Copied from the Deseret News, July 12, 1850.

Indian Fight.

July 1st. we received a long letter from, John W. Jones, Capt. of the Oquawka, (Ill) co. of emigrants, giving the particulars of an Indian fight, at Yellow Creek, about eleven miles west of Bear River, on the morning of the 27th of June. We have not room for the particulars, but the principal facts have since been corroborated by Mr. A. Williams of Utah, who says that the Utah Chief, Walker, told him that he had burned six lodges of the Snakes, eleven miles west of Bear River; killed seven, men, and four squaws; and taken five prisoners, and forty horses, in revenge for the Snakes having previously killed some of his Indians. While the captors were contending about the division, they killed all the horses. The prisoners were for sale. Walker’s Statement is doubtless correct, and agrees with Capt Jones, except in length, and particulars. The supposed fight, near Weber, the following day, we think a mistake, for the above.

Copied here is the letter referenced in the above article. It is contained within the Deseret News editor’s files, 1850-1854, in the LDS Church History Library. John W. Jones, Great Salt Lake to editor, July 1, 1850.

Indian Fight

Between the Utahs and Snakes on Bear River, Yellow Creek and the Kanyon

Mr Editor – Embracing the opportunity afforded by your very polite invitation, I hasten to lay before your readers such facts as have come under my own immediate observation, and such other information as I have been able to gather from reliable sources, respecting the war now raging between the above tribes. On the afternoon of the 27th, about 3 miles west of Bear River, ten Indians were discovered by some of the Oquawka Ills. California Com. on the north of the road, skulking behind rocks. One of our men fired his gun, they rose up, looked carefully around and secreted themselves. On arriving at Yellow Creek eleven miles west of Bear River, the singular actions of an Indian dog howling upon the summit of a hill west of the road attracted my attention. Crossing over I found the smoking remains of an Indian town, the poles of the wigwams were laid in piles, and the covering of the tents, the skins of the wariors, and all their effects, which had been burned in heaps were still smoking . To the north of the wigwams , as if retreating from the road, lay the bodies of seven Indians. Three warriors, one of whom was scalped, and four squaws, all of them covered with robes or sacks. One thing I remarked, every shot pierced the heart, and each victim lay in the spot where the bullet overtook him. One aged squaw lay crouched behind a large bunch of wild sage, as though not yet dead. Several Indian dogs guarded her carefully, and forbid our approach. We advanced in hope of administering relief to suffering humanity, but she too was dead!

Here was truly a solemn scene. On this beautiful spot when but a few hours before peace and happiness reigned, now all was gloomily wrapped in the shades of death. And naught disturbed the silence but the occasional howling of the faithful dog over the lifeless body of his masters. On the Kanyon several miles from the ford on the Weber, one of our company discovered the yet smouldering ruins of another encampment, dogs were howling in the direction of the mountains, but being alone and some distance from the train he did not search for bodies.

From an Emigrant who was encamped on Yellow Creek we attained the following particulars. At early dawn on the morning of the 27th, the startling war whoop and the crack of many rifles brought them to their feet prepared for an enemy. The Indian camp a half mile distant was in a blaze. Shot succeeded shot in rapid succession. The frightful yells of the contending warriors, the piercing shrieks of the women and children, the groaning of the dying, and the howling of the dogs all blended in terrific confusion, echoing and rechoing through the volley, rendered the scene truly awful. Nine of the Snakes and two of the Utahs were killed in this action. About forty warriors of the Utah tribe determined on revenge for the supposed injuries done them, attacked this body of the Snakes, and no doubt were the murdered of those on the Kanyon. A packer who passed the Bear River ford on the 28th reports that the Utahs surprised the Snakes encamped at this point, on the night of the 27th or morning of the 28th, killed several, and drove the rest away, burning their lodges and stealing their horses. Thus, no doubt commenced a series of aggressions which must result in much carnage and blood shed, render miserable the lives of hundreds of innocent women and children and all for what! The gratification of the diabolical spirit of revenge.

But such is man!

Respectfully yours &c, Jno W. Jones,