EDITOR SENTINEL:--After a long delay, during which time the requirements of business have demanded my attention to an unusual degree, I take up my pen again, hoping to give you something to soothe for a moment your literary appetite.
    At Klamath for some time past, the weather has been remarkably fine for this season of the year. No winter yet. Last Sunday was transcendently beautiful, being warmer, brighter, and more pleasant than many days last summer. Some weeks ago the ground was hard frozen, and the lake was plated on top, but the ice is now all gone, the ground is fine condition for plowing, and no snow on the lower country. During the cold weather above mentioned many dashing exploits were performed on the ice, the most considerable of which was the result of the particular "heft" and spirit of your scribbling servant. Getting a good start on the lake, with velocity of a locomotive on a down grade, I sped across a small field of ice, and not being able to employ my brake in time, I dashed into a tule marsh, where, the ice being thin, we made a break and courageously explored the underside of the marsh, finding it decidedly muddy. On examining my depth I found about three feet of my coattail under water, and my delicate little feet sinking deeper and deeper into the miry bottom. I decided at once that a position on top of the ice would be preferable and made some desperate efforts to secure such a footing, but for a long time without success, the ice continuing to break. Finally, summoning up all my energies, I got all my parts to work in unison and sprang like some submarine monster into the firm ice of the lake, taking with me a considerable part of the water of the marsh, and some mud that likely had not been so high in a thousand years. During this fearful feat, even when surrounded by dangers of such a frightful character, a boy stood by and laughed with uncommon fervor, and a dog howled with extreme delight. Such is life.
    Christmas was observed throughout the Lake Basin, the Indians themselves partaking of the general excitement, and feasting with almost insatiable appetites on beef and flour; together with camas, wocus, and other rich viands which they delight. The table at the Lake House, at the Agency, groaned beneath its burden of sweetmeats and substantials, among which prominently appeared a pot pie containing fourteen prairie chickens and some "dead ducks." Another interesting feature of the occasion was a dance by the lately subdued Snakes, which was a correct and certified copy of the light fantastic participated in for ages by these blood-spilling marauders.
    At Fort Klamath the boys had a feast and an unusually fine time. Their hall was decorated splendidly with the implements and ensigns of war, and the boys in blue, nearly all of whom fought for the supremacy of the old flag on the battlefields of the South, joined in the lively recreation of dancing to the sound of excellent music discoursed by a company band. But there was an important article lacking to inspire them with due spirit and activity. Of course I mean that there should have been a general sprinkling of the fair sex to have given the affair a wholesome seasoning. I shall close by referring to Ernest Union Lee, the coming feature of the performance, the last and most thrilling part of the Christmas programme, particularly to Mr. and Mrs. Lee. No wonder the father is half beside himself with joy on receiving so fine a Christmas gift. "But what will they do with Bruce," says Edward Baker. Goodbye.
Klamath, Dec. 29th, 1868.

To the Commissioner of Indian Affairs
    Sir,
        On the 10th Sept. 1868 we transmitted to you a claim for compensation for depredations committed in 1855 by the Rogue River Indians & also stated that we had been requested to inquire as to whether there is any law under which claims for spoliations by various tribes of Indians in California & Oregon can be paid.
    We also inquired whether any compensation would be made the Clatsop Indians for their lands taken under treaty made with them in 1850, 1 & 2 by the Supt. of Indian Affairs in Oregon Ter. & which lands have now, as we understand, been paid for or restored.
    We respectfully ask a reply bond letter of above date.
NARA Series M234 Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs 1824-81, Reel 615 Oregon Superintendency, 1866-1869, frames 980-982.

    "Pilot Rock" furnishes the following:
    No snow to amount to anything. What stock is in the vicinity of Fort Klamath and the Agency doing well. A few days since Kellogg, a Klamath chief, in a state of temporary insanity (so supposed) shot one of his wives with a pistol, killing her instantly. He then, with his rifle, shot his own brains out. No further particulars.
    Stringent precautions have been ordained to prevent the introduction of smallpox into the reservation, and at the Fort also. The introduction of the smallpox into the Klamath country would be a great calamity. The condition and habits of the Indians and the manner in which both whites and Indians are crowded together would add greatly to the spread and fatality of the malady, and it would sweep almost all before it.
    The Indians are generally well contented, the principal cause of this being that ample provisions have been made for their winter subsistence. They are quite orderly and law abiding. Some misdemeanors have been committed, but the offenders have been summarily punished. This has a very salutary effect on all. Lieut. John F. Small left a few days ago on six months' leave. He goes directly to South America, thence to the Atlantic States and Europe.

    FRIEND SENTINEL:--Now that winter, though in rather a mild form, has at last come upon this land, and all the country is covered with snow, the inhabitants driven into their winter quarters, all the roads leading out across the mountains blocked up except the trail down Klamath River to Cottonwood, our feelings are something like I imagine they are of an exile or some poor castaway--and not unfrequently do we hear those who are of a romantic or poetic nature give vent to their pent-up feelings in something like this: "Oh, Solitude, where are thy charms," &c. Still, even here now and then something turns up to break the monotony of such a life, and give the boys something to talk about, as will be seen from the following little piece of Indian history: Kellogg, an old chief of no small influence among his people, like the followers of Joe Smith, enjoyed the imaginary pleasure of three wives, two of them now old and decrepit, found a place in the chief's heart many years ago; but it would seem the "man of war" had a tum-tum [heart] too big to be all given to two wives, for while on a raid through the Modoc country, a few years ago, he chanced to meet "Modoc Mary," a bouncing belle, whose rare beauty awakened again in his breast all the terrible emotions of love; he immediately made her his wife, and taking her from the land of her nativity, brought her into the house of Kellogg--and it does appear that when the young wife had arrived, she was received with much warmth and feeling by the two old hags at home. This warmth it seems, instead of abating, has been on the increase, until the old man's mental organization seems to have almost entirely given away under it, and his domestic affairs got so badly mixed up that he determined to put an end to all his earthly trials and troubles. This he did by first shooting Modoc Mary through the head with a pistol, holding his gun in his left hand at the same time; then placing the muzzle of his yager under his chin, pulled the trigger with his toe--thus he and his last love died weltering in each other's blood.
    Now, Mr. Editor, when I consider the responsibilities that surround you, as conductor of one of the organs of light in our government, and knowing the amount of labor you have to perform, and how important it is to the whole people to have your limited space richly stored with current news of interest, and solid matter of national importance, I have to ask an apology for sending you items like the above--but really the best that has happened since I wrote you.
    The ground has been covered with snow at this place since the first of the month, but only from four to six inches deep. It is now clear and the sun shines out beautiful through the day. The nights are pretty cold, but not cold enough to freeze the lake.
    The Snake Indians who came in and surrendered last summer are quite and appear well satisfied with their present condition and prospects, and there is every reason to believe that if they are properly treated and guarded by those having them in charge, no danger may reasonably be expected from them in future, and all the valleys of Summer, Silver and Goose lakes may be settled with perfect safety next spring. All kinds of stock are wintering finely in the Link River country, and we are killing splendid fat beef here off the range.
    The latest news we have from Jacksonville is in the Sentinel of Jan. 2nd, and it is hard to tell when we may look for later.

