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. … [Read more…]
The Clackamas Come to Grand Ronde Reservation Preparing to Leave The Clackamas are addressed in letters as living in small encampments near Oregon City. They likely had a small site at Wilamet village on the Clackamas, and a small reserve on the west side of the river at the falls. Victoria Howard’s family appear to … [Read more…]
William Raymond was a sub-Indian agent from 1851 until at least 1857. He administered the tribes first at the Astoria sub-agency, then later moved the agency to Tillamook. In 1856-1857 he was at the Grand Ronde Indian Reservation. Raymond and his wife Almira were among the members of the Great Reinforcement, a contingent of largely … [Read more…]
The immigration debate that is being discussed nationally, has caused me to think about what immigration was like in the 19th century in Oregon. Too often today immigrants are discussed as being synonymous with “criminals” as if the very action of immigration is a criminal act. But, as many know, immigration into the USA has … [Read more…]
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 … [Read more…]