The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-04-29

! The San Francisco Chronicle Of the Goth,
contains column article giving details of
the treacherous massacre of Modoc war
riors by Capt. Wright's party at peace
talk, in IS52,-the same as that set forth
in the communicationtot the n. Y Tribune,
already published in these columns. At
ter describing the affair the article
in the San Francisco paper closes as
follows:
THE CHILDREN OF THAT DAY THE WAR
| RIoRs OF THIS.
/ So persisted perhaps, the fathers, uncles
or other relatives of the very men who
last week planned and executed the bloody
deed which has reused cry of indignation
in every civilized land and demand for
the total determination of the tribe of Mo
docs Capt. Jack was then boy of but
nine years John Schonchin was nineteen :;
Boston Charley was an infant only year
old, and Hooka Jim was about the same
age But it is probable that the story of
the base treachery TO which their kinsmen
/ fell victims, and the duty of avenging it
was early instilled in their hearts ; that the
desire for revenge grew with their growth,
and strengthenened with their strength
and that the murder of Candy and Thomas
was but the cOnsummation of the ven
geance for which their savage souls had
| long thirsted. Certain it is that if their
vengeance had slumbered long its execution
was fearful and bloody.
THE TREACHERY REWARDED.
! Capt Wright and his command having
! carried out their atrocious programme as
arranged at Yreka, scalped the murdered
MOdOcs and returned to Yreka, fourishing
the bloody trophies and boasting of their
cowardly and treacherous deed Their
I wounded comrades were borne on stretch
ers on horses backs. The residents of
/ Nreka, who probably at the time were not
aware of the disgraceful treachery attend
/ ing the killing of the Modes, were over
joyed at the death of so many of the
dreaded savages. The people turned out
en- masse to welcome the return of the
1 valorous warriors A public reception was
held in their honor, the proprietor of the
reka hotel having thrown open his house
for the purpose Songs were sung by
Dave Helm and others, toasts were drunk
and speeches were made in honor of Ben
I W rlgnt and his men, whose praises were
on every tongue. The occasion was one of
unrestrained rejoicing and hilarity, and
the festivities were kept up far into the
night
A MoDoC CHIEF WREAKS VENGEANCE on
BEN WRIGHT
/ Ben Wright remained the hero of the
hour until the first flush of excitement and
rejoicing at the destruction OF SO many
ModOcs had passed off, and in their sober
second thought people began to realize the
character Of the deed that had been done
by Wright and his men. Then arevulsion
of feeling seized many minds, and they
heartily condemned and despised Wright
and his fellows for their base treacherv.
But there were others who sustained
Wright, contending that the end justified
the means. So strong was the influence OF
the latter class that they secured for
Wright an appointment as Indian Agent,
with his post near the mouth of Rogue
river From the day of the massacre of
the Modocs, Wright had been fearful OF
being repaid in kind by some vengeful
member of the tribe. He took every pos
sible precaution against the vengeance that
his fears suggested, but he
NEVER FELT ENTIRELY SAFE.
His fears proved well-founded One
dark night, while the doors of his house
were securely locked and barricaded, as he
supposed, he laid down with his arms be.
side him to sleep But the shadow of the
avenger brooded over his cabin While he
lay buried in slumber the vengeful MOdOcs
came upon him, Chief Enos gained
access TO his cabin with few companions,
and Wright never awoke from his slumber
His body was so terribly mutilated by the
savages as to be scarcely recognizable.
Chief Enos and some other Indians who
were supposed to have been with him and
assisted in the murder of Wright was
taken prisoner and hanged, but they died
exulting that they had wreaked vengeance
on the leader of the base massacre Of Their
murdered kindred