Black Rock Tom

Black Rock Tom was member of the Smoke Creek Band of Paiutes. In March, 1865, he and others killed George Thayer and Lucius Arcularius at the Smoke Creek Desert.

In November 1865, Lieutenant Osmer tracked Tom to Paiute Creek (present day Paiute Meadows resulting in 55 Paiutes and one soldier killed.

In December 1865, Captain Conrad and Captain Sou tracked Tom to Fish Creek (present day Battle Creek Ranch) and in the resulting battle killed forty of Tom's band with only three survivors. See Wheeler's Nevada's Black Rock Desert for a detailed description of the battle.

Records of California Men in the War of the Rebellion, 1861 to 1867 states:

"Remarks on Return of Company K, Second Cavalry, for January, 1866.- According to instructions from Headquarters District of Nevada, and S.O. No. 31, of December 20, 1865, I left Fort Churchill, Nev., December 21 1865, with nineteen men of compay to execute orders at Dun Glen, Nev. After four days' march, I arrived at Blake's Station, where the citizens turned over to me a notorious Indian called "Black Rock Tom." After being put in charge of the guard, he tried to escape and was shot dead by some of the command."

In 1913, Sam Davis tells a different story:

"Black Rock Tom, who was absent at the time, went down to the sink of the Humboldt, and delivered himself up as a prisoner to the chief Captain Soo, who turned him over to the soldiers and told him that he had better make his escape if he wished to live. An opportunity was given for the attempt to be made, which he availed himself of, when he was shot and killed."

Fairfield's 1916 History of Lassen County has details:

"The Death of Black Rock Tom"

"Black Rock Tom, who was absent when his band was destroyed, went down to the sink of the Humboldt and gave himself up to Captain Soo. "The Humboldt Register" of December 30th has the following:

"Black Rock Tom all Right

"Several messengers have come lately from Captain Soo to citizens here, asking them to come down to the Big meadows and be put in possession of the notorious cut-throat known as 'Black Rock Tom.' Those who have been accustomed to attend to such business were busy, and Tom remained on the meadows doubtless each day feeling more secure. "When Captain Street came that way Tuesday, Soo notified him of the opportunity to capture this leading marauder. Street took him in charge." Some citizens then went to Tom and told him that the people were going to take him away from the soldiers and hang him, and that he had better make his escape if he wished to live. Street put him in charge of a squad of soldiers and gave them particular orders not to allow him to escape. Probably the soldiers knew what the citizens had told Tom and they gave him a chance to get away. He took the opportunity and the soldiers shot and killed him.

"The following is also from the Register of December 40th."

"Black Rock Tom's Pale Horse"

All hunters of Indians who came to an engagement any

where between this and Owyhee, and almost all parties attacked on that road during the past season, remarked a white horse of extraordinary qualities, the rider of which seemed to take great pride in his efforts 'to witch the world with noble horsemanship.' The white horse was ever spoken of as a wonder of strength and fleetness. The rider - a stalwart Indian - delighted to dally just out of musket range from the white men, carieoling most provokingly, and darting off occasionally with the fleetness of the wind. The rider was Black Rock Tom. He has quit this vale of tears, but the horse has not been taken. Tom did not bring the pale horse on his last trip, and the much-coveted animal is still in Indian hands."

External links

• "The White Horse," J. P. Marden. Humboldt County History "Indians" Marden Historical Research
• "The Untimely Taking Off of Black Rock Tom," Idah Meacham Strobridge, The San Francisco Call, p. 16, October 25, 1896. Somewhat fictional account of Black Rock Tom's demise.
• "Black Rock Tom," Reno Evening-Gazette, p. 14, October 4, 1950. Harold's Club ad.