The following article was included in the Southern Oregon Digital Archives through the
courtesy of the Oregon Historical Society, Portland, OR, publisher.
Originally published as:
Spier, Leslie
1927
Tribal Distribution in South-western Oregon. Oregon HistoricalQuarterly
28:358-365.
( Oregon Historical Society; reprinted with permission.
Courtesy, Oregon Historical Society, Portland, OR, publisher.
www. ohs.org/publications
TRIBAL DISTRIBUTION IN '
TRIBAL DISTRIBUTION IN SOUTHWESTERN OREGON
By LESLIE SPIER
Our knowledge of the ethnic geography of southern
Oregon west of the Cascades is notoriously chaotic. This is
largely due to the dislocation and rapid destruction of the
Rogue River Tribes in the wars of the 'fifties, but in part
to the then prevalent habit of referring to these Indians
indiscriminately as "Rogue Rivers." Add the absence of
sharply defined physiographic provinces and the reason for
the confusion is obvious. Yet the Indians of this region
spoke tongues belonging to at least four different linguistic
stocks (Athapascan, Takelman, Shastan, and Waiilatpuan)
and doubtless recognized sharp political divisions within
each language group.
My attention was turned to this while engaged in an
ethnographic study of the Klamath Indians living on the
lake of that name east of the Cascades. I was told that the
Ashland-Medford-Table Rock region was occupied in historic times by their enemies the Walumskni, who called
themselves Hanis. As the name Walumskni was unfamiliar,
I was lead to attempt an identification.
A Shasta claim to this region was accepted twenty years
ago by Dixon who mapped it accordingly." He frankly
recognized the uncertainty of their claim, since the Rogue
River tribes also ceded this territory in their treaty of 1853.
The Shasta maintained that they had driven the Rogue River
people from the country a century before and held it at
the coming of the whites.
Merriam's recent attempt to show that the name Shasta
was given the Rogue River by Ogden in 1827 confirms this
by implication.2 He further cites Framboise's list of tribes
of 1835 which places the Shasta Indians on the river of that
1
Roland B. Dixon: The Shasta (Bulletin American Museum of
Natural History, 17, 1907), p. 386.
2C. Hart Merriam: Source of the Name Shasta (Journal of the
Washington Academy of Sciences, 16, 1926, 522-525).
name west of the Klamath people. I
tering the controversy but by my rear
like Elliott's,3 Ogden's Shasta River
tification of the Walumskni is cor
have meant that the Shasta tribe w;
merely that they lay in a westerly d
ath people.
There is little to be found in the
made no very thorough search but I
anything explicit on this section <
The Indians are referred to indi:
(Athapascans), Rogue Rivers, or i
Shasta. The bands about Table Ro
Rogue River wars are known by th
which does not help very much in is
the units. During the period of conc
Chief John's band, the Ech-ka-taw
Creek, and Limpy's band, the I
Illinois River. The native names ol
Rock band are given as To-gun-i
another Ana-cha-ara. 5 It is curious
who crossed this region in June, 1:
to Emigrant Creek) saw hostile Ind
It is conceivable that the Indians v
the mountains.
Information obtained from ol
about their western and southerly nE
sT. C. Elliot: The Peter Skene Ogden
Oregon Historical Society, 11, 1910, 2(
4I do not see how Ogden could have faile(
Cascades when he is so explicit as
range no matter how insignificant. N
is consistent with a journey into th
return without having crossed to thE
River.
I should like to acknowledge he]
Charles L. Stewart for giving me the
the name Shasta, and to Miss Marjo
early literature on the Rogue River di
5A. G. Walling: History of Southern 0
190, 191. Dr. Edward Sapir writes
the language of these names.
6
Cited in Walling, p. 304.
