The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1902-09-30
HISTORICAL SKETCH
OF CHIEF MOSES
\. j. Splawn Writes Entertainingly
Some "Reminiscences of the Great
Indian SO Well Known Here.


W enatchee, september /, 1861, where
the Great Northern railway station now
stands. | was in the employ of Major
John Thorp drying band of beef
cattle from the Yakima valley to Caribou
mines, British Columbia. As We were
passing this spot on the opposite side OF
the Columbia river we saw an Indian
village. Our appearance created con-
siderable excitement among the lodges.
Finally, out there rode solitary horse
man, riding towards the river. Riding
in, he swan to the opposite shore,
where we were watching his daring feat.
Coming up the river bank to where
stood, he asked to whom these cattle
belonged. On being told, he rode over
to where Major Thorp was waiting on
his horse. As he rode away asked him
his name. He replied, Suc-co-tal-sko-
sum (Half SUM, but known to white
men as Chief Moses. | had heard of
this great chief before. He and the
Major conversed for some time. As l
watched them that day, the impression
made ON my mind-then a boy OF 10
will never be forgotten.
Major Thorp was an Oregon pioneer,
who crossed the plains in 1874 a mag
uiticent specimen OF manhood, standing
over six feet tall, with the undaunted
eve that marks the fearless soldier; he
truly knew no fear, and Moses was tall
and commanding, with a massive frame,
large head set on broad shoulders.
His eagle eye ever on the alert, he sat
on that blue horse like centaur. He
was then at the aye of about IS, the
finest looking Indian have ever met.
After finishing his parIey, Moses rode
back as he came, and we moved the
cattle on. crossed Wenatchee river, and
camped near where now stands the
county brioge. The place at present i
owned 10y NJ. Horen.
our horses and cattle were on fine
grass, and, supper over, we retired for
the night, but the mosquitoes were so
and went to the hill. a short distance
off, and found they were not so bad !;
returned and told the Major, So we
picked up our bed and started for the
hill, followed by Joe Evans, the white
man, Paul, the half breed, John and
Kin-ne-ho. the Indians, with Eliza, the
squaw. This constituted our force.
Ere long all were asleep, when the
sound OF horses feet awakened us, and
soon the hill was covered with Indians.
Loud voices arose from that band OF
warriors. Presently there dismounted
an aged Indian, who spoke in low,
earnest tones a. il pleading only few
murmurs Of assent could be heard.
suddenly, out in plain view, rode an
Indian, all feathered and painted, on a
milk white horse; he commenced Il loud
harangue. Soon echoing Hhoops from
all sides proved he was striking a re-
sponsive chord. Just then we heard
horses fording the Wenatchee river not
far distant, and soon there came in view
TWO horsemen riding rapidly by Us to
where the Indians We're. one jumped
from his horse, and throwing his blanket
on the ground in front Of him, with his
hands he waived back that body OF In
dians, and soon the hill was cleared.
Then | saw it was Chief Moses. He
had come at an opIortune time.
l., I 4
num-kin, an Enteat Indian, that he
tried to persuade the Indians not to
modest Us, but failing, he swan the
Columbia river at Enteat, and rode to
Moses camp and informed him Of what
wa, about to occur.
Iu 1854 again met Moses near Rock
Island, below Weua,chee Two China
men coming from The Dallr-. Ore, had
hired lue to drive TWO beet coNs they
had purchased from Thorp, in the Yak
ma valley, and taking them horseback
t1the Chinese mining camp, where now
the Grrat Northern railroad bridge
CROSSES the Columbia river below We
uatchee. Not far from Rock Island We
Jaw TWO Indians -alloping down the
trail i'm front OF Us. The Cinnamon
were a little in advance Of me when
they met. One Of the Indians began
beating my passengers over the head
with his whip handle, which was an elk
horn; the other Indian came straight
Tor me. He was a powerful fellow.
Catching hold Of my horses bride, he
49,. D. s,-5 .,,sI On lie I.,Yal.. L.,