History of Benton County, Oregon, Part 52

Author: David D. Fagan
Publication date: 1885
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

USA > Oregon > Benton County > History of Benton County, Oregon > Part 52

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

338

BENTON COUNTY.

to the loved ones at home, not knowing what day they might be ordered to the front. But thanks to a kind Providence, the Benton county recruits were not thus called, and the Pacific Coast-notwithstanding the fearful forebodings of evil and the deep inton- ations of the singing elements of warfare-was spared the honors of a civil and fratri- cidal war. The olive branch was accepted and the angel of peace spread his wings over the country for which, even now, every lip should breathe a silent prayer to him who doeth all things well.

The death of one of the original settlers in a new country is always a melancholy episode in history. We have elsewhere stated that in the year 1855, James L. Mulkey, died peacefully at his home near Corvallis ; in 1862, Johnson Mulkey was found frozen to death in Eastern Oregon ; and on November 22, 1866, Isaac King, one of the first to take up his residence in King's valley, came to his death under very singular and sad circumstances. This old gentleman and his sons went out on a hunting expedition in the morning, the father taking his pistol-a five shooter. Upon returning Mr. King stopped at the barn, while the boys went into the house. One of them looked back, saw his father aiming at a stake, and hearing the report of the pistol, supposed the old gentlemen was trying the same at a mark. Two shots were fired. Sometime after, the mother having occasion to visit the barn found her husband lying on the ground, dead, the bullet having entered under the chin and came out at the top of the head, while his whiskers which were heavy were not powder burned. Three charges remained in the pistol, but all the caps had been snapped. Mr. King was between forty and fifty years of age, in good circumstances, and left a widow and eight children.

There also died at Eugene City, Lane county, December 26, 1866, Hon. Riley E. Stratton, aged forty-five years.

Not only the history of a county, but also of the world in all ages, has shown that the men who take the lead in the affairs of the country are self-made, and of this class was most emphatically Hon. R. E. Stratton, Judge of the Second Judicial District. Born in the year 1821 in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, his early life was spent in obtaining such rudiments of an English education as he could, and assisting his parents in the management of their domestic affairs. Like most of the settlers in that portion of the United States, he was taught some useful occupation and became a millwright by trade; but having his mind fixed upon acquiring a classical education, he would, during the day, labor for means to defray his expenses at colleg : and pass his evenings in preparing himself to pursue, to advantage, the course of study prescribed there. After taking a four years' course of instruction in an Ohio institution, during the last two years of which he taught students in private, from the junior classes of the college, he graduated, obtaining the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then applied himself to the study of law and after being admitted to the bar, practised in Madison, Indiana, where, about 1850, he was married to Sarah Dearborn, a lady of, refined mind and high, liter- ary entertainments, who survived him. In 1852, he removed to Oregon, coming out with his father, and a year or two afterwards his family followed him, settling in the Umpqua valley, near Scottsburg. He was, until 1858, Prosecuting Attorney on the district, at which time he was elevated to the Bench by the popular vote of the Second Judicial District of Oregon, to which place he was again elected in 1864.

To this distinguished jurist is awarded the praise-his political opponents being in

Digitized by Google

339

BENTON COUNTY.

harmony with his friends-of being just and fair in his decisions, and being ever actuated by pure motives and a desire to do right. Butnot only in legal matters was Judge Stratton prominent and active, but also in general business affairs. He was, if we may so term it, one of the fathers of the Oregon Central Military Road, being at the time of his death the president of the company, as well as of the Springfield Mill Com- pany, who own one of the finest water powers on the coast. Judge Stratton's literary attainments were not confined to the law alone, as he was an attentive reader, both in English and in Classical literature, and was wont to quote word for word, long passages from their authors. In private life he was genial, social, polite, kind and ever a gentle- man, while to his friends he was always true.

