USA > Oregon > The Oregon native son, 1900-1901 > Part 2
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MILLS HOUSE, NO. 1.
benefitting thousands of men without partaking of the nature of charity, have earned a net interest on the total invest- ment of two per cent per annum.
You may ask, if my eyes are weak, why I am writing. I am not writing much, chiefly dictating, and must keep occupied. I would die of ennui if com-
Sweet doing nothing is a delightful vision which makes us all converts to the gospel of idleness. We have constructed a heaven of future bliss on the simple basis of this illusion. An extensive hymnology exists whose inspiration is this captivating idea.
If there were not some danger of wound- ing sensitive feelings, we might make many quotations from our devotional anthologies to show that the popular conception of etern- al happiness has much similitude to the rest-
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OREGON NATIVE SON.
ful imaginings which float through the brain of pater-familias as he contemplates his an- nual visit to his favorite seaside summer re- sort. There he will sit by the margin of the quiet sea on the golden sands, and listen half asleep after his midday dinner to the strains of the band on the parade. It is the self- same illusion which found its path through
ness which is the ideal of pagan golden ages, Christian and Mohammedan paradises, and of the social millennium on earth.
What matters it that memory persists in reminding us that the periods of our lives when we have more nearly realized the idea! conditions were exactly those in which the illusion vanished ? We cannot ignore the
SKY SCRAPERS OF NEW YORK.
the sad heart of the poor slaving woman of all work as she composed her epitaph for her own and her friends consolation.
"Don't weep for me now, don't weep for me never;
I'm going to do nothing for ever and ever." The appeal is irresistible to the ingrained illusion of perfect happiness in perfect idle-
plain fact. but, as there is nothing more difficult than the reproduction of past moods and feelings, it is as though the story were told of another and not of ourselves. The illusion remains vivid and living, while the real fact of our existence shares the usual fate of all historical happenings in being unrealized in consciousness.
(To be continued.) Saufvalentine
LEGEND OF SNAKE RIVER VALLEY.
The Snake river runs over five hun- dred miles through a continuous lava bed before it is lost by a union with the waters of the Columbia, flowing between rock-ribed gorges, at times, two thous- and feet below the level of the country through which it passes. Standing on the bluffs above, one can look for many miles with vision unobstructed except by the ranges, some thirty, some a hun- dred miles away. Get back a distance
robed sentinels to watch and see that the Indians do not disobey the Great Spirit, who, in unnumbered years agone, en- joined upon them certain things. From the snowy sides of elevation run the streamlets, fountain heads and feeders of the greater waters to the ocean bound.
After traversing about half of its length, the roar of cataract greets the ear. Led by the ever-increasing sound,
"Pointing to the elevated table land he proclaimed it holy ground."
from the banks and not a river or creek can be seen, but here and there the eye catches a faintly-outlined streak in the landscape, indicating the position of a stream running far below the surface. The deepest gorge, winding through these volcanic lands, confines the waters of the Snake. Upon the ranges border- ing the valley, here and there, a peak thrusts itself above the surrounding hills almost to point above perpetual snow line; standing there as if white-
one comes to place where the river can be seen to glide rapidly along, dashing. foaming, in mad play upon and around the boulders obstructing the channel just above the thundrous roar. and, then gathering in mighty force and volume, plunge down two hundred feet, losing itself for the moment in the spray as- cending from below and then appearing again in the long, white streaks of foam that are whirling past the towering walls forming its embankment. But few there
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McAlpin, Photo. RALPH W. HOYT.
Aune, Photo. WV. A. WHEELER.
McAlpin, Photo. RUSSELL E. SEWALL.
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LEGEND OF SNAKE RIVER VALLEY.
are who could gaze upon this master- piece of nature except in silent awe.
The vast fields of lava forming the val- ley proper appear as though it had been at one time a moulten mass that had suddenly cooled, for, in many places, the hard, basaltic rocks lie in waves. There being no visible craters, it has been a matter of wonderment from whence the flowing lava came. The Bannock and Soshone Indians attempt an explanation of the mystery in one of their traditions, which, if believed, is interesting.
