The Oregon native son, Vol. I, Part 38

Author: Native Sons of Oregon; Oregon Pioneer Association. cn; Indian War Veterans and Historical Society
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Portland, Or. : Native Son Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1252

USA > Oregon > The Oregon native son, Vol. I > Part 38

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MISS GERTRUDE HOLMES.

Miss Holmes was born in Peoria, Lint: again took steamer and measured the distance, & county. Oregon. Her father was a merchant. rarely traveled. to the far-off Oregon. After a brief stay at Captain Knighton's, they en- tered their own home, where they realized and one of the founders of the little village which was quite prosperous before the Oregon & California railroad passed through the

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state. Her father died when she was eight years old. having broken his health in cross- ing the plains and in hardships endured in the gold mines of California.

Miss Holmes began her education at the Willamette university, at Salem, Or .: later he entered a boarding school for girls in Brockport. N. Y., but finished her education at the Oswego, N. Y., State. Normal School. While a student at the normal school, a friend vi hers, who had been studying stenography. became private secretary for the governor of New York. Hiss Holmes had been preparing herself to teach, but she then decided to take a course of study at W. G. Chaffee's Phono- graph Institute, in New York. After com- pleting her course at this institution, she was employed in the school as teacher for a short time, but her family urged her return to Ore- gon.

In 1887 she returned to the village of Peoria. and, while nature had made it an ideal spot, «till it afforded no opportunities for an am- bitious woman, and Miss Holmes decided to go to Portland and open a school of her own, similar to the W. G. Chaffee Phono- graphic Institute of New York.

Her school was successful from the begin- ning. and her stenographic graduates readily found employment. In two years she found It necessary to take larger quarters and add new departments, and year by year changes have been made. until two years ago the school was incorporated. and the name changed to the Holmes English and Business College.

The school now occupies a three-story building, and has five departments, namely, a three years' English course, Business course, Shorthand and Typewriting course. Penman- ship, Art and Musical departments. It em- ploys six teachers, and has a yearly attend- ance of over two hufdred pupils. The school is doing an excellent work in the community, and Miss Holmes may well feel proud of what she has accomplished.

HORACE S. LYMAN.

The ancestry of the above named native son, crossed the ocean from England to Con- necticut in 1639. His father. Professor Hor- are Lyman, came to Oregon in 1849 as a mis- sionary. and there are few among that class

of immigrants who held more honored posi- tion, or accomplished more good in his adopted. home, than he. Prior to his com- ing here he was married to Miss Mary Deni- son, of Castleton, Vermont. The trip made. to their new home was by water, the old bark Whitton conveying them from New York to San Francisco, and from there they came to Portland in the bark Tulon. the latter trip taking six weeks. Four children were born to them, the subject of this sketch being the third child and second son. He was born near Dallas, Polk county, Decem- ber 18, 1855. In infancy he removed with his parents to Forest Grove, remaining in his father's home at this educational town until graduation from the Pacific university at the age of 22. He went to California for further study, but remained there only a short time when he went East to take a course in the- ology, which he finished in 1882. Returning to this coast, a few years were spent in preaching and teaching in Oregon and Wash- ington. During such time he contributed to the press and periodicals, becoming much in- terested in that field. In 1888 he was offered the editorship of the Prohibition Star, organ of the prohibition party, which he accepted, and subsequently a like position on the Pa- cific Express. Going to Clatsop county. he was drawn into educational work again through being elected school superintendent of that county, a position to which he was elected for three successive terms. In 1898. he was a candidate on the union ticket for the office of superintendent of public instruction. but was defeated. He has given considerable attention to historical matters, contributing to the histories of Portland, Seattle, and the Indian War Veterans, and some more decided effort in this direction may be looked for in the future. In politics and social reform he has taken a deep interest, occupying a radi- cal position; not, however, contending that every reform is worthy, or that every worthy reform is wisely conducted. nor indeed taking the extreme position that "whatever is. is wrong," but that all existing institutions are imperfect instrumentalities, and can be kept from abuses and inequalities only by fear- less criticism; and must be subjected to con- stant correction, and when irremediably bad are to be boldly reprehended.

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THOMAS HESPERIAN ROGERS.

