Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1879-01-24

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distant, Moses was beard to address his
men in the Indian tongue, at which
they halted sufficiently to close up the
ranks. They again assumed slow
trot coming within few PAGES of us,
when Captain Splawn advanced to meet
them. He said, "How do YOU do,
. Moses! which salutation Moses re,
turned very gruffly and in an excited
manner.
Most of them were painted and tat
tooed, presenting a very warlike ap-
pearance to our company, as we were
not expecting such demonstration.
The conversation was conducted very
slowly between the heads of the two
forces. The five men were asked for
by Captain Splawn, which were refused.
Moses stated he had heard we were
coming to put him on the reservation,
which Splawn told him was not so, as
he (Moses) well knew, but that we
were after the Perkins murderers and
thieves and those we must have. CAP.
tain Splawn then said: Moses, do YOU
mean to furnish us with all these men
you have with you?" Moses, replied
no, but insisted that we should 20 up
the river. He was again reminded of
his promise to Mr.. Wilbur aud the PEG
pie OF Yakima City to furnish us with
i've or six men to assist in capturing
the murderers and thieves. Moses an.
swercd that they had had great deal
Of talk on the Attanum and at the city,
but that it did not amount to arrything,
that it was cuitus.
AT this juncture Moses appeared
greatly excited, and began to pull his
gloves, with the apparent design of
, drawing his pistol. Inmasichee Bill,
Moses head man. went over to our
right aud at this Moses men swung to
our left, cooking their guns as they did
, SO. One Indian on a spotted pony
cooked his gun on the captain. which
act John Sumly, one ofthe police force,
observed and brought his own gun to
, bear on the Indian, while Captain
] Splawn had made sure of Moses in case
he attempted to draw his pistol. Eneas
also held his weapon on Moses, which
made it doubly dubious to Moses, and
, his chances were slim if any further
, similar demonstration was made. Dur
ing this parley no less than seven guns,
, in the hands of these redskins, were
cooked, and all taeir weapons were in
readiness to be discharged in second s
time. During this time We put on an
| apparent unconcern to allay any srspi
. cions that might have arisen in the
e minds of our adversaries and to quiet
q the excitement that this demonstration
1 had occasioned. The parley lasted
). about Oh hour, when Splawn said he
IS had heard Of two Of the murderers
h about 10 miles down the river, and said
d he wanted to secure them that night
f Moses said that they were gone and W,
a could not get them. This matter passed
n off without the firing OF gun, yet it i.
o nevertheless true there is not a membe,
J Of our company but who would make
}. oath that he firmly believed that Nose,
came down with the intention of muir
v dering US, but finding us stronger thar
d he anticipated and all safely on tina
10 side Of the river in readiness TO receiv,
It him, made up his mind that the tasl
d was not so easy and concluded to abau
e don the idea and call it one grand he,
= hee.
: Splawn still insisted that he woulC
e like to have the men he had agreed t,
is furnish. Moses said, 81 may sent
10 them to Crab creek" where we were t.
ID 90 the next day, "but you will see," h,
r. says, when you go there whether
~ have them or not"
: We then withdrew, saying we mus
10 go. Moses answered, "You go you
Il way aud l will go mine.' At this W,
a parted, harboring the feeling of inse
h curity. Moses treachery was so mani
b fest to every one that We did not know
d but what we would be caught in som
At favored place and all mastered.
a We took our departure for Smohalla'
A camp, the retreat Of two of the murder
"a ers, arriving there at about IL o'clocl
n at night. The lodges were surroun let
10 and searched. They numbered Is, an,
not fircarm could be found. As Nose
d had stated, the murderers were no
. there. Smohalla had absconded, takin
n the most Of his men with him, as Their
ID were not to exceed 10 men in all thos
d lodges. We camped there the remain
i der Of the night, placing out stron
\ guard.
ht The next morning Perkins saddl
,;s was found, and we also learned tina
Was. si,tas, Moses brother, had bee
IN there aud appraised them of our coming
M and had also sent word to their era
ut creek allies, SO they had disappeared tw
On days before. We supposed trom the il
~ formation gained here that the hostil,
n. numbered about 100, and that they wei
re in the lava beds, stronghold on era
Mt creek.
,g The following morning, Sunday, ii