Ishi
- Richard H. Dillon
Extract
Ishi (1862?–25 March 1916), the last "Stone Age" Indian in California and, probably, in the entire United States, the last “Stone Age” Indian in California and, probably, in the entire United States, was a member of the Yahi people of northeastern California. He was encountered in a slaughterhouse corral in Oroville, California, on 29 August 1911, thirty-eight years after the last major Indian conflict in the state. When taken into custody by Sheriff J. B. Webber of Butte County, Ishi was naked save for a scrap of old wagon canvas, worn like a cape, and very weak from exposure and near starvation. Communication with him, other than in sign language, was impossible, although English, Spanish, and several Indian tongues—such as Maidu and Wintun—were tried....
