USA > Oregon > The Oregon native son, Vol. I > Part 20
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Second-The prospects of the spoils.
Third-The encouragement they re- ceived from sources antagonistic to the United States government.
Fourth-Believing that unless checked in time, the Americans would eventually overrun the country and the Indians would be wiped out; consequently, they regarded the opportunity presented as timely and favorable for the consumma- tion of their object.
The strength of the hostiles west of the Cascades may be estimated as follows:
Of the Nisquallys and Puyallups un- der Leschi and Quiemuth, 65 warriors; of the Green and White River Indians. together with the disaffected of the Up- per Duwamish, under Nelson and Kit- sap, 35 warriors; of the Klickitats and their relatives west of the mountains, living near the head of White and Green rivers under Kanascut, 55 warriors: and of the Upper Puyallups, under Q'Quil- tin, 20 warriors. Total number in the
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THE TRUTH OF HISTORY.
field, 165 warriors, who commenced hos- tilities on the White river settlement in October, 1855.
In February following they were re- inforced by 40 Klickitats from the east side of the mountains, under young Owhi.
It is now ascertained to a certainty that the above were not the only Indians west of the Cascades who entered into the combination. It is apparent that all the tribes on the sounds and straits sympa- thized with their movements, and a great majority of them actually pledged then- selves in council to act in concert. Had not the members of these tribes been compelled from unlooked-for events to violate their faith, the number of war- riors in the field west of the mountains would doubtless have been increased from some 200 to 1,200. Circumstances which prevented the formation to perfec- tion of the Indian alliance on the Sounds, will be apparent, in part, from what fol- lows :
The massacre on White river took place too soon. Nelson and Kitsap committed a fatal error by striking a blow before the combination was per-
fectly matured, and before the plans were fully agreed upon. Although it was un- doubtedly a mistake, yet the steps taken at that particular time displayed a degree of shrewdness which our citizens had not attached to the Indian character.
The first master stroke of policy in the conduct of the war on this side was the recall of Captain Hays, of the volunteer service, and Captain Maloney, of the reg- ulars, from a meditated excursion to the other side, whither they were en route for the punishment of the murderers of our citizens going to and returning from Fort Colville. It was very apparent to the Indians that the departure of a large number of troops, citizen and regular, left the territory in rather a defenseless condition. The volunteers of our terri- tory, resident citizens, promptly re- sponded to the call of our territorial au- thorities, and after a campaign of over nine months quiet was measurably re- stored.
As a sister in adversity we do not know that we could employ a line more justly deserving in this place than by according the highest praise to Oregon for the relief afforded and for the prompt response of its people defending a com- mon cause and interest.
A. B. RABBESON, Capt. Co. B, Washington Volunteers.
The position of governor of Oregon territory, as successor to Governor Lane, was offered to John Marshall, afterwards chief justice of the supreme court of the United States, but the tender was de- clined. It was then offered to Abraham Lincoln; his characteristic · reply was, "No, sir-ee!" It was then tendered to John P. Gaines, who accepted and quali- fied. The reply of Lincoln was inspired by a woman's love of home. Mrs. Lin- coln, though sensible of the honor, was unwilling to undergo the trials of the trip across the plains and the privations of pioneer life. The memory of Lincoln is also brought to mind in the history
of Oregon by other remarkable coinci- dences. In 1809 John Jacob Astor con- ceived the idea of fitting out the ship Tonquin for the Oregon trade. The same year, February 12. Lincoln was born. Fifty years, exactly, from that time, Oregon was admitted as a state. When Lincoln was inaugurated president of the United States, Oregon's first United States senator, Colonel E. D. Baker, introduced him to the immense populace assembled to receive him. Again, when the great "railsplitter" was chosen president, one of the candidates for vice-president on an opposition ticket was the territorial governor whom he re- fused to succeed in office.
T
A STORY OF THE SECOND OREGON.
