Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-10-22
. What became Of the Modoc.

fact that large delegation Of Sehoncbin,s
Modocs, who remained on the reservation
when Jacks band left, recently visited
that town on leave of absence for tweu.,
days. This bit of inform alton naturally
excites an interest in the pu bile mind, and
the question is asked: What became Of
the Modocs?' which the San Francisco
Bulletin answers as follows: "The >origi-
nal difficulties with the Modocs resulted
from attempts to confine these restless In
dians within the limits OF klamath reserva-
ton, Jackson county, Oregon, where they
were subjected to insult and abuse from
the numerous and powerful klamaths. The
klamaths and Modocs have the same phys
ical characteristics, and speak one Ian
guage. The Klamaths, about century
since, according to the tribal tradition,
numbered among their sub-chefs one Mo-
docus, man Of determination and pos
sessed of progressive ideas, who rebelled
against the authority of the head chief and
inaugurated an interneciue warfare which
was maintained to within comparatively
recent period. The rebels under Modocus
achieved their independence, and formed
the distinct tribal organization of which
remnants remain to-day. The legitimate
chief OF the Modocs, In the regular order
Of succession, at the time of the removal
to klamath, was Schonchiu John, or "Old
Scholchin," brother of the Schonchin of
repulsive vsage aud cruel heart who par.
uclpated in the peace commission massa-
ere. The authority of Schonic was dsput-
ed by Captain Jack (known among his
people as kintapoos), who had fomented a
feeling of discomfort among the braves aud
got himself elected to chieitainship.
Schonchin John was 4 man far advanced
In life, probably sixty-ive or seventy
years of age, and did not care to attempt
the suppression of Jack and his adherents.
At least he took no active measures to this
end. And so Jack ruled one faction and
SchOnchn John ruled another, and no
bloody struggles ensued. The direct cause
OF the first engagement of the Modoc war
was tue clandestine departure of Jacks
band from the Klamath reservation for the
third time, and against orders of the Ind-
an agent in charge. Schonchin John turn
ed deaf ear TO Jacks counsel on this oc-
casion and succeeded in keeping his sub
Jects on the reservation. Schonchin, OF
AWARDED notoriety, consorted with Jack
from first to last, aud did not hesitate to
conspirc against his elder brother. Schon-
chin Johns faction, some little time after
the departure of Jack, was removed to
bleak and dreary IainoX, a reservation
seventy miles northeast of Fort klamath,
where they remained during the troubles
IN the lava-bed, and still have a home
twenty, including men, women aud chill
dren The faction OF Jack numbered onc
hundred and sixty or seventy persons. Ia
addition to these two factions there were
small camps OF Iniians scattered through
the valleys of Siskiyou county, California,
and Jackson county, Oregon, aggregating
sixty or seventy persons. A few of the Mo-
docs were killed on the battlefield. six or
seven were murdered while on the road
from Fairchild'S rancho to Tule Lake Camp
in charge OF single white man, Captain
Jack, Schonchin, Boston Charley and
Black Jim were executed on the scatold
at Fort Klamath. as convicted mnruererS.
and Barncho and Stolux were transported
to Alcatraz Island for life. AT this writing
ochonchins 5 people live at ainox, the de-