The New York herald., 1873-10-01


made 70 get Captain Jack ana the rest OF the tribe
TO move In the same direction. They,
however, had made occasional visits to
the reservation, and, finding that game
was scarce, preferred the plentiful supply from
Lost River to taking the chances OF living at the
governments expense. The troubles, however,
still continued and in the fan OF 1867 Mr.. Lindsay
Applegate induced Captain Jack and his band 10
move W to the Yinox reservation They remained
there during the months OF September, October,
November. December and January, and then re-
turned to their old quarters on Lost River. Cap
tain Jack stated as one OF his
RSAsoNs For RETURNING
that vney had nothing to eat on the reservation,
and that they had been inveigled away from their
old home on Lost River in order to steal their
lands away from them. The Modocs had good
many quarrels with the oregon settlers, who were
rapaclous and unscrupuous set OF men, always
on the aggressive and ever ready to take ad-
vantage or the red men. The Modocs were
striving to behave themselves as well they could
in their old quarters, when in an evil moment Mr..
Odineal, the Indian Commissioner, in cousion 1t
is alleged, with the Oregon Settlers VINO wanted
the Modoc lands at Lost River, determined TO re-
move the tribe to the Yinax reservation, where
they had heretofore been, but found nothing to eat
there. To effect this display of force was thought
necessary combined movement was conse-
quently made on Thanksgiving Day last November.
party OF soldiers from Fort Klamath, under the
command OF Mayor Jackson, visited Captain Jacks
party, and simultaneously party of oregon set
tiers well armed and under the command OF Oliver
Applegate. went TO the camp of the party, under
the leadership OF Curyheaded Doctor.
THE FIRST MoDoC FIGHT.
discussion ensued between Captain Jacks
hopI and tha n
leave their quarters to go ana starve to death on
the reservation a fight ensued and both parties
claimed that the other fired Arst
In this fight two Indians were killed and several
soldiers killed and wounded. in the meantime the
Curly y-headed Doctors band had nearly been pre-.
vailed on by the settlers to go to the reservation,
being told that Captain Jacks party had surren-
dered, but, hearing the firing the other
side OF the river, they fefused to go,
and presently both sides began firing. The
citizens finally retired, leaving one OF their
party dead on the field and the Indians
state the whites killed a squaw and two
pappooses in the fight. This party then
broke loose over the country and murdered
some twelve thirteen white settlers, and then,
going around the northern end of Tule Lake, joined
Captain Jack in the lava BEDS Captain
Jack and his party had retreated there
immediately after his fight with the soldiers,
but kept on the California side of the river and
went into the lava beds from the southern side.
They did not murder any citizens on their retreat,
and, in fa,t, told settler, named Samuel Watson,
to go home as they only
WANTED TO FIGHT WITH SOLDIERS,
not settlers. 1t is plain that bad faith and mis-
management our side provoked the train of
calamitous circumstances that followed.
When Curly Headed Doctors party arrived in
the lava beds Captain Jack would not let them go
out numbering again, but kept them with him to
fight soldiers, not settlers. The first intelligence
OF the Thanksgiving fight that was brought to the
Battle Creek Flat settlers came by Samuel
Watson, the man who had been sent back
by Captain Jack unharmed. Messrs. Fair
child, Doris Ball and others then paid
a visit to Shack Nasty Jim's party who were re-
siding near Fairchlds ranch, and found them very
much excited as they had heard the Oregon set
tiers were coming over to clean them OUT. Fair
child and party told them to keep quiet ana they
would see that they not harmed. These In
dians had considerable
CONFIDENCE IN FAIRCHlLo,
as they had lived close to him for years without
trouble, but hearing that the settlers OF place
called Linkvle had intention OF attacking
them. they started Off one night to the mountains
and joined Captain Jack in the lava beds, REIN
forcing his command with fourteen OF the
n
big talk followed. and letter from Major
Green, IN command OF the military, was read, Offer
ing terms unconditional surrender OF the
murderers and the immediate departure OF the re-
niainder 10 the reservation. Captain Jack refused
TO go to the reservation. and then and there CON-
menced the war with big victory Tor the Modocs
at the start They occupied as stronghold the
famous place known as the lava beds.
OF rocks that looked as II they had been suddenly
npheayed rom the earth and had fallen in ln-
describanle CONFUSION one over the other.
6SSures
over hundred feet deep and all kinds
Of rocks, forming natural fortifcations that
five men could defend against hundred.
1t was Major Wheaton who commanded the troops
in he first battle where the Modocs trumphed.
He was relieved by General Gillem and then Iol-
lowed a series of peace and war approaches to the
Modocs which alternately saddened and amused
the country.
may here recall my visit to the camp OF the
Modoc warriors. There was much to contend
against, for the enterprise was frown ed on By
those in authority at the headquarters OF the
army, and as Tor the Indian agents and the Peace
Commissioners, they threw every obstacle in the
way; but in spite OF all contrved to reach the
cave OF the Modocs and meet there the chief men
OF the tribe. The journey was tedious and
trying and 1t is needless to recall its in
cidents. ] shall only recount what happened
after got fairly down into the cave among the
rocky businesses, where the savages were assem-
bled After sitting for about half an hour round
the fire, which time was passed In distributing to-
bacco and making the acquaintance. of several
the squaw, tnat there was a little dif,
ference OF opinion as to whether the
HERALD correspondent was to be admitted TO the
council. The friends OF literature finally prevailed
and messenger soon arrived with orders to con-
vey our party to the council cave, accompanied by
Bob Whittle and his squaw. | followed our
guide and after clambering up the rough walls
OF one chasm. we walked, or rather crawled, about
100 yards over some broken rocks, when the guide
suddenly disappeared down dark hole. The
HERALD correspondent followed, but not heing
acquainted with the nature OF the country, went
down faster than necessary, and found himself
IN A LARGE CAVE,
lit up by blaze OF fire which was burning in the
centre, and gave sufficient light to enable me to
see some fifty or sixty Modocs seated round in cir
cles four or i've deep. Edging my way through the
motley throng, came to vacant spot IN the
front circle, but before sitting down
Scar-laced Charley, on whose left, with
considerable courtesy, was placed. | took my
seat there like the rest. II was q strange scene,