News from the Bute Expedition

The British Columbian, May 28, 1864

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The following has been kindly sent to us by the Colonial Secretary:

Memorandum Received from Mr. Brew, May 25.

It would appear that most of the Chilacootens who are concerned in the Massacre are new faces, and came to the head of Bute Inlet for the first time this spring. Klattasine, who murdered Smith at the Ferry, had intended returning to Benchee Lake by the Meneza and Bridge River route, when his boy Pierre, about 18 years old, accompanied the packers to the Ferry, April 20th, where the other Chilacootens there had a long talk with him. The boy returned on Friday the 22nd with the packers, and on his arrival his Father, Klattasine, immediately changed his mind, as he told the packer Sampson on Saturday morning. He had been asking after Mr. Waddington every day, and whether he would bring many men and provisions, and said he wanted him to get his daughter back from the Euclataws. He now, however, gave them a canoe, six blankets and two muskets for her, and started on Tuesday morning, April 26th, for the Ferry, with his son, two men and three women, slept at half way house, slept again near Boulder Creek, and reached the Ferry on Thursday morning about 9 a.m. He probably murdered Smith the same evening.

One of the men with him was 19 or 20 years old; had a long coat, and looked like a priest, with long black hair and a long black face.

The other was a fine stout looking warrior, about 23 or 24 years old. Tellot's son-in-law had told one of the packers that he had shot a white man in the peninsula some time ago.

Supposed Murderers.

Klattasine,
The young man above of 19 or 20,
The young warrior above,
Tellot, the Chief,
Tellot's son-in-law, Jack, about 22,
Tellot's son-in-law, George,
Indian slave Chraychamum, or Bob, about 20,
Lowwa, a stout young man about 23 or 24 years old,
Cushen, ditto ditto ditto, Indian with two scars on the face,
Indian of 45,
Indian with a very wide mouth, black moustache, and a ring in the nose (had been sick at the Camp). These two last had joined Klatassine at the Ferry, and with two before mentioned had proceeded to the Upper Camp.

Tellot has a relation at Tetta Lake.

The tents which were all cut up were marked "J.W. Keyser" (in a circle).

There was a terrier dog, about three years old, of middle size and black, at the camp, who knew the Indians and probably followed them.

C. BREW, C.I.P.