USA > Oregon > Pioneer days of Oregon history, Vol. I > Part 5
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-forty of our young men-" But before this last sen- tence was ended a ball passed through his heart.
Atrocious cruelties were practiced on the women captives, such as cannot be described. Cox remonstrated as a young girl of fifteen was led to torture, but they seemed inflexible in their hate. Finally, he promised that if they would send back the remaining prisoners he would bring them guns and ammunition in trade, that would make them superior to their enemies. This was listened to, he urged it on the ground of humanity and Christian teaching. There was a fierce debate; an old priestess, who was conducting the girl to sacrifice, taunted them for being cowards and fools if they would forego their revenge, summoning them in name of their mothers, sisters and wives not to yield, but the promise that the traders would live among them and supply all their wants if they would yield to this-and would leave them alone if they did not-had force. Even the widowed war chief acquiesced.
The promises were mutually performed. The prisoners were returned to their tribe, and the Flatheads were well sup- plied with arms, so that they held their own and the annihi- lation of their tribe was prevented. The Blackfeet retaliated on the whites, however, for having supplied their enemies with arms, and thereafter many whites became their vic- tims. The Flatheads possessed many virtues : were honest, brave, virtuous, truthful, cleanly, handsome in form and feature, well made and rather slender ; dressed in good taste, and possessed native modesty and fairness of character, to which the majority of the Indians of the lower country were strangers. They and their relatives-the Nez Percés, the Cœur d'Alene, and kindred tribes-seem to have been the
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Alexander Ross and Ross Cox
most amenable to civilization and disposed to be friendly to the whites.
The narratives of Ross Cox and Alexander Ross have romantic interest, showing the conditions that prevailed as to Indian character and belief of that period. They appear to have been educated gentlemen who wrote their stories in pleasant and graphic style. Also, Franchère's narrative is well told, and Franchère himself is well spoken of by all his companions, as commanding their respect for his delightful ways and kindly nature.
Mr. Cox suffered severely from rheumatism, and was re- lieved finally by an old Indian, who induced him to take a morning bath. As it was winter, they had to break the ice, but the two of them jumped in, the other rubbing him down well while in the water till his hair became fringed with icicles ; as they emerged, his limbs were covered with ice. Wrapping in a blanket he ran back to bed, and after twenty- five days of treatment was not only well, but never had an- other touch of rheumatism. An old Canadian, who had chronic rheumatism, desired to try the same treatment, but the old man said it would do him no good; instead he made a sweat house, put him in it-and it was none too large -- then threw water on hot stones placed around him and let him swelter until nearly suffocated. A few such baths didn't radically cure, but relieved the veteran so that he could live by day and sleep by night, as he had not for many a day.
Mr. Cox says he saw no reason for the name Blackfeet, as the feet are not black ; nor for that of Flathead, for the tribe so named did not flatten the head, which was only done by the tribes of the Lower Columbia. While the Flatheads allowed no intermarriage with whites and were more virtuous
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than usual among natives, an exception had to be made in one instance. Pierre Michel was the son of a respectable Canadian by an Indian woman. As interpreter he was val- uable to the company ; as he had accompanied the Flatheads on two of their campaigns, where he was distinguished for courage and had an undaunted aim, as well as bravery, he had won the affections of the whole tribe. Michel fell in love with a girl of sixteen belonging to one of the first families and proposed for her. A council was called to consider his offer, but the girl's mother had promised her to a young warrior, who also loved her ardently, and naturally enough opposed her union with Michel. But the war chief especially appreciated Pierre Michel ; asking him if the girl had prom- ised to be his wife, he said she had not ; then the chief showed Pierre's great services and the good policy it would be to ally him with the nation. He appealed to the Indian lover and his friends to not oppose ; then the rival shook hands with Pierre and told the girl she could always count on him as a brother-if he couldn't be her husband. Michel made suitable presents to his late rival, now his friend, and to the relatives of the bride, and in the evening went to her uncle, the heredity chief, to talk and smoke. Here she was lec- tured by father and mother on her duties as a wife, exhort- ing her to be chaste, obedient, industrious and silent ; when her husband should be away to stay at home, and not be at any time too fresh with strangers. Then the mother of the bride took her away to undergo ablution and dress for her married life. The leather chemise was exchanged for gin- gham ; she had a calico gown added; a green cloth petticoat and a blue gown completed the outfit ; then she received fur- ther advice at her uncle's lodge; a procession was formed,
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where two chiefs and warriors carried torches and marched to the fort to deliver the blushing bride to the happy and waiting Pierre.
