Ka-mi-akin, the last hero of the Yakimas

Preface

In writing this book of historical sketches of the early days, the author makes no claim to literary merit. Plain facts are told in plain language. My hope has been to correct some statements which I knew to be wrong and to add some new facts that might be of interest to different localities.

The writer's memory goes back to a time when the great Inland Empire of Eastern Oregon, Washington and the present Idaho was a vast country inhabited only by the Indian, coyote and jack rabbit. The highways of travel were the deeply worn trails running in every direction which had been followed by the wild tribes for generations. Mountain stream and boundless prairies were spread out before us where we roamed at will.

It is to present the Indian side of the War of 1855-8 that the writer has undertaken this work. He has spent many years in gathering stories and statements as to why they fought and how they fought, descriptions of their battles, and names of the killed and wounded. The task was difficult since superstition keeps the red man from talking to the white man on such subjects. My long residence among them, together with the fact that I have alwa3's treated them right, gained me their confidence.

I have talked, during the years, with many of their old chiefs and warriors who participated in the war, and they all tell practically the same story. Having spent over 50 years among them and knowing Indian character as I believe it is known to few men, I have no hesitation in saying that I believe their statements, at least in the main, to be true.

Contents

I THE PROPHECY ---------- Page ]

Parentage of Ka-mi-akin-Prediction of his greatness-Com.ng of white man prophesied.

n KA-MI-AKIN, THE GREAT CHIEF - - - Page 15

Chapter I. The Prophecy

Parentage of Ka-mi-akin — Romantic Love Story of Ja-ya-yah-e-ha and Ka-e-mox-nith — Prophecy of Medicine Man Concerning Future Greatness of their Son — Return of Mother to Her Own Tribe.

Before the coming of the white man there was a young- Indian warrior named Ja-ya-yah-e-ha, whose father was of the Sha-hap-tan or Nez Perce tribe and his mother of the Choppenish or Palouse nation. Born at Asotin, Washington, near the present city of Lewiston, Idaho, he became a noted brave who always joined in the annual bufifalo hunts on the east side of the Rocky mountains, where he and his fellow tribesmen were sure to meet their ancient enemies, the Blackfeet, and other nations who resented this encroachment of the Indians further west upon what they considered their game preserve. Many pitched battles have been fought between the Nez Perces and their allies on the one hand and the Blackfeet, Crows and their allies on the other, during these buffalo hunts.

Of Ja-ya-yah-e-ha it was said that he bore a charmed life. However that may be, it is certainly a fact that his enemies feared him, for he was a fierce and desperate fighter. A tall, commanding figure, a superb horseman and reckless beyond the point of danger, he would be a remarkable man in any battle. Restless by nature, he was constantly on the move, so that his fame became widespread and he was a welcome guest in strange wigwams. Yet he was shiftless, accumulating little wealth in horses, his war ponies alone being his pride

The thirst for adventure often carried him beyond the confines of his tribe. Sometimes he was to be seen w'ith the Cay-uses in their forays through the country of the Sho-sho-nees or Snakes, who inhabited at that time the eastern part of the present Idaho and adjoining Utah. These expeditions were for the purpose of stealing horses and were often so successful that many fine steeds were driven home to swell the already large bands which had been captured in former years from this same tribe. This, indeed, was the source from W'hich the Nez Perces, Cay-uses and Walla Wallas obtained their first horses.

In one of these expeditions two horses of exceptional speed were captured, one a bay, the other a sorrel.- The bay was taken by a Cay-use Indian, the sorrel by a Nez Perce brave. The former became known as the swiftest horse in the Cay-use nation, while the latter held like honors with the Nez Perces. The fame of these two animals grew to such an extent that nothing short of a contest

2 Ka-nii-akin — Tlic Last Hero of flic Yakimas

between them for speed over a race course would settle the question which was the more fleet.

Arrangements were made by the tribes to meet on neutral ground for the great race. A spot in the Palouse country was selected and here the Indians from far and near gathered in great numbers to witness the race between two of the fastest horses that had ever been known among the red men of the Northwest. Never had the plains of the Columbia seen so great a gathering. Each tribe backed its favorite to the limit.

