[From Thompson & West's History of Nevada 1881, With Illustrations And Biographical Sketches Of Its Prominent Men And Pioneers, pp. 166-177]

166      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

CHAPTER XXII.

THE OWENS RIVER WAR.

Conference with the Pah-Utes—Indian Scare at Como in 1863--A Chief Murdered—Troubles in 1864 in Humboldt County —Indian Troubles in 1865—Hostilities in Paradise Valley--A Ride for Life—Fate of Collins and Fearbourne--Eighteen Indians Scalped—Events in Other Parts in 1865—Hostilities in Paradise Valley in 1865—Death of Col. Charles McDermitt—Events in Humboldt County—Black Rock Tom —Closing Action and Act of the Year—Paradise Valley Trouble in 1867—Hon. James A. Banks Killed—The Winter of 1867 and Spring of 1868.

            THE winter of 1861 was severe, and the Indians in Owens Valley, California, killed some cattle. In retaliation the owners, or their employes, killed some Indians, and the latter responded by killing whites wherever they could get an opportunity of doing so without endangering themselves, until E. S. Taylor, J. Tallman, R. Hanson, and a man named ____ Crosen, better known as "Yank," had fallen victims. Finally the white graziers concentrated their herds at a point about thirty miles above Owens Lake, where they fortified, and sent to Visalia, California, and Carson, Nevada, for help. This war more particularly pertains to California, but men of Nevada were very active participants.

            On the twenty-eighth of March, 1862, the fortified graziers were re-enforced by eighteen men from Aurora, when they took the field sixty strong, under Colonel Mayfield, marched fifty miles up the valley, and encamped on an old Indian camping ground. On the sixth of April the Indians showed themselves in force towards the mountains to their southwest. The whites sallied forth in two divisions, met the hostiles, had a skirmish, lost one man, C. J. Pleasants, of Aurora, killed, and then retreated back to their camp. They were followed by the victors, and compelled to take shelter in an irrigating ditch (built by the Indians), from where shots were exchanged at long range until night. Sheriff Scott, of Mono, received a ball in the head, and was instantly killed;  Morrison, formerly of Visalia, was shot in the stomach, and died the following day. After the moon went down the Indians ceased firing, and the whites took advantage of the darkness to retreat for their fortified post, leaving behind them their dead, some eighteen horses, and considerable ammunition buried. They had killed one redskin in the engagement. On their way down the valley the next day, April 7th, they met Colonel Evans with a portion of the Second California Cavalry.

            What followed, as well as some matters of interest preceding these events, are given in the following official report of Colonel Wasson to Gov. James W. Nye, dated April 20, 1862. A copy of which was furnished by Colonel Wasson.

            JAMES W. NYE, Governor and ex officio Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Nevada Territory, Sir: You will remember that on the twenty-fifth of March last I addressed you at San Francisco the following dispatch:—

            "GOVERNOR NYE: Indian difficulties on Owens River confirmed, hostiles advancing this way. I desire to go and if possible prevent the war from reaching this Territory. If a few men poorly armed go against those Indians, defeat will follow and a long and bloody war ensue. If the whites on Owens River had prompt and adequate assistance, it could be checked there. I have just returned from Walker River; Pah-Utes alarmed. I await a reply.

W. WASSON."

            To which on the same day I received by telegraph the following:-

            "W. WASSON: General Wright will order fifty men to go with you to the scene of action. You may take fifty of my muskets at the Fort, and some ammunition with you, and bring them back. Confer with Captain Rowe.    

J. W. NYE."

            In pursuance of these instructions, I immediately repaired to Fort Churchill, and after consultation with Captain Rowe, who promptly adopted measures to carry out your designs, it was determined to proceed to the scene of hostilities with the force and arms you had designated.

            Lieutenant Noble was sent in command of the detachment with the following letter of instruction:

                                                ''HEADQUARTERS FORT CHURCHILL,

                                                            Nevada Territory, March 27, 1862.

            LIEUTENANT: As commandant of the detachment of fifty men, about leaving this post for Aurora and vicinity, you will be governed by circumstances in a great measure, but upon all occasions it is desirable that you should consult the Indian Agent, Mr. W. Wasson, who accompanies the expedition for the purpose of restraining the Indians from hostilities. Upon no consideration will you allow your men to engage the Indians without his sanction. As often as practicable you will communicate with these headquarters.         Very respectfully,

E. A. ROWE, Capt. 2d Cav., Cal. Vols., Commanding Post.

TO LIEUT. H. NOBLE, Second Cav., Cal. Vols., Commanding Detach'mt."

            I proceeded from Fort Churchill in advance of the command, and met the Pah-Utes on the Walker River Reservation. The excitement was great amongst them, and they apprehended general and immediate hostilities with the whites. Their usual preparations for defense in case of attack were apparent. To quiet their apprehensions of a difficulty, and prevent trouble during my absence, I dispatched Indian messengers to all the different bands of Pah-Utes with instructions to keep quiet until my return, telling them that on my return from the south I would direct them how to conduct themselves to avoid difficulties, etc. These arrangements I found on my return to have had the desired effect.

            We left Aurora for the scene of action on Owens River, on the third of April, sending you at that date a brief report of our proceedings, disposition of the arms, and our plan of operations, as far as we could form them at that time. George, the interpreter, having become worn out, and unable to accompany me, at Walker River I procured the services of Robert, a Pah-Ute, with whom I left Aurora, in advance of the command, and proceeded by Mono Lake, where I found the Pah-Utes of that section congregated and much excited, but in an interview succeeded in quieting them. They were much pleased that I was going to stop the troubles, as they feared they might themselves become involved in the difficulties, and they sent with me

THE OWENS RIVER WAR.             167

one of their tribe who spoke the language of the Owens River Indians.

            We joined Lieutenant Noble at Adobe Meadows, thirty miles from Aurora, on the night of the fourth of April. The next day I left the command, with the two Indian interpreters, and traveled eight or ten miles in advance of the troops. About noon we passed the boundary between the Pah-Ute and Owens River Indians country, and traveled twenty-five miles, and encamped. The next day we reached the upper crossing of Owens River, and encamped, seeing no Indians, but abundance of fresh signs. My Mono Lake Indian on the morning of the seventh instant informed me that he knew by certain signs that the Indians were to the right and up the valley, and I sent him up towards where they were, while we proceeded down the valley towards the fort, which was fifty miles distant. I instructed him to tell the Indians that we had not come to fight them, but to inquire into the cause of their difficulties with the whites; and that if they would do right, and were willing to come to a fair settlement, justice should be done them; that at all events I desired to see and consult with them. I also instructed him how to approach our camp that night in order to avoid danger of being shot down by the soldiers; and told him our camp would be twenty miles below on the river. After we had proceeded about twelve miles down the stream, I saw a body of about 100 men at the foot of the mountain to our right, some three miles distant, and concluded to await the arrival of Lieutenant Noble and his command, who were in the rear about five miles. When they arrived, Lieutenant Noble and myself left the soldiers, and rode over to see who the parties were. We found Lieutenant-Colonel George Evans, also Lieutenants French and Oliver, with about forty soldiers, Second Cavalry, California Volunteers, and Colonel Mayfield, a citizen, in command of about forty or fifty residents of the valley. We made known to them our business and instructions, but found little or no encouragement to make peace with the Indians, their desire being only to exterminate them.

