The Appaloosa breed was developed by the Nez Perce Indians after being introduced by the Spanish in the 1500s. Horses were a source of transportation and pride and a measure of wealth for the Indians. Courtesy of UNIVERSITY OF OREGON Visit the Photo Place

Corps settles in with the friendly Nez Perce Series on Web site

Nez Perce Indians prove to be excellent horsemen and breeders. By Bill Speiden

Date published: 6/3/2006

Part 76 of a series

C HOPUNNISH CAMP near present-day Kamiah, Ida- ho: "Chopunnish" was Lewis and Clark's name for the Nez Perce. One speculation of the source is that it was an adulteration of the Salish (tribe's) name for Nez Perce, which meant "those people who live to the south."

The Nez Perce were about 4,000 people and had the largest horse herds in the area. It was not unusual for an individual to have his own herd of 80 to 100 horses. Not only were they expert horseback riders, they were also excellent horse breeders who perfected the Appaloosa breed.

The Nez Perce were being continually attacked by the Black Feet and Atsina, who were better armed. In dealing with the captains, they initially agreed to go to Washington if the Americans could deliver arms to them.

On prompting from the captains, the Nez Perce did agree to make peace with the Shoshoni. They agreed only because they had recently killed a number of Shoshoni in revenge for the Shoshoni having killed a peace party they had sent to work out a treaty.

From the Journals, week of May 15, 1806

MAY 15: "Strengthened our little fortification with pine poles and brush the party formed themselves very comfortable tents with willow poles and grass in the form of an orning of a wagon, these made perfectly secure as well from sun as from rain. we had a bower constructed under which we set by day sleep under part of an old sail now our only tent " --Capt. Lewis

MAY 16: "A little after dark [Pvt. George] Shannon and [Pvt. Francois Labiche] Labuish returned with one deer; they informed us that game was wild and scarce, that a large creek ran parallel with the river at the distance of 5-6 miles beyond this creek the Indians inform us that there is a great abundance of game " --Capt. Lewis

To see the entire "Lewis and Clark This Week" series on The Free Lance-Star's Web site, visit fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/ Projects/2005/lewis_and_clark.

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Date published: 6/3/2006