TRIBAL DISTRIBUTION IN S. W. OREGON
1IBUTION IN SOUTHERN OREGON
LESLIE SPIER
Le ethnic geography of southern
des is notoriously chaotic. This is
tion and rapid destruction of the
e wars of the 'fifties, but in part
bit of referring to these Indians
ue Rivers." Add the absence of
Lphic provinces and the reason for
Yet the Indians of this region
o at least four different linguistic
,lman, Shastan, and Waiilatpuan)
sharp political divisions within
'ned to this while engaged in an
te Klamath Indians living on the
the Cascades. I was told that the
tock region was occupied in hismies the Walumskni, who called
name Walumskni was unfamiliar,
lentification.
region was accepted twenty years
ped it accordingly." He frankly
y of their claim, since the Rogue
is territory in their treaty of 1853.
it they had driven the Rogue River
a century before and held it at
rnpt to show that the name Shasta
?r by Ogden in 1827 confirms this
aer cites Framboise's list of tribes
Shasta Indians on the river of that
w-sta (Bulletin American Museum of
'p. 386.
of the Name Shasta (Journal of the
Lciences, 16, 1926, 522_525).
359
name west of the Klamath people. I have no intention of entering the controversy but by my reading of Ogden's Journal,
like Elliott's,3 Ogden's Shasta River is the Pit. 4 If my identification of the Walumskni is correct, Framboise cannot
have meant that the Shasta tribe was located on the Rogue,
merely that they lay in a westerly direction from the Klamath people.
There is little to be found in the early sources. I have
made no very thorough search but have been unable to find
anything explicit on this section of the Rogue drainage.
The Indians are referred to indiscriminately as Tinneh
(Athapascans), Rogue Rivers, or mixed groups including
Shasta. The bands about Table Rock who took part in the
Rogue River wars are known by the names of their chiefs,
which does not help very much in isolating and identifying
the units. During the period of concentration these included
Chief John's band, the Ech-ka-taw-a, living on Applegate
Creek, and Limpy's band, the How-quo-e-haw-took, on
Illinois River. The native names of the chiefs of the Table
Rock band are given as To-gun-he-a, Aps-er-ka-ha, and
another Ana-cha-ara. 5 It is curious that Lindsey Applegate,
who crossed this region in June, 1846 (from Rogue River
to Emigrant Creek) saw hostile Indians but no settlements.6
It is conceivable that the Indians were then summering in
the mountains.
Information obtained from old Klamath informants
about their western and southerly neighbors is quite explicit.
3T. C. Elliot: The Peter Skene Ogden Journals (Quarterly of the
Oregon Historical Society, 11, 1910, 201-222).
4I do not see how Ogden could have failed to note his crossing of the
Cascades when he is so explicit as to every other identifiable
range no matter how insignificant. My identification of his route
is consistent with a journey into the Pit River country and a
return without having crossed to the northern side of Klamath
River.
I should like to acknowledge here my indebtedness to Mr.
Charles L. Stewart for giving me the benefit of his inquiries into
the name Shasta, and to Miss Marjorie Thole for searching the
early literature on the Rogue River district.
5A. G. Walling: History of Southern Oregon (Portland, 1884), pp.
190, 191. Dr. Edward Sapir writes me that he cannot identify
the language of these names.
"Cited in Walling, p. 304.
360
TRIBAL DISTRIBUTION R,
LESLIE SPIER
According to them the Shasta occupied the Klamath River
as far upstream as Shovel Creek near the Oregon-California
boundary. This was of course in addition to their territory
on Shasta and Scott Rivers. North of the Klamath River
they held only Jenny Creek. My informants were most certain that they were not north of the Siskiyous in Bear Creek
valley, the territory in question. This, as I have stated,
was Walumskni country. These people lived on both sides
of Bear Creek for its whole length and on Rogue River about
Table Rock. 7
Rogue River above the Walumskni was occupied by
Molala according to the same informants. These lived
along the creeks of this high ridge country down to the canyon, that is to a little below Prospect or even as far as Trail
Creek. The position of these Molala on the high ridge is so
anomalous for an Indian group as to be suspected were it
not that we have early confirming authority. Joel Palmer wrote in 1853: "While on my late expedition I came
to the knowledge of the existence of a tribe of Indians inhabiting the country on the upper waters of the North and
South forks of the Umpqua and the headwaters of the
Rogue River called the wild Mo-lal-la-las. The name so
nearly resembles that of the Mol-al-las of the Willamette
that they have been confounded with that tribe; but the
information I have obtained satisfies me that they are a distinct tribe, speaking an entirely different language, and
having no connection whatever with them. They have had
but little intercourse with the whites, being located in a
mountainous region off the line of travel from Oregon to
California. They roam sometimes as far east and southeast, as the headwaters of the Deschutes and the Klamath
Lake." 8
7Dama'djosksi, "a little mountain east of Medford," was named to me
as one of their localities- possibly Table Rock was meant.
