Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1873-07-12
THE TRIAL OF THE MODOCS.

lowing information from official sources
contributes some facts relative TO the
earlier stages Of the controversy be-
tween the government and the Indians,
and throws light upon the character OF
the Modocs and the influences which
impelled them to the hazardous under
taking OF an open war.
TIE MoDoC TRIBE.
The Modoc tribe was first known to
the Indian office in 1885 rs generaiiy
uniriendly to the whites II f,sst entereu
into formal relations with the govern
ment by treaty to whichthe Klamaths
and Gairuosilin band of Snakes were
also parties, made on the l4th day OF
October, 1864, and ratified by the Sen
ate of the United States, with certain
verbal amendments, July 2, 1866. The
Indians accepted these amendments III
1860, and the perfected treaty was pro
claimed III 1870. Under this treaty ana
the executive order tract OF land estl-
mated TO contain $4,000 acres was set
apa,t for these Indians in the southern
part Of Oregon.
In 1865, before the Senate had con-
cluded itS-deliberations on the treaty,
the Modocs acting, as it was then pre-
sumed, under the advice OF certain i'll
tcrested whites, withdrew from the
country to their former home, near Clear
Lake, sixty miles southeast of klamath.
In 1866 part of the band under Schon-
chin were induced to settle quietly at
the agency.
CAPTAIN JACKS BAND,
however, remained Oh their old lands
without serious conflict until 1869. In
October of that year the troubles began.
During 1871, to avert an outbreak, 4
consultation was held by representatives
of the Indian Bureau, when the latter
agreed to allow the refractory tribe to
remain where they were until further
instructions could be received from
Washiugtom In the meantime the
troops were restrained from active ope-
rations In the summer OF 1872 the
Oregon superintendent received !nstruc-
tiGnS TO have the Modoc Indians
REMOVED II PRACTICABLE
to the reservation set apart for them
under the treaty Of 1864. This failing,
4 subsequent letter directed the super
intendemt to remove the MOdoc Indians
TO the Klamath reservation peacebly II
he could, but forcibly if he must. In
compliance with this determination, the
army was called in to assist. On No
rembcr 20, 1872, at n. NJ, after a
night march from Fort Klamath, Capt.
Jackson, with thirty men of the First
United States Cavalry, met the Indians
nj Capt. Jacks camp and had an inter
view of three quarters of an hour. Ills
efforts to persuade them to so upon
MISREPRESENTATION proved Intellectual. lie
now demanded of them to lay down
their arms. No sooner had he made
this demand than
"sCARFACED" CHARLEY,
with an oath, saying he would Kill an
officer TO begin with, discharged the
contents of his gun at Lieutenant Bou-
tclle, which took effect in his coat sleeve,
but did no damage to his person. n
brisk fight of two hours ensued, when
the Indians took to flight, but returned
AGAIN in the afternoon and attacked the
troops. Notwithstanding this PREACHER
GUS act, the Indians were perslstently
followed with negotiations fora peace
able settlement of their difficulties until
they capped their perfdy by the assas-
sination of General Candy.
The last scene in this
MELANCHOLY DRAMA
MIGHT have been avoided had the gov
eminent needed the opinions and sug-
gestions of Superintendent Odeneal'
contained in letter of December 70,
1872. to the Indian Office. After speak
inc of the trcacherous nature OF the
Modocs, he says: ''They boast OF the
number of people they have killed, both
Indians and whites. There are enough
OF them to demoralize all the indians IN
that part of the State, and believe that
to subduc them now is not only the
most merciful and Christian-like, but
the only safe way to deal with them
.sFor eight years they have been pei
mittcd to battle and defy the govern
mcnt in the course desired to be pursu-
ed for their benefit, until many Indians
on the reservation familiar with their
conduct were becoming discontinued,
and would soon have fled from the
restraints, as they consider them, OF NV
ing at the agency. Persuasive measnr,
es proved fruitless. The military trled
to effect the desired object by botlr ar
oument and intimidation. All failed:
The Indians commenced hostilities, and
now I think no terms should be made
with the band which could in any way
interfere with afterwards arresting and
removing the leaders and the trials OF
the murderers. If they should consent
to all go upon the reservations, and the
chiefs be permitted to remain with them
there would be repetition of these
troubles at least once year as long as
there should be one of them left.
APPEALS OF THE SETTLERS
Uroent appeals of the settlers also
cave the Indian office timely warning
and advice, but there seemed to be a
blind fatality, a morbid tendency to JUS
tify all the acts of the savage on the
plea of wrongs committed against HIM,
rs if the white settlers had no rights tor
an Indian to respect. This letter OF
Superintendent Odeneal also adds q