Liberal Republican. [volume] (Dallas, Or.) 1872-1???, 1873-05-03
MEACHAM's STONY OF THE
LATE MASSACRE.

LATE MASSACRE.
The Herald Of the Gath ult. con-
tains the following account of the late
Modoc massacre as given by Mr.
Meaoham;
Fioafly, through Bogus Charley and
Boston, arrangements were made on
Friday morning to meet them that day
at noon. Gen Candy, DR.. Thomas,
Agent Dyar, and myself, were to meet
flee unarmed Indians at Council Tent,
one mile beyond the military lines and
within the lava bed.
Bogus Charley ate breakfa at my
table, and seemed very sanguine of an
adjustment of the whole matter that
day. Frank Riddle, and Tobia Riddle,
his Modoc wife, our interpreters, called
me to one side before starting and said
Meacham, Don't 60 they will kill
you" This warning was repeated 10
General Candy aud DR.. Thomas. Mr..
Dyar and myself protested against
going, but, owing to the proximity of
the troops and the utter recklessness OF
any attempt upon our lives, it was
/ decided to 90. DIR. Thomas remarked
that he did not believe that God had
sent him to do so noble a work vita
such an end in prospect. and that he
would 90 to the council. Mr.. Mea-
cham then reiterated his fears and
aid u will 90, although ! consider
this the most hazardous expedition and
the last of my life"
Mr.. Dyar and /, when everything
had been arranged, started for the
council ground on horseback, over the
bride path, while General Canby and
DR.. Thomas preceded uson foot. In
going out Tobia Riddle, the Modoc
souaw, said to me &" Meacham, keep
close to me. l don't know what they
will do to-day. l don't understand
them" Frank Riddle, the husband OF
Tobia, had said in the presence of all
the Commissioners before leaving
camp, that he had been cautioned if
anything happened, to run toward the
horse.
When we arrived at the council
ground, We found seven Indians sitting
around sage>brush FIRE, armed with
revolvers and knives. Mr.. Dyar and [
dismounted and they arose and shook
hands with us in very friendly man.
uer, noe others being in sight. Pull
ing of my Alaska great coat, hung it
on the horn of my saddle and then We
began the pow-wow. made the first
speech and said, substantially, that We
had been there sixty days trying to
make peace and were not tired yet, and
the President was not tired That We
were all anxious for peace, and that [
had come this time hoping to fix up a
treaty that would end all further
trouble Captain Jack here inter.
rupted me by asking whether bad
anything new to talk about, saying it
was not worth while to talk any more
unless the soldiers were going away.
About this time Hooka Jim went to my
horse, and taking my overcoat from the
horn Of the saddle put it on and walked
about, saying that he was" Mcacham. J"
[ then resumed, telling Jack that the
President desired the soldiers to
remain until the trouble was settled,
and said further, 9 want you to come
with me to Shast. or Fairchiid's Ranch,
and we will try and have everything
; closed up"
Sconchin then made a speech, say
ing: i" If you take the soldiers all
away we will go with you to Fair
child's Ranch While the soldiers
stay we will not 90 This is all have
to say.
General Candy then addressed them,
saying " When | was a young man |
began to meet tie indians; my heart
was always good towards them.
Twenty or thirty years ago | moved
two bands of Indians from Florida to
the west side of the Mississippi. They
did not like me at first, but | won
their hearts, and each tribe made mo
their honorary chief The Semlnoles
called me the Tall Chief" and tho