USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. II, 1848-1888 > Part 31
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25 Olney was a native of Ohio, studied law and was admitted to practice in Cincinnati, removing after a few years to Iowa, where he was circuit judge, and whence he emigrated to Oregon in 1851. He resided at different times in Salem, Portland, and Astoria. He was twice a member of the legis- lature, and helped to frame the state constitution. He was twice married, and had 7 children, none of whom survived him. He died at Astoria Dec. 28, 1870.
26 The charge preferred against Pratt in the senate was made by Stephen A. Douglas, that he had been corrupted by British gold.
27 George H. Williams was born in Columbia County, N. Y., March 2, 1823. He received an academic education, and began the practice of law at an early age in Iowa, where he was soon clected judge of the circuit court. His circuit included the once famous Half-breed Tract, and the settlers elected him in the hope that he would decide their titles to the land to be good; but he disappointed them, and was not reëlected. In the presidential campaign of 1852, he canvassed Iowa for Pierce, and was chosen one of the electors to carry the vote of the state to Washington. While there he obtained the appointment of chief justice, and removed to Oregon the following year. He retained this position till 1859, when the state was admitted. In person tall, angular, and awkward, yet withal fine-looking, he possessed brain power and force, and was even sometimes eloquent as a speaker. Corr. S. F. Bulletin, in Portland Oregonian, Oct. 8, 1864.
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POLITICS AND PROGRESS.
fore he was not duly commissioned. On this flimsy pretence, by whom suggested was not known,28 Deady was unseated and McFadden2 took his place. Being regarded as a usurper by the majority of the democ- racy, McFadden was not popular. With his official acts there was no fault to be found; but by public meetings and otherwise Lane was given to under- stand that Oregon wanted her own men for judges, and not imported stock. Accordingly, after holding one term in the southern district, before the spring came McFadden was transferred to Washington Ter- ritory, and Deady reinstated. From this time for- ward there was no more appointing of non-resident judges with every change of administration at Wash- ington. The legislature of 1853-4 once more redis- tricted the territory, making Marion, Linn, Lane, Benton, and Polk constitute the 1st district; Clat- sop, Washington, Yamhill, and Clackamas the 2d; and the southern counties the 3d-and peace reigned thenceforward among the judiciary.
As if to crown this triumph of the Oregon democ- racy, Lane, whose term as delegate expired with the 32d congress, was returned to Oregon as governor, removing Gaines as Gaines had removed him.30 Lane's popularity at this time throughout the west- ern and south-western states, whence came the mass of the emigration to Oregon, was unquestioned. He was denominated the Marius of the Mexican war,31 the Cincinnatus of Indiana, and even his proceedings
28 Lane was accused, as I have said, of recommending Deady to prevent his running for delegate, which was fair enough; but it was further alleged that he planned the error in the name, and the removal which followed, for which there does not appear honorable motive.
29 Obadiah B. McFadden was born in Washington county, Penn., Nov. 18, 1817. He studied law, and was admitted to practice in 1842, and in 1843 was elected to the state legislature. In 1843 he was chosen clerk of the court of common pleas of his county, and in 1853 was appointed by President Pierce associate justice of the sup. ct for the territory of Oregon. Olympia Echo, July 1, 1875.
30 In his Autobiography, MS., 58, Lane remarks: 'I took care to have Gaines removed as a kind of compliment to me '!
31 Jenkins' History of the War with Mexico, 496
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CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION.
