I replanted the Leschi Gallows Letterbox at Ft Steilacoom Park,
Lakewood, Pierce County, WA today in a less squirrel-friendly
location. Please replace the clues to this box with the revised
clues listed below:

Leschi Gallows Letterbox
Orginially Placed: 1 November 2002
Replaced (original stamp) to a less squirrel friendly location: 21
November 2002

History: Chief Leschi (Nisqually Indian tribe) was hanged on the
gallows at Fort Steilacoom on 19 February 1858, for the 'murder' of
Col A. Benton Moses in the presence of 300 witnesses. It was argued
in court that first Chief Leschi did not `murder' Col Moses and
second that he died as a result of combat during the Indian Wars and
that his death was not `murder' but rather attributable to warfare
and that the alleged perpetrator should not have been tried in a
civilian court but instead in a military court.
Prior to that event, Chief Leschi had been quite friendly with
the American settlers in the region. Although his outlook changed
when he reluctantly signed the Medicine Creek Treaty of 1854 forcing
the Nisqually tribe to relocate its entire people to a two square
mile reservation that didn't have access to the Nisqually Rivera
river along & by which their tribe had resided and fished for many
generations. He felt totally shortchanged by the lopsided outcome
of the treaty and ultimately led approximately 300 troops against
the United States during the Indian Wars of 1855 and 1856. He was
captured as a result of his nephew, Sluggia, turning him in for a
reward. Sluggia was later killed by one of Leschi's Lieutenants.
Chief Leschi's first trial resulted in a hung jury. The second
trial resulted in a guilty verdict with his hanging occurring in
February 1858. To this day, there exists much speculation that
Chief Leschi was an innocent man. His hangman, Charles Grainger,
commented "He did not seem to be the least bit excited at all --
nothing of the kind, and that is more than I could say for myself.
In fact Leschi seemed to be the coolest of any on the scaffold. He
was in good flesh and had a firm step and mounted the scaffold
without assistance, and as well as I did myself. I felt then I was
hanging an innocent man, and I believe it yet."
http://www.historylink.org/output.CFM?file_ID=2657


Clues: Locate the `ghostly' decrepit and old haunted building high
atop the hill North of Waughop Lake. From the concrete cube not far
from the old building, head North then West along a cottonwood lined
gravel road to the water towers atop the ridge. From the junction
of the gravel trail and a dirt road that leads to the Eastern-most
tower, turn, face East for a great view of Waughop Lake and Mt
Rainier (on a clear day)! Then, face North and take 6 paces to the
North to a small trail. Follow the trail toward the East at first,
pass a fallen tree that crosses the trail. From this tree, 68 paces
(1 pace=2 steps) along the trail as it curves around back toward the
water tower. Look for a 4' tall burnt stump. Two fruit trees to
the North is where the gallows might have stood oh so long ago.
Look within and under some bark for the Leschi Gallows letterbox.
When you rehide this letterbox, be careful not to put it in a spot
where it will 'drop' into the belly of the tree.

Please send comments about this adventure to: blee@pobox.com