East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1913-11-24
the first settlement of Umatllla coun-
UmatlIla Indian Agcncy.


ty.
JImatiIla Indian Agency.
In 1851. an Indian agency was es-
tabliShed on the Umatilla river just
opposite the present city of Echo, by
DIR. Arson Dart. superintendent of In
dian affairs for Oregon. f. Wam-
pole was installed as agent, and was
succeeded the next year by X. II,
Thompson of The Dalles. who placed
Green Arnold as his deputy at the
agency, This agency was known as
Utilla. and in August 1851, a postof-
flee by that name was established
there, being on the route between
The Dalles and Salt Lake. A. f. Rog-
ger was appointed postmaster.
DR.. Mckay, located on the Mckay
creek or Howteme just above its june
tion with the Umatilla, M the fall of
1851. In 1856 at the breaking out of
the Yakima war, McKay's place and
the Indian agency were both destroy
ed by the Indians
There was no more attempt made
to establish an Indian agency until
about 1859 In August. 1860. the
Umatilla agency was established al
the present site of what Is known as
THE Old Agency about four miles
each from Pendleton. George II. ABB
bott was the first agent.
In 1857 after the Indian war was
over. few Straggling settlers took up
land along the Umatilla river. Green
Arnold returned and settled at the
mouth of ! irch creek. a few miles be-
low where Pendleton now stands.
John r. Courtney and a brother set
tied In the meadows below the old
agency and they were soon followed
by half dozen others. = sporting
man by the name of Joe Crab. whom
all of the old settlers here will re-
member, settled about two miles be-
low Pendleton, where the road from
Walla walla to The Dalles crosses the
Umatilla. Here he opened up a sa-
loon for the refreshment of travellers,
HIS soon disposed of his business TO
Alfred Marshall, who lived there for
years. the place being known as Mar
shaIrs Station. 1t was dignified by
being the first county seat and was
for short time called Middleton.
Peu-Peu MoN-Mox.
The early historians all made the
common error In the Interpretation Of
the meaning of the name of Chief
Peu-Peu Nox-Mox.
The old Indians tell me that when
the treaty was made ct Walla Walla
by Governor 1. I. SteTens, with the
Walla WalIa. Cayuse and Unatilla
tribes in 1855, all of the chiefs and
head men signed Il in ratification OF
the provisions therein contained Aft
er each name was affixed, the English
meaning of same was noted also.
The Interpreter was a French half.
breed. who did not like the old chief.
and when he gave the clerk the intsr-
probation he told him that Peu-Peu
MoxMox meant Serpent Jaune;
meaning In English Yellow Snake or
Yellow Serpent, instead of giving thu
true English meaning which is Yellow
Bird.
Correction of this error will but dc
justice to one who really was "A faith
full friend to the settlers. Peu-Peu
Mex-Mox was mighty chieftain. He
ruled his people with rod of iron
and brooked no questioning of his au-
tliDrity. He refused to- take part in the
whitman massacre, advised against It,
was anxious to avert the bloody deed
and, when one of his young men
came to his lodge on the Toukanon
after the massacre. with the informa.
ton that he had killed part of the
Whitman company. Peu-Peu Mox-
Mox ordered the brave hanged in
stanty His order was obeyed and a
moment later his limp body swung
from a limb of a large cottonwood
tree near by.
Peu-Peu-Mox-Mo was the persona
ficattpn Of sternness, but also was
good and true and just. an example
Of high virtue among civilization.
He and five of his braves being
held as hostages during; the battle OF
the walla Walla, December 8. 1855
They were killed by their guards fol-
alleged attempting to escape.
Louis McMorris, now residing In
walla Walla, was present at the kill
ing. being in charge of the pack trains
of the volunteers and claims that the
killing was entirely unjuStifiable.