USA > Oregon > The Oregon native son, Vol. I > Part 28
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Governor McLoughlin could not re- ceive a proclaimed horse thief into the gentlemen's mess, but he kindly provid- ed Kelly with a house to live in, pro- visions to eat and persons to wait on him: he had little cause for complaint. but his pride was humbled when gentle- non refused to associate with him.
It was due to Kelly's work and writ- migs that Nathaniel Wyeth came to the columbia in 1834, on a trading voyage. that proved a failure. The officers of the Hudson's Bay Company entertained him and treated him like a brother, but the moment he attempted to trade with the natives he was undersold at ruinous rates, so that in despair he sold out to them and left Oregon "a sadder and a wiser man." At the time referred to Wyeth was being pleasantly entertained tt Vancouver. Kelly thought he should endeavor, by vouching for his standing, to relieve his dilemma. But Wyeth ig- nored him, Kelly thought. because he was "down on his luck."
His word and his writings had also inspired Jason Lee, the Methodist mis-
sion leader, who was occasionally at Vancouver; but Lee was at that time greatly dependent on McLoughlin, and "Alas for the rarity of Christian charity," could not afford to indorse one who was under a cloud. These things embittered Kelly's soul and made life hateful; but he managed to do some surveying on the Columbia and to acquire much val- uable information concerning Puget sound, that was published after his re- turn.
We have seen Kelly as gentleman and scholar, who influenced a wide circle and instructed the national congress. His ambition had been to reach Oregon. which he at last did. penniless. sick, rag- ged, and, worst of all, branded as a thief and proscribed. He had denounced Mc- Loughlin's company and himself as ty- rants and infamous. But John Mc- Loughlin remains in Oregon history the most noble, manly and humane of Chris- tian gentlemen. He could not receive Kelly at his own table, but he housed and fed him and furnished servants to wait on him. In the ensuing spring, when a vessel was going to the Sandwich is- lands. McLoughlin gave him free pas- sage and handed him his check on Lon- don for seven pounds, or $35, to ease the situation. The act was like Dr. John McLoughlin, the "Czar of the West." the despot who ruled from the Pacific ocean to the summit of the Rockies. Kel- ly wrote: "This was very kind, and I feel thankful for it."
Life could hardly offer any man great- er disappointment than had befallen Hall J. Kelly. It was pitiful to have ventured so much to lose it all. For all he lost and went through of danger, sickness and the crowning obloquy that met him at Vancouver's gate, it seems as if we can forgive much, especially if. to one who suffers much, much should be for- given.
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Kelly reached home by a whaler in 1836. He had some property remaining which he invested and lost in a cotton mill. It is claimed that these losses un- settled his mind, as he could think of nothing but his misfortunes. His bete noir was still the great Oregon monop- oly, for he believed that its emissaries fol- lowed all his life. Abandoning his fam- ily, he lived on a small piece of land from which no entreaty could draw him. He died at 83 years of age, in 1874. His life had great and noble aspirations, not for personal profit so much as to advance the world and benefit humanity.
We envy none who can look on the story of Hall J. Kelly with contempt. No doubt Wyeth did receive from him the impulse that sent him to Oregon; Jason and Daniel Lee were inspired by him to undertake the Oregon mission; he certainly induced Ewing Young and others, to come from California in 1834. These were germs that made the tree, for the Lees laid foundation churches, schools. homes and settlements in the Willamette valley. Young was the means of bringing the first settlers to locate in that valley; also in 1836 or- ganized the cattle company that brought cattle to graze on the rare pasturage of Western Oregon. Continually, as I study the features of that early time, I trace the primal influences to Hall J. Kelly as having given them birth. Or- egon can afford to kindly remember him for the good he tried to do-and really accomplished, as results have shown. He alone was stirring the cauldron of fate and did and said what had momentous results. It is more kindly to place a stone upon his cairn than to throw any slur on one who suffered and lost so much.
Hall J. Kelly had wonderful prescience and judgment in discerning facts and drawing conclusions. He lived to see
his hopes realized by others, and in his old age watched from afar the growth of the state and development of the re- gion that he had studied so long and had learned so well. He continued writ- ing of Oregon for over 30 years after returning in 1836. Judge Thornton had letters from him between 1869 and 71: as late as 1868 he published a "History of the Settlement of Oregon," with an account of the 40 years he claimed to have suffered persecution, for his failures and woes caused this monomania. He commenced work in 1815, and gave him- self up to it in 1824; continued to write for over half a century, furnished facts to Webster, to Oregon's fast friend, Sen- ator Linn, of Missouri; championed the Oregon cause in 1842 with more facts than could be derived from all other sources, derived from his own writings. The fight for Oregon was for long made on facts he furnished. This visionary, whose life was a disappointment. be- cause he attempted too much, laid foun- dation for all that was finally accom- plished. It was surprising that he ac- complished so much and was so reliable. He named the Cascades the "Presi- 'dent's Range," giving names of early presidents to the snowy peaks. Oi these, two retain the names he gave- Adams on the north of the Columbia. and Jefferson, 100 miles south. He ac- curately described the Lower Columbia and Puget sound regions. His life was only failure so far as his own interests were concerned.
