Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-07-27

THE INDIAN WAR.
Chief JOstph EntrenChed at Lola
Creek with 500 Warriors.
Excitement StlIl High at CamRj
Prairie and all Business
Suspended.

SAX Francisco. July 2e.-The follow.
log press dispatch was received from
Lewiston, the 18th, via Dayton; Lieut.,
Dunwell, Mr.. Laudon and others arrived
with the mail and express from Pierce
City, having left that place yesterday at
10 am. From Dnnwell and Landon we
gather the following: Two men had
come in from Muscle Shell mines, about
twenty-five miles cast Of Camas grounds,
aud reported seeing two parties Of war
riors-seventeeu in one and twelve il
the ot%her-coming over Lola trail from
Bitter Root to join Joseph.
Horse.tracks Of the hostiles are found
at different points neat Pierce City and
moc~casin-tracks within two hundred
yards OF town, plainly indicating the
presence Of Indian spies arouud the
place. The defense of the place is
comparatively nothing against the force
of Indians. Dunwell learned from an
Indian squaw and some old men that
Joseph is entren ched on Lola, above
0roGno and Camas prairie crossing;
that he was not going to leave the coun-
try; that he was increasing his forces
every day; that be had then between
four aud FIVE hundred warriors and said
that be would have as many as General
Howard. He intended to whip Howard
aud then 90 to Lewiston and back to
to WalIowa. They claim to have all the
supplies they need,
Joseph's camp is in the canons Of Lola
creek a few miles east of 0rofuo ami
Camas prairie crossing, and he has stock
secreted at a place called Little Camas
prairie, between Lola creek and the mid
die fork of Clear Water. Joseph's posi-.
ton is very stronly fortified naturally,
and almost inaccessible from the south
or west. The approaches to his stock is
difficult aud apparently well guarded.
One Of these old Indians told them that
all the young men from that section had
gone to join Joseph. Dnnwell and party
say that the smoke from Joseph's camp
is plainly visible from the wagon road
between Dunwell Ferry and Pierce City,
and the camp itself is about twelve miles
from Pierce City in a direct line east Of
south. LaHdon says his force can by
Right reach a position in the rear Of 10.
seph, via Dunwelps Ferry and oroiuo
creek, without discovery by the hostiles,
and prevent their further retreat by the
Lola trail, should they attempt it when
attacked from the south or west. Dun
well and party have applied for guns to
arm a company organized at Pierce City,
consisting Of forty nine men, most of
whom arc without arms, aud says that If
they cannot be had he desires a force Of
armed men to 20 back with him and es-
cort families out Of Pierce City. With
out arms there TO defend the place it
must be abandoned, as he believes the
people there are in great danger of an
attack at any moment by Joseph's bande.
The express arrived to night. Merrill,
the messenger. reports the Indians in and
about Camas Prairie. Excitement is still
high at Camas prairie. No business is
being transacted except for the protec.
ton Of life. Reports Of q large number
of Indians upon a fork of Clear Water,
variously estimated OF from one to two
hundred, are brought by lambermen on
North Fork.
Captain Spurgeon Bornos and Major
Weeks start for the front in the morning;
also several wagons loaded with pro.
visions, and eighty guns and ammuni.
ton for volunteers and citizens Of Mount
Idaho.