It is a sad story the Second Oregon will bring, of a beautiful young wife, who, flushed with pride, a few short months ago, boarded a transport at San Francisco, and, with other officers' wives, crossed the great Pacific to Manila. When the ship arrived, war's dread havoc was being wrought, and her soldier boy was at the front, doing duty on the firing line. Hours passed into days, days slipped into weeks, but still stern duty kept her Reginald at the head of his com- pany. His brother was brought in on a stretcher, lingered a few hours, and died in her arms; but no Reginald, no pros- pect of his return. One bright Sunday morning news came that his company was separated from the regiment, am- bushed by the enemy. She pleaded to go to the front to join him, even in death if need be, but she could not. The gen- eral had no time to listen to the cries of women; other husbands were being shot, other husbands needed help. Twilight came, and with it a messenger, calling her to the hospital, where she found her husband, pierced by a Mauser. Night and day she sat beside him, hop- ing, trusting, praying; fearing for the worst, until at last the surgeon said the critical period was passed and he would recover. Then she took a breath of air and called on a friend near by. While waiting for her appearance, silently, stealthily, a dark form appeared, and her blood ran cold as she recognized an old and bitter enemy slipping behind a door. His black, piercing eyes, sharp features and long, thin whiskers appealed to her as the personification of evil. Never be- fore did it occur to her, but today his dark complexion reminded her of Spain.
He seemed utterly undisturbed, and si- lently slipped into another room. Could it be possible he was a friend of the fam- ily? She longed to flee to the hospital, but her friend came in and the subject was avoided. Next day she saw him in the hospital, and he appeared perfectly at home. That night, in the glow of a full moon, she sat on a bench at the hos- pital door when, upon looking down, she saw him beneath her. Help was called, but he disappeared. She complained to the officers, but they avoided her. At last they promised to have him punished, but did not, and his impudence increased from day to day. She carried the matter to the commanding officer, but he had no time for such matters. At last, how- ever, he promised to give the subject his immediate attention. It was the old story, however, nothing was done. Day and night her life was made a burden, and at last she discovered that he was really living in the hospital. Why did the officers promise to punish him, then admit him to the very hospital itself? She was indignant, but what could she do? One night she was awakened by low voices near at hand, and was startled to hear her husband's name, linked with that of her enemy. Why were they con- nected? Then she heard a plot unfolded to murder him by poison. Every man's hand seemed turned against her. Next morning Reginald was removed to pri- vate quarters, where she ministered to him unceasingly. No harm should come to him there. For that weak, white form she would die if need be, or shed the blood of man in its defense. The change did him good and he was rapidly grow- ing stronger. Her cup of happiness was full to overflowing, when one morning
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A GALLOP THROUGH THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY.
she saw the same hateful form, that seemed to delight in pursuing a defense- less woman, slip stealthily into the room and hide behind a curtain. With the res- olution of desperation she grasped her husband's sword and drove it through him. Again and again she struck him; when friends rushed in to find him limp and lifeless, sweltering in his own blood. It is bad enough for a rough man of the
world to have the blood of his fellow man upon his hands, but many times worse for a refined, delicate woman. Nothing is more touching than to see a young life thus blasted, in the full bloom of early womanhood. No inquest was held, no trial; and the little woman was not even arrested, as the deceased was merely a common rat.
W. G. STEEL.
A GALLOP THROUGH THE WILLAMETTE IN 1841. An Extract from the Journal of George T. Allan.
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Before commencing an account of a trip through a part of the Willamette, it may be well to premise, in a few words, the circumstances which led to it. I ar- rived in Vancouver on the 30th of Octo- ber, 1841, with the express from York Factory, where I remained only about a fortnight, and had begun to make my arrangements for passing the winter there, where I had already passed the preceding nine, when, on the evening of the 19th of November, Sir George Simp- son sent for me, and acquainted me, much to my surprise, that he had ap- pointed me to the Sandwich islands, for which place I should shortly sail, on board the honorable company's barque Columbia, Captain Humphreys. Hav- ing many little items to settle before leaving Fort Vancouver, I was very late in retiring, and had only slept about an hour, when a messenger from Sir George awoke me, saying he requested my com- pany on a visit to the Willamette. If sur- prised at the news of my appointment, I was now doubly so, but one is apt to re- ceive sudden and unexpected orders in this country, and so, in a measure, holds himself in readiness for such emergen- cies. I therefore huddled on my clothes without more ado, giving orders to ship my trunks on board the Columbia, as
she would drop down the river before our return.