with regard to the Rogue River Indians were paraded . as brilliant exploits to make political capital. There was an ingenuous vanity about his public and private acts, and a happy self-confidence, mingled with a flattering deference to some and an air of dignity toward others, which made him the hero of certain circles in Washing- ton, as well as the pride of his constituency. It was with acclaim therefore that he was welcomed back to Oregon as governor, bringing with him his wife, ehil- dren, and relatives, to the number of twenty-nine, that it might not be said of him that he was a non-resident of the territory. He had taken pains besides to have all the United States officers in Oregon, from the sec- retary, George L. Curry, to the surveyors of the ports, appointed from the residents of the territory.32
Lane arrived in Oregon on the 16th of May, and on the 19th he had resigned the office of governor to become a candidate for the seat in congress he had just vacated. The programme had been arranged be- forehand, and his name placed at the head of the democratie tieket a month before his return. The opposing candidate was Indian Agent A. A. Skinner, Lane's superior in many respects, and a man every way fitted for the position.33 The organization of political
32 B. F. Harding was made U. S. attorney; J. W. Nesmith, U. S. mar- shal; Joel Palmer, supt Indian affairs; John Adair, collector at Astoria; A. C. Gibbs, collector at Umpqua; Win M King, port surveyor, Portland; Rob- ert W. Dunbar, port surveyor, Milwaukie; P. G. Stewart, port surveyor, Pacific City; and A. L. Lovejoy, postal agent. A. C. Gibbs superseded Colin Wilson, the first collector at Umpqua. The surveyors of ports re- moved were Thomas J. Dryer, Portland; G. P. Newell, Pacific City; N. Du Bois, Milwaukie. Or. Statesman, April 30, 1833.
33 Alonzo A. Skinner was born in Portage co., Ohio, in 1814. He received a good education, and was admitted to the bar in 1840, and in 1842 settled in Putnam co., where he was elected prosecuting attorney, his commission being signed by Thomas Corwin. In 1845 he emigrated to Oregon, being ap- pointed by Governor Abernethy one of the circuit judges under the provi- sional government, which office he retained till the organization of the ter- ritory. In 1851 he was appointed commissioner to treat with the Indians, together with Governor Gaines and Beverly Allen. In the latter part of that year he was made Indian agent for the Rogue River Valley, and removed from Oregon City to southern Oregon. Being a whig, and the territory over- whelmingly democratic, he was beaten in a contest for the delegateship of Oregon in 1853, Lane being the successful candidate. After the expiration of his term of office as Indian agent, he returned to Eugene City, which was founded by Eugene F. Skinner, where he married Eliza Lincoln, one of the
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POLITICS AND PROGRESS.
parties, on national as well as local issues, began with the contest between Lane and Skinner for the place as delegate, by the advice of Lane, and with all the ardor of the Salem clique of partisan democrats, whose mouth-piece was the Oregon Statesman. The canvass was a warm one, with all the chances in favor of Lane, who could easily gain the favor of even the whigs of southern Oregon by fighting Indians, whereas Skinner was not a fighting man. The whole vote cast at the election of 1853 was 7,486, and Lane's majority was 1,575, large enough to be satisfactory, yet showing that there was a power to be feared in the 'people's party,' as the opponents of democratic rule now styled their organization.
As soon as the result became known, Lane repaired to his land claim near Roseburg, and began building a residence for his family.34 But before he had made much progress, he was called to take part in subduing an outbreak among the natives of Rogue River Val- ley and vicinity, which will be the subject of the next chapter. Having distinguished himself afresh as gen- eral of the Oregon volunteers, he returned to Wash- ington in October to resume his congressional labors.
worthy and accomplished women sent out to Oregon as teachers by Governor Slade. On the death of Riley E. Stratton, in 1866, he was appointed by Gov- ernor Woods to fill the vacancy on the bench of the sup. ct. Ou retiring from this position he removed to Coos co., aud was appointed collector of customs for the port of Coos Bay, about 1870. He died in April 1877, at Santa Cruz, Cal., whither he had gone for health. Judge Skinner was an old- style gentleman, generous, affable, courteous, with a dignity which put vul- gar familiarity at a distance. If he did not inscribe his name highest on the roll of fame, he left to his family and country that which is of greater value, the memory of an upright and noble life. See Portland Oregonian, Oct. 1877.
