The Portland daily press., 1879-10-30
THE INDIANS.
How the Savages Get Early In
formation.
CAUSE OF THE ATTACK ON MAI OR
THORNBURGH.

6 WASHINGTON, Oct. 29.-Secretary Schurz de-
clines to make public the exact nature of the
new instructions to Special Agent Adams, as
he fears that if he did so they might reach the
Indians and defeat their purpose before Gen.
Adams could get there. 1t appears that tne
hostile Indians have half-breed agents, at
places not far distant from their camps who
watch for the earliest information affecting
their interests, and Immediately convey IL 10
the Indians Speaking of the skill OF the In
dams in learning the intentions OF tne govern
ment one of the best informed ohclals OF the
Indian service today gave the view OF the
origin of the war which the Indian Bureau
has formed since the receipt of the latest in
formation This official said: The last tele-
cram which Agent Meeker sent to the Indian
Bureau stated that he had sent for troops. 1t
was Meekers purpose to have the soldiers held
at distance of fifty miles from the Agency,
and that Thornburgh, with an escort of five
soldiers, should approach the Agent. Agent
Meeker's telegram was published and soon
reached the Denver newspapers. 1t was car
ried by special courier to the Indians, who
knew that troops had been sent for before
Thornburgh had hardly started. The Indians
themselves, it seems, proposed that morn
burgh, accompanied by a small escort, should
visit the Agency, leaving the troops, as Meeker
had suggested fifty miles distant. This wish
of the Indians was communicated to Thorn
burgh who refused to accede to 1t and stated
the Indians thought haughtily-that he should
90 to the Agency. The attack then began,
resulting in the loss of a great number OF In
dians owing to the unusual skill OF Ihorn-
burghs soldiers as marksmen: There have
been Indian wars of considerable magnitude
where the number killed in battle has not been
greater. The loss OF so many OF the braves IN
furiated the 100 mentor the Indian Bureau
does not believe that greater number than
that was opposed to Thornburgh and when
the couriers arrived at the Agency, bringing
news OF these DEATHS the young men could not
be restrained, and Agent Meeker's death fol-
lowed The chain around Meeker's neck IS IN
terpretel as showing that the Indians under
stood that Meeker had sent for soldiers to
chain the Indians because they would not de-
vote themselves to agricultural pursuits.
The Release Of Mrs. Meeker.
DENVER Col, Oct. ga special to the
Tribune from Alamosa, three hundred miles
south of Denver, and the terminus OF the
Grande Railway, says the women and children
recently captives among the Utes, arrived
there at p. M, where they will remain for
few days before proceeding to Denver. They
were surrendered TO Special Agent Adams
after a parley of five hours. Miss Meeker'
lifewas once threatened by Douglas, who placed
gun to her head, but she did not finch, and
told Douglas she was neither afraid of the In
dams nor death, and he slulked away. The
wo men agreed that they owe their safety to
one woman, Susan, wife of Johns on, and sister
of Ouray, who protected them at all times,
move for a woman among Indians, and raised
her voice for the release Of the prisoners.
How a General Indian War May be
Averted.
New YORK, Oct ga Washington special
saws that it is believed at the Interior Depart
ment that if the Utes are disarmed there will
be no trouble, but if not, they will induce the
Navajoes to join them, and general indian
war will ensue.
Oot Draic Gnn Mnr-
ritt's chief of scouts, came into Rawlins this
morning with dispatches and mail. He re-
ports numerous fresh Indian trails crossing the
road in the vicinity of Williams Fork and
also camp fire near Milk River about eight
miles north of Snake River at the crossing of
the Cottonwood Creek on Muddy river. He
saw three Indians. He and Eugene Taylor,
one of Merritt's scouts fired upon them and
they retreated up the bed of the creek. Drais
came on into Rawlins, warning the escort
with the body Of Lieut. Wier which was
short distance ahead of him, and also num-
Der of ranchmen on the way to Snake River.
Lieut.. Wier's body will be here Thursday
morning and be received by Col. Bracketts
command. Funeral services will be held and
the remains shipped east.
The Shoshones and Arapahoes Peaceable.
SHosHoNE AND HAMMOCK AGENCY, Oct.
29-The Indians of this reservation, Shoshones
and Arap ahoes are peaceable and guilty at
tending tn cir duties and no trouble is appre-
hended from this question.
Fear of Trouble with the Southern Utes.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29.-Inspector Pollock
telegraphs from Los Pinos, Oct. 2Sth: "Ouray
says five lodges of the Wuache band of Utes
who have been living on dry cimarron started
about 30 days ago for the Southern Utes'
agency They were last seen near Lavet's
station Rio Grande Railroad. fear they
have been killed by soldiers. If so the
South ern Utes will seek revenge. will start
fart h at a 9t noon ~