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direct from the mines. formerly from Calipooia precinct Umpqua County and was on his way to Tyghe Creek, soon after starting out we were overtaken by a black horse which followed us. at the bridge across Des Chutes River, we made an unsuccessful attempt to pawn him for our toll failing in that we proceeded on the horse in company, the bridge helper attempted to corall him but was unable to do so; As we reached Tyghe Creek we noticed a newly made grave on the left side of the road near the place of our camp of July 21st as we were on our way up, It proved to be the grave of a man found dead, at this point on the 12th of August. killed by the Indians on or about the 21st of July, and from the suspicious actions of a number of Indians observed at that place at the time of our encampment, am led to believe that the murder was committed upon the day we arrived here with our cattle on the 21st July, At the crossing of Tyghe Creek my comrade Smith left me, but the stray horse was anxious to follow and baffled all attempts to secure him in a caroll, [sic] passing "Barlows Gate" a few rods I met two Indians who claimed the pony. they were very anxious to sell or trade him. said they had lost him the day before on Des Chutes River, I was not prepared to say but the horse belonged to the Indians but certainly did not like their appearance and the manner in which they set up their claim, so I conceived a plan to rid myself of the two Indians and add a couple more horses to mine,, So dismounting, at their request, to the better negotiate a trade, with my horses secure by me, I changed position, so as my rifle, as it lay across my arm was bearing upon the two "poor Indians" who were at that time in direct range, and then quietly cocking my gun as it lay on my arm, I as quietly pulled trigger, with the intention of killing the two savages at a fire, But wise calculations sometimes fail. and mine also failed in this case for the cap exploded much to the relief of the poor fellows, but very much to my own mortification,, The Indians were suddenly aroused to a sense of the situation, and one drawing a knife rushed toward me, I dropped my gun and bridle reins from my hands