In Their Own Words

Indians on the Trail

Compiled by Prof. Jim Tompkins

Disclaimer:  Prof. Jim Tompkins has compiled the following information for classes he has taught.  He has kindly contributed them for general use.  This information has been gathered from a variety of sources and, while it is free to use, copyright infringements may make it unsuitable for commercial purposes.

We met a war party of Kaws. They told us they had seen the Pawnees, and had beaten them in a battle; but we learned afterwards, from a more creditable source that it was exactly the other way. They had one or two fresh scalps and as many wounded men, and were leaving the world behind them as fast as possible. We saw their battleground afterwards, and found on it two or three dead bodies. - Overton Johnson, 1843

Posted on a large tree was found the following: NOTICE - We camped here on the 10th day of May. Jim Lider went up the creek to hunt deer and never came back. We found his dead body two miles up the creek after two days hunt, his scalp, clothes and gun all gone. The Pawnees did it. Look out for the red devils. - John Slade, Captain, Otter Creek Co. - Rueben Cole Shaw, 1849

Discovered several of our horses missing. Myself with nine others of the party started in pursuit. We espied our horses standing in close proximity to some Indians. We commenced a charge when they sprang for the horses. We commenced a tremendous yelling, and urging our horses forward, succeeded in preventing the Indians reaching them. In this charge we not only recovered

our own horses but captured seven additional ones from the retreating Indians. - Samuel Hancock,1845

We came up to an encampment of Indians who proved to be a war party of two hundred or more of the Crow Tribe, and equipped for battle. They asked us through an interpreter, whether we had seen any of the Sioux Tribe. An Indian approached a wagon in the rear, having a mule team attached, which became frightened and rushed forward, causing all the other teams to start also, and the whole train of forty wagons dashed across the plains, the drivers having no control over the frantic animals, and the women and children who were inmates of the wagons, screaming with all their voices, some of the wagons upset. It was some time before we could stop them; when we finally did, it was ascertained that we had sustained considerable injury, some of our wagons lying on one side and teams detached from them in some instances, other with the wheels broken, and the contents strewn promiscuously around, while some of our company were lying out with broken legs, and other seriously injured, the whole scene presenting a most disastrous appearance. The Indians having witnessed the entire affair, were hastening to us, but we, entertaining no very kind feeling for them just then request they should advance no nearer. - Samuel Hancock, 1845

We found some forty lodges of the Cheyennes. The head chiefs of this village invited me to a feast. The chief embraced me and greeted me, saying, “Black robe, my heart was very glad when I learned who you were. Be welcome, I have had my three best dogs killed in your honor, they were very fat.” This is their great feast, and that flesh of the wild dog is very delicate and extremely

good; it much resembles that of a young pig. Finally I learned that one may get rid of his dish by passing it to another guest, with a present of tobacco. - Father Pierre-Jean DeSmet, 1840

Our camp is stationary today; part of the emigrants are shoeing their horses and oxen; others are trading at Fort Laramie and with the Indians. Flour, sugar, coffee, tea, tobacco, powder and lead, sell readily at high prices. In the afternoon we gave the Indians a feast, and held a long talk with them. Each family contributed a portion of bread, meat, coffee or sugar, which being cooked, a

table was set by spreading buffalo skins upon the ground, and arranging the provisions upon them. Having filled themselves, the Indians retired, taking with them all that they were unable to eat. - Joel Palmer, 1845

Our Indian companions, who had never seen but the narrow hunting paths by which they transport themselves and their lodges, were filled with admiration on seeing this noble highway, which is as smooth as a barn floor swept by the winds, and not a blade of grass can shoot on it on account of the continual passing. They styled the route the Great Medicine Road of the Whites.

