The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-05-21
Last of the Modocs.

Years ago there We're many Modocs.
They lived in southern oregon and north
ern California, along the banks of Sprague
river, klamath lake The whites invaded
the country without an attempt at treaty.
A frcntiersman named Ben Wright iost
"A friend or two in skirmish with the
Indians. lie plotted revenge. At first
he formed a wagon train and Into each
covered vehicle he loaded armed men.
The train had the appearance OF
peaceful settlers caravan. The wagons
were driven into the Modoc country. The
warriors came TO the hills. looked at the
train. and did not attacA. The ruse failed.
Then Ben Wright put on the garb OF a
peaceful trader and, sending out some
runners, induced men, women and chill
dren of the Modoc tribe ga meet him at
the base OF some foothills, there TO ex-
change pelts for some coveted gewgaws.
The Modocs came unarmed. They squat
ted i'm group in front OF the supposed
trader Suddenly the hills was afiame.
The rifles OF more than 100 concealed men
opened on the defenseless Modocs. They
broke and fed, but left scores OF dead and
wounded behind.
The whites saw TO ~ the wounded
speedily Joined the ranks OF the dead.
Captain Jack as boy was present al
this massacre. Years afterward, when
standing in the shadow OF the gallows,
upon which he was hanged, he ironically
asked the haugman Tor a list OF the pale
faces who had been convicted and hanged
for the killing of the Modocs IL was
some satisfaction. doubtless, To this Mo-
doc warrior 10 hear that not long before
Ben Wright had been lured from his
cabin and killed at the doorstep by the
son of one Of the victims OF his treachery.
The government asked the Modocs TO
leave their ancestral home and take resi-
idence on IN Klamath reservation.
Throug the influence OF Superintendent
A. b. Meacham they were induced 10
move. No sooner were the Modocs set
tie on the land than the klamath In
dians began to molest them. They were
moved to another part OF the reservation.
There the Klamaths attacked again and
the local agent refused to issue tood.
The Modocs were starving. and without
notice between suns. they took up the
march back TO the Sprague river coun-
try. There Meacham sought them out
again. He was authorized, he thought,
as a last resort TO give them permission
10 stay where they were. The Indians
accepted this permission gladly and prom
ised peace with updouhted sincerity
Within month the government ordered
their forcible removal. Soldiers SUR
nrised them and killed Ave Of the band
The Modocs retalated later and then took
10 the lava beds, where the First Cav
airy was sent 10 dislodge them. Through
eastern efforts q peace commission was
apuointed Its members were General r.
n. S. Candy, A. +. Meacham and clergy
man named Thomas. These men were
ured TO n conference with Jack and sew
eral Of his warriors I'm April. 1875. The
three white men were killed. For months
later the Indians fought the whites from
the stronghold of the lava beds. Finally
thev were overcome and Captain Jack.
Scouchin and Black Jim were hanged. IL
taught a lesson to the tribe that treach-
cry was a white mans prerogatVe.
In her log hut i'm the Indian Territory
the Princess Mary still wears the mourn
ing emblems OF her tribe in memory OF
her chieftain brother There are now
only fftv Modocs left. Princess Mary.
is sister OF the .Modoc chief. Captain Jack.
who was hanged 30 years ago for bit
of treachery TO the whites. Time must
have aoftened tho anlmositios In the heart
of this Indian maid and have dulled the
kccnness OF resentment for Imposed In
iuries which would make a black chanter
for another "Ceuturv OF Dishdnor.' Cap
t,in lack was treacherous and he suffer
or therefor. tie was taught his lesson In
treacherv however. by the whites. and
tbe revenge that he took was light when
compared with the white mans crimes
which n was intended 20 offset No at
tempt was ever made To- punish white
mon who. through treRchery. had slain
600. while the Indians slew but three