Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1873-04-17
LAVA BEND, April IL.

LAVA BEND, April IL.
Yesterday afternoon five Indians
and four squaws came into our camp
and were made presents of clothing
and provisions by the peace commits
sioners, and a message was sent out by
the commissioners, asking for talk
this morning at q point about mile
from our picket line. Later in the
evening Boston Charley came in and
told tho picket that he could take his
gun, that he Charley did not intend
to 60 back any more. The picket
brought him in, took him to the tent
of Gen. Candy, where Charley left his
gum, and remained at the tent of Frank
during the night.
This morning Boston Charley came
In and told the commissioners. that
Capt. Jack and five other Indians
would meet the commissioners outside
of our lines. Boston and Rogers then
mounted their horses and started for
the lava bed. About an hour after
their departure, Gen. Candy, DR.. j.
Thomas, Mr.. A. 3. Meacheam, and Mr..
Dyer,with Frank Riddle and his squaw
for interpreters, started for the place
appointed. The party arrived at the
appointed place, and were closely
watched by tho signal officer, Lieut..
Adams, from the signal station on the
hill overlooking our camp. About
half an hour after the party had ar
rived, q cry was heard from tho signal,
station saying that the Indians had
attacked the peace commissioners, and
that an engagement had commenced
between the Indians and Col. Mason.
In q moment the troops wero under
arms, and deployed as skirmishers, nm
der command of Col. Green, and or
ders were given to forward double
quick.
Very shortly after Mr.. Dian returned
and told us that the Indians had at
lacked them and that he thought that
he was the only one who had escaped !;
but In few moments after Riddle and
his squaw were seen within tho picket
line. From him we gather the follow
ing account of how the massacre COM
menced:
Meachan made short speech to the
Indians, followed by Gen. Candy and
then DIR. Thomas. Then Captain Jack
made a speech asking for Hot Creek
and COttonwood--the places now oc-
cupied by Fairchild and Davis--for a
reservation.
MI. Meacham told Jack that it was
not possible to give him what he asked
for.
Schochia told Meacham to saw no
more; that he, Meacham, had said
enough upon that subject. And while
Schochia was still speaking, Captain
Jack got up and walked behind the
others and turned back and exclaimed
"All ready drew his pistol and
snapped q cap at Gen. Candy. He
cooked his pistol again and fired. and
General Candy fell dead--shot under
the right eye.
Schochia then shot Meacham IN the
shoulder and head, but he ia still alive.
Boston Charley and another Indian
shot and killed DIR. Thomas. Hockey
Jim Chased the squaw for some dis.
lance. but Dian turned upon him. with
pistol in hand, and Jim ran. And In
dian knocked Riddles sqnaw down
took her horse, but Captain Jack made
him return 1t, and then another Indian
chased Riddle and shot at him. This
last may be taken with grain Of al
l0warce. The troops are now about
mile in the lava beds, lying on their
arms, and will probably advance to-
night under cover Of darkness. There
are about GOO troops, which can be
brought into active service and be-