USA > California > Lassen County > Fairfield's pioneer history of Lassen County, California to 1870 > Part 43
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Tuesday morning the pursuing party took a straight course to the place on Madeline Plains where Smith's company had turned baek. Two or three miles from the edge of the Plains they struck water from a few inches to three feet deep, but it was clear and they could see the tracks on the bottom. After wading about a mile they came to a mound standing up out of the water. (This mound is now called "Red Rock Butte.") Here the Indians had camped the night their pursuers stayed at Rye
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Patch, and here they killed the gray horse, the only one they had left. They took six horses at the time of the massacre. The white men could now account for five of them, but never knew what became of the sixth one. It may have been killed the night after the Indians left Honey Lake valley. The night the Indians stayed at the mound they ate the horse's head and feet, and cut the rest of the flesh from the bones and took it along with them. After a short stay at this place the whites followed on north about five miles to Sage Hen springs-now called by that name- going through deep water, snow, and mud, a difficult and almost impossible journey. At this place the Indians had built some little scaffolds out of sticks and barbecued the horse meat. From here they went over the hill about three miles to Maiden valley which lies southwest of Cold springs. Every little ways they came to patches of snow forty or fifty feet wide and six feet deep which in the afternoon was soft from the heat of the sun. The Indians had no trouble in crossing this snow because they were on foot, and probably crossed it in the morning when it was hard; but the horses could not get through these drifts and the white men had to make a long detour whenever they came to one. Even then it was hard work to get along and both men and horses were pretty well exhausted when they reached Maiden valley. The snow, however, was soft enough to show the tracks of the Indians and these they counted several times. There were sixteen of them, one of whom was lame, probably the one shot by Cooper. From this it would seem that all of the band did not take part in the massacre.
At Maiden valley they found good grass and there they stopped. Ahead of them to the north they could see a high mountain ten or twelve miles away (Warm Spring mountain), and Newt. Evans thought they had better get some supper and then five or six of them strike out on foot and go to the top of the mountain, leaving the rest of the men to look out for the horses and guard them. Accordingly after they had eaten Newt. Evans, McDaniel, Lawson, "Crossfire," the Piute, and perhaps another man, started out and reached the top of the mountain about ten o'clock at night, or a little later. From there they could see the camp fire of the Indians four or five miles to the northeast on a flat close to the Warm springs. Occasionally they would throw up fire signals. While the scouts were looking at the
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fire Evans asked the Piute about his ammunition and the Indian said that he had only one load for his gun-the rest he had left at camp. Evans told him to go back and get it. Lawson says he told Evans that it was a bad thing to send the Indian away from them, for he would go to the camp of the other Indians and tell them what was going on. He believes the Piute did this, for when they went down to the camp fire they never found an Indian. Evans thought some one had better go back to their camp and tell the boys to come on with some provisions; but they were all dead tired, and when Lawson said he could go they told him he could not make it. He had a six-shooter so he left his gun and set out. It was a hard trip, for it was dark and the country was strange to him. Every little while he fell down and he lost both bootheels; but there happened to be a natural pass from the Warm springs to Maiden valley, Law- son has always been noted as a hard man to lose in the moun- tains, and he finally reached his destination. The men heard him coming through the brush and were ready to shoot until he made them understand who he was, and then they let him come into camp. He told them what was wanted, and as he was too tired to go with them, he gave them the best directions he could as to where they should go to find the other men. He told Meyers to take the gun he had left, and all the men except- ing Lawson and two or three others took some provisions and went on. About daylight they found the men they were looking for, and after eating some breakfast, they once more took the trail of the Indians and followed it six or seven miles to the south fork of Pit river. The river was very high and the cur- rent was like a mill race where the tracks of the Indians went into it. After looking around for some time and failing to find any place where they dared attempt to cross the torrent, they gave up the pursuit and came back to Maiden valley that night. The Piute didn't come back until after they did, and when asked where he had been so long, he replied that he had got lost in the darkness the night before. The next morning they took the back track and in due time reached their homes after another hard journey through the mud, water, and snow. (Brown says that McDaniel was the scout that came back, and that the men who left camp after he returned were lost in a snow squall and didn't find the scouts who were watching the Indians. The scouts
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returned to camp early the next morning, but the others did not get in until noon. The Indians escaped to the north.) The "Virginia Enterprise" published an account of this expedition. In it many facts were given which Lawson has related, but which Brown appears to have forgotten.
