The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-10
AN OLD CHIEF DEAD.
William. Chief of the Duwamish
Tribs, 79 Years Old.
A FRIEND OF THE WHITE MEN.
Fer the Full Time of His Life He Lived
on Cedar and Black Rivers-A
Big Chief I'm Early Days

The old Duwamish chief. William. who
for seventy-nine years lived on Cedar
river. died on April /. and Rev George T.
Whitworth. the old pioneer, has written
for the Post-InteliigeBcer the following in
terestiBg account Of his life.
William. the chief of the surviving In
dians Of the Duwamish tribe, died at the
Indian camp on Cedar river on Wednes-
day. April ]. He was enc OF the few re-
naming Indians who were at all prouai-
nent In the early settlement of this eoun-
try, and IL almost, If not actually, the
last OF those who were ever friendly 10
tho whites.
We are unable TO give his Indian name.
for ever since We had any knowledge Of
him. he was always known as William.
even when mentioned by the members of
his tribe. This was his Boston or English
name, which had been given to him by
the early settlers, or probably al the time
or his appointment as chief. His father.
who died about the time that the arst
white settlements were made IN this coun-
try. was the principal or head chief OF the
Duwamish Indians. He left three sons,
Tecumseh. Keokuk and William. All If
whom are now dead. Tecumseh. presuma-
bly, the eldest son, succeeded his father.
and was recognized as chief until he vas
deposed by Capt (now GEM Dent. u. s.
A. who acted under authority of the Unit
ed States government in relation to the
Indians. at that time. He had some char
acteristics which seemed to disqaalify aim
for the Office, while on the other hand
William seemed pre-eminenly fitted TO
fill the position. and was therefore APP
pointed chief. and had been recognized
both by whites and Indians up to the time
OF his death.
At the time OF the Indian war, he, Ike
Seattle and Curlsy. was a true friend of
.l.sk
attacked there was council of war held
la the woods back of the town. and VIII
lam attended that council. and his voice
was heard for peace and against war. lie
was always friendly to the whites. and
for nearly forty years has been faithful In
his friendship TO Z. w. Smithers. to whom
1 am indebted for much Of the information
contained In this article.
Those who knew William will remem-
Der that he was distinguished for nat
ural dignity OF manner. He was an ear
nest and sincere Catholic. was a thorough
~ good Indian, greatly respected by his
tribe. and having the confidence of those
among the whites who knew him. William
was an orator and quite eloquent In his
own language. On one occasion, shortly
after Capt Hin. L. s. A., came 20 the ter
ritory. some complaints had been made
TO the superintendent. which were after
wards learned to be unfounded. asking 20
have the Dugamlsh Indians removed
from Black river to the reservation. Capt
Hin was sent to perform this service.
and went with steamer to their camp,
which vas on Mr.. Smithers' farm, . lit
tie above the railroad bridge. The cap
tain was accompanied by United States
Agent Finkbonner, and on his arrival ut
the camp addressed the Indians through
an interpreter. informing them OF the ma
ture of his erranf. ami directing them 10
gather Up their "ictas" without delay and
so on board the steamer. TO be at once
conveyed 10 the reservation. William
and his Indians listened respectfully to
the captain, and when he had closed his
remarks William made his reply.
His speech vas about an hour in length.
in which his eloquence was clearly exhlb-
itcd. He replied that the father at Olym-
pia or the Great Father at Washington
City. had no right 10 remove his tribe.
They were peaceful. had done no wrong.
They were under no obligation TO the gov
eminent. had received nothing 1T lis hands.
and had asked for nothing; they had en-
tered into no treaty. their lands had been
taken from them. This. however. was
their home. He had been born on Cedar
river, and there he Intended TO remain,
and there his bones should be laid They
were not willing TO be removed. They
could not be removed. He might bring he
soldiers 10 lake them, but when they should
come he would not find them, for they
would fee and hide themselves In the
stick" Uhe woods). where the soldiers
could not find them. Capt. Hill found him
self In a dilemma. out OF which he was ex-
treated by Mr.. SmitherS. who convinced
the captain that the complaints were un-
founded. and that with Two or three ex-
ceptions those who had signed the COM
plant and made the request Gid not reside
in that neighborhood. but lived miles away.
They were living on Mr.. Smsthers' land
with his consent. and when he further
guaranteed their good behavior. and Mrs
Smithers assured him that she had no
fears and no grievance. but .hat when
Mr.. Smithers was away she considered
them a protection rather than otherwise.
the captain concluded 20 return wi,hou;
them. and 10 report the facts as he found
them
Williams last message was sent 70 Mr.
Smithers a few days before he died and
was a request that he would see thar he
was laid 10 rest as heitted his rank. a-9
not allow him TO be buried like a seeiy Oh
vagran' IS many OF the newcomers con-
sidercd him TO be.
II - hardly necessary for me to say that
this request was faithfully complied wlth
and that on Friday. April r his remains
were Inferred In he Indian huryfng ground
near Rea,on. The funeral WAS a large
one, Indians from far and near coming
20 render their las; tribute OF respect 10 ms
memory.
From gre time Of HIS birth uutil MS death
- hsd lived IN the region % Cedar and
Black rivers. severEy-n.ae years.
fFis successor as chief viii be his nephew
Rogers, who Is a son OF Teeumseh.