The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-08-02
INDIANS LONGING TO GO HOME.
The Neg Perces PIning to Return to
the waIIowa valley.
(From the Seattle Post

(FTom the Seattle Post -InteIIigencer-)
Joseph, the famous chief OF the Neg Perez
Indians whose present home is on the Col
Vile reservation, is preparing TO make an
other trip to Washington to interview the
President and plead for the removal of his
people from their present location 10 the
beautiful Waliows Valley. just across the
Washington boundary line in Oregon.
Two months ago Joseph returned from
similar mission full of hope that his prayer
would be granted. Since then the Govern
ment has sent Inspector James McLaugh-
lin to make an inspection OF the valley and
find out whether CO not il Is possible to
grant the chiefs request. To be present
when this report is considered is the OBJ
iect Of the chiefs second trip.
sOne Of Joseph 8 friends OF The reserva-
ton. is Owen Block. a miner, who has been
in the vicinity Of Colville for the past ten
years, and who is now in this city. It Is
through bis friendship that Joseph viii be
able TO make the trip, for Mr.. Black viii
advance the Indian the money necessary
Chief Joseph Is getting to be a very old
man now said Mr.. Black at the Northern
Hotel yesterday. and his one ambition is
to die and leave his fast decreasing tribe
on its old stamping grounds. You know
the Wallowa valley is his birthplace
There he first saw the light OF day fifty
two years ago. His father and mother are
buried there near the present site of the
town OF Joseph. named after his family
Every year since his return from exile ne
has paid a visit 10 this spot, and in ali
the world there IS no dearer place TO him.
Usually he has made these trips on
foot, for, Notwithstanding his age. he is
just as vigorous as he was in 1877 when at
the head OF fighting band Of Nez Perez
braves he gave battle to the United States
troops headed By General Miles
1T was TO General Miles that Joseph sur
rendered. and probably next to the Presi
dent he still thinks the general the great
est man in all the world
After his surrender in 1877 he and his
followers were banished from the Wal
Iowa Valley and later, as prisoners OF var.
To the Indian Territory, where they were
held until 1886, when they were sent to
the CcIviIe reservation, which has since
been their home. By home l mean an
abiding place, for Joseph has never feen
at home there His heart has always been
in Wa1lowa.
"Al the time he surrendered his braves
to General Miles he claims that official
promised him that if he behaved himself
he would some day be returned 10 the
valley and Il Is the fulfilment of that
promise he is now seeking. He considers
General Miles enc OF his best friends and
depends much upon him TO assist him
Joseph visited the coveted valley with
Inspector Mclaughlin and showed that Of
fetal that he was familiar with every foos
Of the land There is but one difficulty in
the way of granting his request. which the
old chief fears There are about 100 of the
band at Nespiiam, and probably thirty
more scattered about To accommodate
these in Waliowa will require about four
town sites The spot desired is in the
most thickly settled portions of the valley.
and To set reservation of this size would
require the purchase Of large portion OF
it by the Government from the whites.
Whether or not this will be done is a ques-
ton.
Should his request be granted he will
ask nothing further from the Government
His band he says will be able to make n
living for themselves, and for the rest OF
his days the old chief will be happy