Condition of the California Indians in 1890
Condition of the California Indians in 1890
California
1890 California Indian Population and Reservations
In 1890, California’s Native American population was recorded in both the general census and a special census focused on reservations. The census data identified 11,517 self-supporting, taxed Native Americans living across various counties, primarily in Northern and Central California. Additionally, 5,064 Native Americans living on reservations, who were not included in the general census, were recorded separately. These populations were grouped under several agencies, including the Mission-Tule Consolidated Agency and the Round Valley Agency, each managing various tribes and reservations. This data provides a detailed view of the distribution and classification of California’s Native American population during this period, highlighting the diverse tribal affiliations and the distinctions between reservation and non-reservation communities.
Marriage to Velma Yarborough
I had went with several girls but had not given much thought about marriage. Doubt I would ever have married as long as my mother lived. I was going with Velma YARBOROUGH. We got married in September [1920]. Dad and I made a good crop. We thrashed 1300 bushels of oats. Our corn and cotton was good. But we just got one load packed while the price was good then it got so low it would not pay for the picking. We left it in the field. I had 25 head of cattle, yearlings in pasture. They were outside on … Read more
Yukian Indians
Yukian Family, Yuki Tribe, Yuki Indians (adapted from Wintun Yuki, ‘enemy’. Kroeber). A linguistic family in north California, comprising only the Yuki, divided into several tribes or groups speaking several dialects. Apparently they had no common name of their own. Though the territory of the Yuki was very small, it was divided into three detached areas, one about the present Round Valley Reservation and south thereof; another west of this, along the coast, and a third some distance to the south in the mountains dividing Sonoma from Napa and Lake Counties. The greater part of the family was comprised within … Read more
Yurok Tribe
Yurok Indians (from Karok yuruk, ‘downstream’). A tribe living on lower Klamath River, California, and the adjacent coast constituting the Weitspekan linguistic family. They have no name for themselves other than Olekwo’l (‘persons’), sometimes written Alikwa. The territory of the Yurok extended from Bluff Creek 6 miles above the mouth of the Trinity, down Klamath River to its mouth, and on the coast from beyond Wilson creek, 6 miles north of the mouth of the Klamath, too probably Shad river. Their settlements in the valley were confined closely to the river, and those along the coast were close to the … Read more
Salinan Family
Salinan Family. A linguistic stock of California, named by Latham (1856) and Powell (1891) from Salinas river. The Salinan Indians inhabited parts of San Luis Obispo, Monterey, and perhaps San Benito Counties, their territory extending from the sea to the main ridge of the Coast range and from the head of the Salinas drainage to a short distance above Soledad. Little is known about them; no name for themselves as a body, for their language, or for any division, either in their own or in any other Indian language, is known; nor is it known what any such divisions may … Read more
Chowchilla Tribe
Chowchilla Indians. A name applied in various forms to two distinct divisions of California, one belonging to the Miwok (Moquelumnan family), the other to the Yokuts (Mariposan family). The former lived on the upper waters of Fresno and Chowchilla rivers, and the latter, properly called Chaushila, probably on lower Chowchilla river, in the plains and lowest foothills. Recorded under many forms of the same name from the time of the gold excitement, the two divisions have been inextricably confused. A treaty was made with them and numerous other tribes Apr. 29, 1851, by which a tract between Chowchilla and Kaweah … Read more
Shoshone or Snake Indians
The various tribes and bands of Indians of the Rocky Mountains, south of latitude 43°, who are known under this general name, occupy the elevated area of the Utah basin. They embrace all the territory of the Great South Pass between the Mississippi Valley and the waters of the Columbia, by which the land or caravan communication with Oregon and California is now, and is destined hereafter to be, maintained. Traces of them, in this latitude, are first found in ascending the Sweetwater River of the north fork of the Platte, or Nebraska. They spread over the sources of the … Read more
Gold Deposits of California
1. The discovery of gold in California makes the year 1848 an era in the history of that country. It was accidentally found, in the Spring season, in the diluvial soil, by some persons digging the sluiceway for a mill. Specimens of the various kinds of the metal and its matrix were forwarded to the War Department by the chief military officer in command, in the month of August. These specimens were not received at the War-Office till early in December. I examined them in the library of that office, on the 8th of that month. They consisted of thirteen … Read more
Modoc Indians
The Modoc Indians, whose name derives from “M6atokni” meaning “southerners,” were originally located around Little Klamath Lake, Tule Lake, Lost River Valley, and surrounding areas. Along with the Klamath, the Modoc formed the Lutuamian division of the Shapwailutan linguistic stock. The Modoc are historically significant for their resistance during the Modoc War of 1872-73, led by Chief Kintpuash, also known as Captain Jack. After a series of conflicts with white settlers and the U.S. government, the Modoc were forcibly relocated, with some placed on the Quapaw Reservation in Oklahoma and others on the Klamath Reservation in Oregon. Despite their small numbers, the Modoc are remembered for their determined defense in the rugged lava beds of northern California and have left a lasting legacy through various place names across the United States.
Klamath Indians
Klamath Indians were located on Upper Klamath Lake, Klamath Marsh, and Williamson and Sprague Rivers in Oregon.
Western Shoshoni Indians
Western Shoshoni Indians. Central and western Idaho, northwestern Utah, central and northeastern Nevada, and a small territory in California north of and about Death and Panamint Valleys.
Miss Constance G. Du Bois, Interested in the Mission Indians of California
The Mission Indians Of California. We regret that no satisfactory provision seems to be made for the pressing need of homes for the Mission Indians of California. Our inquiries lead us to the belief that the cessation of all attempts (some four or five years ago) to continue the work of surveying and allotting the land belonging to the Mission Indians was needless, and not for good reason. We think that the surveying and allotting for these Indians should be at once resumed and the work carried forward and completed in California. The Chair introduced Miss Constance G. Du Bois … Read more
Native American Cemeteries
Native American Cemeteries offers an extensive and detailed list of all known Indian cemeteries across the United States and Canada. This resource is dedicated to cemeteries that have significant concentrations of Native American and First Nation burials. While it is true that Native Americans and First Nation Peoples are often interred in general cemeteries, this page focuses specifically on those burial grounds where Native heritage is prominently represented.
Salinan Indians
Salinan Indians – From Salinas River which drains most of their territory. Salinan Connections. Formerly considered a distinct linguistic stock, they are now connected with the Hokan linguistic family. Salinan Location. From the headwaters of the Salinas, or perhaps only from the vicinity of the Santa Margarita Divide, north to Santa Lucia Peak and an unknown point in the valley somewhere south of Soledad; and from the sea presumably to the main crest of the Coast Range. Salinan Subdivisions On linguistic grounds the Salinan have been divided into the San Miguel Salinas on the upper course of Salinas River, the … Read more
Yurok Indians
Yurok – Signifying “downstream” in the language of the neighboring Karok. Also called: Kiruhikwak, by the Shasta of Salmon River. Weitchpec, a name sometimes locally used, especially in Hupa and Karok territory, to which Weichpec is at present the nearest Yurok village. Yurok Connections. The Yurok were originally regarded as an independent stock, later combined with the Wiyot into the Ritwan family, and still later identified by Kroeber and Sapir as a part of the great Algonquian family of the east. This last identification has not, however, met with entire acceptance. Yurok Location. On the lower Klamath River and along … Read more
Wappo Indians
Wappo. An Americanization of Spanish Guapo. “brave,” given them on account of their stubborn resistance to Spanish military aggression. Also called: Ash-o-chl-mi, a name given by Powers (1877). Soteomellos or Sotomieyos, names given by Taylor (1860-63). Wappo Connections. The Wappo language constituted a very divergent form of speech of the Yukian linguistic family. Wappo Location. On the headwaters of Napa River and Pope and Putah Creeks, and a stretch of Russian River. Wappo Subdivisions and Villages Following are their dialectic divisions and the villages in each, the names in italic being principal towns in as many village communities: Southern Wappo: … Read more
Wiyot Indians
Wiyot. Properly the name of one of the three Wiyot districts but extended by most of their neighbors over the whole people. Also called: Dilwishne, Sinkyone name. Humboldt Bay Indians, popular term. Sulatelik, used by the Wiyot to designate their language, and approaching a tribal designation in its usage. Wishosk, probably a misapplication of the Wiyot name for their Athapascan neighbors. Wiyot Connections. In the Powellian classification the Wiyot were given an independent position as the Wishoskan stock. Later California investigators combined them with the Yurok under the name Ritwan but still later believed that they had established a relationship … Read more
Yokuts Indians
Yokuts – The name for “person,” or “people,” in many of the dialects of the group. Also called: Mariposan, a name derived from Mariposa County, and applied to the stock to which these people were originally assigned by Powell. Noche, a name used by Games in 177576 (1900). Yokuts Connections. The Yokuts were originally considered a distinct linguistic family but have now been made a part of the large Penutian stock. Yokuts Location. – On the entire floor of San Joaquin Valley from the mouth of San Joaquin River to the foot of Tehachapi, and the adjacent lower slopes or … Read more
Serrano Indians
Serrano Indians – A Spanish word, meaning “mountaineers.” Also called: Banumints, Chemehuevi name. Ców-ang-a-chem, own name (Barrows 1900). Cuabajái, applied by Mohave to those about Tejon Creek. Genigueches, by Games in 1776. Gikidanum, or Gitanemuk, Serrano of upper Tejon and Paso Creeks in the San Joaquin Valley drainage. Hanakwiche, by some Yuman tribes. Hanyuveche, Mohave name. Kaiviat-am, given by a native as their own name, from kai-ch, “mountain.” Kuvahaivima, Mohave name for those about Tejon Creek. Marangakh, by their southern and other neighbors. Marayam, Luisefio name. Mayintalap, southern Yokuts name for Serrano of upper Tejon, Paso, and possibly Pastoria Creeks, … Read more