Transcript
Transcript for "Later from the Plains," New York Daily Times, 13 Oct. 1853, p. 8
From the St. Louis Republican, Oct. 7.
The mail from the States, in charge of Mr. BARR, arrived on the morning of the 13th, making the best time on record.
Mr. H. F. MAYER arrived in the mail, from whom we learn, that at the 22d mile point, this side of Fort Kearney, they met Mr. DAVIS, and party, consisting of sixteen men, one woman and a boy, returning from California. They stated that two nights previous, while encamped at Fallon's Bluff, they were attacked about dark by some fifty Indians, who drove off all their mules and horses; they left one man, the woman and boy in camp, and started in pursuit. After crossing the Platte, and going about eight miles in the Bluffs, they came upon them so quietly, that they secured their own animals before they were discovered, when the Indians decamped; three of them remained to get their horses, and were, together with their horses, taken by the Californians. Finding these Indians to be too troublesome and dangerous, they let them go, retaining the chief and the horses, which they had when met by the mail.
The Indians had collected here in large numbers, for the purpose of receiving their presents; they refused at first to sign the treaty as modified by the United States Government, but finally, after much talk, signed, so that all is now settled, and they will this day receive the goods.
Major FITZPATRICK, the agent for the Sioux, deserves much credit for the able manner in which he conducted this last, and, we hope, final step with this discontented tribe.
The Salt Lake mail arrived yesterday. From one of the passengers we learn that, upon the affidavits of some of the emigrants, Mr. BRIDGER, of Fort Bridger, had told them that he intended to give the Utah Indians guns and ammunition for the purpose of exterminating the Mormons at Salt Lake. Writs were issued to take BRIDGER and bring him to Salt Lake, and a company of men were sent for that purpose. When they arrived, they found BRIDGER gone. They took possession of all the arms, ammunition, and everything else, and were still there when the mail passed.
It is also rumored that the Mormons have had a difficulty with the settlers at Green River, and in endeavoring to take a man who would not surrender, they killed him. This, however, is nothing but a rumor, and I do not know its correctness.
Nothing of any very great interest is transpiring here just now, as the season of emigration has passed. The traders are out of sugar, and the Indians have stopped fighting for the Winter. It is true we have some two or three thousand of the heathen encamped around about us, and they have sung their one poor song, almost into verse, during the last week, but owing to the severe dressing given them by the Pawnees, a month or two since, the "scalp cry" is much more frequent than the dance, and the painted beauties do not robe themselves in their finest skins, or ramble about as much as usual.
Among the trappers, there is, however, in reality, much excitement on the subject of Railroads, and especially do they canvass the effect which the early completion of the great road connecting the Indies is to have upon beaver and robes. Most of them would prefer that it should be finished before next Winter, as they talk of taking the cars in that event on their next hunt. So just be so kind as to "hand down the shovel and the hoe," and hurry the thing along if you conveniently can.
The Indian treaties, distributions, &c, have all gone off very well, and Uncle Sam's pocket has been most gracefully relieved of a few more extra thousand dollars. Some difficulty is apprehended with the Sioux in the neighborhood, in consequence of the troops from the fort having killed five or six men a short while since; but I do not think anything serious will grow out of it. At all events we are quite well prepared for a brush with them, and I only hope that it will take place. I should like to get a few captives to take down with me.