34 ' I had determined to locate in the Umpqua Valley, on account of the scenery, the grass, and the water. It just suited my taste. Instead of in- vesting in Portland and making my fortune, I wanted to please my fancy.' Lane's Autobiography, MS., 63. Gaines also took a claim about ten miles from Salem. Or. Statesman, June 28, 1853.
CHAPTER XII.
ROGUE RIVER WAR
1853-1854.
IMPOSITIONS AND RETALIATIONS-OUTRAOES BY WHITE MEN AND INDIANS- THE MILITARY CALLED UPON-WAR DECLARED-SUSPENSION OF BUSI- NESS-ROADS BLOCKADED-FIRING FROM AMBUSH-ALDEN AT TABLE ROCK-LANE IN COMMAND-BATTLE-THE SAVAGES SUE FOR PEACE- ARMISTICE-PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT-HOSTAGES GIVEN-ANOTHER TREATY WITH THE ROGUE RIVER PEOPLE-STIPULATIONS -OTHER TREATIES-COST OF THE WAR.
NOTWITHSTANDING the treaty entered into, as I have related, by certain chiefs of Rogue River in the sum- mer of 1852, hostilities had not altogether ceased, although conducted less openly than before. With such a rough element in their country as these min- ers and settlers, many of them bloody-minded and un- principled men, and most of them holding the opinion that it was right and altogether proper that the natives should be killed, it was impossible to have peace. The white men, many of them, did not want peace. The quicker the country was rid of the red- skin vermin the better, they said. And in carrying out their determination, they often outdid the savage in savagery.
There was a sub-chief, called Taylor by white men, who ranged the country about Grave Creek, a north- ern tributary of Rogue River, who was specially hated, having killed a party of seven during a winter storm and reported them drowned. He committed other depredations upon small parties passing over
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ROGUE RIVER. WAR.
the road.1 It was believed, also, that white women were prisoners among the Indians near Table Rock, a rumor arising probably from the vague reports of the captivity of two white girls near Klamath Lake.
Excited by what they knew and what they imag- ined, about the 1st of June, 1853, a party from Jacksonville and vicinity took Taylor with three others and hanged them. Then they went to Table Rock to rescue the alleged captive white women, and finding none, they fired into a village of natives, kill- ing six, then went their way to get drunk and boast of their brave deeds.2
There was present neither Indian agent nor mili- tary officer to prevent the outrages on either side. The new superintendent, Palmer, was hardly installed in office, and had at his command but one agent,3 whom he despatched with the company raised to open the middle route over the Cascade Mountains. As to troops, the 4th infantry had been sent to the north- west coast in the preceding September, but were so distributed that no companies were within reach of Rogue River.4 As might have been expected, a few weeks after the exploits of the Jacksonville com- pany, the settlements were suddenly attacked, and a bloody carnival followed.5 Volunteer companies quickly gathered up the isolated families and patrolled
1 Drew, in Or. Jour. Council, 1857-8, app. 26; Or. Statesman, June 28, 1853; Jacksonville Sentinel, May 25, 1867; Dowell's Nar., MS., 5-6.
" ' Let our motto be extermination,' cries the editor of the Yreka Herald, 'and death to all opposers.' See also S. F. Alta, June 14, 1833; Jacksonville Sentinel, May 25, 1867. The leaders of the company were Bates and Two- good.
3 This was J. M. Garrison. Other appointments arrived soon after, designating Samuel H. Culver and R. R. Thompson. J. L. Parrish was retained as sub-agent. Rept of Supt Palmer, in U. S. H. Ex. Doc., i., vol. i. pt. i. 448, 33d cong. Ist sess.
Five companies were stationed at Columbia barracks, Fort Vancouver, one at Fort Steilacoom, one at the mouth of Umpqua River, two at Port Or- ford, and one at Humboldt Bay. Cal. Mil. Aff. Scraps, 13-14; Or. States- man, Sept. 4, 1852.
3 August 4th, Richard Edwards was killed. August 5th, next night, Thomas J. Mills and Rhodes Noland were killed, and one Davis and Burril F. Griffin were wounded. Ten houses were burned between Jacksonville and W. G. T'Vault's place, known as the Dardanelles, a distance of ten miles.
