Lost River - Softcover

Riddle, Paxton

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0425169405 ISBN 13: 9780425169407

Publisher: Berkley Pub Group, 1999

Synopsis

As violence erupts in the Oregon Territory in the 1860s between the Modoc tribe and the white settlers seeking new lives, two lovers--a white man and a Modoc woman--become trapped between conflicting loyalties and love. Original.

About this title

From the Author

Notes to the reader
Every effort has been made to make this story historically accurate. Many of the conversations between the characters, telegrams, and articles and advertisements from the Yreka Journal are as originally translated. Good fiction, however, requires the author to fill in the blank spaces, to flesh-out the characters, and to make certain changes that enhance the readability of the book. I have worked to keep these changes to a minimum, or at least, within the confines of realism. The reader will find a glossary of Modoc and Chinook words at the end of the book.

Virtually all the characters in this story lived, fought, cried, loved. For many of them, we will never know their inner-most thoughts and desires. We can only surmise.

I dedicate this book to my distant Modoc cousins, Roxanne Williams and Debra Herrera, who still live in Modoc country. Both of these strong women exhibit the salient characteristics of what I imagine were those of their great, great grandmother, Toby (Kaitchkona Winema): love of family; intrepidity; leadership; personal warmth, and of course, pride in, and dedication to, their Modoc heritage. Two other Modocs to whom I would like to dedicate this book are: the late and sadly missed Ed Lawver, great, great grandson of Hakargarush--Ben Lawver, one of Kentapoos’ warriors. It was Ed who said in a recent television documentary, "I will always be a Modoc." And special thanks to the late Wilma Walker, great granddaughter of Akekis, also one of Kentapoos’ warriors, who I met so briefly yet who gave me so much, and to her husband Cal, who loved her so deeply, and who offered additional help with the Modoc language. Finally, I thank Lynn Schonchin, great grandson of Chief Skonches, for his valuable input.

In some small way, I hope I have shed more light on the complexities and tragedies regarding the nexus of White and Modoc cultures. That there were good and bad people on both sides is obvious, but that there existed a tragic lack of sensitivity on behalf of the White majority cannot be denied. People like Winema were statespersons. I feel they were unsung American heroes--human bridges that could have been used to cross cultural barriers. Influential Whites unfortunately, chose to take a different road, as did, in the end, Kentapoos. But no one tried harder than he to build the red road to peaceful coexistence. In fairness however, I remain aware that some will always view Native persons like Winema as "sell-outs", turncoats, because they chose to work with Whites rather than fight them during armed conflict. Perhaps we are pretentious in trying to portray people who lived in a time none of us experienced.

This book must also be dedicated to Frank Riddle and all the men like him who were strong enough to love, and legally marry, Native women at a time when they would face contempt—and to their children, like Jeff Riddle, who most likely bore the scars of racist slurs and discrimination during his life.

Some mention should also be made of General Edward S. Canby. From what we know, he was a decent man, who was yet another victim of settler’s greed and the government’s inept "Indian Policy."

To all these people I say humast*.

* Thank you in Modoc

Edition details

• Publisher: Berkley Pub Group
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0425169405
• ISBN 13: 9780425169407
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback