USA > Washington > Thurston County > Early history of Thurston County, Washington : together with biographies and reminiscences of those identified with pioneer days > Part 10
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In 1851 Mr. Barnes decided to remove his store to Puget Sound and selected Olympia as the best known settlement in the new country .. The contents of the store, together with the household goods, were shipped on the sailing vessel Mary Taylor, around from Portland, but Mr. and Mrs. Barnes and Johnnie rode horseback across country. The boy rode the same horse as his sister, sitting astride. holding on to the woman to keep from slipping off. When Olympia was reached the family had to wait three weeks for the arrival of the Mary Taylor with their goods.
The store was the first in Olympia. M. D. Simmons, of Tumwater, had a trading post for Indian supplies. but the stock Mr. Barnes brought was the first general merchandise store on the Sound. The lad, by this time ten years of age. took his place behind the counter and was as efficient a clerk as any man would have been.
The experiences the lad had with the Indian customers were quite amusing. He declares these people are the worst thieves in the world, or were in those days. When he would be measuring calico. of which the aborigines bought great quantities. a squaw would give the cloth a quick jerk to pull the length a few inches longer than the regulation yard. much to the disgust of the young clerk. who spent a good part of his time watching them to prevent them stealing from the store.
The currency of Mr. Murphy's early recollection in this section of the world consisted of Spanish dollars, American halves and quarters. Spanish doubloons, worth $16, and slugs. which were eight sided bars of solid gold. and worth $50. For convenience in making change the Moffatt Company of San Francisco coined five, ten and twenty dollar pieces. While these were of no value as legal tender. everyone was anxious to secure the pieces as they weighed exactly the denomination represented and were of pure gold without alloy. There were very few dimes in circulation, no nickles, and to have tendered a penny piece to any one in those days would have been equivalent to an insult.
The Indians preferred silver. They didn't seem to under- stand gold money, and greenbacks were so uncommon that they had no knowledge of them as currency. If an Indian
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had a sum due him to the amount of $5, that sum must be paid him in five one dollar pieces. Should a $5 gold piece be tendered the brave he would shake his head and say: "Tenas chickamun, wake ticky"-"little money, don't want it." Mr. Barnes kept a candle box under the counter filled with silver dollars to pay out to the Indians. However, the Indians had no appreciation of the value of money. If they could be in- duced to work at all they would work all day for the same amount they would charge for bringing a single bucket of water from the spring.
The early settlers all procured their water from the com- mon spring which flowed clear, cold and delicious on the present location of the Chambers Block on the corner of Main and Fourth streets. The housewives would hire the Indians to carry the water for them to supply their daily needs.
The young Murphy, still of tender years, was set to work clearing off the block of land which was the Barnes home. With one half breed Indian as an assistant. the lad toiled all one winter cutting down the huge cedar trees, sawing them into lengths, rolling them together and finally burning the piles of wood. The work of digging out the stumps left by these big trees taxed the lad's strength and endurance al- most to the breaking point, but finally the task was accom- plished and the land was afterwards built upon by Mr. Barnes and became one of the beauty spots of the city.
There were no bridges across the two arms of the bay for many years after the town had become to be quite a place, and from where Fifth Street now extends to Capitol Point was an unbroken line of Indian tepees and shacks. The entire por- tion of the town was comprised by the blocks between what is now the corner of Fourth and Main Streets down to the water- front, and before the filling was done the tide came up to Second Street.
When the Indian war broke out, and reports of the White River massacre was received here, the Indians were told they must go. They remonstrated at leaving land which they had always looked upon as their own and did not fancy the idea of pulling up stakes and moving away, but the settlers were firm. As the alarm grew the citizens began to build the stock-
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ade which was one of the most unique structures in the his- tory of the Northwest. This stockade extended clear across trom bay to bay the length of Fourth Street.
