The New York Herald Newspaper, January 18, 1879, Page 3

THE CHEYENNE. STAMPEDE. Pursuit of the Fugitives Resumed. TROOPS AGAIN AMBUSCADED One Private Killed and Reinforce- ments Sent For, RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ESCAPE. Badly Guarded, Stupidly Pursued—Wes the Flight Deliberately Permitted ? HOW DID THEY GET THEIR ARMS? of Affairs on the Frontier. Condition Nebraska Critical [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.] Fort Roprnson, Neb., Jan. 17, 1879. ‘To-day has been full of Indian news here, and the probabilities for the future as well as the stirring events of the past few days have been canvassed freely by every one interested. Yesterday Captain H. W. Wessels and Lieutenant G. A. Dodd left with forty men to take up the trail of the fleeing Chey- enues, with the intent to capture them. Before start- ing ont they were fortunate enough to se- cure tho services of ‘“Woman’s Dress,” @ good Sioux Indian, and Charles Changros, a half- breed, as a scout and trailer. About five this evening Lieutenant Dodd returned to camp escorted by a ser- geant and two mounted men, from the headquarters of Captain Wessels, thirty miles distant on the Hot Creek road, to procure authority for the enlistment of a number of Indian scouts. TAKING UP THE TRATL. He reports that after leaving here the trail was taken up again about two P.M. yesterday in the snow of the high bluffs skirting the road, about twenty-five miles southwesterly from this place. It was followed closely by the guides late into tne night and until it was, for * the time being, lost owing to its indistinctness and the darkness. The ruggedness of tho ground was euch that Captain Wessels was obliged in many places ‘to steady his wagons and lower them with ropes, e@howing that the Cheyennes, with admirable tact nd discrimination, are seeking the most inaccessible places to aid their flight, and, in case of attack, for their defence. Near midnight he determined to go into camp, and: at daylight this morning the scouts succeeded again in taking up the lost trail. The march was continued with usual caution, the Indian, “Woman's Dress’ and half-breed Changros taking the lead, About ten o’clock this morning the trail ‘was found to pass over asweeping upland that rose « gradually from the plain below and was thought by ““Woman’s Dress” to continue beyond the crest of the hill above. THE INDIANS AT BAY. Accordingly the moccasin prints were closely scanned, until all of a sudden it was discovered that they were quite freshly made. A few mounted sol- diers as videttes were at the head of the column, and the course was gradually kept toward tho rise of the high bluff looming up before them, On either side of this spur were smaller bluffs or sand hills, prevailing in this country, with steep, abrupt and broken sides, rendering them entirely impassable. The com- mand, which had, during the march, been rein- forced by Captain Lausen’s company, 80 as to number all told, 100 men, moved on without observing asign of the enemy, when sud- denly the fugitives, repeating the tactics observed in their last encounter with Captain Wessels, fired a rattling volley into the troops at short range, by which Private Barbour, of Company H, Third cavalry, was killed. A halt was at once ordered and a proper disposition of the troops made, Such was the posi- tion of affairs when Lieutenant Dodd left. He says that Captain Wessels, who was considerably galled by the strictures paesed upon him before he left here, now intends to keep the Cheyennes in full sight, if such a thing be possible, though he is debarred from charging them, owing to tho steepness of the bluff on which they are, rendering the place completely impassable for men on foot or horseback, Lieutenant Dodd was hastily despatched to enlist Indians scouts at the Pino Ridge agency and to procure # mountain howitzer now at Camp Sheridan. POSITION AND CONDITION OF THE INDIANS. In the fire of the Cheyennes the horse of Woman's Drees was badly wounded, and he pronounces the spot into which he and the foremost of the troops were allowed to get a perfect hornot’s nest. He had no idea the Indians were anywhere near. It is ascertained that they have no horses yet, and that there are many wounded among thom is attested by the blood stains on the snow all along their course. Upon examination of the last place where they made @ stand itis discovered that they put up 8 fort of stone, with logs arranged so as to furnish rests for their rifles. The present position taken by them commands everything about them, and Captain Wessels says that it will take half his command to dislodge them. There are supposed to be about fifty of them, including sguaws, though there is a trail of about dozen splitting off from the main band, showing that a party hae gone out, perhaps after beef, which abounds largely inthe vicinity among the cattle heras, BODY KRIAZD WY THE INDIANS, The body of Private Barber, which fell from his horse after being shot, is now in possession of the Indians, together with his carbine, pistol and sixty rounds of ammunition. They charged desperately to obtain possession of the horse, under pistol fire of the soldiers at 200 yards, but failed in this. A great gloom is spread over the troops, as in case Barber was not tmmediately killed by the bullet which strack him, and from the effects of which he fell from his horse as though dead, fearful barbarities are certain to bo inflicted on him, MORE ‘TROOPS. On the 22d prox. two more companies will be went out to join Captain Wessels, which, with two companies from Fort Laramie, will make six operat- ing against the Indians. With those their final cap. ture is almost certain. It is believed that tho fact of the Cheyennes moving but five miles from their last battle ground indicates that they havo doter- mined to a mau to die rather than surrender, ‘There are enid to be about forty Indians of all ages and sexes in their present position. Woman's Dress, who is an Indian and best capable of judging of them, says that he does not know what to make of their mopping around tho vicinity of the fort, unless it, NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 1879.