According to a local newspaper report, Forse and Veasey found Joseph ‘at the head of 100 painted warriors on the summit of a hill near his camp, drawn up in line of battle, his men divested of all their superfluous blankets, well armed and mounted on their best war steeds, all decorated with war paint and presenting a formidable appearance.’
Forse was looking for a solution, not a fight, and he recognized the Nez Perce advantage. ‘Joseph could have fallen upon the settlers in detail, …show more content…
He asked to see Joseph, whose appearance and character made an immediate impression on the lieutenant. ‘I thought he was the finest Indian I had ever seen not only physically but intelligently,’ Forse said. ‘He was about six feet in height, powerfully built, and strength of character written on every feature.’
With Veasey interpreting, Forse ‘asked him if he would be satisfied if McNall and Findley were tried by the civil authorities,’ and ‘He said he would.’ In an attempt to avoid future trouble, Forse requested that the Nez Perce stay away from the settlers and confine themselves to the Wallowa Lake side of Hurricane Creek. Joseph agreed, and to show his good faith he and his men discharged their guns into the air. A truce had been called.
On September 11, 1876, Forse sent word to McNall and Findley by two of their friends advising them to go to Union and surrender themselves.’ They followed his advice. Three days later, the court released McNall after ruling he had acted in self-defense, but Judge Brainard issued a warrant for Findley’s arrest, charging him with manslaughter. After his arrest Findley was released on $250