The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-07-04
Massacre by Utes.
Leadville Democrat.

Mr.. Blake Burton, who since last summer
had run the French bakery, near the corner
of Harrison and Jefferson avenues, left Lead
vile, April last with party of companions
for the purpose of prospecting in the Ute
reservation. Since his departure nothing had
been hear from him until letter, received
by his friends in Leadyille, Friday evening
last brought intelligence of his capture by
the Ute Indians on the borders of the ressr-
walton, and of the foul massacre Of the other
prospectors. In the interim of silence his
friends entertained the greatest anxiety for
his safety, and were greatly relieved 10 learn
that he is still living, though his life is held
at the mercy of the hostile savages. The let
ter is in Burton's handwriting, and is traced
with q pencil on an oblong piece OF the
toughest kind of brown paper.
1t is addressed to Miss Jennie Ferguson,
box 2,4S3, Lesdville, Colorado. The Fergu-
son family live on the corner of Hemock and
Tenth streets. Mrs Ferguson was partner
of Mr.. Burton in the bakery business. Mr..
Burton used all available strategy in endeav-
oring to communicate with his friends since
his capture. He used corn husos and buck
skin for previous letters and secreted them in
the pelts forwarded by the Indians, thinking
that they would fall into the hands of some
one that would forward them to his friends.
This letter, done up in buckskin, he tied
under the name of pony which was stolen
by the Indians and had TO be returned. The
letter was found by a cowboy named John
Coleman and forwarded rs directed. 1t reads
as follows:
CAMP NEAR WHITE RIVER AGENCY, |
Meyl4, 1889.
"Mlis Jennie FergWon:
II will write once more, and hope it will
reach you some time. This will tie under
the name Ola pony stolen by the Utes which
will be returned tomorrow morning; at least,
they take them away every morning, all that
the scattering band bring into camp. Am
left. Tomorrow night, | think, if every
thing goes we'll, will make my escape. This
may be discovered by some one and mailed to
you. There were two Others captured at the
same time was, but they were killed. This
is the fourth time have written to you, and
you must have received some of my letters.
gave you the full particulars of my capture
in all of them.
"Dent be uneasy about me, as do not
think there is any danger of -scalping
match, as have made friends with several
braves, chiefs Chawumpel and Powauha.
lost my mules, wagon and all the grub. The
Frenchman and two other fellows that were
along were to raft across the GunnisCn river
at Lake Fork, while | went below to cross
and meet them. never saw them since. |
don't know whether they were killed or cap
tured, or not.
81 wrote you one letter with red ink on
buckskin and corn husks, and put them
among some pelts they we're sending off
Tell uncle to write mother and say am
WE'LL and in the Gunnison country. Will
write to you as soon as | get to postotiice
then | will expect an answer from you
With much love to all | remain,
Yours, etc, B. b."
"P. ST. took this off the pony to write
some more. Hope you are well, and doing
well in your new place. 1t seems about
two years since left Leadville. am going
to try and get my gun back again. If | dc
| will Law out two more red devils, if they
don't let me go. But they watch me very
close, day and night.
81 can 90 anywhere in day time. There is
one old buck who can understand little
English. 1 have plenty Of carry that i:
meat, and 'trouchee | can beat
them all catching them, as had hook in
my hat band, ard that pleases them and
amuses them. They all turn out in the
morning as soon as it is warm, and catch
grasshoppers. There is a lake near by full Of
'trouchee.' "ADIoUSE S1GNoRETTE,
"Muncha, muncha,
Love to you"
"Pease mail to Miss Jennie Ferguson, box
2,409, Leadville Col"
A note written by the COW boy, Coleman
and inclosed with the letter read as fol
lows:
"Miss Ferguson, this letter was done up il
buckskin and tied on one of my pories that
was sold by the Utes in May. This is the
first post.oflice | have struck and put this
in hope you will get it.
"JoHN COLEMAN, Cowboy"
1t would appear from the letter and note
that the Utes were compelled to return the
stolen ponies either at the instance of the
government or their chiefs. 1t is hoped BY
the friends of Burton that some effort will bt
ma e to compel the Utes TO give up theil
captive, whose life is in danger at any mo
ment if he ia still in the hands of the savages
Miss Jennie Ferguson, to whom the lette
is directed, is not in the city, having lief
Wednesday for Colorado Springs, wher'
Burton's uncle is living.
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