USA > Oregon > The Oregon native son, Vol. I > Part 51
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We rode and marched, expecting to be overtaken at any time. and were about as well scared as Indian fighters ever are and devised numerous ways to defend ourselves, but finally reached camp next morning without being at- tacked. I was sorry to report the loss of Jack Field's mule, for though he had played me a beastly trick, his savage fight had redeemed his reputation, and perhaps had saved my life. But much to our wonder and to the amusement of the whole camp, John came gravely marching in a few hours after us with- out the saddle, and ornamented with two Indian arrows stuck into his haunches -- which. by the help of the surgeon, were carefully extracted.
While it was yet carly spring, though the grass was short and the horses in poor condition. but the ponies poorer still. Cornelius decided to move into the Yakima country.
The Walla Walla valley had now been abandoned by the Indians, and one might pass anywhere there without sight of a hostile. But they had made no
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INDIAN WAR RECOLLECTIONS.
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overtures for a treaty and their inten- tion was undoubtedly to slip off and concentrate in the Yakima country, and just as soon as their horses were ready for a campaign to strike at some unex- pected point. To prevent this Cornelius determined to move across the Colum- bia.
By use of the information which my scouting party had obtained, the ad- vance was made, and it was decided to cross the Snake river at the Palouse Indian village. When we arrived at this point we met with no resistance. As our troops came up and were seen upon the heights along the south side of the Snake river, the Palouses hastily broke camp and began moving westward. There was no fighting, but an Indian across the river, who thought himself out of reach of our rifles, and was mak- ing heathenish gestures at us, became a target for Captain Wilson, of Portland, whose men carried some of the Yager rifled muskets, with the result that the horse which the Indian rode was shot down and he himself was compelled to beat a precipitate retreat on foot. Skiffs had been provided for crossing the river, and a horse guard, under my com- mand, went over first. As we entered the village, which was now abandoned, a few stragglers came out, one of whom was shot by one of my party, Dudley.
The Palouses were chased some dis- tance, but we could not corner them, and so returned to the village to make camp. Our campaign against these In- dians was only incidental, but we man- aged to punish them somewhat by de- stroving. first and last, about five hun- dred of their horses.
Our next move was about twenty miles, to the falls of the Palouse. Here occurred
This trouble had its beginning some- time before, and as it sheds considerable light upon the character and manner of organization of the volunteers, it will be worth while to notice it here.
It had been the expectation of Major Chinn that upon the resignation of Nes- mith, he would be elected colonel, and he had refused until ordered to recog-
nize Cornelius. 'The opposition of Gen- eral Wool, too, was now having its ef- fect in discrediting the organization of the volunteers. Still further, the re- cruits, of whom a company had been forwarded from the Willamette valley, seemed to feel a certain contempt or dis- like of the older volunteers, who, on ac- count of their worn clothing, were called. the "Ragged Brigade."
To these various causes of disaffection was added the fact that provisions had given out, and since coming to the Pa- louse we had had nothing to eat except horse beef, obtained by purchase from the herds of Nez Perces ponies; and many of the men, especially among the recruits, began to threaten that they would no longer remain with the com- mand.
After having heard of these com- plaints, it was decided by Cornelius to bring the matter to a head, and one morning all the volunteers were ordered drawn up into a hollow square.
Here he met them personally and made an address. Although he was not a professional speaker, and was then an uneducated and almost illiterate man, he could talk clearly and much to the point. He began by saying that he un- derstood that some were dissatisfied. So was he. He liked horse beef no better than the rest of them. Nevertheless. there was a certain task to perform and he intended to do it if he could get men enough to go with him. That was to cross over into the Yakima country and force Kamiakin to battle and to end the war. Who would go with him? He said further that he should consent to no one's leaving the command, and any leaving without his consent would be reported as deserters.
Following him, Colonel Kelly strong- ly urged the men to stay with the war.
After him Major Curl, from the re- cruits, spoke of the difficulty of carry- ing on the campaign without provisions. He did not believe that the governor intended them to begin the movements undertaken by Cornelius until properly provisioned. As for him and his com- mand, they would march back to The Dalles.
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OREGON NATIVE SON.