They will tell one that the earth was peopled with an animal race before the present race found a home therein. That this animal people were demi-gods in nature, but becoming in disfavor with the Great Spirit, were either removed from earth or condemned to roam its ex- panse in the degraded state in which they now exist. In that age, and for many snows after the creation of the In- dian of today, the Snake river valley was covered with forests, in which all kinds of game were plentiful, and through this Elysian ran several streams, singing their happy songs over pebbled way, bringing drink to flower, to grasses · green, to quench the thirst of man and beast, and from which could be taken many kinds of fish.
But the scene so full dressed with plenty and contentment was in time looked upon by the spies of a nomadic people, roaming away from other lands, and it was not long before a mighty host invaded the valley, dispossessing the In- dians of their homes. The intruders were not only strong, but skilled in war- fare. A mat house was beneath their notice; they built their homes of stone, surrounding them with a wall of like ma- terial.
The Indians, being peacefully inclined and unused to force, were often sub- jected to indignities. and violent deaths among them, at the liands of the usurp- ing populace, frequently occurred. Step by step they were driven back and away, until they realized that they must seek hiding place in the mountains to secure themselves from danger. Here the
chiefs held a great council to. consider what steps should be taken to regain their lost hunting grounds and rid them- selves of their oppressors. As on all other momentous occasions, it began with a dance. This was kept up for three days, the tawatty or chief medicine- man all the while performing incanta- tions to attract the attention of the Great Spirit, in order that he would man- ifest himself in some manner and direct them in their hour of need. At the close of the third day, just as the sun was slow- ly sinking below the western horizon, the medicine-man commanded silence, and the dancing ceased. He told the people that, for some unknown cause, his "medicine" did not bring about the desired charm, and that it would not, un- less he went to some high mountain where his incantations could be better seen by Him whose good offices they in- voked. That they should remain where they were until he returned, which would be four days from that time. He then started for the summit of a distant peak, the top of which is now pointed out as being the elevation just above and near the Shoshone falls. All night long he traveled, up hill and down, through the sigliing pines and over verdant way, ever watching, ever traveling towards a bright particular star set low before in heaven. Night's darkness undaunted him. The hooting of owls, the howling of wolves, or the mournful cry of the panther produced no fear in his breast as he onward moved. As the first rays of morning's sun began to dispel the gloom of night, and kiss and aflame with gold- en hue the eastern skies, he reached his destination. Again he began to make "medicine," and this time with .the de- sired effect. Suddenly he was enveloped in a cloud which carried him higher and higher, until he found himself in the spirit land. With sense enwrapt with the beauties of the place where in futurity the soul finds rest, he was unaware of the approach of a mountain lion, and one immense in size, until the sound of its footfalls were near at hand. About he turned and, on viewing the monster, lie
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OREGON NATIVE SON.
was much alarmed, but the lion spoke to him in his own language, and assured him that he had no cause for fear. The voice, the hands instead of feet and claws on the lion's forward limbs. to- gether with the human light its eyes contained, was evidence to him that he stood in the presence of the ruler of the world, next to the Greater Spirit, whom no one could look upon and live. and he bowed himself in attitude of adoration.
Upon being questioned in relation to his business there by this mighty media- tor, once the chief of the ancient animal people, the medicine-man related to him the troubles of his tribesman, and plead that the invading hosts, which had brought their woes, be driven away and his people once more permitted to pos- sess their lands in peace.
The lion told him that his prayer would be granted on condition that lie would pledge himself and people that they would never in the future maim or slay a mountain lion, wolf or kindred animal, shoot a blue-jay or to a white dove bring any harm, as they were spirits, like himself, but degraded and doomed to live on earth for sins per- formed by their ancestors in the long dead past. To kill them or eat of their flesh would be an offense the Great Spirit would not pardon. They should not go to war without first securing the advice and consent of the Great Spirit, which would be imparted to his people for all time through their medicine-men. Obey these injunctions and all would be as desired; but, violate them. and they were without the pale of succor. .
The medicine-man could promise for himself. but hesitated to do so for his tribesmen before consulting them, and asked for delay that he might be permit- ted to do so. The lion answered him by telling him to return and get their prom- ises, meeting him again at sunrise on the following day on the mountain from whence he came to the spirit land. then, wrapping a cloud about the medicine- man, as before, conveyed him back to the encampment of his people more
quickly than the racing winds could move the length of an arm.