sAnnual Report of the Superintendent of Indian Affairs for Oregon
Territory for 1853, quoted in C. F. Coan: The Adoption of the
Reservation Policy in the Pacific Northwest, 1853-1855 (Quarterly
of the Oregon Historical Society, 23, 1922), p. 34. See also Albert
Samuel Gatschet: The Klamath Indians of Southwestern Oregon
(Contributions to North American Ethnology, 2, 1890), part 1,
p. XXXVi.
Nevertheless these are Molala
live among the Klamath of the le
their peculiar position is to be fo
Teit, which is of the highest imp
tions in eastern Oregon and Wasl
in consequence of attacks by thi
1750, the Sahaptians of the uppe
the Washington side of the Colum
east. The Molala were driven ou
westward into the mountains and
ette valley. The best explanation
very headwaters of the Rogue is th
on the western side of the Cas
occupying the ridges of the uppi
the divide to the Rogue.
The occupation of the Rogue
is clear in outline although obscurE
the river as far up as Illinois Riv
tory. There were isolated Atha
Creek and Applegate River.', Abov
"To the north the Takelma certaii
bank of Rogue River eastward
Illinois River and Galice Creek,
part of the country on the upper
tributary of the Umpqua. The mih
River, the country on the southern
as Illinois River, its main tributar3
Creek, and the interior of Oregon
Californian boundary, was the
proper.""
Of the territory in question, TE
Sapir observes "there was, mor(
of the same linguistic stock [TakE
9
James Teit: The Middle Columbia ,
ington Publications in Anthropology,
1OJ* Owen Dorsey: The Gentile System
of American Folk-Lore, 3, 1890, 227
Shasta and Athapascan Myths from
224. Edward Sapir: Notes on th,
western Oregon (American Anthrop
ISapir, loc. cit., p. 251.
TRIBAL DISTRIBUTION IN S. W. OREGON
:SLIE SPIER
iasta occupied the Klamath River
Creek near the Oregon-California
)urse in addition to their territory
,rs. North of the Klamath River
!k. My informants were most cer,rth of the Siskiyous in Bear Creek
luestion. This, as I have stated,
These people lived on both sides
e length and on Rogue River about
the Walumskni was occupied by
b same informants.
These lived
igh ridge country down to the canw Prospect or even as far as Trail
iese Molala on the high ridge is so
group as to be suspected were it
confirming authority. Joel Palhile on my late expedition I came
:istence of a tribe of Indians inhab! upper waters of the North and
pqua and the headwaters of the
wild Mo-lal-la-las. The name so
the Mol-al-las of the Willamette
founded with that tribe; but the
ted satisfies me that they are a disentirely different language, and
atever with them. They have had
th the whites, being located in a
the line of travel from Oregon to
sometimes as far east and south)f the Deschutes and the Klamath
bain east of Medford," was named to me
possibly Table Rock was meant.
intendent of Indian Affairs for Oregon
I in C. F. Coan: The Adoption of the
Pacific Northwest, 1853-1855 (Quarterly
lociety, 23, 1922), p. 34. See also Albert
lamath Indians of Southwestern Oregon
American Ethnology, 2, 1890), part 1,
361
Nevertheless these are Molala, whose descendants still
live among the Klamath of the lakes. The explanation of
their peculiar position is to be found in a paper of James
Teit, which is of the highest importance for tribal migrations in eastern Oregon and Washington.9 It appears that
in consequence of attacks by the Snake beginning about
1750, the Sahaptians of the upper Deschutes withdrew to
the Washington side of the Columbia and the Cayuse to the
east. The Molala were driven out of the lower Deschutes
westward into the mountains and even beyond the Willamette valley. The best explanation of their presence on the
very headwaters of the Rogue is that they drifted southward
on the western side of the Cascades, safe from attack,
occupying the ridges of the upper Umpqua and crossing
the divide to the Rogue.