'After this speech on the part of the mutineers, which undoubtedly had its effect on the men, the tide of sentiment was completely turned by Geo. K. Shields, then an ex-congressman, but serving as a private in the ranks. He
made the speech of the occasion. He urged with an earnestness and an elo- quence natural to him that it was their duty to stay with Cornelius. He asked if they supposed that this was a fishing excursion. He recalled the atrocities that had led to this war; the massacre of Whitman; the massacre of more re- cent years, Boelling. murdered in the Yakima country; Haller and two-thirds of his command cut to pieces in the same place; their comrades, Kelshaw and Bennett, killed in battle .. He asked if this were the place to turn back and thus to leave the savages in victorious possession. He also urged the ques- tion where wa's the best place to fight them-in their own country or allow them to burst upon the settlements and to devastate the homes of the white peo- ple. The effect of Shields' speech was instantaneous. The men enthusiasti- cally agreed to go with Cornelius and not quit the war, until their work was done-even though they had to subsist upon cayuse horse beef; which, in ad- dition to being not very palatable, was to many of the men quite unwholesome, and in some cases had caused fatal sick- ness. But all hardships were forgotten. Even Major Curl found his side so un- popular that he began to retract; but was never able to recover the influence that he had lost.
The march for the Columbia was soon undertaken, the route chosen being by the Grand Coulee. This' coulee, a French term, is an old watercourse, or river bed, now dry and suitable for travel. It is, in many respects, a great natural curiosity. Upon both sides the rock walls rise abruptly, showing old water-marks, and the surface below ly- ing almost level. is grassy and meadow- like, and diversified here and there, like depressions in the bed of a stream with small ponds. But these ponds, while looking fresh and inviting, are of alkali
water wholly unfit for drink. Un ins march, which lasted three days, we suf- fered greatly from thirst, as well as from insufficient food.
The first spring of pure water which we found was at the mouth of the coulee, and it was in a condition to turn the stomach of even famishing men, and in any other place would have been re- garded as simply loathsome. Being the only spring for miles around that was not alkali, it was visited by the Indian ponies from a great distance, and we found in it the bodies of three of these animals, mired down and dead, and on that account we gave it the name of Dead Horse spring.
Major Curl, hastening along to reach the water, gave expression to the feel- ings of most of us. As he came in sight he observed the men standing upon the backs of the dead horses and carefully dipping up the fluid so as not to rile it too much. "Oh, my God, my God, do we have to drink that?" And clapped his hands to his head.
I remember the quaint humor of Ed. Cox around the camp fire that even- ing. He was a red-headed man and comical looking. I found him by the fire, toasting a piece of horse beef. At length he broke out describing how he would go back to the Willamette valley if he ever got through this campaign alive, marry a wife, and portray to his children all these hardships and suffer- ings, and concluded with the remark that if the little rascals did not cry at that he would lick them.
Coming out of the coulee we reached the Big Bend country. We were still suffering for the want of water, and I was sent out to search for it, and, with some others, examined the plain and hunted around among some very tall bunches of rye grass, which was then growing as high as a man's head on horseback. We found no water, but plenty of jack rabbits, some of which we shot.
We then bent our course toward the Columbia river, which had been in sight for a long time, but the day was hot and
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AFTER TWENTY YEARS.
as we marched over a long. hill many of the men gave out altogether, and fell down in their tracks, though they all finally made their way into camp.
Reaching the Columbia at White Bluffs, we found that the river ran two hundred feet below us, and there was no possible way down. We were, there- fore, obliged to march three miles fur- ther before we found a place where we might descend to the water. At last reaching it in straggling squads, or one by one, we plunged into the clear, cool stream, bathing our lips and faces before drinking. I had a bucket and, filling it, started back to meet those still coming. Encountering Colonel Kelly, I offered hin the contents of my .pail, but, though
suffering extremely, his lips black and his tougue swollen, he still refused, pre- ferring not to touch the water until he had the entire river in his reach.
Near this place we found an old In- dian who had been deserted by his tribe and left to die, as is customary among savages. Out of our little store we gave him some flour and sugar and a morsel of jack rabbit meat, and collected wood for his fire, but his Indian nature or tribal loyalty asserted itself, for when we asked where the Indians had gone, he answered "down the river."
As a matter of fact, they had gone up the river, and if we had followed we might have captured them. But we went down the river and let them escape.
AFTER TWENTY YEARS.
Written on the Great Plains. opposite my mother's grave, near Fort Laramie, May 5, 1872.
