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This article covers the Modoc as an ethnic group, tribe, or nation.
| Total population: | 2000: 800 | |
| Significant populations in: | Oregon: 600 Oklahoma: 200 | |
| Language | Historicly Klamath , now English | |
| Related ethnic groups |
Related groups include the Klamath and the Yahooskin | |
Applegate and his party were the first white men to enter what is now the Lava Beds National MonumentLava Beds National Monument located in Siskiyou and Modoc Counies, California, is the site of the largest concentration of lava tube caves in the United States. It was established as a United States National Monument on November 21, 1925. The monument lie. On their exploring trip eastward they attempted to pass around the south end of Tule Lake but the rough lava along the shore forced them to seek a route around the north end of the lake.
The opening of the South Emigrant Trail brought the first regular contact between the Modoc and the European settlers, who had largely ignored the area before. Many of the events of the Modoc War took place along the South Emigrant Trail.
Beginning in 1847Events January 4 Samuel Colt sells his first revolver pistol to the United States government. January 13 The Treaty of Cahuenga ends the Mexican-American War in California. January 16 John C. Fremont is appointed Governor of the new California Territory., the Modoc raided emigrants on the South Emigrant Trail. The Modoc, numbering about 600 warriors under the leadership of Old Chief Schonchin , inhabited the region around Lower Klamath Lake , Tule Lake, and Lost RiverLost River may refer to: The Lost River in California and Oregon in the United States The town of Lost River, Idaho. in northern California and southern Oregon.
In September 1852Events January 14 President Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte proclaims a new constitution for the French Second Republic. January 17 United Kingdom recognizes independence of the Transvaal Devil's Island penal colony opens February 11 First British public toilet, the Modoc destroyed an emigrant train at Bloody Point on the east shore of Tule Lake. Of the 65 persons in the train only three escaped immediate death; two young girls, taken prisoners and killed several years later by jealous Modoc women, and one man who made his way to Yreka, CaliforniaYreka is the county seat of Siskiyou County, California. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 7,290. History In November, 1941, Yreka was designated as the capital of proposed State of Jefferson, a semi-humorous secession movement alo. Hearing the news of the attack, Yreka settlers organized a party, under the leadership of Jim Crosby , to go to the scene of the massacre to bury the dead and avenge their death. Crosby's party had one skirmish with a band of Modocs.
The depredations and attacks of emigrants by the Modoc aroused settlers at Yreka to send out a party under Ben Wright 's leadership in 1856Events January 8 Borax is discovered ( John Veatch). January 29 Queen Victoria institutes the Victoria Cross February 18 The American Party ( Know-Nothings) convene in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to nominate their first Presidential candidate, former Presi. Accounts differ as to what actually took place when Wright's party finally met the Modoc on Lost River. Both Wright and the Modoc anticipated treachery. Each group planned to exterminate the other. To prevent the gathering of the entire tribe which would result in his party being greatly outnumbered, Wright attacked, killing approximately 80 Modocs. This loss led to the general mistrust of the white settlers by the Modoc.
It has been estimated that at least 300 emigrants and settlers were killed by the Modoc during the years 1846 to 1873.