USA > Oregon > The Oregon native son, Vol. I > Part 70
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81
523
A TOUR OF THE WORLD.
some of which have been the gifts of kings. There are here rare paintings, some of them dating back to the time when French art received a new impetus, under the patronage of Henry IV; and there, too, is the famous painting of Our Savior on the Cross, by Van Dyck. In the troublous times of France that fol- lowed, when neither art nor religion was held sacred, faithful hands guarded these pictures and placed them beyond the reach of the vandal mob. Later, they were brought to the new world and placed within this venerable cathedral, and here it is fitting they should remain. Of a truth we tread here historic ground. We are within the walls of one of the oldest cities in America, and at the same time one of the most famous in the world. There are cities which are fairer to look upon. Some which the mere pleasure seekers esteem more highly, and many which have distanced it in the march of progress; but there is only one Quebec-old, quaint, and romantic-the
theatre in which have been enacted some of the most thrilling episodes in the po- litical drama of the nations.
On the monument erected in that city to the memory of the gallant soldier, Wolfe, and his chivalrous adversary, Montcalm, there is this inscription in Latin :
"Valor gave them a common death; History a common fame;
And posterity a common monument."
Somewhat lower down the cliff, on Dufferin Terrace, stands a stately and characteristic structure, the Chateau Frontenac, looking eastward across the St. Lawrence towards localities rendered memorable in French colonial history- the Restigouche, the Metapedia, Bay Chaleurs, and the Gaspe-while at the north end of the terrace rises a noble monument in bronze to the illustrious Champlain, looking westward as if in contemplation of the magnificent domain he pre-empted in the interest of civiliza- ation.
(To be continued.)
My valentine
Bostons .- The first American fur trading expedition to come to Pacific waters was fitted out by residents of the city of Boston. It consisted of the ship Columbia Rediviva and sloop Lady Washington. Captain John Kendrick was in command of the former vessel and of the expedition, and Captain Robert Gray in command of the Lady Washing- ton. In cruising along the Oregon coast, a bay, believed to have been the Tillamook, was entered and through the murder of one of the crew by the Indians it was given the name of Murderer's Harbor. Sailing further, Capt. Gray be- came impressed with the idea that the mouth of the Columbia was the outlet of the "River of the West" instead of being
what it was generally supposed to be-a bay. He, however, did not make any ex- plorations until afterwards. On going north and getting in company with the Columbia, he was given comand of that vessel, and again he was found off the bar, where he followed up his former conclusions and with the result that the Columbia river was never more to be known as a mere bay, but one of the . grandest rivers of the world. In conse- quence of the first Americans having hailed from the "Hub" the Indians began to know the people of the United States as "Bostons," a name that has ever since clung not only to them, but to all white men since the departure of the English or "King George" men.
524
Photo by Thwaites. BISHOP MODESTE DEMERS, A Pioneer of 1838.
Photo by Browning. ARCHBISHOP F. N. BLANCHET. A Pioneer of 1838.
Photo by Tollman. REV. FATHER PIERRE J. DeSMET A Pioneer of 1340.
---
--
Photo by Thwaites. REV. FATHER J. B. A. BROUILLET. A Pioneer of 18.17.
PIONEER CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES.
MULTNOMAH.
A TRADITION.
Before the past hundreds of snows, as the red man numbers time in its flight, were of record, countless thousands of the Aborigines inhabited the Pacific Northwest. One of the most numerous people among the many tribes therein were the Molallas, whose hunting grounds were located in the Willamette valley. Of those comprising their grand- sires was one celebrated as a mighty man of magic, skilled in the art of mix- ing healing potions that would dispel the various forms of sickness, allay the pain received from war-club or arrow's point by wounded warrior; the enemy of thing of evil believed to stalk in lone- some place or burial ground; a man to be feared; one obeyed. From his girdle only, dangled the eagle's claws, typifying his ability to commune with the gods. Such was Im-na-ha, tamanowis or med- icine-man of the Molallas.
While he was the inferior of the ruling chief of the tribe, its thousands looked upon him as a man of equally higlı de- gree, and his prophecies or opinions were solicited before any event of im- portance concerning its welfare was un- dertaken, and future action was usually based upon his advice.
