The herald., 1893-08-20
CAPT, MOSS AND CHIEF TEOPA,
Interesting News About the In
dians of Pahrump Valley.
Historical Facts About the Treaty of
Peace With Them.
A Sacred Offering to the Lord = An
Old, Feeble and Poor Chief
Who Has Been Faithful
to the Whites.
lBY COL. T. W. BRooKs.l

The mining community of the Pacific
slope, including Colorado, Texas and es-
pecially the Moss mining district oil
Arizona, will remember Captain John
Moss as fearless adventurer amongst
the wild tribes OF Indians and mining
man. He was man of valuable quail
tiles in many ways and with marked pc
culiarities. His apparent supernatural
influence and power. as welded over the
savage aborigines of the country with
whom he came In contact, was most as
founding, and in character so widely dif-
ferent and unlike the Biblical teaching
and influence of poor Meeker OF White
River agency, Colorado, Whitcomb OF
Oregon, and others Of like precepts,
whom the Indians loved, only to rsvish
their daughters and to murder the men.
But as construed by the red man Moss
was individual and, as Q real god power,
absolutely good and perfect. His name
is idolized by the whole tribe, and the
papers Captain Moss gave the chief are
as carefully preserved and as eacredly
adhered to as are the translated parch-
ments of Moses of old.
The treaty made by Captain Moss in
the year 1868, between the American
people and this division OF the Piute
tribe OF Indians, occupying, as they do,
the territory of Pahrump Valley, Good
Springs, Ivanpsh, Los Vegas, Corn
Greek, Indian Greek Valley, Ash Mead
ows, Resting Springs, which includes a
part OF California and Nevada, lying east
of Death Valley, was not made upon q
basis OF Christianity, love, fear, or the
promise OF reward, but upon convic-
tion OF true justice to all men and ex-
pedient prosperity in all matters of in
terest to the Indian as we'll as to the
white man. And today, as it will prob
ably ever be, the treaty is looked upon
as a solvent emblem of purity, and is
held as the most valuable trust known
to the tribe.
Captain Moss, his name, his promises
and prophecies to these Indians are as
the divine law TO the Christian people.
In the year 1864, at mass assemblage
OF the tribe, they submitted the revis-
ing of the old laws and the making OF
new laws necessary for the governing OF
this people to Captain Moss. 1t was to
them great congress. solemn and i'm
pressive in its effect, and will be rever-
enced and retained in their memories,
with praises to Moss's name. as long as
their women continue to bear children.
On this occasion Captain Moss ap-
pointed new ruler with no less power
than q king. His name was Tom. Tom,
az Sa-cre-ti-e, the high chief, reigned for
q number of years, and having died OF
old age, was superseded by his BROTHER,
Tecopa, the present high chief, who is
an acknowledged honor to the tribe and
u monum ent of justice. In the lam
guage OF Americans who know Tecopa
best, he is Just to fault and is self.
sacrificing and non-compromising friend
of the white man, who, on. nu meroue oc-
casions, has obviated bloodshed. the
sacrifice of human life, and at great
financial economy to the government.
It was in 1868 or ,69 that Tecopa, bo-.
ing impressed OF the eoiimportance and
consciousness of right voluntarily pro-
ceeded to Camp Cadeys situated on the
Mojave river, now absu I'D but then
occupied by government officials and
troops, engaged. in subdhing hostile In
diane, and then and there proposed
perpetual peace treaty, which was &C.
cepted by the ohicers. From that date
to the present time. the chief has acted
in good faith, and in all cases of differ
ence between the whites and his tribe
he has been extremely prompt to adjust
the variance and restore tranquility.
One OF his own tribe, real savage
and fearless desperate, WAS known as
Hos-Shutum-(horse shooter or horse
killer)-for reason of his having
shot and killed 30 many horses owned
by the whites and Indians; also killed
his squaw, grown daughter and three
payment of his life for the crimes.
Tecopa having chief command de-
termined to set at rest the terror that
prevailed throughout the whole region
90 caused by the acts OF this one devil
Caring, destructive demon.
That the desired and might be euc-
cessfully reached, Tecopa aroused four
of his best men, who in pursuit found
the Charleston mountain which bears
death. And when he was dead they cut
off the forefnger of his right hand, that
he might never pull the trigger of au-
other gun, and as proof to the chief that
it was Hos-Shu-Tum. He was scalped
huu tu0 bChlp, Win Ills gun, uOW huu
arrows, were brought in and delivered to
the chief.
In the instance of subordinate chief
having been killed, many years since at
Las Vegas ranch, Lincoln county, New,
al the time owned by o. d. Gass, now of
San Bernsrdino, the Indians became en-
ragged, and Mr.. Gass. fearing violent
actions and possible distinctions to his
wife and several small children, quickly
removed them to Ivsnpah. leaving un-
locked. with open doors, his house, fur
niture, store room and hundreds of
gallons OF wine, al of which were
exposed to the Indians. Tecops, with
headquarters at or near Pahrump
ranch, at a distance of 80 miles from
the scene, was telegraphed or signaled
by fire and smoke from the mountain
top, and was soon on the ground. He
assumed responsibility of all damage or
loss that might occur after taking
charge of the entire effects. and when it
became evident that there was no dis
position on the part of the Indians to
murder Mr.. Gass and family, the crime
having been fixed upon an Indian boy,
Mr.. Gaes returned and found their home
and property in possession of Chief
Tecopa, and in like condition they had
left it, not 30 much as a bunch of grapes
had been taken.
1t was Tecopa who furnished General
Crook with many OF his warriors to as
sist in subduing the terrible Apaches OF
Arizona.