- Father Pierre-Jean DeSmet, 1851

The Ogallallah Sioux Indians had a buffalo and dog dance. In the buffalo dance, a large number of young men dressed with the skins of the neck and head of buffalos with their horns on, moved round in a dancing march. They shook their heads, imitated the low bellowing of the buffalo, wheeled and jumped at the same time men and women sung a song, accompanied with the

beating of drum. I cannot say I was amused to see how well they could imitate brute beasts, rational men imitating beasts, and old greyheaded men marshalling the dance and enlightened white men encouraging it by giving them intoxicating spirits, as a reward for their performance. The women are graceful, and their voices are soft and expressive. I was agreeably surprised to see tall

young chiefs, well dressed, walking arm in arm with their ladies. - Rev. Samuel Parker, 1835

One of our hunters, who was in the rear, was robbed of all he had by the Indians. They struck him with their ram-rods, and he ran away from them. Soon a war party of the Sioux Indians appeared in view. We soon collected together in order of battle, to be ready in case of an attack. The Indians stood awhile and looked at us. They soon showed signs of peace. Captain Fitzpatrick then went to them, and talked with them, for he was acquainted with them. Then they gave back all that they had taken from the young man and our men gave them some tobacco, and they smoked the pipe of peace. - Rev. Joseph Williams, 1841

Camped at a Sioux Indian town. Quite a trade was got up between the white and Indian women trading beads and other trinkets for bread and meat. The old Chief told us we had to pay him for passing through his country. It was customary to give him something. He spread down his blanket and each man put on his pay, some flour, some meat, coffee, beans, peas, dried fruit, etc. He was well pleased. - James Madison Coons, 1847

The Indians along this road are expert in theft and roguery. At night an Indian stole into the camp, unhobbled the horse, cut the rope, and took him off, leaving the young man undisturbed in his sleep. A few days there after, this Indian effected a sale of the horse to one of a party of emigrants traveling behind us. - Joel Palmer, 1845

This was the Fourth of July, and at sunrise fired a saloot of thirteen guns. The saloot was fired in this way, there were two men in the platoon, and they loaded and fired their rifles thirteen volleys, and at each volley we would give three cheers. Of course this made a lot of noise. A company of emigrants that was camped a short ways above us, not thinking of the Fourth, thought we were attacted by Indians. When we got to their camp, we found them ready to defend theirselves, when they found out their mistake, we all had a good laugh. They concluded as they had got ready to burn powder, they would not be disappointed, so their entire company joined in giving a saloot for Independence day, and our company joined them in the cheering.

- Henry Garrison, 1846

Here we saw a grand sight. Ahead of us was an Indian village of three hundred tepees. Of a sudden we came into their view. There was a quick yell to their horse guards and their ponies were rapidly brought into the village. Men and women and children tore down the wigwams. They ran to their ponies, the women lashed the tent-poles to them, leaving the ends dragging on the ground. Tepees, buffalo robes, cooking utensils, provisions, and everything pertaining to the village were gathered up in an incredibly short space of time, and before we were down the hillside, they were off for the hills that lay to the right. “Pegleg” Smith and another mountaineer came out from the village, telling us that they had tried to quell the Indians’ fears, but it was all in vain. They were afraid of our “walking lodges.” - Edward Lenox, 1843

These Indians are a happy harmless people. These Indians sew together twenty groundhog skins, and yet the garment does not reach to their knees. Their winter logment is made of reeds, and salmon is their only food, which, to be sure, is never exhausted. One hears nothing but the word hagai, ‘fish’. - Charles Pruess, 1843

Arriving at Bear River we met with a party of Indians. These people were busily engaged in catching the Army crickets by sticking the ends of sticks in the ground, in rows so thick that crickets could not pass through them, and terminating the row in points like the letter V with an opening at the end where they placed a basket to receive the crickets they drove into the traps; in an

incredibly brief time the basket would be filled and they would place another, continuing this all day; they thus caught immense quantities which were dried on a stone kiln and then removed to a mortar where with a pestle they reduced these singular insects to meal or flour which seemed to be regarded as a staple and delicate article of food among them, which they eat heartily and grow fat upon. - Samuel Hancock, 1845

Feel to pity the poor Indian women who are continually traveling in this manner during their lives & know no other comfort. They do all the work, such as getting the wood, preparing food, picking their lodges, packing & driving their animals, the complete slaves of their husbands. - Narcissa Prentiss Whitman, 1836

The wife of the Old Chief was thrown from her horse today and killed. She was buried according to their custom. She was put into the ground & all her things were put with her, and an equal share of all their provisions. They then shot the horse and put him into the grave for the woman to ride. They then fired a few guns into the grave & put up a most piteous howling, weeping, and waleing - and in that state of agony departed from the place. - James Pritchard, 1849

I visited the people in Fort Hall and found Indian women and children living there. Those women wore bracelets of gold or brass on their wrists, broad rings of gold or brass on their fingers, and a profusion of bright colored, mostly red ribbons on their garments. Those bright colors I thought were in beautiful contrast with the brown skin and glossy black hair of the women.