Great suns of upwards of three-score had he known; many wives had been mistress of his wigwam. but no children were born to them who lived but a breath or so beyond the time of their be- ing ushered into the world; at such mo- ment, all had closed their eyes in that sleep which knows no awakening this side of unfathomed futurity; their cry of life being their wail of death. To all phenomena of nature, its brightness. its darkened aspect, and to all that the pro- lific mind of superstition could invent as having power, did he invoke for that which would cast a spell around the new- ly-born to prevent death from claiming them. At last in vision seen in dreani- land was the rebus solved. The "bad medicine" lurked in the village of his
people; in the noises made through con- versation, bark of dogs and other things common to a settlement characteristic of his race. Remove from these to a quiet- scene, and about his wigwam entwine the blossomed wild rose bush, and the offspring's life would be prolonged be- yond the hour of birth.
As an event of interest to him was near approaching, he informed his peo- ple as to the locality where he was go- ing, calling down upon them the wrath of all the evils supposed to exist, should they trail to point within hearing dis- tance of his retreat. By going to the Calipooia mountains he would not so sit- uate himself as to interfere with the usu- al migrations of his tribesmen nor de- prive himself or folks of their support or assistance in case of necessity. The lo- cation selected for his encampment was by the shore of a small lake lying near the summit of that range. Dense and towering fir timber encircled the spot for miles around, opening up only to make room for the beautiful grassy bordered gem there in the mountain's lap. The lake was crescent-shaped and almost at its concaved center found an outlet in a tiny stream that, for a distance, flowed silently along and then over pebbled way went laughing down the slope below. The trees, reaching to the skies, as if afraid to encroach upon it, stood back, while luxuriant grasses and mountain flowers went down from their feet to be kissed by its pure and sparkling wavelets chasing across the mirrored depths, to splash upon its banks with harmony of sound in keeping with the melody of songbird, that echoed so sweetly upon the zephyrs gently sighing to and fro.
By the little outlet Im-na-lia erected his wigwam, and in due course of time, the expected heir was born-a girl. True, the highest aspiration of the In- idan is to have a son that would become a warrior, brave, powerful and renown- ed: but this fact was lost sight of in the
.
-
1
526
OREGON NATIVE SON.
mind of Im-na-ha. The new-born babe was much alive and it was evident that a continuance of such would be realized. The proud parent was ready to bestow upon it a name in keeping with his hap- piness over its arrival. but the super- stitions of his race would permit of no departure from anci- ent usages. He, as the mediator be- tween the ordinary and the supernat- ural, could not step aside from the foot- steps of his fath- ers for fear of the creeping in of evil influences. With the Indian his name is sacred. and T rarely it is that one of them will tell the pale-face what it is, how conferred. or its signification. It is known, however, that their names are given them by the medicine-man of the tribe immediately following their birth and that such are determined by chance. As the medicine-man draws aside the opening of the lodge, the first thing attracting his attention there- after suggests the name selected. He might see a kicking horse, a young-man- afraid -of-his -horse. a man with "no shirt," a sitting bull. yellow hawk. black hawk, five crows. or it might "rain-in- the-face." Others, it is said, might be subsequently bestowed. on account of some deed of daring performed or event of note. But this was a rare occurrence, if done at all, except, probably, in in- stance where fiction garlands fact with
She raised her hand, the Indian's sign of peace.
circumstance lending interest to the page. woven into story.
As Im-na-ha drew aside the robe which supplied the place of a door to his lodge, nature seemed to have stood still. No sound was heard; not the slightest rustle of the branches of the trees, no droop of flowers, asif an infer- ior in the presence of those born to command; the wat- ters of the lake made no move-nowhere on its surface ap- peared reflected ont- line of surrounding object or thing in vaulted heavens that would indicate the wonted name. Per- plexed, Im-na-ha stood with sense en- wrapped in doubt. At last his head sank upon his breast in shame for want of sign of direction. As his heart gather- ed its weight of woe and despair at pre- sumed displeasure of the Great Spirit. the chieftain's mind conjured up idea- that his babe's hour> of life were to be brief, as had been the lives of its pred ecessors. Lost in train of dejective thought, the rustle of the bushes a little distance above him was unheard, also the dropping of a
wild rose blossom from its parent stem
upon the bosom of the rivulet.
over which it hung. Slowly it went for- ward upon the streamlet until it reached a point near Im-na-ha, when the water- became more animated and carried the blossom round and round in little eddy-
527
MULTNOMAH.
ing circles until attracting the attention of the watcher, and then tossed it upon the bank almost against his moccasined feet.
