headwaters of the Green and Snake Rivers, and a part of a great family
of the same name, including the Comanches, Utahs, and Kiowas. They
occupy nearly all of the great Salt Lake Basin, to the eastern base of
the Sierra Nevada, and extend also easterly to Texas. The Shoshonees
proper are divided into many bands under various names, the most
important being the Buffalo-Eaters, of Wind River; the Mountain
Sheep-Eaters, of Salmon River, and the Western Shoshonees, near Boise,
separated from the rest of the tribe by the kindred Bannacks, numbering
in the aggregate, with some lesser tribes on the Humboldt, between five
and six thousand souls. Our first knowledge of them was through Lewis
and Clarke, who found them west of the Rocky Mountains on the waters of
the Columbia, but are supposed to have at one time inhabited the
plain-country east of the mountains. James Irwin, United States Indian
agent, in his report to the Commissioner, says: "They emigrated north
about 1781, and proceeded to the upper waters of Green River under a
leader or chief called Shoshone, or Snake. At this point they divided,
one party going over on the Oregon slope, who are now called Western
Shoshones, and have an agency in common with the Bannacks at Fort Hall.
The other party constitute the eastern band of Shoshones, and have
roamed around the Wind River Mountains from the time mentioned until
1868, when a treaty was made at Fort Bridger, that provided a
reservation for them embracing the Wind River Valley. Recently they
entered into a contract with the Government by which they ceded a
portion of their reservation, leaving them a district perhaps 50 miles
in length, and 30 in breadth, embracing a beautiful valley on the east
side of the Wind River Mountains. They now number about 1,800 souls, and
must have diminished greatly since the time of Lewis and Clarke. Their
life was a continued warfare; at first with the Crows and Blackfeet, and
since then with the Cheyennes, Arapahoes, and Sioux, and all this time
contending almost naked with the elements and struggling for
subsistence."
_List of illustration._
657-8. VILLAGE IN SOUTH PASS.
During the expedition of 1870, the United States Geological Survey
of the Territories came across the above village of Shoshones,
numbering nearly one hundred lodges, encamped among the southern
foot-hills of the Wind River Mountains, where the above and some of
the following views were secured. They were under the well-known
chief Washakie, and were on their way to the Wind River Valley to
hunt buffalo for the winter's supply of food and clothing. Although
the village had all the appearance of being a permanent
abiding-place, yet the following morning, before the sun was an hour
high, there was not a tent in sight, and the last pack-pony with
trailing lodge-poles had passed out of sight over the hills to the
eastward.
659-660. WAR CHIEF'S TENT.
The war chief is generally a man of more importance in the village,
especially when in the neighborhood of enemies, than the chief
himself. In this instance his tent, situated in the centre of the
encampment, is adorned with broad bands of black, yellow, and white,
rendering it quite conspicuous. The war chief, or his lieutenant,
issues forth frequently to announce, in the far-reaching voice
peculiar to Indians, the orders which are to govern their actions,
while within is an almost uninterrupted thumping on drums.
661-2. WASHAKIE AND HIS WARRIORS.
A group in front of the tent of the head chief Washakie. About him
are gathered all the chief men of the encampment.
663-4. WASHAKIE.
This well-known chief is a man of more than ordinary ability, and
his record as a steadfast friend of the white people has come down
to the present time without a blemish. He is now well advanced in
years, but still retains his vigor, and his influence over the
tribe. One of the above portraits was made in the South Pass
encampment, and the other is a copy of one made in Salt Lake City.
665-6. VIEWS IN THE VILLAGE.
667-676. GROUPS of in-door and out-door subjects, copied from small
card views made in Salt Lake City, and which formed a part of
the first Blackmore collection.
5. UTAHS.
The Utahs, Yutas, or Utes, as the name is variously written, are a large
tribe belonging to the great Shoshone family, and who occupy the
mountainous portion of Colorado, with portions of Utah, New Mexico, and
Nevada. Those living in the mountains where game abounds have a fine
physical development, are brave and hardy, and comparatively well to do;
while those who inhabit the sterile plains of the Salt Lake Basin are
miserably poor, and spiritless. We derive our first knowledge of the
Utahs from the early Spanish explorers, who came in contact with them on
the upper waters of the Rio Grande del Norte, and who gave them the
reputation of being a brave and warlike tribe. Their country bordered
that of the Navajos on the south (the Rio San Juan now dividing them),
who formerly ranged as far north as the waters of the Grand, but were
crowded back by the Utahs. A continuous warfare was kept up between the
tribes, in which the Navajos were worsted. The Utahs were employed
against them by the Government at the time of their expulsion from their
country in 1863. The tribe is divided into many bands, which are
continually changing, but as now recognized are as follows: Capotes,
Weeminuches, Tabeguaches, Muaches, Grand River, Yampas, Uintahs, Peahs,
Goships, and Mouaches. The tribe now numbers in the aggregate 5,260. The
Pi-Utes, Pi-Edes, Timpanagos, San-pitches, and others in Utah are
kindred tribes.
