David Spilman Fine Books

The Modocs in Their Stronghold; [Harper's Weekly, May 3, 1873, Volume XVIL - No. 853, p. 364]

Reinhart, Charles Stanley [Harper's Weekly]

New York: Harper and Brothers, 1873. Near Fine. First Edition. Charles Stanley Reinhart. [Sheet 16x11in, Illustration 11x9in] Cover page of magazine with color illustration of "The Modocs in Their Stronghold" with C. S. R. initials in lower left corner; Light age-toning. Item #14430

This cover illustration of Chief Kinpuash (also known as Captain Jack) directing his men in battle with the U. S. Army. The stronghold was in Northern California Tule lake lava beds, the historic home of the Modocs. The illustrator was Charles Stanley Reinhart (1844-1896), an American painter, that was also a versatile illustrator and draftsman. Harpers Weekly contracted with him for many of the cover illustrations for the magazine.

Harper's Weekly, published from 1857 to 1916, was a highly influential American illustrated news magazine known for its extensive commentary of politics and profoundly influenced Western expansion by romanticizing frontier life, promoting settlement, and shaping public perception of Native Americans. Through vivid, widely circulated woodcut engravings and narratives, it documented the frontier, encouraged economic development, and supported expansionist policies.

The Modoc War (also known as the Lava Beds War) was an armed conflict between the Native American Modoc people and the United States Army in northeastern California and southeastern Oregon between 1872 and 1873. The fighting was in response to the California genocide, when agents of the United States government assisted by private citizens began the systematic killing of thousands of indigenous peoples of California in the mid-19th century. Many brutal acts against the Modoc were carried out against native populations were encouraged, tolerated, and perpetuated by state authorities and militias.

After being relocated by force to the Klamath Reservation, Kintpuash, also known as Captain Jack, eventually led 52 warriors along with 150 Modoc women and children back to their traditional lands around the lava beds south of Tule Lake (present-day Lava Beds National Monument). In response the United States Army was sent to bring the native Americans back to the reservation. The group resisted taking refuge in an upland area now known as Captain Jack's Stronghold. In April 1873 at a peace commission meeting with US Army officers, Kintpuash killed General Edward Canby and Rev. Eleazer Thomas, and wounded two others, mistakenly believing this would encourage the European Americans to leave. Instead the US Army was reinforced. Some Modoc surrendered but Captain Jack escaped. Eventually he and the last of his band were captured. Jack and five warriors were convicted of murdering the two peace commissioners. (from Wiki).

Price: $50.00