
4 money here for the purpose of putting
up fish, and we do not like to quit and
9 be driven from our homes with clubs in
the hands of brutal Indians.
lfprompt action is not taken by the
military, something more serious is like
iy to occur at any time, III feeling has
existed between the Indians and whites
in the valley ever since the latter began
y making homes there, and unless good
y Judgment is used, and decisive action is
taken in settling the matter at once, the
country will be compelled to listen to
a the sickening details ofanother outbreak.
6 The Indians are not disposed to yield
their possession of the valley unless conf
PEELED by force Watchman.