Program to conclude Modoc War series

Four grave markers at the Fort Klamath Museum represent the site where Modoc leaders were executed in 1873. A program about the imprisonment of Modoc people and the criminal trial of their leaders will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, at the Klamath County Museum.

A program about the criminal trial of Modoc Indians in 1873 will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, at the Klamath County Museum, 1451 Main St. in Klamath Falls.

The program, titled “Trial of the Modocs,” is the final installment in a series of events held over the past year to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Modoc War of 1872-73. The events have been coordinated by the Lava Beds National Monument and the Klamath County Museum.

Thursday’s program is free and open to anyone interested. To request an invitation to watch the presentation via Zoom, send a request to museuminfo@klamathcounty.org.

“This last presentation will be perhaps the most difficult of all for us to deliver, because it’s difficult to find any redeeming elements in the way the Modocs were treated by the federal government,” said Todd Kepple, museum director for Klamath County.

“We have learned that there were a few voices who called attention to their mistreatment, but it’s still probably the single most painful chapter in all of our local history.”

During the presentation, retired Klamath County Circuit Court Judge Richard Rambo will address numerous problems with the way the trial of Kintpuash, also known as Captain Jack, and five other Modocs was conducted.

Ryan Bartholomew, president of the Malin Historical Society, will discuss the dismal conditions under which the Modoc leaders and other tribal members were held captive for three months.

Matt Voelkel, curator at the Klamath County Museum, will recite passages written by Alfred Meacham, who served as superintendent of Indian Affairs in Oregon for the U.S. government during the war. Meacham, who was present when Captain Jack shot Army Gen. E.R.S. Canby, claimed the Modocs had been unfairly treated on numerous occasions before, during and after the war.

Following the trial of the Modoc leaders in July 1873, six were condemned to death. Two had their sentences commuted, but Captain Jack, Schonchin John, Black Jim and Boston Charley were executed and buried at Fort Klamath on Oct. 3, 1873.

The Fort Klamath Museum will be open for a visitation at the graves from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30. No program or ceremony is planned, but museum staff will be on hand to meet with anyone who seeks information.

The grounds at Fort Klamath will also be open for tribal members only from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3.

For more information contact the museum at (541) 882-1000.