The Rise And Decline Of The Ol})mpia Oyster 



Father had told him that he must return to his people 

 and preach to them and get them to stop drinking and 

 fighting, as they were all brothers. 



Their "back from the dead" brother then set about 

 organizing a new religion which he called the "Indian 

 Shaker Church". It seemed to be a mixture of Catholi- 

 cism and Protestantism. It embodied the rules for 

 righteous living contained in the Ten Commandments 

 and the Golden Rule. This was an opportune time for 

 such a religion. The "Firewater" (as whiskey was called) 

 brought in by the v/hiteS; was turning the Indians into 

 demons; they fought, they became thieves, and they 

 v/ould violate any law of God or man to get liquor. The 

 mission of this new religion was to turn them from these 

 things and bring them together as brothers living in 

 peace. 



The "Indian Shaker Church" seemed to appeal to 

 the Indian's natural instincts. It grew rapidly among the 

 tribes of the Northwest. Mud Bay was the head church. 

 "Mud Bay Sam" was for many years the head man, a 

 sort of Priest. The converts constructed a church on the 

 hill west of Mud Bay and in sight of the Olympia Oyster 

 beds and each year they held a "Camp Meeting" lasting 

 for a week or ten days. Invitations to other tribes were 

 appealing. They announced large feasts of Olympia 

 Oysters, clams and salmon. It was understood these 

 would be cooked in accordance with Indian custom. 

 Great crowds attended these meetings; thus the Olympia 

 Oyster performed a real service, lov many Indians joined 

 the Faith, and friendship was established among the 

 tribes. 



(11) 