THE PURSUIT OF THE INDIANS WHO KILLED THE PEARSON FAMILY AND SAMUEL COOPER-THE LONG VALLEY PARTY
J. O. Hemler says that early in the morning of the day after the Pearson Family and Cooper were murdered, his uncle, J. D. Byers, and himself were out on the flat between the Bald moun- tain and the lake looking for cattle. While they were riding around in the brush they saw a man on horseback coming from the direction of the Tules. He was riding rapidly, and as soon as Byers saw him he said that something must be wrong and they rode to meet him. It was John D. Kelley, and he told them what had happened and said he was going to Janesville after help. Byers said they would go back with him and the three men rode to the Lower Hot springs. When they got there the bodies of the dead lay on the ground where they fell. After looking around a while Byers put Hemler's saddle onto the horse which he himself had been riding and told him to go to Long valley and tell Alvaro Evans about the massacre so the settlers in that section could look out for themselves. Hemler says that he was badly frightened, but when they asked him if he was afraid to go he told them he was not. Byers told him he need not be afraid, for there was no Indian pony that could outrun the horse he was riding, and also told him to ride his horse so as to always have some ability to run still left in him. It is easy to believe that Hemler made good time until he reached the divide between Honey Lake and Long valleys, and there he caught up with Sutherland and Berryman driving the dairy cows. The latter asked him where he was going and Hemler told him, and also told him why he was going there. Berryman would not believe him and said he must be joking. Hemler called his attention to the condition of his horse and asked him if he thought he would ride a horse like that unless something was the matter. He asked Berryman to ex- change horses with him and told him he would return the horse when he came back. The exchange was made, and Hemler rode on after telling Berryman to break the news to Sutherland, for
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he did not have the heart to do it himself. When he reached his destination he told his story to Alvaro Evans who at once sent for R. E. (Bob.) Ross, and the two men took the matter in hand. They sent out and called the men of that section together and had some families come in from the outside. They also sent up into the mountains for a band of saddle horses.
George W. Bennett, who lived in Red Rock valley at that time, says that on the 18th Allen Evans came to his house and told him about the massacre. He went home with Evans and stayed that night with him. On the 19th a company of twenty- five men started from the Evans ranch in pursuit of the Indians. Newt. Evans was Captain, and Berryman, Jacob McKissick, "Pete" Evans (It is said that he was engaged to be married to Hattie Pearson.), a Piute Indian they took along to do the trail- ing, and others whose names will appear later on, were in the company. (J. B. Rice says that John Fitch, T. J. Glasscock, E. H. Fairchilds, and several others from Milford and that vicin- ity, perhaps six or eight in all, joined the Evans company.) It is also said that Isaac Hallett went with one of the parties that pursued the Indians.
The first day out the Evans party scouted around the Fort Sage mountain (State Line Peak) and then went to the Lower Hot springs. From there they swung around the west side of the Hot Springs mountain and that night camped northwest of Skedaddle valley. They camped on a point where the wind struck them and it was very cold. Some of the younger men wanted to build a fire, but the Captain and some of the older men objected to it. About three o'clock in the morning Bennett, John Titus, - Blaisdel, Robert Cameron, and "Shorty" got up and started back for Red Rock valley. The next day the others went on and at night met Smith's company. Their subsequent move- ments have already been told.
AN INDIAN SCARE IN LONG VALLEY
Written from what was told by Daniel W. Bryant, Alvaro Evans, George W. Harrison, and A. L. Tunison.
