Chief Joseph (1840–1904)

This is a reprint of a 1925 booklet.

From the editor “Although personally opposed to violence, he Chief Joseph fought for the right of his Nez Perce to hold their Wallowa land. He was a political leader rather than a military leader but when war broke out, he cast his lot with his own people and they made an arduous 1300 mile retreat across the mountains of central Idaho and western Montana attempting to reach Canada. The long retreat was made encumbered by women, children livestock and show more personal possessions. It was masterfully managed and was stopped by Nelson A, Miles just short of the Canadian border. … Chief Joseph was a gifted orator and an acknowledged leader of his people, a man respected by both Indians and whites.”

This is a verbatim transcript of a speech that Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce made to the US government on his to trip to Washington DC in 1897. His hope was to persuade the government to let his people leave the unhealthy reservation in Indian territory and return to their beloved Northwest. He speaks of their life as a free people before the war, the Nez Perce flight in 1855 and of their treatment and the promises that were made to them and broken afterwards.

It is a short, dignified account. It includes some supplemental material and photographs, but it does not include General Howard’s reply. show less

Chief Joseph addressed a group of interviewers during an 1879 trip to Washington, DC.

This book is that address. I suppose the white man won ..... or did he?

Recommended read.

Paperback 1999 Reprint