Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1873-04-30
THE MODOC MASsACRE.
Origin or the TrOubles-O Opinions Of
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The history of this Modoc trouble
is still fresh in the pub lie mind, After
some difficulties with the whites on
the lonely border country between
California and OREGON, the Modoes
gained their first bloody distinction
BY the murder Of q number OF settlers
upon Lost River. From thence the
band under Captain Jack, new forever
infamous in history, retired to 8 posi-
ton rendered almost impregnabie by
nature among the lava beds Of Tule
Lake. Here they remained gathering
live stock and provisions 70 their fort
ress. and raidiDg on the white settlers
lin the vicinity for that object. At
! length the United States resolved 70
send the army in the field against the
indians. For this purpose a force Of
three hundred men, under Col. Gil
lem, proceeded to attack the Indians.
The nature Of the country was evi-
IDENTIFY unknown to the commanding
officers, for with this small number
they undertook to storm the Indian
stronghold. The sharp defeat met by
the troops, and the severe losses there
sustained, are so recent as merely tc
require notice here. Thereafter II was
resolved to push forward the means
fer attaining peace on a double basis.
Three hundred additional troops, un-
der General Candy, were hurried for.
ward to punish the Indians, and full
Peace Commission was organized tc
pacify them In the meantime the
Indians made q sally, but were re-
j pulsed. Before the troops moved
again the negotiations were opened.
Arrangements were speedily made fol
a surrender, in which the Indians
were to be protected from the enraged
fOregonians, and transported to some
nice reservation, to be fed aud clothed
forever at government expense a
day was appointed and agreed to fol
Ethe surrender to take place. Wagons
were sent by the good hearted Com.
missioners TO convey Captain Jacks
baggage over the rough ground bui
no signs Of the Indians were discov'
erable. Days passed, and atieugth an
Indian appeared, who complained
that Captain Jack aud his fellows
were fearful Of the troops, and thai
they wanted to 90 TO their old Los
River reservation. The troops under
General Candy now moved forward
again and dcOmmeneed to encirele the
sayages in their fortress. The circle
Twas drawn graduaily closer, and the
Indians again prefessed a desire for Q
peace conference. They saw the sol.
ldiery drawing closer. and closer, and
now tup q new demand. They oh
liected altogether to leaving the Laws
beds, and wanted the troops sent
taway. notwithstanding this prepOs.
ferrous demand, the good, kind heart
ed Peace Commissioners listened tC
the paIayer OF the braves. Several in,
terviews took place. The story Of the
last one tells the remainder Of the
narrative of indecisiOn through kind
lheartedneks met by duplicity and
murder. .l....-,-.- IT, . e,
Warning Of this danger does MOI
appear to baVe been wanting. Rid
die, the interpreter, expressly stated
his grave fears, but consented TO ac-
4 company the too-trusting Commits.
sioners. In order that we ight have
nothing wanting to showihow DELHI
erately planned was this massacre
we learn nom the surviving Commits
sioner, Mr.. Dyar, that Captain Jach
himself fired tue signal shot, and with
his own weapon took the life Of the
brave and good hearted soldier whose
name was terrible to the nations enc