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[Illustration]
WIGWAM AND WAR-PATH; OR THE ROYAL CHIEF IN CHAINS.
by
HON. A. B. MEACHAM,
Ex-Superintendent of Indian Affairs and Chairman of the Late Modoc
Peace Commission.
Illustrated by Portraits of
The Author, Gen. Canby, Dr. Thomas, Capt. Jack, Schonchin,
Scar-Faced Charley, Black Jim, Boston Charley,
Tobey and Riddle, Eleven Other
Spirited and Life-Like Engravings,
of Actual Scenes from Modoc Indian Life, as
Witnessed by the Author.
SECOND AND REVISED EDITION.
Boston:
John P. Dale and Company,
27 Boylston Street.
1875.
Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1875, by
A. B. Meacham,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
Press of
Rockwell and Churchill,
33 Arch Street, Boston.
PREFACE.
The Hon. A. B. Meacham has committed to me the difficult and delicate, yet
delightful task of revising the manuscript and arranging the table of
contents of the present work.
I have endeavored to review every page as an impartial critic, and have,
as far as possible, retained, in all its simplicity and beauty, the
singularly eloquent and fascinating style of the gifted author. The
changes which I have made have been, for the most part, quite
immaterial——no more nor greater than would be required in the manuscript
of writers commonly called “learned.” In no case have I attempted (for the
attempt would have been vain) to give shape and tone to the writer’s
thoughts. His mind was so full, both of the comedy and the tragedy of his
thrilling narrative, that it has flowed on like a mighty torrent, bidding
defiance to any attempt either to direct or control.
None, it seems to me, can peruse the work without being charmed with the
love of justice and the fidelity to truth which pervade its every page, as
well as the manly courage with which the writer arraigns _Power_ for the
crime of crushing _Weakness_——holding our Government to an awful
accountability for the delays, the ignorance, the fickleness and treachery
of its subordinates in dealing with a people whose very religion prompts
them to wreak vengeance for wrongs done them, even on the innocent.
For the lover of romance and of thrilling adventure, the work possesses a
charm scarcely equalled by the enchanting pages of a Fennimore Cooper;
and, to the reader who appreciates truth, justice, and humanity, and
delights to trace the outlines of such a career as Providence seems to
have marked out for the author, as well as for the unfortunate tribes
whose history he has given us, it will be a reliable, entertaining, and
instructive companion.
Mr. Meacham’s thirty years’ experience among the Indian tribes of the
North-west, and his official career as Superintendent of Indian affairs in
Oregon, together with his participation in the tragic events of the Lava
Bed, invest his words with an authority which must outweigh that of every
flippant politician in the land, who, to secure the huzzas of the mob,
will applaud the oppressor and the tyrant one day, and the very next day
clamor mercilessly for their blood.
D. L. EMERSON.
BOSTON, Oct. 1, 1874.
INTRODUCTION.
The chapter in our National history which tells our dealings with the
Indian tribes, from Plymouth to San Francisco, will be one of the darkest
and most disgraceful in our annals. Fraud and oppression, hypocrisy and
violence, open, high-handed robbery and sly cheating, the swindling agent
and the brutal soldier turned into a brigand, buying promotion by
pandering to the hate and fears of the settlers, avarice and indifference
to human life, and lust for territory, all play their parts in the drama.
Except the negro, no race will lift up, at the judgment-seat, such
accusing hands against this nation as the Indian. We have put him in
charge of agents who have systematically cheated him. We have made
causeless war on him merely as a pretext to steal his lands. Trampling
under foot the rules of modern warfare, we have made war on his women and
children. We have cheated him out of one hunting-ground by compelling him
to accept another, and have robbed him of the last by driving him to
frenzy, and then punishing resistance with confiscation. Meanwhile,
neither pulpit nor press, nor political party, would listen to his
complaints. Congress has handed him over, gagged and helpless, to the
bands of ignorant, drunken and brutal soldiers. Neither on its floor, nor
in any city of the Union, could his advocate obtain a hearing. Money has
been poured out like water to feed and educate the Indian, of which one
dollar in ten may have found its way to supply his needs, or pay the debts
we owed him.
To show the folly of our method, examine the south side of the great
lakes, and you will find in every thirty miles between Plymouth and Omaha
the scene of an Indian massacre. And since 1789 we have spent about one
thousand million of dollars in dealing with the Indians. Meanwhile, under
British rule, on the north of those same lakes, there has been no Indian
outbreak, worth naming, for a hundred years, and hardly one hundred
thousand dollars have been spent directly on the Indians of Canada. What
is the solution of this astounding riddle? This, and none other. England
gathers her Indian tribes, like ordinary citizens, within the girth of her
usual laws. If injured, they complain, like other men, to a justice of the
peace, not to a camp captain. If offenders, they are arraigned before such
a justice, or some superior court. Complaint, indictment, evidence, trial,
sentence, are all after the old Saxon pattern. With us martial law, or no
law at all, is their portion; no civil rights, no right to property that a
white man is bound to respect. Of course quarrel, war, expense,
oppression, robbery, resistance, like begetting like, and degradation of
the Indian even to the level of the frontiersman who would plunder him,
have been the result of such a method. If such a result were singular, if
our case stood alone, we should receive the pitiless curses of mankind.
But the same result has almost always followed the contact of the
civilized and the savage man.
General Grant’s recommendation of a policy which would acknowledge the
Indian as a citizen, is the first step in our Indian history which gives
us any claim to be considered a Christian people. The hostility it has met
shows the fearful demoralization of our press and political parties.
Statesmanship, good sense and justice, even from a chief magistrate can
hardly obtain a hearing when they relate to such long-time victims of
popular hate and pillage as our Indian tribes. Some few men in times past
have tried to stem this hideous current of national indifference and
injustice. Some men do now try. Prominent among these is the author of
this volume. Thirty years of practical experience in dealing with Indians
while he represented the Government in different offices; long and
familiar acquaintance with their genius, moods, habits and capabilities,
enable and entitle him to testify in this case. That, having suffered, at
the hands of Indians, all that man can suffer and still live, he should
yet lift up a voice, snatched almost miraculously from the grave, to claim
for them, nevertheless, the treatment of men, of citizens, is a marvellous
instance of fidelity to conviction against every temptation and injury.
Bearing all over his person the scars of nearly fatal wounds received from
Indians, he still advocates Grant’s policy. Familiar with the Indian
tribes, and personally acquainted with their chiefs, with the old and
young, men and women, their sports and faith, their history and
aspirations, their education and capacity, their songs, amusements,
legends, business, loves and hates, his descriptions lack no element of a
faithful portrait; while his lightest illustrations have always beneath
the surface a meaning which cannot fail to arrest the attention of the
American people, and enable them to understand this national problem.
Never before have we had just such a witness on the stand. Brilliant and
graphic in description, and exceedingly happy in his choice of topics, he
gives us pages startling and interesting as a novel. While his appeals
stir the heart like a clarion, he still keeps cautiously to sober fact;
and every statement, the most seemingly incredible, is based on more than
sufficient evidence. I _commend this book to the public_——study it not
only as accurate and striking in its pictures of Indian life, but as
profoundly interesting to every student of human nature,——the picture of a
race fast fading away and melting into white men’s ways. His contribution
to the solution of one of the most puzzling problems of American
statesmanship is invaluable. Destined no doubt to provoke bitter
criticism, I feel sure his views and statements will bear the amplest
investigation. His volume will contribute largely to vindicate the
President’s policy, and to enable, while it disposes, the American people
to understand and do justice to our native tribes.
(Signed,)
WENDELL PHILLIPS.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE.
HON. A. B. MEACHAM _Frontispiece._
GEN. CANBY 480
DOCTOR THOMAS 512
THE LONE INDIAN SENTINEL 8
THE BULL-DOG TRADE 26
FAREWELL TO ONEATTA 73
THE BIRTHPLACE OF INDIAN LEGENDS 142
GRAND ROUND AGENCY 109
THE HORSE RACE 197
CAPT. JACK 295
TOBEY AND RIDDLE 320
MODOCS ON THE WAR-PATH 404
WI-NE-MAH (TOBEY) 444
ASSASSINATION SCENE 492
BRINGING IN THE WOUNDED 531
WARM SPRING INDIAN PICKETS 568
SCHONCHIN AND JACK IN CHAINS 588
BOSTON CHARLEY 641
BLACK JIM 495
SCAR-FACE CHARLEY 632
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
EARLY REMINISCENCES——POW-E-SHIEK’S BAND.
PAGE
The Author’s Fears and Hopes——A Bit of Personal History——Two
Great Wrongs——Early Reflections——Removal of Pow-e-shiek’s Band
in 1844——The Lava Beds——Gen. Canby and Dr. Thomas referred to——
Even-handed Justice——Captain of an Ox Team——Sad Scene
Preparatory to Pow-e-shiek’s Departure——The White Man Wanted
It——It is a Fair Business Transaction——A Gloomy Picture——
Government Officials Move Slow——(The Lone Indian Sentinel)——A
Fright in Camp——The Welcome——Cupid’s Antics——An Indian
Maiden’s Ball Dress——The Squaw’s Duties——The Indian’s
Privileges——End of the Journey——The Return——The Conscientious
Church Member——Throngs of Emigrants——A Great Contrast and a
Glowing Picture——Yankee Boys and Western Girls——A Strange
Mixture——The People of Iowa——The Nation’s Perfidy towards the
Savage 1
CHAPTER II.
OVERLAND——BLOOD FOR BLOOD.
Pow-e-shiek Visits his Old Home——His Recognition of the Writer——
He Spends the Winter——His Character——The Ceremonial Smoke, and
the Writer’s Mistake——Pow-e-shiek’s Return——“Van,” the Indian
Pony——Crossing the Plains——Indian Depredations——What Provokes
Them——The Murdered Indian——The Loaned Rifle——Arresting Indians
on “General Principles”——They are Slain on “General
Principles,” also——The Butchery of Indian Women and Children——
The Bloody Deeds of White Men——The Indian’s Revenge 24
CHAPTER III.
INDIANS AND MINERS.
Two Letters——Why they are Introduced——Lee’s Encampment——Gold
Fields of Idaho and Eastern Oregon, in 1863——Tides of
Adventurers——Means of Transportation——Umatilla City——The
Saddle Train——The “Kitchen Mule”——Walker’s Line——Novel Method
of Securing Ponies——Indians Hunting Lost Horses——Sublime
Mountain Scenery——Punch and Judy——A Stalwart Son of Erin——He
Buys an Indian Pony——His Rich Experience Therewith——A Scene
Worthy of the Pencil of a Bierstadt——“Riding a Bottle”——The
Indian’s Friends Denounced——Indian Integrity——Striking
Examples——Tin-tin-mit-si, the Rich Old Indian Chief——“Why
White Men are Fools” 32
CHAPTER IV.
DIAMOND-CUT-DIAMOND.
Treaty with the Government——The Annual Visits——Indians and
Whiskey——The White Man’s Advantage, and the Indian’s
Privilege——Punishment for Intoxication——Indian “Muck-a-muck”——
The Salmon and their Haunts——Ludicrous Scenes——Financial
Revenge——The Oregon Lawyer’s Horseback Ride——He is Sadly
Demoralized——His Scripture Quotations——Fourth of July
Celebration——Disappointed Spouters——Homli’s Sarcastic Speech——
His Eloquence and His Resolve——A Real Change——Three Tribes
Unite——A Fair Treaty——Umatilla Reservation——Gorgeous
Description of an Earthly Paradise——Homli’s Return 45
CHAPTER V.
POLICIES ON TRIAL——“ONEATTA.”
The Author Appointed Superintendent of Indian Affairs——Not a
Political Friend of President Johnson——An Indian “Agency”——
Description of a Hunting-Ground——Shipwrecks——Signal Fires——Why
they are Built——A Tradition——Perilous Adventure of Two
Chieftains——A “Big Canoe” Saved from Wreck——They are Rewarded
with many Curious Gifts——The Squaw’s Surprise——The Pappoose’s
Fears——The Chase——Squaws Disrobed——A Good Time Generally——The
Chiefs Fright——He is Reassured——Comes Alongside the Ship——Love
at First Sight——A Battle without the War-whoop——The Chief
Boards the Ship——The Scene on Deck——The Chief’s Departure——The
Lovers, Oneatta and Theodore——The Chief’s Consent——The Dance——
Lover’s Conquest——The Betrothal——The Ship Ready to Depart——The
Marriage on Board——Farewell to Oneatta 57
CHAPTER VI.
SENATORIAL BRAINS BEATEN BY SAVAGE MUSCLE——PLEASANT
WAY OF PAYING PENALTIES.
The Legend in the Last Chapter——Why it is Introduced——Siletz
Agency——Oyster Beds and Timber Lands——The same “Old Story”
Rehearsed——The Boat Race——Indian _vs._ United States Senator——
The Horse Race——Congressional Avoirdupois——Crossing the Siletz
River——Civilized Indians——A Rare Scene——Euchre Bill——Biting
off Heads——The Indian School——Too-toot-na——His Wife Jinney——
Her Financial Skill——Her Husband’s Hope——Doomed to
Disappointment——Indian Court Day——Hickory Clubs _vs._
Blackstone——The Attendants at Court——The First Case——A Woman’s
Quarrel——Appropriating a Horse——Wounded Honor——An Agreeable
Penalty——The Lone Chief——Indian Bashfulness——The Agent’s
Fears——Old Joshua Speaks——His Eloquence——His Request is
Granted——Religious Influences——A Language of One Hundred
Words——Christianity and Common Sense——The Dialogue——Logs on
Indian Graves——Why Placed there——Religions of the Indians
Discussed Further On——Indian Agent Ben Simpson——His Report——He
Arraigns the Government——Joel Palmer’s Report——Political
Preacher and the Christian Agent——The Treachery of the Former——
A Plea for the Siletz Indians——Base White Men and a Cruel
Government——The Sad Story Repeated——A Ray of Hope——Alsea
Agency——The Alsea Indians——Their Character Peaceable and
_therefore_ Neglected——Crime Rewarded by the Government——
Virtue Punished——The Destiny of the Alsea Tribe——A Stern
Rebuke and a Prophecy 74
CHAPTER VII.
PHIL SHERIDAN’S OLD HOME——WHAT A CABIN COST.
Grand Round Agency——Indian Houses——Cost of a Board——Gen. Phil
Sheridan——A Romance of a Young Chief——The Family from
Missouri——The Red-skinned Archer and Pale-face Gunner——Their
Trial of Skill——Fight with the Grizzly——The Wounded Hunter——
The “Medicine Man”——Santiam and the Pale-faced Maiden——The
Disappointment——Faithful to Her Vows——Description of the
Valley Resumed——The Writer’s First Visit——The Indians There——
Their Progress in Civilization——Ceremonious Hand-shaking——The
Writer’s Remarks——Replies by Joe Hutchins and Louis Neposa——A
Peculiarity of Indian Eloquence——Speeches by Black Tom and
Solomon Riggs——The Writer’s Speech——Its Effect——Wapto Davis’s
Plain Talk——Joe Hutchins’ Sarcasm——Result of the Council 101
CHAPTER VIII.
STOPPING THE SURVEY——WHY.
Official Correspondence——What the Indians Need——Important
Questions Asked——Commissioner Parker’s Reply. (See Appendix)——
The Mills Built——Indian Laborers——A Misunderstanding——The
Indian’s Rights——They are Wronged——A Protest——Interesting
Letter Relating to Allotment of Lands. (See Appendix)——
Singular Request——Reason for It——An Act of Justice——The Indian
Parade——The Indian’s Speech in English——The Writer’s Reply——
Wapto Speaks——Catholics _vs._ Methodists——Father Waller——An
Episode——Leander and Lucy——Love and Law——Old and New——The
usual Course of True Love——Marriage Ceremony——No Kissing——The
Dance——The Methodist Pastor and the Priest——The Catholics
Liberal (?)——A Stupid Preacher——Common Sense in Religion——
Indian Comments——Defective Schools——Unwritten History of Grand
Round Agency——Old and Forsaken 120
CHAPTER IX.
THE AGED PAIR——BIRTHPLACE OF LEGENDS.
The Scene Changes——The River Steamer——The Railroad——The Battle
Ground——Causes of War and Slaughter——A Legend of the Cascades——
Battles——Divine Interpositions——Soul-stirring Traditions——The
Waiting Dead——Sacrilegious Hunters——McNulty, the Noble
Captain——Mount Hood——Mount Adams——Sublime Scenery——The Dalles——
The Salmon Fishery——Its Value——Habits of the Salmon——
Commencement of the Fishing Scenery——Indian Superstition——
Methods of Catching and Curing Salmon 138
CHAPTER X.
DANGEROUS PLACE FOR SINNERS.
Warm Spring Agency——Indians in Treaty Council——Intimidated by
Government Troops——Pledges Unfulfilled——John Mission and Billy
Chinook——They become Converts to Christianity——Treachery of
the Government——Why? because the Indians are Peaceable——
Journey to the Agency Continued——Crossing the Stream——Fire and
Brimstone——A Perilous Descent——The Author’s Report——This
Agency a Fraud——Climate of Warm Springs——Character of the
Indians Here——The Two Treaties——The Indians Declare they were
Deceived——A Great Injustice——Unfitness of the Warm Spring
Agency——Captain John Smith——His Character——His Communication——
A Careful Perusal Urged 150
CHAPTER XI.
THE PARSON BROWNLOW OF THE INDIAN SERVICE.
Captain Smith’s Letter——His Opinion of Catholics——The Indian
Council——An Indian Leads in Prayer——Appearance of this
Council——It was like a Methodist Revival Scene——The Head
Chief’s Speech——He abjures Polygamy——The Author’s Reply——Mark
wants to Change his Name——He selects the Name of Meacham——
Marks’ Second Wife, Matola——Her Speech——John Mission speaks——
Speech of Billy Chinook——Hand-shaking and Enrolling Names——
Pi-a-noose——His Speech——Two Kinds of Indians on this Agency——
The Trial Policy of the Government 160
CHAPTER XII.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME——SQUAWS IN HOOPS AND CHIGNONS.
Umatilla Agency——The Council——Its Object——The Purchase by the
Government of the Reservation——A. B. Meacham’s Speech——Many
Indian Speeches (See Appendix, Chap. XII.)——The Council Fairly
Conducted——Religion of the Umatilla Indians——Wealth a Curse to
Them——They Take the First Prizes——They are Haughty, Proud and
Intractable——“Susan,” the Widow——Her “Receptions”——The Dance——
Women’s Rights——Susan a Good Catholic. 181
CHAPTER XIII.
