THE ORDEAL OF CAPTAIN JACK

CHAPTER 10

THE ORDEAL OF CAPTAIN

JACK

CALIFORNIA INDIANS-•1S T EUROPEAN CONTACT WAS SPANISH• Renamed• Converted to Christianity


JACK

CALIFORNIA INDIANS-• 1848 CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH• Brought 1,000s of whites west• 100s of tribes completely exterminated

MODOCS-•AVOIDED CONTACT UNTIL 1850S• Hidden away in Tule Lake area


JACK

Tule

Lake

KINTPUASH-•SON OF MODOC CHIEF• Thought whites and Modoc could live in peace• Father believed whites needed to be driven out


JACK

KINTPUASH-• FATHER KILLED BY WHITE SETTLERS•Kintpuash became chief

KINTPUASH-•WENT TO SETTLEMENTS TO FIND PEACEFUL WHITES• Found them in Yreka


JACK

PEACE WITH THE MODOCS-• MODOCS ABLE TO TRADE IN PEACE•Whites gave Modoc new names•Kintpuash became Captain Jack

EFFECT OF U.S. CIVIL WAR-•TROUBLE AROSE• Modocs would occasionally kill a cow for food• Borrow a horse

• Excused by white friends as “usage tax”


JACK

EFFECT OF U.S. CIVIL WAR-• NON-FRIENDLY WHITES TROUBLE•Wanted removal• Politically arranged for removal treaty

REMOVAL TREATY PROPOSED-•WOULD MOVE MODOC TO KLAMATH REZ• Captain Jack reluctant, but signed


JACK

TROUBLE ON THE NEW REZ-• TREATED AS INVADERS BY KLAMATH• Promised supplies never arrived•Klamath stole what little the Modoc had• Rez agent supplied Klamath w/food, clothes• Ignored needs of Modoc

SEARCH FOR SURVIVAL-•CAPTAIN JACK LED PEOPLE TO LOST RIVER• In search of food• Wanted area for new reservation


JACK

SEARCH FOR SURVIVAL -• INDIAN BUREAU APPROVED REQUEST• Ranchers did not want to give up grazing land•Modoc ordered to return in autumn of 1872

MODOC RESISTANCE-•MODOC REFUSED TO RETURN TO KLAMATH• November 1872 Army sent to force return• Major James Jackson and 38 troops deployed

from Ft. Klamath


JACK


JACK

Lost River Valley

Ft Klamath and Upper Klamath

Lake

THE CAVALRY ARRIVES-•MJR JACKSON ARRIVED AT DAWN• Scarfaced Charley and other warriors came out

armed


JACK

THE RETURN NORTH-• CAPT JACK AGREES TO RETURN• Capt Jack scolds Mjr Jackson

• See page 222

SHOTS FIRED-•MODOC ORDERED TO DISARM• Capt Jack objected

• Had never had trouble with whites, wouldn’t start now


JACK

SHOTS FIRED-• CAPT JACK LAID DOWN HIS RIFLE• Others followed example

SHOTS FIRED-•SCARFACED CHARLEY KEPT PISTOL ON HIP• Ordered to surrender it


JACK

SHOTS FIRED-• LT FRAZIER BOUTELLE ORDERED TO DISARM CHARLEY• Shots ensue (See page 224)

SHOTS FIRED-•TWO SIDES EXCHANGE FIRE• 1 soldier killed, seven wounded


JACK

ON THE RUN-• DURING SHOOT-OUT• Women and children board canoes

• Followed Lost River south

ON THE RUN-•MEN FOLLOWED ON LAND• Hid in reeds on riverbanks• Headed south of Tule Lake to California Lava

Beds• Traditional stronghold of the Modoc


JACK

ON THE RUN-•LAVA BEDS WERE A NATURAL FEATURE• Fires had created fissures, crevices, and caves

• Some ravines more than 100 ft deep


JACK

ON THE RUN-• TOOK REFUGE IN CRATER-LIKE PIT• SURROUNDED BY NATURAL TRENCHES

AND BREASTWORKS• HOPED TO BE LEFT IN PEACE• WHITES WOULD NOT WANT LAVA BEDS


JACK


JACK

Captain Jack’s

Stronghold Home


JACK

DURING FIGHT WITH CAPT JACK-•SETTLERS ATTACKED HOOKER JIM’S CAMP• Located across Lost River


JACK

FIGHT WITH HOOKER JIM-• JIM REACHED LAVA BEDS TWO DAYS LATER• Whites had killed a baby, old woman, wounded

several men• For revenge, Jim’s crew killed 12 white settlers on

way to Lava Beds

DEATH OF THE SETTLERS-•MANY HAD BEEN TRUSTED MODOC FRIENDS• Hooker Jim scolded by Capt Jack• Told Jim responsibility for deaths would be Jim’s


JACK

DEATH OF THE SETTLERS-•JACK KNEW ARMY WOULD COME• Would be seeking revenge• Jack would be held responsible for murders


JACK

ARMY ARRIVES-• JANUARY 13, 1873• Scouting party spotted Modoc positions• Attacked on January 16