The Utahs have generally been friendly to the whites, although there was
some fighting in 1859 and 1860 about Pike's Peak, many emigrants
plundered at various times, and stray miners cut off by disaffected
bands. The Capotes, Weeminuches, and others in the southern portion of
the Territory have been more troublesome than those of the north.
Treaties were made in 1863 and 1868, giving them 18,320 square miles of
reservation in the western part of the Territory. The southern portion
of it, known as the San Juan region, was found to be rich in precious
metals, and as it was already attracting a large influx of miners,
additional treaties were made in 1872 for the cession of that part of
their reservation. In 1874 the tribe consented to the sale of about
6,000 square miles for $25,000 a year forever. Much dissatisfaction
ensued from the failure of the Government to promptly carry out the
provisions of the treaty, and from the fact that much of their most
valuable agricultural lands were unwittingly included in the purchase.
"Though holding a hereditary friendship for the white people and
acknowledging the supremacy of the Government, and for the most part
included under agencies and receiving Government rations to a greater or
less extent, no tribe in the country is more averse to manual labor, or
has yielded less to civilizing influences, partly because of the
abundance of game and partly because of their remoteness from
settlements."
_List of illustrations._
765-7. OURAY. _Arrow._ TABEGUACHE.
Ouray was born in 1834, in Taos, N. Mex., his father being a Ute,
and his mother a Jicarilla Apache. He attended the Mexican school at
Taos, under the tuition of Jesuit priests, and acquired there a
perfect knowledge of the Spanish language. In 1850, he married, and
joined his tribe as a warrior, it being then at war with the Navajos
of New Mexico, and the Cheyennes and Arapahos of Colorado. Soon
after, in a fight with the Arapahos, his only son was captured and
carried off by the enemy, and since then he has never ceased, nor
allowed his tribe to rest, from hostilities against these Indians.
In 1856, his knowledge of the Spanish language and superior
executive ability secured him the position of Government
interpreter, which position he has held ever since, and through the
same means he has gradually risen from a simple warrior to be the
principal chief of the nation. In 1863, he accompanied, as
interpreter, a delegation of his tribe to Washington, when their
first treaty with the Government was made. In 1868, he again, as
chief of the Tabeguaches, in company with the chiefs of the other
tribes, visited Washington, and it was mainly through his influence
and eloquence a treaty was made, whereby the Utes ceded a large
portion of their country in Colorado. Soon after his return, the
principal chief of Utes, Nevava, died, and he became the
acknowledged leader. In 1873, when the discovery of rich mines upon
their lands (the San Juan region) was very near involving the Utes
in war with the miners, he avoided this by agreeing to a cession of
the lands in dispute, and against a strong opposition from the
greater portion of the nation. As a chief he is very strict with his
people, punishing all crimes, and sometimes simple disobedience,
with death; but he is very kind nevertheless, and has gained his
influence more through moral suasion than command. He is a steadfast
friend of the whites, and has never lifted his hand against any of
them, though some of his people have at times been on the point of
making war. Ouray is quite wealthy, owning a herd of several hundred
horses, among which are some famous racers, and also large flocks of
sheep. He lives at the Government agency in a comfortable house, in
a somewhat civilized style, and has a carriage with driver, while
his people live altogether in tents. The Government places great
confidence in his ability and suggestions, and he has managed to
keep the Utes at peace with the fast-encroaching people of Colorado.
768. GUERO.
Present chief of the Tabeguache Utes. Guero belongs to that class of
chiefs among the Indians who generally succeed their fathers as
leaders of a band which hunts and fights in a separate party. He has
about 50 lodges in his band, and therefore has considerable
influence. When younger he distinguished himself in the wars against
the Navajos, but in later years has abandoned his warlike
proclivities. He is a staunch supporter of Ouray's peace policy with
the Government, and generally lives at the agency, assisting the
agent in the distribution of the annuity goods and provisions.
772-3, 781. SHAVANO. TABEGUACHE.
