Truckee (chief)

Truckee (Wuna Mucca,[1] The Giver of Spiritual Gifts,[1] Old Winnemucca, One Moccasin,[1] Onennamucca,[1] sometimes known as Captain Truckee) was medicine chief of the Northern Paiute and an influential prophet.[1]

Drawing of Truckee

Family life

Old Winnemucca was born a Shoshoni and became a Paiute by marrying a Kuyuidika woman. He was the father of Tuboitone and father-in-law to her husband Chief Winnemucca (Bad Face). Thus, he was the maternal grandfather of Sarah Winnemucca.[2] The Wuna Mucca clan had no choice by the 1850s but to accept the anglicized spelling of their name, Winnemucca, as journals of the time spelled it.

Relationship with United States settlers

He was friendly with white settlers and guided John C. Frémont, securing a letter of introduction from him commending him for his support during the Mexican–American War.[2]

Death and legacy

In October 1860 he developed a serious infection in his hand which some sources say was caused by a tarantula bite.[3] Sarah Winemmucca and her father were present at his death.[3][4]

The Native American chieftain lends his name to the community of Truckee, California as well as to the Truckee Range and Truckee River in Nevada.[5]

References
  1. Ontko, Gale. Thunder Over the Ochoco, Volume II: Distant Thunder. Bend, OR: Maverick Publications, Inc., Fourth Printing. 1997.
  2. Sarah Winnemucca of the Northern Paiutes, Gae Whitney Canfield, p.6
  3. Sarah Winnemucca of the Northern Paiutes, Gae Whitney Canfield, p.29
  4. Sarah Winnemucca of the Northern Paiutes, Gae Whitney Canfield, p.30
  5. Federal Writers' Project (1941). Origin of Place Names: Nevada (PDF). W.P.A. p. 13.
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