Produced by David A. Schwan <davidsch@earthlink.net>

Reminiscences of a Pioneer

By Colonel William Thompson

Editor Alturas, Cal., Plaindealer

San Francisco 1912

Contents

Chapter I Farewell to the Old Southern Home II First Winter in the Willamette Valley III Indian Outbreak of 1855 IV In Which Various Experiences Are Discussed V Taking Revenge on Marauding Snakes VI One Bad Tale From Canyon City History VII Col. Thompson's First Newspaper Venture VIII History of the Modoc Indians IX The Ben Wright Massacre X Treaty With the Modocs Made XI Battle in the Lava Beds XII The Peace Commission's Work XIII Three Days Battle In the Lava Beds XIV Trailing the Fugitives XV The Great Bannock War XVI Snake Uprising in Eastern Oregon XVII Bannocks Double on Their TracksXVIII Another Attack That Miscarried XIX Reign of the Vigilantes XX Passing of the Mogans XXI The Lookout Lynching

Illustrations

Colonel William Thompson Frontispiece
   (From photo taken at close of Bannock War)
Typical Scene in the Lava Beds
Runway and Fort in Lava Beds
Captain Jack's Cave in the Lava Beds
Captain Jack
   (From photo belonging to Jas. D. Fairchild, Yreka, Cal.)
Colonel William Thompson
   (From photo taken at close of Modoc War)

Foreword

So rapidly is the Far West changing character, our pioneers should feelin duty bound to preserve all they can of its early history. Many ofthem are giving relics of frontier days to museums and historicalsocieties. And they do well. Yet such collections are unfortunatelyaccessible to only the few. Hence they do better who preserve the livingnarratives of their times. For however unpretentious from the coldaspect of literary art, these narratives breathe of courage andfortitude amid hardships and perils, and tell as nothing else can of thehopes and dreams of the hardy pathfinders, and of the compensations andpleasures found in their sacrifices.

It is with this end in view, to preserve the life of the old days in itsmany colors, that these recollections are penned. There was more to thislife than has been touched by the parlor romancers or makers ofmoving-picture films. Perhaps some day these memories may serve toillumine the historian delving in the human records of the past. Andperhaps, also, and this is the author's dearest wish, they may inspireyoung readers to hold to the hardy traditions of the 'Fifties and tokeep this spirit alive in a country destined soon to be densely peopledwith newcomers from the long-settled parts of the world.

Reminiscences of a Pioneer

Chapter I.

Farewell to the Old Southern Home.

I have often wondered, when viewing a modern passenger coach, with itspalace cars, its sleeping and dining cars, if those who cross the "GreatAmerican Desert," from the Mississippi to the Pacific in four days,realize the hardships, dangers and privations of the Argonauts offifty-eight years ago. The "Plains" were then an unbroken wilderness ofthree thousand miles, inhabited by hordes of wild Indians, and not toofriendly to the white man journeying through his country.

The trip then required careful preparation—oxen, wagons, provisions,arms and ammunition must be first of all provided. These wereessentials, and woe to the hapless immigrant who neglected thesepr

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