The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-11-19
From the St. Louis Republic.

Frazer River gold excitement, and in
| stead of returning with the other disap-
pointed gold hunters, he became friendly
| with old Chief Three Mountains, of the
Nez Perces, and was for a long time a
member of the tribe He realized that
the land which was then occupied by the
tribe would be valuable some day and in
duced the chief to allow him to obtain
squatter's right to several thousand acres
lying on the shores of Osoowoos lake.
He still retains this estate, which is Dor
dered on the north by the forty-ninth
parallel of latitude which is the dividing
line between the United States and the
British possessions.
Smith, shortly after occupying the land
married the daughter of Chief Three
Mountains, a full-blooded Indian. The
ceremony was performed according to
tribal customs, and the old chief gave
great ''pOtlaCh" because he was so
greatly pleased at securing such an intel
ligent sOn-in-law. When the Nez Perces
engaged in the bitter wars with the Cueur
d Alenes, many white prospectors were
massacred by the Indians, but Smith was
wholly unCOncerned when warned that
the Indians would kill him some day, and
was not molested during the entire war.
One of the blOOdieSt battles took place on
his ranch, and after it was over he cared
for the wounded of both tribes.
TAKES ANOTHER WIFE.
When the discovery of gold was made
in OkanOgan. Smith acquired the title to
some of the richest mines and his wealth
is now estimated at various amounts over
million, but no one knows what he is
worth. About three years ago his Siwash
wife died, and Smith, overcoming his long
aversion, married white woman who is
the poStmlstreSs referred to in the dis
patch. At the time of his marriage he
mad two half-breed daughters who were
being educated at the convent in Port
land. Ore BY the time their education
had been completed they were celebrated
beauties and accomplished women.
although they retained their inherited
fondness for the freedom of outdoor life
and pinned for their mountain home in
Okanogan
The problem of their marriage con-
fronted their father when he brought
them nome. Not that they lacked sui
tors, but Smith, who s a man of good ed
ucation, did not want them to marry any
OF the cowboys, gamblers or pros ectors
who comprise such large proportion of
the unmarried male population. They
were dashlng, reckless girls, who de
lighted in attending q native festivity
known as the ten gallon dance, and Smith
saw that their speedy marriage with
some respectable young men was the only
NNA W prevent tutlT clODCmeDb with
worthless characters He also knew
that many young white men would not
make an alliance with anyone belonging
TO the despised Siwash race without pc
cuniary consideration as an inducement.
BIG BID.
Consequently he made a public offer
that he would give to any suitor whom he
accepted 100 acres of fine land and 200
mead of horses if the sutton should succeed
IN winning the affections of either of his
daughters. The gift was to be made on
the day of their marriage.
Inc news OF the offer reached Spokane,
the metropolis of Eastern Washington.
At the time there was a lot of tenderfeet
there who had gone west with the expec-
tatlon of picking up money without work.
ana they rushed off in body to Smiths
place in OkauOgan. In ten days the
pretty and cOquettish Siwash maidens
were besieged by at least twenty suitors,
who We're anxious to win their hearts,
and, incidentally, the horses and land.
Inc hardy old pioneer was disguised with
the entire outfit, as he called them, and
refused to let any of them ever see his