Adown the dead and distant years My memory treads the sands of time, And blighted dope a vision rears, Enriched by solitudes sublime.
And down the mystic, dreamy past In chastened mood I wander now. As o'er these prairies, old and vast, Move lines of oxen, tired and slow. Their rough-ribbed sides and hollow eyes And istless gaze and lazy tread, As under cloudless. burning skies
Our way 'er trackless wastes they led, But visions are of long ago.
Today, an iron horse, "The Storm," All panting rushes o'er the plain; His breath with steam is quick and warm, As on he thunders with our train.
Afar the Rocky mountains rise, Their rugged steeps adorned with snow, While o'er the hill the antelope hies, And Indians wander to and fro. The buffalo gazes from afar, Where erst in trust secure he fed, Ere man upon him had made war,
And he was at wont at will to tread Anear our oxen, sure and slow.
Fort Laramie, across away, Beyond yon hills that intervene, My memory sees as on that day, Just twenty years ago, 'twas seen.
There, in the echoing hills, hard by, Surnamed "The Black," adorned by woods,
My mother laid her down to die, In those grand, awful solitudes. The wild coyote yet roams at will, The timid hare and buffalo, The antelope and serpent still In freedom range, and come and go, While Indians gaze in scornful moods.
Gone are the oxen, patient brutes, And drivers, with song and jest. Of ruder days they were the fruits, And tiling well, they did their best.
Their day is past, and now, at ease, We glide along at rapid pace, Gazing abroad, while thoughts of these, The days of yore, take present place. And I am self-forgetful, too, For through the long, eventful past, Since last I dreamed beneath the blue Arched dome, above these plains so vast, I find of twenty years no trace.
My mother sleeps, dear God, as slept Her peaceful form when we that day Laid her to rest, marched on and wept, Too sad to talk, too dumb to pray.
Was it the breath of angel's wing That fanned, erewhile, my fevered brow? Did I hear heavenly seraphs sing, When eyes and ears were closed just now? O, mother, memory, God and truth, While yet I tarry here below, Guide oft thy faltering, trembling one. May I regret not years, nor youth, Nor that my life thus far is done, As through these wilds once more I go. -Abigail Scott Duniway.
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OREGON HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
GEORGE H. HIMES.
John M. Shively, a pioneer of 1847, and one of the early settlers of Astoria, brought the first United States mail to the Pacific coast.
Oregon City was the first capital of Oregon, Salem the next, then Corvallis, then back to Salem, then to Eugene and finally settled down at Salem for perman- ent stay.
The first white women to become permanent residents of Astoria were Mrs. Nancy Welch, wife of James Welch, pioneers of 1845, and Mrs. - Ingalls, wife of David Ingalls. In the spring of 1846 Mr. Welch erected the first frame house built in that city.
It is said that Michael La Framboise was the first white man to visit the Wil- lamette valley. While a Hudson's Bay trapper he went with a party of Clatsop Indians up the valley for the purpose of recovering a runaway squaw who had gone to the village of some one of the tribes living therein.
Mrs. J. T. Hunsaker, a pioneer of 1846, bought her first dress pattern in Oregon with the proceeds of the sale of a bucket of soft soap, carried on horse- back by her husband a distance of about twenty miles. Mr. Hunsaker built the first bridge across the Clackamas river. It was located near where the Southern Pacific railroad bridge now spans that stream. It was built for and remained a toll bridge for several years thereafter.
George T. Allen, a pioneer of 1832, wrote to a London friend of his soon after his arrival here, keeping a copy of the letter. In this the statement is made that "we raise in great quantities peas, barley, Indian corn. buckwheat, wheat, oats and potatoes. The garden produce is apples, peaches and some grapes in front of the governor's house and all kinds of vegetables. . There are a thresh- ing mill, a flouring mill and saw mill, the two last about two miles above the fort."
Assistant Secretary. 1
Thomas Otchin, now residing near Hillsboro, Washington county, was un- doubtedly the first white man to settle upon the ground upon which the city of Olympia, Washington, now stands. He was a pioneer of 1839, and, after work- ing for the Hudson's Bay Company un- til 1841, he went to the sound, locating the present townsite as above indicated. He remained there about a year and ab- andoned his claim, going to his Wash- ington county home.