To his people the medicine man relat- ed what he had seen and heard, telling them what must be observed if they would know hoped-for relief. Their an- swer in acceptance of the conditions was as if but a single voice had spoken, ex- cept one woman who, mastering curios- ity, stopped her ears so she could not hear, thus enabling her to claim indem- nity from punishment because she had not heard.
Like her sex had been before her. and continue now to be, she could not keep a secret. By the time the medicine-man had returned to the designated place of meeting, as directed, she made her ac- tion to some other women of the tribe, and the tale flew from mouth to mouth with rapidity until it was known to all, creating consternation. She was imme- diately made to take the same obligation as had been self-imposed upon the oth- ers, but she resolved to do as she pleased as regards keeping it. The blue-jay read hear heart, and sought counsel with the white dove as to what should be done in the matter. While they were consulting about it the false woman happened to come near them and her presence so ex- asperated the blue-jay that he began to manifest his displeasure with loudest chatter. His voice of condemnation was soon stilled. however, for she quickly shot an arrow through his heart. As his body fell to the earth to be stamped upon by the cruel woman, the impris- oned soul, no longer confined to thing of earth, was borne away by the white dove -bearer to land beyond the skies of all who are good and pure.
Through the woman's crime .. the Great Spirit was of mind to abandon the Indian's to their fate, and sent the medi- cine man back to tell them so, but when he heard their lamentations, coupled with renewal of pledges given, he relent- ed of his purpose and concluded to again aid them. They should not, however, dwell in the valley as it then appeared, but it was to receive a decided change, making it less a paradise; the scene to
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FIRST MARRIAGE IN WASCO COUNTY.
be ever after a reminder to them of his power and a simile of the punishment he would inflict upon them should they fail to observe their pledges.
To show them that treachery and gossip should not be, it was decreed that the future of the sinning woman should be forever linked with the awful prede- termined lot of the usurping horde and the valley. All but the medicine-man and this woman, he caused to be trans- ported far away until it was meet for their return. The medicine-man was borne to the top of a high, rocky moun- tain and ordered to touch the pinacle with his finger, upon doing so, it in- stantly ignited. As the fires began to become more fierce it began to melt and run to the surrounding hills and lower level, causing them to take fire and add their smelting sides to the stream of lava spreading over the sur- face of the valley, staying not destruc- tion of the noble pines, the emerald sweep of plain's expanse, or holding back to allow people to escape their destined doom.
Many snows elapsed before the lava cooled, or the Indians returned to trans- formed lands. When they came again. the evidences presented to understand- ing, that a power capable of performing deeds beyond the might of man, were such that punishment most condign
would overtake them should any of the animals enumerated in the injunction be slain by them; that the blue-jay was a sacred winged creature, and the white dove should coo and come and go with- out its being harmed.
Before being dismissed to erect their encampment ,the medicine-man led the Indians to the falls. Pointing to the ele- vated table land near by, he proclaimed it holy ground; that it was the top of the mountain where he had communed with the Great Spirit, and that none but a medicine-man must ever place his foot upon it. Then he bade them look upon the mighty flood of waters pouring over the precipice, dividing the upper from the lower bed of the river, and in it see the fate of one-the woman who lightly considered a solemn pledge. Since then nothing could tempt them to pass the night near it, fearing that her ghost would come forth in its shroud of spray and draw them beneath the hiss of the rushing waters.
The Shoshone and Bannock Indians tell this tradition as an actual happening of the long ago, and proudly point to the great fields of lava and falls as evi- dence of its being true ,and the, injunc- tions placed upon them have ever since the awful hour been faithfully regarded by the members of these tribes.
F. H. SAYLOR.
The first marriage ceremony solemn- ized in Wasco county, Oregon. of which there is any record, occurred October 3. 1856. The groom was born at Astoria, March 18, 1824.
