Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-06-10
Another MOdOc Massacre
Four Prisoners Shot Down Like
Dogs
BY Volunteers from Oregon
None of the Murderers Among the
Victims.

None of the Murderers Among the
Victims.
SAN FRANCISCO, June 9.-Despatches
from Boyle's camp, dated yesterday, relate
the particulars of the atrocious massacre
of the Modoc prisoners, it is supposed by
the Oregon volunteers. Saturday morning
Jno. James Fairchild and about twelve
others left Fairchild's ranch, on Cotton
Wood creek, with seventeen Modoc cap.
ti7es, women and children, including Shack
nasty Jim, Bogus Charley, Tehee Jack,
PONY and Little Jobn. The Indians were
in wagon drawn by four mules. At the
crossing of Lost river the party encountered
the Oregon volunteers, under command OF
Can't. Hizier. The soldiers gathered about
the wagon and questioned Fairchild. The
latter told them that the Modocs were al
Hot Creeks, except Little John; that there
were no charges against them. Fairchild
undertook to push on to Boyle's camp
and the volunteers retired to camp.
Near Crawley's, in the road, he noticed
two men ahead riding to rocky point, as
if to intercept him. When the train ap-
preached, one presented needle gun at
Fsirchild and said sect down you old white
head son of B."
"By what authority?" said F4irchild.
"By mine. L am going to kill the Indians
and you too," was the reply.
Their leader caught hold of the mules,
| unhitched and cut The harness. Fairchild
cli1gipg to the ines lesred to the ground.
The poor wretchss implored for mer cy,
begged Fairchild to save them. The war
| riors were uDarmed; knew that resistance
was useless. They were the coolest in the
party, though facing Inevitable death, but
| the women and chill iren shrieked, groaned
and wept pitieouslY.
Fairchild had othing but small pistol.
Six inches from his ear was the muzzle of a
needle gun. He says the tears come to his
eyes, and he mingled his voice with those
the Modocs in the hope that the massa-
ere might be avoided. Oh! it was terri
Bile scene never shall forget. l shudder
| when think what saw and heard. The
fearful voices of those women and children
still ring in my ears, but the cowardly
hounds were not to be banked.
A shot, and little John lay dead in the
bed of the wagon, a bullet in his brain.
The mules dashed away with Fairchild and
tangled him in the lines. Five more shots
in rapid succession-Tehee Jack, Pony and
Mooch the remaining warriors, were dead
Little Johns squaw had frightful wound
in the shoulder.
Away ahead in the road in the direction o
Boyles' camp was cloud of dust indicat-
ing the approach of team. The murder
ers espied the dust aud in moment were
riding rapidly away. Sergeant Murphy, of
battery G, fourth artillery with ten men and
teamsters came by the team. The Ser
geant took charge of affairs and remained
with his men on the ground. FairchHd
and the teamster, the wounded squaw and
her two children came in at 2 o'clock this
morning.
! Fairchild reached Gen. Davis's headquar-
ters and related his story. Teams with es-
cort were at once sent after the prisoners,
dead and alive. No steps were taken for
the apprehension of the felons who per
formed the bloody work. 1t is generally
supposed that Oregon volunteers are the
guilty parties. Fairchild is of thIt opinion
himself.
The warriors killed were not charged
| with murder. Those who know them best