“HOW-LISH-WAMPO,” KING OF THE TURF——A DEAD THING
CRAWLS.
Indian Sportsman——How-lish-wampo, the Famous Horseman——Pat and
the Indians Once More——French Louie, the Confident Sport——He
is Beaten and Fleeced——Returns on Ponies Given in Charity——Joe
Crabb and His Important Race-Horse——His Groomsmen and
Attendants——Skirmishing Preparatory to the _Great Race_——Joe
Crabb is Shrewd——The Wild Indian is Shrewder——Indian Method of
Training Horses——Intense Interest in the Race——Throngs of
Visitors——Holding the Stakes——Indian Honor——Indians not Always
Stoical——They are _Enthusiastic_ Gamblers——Never Betray their
Emotions——Consummate Strategy of Indian “Sports”——The
Appearance of the two Race-Horses——Preliminary Manœuvres——The
Start——The Indian Horse Ahead——Wild Excitement——The Fastest
Time on Record——All Good Indians Three Feet Under Ground——Fine
Opportunity for Sport——Challenge to Commodore Vanderbilt,
Robert Bonner, Rev. W. H. H. Murray, _or Any Other Man_——
Habits of the Indian Horses——The Cayuse Horse——An Indian
Train——The Squaw’s Outfit——Indian Etiquette——Indian Wives who
Want to be Widows——Indian Maidens——Many of the Umatillas
Civilized——The Prospect of the Umatillas 185
CHAPTER XIV.
SNAKE WAR——FIGHTING THE DEVIL WITH FIRE.
The Snake War——Alleged Cause of the War——Manner of Warfare——
Charley Winslow and Nathan Dixon——H. C. Scott and Family, and
Wheeler, all Victims of the War——Eighty Chinamen Murdered——
Indians Butchered in Turn——Jeff Standiford and His Band of
Butchers——Stone Bullets and Iron Slugs——The Art of Killing
Indians——Joaquin Miller——General Lee——Stonewall Jackson——
General Grant——Capture of the Daughter of a “Warm Spring”
Chief——General Crook calls for Indian Scouts——The Bounty
Offered——The McKay Brothers——A White Chief Fights like a
Savage——Privilege of Scalping Granted——On the War Path——The
Last Battle——The Surrender——A Pile of Scalps——Snake Hair
Playing Switch for White Ladies——Visit to Snake Country——After
a Long Leap Coming Out Smiling——Castle Rock——Old Castle of Jay
Cook——Panting Charger——A Game Chicken in the River——Adams
Laughing and Weeping——A Real Native American——In a Basket——In
College——Baking Bread in a Frying Pan——Jimmy Kane the Indian
Cook——Making Mathematical Calculations——The Test——Seasoning
the Supper——Clothes Don’t make the Man——General Crook under a
Slouch Hat——Tah-home and Ka-ko-na——Transmutation——Fine
Feathers——Arrival at Camp Harney 207
CHAPTER XV.
THE COUNCIL WITH THE SNAKE INDIANS——O-CHE-O.
A Camp Scene——Peace Council with the Snake Indians——Announcing
the Presence of Ka-ko-na——Their Representations——Colonel Otis——
Old Winnemucca Sent For——A Bloodthirsty Chief——His Wives——
Their Savage Mode of Life——Indian Women Socially——Result of
the Council——Both Parties Came Armed——The Medicine Man——A
White and Red Doctor Disagree——A Warning——Incantation of a
Medicine Man——Strange and Cruel Treatment of the Sick——“Big
Foot”——A Beautiful Custom——The Fire Telegraph——Spiritualism——
O-Che-Oh and Allen David——A Peaceful Talk in Seven Tongues——
The Old Squaw and Her Heartless Sons——A Gloomy Picture of
Savage Life——The Snakes’ Home——Their Future a Problem——Climate
of this Region——Enemies to——Novel Method of Capturing them——
Crickets for Food——A Cricket Press——Warriors who Eat their
Foes——An Embryo Indian War——How it Can be Avoided——Tah-home
and Ka-ko-na in Tribulation——Power of Medicine Men——Stronger
than love——Wild Men Shrewd in Such Matters——Heart-Broken
Squaw——Proposition to Elope——Fear of Pursuit——No Compromise
224
CHAPTER XVI.
OVER THE FALLS——FIRST ELECTION.
Resuming the Journey——Klamath Reservation——Saying Prayers——The
Accident——Value of a Dead Mule——Different Tribes on the
Reservation——Klamaths never Enemies of the Whites——Lindsey
Applegate——The First Election——White Men Imitated——The Result——
Allen David Elected Chief——His Character——He is an Orator of
Great Power——Preparation for the “Big Talk”——The Scenes in the
Council——The Big Camp Fire——Tah-home and Ka-ko-na in Great
Distress——Indian Strategy Winked at by an Officer——It
Succeeds——The Lovers in a Snow-storm——Outwitted and Glad of
It——Allen David Opens the Council——His Thrilling Speech——The
Author’s Official Report——Another Speech from the Red-skinned
Orator——The Author’s Reply——Joe Hood——Various Speeches Bearing
on the Indian Question——Official Correspondence——Address to
the Klamath Indians——Their Attention——The Indian Allen David——
His Wonderful Eloquence——Extracts——The Author’s Reply——Speech
of Joe Hood——The Reconciliation——The Preparation——The Speeches
of Allen David and Captain Jack——The Author’s Views of
Thieving Officials——An Appeal for Justice——The Request of
Klamaths 245
CHAPTER XVII.
KLAMATH COURT——ELOPEMENT EXTRAORDINARY.
Wife Robbery——Divorce made Easy——Names of Uniformed Officers
Withheld——Why——Blo’s Searching Questions——The Law One-sided——
Little Sally——The New Court——A Novel Scene——The Court Opened——
Sally’s Complaint——Her Husband’s Views——The Baby’s Heart half
his and half his Wife’s——Sally and her Husband Want to be
Re-married——The Bride’s Outfit——A Serious Ceremony——A Pledge
that White Men don’t Take——Indian Modesty——Who Kissed the
Bride——Case Number Two——The Sentence——The Dance——Indian
Theatre——The Actor——A Wild, Exciting Play——The Indian’s
Dramatic Power 262
CHAPTER XVIII.
OMELETS AND ARROWS——BIG STEAM-BOILERS.
Indian Games——Long John, the Gambler——The Wocus Fields——How it
is Prepared for Food——Egging and Fishing——A Bird’s Nest
Described——Trout-fishing——Various Kinds of Trout——Game——Big
Klamath Lake——Link River——Nature’s Steam-power——The Country of
the Modocs——A Grand Scene——Bound for the Home of Captain Jack
279
CHAPTER XIX.
MODOC BLOOD UNDER A FLAG OF TRUCE——SEED SOWN
TWENTY YEARS BEFORE A HARVEST.
The Modoc War——The Origin of the Modocs——The La-la-kas——The
Great Indian Rebellion and the American Revolution——The Office
of Indian Chief——Captain Jack——Form of Government among Indian
Tribes——The Home of the Modocs——Why Modocs Rebelled——The
Modocs in 1846——Schonchin——The Father of Captain Jack——Account
of the Latter——Cruelties Perpetrated by the Modocs——Causes of
the First Modoc Wars——Two Sides of the Question——Chief
Schonchin’s Reason for Killing White Men——The “Ben Wright”
Massacre——Slaughter of Emigrants——Horrible Cruelties——The
Squaw’s Jealousy——Ben Wright——His Character——His Infamous Act
of Treachery——Treaty with the Modocs in 1864——Why it was not
kept by Captain Jack——The Oregon Superintendent makes a
Treaty——It is now being Ratified——Captain Jack understood the
Treaty——He Rebels——Says he was Deceived——Attempt to Force him
to return to the Reservation——His Insulting Language——Lost
River——A Fish Story——Difficulties in the way of meeting
Captain Jack 289
CHAPTER XX.
BLUE EYES AND BLACK ONES——TOBEY RIDDLE.
Captain Jack’s Apology——He Makes a Camp for his Visitors——The
Modoc Women not Slaves like other Indian Women——Sage Brush——
The Modocs would not Eat First——The Reason——Tobey and Frank
Riddle——Riddle’s Romantic Career——Truth Stranger than Fiction——
He Discards his First Love——His Indian Wife——They act a part
in his Story——Captain Jack’s Falsehood Exposed——The Government
Appropriations——Captain Jack Quibbles but Yields——He is
Overruled by the Medicine Man——A Critical Moment——Indian
Vocabularies——Tobey’s Good Sense and Loyalty——Riddle and Tobey
Avert a Scene of Blood——Mr. Meacham’s Bold Speech to Captain
Jack——The Strategy of Meacham’s Party——Two Powers Invoked——
Representatives of Elijah and Ahab——The Soldiers who are sent
for do not Respond as Ordered——They, too, are under the
Influence of _Spirits_——They Rush into Camp——An Exciting
Scene——The Parley with the Modocs and its Results——Queen Mary——
Her Rare Opportunities——She Pleads for her Brother, and Gains
her Point——Jack Surrenders——An Incident——Arrival at the
Klamath Reservation——Reconciliation between Two Chieftains——
Ceremony of Burying the Hatchet——Allen David, the Famous
Indian Orator——His Remarkable Speech——Captain Jack’s Reply——
Allotment and Distribution of Goods——“Head and Pluck”——Indian
Mode of Cooking Meats——A Gorgeous Scene——A Big Council Talk——
Link River Joe’s Solemn Speech——An Impressive Watch-meeting——
The Writer’s Peculiar Position——The Dim Fore-shadowing 311
CHAPTER XXI.