And now we have to record the passing away of one of the first ladies that cheered the lonely homes of Benton county's pioneers. On Sunday, October 13, 1867, William F. Dixon, his wife and two sons, James and Cyrus, left Corvallis in a hack for their home on Yaquina bay, the father and mother staying for the night at the residence of Benjamin Tharp, while the younger ones went home, to return next morning. On Monday Mr. and Mrs. Dixon concluded to go on. When the summit of the hill was gained, a short distance from Mr. Tharp's upon a narrow grade, one of the horses fell and thus precipitated the hack and its occupants, down a steep embankment, Mrs. Dixon receiving injuries that proved fatal in about three hours. This esteemable lady was much esteemed by the community in which she dwelt and was noted for her kindly disposition and true christian spirit.

During the year 1868 the subject of railroads was the all absorbing topic of con- versation throughout the State ; while in his message dated September the fourteenth of that year, Gov. George L. Woods made the following observations : "There is per- haps no subject inviting such general attention in this State as that of railroads. All see the importance of, and feel the necessity for cheap, and easy transportation. A general system of railroads in Oregon, is an absolute necessity. And I am proud to know that the people are thoroughly aroused upon this subject. There are at this time as many as six different railroad enterprises within the State in process of execution. The Salt Lake and Columbia River Railroad connecting the Union Pacific Railroad with the navigable waters of the Columbia river. The Oregon Branch of the Central Pacific Railroad, running through the Rogue River, Umpqua and Willamette valleys, to the Columbia river and Puget Sound. The Oregon Central Railroad, (west side) ; Oregon Central Railroad, (east side) ; the Salem and McMinnville Railroad ; and the St. Helens and Hillsboro Railroad, all of which are of vast importance to the people of the State. And while rival companies may be disposed to waste their substance in needless litigation, it is the manifest duty of the State, rising above merely local ambitions and petty jealousies, to foster each and all alike. And I respectfully but earnestly recomend that you give all the encouragement you rightfully can to those great enterprises; avoiding all preferences and seeking only the general good of the people." The line which has since developed into the Oregon Pacific Railroad Com- pany was only being mooted in the year 1868. But although considerable attention had been for many years excited towards Yaquina bay and its importance resulting from its excellent harbor and varied resources, it has at long last been appreciated. Situated about a hundred and ten miles south of the Columbia river, there is required

Digitized by Google

340

BENTON COUNTY.

but the construction of something like forty miles of railroad to connect it with the extensive and fertile plains of the Willamette, thereby opening by far the quickest and cheapest route for transportation between Oregon and California. At first glance a person can hardly realize how great is the necessity for this road ; but a careful investi- gation of facts will convince anyone that no enterprise ever contemplated could lead to results so beneficial to Benton county.

The section of country which will derive immediate benefit from the establishment of this line, comprises some of the finest land in Oregon, hitherto isolated in position · and paying exorbitant rates for transportation; the owners of these lands having derived but a niggardly revenue and a most ungenerous return, for their management and cultivation. With the railroad from Corvallis to Yaquina, and the connection from the latter point with San Francisco, by ocean steamers, we have a reduction of distance over the old land route of at least one-half.

This new and expeditious transit into the interior is the talismanic sesame which will open new avenues of wealth in all branches of business throughout the country. Immigrants will crowd into the country and settle on lands hitherto ineligible; in the train of a large and increasing population will come manufacturers, from whom articles shall be obtained at reduced prices, and the money still be retained in the country, in lieu of small packages of groceries coming into the market groaning under a heavy weight of charges for transit and storage, transferage, etc., at intermediate points.

To show the condition of the county at the time we may mention the fact that for the month ending October 31, 1867, the transactions in real estate amounted to the sum of nine thousand seven hundred and twenty-three dollars and eighty-four cents, while the total number of acres that changed hands was one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, showing an average of five dollars and twenty-five cents per acre.

At his residence near Monroe, on January 7, 1869, Rev. John W. Star, aged seventy-four years, died after a lingering illness of about sixteen years. The reverend gentleman came to Oregon in 1848, and by a consistent christian life endeared him- self to all who knew him. He had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church ever since he was twelve years of age, and a preacher for upwards of forty years.

