Benton County, Oregon - Chapter 26: The Lane Treaty of Peace and Concluding Events of 1853, 1885

Chapter 26: The Lane Treaty of Peace and Concluding Events of 1853

Arrival of Reinforcements - The Army at Camp Alden - An Incident - The Council at Table Rock - The Treaty of Peace Signed - Cession of the Indians' Lands - Muster- Rolls of Certain Companies - List of the Killed and Wounded - Public Sentiment Concerning the Treaty - Ill-Faith of Certain Whites - Tragedy at Bates* House - Affairs on Illinois River - Cruelty of the Miners at Randolph - Indian Atrocities - Murder of Frizzell and Mungo - War on Deer Creek - General Lane Visits Tipsu Tyee - Military Affairs - Fort Lane Begun - Murder of Kyle - Expedition to the Modoc Country - The United States Pays the War Debt.

Reinforcements began to arrive from various quarters by the time the forces returned to the valley. Ettlinger had faithfully performed his duty, and presented the governor with memorials from citizens and officials of Jacksonville and vicinity, which set forth the dangerous condition of affairs and appealed for help. Among other things a howitzer was asked for, and this request was referred by the governor to the authorities at Fort Vancouver, who sent the weapon with a supply of ammunition, forty muskets with accoutrements, 4,000 cartridges, and some other articles. Lieutenant Kautz, since general, was sent in charge of the howitzer, with seven experienced men. Acting Governor Curry made proclamation for an armed guard of citizen volunteers to accompany the Lieutenant and his charge. In obedience to the call fortyone men volunteered, and led by J. W. Nesmith, with Lafayette Grover as lieutenant, hastened to the scene of hostilities. Lieutenant Grover went in advance with twenty men, and was joined at South Umpqua, on September first, by Judge M. P. Deady y who was on his way to Jacksonville to hold court. The next night they stopped at Levens' station, and a day or two later came to Table Rock, too late to be of service, but in time to assist at the peace talk. Joel Palmer, superintendent of Indian affaire in Oregon, and Samuel H. Culver, government Indian agent, successor of Judge Skinner, who had resigned his charge, also arrived. From Port Orford came Captain A. J. Smith, with his company of the first dragoons, sixty men in uniform, an imposing and unfamiliar sight to the people of the valley. These had slowly and laboriously toiled through devious trails, over fallen trees and through the almost impenetrable wildwood tangles along Rogue river to where their assistance might be needed, but only to find their services useless, unless it was to awe the haughty savage whose heart was yet divided in its councils. Owing to Palmer's failure to arrive at the time appointed, the peace talk was postponed until September tenth. Meantime the volunteers lay about headquarters talking over occurrences of the past fortnight and speculating upon those to come. They were 400 strong, and had little need to fear the results of future deliberations. Besides, Smith and Kautz were at hand and the former^ sabres and the latter's twelve-pound howitzer with its shells, spherical case shot and cannister, would soon make short work of the comparatively defenseless aborigines.

Indian Wars

The latter, too, talked and thought of the new dispensation of affairs, and looked with wonder and awe upon such preparations for their injury, and begged General Lane - 41 Tyee Joe Lane " - not to have the hy-as rifle fired, which took " a hat-full of powder and would shoot a tree down."

The inevitable war correspondent was abroad, even in that day, and under the title of " Socks " wrote to the Statesman of his visit to headquarters :

" Never having seen General Lane my curiosity prompted me to visit his camp day before yesterday. Having seen generals in the States togged out in epaulets, gold lace, cocked hats and long, shining swords, I expected to find something of the kind at headquarters. But fancy my surprise on being introduced to a robust, good-looking middle-aged man, with his right arm in a sling, the shirt sleeve slit open and dangling bloody from his shoulder, his legs incased in an old pair of gray breeches that looked like those worn by General Scott when he w r as exposed to the 'fire in the rear/ One end of them was supported by a buckskin strap, in place of a suspender, while one of the legs rested upon the remains of an old boot. His head was ornamented by a forage cap that from its appearance recalled remembrance of Braddock's defeat. This composed the uniform of the hero ' who never surrenders.'

