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MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2002

After their attempt to flee to Canada was cut short, five Nez Perce bands who refused to be confined to a reservation in Idaho were nearly wiped out by disease and mistreatment.

Soon after Chief Joseph surrendered in Montana, the bands were moved to Bismarck, North Dakota. The 400-mile journey was made in the winter of 1877.

The bands were then herded up and sent to Fort Leavenworth in Kansas. Many died along the way.

In the summer of 1878, the bands were then removed to Oklahoma. Army agents who arranged for the Nez Perce surrender had promised land in Idaho but the federal government said they had no authority to make that pledge.

After several years, the Nez Perce won the right to return to their homeland. Chief Joseph, however, was ordered to the Colville Reservation, where he was not welcomed.

Some Nez Perce did make it to Canada. They eventually tried to go back home and were captured, suffering a similar fate as the others.

Get the Story:
Nez Perce War of 1877: No happy ending (The Billings Gazette 10/7)
Canada, Sitting Bull offered no salvation (The Billings Gazette 10/7)
Amateur historian knows the ground (The Billings Gazette 10/7)
For further reading on the Nez Perce efforts (The Billings Gazette 10/7)

Relevant Links:
Nez Perce Tribe - http://www.nezperce.org

Related Stories:
Wounded Nez Perce 'surrender' to Army (9/30)
End of the road for Nez Perce (9/23)
Ceremony marks site of Nez Perce battle (9/16)
Ceremony to mark Nez Perce battle (9/9)
Nez Perce warriors roar into town (9/2)
The Nez Perce War of 1877 continues (8/26)
Nez Perce warriors roar into town (9/2) (9/2)
Events mark Nez Perce War of 1877 (8/5)
The Fort Fizzle Battle of 1877 (7/29)