The Louisiana cotton-boll. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], Attakapas, La.) 1872-1883, 1878-01-02
The once Murderous ModOcs.
. gentleman just from the Quapaw

a gentleman just from the Quapaw
! Indian agency, Indian Territory, reports
that the onc3 famous ModOc Indians,
Since being p!gcea "a their reservation
By the government in November, 1873,
have advanced very rapidly in civiliza.
ton. The Modocs own, in their own
right, four thousand acres of good,
tillahle land, on which they have seven
teen good log hodses, built by themselves;
six double stables, eight corn-cribs, be-
sides pens and houses for their stock,
chickens, etc. On this land they have
put, within the last year, good fail
fence around 120 acres, which is all sown
in wheat, which at present gives promise
of an abundant harvest next year; and
they have split altogether $4,000 rails,
and have over eight acres of cultivated
land for each man, woman and child in
the tribe. They have also 175 acres of corn,
which will average from 40 to As bushels
per acre. Fifty-nine of their children
attend school at the Ottawa, Peoria and
Wyandotte missions, and have made re-
markable progress in all the branches
taught in common school.
Among the most prominent members
of the tribe are Bogus Charlie, Steamboat
Frank, Shack Nasty Jim, Scarface Char
lie and Long Jim. Bogus Charlie is ap-
parently about thirty-fve years of age,
medium height, and very fair complexion
for a tuIl-blooded Modoc. He has 500
bushels of corn in one crib, and his part
ner, Shack Nasty Jim, has as much
more. Jim is low, keaVy-set man, with
the broad features and sleepy look SO
peciliar to the Indians, and is in his
way genius, and is at all times laughing
and making fun of those members of the
tribe who cannot speak plain.
Steamboat Frank is a tall, muscular
fellow, rather good looking, and is hard
worker. His crib contains about 1900
bushels of corn, and he has plenty OF
hogs, chickens, turkeys, ducks, ETC.,
around him, and, like every one of the
tribe, seems to like his new way of liv-
ing, as they all, without an exception,
say that here they at all times have
plenty to eat, and a good house to keep
them warm, Whereas in Oregon it was a
feast or a famine with them at all times
Long Jim has 1900 bushels of corn,
and is also good farmer, as in fact they
all are.
They own in common, 237 head of cat
tie, of whieh eighty are COWS, and the
farm is worked on the partnership plan,
two or three taking as much as they can
farm and sharing the crops. They have
also cut l40 tons of hay the past season,
and in fact have plenty to keep them,
and the agent says can, after this year,
do without any hired help to assist and
show them how to farm, or any assistance
from the United States.
Bogus Charlie gave an account of the
lava bed massacre, and went through all
the motions Of shooting, scalping, etc.
He says that when the signal was given
to fire, Hooker Jim first shot at Gen.
Candy, and that Captain Jack then killed
him with a bullet between the eyes,
Boston Charlie then shot DIR. Thomas
through the breast, when he
threw up his hands and begged for mercy,
and together they tripped him up and
killed him with their knives. Schonschin
then shot Meacham through the shoulder,
when he presented a pistol at Schonschin,
but it did not 90 off, and that Shack Nasty
Jim then shot him as he was behind a
rock, to which he had ran backwards,
in the meantime firing at him !
no less than five times. At this time
Schonschin tried to scalp Meacham, but
was prevented from doing SO by squaw,
who was married to white ti1an, although
he inflicted three severe wounds on his
head. After this the bodies were stripped,
and they retired to their stronghold in
the rocks.
Hooker Jim, one of the worst men in
the tribe, and who figured SO conspic-
uously in this massacre, apparently died
on the 10Th of November, from a fever.
They purchased coffin for him on the
18th, and while placing him in it he came
to life, and On the 18th assisted in driving
a team while gathering cern, but, uufor-
tor Jim, his lamp was extin-
guished for good on the night of the 18th,
and the spirit of one more Indian was
waited to the happy hunting grounds
While giving a description Of the mas
Jacrs the contortions of Bogus Charles
body and his general appearance would
cause thrill of horror to run through
any man Of ordinary courage. In fact,
he seemed to live over again the many
acts of murder which he and his tribe
DeHaison Texa$) Negs.
Care of Stock.