JOSEPH, North American Indian chief of the Nez Perce tribe: b. about 1830; d. Nespelim, Colville Reservation, Wash., 21 Sept. 1904. Of remarkably fine physical build and endowed with superb mental gifts, Joseph (Hinmaton-Yalat kit) was one of the most remarkable men of his race. In 1863 he refused to recognize the treaty by which the whites obtained entry to the Wallowa Valley, the ancient home of his people, in northeastern Oregon. Many of the Indians sympathized with him and continued to dwell there in spite of frequent bickerings with the white settlers. The government undertook to remove these Indians to the Lapwai Reserva tion in Idaho, and things were proceeding peace fully when outrages by the whites drove the Nez Perces to fury and caused them to attack the settlements. A declaration of war ensued and Joseph skilfully led his neople in a mem orable retreat to within 50 miles of the Cana dian border, when his retreat was cut off by fresh troops and on 5 Oct. 1877 he was forced
to surrender. His skill won praise from his conquerors, General Howard, Colonels Miles, Sturgis, etc. The promises made to Joseph and his people were ignored, and the Indians, num bering 431, were removed to Fort Leavenworth, Kans., and afterward to Indian Territory, where they remained for many years, always yearning for the mountains and valleys of Idaho. In 1883 the government permitted a party of 33 women and children to go back to their old home and in 1884, 118 others were allowed to go. Joseph, however, and 150 others were not per mitted to return to Idaho but were sent to Col ville, Wash. Chief Joseph visited President Roosevelt and General Miles at Washington in 1903. In his later years he had become recon ciled' to civilization and encouraged education among the children of his tribe.