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diff --git a/41493.txt b/41493.txt deleted file mode 100644 index eaa4ba3..0000000 --- a/41493.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,16921 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Quarterly of the Oregon Historical -Society, Vol. IV, by Various - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Quarterly of the Oregon Historical Society, Vol. IV - March, 1903-December, 1903 - -Author: Various - -Editor: Frederic George Young - -Release Date: November 26, 2012 [EBook #41493] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK QUARTERLY--OREGON HIST. SOC., VOL IV *** - - - - -Produced by Melissa McDaniel and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - - -Transcriber's Note: - - Inconsistent hyphenation and spelling in the original document have - been preserved. Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. - - Italic text is denoted by _underscores_. - - On page 80, "mearly" may be a typo for "merely". - On page 98, "could't" may be a typo for "couldn't". - The text refers to both "The Dalles" and "the Dalles". - On page 160, "ever charge" may be a typo for "every charge". - On pages 178 and 179, Rev. Waller's name is spelled Alvan then - Alvin. - On page 274, "Lahiana" may be a typo for "Lahaina". - - - - - THE - QUARTERLY - OF THE - OREGON HISTORICAL SOCIETY - - VOLUME IV - MARCH, 1903-DECEMBER, 1903 - - EDITED BY FREDERIC GEORGE YOUNG - - J. R. WHITNEY, STATE PRINTER - SALEM, OREGON - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - - -SUBJECT INDEX. - - PAGE - Astoria, The Educational History of. Alfred A. Cleveland 21-32 - - Astoria, Social and Economic History of. Alfred A. - Cleveland 130-149 - - Baker, Dorsey S.: A Pioneer Railroad Builder. Miles C. - Moore 195-201 - - Bancroft, The Origin and Authorship of the Pacific - States Publications: A History of a History. William - Alfred Morris 287-364 - - Calapooia, The Upper. George O. Goodall 70-77 - - Captain of Industry in Oregon, A Pioneer (Joseph Watt). - James R. Robertson 150-167 - - Centennial, The Lewis and Clark. F. G. Young 1-20 - - Corrections, Some. F. G. Young and H. S. Lyman 86-87, 286, 409 - - Civil War, Oregon and its Share in the. Robert Treat - Platt 89-109 - - Code of Oregon, History of the Preparation of the First. - James K. Kelly 185-194 - - Cone, Anson Sterling, Reminiscences of. H. S. Lyman 251-258 - - Documents:-- - - First Installment--Two Whitman Sources: "Arrival from - Oregon"--an editorial from the _New York Daily Tribune_ - of March 29, 1843, and "Cruising in the Sound"-- - communication to the _New York Spectator_, April 5, - 1843; newspaper excerpts relating to the Oregon - emigration movement 1842-1843 168-184 - - Second Installment--Oregon material taken from file of - an Independence (Mo.) and Weston (Mo.) paper for - 1844-1845 and from other papers in that vicinity 270-286 - - Third Installment--Letter of Jedediah S. Smith, David - E. Jackson, and William L. Sublette (1830) giving an - account of the taking of the first wagons to the Rocky - Mountains and of the Hudson Bay Company post, Fort - Vancouver, also operations of Company in Oregon Country - & excerpts from St. Louis papers, 1832-1848, on the - migration to and settlement of Oregon 394-409 - - Early Days in Oregon, Glimpses of. Charlotte Moffett - Cartwright 55-69 - - Easts, Two, The Great West and the. Henry E. Reed 110-129 - - Economic History of Astoria, Social and. Alfred A. - Cleveland 130-149 - - Educational History of Astoria, The. Alfred A. - Cleveland 21-32 - - Holman, Joseph, Short Biography of. Dictated by himself 392-394 - - Hopkins, Mrs. Rebeka, Reminiscences. H. S. Lyman 259-261 - - Independence (Mo.), Excerpts from papers of 270-286 - - Indian Tradition, Minto Pass; Its History and an. John - Minto 241-250 - - Indian Wars of Southern Oregon. William M. Colvig 227-240 - - Industry, a Pioneer Captain of, in Oregon. (Joseph - Watt) 150-167 - - Jackson, David E., Letter of, with Jedediah S. Smith - and William L. Sublette 395-398 - - La Bonte's, Louis, Recollections of Men. H. S. Lyman 264-266 - - Lane County, Early Schools in. Jos. H. Sharp 267-268 - - Lewis and Clark, The, Centennial. F. G. Young 1-20 - - Minto Pass: Its History and an Indian Tradition. John - Minto 241-250 - - Montures on French Prairie, The. S. A. Clarke 268-269 - - Oregon and Its Share in the Civil War. Robert Treat - Platt 89-109 - - Oregon, History of the Preparation of the First Code of. - James K. Kelly 185-194 - - Oregon, Indian Wars of Southern. William M. Colvig 227-240 - - Pacific States Publications, The Origin and Authorship - of the Bancroft. William Alfred Morris 287-364 - - Papers, Pioneer, of Puget Sound. Clarence B. Bagley 365-385 - - Paternalism, An Object Lesson in. T. W. Davenport 33-54 - - Puget Sound, Pioneer Papers of. Clarence B. Bagley 365-385 - - Railroad Builder, A Pioneer: Dorsey S. Baker. Miles C. - Moore 195-201 - - Rees, Willard H., In Memoriam of. John Minto 386-391 - - Reminiscences Anson Sterling Cone. Mrs. Rebeka Hopkins, - Mrs. Anna Tremewan, and Louis La Bonte 251-266 - - San Francisco. From Walla Walla to Captain John Mullan, - U. S. A. 202-226 - - Schools, Early, in Lane County. Jos. H. Sharp 267-268 - - Social and Economic History of Astoria. Alfred A. - Cleveland 130-149 - - Smith, Jedediah S., Letter of, with David E. Jackson - and William L. Sublette 395-398 - - Southern Oregon, Indian Wars of. William M. Colvig 227-240 - - Sublette, William L., Letter of, with David E. Jackson - and Jedediah S. Smith 395-398 - - Tremewan, Mrs. Anna, Reminiscences of. H. S. Lyman 261-264 - - Walla Walla, From, to San Francisco. Captain John - Mullan, U. S. A. 202-226 - - West, The Great, and the Two Easts. Henry E. Reed 110-129 - - Weston (Mo.), Excerpts from papers of 270-286 - - Wood, Tallmadge B., Letters of 80-85 - - - - -AUTHORS' INDEX. - - - PAGE - _Bagley, Clarence B._--Pioneer Papers of Puget Sound 365-385 - - _Cartwright, Charlotte Moffett_--Glimpses of Early Days - in Oregon 55-69 - - _Clarke, S. A._--The Montures on French Prairie 268-269 - - _Cleveland, Alfred A._--The Educational History of - Astoria 21-32 - - _Cleveland, Alfred A._--Social and Economic History of - Astoria 130-143 - - _Colvig, William M._--Indian Wars of Southern Oregon 227-240 - - _Davenport, T. W._--An Object Lesson in Paternalism 33-54 - - _Goodall, George O._--The Upper Calapooia 70-77 - - _Jackson, David E._--Letter of, with Smith and - Sublette 395-398 - - _Kelly, James K._--History of the Preparation of the - First Code of Oregon 185-194 - - _Lyman, Horace S._--Reminiscences of, Anson Sterling - Cone; Mrs. Rebeka Hopkins; Mrs. Anna Tremewan; Louis - La Bonte 251-266 - - _Lyman, Horace S._--Some Corrections 86-87 - - _Minto, John_--Minto Pass: Its History and an Indian - Tradition 241-250 - - _Minto, John_--In Memoriam of Willard H. Rees 386-391 - - _Moore, Miles C._--A Pioneer Railroad Builder: Dorsey S. - Baker 195-201 - - _Mullan, Captain John_--From Walla Walla to San - Francisco 202-226 - - _Platt, Robert Treat_--Oregon and Its Share in the - Civil War 89-109 - - _Reed, Henry E._--The Great West and the Two Easts 110-129 - - _Robertson, James Rood_--A Pioneer Captain of Industry - in Oregon (Joseph Watt) 150-167 - - _Sharp, Jos. H._--Early Schools in Lane County 267-268 - - _Smith, Jedediah S._--Letter of, with Jackson and - Sublette 395-398 - - _Sublette, William L._--Letter of, with Jackson and - Smith 395-398 - - _Wood, Tallmadge B._--Letters of 80-86 - - _Young, Frederic George_--The Lewis and Clark - Centennial 1-20 - - - - - THE QUARTERLY - OF THE - OREGON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. - - VOLUME IV. MARCH, 1903 NUMBER 1 - - - - -THE LEWIS AND CLARK CENTENNIAL. - -THE OCCASION AND ITS OBSERVANCE. - - -Much that seems favorable, and not a little that is clearly -unfavorable, has come to the Lewis and Clark Centennial because its -date is just a year later than that of the Louisiana Purchase -Centennial. A striking advantage in this close succession is, however, -still to be used. It is the idea of a centennial at Portland in the -Columbia Valley in the very next year following one at Saint Louis on -the Mississippi that needs to be exploited. In this close succession -of these two centennials of the access of the American nationality to -regions of which one lies far beyond the other we have the key to the -fullest interpretation of the national significance of the anniversary -of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Nothing else could so tellingly -exhibit the basis for a peculiar national interest in our anniversary -as the fact that it is virtually contemporary with that to be observed -at Saint Louis. The purchase of Louisiana bears practically the same -natal relation to the western half of the Mississippi Valley that the -Lewis and Clark expedition does to the Pacific Northwest. This the -average American citizen no doubt finds it hard to realize. Oregon, -however, can boast age over the other commonwealths west of the -Mississippi, excepting only Missouri and Iowa and they are barely -older. - -The western half of the Mississippi Valley has far outstripped us in -material development. Nevertheless, considering the conditions of -isolation under which the people of Oregon have labored they can be -justly proud of the progress that has been made here in all lines of -endeavor. Saint Louis will be justified in vaunting in 1904 the -achievements and results of a century of development in the region of -which she is the metropolis; but Portland, as the metropolis of the -Pacific Northwest, would have been culpably derelict if she had not -undertaken an observance of the centennial of the Lewis and Clark -expedition that shall emphasize to the nation and to the world the -significance of the occupation of the Pacific coast by the American -people, and to foster the aspirations of one of the most favored -sections on the face of the earth. The basis of our claim to a -national recognition of our anniversary is something more solid than -the fact that we have added what we have to the material strength of -the nation. The secret of the unparalleled effort that Oregon proposes -to make for the observance of the Lewis and Clark centennial lies -deeper than a mere feeling of exultation over material development and -the hope of advertising our resources to the world. - -The Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition has clearly two unique and -complementary missions. It should bring fully into the national -consciousness the historic services through which this nation attained -an outlook upon the Pacific comparable with that on the Atlantic, and -the significance of this to the future of the American people. It -should address itself to the peculiar problems of progress on this -coast and thus mark an epoch in the added impetus, the better -organization, and the higher aims it gives us as a people; rightly -planned it would be an exposition of patriotic national services and -of the problems of largest social progress--an exposition of western -history and western problems. - -The Lewis and Clark expedition and the Oregon movement, or the -American movement to the Pacific, which the Lewis and Clark expedition -initiated, have not yet had anything like an adequate interpretation -in American history. Oregon represents the greatest opportunity in our -national life--an opportunity that the fathers of Oregon made as well -as seized. A sequel to the Oregon opportunity, or rather a part of it, -were the immense gains south of the forty-second parallel on the -Pacific Slope. Through the Oregon opportunity realized this American -democracy has a territorial basis for supremacy among the nations of -the world, and this nation and all mankind will profit from it to the -end of time. The Louisiana Purchase was not an opportunity made, but -only one accepted when it was tossed into the nation's lap. The Oregon -opportunity, as it stands in history and in promise for the future--in -what is realized and in what is only potential--is in its import only -second to the American opportunity. It had to do with the winning of a -domain that made our nation four-square and continental, with a -national territory commensurate with the spirit and possibilities of -the American people. - -The development of the situation on this coast, which the Lewis and -Clark expedition converted into America's opportunity, was something -like this: Four hundred years ago this continent lay unoccupied save -by a race destined to melt away before the onslaughts of the sturdier -European. The Spaniard, schooled by eight centuries of crusading -against the Moor, whom he had finally driven from Spanish soil, was in -the moment of victory, when his hands were free and spirit exultant, -pointed by Columbus the supposed way to the Indies, long-famed for -unparalleled riches. Spanish hopes were high and the cavaliers came -on. - -They passed by the West Indies in quest of gold. Cortes and Pizarro -found something of their hearts' desire in Mexico and Peru. So on they -pressed down the west coast of South America and up the west coast of -North America and across the Pacific; but the vigor of the Spaniard -was about wasted. He hung helplessly to his outposts on the flanks of -the Pacific Northwest. At the beginning of the last quarter of the -eighteenth century he rallied and sent vessels up and down the coast -of Oregon; but his explorations were not determinate, and they were -not followed by occupation. Early in the eighteenth century the -Muscovite, advancing eastward across Siberia, had reached the shores -of the Pacific, and soon gained a foothold on our northern shores, -with designs on all this coast. England, too, was ready to have a hand -in the contest for this last great territorial prize on the North -American continent. Elated by her decisive victories over her mortal -enemy, France, and, by the treaty of Paris, 1763, the proud possessor -of all of the eastern half of this continent, of India, mistress of -the seas, conscious also of the great advantages that the invention of -the steam engine, the power loom and other machinery gave her, she -dispatched explorers to scan the different quarters of the globe for -new possessions. Captain Cook outlined the shores of Australia and of -many other lands of the south seas, and in 1778 was off the Oregon -coast. At the same time enterprising Britons were pressing westward -along the Great Lakes and overland toward this still available portion -of the continent. Thus, the progressive nations of the world were -closing in on this last choice imperial domain of the temperate zone -awaiting a pre-emptor--the possessor of which would be the natural -master of the Pacific. At this critical juncture the then young -American nation was fortunate in the spirit of maritime enterprise -among the merchants of Boston. Seeking the profits of trade in furs -which the voyage of Cook had revealed, they sent Captains Gray and -Kendrick to the North Pacific coast, and in 1792 Gray, in the ship -Columbia, performed the feat that secured to this country priority of -right to the basin of the Columbia. Still more fortunate was this -country at this time in having the prescient mind of Thomas Jefferson -devoted to its interests. While Gray's vessel was lying in the -Columbia he was getting up a subscription for sending explorers -overland to the Pacific. Even ten years before this he had proposed an -expedition to the Pacific under the leadership of George Rogers Clark. -He then had it in mind to head off an English enterprise of which he -had heard; but it was not until 1803, twenty years after his first -effort in this direction, that Jefferson succeeded in getting the -means for the first and by far the most important of our national -exploring expeditions--the Lewis and Clark. - -But this was not simply an exploring expedition. It represents better -than any other one event the expansion of this nation from the -Mississippi to the Pacific. The expedition was great not merely even -in what it symbolizes. It was grandly great in itself, in its -inception, and in execution. It was the herald of the American -democracy making its way across the continent to the Pacific, but it -was more. There was the highest nobility of purpose in its inception, -and matchless skill and fortitude in its execution. Not only in the -train of its consequences, but in every aspect was it glorious and -worthy of a national celebration. The burden of the special message of -January 18, 1803, through which President Jefferson secured an -appropriation for it, was the maintenance of the factory system, or -the trading posts, among the Indian tribes of the west. Jefferson -took keenest delight in a project to extend the bounds of knowledge -and which he hoped would open a water route of commerce across the -continent with Asia. Yet on the face of it the Lewis and Clark -expedition had primarily its inception as a means for promoting the -success of these government trading posts among the Indians. This -governmental policy, connected with the administration of the factory -system, was the one comprehensive, wise, and humane national effort to -raise a lower race to the plane of civilization. The idea was to -supply the Indian at cost, in exchange for his furs and other -products, the implements of husbandry and the comforts of civilized -life, at the same time to protect him from the demoralizing influences -of the vicious among the white men. The Lewis and Clark expedition was -thus in its origin associated with a work of the largest philanthropy, -"a system," says Captain Chittenden, author of "The American Fur Trade -in the Far West," "which, if followed out as it should have been, -would have led the Indian to his new destiny by easy stages, and would -have averted the long and bloody wars, corruption, and bad faith, -which have gained for a hundred years of our dealings with the Indians -the unenviable distinction of a 'Century of Dishonor.'" - -In his instructions to the leaders of the expedition Jefferson showed -the tenderest solicitude for the welfare of the red man. The -expedition could not have been in better hands. Captain Chittenden -says of it: "This celebrated performance stands as incomparably the -most perfect achievement of its kind in the history of the world." Dr. -Elliott Coues has this about it: "The story of this adventure stands -easily first and alone. This is our national epic of exploration." To -appreciate the unique skill of leadership in this expedition we need -but compare its success with the wretched failure of the "Yellowstone -Expedition" of 1820, which was to have gone over but a part of the -route of Lewis and Clark. This had an outfit many times more expensive -than that of Lewis and Clark and ten times as many men; but it went to -pieces before it got beyond what is now Omaha. - -Unique as the Lewis and Clark expedition was in its original purposes -and in its execution, the Oregon people are sponsors for the -celebration of its coming centennial anniversary mainly because of the -consequences with which it was fraught. Theodore Roosevelt, in his -"Winning of the West," speaks of it as opening "the door into the -heart of the West." His book has the date mark "1896." It was written -before the battle of Manila, and the treaty closing the -Spanish-American war which placed the Philippines permanently under -our care, before America's determining part in preserving the -integrity of China after the quelling of the Boxer insurrection. It -was written before President Roosevelt had set his eyes upon the -Pacific Northwest. If, after the latter days of this month (May), he -ever again has occasion to characterize the import of the Lewis and -Clark expedition, his dictum will be more like this: "It led to the -acquisition of the whole Pacific Coast, containing the fairest and -richest regions under the American flag, and made inevitable the -American mastery of the Pacific and American supremacy among the -nations of the world." It is, surely, not preposterous to expect a -revision of the verdict of history on the significance of the Lewis -and Clark expedition. Henry Adams, than whom no scholar has done -better work on the history of the United States, in volume IV of his -history, with date mark, 1890, speaks of the Lewis and Clark -expedition in this wise: "The crossing of the continent was a great -feat, but it was nothing more. * * Great gains to civilization could -be made only on the Atlantic coast under the protection of civilized -life." Mr. Adams in this estimate seems wholly blind to the fact that -nations like individuals have opportunities presented to them which -seized may not give immediate results but which have an ever -increasing influence upon their destiny. In the Lewis and Clark -expedition this nation took the flood tide to world supremacy. Three -years ago, when American arms and diplomacy were exercising such a -determining influence on the problem of mankind in China, I heard -Prof. F. J. Turner of the University of Wisconsin, the highest -authority on western history, who writes so forcibly on the Louisiana -Purchase in the current number of the _Review of Reviews_, say, that -"the occupation of the Pacific Coast by the American people was not -only the greatest event in American history, but a great event in all -history." - -That the American movement Oregonward and Pacificward followed -strictly in the wake of the Lewis and Clark expedition has many -proofs. Even before Lewis and Clark reached Saint Louis on their -homeward journey they met parties of traders and trappers bound for -the heart of the wilderness from which they were returning. These were -acting on the information Lewis and Clark had sent back from their -Mandan winter quarters. A few months after they reached Saint Louis -the Missouri Fur Company was organized to conduct operations on the -Upper Missouri, that is, on the trail of Lewis and Clark. Four years -later John Jacob Astor organized the Pacific Fur Company, and devised -plans including a great emporium at the mouth of the Columbia, trade -with China on the west, with the Russian settlements on the north, and -a line of trading posts overland on the Lewis and Clark route. Astor's -scheme was a feasible one, but the war of 1812 came on and England -dispatched a vessel to capture the American post on the Columbia. -Before this reached Astoria the British sympathizers among Astor's -partners sold him out. Astor was probably the first to have a vision -not only of what the nation was to gain on this coast, but also of -what more might have been gained had President Madison been as bold in -regard to his enterprise as was Jefferson in the Louisiana purchase. -Had this been so Captain Chittenden thinks "the political map of North -America would not be what it is to-day," implying that there would -have been an uninterrupted American Pacific coast line from the -extreme north to the Mexican boundary. - -So far our rights to the region were based on priority in discovery, -in exploration, and in occupation; but now for a period of thirty -years the British Hudson Bay Company was to have almost undisputed -possession. However, the rights established by Gray, Lewis and Clark, -and Astor did not lapse and could not be set aside through occupation -by a mere trading company. During nearly all of this thirty-year -period the Boston schoolmaster, Hall J. Kelley, was agitating the -colonization of Oregon, and in 1832, and again in 1834, Nathaniel J. -Wyeth, with herculean effort, indomitable perseverance, and incredible -energy led expeditions to the Columbia only to meet with disaster when -with his slender means he was pitted against the mighty corporation in -possession here. With Wyeth came the first party of missionaries. The -"Mountain Men"--retired trappers--soon followed, seeking homes here; -and, beginning with 1842, annual migrations of thousands of Oregon -pioneers were on the way. The Lewis and Clark exploration had thus led -to a national movement--"the migration of a people," says Captain -Chittenden, "seeking to avail itself of opportunities which have come -but rarely in the history of the world, and which will never come -again." The route traced by these Oregon pioneers will some day be -restored as a national memorial highway, and will be celebrated in -song and story, every mile of which has the tenderest associations of -hardship and suffering, but also of high purpose and stern -determination; and yet the Oregon trail was in the strictest sense a -derivative of the Lewis and Clark trail. For nearly twenty years the -Lewis and Clark route up the Missouri River had been the only one used -to reach the Rocky-mountain wilderness, but in the fall of 1823 a -party of trappers, pushing westward from the Yellowstone and desirous -of avoiding the implacable Blackfeet on the Upper Missouri, turned to -the south and discovered in South Pass, an easy crossing of the Rocky -Mountains. The region beyond on the headwaters of the Green and Snake -rivers, and in the basin of the Great Salt Lake, was found to be rich -in furs. Henceforth to some point in this region the annual cavalcades -of the fur companies would come and there meet their own trappers, the -free trappers, and the Indians of all the interior country. This was -the annual rendezvous for trading, for the delivery of the season's -catch of furs, and for equipment for the next year's activity. In -making this annual round trip from Saint Louis the original route into -this transmontane country, the half-circle route along the Missouri, -was naturally abandoned for a great cut-off from the western borders -of Missouri to the South Pass. A direct route northwestward across the -plains of present Kansas and Nebraska to the Platte, up the Platte and -the North Fork and its tributary, the Sweetwater, was found to be the -finest natural highway in the world. To reach Oregon the pioneers took -this great cut off of the Lewis and Clark trail, and from its western -terminus on the upper waters of the Snake they had but to follow the -route of Hunt's Astor party until the original Lewis and Clark trail -was struck again on the Columbia. The Lewis and Clark trail was thus -the basis from which was developed the Oregon trail. - -During the forties, when the national movement was setting strongly -towards the Pacific, Oregon was an uppermost subject in the thought, -and frequently in the plans, of a large portion of the people of this -country. Oregon pioneers were clinching our hold upon the Pacific -coast. The party slogan of "fifty-four forty or fight" in 1844 had -response deep in the hearts of a great majority of the people of the -northern part of the Mississippi Valley, and stirred the whole nation. -American influences and activities in California from 1846 on radiated -mainly from Oregon. Captain Fremont was sent out originally to explore -the best route to Oregon, and went to California from Oregon. William -Marshall, the discoverer of gold in California in 1848 was an Oregon -pioneer of 1844. Peter H. Burnett, the first governor of California, -was an Oregon pioneer of 1843. The exclusion of slave labor from the -mines of California was largely due to the "Columbia-river men." But -now at the close of the forties came the diversion of the national -interest from Oregon amounting almost to an eclipse of Oregon for some -fifty years. The annexation of Texas, the war with Mexico, the gold -discovery in California, the opening of the Kansas and Nebraska lands, -the civil war, the development of the manufacturing industries, the -occupation of the Dakotas, absorbed in turn the main attention and -energies of the nation, leaving outlying Oregon in comparative -obscurity, with resources developing but slowly. - -Oregon's day, however, is dawning again. America's surplus energy is -no longer absorbed in gold mining in California, in occupying the -plains of Kansas, Nebraska, or the Dakotas. The overloaded passenger -trains to the Pacific Northwest tell unmistakably the nation's need of -this region. It needs our farm lands. It will more and more urgently -need our lumber and our water power and our outlook upon the Pacific; -and to whom do the American people owe the possession of these -incomparable and growing boons but to Lewis and Clark and to the -pioneers to whom Lewis and Clark pointed the way. Governor Chamberlain -was right the other night when at Boise he spoke of the Lewis and -Clark expedition as Jefferson's greatest act. Alongside the two -inscriptions on Jefferson's monument selected by him, namely, that he -was the author of the Declaration of Independence and that he was the -founder of the University of Virginia, posterity will fain inscribe -the fact that he was the promoter and organizer of the Lewis and Clark -expedition. - -The observance of the Lewis and Clark Centennial, therefore, is an -occasion in which the American people as a whole and through their -government have the largest reasons for generous participation. For -great was the Oregon opportunity to the nation and the Lewis and Clark -expedition was the key that opened it. All honor from the nation at -large is due to those who made this national opportunity and seized -it. The possession of the Pacific coast was the corollary and sequel -to the Oregon movement; but the Oregon movement itself was corollary -to nothing less than the spirit and vigor of the American people and -their foothold upon this continent. - -We have, then, a national occasion second only to that of Philadelphia -in 1876; and the first great mission of the centennial will be -realized when its occasion has been so interpreted and enforced that a -hearty and liberal participation in the celebration on the part of the -nation has been secured so that our American national consciousness -may fully realize what has been "the course of empire" with us as a -nation and what it is almost certain to be in the future. - -The accomplishment of the other mission of the exposition requires a -true interpretation of the problem of largest progress for the Pacific -Northwest. Expositions worthy of the name can not be "hit or miss" -affairs. They are not mere congeries of remarkable products. An -exposition should have an organic unity and a distinct aim. Its aim -must bear directly on the highest interests of the supporting -community. There are peculiar reasons for the exercise of the highest -degree of care and insight in the organization of the Lewis and Clark -Centennial Exposition. No people ever before invested so heavily in -proportion to their means as Portland and Oregon propose to invest in -the Lewis and Clark Centennial. No exposition was ever held in a -community so plastic, so completely in the making as are Portland and -Oregon. The current of common thought and effort is so strongly set -toward the Lewis and Clark Centennial that the very cast of Oregon's -civilization in the future will surely come from what is realized in -that event. The exposition will leave an inspired, unified, and -enlightened people, with ideals newly defined and elevated; or it will -be followed by more or less of humiliation, factional strife, -disgrace, blighting discouragement, with sordid ideals and disordered -social relations. - -Most auspicious was Oregon's response to the idea of a celebration. -Stronger faith in the good that may come from unity in action toward -higher things no other people has ever shown; and why should not -Oregon have faith in greater things for herself and the Pacific -Northwest? The Pacific Northwest bears almost exactly the same -relation to the rest of the nation east of us geographically, -historically, and economically that Greece bore to the Orient, and -that England bore to the continental nations of Europe. - -I take it, then, that the normal attitude towards the exposition -project is one that regards it as a serious undertaking, having -tremendous possibilities for making or marring much in the future of -Oregon. The exposition comes when Oregon is just at the flood tide of -new opportunities--opportunities that require twentieth century -enlightenment on the part of the masses if these opportunities are to -yield anything like unmixed good. Just as the Lewis and Clark -expedition was the key that opened the Oregon opportunity to the -nation so is the Lewis and Clark Centennial admirably adapted to -become the key to open the way to the highest development of -industrial democracy in the Pacific Northwest and to realize its -leadership in social progress on this continent. We have, I think, a -fine example given us by the authorities of Louisiana Purchase -Exposition of how to plan definitely an exposition to accomplish a -great purpose. The main idea with them is to make a world's fair for -the first time represent the world in epitome as a "going concern." -They thus express their main purpose: "As to the lesson for the world, -the Directorate desire to make a leading point. It is to show life and -movement. * * An attempt will be made to put the world before the eye -of the visitor, each exhibit being so displayed as to make plain its -story, its purpose, and its aim." And again: "The Department of -Education is made the first department of the classification in -accordance with the theory upon which the entire exposition is -founded. * * * Through education man comes to a knowledge of his -powers, and of the possibilities of life, and upon it are dependent -the processes which extend throughout all the fields of industry. This -correlation of the powers of the brain and of the hand of man, -extending throughout the entire exhibit scheme of the exposition, -will, for the first time in the history of expositions, afford a -strictly scientific basis for the collection and classification of -objects." And finally: "At Saint Louis, the prevailing characteristic, -it is intended, shall be life and motion, and the installation of -products and processes in juxtaposition. The classification is based -upon this plan, and its effects upon the proportions of the buildings -is noticeable in that Machinery Hall is relatively so small in area. -The machines through whose operation raw material is converted into -use and the processes employed in utilizing natural products will be -exhibited, so that not only will the fund of human information be -greatly increased, but suggestion will be made to students, -scientists, and inventors that will give still greater development -to genius in the following than in the preceding decade." - -The World's Fair, in this carefully planned purpose, affords a fine -model for the Lewis and Clark Exposition. But Portland is not simply -to do for the Pacific Northwest and the other peoples in close -economic and commercial relations with it what Saint Louis aspires to -do for the world. Saint Louis undertakes what was distinctively the -nineteenth century problem--that of mastery by man of the physical -forces of the world and of more nearly perfect adjustment to his -natural environment. The Louisiana Purchase Exposition, with its World -Congress of the Arts and Sciences, and all of its exhibits arranged to -promote the development of invention and the application of scientific -methods to industry, has a great mission; and yet the peculiar field -which belongs to the Lewis and Clark Exposition gives it, if not a -greater mission, at least one more advanced--if you please a twentieth -century mission. Man in the Pacific Northwest has a peculiar problem. -All the science and art of the past are his legacy. They fairly press -in upon him in their appeal to him for utilization here. Man here has -a physical environment so rich and so diversified as not only to -invite the largest application of science and art, but also one that -demands the highest organization of associated effort. In other -words, the Pacific Northwest places man in such relation to history, -to nature, and to his fellow-man, as to promise him here, if his -inheritance is not sold for a mess of pottage, man's highest -development. It rests with the Lewis and Clark Exposition to rise to -the occasion. For it represents a first possible step in a grand -cooperative effort to develop a social environment here commensurate -with what nature has done for us. If for a ruthless, wasteful course -of social evolution that would never reach any desirable goal we would -realize one of steady, frictionless progress, with opportunities of -fullest life open to all, we must make the Lewis and Clark Centennial -fulfill its high mission. If the people of Oregon and the Pacific -Northwest do not persist in their determination to make this concerted -effort toward the inauguration of the highest policies of social -progress here it is hard to see what occasion can bring them so near -this mood again. It is the spell that the commemoration of a great -event and a great movement casts over them that will hardly be -repeated. The Lewis and Clark Centennial then is the flood tide of -opportunity. If it is not seized and we lapse again into mere -individualistic policies "all the voyage" of life in the future of the -Pacific Northwest will be bound in comparative "shallows and in -miseries." - -An exposition planned to meet the twentieth century needs becomes the -herald of an industrial democracy in which there is a completely -harmonious cooperation for the realization of the highest social -ideals. It is dawning upon us that publicity is the first condition of -relief from the trust evil. We need yet, however, to realize that -essential publicity or light is the talisman for developing a true -democratic spirit to which are disclosed ever expanding vistas of -possibilities. The first great duty of the exposition authorities is -to bring to the people of the Pacific Northwest the largest -enlightenment on the natural resources of this region. Taking our -timber resources as an illustration, we are painfully aware that the -timber holdings are not as widely and equably distributed among the -masses as one could wish; but we have many rich natural monopolies -which the whole people should share. They have common and incalculable -permanent interests in the forests of Oregon, in the water power of -our streams, in our facilities for irrigation, in the mines, and in -the ensemble of natural beauty here. Shall the great natural forest -areas in Oregon which may become the source of an ever increasing flow -of wealth for all time for the whole people be allowed, without state -forestry activity, to become mere waste places for weed trees? We are -told by Mr. Elwood Mead, Chief of the Division of Irrigation, that he -believes Oregon "has the largest area of unimproved land whereon -irrigation is possible of any State in the Union." Here is a great -interest in which most fortunately a policy of cooperation between the -state and the nation has been instituted. What could be more -propitious for the good fortune of the people than an active -cooperation between the authorities of the exposition and the United -States bureaus of forestry, irrigation, and the United States -geological survey in preparing an exhibit of the data on the interests -of the people of the State in these natural resources? With such -definite, earnest, and laudable purposes in view, Congress and the -Administration would respond to the claims of the Lewis and Clark -Exposition in a very different spirit from that with which they have -met recent expositions. - -By means of models, relief maps, photographs, drawings, charts, and -graphic representations generally, along with congresses and the -discussions by the press, the people, and their legislators, would -come to take an intelligent and far-sighted view of these great -inheritances of theirs. A whole summer given to the exposition of the -people's interests in their common heritage, with the use of the best -art of illustration, representation, and elucidation, would awaken a -living interest so that they would make sure of their rights, conserve -an equality of opportunities and make our natural resources yield -their highest social utility. Our experience with our state school -lands shows that such a fortunate condition is absolutely impossible -without the influence an exposition could exert toward an -enlightenment on our public inheritances. - -The Municipal Exposition at Dresden, Germany, during this summer, -gives a suggestion for a municipal department for our exposition that -would work a transformation in our civic spirit and enlightenment. How -glorious it would be for Oregon if the Lewis and Clark Fair Clubs -would in dead earnest determine to possess themselves of the -philosophy of city making, and to do their best to control municipal -activity in Oregon so as to make it conserve highest economic and -aesthetic ends and bring about rational unity in all municipal -development and foster an architectural spirit. Why not commission a -delegate to Dresden? Why not begin to make wholesome, beautiful, and -edifying the Oregon village and city, so that, as a whole, each may be -a positive joy forever? The same strenuous idealism would find a rich -field in the affairs of our counties and of our school districts. The -Oregon farm must come in for as many meliorating influences as the -Oregon town. All that good roads, graded schools, traveling libraries, -neighborhood telephones, and model farm establishments can do to -elevate the social conditions of farm life will be greatly furthered -by the exposition; but the problem that is fundamental with the -people, both of the town and of the country, pertains not merely to -sharing the unearned increment of the natural and artificial -monopolies, but also to participation in the gains of all capitalized -industry. It is the problem of "peopleizing" the industries. Corporate -organization and management should be a department of the exposition. -By the elimination of all the unnecessary risk in investments in -corporation securities through effective governmental regulation and -supervision the people may gain control and reap the large profits of -capitalized industry. The exposition will have its highest mission in -securing to the people an interest in the gains and a share in the -control of our industrial organizations. - -The next generation of Oregonians will not be found wanting in their -ardor for the welfare of the state as a whole, in patriotic zeal for -the betterment of all the conditions of life here and in aspiration to -give the Pacific Northwest leadership in social progress if the -schools are furnished the story of the Oregon opportunity as it was -made and realized. This, as told by the actors themselves, should be -compiled and distributed to the districts. The highest pitch of -emulation to the mastery of this story and interest in the aims of the -exposition may advisedly be secured by a system of prize essays on -important topics pertaining to Oregon's development. - -This outline of the features that the exposition might include does -not debar from it popular and recreative attractions. It does not slur -the exhibition of the remarkable products of the farm, the orchard, -the mine, the river, the forests, and the factory. The ideas -emphasized will only give these products multiplied significance, -bringing them into vital relations with life that is more than meat, -drink, and wear. An exposition thus rationally planned will be the -poor man's greatest hope. If he loses the aid it would give him toward -the right solution of the social problem the odds are terribly against -him in the race for an equitable distribution. Such an exposition -would go far toward securing an open door to an equality of -opportunity for all in Oregon. To block the organization of such an -exposition would not be far from social suicide for the masses. - -The dominance of economic forces in progress is becoming more and more -exclusive. It devolves upon the people to comprehend fully the living -forces, and, by comprehending them, put themselves in position to -control them and mold them to the higher uses of conserving an -equality of opportunity for all. The Lewis and Clark Exposition lends -itself wholly to this great mission. It is hard to see how a means -quite so propitious will be available again. - - F. G. YOUNG. - - - - -THE EDUCATIONAL HISTORY OF ASTORIA, OREGON. - - -The study of the school history of Astoria is of interest to the -student of education in that it reveals a condition different from -that of some of the other cities of Oregon, particularly those of the -Willamette Valley. In the latter, private and public schools struggled -for the mastery, with the private school far in the lead for many -years.[1] In Astoria, on the contrary, the public school idea had a -firm hold from the beginning and asserted itself as soon as the -establishment of a public school was possible. The history of -Astoria's educational progress, covering a period of fifty-two years, -is chiefly the story of the beginning and gradual development of a -system of public schools. There is traceable, however, something of -the conflict, so prominent elsewhere, between the public and the -private school idea. - - -PRIVATE SCHOOLS. - -Astoria's first school, started in 1851, was of necessity private, -owing to the fact that the school law, passed in 1849, was practically -inoperative, and, in consequence, no public money was available. In -the summer of 1851 the Rev. C. O. Hosford, a Methodist minister, at -the earnest solicitation of some dozen parents, opened a school near -the corner of Eighth and Bond streets, in a small two-room building, -erected for use as dwelling house for the teacher, and schoolhouse.[2] -This little pioneer school had an enrollment of ten pupils, and was -supported by private subscription. Public sentiment favored a public -school, and its modifying influence is seen at this time. No tuition -was charged the individual pupil, but the parents contributed toward -the support of the school each according to his means rather than in -proportion to the number of children he sent to the school. Mr. V. -Boelling, in addition to furnishing the schoolhouse and residence for -the teacher free of charge, contributed twenty of the forty dollars -paid monthly to the teacher.[3] The school was in session during the -months of June, July, August, and September.[4] - -It is probable that between the closing of this school and the -starting of the public school proper there were other semi-public -schools.