Sealth and Angeline
By MISS E. I. DENNY, of Seattle
ACCUSTOMED as we are to hear these two famous names prefixed by "old," it may require a little effort to think of them as once having been young,
"In a far-off time,
That golden mist of distance doth enfolden,
They were in their prime."
In such a time Sealth was a young "tyee" of the Soljampsh Indians of Puget Sound, possessed of a vigorous physique, a keen eye, an unerring hand. In common with other Indian lads, he had learned wood, water and hunting craft. He became an important figure in his world of wild nature and wild men. As time went on he married, obtained slaves, became rich, a "hyas tyee" (big chief). Sealth had more than one wife, and three sons and five daughters. Schweabe, a tall Soljampsh chief, was Sealth's father. Woodsholitza, a Duwampsh woman, was his mother. Of them but little is known. In his dealings with the white race, Chief Sealth was just, peaceable and generous. He was known to the pioneers as the chief of a number of tribes, and as exercising considerable influence, mainly by his oratory. When the roving bands drew up their long, dark canoes to the pebbled beach, Sealth's majestic voice rang out in power and convincing argument on the listening ears of warrior braves gathered about the council fire. He was not a great fighter, although he made several war expeditions upon his enemies in which he was successful.
During the Indian war of 1855-6 Sealth was friendly to the whites, and counseled his people to keep the peace.
The pioneers modified the name of Sealth to Seattle, generally speaking of him as "Old Seattle." The honor and esteem in which he was held found expression in the naming of the newly platted "town" of Seattle in 1852. Chief Sealth, baptized Noah Sealth, died and was buried at Port Madison reservation, being of the (supposed) age of 80 years. A beautiful monument of Italian marble, provided by A. A. Denny and other prominent pioneers of Seattle, marks his resting place.
Of Chief Sealth's descendants, his daughter, Ka-ki-is-il-ma, called Angeline by the whites, is the best known. Her mother was the first wife of Sealth. There is only a meager account of her mother, who must have died some time previous to the coming of the white people. And the grown-up young Ka-ki-is-il-ma, with smooth brown cheeks, round limbs, bright, full eyes, abundant hair, sound white teeth; how different from the one we have known! Wrinkled, leathery, lame, poor old Angeline!
Do-kub-kun, the Skagit chief, came from the northward, to place the courtship poles against her father's wigwam at Sma-qua-mox (Alki Point) on