            They informed us that the citizens from the fort, some sixty in number, had had a battle the day before on a creek some twelve miles above, and in the direction my Mono Indian had gone that morning. In the fight they had three men killed and were shamefully defeated. The citizens were retreating towards their fort when they met Colonel Evans, who induced forty-five of them to return with him in pursuit of the hostiles, and they were also in pursuit when we found them. Evans being Colonel of Noble's regiment took command of the entire expedition, ordered Noble to bring up his company, and when he had done so, we proceeded to the scene of the fight between the citizens and Indians, and camped on the battle-ground. The next morning by daylight Evans had ordered out scouting parties in all directions, numbering from six to ten men each. About noon that day some of them returned reporting the enemy in force twelve miles above, and at the extreme head of the valley. Colonel Evans then ordered a rapid movement in that direction, and in two hours we reached the mouth of the cañon in which the Indians were reported to be. Here we encountered a terrific snow-storm, accompanied by violent wind in our faces, notwithstanding which Evans ordered an advance up the mountains each side of the cañon for a distance of three miles. Fortunately for us, how-ever, we found no savages there, otherwise an easy victory would have been obtained over us, as arrows assisted by that gale would have had dreadful effect. We could have had no choice of position, and the enemy choosing theirs, could have taken advantage of the wind. Becoming satisfied that no Indians were in the cañon, we were ordered to retrace our steps, and encamped in the valley three miles below. I remained behind, and the storm having abated, with the aid of a glass I observed Indian signs in a cañon one mile north. 1 concluded to visit the locality, and when near the mouth of the cañon I discovered a large Indian trail freshly made leading out of it in a northerly direction. As night was approaching I was unable to see any Indians, and turned my horse towards camp that was some two and-a-half miles distant, when I heard an Indian halloo some four hundred yards from me among the rocks. I answered him in the same way, but heard no reply. I then hallooed in English, Spanish, and in Pah-Ute, also making friendly signs, several times, but received no reply, but as I turned to go away, the hallooing was repeated. 1 replied, but got no answer. This was repeated several times, and becoming satisfied that he only intended to decoy me, I proceeded to camp. On my arrival, looking back, I discovered fires in the same cañon.

            The next morning, Colonel Evans ordered Sergeant Gillispie, with nine of Noble's men, to reconnoiter it, at the same time moving the whole command in that direction. The detail advanced some 300 yards up the cañon, when they were fired upon, Gillispie being instantly killed, and Corporal Harris wounded in the left arm, when they retreated, leaving behind the Sergeant's body and his arms. They met the command half a mile below the mouth of the cañon, when as many as were not required to hold the horses were ordered to the attack. Lieutenant Noble and his company were sent to take possession of the mountain to the left of the cañon. Colonel Evans was to have taken the mountain to the right. Colonel Mayfield and four other citizens accompanied Noble, the balance of May-field's company remaining below. Lieutenant Noble succeeded in gaining his position under a brisk fire from both sides from concealed Indians. Here Colonel Mayfield was killed. Lieutenant Noble, finding it impossible to maintain his position without great loss, or to proceed up the mountain on account of its precipitous nature, or return the fire upon the concealed foe with effect, retreated in good order down to Colonel Evans' company, carrying with him Sergeant Gillispie's body. Colonel Evans, from the rugged and inaccessible nature of the mountain, being unable to advance to the position he intended to take, the whole command retreated down the valley, the Indians following and building their defiance fires on our camping ground before the rear of the column was a mile and a half distant.

            We encamped that night twelve miles below, at the spot where Sheriff Scott, who had been killed the day before in the fight between the citizens and Indians, was buried. Colonel Evans being without provisions, except beef obtained in the valley, was compelled to return to his former post near Los Angeles, 300 miles distant. Lieutenant Noble with his company accompanied him as far as the Citizens' Fort, fifty miles below, for the purpose of escorting the whites with their stock, amounting to about 4,000 head of cattle and 2,500 sheep, to this Territory. During the engagement above mentioned, I selected a high rock at about the center of operations, where

168      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

I could observe all parties, and I am satisfied there were not over twenty-five Indians, who had probably been left behind, as a decoy to the whites and to protect the main body and families, who had gone on into the mountains to the north, to avoid a collision with the troops.

            These Indians have dug ditches and irrigated nearly all the arable land in that section of the country, and live by its products. They have been repeatedly told by officers of the Government that they should have exclusive possession of those lands, and they are now fighting to maintain that possession. Their number is between 500 and 1,000, and they belong to the California Digger Indian tribes. Many of them are the refugees from Tulare Valley, who in 1852 and 1853 massacred the white inhabitants and depopulated the Four Creek Country. At great expense to the Government they were driven over to this side of the Sierra Nevada from Tulare Valley, and having taken up their abode along Owens River as a place of last resort, they will fight to the last extremity in defense of their homes.

            Lieutenant Noble conferred with me and we agreed as to the course to be pursued till we met Colonel Evans, who then assumed command. This re-enforcement ruined all our plans. We might have done better; we certainly could not have done worse. Lieutenant Noble and his men behaved gallantly on the field.

            The next morning after the fight, finding it out of my power to do any good in the neighborhood under the circumstances, and fearing the effect of the victories these Indians had gained over us would be to incite the Pah-Utes to hostilities, I left, accompanied only by my interpreter; and the following night reached the line of the Pah-Ute country. From the line of entering it I met many of that nation who were anxious to hear the news from the seat of war, and what would be the possible result. I told them not to participate in the difficulties and assured them that unless they did so, they should not be molested, etc. They promised to be governed by my instructions and advice. I arrived at the Walker River Reservation on the sixteenth instant. The Indians were all glad to see me return; said they had been afraid the interpreter and myself would be killed by Owens River Diggers, and that if such had been the case, they had 600 warriors ready to go and avenge our death.

            I was detained at Walker Reservation and at Fort Churchill three days, on account of the officers at the latter place insisting upon herding the Government stock, cavalry horses and all, thirty miles from the fort in the Indians' country, notwithstanding grass was just as good near the fort (an argument used by the Indians), having excited and alarmed the Pah-Utes, who regarded it as a war movement and an infringement on their rights. I took such measures as were calculated to allay the difficulty; and I will add here that for the first time since the establishment of that post, its management promises to be productive of more evil than good among the Indians.

I remain, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

WARREN WASSON.

