Page:California Inter Pocula.djvu/469

 respectability living in Yreka, testifying to the good conduct of Captain Jack; and it was also true that some of the settlers living nearest to Jack's rendezvous were averse to his being removed, feeling sure that the attempt would bring on a conflict which might prove fatal to them.

At length Jack precipitated the necessity for arresting him by going upon the reservation and killing an Indian doctor of Sconchin's band, who as he alleged, had caused the death of two members of his family. Whether he believed that this was so, or only wished to carry out his defiant intentions, the result was the same; the terms of the treaty making it the duty of the government to defend the Indians on the reservation from their enemies, and on application of Ivan Applegate, commissary at Yainax, an attempt was made by the commander at Fort Klamath to arrest Jack, which effort was rendered effectual by those white friends of the renegade Modocs, the squaw men, living along the route travelled by the troops in going to Yreka.

In October 1870 Agent Knapp of Klamath reservation, was relieved by John Meacham, brother of the superintendent, who was in charge at the tune of the attempted arrest of Jack. There had also been a change of commanders at the fort. Captain James Jackson, 1st cavalry, having been ordered to this post, with his company, B, and to assume the command. When Agent Meacham informed the superintendent of the course pursued by the Modocs, that functionary desired that no arrests should be made until a conference should have been had with Jack and his band, at the same time naming John Meacham and Ivan Applegate as his representatives to confer with them. This desire having been communicated to General Canby, that officer directed Captain Jackson to suspend any measures looking to the arrest of Jack or his followers until further advice, but to keep his com-