Mr. Rogers was born near McMinnville. in Yamhill county, May 31. 1862. His par- ents were James W. and Mary E. Rogers, pioneers to Oregon of 1845. He received his education in the district school located a short distance from home, and at McMinn- ville college. In 1888 he got the mining fever and started for the frozen north, crossed the Chilcoot Pass and penetrated far into the interior. Getting his feet frozen, however, he was obliged to return once more to a warmer climate. Since then the stories of the great fortunes made in the Klondike country have not been an inducement towards getting him to go there again for gold. In the fall of 1888 he became a member of the drug firm of Rogers Bros., of McMinnville, a leading drug house of that place, and is at present identified therewith. Having always had a fondness for literary pursuits, espe-

cially fiction, he began to contribute to the .press. His articles were accepted from the first, and they will be found, among other. in such standard periodicals as the Overland! Monthly, Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly. etc. In his writings to Eastern journals, he has always endeavored to further Oregon'- interests when he could. The "beeswax mystery" of our Oregon coast became of in- terest to him, so much so that he wrote the novel. "Nehalem," so well received by read- ers, which entitles him to great praise as a writer. Mr. Rogers has also contributed to the pages of this magazine, and his many readers hope that he will not soon lay down the pen.

Mr. Rogers held the office of recorder of McMinnville for two years and made a most efficient public servant, and could have been re-elected to the position, but declined to further serve.

The culture of silk in the Pacific . Northwest has passed the experimental stage, and what has been done demon- strates the fact that the industry can be carried on here with success and profit. A station was founded in Coos county. Oregon in 1893, and the results were so satisfactory- that extensive preparations were made to further the enterprise, and today the foresight of the promoters is being rewarded by goodly increase to their bank account.

Tons of all kinds of fruit and berries are being altywed to go unpicked in the Pacific Northwest, when it would be an easy matter to preserve the same by the drying or other process. This negli- gence on the part of our people is a great mistake, for ready sale can be secured for the best at all times, and that is what we produce in this respect.

In 1837 the first sheep were intro- duced into the state. and came from Cal-

ifornia. The first to come from "the states" were driven across the plains in 1844 by Joshua Shaw.

The Pacific Northwest produces enough roses to furnish the world with perfume. All species bloom in such pro- fusion that they run riot over the yards. fields and uncared-for places. In the Old World, especially in France, there are regular rose farms from which per- fume is manufactured. Why could not this industry be made to pay in this sec- tion? It might take considerable to start the venture, still there would be a for- tune in it for its promoters.

The first iron foundry established in the state was located at Portland in 1850. David Monastes was the builder and owner.

Nowhere else in the world is the death kate so low, according to population, as it is in the states comprising the Pa- cific Northwest.

OREGON.

Thro' the mist of coming years From this vale of hopes and fears, There's a future bright appears, Rolling on; And thy sons, amid their toil, On this far, far distant soil, Shall be proudly seen to smile, Oregon!

Tho' no more a foreign rod Is extended oe'r thy sod, But thy hills and vales are trod By the free; Tho' the children of the North in their might have sallied forth, To assert Columbia's worth Gloriously!

Yet alas! the parent hand That should nurse so bright a land, Doth but faintly, feebly stand For its son ; While with anxious eyes we look On the homes we once forsook, All thy thousand ills to brook, Oregon!

But we laugh despair to scorn! Tho' forgotten and forlorn, We predict the coming morn Thro' the gloom; When thy sons and daughters fair, Sweetly reft of grief and care, Shall a Nation's bounty share, And a home!

For the day is drawing nigh When a long-neglected cry Not in vain shall raise on high, "We are One!" And thy sons amid their toil On this fair though distant soil, -Shall in sweet contentment smile. Oregon! THEO. J. ECKERSON.

These prophetic lines were published in the Oregon Spectator in the spring of 1850. Major Eckerson was at that time a first lieutenant, U. S. artillery.

OREGON NATIVE

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KORE . BALLAES CO ENS., PORTLAND. OP.

A HISTORIC PRINTING PRESS .- See page 328.

OREGON NATIVE SON.

VOL I.

OCTOBER, 1899. NO. 6.

THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY.

Her Future Photographed.

The Willamette valley takes its name from the beautiful river that traverses its entire length and which empties into the Columbia about twelve miles below Portland.

