The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-06-06
THE IDAHO INDIAN WAR.


At Abe Corder's we learned that Captain
Boise jim and several Indians who had been
encamped at that place had left suddenly
upon hearing that the troops We're coming.
Col. Bernard marched all night, passed Cor
der's at daybreak and reached Dixie station
| on the Rock river road at o'clock Friday
evening The Indians under Capt. Boise
| Jim We're ahead of the command, with the
purpose, it was thought, of notifying the In
dians on the prairie of the approach of the
troops. Everywhere along the stage road
| the Indians were seen to leave suddenly,
and along the trails they travelled, they had
in their haste scattered buffalo robes and va
rious other articles. Col Bernard was adj
vised not to 60 into Camas Prairie with his
present force, as the Indians are reported to
be in strong force and determined to fight.
1t is evident that the force under Major Col
| Inns (about 20 men) is too small to offer bat
tie to the Indians. All that can be done
will be to watch the Indians until reinforce
ments can come forward. Twenty armed
men from Rocky Bar, with Sheriff Campbell
| Joined Col. Bernard Saturday morning and
| went with him to Camas Prairie.
The distance from Boise City by trail to
Big Camas Prairie is - miles; by the wagon
road it is IS miles. The point i'll the lava
beds occupied by the Indians is at the head
of Clover creek, and about fifteen miles from
| King Hill station on the overland road.
| These lava beds are parallel with Camas Prai-
| RE and are estimated to be full 50 to 60 miles
| in length. 1t is here the Indians are en-
camped, with ample room for natural de-
lenses plenty of wood water and grass, and
where they will be able to stay all summer
unless large force is brought against them.
From their natural fortresses they can sally
out upon the settlements and make the roads
impossible and the country uninhabitable.
The pretended grievance of the Indians is
that the Big Camas Prairie which they have
visited every summer from time immemorial,
is being occupied by whites with their herds
of horses cattle and hogs which trample
and root out the camas, destroying one of
their main resources of food: but the fact is
they have been preparing to go on the war
| path since last summer, and have chosen this
locality for the base of their operations
There is a rumor current among the Ban
nocks to the effect that Chief Joseph is liv-
ing i'll a splendid furnished mansion, with
| servants horses fine clothes. and every lux
ury that heart can wish. This good fortune
they think has come to Joseph as a reward
| for his bravery in last summers campaign,
and they are ambitious OF initiating his eX-
ample with hopes of like reward
| 1t is estimated that there are 800 Indians
in the lava beds.
! Bannock warriors on Friday last robbed
| King Hill stage station ON the overland road.
| Is miles from Boise City, and drove of the
stage stock, horses. The hostler, Mr.
| Packard saw the Indians coming, and es-
capped to the hills.
After getting all they wanted at King Hill
the Indians crossed Snake river at Glenn's
Ferry and captured two large freight teams
on the other side. One of the teams was
loaded with groceries and provisions for d.
Levi, of this city The other team had a
considerable amount of powder revolvers
and cartridges for Coffin & kenneallv, hard
ware merchants and Buffalo Horn and his
warriors took this ammunition without an
executive order. The Indians loaded their
horses from the freight wagons and cut the
| ferry boat loose The teamsters have not
been heard from since, and it is not known
whether they are killed or not. There are
great many teams on the road. and the In
dams can get all the provisions they want.
Col Demands scouts were informed by
man that the body of murdered man and
articles OF woman's clothing were found
near Owyhee early Saturday morning. Col
Demands command reached Big Camas pra-
IRE Sunday, and entered the Indian strong
hold the hostiles decamping in haste about
there. One hundred Indians still remain in
the lava beds. Scouts are watching them
while the command is marching towards |
Mundy's ferry to intercept the Indians dis
lodged on Sunday.
SAN Francisco. June 4-Governor Bray |
may, Of Idaho Territory, teegraph> denying |
the charge that he furnished ammunition to
Bannock Indians He also states that war |
Is imminent, that all arms under his control |
have been issued and further supply is !
coming from Vancouver and Bencia.
CHIcAGo, June l-Under date Of April 18th !
Major Guido llges, commanding the seventh |
Infantry at Fort Benton. informs the military !
headquarters here that the hostile Sioux, Ar |
rapahoes, Chcyenne,, and other Indians as
semhled al the eastern corner of Cypress
mountains and known As Sitting Bull, camp, |
contemplate an early invasion south Of the |
boundary line. Major Iiges considers the sit |
uatiOn critical. The SiOuX-2OO0 warriors
trusted by nobody in that region. fully armed |
and equipped, defiant and ready for a fight,
have caused him Ia move his tort TO new
place better fitted for defence. Sitting Bull |
recently made a rancorous harangue. prom
i-ing TO return 10 the United State, when the
gra>, grows and make the soldiers weep. |
grand war dance and mastering Of various
tribes followed this speech.
The Portland Oregonian of Tuesday gives
the following:
1t j. deemed necessary by the military au-
thorities, in view Of the news from Idaho, 10 /
concentrate troops a. rapidly a possible at |
Boise City 10 move against the hostile Ban |
nocks. Gen. Howard will command the eXpe- |
dition. and will himself start on Friday. Troops |
are already ordered forward. Two compan- |
les are drawn from Fort Candy and six from |
Vancouver All those at Walla Walla will he |
sent forward In couseuupnce Of the some /