It now being definitely settled that Jack's band must go upon the reservation to reside before winter, Odeneal repaired to the Klamath agency November 25th, sending a special messenger, James Brown of Salem, and Ivan Applegate to Lost River to invite them to meet him at Linkville, and to promise them the kindest treatment if they would consent to go to Yainax, where ample provision had been made for their support. If they would not consent, he required them to meet him at Linkville on the 27th for a final understanding.
To the military authorities a communication was addressed requiring them to assist in carrying out the instructions of the commissioner of Indian affairs by compelling, if necessary, the obedience of the Modocs to recognized authority, and they had signified their readiness to perform this duty.[1] On the 27th Odeneal and Dyar repaired to Linkville to meet the Modocs, according to appointment, but found there only the messengers, by whom they were apprised of Jack's refusal either to go upon the reservation or to meet the superintendent at that place. "Say to the superintendent," returned Jack, "that we do not wish to see him or talk with him. We do not want any white man to tell us what to do. Our friends and counsellors are men in Yreka, California. They tell us to stay where we are, and we intend to do it, and will not go upon the reservation. I am tired of being talked to, and am done talking." One of Jack's lieutenants, commonly known as Scarface Charley, from a disfigurement, would have taken the lives of the messengers upon the spot, but was restrained by Jack, who preferred waiting until the superintendent was in his power.[2]
- ↑ Odeneal's Modoc War, 33. Capt. Jackson had been superseded in the command at Fort Klamath by Maj. G. G. Hunt, who in turn was relieved July 17th by Maj. John Green. Major Otis had also been relieved of the command of the district of the lakes by Colonel Frank Wheaton, 21st inf.
- ↑ This was revealed by friendly Indians present at the conference. It is found in Dyar's statement.
