New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-29
M VAJOS ON THE WARPATH.
STOCKMEN SHCT DOWN FROM AMBUSH
WHILE RESISTING DEPREDATIONS.
TWO FIGHTS REPORTED. IN WHICH EIGHT
WHITES WERE KILLED-HOMES OF SET
TIERS SURROUNDED BY HOS
TILE INDI Ans

TIERS SURROUNDED BY Hos
TILE INDIANS.
Denver. April 2s-The long-thrcatencd war Of
the Navajo Indians against the settlers of the
country around their lands has come at last. and
with it the death of eight settlers
At ;45 o'clock this morning Adiutant-General
Kennedy received telegram from Lieutenant
Plummer Indian Agent of the Navaios. in which
the latter stated that eight white men had been
murdered by the Indians. who are now at war
with the settlers Lieutenant Plummer declared
that the situation was critical and asked that
the troops be called ont to prevent further blood
shed. The telegram was addressed to Governor
Waite. but he is ont of the city and the latter
was referred by Secretary Lorentz to the Ad
jutant-Gcnerah Lieutenant Pummcr said that
the people below Durango were in state Of wild
excitement and grave fears were entertained
lest the Indians should continue their warfare
along the valley. TIE message added that two
battles had been fought already. The first was
early yesterday. when five men We're killed. all
settlers: while at another encounter three more
whites lost their lives. and further bloodshed is
expected The Adjutant-Gcncral forwarded the
information TO the War Department at Washing
ton and orders may be- issued from that source
for the removal of the troops now quartercd at
Fort Logan. They can act outside the State
and would be of more avail in a conflict with
the Indians than State troops
Adiutant-Gcncral Kcnncdy was inclined to re-
gard the situation with good deal of concern
although expressing the belief that the trouble
would not extend far north In speaking of the
affair he said that there are $50 bucks who are
raising the disturbance. They are all mounted
and equipped" he continued, with the best
pcating rifles, and have ampl" supplies for long
war. They are a bad lot. and reVcl in plundcr
and murder There has been ill-fecling among
them for n long time and it has ~ last 10
a head The settlers down in the country and the
Indians never could get along in peace. Tn"
indians are continually plundering and stealing
from the whites, who have submitted to the thcft'
until the last few days
"Thc present conflict was prccipitated by the
resistance OF the whites to the dcprcdntions of
hand of warriors who made raid on the stock of
the cattlcmcn They drove of large herd OF
cattle. which they took 10 the mountains This
so inccnscd the stockmcn that they organized
largo posse OF cowboys and went to recover the
cattle The Indians fled on the approach of the
cowboys AZ first, and the cattlemen were rrjoc-
ing In what they looked upon as an easy victory;
and after they had secured their cattle they
started TO return 20 their ranches. They had pro
c,cdcd only short distance, however, when they
were attacked from Che flank a. they were passing
through a sort OF shallow canyon bJ the entire
band OF $50.
A desperate encounter followed. in which five
cowboys were killed and, il is believed a num-
her Of Indians. The red men of course had the
advantage, and from their vantage points up above
their adycrsarles fought with telling effect upon
the ca,tlemcn. who were finally rcpulscd They
took with them portion oi the nero oI carlir All
which they had recovered and reireatcd. 1hn
Indians by this time were thoroughly aroused ana
started on a maraudng expedition across the
country"
covering about 900 suuar" miles in th" north
western part of Ncw-McNico and northeastern Ari,
fiona. and extends up to III" southern nnr OF
Colorado ON this thcr" thou. inds Of Indians
who may go the wHrpath. lh" hand OF -''
started from the reservation over IN NfHoha,
crossed the line into N"w-McNico. going du" east
to a town rallied J,"nctt, and theme" on the Hai
! disparrh from Durango .av- 300 Nayao- hay.
captur~l " Tom White trading post mission u.
Ior Back on the san Juan River, near N'I-l
r,nrh Tn. home. of other settlers ar" surrounded
b,. Indians who are threatening - Kill ana hril
James Hand arrived this morning at oco'N
from the sccnc Of action. which j. Apoul S'''mN
miles south of Durango. and after securing sup
nly of ammunition for the settlers rhllg'l b'ln'S
and returned ~ once \9"nt E1rhoom'w t"l.-
rraphed the Indian Department, r"eardin- III" Srt-
nation this morning. but. as th" NaNaJ"s are p'|
vond his jurisdiction. he can do nothing.
ON aIvic"s received tonight from DURANGO
that thr Navao- were moving rapidly north from
Tnrminoton y VI townId the Colorado line. Gov
crnor Waite ordered a special train over IL" ~
Grandn 70 carry 200 stands OF arms ana 1o'"""
round, of ammunition TO Nh" local military com
ranv NJ Dnrango which is o.dcr,I ont TIL" cntr"
Ten companies Of the Colorado National Guard
have been ordered to report for dufy' r"aN
TO move at once 10 the seen" of trouble. IN"
sporial lcf, here at 10 p. IN. and will reach
Durango early tomorrow.