The above image shows surnames that represent the non-white population of Lewis County, Washington Territory as listed on the census records from 1850 through and including 1880:
An event in the 1870 census taking reveals an interesting story. Cecelia Bercier, a Cowlitz woman, is listed with a “W” for white. But an examination of the “W” reveals that it was sloppily superimposed over an “I” for Indian, which occurred in 47 other places on the Lewis County rolls. The census taker was “beefing up” the territory’s white citizenship count in order to meet the population requirements for statehood.
(see photo attached for additional information)
Most of these names had a “W” superimposed overran “I”. As the territory approached statehood (1889) there were fewer non-whites listed in Lewis County.
The vast majority of these families were listed as residing in the Cowlitz Landing (Toledo) area. Four families (Some of the Gills, Loziers and Berciers) lived near Newaukum in 1870. Three families listed Vancouver as their post office in 1880. Some of the Plamondons, Cottonoirs and Berciers, and Wana Pumphrey with her children, lived near Arkansas Creek (Castle Rock) in 1860. Many of the above family names are those of currently enrolled Cowlitz families.
What is conspicuously absent from these early census rolls covering Lewis County are the full-blood Cowlitz who had taken homesteads along the upper river. These Cowlitz did not appear until the “special” Indian schedule was added to the regular 1890 census, and the census takers were specifically tasked to record Indians, whether citizens or not.
Again, the Lewis County census takers responded with a preconceived bias. They only recorded Indians who were living as whites, mostly on homesteads. They did not record the Cowlitz bands living at the mouth of Tilton Creek, Cowlitz Canyon, Mossy Rock, Prairie, and Nesika.
Homesteading
Near the turn of the 20th century, any Cowlitz seeking to remain at large upon public domain was faced with the proposition of having to move aside for the incoming settlers. If a piece of unclaimed land was available, Indian people had to follow totally unfamiliar procedures in order to gain title according to the relevant homestead laws.
William Yokesnaunt, for one, was forced to relocate twice before he satisfied the appropriate homestead requirements.
Yet, in spite of the drawbacks, the Petawas, Castamas, Kionas, Kinswas, Yowoks (Yokesnaunts), Kimpuses, Ayeils (Iyalls), Eyelys, Spearcahcnens, Santanuses, Jims, Talikicnes, St. Germaines, She-anum-custums and Ikes had all acquired “trust” property under the applicable homestead laws. Bat Kiona, Margaret Eyley, Lucy Castama, Mary St. Germaine and Sally Ike all purchased their homesteads and had them converted to trust or restricted status by the Department of the Interior.
The Archambaults, LaPlantes and the Delannies moved to the San Juan Islands, and the local white population acknowledged the presence of the Cowlitz by naming the local fishing spot “Cowlitz Bay.” It still carries this name on maps today.
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Next week: Gen. Hazard Stevens & Mount Rainier.