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GATHERING OF VOLUNTEERS.
the country, occasionally being fired at by the con- cealed foe.6 A petition was addressed to Captain Al- den, in command of Fort Jones in Scott Valley, asking for arms and ammunition. Alden immediately came forward with twelve men. Isaac Hill, with a small company, kept guard at Ashland.7
On the 7th of June, Hill attacked some Indians five miles from Ashland, and killed six of them. In return, the Indians on the 17th surprised an immi- grant camp and killed and wounded several.8 The houses everywhere were now fortified; business was suspended, and every available man started out to hunt Indians.9
On the 15th S. Ettinger was sent to Salem with a request to Governor Curry for a requisition on Colonel Bonneville, in command at Vancouver, for a howitzer, rifles, and ammunition, which was granted. With the howitzer went Lieutenant Kautz and six artillerymen; and as escort forty volunteers, officered by J. W. Nesmith captain, L. F. Grover Ist lieu- tenant, W. K. Beale 2d lieutenant, J. D. MeCurdy surgeon, J. M. Crooks orderly sergeant.10 Over two hundred volunteers were enrolled in two companies, and the chief command was given to Alden. From Yreka there were also eighty volunteers, under Cap-
6 Thus were killed John R. Hardin and Dr Rose, both prominent citizens of Jackson county. Or. Statesman, Aug. 23, 1853.
The inen were quartered at the houses of Frederick Alberding and Pat- rick Dunn. Their names, so far as I know, besides Alberding and Dunn, were Thomas Smith, William Taylor, and Andrew B. Carter. The names of settlers who were gathered in at this place were Frederick Heber and wife; Robert Wright and wife; Samuel Grubb, wife and five children; Will- iam Taylor, R. B. Hagardine, John Gibbs, M. B. Morris, R. Tungate, Morris Howell. On the 13th of Aug. they were joined by an immigrant party just arrived, consisting of A. G. Fordyce, wife and three children, J. Kennedy, Hugh Smith, Brice Whitmore, Ira Arrowsmith, William Hodgkins, wife and three children, all of Iowa, and George Barnett of Illinois. Scraps of Southern Or. Ilist., in Ashland Tidings, Sept. 27, 1878.
8 Hugh Smith and John Gibbs were killed; William Hodgkins, Brice Whit- man, A. G. Fordyce, and M. B. Morris wounded.
9 Duncan's Southern Or., MS., S, says: 'The enraged populace began to slaughter right and left.' Martin Angell, from his own door, shot an Indian. Or. Statesman, Aug. 23, 1853.
10 Grover's Pub. Life in Or., MS., 29; Or. Statesman, Aug. 23, 30, 1833.
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ROGUE RIVER WAR.
tain Goodall. By the 9th of August, both Nesmith and the Indian superintendent were at Yoncalla.
Fighters were plenty, but they were without sub- sistence. Alden appointed a board of military com- missioners to constitute a general department of sup- ply.11 Learning that the Indians were in force near Table Rock, Alden planned an attack for the night of the 11th; but in the mean time information came that the Indians were in the valley killing and burning right and left. Without waiting for officers or orders, away rushed the volunteers to the defence of their homes, and for several days the white men scoured the country in small bands in pursuit of the foe. Sam, the war chief of Rogue River, now approached the volunteer camp and offered battle. Alden, having once more collected his forces, made a movement on the 15th to dislodge the enemy, supposed to be en- camped in a bushy cañon five miles north of Table Rock, but whom he found to have changed their po- sition to some unknown place of concealment. Fol- lowing their trail was exceedingly difficult, as the savages had fired the woods behind them, which ob- literated it, filled the atmosphere with smoke and heat, and made progress dangerous. It was not until the morning of the 17th that Lieutenant Ely of the Yreka company discovered the Indians on Evans Creek, ten miles north of their last encampment. Having but twenty-five men, and the main force hav- ing returned to Camp Stuart for supplies, Ely fell back to an open piece of ground, crossed by creek channels lined with bunches of willows, where, after sending a messenger to headquarters for reënforce- ments, he halted. But before the other companies could come up, he was discovered by Sam, who has- tened to attack him.
