The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-03-24

Suicide OF An Indian woman.

About eight or ten years ago Henry,
son of Yoncohala, chief of the Mo-
lalla tribe Of Indians, then young
Indian Of about 25, took unto himself
a young and blushing clutchman, a
descendent also OF the Molallas. From
the time of their marriage until about
six months ago they lived to all APP
pearances in perfect harmony and
peace. During these years of prosper
ity they had accumulated about a
Thousand dollars in coin, which they
had out at interest, being in the hands
Of some business men of Oregon City;
few head of ponies and cattle, and a
house and small ranch located on
Dickey prairie. Their dwelling was
furnished in true American style
carpeted; with stoves and sewing ma
chine. chairs, tables, ETC., which go to
make up comfortable abode. The
mistress who ruled supreme over
Henry's domestic affairs (the subject
Of this sketch), was the possessor OF
several silk dresses, also other articles
Of wearing apparel, selected with real
good taste, and with the expectation
of considerable money, her earnings
from the sale of gloves.
About six months ago the advent
into Henry's family of II young squaw
OF about Is years caused furious up
roar in the domestic relations Of
Henry and his clutchman. Matters
grew from bad to worse until on Mon
day morning, Jan. 3, general burst
OF pent-up brOodings probably took
place. ThereupOn Henry aud the
young clutchman left the house.
Henry, upon returning some hours af-
terwards found his faithful partner
missing, and forthwith commenced
search, and on the following day,
Tuesday, found her hanging by the
neck from the limb of n tree about Il
half a mile from the house. A coro-
ner's inquest was held Wednesday,
anda verdict rendered-"suicide, cause
unknown"
The most singular part Of this trag-
edy remains yet to be told. Before
leaving the house the woman had
burned nearly all of her wearing APP
parcl. The remainder she taes with
her, including a dozen pair Of new
buckskin gloves, beads and trinkcts
of all kinds. These she carried to the
place where she committed the last net
in the drama of her life. The place
selected was upon steep hillside.
She had evidently taken great pains
to prepare herself for her departure to
the "happy hunting grounds" Hav-
ing attired herself in the best and new
est of her underwear, she then put on
two of her best silk dresses, over this
came an elegant mantle made OF
fawn's skin, beautifully tanned and
profusely trimmed with beads and
other ornaments. Encircling her
waist was new red scarf; over her
head she pinned a clean white hand
kerchief, which extended down over
her neck. at about this stage of the
performance she properly adjusted the
halter, made of elk sinew, after first
tying the other end to the limb. Over
all her varied assortment of habili-
ments she had three pair Of blankets,
each pair separately pinned around
her body i'm such manner as to ell
tirely hide 1t from view. In this pO-
sitiOn, standing upon o rock which
projected from the hillside beneath the
fatal tree, she stood, being rugged in
true Indian suicidal style. What the
last thoughts Of this poor Indian were
remains like the thoughts OF the thOus-
ands that have gone before her through
the same channel of feath--a mystery.
No doubt the wrongs and injustice
done her by her unfai.hful husband
fitted with lightning speed through
her mind when, gorged beyond life
endurance, she leaped high off the
rock and sank into eternity. The
earth beneath her dead body was
strcwn with old garments, trinkets,
beads, the shoes she wore to the spot,
aud many other things, all being de-
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