On the 20th of April word was brought up along the south side of the valley and to Susanville that the people of Long val- ley were in danger from the Indians. In a short time all sorts
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of rumors were flying around-the Indians were going to clean out Long valley, they were besieging the Evans ranch and also the Dinwiddie ranch. At the latter place there were some women and children and the whites could hold out only that night. Per- haps there was trouble in other places, too. The word reached Susanville late in the afternoon, but preparations were made to go that night to the aid of those who were said to be in danger. About nine o'clock between fifteen and twenty men, mounted on all sorts of horses, started out, G. W. Harrison, Joe Hale, George Funk, Antone Storff, Hiram Parks, and Al. Leroy being among the number. It was far from being a pleasure trip to some of them. Harrison says he rode one of Funk's team horses that had on heavy shoes. He had been working in a printing office for some time and was not used to riding, and the next day he could hardly go. But he stood it because he thought he was going to help save some one's life. Probably there were others in the crowd who had the same feelings both mental and physical. About midnight they reached the Byers ranch on Baxter creek east of Janesville, and there they stopped a while and got something to eat and fed their horses. They then resumed their journey. On their way down the valley they were joined by other men, and when they arrived at the Evans ranch the next day about noon there were thirty or forty in the party.
Tunison says that on the 20th, probably it was late in the evening, he went from Johnston's to Buggytown and aroused every family. About midnight fifteen men left Robert Johns- ton's for Long valley. Tunison and Bryant are the only ones of this party whose names are known. This party went through Janesville and at daylight took breakfast at Milford. They reached the Evans ranch about the same time that the other party did. On their arrival the Honey Lakers found that the Indians were not besieging the Evans ranch or any other ranch, and that no one, either white or red, had been killed. One man says the report started from the fact that some Indians, Pit Rivers or Bannocks, passing through there had killed a beef in Red Rock valley, and that made the settlers afraid they would commit more depredations and perhaps kill some one. It may have been that or the stealing of the horses in that section that started the story, and like all other Indian scares, the farther it
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traveled the larger it got. The news must have gone in the other direction, for men were there from the upper end of Long valley and from Sierra valley.
Alvaro Evans says that when the Honey Lake men reached his place he had five Indians working for him. In the afternoon he went out and told them who was there, and that if the Honey Lakers saw them they would kill them all. He told them they had better go south through the hills, and then strike aeross the valley and go to the Pyramid Lake reservation. The Indians had no ponies and started out on foot.
About midnight Evans was awakened by the barking of the dogs and a racket outside, and when he got up he found Andrew W. Dinwiddie and a man named Lemons, who lived in Sierra valley, at the door. Dinwiddie told the following story: It ap- pears that the Indians went through the hills and came out near the bridge which then crossed the Long Valley creek five or six miles south of the Evans place. Dinwiddie, who lived about half a mile south of the bridge, saw them coming, and taking his rifle, went out alone to meet them. He met them just after they crossed the bridge, and when he spoke to them one of the Indians, a Piute called George, said he was a "good Indian" and the next three told him the same thing. He let the four pass as being all right. The fifth one, however, didn't say he was "good," but showed fight and he and Dinwiddie clinched and scuffled around for a while. The white man could throw the Indian, but could not hold him down, and could get no chance to use his gun. Fin- ally he made up his mind that the only way he could get the bet- ter of the Indian was to back him up to the edge of the creek, push him over it, and then shoot him. While he was trying to do this George picked up the gun and shot the Indian. He then said that the Indian killed was a Pit River and a bad Indian, and the four "good" ones went on their way. Dinwiddie and Lemons immediately mounted their horses and came to the Evans ranch. The next morning the dead Indian lying beside the road caused another small Indian seare.
