Descriptive Catalogue of Photographs of North American Indians Part 21

_List of ill.u.s.trations._

1058. CAPPOLAS. _A Boney Man._

Took a prominent part in the Modoc war, and distinguished himself by the capture of Captain Jack in the lava-beds. Height, 5.5-1/2; circ.u.mference of head, 22-3/4.

1061. SHAKA. _Little Beaver._

A sergeant in the company that captured Captain Jack. Height, 5.8; circ.u.mference of head, 22-5/8.

1056. SKE-METZE. _Chopped up._

Familiarly known as "Billy." Height, 5.4-1/2; circ.u.mference of head, 22-3/8.

1054. KE-HEY-A-KIN. _Crooked Stick._

Height, 5.6-1/2; circ.u.mference of head, 21-3/4.

1063. HISTO. _Clam Fish._

_Height, 5.7-3/4; circ.u.mference of head, 22-7/8._

1059. WEY-A-TAT-HAN. _Owl._

The married man of the party, his wife accompanying him on his travels. Was wounded in the lava-beds, and with five others were the scouts who first discovered Captain Jack's hiding-place in the cave.

1064. CHIN-CHIN-WET. _Alone._

Wife of Wey-a-tat-han. A very comely and intelligent Indian woman, of whom but very few are found among the far western tribes. Height, 4.11-1/2; circ.u.mference of head, 21-1/2.

1057. SEMEO, or _Umatilla Jim_.

3. WASCOS.

The Wascos, like the Warm Springs Indians, are related to the Walla Wallas, and through them to the Sahaptin family. The name signifies "basin," and the tribe derives its name, traditionally, from the fact that formerly one of their chiefs, his wife having died, spent much of his time in making cavities or basins in the soft rock for his children to fill with water and pebbles, and thereby amuse themselves. They came originally from around the Dalles. Are a.s.sociated with the Warm Springs and Teninoes on a reservation in Oregon just south of the Columbia. Now number 263, profess the Christian religion, and are more advanced in civilization than any tribe in the State. All the tribes of this reservation are self-supporting, deriving about half their subsistence by agriculture and the rest by fis.h.i.+ng and hunting.

_List of ill.u.s.trations._

1062. KLE-MAT-CHOSNY. _Agate Arrow-Point._

Is a chief and a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a zealous worker for the spiritual welfare of his people. Height, 5.6-3/4; circ.u.mference of head, 21-3/4.

1060. STAT-TLA-KA. _Pole Cat._

Height, 5.4; circ.u.mference of head, 20-5/8.

1055. OSCAR MARK, or _Little Vessel_.

Height, 5.5; circ.u.mference of head, 23-1/4.

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 fis.h.i.+ng 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 ill.u.s.trations._

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 Tec.u.mseh, 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 friends.h.i.+p 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 Tec.u.mseh 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 ma.s.sacred 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 hara.s.sed 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.

_List of ill.u.s.trations._

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 ma.s.sacre, 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 a.s.sa.s.sination 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 ma.s.sacre 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 partic.i.p.ators in the Modoc war, but after the ma.s.sacre 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 ma.s.sacre. 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 pa.s.sages in Mr. Meacham's speech, and is a fitting tribute to the courage and fidelity of his dusky, lion-hearted friend. The grat.i.tude, 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 G.o.d 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.