THE KLAMATH INDIANS OF SOUTHWESTERN OREGON. 



By Albert S. Gatschet. 



ETHNOGRAPHIC SKETCH OF THE PEOPLE. 



INTEODUGTIOK 



The Klamath people of North Aniei-ican Indians, the subject of this 

 descriptive sketch, have inhabited from time immemorial a country upon 

 the eastern slope of the Cascade Rang-e, in the southwestern part of the 

 territory now forming the State of Oregon. Tliat territory is surrounded 

 by mountain ridges and by elevations of moderate height, and watered by 

 streams, lakes, marshes, and pond-sources issuing from the volcanic sands 

 covering the soil. The secluded position of these Indians within their 

 mountain fastnesses has at all times sheltered them against the inroads of 

 alien tribes, but it has also withlield from them some of the benefits which 

 only a lively intercourse and trade with other tribes are able to confer. 

 Tlie climate of that upland country is rough and well known for its sudden 

 changes of temperature, which in many places render it unfavorable to 

 agriculture. But the soil is productive in edible roots, bulbs, berries, and 

 timber, the limpid waters are full of fish and fowl, and game was plentiful 

 before the white man's rifle made havoc with it. Thus the country was 

 capable of supplying a considerable number of Indians with food, and they 

 never manifested a desire to migrate or "be removed to a better country." 

 The topography of these highlands, wliich contain the headwaters of the 

 Klamath River of California, will be discussed at length after a mention of 

 tlie scanty literature existing upon this comparatively little explored tract of 

 land. 



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