BURYING THE HATCHET——A TURNING-POINT.
A Settlement of Old Difficulties——Trouble Ahead——The Modocs
Taunted with their Poverty——Agent Knapp——His Character——
Captain Jack Applies to Knapp for Protection——Is Treated
Coolly——Schonchin John——Captain Jack and his Band Leave
Klamath——Old Schonchin Removes to Yainax——Captain Jack
Contemplates making his Home there——An Unfortunate Occurrence
Prevents——One more Effort for Peace——Jesse Applegate——Letter
of Instructions to John Meacham——It is Conciliatory but Firm——
Departure of The Commission——Humanity and Common Sense——
Fortunately the Commissioners go well Armed——Assassination
Intended——Prevented by Captain Jack——His Loyalty Doubted by
the Modocs——Schonchin Intrigues for the Chieftainship——Captain
Jack only a Representative Chief——Republican Ideas for once a
Curse——Captain Jack Argues the Cause of his People with Great
Skill and Force——He Refuses to go on to the Reservation again——
Agrees to go to Lost River——How Bloodshed Might Have Been
Avoided——The Author’s Reports referred to——The Modocs become
Restless——They Violate their Pledges——The White Settlers
Annoyed——They demand Redress and Protection——Captain Jack not
blamed by the Whites——He was Powerless 342
CHAPTER XXII.
U. S. SENATORS COST BLOOD——FAIR FIGHT——OPEN
FIELD.
Change in the Indian Superintendency——T. B. Odeneal Appointed——
His Qualifications for the Office——Did not Understand the
Indians——The Modocs Ordered to Klamath Reservation——They
Refuse to go——Captain Jackson Ordered to the Modoc Camp——
Twelve Settlers go to see the Fun——Character of Frontiersmen——
Who are Responsible for Indian Wars——Situation of Jack’s Camp——
Number of his Braves——Arrival of the Soldiers and Citizens——
They come Unexpected——A Fatal Mistake——First Gun of the Modoc
War——First Battle——Modocs Victorious——Fight on the other side
of the River——Inglorious Results to the White——Reinforcements
sent for by Major Jackson——Captain Jack and his Braves retire
to the Lava Beds——Scar-face Charley remains behind——His
Strange Motive for so doing——John A. Fairchild——He learns an
Important Lesson——His Humanity and Wisdom——White Citizens cry
for Vengeance——Fourteen Modocs agree to return to Klamath——Why
they rejoined Captain Jack——The latter always for Peace——The
curly-haired Doctor wanted War——He and other Modocs Commit
Horrid Crimes——Seventeen Whites Butchered——The Scene that
followed——The Victims of the Slaughter——Friends of the
Murderers——The Author’s Authority for many of his Statements——
Captain Jack denounces the Murderers, and demands that they
shall be surrendered to the Whites——Is overruled 361
CHAPTER XXIII.
MOURNING EMBLEMS AND MILITARY POMP.
“Wails of Anguish”——“Intense Excitement”——“A Scene of Woe seldom
Equalled”——“A Sublime Portraiture of Frontier Life”——“Who
shall say Vengeance on The Avenger”——“The Government called to
a Rigid Account”——“War Succeeds Sorrow”——“The Grand Army of
Two Hundred”——“Opinions that _are_ Opinions, and the Reasons
for them”——“A Job before Breakfast not accomplished”——“Benefit
of the War to Oregon and California”——“The Politicians and
Speculators’ Opportunity”——“Four Hundred White Soldiers”——
“Proposition to slay Modoc Women and Children”——“A Little
Gray-eyed Man Objects”——“A good deal of Buncombe and of
anticipated Glory” 377
CHAPTER XXIV.
PEACE OR WAR——ONE HUNDRED LIVES VOTED AWAY BY
MODOC INDIANS.
A Descent to the Lava Bed——Tule Lake——The Lone Woman with a
Field Glass——The Deserted White House——The Dark Bluff——The
Red-skinned Loyal Soldiers——The Solitary Tree——Description of
the Lava Bed——Link River Jack the Natural Traitor——Council
among the Modocs——Jack Still for Peace——Earnest Speeches on
both sides——The Curly-headed Doctor decides the Momentous
Question——The Vote is for War——How the Doctor makes Medicine——
Captain Jack Plans the Battle——A Lost Warning to the Sleepers
388
CHAPTER XXV.
WARPATH.
4 A.M., January 17, 1873——Preparation for the Battle——The
Conflict Begins——The Deadly Modoc’s Bullets——Where are the
Volunteers——The Battle Rages with fearful Loss of Life——Orders
to Retreat——The Wounded to be Rescued——Vain Attempt, the
Victims Scalped——Modoc Rejoicings——Speeches of the Victors——
Captain Jack not so Enthusiastic——General Wheaton’s Defeat——
Comments of the Volunteers——The Sarcasm of the Gray-eyed Man
400
CHAPTER XXVI.
OLIVE BRANCH AND CANNON BALLS——WHICH WILL WIN?
The Peace Commission Appointed——Terms of Peace unwisely Proposed
to the “Modocs”——The “Modocs” seem to accept the Terms——Joy in
Camp——It is suddenly Dampened——The Great Mistake of Steele,
the Messenger——The Fearful Crisis——A Most Suitable Time to say
Prayers——Honor among Savages——The Messenger’s Strategy——It
Saves his Life——His Report——The Author’s Dispatch to
Washington——The Reply——Anxiety and Gloom in Camp——Modoc
Messengers——What they Propose——Commission in the hands of
General Canby——Prejudiced against Tobey——The Modocs offer to
Surrender——Wagons sent to Receive Them——Their Intentions——They
Fail to Agree——Modoc Horses Captured——General Canby won’t
return them 413
CHAPTER XXVII.
CAPTAIN JACK A DIPLOMAT——SHOOT ME IF YOU DARE.
The New Camp——The Modocs Allowed to Visit the Camp——Reasons for
it——The Seven Hours’ Talk with Captain Jack——The Diplomatic
Savage——His Skill in Debate——His Logic and his Eloquence——He
has Right on his Side——This the Only Extended Talk with the
Modocs——Capt. Jack’s Graphic Description of the “Ben Wright”
Massacre——This Cold-blooded Butcher Rewarded by our
Government——Full Report of this Meeting——Another Effort for
Peace——Tobey’s Mission——The Result——She is Warned by a
peace-loving Modoc——The Reports to the Commission——Some do not
Believe Her——The Indiscretion of Rev. Dr. Thomas——Stirring
News from the other Camp——Assassination Intended——Tobey is
Sent for by the Modocs——She Goes——Affecting Farewell to
Husband and Child——A Thrilling Scene in the Modoc Camp——True
Heroism——“I am a Modoc Woman; Shoot Me if You Dare”——The Camp
Moved——Strange Surroundings and Sad Reflections——An Incident——
Peace Council with the Modocs——Their Hostile Intentions
Foreshadowed——The Storm——Proposal to Adjourn——It is Treated
with Contempt by Jack——Says he shall not Melt like Snow——The
Council Adjourns 443
CHAPTER XXVIII.
WHO HAD BEEN THERE——WHO HAD NOT.
General Gilliam’s Opinion about Taking the Modocs——Colonel
Mason’s Opinion——Difference in Judgment——Another Discussion
Going On——Colonel Greene Speaks——Colonel Tom Wright in
Commissioners’ Tent——A Growl——Wager Offered——Proposition to
Send Away Nine Hundred Soldiers——Waiting for the Warm Springs——
Desertion——Common Soldiers’ Opinion——They Want Peace——
Commissioners’ Cooking——Work Divided——Canby Enjoys a Joke——
“Don’t Throw Off on Bro. Dyer” 457
CHAPTER XXIX.
UNDER A WOMAN’S HAT——THE LAST APPEAL.
New Efforts for Peace——Dr. Thomas’ Faith——It Avails Little——
Riddle Appealed to——The Author’s Fatal Absence——Modoc Cunning——
The Guileless Betrayed——The Author’s Fears——The Compact Made——
The Last Breakfast——The Indian Judas——He Wants Meacham to Wear
his New Boots——The Modoc Council——Captain Jack and Scar-face
Oppose the Massacre——The Former Taunted with being a White
Squaw——Being only a Representative Chief he Yields to the
Majority——The Bloody Work Allotted to Each——Another Butchery
Agreed upon——The Warning Repeated but Unheeded——Canby and Dr.
Thomas are Determined to go——The Latter Seems Doubtful of the
Result——The Farewell Letter——Tobey and Riddle Implore them not
to go——Meacham Makes One More Effort to Save Life——He Pleads
with Dr. Thomas and General Canby——A Sad Scene and a Terrible
Resolution——The Derringer Pistol——Departure for the Scene of
Slaughter 462
CHAPTER XXX.
ASSASSINATION——“KAU-TUX-E”——THE DEATH PRAYER
SMOTHERED BY BLOOD——RESCUED.