    Many and various are the reports that are continually reaching us in regard to the spread of the smallpox in Jacksonville and Yreka; many are exaggerated, and not a few no doubt untrue; and still the latest reliable accounts (Sentinel, 16th Jan.) are terrible enough and well calculated to cast a gloom over the whole country. The Indians on the Reservation are very much alarmed, and for one time there is no trouble in keeping them at home.
    The coldest weather experienced out here this winter was on Jan. 16th, the thermometer standing at five below zero at Fort Klamath; cold weather only lasted a few days; it is now quite pleasant weather, rained a very little last evening--the ice is breaking up on the Lake, and skating is played out for the present at least.
    For the last two weeks everybody and their friends have been turning their energies toward sliding. The mania for sleds has broken out among the Indians, and it is an everyday occurrence to see some white-eyed spotted cayuse running and bucking with the skeleton of a sled hanging to him by rawhide strings. The boys have constructed what they call a "jumper," and from personal experience I am of the opinion that the thing was well named. The trial trip was accomplished after the following style, and was what I call sleighing under difficulties: The thing being made fast to a spirited horse--having an invitation--I took a seat along with the conductor (by the way, a man of experience, being from a cold country) who was just going to show us Webfooters how folks enjoyed themselves in Canada. Off dashed the fiery steed, and all went "just splendid" until we come to a short curve in the road, when instead of staying with the "jumper," we were left standing something less than twenty feet to one side, our heads and shoulders under snow, and righted up just in time to see our horse and sled disappear over a low ridge. The horse was caught three miles from where we stopped, and strange to say [the] "jumper" was sound in all its parts. Next day the indomitable Tucker tried it again; but by himself alone. The result was a general bust-up of sled, and the print of a man, full length in the snow, is plainly visible at this writing--so ends jumper-riding here--Capt. McGregor has ordered one, and big sport is anticipated. Snow six inches deep here and twelve to fourteen at Ft. Klamath.

    It is with sorrow and regret that we record the death of Lieut. John F. Small, lately stationed at Fort Klamath, which took place in San Francisco early during the present week, by suicide. On Wednesday a telegram from San Francisco was received here, barely stating the fact but giving no particulars. At the time of his death he was on a six-months' leave of absence and had visited "White Pine," intending on his return to go to South America, thence to the Atlantic States. The deceased had won his way to a good position in the regular army, as well as an honorable distinction and the respect of his comrades in arms, having served with great bravery during many of the heaviest battles of the war. It is difficult to conceive what impelled him to the committal of the rash act. His parents reside near Eugene City, in this state, and the sad news must fall heavily indeed upon them.

    The emigration that is rapidly pouring into Goose Lake Valley seems to make a survey of that region an imperative necessity. Before next fall nearly every acre of that portion of the state will be taken up, and as there has yet been no survey, the settlers will surely experience endless litigation and inconvenience. We desire to call the attention of the Surveyor General to this matter and hope that he will take immediate steps to have all the unfinished survey, in the southeastern portion of this county, completed. It will cost no more to have it done the coming summer than at any other time, but it will benefit the government by throwing open a tract of country to public entry. It seems that no surveys have been made within ten miles of the boundary between Oregon and California, on account of its not having been definitely fixed. This leaves a strip of country near one hundred miles in length and ten miles wide which people are very anxious to have thrown open for settlement and certainly there is no reason, except it be lack of funds, why it should not be surveyed at once. We hope Surveyor Genl. Applegate will perceive the imperative necessity for this work, and have it commenced immediately.

    We learn by telegraph that Mr. J. F. Gazley is to succeed Mr. Lindsay Applegate as Sub-Indian Agent at the Klamath Reservation. We presume the change is made in consideration of Mr. Gazley's services and in pursuance of the political rule known as "rotation in office." Certainly no person can impugn Mr. Applegate's honesty, nor his zeal and benevolence in behalf of the Indians. He will retire from the office without having plundered the Treasury of a dollar, and in his retirement the Indians will lose a friend in whom they had all confidence. Many would have preferred to have Mr. Applegate remain; but if he was to be removed to make room, we know of no person more deserving of the position than Mr. Gazley and do not doubt but that he will make an efficient officer.

    Arrived here on the 14th inst. Found all things in favorable shape. Farming is being successfully prosecuted, nearly one hundred and fifty acres of the Agency farm having been sown in grain. High court has been in session for some days, and a number of hair-pulling difficulties have been adjusted. Of course your correspondent has taken great delight in attending court.
    Yesterday an Indian was displaying his wonderful power of horsemanship by riding in a circle, when losing his balance he came to the ground, and a Spencer rifle which he had on his person was exploded, inflicting a dangerous wound in his thigh. (Since dead.)
    Report has been received that Mr. Latta, of Ashland, and another person whose name we have not learned, were found dead in Goose Lake Valley a short time ago. They were gone out from a certain camp to explore, but remaining some days over the time they had expected to return, a number of men becoming uneasy, went in search of them, and after following their tracks into a remote part of the country found their dead bodies. A number of wild parsnip roots lay near them, and there were some of the same kind in Mr. Latta's pocket. The root mentioned is known to be a deadly poison, and was no doubt the cause of their death. They seemed to have died with scarcely a struggle. By the time this reaches you, you may have further particulars from some other source. (An account of the above occurrence, less circumstantial, was published last week.)
    Capt. McGregor's company will probably not get away from Fort Klamath until near the 1st of July. They design crossing to Jacksonville on the Mount Pitt road, which will not be open for some time yet. Lieut. Thos. McGarvey, Quartermaster at Fort Klamath, has just returned from Yreka. He went to that place to procure a blacksmith to shoe the cavalry horses at the fort, preparatory to their long march to Arizona. In the vicinity of Mr. Brown's (at Mol-buck-ish) the Lieutenant's pack horse went on a reconnaissance into the timber, pursued by the blacksmith. Up to this time neither of the explorers have reported to the Lieutenant for duty.
    Last evening the Agency people (not the red ones) went Leeward and joined in a musical concert. The occasion was one calculated to promote fine feelings and revive drooping spirits. There was also a lively manifestation of the spirit of Ernest Union.
Klamath agency, April 17, 1869.

    FROM KLAMATH.--We had a visit from Capt. McGregor on Wednesday. He reports the crops looking very well in the Klamath Basin. He expects to start with his company for Arizona about the 1st of July or as soon as the wagon road up Rogue River is open.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 15, 1869, page 3


    ARMY SUPPLIES.--Notice an advertisement in today's paper for proposals to furnish beef, flour and bacon at Fort Klamath.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 15, 1869, page 3

Sir
    I have to advise you that in compliance with instructions in your letter of 3rd ultimo that I have this day relieved Mr. J. W. Perit Huntington, Supt. Indian Affairs in Oregon, and assumed the duties of that office.
    Mr. Huntington turned over no public funds to me and only office furniture and stationery, for which I gave him proper receipts. List of same will accompany my accounts for fractional part of 4th quarter ending June 30th 1869.
    I have appointed Mr. C. S. Woodworth (former clerk in this office) as chief clerk. His knowledge of the business and efficiency as clerk render his services desirable and is sufficient reason for continuing him in that capacity.
    I have also continued as messenger Mr. James Brown, who has acted in that capacity under my predecessors for many years.
Hon. N. G. Taylor
    Commissioner &c.
        Washington D.C.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 10; Letter Books I:10, page 283.  Original on NARA Series M234 Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs 1824-81, Reel 615 Oregon Superintendency, 1866-1869, frames 945-947.

    On the 6th inst., a party of twelve men from Lane County arrived here on their way to Goose Lake, having been two months on the road from Eugene City to this place. They had much difficulty in crossing the mountains, and were for a long while snowed in near the summit. They report about thirty miles of snow on that route, frequently about eight feet deep. Three of the gentlemen are named Templeton. These men are not often turned back by ordinary obstacles, two of them being the same Templetons that, with two other men, wintered on the headwaters of the Deschutes a year ago last winter in such close proximity with the Snakes. They represent that the webfoot people have a great disposition to travel in the direction of Goose Lake; but if they soon try the higher roads it is probable that many of them will cool their ardor in the snow banks of the Cascades. Twelve hundred head of cattle and innumerable squads of land hunters are said to be in the footsteps of the Messrs. Templeton. Goose Lake is undoubtedly a fine large valley, possessing many natural advantages, but there is not quite enough room for everybody. A part of the people ought to remain a few days and see if they cannot eke out an existence where they are. The new country fever is a fearful contagion, but home prosperity should be a disinfectant sufficiently effective to deprive it of much of its power.
    This morning we are having a fine rain, which follows a showery night. We now feel confident of a good crop. After plants get a good start here little other moisture than our heavy dews is required to keep them growing.
    Considerable sickness is now prevalent among the Indian children. Two of them have died within the last few days. Dave Hill, an Indian of considerable note, who lost one of them, is so heartbroken that he is constantly guarded by his relatives, lest he might take his own life. Directly after the sad circumstance Dave was missing for four days, during which time a large portion of the tribe was in the mountains hunting for him. He was finally found in the vicinity of the Klamath Marsh, fasting, having abstained from any food for three or four days.
    For the present, no more.
    KLAMATH AGENCY, MAY 20.--Raining a good shower this morning. Mr. Smith and another gentleman, with their herders, have just arrived from Lane County, with near eight hundred cattle for Sacramento. They go via Goose Lake. They represent that they broke a road through the Cascades, on Pengra's route that can be followed in a dark night. They think the snow on that road will not be troublesome to travelers in a week. We understand this morning that a drove of cattle crossed on the Rogue River road within the last few days--now on Wood River, a few miles north of here.

