Toby “Winema” Riddle (1848-1920) was a Modoc interpreter who helped with negotiations between the Native American Modoc tribe and the United States Army during the Modoc War (also called the Lava Beds War).
Riddle was a cousin of Kintpuash, the leader of the Modoc tribe at the time of the Modoc War, and was married to Frank Riddle, a white settler, who had emigrated from Kentucky to California during the California Gold Rush. Riddle served as a translator and shuttle diplomat between General Edward Canby and Kintpuash, during negotiations to end the wars. After she learned of a Modoc plot to assassinate Canby, Riddle warned the American general that the plot was set during a meeting at the Lava Beds, but he disregarded her advice, and was killed.
Frank, Toby and their son lived thereafter near the Klamath Reservation, where their progeny live today.
Several regional landmarks are named “Winema” after Riddle, including the Winema National Forest.
References
External links
- The National Archives: Winema and the Modoc War: One Woman’s Struggle for Peace
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