402 
INDIAN TRIBES OF WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 
[Extract from letter of A. Culbertson, Esq. J 
St. Joseph, June S, 1854. 
In regard to my observations of the snow on the upper Missouri during upwards of twenty 
years, I find, by referring to notes taken of trips during the winter season from St. Louis to Fort 
Benlon, that the snows differ from one year to another. The average depth might be estimated 
at twelve inches, say from the first of December until the first of March; frequently, however, the 
snow does not exceed six inches. In the vicinity of Fort Benton snows are very moderate, and 
scarcely ever lie longer than one month at a time until they disappear. The climate is a good 
deal similar to that of the Eastern States. The winters from the Yellowstone down are much 
more severe, the snow during high winds drifting so that it is impossible for the traveller to march 
during these storms; they, however, seldom last over twenty-four hours. I have never seen snow 
drift deep enough to stop me on my way. ******* 
J. 
INDIAN AFFAIRS. 
39. Report of mr. george gibbs to captain mc’clellan, on the Indian tribes of the 
TERRITORY OF WASHINGTON. 
Olympia, Washington Territory, 
March 4, 1854. 
Sir : Herewith I have the honor to submit my report upon the subject of the Indian inhabit¬ 
ants of Washington Territory; and to be, 
Very respectfully, 
GEORGE GIBBS. 
Capt. George B. McClellan, 
Commanding Western Division N. P. Railroad Exploration. 
REPORT. 
In considering the general subject of the Indian tribes of this Territory, two natural divisions 
present themselves, separated by a marked and definite boundary—the Cascade mountains— 
on either side of which the native inhabitants differ not less than the geographical features of the 
country. 
It will be proper to examine them in turn, taking up the various tribes of each division in 
order, and appending such observations in regard to their management as the most careful in¬ 
quiry practicable has suggested. 
In this connexion, the word “nation” will be used of the whole people speaking a common 
language, and “tribe” as comprehending the bands organized under one head. 
And first of the interior or eastern section. 
Those living between the Cascade and Rocky mountains, within the limits of this Territory, 
or extending into it, are, first, the Wallah-Wallah nation, under which term is embraced a 
number of bands living usually on the south side of the Columbia, and on the Snake river to a 
little east of the Peluse ; as also the Klikatats and Yakimas, north of the former. The first may 
be, for the present purpose, classed together as the Wallah-Wallah tribe. The greater part of 
their country, it will be seen, lies in the adjoining Territory of Oregon, and it is proposed should 
remain under the direction of that superintendency. The number ol these bands was in 1851 
stated by Dr. Anson Dart, then superintendent of Indian affairs, at 1,093 ; a part of whom, how- 