    Company "K," 23rd Infantry, has arrived at Fort Klamath.
    Says the Jacksonville Sentinel, The bids for flour, bacon and beef were opened at Fort Klamath on Monday. The flour contract was awarded to Jacob Ish, at $3.74 per 100 pounds. Hams to same at $16.48 per 100 lbs. Bacon to Glenn, Drum & Co., at $16.48 per 100 lbs., and beef to George Nurse, at 10½ cts. per pound--all at coin rates.
Oregonian, Portland, June 17, 1869, page 2  The Sentinel had printed this information in its June 12 issue, on page 2.


Mr. Wm. B. Waugh
    Chf. Clerk Indian Bureau
        Dr. Sir
            I have the honor to return the instructions given to me as Superintendent of Arizona [sic] Territory.
    You would oblige me much by sending me a list of the agents under my control in Oregon. Please also state to me where the Superintendency is located.

    After a silence of many months I again propose to send you a few items from this part.
    W. H. Odell, with a party of thirty men engaged in constructing the Oregon Central Military Road, reached Klamath Marsh, thirty miles above here, a few days ago. This road is now completed from Eugene City to where it crosses Klamath Marsh and is said to be a good road. In order to cross the marsh a bridge must be built three quarters of a mile in length. In order to save labor in bridging, Mr. Odell has put fifteen of his men to work lowering the outlet of the marsh, which he hopes to lower two feet in a month. A great many stock have passed over this road this spring and summer--as near as I am able to estimate, 35,000 sheep, 15,000 cattle and near one hundred "webfoot" families.
    Big Valley, Pit River, is all the rage now, and is said to be the finest stock range now open for settlement.
    Harvest is just commencing on this agency. The grain crop is splendid, the barley just ripe. 200 acres is decidedly the finest crop I ever saw in Oregon.
    The weather has been oppressively hot for the last two weeks past. The mountains are on fire in all directions, and the smoke is very dense in the valley.
    Geo. Nurse's bridge across Link River was completed some time ago. It is a credit to the builder, Mr. Meacum.
    Flies and mosquitoes are active and on the alert out here, and are a great pest to both man and beast.
    More or less disaffection continues among the Indians on account of the unsettled state of the Indian Department.

Washn. D.C. July 31, 4:24 p.m.
    Hon. Comr. Ind. Affairs
Have arrived. Will assume duty tomorrow.

    The above purchase was not preceded by advertising, as specified in the act of March 2nd 1861, the exigencies of the service not admitting of delay. The articles were purchased on the 27th day of April 1966 immediately after it had been decided to commence operations on Klamath Reservation. The articles were absolutely necessary in the commencement of operations and had to be hurried out to the agency immediately. They were started to the reservation on the 1st of May ensuing and were used as soon as they arrived at the reservation.

Aug. A. Voucher No. 1. Same. Agricultural Implements.	$11.00
Sept. Voucher No. 3. Same. Supplies.	43.45
Oct. A. Voucher No. 3. Same. 12 Axes &c.	40.00

    The reasons for not advertising for the above articles are substantially the same as given in the first place above. Operations had just commenced, funds were very limited, and only such things were purchased as were absolutely necessary, and were procured and hurried to the reservation when needed for immediate use. If they had been advertised for, the delay would have been disadvantageous to the service.

4th Quarter 1867. A Voucher No. 1. Frank Applegate. Wheat.

$53.25

    By reference to the copy of a communication from Supt. Huntington, herewith, it will be seen that he instructed the purchase of seed grain. Heavy snows frequently fall early in October on the Cascade Mountains between Klamath Agency and Rogue River Valley, where the wheat had to be procured, preventing the possibility of teams crossing. As the instructions came late it was unsafe to delay, consequently the grain was purchased in open market at the lowest market price and forwarded immediately.

Voucher No. 3. Glenn, Drum & Co. Plows.

$245.82

    By reference to the Supt.'s letter referred to above, it will be seen that he authorized me to purchase a dozen plows. I procured a half dozen, and as the season was late I forwarded them immediately.

Voucher No. 4. T. B. Sprague. Fanning Mill.

$60.00

    Harvest was finished, and in order to prepare the grain, which had been tramped out by animals, for seed or other use, it was necessary to have a fanning mill at once. The lateness of the season precluded the possibility of getting one across the mountains, consequently the only one in the Klamath country was purchased, as low in price however as it could have been secured in Rogue River Valley.

E. A. Lane. Services from Oct. 1st to Nov. 20th 1867 at $500 per annum, charged

$69.42

    Lane was employed in plowing until Oct. 16th, at which time he was detailed to accompany me to meet Supt. Huntington, then conveying annuity goods to Klamath Reservation from Dalles City, Oregon. After meeting Mr. Huntington Lane drove an ox team to Klamath, where he was engaged in plowing until his discharge on November 20th 1867.
    By reference to a circular from the Treasury Department, dated March 1st 1864, you will find my salary correctly charged for the period between Sept. 17th 1865 and Dec. 31st 1865, also salary of E. A. Lane from Oct. 1st to Nov. 20th 1867 is charged near correctly. Your clerk seems to have computed in both these instances by a table of salaries adopted during the incumbency of Wm. P. Dole, which table has gone out of use since the circular referred to above was issued, as we understand. In your Statement of Differences you charge me with the tax on my salary up to Feb. 28th 1867. This is incorrect, as that tax was withheld by Supt. Huntington on payment of my salary by him.

Sept. 1866 Voucher 4. S. D. Whitmore. For nails.

$3.08

    The nails were required for immediate use. Mr. Whitmore had them, and the service was benefited by their purchase. The transaction was not strictly formal, but the demands of the service seemed to justify the informality, under the circumstances, as nails could not have been purchased for as reasonable a price doubtless within a hundred miles of the agency.
    I trust the foregoing explanations may be regarded as satisfactory
Hon. E. B. French
    2nd Auditor
        Treasury Department
            Washington D.C.

    It seems necessary under the circumstances to say a few words in regard to the Snake Indians east of us.
    Col. Otis says "no Indians could be more peaceable." It is true that they are not engaged in hostility now, and that they are more peaceable than they have been heretofore, for until this summer they have been engaged in active hostility. Now the point is this: There are now some 1,200 Snakes at large in their old ranges, and if they are not taken charge of, is it to be supposed that they have sufficiently repented of their past acts to make it safe for defenseless families to settle in their country? If so, I am mistaken in Indian character, although I have been acquainted with it for the last twenty-five years.
    Although southeastern Oregon should be settled up, I do not consider it right to encourage unsuspecting families to expose themselves. If they understand the situation, then they will go in sufficient numbers to protect themselves, or wait until some provision is made to take the Snakes in charge, which, it is hoped by the hearty and efficient cooperation of the military and civil authorities, will not be long. Superintendent Meacham, I have no doubt, will act in this matter as soon as he is furnished the necessary means.
    A. D. Helman, of your valley, reached here on the 11th with his threshing machine, to thresh the Agency grain.
    Buckner, clerk in Nurse's sutler store at the Fort, died on the evening of the 11th, after a lingering illness of several months. He was a man of some 45 or 50 years of age.
    During the thunder storm lately, an Indian woman in Sprague River Valley was "struck by lightning," and instantly killed.
    Yesterday, a renegade Spokane Indian, called "Spokane Ike," was, on the requisition of the agent, promptly arrested by Capt. Goodale, and confined at Fort Klamath, for advising the Indians here to violate treaty stipulations, and attempting to produce a general bad feeling among the Indians on this Reservation.
    Last night the smoke lifted from the valley, and today the atmosphere is clear and everything is lovely.
    Klamath, Oregon, Sept. 14, 1869.

