USA > Oregon > The Oregon native son, 1900-1901 > Part 42
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"Sav, Fitzhugh," and a smile of ad- miration beamed upon Bob, "I would like you to write an account of the bat- tle for publication in the papers, as you seem to have noted everything accurate- ly."
"I shall be much pleased to do so." said Bob. "Send me out a little stationery, and I will write it tomorrow."
When Bob was seated to write up the Battle, he said, "Now I have never done any particular good in this world, but I intend to do a good act now. I am go- ing to promote Captain Dobbins. He is a noble fellow, and does not forget a kindness done to him."
Bob worked all day at his report, fre- quently rubbing his hands and laughing to himself. In a few days the following account appeared :
THE SNAKES DEFEATED-THE GREAT VICTORY.
Captain Dobbins Destroys the Flower of the Snake Tribe in a Single Bat- tle at Salmon Falls, Without Losing a Man.
The Right Man in the Right Place.
So much fruitless chasing after the savages ocurs on the frontier that our readers will relish the following brief ac- count of the destruction of the maraud- ing Snakes by Captain Dobbins, United States Regulars, on the 13th inst.
While scouting in the vicinity of old Fort Boise with Company E and part of Company D, Captain Dobbins discovered the trail of a large band of Snake In- dians who were returning from a thiev- ing expedition to the John Day settle- ment, with several thousand horses and a large amount of other plunder. Instant- ly the command was put in motion, and the pursuit commenced. The trail. led across the great bend of Snake River. and was easily followed. Four hours hard riding brought the command in sight of the fleeing savages. When they saw they were pursued by United States troops they made every effort to escape. They could be seen darting like devils about in the cloud of dust raised by the immense herd of horses they were driv- ing, and with frantic efforts trying to urge them forward. Such bulky articles of plunder as impeded their progres- were abandoned, and all kinds of articles were strewn along their path. Dobbills rode at the head of his troops, silent and erect, his teeth firmly set, while his eyes were fixed upon the cloud of dust ahead. well knowing that from it at any mo- ment might emerge the blood thirsty savages to give him battle. But a steril chase is a long chase. Salmon Falls was reached before the Indians were over- hauled and brought to bay. A few at- tempted to drive their horses on, while the main body, as near as could be ascer- tained, over 2,000 turned and charged upon the troops. But charge met charge. and in an instant their line was broken. and they were running in every direction for shelter.
They rallied again, and with frightful yells came down upon the little band.
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HOW CAPTAIN DOBBINS WAS PROMITED.
Firmly Captain Dobbins held his ground and the savages recoiled before the dead- ly fire of his rifles. Only an instant and again they came riding to the very muz- zles of the blazing guns. The chivalry of the plains was there, and its flower, the great chief, Crazy Horse, fought like a raging lion among his fallen braves. He was determined to conquer, and again he charged, but in vain, for there stood the little band with rifles blazing a constant stream of fire, and there was Captain Dobbins. When the great chief saw he was defeated, he re- solved to die or to avenge the death of his people. With uplifted tomahawk, he rode full upon the troops. Their leader awaited him with flashing eyes and drawn sabre. They met like knights of old, this savage chief, the terror of the plains, and the mild, unassuming Captain of Company D. Civilization confronted barbarism. The conflict was short. It was a fitting place for such a conflict, the home of the savage. The sound of the falls had lulled him to sleep when a child, a wave of wind bore its roar across the battle-field to silence his dying groan. When their chief fell the Indians fled, leaving all their horses and plunder in the hands of the victors. About fifty dead warriors were found on the bat- :le-field. And it is known that hundreds were carried away, as is the custom among these people. Conservative esti- mates. made by those who were in a po- sition to judge, place the loss to the In- dians at not less than five hundred. Over 2,000 head of horses and mules were captured. besides much other property of but little value except to the Indians themselves.
This is the severest blow the Snake In- dians have ever suffered, and will un- doubtedly put a stop to their marauding depredations against the whites.
Too much praise cannot be given to Captain Dobbins and lis brave cont- mand. who won this phenomenal vic- tory without the loss of a single man. The scouts, Bob Fitzhugh and Dave Snell. also deserve worthy mention for efficient services rendered in trailing the savages."