The occupation of the Rogue River below Grants Pass
is clear in outline although obscure in detail. The coast and
the river as far up as Illinois River was Athapascan territory. There were isolated Athapascans again on Galice
Creek and Applegate River.10 Above them were the Takelma.
"To the north the Takelma certainly occupied the northern
bank of Rogue River eastward of some point between
Illinois River and Galice Creek, while they also inhabited
part of the country on the upper course of Cow Creek, a
tributary of the Umpqua. The middle valley, then, of Rogue
River, the country on the southern bank perhaps as far west
as Illinois River, its main tributary, the upper course of Cow
Creek, and the interior of Oregon southward nearly to the
Californian boundary, was the home of the Takelma
proper.""
Of the territory in question, Table Rock and Bear Creek,
Sapir observes "there was, moreover, still another tribe
of the same linguistic stock [Takelman] that dwelt farther
9
James Teit: The Middle Columbia Salish (University of Washington Publications in Anthropology, 2, No. 4, in press).
1oJ.
Owen Dorsey:
The Gentile System of the Siletz Tribes (Journal
of American Folk-Lore, 3, 1890, 227-237).
Leo J. Frachtenberg:
Shasta and Athapascan Myths from Oregon (Idem., 28, 1915), p.
224. Edward Sapir: Notes on the Takelma Indians of South-
western Oregon (American Anthropologist, n.s., 9, 1907, 250-276).
"Sapir, loc. cit., p. 251.
362
LESLIE SPIER
TRIBAL DISTRIBUTION I
to the east, occupying the poorer land of the Upper Rogue,
east, say, of Table Rock toward the Cascades and in the
neighborhood of the present town of Jacksonville. These
were known as Latgawa', 'those living in the uplands,' but
were also loosely referred to as Wulx, i.e., 'enemies', a name
specifically applied to the Shasta, with whom the Takelma
were often in hostile relations.
. .
. The Upland Takelma
were much more warlike than their western neighbors, and
were accustomed to make raids on the latter in order to
procure supplies of food and other valuables. The slaves
they captured they often sold to the Klamath of the Lakes,
directly to the east."''2 This is reasonably definite, yet
and the territory they occupied.
The question turns then on the identification of the
Walumskni or Hanis. Walumskni clearly means in Klamath "those of Walums", which Gatschet identified as "Rogue
River Butte, a mountain at the head of Rogue River Valley,
almost due west of Fort Klamath,""' by which I presume he
meant Table Rock. He however identified the Walumskni
as Athapascan. "These Indians belong, like the Umpqua,
to the Tinn6 family of aborigines; they formerly inhabited
the largest part of the country drained by the Rogue River
and its tributaries (Illinois River, Applegate Creek, etc.)
and also held the coast of the Pacific Ocean between 41°30and 430 of latitude. They are sometimes called Tototen or
Tutatani after one of the tribes, which was settled at the
mouth of the Rogue River." Yet it is clear from the form of
this that Gatschet had no specific knowledge of the Rogue
Tribes; was ignorant in fact of the existence of the Takelma.
There can be little doubt that the Walumskni were the
Upland Takelma. I was fortunate in obtaining a few words
of their language from an elderly Klamath woman who knew
12Loc. cit., p. 252.
Sapir was none too certain of the character of the group
3Gatschet, The Klamath Indians, part 2, p. 471.
them however only from hearsa
Takelma cognates as I was able t
Walumskni
hetcega, he is mean
t'o
da'pAqE, to kill
wu
wols, name for the Klamath
hinis, name for themselves
The word wols, enemies, is
the Klamath point of view their
Walumskni.16
The name Hanis adds an ele
given this merely as an alterna
term is Walumski. Yet Hanis i
selves; that is, used by member
group. But in addition the Siu
hitch; the usage of still a third lai
All of these tribes of southwester
individuals of them, have been cc
"Edward Sapir: Takelma Texts (An
versity of Pennsylvania Museum,
"Sapir, Notes on the Takelma, p. 252.
