them Paiutes and Modocs, was a nucleus of clanger at that
time, for should those warlike people unite with their brethren
already on the warpath, no power was then in reach which
could have been invoked to save the initial settlements in the
Klamath Valley. Capt. Applegate, assuring himself of the
loyalty of the old chief, Schonchin of the Moclocs, and of
Mosenkosket, of the Klamaths, took the situation strongly in
hand, built a log stockade, enclosing the sub-agency quarters
and storehouses, where thousands of dollars worth of annuity
goods and supplies were then stored, organized a guard con-
sisting of twenty-five picked Indians of various tribes and
put them on guard over the establishment, under the super-
vision of a courageous young Klamath chief, and with another
force of chosen men representing several tribes, took the field
with them, the only white man in the force when it left Yainax,
to assist in protecting the settlers until the arrival of troops
from the other posts and a company of militia from Jackson-
ville, under Captain Harrison Kelley, should reach the front.
Later he became a captain of State troops, consisting of over seventy men, of whom about thirty were Klamaths, Mo- docs and Pitt River scouts, and stationing detachments of his company at points where they could aid in the protection of the settlers and in the garrisoning of Camp Yainax, partici- pated actively in the campaigns in and about the Lava Beds, besides conducting the affairs of his agency.
In 1876 some of Capt. Applegate's friends asked to have him appointed General Indian Agent for Oregon, assuring that in such a way his unusual experience in the management of Indian affairs could be used to good purpose in promoting progressive conditions on the several agencies in the State. Ex-Senator Nesmith was an ardent advocate of the plan, and wrote as follows to Secretary Zach Chandler, Grant's Secre- tary of the Interior, with whom he had served in the Senate :
"Mr. Applegate is a gentleman of culture and ability, and, unlike myself, he is a prominent Republican and is as honest as it is possible for a man to be possessing his perverted politi- cal notions. You will pardon me, I know, for proposing ap- pointment to an administration which I do not endorse, but I
