A.J. Bolon, Indian Agent - Memorial Marker
Posted by: 
Hikenutty
N 45° 56.502 W 120° 54.958
10T E 661539 N 5089681
A memorial marker, marking the location of the murder of the Indian agent, AJ Bolon in 1855. Marker was placed in 1918 by the Washington State Historical Society.
Waymark Code: WMPJY
Location: Washington, United States
Date Posted: 09/04/2006
Views: 23
The death of Indian Agent Andrew J. Bolon on September 25, 1855 was the spark that ignited war with the Yakama Tribe in 1855. Upon hearing the news of the killing of two miners who were travelling through Indian country, Agent Bolon cut short his assignment to arrange provisions for the Spokane Council. He went to investigate the deaths of the miners, unaware of being in peril. The death of Bolon, who had been on generally good terms with the local tribes, caused a state of near panic in the settlers. Rumors of a general uprising throughout Oregon and Washington territories were accepted as fact, and news reports kept the whites teetering between fear and hatred of the Native Americans. (This information was found at www.washingtonhistoryonline.org)
The coordinates given are for a large marker that essentially points the direction to the site, 4 miles further up a dirt road. At N45 59.743 W120 53.036 You will find a smaller marker at the actual site of the murder. Currently the area seems to be used for grazing cattle. There are the ruins of an old cabin and barn and nearby is the shell of a spring house at the start of a small stream.