The valley commences properly at the Calipooias on the south, and extends to the Columbia on the north, a distance of about 130 miles. It has an average width of about 60 miles, not including the mountain slopes, and contains an area of about 7800 square miles or 4,- ")2,000 acres. The mainlands of the valley are for the most part open prairies, dotted here and there with oak and fir, while the creek and river bottoms abound with fir, ash, maple and cotton- wood. The mountain ranges, the coast range on the west, and the Cascade range on the east, are dense with for- e'sts of fir, larch, spruce, tamarack and pine, reaching far above the mountain lopes. The sail of the valley and foot- hills is, in general, one and the same; the lowlands being of a rich black or gray loam of considerable depth, that of the foothills of a reddish or grayish color, of a clay character, but equally rood for all cereals and fruits. Both character of soils are very durable. These soils are capable of producing all the grains, grasses and cereals of the temperate zone, vegetables of every known variety,and fruits of all kinds. except tropical $ Flax is produced of un- excelled quahis, both in fiber and berry, and of abundant yield. . The rich bot- ton lands produce hops of high grade, with an average yield running from 1500 (0) 2500 pounds to the acre. Fruits generally are of unexcelled flavor, size and1 perfection, while plums and prunes are unsurpassed by those of California, France or Italy. Oregon fruits are not of local significance. The East, South

and Middle West are becoming ac- quainted with Oregon's capacity, which is fast forging to the front.

At the annual meeting of the Indiana State Horticultural Society, held in In- dianapolis in November, 1893, Mr. J. B. Burris, of that state, read a paper, in which he gave the result of horticultural observations made by him on a visit to the Pacific coast. In that paper he said:

"I was attracted while at the fair (Co- lumbian Exposition) by the wonderful display made by the state of Oregon. By many it was known that fruit in consid- erable quantity was grown there, but few were prepared for the surprise by the creditable display made. Lately I have verified and even added to what I had already known. *

* * It (Ore- gon) seems specially adapted to apples and prunes, and cherries and peaches grow to perfection."

After the reading of this paper, Mr. W. H. Ragan, secretary of the society, said he was glad to hear the compliment paid to Oregon as a fruit state, as there was no state in the Union better adapt- ed to raising fruit. Mr. Sylvester John- son, who was for eleven years presi- dent of the Indiana State Horticultural Society, and judge of agricultural imple- ments at the Columbian Exposition, said he wished to emphasize what had been said about Oregon fruits. He re- garded Oregon as pre-eminently the fruit state of the Union and its fruits as better than those of California.

Subsequently, Mr. Johnson wrote a letter to the late Dr. J. G. Lewis, who was superintendent of the Oregon ex- hibit at the Columbian Exposition, in which, in referring to the exhibit at the Exposition, he said:

"This exhibit forever dispelled the opinion that California possesses super-

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ior advantages for fruit-growing to that of every other region of the Pacific slope. The Oregon exhibit of pears, ap- ples and plums was not only unequaled. but it excelled that of every other state." In this connection the fact may be noted that the largest apple, the largest pear and the largest cherries, exhibited at the Columbian Exposition, were grown in Oregon. .

These statements from disinterested parties are convincing proof that Ore- gon leads alll other portions of the Unit- ed States in her adaptability to the pro- duction of deciduous fruits. Climatic causes. of course, are largely in her fa- vor. The southern boundary of Ore- gon is further north than Chicago, and her climate differs radically from that of the same latitude east of the Rocky mountains. The temperature of winter approximates in general that of Vir- ginia, while her summer is about the same as that of Northern New York. In all the great section lying west of the Cascade mountains the temperature rarely falls as low as ten degrees below zero in winter and only at rare intervals rises above ninety degrees in summer. This absence of extreme heat and cold is one of the great climatic advantages to- ward successful fruit culture. This char- acter of climate is due to the modifying effect of the Pacific ocean, from which come our prevailing winds. We have the special conditions here, only larger in degree. that made Western New York and Western Michigan famous fruit - growing regions. Fruit attains its highest state of perfection toward the northern limit of growth, and the phe- nomenally mild climate of Oregon en- ables her to produce to perfection many kinds of irpis which cannot be grown so far north 'in any other portion of the United States. It is in the northern lat- itudes that fruit attain's its highest colors and richest flavors. This is largely due. to the increasing length of the summer days as we go northward, with its con- sequent increase of sunshine without ac- companying heat of excessive intensity. Throughout the Pacific coast region of the United States the summer months

maximum of clear, sunny weather. The fruit trees have the advantage of almost continuous sunshine during the greater part of the fruit-developing season. The absence of rain during the summer is al- so advantageous in its effect upon the quality of the fruit which is elsewhere often seriously injured by too much summer rain. Hence is it that our fruits. although larger than those grown in the East, are at the same time firmer and richer in quality.