"Dr. Edward Sapir has been kin,
attempted identifications. He wi
should be and proves that my upper
kind of divergent Takelma dialect
said they did. For, from interns
comparisons (e.g. Takelma xi, "w,
is certain that Takelma x goes ba
goes back to older ts, which is no I
would have it, two of my poor UpI
roborate your wols. There t'ev
( x t'ewe.s t'eweks) and yegwetci,
yegwekci I yegwekwei): Takelma,
-si) . . . Wols is ideal proof. Si
and language can be demonstrate
scraps remembered by Indians wes
cation of da'pa'qE is not so certaih
form may have been misheard for or
but "the aorist stem of the transiti
by your form, should therefore be
from your form. Perhaps your Klan
his Takelma. Southern Paiute hi
your form is really tappakka, whiz
ping on."
7
1 Leo J. Frachtenberg:
Coos and
(Bulletin Bureau of American Et
306, 441.
IE SPIER
oorer land of the Upper Rogue,
oward the Cascades and in the
it town of Jacksonville. These
those living in the uplands,' but
Das WuIx, i.e., 'enemies', a name
shasta, with whom the Takelma
ions. . . . The Upland Takelma
tan their western neighbors, and
raids on the latter in order to
nd other valuables. The slaves
)ld to the Klamath of the Lakes,
'his is reasonably definite, yet
pied.
in on the identification of the
lumskni clearly means in Klamch Gatschet identified as "Rogue
the head of Rogue River Valley,
amath,""3 by which I presume he
wever identified the Walumskni
idians belong, like the Umpqua,
rigines; they formerly inhabited
itry drained by the Rogue River
s River, Applegate Creek, etc.)
he Pacific Ocean between 41°30'
are sometimes called Tototen or
tribes, which was settled at the
Yet it is clear from the form of
specific knowledge of the Rogue
b of the existence of the Takelma.
At that the Walumskni were the
rtunate in obtaining a few words
derly Klamath woman who knew
i of the character of the group
.s,
part 2, p. 471.
TRIBAL DISTRIBUTION IN S. W. OREGON
363
them however only from hearsay. I give these with such
Takelma cognates as I was able to find in Sapir's papers.
Walumskni
Takelma
hetcega, he is mean
t'obagi, to lie like deadda'pdqE, to kill
wuix, enemies15
wols, name for the Klamath
hdnis, name for themselves
The word wols, enemies, is quite conclusive, for from
the Klamath point of view their bitterest enemies were the
Walumskni.16
The name Hanis adds an element of confusion. I was
given this merely as an alternate appellation; the proper
term is Walumski. Yet Hanis is the Coos name for themselves; that is, used by members of a different linguistic
group. But in addition the Siuslaw call the Alsea Hanis
hitch; the usage of still a third language group for a fourth.1 7
All of these tribes of southwestern Oregon, or at least many
individuals of them, have been concentrated on Siletz ReserI
I
I
I
I
i
14Edward Sapir: Takelmna Texts (Anthropological Publications, University of Pennsylvania Museum, 2, 1909), p. 229.
8
' 6Sapir, Notes on the Takelma, p. 252.
1 Dr. Edward Sapir has been kind enough to scrutinize these
attempted identifications. He writes, "wols is exactly what it
should be and proves that my upper Takelma (Latgawa') spoke the
kind of divergent Takelma dialect Mrs. Johnson [his informant]
said they did. For, from internal evidence and from Penutian
comparisons (e.g. Takelma xi, "water": si-, Penutian stem), it
is certain that Takelma x goes back to older s, while Takelma s
goes back to older ts, which is no longer found . . . Now, as luck
would have it, two of my poor Upper Takelma words entirely corroborate your wols. There t'eweks, "flea": Takelma t'ewex
( i t'ewe.s t'eweks) and yegwetci, "he bit me" (assimilated from
yegwekci l yegwekwci): Takelma, yegwexi yegwegwxi (older
-si) . . . Wols is ideal proof. Strange that this unknown tribe
and language can be demonstrated by consistent evidence from
scraps remembered by Indians west and east of it." The identification of da'pa'qE is not so certain. Dr. Sapir indicates that the
form may have been misheard for or misremembered from t'obag-,
but "the aorist stem of the transitive, which would be represented
by your form, should therefore be t'obog-, which is pretty far
from your form. Perhaps your Klamath got Shoshonean mixed with
his Takelma. Southern Paiute has pakka-' "to kill"; perhaps
your form is really tappakka, which might mean "to kill by stepping on."
