The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-06-28
Scattered Settlements Destroyed by
S0IQgeS.

A Portland, Oregon, dispatch says: The
news received at Lewiston, Salmon River, is
that the Indians of Joseph's band assembled
on Camas Prairie, June Is, and that four
whites had been killed on the Salmon River,
near the mouth of the Whitebird River. The
Indians attacked the settlers in camp on the
prairie, killed Benz jamin Norton, his wife,
and two or three others, attacked all teams
on the road, and have possession of the
whole prairie except the town of Mt. Idaho,
which they threatened. Friday evening a
force of a hundred troops, two friendly
Indians, and several citizens, left the Lapwai
garrison under the command of Col. Perry
for Mt. Idaho. Soon after news was received
that Capt. Jas. Baker, Samuel Benedict,
wife, and four children, Harry Mason,
Henry Eifers, and Warren's expressman,
had been killed on the Salmon
River; also, that a pack train of
forty mules had been attacked
near Cold Spring, and that two whites,
named Davenport and Ausley, were killed.
arrival of Col. Perry, dispatch came
through to the effect that Col. Perry arrived
at Mt. Idaho Saturday morning, and found
the reports of those killed true, and that
the Indians had gone to Salmon River, and
the troops were in pursuit.
Messages from Kamekoi, brought by In.
| dian runners to the agency, state that twenty.
nine whites had been killed, and that the
whites had killed White Bird, chief of the
band, and his family. L. E. Winston has an
organization of sixty men, partly armed, for
home duty in case of an emergency. Two
companies of Infantry are expected on the
steamer from Wallawala tonight, and
twenty-five cavalrymen from Wallawala to-
| morrow. Five hundred Indians are on Hog
mans Creek, but there are no hostiles there
yet.
Later intelligence, dated June 10, says
Troops, with one hundred and fifty men from
Mt. Idaho, encountered the Indians at the
head of White Bird Canon. The troops dis
mounted and left few soldiers and twenty
friendly Indians to hold their horses. Tht
Indians opened fire upon the troops. TIL.
fighting was continued for some time. The
friendly Indians became alarmed. Tht
soldiers guarding the horses could see thu
Indians were getting the best of the fgh
and the soldiers were retreating. The Cap
tain of the citizens and Sergeant LytIe ane
one soldier are known to be killed. Th,
whites broke and run, some fo
Mt. Idaho and some for Lapwai, leaving
the horses to run loose owe
the prairie. Those coming to Lapwar neve
stopped till they reached the post. Man.
houses on the prairie have been burned
Another soldier who reached the garrison a
eight O'Clock on the morning of the 18t]
iAVAiI 1hC hSu1s 1cPol oltcO euot tAC tioopo wei
ON foot, and surrounded by the Indians in
canon, and in a hand to hand fight. Col
Perry and about one-half of the command
: are said to have been killed, and the re
l mainder surrounded and fighting agains
3 odds when the soldiers left.
The Indians engaged in the fight are tn
O non.treaty Nezperces. They, together wit
other disaffected tribes, number about tw
}, hundred effective warriors. There is ger
c eral anxiety, and the whole country is viii
f with alarm. The Indians are massacrein
D men, women and children in the Cams
q Prairie, and the settlers are fleeing in a
directions for safety. General Howard
: now at Lewistown, but is powerless, OWN
d to the inadequate military forces. TrooI
l. have been ordered from number of pos
|. in the department, and will soon be on the
: way to the scene. General Mcdowell, cor
, :, manding the Division of the Pacific, h,
been telegraphed to, and speedy assistant
q | dod