USA > Washington > Lincoln County > An illustrated history of the Big Bend country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington, pt 1 > Part 8
USA > Washington > Adams County > An illustrated history of the Big Bend country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington, pt 1 > Part 8
USA > Washington > Douglas County > An illustrated history of the Big Bend country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington, pt 1 > Part 8
USA > Washington > Franklin County > An illustrated history of the Big Bend country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington, pt 1 > Part 8
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Our lamented friend, Dr. Whitman, his amiable and accomplished lady, with nine other persons, have fallen victims to the fury of these remorseless savages, who appear to have been instigated to this appalling crime by a horrible suspicion which had taken possession of their superstitious minds, in consequence of the number of deaths from dysentery and measles, that Dr. Whitman was silently working the destruction of their tribes by administering poisonous drugs, under the semblance of salutary medicines.
With a goodness of heart and a benevolence truly his own, Dr. Whitman had been laboring incessantly since the appearance of the measles and dysentery among his Indians converts, to relieve their sufferings ; and such has been the reward of his generous labors.
A copy of Mr. McBean's letter, herewith trans- mitted, will give you all the particulars known to us of this indescribably painful event. Mr. Ogden, with a strong party, will leave this place as soon as possible
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for Walla Walla, to endeavor to prevent further evil; and we beg to suggest to you the propriety of taking immediate measures for the protection of the Rev. Mr. Spalding, who, for the sake of his family, ought to abandon the Clearwater mission without delay, and re- tire to a place of safety, as he cannot remain at the isolated station without imminent risk, in the present excited and irritable state of the Indian population.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant, JAMES DOUGLAS.
The reception of this letter was followed by intense excitement among people in the Wallamet settlement. The governor was au- thorized to mobilize a company of riflemen, not exceeding fifty in number, their objective point being The Dalles, which they were instructed to garrison and hold until such time as they could be reinforced. Three commissioners were chosen to carry out such provisions. The commissioners addressed a circular letter to the superintendent of the Methodist Mission, the "merchants and citizens of Oregon" and the Hudson's Bay Company. This document is valuable as explaining existing conditions in Oregon at that date, December 17, 1847 :
GENTLEMEN :- You are aware that the undersigned have been charged by the legislature of our provisional government with the difficult duty of obtaining the necessary means to obtain full satisfaction of the Cayuse Indians for the late massacre at Waiilatpu, and to pro- tect the white population of our common country from further aggression. In furtherance of this subject they have deemed it their duty to make immediate application to the merchants and citizens of the country for the requisite assistance.
Though clothed with the power to pledge to the fullest extent the faith and means of the present govern- ment of Oregon, they do not consider this pledge the only security to those, who, in this distressing emer- gency, may extend to the people of this country the means of protection and redress.
Without claiming any special authority from the government of the United States to contract a debt to be liquidated by that power, yet from all precedents of like character in the history of our country, the under- signed feel confident that the United States government will regard the murder of the late Dr. Whitman and his lady, as a national wrong, and will fully justify the people of Oregon in taking active measures to obtain redress for that outrage, and for their protection from further aggression.
The right of self defense is tacitly acknowledged
to every body politic in the confederacy to which we claim to belong, and in every case similar to our own, within our knowledge, the general government has promptly assumed the payment of all liabilities growing out of the measures taken by the constituted authorities to protect the lives and property of those who reside within the limits of their districts. If the citizens of the states and territories, east of the Rocky Mountains, are justified in promptly acting in such emergencies, who are under the immediate protection of the general government, there appears no room for doubt that the lawful acts of the Oregon government will receive a like approval.
Though the Indians of the Columbia have com- mitted a great outrage upon our fellow citizens passing through the country, and residing among them, and their punishment for these murders may, and ought to be, a prime object with every citizen of Oregon, yet, as that duty more particularly develops upon the gov- ernment of the United States, we do not make this the strongest ground upon which to found our earnest ap- peal to you for pecuniary assistance. It is a fact well known to every person acquainted with the Indian character, that by passing silently over their repeated thefts, robberies and murders of our fellow citizens, they have been emboldened to the commission of the ap- palling massacre at Waiilatpu. They call us women, destitute of the hearts and courage of men, and if we allow this wholesale murder to pass by as former ag- gressions, who can tell how long either life or property will be secure in any part of the country, or what moment the Willamette will be the scene of blood and carnage
The officers of our provisional government have nobly performed their duty. None can doubt the readi- ness of the patriotic sons of the west to offer their personal services in defense of a cause so righteous. So it now rests with you, gentlemen, to say whether our rights and our firesides shall be defended or not.