This graphic account was extensively published and attracted much attention.
especially in military circles. I was in- clined to think, while perusing it, that Bob had mistaken his calling. Had li- chosen to enter the literary field, he might have created as great a sensation there as he had among the Indians. Some may have thought the battle overdrawn, but the troops who shared the Captain's glory were not inclined to contradict it, and Bob stoutly maintained its accuracy. The Captain was in every one's mouth. The bright eyes of beauty beamed on him wherever he went, and he was toasted far and near as the great Indian fighter of the Northwest. Fame pursued him industriously from that day. In a few weeks he was called to more active duty in the Southern States, where he was promoted until he wore the uniform of a Lieutenant-Colonel. He honored it, too, and at the close of the rebellion, held " the respect and love of a grateful nation. He ever retained a warm friendship for Bob, and once with his family, made a journey 2,000 miles to visit him. He al- ways gave him credit for turning the tide of fortune in his favor, and thanked him repeatedly for the graphic account of his maiden fight at Salmon Fails, Idaho.
Bob and I closed our partnership busi- ness within a month of our arrival in Boise, and I found myself the proud pos- sessor of the handsome sum of $5420, be sides my handsome bay horse, which I resolved never to part with. My dreams were realized. I could now buy the lit- tle farm in the Willamette Valley, and pay cash down. My joy was unbound- ed. Roseate hues floated before my eyes and tinted all the future while I was making the few preparations to return home. I literally walked on air. Bob begged me to go with him after more horses, and protested strongly against my leaving him. He might as well pro- test with a cyclone on its way to Kansas. We parted the warmest of friends. He has been successful in all his enter- prises, and is now a wealthy stockman, his herds of cattle and horses roaming about the scenes of our early exploits on Snake River. I meet him frequently, and we often laugh about old times and of liow Captain Dobbins was promoted.
G. A. WAGGONER.
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PHILIPPINE LETTER.
A VISIT TO THE HOME OF AGUINALDO'S MOTHER.
CAVITE, P. I., MARCH 17, 1900. Leaving Cavite at 8:30 A. M. in a large native banco manned by three na- tives, we skirted along under the shadow of the frowning walls of the old fortress, which had in former days been a mighty instrument of defense, but of late the ma- terial has been used to repair the navy- yard and make drive ways here and in Cavite. The vast space occupied by these walls will soon be replaced by navy-yard work shops. As we swept clear of the old Fort Guadolope, the City of Cavite presented an extremely inter- esting picture with its red gabled roofs, numerous towers of the churches, form- ing a distinct picture against the blue sky. The palms and other tropical plants added to the picture and made one al- most imagine that he was skirting along in a gondola in the beautiful City of Venice.
As we crossed the bay the industrious natives could be seen plying their nets in keen competition to be the first to place their juicy capture of the denizens of the deep on the market. As we neared the Pueblo of Cavite Veho ( Old Cavite), the tower on the house of the once fa- mous Aguinaldo could be seen standing out in bold relief among the numerous houses of smaller size, indicating that he had been following the old adage, "making hay while the sun shines," in the matter of acumulating a sufficiency of this world's goods. An experience that recalled the days of youth was remem- bered as we lift our boats on the shoul- ders of our boatman, as the water near the shore of the bay was so shallow it would not allow the boat to approach near shore. This experience was made a trifle more intersting by the thought that the men who were supporting us would have dearly loved to have tipped us over and hold us under water until we would have been two Americans less.
We visited the massive old cathedral at Cavite Veho which was the largest in the province. It presented a fair pic- ture of American marksmanship, as it was literally shot to pieces.
Our next place of importance to visit was Aguinaldo's former residence, a large and comfortable house. I learned from the sentry at the gate that the house was occupied by a Lieutenant Barry of the army. I called upon him and introduced myself, asking permis- sion to take a picture of the famous paint- ing on the ceiling of Aguinaldo's sitting- room. It was a very beautiful and striking piece of painting. It repre- sented a Filipino senorita who had ascended a flight of stairs where the Spanish flag hurled in bold relief, but she had torn it down, broken the chains asunder that held it, and was hoisting the Filipino flag in its place.
