Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1873-08-07
Captain Jack in a New Light.

Captain Jack
Gen. Davis had invited several O.
the officers ladies to take look al
the captives, and they accompanied
him to the stockade where the bulk
OF the tribe-including all the mer
who are not in close confinement,
and all of the women and childr en-
are confined. While there he or.
dered that those in close confins-
ment should be permitted to enjoy
more freedom for an hour in COM
pany with their wives, children and
friends. Soon Captain Jack, Soon
ches John and the rest were brought
into the stockade. The ladies, with
the grace and kindness of heart that
so we'll becomes them, were endea-
voring to cheer some of the low.
spirited captives, and talking pleas
antly to the little children. Some
of the Modoc women speak English
we'll enough to be understood, and
conversed with them brokenly.
Confinement goes very hard with
an Indian, and Captain Jack has suf-
fered much since his Imprisonment.
He thin in flesh and haggard in ap-
pearance. No doubt he was espec-
pecially discomitted at the result
of his interview with the chiefs, old
Sconches and Allen David, a few
days before. He had been proved q
liar under very notifying circum.
stances, and many have felt that his
case was weakened thereby. When
he came into this last Modoc strong
held, where the Modoc nation were
penned like sheep, and kept under
vigilant guard, it is not unlikely
that the situation was presented to
his mind in very vivid light. He
had been a chief; magnified his of
fee, and had filled it with all posi-
BILE dignity. He had dictated terms
to the whites as long as they chose
to parley with him, and when they
came in force he had waged war
with such success as the world had
never before known.
L imagine that The past swept
through his mind. He rememb ered
that the treachery of part of his
people had betrayed him to death,
and that his cherished dream of re.
tanning his birth place and the home
of his fathers on Lost River was
ended forever. Here were his PEG.
pie captive, and he in chains, and
they were objects of sympathy for
the hated white men. No doubt,
too, the kind Words and sympathetic
looks; and tones of the Boston wo-
men were something beyond his
ideas and he sat for a while follow
ing the movements of Gen. Davis
with an eager, pleading look that
had in it something that was un-
translatable, that may have been
half wonderment, that they who
were to judge and condemn him
should show such sympathy and
kindness, and there must have been
questioning of the justice of that
mystery of Providence that made
him an Indian, wild and uututored,
and gave such gifts, such wealth and
such wonderful power to the white
man. The fountains of his soul open
ed at these Impressions and remem-
berances and tears coursed down
the cheek of the Modoc chief, who
will live in history as the General
of the lava beds. His two wives
wept bitterly; old men. women and
children joined in the wall. Jacks
sister Mary. sobbed and cried with
loud-voiced grief, and the lady visit
ors lent their tears at the sorrows Of
womanhood-so true it is that SO
touch of nature makes the world
akin" The General himself has a
sympathetic nature, and though
quick and impatient az soldier,
does not lack appreciation of the
finest feelings of our nature tell
the story as he told it to me.
Schonchin John was made of
sterner stuff, and looked on with an
expr essionless face, the picture of
Indian stoicism. Scar Face might
have been made of bronze for all the
emotion he showed, but he had not
been separated from his family so
long, and under such circumstances
as Capt. Jack, and doubt if he has
such pretty wife as Lizzie, Jacks
favorite, TO make life enjoyable.
So Jack, the famous Modoc chief,
has completely wilted, and not only
broken down, but has wept like a
woman. 1t is not easy to see where
has been the source of his power
over his people. 1t was greatly his
policy and diplomacy, much in pride
of appearance, and something in his
succeFs in acquiring wealth. As q
gambler he was successful, and he
is said to have always acquired prop
erty easily. 1t is also said that he
had such rare powers of oratory
that his tribe were led away by his
eloquence. All these combined made
him available, and the politici ans
OF the tribe made him chief because
they had influence enough to guide
him, and were afraid of each other,
A YoRKvILLE HoRRoR.-An elder
ly maiden lady's body was found on