West Fairfield in Spokane County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Hanging Tree Monument
Photographed By Daniel Dimitrov, April 20, 2024
1. Hanging Tree Monument
Location of tree where sub-chief Qualchew and six other Indians were hanged September, 1858
515 feet south west
Kentuck Trail Ford
975 feet south
Colonel George Wright signed peace treaty ending Indian warfare in North west
Erected 1935 by Spokane County Pioneers Association, Waverly Service Star Legion, Fairfield, Waverly and Plaza Granges.
Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Peace • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is September 24, 1858.
Location. 47° 23.903′ N, 117° 15.919′ W. Marker is in West Fairfield, Washington, in Spokane County. Marker can be reached from South North Kentuck Trails Road. When heading south on South North Kentuck Trails Road there is a sign reading “Historical Attraction” - the marker is roughly 80 feet to the right along the turnout. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fairfield WA 99012, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Qualchan Hanging Site (Spokane Historical, Eastern Washington University).
Excerpt: Yakama Sub-Chief Qualchan and others had been accused of attacking white settlers in the area, including the murder of US Indian Agent A.J. Bolon. This status made him a wanted fugitive by territorial(Submitted on April 29, 2024.)authorities. On September 23, 1858 Qualchan’s father, Chief Owhi, entered Wright’s camp under a white flag, in an attempt to negotiate peace with US officials. Owhi was immediately placed in shackles as Wright intended on holding him hostage to lure Qualchan to the camp. Unaware that his father had been taken captive, Qualchan arrived at Wright’s camp on September 24 with his wife Whist-alks, his son, and two other warriors (including his brother Lo-kout) on his own mission to negotiate peace. Col. Wright was in no mood for diplomacy. Rather, he wished to make an example of Qualchan and ordered him hung.
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Upon his arrest, Qualchan noticed his imprisoned father and wept. As soldiers attempted to hang Qualchan it was said by his companion Seven Mountains that “Qualchan twice summoned the power of the mist and twice the rope broke”. Qualchan’s executioners bound his arms and legs and he was slowly strangled to death. With his words almost as cold as his actions, Wright’s only mention of the event in his journal read: “Qualchan came to see me at 9 o’clock, at 9:15 he was hung.” One day after helplessly witnessing his son’s murder, Chief Owhi was shot dead as he attempted an escape. Over three days another dozen of so Indians were hanged as well, all without a trial.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2024, by Daniel Dimitrov of Spokane, Washington. This page has been viewed 71 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on April 27, 2024, by Daniel Dimitrov of Spokane, Washington. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
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