Qualchan facts for kids
Qualchan (died September 24, 1858) was a brave leader of the Yakama people in the 1800s. He took part in the Yakima War alongside his cousin, Chief Kamiakin, and other tribal leaders.
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Who Was Qualchan?
His Family and Training
Qualchan was born into the We-ow-icht family. This family was believed to have a special connection to the stars. His spirit power, like his father Owhi's, was the mist. Owhi was a War Chief of the Yakamas.
Qualchan grew up in the Upper Yakima Valley. He, his family, and friends traveled widely across the Pacific Northwest. They went over the Cascade Mountains to what is now Seattle. They also crossed the Columbia River to the area now known as Portland. Qualchan was trained to be a warrior by his father and uncles.
Early Conflicts
In 1855, Yakama leaders met with the United States at the Walla Walla council. They warned the U.S. not to settle more of their lands. Soon after, Qualchan and five others were involved in the deaths of six miners on the Yakima River.
On September 23, U.S. Indian Agent Andrew Bolon was traveling. He was going to talk about the miner incident with Kamiakin. Bolon was attacked by a group of Yakama and died. Some people at the time, like A.J. Splawn, believed another person named Me-cheil was responsible. Me-cheil was also a nephew of Kamiakin.
Fighting for His People
After these events, U.S. authorities wanted to capture Qualchan. He and his father, Owhi, fought against the United States Army for more than three years. This was a type of fighting called guerrilla warfare.
Qualchan often attacked prospectors and miners. He would sell their supplies in places like The Dalles, Oregon to get weapons and fabric. In March 1856, he and Chief Leschi led an attack. They fought against militiamen at Connell's Prairie but were forced to retreat.
A Demand for Surrender
By 1858, the U.S. Army was determined to stop the fighting. On June 18, 1858, William W. Mackall, an army officer, sent a message. He stated that Kamiakin and Qualchan could not stay free. He said they must surrender or be driven away. He also warned that anyone helping them would be seen as an enemy.
The Final Meeting
After a difficult event called the Horse Camp Slaughter, Owhi, Qualchan's father, went to meet Colonel George Wright. Owhi wanted to talk about peace. But during the meeting, he was captured and put in chains. Colonel Wright told Owhi that if Qualchan did not surrender within four days, Owhi would be hanged. Wright said he would send a message to Qualchan, but Native witnesses said no message was ever sent.
However, Qualchan did appear at Colonel Wright's tent. He came with his wife, Whist-alks, and his brother, Lo-Kout. Some people think Qualchan did not know his father was a prisoner. They believe he might have been sent by Kamiakin to find out how the Yakama would be treated if they surrendered.
Records from Colonel Wright state, "Qualchan came to see me at 9 o'clock, at 9:15 he was hung." Other accounts later claimed Qualchan spoke against Kamiakin before he died, but his family members who were alive at the time disagreed with this. Qualchan's father, Owhi, was shot several days later while trying to escape.
Qualchan's Legacy
- Qualchan had two younger brothers, Lo-kout and Les-high-hite. He also had several sisters: Wah-yah-kon, Quo-mollah, Sah-mah-yas, Si-en-wat, San-clow (Mary Moses), and Yam-kumkt.
- Chief Moses married Qualchan's sister Quo-mollah. After her death, he married San-clow. San-clow, who lived until 1939, shared her memories in a book called Mary Moses's Statement.
- The creek officially known as Hangman Creek by the United States Geological Survey is also called Latah Creek. This name comes from Qualchan's execution.
- Qualchan is a character in a short story written by the author Sherman Alexie.
