Chief Si'ahl (Chief Seattle), 1864 (MOHAI 3078)

Chief Si'ahl, known to settlers as Chief Seattle, became the leader of the Suquamish and Duwamish people sometime around 1810. When settlers started moving to the Elliott Bay area in the 1850s, Chief Si'ahl stayed friendly to the newcomers and urged his people to do the same. The city of Seattle was named for him.
This postcard was made from an 1864 portrait of Chief Si'ahl by early Seattle photographer E.M. Sammis. It is the only known photograph of the chief and has been reprinted in several different retouched versions.
Caption on image: Chief Seattle, after whom Seattle is named.

Caption by MOHAI staff.
Subjects (LCTGM): Indians of North America--Washington (State)--Seattle