[From the New York Herald,
1873; story by Edward Fox]
Fairchild’s Ranch, Feb. 23, 1873.
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esterday Captain O. Applegate and Captain Free left for Yainax
reservation in order to attend to the delivery of some supplies to their
Indians. Lalake, a Klamath chief, John Parker, Klamath Indian, and Modoc Sally,
arrived from the reservation per order of the Peace Commissioners. They will be
used in the negotiations with Captain Jack’s Indians, as Modoc Sally speaks
tolerably good English. At eleven o’clock P.M. Bob Whittle and his [wife
Matilda] returned from Captain Jack’s camp, bringing with them a Modoc named
Dave, who had been sent by Captain Jack to hear what the Commissioners had to
say. Bob Whittle says that the Indians appear willing to talk and that he
thinks Captain Jack is still in power. They asked him how many citizens had
been whipped in the fight, meaning how many were killed. Whittle told them, and
then asked how many Indians had been whipped. Captain Jack said none, He
thought white man no try to kill Indian; lay on back and fire in air. Whittle
said he counted between forty-two and forty-three bucks present at the talk,
which will verify their statement, as that is about the number the settlers
thought were in the fight.
A telegraphic despatch was received yesterday from Secretary Delano
stating that Judge Rosborough, of Yreka, had been appointed on the Commission. There
are fears, however, entertained here that, as the Judge is now on the Circuit,
he will be unable to come. His presence would certainly be of material benefit,
as the Indians have confidence in him and would believe any promise he made. At
present there is no man on the Commission in whom they have confidence.
The Peace Commission met this morning and heard Whittle’s
report. The [women] Matilda and Artena and the Modoc Indian Dave were present. Mr.
Whittle stated that when he got within a mile and a half he saw some mounted
Indians riding along the crest of a hill. I then saw about twenty Indians on
foot, who stopped when one hundred yards distant. I got off my horse, and Long
Jim and Steamboat Frank came up and I shook hands with them. They then laid
down their guns, and the rest of the Indians on foot then came up and I shook
hands with them. Captain Jack then rode up with his party, dismounted and shook
hands. They all sat down, Captain Jack in the centre, John Schonchin on the
left and the Curley-Headed Doctor on the right. I told them what Mr. Meacham
had said about his trying to get them that land on Lost River, and also that he
was away when they were put on the reservation, and was not responsible for
their treatment when there.
Captain Jack remembered his meeting with Jesse Applegate and
Judge Rosborough and their talk about the Lost River land. I then told them
about the other Commissioners, and they said they were glad they had come, as
they wanted to talk. They said they were willing to meet on the Platte [flat in
other accounts], about twenty-one miles distant from Van Bremer’s, and have a
talk on Tuesday at noon. They would all come, as they wanted to hear what the
Commissioners had to say. They wanted to talk to their friends, Fairchild,
Steele or Rosborough; did not know these Commissioners, whether their hearts
were good. Wanted especially to see Fairchild.
… Matilda then pointed out to the Indian Dave who the
Commissioners were, and he went back to-day, bearing the instructions that
Fairchild, Whittle and the two [women] would come to see them to-morrow and
have a talk and make arrangements for the grand meeting.
Mr. Meacham and the Commissioners appear to be throwing every
obstruction in the way of a public investigation of this matter, and ordered
Whittle and Fairchild on no account to allow any reporters to go with
them. This is not the first attempt that
has been made to prevent the press from obtaining direct information, as we
were excluded from the examination of … Matilda after her return from the first
visit to the lava beds.
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