War chief of the Tabeguaches, and the most prominent warrior among
the Utes. The Arapahoes and Cheyennes fear and hate him; he never
goes on the war-path but brings back a scalp of his enemies. Has
distinguished himself often by the fierceness of his attack,
generally going into a fight naked, and has been wounded several
times in such encounters. In the council he is always for peace with
the whites, and has used his influence to make those treaties
whereby all difficulties were obviated. He is an eloquent orator,
and when speaking is often applauded by his people.
751. TAPUCHE. CAPOTE.
A young chief of the Capote band of Utes, son of Sobita, their
principal chief. The latter is now very old, and does not attend to
the duties of his office, his son taking his place. Both are strong
supporters of Ouray and his peace-policy. Tapuche was the delegate
of his tribe to visit Washington and confirm the treaty of 1873.
752. MAUTCHICK. MUACHE.
A young chief of the Muache Utes, who has during the last few years
gained considerable influence, and is now considered the war chief
of his band in place of Curacanto. Was also delegate to Washington
in 1873.
754. CO-HO. _The lame man._ MUACHE.
756-758. ANTERO. _Graceful Walker._
759-760. WA-NE-RO. _Yellow Flower._
761-762. TABIYUNA. _One Who Wins the Race._
763-764. KO-MUS.
An intelligent young Indian of the Uinta band, who was brought east
by Major Powell, of the Colorado exploring expedition, who educated
him, and then employed him as a clerk in his office in Washington,
but died suddenly a short time since.
769. JOHN. YAMPAH.
A young warrior of the Yampah Utes, well known among the people of
Colorado by the soubriquet of "John," and as a particularly good
friend of the white settlers. Died suddenly at the Hot Springs in
Middle Park in 1873.
770. KWA-KO-NUT. _A King_, and MOSE. MUACHE.
771. CU-RA-CAN-TE. MUACHE.
The old war chief of his band, and in former days quite noted for
his independent raids into the country of the Cheyennes and their
allies. In the winter of 1868-'69 he organized a body of 100
warriors, and, as leader of these, was attached to the column under
Colonel Evans, operating against the Kiowas and Comanches, which
campaign ended in the surrender of these Indians. He is now quite
old and has lost much of his influence, his son Maut chick
succeeding him.
774. WA-RETS and SHAVANO. TABEGUACHE.
775. GROUP representing--
OURAY.
SHAVANO.
GUERO.
ANKATOSH.
WA-RETS.
776. GROUP of seven, representing--
"JOHN."
MA-KU-TCHA-WO or SA-PE-A.
CU-RA-CAN-TE.
TO-SHI-MY, or _Black Bear_.
KWA-KO-NUT, or _A King_.
"MOSE."
MEXICANO.
777. SURIAP. YAMPAH.
A son of Lodge Pole, a prominent chief and a warrior in his band.
Was one of a delegation to visit Washington in 1868 to make the
treaty with the Government. He has not, however, come up to the
expectations of his people, as, although a young man, he has not
distinguished himself in any way, so that he remains a simple
warrior to this day.
778. CHIPPIN. _Always Riding._
779. LITTLE SOLDIER.
780. SQUAW OF LITTLE SOLDIER.
782. LOVO. _The Wolf._
Lovo was noted among the Utes for his ability in following the trail
of man or beast, hunting, or on the war-path, and had gained the
name of being the best scout. Was frequently employed as "runner" by
the Government in carrying dispatches, and was noted for his
promptness in executing these commissions. Is a brother of the chief
Guero, and died in October, 1874, while hunting on the Republican
River.
783. RAINBOW.
784. NICK-A-A-GOD. _Green Leaf._ YAMPAH.
A chief of the Yampahs and formerly a man of considerable influence,
which he has lost, however, through several petty thieving
excursions which he has led against the whites. He has but few
followers left, and is one of the few mischievous Utes. In 1868, was
delegated to go to Washington, and while there was considered to
have equal influence with Ouray, both being in favor of the treaty
made that year. Speaks English well, has considerable intelligence,
and a good knowledge of the customs of the whites, but since his
repudiation by his tribe he has not come in contact with them much.
785. PE-AH, or _Black-Tail Deer_.
A young chief of the Grand River band of Utes. As a delegate of his
tribe, he helped to make the treaty of 1868 in Washington, and
signed it; but since then he has never acknowledged it, and, with
his band, has kept off the present reservation, camping generally
near Denver. He has about 35 lodges, or 250 people, with him. He is
a nephew of the late principal chief Nevava, who died in 1868. He is
quite a young man, very adroit and ambitious, and possessed of
considerable ability. Has distinguished himself as a warrior in
contests with the Arapahoes. He has many enemies among the Utes on
account of his overbearing disposition and pride of birth and
position, but manages to gain in influence, so that the Government
has been obliged to establish a special agency for his band at
Denver.
