The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1878-04-19

: TO STERN the TIDE OF immigration
, and even went SO far as to puI
down some Of the houses erected b,
the miners; but the thirst for go]c
] oFercame all obstacles, new roac
was opened from Walla WalIa, {
new ferry was established by Craig
6 Bell at the crossing Of the CIeaI
Water, and thousands Of people
soon began to flock in, build hous
es, and scatter out in all directions
in search Of the yellow metal. The
town Of Lewiston, located between
the forks Of the Cleav Water and
Snake river, soon sprang into exist
ance and ranches began to appear
along the new road and were re-
built as fast as the military pulled
them down.
Our party followed the Orc Fino
trail as far as Bells ranch, located
on tbs small Camas prairie,' where
The ORC Fino forms a Junction with
the Lo 10 trail. From this point
We took a northeasterly direction
across the country, heading for Sal
mon river. We saw nothing ofthe
hostile Nez Perces who had inter
cepted the Elk City party, and in
deed the thought Of meeting with
any Indians had not entered our
heads. But on the fifth day out, al
the close ola long days march, We
arrived very tired and hungry at .
small creek On tie big Camas
prairie, and about half mile from
the spot we discovered over forty
odges Of Indians.
It vas anything but a safe place
to camp, but our horses were SO
used up that We had no other re
source, and not knowing whether
the Indians we're hostile or not, we
concluded to remain and take
chances. We accordingly proceed, |
Cd to take the packs off the animals, |
towards zf3;5 1g=a GEfg f 15d5s3es 553e In
learning the disposition Of the In
dams. The result Of their mission
was anything bat satisfactory. Tle
famous Looking Glass, who was
the chief Of tie camp, seized one Of
their horses by the bride and
turning the animals head IN an OPP
posite direction, told tue rider that
his party could not continue the
journey through the Nez Perce
country nor even camp where they
were that night. The Chief would
listen to 40 canci!iatory words, but
intimated that bis men would kill
every one Of the whites if they did
not pack up and leave 1t once.
Meanwhile a large party Of war
riors, had come On our camp from
another direction, and when the
two men returned we were mount
ed and prepared for the worst. -
return the way we came was out
Of the question, and as We could not
remain where we were, we conclud-
ed to continue our course towards
Salmon river, whatever the con
sequences might be; and 50 on we
went, the Indians whooping and
yelling, circling around us, and US
ing every artidce to make us turn
back or commence fighting.
Grigsby, who was Of a somewhat
nervous disposition, was several
times on the point Of raising BIZ
rife to FIRE, but was restrained BY
the other mer, who were far too
cool headed 10 risk an engagement
where tho chances were all against
them, and there was good reason
/ to believe that the Indians had no
intention Of doing Us serious injury
unless we commenced the battle.
We Travelled Oh as fast as our
.iaded animals would permit, holding
our rifles across the saddles, cooked
and ready for instant use. The II.
dians would sometimes form In line
Of battle, sweep down upon US with
| III 4 l,..:f,Ia vail. then scat