No complete history of the Pacific Northwest could be compiled without giving, not only himself. but all of his ancestors who were ever residents with- its borders considerable and frequent mention. One of his grandfathers was a partner of John Jacob Astor. He lost his life by being blown up on the ship Tonquin. Another was Concomly, the celebrated chief of the Chinook nation. A grandmother became, after the death of her husband, the honored wife of Dr.
John McLoughlin, and shared with him in the kind regard all pioneers were wont to express in his behalf. His father oc- cupied no mean page of history, and it would require considerable word to give full detail of his own creditable career. In a little volume among the county's archives this record is found:
"Territory of Oregon, County of Wasco, ss.
"This to certify that the undersigned, a justice of the peace. did on the 3d day of Oc- tober. 1856, join in lawful wedlock William C. MaKay and Miss M. Campbell, in the presence of Dr. Atkins, Dr. Bates, R. R. Thompson and many other witnesses. Oh! what a glorious time we had.
"C. W. SHANG,
"Justice of the Peace."
COLONEL JOSEPH L. MEEK.
The father of Colonel Meek was a Virginian planter. His first wife, the mother of our subject, was an aunt of the wife of President Polk. She died while her son was still a child, and the step-mother who succeeded her either disliked the little fellow or could not in- fluence him in the direction of study. He therefore grew up uneducated. Why his father contributed to this apparent neglect does not appear. The Colonel never had much to say regarding these early years of his life, save to indicate that he was unhappy at home. At seventeen he left the paternal mansion and went to Kentucky, where some of his fatlı- er's relations lived, hop- ing there to find what did not exist for him at home-affection. Dis- appointed, he decided to sever all ties of rela- tionship and start out in the world alone and for himself, and at the age of eighteen he found himself in St. Louis, then a mere trading-post 011 the Missouri frontier. This was the decisive step which colored all his after life. He was young, strong, of fine physique, and of a merry disposition. The adventures of the mountain men with whom he be- came acquainted, attracted him, and so much so that he decided to make a trip to the Rockies himself. In the spring of 1829 he entered the employ of Wm. Sublette, and soon pushed forth toward the wilds of the far west.
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Little did he realize the dangerous oc- cupation he had chosen: that for eleven years he would roam the plains and
mountains, carrying his life in his hand at every step; that he should marry one of another race and by her rear a family in the valley of the distant Oregon, of which he had hardly ever heard. When one considers the fact that over one-fifth of the trappers were either killed by In- dians or wild animals, or died from ex- posure, it is a matter of wonder that he survived the hardships he must of ne- cessity undergo.
COL. JOSEPH L. MEEK, First Marshal of Oregon.
Yet, with all these chances against him, he lived eleven years in the mountains. fighting Indians and wild beasts, with never in all that time a serious wound from Indian ar- row or paw of grizzly bear-a fact that illus- trates better than any words, the address, quickness and courage of the man. Though often sportively allud- ing to his own subter- fuges to escape from danger, it still remained evident that an awk- ward, slow or cowardly man could never have resorted to such means. His sunny temper and ready wit made him a favorite with both comrades and em- ployers, and gave him influence with such Indian tribes as the mountain-men held in friendly relations.
During some of these winter vaca- tions he applied himself to acquiring some knowledge of reading and as the only authors caried about with the com- pany's goods, were of the very best-the Bible, Shakespeare and the standard poets-the effect was to store a mind otherwise empty of learning with some
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COLONEL JOSEPH L. MEEK.
o: the finest literature in the English language.
Like most all of the mountain-men, he married among the Indians, his two first wives being from tribes east of the Rockies. The first one was killed in a battle with the Bannocks, and the sec- ond grew homesick and left him to re- turn to her people. The third was a Nez Perce princess. Her father had be- come Christianized and when Meek be- sought him for her hand the old warrior demurred, saying that as a Christian he could not give him the girl, when he (Meek) already had one wife living. Meek pleaded, implored, cajoled, and finally quoted Solomon and David as good biblical precedents for the desired sanction, and against such authority the good old Christianized chief succumbed. Meek was given the girl, then a hand- some young woman of 15, and he christened her Virginia, in honor of his native state.