Hoping that none will be found to falter in so high and so sacred a duty, we beg leave, gentlemen, to sub- scribe ourselves,
Your servants and fellow citizens, JESSE APPLEGATE, A. L. LOVEJOY, GEO. L. CURRY, Commissioners.
This patriotic communication produced a certain effect, though not. perhaps, financially commensurate with the hopes of its authors. The amount secured was less than five thousand dollars, but this stifficed to arm and equip the first regiment of Oregon riflemen. In the month of January they proceeded to the Cayuse country.
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GENERAL HISTORY.
We are now acquainted with the agency through which the ransomed missionaries, their wives and children reached the Willa- mette valley in safety. Concerning the people who were brought from Lapwai and Tchima- kin, it may be said to the credit of the Indians that though one band, the Cayuses, were mur- derers, two bands, the Nez Perces and Spo- kanes, were saviors. Few narratives are more thrilling than that relating to Fathers Eells and Walker, who attended the council of the Spo- kanes at Tchimakin, which council was to de- cide whether or no to join the Cayuses. On their decision hung the lives of the missionaries. Imagine their emotions as they waited with bated breath in their humble mission house to learn the result of the Indians' deliberations. Hours of animated discussion followed ; argu- ment with the Cayuses emissaries; and finally the Spokanes announced their conclusions in these words: "Go and tell the Cayuses that the missionaries are our friends and we will defend them with our lives."
,
The Nez Perces arrrived at the same con- clusion. Bold though these Cayuses were- the fiercest warriors of the inland empire- their hearts must have sunk within them as they saw that the Umatillas, the Nez Perces and the Spokanes and, even at that particular period, the Hudson's Bay Company, were all against them, and that they must meet the infuriated whites from the Willamette. The provisional government had entered upon the work of equipping fourteen companies of volunteers. The act of the legislature providing for this had been passed December 9, 1847. A large ma- jority of these volunteers furnished their own horses, arms and ammunition. This, too, with- out thought of pecuniary gain or reimburse- ment. The response to the circular letter of the commissioners had been prompt, open- handed and hearty.
Coruelius Gilliam, father of W. S. Gilliam, of Walla Walla, was chosen colonel of the reg- iment. He was a man of superlative energy,
brave and resourceful, and, pushing all neces- sary arrangements, he set forth from the ren- dezvous at The Dalles on February 27, 1848. Several battles occurred on the way into the Cayuse country, the most severe being at Sand Hollows, in the Umatilla country. Five Crows and War Eagle, famous fighters of the Cayuse tribe, had gathered their braves to dispute the crossing of this region with the Oregon rifle- men. Five Crows flamboyantly claimed that by his wizard powers he could stop all bullets while War Eagle's gasconade was couched in the boastful statement that he would agree to swallow all missles fired at him. This same spirit of braggadocio has, through- out all historical times, animated pagan sol- diers. During the war with the Filipinos the natives were solemnly told by their priests that all bullets fired by American soldiers would turn to water before reaching them.
Mark the result of the engagement between the avengers of Dr. Whitman and the supersti- tious Cayuses. At the first onset the "Swallow Ball" was killed, and the "wizard" was so seri- ously wounded that he was compelled to retire from the war.
Nevertheless the Indians maintained a plucky fight. A number of casualties were suf- fered by the whites. But at last the Indians were compelled to break, and the way for the first regiment of Oregon riflemen was clear to Waiilatpu. The desolated mission was reached by Colonel Gilliam's command March 4. Here the soldiers passed several days to recuperate from the effects of a short but arduous cam- paign, and give to the remains of the martyrs of the Whitman massacre a reverent burial. Some of the dead had been hastily covered with earth by Vicar General Brouillet, and his com- panions; others when Ogden ransomed the captives, but afterward they had been partially exhumed by coyotes; hyena-like allies of the dastradly Cayuses.
