Page:Centennial History of Oregon 1811-1912, Volume 1.djvu/621



tent of Col. Gillem who was sick, and there made before Gilleni a formal pro- test against meeting Jack at the place selected, and admitted that he would go along rather than be called a coward; and then urged each man to arm him- self with a small pistol concealed on his person, so that if betrayed they would have something to defend themselves with.

This suggestion was spurned by Canby and the preacher, but adopted by Meacham and Dyer. Caiiby trusted to the army, and Thomas to God, to see them safe through. T'he point selected by Jack was a depression in the lava bed rocks, favoi'abl +o an ambuscade; and into this trap the Peace Commis- sioners went like laniuS to the slaughter on the morning of April 11, 1873. Ar- riving at the rendezvous all sat down around a camp fire. Canby offered the Modocs cigars, which were accepted, and all smoked for a while. The Genei'al opened the Council with an address, talking in a fatherly way about his desire to promote the welfare of the Indians, and make a permanent treaty of peace. Meacham and the Methodist minister followed in the same strain, urging the Indians to trust the white men and look forward to happy and peaceful days. Jack replied in a careless tone as to his having given up the Lost River country, and did not know anything about any other countries, and that he would de- maud the Cottonwood and Willowcreek lands, and removal to the U. S. soldiers from that country. And while ileaeham was making reply, and Sconchin was making disrespectful remarks in his own tongue. Hooker Jim arose from the ground and going to Meacham 's horse, took his overcoat aud putting it on with mocking gestures asked if he wa.s not a good Meacham. The affront was under- stood by all of them, but not noticed by any of them. General Canby then calmly arose and with kindly words to the Indians, told them he could not remove the soldiers without the authority of the President. Then Sconchin reit- erated the demand for the Cottonwood and Willow Creek lands. And while Sconchin was talking Jack arose from the ground and took a position in front of Gen. Canby ; and as he took this position two Indians suddenly appeared, as if rising out of the ground, each carrying a number of guns. Every man sprang to his feet as Jack gave the word "all ready" in his own language, and draw- ing a revolver from his breast shot down Gen. Canby. Simultaneously Sconchin fired on Meacham, and Boston Charley on the preacher. At the first motion of Jack to fire, Agent Dyer took to his heels and run for life pursued by Hooker Jim, but being hard pressed by the savage he turned and fired on him twice and finally reached the picket line in safety. Riddle also escaped by running, and his wife, Toby, after getting a blow on her head from one of the savages was allowed to follow her husband. Canby and Thomas were shot dead and both stripped and left naked. Meacham had five bullet wounds and a knife cut on the head, was thought dead, and stripped as the others; but was not dead, and was finally revived and survived the terrible attack. The Indians followed up this treacherous advantage with efforts to decoy other officers beyond the lines and murder them; but soon the awful truth was known and the soldiers rushed out to recover the dead.

This terrible chapter exceeds in savage brutality anything in previous deal- mgs with the Indians, and was followed up by a campaign that never halted or hesitated, until the last Modoc was captured, and Jack and his fellow mur-