USA > Washington > Thurston County > Early history of Thurston County, Washington : together with biographies and reminiscences of those identified with pioneer days > Part 3
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The treaty was then read, section by section, and the Indians given every opportunity to discuss it. After which, there being no objections, the treaty was signed by Governor I. I. Stevens and the Chiefs, Delegates and Headmen on the' part of the Indians. Provisions and presents were then de. livered to the Chiefs, who divided them among the Indians.
Following is a synopsis of the treaty:
1. The Indians to cede their lands in Thurston, Pierce and parts of Mason and King to the United States.
2. Set off as reservations: Squaxon Island. containing about 1280 acres; a square tract of two sections near and south of the mouth of McAllister Creek and another equal tract on the south side of Commencement Bay, with accessible roads to and through them.
3. Conceded right of fishing and hunting on other than claimed lands.
4. Twenty-two thousand five hundred dollars to be paid in annuities in staple and useful articles.
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5. Thirty thousand two hundred and fifty dollars to be expended in placing the Indians on their reservations.
6. Empowered the President to remove the Indians when the interests of the Territory demanded, by reimbursing the Indians for improvements.
7. Prohibited use of annuities to pay personal debts.
8. Prohibited wars, and provided for arbitration of dif- ferences by the Government.
9. Excluded liquor from reservations on penalty of for- feiture of annuity.
10. Provided for a General Agency and instruction in useful trades for twenty years.
11. Abolished slavery.
12. Prohibited trade by the Indians outside of the United States, and forbade foreign Indians residing on the reserva- tions except by consent of the Agent.
Sixty-two Indians signed. Lesehi, an intelligent and de- signing Indian, who has since been immortalized by having a Seattle park named for him, being the third. The first signer was Qui-ee-muth, Leschi's brother. Both these Indians met death as a reward for their treachery.
On October 14, 1855, Acting Governor Mason issued a proclamation, stating conditions and called for the enrollment of two Companies, and Vancouver and Olympia were named as places of enrollment.
The Company enrolled at Olympia was called the Puget Sound Mounted Volunteers, which elected officers as follows : Captain, Gihnore Hays; First Lieutenant, Jared S. Hurd; Sec- ond Lieutenant, Wm. Martin; First Sergeant, Joseph Gibson ; Second Sergeant, H. D. Cock; Third Sergeant, Thomas Prather; Fourth Sergeant. Joseph White; First Corporal, Jo- seph S. Taylor; Second Corporal, Whitfield Kirtley; Third Corporal, D. T. Wheelock; Fourth Corporal, John Scott.
The people were disappointed in receiving arms that were expected at that time, which necessitated a visit by Surveyor General Tilton to Seattle with a view to securing arms from the Decatur, a sloop of war, and the revenue cutter Jefferson Davis, both then in the harbor. He was successful to the ex tent of securing 30 muskets, 40 carbines, 50 holster pistols, 50 sabers and belts and 3500 ball cartridges.
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
Nathan Eaton, a settler in Thurston. was authorized by Acting Governor Mason, to organize a Company of Rangers, which was officered as follows: First Lieutenant, James Mc. Allister; Second Lieutenant. James Tullis; Third Lieutenant. A. M. Poe; First Sergeant. John Harold; Second Sergeant, Chas. E. Weed; Third Sergeant. W. W. Miller; Fourth Ser- geant. S. Phillips; First Corporal, S. D. Reinhart; Second Corporal. Thos. Bracken: Third Corporal, S. Hodgdon; Fourth Corporal, James Hughes.
Both Companies proceeded to White River valley on Oc- tober 20. 1855.
A Company was organized on Mound Prairie and the citizens then built a blockhouse for protection. A Company was also formed on Chambers Prairie.
