The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1895-08-02
CHIEF JOSEPH.
The unpleasantness of 1877 Brought
to Mind.

to Mind.
Newspaper accounts of the Ban
mock uprising in Jackson's Hole
country, brings vividly 10 the
minds of many Umatilla county
residents the days of excitement in
1877, when Joseph and his blood
thirsty band Of Nez Perces were
making raids and leaving trails Of
blood and devastation behind
them.
Joseph was in Lewiston the other
day and called on the Tribune man
who has the following to say Of
him:
"Chief Joseph visited Lewiston
Saturday for the first time since
the Hnpleasantness of 1877, in
which he was the moving and re-
sponsible genius. During that
little excitement Joseph headed
the Nez Perce warriors on the one
side and on the other Ed. McCon-
vile commanded the volunteers,
and was practically governor OF
the state at the same time. Satur-
day Joseph and Col. McConvilie
called together on the Tribune,
they having since become firm
friends and admirers. Joseph is
the hereditary and sovereign chief
of the Nez Perce Indians. His
blood is as red as Gen Howard's
is blue and is as ardent as Sitting
Bulls or Geronimo's. In 1877
Joseph, then a fiery and impulsive
lad of % or SO, had arranged with
the governorto occupy the Wallowa
country, across Snake river from
Lewiston, but Gen. Miles insisted
on herding them in a smaller com
pass, and Joseph took the wal
path His campaign through Nez
Perce and Idaho counties is still q
fresh event to many inhabitants ot
both. Col. Conyille defended The
country with the volunteers, as fal
as his small force permitted, and
incidentally took a hand in the
scrap whenever he could get there
Joseph had 900 warriors and the
federal government undertook his
capture with Gen. Howard and
900 regulars and Gen. Miles with
his troops who advanced from
Montana. The Indian losses were
trifiing, but scores of innocent sol
diers fell in Indian welfare. JOS
eph constantly eluded and puzzled
Howard until finally the soldiers
captured and killed 5000 cayusel
that was the Indians main hope,
and the war was practically over
Indians can never fight or run on
foot. So Joseph came in AMI gave
himself up The government
first banished him to Yellowstone
park, then TO Leavenworth, anG
later to Indian Territory. Nowher,
was he contented. He pined and
wilted away, and his heart grew
sick and sad for the land of hi
| kindred and the scenes Of his boy
hood. So Joseph was brought
back and placed on the Colvill'
reservation under nominal sur
veilance. And though thus yer,
close to the land of his kindred h
has preferred to keep just that fal
away from certain scenes of hi
boyhood.
Joseph is now fat and bulky an'
uncommunicatiye, except in tn
vernacular, which he handles will
ease and volubility. His follower
| instead of being banished to Vel
Iowstone park, were simply give
red blankets, improved rifles AM
the Nez Perce lands which the gov
eminent has recently purchases
back from them and which tn
whites will soon be scramblin
over. The volunteers who protec
ted home and families from th
raid Of Joseph's band still hav
their claims pending settlement bG
fore the congress Of the Unite
States. Joseph will remain j
camp near the Lapwai Industris
School q few days longer, or a
the races last, before returning t
the Colville reservation. He
very anxious for Col. McConvill
to return with him and take chare
Of the school there"