Original Photograph "Donald Mckay And Jack's Capturers.

L. HELLER

Publication: Watkins' Yosemite Art Gallery, 1873, San Francisco

Original Photograph of Indian Scout Commander, Donald McKay and Two Indians Who Captured Hostile Modoc Leader, Captain Jack. CDV. Image: 4"x3". Mount: 5"x3". This photograph is identified as printed on the blank margin on the front of the mount: "DONALD McKAY AND JACK'S CAPTURERS. I certify that L. Heller has this day taken the Photographs of the above Modoc Indians, prisoners under my charge. Capt. C. B. Throckmorton, 4th U.S. Artillery, Officer of the Day." "I am cognizant of the above fact. Gen. Jeff. C. Davis, U.S.A.". Also printed in very small type on blank edge of mount is: "Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by L. Heller, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington." Heller took a total of 24 images at this time and all had the same imprint in the blank margin. After many months of frustration with the Army's casualties incurred while fighting such a small group as the hostile Modocs, as well as the murder and wounding of Peace Commission members, negotiating under flag-of-truce with the Modocs, including the killing of General E. R. S. Canby, with the help of fellow Modocs and the Warm Springs Indians, led by Donald McKay, Captain Jack was captured and ultimately hanged, along with 3 other Modocs. The Indians in this image are identified by Jeff Riddle, son of Frank Riddle and Wi-Ne-Ma, a Modoc woman who played a major role in the events of the Modoc War. While he doesn't identify whether they were Modocs or Warm Springs Indians, he identifies the Indian on the left as Toplash and the Indian on the right as Winneshet, with Donald McKay seated in the middle. A nice clean, clear image. A slight crease to upper left corner of image and a half-inch closed tear to one corner of the mount, not affecting image.