Yellow Bird (Walla Walla leader) facts for kids
Piupiumaksmaks (also known as Peo-peo-mox-mox or Peopeomoxmox) was an important leader of the Walla Walla people. He was born around 1800 and passed away in 1855. His father, Tumatapum, was also a chief before him. Piupiumaksmaks's name meant Yellow Bird. However, Europeans often misunderstood it and called him Yellow Serpent.
A Leader's Life
Early Meetings
While staying at Fort Hall, Piupiumaksmaks met a missionary named Jason Lee. Piupiumaksmaks gave Lee two horses after seeing his medical skills. Later, Piupiumaksmaks sent his oldest son, Toayahnu, to be educated at the Methodist Mission in Oregon. His son was given the Christian name Elijah Hedding.
Journey to California
In late 1844, Piupiumaksmaks led the first Walla Walla trip. About 40 men from the Walla Walla, Nez Perce, and Cayuse tribes, along with their families, traveled to New Helvetia in California. They went there to trade horses for cattle.
During this trip, they found horses that had been stolen. A disagreement happened with one of Sutter's workers, and sadly, this led to the death of Piupiumaksmaks's son, Toayahnu.
A Respected Chief
In 1853, Isaac Stevens met Piupiumaksmaks while exploring a route for a railway. Stevens noted that the chief had a "dignified manner." At that time, Piupiumaksmaks owned more than 2,000 horses and many cattle. He also had a farm near Fort Nez Percés.
In early 1846, some settlers in Sacramento worried that a large group of Walla Walla warriors would invade. However, Piupiumaksmaks returned with only 40 warriors. He made it clear that his intentions were peaceful. He spoke with Joseph Warren Revere, who was leading volunteers in New Helvetia. Piupiumaksmaks explained:
I have come from Oregon with no plans to fight. We have come to hunt animals and to trade our horses for cattle. My people need cattle, and there are not as many in Oregon as in California. I have also come, as our tribes do, to visit the grave of my poor son, Elijah, who died because of a white man. But I have not traveled this far only to be sad. I want fairness!
The group returning from California also carried measles. This disease began to spread across the Columbia Plateau. The spread of this disease among the Cayuse was a sad event that caused many problems, leading to the Whitman Massacre.
Efforts for Peace
Piupiumaksmaks was present at the 1855 treaty council during the time of the Yakima War. As the war began, his village was near the mouth of the Touchet River. When an American military unit advanced, he offered himself as a hostage. He hoped this would help end the conflict.
The Walla Walla people camped nearby waited for Five Crows, the Head Chief of the Cayuse, to arrive. Five Crows was Piupiumaksmaks's brother-in-law and the half-brother of Tuekakas (Old Chief Joseph) of the Nez Perce. They wanted to decide whether to fight or not. The next morning, Piupiumaksmaks met with one of his sons. He advised that they should choose a peaceful path.
Sadly, during the first day of the Battle of Walla Walla, on December 7, Piupiumaksmaks died. He was killed by the Oregon Volunteers who were holding him.