[5] Private schools were a necessity in Upper Astoria, owing -to the small number of families there and the lack of means of -communication between the two parts of the town. There were at least -two private schools here prior to 1859, and they were patronized by -the children of three families.[6] That this was done in at least one -case from necessity, rather than choice, is shown by the fact that one -of the patrons of these schools, T. P. Powers, a few years later, was -the prime mover in the establishment of the Upper Astoria public -school.[7] Miss Pope and Mrs. H. B. Morse were two of the teachers -employed in these schools. - -In 1864 the first school that was in any sense a rival of the public -school was started. The Grace Church Parish School became the rallying -point for the first opposition to public education. This support alone -would perhaps not have been sufficient to maintain it; but it also -filled a place in the educational field which the public school seemed -unable to occupy. That there was a real need for the school is -apparent from the class of pupils that attended it. Large pupils who, -owing to lack of early advantages, were far behind in their classes -and who would have preferred to remain away rather than be classed -with children much younger than themselves, and pupils advanced beyond -the studies offered at the time by the district school, made up a -large part of the number in attendance.[8] Latin, algebra, natural -philosophy, and other advanced subjects were taught, and pupils for -these studies came from the public school which had just previous to -this time decided to exclude all branches beyond those usually taught -in a district school.[9] - -This school was opened in the old "Methodist Church" situated on the -corner of Fifteenth Street and Franklin Avenue, and was in charge of -the rector of the Episcopal Church, Rev. T. H. Hyland. Mrs. Hyland, -who had been a teacher in the East, taught most of the classes.[8] The -school was supported entirely by tuition fees which were $7 per -quarter of thirteen weeks. Three quarters were taught each year, and -the attendance ranged between twenty and thirty pupils.[8] - -Rev. Mr. Hyland was appointed to the Astoria parish while it was a -missionary station and so received no salary from the home -congregation. The parish school was started chiefly as a means of -revenue to help pay for the maintenance of the church.[8] Former -pupils testify to the excellence of the school and to the popularity -of its founders and teachers. - -In 1866 the school moved to the rear of the church on Commercial -Street, between Eighth and Ninth, and continued regularly until the -departure of Rev. Mr. Hyland and wife in 1878.[8] - -During the fall and winter of 1876-77 a night school, at which -bookkeeping, writing, and arithmetic were taught, was taught by Mr. -Kincaid in the Gray building.[10] - -In 1878 there were at least four private schools in Astoria. Mrs. -Maxwell Young taught a school of twenty-five pupils in a building -where St. Mary's Hospital stands.[11] Miss Cora VanDusen taught a -summer session in the building near the southeast corner of Tenth and -Duane streets, which was rented by the school board and furnished to -Miss VanDusen free of charge during the vacation of the public -school.[12] When the public school opened in the fall this school was -moved to the room formerly occupied by the parish school. Professor -Worthington, principal of the public school, taught a private school -of six pupils. The fourth private school was taught by Miss Johnson. - -The increase in the number of private schools was due to two causes: -dissatisfaction in some quarters with some action of the principal of -the "lower town school,"[11] and the great increase in the school -population. The latter cause was no doubt the more potent. At this -time there were over five hundred children of school age in Astoria. - -In 1881-82 Miss Hewett conducted a private school at Grace Church, -with an average attendance of twenty-six pupils and an enrollment of -forty-six. - -From 1886 to 1895 Miss Emma C. Warren conducted a private school on -Exchange Street, between Eleventh and Twelfth. This was by far the -largest and most pretentious private school ever opened in Astoria, -and yet represented only to a very small degree the idea antagonistic -to the public school. All the grammar grades were taught, and also -classes in advanced subjects, including Latin and German.[13] This -school occupied to a great extent the place that should have been -filled by a public high school. With the establishment of the high -school in 1890-91 its field of usefulness was greatly limited, and in -1895 it was merged into the high school by the employment of the -principal, Miss Warren, as the head of the department of English and -English Literature, and the entrance of most of the pupils of Miss -Warren's school into the high school.[13] - - -THE PUBLIC SCHOOL. - -The earliest schools of Astoria were supported by private funds, yet -the payment of any fixed sum was not made a condition for entrance. -They were supported by private subscription for the benefit of all the -children of the town. - -In 1854 District No. 1 was established, and included a large tract of -land bounded by Young's River, from the falls to its juncture with -Columbia, the Columbia River and a zigzag line starting near -Thirty-eighth Street, and connecting the Columbia River with the -Young's River Falls.[14] To this district, in October of the same -year, was paid the sum of $20, all the school money then -available.[14] The next year, under the revised law of 1853-54, the -county fund yielded more, and District No. 1 received $104.77. A part -of this amount was from tax, and the rest from fines.[14] - -The first school taught after the district was organized, as near as -can be ascertained (there are no records in existence), was taught in -what was known as the "Old Methodist Church,"[15] a building erected -in 1853-54,[16] on a piece of land donated for church and school -purposes,[17] by James Welch, to the trustees of the Methodist Church. -J. W. Wayne was probably the first teacher in the district. Nothing is -known of the condition of the school, except that there were very few -in attendance, and the school was in session only a very few months. -Miss Liza Lincoln, Mrs. Hill, an English lady, and Mr. Moore, are -names associated with the early schools, but the exact time of their -service is not known, but all taught school some time before 1856. - -In that year Judge A. A. Skinner took charge of the public school in a -building near Bain's Mill, known as the "Holman House."[18] He was -assisted by Mrs. Skinner, _nee_ Miss Lincoln. The next year the public -school was taught by Mr. Brown in the "old hospital" building, -situated between Ninth and Tenth streets, on Duane. Mr. Brown is -remembered for his skill in handling the large boys.[18] He was -succeeded by Mr. Maxwell. - -Up to this time the district had been without a schoolhouse, but in -1859 a building was erected on the corner of Ninth and Exchange -streets. J. T. Maulsby taught the first term of school in it in 1860. -The school was now too large for one teacher and the following year -the board engaged the services of J. D. Deardorff and wife. He was a -man of ability in his line of work and was well liked by both parents -and pupils.[18] During the next term he was assisted by Mrs. Dr. -Owens-Adair,[19] and the year following by Mr. Williamson,[18] a -college bred man, who assisted much in building up the reputation of -the school. Under Mr. Deardorff's management a nine or ten months' -term was taught each year, and there were between ninety and one -hundred pupils in attendance.[20] Astoria was maintaining an expensive -school, and the money for its support was raised almost entirely by -tax and private subscription,[20] as the money from the county school -fund was inconsiderable at this time. This fund yielded to the -district $132.50 in 1861, $149.80 in 1862, and $92.85 in 1863.[21] -There is no record of tuition ever having been charged the pupils of -the district. While Mr. Deardorff taught advanced classes were formed -and pupils who had finished the ordinary grades of the school were -enabled to continue their education.[22] Later opposition to these -classes arose and finally the school board decided that only studies -of the grammar grade should be taught. When this order was carried -into effect, during Mr. R. K. Warren's term as teacher, a vigorous -protest was made against it, and its enforcement caused much -dissatisfaction.[22] - -The Grace Church Parish School had just been organized, and, no doubt, -profited by the dissension in the ranks of the friends of the public -school. The increasing burden of maintaining the school and the -presence of the parish school ready to receive the advanced pupils, -gave strength to the position of those who were opposed to teaching -branches above the grade of the ordinary district school. - -In 1865 there was an average attendance of one hundred and ten pupils -and a nine months' term.[23] This year the four districts of the -county received $460.72 from the county fund and raised $2,308.49 by -district tax.[23] - -In 1868-69 the average attendance in the public schools had dropped -to eighty-four,[24] caused, in all probability, by the exclusion of -the advanced classes and their transfer to the Grace Church Parish -School. - -Mr. Finlayson and wife and Professor Robb were the teachers between -1865 and 1869. From 1869 to 1873 very little change in the condition -of the school is noted, except that there was a slight increase in -attendance due to the return to the policy of providing instruction -for all who had finished the grammar grades. In 1872 the state school -fund became available and District No. 1 received $110.80 in coin and -$111.95 in currency.[14] - -In 1873 Prof. W. L. Worthington, a very able instructor, was elected -principal, and remained several years. More than one hundred children -were in attendance in 1873,[25] and the citizens of Astoria were -justly proud of their school. The _Astorian_ in its initial number[25] -says: "We notice that the school is well supplied with maps, charts, -dictionaries, gazetteers, atlases, etc. We doubt that any common -school in Oregon is better supplied with such articles. * * The public -school affords every opportunity for getting a good English -education." The teachers were Professor Worthington, principal; Miss -Watt and Miss Lawrence, assistants.[25] - -The history from 1873 is concerned chiefly with the rapid increase in -the school population, the division of the district into six separate -districts, the subsequent consolidation of all these districts, the -final readjustment of the boundaries, so as to include only the -schools within the corporate limits of Astoria, and the establishment -of the high school, as the completion of the city's educational -system. - -District No. 9, the "Upper Astoria" district, was established in -1868, but no school was taught here until 1874. Mrs. W. W. Parker, who -taught the first term of school in the district, had a school of -fifteen pupils, and received as compensation $75 per month and -board.[26] T. P. Powers organized the district, and when over seventy -years of age taught a term of three months in this district in order -that the right to draw school money should not be forfeited. - -The population of Astoria in the two years between 1874-76 nearly -doubled, owing to the rapid growth of the fishing industry, and the -schools were not able to keep pace with this growth.[27] In 1878 there -were over two hundred pupils in actual attendance at the "lower -schoolhouse." Professor Worthington, the principal, was assisted by -Miss Brown, Miss McGregor, Miss Neale, and Miss Hewett.[28] In the -first, or highest grade, algebra, physiology, and natural philosophy -were taught.[28] The _Astorian_ says of the school: "The public school -of Astoria is divided into three grades, with three classes in each -grade. There has been a written examination in three of the grades -[probably classes]. In this examination great care has been taken to -make it impossible for the pupils to derive any assistance from -text-books or from friends."[28] - -This crowded condition lasted until 1880 when a temporary relief was -afforded by the establishment of District No. 9 and the building of -two of the six rooms of the Shirely school. A ten-mill tax was levied -for this purpose. - -The sudden increase in the school population brought with it such a -large proportion of the county and state school fund that the money -from this source, amounting to $1,953.67,[29] paid the entire cost of -the school during the year 1876, the six-mill tax not having been -used. "The district is now out of debt, and has $250 cash on -hand."[30] - -The erection of a new school building was the main question before the -taxpayers at the school meeting of 1882. That it was a necessity was -admitted by all. The _Astorian_ said editorially: "There are three -things Astoria needs--and we place them in their relative -importance--a new schoolhouse, a flouring mill, and a new -theater."[31] - -At the meeting held April 24, 1882, four mills for current expenses -and five mills for building purposes were levied and a new schoolhouse -ordered built.[32] The present McClure is the result of that meeting. - -District No. 26, known locally as Alderbrook, was established in 1890. - -By a legislative act of 1892 the four districts, now included in the -city schools, together with the schools at John Days and Walluski, -were consolidated into one district of the first class. This -arrangement proved unsatisfactory, and in 1899 the boundaries were -again changed so as to exclude the two districts lying outside the -corporate limits of the city. - -During the fifty years that the public school system has been in -existence the school population has increased an hundredfold. The -distance between "upper" and "lower" Astoria, the rapid growth of the -town during the seventies, made the division of the district almost a -necessity. The gradual growing together of the two parts of the town -making the interchange of classes possible and the consequent -improvement of the schools with a lessening of the expense of -maintaining them led to the consolidation in 1893 and the readjustment -of the boundaries in 1899. - - -THE HIGH SCHOOL. - -The high school is the result of a slow growth and its continued -existence is due perhaps as much to indifference as to any very active -sentiment in its favor. It started as an advanced grade of the public -school when for financial reasons it was desired to keep as many -pupils as possible in attendance. The presence of the large pupils and -the quality of the work done gave the school a standing in outside -districts and created a feeling of pride in the citizens of the town. -The higher classes were disbanded in 1863 or 1864. The _Marine -Gazette_ thus comments: "During the past week we have noticed -considerable discussion in doors and out about the village district -school. * * It was generally admitted that the school of eighteen -months ago, I think it was--at any rate the one that contained all the -larger boys and girls of the village with several others from Clatsop -Plains, Oysterville, etc.,--was the best school we had had for three -years or even a longer period. * * About the time named the teacher -was restricted as to the amount or kind of instruction to be given in -the school to the so-called advanced pupils. This restriction caused -the disbanding or dismissal of several classes of the largest and -oldest pupils. They quit the school, dispersed, went home, or to other -schools distant to our town."[33] Advanced studies were restored later -and became a recognized part of the course of study. The high school -sentiment, stimulated no doubt by the record of the public for -excellence in the past and to some extent by the desire to keep pace -with the standard of scholarship set by the private schools, increased -and resulted in the establishment of the present efficient high school -in 1890 and 1891. - -The grammar schools are loyally supported in spite of the high rate of -taxation[34] necessary to maintain them; but there is still a well -defined sentiment against the maintenance of the high school at public -expense, though this sentiment seems to be decreasing. - - -WHAT THE SCHOOL HISTORY OF ASTORIA REVEALS. - -The earliest schools were semi-public, though supported entirely by -private subscription. Public sentiment clearly favored the public -school and secured its establishment so soon as conditions, including -the necessary school laws, made it possible. The reason for the -predominance of this sentiment in favor of the public schools can be -found in the fact that many of the leaders in the development of the -city came from the northern and middle western states, where the idea -of public education had a firm hold. V. Boelling, S. T. McKean, W. W. -Parker, Col. James Taylor, and later Capt. George Flavel, Mrs. H. B. -Parker, John Hobson and many others were earnest advocates and liberal -supporters of public schools. - -The public school has had an almost uninterrupted growth from the -beginning, and to-day shows the result of half a century of effort. - - ALFRED A. CLEVELAND. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] An historical survey of Public Education in Eugene, Oregon, by -Prof. Joseph Schafer, QUARTERLY, March, 1901. - -[2] Letter of C. O. Hosford, January 22, 1903. - -[3] Letter of C. O. Hosford, January 22, 1903. - -[4] Ibid. - -[5] Letter of E. C. Jeffers, February 3, 1903. - -[6] Interview with Mr. Sam Adair. - -[7] Interview with Mrs. Mary Leinweber. - -[8] Interview with Rev. T. H. Hyland and wife. - -[9] _Marine Gazette_, May 30, 1865. - -[10] _Weekly Astorian_, December 18, 1876. - -[11] Interview with Mrs. Young. - -[12] Interview with Mrs. C. J. Trenchard, _nee_ Miss VanDusen. - -[13] Interview with Miss Warren. - -[14] County Superintendent's Record Book No. 1, 1853-1874. - -[15] Interview with J. M. Welch, and others. - -[16] Deed Book No. 1, Clatsop County. - -[17] Interview with J. W. Welch. - -[18] Interview with F. J. Taylor, and others. - -[19] History of Oregon and Washington, Northwest Publishing Company, -Vol. II, pp. 502-506. - -[20] Letter of Mrs. W. W. Parker, December 12, 1902. - -[21] County Superintendent's Record Book No. 1, 1853-1874. - -[22] _Marine Gazette_, May 30, 1865. - -[23] Report of County Superintendent W. B. Gray, 1866. - -[24] Report of State Superintendent to Governor Geo. L. Woods. - -[25] _Astorian_, July 1, 1873. - -[26] Letter of Mrs. W. W. Parker, December 12, 1902. - -[27] _Weekly Astorian_, February 5, 1876. - -[28] _Weekly Astorian_, December 31, 1878. - -[29] County Superintendent's Record Book No. 1, 1853-1874. - -[30] _Weekly Astorian_, April 8, 1876. - -[31] _Daily Astorian_, April 4, 1882. - -[32] _Daily Astorian_, April 25, 1882. - -[33] _Marine Gazette_, May 30, 1865. - -[34] An eleven-mill tax was levied at the last school meeting. - - - - -AN OBJECT LESSON IN PATERNALISM - - -Even among those who have devoted their lives to the study of -sociological problems, there is much difference of opinion as to the -quantitative and qualitative influence of certain social conditions in -producing the generally admitted bad or adverse phases of human -society. - -At one time we read that poverty degrades men morally, and we peruse -carefully prepared and apparently veracious tables showing that in the -older countries there is an unfailing correspondence between criminal -statistics and the price of bread; the per cent of offenses against -persons and property increasing with the cost of the necessaries of -life and diminishing with the amount of human exertion required to -obtain them. Such is the generally received opinion of the common -people, and we hear from the political platform and see in the -publications of reform parties the assertion that it is useless to -preach morals to those whose minds are mainly occupied in devising -means to keep the wolf from the door. - -Those of our citizens who have given special attention to the -debauching effects of the drink habit, call upon all to come to the -rescue of American homes and American institutions, by banishing the -American saloon, to which comes the response that poverty is the -principal cause of intemperance and its incidents, and that the first -duty of patriots is to remove poverty. - -Equally certain and circumstantial, on the other hand, are those who -affirm that there is no necessary connection between poverty and -criminality, and that, as a general rule, debauchery and consequent -decadence of moral faculty go hand in hand with material prosperity; -and if mixed coincidence can establish casual connection, they are -not at fault, for long before Goldsmith wrote of the time "When wealth -accumulates and men decay," keen eyed observers had connected a -general laxity of morals with the abundance and diffusion of wealth. -The failure of intertropical countries to furnish high grade men of -morals and intellect, Doctor Draper attributes, not more to the -enervating influence of heat, than to the ease with which human beings -supply themselves with the necessaries of life. Coming down to the -present period, it is common knowledge--the expanding profligacy and -criminality of the mining camps where men could obtain extravagant -wages in gold for services which in other pursuits would yield them a -scanty living. - -Probably from such lump comparisons and crude observations, under -complex conditions, have arisen two schools of social economists, one -whose principal and primary aim is to abolish poverty as the chief -obstacle in the way of human progress, and the other whose purpose is -not definitely stated, but which conservatively clings to the _laissez -faire_ doctrine of letting every man's condition depend upon his -individual exertion; and as so far, in the world's history, poverty -has been the condition of the great mass of mankind, in spite of -individual exertion, the anti-poverty school of necessity, must resort -to collective or state control of the industries of men, and thus -relieve them from want and the fear of want, which are thought to be -so depressing upon their energies. - -Just how or to what extent the state is to interfere with the -individual's management of himself, or to what extent or in what -manner he shall be relieved when he has failed to provide for his own -wants and the wants of those depending upon him, are at present -outside of any satisfactorily practical programme, and hence -collectivism may be held to include all socialistic schemes from -Bellamy up or down. - -In fact, collectivism is entered upon the moment the state is -organized, for in the rudest criminal code there is a manifest attempt -to relieve the individual from the otherwise caution and care -necessary to defend his person and property; and in truth, as -government has advanced, so has collectivism advanced, until now in -the United States of America the commonwealth is giving children -primary education, supporting and caring for the deaf, blind, idiotic, -insane, and criminal classes, beside stimulating certain industries -with bounties upon production or relieving them from the disastrous -effects of free competition, by levying taxes upon competing products. -It does much more. Commerce and agriculture have been relieved of -their old time dread of the elements, for government now keeps watch -and ward over the wind and waves, and gives timely notice of -approaching disaster by land and sea. In the endeavor to pass benefits -around, hatcheries for fish, experiment stations, laboratories, and -various commissions have been organized and conducted at public -expense; likewise the mails are carried, the public lands distributed -to actual settlers or given to railroad companies, patents issued to -inventors, bounties paid for the destruction of wild animals, noxious -weeds exterminated, public officers appointed to examine food -products, to conduct experiments upon flocks and herds, and to destroy -those infected with contagious diseases. - -All this and much more are the results of collectivism, and there -seems to be a constant tendency, as well as a constant demand, for -more in the same direction. Individualism is alarmed and socialism -hopeful; the former, at the encroachments upon personal liberty and -the discouragement of personal exertion, and the latter, from the -prospect of a complete disappearance of the competitive principle from -social life. - -Here are two violent antagonisms, while there is no line of -demarcation between them, as well defined as the most tortuous -isothermal crossing the American continent. There is no scientific -boundary of government. As between the two disputants it is a blind -push and pull, in which neither party is satisfied with the result. -There are gradations upon either side, and long ago Herbert Spencer -became alarmed at the coming slavery, and that good man Gerritt Smith -thought government should have nothing to do with the education of -children; that it is altogether a private function and can not be -usurped by the state without serious injury to those most nearly -interested. - -While, however, doctrinaires have been groping for the scientific -boundary, government has gone forward experimentally, with no chart -but experience, sometimes right and sometimes wrong, no doubt, in its -endeavors to follow the line of least resistance and do that which -seemed likely to promote the general welfare. - -Granting the evident natural law that development is the result of -activity of faculty, and, as a consequence, that individual -improvement must come from individual exertion, it may be safe to say -that the scope of government should be such as to give or permit the -greatest normal and harmonious activity to the units of population, in -order to bring about the greatest amount of aggregate excellence and -happiness; and still it appears to be a matter of experience and -experiment, in which science and altruism play but a subordinate part. -Nevertheless, there should be investigation of governmental -experiments, and the great and ever recurring question is, What do -these show? - -Has government help promoted individual competence, and has it -promoted the general welfare? In answering this question it will not -do to look at it as a whole; each experiment must be taken by itself, -and there must be an elimination, so far as may be, of complicating -and conflicting elements. Of course there will be no attempt in this -paper to do more than report upon a single phase of government help, -and one, too, which to my knowledge has never been utilized for -throwing light upon the great economic question. I refer to the -settlement of Oregon and Washington under government auspices. It -would seem as though there never existed more favorable conditions for -a successful experiment in planting a model colony than were found -here upon this Northwest coast. Certainly nature was lavish and the -government munificent, and if these are chiefly instrumental in -putting a community on its feet to stay, here should be found the -living proof. Let us see; and first as to the country. - -The Cascade range of mountains, a high ridge bearing north and south, -nearly parallel to the eastern shore of the Pacific Ocean and about -one hundred miles therefrom, divides the states of Oregon and -Washington into two unequal parts, popularly known as Eastern and -Western Oregon and Washington. Bordering the coast of both states is -another ridge, much lower, and between these two mountain ridges, are -cross mountains connecting them, and forming valleys with independent -river systems. These western valleys are but little above the sea -level, have moist, equable climates, abundant timber, and rich soils; -while the country east of the Cascades is an elevated table-land, -sparsely wooded, quite arid, is subject to greater extremes of heat -and cold and possessed of a strongly alkaline soil. - -It is to the western valleys I wish to refer in this connection, as in -these the donation land law chiefly operated until its expiration in -the year 1855. Under that law every adult male citizen and his wife, -immigrating to this coast before the year 1851, were entitled to six -hundred and forty acres of land selected by the donees in such shape -as they chose, and those coming after that time, were entitled to -three hundred and twenty acres taken by legal subdivisions. Never -before or since have such magnificent inducements been offered to -settlers, and by the close of the year 1855 nearly all of the good -lands in the Willamette, Umpqua, and Rogue River valleys were occupied -by the donees who came from every State in the Union, but chiefly from -the Mississippi Valley. - -Saying that these lands were taken by families, in section and -half-section tracts, gives but a faint idea of what was acquired. -Doctor Johnson's description of the happy valley in Rasselas would be -rather too poetical to adopt for this country, as this is too far -north for people to depend upon the spontaneous productions of the -earth, but in many respects there is much similarity. The great -Doctor's fancy had not been expanded and enlightened by the vast -accomplishments of modern science and invention, whereby the forces of -nature have been utilized, and, as a consequence, his happy valley was -constructed more to gratify an indolent and dreamy aestheticism than to -promote economic industry. - -In these western valleys, however, is everything that should stimulate -men to the use of all their faculties, if steady and sure returns for -exertion are better than unearned gratification of human wants and -desires. Let the reader picture to himself an evergreen valley one -hundred and fifty miles long and forty miles wide, a navigable river -running the whole length, through its middle, with numerous branches -on each side, the smaller rising in the foothills, the larger emerging -from the forest covered mountains, the rich agricultural surface of -the valley interspersed with timber and prairie in profitable -proportions, and rising in gentle hills, among which are innumerable -springs of pure, soft water, or subsiding into lowlands, here and -there dotted by buttes, and he has the Willamette Valley, said by Saxe -of Vermont to be the best poor man's country on the globe. This -picture does not represent all its advantages by any means. - -Probably no farming country known has water power so abundant and -diffused as here. Niagara is unrivaled for power, but the principal -question there is one of distribution. Here the problem of -distribution is reduced to small proportions, for no village or city -is far away from water power. - -The Cascade Mountains, through their whole extent, are resonant with -the clamorings of unused force, and likely, in their dark fir forests -will first be realized Edison's dreams of the application of electric -power,--trees felled, cut into saw logs and conveyed to the mill, with -little of man's help except intelligent superintendence. - -To be sure the first settlers of Oregon had no such anticipations as -these, but they were not slow to perceive the advantages everywhere -around them; sawmills were erected in advance of the great bulk of the -immigration, so that immigrants were not required to go through the -experience of the first settlers of Ohio and Indiana, housing one or -two generations in log cabins. - -No description of soil or surface or scenery can give an adequate -presentation of this country, as upon the climate depends nearly -everything which makes it, pre-eminently, a never failing supplier of -man's wants. In this latitude, countries east of the Rocky Mountains -have long cold winters and short hot summers, while west of the -Cascades no such extremes are ever known. - -The Kuro-shiwo of Japan, a broad, deep, and warm current of ocean -water flows along our western shore, tempering the mountain air and -covering the valleys with perpetual verdure. At this writing, the -twenty-fifth of January, the fields have been once whitened with -snow, cattle are pasturing upon unfrosted grass, and wild daisies are -in bloom. Occasionally a cold wave from the north pushes seaward the -tropical warmth, when for a few days the inhabitants get a mitigated -sample of the arctic regions, but such incursions are few and far -between,--say once in ten years, and not to be compared with the -winter climate of Idaho, Montana, or the Eastern States. So seldom and -short are the periods, when the ground is frozen, that agriculture is -continuous through the whole year. In every winter month plowing is -done and grain sown. - -In what country, between the parallels forty-two and forty-nine north -latitude, would cattle live through the winter upon grass, which was -the dependence of those who crossed the great plains to this coast in -the days of the pioneer? Arriving in these western valleys during the -months of September and October, their teams worn and impoverished, -were turned out upon the prairies and by midwinter were fat enough for -beef. - -Such was the country and the climate of the west coast to which the -immigrants came, a land flowing with milk (no honey), beautiful and -grand beyond description, rich beyond expectation, healthful beyond -comparison; its streams abounding with fish, and its mountains with -game; a country where there has been no failure of crops, and where -blizzards, hurricanes, and cyclones are unknown. - -Now a few words as to the character of the people who settled it, and -in this examination I shall try to steer clear of the poetry and -romance which are beginning to dehumanize them. It is not necessary -for the purpose of this paper to show that the pioneers were more -moral or more intelligent than those they left in the enjoyment of the -peace and comforts of well regulated society, but it is important to -know that they were a fair average in all respects as human beings, -and as this question can not be determined by a personal examination, -we must resort to the environment they voluntarily chose, or, in other -words, to the objects and conditions which impelled them to the -undertaking. The indolent and cowardly are not attracted by dangers, -and hence we infer that volunteers make better soldiers than -conscripts, and this inference is borne out by experience. Enterprises -of great danger, forlorn hopes, are not chosen by those who love ease -and quiet pleasure, but by the courageous and venturesome; those who -take pleasure in overcoming resistance, surmounting obstacles, and -braving dangers. The former are inclined to remain upon the old -homestead, under the protection of law and the restraining influence -of conservative public opinion; the latter push for the frontier, with -apparent relish for the kind of life found only on the fretful edge of -civilization. Some have assumed, therefore, that the borders are -chiefly peopled by the reckless and immoral, those who would not be -subject to proper restraint in the older communities; such an -assumption, however, is wide of the mark. Under our flag there are no -penal colonies; people go where they choose to go, and the currents of -population are determined by self-selection. Places of trial and -danger are taken by those who are not dismayed by such incidents, and -unless we are willing to admit that there is a necessary connection -between courage and criminality--that the enterprising and resolute -are as a consequence tinctured with immoral tendencies--we shall -believe what is more reasonable and in full accord with our -experience, that the manly virtues are quite compatible with the moral -attributes. I lived on the frontier, the Platte Purchase in Missouri, -right among the people who contributed in men and money to the -invasion of Kansas a few years afterwards, and I must say that I -never lived in a more hospitable and law-abiding community. The -forceful faculties were more prominent than in New England, but for -personal honor, honesty, and brotherly feeling it would compare -favorably with any portion of the United States. I had left that -country when the Kansas troubles began, and was somewhat puzzled to -reconcile the doings of the Border Ruffians with the character of the -people as I knew them, but when I considered that a large majority of -them were from the South, and, being born to the institution of -slavery, were inheritors of all that such a state of society implies, -I ceased to wonder. - -Notwithstanding the great advance in biological science, the human -being is very much of an enigma, and, however well disposed he may be -from natural endowment, we can not guess what he may do until his -previous environment has been examined. Suppose John Brown had been -born and raised in the South, and had read his Bible through Southern -spectacles, and had heard the Word expounded by devout defenders of -the patriarchal institution, would he not have been found praying and -fighting with Stonewall Jackson when the time came for war? - -A large proportion of the pioneers were from Missouri, and at the time -of the adoption of our constitution, which submitted the question of -slavery to a popular vote, much solicitude was felt by anti-slavery -men as to the result. Argument and inquiry were on the wing, and there -was eminent opportunity, not only to learn the opinions and wishes of -men but how those opinions and wishes came to be formed. Some of the -ablest and best advocates of a free state were from the South and some -of those who voted to fasten the relic of barbarism upon this free -soil were from the North. One solid, earnest, but uneducated free -state man, born and raised in Kentucky, and a resident of Missouri -for several years just before coming to the Oregon Territory, was -asked as to the evolution of his opinion and answered "that when -living in his native State, a doubt as to the rightfulness of slavery -had never crossed his mind; that he regarded abolitionists the same as -horse thieves, and would have meted out to them the same punishment; -that when he got to northern Missouri, where there were but few -slaves, he was struck with the difference he felt and saw, as respects -social conditions; people were more on an equality; that conservative -deference paid to slaveholders was conspicuous by its absence, and -when he got to Oregon, the spirit of abolitionism was in the air." He -thought that if the good people of Kentucky could experience what he -had they would clear slavery from that state in a year. I was -intimately acquainted with that man for thirty years, and I am -confident that I never saw one more honest and truthful, or one more -ready to assist in reforms or more willing to be informed. Ignorance -was his sin, as it was of the majority of those subject to the malign -influence of slavery, and yet in his native State he was a possible -border ruffian. What an honest, earnest man believes to be right he -will defend, and for his convictions there is always a higher law to -which he will appeal, notwithstanding the limitations of statutes and -constitutions. - -Though a Webster might lose himself in adoration of the Federal Union -and an Everett offer up his mother a living sacrifice to preserve it, -it is to the credit of human nature that human rights, human -interests, human convictions and affections stand nearer and dearer to -the people than any mere machinery of human government. The -abolitionists believed the Constitution of the United States was a -covenant with Death and a league with Hell, and they protested with -all their soul and strength; to those Southerners reared to believe in -the divinity of slavery, the Constitution was a worthless rag, for it -did not protect them in their supposed rights. To the men of earnest -convictions on both sides we owe our present disenthrallment. - -The foregoing apparent digression has been indulged for the reason -that the Oregon people were severely criticised and denounced in -connection with our Indian wars, spoilation claims, and the votes cast -in favor of slavery upon the adoption of our free constitution; and -also for the reason that the aspect of character has a sociological -bearing. - -Advanced evolutionists include with their scientific shibboleth, "the -survival of the fittest," an ethical element, when applied to -civilized society. The early settlements here were singularly free -from transgressors. There was no criminal code and no courts of law up -to the time of the provisional government. Every man was a law unto -himself, and it is said there was no offense against person or -property of sufficient importance to require them. These were halcyon -days, often referred to by old Oregonians, who say that crime and -criminals were unknown until society was put under the tantalizing -reign of law. I have heard not a few, in referring to the good old -times, express the opinion that mankind are governed too much by -statute and thereby released, in a great degree, from moral restraint. - -There is occasionally an old settler so impressed with pioneer -equality, fraternity, and purity, that he lays all subsequent social -disturbance to the provoking interference of legal machinery with -natural rights, and he longs "for a lodge in some vast wilderness" -where he can end his days in peace, away from penalties and penal -institutions and the temptations which civil government offers to the -predatory instincts of men. - -Such logical metonomy is not mentioned here except to show that the -pioneers were lovers of peace and good order, and fully subject to -enlightened moral restraint. As before mentioned, they were peculiar -in one respect, that is, in the possession of a large share of the -executive or heroic qualities. - -The Great American Desert, with its sand stretches, waterless wastes, -unbridged rivers, Rocky Mountains, and predatory savages, loomed up -deterrently to the spiritless. A four to six months' journey in -wagons, exposed to all the vicissitudes of travel and climate and the -forays of more dreadful foes, ever on the alert to dispossess -travelers of their only means of conveyance, was not to be considered -a pleasure trip. - -No doubt that to a certain but undefinable extent and in numerous -ways, the circumstances and incidents to be expected on the overland -journey were selective, and yet the Oregon Pioneer, as pictured by his -eulogists, is rather a fanciful personage. Not that the incidents from -which the picture is drawn are to any unusual degree false, but that -there is too much of the commonplace left out, and so the typical -pioneer, like the typical Yankee, is a caricature. The pioneers, as a -body, were only a little different from those who were too -affectionate or diffident to start, and among them were all sorts of -people; but looking only to those who endured extraordinary -privations, to those who developed an uncommon degree of strength, -courage, and virtue, there have grown up the poetry and romance of the -pioneers, and to none is this more evident than the pioneers -themselves. At one of their annual gatherings, when an eloquent -speaker was narrating the trying incidents of the overland journey, -one of the earlier immigrants inquisitively remarked "I wonder if I -ever crossed the plains?" I was querying the same; still we must not -neglect to state that the speaker was dealing in facts. He was leaving -out so much that those who had passed the ordeal wondered if they had -ever been there. Indeed, the speakers and writers who have been called -to the task of perpetuating pioneer history have had the usual -inducements to false coloring, which has been the curse of all history -in all times. - -Striking incidents, battles, sieges, marches, insurrections, -revolutions, and the leading actors in them, of such is the warp and -woof of history, until man is understood to be a mere fighting animal, -although the greater part of his life has been spent in peaceful -avocations and the greater exertion of his force and faculties has -been devoted to constructive industry. - -Out of such partiality has inevitably grown the great man theory of -human progression. The student of history passes along from point to -point in the bloody trail of the historian, stopping at such -characters as Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, Napoleon, etc., until -these great destroyers are looked upon as the prime factors of the -evolutionary state. Of course, these and such as these must not be -ignored or left out, for history would cease to be history without -them, but it is equally important to know that man, judged only by -them, ceases to be man. Of late an improved philosophy of history -assigns them their proper place and significance as an index of -evolution, and gives us the hopeful sign that notwithstanding the -occasional irruption of man's destructive faculties, his progress is -principally due to the subordination of the militant spirit. And now, -while the principal part of our early history, territorial and state, -is devoted to our really insignificant Indian wars and the principal -characters on both sides, it is well enough to think that the greater -constructive works of peace have been going forward with hardly a -halt, and the more sober tints are yet to be given the picture of -early Oregon times. - -With such coloring as we now have of pioneer life and the passage of -the great plains, posterity will wonder, as did the pioneer before -quoted, if the pioneers ever did cross, and also what kind of people -they must have been to undertake, with such slender means, so perilous -a journey. Samuel R. Thurston, Oregon's first delegate under the -Territorial Government, advertised his constituents as "fellows who -could whip their weight in wildcats," very good electioneering taffy, -no doubt, but rather strong and really degrading language to apply to -the earnest men and women who so patiently toiled to the Northwest -coast. - -Of a higher type and tone was the poetical exaggeration "only the -brave started, only the strong got through." The facts are different. -Some arrant cowards and many more physically weak persons, by some -sufficient means, found their way here. The emigrant train was not a -forlorn hope; no such test was made for membership. Neither was it a -test of patriotism; albeit every citizen is a quixotic propagator of -his republican faith. Various were the inducements in the minds of -those who left the