            On the twentieth of July following, Wasson was called to San Francisco by a telegram from Governor Nye, to confer with Governor Stanford, of California, General Wright, commanding the Department of the Pacific, and S. P. H. Wentworth, Indian Agent, in regard to the Owens River difficulties. He was there directed to collect the Indians of that section al Fort Independence, where Wentworth would meet him with goods for presents, and make a treaty. Under these instructions he assembled four hundred of the savages, and, after some delays, on the sixteenth of October the Agent arrived, the conference was held, the presents were distributed, the treaty made and the Indians held a great peace dance in honor of the occasion. Thus ended the Owens River War of 1862.

CONFERENCE WITH THE PAH-UTE CHIEFS.

            Governor Nye, being by virtue of his office Superintendent of Indian Affairs, desired to meet the principal chiefs of the Pah-Utes in conference, and in May, 1862, arrangements were made through the agency of Mr. Warren Wasson, who had been Indian Agent, for the meeting. The most influential chiefs were Old Winnemucca and Numaga; the latter, however, was absent in the north, and at first declined to take any part in the discussion on account of the death of Wahe, which still rankled in the breast of Old Winnemucca, leaving the old chief to settle his private difficulties in his own way. However, the Governor, escorted by one hundred cavalry of California volunteers, under Captain Price, arrived at the lower bend of the Truckee on the twenty-third of May and there halted, it being understood that Winnemucca had positively refused to allow the soldiers to come below that point, and had over two hundred well-drilled and mounted warriors and as many more on foot, to defend his position. This refusal and force was kept a secret from Captain Price, fearing if he were aware of the menace that he would resent it and bring on a collision, destroying the object of the conference. In the evening of that day the Pah-Utes with Winnemucca, accompanied by Wasson, arrived on the ground, appearing in grand barbaric display, which seemed to the whites as threatening and overawing, the Indians being about four hundred strong. During the two following days the whole band of savages kept up a continuous war-dance for the edification and entertainment of their pale-faced visitors, dancing on live coals to show their disregard for pain, and performing other feats of Indian character. On the evening of the twenty-fifth Numaga arrived, he appearing as the diplomatist of the tribe, and during that evening and the succeeding day engaged in discussing matters with Governor Nye. No specific treaty was made at this conference, but presents were interchanged and the parties separated. Wasson restored to Winnemucca the property of his brother Wa-he, who had been killed by the Indians at Walker Lake. Among the effects was a picture of the deceased which the old man refused to keep, saying, "No want it; me see him too much all the time." Numaga gave to Wasson, as a sign of peace and friendship, his war cap, made of a whole otter skin,

THE OWENS RIVER WAR. 169

trimmed with large eagle plumes, his pipe of peace, tomahawk, and a magnificent bow, arrows and quiver, articles worn by him in all his battles.

INDIAN SCARE AT COMO, IN 1863.

            From a journal kept by Alf. Doten, who is present editor-in-chief of the Gold Hill Daily News, it appears that Numaga, on the thirteenth of October, 1863, met some of the leading citizens of Como, in Lyon County, among whom was the journalist, and through his interpreter, uttered a formal protest against any further destruction of the pine nut groves. He said that his people depended upon the nuts from these trees for food; that the "pine nut groves were the Indian's orchards," and they must not be destroyed by the whites. That they were welcome to the fallen or dead timber, but he should not permit a destruction of that portion which yielded food for his followers.

            This warning was not heeded, and it was followed by the sudden and unexpected appearance upon the scene of numerous dusky forms, who with lowering looks so thoroughly frightened the wood-choppers, that they fled to Como and spread a war panic in the town,

            Martial law was declared in Como by Martin, the Wizard; pickets were posted, and a courier dispatched to Fort Churchill for military assistance. That night, a lieutenant with twenty men galloped into the place and took charge of the besieged garrison. The next night every one "who prowled the midnight darkness," were supposed to have the countersign or suffer a sudden calamity. Two citizens met 'in the gloaming," and so scared each other that both forgot the password, and turned loose "in the most approved style with their revolvers, each supposing he was having a struggle for life with, possibly, Numaga himself. The alarm was general and fearful to contemplate. A butcher, in his hurry to rush to the general defense from midnight massacre of the town, in his haste to get hold of it, accidentally fired off his gun, and then, as the aforesaid Alf. Doten, without the fear of God before his eyes, remarked, "Hell did pop." The next morning the Indians came into town to see what all the row was about.

A CHIEF MURDERED.

            On the twenty-fifth of October, 1863, E-zed-wa, a chief of the Walker River Indians, was on his way to Virginia City to see N. H. A. Mason, for the purpose of entering a complaint against that gentleman's overseer, John F. Hale, when he was met by Hale at Fort Churchill, who got him drunk, and then killed both him and his horse. The body of the chief was found in the Carson River by members of his tribe, and Hale made his escape after telling Mr. Mason all of the circumstances.

            About the first of December following, Pah-Utes to the number of about 1,300 assembled at the sink of the Carson, and by messenger to Fort Churchill demanded satisfaction for the murder of their chief, who was known to the whites by the name of Captain George. Lieutenant Oscar Jewett was sent to hold a parley with them, and the conference resulted in an agreement to give the tribe, as damages for the loss of E-zed-wa, a wagon-load of provisions and clothing, and that Mason was to pay them $1,000.

TROUBLE IN 1864, IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY.

            A party of three, named Dr. H. Smeathman, W. F. White and Frank Thompson, were prospecting in the mountains, near the north line of Nevada, west of Pueblo, on the fourth of March, 1864. When engaged in looking for water, signs of Indians were discovered by them, and Thompson advised a removal from that locality, but the Doctor objected, and the search was continued. They were soon after fired upon from an ambush, and Dr. Smeathman fell wounded from his horse, crying for help. Thompson and White fled towards the settlements, leaving him to his fate, and forty-eight hours later rode into Rabbit Hole Station, from where they made their way to Humboldt City.

            In the same section of country, in the following May, a prospecting party of seven men, while making a temporary halt in a cañon, seventy-five miles northwest of Paradise Valley, were fired upon by Indians, and four of the party, among whom was G. W. Dodge, were killed. One man named Noble received three wounds, and the other two were unharmed. Noble, although hit in the neck, shoulder and groin, succeeded in keeping the enemy at bay, while his two companions secured the horses, and the three made their way to Star City. The locality of this tragedy received the name of Disaster Peak.

            The Humboldt Register of June 4, 1864, notes the return of parties from the expedition that recently left Humboldt and vicinity to chastise the Indians; records that in a skirmish with the Bannocks, two of that tribe had been killed, on one of whom was found a shirt that had been the property "of one of the four men killed by them last month." This paragraph undoubtedly refers to those parties killed at Disaster Peak.

INDIAN TROUBLES IN 1865.

