576
THE MODOC WAR.
sion that they had fled south, warning others on the way. But in this he was mistaken, four out of a family of six at this place having been killed, and two having escaped.[1]
It was afterward ascertained that no more persons were killed on the 29th; but on the following day a number of men about Tule Lake were slain, among them their good friend Miller.[2] Living within seventy-five yards of Miller's house was the Brotherton family, three men of which were killed. That the remainder were saved, was due to the courage of Mrs Brotherton, who defended her home for three days before relief arrived.[3] The victims in this collision
- ↑ The men, William Boddy, Nicholas Schira, his son-in-law, and two step-sons, William and Richard Cravigan, were killed while about their farm work. Mrs Schira, seeing the team-horses coming home without a driver, ran to them and found the lines bloody. She put the horses in the stable, and with her mother walked along the road to find her husband. About half a mile from the house he was found lying on the ground, shot through the head. Remembering her brothers, she left her mother with the dead and ran on alone to find them. On the way she passed Hooker Jim, Curly-headed Doctor, Long Jim, One-eyed Mose, Rock Dave, and Humpy Jerry, all well-known members of Jack's band, who did not offer to intercept her. After finding the body of one brother, Mrs Schira returned to her mother, and together they fled over a timbered ridge toward Crawley's, but while on the crest, seeing a number of persons about the house, mistook them for Indians, and turned toward the highest hills in the direction of Linkville, which were then covered with snow. After wandering until the middle of the 2d day without food or fire, they were met and conducted to the bridge on Lost River, from which place they were taken to Linkville. On the 2d of Dec. Mrs Schira returned with a wagon to look for her dead, but found that Boutelle had gone on the same errand. The Boddy family were from Australia, and were industrious, worthy people. Jacksonville Sentinel, Dec. 1872.
- ↑ In the Yreka Journal of Dec. 4, 1872, is the following: In the massacre of settlers that followed the attack on the Modocs, the Indians killed none but those who were foremost in trying to force them on the reservation. On the contrary, it is remarkable that not one of those killed were signers of the petitions for their removal, lists of which have been published in documents here quoted. These persons were afraid to petition for Jack's removal.
- ↑ Seeing some Indians approaching who had her husband's horses, Mrs Brotherton took the alarm. Three Indians surrounded the house of John Shroeder, a neighbor, and shot him while he was trying to escape on horse back. Joseph Brotherton, a boy of 15 years, was in company with this man, but being on foot, the Indians gave no attention to him while in pursuit of the mounted man. Mrs Brotherton, seeing her son running toward the house, went out to meet him with a revolver. Her younger son called her back and ran after her, but she ordered him to return to the house and get a Henry rifle, telling him to elevate the sight for 800 yards and fire at the Indians. He obeyed, his still younger sister wiping and handling the cartridges. Under cover of the rifle the mother and son reached the house in safety, which was fastened, barricaded, and converted into a fortress by making loop-holes. The Indians retired during the night, but guard was maintained. One Indian was
