Kooskia, Idaho
Kooskia, at the eastern edge of the Nez Perce Reservation, has a visitor's kiosk where murals tell the story of the Nez Perce flight of 1877.
After the raids on the Salmon River, the Tolo Lake council broke up and Chief Looking Glass led his band back to their home village near present-day Kooskia, Idaho, hoping to avoid conflict with the U. S. Army. This village was on the reservation so he and his people were abiding by the treaty. General Howard, however, believed that Looking Glass intended to join with the “non-treaty” bands and so...
"With a view of preventing the completion of this treachery, I sent Captain Whipple, commanding his own and Winter’s companies, and the Gatling guns, with instructions to make a forced march, surprise and capture this chief and all that belonged to him.”
– General Oliver O. Howard, August 27, 1877
As the U.S. Army approached, Chief Looking Glass raised a white flag and tried to parley with Captain Stephen Whipple. The negotiations had hardly begun when some soldiers opened fire. The unprovoked attack convinced Chief Looking Glass that there was no way peace could be had and so he resolved to join with the other “nontreaty” Nez Perce bands.
Credits and Sources:
NPNHT Auto Tour Route 1 Brochure
