The TRAVELER'S JOURNAL, June twenty-eighth, following the Nez Perce Trail.

One hundred twenty-five years ago, war clouds were billowing over the Wallowa valley, along what is now the Oregon/Idaho border. The high, fertile prairie was home to a tribe of Native Americans whom French trappers called Nez Perce. For eight decades since the tribe had rescued the Lewis and Clark expedition, they'd co-existed peacefully with settlers, fishing, trapping and raising their fine horses. Even years after other Nez Perce tribes were forced onto reservations, this group ignored Federal edicts to leave their happy valley.

But in June 1877, the chiefs ran out of options. Horses were gathered, tepees packed and a thousand men, women and children began a slow migration eastward. But when angry young warriors took revenge on several settler families, the calvary was called in. For the next four months, the tribe retreated, the army nipping at its heels. They headed east, over the Bitterroot Mountains, then south through the Yellowstone Valley and finally north toward Canada, frequently engaged by but always out-maneuvering the pursuing soldiers. But on September 30th, the Nez Perce were trapped. The tribe held out for a week but finally had to surrender. "My heart is sick and sad," their Chief Joseph said, "I will fight no more forever."

Two sites in Idaho and Montana have been set aside as Nez Perce National Historical Park, and 38 locations along their 1200 mile escape route have been designated a national historic trail. A variety of events are planned to commemorate this summer's 125th anniversary.

FMI For information contact Nez Perce National Historic Park, Spalding, ID 208-843-2261 or www.pps.gov/nepe. For info on the Nez Perce Trail, www.fs.fed.us/npnht

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