Kelly's work was far-reaching. His life work was as the finger of fate point- ing the way, and his labors reached fru- ition while he was neglected and his services forgotten. It will be some com- pensation to his memory if the Muse of ¿History can shed some luster for the' memory of one whose deserts have counted for so little. A want of balance
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HALL J. KELLY.
»" wreck the hopes of a life, or seal the de of the proudest ship that sails the
I have been struck with the fact that Arily was the special providence, in- ware at the earliest time to appreciate the value of this region when-congress ig- ". red it and the nation was ignorant of .. value. Eliminate from that period ·- single feature, and it will be doubt-
ful when American occupancy could have been effective. The very man who discovered gold in California was one who came from Oregon, drawn there by the facts stated. Before the century shall have passed through which he so ardently labored, and so bitterly suffered, it will not be too late to accord to him the merit he deserves and plant this mod- est laurel on his forgotten grave.
SAMUEL A. CLARKE.
OREGON CITY.
The claim upon which Oregon City cands was taken up by Dr. John Mc- Loughlin in 1829. In 1838 an Ameri- an by the name of W. C. Remick built a cabin there and claimed proprietorship . the premises. The doctor. bought him out rather than have any trouble with him, and began to improve his claim. A little later on the doctor gave Rev. A. F. Waller permission to occupy some of the lots he had laid out, for church pur- puses, as the doctor supposed, and " aned him timber and other material with which to further the supposed ob- ject. but the material was used in the construction of other buildings. Soon after these were completed, Mr. Waller "it up a claim of title to the premises, "eging as a reason for his action that Ce doctor was a foreigner and could not inquire title to land in territory under . :« jurisdiction of the United States. The controversy caused the doctor Meses, humiliation and trouble, but a ju-t legislature of the territory afterwards passed an act restoring the doctor his rght- as far as possible.
Oregon City was the first capital of the provisional government, and its first leg- n'ature met there on July 5, 1843. Ore- Con's first industries were inaugurated there; the first furniture factory in 1844, James Athey being the proprietor, and the coining of beaver money in 1849.
The first American flag owned by the provisional government was unfurled there in 1846. It was the gift of Cap- tain N. M. Howison, of the schooner Shark, which had been wrecked on the bar at the mouth of the Columbia. The Oregon Spectator, the first newspaper published on the Pacific coast, was pub- lished there. It was the first town west of the Rocky mountains to be incorpo- rated. Multnomah lodge, A. F. & A. M., was established there in 1848, Captains Orin and Joseph Kellogg organizers, it being the first fraternal organization in- stituted on the Pacific coast. Her ceme- teries hold the remains of some of Ore- gon's earliest pioneers and foremost men, among those buried there two chief factors of the Hudson's Bay Company, Dr. John McLoughlin and Peter Skeen Ogden. The first paper mills in the state were located there, as well as the first postoffice, and it might be added the headquarters of the Provisional Govern- ment Postoffice Department, for W. G. T'Vault, the postmaster-general, lived there during the time he held that office. The first work of fiction. "The Prairie Flower," ever published in the state, was written by one of her citizens. William Johnson was the writer of it. The first school (common) was taught there, A. C. Beatty being the teacher.
PURPLE AND GOLD,
The Native Daughters of Oregon, since the creation of the grand jurisdic- tion, have been steadily at work and are now ready to begin the institution of subordinate cabins. There is a marked degree of enthusiasm throughout Ore- gon, and petitions for charters are being circulated at Junction City, Hillsboro, Salem, Astoria and other points. The first subordinate cabin will be instituted in Portland, with a charter membership of over one hundred, in the near future. The way matters appear, the Native Daughters, by June next, when annual reunion occurs, will equal in numbers the Native Sons, who had one year the start of them.
Grand President Sol Blumauer, of the Native Sons of Oregon, -yesterday made the following appointments for district deputy grand president :
Multnomah county-S. T. Jeffries, Aber- nethy's Cabin; No. I.
