USA > Oregon > The Oregon native son, 1900-1901 > Part 26
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"When we got to Colville they said the sleighin' wus so good we drov on to the lake whar we struck you fellers. I held on to my old Yager. I ain't never goin' to let that go. It is my lucky stick an' I think purty near as much of it as I
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do of Bob. Now, what do you call that but luck, pure luck? Every word I told you is true. Thar were no buffalos ever seed near thar afore, and I bet thar won't ever be again. It is a long way too far north for 'em. Then who ever heard of 'em actin' that way? Why didn't they run when I shot the fust one? Who ever heard of a band of 'em millin' around a cabin until they wus all killed afore? How do you suppose I'd got along after Bob broke his leg if that meat hadn't come along or bin sent jist as it wus? If that ain't pure luck, I don't know what you'd call it. It wan't no management, shore. Me and Bob didn't think about calkilatin' on sich a thing. I wasn't even thinkin' about buf- falo when I heard 'em trampin' around the cabin. And packin' that old gun three hundred miles-it ain't worth six bits-why I didn't throw it away when Bob- wanted me to, if it wasn't to be used to help us out of a scrape? O, pshaw! It ain't no use to talk about thar bein' no luck and about everything comin' round regular like. Its agin reason. If everything is jist pushed along by some other thing, why can't you tell me what's goin' to happen? Thar wouldn't be any bettin' if a feller could tell what's a comin'. Luck? I tell you thar is luck and lots of luck all around every day. Most of it is bad luck, too. That was the furst streak of good luck me an' Bob ever had since we wus born, breakin' that leg. We've got twenty-seven hundred dollars to show for that leg-breakin' scrape, be- sides the dogs we left at the lake to sell.
"Now, what do you say about thar be- in' a cause for everything? What caused every thing to turn our way all at once when every thing had been dead against us all along? Bad luck runs in our family. I've heard Dad say he had bad luck all his life."
The schoolmaster had been deeply in- terested in John's narrative. When he paused, apparently for a reply, Mr. Grey said:
"It would be difficult, if not impossi- ble, for me, not knowing all the circum- stances preceeding and connected with the story you have related, to account for all which occurred affecting you and your brother. But I was thinking the buffalos might have been frightened out of their range by hunters or a storm and, be- coming lost, wandered up in that cold country, not knowing where they were going. They might have sought shelter from the storm you speak of, in the grove about the cabin. Possibly you shot the leaders of the band first and the rest, accustomed to their guidance, ling- ered until they all fell victims to the well- directed shots of your deadly Yager. There are many ways it could be ac- counted for on a rational ground, with- out doing violence to our reason by thinking it was caused by luck or mere chance, or that it happened without suf- ficient cause. While I deny that there is any such thing as luck, as it is under- stood by uncultured people, I do not wish to be understood to deny the ex- istence of an over-ruling Providence which watches over us at all times, and it may be this Providence aided you and your brother in your distress."
"That's it," said John, "I thought I'd fetch you afore I wus done with you. It don't make any difference to me wheth- er you call it luck or Providence. If it wan't for them big words of yourn it would be the same thing. I will always believe them buffaloes would never a left the range they wus born in, and cum two hundred miles north to git killed, if Bob hadn't broke his leg, and that, too, when Pimecan wus up to the very highest notch. Good night, Grey; I'm goin' to turn in.
G. A. WAGGONER.
SOUTHERN OREGON INDIAN WAR.
ENGAGEMENTS, EXPERIENCES AND INCIDENTS GRAPHICALLY TOLD.
By proclamation of Governor Curry, the governor of Oregon in 1855, the Second Regiment Oregon Mounted Vol- unteers, was enlisted for the protection of the homes of the settlers in Southern Oregon against the depredations, cruel- ties and massacres committed by the In- aians living in that portion of the state at such time. Among the companies comprising the regiment was Company B, composed of residents of Lane coun- ty. It numbered one hundred and three officers and men, and was mustered into service on October 23, 1855. The com- pany was commanded as follows: La- ban Buoy, captain; A. W. Patterson, first lieutenant; Pleasant C. Noland, second lieutenant; William H. Latshaw, first sergeant; L. Poindexter, sec- ond sergeant; John F. Winters third sergeant; Marion C. Martin, fourth ser- ergeant; William Kelsay, first corporal; H. C. Huston, second corporal; F. M. Riffle, third corporal; John Buoy ,fourth corporal.
