The Steele Conference - (3-4 March 1873) - History - http://maxpages.com/modocwar/Steele

I have no cheering news to write regarding the movements which have been made in the interests of peace. You have been posted regarding all that has transpired up to the time your correspondent returned from a visit to Captain Jack's cave in company with Mr. Steele and others. On that occasion eight Modocs returned to Fairchild's with the party, to have a talk with General Canby and the Peace Commissioners. The talk was had on Sunday, and everything was explained to them.

THE TERMS OF THE COMMISSIONERS

Were as follows: The Indians were to go with surrender [sic] to General Canby, who would guard and protect them from all danger, feed and clothe them, take them to Angel Island and protect them there, while Captain Jack and some of his head men, with Riddle as interpreter, went to Washington to see the President, and then went and located for them a new home in a southern country (Arizona or Texas). They were to take all their property and have transportation furnished them to Angel Island, and from there to their new home. Entire amnesty for them all was to be granted. This seemed to suit those who were present, and from this fact and the previous meetings held, strong hopes were entertained that Jack and his head men would come out and have a talk with the Commissioners at Fairchild's. The party who accompanied them on their return on Monday included Mr. Steele, Riddle and wife, interpreters and your correspondent. Mr. Steele was empowered to make peace with them on these terms if he could, and to induce the head men to come out and make a treaty. There was little doubt in the minds of the party that the mission would be successful, but

WE WERE SADLY DISAPPOINTED

At the results of the effort. We did not know, what we have since learned, that cursed knaves had been tampering with the Modocs while at Fairchild's. But such was the case. One man, who openly boasted that he did not want the war to stop, was instrumental in poisoning the minds of the Indians and filling their hearts with a desire for revenge and blood. I refer to Charles Blair of Linkville, Oregon, a worthless fellow, who, report says, has at one or more times graced the inside of the Penitentiary. He was at Fairchild's on Sunday, and told the Modocs that he had a paper to hang nine of their number, some of whom were present. How much more he told them I know not, but they left the ranch with their minds poisoned against the propositions for peace and the Peace Commissioners. When we started for the lava bed I noticed that the Indians were

GLOOMY AND RETICENT,

Seemingly disheartened at something or other but what I could not learn. Finally, Lucy, a very intelligent squaw, who was riding alongside of me, asked me why the white man told so many different stories. Said she, "Some talk one way, and some another. One man at Fairchild's told me that all those men want to get Captain Jack and his men out for is so that they can hang them. He said they were lying, and when they get us down in that new country they would hang us all." I told her it was all false, that the man lied to her on purpose to cause trouble, as he wanted the war to go on and have the Modocs all killed. I could not persuade her but what there would be more fighting, and she was going in to get her people out that they should not be killed. Another squaw, as old and wrinkled as the lava bed, also accompanied our party, going for her relatives. The first

INDICATION OF DOUBT IN US

Was manifested just as we reached Klamath lake, where we met the Paymaster and an escort of twenty men. In spite of all that Steele could say, and though I rode ahead to show them there was no danger, they dismounted and got behind the rocks, their guns in readiness for the expected attack, and remained thus until the troops passed. About half the distance being passed between the lake and the lava-bed, Bogus Charley and some others rode on ahead, reaching camp an hour before our arrival--giving them an opportunity to talk the matter over before we arrived.

ON OUR ARRIVAL AT THE CAMP

No one came out to greet us as on the former visit. We saw no Indians, save two or three, and they looked sour and sullen. But we did not appear to notice the change, but unsaddled and fed our animals, and then

COOKED AND ATE OUR SUPPER

At the Wild Girl's camp, Bogus Charley and William joining us in eating. After eating, we waited a long while for the usual notice that Captain Jack was ready to receive us, but none came. Tired of waiting, we started for the cave, accompanied by some squaws. As we neared the cave, we heard

LOUD ANGRY VOICES,

And the squaws said they were quarreling about something in there. As we arrived at the entrance, a party emerged from the cave, talking excitedly and angrily about something, but what it was, we couldn't make out. We entered the cave and saw a circle of sixty-nine warriors, Captain Jack at theri head, and Schonchin and the Doctor on his right, all sitting in surly silence, with

SCOWLING FACES

And threatening looks. Not a smile greeted us, and a cold hand-shake from Schonchin and Jack, grudgingly bestowed, was our only welcome. How different from our other receptions, when all were eager to show that they were glad to see us. Steele sat down by Captain Jack, and I next, with the interpreters close by. Scar-face Charley came and shook hands with us and sat down by me, where he remained during the interview. The tobacco sent by the Commissioners was brought out, cut up and divided, and then Mr. Steele asked if Captain Jack was ready to hear the

MESSAGE HE HAD BROUGHT

From General Canby and the Commissioners. Assent being given, Mr. Steele detailed the propositions, explaining each point minutely, and ceased talking with the request that they all think of them until morning, and give them an answer then. This was a little piece of strategy on the part of Mr. Steele to avoid a discussion of the matter at that time, for it was easy to see that the Modocs were in an evil humor, and ripe for treachery and bloodshed. The arrows had been removed from the head of the wounded warrior, and the white paint, worn in talking of peace, had been washed from the faces of the Modocs who returned with us, and altogether things did not look very promising for a pleasant evening party. By and by

CAPTAIN JACK TALKED

A surly inflammable speech, accusing Steele of duplicity and double-dealing. He would not go out to meet the Commission, but wanted them to come to him. He did not understand the former talks to mean what it now means. He wanted to see the paper, whereon they say his name is, by which he sold this land. He went on in this manner for some time, and when he ceased Steele replied coolly and calmly, explaining everything in the most minute manner. When Jack spoke nearly all his men responded "aye" heartily; but when Steele spoke only Scar-faced Charley and two others responded in the affirmative, and they kept silence when Captain Jack and Schonchin spoke. Old Schonchin followed Steele in a

VIOLENT TIRADE

Against Steele, General Canby, the Commissioners, and almost everybody else. The cave was too dark to permit me to take notes, but they were not needed to enable me to remember it, and one used to the Indians needed no interpreter to learn its import. The old heathen chafed and fumed like a caged tiger. The dusky faces around that circle lighted up with savage passion, and I could see their hands playing nervously with their knives and pistols. Steele sat as calm and undisturbed as though he was by his own fireside. No play of his muscles denoted what he felt at this moment. For myself, I sat and smoked apparently unconcerned, but it was all put on, for I knew a single spark would set things going in that cave, and our little unarmed party of three men and one woman, would not probably whip sixty-nine well-armed, desperate Indians.

Schonchin said Steele was talking with another heart, and did not tell them now as he did before. Said he, "Knowing this, are you not afraid to lie down here and sleep to-night as you did when you were here before?" This was a careless allusion to

THE INTENDED TREACHERY

With which we were threatened, but Steele met it firmly and squarely. In reply, he said: "No, I am not afraid of any man living. To die, does not hurt much; I am an old man, and can't last long any way, but I will die, when I die, with a good heart!" He answered all Schonchin's charges, and accused him in turn of speaking falsely, and of double dealing. He explained the action of the Commission, and of the Oregon Grand Jury, which indicted these men, showing them that if they surrendered to General Canby they would be safe. When he ceased talking, Scar-faced Charley and his two friends responded "Ugh!" but the rest preserved an ominous silence.

Captain Jack spoke again in about the same spirit; to which Steele again replied. Captain Jack, in his remarks, said that those who came to his home to see him should be protected, and I trusted to that and my natural stupidity to get me through in time to write an account of it. As for Steele, I knew he had never been killed by an Indian and I did not think he was born for that purpose. Schonchin spoke again, in a short, violent harangue; to which Steele replied, and ended by proposing another talk in the morning, which was agreed to, though very reluctantly. It was necessary to temporize, and Steele showed himself a diplomat on this occasion. The circle did not, as usual, dissolve after the talk was over and "Tobe" Riddle's Modoc wife improved the opportunity to give her people a lengthy lecture, urging them to accept the propositions and showing them the benefits to be derived from so doing. She talked in a gand natural strain for several minutes, which finally provoked a laugh or two and several "Ughs." Taking advantage of this, Steele intimated that we would go to bed, remarking that his heart was glad to see his friends in such good humor. I forgave the wily old man that diplomatic fib, for it was necessary, and threw them off their guard, if they had supposed that we suspected anything wrong. The circle broke up, and one by one the scowling warriors departed. Before this, however, Scar-faced Charley, as he pointed to his bed, [said]

"YOU SLEEP THERE AND I'LL LIE BY YOU."

I thanked him by a glance and hand pressure, for they were watching us narrowly, but in that simple move he saw that he was understood. After the braves had left the cave I thought I would look outside for a few minutes, but as I passed the entrance I found Charley by my side. "Don't go out," he whispered; "come back and go to bed." I did so and asked no questions, but as I looked up at the stars, which were shining clearly and brightly down on the wild and rugged lava, I saw Charley's two friends standing by the entrance, and I thought then, and I think now, that they were guarding the entrance, or as sentries to warn us of approaching danger. We prepared our bed as though no evil eyes were watching every movement we made. I laid down next to the wall, Steele next to me, and Charley laid down by his side, and Mary, Jack's sister, rolling herself in her blanket, laid down between him and the fire. Our heads were protected by the rocks, and Captain Jack, after sending his wives to another cave, took his blankets and spread them across at our feet and laid there until morning. To the protection of these three Indians I am satisfied we owed our safety. In the gray light of the morning Mary and Scar-faced Charley arose and built a fire, and for a few moments I slept a troubled sleep, but it did me no good, apparently. We went to the "Wild Girl's" camp to breakfast, eating alone, after which we returned to the cave for the

MORNING COUNCIL.