The society has recently come into possession of a historical document per- taining to the early settlement and set- tlers of Oregon, it being a bond given to Martin Hale, of Albany, by the com- missioners of the Oregon . Territory, Jesse Applegate, A. L. Lovejoy and G. I .. Curry. This sum was part of a popu- lar loan of $100,000 to meet the expenses of raising a regiment to fight the Cayuse war. This bond bears the date of April 10, 1848, and was authorized by the pro- visional legislative act of December 10, 1847.
The first whites to come to the Pacific Northwest were trappers and traders. then followed the missioaries, after which the immigrants began to make their way here. The first to come and remain were what has been known as the Peoria party, and was so called be- cause it was organized in Peoria, Illinois. It reached Oregon in the fall of 1839 and consisted of the following persons and their several occupations:
Robert Moore, farmer.
T. J. Farnham, lawyer.
Sydney Smith, lottery broker.
Charles Yates. butcher.
O. A. Oakley, butcher.
James Trask, butcher.
Francis Fletcher, butcher.
R. L. Kilbourne, restaurant keeper.
Joseph Holman, manager of fanning mills.
Amos Cook. farmer. Robert Shortess, farmer. - Pritchei, tailor.
W. Blair, millwright.
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NESIKA WA-WA.
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Our readers will notice that we have combined the months of November and December in one number, and perhaps may ask us for an explanation. In an- swer all we can say, at the present time, is that the mantle of charity must for a time, and maybe forever, hide the reas- ons which put us behind in publication as well as obliging us to take the step we have. All subscribers will get an extra number beyond the time their subscrip- tion expires. We may have more to say in th future in regard to this matter, but not now.
The Oregon Historical Society has reached such a pass in its existence as to warrant engaging rooms and open- ing out in a manner that will permit of some considerable showing. Rooms have been secured in the city hall and :"itable cases for the safe keeping and display of historical relics and documents therein. A great work in this matter has so far been done, but the venture has only seen its beginning. This is an undertaking that most all states interest themselves in and those who have done little or much in the direction are proud, as they may well be, of their efforts.
What was so recently begun, should have been inaugurated long years ago. Many of the documents, relics and other things going far towards the building up of the great commonwealth of Ore- gon could thereby have been saved, whereas they are now lost and beyond reach.
The interest taken in the society by those not pioneers or their descendents. and even what might be called recent comers, is commendable, and were the same solicitude for its good universally displayed by those who should aid the cause manifested, the results would be much more gratifying.
The Native Son most earnestly ap- peals to all to lend this now valuable and in time, enterprise for the public welfare, of worth beyond estimate of price. When anyone has anything that
will add to the collection's value as a historical article, they should, by all means either give or send the same to the society, care Mr. Geo. H. Himes, assistant secretary, Portland, and should they know of others who might make contributions, endeavor to induce them to do so.
"We have the sixth number of the Or- egon Native Son. This historical mag- azine is well sustained in general interest and in the quality of its work. It is put- ting on record and will carry to future times a great amount and variety of mat- ter that has present interest and will have inestimable value .- Daily Oregon- ian, Nov. 9, 1899.
We trust that the long-delayed justice due the Indian War Veterans of the Pa- cific Northwest will be meted out to them during the coming session of con- gress. Oregon, at least, should be not only a unit in the endeavor to favor their cause, but work for that interest with something like unalloyed energies Senator McBride and Congressman Moody are native sons of the state and Senator Simon is not only a pioneer, but was Oregon raised. Congressman Tongue owes what he has become to the good will of the earlier settlers as he came here in the early sixties and can be called a pioneer, and is fully conver- sant with the debt of gratitude and prop- er requital the government owes to the Indian War Veterans. In the past oth- ers have done nobly in this cause, but circumstances were against them. It is to be hoped that the present delegation will know success.'
The Native Son is quite frequently in receipt of matter somewhat tinged with political issues which, no doubt, those sending would like to see printed, or no- tice thereof given in our columns. This we cannot do, under any circumstances, as our magazine is not in any way or wise a political organ. Whatever there is in the past history of the Pacific
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OREGON NATIVE SON.
Northwest that refers to political issues, we may give mention of from time to time, but such mention will be made solely from a historical. standpoint and with no intent to influence or bring our pages within what might be construed as a political medium to further the dis- semination of the views of any party or person, except, probably, we might ad- vocate .that measures should be taken to better recognize the work of the Indian War Veterans, whose efforts were the means of saving to the United States its garden spot, protected homes, wives and children from the barbarities of a savage and built up and maintained a common- wealth which a government would not recognize for forty years.