At an early stage of the war Dr. Pat- terson resigned the lieutenancy and was appointed one of the surgeons, this po- sition being more preferable to him. Ser- geant Poindexter was elected to fill the vacancy.
February 24, 1856, Captain Buoy, who was a veteran of the Blackhawk war, re- signed, and Second Lieutenant P. C. Noland was elected captain. "Ples" is still hale and hearty, although he saw service when a mere lad in the Mexican war. Johnathan Moore, one of the best and bravest young men, was made lieutenant, which position he filled with honor. While fording Lost creek some years later, where the village of Trent is now located, he was accidentally drown- ed. Mrs. John Hampton, whose home is in this city, was a sister of his.
We made our first camp near Dr. Pat- terson's, on what is now twelfth and Patterson streets. Eugene was but a village then. Two stores was all the town contained. This was before the era of railroads, telegraph lines, street- cars, electric lights, etc. Probably there was not a threshing machine, self-binder or mower, or any of the things just men- tioned, from the Mississippi to the Pa- cific ocean.
The winter, or at least a part of 1855-6, was very cold, a fact we easily found out, for we were encamped at Yocum's in tents, not far from the village of Canyon- ville. W. H. Byars, since surveyor-gen- eral of Oregon, was then a young man, making his way, like many other young men of today, by working during vaca- tion at anything he could find to do, which in this case was carrying the mail on horseback once a week from Rose- burg to Jacksonville, and it was our duty to escort him through the big canyon, a distance of II miles. Besides doing es- cort duty when required, squads of troops, from a dozen to perhaps 40, would be detailed at places remote from the principal settlements to guard the settlers, who would frequently "fort up" and all live at the same place for mutual protection.
Camas valley, situated at the source of the Coquille river, 25 miles southwest of Roseburg, was the scene of a lively skirmish one beautiful morning in the early spring of 1816. Ten of our boys were located at H. Martindale's house, which was used as a fort for all of the valley. During the night a large band of Indians surrounded the fort, with a view of murdering all they could, and stealing stock. While a portion of the red devils were dodging behind trees, shooting at us at every chance, the others were
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rounding up all the horses and cattle that the valley contained. During the hottest of the fight the officer in charge saw about a dozen Indians at a distance of nearly 400 yards away. Knowing that there was but one gun in the fort that would do execution at that distance, the owner was ordered to a sheltered posi- tion outside, where he could have a good opportunity to make a sure shot, which he did. I will desist from giving this soldier's name, for he is a very bashful old fellow, and to see his name in the Native Son would be sure to bring blushes to his weather-beaten face.
When the Indians liad secured all the horses and cattle in the valley, except one horse belonging to William P. Day, which during the fight ran to the fort and was taken inside, they left, going along a mountain trail leading to the meadows on Rogue river. We soldier boys were set afoot also. One of our boys were then sent in haste to Looking Glass, where most of. Company B was then stationed. Captain Buoy soon ar- rived with reinforcements, and, following the Indian trail, came to a place where they had cooked and eaten a hasty break- fast. An Indian riding a mule and left as a rear guard, was killed, his mule also. A running fight of several miles ensued. but it was not known that any more Indians were killed. There was no one killed or wounded on our side. But no doubt others, with the writer, recollect very distinctly the zip of the bullets.
While in a reminiscent mood, I will relate an incident that occurred in our company while encamped at the farm of L. D. Kent, on the South Umpqua river, in the vicinity of the town of Dillard. but on the opposite side of the river. Mr. Kent, as was the fashion in those days, and probably is yet, was the father of a number of buxom daughters, who, with many other maiden qualities, de- lighted in "tripping the light fantastic toe." It is scarcely necessary to say that in Company B were a number of boys who took delight in this favorite pas- time. One day Captain Buoy had busi- ness at Roseburg which detained him over night. Before starting he called the
men on parade, and in language as near as the writer can recollect, addressed them about as follows: "Boys, business reqiures my absence from camp tonight. and before leaving I wish to say that it is not necessary to inform you that for a number of evenings some of you have been in the habit of going to Mr. Kent's and have danced so much I am sure the girls are tired. It is my urgent request that this evening ,at least, you remain in camp and give the girls a rest.