Now, Ja-ya-yah-e-ha had coveted the splendid sorrel ever since the horse had been captured from the Snakes. He had offered for it his whole band, save his few war ponies, without avail. But his mind was made up to possess it or die in the attempt. Knowing it must be done by strategy, he sought out the old gray-haired medicine man who had been the companion and friend of his father. The aged doctor replied. "I will consult my Tam-man-na-was (guiding spirit) and see what can be done to help you. Return to me in two days."

Promptly at the time set Ja-ya-yah-e-ha appeared before the medicine man, who told him that a certain root, dried, powdered and ruljbed over the hand, then applied to the horse's nose, would make it wild and vicious towards all save the one with the odor of the root on his hand.

Dressed in his best buckskin suit, with a buffalo robe tied around his waist, and a bow and quiver of arrows strapped over his shoulders, Ja-ya-yah-e-ha appeared at the race course on the great day. The race was to be a test of endurance as well as speed. Far down the valley a monument of rocks was piled and the ground to be covered was from a point near the village to and around the mound, then back to the starting point, a distance of several miles. Men were stationed at the monument to make sure that the riders went around it.

All was ready for the mount, excitement running high, and men and women betting even their wearing ap]x\rel, all else having already been put up on the result. But lo ! the sorrel is rearing and plunging, kicking and l)iting at every person who comes near it. Ja-ya-yah-c-ha has touched its nose with the magic powder and is standing by to watch results.

Known to be the greatest horseman of his day, it was small wonder that when he offered his services they were accei)ted. although not without some misgivings, for the horse's master spoke thus. ■■ja-ya-yah-e-!ia. I;i\ aNide your tra])pings. '\'a\sv liff \hc \)u\- falo hide; it is heavy and so arc the c|uiver of arrows and your buckskin. Why wear these? Put on a su-pali-col-c\t ( breech clout) "

The covetous one replied, "\i3; to >liow you that 1 can ride him. I go as I am or not at all."

Ka-iiii-akiii — The Last Hero of tJie Yakiiiias 3

The bystanders now interfered, pointing out their disappointment if the race should fail. The owner wavered and finally handed the rope to Ja-ya-yah-e-ha, who with outstretched arm touched the horse's nose. The animal's spirit subsided ; it became docile again. Amid a silence eloquent of wonder, Ja-ya-yah-e-ha mounted, erect and immobile ; the sorrel, with only a hair rope in its mouth to guide it, stood quivering, head high, nostrils distended, showing in every line the strain of the desert, until the word was given, "Go !"

They bounded forward — what a race ! what a scene ! The plains were colored with autumn — it was Indian summer. Away off hung the blue haze ; near by were the wigwams and the Indians standing in breathless expectancy watching the two sons of Arabia fly like the whirlwind down the bunch grass valley. A wild yell goes up from the watchers at the monument. The sorrel is in the lead. On ! on ! without lash of whip, under the steady pull of its clever rider, goes the pride of the Sha-hap-tans. It passes the pile of rocks, but what is this ? It does not turn ; it keeps on going !

Those stationed near the monument draw back in alarm. Has the man lost control, or is he feigning ? Woe betide him, if he is ! But no; they see he makes no effort to turn. He has become but a shadow going away from them towards the setting sun.

Excitement ran riot in that vast gathering of red men ; disappointment and rage were heard in every wigwam. The act of a reckless daredevil had let Babel loose. The greatest sporting event of the time had been ruined. All bets were declared off. The village broke up forthwith, each tribe going its way, sullen and resentful.

The owner of the stolen horse, with darkened brow and a tomahawk in hand, leaped on the fleetest mount he could procure, and, accompanied by a few who wished to see the end of the affair, started in hot pursuit, which continued till they reached the Columbia. There they stopped. Should they go further, when they were ignorant of the character of the tribes beyond the great river? Might it not mean complete disaster? Thus they reasoned, and slowly turned back, beaten and outwitted.

