Daily Times [Leavenworth, KS], December 6, 1860
[Correspondence of the Leavenworth Times.]
Fort Washita, C. N.}
Nov. 23, 1860. }
Editor Times:–Within the past two weeks there have been brought before Gen. Douglass H. Cooper, Choctaw and Chickasaw Indian Agent, five persons, charged with murder, theft and perjury, and were all committed to the jail at Van Buren, Ark., to await further action of the courts of justice. Two were charged with perjury, one with murder, arson, burglary and kidnapping; and the other two have to answer the charge of stealing a wagon and two yoke of oxen. This latter crime was committed in the Chickasaw Nation, opposite Preston, Texas. Immediately upon missing his property, the owner, accompanied by a constable, started in pursuit, and succeeded in overtaking the rascals forty miles north of Perryville, C. N.
A general Court Martial was convened at Fort Arbuckle, C. N., last week, for the trial of all offenders that might be brought before it.
At a recent sale of five condemned horses, the highest bid for a horse was $96; the lowest, $40; total proceeds, $321—an average of $64½ per head—a good price for unserviceable horses, but it is in fair proportion with everything else. Corn sells at $2.21 per bushel; oats, $1.80; sweet potatoes, $2; and apples at twenty-five cents per dozen; butter brings from 25 to 50 cents per pound, according to quality; eggs, 40 cents per dozen.
About ten days since, orders were received from Department Head Quarters, to cut off the allowance for the horses one half; ever since then our horses have been on the decline, and are rapidly going, going, like South Carolina, to destruction. To-day orders were received to suspend all grain contracts. This looks rather bilious. The Buchanan Administration has commenced curtailing its expenses at rather too late a period.
A light snow covered the ground hereabouts early this morning, but had to give way to the influence of a hot Southern sun, towards twelve o’clock.
The post office, at Tishomino City, capital of the Chickasaw Nation, has suspended, or, in other words, fizzled out, for want of sufficient patronage.
The election of Lincoln is hailed here with much joy. The most ignorant suppose that it will lead to a disbanding of the army, and thus they be set at liberty. More anon.
Rover.