In the action, the Great Spirit had spoken by a sign that filled the father's now light heart with joy. Happy omen! The magic flower of the gods, the ward- er-off of evil gave direction, and bespoke of his babe a continuance of existence Picking up the rose Im-na-ha went with- in his lodge, and with reverential bend of knee, laid it upon the bosom of his daughter, and with outstretched hand, as if invoking a blessing upon her, remain- ed silent for a moment, and then her name-Mult-no-mah-wild rose upon the waters-fell from his lips.
Although of a sex considered among the Indians as a mere chattel for barter, she was such a treasure to her father that he determined that no mean sum should be her purchase price on her ar- rival at maturity; that none, however celebrated for prowess as a warrior, high as chief, or possessed of worldly wealth, should lead her to his lodge without she was fully willing to become his bride.
As a child she was ever joyous of mein, her presence and voice turning discontent and sorrow into brighter mood and resignation. In her sunny nature she held Im-na-ha a slave to do her bidding, and the warriors of the tribe, for love of her. never passed over mountain, by river's bank, through ver- dant valley, or along old ocean's shore, but each sought for object that would be pleasing to her as a plaything, keep- sake, or fit to adorn her robes. Her loveliness of character and beauty of form could not be confined to the pre- cincts compassed in the lands belonging to her people. but were carried to distant tribes. These. together with the celeb- rity of her father, brought suitors for her hand from far and wide to swell the numerous applicants for such honor living nearer home.
To all. Im-na-ha said, "The will of Mult-no-mah is mine;" and time after time was it that she shook her pretty head to chieftain or warrior bold, not
even caring to glance at the much-prized wampum, count the ponies or inspect the offerings of rich and rarest furs brought as a purchase price. Upon all she bestowed those sweet and benignant smiles, half to please, half to beguile, that belong only to youth and innocence. Love to her was as yet a stranger. No passion that its pangs or pleasures pro- duce, had ever gained footing with her, except the affection she bore her father. Quickened pulse, face beaming with heightened color, and lips o'er full of laughter caused by the approach of one beloved, were his alone; smiles were lost in shadows of regret and tear drop found lurking in pretty eye only at his going from her.
But at last a day of bondage dawned upon her life, and the affection showered upon parent was to be transferred to other idol. One morning she had wan- dered quite a distance from the village, down the stream coursing through the valley, occupying herself by seeking out and shooting arrows from her bow at king-fishers in the trees bordering its banks, and again throwing pebbles at her shadow reflected from its surface. Too deeply engrossed in the pleasures such pastime brought her, she was wholly oblivious to the nearness of danger, when she was startled by the chatter of a blue-jay, who in the dim and distant past was a dimi-god among the mystic animal race of people, and able to fore- tell good or evil. Though fallen in es. tate, belief in his abilities as a fortune teller remained in the minds of the Indi- ans. In his sharp, vociferous cries, Mult-no-mah believed some unlucky in- cident would be hers to experience, and, thinking, perhaps, that she might pro- pitiate the unwelcome guest and secure the tuning of his voice to more congenial sounding, she held up her hand. the Indian's sign of peace, and began to in- voke the stay of evil happening, when suddenly a vision appeared before her, one from whose eyes shone no mercy; whose purpose omened death-a moun- tain lion common to the coast. Too be- numbed with fright to make a useless
528
OREGON NATIVE SON.
call for help or effort of defense, she sank trembling to her knees. As she did so, the terror of the forests sprang towards her, but, hardly had he reached her before a foeman was by his side to dispute with him the possession of the prize he had believed his own. Its an- tagonist was Con-e-ah-wa, ruler of the Wappatoos. What he had come to seek in the lodge of Im-na-ha, he found the threatened prey of savage beast. Short but sharp was the conflict, resulting in the speedy death of the lion through a fortunate stab of Con-e-ah-wa's knife. The latter had not, however, escaped unhurt; as the marks of teeth and claw left upon his breast and limbs were proof.
The danger past, he lifted Mult-no- mah to her feet, and as his eyes caught full view of her sweetness of face and gracefulness of form, he bowed before her in mute admiration, thenceforth and forever to worship as the woman of all women to him. Like him, Mult-no-mah, too, knew she had met her fate.
