Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1862-02-08
Scenes among the Msckahs.
TAKING THE CENSUS.

1t IS generally Dellevcu tnat the "ccn-
sus man" sees and hears a great many
singular occurrences, but think my
experience among the wild savages of
the coast, if not as comical in many re-
poets, certainly quite as original as any
that the marshal or his deputies have
had while taking the census of the Ter
ritory, for the purpose of ascertaining
how many liege subjects Uncle Sam
has in this remote section of his do
main.
My object was not to ascertain the
population of Clalam county, or to
swell the number of voters for the
next election; and although, in one
sense, it was for the use of Uncle Sam,
yet it was solely and particularly for
purposes Of the Indian Department,
that l consented to make winters
journey on foot to the villages of this
tribe, situated on the Pacific coast.
left my old friend, Uncle Bill, at
Nccah Bay, very busily at work on the
main-sail of the old packet schooner
Elizabeth: just where l left him at the
close of my last communication, and
started off on foot for the Pacific St,
accompanied by two Indians, to act as
guides and interpreters. My destina-
ton was to the three villages Of the
Mackahs, viz: Wyatch, Tsoo-ess and
Hosett. 1 had taken the census of the
residents at Nccah Bay without any
difficulty, but was Informed that l must
expect opposition in the other villages,
particularly Hesctt, at Flattcry Rocks.
AS 1 was satisfied the Indians were
under some misapprchcnsion, arising
partly from their superstition and part
" from tales told them by cultus white
men, l had no fear but what / could
satisfy them and attain my end, by full
ly explaining the purposes for Which l
visited; and although strongly urged
by my friends to arm myself, 1 decided
to take with me no weapons Of any
kind, nor even any provisions, thinking
that the exhibition of confidence l had
in them, would answer my purpose
quite as we'll as to 60 among them with
a grand display of firearms, which as
often indicate cOwardicc Oh the part of
the wearcr as they arc evidence of
bravery.
During my long intercourse with the
coast tribes, have noticed that it gives
them universal satisfaction to have a
white man eat with them and relish
their homely fare, and as / had beer,
accustomed to occasional rcpasts on
blubber and whale oil. had no hesita-
ton in adopting this style oe living for
q few days. rs u still further guarantee
to good treatment from them nor was
l mistaken. tor after my purpose was
fully explained. l was treated with a
degree Of kindness and hospitality /
was not prepared 10 expect, for it should
be recollected that these same savages
were. only a few weeks since. oD a
warlike expedition up the Sound to the
Elwha village, from whence they re-
turned with two human heads; and il
was about the same tine they robbed
The crew of the brig f,rserfrs, found
erei at sea whose boat with the crew
In ii landed near the IIosett village.
In fact, they are As wild and treacher
Gus and hostile To strangers As they
were in Old Vancouver tine.
But to return from this digres.ion.
The day was fine. and my two Indians.
Peter and Frank, started off full # fun.
10 walking through the belt of timber
in the rear Of Neeah village. we emerged
on the tide prairie, through which runs
the Wyatch creek. and keeping along
Its bank, we reached the village at its
mouth about noon. The distance from
Neeah Bay to Wyatch is about four
miles.
Here l found the first evidence Of a
determination on their part not to give
NE their names. They said if they did,