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Inter Pocala & History of California (Various Pages) (33 pages)
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Page: of 33
486 EXTERMINATION OF THE INDIANS.
neglect of agents, and in broken promises and disregarded treaties, with consequent threatening spoliation. Even the usually gentle aboriginals of south-west
California appeared unquiet, and Los Angeles county
was startled by raids from adjoining districts. These
did not prove serious, however, owing to the presence
of several military companies near Bajou pass, San
Luis Rey, Vallecitas, linked with those at Four creeks,
King river, and Fort Yuma. In the desert region
eastward, with its less forbearing Yumas and Mojaves,
the Pintos and other roaming tribes of Nevada were
tempted to repeated attacks on emigrant trains, checked
only occasionally by some garrisoned detachment or
passing volunteer corps. The opening through Arizona of the overland road in 1858-9 was attended by
more formidable movements, and the: despatch of a
special body of troops to establish a crossing on the
Colorado. The peace now forced upon the Mojaves
prevented any further serious trouble in this quarter ;
but northward the influx of miners and stock-raisers
stirred the hitherto quiet Owen’s river natives. Driven
into the mountains or more sterile tracts, they were
compelled by hunger to raid upon the vast herds of
cattle, and to commit attendant outrages, until in 1862
the settlers opened a regular campaign. This served
only as a momentary check, and after two more
seasons of endurance the exasperated settlers resolved
upon a severe retaliation. They marched forth, and
in January, 1865, massacred over two score of per-sons at one village, and a month later over 100 were
driven into the corroding waters of a lake, there to
meet a terrible death. The lesson proved effective,
especially so far as those that were killed were concerned, if it did not serve to thoroughly restrain natives to whom mountain fastnesses and deserts presented so inviting an impunity.”
* The efforts of the tribes in the lower part of San Joaquin valley to assert
their rights against the advancing settlers culminated in the Kern river war
of 1856. Northward in the valley the white population spread too rapidly .
NORTHERN TRIBES, 487
The most troublesome Indians of California were
those of the extreme north, from the headwaters of
the Sacramento to the Oregon border, and toward
the coast. They had shown. their hostility to the
early trappers and immigrants, and were more relent.
less after every contact with the inimical Oregonians,
who traversed their country en route for the gold
fields. Many an early prospector suffered for his
temerity, and when the miners subsequently entered
in force they fought their way with little scruple, exacting terrible vengeance for every outrage. Beyond
Feather river the Cottonwood bands were among the
first noted hostile savages to suffer, and westward
those of Humboldt county became exposed to a double fire, for miners were entering in large numbers
also by sea. The coast Indians gave just cause for
anger by their thievishness, which in a measure justified the destruction of villages and lives that followed,”
and overwhelmingly to ermit the less spirited natives to exhibit any marked
discontent. Cattle stea ing and pilfering would occur, however, in obedience ~
to the prevailing Digger instinct, and lead at intervals to armed combinations
of the farmers and miners. The last notable uprising took place during the
winter of 1857-8, and before it was over there were still fewer savages to
suffer hunger and eke out existence on the reduced acorn crop.
Their retaliative attacks led to the Klamath war of 1851-2, marked by
several petty expeditions, and by the participation of troops which established a post at Humbecldt. Forts had already been erected at Reading
and Scott valley for raids upon supply trains, and small parties were by
this time frequent throughout the northern counties. During the summer of 1851 the Oregon border region was ablaze with the Shasta war, which
despite treaties,continued to brea out in occasional hostilities and gave occasion for such atrocities as the massacre by Ben Wright of two score Modocs during a peace conference,
The latter were undoubtedly guilty of murderous raids, but the manner
of retaliation has been condemned. In 1853 the wides oread Shasta tribes
joined anew in the Rogue river war. Their operations dia not then assume
any magnitude, partly from the recent increase of military posts; but the
comparative inaction of the settlers encouraged the natives to relieve the
wants created by severe winter seasons. The consequent de redations,
chiefly-upon cattle, attended by a few murders, provoked brie avenging
spring campaigns in 1854 and 1855, the latter directed chiefly against the
lower Klamaths, whose rising during the winter created general alarm in
Humboldt county. Desultory movements continued throughout the year
along the Oregon line, in connection with the Rogue river war, wherein the
Shastas took a leading part. The diversion of the regular troops for that
‘campaign, and the seeming security of the mountains, tempted to fresh outreaks along the Klamath to the border, obliging the governor to send assistance and call out volunteers, first for Humboldt county, and in the summer
for Siskiyou, Jn the former regions two companies of settlers assisted to in»