FAMOUS MODOC WARRIOR PASSES AT KLAMATH FALLS LAST OF TRIBE One of the most picturesque of the old Indian scouts of the early days of the Klamath Country, Peter Schonchin, passed away at the Hillside Hospital, in Klamath Falls Tuesday night. Peter was the last of the Modoc warriors left. Peter was of uncertain age, but he must have been some where around one hundred as it was sixty-five years ago that he acted as a scout in the Modoc War, and he was said to have been about twenty-six or better at the time. Reports vary as to the presence of Peter. Birth - about 1853 Died - April 25, 1939 Klamath Falls, Oregon ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Herald & News 1939 Klamath Falls, Oregon DEATH CLAIMS AGED MODOC WAR VETERAN Peter Schonchin, of uncertain but advanced age, died Tuesday night, April 25, in Hillside Hospital following a lengthy illness. The old Indian war scout, last Modoc survivor of that tragic war of more than 65 years ago, was the son of Schonchin John, sub-chief under the famous Modoc leader, Captain Jack. He saw his father, that day in October, 1873, when a noose was slipped about his neck and he paid with his life for his part in the Modoc war. BEST MARKSMAN Many times, he would say, he had heard his father tell of how the Modocs stared in wonder as "long boxes on wheels covered with white tops," came rattling across the sagebrush plain drawn by "strange oxen animals." Peter spent his youth hunting, fishing, playing games and running with the boys of the tribe. By the time he had arrived at young manhood, he had acquired the enviable reputation of being the best marksman among them with bow and arrow. EXILED TO OKLAHOMA When the Modoc war broke out during which the Indians entrenched themselves in the almost impregnable lava beds, Peter went with them. Although too young to take a prominent part in the war, he participated in it and with the quick observation and keen memory of youth, stored up impressions that stayed with him until the end of his long life. After having witnessed the hanging at Fort Klamath, Peter was not permitted to stay with his uncle, Old Chief Schonchin, as his father had wished. Instead, he was among the 153 Modocs who were hurried onto government wagons and taken under escort by a company of soldiers to Redding, Calif., from whence they were taken by train to Quapaw Agency, Indian Territory, Oklahoma. Then followed a period when Peter had to follow the white man's way. He learned to read, write and study white man's books. When congress passed a bill in 1909 permitting the remnants of Captain Jack's band to return to the Klamath Reservation he was the first to do so. CHARTED HIGHWAY COURSE For 14 years Pete carried the mail to Yainax, following trails on horseback. The Klamath Falls-Lakeview highway follows for many miles the route Peter laid out as being the best trail over the mountains. Peter is survived by his wife, Lizzie, a little slip of a woman, whose face is so deeply furrowed that the tattoo marks on her chin and cheeks are barely visible. She was her husband's constant companion. Peter Schonchin had watched the progress of civilization in a country which was last to be touched by the advance of the white man. From timbered stretches and rich meadowland, the aged Indian scout saw ranches and cities, mills and factories rise, over trails he once rode on horseback. _________________________________________________________________ FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar – get it now! http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/

searching MOLTZAU - HALVORSON - FRODAHL - PORTER - HEARING - FOX - COBURN - BARKLEY... Do Not Resent Growing Old - Many Are Denied The Privilege...Irish Blessing Hi all: Isn't this a great story for our Klamath Tribes collection! I just love it........you know, my gg Grandmother was a full blood...Julia John....I need to research John more thoroughly.....any information on this one would be gratefully accepted....I am not certain if John Littlejohn, was her brother or uncle...he is buried in the Coburn ( as my family prefers calling it!) cemetary...Julie is also buried there... Bev in Prineville, Oregon ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sandy Pratt" <ydnasyaknamffoc@hotmail.com> To: <ORKLAMAT-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, June 28, 2004 11:46 AM Subject: Peter Schonchin > FAMOUS MODOC WARRIOR PASSES AT KLAMATH FALLS > LAST OF TRIBE > One of the most picturesque of the old Indian scouts of the early days of > the Klamath Country, Peter Schonchin, passed away at the Hillside Hospital, > in Klamath Falls Tuesday night. Peter was the last of the Modoc warriors > left. > Peter was of uncertain age, but he must have been some where around one > hundred as it was sixty-five years ago that he acted as a scout in the Modoc > War, and he was said to have been about twenty-six or better at the time. > Reports vary as to the presence of Peter. > Birth - about 1853 > Died - April 25, 1939 > Klamath Falls, Oregon > - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------- > Herald & News > 1939 > Klamath Falls, Oregon > DEATH CLAIMS AGED MODOC WAR VETERAN > Peter Schonchin, of uncertain but advanced age, died Tuesday night, April > 25, in Hillside Hospital following a lengthy illness. > The old Indian war scout, last Modoc survivor of that tragic war of more > than 65 years ago, was the son of Schonchin John, sub-chief under the famous > Modoc leader, Captain Jack. He saw his father, that day in October, 1873, > when a noose was slipped about his neck and he paid with his life for his > part in the Modoc war. > > BEST MARKSMAN > Many times, he would say, he had heard his father tell of how the Modocs > stared in wonder as "long boxes on wheels covered with white tops," came > rattling across the sagebrush plain drawn by "strange oxen animals." > Peter spent his youth hunting, fishing, playing games and running with > the boys of the tribe. By the time he had arrived at young manhood, he had > acquired the enviable reputation of being the best marksman among them with > bow and arrow. > > EXILED TO OKLAHOMA > When the Modoc war broke out during which the Indians entrenched > themselves in the almost impregnable lava beds, Peter went with them. > Although too young to take a prominent part in the war, he participated in > it and with the quick observation and keen memory of youth, stored up > impressions that stayed with him until the end of his long life. > After having witnessed the hanging at Fort Klamath, Peter was not > permitted to stay with his uncle, Old Chief Schonchin, as his father had > wished. Instead, he was among the 153 Modocs who were hurried onto > government wagons and taken under escort by a company of soldiers to > Redding, Calif., from whence they were taken by train to Quapaw Agency, > Indian Territory, Oklahoma. > Then followed a period when Peter had to follow the white man's way. He > learned to read, write and study white man's books. When congress passed a > bill in 1909 permitting the remnants of Captain Jack's band to return to the > Klamath Reservation he was the first to do so. > > CHARTED HIGHWAY COURSE > For 14 years Pete carried the mail to Yainax, following trails on > horseback. The Klamath Falls-Lakeview highway follows for many miles the > route Peter laid out as being the best trail over the mountains. > Peter is survived by his wife, Lizzie, a little slip of a woman, whose > face is so deeply furrowed that the tattoo marks on her chin and cheeks are > barely visible. She was her husband's constant companion. > Peter Schonchin had watched the progress of civilization in a country > which was last to be touched by the advance of the white man. From timbered > stretches and rich meadowland, the aged Indian scout saw ranches and cities, > mills and factories rise, over trails he once rode on horseback. > > _________________________________________________________________ > FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar - get it now! > http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/ > > ______________________________