The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-12-19

appointmcnt of e. Thomas. a Methodist
minister of California, and l.. 5. Dyar,
OF the klamath agency, and after pro-
tracted negotiations, 1t was agreed that
the commissioners, accompanied by Gen
eral Candy, should meet Captain Jack and
FIVE Modocs at a point designated by Cap
tain Jack Both parties were to go UNI
armed.
The place designated for the council
was I'm a depression in the rocks, favora-
BILE to an ambuscade. MAaeham, now
convinced of the treacherous designs CT
the Indians, protested against placing the
commission in so evident a trap, but
yielded with Dyar to Candy and Thomas.
Candy and Thomas chivalrously refused
to carry concealed weapons, but Meach-
am and Dyar each concealed a small re-
volver.
The Massacre.
The commissioners met the painted cut
threats at the designated spot. All gath
cred around small campfire, and Candy
PASSED cigars to the Modocs. Candy was
haranguing the Indians. Dyar, alarmed
at the suspicious actions of the Modocs,
had edged off a little distance down the
trail.
Suddenly two Indians arose from the
rocks, carrying a number of guns, and
every man sprang to his feet. Captain
Jack gave the word, "All ready and
drawing a revolver from his breast, fired
az Candy Schonchin fred on Meacham,
and Boston Charley on Thomas. Dyar
ran, pursued by Hooker Jim, and by turn
ing repeatedly and firing his revolver, he
escaped to the picket line.
Candy was shot through the head.
Thomas was also shot dead, and both
were Immediately stripped naked. Meach-
am had five bullet wounds and knife
cut, and was stripped and left for dead,
bur revived on the arrival of the troops.
The widest confusion followed, and
the Indians fed back to their stronghold.
| Everywhere the news of the massacre
ere ated tremendous excitement. The press
and the people demanded a campaign OF
revenge, and If necessary the destruction
OF the entire band. Reinforcements were
thrown into the lava beds until Captain
Jack and his little band were surround
ed by 9S5 regulars and Il Indian allies
After spirited fighting, in which the reg
ulars lost severely, the Modocs ESCAPED
from their stronghold, but were pursued
and breaking into smaller bands, sue.
ceeded in Guiding the troops for many
days. Gradually, however, they were
captured, or came in and surrendered
Scarface Charley was among those wh'
surrendered. Captain Jack was one o
the last to lay down his arms and SUI
for pardon.
The war department refused to turf
any of the captives over to the state o
Oregon for civil trial, and military com
mission was ordered for the trial Of cap
tain Jack and such other Indian captive
as may be properly brought before it,.
The war department decided that oni
the assassins of Candy, Thomas and Sher
wood might be properly tried. Under thl
decision, six Modocs were tried, and fou
were convicted and hanged-Captain Jack
Sconchin, Black Jim and Boston Charley
At the outset the Modocs had only
warriors. During the campaign 20 NOR
ioined them. The force that finally SUI
rendered numbered about so fighting me
and boys, so women and more than
children.
To conquer these bloodthirsty savage
the army lost 100 killed and wounded
killed, including seven commissioned oil
GERS. Including settlers, the total lossC
on the part of the whites were 60 kille
and GO wounded.
d Meacham survived his wounds, ar
wrote a book dealing with the campaig
S and his views of Indian nature.
y The once exciting affair has now nea
= ly faded out of the public mind, but
y years ago 1t excited an interest hard
= eaualled by that wrought by any 9th
= Indian campaign since the civil war.