-TRIPLE SHEET.i in the expectation of receiving assistance from some quarter. AM ALARMING FACT. In this connection an alarming phase of the Indian question has just presented itself through the arrival of two cattle men, Moses Newman and Mr. Chalk, from the vicinity the Niobrara, near Snake River, where they have ranches. In the latter part of the past week some forty-one head of horses were stolen from the former, and since then quite an active search has been made for them, Mr. Chalk reports pursuing the trail of the thieves, and, upon searching @ point some thirty miles south of the Spotted Tail agency in the sand hills beyond the Niobrara and sixty miles from Red Cloud's band, heceme upon @ desert Indian camp. The fires appeared tohave been some five days old, and about three hundred head of horses are supposed to have been in the party, composed of about fifty Indians. This is believed to be the resort or hiding placo of Little Wolf, son of Dull Knife, and an es- caped Cheyenne warrior, who has been leading @ party of his people, as is thought, on the way north to join Sitting Bull. No doubt is entertained among the best informed that it is Little Wolf's band, and'that they have been receiving aid and comfort from one or both of the two Sioux tribes north of them. They have left a lodge pole trail, and are believed to have been living on the cattle found ranging about them. This party is probably the one which the present fighting Cheyenne force is endeavoring to reach, and ifa junction is formed with them and the young Sioux bucks join them, as they probably will, 9 formidable marauding force will bo constituted. The ranchers, stockmen and cattle raisers are already asking aid from the military. One said to-day that from this time until August he would not gives button for any of their lives. LIRUTENANT SCHUYLER’S MISSION. The presence of Lieutenant Schuyler, of General Crook's staff, here is not to investigate where or with whom the culpability lies for the escape of the Cheyennes. It was found that owing to the absence from this post of the commanding officer in the field, during the sudden operations rendered necessary in fighting and pursuing the Indians, no direct and full information could be obtained by Lieutenant General Sheridan until after it had appeared in the papers. So General Crook de- spatched Lientenant Schuyler of his staff to this Point to be on the spot here to send the news di- rectly to the headquarters of the department, so that the facts might be known promptly and fully, Lieu- tenant Schuyler says that it is beyond his province to investigate the conduct of the officers here, either commanding or subordinate, His report has been forwarded to General Sheridan. Couriers are operating to-night between Fort Laramie and the two companies en rowte to join Captain Wessells in the pursuit and coralling of the Cheyennes. Telegraphic despatches are hourly sent from here to Fort Laramie, keeping Major Evans, commanding there, advised of every movement as fast asknown, Lieutenant Schuyler says that he thinks the capture of the Indians is only @ question of a few days. Your correspondent is of the opinion that the present movements of the savages are intended as a trap for the troops to fall into. K Lieutenant Schuyler is keeping General Crook ad vised of every movement, and the latter isbelieved to be giving his personal attention to the conduct of affairs. When the mountain howitzer can be got out to pour a fire upon the Cheyennes in their holes it is believed by officers hero that short work will be made of them. ARRIVAL OF RED CLOUD. Dr. Irwin, agent at Pine Wood Agency, arrived here to-night in company with Red Cloud. He is said to have come in regard to the wounded Sioux captives here, to see what is to be done about them. He says, also, that he wants to know what is going on, as he could not learn anything definitely except through the representations of squaw men, which are not reliable. He reports the Indians at Pine Ridge still excited over the Cheyenne massacre. Dr. Irwin has been considerably demoralized from the beginning. Some of the Sioux Indians have threatened at various times to kill him. No outbreak has occurred at the agency yet, however. A REVIEW OF THE ESCArE. The most startling. if not incredible, thing which has been brought before me fn connection with the flight of the Cheyennes is a belief among some that not only was the attempt to escape foreseen, but was actually permitted. It was asked last night in camp by critics reviewing the occurrence, whether it was not intended to allow the Cheyennes to escape. I do not give the idea credence, but I must admit that strange coincidences that point that way, and with the ap- parently deliberate opportunity afforded to the In- dians, could be easily distorted to give plausi- bility to the revolting theory. Indeed, 80 strong is the suspicion the facts arouse that I might believe the echeme possible of any other body of men than those who have made army honor and integrity passwords to our confidence. The jests of the camp or the badinage of frontiersmen must not be taken as sober earnest, even in view of such @ catastrophe as that at this place. These jests often turn on possible massacres and pursuits, for it is the nature of man to find humor under the grimmest experiences that can be- fallhim. For instance, on this frontier, where the possibility of a pursuit has been mooted for months, it has been common for officers in response to an in, quiry after their health to say, “Well, wo have not lost any Indians and are not hunting any.”’ Beyond the implied culpability in not securely guarding against the escape of the Cheyonnes the most serious charge is that of their possession of serviceable arms after it had been taken for granted that they had been thoroughly disarmed after their surrender. LIEUTENANT CHASE'S RESPONSIBILITY. Lieutenant Chase was originally charged with the custody und search of the prisoners. In an interview to-day had with Hog by Lieutenant Schuyler, of Gen eral Crook's staff, at which Lieutenant Chase was present, the Indian monster, not misnamed, said that he did not know where the arms had been concealed or that the fugitives had any. He had helped Lieu- tenant Chase to search them before they were closely confined and could not find any. That they had'no arms at this time Lientenant Chase stoutly maintains. Hog, however, thinks that they may have taken them apart and secreted them in unsuspected places, It is thonght that the squaws, who threugh delicacy were not searched, had them concealed. From their pecu- liar make it would be quite feasible. They may have taken them into the barracks unnoticed, after which they were placed under the floor. From all these facts an idea can be formed as to where the responsi- bility reste, A BLUNDERING PURSUTT. ‘The manner of conducting the pursuit is the next bad feature in the wretched business, although con- ducted by brave men who had fought in more than one Indian campaign. Ihave already stated in these despatches that the companies had not been notified to hold themselves in readiness, but all undressed and retired as usual, save the weak guard about the barracks, But the manner in which the men, once aroused by the firing and out under arms, were handled by their officers must be regarded as far from good military management. The men acted for the time being on their own responsibility, and strong testimony is given of wild shooting. When the offi- cers appeared orders and counter orders are said to have been given. The pursuit was continued through the night over the icy plain to the neighboring bluffs, and command after command returned, until, last of all, Captain Wesgells and his men reached tho garri- kon at half-past four in the morning. Tho escaped Indians were thus allowed to pursue their way. STRANGE INDECISION. The trail was taken up again next day and con- tinted until the savages were overtaken. It is said that the troops should not have been retired from the enemys front the first day and that the Indians should have been surrounded. But they got away again the second night and were surrounded tho fol- lowing day as before. The troops then waited for artillery without doing much to keep the savages oc- oupiod, though among themselves they loudly said that they wanted to chargo. On the third night the troops camped with five companies on a flat expanse of country in sight of the enemy, but the wily Indian foes were again allowed to escape in the night, since which time they have not been heard of The darkness and depth of snowdrifta are complained of by tho soldiers. FIRST BLOOD IN THE RBCAPR. ;, The details of the fight,come to light in fragments, Here is one:—When the first mad rush was made upon the unsuspecting sontries Little Finger Nails was the first of the Cheyennes who killed his man, Private Smith was standing fifty feet off with his piece cocked, but the Cheyenne, taking deadly aim quick as a flash, fired, and the soldier fell dead. Coolly springing forward, the Indian grasped the sol- dier’s rifle from the ground, loosened his belt and fastened it about himself, then sped away into the darkness, ‘THE OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION. Your correspondent asked Lieutenant Schuyler to- day about the results of his investigation, which he has not quite completed. He said that he had made up his mind personally, but had not re- ported yct. He thought it was difficult to attach ro- sponsibilty anywhere, but felt that if the troops had gone into the barracks there must have been great loss of life, Besides, he thinks that if the guard had been stronger more sentries would have been killed. He is of the opinion that the main guard was large enough for all purposes, The threats of the Indians and the information as to the outbreak could easily be regarded as a boast. He iv satisfied that the Indians could never have been hand- cuffed, and that from the first, when the War Depart- ment directed that the Cheyennes should go South, it could never be carried into effect without killing many of them. He ie surprised that more were not killed. It is fortunate also, he thinks, that many more soldiers were not shot down. THE ARMS AGAIN, He cannot account for the way in which the Ind- ians got arms into the barracks. Ho does not ap- pear to acknowledge that any blunders have been committed by the military. Ho is gtving everything patient investigation. “ARKANSAS JOHN'S” CHEYENNE WIFE. Areport is current that the Cheyenne wife of a | white man, @ freighter near here called ‘Arkansas John,” sympathized with the captives and gave them supplies. It is not, however, known that she con- veyed any arms to them. Her husband has just re- turned from a freighting trip and finds himself, itis said, minus some $200. He is very much put out at the conduct of his squaw, and sho has left him in high disdain, taking refuge among the Sioux of Red Cloud’s band. ‘THE SQUAWS ALLOWED OUT. It was, it appears, the custom to allow a lot of Indian women among thecaptives to go out in charge of a sentinel and to pass near the house of “Arkansas John” to talk with other Cheyenne women there. This 1s believed to have furnished them an oppor- tunity to get arms. To say the least there was great indulgence, if not laxity of restraint, shown in the treatment of the Cheyennes from the time of their capture. It was doubtless done to keep them in good humor, WANT TO JOIN RED CLOUD. The remaining Cheyenne captives want to be allowed to go to the tribe of Red Cloud. This is deemed objectionable, as they are likely to foment discord and bad feeling among the old women and young warriors there. They should be all removed at once to some place of safevy away from here. The army ofllcers, while willing enough, have no patience in the treatment of Indians and d> not like the an- noyances they continually give. HE CLAIMS HIS SISTER, Woman's Dress, a very friendly Sioux Indiau of influence, has been here for the past few days from Pine Ridge Agency to obtain the release of his sister, who is among the wounded prisoners. He once saved General Crook's life and has three honorable discharges as government scout. General Sheridan directed the release of the sister alone, but she would not accept unless it included her daughter rmd grand- child. The Commissioner of Indian Affairs has asked the War Department for