Tag: joseph Lane

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

Near Extinction of the Grave Creek Band

David G. Lewis, PhD

The experiences of the Grave Creek Indians of southwestern Oregon mirror those of the other tribes in the region. They however hardly survived the 1850s as most of their people were exterminated by settler and militia before they could be saved by federal Indian policies of removal. Hardly anything is known of the Grave Creeks, because few of these people lived to talk to anyone of their culture. Their area was south of the Cow Creek Umpqua basin and north of the Rogue River. They were related to and likely spoke the Takelma language like their neighbors. They wee never … Continue reading Near Extinction of the Grave Creek Band

General History, Oregon indians, Rogue Valley, treatiesLeave a comment

Joe Lane’s Report of the Rogue River battle at Evans Creek, 1853

David G. Lewis, PhD

In 1853, the Oregon Territorial militia commanded by General Joseph Lane was fighting a series of battles in the Rogue River valley, the main battle at Evans Creek. They were fighting the bands of Chief Jo (Apserkahar) and the bands of Chiefs Sam  (Toquahear), and Jim (Anachaarah) and other head men for the Rogue River. During the battles, many men on both sides were killed and wounded. After a day of fighting both sides were exhausted and Chief Jo called for a cease fire and parlay with General Lane, because of his respect for the man. Word was passed that … Continue reading Joe Lane’s Report of the Rogue River battle at Evans Creek, 1853

General History, Oregon indians, Rogue Valley, treaties7 Comments

Treaty of Peace with the Rogue River Tribes, September 8, 1853

David G. Lewis, PhD

Previous to the seven ratified treaties with the tribes of western Oregon there were two treaties of peace with the Rogue River tribes. The treaty of 1850, is mentioned in a few documents, but no text thus far has been produced (as far as I am aware). However, the 1853 Treaty of Peace is well described in many scholarly texts (Whaley OE, Schwartz 1997), and there is a copy of the treaty in microfilm records (M234 Oregon R. 608). I do not recall that the original treaty has been recovered in federal archives. The treaty is not noted among the … Continue reading Treaty of Peace with the Rogue River Tribes, September 8, 1853

General History, Oregon indians, Umpqua Valley, Uncategorized, Willamette ValleyLeave a comment

Bristow’s Proposal for the Millpoo Ilihee and Camas Swale Post Offices, Lane County,1854

David G. Lewis, PhD

In the 1850s, American settlers were just setting up their communities, and towns, throughout the Oregon Territory. The earliest pioneers had arrived in 1830s, and a great rush of humanity began in 1844 with the start of the Oregon Trail. The “pioneers” settled in key locations throughout the valleys, first in western Oregon. Each area has its first pioneers and they normally are remembered by town names they may have personally named. One such community is Pleasant Hill, east of Eugene/Springfield. There the earliest pioneer is Elijah Bristow who arrived in 1846. Bristow was originally from Illinois and served in … Continue reading Bristow’s Proposal for the Millpoo Ilihee and Camas Swale Post Offices, Lane County,1854

General History, Oregon indians, Rogue Valley, treaties12 Comments

Two Treaties of General Joseph Lane and Chief Jo, Rogue River

David G. Lewis, PhD

This is an article meant to clear up some mistaken histories. In the past historians have mixed up the two treaties and the meetings between Joseph Lane and Chief Jo. At times historians have attributed the 1850 events as taking place in 1853. The history of Oregon Indians is not a neat and clean history with clean divisions. There are multiple overlapping events with the same individuals. There is also a diversity of tribes, some 60 in western Oregon alone. In S.W. Oregon there were several Chief Johns and Chief Jos. Even the notion of the Rogue River tribes is … Continue reading Two Treaties of General Joseph Lane and Chief Jo, Rogue River