- Jesse (son of Lindsay) Applegate, 1843

Near Ft. Boise the Indians made an attempt to attack our train and stampeded the stock, but failed through the prompt action of my father, who ordered the teams unhitched and wagons formed in a circle with the tongues of each run under the wagon just forward, making a strong barricade. The oxen were put inside by the wagons. All the available men were outside standing with guns drawn. The Captain walked out alone toward the Indians with his gun in one hand and a white flag in the other. He motioned the Indians not to come any nearer or his men would fire upon them. The Indians turned and ran away as fast as their horses could go. They had fine horses. The men were nude and painted. - Lucy Hall, 1845

It appears they had been annoyed by Indians for some time, when while they were moving, the Indians being considerably reinforced made a final charge, the men being few in number were soon killed or mortally wounded. The rescue was due to the combined efforts of the Yantis party of emigrants and the Fort Boise ferrymen. Soldiers made gallows and hung offenders in the vicinity as a warning to all others. The gallows stood there until a year ago when they fell down. Bodies gathered up and put in a mass grave. - J.M. Harrison referencing 1854 Ward Massacre

Indians beseiged a party of 30 or 35 men on the very spot on which we were corralled & killed all but 3 after a 3 day fight - some report seeing nearly a whole skeleton on the ground - I myself saw a skull & probably could have found more by searching. - Henry M. Judson referencing 1860 Utter- Van Orman Massacre

Burnt River. Where we are now camped a large emigrant train was completely butchered by Indians in 1860. Human bones are strewn around the camp. One man and one woman reached Powder River out of the whole train, they walking the entire distance. - Henry R. Herr, 1862

While nooning below American Falls, word arrived that Indians were robbing emigrants four miles ahead. I took a party to assist and found the Adams train looted. There was one emigrant dead, two wounded and several missing. All of the wagon teams were gone. Towing the wagons, we moved down four miles to a campsite near Massacre Rocks. There we found the Smart train, which had been attacked at about the same time as the Adams train. They had been a mile ahead of Adams and had fought their way to the campground, with the loss of two men dead. Thirty-five of us from the trains followed the track of the Indians to recover the lost stock. The Indians were nine miles away. We were attacked, having to retreat three miles under fire, with two dead, two missing, and several wounded. The five dead from the three incidents were buried at the south end of the Massacre Rocks campground. The combined wagon train, now made up of five trains, moved on to Raft River. Miss Adams died of wounds and was buried at Raft River. - Hamilton Scott, 1862

The Walker Train, young men who had no family connections, pushed ahead for the end of the journey. As we reached the Powder river plain one autumn afternoon, the dark billow of the Blue Mountains rolled athwart our pathway and as we stood gazing at its shadowy but formidable hights, from the lofty roll to the left of Lee’s Encampment, there shot up to the sky a stately column of smoke; all eyes caught it. I heard some of the women say ‘Signal Fire.’ The men said nothing, but looked, first at the dark ascending pillar of smoke, and then at the groups of women and children. What were their thoughts I never knew. At night extra precaution as to surprise was taken. On the third day from seeing the signal smoke we arrived at the rim of the Grand Ronde valley. Looking down upon this, the most beautiful valley in Oregon, we could see large numbers of Indians riding over the plains. No choice was left us; friendly or warlike, we had to pass through that valley, and down the hill we started. We soon learned that the Indians we had seen were a large band of Cayuses and Nez Perces, who, following the custom taught them by Dr. Whitman, had come this far out to meet the immigrants, trade with them and protect them from the Snake Indians. Here for the first time in

several months we felt safe. The smoke which had caused so much apprehension was the Nez Perce signal of aid. It was the firey banner of friendship and succor, sent aloft by these dusky people to proclaim their presence and good will.- George B. Currey, 1853

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