A Pioneer's 40-Year Fight for Land the Indian Wars Took

The many hardships borne by the white settlers of this city and White River valley by the Indian wars of 1855-56 are forcefully recalled by a petition filed in the land office by Isaiah W. Bryant, asking that his donation claim rights be allowed. Mr. Bryant represents that he and his brother, Abraham F. Bryant, deceased, took claims at the junction of the White and Black rivers, but were forced to leave through the hostilities of the Indians; when peace was restored they were unable to return owing to straightened circumstances. The brothers now ask that the government settle those old Indian claims, so long pigeon-holed.

In relating his experiences Isaiah Bryant says that he was born July 23, 1830, in Fountain county, Indiana, and when a young man moved to Sacramento, Cal. July 5, 1854, he left California for Washington territory to find his brother, who he believed was there and who had taken a donation claim in the White River valley. He traveled through San Francisco, where he deposited $350—all the means he had, except a few dollars for contingent expenses—to be shipped to Olympia to his brother Abraham.

'On the evening of July 31, 1854, I arrived at the mouth of the Cowlitz river and alone and on foot commenced to walk my way toward the interior, following such trails as I could find. On my way I was stopped by Indians who acted in any but a friendly manner, and when, after five long days of tramping, I reached the cabin of William H. Brannan at the junction of the White and Green rivers, I was destitute and utterly exhausted.

'The same night that I reached the cabin five Indians, one of whom I afterward found out to be Chief Kitsap, came in. They remained about five hours and then took their departure. I recognized them as the same men who had interrupted my journey, but dared not say anything to Mr. Brannan until they had gone.

'The following day I made my way down the White river in a canoe to the forks of the White and Black rivers, where I found my brother Abraham, with whom I commenced work upon his claim just below the forks of the river.

'August 30, 1854, I purchased William H. Brannan's interest for $35 in kind near the forks of the White and Black rivers, of which the Black river formed the north boundary. The land had been improved somewhat, but I extended the work by slashing and clearing. I also built a house, 12 by 14 feet, with split boards, and then put in a garden, from which I raised vegetables. Then I had the land surveyed by William A. Stricker, paying him $5 for the work, and also a small plat. April 6, 1855, I appeared before Justice of the Peace C. C. Lewis and made oath to my notification for filing on my claim, and on April 9, 1855, I personally mailed at Seattle my notification to the land office at Olympia.

'During all this year 1855 much uneasiness was prevalent through the district from fear of an attack and outbreak by Native people, who, it was commonly reported, were committing depredations upon the person and property of white settlers. September 26, 1855, I, in company with others, went to Seattle and commenced immediately to build a fort for protection. After this I was one of a party who went out to render such assistance as we could to settlers up the White river. I made several attempts to reach my claim to obtain some of my personal effects, but the routes were full of Native fighters and it was more than any man's life was worth to make the trip. Even an attempt to bury some of those whom we believed to have been killed was frustrated by the presence and tactics of the hostile tribes.

'I was now practically without means, as the money I had transmitted from California to my brother had never been obtained, although we had been to Olympia after it. The failure of the Adams Express Company ended all prospects and hope of obtaining the payment, and neither I nor my brother have ever received a cent.

'From the time of my location on land until I was forced to flee or be murdered, I was in continuous occupation, with the exception of twenty days when I and others were cutting and opening what is now known as the Snoqualmie pass, for the purpose of inducing immigration to come direct to this part of the country instead of by the way of Portland. All of this work was done without compensation or money consideration.

'I waited about Seattle in the hope of being able to get back to my claim until the middle of November, 1855, when, seeing no hope—the entire settlement having been driven out and the military force of the United States proving unable to drive out the unfriendly natives, owing to the woods and rough condition of the country—I and my brother left for California and went into the mines. It was impossible to get employment in Seattle, and our means were nearly exhausted.

'From that time up to the present I have been constantly waiting for some action by the government to give me some means whereby I could repossess myself of my donation claim. But it was impossible to do it within the time originally granted to donation claimants—four years—and it was impracticable in many instances, among which was mine, for many years thereafter. Nor was the land surveyed by the government until some time in 1861. No act had been passed to my knowledge which would cause me to take any action since the hostile tribes forced me from my claim until the act of 1890 prescribing limitations of completion of title to lands disposed of under the donation law was approved. I immediately placed my claim before the general land department, although even now the instructions of that department have not been received at the Seattle office. With these facts and others I can prove, I ask for relief.'

The brother, Abraham F. Bryant, died at York, Neb., November 5, 1894, leaving four children: Frank C. Bryant, Sophia Bryant, Kate Bryant, now the wife of Scott Steele, and Ines B. Bryant, now the wife of Edward W. Steele.

In this connection the Portland Telegram recalled the anniversary of the battle of Seattle. W. H. Mitchell, then deputy sheriff of Thurston county, had been present when the frontier village was attacked. His wife, formerly Martha Johns, was in the blockhouse and saw Milton G. Holgate shot. Mitchell, who volunteered as executioner of Chief Leschi, recalled that the chief had led the attack and taken an active part in the White river massacre.