USA > Oregon > The Oregon native son, Vol. I > Part 22
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Feeling the need of an official organ, the grand officers on February 23d this year indorsed ."The Oregon Native Son" the first number of which was issued in May by Native Son Publishing Com- pany, at Portland. . It is a monthly mag- azine devoted to the history, industries and development of the Pacific North- west in general, and Oregon in partic- ular, and is under the patronage of the Pioneer Association, Indian War Veter- ans and Historical Society. The work reflects great credit upon its publishers, and I believe it is the duty of every Na- tive Son to assist in the distribution of this magazine throughout the state, as its circulation· will be of incalculable benefit to our order.
My recommendations would be incom- plete did I not at this time call your at- tention to the fact that within the last year a number of Oregon's valiant native sons laid down their young lives in de- fense of country, home and flag in the islands of the sea, and in my judgment a suitable monument ought to be erected to their memory on the public grounds of this city, and I therefore recommend that this Grand Body take proper steps at this session to authorize the building of such monument during the coming year, and that the same be unveiled with appropriate ceremonies at the next ses- sion of our Grand Cabin.
In conclusion, let me say to you that many pleasant memories will ever linger about the work of the year just closing. The duties and labors of the high office committed to my charge have been les- sened by the earnest assistance received from my associates, the grand officers, and the membership of the state gener- ally. We have all striven to accomplish but one end, the placing of this organiza- tion upon a solid and enduring founda- tion, and it now rests with you to continue the good work, and I hope and trust
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that the same spirit that has manifested Cabin of Native Sons of Oregon will be itself in the work of the grand officers such as will meet the approbation of each and every member thereof throughout the state. thus far will pervade your deliberations, and that the records of this first Grand
HARD TIMES.
The cry of hard times has no terrors for the pioneer men and women who endured the hardships and dangers of a weary trip across the plains with their ox teams, and left their wagons at The Dalles or brought them over the Cascades by the Barlow route along the base of Mount Hood. Then there was no cir- culation of gold and silver, traffic being carried on, prior to 1850, by beaver skins, pelts, hoop-poles and wheat, those living near Portland hauling their products there and disposing of them to the mer- chants in exchange for groceries, cloth -. ing, etc. People may claim that fares and freight rates are high, yet those who
enjoy the present advantages have but slight conception of the difficulties expe- rienced by the pioneers. For instance, in 1850 postage on a single letter to the States was 40 cents. Steamboat fare from Astoria to Portland was $25 each way, which was reduced by the steamer Lot Whitcomb in 1851 to $16, or $32 for the round trip; the same year freight was carried from Oregon City to Portland, a distance of about 12 miles, for $15 per ton, passengers $5 each; about the same charges were made from Canemah to Salem and Dayton.
As late as 1859 as high as $20 per ton was charged on freight from Portland to the Cascades.
PURPLE AND GOLD.
The first session of the Grand Cabin, held with representatives from subordi- nate cabins present, convened in Portland on the 13th inst., and was called to order by the grand president. The following grand officers and representatives were in attendance: John C. Leasure, grand president : Eugene D. White, grand sec- retary; H. C. Wortman, grand treasurer; B. B. Beekman, grand orator: Fred H. Saylor, grand historian and librarian ; Sol. Blumauer and Ralph W. Hoyt, grand trustees; C. T. Belcher, grand inside sen- tinel: Claude Strahan, grand outside sen- tinel. The following representatives were in attendance:
T. Jeffreys. Sanderson Reed, F. M. De- Witt, A. M. Brown.
Vic Trevett's cabin, No. 2, The Dalles -J. A. Douthit, George C. Blakely.
Dan Waldo's cabin, No. 3, Salem-A. M. Humphrey. E. M. Croisan, W. J. D'Arcy, D. C. Minto.
McLoughlin's cabin, No. 4, Oregon City-Robert A. Miller, C. H. Caufield, Gilbert Hedges.
