USA > Oregon > The Oregon native son, Vol. I > Part 18
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F. H. SAYLOR.
Oregon's forests are vast in extent. In them grow the firs, pines and spruces suitable for lumber-making: maples and oaks for furniture work; cottonwood for paper manufacture, and Port Orford cedar for finishing. The quantity of standing timber is so large as to be almost beyond comprehension. Single counties contain more timber than can now be found in Michigan, once consid- ered a great lumber manufacturing state. To exhaust the supply of these counties · would require at the present rate of cut- ting from 700 to 1000 years. Truly, the timber supply of Oregon may be said to be inexhaustible.
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MOUNTAIN LORE.
LEGEND OF CRATER LAKE.
Wimawita* was the pride of his family and tribe .** He could kill the grizzly bear, and his prowess in the fight was re- nowned even among those fierce braves who controlled the entrance to the Lake of the Big Medicine, where the black obsidian arrowheads are found, but the chase no longer had pleasure for him, and he wandered far up the slopes of Shasta, where the elk and deer abound, and they passed slowly by him, down into the heavy growth of murmuring pines, as if knowing that his mission was of peace. Above' was the line of per- petual snow, where the tamarack was "striving hard for existence in the barren rock. From this great height Wimawita gazed upon the lodges in the prairie, among the huge trees far below, and then suddenly descending, disappeared in the forest, advancing to the east, where springs the great, gushing sawul*, the source of the Wini-mim .** There in a little hut dwelt old Winnishuva." "Tell me, O mother." he cried, "what can I do to regain the love of Tculucul?&# She laughs at me, and the dog Tsileu### wan- ders with her over the snowclad moun- tain."
"'Tis well, Tculucul still loves you, but since your brave deeds among the Klamaths, your thoughts are far away. and you long for further perils, to chant your great exploits in the councils of the brave. Tculucul has noticed your neglect and distaste for the exploits in which you formerly took pleasure. Why, O Wimawita, do you not seek for greater glory? Know you not of the great lake, far away and deep down in the mountain top? The way is long and difficult, and but few reach its rocky · Grizzly bear. ** Shastas.
· Large spring. ** McCloud river. Forethought. $$ The lark. $$$ Red Flicker.
slopes. If you have the strength and courage to climb down and bathe in its crystal waters, you will acquire great and marvelous wisdom, Tulucul will look upon you with favor, and none will equal you among your people. The Llaos (children of the Great Spirit) guard the lake, and far in the past one of our own tribe reached it, but not propitiating the spirits, they killed him, and his body was sunk in the depths of the blue water."
As she spoke the old woman's strength increased. Wimawita, listening, caught her energy.
"'Tis well, my mother, tomorrow, while all sleep, will I start upon this jour- ney to the river where the Klamaths dwell. Then will I find the way to the wondrous lake and bathe in the deep water."
While speaking, he noted not the part- ing of the brush, where Tculucul was concealed, and who in her fright almost betrayed her presence. Nor was Tsileu visible behind the granite rocks near by, eagerly watching and hearing all that happened.
At dawn the following day, when even the dogs were still, Wimawita stole quiet- ly away. Close behind him, clad in the raiment of a young brave, followed Teu- lucul, and after a short interval, gliding stealthily in the tracks of the others, came Tsileu. . Thus they marched for several long and weary days, over the prairies of Shasta and the dreary lava fields of Modoc. until Wimawita reached the great river of the Klamaths. Then Teulucul came forth and accosted him.
"Whither goest thou. Wimawita, and why are you alone in this desolate place?"
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WIZARD ISLAND.
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MOUNTAIN LORE.
"I seek the great lake in the top of the mountain, to bathe in its limpid waters."
"There would I also go and share your perils."
"'Tis well, and I will reward your faith in me."
Tsileu, inwardly raging. cast a look of hate upon theni, and sped northward through the land of the Klamaths.
