Sam Ulmer was raised by Boston Charlie on his homestead on the Elwha River. He was born in 1877 and died in 1959. He often accompanied Boston on hunting trips in the mountains. He would go with Boston to cut down a tree to be carved into a canoe. Sam Ulmer grew up to be a great leader of the Klallam Tribe. In 1924 he was on the first tribal council. This council included members from Jamestown and Port Gamble. They fought long and hard to get a reservation. Finally in 1937 a reservation was formed at the mouth of the Elwha River. Sam had to continue fighting for Federal Recognition. Sam Ulmer also became know for passing on his traditional knowledge that he learned from Boston Charlie along with many stories.
Credit: Donated by the Klallam Language Program (Jamie Valadez)