The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-07-06
THE NEZ PERCES INDIANS.
Causes Of the Trouble I'm Idsho-The Indians
and Their Home-A Charming Spot.

$500 @Ssst A<p ~ DAhNpe
Causes Of the Trouble In Idaho-The Indians
and Their Home-A Charming spot.
from the San Francisco Chronicle.l
The Nez Perces Indians occupy res
ervation uncommonly rich in timber,
hunting, tilling and grazing lands, even
for an Indian reserve, which is generally
small paradise, the choicest region
owned by the Government 1t contains
In the neighborhood of 1861 acres,
and is situated in Idaho, between and
embracing the Clearwater and Salmon
rivers. The reservation is surrounded
by Indian tribes which cherish an ancient
hatred of the Nez Perces, who few
years ago vanquished the encroaching
Sioux, and effectually kept at respect
full distance the Flatheads, Snakes or
Shoshones, and the formidable Blackfeet
and Crows, not to mention other smaller
tribes. One OF the causes for hatred
given by the Nez Perces occurred many
years since. Those who have read WASH
ington Irving's entertaining narrative,
Bonneville's Adventures, will remem-
Der the many narrow escapes the cour-
ageous Captain had from predatory bands
of Indians in his famous passage of the
Indian country from the Missouri from
tier to Astoria, ut the mouth of the CO.
lumbia river, forty years or more ago.
The Nez Perces were very friendly to
Capt. Bonneville's command, and paid
them many graceful attentions. They
fed them when they were at the point
of starvation, and actually gave them
horses and guide when they resumed
their march across mountain and plain,
prairie and chasm. The neighboring
tribes have never forgiven the Nez
Perces for aiding and abetting the en-
croaching march of the white men, and
haze them for it 10 this day, though
the Nez Perces made themselves OBJ
noxious in other ways. They were not
wanting in barbarity, and could give les
sons in roasting captives at the stake,
the tear 'em. to-pieces trick, and other
diversions OF late years they have APP
parently recovered from their weakness
for the pale face and have made trouble
for the Government on various occa-
sions but, whatever diabolism they
may commit within their reservation,
they are securely Gagged within its bounda-
ries and there is no fear OF their escap-
ing, for to do so would be Drawing the
lions jaws. They are surrounded by
their enemies of yore. On the south are
the Bannacks and Shoshones on the
east aud north, Bannacks, Flatheads,
and Blackfeet while on the wooded
prairies to the west, in Washington Ter
ritory, roam the Pigchous and Walla
Wallas. The reservation contains
from 5000 to $500 Nez Perces and an
equal number of whites. They are fine
specimens of the American Indian.
Their physiognomy is marked by the
Roman nose-the infallible Indicator of
courage, resolution, and tribular intelG-
gence-large eyes, an oval face (hat,
stolid, faces, with pug noses, are rare
among them), and high foreheads. In
stature they are large and SYM
metrical, and are athletic and pro-
ficient in acrobatic sports. They are
excellent equestrians. and are good
warriors. Their dress in homogeneous,
consisting of the Caucasian hat, shirt and
coat, and the Indian breechclout, leg
gings and moccasins. Their mode of
living is hunting, fishing and raising
vegetables, all the drudgery and mental
labor being performed by she squaws,
in conformity with the recognized an
cient Indian custom. The Nez Perces
tribe is divided and subdivided into
many qualifications, of one family each.
Every family-cousins, brothers, parents,
grandparents, etc.-has a separate camp,
governed by small chief. The Nez
Perces belonged to the Sahaptin family,
and called themselves Numepo. No bet
ter evidence of the progress of the Nez
Perces need be given than the fact that
school books and the New Testament
have been printed in their language.
The reservation lies in Nez Perces and
Shoshone counties, Idaho, Camas prairie,
a very rich and desirable expanse of
country, being the nucleus of the reser-
Walton. This well-known tract is stu
ated on the Salmon river, aboHt sixty
miles south of Lewiston, and is about
forty miles wide. In summer it is Gov
cred with vast herds OF cattle, driven
there to fatten on its luxuriant heritage.
1t is occupied by few large ranches,
with an occasional small farm. It's
fertility of soil and excellence as a cattle
range is attracting many settlers and it is
yapidly becoming settled. This is one
of the causes of the present outbreak, as
she Indians resent this intrusion.