Marion county-W. J. D'Arcy, Dan Wal- do's Cabin, No. 3. Salem.
Clackamas county-C. H. Caufield, Mc- Loughlin's Cabin, No. 4, Oregon City.
Lane county-H. C. Mahon. Milliorn's Cabin, No. 8, Junction.
Clatsop county-F. J. Taylor, Cyrus Ol- ney's Cabin. No. 6. Astoria.
Washington county-W. N. Barrett. Grif- fin's Cabin. No. 7, Hillsboro.
Polk, Benton and Lincoln counties-J. H. Townsend, J. W. Nesmith's Cabin, No. 13, Dallas.
Yamhill county-M. A. Baker, John G. Ba- ker's Cabin. No. 14. McMinnville.
Lake. Josephine. Coos and Jackson counties -A. E. Reames. P. P. Prim's Cabin. No. 15, Jacksonville.
Douglas county-V. C. London, Jo Lane's Cabin, No. 16. Roseburg.
Linn county-A. M. Templeton. James Blakely's Cabin. No. 18, Brownsville.
Wasco. Crook and Gilliam counties-J. A. & Douthitt, Vic Trevitt's Cabin. No. 2. The Dalles.
ness. place.
Finance-Captain C. T. Belcher, Ralph W Hoyt, Sam L. Beary.
Appeals and grievances-J. H. D. Gray Astoria: J. H. Booth, Roseburg; Charle Matthieu, G. B. Milroy, Albany; A. Brown Dallas.
Petitions -- John G. Lewis, McMinnville: ) Wimberly, Roseburg; John W. Welch, As toria.
State of the order-Alex. Sweek, Portland F. M. Wilkins, Eugene; E. B. Tongue; Hills boro; James M. Keene, Medford; C. S. Will iams, Eugene.
Legislation-B. B. Beekman, Russell E Sewall, S. T. Jeffries, Portland; W. N. Bar rett, Hillsboro; Frank J. Taylor, Astoria.
Ritual-J. F. Steiwer, Jefferson: F. M. D Witt, Portland: J. H. Price, Roseburg: Georg M. Love, Jacksonville: T. H. Rogers, Mq Minnville.
Printing and supplies-James P. Moffett. Q T. Belcher. A. P. Armstrong.
Laws and supervision-Sanderson Reed Claude Strahan. C. A. Wooddy. Portland: G L. Hedges. Oregon City; W. W. Alligham Junction.
Literature-Colonel Robert A. Miller. Ore gon City: Fred H. Saylor. Eugene D. White Portland: T. W. Riches, Silverton: B. A Washburn, Eugene.
Transportation-Governor T. T. Geer. B. B Beekman, Portland; V. C. London, Roseburg
Mr. Eugene D. White, who so suc cessfully conducted the office of grand secretary during the past year, was hon ored with a re-election. Mr. White wa 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 tedi- ous and laborious, but with a warm heart for Oregon and the order he loves sol well. He yielded to the unanimous de- mand of the Grand Cabin and takes up the work cheerfully for another year much to the detriment of personal busi-
He is the right man in the right
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NESIKA WAWA.
In view of the fact that a full regiment is to be raised on the Pacific coast for service in the Philippines, the question of a commander for it becomes pertinent. The regular army is full of good men, qualified in every way to assume com- mand, and guarantee complete satisfac- tion, but when casting about for such a man, there is danger of falling into the error of selecting one who has the audac- ity to push his own clainis, regardless of the fact that he has an overweening dis-" position to imbibe too fi aly, even to the point of being found drunk on duty. There is no danger of disgracing the state if such a man as Captain Wood- bridge Geary, who is now with his regi- ment in the Philippines, was selected. He is a nephew of General Geary, of Pennsylvania, who, at the close of the rebellion, was elected governor of that state. . His father was a patriotic min- ister of the gospel in Oregon during the
war, and he himself is a native son of our fair state.
Through inadvertence we failed in July number to give proper credit to the poem "Pioneer Ox." The poem should have been credited to Sam L. Simpson, its author.
A more appropriate name could not have been selected by the Native Sons and Daughters of Oregon for their order than "cabin," and the law is certainly commendable that requires that the cabin shall be named after a pioneer. The log cabin is symbolic of pioneer times and Oregon's early history is indis- solubly connected with this symbol. A monument more lasting than marble or granite obelisk is reared to the memory of the pioneer man or woman after whom the cabin is named, and will serve to perpetuate their memories when gran- ite and marble shall have crumbled to dust.
LITERATURE.
