Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1882-06-08
NEE pERcE RESERVATION.
An effort to bring Joseph and his band
back to the Reservation.

made mistakes but this question WI
will not discuss at present. 1t viii
he remembered by the citizens O.
North Idaho that Joseph's band Of In
dians proper were dwellers in the Wal
Iowa country prior to the war oil 1877
and that they did not number al
told more than IS souls, that they re-
fused to i've upon the reservation, &C
cording to the stipula'ions, claiming
that they were not parties to the treaty
of 1868, which was ratified in 1867
that the government, after full investi-
cation Of the facts by commission ap-
pointed, who came to Idaho and he d
counsel with Joseph, decided that the
treaty Obligations required that Joseph
and his band must 60 upon the reser-
walton. and after several councils, En-
ally Gen. Howard extracted from 10.
seph his promise that he would come
upon the reservation, only requiring
80 days time in which to gather up
his stock and other affects, and move
there. He did come and his people
and crossed the reservation and pitched
his camp at the head of Rocky canyon
on Camas Prairie, and outside Of the
reservation, aud there held counsel
with the Salmon river Indians and
with many others who were on tho res
ervation. This was war counsel, and
from this council the young men were
sent TO Salmon river and there com.
menced the indiscrim:natc murder of
defenscless citizens, followed by the
murders on White Bird, and then up
on Camas Prairie. Then came the SOL
diers under Col. Perry from Lapwai,
who pursued them and were so great
ly slaughtered ut White Bird canyon.
Then came the 500 troops under How
ard, who followed them across Salmon
river, and then the deploy of the Indi-
ans who recrossed Salmon river and
made the attack upon Cottonwood, aud
the killing of Rains and his men, then
the fight on the prairie with the Mt. |
Idaho volunteers; then the fight at the
mouth Of the Cottonwood creek; then
the escape Of Joseph and his men over
the Lo Lo and pursued by Howard;
then tho fight with Gibbon at the
Big Hole, ond the further pursuit OF
Howard through Montana, and the
intercept!on aud battle of Miles and
surrender Of Joseph. 1t will be re.
membered that among the first dis.
patches OF the surrender, 1t was stated
that the captive Indians were to be
returned to Idaho, and all expected
this till long after they had been at
Leavenworth when the orders came
for them to he taken to the Indian
Territory. The claim is set up by 10
geph, that among the conditions of hi.
surrender to Miles, it was stipulated
that he and his people should be
brought back to Idaho, and we think
that Miles has never denied that he
made this stipulation. In fact Gen.
Miles has always insisted that these
people be brought back to Idaho, and
that If he were in command he would
zoe that they were protected when
here. Since they have been in the
Indian Territory they have been dcci
mated greatly in number. Out Of $50
who crossed the Lo Lo trail in 1877
With Joseph, only 500 now remain,
md of these ouly about 80 are warri.
RS. Archie Lawyer. son of the old i
'eace chef Of the tribe, christian In. ,
Ian minister has been sent to reside
'mong them in the Indian Territory.
md has heen educa;l e them and ,
ringing them under peaceful and I
hristian influences. In October last, a
Archie in their behalf sent a letter to |
he Kansas Presbytcry making a pow. ,
rfui appeal in behalf of their being !
eturned to the Nee Perez reservation.
'hi' appeal was endorsed by the Synod c
t Kansas, and accommittee appointed
. represent their wishes to the Presi.
ent This committee have sat forth
heir present conditions and wishes and r
rye the favorable action of tho presi.
ent upon the matter. Gen. Miles
nd many other officers no doubt will /,
rye this povement, and it is not
mons the improbabili,ies that an or.
er may be given for their removal to ,