The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-02-21
THE WILLOW CREEK TRAGEDY.
Relic OK the massacre Of Immigrants bJ
Hostile Modocs i'm 1862.


A recurrence to the tale of suffer
ings experienced by the immigration
of 1852, when attacked by hostile
Indians in the region of Lost River,
is caused by the sight OF relic Of
that savage aud barbarous act and its
bitter results, presented by Colonel
Belliuger to Dav. Rafety, of East
Portland, for preservation in his
museum. This relic is the skull of IA
young girl, probably not more than
sixteen years Of age, murdered by
the Modocs, the particulars concern
ing which are related by Colonel
Bellinger, and are about as follows:
"In the year 1852, while an emf
grafton train was on the way to the
southern portion of Oregon, it was
attacked by band of the hostile
Modoes, upon or contiguous to
Willow Creek, in California, within
few miles of Tule Lake, and but
short distance from where the
present forces under General Whea-
ton and Ross are encamped. The
train numbered nearly one hundred
souls, all of whom were massacred
but two. Out of the train two young
girls, sisters, aged about fourteen and
sixteen years, were taken prisoners.
Their names is unknown. The re-
latives and comrades and all that re-
manned OF that company perished in
relentless and bloody massacre.
Their bodies were thrown into the
stream, and a pile of white bones,
half buried in the soft mud and half
protuding above it, have been point
ed out by the Indians as the site Of
the massacre and the remains OF its
victims. They and portions Of the
half burned emigrant wagons may be
seen 10 this day. The younger of
tue captive sisters died first, under
what circumstances is not known.
To lie right of the road leading from
Snall's and Van Bremer's ranches
end within short distance Of Dor
ris' house, there IS high ledge of
rocks that overiooks 10 the north q
narrow valley that stretches away to
Little klamath Lake. Here, when
savage jealousy has made her an OBJ
! ject of contention, or when her ruin
ed body could no longer administer
to savage lust, the elder sister was
murdered. Less that two years ago,
| Scar faced Charley, who vas boy
| when these occurrences took place,
showed this spot 10 Ball and related
tie facts here given. 4 crumbling
skeleton was pointed out as the re-
mains OF the last victim of the Viii
low Greek tragedy. In company by
another geetlemam and led by q
guide, Colonel Bellipger visited the
spot indicated. All that were dis
discovered was human skull, one
rib. and one of the bones of the arm.
Colonel Beiliuger gathered up the
remaining relics and brought them
away with him. On reaching jack
sonville the bones were packed in u
box aud forwarded by express to Mr..
Dav. Rafiety, of East Portland, and
will be placed III his cabinet.
Commenting upon this event, the
Oregonidn SAYS: In collecting and
| forwarding these mournful relics
for exhibition, Col. Bellinger was i'm
PEELED by no desire to desecrate them.
1t seems nothing more than human
to remove what remains to the hab-
itation Of civilization. They can
thus be preserved, and if the few
clues which remain can lead In time
to the discovery as to who the girl
was. or her name, to surviving rela-
tiyes or friends. these bones can be
given n Christian burial"