The next day Wimawita and Tculucul journeyed up the river. They came to a large lake, and after some distance this gradually narrowed to a small but rapid stream. After a course for some distance through a deep ravine, the water again spread out into a lake, and far north could be seen the prairies' of the Klam- athis. Towards the east was a succession of rolling hills, with scanty vegetation, clear cut in the rarified atmosphere. On the west high mountains rose up precipi- tously, while here and there a snow- clad peak towered in the sky. ""Tis there," said Wimawita, "where we must seek for the deep mountain lake." At last, after many weary days, they reached the lake and made camp close to the precipice. All night Wimawita chanted his song, and when the sun was just lighting up the circular wall across the lake, he clambored down the steep and rocky walls, and plunged into the deep, clear waters. His spirit seemed to soar
from him; but it required all his strength to climb back to the rim of the crater. Next day he bathed again, and on re- turning said, "Once more only, Tculucul. will I have to bathe in the crystal water, then wisdom and strength will be mine. our tribe will be the grandest in the land, and you will be the greatest squaw of all. Thus will your faith and help to me be rewarded."
On the third morning he started, but, just as he reached the last descent, he beheld Tsileu.
"Dog of Wimawita, we will here find who is the greater man."
Like two great whirlwinds they came together, then struggled on the edge of the cliff, advancing, retreating, swaying far out over the dizzy height, watched by Tculucul from above, powerless to aid. Suddenly Wimawita slipped on the mossy rock and Tsileu, exerting all his strength, raised and hurled him far out into the lake. Then the Llaos arose in their wrath, tore Tsileu's body in pieces and cast them on the lake. As they dis- appeared the waters parted and lava burst out with a mighty noise. The island of Llao Nous* arose as the gasp of a dying crater, and here it is said dwells the spirt of Wimawita, the brave, and Tculucul, the lark.
MARK BRICKELL KERR.
* Wizard Island.
THE HARRIMAN EXPLORING EXPEDITION.
Through the generosity and interest in science of Mr. Edward H. Harriman. of New York city, the most comprehen- sive and well-equipped scientific expedi- tion that has ever left this country has just started for Alaska. As almost every branch of scientific research is repre- sented by specialists of national reputa- tion, from mutual co-operation and the consequent enonomy of time and labor,
a vast fund of knowledge about the geo- graphical features of this little-known area will be gained. The equipment is as complete and generous as the plan is comprehensive, for everything that can contribute to the comfort and assistance of the members Mr. Harriman has im- stintedly provided. The details of the expedition are in charge of Dr. C. Hart Merriam and Dr. Lewis R. Morris. The
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OREGON NATIVE SON.
SOL BLUMAUER, Grand President Native Sons.
Photo by Aune. MRS. ROBT. A. MILLER, Grand President Native Daughters.
OUR GRAND PRESIDENTS.
The office of grand president is cer- tainly an honorable one, and the plat- form of the order is a promulgation of principles that are as la'sting as the eter- nal hills, and when carried into active effect by the native daughters and na- tive sons, working side by side in a com- mon cause, will be the promoters of last- ing good to the membership at large and of inestimable value to the state of Ore- gon.
The election of Mr. Sol Blumauer to the position of grand president of the Order of Native Sons of Oregon was a fit recognition of active, earnest and in- defatigable work and industry. Mr. Blumauer was one of the incorporators of the order, and held the position dur- ing the past year of grand trustee. He became at once an earnest worker, and was recognized from the start as one of the chief pillars. No man is better known throughout Oregon and the Pa- cific Northwest, and as a thorough busi.
ness man he is peculiarly fit to take up the great work so successfully begun by his predecessor and carry it on to greater results.
The Native Daughters of Oregon made no mistake when they selected Mrs. R. A. Miller, of Oregon City, grand president of the order. Mrs. Miller is an educated lady of ripe culture, and her wide, practical knowledge of affairs pe- . culiarly fit her for the order's chief execu- tive. The duties of her position are arduous, and energetic and almost in- cessant labor are her only stipend for the year's work before her, except the satis- faction of a full realization of duty per- formed.
It is safe to assert that Mrs. Miller's wise and judicious leadership will place the organization of Native Daughters cf Oregon on a sure and permanent founda- tion by the time the first grand reunion of the order occurs in June 1900.
