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The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., January 31, 1935, page 1

INDIAN WRITES TO BALLOU TO PROTEST THE BONNEVILLE DAM; PREFERS OLD FACTS
By Robert Ballou

This story, originally written for The Sentinel, was accepted by the Northwest's Own Magazine, now published in connection with the Sunday Oregonian, and published last Sunday. When advised by the author, The Sentinel refrained from publication until released by the Oregonian. Jobe Charley visits Goldendale often, on his way back and forth to the ancient tribal fishing ground at Celilo, during the annual salmon run seasons. Perhaps, as O. Henry says, an Indian's speech in English is "shorn of the flowers in the white man's syntax," but we think that any reader will quickly perceive that Jobe Charley says what he means and means was he says. - Editor.
Indians of the Yakima tribe in Washington who have clung to the views of the generation and headed by Kamiakin, ranking chief of the tribe when the Walla Walla treaty was signed in 1855, do not want the Bonneville dam on the Columbia River.
The project is regarded by these people as a violation of perpetual hunting and fishing rights accorded them when they ceded the great northwest domain to the whites.
Six thousand Indians gathered for that conference, presided over by Isaac I. Stevens, first governor of Washington territory. Fishing rights extended aborigines under this treaty have been upheld many times since by the federal court in clashes between Indians and commercial fishing interests of the whites.

Old Sentiments Echoed

Views now expressed by Indians of the older generation in the council houses of the Yakimas sound like an echo of oratory from the lips of George Mennenick, for many years ranking chief of the federated Yakima tribes. As a boy of perhaps 15, Mennenich was with his father, old chief Mo-no-nook, one of the Indian signers at the Walla Walla conference.
His death occurred in 1928, after a life of effective activity, as a leader of his people, in upholding fishing and hunting rights in the courts of the palefaces.
Many brilliant lawyers accorded him the distinction of being better posted on Indian tribal treaty rights than they were themselves. His oratory often made learned judges ponder.

Jobe Charley's Career

Another living Indian of the old school, who was one of Chief Mennenick's closest confidants, is still carrying on the battle.
His name is Jobe Charley. Born on the Columbia river near Celilo falls soon after the Walla Walla treaty was made, he was fully appraised of what took place at the gathering, by his grandfather, old Chief Colwash, as soon as he was able to comprehend.
Jobe Charley was one of the main witnesses for the government in the lawsuit over Indian fishing rights at Celilo in the federal court at Portland in 1933.
In later years he moved to the Yakima reservation and became a successful Indian farmer.
Although Jobe Charley still clings to the most outstanding badges of his race -- long hair and moccasins -- he has blended his routine of life with civilized ways to a great extent, keeping well posted on current events.
He has also been a leader of the Indian side, and the tribal councils, carried on today just as they were when the treaty at Walla Walla was made eight decades ago.
In a recent letter to the writer, Jobe Charley has expressed his and other fullblood Yakimas' views on the Bonneville dam in as perfect a presentation of Indian psychology as is possible to obtain. It comes, so to speak, right from the fountainhead of things as they were in the days the Indians were garnering salmon from the Columbia river and tributaries without molestation.
From here on the letter of Jobe Charley is quoted.

The Indian's Letter

Toppenish, Wash.
December 30, 1934

My. Dear Friend - Mr. Robert Ballou,

I was glad to receive the yourt welcome letter, and I am glad you asked me what is in my heart so I will tell. So I will tell what I know what in this reservation.
At Wapato, Washington, there is a long house with the Indians they have gatherings. We meet John Collier here in the long house and discuss tribal matters with him.
About the Bonneville dam. I was glad you asked what I thought of the dam. We Indians of the Yakima, Idaho and Columbia river don't like that Bonneville dam. There is nothing important in this world is only what you eat to keep you alive and happy. We all know the wild birds and wild geese they got to eat and live. In the year 1855 Governor Stevens had a talk with the Indians on the Columbia river at The Dalles, Ore.

Wanted the River

He said this government wants you Indians to give up your fertile lands so to can be plow or farm. And he asked the Indians what is the best thing you like best. The Indians said the best I like is this Columbia river and the salmon. I catch in my usually fishing place.
And Gov. Stevens said it shall be yours forever that nothing will ever bother the Columbia river. All the government wants is land to farm.
Gov. Stevens asked the Indians who looks after you and takes care of you? The Indians answer his question. You see the sun. That's what looks after us and takes care of us.

Government Promise Made

So Gov. Stevens said the government will be the same as the sun. Be like your father takes care of you. If anything is done or law pass on this Columbia river you must go to him and tell him that you don't want this on the Columbia river.
So when Gov. Stevens made this agreement with the Indians and afterwards the whites moved in and began to farm. After that we were look as brothers for we were living among one another under this treaty that is made by Gov. Stevens. When the white man first found out that salmon was a good food up to this date it has feed us both.
You white man asked me to share with you the salmon so I did it up to this day. We Indians or the sun is not to blame for what is going on on the Columbia river.

Dire Results Predicted

My father the government is the one to blame for shutting of the Columbia river which supplies us both with food and other things we need. The salmon we been eating and it is pulled out from our mouths and we are told like we must starve. Our Father in heaven we shall not blame him either who has put that food for us on this earth and river. All the food we pick on this earth our father in heaven did not take away from us. I want to pray and ask in the paper what the people think of this Bonneville dam. The people that got benefit from this Columbia river.
Some of these statements which you like best I want you to put in the paper. But if it is not what you think best to print don't print it.
The Columbia river is like a big vein in your body. When they cut your main vein what will happen. What will happen when they shut the river. The Bonneville dam will hurt the people worse than the depression. This will be all for this time. Answer me again.

(signed) JOBE CHARLEY.