During the month of March articles of incorporation were filed by a company composed of James Edwards, Thomas Reader, S. B. Cranston, R. R. Rounds, S. Stan- nus, James Bruce, O. C. Swain, William Garlinghouse, R. Smith and C. R. Bellinger, for the purpose of navigating the Willamette river between Eigene and Oregon Cities, the capital stock being fifteen thousand dollars in shares of fifty dollars each. These gentlemen intended devoting a portion of their energies to navigating the Long Tom river, as far as Monroe, to which place the steamer Ann had managed to make her way some three or four times.

Under date February 1, 1870, the farmers of Benton county, after holding a mass meeting at the Court-house in Corvallis, unanimously agreed to organize a Farmers' Club, the following gentlemen being appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws for its government : E. Hartless, C. E. Moore, N. P. Newton, H. C. Lewis and A. G. Mulkey.

During the month of March, 1870, a petition for the removal of the Indians from the Siletz Reservation, and a portion of the sub-agency at Alsea was being circulated

Digitized by Google

341

BENTON COUNTY.

in the county, but it was thought by many that the coveted possessions would not enrich the people generally, for the amount of tillable land in that region is not very extensive.

To our unbiased mind it seems a question whether any such scheme is wise or just. Just think ! All Southern Oregon was once the broad green heritage of these now miserable tribes. Its bright rivers and boundless fields were all their own. And to-day how changed ! Shut in upon a few half-productive acres between the moun- tains and the sea, they know no more the sweet freedom of their native wilds. No bayonets bar the mountain door now ; the shadowy arm of a powerful Department holds them fast enough. The lands they now live upon are theirs, slaves as they are. The great government of the United States has pledged its faith, and the contract ought to stand so long as the honor of a Christian nation is stainless and without reproach. Shall we thrust them back, then, from their little domain to some still meaner lot, just because those poor acres have excited the cupidity of a few ? No! Perish the thought!

However, sentiment does not enter much into the business transactions of this matter of fact world. If the Anglo-Saxon sets his heart upon a tract of land he rests not until it be his, by might if not by right, therefore early in the year 1874 a deter- mined move was made to throw upon to settlement portions of the Reservations of Alsea and Siletz, the scheme finding Senator Mitchell a warm supporter, as the fol- lowing communication will show :

" UNITED STATES SENATE CHAMBER, WASHINGTON, January 5, 1874.

HON. COLUMBUS DELANO, Secretary of the Interior : My Dear Sir-By execu- tive order under date of November 9, 1855, an Indian Reservation was established in Western Oregon, designated and known as " Coast Range Indian Reservation," subject to future curtailment if found proper. This Reservation is extended from Cape Look- out on the north to a small stream about ten miles south of the Suislaw, a distance of over ninety miles, and from the Pacific ocean back to its boundary line, about twenty miles in width and forming an area of over one thousand eight hundred square miles, which incloses within its boundaries some of the finest grazing and timber lands in Oregon.

"On the twenty-first day of December, 1865, the President of the United States released a certain portion of it, that is to say-a strip twenty miles in width immedi- ately north of the Alsea river running back from the ocean to the western boundary of said Coast Reservation ; and restored this portion to the market, thus dividing the Coast Reservation in two, since known as the Siletz and Alsea Reservations.

" Upon these two latter, as near as I can ascertain, there are, all told, only about fourteen hundred Indians distributed as follows : North of the Salmon river, about two hundred and twenty-five ; on Siletz, about one thousand ; on Alsea, about three hun- dred. Those remaining north of Salmon river down in the Tillamook country are fragmentary bands of Indians, never really under the direction or control of any agency.

" That so large an extent of country, over one thousand four hundred square miles, the present aggregate area of the Siletz and Alsea Reservations, should be thus held for the benefit of these Indians, thereby excluding settlers and preventing the

Digitized by Google

342

BENTON COUNTY.

settlement of this country, so much to be desired, is in my judgment, and so far as I can ascertain, it is the judgment of the people of Oregon, a policy which is not called for either by any vested rights of the Indians, or the demands of justice. I therefore most respectfully but earnestly urge upon the attention of your Department, and through it, upon that of the Executive, the following suggestions : That by executive order the following portions of the Siletz and Alsea Reservations may be thrown open to settlement and released from such Reservations-that is to say, all that portion of the Siletz lying north of a line lying due east from the mouth of Salmon river ; also all of the Alsea Reservation, excepting a tract of twenty miles to be designated as follows : the north line of the Reservation to begin on the Pacific ocean at a point five miles south of the Alsea river and running due east to the eastern boundary of said Reser- vation ; the south line to begin at a point on the Pacific ocean twenty miles south of the north line and running due east to the eastern boundary of said Reservation. This would leave an area of over four hundred square miles in the Alsea for the accom- modation of the three hundred Indians, and about six hundred square miles for the Siletz Indians, retaining of course the Agency buildings and grounds, etc., in each case.

