Monday, July 30, 2012

Arlee Montana

Arlee Post Office on the Flathead Indian Reservation
The present day town of Arlee, was named after a Salish leader Arlee.  In 1855 the Hellgate Treaty was signed.  The tribes present believed they were ratifying an agreement of friendship that would let them stay in the Bitterroot Valley forever.  The non-Indians came knowing the value of the land and wanting the removal of the Bitterroot Salish, Pend d'Oreille, and the Kootenai tribes.  

"A Jesuit observer, Father Adrian Hoecken, said that the translations were so poor that "not a tenth of what was said was understood by either side". 

It would be 15 years (1873) before the US government would successfully force the Salish to move to a "conditional reservation".  Arlee moved his people to the Jocko Agency located a few miles north of what is now Arlee.  The Jocko Agency was later called the Flathead Agency.  

The Jocko Church Cemetery is final resting place for Chief Charlo and others.  There are actually two cemeteries at this location.  The main cemetery behind the church and beyond that one is "The Fallen" cemetery.  The final resting spot for individuals whose life was not deemed worthy to rest within the church yard.

Graves of the "Fallen"

Monument for some of the community leaders.

Cemetery in the church yard.

More of the Fallen

Jocko Church

Jocko Church

Jocko Valley

Links of interest

5 comments:

  1. Interesting, Ruth.  Is the church still used?  I looked up Arlee.  Although obviously small, someone has created a nice website for it.  Beautiful country, as you know.  Thanks!

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  2. Storykeeper FerrisJuly 30, 2012 at 10:17 AM

    It looked like it was in use.  I know they are still using the cemetery.  One of the  links I included has video of the surrounding area that is gorgeous.

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  3. Thanks for taking me along to Arlee.  It looks and sounds beautiful!

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  4. Yes, there are still services every Sunday at the church.

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  5. Caroline,
    Thank you for sharing this information. I will let Linda know.
    Have a great day. Ruth

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