Skinner's cabin, No. 5, Eugene-F. M. Wilkins. William Kuykendall, C. S. Will- iams, B. A. Washburn.
Cyrus Olney's cabin, No. 6, Astoria- S. M. Gallagher, J. H. D. Gray, F. J. Taylor, John W. Welch.
Abernethy's cabin, No. 1, Portland- Griffin's cabin, No. 7, Hillsboro-W. V. Wiley. E. B. Tongue, W. N. Barrett. Milliorn's cabin, No. 8, Junction -- S. . T. T. Geer, Alex Sweek, C. A. Wooddy, J. P. Kavanaugh, R. E. Sewall. Sam L. Beary, J. P. Moffett, Lansing Stout, S. V. Starr, W. W. Allingham, H. C. Mahon.
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Delazon Smith's cabin, No. 9, Albany G. B. Milloy, Cyrus H. Walker.
John Warnock's cabin, No. 11, Silver- -George W. Morley, T. W. Richies. Matthieu's cabin, No. 12, Butteville- A. M. Cone, Charles Matthieu.
J. W. Nesmith's cabin, No. 13, Dallas J. H. Townsend, A. Brown.
John G. Baker's cabin, No. 14, Mc- innville-John G. Lewis, Thomas H. gers, M. A. Baker.
P. P. Prim's cabin, No. 15, Jacksonville John W. Curry, James M. Keene, A. Reames, George M. Love, Frank R. ale.
Jo Lane's cabin, No. 16, Roseburg-J. Price, J. H. Booth, V. C. London, L. imberly.
Jacob Conser's cabin, No. 17, Jefferson J. W. Steiwer.
James Blakely's cabin, No. 18, Browns- le-A. M. Templeton.
The new officers chosen and installed the ensuing year are: Sol. Blumauer, and president; John C. Leasure, grand hior past president; J. H. Townsend, and first vice-president; F. J. Taylor, and second vice-president; Eugene D. hite, grand secretary; H. C. Wortman, and treasurer; R. A. Miller, grand or- or; Fred H. Saylor, grand historian and rarian; D. C. Minto, grand marshal; W. Riches, grand inside sentinel; E. A. . Cone, grand outside sentinel; A. E. ames, H. C. Mahon, C. S. Williams, M. Baker, W. N. Barrett, E. M. Croison d C. H. Walker, grand trustees.
The session closed with an entertain- ent at the Marquam Grand opera-house the evening of the 14th, free to Pio- ers, Indian War Veterans, Native Sons d Daughters. The theater was taxed its utmost capacity, and many hun- eds were turned away for lack of stand- 3-room. The programine throughout as rendered by native talent. One of e attractive features of the evening was
the presentation of an elegant beaver ban- ner by the Native Daughters of Portland to Abernethy's cabin. The presentation was made by Mrs. David Steel, president of the Native Daughters' temporary or- ganization of Portland, in a pleasing and patriotic manner, to Mr. A. P. Armstrong, president of Abernethy's cabin, who elo- quently responded to the presentation address.
After the entertainment the grand offi- cers, delegates and invited guests repaired to Brandes' restaurant, where a sumptu- ous banquet was spread, and, charmed by the sweet strains of orchestral music, all went merry as a marriage bell until the wee sma' hours. This was indeed a feast of reason and a flow of soul.
. The morning of the 15th dawned with sweet strains of music from the First Regiment and Native Sons' band, at the Tabernacle building, which was soon filled with our state-builders, who en- joyed the forenoon shaking hands and conversing over the days of yore until 12 o'clock, when a sumptuous repast was served by Portland's .Native Daughters to over 600 pioneers. The grand proces- sion formed at this point at I o'clock, and . about 500 Native Sons and 300 Native Daughters, headed by the First Regiment and Native Sons' band, escorted the Pio- neers and Indian War Veterans to the Armory, where the State Pioneer Asso- ciation conducted its annual proceedings and served a banquet to members of the
association. It is estimated that more than three times the number of Pioneers and Indian War Veterans turned out on this occasion over any former reunion, which, no doubt, is largely attributable to the untiring zeal of the Native Sons and Daughters.
