The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-10-11

treat with Jack and try to bring him to terms by moral suasion General Canpy was instructed to join this commission and assist it in person.
 The commission approached the lava beds in February, and sent in messen- ger with a flag of truce to invite JACK to a peace powwow. Jack was i'll dispos- ed to barley, especially as he had long cherisher a grudge against Meacham in- dividually. But attached to the govern ment party was a ranchman named Fairchild, whom the Modocs knew and had always liked. and the chief sent word out that he would meet Fatrchild and another white man named Steele or Yreka, Cal, on a certain day which he named if they would come with few companions of their own choosing, un- armed and without any soldiers. Steele was lawyer who had once defended group of Modocs prosecuted for cattle stealing, and they regarded him as friendly Fairchild and Steele accepted the invitation, though realizing the ha- zardous character of their enterprise, and selected three newspaper correspondents for their companions. but imposed the condition that five unarmed warriors should be sent out by Jack to act as the escort for the white party. General Can by also supplied them with few hun dred cigars to distribute among the braves before the talk began.
 Hooker Jim, Boston Charley. Bogus Charley and Shacknasty Jim constituted the escort that came out to meet the whites and Scar-Facer N.Iarley. Jacks head lieutenant, joined the party later me parleying crew were led into the heart of the lava beds by a tortuous and hidden trail and found themselves in A natural fastness formed by volcanic action. They took with them some pack animals laden with bacon. flour and oth- CT edibles as a peace offering to the In- dians. Before starting Steele addressed few words of warning to the newspa- per correspondents.
 A Dangerous Undertaking.
 Gentlemen" said he, this undertak- ing may be a success or a fatal failure by the degree of discretion you show. Keep cool. Do not talk to the Indians leave all that to Fairchiiu and myself. Submit to any indignity. maintain a con- silitory air throughout, and do what we do without question. If Captain Jack asks you who you are, we will explain that you are men who write for the newspapers, that pass under the eye of the Great Father, and that you will take careful notes and report faithfully any grievance he may have to make known" These instructions were obeyed to the letter.
 L The Indians were far from cordial in their greeting, but abstained from any overt act of hostility. They did, however, without so much as a grunt of apprecia- ton. make off with the provisions the whites had brought, and feasted on these while the guests were left to cheer their stomachs with a little coffee. A formal council of some duration was held, at which, after Jack had opened the discus sion with short talk. Fairchild and Steele assured the Indians that the Great Father was much grieved at the way his red children had acted. and would feel still worse on learning that this peace commission was not going to be kindly received. Jacks response was a tirade against Meacham, whom he denounced for some reason as having brought all their troubles upon the Modocs But at the end, though with savage and threat enlng gleam in his eye. he announced his willingness to meet the Great Father s emissares by and bye.
 Night having fallen, the white visitors were informed that they were expected to remain where they were till morning They were distributed among certain prominent Indians, and kept under close guard. In the morning another council was held. and then Jack let them depart, calling out, as they drew a long breath i and hurried away: "Meacham-you tell Meacham me want him come. Me want see Meacham.' Although these words were uttered with an attempt at sobriety of manner, the bystanding Indians un- doubtedly placed a special interpretation upon them, judging by the coarse laughs and grimaces with which they were re- ceived.
 Slaughter of Commissioners. A. few weeks later council was ar- ranged between the Modocs and the peace commissioners. Canby Meacham, Thom- as, white man named Dyer, and Frank Riddle an interDreter met lack. Boston