Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-05-01

General News.
About the Nlodocs.

II was recently stated that the Modoes
were taught their most terrible lesson in
treachery by Ben Wright, the Captain of
an expedition of Oregon irontierSmen in
1892. This report has been denied in some
quarters; but il reiterated by a correspond
eut OF the y. \. Tribune, who relates the
story of the massacre in detail "a he learn
ell il from the lips of some of the party.
After the terrible massacre OF an emiyrant
party at Bloody Point By the Modoc,. Ben
Wright and man named Ross fitted out
two parties OF settlers to operate against
the Indians but were unable to accomplish
much, as the Indians, when pursued would
lily to the Lava Beds. the scene of the pres
ent war. AMI secrete themselves in a cave
which from this circumstance. has since
borne the name Of Ben Wrights Cave"
The writer says:
As Winter approached. and no more
trains were to be expected that season.
wright. not desiring TO return without
some results to boast OF, arranged for a
peace taik" with the savages, on which
occasion he agreed to kill an OK 1t is
well known 10 the old residents of Yreka
that his intention was TO poison the OK,
and thus dispatch them all. When this
fact became known the sensibilitieS of
many residents of Yreka were severely
~NcSnNa- pat thN SCiitldi tue oi
sustained him. This act of treachcry was
never really performed. but one was sub
stituted. falling little short oft in atrocity.
Pursuant TO the agreement. the Indians
came. numbering AZ warriors under the
command of their chief Schonchn who
participated in the massacre OF Gen Candy
and party. The two forces encamped close
together. During the night il rained
heavily. rendering the weapons OF the In.
dams useless by relaxing the strings and
the sinews upon the backs of their bows.
When Wright in the morning saw them
standing around their fires, drying their
bows, he changed his plans, and, instruct
ing his men accordingly, he advanced
alone. Extending his hand to Schonchin,
then suddenly drawing his pistol, he shot
down the unarmed chief. This being the
signal agreed upon. the rest rushed in and
butchered them. only seven of the Indians
escaping. l know this not only from gen.
eral report at Yreka. but from the lips of
one OF Wrightis men, who has related to
me the circumstances many times.
lie particulars of the massacre of braves
by wright ut the peace wa-waw" of 1852,
were fully known to the tribe, and there
can be no doubt that the intention of
Wright to poison the beet must also have
reached their ears, as it was universally
KNOWN Omong the whites.
1t would not seem strange to me that the
descendants OF the victims OF that treachery
should cherish its memory, aud even make
It the business of their lives to avenge it.
At the time it occurred, the whites were dis |
posed to regard almost any kind OF warfare
upon the Indians as legitimate, and there
was no general apprehension of Wright's |
action. knowing the MOdocs as do. 1 |
should have expected no different result
from the meeting between their leaders |
and Gen. Candy.
Concerning the origin of the recent dis
turbances the same writer remarks:
During the year 1868. the whites, need.
ing good grazing lands, began to encroach
Upon what the Modocs had always consid-
sred their soil, and the Government soon
liter removed the tribe to q reservation ia
oregon; but they refused to stay, and
gradually returned to the old hunting
grounds, where they remained quietly,