" The ' quarters' were in keeping with the garb of the occupant ; it being a rough log cabin about sixteen feet square, with a hole in one side for a door, and destitute of floor and chimney. In one corner lay a pile of sacks filled with provisions for the troops, in another a stack of guns of all sizes, from the old French musket down to the fancy silver-mounted sporting rifle, while in a third set a camp kettle, a frying-pan, a coffee pot minus the spout, a dozen tin cups, four pack saddles, a dirty shirt and a moccasin. The fourth corner was occupied by a pair of blankets said to be the general's bed ; and on a projecting puncheon lay ammunition for the stomach in the shape of a chunk of raw beef and a wad of dough. In the center of the 6 quarters' was a space about four feet square for the accommodation of guests. Such being the luxuries of a general's quarters you may judge how privates have fared in this war."

A pleasant incident of the stay at Camp Alden was the flag presentation. The ladies of Yreka had decided to honor the braves of that locality who had so promptly volunteered in defense of their neighbors across the line, and had prepared flags and sent them through Dr. Gatliff to Camp Alden. The doctor gave them to General Lane, and a ceremony was arranged for the afternoon of September first. The two companies of Rhoades and Goodall, escorted by Terry's Crescent City Guards (an independent organization which volunteered to fight Indians, but performed no service owing to the abrupt close of the war), were marched up, and with appropriate words the General presented the banners.

On the tenth of September the leaders of opposing races met at the appointed place on the side of Table Rock and discussed and agreed upon terms of peace. The occasion Avas a remarkable one; and brought together many remarkable individuals. Many of those who were eye-witnesses of the u peace-talk" still live, and several have attained to honor and distinction. From the pens of two of these we have life-like and intelligible accounts of that meeting which was in some respects the most remarkable occurence that ever took place in Southern Oregon. Judge M. P. Deady wrote c meerning it :

Indian Waes

"The scene of this famous 'peace talk' between Joseph Lane and Indian Joseph - two men who had so lately met in mortal combat - was worthy of the pen of Sir Walter Scott and the pencil of Salvator Ross. It was on a narrow bench of a long, gently-sloping hill lying over against the noted bluff called Table Rock. The ground was thinly coverd with majestic old pines and rugged oaks, with here and there n clump of green oak bushes. About a half mile above the bright mountain stream that threaded the narrow valley below sat the two chiefs in council. Lane was in fatigue dress, the arm which was wounded at Buena Vista in a sling from a fresh bullet wound received at Battle creek. Indian Joseph, tall, grave and self-possessed, wore a long black robe over his ordinary dress. By his side sat Mary, his favorite child and faithful companion, then a comparatively handsome young woman, unstained with the vices of civilization. Around these sat on the grass Captain A. J. Smith - now General Smith of St. Louis - whohad just arrived from Port Orford with his company of the First Dragoons; Captain Alvord, then engaged in the construction of a military road through the Umpqua canyon and since paymaster of the U. S. A.; Colonel Bill Martin of Umpqua, Colonel John E. Ross of Jacksonville and a few others. A short distance above us on the hillside were some hundreds of dusky warriors in fighting gear, reclining quietly on the ground,

" The day was beautiful. To the east of us rose abruptly Table Rock and at its base stood Smith's dragoons, waiting anxiously with hand on horse the issue of this attempt to make peace without their aid. After a proposition was discussed and settled between the two chiefs, the Indian would rise up and communicate the matter to a huge warrior who reclined at the foot of a tree quite near us. Then the latter rose up and communicated the matter to the host above him, and they belabored it back and forth with many voices. Then the warrior communicated the thought of the multitude on the subject back to his chief ; and so the discussion went on until an understanding was finally reached. Then we separated - the Indians going back to their mountain retreat, and the whites to the camp."

