Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-02-27
THE MODOCS.
Statement of the Klamath SquaH as to
her Reception in the Camp Of
the M0d0es.
They are Tired Of War, and Want TO
Wash their Hands Of Blood and
Trouble.
The Same Old Story Of White Treach-
cry, Deception, Robbery and
Wrong.


cry, Deception, Robbery and
Wrong.
SAN FRANCISCO, February pa
special dispatch was received by the
Blllletil, yesterday evening from Fair
child's camp, the headquarters of the
Modoc peace commissioners. Bob
Whittle and his Indian wife returned
from Captain Jacks camp Monday
night-the second visit-bringing Modoc
Dave. Jacks band of forty-three met
them mile from the lava bed, all heay-
lily armed with needle-guns, some hav-
ing two hundred cartridges slung to
them. They said they did not want to
fight, but could now fire ten shots where
they fired onex I'm the day of the last
battle. They $50 told Whittle: ave
had not got mad. Your house Is stand
ing; SO is Dorris's and Van Bremen's
and FairchiId's aud Smalps, because we
are not mad yet Captain Jack still
holds possession, and the chief says he
is willing to talk with Steele, or Fair
child, or Judge Roseborough."
Indian Dave went back this morning
with the message that Messrs. Fair
child, Whittle, Matilda and Artena
would go tomorrow to arrange for an
other meeting for peace. The commits
sioners have given strict orders that
no members Of the press should go, and
are determined that there shall be no
information given except through their
hands. There were two squaWs that
had returned from q visit to the lava
beds, and they were taken into a room
to which no correspondents were ad-
mitted, and, after an hours conference,
the commissioners stated to the CORE
spondent that klamath, one of
the squaws, had made the fol-
lowing statement when she arrived
in camp: The Modocs received her
kindly, and said they were glad she
had come; they were tired waiting for
the talk; were out Of clothes and pro-
visions, and wanted no more war; were
ready to wash their hands of the blood
Schoneches, and another were the only
speakers. Captain Jack commenced by
complaining that the Indians were
pitched into by the military and citi-
zens when they (the Indlans) were
asleep. They did not intend to trouble
the citizens, but wanted to fight the SOL
dIers, and the citizens should not
have troubled them. They went to
the rocks for safety and the sol
diers came and hunted them as
II they were coyotes. They did not
want to live there; wanted the blockade
raised; were tired of seeing women
come to them; women did not under
stand when men lied; he was q chief
still; Squire Steel made him chief; he
did not want to talk to little Tyes or
people who had been in a fight; he
wanted to see them come in there; they
should not be hurt; he was ready to talk
with these men, that came from long
way off; he would like to talk with
Judge Roseborough. John Schoneches,
q brother of old Chief Schoneches,
now on the Klamoth reservation and
one of the surviving Modocs, took
part in the MOdoc war ia the year 1852,
then spoke and said that he being tied,
was waiting for somebody to come and
talk because he could not come out and
talk. He remeaber Ben. Wright's
treachery. These boys, pointing to 9TH
or Indians, have all grown up since then.
He would wash everybody's hands Of
blood and have all the past buried. He
was the oldest there and would control
the boys. Loving peace, he was glad
the men had come to talk with him
from long way; of Tyles and those who
had fought with them he could not talk;
wanted to see Mr.. Case, because he came
from q long way off, wanted to see Mr.. /
Meacham, because he came from a long |
distance, and man of bis name had I
talked to him long before, and made his /
heart strong; but since then very much |
blood had been spilled; he did not want !
any more; had given up all of his coun- |
try but little place on Lost river; the !
soldiers pitched into him there; always |
tried to be friendly with the citizens: |
the boys got wild when the soldiers |
pitched In; he could not control the |
boys then, but he could now; his |
heart had been wild, but was
getting better now. He thought the |
wild would get out of the boys some |
way; he liked the talk sent the boys and !
squaws from the President; all the peo-
pie were his children, and he did not |
want them to fight; he felt like being 8 |
peace man among his own children, /
and break trouble as he would break a !
string in the middle; his men were |
coming to do that when the came among |
his brethren; he had tried to separate |
them to prevent bloodshed; he had |
a red skin, but a white heart;
was wild while fighting, but good |
news sent away the wild spirit; /
he was ready to see the talk at I
any time with the Commissioners; did /
not want to talk with women, because /
they could not understand things some- |
times; when the next messenger came /
he would meet him where the grass
grows and water runs; they would then |
arrange to meet from afar off; they could I
then come and be not afraid; he could /
control his people, but was afraid the /
white people could not control theirs /
his people would henceforth do as they (
agreed to, but was afraid the white men /
would not; he was not afraid to meet /
the Commissioners and they need not |
be afraid to meet him; they should not |
be hurt; nobody will kill them; he went |
on the reservation, and was promised 8 /
plae by the side of Link river by |
Dock, but was removed to Williamson /
riyerby Captain Knapp, the agent there; I
be was removed again and put between /
the Klamoths, where he had to live on |
roots in the ground. He could see no |
chance of having permanent home I
there, and felt that he might not starve /
The clothes were worn out /
ON their women, and when they went to /
their ranches on bOst river forroots they /
returned empty-handed. Scorehed /
Back had sent the woman Matilda back /
with message that we will come out
and talk, and telling the white men to
be not afraid, for they shall not be hurt.
Another old Mo1oc veteran spoke in I
words the drift of which was in favor of
peace, though he feared treachery on the
part of the whites. He remembered
Ban WIight's treachery, and feared rep
etition of it, The Modocs listened atten-
lively to the speakers, and grunts, the
usual signs signifying their acceptance
Of the ideas and their assent to the prop
Osltion advanced. No dissenting votes,
no signs of oppositionS If we except the
signs of outcropping of jealousy on the
part Of Captain Jack, lest he should not
be acknowledged chief of the tribe. 1t
Is the opinion of Matilda that Jacks
power is waning. His influence is over
shadowed by Schonsche's, whose party
IS strong enough to rule the bands. The
Indians sent no proposition according to
Cource's report, but learned afterward
rom the other side different story
rom a returned woman-that Captain
lack will insist on his place on Lost
liver as one of the concessions which
must be made in the event of peaes be-
Dg considered. Judge Roseborough and
3faQla afarfod for fio frorf today tho