The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-01-02
PIONEERS TO THE 'FRONT.'.
YAKIMA CRY, DEC. 81, 1878.

For long time our citizens have
been in constant dread of Chief Moses
and his band of renegade Indians.
We know that his strong hold in the
mountains has been refuge for every
desperate red skin from Montana to
California, and they were liable at any
time to raid our county, and with knife
and torch mark their pathway in blood
and ashes, and the fate of Idaho and
Umatilla be ours. In July last Per-
kins and wife were killed, and Father
Wilbur has been quietly at work with
his detectives to find the murderers.
He ascertained portion Of them were
with a band of renegade Umatillas
near Priests Rapids, and in order to
have the cooperation of Moses in Sc
curing their arrest sent for him to
come in and hold council. The chief
complied, and at a meeting held in our
city he agreed to assist. Mr.. Wilbur
was to furnish fifteen of the police
force under Capt. Eneas; the citizens
thirty volunteers under Capt. VIM.
Splawn, and Moses five Indians, to
meet the command at the Rapids, to
act as guides. All seemed satisfied
and our citizens felt sense of security.
On the 10th ult. the brave little COM
mand left Yakima City with warrants
duly signed for the arrest of the MUIR
derers.
But mark the duplicity of Moses.
At the very time of the council he sent
his brother, post haste, to gather in all
his band to meet him at his camp.
But when Capt. Splawn crossed the
Columbia and just mounted his COM
mand, the terrible war-whoop was
heard, and in moment more Moses
with sixty-fve mounted warriors,
painted and armed, with repeating
rifles, swept in sight. They wheeled
into line about one hundred yards in
front Of Capt Splawn, after vain at
tempt to cut the boys off from the
river. Moses rode out about six PAGES,
when the boys moved up within about
ten or fifteen yards Of the red skins,
ready for action. Not an eye quailed-
the boys felt they were in for it, and
were ready to record bloody history.
Capt Splawn rode up to the great
chief and asked, "Wherc are the five
men you promised" show is it you
come down on me in this manner with
so many menr evil you send any
men out with mew Moses said "they
will meet you at Crab Creek" Capt.
said: "You promised Wilbur to send
me five men," Moses said, s'the talk
l had at Yakima was all 'cultus.'"
At this Moses took off his gloves, a
signal to his men, and in an instant
their guns were leveled upon the
whites, while FIVE or six painted devils
drew upon Capt Splawn. When our
boys saw the savages meant business
they were equal to the emergency, and
began to look along their needle guns,
fully intent on outstanding as many
Indians as possible, and al willing and
anxious to act the part Of missionary
to Chief Moses When Moses saw our
men fully prepared be said to Capt
Splawn "you 60 your way and will
20 mine" Splawn wheeled his COL
umn and proceeded to White Bluffs.
Had the men crossed the Columbia
where Moses told them they would find
canoes, it il the firm belief Of the
command that Moses was intending to
cut them OF But Eneas, the Capt.
Of the Indian police, suspicioned for
some reason, trsachery on the part Of
Moses, and they crossed below.
Our citisens have been busy for
warding supplies to the 'front.' Mr..
Wilbur has bis headquarters in town,
and The arrivals and departures Of
messengss on Aeet horses remind ~
a The last war. The boys have not
bssn idle-on the march day and night
Constant watching; incsssant action.
6ome On foot-all on The slert, and
With jaded horses they vent into The
struue-hold a Tie. savagss, and sent
back three a IL murdepen Yakima
(ystv and Atkannm vn11avn have cent