History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. I, Part 31

Author: Lyman, William Denison, 1852-1920
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: [Chicago] S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 1134

USA > Washington > Benton County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. I > Part 31
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. I > Part 31
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. I > Part 31

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

At that time our only mail service was a weekly stage which ran between Yakima and Umatilla. There was no railway, no telegraph line, absolutely no means of communicating with the outside world except by the weekly stage, whose driver, L. H. Adkins, literally took his life in his hand when he made the trip.

In July the soldiers commanded by Gen. O. O. Howard were waging some fierce battles at Umatilla. The general, anticipating the desires of the Indians to cross the Columbia and raid the Yakima country, ordered patrol boats manned by well armed soldiers to be placed on the river at points where the

Copyrighted

BILLIE STAHAI, SUB-CHIEF AND COUNCILMAN From Me Whorter's "The Crime Against the Yakimas"

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Indians would cross, with orders to fire on any hostiles seen crossing the river. The Indians, not knowing the mission of the boats, soon made an attempt to cross in full view. They were promptly fired upon, and several were killed; only a few were successful in landing on the Yakima side and they left at once for Priest Rapids. At Rattlesnake Springs, twenty-five miles from Yakima, a general camping place for all stock men, they found Lorenzo Perkins and wife, who had stopped there for their noonday lunch on their way to Yakima. They had heard of the Indian troubles along the Columbia, and concluded it would be safer for them among friends than at their home at White Bluffs.

Mr. Perkins was a brother of Mrs. L. J. May, well known in Yakima, and Mrs. Perkins was the daughter of Mrs. Cheney, who resides in Moxee. The savages, being greatly angered by having been fired upon from the boats that morning, were ready to take revenge by torturing any white person they might meet. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins noticed the strange actions of the Indians, became alarmed, and began preparations at once for leaving camp. The Indians, how- ever, had no intention of permitting this, and no sooner had they mounted their horses than the firing commenced.

Mr. Perkins was first to fall from his horse. His wife by this time was riding at full speed; the savages followed in hot pursuit, firing incessantly. She, too, soon fell, wounded, and begged piteously for them to spare her life, but her cries were unheeded. They were both dragged a short distance and there made fast to the ground by huge stones thrown upon them until they were buried beneath the mass. Mrs. Perkins was yet alive, but death soon delivered her from this awful torture.

Friends grew very anxious when they did not arrive at the appointed time, and a searching party of five men, headed by A. J. Chambers, a cousin of Mrs. Perkins, was sent to ascertain their whereabouts. It was nine days before their bodies were recovered and brought to Yakima City for burial. Excitement ran high. Every one was aroused. A meeting was hurriedly called to take some active steps for the protection of the settlers. Every gun was brightened up and every man was buying ammunition. One night, at 12 o'clock, there was a general stampede caused by the appearance of Thomas Kelley, who rode rapidly into town, saying that "the Indians had broke out sure." Excited men ran in every direction, some preparing to fight, others getting their families into safer quarters. The Guilland hotel was considered the safest place, and women and children were packed in there like bees in a hive. Men were placed on guard at different places on the outskirts of town. Armed men paraded the streets all night, and some of the braver women buckled on revolvers and walked at the side of their husbands.

The Indians had stolen a number of horses from settlers along the Wenas and other streams. Two young men by the name of Burbank, while out hunt- ing stock in the Selah Valley, saw at a distance what appeared to be their horses. On approaching they found that the horses were being herded by Indians. The savages started in pursuit of the men, firing rapidly ; the men quickly retreated, returning the firing over their shoulders until they reached the settlement in safety.

(17)

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The settlers by this time were so terrified that they left their homes and fled to places of safety, leaving their fields of ripe grain uncut and turning the stock into gardens and fields to do the harvesting.

Stockades were made in different parts of the settlement for the safety of families. On the Ahtanum, near the residence now owned by Cyrus Walker, a large embankment was thrown up made of sods piled several feet high, with a deep trench on the outside. This was for the protection of all the residents of the valley.

