Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-09-30

brerO OF the plains ne WOuiu NC elngleu
out in any crowd as a mar Of extraor-
binary individuality.
It will be remembered that some
years ago McKaye was a central figure
in the Mod0c war aud subsequently
was instrumental in inducing the gov
eminent to make the experiment Of
educating Indian boys and girls as the
readiest method of solving the vexed
question of their civilization. He still
adheres to his convictions on the sub
iect, and his services have been inhu-
in bringing about a better IN.
derstanding than before existed among
the tribes on the Western coast and
the State and Federal authorities.
As his life has been full of stirring
adventure and is more or less identi-
fed with the early history Of the Pa
cifc States and Territories a reporter
asked for a narration of its principal
events, and it was given, almost YER
batim, in the following language, and
with an exhibition Of memory in ref
erence to n4mes, dates and details that
would be astonishing even in a highly
educated man.
A PLAIN, UNYARNIsHED TALE.
He began with the remark that be
did not wish to appear egOtistical, and
yet, in telling the story off hand, be
would have TO speak much Of himself
and modestly continued without the
slightest indication Of bravado:--
II was born in Oregon Territory on
the Snake river, at a trading place
near Boise ferry, about three mile:
from its mouth on the Pacific ocean
My grandfather was named Alexander
McKaye, and in 1911 he was the super.
cargo Of the ship Tonquin, fitted out
by John Jacob Astor for the purpose
of trading with the Indians for furs
1t was the first ship carried into the
Columbia river. Alexander and Don.
aid went from Newfoundland together
and landed in Boston. Donald re-
NAMED there, and is the ancestor Of
the famous shipbuilder; buthis brother
came to New York and, as | said
entered the services Of Mr.. Astor
Ny father was born in sault st. Marie
Mich. and married a Chippewa woman
After my grandfather entered The
mouth Of the Columbia river be bull
a stockade and called it Astoria, but
after John Jacob Astor sold out K
the Hudson Bay Company it was call.
ed Fort George, and subsequently, tht
name was changed again TO Astoria
and it is so still known. He was killed
by the Indians at Vancouyers Island
the ship was then taken and only ont
person left TO tell the tale.
among his sons was Thomas Nc
Kaye, who was educated blythe Hudson
Bay Company and given in charge 0
a portion OF its business. He laid oui
Forts Walla Wslla, Boise, Hall, Col
vile and other trading posts for furs
After leaving the employ of the Hud.
son Bay Company he went TO farming
brought sheep and horses from Cali.
fonia and raised stock. He lived TO Z
good old age and had thirteen children
Three Of my brothers were sent tC
Wilbraham, Mass. to school, and onG
Of them is now the Assistant Superin.
tcndent Of the State College in Oregon
| never went to school myself, abC
what | know | have picked up. My
father died when | was about fourteen
years Of age, and as | had 10 20 ouI
and make a living | determined t,
cast my lot with the Indians. The
Snake Indians we're then very trouble
some, aud it was during a war will
them that | acquired my first expert
enee. This was about 1851. Rife.
we're scarce at that time, but / had
good one that had been left me By n,
father, and as | knew how to shoot wit
considerable skill it made my success
and boy though | was became know
as a warrior.
II lived in this way until 1852
when / went to Fort Vancouver, i
Washington Territory. | remembe
that there was a wild mule in ID
neighbOrbood, which nobody eoul
catch, and ! asked an officer, who wa
sitting on a fence, II be would allo'
me 70 do so. Of course he said yes,
and | lassoed and threw the anims
down. The officer was Captain Ii
gals, afterward the General, and he I
once employed me 10 take charge {
the government herd At f60a montI
The next year, 1853, Lieutenant M
Clellan, afterward the General, ",
sent out 70 explore Washington IL
ritory, and / was chosen 10 act
guile and interpreter for the con
mand. Captain Grant, afterward h
President, was also ordered about III
time TO take Captain Ingalls, place
Quartermaster. When the expedite
returned he was ordered East and
guided him from Dallas City, Orego
to Salt Lake.
In 1855 an expedition was sent
|, W ashington Territory under the con
mand OF Major Haller, and it was n
long before he got into a fight vii
the Indians and was defeated. III
fight lasted three days, and II W
here that | received a shot throul
both hips. Nevertheless, rode siYt
t two miles that night, and the next d
} with a dispatch for reinforcement
I This temporary success led 10 an u
rising Of the tribes in Oregon, aud n
, Umatillas, Cayusas and Walla Wall
Joined the hostiles, together with
part Of the Warm Spring Indiar
F. which necessitated another FIGHT
l the neighborhood Of Walla Wa
, City, where the Indians were defeat,
y and surrendered to Colonel Steptc
Still the Vol was not ended, and ,
had , succession Of skirmishes Al
' battles until Colonel Wright 10,
command, hunted down the leader
! captured their ponies and effectual
/ broke up their Indian organizatio
; In 1859 the Snakes made anotb
| attack on the Warm Spring resery
ton and succeeded in seiziug thobs,
chief, his wife, daughter and son Al
eight other persons, women and ch.
dren. We did not recapture any
the party for more than three yea
and when we did so | found ii
daughter Of Simtustus, the chief. S.