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[Vol.4, Chapt.XII, p.467 and p.468]
... Cornelius, or Bighead, whose native name si Silimxnotylmilakabok, is chief of the Spokane tribe -- not by birth, but having gained the station by his shrewdness. With the title, however, he has acquired but little real authority, although he is the most influential of the Flathead nation; for his commands are often opposed with impunity by the lowest vagabond, and he himself is sometimes personally insulted without fear or danger of punishment. The dignity of rank, therefore, it will be seen, is not looked upon with much respect among these tribes. Cornelius is about sixty years of age, tall and slender, with a dignified carriage; has a thin wrinkled face, and a far-retreating forehead. He has an expression of intelligence and self-possession, which impresses a visiter very favourably. He is represented as being very pious; and, as far as outward appearances and loud praying go, is certainly entitled to be so considered.
He gives an account of a singular prophecy that was made by one of their medicine-men, some fifty years ago, before they knew any thing of white people, or had heard of them. Cornelius, when about ten years of age, was sleeping in a lodge with a great many people, and was suddenly awakened by his mother, who called out to him that the world was falling to pieces. He then heard a great noise of thunder overhead, and all the people crying out in great terror. Something was falling very thick, which they at first took for snow, but on going out they found it to be dirt: it proved to be ashes, which fell to a depth of six inches, and increased their fears, by causing them to suppose that the end of the world was actually at hand. The medicine-man arose, told them to stop their fear and crying, for the world was not about to fall to pieces. "Soon," said he, "there will come from the rising sun a different kind of men from any you have yet seen, who will bring with them a book, and will teach you every thing, and after that the world will fall to pieces." Although there is not much reliance to be placed in the truth of this story, yet it shows the desire the Indians have to perpetuate the truth; and now that its actual fulfilment, as they say, has come to pass, it has acquired greater force, and is employed by them as an argument why the tribes should embrace the Christian religion. There is little doubt that the fall of ashes took place, for many traces of such phenomena are to be seen in all parts of the middle section of Oregon;* but they had knowledge of the whites long before the epoch designated. A proof that the white race was then known to them, may be cited in the person of a half-breed Canadian, who is now living at Colville, who had served under Burgoyne, and been fifty years in this country. Besides, the appearance of the Spaniards, and English under Cook, on the coast, the existence of white men must have become known through the intercommunication of the different nations. ...
* Within the last year, the craters on top of Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helen's have been in activity.
[Vol.4, Chapt.XII, covers the year 1841, with the narrative published in 1844, which, depending on when this addition was added, gives a date range of ca.1841-1844.]
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