The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-10-09
THE UTE MAssACRE.
Particulars OF Che Outrsge--The Cause OF
the Outbreak.
RAwLINg. WYowYry. Oct. 9

PARTICULARS OF She Oufrsge--The Causc OF
the Outbreak.
RAwLIEs, WYoMrno, Oct. 2, 1870.
The following particulars regarding
tho massacre OF Major Thornburgh, scout
Lowry and thirteen privates by tho Ute
Indians are obtained from the courier
who brought the dispatches from Captain
Payne aftor the fight:
Maj. Thornburgh's expedition against
the hostile Utc Indians, when within
seventy miles of the agency, halted for
the night (of tho 20th), and tho Major st ut
Grafton Lowry, one OF his scouts, to the
agency to communicate with Agent
Meeker, and to SEQ how matters stood.
lie found tho utmost confusion and OK
element prevailing. They were about
to murder Mr.. Meeker, but Mr.. Lowry
prevailed upon them not TO commit the
decd. Mr.. Meoker told Mfr. Lowry that
nc attempted to leave the ageEcy with his
| family, but was prevented by tho H.
dinns. They then made another move to
| XIII Mr.. Meeker and fire the buildings
but were induced second time TO desist.
Lowry now attempted to return 10 the
command, but was informed that he
| must remain; but after giving the In
dinns o number OF assurances OF his
peaceablo mission, he was allowed to de-
thirty warriors, who rode with him SOW
| oral miles. and then loft him. Lowry
arrived at the command near Milk Creek
on tho evening Of tho 18th, and gave
Major Thornburgh the above informa-
tion.
The next morning September 2o) the
command advanced, Under this guidance
of Joe Rankin, who is we'll acquainted
with the country. About 8 o'clock In the
morning Rankin discovered fresh Indian
signs, and having arrived at q canon
through which tho road passed, and
which would afford an excellent oppor-
sunity for an ambush, he led the COM
trail well known to him. by this move
meat ho saved tho lives of the command,
for, on arriving mt the top of the hill, he
discovered tho Indians In ambush on
oithor sido of tho canon through which
tho road passed. Major Thornburgh
coming attack. IIe was repeatedly
urged TO fire on the Indians, but persist
entity refused to do 80, saying that his
orders would not justify an attack. Two
Indians now rode up to within hun
dred yards, dismOunted, and with saw
age yell, fired, shooting Captain Payne
through the arm. AT this signal the In
dians gave war-whoop and tho battle
begun. Thornburgh now found that he
was surrounded. He ordered charge,
which he gallantly led in person, and
succeeded In cutting his way out; and
when within about 500 yardB OF his
wagons ho fell dead. with two bullets
through his brain. Captain Payne now
took command, and tho battle was car
ried on until p. IN. The Indians fell
back u short distance and went into
camp During the engagement lowry
was killed. Captain Payne, Captain
Paddock and Wolfe, and thirty-fve men
wero wounded. Major Thornburgh's
body was not recovered when Rankin
left with dispatches.
Settlers from Snake and Bear Rivers
arc fioclSing here for safety, and much
excitement prevails.
THE CAUSE OF THE OUTBREAK.
Upon inquiry at tho Indian Bureau, as
70 tho probable cause OF the recent Indian
fight at Milk Creek, tho following facts
were learned:
N. G: Meeker, agent for tho Ute Indians
at White River, wrote fow days ago O
letter to friends in Greeley, Col, ex plain
Ing tho direct cause which led to the out
break on tho part Of tho Indians. Mr..
Meeker has endeavored to tho ut
most to urge tho Indians to engage
In the cultivation of the soil. He says
that tho agency employees had plowod
ono field and started work upon another.
This was OF about 200 acres, not fenced
and only one half was to bo plowed.
The remainder was to be irrigated for o
bay meadow. They had irrigated O bed
100 feot wide and halfa milo long. Sow
eral Indians objected, ono called Jane in
particular, who Ind built corral on the
ground. Although he hnd been told the
ground would be plowed, Jano held that
It was Uto grouad and no agent should
dictate to them. The Utes did not want
any. moro land plowed That piece OF
land was theirs, and they would not
have 1t piowed.
The agent, however, ordered the plow
to run, but before single round had
been turned there came two Indians win
guns and forbade the plowing. Tho
agent told the breaker to go ahead, but
he soon camo back, saying no had been
shot ut from q brush, whore two Indians
were seen lying. The p1owing was or
dered stopped, and Douglass, chief, was
sent for, but he would do nothing. Jack,
enother chief, was sent for up country.
and he came and big talk was had. It
was decided thnt tho plowing might 90
on and 1t would ba settled. But it was
not settled. Next day tho plowing was
resumed, but the plowman was at once
threatened by two Indians, and VIVA COM
pelled to give up tho job. The bad feel
ing developed by this attempt of tho
agent to cultivate this patch OF ground
soon became moro general, and it was
not long after that the attacks wore made
upon tho agency, and the depredations
committed elsewhere, which resulted in
the calling for assistance.