Kake Topping Traditional Cache
Ice and Wind: The cache owner has not responded to issues with this listing, so I must regretfully archive it. If the cache turns up or is replaced in the near future, email me and I will review it for possible unarchival.
Ice and Wind
Geocaching.com Volunteer Reviewer
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Located in a beautiful area, over looking the prairie, water and mountains. Easy access and terrain.
Coupeville, known as the “City of Sea Captains” was founded in 1852 and is one of the oldest towns in the state of Washington. It is named for Captain George Coupe, the only man to sail a full rigged ship through the waters of Deception Pass.
But a very interesting tale of one of the first settlers on the island is that of the beheading of Isaac Ebey. Isaac Ebey was an important person who owned land overlooking the prairie. However, on August 11th, 1857, his life came to a tragic end. A party of Kake Indians from the Queen Charlotte Islands of Canada traveled by canoe into Puget Sound on a mission of vengeance. The reason the Kake Indians were out for revenge goes back to the year 1856 when the naval vessel, the U.S.S. Massachusetts, announced to the Indians that they needed to clear the area in Port Gamble and go back to Sitka, Alaska. They refused to leave, so the gunboat opened fire. 28 of their fellow tribesmen were killed including one of their important leaders. One year later they returned, seeking retaliation upon a “Hyas Tyee”, or important person, particularly Dr. Kellogg, the local doctor of the area. However, Dr. Kellogg was not in the area. The Indians beached at Ebey’s Landing and traversed the steep cliff up to Ebey’s home. Knocking on the door, the Kake called him out, shot him dead, and beheaded the Colonel in front of his horrified family. Taking his head as a trophy, they left his body in the front yard of the Ebey home. Meanwhile, Emily, Isaac’s wife and his children fled to the woods to hide.Thankfully, the Kake Indians felt that their revenge had been done, and allowed the family to escape.
Several blockhouses had been built in hopes of protecting the settlers from Indian attacks. This blockhouse on the hill was built by the Davis family in 1855. It was a small fort made out of logs and still stands, thanks to the Ladies of the Round Table who restored it in 1931.
To this day there are still questions about the whereabouts of Isaac Ebey’s head. It is believed that the Indians took it to Smith Island and scalped it, including the ears. The scalp was returned to the family in 1860 but the last known reference of it was in a family letter in 1914.Isaac Ebey’s headless body was buried in a family plot, and later moved to Sunnyside Cemetery which you can find there.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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