The government soon came to the rescue by placing cavalry troops at Fort. Simcoe and by sending needle guns to Yakima City. This caused a feeling of relief. All breathed easier; and when news came that the Indians had sur- rendered to General Howard, where they were fighting along the Columbia River, there was great rejoicing.

In December of the same year, Father Wilbur, who was at that time Indian agent at Fort Simcoe, sent an invitation to Chief Moses to meet him in Yakima City for the purpose of having a friendly council. Moses accepted the invitation and was present at the appointed time. The Centennial hall was- packed with eager spectators to hear what the dreaded chief would have to say. Father Wilbur made the opening address, in which he said that we all are children of the Great Father, all of one family, and that it is wrong for one man to take the life of another. In this way he approached the subject of the murder of the Perkins family. Moses was chief over the Indians who had committed the deed, and it was well known that he was in sympathy with the hostiles. Moses believed that the little band of which he was chief and the Whites and Indians of the Yakima Valley composed the nation and that the world extended just beyond the Columbia River. True, he had heard of a Washington tyee, president of the United States, but Moses considered him an insignificant being compared with himself.

On this occasion Moses was a striking picture. He was dressed in a long coat, Prince Albert style, black trousers, buckskin leggings, wore a white hand- kerchief about his neck and a wide-brimmed Spanish hat. When called upon to make a speech, he slowly stepped forward. The audience waited, almost breathless. After standing perfectly quiet for some time, he bent forward with great deliberation, and blew a mighty bugle blast with his nasal appendage, making use of his leggings for a handkerchief. Then straightening himself to his fullest height, he pompously said, "Nika Moses" (I am Moses). After dwelling upon his own greatness, he finally consented to assist in capturing the murderers. He proposed that the Whites should join him on the Columbia twenty-five miles from Yakima, and promised to go with them to the spot where the murderers were camped. His plan was agreed to, and sixteen men, with seventeen Indian police, were prepared for the expedition. They soon set out, with special orders from the sheriff, and with W. L. Splawn as captain.

When they arrived at the point designated, they discovered that Moses was. a traitor. He was nowhere to be seen. They crossed the river and started in the directon of Crab Creek, and were soon startled by the approach of the chief with sixty braves in war paint. The White heroes stood firm as statues,

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waiting orders from their commander. Captain Splawn called to Moses, asking him what he meant by meeting them in this manner. Moses replied that his talk in Yakima was cultus (no good), and that he had no intention of fulfilling his agreement. After exchanging a few words, all dispersed without bloodshed.

Captain Splawn immediately dispatched a courier to Yakima for assistance. Sixty volunteers, under Capt. James Simmons, immediately left for the scene, with orders to arrest Moses and bring him to Yakima. They were also rein- forced by Dors Schnebly and party from Ellensburg. They were not long in capturing the chief and nine warriors. These they handcuffed and tied.

Those who saw Moses at this time do not look upon him as a brave man but think him very much of a coward. When he saw the handcuffs he wept like a baby.

He was told that he would be held a prisoner until his men produced the murderers as he had agreed, and if they failed to do that his own life would pay the penalty. Moses agreed that if they would liberate three of his men they should bring in the murderers. The three were liberated and, after re- ceiving orders from their chief, disappeared. The other prisoners, including Moses, were taken to Yakima and placed in jail. Captain Splawn .continued to search for the guilty parties, who were finally captured, though not without resistance. The struggle was a fierce one, other Indians coming upon them and trying to rescue the prisoners. One man, by the name of Rozell, was shot through the arm and badly wounded; others came near losing their lives. The murderers were placed in jail, after which Moses was liberated.

Several weeks later the town was thrown into a state of excitement by the rapid firing of guns in the vicinity of the jail, and it was learned that the mur- derers had broken jail, had attempted to kill W. Z. York, the jailer, and, having left him for dead, were rapidly disappearing, when overtaken by the sheriff and deputies. The savages fought like tigers, preferring to die by the bullet rather than by the rope.

One Indian was killed and two were wounded, one of them dying soon after. Two others were hanged in the courthouse yard at Yakima City.

Later Moses was given a free ride over the Northern Pacific Railway to Washington that he might see how large the world really is; also, that he might see the President and confer with other officials in regard to a reservation. The old chief evidently thinks that at that interview he took the President into partnership, for he now boasts that "Me and the President keep the peace."