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THE HARRIMAN EXPLORING EXPEDITION.
plan of itinerary has been left elastic in order to take advantage of information gained on the way. Eastern members of the party left New York on May 23, expecting to be joined by others at Chi- cago and Seattle, and to sail from the latter by the steamship George W. Elder on or before June 1. This vessel is 250 feet long, 38.5 feet beam, draws 18 feet of water when loaded, and registers 1709 tons. She has been specially provided with new triple-expansion engines and new boilers, and equipped throughout with modern conveniences and every ap- pliance that will contribute to scientific work on board. The first stop after leav- ing Seattle will probably be at the well- known Metlakatla mission of Rev. Will- iam Duncan, on Annette island: the next at Wrangle, opposite the mouth of the Stikeen: but lack of time will probably make it impracticable to ascend very far up the river. Thence, after stopping at Juneau to inspect the Treadwell gold mines, which operate the largest stamp mills in the world, they will proceed to Lynn canal and visit Skagway and Dyea. From there they expect to proceed to Muir glacier, and to explore it and the neighboring glaciers; thence to Yakutat bay and the Mount St. Elias range, the grandest mountains in the world. The course now changes westward to Prince William sound and Copper river: then around Kenai peninsula into Cook inlet and Kamishak bay. Here some days will be passed exploring Iliamna, a smoking volcano rising 12,000 feet di- rectly from the water's edge, and hunt- ing for perfect specimens of the white Dall's sheep and the black Alaskan moose, the largest of the deer tribe. After crossing Shelikof strait to Kadiak. the party will probably separate, some members remaining on the island to hunt and explore, while the ship continues on to U'nalaska and Iliuliuk, a region of
smoking volcanos. On Kadiak island lives the Kadiak bear, the largest car- nivore in the world-an animal twice the size of the largest grizzly. No perfect specimen of this huge beast is at pres- ent owned by any museum in Europe or America. The ship expects to return from Unalaska to Kadiak in time to bring the entire party back to Seattle about August I.
The different branches of scientific research are in charge of the following: Biology, Dr. C. Hart Merriam, chief of the biological survey, U. S. department of agriculture, assisted by Dr. A. K. Fisher, assistant biclogist, and Edwin C. Starks, and with Professor W. E. Ritter. university of California, as associate: botany, F. V. Coville, botanist of the U. S. department of agriculture, assisted by Thomas H. Kearney, assistant bot- anist, with D. W. Trelease, director of Shaw botanical gardens, St. Louis, as- sisted by DeAlton Saunders, of South Dakota, as associate; geology, G. K. Gilbert and Professor B. K. Emerson, of Amherst college, assisted by Dr. C. . Palache, of Harvard university. The other scientists of the party who will direct special lines of investigation in- clude Henry Gannett, chief geographer of the U. S. geological survey; Dr. Will- iam H. Dall. U. S. national museum: Charles A. Keeler, director of museum of California academy of sciences: Pro- fessor B. E. Fernow. Cornell university : D. G. Elliot, Field Columbian museum. Chicago; Professor William H. Brewer and Professor W. R. Coe. Yale univer sity; Robert Ridgway, curator of birds. National museum, and John Muir, the authority on glaciers. Edward S. Cur- tis, of Seattle; the photographer of sev- eral expeditions to Alaska: Louis A. Fuertes and R. Swain Gifford, artists: W. D. Devereux, of Glenwood Springs Colo., mining engineer: John Bur
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OREGON NATIVE SON.
roughs, the popular writer on birds; Dr. Lewis R. Morris, physician and sports- man: Dr. George Bird Grinnell, editor of Forest and Stream, and Captain Luther S. Kelly, the well-known scout, also accompan. Mr. Harriman .- Na- tional Geographic Magazine.
Upon arrival in Portland this great expedition was met by the Mazamas, who showed to them every possible courtesy, and accompanied them as far as Kalama. At Seattle they were met by members of the club, who also ex- erted themselves to serve them. About
a dozen members of the expedition are energetic Mazamas, and as the work un- dertaken is strictly in line with that of the club, there exists a close fellow-feel- ing between the two organizations. On July to the Mazamas start for Lake Che- lan and the valley of the Stehekin for their sixth annual outing, but will prob- ably return a little earlier than at first contemplated, so that the club may ex- tend to the Harriman expedition a recep- tion in Portland upon its return from Alaska.
THE RELATION OF TEACHER AND PARENT WITH REGARD TO THE CHILD.
While the parent is not a teacher in the pedagogic sense, yet a relationship exists between teacher and parent that is essentially the groundwork of the edu- cation of the child, and knowledge of this relationship is of as much import- ance on the part of the parent as the training of the teacher in his or her pro- fession. While God made man in his own intage, we must not forget that a vast dissimilarity exists'in man's natural characteristics and possibilities, and to the parent belongs the duty of seruti- nizing and determining the bent of mind of the offspring, so that the system of culture requisite may be well understood by those who take charge of its mental and physical development. Under prop- er environments, the natural develops under the eye of the ideal parent, and those traits are manifest that require curbing or acceleration in the growth of the individual which cannot be observed by the teacher or thoroughly understood unless imparted by the parent.