After leaving behind his outraged tribe, Ja-ya-yah-e-ha bent every energy to evading his pursuers and carrying out his well-laid plan. The rapid strides of his sure-footed horse were taking him over the bunch grass plains, along the banks of the Palouse river to Wastucna coulee, down which he sped past Wastucna lake, nor slackened until the sun was down behind the western mountains and he had reached the Columbia river. As he paused for a brief moment before crossing the dividing line that would cut him off from his tribe, he looked at the mount for which he had risked exile and life, and he smiled. It was worth the game.

He decided to put off the crossing till morning, snatching here a few hours' sleep and giving the sorrel a chance to graze. Before

4 Ka-uii-akin — TIic Last Hero of the Yakiinas

daylight he was mounted and riding slowly up the river, where he came upon a small encampment of the So-kulk tribe. The Indians treated him hospitably, and in a canoe crossed him over the river, swimming his horse alongside. On the spot where he landed now stands the town of White Bluffs.

Ja-ya-yah-e-ha rode on up the river and a few hours later, as he passed around a bluff, there came into view the ancient village of Pi-nah, the home of the Wi-nah-pams or Priest Rapids Indians, whose chief, So-wap-so, was the founder of the dreamer religion + still practiced by that tribe and some others. So-wap-so also posed as a prophet. Ja-ya-yah-e-ha tarried for a day as the guest of the chief to learn something of the tribe beyond, for in his buffalo hunts east of the Rocky mountains he had met a few warriors whose country he believed to be still further west. So-wap-so said: "Son, go the way I point out and after a short day's ride you will find the powerful Pisch-wan-wap-pams, whose chief, the great and wise We-ow-wicht, is my friend."

Continuing up the river a few miles, he found the trail as described, leaving the stream and leading up a narrow valley in a westerly course. This valley is now known as Honson's canyon.

A few hours' travel at an easy gait brought him to the summit of the divide between the Columbia and the beautiful E-ya-ki-ma* or Kittitas valley. On down the western slope he went till the valley was reached with its many small streams winding their way through the thick bunch grass which covered the surrounding plain, rushing on as if anxious to contribute their mite to the river below. Here he found a few lodges and by the sign language inquired for the chief, who, he learned, could be reached by following up the river a short distance to a white bluff called Kit-ti-tas (white earth). This bluff is about a mile above the present city of Ellensburg.

During this day of solitary wandering in a strange land. Ja-vayah-e-ha's ardor had subsided. His mind had been actively engaged in solving that most perplexing problem, "What shall I do?" He felt that he dare not return to his own country for some little time. Though he had always been of a roving character and owned no wigwam, he thought today of his people, and of Wa-ni-nah, most beautiful maiden of the tribe, for whom he had offered to part even with his war ponies, that she might become mistress of his lodge. His heart was bitter as he rememl:)ered how old Ko-las-ket, her father, had rejected his suit, saying that she, the pride of his wigwam, must become the bride of one who was not a wanderer, one who could offer something more than a few war ponies and a string of wam|)uiu as assurance that in old age slie niiglit still lie among her own ])f(»])lc-, aiicl n^t a ^lave in some hated naliini.

tSee Chapter 27.

"Ross in his "l-'ur Hunters" s.-iys tlic Indians c.illcil it so in 1814-

Ka-mi-akin—Thc Last Hero of the Yakimas 5

As he rode on, having these thoughts in mind, it struck him how Hke he was to the wolf howHng on the hillside. He paused to listen. "Ah, I have it!" he cried. "No one shall know. I will be your brother, Ki-yi-yah (howling wolf)."

Reaching the village at Kit-ti-tas, he became at once the center of attention. The lem-e-ies (old squaws) ceased weaving their baskets the maidens cast shy looks of admiration, papooses scampered ofif to their different lodges, old men stood silently by with searching looks, while the young warriors with haughty mien wondered if this lone rider bore a message of war. The dogs, those mon<^rel curs so numerous about an Indian encampment, which always set up the ki-yi at the approach of anything strange, were, curiously enough, mute and still. By the code sign the stranger asked for the chief. An Indian disappeared among the lodges, but soon returned and motioned to Ja-ya-yah-e-ha. Dismounting and throwing the hair rope to the ground, the newcomer followed, his trained sorrel standing as quietly as if tied. Reaching the chief _s lodge, he was bidden to be seated on the buffalo robe beside his host We-ow-wicht, a man of magnificent physique, his hair tinged with gray, his large head and deep, piercing eyes indicating a strong, intelligent character. The pipe was filled and lighted by the e-h-tee or slave and handed to the chief. We-ow-wicht took a few puffs blowing the smoke towards the four cardinal points, then passed the pipe to his guest, who did likewise, a strict silence being observed during the ceremony. The chief then turned with inquiring eyes and asked, "Your name, whence come you, and why?

