< WAR CHIEF PAULINA >
The meanest, most murderous and one of
the cleverest Indians in Oregon's early settlement days was Chief Paulina.
Paulina was a renegade Snake Indian from the Walapi tribe. There are some
who will say he was a Paiute, but no matter, he was feared by the white man and
other Indians as well. Back in the day, in the mid 1850's to 1860's there
were many Native Americans who did not wish to treaty with the whites, coming in
ever increasing numbers to the Oregon Territory. Tea-nan'ad, roughly translated
to Buffalo Brush, as he was known in his native language, was one who would not
hold to any peace
treaties. He maintained a residence, in a
lava labyrinth called Skull
Hollow, a basalt maze. Unfortunate victims would be relieved of their
heads, only later to be posted on a spear, at the entrance of the hideout.
This served as an effective rendition of an Indian No Trespassing Sign, as there
were many heads on display. He made war on less hostile tribes such as the
Chinook Indians as well as the Modocs, who certainly were no friends of the
whites either. It is said that Paulina, nobody is really sure where this
name came from and there are several versions of it, found the killing to his
liking and that it became an end in itself. For nearly ten years he raided
up and down the Central Oregon territory, ranging from the Klamath basin, up
past Madras and east beyond Prineville, out to Canyon City. To get the rest of
this story and many more, join us on the Paulina Plunge!
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