"Leo J. Frachtenberg: Coos and Siuslawan (Lower Umpqua)
(Bulletin Bureau of American Ethnology, 40, 1922, part 2), pp.
306, 441.
364
LESLIE SPIER
vation since the middle of the last century. Klamath have
frequently visited Siletz in recent years and are quite
familiar with them all. In fact, I was told of three old
Walumskni women surviving there. Can it be that the
name Hanis, properly Coos, has there come into general use
for any tribe of western Oregon? It seems plausible that
the name as applied to the Walumskni dates only from their
residence on Siletz.
It thus seems certain that the Ashland-Medford-Table
Rock region was the home of the Upland Takelma, not of
the Shasta. It is indeed possible that the Shasta occupied
the extreme upper end of the Bear Creek valley, the northern slope of the Siskiyous. But this is so anomalous a
position for an Indian group whose prime dependence was
on the major streams, that even this is doubtful. It is also
possible that the Shasta occupied the greater part of the
valley after having driven the Upland Takelma out of it,
as their tradition tells, but my Klamath information is that
the Upland Takelma were there, or at least about Table
Rock, as late as 1850. That the Shasta were involved in
the Rogue River wars and some of them later caught up in
the movement that placed all of these peoples on the reservations of coastal Oregon, can hardly be adduced as proof
that they were linked by joint occupation of this territory.
As against their common cause against the whites is set
off the Shasta tradition of earlier enmity of the Takelma,
as well as Takelma statements to like effect.'
The indicated distribution of the tribes of southwestern
Oregon is Athapascan on the coast northward nearly to the
Coquille River and upstream on the Rogue to beyond the
mouth of the Illinois. This is continuous with the occupation of Smith River in California by the Athapascan Tolowa.
Isolated groups of the same stock were on Galice Creek and
Applegate River. The middle Rogue was Takelman in
speech. The settlements of the Takelma proper were from
near the Illinois to about Grant's Pass and on the upper
course of Cow Creek; thence southward the rough country
-Sapir, Notes on the Takelrnoa, p. 252.
TRIBAL DISTRIBUTION II
nearly to the Californian bound
section in Oregon along the bounds
land of the Karok, whose home a
River directly south. Above the I
the Upland Takelma about Tab
Still further up on the very hear
the Molala, whose main body law
of the Umpqua and northward.
upper Umpqua drainage and the
pascan, with the Coosan Miluk
the latter river.
University of Oklahoma, Normaw
,SLIE SPIER
TRIBAL DISTRIBUTION IN S. W. OREGON
the last century. Klamath have
in recent years and are quite
In fact, I was told of three old
ving there. Can it be that the
s, has there come into general use
Oregon? It seems plausible that
Walumskni dates only from their
nearly to the Californian boundary was theirs. A small
section in Oregon along the boundary may have been hunting
land of the Karok, whose home was on the lower Klamath
River directly south. Above the Takelma on the Rogue were
the Upland Takelma about Table Rock and Bear Creek.
Still further up on the very headwaters of the river were
the Molala, whose main body lay along the upper reaches
of the Umpqua and northward. North of all these, the
upper Umpqua drainage and the upper Coquille were Athapascan, with the Coosan Miluk on the lower reaches of
the latter river.
University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma.
that the Ashland-Medford-Table
e of the Upland Takelma, not of
Possible that the Shasta occupied
the Bear Creek valley, the north[s. But this is so anomalous a
,up whose prime dependence was
t even this is doubtful. It is also
ccupied the greater part of the
[ the Upland Takelma out of it,
my Klamath information is that
there, or at least about Table
hat the Shasta were involved in
some of them later caught up in
all of these peoples on the resercan hardly be adduced as proof
int occupation of this territory.
cause against the whites is set
earlier enmity of the Takelma,
nts to like effect.18
on of the tribes of southwestern
ie coast northward nearly to the
Lm on the Rogue to beyond the
3 is continuous with the occupa)rnia by the Athapascan Tolowa.
stock were on Galice Creek and
iddle Rogue was Takelman in
the Takelma proper were from
Grant's Pass and on the upper
e southward the rough country
i.
i. 252.
365