The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-07-07
The MOdoc Massacre.
Peace Commissioner sIsaeham'S Fir
statement,

il is safe to say that the most important
is Mr.. A. D. Meacham, who was Chair
man of the Commission to treat with
the tribe, and who so narrowly escaped
the fate OF his fellow. Commissioners,
Gen. Candy and DR.. Thomas. MIR.
Meacham arrived in New York on Thurs
day, returning from Washington on his
way to Yreka, and thence to Fort Kla'
math, where the military commission is
to sit, Although it is but little more
than two months since the day OF the
massacre, Mr.. Meacham's wounds have
almost all healed, and although much
wasted from his former bulk, he is re-
stored to something like his former
activity. The right hand, the nerves
Of which were paralyzed by the passage
OF a bal! through the wrist, he can bare
ly close, but can make no use OF it. The
forefnger OF the left hand is still swoll.
en- and tender, and is twice its natural
size. This the doctors wished to nm.
putate, but they proposed to take away
SO much OF the hand that the wounded
man did not think it wise for him to
risk The operation. There still remains
a slight scar on the forehead from n ball
which fortunately glanced Of, and on
the right side Of the head there is II
lump raised by similar shot. Other
wounds received on the ear, in the side,
and elsewhere have entirely healed.
Mr.. Meacliam's weight is reduced from
100 pounds or more to l5i POUNDS, but
he seems in fair way to regain his old
strength.
With characteristic reserve the Peace
Commissioner has reirained from max.
ing any statements Of any kind since
the massacre. Having now visited the
seat OF government and conferred with
the proper officials there, he probably
feels that there is less necessity for pre-
serving silence in regard to the event
full history in which lie took so promi.
nent part, and his statements made to
Tribune reporter, nre his first utter
ances on the subject since tue day Of
the tragedy.
The three Commissioners went into
the conference taking their lives in
their hands. Frank Riddle, the inter
prefer, and his wife, who knew the men
they went to meet, tried all means
to dissuade them from going, and Mr.
Meaclam says that Modoc brought
word from his camp to Riddles squaw,
warning them Of their danger. But
even this had no effect on either Gen.
Candy or DR.. Thomas, The spirit Of
the latter, although perhaps not that OF
practical man well acquainted with
Indian character, was most lofty. h
response to the entreaties of Mr.
Meachan, whose experience with Indian,
taught him that these warnings had
truth in them, his reply was, in sub.
stance "God will call me ut his proper
time. II he desires me to offer my iii,
in this manner shall not withhold II. y
Both he and General Candy were firm
in the refusal to permit any member oil
the party to carry arms, as there was IL
stipulation to the contrary, or TO allow
any promises to DO made to the Indians
for temporary purposes that were not
meant to be fulfilled. Mr.. Meacham
followed the only course in honor left
open to him. He could !, Us Chair
man Of the Commission, say peremp'
torily TO two older and more distin'
guished men than himself, "You shall
not go /" he could not remain behind
while they ventured alone into danger,
He accepted the inevitable and went
He naturally regrets, now, that he did
not refuse to permit the conferences,
whatever might have been the conse'
quenCes to himself. The meeting took
place in mn open space, previously
marked by tho erection OF white tent,
around which gathered the group nj
closely MS q circle OF friends in draw
ing.room. Tho talk went on for somc
time without Incident or incident. Mr..
Meaclam, keenIy on the watch, saw
full 90 minutes before any shot was
fred that trouble was brewing, and saw
it in M event that would have seemed
meaningless to any one unused to
Indian ways. He had left his horse I'M
tied, and had hung his coat on tho sud
die. Hooker Jim tied the horse, and
taking the cont from its place put it on,
buttoned it up carefully to the chin,
and struttered before companion, soy.
ing "Me old Meacliatn now. Think ]
look like old man Meacllam ?"
This sudden outbreak OF insolence
first awakened his suspicious. After
the interval OF about 20 minutes Jack
rose and moved back little from thu
circle, with his side to Gen. Candy and
his hand in his breast. This, Mr..
Meacham thinks, was the signal fol
others to draw near, Us two Modocs
came running up with guns in their
hands. Seeing their approach all sprang
to their feet, and MeachAm cried,
"Jack, what does this mean9" "Rau.
turici All ready !" yelled out the Mo.
doc chieftain, as he swung ous his arm
and snappedhisrevolver at Gen. Candy.
Then began the fight, the story of which
has already been told. Mr.. Meaclam
was shot by Schonchin first, who leaped
at him with a revolver in ono hand and
n knife glittering above his head in the
other. He afterward became the target
OF nearly 20 shots, he thinks, all oil
which were fired at o range OF less than
half.a.dozen yards. BY q marvellous
good fortune, none OF them entered the
Skull. As lie lay stunned, the Indians
Ind sufficient time To strip him of hit
clothing, aud were attempting to get
his scalp when Riddles squaw, who
seems to have been n ready woman,
cried "Soldiers |" and the Modocs fed
in fright. The scarcity Of his hair, on
which he had then his first cause OF CON
graduation, was the reason Of this de.
lay, but the ingenious savage, rather
than lose such q trophy, was evidently
preparing to take the scalp from thu
side Of tho head, by this expedient
gaining the additional ornament Of an