older states for the Pacific Slope. Many, like -ex-Senator Nesmith, did not really know, as they had no well defined -purpose, but might answer in his language, and with probable truth, -that they were "impelled by a vague spirit of adventure." Restless -spirits are always ready for any move, promising unusual scope for the -exercise of their faculties. Many were along to enjoy the exhilaration -of travel, in a new, strange, and truly wonderful country. Many, long -wasted by the miasmatic fevers of the overrich and productive -Mississippi Valley, sought immunity in the untainted mountain air of -the Far West. A few of the Daniel Boone stripe were too much crowded -where inhabitants exceeded one to the square mile, and took one more -move with the hope that the hum drum of civilization would never -overtake them. A few of a poetical turn of mind, tired of the -monotony of the greater East, sought fresh inspiration and a home upon -the picturesque shores of the sunset seas. - -But while all of the foregoing and many other inducements might have -been present in varying degree, the great incentive to immigration was -free land. Not only land for the landless, but land for all, and in -unstinted quantity. The scenes at Oklahoma divest the emigration to -Oregon of all mystery, and while there was probably small difference -in kind or degree of virtue between those who came and those who -remained, of one fact pioneers are cognizant, namely, that the -incidents and trials of the overland journey were a wonderful -developer and equalizer. The fictitious gloss of so-called society was -abraded, and the shams of character in which human beings had invested -themselves, like weakly oxen, were left on the road. Everywhere this -is observable, and it is often remarked that the true pioneer is never -afterward subject to an undue self-inflation. It seems as though a few -months' practice of sincere brotherhood is fatal to an offensive -amount of arrogance and egotism. - -Now let us inquire as to the use and the tenacity of hold the pioneers -had for their unbought possessions. There was no sign of indolence on -their part upon arriving. The same pushing qualities which enabled -them to surmount all difficulties in getting here were not wanting -when homes were to be made and farms to be cultivated. To all -appearances the older community, with an infusion of vigor born of -success and adventure, had been transplanted upon virgin soil. Of -necessity population was sparse. In large districts, principally -settled by immigrants before 1851, there was but one family to the -square mile, and in other portions were those arriving afterwards and -settling two to the square mile. In this way a few people cover, or -rather appropriate, a large country, and their improvements, though -considerable, appear very meager. Every thing, however, was at hand; -rail timber ten cuts to the tree; cedar for shingles and shakes; poles -straight enough for rafters without hewing, and fir trees, seemingly -grown for the special purpose of house frames. The soil was favorable. -Though producing a good growth of the most nutritious native grass, it -was easily plowed, two good horses being sufficient to turn over two -acres of sod in a day, and, unlike the sward in other countries, was -mellow from the first harrowing. Many a family coming as late as -October plowed and fenced forty acres and raised from twelve hundred -to sixteen hundred bushels of wheat the next harvest, working their -cattle that hauled them across the plains and feeding them nothing but -the bunch grass upon which they pastured through the winter months. - -After the discovery of gold in California, the market for all farm -products was at almost every man's door and at marvelous prices. -Butter from fifty cents to a dollar a pound; bacon from twenty-five to -fifty cents a pound; chickens from $5 to $10 per dozen; eggs from -twenty-five to fifty cents per dozen; sheep from $5 to $12 per head; -cows, $50; horses, $200; oxen from $100 to $200 per yoke; wheat from -$1 to $7 per bushel, and labor from $2 to $5 per day. Of course, such -prices gradually wore down, but the opportunity for large profits in -farming and stock raising continued for a quarter of a century. Our -public disbursements, however, were not on the same scale. Up to the -year 1859 Uncle Sam paid a good share of the governmental expenses, -and at that time our state government was organized under a -constitution that has often been called parsimonious. - -The sixteenth and thirty-sixth sections of each township, or lands in -lieu thereof, were devoted by Congress to common schools; land was -also given to found a state university and agricultural college, and -five hundred thousand acres along with five per cent of the sales of -public lands were given to an internal improvement fund to be used by -the state. Add to this the swamp lands, amounting to several hundred -thousand acres of the most valuable, all given without cost, and one -might well ask, "in the name of common sense what more should a -paternal government do for a people?" And yet it has done more. Coast -defenses and lighthouses have been built, the rivers dredged, harbors -improved, something near a million dollars appropriated to cut a canal -around the cascade falls, and military roads and posts established to -protect our inhabitants from the aborigines. - -In common with all the other inhabitants of the United States, we have -been suffering for the last few years from an aggravating increase of -our great American industry, politics, but until the discovery was -made, that people can grow rich by taxing themselves, the people of -Oregon were contented with small levies for public purposes. Indeed, -we have done little in the way of public improvements to create -expense. With the exception of county roads, which are mainly ungraded -dirt ways, and the bridging of streams, nothing of importance has been -attempted. - -In view of all the foregoing comes the sharp contrast of the present -condition of the pioneers and their immediate descendants. In the -absence of any reliable census reports, I have been obliged to rely -upon regional inspection, taking a township here and there and tracing -up the career of the first white inhabitants. For this purpose I have -selected, for an average, one hundred square miles on the east side of -the Willamette Valley, in Marion County, which contains the state -capital, and an examination shows that sixty-six per cent of the -donation claims have passed out of the possession of the donees and -their descendants, another fifteen per cent are mortgaged for all -they are worth, and for practical purposes may be considered as lost -to them. Not more than fifteen per cent of the whole have been -ordinarily successful in holding and improving a part of their -possessions and are now free from debt. Only five of all of them have -increased their holdings and are thrifty. Eighty-seven per cent held -section claims, and it may be mentioned that the half-section -claimants were more successful in holding their own, and add very much -to the favorableness of this report. In the better part of this -county, a hundred square miles in a body might be selected where the -per cent of loss would be greater, but this was settled chiefly by -French, Scotch, and English Canadians, mountain men and trappers of -nomadic habits, who married Indian women of the whole or half-breed, -and of whose descendants less is expected, as they are passionately -fond of ardent spirits. A teetotaler of mixed blood would be a rare -sight. Neighborly, clever people, of lax business habits, and of -necessity trustful, they were soon beat out of their landed -possessions. Probably in no American community has the credit system -been so much in vogue as on this Northwest coast, and likely for the -reason that in no other place are crops so sure, and certainly in no -other place was a broad basis of credit so much at the disposal of -debtors. A family with a section of land that produces unfailing crops -at small cost, can get credit anywhere; and what a harvest it has been -for merchants and middlemen in these western valleys until recently. -Ah, man! you are, indeed, a wanting animal, one whose wants are ever -multiplying and exacting. Only a few of the race are securely -provident by immediate self-denial, and this truth applies equally to -the pioneers, those resolute men and women-- - - Who kept step with the patient ox, - And toiled by the rolling wheel, - Drew success from the sand and rocks, - As sparks from the flint and steel. - -The heads of families did not so readily depart from their early -habits of economy, but the children soon reveled in their magnificent -possessions. Girls and boys alike became semi-nomads, or properly -speaking, fell into the ways of the baronial English or the planter -class of the South. As a consequence of their newly found competence -and leisure "they took to horse," and strange, what a fascination -comes over a human being when he takes to horse. In truth, that boy -who did not admire the splendid aboriginal equestrians of the Great -Plains and get filled with the spirit of the wild and free, as he saw -them scurrying along the mountain side or sweeping down into the -valley with the speed of the wind; that boy must have been an -unchangeable clodhopper or a born philosopher. - -Very few of them escaped the uncivilizing contamination, and many a -youth, fresh from an unfinished course at school, had his book -education cut sadly short by bestriding a cayuse and becoming a -practical cowboy. The infatuation was not confined to the boys. The -girls, too, had as much fondness for the noble brute, and were as -expert and graceful in his management. Some of them have ridden -seventy-five miles in a day. As a means of social communication at -that time it had no equal; and for stock raising and the round-up in -such a country, the horseman was unapproachable. Still, with all such -advantages, and they were many, which could have been turned into -permanent profit, the cowboy generation, though having a "heap of -fun," and no doubt genuine pleasure, let the earth slip from under his -feet. How could it be otherwise? Who could deny them? A party of boys -and girls on their favorite steeds, the former in leggings, bell -spurs, and the graceful sirrapa; the latter in the freshness of -physical beauty and bedecked with flowing skirts and scarlet streaming -sash--when such a cavalcade went galloping over the prairies with a -speed that put to shame a Sheridan's ride, what parent could or would -deny them. - -Well, the parents did not deny them this and other diversions from -gainful industry, and, little by little, the princely donations of -land went into the till of the shopkeeper or the safe of the money -changer. Landless and moneyless, they scattered over the country, and, -as it were, dropped into all kinds of callings. Many of them have gone -east of the Cascades and taken homesteads and pre-emptions in the arid -regions, and there upon the bunch grass lands have gained a living and -some a competence by stock raising and wool growing. Others followed -up the streams into the mountains and in some narrow valley made a -home away from the every day temptations of the lowlanders. Others -went to the coast. Many of the young have found ample success in other -avocations and do not regret the loss of the parental donations. They -are found on the bench, at the bar, in the pulpit, in the governmental -employ, in college faculties, and in all honorable pursuits. Only a -few have ignobly failed, and those few do not invalidate the maxim -that "where there is a will there is a way" for falling into the drink -habit they lost their wills. - -In conclusion, I am not willing to assert that the policy of the -general government, in donating land as a reward for taking possession -of this Northwest coast, was not a wise policy or that it was an -injury to the donees, though in the main they failed to keep the gift, -but the lesson is none the less valuable; and what is it but a -confirmation of the general truth that "necessity is the mother of -invention," the spur to exertion, and that success in this life is to -be obtained only through the school of experience as the reward of -continued and temperate effort. As there is no royal road to knowledge -so there is no royal road to wealth or any other valuable acquisition; -and it is not proper to confine this edict of fate to mere material -things, although to be fed and clothed is the first and most imperious -demand of nature. Man in all of his successful undertakings is an -evolutionary being. Whether intellectually, morally, or physically -considered, he keeps best what he has produced, what he has earned. As -a hard and fast donee, he is not a success; as a beggar, he is -disgusting even to himself. Sometimes he needs charity, but always -justice. - - T. W. DAVENPORT. - - - - -GLIMPSES OF EARLY DAYS IN OREGON. - - -It would be difficult, indeed, to find anything new to say of -pioneering or pioneers, and useless to trace the pioneers along their -journey across the Plains. We will pass over an interval of eight -months and introduce our loved fathers and mothers on their arrival at -where Portland now stands. - -On the first of November, 1845, after a journey of eight months of -inconceivable hardships, a small party of those pioneers first stepped -on the banks of the grand Willamette River, near where Morrison Street -is now located. The rays of the setting sun casting their light and -shade o'er the beautiful landscape, impressed the beholders with a -deep feeling of thankfulness that they were permitted to reach the new -land, and stand on the shore of the wonderful river of the west. The -wind murmuring through the branches of the stately fir bade them -welcome, and the old trees served as shelter for the next two months. -With the aid of flint, steel, and powder, a large camp fire was soon -burning brightly, casting a rich glow o'er the magnificent wall of -forest trees. It was a picturesque scene. The soft moonlight, the -sparkle of the water, the lurid light from the resinous fire, formed a -scene worthy of a painter's skill. They sat around the fire for hours -reveling in the luxury of rest; and they arrived destitute in all save -character, determination, and self-reliance. With such sterling -qualities failure was impossible. - -The little company did not retire early, as they were forming plans -for their future work. At a late hour buffalo robes and blankets were -spread on the ground, and soon all were lost in sleep. The only sound -that broke the silence was the yelp of the prowling coyote. - -With the first rosy blushes of the dawn the men began to rise, and -before the sun was fairly over the horizon the sound and echoes of -their axes brought cheer to our mothers' hearts, for they knew ere -long homes would shelter them from the winter's storms. Weeks of hard -labor were required to fell the trees, and clear away the brush, and -prepare the site on which to build. Trees were cut the proper length, -one side of the log hewed smooth with a broadax, and fitted so they -would join at the corners and lie compact. It was no easy task, but -our loved pioneers, with only a saw, auger and ax, broadaxe and adze -would put to shame some of the more modern workmen. Logs for the -puncheon floors were split and smoothed with an adze, and fitted close -together, making a warm and solid floor. The structure raised to a -proper height, poles were used for rafters; some of the logs were cut -three feet in length, from which shakes were made and used in place of -shingles. The fireplace and chimney was built with sticks and -plastered inside and out with a thick coating of clay. Some had a -stout iron bar securely fastened on one side of the large fireplace; -on this bar, which was called a crane, iron hooks were placed, on -which the teakettle and other cooking utensils were hung; all cooking -and baking was done before the open fire and broad clay hearth. -Windows were a sort of sliding door in the wall, without glass. The -furniture was extremely simple, being split out of fir or cedar trees, -and, if not elegant, was substantial; doors were also made of shakes, -and hung on wooden hinges. Wooden pegs were used in place of nails. -Rough bedsteads were placed in one corner of the large room, the -trundle bed pushed under it during the day, and at night drawn out -ready for the little ones. For one to see the number of sweet faces -and bright eyes of the many children lying in their beds, the scene -would put the old woman who lived in her shoe far in the minority. -Large quantities of moss stripped from the trees made good mattresses; -with buffalo robes and blankets they had comfortable beds. Their -primitive cabins completed ready for occupancy, with heartfelt -thankfulness they left the shelter of the trees for their first Oregon -home. - -The latchstring, like a welcome hand, bade them enter. A bright fire -greeted them with her golden rays and warmth, and the sound of the -teakettle, cheerily singing, they catch the glad refrain and quickly -joined with-- - - "Home! Home! sweet, sweet home! - Be it ever so humble, - There's no place like home." - -How well they realized the true meaning of home, as no roof had -sheltered them for the past ten months. As the family gathered around -the ruddy light of the cheerful fire, which was their only light, -plans were made to visit Oregon City for supplies of food and -clothing. Indians, with their canoes, conveyed them to their -destination. Soon wheat, bolts of flannel, with other necessary -articles, were purchased and shipped; fathers stepped on board, and -the trusty Indian with a stroke of the paddle sent the frail craft -swiftly gliding o'er limpid water. Ere long they were rushing over the -Clackamas rapids, which in hurried haste, flows on and yet is never -gone. As the sun was sinking behind the hills, they reached home, -where the anxious mother, blinded by tears of gladness, thanked God -for the much needed supply of clothing and wheat, which was their only -bread. Deer and other game were plentiful, and easily brought down by -their trusty rifle. Salmon was bought of the Indians. Ducks, geese, -and swan were numerous. All winter mothers were kept busy cutting and -making clothing for the entire household; also teaching their -daughters how to sew, knit, and attend to general housework; and if -mothers were sick they did the work with willing hands. The canoe and -bateaux were their only means of transportation. Neighbors would -surprise the family by bringing their violins, and spending the -evening talking and dancing. The large room would be cleared of all -furniture, which was placed in the loft where the small children were -put to bed; soon the merry sound of tripping feet were keeping time to -Money Musk, and other old time music, the old men talked over the -possibilities of Oregon. One thought bridges would span the -Willamette; others shook their heads, saying not while we live. Our -children may live to see one. Others thought railroads would be built -across the continent; all looked at the speaker and echoed "A -railroad! Never, over those mountains. Why, man, no one in God's world -will live to see that day. Steamers and ships will come, but no -railroad." - -Our pioneer mothers made their dresses with plain skirts; waists were -sewed onto the skirt; sleeves were much like those worn by the women -of to-day. Their hair was combed smooth by their forehead and wound in -a coil high on their head, many wore side combs, a high back comb held -their coil of glossy hair. Hairpins were an unknown luxury. White -handkerchiefs were worn in place of collars, and they looked very -pretty crossed or tied in a bow at the throat. All were deft with the -needle, also weaving; those who have the rare blue and gray -counterpanes, manufactured by their willing hands, possess an heirloom -of great value. - -In the spring of 1846 gardens were made by those living on farms, from -which early vegetables were procured, and in the fall many bushels of -potatoes, pease, and other vegetables were stored; of summer fruit -there were wild strawberries, and later raspberries and blackberries, -of which large quantities were picked and dried; also hazel bushes, -producing nuts in abundance, which were gathered and stored for winter -use. There was not much buying and selling, except of wheat, which was -used as currency, as well as for food. Portland was founded in 1845 by -pioneers who were quick to see the magnitude and resources of the -country. J. B. Stephens, who was a cooper, saw the large revenue to be -made by exporting salmon, and soon began making barrels and kegs, from -which he netted a large profit. The first tannery built in Portland -was erected near where the exposition building is located, by D. H. -Lownesdale, who had the honor of introducing a new circulating medium, -which was Oregon tanned leather. - -In 1845 the first ferry from the east bank to the west shore was a -canoe. - -In 1845 Portland was named. - -In 1846 the first blacksmith shop was erected on the northwest corner -of First and Morrison streets. - -In 1847 H. Luelling brought the first grafted fruit trees to the -Northwest. His famous nursery was located near Milwaukie. - -In 1847 Captain Crosby built the first frame house; others soon -followed. Hotels, stores, and business houses were also erected. At -that time the United States mail arrived yearly. - -In 1848 the first Methodist Church was organized in Portland, and a -church building was begun by J. H. Wilbur; doing good for others was -his greatest pleasure. Blessed be his name! - -In 1850 the first Congregational Church was erected on the northwest -corner of Second and Jefferson streets. The oldest Congregational -Church in Oregon was organized in 1842 at or near Hillsboro. The -second was organized in 1844 at Oregon City by Harvey Clark, with -three members; he also organized the first Congregational Church in -Forest Grove; his many golden words and good examples are his living -monument. - -In 1849 Colonel William King built the first sawmill ever built in -Portland, which was run by water power. Soon after it was finished it -was destroyed by fire. - -In 1850 W. P. Abrams and C. A. Reed erected the first steam sawmill in -Oregon on the river bank near where Jefferson Street is located. This -proved a profitable enterprise. Just south of the mill was an Indian -encampment, occupied by different tribes. Their wigwams were -constructed of bark and brush. Squaws sat on mats, weaving their water -tight baskets, often very prettily decorated, while the Indian men -lounged about in scarlet blankets, as if posing for a picture, and -their children sat in their canoes gliding o'er the water with -swanlike grace. Information had been circulated among them that the -mill would be started up on a certain afternoon, and all were curious -to see the working of this new evidence of the white man's -superiority. At the stated time the Indians were in and around the -mill; suddenly the steam whistle sounded its shrill shrieks in a -continuous blood curdling blast, which sent every Indian man, woman -and child fleeing for their lives into the dense woods. It was a long -time before they could be induced to go near the mill. - -In 1847, 1848, and 1849 many emigrants arrived who settled in -Portland, adding thrift and push to our small colony. The discovery of -gold in California on the twenty-fourth of January, 1848, caused -Portland to look like a deserted hamlet, as all men and boys caught -the gold fever and started for the golden shores of California, where -many were killed by the Digger Indians; others died of various -diseases, and some returned home broken in health, while others -returned with their hard earned gold. Ships arrived yearly in Oregon -with supplies for the Hudson Bay Company, by way of the Sandwich -Islands. - -In 1849 twenty vessels arrived, and quickly loaded with flour, salmon, -pork, shingles, lumber, and other products, which they carried to the -California market. From that time Portland began laying aside her -swaddling clothes. The first mayor of Portland was Hugh D. O'Bryant, -who was elected in 1851. When the city was incorporated it was in -Washington County, and the people from Portland had to go to Hillsboro -to hold court. In 1856 a meeting of the citizens of Portland was -called to organize a volunteer company to protect the people and -property, in case of an Indian outbreak; two hundred names were -enrolled and H. W. Davis was appointed captain. - -In 1850 the steamer Lot Whitcombe was built at Milwaukie, Oregon. In -1851 the steamers Eagle and Black Hawk were running between Portland -and Oregon City, where those who wished to proceed farther south, -would walk to Canemah and there board the steamer Beaver or Enterprise -which would convey them to any of these points: Butteville, Champoeg, -Mission Bottom, or Salem. Steamers Belle and Fashion were running -between Portland and the Cascades. - -In 1853 David Monnastes and H. W. Davis erected a foundry on First -Street. Many other industries were established. - -Among the pioneer doctors were Doctors Hawthorne and Lorrea, who -erected the first hospital on Taylor, between First and Second -streets. Soon after they selected a beautiful location in East -Portland, surrounded by forest trees, and erected a home for the -insane. - -In 1853 W. S. Ladd built the first brick building in Portland. Others -soon followed, and frame houses were now in evidence, and the log -cabin in which so many happy hours were spent around the great -fireside was fast disappearing, although built from necessity, not -choice--happy memories of it still linger which time can not efface. - -In 1850 several families left Portland to reside on their donation -land claims. I will describe one of these homes: A frame house with -large rooms, papered, and woodwork painted, glass windows, sitting -room with a large brick fireplace, with a mantle of oak, easy chairs, -a large mirror, table, and a corner cupboard filled with dishes. The -kitchen was furnished with a cook stove and all other necessary -articles. Feather beds were now in use. This house was erected near -the bank of the ever beautiful Willamette. On the west a creek glided -in sparkling beauty by the kitchen door, supplying the household with -cold mountain water. Memory loves to recall those scenes. In a garden -early vegetables and a variety of flower seeds were growing. A large -frame barn stood on the hill, with pigpen and chicken house close by; -a woodshed filled with wood stood near the back gate. In the fall, -when it was time to garner the wheat, oats, or hay, neighbors, -bringing their scythes and other instruments used to mow the harvest, -would surprise the farmer at early dawn, saying, "Well, neighbor, I -have come to help you with your harvesting;" and they never left until -the bountiful crop had been garnered. The golden rule, do unto others -as you would have them do unto you, was lived and practiced and -represents to us that period in our social system when a neighborhood -was as one great family. - -In 1849 a mint was erected in Oregon City to coin five- and ten-dollar -gold pieces, which were known as beaver money. - -In the fall of 1849 a party of Oregonians, embarked on a sailing -vessel, left California for Portland. The captain proved to be a most -unkind and brutal master, not only to the sailors but to the -passengers, who were compelled to eat the worst of food. After sailing -for twenty-two days they encountered a violent gale, and were driven -out of their course. As they were nearing the Columbia-river bar the -vessel was drawn into the breakers at North Beach and was deserted by -captain, crew, and passengers, who in their haste to save themselves -forgot their gold. On reaching shore they were exhausted and were -obliged to walk around the entire night to keep from freezing. In the -early morning they saw smoke a short distance up the beach. Each man -hurried to the scene. They found a comfortable house where they were -made to feel at home in true pioneer style by the owner, a Mr. -Johnson, who was, as all Scotchmen are, loyal and hospitable. As they -were in a weakened condition the good man gave them a small quantity -of food at first, which was fish cooked on the point of a stick held -before the fire. All agreed that was the best food they had ever -eaten. Now they related their hardships encountered on the voyage. Mr. -Johnson sent out his Indians with instructions to reach the wreck and -bring everything available ashore. This order seemed scarcely -possible, but the brave Indians went through the breakers, reaching -the vessel, and before night brought all the sacks of gold dust and -many articles of wearing apparel ashore, where each man could claim -his own. The party remained several days with their benefactor, who -kindly conveyed them to Astoria. - -In 1854 Thomas Fraser was the first to agitate the public school -question. The following public spirited men were present: Thomas -Fraser, W. S. Ladd, Josiah Failing, H. W. Corbett, P. Raleigh, A. D. -Shelby, T. N. Larkin, A. L. Davis, C. Abrams, L. Limerick. All of -these noble and unselfish men, except one, have passed on to their -higher home--H. W. Corbett, the surviving one, a pioneer of 1851, -loved, honored, and justly called the Father of Portland, is still the -first to give his time and money for the betterment and upbuilding of -the city and state. God grant that he may be spared many, many more -years. No monument need be erected to their memory. The nobility of -their lifework is woven and cemented deeply in the hearts of the -people. - -December, 1855, Multnomah County was organized. In January following -L. Limerick was appointed county school superintendent. December 4, -1850, the first weekly _Oregonian_ was published in Portland by T. J. -Dryer. In 1851 the first regular monthly mail service began between -Portland and San Francisco, per steamer Columbia. - -Before Oregon was admitted to the Union in 1859 the log cabins had -been cleared away, showing the pioneers were progressive. - -In 1858 C. Stewart erected the first theatre building in Portland. - -_Wilcox School_--The first day school of any kind was opened in -Portland in the fall of 1847, by Dr. Ralph Wilcox. It was conducted in -a house erected by Mr. McNemee at the foot of Taylor Street. It was -properly a private school and continued one quarter. The names of some -of the pupils are given: Frances McNemee (now Mrs. E. J. Northup), her -brothers Moses, Adam, and William; Charlotte Terwilliger (now Mrs. C. -M. Cartwright), Milton Doan's children--Sarah, Mary, Peter and John, -Henry Hill, Helen Hill (now Mrs. Wm. Powell), J. Miller,--Murphy, Lucy -and Charlotte Barnes, Emma and Sarah Ross, Lorenzo Terwilliger, and -John Terwilliger. Doctor Wilcox came to Oregon in 1845. - -_Carter School_--In February, 1848, Miss Julia Carter taught school in -a log cabin on the corner of Second and Stark streets. She had thirty -or more pupils. Those who attended Doctor Wilcox's school, also these -additional: John Cullen, Carrie Polk, the Warren girls--one now Mrs. -Richard White, the other Mrs. D. C. Coleman; Milton, John, Albert, -Matilda, and Susan Apperson, were her pupils. - -_Hyde School_--In the winter of 1848 and 1849, Aaron J. Hyde taught -school in what was known as the Cooper shop, which was the only public -hall in Portland. It was located on the west side of First Street, -between Morrison and Yamhill streets. - -_Lyman School_--Late in December, 1849, Rev. Horace Lyman opened a -school in a frame building, which was built by Col. Wm. King for -church and school purposes. It was located on First Street, second -door north of Oak. On this building was placed a bell, which weighed -about three hundred pounds. Stephen Coffin bought this bell at his own -expense. Rev. Jas. H. Wilbur bought the bell of Mr. Coffin and placed -it on the First Methodist Church. It now hangs in the steeple of the -Taylor-street M. E. Church. He taught three months, had forty pupils. -Among his pupils he recalls the Coffins, Chapmans, Parrishes, Kings, -Hills, Terwilligers, Appersons, Watts, and McNemees. - -_Delos Jefferson School_--In August, 1850, Delos Jefferson, now a -farmer of Marion County, opened a school and taught three months. - -_Reed School_--In April, 1850, Cyrus A. Reed taught school for three -months. He had an average of sixty pupils. Among his pupils he recalls -the names, Carters, Cullen, Coffin, Hill, Chapman, Terwilliger, -Parrishes, Stephens, McNemee, and Watts. There was no other district -organization. - -_Rev. Doane's School_--Following Mr. Jefferson, came Rev. N. Doane, -then and now a minister of the M. E. Church. He taught nine months, -beginning December 1, 1850. To the former lists of pupils he adds -Davises, Crosbys, Lownesdale, and Parrishes. - -_Central School_--The Central School occupied the present site of the -Portland Hotel. Monday, May 18, 1858, the first school in the Central -Building was opened by L. L. Terwilliger, principal, with two -assistants, Mrs. Mary J. Hensill and Owen Connelly. From the records I -find that up to July 23, 1858, two hundred and eighty different pupils -had been enrolled. The names of pupils, parents, and residences are on -record. Of all the residences noted, but two were west of Seventh -Street. Those two were F. M. Warren and Wm. H. King. Most of the -residences were on First, Second, Third, and Fourth streets, with -quite a number in Couch's Addition. Mr. Terwilliger was principal of -the Central School for two and a quarter years. - -_Bishop Scott's Academy_--Was opened in the spring of 1856, at -Milwaukie. - -_Saint Mary's Academy_--The oldest denominational school in Portland, -was founded in 1859 by the Sisters of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and -Mary. The first Catholic Church in Oregon was erected in 1839 at Saint -Paul, Marion County. - -In 1849 a Catholic Church was dedicated in Oregon City. - -In 1851 the first Catholic Church was erected in Portland, and -dedicated in 1852 by Archbishop Blanchet, who labored with zeal to -better the condition of all. Peace to his memory. - -In 1845 George Abernethy, who resided in Oregon City, was chosen to -serve as governor of Oregon. He was a man of sterling qualities and -well qualified for the office, and was a pioneer of 1840. In the fall -of 1851 the academy on Seventh and Jefferson streets was opened with -C. S. Kingsley, teacher. The school was surrounded by large trees and -was a long distance from the village. No streets were improved near -the school. One could follow the cow path that wound around, and the -tinkling of the cow bell could be heard as late as 1861, when a law -was passed prohibiting cattle from roaming on the streets. - - -GLIMPSE OF ONE OF MANY SIMILAR SCENES ENDURED OUR LOVED PIONEERS. - -In 1850 Mr. S. M. Hamilton, with his wife and four children, after a -long journey across the Plains arrived at the Cascades. They were -impressed with the towering mountains and beautiful scenery. Here they -decided to locate on a donation land claim, which is now known as -Hamilton's Island. A comfortable house soon greeted them. Mrs. -Hamilton, who is still with us, is a woman of culture and refinement, -and many owe their success in life to her loving example and words of -cheer; but dark days were hovering around their peaceful home. The -terrible news that Indians were lurking to plunder and kill had filled -their hearts with terror. Mr. Hamilton had arranged, if the outbreak -did occur, that two men were to take charge of the boat, while others -were to remain and defend their property. A bateaux lay in readiness. -On the morning of the 26th of March, 1856, the dreaded signal sounded, -striking terror to the stoutest hearts. Mr. Hamilton hurried to his -home, where wife and children were terrified. His first word was -"Mary, the Yakima Indians have attacked the men, who were working on -the portage railroad, and will soon reach our home. Your only safety -is to embark at once, with other families, who are hurrying to reach -the boat, their only means of escape." All were now on board except -one woman, who was carrying her babe, and running over the rocks as -fast as her strength would permit. One of the men who had charge of -the boat said "Push out and leave her." Mr. Hamilton placed his hand -on the boat, saying, "No, no; never leave man, woman, or child who is -in sight." By this time the woman and child were on board; quickly the -boat was in the swift current, the occupants were lying on the bottom -to escape the whizzing bullets and arrows of the savages, whose -demoniacal and blood curdling yells added terror to the mothers' -hearts. Picture the agony of those mothers as they were floating away -from loved ones and home, listening to the frightful shrieks and rapid -shooting of the Indians. For a moment the father watched the receding -craft that held all that was dear--dearer than life--not knowing when, -or if ever, they would meet again. With upturned face he exclaimed -"Oh, God, have mercy and protect the dear ones." A bullet whistled -past his head; he raised his trusty rifle, fired, one Indian fell; -again and again his rifle was reloaded and fired, each time sure of -its mark. That night his house was burned. The Indians were armed with -guns and arrows. They killed one woman and her husband; several men -were killed; after hours of suspense those in the boat sighted the -steamer Fashion. She quickly halted, taking all on board, turned back, -reaching Vancouver the following day, where the alarm was sounded, and -the steamer hurried on to Portland; there the bells tolling forth -called out the citizens, who, on hearing the terrible news began -collecting guns and ammunition; the entire population was aroused. -Nothing since the Whitman massacre had brought such sorrow to their -hearts. Early in the morning the steamer, loaded with human freight, -started for the sad scene. A steamer had left Fort Vancouver with our -illustrious Sheridan, who, with forty men reached the Cascades first. -On landing they received a volley from the Indians, who fought like -demons. Now the steamer arrived with the Portland volunteers. At the -same time Colonel Steptoe, from The Dalles, with infantry and -volunteers, arrived, who surprised the Indians, many of whom were -horse racing, others were watching Sheridan. As they saw the new -arrival of blue coats, they fled to the hills. Nine of the ring -leaders were captured and hung. To relate all the thrilling incidents -encountered by the early pioneers would fill volumes, and in -conclusion, I feel that the hallowed remembrances of all our loyal -patriotic pioneer fathers and mothers will live to the end of time, as -they braved dangers that tongue or pen fail to express, and by their -life's work each one has erected their invincible monument. - - CHARLOTTE MOFFETT CARTWRIGHT, - Pioneer of 1845. - - - - -THE UPPER CALAPOOIA. - -By GEO. O. GOODALL. - - -The early history of the white man in the Upper Calapooia was a quiet -and uneventful one. The travelers coming in from their long trip -across the Plains, pushed up the Willamette Valley, and, attracted by -the beautiful and fertile Calapooia Valley, with its abundance of -grass on its surrounding hills, and plentiful supply of water, settled -there to live the peaceful life of farmers or stock raisers, with very -little trouble of any kind to disturb them in their occupation of -home-making. In those early days the hills, most of which are now -heavily wooded, were free from timber and covered with beautiful -grass. One old settler said: "You can not imagine the beauty of this -country when we first came here." The Indians had kept the brush -burned down, burning over the hills each year. The white man neglected -to do this, and now in many places the grass has given way to moss and -timber. - -According to the best information I could get, the first settlers came -to the Calapooia in 1846. T. A. Riggs, who came in 1847, and whose -statement is appended below, says that when he came there were three -or four settlers near where Brownsville now stands, and one, R. C. -Finley, six miles up stream. This man Finley was the settler farthest -up the stream till Riggs and his partner, Asa Moore, took up donation -claims two or three miles above Finley on Brush Creek, a tributary of -the Calapooia. From this time on more settlers came every year and -settled all along the Calapooia Valley and on streams tributary. The -settlement here preceded that in the upper Willamette to some extent, -because out in the valley there was less timber, water was less -plentiful, and the soil was not considered as good as in the -Calapooia. - -Most of the settlers who came were farmers. R. C. Finley, however, was -a millwright, and in 1849[35] built a flouring mill, which still -stands, six miles above Brownsville. In 1850 Templeton built a -sawmill; in 1852 Finley built one, and in 1854 P. V. Crawford built -one near the present site of Holley. The first settlers had gone to -Oregon City for flour, and later to Salem. After Finley's mill was -built people came from as far away as the Umpqua Valley to get flour -there. - -Schools were founded at an early date, the first being taught by Rev. -H. H. Spalding in a log house one mile above where Brownsville now -stands, in the summer of 1849. This was a subscription school. The -first district was organized on the Calapooia in 1853, being the third -district in Linn County. The first school after the district was -organized was taught by Robert Moore in the summer of 1853. The -churches commenced work very soon and several denominations were -represented. Joab Powell, the celebrated Baptist evangelist, used to -preach there, and gave it as his opinion that "Thar was some mighty -big sinners on the head of the Calapooia." Dr. J. N. Perkins preached -for the Christians, and Rev. H. H. Spalding for the Presbyterians. - -P. V. Crawford, for whom Crawfordsville is named, was the first -regularly appointed postmaster on the Calapooia. Previous to his -appointment in 1870 there had been a supplied post office at William -Heisler's store, where Crawfordsville now is. There was never any -great number of manufacturing enterprises in the Calapooia country. A -flouring mill, a sawmill or two, and the woolen mill at Brownsville, -built about 1862, constitute the sum of such enterprises. The chief -production is still from the farm--live stock and farm produce. The -range is now greatly curtailed through growth of brush, close -pasturage, and taking up of land. - -There were in this region several men who were public spirited and -prominent in Oregon affairs in early times. Foremost of all was -Delazon Smith, who lived down toward Albany, on the Albany prairie, -but was well known and claimed by all the Linn County section. Smith -was a preacher when he first lived in Oregon. On one occasion he was -heard to say, when preaching at Brownsville, that he had been urged to -give up preaching and go into law, but that he would not give up what -religion he had for all the wealth of the world. Strange to say, -however, that was really the last sermon he ever preached. Soon after -he is said to have been offered a fee of $1,000 to defend a man in a -criminal case, and from that time on he followed law and politics. He -was a member of the constitutional convention, was in the legislature, -and stumped the state with Col. E. D. Baker in the race for United -States senator. Hugh Brown, founder of Brownsville, was also prominent -in politics and was a member of the constitutional convention. J. N. -Rice and Robert Glass were in the legislature in early times, and R. -C. Finley, though not so prominent politically, was a wealthy, -liberal, public spirited man, who wielded considerable influence. - -No serious Indian troubles ever came upon the settlers on the -Calapooia. T. A. Riggs tells how the Indians used to steal from the -whites, and describes a little difficulty he and a neighbor had with -them over the stealing of an ox, but the Indians of this section never -attempted to make war on the whites. At a later time, 1856, there was -a fear that the Indians on the other side of the Cascades, who were -then on the warpath, might come over and fall upon the settlers along -the Calapooia. At Fern Ridge a fort was built in anticipation of such -a contingency, but results proved their fears groundless, and that -they had perhaps given the eastern Indians credit for more energy than -they possessed. - -During war times there was considerable feeling in this region. The -people were many of them from Missouri, and many were Douglas -democrats. When the war commenced a considerable number of Douglas -democrats turned Republicans. A party composed of Union men and -Douglas democrats put out a county ticket in 1862 in Linn County. It -was called the Cayuse ticket. Both Union and non-Union men formed -secret societies. The democrats organized a secret society known as -the Knights of the Golden Circle, one of its objects being to prevent -a draft. George Helm was the leading democrat at this time in this -section, and was called the "Lion of Linn." The Union men formed the -Union League, the chief object of which was to watch the democrats. It -was thought at one time that the Knights of the Golden Circle would -attempt to capture the fort at Vancouver, but no such attempt was ever -made. - -As I have before stated, the course of settlement and development in -the Calapooia country was quiet and uneventful. The settlers were at -first all poor, all subject to the hardships incident to living in a -new country, shut off from many conveniences of an older community, -and obliged to ascertain by experiment what crops paid best and how -they were best handled. Currency was scarce in the settlement and -wheat served to a large extent as a medium of exchange. When the men -who had been drawn to the gold mines to seek their fortunes began to -return with their gold dust there was a rapid advance in business and -prosperity. - -The first newspaper of this locality was printed by George Dyson; the -name and date I can not now give. The second was the _Informant_, -printed, like the first, at Brownsville, and by a man named Stein. -This was in 1886. In 1887 the _Express-Advance_ was started with the -_Informant's_ plant and continued two years. The _Brownsville Times_ -was started June 15, 1889, by McDonald & Cavendish. With several -changes of editors this paper is still printed, the present -proprietors being F. M. Brown and A. B. Cavender. - -The question as to why the first settlers came to Oregon is difficult -to determine. It seems, however, from the very limited amount of -direct testimony I have been able to get, that there were two forces -which at least had a powerful influence, and these were, first, -curiosity to see this great western country; and, secondly, the desire -to pick out a good piece of land from the thousands of acres open to -settlement here. - - ALBANY, Oregon, September 21, 1901. - - _Mr. Geo. O. Goodall, Eugene, Oregon_-- - DEAR SIR: In compliance with your request I will write a - short account of the early settlement of the upper Calapooia - Valley and some of the annoyances with which the first - settlers had to contend, and as I have to depend entirely on - memory, I am aware that my account will be very imperfect - and the more so as I am almost alone as one of the first - settlers, and I believe the only one above Brownsville. - - I crossed the plains in 1846, stopping near Oregon City till - the next fall, when I settled in Brush Creek Valley, Brush - Creek being the south fork of the Calapooia. When I came - here I found Alexander Kirk, W. R. Kirk, James Blakely, Hugh - L. Brown, and Jonathan Keeney, all living in the vicinity of - where Brownsville now is, they all having crossed the plains - in 1846 and come on up the valley to the Calapooia. I also - found R. C. Finley some six miles farther up the stream, who - also crossed the plains the same year, but settled on the - Calapooia in the spring of 1847. Mrs. Agnes B. Courtnay, who - came to Oregon in 1845, and whose husband had been killed - near Oregon City by a falling tree, made up the settlers on - the Calapooia at that time. I will state here that Mr. - Finley had settled at the falls of the Calapooia where he - contemplated building, and did in 1848 build a flouring - mill, being the first mill south of Salem. In the fall of - 1847, as before stated, I and Asa Moore settled in Brush - Creek Valley above Mr. Finley, he being the upper settler up - to that time, and at the same time James McHargue and Robert - Montgomery, who crossed the plains that season, settled - below Mr. Finley and Thomas Fields several miles farther up - the stream. Wm. T. Templeton, William Robnett, William - McCaw, John Findlay, John A. Dunlap, and Thomas S. Woodfin - all crossed the plains in 1847 and subsequently settled on - the Calapooia, but after the annoyance with the Indians had - ceased. - - The Indians in these early days were in the habit of - stealing horses and cattle from the settlers and butchering - them, and the settlers would trail them up and if able to - catch them would flog them severely, but the Indians seemed - to care about as much as a cur for such treatment and would - laugh about it as if it was all a huge joke. Some time - during the summer of 1847 Isaac B. Courtnay was hunting in - Brush Creek Valley, being above the settlement at that time, - when he met with a few Indians, who took his gun and - ammunition and allowed him to go home. During the fall and - winter of 1847 the Indians annoyed Mr. Fields so much that - he finally moved down to my place on Brush Creek and stayed - until the spring of 1848. - - In the fall of 1847 when I and Mr. Moore came into Brush - Creek Valley we were not aware that there were any Indians - near there and selected a place to build a cabin in which to - spend the winter, we being single men, were going to batch - through the winter, when I intended to bring my mother to - live with me, my father having died soon after starting for - Oregon. When we commenced cutting logs for our cabin two or - three Indians appeared on the scene and inquired what we - were doing there, and on being told we were going to settle - there they demanded pay for the land, and we finally made a - bargain with them agreeing to pay them in wheat and pease - after the next harvest, this being the way in which many of - the early settlers bargained with them. - - During the fall and early winter when an Indian happened to - be present at mealtime we gave him something to eat, but it - soon became apparent that if we kept this up we would run - out of provisions before spring, as there were one or more - Indians there nearly every meal, so we were obliged to quit - feeding them, when they demanded pay for their land again we - told them, however, that we would pay them according to - contract. Soon after this they moved away, and we saw no - more of them on Brush Creek. - - As Mr. Finley was contemplating the building of a mill the - next summer he traded for a fat ox which I had brought with - me, intending to butcher him when he commenced work, but - soon after the Indians left the ox disappeared also. When we - missed him from the other cattle Mr. Finley and I took a - circuit around the range of the cattle and struck his trail - going toward the Santiam, and after tracking him a mile or - two we came across the same Indians, where they were camped - and were drying the beef, having killed the ox. When we - turned toward the camp Mr. Finley said if that Indian runs - I'll shoot him. When they saw us coming they broke for the - brush and Mr. Finley fired at one of them, they in their - hurry leaving everything in camp, including the only gun - they had. - - After selecting such things as we could carry that would be - of any value we made a bonfire of the rest, burning - everything they had. When we started away I saw an Indian - head come up by the side of a log in the timber and took a - shot at him, it was a long shot, and I think the ball struck - the log, but the head disappeared very suddenly. Another - Indian started to run from behind a tree when Mr. Finley - fired, aiming, as he said, to break a leg, wounding the - Indian above the knee, but not disabling him. This caused - quite an excitement in the settlement, the Indians and many - of the settlers fearing it would cause an outbreak among the - Indians, arguing that we ought not have shot at them, but - should have treated them as others had done. However, Mr. - Finley and I told them that if they didn't want to be shot - at they must not steal from us, as we would shoot every time - and that to kill. This put a stop to their stealing in this - part of the country and we were not annoyed after that by - the natives, and they never called for the pay for their - land. - - The Rev. H. H. Spalding taught a neighborhood school in a - log schoolhouse one mile above where Brownsville now stands - in the summer of 1849, there being no public schools in the - country at that time. The first school district on the - Calapooia, being the third in Linn County, was organized, I - think, in the spring of 1853; but many of the early records - of the county were burned in the courthouse, and I am unable - to give the precise date. The first school was taught in the - district in the summer of 1853 by Robert Moore. - - As to the motive for coming to the Willamette Valley at that - early date I hardly know how to answer, unless it was love - of adventure, as the question of sovereignty had not been - settled between the United States and England when I came - here. True, the United States senate had been discussing the - matter of giving each settler in Oregon six hundred and - forty acres of land, and we rather expected that would be - done, but we had no real assurance that such would be the - case. - - Among the early county officers of Linn County, after its - organization under the Territorial Government, quite a - number were living on the Calapooia, Alexander Kirk being - elected county judge, N. D. Jack assessor, John A. Dunlap - representative, and William McCaw clerk in 1849, and in 1850 - several men who were elected to county officers went to the - mines and failed to qualify, among them the county - treasurer, and at a special election I was elected to that - office and received and disbursed the first taxes ever - collected in Linn County. - - In 1851 I was elected assessor and was the second man to - assess the county. In 1856 I served as second lieutenant in - the Rogue-river war. In 1862 was elected sheriff for two - years. - - Yours truly, - - T. A. RIGGS. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[35] Riggs says 1848; several old settlers say 1849. - - - - -DOCUMENTS. - - -A letter of M. M. McCarver to Hon. A. C. Dodge, Delegate to Congress -from Iowa, written immediately on the arrival of the immigration of -1843. - - [_Explanation_: This document was copied from the _Ohio - Statesman_, which had taken it from the _Iowa Gazette_, - where it was originally printed.] - - (Reprinted from the _Ohio Statesman_ of September 11, 1844.) - - OREGON. - - ARRIVAL OF EMIGRATION COMPANY NO. I. - - On the first page of to-day's paper will be found a notice - of the return of Lieutenant Fremont's exploring company. By - this company we are put into possession of several - interesting letters from different members of the emigrating - company, and, among others, three from our former townsman, - M. M. McCarver, one of which, directed to our delegate, - together with a letter written by P. H. Burnett to the - _Saint Louis Reporter_, we publish below.--_Iowa Gazette_ - [Burlington]. - - TWALATINE PLAINS, Oregon Territory, November 6, 1843. - - DEAR SIR: I avail myself of an opportunity offered by one of - the vessels belonging to the Hudson Bay Company to forward - you a few lines. - - The emigrants have not all arrived, though more than half - are here, and the remainder may be looked for in a few days, - all were at the Methodist Mission, about one hundred and - fifty miles distant, near The Dalles. On last week several - of the families arrived within a few days of Fort Vancouver - and the Wallammatte Falls--some by water and others over the - Cascade Mountains. The waggons will be brought from The - Dalles by water, as the season is now too far advanced to - open a road through the mountains. This expedition - establishes the practicability beyond doubt of a waggon road - across the continent by the way of the southern pass in the - Rocky Mountains. We have had no difficulty with the natives, - although we have had a tedious journey. We have had less - obstacles in reaching here than we had a right to expect, as - it was generally understood before leaving the States that - one third of the distance, to wit, from Fort Hall to this - place, was impassable with waggons. Great credit, however, - is due to the energy, perseverance, and industry of this - emigrating company, and particularly to Doctor Whitman, one - of the missionaries at the Walla Walla Mission, who - accompanied us out. His knowledge of the route was - considerable, and his exertions for the interest of the - company were untiring. Our journey may now be said to be at - an end, and we are now in the Wallammatte Valley. I have - been here near three weeks, having left my waggon in charge - of the teamster and proceeded on horseback from Fort Hall in - company with some thirty persons, principally young men. - Your first question now will be, "how are you satisfied with - the country? Is it worthy of the notice that Congress has - given it?" I would answer these in the affirmative. Perhaps - there is no country in the world of its size that offers - more inducements to enterprise and industry than Oregon. The - soil in this valley and in many other portions of the - territory is equal to that of Iowa, or any other portion of - the United States, in point of beauty and fertility, and its - productions in many articles are far superior, particularly - in regard to wheat, potatoes, beets, and turnips. The grain - of the wheat is more than one third larger than any I have - seen in the States. Potatoes are abundant and much better - than those in the States. I measured a beet which grew in - Doctor Whitman's garden which measured in circumference two - inches short of three feet, and there is now growing in the - field of Mr. James Johns, less than a mile from this place - where I write you, a turnip measuring in circumference four - and one half feet, and he thinks it will exceed five feet - before pulling time. Indeed, everything here is in a - flourishing condition--trade brisk and everybody doing well. - The emigrants generally are all, as far as I know, - satisfied. Wages for a common hand is from $1 to $1.50 per - day, and mechanics from $2 to $4. Wheat is quite abundant - and sold to ship or emigrants at $1 per bushel. Flour is - from $9 to $10 per barrel; potatoes and turnips fifty cents - per bushel; beef from six to eight cents per pound; American - cows from $60 to $70; California, from $15 to $20. The - prairie is coated with a rich green grass, perhaps the most - nutritious in the world; and I am told that the winter is - never so severe or the grass so scarce that a poor horse - will not fatten in the space of one month. Nothing is wanted - but industry to make this one of the richest little - countries in the world. I say little, because the fertile - part of it is small compared with the very extensive fertile - countries in the valley of the Mississippi; yet we have a - country sufficient in extent and resources to maintain in - lucrative occupations millions of inhabitants. Its great - hydraulic power immediately on the seashore, the advantages - for stock grazing or wool growing, its fertile soil and - indeed, its very isolated situation from competition with - the rest of the civilized world, all combine with other - circumstances to make it one of the most desirable countries - under the sun for industry and enterprise. - - I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, - - M. M. McCARVER. - - _Hon. C. A. Dodge._ - - -Two letters by Tallmadge B. Word, written from Oregon Territory in -1846 and 1847. See "Documents" of preceding number of THE QUARTERLY -for an account of the author: - - CLATSOP, Clatsop Co., Oregon Territory, - February 19, 1846. - - DEAR BROTHER: It was with pleasure I received yours of March - 8, 1845; also one from Cyrel at the same time (Nov. last, - 1845), and was happy to hear of general health, and that I - am blest with the same, and have been ever since I have been - in this territory; and, in fact, I have not had an hour's - sickness for five years past. You ask me to give a sketch of - my travels since I first arrived in Missouri. It is not - possible for me to do so, with any degree of accuracy at - present. Although I have a Journal of much of my trampings, - it is now 200 miles distant, and I will not be able to get - it before our mail starts for the U. S. I have also a daily - journal of our journey to this country, and one of the - weather for the first year I was here, which I sent you by - the return party of 1845, but we have ascertained, that our - letters were all lost, so I am aware you did not receive - mine of '45, but hope it may not keep you from writing in - the spring. - - The Ship by which I intended to send you letters, was sold - at the Sandwich Islands, and consequently did not return to - the U. S. Now of my tramp: I will mearly say that I have - ranged over nearly the whole country west of the Missouri - River and east of the Rocky Mountains, from the British line - on the north to the center of New Mexico on the south. The - country is nearly of a sameness, quite a barren, sandy - desert, with the exception of borders of streams, valleys, - mountains, &c. The whole country abounds in game and - Indians--the latter generally hostile. I could tell you of - some long hunting yarns, and Indian fights, but they are of - too little interest to spend time with now; so I will wait - until I take a walk down East, and then some long evening, - over a mug of cider and dish of apples, you shall have them. - - I was some of the time in employ of Fur & Trading Co., and - some of my time a free trapper. A hunter's life is a dog's - life, exposed to all kinds of danger and hardships, and but - little gained at last, but men soon get so accustomed to it - that in a short time they fear neither man, musket, or the - D----, and there is so much nature, romance, and excitement - in their way of living, that they soon become much attached - to it, for it is much easier for a white man to become an - Indian, than to reverse the thing. I have been compelled to - [by] hunger to eat mules, horses, dogs, wolves, badgers, - ground hogs, skunks, frogs, crickets, ants, and have been - without food of any kind for six days and nights. Cats, - dogs, or anything else, is right good eating meat at such - times. - - At another time we were four days, and three out of the four - compelled to fight our way as we traveled, but hungry men - are fond of fight and fear nothing, and so we walked - through. You may think crickets and ants rather small game - to shoot at, and so it is, but we have another way of taking - them, which is by going in search, early in the morning, - when the crickets (which are in some parts very numerous and - as large as the end of your thumb,) by the coolness of the - air and dew are very stupid, and climb to the top of weeds - in great numbers that the sun may get a fair chance at them; - they are at such times easily captured by jarring them off - into a basket and then roasting them with hot - stones,--feathers, guts, and all,--and make very good - eating--when one gets used to it. The ants are taken by - sticking a stick in the center of their hill, and making a - fire around it, which compels them to ascend the stick, and - from that to the basket or sack; in this way a meal is soon - procured. But those times are all past with me. - - I am now where we have plenty to eat and out of many dangers - to which a man is exposed, and I know well how to prize it. - As to how I got here I think I gave you some idea in my - letter of 1844, and as I am not able to give the - particulars, I will say nothing about it, but I will assure - you I am here on Clatsop Plains, at the mouth of the - Columbia River, within three quarters of a mile of the - Pacific Ocean, in a country that when I arrived here was so - thinly populated that I was able to become acquainted with - every white person in the territory; but the two last years - has so increased the population that two fifths are now - strangers to me; 1844 gave by land an emigration of about - 1,200; 1845 nearly twice that number; this year we expect - them by the thousands. The people who come here are from all - parts of the globe, but mostly from the western states of - the U. S. A great portion are single men, roving characters, - who are from every place but this, and this they can not - well leave; and the prospects of our infant country are so - flattering that we have no inclination to leave it; at - present almost every man that arrives here, is at once - filled with enterprise, and dives heels over head into - something. - - We have now a population of five or six thousand; there is - now in operation six sawmills and five flouring mills, six - stores, exclusive of the Hudson Bay Co., six blacksmith - shops, and three gunsmiths, carpenter shops in any number, - two tan yards, Lawyers, Doctors, and Preachers by the dozen. - We have a legislature, and they have made scores of laws, - the particulars of which you will get in the _Oregon - Spectator_, a paper which is printed at Wellemette Falls, - once in two weeks; the first number came out last week. I - sent you one or two numbers of the first print of the - _Northwest Coast_. I presume you would like to know - something of the situation of our country, the climate, - production, natural resources, &c., of which I will attempt - to give you a slight idea. The general character of the - country is broken and mountainous, but is interspersed with - beautiful valleys. The first I shall introduce to you is the - place of Clatsop; it is very small, but beautiful; it is - bounded on the north by the Columbia, west by the ocean, and - south and east by heavy timbered land; it is about twenty - miles in length by two in breadth; from the sea beach to the - big timber the soil is of the best quality, capable of - producing any vegetation grown in any of the northern or - western states in the U. S. As the wind is nine tenths of - the time from the salt water, I believe it to be one of the - most healthy places on the globe. It is now four years since - the first whites settled here, and there has not been a case - of sickness nor a death as yet, and but ten or fifteen - births, for there is not a woman that has a husband, but - what well fulfills the Commandment by about every year - giving birth to a fine chub, and very often two at a time, - and some instances of women, without husbands, lending a - hand in populating our valuable country, and all owing to - the climate and shellfish (?) which we have in abundance. - - The number of families at this place is fourteen, counting - in five bachelor halls. The tide flows from 9 to 12 feet - perpendicular at the mouth of the Columbia. We will now - proceed up the river. Thirteen miles from the bar is old - Astoria, now occupied by the H. B. Co. This place is a - beautiful situation for a town, and will probably be the New - York of Oregon; it has a full view of the whole harbor, and - a vessel can lay at any time in perfect safety. Now three - miles and we come to Tongue Point; this is a narrow point of - land running into the river; a fortification on it could - have full command of the river, as the channel runs near the - point. On we go; heavy timber and broken land on each side - of the river, which is from three to ten miles wide; we now - come to the mill which I told you I was erecting. I will - tell you more of that by and by, but we will go ahead. The - banks of the river heavy timbered and broken, but the soil - rich; we now come to Coulitye [Cowlitz] River, which is - about 200 yards wide at the mouth, comes in on the north - side of the Columbia, about 50 miles from the mouth of the - Columbia. We will ascend this river 15 miles, against a - strong current. The country now opens out into a large - plain, many miles in length and breadth, the soil of the - best quality, beautifully watered, and interspersed with - timber. At the time I first visited these parts there were - but fourteen families of French and half-breeds, but since - that time there has been a number of American families - settled in this section. The valley is one or more hundred - miles, in diameter, and situated on one of the noblest - harbors on our coast, that, is the Puget Sound. Now we will - return to the Columbia, and ascend 40 miles to the - Willemette River, of which you will get an idea by the paper - which I send. Six miles above the Willemette River is - Vancouvers, the principal depot of the Hudson Bay Co.; all - of their shipping ascends to this place, though not without - some difficulty, particularly if the craft draws more than - thirteen feet of water. - - In the vicinity of Fort Vancouver there is much fine farming - land. The company has fine farms, and many thousand head of - cattle. Fifty or sixty miles above are the Cascades; it is - where the river crosses the Cascade Mountains, a range - running north and south. East of these mountains is a - country extending many hundred miles in each direction, and - most particularly adapted to grazing. Stock of all kinds can - live here winter and summer without the least care. This is - as far as I have seen the country, though it is said there - is much fine country in the south of the territory, but no - settlements in that section. - - Our stock keeps fat through the winter without care; we had - no snow last winter nor this. Buds are now swelling, and - some flowers in bloom. You wished to know where we get saws - to saw our big timber. I brought two, of the longest kind, - with me, and we have since had two from the Hudson Bay Co., - and three from the States. We have timber of all sizes, so - we take our choice; we have some 16 feet in diameter and 300 - feet in length; no mistake. I have measured such. We have - shipped three cargoes of lumber to the Sandwich Islands, for - which we received $20 per thousand feet, clear of freight. - Lumber is, and will be, a great source of wealth to this - country. The Columbia, and its tributaries, are alive with - salmon during the summer months; the Indians take them in - great numbers with spears, nets, and seines; there are many - packed and sent to foreign markets annually. - - I am now improving me a farm on Clatsop Plains. I have a - splendid claim of six hundred and forty acres of land, about - fifty acres timber, the rest prairie--laying immediately on - the Pacific. We are all very anxious to hear the result of - the treaty (if one is made) between the _U. S._ and John - Bull. We are very much afraid Uncle will fool away the north - of the Columbia; if he does we shall be _Silux_. We are very - anxious the U. S. should extend her jurisdiction over our - valuable country, and we are nearly out of patience with the - delay. We are not all thieves and runaways, as represented - by the Hon Mr. Mc----, nor our country a booty. Boy, if it - is, it's inferior to none in point of beauty, pleasant - climate, natural resources, and advantages of wealth; and if - the settlers were ever thieves they have wholly reformed, - for it is generally believed that no other colony has ever - equaled this in point of bravery, enterprise, hospitality, - honesty, and morality. There are men who arrived here in - October last who have at this time one hundred acres fenced - and sown to wheat. Now, all we want is a little of Uncle - Sam's care, that capitalists may be safe in investing their - money. - - Merchandise is generally high here, owing to the scarcity - and great demand. Salt $1 per bush.; sugar 121/2 cts. per lb.; - coffee 25 cts. per lb.; molasses 50 cts. per gal.: tea 50 - cts. to $1.50; nails 18 cts.: window glass 10 to 12 cts. - per light; dry goods in proportion; beef, pork, hides, - tallow, and most kinds of produce taken in payment; beef $6 - per h.; pork $10; hides $2 apiece by the lot; tallow 8 to - 10; butter 20 to 25; wheat 75 cts. to $1; oats 75 cts.; - potatoes 50 cts. per bu.; lumber from 15 to $25 per 1,000 - feet; shingles 4 to $5 per 1,000; common laborers $1 per - day, and mechanics $2. You see by the manner of my writing - that I am in great haste, therefore you must allow me to - close. - - After you peruse this I want you to enclose it, and, with - love and respect, send it to Cyrel, for I have not a - moment's time to write to him, and I have nothing to say to - him only to be sure he is right and then go ahead; and for - you both, to send me letters every chance, for I value each - letter at five hundred dollars--provided I could get them no - cheaper. Give my love to father, sister, and all inquiring - friends, and should like to see some of you in Oregon. - - Yours, most affectionate, - T. B. WOOD. - - (I. NASH.--My consent to publish this if you think it of any - interest). - -The above letter was written by Tallmadge B. Wood, from Clatsop, -Clatsop County, Oregon Territory, February 19, 1846, to Isaac M. Nash, -his brother-in-law, at Ballston Spa, Saratoga County, New -York.--_Florence E. Baker._ - - -Copy of a letter written from Oregon City, formerly Willemette Falls, -Oregon, December 23, 1847, by Tallmadge B. Wood to his brother-in-law, -Isaac Nash, and sister.--_Florence E. Baker._ - - OREGON CITY, December 23, '47. - - DEAR BROTHER: I avail myself of this opportunity of writing - you a few lines that you may know that I am still in the - land of the living. I received one letter from you by the - arrival of Mr. Shively, being the second one that I have - received from you since I have been in this brush. We, of - course, got news of the fate of the "Oregon Bill" of last - session, and as you may judge was very much disappointed, - but we grin and bear it because there is no other way for us - to do. We are at present in rather an awkward situation; - there has of late been some serious difficulties with the - upper country Indians in which Dr. Whitman, wife and nine - others were murdered. - - There were fifty men dispatched last week to protect the - Mission at the Dals, [Dalles]; we have had no news from them - since. There are orders for the raising of five hundred men - to go up and give the scoundrels a wiping out. So you may - say we have the loud cry of war in Oregon; but what is done - here, is done by the voluntary acts of the people and - without pay. And as there is such a diversity of opinions, - as to the best way to proceed, I think there will not be as - much done at present, as we have got so many people here - that it is not so easy for them all to agree as it was in - former times. - - This year's emigration was very large. They all got through - with less difficulties than that of last year. There has - been considerable sickness with them. Their disease being - the measles, the disorder is proving quite fatal with the - natives; it was in consequence of this that Dr. Whitman was - killed, as they held a malice against the whites for - bringing the disorder unto the country. - - Our legislature being in session, it has authorized Mr. Meek - to go to the United States with dispatches to the - government, informing it of our situation. He starts - to-morrow morning, and it is by him that I send this letter. - It is a general time of good health and spirits, in Oregon, - with the exception of now and then a case of the measles. - Our commerce has much improved within the last year. A large - number of ships have left our port the last season well - ladened. - - The winter thus far is very fine, no freezing, and little - rain. Wheat looks well, and great quantity sown. I have sold - my interest in my mill, and also my farm. I am going to put - up salmon next spring, and after the season is over, which - will be in August, I am going to build a mill, as I now have - one of the best sites on the Columbia, and lumbering the - best business in Oregon. - - I would write much more, had I time and room on my - sheet--though I am sure it would not be very interesting. Be - sure and send me a letter every time the Ship Whiton sailed - for the U. S. as it will return to this country. Be sure and - avail that chance though I missed it. Give Father my - Respects; tell him I intend on coming to see him once more. - I must scratch a few lines to sisters, so I bid you a - Farewell. - - Dear Sisters, I have only room to tell you that I am well. I - Farmed it and did housework last summer, but I guess I don't - do it again soon. There are lots of pretty girls here now, - but I do not get time to get one of them just now, but will - take a year or two, by and by, and attend to these matters. - - Frances must write to Cyrel for me, for it is now late and I - haven't time. Give my love to all cousins and inquiring - friends. Write every chance. - - Good by, your affectionate brother, - T. B. WOOD. - - To _I. Nash_, _S. C. Nash_, _J. A. Wood_. - - The above letter was folded, and sent without an envelope: - It was sealed with a red seal; it cost ten cents postage; it - was mailed at St. Joseph, Mo.; it was directed to Isaac - Nash, Ballston Spa, Sarotogo County, N. Y.; it arrived at - Sarotogo Springs June 5th. It was marked _Missent_. This - letter was written on large sheets of pale blue paper with - black ink, and is in good preservation now, 1908.--_Florence - E. Baker._ - - - - -SOME CORRECTIONS. - -"Seth Luelling," near the bottom of page 282 of volume III should be -Henderson Luelling. - -In the twelfth line of page 284 of the same volume the word "clearer" -in brackets should be omitted, as the author intended by the word -"lighter" to refer to the specific gravity of the water. - -In the seventeenth line of page 289 of the same volume the words -"blue" and "mountain" should not begin with capital letters. - -Mr. H. S. Lyman requests the insertion of the following note referring -to the recently published "Complete History of Oregon": - - _To the Editor_-- - - As my attention has been called to some points deemed - erroneous in the History of Oregon, I would ask space in the - OREGON HISTORICAL QUARTERLY to say to subscribers or - purchasers of the work that I would esteem it a favor that - any matter deemed inaccurate or erroneous be communicated to - me. - - Errors in a publication are usually of the following - character: Typographical, merely; slips of the proofreader; - mistakes of transcription; misapprehension of the writer; or - of differences in authorities. Besides this there is the - wide field of differences in opinions, or conclusions--many - being unable to distinguish between a fact and what is - properly but their own personal inference from facts, or - supposed facts. Still further, different persons will - estimate differently the value of events, and give varying - proportions to the elements constituting the whole. - - Typographical errors, or mere blunders of haste, should not, - certainly, be expected in a standard work; yet are almost - invariably found, particularly in the first edition; and, - indeed, seldom or never disappear entirely; almost every - teacher, or student, including myself, having noticed, or - reported such even in standard text-books. By reference to - the preface of my history it will be seen that the work was - undertaken with full understanding that a complete, or - critical, history of Oregon could not yet be written; but it - was thought worth while now to lay the basis of an - investigation and ask the patronage of the public. I would, - therefore, feel it a most friendly courtesy if any - supposedly erroneous matter, whether mere slips, or - differences of information or opinion--in the great number - of details that it has been attempted to furnish--would be - reported to me. I am confident that the work has been begun - on a sufficiently broad basis to bear much further - elaboration. Any mistakes reported, together with such as - may be found by myself, will, if they seem sufficiently - numerous and formidable, be collated and published as a page - of errata, and the corrected list be furnished each - subscriber or purchaser, so far as these may be known. - - I hope that this may prove a useful line of inquiry, and - place the readers somewhat on their own mettle, and thus - furnish me matter for notice in a second edition, if this - should be produced. Such investigation and criticism would - also establish more firmly in public confidence such data as - do not prove open to question. - - H. S. LYMAN. - - _Astoria, Oregon, May 13, 1903._ - - - - - THE QUARTERLY - OF THE - OREGON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. - - VOLUME IV. JUNE, 1903 NUMBER 2 - - - - -OREGON AND ITS SHARE IN THE CIVIL WAR.[36] - - -By the Convention of 1818, renewed in 1827, the Oregon Country, -comprising a large part of what is now denominated in general terms, -the Pacific Northwest, was under the joint occupancy of Great Britain -and the United States. - -The practical evidence of this joint sovereignty on the part of the -British, was the sway of the Hudson Bay Company through its network of -trading stations and outfitting points for its cohorts of frontiersmen -and trappers. Until the advent of the missionary movement from the -States, there was little practical evidence of the coordinate -sovereignity of the United States. - -When the missionary movement took important shape numerically it -resulted in a vital need for some form of local government, and hence -there arose the Provisional Government of Oregon, as it was called, -fashioned on the lines of state or territorial governments on the -other side of the intervening mountains and plains, "deriving its just -powers from the consent of the governed," and empowered by that -consent to maintain inviolate as far as possible "life, liberty, and -the pursuit of happiness." - -In 1846, abandoning the political war cry of "Fifty-four Forty or -Fight," which had served its demagogic use as a partisan rallying -call, a boundary treaty was finally concluded between England and the -United States fixing the forty-ninth parallel of latitude as the -northern most boundary of the Oregon Country and of the United States -in the Northwest. - -But still the provisional Government of the immigrants, incomplete in -concept, rude in operation, imperfect in power, was the only form of -government, the ten to fifteen thousand Americans in this vast domain -had to insure domestic tranquillity or oppose resistance to the ever -present savage foe. - -In message after message President Polk called the attention of -Congress to its inaction and the dangers to which that inaction -exposed the settlers and how far short of its manifest duty the -national legislators were in their neglect; but there were mighty -reasons back of this neglect; mighty forces were battling in the halls -of legislation--the titanic combat was on between Freedom and Slavery -and the Missouri Compromise line was some leagues to the northward of -where California began. The Provisional Legislature of 1845 had taken -firm ground on the slavery question and the ordinance of 1787 -prohibiting slavery was incorporated in its organic law. - -The Douglas house bill of 1846, seeking to organize a territorial -government for Oregon, followed in this regard the expressed desire of -the colonists, and met a prompt and instant defeat at the hands of the -Southern senators. Thereupon, Douglas sought to get around the -question by a different bill (he was then in the Senate) containing a -clause sanctioning the colonial laws of Oregon, which would, as a -matter of fact, accomplish the same result. Joseph L. Meek, an -accredited representative of the colonists had undergone a dangerous -overland winter journey to enforce upon the President and Congress -the necessity of immediate action and of Federal aid in the constant -conflict with the surrounding Indian tribes. - -Judge Thornton, the personal representative of Governor Abernethy of -the provisional government, was also in Washington on the same errand, -having come by ocean. - -The senate bill of Douglas was finally passed, after being amended in -the spirit of compromise ever dominant in those days, whereby the -colonial laws on the subject of slavery were to be continued in force -until such time as "the legislature could adopt some other law on the -subject," but the House promptly laid this bill on the table and -rejoined with a measure practically identical with the Douglas house -bill of 1846, and after a long and bitter contest, in which Thomas H. -Benton led the fight for Oregon, on the fourteenth of August, 1848, -Oregon became a territory of the United States on her own terms, and -free soil in name as well as in fact. - -President Polk promptly appointed General Joseph Lane, of Indiana, a -native of North Carolina, and a veteran commander of the Mexican war, -as the first territorial governor of Oregon, and urged upon him the -immediate organization of the government, in order that it might be -inaugurated before March 4, 1849, when there would be a change in the -presidency. - -The long journey of Governor Lane, accompanied by ex-Delegate Meek, -now United States Marshal, across the continent by the Santa Fe trail, -and up the coast from San Francisco, is one of the stirring incidents -of those stirring times, and on the third of March, 1849, but one day -before the expiration of President Polk's term of office, General Lane -issued a proclamation making known that he entered upon the discharge -of the duties of his office, and proclaiming the Federal laws in force -over the Oregon country. Thus was the consummation so longed for by -the President brought to pass, and what he had striven for so long and -so patriotically fulfilled in the closing hours of his administration. -During the years of territorial government the slavery question that -was tormenting the brain and conscience of the North and the heart and -chivalry of the South, played but little part in the life of the far -distant territory. - -The political complexion of the territory was overwhelmingly -Democratic, but it was democracy of the free soil order, which only -asked of the negro to keep out of its sight and out of its mind. In -line with this temper was the enforcement against two unfortunate -blacks of the territorial enactment against free negroes, which being -promptly held constitutional by the territorial supreme court, the two -offenders were gently but firmly deported from the boundaries of the -"white man's country." This same deep-lying sentiment found added -expression in the forth coming State Constitution, wherein it was -enacted "No free negro or mulatto not residing in this State at the -time of the adoption of this Constitution shall come, reside, or be -within this State, or hold any real estate, or make any contracts, or -maintain any suit therein; and the legislative assembly shall provide -by penal laws for the removal by public officers of all such negroes -and mulattoes, and for their effectual exclusion from the State, and -for the punishment of persons who shall bring them into the State or -employ or harbor them." Added expression was given to this point of -view in the vote on the subject of admission of free negroes, -submitted to the people in connection with the vote on the adoption of -the proposed constitution--here the vote in favor of their admission -was 1,081, contrarywise 8,640. - -A potent influence at Washington towards Oregon's admission as a state -was the well-known democracy of the State, and at home the -indebtedness to the colonists of the National Government in -connection with the Indian wars--it seemed plain that two senators and -one congressman who could vote as well as talk could accomplish more -than one delegate who could only talk; and so the vote for the -adoption of the State Constitution was 7,195 for and only 3,215 -against. - -On the subject of slavery, submitted to the people at the same -election, the vote was likewise significant and illuminating, 7,727 -voted for freedom and but 2,645 for slavery. Coming as this -overwhelming vote did when the agitation of the slavery question was -at a white heat both in and out of Congress, it was startling in its -clear and unequivocal verdict on this great question--and it is -especially significant when we recall the great preponderance of -Oregon voters born in slaveholding states and cradled in the doctrine -of African bondage. Can the conclusion be other than that they -realized the economic and moral blight of the slave system and -resolved to have none of it in their fair State. - -In this election the free soil democrats and the whigs under Thomas J. -Dryer were found quietly but none the less actually fighting shoulder -to shoulder. - -It is a delicate task to attempt to chronicle history while yet the -actual participants are some of them living and the children and -grandchildren of many more constitute our friends and neighbors, and -far be it from me to criticise the motives or sincerity of those who -were wrong in the troublous days that followed except in so far as is -necessary to set forth the facts of history. - -On the fourteenth of February, 1859, Oregon became a State of the -Union. From the loins of the old Whig party in Oregon, as well as -elsewhere in the country, sprang forth that young giant the Republican -party, and to the leadership of Dryer was added the silvery eloquence -of Edward D. Baker, lately come from California. The uncompromising -slavery wing of the Democratic party nominated John C. Breckinridge -for President and Joseph Lane, Oregon's first territorial governor and -present senator, for Vice President. Stephen A. Douglas headed the -regular Democratic ticket and Abraham Lincoln was the Republican -chieftain. - -In Oregon there was a new alignment alike of leaders and of the rank -and file--despite the wonderful personal popularity of Oregon's -favorite son Joseph Lane, and the passionate oratory of Delazon Smith -his chief campaigner, Oregon cast her vote for Abraham Lincoln for -President of the United States. The combined Douglas and Lincoln vote -was 9,480, while Breckinridge and Lane polled 5,074; and from this -computation we see that a trifle more than one third of the voters of -Oregon were apparently prepared to follow the programme of disunion -and secession. Colonel Baker, by a coalition of republicans and -Douglas democrats, was chosen United States Senator, and left almost -immediately for Washington to take up his official duties; but he left -behind him the courageous inspiration of his lofty patriotism--he had -played upon and touched both the heart and conscience of the young -Commonwealth, and while the months that followed were months of -waiting and watching and of prayer, as elsewhere in the Union, there -was never any real question, after the wonderful rousing of the public -mind and the public heart of Oregon, largely wrought by his matchless -eloquence and high ideals, that should war, that saddest of all -conflicts, a civil war, ensue, the brave young State would stand by -the flag of the Fathers and the cause of human liberty. At the city of -San Francisco, _en route_ for Washington, Colonel Baker, in fiery and -impassioned rhetoric, nailed his banner and Oregon's to the Nation's -masthead. - -He said "As for me, I dare not, will not, be false to freedom. Where -the feet of my youth were planted, there by freedom my feet shall ever -stand. I will walk beneath her banner. I will glory in her strength. I -have seen her in history struck down on a hundred fields of battle. I -have seen her friends fly from her, her foes gather around her. I have -seen her bound to a stake. I have seen them give her ashes to the -winds; but when they turned to exult, I have seen her again meet them -face to face, resplendent in complete steel, brandishing in her strong -right hand a flaming sword, red with insufferable light. I take -courage. The people gather round her. The genius of America will yet -lead her sons to freedom." - -How could such a spirit, such a faith fail to overcome the forces of -disunion and slavery or fail to inspire his fellow-Oregonians with his -own unalterable patriotism. Despite all the warnings, despite all the -months and years of anticipation and alarm, here, as elsewhere, the -fall of Sumpter came like an electric shock. - -Douglas democrats and republicans alike became but Union men and the -old flag