The Indians had now fallen back to Snake river. Following them thither the whites were,
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GENERAL HISTORY.
somewhat, outgeneraled by the wily savages, an event that has been duplicated several times in Indian wars of more recent date. The Oregon riflemen surprised and captured a camp of Cayuse Indians among whom, as was afterward divulged, were some of the murderers of Dr. Whitman and his friends at Waillatpu. The Machiavellian Cayuses suddenly professed great friendship for the Oregon avengers, and, pointing to a large band of horses on a hill. declared that the hostiles had abandoned them, and gone across the river. This deception was successful. Completely deluded the whites surrounded the camp and, rounding up the horses, started on their return. It was the hour of temporary Cayuse triumph. The released captives, mounting at once, began a furious at- tack on the rear of the batallion of riflemen which proved so harrassing that the volunteers were compelled to retreat to the Touchet river, and finally, although they repelled the Indians, they were forced to turn loose the captured horses. These animals the strategetic Indians immediately seized and with them vanished over the plains. They had outwitted Gilliam's men. Not only had they secured life and lib- erty for themselves, but had actually recovered the bait with which they had inveigled the vol- unteers into a trap.
It was soon made evident that the Cayuse Indians had no real desire to fight. The whites insisted on a surrender of the murderers of Dr. Whitman and his people. Finding that the vol- unteers were in earnest in making this demand the treacherous tribe scattered in different di- rections; Tamsuky, with his friends, going to the headwaters of the John Day river. There. despite various efforts to capture them, they re- mained two years. In 1850, a band of Uma- tillas undertook the task of securing them, for trial, and after fierce and desperate resistance, killed Tamsuky and captured a number of his murderous compatriots. Of these captives five were hanged at Oregon City, June 3. 1850.
The Cayuse Indians, however, assert that
only one of these condemned and executed In- dians were really guilty of participation in the horrible deeds at Waiilatpu. That one, they de- clared, was Tamahas, who struck Dr. Whitman the fatal blow. The claim that the others were innocent may be true, so far as the actual mur- der of the doctor or his friends is concerned. but as accessories to a great-indeed, a national crime-they were, undoubtedly, guilty. If they were not, it is but one more instance of lament- able failure to apply either punishment or mercy accurately, which has characterized all Indian wars on both sides. The innocent have borne the sins of the guilty in more ways than one.
In this Cayuse war many men, who after- ward became famous in Oregon and Washing- ton history took an active part. Among them may be named James Nesmith, who was United States Senator. He was the father of Mrs. Levi Ankeny, of Walla Walla, present United States senator from Washington. William Martin, of Pendleton, Oregon, was one of the captains in the corps of rifle men during this war. Joel Palmer, Tom McKay, J. M. Garrison and many others bore their part in the beginning, or later in the maturer development of the coun- try. Colonel Gilliam, who had shown himself to be a brave and sagacious commander, was accidentally killed on the return of his trooops, a most melancholy close of a career full of prom- ise to this country, then slowly unfolding its wealth of varied industries.
In taking leave of this stirring epoch in the history of a certain portion of the, now, state of Washington, pursuit, capture and punishment of principals and instigators of the murder of Dr. Whitman, and his associates in missionary work, it may be said in the way of retrospec- tion that, grevious as was the end of Whitman's career, no doubt it will ultimately be seen to have produced greater results for this region and the world than if he had survived to have enjoyed a well-merited rest from his labors. Subsequent development of this section, the
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GENERAL HISTORY.
founding of Whitman College, and the whole train of circumstances arising from American occupation of Oregon may be seen, in some measure, to have grown out of the tragedy at Waiilatpu. Here, as elsewhere, martyrdom appears a necessary accompainment to the most brilliant progress in civilization.
While the offense of these Indians can not be condoned, charity compels the admission that the ignorant creatures were scarcely more re- sponsible than the wild beasts who, also, dis- puted this territory with civilized man. The very superstition which it is the duty of every
missionary to eradicate from pagan minds as speedily as possible, is primarily to blame for the undoing of Dr. Whitman. Steeped in this barbaric superstition, pampered by the Hud- son's Bay Company, treacherously deceived by agents and emissaries of the great octupus of the Northwest Coast, we can not hold these savages to a higher degree of responsibility than the source from which they drew their grew- some inspiration. But in 1848 the progress of western civilization demanded their suppres- sion, if not ultimate removal, along with the coyote and rattlesnake.
CHAPTER VI.
OTHER INDIAN OUTBREAKS-1855-1858.
