Page:California Inter Pocula.djvu/463

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SUPERINTENDENT MEACHAM.
451

on the south side of Tule lake, leaving two sub-chiefs, George and Riddle, with the women and children, in the hands of the superintendent. Meacham did not, as Jack hoped, return at once to the reservation with these, but remained in camp, and sent messengers to him, after which diplomatic correspondence, lasting two or three days. Jack finally consented to go with the rest upon the reservation, saying, however, to George, that he did not intend to stay.

Meacham established Jack's band at Modoc point on upper Klamath lake, where Sconchin also wns temporarily located before removal to Camp Yauiax, and where they were to all appearance contentedly settled. Ha gave them a supply of clothing and provisions, and on the 1st of January, 1870, turned over to the new agent at Klamath, O. C. Knapp, the business of seeing that Crook's fears concerning their comfortable subsistence were not realized. For, as if the Indians could not be wholly entrusted to the Indian department, military officers were, in the autumn of 1869, substituted for the agents previously employed, not only at Klamath, but at each of the reservations in eastern Oregon, and on many of the reservations in California and elsewhere.

As if to sustain the military character for superior humanity, and also perhaps to make a favorable impression upon Jack's band, while all the Indians received ample allowances these were particularly well supplied, receiving more in proportion than the Klamaths, and being favored in other ways. But to these kind influences Jack was insensible. Early in the spring he left the reservation with all his people, about two hundred and fifty in number, and returned to Lost river to fish and to be within easy reach of Yreka. And it was evident that force would have to be used to compel this band to remain upon the reservation. Information was at once sent to the superintendent, residing at Salem, who thereupon made a demand upon the officer in command at the fort to take meas-