Year: 1863

HLACERVlLLE, June oU, 1000.


EDS. STATESMAN Since my last, Mr.. Castle
man has returned from the Owyhee river. bring
ing reports which are not very favorable. Un-
doubtedly the diggings as far as prospected, are
as good as they are reported to be; but nothing
outside of that has yet been found. Although
the country has every appearance of gold-bear-
ing one. AS there numerous gold seekers in
that vicinity it is probable that mines ere long
will be found.


Nothing of especial interest has transpired in
this vicinity during the last week. will give
you a copy of some letters that were found by
party of miners, near three skeletons of white
men, which were discovered lying upon the
banks of the main South fork of the Salmon
river, some two hundred and fifty miles distant
from this place Two of the skeletons found
we're without heads.


Notwithstanding the party slept within few
feet Of the bones of their feow-men-who had
without doubt suffered death from the hands of
the ruthless savages, who nfest this country
they did not max this discovery until the follow
ing morning. After carefully examining the
premises, they found the remains of a fire. in
which was what appeared to be the debris of a
tain aoout its being a body. few yards dis
tant was a bunch Of wire grass tied in one solid
bunch, the ends cut of, evenly and squarely.-
Upon this was blood and hair, which leads them
! = eod Of fort,
The circumstances of the case lead US to sup
pose there was woman and child in the unfor-
tunate party, as they found boys vest and
portion of woman's dress. Also were found
and the following papers. The papers, which
am now copying are saturated with blood, and
read as follows:


VERDEN, Nov. 9, 1863
DEAR FRIEND PETER Il suppose you would
like to hear how things are going on in this part
of our moral vineyard, and how got through on
my Journey home. had a pretty hard trip in
the Mackinaw. l got home the 9th day of Oc
tober. We were robbed of all our clothing and
provisions They took my valise and everything
in il, and my coat. They did not leave me coat
TO wear. 1t was very cold weather. We were
robbed between Milk river and Fort Union, by
Indians. The party of Indians numbered 81
They also robbed one more boat that was a few
days behind us. We stopped at Fort Union
about five days and waited for three other boats
that were behind. The Sioux Indians are very
hostile. They killed several thousand whites in
Minnesota. Well we arrived safe at Sioux city,
and most of the boys got tight" and got into
REGULAR row. Wickdowns Thorp was grand
rascal. left him at Fort Union. l was afraid
he would shave me. He got about $50 out of
the crew. but did not gouge me, for had moth
inc bnt dust. He went ahead of us and reported
n. all rebels. and we came near being arrested
At different points, If i had not been for the
Indian agent that came down With US, we would
have been taken up and tried for treason, and
laid in prison all winter. That would have been
Joke on Snyder. found things worse in re,
gard to the war than when we left. Most every
BODY has gone to the war. B. Cowell is Captain
of the Verden company. There are very few
Young men left here now. | have seen the
Walls; was there and staid all night Bark is
in the sheep business Ock is loafing. He has
an Irish family in his house. Your brother went
back East after harvest He and Ock could not
agree. Ock threshed your wheat, and after all
expenses were paid there was $50 left and he
sent that to your brother Wheat that was in
corn was not of much account. had $l25,00
left after the expenses were all paid. 1t sold
for $62 l-2c per bushel, before | got home
Wheat looks poor here. The flies have killed it
nearly ALL have no wheat sown. have not
rented a place yet. want to rent large place
for US beth. For l will look for you home in
| time to SOW wheat next fall, unless you strike
something rich. If you do you will let me know