Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1873-04-22
THE MODOC TROUBLE.
How They Became the Terror of
Southern Oregon.
First Attempt to Overawe Them.

The Modoc Indians have been tuIbu-
lent and inimical for many years, and
have frequently resisted the advance
of civilization upon their hunting
grounds with bravery and at times
vindictively. The following is the
history of the troubles the whites have
had with the MOdocs since they settled
in the neighborhood of Lost river,
where the tribe was located previous
to their retreat to the lava beds.
The Modoc Indians, a tribe of which
hut n remnant remains, have fer years
been Il source of Gneasiness to the set
lers in Southern Oregon. OF all the
RIDES they have shown the leastdisl o.
sitiOn To abide by the rules OF tie In
dian Department or the wishes of the
citizens. BY reason of their superior
intelligence and less tractabie nature
they have generally managed to have
their own way so long as they did no
actual deeds of violence. In this way
they have lived by sufference, so to
speak. Their camp before the retreat
TO the lava-beds was at the mouth OF
Lost river, where it empties into the
Tule or Rhett lake, and they got their
living by hunting and fishing, and
oft times by stealing from the settlers
when they got a good chance. During
last summer the country about Ithett
and klamath lakes and on the banks
of Lost river was largely settled by
people mostly from the neighborhoOd
Of Eugene aud Jacksonville. Oregon
These people were well aware OF the
nature of the ModOcs, and knew also
of their suppressed hostility, but rely
ing partly on the Government and
partly on their own ability to PROTECT
themselves, they lived in comparative
peace and quiet.
FIRST TROUBLE WITH TIE MODOCS.
During the summer of 1872 the Mo-
does became very troublesome to the
white settlers, going to their houses,
taking the meals off the table, and in
sultipg the women. Finally, the set
tiers united in petition to the Super
intendent of Indian Affairs for the
District of Oregon requesting that he
take measures to remove the ModocS,
Captain Jack, Scarfaced Charley, and
all included, TO the Indian reservation
on Rogue river. The superintendent
laid the petition. together with state
ment of the case, before the Commits
si0ner of Indian Affairs in Washing
ton. That officer at once ordered that
the Modocs be placed Oh their rcserv;-
tion-peaceably ifpossible. but forcibly
if necessary. The order was of the
most peremptOry character, and the
superintendent proceeded to the In
dian camp at Rhett lake to procure its
enforcement. The chiefs, Captain
Jack, Scarfaced Charley, heard of his
approach. and knowing what it meant,
refused to meet him, set his authority
at defiance, and sent word to him that
they were fully determined to remain
in their camp, and would never go on
their reservation.
MAJOR JACKSON's MARCH,.
Fort Klamath is situated about forty
miles north of the Indian camp. 1t is
garrisoned by Company &, of the First
cavalry, and Company +, of the Twen-
ty-first infantry, under the command
of Major Jackson. To this point Su-
perintendent Odeneal now repaired,
and requested Major Jackson's aid in
carrying out his order. He placed the
order in the Majors hands, and stip-
ulated that it should be carried out
without blOOdshed if possible, and
that fore sufficient to Overawe the
savages should be used. But the cOur-
age and disposition of Captain Jacks
band seems to have been moderated,
for Major Jackson started out with
only thirty-five cavalry to effect the OBJ
ject desired. The Indians then num-
bered one hundred, and it was folly to
believe that they would allow thirty
five cavalymen TO frighten them into
submission.
SURROUNDING THE BAND IN THEIR
CAMP.
On Thanksgiving Day, 1872, Major
Jackson's command, accompanied toy
Ivan Apologize, a settler at Clear Lake,
and james Brown, messenger OF the
Indian department, arrived at the In
dian camp at the mouth of Lost river.
They arrived there at early dawn, and
quietly surrounded the camps on Ell
Their side of the river.