CHAPTER III.
THE OREGON INDIANS.
Fidelity and zeal of the Skalzi - Their territory - Agriculture - Loss of tools by burning of boat-Ideal Indians -Building church - Father Menetrey - Chief Michael - Unregenerate dogs -A presbytery - How Father De Smet brought the fighting chiefs down tc Fort Vancouver-The winter's work-Prejudices removed=Feed: and shelters the chiefs- Kamiakin's statement-His poverty - Gerry, Schloom and Telgawax -Sketch of Eastern WashingtonOpinion as to reservations- Some other recommendations.
St. Louis University, Dec. 1, 1861.
Dear Sir:'
In my letter of November io, I859, I alluded to the
•• 1 Skalzi Indians. Allow me to add fuller details concerning that tribe.
I visited these good savages for the first time in the summer of 1845, on which occasion I had the happiness to regenerate all their little children in the holy waters of baptism, as well as a large number Mf adults. I saw these dear- children again in 1859; and the visit filled me with inexpressible joy, because they had remained faithful, true to the faith, and fervent and zealous Christians. They were the consolation of their missionaries, and shone conspicuous by their virtues among the tribes of the Rocky Mountains. They were especially distinguished by an admirable simplicity, a great charity, and a rare honesty in all their dealings with their neighbors, and an innocence of manners worthy of the primitive Christians. A short account of this interesting tribe and the country which they inhabit, will doubtless please you.
The two tribes of the Kootenais and the Flat-bows number over i,ooo souls. They are principally divided
1 Unaddressed letter, published in New Indian Sketches, pp. 104-117.