The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-06-10
THE MODOCS.
Testimony Against the Murderers.

SAN Francisco, June s.--Despatches are re
celved at Yreka this morning from Poyle's
Camp on Tule Lake Peninsular GATED the 2Sth
as follows:
Soon after the arrival of the Modoc prisoners
at this camp, Gen. Davis sent word to the set
tiers 10 IuleS Lake and Long River counties
that he desired them to come in and identity the
murderers in custody and the stolen property
recovered from the Indians Among those who
responded were Mrs. Body and daughter, Mrs
Schlera, two of the women who were widowed
by the Modocs. They tell the following story
Boody ana Schiera took up three quarters Sec
tions of land near the mouth of the Lost River
last August, and settled there with their fami-
lies.
On the morning of November Doth, Capt.
Jack 8 band of Indians were attacked on Lost
River by a party of volunteers and compelled
to retire. Hooker Jim and his party of Modocs
were on the north side of the river from Capt,
Jack, but knew of the latter's defeat, AMI dur
ing the same day, Body and Schiera were
murdered by Hooker Jim and his associates
WINE They were cutting wood and herding
sheep within mile of their house and utterly
unconscious of danger.
Inc agent OF the Yarnox reservation had
promised the settlers that any offensive move
ment against the Indians should be made
known to the whites in time to afford them OPP
portunity to obtain safe refuge, but the mes
senger sent by the agent failed to perform his
duty, thereby facilitating the massacre, and
the arrival of Boodys team without driver
with blood upon the wagon, was the first init
mat!on'o OF the terrible tragedy the poor woman
received, Before noon they found the bodies
OF the murdered men, stripped of all clothing
at different points within a few miles of the
house. They also met the Modocs, Hooker
Jim, Long Jim. Curley-Headed Doctor, One
Eyed Mouse, Rock Dave, Hump Jerry and
mrs. Hooker Jim, who were all implicated in
house to fluid other male victims these women
escaped and travelled night and day, suffering
many hardships, and reached the house of Mr..
Rapp in an exhausted condition.
Gen. Davis received the woman kindly, heard
their story, assigned them tent and promised
to assist them to recover their stolen goods.
This forenoon Hooker Jim and Steamboat
Frank, who had just returned from scout af-
ter the four Modocs, were taken to the bank
occupied by these women. Hooker Jim was
identified by Mrs. Body as one of the Indians
concerned in the massacre. In response to
some remark about the robbery of the house.
Hooker Jim said that Long Jim took the long
purse ard he (Hooker JIM took the short
purse. AT this point of the interview the
women became greatly excited, began crying,
lost all control of themselves and started 10 for
desperate work. Mrs. Schiera drew pistol
and went for Steamboat Frank, and Mrs.
Body drew q knife and dashed at Hooker
Jim.
Gen. Davis interfered and disarmed both of
the women, receiving in the struggle slight
wound in the palm Of the hand near the thumb
from the knife in the hands of Mrs. Body.
The savages during the scene stood like stat
utes; they neither spoke nor offered resistance.
1t gals Capt Jack and his comrades in Gus
tody to see Hooker jim and Steamboat Frank
travelling to and fro at will, and armed at
that He does not understand the consequence
of turning states evidence. This afternoon he
became greatly excited and gave vent to his
rage in fiery orati,n. He rose up in his
chains which Schonchin and in strong and i'm
pressive manner rected his grievances until an
officer compelled hin to desst