Clallam Tribe

Clallam Indians (strong people). A Salish tribe living on the south side of Puget Sound, Washington, formerly extending from Port Discovery to Hoko River, being bounded at each end by the Chimakum and Makah. Subsequently they occupied Chimakum territory and established a village at Port Townsend. A comparatively small number found their way across to the south end of Vancouver Island, and according to Kane there was a large village on Victoria harbor.  They are said to be more closely related to the Songish than to any other tribe. Their villages were: Elwha, Hoko, Huiauulch, Hunnint, Kahtai, Kaquaith, Klatlawas (extinct), Pistchin (extinct), Sequim, Stehtlum, Tsako, Tsewhitzen, Tsitsukwich, and Yennis. Eleven villages were enumerated by Eells in 1886, but only 3 Elwha, Pistchin, and Sequim are spoken of under their native names. Pop. 800 in 1854, according to Gibbs. There were 336 on Puyallup res., Wash., in 1904, 248 at Jamestown and 88 at Port Gamble.

Cheetsamahoin – The Duke Of York

The Duke Of York – Cheetsamahoin, who was usually styled His Royal Highness, the Duke of York, appears to have been hereditary chief of the tribe of the Clallams, who occupy the land at the mouth of the Strait of Fuca on the south side. He was an able, faithful ruler, and highly esteemed by the Whites. As early as 1854, he was officially appointed head chief of his tribe by Governor Stevens through the agent, Michael T. Simmons. He held this office and performed its duties with vigor and fidelity until, in 1870, he was found to be growing too old and infirm for its active obligations, and by Agent Eells was at that time constituted a sort of honorary chief, whose counsels were to be respected. He was a good, faithful man, and doubtless saved many lives by his honest adherence to our government. He died a few years ago at a great age, and was followed to his grave by a great concourse of people of both the white and Indian races.


Collection:
Hodge, Frederick Webb, Compiler. The Handbook of American Indians North of Mexico. Bureau of American Ethnology, Government Printing Office. 1906.

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