" Early in the morning of the tenth of September-, we rode toward the Indian encampment. Our party consisted of the following persons: General Lane, Joel Palmer Samuel Culver, Captain A. J. Smith, 1st Dragoons ; Captain L. F. Mosher, adjutant ; Colonel John Ross, Captain J. W. Nesmith, Lieutenant A. V. Kautz, R. B. Metcalf, J. D. Mason, T. T. Tierney. After riding a couple of miles we came to where it was too steep for horses to ascend, and dismounting, we proceeded on foot. Half a mile of scrambling over rocks and through brush brought us into the Indians' stronghold, just under^the perpendicular cliff of Table Rock where were gathered hundreds of fierce and well armed savages. The business of the treaty began at once. Much time was lost in translating'and re-translating and it was not until late in the afternoon that our labors were completed. About the middle of the afternoon an Indian runner arrived, bringing intelligence of the murder of an Indian on Applegate creek. He said that a company of whites under Captain Owens had that morning captured Jim Taylor, a young chief, tied him to a tree and shot him to death. This news caused the greatest confusion among the Indians, and it seemed for a time as if they were about to attack

General Lane's party. The General addressed the Indians, telling them that Owens who had violated the armistice was a bad man, and not one of his soldiers. He added considerable more of a sort to placate the Indians, and finally the matter of ' Jim's ' deatli was settled by the whites agreeing to pay damages therefor in shirts and blankets."

The treaty of peace of September 10, 1855, contained the following provisions : Article 1 defines the boundaries of the lands occupied by the Rogue River and related tribes. The principal geographical points mentioned as lying upon these boundaries are, the mouth of Applegate creek, the summit of the Siskiyou mountains at Pilot Rock, the Snowy Butte (Mount Pitt), and a point near the intersection of the Oregon road near Jump-off- Joe creek. All Indians within these limits were to maintain peace with the whites, restore stolen property, and deliver up any of their number who might infringe the articles of the treaty. The second article provides that the tribes should permanently reside on a reservation to be set apart. According to article three they were to surrender all fire-arms except fourteen pieces, which were reserved for hunting. According to article 4, when the Indians received pay for their surrendered lands, a sum not exceeding $15,000 was to be set aside to pay for whatever damages they had caused. By article 5, they were to forfeit their annuites if they again made war. In article 6 they agree to inform the agent if hostile tribes entered the reservation.

A supplemental treaty regarding the sale of the Indians' lands, was entered into on the same day. By it they ceded to the United States government all their right to the lands lying within these boundaries : Commencing at a point on Rogue river below the mouth of Applegate creek, thence southerly to the divide between Applegate and Althouse creeks ; thence along the divide to the summit of the Siskiyou mountains ; thence easterly to Pilot Rock ; thence to the summit of Mount Pitt; thence to Rogue river ; thence westerly to Jump-off- Joe creek ; thence to place of beginning.

The Indians were to occupy temporarily a reservation on Evans' creek, west and north of Table Rock, until another residence was found for them.

In consideration for the transfer of their rights, the agents agreed to pay the Indians sixty thousand dollars ; of which fifteen thousand were to be retained as provided in the treaty of peace.. The damages caused by the Indians were to be estimated by three disinterested persons. Five thousand dollars were to be expended in purchasing blankets, clothing, agricultural implements, and other desirable and necessary articles. The remaining forty thousand dollars were to be paid in sixteen annual payments of live stock, blankets, necessaries of life, etc. Three dwelling houses, one for each of the principal chiefs, were to be erected, at a cost of not more than five hundred dollars each. The remaining provisos relate to the non-molestation of the whites passing through the reservation ; to the referral of grievances to the resident Indian agent ; to the discovery of thefts, murders, etc. ; and to the ratification of the treaty by the president, at which time it would take effect. The treaty for the cession of lands bore the signatures of Joel Palmer, Samuel H. Culver, Joe Aps-er-ka-har, Sam Toquft-he-ar, Jim Ana-cha-ara, John, and Limpy.

Here follow the names and organizations of those who took part in the war of 1853. No apology is needed for inserting them. They are the names of men who gave their services for the defense of their fellow beings, and to many of whom the thanks and gratitude of this later generation is due. It is a regrettable circumstance that the muster-rolls of all the companies which were formed cannot be obtained. The missing ones are those of Terry's Crescent City Guards, Rhoades' Humbug Creek Volunteers, and Goodall's Yreka Volunteers. Of the latter a partial list is given from memory by their captain.

Hospital Attaches. - In the military hospital at Jacksonville, in 1853, E. H. Cleavland, as surgeon and medical director, was in charge, assisted by eleven attaches - R. A. Caldwell, C. Davenport, Thomas Gregory, W. W. Hanway, George Hillman, J. B. Hice, John Inman, James S. Lowery, Francis Peirce, J. B. Shepley, and B. W. Woodruff. These men served various terms, ranging from sixteen to sixty-three days, for which they received pay at the rate of five dollars per day and rations.

List of Killed and Wounded. - On Applegate creek, August 8, George Anderson wounded, and on the following day B. B. Griffin, first lieutenant in the same company (Miller's), wounded, and Francis Garnett, private, killed; on August

10, while on detached service, John R. Harding and William R. Rose, privates, Lamerick's company, killed; on August 17, at Little Meadows, Sergeant Frank Perry and Privates Asa Colburn, Alfred Douglass, Isham P. Keith, William Neff and L. Stockting killed or mortally wounded, and First Lieutenant Simeon Ely and Privates Zebulon Sheets, John Alban and James Carroll severely wounded, all belonging to Goodall's company; on the twenty-fourth of August, at Battle creek, Private Thomas Hays of Rhoades' company, and Henry Flesher and Charles Abbe of Goodall's company were wounded, the latter dying of his wounds on the second of September, and John Scarborough, private of Goodall's company, was killed; August 28, at Long's Ferry, First Lieutenant Thomas Frizzell and Private James Mungo (Indian), were killed in battle; September 14, Thomas Phillips, private in Williams' company, was killed by the Indians on Applegate creek ; on October 4 occurred the last casualty of the war, in the wounding with arrows of Private William Duke, of Miller's company.

When General Lane and his officers made the treaty with Joe and his people, there were many persons who in a subdued manner opposed it, and prognosticated its utter failure. These people were of the sort who in the earlier days of August had said: "Hang the Indian children; they will grow up to be our enemies." They urged a war of extermination ; humanity's dictates were too refined to be applied to cases wherein Indians were concerned. This class, while they affected to deplore the horrible massacres of whites, still did their utmost to rouse the Indians to other deeds of like savagery, by inflicting on them unprovoked acts which really brave and merciful people abhor. It is a fact that after the Lane treaty was signed, its provisions were repeatedly broken by whites, who deliberately murdered unsuspecting and helpless Indians. Chief Joe, whom none of his white contemporaries suspected of falsehood, said at the Lane peace conference that he did not begin war nor seek to retaliate until fourteen of his tribe had been shot or hung by the whites. Least these remarks should be misunderstood, the reader is informed that they apply only to that irresponsible element in the population which had but little respect for law and justice, and not to that great body of respectable and law abiding citizens who cast their lot in Southern Oregon, and by thirty years of industry have made it what it is to-day.

During the armistice and subsequent to the signing of the treaty, the class of exterminators alluded to kept up their efforts to kill off as many Indians as they could, regardless of any moral restriction whatever. Revenge was the motto, and these men lived up to it. Not half of the outrages which were perpetrated on Indians were ever heard of through newspapers; yet there are the accounts of several, and these are of a most cold-blooded description. We will allude lightly to a few examples. Captain Bob Williams, stationed with his company on the banks of Rogue river, during the armistice was not too brave and magnanimous to attempt to kill two children, the sons of Chief Joe; but General Lane with the utmost haste ordered his removal from the locality to another, where there would be less opportunity for the exercise of his propensities. We have the evidence of no less an authority than Judge Deady to prove that a fearful outrage was perpetrated at Grave creek after the armistice was agreed upon. He writes : "At Grave creek I stopped to feed my horse and get something to eat. There was a house there, called the ' Bates House,' after the man who kept it. It was a rough, wooden structure without a floor, and had an immense clapboard fun- nel at one end, which served as a chimney. There was no house or settlement within ten or twelve miles or more of it. There I found Captain J. K. Lamerick in command of a company of volunteers. It seems he had been sent there by General Lane after the fight at Battle creek, on account of the murder of some Indians there, of which he and others gave me the following account:

Bates and some others had induced a small party of peaceable Indians who belonged in that vicinity to enter into an engagement to remain at peace with the whites during the war which was going on at some distance from them, and by way of ratification to this treaty, invited them to partake of a feast in an unoccupied log house just across the road from the 'Bates House;' and while they were partaking, unarmed, of this proffered hospitality, the door was suddenly fastened upon them, and they were deliberately shot down through the cracks between the logs by their treacherous hosts. Near by, and probably a quarter of a mile this side of the creek, I was shown a large, round hole into which the bodies of these murdered Indians had been unceremoniously tumbled. I did not see them, for they were covered with fresh earth."