Advancing along the gullies and behind the willows, the Indians opened fire, killing two men at the first
11 George Dart, Edward Sheil, L. A. Loomis, and Richard Dugan consti- tuted the commission.
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BATTLE NEAR TABLE ROCK.
discharge. The company retreated for shelter, as rapidly as possible, to a pine ridge a quarter of a mile away, but the savages soon flanked and surrounded them. The fight continued for three and a half hours, Ely having four more men killed and four wounded.12 Goodall with the remainder of his com- pany then came up, and the Indians retreated.
On the 21st, and before Alden was ready to move, Lane arrived with a small force from Roseburg.13 The command was tendered to Lane, who accepted it.14
A battalion under Ross was now directed to pro- ceed up Evans Creek to a designated rendezvous, while two companies, captains Goodall and Rhodes, under Alden with Lane at their head, marched by the way of Table Rock. The first day brought Alden's com- mand fifteen miles beyond Table Rock without hav- ing discovered the enemy; the second day they passed over a broken country enveloped in clouds of smoke; the third day they made camp at the eastern base of a rocky ridge between Evans Creek and a small stream farther up Rogue River. On the morning of the fourth day scouts reported the Indian trail, and a road to it was made by cutting a passage for the horses through a thicket.
Between nine and ten o'clock, Lane, riding in ad- vance along the trail which here was quite broad, heard a gun fired and distinguished voices. The troops were halted on the summit of the ridge, and
12 J. Shane, F. Keath, Frank Perry, A. Douglas, A. C. Colburn, and L. Locktirg were killed, and Lieut Ely, John Albin, James Carrol, and Z. Shutz wounded. Or. Statesman, Sept. 6, 1833; S. F. Alta, Aug. 28, 1853.
13 Accompanying Lane were Pleasant Armstrong of Yamhill county, James Cluggage, who had been to the Umpqua Valley to enlist if possible the Klickitat Indians against the Rogue Rivers, but without success, and eleven others. See Lane's Autobiography, MS., 63.
1+ Curry had commissioned Lane brigadier-general, and Nesmith, who had not yet arrived, was bearer of the commission, but this was unknown to either Alden or Lane at the time. Besides, Lane was a more experienced field-officer than Alden; but Capt. Cram, of the topographical engineers, subsequently blamed Alden, as well as the volunteers, because the command was given to Lane, 'while Alden, an army officer, was there to take it.' U. S. H. Ex. Doc., 114, p. 41, 35th cong. 2d sess .; 11. Ex. Doc., i., pt ii. 42, 33d cong. Ist sess.
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ROGUE RIVER WAR.
ordered to dismount in silence and tie their horses. When all were ready, Alden with Goodall's company was directed to proceed on foot along the trail and attack the Indians in front, while Rhodes with his men took a ridge to the left to turn the enemy's flank, Lane waiting for the rear guard to come up, whom he intended to lead into action.15
The first intimation the Indians had that they were discovered was when Alden's command fired into their camp. Although completely surprised, they made a vigorous resistance, their camp being forti- fied with logs, and well supplied with ammunition. To get at them it was necessary to charge through dense thickets, an operation both difficult and dan- gerous from the opportunities offered of an an- bush. Before Lane brought up the rear, Alden had been severely wounded, the general finding him lying in the arms of a sergeant. Lane then led a charge in person, and when within thirty yards of the enemy, was struck by a rifle-ball in his right arm near the shoulder.
In the afternoon, the Indians called out for a parley, and desired peace; whereupon Lane ordered a suspension of firing, and sent Robert B. Metcalfe and James Bruce into their lines to learn what they had to say. Being told that their former friend, Lane, was in command, they desired an interview, which was granted.
