, 1859-04-29
The Shooting of Too-a-pi-ti.
To the Citizens Of Pierce County:

SAC sSAoSSAAA5 " SSS-o-eA~SA
To the Citizens Of Pierce County:
As an old resident of this county, interested
in the preservation Of quiet and peace, desire
to make plain statement Of facts concerning the
recent shooting Of ToO-a-pi.t.
Four years since, moved upon and cultivateda
claim at the forks Of the Puyallup, but the Indian
troubles Of that period obliged me to give up.
resumed its cultivation this spring. My expert
cnce with the Indians in that neighborhood has
been such as to give me perfect confidence in their
good will and friendship, and in the prospects Of
permanent peace. On Saturday, the 10th Of this
month, l left my claim accompanied BY my three
sons, to return 10 my present residence. from
which had not yet moved As usual, leit my
property (grain, provisions, &c) unguarded, IS it
has never in one instance been molested by the
Indians. On Monday we returned. On our way
we heard that an Indian had been shot in the
upper Puyallup. We reached the claim at sun
down, and I said to my son William, al will 60
and see ToO-a-pi-i, and wish you to be my inter
prefer. We went there, a distance Of II miles,
for did not feel afraid Of these Indians whom
had never misuscd. did not believe they would
harm me on account Of the wrong treatment Of
others. We found them emcamped on Q sand
bar, near their fishery. On our way there, with
in about half mile OF their encampment, We saw
several Indians dodging into the bushes, then
Too-a-pi.tis horse, (Which had been reported
shOO and soon after an Indian ran out and caught
the horse, and then rode towards us swinging
from side to side, in fear Of being shot We
asked the Indian if Too-a-pit was shot. He
answered yes. We asked il we could see him.
lie gave no answer, but turned and rode towards
the lodge at full speed We walked straight to-
ward the lodge. Presently the Indian returned
with another on foot. The mounted Indian rode
on to look for his horses and the other approach
ed u.s. We asked him if ToO-a-pi-d was shot.
The Indian stammered out that jim Riley had
shot him, and with SO much fright that he could
hardly speak. We asked to SEQ Too-a-pi-ti, and
he conducted US to the tent, entering first We
found Too-a-pi-d lying upon his back, guarded
by n strange Indian with his gun at full cock,
ready to fire. He told US how il happened. That
on Sunday morning he and Indian Charley wtre
catching horses Charley took the trail down
the Puyallup, ToO-a-pi-i the opposite course.
Presently Riley rode up mounted on Charteye
horse, and dressed in his clothes. Too-a-p-u had
first caught his own horse, and was standing by
his side. Riley said ~ have come to look after
you (eIoeAe manager '.Well," said Toc-a.piti,
" this is no place; come to the house." And
Riley said " very we'll" Too-a-pi-i jumped upon
his horse, and they started at gallOp for the
house, Riley soon falling behind. Too-a-plti had
seen no weapon upon Riley, aad had no fear, but
suddenly found himself shot The ball hit him
under the lefi shoulder lodging in the left breast
and he was on the point Of falling from his horse,
but recovered himself Presently five whites
and the Indian Wash rode up and fired volley,
but without hitting horse or rider. His horse
wheeled and ran up the trail They wheeled as
they fired, and ran as fast as possible in the Op-
posite direction. Charley then found him, and
said that the whites had robbed him Of his horse
and clothes, in order to deceive him Ooo-a-pi.tO.
After hearing this account (thc truth Of whic..
do not doubt, since it is confirmed by all the
other circumstances Of the case) called the chief
Coluelton in the lodge, and advised the Indians
to keep quiet, and make no attempt at revenge
or resistance; tjgive up Too-a-pi-t, IL the whites
wanted him, and il any more bad treatment took
place from Riley or others, to let INC know, and
would attend to il. II being considerably alter
dark, leil the lodge, the Indians giving me as
suranccs that they would keep perfectly quiet
That they only wished to be let alone For my
own part, feel perfectly safe among them so long
as they are not inolested by such heroes as have
already figured in that neighborhood. knOp
that there was not the least necessity for Riley's
performances. The Indian was In their power,
and the wanton shooting Of an unarmed man
(rom bchind shows, in my opinion, that Ri'ey
was Gar more Of q savage than ToJ-a-pi-t am
familiar with the history Of our Indian troubles,
and wish 10 say that for contemplate cowardice
this transaction beats anything that have yet
heard tell Of The running away Of the whole
party after firing, (only one shot in seven taking
eEect) proves how coolly and foarlessly this dan.
gerous service was performed.
have direct interest in this matter wish
to settle on my Puyallup claim and improve, and
so induce others to settle. In so doing, shall
advance my own interests, and the interests Of
the Territory. protest against this raking up
Of old troubles which have died out protest
against having my life and property endangered,
in consequence Of the misdeeds Of such men as
Jim Riley.
DANIEL Z. LANE,
For self and sons.