Of late years, when Chief Moses visits North Yakima, he is treated as a distinguished guest, and even received in the club rooms.

Surely, our readers cannot wonder that to the old settlers who suffered so much from his influence, this seems inappropriate. We try to exercise Chris- tian forgiveness, but we remember him too well as a high-handed murderer to think of him now as a hero.

It is of interest to add in connection with the final scenes of the Perkins murder and the expiation for the crime by the murderers that we are in-

----

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formed by Mrs. John B. Davidson of Ellensburg, one of the most accurate stu- dents of history in the Valley, that the published accounts are incorrect in the name of the sheriff who brought the murderers to death. F. D. Schnebly was the sheriff in Yakima at that time.

The connection of Moses with these events as well as the war twenty-two years before has never been fully explained or understood. In the general judgment of pioneers he was a "bad Injun" and deserving of more severe treat- ment than some of those who received the limit, as Leschi and Owhi.

At any rate Moses "got away with it," and if he were a criminal escaped the due penalty, and soon after the Perkins murder went to Washington City, and as a result of his conference with the Government received for his people the valuable Colville Reservation on the west side of the Okanogan River.

With this stage of our story the Indian wars may be said to end.

Although this chapter is already unduly long, this is the suitable place to include, as a document of permanent interest and value to Yakima readers, the order setting aside the Yakima Reservation and the boundaries of that great body of land.

TREATY WITH THE YAKIMAS, 1855

June 9, 1855. 12 Stat. 951. Ratified Mar. 8, 1859. Proclaimed Apr. 18.

Articles of agreement and convention made and concluded at the treaty- ground, Camp Stevens, Walla Walla Valley, this ninth day of June, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, by and between Isaac I. Stevens, governor and superintendent of Indian affairs, for the Territory of Washing- ton, on the part of the United States, and the undersigned head chiefs, chiefs, head-men, and delegates of the Yakama, Palouse, Pisquouse, Wenatshapam, Klitkatat, Klinquit, Kow-was-say-ee, Li-ay-was, Skin-pah, Wish-ham, Shyiks, Ochechotes, Kah-milt-pah, and Se-ap-cat, confederated tribes, and bands of Indians, occupying lands hereinafter bounded and described and lying in Wash- ington Territory, who for the purposes of this treaty are to be considered as one nation, under the name of "Yakama" with Kamaiakun as tis head chief, on behalf of and acting for said tribes and bands, and being duly authorized thereto by them.

Article 1. The aforesaid confederated tribes and bands of Indians hereby cede, relinquish, and convey to the United States all their right, title, and inter- est in and to the lands and country occupied and claimed by them, and bounded and described as follows, to wit: Boundaries : Commencing at Mount Ranier, thence northerly along the main ridge of the Cascade Mountains to the point where the northern tributaries of Lake Che-lan and the southern tributaries of the Methow River have their rise; thence southeasterly on the divide between the waters of Lake Che-lan and the Methow River to the Columbia River ; thence, crossing the Columbia on a true east course, to a point whose longitude is one hundred and nineteen degrees and ten minutes (119º 10'), which two

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latter lines separate the above confederated tribes and bands from the Oakina- kane tribe of Indians; thence in a true south course to the forty-seventh (47 deg.) parallel of latitude; thence east on said parallel to the main Palouse River, which two latter lines of boundary separate the above confederated tribes and bands from the Spokanes; thence down the Palouse River to its junction with the Mohhah-ne-she, or southern tributary of the same; thence in a southeasterly direction, to the Snake River, at the mouth of the Tucannon River, separating the above confederated tribes from the Nez Perce tribe of Indians ; thence down the Snake River to its junction with the Columbia River; thence up the Columbia River to the "White Banks" below the Priest's Rapids; thence westerly to a lake called "Le Lac," thence southerly to a point on the Yakima River called Toh-mah-luke; thence, in a southwesterly direction, to the Columbia River, at the western extremity of the "Big Island," between the mouths of the Umatilla River and Butler Creek; all which latter boundaries separate the above confederated tribes and bands from the Walla Walla, Cayuse, and Umatilla tribes and bands of Indians; thence down the Columbia River to midway between the mouths of White Salmon and Wind rivers; thence along the divide between said rivers to the main ridge of the Cascade Mountains; and thence along said ridge to the place of beginning.

