Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Two Colville tribal chiefs returned from a trip to Washington, D.C., where they asked for – and received, in some cases – help with some urgent problems.

Chief David Williams, the successor of Chief Moses, said, “We asked for what was right. … We asked that the practices of putting our women and girls in jail for the slightest provocation, without notifying their husbands or parents, be stopped. We want the same rights and privileges as our white brothers.”

He also asked for help to run the reservation’s sawmill and blacksmith shop at Nespelem. One man was running both, with the result that it was taking two or three days for repairs to be made. 

Chief Charley Yet-o-Mosit made several requests, including for a younger doctor to serve his people. Their current doctor was old and unable to make “long rides over rough mountain trails.” The chief also asked for the continuation of the Fourth of July celebration at Nespelem.

Both requests were granted. Government agents had earlier threatened to ban the celebration. 

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1950: President Harry S. Truman formally dedicated the Grand Coulee Dam.