Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-13
A Ranchman's Wife and Two Chill.
dren Killed and Horribly Mutt
lated While He Is Absent.
SMOKING RUINS MARKED HIS HOME
Edward Sawyer, Disheartened by His Ca.
lamity, RetHrns to New Hampshire,
Never to Go Back.
INDIANS DREADED BY THE SETTLERS.
A Story Of Their Trssohsry and Eov Three Were
Quickly Dispatched

One hears much these days of the noble
red man and how he is robbed and starved
by the Government agents, but that is no
reason, as General Miles says, that he
should murder helpless settlers and inno-
cent children. A tale of murder and mutt
lation by the redskins was told at the Union
depot last evening that is blood-curdling.
Ten years ago Edward Sawyer emigrated
with his family from New Hampshire to
Western Nebraska, near the Wyoming line,
and taking up claim went into the cattle
business. Four weeks since, when be came
home at night, he found his wife and two
children murdered, scalped, and horribly
mutilated. His home was in ashes and his
cattle were driven off
Discouraged and dishearIened he threw
Up both hands and quit the country forever.
Last night he reached Pittsburg on his way
back to New Hampshire. He was accom-
panied by Joe Banks, another cattle man,
who formerly lived near New Castle.
Completely Dazed by Affiiction.
Mr.. Sawyer is middle-aged man, and he
seemed dazed. He was so overcome by bis
terrible calamity that he could speak little
about it. Joe Banks, however, related the
story. He said:
MY ranch is not far from Mr.. Sawyer's
claim, and one morning, about four weeks
ago, he came over to my place, and we
went out to hunt for some
stray cattle. We knew the Indians
were excited and threatening destruction,
but we did not think the women were in
do M, -
night his house was burned. He searched
for his family, and nearby he found tie re-
mains of his vile and 16-year-old girl. A
boy of about 10 years had also been mur-
dered, but his body is missing, and it is
supposed it was burned in the house.
The mother and daughter were scalped
and most horribly mutilated. The bodies
were ripped open, and it looked to NE as if
the savages had cleft them with tomahawks.
Evidences of Most Terrible Fate
Whether they were killed first and mu-
tilated afterward is hard to say, but if they
were murdered in this manner outright it must
have been a most painful death 1t was such a
horrible sight to me that / cannot think of it
without shudderng, and in any case it makes
me more vindictive than ever against the red
SKINS You people in the East who have
mawkish sentiment for the poor Indian
could in my place readily understand why the
Western settlers want them wiped off from the
face of the earth. Such frightful murders in a
civilized country ought not to be tolerated for
moment.
Il remember in the early days when first
went West how much trouble they gave u.s.
Once another Western man and myself started
out to hunt some stray cattle. The Indians
record for treachery at that time was such that
1t was dangerous to trust them. We came on
three redskins at the head of a ravine. My
companion made up his mind in moment
what to do, and at signal from him We were
to fire. The Indians were armed, and he agreed
to shoot two while covered the third We
were afraid they were scouts sent ouI by a
large party lurking in the raviue, and their in
tention was to draw us in a trap.
Afraid to Turn Their Backs.
I'VE asked the Indians if they had seen our
cattle, and they replied they had not. We
knew if we turned our backs on them they
would shoot US. One carried his gun carelessly
on his arm, but it wouldn't have taken much
of an effort to put the rifle to his shoulder.
My comrade gave the signal. and before could
fire he had shot all three. 1t was the quickest
work ever saw, but he had to do it to save our
lives"
Mr.. Sawyer was almost heartbroken over the
loss of his family. He said he had seen enough
of Western life. and had thrown up his land in
despair Up to tour weeks ago he was getting
along well, but the redskins had blasted his life
and he had no further use for the
his old home. and he thought
Nebraska the settlers are living in mortal ter
ror and many OF them have left. Others are
prepared to leave at a moments notice, and
the cattle business is at a standstill. Many of
the ranchers are selling their stock rather than
take the chances of being robbed by the Iu-
dians. The settlers are afraid the reds will
break away from General Miles and start for
the South 20 pillage and murder.