Chief Joseph

He was known to the people who loved, trusted and followed him as "Thunder Traveling to the Loftier Mountain Heights,” Chief Joseph is the Nez Perce Tribe carved a major niche in Idaho history.This man was a leader with a desire to preserve his culture and way of life.He was respected not only by his own nation but also a new and younger nation trying their wings.

The story of Chief Joseph and his followers on their long trek through Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana ended sadly but nevertheless the legend lives on and is an inspiration to all that hear the tale.

The Nez Perce were a nomadic people that occupied much of the territory where Washington, Oregon and Idaho to join.Until 1877 they were on amiable terms with the Settlers.Under the terms of the Treaty of 1855, the Nez Perce agreed to cede much of their land to the U.S. Government in return for approximately 10,000 square miles in Oregon and Idaho.With the discovery of gold and 1863, their reservation was further reduce to 88,000 acres in Idaho with their headquarters established at Lapwai.

Hostilities between the U.S. Army and the Nez Perce broke out in 1877. Chief Joseph is remembered principally for his leadership during what became known as the War of 1877.He showed remarkable skill in military tactics by defeating larger U.S. forces in several battles.He then led his nation on a retreat of more than one thousand miles over mountainous terrain in an effort to reach the Canadian border.He finally surrendered on September 30, 1877 saying, "I will fight no more forever."

This great leader died in 1904 on the Colville, Washington Indian Reservation.

Chief Joseph was recognized and inducted into Idaho's Hall of Fame at the First Annual Banquet held in Pocatello, Idaho in 1995.

By Dee Klenck