The stockade was 20 feet high. built of four inch plank. Crosby's mill at Tumwater was kept running night and day, and night and day did the citizens work at the defense. Men, women and boys all helped in the building. When the stock- ¿de was finished all moved inside, those few families who had their homes outside the enclosure locking up their houses the best they could and seeking safety with the others. This con- dition of affairs lasted several months and until an armed cruiser, the Joe Lane, came up the harbor. This cruiser car- lied a lot of arms and every woman and boy was furnished with one of those long barrelled muskets, whose "kick" was more deadly than the bullet. To add to the defense the citizens possessed an old cannon, which ancient piece of artillery would certainly have meant sure death to the gunner if it had been fired off with any considerable load, was mounted in position to sweep an approaching enemy, and was the pride of the people. When all was completed. the Indian chiefs and head men were invited to inspect the defenses and were shown that the whites were in readinesss and able to protect them- selves, but still they lingered until the Joe Lane put in an appearance. When they saw the white man's "big canoe" and heard the guns thunder forth a volley of salutation as the cruiser came into port, they decided that quitting time had come, so "folded their tents like the Arab, and silently stole away," never to return to settle in any considerable number in the immediate neighborhood of the town.
"When I first came here, among the ladies I can recollect were Mrs. Alexander, Mrs. Rider, Mrs. Forey, Mary and Barney Wood. There were always enough ladies to fill out at least two sets of a quadrille at the dances which were then the popular amusement. And such dances-sometimes lasting not only all night but two and three nights. Five dollars a ticket was the usual price, with an elegant supper at the hotel. No munch and wafer affairs in those good old days. The Connell Prothers and their fiddles were called into requisition, but Oliver Shed was really the star musician at the dances for he
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could not only play the fiddle but call the figures as well. There were no wall flowers. Everybody had a good time.
"Among the business men I can recall during my first years in Olympia were Lightner, Parker & Coulter Co., mer- chants, the second firm to open a general merchandise store after Mr. Barnes; Chas. A. Weed, baker; I. C. Patten, black- smith ; Mr. Thornton F. MeElroy, who started The Columbian about this time. and two saloons, but as I never frequented them I cannot remember the proprietors' names.
"In connection with my recollections of the Indians I recall one incident which has filled me with disgust for the breed ever since. What was called a sulphur-bottom whale, probably 90 feet in length, floundered up the bay, one morn- ing in the early '50s, and on reaching the shallow water was unable to swim out to sea again and was stranded as the tide went out. This was a rich find for the Indians. They cut off great chunks of the meat from the sides of the whale, and when this part was cut into portions the Indians climbed right into the location made famous by JJonah, the insides of the immense fish being considered a special delicacy by the filthy things.
"Well. I became tired of working for relations and wanted to go back to Portland, so I bid the Barnes good-bye and started out to seek my fortune on my own account. When I reached there I apprenticed myself out to learn the printing trade on the Oregon Weekly, with John O. Waterman, editor, and owned by Carter & Austin. Later I went to Oregon City and worked on a paper belonging to D. W. Craig. After a year I located in Vancouver. Washington, where I started the Chroniele. At the end of three months I sold out and returned to Olympia.
"This was in 1860, and soon after my arrival here I started the Washington Standard, which I personally conducted and edited until about a year ago.
"When I returned to Olympia I was still unmarried. but had my courting done. I was engaged to be married to Miss Maguire, a daughter of the family of Oregon printers. As soon as I had established my business and saw reasonable prosperity ahead of me. I went to Portland for my bride.
"We came from Monticello landing by stage, making the
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trip in one day. This trip had formerly taken three hard days' travelling. But the roads had been so much improved and a generally better service provided that the trip had lost much of its tediousness.
"For five years The Standard was published in a little building on the corner of First and Main Streets. In 1885 I purchased the land where my office and home stand to this day.
"When I was ready to move my office I procured a scow and floated it right up to the door of the First street office. loaded my cases and press and other printing material on it and poled the scow over to the new office, unloading and getting the scow out of the way on high tide. That is the time I cheated the express man.
"I well remember when the first pony express was started between Monticello and Olympia. The riders made the trip in half a day. changing their riding ponies every few miles. Twenty-five cents was charged for carrying a letter and a proportionate charge for small parcels.
