New-York tribune., 1915-02-23
Deputies, with Prisoners
Handcuffed to Wrists,
Again in Battle.
OUTNUMBERED, BUT
HOLD THEIR OWN
Whites Fighting Desperately for
Life While Relief Is Rush.
ing to Scene.
TBy Telegraph to The rrtbuns J

by telegraph 70 Inc Itlpunt
Grayson, Utah, Feb. 22.-Fighting
their third pitched battle with the out
law Piutes and Utes with whom they
fought two battles yesterday, the posse
Of deputy United States marshals un-
der Marshal Aquils Nebeker are
awaiting the relief which is Fastening
to them from all sides.
A posse Of Indian police Is on the
way from the nearest reservation, and
a troop Of cavalry Is travelling for
Bluff, the scene of yesterdays encoun-
ter, at forced march pace.
Fighting for Their Lives.
Couriers are arriving here at inter
walls, bringing thrilling news Of the
desperate fight the outnumbered depu'
ties are making to save their lives and
those of the inhabitants Of the town of
Pluff, who would be at the mercy OF
the infurinted Indians if the posse
were wiped out.
For :~u davs FIVE Of the deputies
were surrounded by the Piutes. They
had no chance TO eat or drink; every
moment was occupied in fighting for
life. Four Of the deputies are fighting
with as many Indian prisoners hand
cuffed to their wrists.
The situation here is critical. In
spite Of reinforcements the posse is IN
need of all the help it can get, as the
Indians are determined to kill all the
whites they can before they surrender.
A troop Of twenty-five Indian police
from the Navajo Reservation, at Ship
rock, New Mexico, is on the way here
and expected to arrive some time to-
night. Word has been received that
troop of cavalry sent out from Salt
Lake City was reported at Thompson's
Spring last night, and is riding over
land to give aid. Indian Agent jenkins
from Navajo Springs arrived here to-
night and is now engaged in confer
ence with Marshal Nebeker. Assistant
United States Attorney Cook and Ind
ian Agent Creel, both of Salt Lake
City, are expected here tomorrow.
The Indians have employed every
trick known to them. Broken up into
small groups after the first attack,
they have fortified themselves in the
rocks.
Five Deputies in Trap.
The five members of the posse who
were cut off from the main body at
the outbreak of the battle yesterday
have been fighting for their lives ever
since. Surrounded by Indians, these
men were without food or drink after
the night of February 20. 1t is be-
lieved they have plenty OF ammunition
but not enough for an extended en-
gagement. A force sent out to rescue
these men late this afternoon went TO
the point where they had been sur
rounded and found it deserted, but the
horses were there, and in one of the
saddles was a note stating that the five
deputies had escaped.
Fighting has been going on here at
intervals for nearly forty-eight hours.
The posse is divided into squads sta
toned at various points. Whenever an
Indian is seen a concentrated fire is
opened on his position. The Indians
are well armed and plentifully sup
piled with ammunition, replying IN
force to every attack. Fighting was
kept up all night and to-day, but aside
from the main engagement yesterday
there has not been mass fighting, the
skrmishes being between sharp
shooters.
The Piutes cut the telephone wires
twice yesterday, and at one time the
deputies were in desperate straits, with
Piutes hidden in the rocks and shoot
ing at the posse from all sides. A call
for help was put through, however, be
fore the wire was cut, and as result
seventeen men arrived at midnight
from Grayson. Early this morning an
other posse of thirty arrived from
Monticello.
Joe Akin was killed at the end of an
hour of fighting yesterday morning by
q bullet from the gun Of Old Polk. A
bullet from the Indians rife bored
through his forehead as ne aimed to
kill Polk.
Old Polk and Hatch are believed to
be with the main body of Indians, who
are reported to have gathered in force
about three miles south of here, on the
San Juan River, evidently with the in
tention Of making a nal stand. An
attempt to dislodge them will be made,
but when has not been decided. They
are in strong position among the
high rocks.
The chief concern here now is for
the fate of the five men who have been
cut off from the main party. They are
Murray Williams, Frank Wheatlsnd,
Roy Moore, Dick Lewis and Roscoe
Houston. Their position, whether they
are prisoners or have escaped from the
circle of Piutes which held them, il
one Of extreme peril. If they are not
caught, they will be forced by hunger
TO make a break for the camp and run
the risk of being shot down.