Taken as a whole, this country is a country of cool summers and warm winters, and, briefly state, the causes of the cool summer are: the high altitude and that the prevailing wind during the summer months is from the north. When this wind fails for a time the weather becomes warm, at times hot. but this wind is in the nature of a trade wind and is a prevailing wind during the summer months. It rarely fails for longer than two or three days, and, as a consequence, any warm spell is of short duration. The causes of the warm win- ters are, the warm Japan current which breaks all along this coast and produces here the same effect as the gulf stream does in England, Ireland and Scotland. and that the prevailiing wind in winter is from the south. Like the north wind of summer, this south wind of winter is in the nature of a trade wind, and is con stant: when it does fail there comes a cold snap, but as it rarely fails for any great length of time, these cold snaps are of short duration, and the time is not sufficient to allow of the cold becoming extreme.

With this picture, nature has given us what must the future unfold? The burn- ing temperature of the East; the devas- tating drought of California; the hot. withering winds of the Middle West, are striking terror to the inhabitants of those localities, and they are casting about for more congenial abodes; and the careful eyes are looking toward Oregon, where plenty abounds and extreme heat and cold, drouths and cyclones are till- known.

Already the old donation land claim! of 640 and 320 acres is being divided bilidad stoodiler inproteiner 1 · the

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A WILLAMETTE VALLEY ORCHARD.

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population of this rich and verdant val- ley; and the near future will find the Willamette valley divided into 10 and 20-acre homes, occupied by a happy. thrifty and prosperous people. This pic- ture can only be realized by those who have given this subject careful thought, and understand the wealth of climate and soil, and know the value of careful, diversified farming. In support of our present view of Willamette's future, we allude to the early settlement of Salt Lake valley by the Mormans under the leadership of Brigham Young. When the great valley of Salt Lake was invad- ed, Brigham Young, with a full compre- hension of the subject of small homes, located this sterile valley with his col- ony on 10 and 20-acre tracts, and. under a practical system of irrigation, welded the soil and the winters, and happy homes were soon dotted all over that once sterile waste. What has been the result? One need but drive through that splendid country, or visit the homes to be convinced that no spot on earth can surpass the Salt Lake valley in thrift. beauty, comfort and prosperity. On these 10 and 20-acre homes, for none are larger, you will see diversified farm- ing in its truest sense. One-half acre of wheat, one-half acre of potatoes; one- half acre of small vegetables; one-half acre of alfalfa or glover: one-half acre of fruit trees; one-half acre of small fruits; one-half acre of flax: one-half acre of sorghum: the pig in the sty; the corn in the small enclosure: the horse and cart in the barn; the cellar filled with cheese, pickled meats, butter, pick- led vegetables ; honey, syrup, jellies, pre- serves, dried and green fruits; in fact.

everything in the edible line that heart could wish and all produced on the In and 20-acre farm; while in the house you will find everything that is modern: the current literature, and happiness and contentment in a supreme sense. Nat- ural conditions in the Salt Lake valley did not and cannot compare with condi- tions in Oregon, and the illustration_is only made to show what can be done where favorable natural conditions ex- ist as in the Willamette valley. Her soil is too valuable for the production of cer- eals for export; is peculiarly adapted to diversified farming by the small home- builder, he who becomes satisfied with plenty, the environment of stable con- munity and a contentment that this character of home industry affords, and the near future will inevitably bring about this system in the Willamette val- ley, which will take from our cities. towns and villages the surplus element that loiter about in idleness and make them producers and the consumers of their own products. The times demand a return to the soil of the multitudes that swarm our cities' marts, ill-fed and scantily clothed; that they may produce from the bosom of richi mother earth that, at least, which they consume, which is unattainable in our cities. We must have more people acting in the double capacity of producer and consumer if we allay the current cry of hard times. Un- der the plan proposed, the Willamette valley can afford and will provide homes for one million of people and happiness and prosperity will reign throughout. This is her future-her near future. now breaking upon her.

