The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-09-23
MEAoHAM's MISSING MoDoC.
AN ADULT RED-SKINNED CHARLIE
ROSS.

ROSS.
THE SEQUEL TO THE SERIOUS CATASTROPHE
THAT BEFEL A PEACE ooMaIssIoNER's
ENTERPRIsE-A KIDNAPPED INDIAN IRON
MEAcHAM's SHOW PARTY.
The New York Sun OF the 18Th has the fol-
lowing singular story: Early last spring
Peace Commissioner A. B Meachsm, who
was almost killed by the Modocs, organized
a companyof klamath and Modoc Indians to
give entertainments in the Eastern States.
The Indians were selected by their tribes,
and were representative men, The orator
of the troupe wasWalaiks Skidat (''ths LETT
handed man that lived between two rivers,")
He was q klamath, descended from a long
line Of chiefs; noted orator. g bravo leader
| in war, and also a good farmer and q great
admirer Of the arts of civilization. He ex-
erted his power and influence with his peo-
pie to weaa them from their savage c0ndi-
ton. Yumnispoctis (''the chief without
beads" or the poor chief, also accompanied
| the party. He and Walaiks, who called
himself David Hill, were inseDarsble friends,
having been together since boyhood.
Winems (the strong minded woman) known
as the interpreter for the MOdoc commits
sion, and the savior OF Mr.. Meachsm's life,
was stage interpreter for the party. She
married Frank Rid lie, also an actor in
THB TERRIBLE CANDY TRAGEDY,
and her husband assisted Mr.. Meacham in
the management of the troupe. her English
name was Toby Riddle. The troupe were
engaged on April Is TO attend a meeting
on Indian affairs at the Cooper Institute,
and Hill had promised to deliver an ad-
dress describing the wrongs complained of
by his and other tribes. The troupe was
quartered at the st. Charles Hotel, and IL
was their custom to report to Mr.. Meacham
before going out of the house. Hence be
was surprised when at 1l:30 A. M. OF the 18th,
David Hill was not to be found in the hotel.
Yumnispoctis had sought for him from
room to room in vain, and continued his
| fruitless search all day. Mr.. Meacham was
confident that they would meet Mr.. Hill at
the Cooper Institute, but he was not there.
The meeting was held, and after it Mr.. Me2-
cham informed the police. Hill, he told
them, was strict temperance man, and
Christian. A thorough search was made,
but still the whereabouts Of Hill remained
mystery. Air. Meacham employed compe-
tent assistants and searched the slums OF
city carefully. Superintendent Walling
detailed detective Titus TO follow the trail,
and ne and Mr.. Mescbsm devoted day after
day TO the search. Hill was man Of such
peculiar personal appearance that he would
4 have been observed in crowd of thou
sand persons, and the searchers were well
| assured after quest of two or three days
that he had not LEFT the city. Hence the
inference was natural that he was
EITHER DEAD OR HELD II ooNFIsRMRKy.
There was strong circumstantial evidence
that he had been enticed away. The person
suspected was man who had
wormed himself into the confidence of the
Indians in this city. He often entertained
them at his place of business, and daily
visited them at their hotel He was q
frontiersman, and knew much of the
Indian character and peculisrities, and
hence experienced no difficulty in gaining
their confidence. Soon after the disappear
snce Of Hill the person above mentioned
made his appearance at the hotel, and is
was with the utmost difficulty that Mr.. Mea-
cham and Mrs. Riddle saved him from the
fury of Yumnispoctis, who openly accused
Mn Of arss stealing away away. bis friend:
that an offer OF reward
might induce the kidnsppers to produce
their prisoner. He promised to give 81 900
for the production ofHill alive and well, tut
it was not accepted. Mr.. Mescham offered TO
a dark room, and pay them the money upon
the delivery of Hi; but this proposition was
also declined, and at length the search was
given up. Detective Titus believed through
out that Hill was stolen by party of circus
men who thought that If they tailed to get a
ransom for Hill they could exhibit him as a
Modoc. The troupe was broken up immedi-
ately after the loss of Hill, and most of the In
dams was sent back to their tribes; the
Kiamaths aud the Modocs under
the care of Capt. D. C. Apologize,
the only members OF the troupe
remaining in this city were Frank and Tobey
Riddle. On Friday last, Mr.. Meacham re-
ceived note from Capt. Apologize, inform
ing them that David
HILL HAD APPEARED AMONG HIS TRIBE
on the klamath reservation, footsore and
weary with travel. The story of his capture
and escape is imperfectly told in Capt. APP
plegate's letter, but it bears out the original
theory of the kidnapping. Bill says he was
enticed away from the hotel. and put in coz
finement, but where, the letter does not saw.
He was kept in this confinement for several
weeks, until at length the kidnsppers, know
ing they could not realizs on their ransom
scheme, took him to point in Tho West.
There they kept him for q short time, and
then giving him few dollars turned him
loose thousand miles away from home. to
n. u. L $3.50 T~~~rr. =