The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-13
Execution on The Spot the Surest
and Speediest Method"
SELECTION OF MODOC DOOMSDAY.
General Davis Address TO jack
A Recital of Modoc Crimes.
Prompt Hanging Of the Murdcrcrs Necessary
for Peace with the indians.
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, June II. 1873.

General Davis, IN conversation with the special
gave the following statement-wh arrived on
the field found the troops engaged in war with
band OF Indian outlaws ana murderers, wards OF
the government. who had revolted against It's au-
th0rity. They were lighting mercilessly, neither
giving nor exacting quarter then thought that
captives taken in the future should be executed on
the spot as the surest and speediest method OF
settling the Modoc problem. When captured while
lighting against the military forces of the United
States, and
AS A SEPARATE NATION
and tribe, was disposed to deal with them ac-
cordingly. Since their capture have ascert famed
that the authorities OF Jackson county, oregon,
have found indictments against certain members
or the band. l have not deemed it proper to turn
them over to the civil Courts, because they were
waging war against the government at the time
the murders, upon which the indictments were
that alter the capture they were prisoners
Of the government, and not directly amena.
BILE to the civil laws. During my com.
mand here have observed that the citi-
zens when desiring protection for person and prop
erty or naturalization for loss, invariably appeal
to the authority OF the United States but that
the war is over and the marauders captives, both
the public and the local authorities want 30 take
the punishment Of the offenders into their own
hands. The threats OF the people and the recent
fenceless captives, route from Fairchild's ranch
to this camp were murdered by civilians, indicate
that trial by civil law would be
USELESS FARCE
The people have made up their minds that the
prisoners are guilty 1t is suggested that mill
tary commission be ordered to try the criminals
II the idea is carried out the officers composing the
court should be Of high rank, and men
who have had no immediate connection
with the Modoc difficulty. Such a commits
sion would probably try each case separ atey.
1t will require about six months to perform the
work. to say nothing OF the expense involved in
such proceedings to the government. Besides,
everybody, civil as wei as military, knows that
gree ana ought to be hanged. | thought to avoid
the unnecessary expense OF the farce OF trial by
doing the work myself Owing to the dilatory
manner in which the Modocs were treated by those
in charge at the beginning OF these difficulties the
Indians obtained fearful advantage over US.
They slaughtered so many people that the country
was astonished-even shocked-and now fear they
will
GET THE ADVANTAGE IN THE CLOSING SCENES
This same fear disturbing the minds OF the
citizens OF the frontier Justice has already been
very tardy, and it's coming is approaching from so
many different directions and in such questionable
shape and garb that doubt her success in meeting
the requirements OF the case. The Indians do not
recognize the jurisdiction of civil or military courts
because they are incapable OF understanding their
workings These Modocs cannot comprehend what
is meant by Court. They have been Intercepted
on that subject, and they would regard Court
trial, with It's technicalites testimony &c. as
kind OF jugglery, and If convicted and sentenced
to death could not be made to understand that
justice figured in the business at all They believe
they have committed deeds that merit death, in
fact are real murderers, and have
DAILY EXPECTED TO BE HANGED.
They believe the military have the power and
right to nnct punishment. The murders and
rests occurred in Oregon and California and the
case is badly mixed. My proposed course would
have settled the question by single stroke. The
Epot Vyao fn ho Jndi arn
cooped up in tents-men, women and children,
guilty and innocent alike, fearing massacre all
the time. They must remain in this condition of
suspense for months. l had procured lumber,
chains rope and tackle and all the paraphernalia OF
execution, and had selected Friday last as dooms-
day. Thursday forenoon ! drew up this
DECLARATION OF CHARGES
and read it to Jack later in the day.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF COLUMBIA
In THE FIELD LAKE TULE, CAL june 1873. !
JACK-Since white men first began 10 travel
through or settle in the country occupied by the
Modocs, people OF which you claim TO be one OF
the chiefs, the Modocs have been known as a band
OF merciess robbers and murderers. The history
OF your tribe is flied with accounts of the murders
OF the white race. Even among your Indian
ncighbors you are known as domineerng and
tyrannica tribe. Old settlers in the country re-
rort as many as three hundred murders committed
by your people within the limits OF the present
generation. Along the shores OF this beau
tnul little lake. In view OF which we
now stand, are the graves OF over sixty vic
tins OF Modoc barbarity. all murdered by
your immediate ancestors In brutal acts. They
were peaceful emigrants-men, women and chill
dren. passing quietly through the country on the
public highway. For these many crimes no adc-
quate punishment has ever been visited upon the
guilty-even as a tribe or individually. Upon the
contrary, the government has tacitly overlooked
them. few years ago regardless Of these acts
OF treachery it gave you a reservation OF land Tor
lone, where, II yoa cheSe, YOU coulA remain and