"Music, sweet music, was ever my heart's delight. I have always taken the greatest pleasure in music and although I make no claims to ability in that line I certainly enjoyed plink plunking my guitar. Many a pleasant night, in company with Jim Hays. Dave Drewry and Henry Willard. have I gone from house to house serenading the pretty girls. The other boys all performed on violins and with my guitar we made some very creditable music. At least, we thought we did, judging from the pleasant receptions we received from our charmers. We would assemble beneath some fair one's window and pour forth dulcet strains until we would see a light appear in the window, a signal that we were heard and appreciated. Sometimes the girls would invite us in and give us refreshments along with their thanks.
"Well, the years have gone by. I have retired from the publishing field, but the lure of printers' ink calls me even yet, and one of my pleasures is in writing some of the pioneer reminiscences as they occur to me.
"I served as Territorial Auditor for three terms. and was a City Councilman in the early '90s.
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"Early in life I adopted the slogan, 'Be not fearful to speak out, but be sure to speak right.' I can think of nothing more to add. I am down to cases. William Mitchell and my- selz are the only ones still living of the men and women I found in Olympia at the time of my first arrival."
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THE B. L. BROWN FAMILY
That this compilation of reminiscences should have been started 25 years ago was never more forcibly impressed than when the compiler undertook to gather the chief and most thrilling experiences of those delate pioneers. Benjamin F. Brown and his wife, Mary Olney Brown. Of the eleven children born to this couple, only the second to the last child, Oscar Brown. could be located. Oscar has been away from Olympia so much of his eventful life. that, perforce, his recol- lections of the early Olympia days are overshadowed by more exciting events in his life. Twice around the world. mining in Alaska, hunting and trapping along the Natches Pass and still wilder spots, taking adventurous cruises all alone in his trusty sail boat, ranger and guide in the Olympic reserve. Oscar's life history alone would fill a good-sized volume.
But had the writer only been inspired to start this work during the life of that noblest Roman of them all, Theodore L. Brown, what a rich field of tale and anecdote could have been opened up. He was full to the brim of stories of his early experiences. and as he was older than the remaining son. could remember farther back along in the days when his family lived on the old donation claim, a couple of miles down on the west side of the bay.
Benjamin F. Brown was born in South Orange, New Jersey. but removed to Iowa while still a young man. Here he met and married Miss Mary Olney and after a few years of married life, the young couple decided to try their fortunes in the Golden West that was then beginning to attract the adven- turous with its fair promises and glittering prospects.
The long trip was filled with more than the usual hard- ships and sorrow. for cholera and scurvy broke out in their train and many deaths among the emigrants were caused by these dread diseases. The Browns laid two of their little children away in lonely graves beside the muddy Platte River
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The grass on the plains was so dried up and the travelling so hard that all the horses that the couple started out with died along the way, the oxen began to give out, everyone who pos- sibly could had to walk to save the animals' strength and finally the cows, which were being driven along to supply milk to the emigrants and for a start of stoek in the new country. were yoked up with the oxen. Mrs. Brown told her children many a time, in happier times, about their finding a lone woman crying beside the road one hot. dreary day. Her family, horses all had died, leaving her there on the plains absolutely alone The Browns picked her up and brought her along to Oregon with them, sharing with the unfortunate woman their scanty store. Another of the many incidents of true nobleness al. .. generosity that stand out a white mile stone along the dark path of these early pioneers.
This trip was made in 1846. and the first stop for any length of time was made at Portland. A few years were spent at this place, and in the Spring of 1852 Mr. Brown, Washington French and John French came on up to Puget Sound. The country was then quite well known and attracting considerable attention. Mr. Brown's family was left in Portland. while he located on a donation claim that was for many years to be the homestead. The Frenchs also took up donation claims and became among the best known and respected of the early settlers. Washington French married a sister of Mrs. Brown.
When Brown returned for his family, he found that all his cattle, which he had left on the ranges near The Dalles, had perished the previous winter. All the live stock he had remaining was one poor, lone black cow. At this time an uncle of Mrs. Brown's. Cyrus Olney, had started a fruit nur- sery near Portland, the first one this side the Rockies. He raised his trees from apple seeds brought over the old Oregon Trail in ox wagons, and as the trees grew rapidly and thrived exceedingly well in the rich soil, there was enough stock ou hand to furnish Mr. Brown with a supply to bring to Puget Sound and sell among the settlers. These young trees were peddled clear to Steilacoom, over what is now Chehalis and Thurston and Lewis Counties. One dollar a graft was readily paid by the settlers. This was the first start towards the fine
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orchards which have since made Thurston County known for excellent fruit.