Article 2. There is, however, reserved, from the lands above ceded for the use and occupation of the aforesaid confederated tribes and bands of Indians, the tract of land included within the following boundaries, to wit: Commencing on the Yakama River, at the mouth of the Attah-nam River; thence westerly along said Attah-nam River to the Forks; thence along the southern tributary to the Cascade Mountains; thence southerly along the main ridge of said mountains, passing south and east of Mount Adams, to the spur whence flow the waters of the Klickatat and Pisco rivers; thence down said spur to the divide between the waters of said rivers; thence along said divide to the divide separating the waters of the Satass River from those flowing into the Columbia River; thence along said divide to the main Yakama, eight miles below the mouth of the Satass River; and thence up the Yakama River to the place of beginning.

All which tract shall be set apart and, so far as necessary, surveyed and marked out, for the exclusive use and benefit of said confederated tribes and bands of Indians, as an Indian reservation ; nor shall any white man, excepting those in the employment of the Indian Department, be permitted to reside upon the said reservation without permission of the tribe and the superintendent and agent. And the said confederated tribes and bands agree to remove to, and settle upon, the same, within one year after the ratification of this treaty. In the meantime it shall be lawful for them to reside upon any ground not in the actual claim and occupation of citizens of the United States; and upon any ground claimed or occupied, if with the permission of the owner or claimant.

Guaranteeing, however, the right to all citizens of the United States to enter upon and occupy as settlers any lands not actually occupied and culti- vated by said Indians at this time, and not included in the reservation above named.

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And provided, That any substantial improvements heretofore made by any Indian, such as fields enclosed and cultivated, and houses erected upon the lands hereby ceded and which he may be compelled to abandon in consequence of this treaty, shall be valued, under the direction of the President of the United States, and payment made therefor in money; or improvements of an equal value made for said Indian upon the reservation. And no Indian will be re- quired to abandon the improvements aforesaid, now occupied by him, until their value in money, or improvements of an equal value shall be furnished him as aforesaid.

Article 3. And provided, That, if necessary for the public convenience, roads may be run through the said reservation; and on the other hand, the right of way, with free access from the same to the nearest public highway, is secured to them; as also the right, in common with citizens of the United States, to travel upon all public highways.

The exclusive right of taking fish in all the streams, where running through or bordering said reservation, is further secured to said confederated tribes and bands of Indians, as also the right of taking fish at all usual and accustomed places, in common with the citizens of the Territory, and of erect- ing temporary buildings for curing them; together with the privilege of hunt- ing, gathering roots and berries, and pasturing their horses and cattle upon open and unclaimed land.

Article 4. In consideration of the above cession, the United States agree to pay to the said confederated tribes and bands of Indians, in addition to the goods and provisions distributed to them at the time of signing this treaty, the sum of two hundred thousand dollars, in the following manner, that is to say: Sixty thousand dollars, to be expended under the direction of the President of the United States, the first year after the ratification of this treaty, in pro- viding for their removal to the reservation, breaking up and fencing farms, building houses for them, supplying them with provisions and a suitable out- fit, and for such other objects as he may deem necessary, and the remainder in annuities, as follows: For the first five years after the ratification of the treaty, ten thousand dollars each year, commencing September first, 1856; for the next five years, eight thousand dollars each year; and for the next five years, six thousand dollars per year ; and for the next five years, four thousand dollars per year.

All which sums of money shall be applied to the use and benefit of said Indians, under the direction of the President of the United States, who may from time to time determine, at his discretion, upon what beneficial objects to expend the same for them. And the superintendent of Indian affairs, or other proper officer, shall each year inform the President of the wishes of the Indians in relation thereto.