their release. BLACK FACES AMONG THE SIOUX. Reports to-night from the Sioux at Pine Ridge Agency state that everything is quiet there and that the effect on them of the killing of the Cheyennes has not been fully developed. At a council held on Monday last with the agent the principal chiefs asked that all the captives who are Sioux be turned over to them. Some of the Indians were observed to have their faces painted black, which is not regarded trong assurance of friendly intentin tho future. A CRITICAL STATE OF AFFAIRS. Matters are in acritical condition for the present; Dut all this must in afew days clear away for posi- tive quiet or show signs of coming disturbance. A close lookout is anxiously kept on everything. The squaw men and half-breeds look for trouble, and nothing but the strength of sensible chiefs can pre- vent it. Some doubt is felt in army circles about the efficacy of this influence. The frontier people talk continually about the expected rising of Indtans, with horse stealing and cattle raids, if not moro serious work. Thus they exchange grim jokes that overlie their fears; but areal danger from Indians is never heeded by those most in contact with them until it comes upon them with all its suddenness and seriousness. A strong force of troops in this section will alone secure its future peace. THE TROUBL® AT RED CLOUD AT AN END— SUPPLY TRAINS MOVING. Wasnincton, Jan. 17, 1879. Indian Commissioner Hayt received a telegram to- day from Agent Irwin, dated Pine Ridge Agency, 14th inst., saying :-~ “The trouble at this agency caused by tho Cheyenne outbreak at Camp Robinson is subsiding. The In- dian train from Sydney has been heard from. All the trains are moving slowly. The snow has drifted and is hard. Runners who came in last night after rations report everything right with the train. Ar- bucklo’s train from Sydney will be here in two or three day: AN INDIAN POWWOW: A CROWDED MEETING IN LINCOLN HAUL, WASH- INGTON—THE STOBY OF A CIVILIZED IN- DIAN—WHAT THE CHEROKEE NATION HAs DONE. Wasnrcron, Jan. 17, 1879, Arcgular Indian powwow was held in Lincoln Hall this evening, and was very largely attended, the hall being crowded in every part. The platform was filled nearly entirely with Indians, among whom were the redoubtate chiefs Josep and Yellow Bull, of the Nez Percés tribe, and Colorado Petro and four com- panions, of the Uto tribe, all gorgeously attired in rainbow-hued blankets, and a uumber of representa- tives of the Cherokee, Creck snd Chottaw tribes, dregsed in the garb incidental to civilization. The chair was taken by Mr. A. R. Meacham, who stated at the commencement of the proceedings that the object of the gathering was to give the red man an opportunity of speaking for himself as to his rights and liberties. After an eloquent speech ho in- troduced Chief Joseph as one of the grandest war- riors who had ever lived, SPEECH OF CHIEF JOSEVH, Chief Joseph gathered up his blanket and walked slowly to the table. Then he helped him- self to a glass of water snd dispelled somo- thing of the romance enwrapped in his fantastic garb by gracefully wiping his lips with a white handkerchief. Then hoe com- menced his address, speaking in the Nez Perces tongue, Mr. Arthur I. Chapman bee as inter. preter. He has an oxcellent voice, ‘poke with confidence, using ® natural and easy ticulation and appearing as though insensible that his langua, was utterly unintelligible to his listeners. ‘The story of the recent Nez Percéz war was modeatly told in picturesque language, and the recital of the many treaties that were ‘nude and —immodiatoly broken by the white men, several times elicited cries of ‘shame!’ One of the in- cidents of the war created roars of laughter. The Indians were on their march from the Indian bang and had nearly reached the Rocky Mountains, the troops continually following them. ‘General Howard was close to me,” he said; “lose enough to strike. Wedid not want to fight more, 80 we decided to take his mules from him to stop his advance.” And they did so, A CIVILIZED INDIAN, Having shown that the wild, red man was able to speak for himself, the chairman called upon a Civilized ‘Indien, Gotonel Adair, of the Chorokce nation. That gentleman stated that — the history they had just heard of the Nes Perces was the history of the whole race, When this country was discovered they numbered 8,000,000 now they wore 300,000 only, showing a do- crease of nearly 10,000 a year, the great proportion of whom had boon killed by those who invaded their territories, At the time of the Rebellion the Chero- keo nation lost half of its people. Their territory became the battlefield, and what one army five free schools, two colleges—one for each sex—orphan and deaf and dumb asylums. All these things did not cost the American government & single cent. On a low estimate the government owed the Cherokees $20,000,000, If it owed that to Great Britain it would pay it. GREAT EXPECTATIONS. Colonel Porter, of the Creek Nation, spoke of their Bepgeeeice and civilization, and said that if the Indians were only allowed a few more years of educa- tion he would ly come into the Union and the citizens would he forced to receive him, Colonel Petro said a few words on behalf of the Utes and the meeti: ded. THE RENO INVESTIGATION. CLOSE OF THE EXAMINATION OF LIEUTENANT WALLACE -—- THE FAMOUS INDIAN SCOUT, GIRARD, IN THE WITNESS CHAIR—WHAT HE HEARD AND SAW. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) Curcaco, IL, Jan, 17, 1879, Judging from the attendance the Reno investiga- tion grows daily in popular interest. To-day the spectators crowded cloge up to the witness stand and the counsel’s table, while a strong rear force oceu- pied the hallway, During most of the session Lieu- tenant Wallace was under a fire of questions, but was as composed in manner as during the two preceding days. Comparatively few additional points, how- ever, were elicited, and the interest of the audience increased perceptibly when the scout, Frank Girard, was sworn. ‘Major Reno’s counsel at the opening of the court begged permission to put a few questions supple- mental to his cross-examination of the witness on the day before, Mr. Gilbert—Did Major Reno lose any time in mov- ing from the hilltop in the direction in which Lieu- tenant Colonel Custer was afterward found after the pack train had come up? Witness—No, sir; Ido not think he did; ammuni- tion had to be distributed after the train came up, and it is my impression that he went as soon as he could practically do so. Mr. Gilbert—Bearing in mind the belt of timber you had to cross and the hill you had to climb, was the point on the bluffs that Major Reno occupied as well situated for procuring water as any he could have reached under those circumstances? + Witness—Well, it is my opinion that it was. Mr. Gilbert asked the witness how, as a soldier, he regarded the separation by General Custer of his forces into different divisions. To this the Recorder objected on the ground that General Custer’s conduct was not being considered. Mr. Gilbert then called attention to that part of Captain Whittaker's letter which said that Major Reno's was the only official report of the battle, and that libel- lously reflected upon General Custer’s generalship in dividing his forces. Further discussion followed. At length the court was ordered to be closed. The decision which wus reached, atter considerable delay, was that the question should be allowed. CUSTER'S ORDER. In reply to the Recorder, the witness ssid that the time ot day at which Lieutenant Cook gave General Custer’s order to charge the Indians was, he be- lieved, a quarter after two o'clock in the afternoon; the commands of Major Reno aud Captain Benteen joined at the hillan hour and a half later; the time jeutenunt Cook delivered the order from General Custer was the last the witness saw of the General’ column; General Custer was probably fighting when Reno and Benteen met; the amonnt of ammunition Reno’s men had when he an his retreat across the river he was unable to state; there was then no complaint of a lack of ammuni tion; before or during the fight the witness sup- pone that Captain Benteen was to the left and rear; ie did not know whether or not General Custer'’s order, in which he said support would be given them, referred to Captain Benteen; he supposed, however, that General Custer himself in- tended to support Major Reno; in his statement that the troops under Major Reno were not well dis- crplined he did not intend to say they were inefti- cient, but should have been drilled more than id were; Lieutenant McInnes’ map the witness consid- ered was the best he had seen, but by it he would be unable to recognize the country ; the relative positions were sufficiently accurate, but the topography was not at all correctly indicated; he saw Major Reno in both the timber and skirmish line, but he could not say how often; in crossing the bottom the witness himself had assisted a wounded man to keop up, as did also others; he did not know who was the first officer to cross the river on the retreat; during that retreat twenty-seven men were killed; he did not know whether these men were killed outright or wounded. and left on the field; Major Reno led the column that went down to the position occupied by Captain Wier; the _ witness said he had never seen so ‘large @ body of Indians as that which composed the vitlage-they attacked; from information he had re- ceived from Indians witness based his belief that there were 9,000 warriors; there were 1,800 lodges, five or six warriors to each lodge, besides many wick- a-ups; he was unable to give an estimate of the num- ber of the women and children, This finished Lieu- tenant Wallace's testimony. SCOUT GIRARD'S STORY, After a recess of a few minutes Lieutenant Lee next calied Girard, the famous Indian scout. Ho is quite an ordinary looking man, in a plain looking pepper and salt colored suit. ‘His bair was short and stiff, no falcon eye ‘flashed be- neath dark cyebrows,”.and his face,was neither weather beaten nor sunburat. The witness said that on the morning of the 25th he was serving under the immediate orders of General Custer; that the Gen- eral ordered him to join Major Reno, with his acouts; indications that the Indians were in the vicinity the interpreter had discovered that morning, and had so informed General Custer by hallooing to him from a hill, “Here are Crow Indians running like devils!” About eleven o’ciock on the evening of the 24th General Custer called the witness to him and told him to take two Indian scouts, Half Yellow Face and Bloody Knife, with him and ride with General Custer at the head of the column; in conversation with the General the witness toid him that he be- lieved there were 2,500 Indians in that vicinity: the General did not wish much attention given on the march to small bodies of Indians, but to attack only the large force; the order given on that morning to Major Reno by General Custer the witness over- heard; it was, “Pursue the indians, charge them when found, and we will support you,” adding, “Take the scout with you;" Genet Castel umn and that of Major Reno were nearly parallel toecach other and nearly together about twelve o'clock ou that day; somewhat luter the interpreter, seeing Indians ahead, rode back to report to General Custer; ing Colonel Cook, he gave the report to him and then went back to Major Reno. The witness then described the advance of Major Reno’s column and went into minute detail, describing how and when he took a glass of whiskey with Reynolds, another scout. Some time after the skirmish a line was formed and the witness saw the Indians to the East; riding to the top of a knoll, he saw Reynolds partially thrown from his horse, being dragged by the stirrups; the scout had lost his carbine and the witness saw him no more alive; Girard himself hastened to the timber to defend himeelf as best he could; after the witness met Colonel Cook he in afew minutes was again with Major Reno; no enemy opposed the advance of the column; the skirmish line was formed before the first Indian reached it; which side fired the first shot the witness was unable to state. At this point an adjournment was taken until to- morrow, when the examination of the same witness will be continued, MARK BATES’ FUNERAL, PAILADELPAIA, Jan, 17, 1879, The family of the late Mark Dates, the actor, have