We were entertained royally by Lieu- tenant Barry, and during our conversa- tion I noticed an old native lady sit- ting at the opposite side of the room on an old army cot, but did not pay any particular attention to her until our friend told us she was the mother of Aguinaldo. I then engaged her in con- versation, asking her many questions about her son. She stated he was 36 years of age, and was born within a few hundred feet of the house we were sit- ting in. His father, Don Carlos Aguin- aldo, was a man of some prominence, being a solicitor-at-law, and thrice elect- ed Mayor of Cavite, his native place : had in his marriage with "Dona Trinidad Famy," six children, one of whom is Emilio Agniraldo. The mother stated to us that from his youth he showed a great desire to learn. His first studies were made in the college of San Juan de Ietrau, in Manila, until the death of his father, when, unfortunately, he was
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obliged to leave his education to attend to the necessities of his home.
Shortly after his return from college, lie and his brother accepted positions in the Cavite Arsenal, under the Spanish. He was a clerk, and his brother was a draftsman. Only a few days ago I was in the draftsman's room, and they had a map posted on the wall of Manila Bay made by him, which was really a skilled piece of work. Aguinaldo from his boy- hood had sworn the vendetta against the friars, well knowing the wrong that was perpetrated upon his people by these vampires, clothed in the garb of religion. Aguinaldo, after taking up arms against the Spanish, drove them from the province of Cavite and declared himself the Governor of that province. His first move was to expel all the friars. Today, go where you will through the province, the eye turns to colossal frag- ments, a forlorn but vital thing, broken, crushed, and yet undving. All these old cathedrals are powerless to break the si- lence that enwraps the noble ruin. Its disgnity is as imperturbable as that of mountain and sea. Never was style of architecture more spontaneously in touch with its environment than that followed by the mission buildings.
Earthquakes have rent, man has de- spoiled, time has renounced, the old ca- thedrals, vet its pure nobility survives, indestructible. The tower has fallen, the sanctuary is bare and weather beaten. the cloisters of the quadrangle are roof- less, and the bones of forgotten padres lie beneath the roof of tangled shrubbery : but the bells still hang in their rawhide lashings, and the cross rises white against the sky. A contemptuous century has rolled past, and the whole ambition and once promising dream of monkish rule has long since ended. but this slow crumbling structure will not have it so. Like some dethroned and superannuated
king, whose insistent claim to royal function cloaks him with a certain grand- eur. It sits in silent state, too venerable for disrespect and too august for pity.
From my personal observation, since I have been here, I believe at the pres- ent time if the Governor-General would deport the friars froin the islands, Aguin- aldo and his followers would lay down their arms. The people are sending pe- titions from every province begging in the most pathetic words for the General to expel them. But no, he will not act, and mind what I say, there will be war here as long as these people are allowed to remain. It is so plain to one who is here and can hear the one cry all the time from all classes of Filipinos : "Ex- pel the friars !"
The people had begun to show great loyalty to our flag and believed in as until the demonstration a short while back when the General went to a meet- ing of the friars in Manila for the pur- pose of trying to get the natives to al- low the friars to remain, when he and his suite all came near being mobbed.
Only yesterday, while in conversation with a wealthy and highly educated Fili- pino here in Cavite, he asked me why the Americans did not expel the friars if they wanted peace. He expressed 10 me his views plainly He said: "Mr. Perkins. I have seen war and bloodshed all my life, and I expect my children and grandchildren will see the same. It is a problem which worries me a great deal. Why don't the powers that he, undertake to do something which is in accord with the people's wishes." I hope the time is not far distant when our noble flag will be understood by the people, so we can engage in the industries of the il- ands, for these islands are among the grandest in the work! for all pursuits of mankind.
CHARLTON B. PERKINS.
SLAVERY IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.
It is generally understood among the older of our pioneers now living, that slavery existed among the Indians up to the early forties. Their emancipation being begun, and probably effected, at that time through Rev. Jason Lee, who, through the enlisted co-operation of Dr. McLoughlin, brought about a discon- tinuance of the practice among them.
It is not, however, understood that the black man was held in servitude within the limits of the Pacific Northwest. Such was nevertheless the case. The only known instance when a transfer of own- ership was made a matter of record was the recording of a bill of sale in Lane county, Oregon. A Mr. Southworth sold the "negro boy Cole and his grand- mother," to Col. Joseph Teal in the later fifties, Judge Stratton drawing up the papers required to consummate the sale. Col. Teal gave the old woman and the boy their freedom a little time thereafter, and they settled on the Long Tom, near the present town of Junction City, where they lived for a number of years.
