The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-24
TYEE PETERS OFFER.
He Wants to Help Fight the
Chileans.
GRANDSON OF CHIEF SEATTLE.
Visit to the City OF the TulaIip Chief
With His Six Siwash wives-Hs-
rangue In Chinook.

"Tyee Peter" is q well-built, gray
haired Indian of uncertain age who is at
present living in tepee on Ballast island
with his six wives and twelve children.
He Is chief of the Neah bay and Tulalip
Indians, numbering about 500 braves, and
his home is at Neah bay. He was at police
headquarters few days ago, and obtained
permission from the chief TO remain on the
island until the arrival of his son, "Sleepy
jack" with the family schooner, when all
will return home. The old Indian had
been in the city two days, having come
down to do his seasons trading.
"Tyee Peter" is a grandson of Chief Sc
attic. whose daughter Clara was Peters
mother. He is very interesting charac-
ter. His mouth resembles that of Cape
Ann Goldfish and his head is as large as a
half bushel measure. He is highly Of
Tended at the attitude maintained by the
boastful Chileans toward the United
States, and he is anxious to volunteer his
services and that of his 500 braves in the
event of war. When he was at police
headquarters several of the officers who
speak Chinook told him all about the
Chilean difficulty, and he was very much
In earnest about arranging for his follow
ers to take hand in the fight.
There are about thirty Indians-men,
women and children-encamped on Ballast
island, and yesterday afternoon "Tyee
Peter" entertained them with long
harangue. The pow-wow lasted several
hours, and when it broke up the ten or
twelve braves, who composed the encamp-
ment, were so much excited they nearly
had war-dance. The old chief spoke in
Chinook. He worked himself into a
frenzy and gave the Chileans hail Column
bia in about this strain:
Uncle Sam has been very good to my
people-of the Neah bay and Tulalip. We
must repay him. Hyas Boston man (chief
of police tells me that the Chileans,
southern Indians, have killed some of
Uncle Sans sailors, and have insulted the
white people. There will be war. Shall
we tight? We musti / will offer Uncle
Sam our services-500 fearless men-and
who then can stand against us? We could
butcher the Chileans in one day; We
would go to camp at night with thousand
scalps at our waists; their squaws would
be our slaves and their houses would be
theirs no longer; we are but a handful,
but we are brave and can fight; they are
many, but they are savage and are cow
ards; we can whip them! Shall we go?"
And every buck within hearing jumped
to his feet and with a war. whoop, yelled
the affirmative response:
"Nawitkal"
"Tyee Peter" was very anxious to join
General o. o. Towards forces and fight
the Nez Perces during the Indian wars,
and good story is told concerning an
interview that he had with the brave
general.
"Tyee Peter" had over 700 braves in 1881,
all of whom were aching for fight; they
wanted to scalp someone and didn't care
whom. He determined to offer himself
and tribes to General Howard to be used
against the warlike Nez Perces. He COM
municated his resolution to the general
and the hour was set when the interview
should take place. The old chief was on
hand several hours before the appointed
time, and he became very uneasy as the
hours dragged on. The suspense on his
nerves was more than he could bear and
he sought relief in a pint bottle
of whisky. The effect was electrical.
When at last he was marched into
the august presence of the great soldier he
was so drunk that it required two soldiers,
one at each arm, to aid him in keeping his
feet. He stammered out his mission, and
the general scowled with disgust and dis
favor, and then asked:
Where do you live?"
sport Townsend"
"Are you married?"
"Yes-got five wives" and he braced up
proudly.
"Well, Peter, you go back to Port Town
send and look after your wives.
"Tyee Peter" was marched out by two
soldiers, who mercilessly dumped him into
badger hole, where he lay until he was
sober. He was very much chagrined at
the failure of his mission, and has had but
poor opinion of General Howard ever
since. Commenting on the incident after
ward, he said. with grunt:
"He thought was a squaw; ughi"
He promises to let people know what he
can do, however, if Uncle Sam sends him
to Chile,