waving in the breeze brought tears, tears of shame and tears -of determination, even to the eyes of many who had voted for -Breckinridge and Lane. - -On the same steamer that brought the news of the fall of Sumpter, came -Joseph Lane, the ex-senator, the defeated candidate for Vice -President. It is known that he came prepared, if not officially, yet -fully authorized to head a movement for capturing Oregon for disunion. -Numerous boxes of guns and ammunition accompanied him to his -destination for this purpose. - -But scarcely had he put foot on the wharves of the Oregon metropolis, -than he realized the vast misconception he had made of his home -people. Douglas democrats and republicans, and many who had but lately -voted for him for the vice presidency, declared without hesitation -for the Union; and the idol of the Oregon democracy, tainted with -secession and disunion, spurned even by his former friends, made his -way unaccompanied and unheralded to his southern Oregon home by a -devious trail, fearing the mob justice of the justly enraged citizens -of the leading valley towns. And yet it was not all one way in Oregon -in those troublous days. In certain quarters the disunion sentiment -was powerful and dangerous. - -In the Historical Society's rooms in Portland hangs a banner first -flung to the breeze on July 4, 1861, not forty miles from that city. -It is fashioned of long strips of red and white ribbon, and in the -center of its starry field is an eagle, made by the deft fingers of a -pioneer woman. The old immigrant who donated it to the Historical -Society has related how, when he heard the news of the fall of -Sumpter, he immediately determined to celebrate the Fourth of July by -flinging the Stars and Stripes to the breeze from his own home and -with that end in view had procured the ribbon and caused his liberty -loving wife to fashion it into his country's flag. This coming to the -ears of certain hot-heads among his neighbors, he was called upon by a -committee and asked if it was true that he intended hoisting the Old -Flag on the anniversary of the nation's birth. To his affirmative -reply came the sharp retort that it would never be allowed to stay, -but would forthwith be torn down. - -"No man will haul down that flag except over my dead body," was the -stern reply of the sturdy old pioneer. The days ran by and the -self-formed committee thought that the old pioneer had heeded their -warning, when one day the news spread that a flagstaff, tall and -straight, and as unbending as the old man's determination, lay before -the pioneer house. Then the elders of the hot-heads began to counsel -moderation, to tell of the old neighbor's good deeds, of his -unswerving sense of duty, of his faultless marksmanship that before -that flag could be lowered not only the rough old patriot must lie -cold in death but many of the attacking party would bite the dust. - -Reflection cooled the disunion ardor; perhaps "a tinge of sadness, a -blush of shame o'er the face of the leader came," howbeit on the -Fourth of July, 1861, that beautiful silken banner floated on the -wings of the whispering wind and in the eagle's beak a dead serpent -hung, sounding a note of derision as well as of triumph from the old -man's heart. - -And while in a few days a more generous impulse came over him, and he -himself took down the flag and had the serpent removed from the -eagle's beak, yet with that single exception, until the final paean of -victory was sung at Appomattox, that silken emblem of his beloved -country caressed by summer zephyrs and kissed by the soft mists of -winter, floated undisturbed above his patriotic home. - -Col. George Hunter, in his quaintly interesting narrative -"Reminiscences of an Old Timer," tells of a somewhat similar incident -down in the Rogue River country. He says: "One day there had assembled -at a store, where the double-distilled extract of corn was chiefly -dispensed, a considerable crowd of men, most of whom were violent -secessionists, and they were soon filled up, as good democrats were -supposed to be, with the exhilarating beverage. From some cause or -other the grand old Stars and Stripes had on this day been raised on a -pole or staff near by, and pretty soon these half-tipsy fellows took -offense at the defiant colors, and swore they would tear it down. Two -or more of them started to execute the threat. Some of the crowd -remonstrated, but to no avail. I being a stranger and a democrat, -supposed the republicans present would protect the flag, but seeing no -movement in that direction, and that if the flag was kept floating -something must be done and done quickly, I grabbed an old musket that -chanced to be standing in the corner of the store, and with my best -speed I made for that flagstaff. My great-grandfathers had both served -with Washington at Brandywine and Valley Forge, and my grandfather -with Jackson at New Orleans, and I could't stand by and see the grand -old banner disgracefully lowered by a drunken rabble of rebel -sympathizers. As I ran swiftly forward I called frequently to their -leader to stop, but he paid no attention to me. Knowing that nearly -all men carried pistols in those days, and that these men were made -desperate by drink, I determined to have the first shot. I took a -quick aim and drew the trigger. The cap burst clear, but no report -followed. Then there was a race between me and their leader for the -flagstaff (all the rest stopped when the cap burst). We met at the -flagstaff, and just as he was about to cut the halyards to lower the -flag, my gun went off in a different way (it didn't snap that time), -and the barrel brought down on his head proved more effective than the -bullet which refused to leave the barrel. - -"Well, he laid down sudden like, and as I now had time to draw my -revolver, I informed the mob that I would shoot the first man that -attempted to haul down that flag before sundown. That settled it. -Friends removed my man to the store, and many Union men gathered to my -assistance, which had the effect of stopping any further -demonstrations in that direction. At the going down of the sun, we -lowered the flag, cheering as we did so, and laid it away with the -honor we considered to be due the 'flag of the brave and the emblem of -the free.'" - -In 1861 there were only about seven hundred men and nineteen -commissioned officers in the regular army in the whole of Oregon and -Washington, the force having been reduced to its lowest possible -limit by withdrawals to strengthen the forces in the East. These -troops were distributed as follows: 111 men, under Capt. H. M. Black, -at Vancouver; 116 men, under Major Lugenbeel, at Colville; 127 men, -under Major Steen, at Walla Walla; 41 men, under Captain Van Voast, at -the Cascades; 43 men, under Capt. F. T. Dent, at Hoskins; 110 men at -the two posts of Steilacoom and Camp Pickett, and 54 men under -Lieutenant-Colonel Buchanan, at The Dalles, all under the general -command of Colonel Wright, with Brig.-Gen. E. V. Sumner commanding the -military department of the Pacific. - -Twofold dangers threatened the widely scattered settlements; from -without, the ever hostile Indians who were further emboldened by the -inevitable spirit of uncertainty and unrest that followed on the heels -of civil war, and from within, disunion intrigue might at any time -blaze into armed rebellion. It was a time that tried men's souls. - -In June, 1861, Colonel Wright made a requisition upon Governor -Whiteaker for a three-year cavalry company to be mustered into the -service of the United States and A. P. Dennison, former Indian Agent -at The Dalles, was appointed enrolling officer. Suspicion of the -loyalty of both the Governor and of Dennison to the Union cause, -retarded enlistment and finally led to the abandonment of the -undertaking. - -In November, 1861, the War Department made Thomas R. Cornelius -colonel, and directed him to raise ten companies of cavalry for the -service of the United States for three years, to be a part, as it was -supposed, of the five hundred thousand volunteers called for by -President Lincoln. Colonel Baker from Washington had taken an active -interest in encouraging the raising of this famous regiment--it was -the original regiment of Rough Riders of the West. There was an -impression that nowhere in the East could there be gathered together -cavalrymen to withstand the onslaughts of the dashing Southron on his -black charger and the First Oregon Cavalry was recruited on the -express promise that should the war continue they would be speedily -transferred to the Army of the Potomac and given opportunity to cross -swords with the flower of Southern chivalry. - -From the lava beds of Jackson County to the plains of the Tualatin -rang the bugle call to duty and the pick of the youth of this young -State were soon in the saddle under the guidon of freedom. R. F. Maury -was commissioned lieutenant-colonel, Benjamin F. Harding, -quartermaster, C. S. Drew major, and J. S. Rinearson junior major. -Each volunteer furnished his own horse and received for himself and -mount $31 a month, $100 bounty and a land warrant for one hundred and -sixty acres of land. Company "A" was raised in Jackson County, Capt. -T. S. Harris; Company "B" in Marion County, Capt. E. J. Harding; "C" -at Vancouver, Capt. Wm. Kelly; "D" in Jackson County by Capt. S. -Truax; "E" by Capt. George B. Currey in Wasco County; "F" by Capt. -William J. Matthews in Josephine County; and Capt. D. P. Thompson of -Oregon City and Capt. R. Cowles of the Umpqua also had companies. Six -complete companies rendezvoused at Vancouver in May, 1862, and were -clothed in government uniforms and armed with old-fashioned -muzzle-loading rifles, pistols, and sabres. - -Colonel Baker was the warm personal friend of Lincoln; he had promised -the boys of the First Oregon Cavalry before recruiting began that they -should have a chance, if the war continued, of serving in the East; -many of the present survivors have told me that they enlisted on this -express promise, and had Colonel Baker lived there is every reason to -believe that with his strong personal influence with the President, -"Tom Cornelius' Rough Riders of Oregon" would have been the prototype -in fame, as they were in fact, of "Roosevelt's Rough Riders" of the -Spanish war. Colonel Baker was the colonel of the Fourth Illinois in -the Mexican war, and it was hardly to be expected that a man of his -ardent temperament could sit tamely in the halls of legislation while -the rattle of musketry and the roll of drums were heard at the very -gates of the national capital. - -And thus it came to pass, for on June 28, 1861, he was mustered into -service for three years as colonel of the First California Infantry, a -regiment he recruited largely in Pennsylvania, and which was -afterwards denominated the Seventy-first Pennsylvania. On August 6, -1861, he was commissioned Brigadier-General of Volunteers, to rank -from May 17, which commission, although confirmed by the Senate, he -declined, as he did also a later appointment as Major-General of -Volunteers, as either appointment would have necessitated his -resignation as senator from Oregon. It is stated that when General -Scott had to give up general command of the army on account of his -advancing years, President Lincoln tendered the succession to Colonel -Baker, which was alike declined for the same reason. - -With impetuous courage and passionate desire to serve his country upon -the field of battle as well as on the floor of the Senate, Colonel -Baker could not stay at the rear, but joined his regiment at the -front, and was as active in the work of the camp as he had been upon -the stump and rostrum. Occasionally he would revisit the Senate and -participate in a day's debate and then hurry back to his military -duties. It was at such a time, sitting in his seat in the Senate, clad -in his colonel's uniform that John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky, late -pro slavery candidate for the presidency with Joseph Lane, delivered a -speech which was but a reflection of the secession views of those -braver Southerners who were already in armed rebellion. Colonel Baker -grew restive under the words of Breckinridge, his face glowed with -passionate excitement, and he sprang to the floor when the senator -from Kentucky took his seat and then and there without previous -preparation delivered that wonderful philippic, abounding in -denunciation and invective which alone would make a niche for him in -the world's temple of fame. - -Passionately he asked "What would have been thought, if in another -capitol, in a yet more martial age, a senator with the Roman purple -flowing from his shoulders, had risen in his place, surrounded by all -the illustrations of Roman glory, and declared that advancing Hannibal -was just and that Carthage should be dealt with in terms of peace? -What would have been thought, if after the battle of Cannae, a senator -had denounced every levy of the Roman people, every expenditure of its -treasure, every appeal to the old recollections and the old glories?" -Mr. Fessenden, of Maine, who sat near, responded in an undertone, "He -would have been hurled from the Tarpeian rock;" and in tones of -thunder Baker flashed forth the suggested fate and continued "Are not -the speeches of the senator from Kentucky intended for disorganization? -Are they not intended to destroy our zeal? Are they not intended to -animate our enemies? Sir, are they not words of brilliant polished -treason even in the very capitol of the Republic?" And then replying -to a taunt of Breckinridge about the loyalty of the Pacific coast, he -went on "When the senator from Kentucky speaks of the Pacific I see -another distinguished friend from Illinois, now worthily representing -the State of California, who will bear witness that I know that State, -too, and well. I take the liberty, I know that I but utter his -sentiments, to say that that State will be true to the Union to the -last of her blood and treasure. There may be some disaffected men -there and in Oregon, but the great portion of our population are loyal -to the core and in every chord of their hearts. They are offering to -add to the legions of the country, every day, by the hundred and the -thousand. They are willing to come thousands of miles with their arms -on their shoulders, at their own expense, to share, with the best -offering of their heart's blood, in the great struggle of -constitutional liberty." - -Can there be any different conclusion than that in that strong -passage, Colonel Baker referred among others to the First Oregon -Cavalry, which, though largely recruited after his death, was the -direct product of his inspiration and suggestion. On the twenty-first -of October, 1861, while gallantly leading his regiment at the battle -of Ball's Bluff, Colonel Baker was instantly killed, and with his -death went the chance of the Oregon regiment to obtain service at the -seat of war. - -As the months rolled by and no fulfillment came of the promises that -had been made for Eastern service, the regiment joined in a round -robin to President Lincoln in which they recited the promises that had -been made to them and asked for their fulfillment. The President's -answer, filled with the lofty patriotism and spirit of unselfishness, -that was his daily part, told them that the greatest and highest duty -for all, was that which lay nearest at hand and with the regular -troops almost all withdrawn from Oregon and Washington, and the tide -of immigrants and scattered settlements open to Indian attack and the -towns and villages liable to disunion, intrigue, and plot, their -nearest as well as their highest duty was to guard the State from foes -both savage and traitorous from without and from open treason within. - -And to the gallant men of the First Oregon Cavalry the word of the -great President was final. They accepted the task he set them to -accomplish, and although to them the pomp and circumstance of war were -missing, although no patriotic millions stood by to applaud their -gallant feats, and the eye of Government was not upon them, yet for -three long weary years they did their duty faithfully and well, and by -that faithfulness preserved their beautiful State for the Union and -the wonderful future that has come to it. - -Some there were of Oregon blood and Oregon soil, however, who could -not remain away from the greater theater of war, where the more -dramatic destiny of the nation was being wrought out in havoc of blood -and treasure. Col. Joseph Hooker, "Fighting Joe Hooker," living at -Salem when the war broke out, went East, and became a brigadier-general, -and Bancroft speaks of others as follows: "Volney Smith, son of -Delazon Smith, was for a short time lieutenant in a New York regiment; -James W. Lingenfelter, residing at Jacksonville, was made captain of a -volunteer company, and killed at Fortress Monroe October 8, 1861; John -L. Boon, son of the state treasurer, who had been a student of the -Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, was at the battles of Shiloh and -Corinth, in an Ohio regiment, in Gen. Lew Wallace's division; Major -Snooks, of the Sixty-eighth Ohio, was formerly an Oregonian of the -immigration of '44; George Williams, of Salem, was second lieutenant -of the Fourth Infantry, and in the second battle of Bull Run, -Antietam, Frederickburg, and Gettysburg, losing a foot at Gettysburg; -Frank W. Thompson, of Linn County, was colonel of the Third Virginia -Volunteers in 1863; Henry Butler, of Oakland, was a member of the -eighty sixth Illinois Volunteers; Charles Harker was a lieutenant; -Roswell C. Lampson, still living in Portland, was the first naval -cadet from Oregon, and served with conspicuous gallantry and fidelity -throughout the war; Capt. W. L. Dall, of the steamship Columbia, was -appointed a lieutenant in the navy; and many of the regular army -officers, whose northwestern service is indissolubly connected with -its early history, rose to great eminence during the progress of the -war. - -"Notable among them was Rufus Ingalls, who became lieutenant colonel -on McClellan's staff; Captain Hazen and Lieutenant Lorraine, who was -wounded at Bull Run. Grant, Sheridan, Augur, Ord, Wright, Smith, -Casey, Russell, Reynolds, and Alvord, all became generals, as well as -Stevens, who had received a military education, but was not in the -regular army." - -It is not the purpose of this paper to follow the patriotic service of -the First Oregon Cavalry during the long and wearisome months and -years during which they labored in heat and cold, in storm and -sunshine, under pioneer and frontier hardships, in chastising the -hostile Indians, guarding the immigrant caravans, or holding in check -the forces of disunion and secession. That there was need of them, for -all these high and patriotic duties, there is no doubt. - -As early as shortly after Lincoln's election in 1860, Senator Gwin, of -California, with the undoubted knowledge and cooperation of Joseph -Lane, of Oregon, formulated a plan for a slave-holding republic on the -Pacific coast, with an aristocracy similar to the old Republic of -Venice, vesting all power in a hereditary nobility, with an executive -elected from themselves. - -Should the Southern States succeed in withdrawing from the Union and -setting up a Southern Confederacy without war, then with a continuous -line of slave territory from Texas to the Pacific, the Pacific coast -should combine with the South; but if war ensued between the North and -South, then the coast should be captured, and the Venetian Republic -be inaugurated separately, and slaves imported from the Isles of the -Sea. - -Bancroft, the historian, asserts that but for the strong restraining -advice of Jesse Applegate and the overwhelming sentiment against him -on his return, there is no doubt but what General Lane would have -embarked in the enterprise, and that the boxes of arms and ammunition -which accompanied his return were intended for that purpose. In 1862 -it became known all through the Pacific coast that an oath bound -secret organization of confederate sympathizers were holding almost -nightly meetings at many places; and self-appointed Union detectives, -from points of vantage could hear the tread of martial feet and the -hoarse notes of command. - -High authority has asserted that Gwin of California, Lane of Oregon, -and a man named Tilden of Washington, were the instigators and -advisors of this second movement to steal the Pacific coast from the -Federal Union and hold it for the forces of disunion and secession. -They chose for a title the quaint and striking name of "Knights of the -Golden Circle." - -One of the best posted historical authorities on the Pacific coast -told me a few days ago that he had in his possession cipher documents -of that strange disloyal order, which some day experts should decipher -and give to the world, but as yet it was too early for history to -record anything but the things that were notorious. The same authority -told me of how one night in San Francisco, eight hundred Knights of -the Golden Circle, armed to the teeth, had met to make the initial -outbreak, capture the Benicia Arsenal and arm all rebel sympathizers -of San Francisco therefrom and carry out the long cherished plan of -seizing the Pacific coast for disunion. - -At the last moment realizing the awful, momentous responsibility of -their projected attack they clamored for a leader whom they could -follow as one man. In a moment one name was on every lip, an old hero -of the Vigilante days--in haste he was sent for (he was not a member -of their order) and their plan revealed to one whom they thought -disloyal like themselves, but they had reckoned without their man--he -was as loyal as the sturdy patriots who fell at Bunker Hill, fighting -the earlier battle of freedom with bare hands and clubbed muskets. - -Knowing that by a brief delay only could he lull them to security, and -at the same time save the day for the old flag, he asked until 9 -o'clock the next morning to give his answer, they to remain where they -were until his answer should be returned. Taking this as a practical -assent, and that he only went to arrange his private affairs, the -balance of the night wore on; but the old Vigilante was not idle; -calling together as many of the old Vigilante Committee as were -available and of known loyalty, he unfolded the treason that was -lurking in the city's midst, and as they were swift to act in the days -of '49, so were they now; the loyalty of the commandant at the Benicia -Arsenal being questioned, he was promptly replaced by one of true and -tried steel, and loyalists were armed and ready in more than one -secret place in the city midst if needed and then at 9 o'clock as -agreed the answer went to the waiting Knights of the Golden Circle -that the old Vigilante could not be their leader. - -Thus all up and down the Pacific coast there was work to be done by -the troops at home in guarding against the spirit of disloyalty which -fostered by the early reserves of the Union arms was dangerous and -threatening. - -The situation of Oregon at this time was one of peculiar danger. Both -England and France were in open sympathy with the states in revolt. -The French Government were setting up an empire in Mexico. England -was causing trouble over the disputed boundary at the entrance to -Puget Sound. Not a single fort or coast or river defense existed in -either Oregon or Washington, and at any time these hostile foreign -powers might combine with the Indians as they had done in earlier wars -and with the disloyal and disaffected within. Separated by such vast -reaches of country from the loyal states of the Union nothing of -assistance could be expected from them in case of trouble, in time to -be effective and hence it was that for upwards of three years, not -merely the peace and security of Oregon but its permanency as a part -of the Federal Union depended on the First Cavalry. - -The War Governor, Addison C. Gibbs, a strong and patriotic man, -organized a valuable addition to the military forces of the State in a -state militia, whose chief duty was to hold in check the Knights of -the Golden Circle, to which it was a direct antithesis. - -At the second election of President Lincoln it was a known fact that -the Knights had their arms cached in the neighborhood of the leading -polling places, and intended to carry the election by force of arms. -This was only prevented by the militia who were superior in numbers -and who adopted similar tactics which proved effective. - -One shudders at the fratricidal bloodshed and awful guerilla warfare -that would have come to pass in this mountainous and thinly settled -country had the first outbreak happened and the torch of rebellion -been lighted. That it did not so come to pass was another evidence of -the mysterious workings of Divine Providence. - -In 1864 Governor Gibbs called for ten companies to be known as the -First Oregon Infantry, each company to consist of eighty-two privates, -maximum, or sixty-four minimum, besides officers. Eight companies were -ultimately enlisted, and at first were chiefly employed in garrison -duty throughout the Northwest, but later performed gallant service in -the Indian wars that were ever in progress. - -I wish that it were possible within the necessary limits of this -article to write down some of the many deeds of matchless heroism -wrought by the loyal men of the Northwest in the dark days of the -war--deeds fit to rank with the gallantry of Sheridan's dashing -troopers, with the glorious achievements of Sherman's March to the -Sea, with the steadfastness of the iron phalanxes of the immortal -Grant. But we can at least pay our tribute of praise to those rude -frontiersmen of the Pacific, who loved their country, their country's -flag, and the cause of freedom,--who fulfilled, without murmur, the -self-sacrificing duty placed upon them by the martyr President, who -wrought out in blood and fire the destiny of the Northwest, and whose -only reward has been the sense of duty done. Of each of them the -beautiful words of Tennyson are peculiarly appropriate: - - "Not once or twice in our rough island story - The path of duty was the way to glory: - He that walks it, only thirsting - For the right, and learns to deaden - Love of self, before his journey closes, - He shall find the stubborn thistle bursting - Into glossy purples, which outredden - All voluptuous garden roses. - Not once or twice in our fair island's story - The path of duty was the way to glory: - He that ever following her commands, - On with toil of heart and knees and hands, - Thro' the long gorge to the far light has won - His path upward, and prevailed, - Shall find the toppling crags of Duty scaled - Are close upon the shining table-lands - To which our God himself is moon and sun. - Such was he, his work is done. - But while the races of mankind endure - Let his great example stand - Colossal, seen of every land, - And keep the soldier firm, the statesman pure: - Till in all lands and thro' all human story - The path of duty be the way to glory." - - ROBERT TREAT PLATT. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[36] An address delivered before the University of Oregon, May 20, -1903. - - - - -THE GREAT WEST AND THE TWO EASTS. - - -A resounding chorus of gratulations will herald to the world within -the next two years the first centennial of two events upon which the -history of the Great West is founded--the purchase of Louisiana and -the expedition of Lewis and Clark to the mouth of the Columbia River. -Whether the student of history at the Saint Louis World's Fair in 1904 -pause in admiration of the political foresight of Jefferson, or join -in the general acclaim of the heroism of our first explorers at -Portland, in 1905, the fact that will most impress him is that -geographical lines have been obliterated and there is no West. -Migrations having their origin in the dim, remote past, and continuing -down to the present, have brought the Aryan race face to face on the -opposite shores of the great western ocean, and the world finds itself -confronted with that condition which William H. Seward predicted, -when, addressing himself to the commerce, politics, thought, and -activities of Europe, he said they "will ultimately sink in -importance, while the Pacific, its shores, its islands, and the vast -regions beyond, will become the chief theater of events in the world's -great hereafter." The East that Columbus sailed westward from Spain to -discover will ever be the world's East; the West, "the remote shores -that Drake had once called by the name of New Albion," will be the -East of the World's Great East, and the West only in its geographical -relation to the Atlantic seaboard of our own country. - -The West has fulfilled every promise of its value to the Union made by -its champions when its cause was before the people of the new -Republic; it has refuted every prediction of dire effect made by the -opponents of its acquisition. When the purchase of Louisiana was under -consideration, the fear was expressed that people who would move to -that region would scarcely ever feel the rays of the general -government, their affections would be alienated by distance, and -American interests would become extinct. The generous response of men -and money made by Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa, when the Union was in -the throes of a struggle for its preservation, attests the loyalty of -the Louisiana region. A Southern senator asked, in 1843, what good was -Oregon for agricultural purposes, and said he would not give a pinch -of snuff for the whole territory. Yet the Oregon Country has given the -Union three sovereign states, and part of its territory has been taken -to form two other states; its occupation by Americans was a direct -cause of the annexation of California; it has in the Columbia River -and Puget Sound two important bases for military and naval operations; -far from being inhospitable to the honest farmer of the Atlantic -seaboard, or the Ohio Valley, it has one hundred thousand farms, -valued at nearly $600,000,000. Alaska was denounced as a barren waste, -that would never add one dollar to our wealth, or furnish homes to our -people. Yet in less than forty years Alaska has supplied gold, fish, -and furs worth $150,000,000, and has paid revenue to the government -exceeding by $1,500,000 the price Russia got for it in 1867; and at no -distant day Hawaii and the Philippines will justify American -occupation by statistics as telling as those here presented of -Louisiana, Oregon, and Alaska. - -If a nonexpansive policy had prevailed in our national councils at the -beginning of the nineteenth century; if the presidential chair had -been occupied by another than the broad statesman who saw beyond the -Mississippi, over the Rockies to the Pacific, and over the Pacific to -the cradle of the world, we should now have an intolerable situation -of affairs in North America. Had we refused Louisiana from Napoleon, -what is now the United States would be partitioned, geographically, -about as follows: East of the Mississippi would be the Republic of the -United States of America of 1783, with England in Canada on the north, -and Spain in Florida and fringing the Gulf of Mexico. Louisiana would -have fallen into England's hands as a result of the Napoleonic wars, -and so, perhaps, Oregon, either by reason of a favorable -interpretation of the Nootka convention, or Vancouver's discoveries. -Mexico, as the successor of Spain, would own Texas and all the -remainder of the west south of the forty-second parallel and not -included in Louisiana. With a republic on one side, and European -sovereignty on the other, the Mississippi would to-day be bristling -with cannon. The purchase of Louisiana was political foresight, and -the completion of our title to Oregon was a direct result of the -Louisiana transaction. The war with Mexico was the logical sequence of -both. From whatever point we may regard it, the acquisition of the -trans-Mississippi region, viewed in the perspective of a century, was -worth what it cost in money, actual war, and risk of war with what, in -the early stages of our history was the most powerful nation on the -globe. - -The beginnings of the West date from 1850. Further back the census -reports do not present statistics that can be compared for valuable -purposes, with present standards, although as early as 1840 there were -nine hundred thousand people along the western shore of the -Mississippi in Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, and Missouri. These states -were long on the firing line of American civilization, and their -people subsisted by general farming, or by outfitting ox-train -merchandise caravans for Santa Fe and Chihuahua, or by outfitting and -trading with pioneer settlers _en route_ to Oregon, or gold seekers -flocking to California. Jim Bridger put up in southwestern Wyoming in -1843 the first post for the purpose of trading built west of the -Mississippi River, and its establishment marked the beginning of the -era of emigration to the Far West. Until a comparatively recent period -a goodly portion of the public domain lying west of the Missouri -River, and comprising perhaps five hundred thousand square miles, was -mapped as the "Great American Desert" and they who penetrated its -solitudes and returned unscathed to "civilization" were regarded with -that curiosity that pertains to a traveler who has visited an unknown -land. With the upbuilding of the country and the spread of knowledge -of its capabilities, the title of "Great American Desert" has been -swept away, and the colored maps that illustrate the books of the -twelfth census, regard the white portion as "unsettled area." This -includes a considerable area in every state and territory west of the -ninety-ninth degree of longitude. East of that line the only white -portion is in southeastern Florida. Progress in the half-century -comprehended in this brief review has been remarkable and the present -position of the West is strikingly shown in the appended statement, -which represent its percentages of the total for the United States for -the different items tabulated. In a few instances comparisons are made -with 1890 and 1850: - - =====================================+============================ - | Per cent. - +---------+---------+-------- - | 1900. | 1890. | 1860. - +---------+---------+-------- - Gross area with Alaska | 75.4 | ---- | ---- - Gross area without Alaska | 59.1 | ---- | ---- - Population, gross | 27.5 | 26.6 | 8.6 - Urban population | 17.6 | [1]13.1 | 14.1 - Number of farms | 35.8 | 32.6 | 8.2 - Acres improved | 48.8 | 44.4 | 6.3 - Farms, total valuation | 44.1 |[37]36.7 | 6.9 - Farm products, value | 43.2 | 37.4 | 20.3 - Farm animals | 59.4 | ---- | 11.9 - Wool, yield | 69.8 | ---- | 4.7 - Hops, yield | 64.3 | ---- | 7.1 - Timber, area | 55.4 | ---- | ---- - Lumber product, value | 32.4 | 24.9 | 10.0 - Gold, yield | 99.6 | ---- | ---- - Silver, commercial value | 99.8 | ---- | ---- - Coal | 15.1 | ---- | ---- - Railroad mileage | 45.2 | ---- | .25 - Manufactures, value of product | 16.1 | 14.5 | 3.9 - Operatives in factories | 12.2 | 11.9 | 3.1 - Imports and exports | 19.0 | ---- | ---- - -------------------------------------+---------+---------+-------- - - -POPULATION. - -Aggregate population has increased 957. per cent in fifty years, and -foreign population has grown faster than native: - - ==================+============+============+===========+=========== - | | | | Per cent - | 1900. | 1890. | 1850. | of - | | | | increase, - | | | | 1850-1900. - +------------+------------+-----------+----------- - Americans | 18,375,337 | 14,117,931 | 1,785,462 | 929.0 - Foreigners | 2,659,317 | 2,556,478 | 213,942 | 1143.0 - +------------+------------+-----------+----------- - Total | 21,034,654 | 16,674,409 | 1,999,404 | 957.0 - | | | | - Per cent American | 87.3 | 84.6 | 89.2 | - Per cent foreign | 12.7 | 15.4 | 10.8 | - ------------------+------------+------------+-----------+----------- - -The proportion of native born, which suffered a sharp decline between -1850 and 1890, because of the influx of foreigners to the mines of -California, Montana, and Nevada, and to the farm lands of Minnesota -and the Dakotas, is again in the ascendant, the net gain for the -decade just ended having been 2.7 per cent. The native population is -largest in the group of southwestern states and territories, Arkansas -leading with 98.9 per cent; Indian Territory, 98.8 per cent; -Louisiana, 96.2 per cent; Oklahoma, 96.1 per cent. Along the Pacific -coast it is highest in Oregon, with 84.1 per cent, and lowest in -California, with 75.3 per cent, Washington coming in between with 78.5 -per cent. North Dakota, with 64.6 per cent, makes the poorest showing. -The proportion of natives in the West as a whole in 1900 was 1 per -cent above the average for the Union, which was 86.3 per cent. The per -cent of foreigners is highest in North Dakota, where it is 35.4, and -lowest in Arkansas, where it is 1.1. Minnesota is the only State -having to exceed 500,000 foreigners. California and Iowa have over -300,000 each. - -The population of the West in 1850 consisted of 1,500,000 farmers and -traders in the Louisiana country, that is, Missouri, Iowa, Arkansas, -Minnesota; 200,000 odd who had swarmed into Texas after it had been -wrested from Mexico, some 60,000 in New Mexico, a group of gold -diggers in California, a few thousand Mormons in Utah, and a handful -of hardy pioneers who had braved privations and hostile savages on the -plains in following the footsteps of Lewis and Clark to the Oregon -country. At that time there were not quite 2,000,000 people in all the -boundless region west of the Mississippi River. The establishing of -direct communication by the overland stage, followed by the building -of the transcontinental railroad, stimulated growth, and by 1870 the -West had attained considerable importance in population. In 1850 it -reported 8.6 per cent of the total population of the Union; 26.6 per -cent in 1890, and 27.5 per cent in 1900. In 1890 it had over four -times the population of the new Republic in 1790 and not quite twice -the population of the nation in 1820. In 1900 its population was -somewhat under that of the whole country in 1850, the ratio being -about 21 to 23. The appended table shows how the several states and -territories of the West have progressed in the matter of population: - - =================+============+============+============ - | 1850. | 1890. | 1900. - +------------+------------+------------- - Arkansas | 209,897 | 1,128,179 | 1,311,564 - California | 92,597 | 1,208,130 | 1,485,053 - Colorado | | 412,198 | 539,700 - Idaho | | 84,385 | 161,772 - Iowa | 192,214 | 1,911,896 | 2,231,853 - Kansas | | 1,427,096 | 1,470,495 - Louisiana | 517,762 | 1,118,587 | 1,381,625 - Minnesota | 6,077 | 1,301,826 | 1,751,394 - Missouri | 682,044 | 2,679,184 | 3,106,665 - Montana | | 132,159 | 343,329 - Nebraska | | 1,058,910 | 1,066,300 - Nevada | | 45,761 | 42,335 - North Dakota | | 182,719 | 319,146 - Oregon | 13,294 | 313,767 | 413,536 - South Dakota | | 328,808 | 401,570 - Texas | 212,592 | 2,235,523 | 3,048,710 - Utah | 11,380 | 207,905 | 276,749 - Washington | | 349,390 | 518,103 - Wyoming | | 60,705 | 92,531 - Alaska | | 32,052 | 63,592 - Arizona | | 59,620 | 122,931 - Indian Territory | | 180,182 | 392,060 - New Mexico | 61,547 | 153,593 | 195,310 - Oklahoma | | 61,834 | 398,331 - +------------+------------+------------ - Total | 1,999,404 | 16,674,409 | 21,034,654 - -----------------+------------+------------+------------ - -Louisiana, with 11.4 inhabitants to the square mile, was the most -thickly settled state in the West in 1850. Missouri followed with 9.9; -Arkansas with 4, and Iowa with 3.5. The average for the Union was 7.9. -That year the little State of Delaware, with 91,532 inhabitants, -boasted of one two hundred and sixty-third part of the total -population of the Union. Where was Oregon with about one seventh of -Delaware's population and Minnesota with less than one half of -Oregon's? In 1900 the density of the Union was 25.6 inhabitants per -square mile. Three western states, Missouri, with 45.2, Iowa, with -40.2, and Louisiana, with 30.4, exceeded the general average. In the -remainder of the states the density ranged from 0.4 in Nevada to 24.7 -in Arkansas. - -The colored population of the trans-Mississippi region is largely -confined to the states in the southern belt, Arkansas, Louisiana, and -Texas. In the Pacific states the colored population is principally -Chinese and Japanese. - -Throughout the West, with the exception of Louisiana, the number of -females to each 100,000 men is under the national average, which is -95,353. Louisiana reports 98,871, and Utah, for obvious reasons, -follows with 95,324. Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Texas also have -between 90,000 and 95,000 females to each 100,000 men, and in -Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Indian Territory, New Mexico, and -Oklahoma, the average is over 85,000 and under 90,000. The proportion -of women to each 100,000 men is exceedingly low in the Pacific coast -and mountain states, being 80,987 in California; 73,265 in Idaho; -62,390 in Montana; 65,352 in Nevada; 77,495 in Oregon; 70,329 in -Washington; 59,032 in Wyoming. Alaska reports 38,629. - -Here, as in other parts of the Union, urban population is growing -faster than rural. Comparison for this discussion is with the census -of 1870, as the returns for any previous year would make too meagre a -showing. In 1870 the West had 56 of the 226 places that reported a -population of 4,000 and over. In 1890 the number was 176 out of 899, -and in 1900 it was 251 out of 1,158. Of the West's total population in -1900, 20.3 per cent was urban, against 37.3 percent for the Union. In -1900, 17.6 per cent of the total urban population of the country lived -in the West, 13.1 per cent in 1890, and 14.1 per cent in 1870. -California with 48.9 per cent and Colorado with 41.2 are above the -average for the Union, while Washington, with 36.4 makes a close -approach to the mark. For other states the average is: Iowa, 20.5; -Kansas, 19.2; Louisiana, 25.1; Minnesota, 31; Missouri, 34.9; Montana -and Wyoming, 28.6; Nebraska, 20.8; Oregon, 27.6; Utah, 29.4; Arkansas, -6.9; Idaho, 6.2; Nevada, 10.6; North Dakota, 5.4; South Dakota, 7.2; -Texas, 14.9; Arizona, 10.6; Indian Territory, 2.5; New Mexico, 6.1; -Oklahoma, 5. The following statement shows the drift of the population -into the cities: - - =================+=============+============+============+=========== - | | | | Increase - | 1900. | 1890. | 1870. | per cent, - | | | | 1870-1900. - +-------------+------------+------------+----------- - Urban population | 5,024,876 | 3,723,427 | 1,145,033 | 338 - Rural population | 16,009,778 | 12,950,982 | 5,732,063 | 179 - +-------------+-------- ---+------------+----------- - Total | 21,034,654 | 16,674,409 | 6,877,096 | 206 - -----------------+-------------+------------+------------+----------- - -In 1870 Saint Louis, New Orleans, and San Francisco were the only -cities that had over 100,000 population. In 1900 ten cities exceeded -100,000, while eight other cities, Portland leading the contingent, -had between 50,000 and 100,000. Since 1880 Seattle has advanced from -one hundred and fifty-first place to forty-eighth place in the rank of -American cities; Los Angeles from one hundred and thirty-fifth to -thirty-sixth; Duluth from one hundred and fifty-second to -seventy-second; Kansas City, Kansas, from one hundred and fifty-fifth -to seventy-sixth; Portland from one hundred and sixth to forty-second; -Tacoma from one hundred and fifty-seventh to one hundred and fourth; -Spokane from one hundred and fifty-eighth to one hundred and sixth, -and Dallas, Texas, from one hundred and thirty-seventh to -eighty-eighth. So rapid is the growth of Portland and Seattle that -before many years they must take position among the country's twenty -largest cities. - - -AGRICULTURE. - -The area of improved land in farms has increased nearly thirty-fold in -fifty years, but has not kept pace with population. This table shows -the details: - - =============+=================================+======================= - | Acres improved. | Acres per inhabitant. - +-----------+-----------+---------+-------+-------+------- - | 1900. | 1890. | 1850. | 1900. | 1890. | 1850. - +-----------+-----------+---------+-------+-------+------- - | | | | | | - Arkansas | 6,953,735| 5,475,043| 781,530| 5.3 | 4.8 | 3.7 - California | 11,958,837| 12,222,839| 32,454| 8.0 | 10.1 | 0.35 - Colorado | 2,273,968| 1,823,520| | 4.2 | 4.4 | - Idaho | 1,413,118| 606,362| | 8.7 | 7.0 | - Iowa | 29,897,552| 25,428,899| 824,682| 13.3 | 13.3 | 4.2 - Kansas | 25,040,550| 22,303,301| | 17.0 | 15.6 | - Louisiana | 4,666,532| 3,774,668|1,590,025| 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.0 - Minnesota | 18,442,585| 11,127,953| 5,035| 16.2 | 8.5 | 0.83 - Missouri | 22,900,043| 19,792,313|2,938,425| 7.3 | 7.3 | 4.3 - Montana | 1,736,701| 915,517| | 7.1 | 6.8 | - Nebraska | 18,432,595| 15,247,705| | 17.3 | 14.4 | - Nevada | 572,948| 723,052| | 13.2 | 15.8 | - North Dakota | 9,644,520| 4,658,015| | 30.2 | 26.0 | - Oregon | 3,328,308| 3,516,000| 132,857| 8.0 | 11.2 | 9.0 - South Dakota | 11,285,983| 6,959,293| | 28.1 | 21.1 | - Texas | 19,576,076| 20,746,215| 643,976| 6.4 | 9.2 | 3.0 - Utah | 1,032,117| 548,223| 16,333| 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.4 - Washington | 3,465,960| 1,820,832| | 6.6 | 5.2 | - Wyoming | 792,332| 476,831| | 8.5 | 7.8 | - Alaska | 159| | | | | - Arizona | 227,739| 104,128| | 1.8 | 1.7 | - Indian | | | | | | - Territory | 3,062,193| | | 7.8 | | - New Mexico | 326,873| 263,106| 166,201| 1.7 | 1.7 | - Oklahoma | 5,511,994| 563,728| | 13.8 | 9.0 | - +-----------+-----------+---------+-------+-------+------- - Total |202,543,416|159,097,543|7,131,518| 9.6 | 9.5 | 3.56 - -------------+-----------+-----------+---------+-------+-------+------- - -The new farms opened since 1850 are nearly equal in the aggregate to -the land area of the original thirteen states. The new farms opened -between 1890 and 1900 are more than the combined land areas of the -states of Tennessee and West Virginia. North Dakota, with a little -over 300,000 population, has more land by 1,500,000 acres under farms -than has all New England with 5,600,000 people. The average number of -improved acres per inhabitant more than doubled in the West between -1850 and 1890 and showed in 1900 a slight increase over 1890. In the -older agricultural states it is steadily decreasing. Thus, in New -England it fell from 4 acres in 1850 to 1.4 acres in 1900; New York -from 4 to 2.1 in the same interval. The Ohio valley states have held -up steadier. Ohio has decreased from 4.9 to 4.6, and Illinois from 5.9 -to 5.7. Indiana has increased from 5.1 to 6.6. - -The West has 2,056,748 farms compared with 1,491,405 in 1890, and -119,510 in 1850. Texas, with 352,190, leads the Union, and Missouri, -with 284,886, holds second place. Iowa has 37,000 more farms than all -the New England states combined. While the West has not quite half the -improved acreage of the country, it has 63 per cent of the unimproved -acreage or 269,000,000 acres out of 426,400,000 acres. Farms average -in size from 93.1 acres in Arkansas to 885.9 acres in Montana, 1,174.7 -acres in Nevada, and 1,333 acres in Wyoming, where stock raising -predominates and requires large ranges. The average for the West is -229.1 acres against 146.6 acres for the Union. - -The proportion of the total land area in farms ranges from 3.7 per -cent in Nevada to 97.4 per cent in Iowa. Kansas has 79.7, Missouri -77.3, Texas 74.9, Oklahoma 63, Nebraska 60.8, and Minnesota 51.8. No -other State has 50 per cent. In the Rocky Mountains and Pacific states -the average, considering the capabilities of the soil, is surprisingly -low. California reports 28.9, Washington 19.9, Oregon 16.6, Wyoming -13, Montana 12.7, Utah 7.8, and Idaho 5.9. Iowa leads the Nation in -this respect, followed by Indiana with 94.1, Ohio with 93.9, and -Illinois with 91.5. It is from these four states, whose areas are so -largely taken up and whose land values are high, that the extreme West -is seeking by reason of its cheap lands and equable climate, to draw -its new population. East of the Mississippi River the percentage -ranges in New England from 32.9 in Maine to 80.8 in Vermont. Along the -Atlantic coast the average is from 59 per cent in New Jersey to 85 per -cent in Delaware. Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois have already been shown -in comparison with Iowa. Kentucky has 85.9, Tennessee 76.1, Wisconsin -57, and Michigan 47.8. Florida with 12.6 and the District of Columbia -with 22.1 are the only percentages reported from east of the -Mississippi River, that look like western figures. Values follow: - =================+=================+================+============ - Total farm | The Union. | The West. | Per cent - values. | | | in West. - -----------------+ ----------------+--------------- +------------ - 1900 | $20,514,001,838 | $9,155,558,744 | 44.1 - 1890 | 15,982,267,689 | 5,872,085,782 | 36.7 - 1850 | 3,967,343,580 | 276,464,837 | 6.9 - | | | - Value of farm | | | - products. | | | - | | | - 1900 | 4,739,118,752 | 2,050,766,616 | 43.2 - 1890 | 2,460,197,454 | 920,823,920 | 37.4 - 1870[38] | 2,447,538,658 | 499,092,093 | 20.3 - -----------------+-----------------+----------------+------------ - -Productions in quantity of principal crops in the West in 1890 and -1850 and percentages of the total for those years are thus shown: - - ===================+==============+==============+===========+========= - | | | Per cent | Per cent - Product. | Yield, 1900. | Yield, 1850. | of total, |of total, - | | | 1900. | 1850. - -------------------+--------------+--------------+-----------+--------- - Wheat, bushels | 431,963,900 | 5,288,868 | 65.5 | 5.2 - Corn, bushels |1,363,983,943 | 70,467,713 | 51.1 | 11.9 - Barley, bushels | 93,767,657 | 47,709 | 78.2 | .92 - Buckwheat, bushels | 312,456 | 77,341 | 2.7 | .86 - Oats, bushels | 454,460,412 | 7,849,962 | 48.1 | 5.3 - Rye, bushels | 7,705,068 | 76,255 | 30.1 | .53 - +--------------+--------------+-----------+--------- - Total grain, | | | | - bushels |2,352,193,536 | 83,807,848 | 53.1 | 9.6 - +==============+==============+===========+========= - United States, | + + + - bushels |4,424,800,923 | 867,453,967 | ---- | ---- - Butter,[B] pounds | 390,810,814 | 15,184,444 | 36.4 | 4.8 - Cheese,[39] pounds | 7,609,331 | 614,732 | 46.4 | .58 - Wool, pounds | 193,516,806 | 2,500,885 | 69.8 | 4.7 - Flax seed, bushels | 19,791,647 | 16,010 | 99.0 | .28 - Hay, tons | 44,799,194 | 253,297 | 53.3 | 1.8 - Potatoes, bushels | 87,288,453 | 1,764,969 | 31.9 | 2.6 - Hops, pounds | 31,673,821 | 12,719 | 64.3 | 7.1 - -------------------+--------------+--------------+-----------+--------- - -The West leads the East in flocks and herds, viz: - - ===================+=========================+======================== - | The Union-- | The West-- - +------------+------------+------------+----------- - | 1900. | 1850. | 1900. | 1850. - +------------+------------+------------+----------- - Dairy cows | 17,139,674 | 6,385,094 | 7,011,333 | 722,221 - Other meat cattle | 50,682,662 | 11,393,813 | 35,585,356 | 1,756,059 - Mules and asses | 3,366,724 | 559,331 | 1,655,654 | 122,371 - Horses | 18,280,007 | 4,336,719 | 10,063,260 | 528,459 - Sheep | 39,937,573 | 21,723,220 | 26,940,389 | 1,628,159 - Lambs | 21,668,238 | ---- | 13,632,117 | ---- - Swine | 62,876,108 | 30,354,213 | 32,274,381 | 4,193,895 - +------------+------------+------------+----------- - Total |213,950,986 | 74,752,390 |127,162,490 | 8,951,164 - Per cent | | | 59.4 | 11.9 - -------------------+------------+------------+------------+----------- - - -MANUFACTURING. - -The center of area in the United States, excluding Alaska and recent -acquisitions, is in northern Kansas, the center of population in -Indiana, and the center of manufactures in Ohio. The center of area -will always be in the West and the centers of population and -manufactures are slowly moving that way. Manufacturing is of minor -importance, though the aggregate of output exceeded the agricultural -output in 1900 by over $50,000,000. Relatively its position is not so -strong, being but 16.1 per cent of the total, against 27.5 per cent -for population and 43.2 per cent for value of farm products. -Manufacturing increased substantially in the 1890 and 1900 decade and -materially in the past fifty years. Thus, - - ======================+================+=================+============= - | 1900. | 1890. | 1860. - ----------------------+----------------+-----------------+------------- - Value of products |$ 2,104,940,868 | $ 1,367,835,887 | $ 40,398,488 - Number of operatives | 652,561 | 508,371 | 30,084 - Dollars per operative | 2,991 | 2,690 | 1,342 - Per cent of total: | | | - Product | 16.1 | 14.5 | 3.9 - Operatives | 12.2 | 11.9 | 3.1 - ----------------------+----------------+-----------------+------------- - -Missouri is the principal State for this branch of industry, -California second, and Minnesota third. These states stand for nearly -half the total output of Western factories. The output of California, -Oregon, and Washington, in 1900, was $435,670,399, constituting 3.3 -per cent of the value of products for the United States. Commenting on -this, we find the census of Manufactures (part 1, page CLXXVIII) -saying: - - The industrial condition in this group of states in 1900, - considering the value, but not the character of the - products, was about the same as the New England states in - 1860 and the Middle states in 1850. From this point of view, - the growth of the Pacific states has been remarkable. The - character of its industries is still determined largely by - its natural resources of farm, forest, and mine, but the - recent wars in the Orient, resulting in the opening of new - markets, gave to the industries of this section a great - stimulus which had only begun to be felt at the time the - twelfth census was taken. - - -COMMERCE. - -The combined imports and exports of the United States in the year -ended June 30, 1901, were geographically distributed as follows: New -York, 45.73 per cent; other ports east of the Mississippi River, 35.24 -per cent; the West (Pacific and Gulf ports), 19.03. Of the seven great -ports in the Union, three are in the West, New Orleans ranking the -third, Galveston sixth, and San Francisco seventh. New Orleans has a -foreign commerce of $173,000,000 a year; Galveston $102,000,000, and -San Francisco $70,000,000. Puget Sound and the Columbia River, which -before many years will be large ports, have between them $40,000,000. -Of the total exports of the United States in 1901, the West reported -$354,682,075, or 23.1 per cent. Imports were $86,275,443, or 10 per -cent. Breadstuffs form a considerable item of the exports of Western -ports. For the ten years ended June 30, 1901, shipments were -240,000,000 bushels of barley, corn, oats, rye, 450,000,000 bushels of -wheat, and 26,000,000 barrels of wheat flour, of a total value of -$521,000,000. San Francisco led in this business, with New Orleans -second, and Portland, Oregon, third. - - -MINERAL PRODUCTIONS. - -Ever since the discovery of gold in California in 1848 mining has been -one of the most important industries of the West. Between 1848 and -1900 California yielded gold valued at $1,385,197,097, about one -eighth the total gold production of the world from 1493 to 1900. The -West in 1900 produced 99.6 per cent of the Nation's gold, 99.8 per -cent of its silver (commercial value), and 15.1 per cent of its coal, -viz: - - ==============+=============+=============+=============== - | Gold. | Silver. | Total value. - +-------------+-------------+--------------- - California | $15,816,200 | $ 583,668 | $ 16,399,868 - Colorado | 28,829,400 | 12,700,018 | 41,529,418 - Idaho | 1,724,700 | 3,986,042 | 5,710,742 - Montana | 4,698,000 | 8,801,148 | 13,499,148 - Nevada | 2,006,200 | 842,394 | 2,848,594 - Oregon | 1,694,700 | 71,548 | 1,766,248 - South Dakota | 6,177,600 | 332,444 | 6,510,044 - Utah | 3,972,200 | 5,745,912 | 9,718,112 - Alaska | 8,171,000 | 45,446 | 8,216,446 - Arizona | 4,193,400 | 1,857,210 | 6,050,610 - Texas, etc. | 1,587,100 | 704,568 | 2,291,668 - +-------------+-------------+--------------- - Total | $78,870,500 | $35,670,398 | $114,540,898 - --------------+-------------+-------------+--------------- - -Other mineral productions are 30,000,000 tons of coal; 200,000 short -tons of lead; 413,000,000 pounds of copper; 3,600,000 barrels of -petroleum, and 30,000 flasks of quicksilver. The copper mines of -Montana and Arizona have lessened the importance of the Lake Superior -region as a source of supply, cutting its percentage of the total -American output from 62.9 in 1862, to 25.9 in 1899. - -One of the greatest gold mining regions of the world is located in -eastern Oregon, covering a gross area of between 3,000 and 4,000 -square miles. Prof. J. Waldemar Lindgren, of the United States -Geological Survey, believes that the strong, well-defined veins upon -which most of the important mines of this region are located will -continue to the greatest depths yet attained in mining. - - -LUMBER INDUSTRY. - -According to the census reports for 1900, lumber is excelled in value -among American productions only by iron and steel, textiles and -slaughtering and meat packing. The West, having 607,500 square miles, -or 55.4 per cent of the total wooded area of the country, exclusive of -Alaska, will surely be paramount in this important industry. Indeed, -we, this early, find the Director of the Census making this important -admission in one (203) of his bulletins: - - The white pine area in the Northwest has passed its maximum - of production and the attention of lumbermen is being - diverted from this region to the Southern pine forests and - to the enormously heavy forests of the Northwest coast, - which will, in the course of a decade or two, become the - chief source of lumber for the country. - -Texas, with 64,000 square miles, leads the Union in wooded area. -Oregon is second, with 54,300 square miles, and Minnesota third, with -52,200 square miles. Arkansas, California, Missouri, Montana, and -Washington each have over 40,000 square miles of wooded area. Oregon, -Washington, and California have at least one third of the standing -timber of the country, but they cut less than ten per cent of the -total lumber product. The redwood forest of California is, perhaps, -the densest forest, measured by the amount of lumber per acre, in the -world. In quantity of standing timber, Oregon leads the Union with 225 -billion feet; California second with 200 billion feet, and Washington -third with nearly 196 billion feet. Minnesota, with a product of -$43,600,000 leads the West and Washington is second, with $30,300,000. -The total value of the lumber product of the West in 1900 was -$184,135,988, against $109,201,667 in 1890 and $6,075,896 in 1850. The -lumber cut was 10,925,736 M feet, board measure, or a little less than -one third of the output of the Union. Among Western states, Minnesota -led with 2,342,388 M feet, Arkansas second with 1,623,987 M feet, and -Washington third with 1,429,032 M feet. Oregon cut 734,528 M feet. - - -RAILROAD TRANSPORTATION. - -The transcontinental railroads have brought the West up to its present -state of development, for they have opened it to settlement, and -provided reasonable rates for the transport of its products to the -Eastern markets, even if at the same time they have exposed its infant -manufacturing industries to the competition of the large -capitalization of the Atlantic seaboard and the Ohio Valley. In 1850 -the West had 791/2 miles of railroad, all in Louisiana. All the rest of -the westward stretch of the nation to the Pacific was without so much -as a single rail. What Louisiana could so proudly boast of in 1850 was -less than the mileage operated by the Boston and Maine and its -branches in Massachusetts that same year. By 1900 the total had -swelled to 87,406.13 miles out of the 193,345.78 miles in the United -States and the percentage from .25 to 45.2. On the basis of miles of -railroad per 100 square miles of territory Iowa leads with 16.56 and -Nevada is lowest with .83. In miles of line per ten thousand -inhabitants Nevada is first with 214.98, and Louisiana last with -20.44. - -In view of the enormous railroad construction in the West in the past -thirty years it is worth while to recall President Buchanan's telegram -to John Butterfield, the pioneer of Western overland transportation, -when the first direct overland mail arrived by stage at Saint Louis -from San Francisco October 9, 1858: - - I cordially congratulate you upon the result. It is a - glorious triumph for civilization and the Union. Settlements - will soon follow the course of the road, and the East and - the West will be bound together by a chain of living - Americans which can never be broken. - - -FINANCE. - -In 1850 there were thirty-one banks west of the Mississippi; -twenty-five in Louisiana and six in Missouri, with deposits -aggregating $9,500,000. It is difficult to figure the condition of the -people with regard to money as statements of private banks are -obtainable in only a few states and the national banks are the only -guide. On July 16, 1902, the individual deposits in these amounted to -$639,180,306, and the loans and discounts to $615,116,949. - - -FUTURE OF THE WEST. - -The future of the Great West must be considered from two view points: -(1) In its relation to the Asiatic countries and their trade; and (2) -in its ability to support a large population. These will be taken up -in their order. - -Asia and Oceanica comprise an area of 21,262,718 square miles, and -have a population of 847,000,000, or more than half that of the globe. -Of this number, 435,000,000 are in China and its dependencies, Japan, -Asiatic Russia and Corea. Asia, and the islands of the Pacific, -annually buy from the world goods valued at $1,446,000,000 and sell to -it goods of a value of $1,436,000,000, representing a total trade of -$2,882,000,000. The United States will in time have a tremendous trade -across the Pacific, although at present our proportion of the business -is inconsiderable. In the year ended June 30, 1901, only 9.25 per cent -of our foreign commerce was with Asia and Oceanica, of which 2.17 per -cent was with the British East Indies; 2.09 per cent with Japan; 1.67 -per cent with Chinese ports, and .37 with the Philippines. The new -theatre of the world's activities is a virgin field, as little -understood on our Pacific seaboard as on our Atlantic seaboard, for -the exporters of both sections make the same mistakes in packing, and -in long range dealing with the Oriental customer, to whom the first -essential in trade is what our consular officers persistently pour -into unwilling ears as the "look see," or the privilege of inspecting -the commodity offered for sale, before buying it. These, however, are -details of commercial organization which our exporters can be depended -upon to settle on a satisfactory basis. The fear expressed in some -quarters that the opening of Siberia by the completion of the great -Russian railroad, and the consequent development of a region that will -become a competitor of the United States in the trans-Pacific country, -would appear to be groundless so far as any detrimental effect upon -our country is concerned. Our general development is based upon the -attraction of our institutions, the freedom of industry, the cheapness -and fertility of our lands, hospitable climate, and above all, to the -long enjoyment of the guarantee of peace. No other country in the -world can offer the same inducements to progress and no country in the -world can compete with us on our own terms. - -Viewing the future of the West from the point of its ability to -support a large population, the measure must be the record of the -half-century just past. It has done more than its most sanguine friend -dared foretell of it a century ago and it is not half developed. -Excluding Alaska, it has an area of 2,138,488 square miles and a -population of 20,971,062, with a density of 9.8. The population -density of the Union is 25.6 to the square mile. The West is capable -of reaching this mark and on this basis its population would be, -approximately 55,000,000, a little more than the states east of the -Mississippi had in 1900. Every foot of the West is useful for some -purpose, the purpose depending in some degree upon the success of -irrigation. The high lands of Nevada are no more to be ignored in the -general scheme of economy than the irregular and broken surface of -Vermont, where intensive cultivation of the soil now obtains as a -result of Western competition in agriculture. When one contemplates -the rugged mountains of Idaho, eastern Montana, northern California, -Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico, he should reflect -that some where in this broad land cattle must have range if the price -of meat is to be kept within bounds. Conditions for horticulture and -agriculture in Louisiana are as favorable as in any other State in the -Union. The Columbia-river basin in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho is an -empire in itself, with a population less than Chicago, and eastern -Oregon, under irrigation, could produce 100,000,000 bushels of grain. -There are those who expect Alaska to take station as an agricultural -community. Manufactures in the West will ultimately bear a close ratio -to population. Commerce will depend largely upon the effort the Nation -in general makes across the Pacific. - -The West comes on the stage of the world's activity in an era of -peace, prosperity, and advancement of American principles and -institutions. Its loyalty to the Union never has been doubted and no -cloud of discord appears to bring it into contest with the East, for -its interests are identical with those of that section, and community -of interest promotes community of purpose. The West, instead of -proving the Nation destroyer, has proved its savior. What the future -is in all its aspects, no man can say. The Briton would have been -thought insane ten years ago who would have dared to predict the day -that Canada, Australia, and New Zealand would be called upon to uphold -the prestige of the empire at the Cape of Good Hope. No American, -however pessimistic, contemplates with pleasure the possibility of -war, still every American is pleased to see his country protected -against the day of war. The generation that was contemporaneous with -the statesman who said Oregon was not worth a pinch of snuff left sons -and daughters to see an Oregon regiment sailing away from San -Francisco to plant the Stars and Stripes at Manila and raise the -United States to the dignity of a world power. In that city whose -legislative halls echoed with dire warnings if Louisiana should be -accepted from Napoleon, the citizens of some future day may be -gladdened to the heart by the sight of a regiment from the Yukon River -marching down the broad avenues to the defense of the national -capital. - - HENRY E. REED. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[37] For 1870. - -[38] Not reported by United States census prior to 1870. Values for -this year in depreciated currency. To get true value, reduce one -fifth. - -[39] Made on farms only. - - - - -SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC HISTORY OF ASTORIA. - - -On a peninsula flanked by Young's River and the Columbia, ten miles -from the broad Pacific, is situated the historic city of Astoria. Its -beginning dates back to April 15, 1811, when an expedition sent from -New York by John Jacob Astor founded a fur-trading post on the present -site of the city, and erected a stockade and buildings for the use of -the traders. For a short time all went well with this little pioneer -settlement, and a profitable trade was carried on, despite the murder -of the crew of the Astor Company's vessel, Tonquin, and the -destruction of the vessel off the coast of British Columbia. The -Indians became enraged on account of the treatment accorded them by -the captain, and set upon and murdered the crew, with the exception of -Mr. Lewis, the ship's clerk, who, though mortally wounded, after -inducing the Indians to come aboard again, set fire to the magazine -and blew up the ship and its swarm of savages. - -Soon after this, the second war with Great Britain started, and the -members in charge at Fort Astor, thinking they would be captured by -the British war vessels then on the coast, and that their goods would -be confiscated, sold their interest and that of Mr. Astor to a rival -company, known as the Northwest Fur Company, and controlled by British -subjects. Soon after this transfer was made the British warship -Raccoon appeared in the river, and on December 12, 1813, took formal -possession of Astoria in the name of Great Britain, and named it Fort -George. - -In accordance with the terms of the treaty of Ghent there was to be a -mutual restoration of all territory captured during the war. When the -question of the restoration of Astoria or Fort George came up England -contended that Astoria had been transferred in a commercial -transaction between an American and a British company, but this -contention was not pressed against the American claim that the -settlement of Astoria by an American company confirmed that title -already secured by the discovery of the Columbia River by Captain Gray -in 1792, and by the exploration of Lewis and Clark in 1805. The United -States again took possession of Astoria August 9, 1818, and the formal -transfer was made October 6, 1818. - -Astoria was now a very small settlement, consisting of a stockade and -a few shacks, but bearing the high sounding titles of Astoria and Fort -George, the latter being the property of the Northwest Fur Company. - -In 1821 the Hudson Bay Company and the Northwest Fur Company were -consolidated, and in 1824 Dr. John McLoughlin was placed in charge of -Fort George. At this time the fur trade was carried on chiefly with -the tribes of the interior, and it was the custom for the agents of -the company to carry the goods to the Indians. Under the circumstances -Doctor McLoughlin saw that the chief trading post should be farther -inland, near the head of navigation, and moved to Vancouver, -Washington, leaving a trader in charge of the company's property at -Astoria, whose duty it was to watch for the company's vessels, and to -send the pilot, Indian George, out to meet them and to pilot them to -Vancouver. - -With the departure of the fur company, Astoria became a lookout -station and a trading post of very little importance. Mofras describes -it in 1841 as "a miserable squatter's place, invested by the rival -American and English factions, with the pompous name of Fort George -and town of Astoria, the fort being represented by a bald spot, from -which the vestige of buildings had long since disappeared, and the -town by a cabin and a shed." - -This condition was soon to be changed, for the trains of immigrants -were beginning to arrive in the Willamette Valley, and some were to -push on to the extreme western limit of the continent. In 1843 J. M. -Shively came to Astoria and took up a claim in what is now the heart -of the city, and known as Shively's Astoria. He was followed by Col. -John McClure, who took the claim joining the Shively claim on the -west, and now known as McClure's Astoria, and A. E. Wilson, who -located on the claim to the east of Shively's claim, and now known as -Adair's Astoria. These three men and James Birnie, the trader, in -charge of the Hudson Bay Company's station, were the only white men in -Astoria in 1844. Soon after this Robert Shortess located on the land -now known as Alderbrook, and a Mr. Smith located at what is now known -as Smith's Point. Mr. Birnie lived in the company's building, situated -near the present site of Saint Mary's Hospital, Colonel McClure lived -in a small cabin just to the south and east of where the Baptist -Church now stands, and Mr. Shively, "who didn't believe in joint -occupancy, which disturbed the social relations between Mr. Birnie and -himself," lived at "Lime Kiln Hall," on the ridge near the eastern -limit of his claim. Mr. Wilson lived in a cabin in Upper Astoria. -There were several settlers on Clatsop Plains at this time, among the -number being D. Summers, Mr. Hobson and family, Rev. J. L. Parrish, -Messrs. Solomon Smith, Tibbets, Trask, and Perry. Ben Wood, N. -Eberman, and other young men held claims on the plains, but lived -elsewhere. - -Astoria the fur-trading post now ceased to exist; Astoria, the town, -was started. Astoria's real beginning, from which resulted a city, -dates back, then, only to the early forties when the homeseekers first -settled here. In 1846 James Welch and family and David Ingalls -arrived. Mr. Welch took possession of the Shively claim during Mr. -Shively's absence in the East and divided the claim into city lots as -Mr. Shively had previously done. This led to a dispute over the -ownership of the claim which was finally settled by an equal division -of the claim between the two interested parties. - -When J. M. Shively returned from the East in 1847 he brought with him -his commission as postmaster and opened the first post office west of -the Rocky Mountains in the Shively building, still standing on the -east side of Fourteenth Street, between Exchange Street and Franklin -Avenue. The next year S. T. McKean, wife, and six children arrived and -took up their residence here. In this year also the news of the -discovery of gold in California led to a stampede to the mines and -while some of the inhabitants of Astoria went, their places were soon -filled by people brought here by the great increase in the amount of -shipping done from Columbia River. A great demand for lumber and -provisions arose and mills were started to supply this demand. Hunt's -mill, just below Westport, had commenced operations in 1846, and when -the gold excitement started, had one hundred thousand feet of lumber -on hand which was eagerly purchased at $100 per thousand. The -Milwaukie mill and Abernethy's mill at Oak Point supplied the greater -part of the lumber for the California trade. In 1849 Marland's mill, -just above Tongue Point, was started. This mill was later destroyed by -fire. In 1851-52 James Welch and others built the first mill in the -city proper. It was located in the block bounded by Commercial, Bond, -Ninth, and Tenth streets. It was afterward owned by W. W. Parker and -known as the Parker mill. - -The increase in the amount of shipping led to the establishment of the -customhouse at Astoria in 1849. The same year Captains White and -Hustler arrived and brought the first pilot boat to operate on the -Columbia-river bar, the Mary Taylor. The pilots had their headquarters -at Astoria, and this led to increased trade for Astoria and the -establishment of boarding houses for the accommodation of the shipping -men and the passengers of vessels that stopped here either to await -favorable wind to proceed to up-river points or to cross the bar or to -complete their cargoes of lumber or increase their cargoes of -provisions with a few barrels of salt salmon. - -When Col. John Adair, the first collector of customs, arrived at -Astoria he occupied the McClure house and tried to secure land from -the different owners of the town on which to build the customhouse. -The owners refused to donate the land and fixed the price at a figure -which Colonel Adair considered too high. The result of this -disagreement was the establishing of the United States customhouse at -Upper Astoria and the beginning of the rivalry between the upper and -lower towns, which lasted for many years, and led to the building up -of two towns mutually jealous of each other yet having every interest -in common. Judge Strong, who passed through Astoria in 1850, says: - - When Astoria was pointed out as we reached the point below, - I confess to a feeling of disappointment. Astoria, the - oldest and most famous town in Oregon, we had expected to - find a larger place. We saw before us a straggling hamlet, - consisting of a dozen or so of small houses irregularly - planted along the river bank shut in by the dense forest. We - became reconciled and indeed somewhat elated in our feelings - when we visited the shore and by its enterprising - proprietors were shown the beauties of the place. There were - avenues and streets, squares and public parks, wharves and - warehouses, churches and theaters and an immense - population--all upon the map. Astoria at that time was a - small place or rather two places--the upper and the lower - town--between which there was great rivalry. The upper town - was known to the people of lower Astoria as Adairville. The - lower town was designated by its rival as "Old Fort George - or McClure's Astoria." A road between the two places would - have weakened the differences of both, isolation being the - protection of either. In the upper town was the customhouse; - in the lower town two companies of United States engineers, - under command of Major J. S. Hathaway. There were not, - excepting the military and those attached to them and the - customhouse officials, to exceed twenty-five men in both - towns. At the time of our arrival in the country there was - considerable commerce carried on, principally in sailing - vessels, between the Columbia River and San Francisco. The - exports were chiefly lumber, the imports merchandise. - -The United States census of 1850 gives Astoria a population of two -hundred and fifty-two, which number included the two companies of -United States engineers stationed here and probably a number of -transients. - -I have before me a photograph of a painting copied from a -daguerreotype picture of Astoria taken in 1856. This picture was taken -from a spot near where the Parker House now stands and shows a wharf -and a dozen houses. The wharf was known as the Parker wharf and -extended from the Parker mill in a northeasterly direction to a point -just north of the Occident Hotel. This was the first wharf erected in -Astoria and was built in the early fifties. The picture also shows the -old Methodist Church which was built in 1853-54, a cooper shop, the -Shively house, the present residence of Judge F. J. Taylor, and the -buildings occupied by the United States troops during their stay here. -A few houses were not shown in the picture, those in the then western -part of the town and those in upper town. - -Astoria was now assuming the proportions of a town and in 1856 was -incorporated by the territorial legislature. The town included the -Shively claim and a part of the McClure claim. - -With the incorporation of the Astoria and Willamette Valley Railroad -in 1858 by T. R. Cornelius, W. W. Parker, John Adair and others began -Astoria's struggle for rail connections with other parts of the state -and with the East which ended with the completion of the Astoria and -Columbia River Railroad in 1898. - -No census returns were handed in for Astoria in 1860, but the -estimated population was about two hundred and fifty. The troops had -been removed before this so that the town had had a substantial growth -caused chiefly by the increase in the amount of shipping and the trade -with the small growing settlements near Astoria. Astoria was becoming -the trade center for all points on the lower Columbia. The fishing -industry was confined still to the smoking and salting of salmon and a -considerable quantity was shipped to the Sandwich Islands. - -J. M. Shively, who had been appointed postmaster in 1847, left for the -mines in 1849 leaving his deputy, David Ingalls, in charge of the -office, who moved the office to his store on the southwest corner of -Tenth and Duane streets. At this time Astoria was the distributing -office for the entire Northwest, including the present states of -Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. In 1853 San Francisco was made -the distributing point for the coast. T. P. Powers, who resided in -Upper Town and was a part owner in that place, succeeded Mr. Shively -as postmaster and moved the post office to upper town near the -customhouse. This left Astoria without a federal office and helped to -build up its rival. With the change of the national administration in -1861, new officers who were friendly to the lower town were appointed -and the post office and the customhouse were moved to the lower town. -It was remarked at the time by a resident of lower town that "politics -took them away and politics brought them back." - -The erection of Fort Stevens and Fort Canby at this time made work -plentiful around the mouth of the river and contributed to the growth -of Astoria both in population and in wealth, as many of the supplies -were drawn from the town. - -The school census for the years 1859-70 shows a steady growth in -population brought about by the establishment of new enterprises, the -settlement of the country tributary to the town, and the increase in -amount of shipping from the Columbia River, especially the -establishment of a regular line of steamers from Portland and Astoria -to San Francisco. In 1865 Christian Leinweber started the Upper -Astoria tannery which gave employment to about thirty persons. In 1867 -what was afterwards known as the Hume mill was built near Thirteenth -and Commercial streets and was one of the city's most important -resources until its destruction by fire in 1883. - -In 1867 Judge Cyrus Olney, who had succeeded to the claim of John -McClure, formulated a plan to dispose of a part of this property at a -uniform price per lot. This plan was known, locally, as the Olney -lottery. Tickets were sold for $50 each, entitling the holder to a lot -in the city and a chance to draw the "grand prize," which consisted of -two lots and a house, the property now owned and occupied by Louis -Kirchoff and situated on Twelfth Street, between Exchange Street and -Franklin Avenue. The other lots were situated in different parts of -McClure's Astoria. The plan then amounted to this: each ticket -entitled the holder to a lot, though the location was a matter of -chance, and a chance to win two lots and a house. Many lots were -disposed of by means of this lottery. - -By 1870 the population of the town had increased to six hundred and -thirty-nine, and the population of Clatsop County had increased from -four hundred and sixty-two in 1850 to one thousand two hundred and -fifty-five in 1870. Small sailing vessels and steamboats were running -between Astoria and lower river points, and a regular steamer service -was maintained between Portland and Astoria and between Portland and -San Francisco. At this time it was customary for the ocean steamers to -make the trip from Portland to Astoria during the day, and to tie up -at Astoria for the night, and to cross the bar the next morning. -Steamer day was the event of the week and was a source of considerable -revenue to the merchants of the town. - -The Pioneer and Historical Society was organized in this city in 1871, -and, as the name implies, its membership is limited to the pioneers of -Oregon, and its object is to prepare and keep a record of the events -in which the pioneers figured during the founding and development of -the State. Many records were collected by the society, but for the -most part have been scattered and lost, as have the books of its once -valuable library. For several years past the society has had merely a -nominal existence, but recently a movement has been started to -reorganize the society, and to carry out the purposes for which it was -founded, especially in the way of collecting local history. - -The _Astorian_, the successor to Astoria's first newspaper, _The -Marine Gazette_, published during the sixties, was first published in -1873, and has been issued continuously since that time. Its influence -in the upbuilding of the town can not be estimated. The early files of -the paper are filled with articles encouraging new enterprises, -setting forth the advantages of the town, and recording every new step -in its advancement. - -The question of title to the water frontage became a troublesome one -when the town began to grow and buildings were being erected along the -water front. The original settlers thought they had title to this land -by virtue of their patent from the United States; but later it was -learned that the State of Oregon had title to all land between high -and low-water mark. By a legislative act passed in 1872 the State -authorized the sale of its property in front of Astoria to the owners -of the property immediately back of the tide land, or to those who had -purchased their land from such owners and had made improvements -thereon. The price asked was nominal. During the years 1873-76 most of -this land was purchased from the State, and the city placed in a -position to use the property best suited for cannery sites and -wharves. - -By the terms of the new city charter, passed in 1876, the limits of -the city were extended so as to include Shively's claim, Hustler and -Aiken's Addition, and all of McClure and Olney's Addition. In 1891 the -boundaries were again changed so as to include Upper Astoria, -Alderbrook, all the land between Alderbrook and John Day's River, and -Smith's Point. The city was bounded at this time by the Columbia -River, John Day's River, Young's Bay and River, and a line connecting -John Day's River and Young's River. These boundaries remained until -1899, when all the land east of Van Dusen's Addition was cut off from -the city. - -In the fall of 1874 the first grain ships to take their entire cargo -from Astoria were loaded by R. C. Kinney & Sons. This fleet consisted -of the British ship Vermont and three other vessels. The same year the -Astoria and Willamette Barge Company was formed for the purpose of -carrying wheat in barges and steamers from the farms in the Willamette -Valley to the vessels at Astoria. The company built the "Farmer's -Wharf" on the site of the present dock and warehouse of the Oregon -Railway and Navigation Company. This company lacked the capital to -carry on this enterprise and after loading a few ships sold out to the -Oregon Steam Navigation Company. The promoters of the barge company -expected to transport a ship load of wheat to Astoria for less than -the cost of towage and pilotage between Portland and Astoria. Since -this time some of the larger grain vessels have completed their -cargoes here, but this port has not been made a starting point for the -grain fleet. - -While the experiment with the wheat shipping was being tried another -industry was rising into importance, the one that more than any other -has contributed to the growth of the town. In 1866 four thousand cases -of salmon had been packed. The following year eighteen thousand cases -were packed on the Columbia River, and this important industry was -established and by 1874 it had reached the proportions of an extensive -commercial transaction. Astoria's share in the salmon packing business -began with the erection of Badollet & Company's cannery in Upper -Astoria in 1873. This cannery did not run the next season. A. Booth & -Company built the second Astoria cannery. Devlin & Nygant's, R. D. -Hume & Company's, and Kinney's were built in the order named and all -were in operation in 1876. Trullinger's mill was built during this -year and Astoria now boasted of two large mills, five canneries, and a -tannery. During the two years, from 1874 to 1876, the population of -the town nearly doubled and many new buildings, consisting of -canneries, warehouses, and dwellings, were erected. There was much -money in circulation as every one had money and the fishermen were -prodigal with theirs. Small change was seldom used, the quarter being -the smallest coin in general use. This was the period of Astoria's -greatest growth. From a small shipping station in the sixties it had -grown to be a town of about two thousand people, controlling the most -important industry on the lower Columbia and holding a large trade. -Improvements followed as a matter of course. In 1876 the Western Union -Telegraph Company completed its line between Portland and Astoria, -and Robert Mason & Company constructed a building and entered into the -production of oil from salmon heads. During this year a new enterprise -was started at the canneries of M. J. Kinney and Hanthorn & Company, -that of canning beef and mutton. At Kinney's from September, 1876, to -January, 1877, nineteen thousand five hundred cases of beef and five -hundred cases of mutton were packed. This industry seems never to have -gotten beyond the experimental stage in Astoria, owing largely to the -difficulty of securing cattle at a fair price and to the lack of -facilities for and experience in handling the meat. During the season -of 1877 there were eleven canneries in operation in Astoria and more -than a thousand fishing boats were in use on the river. Just before -sundown, during the fishing season, the river would be covered with -white sailed boats, all sailing briskly along on their way to their -favorite drifts. - -Houses during this year were in great demand, and many were built. The -_Astorian_ thus speaks of the building boom: - - It may seem surprising, but nevertheless it is true, work is - progressing in all stages upon one hundred and eighty-nine - new buildings in the city of Astoria at this moment. * * - Were we to attempt to enumerate the long list of structures - erected in this city since last fall we should fail to do - the subject justice. In building wharves and warehouses, - canneries, and other packing establishments, ship yards, and - machine shops, stores, and residences, many thousands of - dollars have been spent. - -And again: - - Houses are being erected at an alarming rate. Last Saturday - ten new structures were raised--one for every working hour - of the day. - -The river trade, a very important factor in the upbuilding of the -city, had greatly increased during the past three years. Twenty or -more steamers, large and small, were engaged during 1878 in making -daily trips between Astoria and lower river points and upper river -points as far as Portland. At this time seven steamers were making -regular trips between Portland and San Francisco, but stopping at -Astoria and bringing many passengers and much freight to the town. The -_Astorian_ of May 5, 1877, commenting on the number of people arriving -at Astoria, says "last month two thousand six hundred and twenty-eight -bona fide immigrants landed at Astoria by steamers. About one thousand -seven hundred proceeded inland in search of homes." This was about the -beginning of the fishing season, and no doubt most of those who -remained at Astoria were fishermen and cannery workers. The people at -that time remained in Astoria during the fishing season, and returned -to California for the winter. - -The effect of having such a large floating population was soon felt on -the morals of the city, and it was during these early years of the -salmon industry that Astoria acquired the reputation for vice and -crime that remained long after the city had rid itself of its -undesirable element. During the year 1877 there were forty saloons in -the city, and all reaped a rich harvest during the fishing season. The -_Astorian_ was strong in its protests against the immorality of the -town, and urged the closing of all the dives and gambling houses, but -for a time without avail. Later we shall see how the city did rid -itself of its lowest class of inhabitants. - -In 1878 the roadway to Upper Astoria was completed, and the Upper -Astoria post office abolished. The completion of the roadway was an -event of great importance to the people of both towns, and had the -effect of putting an end to the rivalry that had existed since the -starting of Upper Astoria in 1849, when the customhouse was built. The -towns were now in fact one, though considered locally as two separate -towns. By the legislative act of 1891 the corporate limits of the town -were extended so as to include upper town. - -The intense rivalry between the companies operating steamers on the -Portland-San Francisco route brought about the reduction of freight -and passenger rates so that there was much travel between Oregon and -California. As every steamer stopped several hours at Astoria the town -received considerable patronage from the passengers. The _Astorian_ -speaks of the town being crowded during the stay of one of the ocean -steamers. The Great Republic frequently carried a thousand passengers, -and always took on a considerable part of its cargo at Astoria. - -The population of Astoria in 1880 was two thousand eight hundred and -three and the population of Clatsop County seven thousand two hundred -and twenty-two. This increase