How few parents and teachers seem to realize the responsibility that rests upon each of them in this relationship! How few teachers seem to get hold of the basic truths "that man is fearfully
and wonderfully made," "that the proper study of man" begins in the home, sur- rounded with the clouds or sunshine of childhood, or that education is not an entity or a creation, but an expansion or development of potentialities! Until these truths are well understood, that foundation can never be laid in our pub- lic schools that is requisite for the proper education of the masses; and the system of "stuffing" and "cramming" will con- tinue that lias driven so many of our young men and women from our insti- tutions of learning. How can the proper relationship between parent and teacher with reference to the child be brought about? Not by discussing in our insti- tutes why d-o-u-g-h spells dough; neither by arguing upon the question as to whether or not Uncle Sam should hold the Philippines: nor by dissertations upon questions of calisthenics, especially with regard to the graceful swing of the Indian club; but only by getting down to first principles and discussing how and in what manner the relation of teacher, parent and child can be brought about that will develop the knowledge needed for each, in the advancement and prope: development of the pupil.
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THE RELATION OF TEACHER AND PARENT.
It is a fact of no mean significance in mathematics is easy to all the class that parents' faces are seldom seen in our schoolrooms except on graduation day, or to witness a cakewalk, and then only to toss a bouquet on the stage for Jane or John; or stand behind the cur- tain and arrange Mary's skirt so the flut- ing will show up well when she appears to read her paper. 1
It is also a noteworthy fact that teach- ers are seldom seen in the homes of their pupils. No teacher can successfully di- rect the mind of the pupil in the line sug- gested by nature who is unacquainted with home environment, and this knowl- edge can only be acquired by frequent visitations at the home, where direct con- tact with parents' mode of living, meth- ods of home government and unre- strained childish freedom are observable. Carte blanche should be given every teacher in the homes and every effort should be put forth in institutes, asso- ciations and every character of educa- tional gatherings, to ir press upon teach- ers the importance of this one duty, so essential in laying the foundation of pri- mary education in our public schools, which are but the kindergartens for high- er education.
This trinity-teacher. parent and child -must be indissoluble if higher educa- tion shall meet with success in elevating the masses. The fact is apparent to all that a large percentage of our boys and girls not only fail to finish. our public school course, and but a low per cent. even pass through the high school, acad- emy or college. This is not on account of opportunity, not for lack of ability. but because of the fact that a thorough knowledge of the pupil's capabilities, temperament and natural traits of char- acter are unknown to the teacher. These requisites must be in hand or the teacher cannot properly grade the classes or dic- 'ate the length of the lesson. The lesson
except John. John tries his very best to keep up with the work but cannot, as the lessons are too lengthy, so he drags along through the term, falls below the regulated per cent. on examination, and fails. At the beginning of the new term he starts again, and, being crowded and crammed with a lengthy mess of undi- gested matter, fails again. Back he goes, and the teacher pronounces him an idle blockhead, and he quits school. This ends his education. Now, John was all right if his capabilities were understood by the teacher, and if parent, teacher and child had met and John's make-up had been analyzed, it would have been un- derstood that his growth was slow in this branch, and, under proper regula- tion of classes and lessons, he could have gone on and finished, probably not only the public school but the university, and become a useful man. It is thus in all branches in our schools; one pupil may be highly proficient in mathematics, and dull in physics ; one may be bright in his- tory and obtuse in language; and so on through the entire curricula of public school or college; and probably many of our would-be brightest men and women are thrown aside as blockheads and idlers simply because they and their teachers are strangers. This system of communi- cation and inter-communication between teacher, parent and pupil will naturally prevent the usual friction that manifests itself between teacher and parent. The causes in a majority of instances of this friction arise from want of the essential primary knowledge, heretofore alluded to, and if the careworn, nerve-tensioned teacher acts too hastily in some minor matter of discipline, the parent should not fly in a rage and abuse the teacher, but on the contrary should take occasion to meet her in a pleasant and agreeable way (if the chastisement is seemingly un-
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OREGON NATIVE SON.