Previous to 1859 the territory of Oregon comprised the present states of Washington, Oregon and Idaho. It is not within the prov- ince of this history to follow the careers of In- dian "braves," Indian thieves and Indian raps- callions along the entire course of their devious warpaths throughout all of the country out- lined above. Of the Indian wars immediately affecting Washington, the territory covered by these annals, it becomes our duty to treat them in an impartial yet concise manner.
The massacre of the Ward train, by the Snake Indians, occurred near Fort Boise in the autumn of 1854. Determined to show the In- dians that the government would not remain in- active in the face of such outrages Major Gran- ville O. Haller organized an expedition with which he pushed over into the Snake country, from Fort Dalles. Nothing tangible resulted from this march other than a demonstration in force; the Indians retreated into the mountains ; Major Haller and his soldiers returned to The Dalles. During the summer of 1855, however.
he made another attempt to reach the Snake In- dians, and this time successfully, finally captur- ing and executing the murderers of the Ward party.
Discovery of gold in the vicinity of Fort Colville incited a stampede to that country. This was in the spring of 1855. At that period Governor Stevens was making his famous east- ern tour through the territory engaged in treat- ies and agreements with the various tribes, and this gold discovery so excited the members of his escort that it was with difficulty they were prevented from deserting. On meeting with the Kettle Falls, Pend d'Oreilles, Spokanes and Coeur d'Alenes Governor Stevens had told them that he would negotiate with them for the sale of their lands on his return. Offers to pur- chase lands by the whites had always been re- garded with suspicion by the Indians. To them it appeared the preliminary step toward sub- jugation and domination of the country which. perhaps was not an unusual view of the matter. The gradual but steady increase of the white
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GENERAL HISTORY.
men was far from pleasing to the Indians ; they were dissatisfied with the terms of treaties al- ready negotiated, and one chief Peupeumox- mox "Yellow Bird," was on the eve of repudi- ating the sale of certain territory.
The first note of defiance was sounded by Pierre Jerome, chief of the Kettle Falls Indians, about August 1, 1855. He declared emphat- ically that no white man should pass through his country. This declaration was soon fol- lowed by rumors of murders committed by the Yakimas. A number of small parties had set forth from the Sound en route to Fort Col- ville, via Nisqually pass and the Ahtanahm Catholic mission. Such was the report com- municated by Chief Garry, of the Spokanes, to A J. Bolon, special agent for the Yakimas. It was Bolon's intention to meet Governor Stev- ens on the latter's return from Fort Benton, and assist at the councils and treaties. But on re- ceiving these sanguinary reports Bolon rashly deflected his course for the purpose of investi- gating them. He went, unattended to the Cath- olic mission to meet Kamiakin, and was mur- dered by Owhi, a nephew of Kamiakin, and chief of the Umatillas, who treacherously shot him in the back.
Then Kamiakin declared war on the whites, which war, he said, he was prepared to carry on five years, if necessary. The gauntlet had been thrown down and war was inevitable. The rumor of whites having been killed by the Yakimas was confirmed by miners returning from Fort Cloville, on September 20. A requisition for troops from Vancouver and Steilacoom was at once made by acting Gov- ernor Mason. Fears for the safety of Governor Stevens warranted sending a detachment to his assistance. A force of eighty-four men from Fort Dalles, under Major Haller, was ordered to proceed against Kamiakin and Peupeumox- mox. two chiefs most to be dreaded. Haller's objective point was the Catholic mission, the home of Kamiakin. He set forth October 3.
A sharp skirmish ensued in the afternoon of that day, and at nightfall the Yakimas with- drew. Of Haller's force eight men were killed and wounded. On the following day the fight was renewed, the whites being without water and having but very little food. The Indians attempted to surround Haller, and so sharp was their attack that at dark a messenger was des- patched to Major Raines, at The Dalles. asking for assistance. On the third day of this en- gagement, which was in reality a signal defeat for the whites, the cavalry horses and pack ani- mads were turned loose to find water and grass. Haller determined to return to The Dalles, and was again attacked by the Indians who, for ten miles, harassed the retreating soldiers with a sharp, running fire. The force separated into two divisions, one of them being under the com- mand of Captain Russell. Two detachments of reinforcements failed to connect with Haller, for any effective stand against the enemy, and Major Haller reached The Dalles with a loss of five men killed, seventeen wounded and con- siderable government property. It was esti- mated that the Indians suffered a loss of forty killed.
