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Suislaw Indians - sometimes spelled Siuslaw. Located just east of Florence this is the site where the Indians first made contact with American and British fur traders. The first contacts were made in 1805 by members of the Corps of Discovery in Clatsop. The explorers brought diseases with them such as smallpox and the tribe was nearly destroyed. Sadly, a 1910 census could find just seven remaining members of the tribe. Just like many other West Coast Indians the tribe's charter was taken away in the early part of the 20th century. Finally, in 1984 the charter was restored. Now, the Siuslaw are a part of the Confederated Siletz Indians. Another sad note - the original language is thought to be extinct.