Trouble at Birch Creek, Idaho
There is an abundance of wildlife along the Nez Perce National Historic Trail. All wild animals need to be treated with caution and respect. If you are planning to hike, check with the nearest land anagement agency for information on local wildlife. Know how to be safe in wild country.
On August 14, the Nez Perce traveled south through the vast expanse of the Lemhi Valley on the Old Mormon Road (Idaho State Highway 28).
As you drive down this valley, you are surrounded by two magnificent mountain ranges. To the west are the Lemhi Mountains, with peaks rising to more than 10,500 feet. To the east, you will see the Bitterroot Range. Here, the Continental Divide de nes the border between Idaho and Montana.
The Nez Perce moved quickly, crossing Gilmore Summit (historically known as Salmon River Pass) and traveled south along Birch Creek. While crossing the Corrine- Virginia City Wagon Road, around noon on Wednesday, August 15, a group of Nez Perce warriors crossed paths with several heavily laden freight wagons heading for the mining camps near Salmon City, Idaho, and Leesburg, Idaho. The three teamsters and four passengers had stopped at Birch Creek to eat lunch. Before the men could grab their rifles, the warriors surrounded them. Desperate for food and supplies, the Nez Perce tried to barter with the Teamsters.
Things turned ugly when whiskey was found among the supplies. Albert Lyons happened upon the Nez Perce while hunting for lost cattle, slipped out of camp and hid in Birch Creek until nightfall when he made his getaway. Two Chinese cooks also escaped when they were sent for firewood. The struggle that ensued over the contents of the wagons left ve men dead; three teamsters - James Hayden, Albert Green, and Daniel Combs - and two unidentified miners.Ketalkpoosmin(Stripes TurnedDown), who was instrumental in the capture of thehowitzer during the battle at Big Hole, was mortally wounded in a scuffle when he tried to persuade the warriors to leave and return to the main Nez Perce group.
Word of the killings spread quickly across the valley throwing fear into the local residents. A rescue party arrived to and the wagons burned and ve dead. They were buried where they fell, but later disinterred and reburied at the cemetery in Salmon, Idaho.
