The morning call., 1895-02-24

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Gus combination of Indians, mainly the
Piutes and Bannacks. in active warfare.
But by various methods had until Octo-
Der kept some 500 more from the
mouth OF the Columbia from going on the
warpath.
had hardly returned from the field,
after the first Indian battle, when word
was brought to me that an outbreak was
feared upon the north side of the great
river by the white inhabitants far and
near, and that some people had been
killed, particularly Mr.. and Mrs. Perkins,
who were met on road by some of the
yet uncaptured warriors who had crossed
the river above Umatilla, and they were
robbed, slain and their bodies hidden in
the brush. had reports from Father"
Wilbur, the Indians great friend on the
Simcoe Reserve, near Yakima, and from
alarmed settlers in the Ellensburg and
Yakima country. The Yakima settlers
said that war was coming; that certain
Indian, called by white men Moses, then
in the prime of life, who had led in an
early war, man OF great physical vigor,
handsome and strong, an acknowledged
chief, was at the head of the movement.
They declared that he sympathized with
the Bannacks and Piutes; that he had re-
ceived the murdererS Of the Perkins family
with open arms, and that he still kept
them under his protection.
The reports, though they did not at all
agree with one another, caused me to take
a strong military escort and go to Priests
Rapids in October Moses met me in
council denied the charges made against
him and pledged me his word that he
would do all IN his power TO restrain the
oil oil
obedience to him as chief. | confirmed TO
him as lar as | could all the old promises
made by my predecessors about his land
beyond Priests Rapids, and promised to
do what | could for all the tribes with the
Washington authorities. Two months
after my return To my headquarters at
Vancouver on the Columbia matters in
that region on both sides of the river
above Priests Rapids grew every day worse
and worse. White men made forts and
barricades and formed volunteer compa-
MES and armed themselves. the Indians
were gathering in council and putting on
their war paint. The names Of the muir
derers had been ascertained, and Moses
had been indicted as well as they, as an
accessory after the fact. The Sheriff at
Yakima, with an armed posse, was to I'M
dertake the finding and arrest of the par
ties concerned.
Such appeared to be the situation, and
most people on the upper Columbia, in
Guiding the friendly Takimas. believed
there would be war and that Moses would be
forced into it whether he would or not [
endeavoTed to get messengers to him
through Father Wilbur, but they accom-
plished nothing. In looking around for
lit messenger TO send TO Moses and remind
HIM OF his covenant with me, | found a
welI-known frontiersman. whom in fact
had met In our religious meetings and who
was of French birth. He could speak the
r.Al- 10
tribes, and had, like most French settlers
III the Northwest, been always reputed as
the Indians friend. Hisname was Edward
Chambreau, Familiarity called among the
settlers, Ned Cham breau.
But experience made him capital horse
man. He was a good swimmer, with or
without his horse. His makeup was such
as TO give him 4 wiry frame, used TO priva-
tiOns vet healthy, though in middle life,
and capable OF prolonged endurance. He
was now Christian man, quick of appre-
tension, fearless and full OF eXpedientS.
As l looked into his bright coal-black
eyes after l had given him his necessary
outfit and Instructions and received his
promise TO undertake a journey with all
speed TO the Indian stronghOlds, felt con-
tdent that he would, with Gods blessing
accomplish the grand object of his visit
My own heart went with him.
The first little town that he struck be-
yOnd the DalleS of the Columbia was
Goldendale. The people were much ex-
cited-holding meetings, 'forting up, and
armlng Tor the approaching war. What
exciting news constantly coming Every
new arrival added to the tales. Painted
Indians had been seen and the settlers far
and wide were moving to the nearest set
Elements.
Chambreau, speaking pleasantly to all
lnqulrers, quickly changed horses and
went on across the Simcoe Mountains By
a 7irrht hay 4
fOrty-tive miles, he was on northern slope
OF the mountains when he ran upon a
band OF Indians. They seemed at first
alarmed as he rode in among them, but as
soon 'as they saw it was old Pa-sa-uks
(Frenchman) they We're better contented -
These Indians were divided about Moses,
but were all against the whites. So he
saw both whites and Indians were expect
ing conflict. He told them that he was a
Government messenger; that it would go
hard with them II they Joined the hostiles.
Early next morning the tireless man
mounted fresh horse and pushed on
toward Yakima City, clearing probably
thlrty-hve miles from his night bivouac,
when he met two white men who told him
that they had dispatches for General How
ard showing that war had actually begun.
At akima City he met numbers of peo-
pie who had deserted their farms in the
existing panic and come to town bringing
in their fapilies. a man was tramping
the main street, ringing bell and calling
the citizens to a meeting. Here and there
were grouped men with their horses, try
ing to unite in companies to go to the
front. All the talk turned on Chief Moses,
the object of especial hatred. Every man
was armed either with pistol or repeating
rife.
Chambreau, seeing the excited and I'M
favorable temper of the people, concluded
not to speak of the object of his mission,
but getting another good horse he rode off
in the direction OF a little place called
Nachess. Five miles out he met a white
man on horseback, riding very fast, who,
as soon as he was near enough to speak,
cried, "Stop! stop! Don't you know the
Indians are on the warpath2 l have gone
from settlement to settlement, warming
the inha Sitants."
Where are the Indians?" our scout
asked.
well, sir. you may meet them any
where; most of them are near Priests
Rapids. Turn back, or you'll be killed"
The scout kept on.
At the Nachess River an old man by the
name of Nelson said that his sons had gone
to the war and that he himself would start