Toby Riddle

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 Keintpuash Captain Jack, 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 Gold Rush. Riddle served as a translator and shuttle diplomat between General Edward Canby and Keintpuash, 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.

External link

• Modoc War