Chapter VII: Klamaths

1. KLAMATHS.

A comprehensive name applied to this as well as to several tribes on the Klamath River, differing in language and type. Live mainly by fishing and root-digging. By treaty in 1864 the Klamaths and Modocs ceded all their lands, reserving a small tract on Klamath Lake, in Oregon, of 1,600 square miles, the Government to pay $8,000 in fifteen years, as well as other large sums for subsistence. Much of their reservation is mountainous, only a small portion being fit for cultivation. The Klamaths did not like the introduction of the Modocs on their reservation, and it eventually led to the Modoc war. They now number 676, and are quite prosperous. Have a large number of horses and cattle, but derive their chief support by lumbering.

_List of illustrations._

975-6. WAL-AIKS-SKI-DAT.

Known as David Hill, cousin of Captain Jack, is the war chief of the
Klamaths (the parent tribe of the Modocs), and is recognized as the
leader in civilization of all the Indians of the Lake country. He is
33 years of age. He distinguished himself, before the Indians were
gathered into reservations, as the leader of the young braves of the
Klamaths in their wars with surrounding tribes, and his military
record shows that he has never known defeat. He has always been the
friend of the white man. In the long protracted fight with the Snake
tribe, lasting over eight years, he was our ally as the leader of
the Klamath warriors. He commanded the Klamath scouts during the war
with Captain Jack. Mr. Hill is a christianized Indian, and is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His father was the first
chief who became friendly with the white man. This was in 1843, when
he met Fremont and acted as his guide.

977. YUM-NIS-POC-TIS.

(Chief without beads), better known as Tecumseh, is the "medicine
man" of the Klamaths, and is the descendant of a long line of
"medicine men." He has had a Damon and Pythias friendship with David
Hill since his childhood. In his native tongue he is famous as an
orator. He won great distinction in the Snake war, as Hill's
comrade; and, with him, is the earnest champion of civilization in
his tribe. He is also a Methodist and lives a civilized life in the
reservation. Both Tecumseh and Hill are covered with scars that they
have received in their desperate conflicts.

2. MODOCS.

The Modocs were originally part of the Klamaths, but recently hostile to them. Their name is an Indian word meaning _enemies_. Their original territory was on the south side of Klamath Lake, including some 4,000 square miles. Were early known as a treacherous and cruel people, and up to 1850 had cut off more than 50 whites. Engagements followed between them and the whites in 1851--when Wright massacred 41 out of a total of 46--which were kept up until 1864, when they agreed to go on a reserve. The treaty to that effect was not ratified for seven years, and in the mean time were induced to go on the Klamath reserve. Were harassed and dissatisfied, and afterwards put on Yaniax reservation, but most of the tribe left under two rival chiefs, Schonchin and Captain Jack. The former settled peaceably near the settlements, while the latter went back to their old home and became troublesome. In 1872, were ordered back to the reserve, and upon their refusing to go troops were called on to enforce the order, the citizens joining in an attack on their entrenched camps, but were repulsed. The Modocs then retreated to the "lava-beds," a volcanic region so broken up into great caves and fissures as to serve as a natural fortification. After several engagements a commission was organized to enquire into the trouble, and while holding a conference with the leaders were attacked, and General Canby and Dr. Thomas were killed, (April 11, 1873.) After two months' further operations, the hostiles were reduced, their leaders hung, and the rest removed to the Indian Territory. About 100 who took no part in the trouble remained at the Klamath agency.

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1008. SCAR-FACED CHARLEY.

The famous war chief of the lava-bed warriors, and the greatest of
their soldiers. He was the most trusted of Captain Jack's braves,
and the most desperate of his fighters. Rev. Dr. Thomas; who was
slain at the peace-commission massacre, on the day before his death
called Scar-Faced Charley the "Leonidas of the lava-beds." He was
never known to be guilty of any act not authorized by the laws of
legitimate warfare, and entered his earnest protest against the
assassination of General Canby and Dr. Thomas. He led the Modocs
against Major Thomas and Colonel Wright when the United States
troops were so disastrously repulsed and when two-thirds of our men
were killed and wounded. Wearied of the slaughter, he shouted to the
survivors, "You fellows that are not dead had better go home; we
don't want to kill you all in one day." He has said since, "My heart
was sick of seeing so many men killed."

1009. SHACK-NASTY JIM.

The sub-chief of the tribe and chief of the Hot Creek band of the
Modocs; although hardly twenty-one years of age, is known throughout
Christendom as one of the most fearless warriors that the red men
ever sent to fight the pale-faces. He led the tribal forces that
suffered most severely. After the massacre he quarrelled with
Captain Jack; and, with "Bogus Charley," "Hooker Jim," and
"Steamboat Frank," became scout for General Jeff. C. Davis--which
led to the capture of the remnants of the Modoc army.

1010. STEAMBOAT FRANK.

One of the participators in the Modoc war, but after the massacre of
General Canby's party, left his tribe, and as a scout under General
Davis, did good service in securing the capture of the remnants of
Captain Jack's forces.

1011. WI-NE-MA, or _Tobey Riddle_.

The modern Pocahontas, who, at the risk of her own life, saved the
life of Col. A. B. Meacham, chairman of the Modoc peace commission,
at the Modoc massacre. The Oregon Statesman truly says: "A truer
heroine was never born in the American forest than the poor Indian
woman, Tobey Riddle, whose exertions to save one who had befriended
herself and people were no less daring and resolute than the
devotion of Pocahontas. We have nowhere read of a woman, white,
black, or red, performing an act of sublimer heroism than Tobey
Riddle, when, under suspicions of treachery, she returned to her
people in the rocks, with an almost absolute certainty of being
flayed alive. The description of that event is one of the finest
passages in Mr. Meacham's speech, and is a fitting tribute to the
courage and fidelity of his dusky, lion-hearted friend. The
gratitude, fidelity, and devotion of that poor squaw ought to
forever put to silence and shame those heartless savages who, in the
midst of a Christian civilization, are clamoring for the extinction
of a people whom God had planted where they were found." Tobey is 28
years of age, and the wife of Frank Riddle. She is honored by all
who know her.

3. ROGUE RIVERS.

The Rogue Rivers, so called from the stream upon which they have lived for a long time, have also been known by the names Lototen or Tototutna. As a general rule the coast tribes are inferior in physique and character to the inland tribes, but an exception must be made in favor of the Rogue Rivers. "The men are tall, muscular, and well made, the women are short and some of them quite handsome, even in the Caucasian sense of the word." They are associated with some 15 or 20 tribes or bands at the Siletz agency, the whole numbering less than 1,500 souls.

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978. OL-HA-THE, or _George Harvey_.

Chief of the confederated tribes of Indians of Siletz reservation,
Oregon, lineal descendant of a long line of Rogue River chiefs, was
captured when a small boy at the Rogue River war between the United
States forces and the Rogue River tribes of Southern Oregon, and
carried to the Siletz reservation, where he has lived ever since. He
is a fine speaker, and has acted many years as an interpreter. This
office having brought him into close and constant contact with
American civilization, he long ago abandoned his aboriginal habits
and religion, and adopted the customs and faith of the whites. He is
well known throughout Oregon, and is held in the highest esteem. He
has been complimented by the judges everywhere for his integrity and
intelligence, and both by his loyalty and education is a living
proof of the folly and wickedness of the theory that the Indian can
neither be civilized nor be made the friend of the white race.