"My name is Ki-yi-yah," the guest replied. "I belong to the Sha-hap-tan tribe. I have been far towards the rising sun, where we killed the buffalo and fought the enemy beyond the stony mountains I have captured horses and done battle with the Sho-sho-nees far off to the southeast. I seek knowledge. I have traveled many moons and visited many tribes to learn of their country and habits, and in my wanderings have heard of this beautiful vast country and the warlike spirit of the Pisch-wan-wap-pams and the fame ot their chief We-ow-wicht. I come to visit you that I may learn.

^"lUs well," the chief gave answer. "Your horse will be put with my band and cared for; this lodge will be your home while

^^^ WorTwas passed by the slave to a courier without that the wanderer was a great warrior who had battled in faraway lands and that he was to be the house guest of the chief. Curiosity tnus satisfied, the camp routine was resumed. , , .• „

During the same evening, while Ki-yi-yah was deep m relating some adventure, there entered the wigwam ^^-^"^0^, "^^^, ^f P°i[fj Fawn), the chief's daughter. At sight of her the fory-teUer stopped short and gazed. She was the first maiden of the tribe

Ka-nii-akin — Tlic Last Hero of the Yakiiiias

that lie had seen closely and he wondered if all were like her, so tall and lithe, with lons^ black hair and eyes that shone like stars. Dressed in simple buckskin, with a necklace of haiqua shells, she looked a princess. The chief's eyes rested upon his guest searchingly for a moment. Then he motioned the girl to retire and Ki-yi-yah to proced with his narrative.

The new arrival soon became a welcome guest at every lodge ; his tales of adventure in distant lands were heard with wonder and admiration. Quickly he mastered the not difficult language of the Pisch-wan-wap-pams, and his strong personality and romantic history won for him a high place in the powerful tribe.

Summer had passed and there had come the first tinge of autumn — signal for these people to move to the huckleberry mountains. Following up the Ya-ki-ma river to Cle-el-um. then on beyond the lake, they went into camp at I-i-yas (Fish lake). Here the women with their baskets sought the hills to gather berries, while the men, with bows and arrows, took to the mountains to kill the deer, mountain goat and bear which were here in abundance.

One day Ki-yi-yah, becoming separated from the other hunters, found himself alone, high up among the craggy peaks. Never before had he seen such mountains. Stretched out before his gaze as far as the eye could reach stood the needle peaks covered with eternal snow. He had crossed the Rocky mountains in many different places and traveled over the Lo-lo trail beyond the Bitter Root range, but had seen nothing to compare with the picture before him. Sitting down on a ledge of rock, he let his mind wander back over the checkered past to the time he took his first scalp, when, in single combat, he slew the great Crow warrior Tuck-mow-nook in the buffalo country; or when, in a fierce fight to save the scalp of his dying friend, Tam-e-luke, he had laid low with his tomahawk Man-i-to-wah, the pride of the Sho-sho-nees. He thought again of Wa-ni-nah, the fairest of the Sha-hai>tans and of her hated okl father. Ko-las-ket.

