Archives West Finding Aid

“Indian Mary” Peters was the daughter of Umpqua Joe, a Grave Creek tribal member who warned miners and settlers of an approaching attack. Umpqua Joe operated a ferry that transported miners and supplies across the Rogue River until his death during a shoot-out with his son-in-law on November 13, 1886. On November 30, 1886, Peters filed a homestead claim for her father's land and received the title to the 72.34 acre property in 1894. Peters continued to operate the ferry until 1894 when she moved her family to Grants Pass. Of Mary's five children, two daughters survived to adulthood, Rosetta Farlow and Lillian Fairfield. Both daughters attended the Siletz Agency School. In 1920, Peters moved to Salem to live closer to her daughters and passed away in 1921. In 1958, Josephine County purchased Peter's former homestead and created the Indian Mary Park.