The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-18
THE WARRIORS COUNCIL.
Great War Talk at Modoc
Headquarters.
Steele Protected from the "BOyS"
at Night by Two Chiefs.
sCHONCHIN'S RHETORIC
cit Looks Like Another Heart
Has Entered the Talk"
Why Won't the Commissioners
60 To Be Scalped?
ssWhO Are the Bad Men That
Want to Kill Us!''
S II E E L E'S TYE E S.
Great Chiefs and Great Fathers
All Want Peace.
II Am an Old Man and Not
Afraid to Die"
JACKS oNE-HEARTED TRADE.
81 Would Like to Know Why We Can't
Sleep and Live Here
Matilda's Lying Objectionable to
the "Big Chief"
JACKS 0NE-HEARTED TRADE.
81 Would Like to Know Why We Can't
Sleep and Live Here
Matilda's Lying Objectionable to
the "Big Chief"
PEACE FAR OFF and WAR AGAIN EXPECTED.
FAIRCHILD'S RANCH,
COTTONWOOD CREEK, Cal. ;
March Z 1879

MdTcn D, 1873. J
The peaceful aspect of affairs has disappeared.
and present indications look very like war; as the
indians do not appear inclined to leave this coun-
try and have set bold 'front.' against all overtures
of the kind. Mr. Eliza Steele and party returned
from their first mission to the lava beds accom-
panied by seven or eight Modoc bucks and the
squaw Mary, sister OF Captain Jack. Mr. Steele
was evidently pleased with his visit, and reported
to the Commissioners that the Indians were willing
to surrender as prisoners Of war and 60 to SEINE
warmer country. This was indeed good news, and
we were all calculating upon the prospects
OF q speedy return home when Mr.. John
Fairchild, one OF Mr.. Steele's party, said
that he was afraid the Indians had not properly
understood Mr.. Steeles proposition for them to
leave this country, and that they were under the
Impression they were TO remain where they had
been on Lest River or to go to Klamath. Mr.. Steele,
however would not give up the point, and insisted
that everything favorable and that the Indians
perfectly understood what he said and replied in
che affirmative.
sTEELEs SECOND VISIT.
1t was finally determined that Mr.. Steele should
90 in again on Monday, and consequently he started
accompanied by Mr.. Atwel, Frank Riddle, the in
terpreter, and squaw, Mary, and six Medoc bucks
Two Of the bucks, Long Jim and Dufry, surren-
dered and remained where they were under the
charge of the military. They arrived at the
lava beds about dusk, and did not receive a
very cheering welcome, as the bucks looked
sulen and discontinued. After taking or their
saddles and tying up theI horses they went to
Wild Gals ranch and eat supper. They then
waited for messenger to bid them to council; but
anally, getting tired, they went over there them
selves.
BoIsTERous TIMES IN COUNCIL
As they came up to the entrance to the cave
they heard the Indians wrangling among them
selves and talking in loud tones Of voice. and
several OF them came out as they were descending
the rather precipitous entrance. The cave was
very full, and, before sitting down, Mr.. Steele and
Mr.. Atwe stepped across the circle and shook
hands with Captain Jack and Schonchn, and 1t
was plainly evident from their greeting that
trouble was brewing. To any one cOnversant
with Indian manners and customs the signs
around the cave were Of no good portent, as even
the woman's cap on Captain Jacks head showed
that he thought he had been fooled, and the arrows
ut the head OF the wounded warrior were placed
side by side in the position they placed
at the grave There were more present than Mr..
Steele had seen before and he counted siXty-nne
warriors in all, many or whom were strangers to
him and wore hair on their upper lips This is
fashion not familiar to the Modoc tribe, and gave
Mr. Steele the impression that they had been rein
forced by some Snake Indians, 1t is certainly
pToDdDle tnaJ tney nave received an ADDITION 10
their force, only counted forty -four ortyfve
warriors present on the occasion OF my visit.
CAPTAIN JACK IN wARLIKE MOOD.
After cutting up and presenting the tobacco
they had brought with them Mr.. Steele read the
terms offered by General Candy and the Peace
Cpmmiss oners, which were that they were to sur
render to tile military and be removed to Angel
Island and fed clothed and cared for at the gov
eminent expense. Jack and several Of his head
men were to go to washington, the President
and arrange about their new home-probably in
Arizona. These terms were heard in suen silence
and Scar.faced Chaey and two Others were the only
ones that grunted an assent Captain Jack finally
spoke and evidently showed that he did sot ap-
precate the proposed terms. He accused Mr..
steele of duplcity; said he had sold his land
and would never leave IL, and then spoke In q wild
strain every word of which told on his savage
auditors. and their eyes sparkled and told tale Of
blood that their fingers itched to shed.
scHCNCHIN THREATENS.
Mr.. Steele then spok again. going over the terms
once more, and he was followed by John Schonchn,
WHO made regular war speech, pitching into
Everybody all around that had had any hand In the
proposed treaty; accused Steele oilyng, and finally
asked him If he was not AFRAID to lie down and sleep
among them after bringing them such a message.
Steele replied that he was not afr aid that he was
AFRAID OF no man, and that he old and to die did
got hurt much. He then told them he had deceived
no one, and explained the terms ofthe treaty again.
and how 1t was impossible for them To live peace.
ably In oregon. captain Jack and Schonchin then
spoke again In rather hot language and finally they
accepted Steeles prop uston to have a talk again
In the morning and the warriors dispersed nut
teiing and talking loudly among themselves.
GUARDED WHILE SLEEPING.
When Steele and Atwell got up to retire TO
wild Gals ranch, scar-aced Charley got up ana
whispered to them, make your bed here; VIII
lay down alongside OF you." They concluded to ac-
cept his advice, and, christening their blankets,
spread them down ON the ground near the rocks
Charley slept alongside OF them and Captain Jack
at taeE feet. showing that these two were deter.