The Grand Cabin, at its recent session, appropriated $100 to be used by the Na- tive Sons in properly receiving the Ore- gon volunteers on their arrival from Ma-
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nila. The First Regiment and Native Sons band has been employed, and it is arranged that the Native Sons of this state turn out in procession, headed by their band, and give the boys three hearty cheers and a tiger as they again set their weary feet o Oregon's beloved soil. The members of subordinate cabins through- out the state will be here to join in wel- coming our heroes home.
The progress and growth of the Order of Native Sons of Oregon during the past year has been marvelous, as stated in Grand President Leasure's report to the Grand Cabin. "From a small gathering of six has resulted a permanent grand jurisdiction and the institution of 18 sub- ordinate cabins, with an aggregate mem- bership of over 1,100." This order is destined to become in the near future the strongest, numerically, in the state, and much can be accomplished for Oregon, her industries and institutions, through the Native Sons' organization.
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 inde- fatigable work and industry. Mr. Blu- mauer was one of the incorporators of the order, and held the position during the past year of grand trustee. He be- came 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.
Mr. Eugene D. White, who so success- fully conducted the office of grand sec- retary during the past year, was honored , with a re-election. Mr. White was one of the very first to take up the work of organization of the grand jurisdiction.
and did much organizing work through- out the state. His work has been tedious and laborious, but, with a warm heart for Oregon and the order he loves so well, he yielded to the unanimous demand of the Grand Cabin, and takes up the work cheerfully for another year, much to the detriment of personal business. He is the right man in the right place.
The temporary organization of Native Daughters of Oregon, organized some weeks ago at Portland, has accomplished the formation of a grand jurisdiction by filing under the society act of the Oregon code articles of incorporation. The ju- risdiction is named "Grand Cabin Native Daughters of Oregon." The temporary organization has been waiting for some time to get an expression from Grand Cabin of Native Sons of Oregon, before acting, and at the session of Grand Cabin just closed the following resolution was adopted:
"Whereas, The world recognizes the exalting and elevating power of woman; "Whereas. That pow:r'as been demon- strated in all spheres of human activity : "Whereas, A temporary organization of Native Daughters of Oregon has been organized in Portland, and is awaiting action of this grand body before taking steps for permanent organization; and
"Whereas, The Native Sons of Ore- gon, recognizing the great and far-reach- ing benefit to the Native Sons' organiza- tion by the establishment of an organiza- tion of Native Daughters of like aims and purposes; now, therefore, be it
"Resolved. That the Grand Cabin of the Native Sons of Oregon extend to the temporary organization of Native Daugh- ters a cordial. brotherly and fraternal greeting: that it is the earnest desire of the Grand Cabin of Native Sons that the Native Daughters proceed at once to effect a permanent organization, and to that end the Grand Cabin of Native Sons
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pledge to them their steadfast solicitude, sympathy, counsel an .: assistance; that a committee of three be appointed by the grand president to confer with the offi- cers of the ten porary organization of Na- tive Daughter3, and assist them in the completion and establishment of their or. ganization, as an independent organiza- tion, with like aims and purposes."
On receipt of this resolution, steps were immediately taken, and on June 28 the trustees chosen to effect permanent organization elected the following grand officers for the ensuing year :
Grand past president, Mrs. David Steel, Portland.
Grand president, Mrs. Robert A. Miller, Oregon City.
First grand vice-president. Mrs. W. D. Palmer, Portland.
Second grand vice-president, Mrs. Olivia Welch, Astoria.
Grand treasurer, Mrs. James White, Portland.
Grand secretary, Mrs. Edith Weather- red, Portland.
Grand marshal, Mrs. J. C. Leasure, Portland.