    You will advise with Peter W. Caris about organizing this wagon train, which will consist of four (4) wagons and four (4) yoke of oxen to each wagon. Also select for herders such men as are reliable for guides and that would be faithful in case we have any difficulty with the Snakes. Also about the amount of subsistence say for fifty (50) or sixty (60) days.

    EDITOR SENTINEL:--Believing that you would like to hear occasionally how things wag in this part of the "great valley of the Willamette," I have determined to seize my pen and send you the news, which if not much, I can say truthfully is all we have.
    Just at this time there is an "Oregon mist" coming down, much after the style of rain showers "in the States," much to the detriment of some of the farmers who have late crops, and to the very great discomfort of many of the pleasure seekers, who are at present in great numbers on the coast, near the mouth of Salmon and Siletz rivers, listening to the "sounding sea," and looking at the foam-crested billows of the "briny deep," many of them for the first time.
    I think, however, but little damage will be done the grain crops from the rain, as the prospect now is that the "clouds of mist" have about spent their fury, and that "old sol" will soon again enliven us with his beaming smiles.
    This Agency is located at (or rather in) the eastern foot of the Coast Mountains, near the headwaters of the Yamhill River, and about thirty-five miles west of Salem, and is at this time under the charge of Capt. Charles Lafollette. It is the same one for several years before the war, and at the commencement thereof, under the charge of Capt. John F. Miller; at present aspirant for the position of Democratic governor of this state.
    There are about twelve hundred Indians on this Reservation, including those brought from your part of the country and Josephine County. They are making rapid strides toward civilization, considering the number of years they have been receiving instructions from the government. The grain crops here, as well as throughout the country round about here, are not so good this year as usual, principally on account of the extreme dry weather since the middle of May last, and this is another warning to farmers to sow their wheat in the fall season, and the sooner the better. Times have been hard this summer, but yet all through the valley a great [deal] of improvement is going on, both in town and country, and the valley is rapidly increasing in wealth and population, and to some extent "aping" the older states of the "far West." Webfeet have come to the conclusion at last that Oregon is bound to become a great state, whether Ben Holladay builds our railroads or not, and of this, for one, I have no doubt. What the state of Oregon needs at this time, to enable it to mount up in the scale of great states, is more industrious and economical men and women, to make a proper use of the many natural facilities with which the God of nature has so bountifully supplied us in almost every position of the state.

Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 25, 1869, page 3


    ASSAULT.--A man, named Bailey, was brought in from Link River yesterday, charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, October 9, 1869, page 3



    The Democratic journals have a great deal to say because Senator Williams went east last summer and succeeded in preventing the removal of our Superintendent of Indian Affairs and several agents in this valley. The military officers who have positions in the Indian service are doing tolerably well, but it was deemed necessary to retain some civilians for the good of the Indians. To satisfy himself of the condition of the tribes on the Oregon reservations the Senator lately made an excursion with Superintendent Meacham to the Coast Reservation and the different tribes located upon it. There are two full agencies and one subagency on this extensive reservation, known respectively as Grande Ronde and Siletz, Alsea being a subagency. The excursion embraced in its range Siletz and Grande Ronde, and the visitors found everything in a flourishing condition, the Indians being generally contented and happy. The present condition of the Indians at Siletz and Grande Ronde demonstrates very fully that Indians can be civilized; can be taken and made men and women of, in fact.
    The travelers were surprised to find that the Indians were dressed in civilized garb, wore hats and bonnets, coats and dresses, boots and shoes; not a single blanket or moccasin were seen at either place, but they were astonished at the sight of women whose faces were fully tattooed, in the day of their savage life, who now appeared in full dress, hoops and chignons and jewelry. Not the least surprising fact that was met with was the Sabbath turnout at Grande Ronde, where at least a score of families made their appearance at church, riding in good wagons behind two-horse teams, the whole family attired in comfortable garments, the children being clad like white folks' children.
    At Grande Ronde the Indians want the lands divided, and segregated into individual farms; at Siletz the cry is for wagons and plows. In both cases progress is evidenced by the expressed want. These Indians are living in comfortable houses, sit to their meals at tables spread with dishes, and knives and forks, and sleep on bedsteads. Ben. Simpson, at the Siletz, has charge of remnants of fourteen bands, once the worst fighting Indians of Southern Oregon, who obey him like children. Under his influence they have become civilized and peaceable. At Grande Ronde the Indians run, manage, and keep in repair a threshing machine, without assistance, and these are the same Indians who a few years ago carried the bow and arrow in the Oregon forests where they were raised.
    The Indians are industrious, and earn considerable money by labor. At Grande Ronde they render efficient help to the settlers in the harvest field; at Siletz they have many opportunities in connection with fisheries and the commerce of the bay. Skeptics have only to go and visit this reservation to recognize the facts stated. Senator Williams was both surprised and pleased, and will go back to Washington able to vouch for the condition of the department as perfectly satisfactory. The Indian Department in Oregon may be said to be flourishing, despite the many disadvantages that have lately attended its affairs. Meacham has his plans well laid and organized, and feels in good heart and good spirits as he becomes aware of their true condition. Judging by the results manifested, the officers in charge heretofore have done well by the Indians. The facts we have stated are eminently satisfactory, and conclusively rebut the charges often so indiscriminately brought against the Indian service.
"Letter from Oregon," Sacramento Daily Union, October 12, 1869, page 1

Monday November 8, 1869.
Present at the opening of the council:
A. B. Meacham, Superintendent of Indian Affairs in Oregon.
Bvt. Col. Elmer Otis, 1st Cavalry, Comdg. Dist. of the Lakes.
Maj. A. J. Dallas, 23rd Inf., Comdg. Post, Camp Harney, Ogn.
Bvt. Lt. Col. W. R. Parnell, 1st Cavalry.
Dr. C. C. Byrne, Asst. Surgeon U.S.A., Post Surgeon.
Dr. Wm. C. McKay.
Donald McKay.
Chiefs Weahwewa, Egan, Pon-ee, Owitze, Ocheho, Chocktoot, Tst-ah-ne with twenty-eight males and eight females.
   