Chief Factor Douglas had been ap- pointed to accompany the governor on his present tour, but had been taken un- well during the night, when that duty devolved on me. I set about in earnest to collect our men and see the baggage carted down to the river, and we started about 5 o'clock A. M. in a boat manned with sixteen picked men, who, of course, did not neglect to enliven our departure withsome of their best songs, nor did the captain of the Columbia forget to add his quota to the harmony, by a salute of five guns, that awoke the good folks of Van- couver. Besides Sir George Simpson, Chief Factor Rowand and a French gen- tleman honored the excursion with their presence.
About six miles down the Columbia we entered the river Willamette, which has a noble appearance, being in some places nearly as broad as the Columbia. At 9 o'clock Sir George requested me to look out for a place for breakfast, which, to one on a voyage. is generally a pleas- ant task. The meal being over, we re- stimed our seats in the boat and contin- ted the voyage, reaching the falls at 3 P. M. At this place, which is exceeding- ly romantic, we made a portage, carrying
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OREGON NATIVE SON.
all the baggage, and' dragging the boat a considerable distance. The American Methodist missionaries have here estab- lished a station, with the avowed inten- tion of teaching and civilizing the natives, but, I am sorry to say, hitherto with lit- tle success; those laudable objects being frustrated partly from, I may say, ex- treme selfishness of the missionaries, who devote more attention to their own worldly comforts than their professions warrant. About four hours above the falls we camped for the night, and had the good fortune to find a comfortable berth for both the tents.
Saturday, 20th .- Started this morning at 4 o'clock, and at 7 o'clock reached the house of Mr. Laframboise, whom we en- gaged as guide, and who also promised to furnish horses for the trip. These arrangements being made, we returned to the sand encampment, some little dis- tance below, where we breakfasted, and were visited by some of the nearest set- tlers, who brought horses for our use, At midday, Laframboise swam over a band of horses, and finding we now had sufficient for our purpose, we mounted and, accompanied by Mr. Laframboise in his capacity as guide, set off at a round pace, passing on the way several houses and farms, apparently well arranged. The face of the country, as we rode along, ap- peared to disadvantage, owing to the sea- son of the weather, but it is undoubtedly a fine country, and will one day become an extensively settled one. At 2 o'clock we entered upon a beautiful and expans- ive plain, in which the Catholic church is the most conspicuous object. Here we paid a short visit to the Rev. Mr. Blan- chet, and then continued our route through the woods, and plains studded with stately oaks. About 4 o'clock P. M we reached the mansion of the Rev. Jason Lee, head of the Methodist mission, lo- cated in a very beautiful spot, where he
has lately erected a sawmill. This gen- tleman's house is the most remote in the settlement. After a very short stay, we commenced our return, and had ridden about an hour and a half when night overtook us, a circumstance that ap- pears to have been as unlooked for as it was unexpected by our guide, who soon lost the road and got completely bewil- dered. We kept riding about in the dark for four hours, in the hope of discovering a light in some of the houses we sup- posed surrounded us. In this dilemma our horses began to fag, and left us the comfortable anticipation of a night in the woods. At this moment, when all hope seemed abandoned, we heard the wel- come bark of a dog, and, steering our course in that direction, soon perceived a light, which led us to a small house, the inmates of which we took quite by surprise. The good man had that day killed a large pig, which, added to him- self and family, together with their unex- pected guests, so filled the domicile that there was scarcely room to stir. We made a demand for fresh horses, and were fortunate enough to secure them, as also a new guide, Laframboise readily confessing his inability to guide us in the dark. We now made a fresh start, and at half past 10 reached the house of Jo- seph Gervais, one of the principal settlers, where we found our tents pitched and a good supper awaiting us, to which we all did justice, with the exception of our French friend, who, although accus- tomed, as he informed us (in California), to ride sixty leagues, or 180 miles a day, found Sir George's mode of traveling sufficiently expeditious. Gervais did not fail to contribute his share of good things to our supper, which repaid us for all our troubles.
