Qualchan
Encyclopedia
Qualchan was a 19th century Yakama
chieftain who participated in the Yakima War
with his uncle Kamiakin
and other chieftains. Shortly after the Walla Walla council in 1855, in which Yakama leaders warned the United States
against further settlement of the area, Qualchan and five others killed six settlers on the Yakima River
. On September 23, U.S. Indian Agent A.J. Bolon was murdered by a band of Yakama while traveling along The Dalles to discuss the incident with Kamiakin. Qualchan was accused of leading the group which attacked him, although historians such as A.J. Splawn insist Bolon's murder was carried out by Me-cheil, also a nephew of Kamiakin.
Becoming a wanted fugitive by U.S. authorities, he and his father Owhi participated in guerilla warfare against the US Army for over three years. Qualchan would frequently attack prospectors, miners and others, selling their supplies to The Dalles and other settlements in exchange for weapons and calico
s.
In mid-March 1856, he and Chief Leschi
led an attack against Connell's Prairie but were driven back by militiamen under Gilmore Hays.
According to Assistant Adjutant General W.W. Mackall, in a letter addressed to the Department of the Pacific at Fort Vancouver
on June 18, 1858, "Kamiakin and Qualchan, cannot longer be permitted to remain at large or in the country, they must be surrendered or driven away, and no accommodation should be made with any who will harbor them; let all know that asylum given to either of these troublesome Indians, will be considered in future as evidence of a hostile intention on the part of the tribe".
Following the Horse Camp Slaughter, Owhi visited Colonel George Wright
at his camp on Latah Creek
intending to negotiate peace. During this meeting, he was apparently coerced into disclosing the location of his son's camp, then seized and put in irons. Wright then sent a message to Qualchan's camp threatening to hang his father in four days if he did not surrender.
What happened after this point is unclear, however Qualchan did eventually arrive at Wright's encampment. There are conflicting accounts: that he rode into camp alone, that he was with his father at the time of the his capture, or that he was accompanied by his wife Whist-alks and brother Lo-Kout. Some say he was captured in a brief gun battle while his wife and brother managed to escape. Qualchan's sister Mary Moses said Lo-kout and Qualchan's wife were captured, but released when the Spokane Indians assured the soldiers that they were no relation of Qualchan.
It has been speculated that Qualchan may have been unaware that his father had been taken prisoner and instead had been sent by Kamiakin to determine from Wright the treatment the Yakama would receive if they surrendered. The only record of the meeting exists in a report made by Colonel Wright who wrote "Qualchan came to see me at 9 o'clock, at 9:15 he was hung". His father was shot several days later attempting to escape from the camp.
Yakama
The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, or simply Yakama Nation , is a Native American group with nearly 10,000 enrolled members, living in Washington. Their reservation, along the Yakima River, covers an area of approximately 1.2 million acres...
chieftain who participated in the Yakima War
Yakima War
The Yakima War was a conflict between the United States and the Yakama, a Sahaptian-speaking people on the Northwest Plateau, then Washington Territory and now the southern interior of Eastern Washington, from 1855 to 1858.- Naming :...
with his uncle Kamiakin
Chief Kamiakin
Chief Kamiakin was a leader of the Yakama, Palouse, and Klickitat.-Early years:Kamiakin was born about 1800 near present-day Starbuck, Washington. His name means "He Won't Go" derived from ka - miah - kamman...
and other chieftains. Shortly after the Walla Walla council in 1855, in which Yakama leaders warned the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
against further settlement of the area, Qualchan and five others killed six settlers on the Yakima River
Yakima River
The Yakima River is a tributary of the Columbia River in south central and eastern Washington State, named for the indigenous Yakama people. The length of the river from headwaters to mouth is , with an average drop of .-Course:...
. On September 23, U.S. Indian Agent A.J. Bolon was murdered by a band of Yakama while traveling along The Dalles to discuss the incident with Kamiakin. Qualchan was accused of leading the group which attacked him, although historians such as A.J. Splawn insist Bolon's murder was carried out by Me-cheil, also a nephew of Kamiakin.