The disastrous result of this initial cam- paign against the Yakimas inflamed both sol- diers and civilians. Preparations for a war of considerable magnitude were hastily made. It was reported at Forts Vancouver and Steila- coom that there were fifteen hundred fighting braves in the field against the whites. One company of volunteers was called on from Clarke, and one from Thurston county, these companies to consist of eighty-five men each. Acting Governor Mason asked for arms from the commanders of the revenue cutter Jefferson Davis and sloop of war Decatur, which were furnished promptly. Company B, of the Puget Sound Volunteers, was organized at Olympia, Gilmore Hays, captain, James S. Hurd, first lieutenant. William Martin, second lieutenant, Joseph Gibson, Henry D. Cock, Thomas
Indians were discovered the third day out. ! Prathar. and Joseph White, sergeants: Joseph
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GENERAL HISTORY.
S. Taylor, Whitfield Kirtley, T. Wheelock and John Scott, corporals. On the 20th they re- ported at Fort Steilacoom and on the 21st, un- der command of Captain Maloney, set out for White river to reinforce Lieutenant Slaughter, who had gone into the Yakima country with forty men.
The history of Nesmith's campaign against the Yakima Indians is uneventful. J. W. Nesmith was placed in command of several vol- unteer companies, organized by proclamation of Acting Governor Mason, numbering, all told, about seven hundred men. They were enrolled at Seattle, Olympia, Van- couver and Cathlamet. James Tilton was appointed adjutant-general of the volun- teer forces and Major Raines was in com- mand of the regulars to cooperate with Nesmith. The volunteers and regulars formed a junction at Simcoe Valley on November 7. The day following there was a sharp skirmish with the Indians, but the latter finding the force of the whites greatly augumented were timid, and more inclined to retreat than advance. Be- ing supplied with fresh horses they could escape easily, and were driven up the Yakima river to a narrow gap in the mountains where they made a feeble stand. Haller and Captain Augur charged them, upon which they retreated and fled down the other side of the mountain, leav- ing the whites in possession. On the 10th they made another stand, and an attempt was made by the volunteers and regulars to surround them. Owing to a misunderstanding a charge was made at an inopportune moment, and again the wily foe were enabled to retreat in compar- ative safety. On reaching the Ahtanahm mis- sion it was found deserted and, after a number of unimportant movements, Nesmith pushed on to Walla Walla. Major Raines reported to General Wool, who had recently arrived in the territory. The latter was supplied with four thousand stand of arms, a large amount of am- unition and had with him fifty dragoons.
General Wool at this period appears to have
been extremely critical and fault-finding. He was particularly severe on the volunteers nor did he spare Majors Raines and Haller. One of General Wool's orders, which appears to have given great offense to the citizens of Ore- gon, was to disband the company enrolled to proceed to the relief of Governor, Stevens, and this order was subsequently bitterly resented by the governor. The result of Wool's con- duct was what might have been expected ; con- tentions between the regulars and volunteers, rendering void their efficiency and making it impossible for them to co-operate. Practically future campaigns against the hostiles were in the hands of the volunteers. January 11, 1856, General Wool received information of Indian troubles in Southern Oregon and California, and he left for San Francisco, having first as- signed command of the Columbia River Dis- trict to Colonel George Wright, with head- quarters at The Dalles.
In the Puget Sound district the year 1855 was punctuated with a number of Indian trag- edies. Lieutenant McAllister and M. McCon- nell, of McConnell's prairie, were killed by the hostiles in October of that year. Sunday, the 28th, in the White Valley, the Indians fell upon the farming settlements. W. H. Braman, wife and child, H. H. Jones and wife, Simon Cooper and George E. King and wife were killed. Others escaped to Seattle. The death of Lieu- tenant Slaughter, in December, 1855, cast a heavy gloom over the various communities then in the territory. While in command of sixty- five men, on Brannans' prairie, Lieutenant Slaughter was sitting at night in a small log house. For the purpose of drying their wet clothing the soldiers had started a small fire near the door of the cabin, and the Indians. guided by this light were able to shoot Slaugh- ter through the heart. Without uttering a word he fell dead from his chair. An attack on Seattle, in December of the same year. was repulsed with heavy losses to both sides. the sloop of war. Decatur, taking a prominent part
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