Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-07-10

White Men.
The following letter from a member
from California explains itself, and
puts quite new phase on the Moloc
war:
LAVA BEDS, June IL, 1873.
10 the Hon. C. Dclano, Secretary of
the Interior:
DEAR SIR: Tho Modoc war is over.
The Modoc tribe, except five or six, are
captive. Capt. Jack and several of his
confoderates will soon be tried by court
martial for the murder of Gen. Candy
and the Peace Commissioners. There
can be but one verdict or result in the
conviction and execution of all those
participating in tue murder of the SET
tiers and Peace Commissioners. l have
spent several days in the lava beds and
country adjoining. Thereby I have
investigated, SO far AZ ] could, the
causes Of a war between the whites and
Modocs, and from careful investiea:
tion 1 can arrive but at one conclusion,
viz:. That the war was caused BY the
wrongful acts of bad white men. In
the first place it is charged by respon.
slble parties that the Indians were
compelled to slaughter their horses for
food at the Klamath reservation.
When they had no more horses to
slaughter, they were forced by hunger
to seek their fishing ground on the
Lost River tract Of land set apart
for them by Hon. E. Steele, late
Suprintendent of Indian Affairs for
California. The land is valuable.
Spectators desired it and sought to
have the Indians removed. The In.
dians say there was but one of two
deaths left them, either by starvation
on the reservation, or speedier death
by bullets in the lava beds. They
chose the latter. I am in favor of
hanging those who participated in the
murder of the Peace Commissioners or
settlers, but humanity and Justice de-
mands an investigation of the war and
it's causes from its first inception. Let
us have both sides of the question.
Let us have the sworn statements of
the Indians, which will, I am credibly
informed be corroborated by the
testimony Of responsible white men.
You have authority to order it and
direct that the testimony of all those
who arc likely to be convicted and ex-
ecuted be taken.
I regret to have to say it, but I b.
lieve there never was time since the
organization of the government that
there was so much corruption and
swindling, not only of the government
aud the people, but of the Indians, as
there is being practiced on the Indian
reservations on this coast. MI. Meach-
am and Mr.. Steele managed affairs to
the satisfaction of tlla people aud the
Indians. I regret they have not been
retained as Superintendent. do not
know who is to blame, nor do I accuse
any particular agent of corruption, but
we know that many have been perpet-
ual, and before launching these Indian
chiefe into eternity, let their testimony
be taken, let the guilty parties be
found. We have lost many valuable
officers and men in the war, and JUS
tice demands if any person or persons
be guilty of melting tho Modocs to wal
he, or they, should be punished. lam
willing, ifyou can delegate to me au.
thority, to aid and assist in the inves.
tigation of all causes or charges which,
may or can be brought out before q
court martial, as the representative oi
the people Immediately concerned, and
who have suffered most by reason OF
the war, 1 feel that justice demands q
thorough investigation, and if I can in
any way serve the Government and
people in aiding or assisting the inyes'
tigntion, command my services.
By telegraph ut Fort Jones.
Very respectfully signed,
J. K. LurTREL1,
Member Sd Congressional Dist. Cal.