Quite a number of pioneers brought slaves with them, but practically gave them their liberty upon their arrival here, or very soon afterwards without formu- lation of papers to that effect. One mother, a free negro woman. purchased her own son before leaving "the States" and after reaching the Willamette valley had the transfer recorded, the date being April 13. 1854. This document was the first miscellaneous instrument recorded in Washington county, Oregon. It was as follows:
D. Snowden to Jane Thomas:
Know all men by these presents. that for and in consideration of the sum of five
Subscribe for the Oregon Native Son. The only magazine of history published in the Pacific Northwest. Fully illustrate : with portraits of pioneers to the origina! Oregon, their lescendants, as well as views of its scenery, mines, fields, etc.
hundred dollars, to me in hand paid by Jane Thomas, late Jane Snowden. a free woman of color, the receipt whereor is hereby con- fessed and acknowledged. I, David Snow- den, of the county of Ray. in the state of Missouri, have bargained, sold and delivered to her, the said Jane Thomas, late Jane ' Snowden, a free woman of color one certain negro boy slave named Billy, aged 11 years, and son of said Jane Thomas, late Jane Snowden ,a free woman of color. This sale is made to gratify the said Jane Thomas, mother of the said negro boy. Billy, as she is about to emigrate to Oregon. and wishes to take the boy with her. Given under my hand and seal this 17th day of December, A. D. 1852. DAVID SNOWDEN.
Washington was settled with the idea that no slavery should exist therein, and probably the only instance known where the colored race were considered as the chattels of the white man, was in 1860. On the 25th of September of that year a mulatto boy belonging to Gen. Janies Tilton, of Olympia, was forcibly taken from the steamer Eliza Anderson, while lying at the wharf in Victoria. It seems that the boy had run away from his mas- ter, and being recognized as a stowaway on board a few hours before the steamer arrived at her foreign destination, was confined to a state-room so he could be taken back to Olympia on the return trip. The matter coming to the notice of the British authorities, the boy was taken from the steamier on a writ of habeas corpus. Finding that he could not be held in slavery the general allowed the boy to go without making an effort to reclaim him. Those acquainted with the facts state that it was the inclination of his master to give him his freedom when he was able to look out for himself. voluntary action of the boy only hasten- ing matters.
Contributions solicited upon all his- torical subjects appertaining to the Pa- cific Northwest. Crossing the plains. Indian wars, first settlements, adventures, reminiscences and other data that will be of interest.
LEGENDARY LORE OF THE INDIANS.
The Indian says "frog in the moon," instead of "man in the moon." In va- rious legends told by the Indians the frog is in some way connected with nights luminary. A statement is made that Coyote and the Eagle once con- cluded to go to the land of souls and bring them back to earth. They arrived there in due course of time, but during the day. According to the belief of the Indian the spirits of the departed are only active at night and through this the adventurerers were obliged to wait until evening's shadows fell. As the last rays of setting sun grew dim upon the west- ern horizon the spirits began to appear for dance and frolic, but on account of the light that the moon gave, it must be done away with before well laid plans could be accomplished. The frog, whom the spirits had no fear of, came close to where Coyote was secreted, and by him killed, Coyote dressing himself in its skin. With this disguise he was allowed to approach the moon without having his designs suspicioned. Within suitable distance, he quickly grabbed the luminary and swallowed it when all was darkness. The spirits being secured, Coyote hung up the frog skin along with the moon, and there it remains plain and perfect to Indian eyes.
Another story told is to the effect that when Coyote was roaming the earth put- ting down sin and oppression, that the frog in fear of being punished for some wrong doing, jumped to the moon and has remained there ever since, coming to plain view every time there is a "new moon" to see if he is being pursued
According to some, the whippoorwill. wanting a light suitable for its pursuits. determined to make a moon, and used the frog as material. By what magic this was brought about the Indian does not state. Still, the feat was accomp- lished. His frogship was thus trans- formed and hung in the heavens, frog side out.