ARMY ARRIVES-•225 REGULAR ARMY• Supported by 104 Oregon/California Volunteers

• Took positions overlooking stronghold under cover of fog


JACK

ARMY ARRIVES-• CAPTAIN JACK FAVORED SURRENDERING• WILLING TO PUT HIS LIFE IN HANDS OF

SOLDIER CHIEFS• WOULD SAVE MANY OF HIS PEOPLE FROM

DYING IN A BATTLE

THE WAR BEGINS-•MODOC WARRIORS HID UNDER SAGE HEAD COVERINGS• Moved amongst crevices picking off soldiers


JACK

THE WAR BEGINS-• HOOKER JIM AND CURLY HEADED

DOCTOR WANTED TO FIGHT• Warriors met and voted

• 37-14 supported fighting

BY MIDDAY-•SOLDIERS SPREAD OUT OVER A MILE• Communication broken• Fog and terrain impeded U.S.


JACK

BY MIDDAY-• WARRIORS RAN BACK AND FORTH

ACROSS FRONT• Gave soldiers appearance of high numbers

STRONG DEFENSE-•WHEN SOLDIERS APPROACHED FRONT• Warriors concentrated fire on group• Women helped in shooting


JACK

THAT EVENING-• ELLEN’S MAN LED A CHARGE ON U.S.• SOLDIERS RETREATED

• LEFT CASUALTIES ON THE FIELD

END OF THE DAY-•MODOCS HAD SUFFERED NO CASUALTIES!• Soldiers returned next morning• Under white flag• Allowed to retrieve dead and wounded• Left Lava Bed area completely


JACK

MOVE FOR PEACE-•IN FEBRUARY• Winema came to stronghold• Capt Jack’s cousin• Had married a white man• Became Toby Riddle


JACK

TALK OF PEACE-•WINEMA TOLD JACK OF PEACE COMMISSION• Hooker Jim and other killers would have to

surrender• Arrested as prisoners of war• Would be sent to Indian Territory


JACK

TALK OF PEACE-• JACK AGREED TO MEET

TALK OF PEACE-•HOOKER JIM AND OTHERS WENT TO SURRENDER• Reported to Commission at Fairchild Ranch

• Met w/Commissioners• Alfred Meacham, Former Modoc Agent• Eleazar Thomas, Clergyman• L.S. Dyar, Klamath Sub-Agent• General R.S. Canby, Commander of Troops in area


JACK


CAPTAIN JACK

HOOKER JIM

CURLY HEADED DOCTOR


General Edward

R.S. Canby

TALK OF PEACE -•IN EXCITEMENT OF SURRENDER

• Canby failed to place Hooker Jim and others under arrest


JACK

TALK OF PEACE-• WHILE LOOKING AROUND CAMP

• Jim ran into Oregon citizen• Promised to see the Modoc hanged• Fled camp immediately

TALK OF PEACE -•POLITICAL PRESSURE CHANGED CANBY• Repealed offer of amnesty to Hooker Jim

• Modoc would now be arrested and tried in civilian court


JACK

TALK OF PEACE-• CAPT JACK IN A JAM

• Could turn over Hooker Jim to save his people• Jim had come to him for protection as chief

TALK OF PEACE -•MARCH 21

• Surgeon from Peace camp rode to Stronghold• Arranged meeting between Canby and Jack

• Jack told Canby to remove troops from Lava Beds


JACK

TALK OF PEACE-• AFTER IMPASSE

• Canby set artillery opposite Modoc camp• Easily within range of Stronghold

TALK OF PEACE -• APRIL 2

• Commission, Winema, and Frank Riddle rode toward Stronghold• Met Jack, Jim, and other warriors to council

• Modoc had brought women as sign of peace


JACK

TALK OF PEACE-• JACK DEMANDED TROOPS BE MOVED

• Canby replied that troops were closer because he had moved his camp closer to Stronghold• Made meeting Modoc easier

TALK OF PEACE -•JACK, AGAIN, DEMANDED SANCTUARY FOR JIM

• Canby made no promises• Next council held in plain view of artillery formation


JACK

TALK OF PEACE-• JACK MET SECRETLY W/FAIRCHILD AND MEACHAM

• Begged for rez on Lost River• Meacham stated it was impossible

• In Oregon Territory near murder sites

TALK OF PEACE -•MEACHAM ASKED FOR HOOKER JIM AND

OTHERS• Capt Jack would not give them up

• Knew they would be tried in civilian court


JACK

PREPARING FOR WAR-• MEACHAM INFORMED CANBY OF MEETING

• Canby sent Winema to Stronghold• Would escort any Modoc back to Canby that wanted to surrender

• 11 Modoc accept offer

PREPARING FOR WAR-•ON RETURN TO CAMP, WINEMA STOPPED

• Relative named Weuim warned her not to return to Stronghold again• Hooker Jim planning to kill anyone who came to camp


