Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-04-18
Massacre by the Madoc Indians.


ternoon five Indians and four sonaws 10 ma
INTO our camp and were made presents OF
clothlng and provisions by the Peace Commits
sloners, and message was sent out nv IN,
Commissioners asking for talk this morning
Mt point about n mile from our picket line
Later in the evening Bogus Charley came in
ana told the picket that he could take his gun.
that he (Charley) did not intend to 20 back
any more. The picket brought him in and
LOOK MN 10 the tent of General CARLY, where
Charley LETT his gun and remained at the tent
of Frank Riddle during the night. This
morning Boston Charley came in and told the
commission that Captain Jack and five other
Indians would meet the Commission outside
OF our lines. Boston Charley and Bogus
Charley then mounted horses and started for
the Lava Bed
About an hour after their departure Gener-
al Candy, DR.. Thomas, Mr.. A. b. Meacham
and Mr.. Dyer with Frank Riddle and his
squaw for interpreter, started for the place
appointed. The party arrived ut the appoint
ed place. and were closely watched by the
signal officer, Lieutenant Adams, from the
signal station on the hill overlooking our
camp. About half an hour after the party
had arrived, cry from the signal station was
heard saying that the Indians had attacked
the Peace Commissioners. and that an engage
ment had commenced between the Indians and
Colonel Mason. In moment the troops were
under arms and depioyed as skirm;shers, TN
der command of Colonel Green, and orders
were given 20 forward double-quck.
Very shortly after Mr.. Dyer returned and
told Us that the Indians had attacked them
and that he thought that he was the only one
who had escaped. But in few minutes after
Riddle and his squaw were seen within the
picket line. From him we gather the follow
ing account of how the massacre commenced /:
Mr. Meacham made short speech to the In
dams, followed by General Candy, and then
DR.. Thomas. Then Captain Jack made a
speech, asking for Hot Greek and Cotton wood
places now occupied by Fairchild and Doris,
for reservations. Mr.. Meacham told Captain
Jack that 1t was not possible TO give him what
he asked. Schonchin told Meacham to say no
more that he (Meacham) had said enough up
on that subject, and while Schonchin was
speaking, Captain Jack got up and walked
behind the others, turned back, and exclaimed
all ready He then drew his pistol and
snapped the cap at General Candy. He then
cooked his pistol again and fired, and Gener-
al Candy fell dead, shot under the eve
Schonchin then shot Meacham in the shoulder
and head, bu: he is still alive. Boston Char
ley and another Indian shot and killed DR..
Thomas. Hooken jim chased Dyer for some
distance but Dyer turned upon him with a
pistol in hand, and Jim ran. An Indian knock
ed the squaw of Riddle off her horse and took it,
but Captain Jack made him return it, and
then another Indian chased Riddle and shot
at him. Some allowance may be made for
the truth of this last statement.
The troops are now in their lava beds, lying
on their arms, and will probably advance to-
night under cover of darkness. There are
here about six hundred troops, which can be
brought out into active service, and it is be-
iieved they will end the Modoc war.
Meacham is not expected to survive.
SAN FRANCIsCo, April l2.-The news of the
massacre of the Peace Commissioners creates
much excitement here. The policy of dealing
with the treacherous savages is strongly de-
nonnced by all classes of people. The folly of
such a course was demonstrated in Arizona
before in the Brooks campaign.
Later.-The news of the murder of General
Candy aud Dr. Thomas caused great excite
ment in Jacksonville tonight. The people
were loud in their denunciaton of Secretary
Delano, and say they will hold him response
BILE. lie was hung in etigy there tonight.
HISTORY OF THE MoDOC TROUBLES.
The Modoc Indians have been turbulent FOR
many years, and have frequently resisted the
advance of civilization upon their hunting
grounds with bravery, and at times vindic-
lively. The following is a history of the
since they settled in the neighborhood of Lost
river, where the tribe was located previous to
their retreat to the lava beds
The Modoc Indians, a tribe of which but a
remnant remains, have for years been source
of uneasness to the settlers in Southern Ore
gon. OF all the tribes they have shown the
least disposition to abide by the rules of the
Indian department or the wishes of the citi-
zens. BY reason of their superior intelligence
and less tractable nature they have generally
managed to have their own way so long as
they do no actual deeds of violence. In this
way they have lived, by snferance, SO TO
speak. Their camp before the retreat to the
lava beds was at the mouth of Lost river,
where il empties into the Tue or Rhett lake,
and they got their living by hunting and fish
ing, and ofttimes by stealing from the settlers
when they got chance. During last summer
the country about Rhett and Klamath lakes
and on the banks of Lost river was largely set
tied by people mostly from the neighoorhood
of Eugene and Jacksonville, Oregon These
people were well aware of the nature of the
Modocs, and knew also of their suppressed hos
tility, but relying partly on the government
and partly on their own ability to protect
themselves, they lived in comparative peace
and quiet
FIRST TROUBLE WITH THE MODOCS.
During the summer Of 1872 the Modocs be-
came very troublesome to the white settlers,
going into their houses, taking the meals of
the table and insulting the women. Finally
the settlers united in q petition to the super
intendent of Indian affairs for Oregon,
requesting that he take measures to remove
the Modocs, Captain Jack, Scartaced Charley
and ALL included TO the Indian reservation on
Rogue river. The superintendent laid the Pc
titon, together with statement of the case,
before the commissioner of Indian affairs at
Washington. That officer at once ordered
that the Modocs be placed on their reservd-
ton peaceably if possible, but forcibly if ne
cessary The order was of the most peremp-
tory character, and the superintendent pro-
ceeded to the Indian camp at Rhett lake to
procure its enforcement The chiefs, Captain
Jack and Scarfaced Charley heard Of his APP
proach, and knowing what it meant, refused
to meet HIM, set his authority at defiance, and
sent word to him that they were fully deter
mined to remain in their camp, and would
never go on their reservation.
DEFEAT AND SLAUGHTER OF APACHES
IANS-TERRIBLE RETALIATION.
SAN Francisco, April 70 On the llth Of
March, Gus Swain, John McNoland, and Geo.
TAYLOR were murdered by a band of Apaches
The savages were pursued by troops and over
taken, and during the conflict which followed
seventy-nine warriors were killed, and TWEEN
trsiv wonan and children taken prisoners