USA > Oregon > The Oregon native son, 1900-1901 > Part 56
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65
the Indians to terms without bloodshed, left for Steillacoom, arranging with the weekly mail boat or canoe carrier to con- vey up the river a large box containing, amongst other things, his valuable jour- nal or diary of events occurring since his arrival in this country. The canoe containing this box was in charge of Sydney Ford, the mail contractor, who was considered one of the most expert hands navigating the river. In making the ascent of one of the many rapids to be met with upon this river the canoe struck a snag and capsized, everything in it being apparently lost. The lieutenant offered a reward for the recovery of his box, and, strange to say, some weeks after the same canoeman, Sydney Ford, espied the box (one of these Chinese trunks, Chinese - made, studded with brass-headed nails) lying high and dry upon a bar of the river. He sent it to its owner at Fort Steillacoom, who, much to his surprise and pleasure, found his diary in a fair state of preservation. Some of its pages were partially defaced, but not enough to render them unintelli- gible, and they only required rewriting, which, to him, was an easy task.
Bob, the mail-carrier, undertook to convey our goods to the point, and we accompanied him with a portion of them, and he was to carry the remainder on his next trip. At the point I arranged for Sam W. to carry our goods (he owned a team and wagon) to the barracks, and Mr. Ford, the agent in charge of the buildings, permitted me to open a shop in the large barrack room, and my two men had the use of one of the houses used by the subordinate officers. As be- fore, I lodged with Mr. and Mrs. Ford, and I was very kindly treated, indeed. It Soon became noised abroad that I had arrived, and a grand salute from Sam's cannon told the Indians that something of interest to them was to be found at the point. Sam had traded a lot of the common kind of furs, and I was quietly informed that he had two fine sea otters stowed away somewhere in his dirty store. which smelled strongly of liquor. the home-made article, which was made of alcohol, turpentine, coal oil, cayenne
.
416
OREGON NATIVE SON.
pepper and finished off with a lump of · tobacco. What a decoction to imbibe ! and I know men who have drank scores of gallons of this precious mixture and are alive today, apparently none the worse for having used or misused it. I know one to be nearly ninety years, and
four or five upwards of seventy years of age, but, on the other hand, what a lot of men I have seen suffer from it, bad effects, and what a number of once strong, hearty men I have seen die before reaching the age of fifty years!
HENRY HUGGINS.
(To be continued.)
THE UPPER CASCADES BLOCKHOUSE.
-
AN INTERESTING REMINISCENCE CONCERNING IT.
Having always admired historical facts in preference to fiction, I therefore feel sensitive against the publication of error or misrepresentations of occurrences of historical value, by ascribing the same to be facts.
.
I noticed a statement in the Oregonian not long since to the effect that Col. L. L. Hawkins had procured for the Port- land city museum the last log, with loop- holes notched there for shooting through, that was left of the blockhouse which stood so prominently for years on a hill at the Upper Cascades. The article also stated that the blockhouse had withstood seiges and many sanguinary Indian at- tacks. I don't doubt the statement about the loop-holed log, and truly rejoice be -. cause of its being preserved as an his- torical relic, for I performed military service in the blockhouse of which it constituted a part, the recollections of it being still dear to my memory. But as to any attacks made or seiges undergone: I can assert without fear of successful contradiction that there was never a hos- tile shot fired against. or from, said blockhouse, nor was it ever beseiged during its existence.
There were two blockhouses erected at the Cascades, the first one being built in November, 1855, under the superintend- ency of Capt. Henry D. Wallen. company H, Fourth United States infantry. This
was known as the middle blockhouse by the pioneers and by the military officials at Fort Rains. This stood about midway between the Upper and Lower Caseades landings and on level ground. In this was beseiged a number of the people living at the. Cascades and eight sol- diers, myself being one of them, in com- mand of Sergeant Kelly during the at- tack upon the Cascades, commencing March 26, 1856, by the Yakima, Cas- cade and other renegade Indians. This was the blockhouse made famous through the massacre of white settlers at that place as stated, as well as being the location where General Phil. Sheri- dan, then a lieutenant, began his after- ward brilliant military career, coming at that time with reinforcements to the relief of the settlement. The upper blockhouse was not erected until the conflict was over, peace restored and Sheridan stationed elsewhere.
