Weekly Trinity journal., 1873-03-01
NUMBER 8.
AN HISTORICAL SKULL.

At the law office of Messrs. Bellinger
& Burmester, says the Oregoadn, we
were shown human skull brought from
the klamath Lake country few DAYS
since by Col. Bellingcr, who, but recent
ly, returned from the "lava beds" The
skull is probably not so historic as that of
"poor Yorrick," over which the melan-
choly Hamlet soiloquized, but still it
has a history of sufficient importance and
interest TO warrant brief recital. The
skull was that of a young girl, aged prob
ably sixteen, who was murdered many
years ago by the hostile Modocs near
Lost River. For the particulars concern
ing the tragic end of this unfortunate girl,
we are indebted to Col. Bellinger: In
the year 1882, while an cmigrant train
was on the way to the southern portion of
Oregon, it was attacked by band of hos
tile Modoes, upon or contiguous to Will
low Creek, in California, within few
miles of Tule Lake, and but short dis
tance from where the present force un-
| dti otItIhiS w HtNttl anu hDh5 arc tIl-
eamped. The train numbered nearly
one hundred souls, all of whom wero
massacred but two. Out of the tain two
young girls, sisters, aged about sixteen
and fourteen years, were taken prisoners.
Their name is unknown. The relatives
and comrades and all that remained of
that company persisted in relentless and
bloody massacre. There bodies wero
thrown in the stream, and pile of bones
half buried in the soft mud and half pro-
truding above It, have been pointed out
by the Indians us the site of the massacre
and the remains of its victims. They and
portions of the half-btlrned emigrant wag-
ons may be seen to this day. The young
er of the captive sisters died first, but un-
der what circumstances Is not know. To
the right of the road leading from Small's
and Van Bremer's ranches and within u
short distance of Doris house, there is IL
big ledge of rock that overlooks to the
north n narrow valley that stretches away
to Little klamath lake. Here when saw
age jealousy hid made her an object of
contention, or when hor ruined body
could no longer administer to savage lust
the elder sister was murdered. Less than
two years ago Scar-taced Charley, who
was boy when these occurrences took
place, showed this spot to Ball and re-
lated tho fncts here given. A crumbling
skeleton was pointed out rs the remains
Of the last victim of the Willow Creek
tragedy.
In company with another gentleman
and led by n guide, Col. Bcllinger visited
the spot indicated. All that were dis
covered was human skull, one rib, and
one of the bones of tho arm. Wild beasts
and birds had demoliscd all the remnants
OF the human skeleton, and no other
traces but those named, marked the sad
spot which Ind witnessed tho tragical
scene. Col. Belinger gathered up tho
remaining relics and brought them away
with him. On reaching jacksonville,
these bones were packed in n box and
aided by express to this city. These
bones have been donated to Mr.. ID. Raf-
ferty, of East Portland, and will bo placed
in his cabinet of natural and mineral Gu
riositics. In collecting and forwarding
these mournlul relics for exhibition, Col.
Bellingor was impolled by no desire to
desecrate them. For many years these
bones have lain in the wilds, blcached by
tho sun and storm. IL seems nothing
more than human to remove what re-
mains to tho habitation Of civilization.
They can thus be preserved, and if tho
few clues which remain can lead in time
TO the discovery MS 10 who tho girl was,
or her name to surviving relatives or
friends, these bones can be given q chris
tian burial. From the appearance of tho
skull and other bones, the murder was
committed many years ago but just how
long will never bc know. The hapless
captive girls may have been retained in
in the tribe for many years, or may not
have survived the general massacre but
a few months. For its historic associa-
tions, this skull is worthy of inspection.
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