            The first overt act in 1865 was in the last of February or first of March, by a couple of Walker River Pah-Utes, who murdered two prospectors near Walker Lake. The men killed were Isaac Stewart, formerly of Cleveland, Ohio, aged twenty-six years; and Robert Rabe, a German, aged thirty years. The two men were on a prospecting tour, and had decided to camp at a point about two miles from the head of the lake. Stewart rode forward toward the lake to view out the next day's course, and Rabe remained to prepare camp and supper. He was in the act of lighting a match, when shot from behind through the back. He fell forward upon his face, and the Indians killed him by smashing his head with a stone. They then started in

170      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

pursuit of Stewart, who made his escape to the lake, where, being headed off, he took to the water, and has never been heard from. These facts were obtained from a friendly Indian. Rabe had considerable money on him, and the two had four horses.

            On the fourteenth of March two young warriors, who had been principals in the murder, were captured, with the assistance of friendly Pah-Utes. When the young men found what was likely to result to them, because of their acts, they proposed to ransom themselves. They offered to give the Government all their ponies, and if that would not do, to throw in, as an extra inducement, their fathers, to be hanged in their places. Eventually they were both turned loose.  

            On the same day, March 14th, Captain Wells, with a company of cavalry, surprised at daylight a camp of Pah-Utes on the banks of Mud Lake, within the Pah-Ute Reservation, and killed every Indian found in the camp. Major McDermitt, in a letter to Governor Blasdel, reported thirty-two as the number slain.

            Simultaneous with the attack of Captain Wells, Black Rock Tom was on the war-path in the north. That night a telegram from Judge E. F. Dunne, of Humboldt County, announced to Governor Blas-del that the Wall Spring Station-keeper, and two men at Granite Creek Station, on the Honey Lake road, had been killed by Indians. The names of two of the men were George Thayer, an expressman, and Lucius Arcularius, the station-keeper. On the seventeenth, Indians were reported as rendezvousing at the head of Humboldt Canal. A war meeting was held at Dun Glen, and only nineteen guns could be found. On the twentieth, M. W. Haviland arrived at Star City, asking help for Paradise Valley.

HOSTILITIES IN PARADISE VALLEY.

            On the morning of April 4, 1865, two friendly Indians notified A. Denio that in "two sleeps" a band of warriors would make a raid upon Paradise Valley, kill all the settlers and run off their stock.

            Mr. Denio, with his family, was living at the time on the east side of Martin Creek, near the present residence of N. Gillelan; and his neighbors were A. and J. T. Bryant, T. J. Fine, and Mr. Stockham. The latter gentleman being away on a mission to procure military assistance, if possible, for the settlers, his wife was at home alone. Three miles further up the creek another settler was living named Rembreaux. Prompt as well as energetic measures were at once set on foot to notify all the settlers, and prepare for moving from that locality to a place of safety. A conveyance had to be made for Mr. Fine, who was prostrated with inflammatory rheumatism, also for the children of Mr. Denio. The hind portion of a wagon was converted into a cart for this purpose, but before they could move a fearful storm set in, and all were detained until the following morning. During the night they were re-enforced by the arrival of Thomas Byrnes and John Lackey.

            Early on the morning of the fifth, the party, consisting of all the persons mentioned, started to reach Willow Point. To do this they were forced to cross Martin and Cottonwood Creeks, swollen with the recent storm, between which lay a swamp of mud about two and a half miles wide. Over that portion of the route the sick man, women and children, had to be carried most of the way, rendering their progress tediously slow. After the passage was made, Mr. Denio and Rembreaux manned the cart in which Mr. Fine and the children were placed, and started to haul it to Hamblin's Corral, some three miles on their way, the two women accompanying them on foot.  They were soon met by a man on horseback named Jacob Hufford, who attached a riata to the reach, which served as a tongue for the cart, and with the other end of it fastened to his saddle, hauled the primitive ambulance over the intervening distance to the corral without delay. The balance of the party remained behind at the Cottonwood Creek as get across that stream such provisions, goods, etc., as had been taken that far in their journey. It was expected that they would be met by a man named Christopher Fearbourne, who had gone the night before up the valley with an ox-team to get the effects of ____ Barber, and     Collins, who were to leave with the rest.

            Fearbourne had remained over night with the parties whom he had gone to move out of their dangerous proximity, and when they got up in the morning it was to find a large number of Indians about the house and corral. No unfriendly demonstration was made, but looks, combined with their awaiting with no apparent object about the place, seemed to carry with it the indications of hostile designs that might develop into action at any moment. Barber suggested to his companions that they all go to the corral, mount their horses, and ride off; but this plan was objected to by Fearbourne and Collins, who thought a bold front might do better. They deemed the wisest course to be for them to put their things on board the wagon, and go as they first intended. This plan was tried, but the Indians becoming more demonstrative and rather insolent, Barber said to his friends, "I am going to make the attempt to go for help, and you shut yourselves up in the cabin if there is trouble, and do the best you can till I get back."

            He went to the corral, caught and saddled a fleet-footed horse, as though nothing had occurred to disturb him, and one of the Indians asked him what he proposed to do. Barber replied that he was going out to drive in a beef to kill; but they did not seem to fully believe his assertion, and two of them mounted their ponies and started with him. For a long distance they rode along, until finally seeming to become convinced that Barber had told the truth, they turned back. He rode on without increasing

THE OWENS RIVER WAR.                         171

his speed, until an elevation hid him from their view, when he galloped onward in the direction of the settlement where the parties lived whom we have described as on their way to the Hamblin Corral.

            The men who had remained behind to get their property to a place where it could be reached and taken up by the expected owner of the ox-team, had just completed their task when Barber came riding up with the news of the danger that had overtaken his comrades at the cabin. While he was telling what had transpired, one of the listeners turned to look in the direction of the threatened danger, and saw a column of smoke rising from the valley, and then they correctly suspected that the cabin had been fired, and probably a struggle for life was at that moment going on between the savages and the two men who had shut themselves in there. Barber, Byrnes and Lackey at once started to the relief of the besieged while Bryant and the lad Denio set out for the corral.

            As Barber and his two assistants neared the burnt cabin and were within possibly three hundred yards of it, they were suddenly assailed by twenty-two Indians on horseback and a large number on foot, but the three white men made a successful retreat to the corral, three miles away, that had become the place of general rendezvous. Just at this time as A. and T. J. Bryant, with whom was young Robert Denio, a lad but twelve years old, were approaching the corral, they were discovered by the Indians, who made an attempt to cut them off, which would have been successful but for a bold rally on the part of Waldron Foster and Lackey, that created a diversion and enabled the footmen to gain the defenses.

            The little garrison now consisted of A. Denio, his wife and four children; Robert Denio, a boy twelve years old, Jacob Hufford and wife, Mrs. Stockham, T. J. Fine, A. Bryant, T. J. Bryant, John Lackey, Waldron Foster, Thomas Byrnes, ____ Rembreaux, and ____ Barber.

