Statewide County CA Archives History - Books .....IndianTroubles 1891 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@gmail.com November 28, 2005, 6:41 pm Book Title: Memorial And Biographical History Of Northern California INDIAN TROUBLES. While on the subject of Indians we may as well give here on account of some of the principal Indian troubles. The Shasta tribe occupied Shasta and Scott valleys and Klamath River. They were closely related to the Rogue River tribe, and until a few years before the settlement of this region were a portion of the same tribe, but had become separated into factions by the death of the head chief. The Scott Valley factions was headed by Tyee John, son of the old head chief; at Yreka, old Tolo, always a firm friend of the whites; and each of the other factions also had its chief. The true names of these chiefs were seldom known to the whites, who called them Sam, John or Bill, or named them in accordance with some physical peculiarity or some occurrence, as old Smoothy, Scar-face, Rising Sun, Greasy Boots, etc. As early as 1835, the Rogue River Indians had had trouble with the trappers; but the first blood that marked the intercourse of the two races in Shasta county was wantonly shed by Turner and Gay, two Americans, who shot a Shasta Indian near Klamath River, September 14,1837. In 1846, when Fremont and his party of about fifty men were encamped in the Modoc country near Klamath, the savages committed the first of the long series of murders that have marked their treatment of the whites. They attacked Fremont during the night, but were suddenly repulsed with the loss of their chief, whom Lieutenant Gillespie recognized as the Indian that had the preceding morning presented him with a fine fish, the first food he had eaten for forty hours. A detachment of about fifteen men was then left in ambush there to punish the perpetrators if they should return. They soon overtook the main body, bringing two Modoc scalps to show that they had been partially successful. Just before night the advance guard of ten men under Kit Carson came suddenly upon an Indian village on the east bank of Klamath Lake, assaulted it and killed many braves. The same day another skirmish was had, and Kit Carson's life was saved by Fremont, who rode down an Indian that was aiming an arrow at him. Late in the fall of 1849, a party of nineteen deserters from the United States forces stationed in Oregon passed through the Shasta region. In this party was Fred Deng, well remembered a in Yreka as the founder of the Yreka Bakery, name that spells the same forward and backward. They were led off from the regular route by an Indian trail that led up Willow Creek back of Edison's, and came suddenly upon a rancheria of Shastas at a place now called Carr's Corral. Before they recovered from their surprise, the Indians, naturally thinking themselves attacked, fell upon them fiercely and succeeded in killing three men. In July, 1850, a party of forty men left the forks of the Salmon and started on the first exploring expedition up the Klamath. One of these men, Peter Gerwick, going out hunting deer one day, was killed by the Shastas. During the few succeeding days there were several skirmishes, resulting in driving off the Indians and probably killing several, with no loss to the whites except a severe wound to one man and much anxiety and watchfulness for a long time. In the early part of February, 1851, a party of six men was passing from Oregon to California and camped one night on the Tule Lake. A swarm of Modocs surrounded their camp, poured in upon them a cloud of arrows and made the air shudder with their demoniacal yells; but the loud-speaking rifles of the whites frightened them away before any serious damage was done. From this time until 1856 there were many skirmishes, depredations, several murders, etc., including a massacre at Blackburn's Ferry; and thence until 1873 but few hostilities were suffered from the Indians. During this year occurred THE GREAT MODOC WAR. In July, 1872, several settlers petitioned the Commissioner of Indian Affairs at Washington to have the Indians removed to the reservation. In due time Superintendent O. D. Neal received authority to effect the removal, peaceably if he could, forcibly if he must. November 25, he sent two men to the camp on Tule Lake to request the head men of the Indians to meet him at Linkville on the 28th. They declined the invitation. He at once went to Fort Klamath and placed the matter in the hands of the military. Captain Jackson immediately started for the Indian camp with Company B, a company of thirty-five soldiers. Marching all night, they reached the camp at daylight on the morning of the 29th. Jack's camp was on the west side of the river near Tule Lake, at what is called the natural bridge. On the east side of the river was another small camp, in which were Hooka Jim, Curly-Headed Doctor, Long Jim and nine other braves, the three here named being the head men. When the troops arrived at Jack's place the only Indian seen stirring was Bogus Charley, a visitor there. They called for Captain Jack, who was in his tent; but before he appeared one or two other Indians came upon the scene and a fight began. One of Jack's men was killed and four wounded, some of them fatally. While this battle was