Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History
Benson Lossing, Ed.

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Sahaptin Indians,

A family regarded as a distinct nation of Indians within the domains of the United States. It is one of the nine Columbian families in the States of Oregon and Washington. Their country extends from the Dalles of the Columbia River to the Bitter Root Mountains on both sides of the Columbia, and on the forks of the Lewis and the Snake and Sahaptin rivers. The nation includes the Nez Perces (q. v.) or Sahaptins proper, the Walla Wallas, and other clans of less importance. On the northern border are the Salish family, chiefly in the British possessions, and on the southern the Shoshones. They are of medium stature; the men are brave and muscular, and dignified in appearance; the women plump and generally handsome; and some of the tribes, especially the Nez Perces, are neat in their personal appearance. With the exception of the latter, none of the Sahaptin nation have figured in the history of the republic. See Nez Perces Indians.