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SEATTLE. - Without doubt this chief was
the most conspicuous member of that portion of his race inhabiting Puget
Sound. he was the ruler of the Duwamish tribe from the time of the
earliest settlement of the territory to his death. He was always the firm
friend of the Whites, never heeding, but to refuse, the frequent
importunities of his people to join the hostile bands. When taunted for
this as cowardice, he replied that when there was cause for shedding blood
they would find him on the war path night and day. In after years his
traducers expressed their gratification that his hand, had not been
stained with the blood of the Whites. In personal appearance Seattle was short, spare, round-shouldered, with a large head adorned with masses of long, black hair. His dress was usually neat and clean, consisting of shirt, pantaloons, |
| and blanket loosely thrown over his shoulder. He commonly wore a high peaked hat of native manufacture. The death of this good-hearted old man occurred in 1866, at an unknown though doubtless great age. He was buried in accordance with the rites of the Catholic church in a cemetery near his village of "Old-man House." His grave is well kept by his descendants, while all the early white settlers join with his own people in revering his memory. As may be readily surmised, the name of the Queen City of the Sound is derived from that of this chief. | |
