The Russellville Democrat., 1877-07-19
THE NOBLE NEz-PERCEs.
Causes or the Trouble in Idaho-Fhe in' dians and Their IIomc-C Character
 or the TroubIesome Nes-

The Nez Perces Indians occupy re- servation uncommoniy 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. It contains in the neighborhood of 746, 65l acres, and is situated in Idaho, between and em- bracing the Clearwater and salmon rivers. The reservation is surrounded by Indian trjbes which cherish an ancient hatred of sne Neg Perces, who a few years go vanquished the encroaching Sioux and effectually kept at respectful djst4nce the Flatheads, Snakes. or Sho- s.lones, and the formidable Blackfeet and Crows, not to mention other smaller tribes. One of the causes for the hatred given by the Neg 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 tho coura- geous captain had from predatory bands of Indians in his famous passage ot the Indian country from the Missouri iron. tier to Astoria at the mouth of the Col umbia river, forty years or more ago. The Neg Perces were very friendly to Capt. Benneville's command, and paid them many grassssyl rssy wefe t t pcint 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 encroaching march of the white men, and hate them for it to this day, though the Neg Perces made themselves obnoxious in other ways. They were not wanting in par parity, and could give lessons in roasting captives at the stake, the tear1em-to- pieces trick, and other diversions. Of late years they have apparently recovered from their weakeness for the pale face and have made trouble for the govern ment on various occasions but whatever diabolism they may commit within their reservation, they are securely caged within it's boundaries and there is no fear of their escaping, for to do so would be braving the lions jaws. They are surrounded by their enemies of yore. On the south are the Bannocks and Sho- shones; on the east and north, Bannocks, Flatheads, and Blackfeet; while on the wooded praires to the west. in Washing ton territory, roam the Pigchous and Walla Wallas. The reservation con- tains about from three thousand to three thousand five hundred fine specimens of the American Indian. Their physi- ognomy is marked by the Roman nose,- the infalible indicator of courage, resolu. ton, and tribular intelligence, - large eyes and oval face (fat, stolid, faces, with pug noses, are rare among them, and high foreheads. In stature they are large and symmetrical, and are athletic and proficient in acrobatic sports. They are excellent equestrians, and are good war riors. Their dress is incongruous, con- sistipg of the Caucasian hat, shirt and coat, and the Indian breechclout, leg gings, and moccasins. Their mode oi living is hunting, fishing, and raising vegetables, all the drudgery and mental labor being performed py the sguaws, in conformity with the recognized ancient Indians custom. The Neg Perces tribe is divided and subdivided into many notifications, of one family each. Every family-cousins, brothers, parents, grand parents, etc.-has separate camp gov erned by small chief, designated Coech- cochemeowhat, which signifies the local or family chief. The Ceechcochemeo- what in turn is subservient to the chiel regnant of the Neg Perces tribe, crafty old fellow very appositely named lawyer. This shrewd old varlet is con. sidered a wonderful man by his tribe, as he can speak tolerable English, and ac tually has been to Washington and had Cheap talk" with the great father. The Neg Perces belonged to the Sahaptin family and called themselves Numepo The two words, Neg Perces, means "piercede nose." But this tribe has never committed that mutilation. The Paloeses and Walla Wallas are cognate tribes They made treaty of peace which they adhered to for years. Bonneville's favor able impressions of them in 1882 led te the establishment of a mission under the American board in 1886, when the tribe numbered four thousand. A school wal founded, laws made, and agriculture attempted, but the mission was suspended in 1S47, after the murder of Rev. Mir Whitman by the Cayuses. In 1857 only | fifty acres were under cultivation. The prevailing portion Of the tribe remained friendly in the Oregon Indian war o 1855, and performed good service ir saving the lives of Gov. Stevens and others, and covering Col. Steptoe's re- treat. The sentiment of the tribe A, that time is shown by the answer of the chief to Col. Wright's question as to what they wanted. "Peace, blows, and schools" In 1854 treaty was made disposing of part of their land, but DOT tion of the tribe never agreed to the par
 tition and the "Treaty Neg Perces alone went on to the reservation. Ir 1859 gold was discovered, and the influx of white and Chinese miners led them into drunkepess and disorder. The best land in the section is said to be contained in the Lanai reservation. This and the Kamiah reservation contain in the aggr gate 1925 square miles, in 1874 the Methcdists had revived the mission, and there were 1850 Indians and $50 or small farms outside the boundaries. A stone church had been erected, lS,O0C acres were under cultivation, and the property in horses and cattle was esti
 mated at $l36, ,250. No better evidence of the progress of the Nez Perces need be given than the fact that school-book, and the New Testament have been printed in their language.
 The reservation lies in Neg Perces and Shoshone counties, Idaho, Camas prairie a very rich and desirable expanse o country. being the nucleus of the reser | 5.