Wapatoj

Transcribed from "History of North Washington, an illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties", published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.

JOHN WAPATO is certainly to be classed as one of the most progressive men of the Lake Chelan country. For about four score years he has resided in this vicinity and has always been an active and energetic man, laboring for the welfare of his people and for their advancement. He was chief of the Entiat Indians and held his position by reason of real merit. In his earlier days, he desired to become more acquainted with the civilization the whites were bringing in, and therefore went to the Willamette valley and became well skilled in farming and other important industries. During those years he was called Jack almost universally. Returning to the Columbia river in the vicinity of Chelan county, he established a horse and cattle ranch. He there married Madeline, a woman of his tribe. To this union the following children were born: Charles, Sylvester, Peter, Mary, Mary Ann, and Louis. The last one was drowned in the Columbia river. In addition to stock raising, Mr. Wapato gave considerable attention to mining on the Columbia river and when the Chinese settled there and began mining, he operated a pack train from Walla Walla, bringing all their supplies for them. Later, he turned his attention to farming and was the first Indian who planted crops and the first one to raise potatoes here. The Chinook word for potato is Wapato on account of which the chief received his name, John Wapato. In addition to the interests already named, Mr. Wapato started a trading post on the Columbia river twelve miles from Lake Chelan. He bought furs from the Indians, trading them stock and so forth, then sold his furs to the Hudson's Bay Company. When the terrible earthquakes occurred in those days which threw the mountain in the Columbia river in this vicinity, Mr. Wapato was a witness to the upheaval. It raised the river over fifty feet before the obstruction was cut out. When Chief Moses arranged with the government for the reservation on Lake Chelan, Mr. Wapato moved on to the reservation from his former place on account of the superior range for cattle and other advantages. He was allotted a section of land and at once began the cultivation of the same, packing the seed from Walla Walla. During the various uprisings of the Indians throughout the northwest in the past four score years, this worthy man has never taken any part, always raising his voice for peace. He is a devoted member of the Catholic church and a highly esteemed man. It is evident from the foregoing that John Wapato has performed a noble life work and has shown ability and executive force equaled by few.