On the afternoon of the 21st they organized a company of thirty men with Robert E. Ross as captain. The next day they went to Dry valley and around to Fish springs, about twenty miles, and camped near the little lake. During the day they "saw lots of Indian tracks going north." The following morning
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Harrison, Bryant, Jud. Hamilton, and two others, left the crowd and started for home because they didn't like the way in which the hunt after the Indians was carried on. Tunison tells the rest of the story. "The remainder of us struck north and traveled about twelve or fifteen miles and camped on Plum creek. Saw lots of Indian and horse tracks going north and followed as far as traveled-found one white man coming back. Saddled up near night and rode on about six miles further and made dry camp. Stood guard two hours latter part of night. Found camp where the Indians had made their first camp. April 24. Went on to Smoke Creek six or eight miles. The Indians that we were tracking were seen near Buffalo springs yesterday go- ing north. Fifteen of us started on after the Indians and the remainder of the party went back to the valley. Our party went on to Buffalo springs and camped. April 25. Took the Humboldt road and nooned at Wall springs. Went to Deep Hole and took our supper. There two of our party left us. One was sick (Oscar) and Smith-scared out. After dark we went up the Deep Hole creek five miles and camped. I was elected Captain at Deep Hole. 26th. Traveled up Deep Hole creek about ten miles and turned toward the left towards Sur- prise valley. Went to the Summit and turned toward Buffalo and traveled in that direction six or eight miles, and camped in an old Indian camp near the Summit of the Buffalo range. 27th. Sargeant and I struck out-went a couple of miles and found the Indian trail going north. Went back to camp and packed up and followed the tracks north twelve or fifteen miles and left them. About forty Indians' tracks and over twenty horse and mule tracks. We then struck for Buffalo Meadows down the east branch of the creek, which runs through an awful rough and crooked canyon about ten miles-camped at the Meadows. 28th. Harris left us here for Surprise valley with J. Johnson and one Wagner, who met us here. Started for home-struck the Humboldt road at Buffalo springs. Part of our party went by way of Sheephead springs, and five of us on the Humboldt road. Camped at Smoke creek. Caught a duck in Smoke ereek. 29th. Nooned at Mud springs and camped at Shaffer's. 30th. Three of our crowd started for Sierra valley by way of Hot springs, and Lou., Charley, and I went to upper end of valley."
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Evidently this company found more Indians than they could use. It will be observed that neither of the expeditions that went out this spring killed or captured a single Indian.
Tunison says that about the first of May the Indians killed three men near Buffalo Meadows. After this they made no more trouble in or around Honey Lake valley, or along the emi- grant road between there and the Humboldt river, during the remainder of the year.
THE EXTERMINATORS
The outrages committed by the Indians this year served to inflame the minds of the people of this section still more against them. For several years it was none too safe for a Piute to come into the valley, especially around Susanville. About the last of May "The Sage Brush" said "The people of Long valley have caused all Indians, of whatever description, to emigrate from among them. No Indian is allowed, under any pretext whatever, to come into the county."
About this time a secret society called "The Exterminators" was organized in Susanville. It was a regular lodge. They elected officers and the members were sworn to kill every Indian they could. This was to be done in order to avenge the murder of Cooper and the Pearsons. They held meetings all that sum- mer, but the excitement gradually died away and the order went out of existence.
INDIANS HANGED FOR THE "PEARSON MASSACRE"
"The Butte Record" of September 5th, 1868, has the following :
"INDIAN MATTERS NORTH
"Gov. Roop of Susanville, Lassen Co. has forwarded us a letter from Gen. Crook, dated at Camp Warner, Oregon, Aug. 22nd, from which we make the following extract concerning Indian affairs in that vicinity : 'I found most of these Indians in Big Valley on Pit River. Many of them fled to the mountains on our approach. I had a talk with some of their principal men, who are on friendly terms with the whites, and they confess that nine of the Pit River Indians killed the Pearson family, and that three of this party had left there, but that the remaining six
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were still among them. But they know where they are, and I requested Capt. Munson to go down to Fort Crook in the course of a couple of months, when they will have gotten over their fright and settled down, catch the murderers and hang them, which will have a tendency to prevent their engaging in any outside speculation of that kind in the future. Our scouts were all around Eagle Lake and the Warner Range generally on our way home but found no sign of Indians, so that I feel satisfied that our Indian troubles are over with in this country.' "'
The following is from the "Reno Crescent" of October 10, 1868. "From 'The Sage Brush' we learn that Capt. Munson brought three Indians, who had been delivered to him as part of the murderers of the Pearson family, to Susanville one day last week and delivered them to the civil authorities there. On examination nothing was proven against them and they were set at liberty. However, the people of Susanville were con- vinced of their guilt and no one was surprised to find their bodies suspended next morning, to an old building near town; their souls having gone to the 'happy hunting grounds' during the preceding night. A Honey Lake friend tells us that one old buck claimed a commutation of sentence on the ground that he only killed a young Mahala (Hattie Pearson) and did not share in the plunder. The redskinned fiend! Hattie Pearson's exist- ence was of more consequence than that of all the Indians that ever lived."