The sequel will show how the request was heeded. During the day one of the sons of Mr. Kent came into camp and invited certain ones of the boys to come to the house in the evening for the regu- lar dance. One of the boys, Robert Clark, an inveterate dancer, was omitted from the list of the invited ones, at which he was not at all pleased. Clark had a messmate and a valued friend, who, for certain reasons, I will in the present in- stance, for brevity's sake, name Mas H., although I fail to find such a name on our muster-roll. Mas H. said to Clark: "Leave the matter to me, and about the time they get to dancing in good earnest we will bring the boys out of the house much faster than they went in," to which Clark agreed. About 8 o'clock Mas H passed out by one of the guards and told him that if he heard any firing going on up the river not to pay any attention to it. In less time than is required to write this, "Bang! Bang!" went a heavily- loaded gun, and also what seemed like Indian yells. Before the racket above the camp had begun, Clark had placed himself near the door of the house, and at the first shot opened the door and yelled "Indians!" If it had been a real, instead of a false attack on the camp, it could not have caused more consterna- tion. Lieutenant Moore was in the crowd, and as the other boys climbed over each other to see which could reach the camp first, he continued to urge them to "Keep cool, boys! Keep cool!" A tiny branch ran between the house and camp, with but a small log for a bridge, and into it "Johnathan" (Lieu- tenant Moore) with some others, tum- Lled pell-riell. Then some of the boys
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advised the lieutenant to keep cool When the dancers reached camp they were greeted with a hearty laugh by those who had remained. When the captain returned ,the wri -- excuse me, Mas H., I mean-proceeded at once to "acknowledge the corn," and received from the good old warrior the commen- dation, "You did just right."
Early in the spring of 1856 a number of companies of troops were sent to the Meadows, down Rogue river, where it was known the Indians had gone out of our reach, as they fondly hoped. We fought them a number of times, but since the river intervened it was difficult to know just how many we may have killed. Our loss was very light. One day a detatchment was taken from the different companies to reconnoiter the enemy. To reach them was a very diffi- cult matter, on account of the deep can- yons and the rough country to be crossed. The Indians were found, but it not being thought best to bring on an engagement at that time, a few shots were fired and the retreat ordered. When camp was reached and the roll called it was found that one of Company B's men, F. M. Splawn, was missing. Volunteers were at once called for, and many responded at once, but by the time the precautions were made for the return, it was too late in the day. It was the intention to make the search early next morning, but almost before dawn the camp was aroused to a wonderful degree by the guard's calling out, "Splawn's in camp!" and the good.news was repeated. "Splawn's in camp!" Sure enough. there was the same brave Frank that we had all mourned as dead. Each one was anxious to learn the particulars of his escape. When the retreat was ordered. Frank, as usual, was in front. and did not learn, till later, that he was left to fight the savages alone. In order to avoid, if possible. the shots of the In- dians, who were in plain sight of him, he took refuge in some bushes, which were riddled for awhile with the deadly missilies intended for the brave soldier. Here he remained until night, when he
escaped from his hiding-place -without any injury. After traveling all night over the roughest ground imaginable, he reached camp as above related just at daylight, but it was weeks before he overcame his rough adventure.
War incidents would not be complete without an occasional anecdote, and the following was toll on Captain Johnathan Keeney to the wiirer by General McCar- ver, at that time our quarter-master-gen- eral. It scems that the captain wanted to procure some provisions for his men and applied to the commissary in charge in vain for them. This enraged the old man, who at once sought an interview with General McCarver. After making known his wants, the general informed him that if he would make out a requisi- tion it should be filled. "To sheol with your inquisitions." was his answer. But his wants were supplied.
On April 25, 1856, McDonald Hark- ness, and another man, whose name is forgotten, left Fort Leland for the Mead- ows. When but a few miles from our camp they were shot at from ambush and Harkness was killed, the other man escaping. The most horrible sight we witnessed during the entire campaign was when his body, stark naked and mu- tilated in the most shocking manner, was brought into camp on a packmule in charge of Captain Crouch's company.
In June, 1856, the Indians that had been engaged at intervals in killing the settlers of Southern Oregon surrendered and were placed-a portion of them- on a reservation set apart for them. part at Grand Ronde and the others at Siletz. On July 2, 1856, our company, each and every one, received an honorable dis- charge and were mustered out at Rose- burg.