Grand inside sentinel, Miss Marie Tongue, Hillsboro.
Grand outside sentinel, Mrs. Edyth Driscoll. Junction City.
Grand Orator, Mrs. Olive S. England, Salem.
Grand trustees, Mrs. Sol. Blumauer, Mrs. Ella Lehigh and Mrs. Maude Pope Alvn, of Portland: Miss Olive Slater, of La Grande: Mrs. C. E. Wolverton, of Salem, and Mrs. Edyth B. Linton, of Eu- gene.
The following letter was read from A. J. Capron:
"Herewith I present to you a gavel. This is a portion of the steamer Beaver, the first that ever plowed the waters of the Pacific ocean. She sailed from Gravesend. 1835: arrived at the Colum-
bia river March 19. 1836, and at Van- couver, Wash., April 10, 1836. She was wrecked at Burrard's Inlet. B. C., July, 1888. The wood is called "greenheart.'"
The Native Daughters throughout Or- egon will highly appreciate this historical relic, and it will be kept within the realms of the Grand Cabin.
Mrs. David Steel presented the gavel to Mrs. Miller, the grand president, who immediately called the members to their feet, while the following resolutions were read and adopted :
"Resolved, That the Native Daughters of the Grand Cabin of Oregon extend to Mr. Capron their grateful appreciation of this historical and rare article ;
"That they not only prize the gavel, but they also prize the consideration and thoughtfulness of the giver, and they will ever cherish this as the first contribu- tion in their collection of antiquities of pioneer days of Oregon."
It is the purpose of the grand jurisdic- tion to proceed with all possible dispatch in arranging for the institution of sub- ordinate cabins throughout the state, un- der the articles of incorporation. The first annual reunion of Grand Cabin of the Native Daughters will convene in Portland on June 13th next, on the same day the Grand Cabin of Native Sons con- venes, and the Pioneers of Oregon may expect a royal time when they assemble at the next reunion in this city. All hail to the Native Daughters of Oregon!
The retail dealer pays money to the local manufacturer, the manufacturer pays it out to his employees, the employees pay it back to the retail dealer, thereby keeping the money required to do this here. When the retail dealer sends away for goods that can be made at home he breaks this system of exchange, which provides for the wants of the employed. to whom he expects to sell his wares.
NESIKA WAWA.
Native Sons and Daughters will each have headquarters at the grounds of the State Chautauq ia, and on July 24th the Native Sons wil. have their "round table," in which Native Daughters will take part. This day will be known as "Woman's Congress Day." A basket dinner will be one of the features.
Again the time has come and gone, when men and women of early days gath- er together to renew the ties of friend- ship so soon begun, and talk over the hardships, the trials, the sad bereave- ments and the happy hours of childhood and youth. Except here and there a hardy spirit, the fathers and mothers of those stirring times have long since de- parted, and every year the ranks of the children who accompanied them grow less, while even some of their shoulders are bending low and locks are white and thin. In those days of long ago, Oregon was little known, and was looked upon as an unreal wilderness of romance, far away in the glimmering West, close on the border of eternity, resting beyond the land of savage warfare, on the shores of a sea of plenty. Love of God and love of country went hand in hand to con- quer this land of promise, far off in the golden West. It was not merely a love of adventure, or that of money, that lured the pioneers to come to Oregon, but, first. religious zeal, a love for their fel- low man, quickly followed by a patriotic desire to carry the flag to a region yet unconquered, but striven for by several great nations. Such were the pioneers. and of such were the foundations of the Pacific Northwest laid. Sturdy heroes of a workaday world, whose motto was, "My God, my country, my all." On the 15th of June they met in Portland in an- every home in the state.
nual convention, and enjoyed the most successful reunion in the history of the association. The annual address ,was de- livered by Judge J. A. Waymire and the occasional address by Judge Charles E. Wolverton. In casting up accounts, it was found that the oldest pioneer was also the oldest native son, Mr. Cyrus H. Walker, of Albany, who was born in 1838.
