Valley of the Rogues

by Percy T. Booth

The author wishes to thank Edwin Frye, retired, of Cave Junction, Oregon, or his valuable assistance in preparing this account of the early customs and living conditions of the Rogue River Indians. Very little information about this vanished tribe has been printed, or is available. Many of the facts here related, are possible only because of his remarkable recall, aided by records and notes handed down and carefully preserved, containing information about the Rogues extending back in time more than a hundred years.

71 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1997

Reviews

[Kevin Keating · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is very cool to have a small biography of a small tribe in Oregon. I'm glad there were enough people who were interested in the plight of these small bands of Rogue Indians before they passed into history. This is a recount of how they lived, ate and played. Pretty good, although the documentation is a little light from the memory of a very few who gave oral histories. Makes me want to go out and try native foods like pine nuts, camas and acorn mash.

[Teresa Thompson Arcangel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grew up in the Rogue Valley so I appreciated learning more about the people who populated the area years before I was born. Although there is quite a bit of information about the Takelma, it seems to have come from limited sources, likely not primary. Although the author usually seemed respectful of the Takelmas, there were some eye-rolling moments - like when he referred to Takelma healers as "witch doctors". All in all, this little book contained more info about the Takelmas than I ever learned while living in Southern Oregon. I enjoyed the book and when I finished I wondered where I might try acorn mush and camas bulbs.

[Eliot Fiend · Rating 4 out of 5]

lots of great info, especially on rogue (takelma/dagelma, latgwa, and rogue tribes) food and tool uses and methods. left me hungry for more. less racist than his other book, expresses a general and genuine respect for and interest in indigenous practices but still woven with racism and white superiority.