Leschi (Nisqually)

Leschi
Leschi
ləšx̌iʔ
	Chief Leschi
Nisqually leader
Personal details
Born	c. 1808; near present day Eatonville, Washington
Died	February 19, 1858 (aged 49-50); Lake Steilacoom, present-day Lakewood, Washington; 47°10′43″N 122°32′31″W / 47.178575°N 122.542065°W
Cause of death	Execution by hanging
Resting place	Puyallup Tribal Cemetery – Tacoma, Washington; 47°14′19″N 122°23′56″W / 47.2386°N 122.3989°W

Chief Leschi (/ˈlɛʃaɪ/; Lushootseed: ləšx̌iʔ;^[1] c. 1808 – February 19, 1858) was a chief of the Nisqually Indian Tribe of southern Puget Sound, Washington, primarily in the area of the Nisqually River.

Following outbreaks of violence and the Yakima Wars (1855–1858), as a leader Leschi was charged with the killings of two Washington Territorial Volunteers. He was hanged for murder on February 19, 1858, although supporters argued that he could not be charged with murder in the death of a combatant in a recognized war. Leschi was informally exonerated in a non-legally binding^[2] ruling in 2004 by a Historical Court of Inquiry of Washington State, following a resolution by both houses of the legislature asking the State Supreme Court to vacate his conviction.

^ Zahir, Zalmai ʔəswəli (2009). A Lushootseed Analysis of a 1877 Dictionary by George Gibbs. p. 98.
^ Davila, Florangela (December 5, 2004). "Seeking justice for the chief: 150 years later, Leschi will get a retrial". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on December 5, 2004. Retrieved December 5, 2021.

[1] Zahir, Zalmai ʔəswəli (2009). A Lushootseed Analysis of a 1877 Dictionary by George Gibbs. p. 98.

[:0-2] Davila, Florangela (December 5, 2004). "Seeking justice for the chief: 150 years later, Leschi will get a retrial". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on December 5, 2004. Retrieved December 5, 2021.

[1]

[2]