Col. Otis.	(To Weahwewa and Ocheho) Are all the men here who are coming to talk?
Answer.	I do not know.
Col. Otis.	Look around and see. (To Weahwewa) Are all the Indians you want here?
Answer.	Three are out yet.
Col. Otis.	Where is "Big Head"?
Answer.	He came in yesterday, and went back.
Col. Otis.	Did you not know there was to be a council held today?
Answer.	He came in yesterday with "Egan."
Col. Otis.	(To Ocheho) Are all the men in you want?
Answer.	No. Only one man of my tribe.
Col. Otis.	(To Chocktoot) Are all your Indians here?
Answer.	None
Col. Otis.	(To Tst-ah-ne) Are all your Indians here?
Answer.	There are seven here.
Col. Otis.	It is important that all should be here to talk. The council is a very important one, and I will wait a little longer.
Col. Otis.	Are there any Indians from the south fork of John Day's River?
Answer.	(By Weahwewa) There are three lodges there.
Col. O.	Are any of them here?
Answer.	None.
Col. O.	(To Jerry, interpreter) Are all here that will come?
Answer.	Yes.
Col. O.	I rode from Camp Warner here, very hard, and am very sorry to have been compelled to hunt you up. I came to turn you over to Mr. Meacham, who is appointed by the Governor to take care of you, and to learn you to live like white men. I want you to listen, for what I say is true. I do not talk two ways. Mr. Meacham is appointed by our Great Father at Washington to take care of you, and I want you to do as he tells you when he talks. He will do nothing but what is good for you; he wants you to live like Dr. McKay [and] "Harney" (a Rogue River chief). The Great Father has appointed a Superintendent of all the Indians, an Indian like yourselves. Listen to what Mr. Meacham has to say. When the Indians do wrong, the government punishes them, but when they are at peace, they are taken care of like citizens, men like Mr. Meacham. He will talk. I am done for the present.
Mr. Meacham.	The President of the United States has appointed me to feed, clothe and take care of all the Indians in Oregon, and not to fight them. When you are at war, I have nothing to do with you; when you quit fighting and are at peace, another officer, a civil one, looks after you.     You had a long war, and said you were conquered, that you would obey the government when you surrendered. Gen. Crook wrote to the Great Father that you had agreed to submit to the military.  You surrendered because you were tired of fighting. The soldiers never would have asked for peace, for when they are at war, they always conquer. Whatever the government orders to be done must be done. The government ordered Gen. Crook to fight the Indians, but he said you wanted peace, and had surrendered. The Indian Department wrote to my predecessor Mr. Huntington of this fact. He then came here last winter to see you and talk with you. He saw you. He met Weahwewa and others. Are they here now? I have here a paper in which is a treaty you signed (produced mss. and shows the signs made by Owitze, Weahwewa and Chow-wat-we-woc, Pon-ee, Egan, Tst-ah-ne, which they all recognized and acknowledged). I want to say a little more, and tomorrow I will talk again. All must come by ten o'clock so we can have a long talk. The Great Father says that Col. Otis will help me to enforce what he wants done: He will stay here while the talk lasts. All the little talks I have made are good. I made them with a good heart, and not with a forked tongue. I came to see you with a good heart. Col. Otis came here because it was law; he did not come because I was afraid or had a bad heart. I told you what my business was in all of my little talks. Tomorrow I will answer all the questions you may ask me. Before I came here, the soldiers had gone on all sides of you. Now I come with blankets to clothe and beef to feed you. I want to see your hearts and will show you mine. I want you all to come tomorrow; I will have food for you all. I am done for the present.
Col. Otis.	I have come for you to have a talk, and want you all here. Winnemucca is gone, and I am very sorry. I shall advise my friend, Mr. Meacham, if the Indians do not come, to make a chief, and he shall be obeyed. Ocheho speaks well and I have recommended him to Mr. Meacham. I am sorry that Weahwewa has not talked good; I hope he will do better. The chief shall not be made yet. Mr. Meacham will take time and have a good one. The way you act during the next few days may make you chief. If Winnemucca comes in in a few days it will be well; the chief will not be made. Have you anything to say to Mr. Meacham or myself today? We came here for your good, and if you have anything to say, say it. (To Po-nee) I am sorry you are so late. I want you to be here tomorrow to the big talk.
Mr. Meacham.	I want you to take time and think well. I want you to look at the Indians like "Harney," Dr. McKay and others, and talk to them. I brought them along for you to talk to. "Harney" is young, only 21 years of age; he has a good home, a nice wife, and is much thought of.
Weahwewa.	It is true what Gen. Crook says. We did give up. What I tell is true. This is all truth. We gave up; we got tired of war. We made a treaty and want to stand by a treaty. All my band say so, and will break out no more. All my boys must obey me, and will obey me. I told this to Gen. Crook. I said I would fight no more. I am an old man. I told my warriors to throw their bows and arrows away, and not to have any more. I said, "Throw away your bows and arrows; we want to be friends always." I told Gen. Crook this. All my boys say this. They will not steal horses or anything anymore. They all listen to me; everyone listens to me.
Col. Otis.	(To Weahwewa) We want you to move over to Sprague River. We do not want to speak about fighting. Gen. Crook is my chief, and I am doing as he tells me. When I talked to "Tst-ah-ne" a year ago, at Camp Smith, all I said was subject to Gen. Crook's approval.  Have you anything more to say?
Mr. Meacham.	(To Weahwewa) I believe that Weahwewa is a great man and that his boys will do what he says. If you do right your men will in a few years look like "Harney"; if you do not they will always be like they are now, and will always live in the sagebrush. Now all come, and have some meat.

   
Nov. 9th
    Council opened at 11 o'clock a.m. Col. Otis, Maj. Dallas, Maj. Trimble, Lt. Col. Parnell and Dr. Byrne of the garrison present.

