The Red Modocs by Capt. L. C. Carleton
August 2019
A novella-sized work of historical fiction originally published in the 1870s as a dime novel and then re-published in 1908 as a nickel weekly, The Red Modocs is number 7 of the beloved Beadle’s Frontier Series. Pretty much a sequel to number 6 of the series, The War Tiger of the Modocs, with many of the same characters—including Duck Duckles, the Hamertons, and Modoc chief Captain Jack—this particular issue with remarkable accuracy tells the story of the Modoc War of 1872–73, in which fewer than seventy five Modoc warriors held off nearly a thousand U. S. Army soldiers for six months. Classified as historical fiction now, it was neither historical nor fiction when it was originally written. In fact, in the final chapter, the novel changes from past to present tense when describing Captain Jack’s conclusion, suggesting how current the events were to the author.
At more than 32,000 words, this work of fiction, besides being an interesting and fun read, gives the reader a taste of what the masses were reading in the late 19th and early 20th century time period.
At more than 32,000 words, this work of fiction, besides being an interesting and fun read, gives the reader a taste of what the masses were reading in the late 19th and early 20th century time period.