New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-07-21
TIE MODOO TRIALS.

| WEAKNESS OF TIE DEEENSE HILLCHES BY
JACK AND sCHoNCHIN.
The trial Of tho AIodocs implicated in the
murder Of Gen. Candy and Peace Commissioner Thomas
on the nth Of last April began at Fort Klamath Oregon
on the 5th inst ana closed on the 9th The testimony
Tor the prosecution OF the most positive character,
and such TO leave little doubt Of the guilt Of the prs
oners The only witness for the prosecution whose
testimony was OF little value was Mr.. Dyar,
Indian Agent for tho Klamath Reservation.
lie could swear positively to nothing. ex-
cept that he accompanied Gen. Candy and the
Peace Commissioners the 11th OF April On the first
day OF the trial the specifications against the
prisoners read to the follOwingnamod Indians all
Of whom pleaded d" Not guilty :" Capt Jack schonchin
John, Boston Charley Black jim, shoocks. and Bon
chew. Tho following summary Of the first and second
days Proceedings Is given By The san francisco 4ita
California:
T. X Riddle tho first witness placed on the stand
ne gave the usual story about the facts Of the
IN answer 10 question "a 20 whether he had any in
formation Of danger In visiting the Modocs no said |
Nhs warned by IOOka jim 40 Fairchild5 ranch; this
th told me That bad better not come with the Com
mlTson, as they would be murdered; he also told me
.hat II ia come. and anything going TO happen,
Wy ne iiooka JIM would push me TO one side and that
must then 90 away, and I would not be harmed;
warned Cen Candy Of the danger, told him that il
tecfeic body Of men IN the rocks beyond where the
meeting was prOposed Gen. Candy would not accede
10 ins and explained that Is would be an insult and
preach Of latn toward Capt Jack. and that II Jack
should discover u it might provoke hosttes. Mrs.
]
leace Commissioner Dyar gave his story Of the affair
lie did not look Gen. Candy one OF the Peace Com
Inferred that the Commissioners TO act in cOnunc
ti0n with aud be advised by him.
On the second day OF the trial. Shacknasty jim, OF
TIE MUdOcs who deserted Jack end adsi u his capture
was called witness. He testified 70 nothing new,
ocr than that he had heard previous planning
OF tho massacre. On the other hand, Steamboat Frank
had heard lack and ScLOucbiu Manning tho murder
The previous evening and morning Of the massacre.
Dydr, being recalled stated that he also hadheard some
thing about this H0Oka Jim knew that the Peace Com
would
ing no had tried XII Dyar. William, MOdoc told
Toby 10 tell the Peace Commissioners to to the
meeting Alfred 3. MeaCham now placed Oh the
stand. lie testified long full and eXpicito account OF
al the facts OF the meeting Of the Peace Commission
previous the time Of the Capt Jack had
qucsted the meeting which the assassluatlyns took
place lie Cfeacbam had protested against THE confer
lis advice taken. he detailed infinitely, and In
Tue fullest oomf1eteues, the facts OF the meeting and
Tie subsequent massacre.
On tho third day July B. Capt Jack entered upon his
defense and said he wanted 10 call Dave, Oneeyed
Nose and Scar-facel Charley Witnesses. They
called but their testimony Of little value 10 the
prisoners. II simply recital OF what the klamath
Lake Indians had done and told them ho Modoc since
the troubles began. After the examination OF Lieut. H. r.
Anderson Of tho lth Artillery and Assistant suecon
McEidcy, Capt. Jack made speech, IN which he said
no did want TO fight with tho whites but was driven
to it ry other M0docs He said he had been told by
equaws that the Peace Commissioners wanted to kill
the lIodocs and also that Mr.. Meacham had pile Of
wood upon which ne wanted to burn him jack. lie
continued az follows:
After hearing all th, was afraid 70 come. ITO
Ritdlc You and Toby gave Ine good advice. II had
listened TO y9I ana not e. the lying qutFs, would not
be in the tx now aIn. The rolson DID not come when
me wagon was sent was bCGaq'e OF tho s9TE OF no
fquawe can now see that all the squaTs aud Whttes
slJaW lied % bhe told me she not OF my people,
anl CHE ara not give me good advice She told uo II
she didn't como back next day might know inc 70gler
would como noxt day. I have told all about the lies
h sd Tss grt Mb to c9 fgS coe
want 10 fight and did not know what 10 say IIc VINO
mons chef believes his men, but my men would not
them not to fight. wanted TO make peace put the
men would lot Aticl 20 me none OF tl5 H "a nc cave
council II was IN HltAuy way, anu uldg u 'ISgy
would G.ht u would De against my WIZ. 9y
10 a.nFe Of all his trouble told them the whites
Would think this, and they must light on their own
conAs' IooA1 iii Il AMI M 49, MAJ, NJ M" Tb"Tc
were different thoughts about what the whites would
think. Ny would not. love my vile aud children,
ooka is the one who always advocated hglt; ne called
was the cause aud II could have INN wanted 70
Xii lm. because ne killed men On Iue Lake thought
commenced fight with George, because fell out with
Hooka, and he called ne sguaw because never XII.
soldiers. told HIM George was not ashamed or IT,
lie told lay around the camp ilko chunk ana they
would say 10 me, What do you want with gun 1Ou
never do anything Win IL 4o4 ~. on o We IocSs ana
and told them thoy billed against my viii ScaEiaced
Charley told me hc would 70 VITA Iooha' tg.l mem
i
Iei eycly thins, and do not want 10 keep anything
back.
schonChln John followed, and said:
When was camped on Lost River was scared by tho
soldiers while living IN peace, killing duck OUT
hunting ana looked up and soldiers lighting Won
dcTgd II the soldiers lighting Why they came 10 XIII
my children, aud did not know why they came saw
the Indians putting tho wounded in canoe. when
got there Indians all gone, houses fire, and went 70
me hills in search Of my family. found HOOka Jim H.
told Inc two OF our men killed. HOOka very mad. ami
kept ~ the mountains. told INN noJ 70 nght, QUITO
ef.'y in the mountains followed him long way and
talked to him. lie saw four white men, ga not see
Them was on foot the others were RIDING. lett
them at the lake. After parted my son followed
Uouka told him not TO 60. sat down on = rock Tor
soldiers coming Then came down rom inc mountain
the lake and mot the Doctor anu uOOhd told tAcm
not TO Kill but they would not listen. saw two men,
the south end OF the lake
Tho next day Capt Jack made second speech as Iol
lows
Tho four scouts, Bogus Charley, shacknasfy JIM
Steamboat Frank, and HOOia advocated WIN me ana
others, tie murder OF Cen Cahuy anu the tcaso oVnl
msiOucrs. The discussion about the murder OF Oinuy
did not take place in my cave, but IN the camp or inc
other Indians. All the lDdilus agreed TO tAe murd.r'
because they did not want 10 90 away rom lhl9 20
another country. HCOka jun went out on INC
OF the 18th Of April FOR the express purpose 81 hin
NcaCham Tie four scouts above mentioned All hdNseu
In council 10 be party 10 tue massacre % on.
Candy and tho Peace Commission ana always tonShb
would have 10 bear tho blame ADolIeI ',u9 GhloU
made me afraid to Kill the Commissioners was tdl Ati
been told thgt they carried Aud mat they would
Kill me when We met. HOOka jim arilh ADVISED TUG
killing OF Maacham and the Peace Coinml'-lon' bUt
did not want to do so, or TO nave any uouUo Win
them.
The Court soon after went into secret session. ana is
thought TIC Modocs viii undoubtedly be iouAd EuiIy