Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-06-25
STEAMBOAT PRANK
One of the Modocs Who Became a
Missionary.
From me B0ston .Ad0ortiser,

MtSSlOudAhy.
From the B0ston n dgertiser.
DEERING. ME-, June 20.-The story Of
the life of Frank Modoc, or, as he was
known until recently, steamboat Frank"
who died In Deering a few days ago, 10
suggestive one to all who take an interest
in the Indian problem. He died an hon.
ored member of the religious denomina-
ton which more than any other stands
for peace on earth, and yet in his early
manhood be had been leader in one OF
! the most savage Indian tribes, and those
who prepared his body for burial found 1t
literally covered with the seams and scars
of conflict.
In the Modoc war some 200 of the tribe
were captured, among them the chlef
afterward known as Bogus Charlie, and
the second IN command, Steamboat Frank,
and in 1872 they were sent to the Indian
| Territory, and, strongly guarded by United
States soldiers, were placed upon an
island near where the Quapan mission had
been established. The mission was under
the charge OF A. G. futile and his wife,
members of the Society OF Friends, and
they had already done a good work among
the Indians who had been gathered there.
These Indians were at first much dis
gusted at the idea Of having for neighbOrs
mem D6FS OI bIlDb 50 low anu bTuLdA do
the Modocs, but Mr.. and Mrs. futile had
faith that the gospel was powerful enough
to do good even to the worst of savages.
The Friends are accustomed to regulate
their conduct in accordance with what
they believe to be special calls, and in
day or two Mrs. futile had a concern"
to visit the Modocs. Alone she crossed
over to the island, and there began the
missionary work which was successfully
carried on for years.
From the first, the Indians seemed to
have perfect confidence in their white
teachers, and almost as soon as they
could be made to understand the object
of the mission they became converted to
Christianity.
They always spoke of Mr.. futile and
his wife as Gods man" and Goods
woman" aud accepted their guidance in
all respects. Frank especially showed
not only great interest in his new eX-
periences, but remarkable intelligence,
and, after several years at the mission, he
expressed desire to 90 among the rem
nant of his tribe who had escaped capture
and carry the news of the gospel to them.
The government furnished him some aid
for his mission, and he went among his
old friends as a Quaker minister, having
received credentials from the Kansas
yearly meeting. He succeeded in
converting a good number of the
tribe aud continued his labors for
some time. He attended the
yearly meeting OF the Friends at Portland
last year, and his fine appearance and
evident sincerity excited much interest.
In order to carry on his work to better
advantage be desired better education.
II am afraid l don't always teach my
people right )" he sal; II want to know
more about the book" Arrangements
were made by the society to enable him
to take "A course at Oak Grove Seminary
Vassalboro, Me. He was successfully
carrying on his studies there when sick
ness overlook him and he went among
friends in Deering who had taken an in
terest in him. There he suddenly became
worse and died.
To those who came in contact with him
it was a constant surprise to see how
completely he had overcome the habits
and tendencies OF his early life. In ap-
pearance he was The idealized man of the
forest. He was more than six feet in
height, perfectly erect, and Outwardly
had all the Indian characteristics; but in
department there was no more thorough
going Quaker than he.
Though he could converse readily in
English, he had not learned to use the
language fluently in his addresses, but he
his native tongue with a ferVor and, APP
parently, with an eOquence that always
edited his hearers, il it could not instruct
them. He was good singer, aud de-
lighted in the simple hymns which he had
learned.
Almost from his first connection with
the missionaries his disposition seemed to
be wholly changed. His old friend and
spiritual guide, A. G. futile, who con-
dCcted his funeral services in Deering,
said that in all the years OF their acquaint-
ance he never saw single exhibition in
Franks heart of i'll feeling or OF unchris-
tian conduct. The principal OF the Oak
Grove Seminary saws that Frank always
seemed to be greatly panied by any sign
of quarrel between the younger men,
bers of the school. lie delighted in the
society Of children, and was always &C
cepted by them as friend.
After their capture many of the ModOcs
were affected by pulmonary troubles.
Franks wife died of consumption some
years since, leaving son who is now at
school in New York. "BOgus CHARLIE"
the chief of the tribe, died OF the same
disease.
For some time Frank had been con.
WINGED that a similar fate awaited him.
although he hoped that it might be de
layed long enough tor him to do something
more for his people. When he found that
the end was near, however, he was more
than reconciled, and, though in different
spirit. he faced death just as bravely as
he did years before IN savage fights. IL
was testimony not only to his worth but
also TO the power of love and self-sacrifice
as civiliZing agents, tnat, at the funeral
of this man-once savage aud an out
law-these words were chosen as the text:
MARK the perfect man and behold the up
right: for the end of that man is peace. p
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