raging a terrible, tragedy was being enacted on the other side of the river. The settlers who had gone to the camp of Hooka Jim and Curiey-Headed Doctor, met first an Indian called Miller's Charley. He was told that they had come to take him and the others to the reservation, and that they would not be harmed. Upon this assurance he surrendered his gun, but had hardly done so when the sound of shooting and the yells of Indians were borne across the river from the other camp. The Indians rushed out, and in the confusion both parties commenced shooting, Miller's Charley being wounded and another Indian killed. One of the squaws rushed out with her baby in her arms, which latter was accidently killed by a stray bullet. Not knowing her baby was dead, and still clasping it in her arms, she mounted a horse, exclaiming, "Don't shoot; me squaw, me squaw." They did shoot, and she was wounded in the ankle and fell from her horse. Maddened by this apparently wanton attack and slaughter, Hooka Jim, who had the most cruel and blood-thirsty disposition of them all, pursuaded the others to go with him and take revenge on the settlers. One of the attacking parties was killed while walking about the camp after he supposed the fight was over. Hooka Jim's band hastened to the settlements along the river, bent upon murdering all they saw; and now commenced a scene of carnage and massacre. The settlers, who had been promised notice of trouble, but in vain, were exposed to this raid, and many therefore fell victims. Fourteen settlers, comprising men, women and children, were killed before armed parties could protect them. Jim and his party reached the lava beds, at the south end of Tule Lake, whither Captain Jack and his band had already retreated. This peculiar spot consists of a mass of rocks some ten miles square, cut up with fissures, deep gulches and high, abrupt cliffs, abounding in caves, and almost impassable. The whites were ignorant of this labyrinthian section, while the Indians were familiar with it. Some communications were had with Captain Jack in this rocky fastness, who claimed that he did not know any reason why he and his men should be attacked. In the mean time great preparations were made to expel him from his stronghold. A company of twenty-six whites, with John A. Fairchilds as Captain, prepared for the attack, and while the Indians were unexpectedly appearing here and there in the vicinity, white troops were gradually brought in, preparing for a general battle. The first act of this series was the attack of the Indians upon six soldiers who were escorting a wagon of supplies near Barnard's Camp. One soldier was killed and scalped and three wounded, one of whom died. One Indian was killed. But the grand assault was ordered for Friday, January 17, 1873. The morning was foggy, and Colonel Wheaton would have postponed the assault had he been able to communicate with Captain Barnard. He advanced, and was opposed at every point by a hidden and unseen foe. The troops charged over several almost inaccessible places, meeting a shower of bullets but finding no enemy. So rapidly did the Indians change their positions and so incessant a fire did they maintain, that although there were but about twenty good warriors there seemed to be many times that number. The troops lost many, while the enemy lost none. Soon the air in all the country was filled with wild rumors of hundreds of disaffected Indians of other tribes, flocking to Jack's standard. Captain Jack was shrewd enough to place upon the upper edges of rocks great numbers of blocks of volcanic scoria resembling human heads, so as to make it appear that he had many more men than were really with him. Of course the Government could not retreat The Indians must go. Therefore more troops, with more guns and ammunition and military supplies must be brought in. In the meantime the Indians frequently sallied out in their characteristic manner, attacking wagons, ranches and any passing straggler who might happen within sight. They had the additional advantage of understanding the English language, while the white soldiers did not understand the Modoc tongue. The Indians could hear and understand all the orders given by the white officers and thus be ready to oppose any movement. They shouted their orders from one to another in their own language, which were as Greek to our men. The Government saw that it had to get down to a tedious war. It appointed a peace commission to investigate the condition and complaints of the Indians, and General Canby was ordered to go to the front with the commissioners and take full command of the military, Colonel Gillem commanding under him. Two women were sent to Captain Jack to arrange for a compromise. He said he did not want to talk to women, but wanted the commissioners to pay him a visit, and they would not be harmed. They reported that the Indians were nearly out of provisions and clothing, and that there was dissension in their midst. An agreement was made to hold a conference on the 25th, a mile and a half from the lava beds, where there could be no ambuscade; but Captain Jack, not being satisfied with the men on the commission, requested three of his friends to be added to it; and conference by messengers caused a delay of the time for the meeting. He designated the Government