This is the first of three versions of the Papoose Meadows Massacre that occurred at Eagle Lake in 1866. During the late 1940s and 1950s Francis Riddell spent considerable time compiling the Ethnohistory of the Honey Lake Paiute. There were still older living Paiutes then, whose parents lived in the area prior to Anglo settlement. Francis spent a lot time with Kitty Joaquin Williams (1864-1954), who provided him with a wealth information, that he was able to preserve. The following is what she relayed to Francis concerning the Papoose Meadows Massacre.

According to Kittie, a band of Paiute, including her father Joaquin, went on a hunting trip to Eagle Lake. Though there is some confusion she also stated they went there to escape the soldiers, who were accompanied by members of the Maidu. Hog-die Jim, Joaquin’s uncle was afraid the soldiers and Maidu would attack them. He advised Joaquin and others to move their camp, but Joaquin felt there was no real danger. Hog-die Jim then took some provisions, and all the horses and left.

The soldiers and Maidu attacked Joaquin’s camp and killed everyone one except a baby in a cradle board, two women who jumped into the lake and swam to safety and Joaquin, too, did the same. However, when Joaquin was in the water he was shot by. soldier, John Mulroney. Joaquin was cared by the others and recovered. He was later known as Old Man Joaquin and spent the rest of this life in the Susanville area and died in 1935 at the age of 99.

Note: It is well documented that there was no military involvement. The soldiers at Camp Smoke Creek, the nearest military outpost were kept very busy with conflicts in Northern Washoe County. I also examined their daily reports, the military kept great records. Also puzzling, is the naming of Mulroney (1856-1930). Mulroney would not have been old enough to participate. He lived most his entire life in the Honey Lake Valley working on various ranches.

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