Molala. A
Waiilatpuan tribe forming the western division of that family. Little is
known of their history. When first met with they resided in the Cascade
range between Mts. Hood and Scott and on the west slope, in Washington and
Oregon. The Cayuse have a tradition that the Molala formerly dwelt with
them south of Columbia river and became separated and driven westward in
their wars with hostile tribes. Their dialect, while related, is quite
distinct from that of the Cayuse, and the separation probably took place
in remote times. The name Molala is derived from that of a Creek in
Willamette valley, Oregon, south of Oregon City. A band of these Indians
drove out the original inhabitants and occupied their land. Subsequently
the name was extended to all the bands. The present status of the tribe is
not certain. In 1849 it was estimated to number 100; in 1877 Gatschet
found several families living on the Grande Ronde reservation, Oregon, and
in 1881 there were said to be about 20 individuals living in the mountains
west of Klamath Lake. Those on the Grande Ronde reservation are not
officially enumerated, but are regarded as absorbed by the other tribes
with whom they live. With regard to the rest nothing is known. It is
probable, however, that there are a few scattered survivors. The Molala
joined with other bands of Willamette valley in the treaty of Dayton,
Oregon, Jan. 22, 1855, and by treaty at the same place, Dec. 21, 1855,
they ceded their lands and agreed to remove to a reservation. Chakankni,
Chimbuiha, and Mukanti are said to have been Molala bands or settlements.
Chakankni. A
Molala band formerly settled in the Cascade range, northwest of upper
Klamath lake, on the headwaters of Rogue river, Oreg.
In 1881 they Were rapidly becoming absorbed by the
neighboring tribes and had practically given up their own language for
that of the Klamath.
