Chief Joseph Quotes

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Chief Joseph

Profession : Leader

Birth : March 3, 1840

For a short time we lived quietly. But this could not last. White men had found gold in the mountains around the land of winding water.

Chief Joseph

I know that my race must change.

Chief Joseph

Our people could not talk with these white-faced men, but they used signs which all people understand.

Chief Joseph

We soon found that the white men were growing rich very fast, and were greedy.

Chief Joseph

General Howard informed me, in a haughty spirit, that he would give my people 30 days to go back home, collect all their stock, and move onto the reservation.

Chief Joseph

War can be avoided, and it ought to be avoided. I want no war.

Chief Joseph

It required a strong heart to stand up against such talk, but I urged my people to be quiet and not to begin a war.

Chief Joseph

We gathered all the stock we could find, and made an attempt to move. We left many of our horses and cattle in Wallowa. We lost several hundred in crossing the river.

Chief Joseph

I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed.

Chief Joseph

We had good white friends who advised us against taking the war path. My friend and brother, Mr. Chapman, told us just how the war would end.

Chief Joseph

I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of white men by my people.

Chief Joseph

When my young men began the killing, my heart was hurt.

Chief Joseph

When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.

Chief Joseph