Glancing down to an alpine meadow just below, he espied a gray deer of immense size and great branching horns such as he had never seen before. From his quiver of arrows he selected the one with the longest point and crept stealthily down through the rocks and brush until within a short distance of this giant of his race, who stood unsuspecting the nearness of a lurking foe. The whang of the bow. and the arrow shot swiftly out on its deadly course. With a Kaj) into the air and a cry that echoed from the surroiniding crags, the great deer bounded down the mountains with the hunter in hot pursuit. Following the bloody trail, which Icfl in the direction of the Indian camp. Ki-yi-yah came suddenly upon Ka-c-mox-nith alone, filling hrr basket witli biTries. Surprised, each stood looking at the other. Then Ki-yi-yah spoke. "Ue not frightened at me, for long have I waited to meet vou thus. I

Ka-mi-akiii — The Last Hero of the Yakimas 7

have felt that your father knew of my fondness for you and I did not wish to give you grief, for I am a stranger from a distant tribe, who has followed the warpath in far-away lands since boyhood and never owned a wigwam. Back among my people I thought I loved Wa-ni-nah, the beautiful maid of the Sha-hap-tans, but her father refused my offer. So when I came among your people, it was to leave behind the past. I cared only for my faithful horse until my eyes met yours. Then Wa-ni-nah was forgotten as the passing winds. I love you. In the village we will meet as strangers, but so long as the sun shines you will hold the heart of Howling Wolf. I go now to follow the trail of the gray deer that I wounded far up in the mountains."

"Me-ow-wah !" exclaimed the maiden. "I saw him pass only a short time before you came and he was reeling as he ran." "^ The hunter again took up the chase. But he looked back once and there, as he had left her, stood the only human being that had ever subdued him. Hastening on he came to the stream at the foot of the hill not far from the camp, and there, in an open spot, lay the monarch of the wilderness. The savage eye of the warrior gleamed as he viewed his fallen prey. Never, since taking his first scalp, had his heart so leaped with joy.

The deer being too large to handle alone, he went on to the camp for help. When he spoke of the color and great size of his kill, warriors and hunters gathered around him in excited inquiry. 'Tt is Me-ow-wah!" they exclaimed. With pack horses made ready for carrying the meat, they all repaired to the spot and, gathering around the quarry, again yelled "Me-ow-wah !"

This grand specimen, it seems, had made its appearance in the locality several years before. Hunters had seen it at different times and had sent their swift arrows after it at short range, to no avail. Many tales were told of it and the conclusion had been reached that a strange spirit of some sort was roaming these mountains in the form of a deer. Color was lent to this theory by the fact that no deer of this kind had ever been seen in the past. Regarding it as an animal of distinction, they had given it the name Ale-oww'ah (the great chief of his tribe).

The deer was skinned and the meat taken into camp. Two men were required to carry the horns. Both hide and horns were presented to We-ow-wicht. A ceremony was performed in the village to celebrate the adoption of Me-ow-wah's slayer into the tribe, and when it was ended, We-ow-wicht bade Ki-yi-yah welcome as one of his people. Ka-e-mox-nith sat quietly looking on, remembering perhaps how the great hunter and warrior thus honored had told her of his love out on the hill a few hours before, and wondering if she ever would become the mistress of his wigwam.

8 Ka-iiii-akiii — The Last Hero of the Yakiinas

Out from among the buffalo robes in the corner of his wigwam arose the old g-ray-headed medicine man and oracle of his tribe, Wa-tum-nah, whose tottering limbs and withered form told of great age. Thus he spoke :

'T am a very old man ; so old that I have seen generations come and go. The playmates of my boyhood have all gone the long trail, and Wa-tum-nah alone is left, the last of his race. Many summers have I slept in peace, for no voice called me, but today my Tam-man-a-was (the light) comes back to me after many years and I feel the fire of youth again. Memories of the past return as if of yesterday. Again I fight the Sno-qual-mies at Ka-sit-kees (Easton) and whip them for the last time. Again I meet the Pa-ho-ti-cute and conquer them in the beautiful Selah, then drive them down the Tap-teal (Yakima river) as far as Pis-co (mouth of the Satus), taking all the country above, which is yet ours. We-ow-wicht's sons now hold We-nas, Nah-cheez, Kwi-wy-chas (Cowichee), Ah-tanum, Sim-co-e, Top-pen-ish, as far down as Pis-co.

"^'Always have I been a great medicine man and prophet. When my Tam-man-a-was appears to me, I lie as asleep, and as in a dream I see the future. There is a vision before me now of things to come. Far to the east I see a pale-faced people pushing the red man back towards the setting sun. The red men fight this onward march to no avail ; they are driven away from the land of their forefathers. Their dead lie strewn along the trails, their bones dry on the sandhills, while the living move ever farther west, pursued by their relentless foes.

