When the Great Spirit Died: The Destruction of the California Indians 1850-1860

by William B Secrest

Overview

Exploring the destruction of the native Californians, this thorough history discusses the philosophies and language references such as "Diggers" and Poor Lo" that eventually set the stage for the extermination of a group of people.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781884995408
Publisher:	Linden Publishing
Publication date:	11/01/2002
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)

Table of Contents

	Acknowledgments	vii
	Introduction	xi
	California Map: Areas of Principal Indian Groups	xvii
	California Map: Location of Principal Indian Reservations, Towns and Rivers	xviii
Chapter 1	Preceding 1850	1
Chapter 2	Clearlake	23
Chapter 3	Nisenan	37
Chapter 4	The Gila Expedition	47
Chapter 5	Kaweah	55
Chapter 6	El Dorado	63
Chapter 7	Yosemite	83
Chapter 8	Modoc	111
Chapter 9	Garra	135
Chapter 10	Major Savage	159
Chapter 11	Shasta	181
Chapter 12	Henley	197
Chapter 13	Tule River	217
Chapter 14	Achomawi	235
Chapter 15	Nome Cult	255
Chapter 16	Whitmore's Ferry	273
Chapter 17	Jarboe	287
Chapter 18	Humboldt Bay	313
	Index	340
	About the Author	350

Editorial Reviews

This monograph brilliantly utilizes primary sources from a white perspective to document the callous destruction of California's native populations during the 1850s. As demonstrated by Western historian Secrest (Perilous Trails, Dangerous Men), a growing white population eager to steal the land occupied by the Indians systematically butchered those native peoples who did not succumb to venereal diseases, tuberculosis, diphtheria, or smallpox. He provides disturbing accounts of "battles" between well-armed bands of white men and defenseless groups of Indians composed primarily of women, children, and the elderly. Though these supposedly illegal acts of genocide were widely known and celebrated in white circles, legal authorities apparently turned a blind eye. This illuminating and disturbing work, which validates native accounts of the period, is recommended for public libraries and is essential for all libraries in California.-John Burch, Campbellsville Univ. Lib., KY Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal