Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-04-25

Them.
The Modoc Indians have been tur-
bulent and inimical for many years,
and have frequently resisted the ad-
vance of civilization upon their hunt
ing-grouDds with bravery, and at times
vindictively. The following is the his
tory of the troubles the whites have
had with the Modocs since they settled
in the neighborhood of the Lost river,
where the tribe was located previous
to their retreat to the lava-beds.
The Modoc Indians, n tribe OF which
but remnant remains, have for years
been a source of Tneasiness tc the set
tiers in Southern Oregon. OF all the
tribes they have shown the least dlspo-
sition to abide by the rules of the In
dian Department or the wishes OF the
citizens. BY reason of their superior
intellieence and less tractable nature
they have generally managed to have
their own way so long as they did no
actual deeds Of violence. In this way
they have lived by s1lfferance, to speak.
Their camp before the retreat to the
lava-beds was at the mouth of the Lost
river. where it empties into the Tule or
Rhett lake, and they got their living
by hunting and fishing, and oft times
BIZ stealing from the settlers.when they
got a good chance. During last sum-
lner the country about Rhett and kla-
matll lakes and on the banks of Lost
river was largely settled by people
mostly from the neighborhood of Eu-
gene ana Jacksonville, Oregon. These
leople were well aware of the nature
of the NIodocs, and knew also of their
suppressed hostility, but relying partly
on the Government and partly on their
own ability to protect themselves, they
lived in comparative quiet.
FIRST TROUBLE WITH THE MODOCs.
During the summer of 1872 the Mo-
docs became very troublesome to the
white settlers, going into their houses,
taking the meals off the table, and in
sulting the women. Finally, the set
tiers united in petition to the Super
intendent Of Indian Affairs for the
District of Oregon requesting that he
take measures to remove the Modocs,
! Cao-ain Jack, Scarfaced Charley, and
all included, to the Indian reservation
: on Rogue river. The Superintendent
! laid The petition, together with state
/ lnent OF the case, before the Commits
/ siGncr of Indian Affairs i'll Washing
ton. That officer at once ordered that
! the Nodocs be placed on their reserya-
ton peaceably if possibly, but forci-
bly, if necessary. The order was OF
! the most peremptory character, and
the Superintendent proceeded to the
Indian camp at Rhett Lake to procure
F.! its enforcement. The chiefs, Captain
Jack and Scarfaccd Charley, heard of
his approach, and, knowing what it
, meant, refused to meet him, set his
authority at defiance, and sent word to
him that they were fully determined
t. remain in their camp, and would
never go on their reservation.
MAJOR JACKSoS's MARCH
Fort Klamath is situated about forty
miles; north of the Indian camp. 1t is
carGisoned by Company 3, of tho First
cavalry. and Company +, of the Twen-
t7-first infantry, under the command
of Major Jackson To this point SUI
yerintendent Oleneal now repaired,
and requested Major Jacksnn's aid III
carIying ont his order. He placed
the order in the Majors hands, and
stipulated that It should be carried
! out without bIoodshad if possible,
and that Il force sufficient to over
awe tie savares should be nscd. But
the courage and disposition of Captain
JACK band seems to have been under
catct.. for Major Jackson started out
: with only thirty-tive cavalry to effect
the object desired. The indians then
numbered one hundred, and it was
folly Ia believe that they would allow
dirt five cavalrymcn 70 brighten
: them ii.f0 aut,,nisSIniI.
et:rHto;,NDIc't. TIE E,>ND II TILL; CAM.
On Thanksgiving Day, 1872, Major
.Tac!ssoil's command. accompanied by
IVAN Applegatc, IL settler it Clear
Lake, and James Brown, messenger of
the Indian Department, arrived at the
Indian camp at tie mouth of Lost
river They arrived there at early
dawn. and quietly >Urrounllcl the
camps on either side. Of the river.
TIE FIRST DirrLE.
When I'll was ready the presence of
the II !iiaEy was made known, and in
stantly the camp became a scene OF
confusion. Indians ran hither and
I tiither, seized their guns and huddled
together IN a su,llenmannel', apparently
ready to flee at a moments notice.
Nialor jackson asked if any of the In
10y came forward, gun in hand, and
said. anGrily. that he did. Major Jack
son then explained to Charley the
nature OF the order from Washington,
and requested the Modocs to go to
their reservation quietly. Charley in
terpreted to Captain Jack and the other
indians, all OF whom shook their heads
and turned their backs. in token of
unqualified refusal to obey the order.
y nile MAJOR jackson Was celebrating
what to do, Scarfaced Charley sud
denly raised his gun and fired at
Lneutenant BOutelle, who stood in
front OF ms men. This, of course. was
the signal for battle. Lieutenant
Boutclle promptly returned the fire.
and the fight at once became general,
Major jackson lost one soldier killed
and four wounded two mortality in
this fight. Major Jackson Withdrew
finding his force not sufficient to dis
lodge the Indians
, MURDER Or THE BKorIEKToN FAMILY
The Indians on the morning of the
goth deserted their camp, and on theil
, march overlook William Brothertol
and ms two sons, who had been in tho
woods for load of fuel.
The indians, under command O
S5carfaced Charley, at once stopped tn,
ertou as he sat on the wagon. Th,
two boys tried to run, but were killed
before they had gone fifty yards. TIL,
Indians then unhitched the eigh
horses. mounted them, and started fo
the house, where they doubtless in
tended to murder the rest of tn,
BrOtharton family-the mother ant
: two young sons, mere boys. Her,
! they met the first check. The pluck,
woman, suspecting that something wa
wrong, from the fact thai they wer,
mounted on her husbands horse, re
solved to sell her life dearly. She hai
three rifles i'll the house, and putting
, one IN the hands Of each son, sh,
: locked the door and built harricad,
. behind tie windows of sacks of flour
| Then she waited tie approach of til,
, Indians. They soon cume I'D ant
demanded admittance The bray.
wOmans answer was a rife-bullet
which she sent crashing through til,
: skull Of r,,o If tho covonac rThn how