            Ten men, one boy, three women, and four children, constituted the entire force over which Mr. Denio, by mutual consent, assumed command. The place was put in the best possible condition for defense; but it was believed by all that unless assistance came soon, a massacre would be their common fate. About fifty yards from the corral stood Hamblin's house, which became a point of considerable danger, as behind it the enemy was liable to take cover and station sharpshooters. It was, therefore, decided to burn the structure, and this task was performed by T. J. Bryant and Mr. Foster under a fire from the Indians. The only arms possessed by the besieged settlers were three common rifles, one musket, two double-barreled shot-guns, one navy and five small Colt's revolvers, and they were obliged to stay there and receive without reply the fire from long-range guns in possession of the Indians, who were on every side of them.

A RIDE FOR LIFE.

            It was at length determined to make an effort to break through the enemy's lines and reach Willow Point, to let the people there know the peril that menaced the garrison. Thomas Byrnes volunteered to make the perilous attempt, and mounting a horse, he rode straight down upon the Indians and passed through their lines upon a gallop, followed by a shower of bullets and a half dozen dusky warriors well mounted. The fleet-footed horse flew over the plain to the south with its rider apparently unharmed, and soon passed from the sight of those anxious watchers at the little fort. It was a race for life. If over- taken by a stray bullet, or the mounted savages, the lives of all at the corral would have paid the penalty, and, seemingly inspired with the terrible emergency, the noble animal flew like a winged Pegasus oat of sight from its pursuers.

            Arriving at Willow Point Station about 3 P. M., thirteen men were found there willing and anxious to answer the call for help, but unfortunately, only twelve horses could be obtained to ride, and it would not do for them to wait for an animal for the thirteenth man. Twelve accordingly mounted the horses and as they were about to ride off, a white-haired old veteran named Givens, the one who was to have been left behind, seized a rifle in one hand, and laying hold of the pommel of a saddle with the other, told them to "heave ahead." In this manner he kept pace with the relief party over that thirteen miles, refusing to get on a horse, and every little while saying, "heave ahead, boys, heave ahead, the women and children must be saved."

            Just at night they arrived in the vicinity of the besieged camp. The Indians upon discovering their approach held a hurried consultation, raised the siege, and fled the valley. No more was seen of them. About nine o'clock in the evening the entire party started for Willow Point, reaching the place at 3 o'clock in the morning of the sixth, where they found Lieut. Joseph Wolverton, with twenty-five men, who had arrived there late the previous evening.

            A letter from E. F. Dunne, of Humboldt County, published in the Gold Hill News, April 17, 1865, says: "On the sixth, Wolverton engaged a band of Indians about twelve miles from Cottonwood, killing ten of them, and then pushed on to Martin Creek Gap, some thirty-two miles from Willow Creek, where they killed two more Indians. A company of volunteers, citizens, arrived at Willow Creek on the evening of the seventh, and the next morning started to aid Lieutenant Wolverton, but found on their arrival that the Indians had made their escape. The only casualty to Wolverton's command was one horse shot.

FATE OF COLLINS AND FEARBOURNE.

            On the seventh, Lieutenant Wolverton with his command, accompanied by citizens, visited the scene of the late trouble; and upon arriving at the burned cabin found and buried the remains of Collins and

172      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

Fearbourne. Judging from the appearance of the bodies and surroundings, it was evident that the two men had remained in the burning house until there was left them only a choice as to whether they would die by bullets or fire. They had then sallied forth to their doom. Fearbourne had, apparently, remained in the cabin, holding a pan over his head to protect himself from the heat of the burning roof of thatch, until his hands and arms were cooked. He had then rushed out of the burning cabin, and while running had evidently been shot in the back, falling some 150 yards from the cabin, where he was found still grasping the pan. The charred remains of the unfortunate Collins were found among the ashes and embers of a pile of poles but a short distance from the house, and it is supposed he had been placed on this funeral-pyre before life was extinct. His heart had been cut out, and his body otherwise mutilated, in accordance with the usual custom of these savages.

EIGHTEEN INDIANS SCALPED.

            On the fifteenth of April succeeding the events narrated, four parties succeeded in surprising a camp of Indians near Kane Springs. They charged in among the redskins, dealing death right and left, and brought away with them eighteen scalps as trophies of their work.

EVENTS IN OTHER PARTS IN 1865.

            On the fifth of May James Emory, of Trinity County, California, was killed by Pah-Utes, near the Honey Lake road, about twenty-five miles from the Humboldt River. He was one of seven who were en route for Pine Forest Mining District. At the same time another of the party was wounded, named Spencer, and they reported having killed four Indians.

            May 20th, Captain Wells, with thirty-six men, fought a combined force of Pah-Utes, Bannocks and Shoshones, numbering, according to his report, 500. The scene of the battle was 130 miles northeast of Gravelly Ford, and 75 miles from Paradise Valley. The engagement lasted four hours ; resulting in a repulse of the whites, and a loss of two men killed, named James Monroe and Isaac W. Godfrey, both of Company D, First Nevada Cavalry, and four wounded. The place where the battle was fought is called Godfrey Mountain by the Adjutant General of Nevada.* A private letter from one of the soldiers engaged in the battle, says: "I can give no correct guess of how many Indians there were; but they must have had fifty or sixty guns, perhaps a great many more; they used no bows and arrows."

            The following letter gives all the particulars concerning the incident of which it treats, that have come to us:

PARADISE VALLEY, July 5, 1865.

            A. P. K. SAFFORD: I have this moment arrived at this point, having been one of a party of seventeen men who, on their way to Boise, encountered a large band of Indians twenty miles beyond Quin's River, on Monday, the 3d instant, and of the party P. W. Jackson, of Virginia City, was instantly killed. Thomas Ewing was shot through the body. Thomas Rule, of Humboldt River, was shot in several places, and a Canadian Frenchman, from Virginia City, was shot through the lungs. Ewing, Rule and the Frenchman will be here to-night. Mr. Ewing wishes you to employ a physician and send him immediately to this place, Willow Point. We hope that none of those wounded are mortally so, but they are very badly shot. The fight lasted two hours.

THOS. I. BUTLER.