They sang war songs in praise of Michel's prowess and their own triumphs over the Blackfeet. She was serenaded by a group of old and young women, some of whom laughed while others wept. In this order they reached the fort "chanting their warlike epithalamium." There was danc- ing and singing again, then the calumet of peace went round, when Pierre again shook hands with all, embraced his late rival and the chiefs, and then the bride was his and ac- companied him to his quarters. It is pleasant to know that they lived happily as a result of this forest idyl, but no other applicant not to the manner born ever succeeded in per- suading the Flatheads to give him a wife-for love or money. Happy Pierre!
In the course of the winter at Spokane (1814) one of the younger clerks resolved to take a wife. The interpreter was told to make inquiry, and a pretty looking girl of seven- teen was the applicant. The father had died, but the mother and brother settled the terms and received blankets and ket- tles ; other relatives were remembered with lesser values. She was taken in hand by one of the men's wives, scrubbed, to be rid of paint and bear's grease, the leather chemise ex- changed for civilized dress-and in this renovated form proved to be one of the most engaging females ever discov- ered in the Spokane nation. Scarcely had a week of the. honeymoon passed when a number of young warriors, all armed, galloped into the courtyard of the fort. This was almost warlike, quite extraordinary, but as soon as the bride saw the foremost rider she vanished from the scene. Dis-
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mounting, the new arrivals asked for a conference; the leader made his case that from the first his people had treated the whites well ; supplied their wants when in distress and been brothers to them, certainly had not robbed them- with a burst of passionate eloquence he narrated how his company had gone on a hunt and coming home all the others found their wives waiting to see them, but his home was empty. He never should put faith in a white man again, for one of them had taken his wife away from him. This gives his remarks but in brief ; it was a masterful appeal. He didn't want the girl for a wife any more, but insisted on having her to make an object lesson of.
The interpreter explained that the girl's relatives made the trade, and she would not have been taken had it been known she was his wife. Fearing her life would be sacri- ficed, the old chief tried to pacify him ; finally, he was given a gun, an hundred rounds of ammunition, two kettles, three blankets, a spur, a dagger, ten fathoms of tobacco and other articles to compensate for lacerated feelings ; so the young man at last had a clear title to his young spouse and her ex- husband had property to pay for several of the best damsels Spokane could furnish. When this exorbitant trade was completed there was a general smoke, for smoking is the em- blem of peace among Indians. When the young woman in controversy saw from her hiding place that the pipe went round, she knew that the trouble was compromised and she was paid for, so she came unblushingly forth and switched her new-fashioned skirts, as well as her newly washed face, past the very person of her late proprietor. This is quite a different incident from the love match that Pierre made with the Flathead maiden.
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In 1815 Mr. Stuart wrote Mr. Cox from British Colum- bia, and it is interesting to note the frequent quotations from the classics made by these gentlemen in the wilderness. Alluding to his remoteness, he says: "Messrs. McDougal and Harman are with me; they are not only efficient officers but-what is a novelty in this country-are real Christians. I sincerely wish their pious example was followed by others. We are at separate posts, but as we feel great delight in each other's company, we visit as often as the condition of the country and our business will permit. In their conversation I enjoy some of the most agreeable moments of my life." He describes the natives of the north as very different from those on the Columbia, in all important respects.