-JOHN C. LEASURE.

MINERALS IN OREGON.

Gold in placers and quartz: silver; copper ; limestone; building stone; opal beds ; iron pyrites and ore; yellow ochre: galena: mineral waters; salt springs; potters' clay: manganese ore; platinum and iridosmine; borate of lime: brick clays : chrome iron ; nickel ore; lead ore:

quicksilver; natural cement: graphite; infusorial earth; antimony; heavy spar: marble; zinc ore; nitrate beds: alkaline salts& rock salt: hessite, and where there are different kinds of ore of the same nature, all are to be found here.

BEAUTY, BEESWAX AND RUM. THE FIRST LANDED ON THE NORTH PACIFIC COAST.

AN INDIAN TRADITION.

The middle of the sixteenth century saw the circling of the globe by Span- ish discovery. The golden-hued tales of the returning navigators told of the wealth of the new world, gave stimulus to adventure and all who could own, charter and command a ship set sail for the new Eldorado.

Among the ships leaving the harbor of Cadiz was one which flew at its mast- head an insignia denoting that its com- mander was of royal blood. . Accom- panying him as a privileged companion was the beautiful golden-haired Senorita Bonita. The crew was made up of that class which was wont to rush on fortune and grasp by fair means or foul that sudden wealth which honesty only by slow degrees can obtain. As the anchor was being hoisted and the winds kissed the canvas spread to carry them over the blue, the surpliced priest stepped to the ship's prow and, with cross high uplifted, invoked the blessing of the De- ity upon the voyage.

Besides the usual ship's stores, the arms and munitions of war carried, the cargo comprised a large amount of bees- wax destined to the conquered empire of the Incas, (I) from which candles were to be made for the use of the Dons there in power, and for the lighting of the al- ters set up and dedicated to the faith of Spain.

For weeks the good ship plowed her way through the deep without happen- ings unusual, but the hour came when storm drove her out of her course, and when off Tillamook, on the Oregon

(1) This beeswax is found in various shapes and sizes; portions of it are marked with large capitals "I. H. S.," evidently standing for "Isus homines salvator" (Jesus, the Savior of man). Others had thereon the letters "I. H. N." for the Latin "In hoc nomen" (in this

coast, its might became so great that she had to be abandoned. All hands on board, except the devout priest, who res- olutely remained kneeling at his altar praying for the deliverance of his com- panions, reached the shore in safety. Hardly had they cleared from the ves- sel's side when her timbers parted and she went to pieces, leaving the stores and cargo to drift upon the beach, ir- reverently jostling upon the breakers' crest the form of the drowned confessor.

The stores were collected and placed within a rudely constructed house made of driftwood and bark, the beeswax was left to sink into the sands there to re- main until the advent of the pioneer who would find it, wonder and speculate over its presence, while the dead priest, in the absence of one to take his place be- side a grave, was buried with military honors.

Tom-o-che-nie, chief of the Tillamook Indians, with numbers of his people were at hand during the catastrophe and lent valuable aid to the stranded voy- agers, assisting them in the erection of shelter, collection of stores and provid- ing them with food. As the chieftain moved about giving direction, he was recognized as one in authority, and with a hope that some information as to their whereabouts and that of other white people might be secured, he was taken to the Don, who, with the Senorita, had gone to the shade of some near-by tim- ber for protection against the rays of summer sun. No account has been handed down as to what information

name). Perfect tapers of different sizes have also been found, placing beyond doubt that the beeswax was being taken to the Spanish setuements on the more southern coast of the Pacific for the purposes indicated.

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Photo by Browning. ELIJAH WILLIAMS. A Pioneer of 1832.

THOMAS ROBERTSON. A Pioneer of 1855.

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JOSEPH SIMON. United States Senator. A Pioneer of 1957.

Photo by Browning. JOSIAH FAILING. A Pioneer of 1851.

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The Oregon native son, Vol. I, Part 38

Author: Native Sons of Oregon; Oregon Pioneer Association. cn; Indian War Veterans and Historical Society Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Portland, Or. : Native Son Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1252

Author: Native Sons of Oregon; Oregon Pioneer Association. cn; Indian War Veterans and Historical Society
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Portland, Or. : Native Son Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1252