Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1877-06-20
INDIAN WAR
IN Ofegon-The Red Devils Muir
dering Men, Women
and Children.
Government Ponericss and c.a,no.
Help them

WAsHINGToN, June l9.-Gon. Sher.
man has received from Gen. Mellow
ell at San Francisco, the following
dispatch from General Howard at
TT. Lapevai, Washington Territory
On the 10th inst. the Indians began
by numbering a white man in re-
venge. They killed three others at
the same time. Since they have be-
gun a war upon The people near Mt.
Idaho. Captain Perry has started
with two companies for them. 9th
CT troops are being brought forward
as fast as possible. Give me authori-
ty tor % Indian scouts and think we
shall make short work of il.
Signed, UowApD.
SAN FRANCISCO, June, l9.--The fol-
lowing particulars have been rcceiy-
ed of the Indian outbreak in Oregon.
The Salmon river Indians and Jo-
scph's band assembled on Coma's
prairie, killed four whites on Sal
mon River, near the mouth of White
Beard river. The Indians soon at
tackled the settlers on Coma's prairie,
killed BENZ. Norton, his wife and two
or three others, attacked all the teams
on the road and had possession Of
the whole prairie except the town or
Mt. Idaho, which they threatened.
On Friday evening q force Of 100
troops, 20 friendly Indians and sever
al citizens left Lapwai garrison I'M
der command of Col. Perry for Mt.
Idaho. Soon after, the news reached
here that Capt. James Baker, Samuel
BENEDICT wife and four children,
Harry Mason, Henry Eifers, and
Warren's eSprcssman had been killed
on Salmon river: also pack train of
forty mules had been attacked near
Cold Spring and two whites named
Davenport and Ously, killed. Two
half-breed Indians escaped. After
his arrival Col. Pcrry's dispatch came
through to the effect that he arrived
at Mt. Idaho on Saturday morning
and found the reports of those killed
true. The Indians had gone to Sal
| mon river and the troops were in
| pursuit
Messages from Kawakoi, brought
by Indian runners TO the Agency,
state that 90 whites had been killed
and White Bird, chief of the band
and his family.
| L. Emeston has an organization of
60 men partly fitted for home duty
in case of emergency. Two compa-
MES of infantry arc expected on the
steamer from Walla Walla, tonight.
and % cavalrymen, tomorrow. One
hundred and fifty men from Mt. Ida
no encountered the Indians at the
head of White Bird canon. The
troops dismounted and left few
soldiers and 20 friendly Indians to
hold the horses. The Indians open
ed fire upon the troops and the fight
ing was continued for some time, un-
til the friendly Indians became alarm
ed, as the Indians were getting the
best of the fight and the soldiers were
retreating. The Capt. of the citizens.
Sergt. Little and one soldier are
known to be killed. The whole horse
guard of Indians and whites broke
and run, some for Mt. Idaho, and
some for Lapwai, leaving the horses
to run loose over the prairie. Those
coming TO Lapwai never stopped till
they reached the post. Many houses
on the prairie have been burned.
Another soldier who reached the
| garrison at s o'clock on The morning
of the 18th, from the fight, reported
that the troops were on foot and sur
rounded by Indians in canon and
engaged in a hand to-hand fight.
Col. Perry and about half his sscom.
mand arc said to have been Killed
the remainder surrounded and fight.
ing against odds when the soldier
left. The Indians engaged in the
fight are non-treaty Nez Perccs. They
together with other disafected tribes
number about 1900 effective war.
riors. There is a general uprising OF
savages, and the whole country is
wild with alarm. The Indians are
massacreing men, women and chill
dren in lamar Prairie, and the set.
tiers are fleeing in all directions for
safety. Gen. Howard is at Lewiston
but is powerless owing to inadequate
military forces. Troops have been
ordered from number of posts in
the department and will soon be or
the way.
! Gen. Mcdowell, commander of the
Division Of the Pacific, has been tele.
graphed to and speedy assistance de.
mandcd. Further and sanguinary
details are expected here. Governor
Chadwick has also been applied to
for arms.
Gen. Mcdowell adds, q had already
informed Howard of your decision
that this division has all the Indian
scouts that can be allowed.
The Cabinet is in session. and
Henry Ward Bccchcr called on the
President to-day.