telegraphed to William Gemmil, of the Chestnut Street Theatre, to send the remains to Boston. The did not kill or steal the other army did. In the intervening years their population oy increased thirty , Sa wat 54 aoe most rous peopl in ten times a the dott Ne of Ai five ti = = ae of kansas, five times and three times better of thaa_ those Missouri, They had cichtz- funeral services will be held in this city to-morrow morning, after which the remains will be taken to Bostou by @ committee of Philadelphia actors, FIRES OUT OF TOWN. CHARLESTON, S. C., Jan. 17, 1879, News has just been received here of the burning, on Wednesday, of the Keithficld Rice Mills, on Black River, Georgetown county. The mills are a total loss and were valued at $36,000, They were owned by Robert Adger, of Charleston. Insurance $10,000, in the following compantes:—Springfield, Mass., # x0; British American of Toronto, $2,500; City Fire urance Company, of Richmond, Va., $1,500; Vir- nia State, of Richmond, $2,000, and Manhattan, of New York, $2,000, A portion of the rice destroyed was insured for $4,000, equally divided between the Philadelphia Fire Association and Commercial Union, of London. CATTLE KILLED BY FIRE. Greexwicn, Conn., Jan. 17, 1879, Alexander Mead’s barn was burned this morning, with twenty-four head of cattle. Loss, $6,000; partly insured, DWELLING BURNED. SaneM, Mass., Jan, 17, 1879, The dwelling of Dr. Arthur Kemble, with its con- tonts, including @ valuable library and works of art, was burned this morning, involving @ loas of $12,000, The amount of insurance is yet unknown. AN IOWA TOWN SCORCHED. Curcaqo, Ti., Jan 17, 1879, Afireat Grundy Centre, lowa, this morning de stroyed ¢ight business houses, including two banks and the Post Office, Loss estimated at $40,000, FIRE IN MINNESOTA, St. Pave, Jan. 17, 1879, A special despatch to the Pioneer Press anys tho store of Tmpdore Viol, at Belle Plain, was destro: by fire to-dap, The loss to $12,000, on which there is an ingurance of THE INSATIATE. FLAMES. Another Destructive Conflagration Last Night. NEARLY TWO MILLIONS Luo. |: The Entire “Dry Goods District” at One Time in Danger. A THRILLING SPECTACLE Firemen and Engines Impeded by the Deep Snow. At about ten minutes to eight o’clock last night the building situated at Nos, 62 and 64 Worth street was discovered to be on fire. Smoke and flames were no- ticed issuing from the third floor, which was occu- pied by Messrs, Neuss & Huelin, dry goods mer- chants. Following fast on an alarm engines Nos. 31, 7, 27 and 12 appeared on the scene. In spite of their best efforts, however, the fire con- tinued to gain ground, and two other alarms were sounded in rapid succession. The fire was at first confined to the building Nos. 62 and 64, which runs through the block from Worth to Thomas street, but so rapid was its progress that within twenty minutes it had eaten its way downward and upward, threatening to involve the neighboring buildings in destruction, In answer to the three alarms ten engines appeared on the ground and set to work vigorously to control the flames, but the fire gained rapidly and communicated to the buildings east and west by the roofs, although they were separated from the burning buildings by fire-proof walla rising to the height of some four fect above the roofs. Fortunately there was very little wind, but that little, blowing from the north, carried the fire in the direction of Thomas street, endangering the safety of the entire block. DANGER TO ADJACENT BLOCKS. Although some sixteen streams were turned on the burning buildings it was feared that the fire would be carried across Thomas street and communicated to the block lying to the southward. In order to prevent this extension of the conflagration the fire- men worked vigorously, and taking up their positions of vantage poured streams of water from the upper stories and roofs of the buildings in Thomas street, with the result of confining the fire to the block in which it originhted, although at times it seemed as if their efforts in this direction would prove unavail- ing, owing to the mass of sparks and ignited embers which were carried southward by the wind. Fortu- nately their efforts were seconded by the mass of snow lying on the roofs, which guaranteed the ad- jacent buildings from the effects of the burning embers. A SERIES OP CONFLAGRATIONS, ‘The frequency of fires in the commercial centres was freely commented on by the crowd attracted by the conflagration. On Tuesday night there was a terrible fire, resulting in the loss of millions of dol- lars worth and at least one valuable life, and on ‘Thursday'night a fire involving heavy loss occurred. in Bank street. So far as can be learned these fires are the result of carelessness, for which the owners of the property will inevitably be held responsible. The fire last night, which involved aloss of something like $2,000,000, is attributed to an overheated stove. It seems to be the habit of downtown mercantile houses to bank the fire in their stoves over night, a system fraught with danger to the community at large, and to which most of the fires occurring after business hours must be attributed. In the present case itseoms there was no janitor, and, therefore, mo proper supervision of the stoves, which were left burning from the time the buildings closed, about six o'clock P, M., until the hour when the alarm of fire was given. RAPID PROGRESS OF THE FLAMES, ‘Not more than fifteen minutes elapsed from the time the alarm was sounded until the first four en- gines appeared on the scene, yet such was the com- bustible nature of the goods in the building that within half an hour the fire had obtained complete mastery over the building and all hopes of saving it were abandoned. The firemen then turned their at- tention to the neighboring houses, but such was the intensity of the flames that their efforts to stop the spread of the conflagration proved unsuccessful. Before nine o'clock the building Nos. 62 and G¢ Worth street had become a muss of flame, and resembled nothing so much as a huge furnace, from which a mass of flame shot up, lapping cornices and environing walls with a fierce energy that boded i]l fur its neighbors. In