Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1900-08-24

was very ugly man, had large, hid.
eous mouth, savage-looking features
and long, coarse, black hair. He was
strongly built, although not large
man, was quiet in his demeanor, when
sober, but when under the influence oil
liquor, of which he WAS inordinately
fond, he was a perfect fiend, in looks
and actions. ----'---
One day in the early SOS he go,
into quarrel with some Indians from
down the Sound, who had come to the
fort for the purpose OF settling a griev-
ance of long standing between Go.
homes people and themselves. Go
home, when they arrived, was EN-.
ployed in the company's old slaughter.
house, and a messenger from his lodge
informed him of the arrival of his en-
emies. He Immediately threw down
his tools and started for the encamp.
ment, but had proceeded but few
steps when he met the party coming
to interview him. There were five OF
six of them, and four or five OF Go.
homes people.
A conve rsation ensued which soon
became fierce and bitter. Hard words
were used, and Gohome, feeling him.
self attacked almost in his own house,
aimed blow at the leader of the Sno-
qualmies-I think they were OF that
tribe-and almost Immediately both
sides were mixed up in a fearful
bloody fight. Each man was armed
with the Indians favorite weapon, a
knife, or dagger, made from IL or
14.inch mill saw file, ground down
sharp on two edges, and to fine dag
ger-like point. A knife of this kind is
a fearful weapon, and being rather
heavy, when welded by strong man
does fearful and bloody execution.
The participants in the fight were
soon covered with blood, and it wasn't
loug before two or three OF them fell
from the effects of their wounds. The
ground upon which they were strug-
Cling was covered with blood, and af-
ter while the bystanders were en-
abled to seize the combatants and dis
arm them. Strange to say Gohome,
although the most forward in the
fight, and wounded in many places,
did not die, but after suffering a great
deal, apparently, fully recovered.
Two or three OF the others, though,
succumbed from the effects of the
fearful wounds they received.
No more was heard from the attack
ing party until the summer of 1858,
at which time was living at the
Mucla" house, having gone out 10
take charge Of the company's business
during the Indian War, and the oc-
currence am about to relate was told
me by an eyewitness, q day or two af-
ter it happened.
On the night OF Sunday, May 80,
1858, the Indians living outside OF the
fort were greatly exercised over the re-
port that a small party Of Snoqualmies
had arrived at the beach, and it ap-
pears that during the evening four or
five of them came up to the fort en-
campment and were recognized as be-
ing the same party, or, at least, some
of them, with whom Gohome had the
awful trouble, as just related. 1t
would seem that they pretended to
have come on a friendly visit, and
from what followed, it is supposed
that they brought liquor with them,
for, about the middle of the night, the
people were alarmed by the report OF
firearms in the camp, and the usual
noises attending u drunken orgie in
the aboriginal encampment.
The usual result followed, and ter.
rible fight ensued. Gohome shot one
of the Snoqualmies dead, and he him.
self received two fearful stabs from a
knife, but was not killed. An Indian
woman was also badly cut with a
knife. She was relation of Gohome's
and received the stabs while endeavor-
ing to protect him. Some of the other
Indians were severely wounded, but
tire Snoqualmie was the only person
killed during the fight. How many
afterwards died of wounds received
cannot now say, having forgotten the
details of the affair. That which !
have just related was brought to mind
by my having read the account of it,
as noted in the journal Of occurrences
that was kept at the fort. The sur.
viving SnoQualmies made their escape
to the timber, and it was supposed
gained their canoe, and soon placed
some distance between themselves and
the Sequallitchew.
But the Nisquallys we're woefully
mistaken in thinking themselves safe,
as they soon found to their sorrow.
The cook at the fort, or one OF the
cooks, for there was generally more
than one, was a Snohomish Indian
named Cush. However. he was q
jolly, good-natured Indian, full of fun,
when not full of whisky, and was liked
by every one, whites and Indians.
On the day after the fight, and after
a hot time in the kitchen, Cush, feel.
ing tired, went to the corner house OF
a row standing upon the north side ol
the fort, and in which some of the