Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-07-31
The Modoc Trials.

The trial Of the Modocs implica.
ted in the murder of General Candy
and Peace Commissioner Thomas, on
the Tlth of last April, began at Fort
Klamath, Oregon, ON the 9Th instant,
and closed on the 9th. The testi-
mony for the prosecution was of the
most positive character, and such as
to leave little doubt Of the guilt Of
the prisoners. The only witness for
the prosecution whose testimony was
of little value was Mr.. Dyar, Indian
agent Tor the Klamath Reservation.
He could swear positively to nothing,
except that he accompanied General
Candy and the peace commissioners
on the l1th Of April. On the first
day of the trial charges and speci-
Gcations against the prisoners was
read to the following named Indians,
all Of whom pleaded 4" Not guilty >
Captain Jacl, schonchin, John, Bos
ton Charley, Black Jim, sholocks
and Bonchew. The following sum-
mary of the first and second dav s
proceedings is given by the San Fran
cisco Alta California
T. K. Riddle was. the first witness
placed on the stand. He gave the
usual story about the facts of the
.niassacre.s InsaAswiers4t toaa1questicn
as to whether he had any information
of danger in visiting the Modocs, he
said: was warned by Hooka Jim
at Fairchilds S ranch this Indian told
me that | had better not come with
the commission, as they would be
murdered; he also told me that if
did come. and anything was going to
happen, that he (Hooka Jim would
push me to one side, anu that l must
then 90 away, and 1 would not be
harmed l warned General Candy Of
the danger, and told him that if
were he I would not moet them
also advised him to secrete a body ot
men in the rocks beyond where the
meeting was proposed; General Can.
by would not accede TO this, and ex'
planned that it would be an insul
and breach of faith toward Captain
Jack, and that if Jack should dis
cover it, it might provoke hostilities
Mrs. Riddle (Toby) substantiated hel
husbands testimony. Peace Commis
sioner Dyar gave his story of the af
fair. He did not look on Genera
Candy as one of the peace commits
sion, but supposed he had supervis-
ion over it, and inferred that the
commissioners were to act in conjunc
ton with aud be advised by him.
On the second day of the tria
Shacknasty jim, one Of the Modoc'
who deserted Jack and aided in his
capture, was called as witness. HI
testified to nothing new, other thar
that he had not heard any previous
planning of the massacre. On the 9th
er hand, Steam beat Frank had heac
Captain Jack aud Schonchin planning
the murder the previous evening anc
morning of the massacre. Dyar be-
ing recalled stated that he also hac
heard something about this. Hooka
Jim knew that the peace commission
ers would be killed when they wen ttt
the meeting; he had tired to xii
Dyar. William. Modoc, told Toby
to tell the peace commissioners no
to come to the meeting. Alfred B
Meacham was now placed on the
stand. He testified a long, full and
explicit account of all the facts
OF the meeting Of the peace com
missloners previous to the time o
the massacre. Captain Jack had re
ouested the meeting at which The
assassinations took place. He (Meach
any Lad protested against this con.
ference, being fully assured that il
would end disastrously. His advice
was not taken. He detailed min
utely, and in thefullest completeness
the facts Of the meeting and the sub
sequent massacre
On the third day, July 8, Captain
Jack entered upon his defence ano
said he wanted to call Dave, One
eyed Nose and Scar-faced Charley at
witnesses. They were called, bu
their testimony was of little value tt
the prisoners. 1t was simply reci
tai of what the klamath Lake In
dians had done and told item (tht
Modocs) since the trouble began. AT
Ger the examination of Lieutenant Il
R. Anderson, of the Fourth Artillery
and Assistant Surgeon McElderry
Captain Jack made speech, in which
he said he did not want to fight will
the whites. but was driven to it b!
either Modocs. He said he had beer
told by squaws that the peace com
missioners wanted to kill the Modocs
and also that Mr.. Meacham had
pile of wood upon which he wanted
L.. T..1 u oont;noof