The Scene near the Council Tent——Several Desperate Modocs
Described——Preparing for the Carnival of Death——The Boy
Murderers and their Weapons——Bogus and Boston Announce the
Approach of the Commission——Why does Meacham Remove his
Overcoat——The Modocs Suspiciously Cordial——Fighting a Battle
with Pride——Appearance of the Commissioners——Hooker Jim’s
Strange Movements——The Intruder Near the Council Tent——The
Butchery for the Time Being Averted——Hooker-Jim’s Ominous
Movements——He puts on Meacham’s Overcoat——“Me old man Meacham
now”——This Act is instantly Interpreted——All are Conscious of
their Impending Doom——Reflections During the Fleeting Moments——
What will General Canby Say——Will he Accede to the Demand of
the Modocs and thus Avert Death——Will he Take the Soldiers
Away——He Breaks the Silence——Duty Dearer than Life——Death
before Dishonor——Dr. Thomas’s Last Speech——What will Captain
Jack do now——Will he Give the Signal——He Changes Places with
Schonchin——The Manner of the Latter——The Attack Begins——
General Canby the First to Fall——His Horrible Death——Dyer is
Shot at by Hooker-Jim——He Makes his Escape——Riddle Pursued by
Black Jim——The Latter Fires at Random——The Reason——The Bloody
Work of Boston and Hooker-Jim——Dr. Thomas’s Tragic End——His
Murderers Taunt him with his Religion——Why don’t he Turn the
Bullets——Schonchin, his Dagger and his Pistol——Meacham
Attacked by Schonchin——Slolux and Shack-Nasty Jim——The
Struggle for Life——Tobey’s Efforts to save Him——The Dreadful
Scene of the Tragedy——Boston as a Scalper——The Squaw Tobey——
Her Strategy——Another Bloody Tragedy Planned but not Executed——
Lethargy followed by Vigorous Action——Meacham Discovered——The
Stretcher——Brandy——“No Time for Temperance Talk”——The Council
Tent a Winding-sheet——Rewards to the Couriers——The
Eighty-three Mile Race——The Gray and the Pinto——The Exultant
Winner 478
CHAPTER XXXI.
HARNESSED LIGHTNING CARRYING AWFUL TIDINGS——HE
MAKES IT——A BROKEN FINGER WON’T DISFIGURE A
CORPSE.
Making Coffins in the Lava Bed——The Patient in the Hospital——A
Broken Finger will not Disfigure a Corpse——The Commotion in
the Modoc Camp——The Disputes——Common Interest a Strong Bond——
The Great Medicine Dance——The Modocs Exultant——The Wife’s
Suspense——The Dreadful News——Its Effect on Wife and Children——
First Robbed by the Government, then its Defenders——Our
Nation’s Perfidy——The Sorrowful Hearts at Home——Prayer and
Praise in Camp——A Lesson for Bigots and Cowards to Learn——The
Medicine Man in the Modoc Camp——He Fires the Modoc Heart——
Capt. Jack Despondent——Long Jim——Novel Scene in the Soldier’s
Camp——The Murder of the Commission to be Avenged——Long Jim
Escapes——Much Powder Wasted——“Nary a Wound” 508
CHAPTER XXXII.
HORIZONTAL PYROTECHNICS——THE SCALP MIRACLE——KILLED
IN PETTICOATS——THE PRESENTIMENT.
Preparations for Another Battle——Stretchers for the Wounded——
Mattresses and Lint——The Wounded Man in the Hospital Expects
Company——The Iowa Veteran——The Signal for Battle——It Begins——
Re-echoing of Cannon——The Assault——No Response Yet——Volleys
from the Concealed Foe——The Retreat——The Dead and Wounded——The
PAT-riotic Sutler——The Walking Sage Brush——The Wounded Pony——
Pat’s Head in Danger——The _Flat_ Assaulted——Lieut. Eagan
Falls——The Two Stages——The Remains of the Lamented Dead——The
Bereaved Widow and the Stricken Wife——The Wounded Warm Spring
Indian——He Ridicules Modoc Powder——The Modocs out of Water——
The Lady Passenger——Sympathy Extended——On Her Way to the Lava
Beds——The Welcome Letter——Still Alive, but Handsome No Longer——
The Battle for Water——The Fair-haired Boy——His Terrible
Presentiment——Courage Triumphs——His Lost Messages to Friends——
The Dread Reality——The Unexploded Shell does Execution——A
Scalp Cut to Suit——The Indian Plays Squaw——He is Suspected and
_Numerously_ Scalped——Military Bombast——Mourning for the Dead——
Remains of Canby and Thomas——The Stricken Parent——The Wife’s
Disappointment and Anguish——The Modocs Withdraw——The Soldiers
Deceived——They Surround Vacant Caves 522
CHAPTER XXXIII.
MUSIC DON’T SOOTHE A SAVAGE——FIGHTING THE DEVIL
WITH FIRE A FAILURE——“WE’LL BURY THE OLD MAN
ALIVE.”
Watching and Disappointment——Visit of Pia-noose to Meacham——Gen.
Canby’s Remains in Portland, Oregon——Burial of Dr. Thomas——
Burying a Leg——Col. Wright’s Opinion of the Modocs——Modocs in
New Camp——Young Hovey’s Father Informed of his Death——Modocs
Attack Gilliam’s Camp——“You can Play Dead, Old Man”——Scar-Face
an Artillery Officer——The Gray-eyed Man——Proposition to Bury
“The Old Man” Alive——Burial of Young Hovey——Extermination——
Indian Sympathy with Capt. Jack——Warm Spring Messenger to
Linkville——Another Disappointment for Mrs. Meacham——Twenty
Chances in a hundred for Life——The Twenty Chances Win——Hope
Dawns——Another Messenger Sent——Donald McKay in Camp——Reading
News to Meacham——Fairchild’s Opinion of Oregon Press——Ferree’s
Warning to Fairchild——His Reply——Gov. Grover Calls out
Volunteers——Meacham’s Departure for Home——Storm on the Lake——
Old Fields——A Sailor——Dr. Cabanis a Joker——Mrs. Meacham
Watching the Boat——Her Thoughts——The Meeting——Ferree’s
Introduction——Meacham on an Ambulance——Arrival at Linkville——
Big-hearted Men——Soft Hand and a Whispered Prayer 543
CHAPTER XXXIV.
AMEN OUT OF TIME——FRIENDLY ADVICE FROM ENEMIES——BETRAYED.
Meacham at Ferree’s——Then and Now——Capt. Jack——Another Scene in
the Hospital——Maybridge——Bunker Bildad——Modocs Impatient to be
on the Warpath——Gen. Canby’s Remains in San Francisco——The
Silver-haired Man in Iowa——The Warning against the Klamaths——
Old Father Jones and Brother Congar——The Misunderstanding——
Administering Saltpetre——Army Recruiting——Making Another
Coffin——Meacham Again in Danger——Iowa Veteran Ready to Dose
out Blue Pills——Location of Modocs——Reconnoissance Ordered——
Defeat of Thomas and Wright——Scenes of the Slaughter——Warm
Springs to the Rescue——Cranston’s Death——Thirty-four Modocs
Fighting Eighty Soldiers——Peace Commissioners not in the Way——
Lt. Harris’s Mother in Camp——Gen. Davis’s Report of the Fight——
Modocs Leave the Lava Beds——Dry Lake Battle——Modocs said to be
Whipped for Once——Treason of Hooker Jim to Bogus——Gen. Davis’s
Summary of Succeeding Events 562
CHAPTER XXXV.
LAST HIDING-PLACE——HANGING-MACHINE UNTRIED——MODOC
BUTCHERS OUTDONE.
Vivid Account of the Surrender of the Modoc Chiefs——Butchery by
“_Brave Civilized_” White Men——Oregon Laws——The White Butchers
not Arrested——Men who have Political Influence——The Gallows——A
Strange Sight to the Modocs——The Harmless Cannon——The Wails of
Anguish——Legal Justice——The Most Bloody Hands Escape——The
Courier’s Arrival——General Disappointment——A Summary of Scenes
and Events 582
CHAPTER XXXVI.
TAKING A SAFE LOOK AT A SUBDUED LION——POWER BEHIND
BAYONETS——WEAKNESS IN CHAINS.
A Fort Turned into a Court-House——The Prisoners at the Bar——
Those Glittering Bayonets——The Prisoners Arraigned——The Trial
Begins——A. B. Meacham in Court——Have the Prisoners no
Counsel?——Schonchin and Capt. Jack——They Extend their Hands to
Meacham——He Repels Them——The Reason for it——Meacham Advised by
his Physician not to Appear as Prisoner’s Counsel——The Trial
Goes On——Indian Testimony——They Seek to Shift the
Responsibility——Capt. Jack not Himself; “He cannot Talk with
Irons On.”——Hooker-Jim’s Weak Defence——The Modoc’s Attorney
Arrives Too Late——The Most Guilty Modocs Escape Punishment——
The Mistake of the Judge Advocate——The Finding of the Court——
The Death Sentence 607
CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE EXECUTION——THE ROYAL CHIEF OUT OF CHAINS.