The officers-elect of the Pioneer Asso- ciation for the ensuing year are:
Captain J. T. Apperson, president; Mrs. D. P. Thompson, vice-president; Mr. George H. Himes, secretary; Judge Frank J. Taylor, corresponding secretary; Cyrus H. Walker, Wm. Galloway and Lee Laughlin, board of trustees.
The officers of the Indian War Vet- erans for the ensuing year are:
Grand commander, T. A. Wood, of Portland; senior vice-grand commander, T. McAuliff, of Walla Walla; junior vice-grand commander, Major James Bruce. of Corvallis; grand adjutant, Otto Kleemann. of Portland; assistant grand adjutants, P. C. Nolan, of Creswell, Lane county, H. D. Mount, of Silverton, and G. Rowland, of North Yamhill; chaplain, Rev. W. D. Ewing. of Hillsboro; grand marshal. Captain P. Ma- loney. of Vancouver; paymaster, J. H. Mc- Millen, of Portland; surgeon, Dr. T. J. Nick- lin, of Eugene; captain of guard. John Storan, of Willsburg.
A long-felt want has been met in the publication of The Oregon Native Son. and every possible encouragement should be given by Pioneers, Native Sons and Daughters in Oregon to keep the maga- zine at its present high standard of ex- cellence. The subscription price of one dollar is such that no one who has an interest in primitive Oregon, her in- dustries and institutions, can afford to be without the publication. It should be in
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Commencing with the August number, it is our intention to maintain a depart- ment devoted to books and book reviews. It is intended t 'at no books shall be re- viewed in this department, except such as have been given to us for that purpose The following have been received, and will be mentioned in due time:
"A Birding on a Bronco," by Miss Florence A. Merriam. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston.
"Birds of Village and Field," by Miss Florence A. Merriam. Houghton, Mif- flin & Co., Boston.
"Oregon," by William Barrows. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston.
"Pioneer History of Coos and Curry Counties," by Orvil Dodge. Capital Printing Company, Salem, Or.
The Willamette Valley Chautauqua Association will hold its sixth annual meeting at Gladstone Park, beginning July 18th and closing July 29th. The success of this association is phenomenal, and has grown without state aid or en- dowment to its present proportions, and is now looked upon as one of the great events of the year. Besides 14 classes conducted by the best talent in the state, there are five complete programmes daily. The Eastern talent is of high order, and embraces the best lecturers and enter- tainers on the American platform today. How all this instruction and entertain- ment can be given for $1.50 is as much of a marvel as the success of the insti- tution itself. Those who miss this meet- ing miss the event of the season.
During the constitutional convention the Baker family were very much in evi- dence. John Baker was sergeant-at- arms, another Baker was doorkeeper, who defeated another Baker for the posi- tion he was lucky enough to secure.
The Native Son, commencing with this number, will be issued on the 15th of each month. This statement is made so that subscribers may know just when they will receive the magazine.
The Pacific coast will reap much bene- fit from the recent meeting of the National Editorial Association, held at Portland. What this great country needs is only to be known, and the press is the medium through which this knowledge must reach the people. This meeting will do more towards placing the Pacific coast prominently before residents of the East, South and foreign countries than tons of immigration board literature. Oregon has been indeed highly favored.
WANTED FOR GRAND CABIN LIBRARY
Photos of Pioneers, Native Sons and Daughters, together with sketches of their lives. Any historical events, epi- sodes, reminiscences, etc., of early Ore- gon would be most acceptable. Where possible, sketches should be type-written on ordinary-sized letter paper, and a mar- gin left so as to permit of binding. Now is the time to gather the history of the Oregon of the '40s and '50s, and if an effort is not made much of it will be lost by the death of its founders, the builders of the three great states it now com- prises. Native Sons and Daughters should urge upon their fathers and mothers to give them this much-wanted data for the library of the Grand Cabin.
