Year: 1864

l.


EDS STATESMAN After so long time
the trial of the murderers of Magruder and
others is fairly under way; one hundred and
fifteen petit jurors have been summoned,
and out of that number twelve were ac-
cepted by both parties and this morning the
examination of the witnesses commenced
Page has told his tale in open court and the
revelations are awful, and it seems true; at
least think all who heard the confession
believe so. -Four of the five murdered men
were killed with an axe and the other was
shot. The axe and gun were produced in
the court; both of which were recognized
by Page Three pistols were also produced,
two Of which were identified by Page He
duplicates himself in the transaction as an
abettor in the murder-having, as you are
aware, turned States evidence


Two of the men murdered were strangers
to the party and their names unknown
I went to Page this evening, since court ad-
journed, aud asked him about those two
men. He thinks they were from the vii,
lamette valley He heard them speak of
John Jefres, of the Dalles, Jack Monroe,
of Yamhill, Oregon and others in that part
of the country. They were light complect-
ed, about thirty four and thirty-sx years
old, and were brothers. They had been in
the cattle trade and mining at Beaver Head.


Page says he wants to 20 in the spring
and show the place and bodies of the muir
dered men; after that he does not care what
becomes Of him For the present believe
he is afraid Of being turned loose, and no
doubt he is right in so thinking. The pris-
Oners heard the testimony of Page with as
much interest as any one in the court room.
When Page, by his bad English or good
cockney accent would get off something to
create a smile, the prisoners would also
smile. But in the main, they looked as
though Page was telling the truth, and their
counteuances indicated that they were guilty
and their chances Of getting off, small


After Page concluded for the State, two
or three witnesses were briefly examined,
the testimony corroberating the statement of
Page The court adjourned at about four
o'clock, and the cross examination will com
mence tomorrow morning soon after court
opens, which is at 10 o'clock. Lowry, Rem
ton and Romaine-the three accused-are
young men, In the very prime Of life, are
good looking, well educated, well dressed,
and have some experience in vilainy besides
the murder Of the five men mentioned in the
present case; bat the probabilities are that
their career Of intamy and crime is at an
end and that they will soon leave for "that
bourne whence no traveller returns" there
to give an account Of the horrible butchery
of Magruder and their other victims You
will soon get the full particulars of the trial
and its results, officially. Judge Parks off
ciates and is well liked by all. In fact, we
are proud of him, and if Abraham would
only send us more such men we would have
no objections to going to his "buzzum;" but
as he is only one, among so many sent, it is
reasonable to conclude that it's an accident
The Judge is going to Boise soon and we are
sorry to lose him. However, we believe the
Boise people will appreciate him.


AS to the Legislature, they have char
tered away about as much Of the Territory
as any one wants and are now getting up
Militia Bill which contempates the enrolling
of the Snake Indians and garrisoning them
on the head of Salmon river, to guard the
miners. The soldiers are to be subsisted on
Fish and Roots, and at the expiration of
their term of service, which is not stated
they are to be promoted to the Volunieer
service and serve three years gratis-all am-
putations to be free. 1t is supposed those
inducements are offered to prevent en 'st-
ments in the Union army.


The weather is fine these days. Ton 1ht
it is rather warm with sprinkling rain Ex-
cuse haste, the mail is about to close.


Respectfully, Yours,


TRAVELER