Modocs in the Prison and Stockade——New Hanging-Machine——The
Announcement of the Death Sentence——The Fallen Chief——His
Speech——Boston Charley’s Speech——Schonchin’s——The Enraged
Modocs——The Unfettered Traitors——Scar-faced Charley——A Solemn
Scene and an Eloquent Prayer——A White Man in Tears over Red
Men’s Sorrows——Once Proud, Now Humble——Thunder-bolt from a
Clear Sky——Marble Tomb and Pearly Gate——Jumbled Theology——
Whirling Tempest——Roaring Cannon——Lightning Flashing and
Darkened Homes——Passing under the Cloud Alone——Anxious for a
Good Seat——Six Graves——Boston has a Rare Privilege——Short
Questions and Short Answers——More than Bogus could Stand——A
Sheriff among Soldiers——State Rights——United States——A Big
Offer for a Corpse——Under the Eye of Uncle Sam——The Prisoners
Waiting for Marching Orders——The Command: “Come Forth”——Then
and Now——Leaving Living Tombs for Permanent Homes——Solving the
Problem of _Six_ Graves and _Four_ Coffins——In Sight of the
Scaffold——Last in Crime——First to Mount the Ladder——The Chains
Drop Off——Six Graves——Six Ropes——Six Prisoners——Four Coffins——
Four Unfettered Convicts——Suspense Succeeds Certain Death——
Last March——A Single Strand and a Gleaming Axe——On the Drop
Waiting——Sitting on a Coffin Watching——Justice Making a
Protest——Forty Millions of People Talking at Once——What They
Say——The Problem Solved——Justice Surprised——The Last Prayer——
The Drop——Calling the Modoc Roll——The Missing——Where They Are——
Tragedy Ended 636
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
THE TWO GIBBETS.
Mementoes of the Horrid Butchery——A Nation’s Justice towards the
Strong, and its Tyranny over the Weak——Grant’s Humane Policy——
On Whom should the Blame Fall——The Answer——Witnesses Summoned
to Prove the White Man’s Perfidy——O. C. Applegate——His Record
of Bloody Deeds——Hon. J. W. Nesmith——His Intimate Acquaintance
with Indian Affairs——His Unequivocal Testimony——Dr. Wm. C.
McKay’s Testimony——General Harney Bears Witness to the
Indian’s Good Faith——The Indians Not the Aggressors in the
Oregon War——Testimony of Hon. Geo. E. Cole——Mutual Fear
resulting in Butchery——The Rogue River War——The Result——
Another Unimpeachable Witness, Gen. Joel Palmer——His Terrible
Arraignment of the Whites——Judge Steele——Ben Wright’s Plot to
Poison the Indians——Colonel Whiting——Forty-nine Indians
Butchered——A Tribute to Frontier Men——A Simple Remedy for the
_Great Wrong_ 663
WIGWAM AND WARPATH.
CHAPTER I.
EARLY REMINISCENCES, POW-E-SHIEK’S BAND.
“Oh, that mine enemy would write a book!” With that ominous warning
ringing in my ears, I sit down to write out my own observations and
experiences, not without full appreciation of the meaning and possible
reiteration of the above portentous saying. In so doing I shall endeavor
to state plain facts, in such a way, perhaps, that mine enemies will avail
themselves of the privilege.
Hoping, however, that I may disarm all malice, and meet with a fair and
impartial criticism, based on the principles of justice both to myself and
to the peoples of whom I write, I begin this book with the conviction that
the truths which I shall state, though told in homely phrase, will
nevertheless be well received by the reading public, and will accomplish
the purposes for which it is written; the first of which is to furnish
reliable information on the subject under consideration, with the hope
that when my readers shall have turned the last leaf of this volume they
may have a better understanding of the wrongs suffered and crimes
committed by the numerous tribes of Indians of the north-west.
Born on the free side of the Ohio river, of parents whose immediate
ancestors, though slave-holders, had left the South at the command of
conscientious convictions of the great wrong of human bondage, my earliest
recollections are of political discussions relating to the crime against
God and humanity; of _power_ compelling _weakness_ while groaning under
the oppression of wrongs to surrender its rights.
Coupled with the “great wrong” of which I have spoken, occasionally that
other wrong, twin to the first, was mentioned in my father’s family;
impressed upon my mind by stories I had heard of the treatment of Indians
who had in early days been neighbors to my parents, driven mile by mile
toward the setting sun, leaving a country billowed by the graves of their
victims mingled with bones of their own ancestors. What wonder, then,
that, while rambling through the beech woods of my native State, I should
speculate on the remnants of ruined homes which these people had left
behind them, and walk in awe over the battle-fields where they had
resisted the aggressive march of civilization?
While yet in childhood my parents migrated to what was then the “Far
West.” Our new home in Iowa was on the outskirts of civilization, our
nearest neighbors being a band of Sacs and Foxes,——“Saukees.” This was the
beginning of my personal acquaintance with Indians.
The stories that had kindled in my heart feelings of sympathy and
commiseration for them were forgotten for a time in the present living
history before my eyes.
I was one of a party who in 1844 assisted the Government in removing
Pow-e-shiek’s band from the Iowa river to their new home in the West. The
scenes around the Indian village on the morning of their departure were
photographed on my mind so plainly that now, after a lapse of thirty
years, they are still fresh in my memory, and the impressions made on me,
and resolves then made by me, have never been forgotten, notwithstanding
the terrible dangers through which I have since passed.
The _impression_ was, that _power_ and _might_ were compelling these
people to leave their homes against their wishes, and in violation of
justice and right. The resolution was, that, whenever and wherever I
could, I would do them justice, and contribute whatever of talent and
influence I might have to better their condition.
These impressions and resolutions have been my constant companions through
a stormy life of many years on the frontier of Iowa, California, and
Oregon.
The bloody tragedy in the Lava Beds, April, 1873, through which the
lamented Christian soldier, Gen. Canby, and the no less lamented eminent
preacher, Dr. Thomas, lost their lives, and by which I had passed so close
to the portals of eternity, has not changed my conviction of right, or my
determination to do justice to even those who so earnestly sought my life.
Narrow-minded, short-sighted men have said to me, more than once, “I
reckon you have suffered enough to cure all your fanatical notions of
humanity for these people!”
I pity the heart and intelligence of any man who measures principles of
justice and right by the gauge of personal suffering or personal
interest. It is unworthy of enlightened Christian manhood.
“By their works ye shall know them.” So may these people of whom I write
be adjudged in the lights of 1874; so shall this nation be adjudged; so
judge ye the author of this book.
The spring of 1845, Pow-e-shiek’s band of Sacs and Foxes were removed from
their home on Iowa river, twenty-five miles above Iowa City, Iowa, to
Skunk river, one hundred miles west. Eighteen or twenty teams were hired
by the Government to convey the household goods and supplies.
Among the number who furnished teams, my father was one, and I went as
captain of the ox-team. The Indians were assembled at the “Trading Post”
preparatory to starting. While the wagons were being loaded, some of them
were gathering up their horses and packing their goods, ready for
shipment; others were making the air vocal with wails of grief over the
graves of their friends, or from sadness, consequent on leaving the scenes
of a life-time.
I wonder not that they should reluctantly yield to inexorable fate, which
compelled them to leave their beautiful valley of the Iowa. “_The white
man wanted it_,” and they must retreat before the onward march of empire,
notwithstanding their nationality and their ownership of the country had
been acknowledged by the Government, when it went into treaty-council with
them for the lands they held. This was not on the plea of “eminent
domain,” but on account of the clamor for more room for the expanding
energies of a growing population.
“The white man wanted it,” tells the story, as it has been repeated, time
after time, since the founding of the Colonies in America.
I do not know that, in this instance, any advantage was taken of these
Indians, except that advantage which the powerful always have over the
weak. But I do know that if they had been allowed a choice, they never
would have consented to leave the graves of their fathers. ’Twas easy to
say, “It was a fair transaction of selling and buying.”
So is it a business transaction when a man buys the lots adjoining your
own, and builds high walls on three sides, erects powder magazines and
glycerine manufactories, corrupts city councils, and, by means of extra
privileges and excessive taxation, compels you to sell your valuable
property for a mere song, by saying, “Take my price for your property, or
run the risk of being blown up.”
Is it a fair “business transaction,” after he has thus forced the trade?
What though he does faithfully pay the contract-price? Does it atone for
the first moral wrong, in legally forcing the sale? And how much more
aggravated the injury becomes, when, through his agents, or his sons, he
“legitimately,” under various pretences, permits the unfortunate seller to
be robbed, by paying him off in “chips and whetstones,” that he does not
desire nor need, so that in the end he is practically defrauded out of his
property, and finds himself at the last payment, homeless and penniless.
All done, however, under the sanction of law, and in the shade of
church-steeples, and with sanctimonious semblance of honesty and justice.
The picture is not overdrawn. The illustration is fair, or, if deficient
at all, it has bean in excess of advantage to the principal, not the
victim. The latter has accepted the situation and suffered the
consequences.
To return to Pow-e-shiek’s band leaving their home. Who shall ever recount
the sorrows and anguish of those people, while they formed in line of
march, and turned their eyes for the last time upon the scenes that had
been all the world to them? What mattered it though they realized all the
pangs their natures were capable of, in those parting hours, with the
uncomfortable promises that the ploughshare of civilization would level
down the graves of their fathers, before their retreating footprints had
been obliterated from the trail which led them sadly away? They were
“Injins;” and they ought to have been in better luck than _being_
“Injins.”
Such was the speech of a white man in whose hearing I had said some word
of sympathy on the occasion. I did not like the unfeeling wretch then, and
have not much respect for him, or for the class he represents. Now I may
have charity and pity, too, for all such. Charity for the poverty of a
soul so devoid of the finer sensibilities of “common humanity that make
mankind akin;” pity for a heart overflowing with selfishness, made
manifest in thoughtless or spiteful speech.