Calico (fabric)
Calico is a plain-woven textile made from unbleached, and often not fully processed, cotton. It may contain unseparated husk parts, for example. The fabric is less coarse and thick than canvas or denim, but owing to its unfinished and undyed appearance, it is still very cheap. Originally from the...
s.
In mid-March 1856, he and Chief Leschi
Chief Leschi
Chief Leschi was chief of the Nisqually Native American tribe. He was hanged for murder in 1858, but exonerated in 2004.-Life:...
led an attack against Connell's Prairie but were driven back by militiamen under Gilmore Hays.
According to Assistant Adjutant General W.W. Mackall, in a letter addressed to the Department of the Pacific at Fort Vancouver
Fort Vancouver
Fort Vancouver was a 19th century fur trading outpost along the Columbia River that served as the headquarters of the Hudson's Bay Company in the company's Columbia District...
on June 18, 1858, "Kamiakin and Qualchan, cannot longer be permitted to remain at large or in the country, they must be surrendered or driven away, and no accommodation should be made with any who will harbor them; let all know that asylum given to either of these troublesome Indians, will be considered in future as evidence of a hostile intention on the part of the tribe".
Following the Horse Camp Slaughter, Owhi visited Colonel George Wright
George Wright (general)
George Wright was an American soldier who served in the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War.-Early life and career:...
at his camp on Latah Creek
Latah Creek
Latah Creek, also known as Hangman Creek, is a large stream in eastern Washington and north central Idaho in the United States. The creek flows northwest from the Rocky Mountains to Spokane, where it empties into the Spokane River...
intending to negotiate peace. During this meeting, he was apparently coerced into disclosing the location of his son's camp, then seized and put in irons. Wright then sent a message to Qualchan's camp threatening to hang his father in four days if he did not surrender.
What happened after this point is unclear, however Qualchan did eventually arrive at Wright's encampment. There are conflicting accounts: that he rode into camp alone, that he was with his father at the time of the his capture, or that he was accompanied by his wife Whist-alks and brother Lo-Kout. Some say he was captured in a brief gun battle while his wife and brother managed to escape. Qualchan's sister Mary Moses said Lo-kout and Qualchan's wife were captured, but released when the Spokane Indians assured the soldiers that they were no relation of Qualchan.
It has been speculated that Qualchan may have been unaware that his father had been taken prisoner and instead had been sent by Kamiakin to determine from Wright the treatment the Yakama would receive if they surrendered. The only record of the meeting exists in a report made by Colonel Wright who wrote "Qualchan came to see me at 9 o'clock, at 9:15 he was hung". His father was shot several days later attempting to escape from the camp.
Legacy
- Qualchan had two younger brothers, Lo-kout (Quo-to-we-not) and Les-high-hite (Pe-noh), and several sisters: Wah-yah-kon, Quo-mollah, Sah-mah-yas, Si-en-wat, San-clow (Mary Moses) and Yam-kumkt. Chief MosesChief MosesChief Moses was a Native American chief of the Sinkiuse-Columbia, in what is now Washington State. The territory of his tribe extended approximately from Waterville to White Bluffs, in the Columbia Basin. They were often in the area around Moses Lake...
married Quo-mollah and, after Quo-mollah's death, San-clow; the latter (surviving until 1939!) gave an account of these things in Mary Moses's Statement. - According to the United States Geological SurveyUnited States Geological SurveyThe United States Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology,...
, Latah Creek is officially named Hangman Creek as a result of Qualchan's execution. - A popular golf courseGolf courseA golf course comprises a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes...
was built in the area where he was hanged, and named in his honor. - Qualchan is featured in a short story by author Sherman AlexieSherman AlexieSherman Joseph Alexie, Jr. is a writer, poet, filmmaker, and occasional comedian. Much of his writing draws on his experiences as a Native American. Two of Alexie's best known works are The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven , a book of short stories and Smoke Signals, a film...
.