Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1873-04-24
THE MODOC

The Murder of Gen. Candy and Two
Peace Commissioners by Cap. Jack and
his Band.
A dispatch from the Lava Beds dated April
IL gives the following particulars of the massa-
ere of Gen. Candy, DIR. Thomas and Mr..
Meacham by the treacherous Modocs: On
yesterday afternoon five Indians and four
squaws came into our camp and were made
presents of clothing and provisions by the
commission, and a message was sent out by
the commission asking for a talk this morning,
at a point about a mile from our picket line.
Later in the evening Bogus Charley came in,
and told the picket that he could take his gun;
that he (Charley) did not intend to go back
any more. The picket brought him in and
took him to the tent of Gen. Candy, where
Charley left his gun and remained at the tent
of Frank Riddle during the night. This morn
ing Boston Charley came in, and told the COM
mission that Capt. Jack and five other Indians
would meet the commissioners outside our
lines.
Boston and Bogus then mounted a horse,
and started for the lava bed. About an hour
after their departure Gen. Candy, DR.. Thomas,
Riddle and his squaw for interpreters, started
for the place appointed. The party arrived at
the appointed place, and were closely watched
by the signal officer, Lieut.. Adams, from the
signal station on the hill overlooking our
camp. About half an hour after the party
had arrived, a cry from the signal station was
heard, saying that the Indians had attacked
the Peace Commissioner and that an engage
ment had commenced between the Indians and
Col. Mason. In a moment the troops were
under arms, and deployed as skirmishers under
command of Col. Green, and orders were given
to forward double-quick.
Very shortly after Mr.. Dyer returned, and
told us that the Indians had attacked them,
and that he thought that he was the only one
who had escaped, but in a few moments after
Riddle and his squaw were seen within the
picket line. From him we gather the follow
ing account of how the massacre commenced
Meacham made a short speech to the Indians,
111@--A1 h. naN Nonhy ord than Dr ThnmoG
Then Capt. Jack made a speech, asking for Hot
Creek and Cottonwood, the placesno occupied
by Fairchild and Doris, for a reservation. Mr..
Meacham told Jack that it was not possible to
give him what he asked.
Schonchin told Meacham to say no more;
that he (Meacham) had said enough upon that
subject; and while Schonchin was speaking,
Capt. Jack got up End walked behind the
others, and turned back and exclaimed "Al
ready, drew his pistol, and snapped a cap at
Gen. Candy, cooked his pistol again, and fired.
Gen. Candy fell dead, shot under the right
eye. Schonchin then shot Meacham in the
right shoulder and head, but he is still alive.
Boston Charley and other Indians shot and
killed DIR. Thomas. Hockey Jim chased Dyer
for some distance, but Dyer turned upon him
with his pistol in hand. and Jim ran. An In
dian knocked down Riddles squaw and took
her horse, but Capt. Jack made him return it,
and then another Indian chased Riddle and
shot at him.
THE FEELING IN WASHINGTON.
A Washington dispatch of the 18th says:
The feeling of indignation against the Mo
doc murderers, as attested by conversation
with all the leading officials in Washington,
reaches a degree of intensity which no Indian
treachery has ever heretofore created. Every
member of the Cabinet here has alluded to
the necessities which the outrage have pre-
cipitated, and it can be said that there Is no
difference of opinion whatever as to the policy
that should now be pursued toward this par
ticular band of Indians.
The feelings of the President and Gen. Sher-
man at the sudden announcement were of the
most intense sorrow and Indignation, and
there was not a moments hesitancy in the
declaration that the Modocs shall be made to
suffer to the severest extent for their crime.
1t is now evident that the act was long pre-
medltated, and this fact adds to the deep sense
of wrath that the massacre has aroused. The
President has unreservedly expressed his
sanction of the severest measures now neces-
sary to properly punish the Modocs, and his
views in this respect have been fully stated to
the authorities acting under the War Depart
ment. Gen. Sherman has also telegraphed
Gen. Schofield instructions to move the entire
force at once upon the Indians.