Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-07-07
SAVED MANY WHITES.

SA ED MANY WHITES.
now THE MODOC POCAHONTAS
SHOWED HER BRAVERY AND LOVE.
incidents In the Life of the Daughter of
the Indian Chief Who E:efricnded the
White Soldiers and Traders In Captain
Jacks Reign.
Over SO years ago there was born in that
desolate region or southern Oregon, now
known as the Lava beds, an Indian girl, the
daughter of Sc Cot, a Modoc chief. Among
che white men who had penetrated into the
Modoc country a few years later in the
search for gold was a young kentuckian
named Frank Riddle. The beauty of the
Indian girl had its effect on the white man,
whose qualities were pleasing to the chief,
and after the usual ceremonies incidental
to an Indian marriage Wi-ne-ma, and her
white husband set up their own lodge. It
was this marriage that strengthened her re-
gard held for her white friends, and ever
after she remained loyal to the race to
which her husband belonged.
The discovery Of gold in the klamath re-
gion drew many adventures to that field,
with the usual portion of the lawless ele-
ment. In 1851 some emigrants who had
been very aggressive toward the Modocs
were put to death by the Indians, and the
following year a band of whites left Yreka
to punish the savages for the act. The
avengers were led by Ben Wright, an old
mountaineer who had hunted and fought
Indians with Kit Carson; Jim Beckwith,
John Scott and Jim Bridger. After a long
chase through the rough country, which
was not productive of good results, the
chiefs were invited to meet the whites and
make a treaty. This they agreed to do, and
the warning parties went into camp near
each other on Lost river, the Indians out
numbering the white men by three to one.
Early on the morning of the conference a
young Modoc sQuaw, breathless, her cloth
ing torn and her feet bleeding, came into
the Wright camp and asked to see the lead
er. Her GRAND was to warn the invaders
against treachery.
The night before she learned at the coun.
Gil fire that her people intended to sur.
round the white men during the confer
ence and put them to death. Wright and
his men met cunning with cunning. They
went into ambush near the place of con-
ference and when the ~unsuspecting Modocs
fell into the trap but two escaped from the
slaughter that ensued. This affair is known
in the history of northern California as the
Ben Wright massacre. The squaw who
conveyed the timely warning to her white
friends was Wi-nema, the wife of Frank
Riddle. This fact was never found out by
her people, else her life would have been
forfeited.
Twenty-one years passed. The Modoos
were confined by the government to a res.
ervation, and treaties made with them
which were repeatedly broken. The tribe
were the prey of post traders, contractors
and of almost every white man who came
in contact with them. The only one of the
hated white race in whom they had conf.
dence was the late Judge Elijah Steele. To
this man they went for counsel and advice,
but in the lapse of time they even contem-
plated taking his life, as in the Indian mode
OF reasoning the death of a single white
man grasses the wrongs %perpetrated by
many. The chiefs finally decided to spare
bis life on condition of his bringing the
commissioners and commanding officers Of
the troops to confer with them.
But for the efforts of the brave squaw,
Wi-ne-ma, war wonld have broken out long
0SAolO. AA1uy l1AC ~ COOA gu0 WcaDOnS
from the hands of warriors bent on the de-
struction of settlers in the region, and it
was she who warned the officers OF the
army Of the trouble brewing. Herinfuence
with her people began to wane as their rage
against the whites increased. Then, too,
the warriors began to mistrust her husband.
Colonel Meacham, who was in command OF
the military post, was a humane man and
did all in his power to. right the wrongs Of
his dusky wards. This man Wi-ne-ma re.
vered, n when the second peace commits.
sion was appointed did all in her power to
prevent him from attending the council
with the chiefs. She grasped his horse by
the bride, begging Meacham and Candy
not to meet Jack and his band. When she
found entreaty was in vain the devoted
woman mounted her pony and rode with
the Ill fated party to the place of meeting.
The story Of that meeting has been told
many times. When Meacham was attacked
by the bloodthirsty Sconchin, Wi-ne-ma
threw herself on the savage and begged
him to spare the life of her white friend.
Others coming up, Wi-ne-ma ran from war.
rtor to warrior, turning aside their weap.
ons. At last one of many bullets struck
Meacham scnseless, and the quick witted
squaw turned aside the weapon aimed ia
finish his life, with the words: Him dcadl
No use shootl" Sconchin tried to scalp
Meacham, when Wi-ne-ma grasped the
knife. The cnraged buck struck her a ter.
rtble blow, almost knocking her senseless.
Again the wit OF the woman came into
play. 1.-THE soldiers are coming up" she
cried, and the next moment u detachment
OF troops did appear. Amid curses from
the enraged troopers. a dozen weapons were
leveled at the breast Of the brave sounw
Looking the mounted men straight in til.
face. she cried: mo shoot me! tried to
save themP" Then came from the ranks
tue words of an enlisted man, .The mnn
who harms her I'll kill"
For weeks the noble squaw Wi-ne-ma
nursed her friend Meacham and at last, .
cripple for life and broken In health, she
got him to his wife and family. Wi-ue-mn's