The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
The Fourth of July at Skokomish.


the summer, their potlatches uSu-
ally having been in the fall or win
ter when they had little else to do,
by having some of the obaervances
and sports Of the whites, and by
being shortened in time to a
eek, tie old potlatches having
sometimes occupied two or three
weeks. But they still retain some
of the old characteristics of the an
cient festival, in that the day is
stretched SO that several days are
occupied in the observance, that
tie expense is borne by two or
three or at least by few, and
that among its ways OF observance
there is still considerable dlstrib-
ution Of gifts.
The celebration this year was
participated in by the Nisqually,
Squackson, ChehaIis and Seabeck
Indians, besides few from Shoal~
water Bay, Satsop, Port Madison
and Snohomish. They began to
arrive on the first of July, and
kept coming until the third when
probably three hundred such visit
ors had arrived, nine wagons came
from Pu yallup, being among the
number.
Monday was spent in feasting,
visiting, and little horse racing
at the upper part Of the reserva-
ten. Robert Burns, alias, Bob
Sko Bob, being the master of cere-
monies, and bearing the expense.
The next two days were spent four
or five miles away at Tyee Charley's
former brother-in-law OF said
Robert Burns. The main ceremo-
ny here was the putting under the
ground Of two or three deceased
children of Tyee Charley, who died
six or seven years ago and were
then placed in collins Oh a platform
about three feet above ground, ov-
er which small house had been
built. This was really the cause
OF the Fourth OF July celebration.
At their former potlatches they
often did this with considerable
ceremony,and many years ago
Tyee Charley had intended to
make a potiatch and DO this; but
an order having come from govern
ment forbidding the potlatches, he
changed his plan and determined
on this course, thinking he would
do so a few years ago: Financial
and other troubles however pre-
vented him from doing SO then,
and it was pat off from year to
year until the present time. Tyee
Charley paid these that did this
work fer him a dollar each, and
gave nine old men ten d ,liars each.
Canoe racing and feasting filed
up the rest OF the time. On Wed
nesday evening Tenas Charley gave
a feast 20 the visitors.
On the Fourth they returned to
the grounds where they had spent
Monday. Between eighty aad one
hundred whites also came from
Shelton, Lillewaup and the inter
yeuing region. The first ceremony
was small potlatch mile distant
by a Nisqually Indian; after which
cane dinner at the grounds. An
impromptu choir Of whites gath
cred from twenty miles, sang our
main national songs, with the &C.
com pianment OF an organ and
more music was scattered through
the rest OF the day. After this the
audience was called to order and a
prayer was offered by Rev. G. f
Mead OF Shelton in English. Rev
NJ. Eells next talked to tie Indians
in Chinook. Mr.. John Swan, q
i'uyallup Indian followed with d
short address in the MISC ualiy Ian
guage, & hymn was sung in Chin
ook, and the audience was dismiss.
ed with the Benediction in Chin
ook. Another small distribution
of money by the Indians took place
al d horse racing and dancing :
la mode Boston, occupied the res
of the day and part Of the night
The next morning Robert Burns
gave them their break last, and 81
the time passed when he expected
to entertain them, accordingly h,
called them together and gave them
about half dollar each, to pa,
for their time which they ha(
; spent ia coming. Others Of the
Skokomish Indians however pre-
vailed on the visitors to remain
!, during the day, and William Will
t liams provided sustenance for them
Not much occurred however excep
!; feasting, getting ready to leave, ant
a race or two in the evening.
Saturday bright and early th'
E visitors started tor home, not feel
ing that they could spend any NOR
!, time, for kahkwa Bostons, the,
e must be at home to cut their hay
/ Not drunken man was seen O
the grounds to mar the occasion
M. E.