            The repeated contests in the northern part of Humboldt County communicated the excitement to the Indians of eastern Nevada, and they assembled in threatening bodies in several localities of Lander County. The Indians of this section belonged to the Shoshone tribe, an inferior and propertyless people, who were so low in the scale of humanity that they never constructed a house, or wigwam, or anything that could be called by any name indicating a cover, only seeking shelter in storms—which in winter were frequent, and at times severe—behind rocks and in the lee of bushes; subsisting on pine nuts, pine burs, roots, mice, snakes (hence their name Shoshone), gophers, rabbits, and game of a similar character, occasionally killing a coyote, antelope or other larger animal. The Pah-Utes were their superiors, holding them in subjection, limiting their range to what are now called the Shoshone Mountains on the west, forbidding them the ownership of horses, and by other and oppressive means, continuing them in a state of destitution and degradation. The large influx of miners in 1862-63, and subsequent years, had relieved them from the oppression of the Pah-Utes, and had so greatly bettered their condition that no apprehensions had been felt; consequently, their threatening assemblages and thieving depredations so incensed the people of Lander County that they called upon the Military Department to send an expedition against them. Colonel Moore, of the California Volunteers, was in command at Fort Ruby, and, in June, 1865, he dispatched Lieut. W. H. Seamands, a young and energetic officer, with about forty men and a mountain howitzer, to the scene of disturbance in the northern part of Reese River Valley. Seamands encountered the Indians in the hills west of Reese River, and after a few shots dispersed them, without loss to his command, and an unknown loss to the enemy. The energy and promptitude of this movement, with the execution and terror inflicted by the howitzer, pacified the Indians of that quarter, or sent them as allies of those who were still committing depredations in northern Nevada and southern Oregon.

HOSTILITIES IN PARADISE VALLEY IN 1865.

            The citizens of Paradise Valley determined to persist in their efforts to raise a crop of grain that year, and to enable them to do so two colonies were

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* Adjutant General's Report, 1865, page 6.

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organized. One of them was formed about May 10th and consisted of Charles Adams, the founder, M. W. Haviland, A. Denio, Thomas Byrnes, Travis, ____ Doom, and ____ Mayland. They established themselves on the ranch now owned by B. F. Riley, Charles Singhas, and ____ Rice. They succeeded in cultivating about eighty acres of ground, but about the first of July the colony removed to the place now owned by R. Brenchly, for the purpose of cutting hay. In this new locality they found plenty of Indian signs, that indicated a hostile proximity because of their secrecy or failure to lead to a visible presence of any of that race.

            The other colony was on the east side of the valley, with Martin Creek running between them, and they consisted of R. H. Scott, Edward Lyng, C. A. Nichols, Richard Brenchly, Charles Gegg, J. G. Johnson, Joshua Warford, Victor T. Schann and Michael Maylen. These parties made the cabin of R. H. Scott their place of nightly rendezvous, in the day-time working, well-armed, upon their several ranches. After their crops were in, four of them left the valley and the others remained until in July, when indications of unfriendly Indians became so strong in the vicinity that Scott decided to go and see if military assistance could not be obtained. He started, and got lost in the night, but discovering a light approached it and found himself unexpectedly in the temporary camp of Colonel McDermit, who detailed Sergeant Thomas, of Company D, Nevada Volunteers, with a Corporal and sixteen men to return with him.

            This command, under Sergeant Thomas, had moved north from Willow Point, to graze their stock and occupy an advanced position in the valley. The little force was then divided, and six men with the Corporal were some four miles from the Sergeant's camp, when on the 26th of July they were suddenly confronted by a body of Indians numbering, as variously stated, from twenty-seven to fifty warriors. No attack was made, but their acts not being of a friendly nature, a man was sent to notify Sergeant Thomas of the condition of affairs, and he immediately started with his men for the threatened camp. The Indians on observing his approach hoisted a white flag, which the Sergeant responded to by a charge that drove the marauders into the swamp where they took cover and found themselves in a trap from which there was no chance for escape. A long and obstinate battle ensued, every man fighting on his own plan, as skirmishers, taking advantage of cover in imitation of the Indian mode of warfare. There were several citizens who took part in the fight, which made the forces about equal as to numbers. Five Indians fled to a house for safety; the building was fired and each was shot as he rushed out from his burning refuge.

            When the battle was over there were twenty-three dead Indians left on the battle-ground, and the balance escaped to the hills, one of whom died from the effects of his wounds.

THE WHITES LOST IN THE BATTLE.*

            Joseph Warfield, a citizen, killed.

            Hereford, private, Company I, California Volunteers, killed.

            Daniel Muffly, private, Company I, California Volunteers, wounded.

            Rehil, private, Company I, California Volunteers, wounded.

            Travis, private, Company I, California Volunteers, wounded.

            M. W. Haviland, wounded.

            One soldier who was wounded cut out the ball, and then continued in the fight to its close.

DEATH OF COLONEL CHARLES MCDERMIT.

            On the seventh of August, this officer, who was in command of the Department of Nevada, was shot by an ambushed Indian, when riding along a trail. He was returning to Camp McDermit, then known as Quin's River Station, from a scout on Quin's River, at the time, and lived but four hours after receiving the fatal wound. His remains were taken to Fort Churchill, where they arrived on the nineteenth of August, and were buried there the next day. A letter from him, written at Quin's River Station, on the first of August, stated as follows:

            "We have killed thirty-two Indians since I took the field, and have had one man wounded, and one man killed."

            August 11th, an Indian named "Tom" was arrested and shot in Spring Cañon, near Unionville, he having been recognized as one of the depredators in Paradise Valley.

EVENTS IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY.

            During the month of August Colonel Bryan made a summer camp near Willow Point, where he remained until October, when the forces under his command withdrew to Dun Glen.

            September 3d, upon information received from and under guidance of friendly Pah-Utes, a party of hostile Indians, numbering about ten, were surprised in their camp near Table Mountain, about thirty miles southeast of Unionville, and all were killed. Twenty soldiers, under Lieutenant Penwell, several citizens, and the guides, participated in the sanguinary work. The victims had recently participated in the war along the north line of the State, which fact was obtained from the guides, who disclosed the hiding-place of the hostiles. The following account of the affair is taken from the Humboldt Register, which is given to show the spirit of those times, and justification of the act by public opinion:

            The Pah-Ute guides led the party upon the camp at daybreak this morning, so cautiously that the

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* Letter to Gold Hill News, dated August 2, 1865.

174      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

entire gang was taken in, and ticketed for the happy hunting-grounds before they knew what was the matter. Seven bucks bit the dust, and one or two squaws were killed by accident.

            September 13th, at day-break, Captain Payne attacked a camp of Indians in Quin's River Valley, on Willow Creek; a running fight ensued that lasted about three hours, resulting in the killing of thirty-one Indians, and wounding of one white man.

            The following extract from the Owyhee Avalanche, of Idaho, published by John and Joseph Wasson, in October, besides the historic incident given, is valuable as being a true expression of public sentiment at that time in Nevada.

            About the eighth instant, a friendly Pah-Ute gave information that the Indians were camped fifteen miles southeast of Unionville, Nevada. Lieutenant Penwell, of Captain Doughty's company, at once proceeded from Dun Glen with a detachment of men, and slaughtered them all. The soldiers have adopted the true method of Indian warfare. They neither wait for attacks nor hostile movements by them, but go and hunt them as men would wolves that prey on their stock.

BLACK ROCK TOM.

            The above was the name of a chief whose band of Pah-Utes had begun their raids on the fourteenth of March, 1865, and it was his followers, as well as those living in the mountains to the north and northeast, joined by renegade Shoshones and Bannocks, who had been keeping up hostilities during the summer in Paradise Valley and along the northern frontier.