merited), and explain natural conditions so that the teacher can in the future by other methods remedy the seeming de- fects of the pupil. So with teacher, in case seemingly continuous necessary chastisement of pupil exists, the parent should be at once consulted in regard to these traits of the pupil, and this course of communication will in nearly every instance furnish a cure for the existing evils. It is true that before this rela- tionship can be brought about many revolutions will have to take place in schoolroom and home. Mothers and fathers will of necessity have to pay more attention to their children. Home en- vironment will have to furnish a better and more congenial atmosphere for the cultivation and growth of child life: and the home will of necessity require a more sacred attachment by parent and child than hotel, tavern or boarding-house, and become a place that shall in the distant years be enshrined with the dearest and
fondest recollections of those who were reared and educated therein. So with re- gard to schoolroom. The vocation of teacher must lose the caste of business and be based upon duty, plain and simple. A teacher who has no higher aim in the profession than the use of it as a step- ping-stone to another calling or profes- sion is unfit to handle the plastic minds of our boys and girls, upon whose shoul- ders the cares, duties and responsibili- ties of life will so soon rest. A higher plane must be reached in schoolroom and home. The responsibilities of parent and teacher must be seriously considered, and the seeming drudgery of the home and the schoolroom will pass away as mist before the rising sun, and our Amer- ican homes will insure the progress and perpetuity of our republic, and our pub- lic schools will stand as the proud pal- ladium of American civilization and fu- ture greatness.
ANNIE L. LEASURE.
AN EARLY VETO.
On December 7. 1846, Governor Ab- ernethy vetoed "An act to regulate the manufacture and sale of distilled liquors," stating that on account of the Indians, it would be dangerous to per- mit the manufacture or legalize the sale of intoxicants, as there were persons who would sell the same to them, thereby greatly endangering the peace of the set- tlers. The reasons given for the passage of the bill were that the shipping coming here, especially the ships belonging to or coming here in the interests of the Hud- son's Bay Company, always brought liquor, and, as the traffic could not be stopped, it was thought it might as well be manufactured here, keeping the prof- its of manufacture at home. The gov- ernor probably vetoed the measure from a best interest to the community stand-
point of view, but the legislature voted in a way that their action would seem as if they were looking to self-interest. The bill was passed over the veto by the fol- lowing vote: Yeas -- Boon, Hall, Hem- bree, Lownsdale, Looney, Meek, Sim- mons, Straight, T'Vault, Williams and Mr. Speaker (Lovejoy), II. Nays -- Chamberlain, McDonald, Newell. Peers and Tolmie, 5. All those voting in the affirmative were Americans by birth and sympathies, while those voting negative- ly, except Newell, were either English or in some way identified with the Hud- son's Bay Company. Dr. Newell always sympathized with that company and acted with its representatives. The Hud- son's Bay Company controlled the liquor traffic, and wished to continue its mo- nopoly, but the Americans were opposed to the "trust," and voted accordingly.
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A NEW PRECEDENT.
From the date of the organization of the Oregon Pioneer Association in 1873 until the session just closed, it has been officered by men. At this meeting the
MRS. D. P. THOMPSON. First Vice-President of the Oregon Pioneer Association.
rule was broken by the election of a pio- neer mother to the c'fice of first vice- president. This is as it should be, for the hardships and trials incident to coming the plains across, together with the set- tlement and building up of the state, were borne by the women as well as the men, and they should be accorded equal recog-
nition and honor in the association. It is customary to allow the men to manage affairs in most undertakings, but in such association the pioneer fathers reflect greatest credit upon it and its member- ship by looking to the mothers, as in days gone by, to stand side by side with them in carrying forward their work. The selection fell to the lot of Mrs. Da- vid P. Thompson, and her election was unanimous. Whether the new precedent would have been established by the older members of the association or not. with- out a move on the part of the younger element, cannot be said; it is to be pre- sumed, however, that it was the work of all members. The nominating remarks were made by Past Grand President Leasure, of the Native Sons, and the ap- plause following was evidence that the new departure was heartily approved of.
Mrs. Thompson is the daughter of John and Susan D. Meldrum, pioneers of 1845. She was born in Illinois and ac- companied her parents to Oregon while yet an infant. She was married in 1861 to Hon. D. P. Thompson, and at present their home is in Portland. She is hon- ored and loved by all who know her. One son and two daughters comprise their family.
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