Sunday, 21st .- After breakfast we again set out, though the weather was disagreeably wet, and arrived at the Cath-
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A GALLOP. THROUGH THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY.
olic church at 16 A. M., where we found all the Canadians assembled, with a dis- play of horses that would have done credit to a much more ancient colony. After service, the Rev. Mr. Blanchet re- galed us with an excellent dinner. In the meantime, some of the most respect- able of the settlers waited upon Sir George, tendering their respects, and of- fering their services and assistance for the continuance of our tour. They were thanked for their attention and informed that the governor was much pleased at finding them so well and comfortably settled. I, however, availed myself of their proffers, to take possession of a very high-spirited and high-mettled horse, which carried me back in fine style to the sand encampment, where we found our men awaiting us. Mr. Blan- chet followed in his light cart, accompa- nied by the 180-mile gentleman, who confessed being thoroughly tired of horseback, and availed himself of the op- portunity to abandon his nag and embark with his reverence ..
Monday, 22d .- We now resumed our seats in the boat, with the addition of Mr. Blanchet, at 4 A. M. At 8 o'clock we reached the falls, and while the men were making the portage, we breakfasted, and afterwards paid a visit to the American missionaries, whom we found very com- fortably situated. On leaving here, Sir George requested me to order the men to paddle up close to the falls, where we got an excellent view, and really the sight was magnificent. Having gratified ourselves with this fine view, we turned our faces homeward, descending the cur- rent at such a rapid rate, with our sixteen paddles, and with a cheerful song, we quite electrified our missionary friends. About 6 o'clock P. M. we arrived at Van- couver, where I immediately commenced my preparations for a voyage to the Sandwich islands.
(On the site of the present Oregon City at this time there was but one solitary, small log cabin, whereas, where Portland stands, there was no sign of habitation. -Ed.)
A REMARKABLE COINCIDENCE.
The first schoolhouse erected in the "classic shades of Yamhill" was built during the fall of 1848. What would be considered a curiosity in our present well-appointed seats of learning, was looked upon in that old log house as a grand affair, it being a fireplace, with a mud and straw chimney, which took up the greater portion of one end of the building, and was large enough to almost accommodate a fence rail. The boy scholars attending generally wore suits of buckskin, and the girl pupils were dressed in shirting colored with tea grounds. For footwear some wore moc- casins, while others went barefooted. The teacher, W. L. Adams, has since
been empowered to write A. M., M. D., LL. D. after his name. Of the boys at- tending, one, James Shelton, became a physician and the editor of a well-known medical journal; another, L. L. Rowland, was superintendent of public instruction of the state, and subsequently an M. D., F. R. S. and LL. D .; another, John R McBride, was at one time our congress- inan, and afterwards chief justice of Idaho, while still another, George L. Woods, became governor of Oregon, and also of Utah.
The boys nailed a board over the door of the schoolhouse upon which they wrote with charcoal the words "Yamhill ('niversity."
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1
THE PIONEER OX.
An empire has risen, triumphant and glowing. Where the rivers in solitude somber were flowing In the distant and dimly remembered days, When the pioneer rifle-shots, resolute, ringing, The first notes of conquest and progress were singing In the dusk of wilderness ways.
How the forest was stricken, the wild foe defeated, Has over and over again been repeated In the grand bivouacs of the pioneers, - When they yearly assemble to call up the story Of battles and toils that preceded the glory Of victories won in the long-faded years.
It is strange that one theme has still been neglected, No gleam from the camp-fire upon it reflected, As story and song were passing around; It is strange, it is sad, that the aids of endeavor Are so easily dropped in the sea called Forever, And never recalled from their slumber profound.
It is time that a treacherous wrong should be righted, And honor returned to a friend we have slighted In the songs that are sung and the tales that are told; The mirage of the plains looms up as I ponder, And away, far away, over Laramie yonder, Is a picture of something familiar of old.
It's the emigrar+ train, with wagon and wagon, Gray-tented, a slow and mysterious dragon To the Sioux and Shawnee, as they circle afar On their sable-maned coursers, and muttered and wondered If the lands of their people were thus to be sundered By a mystery following sun and star!
The eyes of the women are faded and weary, The cries of the children are lonesome and dreary : And the men. with set lips, stalk on by their teams As the endless white road goes winding and winding Through wastes that are songless, with dust that is blinding, To Oregon. golden- with argonaut dreams.
And yet, all the while. the oxen that bore them. So sluggish, yet sure, to the dreamland before them, Are bowing scarred necks to the pitiless yoke- So awkward and grim, so huge and ungainly, And yet with a strength that was never called vainly- Who yet for these oxen a fitting word spoke?