in the number of people in the county -meant much to Astoria, since the supplies for a large part of Clatsop -County are taken from the city. - -In 1883 the salmon industry reached its highest point. Not only were -more fish canned than at any previous year but a better price than -ever before was paid for the raw material, thus distributing a larger -amount of money among the fishermen and cannery workers. During this -season six hundred and twenty-nine thousand cases of salmon, valued at -over $3,000,000, were packed on the Columbia River. - -It was during this year that the fire, known locally as the "big -fire," occurred. It started July 2, 1883, in the sawmill near the site -now occupied by the Foard & Stokes Company and swept the entire water -front from that point east to Seventeenth Street, including the large -warehouse owned by the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company. The -volunteer fire department worked heroically and succeeded after -several hours in gaining control of the fire, though not until it had -destroyed several blocks of business houses, wharves, and dwellings. -The wooden streets, built on piling over the water acted as a means -for carrying the fire from building to building. The loss was very -heavy but the fishing season was at its height and money plentiful, so -that in a short time new buildings were erected in place of those -destroyed by fire. - -An interesting chapter in Astoria's history is connected with the fire -of 1883. During its progress a large quantity of liquor was taken from -the saloons in the path of the fire and carried to places of safety -only to be stolen by the rougher class of onlookers. In a short time -great disorder prevailed in the vicinity of the fire and the officers -were powerless to prevent the wholesale stealing of the goods taken -from the stores and houses. Drinking was kept up throughout the night -but after the fire was checked the scene of disorder was transferred -to the lower part of town, known as "Swilltown." Here the drunken -fishermen were soon relieved of their money by the denizens of this -section. Later some of the fishermen threatened to burn the rest of -the town in retaliation. The business men of the city fearing that -this threat would be carried out organized a committee to assist the -officers in preserving the peace should their aid become necessary, -the mayor at the same time issuing a proclamation calling upon all -saloon keepers to close their saloons each night at 12 o'clock. One -saloon, owned by Riley and Ginder, two ex-policemen, refused to obey -and when the officers went to arrest the proprietors they were fired -upon through the barricaded doors. During the conflict three taps were -sounded on the fire bell, the signal for the citizens' committee to -assemble. The committee responded quickly and arrived upon the scene -fully armed and ready for action. The officers in the mean time had -succeeded in entering the building and had arrested Riley and Ginder -who were brought before the committee. After a short deliberation they -were informed that they must leave the city at once under penalty of -being hanged from the city hall. The threat was sufficient and they -closed their saloon and left the city. To one who knows the condition -of affairs that existed in the city after the fire, and the character -of the men who led the citizens' movement, it is evident that Riley -and Ginder used the best of judgment in obeying promptly. After -disposing of this case the committee decided to drive out the crowd of -disreputable characters that lived in "Swilltown," and accordingly -served notice on all such to leave town within twenty-four hours. This -order, backed by a resolute set of citizens, was generally obeyed, -only one man openly defying the committee. This man, an Englishman by -the name of Boyle, was known as a "bad man." Nevertheless he was -captured, whipped, and sent out of town. Recognizing three members of -the committee he brought suit against them in the United States court -for damages and secured the verdict. The amount was quickly raised by -general subscription, $20 being the usual individual contribution. The -citizens' committee having accomplished the purpose for which it was -organized now disbanded. - -Notwithstanding the steady decline in the salmon pack on the Columbia -River since 1883 and the closing of many of the canneries in the city, -Astoria has had a steady growth, due in a great measure to the -increase in trade with the growing towns and the farming and dairy -districts tributary to the city, and to the growth of the sawmill -industry, which though still in its infancy here, is growing rapidly. -By the close of the summer four and possibly five large mills will be -in operation. - -In 1890 the city had a population of six thousand one hundred and -eighty-four, a very great increase over the census returns of ten -years before. Two years before this the Astoria and South Coast -Railroad was started and the road built from Sea Side to the middle of -Young's Bay, a distance of about fifteen miles. Though this road did -not enter the city for several years its building had a marked effect -on Astoria. Prices for city property increased very rapidly, and -during the years 1889 and 1890 a real estate boom was in progress. -While considerable property changed ownership very little building was -done so that when the period of activity in real estate ended the city -did not contain rows of empty houses as did so many of the boom towns -of Washington. - -Almost from the beginning of its history Astoria has dreamed of rail -connections with the East. The coming of the railroad has been -regarded as the one thing needed to make Astoria the seaport of the -Northwest. The Astoria and South Coast road had stopped near the -center of Young's Bay. About three years later a new road that was to -run up Young's River, thence through the Nehalem Valley to Portland -was started. This company, after building several miles of trestle -around Smith's Point and up Young's River, suspended operations owing -to its inability to secure sufficient financial backing to complete -the road. The Astoria and Columbia River Railroad Company was given -subsidy of a million and a half in money and property and in 1898 -built the present road to connect with the Northern Pacific track at -Goble. The city has been greatly benefited by this road, although the -long expected period of rapid growth did not accompany it, owing to -the fact that Astoria has not been made a common point with other -cities of the Northwest. - -The population of the city in 1900 had increased to eight thousand -three hundred and eighty-one. A conservative estimate places the -population now at a little over ten thousand. - -This is substantially the story of Astoria's settlement and growth, -both in wealth and population. It remains now to trace the influence -of its main industry, salmon packing, in determining its social -conditions. In Astoria foreigners and native born of foreign parentage -form the great majority of inhabitants. Representatives from almost -every part of the world live in Astoria, the principal nationalities, -however, being Norwegians, Swedes, Danes, and Finns. The Finns form a -greater part of our population than any other nationality. - -During the first thirty years after the real growth of the city began -the population was almost exclusively American, but with the advent of -the fishing industry came the hardy fishermen and sailors of -northwestern Europe who found here an opportunity to carry on their -customary avocations with the assurance of profitable returns for -their labors. During the first few years of the salmon business a -great number of fishermen came from other states, so that Astoria had -a floating population of nearly two thousand during the summer months. -They were a free and easy set who made money and spent it without -reserve, the saloons getting a large share of their earnings. As a -result saloons flourished, carrying with them their many kindred -evils, and Astoria became a rough place. The foreigners who in more -recent years have engaged in fishing are, as a class, sober and -industrious, and home builders. Gradually these adopted citizens have -displaced the transient fishermen, until now the term fisherman is no -longer synonymous with rowdy, but rather indicate a hardy, industrious -citizen of foreign birth. In Upper Astoria and Alderbrook the people -are mostly Scandinavians, or descendants of this race. In Union or -Finn town, as the name implies, the people are almost exclusively -Finns. They are progressive and almost to a man own their own homes, -not shacks or hovels, but well built, roomy houses. These people, as -well as the Scandinavians, come from a country where the public school -system is well established, and are zealous in the cause of the public -schools of this city. A year ago the people of Union town attended the -annual school meeting almost in a body, and succeeded in carrying -through a measure and voting a tax for the construction of a school -building in the west end of the city, at the same time offering to -donate a considerable part of the necessary labor. The present Taylor -school building is the result of these efforts. - -In the last city election, out of a total of eleven hundred names -registered, nearly six hundred were of foreign birth. Of this number -one hundred and seventy were natives of Finland, eighty-seven of -Sweden, seventy-two of Norway, sixty-four of Germany, and forty of -Denmark. The Finns are very clannish, which accounts for their almost -exclusive Finnish settlement in West Astoria. It is their custom to -send for their relatives in their own country as soon as they have -earned the necessary money. In this way the foreign born population is -steadily increasing. They do not appear to be a speculative class, but -seem content to work hard, secure a home and save something from their -yearly earnings though a few cooperative companies have been formed -for the purpose of packing salmon. - -The struggle for material advancement in the way of developing -resources, securing a railroad, and other enterprises has not been -greatly aided by the foreign population. Since the coming of these -foreign-born citizens the fishing element is no longer regarded as a -rough class of people, but rather as the sober, working class of the -city. During the winter months most of the fishermen are employed -carpentering, street building, as workers in the mills and factories -or engaged in knitting nets and preparing gear for the next season. - -Astoria at the present day is a cosmopolitan city of about ten -thousand inhabitants, composed largely of foreigners. As in earlier -times fishing is the main industry, though the rapidly growing lumber -industry bids fair soon to surpass it in importance. At the present -time there are only seven canneries in operation in Astoria, but the -cold storage business has assumed large proportions during the past -two years. Astoria now possesses an excellent water system, a thorough -school system, consisting of six grammar schools and a high school, -all together accommodating about fifteen hundred children and -employing thirty-one teachers. Trade with the surrounding country has -increased very rapidly during the last few years, but Astoria has been -but little benefited by the increased export trade from the Columbia -as most of the cargoes are shipped direct from Portland. During the -ninety-two years of its existence Astoria has grown from a small -fur-trading station to the second city in size in the State. While its -growth has been apparently slow, it has kept pace with the development -of Oregon and the Northwest as a whole. - - ALFRED A. CLEVELAND. - - - - -A PIONEER CAPTAIN OF INDUSTRY IN OREGON. - - NOTE.--The material from which this paper has been prepared - was derived from the following sources: manuscript account - of "Woolen Mill," the "Journey to Washington," and the - "Cargo of Wheat to Liverpool," written by Mr. Watt and - loaned to the author by Mr. S. A. Clark, of Washington, D. - C., in whose possession it has been. A series of articles in - the _Oregonian_ in 1881, by Mr. S. A. Clark, describing the - journeys across the country and other incidents, obtained - from manuscript and from conversations with Mr. Watt, with - whom Mr. Clark was on most intimate terms; a paper - containing recollections of his brother's life and incidents - by Ahio Watt, of Portland; conversations with the widow and - daughter of Mr. Watt, who are now living at Forest Grove, - Oregon. - - -A unique place in the industrial history of Oregon must be given to -Joseph Watt, the first to undertake the manufacture of woolen goods on -the Pacific coast and the first to send a cargo of wheat to the market -at Liverpool, both of which acts mark the beginning of important -industrial and commercial policies in the history of Oregon. - -Joseph Watt, or "Joe," as he is more commonly called by those who -mention him in connection with the history of Oregon, was born at -Mount Vernon, Knox County, Ohio, on the 17th of December, 1817. His -earliest ancestor in America was a silk weaver of Scotch-Irish descent -who came to this country about 1760, settling in the vicinity of -Philadelphia. His grandfather, Joseph Watt, crossed the Alleghany -Mountains in 1802 and took up a donation claim in western -Pennsylvania. His father, John Watt, who had taken part in the war of -1812 and served with Perry in his first cruise on the Great Lakes, -migrated to Knox County, Ohio, in 1815. Here he married and reared a -family of ten children, of whom Joseph was one. - -As a boy Watt seems to have been always a dreamer, building castles in -the air and planning great schemes of business and adventure. Because -of these dreams of verdant fields and herds of cattle, he desired to -join the movement for the settlement of Texas, then being effected -under the leadership of Sam Houston, and was prevented only by the ill -health of his father and the large family which needed his aid. As a -sort of compromise his father agreed to migrate to Missouri in 1838. -This move resulted only in hardship and privation, and soon young Watt -was turning his thoughts again toward the prairies of Texas. In the -winter of 1840 and 1841 he started south, stopping in the country of -the Creeks and Cherokees to earn money at his trade of carpentering. -It was at this time that the Oregon country was coming prominently -before the people in Missouri. Watt became interested and returned to -his home with the intention of migrating to Oregon. On his way through -the southwestern part of the State in the spring of 1843 he came in -contact with many who were planning to start that year. Senator Lewis -F. Linn, of Missouri, had introduced a bill into the Senate in 1838 -providing for the settlement of Oregon and offering six hundred and -forty acres of land to each settler. Watt read all that he could find -upon the subject, listened to everything which he could hear and -talked much with his associates. By the spring of 1843 he was ready to -start, but his father had become equally anxious to better his -condition and proposed that the whole family prepare to go the -following year. By the spring of 1844 it was clear that the expense of -so long and difficult a journey could not be met, and Watt, unwilling -to defer his hopes longer, started with two companions, expecting to -earn his way across the plains by driving the teams or cattle of -well-to-do emigrants. The assets all told with which he started on -this long journey were $2.50 in cash and a stock in trade of a pair of -new boots, some pins and fishhooks, to be used in trade with the -Indians. - -Watt had succeeded in securing employment as driver for a well-to-do -emigrant, but fell out with his employer before they had gone far. -With a job here and there, and a trade to his advantage, he managed to -reach Burnt River with a cow and a rifle to his credit. As the journey -neared the end however provisions grew scarcer, and those who -possessed them were less able or willing to share with others. Finding -that he was not welcome at the camps of the emigrants, and obedient to -vigorous hints, he started ahead with a single companion and began the -dangerous and difficult journey over the Blue Mountains. The snow lay -from twelve to eighteen inches deep, and the trail could only be -followed by scratches made on the trees by wagons that had passed over -before. Watt's moccasins had given out and were mended with leather -cut from his buckskin pants. For provisions they had but a loaf of -bread between them. The rifle was useless because there was no game in -the mountains. His cow had been left in the charge of a friend in a -party behind. All difficulties were surmounted however and the valley -of the Umatilla was reached. Here they were in the region of game. A -number of prairie chickens were shot, powder was traded to the Indians -for a few potatoes, a kettle was borrowed and the weary travelers gave -themselves over to a feast, which, at intervals, was prolonged through -the night. Their spirits rose when hunger was appeased, and they knew -that soon they would be at the mission station at Waiilatpu. Ragged -and disreputable in appearance they were not cordially received, and -the independent nature of Watt ever cherished a dislike for missions -and missionaries. Remaining at the station until the party having -charge of his cow arrived he effected a trade by which he secured a -supply of provisions for the last part of the journey to the Dalles, -where he expected to take a boat down the river. Various experiences -were yet to be met. Fate decided that he should partake of but a -single meal from the supply of provisions which he had earned so -dearly. He escaped death by the arrival of unexpected help when he was -grappling with an Indian in which encounter the expectoration of -tobacco juice figured as a peculiar weapon of defense. Finally, -however, he reached the Dalles where boats belonging to the Hudson Bay -Company were at anchor. Those who had money to pay their passage were -packing their goods on board and going themselves, but the chances for -a passage for a penniless and ragged traveler were small. It was -Watt's purpose to work for his passage and he made application to the -boatman. "You are like one of those worn out oxen," was the reply, -"you haven't strength enough to hold yourself up, let alone work;" and -the boatman went on with his loading. Sitting on a rock by the river -Watt was a despondent figure. But the boatman, turning back with the -exclamation that "it was too bad to leave the poor devil to starve" -for he might have some "come out to him after all like a lousy -yearling in the spring," asked if Watt could sing. On learning that he -could he bade him find a place on the bow of the boat and earn his -meals as best he could. Under the title of the "figurehead," -therefore, he kept his allotted place on the bow, and by his skill in -singing and telling yarns earned his meals as well as his passage down -the river. One song, entitled "the bobtailed mare, or the man who went -to heaven horseback," made a decided hit, and Watt fared sumptuously -for the remainder of the journey down the Columbia. - -Ever at the van across the continent Watt was the first of his party -to reach his destination at Oregon City, in November of 1844. A -curious spectacle he must have made as he appeared upon the streets -with his walnut roundabout, buckskin pants reaching to the knees and -patched with antelope skin, with a red blanket for an overcoat and -woolen hat, so worn in the crown that it hung about the neck rather -than rested on the head. Such was the young castle builder who had -made his way across the plains with a capital of $2.50 in cash and a -stock in trade of pins, fishhooks, and a pair of new boots. Such was -the picturesque appearance made by one who was destined to play no -unimportant part in the industrial development of Oregon. - -For a time he slept in the shavings of a carpenter shop. He tried to -trade his last possession, his beloved rifle for decent clothes but -failed. One day in his wanderings along the street he chanced to meet -the chief factor of the Hudson Bay Company, the hero of his life. -After a few inquiries Doctor McLoughlin gave orders to a clerk to -furnish Watt with clothing. "Tut, tut, tut," said the old man, "what -people these Americans are, wandering vagabonds across a continent. -What are they coming here for? Give him some clothes." After a bath -behind the shade of a neighboring bank of the river Watt emerged clad -in his suit of British corduroy and with all his preconceived and -inherited antipathy toward the British and the Catholics removed. With -the first money earned from the task of bricklaying, an employment -given him by Doctor McLoughlin, he sought to pay for his clothes, and -purchasing a bath tub, a cake of soap and some tobacco, which was his -one luxury, he had begun his career as one of the pioneer captains of -industry in Oregon. - -It was not long before an opportunity for advancement presented -itself. The Catholic Church on the French Prairie was then in process -of construction and its builders were in need of a workman competent -to complete the cornice. As Watt was something of an adept at the -carpenter trade he was offered the work of constructing seven hundred -feet of cornice at $3 a foot, when he was on the point of offering to -do it for fifty cents. The return from this employment was sufficient -to give him a financial start. Not only industrious but shrewd in the -matter of trade, Watt made the most of the opportunity. About this -time the brig Henry came up the river at a time of high water, with a -cargo of goods, among which was a stock of Seth Thomas clocks, an -article for which the demand was great in this remote region. With the -savings from his carpenter work Watt purchased the lot, and found -little trouble in disposing of them in exchange for wheat. The harvest -for the year had been abundant, while the demand was small, and the -clocks, which had cost but $4 apiece, were sold for sixty to eighty -bushels of wheat. Shrewdness in anticipating the oversupply of the one -year would be followed by the scarcity of the next was more than -rewarded. Wet weather and other climatic conditions caused a small -supply while a large emigration increased the demand and the bushels -of wheat were in turn exchanged for the pieces of gold. Thus in the -space of two years the capital of $2.50 had increased to over $1,000, -and the way was open for larger plans. - -Watt had never in the meantime ceased his dreaming. It was not now, -however, the broad plains of Texas and the herds of cattle, but, -rather, the luxuriant meadows and hills of the Willamette Valley, -which his imagination covered with flocks of sheep. Pleased with the -opportunities of a country which had profited him so much, and -desiring his parents and family to come, he started back to Missouri -in the spring of 1847. The return was also to be made the means of -realizing his dreams. It was his intention to bring back a flock of -sheep. Already he seemed to see the demand that would grow up in a -damp country like Oregon for woolen garments, and perhaps, likewise, -the need of suitable clothing for his eight sisters. There were but -few sheep in the country at that time. Some were in the possession of -the Hudson Bay Company; others had been driven over in the emigration -of 1844, and possibly there were a few besides. The return journey was -made by the southern route. Evidences were visible of the terrible -sufferings of the party who, in 1847, had been induced to come that -way. Along the Rogue River the Indians were hostile, and Watt was -enabled at various times to kindle his fire for breakfast with the -arrows which lay thick about the camp. On the broad plains he was -frightened by a band of hostile Pawnees, but, escaping all danger, at -length reached in safety his home in Missouri. - -Before his return to Oregon Watt made a journey to the East, mainly on -business. Boston, however, with its bleak weather, had few charms for -him. "With all their steamboats, railroads, fine stores, fine cities, -fine women and all, give me Oregon," is the reflection which appears -in the reminiscences of his visit. While in the East and in the -neighborhood of Washington he decided to visit the national capital -and carry back to his fellow pioneers in the Far West whatever he -could learn of the disposition of the administration toward his -country. As this "self-appointed delegate" was walking about the -streets of the capital city he was indulging in the reflection, -typical of the western spirit, that "a great deal of money was being -spent foolishly in that city." He took occasion to look up old friends -upon whom the city life failed to exert a helpful influence. His -purpose there, however, was not curiosity, but information that might -be of value, and to gain this he sought admission to the Chief -Executive. President Polk was at the time too busily engaged to give -him audience, and the disappointment was great, for his reminiscences -record the exclamation: "What right had he to be busy when I was -there, all the way from Oregon?" Unable to see the Secretary of War, -Mr. Davis, for similar reasons, he finally was advised by his friends -to visit the little brick house, on a back street, which was occupied -by Senator Benton of Missouri. There he felt he would surely receive a -cordial welcome. "I must go and see Benton," he says: "Haven't I -shouted for him in Missouri, and hasn't he made speeches in favor of -Oregon? Yes, he can tell me what the government is going to do for -Oregon." Admitted into the house by the colored servant, he stood in -the presence of the Senator whom he thought well named "Burly Benton." - -The interview was far from pleasant, if we may judge from Watt's -account. Upon learning the residence of his visitor, the Senator -immediately began a eulogy upon the services to Oregon of his -son-in-law, Colonel Fremont, which aroused the ire of the westerner. -"Ah, yes," said Benton, "we know all about Oregon. My son-in-law, -Colonel Fremont, has traveled all over that country. The country is, -or ought to be, under everlasting obligation to him for the -information he has given at the greatest sacrifice a man ever made." -To this his visitor warmly replied: "As to any information given you -by Mr. Fremont regarding what the people are doing and their -prospects, it is certainly guessed at, for I know he was never there. -His map of the road is good, but when it comes to making roads, he -never did. He followed the road to Oregon made by emigrants, men, -women and children to the Dalles, took bateaux to Fort Vancouver, got -supplies, returned to The Dalles and struck out for California on the -east side of the mountains." - -Watt says in his reminiscences that he shall never forget the look -that Benton had on his face as he started across the room, rubbing his -hands and storming, "Perhaps I don't know the movements of my own -son-in-law." While the picture is completed by the clerk, to all -intents writing at a desk near by, but whose sides were "prying out -and in like a pair of bellows." - -A tribute paid by Watt to the services actually rendered by Colonel -Fremont mollified the old senator and the remainder of the interview -was pleasant. The conversation turned to the object of the visit which -Watt had expressed to Benton in the following words: "I was in the -neighborhood of the city and was anxious to learn something about the -intent of the government concerning Oregon so that I could have -something to tell the settlers on my return, for we only get the news -once a year." Watt told him of his plan of transferring his family -across the plains and of driving sheep and introducing the manufacture -of wool. To Benton it seemed "quite an undertaking," but Watt, with -the true pioneer spirit, replied, "Yes, but the people out there do -not mind hardships and dangers. Somebody has to do it if the country -is ever settled." To the praises paid by Watt to Oregon and the need -of an extension of government, Benton replied, "There are a great many -things to contend with, I am afraid, before that can be done. England -has to be treated with, for they have some claims out there; and we -have many designing men here who will give us trouble. I am sure I do -not know how it will be done, but I think something will be done that -will satisfy you people. I have been frustrated in some attempts to -relieve the country but am still in hopes we can do something." The -conversation then drifted to mutual acquaintances in Missouri, and -Watt left with some maps and reports of Fremont, presented by the -Senator, under his arm. - -The journey by boat down the Mississippi River was the occasion of -another experience. A collision occurred just before daylight and -many of the passengers, unable to get to land, were drowned. Watt -narrowly escaped by reaching the hurricane deck and wading out of the -cabin waist deep in the water. "I thought that worse than all the -Indians in the world," is the remark with which he sums up this -experience. - -Upon reaching home the preparation was made for crossing the -continent. A band of sheep had been gotten together during Watt's -absence, much to the amusement of the neighbors, who could not believe -the enterprise would succeed. The progress, indeed, was slow. When -rain fell the mud was deep and in dry weather the dust was equally -trying. "I have driven day after day, pushing the sheep along by my -knees, and could not see them for the dust," says Watt. - -The emigrants of 1848 had a comparatively easy time, and a comfortable -journey. They were more numerous, were better provided with -necessities and better organized than those of former years. How great -the contrast between crossing the plains in 1848 and that which had -been the occasion of so many difficulties four years before. The ample -outfit consisted of two large freight wagons with five yoke of cattle -to each. There was loose cattle and sheep and drivers and herders to -help with the work. Watt's familiarity with the route, his knowledge -of the best camping places and sources of water supply caused many to -look naturally to him as a leader, although the dust that rose from -the path of the flock of sheep was too much for a close following. -Watt was a lover of a practical joke, and his knowledge of the country -often gave him an opportunity to indulge this taste. By his advice a -company of the emigrants had been induced to camp by the Dry Sandy -with the promise that water would be abundant. When they reached the -place there was none to be seen. The bed of the stream was as dry and -dusty as a desert. To the surprised and indignant inquiries of the -fellow travelers for water Watt only said, "I have struck the rock and -water will soon be here." Doubt and despondency, however, were clearly -seen on the faces of the emigrants, and many thought that they had -trusted too far. Those who were fortunate enough to have kegs of water -in possession for such an emergency now brought them out and began the -preparation of supper. Those less fortunate gathered in groups where -grumbling could be heard in undertones; but Watt was calm and -unconcerned through all. Without warning, when darkness came on, a -thread of ice cold water that the midday sun had released in the -snow-capped mountains, came trickling down. It grew larger and larger -and shouts on every side arose "Here's water! Water for all! Moses -still lives." The thirsty cattle rushed in without questioning the -source of supply, but the emigrants touched it reverently, half -doubting the reality of their senses. - -The usual vicissitudes of the long but somewhat monotonous journey -across the plains were enlivened one night by the sudden arrival in -camp of a messenger, on horseback, from the West. He had been riding -hard and seemed anxious to proceed as fast as possible. It was Joseph -Meek, messenger of the Oregon colonists, on his way to Washington to -announce to the government the Whitman massacre and the Cayuse war. -"The Cayuse Indians have broken out," he said, "and are murdering far -and near, sparing neither man, woman, nor children. Men are all up -from the valley fighting them hand to hand. Our boys charge and the -Indians charge back, death and destruction at ever charge." The effect -of the vivid account, that none could give better than Meek, was -great. Women and children were frightened and crying. Even the men -questioned the wisdom of proceeding. Watt, however, being well -acquainted with Meek knew his proclivities for exaggeration when -striving for effect. Gradually the facts were brought out and the -situation, though still serious, was not sufficient to turn back the -emigration. For the rest of the journey Watt was the most cautious of -the party. No Indians appeared and the fear of the emigrants wore off; -but, like the water from the mountains, the Indians might come -unannounced into camp at any time, as the experienced traveler across -the prairies well knew. Even the seriousness of this occasion -furnished Watt material for his practical jokes. When the party had -exceeded the usual limit of carelessness in sitting late and burning -the camp fires in the enjoyment of social intercourse, Watt arranged -with the guards of that night a plot. The alarm for Indians was to be -sounded at early dawn. The plan worked to a charm. The emigrants, who -had retired to rest with a feeling of security, now crept out in -confusion or hid themselves away in ridiculous positions. The bully of -the crowd who had boasted that he "would like to eat an Injin for -breakfast every morning," was now pushed from the wagon by his -delicate wife, with a rifle in one hand and his pantaloons in the -other. The heroine of the hour was a young girl, Mary Greenwood, the -daughter of one of the reliable men of the party. She was seen amidst -all the confusion kindling a fire and beginning to mold bullets for -the men to use. - -The journey was made without mishap to the sheep until Snake River was -reached. Here the current was strong and they were carried down the -stream. The dreamer of Oregon's new industry stood on the bank, -helpless, and awaited the issue. The enterprise might easily have -terminated at that point; but fate decided otherwise. One fellow in -the flock, with all the qualities of a leader, struck out for shore -with a strong stroke and soon the larger part of the flock reached -the land and the wool industry for Oregon was safe. - -Without other incidents of importance the journey was finally ended -and the family were all together in their new home in Oregon. The wool -weaver had proved a worthy successor to the Scotch Irish silk weaver -of colonial days. He had shown the stuff from which new countries are -settled and new industries started. The sheep, after their long and -dusty drive, were placed upon the rich pastures of the farm in Yamhill -County, and to all appearances were well pleased with the new -environment. The cards and reeds and castings for loom and spinning -wheel were put in place and cloth was made, sufficient to meet the -needs of the family and in particular of those eight sisters whose -needs had played so important a part in the beginning of the wool -industry for Oregon. - -The wise dreamer, however, had been unable to see fully the future. He -had not known that while his plan was under way the discovery of gold -in California had attracted the notice of the world; that the -population flocking there would cut off the demand for his woolen -cloth, while abundance of goods would come in from the East by water -to increase the supply. The enterprise was well conceived, but as a -financial move it was doomed to temporary failure. The sheep, however, -were here and could wait for more favorable conditions. "About six or -seven years after the gold mining excitement wore off," says Watt, -"and people began to sober down to the home business, a few began to -think about the prosperity of the country. We were buying too much and -had nothing to sell. Stock had run down; there was little inducement -to go into wheat largely. We must do something to prevent so much of -an outlay for merchandise from other countries. Wool was almost -worthless and there was plenty to keep a small mill going if we could -only get the mill." Being interested in sheep himself Watt was anxious -to make that industry profitable. He believed that the time had come -when woolen goods on a considerable scale could be manufactured at a -profit; that the cheapness of raw material would overbalance the high -price of labor. - -Watt had no personal knowledge of woolen mills but there were in -Oregon, at the time, two millwrights who understood the subject and -were anxious to be employed in such an enterprise. As the subject was -canvassed the interest grew. In 1855, therefore, articles of -incorporation were drawn up for the erection of a woolen mill to be -located somewhere in the Willamette Valley. Subscriptions to stock -were sought and offers of bonuses solicited. The articles provided -that the capital stock should be $25,000, and that when $9,000 was -paid in a meeting should be held to decide upon the location of the -mill. A committee of five was appointed to take charge of the matter. -The meeting to decide upon location was held at Dallas when the -requisite amount of stock was paid in. It was a meeting of -considerable importance, as much rivalry had arisen regarding the -location. One party wished it to be placed on the Luckiamute, west of -the Polk County hills, and the other desired it to be located at Salem -on the east side of the hills. Lively work had been done; the party -favorable to the Salem location had secured a bonus worth about $7,000 -and had control of the voting stock. Considerable scheming, -preliminary to the vote occurred, and when it was taken "you could -hear a pin drop," says Watt. The result was favorable to the Salem -site, and plans were begun for the construction. Within a few weeks -all the stock was paid in and the company had possession of a piece of -land for the mill. A board of five directors was elected and orders -were given to begin the work. The water power was to be brought from -the Santiam River by means of a ditch. The task was not great as the -bed of Mill Creek could be used and the water power was soon secured. -An agent was sent East to purchase the machinery and by the time it -arrived the building was ready for its occupation. - -Before the machinery was placed the introduction of this new industry -was the occasion of a splendid ball in the spacious building. It was -one of the most brilliant social affairs ever held in Oregon up to -this time. Among the list of those present from all over the territory -were dignitaries of state, including the Governor; dignitaries from -the army, including Lieut. Phil Sheridan, and as Watt himself says, -"even dignitaries from the church were present." Watt was an -inveterate lover of song and dance, and would go many miles at any -time to engage in such festivities. He was therefore in the height of -his glory, which was not even destroyed by the fact that his chosen -lady, Miss Lyons, beautifully adorned in a gown of blue velvet, with -golden stars, was led to the dance by the Governor. Indeed, he had no -reason to be uneasy, for the understanding between them was good, and -a few years later, 1860, he was married to her, dressed for the -occasion in a suit of wool made in the mill which he had done so much -to establish. - -By the first of May the machinery was in place, and everything was in -running order. Cloth bearing the name of "Hardtimes" was produced, and -the first blankets ever made west of the Rocky Mountains were sold at -auction. The first pair went to Mr. Watt for $110, and the others -brought $75 to $25. At first all the product that could be turned out -found a ready market; competition, however, soon set in and the -managers of the mill were undecided what course to pursue. Unwilling -to discontinue the enterprise Watt was consulted, and agreed to take -the entire product of the mill for a period of three years at a fixed -price. By an aggressive process of advertising, in which he personally -carried the goods into all the important places along the line of the -old Holladay stage route, both in Oregon and California, a market was -created for the goods. In three months after the agreement had been -made the managers of the mill were willing to give a large -consideration in return for a relinquishment of his contract. The -goods found such ready market that the building and machinery were -doubled. Prices continued to rise; debts were paid off; the value of -the stock rose; a gristmill was built by the company; the race through -the town constructed, and salaries of officials were raised "as high -as their consciences would allow them to take." A woolen fever began -to spread through the country. Mills were built at Oregon City, -Brownsville, and Ellendale. This was the period of greatest -prosperity. Conditions changed, but Watt was not then connected with -the business. Divisions had arisen among the stockholders of the -company, and Watt had disposed of his stock in 1866, when it sold for -a value of $800 per share. He continued to be interested in sheep to -the close of his life, and large flocks of the finest breeds were kept -on his farm under the care of a Scotch herder employed for the special -purpose. He was ever interested in furthering the sheep industry in -other parts of Oregon, and it was partly through his influence that -sheep were first placed upon the ranges of eastern Oregon. - -But the dreams of the dreamer broadened as time passed. In 1866, when -divisions led to his withdrawal from the woolen mill, the crop of -wheat in the valley was unusually large. The wheat industry had been -increasing for years. Oregon was rapidly passing from the fur trading -and pastoral stages of industrial life to that of agriculture. With -an ever-increasing supply the market was restricted, and here was a -problem to attract the mind of Watt. Shipments of wheat were made to -California, but the markets beyond had tempted only the most daring. -One line of steamers had been established between Portland and New -York and four or five vessels had been drawn into the trade. The Sally -Brown was the first to make the trial and Watt was the man who -gathered up the cargo which she carried from the wheat fields of the -Willamette. Ever in the van through life Watt conceived the idea that -a cargo of wheat could be sent to Liverpool, the market of the world. -With him to think was to act, and in 1868 he went through the valley -gathering wheat for the first cargo to the greatest wheat market in -existence. It was an adventure in magnitude exceeding anything that he -had tried before. Failure would mean a heavy loss, and success would -usher in a new day for the industrial life of Oregon. The cargo was -gathered and the vessel set forth on the long voyage. The destination -was reached and the grain inspected. It was unlike any that had ever -been seen before on the docks of the great market. The inspectors had -never seen kernels of wheat so large. The decision was pronounced that -it could not be right, and the whole cargo was condemned as water -soaked and unfit for the market. The loss fell heavily upon the -consignor of the cargo, but a beginning had been made that was -destined to grow until Oregon's industrial isolation should be ended. - -In closing this paper it requires but a few words to sum up the chief -characteristics of Joseph Watt. He is best seen in the narration of -his life. Ever engaged in enterprises that were ahead of his time, he -belonged to the vanguard of industrial development in Oregon. Ever a -dreamer, he met with heavy reverses but yet retained a competence -sufficient for a comfortable old age. Independent and genuine in his -character, there was no cant in his make-up. One of the company of -kindred spirits that includes the names of Nesmith, Matthieu, Clark, -Boise, Minto, Crawford, and others, his company was always -appreciated, for he was genial and sociable in disposition. By the -Indians he was loved, and they gathered about him at his home in -Yamhill as they would about no other. Deeply interested in all that -pertained to Oregon, he was truly one of her benefactors. Always loyal -to the early state builders, he conducted a party of them in an -excursion to the East when the railroad connection was completed. -Always deeply interested in the Pioneer Association, Watt was its -president for a time and rarely was absent from its meetings. By gift -from his widow the author of this paper has deposited in the vaults of -the Oregon Historical Society the little book in which he kept the -names of the members in their own handwriting. It is worn and soiled -through frequent use, but it will ever be a valuable reminder of the -earliest of our state builders, as well as a reminder of him whom the -author has chosen to designate as a "pioneer captain of industry in -Oregon." - - JAMES R. ROBERTSON. - - - - -DOCUMENTS. - - -TWO WHITMAN SOURCES. - -Correspondence to the _New York Spectator_ which describes Doctor -Whitman as a passenger on board the steamer Narraganset on Long Island -Sound. Doctor Whitman is on his way from New York to Boston. - - Editorial from the _New York Daily Tribune_ of March 29, - 1843. - - ARRIVAL FROM OREGON. - - We were most agreeably surprised yesterday by a call from - Doctor Whitman from Oregon, a member of the American - Presbyterian Mission in that territory. A slight glance at - him when he entered our office would convince any one that - he had seen all the hardships of a life in the wilderness. - He was dressed in an old fur cap, that appeared to have seen - some ten years' service, faded, and nearly destitute of fur; - a vest whose natural color had long since faded, and a - shirt--we could not see that he had any--an overcoat, every - thread of which could be easily seen, buckskin pants, - etc.