Leschi: Justice In Our Time

Produced by the Committee to Exonerate

Chief Leschi, in cooperation with the Leschi

Descendants, Nisqually Tribe and the Washington State Historical

Society

Chief Leschi“Leschi's people believed that a star rose over the Nisqually Plains on the day of his birth in 1808. But ironically the title of Chief would be bestowed upon him by the first Territorial Governor, Isaac Stevens, who would later unjustly demand his life on the gallows.” Leschi: Last Chief of the Nisquallies

by Cecelia Svinth Carpenter

Goals of the Committee to Exonerate Chief Leschi Exonerate Leschi of the

crime of murder

Correct the historical record of this injustice

Obtain an apology to Leschi’s people

Leschi, the Man“Leschi was known as a man of great intelligence with superb oratorical abilities. His wisdom was often sought by his tribesmen to settle disagreements. His father was Nisqually and his mother Yakima. This mixed heritage provided him with a tall agile body and strong heavy shoulders. It was said that his most distinguishing feature was his alert, penetrating eyes.”

Leschi: Last Chief of the Nisquallies by Cecelia Svinth Carpenter

Nisqually Territory, 1855

Nisqually Delta

Nisqually Mudflats

Washington Territory

On March 2, 1853, the United States Congress officially declares Washington Territory separate from Oregon Territory

Governor Isaac Stevens

President Franklin Pierce appoints Isaac Ingalls Stevens Territorial Governor of Washington

Treaty Commission Created

Stevens sets up a Treaty Commission and divides western Washington into five treaty districts

Treaty Commission Reservations

The locations of the Reservations are determined at the discretion of the Treaty Commission

Medicine Creek Treaty Site

The treaty is explained to the Nisquallies, Puyallups, Squaxins and other tribal bands present in Chinook jargon

Acting-Governor

Charles MasonEarly in 1855, Leschi meets with Acting-Governor Charles Mason and tells him that the Nisquallies want peace

Nisqually Fish Weir

Muck Creek is no longer to be available to the Nisquallies

Washington Militia

Stevens, fearing the Indians will resist the treaty, secures Territorial Legislative approval for a volunteer militia

Quiemulth, Leschi’s Brother

By October 1855, Acting Governor Mason orders Eaton's Rangers, a detachment of the militia, to arrest Leschi and his brother Quiemulth

Gen. John E. Wool

General John E. Wool, Commander of the US Army's Pacific Division, sharply criticizes this action

Connell’s Prairie

Leschi and Quiemuth flee northeast towards the White River , while other warriors ambush the pursuing Eaton's Rangers at Connell's Prairie, killing two men

Leschi’s Orders

Leschi’s instructions are clear - the "war is with the troops and not the settlers".

White River Massacre

View from Brannan Homestead

A renegade war party loots and burns the homes of three white families, killing nine people who settled on the White River

Naches Trail

On October 31, 1855, a vanguard of militia returning home through the Naches Trail passes through an Indian encampment

Eradicating the Indians

Governor Stevens hears of the Green River battle and gives a speech to the territorial legislature promising the "eradication of hostile Indians”

Military Blockhouse

Stevens asserts that the Militia will provide blockhouses for settler protection

Leschi, the Chief

Leschi again attempts to make peace and ask for a reasonable land base for his people

Governor Stevens & the Indian War Council

Stevens refuses and maintains that all hostiles must be put in jail and stand trial. The Indian War Council disagrees.

The Settlers

Most of the settlers remain safe, including those who leave their claims to go to the blockhouses. Leschi's order to make war on the troops,

not the settlers is stringently obeyed

Mashel Massacre

Early April 1856, under orders from Stevens, the militia attacks the Mashel Indian village by Leschi's home, killing all the families in residence

Martial Law DeclaredApril 3, 1856, Stevens declares Martial Law, relieving the civil courts of their jurisdiction, and suspending the civil practice of trial by jury

A Presidential Reprimand

Stevens’ actions result in a Congressional investigation and reprimand from President Franklin Pierce

General Wool Disagrees

General Wool, who sharply disagrees with Stevens, believes the regular Army troops in the district to be sufficient to handle whatever emergency that might arise

Stevens Relents

Under pressure from the President, Stevens agrees to change the location of the Puyallup and Nisqually Reservations

Dr. William F. TolmieLeschi asks Dr. Tolmie to negotiate with the Americans; under the new treaty agreement Leschi will now make peace

Stevens’ Refusal

Stevens refuses to negotiate with Leschi. Stevens considers him a criminal and intends to charge him with the murder of A. Benton Moses.

Col. George Wright

“The assurances I gave to all the chiefs…including Leschi, were full and complete…as to their personal safety”

Leschi Imprisoned

On November 13, 1856 Leschi is captured and imprisoned at Fort Steilacoom

Trial Testimony Rabbeson knew Leschi by sight

only, not by name

Distance from victim at time of shooting is unclear – conflicting testimony

Smoke from guns obscured view

Leschi not identified as the man who fired the fatal shot

A Hung Jury

Trial results in a hung jury. Ezra Meeker is one of the jurors, and his is one of two “not guilty” votes.

The U. S. Army Position

Acts of violence during a time of war should not result in either side being held personally accountable.

New Jury, New Instructions

Pierce CountyThe jury in the first trial is instructed to consider the Act of War circumstance.

Thurston CountyThe jury in the second trial is not told to consider the Act of War circumstance.

Verdict in OlympiaOn March 18, 1857, Leschi is found guilty and sentenced to hang on June 10, 1857.

Attorney Frank Clark Defender of Leschi

“(Leschi) entered into a truce with a high military authority…I hardly think it will be disputed, that the Indian and his people adhered to the conditions of the truce.”

Lt. August Kautz“…A survey of the ground in the vicinity of where Moses was killed, has been made by a highly intelligent and competent gentleman, Lieut. A.V. Kautz, US Army “

Kautz’s Map

X

X First Meeting Leschi Route Militia Route

Leschi’s Execution

Stevens directs the erection of a scaffold a mile east of Fort Steilacoom where the execution of Leschi is held.

Site of Leschi’s death

Leschi Remembered

Leschi is remembered today by

American Indian Nations, the

Washington State Community and

Historians as an honored Chief

wrongly executed – especially

judging by the astonishing number

of public places named for him .

Leschi’s Washington Legacy

The Committee to Exonerate Chief Leschi of the Nisqually asks for your support to insure that: Leschi is exonerated of

the crime of murder,

that the historical record is corrected, and

an apology is made to his people.

END