"Chief Seattle and Angeline," an article by early Seattle
historian Clarence B. Bagley (published in the Washington Historical Quarterly, Volume
22
#4, October, 1931) provides a detailed look at Chief Seattle's life.
Bagley mentions Seattle's father, Schweabe, Seattle's two wives and several
girlfriends, and his daughter, Angeline, by his
first wife. Pioneers erected a monument to Chief Seattle in 1892, after his death,
and estimated the year of his birth to be 1786.
The article describes Seattle's friendship with Doctor
David S. Maynard, considered the founding father of the city of
Seattle. Doc Maynard crossed the plains in 1850, ending up near what is
now Olympia, the state capitol of Washington. Maynard became friends with
Seattle, who told him of a better place than Olympia, with a good harbor.
Bagley writes, "Maynard took Seattle at his word, sold off as far as
he could his stock of merchandise, put the remainder on a scow, and with
an Indian crew and Chief Seattle as pilot, came to the promised land. This
was in the last days of March, 1852….Undoubtedly the friendship of
Doctor Maynard for Chief Seattle led to the bestowment of his name upon
the newly born city."
Bagley quotes Samuel F. Coombs, who describes an "intelligent looking Indian who could speak
English." Bagley says he was told that Seattle became the leader of the six tribes after
raids on Seattle’s tribe by White Rivers Indians in 1800. Bagley also describes the arrival of
Washington
Commissioner (later Governor) Stevens
and Seattle's famous speech to him.
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Statue of Chief Seattle in Seattle's Tilikum Place
Another photo of the statue of Chief Seattle in Tilikum Place
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Bagley also describes Chief Seattle’s religious
conversion. "Through the efforts of the French missionaries Seattle
became a Catholic and inaugurated regular morning and evening prayers in
his tribe, which were continued by his people after his death. He died
June 7, 1866, at the Old Man House from a fever or ague. His funeral was
attended by hundreds of whites from all parts of the sound, and G.A. Meigs,
of the Port Madison mill, closed down the establishment in his honor. He
was buried according to the rites of the Catholic Church with Indian
customs added."
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Sample face created by sculptor James Wehn for the statue of Chief Seattle
in Tilikum Place
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