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White River Massacre

© Elizabeth Gibson

In December 1854, territorial governor Isaac Stevens sent word to the tribes that he wanted to hold a council with them. They met at Medicine Creek. By December 23, Puyallups, Muckleshoots, Nisquallys, Squaxons, and other lesser tribes had arrived. Stevens told the Indians that if they sold their land they would receive great gifts. The chiefs said the land was not theirs to give or sell. The chiefs Leschi, Quiemulth, Stahi, and Quilawowat did not want to sign the treaty but did so they would not be left out of the gifts. Chief Nelson of the Muckleshoot was very unhappy because he would have to live on a reservation with Puget Sound Indians, mortal enemies. His tribe was a river people from the White and Green Rivers.

On January 22, 1855 Stevens went to the mouth of the Snohomish to meet with the Indians there. Chiefs Sealth, Pat Kanim, Goliah and Chowethzoet were more amenable to a peace treaty. Stevens did the same with other tribes along the coast and the sound. Then he went east to talk to the Yakamas and Blackfeet.

But the white men could see there would eventually be a blowup. Arthur Denny asked congress to give two companies of volunteers to the governor to fight Indians, to protect immigrant trains, and to recover stolen property. The families had heard rumors that the Muckleshoot, Nisquallys, Puyallups, and western Klikitat were not staying on their reservations. Farmers did not want to leave their farms to go to a village, even though there was safety in numbers.

Gold was discovered near Fort Colville in 1855 and a rush was on. In August of that year Indian Agent A. J. Bolin was killed by Kamiakin's brother. Henry Mattice, a miner, was killed about the same time. Also five miners, Charles Walker, L. O. Merilt, J. C. Avery, Eugene Borier, and a man named Jamieson were on their way to Colville when Walker and Jamieson were killed by Indians.

On September 27, 1855, Chief Nelson led the Muckleshoot and attacked the house of A. L. Porter on the White River. Porter had been afraid of an attack and had been sleeping in the woods. When he heard the Indians yelling and shooting he fled down the river to warn the others. Everyone close was able to escape to Seattle.

Governor Stevens left the area to investigate the Blackfeet country and left his secretary John Mason in charge. Mason led troops from Fort Steilacoom and went to talk to the Muckleshoot.

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