Among some of the tribes farther north, there is a legend told of fairy days, when two Indian maidens sat one even- ing,
"Watching the westward going stars Pass shortly out of sight.
and of all the glittering multitude, two. one red, one white-shining with peculiar brightness, attracted their attention. One of the maidens said the red is mine the other chose the white. The night waned and they retired to the family lodge. While they slept the stars ad- mired, assumed human form, descended from their heaven's home, and bore away the damsels to a country strange and beautiful. Here to one of the brides was born a wonderful child-none other than the Moon. In defiance. how- ever, of all the white man's ideas of its feminine claims and attributes, it was a boy. The other twain was blessed with no children, and grew jealous of their more fortunate neighbors, and when the parents of the Moon were not looking. he was stolen and taken back to earth and left in the midst of a dense forest. Soon after he was so left, he was dis- covered by the Woodpecker. This indi- vidual was the original canoe maker. Upon finding the child he was afraid to take it home with him, and vet did not want to part with it. He therefore hol- lowed out an immense cedar "stick." or tree, which he lined with woven mats made of rushes, over which he placed the softest furs. Here the child was hidden until he could consult his wife in relation to what further he should do in the mat- ter. Upon her seeing the babe she be- came fondly attached to it, and took it home with her. -
The daughter of this couple was the Lark, a creature envious by nature, and. of course, jealous of the attentions shown the new acquisition to the family circle. When the Moon had grown up so as to understand, she began to twit him about his parentage, calling him a "stick"
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child, making disparaging illusions to his hiding place in the tree, and that he had no motlier. The Moon scanned the faces of his foster parents and of the Lark, but found no likeness to himself in their countenance or resemblance otherwise, and it so weighed upon his mind that he concluded to run away. After wandering a long distance, he heard some children singing. Being tired and dispirited, he wished himself a berry, so that he could be eaten and thus lost; a flower to be plucked, fade and perish; then a dog, but hardly had this wish been conceived before he was transformed into such animal, when he went bounding to where the children were and joined with them in their frolics. The chief's daughter became attached to him, and from thence he was her constant companion. One evening she met a handsome brave, with whom she became enamored, but never saw him except when the shades of night began to gather. After a time they were mar- ried, but she did not know that her hus- band and her playfellow of the hours of day were identical. In due course of time four children were born to them- three dogs and one a girl, half human half dog. The old chief, her father, was so exasperated in consequence that he banished her to the sea shore far away.
One day the mother was out dig- ging clams, and on nearing the lodge, heard loud laughter coming therefrom. This she could not understand, as its only occupants she found to be her off- spring, and the girl the only one who could talk. . Taking her to one side for an explanation, she learned that as soon as she would leave the lodge the father would lay aside his hairy robe and then remove those of the three dog children, when they would all assume human form. She believed that she could dispel the enchantment hanging over them, and told the girl not to tell of her approach the next time she went for clams, but, instead, claim that she was far away. On her going out again, the robes were laid aside as usual. While they sported and langhed, the mother quietly stole near the lodge, and, at an opportune 510-
ment crept within, seized the discar:led robes and threw them into the fire, when they were burned. Her husband thus stood forth a noble chieftain and her Jog sons handsome young men.
The Moon's mother bewailed the loss of her son for many snows, weeping over his little bed until it became so wet that she wrung from it a flood which, when falling, became rounded and more brighter than any tear since. Before it reached the earth, the Great Spirit stopped its fall, and willed that it should float in space, and a loving mother's tear drops became the present sun. The mother sent many messengers to find her son, the Moon, but they were all killed by the che-aht-ko's or giants. One day the Bluejay came to her, telling her that he knew where her son could be found, and that he would go and bring him to her if she would provide him with a blue robe or blanket. She gave him the brightest that was ever made, and, spreading his wings he soared away to earth, flying above the towering trees so that the che-aht-ko's could not reach him, safely reaching the lodge where lived the object of his search. The Moon under- stood all languages, and when the Jay twittered at his door, went to him and was told of his parentage. Upon con- senting to go where his mother dwelt. the Jay took him and his family upon its back and earth lost forever, except the sight of one of them at night, a notable family, the father of which, coming near at the gathering of evening shades to show to his wife's relations that he still lives, but not close enough to hear the father of his better half speak for fear he will be cross, as in the days when he ban- ished her from the paterna: roof. Through the brightness inherited from his starry parent, comes the light to man- kind, that illumes the hills and dales when the sun has gone to sleep.
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