When loosened at night, gaunt-flanked and deep-chested, They lay on the plain and moaned as they rested, All thankful for shadows on sad, purple eyes; With never a dream or delusion to cheer them, And only the wolf-haunted silence to hear them, They moaned as they slept under gold-flowered skies.
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ON THE STREET CORNERS.
And so, day by day, with horizons slow-lifting Like mists that were clearing, like hopes that were drifting, They gave all their might to the yokes and the chains; With hunger and thirst and the driver's keen scourging (As if dutv embodied should need such harsh urging!)
They vore the state-builders o'er mountains and plains.
And lo, when the rugged Cascades were descended They hauled the great logs for the homes they defended Who founded this emerald empire of ours; And, glad of the greenness of nature surrounding, Of a region with rivers and forests abounding,
They drew the first plows through wild tangles of flowers.
And so, pioneers, when at your next meeting Your thinned ranks assemble for good-bye and greeting, And dimmed eyes are moistened with thoughts of the past,
Let the ox be remembered, the patient, enduring,
True servant of fortune to you so alluring-
Let the ox be remembered, his service held fast.
Ah, what were the labors of Hercules, storied, That far-reaching myth in which nations have gloried, To the toils of the ox in all ages and lands? And so, pioneers, when at your next meeting Some will give the good-bye as they give the glad greeting, . Let his work be recalled with a clasping of hands.
ON THE STREET CORNERS.
The Salvation Army services heard on the streets are prolific of many striking incidents, both in song and the language used by some of the soldiers. Among them are singers who can, by their mel- ody, claim the attention of enough pass- ers to almost block the way of pedes- trians and cause conveyances to run un- der "Show bell." Some of the speakers are eloquent in expression, some dra- matic in delivery,. some word their pleas in a manner peculiar to life's calling, and all seem to be in earnest. It came the turn of an old salt the other evening to address the crowd assembled, and, while his effort was not that usually made by the eminent "sky pilots" of the day. it was, however, a regular "sou'wester." as to "observation" and direction of the "course" for "steering" if. they would safely reach the "harbor" beyond. He said in part: "You have got a berth on a craft that is water-logged and are con- fined in its hold, where shifting ballast is liable at any moment to strike you dead in your sins. You can't get out. for the
hatches are blocked by your evil ways. You may shin up the stanchions so as to get free, but you fail. You can rig pur- chases, use hand-spikes, capstan-bars and watch tackles, but they won't help you. Instead of starting the load it gets more taut. You can sing out for help. You can hail all the saints you think are on deck, but you are still as bad as wrecked. If you expect a hand, you must look aloft and signal the great cap- tain, Jesus Christ. When he hears vour 'Ahoy!' he will come alongside. He is standing by to do this, and when he comes to vour rescue he will get a tackle on the weight of sin that is keeping you in darkness, and overboard it will go. His 'Avast there!' will bring happiness to you, and you will step forth into com- panionway, where the heavy-ladened are at rest: where the voyage to the throne above will be smooth sea, a happy land- ing, and a haven of peace and joy for- ever.". At the close of his exhortation a hallelujah was sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne."
LIEUT. T. A. RIGGS ON THE ROGUE RIVER WAR.
. Brownsville, Or., June 14, 1899.
T. A. Wood, Grand® Commander Indian War Veterans-D ar Sir:
Captain James Blakley's company (D), second recruiting battalion, O. M. V., was enlisted at Brownsville, in Linn coun- ty, on the 28th day of. March, 1856, and was ordered to Corvallis to be mustered in, but on arriving there they were or- dered to Eugene for that purpose, where they were mustered into the service of the territory of Oregon on April 4, and, after waiting quite a while for transporta- tion for camp equipage, were sent to the Big Meadows, on Rogue river, by way of Roseburg and Camas prairie. In the meantime, however, the two companies of Captains Keith and Blakley, in accord- ance with the governor's instructions, elected a major. E. L. Massey being elected to that office. While on the way to Rogue river commissions were for- warded to the company officers, but none to Major Massey; but, instead, an order from some one for the senior captain to take command of the two companies. This caused considerable dissatisfaction. as Major Massey was much more popular among the men than Captain Keith. (Ma- jor Massey told the writer some years afterward,`that he found his commission at Salem on his return from the service.)
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