The Funeral of Chief Jim James
by Cull A. White. 
[see Columbia Basin Herald?]
5_61
		The funeral of 85 year old Hereditary Chief Jim James of
the San Poil Tribe, was held Tuesday, May 23, at his Keller Was. house.
Attendance was largest on record in Ferry County and on a par with the
funeral of Chief Joseph, 57 years ago in Nespelem, Okanogan County. Par-
ticipants of each affair, say that all present felt they were honoring two 
truly great men, marking the end of an era which people would long remem-
ber.
		From his youth, Chief James, felt detined to lead his peo-
ple. He planned his lief on this pattern & worked hard to fit himself for
this position. His sincerity & adherence to a strict code of living, gain-
ed him prestige which increased thru the years. As with Joseph, his dec-
isions were not questioned. An old friend and admirer for many years, the
Rev Father Jos.A.Balfe, S.J. Head of St Mary's Mission near Omak, con-
ducted mass & gave the principal address. He effectively pointed out the
splendid qualities, which had so endeared Jim to so many people in varied 
walks of life. Father [handwritten] Raymond Talbot S.J. recently of Alaska, was the as-
sisting priest.
		Two of the most eloquent & distinguished Indian leaders in
the North west, Albert Sam, of the Spokane Reservation & John Cleveland,
brilliant council member from Okanogan, paid tribute in their native tongue
and then in English. Cleveland recalled trips to Washington D.C. with Jim
who by impromptu speeches before Senate hearings, won cases for the Ind-
ians. Last August 27 at the dedication of Ft. Okanogan Museum, Jim proved
this ability, when suddenly called from the Audience by Gov Rosselini to
speak to the thousands gathered there. Jim's speech is well remembered by
all who heard him, including notables from England & Montreal.
		Joining in final tribute Tuesday, were Indians from British
Columbia, 5 Northwestern Sates & Pacific Coast areas, along with promin-
ent business men & ranchers who had known & admired Jim for 50 years. All
came early & stayed late to join in the Indian tradition of dropping a
handful of earth on the grave as a parting gesture to an old friend. This
lightened the sober, depressed feeling of personal loss, felt by all of
us.
		Returning for the feast & Potlach, old friends, realizing that
they might never meet again tried to extract the utmost from visiting.
Taped recordings of early Hudson Bay days, would be rich in source material.
Those who have not attended these feasts & Potlaches, have missed some
rewarding experiences. Better examples of community effort & accomplish-
ment are hard to find and could solve many world problems today. So