When the first Hudson Bay Company men arrived in 1832, they found that La-ha-let was the recognized “Headman” or leader of the Sequalitchew Nisqually Indian village. Establishing the first building known as “Nisqually House” on the beach near the Sequalitchew Village in 1832, could not have be accomplished without La-ha-let’s approval.

La-ha-let was trusted by the Hudson Bay Company men to act as mail carrier, guide, interpreter and as Chief of the Sequalitchew Villagers to keep the peace among both his own people and visiting tribes

La-ha-let is first mentioned on Aug 4th 1833, in Dr. William Fraser Tolmie’s journal, as the interpreter between Chief Factor Francis Heron of the Hudson Bay Company and the Chiefs of visiting Tribes.

On Aug 29, 1833, Dr. Tolmie makes a 10-day trip to Mount Tacoma (known now as Mt Rainier) on a botanizing and exploring excursion. Dr. Tolmie obtains three horses from a chief living locally, and hires La-ha-let to be his guide. Tolmie engages La-ha-let for a blanket and his nephew Lashima for ammunition to accompany him. La-ha-let’s primary goal for taking this trip seems to have been to hunt; he had already been selling and promising the grease from any elk and chevreuil (a type of small deer) that might be killed. La-ha-let tries to dissuade Dr. Tolmie from venturing beyond the snowline into sacred territory on the Mountain. The group summits a peak well below the true mountain summit, possibly in deference to La-ha-lets request.

A total of five men accompanied Dr. Tolmie, by the time the mountain trip had ended Tolmie and La-ha-let had become friends. Tolmie spent a good deal of time walking about the Fort and Nisqually area with La-ha-let, who taught him about the Nisqually dialect. La-ha-let provided Dr. Tolmie with information on native birds, animals and Nisqually life.

The only physical description of La-ha-let is provided by Dr. Tolmie, who describes him as gigantic. It should be noted that although larger than average, La-ha-let would have been both fit and agile, because he manned the largest canoe and rode horses, and he tired Dr Tolmie out on the joint mountain climb they made.

La-ha-let became a Catholic and even had several of his children baptized by Father Blanchet on September 12, 1839. Although he became a Christian, La-ha-let still maintained his Nisqually beliefs including the practice of having numerous wives.

La-ha-let maintained a home both on the beach and on the upper bluffs closer to the Fort.

On Jan 5th, 1838 La-ha-let married his 5th wife a Skay waw mish woman. At this time, La-ha-let already had grown children and is believed to have been about 40 years old.

La-ha-let died during the winter of 1849 without an obvious cause of death, ending the 16 years of stable leadership he provided for the Sequalitchew Creek band. His eldest son Wyamooch was not deemed suitable for the position. La-ha-let was the last Chief of his village.

Family Members

All five of his wives gave birth during one year, so it is probable that La-ha-let had numerous children.

Although he had five wives only one name is known, Tselsilas

La-ha-let’s known sons were, Wyamooch, Tilsalewa, Etienne and Charles

Known daughters were, Agatha, one daughter worked in the Kittson household, and one or the same daughter was believed to have married an Irish Sergeant from Fort Steilacoom.

He also had a nephew named Lashima