Col. Otis.	I am glad to see you all here, and I want you to listen well to what Mr. Meacham has to say.
Mr. Meacham.	I might do very little talking, and not tell you what I have to say. I want to tell you that I do not want to treat you like dogs, but like men. When you were at war, you made a good fight, and had brains. I want you to have brains now, when you are at peace. I want to talk now of what is for your good, and not to talk war. I will begin to talk now where I quit talking yesterday. I talked about the paper you signed, and which Mr. Parker read. He said it made his heart glad. He then wrote to Mr. Huntington which would be the best place for the Piute Indians. Some said Fort Hall, some said Klamath; Mr. Huntington said Siletz. Then Mr. Parker wrote to me asking me what I thought about it. I talked to these men and went to see Siletz, but I thought Klamath to be the best place because it was near your own country. Dr. McKay, who knows all about it, tells me that Klamath is in the borders of your own country, and that it is a very good place for hunting and fishing, and that you can grow something there. Mr. Parker then said, "You will go, and take these people there." Mr. Parker is big chief of Indian Affairs. When Mr. Parker told me to move the Indians, he also told me to go to the big chief (Col. Otis). He wrote to the big chief and told him to help me. When I came here it was also necessary for the big chief of the military to come and say to you, "Now go with this man." The military are here to see that everything is done right, to see that the Indians do no wrong, to see that I do no wrong. If any of my people were to do any harm to you Col. Otis would punish them. If any Indians steal my property it is Col. Otis' business to punish them. He represents one branch of the government, to see that nobody does wrong or is wronged. When there is fighting to be done, Col. Otis and his soldiers do it; when there is peace, they keep it. They are your friends as long as you do well, and my friends as long as I do right. If I cannot do as I am told it is their business to help me. I have fairly told you all now. The government are all the time learning more, and are trying to take care of the Indians in the best manner possible. In this government, it matters not what the color of a man's skin may be; all are alike, if they do right. We have had a big fight to get everybody to agree to this, and to know what their hearts were.     Thirty years ago a little Indian boy went to school, and because he was good he rose to be a great man, and was made an officer, and he is now at the head of Indian Affairs. This Indian is Mr. Parker of whom I spoke, and who has not one drop of white man's blood in his veins. He is respected by everybody. The soldiers respect him because he is himself a great soldier. He is also chief of the Indians called the Six Nations. After the big war was over the Great Captain who won it gave this Indian, Mr. Parker, charge of the Indians because he was a great man. He did it because before this many bad men were made agents, and he thought that by doing this it would cease. Mr. Parker accepted the position because he wanted to do good to his race. He looks around and sees that there are more whites than stars in the heavens, and that each war lessens the number of the Indians. It made his heart sad to see his people die off, and he says he sees no way for his people to do but to live like the white man lives. When you go on a reservation, you throw away your bows and arrows and live like white men. Mr. Parker has seen this. There are thousands of Indians who were once wild, but who are now living just as we live. On the other hand, he sees Indians who do not go on reservations, are constantly engaged in little wars, and as constantly lose. The only thing I can say to you is to throw away your bows and arrows, and till the soil, and if you are good men you will be liked; if you are bad you will not be respected. Everybody is valued for just what his head and heart are worth. (Refers to Col. Otis and others for illustration.) If they had been bad men and had forked tongues, they could never occupy the positions they do. Because they have done good their government trusts them, and their names will live forever. It is just as with everybody who holds a position: He stands there upon his worth. Now it is the same way with the Indians; he will be valued for what his head and heart are worth. This is the reason I want you to go to the reservation: to learn to be good men and to learn to work. Mr. Parker wants you to go for the same reason, for you are running wild over the country; he can never hear from you; he cannot send letters to you; he cannot get you to hear what he has to say. It is because he is an Indian that he loves you and does this, not because he hates you. When you are on a reservation, he has a man whom he calls an agent and who tells him how you act. To this agent he writes his wishes. If this agent is a bad man, he won't have him there; he will have no man who learns you to drink whiskey, to defile your women, and to do other bad acts. Now I have told you the reason that Mr. Parker wants you to go to Klamath. He expects you to go, and if you do not he will be very sorry. I came here with no other intentions than that you should go with me. I have brought you blankets and shirts, with other things, and will see that what Mr. Parker wishes done shall be done fairly. I came here prepared to take you. I have horses and teams to carry your property. Gen. Crook tells Col. Otis to give me teams, and I am ready to move at any time. I have plenty of beef and flour for you all. It is getting late and we want to start soon, to keep out of the snow. I have finished.
Col. Otis.	I have heard all that Mr. Meacham has said, and what he says is true. I am glad you have listened and want you to remember it. I know that there are some Indians that are not here. Winnemucca is not here; the Indians at the south bend of John Day's River are not here. I want you to send good men to these bands to tell them what has been said here, and to come to Camp Harney or to meet Mr. Meacham at Camp Warner. I leave Maj. Dallas, who is chief here while I am away, and who will see that everything is done properly. I shall live at Camp Warner and shall see that everything is done fairly there. The chief at Klamath is Capt. Goodale. Some of you know him. I have a chief at Camp Bidwell to see that everything is done fairly there. The chief at the reservation is also a soldier who will see that you are fairly dealt with when you go there. All these soldier chiefs are around here to see that everybody does right. When you go to Klamath Mr. Meacham will feed you; at present we can feed you at no other place. I want to see that your hearts are all good, and I want you all to go and to behave like good Indians. I have said all; I am done. We want to hear what you have to say, and when you will be ready to go.
Weahwewa.	If there was fighting in any other tribes I would go, but as there is peace I do not want to go. We all made a treaty. I am old and think it is better for me to stay. I thought I would have a reservation in my own country. I am old and do not want to travel. If I die in my own country it is all right. If I stay here will you give me food? My boys will not fight with the soldiers if I stay. I understand what I have heard. I understand very well. My advice was good, and I shall trouble nobody. If Winnemucca comes and does not find me here he will think it wrong. Winnemucca is the head chief and looks after all of the Indians. I do not want to go before Winnemucca comes back. All my boys are here; they will not give trouble to anybody. If I die I give advice to my boys not to disturb anybody. This is all the advice I have to give. I would like to stay here. My advice is not the forked tongue, it is all truth. Everybody is quiet and will not fight against each other. We all made a treaty and were promised that we should stay. I will not ask for food; I will not fight for it; I will ask for nothing. I have my own food buried and will not disturb anybody. I think it is better to stay in our own country. I want all to listen to what I say. I want you to tell Mr. Parker what I say. Each side listens to the other, and we will not break out. This is all I have to say. What is done is done. There are plenty of fish in the Malheur River, and I want to know whether a reservation can be made here. I am not going to Klamath. I am old and gray-headed and want to stay. I know that I cannot live long, and if I do die my boys will keep quiet. Do you all understand me? I have nothing more to say.
Egan.	When we made a treaty, I said we would stay here as long as we lived. I see all the soldiers. I like the soldiers. I am not going to be like a dead ox--eat and die. I will not fight one side or the other. I want all the Indians to stay here and be at peace. We threw away everything when we made the treaty, and were determined to stay in this country. I tell my boys to hunt around the mountains. If cattle are lost I told my boys to hunt them. This is all I have to say. If my boys do wrong, we will talk about it.
Mr. Meacham.	Has anybody told you not to go to Klamath?
Weahwewa.	Nobody has said not go.
Mr. Meacham.	(To Egan) Has any half-breed or white man told you not to go?
Answer.	No man has given me advice.
Mr. Meacham.	Has anybody give you presents of tobacco and other things and told you not to go?
Answer (by several).	Nobody has said anything. We have heard nothing.
Tst-ah-ne.	I have listened to both sides. I have nothing to say. What these two say (Weahwewa & Egan) I follow. Everything that grows around gives us enough to eat. I want to travel around. If I go to Klamath I must stay. If I stay here I can hunt around and make a living. We are not going to Klamath; it is too small. We want to hunt around. We listen to these two; we have nothing to say. When Winnemucca left here, he told us to remain and to disturb nothing and to listen to what he said.
Mr. Meacham.	Did Winnemucca say not to go with me?
Answer.	No.
Tst-ah-ne.	This is our advice (Weahwewa, Egan & speaker).
Mr. Meacham.	Does anyone else want to talk?
Tst-ah-ne.	I like all. When we meet we shake hands, and I am glad to see you. When we stay together and separate as friends I like to see that I cannot go unless these go (Weahwewa & Egan). If any man hunts ("prospects") through our country, he shall not be disturbed. I will not say that it is my money--that which he finds. It is all right for them to prospect and settle. I will not drive them away. We will trade skins with them. We will not fight about this country. You can have hay. If you want to settle this country it is all right. We will not fight about it; there is no use to fight. I do not think it is right for the officers to advise us to go to another country. When I was at Camp Smith, I listened to Col. Otis when he talked and I remember it. All the Indians and whites are friends and have no bad hearts toward each other. We do not like to talk anymore. We have roots and seeds buried all around. We have relatives who are married in other tribes, and it troubles us that they are far away. Col. Otis told me not to steal and I remember it and have done no wrong since. What I say is true. This is all I have to say.
Mr. Meacham.	I have heard all you have said and understand it. I did not expect you would talk as you have done. I thought you would do as you promised to do. You said to Gen. Crook that you would obey the government of the United States. When a good white man says he will do a thing, he will do it. I have gone to a great expense as Mr. Parker told me to do because you said when you surrendered you would obey, and I am sorry that you do not. When we were at war we were two people. We fought to know who should rule. Gen. Crook never asked for peace; you asked for it. There cannot be two governments in a country--one must rule--two cannot. When there was nobody but Indians in the country the greatest warrior would rule. Is it not so? When we fought had we asked for peace you would have told us when we could have come. When you gave up and asked for peace, you gave up the right to rule the country. If we had given up, you would have said when we could have prospected. If you had whipped us and told us not to go into Harney Valley--would we go? No: You would have fought for this country and have whipped [us]. You would have said, "Here is a part you can have; you must not go on another part." If we could have agreed to do this, we would have done so. And if Gen. Crook had said, "We won't do this," what would have said? You would have said, "You agreed to do this, we want you to be men, and not like children, and do it." If not, what would you then have done? You agreed to let us rule this country, and now you won't do it. I do not talk this with a bad heart, but I want to reason with you like a man. If Gen. Crook would agree to do a thing and then not do it, would you call him a brave man? Is such a man fit to be a chief, who will tell men to do what they agreed not to do? If it was a white chief who did this, another chief would be made. If Gen. Crook had agreed to come here and talk, he would not slip away as Winnemucca has done. A man who will mislead his people is not fit to be a chief. If Col. Otis would do this he would be a bad man. It is the same way with other people. If Winnemucca advises you to do wrong, after you had promised to do right, you have no business to obey him. When a white chief does wrong, or talks with a forked tongue, they make a new one. Weahwewa is a brave, strong man, has plenty of sense, and I answer his words as I would Col. Otis. He says he is an old man. I hear him, but because he is old it is no reason he should live in the sagebrush; because he has been wild and without a home it is no reason that he should not have one. When a white man gets old, he lives not for himself, but for the good of his children. If Weahwewa does not go, all his children will live in the sagebrush. If they stay in the sagebrush, they might have a war, and after years had passed would curse Weahwewa for it. Whenever a white man causes wrong, everybody curses him for it. Weahwewa should talk like a good man and say, "I want my children to have a good home." I came here as his friend and want to heed [hear?] him. I have seen wild Indians and tame ones. Wild ones are poorly dressed and have no houses; tame ones like "Harney" have [them]. I want Weahwewa to go with me, not for his sake alone but for the good of his people. I came here for the Indians' good, and Mr. Parker says they must go. They must go sometime. The government which I represent never undertakes to do a thing and fails. I want you to know what the facts are. My talk is from a good heart, and I want you to think of it.     I am done.
Col. Otis.	(Tst-ah-ne) When I came to talk to you one year ago, did I come to make peace? Did you not come to me?
Answer.	Nobody gave me advice when I surrendered, but I advised to have to peace.
Col. O.	Who got tired of fighting first?
Answer.	The scouts told us not to fight.
Col. O.	Who gave up, the soldier or the Indian?
Answer.	Nobody said they were tired; the scouts told us to stop.
Col. O.	You came in to me and said you were tired of war.
Answer.	I said so.
Col. O.	I asked you how many Indians were killed. You said you did not want to fight anymore, and you asked me where you could stay. I said "around Steens Mountain for the present." This was subject to the approval of a bigger chief than I was. Gen. Crook was in the same situation, for all he said was subject to the approval of a still bigger chief. I told you not to trouble the white man when he came into this country. I also said that when you were hungry you should ask the white man for something to eat. This arrangement is now done with, and we have no orders to feed you. Mr. Meacham has orders. I know that if you stay around the mountain during the winter you will be in after something to eat. As the white man comes in your game will grow less, and you will then starve unless he feeds you. This is the reason the great chief at Washington wants you to go on a reservation and live like white men. I have seen many Indians and have been at many Indian talks. I know them well. The wild Indians come and beg for food. Their papooses cry; they are hungry. Those on reservations have houses, horses and plenty to eat. They do not come to the white man to beg. Mr. Meacham wants to learn them how to build their own houses, make their own clothing, and raise their own food. All you now wear you received from the white man. I want you all to learn to make these things like the white man does. If you will go with Mr. Meacham he will teach you and will give you something to eat until you learn. He has plenty of shirts and blankets for you. What Mr. Meacham has said is for your good, and I want you to go. I am done.
Mr. Meacham.	We are waiting to hear all you have to say. We have time. I learned a few moments ago that Winnemucca was coming back. Will he be here soon?
Answer.	He will be back in a few days. He left everything here.
Mr. Meacham.	Did he go to talk with the Indians about this? If he has gone for this purpose I will have a good heart towards him. I would like to hear Ocheho talk.
Pi-zouk.	Winnemucca left word with me that he was a friend to all, and you need not suspect him.
	(Considerable talk left out here about peace and not fighting.)
Col. Otis.	I do not care what you say about fighting; if you want to fight we are ready at any time. That is not the point in discussion. I think you want to keep quiet. I do not want to hear any more about friendship. I am satisfied that you are friendly. I want to talk about moving. I am ready to stay longer, but I want you to speak. I know you will have to go sooner or later, and you must go when we say. Winnemucca, Weahwewa and all will have to go finally. I want you to go quietly. I have a good heart towards you; all of us have. I do not want to force you to go, and do not want to hear anything more about your being good. Want to hear whether you are going or not. That is all I have to say now.
Mr. Meacham.	Does Winnemucca intend coming back? I want to know.
Pi-zouk.	He will be back before many days. He has been gone seven days.
Mr. Meacham.	How many days will it take him to get to where he is going?
Answer.	It will take him three days.
Col. O.	Can you send runners to tell him to hurry back? I will give them something to ride.
Answer.	Yes. (Indian comes forward.)
Col. O.	Do you know where Winnemucca is?
Answer.	Yes; I can find him.
Col. O.	What is your name?
Answer.	I have no name. Soldiers call me "Dick."
Col. O.	I will give you a mule, and one for Winnemucca to ride back. Tell him to hurry, for I have been waiting for him three days. (To the Indians) We will wait until Winnemucca comes back before we have any more talk. I do not want you to scatter away, but to be around here so we can find you when you are wanted. When you are hungry come to Mr. Meacham and he will give you something to eat. If you can get word to the Indians on the John Day River, send for them, or for any others. Send for those at Castle Rock. There is another beef killed and ready to divide, and plenty of flour.