CHAPTER XI
THE NORTHWESTERS
WE have seen the great enterprise of Mr. Astor terminate in the surrender of the post at the mouth of the Columbia to the Northwest Fur Company, with transfer of the prop- erty and business of the Pacific Fur Company. Then the flag of Great Britain was hoisted on the same staff that had floated the Stars and Stripes, and the captain of the British war vessel broke a bottle of wine on the same staff as he re- christened the place Fort George, instead of Astoria.
The treachery and disloyalty of McDougal-Astor's Canadian partner-is charged with this surrender of Mr. Astor's interests ; one rather amusing feature of the affair was the conduct of the old Chief Com-com-ly, father-in-law of the thrifty McDougal, who saw the proceedings with in- finite disgust. He soon discovered that the Racoon was not an American vessel, but hostile to the old management. He took note of the equipment, the large force of men on board, and all the paraphernalia for naval war, so calling his war- riors together they made the journey of five miles across the broad river from Chinook Point to Astoria, and he ad- dressed his recreant son-in-law and others there in a set speech, wherein he set forth the good will that existed on his part for the people of the fort and made the brave and liberal offer to aid the defence. He and his warriors would ambush the invaders as they landed, while the Americans
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should use the guns of the fort ; so they would destroy the common enemy-for the Chinooks were hostile to all who were enemies of the Americans.
Meanwhile, two boat loads of armed Britons were coming in to take possession, and theunworthy McDougal scarce had time to assure his colleague and ally that there was no oc- casion for fear, as he was all right with King George's men as well as with the others, before the boats landed. With the aid of that Chinook contingent a good defence could have been made; old Com-com-ly looked on with dissatisfaction to have missed so great opportunity for renown. When, later, he saw the place rechristened in form and possession taken, he expressed regret that he had not done as he sug- gested and made the fight on his own account, for he was sat- isfied that henceforth the Americans were no better than slaves. It is some satisfaction-as matter of history-to know that from thenceforth the Chinook chieftain was al- ways ashamed of his son-in-law.
Our purpose only needs a glimpse at each period of the history of that region. The Astor Company being disposed of, we will chronicle a few features that intervened from the surrender of Astoria to the time when the Hudson's Bay Company took possession under the able management of Dr. John McLoughlin, about ten years later.
The treaty of peace provided that all territory taken by either party during the war should be restored. Mr. Astor was anxious to recover his rights at Astoria and resume trading operations on the Pacific, so applied to our govern- ment for the restitution the treaty demanded. In the fall of 1817 the sloop of war Ontario was sent for this purpose and to assert the claim of the United States to the country
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adjacent to the Columbia. This led to discussion of right of sovereignty, the British Government claiming that purchase from the Astor Company and continued occupancy gave the British permanent rights. Captain Biddle, of the On- tario, however, took possession of the Columbia in August, 1818. By agreement between the two countries Fort George was surrendered to the Americans, and as the title to the country was in dispute joint occupancy was agreed on, leav- ing the British in actual possession of Oregon.
During the five years of possession the Northwest Com- pany made much improvement at Astoria, better stockades, larger enclosures, more ample warehouses ; the population was twenty-three whites, twenty-six Kanakas and sixteen Canadian half-breeds. Mr. Astor could not get the busi- ness in shape to handle it, as there was no government protection possible, such as he deemed necessary, and it was not advisable to found a rival company. Possession was nine points in the law, and the Northwesters had pos- session.
On the 20th of October, 1818, a compromise was signed by which all territories and waters west of the Rocky Moun- tains should be free and open to vessels and citizens of both nations for ten years to come, and that during this time joint occupancy existing, no rights should accrue by reason of such occupancy. On the 22d of February, 1819, by the Florida treaty, Spain ceded to the United States her prov- ince of Florida and all her claims to territory on the Pacific north of the 42° of north latitude, which was then the north boundary of Mexico-then as now the north line of Cali- fornia.