We have received a little volume en- titled "Oregon Literature." prepared by John B. Horner, A. M .. Litt. D., pro- fessor of rhetoric and English literature in the State Agricultural College of Ore- gon. The following statement is taken from the preface and speaks for itself:
"Oregon has produced more genuine literature during the short period of her history, extending back only fifty years. than all the thirteen American colonies wrote in a century and a half. Notwith- standing this fact, she is the oldest state in the Union that has not collected the best things written by her sons and daughters. This task has been delayed merely for want of time and inclination.
No one did it, so I undertook it. This is the explanation."
This little volume is a gem, and de- serves to be in every Oregon home. Pro- fessor Horner takes up the influences of pioneer life. of scenery and song, and follows them through the history of the state in a charming manner, thus begin- ning a work, long neglected. of gather- ing and presenting Oregon literature; a work that will grow as time ripens the thoughts and inspirations of men.
In the series of American Common- wealths, edited by Horace E. Scudder and published by Houghton, Mifflin & Co., of Boston, Barrow's Oregon is without doubt the most thrillingly inter-
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OREGON NATIVE SON.
esting, and one cannot read of the long struggle of five nations for its posses- sion, without admiring the author's knowledge of the subject, and his tactful presentation of the same. Probably no work on the history of Oregon has ex- cited a more bitter hostility of certain critics than this; nevertheless, no library of history is complete without it. True, it gives way somewhat to man worship, and we dissent from some of Mr. Bar- row's conclusions, but at the same time the book is peculiarly full of crisp his -. torical facts and references, and one cannot look it over without realizing that it covers a ground of research not cov- ered by any othe. 'book extant. The popularity of this work is made manifest by the appearance of the tenth edition, which is now on the market.
Pearson's Magazine for August is one of special fiction features. It also con- tains an excellent, profusely illustrated article by M. L. Ewes, on "How to Res- cue the Drowning," which subject should be understood by everybody, but, un- fortunately, very few know anything about it.
"Pioneer History of Coos and Curry Counties," by Orvil Dodge, is probably the completest, most reliable county his- tory published on the Pacific coast. It is so complete, and gives evidence of such an enormous amount of work in its preparation, that the wonder is it should ever have been finished. As a business venture, such books seldom, if ever, pay the writer for his care and labor, owing principally to the fact that those most benefited by its words are selfish and fail to extend to it the support it de- serves. It is a valuable contribution to Oregon history, and no one interested in the state should be without it. Every page bears evidence that its preparation has been a work of love, rather than a hope for financial gain, which gives it an earnestness that makes it all the more
to be appreciated, especially among pio- neers of Coos and Curry counties.
"The Beacon Biographies" are a series of lives of famous Americans, by well- known writers. They are published by Small, Maynard & Co., of Boston, are 34x6 inches, bound in limp cloth, gilt top, and sell for 75 cents each. That they will be widely read is a foregone conclusion. Busy people, especially, will be quick to appreciate them.
These little books aim to give. in brief, readable form, authentic accounts of the lives of the most notable Ameri- cans. They are published in most con- venient form for reading-the size being such that a volume can be handily car- ried in the pocket.
The names of the authors speak for themselves; one sees at once that each is especially competent for the work chosen.
From the pen of the editor of these biographies, M. A. DeWolfe Howe, we have the life of the noble Phillips Brooks, and it is truly a beautiful life-story, most beautifully told.
One cannot read the life of Robert E. Lee, so well portrayed by W. P. Trent. without thrilling anew with admiration of that grand, simple character.
The life of Lowell has been written in a charming style by Edward Everett Hale, Jr.
James Barnes gives us the biography of David Farragut. In writing, in such brief form, of a life so crowded with inci- dent as that of Farragut, the story is nec- essarily more of the deeds than of the man.
Webster's life, however, affords a fine opportunity to deal with the personality -to trace the development of character -which is ably done by Norman Hap- good.
A glance at the list of other volumes in the course of preparation shows what additional pleasure is in store for the
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LITERATURE.
rading public. Among them are the Allowing: John James Audubon, by ohn .Burroughs; Edwin Booth, by Charles T. Copeland; Aaron Burr, by Henry Childs Merwin; Benjamin Frank- in, by Lindsay Swift.
The Century for August is a midsum- ner and travel number, to which John Burroughs contributes "Glimpses of Wild Life About My Cabin," a charming article on bird life at home. Mr. Bur- oughs has just returned from Alaska with the Harriman exploring expedition, nd expects to tell the public through he Century what he saw of bird life in he land of the midnight sun. Possibly e will tell us of the snowflake bird, and is customs. in the far and desolate Vorth.
