Our Arklhoma Heritage: Oklahoma's smallest tribe still has a strong presence in and around Ottawa County

The Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma, which now consists of about 250 members in extreme Northeast Ottawa County, is yet another example of forced migration of Natives from their original tribal grounds.

But unlike a number of Natives that endured east-to-west travails to come to Indian Territory, the Modocs came from the opposite direction much later in the 19th century.

Now an economic force in Ottawa County, including running the Stables Casino with the Miami Nation, the Modoc Bison Project, and Red Cedar Recycling, their story is one of

relocation, adaptation, and efforts to maintain their identity.

The Modoc originally lived along the California-Oregon border, toiling as hunters, fishermen, and gatherers. In the 19th century, Euro-American settlers disrupted their lives.

The Modoc War (1872-1873) started when the tribe, led by Captain Jack (Kintpuash), resisted moving to the Klamath Reservation. After Captain Jack was executed in October 1873 for killing General Edward Canby, 153 Modoc were sent as prisoners of war to the Quapaw Agency in what is now Ottawa County,;

They arrived in November 1873 after a difficult journey, many in shackled train cars.

Scarface Charley, born around 1835 and identified by facial scars (possible drom smallpox ) became their leader. Appointed chief by Colonel Frank Wheaton, he oversaw building wooden barracks near the agency, secured resources, and kept the tribe together during the early years

In June 1874, the U.S. government bought 4,000 acres from the Eastern Shawnee for a Modoc reservation. Life was tough with little federal help.

In 1909, the Modoc were allowed to return to Oregon; 29 left, but most stayed in Ottawa County. The tribe lost federal recognition in the 1950s and regained it in May 1978 under Chief Bill Follis, who set up a tribal base, including the Modoc Tribal Complex in Miami,

The Modoc Mission Church, built in 1892, served as a community and worship site. Next to it is the Modoc Cemetery, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

It’s the last site linked to the 153 Modoc prisoners of war, marked by a historical sign from the Modoc Tribe and Oklahoma Historical Society

The cemetery has graves from before 1900, including Rosie Jack, Captain Jack’s daughter, who died in April 1874 at age 7. Many Modoc War participants are buried there, though most graves lack markers due to poor record-keeping during exile. Located five miles southeast of Miami, the tribe maintains it as a historical site.

Scarface Charley was a major figure after the Modoc War. He led the tribe’s settlement in Ottawa County, managing shelter construction and dealings with agency officials.

He stepped down as chief in 1874, replaced by Bogus Charley due to language issues, but remained influential until his death on December 3, 1896, likely from tuberculosis

No specific burial records exist, but as a leader and with the cemetery being the main Modoc burial site, he is likely buried there in an unmarked grave with other war participants.

The Modoc Mission Church was restored and dedicated on June 10, 1984, and the cemetery is kept up as a heritage site. A historical marker was added in 1988 by the Major William McBride Chapter, National Society United States Daughters of 1812, making it a place for remembrance.