We found twenty-three warriors present, and many of them had the black, or war paint, on their faces. The arrows were put by the side of the sick brave as they put them by the side of the dead. Not a word of welcome greeted us, and as we shook hands with Captain Jack and Schonchin, we sat down and waited the arrival of Riddle and his wife. As soon as they arrived the conference was opened by Captain Jack and Schonchin making quite lengthy speeches, the tenor of which was theat they had beed deceived. They knew nothing of this new country, and did not want to go there. They wouldn't give up their home, but would give up all on the Oregon side and live in California. They could not understand why the Oregonians would not make peace and quiet, and let them live as they did before the war. They denied talking in favor of removing to this new home at the previous meeting; denied selling the land at the Huntington treaty; in short, repudiated any terms of peace except amnesty for the past and the privilege of living here as they have done. Steele talked long and plain, showed them they would all be killed if they went to fighting again, and that their terms could not be accepted. Things looked exceedingly dark when he proposed the acceptance of the Commissioners terms--not one of which they would hear to. They wanted the Commissioners to come and talk with them--they would not go to Fairchild's. At last, as the only means left to avoid an open rupture at once, the talk was changed to the topic of the Commissioners meeting them. They agreed to meet the four Commissioners, General Canby, Steele, J. A. Fairchild, Riddle and the reporters, no more. They must have the privilege of bringing all their warriors, who wanted to shake hands with the Commissioners. Finally they said, tell Judge Rosborough he need not come unless he pleased--Steele also, and General Canby and Case, but they insisted that Applegate and Meacham should come, for they were their particular friends. It is a little strange how soon and suddenly they changed their minds regarding these men, for at our last interview they positively refused to have anything to say to them, saying they were bad men and their enemies. It was evident they intended to get them in their power and then revenge themselves on them for real or fancied injuries. After this interview had been arranged, which was to take place to-morrow, we shook hands with Captain Jack and Schonchin and left the cave unmolested, the anticipation of bigger game having cooled their animosity toward us in a great measure. We saddled and left, with no one to bid us good-by save Scar-faced Charley, who wanted to come with us, but dare not. Mary and "Boston" accompanied us, and the old squaw and some others with their pappooses followed us out and home. Lucy was crying, saying there was to be fighting, and we would all be killed. We waited half an hour for her, when, being told she had gone by another trail, we turned our horses' heads homeward. I did not draw a free breath until I reached the top of the bluff, three miles from the Modoc camp. We arrived about dark, made our report and sat down to write, perfectly satisfied that we had lost no Modocs, and should not look for them any more. Lucy and part of her family came in before morning, and in all nine women and children, and one blind, inform old man has arrived.

WHAT THE COMMISSIONERS SAY.

To-day Mary and Boston returned with Artinie Chokus, who will bring back Captain Jack's answer, bearing this message to Captain Jack: "Your terms are not accepted. We offered to meet you on equal terms. We have offered you peace, and you reject it. Come now, if you want peace, you and your head men, to Fairchild's ranch, by to-morrow night and we will grant you the offered terms. If we do not agree, you shall go back safe. If you do not, the Peace Commissioners will go home and have no more to do with makng peace, but will turn you over to the military." General Canby also sent word that he would protect all who came, instructing them in the use of the white flag when approaching a station, and assured them that if they did not make peace the military would move on them at once. So ends the first chapter of the Peace Commission, which has been fraught with dangers, blunders and serious mistakes; but of them by and by.

Mary's eyes filled with tears as she left the room, and down at the barn where the Indians camped she had a crying spell, in which she said she feared to return. All united in assuring her that none should be hurt if they came here as directed, and finally the sorrowful party started, in the midst of a blinding snowstorm, for the misguided chieftains' lair. Meanwhile, we wait anxiously the morrow, to see whether it brings gentle peace, or red-handed war.

Editorial from the Portland Bulletin

The Farce Ended.

It would appear that the Peace Commission farce has entirely ended. Jack is resolved to fight. Orders have been issued to the troops to move up. There will be no more nonsense, but serious business. Nothing whatever has been gained by this farcical delay. It has cost the Government a round some [sic] of money, and now the thing is to be fought out at last. The Government has humiliated itself by temporizing with these savage murderers and begging them to consent to peace. There will be peace when the lava-bed country is turned into a solitude, as it will be when Jack's band are sent to the "warmer climate" that now awaits them. They will now get the "warmer climate" and no mistake.

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