The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-30
wHATCOM'S FIRST ROAD.
Those who Blaxed lt Had Unpleasant
Experience With lndlane.
Whatcom Rev,

Wnatc0m kevetlle.
Judge NJ. T. Tawcs and an assistant in 1855
blaxed out the drst road which was ever built in
Whatcom county. It. was what 10 now the
northwest diagonal. and ran from whatcom to
the upper Nooksack crossing. When Mr.. Tawes
arrived AT the river he found the Indians all ex-
cited owing to a Fumor among them that he was
only the forcrunnef OF a numerous company OF
whites who would follow and deprive them OF
their lands. They had decided to nip the move.
mcnt In the bud by killing Mr.. Tawes ana his
companions. but in Q,me manner he learned
their intentions, A. no understood some of their
language aud was proficient in Chinook. The
killing party came upon this camp, but found
Mr.. Tawes ready for them, and their chief. who
was Visiting him. covered with his pistoi. lie
quietly informed them that the first move they
made to carry out their murdcrous desires he
should blow out the chiefs braiua After in
dulging In some loud talk the savagcs with
drew, but no vigilance WIS relaxed around the
white mans camp. the old chief being kept .
hostage. aud Mr. Tawes never allowed his pistol
to leave his hand during the night, although
the chief tried to persuade him that his watch
iunoss was not necessary.
Once the savages returned, but found tho
chief still looking into the muzz;e Of Tawes'
pistol. and grumbled badly at such unnecessary
treatment OF their great man. Finally the chief
satisfied them by telling them in Indian that in
the morning the whites would go down the
river in q canoe. and that by ambushiug they
would have a chance TO XIII them ut a log Jana
which existed a short distance below. Mr.
Tawes' knowledge OF their LANGUAGE enabled
him to understand the import OF their
talk, and no determined to Illustrate
them. The indians retired again after
the old chiefs assurance, but werc not allowed
10 take the chief with them. and no was kept 4
growing, unwilling gnest OF the whites, declnr-
ing thst he could not sleep with that psto! -
uncom!oriab!y near. aud suggested that his
guardian would also be unable 70 sleep They
were nor disturbed rgaia that night by tho
presence OF the other Indians, but whenever the
sAvnees looked in they saw the white man with
cooked pistol stolidly watching over his captive.
Tawes' companion. who Was something of n
tendcrfoot. lay and shivered all night in mortal
fear lest the Indians should get the drop on
them. but the seepless rirht finally drew 30 an
end aud plans vera completed for going down
the river
The old chief magnnnimousiy offered them
his caaee with which to make the trip. but Mr.
Tswes informed him that they would have him
accompany them He told them that the river
ran down TO the bay. and all they had TO do was
to paddle dowa the stream.
A little after daylight young son OF the chief
padded np to the ssore with "A canoe and Tawes
directed hts companion 10 take his seat in thu
bow aud cover The boy with his psetoi. Then
pointing hts own pistol at the child he ordered
him TO PACK up his .ugg ige anf load l; into the
canoe. Then lie compelled ,he chief 20 take hts
sea; IL the stern OF the canoe aud manipulate
the paddle wsiie he sept guard over him, ana
teus they wen 4 WIN the river 10 the BAY with
out FUR her fno estati1n. passing the portage ut
The ios Jam vi Aout seeing ANY ~ The Indians
who wer- tn murder them there.
4 snort me after the above incde TOOK
p acc al s.saehe Of the boundary commission
who hsA s;rsfsi away from camp wss muir
aerei by some oi those same iaeiaus a. the
crossing, ou, the fnurdcrers were ai,erward
panssaci In waY Citing their crime
Mr. faves desecioes TIA: night OF watching
over Chief Cssaia one Of tie mcsi Interesting
he ever passcl n al his years On the frontier.