Category: Rogue Valley

colonization, eastern oregon, General History, Oregon indians, Rogue Valley, treaties1 Comment

Major Benjamin Alvord discusses Eastern Oregon Settlement, 1853

David G. Lewis, PhD

In 1853, the former Superintendent of Indian Affairs of Oregon Anson Dart had been forced to resign as none of his nineteen treaties with the tribes were ratified. Joel Palmer took this position in late May. Palmer was already a well-healed politician, and probably knew most people in Oregon at the time, and had previously had many dealings with the tribes. In the summer of 1853 Palmer was engaged with trying to get a  handle on the many issues with the tribes, mainly those in Southern Oregon captivated his attention. The months before his appointment the US Army was the … Continue reading Major Benjamin Alvord discusses Eastern Oregon Settlement, 1853

General History, Grand Ronde Reservation, Oregon indians, Rogue Valley, Siletz Reservation, treaties, Washington TerritoryLeave a comment

J. Ross Browne Investigation as Reported to the SF Herald, 1857

David G. Lewis, PhD

Special Indian Agent J. Ross Browne famously came to the Northwest reservations in 1857 and wrote reports of the conditions of the tribes on the reservations. The following appears to be the results of Browne speaking with a reporter in San Francisco for the Herald in October 1857. Revealed are additional details of the reservations and his interactions with tribes and tribal chiefs, with whom he held councils with. Sacramento Daily Union October 16, 1857 INDIAN AFFAIRS IN OREGON AND WASHINGTON TERRITORIES. Our readers will be interested in a perusal of the following account of the present condition of the … Continue reading J. Ross Browne Investigation as Reported to the SF Herald, 1857

General History, Native Issues, Oregon indians, Rogue Valley, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Acknowledgement is Long Past Due for Attempts to Exterminate the Tribes of Oregon

David G. Lewis, PhD

Presently, there is an apology bill being considered in the Oregon State Senate for the Modoc Indian War of 1872-1873.  This apology is long past due to the Modoc people who were forcibly removed to Oklahoma Indian County after the battlefield trials of their leaders. Numerous leaders of the Modocs, including Captain Jack were hung in what amounted to a battlefield-hanging immediately after they were captured in a ruse of a peace negotiation.  Modoc people today rightly point out that, “They were tried by the very same people that they fought in the war against,” Tupper said. “And so when … Continue reading Acknowledgement is Long Past Due for Attempts to Exterminate the Tribes of Oregon

General History, Oregon Coast, Oregon indians, Rogue Valley, Siletz Reservation, treaties1 Comment

Battle Rock the First Colonization on the Southern Oregon Coast

David G. Lewis, PhD

In July 1851, Captain William Tichenor decided to begin his project to colonize and claim the Port Orford area. He envisioned that the establishment of a town at Port Orford would be an entry point for gold miners into SW Oregon. Tichenor originally hired his band of men from Portland, O.T., promising them that the Indians in the region were peaceful. Tichenor convinced his men that they did not need much armament and that arms would only provoke the Natives. He said he had visited the area many times and the Indians were always welcoming. Still his engages choose to … Continue reading Battle Rock the First Colonization on the Southern Oregon Coast

columbia river, coos bay, General History, Oregon indians, Rogue Valley, Willamette Valley1 Comment

History in the Vouchers: Joel Palmer’s Expense Journal

David G. Lewis, PhD

I have spent much time on Palmer’s and other early settler’s and explorer’s letters that I have gained a good understanding of the history of the tribes.  Some periods have missing details and so much of what I do (and most historians) is fill in the blanks with suppositions about what was probably taking place. I have also avoided some records as been too cumbersome. I have avoided most of the expense reports, as relatively boring documents without much detail. The letters tend to address the culture and changes happening to the tribes while the expense reports and budgets can … Continue reading History in the Vouchers: Joel Palmer’s Expense Journal