The Van Buren press., 1873-10-14

Indians, who witnessed the awful spec,a-
Gle Walls Of deep and bitter anguish
went up from tho stsckadc, where the
wives and children Of the poor fellows
had fair view OF the shocking scene
The collins, six in number, had been
placed directly in the rear Of the gallows.
Two OF them were destined to be unoc-
cupied, but as the order committing the
sentences of Barncho and Sloluek only
arrived at 10 80 last evening, prepara-
tions had been made for them likewise.
An application was made this morning
by the sheriff Of jackson county to Gen.
Wheaton for the custody Of the Indians
indicted by the grand jury, but it was re-
fused.
Correspondence Of the New York lleradl
Gen JEFF c. Davis directed that Jack
and his confsderates should be executed
the next day after capture; but while he
was preparing list Of those hs intended
to execute, a courier arrived with in
.trustions from Washington, " Hold the
prisoners until further orders" AZ this
time the friends of the peace policy in
Washington raised the question whether
the Medocs could bo legally tried by a
military commission. The point was
made that Gen Candy was not acting As
commander Of the military forces, but as
peace commissioner, which is the posi-
tion Of civilian, and, therefore, mill
tary commission cannot legally tako
cognizancs of the crime; that the killing
OF Capt Thomas and the other officers
and soldiers should be viewed as an act
Of war, being performed while the par
ties we're engaged III hostiities These
objections, however, were overruled by
the president, and military commission
tried the murdcrers, and condemned them
to be hung on ihc 81 OF October.
CAPTAIN JACK.
lie is thorough Indas. His head is
large, quite square and sits lrmly on his
shoulders his eyes are black and bright
and his face broad, with prominent cheek
bones lis nose is symmetrical and
slightly aquiinc; his lips arc thin and
clean cut, and combined with his chin,in
dictate that resolutensss Of purpose tia
has won him his notoriety; his complex
ion is dark and his iace has rather a
pleasant look Take him all in all he is
striking man. Place him among thou.
sands and he sould be taken for a chief
by any observing stranger Those who
have seen him do not wonder that be is
tho leader of the Modocs Though in
chains and on the brink Of eternity, he 10
yet feared and respected by tho Indians
about him When captured and told he
was to dio, he said he was not afraid and
had no idca Of fNrunning away. AS he
spoke his yes snapped and he looked
very lion in a rage. Ho states his age at
thirty six He said tho white men had
murdered his people years ago and that
what he had done was only In payment
of old debts. When aroused Captain
Jack has anything but On amiable ex
preston OF countenance. His look and
voice had surprising effect at such
times on his followers. IIe was quick to
resolve and execute, and he infused into
the men he commanded much OF the same
character he possessed himself. Dressed
in civilized costume Captain Jack might
Rave DuSStu LOT u NtS~Cib ,pOH
deal exposed to the weather, Originally
Captain Jack ore an excellent ch iracter
for faithful performance Of his promises.
He was not intrinsically bad but feeling
that he had been cheated BY the whites,
he made up his mind to wage war eter-
naly rather than submit to what he deem
ed the swindle Of being moved away to
the Yinax reservation. The selection OF
the Lava Beds as n stronghold In which
to defy the whole military power of the
United States was due to Captain Jack,
who shortly after the fight on Lost river
retired there with his followers and kept
up that long and wearying defense which,
but for the dark and bloody deed of the
murder of Candy and Thomas, would
have deserved to rank as a glorious chap
ter in the annals of Alodoc history or
the
EARLY LIFE OF CAPTAIN JACK
Al -. l.