Jim Compton Modoc War Papers, 1873-1993

It was Jim Compton’s wish for the collection of various materials he used to write his book be donated to the Shaw Historical Library upon completion of his book. It is a vast collection which includes copies of articles and book chapters, newspaper clippings, government and private reports, correspondence, maps, photographs, and diaries related to the events and participants of the Modoc War of 1873. A few of the many names which were covered or consulted in his research are Captain Jack, Jesse Applegate, Ben Wright, H.W. Corbet, Jesse Carr, Lieutenant William R. Parnell, Leonard Case, Archibald Gillespie, Peter Schonchin, Francis Van Landrum, Cheewa James, Dick and Turdy Ackerman and Betty Lou Shirley.

There are four series in this collection: Series I, Writings About the Modoc War; Series 2, Writings By or About Persons, Places, or Subjects; Series III, Correspondence Arranged by Date; Series IV, Mixed Materials. Some of the places and subjects covered are the Applegate Trail, Fort Klamath, Lava Beds, Yainax, Bloody Point, Oklahoma Territory, Solano District Court, Modoc anthropology, Ghost Dance, capture and hanging of Captain Jack, Bogart arrest, military units and weapons, causes of the Modoc War, and Smithsonian skulls. Also donated was a wide range of books which may be found in the Oregon Tech Library Catalog.