The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-10-23
The Massacre ut White River Agency.
RAXLINS. Wv. T.. October IL.

RAwL1Ns, wy. T., October H.
Mr.: Emil Weber and George Fuhr, two
couricrs, have just arrived from what was a
few days ago the White River Agency. From
them learn the following particulars:
General Merritt advanced upon the agency
on the 18th inst. On his way he found many
dead bodies. among others those of Carl Gold
ment supplies for the Utcs at White River
Agency. He was found in a gulch six miles
this side ct the agency. He was shot twice
from his wagons.
A teamster named Julius Moore, formerly
from Bainbridge, Mass, who was with him
from GOldstein with two bullet holes in his
breast, and his body hacked and mutilated
with knife or hatchct.
canyon they came to an old coal mine, and in
it was found the dead body of an agency en-
pl"yc named Dresser. He had evidently been
wounded, and crawIcl in the mine to die. His
coat was folded up and placed under his head
for pillow. Beside him lay Winchester
rifle containing eight cartridges; In one of
his packets Il letter was found, which, as near
rs the courier can remember, was as follows:
WHITE RIVER, September 81 p. IN.
CIV, %MA H.,, THon ORR | will come with
tomorrow. Everything quiet here, and
Douglas is flying the United states fag. We
have been on guard three nights; not that we
expect any trouble, but because there might
TIC. Did you have any trouble coming through
the canyon:
N. T.. MEEkER, u. ;. Indian Agent"
On entering the agency a scene of quiet des-
olation presented itself. All except one house
were burned to the ground, and not IA living
thing in sight except the command. The
Indians had taken everything, except the
flour, and dccamped. The women and chill
dren were missing, and nothing whatever
could be found to indicate what had become
Of them. They have either been murdered
and buried, or else taken away as hostages.
The dead body Of Father Mecker was found
about ono hundred yards from his house, lying
on bis back, shot through the head. The left
side of his bead had been mashed in with some
blunt instrument, piece of barrel stavc
a rH into n his mouth and one Of his hands
The dead body of Mr.. w. II. Post, Father
Mccker's assistant, was found between the
building and tho river, bullet hole through
the left car and one under the ear. He as
well as Father Mccker were stripped entirely
naked.
Another employee, named Eaton, was found
dead: He was stripped naked, and had bur
die of paper bags in his arms. His face was
badly eaten by wolves.
Frank Dresser, n brother to the one discov-
cred i'm the coal mine, was found badly burned.
He had without doubt been killed instantly, as
bullet had passed through his heart.
The bodies of Eaton, Thompson, Price, Esk-
ridge, and all the other employees not named,
were also found. Eskridgc was found two
miles this side of the agency, naked, and a bull
In the position occupied by the Indians dur
| ing ThOrnburgh's battle i'm a brcastwOrk made
| Of stone was found the dead body of an I'M
known white man dressed in buckskin. He
was sitting on his knees. and had his gun ready
| to fire. He was shot through the forehead.
From this it appears the Indians are not alone
| in their hcllish work.
The suppositiOn is the Indians have gone
South to join the Southern Utes and the inn
preston among the officers of Merritt's COM
mand is that the Indians who fought Thorn
burgh numbered at least zoo.