He is best known for his relationship and peace-making efforts with Joseph Lane and Joel Palmer including his involvement in the Rogue River Wars and associated treaties.
He provides this tidbit of information about Apserkahar in his reminiscence:Indian Joseph, tall, grave and self-possessed, wore a long black robe over his ordinary dress.
In Lane's account of events, this is when "a party of about seventy five warriors came marching down on our side of the River all armed with bows and arrows except some twenty who carried guns in their hands.".
[3] Lane made a promise to the people present that their rights would be protected as long as the white immigrants could repeatedly pass through their country safely.
[3][5] This prompted Lane to signal one of the Klikitat mercenaries he brought, Chief Quatley to quickly subdue Apserkahar and hold him hostage.
Apserkahar went on to sign several peace treaties with his brother Toquahear (Chief Sam), on representing the Rogue River valley peoples.