The rivalry existing for many years between the North-
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west Company and the Hudson's Bay Company for the trade in furs had been implacable, resulting in actual war to the death. When their expeditions met they fought, and the most powerful robbed when they did not slay their rivals -- or did both. This began in 1806; the Northwest Company had 2,000 men, and in its sense of power invaded the terri- tory that the Crown had conferred on its great rival, the Hudson's Bay Company, which never went beyond its own limits and had never been able to explore that much. As the Northwesters gained wealth and numbers they became ag- gressive. It was the law of the wilderness, where might was right ; there was no other law, no principle to go by and no government near enough to enforce law-if it existed. The aggressive conduct of the Northwest Company roused the Hudson's Bay Company to assert itself ; there was as abso- lute and unholy war between them as between hostile Indian tribes. It was war of extermination-to destroy the Hud- son's Bay Company, and make them abandon the field-or else sell out at low price. Without royal charter or legal right, the Northwest Company having no grant of terri- tory, had become great and powerful because of its success in trade; therefore, its managers determined to claim the entire northern wilderness, from ocean to ocean, as theirs by force of arms.
This fearful strife continued from 1806 until 1821, when Parliament consolidated the two as the Hudson's Bay Com- pany. Then the vast domain of the north of North Amer- ica passed under the control of the consolidated forces. The fierceness of their war may be understood when we know that the Northwest people destroyed settlements made and killed Robert Semple, Governor of the Territories of the Hudson's
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Bay Company, and twenty-five or thirty men with him. At that time the Hudson's Bay Company had no ventures west of the Rocky Mountains in Oregon ; so the war only existed to the east, and I refer to it as showing the character of the times. From January, 1814, to 1821, the Northwest Com- pany had possession on the Columbia and experienced a great variety of adventures in intercourse with different tribes who occupied the many regions on the coast and in the interior.
A very interesting narrative was told by Ross Cox, who had been one of the Astor Company, and remained for nearly half a century connected with the different companies. I condense to give an idea of conditions prevailing, as well as views of life and religious belief of the Indians. The Okano- gans, with whom he was stationed much of the time, occu- pied a region of the Upper Columbia, nearly 200 miles north of the junction of that river with the Snake, close to the British line. The Okanogan River rises to the north, in British Columbia. They were a brave and independent race and may be accepted as a fair average of the Indians the Fur Company had to deal with.
The Cascades of the Columbia, where he shows there was continual trouble with the savages, is the well-known wonder- ful gorge where the river is hemmed in by mountain heights and rushes through in fierce rapids that made a portage necessary. It was a famous fishing ground for the Klicki- tats, who were independent and warlike until placated by good usage. Under the later management of Governor Mc- Loughlin they became allies and many were employed as workers by the company. This famous pass was occupied from 1850 by shrewd white men who levied far greater trib-
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ute on the world's commerce than the native Klickitats ever did.
As Mr. Ross says: The Astor expedition had a continent of unfriendly savages to contend with and overcome by al- ternate force and strategy. It is not easy to imagine the hardships and dangers that beset their course and called for all the tact, as well as courage, possible to human nature. The various tribes were jealous of each other and at times were treacherous toward the whites. It is really matter for surprise that the invaders were received so well and had so little cause for complaint, when it was so easy for the natives to misunderstand them and so many interests were arrayed against them. But the Indians were not their worst fear ; as they extended their excursions inland they found their unscrupulous competitors-the Northwesters-on the head- waters of the Columbia.
They found the Indians in possession of the great gorges -or natural passes-at both the Cascades of the Columbia and fifty miles above there, at the Dalles, as also at the Falls of the Willamette, twenty miles above its junction with the Columbia. They found, also, that in all these passes they understood their advantage and were prepared to demand tribute, or toll, for use of their monopoly. These adventur- ers risked and dared much for the privilege to trade in furs, and endured untold hardships as well. During the three years the Astor expedition lasted sixty-one lives were lost- mostly on land excursions.
