The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1901-01-31
ISYY CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE NEZ PERcES
or ntana unda Record
BY EUGENE T. WILSON,.


VSVVVVVvVSVVV
In the early days Of June 1877, the res
idents Of northern Idaho aud eastern
Washington territories were startled by
the news sent by carriers from Mount
Idaho that the Nez Perez Indians, tradi-
tional friends of the whites almost from
time immemorial, had gone upon the
war path, leaving in their wake smoking
ruins Of once happy homes and the mutt
lated bodies oftheir occupants.
Bloodcurdling tales were told of how
Jack Manuel was wounded near his lone
~ cabin by the Salmon river, how his
wife WAS carried into captivity never
again to be seen or heard of by the
whites, ~ it Afterwards TRANSFERRED; of
the fate worse than death which overlook
the wives and daughters Of the isolated
settlers in that vicinity, and how moth.
er and her helpless babe were captured,
the mother outraged and the tongue of
the little girl cut out by squaw because.
she cried; the murder of Mason and
others, whose bodies were mutilated al
most beyond recognition; of how brave
Lew Day rode to the Cottonwood house
eighteen miles west of Mt. Idaho. to warn
his friend, Ben Norton, Of the danger
menacing himself and family; how the
Norton family, consisting Of the father,
Mrs. Norton, a Io-year.old child son and
Miss Linn Bowers, sister Of Mrs. Norton.
accompanied by their brave rescuer who
refused to leave them, started for Mount
Idaho at night. but were attacked before
reaching their destination and both Day
and Norton killed and the wife wounded;
of how Mrs. Norton was able TO crawl
into the high grass Of ravine and hide
from her pursuers, now drunk with sue
ceSs; how young Hill Norton managed to
escape and reach the town in safety, and
how Miss Bowers wandered over the
prairie until noon next day, half insane
from fright when found by rescue
party.
Following closely upon the outbreak
Colonel Perry's command of regular sol
diers started for the Salmon river, ac-
companied by q posse Of citizens from
Mt. Idaho for the purpose of punish
ing the hostiles, but just before reach
ing their destination and while ascending
the long, deep canyon Of the White Bird
creek, they were suddenly attacked
from all sides by an overwhelming force
and whitening fire poured into their
ranks from the rocks upon the surround
ing hills. The forward march soon be-
came . disorganized retreat, and as the
panic stricken whites Wed with each
other in getting away from reception
already too warm, their scattered forces
became an easy prey to the unerring
aim of the Indians and thirty-four
dead soldiers were left upon the ground.
Lieutenant Theller Of Perry's command.
being among their number. The retreat
soon became a veritable stampede and
the victorious 'fSiwashes" continued the
pursuit for nearly twenty miles and al
most into the little village Of Grange
Vile.
I will mot attempt to 60 into the causes
which led up to the outbreak. but suffice
it 70 say that it originated in an
attempt to confine the Indians to the res
ervation and the PRONUNCIATION Of an or
der for them to relinquish the country
south Of Snake river in the state of
Oregon. and lying between the Wallowa
valley and the mouth Of the Grande
Ronde river. Immediately upon receipt
Of the news from Mount Idaho General
o. o. Howard began rushing troops to
Fort Lapwai, the transportation being by
steamhoat up Snake river to Lewiston.
Idaho. Several companies Of citizens
were formed in both Washington and
Idaho and their services offered and
accepted. II was my fortune to be one
Of . company formed at Lewiston BY
the gallant Colonel Mcconviile. since
killed in the Philippines, while leading
his battalion Of ldahos in An attack
upon the enemy 1t Santa bridge.
Then came delay Of several days walt
ing for arms, each twenty.four hours Of
enforced inactivity seeming m age to the
enthusiastic volunteers anxious to reach
the front. but the guns finally came and
each Of NJ drew so-calibre Springfield.
pattern obsolete in the army. but good
enough. seemingly. for the citizens.