935. COLORADO.
787. SAPPIX and SON.
788. CHU.
789. KANOSH.
790-6, 965-74. Miscellaneous groups, all copies; a portion of the
original Blackmore collection.
955-9. UTE ENCAMPMENT on the plains near Denver.
960-3. CAMP SCENES among the Utes at Los Pinos.
520. GROUP of Pe-ah and his head men.
VI. SAHAPTINS.
The Sahaptin family inhabit the country south of the Salish, between the
Cascade and Bitter Root Mountains, reaching southward, in general terms,
to the forty-fifth parallel, but very irregularly bounded by the
Shoshone tribes of the California group. Of its nations, the Nez Perces,
or Sahaptins proper, dwell on the Clearwater and its branches, and on
the Snake about the forks. The Palouse occupy the region north of the
Snake, about the mouth of the Palouse; the south banks of the Columbia
and Snake, near their confluence, and the banks of the Lower Walla
Walla, are occupied by the Walla Wallas. The Yakimas and Klikelats
inhabit the region north of the Dalles, between the Cascade Range and
the Columbia. The natives of Oregon, east of the Cascade Range, who have
not usually been included in the Sahaptin family, are divided somewhat
arbitrarily into the Wascoes, extending from the mountains eastward to
John Day River, and the Cayuses from this river across the Blue
Mountains to the Grande Ronde.
1. NEZ PERCES.
The Nez Perces, or the Sahaptin proper, inhabit Idaho and portions of
Oregon and Washington. They style themselves Numepo, but Lewis and
Clarke called them the Chopunnish. The origin of their present name is
buried in obscurity. Early in the present century they were estimated to
number 8,000; and in 1836, when a mission was established among them,
about 4,000. In the Oregon Indian war most of the tribe remained
friendly and did effective service for the whites on a number of
occasions. In 1854 a treaty was made ceding part of their lands, but
only a portion of the tribe recognizing it, led to a separation, one
party becoming wandering hunters, while the other remained on the
reservations.
"Of the 2,800 Nez Perces now living, nearly half located on the Kamiah
and Lapwai reservations in northern Idaho, and a few others settled on
lands outside the reserve, are prosperous farmers and stock-growers. The
rest are 'non-treaties,' who, with other non-treaty Indians in that
region, make every exertion to induce the reservation Indians to lease
their farms and join them in their annual hunting and root-gathering
expeditions."
Early in the summer of the present year troubles arose in regard to the
occupancy of the Wallowa Valley by white settlers, it having been
withdrawn in 1875 from the reservation assigned them by treaty in 1873,
from a failure on their part to permanently occupy it. An Indian,
belonging to a band of malcontents or non-treaties under the Chief
Joseph, was killed by some settlers, when they insisted upon the removal
of all the whites and the restitution of the valley to them. Upon the
refusal of the Government to this demand, and further attempts to compel
all the non-treaty Indians to come into the reservation at Lapwai, an
outbreak occurred under the leadership of Joseph, which resulted in a
number of pitched battles, with great loss of life, but were compelled
to retreat, the forces under General Howard pursuing them eastwardly
across the headwaters of the Snake River and through the Yellowstone
National Park, where the pursuit was taken up by the forces under
General Terry, resulting finally in the capture of Joseph and the
remainder of hi s force by General Miles.
_List of illustrations._
427-8. KAL-KAL-SHU-A-TASH, or _Jason_.
429-431. TA-MA-SON, or _Timothy_.
433-4. ENCAMPMENT ON THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER.
The temporary camp of a small hunting party, who were visiting their
friends the Crows at the old agency, near the mouth of Shields
River. This and the following views were made in 1871:
435-6. LODGES IN THE VILLAGE.
437. THE CHIEF OF THE VILLAGE.
438. This man has long yellow hair and blue eyes, but is in
every other respect a thorough Indian. Is said to be a
son of one of the expedition under Lewis and Clarke,
who visited their country early in this century.
439-441. VILLAGE VIEWS.
2. WARM SPRINGS.
The Warm Springs Indians, so named from their location about the thermal
springs in Northern Oregon, are related to the Walla Wallas, and number
187, on a reservation of some 725 square miles, on which are also some
300 Wascoes and Teninoes. The combined tribes cultivate about 800 acres
of the land. They are very well off in live stock and derive some of
their income by lumbering. All wear citizen's dress, many have good
comfortable houses, and support two schools, with an attendance of about
50 scholars. They assisted in the operations against the Modocs in 1872,
raising a company of scouts for that purpose, who rendered good service.
