Portrait of Chief Leschi painted 1950-1960, artist unknown

• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: 1950
• Subjects: Fine arts; 20th century; Native people; 19th century; Hudson; Hudson Bay; Indian
• Online Access: http://cdm16786.contentdm.oclc.org:80/cdm/ref/collection/imlsmohai/id/14454

Leschi was born to Nisqually and Yakama parents and grew up among the Nisqually people. When he was 25 years old, the Hudson Bay Company built a fort at the mouth of the Nisqually River, and soon the HBC was farming throughout the plain. Leschi was working for the HBC in 1848 when Oregon Territory was created. Two years later, the Oregon Donation Land Claim Law authorized homesteads by American settlers on Indian land. Leschi represented his people at the Medicine Creek treaty negotiations and refused to sign the document unless land was set aside for horse pasture and for fishing. His requests were denied, and his "X" mark was forged on the document. Many tribes were bitterly dissatisfied with the treaties and decided to fight with Leschi chosen as war chief. He led well and fought hard against the American settlers and was accused after the war of planning or carrying out the murder of numerous settlers. In 1856, Leschi's nephew betrayed him, and the war chief was taken into custody. After two trials, an appeal, and other delays, Leschi was hung on February 19, 1858. 1 Painting; Materials: oil --cotton; Dimensions: Art: 17.9 in.H x 14.2 in.W Frame: 21.9 in.H x 17.9 in.W