1909, Tekoa, WA/De Smet, ID: Indians Doast [SIC] Big Beef Whole
From the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation in post-frontier times, we hear of a big party thrown by a respected tribal leader…
We’re told Spotted Louis is 2nd in the back row (image credit: Plateau Peoples’ Web Portal)
In common with Settler parties of that era, Chinook Jargon was a significant presence.
INDIANS DOAST [ROAST] BIG
BEEF WHOLEBarbecue and Feast Is Served Red
Men by Spotted
Louis.TEKOA. Wash., June 19 .- A big
barbecue and feast was given yester-
day by Spotted Louis, a prominent In-
dian at his home at De Smet mission.
A large beef was roasted whole, and
all kinds of substantial provisions
and delicacies provided for the enter-
tainment of the guests.Practically all the native red, men
on the reservation, with their families.
were present, numbering in all 600
persons. David Campbell, a merchant
and Jay G. Alexander, a retired hard-
ware dealer of Tekoa, were present as
invited guests.Speeches, similar in tone and effect
were made in the Indian tongue by
Chief Pierre Moctine and several sub-
chiefs, and Mr. Campbell, who is ac-
quainted with Chinook dialect, re-
sponded in a 40-minute speech, in
which he expressed his appreciation of
the kindness and courtesy of the hosts
and of the friendly relations which
now exist between the members of the
different races.These feasts have become an annual
event, and Louis, who is considered
quite wealthy has a reputation extend-
ing over the reservation for his gen-
erous hospitality.
— from the Yakima (WA) Herald of June 23, 1909, page 6, column 3
Bonus fact:
Don’t miss clicking on that link to the newspaper page, where you’ll also find the article “Police After All Mashers”. The Yakima cops were promising to jail fellas found hitting on girls and women on the streets, and put the offenders on a chain gang!
PS:
Thanks to Ray Brinkman for confirming that tThis chief Pierre “Moctine” is actually Peter Moctelme. That’s a Coeur d’Alene Salish pronunciation of the baptismal name Bartholomé, from French.
