Chief Seattle

Chief Seattle was born on Blake Island on Puget Sound in 1786. His father was Chief Schweabe of the Suquamish Indians.

On September 28, 1851 pioneers landed at Alki Point near present day Seattle. The english speaking settlers found Chief Seattle's name (Sealth) difficult to say so the renamed him Seattle.

The new settlers and Chief Seattle's tribe lived a very peaceful life together. The settler's thought so much of Seattle that they named their new community after him.

In 1854, Chief Seattle made a speech to Washington Terrtorial Govenor Issac Stevens, a plea for his people and land. Dr. Henry J. Smith was on hand to translate and had a penchent for florid victorian poetry. The speech didn't appear to the public until 30 years after the event happened, and has appeared often since then with every writer adding a little of their own embellishments along the way. What Chief Seattle actually said on that day may never be known.

The peace was broken in 1855 when a tribe from the White River District rebelled over an unfair treaty. Chief Seattle remained a loyal friend of the settler's and encouraged other natives to do the same.

In later years he was bapitized and adopted the Christian name of Noah. His last years were spent peacefully at Fort Madison Reservation and Agate Point on Bainbridge Island.

Chief Seattle passed on in 1866 at the age of 80.