The Rise And Decline Of The Olympia Oyster 



native Indians. For centuries the "Siwash" or "Fish Eat- 

 ers" as they were called had made the oyster and clam, 

 the salmon and other sea foods their principal diet. They 

 had constructed their '"Teepees" on the shores of the 

 more favored spots; then, as the white settlers began to 

 come and villages and small towns to develop the In- 

 dians found that the v/hites were also fond of sea food 

 and that they could get as much as 25 cents for a basket 

 of the small delicious oysters. In Olympia, Tacoma and 

 Seattle it was a common sight to see the Indians on the 

 street corners or in the m.arkets with a basket of oysters 

 for sale. In Seattle "Chief Seattle" became quite a fam- 

 ous personage as he peddled his oysters around the 

 streets and markets of the city dressed in Indian blankets 

 and feathered head gear. 



Some of the oyster beds had been occupied by Indian 

 maidens, or Indian v/idows to whom unattached white 

 settlers became "Klutchmen". Marriages under Indian 

 customs were later challenged in court, especially where 

 title to property was involved. 



The importance of adopting a policy to foster the 

 development of our natural resources and especially the 

 culture of oysters, was recognized by the first State Leg- 

 islature and in 1890 the Legislature passed what has 

 been known as the "Callow Act". 



The "Callow Act" only provided for the sale of na- 

 tural oyster land which had been occupied and the 

 oysters cultivated on and after March 26, 1890. It provid- 

 ed that one who had so occupied and cultivated oyster 

 land might make application for the purchase thereof 

 through the State Land Office. It was necessary to have 



(14) 



