Kanasket (alternately spelled Kanaskat) was a chief of the
Klickitat people. He was present at the signing of the
Treaty of Medicine Creek,
and participated in the
Puget Sound War, fighting against
white settlers and the U.S. Army.
At Medicine Creek, Kanasket protested what he saw as a bad deal for the
Nisqually tribe, and told their chief,
Leschi (c. 1808-1858). Those present told him to leave, stating "You are half-Klickitat; you have nothing to say; the treaty is made."
In September 1855, Kanasket and Chief Leschi met with officials of
Washington Territory at Muckleshoot Prairie, but the outcome is not known. Later, after the start of the Puget Sound War, along with
Quiemuth (half brother of Leschi, c.1798-1856) of the Mishalpam ("
Mashel River
The Mashel River is a river in Pierce County, in the U.S. state of Washington. It is a tributary of the Nisqually River, which it enters about southwest of Eatonville, at Nisqually river mile 39.6.
Course
The Mashel River’s headwaters are ...
People") or Mica'l Band of Nisqually,
Chief Kitsap
Kitsap or Ktsap (died April 18, 1860) was a war chief of the Suquamish Native American tribe. One source says that he was the most powerful chief on Puget Sound from 1790 to 1845. Kitsap County, Washington and the Kitsap Peninsula are named for ...
of the
Muckleshoot, and
Powhowtish, Kanasket was credited with leading a group of 80 warriors that attacked an army camp,
killing Lieutenant William A. Slaughter. In this same attack, two corporals and a private were killed, as well as three privates being wounded.
On February 29, 1856, Kanasket was leading a group towards an army camp at Lemmon's Prairie, when they were spotted by a Private Kehl. Kehl shot Kanasket, who was at the lead of the group. Kanasket was paralyzed from the waist down from being shot in the spine. His companions fled, while he was dragged into the camp. Carrying on him a Kentucky rifle, a spear, and a
butcher knife
A butcher knife or butcher's knife is a knife designed and used primarily for the butchering or dressing of animal carcasses.
Use
Today, the butcher knife is used throughout the world in the meat processing trade. The heftier blade works well f ...
, Kanasket attempted to attack with the knife, but was subdued by two men. When one of the soldiers recognized him, Kanasket said in the
Chinook jargon, "''Kanasket-Tyee-mamalouse nica-nica mamalouse Bostons''" ("I'm Kanasket, chief, kill me, for I kill ''Bostons''"). He reportedly went on to state "My heart is wicked towards the whites, and always will be, and you had better kill me."
Silas Casey ordered that he be hung, and he began to yell out in his own language, and Erasmus Keyes presumed he was yelling for help, as two shots had been fired at the camp, so Corporal O'Shaughnessy shot him in the head.
Legacy
Several places bear Kanasket's name. Washington has a settlement called
Kanaskat, and a nearby state park titled
Kanaskat-Palmer State Park
Kanaskat-Palmer State Park is a Washington state park on the Green River in King County. The park has of river shoreline and offers picnicking, camping, of trails for hiking and biking, expert-level rafting
Rafting and whitewater ...
.
References
{{Reflist
1856 deaths
Native American leaders
People from Washington (state)
Year of birth unknown