The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1873-08-06
MISCELLANY.


attempted to reach Oregon by the Rhetta
Lake route. For several days after leaving
the valley Of Pitt River, they had travelled
without molestation, not having seen single
Indian; when, about midday, they struck the
eastern shore Of Rhetta Lake, and imprudent-
~ camped under bluff, now known ~
q Bloody Point" for dinner. These poor
people felt rejoiced to think that they had SO
nearly reached their destination in safety not
dreaming they had reached their final resting
place, and that soon the gray old rocks above
them were to receive baptism that would
associate them for ever with cruel and wan
ton massacre. The tired cattle were quietly
grazing, and the little party were eating their
meal in fancied security, when suddenly the
dry sage-brush was fired, the air rang with
demoniac yells and swarthy and painted
savages poured by the score from the rocks
overhead. In few moments the camp was
filled with them, and their bloody work was
soon ended. Only one of that Inflated party
escaped Happening to be out picketing his
horse, when the attack was made, he
sprang upon 1t barebacked, and never drew
rein until he had reached Yreka, distance of
sixty miles.
The men of early times in these mountains
were brave and chivalrous men. In less than
twenty-four hours, mounted force Of miners,
packers and prospectors-rnen who feared no
living thing-were at the scene of massacre.
The remains Of the victims were found,
shockingly mutilated, lying in pile with
their broken wagons, and half chaned but
not an Indian could he found.
1t was not until the next year that the
Modocs were punished for this cruel deed.
An old mountainecr, named Ben Wright-one
of those strange beings who imagine that
they are born MS instruments for the fulfill
ment of the Red Mans destiny--organized an
independent company at Yrcka, in 1883 and
went into the Modoc country. The Indians
were wary, but Ben was patient and endur-
ing. Meeting with poor success, and accom-
plishing nothing except protection for in
coming emigrants, lie inproyised an 'semi-
grant train " with which to decoy the enemy
from the cover of the hills and ravines.
Winding slowly among the hills and through
the plains Bens canvass-covered wagons
rolled quietly along, camping at the usual
watering places and apparently in careless
unguarded way. Every wagon was filled
with armed men, anxious and willing to be
attacked. The ruse failed, however: for the
keen-sighted Indians soon perceived that there
were no women or children with the train, and
its careless movements were suspicious.
After several months of unsatisfactory skrni-
isling, Ben resolved on change of tactics.
Surprising small party Of Modocs, instead
of scalping them, he treated them kindly, and
making them sort of Peace Commission,
sent them with branches, in the shape of
calico and tobacco, back to their people, |
Negotiations for n council to arrange treaty |
were opened. Others visited the White |
camp, and soon the Modocs, who had but
faint appreciation of the tortuous ways of
White diplomacy, began to think that Ben
was very harmless and respectable gentle
man. A spot on the north bank of Lost river,
a few hundred yards from the Natural Bridge,
was selected for tie council. On the appoint
ed day, fifty Indians (about equal in num-
Der to Wright's company attended, and, as
agreed upon by both parties, no weapons
were brought to the ground. A number Of
beeves had been killed, presents were distribu-
ted, and the day passed in mutual professions
Of friendship; when Wright-whose quick,
restless eye had been busy-quietly filed his
pipe, drew match and lit it. This was the
pre-concerted signal AS the first little curl
ing wreath of smoke went up, fifty revolvers
were drawn from their places of concealment
k. NssxI
among their intended victims few moments
of rapid and deadly firing, and only two of
the Modocs escaped to warn their people!
The Scotch have given us a proverb, that
He maun haze a lang spoon wha snps wi the
dell and it may be Wright thought so. Per-
baps the cruel and merciless character of these
Indians justified an act of treachery, now
passed into the history of our country but,
certainly, the deed was not calculated to in
spire the savage heart with high respect for
the professed good faith and fair dealing of
the superior race. Ben Wright is gone now
killed by an Indian bullet, while standing in
the door of his cabin, at the mouth of Rogue
River. No man may judge him; but, to this
! hour, his name is used by Modoc mothers to
terrify their refractory children into obedi-
ence. The Modocs were now filed with
revenge, and their depredations continued,
till it seemed absolutely necessary for the Ter
ritorial Governor of Oregon to send armed
expeditions against them. For several years,
they were pursued by volunteer forces through
their rugged mountains, where they continued
the unequal warfare with dauntless spirit
but, year after year, the number of their
warriors was diminishing. from Scraps
Of Modoc History,'' in the Overland Monthly
for July.
A clerk. who had mind for logic, applied
n tn a farmer with advantage, thus Farmer