vain the devoted firemen stood in the flerce glare, like ebon statues, wrapped in their black waterproofs and helmets, and poured a constant stream of silver water on the flames, which danced with a fierce joy, as if making light of human efforts to arrest their progress. On their destructive way they went with a hiss and a roar, belching torth from time to time dark clouds of smoke, as if in boast of their own power of destruc tion. FEARFUL DESTRUCTION. At half-past nine Nos. 62 and 64 Worth street were completely gutted; floor after floor had fallen in, and the huge iron front, with its massive piliars, stood out clear and skeleton-like in the infernal light. The zine cornice hung ragged from the upper story, and ever and anon detached itself in strips, falling to the ground like half burned paper. In the mean- time the terrible heat bent the massive iron front, which bellied forth and seemed as if realy to fall at the slightest breath of wind. At this time the fire had spread from No. 54 to No. 68, in the upper stories, and fears began to be entertained for the safety of the block, Fortunately, however, each building was separated from its neighbor by astrong and solid fire wall that stoutly opposed the lateral spread of the fire, which else Imd cer tainly won its way to Broadway on the east and Church strect on the west. From the first apprehensions had been entertained for the safety of Claflin & Co.'s immense store, which occupies the western side of Church street trom the burning block, and the best energies of the Fire Department were bent to stave off a catastrophe that world have involved the loss of additional mill. ions’ worth of property. NOTHING TO STAND ON. Toward ten o'clock the onlookers were startled by an explosion which occurred on the fourth floor of No. 64 Worth street, and soon after the upper portion of the fire wall came down with @ crash which caused a temporary stampede, as it was foarod that the whole front was about to tumble down. These fears, luckily, proved unfounded, and the work of com. bating the flames was resumed with renewed vigor. ‘The constant falling of portions of the iron work, however, warned those about the building that the danger of a catas- trophe similar to that which had caused poor Reilly's death in the early part of the week was ever present, and a sharp lookout was kept on the werped and rninous mass of iron work which seemod ready to fall at any moment. A VALUABLE HINT. One of the defects of iron buildings against which the Department of Buildings should at once take prompt and decisive measures was evident to observant onlookers. It was the total absence of any stay which might tend to hold in place the skeleton-looking iron fronts, which were simply hela in place by their lateral connec tions. The necessity of some stay or brace which would prevent the mass of iron falling into the street was obvious, and would have allowed the fire men to work with a confidence that, under the pres, ent circumstances, they could not entertain, The merchandise in the buildings wholly or par tially destroyed was of tho most valuablo kind, and hence the tmmense value of the loss, although the ares of the firo was Somaperetively restricted. One of the heaviest losers will be W. H. Mali & Co. Mr. red fi timated at fr: $10,000 | Mali is the,Brazilian Consul at this Th of me ot £1,000, | Duildinas adectod by the confagretion extends trom Church street to near and is composed of a Ferg om ee five aud a half stories high. Each is separated from its bor by massive fireproct bri) walls, which o} an efficient barrier to the pe ceo of the flames, THY OF THR TERR BRIGADE. pen BE «mm was sounded at a q “re then, thor it had not yet viding in which it originate, > % as to melt the snow oa mse a volume of steaia alk beneath, The mumics ec short tims » rear and a \« Slowly but nine rruptes work fell from its pi. interior of the Daliding t story with a mass of burniny from this furnace shot high ai. roots. By this time the adjoining buildings, 60, on the west, and Nos. 60 and 68, on the caught fire near the roof, and the main efforts . Fire Department were directed toward saving tix former structure, which was burning more fiercely than the latter. Every stream was withdrawn from Nos, 62 and 64, and the greater number were turned into Nos. 58 and 60. The entire block was s' rounded with engines, and at one time as many as five streams were thrown from the root of H. B. Claflin & Co.’s immense store on the lower side of Church street. At fifteen min- utes past nine o'clock, a mass of brick and iron broke from the top of the front walls of Nos. 58 and 60 and 62 and 64, Worth street, and fell near a group of fire? men, but none of them were touched, WITHIN BOUNDS. Before this, it was seen that the building, Nos. 58 and 60 Worth street, could not be saved and the fire- men rallied about the building next below, which stands on the southeast corner of Church street. Every energy was devoted to the work of rescuing it from the destroyer, and the result showed thatthe men knew exactly what to do, and were able to accomplish it. The roof caught fire and blazed for a while, but a few well directed streams subdued the risiyg flames, and prevented the total demolition of the store. This building extends through to the corner ot Thomas and Church streets, and bears the No. 64, on the former thoroughfare, Nos. 63 and 60 Worth street correspond with Nos. 66 and 68 Thomas, and Nos. 62 and 64 Worth are numbered 70 and 72‘Thomas street. The other building which was gutted, Nos, 66 and 65 Worth street, runs into Nos. 74 and 76 Thomas street. The building Nos. 70 and 72 Worth was badly burned about the roof and highest two stories. ‘The only instance of bodily injury known was that of Dennis Murray, a member of the Murray street fire insurance patrol, who was badly scalded about the face and hands. He was taken to the Chambers Street Hospital, where his wounds were dressed, and he then left for home. DELAYED BY THE SNOW. A police officer, who was one of the first men at the fire, said that there was an extraordinary delay in getting water to operate upon the flames. Nos. 63 and 64 Worth street, where the fire originated, were