THE " DREAMERS " OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, 

 IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 



By Major J. W. Mac Murray, U. S. A. 

 [Read before tlie Albany Institute, January 19, 1886.] 



All of the aboriginal people of this country have theologies based 

 on natural phenomena surrounding them, and all are believers in 

 spirits, potent for good or evil. 



The writer was sent by General N. A. Miles, of the army, then 

 commandim: the Military " Department of the Columbia," on a tour 

 of inspection among some affiliated bands of Indians living along the 

 Columbia river, with a view to ascertaining their grievances, their 

 advance toward permanent homes, and to assist them in locating laud 

 under the Indian Homestead laws of the United States. White 

 settlers were moving into the country very rapidly, owing to the recent 

 completion of the Northern Pacific railroad, the route of which road lay 

 through the Yakima valley, the richest, and most populous of the 

 Indians' lands. In fact, the road was located through Indian fields 

 and orchards, with little respect for individuals' rights. This caused 

 many complaints, and the subject of land division was as eagerly dis- 

 cussed by them as by the disciples of Mr. George. In fact these 

 Indians had quite similar views on the subject. Another class of sub- 

 jects which caused friction in the Indian's mind, and was even 

 threatening Avar, was the interference by the Indian officials, at the 

 Simcoe, or " Yakima Agency." with the domestic life of these people. 



Many of the Yakimas, who are a congeries of tribes or people nearly 

 allied in language, and quite so in customs and habits (and in religious 

 fancies, as a rule), are quite civilized, and are professed Christians. 

 Many live in neat looking frame houses, have large fields, orchards 

 and gardens, cattle and horses, pigs, goats and sheep. The majority 

 however, do not live in civilized houses; but keep to the old Indian 

 style of architecture, a large frame-work of posts and poles, covered 

 with a rush matting, which they are skilled in making, although they 

 often have fields, and barns, and excellent orchards. 