For the best of reasons ,the fashion of sending the troops home in palace cars and feasting them on the fat of the land. so much: in vogue now, was not prac- ticed then to any great extent ,for the very good reason that we had no rai !? roads. Mounted on the hurricane deck of a cayuse kuitan ((Indian pony), after serving their country to the best of their
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ability, the boys-our honorable colonel, Judge Kelsay, called us all boys-were glad, soldier-like, to return to our homes.
Although we furnished our own horses, guns and blankets, and waited for seven long years for the niggardly stipend of $11 per month, yet we were not pensioners, no matter what disability we acquired in defending Oregon homes. If the reader should ask if we did not get interest or a premium on the gold we received, after waiting so long for our wages, the answer would be: "We received greenbacks, and they were worth 40 cents on the dollar."
For the lack of some other excuse, the pension office has decided that the volun- teers in our Indian wars were not mus- tered in by a United States officer; hence are not entitled to pensions. For sev- eral years the surviving Indian fighters have made repeated efforts to secure a pension, but were met with repeated and continued obstacles, but before the pres- ent session of congress adjourns it is to
be hoped that the veterans will have the satisfaction of knowing that their efforts to prevent this country from remaining in the hands of the savages has been rec- ognized by the government, and that they will receive the justice due them, after a lapse of so many years.
There are now 1000 veterans living and 300 widows. The pension bill ask- ing for a monthly allowance of but $8. The original number of enlistments in the Indian wars of this state were 7000, but all have answered "Here" to the last roll-call, with the exception of 1000, and nearly all of those remaining are of an advanced age.
Small though the pension is, it will be greatly appreciated by these defenders of civilization and will assist them in a large measure, for a very few of them are pro- vided with a surplus of this world's goods. A tardy recognition of their ser- vices would be considered better than none at all, but congress must soon give this merited recognition, or there will be no veterans to receive it.
SAMUEL HANDSAKER.
It is a rather singular fact that an American was one of the first to carry furs direct from this coast to Canton, China. Lieut. John Gore, a Virginian, who was with Capt. Cook, took charge of the expedition after the death of the captain at the Sandwich Islands, and the death of Capt. Clerke, his successor, who died at the Russian settlement of Peter and Paul, or Peterpaulaski. Gore sailed from this port in October, 1779, reach- ing Canton the following December. While the ship had been on the North- west coast the officers and men had pur- chased a quantity of furs from the In- dians in exchange for knives, old clothes, buttons, and other trifles, not, however, with any reference to the value of the furs as merchandise, but rather for use on board ship as bedding and for cloth- ing. They found out from the Russians their worth in the Chinese market, and upon taking them there disposed of them for upwards of ten thousand dollars.
These furs, and a few carried by Capt. Benyowsky in 1770, were the only ones that had ever arrived direct from the sealing grounds.
The Lewis and Clarke exploration party left St. Louis on May 12, 1804. Those crossing the plains were: Capt. William Clarke, Capt. Meriwether Lewis, Sergts. John Ordway, Nathaniel Byor and Patrick Gass; Privates Wm. Bratton, John Colter.' John Collins. Peter Cruzatte, Robert Frazier, Reuben Fields, Joseph Fields, Geo. Gibson, Silas Goodrich, Hugh Hall, Thos. P. Howard, Jean Baptiste Lapage, Francis Labiche, Hugh McNeal, John Potts, John Shields, Geo. Shannon, John B. Thompson, W'm. Werner, Alexander Willard, Rich. Windsor, Joseph Whitehouse, Peter Wiser and York, the negro servant of Capt. Clarke, the two interpreters, Geo. Drewyer and Toussaint Chaboneau, and the latter's wife, Sacajawea and her baby.
OUR FIRST PRINTERS AND PUBLISHERS.
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In writing of the introduction of the art of printing into the Pacific North- west, historians word their statements in such a manner as to imply that the book- lets, etc. printed were the work of some one of the missionaries connected with missions of the American Board of Com- missioners for Foreign Missions. In consequence of this, readers find that the credit has been given to several different ones.
The first press used was known as a "Ramage." It is about the size of one of the larger of the letter-press copying presses of the present. It was taken from Boston to the Sandwich Islands in 1819, and was there used by the mis- sions of the Board for several years in their work. When their needs required a larger press, the first received was set aside. About 1839 it was purchased by the native Christians and donated to the Oregon missions.
