Klamath (possibly from
máklaks, the Lutuami term for `Indians,' `people,'
'community'; lit. 'the encamped'). A Lutuamian tribe in south
west Oregon. They call themselves Eukshikni or Auksni,' people of the lake,' referring to the fact that their principal
seats were on Upper Klamath lake. There were also important
settlements on Williamson and Sprague river. The Klamath are a
hardy people and, unlike the other branch of the family, the
Modoc, have always lived at peace with the whites. In 1864 they
joined the Modoc in ceding the greater part of their territory
to the United States and settled on Klamath Reservation, where
they numbered 755 in 1905, including, how ever, many former
slaves and members of other tribes who have become more or less
assimilated with the Klamath since the establishment of the
reservation. Slavery was a notable institution among the
Klamath, and previous to the treaty of 1864 they accompanied the
Modoc every year on a raid against the Achomawi of Pit river,
California, for the capture of women and children whom they
retained as slaves or bartered with the Chinook at The Dalles.
The Klamath took no part in the Modoc war of 1872-73, and it is
said that their contemptuous treatment of the Modoc was a main
cause of the dissatisfaction of the latter with their homes on
the reservation which led to their return to Lost river and thus
to the war. The following are the Klamath settlements and
divisions so far as known: Awalokaksaksi, Kohashti, Kulshtgeush,
Kuyamskaiks, Nilakshi, Shuyakeksh, Yaaga, and Yulalona. See also
Kumbatuash.