Some miners from Sailor Diggings attacked a rancheria on Illinois river or Deer creek, as the accounts go, and killed two of the seven male Indians present. The others hastily seized their bows and arrows, and began a lively resistance. Two white men were hit, which so discouraged the others that they ran away. The act of aggression was severely denounced by other people, and the term "desperado" was applied to the perpetrators. Agent Culver was sent for to investigate matters, but it is not known that the guilty parties were ever brought to justice ; indeed, there is a certain presumption that they were not.

An incident bearing somewhat upon this question is worthy of mention, though it occurred somewhat outside of the region supposed to be covered by the Lane treaty. On January 28, 1854, a small party of armed men from the Randolph mines, in Coos county, went to a rancheria, attacked the Indians and killed fifteen, as far as is known, without provocation. Two squaws were shot dead, one with her babe in her arms. The next day the miners passed a law providing that whosoever should sell or give any gun, rifle or pistol to Indians, should for the first offense receive thirty-nine lashes, and for the second offense should suffer death. Meeting considerable adverse criticism for their attack upon the helpless and unarmed creatures at the rancheria, these men next proceeded to hold a meeting and pass resolutions, one maintaining that the Indians at the time were on the eve of an outbreak, and another congratulating themselves on their bravery! The whole absurd proceedings are contained in a letter written by one of the assailants to the Oregon Statesman of contemporary date, and in the report of the Bureau of Indian Affairs for 1854, within which may be found letters from F. M. Smith, agent at Port Orford. and G. H. Abbott, leader of the attacking force of miners.

It does not require the thorough investigation to which the records of these events have been subjected by the writer, to determine conclusively that while the whites as a class were content with the treaty and obedient to its provisos, there was a considerable minority who lost no opportunity to manifest their contempt of the instrument and their disregard of its obligations. Nor were the Indians idle. As soon as the report of the killings at Grave creek, at Applegate and other places, had been bruited abroad, and the natives had become convinced that they were individually in as much danger as before the treaty, they began reprisals. They committed atrocities that were not exceeded in bloodthirstiness by those at whom they were aimed. A few days after the battle of Evans' creek Thomas Frizzell and Mungo were murdered by Indians on Rogue river, below Vannoy's. It seems that Frizzell owned a ferry in that locality, which he was constrained to leave at the commencement of hostilities. He joined Owens' company, of which he was chosen first lieutenant. On the day mentioned, he went home to examine into the condition of things, being accompanied by Mungo, a private of his company. On returning they arrived within two miles of Vannoy's, when they were fired on by concealed Indians, and Frizzell was instantly killed. Mungo, wounded, took refuge in a thicket and with his rifle kept the enemy at bay for hours until a relief party came to his aid. He was carried to Vannoy's, but died on arriving there. These men were said to have been killed in retaliation for the massacre of the Indians at Bates' house, but this assertion, of course, does not admit of proof. The same day (August twenty-eighth), the savages burned the house of Raymond, at Jumpoff-Joe creek, as well as two others in the vicinity.

These disturbances were chiefly confined to Josephine county and the western part of Jackson county ; or to speak more specifically, to the Grave creek, Applegate creek, Illinois river and Althouse creek country.

