THE NEZ PERCES, TRIBESMEN OF THE COLUMBIA PLATEAU

Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, [1955]., 1955. First edition. First edition. 8vo. Red cloth with decoration and titles stamped in silver and black on the front cover and spine, xvii [blank], 329 [2] pp., preface, introduction, illustrated, maps, index. A comprehensive study of the Nez Perce Indians who were transformed by the horse into a tribe that hunted on the Plains. "A sedentary fishing tribe in the plateau and mountain country of central Idaho, northeastern Oregon, and southeastern Washington, the Nez Percés were transformed by the acquisition of the horse into a tribe that hunted on the plains and assimilated much of the buffalo culture. In the mountains their traditional enemies were the Shoshonis; on the plains they fought the Sioux and were allied with the Crows. They were outstanding horsemen, and perhaps their most notable accomplishments were in horse breeding and in their development, through selective breeding, of that famous spotted horse, the Appaloosa." A fine, bright copy. Dust jacket rubbed, with occasional light edgewear.