Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1878-06-08

TrOOps and Setts1rs to the FrOpt-
Two Hundrea Indians Railing
Bruneau yalIey-Three Men MUIR
dered by the Bannocks--No Safety
for Small Parties-InhiaHs Claim
the Valley by Prior Occupancy-
Families Leaving Their Homes.
BOISE CRY, Idaho. June 7.
Major Collins, with an escort OF four
men, reached Fort Boise at midnight m
Wednesday, having left his command in
charge of Col. Bernard, at Big Bend, on
Snake river, who was preparing to cross to
the south side the same night. Col. Rob
bins, chief Of scouts, sent five men across
the river to scout the Bruneau valley.
They proceeded up the Bruneau 10 miles,
to Robiason's ranch, where they found the
settlers all collected in one place and forti-
fed. The valley had been faided by the
Indians, who had completely stripped off
all the stock, which they had taken with
them, going in the direction Of Juniper
mountain and Duck lake. On Sunday,
June I'd, the Indians, about two hundred
in number, and driving some 600 lead Of
horses, were seen by the settlers from their
Notifications, making all possible speed up
the valley. They have now probably
reached their objective point on the upper
waters Of the Owyhee rive, in the neigh
borhood Of Battle Mount in. Wednesday
morning Col. Bernard crossed Snake river
with his cavalry fofce of 90 men and Rob
bins scouts, swimming the horses and
crossing the men and baggage in a small
skif. After crossing, the command pro-
ceeded to Bruneau valley, and took the
trail made by the Indians, and followed in
hot pursuit. The CONN and hal with them
..1.or kl,ax. Iof+ Da++lauta.L a cto{s,,, ~, fba
overland road. on the morning of Tues
day, June 4th, five days rations in
their haversaeks. The object of Major
Collins return was to superintend the de-
parture of the pack-train from Fort Boise,
conveying rations and ammunition to the
troops. At 5 O'Clock L. NJ. to-day, the
train of 80 pack animals left Fort Boise for
the front, with an esctr TT Of 10 infantry
and six cavalrymen, under Lieutenant
Reilly. The whole escort. including pack
ers and others, numbered about so men.
They will so to Munday's Ferry tonight,
On Snake river, where the Boise City and
Winnemucca road crosses, and there await
information as to the whereabouts of
Colonel Bernard, who is now probably rs
miles from Munday's, between the head
waters Of the Bruneau and the waters of
the Owyhee river, and close upon the heels
of the Indians.
A dispatch received here to-day from
Silver City, Idaho, states that a Piute In
dian, from a point called the Big Springs,
IN the old Elko stage road, arrived at Big
Meadows, on the same road, bringing the
information hat the Rannocks had muir
dered three men, one white man and two
Pinte Indians, at Big Springs, just before
he left. The murderers are probably the
.-~~~- 1--1 IL - ...1~l A. .-- Ill.
on Sunday.
A letter received here, Ter stlge, this
evening, from Payne's Ferry, on TIE Boise
and Killen road, brings info rmation that
the bodies Of three white men had been
found on the south side Of Snake river. a
few miles below Glenn's Ferry, who had
evidently been murdered by the Bannock
Indians. Two Of these men were John
Bascom and Robert Ferguson, Of Rock
Creek Station; the name of the other is
unknown. These men were doubtless
murdered by the party Of Bannocks who
raided Glenn's Ferry on the I'd inst. Nh
merous large and small bands Of Indians
are known to DO raiding the country in
many directions. SO that travel by small
parties can no longer be considered safe.
The stages continue to run. but are strong
ly guarded, and suffer many Interruptions
and much loss OF time from the absence of
stock. which has wandered off or has been
stolen. One object Of the Indians seems
to be to prevent travel. by destroying the
ferries, driving off stock, and numbering
small parties; they have stolen a large
number OF fine horses, which no doubt are
designed to mount their force as soon as
they are fully prepared for hcstiliti,s on a
large scale. What they have yet done is
only preparatory to what will be attempted
when they are assembled aud organized.
The Big Camas Prairie, which IL tie bone
OF contention between the whites and In
dams, is a vast medow-like valley, some Is
miles in width, and extendin, in an cast
erly direction from a point Is miles east of
Boise for a distance Of 80 miles. The In
dams claim this valley by virtue
OF prior occupancy, as we'll as from a
clause in some old treaty. which is
said to give them she right of Joint
occupancy with the whites. This Joint
tenure, however, they have now concluded
to ignore, and claim the whole valley for
themselves. The land which is very fer
tile, has been surveyed by the Government
and is now subject to entry under the land
laws OF the valley, and tie adjacent hills
afford the most magnificent pasturagc,
which has been used by the whites for pas
turing large large herds Of cattle and hor-
ses. Between the Prairie and Snake river
hes the Lava Beds. which extend eastward
for a distance of fifty miles or more, with
q width Of from six to eight miles. inclos-
ing every vas,cty OF sustsnanee, which. in
mtny places, completely surround large
areas with high Jagged walls. behind which
a well armed band Of Indians can DEFY the
approach Of many hundreds Of troops. II
Is within these Businesses that the Ban
nocks have made their base Of operations.
The number there is not defini ely known,
hut as they showed themsolv in large
nnmberss as soon rs tie troops had left:
there mnst be q large force there. The
bands are 0 out engaged in railing The
differ mt sections Of country and lines of
travel. and may include the flower Of their
chivalry, who no doubt expect to retarn
when necessary, and urge ACC ermined
war for the possession of the beloved
grounds, the Big Canas Prairie. Parties
arrived to-day from the Cow Gre k local
IN Owyhee county, about fly mi Q
Of Boise C..tt. l,fort thfs 4 e.