Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-07-13

his own and his fathers regrets tha,
| should be found in such bad com
panv. He alluded to Peltro several
times being Il bitter enemy to the
church. He assured me of his most
friendly intentions toward myself. ]
refused to abandon the party. He
was dead to my appeal in behalf Of
my companions. Convinced that
there was no hope for us but in
strategy, | deemed it necessary to
leave the agency for several days.
We passed through Fillmore about
the 10th of January aBa had to 90
about ten miles beyond when we
were halted by a band of armed Nor
mons, probably ten in number. The
leader, who said he was Sheriff OF
Fillmore, claimed to have a warrant
for the arrest of tho party. | demand
ed to know the offense. He replied
that we had trotted our horses through
Fillmore, it being in violation of a
city ordinance. Knowing well that
this was but a decoy, l managed tic
compromise matters by paying the
Sheriff $50.
eve reached the Santa Clara
about the 18th of January. The
weather was very cid, mailing and
showing during the day. Our animals
were weak and exhausted. Night set
in dark and stormy, the ground GOV
cred with snow. After supper we
lay down to sleep, and remained to-
gether side by side, to keep warm.
The camp fire was burning brightly.
ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION.
"Having passed the most extreme
southern settlements, my companions
considered that they were beyond dan
ger, and, disregarding my advice,
selected this camp, which was but q
short distance from Washington, a
Mormon settlement. Wrapped in pro
found sleep a shower of leaden hail
swept the camp. Wilson and Brown
being badly wounded; Peltro but
slightly. | sprang to my feet, and,
advancing toward the assailants, re-
turned the fire. / received several
wounds, n between the eyes, which
Frustrated me. After the lapse Of six
ty hours the United States mail lrty
arrived. During this time / was alone,
my companions having sought shelter
in the rocks, and | should have perish
ed bnt for the timely arrival of the
mail party in charge of John Hunt,
Lewis Newell, Mr.. Pugh and a few
others, whose names [ do not know.
Hunt is well known in Salt Lake City
and in southern Utah.
"The Danites took our horses, six in
number. The Peltro horse, which
vas the best animal of the lot, was in
the possession Of a DANTE in Salt
Lake City. | don't know his name.
Bill Hickman could throw much light
on this case. | believe the Washing
ton settlement was the rendezvous of
the party before the attack. | believe
(here Tobin names the men whom he
believes to have been concerned in this
cowardly assault upon HIM directed
the NOV ement.
INJURIES INFLICTED.
"When in Cedar City-took a mum
Der of suspicious looking Mormons to
take a good look at us. Wilson was
shot through the back Of the neck and
sustained other injuries which / can
not now describe, and died soon after
ward in California. / was not pres
ent at the time. Brown was wound
ed in the right arm and hand, and
when saw him in Los Angeles he
was in a poor condition and afraid his
wounds would mortify. | do not
know whether he is living or dead.
Peltro's injuries were slight. never
heard of him after orr arrival in Cal
ifornia. carry two bullets; one in
the head and the other in my side, to-
gether with other injuries not inflicted
with bullets.
Gone of the Danites was in Amasa
Lyman's company, on the Mohave, in
1858, and fled to the house on seeing
me. My visit to Lyman's camp was
accidental, | learned this fact in Salt
Lake City from a daughter of G. g..
Rich, a Mormon apostle. She knows
his name. Lyman could tell much if
he would. John Hunt, if disposed,
could point to many of the party en-
gagged, at least | think so. This case
is but a link and will reveal other
butcheries prior to 1857"