As a precautionary measure it was deemed wise to hold a reserve force and four more Companies were called for. By the terms of this call, Lewis. Thurston, Pierce and Samamish were to furnish one Company to enroll at Olympia. This Company enrolled 110 men and elected the following officers : Captain. Geo. B. Goudy; First Lieutenant, W. B. Affleck; Sec- ond Lieutenant, J. K. Hurd; First Sergeant. Francis Lindler; Second Sergeant, A. J. Baldwin ; Third Sergeant, F. W. Sealy: Fourth Sergeant. James Roberts. Jos. Walraven, E. W. Austin, Hiel Barnes and Joseph Dean. Corporals.
Stockades for the protection of families were built in this County, one on Chambers Prairie and one on Mound Prairie. Business was practically suspended in town and claims were abandoned in the country. Men were either pre- paring to leave for the scene of the trouble or were engaged in the erection of forts and stockades for protection.
The Rangers left home on October 24th, to seek the wilv Chief of the Nesquallys. Leschi, who was the instigator of much of the trouble and hostile attitude of many of the na- tives, but they found he had gone to the White River Valley. and the troops immediately started in pursuit. At Puyallup Crossing, Captain Eaton, Lieutenant McAllister and Connell. together with a friendly Indian, went ahead of their Com- pany to have a conference with the Indians. The Indians. with characteristic treachery. professed friendship. Upon re- turning to camp, McAllister and Connell were fired upon and
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killed. An Indian rode to the McAllister claim and told the family of McAllister's death and helped them to the fort on Chambers' Prairie. A few days later Cols. A. B. Moses and „Joseph Miles were killed. It was for the murder of these men that Leschi was afterward executed.
Emissaries from the hostiles on the East side of the moun- tains visited the Sound Indians, and by ingenious argument in- cited the natives on this side to hostility. Straggling bands were perpetrating outrages here and there. and thus were families intimidated and forced to take refuge in Olympia A town meeting was held, at which Wm. Cock was chosen chairman and Elwood Evans. secretary. After discussing the situation it was resolved to build a stockade. Rev. J. F. Devore. R. M. Walker and Wm. Cock were constituted a com- mittee to proceed at once on works for defense, and, if neces- sary. to detain the brig Tarquina, then in the harbor, as a means of refuge.
While this condition existed and a sable cloud lay low over the little town. the bodies of McAllister. Moses and Miles were brought in. and during a dismal fall of rain, the little community bared their heads in grief over the mortal remains of their first martyrs. The three young men were buried on Chambers' Prairie.
A stockade was erected along Fourth Street, from bay to bay, with a block house at the corner of Main, on which was placed a cannon.
These were merely precautionary measures. Actual fight- ing occurred only in the White and Puyallup Valleys, and in December, the Militia Companies were disbanded.
An attack on Seattle occurred January 26, 1856, and Governor Stevens then issued a proclamation calling for six Companies, two of which were to enroll at Olympia.
The entire white population of the Sound at this time was barely 4,000 souls and all the male population fit to bear arms had been and were now devoting their time and energies 10 defense. rather than in the pursuit of their occupations; they were destitute and discouraged. and were receiving little or no help from the Government.
The first Company here to respond was officered as fol- lows: Captain, Gilmore Hays; First Lieutenant, A. B. Rabbe-
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
son ; Second Lieutenant, Wm. Martin ; Orderly Sergeant, Frank Ruth; Sergeants, A. J. Moses. D. Martin, M. Goddell; Cor- porals. N. B. Coffey. J. L. Myers. F. Hughes, H. Horton.
A Company of Mounted Rangers elected officers as follows: Captain. B. L. Henness; First Lieutenant. Geo. C. Blanken- ship; Second Lieutenant, F. A. Godwin; Sergeants. Jos. Cush- man. W. J. Yeager, Henry Laws, Jas. Phillips ; Corporals, Wm. E. Kady. Thos. Hicks, S. A. Phillips, H. A. Johnson.