The famous lighthouse on Minot's edge, off Cohasset. Mass., is the subject of the frontispiece of the August St. Nicholas, and of a brief description and istorical sketch by Gustave -Kobbe. In Colored Suns." Dorothy Leonard tells f other suns than ours-blue suns and ed ones and green ones, that bathe their lanets in lights that would make a vis- ting stranger from this world feel very trange indeed. "Phil's Second Bubble Show," by Meredith Nugent, gives the eader a new conception of the possibili- ies of soapy water and a clay pipe; for t tells of a bubble poised on a spinning op, bubbles cut in two, or run together, nd of a bubble that lived happily for ifteen minutes in a bath of steam. La- rosse is described by an ardent admirer of this fine American game; and "The Dozen From Lakerim" continue their leeds of derring-do. "A Fairy Story About a Philosopher's Stone" appeals trongly to one class of readers, while mother will prefer to hear the surgeon of the Rough Riders tell how he raised he first American flag on a captured ortification in Cuba.
Bird Lore is a beautiful little bi- monthly magazine, published at Engle-
wood, N. J., as the official organ of the Audubon Societies, and devoted to the study and protection of birds. It is fine- ly illustrated, and every number is full of interesting and valuable matter for lovers of the feathered songsters.
"The Pioneer Missionary History of the Pacific Northwest," by Harvey K. Hines, D. D., is ready for delivery. The author has placed within reach of all a most interesting and valuable work, and his long residence in Oregon, his promi- nence in religious circles, and activity as a progressive citizen, are an earnest of its completeness and accuracy. The his- tory is well illustrated with scenes of old landmarks and early missionaries and pioneers.
"A-Birding on a Broncho," by Miss Florence A. Merriam, published by Houghton, Mifflin & Co., of Boston and New York, is a delightful birding story of Southern California, beautifully illus- trated from drawings of birds and nests by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, and from photographs. "Birds of Village and Field" is another of Miss Merriam's works, also issued by Houghton, Mif- flin & Co. It is a book of 400 pages, pro- fusely illustrated and full of intensely in- teresting and valuable information for lovers of birds. Advanced students will find it of great assistance. but for those just commencing the study, or for ama- teurs, it is of inestimable value. The drawings are clear and the markings are carefully shown. The field color key is particularly well arranged and complete. Like all of Miss Merriam's writings, it is interesting, instructive and full of val- uable information.
The following books have been re- ceived: "Nigel Ferrard," by G. M. Robins, J. B. Lippincott Co., Philadel- phia; "An Oregon Boyhood," by Louis Albert Banks, Lee & Shepard, Boston; "Source's of the History of Oregon," by F. G. Young, secretary Oregon Histor- ical Society.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
DELAZON SMITH.
Delazon Smith was born in New Berlin. Chenango county, New York. October 5, 1816. He graduated from the Oberlin College Insti- tate, in Ohio, in 1837; then took up the study of law, and later became a leading writer for the press. He was appointed by President Tyler special commissioner of the United States to the Republic of Ecuador, in South America. In 1846 he removed to Iowa, where he remained until 1852. when he emigrated to Oregon. In 1854 he was elected to the terri- torial legislature of Oregon, and re-elected at two subsequent sessions, filling the import- ant office of speaker of the house during one session. He was a member of the constitu- tional convention of Oregon in 1857, and in July, 1858, was chosen one of the senators in congress for the prospective state, and took his seat as such on February 14, 1859. It being necessary for the senators to draw for the long and short terms, Mr. Smith drew the short term, and the following year was de- feated for re-election. In 1860 he headed the ticket of the Breckenridge democracy as pres- idential elector in this state, and made a brill- iant canvass against large odds. but was de- feated. During the heated campaign of 1860 he conducted a vigorous canvass, speaking often as he traveled about the state, and his sudden death at Portland. on November 18 of that year. is attributed to over-exertion in that memorable campaign. At the time of his death he was the editor of the Oregon Demo- crat. He left a wife and family of children. Cabin No. 9. of the Native Sons, was named after him.
LA FAYETTE GROVER.
Detail of the life of an active man requires considerable space, much more than we are able to give. We are therefore obliged to condense the more important events of his career and leave out or give but a word in relation to others. We regret that this is the case with respect to the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, for his life has been replete with history concerning Oregon. Mr. Grover was born in Bethel, Maine, November 29, 1823. His ancestry on both sides were dis- tinguished in colonial history of Massachu- setts. He is a son of the late Dr. John Grover.
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