The upper blockhouse was built in April, 1856, its construction taking place soon after the defeat of the Indians and quiet restored. Its erection was ordered by Col. Geo. Wright, commanding the Ninth United States infantry, for the purpose of giving the settlement addi- tional protection in the event of another outbreak. I believe that Major Lougen- beel. commanding company A of the same regiment, had charge of its con-
417
THE UPPER .CASCADES BLOCKHOUSE
struction, utilizing the members of his company to perform the work. As long as troops remained stationed at Fort Cascades, which the garrison at the Lower Cascades was called, the block- house at the Upper Cascades and the michdle blockhouse (Fort Rains) were each always furnished with a small de- tachment for guard duty.
Soon after the engagement of March, 1856, I was promoted a corporal, a mark of appreciation of my services in assist- ing to repel the savage and murderous attack made upon us on that memorable and historie occasion. I was chosen in the latter part of 1858 to take charge of a detail of nine men to occupy and guard the famous old blockhouse, made dear to me by the past thrilling expe- rience, and the very happy associations of comradeship that I had formed. there .. made me feel a strong attachment towards the place. But after the com- pletion of six months' duty there I be- came weary of my command and isolated station, and respectfully requested of my commanding officer, Lieut. Francis Mallory. Fourth United Sattes infantry, to relieve me from the command of the blockhouse and order me to join my company at the lower garrison. The lieutenant relieved me as requested from the command of the middle blockhouse. but did not grant me my request to join my company, but, instead, ordered me to report to Sergeant John Ciz (a native of Hungary), who was in charge of the upper blockhouse. He had ten privates under his command. I then became next to him in command. We had an easy and pleasant duty to perforni there, and the scenery thereabout is exceedingly picturesque and beautiful. and as all the people in that vicinity believed that the Indian troubles were forever ended, no- body felt any anxiety about the safety of their lives or property from that source.
But one evening in the spring of 1859 the little community got terribly fright- ened by being informed by a friendly Cascade Indian that the settlement and the upper blockhouse would be attacked by hostile . Indians that night. A few
minutes after 9 o'clock P. M., when all the soldiers had retired except the guard, we heard the latter challenging a hur- riedly approaching person. The answer to the challenge was "For God's sake, open the door quickly. The Indians are upon us, and going to attack the whole settlement tonight !" The man that brought us he startling information was Thomas McNatt, who kept a saloon near Bradford's store. There quickly fol- lowed him in great haste and excitement all the inhabitants living near him. Men. women and children, all were welcomely admitted to the blockhouse as soon as we soldiers dressed ourselves. Some of the women were quite frightened; one of them in particular kept repeatedly cry- ing, "I am going to faint," but other women present coaxed her not to do so, as she was safe under the protection of the soldiers, and, to our satisfaction, she took their advice, whereupon all became quiet and amenable to obey the instruc- tions of the soldiers. I had charge of di- recting the defense of the lower part of the blockhouse if occasion occurred for me to do so. The first order I gave the women was to put all the children into the vacated beds, so that we would have more room for action, and for them to remain near them. I also particularly in- structed them to keep perfectly cool and quiet if an attack was made, in order that the soldiers and their husbands be given full opportunity to beat off the In- dians in case we were attacked by then.
The night dragged wearily along until the dawn of the next day, every moment of which we anticipated an onslaught. but none was made, as the alarm proved to be a false one. The suspense. how- ever, of waiting for the anticipated at- tack was agonizing to some few timid people among us. One of the men folks seeking shelter in the blockhouse asked me several times to advise the sergeant. who was attending to the defense of the upper floor, to fire the six-pound gun. the sound of which would give the alarm to the scattered settlers outside the vil- lage, that they might flee for safety. I repeatedly told him that to do so without being actualy attacked, the sergeant and
418
OREGON NATIVE'SON.
myself would be severely censured and perhaps punished for allowing ourselves to be so easily coaxed and frightened. But he kept replying to me that it would be better if the soldiers did fire the alarm gun, at the request of the citizens, who feared that a hostile move would surely be made before daylight, than to leave the scattered inhabitants exposed to the danger of losing their lives. After it became sufficiently daylight for the peo- ple to see that everything around was as usual, they all went to their homes, feel- ing truly grateful to us soldiers for the protection and kindness we extended to them, and before evening came on we received from them abundant evidence of their grateful feelings towards us by them sending to us lots of delicacies- pies, cakes, hot biscuits, etc .- which kindness we gratefully accepted and ap- preciated. That terminated the most ex- cítable and noted incident that ever oc- curred during the military occupancy of the upper blockhouse.