"You are now a happy people, but you will not always remain so. Ere many snows this same fate will come to you, for I now see those pale-faces with buffalo (oxen) hitched to large canoes on wheels moving towards us over the great plains. First they will pass through the country of the Cay-uses and the Walla Wallas and stop in the land of the Mult-no-mahs (Willamette valley). Thousands will follow as the years roll by. Soon they will move back over the big mountains and begin to take from you your beautiful valley. This will be the beginning of the end.

"Ki-yi-vah will marry Ka-e-mox-nith, the flower of our tribe, and take her to his own country, where a son will be born. This son w^ill return to the land of his mother and grow up among her people. When the Shwe-yap-pos (white men) invade this country, he will lead the E-ya-ki-mas in their last stand against the hated race. He and his warriors will fight long and hard, pursued night and day by these strange people, with no time to rest or gather food. Warriors will fall in battle ; old men and women, worn and weary, will die along the trail, and your head men be no more.

"The pale-face will own vour cmmtry and you will become a brokiii-hrarted people — the war whoop no longer heard, your once

Ka-mi-akin — Tlic Last Hero of the Yakiinas 9

great power gone midst the wailing sounds of your old women. You will vanish as a race.

"The fire in my body is fast dying out. My race is run. What I have said will come to pass. Remember the last words of Wa-tum-nah."

The old seer lay back, exhausted, on his buffalo robe. The people stood in a daze. Well they knew how accurate had been Wa-tum-nah's words in the past. In sadness each sought his lodge, the words just spoken by the old man sunk deep in his heart.

As the sun went down that day behind the snowy peaks the spirit of Wa-tum-nah passed out to the great beyond. Wrapped in his robe, he was buried in the rocks on the hillside. Thus passed the greatest medicine man of his tribe, and where the happy sunshine of life had held full sway, dark, gloomy forebodings now marked every face.

We-ow-wicht sat alone in his lodge, the death of Wa-tum-nah weighing heavily on his heart. Not only had the old man, lying on the hill, been his own trusted friend and counselor, but his father's as well. Through his warnings the people had been saved from defeat in battles of the past and by his plans they had been able to conquer their enemies. During the last few years, it was true, he had become aged and weak and had not spoken, but now that he was gone, all was darkness.

Arousing himself, the chief gave orders to pack up at once and leave this unfortunate camp, moving to Lake I-yap-pe-ah, a day's travel to the south, where huckleberries and game were plentiful. On arriving at the new camp, it was found that Wa-tum-nah's squaw was missing. The news spread like prairie fire and soon the village was in an uproar. Ki-yi-yah mounted his horse and rode swiftly back to the old camp. A wail caught his ear from far up the mountainside by the grave of Wa-tum-nah. Climbing up, he found, on the pile of stones which marked the medicine man's last resting place, his faithful squaw, Wa-sas-se, lying. She was only a few years younger and had not wished to live without him, taking advantage of the bustle of moving camp to wander back to the grave which contained all she held dear.

Stately and tall, Ki-yi-yah stood silently by, loath to disturb the last lament of the old crone. He built a fire to wait until morning; and there, alone, amid the wailings for the dead, he thought of the last words of Wa-tum-nah and wondered if, indeed, Ka-emox-nith would be the mistress of his lodge, and if it would come to pass that his son should be the last hero of this tribe. The moon was rising slowly from behind the great mountain, casting its mellow light over the rugged country. Giant mountains were on all sides, with deep canyons and roaring waters. The neighing of a horse in the valley below broke his reverie. His sorrel sent back an answering call. As the sound of rolling rocks told the silent

10 Ka-iiii-akiii — The Lost Hero of tJie Yakiinas

watcher that a horseman approached, he rose and moved forward. There on a milk-white horse, silvered by the moonlight, sat Ka-emox-nith.

"You here !" cried the girl, in surprise. "How long have you been so?"

"I came before the sun went down behind the big mountain," answered Ki-yi-yah. "I thought not to disturb her tonight, but to wait until morning. But you are of her tribe and have known her since childhood. Do as you like."