River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-01-17
THE MODOC INDIAN WAR.
History ofthe Troubles.

A special correspondent of the San
Francisco Chronicle writes:
"The Modoc Indians, tribe of
which but remnant remains, have long
been a source of uneasiness to the set
ties in Southern Oregon. OF all the
tribes, they have shown the least dispo-
sition to abide by the rules of the In
dian Department or the wishes of the
citizens. BY reason of their superior
intelligence and less tractable nature
they have generally managed to have
their own way so long as they did no
actual deeds of violence. In this
way they have lived, by suffer
ance, so to speak. Their camp
was at the mouth of Lost River,
where it empties into the Tule or Rhett
Lake, and they got their living by
hunting and fishing, and ofttimes by
stealing from the settlers when they
got good chance. This past summer
the country about Rhett and Kalamath
lakes, and Oh the banks of Lost river,
has been largely settled by people
mostly from the neighborhood of Eu-
gene and Jacksonville. These people
were well aware Of the nature of the
Medocs, and knew also of their sup
pressed hostility, but relying partly on
the government and partly on their
own ability to protect themselves, they
lived in comparative peace and quiet.
The Modoc band is under command
of Captain Jack, a stalwart Indian, who
is well known at this place, having
come here often to purchase sundries
of whisky and tobacco. l am told that
Captain Jacks costume on these visits
consisted of nothing but a black silk
stovepipe and gray woollen blanket.
He always carried himself rather in
solently, and had many a quarrel here
with people who ne fancied had insult
ed him. The other prominent mem
bers of the band are Scar-faced Charley,
Bogus Charley, 0ne-eyed Waterman,
Doctor, and Black Jim. The former is an
Indian of great bravery, and is said to
be desperate of the worst kind. He,
too, has often visited Yreka. He
speaks English quite well, and at the
beginning of the trouble acted as IN
terpreter between the troops and Cap
tain Jack, who is ignorant of the Ian
guage. The other Indians, about
ninety in number, are all warriors and
regarded as desperate men. They have
repeatedly sworn that they will never
go on the reservation on Rogue River,
where the remnants of other tribes are
fast being collected, and it was a final
attempt on the part of the government
to put them there which has led to the
recent outbreak.
During the past summer the Modocs
in their camp at the mouth of Lost
River looked on the increased immi-
grafton to their neighborhood with a
good deal of jealousy. They knew
that as the country filled up they
would be compelled 10 give way and
finally submit to going on the reserva-
ton. In consequence of this they soon
became more troublesome. In their
manner toward the Lew settlers they
were particularly iusolenu-genCrall
treating thea in a manner which i'm
piled the most intense hatred. They
would often go to a rancho in the ab
sence of the settler, walk up to the fire
where a meal was being cooked for his
wife and children, take the provisions
and make the most frightful threats
against the woman if any opposition
was shown. They would go TO other
settlers cabins, take the food right off
the table, brighten the family, and
threaten to burn the r,inche if resisted.
Finally things got so bad that the
settlers resolved 90 do something for
their own protection. About two
months ago they united in petition
to Superintendent Opaneal, Superin-
tendent of Indian Affairs for the Dis
trict of Oregon, requesting that he take
measures to remove the ModOcs. Cap
tain Jack, Scar-Fqced Charley and all
included, to the Indian reservation ON
Rogue River. Mr.. Odeneal laid
the petition, together with
statement of the case before
the Commissioner OF Indian AZ.
fairs in Washington. That officer at
once ordered that the Modocs be placed
on their reservation, peaceably ii posi-.
bic, but forcibly ii necessary. The
order was of the most peremptory
character, and Superintendent Odeneal
proceeded To the Indian camp at Rhett
Lake to procure its enforcement. The
Chiefs, Captain Jack and Scar.Faced
Charley, heard Of his approach, and
knowing what il meant. refused 10 meet
him, set his authority at defiance. and
sent word to him that they were fully
determined to remain in their camp
anu would never 80 on their reserya.
ton
Fort klamath is situated about forty
miles north Of the Indian camp. II Is
garrisoned by Company b of the First
Cavalry, and Company L Of the rwen-
ty.hrst Infantry, under the command of
MAJOR Jackson. To this point Super.
intendent Odeneal now repaired and