            The peaceably disposed Pah-Utes were afraid that the warlike attitude of this band would antagonize the whole tribe with the whites, and bring consequent destruction upon them. Because of this fear, Captain Soo, the chief of the Humboldt River Pah-Utes, determined to aid the soldiers in killing off all the hostile Indians regardless of their tribal relations.

            In one of the first days of November, 1865, a party of men with three or four ox-teams, were hauling goods from California to the Humboldt, over the Honey Lake route. They bad left Rabbit Hole Station, and were approaching Cedar Springs in the evening. One of the teams had gained some distance in advance of the others, when it was captured, the driver killed, the contents of the wagon plundered, and the residue set on fire by Black Rock Tom and his band.

            The news was taken to Dun Glen, and Lieutenant Penwell was ordered out with twenty-six men in pursuit of the marauders. Captain Soo, who had been the leader in the Williams massacre in 1860, acted as guide, and with the Indian characteristic of treachery and love of blood, now made war on his race. Upon examining the signs about the scene of the tragedy he came to the conclusion that Black Rock Tom was the guilty party, and the command moved north in pursuit. On the ninth of November they found those whom they were in search of intrenched upon a mountain, west of Pah-Ute Meadows, and after an unsuccessful effort to dislodge them, fell back into the valley some seven miles and camped for the night. The next morning they started for Dun Glen, where they arrived on the eleventh without loss either to the Indians or themselves.

            On the thirteenth of November, Lieut. R. A. Osmer, of Company B, Second California Cavalry, with sixty soldiers, four citizens, and Captain Soo, with fourteen of his warriors, started from Dun Glen, to make another effort to punish the bold outlaw. On reaching the sink of Quin's River, about 100 miles northwest of Dun Glen, the wagons were left in charge of fourteen men, while the others continued to march. At daylight on the morning of the seventeenth, after having passed through the swampy sink of Quin's River during the night, Captain Soo declared as the summit of some low hills was reached that he could see the smoke of the enemy's camp-fires some nine miles away to the northeast. He also insisted that the smoke was from the camp of Black Rock Tom. The march was continued, and when within some five miles of the point designated, the smoke could be seen by all. The hostiles did not observe the approach of the soldiers until only about two miles intervened between the opposing forces, when Lieutenant Osmer said : "Come, on boys, we can't go around, the best man will get there first;" and away went the entire command in a "go as you please 'style" for a two-mile charge.

            The chief, Captain Soo, finding that he was likely to be passed by some of the whites in the charge, reached down and with a knife cut the girth and, throwing the saddle from under him while at full speed, flew like a true son of the desert, on his barebacked horse, over the plains, and was the first to charge in among the enemy, who were making their best efforts to escape. A skirmish battle, that extended over several miles of country, followed. It was a dashing, gallant affair, that entitled the participants to great credit. One prisoner, a woman, was taken, whom a citizen was about to kill but was prevented from doing so by a soldier. Five squaws and six Indians only escaped, among whom was Black Rock Tom.

            David O'Connell was killed; Sergeant Lansdon and another man were wounded. The bodies of fifty-five Pah-Utes were found, which does not account for all the Indians slain, many of whom must have remained hidden on the battle-ground that extended over an area of possibly three miles square, that contained many gullies and quantities of sage-brush.

            After the battle had ended, a Corporal in coming down the side of a mountain, or hill, was hailed by a comrade, and upon going to the place found him trying to stop the blood that was flowing from the wounds of an Indian mother. Beside the woman, who had received an accidental shot, lay an infant

THE OWENS RIVER WAR.             175

possibly six months old, and standing close by with a frozen look of infant horror pictured in its face, stood another child about two years of age. The private said: "Let's take her down to the camp, its a pity to leave her here to die, and the little fellows to starve." Just then the Corporal noticed a citizen passing not far away and said to his comrade " call — — and he will help you, I must hurry down." Directly after reaching the foot of the hill he heard several pistol shots in the direction of where he had left the two men with the wounded woman, and looking up that way saw the soldier coming down alone. "Where is your squaw ?" said the Corporal as the private came up. "That was a fine specimen you called to help me," was the reply. "The d — n bushwhacker shot the whole lot of them, babies and all, before I knew what he was up to."

CLOSING ACTION AND ACT OF THE YEAR.

            A part of Company B, from Dun Glen, and Company I, from Camp McDermit, both of California regiments, met at Kane Springs for a scout under Captain Conrad, in December. Black Rock Tom had gathered in the scattered families of his followers, and joined by those of other bands that were still committing depredations, bad rendezvoused in another locality on Quin's River.

            The snow was lying upon the ground at the time, and the command under Captain Conrad were forced, one night while out, to lead their horses in a circle to keep from freezing. The Indian camp had not been discovered yet, and camp-fires were not allowed, as they would reveal to those sought the proximity of their enemies. Eventually the Indians were discovered on or near Fish Creek, and surrounded before daylight. One squaw, a boy, and an old man were captured, the balance, about forty in all, being killed. No whites were injured. Thus ended organized hostilities on the part of any band of the Pah-Ute tribe; some of the more desperate, however, allied to renegades from the Shoshone and Bannock tribes, continued hostilities along the borders the following year, some of them entering Paradise Valley.

            Black Rock Tom, who was absent at the time, went down to the sink of the Humboldt, and delivered himself up as a prisoner to the chief, Captain Soo, who turned him over to the soldiers. Some citizens went to the Captain and told him the people were going to take him from the soldiers and hang him, and that he had better make his escape if he wished to live. An opportunity was given for the attempt to be made which he availed himself of, when he was shot and killed.

            The following is from the message of Gov. H. G. Blasdel, to the Senate and Assembly, dated January, 1866:

            Lack of time forbids detailing the incidents of my visits among the various tribes; suffice it to say, some of their arguments were unanswerable. They said, through their interpreter, "the white men cut down our pine trees, their cattle eat our grass, we have no pine nuts, no grass-seed, and we are very hungry." I found them, in several instances, with nothing to subsist upon but rabbits, mice, grasshoppers, ants, and other insects."

PARADISE VALLEY TROUBLE IN 1867.

            In the summer of 1866, Camp Winfield Scott, was established at the north end of Paradise Valley, and on the twelfth of December, that year, it was occupied by Company A, United States Cavalry, under Capt. Murry Davis, with Lieut. John Lafferty as second in command On the twelfth of January, 1867, Lieutenant Lafferty encountered a band of Indians, near the headwaters of the Little Humboldt, killed several of them, and destroyed their camp. In the fore part of February succeeding, he drove another party from the south fork of the Little Humboldt into the mountains, who escaped because of the deep snow.

