The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-07-09
hen Wright and the NIOdocs.

In 1852, small train, comprising only
eighteen souls-men, women and children.
attempted to reach Oregon by the Rhett
Lake route. For several days after leaving
the valley of Pitt River, they had Travelled
without molestation, not having seen a
single Indian; when about midway, they
struck the eastern shore of Rhett Lake, and
imprudently camped under bluff, now
known us "Bloody Point" for dinner.
These poor people felt rejoiced to think
that they had so nearly reached their des-
tination in safety; nor dreamed that they
had reached their final resting place, and
that soon the gray old rocks above them
were to receive Il baptism that would asso-
cate them forever with cruel and wanton
massacre. Their tired cattle were quietly
grazing and the little party were eating
their meal in fancied security, when sud-
denly the dry sage-brush was fred the air
rang with demOniac yells, and swarthy
and painted savagcs poured by the score
from the rocks overhead. In few mo-
ments their camp was filled with them,
and their bloody work was soon ended.
Only one of that Inflated party escaped,
Happening to be out picketing his horse,
when the attack was made, he sprang upon
it, bare-backed, and never drew rein until
he had reached Yerka, a distance of sixty
miles.
The men of early times in these mount
aims were brave and chivalrous men. In
less than twenty-four hours, mounted
force OF miners. packers and prospectors
men who feared no living thing-were at
the scene of the massacre. The remains
OF the victims were found shockingly mutt
lated, lying in a pile with their broken
wagons, and half charred; but not an In
dian to be found.
IL was not until the next year that the
Modocs were punished for this cruel deed.
An old m0untaineer named Ben Wright
one of those strange beings who imagine
that they are born as instruments for the
fulfllment of the Red mans destiny--organ-
lied an independent company at Yreka, in
1858, and went into the Modoc country.
The Indians wary, but Ben was patient and
enduring. Meeting with poor success, and
accomplishing nothing except protection tc
incoming emigrants, he improvised an
"emigrant train" with which to decoy the
enemy from the cover of the hills and
ravines. Winding slowly among the hills
and through the sage plains, Ben's canvass
covered wagons rolled quietly along, camp
ing at the usual watering places, and appar-
emily in careless and unguarded way.
Every wagon was filled with armed men,
anxious and willing to be attacked. The
ruse failed, however; for the keen-sighted
Indians soon perceived that there were no
women or children with the train, and its
careless movements were suspicious. After
several months of unsatisfactory skirmish-
ing, Ben resolved on a change of tactics.
Surprising small party of Modocs, instead
ofscaiping them, he took them to his camp,
treated them kindly, and making them
sort OF Peace commission, sent them with
olive branches, in the shape of calico and
tobacco, back to their people. Negotia-
tons for general council to arrange
treaty were opened. Others visited the
White camp y and soon the Modocs, who
had but faint appreciation of the tortuous
ways Of White diplomacy, began to think