On its arrival it is said to have been first taken to the mission at Waiilatpu, in charge of Dr. Whitman, but almost immediately thereafter, was taken to Lapwai mission, in charge of Rev. H. H. Spalding. Here it was set up and the type placed in order, by E. O. Hall, a printer who had brought it from the Islands. He being the first printer to come here, and might be called the father of the many "devils" which have been known to our numerous printing estab- lishments since. All writers agree that the first to learn typesetting under him were Rev. Spalding and Cornelius Rog- ers. It is probable, however, that the first booklets printed were the work of Mr. Hall, and it is also no doubt a fact that Rev. Elkanah Walker, of the Tshim- ikan mission, assisted by his co-laborer, Rev. Cushing Eells, was the author, in the main, of the first booklet printed. This was in the Spokane language (Sa- lish or Flathead tongue). Afterwards other booklets, etc., were printed in the Nez Perce (Sahaptin) tongue.
In writing of this circumstance in our pioneer history, some authors say Mr. A. B. Smith, of the Kamiah mission, as- sisted by Lawyer, chief of the Nez Per- ces, was the author of the matters print- ed, others give Mr. Spalding the credit. While it is true that these missionaries labored in this behalf, those who are con- versant with the facts, state that the first to be printed was as above noted.
There is now but one known full copy of the booklet referred to extant, it be- in the library of the Pacific University, at Forest Grove. It comprises sixteen five by six inch pages. Its title is:
ETSHIIT THLU SITSKAI THLU SIAIS THLU SITSKAI SITLINISH. LAPWAI. 1842.
The translation literally is:
First the Writes the
Lesson the Writes Creator.
Freely translated it is, "The first that was written. Thus writes the Creator."
From this title may be obtained an idea of its contents. On the second page is given the alphabet, the key to their pronunciation, and figures. Then follow three lessons in spelling and the Spokane numerals. Five more lessons follow in simple sentences and short stories. All of this fills nearly all of the first ten pages. The remaining six, at the beginning of which is a picture of the Bible, are filled with four more les- sons, which give the main truth of the first part of the Bible. This is headed "Kaikolensutins Sitskai," or "God's Writings." The greater portion of the work is in relation to the doings of Adam and Moses, though there are some lessons devoted to God and Christ.
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LEGENDARY LORE OF THE INDIANS.
A TALE OF THE FLOOD AND OTHER STORIES.
About all the history the small boy of the early sixties, living in Oregon, was able to become conversant with, was learned while he sat at his mother's knee and listened to her read "Peter Parley" or relate biblical tales. The small boy felt that the stories would be interesting to others, and when he could find a list- ener, repeated them. Old Wapatoo Dave, chief of the Wapatoos, often visit- ed the neighborhood and the small boy became well acquainted with him through donation of victuals and trading off, in exchange for beads, bows and ar- rows, etc., some of his father's clothing. Occasionally bartering away apparel which had by no means outlived its use- fulness, at the expense of a sound thresh- ing.
As a result, Dave and the small boy grew quite confidential, and there was frequent interchange of stories. Among those told by the former was that of the deluge as found in Holy Writ. A like happening had come down to Dave, through his ancestors, which he related. According to his version, the causes which led up to the event were about the same as those told in the Bible, the righteous among them were. however. less in number than those who found shelter in the ark, consisting of but one person, and that a woman. Unlike Noah she received no warning of impending catastrophe, and was unprepared for its coming. When the rains began to fall, she endeavored to seek safety from the flood by retreating to higher ground, but the angry waves were soon beating against mountain's pinacle, ready to en- gulf her beneath their flow. At this juncture, a large fish, which she had kindly fed in days gone by, swam to her place of refuge, telling her to get upon its back and he would save her. This she did, the fish all the while swimming
around with its back out of the water until the anger of the Great Spirit had been appeased and land again appeared.
Danger past, the fish came close to shore, when the woman once more walk- ed the earth. She had been in delicate health prior to the flood, and not long subsequent to its subsiding, she becanie the mother of twins. From these was the earth again re-peopled. At the time the legend was told. the small boy was of that age when he thinks his little brother or sister is a present from the doctor, and. through this, discredited Dave's story, thinking it could not be possible for such a present to arrive when the doctor had been drowned.
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