On February 8 there was organized a company of miners and sappers under Captain Jas. A. White; U. E. Hicks. First Lieutenant ; McLain Chambers, Second Lieutenant ; D. J. Hub- bard. C. White. Marcus McMillan, H. G. Parsons, Sergeants , Corporals. Isaac Lemon, Wm. Ruddell. Wm. Mengle. This Company was organized to cut roads, build fortifications, guard stock, etc.
Adjutant General Tilton, on March 1, issued a call for 100 more men for service under Major Hays, with headquarters at Olympia, and in April a block house was built, sufficient to accommodate the whole population, on a site now known as Capital Park. The spot is indicated by a stone, erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution, to mark the end of the Oregon trail.
The Indians now seemed tiring of the unavailing struggle. although a Peace Commission composed of M. T. Simmons and Ed. C. Fitzhugh. appointed by the Governor to treat with the Indians. was unable to bring about satisfactory results. But the Indians were disbanding and the soldiers returned home. subject to call and were finally mustered out in August. The horses, stores, etc., were sold at public auction. An incident which shows the characteristic integrity and regard for honor prevalent among the pioneers is here given. An officer of one of the volunteer Companies had captured a mule in Grand > Ronde Valley. While in the service, he rode it home to Olympia, and turned it in. He desired to bid it in and own ir, but the highest bid was $475 and the faithful volunteer. impoverished by ten months' military service, was unable to meet the raise.
During the struggle stockades and block houses had been built in Thurston County by settlers as follows: Stockade at Cochran's, Skookumchuck; stockade, Fort Henness, Grand
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Mound Prairie; stockade at Goodell's, Grand Mound Prairie; block house. Tenalquot Prairie; block house. Nathan Eaton's. Chambers Prairie; two block houses. Chambers Prairie; block house at Ruddell's, Chambers Prairie; stockade at Bush's. Bush Prairie; block house at Rutledge's, Bush Prairie; two block houses in Tumwater; block house at Doffelmeyer's Point.
Forts and block houses built in Thurston County by the Volunteers were: Block house at Skookumchuck, Fort Miller. Tenalquot Plains; Fort Stevens, Yelm Prairie; block house at Lowe's. Chambers Prairie; block house and stockade at Olympia.
No stockades were built by the Federal troops in Thurs- ton County.
The Volunteers had acquitted themselves ereditabl.v. Though a sturdy type of the Western pioneer, they had sub- Jected themselves to striet discipline. All captured property was turned over or accounted for. No case of wanton kill- ing of Indians had been reported.
At the close of hostility the settlers justly felt that the murderers among the Indians should be tried and subjected to punishment. In this they were firmly supported by Gov- ernor Stevens. In a letter to Col. Casey, the Governor asked his assistance to this end:
"I have, therefore. to request your aid in apprehending Leschi, Qui-ee-muth, Kitsap. Slahi and Nelson, and other mur- derers, and to keep them in custody awaiting a warrant from the nearest magistrate
"In conclusion I have to state that I do not believe that any country or any age has afforded an example of the kind- ness and justice which has been shown towards the Indians by the suffering inhabitants of the Sound during the recent troubles. They have. in spite of the few cases of murder which have occurred, shown themselves eminently law-abiding. a just and forbearing people. They desire the murderers of the In- dians to be punished. but they complain, and they have a right to complain. if the Indians, whose hands are steeped in the blood of the innocent, go unwhipped of justice."
There had arisen a question between the Governor and the military as to wether any promise of protection had been made to the Indians when they delivered themselves up to
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
Colonel Wright in Yakima, Col. 'Casey claiming that to attempt to hold any on a charge of murder would be a violation of good faith. The Governor positively controverted the assump- tion of protection to the Indians, as he had received positive assurance from Col. Wright that he had made no terms with them and promised them no immunity. The Governor, rely- ing upon this statement made to him by Col. Wright, in the presence of creditable witnesses, refused to receive and take charge of a party of about 100 Sound Indians until the mur- derers were arrested, claiming that Leschi and the others had committed murders in time of peace, in a barbarous way, when their victims were unaware of danger.
