Toby Riddle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Toby "Winema" Riddle
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Modoc leader | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1848 |
| Died | 1920 |
| Spouse | Frank Riddle |
| Relations | Cousin, Kintpuash |
| Children | Son, Charka ("the handsome one"), also called Jefferson C. Davis Riddle |
| Known for | Interpreter in negotiations between the Modoc tribe and the United States Army during the Modoc War |
| Nickname | Modoc birth name: Nannookdoowah ("strange child") |
Toby "Winema" Riddle (1848–1920) was a brave Modoc woman. She worked as an interpreter during the Modoc War. This war involved the Modoc tribe and the United States Army. It was also known as the Lava Beds War.
Winema warned the peace group about a possible Modoc attack. She even saved the life of the group's leader, Alfred B. Meacham, when the attack happened in 1873. After the war, she and her family traveled with Meacham. They performed in his play "Tragedy of the Lava Beds." This helped people learn about the war. Meacham also wrote a book about Winema. In 1891, the United States Congress gave Toby Riddle a special military pension. This was for her brave actions during the peace talks in 1873. Her first name is sometimes spelled "Tobey."
Contents
Winema's Early Life
Winema was born with reddish hair. Her Modoc birth name was Nannookdoowah, which means "strange child." When she was a girl, she saved friends from a dangerous river. Because of this, she was named Winema, meaning "woman chief." As a young woman, she was known for riding with men on trips to get horses from enemy camps. Winema was also a cousin of Kintpuash, who was also known as Captain Jack. He was the leader of the Modoc tribe during the Modoc War.
Family Life
Winema married Frank Riddle, a white settler. He had moved from Kentucky to California during the California Gold Rush. They lived near her family in the Lost River area. They had a son named Charka, which means "the handsome one." They also named him Jefferson C. Davis Riddle. This was to honor the Army general Jefferson C. Davis, who helped end the Modoc War.
Working for Peace: Winema as an Interpreter
Winema Riddle was one of the few Modoc people who learned English. Her husband, Frank, learned the Modoc language. Both of them worked as interpreters. They helped during talks about creating the Klamath Reservation.
They also served as interpreters for the peace group in 1873. This group was trying to end the Modoc War. Winema often carried messages between General Edward Canby and Captain Jack. As a woman, she was seen as peaceful.
After taking a message to Captain Jack's Stronghold, Winema learned of a plan. The Modoc planned to kill General Canby. She warned the peace group, but they still went to the meeting. General Canby and another person were killed by the Modoc. Other members of the peace group were hurt. Toby Riddle was there and saved Alfred B. Meacham from being killed.
After this, the US Army, led by General Jefferson C. Davis, captured Captain Jack and other Modoc leaders. They were put on trial by a US military court. Captain Jack and three others were executed. About 153 Modoc people were sent as prisoners to Indian Territory. This area is now part of Oklahoma. Some other Modoc, including the Riddle family, went back to the Klamath Reservation.
Meacham continued to support Native American rights. He wrote a play called "Tragedy of the Lava Beds." Winema, Frank, and their son Jeff starred in it. They traveled across the country for two years. Meacham said that Wi-ne-ma was very popular with audiences. She had worked hard for peace between the different groups of people. He also published a book about Winema in 1876. He dedicated it to her, writing:
This book is written to honor the brave Wi-ne-ma. She risked her life to save the peace group during the Modoc Indian talks in 1873. She is the woman who, with God's help, saved my life.
Meacham wrote that Winema's name was now as famous as Sara Winnimucca and Sacajawea. He said these Native American women were brave. They played important roles as negotiators between their people and others. This made them great women in history.
Because of her brave actions, Meacham asked Congress to give Riddle a military pension. In 1891, the US Congress approved a military pension for Toby Riddle. She received $25 each month until she died in 1920. Toby and Frank's son, Jeff C. Riddle, wrote his own book about the Modoc War. He wanted to share the Modoc perspective. He published it in 1914.
Toby attended the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876. She also went to the Panama–Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco in 1915. In her later years, Riddle lived at Yainax Butte, Oregon. This was on the Klamath Reservation. Many of the Riddle family members still live near the Klamath Reservation today.
Remembering Winema
- Winema Riddle was one of the few Native American women honored by the US Congress. They gave her a military pension for her heroism.
- Several places in the area are named "Winema" to honor her. This includes the Winema National Forest.