About the twelfth of September, 1853, there occurred a catastrophe of some note several miles below Deer creek bar. Two prospectors, Tedford and Rouse, were attacked by Illinois Indians, peaceable until that time, and both injured very severely. Rouse was cut in the face, and Tedford was shot in the left arm, shattering the bone. The men were alone at the time, but were speedily found by neighboring miners and carried to a place of safety. Tedford's injuries were mortal ; he died within a week. This, and some slighter injuries perpetrated the same day on other parties, were the first hostile acts of the Illinois Indians, who until then had shown a tolerably peaceful disposition. This was in the absence of nearly all the fighting portion of the white community, who were with Captain Williams on the Rogue river. On their return a party was made up to pursue certain Indians who had stolen some property from the Hunter brothers, including quite a number of mules. The thieves were followed for three days, over rough mountains, across creeks and through jungles, and at last traced to an Indian village on Illinois river. This was attacked by the pursuers, and several Indians were killed; but the whites had ultimately to retire, Alex. Watts being slightly wounded in the attack. The regular troops shortly after occupied this village, after killing several of its inhabitants and driving the rest away. On their return to headquarters the Indians followed them, and killed Sergeant Day, wounded Private King, and re-took sixteen stolen animals. Lieutenants Radford and Carter were in charge of the expedition, having been sent by Capjain Smith, on the seventeenth of October, from Fort Lane, and the action took place on the twenty-fourth of the same month. It has always been supposed that the malcontents spoken of were Coast Indians, from the vicinity of Chetco. At any rate they were no triflers, as the whites found to their cost. On the twenty -sixth the miners again assembled, to the number of thirty-five, to make another descent upon the same camp, when the Indians' scouts discovered them and received them with unexpected warmth. William Hunter was wounded by three bullets, not seriously, and the party returned to their respective homes without carrying out their projected annihilation of the hostile camp. Michael Bushey was of the number, and through his exertions a treaty of peace and amity was entered into between the miners and the Indians of that rancheria. The Indians observed the treaty faithfully enough, but the whites were not so honorable. It has been mentioned how certain whites from Sailor Diggings attempted to " make good Indians" of seven " bucks" at a certain rancheria, but were driven off ignominiously. These Indians were the survivors of those who slew Sergeant Day, and foiled Bushey and his party. They were now living in quietness on Deer creek, when attacked by the party from Sailor Diggings, who were said to have numbered twenty. Again Bushey, with Alex. Watts, patched up a treaty with them which existed until 1855, when certain events on the lower Klamath river, in which these Indians were implicated, sundered those pleasant relations.

On Applegate creek, September 2, four houses were burned by Indians, and their contents destroyed. At about the same date, or possibly a little later, a pack-train coming from Crescent City was fired upon and the three Mexicans who drove, were wounded, three mules were killed and all the merchandise captured by Indians. This closes the list of outrages perpetrated in that part of the country subsequent to the treaty, and the subject now leads us to consider the state of affairs on Rogue river.

General Lane left for the north on or about October, 1853. But before taking leave of the people of the valley, lie made a visit to Tipsu Tyee, hoping in the interests of peace, to induce that much feared warrior to join the Rogue River chieftains in amity to the whites. Tipsu had not made himself felt in the recent hostilities probably for reasons already set forth, but as if still further to signalize his independence of both white and Indian influence, he sent word to Jacksonville that he did not recognize the peace of September 10, and should not by any means subscribe to its terms. As for Sam, Joe, George, Limpy and the rest, they might do as they chose ; he was upon his own land, came upon it first, and should remain upon it. This message presented a new difficulty. It seemed to the people and to the Indian agents alike, that Tipsu Tyee needed to be put down. His outbreak of insolence ought to be punished. But to punish such an Indian as the wily old Tyee was an undertaking of considerable difficulty? and very few were ready to attempt it. The chief staid in his lair, and General Lane, who to great fighting qualities added a heart that was capable of feeling for even the most savage of God's creatures, paid him a visit in the interests of peace and humanity. Accompanied by two men only, he went into the mountains, found the chief, and entered upon an agreement with him by which the rights of the settlers were to be respected and grievances to be settled satisfactorily; and having taken leave of his host, returned safely from a journey which most men regarded as infinitely dangerous.