On going into their camp, Lane found many wounded; and they were burning their dead, as if fearful they would fall into the hands of the enemy. He was met by chief Jo, his namesake, and his brothers Sam and Jim, who told him their hearts were sick of war, and that they would meet him seven days thereafter at Table Rock, when they would give
15 In this expedition, W. G. T'Vault acted as aid to Gen. Lane, C. Lewis, a volunteer captain, as asst adjutant-gen., but falling ill on the 29th, Capt. L. F. Mosher, who afterward married one of Lane's daughters, took his place. Mosher had belonged to the 4th Ohio volunteers. Lane's Rept in U. S. H. Ex. Doc. i., pt ii. 40, 33d cong. Ist sess.
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ARMISTICE.
up their arms,16 make a treaty of peace, and place themselves under the protection of the Indian super- intendent, who should be sent for to be present at the council. To this Lane agreed, taking a son of Jo as hostage, and returning to the volunteer encampment at the place of dismounting in the morning, where the wounded were being cared for and the dead being buried.17
The Ross battalion arrived too late for the fight, and having had a toilsome march were disappointed, and would have renewed the battle, but were restrained by Lane. Although for two days the camps were within four hundred yards of each other, the truce remained unbroken. During this interval the Indian women brought water for the wounded white men; and when the white men moved to camp, the red men furnished bearers for their litters.18 I find no men- tion made of any such humane or christian conduct on the part of the superior race.
On the 29th, both the white and red battalions moved slowly toward the valley, each wearing the appearance of confidence, though a strict watch was covertly kept on both sides.19 The Indians established themselves for the time on a high piece of ground directly opposite the perpendicular cliffs of Table Rock, while Lane made his camp in the valley, in plain view from the Indian position, and about one mile distant, on the spot where Fort Lane was after- ward located.
16 They had 111 rifles and 86 pistols. S. F. Alta, Sept. 4, 1853.
17 See Or. Statesman, Nov. 15, 1853. Among the slain was Pleasant Arm- strong, brother of the author of Oregon, a descriptive work from which I have sometimes quoted. The latter says that as soon as the troops were away the remains of his brother were exhumed, and being cut to pieces were left to the wolves. Armstrong's Or., 52-3. John Scarborough and Isaac Bradley were also kille1. The wounded were 5 in number, one of whom, Charles C. Abbe, afterward died of his wounds. The Indian loss was S killed and 20 wounded. 18 Lane's Autobiography, MS., 96-7.
19 Siskiyou County Affairs, MS., 2, 4-5; Minto's Early Days, MS., 46; Gro- ver's Pub. Life, MS., 28-31; Brown's Salrm Dir., 1871, 33-5; Yreka Moun- tain Herald, Sept. 24, 1853; Or. Statesman, Oct. 11, 1853; U. S. H. Ex. Doc., 114, p. 41-2, 35th cong. 2d sess .; Jacksonville Sentinel, July 1, 1867; Meteorol. Reg., 1853-4, 594; Nesmith's Reminiscences, in Trans. Or. Pioneer Asso., 1879, p. 44; Or. Statesman, Sept. 27, 1853.
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ROGUE RIVER WAR.
The armistice continued inviolate so far as con- cerned the volunteer army under Lane, and the Ind- ians under Sam, Jo, and Jim. But hostilities were not suspended between independent companies rang- ing the country and the Grave Creek and Apple- gate Creek Indians, and a band of Shastas under Tipso, whose haunts were in the Siskiyou Moun- tains. 20
A council, preliminary to a treaty, was held the 4th of September, when more hostages were given, and the next day Lane, with Smith, Palmer, Grover, and others, visited the Rogue River camp. The 8th was set for the treaty-making. On that day the white men presented themselves at the Indian encampment in good force and well armed. There had arrived, be- sides, the company from the Willamette, with Kautz and his howitzer,21 all of which had its effect to obtain their consent to terms which, although hard, the con- dition of the white settlers made imperative,22 placing
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