The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1889-11-08
the war. Captain Thomas and his COM

the war. Captain Thomas and his COM
mand were accommodating the beds with
sixty-tive men to find out whether they
were really deserted, when he was sur
prised by the Modocs and forty-five of
his command placed hors de combat.
Soon after this General Gillen WAS re-
lieved of the command and General Davis
appointed. An instantaneous change in
the tactics of the troops was made. The
indians were pushed in all directions,
harassed, shot and hunted down, the
troops being calamity assisted in the work
by the Warm Spring Indians, until at
last, May %, seventy of the Modocs sur
rendered Internationally at Fairchild's
ranch. Captain Jack and some twenty
warriors alone remained in the field. To
assist in their capture Bogus Charley,
l1ooka Jim, Curley-headed Jack and
ishacknasty Jim, on the promise of ex-
tlmption, volunteered as truckers. With
them and small detachment of troops
General Davis started in pursuit, which
vas kept up until May 30, when Captain
lack and all the remaining Modocs sur
rendered at Willow Creek and the cruel
war was ended.
A court-martial was held at Fort
Klamath, Oregon, July 1, which resulted
in the conviction of Captain Jack,
lSchonchin, Black jim, Boston Charley,
-3arncho and Sloluck for murder. The
Tour other leaders mentioned above
were liberated in pursuance of the
agreement with General Davis "for
Hervices rendered." Ellen's Man
George had been killed in the fighting,
'Shile Barncho and Sloluck were respited
1T the very last moment. with commu-
iation of sentence to imprisonment for
life on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco
bay. The execution day was set for
Friday, October 3, and early on the
morning Of that day the four condemned
Indians were driven out in wagon from
the guard-house of the fort to the four
fold gibbet which had been erected in an
open field some 600 yards distant. Pre-
'rious to their being brought out there
had been ''big talk, " in which Captain
Jack showed a strong love Of life and
proposed that the authorities should let
him go and hang Scar faced Charley in
stead. Boston Charley, young Indian,
said he did not fear death, acknowledged
his outlines, gioried in the deed and
hurled scornful words at his fellow-pris-
oners. Old Schonchin made an eloquent
and manly address that lasted for over an
hour. He said that he had no confession
to make, no criticism to pass. ''You say
I must die, he said. "You are the law
giving parties. 1 am satisfied if the law
is correct" Blask jim had nothing to
say.
When the wagon with its load of con-
demned men halted in front of the gal
lows the military closed in on three
sides, but let the fourth open so that all
the Indian prisoners might sec the full
hllment Of the law The morning was
beautiful and clear, but rather cold, and
the Indians all kept their blankets
pulled up to their noses. To the sound
Of mufied drums the Indians were then
taken out Of the wagon and led to the
Boston Charley and Black jim
iscended the steps first. Boston Charley
took quid Of tobacco as he got out of
The wagon and another as he mounted
he stairway, looking round at the sol
iiers as he did so and splitting vigorous
T. Captain Jack was very weak and
lad to be helped out and into his posi-
ion on the drop. The other two mani
ested a supreme indifference TO all that
vas going on. The men having
)een pinioned the orders of Presi- |
lent Grant for their execu- |
ion were read, and then, at 1915 |
,'clock, the chaplain stepped forward
nd began TO read the service for the
lead, gentle breeze sweeping across
he fields and rustling the leaves of the
mayer book. The nooses were then |
aajnsfed and fis -bIsc4e<rsBs. made -
condemned haversacks, were drawn over
the indians heads. A white handker-
chief tiuttered in the hand of the Colonel,
fell, and as it did SO a corporal swung an
AK and severed the death line. The long
drop fell with loud report and the four
murderers were in the aian Captain Jack
never moved muscl pchin and
Boston Charley died Rlack
jim, like Captain the gentle up
struggle. Tie bodies IS. S
and buried and the ira -
was over. 4 wen nave 80