Thomas N. Long, who was then the Sheriff of Lassen county, says that Captain Munson turned the Indians over to him and he immediately put them into jail. Some of the prominent citizens of Susanville, Governor Roop and others, came to Long and told him that he had no right to put the Indians into jail, and that they would pay for the services of a guard if he would take them out of jail and put one over them. He refused to do this, and there was considerable talk of mobbing him and taking the prisoners away from him. At that time Collins Gaddy lived in Susanville, and he had considerable influence with a certain element. He took sides with Long and that served to keep the crowd quiet until the excitement died away, and the idea was given up.
There was no one in town before whom the Indians could be given a preliminary examination, and as soon as this was
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discovered they sent for E. P. Soule, Justice of the Peace, who was doing some carpenter work at Milford. They did not get ready for the examination until late the second day after the Indians arrived-nine or ten o'clock at night. When the Indians were brought before Squire Soule at the court house, a dispute arose between Governor Roop and Judge Harrison as to which one was the district attorney of the county. After a good deal of dispute Squire Soule recognized Harrison as the legal prose- cuting attorney, and Roop volunteered to defend the Indians. Of course there was no testimony against the prisoners and the Court had to turn them loose.
The room was full of excited men and Long knew what was coming. He did not care particularly what became of the Indians, but he did not want himself or any of his deputies mixed up in the matter. His deputy, R. York Rundel, wanted to take a hand with the crowd, but Long told him to help him take the handcuffs off the Indians and then get out of the way. They got the irons off, but while doing it were almost trodden under foot by the crowd who were eager to get at the Indians. The two officers managed to get through the crowd and down the stairs, and when they reached the gate Rundel wanted to stay and "see the fun." Long told him it would be all right if he kept out of the crowd and took no part in what they did, and he stayed. The next morning the bodies of the Indians were hanging to an oak tree that stood near the northeast corner of Main and Pine streets.
Mr. Long says that he and some others thought from the appearance of the Indians brought in here that they were only some renegades that the Pit Rivers delivered up to General Crook to satisfy him, and that they had nothing to do with the mas- sacre. He says they were poor specimens of red men and didn't look at all dangerous. Others say they were ugly, determined- looking fellows. It was reported that these Indians confessed to Captain Munson that they participated in the murder of Cooper and the Pearson Family, but the writer has been unable to verify this. Long says that while they were in jail they would not talk at all. One of the men who helped hang them says that one Indian wanted to be shot because he had killed only one Mahala. When he said this a white man struck so vicious a blow at him with a butcher knife that if he had not dodged it would have
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cut him almost in two. Nothing more was said by any of the Indians, excepting that the one hanged last said of the one whose turn came before his, "See um heap kick." The writer could find nothing in the newspapers of the day to show that any more of the nine Indian murderers were ever killed or captured.
HONEY LAKE VERY HIGH
About the first of June, 1868, "The Sage Brush" printed the following in regard to Honey lake. "This body of water is said to be from twenty to twenty-five feet deeper than ever pre- viously known. The lands about the lake, in some places for the extent of a mile, where they had been previously cultivated are now inundated, and the water is still rising. Honey lake, like many other similar bodies of water on the Pacific slope, has no visible outlet. A vast quantity of water has fallen this season upon the mountains and throughout the valley, but not enough to raise the lake to its present level. And then the streams leading into the lake are nearly run down to their common depth. It must be that the underground outlets of the lake are in a measure closed, or that extensive springs, as has been reported, have broken out within the lake. At all events, the hay and farming land for miles about the lake is threatened with destruction."
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