The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-07-04
MEACHAM AND THE MODOCs.

tyrdOm-Cfrcumstanc OF the Candy
Massacre.
[From the New York Tribune.l
Among the witnesses in the trial of
the captured Modocs, soon to take place,
it is safe to say that the most important
is Mr.. A. b. Meacham, who was Chair
man of the Peace Commissioners to treat
with the tribe, and who SO narrowly es-
capped the fate of his fellow-commission-
ers, Gen. Candy and DIR. Thomas. Mr..
Meacham arrived in this city on Thurs
day, returning from Washington on his
way to Yreka, and thence to Fort Klam-
ath, where the military commission is to
sit. Although it is but little more
than two months since the day of the
massacre, Mr.. Meachams wounds have
almost all healed, and although much
wasted from his former bulk, he is re-
stored to something like his former ac-
tivity.
With characteristic reserve the Peace
Commissionerhas refrained from making
any statements of any kind since the
massacre. Having now visited the seat
of Government and conferred with the
proper officials there, he probably feels
that there is less necessity for preserving
silence in regard to the eventful history
in which he took so prominent a part,
and his statements made to Tribune
reporter are his first utterances on the
subject since the day of the tragedy. His
expressions are of the more interest,
since it is evident that his faith in the
peace policy has not been in the least
shaken by Indian treachery.
CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE MASSACRE.
The three commissioners went into the
conference taking their lives in their
hands. Frank Riddle, the interpreter,
and his wife, who knew the men they
went to meet, tried all means to dissuade
them from going, and Mr.. Meacham
says that a Modoc brought word from his
camp to Riddles sQuaw, warning them
of their danger. But even this had no
effect on either Gen. Candy or DIR.
Thomas. The spirit of the latter al
though not that of practical man well
acquainted with Indian character, was
most lofty. In response to the entreat-
les of Mr.. Meacham, whose experience
with Indians taught him that these warn
ings had truth in them, his reply was,
in substance "God will call me at his
proper time. If He desires me to offer
my life in this manner i shall not with
hold it." Both he and Gen. Candy were
firm in the refusal to permit any men,
Der of the party TO carry arms, as there
was stipulation to the contrary, or to
allow any promises to be made to the In
dams for temporary purposes that
were not meant to be fulfilled. Mr..
Meacham followed the only course
in honor left open to him. He could
not, as Chairman of the Commits
sion, say peremptorily to two older and
more distinguished men than himself,
You shall not GO" he could not re-
main behind, while they ventured alone
into danger. He accepted the inevitable
and went. He naturally regrets, now,
that he did not refuse to permit the con-
ference, whatever might have been the
consequences to himself The meeting
took place III an open space, previously
marked by the erection of a white tent,
around which gathered the troop as
closely as a circle of friends in draw
ing-room. The talk went on for some
time without accident or incident. MIR.
Meacham, keenly on the watch, saw full
twenty minutes before any shot was
fired that trouble was brewing, and saw
it in an event that would have seemed
meaningless to any one unused to In
dian ways. He had left his horse I'M
tied, and had hung his coat on the sad
die. Hooker Jim tied the horse, and,
taking the coat from its place, put it
on, buttoned it up carefully to the chin,
and strutted before companion, say
ing "Me old Meacham now. Think
/ look like old man Meacham ?" This
sudden outbreak of insolence first
awakened his suspicious After the in
terval of about twenty minutes Jack
rose and moved back a little from the
circle, with his side to Gen. Candy and
his hand in his breast. This, Mr..
Meacham thinks, was the signal for
others to draw near, as two Modocs
came running up with guns in their
hands. Seeing their approach all
sprang to their feet, and Meacham
cried, "Jack, what does this mean ?"
" Kauturie! All readyr' yelled out
the Modoc chieftain, as he swung out
his arm and snapped his revolver at
Gen. Candy. Then he began the fight,
the story of which has already been
told Mr. Meacham was shot by Schon-
chin first, who leaped at him with re-
volver in one hand and knife glitter
ing above his head in the other. He
afterward became the target of nearly
twenty shots, he thinks, all of which
were fred at range of less than half a
dozen yards. BY a marvellous good for
tune, none of them entered the skull.
As he lay stunned, the Indians had suf-
fcient time to strip him of his clothing,
and were attempting to get his scalp,
when Riddles squaw, who seems to
have been ready woman, cried "Sol-
diers' and the Modocs fed in fright.
The scarcity of his hair, on which he
had then his first cause of congratula-
ton, was the reason of this delay, but
the ingenious savage, rather than lose
such a trophy, was evidently preparing
to take the scalp from the side of the
head, by this expedient gaining the adj
ditional ornament of an ear.
PROBABLE RESULT OF TRIAL.
Of the issue of the trial, of course, moth
ing can be known beforehand, but Mr.
Meacham expresses no doubt that such
of the Modocs as were directly guilty OF
participation in the assassination will be
convicted, and if convicted, will, OF