F. H. SAYLOR, Grand Historian and Librarian, Portland, Or.
The first white man to cross the Rocky mountains and reach the shores of the Pacific north of Lower California was Alexander McKenzie.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
JOHN H. D. GRAY
Was born at Lapwa, Oregon Territory, March 20, 1839. Four years thereafter his parents moved to Salem, Oregon, and three years thereafter to Clatsop county. Mr Gray's early education was obtained in the public schools of Clatsop county, and com- pleted at Pacific University, at Forest Grove, in 1856. When 20 years of age, he contracted the gold fever, and in company with his father went to the Frazer-river goldfields. It was on Frazer river that Mr. Gray entered the oc- cupation of a navigator. In 1861 he was ap- pointed pilot of the steamer Caribou, and on her second trip, when near Victoria harbor, B. C., the steamer was blown up and all her officers were killed except Pilot Gray and the steward. Mr. Gray was afterwards master of several steamers plying between Celilo and Lewiston, during the gold excitement at Orofino, and master of steamer Shoshone in 1865, on Snake river. He was known as a competent and skillful master, and experienced many thrilling adventures and dangerous trips. He has been active in public affairs. In 1886 he was a member of the Oregon state senate, representing Clatsop, Columbia and Tilla- miook counties, and was an earnest, careful and painstaking legislator. He is now county judge of Clatsop county, and an indefatigable and energetic worker for the interests of Asto- ria and Clatsop county. In 1868 Captain Gray married Miss Laura W. Bell, of Salem, Ore- gon. Nine children have blessed the union, eight of whom are still living. He is a charter member of Cyrus Olney's Cabin, Native Sons of Oregon, at Astoria, and is an active and enthusiastic member. He also enjoys the dis- tinction of being the second oldest Native Son of Oregon now living.
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THOMAS A, SAVIER.
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Mr. Savier was born in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1822, and came to Portland in 1850. where he engaged in mercantile pursuits, being for many years associated with the late D. W. Burnside. He married Miss. Mary H. Miller, of Michigan, to whom were born four daugh- ters. all of whom are married. Mrs. Samitel MI. Miers, whose husband is identified with
the Portland Cordage Company, still lives in her native city. Mrs. R. C. Washburne re- sides in Seattle, Mrs. W. D. Washburne in Minneapolis, and Mrs. Frank V. DuMond in New York. Mr. Savier was a conscientious, careful business man, highly respected and honored in the community, and long after his death Savier street was named in his honor. His health failed him, and early in 1876 he went East in search of relief, but, when re- turning to his home, he died in San Francisco, March 22, 1876.
THOMAS A. WOOD.
The father of the subject of this sketch, William W. Wood, was one of the men who created Illinois, and made her rapid growth the wonder of the sixth decade of our century. He founded Woodborough in Montgomery county, and there, in 1833, Thomas was born. At an early age he assisted his father in his many operations, when only ten years old be- ing competent to hire and discharge men on the farm and in the store.
The great conflict culminating in the Civil war absorbed the interest of his early life. His family was democratic, and from South Caro- lina, whence the grandfather removed at an early date to Illinois. But they were aboli- tionists, the grandfather freeing his slaves up- on arriving at the frontier. An uncle was so outspoken against slavery as to have a reward of $500 publicly offered for his head at St. Louis. In 1852 Thomas, at the age of nine- tecn, crossed the plains to Oregon in Captain Gilliam's company, and, upon his arriving, began business by buying apples at six dollars per bushel, and selling them from his little stand at one and two bits each. He soon found a place in the grocery store of W. S. Ladd, and later was employed with S. J. McCormick, the original stationer and book- seller of Portland. He was receiving one hun- dred and twenty-five dollars per month in that position; but, feeling a desire for more edu- cation than he had yet received, he left his work, and, crossing back, entered Delaware College, Ohio.
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