But hearts' windows must be closed to give gaping wounds attention. With the limited appliances at hand this was done, when the rescuer led the rescued to the grassy opening in which stood the village of the Molallas. Here were met with Con-e-ah-wa's attendants, who had been lagging lazily along behind him, unmindful of the battle royal which had just taken place. Here met him, al- so, some of the Molallas, who, when they learned the dangers Mult-no-mah had escaped, bade her preserver hasten to their village, where bandage and cur- ing herb would be provided. On turn- ing to proffer Mult-no-mah a seat upon one of the ponies, Con-e-ha-wa found that she had fled. and like the wings of morning, her form was fast disappearing over a knoll in the direction of the vil- lage. Hastily mounting their ponies and urging them forward. it was but a brief time before the cavalcade was at the lodge of Im-na-ha, whose offices as medicine-man were solicited. From his daughter he had learned all, and never was physician more willing than he to
assist or quicker to perform for patient's welfare. By his knowledge of healing substance and aptness in applying ban- dages, the wounds of Con-e-ah-wa were soon properly dressed.
Im-na-ha had been apprised of the contemplated visit of Con-e-ah-wa sever- al days previous to his arrival, through the sending of runners ahead to give no- tice of his coming. Through the story of his daughter as to the noble bearing and bravery of Con-e-ah-wa, he felt that at last he was to meet his son-in-law. subsequent events proving this supposi- tion correct.
After several days of feasting and wel- come, Con-e-ah-wa made a formal pro- posal. He came to the front of Im-na- ha's lodge, accompanied by his attend- ants. The latter, seating themselves in a circle about him, a monotonous chant was struck up, rising, falling, bursting into thunderous roar, and again lulled to sweetest rythm. During its continuance his attendants took turns in dancing around the circle, all the while reciting the noble qualities, achievements, and other things calculated to win for him the good opinions of the listeners, no: forgetting to give mention to his rescue of Mult-no-mah. While these cere. monies were being enacted. Con-e-ah-w.a stood with folded arms intently gazing upon the door of the lodge of Im-na-h. awaiting its opening and appearance the occupants. His striking figure and bearing of importance would at once proclaim him a man of note, even though his robes were not bedecked. a. they were, with the habiliments due h :- station.
The chanting ended, there came part- ing of the robes which formed the door to the lodge, from whence stepped fort! Im-na-ha, followed by his daughter. To the oft repeated question a different re ply was given. This time it was "Mn !: no-mah loves the chieftain and would ?... his bride. Let him swear that he we be kind to her and she shall go with him." In reply Con-e-ah-wa stepped from the circle and advanced to within a few steps of Im-na-ha. Kneeling and
529
MULTNOMAH.
hollowing out a small excavation in the earth, he broke his tomahawk and de- posited it therein, upon it placing a pipe, made from the sacred red sandstone, which he had previously lit. By the breaking and burial of the implement of war and laying thereon the emblem of peace, he signified that he would never ill use her. "As the smoke of my pipe of peace ascends to the blue above, so have my words been wafted upwards to the Great Spirit, who is witness to the compact. So have I spoken."
Upon receiving these assurances, Im- na-ha joined their hands and ushered them within the lodge, turning to the at- tendants of Con-e-ah-wa to receive the purchase price which the latter had brought with him. The various articles comprising it were augmented largely from the store of Im-na-ha, when a dis- tribution thereof began, guests and tribesmen sharing alike. This was fol- lowed by feasting, dancing, games and racing, continuing for four days, con- cluding which the happy couple set out for the home of Con-e-ah-wa situated on the banks of the Tualatin river.
Hardly had they arrived there before word came that the Chinooks were ap- proaching, intent upon the subjugation of the Wappatoos, whose broad acres they had long coveted. The invasion had been talked of for years, but not ser- iously considered until the head chief of the Chinook nation. who was an unsuc- cessful suitor for the hand of Mult-no- mah. learned of Con-e-ah-wa's capture of the much-prized maiden. The word was passed that the warriors among the Wappatoos must be exterminated, but on no account should the women, and particularly Mult-no-mah, be harmed. They were to be reserved for slavery. Coming, as they did, upon the Wappa- toos without warning, and being ten times more numerous, there was little hope for escape and less expectancy of victory among the assailed, still, each of them, with a heart like a lion, met the foe at every turn, their slain being more than double the total force of the Wappa- toos. Con-e-ah-wa was one of the last
to succumb and many a Chinook war- rior bit the dust before his fall.