The trying hour in the lives of these Indian people had come, and the long
cavalcade moved out along the line of westward march, wagons loaded with
corn and other supplies. The old men of the tribe, with darkened brows and
silent tongue, sat on their horses; the younger ones, with _seeming_
indifference, in red blankets, feathers, and gaudy paints, moving off on
prancing ponies, in little squads, to join the funeral pageant; for so it
was. They were leaving the cherished scenes of childhood to hunt for
sepulchres in the farther West.
The women, young and old, the drudges of the Indian household, as well as
homes, where the sunlight of civilization _should_ warm the hearts of men,
and move them to truer justice, were gathered up, and preparing their
goods for transportation, while bitter tears were flowing and loud
lamentations gave evidence of the grief that would not be repressed, and
each in turn, as preparations were complete, would lift the
pappoose-basket with its young soul to altitudes of mother’s back or
horse’s saddle, and then, with trembling limbs, climb to their seats and
join the sad procession, adding what of woful wailing seemed necessary to
make the whole complete with sights and sound that would bid defiance to
painter’s skill or poet’s words, though, in the memory of those who beheld
it, it may live as long as the throbs of sympathy which it kindled shall
repeat themselves in hearts that feel for human sorrow.
The first day’s journey measured but four miles; the next, six; and at
most never exceeded ten or twelve. I did not understand, then, why we went
so slow. It may have been necessary to “kill time,” in order to use up the
appropriation for the removal. When “camp” was reached, each day the
wagons were “corralled;” that is to say, were drawn together in a circle,
one behind another, and so close that when the teams were detached, the
“pole” laid upon the hind wheel of the next forward wagon would close up
the gap, and thus complete the “corral,” which was to answer the double
purpose of “penning the oxen when being yoked up,” and also as an
extempore fort in case of attack by the Sioux Indians.
The wick-e-ups——Indian tents——were scattered promiscuously around, as each
family might elect. After dinner was over the remainder of Uncle Sam’s
time was spent in various ways: horse-racing, foot-racing, card-playing,
shooting-matches by the men, white and red, while the women were doing
camp-work, cooking, getting wood, building lodges, etc.; for be it
understood, an old-style Indian never does such work any more than his
white brother would rock the cradle, or operate a laundry for his wife.
The old men would take turns standing guard, or rather sitting guard. At
all events they generally went out to the higher hills, and, taking a
commanding position, would sit down all solitary and alone, and with
blanket drawn around their shoulders and over their heads, leaving only
enough room for vision and the escape of smoke from their pipes.
In solemn silence, scanning the surroundings, hour after hour thus wore
away. There was something in this scene suggesting serious contemplation
to a looker-on, and I doubt not the reveries of the lone watchman savored
strongly of sadness and sorrow, _may be_ revenge.
[Illustration: THE LONE INDIAN SENTINEL.]
Approaching one old fellow I sought to penetrate his mind, and was
rewarded by a pantomimic exhibition, more tangible than “Black Crook” ever
witnessed from behind the curtains, while recuperating his wasted
energies that he might the more seemingly “play the devil.”
Rising to his feet and releasing one naked arm from his blanket, he
pointed toward the east, and with extended fingers and uprising, coming
gesture quickly brought his hand to his heart, dropping his head, as if
some messenger of despair had made a sudden call. He paused a moment, and
then from his heart his hand went out in circling, gathering motion, until
he had made the silent speech so vivid that I could see the coming throng
of white settlers and the assembling of his tribe; and then, turning his
face away with a majestic wave of his hand, I saw his sorrow-stricken
people driven out to an unknown home; while he, sitting down again and
drawing his blanket around him, refused me further audience. Perhaps he
realized that he had told the whole story, and therefore need say no more.
Often at evening we would gather around some grassy knoll, or, it may be,
some wagon-tongue, and white and red men mingled together. We would sit
down and smoke, and tell stories and recount traditions of the past.
Oftenest from Indian lips came the history of wars and dances, of scalps
taken and prisoners tortured.
At the time of which I write the “Saukies” were at variance with the
“hated Sioux,” and, indeed, the latter had been successful in a raid among
the herds of the former, and had likewise carried away captives. Hence the
sentinels on the outpost at evening.
Just at dusk one night, when the theme had been the “Sioux,” and our
thoughts were in that channel, suddenly the whole camp was in a blaze of
flashing muskets. We beat a hasty retreat to our wagons——which were our
only fortifications——with mingled feelings of fear and hope; fear of the
much-dreaded Sioux, and hope that we might witness a fight.
My recollection now is that _fear_ had more to do with our gymnastic
exercises round about the wagon-wheels than _hope_ had to do with getting
a position for observation. But both were short-lived, for soon our
red-skinned friends were laughing loud at our fright, and we, the victims,
joined in to make believe we were not scared by the unceremonious flight
of a flock of belated wild geese, inviting fire from the warriors of our
camp; for so it was and nothing more. Still it was enough to make
peace-loving, weak nerves shake, and heated brain to dream for weeks after
of Sioux and of Indians generally. I speak for myself, but tell the truth
of all our camp, I think.
The destination of our chief, Pow-e-shiek, and his band was temporarily
with “Kisk-ke-kosh,” of the same tribe, whose bands were on Desmoines
river. There is among all Indians, of whom I have any knowledge, a custom
in vogue of going out to meet friends, or important personages, to assure
welcome, and, perhaps, gratify curiosity.
When we were within a day or two of the end of our journey, a delegation
from Kisk-ke-kosh’s camp came out to meet our party, and, while the
greeting we received was not demonstrative in words, the younger people of
both bands had adorned themselves with paint, beads, and feathers, and
were each of them doing their utmost to fascinate the other. The scene
presented was not only fantastic, but as civilized, people would exclaim,
“most gay and gorgeous,” and exhilarating even to a looker-on.
At night they gathered in groups, and made Cupid glad with the battles
lost and won by his disciples. Then they danced, or, to ears polite,
“hopped,” or tripped the light fantastic moccasin trimmed with beads, to
music, primitive, ’tis true, but music made with Indian drums and rattling
gourds. They went not in waltz, but circling round and round, and always
round, as genteel people do, but round and round in single row, the
circling ends of which would meet at any particular point, or all points,
whenever the ring was complete, without reference to sets or partners, and
joining in the hi-yi-yi-eia-ye-o-hi-ye-yi; and when tired sit down on the
ground until rested, and then, without coaxing or renewed invitation,
joining in, wherever fancy or convenience suited; for these round dances
never break up at the unwelcome sound of the violin,——not, indeed, until
the dancers are all satisfied.
The toilets were somewhat expensive, at least the “outfit” of each maiden
cost her tribe several acres of land,——sometimes, if of fine figure,
several _hundred_ acres,——and not because of the long trails or expensive
laces, for they do not need extensive skirts in which to dance, or laces,
either, to enhance their charms; for the young gentlemen for whom they
dressed were not envious of dry goods or fine enamel, but rather of the
quality of paint on the cheeks of laughing girls; for girls will paint,
you know, and those of whom I write put it on so thick that their beaux
never have cause to say, “That’s too thin.”
The boys themselves paint in real genuine paint, not moustaches alone,
but eye-brows, checks, and hair. They wore feathers, too, because they
thought that feathers were good things to have at a round dance; and they
followed nature, and relieved the dusky maidens of seeming violation of
nature’s plain intention.
As I shall treat under the head of amusement the dances of Indians more at
length, I only remark, in this connection, that the dance on this
occasion, while it was a real “round dance,” differed somewhat from round
dances of more high-toned people in several ways, and I am not sure it was
not without advantage in point of accommodation to the finer feelings of
discreet mammas, or envious “wall-flowers.” At all events, as I have said
on former pages, the whole set formed in one circle, with close rank,
facing always to the front, and enlarged as the number of the dancers
grew, or contracted as they retired; but each one going forward and
keeping time with feet and hands to the music, which was low and slow at
first, with short step, increasing the music and the motion as they became
excited, until the air grew tremulous with the sounds, rising higher and
wilder, more and more exciting, until the lookers-on would catch the
inspiration and join the festive ring; even old men, who at first had felt
they could not spare dignity or muscle either, would lay aside their
blankets until they had lived over again the fiery scenes of younger days,
by rushing into the magnetic cordon, and, with recalled youth, forget all
else, save the soul-storming fury of the hour, sweetened with the charm of
exultant joy, over age and passing years.
And thus the dance went on, until at last by degrees the dancers had
reached an altitude of happiness which burst forth in simultaneous shout
of music’s eloquence, complete by higher notes of human voice drawn out to
fullest length.
The dance was over, and the people went away in groups of twos and threes.
The maidens, skipping home to the paternal lodge without lingering over
swinging gates, or waiting for answering maids to ringing bells, crept
softly in, not waking their mammas up to take off for them their
lengthened trails, but perhaps with wildly beating hearts from the dance
to dream-land.
The young braves gathered their scarlet blankets around them, and in
couples or threes, laughing as boys will do at silly jest of awkward maid
or swain, went where “tired Nature’s sweet restorer” would keep promise
and let them live over again the enchanting scenes of the evening, and
thus with _negative_ and photograph would _feel_ the picture of youth
their own.
The older men, whose folly had led them to display contempt for age, went
boldly home to lodge where the tired squaws had long since yielded to
exhausted nature, and were oblivious to the frolics of their _liege
lords_.
