Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1878-08-09
Indian Demonstration on White Bird
aud Salmon River

one from j. ". Ppe, Es1., aud one tr"u,
Maj. Hanc. k, giving AN account Of
some hostile demonstrations on Salmon
river and near the mouth of White
Bird on Sunday last. We also gather
some other par iculars from Mr.. Dun
we'll, the driver. On Thursday of last
week, l3 armed Indians were seen to
cross the stage road near lawyers can.
yon in the direction Of Salmon river.
Soon after three kamias came up on
their trail aud said they were some Of
White Birds band and that they had
stolen two y uny boys from the Kamias.
Word was immediately sent TO Mt Idaho.
but from some cause did not reach there
IN time to effect any pursuit. The three
kamias pursued Us far as the north
shore Of Salmon river aud there found
their boys, who rep,rted that the In.
dams had crossed to the south side.
The kamias took their boys and re.
turned. Nothing furt her was heard #
the Indians till Sunday, about noon.
when John Hack and old Mr.. Wuod.rd
encountered some Of them ON Whi,e
Bird just above the mouth, aud old Mr..
Hussy aud one Of Mrs. Kenedic,'s boys
At about that time we're ired up from
the sou h eide Of Salmon, tho bali.
whi>tling near thor heads and above
them. The Indians could not be seen
by tlu 81 nor BY the boy. They also
heard firing in the direction Of John
Dnmacs cattle ranch on the south side
OF Salmon and below the mouth "i
White Bird. John Hack aud Woodard
came Immediately to. MT. Ida 0, aud
Go! Morris with 20 volunteers started
forthwith for the mouth of White Bird
determined to cross the Salmon ii they
could not find the Indians this side.
John Hacks statement is about as fol.
laws: "On Sunday as he " rid,n.
al'ns the trail above the no,th Il
White Bird. an Indian came suddenly
ont Of the brush aud presented gun to
MIN, seized bis horse by the bride and
ordered him to dismount. About this
ii ne a second Indian or half breed came
"ut Of the brush aud in 90 d English
demanded of him truthful answers tn
the following questions: How many
soldri.rs are ut Mt. Idaho?., He an.
swered not NOR. than 90. which was
near the truth, but Q added t!rt four
companies Of Cavalry were p Ct d to
De there that night and tw" or three
c'mpanies Of Infantry the next morn.
ing. This list was a bluff. The hall
breed then asked him what he knew
about the Un,aiillas. the Binnocks and
The White Birds. To these he could
give only imperfect answers The hall
breed then gave him a silver brick
weighing about 4 "z. and It'd him 10 W
10 Browns st.re on Salmon ri. er aud
get him sumo ~hi-key He tmk the
brick and started on foot, but the In
dian then gave hiu, back his horse that
he might return quick. He tarted Of
in the direction Of the store, but 30 soon
ss he was out Of sight of the Indians h.
changed bis course and rode rs hard as
his horse could take him to NJ. Idaho =
At 10 p. NJ. Sunday, Maj. Hancock
letter says. y Frcnchmau arrived at Mt
Idaho who made his escape from the In
dams near the mouth Of White Bird
lie came on foot rs he had 40 time /,
get his horse. He reported that tier
were at least % Indians there, that he,
had ben firing into the china houses
that he thought they were Sn .kes II
they came from the direction of IN
mouth of the I'anaha on the Snake .iv
er On the roure in he met the voluu
'eers un,lcr Col. Norris. This letter q
Hancock's was written at 1 A. NJ, of tn
9Th, just ~ the stage left. A, hall pas
ga. NJ. y gentleman. asen, 0! Mr.. Han
r;s, WIN was on the prairie putting u
agricultural implements. left far thi
place. He reports 10 Us that after tn
stage left aud bei"re his leaving. ma
came to Mt. idaho saying that the Ia
dams b 4 robbed the china store on Sa
mon river II every thing, had eithe
killed or driven away the ehinsmen an
had killed iva white men. The name
If the men killed he did not learn. II