Boston Charley, a member of the Modoc tribe, was born in 1854. As a young man he took part in the Modoc War of 1872 and was in the group that killed 14 white settlers near Tule Lake. In 1873 he had joined the group led by Kintpuash.

During negotiations on 11th April, 1873, a group of warriors, including Boston Charley, killed peace commissioner Brigadier General Edward Canby.

This was followed on 26th April by four officers and eighteen men were killed at the battle of Stronghold. However, the Modocs were outnumbered and on 1st June, 1873 Kintpuash and his warriors surrendered to the army.

Boston Charley, Kintpuash, Schonchin John and Black Kim were executed for the murder of Edward Canby on 3rd October, 1873.