Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-04-29
NAVAJO INDIANS.
In Open Warfare With the
Hated Whites.
Two Battles Already Fought and
Eight White Men Killed.
The Settlers Tsrrited-,rreeps ASKED tss
10 Qusll the Rebellion.

DENVER, April 2S.--This morning
Adjutant General Kennedy received u
telegram from Lieutenant Plummer,
Indian agent Of shc Navsjos, in which he
stated that eight white men had been mur-
dersd by Navajo Indians, who are at war
with the settlers. lie declared the situation
to be very critical and asked that troops be
called out to prevent further bloodshcd.
Lieutenant Piummer said the people
below Durango were in q wild state of
excitement, and grave fears were enter
tanned lest the Indians should continue
ther warfare along the valley.
The message stated that two battles had
heon fought, the first early yesterday. when
1--we men were killed, all settlers; and ut
another On, ountcr three whites lost their
lives, and further bloodshcd was antiei-
paied
The adiutan,- general forwarded the in
formation to the war department at WASH
ington. Adjutant-GrncrM Kennedy cx-
pressed the belief that the trouble would
not extend very far north, lie said;
Two hundre,. and fifty bucks are rails
ing the disturbance. They are mounted
AMI equipped with the best repeating rifles.
and have ample supplies for long war.
There has cen i'll feeling among them for
a long time.
The settlers in that country and the In
disns never could get along in peace. The
lniians were continually luudering and
stealing from the whites. The present con-
ilict was precipitated by the resistance of
the whites To deprada'ions of the band Of
warriors " ho raidcd the stock of the cattle
men,
They drove of a large herd of cattle 10
the mountains. The stockmen organized 4
large posse of cowboys and went to re-
cover the cattle. The Indians lied on the
approach of the cowboys, who secured the
cattle and started to return to the ranches.
They had proceeded but short distance
" hen they were attacked from the flank ~
they were passing through n shallow canon,
by the entire band of $50 A desperate en-
counter followed.
Five cowboys were killed and il il be-
liev-d, u number of Indians, The cattle
men were finally rcpulscd. and took with
them portion of the cattle and retreated.
Tn. Indian were now thoroughly aroused.
and started on maurauding expedition
across the country,
The reservation of the Nayajos covers
II 900 square miles in the northwes crn
part of New Mexico and northca stern Ari-
sona. and extends to the southern line of
Colorado. On this thousands of Indians
are liable to 20 on the warpath.
A band of $50 left the reservation in Ari-
zons and crossed into New Mexico, went
east to Il town called Jennet, thence on the
Juan river and are now in that vicinity. A
dispatch from Durango says:
Three hundred Navajos, captured Tom
Whites trading post mission at Hog Back,
on the San Juan river, near Wclsh's ranch.
Homes of other settlers are surrounded by
Indians who are threatening to kill and
burn"
james Hand has arrived from the scene
of action. about 20 miles south of Durango,
this morning and after securing ammuni-
ton for the settlers returned At once"
Agent Bartholomew wired the Indian
department regarding the situation this
that Ms the Navajos are beyond his
jurisdiction he can do nothing"