However, the accused murderers were arrested and in- dicted and received by Col. Casey for custody at Fort Steila- coom, whereupon the Governor took charge of the other In- dians and returned them to their reservations. At the first trial of Leschí the jury disagreed, but at a subsequent trial he was convicted. The case was appealed to the Supreme Court, where the judgment of the lower court was affirmed and the murderer was sentenced to be hanged on January 22. 1858, at Fort Steilacoom. Petitions were circulated for pardon and numerous remonstrances were filed with the Gov- ernor, but the Governor declined to interfere. Time for the execution passed and Leschi still lived. A committee, ap- pointed by indignant citizens, inquired into the cause for de- lay. The report of this committee disclosed interference by the military authorities at Fort Steilacoom, and severely cen- sured the Sheriff of Pierce County. At a session of the Su- preme Court February 12, 1858, Leschi was re-sentenced to hang February 19. Sheriff Hays was ordered to carry out the order of the court. In the absence of the Sheriff. Deputy Mitchell went, with a posse of twelve men, to Steilacoom, where the sentence was carried out and Leschi was made to pay the penalty of his crimes.
Yelm Jim. who had been charged with the murder of Wm. White in March, 1856, came to trial April. 1859. He was found guilty and was sentenced to be hanged. Before the time set for the execution arrived, however, two Indians came to Olympia and confessed to the crime. Yelm Jim was pardoned.
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THURSTON COUNTY
Qui-ee-muth, Leschi's brother, was captured near Yelm and brought to the Governor's office in Olympia late at night. The Governor stationed a guard over the Indian, with strict orders for protection until morning, when the prisoner would be removed to Steilacoom. About daylight, while the guard slept, a man burst into the room, shooting the Indian in the arm and then stabbing him. The deed was done and the assassin gone before the guard was thoroughly aroused. The man making the attack was not identified, and no testimony could be found against anyone. The impression gained cred- ence, however, that Joseph Bunting, son-in-law of McAllister, committed the deed, thus revenging the death of McAllister.
As has been before stated, the Indians, in their hostilities toward the settlers, were much encouraged by the Hudson Bay Company. During the war there lived in the country back of Steilacoom, a number of ex-employees of the Com- pany, who had Indian wives and half breed children. It was reported to the Governor that these men were giving aid and comfort to the Indians. The Indians who killed White and Northcraft in Thurston County, were tracked straight to the houses of these men, who, when asked concerning it, admitted the fact, but denied any knowledge of their acts.
As a precautionary measure, the Governor ordered these men to remove either to Steilacoom, Nisqually or Olympia, until the end of hostilities, where they would be harmless to the interests of the settlers. Accordingly twelve of them moved in. They had taken out their first papers and had located donation claims. A few lawyers who had not dis- tinguished themselves by assisting, or even been identified with, the worthy settler in resisting the Indians, here saw a chance for serving their own purposes, and incited these men to resist the Governor's order in the courts, and in the mean. time return to their claims, which five of them did. On learning this, the Governor ordered them arrested and turned over to Col. Casey at Fort Steilacoom.
Then the designing lawyers sued out a writ of habeas corpus. To forestall an effort on the part of the conspirators to seriously impair the plans of his administration, the Gov- ernor declared martial law on April 3. The prisoners were brought to Olympia and incarcerated in the old block house
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
on the public square. Judge Chenoweth, whose place it was to hear the proceedings, plead illness, and asked Judge Lander. whose district included Thurston County, to hear the habeas corpus cases. Lander hastened to Steilacoom and opened court May 7. The Governor had urged the Judge to adjourn court until Indian troubles were over, which must necessarily be soon, and all trouble thus averted. But Lander proceeded to open court, whereupon Col. Shaw walked into court and arrested the Judge and the officers of his court and brought them to Olympia, where they were released.
