Distant Thunder

Thunder Over the Ochoco #2

by Gale Ontko

Thunder Over the Ochoco is literally the work of a lifetime. Its author spent 40 years combing historical records and interviewing dozens of descendants of pioneer settlers and Native Americans who shared oral traditions that have been passed down through generations. What emerges is history as it has never been told before. A history of conquistadors and fur trappers, of merchants and missionaries. The history of an Indian war that was one of the longest and bloodiest conflicts ever fought on American soil, but which for political and economic reasons was covered up for decades. Above all, the history of “those first settlers of the Ochoco—men, woman, and children—who were left to wander and starve in a land they thought belonged to them through eternity, a people who in their final agony cried `Nimma ne-umpu!'—`We too are human!’ Gale Ontko tells this story with compassion and grace, in a style that combines the precision of the scholar with the vigor and drama of the novelist. The five volumes comprise nearly 2500 printed book pages and have been described by some as the most factual writing by any author on the history of the Shoshoni People. Volume II covert the twenty-year period between 1840 and 1860 would see overland migration across the land known to the Shoshoni as the Ochoco—Land of the Red Willow. The Americans would call it eastern Oregon. Never on friendly terms with the white invaders, the Shoshoni tolerated passage across their ancestral hunting grounds only so long as the American homesteaders stayed strictly on the dusty thoroughfare called the Oregon Trail. When they transgressed, the distant thunder of gunfire reverberated across interior Oregon like the tolling of a death knell. Volume II narrates the suffering, heartache and death of those unfortunate souls who dared to venture into the Ochoco; and it covers the first brutal Indian wars fought west of the Mississippi River.

Genres: History

Paperback

First published June 1, 2003

Reviews

[Tyler Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn’t as captivating as the first but very interesting nonetheless. Hearing about the wars that were fought between Native tribes and the US government on the ground that I grew up adventuring (sisters, bend, etc) makes me look at these wonders with a different lens. The trees that stand today have seen the fall of these ancient people. It’s eerie hearing about one of the most powerful tribes in American history (Snake Shoshoni) roaming Eastern Oregon and giving everything for their land. There war with America is yet to come. The story concludes bitter surrender of the Wasco and Walla Walla tribes as they were put on the Warm Springs Reservation that there descendants live to this day.

[Susan Conklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is part of a series anyone interested in the history of the West should read. Blunt and filled with fascinating history, Volume II begins the heartbreaking saga of the arrival of the settlers into Shoshone territory of East Oregon. This is a history not even the locals know and without this series, who knows what facts would survive.

[KennyO · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this volume the invading settlers, when not scratching for their own survival, work to establish towns and "civilization" and to marginalize the native population of the Oregon Territory. It's not the view of history I learned in my school days. Amazing!

[Val Wilkerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I have read volumes 1, 2 and 3. Can't wait to get my hands on 4 and 5.
History at its finest.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the seond volume in a five volume set on the history of the Shoshoni tribe in eastern Oregon (thus the title). The author has a writing style that is easy to follow and makes history come alive. This volume covers the establishment of the Oregon Trail and other routes for wagon trains through Shoshoni country along with the events occuring during the years the trail was used the heaviest. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

I have also posted my review on Goodreads, Amazon and my review blog. I also posted it to my Facebook page.

[Joyce Reynolds-Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accessible history writing that takes a broader overview than most popular works. Recommended.

[Mike Thoennes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book covering the history of the Snake Indians fight to survive. This covers the time of several fur company's invasion of the Northwest territory. Read and learn how many of the names of rivers towns came to get their names. The fight continues.

[Jennifer]

This series is an amazing series. Though for these types of books are something that I read at intervals. I have been very impressed. A good read for those that live in Oregon.