"Leschi: Justice In Our Time, Leschi on Trial"

Prominent individuals caught up in the conflict

Nisqually Indian relationships with the Hudson Bay Trading Company

The circumstances leading to heightened hostilities

The events of the Indian Wars

A Nisqually leader is tried for murder

The legend continues into the present

Teacher's Guide: Lesson Plans, Learning Requirements, etc

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The Indian Wars end and Leschi is a wanted man. Betrayed by his nephew, Sluggia, for a reward of 50 blankets, he is captured on Nov. 13, 1856 and put on trial for the murder of A. Benton Moses, a militia soldier killed during the Connell's Prairie battle.

Sluggia's Betrayal Why did he turn his uncle in?

According to family stories, Sluggia coveted Leschi's youngest wife Mary, whose rejection may have contributed to his resentment towards his uncle.. Animosity over Leschi's refusal to allow the slaying of women and children during the war may have been another motivation...

Leschi's First Trial The jury was unable to reach a verdict - why?

Where the death penalty is involved, as it was in this case, the jurors must come to a unanimous decision. After some period of deliberation, Ezra Meeker and William Kincaid refused to change their votes...

Quiemuth Murdered How could this happen?

Following Leschi's capture, Quiemuth turned himself in to the territorial authorities. Just a few hours later he was found brutally murdered—a gunshot wound in his arm, and a knife embedded in his chest—in the private office of Governor Isaac Stevens....

Leschi's Second Trial Why, this time, was he convicted?

This trial takes only one day and the instructions to the jury are different than in the first trial...

Wa he lut's Revenge What became of the traitor Sluggia?

Wa he lut's loyalty to Leschi was fierce and absolute. After Leschi is captured, however, Wa he lut does not act immediately...

Leschi's Death Sentence The Army refused to carry this out - why?

The Army's position on the conduct of Indians in a time of war differs from that of Gov. Stevens...

The Aftermath The efforts to obtain a pardon for Leschi

Lieutenant August Kautz spearheads an effort to obtain a pardon for Leschi. He draws a map that demonstrates how Leschi could not have killed Colonel Moses and delivers it to the Supreme Court...

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