Lander, being then at home, and the time for holding court in his own district having arrived, he opened court on the 14th, and summoned the Governor to answer contempt proceedings. The Governor ignored the order and accordingly United States Marshal Geo. W. Corliss proceeded to the Gov- ernor's office to arrest him. The Marshal and his party, how- ever, after failing to execute their errand, were ejected from the office by a party composed of Major Tilton, Capt. Cain, Jas. Doty. Q. A. Brooks. R. M. Walker, A. J. Baldwin, Lewis Ensign, Chas. E. Weed and J. L. Mitchell.
Mounted volunteers entered the Town and Judge Lander hearing of their approach, adjourned court, and, in company with Elwood Evans. went to the office of the latter and locked themselves in. Captain Miller, with his men, approached, and finding himself barred, remarked: "I will here add a new letter to the alphabet, let 'er rip." and kicked in the door and arrested the occupants of the room. Evans was re- leased at once. Lander was held in honorable custody until the war was over.
Much was made of this act by the enemies of Governor Stevens to injure him and his administration. A mass meet- ing was held in Olympia on the public square (now Capital Park), which was presided over by Judge B. F. Yantis, J. W. Goodell, Secretary, which heartily endorsed the course of the Governor in declaring martial law.
The proclamation revoking martial law was promulgated May 24 and Lander held court in July following. The Gov- ernor appeared in court by counsel disclaiming any disrespect to the Court, was fined $50, which he paid, and the incident was closed.
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THURSTON COUNTY
At the election which occurred in July, Thurston County cleeted the entire Democratic ticket, except Sheriff, which was as follows: Councilman, J. W. Wiley; Representatives. B. L. Henness, C. B. Baker, J. A. Longmire. Daniel Kiper, G. C. Blankenship, Wm. Rutledge; Auditor, Wm. Wright; As- sessor, T. W. Glascow; Treasurer. G. K. Willard; Coroner, H. D. Morgan. Isaac Hays, on the Whig ticket, defeated Samuel Coulter. The Democratie ticket was opposed by the Whigs and Free Soilers.
The Puget Sound Institute, a private school, was organ- ized this year by Rev. J. F. Dillon, a Methodist minister, as- sisted by his wife.
The end of the year 1856 found confidence restored among the settlers, who had returned to the pursuit of their avocations. Settlers had returned to their claims without fear. The first threshing machine was brought into the County and a cabinet and chair factory was opened in town.
J. M. Swan platted his donation claim adjoining the Sylvester tract, on the East side of the bay, which was known for many years as Swantown.
The Northern Pacific Railroad Company was incorporated by the Legislature of 1857. Under the terms of the charter the road was to commence at one of the passes in the Rocky Mountains between the Territories of Washington and Ne- braska and connecting with such road passing through Min- nesota and Nebraska as the Company might select, thence to the Sound. The following residents of the Territory were incorporators: I. I. Stevens. C. H. Mason, E. Lander, Geo. Gibbs, B. F. Kendall, Wm. Cock, R. M. Walker, W. W. Miller, W. H. Wallace, Lafayette Balch, M. T. Simmons, Elwood Evans, A. A. Denny. David Phillips, Alex Abernethy, J. P. Keller, Jas. Tilton, E. H. Fowler, S. D. Howe, E. C. Fitz- hugh, Walter Crockett, L. H. Davis, C. C. Pagett, Jno. R. .Jackson, Seth Catlin, Wm. Strong, Wmn. Dillon, Sumner Barker, Wm. Kelly, Ira Patterson, H. D. Huntington, N. Os- trander and B. B. Bishop.
The Legislature also authorized the appointing of a Board of Commissioners with authority to build a bridge across the Western arm of Budd's Inlet. Wm. Coek, Edwin Marsh, W. W. Miller, Wm. McLean, J. K. Hurd, Jos. Cushman, S. W.
