Molala
Encyclopedia
The Molala were a people of the Plateau
culture area in central Oregon
, United States
. Some consider them extinct, though they are one of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon
, with 141 of the 882 members in the 1950s claiming Molala descent.
first militia. During the period of the initial Provisional Government of Oregon
, the 1843 Organic Laws of Oregon
provided for a militia. The first opportunity to deploy the recently formed Oregon militia came on March 4, 1844, when the territorial government’s recorder George LeBreton
and another person in Oregon City were killed, supposedly by a member of the Molalla. Their deaths spurred the organization of a company of 25 men calling themselves the Oregon Rangers
at the Oregon Institute
. Though the company of mounted riflemen never saw action, they were briefly led by Captain Thomas D. Keizer and then by Charles H. Bennett
.
Plateau Indians
Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Plateau, also referred to by the phrase Indigenous peoples of the Plateau, and historically called the Plateau Indians are indigenous peoples of the Plateau or Intermontane region of Western Canada and the United States, whose territories are located in the...
culture area in central Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Some consider them extinct, though they are one of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon
Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon
The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon consists of twenty-seven Native American tribes with long historical ties to present-day Western Oregon between the western boundary of the Oregon Coast and the eastern boundary of the Cascade Range, and the northern boundary of...
, with 141 of the 882 members in the 1950s claiming Molala descent.
Language
The Molalla language was a member of the Plateau Penutian family. It was previously considered a language isolate. Molalla is now extinct.History
A member of the Molalla may figure prominently in the history of Oregon'sOregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
first militia. During the period of the initial Provisional Government of Oregon
Provisional Government of Oregon
The Provisional Government of Oregon was a popularly elected government created in the Oregon Country, in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. It existed from May 2, 1843 until March 3, 1849. Created at a time when no country had sovereignty over the region, this independent government...
, the 1843 Organic Laws of Oregon
Organic Laws of Oregon
The Organic Laws of Oregon were two sets of laws passed in the 1840s that established a structure for government in the Oregon Country in the northwest corner of North America. These laws were created by a legislative committee formed after the Champoeg Meetings...
provided for a militia. The first opportunity to deploy the recently formed Oregon militia came on March 4, 1844, when the territorial government’s recorder George LeBreton
George LeBreton
George W. LeBreton was a pioneer politician in the Oregon Country and served as the official recorder in the Provisional Government of Oregon....
and another person in Oregon City were killed, supposedly by a member of the Molalla. Their deaths spurred the organization of a company of 25 men calling themselves the Oregon Rangers
Oregon Rangers
The Oregon Rangers were the first organized militia of settlers in the Willamette Valley of what became the U.S. state of Oregon, but at the time was the Oregon Country. Organized in 1844, the Provisional Government of Oregon never called the troops out to service...
at the Oregon Institute
Oregon Institute
The Oregon Institute was a school located in the Willamette Valley of the Oregon Country during the 19th century. Begun in 1842, it was the first school built for European-Americans west of Missouri. Founded by members of the Methodist Mission, it was located in what is now Salem, Oregon, United...
. Though the company of mounted riflemen never saw action, they were briefly led by Captain Thomas D. Keizer and then by Charles H. Bennett
Charles H. Bennett (soldier)
Charles H. Bennett was present at the discovery of gold that initiated the California gold rush in January 1848. Earlier he served in the United States Army and was captain of a militia unit of the Provisional Government of Oregon...
.