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Chief Joseph

Chief Jospeh was hereditary chief of the Nez Perces tribe, and was a great leader in the hostilities of 1877. He had a fine presence, with an impressive countenance and in many ways one of the most remarkable Indians within the borders of the Union. When the whites obtained a right to the Wallowa Valley, the ancient home of Joseph's band, in eastern Oregon, this right was not recognized by Joseph, who continued to dwell there with his tribe. However, the Indians were finally removed by a peaceful settlement to the Lapwai Reservation; subsequently, outrageous acts on the part of the whites caused the Nez Perces to go on the war-path. Josepth displayed remarkable generalship in retreat worthy to be remembered with that of Xenophan's Ten Thousand.