The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-12-19
SCAR FACE CHARLIE
HIS DEATH RECALLS THE MoDoC
CAMPAIGN OF 1873.
Fired the First Shot That Called
One Thousand Soldiers Into
the Field.

An Associated Press dlspatch lrOin
Senaca, Mo-, recently reported briefly
the death of a savage warrior whose
deeds Mortified the American people -
years ago. "Scarface Charley" was the
Modoc war chief whose bloodthirsty ma
ture, remarkable generalship and iron
determination, in conjunction with ike
qualities in Captain jack" enabled a
little band of go tatterdemalion warriors
to defy for months the United States
army. This ragged little band was finally
captured, but not until it had killed more
soldiers than it had members.
From the earliest days of frontier ex-
ploration and settlement the Modocs had
been a warlil1e band. They began their
warfare upon the white race by killing a
number of Fremont's men on the shores
of klamath lake, in southern Oregon.
Up to the date of their final stand against
the United States army, they had killed
80 persons.
Early in the 70's complaints were made
to the war department by settlers that
Captain Jacks band refused to remain
upon it's reservation, and were roaming
the country and committing numerous
cutrages. General Crook, the famous In
dian fighter, then in command of the de-
partment of the Columbia, undertook to
restore them to the reservation, when they
took to the lava beds.
At that time A. B. Meacham, pioneer
resident of this section, was serving as
commissioner of Indian affairs. He cher
ished hobby that the Indians had deep
grievance He thought he possessed a
thorough knowledge of Indian character
and that their esteem for his character
L.. 4 hrsal In
to the ways of peace. Greater delusion
was never cherished. The Modocs held
Meachem in contempt and ridicule, but
were willing to use him in order to ac-
complish their desires. Through his tenn
porizing policy Crook was restrained from
striking in season, and the Modocs, find
ing that their audacity and insolence
brought rewards, conceived the idea that
the government feared them.
About this time Crook was called south
to fight the Apaches in Arizona, and Gen
eral Candy assumed command of the de
partment of the Columbia. 1t was a fata
transfer.
Captain Jack and his chief lieutenant
Scarface Charley, soon threw aside al
restraints They roamed at WILL anC
robbed and plundered at pleasure. II
November, 1872 they sent their defiance
to the authorities Say to the superin
tendent" said Jack to the messenger
sent out to meet them. that we do no
wish to see him or talk with him. w
do not want any white men to tell u
what to do. am tired of being talke
to, and am done talking" At this juno
ture Scarface Charley wanted to murde
the messengers upon the spot, but wa
restrained by Captain Jack, who PREFER
ed to wait until the superintendent shout
fall into his power.
Captain jackson, with 3G regulars, wa
sent to arrest Jack and his lieutenant'
The Modocs resisted arrest and Scar
face Charley opened the engagement b
firing at lieutenant In this engage
ment one cavalryman was killed and seN
en- were wounded, and 10 Indians fell BIZ
fore the soldiers volley.
The Modocs fed and entered upon
campaign of frightful atrocity. Ate
they had killed is settlers, they took a
almost impregnable position in the Law
beds of southern oregon. The grour
was broken by deep assures, with lev
grassy plats between for grazing, an
an abundance of water.
The military surrounded their stronl
hold with a force numbering 225 regula
and $50 volunteers, but failed in all 1
efforts to dislodge the savages. Weei
of winter warfare followed, with no
and then the killing of soldier or
Indian
In this fighting Scarface Charley WI
a conspicuous figure. He had a powerf
voice that could be heard for two
three miles, and would take position
rocky pinnacle and direct the NOV
l,gc arriO N
rocks.
The Modocs were defiant, and und
cover Of darkness would closely approa
the soldiers and taunt them with co
ardice. at the same time calling on t
klamath allies of the white forces to Z
sert and come over and fight the BATH
of their own people.
In an attempt to dislodge the Indiai
made January II. 1878. the soldiers we
repulsed with loss of nine killed and
wounded 1t now became evident II
greater resources would be required
the Indians were ever to be conquer
and couriers were dispatched to Va
couver for achievements.
Meanwhile the very worst thing p
sible was transporting. Meachem. W
had been relieved as superintendent, h
gone to Washington, and with some
egon politician then at the capital, s.
ceeded in convincing the secretary of
interior that a peace commission sho
be sent out to treat with the Mode
and meanwhile offensive operate
should cease. This commission, as at fl
appointed, consisted of Meachem, Je
Applegate and Samuel Case. After
peated overtures, the Indians grow
holder and more insolent, Applegate {