Document text
Folklore
Circumstances under which Material
was obtained.
STATE: Washington
NAME OF WORKER: Verna L. Stamolis
ADDRESS: Post Office Box 112, University Station, Seattle, Wash.
DATE: December 22, 1938
SUBJECT: Pioneers
1. Publication from which obtained and author: Scrap -book No. 2,
Clarence B. Bagley (Deceased); Seattle Sunday Star, N. A. Smith.
2. Date and time obtained: July, 1938
3, Place obtained: Northwest Room, University of Washington Library
Folklore
Personal History of Informant
STATE: Washington
NAME OF WORKER: Verna L. Stamolis
ADDRESS: Post Office Box 112, University Station, Seattle, Wash.
DATE: December 22, 1930
SUBJECT: Chief Seattle's: Address.
NAME AND ADDRESS OF INFORMANT: Charles B. Bagley (Deceased)
Seattle, Washington
1. Ancestry: American
2. Place and date of birth: November 30, 1843; near Dixon, Illinois
3. Family: Methodist Protestant Church
4. Places lived ins Chicago, Illinois; Salem, Oregon; Olympia, Wish.;
Seattle, Wash.; and Pennsylvania.
5. Education: Willamette; Salem; Oregon; Allegheny College, Veadowville, Pa.
6. Occupations and accompliEhments: Printer, editor, writer, collector of
Internal Revenue.
7. Special Interests: Collection of Historical data and files of old
newspepers; thirteen large scrapbooks; folders
of original letters of Washington pioneers.
H. Description: Very tall, thin, genial; yolftful even when nearly
ninety years old.
CHIEF SEATTLE'S ADDRESS,
Mete: This account was taken fro* the Scrap-
book of Clarence B. Bagley, a famous pioneer.
Quote Scrap -book No. 2, p. 102: 'H. A. Smith has
written from actual knowledge probably the best
skit& of Chief Seattle. This account appeared
in the Seattle Sunday Star, October 29, 1877.
'Chief Seattle was the largest Indian I ever saw
and by fir the noblest looking. He stood nearly
111X feet tall, was broad -shouldered, deep -chested
and finely proportioned. His eyes were large,
intelligent and expressive. Hi was usually
sober -mannered, and his lightest word was law. He
had a wonderful voice, deep -toned, sonerous, and
was an eloquent speaker.
"When Governor Stevens first came to Seattle to
tell the Indians that he had been appointed Com-
missioner of Indian Affairs for Washington Terri-
tory, the people of Seattle received his in the
street in front of Dr. Maynard's office. The
bay swarmed with canoes, and the shore was lined
with dusky faces. The Governor was introduced to
the Indians by Dr. Maynard. Governor Stevens spoke
to them in a plain, straightforward manner, ex-
plaining his mission.
"'When he had finished speaking, Chief Seattle arose
with great dignity, and pointing to the sky, he
began his address."
"The sky has wept tears of compassion on our fathers for untold centuries.
Today it is fair; tomorrow it may be overcast with clouds.
"You say that the Great White Chief has sent us word that he wishes to
buy our lands, and to give us a reservation where we can live in comfort. This
is generous. We will ponder your offer and we will tell you the answer. But
I make this condition: That we shall not be denied the right to visit when
we will the graves of our ancestors and friends. Every part of this country
is sacred to my people. The very dust under our feet responds to our foot -steps
Chief Seattle's Address (Cant) 2
because it is the ashes of our ancestors At nights when the streets
of your cities are silent, they will throng with the hosts that once filled
this beautiful land. The white man will never be.slans. Let him be just
and deal kindly with my people, for the dead are not powerless."