About 1839 the beaver had become so scarce from being so long and steadily hunted by the several companies, that it was thought best to disband them !Tere was a new phase of the life into which Meek had so thoughtlessly been drawn. At twenty-nine, in the very flush of young manhood, to be deserted in the mountains by his employers was something he had not forseen. To re- turn to Virginia with an Indian wife and children, was not to be thought of. even if it were possible, as it was not. To re- main in the mountains, except by relin- .jnishing forever all thought of civilized associations, was equally impossible.
At this juncture Meek, with several more mountain-men, determined to casi their lot with that of the almost un- known Oregon, then virtually in posses- sion of the Hudson's Bay Company; and in 1840, did remove with their fami- lies to the Willamette valley, where at that time very few Americans were liv- ing except those connected with the Methodist Mission-few indeed, in all.
He selected a land claim in the Tuala- tin Plains, where he began to farni.
From the time he came to Oregon, until Oregon became a state, Meek was always more or less actively concerned in her affairs. Well acquainted with In- dian character, he was useful in main- taining peace with the native tribes. A staunch American, he resisted the en- croachments of British authority during the period of joint occupancy of the country. When it was at last thought best to move for the organization of a Provisional Government, he was con- spicuously active.
At the meeting of the settlers at Champoeg on May 2nd, 1843, a motion was made that a Provisional Govern- ment be formed. The Americans were in favor of such, but the French-Canadi- ans, who were controlled by the Hud- son's Bay Company's influence, were expected to and did oppose the measure. The meeting was held in a small house, far too small to accommodate the num- ber present, and many of them were compelled to remain on the outside. It was understood that the vote was to be by ballot. The motion was put, but the scattered condition of those entitled to a vote, together with the hesitancy of the French-Canadians to give an expression to their opinions, caused a decided lull in the proceedings at this moment. Re- alizing that opportunity went hand in hand with endeavor, Meek jumped to his feet and said, "Who's for divide?" and then started for the outside saying. "All for the report and an organization fol- low me." He stepped to the right follow- ed by forty-nine Americans and two French-Canadians. These latter being Eitenne Lucier and F. X. Matthieu. The oposition could not muster but fifty men in line, and the motion was carried.
Of all those participating in this eventful meeting, but one, F. X. Mat- thieu, survives.
Meek was made sheriff under the new government, performing his duties, not always light ones, with promptitude and spirit. He was twice elected assembly- mian from Washington county, fulfilling his duties with propriety and patriotism, dashed sometimes, with the wild humor
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MISS LILY E. WHITE.
Moore, Photo. HENRY J. CORBETT.
Aune. Photo.
PROF. R. F. ROBINSON.
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COLONEL JOSEPH L. MEEK.
for which, whether as a mountaineer or a legislator, he was celebrated.
When the massacre of the missionaries and emigrants at Waiilatpu, startled ali Oregon in 1847, he accepted the toil- some and dangerous duty as messenger to congress ; having to perform the journey overland in the depth of winter, with only two companions, one of whom gave out on the way. He arrived after much hardship, on the Missouri frontier early in March, without money or de- cent habiliments, and by his address won his way wherever he appeared until he presented himself, a forlorn messen- ger indeed, at the door of the White House. During all his subsequent life, he delighted to recall the sensation he was able to produce on being presented to President Polk. No other man in the United States would have thought of standing so entirely on the merits of his cause; or of making his wretched- ness a subject of such self-railery as to divert attention to its pitifulness and make it seem only a good jest. Such was the temperament of the man, that when he chose to be merry-and at his own expense-there was universal enjoyment in beholding it.
Meek remained in Washington, a guest of President Polk, until the pass- age of the Organic Act. August 14, 1848. Oregon was by this act, constitut- ed a Territory of the United States, and it became necessary to appoint officers as quickly as possible in order that they might reach their field of action before the expiration of Polk's term of office. A commission was given Meek of U. S. marshal, and he was entrusted with the duty of conveying to Gen. Joseph Lane, his commission as governor of Oregon, with authority to take an escort of U. S. dragoons from Fort Leavenworth in the Kansas territory, for their safe conduct across the plains. This was a very dif- ferent order of travel from that he had pursued six months previous, when he had skulked through a thousand miles of Indian country almost alone, poor. ragged and often in danger of starving, to carry news to the government of the
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