Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1916-05-25

OF tne year trimming Ine youth Oh lHt
country for the duties of life, which
will enable them to be the business
people later, for the children of to-
day are the citizens of tomorrow.
The hills are so high that travelling
to get here is now very difficult and
uncomfortable, but the time is at hand
when ane can ride into this section in
velvet chairs with east and comfort.
But even if it is a hard task to get
here now, when one does get here he
has reached the paradise of the great
State of Idaho. The people are so
hospitable that all are well repaid for
coming and want to remain.
And when one stays here for any
length of time, he is SO well pleased
with the light atmosphere, healthful
climate and hospitable people ana if be
leaves he is sure to return.
Now that we have seen what this
country is and will be, let us study
briefly its early history.
This section has been the scene of
one of the bloodiest and Anost horrible
Indian uprisings in the history of our
nation. The struggle is known as the
Nez Perez Indian War. 1t began early
in 1877 and was abruptly terminated
the following year But short as was
its duration it was one of the fiercest
strifes between the red and white peo-
pie that history records.
The rendezvous of the Indians was in
Rocky Canyon, deep defile difficult
of access, and situated about eight
miles west of the city of Grangeville.
Here they had for some time been hid
ing fire arms and ammunition.
Some friendly Indians came to the
home of Charles Cone, a late pioneer,
and told him to look out for an Indian
uprising as it was sure to come. They
aslo informed Joshua Fockler and John
and Charles Mead of the intentions of
the savages. April the 18th friendly
Indian of the Lookingglass branch of
the Nez Perez tribe notified A. Chap
man and M. III. Rice to look out for
themselves as war was certain to ensue,
and within very brief time.
War actually came when Richard
Devine was killed in front of his cabin
above the John Day ranch on the morn
ing of June the 18th, 1877, by two In
dams, Kaps Kaps and Red Leggins.
They possessed themselves of Mr..
Devine IS fine rifle and some ammuni-
ton, and then came down the river
and killed Mr.. Cone. At the John Day
ranch they killed Mr.. Henry Elfers,
ST., Robert Bland and Burn Beckroga
and stole two fine horses.
They went to Rocky Canyon and re-
porting what they had done called for
volunteers to continue what they had
begun. Fifteen warriors bounded for
ward and with Max Max as their lead
10 ha Col 81 @Ic4
night. Arriving at the home of set
tier named Manuel they found him
with his family fleeing to the home of
James Baker. They riddled Mr..
Manuel's body with bullets and left
Mr.. Baker dead on the ground. Mrs.
Manuel was forced to re-enter her home
where she and her baby were killed.
The little girl escaped. Mr.. Manuel
revived and after much suffering
reached Mt. Idaho where bastion had
been erected for protection and de-
Tense. The little geirl s arm was bro
ken and she was carried to the fort on
the back of Pat Price.
At the mouth of White Bird cl eek
Mr. Benedict and his companion,
August Bacon were killed.
General Howard who was in com
mand OF the troops here from Ft.
Lapwai was called back and General
Miles sent here in his place. He fol
lowed the Indians back into Big Hole
Basin and there captured them.
So after one of the fiercest, the most
terrible and bloody Indian warfares in
history, peace like a white dove
perched over the scenes of devastation,
destruction, and outrages and the
supremacy of the white man over the
Indian was forever established.
Note.
ct was intended to publish with this
article a cut of White Bird, as appro-
pirate to the subject and purpose of the
essay, but space will not permit the in
sertion of the cut this week which will
appear in next week s issue together
with the essay which took secondly