Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-02-17
An oregon Paper Tells all About
H Them.


Frsm the Oregon Herald
1t is possible that very erroneous i'm
pressions may get abroad in regard to
the recent trouble with the Modoc Indi'
ans in this State, and such impressions
NAV have the tendency TO retard immi'
grafton. With view to correct any
such false notions, it may be proper to
state that the disturbances occurred
upon the extreme southeastern frontier
of Oregon, very remote from the more
populous portions of the State, where
the country is very sparsely occupied by
settlers. This outbreak is exceptional,
altogether remarkable, and can scarcely
ever be repeated. 1t has been attended
with the killing of quite number Of
hardy pioneers, probably some twelve or
fifteen excellent men, whose loss must
be severely felt by those infant settle
ments; but it does not in any degree
affect the peace and good order OF other
portions of the State. The disturb
ance-war it cannot properly be called
was entirely local, affecting only the
Link river and Klamath lake region.
The origin of the trouble, as we un-
derstand t, was about as follows: A re-
gion of country in the southeast part OF
the State, called the klamath reserva-
ton, had been assigned by the Govern
ment to the occupancy of the Modoc
Indians. Here the Government had
made liberal provision for the Indians,
looking, of course, to their civilization
and to the adoption by them of habits OF
industry. The Modocs, it seems, were
adverse to going on to the reservation,
preferring the idle, yagabond life which
they had been accustomed to lead. They
were on friendly terms with the few set
tiers in that region, and no serious trou-
BILE was apprehended from them; still it
was desirable that they should be made
to occupy the reservation assigned to
them. Their reluctance was borne
with for considerable time, until finally
imperative orders came from Washing
ton that the savages must be taken to
their reservation by force, if no other
means would suffice, and guarded there.
Persuasion was used, but without avail.
Finally a company of United States
troops we're ordered to the camp OF Scar
faced Charley, chief of the tribe, with
directions to remove him and bis people
forcibly if they refused to go peaceably.
And here, it seems to US, without intend
ING any captious criticism Of anybody, a
serious mistake was made. The troops
from Fort Klamath, ordered to this
duty, were entirely too few in number to
carry out the order, if force should be
required. But it was supposed, doubt
less, that the Indians would not be so
mad and reckless as to attempt forcible
resistance. They did, however, resist.
When the officer in command, with his
troops, came to Charleys camp, he first
tried persuasion; and, finally, when the
Indians saw there was no other alterna-
tive but to fight or comply, they madly
and foolishly decided to fight. A skir-
mish ensued, in which some Indians
were killed, and then they, Indian-like,
commenced to massacre the unsuspect-
inc and defenseless settlers, whose iso-
lated habitations favored the Indian
purpose. OF course the warfare is OF
short duration. Troops from stations
were quickly massed in sufficient num-
hers to protect the settlements, and the
settlers themselves, aided from other
parts of the country, were quite eompe-
tent to their own protection. The In
dians quick to strike, were able, how
ever. to perpetrate their murders upon
unsuspecting families before they could
he arrested. The result will be that
the Indians will now be forced upon
their reservation and compelled to stay
there, under an adequate guard OF gov
ernment troops. This Will De very
speedily done.
The following is description of the
lava.bed country, and which is likely to
be the scene of the Modoe operations:
1t is located on the southern shore OF
TuIe lake, and is situated wholly in Cal
ifornia, lust south of the Oregon bound
ary line, containing an area of ten miles
square, all cut with assures and deep
gnlches, and abounding with large
caves. the largest cave being known as
Ben Wright's Cave, said to contain nj
teen acres Of open space under ground,
in. which there is a good spring and
many openings by which a man can
crawl through, the main entrance being
about the size Of common window.
The gulches aud crevices range from a
few feet to one hundred feet in width,
ana many of them one hundred feet
deep. The Indians can travel All
through this lava country by trails
known only to themselves, and stand on
bluffs over a person one hundred feet
beneath, where it would require long
journey to 20 70 them. In this lava
bed are also small fats luxuuant with
bunch grass, where cattle find great
trouble in reaching, By long. circuit
Gus travel over rough lava rocks, while
on the outskirts Of the lava bed may con
I'LL hn fannl q larre amnnnf nI