The women and children of the now practically obliterated Wappatoos were taken to the large island (Sauvies') around which flowed the two mouths of the Willamette river, where was situated the chief village of the Chinook nation, - there to be portioned out into slavery among their captors. The victorious chief, though disappointed lover, in re- venge for the slight put upon him through his rejection by Mult-no-mah, resolved that she should expiate such by performing the drudgery and receiving the blows given those in servitude who were attached to his family, which was a large one. This, Mult-no-mah was equally firm not to do, and watching an opportunity, she spedlike a deer over the ground until she reached the narrower mouth of the river. On reaching there she siezed a canoe and quickly paddled her way to the center of the stream, when she stopped and began taunting the pursuing chief, belittling him in all ways that a ready tongue and embittered mind could frame into word, calling down up- on him and his people the wrath of the Great Spirit, beseeching him to decimate them by oppression and disease.
The maddened chief procured another canoe, hoping to recapture, threatening dire vengance upon his reviler as soon as she was again in his power. He, however, reckoned beyond what fate had planned. Upon his approach, Mult- no-mah passed out of his reach or re- venge. Her last words, derisively. ex- pressed, were, "As I came into the world so shall I leave it, a rose upon the wat- ers. I have fallen; no longer to be balm and beauty to bow broken by the hand of storm. My summer has vanish- ed. The voice of happiness has ceased to commingle with the music of laughing waters. Those I loved lie silent upon the faded hills, their feet trail not through blighted vales .. Gladly do I fall again upon the bosom of the waters where wind and wave shall carry me to the bravest of the brave, to Con-e-ah-wa. Though your arm is strong and many
530
OREGON NATIVE SON.
people call you chief. Though I am as the willow twig grown weak and brittle because of being torn from nourishment, the voices calling me assure that Mult- no-mah shall live and be a name long after you and yours shall have moulder- ed in the dust and have been forgotten." With this she leaped from the canoe into the river, and as she was engulfed by its flood, a watcher might have seen a smile set upon her face as if for one adored, and hand held out to clasp with that of spirit gone before.
How near true her prophecy has come to pass, history transpiring since, only too well relates. The name of the Chi- nook chieftain can be recalled by none. His people, except a few kept alive bythe infusion of foreign blood, have passed away as foretold. Mult-no-mah, how- ever, falls from lip as name of many things, and will keep the memory of the fair "Molalla" green until the scroll vi time shall unfold no more.
F. H. SAYLOR.
The Chinaman a Pioneer .- It is not generally known that people from the Flowery Kingdom were in the Pacific Northwest long before the oxen of the pioneer took up the weary march across the plains, but such is nevertheless the case.
In the early struggles among the pow- ers of the old world to secure a footing upon the northern shores of the Pacific -Spain, Russia and England made ev- ery haste and resorted to various expedi- ent to acquire title by occupancy or dis- covery. The English conceived the idea of colonizing with people from other countries who would not only be depend- ent upon them, but also probably inter- mix with the natives, which might ex- ert a controlling influence over the latter class. The plan was to induce some of the Chinese to come on board of their vessels with the idea that they were to be taken to Bengal, and instead bring them across the ocean to the place or places where it was suitable for the founding of a colony. It was also a part of the scheme to touch at the Hawaiian Islands and there pick up enough Kanaka wo- men to supply each of the Celestials with a wife. They succeeded in inducing some seventy Chinese to come on board their ships when sail was set for the Pa- cific coast. At Honolulu quite a num- ber of women were obtained and it was not over long before their destined port -Nootka Island-was reached, but the Spanish seaman had raised the red and
yellow flag before their arrival, and when the English mariners attempted to make a landing for their intended purpose, the Spanish captains seized their ships. It is said that they put the Chinese brought over to work, but what ultimately be- came of them has not been made a mat- ter of history.
This was in 1789, and the vessel- bringing them were the Princess Royal and the Argonaut.
When the ship Tonquin touched the Sandwich Islands on her voyage to the Columbia in 1811, a lot of hogs, sheep and poultry were taken on board and from these the early supply of pork. mut- ton and breakfast eggs were supplied.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.