Washington Telegraph

On the Plains—We copy the following from the St. Louis Republican of the 28th ult.

From the officers of the steamer Doton, which boat arrived at our port yesterday noon from the Missouri, we have the following interesting items of news from Plains:

On the 23d ult., a party of sixteen teams of Oregon emigrants arrived at Kansasville, having. From the time of starting to the time of their arrival, lost by the depredations of the Indians, fifty-five head of cattle. This heavy theft was committed at Beaver Creek, one hundred miles from the Missouri river. Two or three days previous to this loss, which occurred in the early part of June, they were visited by a body of some two hundred Indians, at a short distance from whom between five and six hundred others were seen. They demanded of the emigrants two head of cattle from each wagon, or the right of way through their country, threatening violently that if they did not comply with their demand, they would murder their whole party. The Indians, it is said, were of the Pawnee and Omaha tribes. The emigrants, in order to save themselves, resorted to persuasion, and finally succeeded, by letting them have two cows and two sacks of corn.

On the 17th of June their cattle took a stampede, which was supposed to have been caused by the Indians. They were confirmed in this supposition on the morning following from a visit they received by several hundred Indians, who offered their services to bring in the missing cattle, on condition that they were liberally paid. The emigrants agreed to this offer, and in a day or two a few of the poorest were returned. These sufficed merely to enable them to reach the river. Their children and themselves were much ill-used by the Indians. The majority of the party, it is said, had been formerly from Starke county, Illinois. The Indians informed them that it was their intention to head the Mormon train and extort pay for passing through their country. They added that a refusal to comply with this request would be followed with the most rigorous example on themselves and property.

The advance company of the Mormon train has not been heard from. It is supposed, however, that they will reach the Sioux country before they can be overtaken by the Indians.

The last company of Mormon emigrants was heard from at Loup Fork, which they were to cross on Tuesday week last. They are said to be prosecuting their journey prosperously. But one train remains yet to go out this season. It is that of Mr. T. F. Williams, trader to Salt Lake, now encamped at Fort Kearny. It will leave in a few days.

TIL.