Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1878-07-07
WAR NEWS FROM OREGON.
THE HOSTILES ATTEMPTING TO CROSS THE
COLUMBIA RIVER.
A STRONG FORCE IN JOHN DAY
VALLEY.
Canyon City in a Bad Fix.

A dispatch from the Dalles says that
James Clark and a party of IA men, were
out last Sunday on a scouting expedition
up the South Fork of the JOIN Day river,
and when about IL miles from its mouth,
at Murderer's Creek, they came upon In
dams supposed to be about 1,400 strong,
who endeavored to cut off the line Of re-
treat of Clark and his party, and nearly
succeeded in the attempt. The whites de-
Tended themselves, and one man was killed
and two were severely wounded. Before
the command made their escape, Clark and
two of his men were cut off by the death of
their horses. AS soon as the news reached
Canyon City that Clark was missing, a
party of IL men went to their assistance,
coming across Clark at Cummings ranch.
about two miles from the fork of John
Day river, to which point Clark had sue
ceeded in making his escape. While at
this place the Indians made an attack on
them, and drove them from the ranch,
wounding Schulls. Tie hostiles took the
stage stock and burned the vehicles and all
the buildings on the ranch.
UMATILLA, July 5.
Four men arrived early this morning
from Pendleton, and report a fight with
Indians at Camas prairie. They killed one
Indian and think they wounded two others.
They captured the scalp and head-dress of
the Indian they killed. 1t is believed the
Indians will not como out OF the noun
tains if they can stay there. There were
no Umatilla Indians in the fight.
CLIO, w. T., July 5.
The following dispatch has been received
by Governor Chadwick, now here ON his
way up the river:
WALLA WALLA, July 5.
Nothing from General Howard since the
Doth. Reports from Baker City of the I'd
state that the Generals advance cavalry
was in John Days valley, pursuing the
hostiles. Scouting parties have been en-
countered seventy-five miles from here,
south of Pendleton. Tomorrow night l
expect to have force enough at Pendleton
to prevent the hostiles from crossing the
Columbia river near the mouth Of Snake
river. There is o great deal of needless
alarm here, though there are few troops
here and further north.
(Signed) WHEATON.
VANCOUVER, July 5.
News from the Indian war creates great
excitement and stir here. At 4 o'clock
every available man was under orders to
move at $50 tonight. Major Kress left
on the steamer Welcome with 35 men, one
Calling gun and howitzer, having volun-
teered to serve as river parole, near Wal
lulu. Governor Ferry arrived tonight,
and went up on the same boat, with 200
stand of arms for the citizens.
WALLA WALLA, July s..
A letter received by General Wheaton,
from Major Throckmorton, at Pendleton,
reports everything quiet here. The fol-
lowing is an extract from a letter from 4.
E. Turk, Canyon City, July LIST: / have
just returned from carrying dispatches to
Colonel Growers command; everything is
disorganized; the Indians are all around
us; we nave been fighting for the last three
days; can't tell how many are killed; we
know of ii OF our men; we van help. 1
have been in the saddle for three nights;
all business houses are closed.
SILVER CRY, July 6.
A dispatch from Canyon City, dated July
3D., says: AS your correspondent was on
the eve Of starting from Camp Harvey,
three days ago, to join General Howard, a
courier came dashing into camp from Cen
eral Howard, who was then at Silver Creek,
so miles from Harvey, with orders for p
general supply train, which had just ar
rived at Harvey, to proceed with all posi-
BILE speed to this place Canyon City,, 80
miles distant, with every available man to
guard the train, which included your cor
respondent. We arrived here to-day and
found q great excitement. Fourteen citi-
zen scouts went out yesterday to learn the
whereabouts of the Indians. They went
to the Fork of the JOIN Day, and up the
South Fork eight miles, finding Indian
signs. They commenced examining the
tracks, when suddenly a man appeared on
a distant hill and called out in good Eng
lish: "What are you doing Town there ?"
He was taken to be a white man, and
threw the scouts somewhat off their guard.
The Indians then got in the first fire,
and appeared suddenly in large numbers.
The scouts returned the fire and started
back, firing as fast as they could, the In
dians trying to cut them off. Jim Clark,
the leader of the scouts, had his horse
shot under him, and took to the brush on
the creek. Two others were relieved OF
their horses in the same way, and took to
the brush also. A young man named
Aldrich was shot through the head and
killed instantly. The remaining ten es-
capped, although two were wounded. Geo.
Durham, who was shot-in the rump, and
Frank Adams, my informant, who was shot
through the calf of the leg, are the
wounded, and will be likely to recover.
Adams says they were attacked by at least
200 Indians. The main body Of the In
dams is five miles further ahead. They
number between seven and eight hundred
warriors, and rave 5000 head OF stock
with them. Three armed men rave gone
out from here to-day to look after them.
Nothing has been heard Of the men who
took to the brush, but Adams says it is
impossible for them to escape. The brush
patch is narrow all along the creek, and
the men would have to come on open
ground to get out of the Indian lines.
The Indians may turn to the right and go
towards Malheur river, or they may keep
to the left and pass into Columbia river
valley, below Umatilla. Howard is thought
to be Is miles in the rear Of the main
body of the Indians, and a battle is ex-
pected every day.