.
The news of the alarm was known the next day at thhe lower garrison, and Lieutenant Mallory came up to inquire about it. The sergeant and myself told him the whole occurrence, and how we
had managed and prepared for the de- fense. Lieutenant Mallory complimented the sergeant, myself and our little com- miand for our good management, and es- pecially for our discretion in refusing to fire the warning gun without being cer- tain that an attack would be made.
Shortly after the beginning of the civil war nearly all the troops were with- drawn from this coast and forwarded to the seat of war in the South, and Fort Cascades and the two blockhouses were abandoned and left uncared for, and. with the advent of time, they all fell into decay and total ruin. The upper blockhouse, because of its being substan- tially built with hewn logs, remained standing until a few years ago. The foundation having rotted away, the building gradually collapsed, and I am informed was totally carried away by the high water in the Columbia river in June, 1894.
Trusting that my reminiscence will more clearly explain the history of the two blockhouses,
ROBERT WILLIAMS,
Sergeant of Ordnance, U. S. Army, Retired.
The first Baptist Church organized west of the Rocky Mountains was in Oregon, Washington County, at West Union, on May 25, 1844. In the Fall of that same year the first Baptist min- ister to reach the coast came in the per- son of Rev. Vincent Snelling The first meeting-house built by the Baptists was that at Oregon City, in 1818. The first missionaries of the Home Mission Society to reach the coast were R. v. Hezekiah Johnson and Rev. Ezra Fisher, who reached Oregon in 1846. The first as- sociation is the Willamette. organized June 23, 1848. The first . fforts in the direction of education work was at Ore- gon City, where the Oregon City College was founded about 1851. The first na- tive-born Oregonian to enter the Baptist ministry was Rev. C. A. Woody, the present editor.of the Pacific Baptist.
Dr. Ira L. Babcock commissioned pro- bate judge by the settlers, who made an attempt in this year to form a provisional government. He was the first official chosen by the settlers. The Methodist missions had previously appointed jus- tices of the peace and contables, but they did not act, and they had no jurisdiction over any . one not connected with the mssions. (Sir) James Douglas had been a justice at Vancouver, but his authority extended over no one outside of the Hud- son's Bay Company employees. The doc- tor was instructed to render his decisions according to the laws of the state of New York, but it is claimed by some of those who took part in the proceedings that there was no code of laws of any state.
.
·
LEGENDARY LORE OF THE INDIANS.
MINERAL SPRINGS, AND OTHER STORIES.
As the legend runs, there seems to have been a Cain and Abel in the Pacific Northwest among the inhabitants who lived therein when the years of man's existence counted but few. The In- dian marks the date by saying that it was when the noble firs, which have for ages past kissed the skies above with higher bough, were no larger than their arrows. Then all men were at peace, nowhere was the hatchet used as an im- plement by man to harm or destroy his fellow mortal. The swift :unning rivers " or mirrored lakes teeming with cielicious fish, and the green earth of hill and vale full stocked with herb, root and game, all belonged to the dwellers then here in common.
During this state of things two broth- ers, twins 'tis said, were born to the Adam and Eve of that day. When they grew up luck seemed to have been ever present with one of them, the other knew continual disappointment while on the chase. This circumstance se: ved to bring about not only discontent but hatred in the breast of the one less favored by the fates, and he sought for opportunity to quarrel with his more fortunate brother. Failing in his en- deavors, he made a treacherous attack upon the latter while he vas .tooping down to secure a drink from a spring of water. Hardly had the death dealing blow been struck before the murdered man fell into the spring and sank be- neath its surface. Immediately a strange commotion was observable ; great bubbles and gaseous spirts shot up from the bottom, and, amid a cloud of vapor, there arose therefrom an old white haired Indian, who proclaimed himself the creator of the first of the human race. "Accursed of mankind." cried the old man. "Thou hast sharpened the toma-
hawk to henceforth be used by man to cleave the proud citadel where reason should sit enthroned. In its sharpening thou hast unseated sense and em bittered man one against the other. and strife shall fill the earth as a wage of thy sin. Go! Wander ve the earth, ard where you drink from spring, its waters shall become poluted and be bitter, and in their bitterness, mankind shall have a sign that to kill is to incur my dis- favor."