Mr. Brown's next business venture was to build the his- toric wharf on the Westside in partnership with John French. At this wharf were unloaded all the freight that came to Olympia from San Francisco for years, until Capt. Percival built the dock which is in use at the present time. Here steamers loaded wood, which Mr. Brown had cut and hauled by the hundreds of cords from the timber in the immediate vicinity of the wharf. Later Brown sold the timber on his donation claim to the veteran logger, I. C. Ellis, for 50 cents per thousand.
Oscar Brown is still able to recall tales his mother used to tell her children about the exchange of courtesies between her- self and the officers of the naval ships which would come into the harbor. Among the army officers she knew was U. S. Grant, then a stripling of a lieutenant, stationed at Fort Van- couver. The story runs that Grant was then as wild and dare- devil as any.
The mother's stories of their escapes from the Indians and the siege of terror in which the family lived for weeks, expecting an attack any night from the savages, are among the children's most vivid recollections. For several nights the whole Brown family slept out behind a big log, not daring to stay in their house for fear of a night raid. Finally the danger menaced so strongly that the family came to town and took up their quarters in the block house. During this time their son Theodore was born.
In the year of 1866 the Browns took up a homestead on White River and loading all their effects on a three-ton sail- boat, made Johnson's Point the first night, and then by easy stages the rest of their water trip. An Indian trail was fol- lowed when the boat was abandoned, and so on to the new home.
Later, Mrs. Brown took the children to Seattle and put them in school, the Territorial University being the place where the younger of the children received the greater part of their education. Theodore and his sister Harriet, who after- wards became Mrs. Murphy, developed very pleasing voices and whenever an entertainment of home talent was put on
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in the historic Yesler Hall they shone as bright particular stars.
Mrs. Brown was a woman of remarkable energy and pos- sessed of considerable literary talent. Her poems and writings for the local papers were much admired by her friends. Mrs. "Coldwater" Brown the lady was called in later years when the family returned to Olympia to live. She earned this title from the many cures she effected among children ill with fevers and other ailments. Her cures with applications of first hot. then cold water, were said to have been quite remarkable. Far and wide, in the country as well as in town. Mrs. Brown was sent for, night or day. She always responded to an appeal for help with unfailing zeal and kind heartedness. Her memory is still cherished by the descendants of the pioneers.
In searching over an old scrap book compiled by her son Theodore, was found the poem written by his mother, which is appended. It possesses true literary merit and is a fitting testimonial to the lady's ability in this line.
Mrs. Brown died in Olympia in 1884 and was survived by her husband by about ten years.
In 1891 the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Brown carried the first flag to the top of Mount Rainier that was left there. Some years previously one of the Longmires had carried a United States flag to the top, but had brought it away with him. Brown and party carried a flag staff with them and with great difficulty reached the summit. The staff was securely kept in an upright position with a pile of large rocks heaped around its base. The colors were hoisted and waved out in the fierce wind which was blowing. Scarcely had the flag straightened out than the wind snapped the staff off clean and blew staff. flag and all beyond their reach down the mountain side. Two years later the flag was recovered and pieces of the banner sold on the street of Seattle as souvenirs, a piece a few inches across selling for one dollar.
A sister, Mrs. Seth Murphy, died a number of years ago in Olympia. Theodore Lee Brown had always had a love for the old homestead, which had long since passed into strangers' hands. So in the later years of his life and after many adven- tures and wanderings. he purchased part of the land and began to build up a home. "The Firs." one of the best known of summer cottages on the Olympia water front, was built by him,
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much of the work around the place in the shape of rustic seats. the artistic name over the door and other more practical things being the work of his own hands. And here it came to pass his life ended where his life had practically begun after a pleasant and useful life of 56 years. In 1886 Theodore married Miss Martha Strange, of Menasha, Wisconsin, and his widow makes her home during all the summer months at the place he held so dear-The Firs.
