Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-05-06
The Story Of the Modocs.

| ABOUT lStZ-5-thAt we heard terrls
BILE stories Of the Modoc Indians.
This was tribe of savages some.
where out in the Oregon Territory,
who gave the United States Govern
ment a great deal of trouble. They
fred upon Commission appointed
to settle certain disputes between
the two parties, while deliberation
under flag of truce; killed Gen.
Candy, high.minded and capable
officer also DR.. Thomas, a Metho.
dis. minister and left for dead the
Indian Commissioner, Col. A. B.
Meacham.
Upon this the army was lot loose
upon them they were chased into
the "Lava Beds" and in time taken.
Their chiefs, who did most of the
fighting, were tried before Military
Commission, and hanged. The lit
tie squad Of of survivors, mostly
squaws and children, were sent
away somewhere, where they re
main, if alice-oobody knows or
cares where.
So much as this we ell rememb Der
coming very naturally to the con-
clusion that these Indians were
simply what the newspapers called
them -s'fiends," "Red devils'-
without the least rotion of Justice,
truth, or humanity; fit food for
powder and the rope, to be exter.
minated as rattlesnakes. That
these Indians ha6 the least cause
of complaint, or were, or could be,
treated with injustice by their white
neighbors, never entered tho aver
age American mind.
Their case is held as a simple one
to prove that Indians are diabolical
and fit only to be destroyed.
But truth, though buried, and
crusted over with mi.apprehensions
and falsehoods, 10 liable, when trod-
den down, to ooze up through pin.
holes and crevices, and finally to
attract notice. The new phase
which the Indian question has as
sumed, in connection with these
Ute and Ponca matters, seems to
render opportune the recital of this
old Modoc story-on their side. For
strange as it may seem, there is
such side, and it is told by an GO.
tor in the scene, Col. A B. Meach-
ham himself, who by aid of squaws
and soldiers brought back to life,
and now living in the city Of Wash
ington. where he devotes himself to
the aid of the Indians, by the pub
LEGATION of monthly paper called
1.-THE Council Fire."
Perhaps nothing will recall the
matter sooner then the repetition OF
some of the nnsavory names of the
Modocs, such as Sshoncbip," "Scar-
ia ed Chsrl. ~ Shacknasty JIM"
etc. The chief was called "Captain
Jack" But to the story.
The Molocs were little tribe of
one hundred and sixty nine souls,
whose home was in the south oil
Oregon, where it joins California,
and where the Cascade Mountain 9
tcross the line. In 1864 a treaty was
made, removing these Indians upon
a reservation as agreed. But in
tranaacting the business afterward,
the United States Governmentignor
ed Captain Jack entirely; treating
wholly with Schouges. Jack there.
upon considered himself released
from the treaty, and returned to his
home. In 1869 Colonel Meacham
was sent to induce him to go back
upon the reservation at Klamath
He consented to do 30 on condition
that he should have q home separate
from the other Indians, which wal
granted. Thereupon be settled q,
| his new home with his baud, and
adopted The dress and habits of civi
| liked lie; getting out rails for fen
cee, and building cabins. But otbel
Indians claimed bis rails On som,
pretence, and upon applying to Cap
tain Knapp, United States Army
tor protection, ne was advised x
"try another place." His trial of tn,
other place resulted IS before. Hi
rails were claimed again, and th,
advice again was TRY anothe
place." He was not successful il
. finding that other place, and cam
the third time for protection. II
was told that if ne came again, ah
would BE imprisoned" As th
Government had engaged TO pro
tsct him, this threat had somew ha
the same effect it would have ha.
upon q white man. He considered
that the Government was false t,
him, and Indignantly left the reser
walton for food.
He appealed to some of his whit
neighbors for advice. Guided BY
them, he proceeded to tax his bant
on their property, for the benefit o
the United States, so IS to obviat
the difficulty 10 the constitutions
clause, concerning indians not tar
ed" his aim being civilized life.
Rut an nrdar CANA from III,