From place to place the fratricide wandered o'er the earth, and whereever he stopped to quench his thirst, in the waters was left remembrance of his crime and decree of the creator. This is the origin of the many mineral springs that are found in this section of the world, if the legendary lore of the Indian is to be believed. It has been said that the Indians do not allow twins to live. and because they believe that one will be lucky and the other unfortunate, thus bringing about evil, as occurred accord- ing to the folk lore of their misty past. and consequently they are destroyed im- ,mediately after birth.
"YOUR SINS WILL FIND YOU OUT."
This old adage calls to mind the tradi- tion in relation to a ledge of rocks situ- ated on the Columbia not far from what is called Mosier's landing. A rocky bluff which the Indians call Coyote's: wall.
They say that this famous god was once traveling along the river and being without food or means to procure it, be- came very hungry, and on arriving at this point he committed a degrading crime in hopes of appeasing the cravings of the inner man. He had no more than done so before he became overwhelmed with shame and remorse for his actions, and fearing that others would be ad-
419
420
OREGON NATIVE SON.
vised of his conduct, he began the build- ing of a high wall to prevent what he alone knew to become spread abroad. Alas! He labored in vain. The wall would be built up seemingly all right in one place, when the secret he would keep would break it down in another. As fast as he mended the breaks there would be a tumbling somewhere else. At last he be came so weared and unbelieving of success in the undertaking, that he aban- doned the endeavor and again started on his journey. After a time he reached an encampment and the first sound that greeted his ears was concerning his evil deeds. Without stopping, he went for- ward, finally reaching another village near Celilo. Here he had the same ex- perience as before ; thus, everywhere the news of his wrong doing had preceeded him. None can build a wall strong enough around their sins but what they will be found out.
FIRST SALMON ABOVE THE WILLAM- ETTE FALLS.
Of course there was a time when no sounds comingled with the roar of the falls of the Willamette, save that of winged creature and that of the elements. But this could not last always. In the increase of communities, it is found that more room is needed, causing a pushing away from the parent lodge to find the. required accommodations. Through a desire to secure additional room, as well as to the inherent instinct in man to be- come a dominant factor in the govern- ment of his fellow mortals, the head of a family of Indians removed from the crowded precincts of his people, and, with his family and following settled at these falls. As the father of the family, he was obeyed : and as the leader of those accompanying him, he was looked up to for advice and direction. In due course of time the little community developed into a tribe of considerable numbers with the father recognized as the chief.
According to Indian law, the grounds located upon were the property of the
tribe, upon which none but its member- ship having a right to fish or hunt within the limits of the lands claimed by them. One day an intruder came upon the scene and began to spear the salmon endeavor- ing to get over the falls, a feat that had never been accomplished. His presence was discovered by the chief, who ap- proached in no pleasing frame of mind to learn the cause of the stranger's in- trusion. He, however, reckoned without his host, for the fisherman was a Che- aht-ko. (A giant.)
Not liking the address of the chief. Che-aht-ko killed him, and, thinking that the fallen brave would make as toothsome a morsel as the salmon and less trouble to secure, ate him. Relishing the diet and still being hungry, Che-aht- ko set about to hunt up and dispose of the remainder of the tribe in like manner. overlooking but one, the wife of the chief who had hid behind some rocks some distance away. When night came, Che- aht-ko laid down to sleep, and the stricken widow stole forth, with nothing but the crescent moon to guide her, to mountain fastness. Here a son was born to her, and after he was old enough to move about and understand. she instruct- ed and encouraged him in the practice of feats of strength. By the time he had grown to manhood his powers of endur- ance and strong arm were such that he was capable of entering a contest with the mightiest, even with Che-aht-ko. At this time his mother told him all, and they left again for the falls to avenge the death of those bereft of life by the giant.
