Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-04-22
The lIOdOc indians.


ment 10 treat the Modoc Indians on the
frontier with Kindness, and remove them
"a their reservations without blood shed,
was brought TO q tragic close last week,
by the most VillainOus piece Of treachery
that has ever Leep recorded.
The Indians asked for conference,
which was granted Gen. CRANKY, who
had charge OF the L. 5. forces in that
section, DR.. Thomas. MessrS. A. b..
Meacham and Dyer. with Interpreters,
met Capt.. Jack, the leader Of the tIibe'
and five of his men u an appropriate
place tor the interview.
Speeches were made by several OF the
gentlemen and by Capt. Jack; but the
conference was brought TO q sudden close
by the Indians. who ordered Mr.. Mea'
cham to cease speaking. Capt. Jack
then drew his pistol and fired nj Gen.
Cranky, killing him instantly, while the
other indians fired on the Peace Commits
sioners, killing DR.. Thomas, and severe
Is wouudins Air. Meacham.
It was noticed that the Indians carried
pistols in their belts; but the whites,
trusting in the mobile red mans honor
committed themselves into his power.
The Commissioners had no weapons and
were consequently shot down without
any murdered in cold blood.
The feeling that The Peace Policy Is
failure in treating with thcS Indians,
La, become fixed in the minds OF the
people. aud Of the government officials
during the past week; and the eNtermin'
alton OF the tribe is a ioregone conclusion.
But we tear that this conclusion has not
been arrived IT in the proper spirit. Is
| it not more with feeling oi anger and
revenge that we cry, "On TO the lava
/ beds. than desire to punish the per.
petrators OF 50 foul a murder?
+ We should lay aside all malice, and
+ take the matter in hand as an arduous
and disagreeable task; enter into it with
sorrow, and not exulIin.ly-but let the
work be thoroughly done; !et each par
/ ticipant in the murder suffer Tor his SIM
and let all the tribes see that our gov
rcumeut can and will enforce is laws.
while it feeds. clothes and deals kindly
with them. But 90 no farther Let Us
not vent our revenge on the innocent
women and harmless children; there
/ Will be no benefit in DISCRIMINATING the
race.
The Peace Policy" though 50 dis
astrous in this case. is correct. 1t the
Indians feel our power at this time they
will, in the future, strive to live more
friendly toward our government; and by
/ kindness and little concessions made 10
them by Us, we shall save millions OF
money and many lives; while we may
raise ourselves, and say to the nations
that we are not engaged in "lrar Of er'
termination" but are ciyiIizins race OF
barbarians. and making true men and
women OF them.
Gen. CRANKY did good service ID the
rebellion. and had just settled on = neat
place in Oregon, when he was called 10
take the field against the ModOcs. His
loss il greatly felt in military circles. land
tokens Of respect and honor have been
paid TO his memory by the government.
DIR. Thomas was q Methodist Clergy
I man-one OF the most distinguished in
our Western States-and was selected as q
; Peace Commissioner on account OF his
peculiar fitness Tor the position. 1t is re-
ported that when shot, the old man lei
on his knees and begged the murderer
to spare his lie, but in reply be only re-
ceiyed another bail in the head, which
proved fatal. lie had frequently giver
the Indian who shot him. presents %
blankets. etc, and this is the way ii
which his Kindness was rewarded.
The latest reports from the seat OF wai
are that the troops have brought on an
engagement with the Indians. cutting OF
their supply OF water, surrounding then
and shelliug their strong. hold. This ha
not been done without loss 10 our men
for the Indians being hidden behind rocks
could fire ON the troops without present
inc their bodies 10 view.