The different companies (Lainerick's, Miller's, Owens', Goodall's ; Rhodes', Williams', Terry's and Fowler's) were mustered out, with the exception of Miller's, during the early days of September, soon after the close of disturbances, and sent home. People were now returning to their customary occupations, generally well pleased with the result of the war and hoping that no more "unpleasantness" might supervene, as considerabl force of regular troops had arrived, and Colonel Wright, with four companies from Benicia and Fort Reading, was daily expected. Captain Alden, convalescent, set out for Fort Jones, about the time that the military authorities resolved upon founding a permanent fortified camp near Table Rock. The Indians were safely domiciled near that locality, their reservation extending north and west of those prominent and celebrated land marks. Their position was a good one and to their liking. Camas and ip-a roots grew there in profusion; salmon in their season swarmed in the river, game of all kinds was abundant in the neighboring mountains. Besides, it was in the land of their nativity; and though nominally confined to the narrow limits of a comparatively small tract, they were not perceptibly worse off than before. Opposite their home, the new military post reared its imposing front. Appropriately named Fort Lane, it was commodiously and even handsomely built, and in a manner well adapted to the uses of such a post. A stockade enclosed quite a spacious area in which was a parade ground, together with barracks for private soldiers, houses for officers, an armory* hospital, and other necessary buildings, all built of logs. It continued to be the headquarters of the military forces in this region for three years ; at the end of the last Indian war being abandoned. A quarter of a century has seen the old fort fall into ruins, and to-day scarcely a vestige of what was once a lively encampment remains. The officers and men who'guarded its wooden ramparts are scattered and many of them have found a soldier's grave. Some of them died fighting for the flag that waved above the old fort; others forsaking that flag, espoused the "Lost Cause" and were lost with if.

Very soon after the construction of the military post was resolved upon, a circumstance occurred which ranks as one of the most important, and at the same time singular, that we have to narrate. This was the murder of James C. Kyle, on the sixth of October, 1853, by Indians from the Table Rock reservation. This sad affair took place within two miles of Fort Lane, at a time when the settlers were congratulating themselves that Indian difficulties were at an end. Kyle was a merchant of Jacksonville, partner of Wills whose untimely and cruel death has been recorded. A rigid examination and investigation of the homicide proved that it was committed by individuals from the reservation, and the chiefs were called upon to surrender the criminals in compliance with the terms of the treaty. They did so ; and two Indians, George and Tom, were handed over to the proper authorities, as the murderers of Kyle, while Indian Thompson, tilicum of the same tribe, who has been previously mentioned, was surrendered as the murderer of Edwards. Like Thompson, the other two suspects were tried before Judge McFadden of the United States circuit court, at Jacksonville, in February, 1854. They were found guilty, and hanged two days later.

At the close of the Evans' creek campaign, General Lane, with commendable humanity and sagacity, remembering the helpless condition of the incoming migration of the season, dispatched a force of mounted men, being Miller's company, well armed and provisioned, to operate against the Indians in the region where such sickening butcheries were perpetrated the year before, and where Ben Wright and Captain Ross had done such good service in aweing the savages and teaching them lessons of the white man's vehgeance. Captain Miller proceeded thence with his men and throughout the season did excellent service in scouting, fighting those Indians who showed signs of hostility, and in piloting trains to their destination. They left Jacksonville September twelfth, and returning at the close of their campaign, were discharged from service on the second of November. Their total term of service was about three months. The only casualties happening to them while on the emigrant trail was the wounding of Private William Duke by Indians at Goose lake, October fourth, and of Private Watt, at another time and place. Captain Miller's command on this expedition consisted of 115 men.

These occurrences complete the history of Indian difficulties for the year, and together constitute the natural termination of what is known as the "War of 1853." There is a short note to be appended relating to the indebtedness which grew out of the war. This was assumed by the United States; and however, the people of Southern Oregon might grumble - and grumble they did - at the attitude of the government and its army toward the settlers and the Indians, there was no grumbling heard concerning the assumption of the debt by the government, nor at the way in which that debt was paid. The muster-rolls and accounts of all the eight companies and General Lane's staff (the General refused to accept compensation for himself), were made out and adjusted by Captain Goodall, as inspecting and mustering officer, acting under orders from General Lane, at the close of the war; and these papers were forwarded to Captain Alden at Washington, and being presented to congress were promptly acted upon at the instance of that officer and General Lane, in his capacity as delegate to congress from Oregon Territory. Major Alvord, paymaster of the United States army, under orders from the secretary of war, paid off the volunteers, in coin, at Jacksonville and Yreka, in June and July, 1855. The commissary and quartermaster accounts were at the same time sent in draft to Governor Curry, and by him disbursed to the proper creditors. The total cost to the United States was about $285,000.