officers who should meet him at the appointed place, including among them General Canby. Details of the conference could not be agreed upon, and delay followed. April 3d, Captain Jack stated that his terms were to have the soldiers removed and a reservation on Lost River given to him; but this was refused him. Communications were again had with our Government and messages exchanged until finally it was agreed to meet on the 11th. This fatal day arrived fair and calm. The commissioners and officers went forward to the place of meeting with many fearful misgivings, some of their number warning the others that treachery would be exhibited and they would be probably killed. Canby and Thomas considered it their duty to attend, and that duty was more sacred than life. Arriving at the council tent, Canby and Thomas were cordially welcomed with hand-shaking and words of friendship. Canby distributed cigars, and they all sat about the fire and smoked in silence. Soon the remainder of the party arrived and met with the same hearty welcome, even before they could dismount. Eight Indians were present, instead of five, and they all had revolvers under their coats. The officers saw signs of treachery, but their pride of the soldier character prevented them from exhibiting any fear. The council was formally opened. The Indians at first pretended that they desired no bloodshed but simply a certain tract of land. An argumentation followed, during which the speaker in behalf of the Indians declared that there was no more use in talking. Captain Jack gave the signal and the Modoc war-whoop rent the air. At the same time he drew a revolver from under his coat and presented it at Canby's head, exclaiming Ha-tuk (all ready)! It missed fire. Quickly revolving the chamber, he again pulled the trigger and buried a bullet in his victim's head. Canby soon fell, shattering his jaw upon the rocks, and he was then stabbed in the neck by a knife as a butcher kills a hog; and furthermore another Indian sent a bullet through his brain. He was then stripped of his clothing and left naked on the rocks. Simultaneously with Jack's attack upon Canby, Boston Charley shot Dr. Thomas in the breast. As he partially fell to the ground, he begged them to shoot no more, as he had a death wound; but soon they buried a bullet also in his brain. The other officers escaped, except that Meacham, who was almost fatally wounded by several shots, got away with his life by the rarest contingency. While these events were happening at the council tent, still another tragedy was being enacted at Colonel Mason's camp at Hospital Rock. Colonel Mason was suspicious of treachery, but Major Boyle ventured to go out and investigate, accompanied by Lieutenant Sherwood. Making their way to a point where a white flag was elevated, they noticed a gun peeping over the top of the rocks and started on a run for camp, one exclaiming to the other, "Run for your life!" Two volleys were fired in quick succession by the concealed savages, Sherwood falling at the second one with a bullet in his thigh. The troops from the camp instantly charged, and the treacherous devils fled to their stronghold. As soon as the news of the tragedy at the council tent reached the camp of the United States troops, the latter rushed out to the ill-fated spot, but found no enemy. In their stead there lay the inanimate forms of the brave soldier and the white-haired peacemaker, covered with blood, the one entirely stripped of his clothing, and the other nearly so. Tears sprang to the eyes of that rude soldiery, while the friends of the murdered men wept with the depth of their emotions. Cautiously they advanced, momentarily expecting to receive a volley from their unseen foe. The caution was needless, however, for the Modocs, content with what they had accomplished, had retired to their retreat in the rocks, to rejoice over their hellish work. All thought of everything but a vigorous prosecution of the war was now abandoned. The troops, under Colonels Mason and Miller, surrounded the Indians' retreat, and closed in, the artillery meanwhile dropping shells into the recesses of the hostiles. These "double-shooting" guns were a mystery to the uninitiated savages. They did not like them, although little damage was done by them except to knock the rocks about and make the strongholds an exceedingly uncomfortable place to stay in. They had the effect of keeping the Indians on the move and of taking away the confidence and sense of security they had previously enjoyed. One of these shells was picked up by two Indian boys, and it exploded in their hands, blowing the boys to atoms. The three lines advanced slowly on all sides, the most severe fighting being the capture of a bluff on the lake shore. The men crept along until at the base of the hill, and then charged up with a yell, the hostiles beating a precipitate retreat. Here the troops rested for the night, during which time the Indians built a huge fire at their camp; but Major Thomas trained a gun on it, and scattered them and their fire in all directions. All the next day the shells were freely dropped into the lava beds, keeping the enemy on the "anxious seat," while the soldiers cautiously advanced. Early on the morning of the third day they suddenly charged into the stronghold of the savages, only