Article 5. The United States further agree to establish at suitable points within said reservation, within one year after the ratification hereof, two schools, erecting the necessary buildings, keeping them in repair, and providing them with furniture, books and stationery, one of which shall be an agricultural and industrial school, to be located at the agency, and to be free to the children of the said confederated tribes and bands of Indians, and to employ one super-

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intendent of teaching and two teachers; to build two blacksmiths' shops, to one of which shall be attached a tin-shop, and to the other a gunsmith's shop, one carpenter's shop, one wagon and plough-maker's shop, and to keep the same in repair and furnished with the necessary tools; to employ one super- intendent of farming and two farmers, two blacksmiths, one tinner, one gun- smith, one carpenter, one wagon and plough maker, for the instruction of the Indians in trades and to assist them in the same; to erect one saw-mill and one flouring-mill, keeping the same in repair and furnished with the necessary tools and fixtures; to erect a hospital, keeping the same in repair and provided with the necessary medicines and furniture, and to employ a physician ; and to erect, keep in repair, and provided with the necessary furniture, the building re- quired for the accommodation of the said employes. The said buildings and establishments to be maintained and kept in repair as aforesaid, and the em- ployes to be kept in service for the period of twenty years.

And in view of the fact that the head chief of the said confederated tribes and bands of Indians is expected, and will be called upon to perform many services of a public character, occupying much of his time, the United States further agree to pay to the said confederated tribes and bands of Indians five hundred dollars per year, for the term of twenty years after the ratification hereof, as a salary for such person as the said confederated tribes and bands of Indians may select to be their head chief, to build for him at a suitable point on the reservation a comfortable house, and properly furnish the same, and to plough and fence ten acres of land. The said salary to be paid to, and the said house to be occupied by, such head chief so long as he may continue to hold that office.

And it is distinctly understood and agreed that at the time of the conclu- sion of this treaty Kamaiakun is the duly elected and authorized head chief of the confederated tribes and bands aforesaid, styled the Yakama Nation, and is recognized as such by them and by the commissioners on the part of the United States holding this treaty; and all the expenditures and expenses contemplated in this article of this treaty shall be defrayed by the United States, and shall not be deducted from the annuities agreed to be paid to said confederated tribes and bands of Indians. Nor shall the cost of transporting the goods for the annuity payments be a charge upon the annuities, but shall be defrayed by the United States.

Article 6. The President may, from time to time, at his discretion cause the whole or such portions of such reservation as he may think proper, to be surveyed into lots, and assign the same to such individuals or families of the said confederated tribes and bands of Indians as are willing to avail themselves of the privilege, and will locate on the same as a permanent home, on the same terms and subject to the same regulations as are provided in the sixth article of the treaty with the Omahas, so far as the same may be applicabic.

Article 7. The annuities of the aforesaid confederated tribes and bands of Indians shall not be taken to pay the debts of individuals.

Article 8. The aforesaid confederated tribes and bands of Indians ac- knowledge their dependence upon the Government of the United States and

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promise to be friendly with all citizens thereof, and pledge themselves to com- mit no depredations upon the property of such citizens.

And should any one or more of them violate this pledge, and the fact be satisfactorily proved before the agent, the property taken shall be returned, or in default thereof, or if injured or destroyed, compensation may be made by the Government out of the annuities.

Nor will they make war upon any other tribe, except in self-defense, but will submit all matter of difference between them and other Indians to the Government of the United States or its agent for decision, and abide thereby. And if any of the said Indians commit depredations on any other Indians within the Territory of Washington or Oregon, the same rule shall prevail as that provided in this article in case of depredations against citizens. And the said confederated tribes and bands of Indians agree not to shelter or conceal offenders against the laws of the United States, but to deliver them up to the authorities for trial.

Article 9. The said confederated tribes and bands of Indians desire to exclude from their reservation the use of ardent spirits, and to prevent their people from drinking the same, and, therefore, it is provided that any Indian belonging to said confederated tribe and bands of Indians, who is guilty of bringing liquor into said reservation, or who drinks liquor, may have his or her annuities withheld from him or her for such time as the President may deter- mine.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. I, Part 31

Author: Lyman, William Denison, 1852-1920 Publication date: 1919 Publisher: [Chicago] S.J. Clarke Number of Pages: 1134

Author: Lyman, William Denison, 1852-1920
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: [Chicago] S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 1134