Mr. Alexander Ross was one of those who went from the Pacific Fur Company to its successor and former rival ; he gives a history of its career until it, in turn, was absorbed with the Hudson's Bay Company. But he did not admire the
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ways of the new company, and delights to tell how the egoism of its all-sufficient leaders was at times taken down by the misfortunes invited by bad management. The "Northwesters"- as they proudly styled themselves-tried to improve on previous management, but miserably failed, and were often obliged to follow the ways of their prede- cessors. The traders had not succeeded in conciliating the savages, as men in their employ continually invited danger and fomented trouble. Large companies were sent out, composed of the most heterogeneous material, often thiev- ing, unruly and even mutinous ; withal, as careless as pos- sible in securing and caring for the property in their care.
As soon as the Northwesters had secured the Astor equip- ment they fitted out a company to go to the company's headquarters at the east to carry back the important news. Kieth and Stuart went with only twenty men. They made light of a word of caution as to the danger in passing the Cascades and Dalles portages with a small company ; they said if the Indians were ever so unruly they would take no liberties when they found they had "Northwesters" to deal with. When baggage and supplies were being transported at the Cascades the Indians-who were there in great num- bers-rushed at them when they were scattered at the port- age, pounced on their valuables, and a sharp battle ensued. Stuart was wounded and two of the Indians were killed. It was raining ; the flint locks would not work well, and the trusty "Northwesters" were not much account among such a horde of savages.
After a hard time they abandoned the gorge and went very ingloriously back to Fort George. When they re-
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turned again it was with an increased force, and had two Chinook interpreters with them to lend assistance. For a week war's clarion sounded and the clang of arms was heard, but not the arms they took on the first expedition, as most of those were left in possession of the Cascade band of Klickitats, as well as the goods they were taking to the upper country. This time they had two large cannon, and six swivels were rigged in the boats, with guns, swords and pis- tols, cutlasses, hand grenades, and hand-cuffs. With flags flying, eighty-five men set forth on January 20, 1814, filling ten river craft, full of victory in expectation. Tribes along the river were terror-stricken, and the two Chinook interpreters could not sleep for grieving over the fearful fate that was to visit their friends and whilom allies at the Cascades.
The third day they reached the foot of the rapids and. sent the interpreters to summon the Indians to give an ac- count of themselves. The Northwesters assumed a lordly air and commanding tone. It was necessary to show these marauders that they had no longer the easy-going men of the Astor type to deal with.
But the Cascade chief met the demand that they sur- render all the captured property with counter-demand that sounded just as well. Your savage is a native diplomat. They seem born to negotiate, and the wilder they may ap- pear the more diplomatic they manage to be. It was a mor- tifying fact to the Northwesters that these Cascade infidels were not the least alarmed at sight of their great armament, or at sound of their great cannon-were not the least intimi- dated by their formidable appearance and magnificent ar- ray. "War's magnificently stern array" was an every-day
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business with them. With paint and feathers on they had no occasion to play second fiddle to anybody.
So they sent back for answer: "The whites have killed two of our people : when they send us the murderers we will send them their property." Then the savages had the hu- manity to send their wives and children to the thick woods close at hand, to be out of danger's way, and in full panoply of war took their places for battle.
McTavish, the leader, sent them word to come and have a smoke and talk it over, but the only answer was: "When you pay us for the two men you have killed we will smoke- and not before." So went one day. Another day came and the Chinook interpreter went to see them again. They sent back some cotton cloth, that had been torn to tatters, and said: "Here! Take your property and give us the murder- ers!" In the evening two of the chiefs brought some more rubbish and boasted of their loyalty to the whites. So went another day. When the interpreters went on the third day they were told that if they came again and did not bring the murderers they would be fired on-and must take the consequences.
The fourth morning they discovered that in the night the Indians had come into their camp and stolen guns, kettles and clothing. They became insolent, adding insult to in- jury, and whooped and yelled as if intending to attack. All this time the savages were under shelter and the whites were exposed. The interpreters said the Indians had received reinforcements. So, after five days of ignominious pretence and inglorious palaver the Northwesters actually backed down and carried their formidable armament home again. Nobody was hurt and no goods were recovered. If they
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