MURDER OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
On the way they encountered three Indians, who in quired if Boyle was the commanding officer, and who invited them to go on to where the flag-bearer awaited them. Something in their manner convincing tht? officers of treachery, they declined, saying that if the Indians desired to talk they must come within the lines, and turned back to camp. The Indians then commenced firing, Sherwood and Boyle running and dodging among the rocks, being without arms. Sher wood soon fell, mortally wounded, but Boyle escaped, being covered by the guns of the pickets.
The officer at the signal-station overlooking Mason s camp immediately telegraphed General Gillern what had occurred, and preparations were at once made to send T. T. Cabaniss to warn General Canby, but be fore the message was ready the signal-officer reported firing on the council-ground.
At this word the troops turned out, Sergeant Wooton of company K, 1st cavalry, leading a detach ment without orders. The wildest confusion pre vailed, yet in the sole intent, if possible, to save the life of the general whom they all loved and venerated, there was unity of purpose. Before the troops reached the council-ground they were met by Dyar, with the story of the fatal catastrophe, and on arriv ing at the spot, Meacham was discovered to be alive! Jack had retreated to his stronghold, the troops fol lowing for half a mile, but finally retreating to camp for the night. 78
As might have been expected, a profound excite ment followed upon the news of the disastrous wind- ing-up of the peace commission. At Yreka Delano was hanged in effigy. At Portland the funeral honors
78 Cabaniss, who was personally strongly attached to Canby, wrote an in teresting and highly colored account of the incidents just prior to and suc ceeding the massacre, for the Eureka, Cal., West Coast Signal, April 19, 1873. Various accounts appeared in the newspapers of that date, and in Fitzgerald 1 * Cal. Sketches, 140; Simpson s Meeting the Sun, 356-83; and Meacham * Wl<j- ivam and Warpath, written to justify his own want of judgment and conceal his want of honesty. \n