The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-05-02
SALEM. April %. 1878.

| scription OF the Mnssaere--Capt. jacks
speceh-1reachcry OF the Indians Tho
/ Murder Of Cen. Candy and Dr. Thomas.
SALEM, April %, 1873.
1t is probable that wo shall never
know, in exact detail, the tull history
of the Modoc war. The suddenness
of the attack and the rapid succession
of tragic events inevitably perplex
the memories OF witnesses, and
throws over the crimson lettering of
that days work-perhaps in charity
the blot of hopeless confusion.-
And yet enough is known TO give us
the memorable picture of that solita-
ry sage-brush fire in the gray desola-
ton of those accursed lava-felds,
around which are disposed a unique
group Of persons, representing the
antipodes OF mankind. There sits
Candy, the stately aud trophied war
rior, whose life is chronicle of our
advancing tlag-too noble Of mind
and true of heart To harbor thought
of treachery; aud by his side is DR..
Thomas, every feature illumined by
the Christian faith that is in him,
hopeful OF great things this day, aud
trusting all else To God. Further on
are Commissioners Meacham and Dy-
ar, resolute still to stand by the orders
of the Government, but feeling now,
at last, in their souls, the chill of an
awful doubt. Opposed TO them sit
Captain Jack and his chosen accom-.
plices--sullen, taciturn, and apparent
| ly indifferent, but watchful oil every
move! There is something in their
dark, stolid faces which their victims
might read, but they cannot. and it is
too late If they could; il is the blank
inattention of minds made up-the
e,as.ai of fixed resolution, impatient
of everything but the denoucment.-
An April sky, serene and sweetly
blue, bends aboya them, aud the glo-
rious sunlight pours over the crests
and caves of that disheveled wilder
ness of rock, a silent and resplendent
sea OF gold There is suddenly the
quick, exultant nttcrance of the pre-
concerted signal; the crash of mur.
derous shots; the leap OF those agile
| .
their tawny faces red-lltten with un-
utterab!c passion; and then odor
of blood reeks up, aud the heart is
sick.
Your correspondent. through the
courtesy of Mr.. A Il. Meacham's fam
lily, is enabled TO lay before the read
ers of the HeraLd his account of the
dreadful affair, in which he received
nearly mortal hurt, from which he is
now-as il were, from the red Dor.
ders OF death-creeping slowly back
10 lie.
MR. MEACHAM's STORY
is fuller, more detailed. and, in some
respects, different from any yet given
TO the public. After few predatory
remarks he says:
! Finally, through Bogus Charley and
Boston, arrangements were made on
Friday morning TO meet them that
day at noon. Gen. Candy. DIR. Thorn.
as, Agent Dyar, and myself, were 10
meet fce unarnsed Indians at Council
Tent Zone mile beyond the military
lines and within the lasa. beds).
BOGUS CHARLEY
ate breakfast ut 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 go; they will kill you" This
warning was repeated to Gen. Candy
and DIR. Thomas. Mr. Dyar and my
self protested against going, but, ow.
ing to the proximity of the troops
and the utter recklessness of any at.
tempt upon our lives, it was decided
to go. DIR. Thomas remarked that be
did not believe that God had sen,
him to do so noble work with such
an end in prospect, and that he would
go to the council. Mr.. Meacham
then reiterated his fears and said: 81
will go, 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 bridal path
while General Candy and DIR. Thomas
preceded us on foot. In going out
,. Tobia Riddle, the Modoc squaw, said
to me: "Meacham, keep close to me
/ don't know what they will do to-
day. / don't understand them."-
Frank Riddle, the husband of Tobia
had said, in presence of all the Com.
missioners before leaving camp, tha,
he had been cautioned, if anything
happened, to turn toward the horse
WHEN WE ARRIVED
At the council ground, we found
seve,s 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 manner, no others
being in sight. Pulling off my Alasks
great coat, l hung it on the horn oi
my saddle, and said, substantial
ly, that we had been there sixty days
trying to make peace and were no,
tired yet, and that the President was
not tired. That we were all
ANXIOUS FOR PEACE,
And that I had come this time hop
{ ing to fix up treaty which would
end all further trouble. Capt. Jack
here interrupted me by asking wheth
err I had anything new to talk about
saying that it was not worth while te
talk any more, unless the soldier,
were going away About this time
Hooka Jim went to my horse, and
taking my overcoat from the horn o
, the saddle, put it on and walked