On their arrival at the falls, Che-aht- ko was no where to be seen. One day the son found his father's stone axe and with it attempted to split a large log, intending to make fuel out of it. While engaged in this work, he was suddenly confronted by the missing giant. The young man greeted him pleasantly, thinking by so doing that Che-aht-ko would not look for any hostile move on his part, thus being better able to secure an opportunity to take advantage of, and overcome him. Che-aht-ko saw what the young man was trying to do and offered to assist him.
421
LEGENDARY LORE OF THE INDIANS.
He was asked to place his hands within the opening and pull upon the sides while the young man drove the wedge down deeper. Suspecting no danger, Che-aht- ko did so, but he had hardly grasped hold before the young man had quickly struck the wedge and the sides of the log came together with a snap upon the gi- ant's fingers. This placed at th mercy of the young man who lost no time in killing the monster.
Informing his mother as to what he had done, she told him to "make medi- cine" to the Great Spirit with a view of having him return to earth again, the membership of the tribe killed by Che- aht-ko. The "medicine" being accept- able, asked for re-habiliment took place. Business before pleasure being the motto of the young man, he went out to construct some fish baskets instead of . stopping to get acquainted with his father and kindred.
In this employ his father found him, and, believing him to be a stranger, or- dered him to leave, striking him to em- phasize the command. The son was so mortified by the treatment received that he shed tears. As these fell upon the rocks they sank far into them, and the holes thus made can still be seen. Hav- ing no more desire to live as a human be- ing, he importuned the Great Spirit to change him into a salmon, which was done. As he plunged beneath the foam of the falling waters, he became imbued with the salmon instinct to get over the falls, a feat as vet never before accom- plished, and, after a few trials, succeed- ed in doing so. On and on he went, hurrying to get away from the roar and unpleasant recollections left behind. Arriving at the Tualatin. he turned aside, thinking there to take a rest, but
Salmon do not naturally frequent any of the tributaries- of the Willamette river emptying into it from the west. Probably
the noise below caused him to go for- ward. Away he swam to the Yamhill, but the situation was little better there. Being exhausted, further effort could not be made, and he slowly drifted down- ward with the curent. His upward jour- ney, was made along the western bank of the river, preventing the discovery of its tributary putting in on its eastern shore.' The whirling waters carried him to the latter side and before very long eddying forces threw him into the mouth of the Molalla. Quickly darting up this stream, he swam until it divided into two branches, the confluence of the Pudding and Molalla rivers. But the roar of the falls was not lost in the music of laugh- ing waters rippling over pebbled way, and after resting, he returned to the Wil- lamette again and went forward and up- ward, seeking a place of quiet and rest. On, and on he went until he arrived at the mouth of the Santiam. Should he go further up the Willamette or choose the waters of the Santiam? He rather preferred the latter, but deferred his de- cision until after he had slept awhile. So, with nose pointed up the Santiam, he was soon in dreamland. While thus occupied. the god Coyote came along and believing that it would be a good idea to erect a marker or guide post to show the salmon coming up the river in after time which way to turn, he changed the sleeper into a salmon-shaped rock. To this day this salmon-shaped rock lies at the meeting place of the two streams named. To this day the salmon, on reaching it, swim for ward in the waters of the Santiam. sel- dom. if ever, further in the waters of the Willamette. To this day no salmon ascend the Tualatin or Yamhill rivers.
F. H. SAYLOR.
because instinct takes them away from the ocean. To go up the streams putting in from the west would take them toward it.
OREGON'S CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
-
THOSE COMPOSING ITS MEMBERSHIP, AND THE COUNTIES THEY REPRESENTED
The first and only constitutional con- vention held in Oregon was in 1857, and its history is interwoven with the history of the pioneers.
At the November election following the constitution was adopted by a vote of 7195 against 3215. The list of dele- gates to that memorable convention fol- lows :
Benton-John Kelsay, H. C. Lewis, H. B. Nichols, William Matzger.
Clatsop-Cyrus Olney.
Columbia-John W. Watts.
Clackamas-James K. Kelly, A. L. Lovejoy, William A. Starkweather, H. Campbell, Nathaniel Robbins.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.