MOUNT RAINIER.
(Poem written by Mary Olney Brown, a pioneer woman). Beautiful mountain, grand and sublime, Thou standest alone in thy pride ; Thy base firmly fixed on the adamant rock, Thy head in the clouds thou dost hide.
Say, tell me, how long since thou first was upheaved, From the bosom of earth thou didst rise ; Since the white snows have crested thy breast And thy head thou hast hid in the skies ?
Was it when the earth in its primeveal state First came from the hand of its God ? Ere the trees of the forest had spread forth their leaves, And the grass and the flowers decked the sod ?
How oft have I gazed on thy snow covered peak, With rapture no language can tell ; And thought couldst thou once be permitted to speak, Of strange things thou surely would tell.
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Thou couldst tell of the time when old ocean's tide First rolled its bright waves to the shore ; When beasts of the forest roamed over the earth And the birds in the air first did soar.
Thou eouldst tell of the nations that in ages gone by First dwelt on these valleys and plains-
But have passed from the earth like the flowers of the field, And naught of their grandeur remains
Save a few hoary ruins and burial grounds, By trees of the forest o'er grown ; That tell us that since those nations have lived, Long ages, indeed, must have flown.
But silent thou standest, in grandeur sublime And enraptured I gaze on thee still; With feelings no language of mine can express- My heart strings convulsively thrill.
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MRS. JANE W. PATTISON
The place Mrs. Jane Willey Pattison holds among the ranks of Thurston County pioneers is almost unique, for while every woman who came to this country over the Old Oregon Trail endured hardships and privations, dangers and sufferings, Mrs. Pattison's experiences, as related by herself, were so wild and thrilling that the pen of the compiler hesitates in seeking words strong enough and description sufficiently vivid to show the bravery and genuine pluck of this little woman.
Born in Ayreshire, Scotland, not far from Glasgow, daughter of well-to-do parents, the little Jane was brought to New York City when but three years old. Her life in that city is among Mrs. Pattison's earliest recollections, and she can remember it when it was but a scattering hamlet with but a few thousand inhabitants.
When Jane was seven years of age the Willeys moved into what was then the wilds of Illinois, taking up the occupation of farming. Here Jane grew to young womanhood, received her education and, in 1847, became the wife of James Patti- son, one of several brothers of a neighboring family.
"You know college-raised people generally are not much account, but my people were A No. 1." the little woman as- serted, with a pardonable pride, "and they had me taught how to do a great many useful things, and a number of accom- plishments besides. But Father-in-Law Pattison was a man terribly set in his way and when he said, 'We'll go out West,' none of his sons dared to object. We-my husband and my- self-wanted to go, too, in a way, but I didn't like being dic- tated to by the old man, but we finally decided to come along. though father-in-law was always boss of the train, and when he said stop we'd stop and when he said go on we'd travel, and it was that way the whole time of the long trip from Illinois. Mr. Pattison called for so many vexatious delays and was such a poor manager that we got caught out by the winter
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when we reached the Cascade Falls above Fort Vancouver. When we left Sparta, Illinois. there were the seven Pattison brothers, Mr. and Mrs. Pattison, senior, myself, with a three month's old baby in my arms, and another family named Willey. distant kin folks. This family, however, beeame dis- satisfied with father-in-law's management and left our com- pany before we were caught by the snow and cold.
"When we reached where The Dalles, Oregon, is (but which was then a perfect wilderness), the men cut logs and made a raft for us to go on down the Columbia River. Our baggage was piled on this rude craft and we humans huddled on as best we could. We were twelve days travelling nine miles. The winds were so strong that we were always being blown back the way we had come. The icy water was often dashed all over us and we were pretty thoroughly discouraged. When we reached the Cascades the snow was deep and the weather bitter cold. One of the Pattison brothers drove our oxen along the trail beside the river to where they could get some grass to eat. The brother then returned to help make the raft and when they went to look for the cattle they had strayed away and we never did find them. We were first snow- bound in the latter part of November, and on Christmas day we reached Portland.
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