Thomas H. Rogers, of McMinnville, a native son of Yamhill county, has fur- nished the Native Son with another of
his interesting stories which deals with the ancient history of the Pacific North- west. We herewith append a letter in review of the same from the "Editor." the recognized authority in such matters in the United States, which is self-ex- planatory. This story will begin in our next issue and will be illustrated.
THE EDITOR.
A Journal for Information for Writers. Franklin, Ohio, November 14, 1899.
Thomas H. Rogers,
McMinnville, Oregon.
Dear Sir :- I am returning herewith type copy of your treasure story and wish to congratulate you both upon the matter and the manner in which you have handled it. I believe that it will be to your advantage to offer this story in the very best channels. There is no question in our minds but that you will secure ready acceptance from such, and on satisfactory terms.
Yours very truly, JAMES KNAPP REEVES.
PURPLE AND GOLD.
The organization of Native Daughters is fairly launched and sailing forth with flying colors. Now it is the popular thing to be a member if one is eligible. "I was born in Oregon" is now spoken with more pride than ever before.
Eliza Spaulding Warren Cabin, No. I. holds its meetings in the beautiful Elks hall on the second and fourth Sat- urday nights of each month. It has pleasant and sociable gatherings. While some at first thought it would be some- what droll to belong to an organization where "only women could go," they have changed their opinions and now say "it's perfectly lovely." Here they can "talk" and take part as they probably would not do if some "horrid" man was there. Then what splendid receptions when the Native Sons are invited in! So with business, study; music and sociability the Native Daughters throughout the state will pass many winter evenings pleasantly.
The cabins at Junction City, Eugene, Roseburg and Ashland are all taking in a large list of names each evening.
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Ashland Cabin of Native Daughters comprises members from Jacksonville and Medford. The cabin has been pre- sented with one of the first chairs made in Oregon.
Nancy Welch's Cabin, No. 6, of the Native Daughters, was instituted at As- toria on the 9th of November last by the officers of the grand cabin. The follow- ing officers were elected and installed:
Past president, Mrs. Oliva Rees Welch; president, Mrs. C. W. Fulton ; first vice-president, Miss Belle Trulling- er; second vice-president, Miss Sarah F. Wood: third vice-president. Mrs. W. I .. Robb: treasurer, Mrs. George Noland; recording secretary, Mrs. W. C. Chutter : financial secretary, Mrs. G. C. Fulton; marshal. Mrs. H. F. Prael: inside sen- tinel, Mrs. John N. Griffin; outside sen- tinel, Mrs. W. Heitch; trustees, Mrs. C. P. Upshur, Mrs. A. M. Smith and Mrs. B. S. Worsley.
The cabin began with a membership of thirty and since then has made rapid strides in adding to the list. Mrs. Welch, from whom the cabin takes its name.
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PURPLE AND GOLD.
was a pioneer of 1844, and one of the two first white women to become per- manent residents of Astoria.
On the 7th of November a joint recep- tion was given by Eliza Warren-Spald- ing Cabin, Native Daughters, and Ab- ernethy's Cabin Native Sons, of Port- land. A splendid literary and musical programme was rendered during the evening, which was followed by lunch- eon and a social hour. The large hall was filled, and all present went home after the occasion came to an end hoping that the like would soon occur again.
The officers of the Grand Cabin, Na- tive Sons, visited McLaughlin's Cabin, of Oregon City, on the 13th instant, and that cabin received them in royal style. It was considered best to have an open meeting, and that a programine be a fea- ture of the evening. When the time came to throw open the doors of the cabin it was but a short time before it was fully filled by invited guests and members of the order, among whom were several of the grand officers of the Grand Cabin, Native Daughters. Re- marks were made by several members of the order and by pioneers. There were recitations and vocal and instru- mental music, in several numbers were given, all of which were greatly apprec- iated. Following the exercises, a ban- quet was served. During the evening the fact was developed that Yamhill had produced a poet, long silent but at last to bud forth in ryhme, ir the person of Judge T. A. McBride. He read of the missionary effort to convert the Indian over to the Skookum Chuck. It was as follows:
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