            The last of February, Captain Davis left Camp Winfield Scott, Lieutenant Lafferty remaining in command, and his energy and ability as an officer were soon put to a severe test. March 13th the Indians ran off the stock belonging to Charles Gagg, who lived about eight miles southerly from the post. The following morning found the Lieutenant, with fourteen men, in pursuit of the marauders, and notwithstanding a fierce storm and fall of snow had completely obliterated their tracks, he continued the search. On the ninth day out he encountered the band he was pursuing, killed six of them, destroyed their camp, and captured their arms.

HON. JAMES A. BANKS KILLED.

            This vigorous action made him a terror to the dusky raiders, and gave a quiet season for putting in crops to the farmers in Paradise Valley; and no further trouble was experienced, until on the first of August, when Hon. James A. Banks was killed by them, within a couple of miles of Camp Winfield Scott, while fishing in Cottonwood Creek. Mr. Banks, who was at the time a resident of Dun Glen, Humboldt County, was in company with Rev. Mr. Temple, of New York City, on a visit to the camp, and joined by Lieutenant Lafferty, were out fishing as before stated. Mr. Banks strolled up the stream by himself, and the Lieutenant with Mr. Temple returned to camp. The continued absence of his guest caused the Lieutenant to institute a search, fearing that he might have become bewildered and lost his way. The remains of the unfortunate man were found, shot through the breast, the assassin having stripped and mutilated his body; and two days later the Rev. Mr. Temple preached the funeral sermon of his friend, whom they buried in the camp cemetery.

            Mr. Banks was a native of Pennsylvania, and thirty-nine years of age. He emigrated to California in 1852 from Pennsylvania, and became for several terms a member of the Legislature of that State. He came to Nevada in 1863, was a member of the

176      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

Convention that formed the State Constitution, and was Speaker of the House during the second annual session of her Legislature. He was a true friend, an able man, and a good citizen, and the news of his death was received with sadness throughout the State.

            The Indians—it was afterward learned that three of them had committed the act—made good their escape, and a detail sent in pursuit of them soon returned from an unsuccessful scout. Lieutenant Lafferty then took his entire available command and started upon the war-path. He reached the south fork of the Owyhee, where near its head-waters he came upon the enemy ; killed four of them ; captured four; and, later in the same day, while scouting alone in a cañon, came upon four other Indians, and in a hand-to-hand conflict killed two of them, captured the others and drove them ahead of him into camp. This was the last of his combats in Nevada, being relieved from command about the first of November, by the arrival at Camp Scott, of Lieutenant Joseph Karge, with reinforcements.

THE WINTER OF 1867, AND SPRING OF 1868.

            On the nineteenth of November, 1867, before Lieutenant Karge had become informed of the general surroundings of the country, the Indians made a raid into the eastern part of the Valley, and drove off all the stock except that of Mr. Scott. Lieutenant Karge went in pursuit, but moved so slowly, on account of deep snow and baggage, that nothing was accomplished.

            The winter of 1867 was very severe, and the snow fell to the depth of several feet in Paradise Valley, and continued upon the ground longer than ever known before. Owing to the severity and length of the winter, many families were forced to subsist upon wheat and barley, ground in a coffee-mill. Spring had hardly come before the valley was visited again by Indians, who, becoming emboldened by their success a few months before, repeated the operation, this time driving off all the stock belonging to M. W. Haviland.

            There were about twenty in the band of depredators, under leadership of the dreaded Big Foot; and young Hunter, a Lieutenant who had recently arrived, was ordered to take Sergeant John Kelly, Corporal Thomas Reed, and private Thomas Ward, and pursue the enemy, whip him, and bring back the stolen property. In obedience to these orders, the young Lieutenant, who had never witnessed an engagement, set out on this perilous enterprise, and was joined by a citizen named John Rogers, from whom Big Foot had taken a valuable horse.

            A few unpleasant words had passed between Lafferty and the commanding officer, because the former had insisted that it was much like murder to order out such a detail in pursuit of Big Foot. Lafferty asked to be sent in place of the young and inexperienced officer, which request was refused; but after the forlorn hope was gone he was permitted to take a small force of select men and follow on. He scoured the foot-hills and cañons in vain search of the young Lieutenant, and was about to take to the mountains when a messenger overtook him, with the news of a collision between the Indians and those he was in search of, and the consequent imminent peril of his friends, and without a moment's delay started with his command at their utmost speed to the rescue.

            The five men, after starting in pursuit of the Indians, had gone directly to the mouth of Deep Cañon, where they struck Big Foot's trail; and young Hunter, as rash as he was inexperienced, dashed along the rocky pass, followed by his men. Suddenly they were brought to a halt by a volley from the concealed enemy that unhorsed every man, and stretched the brave young leader bleeding upon the rocks, and beside him were the Sergeant and private, writhing in the agonies of their death-wounds. The Corporal and citizen were unharmed, but their clothing was perforated with bullets, and their horses were gone. Sheltering themselves behind a rock, they held a consultation, to see what should be done in this fearful emergency. It was determined that one of them should try to reach Camp Scott to give the alarm, and Rogers volunteered to make the attempt. He threw off his hat, coat, and boots, and then made a dash from behind the rock down the cañon, followed by a volley, and then by scattering shots, until he was out of sight, miraculously escaping without a wound. He finally reached headquarters with news of the disaster. There was "hurrying to and fro, and gathering in hot haste" at Camp Scott, and soon the entire force was on the gallop-march to Deep Cañon, some eight miles away.

            In the meantime, Thomas Reed, the Corporal, had been protecting his wounded comrades by firing upon every redskin that showed himself, and making it a sure passport for any of their number to the "happy hunting-grounds" who made the attempt to reach them. 1t was a desperate contest, with fearful odds against the single hero; but nerve and courage won the prize, and the band of Indians retired from the cañon without having been able to touch their prey. At length the command arrived from the camp, followed later by Lieutenant Lafferty; both were too late, for Big Foot and his band had made their escape, and went unpunished. The Government, later, rewarded the brave Corporal Reed by presenting him a medal for his gallant conduct.

            Soon after this Lieutenant Lafferty was ordered on duty in Arizona, where he distinguished himself in several battles with Cochise's Apaches, the most warlike Indians on the continent. In his last engagement, October 20, 1869, while holding the Apaches in check for the purpose of recovering the bodies of some dead comrades, a portion of his

HOSTILITIES IN EASTERN NEVADA.      177

lower jaw was carried away by a bullet, disabling him for life. In the report by Colonel R. F. Bernard of this engagement, he says:

            The conduct of Lieutenant Lafferty, Eighth Cavalry, was most gallant and brave. The cavalry arm in Arizona has lost, for a time, a good and brave officer in Lieutenant Lafferty. A government, in extending thanks to their officers, cannot bestow them too freely upon such officers as Lieutenant Lafferty, Eighth Cavalry.

            Occasional straggling bands would continue to enter the valley at long intervals, and steal stock, until the close of 1869; since when there has been no further trouble with Indians in Paradise Valley.