Boston Charley (c. 1854 – October 3, 1873) was an Modoc warrior in the Modoc War of 1872. He was reportedly given the "Boston" moniker by miners who felt he had a lighter complexion than the other warriors.[1] In 1873 he had joined the group led by Kintpuash, and was later involved in a massacre in which fourteen people were killed at Tule Lake. On April 11, 1873, he was part of a group that murdered Edward Canby. Charley did not personally kill Canby, but during the raid he killed a Dr. Thomas. On October 3, 1873, Boston Charley, Kintpuash, Schonchin John and Black Jim were executed for the murder of Edward Canby.[2] He reportedly met his execution stoically, asking only for tobacco.[3]

Boston Charley
Boston Charley in 1873
Bornc. 1854
DiedOctober 3, 1873
Cause of deathExecution by hanging
Criminal statusExecuted
Conviction(s)Murder
Criminal penaltyDeath

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Native Americans - Modoc". Nativeamericans.com. Archived from the original on 2012-08-25. Retrieved 2008-11-09.
  2. ^ "THREE O'CLOCK EDITION.; THE CANBY MURDERERS. MEETING OF THE COURT. ARRANGEMENT OF CAPTAIN JACK AND OTHERS EXAMINATION OF SEVERAL WITNESSES THE LOST RIVER MURDERERS". The New York Times. 1873-07-10. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-04-23.
  3. ^ Cozzens, Peter (2001). Eyewitnesses to the Indian Wars, 1865-1890: The Wars for the Pacific Northwest. Stackpole Books. pp. 121–123. ISBN 0-8117-0573-0.

General references

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