Mrs. Squaw had no rights that a brave was bound to respect. It was _her_
business to carry wood, build lodges, saddle his horse, and lash the
pappoose in the basket, and do all other drudgery. It was _his_ to wear
the gayest blanket, the vermilion paint, and eagle-feathers, and ride the
best horses, have a good time generally, and whip his squaws when drunk
or angry; and it was nobody’s business to question _him_. He was a _man_.
Now, if my reader has failed to see the picture I have drawn of Indian
dances, I promise you that, before our journey is ended, I will try again
a similar scene, where the music of tall pine-trees and tumbling torrents
from hoary mountains will give my pencil brighter hues and my hand a
steadier, finer touch.
The arrival of our train at the camp of Kisk-ke-kosh called out whatever
of finery had not been on exhibition with the welcoming party who had come
out to meet us. And when the sun had gone down behind the Iowa prairies
the dances were repeated on a larger scale.
The following day we were paid off and signed the vouchers. Don’t know
that it was intended; don’t know that it was not; but I do remember that
we were allowed the same number of days in which to return that we had
occupied in going out, although on our homeward journey we passed each day
two or three camps made on the outward journey. I ventured to make some
remark on the subject, suggesting the injustice of taking pay for more
time than was required for us to reach home, and a nice kind of a
churchman, one who could drive oxen without swearing, said in reply, “Boys
should be seen and not heard, you little fool!”
He snubbed me then, but I never forgot the deep, earnest resolve I made to
thrash him for this insult when “_I got to be a man._” But, poor fellow,
he went years ago where boys _may_ be heard as well as seen, and I forgive
him.
We met the rushing crowds who were going to the “New Purchase”; so eager,
indeed, that, like greedy vultures which circle round a dying charger and
then alight upon some eminence near, or poise themselves in mid air,
impatient for his death, sometimes swoop down upon him before his heart
has ceased to beat.
So had these emigrants encamped along the frontier-line, impatient for the
hour when the red man should pull down his wigwam, put out his
council-fires, collect his squaws, his pappooses, and his ponies, and turn
his back upon the civilization they were bringing to take the place of
these untamed and savage ceremonies. While the council-fire was dying out,
another was being kindled whose ruddy light was to illuminate the faces,
and warm the hands of those who, following the westward star of empire,
had come to inherit the land, and build altars wherefrom should go up
thanks to Him who smiled when he created the “beautiful valley” of the
Iowa.
How changed the scene! Then the gray smoke from Indian lodge rose slowly
up and floated leisurely away. Now from furnace-blast it bursts out in
volume black, and settles down over foundry and farm, city and town,
unless, indeed, the Great Spirit sends fierce tempests, as an omen of his
wrath, at the sacrilege done to the red man’s home.
_Then_ the forest stood entire, like harp-strings whereon the Great Spirit
might utter tones to soothe their stormy souls, or rouse them to deeds in
vindication of rights he had bequeathed.
_Now_ they live only in part, the other part decaying, while groaning
under the pressure of the iron heel of power.
Bearing no part in sweet sounds, unless indeed it be sweet to hear the
iron horse, with curling breath, proclaiming the advance of legions that
worship daily at Mammon’s shrine, or bearing forward still further
westward the enterprising men and women who are to work for other lands a
transformation great as they have wrought for this.
Then on the bosom of the river the red man’s children might play in light
canoe, or sportive dive, to catch the mimic stars that seemed to live
beneath its flow, to light the homes of finny tribes who peopled then its
crystal chambers.
_Now_, it is turgid and slow, and pent with obstructions to make it flow
in channels where its power is wanted to complete the wreck of forests
that once had made it cool, fit beverage for nature’s children, or is
muddied with the noisy wheels of commerce, struggling to rob the once
happy home of Pow-e-shiek, of the charms and richness of soil that
nature’s God had given.
The prairies, too, at that time, were like a shoreless sea when, half in
anger, the winds resist the ebb or flow of its tides; or they may be
likened to the clouds, which seem to be mirrored on their waving surface,
sporting in the summer air, or, at the command of the Great Spirit, hurry
to join some gathering tempest, where He speaks in tones of thunder, as if
to rebuke the people for their crimes.
Where once the wild deer roamed at will is enlivened now by the welcome
call of lowing herds of tamer kind.
The waving grass, and fragrant flowers, too, gave way to blooming maize of
finer mould.
The old trails have been buried like the feet that made them, beneath the
upturned sod.
And now, while I am writing, this lovely valley rings out a chant of
praise to God, for his beneficence, instead of the weird wild song of
Pow-e-shiek and his people at their return from crusades against their
enemies.
Who shall say the change that time and civilization have wrought, have not
brought nearer the hour, “When man, no more an abject thing, shall from
the sleep of ages spring,” and be what God designed him, “pure and free?”
No one, however deeply he may have drank from the fount of justice and
right, can fail to see, in the transformation wrought on this fair land,
the hand of Him whose finger points out the destiny of his peculiar
people, and yearly gives token of his approbation, by the return of
seasons, bringing rich reward to the hands of those whom he has called to
perform the wonders of which I write, in compensation for the hardships
they endured, while the transit was being made from the perfection of
untamed life to the higher state of civilization.
While we praise Him who overrules all, we cannot fail to honor His
instrumentalities.
The brave pioneers, leaving old homes in other lands to find new ones in
this, have made sacrifices of kindred, family ties, and early
associations, at the behest of some stern necessity (it may be growing out
of bankruptcy of business, though not of pride and honor, or manly
character), or ambition to be peers among their fellows.
Or, mayhap, the change was made by promptings of parental love for
children whose prospects in life might be made better thereby, and the
family unity still preserved by locating lands in close proximity, where
from his home the father might by some well-known signal call his children
all around him. Where the faithful watch-dog’s warning was echoed in every
yard, and thus gave information of passing events worthy of his attention
enacting in the neighborhood. Where the smoke from cabin chimneys high
arose, mingled in mid air, and died away in peaceful brotherhood. Where
the blended prayer of parent and child might go up in joint procession
from the school-house-churches through the shining trees that answered
well for steeples then, or passing through clouds to Him who had made so
many little groves, where homes might be made and prepared the most
beautiful spots on earth for final resting-place, where each, as the
journey of life should be over, might be laid away by kindred hands, far
from the hurrying, noisy crowds, who rush madly along, or stop only to
envy the dead the ground they occupy, and speculate how much filthy lucre
each sepulchre is worth.
Others went to the new country with downy cheeks of youth, and others
still with full-grown beards, who were fired with high ambition to make
name, fame, home, and fortune, carrying underneath their sombre hats
bright ideas and wonderful possibilities, with hearts full of manly
purposes, beating quickly at the mention of mother’s name or father’s
pride, sister’s prayer or brother’s love.
And with all these to buoy them up, would build homes on gentle slope, or
in shady grove, and thus become by slow degrees “one among us.”
I was with the first who went to this new country, and I know whereof I
write. I know more than I have told, or will tell, lest by accident I
betray the petty jealousies that cropped out; when Yankee-boys, forgetting
the girls they left behind them, would pay more attention to our western
girls than was agreeable to “us boys.”
Others there were who had followed the retreating footsteps of the
Indians. These were connecting links between two kinds of life, savage and
civilized. Good enough people in their way, but they could not bear the
hum of machinery, or the glitter of church-spires, because the first drove
back the wild game, and the devotees who worshipped beneath the second,
forbade the exercise of careless and wicked noises mingling with songs of
praise.
A few, perhaps, had fled from other States to avoid the consequences of
technical legal constructions which would sadly interfere with their
unpuritanical ways. But these were not numerous. The early settlers, taken
all in all, possessed many virtues and qualifications that entitled them
to the honor which worthy actions and noble deeds guarantee to those who
do them. They had come from widely different birth-lands, and brought with
them habits that had made up their lives; and though each may have felt
sure their own was the better way, they soon learned that honest people
may differ and still be honest. And to govern themselves accordingly, each
yielded, without sacrifice of principle, their hereditary whims and
peculiar ways, and left the weightier matters of orthodoxy or heterodoxy
to be argued by those who had nothing better with which to occupy their
time than to muddle their own and other people’s brains with abstruse
themes.
The “early settlers” were eminently practical, and withal successful in
moulding out of the heterogeneous mass of whims and prejudices a common
public sentiment, acceptable to all, or nearly so. And thus, they grew,
not only in numbers but in wealth, power, intelligence, and patriotism,
until to-day there may be found on the once happy home of Pow-e-shiek a
people rivalling those of any other State, surpassing many of them in that
greatest and noblest of all virtues, “love for your neighbor.”
No people in all this grand republic furnished truer or braver men for the
holocaust of blood required to reconsecrate the soil of America to freedom
and justice, than those whose homes are built on the ruins of
Pow-e-shiek’s early hunting-grounds. Proud as the record may be, it shall
yet glow with names written by an almost supernal fire, that warms into
life the immortal thought of poets, and the burning eloquence of orators.
We are proud of the record of the past, and cherish bright hopes of the
future. But with all our patriotic exultations, memory of Pow-e-shiek’s
sacrifices comes up to mingle sadness with our joy. Sadness, not the
offspring of reproach of conscience for unfair treatment to him or his
people by those who came after he had gone at the invitation of the
Government, but sadness because he and his people could not enjoy what
other races always have, the privilege of a higher civilization; sadness,
because, while our gates are thrown wide open and over them is written in
almost every tongue known among nations, “Come share our country and our
government with us,” it was closed behind him and his race, and over those
words painted, in characters which he understood, “Begone!”