December 1, 2011

Nevada's Online State News Journal

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Nevada History:

[A Mountaineer's View of the Indian Trouble, Sacramento Union, May 16, 1860]

            A Mountaineer's View of the Indian Trouble.— We saw Superintendent Lander, of the Overland Wagon Road, this morning, and had a conversation with him on the subject of the Indian difficulties in Washoe Valley. He says that his party, being under orders to take the field and explore and map the country west of Carson City and Honey Lake, he will immediately proceed to do so, without reference to the intelligence just received, In his opinion the number of the Indians is greatly exaggerated by the telegraphic reports, unless (as there seems some reason to suppose) the movement is one of an extended and alarming nature, indeed — a movement, in fact, emanating among the Mormons at Salt Lake City.

            The Humboldt River and Pah-Ute Indians have no means of subsisting large and concentrated bodies of warriors for any length of time. We understand Col. Lander, who has passed over the entire country of Oregon, the Snake and Humboldt rivers, and the central route to the States — in fact, was last year special Government agent to the Pannack, Shoshone and Pah-Ute tribes along the emigrant road — to say that, if two thousand Indians are thus in the field, they must have come out from Oregon, or be concentrated from the Pannacks, the Shoshones and the Pah-Utes. The western Shoshones and the Pannacks were hostile last year, and killed many emigrants. They may have come over and joined the Pah-Utes, armed and incited by Mormon emissaries. This would account for the reported presence of white men among them. They are a class of Indians usually subsisting on roots, fish and reptiles, and, unless furnished with Mormon beef and flour, cannot remain long together.

            The Shoshones and the rich Cayuses and Nez-perces, of Oregon, are at war. There is, therefore, little probability of Oregon Indians being present. The Oregon Indians are enabled to support a long war by subsisting on their herds of cattle, and drying the meat for their long marches.

            Colonel Lander avers that he will do all in his power to protect the citizens in that region; and will join them, or those of California, in any effort against the common enemy which the most liberal construction of his instructions will permit. Colonel Lander, this morning, sent the following dispatch to General Haven, which we have been permitted to publish :

            Adjutant General Haven : Can you furnish me fifty revolvers and forty Sharp's or Colt's rifles, with ammunition I will receipt for, and account for them. I go with a party directly into the Pah-Ute Indian country ; can furnish my own transport and rations. Please answer at once. I shall be glad to co-operate with you in this matter for the public benefit.

F. W. Lander,

Superintendent U. S. Overland Road,

Bulletin, May l4th]                                                                               Metropolitan Hotel.