" This is a matter of vital importance to the people of Western Oregon. The Indians certainly cannot be prejudiced by such action, while the general settlement and prosperity of the State will be greatly advanced. The present Reservations give to each Indian, man, woman and child, about eight hundred and twenty-five acres of land, while under existing laws, a white person, who is the head of a family, perhaps with from six to ten children, gets by paying well for it, one hundred and sixty acres, while his wife and children get nothing. I am in favor of a humane policy towards the Indians and believe in dealing justly with them, but I am opposed to a policy that discriminates so largely in favor of the Indian and against the white pioneer and settler. I therefore respectfully urge the considerations upon your serious attention, and hope they may meet with your prompt attention.

" Very respectfully, etc.,

"J. H. MITCHELL."

The matter was pushed by people and officials with much vigor and on March 5, 1875, a bill passed the United States Senate authorizing the removal of the Alsea Indians to the Reservation at Siletz, it being abandoned, September 16, 1876, and thrown open to settlement, a number of the more civilized Indians taking up claims.

On January 11, 1872, at the age of fifty-five years and eleven months, there died at Corvallis, Hon. Wayman St. Clair. He was a native of Kentucky, crossed the plains in 1845, and settling in what is now Benton county, there continued to reside until his death. Mr. St. Clair at an early day devoted his attention to mercantile pursuits, as is elsewhere shown, which resulted greatly to his pecuniary advantage. He was subsequently elected to a seat in the Legislature Assembly of the then Terri- tory from Benton county and served its constituents to their entire satisfaction. At various times, and when he died, he was a member of the City Council of Corvallis. In his general intercourse with men Mr. St. Clair commanded the respect and confidence of all, being respectful and deferential to others, yet maintaining his own opinions with firmness and dignity.

To this already long list of deaths, we have to add that of Hon. Andrew J.

Digitized by Google

- --

i 1

i i

343

BENTON COUNTY.

Thayer, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Oregon, for the Second Judicial District, who breathed his last, April 28, 1873. He was born at Lima, Livingston county, New York, November 27, 1818, and acquired an academic education at what was known as the Wesleyan Seminary, but afterwards became the Western University. He read law at Warsaw, Wyoming county, New York, in the office of James R. Doolittle and L. W. Thayer. In that place he was married, October 9, 1842, to Miss Mellissa D. Chandler, a most exemplary woman, whom he left a widow. In 1849, he was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of New York, at Buffalo, and at once entered upon an extensive and lucrative practice of his profession. He continued to reside at Buffalo until the spring of 1853, when he crossed the plains to Oregon, set- tling late in the fall, upon the land claim owned by him at his death, a few miles north of Corvallis. There he resided, having an office and a winter residence as well in the city. In 1859, he received from President Buchanan an appointment as United States District Attorney for this district, it being the first appointment of that kind made in Oregon. He held the position with honor for six months, when he resigned. In 1860, a question arose among the electors of the State of Oregon as to the proper time for holding the Congressional election, one party claiming that it should be held in June and the other contending that no time having been designated by law, therefore the Congressional election should be held in November, at the time of the Presidential election. Accordingly at the election in November, 1860, Judge Thayer was chosen as the Representative of Oregon in the thirty-seventh Congress. He was admitted to a seat in the extra session of July, 1861, which he retained until the close of the session, when it was awarded to Hon. George K. Shiel. In 1862, Mr. Thayer was elected Dis- trict Attorney for the Second Judicial District of Oregon, which office he conducted in an able manner for two years. In 1870, in the same district he was elected Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, which office he held at the time of his death, his term having only about half expired.

Judge Thayer was a man of sterling integrity, a ripe scholar, an eminent jurist, a successful lawyer, a firm, devoted friend. For twenty years he had resided in Benton county and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. His demise was most keenly felt by the legal fraternity of whom he was an honest member and shining ornament, whose learned counsels on the Bench were sadly missed.

For the following two years affairs in Benton county appeared to be at a stand-still, it being thought that the high prices at which most of the large land holders in the State valued their possessions kept back immigration, and retarded the growth of the whole of Oregon. The same rule applies to-day.

The thousands, yea, tens of thousands of acres of fertile lands within her borders, that are now lying idle and profitless, would at once be put in cultivation by thrifty, energetic farmers from the Southern and Western States, even with the inadequate facilities for travel, if they could be purchased at anything like a fair figure. Men who return and pay taxes upon lands at from five to ten dollars an acre, under the technical dodge of " pasture lands" will not sell them for less than thirty to forty dollars per acre. This is what keeps people out of this State. Nor can we hope for any material augmentation of population until these "dog in the manger " disposed individuals are compelled to pay taxes on their lands at the figure they will take for them in cash.

Digitized by Google

344

BENTON COUNTY.

Under the present system of assessing not only is immigration kept out, but the country is cheated out of her just revenue and the internal interests of the State suffer in con- sequence.

Early in the year 1876, the Benton County Canal was beginning to attract atten- tion, a chief object of it being to supply Corvallis with pure fresh water from a point four or five miles above that city. The matter soon took hold of public attention and assumed a different, a broader, a wiser and more feasible aspect. This scheme was no less than to unite the waters of the Long Tom river and Muddy creek, at some point near Monroe, and bring it to Corvallis, crossing Mary's river by a flume. Such a canal it was urged would enhance the value of every farm on the Grand Prairie through which it would pass, by draining it in winter and furnishing pure living water in sum- mer for stock and other purposes, and would be more beneficial to the general public than the first idea of bringing water from the Santiam ditch, in Linn county.

There was also a project on foot, if the building the canal were undertaken, to unite Coyote and Spencer creeks, bringing them by canal and flume across the Long Tom at or near Monroe, there to connect with the Corvallis and Monroe ditch, thus draining a very large section of excellent farming land, which was usually overflowed to such an extent that it was valueless.

These enterprises, however, were but the phantasms of a too sanguine imagina- tion, like the railroad to Yaquina bay when first mooted, the scheme was pronounced good, and the sleeper continued his dream.

At a meeting of the citizens of Benton county, convened at the Court-house, April 15, 1876, to take into consideration the building of a canal from some point on the Long Tom, or the Willamette river, to terminate at Corvallis, the following committee was appointed to organize a company and adopt articles of incorporation with such capital as may be required to construct such a water-way, and to cause such examina- tion of the several routes and lines as might be necessary: G. B. Smith, Dr. J. R. Bayley, John Baker, Sol. King and James Kinney.

Surveyors were at once placed on the line proposed, who made the following report which was presented at a meeting held June 24, 1876: "To the Committee having in charge the organization of a company to construct a canal, or water ditch, from the Long Tom, or some point on the Willamettee river, to the city of Corvallis, and to procure a preliminary survey of the route :- Sirs. The undersigned would most respectfully report, that he has made an examination and survey of four several routes, viz :

" The first one starting out of the Long Tom, above Dr. Richardson's, at the slough, and running in a northerly direction across the high land, which was found to require excessively heavy work and to afford an inadequate supply of water.

" The second, beginning a short distance below the mouth of the slough, coming into the Long Tom above its mouth, and running in a northerly direction along the bottom through the lakes east of Irvin's Buttes ; thence to a point near John Baker's house ; thence to a point a few hundred yards west of John Record's house; thence to a point on Mary's river, opposite the late J. C. Avery's orchard; thence across Mary's river, intersecting the southern extremity of Fifth street in this city; thence down Fifth

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Benton County, Oregon, Part 52

Author: David D. Fagan Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: David D. Fagan
Publication date: 1885
Publisher:
Number of Pages: