About the same time, the Shoshones, under Egan and Otis, left their reservation and united their forces in Harney Valley, numbering at that time from a thousand to twelve hundred warriors.  They were encumbered, however, by their women and children and a vast herd of stock, and as a result moved slowly.  Meantime the scattered detachments of troops were being concentrated and sent in pursuit.  But while this was being done the tufted host swept a belt thirty miles wide through western Idaho and eastern Oregon, spreading death and destruction in its path.  At Happy Valley they killed old man Smith and his son.  Both had escaped with their families to Camp Harney, but had imprudently returned to gather up their horses and bring away a few household effects.  Another brother and a young man had accompanied them, but had turned aside to look for stock.  The two young men arrived at the ranch after nightfall.  It was very dark, and before they were aware of the fact they rode into a herd of horses.  But supposing they were animals gathered by the father and brother, rode on.  When near the center a mighty wail smote their ears.  Some of the Indians had been killed by the Smiths, and the women were wailing a funeral dirge.  One who has never heard that wail cannot imagine its rhythmic terrors.

When the appalling noise broke upon their ears the young man with Smith started to wheel his horse and flee.  But Smith caught the bridle reins and whispered to him, “For God’s sake don’t run,” and, holding to the reins, quietly rode out of the herd, the darkness of the night alone proving their salvation.

At the French ranch on Blixen River an attack was made by a detached war party, but Mr. French saved himself and men by cool daring and steady bravery.  All were endeavoring to make their escape, French holding the Indians at bay while the others fled along the road.  He was the only man armed in the crowd, and at turns in the road would make a stand, checking for a time the savages.  The Chinese cook was killed and left where he fell, being horribly mutilated by the Indians.  Most of the men with French were in wagons, and only for the bravery displayed by him would certainly have been killed.

About the same time two men were coming out with teams, and hearing of the Indian raid, left their wagons and fled to the Shirk ranch in Catlow Valley.  After a few days they returned for their wagons, being accompanied by W. H. Shirk, now a banker at Lakeview, Oregon.  The wagons were found as left, and after hitching up the horses, Mr. Shirk rode on ahead, imprudently leaving his rifle in one of the wagons.  On the grade above the Blixen ranch Shirk looked back and saw the men coming and had little thought of danger.  The men drove up to the crossing, when they were fired upon and both killed.  Mr. Shirk was also fired upon, but miraculously escaped death.  An Indian on a fleet horse was pursuing him, and his own horse was lagging.  As he neared the sage brush toward which he had been making, Mr. Shirk looked back and to his relief saw the Indian off his horse.  He thinks the horse fell with the Indian, but they pursued him no farther and he made good his escape.  Many other miraculous escapes were made by both men and women, some of the latter escaping almost in their night clothes and on barebacked horses.