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279 Appendix 1 The Liberty Tribune of September 16, 1864, published the following letter from William Davenport concerning Martin Ringo’s death on page 1 of the paper. From the Plains. PLATTE Harbor, Idaho Ter. August 1st, 1864. Mr. R. H. MILLER—Dear Friend: I write to give you the melancholy information of the death of Martin Ringo. Owing to some difficulties we had with the Indians below Fort Laramie at Scott’s Bluff the emigration formed themselves into large companies. Our company, consisting of the Martin brothers and Jas. Reed of Clay county, Forbes, Irvin, Lucas & Co., from Platte and Buchanan counties,—Beaurais & Co., from St. Joseph, with Mr. Ringo and family, and others, making in all about 70 wagons, have been traveling together for mutual protection. We passed through the Black Hills where the Indians have committed most of their depredations this season without being molested, and camped the night of the 29th of July, about three miles this side of Deer Creek, and about twenty-four miles from this point. Shortly after dark a gentleman by the name of Davis, from Kansas, went out about fifty yards from the camp to look after his horses that were picketed out, and an Indian shot and wounded him in the right arm and side, making a painful tho’ not dangerous wound. The Indian succeeded in stealing three horses—one from Mr. Davis, one from Mr. Irvin, and one from David Morris. There was only one Indian seen, and I think his only object was to steal horses.The shooting of Mr. Davis created considerable excitement in camp, as we expected to be attacked by Indians in force. The whole company stood guard during the night so as to be prepared in case we 280 Appendix 1 were attacked. Just after daylight on the morning of the 30th ult., Mr. Ringo stepped outside of the wagons, as I suppose, for the purpose of looking around to see if Indians were in sight and his shot gun went off accidentally in his own hands, the load entering at his right eye and coming out at the top of his head. At the report of his gun I saw his hat blown up twenty feet in the air, and his brains were scattered in all directions. I never saw a more heart rending sight; and to see the distress and agony of his wife and children was painful in the extreme. Mr. Ringo’s death has cast a gloom over our whole company, and his wife and children have our sympathies. The ladies in our company are very kind and attentive to Mrs. Ringo, and every gentleman in the company is disposed to do any thing in his power to make her comfortable, or promote her interests. Mr. Ringo was a very mild, pleasant and unassuming gentleman, and was duly appreciated by our company—all of whom esteemed him highly. He was buried near the place he was shot in as decent a manner as was possible with the facilities on the plains. Mrs. Ringo thinks of going to Salt Lake and of disposing of her outfit at that point and taking the stage from there to California. There is a portion of our company that are going to California via Salt Lake; the larger portion are going to Idaho via the South Pass, and a portion of them are going by Bridger’s Cut-Off, sixteen miles from here. We do not anticipate any ferther (sic) Indian troubles on our journey, as there is no report of their committing any depredations beyond this point. We are going to travel in sufficiently large companies to protect ourselves; and by keeping strict guard we do not expect to be molested—their only object being to steal horses. Our company are all enjoying excellent health. Your Friend, WM. DAVENPORT. ...

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