Excerpt: Tecumseh had other wives than Mamate; the last of whom was
Wa-be-le-ga-ne-qua: "white wing." He lived with her from 1802 to 1807, but it is not known
that he had other children than the one son; but there may have been others.
There is living among the fourteen Confederated Tribes, known as the Yakimas
of Washington, a tali, spare, sinewy man just past the meridian of life, who differs
in some respects from the tribesmen about him. This is Chief Tecumseh Yak-a-
tow-it, who gave me this fragment of his family history.
"Mine," said he, "is an inherited name on my father's side. I am descended
from a long line of warriors. My father was Yakatowit, Chief of the Klickitats.
My grandfather, whose name I cannot recall, was a noted warrior who came from
far to the east, I know not the locality. His father was a great chief named Tecum-
seh, who was a mighty warrior. I know but little of his history, nor am I certain
of his tribe. I only know that my father told me that he fell in battle fighting
with King George's soldiers against the Americans. This was a long time ago.
I know not how many years. It has been long since that battle was fought."
While Tecumseh enjoys but slight education, he is a man of strong mentality
and high moral integrity. He has always been a leading spirit in tribal affairs,
and on March 15, 1912, was chosen "Head Chief of all the Yakimas." This,
however, was in a factional fight and being a man of sensitive honor, he has never
pressed his claim. I have often met with him in tribal councils and visited at his
home. When I first met him, he had never read of this most renowned Shawnee;
nor does he know the meaning, or interpretation of his own name. He explained
that "Tecumseh," in Klickitat, has no primal rendition, but is "only' a name." He
is proud of his traditional lineage, and justly.
