mouth of the Illinois River to secure their surrender and their removal to the distant government reservations, it was Chief John who stepped forth into the council, and defiantly addressing the Colonel, said: "You are a great chief, so am I. This is my country. I was in it when these trees were very small, not higher than my head. My heart is sick with fighting, but I want to live in my country. * * * But I will not lay down my arms and go with you on the reserve. I will fight. Goodby."
And this, as they spoke to us old pioneers, was the feeling of all. As they were overpowered in the country of the upper Rogue River valleys, they made a last stand on the coast. On the sadly remembered night of February 22, 1856, at Gold Beach, as the settlers were enjoying a dance at the close of ceremonies on Washington's natal day, massacres began of those at home, such as Ben Wright, the Indian Agent, and Captain Poland of the Volunteers, and most of the Geisel family; with attacks upon the company of volunteers waiting in anticipation of an uprising of the local tribes.
SETTLERS MASSACRED
The regular soldiery under Major Reynolds stationed at Port Orford were insufficient in number to leave the town without defense, and could not respond to the appeals of 130 settlers forted up near the mouth of the river, who remained there besieged by the surrounding hostiles for 31 days until volunteers and regular army forces came to the rescue; although in the meantime ineffectual efforts by Captain Tichenor and others from the sea with coasting schooners were of no avail, only ending in the death of several of the brave souls who attempted to reach the surrounded fort through the waves. The story, as the war continued and ended, is a long and sad one. That of the captivity and ransom of Mrs. Geisel, her infant and thirteen year old daughter, Mary, ransomed by a brave captor, after the massacre
