The Good Friday Assassinations - (11 April 1873) - History - http://maxpages.com/modocwar/Good_Friday

Asst. Adjt. Gen. Dept. of the Columbia: General Canby, with the Peace Commissioners, went out to meet the Indians about one mile in front of camp, at 11:06 this morning. At 1:30 P.M., the Signal officer whom I had, watching the Conference, reported firing. Upon reaching the place of meeting, I found that General Canby and the Rev. Dr. Thomas, one of the Commissioners, had been killed, and Mr. A. B. Meacham, another of the Commissioners, was severely, if not mortally wounded. The other Commissioner, Mr. Dyar, escaped unhurt.

I shall at once commence active operations against the Indians.

Alfred B. Meacham (16 April 1873)

[Report to Columbus Delano]

SIR: Since our arrival at the lava bed, the commission, together with General Canby, had labored hopefully and had apparently gained several points over the Indians looking to a peaceful solution of this question. Until Friday morning, 11th instant, we had thwarted all their schemes of treachery through the fidelity of our interpreter, Mrs. Riddle, a Modoc woman. On that morning terms were agreed upon for a meeting satisfactory to Dr. Thomas and General Canby, though not to Mr. Dyar, nor myself or the Modoc woman, General Canby remarking that they dare not molest us, because his forces commanded the situation, and Dr. Thomas said that where God called him to go he would go trusting to His care.

The meeting was held according to time and place agreed upon. Canby, Meacham, Thomas, and Dyar, and eight armed instead of six unarmed Indians, as was agreed upon. The talk was short, the Modoc Chiefs both saying that unless the soldiers were withdrawn from the country no further talk could be had. Up to that point, the commission reaffirming that the soldiers would never be withdrawn until the difficulty was settled, and still extending the offer of amnesty, a suitable and satisfactory home, and ample provision for their welfare in the future, the reply from both chiefs was, "take away your soldiers and we will talk about it."

General Canby assured the Indians that he was here for the protection of both parties, and to see that the commission faithfully performed their promises. About this time two armed Indians suddenly appeared from the brushc in our rear. An explanation was asked, and Captain Jack replied by snapping a pistol at General Canby, saying in Indian "all ready," after which General Canby was dispatched by Captain Jack with a pistol and knife, Dr. Thomas by a pistol shot in the breast, and a gun-shot in the head by Boston. Meacham and Dyard attempted to escape toward camp, the former followed by Schonchin John, and the latter by Black Jim and Hooker Jim. Schonchin fired six shots at Meacham, hitting him four times and leaving him for dead. Boston attempting to scalp him, was deterred by the Modoc woman. Dyar escaped unhurt, although fired at three times by Black Jim, who was only a few feet away, and twice by Hooker Jim, by whom he was pursued. After running about two hundred yards, he turned upon his pursuers with a small pocket derringer, when the Indians turned and ran back, thus letting Dyar get away.

Mr. Dyar will be obliged to leave in a day or two on account of official duties, but while here the remainder of the commission will consult with General Gillem should any active measures be necessary on our part.

We believe that complete subjugation by the military is the only method by which to deal with these Indians.

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