to find that they had escaped through a gap in the lines to the south. The loss in the three days' fight was six killed and twelve wounded, but not a Modoc was slain! The whereabouts of the savages was now a question of great interest, not only to the soldiers, but also to the settlers for miles around. They were soon found, still in the lava beds, occupying a position nearly as strong as the old one, and about six miles south of it. They did not remain inactive, but emerged from their retreat in small parties, firing upon scouts and couriers, attacking provision trains, and even firing into headquarters. Their boldness and the rapidity with which they moved from point to point completely puzzled and nonplused the military. They maintained that 2,000 men would not be sufficient to surround the lava beds and capture the hostiles in a place where 1,000 men could lie concealed in a small area, and where the besieged could fly to new strongholds as fast as driven from the old ones. Accordingly more troops were sent for, and those present had to wait. Major Thomas, to whom idleness was a source of uneasiness, obtained permission to reconnoiter. Starting on the morning of April 26, they halted at noon in a narrow sage-brush plain for dinner, without having seen any one of the enemy, and while there the savages rushed upon them and scattered them. Some of the troops reached camp, while others gathered in small parties in hollows among the rocks and fought desperately all the way. Only one Modoc lost his life in this affair, while twenty live of the whites were killed! Major Green, at the camp, hearing the firing, at once dispatched with a force to the scene of trouble, but owing to ignorance of the ground did not arrive until daylight the next morning, before which time the Indians had safely retreated. On the 3d of May, General Jefferson C. Davis, who had been assigned to succeed General Canby, arrived and took charge of operations One morning, very soon afterward, a party of thirty-four Modocs crept up to the camp and fired into it, killing one and wounding eight. This attack was intended to stampede the troops, but it failed, and a quarrel arose among the hostiles which resulted in a division. The entire cavalry force was then sent out to scour the country and find Captain Jack, who had so strongly developed the qualities of the Irishman's flea: three times had they put their hand on him, and he wasn't there. Some days afterward the troops found the savages on the bluffs at the head of Langell Valley, to the eastward, when the latter came out of their retreat and said they wanted to surrender. Captain Jack, however, and some others had departed for other scenes; but his lease of liberty was short, as he had fled directly toward a detachment under Captain Perry, and to whom he was obliged to surrender. A few others were still at liberty, and these, with a number of scattered ones who had not participated in the hostilities, were soon taken and conveyed to Boyle's camp on Tule Lake. On the 4th of June, more than six months after the first fight, the Oregon volunteers captured a few braves with their families, ten miles east of Lost River Springs, turned them over to General Davis, and thus ended this peculiar war. According to the report of the Indians, they had but forty-six men capable of bearing arms when the war commenced. Five braves, two boys and three squaws lost their lives. Opposite these figures can be placed the statement that more than 150 white soldiers were killed and wounded, three times of all the enemy, and the Secretary of War reported that the Modoc war had cost $338,009.78, exclusive of hay and equipment of troops; and after all this, many claims were put in for damages, and many allowed! The prisoners of war were tried by court-martial, and Captain Jack, Schonchin John, Boston Charley, Black Jim, Watch-in-tate and Slolox were found guilty and sentenced to death; while Hooka Jim, Bogus Charley and Shacknasty Jim were entitled to their lives for services rendered in capturing their companions; and Ellen's Man had already met his death in battle. On the day before the execution, the sentence of Watch-in-tate and Slolox was commuted to imprisonment for life in Alcatraz; they both died in confinement. The others were executed. There was some clash of authority between the local civil and the military officers concerning the Lost River murderers, ending with nothing being done. The remainder of the Modocs, 155 in number, were then peaceably removed to the Indian Territory, where Scar-face Charley was invested with the chieftainship. It appears from Joaquin Miller's account that the Pit River Indians were massacred during the Modoc war. Additional Comments: Extracted from Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California. Illustrated, Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of its Prospective Future; Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers and also of Prominent Citizens of To-day. "A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendents." – Macauley. CHICAGO THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY 1891. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/statewide/history/1891/memorial/indiantr105ms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/cafiles/ File size: 21.8 Kb