   
November 10th 1869.

Col. Otis.	At the request of Mr. Meacham, we have come for a small talk with Ocheho and Chocktoot.
Mr. Meacham.	I understand that Ocheho and Chocktoot are headmen, or chiefs, in the Piute tribe. (To the Indians) You came here last night and said you had made up your minds what to do. You said you did not want to stay here but wanted to go away. I want Chocktoot to say in earnest what he means, and what he intends to do. He has been on the reservation. What he says will be reported; it will go on paper. You can all know this evening what has been written. We are ready to hear him now.
Chocktoot.	I came to Sprague River. I learned everything. I heard much; what I hear I keep. I do not shake my hair to keep it away. I do not hide it under the grass so nobody can see it. I let it be seen. What I say is the truth. I do not hold down my head when I talk. I take off my hat so that everybody can see my eyes. I have lost nothing by going on the Klamath Reservation. It was but for me to go. There are plenty of deer all around.
Mr. Meacham.	I am pleased with Chocktoot's talk and so is Col. Otis. It is too late in the day to talk more. I want the Indians to hear what Ocheho has to say.
Ocheho.	I came from Warner to hear Weahwewa's advice and to hear what you all had to say. I want both sides to speak the truth. I told all my boys not to go away until I hear what you have to say. I want to find our prisoners at Warm Springs. If you say nothing about them I will not fight for them. I said to my boys, "Make no more trouble; throw away your bows." I lay my gun down and do not look at it, for we are friends now and not at war. There are as many white people as there are blades of grass. I cannot beat them. I do not tell my men to come with feathers. I do not force my men when I want anything done. I will stay at Warner until Chocktoot comes. I am not going away with them. I will have nothing to do with fighting outside. I have told my people so. This is all I have to say.
Mr. Meacham.	Are you ready to go with your band to where Chocktoot lives? Did you not tell me you were?
Ocheho.	Chocktoot, Ben, Archy and all tell me that it would be better to go. I will go.
Mr. Meacham.	Are you ready to go?
Ocheho.	Donald and all tell me that they will have a house ready for me.
Mr. Meacham.	This is all true. I will have a house ready, for I do not want your family in the cold. I will send the assistant with you tomorrow. I will divide my beef cattle, and you shall have half to feed your people on the way. I have teams at Warner to haul your goods and flour to feed you and will give you plenty of blankets. I will send men to build houses for your people to live in this winter. I am ready for you to start tomorrow. I will stay and see Winnemucca.
Ocheho.	I tell these people that they cannot have this country here.
Col. Otis.	(To Ocheho) All your people are quiet, and all your provisions are still at Warner. Do you want your provisions taken from Harney Creek to Sprague River?
Ocheho.	I want our prisoners at Warm Springs.
Col. O.	If the prisoners want to come to you, they shall come.
Mr. Meacham.	If the prisoners are married and do not want [to] come back, I am not ordered to compel them. I will give orders for [those] who wish to return to be sent to you from all places under my control. You send a man with the man I send. If they are not in Oregon, but beyond, I will get them for you.
Ocheho.	I am satisfied.
Col. Otis.	(To Ocheho). I am glad you are going. You have done right. You will have a good home and will not be sorry for what you have done. (To the other Indians) I will be glad when you do as Ocheho has done. I called you together to hear what Ocheho and Chocktoot had to say. I hope you have listened well. We will not talk until we have waited for Winnemucca. This is all.
Mr. Meacham.	(To Ocheho) You have talked like a brave man. I will shake hands with you like a white man, and Chocktoot also. I expect all the other Indians will come to the same conclusion that you have. Because I have sent some men away I have not given up. I sent them away because I want to provide a shelter for Ocheho. I am still the friend of the other Indians, and will feed them if they come. Mr. Parker tells me to do this.

   
November 16th
    Council called by request of Mr. Meacham. Weahwewa the chief and other headmen present, with a few men, women and children.

