Lava Beds, April 11th, 1873.
My dear Wife:—
You may be a widow to-night; you shall not be a coward’s wife. I go to save my honor. John A. Fairchild will forward my valise and valuables. The chances are all against us. I have done my best to prevent this meeting. I am in no wise to blame.
Yours to the end,
ALFRED.
P. S.—I give Fairchild six hundred and fifty dollars, currency, for you.
A. B. M.
“Here, John, send these to my wife, Salem, Oregon, if I don’t get back.”
Mr. Dyer approaches, and says, “Mr. Fairchild, send this parcel to Mrs. Dyer.”—“Mr. Dyer, why do you go, feeling as you do? I would not if I were in your place. I must go, since I am the chairman of the commission, or be disgraced.” Mr. Dyer replies, “If you go, I am going. I will not stay, if all the rest go.”
By the tent door the Indian woman is weeping,
while holding a horse by a rope. Standing beside her is a white man, and also a boy ten years old. They are talking in Modoc, and we may not know what they are saying. That little group is Frank Riddle and his wife Tobey, and their little boy Jeff. Their warning has been disregarded. They are loth to give up their efforts to save the commissioners and Canby.