JACK

PREPARING FOR WAR-• WIMENA TOLD HUSBAND

• Frank Riddle relayed message to Canby• His warning was dismissed by Commission

PREPARING FOR WAR-•AT STRONGHOLD, TALK OF WAR BEGAN• See pages 233-234


JACK

PREPARING FOR WAR-• CAPT JACK FOUGHT AGAINST WAR• Warriors threw shawl on him

• Mocked him as a woman• Jack promised to kill Canby

PREPARING FOR WAR-•BOSTON CHARLEY SENT TO CANBY

• Modoc wanted April 11 council• Come unarmed, as would Modoc


JACK

PREPARING FOR WAR-• CAPT JACK MADE 2ND PLEA TO WARRIORS• War would led to death of all Modoc

• Would keep word to kill Canby if warriors wanted

LAST CHANCE FOR PEACE-•JACK WOULD NOT KILL CANBY IF SIDES

COULD REACH AGREEMENT• Sides met on Good Friday 1873


JACK

LAST CHANCE FOR PEACE-• MODOCS CAME W/HIDDEN WEAPONS• Meacham and Dyer carried derringers in their pockets

LAST CHANCE FOR PEACE-•JACK ASKED FOR REZ IN MODOC

COUNTRY•Told that would not be possible

•Modoc could remain in Lava Beds until permanent rez established


JACK

LAST CHANCE FOR PEACE-• MODOCS WOULD NOT CONTINUE TALKS UNTIL

SOLDIERS WERE SENT AWAY• Canby did not have that power

LAST CHANCE FOR PEACE-•JACK DEMANDED CANBY PROMISE REZ IN

MODOC LAND•Meacham sensed trouble

•Begged Canby to promise (even if he didn’t mean it)


JACK

TIME FOR WAR-• CAPT JACK SPRUNG TO HIS FEET• Fired twice at Canby (1st shot was misfire)

• Canby killed

TIME FOR WAR-•OTHERS FOLLOWED JACK’S LEAD

•Boston Charley killed Rev. Thomas•Winema saved Meacham

•Riddles, Meacham, Dyer escaped


JACK

TIME FOR WAR-• WAR BEGAN THREE DAYS LATER• Why wait three days?

• What happened on Sunday?

TIME FOR WAR-•INITIAL ARMY CHARGE FOUND NOTHING•Modoc hiding in caves and tunnels•Army did brave thing-sent in other Indians to find the Modoc


JACK

TIME FOR WAR-• 72 WARM SPRING INDIANS FROM OREGON

FOUND MODOC HIDE-OUT• Army stormed in

• Nearly wiped out by Modoc ambush

TIME FOR WAR-•ARMY FIREPOWER STARTED TO

OVERWHELM•Modoc forced to scatter

•Eat horses for food and began running out of water


JACK

COWARD’S END-• HOOKER JIM AND CAPT JACK BEGAN FIGHTING• Arguing over strategy• Jim did only thinkable thing…

COWARD’S END-•HOOKER JIM SURRENDERED

•Abandoned Captain Jack•Jack left w/37 warriors to fight over 1,000 soldiers


JACK

COWARD’S END-• HOOKER JIM BETRAYED CHIEF THAT

PROTECTED HIM• Surrendered to new military commander

• General Jefferson C. Davis

COWARD’S END-•HOOKER JIM GIVEN PROTECTION OF

ARMY!!•Sent to find Captain Jack


JACK

COWARD’S END-• JIM MET W/ JACK TO ASK FOR SURRENDER• Told Jack whites would show justice toward Modoc

• Capt Jack ticked off

COWARD’S END-•CAPTAIN JACK REACTS

•See page 239


JACK

COWARD’S END-• JACK‘S REACTION JUSTIFIED• Jim’s band had killed the settlers• Jim had mocked Jack as a woman• Jim had forced Jack into promising to kill Canby• Jim was now the white man’s dog

COWARD’S END-•CAPTAIN JACK PROMISED TO KILL

•Hooker Jim or other traitor that came within range again


JACK

THE END-• JACK HELD OUT FOR ONLY A FEW DAYS MORE• Eventually trapped by small party of troops

• Only 3 warriors remained with Jack to the end• Others had surrendered• “Jack’s legs gave out, I am ready to die.”

THE END-•CAPTAIN JACK TRIED IN JULY AT FT

KLAMATH•Tried w/Schonchin John, Boston Charley, Black Jim

•Not provided with lawyers, but allowed to cross-examine•During trial, gallows being constructed outside court


JACK

THE END-•MOST DAMNING TESTIMONY FROM HOOKER

JIM•Agreed to testify against Jack and others for his own freedom


JACK

THE END-• CAPTAIN JACK HANGED ON OCTOBER 3• Body dug up and embalmed in Yreka

• Sent to East as carnival attraction• Admission 10¢

EXILE-•SURVIVING 153 MODOC

•Sent to Indian Territory•Hooker Jim died six years later•Nearly 100 died before 1909


JACK

EXILE-•53 SURVIVORS RETURNED TO OREGON

RESERVATION IN 1909

THE ORDEAL OF CAPTAIN JACK

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