Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1893-06-02
Stanup'S Status.
Puyallup Citizen

There has probably never been an
Indian in Pierce county. so universal
ly popular among his people and the
whites as Peter Stanup. This univer-
sal popularity, however, was confined
TO Stanup's personal qualifications and
had nothing to do with the local pub
lie measures he advocated, with his re-
ligion, his politics or his railroad
schemes. There were but a minority
Of the Indians who were en- rapport
with Peter on these points. But in
considering him a social light of the
reservation, a genial generous neigh
Dor, an all-around good fellow and a
tribesman worthy of their pride, the
Indians were a unit. His influence
among the Catholics, among his people,
was lost by his pronounced Presbyter-
ianism. Peter was a stalwart Repub-
lican, but last election the Indians
voted by a large Democratic majority.
AS an opponent of Agent Ellis he had
no local affinity with that function
ary's following. AS co-partners in
Colonel Ross schemes he had much
opposition from those who considered
that the value of their lands would be
minimized by the enterprises which
the Colonel has in contemplation.
Others opposed Peters enterprise in
this line because they considered him
as working for the cheap sequestrian
of valuable properties in severalty.
Peters eagle-eyed discernment of the
main chance led him to often oppose
other Indian interests on the reserva-
ton. So that, now dead, the Indians
one and all, honestly mourn the death
of one they admired and loved as a
general social favorite, but he had,
while living, but limited influence
among his people in public affairs. 1t
is only possible that Peter was MUIR
dered but it is probable that he came
to his death by falling in the water and
drowning. But in all this where can
any cause be found for numbering this
good-natured, noble-appearing, polite,
generous and kind-hearted Indian,
whose business shrewdness was buried
beneath harmless little vanities affect
ed by many of his white neighbors.
His fmdness for making speeches at
public meetings, for appearing conspic-
uously at inaugurations, ratifications
and on all public occasions, for seeing
his name in print and being wined and
dined and banqueted as unique curl.
osity OF the Far West. Can it be sup
possible that he was killed to satisfy
revenge? No money or valuables were
taken from him SO that robbery could
furnish no cause for his murder
While it is generally believed that
powerful antagonistic corporations, to
say nothing of capitalists who hold Of.
fees of high public trust or have a
pretty good pull on national legisla.
tion, have great private and corporate
interests at stake in matters over
which Peter may have had some con-
troll. there is nothing to lead one to the
belief that these powers behind the
forces in sight could gain anything by
Peters death. But if it should ever
come to light that Peter was assassi
mated through the prompting of an,
who would fashion the course of an,
such interests, the most sensational
criminal case OF this generation will
be develop. Opinions as to stanup'.
death differ radically but there are
many of his people who firmly beliey.
that he was assassinated.