Collection: Books and Periodicals

About This Item:

Title: A Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California (1891) Collection Type: Books and Periodicals Publisher: Lewis Publishing Company Published: 1891 Copyright: In the public domain or published before 1925 Source(s): Google Books # of Pages: 713 Download PDF: User Login Required Download OCR Text: User Login Required

Date Scanned: 2024-07-22 00:25:09 Item Sourced From: PDF First Created: 2025-03-17 03:11:29 Last Updated: 2025-03-17 06:30:36

Original Held At: Searls Historical Library Location: 161 Nevada City Hwy, Nevada City, CA 95959

Page: of 713  

Q1ISIORY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. 57 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 wayons, 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 otticers 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. ‘I'wo women were sent to Captain Jack tu arrange for a compromise. He said he did not want to talk to women, bnt 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 nu ambuscade; but Captain Jack, not being satisfied with the inen on the commission, requested three of his friends to be added to it; nd 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 coald not be agreed upon, and delay followed. April 3d, Captain Jack stated that hia terins were to have the soldiers removed and a reservation on Lost River given to him, but this was refused him. Communications were had with our Government and exchanged until finally it was agreed to meet on the 11th. 4 again messages 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 abont the tire 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 cvat and presented it at Canby’s head, exclaiming /Za-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 svon fell, shattering his jaw upon the rocks, and he was then stabbed in the neck by aknife 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. that Meacham, who was almost fatally wounded by several shots, got away with his life by the rarest contingency. The other officers escaped, except