_List of illustrations._
1058. CAPPOLAS. _A Boney Man._
Took a prominent part in the Modoc war, and distinguished himself by
the capture of Captain Jack in the lava-beds. Height, 5.5-1/2;
circumference of head, 22-3/4.
1061. SHAKA. _Little Beaver._
A sergeant in the company that captured Captain Jack. Height, 5.8;
circumference of head, 22-5/8.
1056. SKE-METZE. _Chopped up._
Familiarly known as "Billy." Height, 5.4-1/2; circumference of head,
22-3/8.
1054. KE-HEY-A-KIN. _Crooked Stick._
Height, 5.6-1/2; circumference of head, 21-3/4.
1063. HISTO. _Clam Fish._
_Height, 5.7-3/4; circumference of head, 22-7/8._
1059. WEY-A-TAT-HAN. _Owl._
The married man of the party, his wife accompanying him on his
travels. Was wounded in the lava-beds, and with five others were the
scouts who first discovered Captain Jack's hiding-place in the cave.
1064. CHIN-CHIN-WET. _Alone._
Wife of Wey-a-tat-han. A very comely and intelligent Indian woman,
of whom but very few are found among the far western tribes. Height,
4.11-1/2; circumference of head, 21-1/2.
1057. SEMEO, or _Umatilla Jim_.
3. WASCOS.
The Wascos, like the Warm Springs Indians, are related to the Walla
Wallas, and through them to the Sahaptin family. The name signifies
"basin," and the tribe derives its name, traditionally, from the fact
that formerly one of their chiefs, his wife having died, spent much of
his time in making cavities or basins in the soft rock for his children
to fill with water and pebbles, and thereby amuse themselves. They came
originally from around the Dalles. Are associated with the Warm Springs
and Teninoes on a reservation in Oregon just south of the Columbia. Now
number 263, profess the Christian religion, and are more advanced in
civilization than any tribe in the State. All the tribes of this
reservation are self-supporting, deriving about half their subsistence
by agriculture and the rest by fishing and hunting.
_List of illustrations._
1062. KLE-MAT-CHOSNY. _Agate Arrow-Point._
Is a chief and a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a zealous
worker for the spiritual welfare of his people. Height, 5.6-3/4;
circumference of head, 21-3/4.
1060. STAT-TLA-KA. _Pole Cat._
Height, 5.4; circumference of head, 20-5/8.
1055. OSCAR MARK, or _Little Vessel_.
Height, 5.5; circumference of head, 23-1/4.
VII. KLAMATHS.
1. KLAMATHS.
A comprehensive name applied to this as well as to several tribes on the
Klamath River, differing in language and type. Live mainly by fishing
and root-digging. By treaty in 1864 the Klamaths and Modocs ceded all
their lands, reserving a small tract on Klamath Lake, in Oregon, of
1,600 square miles, the Government to pay $8,000 in fifteen years, as
well as other large sums for subsistence. Much of their reservation is
mountainous, only a small portion being fit for cultivation. The
Klamaths did not like the introduction of the Modocs on their
reservation, and it eventually led to the Modoc war. They now number
676, and are quite prosperous. Have a large number of horses and cattle,
but derive their chief support by lumbering.
_List of illustrations._
975-6. WAL-AIKS-SKI-DAT.
Known as David Hill, cousin of Captain Jack, is the war chief of the
Klamaths (the parent tribe of the Modocs), and is recognized as the
leader in civilization of all the Indians of the Lake country. He is
33 years of age. He distinguished himself, before the Indians were
gathered into reservations, as the leader of the young braves of the
Klamaths in their wars with surrounding tribes, and his military
record shows that he has never known defeat. He has always been the
friend of the white man. In the long protracted fight with the Snake
tribe, lasting over eight years, he was our ally as the leader of
the Klamath warriors. He commanded the Klamath scouts during the war
with Captain Jack. Mr. Hill is a christianized Indian, and is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His father was the first
chief who became friendly with the white man. This was in 1843, when
he met Fremont and acted as his guide.
977. YUM-NIS-POC-TIS.
(Chief without beads), better known as Tecumseh, is the "medicine
man" of the Klamaths, and is the descendant of a long line of
"medicine men." He has had a Damon and Pythias friendship with David
Hill since his childhood. In his native tongue he is famous as an
orator. He won great distinction in the Snake war, as Hill's
comrade; and, with him, is the earnest champion of civilization in
his tribe. He is also a Methodist and lives a civilized life in the
reservation. Both Tecumseh and Hill are covered with scars that they
have received in their desperate conflicts.
2. MODOCS.