Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-07-19

Indian treaties formerly made by
the U. S. government are not re-
spected! Lands and streams ceded
in early days, by treaty, reserve for
the Indians, unrestricted hunting
and fishing rights, which they con-
tinue to enjoy in or out of season.
The Lewis & Clark canoe expedi-
ton came down the Columbia river
in 1905. Tepees of Canoe Indians
dotted the shore line, where now
the iron horse of the Union Pacific
lays down a smoke barrage, whist
ling back challenge, which echoes
and reverberates through the many
adjacent canyons. The Horse Ind
ians then roamed the plains in
quest of large game. Turbulent his
tory of both tribes Iinger in the
memory of Oregon pioneers.
The annual salmon run from salt
to fresh water could be depended
upon as a never disappointing
event The appearance of migrating
fish was announced by signal fires
on mountain tops. while a fleet
footed runner, bearing the salmon
stick of manZanita wood, was dis
patched to inland tribes. The Horse
(uplanders) became guests of the
Canoe (fish-eaters) Indians, who
furnished canoes, nets and superin-
tended the fish catch, then ex-
changed for dried buffalo meat or
venison jerk. A combination car
niyal of tribal spots was staged,
during the fish curing period)
~ F
The guest of Governor Ben W. OIL
colt of Oregon, 1 was present dur
ing the salmon run of 1918; visiting
at the same time national and state
fish hatcheries on the Columbia
river. We found, at the mouth of the
White Salmon creek. an extensive
Indian village, populated with
Multnomas. Klickitats and Yaki-
mas, remnants of once mighty
tribes; now an aggregation of dirty,
lazy degenerates. Seated on the
bank, wrapped in their faded blan-
kets, they waited for the U. S.
hatchery crew, to catch and strip
the fish of their spawn, then giving
the fish to Indians, who cleaned and
cut the meat into strips, which were
suspended on poles, to be sun
cured and fly blown, or hung over
smudge fires and smoked for winter
use. Their camp was overrun with
cur dogs and unsanitary pappooses.
Many natives were so old their skin
had taken on the appearance OF
parchment Inquiry of a natives
age elected the answer, "Mebbe one
hundred, mebbe two hundred years
old" They certainly looked the
part.
Continuously bzreeooted, the bot
tom of their feet much resembled
those of a dog. An old squaw step
ped upon a live coal of fire. When
her attention was attracted by the
smell of cooking meat, she slowly
moved her foot and stepped aside.
Royal chinook salmon ascend the
river in countless numbers, imbued
with the instinct of reproduction.
Swimming against swift currents,
jumping, leaping over cascades tot
reach a spot where their eggs can
be deposi3el in fresh water. Having
spawned and milted, both male and
female sicken and die, never re-
turning to salt water. Young sal
mon remain in fresh water until
four or five inches in length, at
which time they go out to sea,
where they remain approximately
four years, then return to their ma
tive waters to spawn and die. Fe-
males dig their nests in gravel beds,
eggs. which are fortified
by the male, who then covers the
nest with gravel. Salmon travelling
up river, hug shore lines to avoid
excessive currents. Mans ingenuity
again becomes apparent. Scoop or
fish wheels "a Columbia river
product) are located near the
shore. to be turned and operated by
force Of the current Fish swim into
the submerged box buckets. to be
raised and automatically emptied
into receptacles.
Carl Shoemaker. state game war
den OF Oregon. branded scoop
wheels legal when placed a distance
Of 900 feet apart Those cascaret
wheels, working while one sleeps. !
H. -