nearly gutted before a stream of water was brought to bear. This delay was owing to the terrible condi- tion of the narrow streets down town, which, at this time, have acovering of snow nearly a foot deep. Many of the engines were stuck in the snow, so that the horses could move them only at a snail's pace. Great piles of snow covered many of the hydrants or hid them so that delay occurred in connecting the engines. When connection was made few of the streams were sufficiently powerful to reach to the top. of the five stories, A“Y" hose was put in about nine o'clock and for the first time an effec- tive stream was brought to bear upon the burning buildings in Worth street. When the second and third alarms wero sounded the response was not aready one, and the uptown companies found it a difficult task to reach the fire in decent time. It wag deemed an exceedingly fortunate thing by the many underwriters present that there was scarcely ary wind prevailing, for all other circumstances were such as to make the fire a memorable one in this dangerous gold mine known as the “dry goods dis- trict.” THE SCENE FROM THE HERALD OFFICE. As seen from the HeRaup office the fire presented a magnificent spectacle. ‘The huge column of smoke that drifted over the lower part of the city contained thousands of bright sparks, which danced in the night air and fell in golden rain upon the neighbor- ing bmuldings. The strong light reflected in the sky threw the outlines of the Post Office, the Astor House and the buildings on the west side of Broadway into a sort of silhouette picture, while a reddish glare lay upon the snow in the streets and on the copings of the houses. The gas seemed to burn dimly in the presence or the in- tense light of the fire, and St. Paul’s churchyard wore a weird look as the outlines of the graves and headstones were sharply limned in the snow by the glare, he windows of the church listened and the feathery branches of the naked elms could be distinctly traced by the eye. Now and then some burning ob- ject rose swiftly amid the sparks and went whirling over the house tops as though possessed of life, only to fall at last and be extinguiahed by the snow. Now and then a fire engine went up Broadway, not with its usnal clatter upon the stones, the horses fin it difficult to drag the heavy machine over the snow encumbered pavement. Though the picture was full of activity and startling changes the silence at this distance niade the scene seem all the more terrible and grand. For nearly an hour the city was illumined by the flames; then the smoke | ipa darker, the sparks disappeared and the fierce light went out, showing that the brave firemen had gained a mas- tery, and it was evident that the flames were finally under control. THE BURNED PREMISES, The following diagram will enable the reader to discover the buildings destroyed or partially de- stroyed:— Das Worth Street. 58-60. 62-64. 66-68. a : : ig a é | So 6-68, 70-72, li Thomas Street, The lots numbered represent the buildings am scribed. It will be observed that they are nearly all what are termed “double buildings,” or, one large store with two numbers, Each building was about thirty feet wide. Nos. 62 and 64 Worth street at eleven o'clock P. M. were completely gutted. All ex- cepting the first floor of Nos. 66 and 68, occupied by John Slade, was in ruins, and it seemed 01 & ques- tion of time when the fire should reach cel ‘The first and second floors of Nos. 58 and 60 wore not burned out entirely, but the contents were nearly de- stroyed. The stores of Van Volkenburgh & Leavitt that were destroyed, Nos. 70 and 72 Thomas street, stood the site of the old New York Hospital. When institution built its new quarters in Fifteenth strect @ thoroughfare was cut through the leasant grounds and site of the old structure, if is very narrow and all the buildings are tive stories in height, with iron fronts and supposed to be nearly fireproot. The firemen found it im- possible to work in front of the buildings on Thomas street last evening on account of the heat, but they operated very effectually from the interior of the stores. THE LOSSES, The buildings destroyed, as well as those merely injured by the fire, ware, with one exception, the property of the New York Real Estate Association andthe Manhattan Real Estate Association, the for- mer being the heaviest loser on Nos. 62 and 64 Worth street. The exception alluded to is the corner build. ing at Nos. 54 and 56 Worth street, which be- longs to Mr. James White, who occw s portion of it. The loss on buildings is roughly estimated at $400,000, on which there ia @ partial insurance. The losses on stock are esti- mated at something like the following figures, being lly covered by insurance in various compa 62 and 64 Worth street—Van Volkenburgh & Leavitt, dealers in dry goods, first floor and basement, $250,000, Walkinshaw & Mig mes domestic and foreign wool- lens, entire second floor and three upper floors on Thomas street side, $250,000. Neues & Henlein, dry goods, third, fourth and fifth stories, Worth street side, $150,000, Nos. 66 and 68 Worth street—John Slade & Co., woollens and blankets, first floor, $200,000. Schnabel Brothers, dry goods,second story, $150,000, W. T. Mali & Co., dry goods, third, fourth and fifth stories, $175,000, Nos. 58 and 60 Worth street—Chapman & Martin, Jeans and cottonades, first floor, $75,000. B. H. Smith & Co., dry goods, second floor, $75,000, Forstmann & Co., dry goods, third, fourth and fifth stories, $175,000, ‘The corset manufactory on the upper three stories of Nos. 70 and 72 Worth street was damaged by water, the roof of the building having been on fire, Jamoe F. White & Co, and R. White & Co., importers of linen, and Bottam, Phipps & Spencer, manufacturers ot machine twist and sewing silk, all at No. 6 Worth street, are heavy losers by waters soaked stock, A qnantity of government blankets and clothing stored on the top floor of Noa, 66 and 68 Thomas street was totally destroyed, as was the stock of mourning prints belonging to William Sous & tne fret floor of the same latter firm is estimated at- 75,000, ‘The tuck Silk Company and the lorence Manutacbaring Company, on the second