The Union Democrat Sonora, Tuolumne Co., CA Saturday, 7 Oct 1854 [WARNING: This issue contains graphic material, not suitable for reading by children] **INDIAN OUTRAGE -- The following letter, published in the Oregonian (Portland, O.T.), gives a detailed account of the late massacre of immigrants in the vicinity of Fort Boise, by the Shoshonees, or Snake Indians. The writer, John F. NOBLE, was on his return, by the overland route, from a visit to the Atlantic States: On the morning of the 22nd of August last, a party of 18 men left Fort Boise, for the purpose of rescuing 3 ladies and a number of children, who were supposed to be in the hand of a party of Winnass Indians, (one of the small tribes of Snakes, who live on Boise river), who attacked Mr. Alexander WARDs train, from Missouri, on the 26th of August, about 25 miles above Fort Boise, on the south side of Boise river. This party, on arriving at the place where the first attack was made, found the bodies of Alexander WARD, and Robert, his oldest son, Samuel Mulligan, Charles ADAMS, William BABCOCK and a German whose name is unknown. Following the trail, for about 300 yards, the body of young AMON was found -- a lad of 17 years of age. He was 1 of 7 who came to the rescue, on the day of the attack, with William YANTIS. This young man fought with great valor, pursuing the Indians to the bushes, where he was killed. About 100 yards farther on, the body of Miss WARD was found, having been shot through the head with a musket-ball. Her body was much bruised, her hand showing signs of a desperate fight in resisting off the fiendish attempts of the [illeg] violate her youthful person. The marks of [illeg] were plainly indented upon her left cheek; [illeg] a hot piece of iron had been thrust into her person, doubtless whist alive, as a punishment for her resistance. About 50 yards farther on, in the brush, 3 wagons were burned. The trail was followed up, and in about 600 yards the body of Mrs. WHITE was found, stripped of her clothing, and scalped. Her head was beaten in by clubs, and also a musket-ball had passed through her head. Her person showed signs of the most brutal violence. In about 30 yards farther, upon the north bank of the river, their place of encampment was discovered. It consisted of 16 lodges, made of willow bushes. Here the bodies of Mrs. WARD and 3 children were found. Mrs. WARD was lying in the encampment, in front of the fire. Her body had been robbed of all its covering, and was much cut and scarred by bruises. Her face had a deep wound, inflicted by a tomahawk, which probably caused her death. The children were lying upon the fire, in front of her, having evidently been burned alive, as a portion of the hair still remained upon their heads, showing they had been held by the hair until they were burned to death, in front of their mother, and she doubtless was compelled to witness the horrid barbarity. She was soon to give birth to another child, which rendered the sight still more shocking. Several parts of limbs were picked up at some distance from the fire, having been dragged away by the wolves, or the Indian dogs; for several had been left in camp by them. Source: [email protected] Copied and submitted by Earline Wasser Member of Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society c/o The Dalles/Wasco County Public Library 722 Court Street The Dalles, Oregon 97058 http://community.gorge.net/genealogy [Note: new website address] Browse http://historysavers.com/orwasco/ recently updated information regarding Wasco County - Links are at the bottom of page The Dalles Chronicle http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/ http://searches.rootsweb.com/ "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant." Robert Louis Stevenson Incoming and Outgoing mail protected by Trend Micro PC-cillin program