Col. Otis.	We have waited for a long time, and are sorry that there are not more here to have a last talk. Why are not more here?
Weahwewa.	I do not know. I don't know their hearts. I suppose they are afraid of the snow.
Col. O.	Mr. Meacham has a few words to say: Listen well.
Mr. Meacham.	At the last big council, when we waited for Winnemucca, you said that Winnemucca was head chief. I was willing to wait until he could come. We have waited seven days, and in the meantime I have learned that Winnemucca said that he would have nothing to do with going to Klamath. If he was here I think he would not advise you in any way. Did he not say that he would not have anything to say about your going?
Answer.	When I went to Malheur River Winnemucca had gone, and I do not know what he said.
Mr. Meacham.	It makes no difference to me whether he is here or not. If he is your chief he should be here; if he is not it makes no difference. I have nothing new to say in regard to your going. Are your people of the same mind as when they were here last? I have been here 22 days and have talked with one heart to try to accomplish what I was sent to do. I have talked the subject all over at the council. Your memory is good and you know all I have said. I have said nothing I am sorry for.     I am a citizen and have talked peace. Not because I am afraid, but because it is my duty to do so. When citizens fight they fight as good as anyone. Because I have talked kindly it is no reason that I am a boy. I represent an honorable branch of the government. You have been willing to obey the military. The commander of the post has told you what you should do. Will you do it? I shall report to Mr. Parker the answer you make. I am here ready to do all I promised to do. I am ready now to hear your final answer. I have said my say.
Weahwewa.	My heart is not different from what it always has been. It is the same that it was before. I have heard you talk three times. I want to know who is going away (referring to officers). If Col. Otis goes away I want to know what advice he has to give me. I do not know where Winnemucca is, and am waiting for him. Many have said that Winnemucca was not our chief. Some of my Indians do not know whether he or I am the chief. I am waiting for Winnemucca. I cannot give you advice myself. I spoke here once and calculated to stay. This is my heart, and I am not going to change my mind. I want to stay, and the advice you (Col. O.) give me I will take. This is my country and I am going to stay. I have made up my mind. I want either Col. Otis or Mr. Meacham to give me permission to stay. The citizens can hunt here if I have papers to show them that they will not harm me. I want the commanding officer of this post to write to Mr. Parker if the Indians do wrong. I listen to everything that is told me. This is my own country, and I do not want to go to any other. Nobody has given me advice to stay; it is my own mind. I will remember what the commanding officer tells me. I have not much to say, and there is not much use in me talking all the time. I am getting old and do not want to tell a lie. I tell the truth.
Mr. Meacham.	Are you willing to obey the advice Col. Otis gives you?
Weahwewa.	I want either Col. Otis or Mr. Meacham to give advice. (Answer to question) I do not know whether I would or not.
Col. Otis.	I have given you advice. My advice always has been for you to go to Klamath. That is all the advice I have to give. I do not have control of the Indians. Mr. Meacham has, and you must obey him. I turned you over to Mr. Meacham on the first day that I came here. He is your chief, not I. My advice is to do just what Mr. Meacham says. This is all I have to say.
Mr. Meacham.	I want you to say yes or no to a question. I do not want you to evade it. Do you acknowledge my authority? Do you acknowledge me as chief? If you do I am ready to talk to and advise you. If you do not I have nothing more to say. I have but one heart and one tongue--they do not change.
Weahwewa.	We do not.
Mr. Meacham.	I came here to represent one branch of my govt. upon the command of my superior in office. I have told you what my instructions were. I have given you the reasons why Mr. Parker wanted you to go to Klamath. You refuse to go. You surrender to Gen. Crook; you agreed to obey the government. Col. Otis told you that I was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and turned you over to me. All I can now do is to report to Mr. Parker just what has been said here. My heart has been good towards you. I have advised you for your good and not for mine. After I am gone, if you get in trouble I want you to remember what I have said to you. Mr. Parker will put you on the Klamath Reservation. This is my opinion. You may and may not find a better friend to go with than I am. I have advised you as I would advise my children and my friends. My heart says to me that if any of you want to go where Chocktoot and Ocheho live I will take care of you. I would like some of your people to visit Chocktoot and Ocheho this winter. I will tell them to treat you well if you come. It is best for you to make up your minds to go without being forced to go. One thing more: If any of your young men would like to go, I will take them all over all the reservations in Oregon at my expense and will bring or send you back. If you want to send men with me, send them. My wagons leave here tomorrow. Whoever you send I will take care of. My last words of advice are to obey the government. I have done my duty; I have nothing to be ashamed of. I have told no lies, and have finished.

J. Q. A. Meredith
    Sergt. "H" Troop 1st Cavalry
        Reporter & Clerk.

    ED. SENTINEL.--Knowing that the people on your side of the mountains feel more or less interest in the success or failure of the Snake expedition, the object of which was to collect the scattered bands of Snake Indians onto the Klamath Reservation. I am glad to be able to communicate the following. I. D. Applegate and party reached Sprague River Valley on the 26th ult., with 200 Indians, under Chief Ocheho, and located them at Yainax, in the above valley, about 40 miles east of this place. They expressed themselves as pleased with their new home, and the indications are that, by judicious management, they will be no further trouble. These Indians are known as the Warner band of Snakes, and include all the Indians in the Camp Warner and Goose Lake country.
    Including the Silver and Summer Lake Snakes, headed by "Chocktoot," that came in a year ago, and some 25 of the same band, brought onto the reservation in the last few weeks, there are now in Sprague River Valley 300 wild Snakes.
    At last accounts, Supt. Meacham was yet at Camp Harney, working energetically to increase the success of his expedition, though on account of the lateness of the season, and counterinfluences, he will probably succeed in bringing but few of the Harney Indians onto the reservation this winter, but it is thought that he will be able to so prepare their minds that he will be able to locate them all on this reservation in the spring.
    All quiet here. Weather, generally fair in daytime; cold at night.

    ED. SENTINEL.--Knowing that the people on your side of the mountains feel more or less interest in the success or failure of the Snake expedition, the object of which was to collect the scattered bands of Snake Indians onto the Klamath Reservation, I am glad to be able to communicate the following. I. D. Applegate and party reached Sprague River Valley on the 26th ult. with 200 Indians under Chief Ocheho, and located them at Yainax, in the above valley, about 40 miles east of this place. They expressed themselves as pleased with their new home, and the indications are that by judicious management they will be no further trouble. These Indians are known as the Warner band of Snakes, and include all the Indians in the Camp Warner and Goose Lake country.
    Including the Silver and Summer Lake Snakes, headed by "Chocktoot," that came in a year ago, and some 25 of the same band, brought onto the reservation in the last few weeks, there are now in Sprague River Valley 300 wild Snakes.
    At last accounts, Supt. Meacham was yet at Camp Harney, working energetically to increase the success of his expedition, though on account of the lateness of the season, and counter influences, he will probably succeed in bringing but few of the Harney Indians onto the reservation this winter, but it is thought that he will be able to so prepare their minds that he will be able to locate them all on this reservation in the spring.
    All quiet here. Weather, generally fair in daytime; cold at night.

Mr. Meacham.

I called you here for your good. I am your friend. Your chief got scared and ran away like a coward. I am your chief today and will tell you what is good. No man, woman or child will be hurt. I told your chief yesterday the same thing but he would not believe me. I have sent one woman and two men to ask him to come back. If he comes back he shall not be hurt. If he goes off and takes the young men I can't help it. I tell your people to take my advice and that of Capt. Knapp. If they follow bad men it will get them into trouble. When they want I will let them have papers so that the soldiers will not hurt them. If any of you have horses or provisions off the reservation I will give you permission to go after them. When you go off with passes you must not go with the Indians that have left the reservation. We want you to get your horses and provisions and start tomorrow for Link River. I think you all have good hearts. You must not try to get away tonight and must not take any guns away. If Capt. Jack comes I will receive him with a good heart. If he comes to Link River he will be all right. We do not want blood. None of you shall be hurt. At Link River beef and flour shall be given to you. At the reservation you will find plenty of goods and provisions. No one will impose on you. You will stand in an equal footing with the Indians already there. We want to ascertain how many of you are here. (On counting found number to be 115.) When you are ready I will send someone with you to Link River.

Reported by Dr. Wm. C. McKay
    Acting Asst. Supt. Indn. Affairs