Indians, who were only too ready to find provocation in the contempt of white men.
Finally, in May, contempt was turned into a desire for vengeance by the treacherous murder of David Dilley, one of a party of three white men, and two professedly friendly Rogue-rivers. While encamped for the night the Indians stealthily arose, seized Dilley's gun, and shot him dead as he slept. The other two white men, who were unarmed, escaped back to a party in the rear, and the news was sent to Shasta, where a company was formed, headed by one Long, who crossed the Siskiyous, killed two Indians, one a sub-chief, and took several prisoners as hostages for the delivery of the murderers.
Demanding the surrender of the murderers was well enough, but the demand being accompanied or preceded by revenge, gave the head chief a plausible ground for refusing to give up the guilty parties. Further, he threatened to destroy Long s company, which remained at the crossing of Rogue river awaiting the turn of events. He was not molested, but at a ferry south of this one, several skirmishes occurred. One party of twenty-six men was attacked June first, and an Indian killed in the encounter. On the day following, at the same place, three several parties were set upon and robbed, one of which lost four men in the skirmish.
On the third, Dr. James McBride and thirty-one men returning from the mines, were attacked in camp south of Rogue river. There were but seventeen guns in the party, while the Indians were two hundred strong, and had in addition to their bows and arrows about as many firearms. They were led by a chief known as Chucklehead, the battle commencing at daybreak and lasting four hours and a half, or until Chucklehead was killed, when the Indians withdrew. No loss of life or serious wounds were sustained by the white men, but about sixteen hundred dollars worth of property and gold dust was secured by the Indians, who it was believed lost some men who were carried off