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
Percival and Elwood Evans composed the Commission. The report favored a bridge 1803 feet long, with a draw, at an estimated cost of $3000.
At the March term of the County Commissioners the election precincts of Coal Bank. Rabbeson's Prairie, Nisqually Prairie and Miami were abandoned and the territory attached to adjoining precincts. This was due, in a great extent, to the depopulating of the country by the Indian War.
Notwithstanding the fact that the country showed a falling off in population, Olympia continued to improve and a number of small industries were started in 1857.
The rate of taxation was 3 mills for County purposes. 1 for court. 1 for territorial, and 2 mills for school purposes.
On July 13 the annual election occurred. The opposition to the Democrats of the year before had united under the name of Republican. The Democrats carried the election, losing only the School Superintendent and Prosecuting At. torney. The following officers were elected : Representatives W. W. Miller, Stephen Guthrie. B. F. Shaw, C. B. Baker. T. W Glascow ; Joint Representative. W. M. Morrow ; Probate Judge, G. K. Willard; Assessor, J. R. Smith; County Commissioner, James Biles ; School Superintendent. G. F. Whitworth ; Prose cuting Attorney, C. C. Hewitt; Coroner, C. H. Hale.
Governor Stevens was elected delegate to Congress this year. and Fayette McMullan was appointed to fill his place as Governor. McMullan arrived in September and was en- thusiastically received.
A contract was awarded the Pacific Mail Steamship Com- pany to carry the mail from San Francisco to Olympia.
The steamer Fairy. owned and operated on Puget Sound by A. B. Rabbeson, plying between Olympia and Steilacoom blew up when leaving the wharf at the latter place. October 15
The year 1858 was distinguished by the Frazier River ex- citement. Settlers in Washington and Oregon again abandoned their claims in quest of riches, as ten years before California had attracted them.
Olympia, being at the head of tidewater and the only town north of the Columbia, was an outfitting point for the miners.
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THURSTON COUNTY
Wells Fargo & Co. established an office in Olympia this year, with T. M. Reed as agent.
The election of 1858 resulted in the choice of the entire Democratic ticket as follows: Councilman, W. W. Miller; Representatives, E. Sylvester, B. L. Henness, Wm. Rutledge J. M. Hawk, Jas. Longmire, Oliver Shead; Prosecuting At. torney. B. P. Anderson; County Commissioner, Jas. Cornell ; Treasurer, G. K. Willard; Auditor, Richard Lane; Sheriff. G. C. Blankenship; Assessor, Wm. Martin; Coroner, A. J. Baldwin.
As early as 1858 the matter of a transcontinental railroad began to be actively agitated. A meeting was held in Masonic ITall, September 29th, and Congress urged to make a land grant to the Northern Pacific Railroad. At this meeting Elwood Evans presided.
Fruit growing as an industry began to attract attention and two nurseries were established in the County.
A postal agent visited Olympia in the fall of this year and arranged for the mail steamer Constitution leaving on Monday instead of Friday. Connections were made at San Francisco by which overland mail reached Olympia from St. Louis in 24 days.
In May of 1859 the Commissioners called a special election to vote a 4-mill tax to build a new Courthouse. It was hoped to derive a revenue of $5,000. $2.500 to be applied to existing indebtedness. The proposition was decidedly defeated.
At the election in July the Democrats and Republicans had tickets in the field. the former being successful. For Councilman, Jas. Biles ; Representatives. B. L. Henness, G. K Willard, Oliver Shead, A. S. Yantis, Chas. E. Weed, Levi Shelton; County Commissioner, A. J. Chambers; Assessor. Jno. Chambers.
Secretary C. H. Mason died in July of this year, at the age of 29. He was universally loved and respected.
Immigration into Thurston County received a decided impetus at this time and resulted in much encouraging the earlier settlers.
In October General Winfield Scott visited Olympia. he having come to the Northwest in connection with the inter- national boundary question.
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