The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-06-10
THE MODOCS.
AtroCiOus and DisgraCeful Mas,
sscre Of MOdOc Prisoners
by Oregon Volunteers.
Men, Women and Children Murders
ed In Cold Blood.

ed In Cold BIoous
SAN FRANCISCO, June 9.-Dlspatches
from BoYles Camp, dated yesterday, re-
late the particulars Of the atrocious mas
sacre OF the Modoc prisoners, supposed to
be done by the Oregon volunteers. Sat.
urday morning James Fairchild end
abount twelve other men, left Fairchlld's
rancho, Cottonwood Greek, with about
seventeen Modoc captiyes, women and
children, including Shack Nasty Jim,
Bogus CAeEley, Ichee Jack Pony and
Little John. The Indians were In Wag.
on drawn by four mules. At the Crossing
on Lost river the party encountered the
Oregon volunteers, under command Of
Capt. HITLER. The soldiers gathered
about the wagon and questioned Fair
child's. The latter told him the ModOcs
we're all Hat Greeks except Little John
that here were no charges against them.
Fairchild undertook to push on to Boyle's
camp, and the volunteers retired TO
camp near Crawleys. On the road he
noticed men nHhead riding to Rocky Point
as if to. intercept him. When the team
approached, one Of the men presented o
needle gun at Fairchilds, saying: "Get
down you old white headed s--b." "By
what authority" said Fairchild. "By
mine, am going to kill the Indians, and
you too" was the reply. Tho leader
caught hold Of the mules and unhitched
and cut the harness. FairChild cliDging
TO the lines, and leaped to the ground.
The Door wretches pleaded Tor mercy,
and begged FAirchild to save them.
The warriors were unarmed and knew
that resistance would be useless.
They were the coolest In the party,
though iacing an inevitable deathi but the
women and children shrieked, groaned
and wept piteously. Fairchlld had moth
ing but small pistol. Six inches from
his ear was the muzzle Of needle gun.
lie says the tears came to his eyes and he
mingled his voice with those oi the Mo-
docs, in the hope that the massacre might
be avoided. He says: Oh, 1t was q terri.
BILE scene; l never shall forget 1t. l lshud-
der when think what l saw and heard.
The fearful voices Of those women and
children still ring in my ears. But the
cowardly hounds were not be baked. A
shot and Little John lay dead in his bed
in the wagon, with bullet This brain.
At this juncture the mules suddenly
dashed away with FAirchild and tangled
him in the lines. Five more shots were
fred in rapid succession at Ichee Jack
Pony and MoOch. The remaining war
riors were dead. Little John'ssquAw had a
lrightful wound In the shoulder. Away
ahead in the direction Of BoyleS Camp
was q cloud Of dust, indicating the sp
proach Of team. The murdererB espied
the dust, and in q moment were riding
rapidly away. Sergeant Murphy, Of bat
tery G, 4th artillery, with ten men and
came by the team. The Ser.
Vespt took charge Of affairs, and re-
manned with his men on the ground.
Fsirchild, a teAmster, the wounded squaw
and her two children came In at two
o'clock this morning. Fairchild went to
Gepeneral Davis headquarters and re-
lated his story. The teams, with an es'
cort were OF once sent after the prisoners,
dead and alive. No steps have been taken
lor the apprehension Of the tolons who did
the bloody work. It Is generally sup
posed that the Oregon volunteers are the
guilty parties. FAirchild is Of that opin'
ion himself The warriors killed were
not charged with murder. Those who
know them best say they have only par
ticipated in open fights. Everyone here
condemns the affair q arocious and
without excuse. There is no doubt but
the murder was carried out upon
carefully arranged plan, as Fairchild no.
tIced horsemen on the road ahead and
behind him when the shots were fired.
Had John FAirchild instead Of James
been present, another murder might have
been added to the list, as the OregoniAnS
are bitter In their hatred Of John. The
old man, other CalifornianS, and Warm
Springs, have but a few weeks longer to
serve. p
SECOND DIS ATCH.
BnYLEs CAMP, June s.-8P. M-An
interview between Gen. Davis, Captain
Jack and Schonchin has just terminated,
The ModDc chief says he was melted TO
his cruel warfare by Allen David, chief Of
the Klsmalhs. He also denied having
killed General Candy; he laid the blame
on his boys. schonchin told the same
story.
SAN FRANcIECo, June 0-News Of the
massacre Of the MOdoc captives was re-
ceived here with universal surprise and
indignation. The alrocily is loudly de-
nounced by every one.