The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-04-17
Murder of Gen. canby--FuIf Particulars
of the Modoc Massacre.
SAN FRANCISCO, ApriI

Ihe following are the latest particulars re-
ceived from the Modoc country, giving the
details of the interview between the peace
commissioners and the Modoc Indians, result
ing in the brutal and cowardly massacre Of
General Candy and Rev. DIR. Thomas. For
several days previous to the fatal interview,
the peace commissioners had been anxious for
talk with Captain Jack and the leading
chiefs of the Modoc band. Prospects of peace
seemed BETTER, as the peace commissioners had
received orders from Washington to give the
Indians, if they thought it advisable, reser-
vation in the vicinity of the lava beds. On
Thursday evening, Bogus Charley came into
the camp at the lava beds with the information
that Captain Jack, Schonchin and three or
four others would meet the peace commission
ers on a spot near the lake, about three-quarters
of mile from the camp. He remained in
camp all night, and was Joined Friday morning
by Boston Charley, who stated that Captain
Jack was coming out to meet the commission
ers. Between 10 and II o'clock Friday morn
ing party consisting of General Candy, A. B.
Meacham, Dr. Thomas, Mr. Dyar, Riddle, the
interpreter, and squaw, accompanied by the
two Modocs, went out TO meet the chiefs. They
were met by Captain Jack, John Schonchin,
Black Jim, Shack Nasty Jim, Ellin's Man and
Hawker Jim. Each had a pistol at his belt,
but carried no gun. They sat in q kind Of
broken circle, Candy, Meacham and Thomas
together, faced by Captain Jack and Schonchin.
Dyar stood by Jack, holding his horse, with
Hawker Jim and Shack Nasty Jim to the left.
Meacham made the first speech, giving long
history of what the commissioners wanted to
do for the Indians, and was followed by Candy
time Captain Jack appeared very serious, and
talked for some time When he finished
speaking, he retired to the rear, near where
Meacham's horse was hitched. Schonchin
then began speech, and had hardly COM
menced when Dyar heard a cap miss fire. and,
looking round, saw Captain Jack to his left
with pistol pointed at General Candy. This
was the signal for a general massacre, and
dozen shots were fired inside of half minute.
Dyar, after hearing the cap miss fire, turned
and fed, followed closely by Hawker Jim, who
fired two shots at him. Dyar ran, still pursued
by the Indian, but finding himself too closely
pressed drew his derringer, whereupon Hawker
Jim retreated. Dyar then returned to camp.
Captain Jack fired at Candy, who ran off to
the left, but was speedily shot down and killed
instantly. Meacham was shot at by Schonchin
and wounded in the head. He tried to draw
his derringer when two Indians ran up and
knocked him down. DR. Thomas was instantly
killed, receiving two pistol shots in the head.
Riddle ran off. The Indians did not fire at
him, but knocked his squaw down. Dyar,
Riddle and squaw returned safely to camp.
Intelligence of the massacre was first received
in camp through the officer at the signal station,
and two batteries, under Colonel Miller ID
Major Throckmorton, started for the sl.ne,
which was reached after five minutes march
over the broken rocks. Three Indians were
seen running round the edge of the lake on
their way back to their rocky fastnesses.-
Meacham was found about hundred yards
west of the place of meeting, badly wounded
with pistol shot over the left eye. He was
carried back to camp in feeble condition.
DR.. Thomas was found fifty yards further on.
His dead body was lying face downwards,
stripped to the waist. Canby's body lay about
one hundred yards to the southwark, entirely
nude with two pistol shots in the head. From
Colonel Gilem it is learned the Indians had
also attacked Colonel Mason's camp on the
east side of the Tule lake, the attack being
commenced by the Indians firing on Lieuten-
ants Boyle and Sherwood, who had wandered a
few hundred yards outside of the picket lines.
Sherwood was shot through the arm and leg,
but Boyle escaped injury. Both got safely
back to camp. The greatest excitement pre-
walls among the troops in camp, and bitter
feeling is manifested toward the Indians.