The Nez Perces Indians

The Nez Peroes Indians occupy a reservation uncommoDly rich in jbirnber, hunting, tilling niid grazing lande, even for an Indian reserve, which is gcnerally a small paradise, the choicest región cwraed by the Government. It contains in the neighborhood of 740,651 acres, and is situatod in Idaho, bctween and embracing the Olearwatei and Salmón rivers. The reservation is surrounded by Indinn tribes which cherish an ancient hatred of the Nez Perces, who a few years ago vanquishcd the encroaching Sioux, and effectually kept at a respeetfnl distance the Flatheads, Snakes or Shoshones, and the formidable Blackfeet and Crows, not to mention other smaller tribes. One of the causes for hatred given by the Nez Perers occurred many years since. ThoSe wHo have rcad Washington Irving's entertaining narrative, " Bonneville's Adventures," will remembra the many narrow escapes the eourageous Captain had f rom predatory bands of Tndians in Iris famous passage of the Imlian country i'rom the Missouri frontic-r to Astoria, at the mouth of the Columbia river, forty years or more ago. The Noz Perces were very friendly to Oapt. Bonnevillo's command, and paid them many graceful atteutions. They fed them Vluii thcy werë at the poiut of starvation, and aetually gave them horses and a guide when they resumed their march across memntain and plain, prairie and clmsm. The neighboring tribes have never forgiven the Nez Perces for aiding and abetting the encroaching march of the white rnen, and hato them for it to this day, though the Nez Perces made theniselves obnoxions in other ways. They were not wanting in barbarity, and could give lessons in roastiug capëves at the stake, the tear-'em-to-pieccu trick, and other cliversions. Of late years they have apparently recovero d f rom their weakness for the pale face and have made trouble for the Government on various occasions ; but, whatever diabolism they may commit withiu their reservaiiou, they are seciirely cagcd withiu itsbonndaries and there is no fear of their escaping, for to do so would be braving the lion's jaws. They are surrounded by their eiiemies of yore. On the gouth are the Bannacks and Shoshones ; on the east aud north, Bannacka, Tlatheads, and Blackfeet ; while on the wooded prairies to the west, in Washington Territory, roam the Pigchous and Walla Wallas. The reservation contains f rom 3,000 to 3,500 Nez Perces and an eqtial number of whites. They are fine specimens of tbc American Indian. Their physiognomy is marked by the Boman nose - the infallible indicator of courage, resolution, and tribular geñce - large eyes, an oval face (flat, I stolid. faces, wi'tK pug noscs, are rare ainong tliem), aud liigli foreheiuls. ín striture they are large and symmetrical, and are athlettc and proficient iii aerobatic sports. They are excellent equesfcrians, and are good warriors. Thoir dress in incongrnous, consi&ting of the Caucasian hat, shirt and coat, and the Indian breechclout, leggings and moccasins. Their mode of living is hunting, fisbing and raising vegetables, all the drudgery and menial labor being performed by the squaws, in oonformity with the recognized ancient Indian custom. The Nez Perces tribe is divided and snbdivided into many rainincations, of one family eack. Eveï-y family - couains, brothers, paren ts, grandparents, etc.- lias a separate camp, governed by a small eilief. ïhe Nez Perces belonged to the Sahaptin family, and called themselves Nnmepo. No better evidence of the progress of the Nez Perces need be given than the f act that school-books and the New Testament liave been printed in their language. The i-escrvation lies in Nez Perces and Shoshone connties, Idaho, Camas prairie, a very rich and desirable expanse of country, being the nucleus of the reservation. This well-kuown. tract is situated on the Salmón river, about sixty miles south of Lewiston, and is about forty miles wide. In summer it is covered T.ith vast herds#of oattlo, driven there to latten ou its lúxuriant herbage. It is occupied by a few large ranches, with an occasional small farm. lts fertility of soil and excellence as a cattle range is attracting many settlers and it is rapidly becomiBja; settled. This is oue of .!ki causes of the present outbreak, as the Lidians rcsent this intrusión.