Chief Yelleppit of the Walla Wallas

On October 18th, 1805, the captains met the very friendly Chief Yelleppit of the Walla Wallas. They invited the chief to camp with them on the north side of the Columbia River, and he provided them with a basket of mashed berries. Private Cruzatte's fiddle playing around the fire "pleasd and astonished" the Indians.

Lewis and Clark stayed for several days in late April, 1806. Various presents were exchanged and goods traded, and Clark wrote in his journal:

This morning early Yellept brought a very eligant white horse to our camp and presented him to Capt. C. signifying his wish to get a kettle but on being informed that we had already disposed of every kettle we could possibly spear he said he was content with whatever he thought proper to give him. Capt. C. gave him his swoard a hundred balls and powder and some sall articles with which he appeared perfectly satisfyed.

Lewis gave Yellepit a peace medal engraved with a portrait of Thomas Jefferson, to be worn around the neck, and a small American flag. The occasion became festive, with the Walla Wallas and visiting members of the Yakama tribe singing and dancing well past midnight.

The Captains wished to depart as soon as possible, but the Walla Walla Chief was not of a mind to lend them the canoes right away.

...being anxious to depart we requested the Cheif to furnish us with canoes to pass the river, but he insisted on our remaining with him this day at least, that he would be much pleased if we would conset to remain two or three, but he would not let us have canoes to leave him today.

Lewis wrote that the Chief had invited some of the Yakamas (also known as the Chym n�p'-pos) for a celebration that evening.

...that he had sent for the Chym n�p'-pos his neighbours to come down and join his people this evening and dance for us. we urged the necessity of our going on immediately in order that we might the sooner return to them with the articles which they wished but this had no effect, he said that the time he asked could not make any considerable difference. I at length urged that there was no wind blowing and that the river was consequently in good order to pass our horses and if he would furnish us with canoes for that purpose we would remain all night at our present encampment, to this proposition he assented and soon produced us a couple of canoes by means of which we passed our horses over the river safely and hubbled them as usual.

Chief Yelleppit got his party, and Sgt. John Ordway wrote in his journal on the morning of April 28, 1806:

the chief called all his people and told them of the meddicine... which was a great wonder among them & they were much pleased ... the Indians Sent their women to gether wood or Sticks to See us dance this evening. about 300 of the natives assembled to our Camp we played the fiddle and danced a while the head chief told our officers that they Should be lonesome when we left them and they wished to hear once of our meddicine Songs and try to learn it and wished us to learn one of theirs and it would make them glad. So our men Sang 2 Songs which appeared to take great affect on them. they tryed to learn Singing with us with a low voice. the head chief then made a Speech & it was repeated by a warrier that all might hear. then all the Savages men women and children of any Size danced forming a circle round a fire & jumping up nearly as other Indians, & keep time verry well ... they wished our men to dance with them So we danced among them and they were much pleased, and Said that they would dance day and night untill we return. everry fiew minutes one of their warries made a Speech pointing towards the enimy and towards the moon ... which was all repeated by another meddison man with a louder voice as all might hear. the dance continued untill about midnight then the most of them went away peaceable && have behaved verry clever and honest with us as yet, and appear to have a Sincere wish to be at peace and to git acquaintance with us.

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