--the roughest man we have seen this many a day--too - poor, in fact, to get any better wardrobe. The doctor is one - of those daring and good men who went to Oregon some ten - years ago to teach the Indians religion, agriculture, - letters, etc. A noble pioneer we judge him to be, a man - fitted to be chief in rearing a moral empire among the wild - men of the wilderness. We did not learn what success the - worthy man had in leading the Indians to embrace the - Christian faith, but he very modestly remarked that many of - them had begun to cultivate the earth and raise cattle. - - He brings information that the settlers on the Willamette - are doing well; that the Americans are building a town at - the Falls of the Willamette; that a Mr. Moore of Mr. - Farnham's party, some sixty years of age, was occupying one - side of the Falls, in the hope that [the] government would - make him wealthy by the passage of a preemption law; that - the old man Blair, another member of the same party, was - living comfortably a short distance above, as all who have - read Mr. Farnham's travels will know that he deserves to do. - Doctor Whitman left Oregon six months ago; ascended the - banks of the Snake or Laptin River to Fort Hall, and was - piloted thence to Santa Fe by the way of the Soda Springs, - Brown's Hole, the Wina, and the waters of the del Norte. - From Santa Fe he came through the Indians that have been - removed from the States to Missouri. The doctor's track - among the mountains lay along the western side of the - Anahuac Range; and he remarks that there is considerable - good land in that region. - - We give the hardy and self-denying man a hearty welcome to - his native land. We are sorry to say that his first - reception, on arriving in our city, was but slightly - calculated to give him a favorable impression of the morals - of his kinsmen. He fell into the hands of one of our vampire - cabmen, who, in connection with the keeper of a tavern house - in West Street, three or four doors from the corner near the - Battery, fleeced him out of two of the last few dollars - which the poor man had. - - [This editorial was quoted in full by the Boston - _Advertiser_ of March 31st.] - - * * * * * - - From the _New York Spectator_, Wednesday evening, April 5, - 1843. - - CRUISING IN THE SOUND. - - GENTLEMEN: Respecting the goodly Bay State I can say but - little, because since I saw you, I have been only an - occupant of steamboat and railroad cars. I had long supposed - that a three-day trip to Boston was only hereafter to be a - notion and reminiscence of olden time, but alas! I have had - the stern reality of things as they "used to was." I left - New York on Monday, in the Narraganset, at the usual time. - We had a rough trip into the Sound, and at 12 o'clock - Captain Woolsey, with sound discretion, carried us into the - New Haven Bay, where we anchored till Wednesday morning, - when we proceeded to Stonington, and on going over [to?] the - railroad and finding it in the vocative case, owing to the - outbreak of the waters, we retraced our movements and again - took boat, and made a passage around Point Judith. - - It is due to Captain Woolsey and his very gentlemanly aid, - Mr. Richmond, to say that everything was done to make a - large body of disappointed passengers feel happy; good and - plentiful meals were gratuitously provided, and it can - hardly be possible that any wayfarer on this occasion left - the Narraganset without a deep conviction that, under the - severe and awkward circumstances of the passage, all had - been done that was possible to obviate the inconveniences - and disagreeables of the passage through the Sound. I would - add that the boat worked well. We had a very pleasant set of - passengers. Among others I may mention the Hon. Robert - Rantoul of Boston. This gentleman is by far the ablest man - of the Democratic party in Massachusetts, and unless I could - see him embarked for Salt River, (which I think must be his - final destination,) I would rather have him embark on the - same boat in which I sail, than any other. He is a very - interesting, affable man, of great research, and will, I - doubt not, yet render good service to the country. - - - THE REV. DR. WHITMAN FROM OREGON. - - We also had one who was the observed of all, Doctor Whitman, - the missionary from Oregon. He is in the service of the - American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions. Rarely - have I seen such a spectacle as he presented. His dress - should be preserved as a curiosity; it was quite in the - style of the old pictures of Philip Quarles and Robinson - Crusoe. When he came on board and threw down his traps, one - said "what a loafer!" I made up my mind at a glance that he - was either a gentleman traveler, or a missionary; that he - was every inch a man and no common one was clear. The Doctor - has been eight years at the territory, has left his wife - there, and started from home on the 1st of October. He has - not been in bed since, having made his lodging on buffalo - robe and blanket, even on board the boat. He is about - thirty-six or seven years of age, I should judge, and has - stamped on his brow a great deal of what David Crockett - would call "God Almighty's common sense." Of course when he - reached Boston he would cast his shell and again stand out a - specimen of the "humans." - - I greatly question whether such a figure ever passed through - the Sound since the days of steam navigation. He is richly - fraught with information relative to that most interesting - piece of country, and I hope will shortly lay it before the - good people of Boston and New York. Could he appear in New - York Tabernacle--in his traveling costume--and lecture on - the Northwest coast, I think there would be very few - standing places. Much of his route was on foot and - occasionally on horse or mule back, with a half-breed guide. - To avoid the hostile Indians he had to go off to the Spanish - country, and thence to Santa Fe. A rascally hackman took him - in at New York, and carried him from place to place at his - whim and finally put him down near the Battery, close to his - starting point, charging him two dollars, and it being - midnight he succeeded in the vile extortion. - - CIVIS. - - In connection with our friend's communication we subjoin an - interesting account of Doctor Whitman's mission, as given by - Mr. Farnham in his travels in 1839 over the Rocky Mountains. - [Fills over one and a half columns.] - - * * * * * - - DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE OREGON EMIGRATION MOVEMENT, - 1842-43. - - OREGON--PITTSBURGH MEETING AND DOCTOR WHITE'S REPORT. - - The following paragraphs we find in several of the eastern - papers this morning: - - "_The Settlement of Oregon._--The meeting at Pittsburgh last - week, reported that it was not expedient for American - citizens to emigrate to Oregon until the United States - Government had taken measures to secure and protect the - emigrants in their rights. - - We see, by a letter in the New York papers, that Elijah - White, who went as United States agent to Oregon, and took - with him a large party of emigrants, writes, under date of - August 17th, that his party had increased to one hundred and - twelve, although they had lost two, one by sickness and the - other by accident. They started with nineteen wagons, and - their journey had been slow and tedious; but they had passed - two thirds of the way, and were in excellent health and good - spirits. A favorable opportunity for emigration will occur - in April, through the aid of Mr. Fitzpatrick, at - Independence. Mr. White advises those who intend to go to - prepare light strong wagons, and to take no loading except - cooking utensils, and provisions for four months. Mules are - preferable to horses. He says no doubt exists as to ultimate - success of the colony." - - * * * * * - - From the _Jeffersonian Republican_, September 17, 1842. - - THE SETTLING OF OREGON. - - We learn with gratification that it is at least rumored that - an expedition is about to be got up in Saint Louis, to - colonize the rich and interesting Territory of Oregon. To - such as have so laudable and advantageous an enterprise in - view, we are prepared and feel warranted in saying, that it - rests not upon "rumor" that many of our fellow-citizens of - upper Missouri intend emigrating to that highly celebrated - region next spring, and will no doubt be glad to be joined - by as many of the enterprising citizens of Saint Louis as - may think it their interests to join them. - - We learn from the "Oregon Correspondence Committee" of this - place, that already they are beginning to receive names of - gentlemen desirous of joining the expeditions, and from - present indications, there seems to be no doubt remaining - that there will be quite a large company formed. Let not - those who now [have it?] in contemplation, draw back, but - steadily persevere, and they may confidently promise - themselves success. The country which they seek is no doubt - one of equal attraction and advantages as any on the globe, - and we rest assured that so soon as the number of - inhabitants will justify, the fostering hand of a - territorial government will be extended to it. Up then every - pioneer, and let your cry be "Onward!"--_Western - Missourian._ - - * * * * * - - From the _Ohio Statesman_, March 7, 1843. - - LETTER FROM AN OREGON EMIGRATION AGENT TO A FRIEND AT - PITTSBURG. - - WASHINGTON CITY, February 21, 1843. - - DEAR SIR: Nothing of importance has transpired in Congress - since my last. I am informed by members of the House of - Representatives that the bill for the occupation and - settlement of Oregon Territory will come before the House - this week. It will pass when acted upon. It was referred to - the Committee of Foreign Affairs. John Quincy Adams, - chairman of the committee, reported back the same without - amendment, on the 13th, and, as might have been expected - from him, recommended that the bill do not pass. It is - evident, notwithstanding, that the bill will pass when acted - upon. Captain Stine [Steen], commanding the Dragoons at Fort - Leavenworth, has addressed several letters to Dr. L. F. Linn - and others, wishing the Secretary of War to grant him - permission to accompany us with the Dragoons. I have - postponed an interview with the Secretary of War till I am - ready to leave for the West. I have sent many documents to - you and others. You will please send some of them to your - friends in Ohio, Wheeling, and other places, if you have any - to spare. I have given the names of the several committees - in Pittsburgh, and west of it, to a number of the members, - who promise that they will continue to send all the - documents calculated to throw light on the subject of - Oregon, etc. - - I am happy to learn that the citizens of Pittsburgh take so - warm an interest in the matter. - - I am your most humble and obedient servant, - - J. M. SHIVELY. - - * * * * * - - From the _Ohio Statesman_ of March 3, 1843. - -The War Department made the following responses to the inquiries of -Prof. Joseph Schafer for information as to provision of military -escort in 1843 for body of emigrants going to Oregon: - - - First indorsement. - - WAR DEPARTMENT, - ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, - _Washington_, _September 5, 1902_. - - Respectfully submitted to the Chief of the Record and - Pension Office, War Department. - - No information touching the matter of escort for emigrants - from Fort Leavenworth to Oregon in the year 1843 has been - found in this office. - - J. PARKER, - Major of Cavalry, Assistant Adjutant General. - - - Second indorsement. - - RECORD AND PENSION OFFICE, - WAR DEPARTMENT, - _Washington_, _September 10, 1902_. - - Respectfully submitted to the Quartermaster General of the - Army. - - The records on file in this office show that J. M. Shively, - of St. Louis, Missouri, stated under date of March 25, 1843, - that his party would start for Oregon on April 20, 1843; and - that he desired a company of troops. The records also show - that the communication of Mr. Shively was charged to the - Quartermaster General. - - Nothing additional has been found bearing on this inquiry. - - ---- ----, - Chief, Record and Pension Office. - - [Name signed not decipherable.] - - - Third indorsement. - - WAR DEPARTMENT, - QUARTERMASTER GENERAL'S OFFICE, - _Washington_, _October 6, 1902_. - - Respectfully returned, by direction of the Quartermaster - General, to Mr. Joseph Schafer, No. 311 Park Street, - Madison, Wisconsin. - - No record of any correspondence with Captain E. Steen, 1st - Dragoons, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, during the year 1843, - bearing on the matter of a military escort for emigrants is - found, nor is there any record of the communication of J. M. - Shively referred to in the second indorsement hereon. - - S. F. LONG, (?) - Major and Quartermaster, United States Army. - - * * * * * - - From the _Ohio Statesman_ February 24, 1843. - - OREGON. - - The Xenia _Free Press_ says: A farmer in this county - informed us a few days since that he could raise a company - of fifty families who, if [supported?] by the Government, - would march, on short notice, for Oregon. - - Also on the same page: The _State Register_ (Illinois) says - that the largest meetings it ever witnessed were held in - Springfield on Wednesday and Thursday evenings in the hall - of the House of Representatives, a couple of whigs talking - the British side of the question. - - * * * * * - - From the _Ohio Statesman_, February 17, 1843. - - THE OREGON MEETING. - - [The meeting was evidently held on Saturday, February 11th.] - - The meeting on Saturday evening at the Council Chamber was - much more fully attended than was expected, the proceedings - of which will be found in our paper. After the organization - and the appointment of a committee to report to the - adjourned meeting to be held on Thursday evening next, - William B. Hubbard, Esq., in answer to a call of the - meeting, commenced a most interesting address, prefaced by - offering a resolution complimentary of Doctor Linn of - Missouri, and those senators who stood by him in the - advocacy of the bill for the settlement of this territory. - The cry of fire caused Mr. H. to close his remarks, with a - request by the meeting that he would proceed with them at - the next meeting. We hope Mr. H. will prepare a synopsis of - his remarks for the press. Nothing would be read with - greater interest at this time. - - The Government should speedily establish military posts from - the frontier settlements on the Missouri to the Pacific. - Settlements would speedily take place around each post, and - produce in abundance would soon be raised to supply the post - and the flow of emigration. - - An adjourned meeting of the citizens of Columbus and its - vicinity was held in the United States courtroom on the - evening of Thursday, the 10th instant, in pursuance of a - resolution adopted at the last meeting. - - [Colonel Medary (editor of the _Statesman_), from a - committee appointed to collect facts, reported that the - committee wanted more time. The subject growing more and - more interesting, on motion the committee was allowed till - next Thursday.] - - The resolution offered at last meeting was then taken up, - and on motion of Mr. Hubbard, was amended by adding, at the - end thereof, the words "without the violation of any - international law." - - The resolution, as amended, read as follows: - - _Resolved_, That this meeting duly appreciate the untiring - labors and distinguished abilities of Senator Linn and - others in Congress, in their successful advocacy of the just - claim of the United States to the Oregon Country; and that, - as a component part of the Great West, we hope for a speedy - adjustment of our rights upon the borders of the Pacific - Ocean, and a like speedy occupation and settlement of that - country, without the violation of any international law. - - [Copy ordered sent to Hon. Joseph Ridgway, member of - Congress for the district.] - -The _Ohio Statesman_ of March 10, 1843, contains the report of the -committee appointed as per the above accounts. The report seems to -have been drawn up by Col. Samuel Medary, chairman, and is a strong -and interesting document of considerable length. It discusses in full, -with all the information available at the time, the economic -advantages of the Oregon Country, as well as the question of title. -The report is accompanied by a map. - - * * * * * - - From the _Ohio Statesman_, March 14, 1843. - - OREGON. - - The people are again in motion here in relation to the - emigration to Oregon this spring. Peter H. Burnett, Esq., - one of our most estimable citizens is among the foremost - here in exciting a laudable spirit in relation to the - settlement of that desirable country. On Tuesday evening Mr. - Burnett delivered a very able lecture upon this subject, in - which was embodied a vast fund of information calculated to - impress all who had the pleasure of hearing him with the - advantages attendant on an early settlement of our western - demesne. The American eagle is flapping his wings, the - precurser of the end of the British lion, on the shores of - the Pacific. Destiny has willed it.--_Platte (Missouri) - Eagle._ - - * * * * * - - From the _Chillicothe Intelligencer_, March 17, 1843. - - [At a meeting on March 8th, held in the Courthouse, Amos - Holton presented a series of resolutions, and addressed the - meeting at length] showing the origin and justice of our - claim, and the immense value of that territory to the United - States, in a commercial point of view, and to the West in - particular, when, on motion the preamble and resolutions - were unanimously adopted. - - JOHN A. FULTON, Chairman. - - WM. E. GILMORE, Secretary. - - * * * * * - - From the _Ohio Statesman_, April 26, 1843, quoting the _Iowa - Gazette_ (Burlington). - - OREGON. - - (The article aims to give a plan of preparations for - emigrating, including detailed advice as to outfit, route, - etc. The suggestions are similar to those adopted by the - Bloomington meeting, for which see THE QUARTERLY of the - Oregon Historical Society, Volume III, page 390-391, - December number.) - - [The writer thinks that there is a ferry at or near Council - Bluffs.] I speak of Burlington as a very suitable point to - start from, because we have an abundance of the necessary - supplies, and an excellent and very commodious steam - ferryboat for those who are east of us. - - (Signed) ONE WHO INTENDS TO EMIGRATE. - - N. B.--Newspapers who are friendly to the enterprise are - requested to give the above an insertion. - -The same issue of the _Statesman_ still further quotes from the -_Gazette_ as follows: - - OREGON. - - The Oregon fever is raging in almost every part of the - Union. Companies are forming in the East, and in several - parts of Ohio, which, added to those of Illinois, Iowa, and - Missouri, will make a pretty formidable army. The larger - portion of those will probably join the companies of Fort - Independence, Missouri, and proceed together across the - mountains. It would be reasonable to suppose that there will - be at least five thousand Americans west of the Rocky - Mountains by next autumn. This, if nothing else, will compel - Congress to act upon the matter. We have reason to suppose, - however, that we shall have a congress which will assume the - responsibility even without any inducement other than the - protection of American honor and American rights. - - * * * * * - - From the _National Intelligencer_ (Washington), June 7, - 1843. - - EMIGRANTS FOR OREGON. - - The _Liberty Banner_, published in Clay County, Missouri, - says: We are informed that the expedition to Oregon, now - rendezvoused at Westport in Jackson County, will take up its - line of march on the 20th of [May] this month. The company - consists of some four or five hundred emigrants, some with - their families. They will probably have out one hundred and - fifty wagons, drawn by oxen, together with horses for nearly - every individual, and some milch cows. They will, we - suppose, take as much provision with them as they can - conveniently carry, together with a few of the necessary - implements of husbandry. There are in the expedition a - number of citizens of inestimable value to any community, - men of fine intelligence and intrepid character, admirably - calculated to lay the firm foundations of a future empire. - - * * * * * - - From the _Ohio Statesman_, May 3, 1843. - - We attach the suggestions in the report of General - Worthington, adopted in this city on Saturday evening, in - advance of the publication of the report: - - "The committee, then, do most respectfully recommend that a - convention of the western and southwestern states and - territories be immediately called, to urge upon the General - Government immediate occupation of the Oregon country by a - military force, and to adopt such measures as may seem most - conducive to its immediate and effectual occupation, - _whether the government acts or not in the matter_. - - "That it be declared to the world, that the Californias - never should pass into the hands of England for any purpose - whatever; and that if they go out of the possession of - Mexico, they should at once be attached to the _future_ - North American Republic of the Pacific Ocean. - - "That all rumored negotiations of the surrender of any part - of the Pacific border for an equivalent in the Californias, - should be denounced as fraught with danger to the peace and - honor and liberty of the American continents, and as a - _repudiation_ of Mr. Monroe's triumphantly sustained - declaration of 1823, _that these continents are not to be - considered subjects of colonization by any European power_. - - "That it be declared that Great Britain should be excluded - from the whole of the Northwest coast, between our - boundaries with Mexico and Russia; and, that, to give her - any part, will be a virtual loss of the whole, as it will - cripple, or entirely prevent any important commercial - operations by American citizens on our Pacific coast. - - "That we recommend the Oregon Convention to be held in - Cincinnati, Ohio, on the third, fourth, and fifth days of - July, 1843. - - "That measures be immediately taken for the appointment of - committees at the capitals of all the states and territories - west and southwest of the Alleghanies, to urge such action - upon their several legislatures as will induce Congress to - immediate occupation of Oregon country by the arms, the - laws, and the citizens of the United States. - - "That an address be published to the people of the West, and - the Union generally, setting forth, and urging the adoption - of the principles and opinions above proclaimed." - - [The meeting to appoint the delegates to this Oregon - Convention was called to meet in Columbus on the last - Saturday in June.] - - - EXPERIENCES OF THE EMIGRATION OF 1843. - - From the _New York Tribune_ (weekly), August 5, 1843. - - We find the following letter from the Oregon Emigration in - the _Iowa Gazette_ of the 8th instant (July): - - OREGON EMIGRATING COMPANY. - - KANSAS RIVER, June 3, 1843. - - * * There are over 3,000 and perhaps 5,000 head of cattle, - mules, and horses attached to the company. Captain Applegate - has over 200 head, and others over 100 head. This has been a - bone of contention with some of the emigrants and very - nearly divided the company. Indeed, I am not certain but it - will be the means of a split yet, as there are a number - without cattle who refuse to assist in guarding them. The - dissatisfaction is not quite so violent now, as the cattle - owners have agreed to furnish the company with beef, (in - case of scarcity of buffalo meat,) work cattle and milch - cows, the former at a price to be fixed by the committee, - and the cows and oxen without charge. The company have - agreed to this proposition, and the former law, limiting - each individual to three head of loose cattle, is thereby - repealed. The number of cattle is quite too large. It is - impossible to guard them at night, and the Indians at this - place have already commenced stealing horses and killing - cattle. The company which leaves next spring for Oregon - should keep strict guard on their cattle and horses at the - crossing of this river, as some eight or ten horses and - mules have been stolen in one night from our company. Doctor - Whitman from Walla Walla, who is in our company, advises - that the company divide into three or four parties, for - speed and convenience, as there will be no danger from the - Indians. - - [The name of the writer of the above letter is not given. - The letter, however, indicates that he came to the - emigration from Burlington, Iowa, and evidently lived there, - as his letter was printed first in a Burlington paper. He - was chosen a member of the "cabinet advisers" of the - captain--nine persons. Probably these points will serve to - identify him. Was he M. M. McCarver?] - - -LETTERS DESCRIPTIVE OF OREGON COUNTRY AND ITS EARLIER CONDITIONS. - -A letter by the Rev. Alvan F. Waller to his brother at Elba, New York. -It was first published in the _Christian Advocate and Journal_. - - Taken from the _Ohio Statesman_, March 10, 1843. - - WALLAMETTE FALLS, April 6, 1842. - - DEAR BROTHER: Your last came duly to hand and very much - refreshed our spirits. Write every opportunity, being - assured that intelligence from our friends is to us in this - land like cold water to thirsty souls. You will see by my - letter where I am stationed. This is in some respects a - pleasant though laborious field of labor. This is and is - destined to be, the great emporium of the interior of this - country. Its water power for manufacturing purposes is - probably not rivaled in the States; at least, few and far - between are the privileges which equal or excel it; besides - here is an excellent salmon fishery. As to the country, - taking it all and all, it is a good farming and grazing - country. The winters are so mild that the cattle and horses - do well without feeding. The country is well watered, and - the inhabitants are, in general, healthy. The ague and fever - is the most prevalent disease, although other diseases - occur. On the sea coast I believe it is more healthy than - back in the country. So far as I and my family are - concerned, we have been as healthy as we ever were in the - States. Our little ones are quite as hearty and as lively as - the fawns that skip over the plains. - - Produce of all kinds, except corn, does well here, so far as - it has been fairly tried. Some corn has been raised. Wheat, - peas, and oats, I believe, so far as quality is concerned, - can not excel in any country. Potatoes are tolerable, and in - some parts excellent. Indeed, it is my candid conviction, - that an industrious and economical man can live as well - (fruit excepted) and make property as fast as in almost any - country, and far easier than in any part of the State of New - York where I have lived. Let him bring with him a few - hundred dollars in cash or property, his farming utensils, - etc., and settle on one of these delightful plains and the - first year he can support his family from the soil, as he - has nothing to do but fence, plow, and sow, and prepare a - shelter or house for his family; yet he will have to - encounter some difficulties incident to all new countries. - Our mills are few and far between, and not all of the first - order, but rather multiplying and improving; though a good - millwright is very much wanted, as well as apparatus for - building mills and a great many wholesome settlers, - embracing some capitalists who will open trade with the - Islands and China, which can be done from this coast with - great facility. But first of all, our government ought to - extend its jurisdiction and protection over this country. - The state of the country in this respect (especially for - Americans), as well in respect to a currency, is unpleasant. - The Hudson Bay Company seem determined to monopolize as long - as possible; yet in many respects they are quite - accommodating, at least, so far as it is to their interest. - They profess to claim many of the best and most valuable - parts of the country by putting up a little hut without - habitation and forbidding any one settling in those places. - They made a claim at the Falls, on the side where I now am, - about twelve years since, hewing a quantity of timber, etc., - and a few years since they put up a small hut and covered it - with bark. - - Last fall an American took possession of a small island in - the falls, but no sooner was it known at Fort Vancouver than - a company of men was sent off with boards to put up a hut, - and soon the governor of the fort came up, greatly incensed, - called the man a pilferer, and anything but good; he, - however, went on! A cooper wished to build a shop near me, - but was informed, by orders from the fort, that if he built - his shop would be torn down. He, however, went on and built; - his shop still stands. These are naked facts; and others of - the same kind, if necessary, can be forthcoming. By this you - will have some clue to the state of things in this country - in this respect. - - I have written in great haste, as this is to be off early - to-morrow morning. Besides, I have plenty of company, a - number of men being here to buy salmon, of which I have the - care. Others are on their way down the river. Indeed, my - house is at times, as to travelers, more like a public house - than a Methodist preacher's. - - Your affectionate brother, - - ALVIN F. WALLER. - - * * * * * - -A letter by Titian R. Peale to Thomas Morgan, Esq., of Washington, -Pennsylvania: - - WASHINGTON, D. C., February 6, 1843. - - DEAR SIR: Observing the interest you have taken in the - "Oregon Bill," now before Congress, I conclude that a few - notes, coming from one who has recently traveled through a - portion of the Oregon territory, will be acceptable to you, - and probably be of use to some of your neighbors, who may - feel disposed to profit by the inducements offered, should - the bill pass and become a law. - - Being a member of the Scientific Corps of the United States - Expedition, in 1841, I had the misfortune to be wrecked, in - the ship Peacock, at the mouth of the Columbia River, and - subsequently traveled that portion of the country south of - the Columbia River, known as the Wallamette Valley, and - thence across the mountains to California. - - The soil, we observed, generally on that route, although not - as rich as that of the Mississippi Valley, was still - sufficiently so, when cultivated, to produce from twenty to - forty bushels of wheat to the acre, of as good quality as - any I have ever seen in my native State (Pennsylvania), - which, added to the facilities for settlers in finding the - land ready for the plough, without the labor of clearing, - while sufficiency of the finest timber is found on the banks - of the numerous streams, is alone sufficient to invite to - the further settlement of the country when known. But this - is not all. The winters are so mild that it has never yet - been found necessary to house cattle, or provide winter food - for them. They thrive and multiply beyond expectation. - - Salmon are procured in great profusion in almost all the - streams, and ready markets are found for them, as well as - all the other products of the territory, in the markets of - Mexico, South America, and the numerous islands of the - Pacific Ocean. Thus, from its position in the Pacific, it - has all the advantages which we possess in the Atlantic - Ocean; gaining in the China what might be considered as - partly lost from the European trade. - - The tract of country to which I have more particularly - alluded is about two hundred and fifty miles long, including - the mouth of the Columbia River, and reaching to about one - hundred and fifty miles from the coast. This tract of - country I considered quite equal, if not superior to - Pennsylvania, both in commercial position and capability in - agricultural product, and much superior in its advantages - for raising cattle, etc., being generally interspersed with - prairie and woodland. - - Would the above hasty notes prove satisfactory to you or any - of your friends, or if they only serve to awaken a spirit of - inquiry, it will always be a source of pleasure to me in - having communicated them. - - With great respect, I have the honor to remain, yours truly, - - TITIAN R. PEALE. - - _To Thomas Morgan, Esq., Washington, Pennsylvania._ - - * * * * * - -Letter by Peter H. Burnett to the _St. Louis Reporter_: - - Taken from the _Ohio Statesman_ of September 11, 1844. - - FORT VANCOUVER, November 10, 1843. - - FRIEND PENN: I reached here on yesterday, and the grass is - now as luxuriant as a wheat field. Provisions are abundant - here, and Doctor McLoughlin (who is the most liberal and - hospitable man in the world,) furnishes the emigrants with - wheat to be paid for in cash or in wheat next year. At the - Cascades we met provisions sent us by the Doctor, and all - purchased who applied, even without money. Two boats have - been sent us with provisions, and the Doctor has lent two - boats to the emigrants free of charge. We find him doing - everything to aid the emigrants; and those who are here in - the Wallamette Valley, are as hospitable as they could - possibly afford to be. Business is very brisk, and labor - finds ready employment and prompt payment at high prices. - Necessaries of all kinds can be procured at Vancouver. - - Most of the emigrants have reached here with their cattle - and baggage, and will soon have their wagons here also. We - find that cattle bear a fine price here and will sell - readily. Cows at from $50 to $75, oxen at from $50 to $100 - per yoke; labor $1 per day; beef from 5 to 6 cents; salt - salmon $9 to $10 per barrel of about 300 pounds; wheat $1; - flour $4 per 100 pounds. Anything can be sold here. Butter - from 25 to 371/2 cents; sugar, tea, coffee, and dry - goods--plenty. American horses bear better prices than they - do in the States. - - The country exceeds my expectations, and certainly if man - can not supply all his wants here he can not anywhere. - Lieutenant Fremont, who bears this, can give you further - information. I must close as he leaves immediately. - - PETER H. BURNETT. - - * * * * * - -Letter of Peter H. Burnett's, taken from the _Ohio Statesman_ of -October 23, 1844, which quotes it from the _Globe_, Washington: - - LINNTON, Oregon, July 25, 1844. - - I am here in our new town, which we have named as above, in - respect for Doctor Linn's services for this territory. Gen. - M. McCalla [M. M. McCarver] and myself have laid out the - town together. He is a gentleman from Iowa Territory, and - laid out Burlington, the seat of government. He is an - enterprising man. Our place is ten miles from Vancouver, on - the west bank of the Wallamette River, at the head of - navigation, and three or four miles above the mouth of the - Wallamette, and twenty-five miles below the Wallamette - Falls. I have no doubt but that this place will be the great - commercial town in the territory. We are selling lots at $50 - each, and sell them fast at that. At the falls there is - quite a town already. I own two lots in Oregon City (the - town at the falls). They are said to be worth $200 each. I - got them of Doctor McLoughlin for two lots here in Linnton. - I was six weeks at Vancouver, where myself and family were - most hospitably entertained by Doctor McLoughlin, free of - charge. He has been a great friend to me, and has done much - for this emigration generally. I find provisions high--pork - 10 cents, potatoes 40 cents, flour $4 per hundred. - - But I find it costs me a little, even less to live here than - at Weston. I paid for wood the last year I lived at Weston - $75, for corn and fodder $50, all of which is saved here. We - use much less pork here than in Missouri. The salmon are - running now and will continue to run until October next. - They generally commence running the last of February and end - in October. I have had several messes of fresh salmon. At - this point we purchase of the Indians ducks, geese, swans, - salmon, potatoes, feathers, and venison, for little or - nothing. Ducks, four loads; geese, eight loads; swans, ten - loads; salmon, four loads of powder and shot each. Feathers - cost about twelve and a half cents a pound. There are more - ducks, etc., here than you ever saw; also pheasants in great - numbers. They remain here all the winter. I have hunted very - little, being too busy. We find it very profitable to get of - the Indians, to whom we trade old shirts, pantaloons, vests, - and all sorts of clothing. They are more anxious to purchase - clothes than any people you ever saw. You can sell anything - here that was ever sold. Stocking Cary ploughs $5 each. We - have an excellent blacksmith living in our place who makes - first rate Cary ploughs at thirty-one and a quarter cents a - pound, he finding it. [Omitting an elaborate description of - the Willamette Valley.] American cows are worth here from - $50 to $75; American horses from $50 to $75; oxen from $75 - to $125 per yoke. This is the finest country for grazing - cattle you ever saw. They keep fat all winter. Butter sells - at 20 to 25 cents. And, what I did not expect to find, this - is a good country for hogs. At all events you have here - plenty of grass, a root they call wappato, and also plenty - of white oak mast. A first rate market can be had for any - and everything, and you have never seen business more brisk. - Times are first rate and everybody is busy. The - manufacturing power is unsurpassed in the world. There are - more fine sites than you ever saw. Such water power as that - at the falls of Platte can be found everywhere. * * - - [Omitting a portion of the letter describing the timber of - Oregon.] I will not persuade you, nor will I any of my - friends, to come to this country; but were I in the States - again, I should come myself. For $300 you could purchase one - hundred young heifers; and in driving them here you might - lose from five to ten. When you reached here they would be - worth $4,000, and in ten years, without labor or expense, - would make you a splendid fortune. You can move here with - less expense than you could to Tennessee or Kentucky. Your - provisions, teams, etc., you have; your oxen and horses, - especially your fine American mares, would be worth double - as much as they would cost you there. There are very few - good American horses here. The Indian horses are not so - gentle as the American, nor so fine blooded. The American - cattle are greatly superior to the Spanish for milk, as they - give more milk and are more gentle; but the Spanish cattle - are larger. Cows have calves here from fifteen to twenty - months old, and sheep have lambs twice a year in some parts - of territory. The reason is they are always fat and get - their growth much sooner. It is my deliberate opinion that - no country in the world affords so fair an opportunity to - acquire a living as this. I can see no objection to it, - except it be by a man who loves liquor, for he can get none - here. - - PETER H. BURNETT. - - * * * * * - - From the _Ohio Statesman_, October 23, 1844. Quoted by the - _Statesman_ from the _St. Louis Reporter_. - -We make the following extracts from two letters which were published -in the _Western Pioneer_ of the 6th instant, written by William L. -Smith and John Holman, two emigrants to Oregon. The information from -that territory, received this year, is of the most interesting -character: - - The prospect is quite good for a young man to make a fortune - in this country, as all kinds of produce are high, and - likely to remain so from the extensive demand. The Russian - settlements in Asia; the Sandwich Islands; a great portion - of California, and the whaling vessels of the Northwest - coast, procure their supplies from this place. - - There is as yet but little money in the country, and the - whole trade is carried on by orders on an agent or factor. - For instance, when I sell my crop of wheat, the purchaser - asks me where I wish to receive the pay. Vancouver is as yet - the principal point, and an order on that point enables the - seller to procure goods, or cattle, or anything else for it. - - The population of this country consists of French, sailors, - mountain traders, missionaries, and emigrants from the - States. The French population consists of old worn-out - servants of the Hudson Bay Company; they universally have - Indian wives, and many children, some of whom are very - handsome; this part of the population are Catholics. The - sailors are those who deserted from vessels while lying on - the coast, and have also intermarried with the Indians, and - but few of them have embraced any religion--they are, - however, generally good citizens. The mountain traders are - similar to the sailors, except that they have nearly all - embraced the Methodist or Catholic religion. - - The citizens held a meeting some time since and unanimously - adopted the statutes of Iowa Territory for their code of - laws until the government of the United States should make - laws for them. There is little or no crime in Oregon as yet, - which is attributed to the absence of spirituous - liquors--and so sensible are the citizens of this fact that - they are unanimous in favor of excluding it. In fact, Doctor - McLoughlin has several cargoes in his warehouse now, which - he bought in preference to allowing it to be sold in the - country. I can not speak too highly of this excellent man - for his kindness to us all. He sent several boats loaded - with provisions to meet the emigrants last fall, and - continued to distribute little luxuries among us as long as - we remained in reach of him--he is always on the lookout for - an opportunity to bestow his charity, and bestows with no - sparing hand. His intention is to quit the Hudson Bay - Company and become an American citizen. - - Our prairies are beautiful, soil good, and the best stock - range I ever saw. I have located and recorded six sections - of land, which I can hold for one year by making certain - improvements thereon, which I intend doing. I can stand in - my door and see over all of them. Everything is plenty, but - sells high. The prospects for industrious young men are - truly flattering. I do think the six sections we have now in - possession are intrinsically worth $20,000; that would be $5 - per acre, and that is not near the value, taking everything - into consideration. The situation for trade and commerce is - certainly better than any other country. The climate, soil, - timber, water, health, products of the country, and the - prospects for good society combine to make it delightful. It - would astonish you to see the state of society here--more - hospitality and friendship, more morality, industry, and I - do believe religion, than you will see anywhere. There are a - good many scattering Indians, but nothing to be feared from - them. - - * * * * * - - From the _National Intelligencer_, October 28, 1843. - - EMIGRATION--THE FAR WEST. - - We presume most persons thought that when the tide of - emigration reached Oregon it would go no farther, for it did - not seem that the "Far West" could get beyond the Pacific. - We find, however, that some of the emigrants who have - reached Oregon are "dissatisfied with the country, and - contemplate going to California this spring." So says a - letter in the _Iowa Herald_ from one of the settlers, who - for his own part likes the country very well, and expects to - end his days there. He describes the Oregon region as rough - and broken, generally heavy timbered, principally with fir, - yellow pine, cedar, hemlock, oak, ash, and maple--well - watered, with about one tenth prairie of excellent quality. - In the streams is an abundance of fish, among which are the - finest salmon in the world. Oregon City is a thriving little - place, and from its advantageous position it is likely to - become a thriving great one. It is situated at the head of - navigation on the Oregon or Columbia River, and at the foot - of Walhammat Falls, one of the greatest water powers in the - world. - - Of the foregoing documents, the editorial from the _Daily - Tribune_, New York, of March 29, 1843, the second in the - order of the excerpts, was found and copied by Dr. J. R. - Wilson; for all the others the editor is indebted to Prof. - Joseph Schafer. - - - - - THE QUARTERLY - OF THE - OREGON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. - - VOLUME IV. SEPTEMBER, 1903 NUMBER 3 - - [Entered at Portland, Oregon, Post Office as second-class matter.] - - - - -HISTORY OF THE PREPARATION OF THE FIRST CODE OF OREGON. - - -I am requested by the Oregon Bar Association to write a paper on "The -Preparation and Adoption of the First Code." - -Before writing about the actual preparation of the first code, I -desire to say something about the confused and uncertain condition of -statutory law in Oregon Territory, prior to 1853, and the reasons -which induced the territorial legislature of 1852-53 to elect three -commissioners to prepare a code of laws for Oregon Territory. - -On June 27, 1844, the Provisional Government of Oregon, declared that -"All the statute laws of Iowa Territory, passed at the first session -of the legislative assembly of said territory, and not of a local -character, and not incompatible with the conditions and circumstances -of this country, shall be the law of this government, unless otherwise -modified": Laws, 1843-49, p. 100. - -The fourteenth section of the act of Congress of August 14, 1848, -organizing the Territory of Oregon, continued these laws of the -Provisional Government in force until they should be altered or -repealed. - -At the first session of the legislative assembly, held at Oregon City, -two acts were passed by that body, which, owing to the construction -placed upon them by the supreme court of the Territory, had a tendency -to produce dissension and discord among the people of Oregon, which -lasted for two or three years. One of these was "An act to provide for -the selection of places for location and erection of the public -buildings of the Territory of Oregon," passed February 1, 1851. - -The other act was one which declared to be adopted, and in force, -certain acts of the revised statutes of Iowa Territory published in -1843. The legislative assembly of Oregon by a single act adopted these -acts of Iowa, designating them by their several titles, and the dates -of their passage. This law was generally known as the "Chapman Code," -owing to the fact that the bill was introduced by and its passage -secured through the influence of Hon. W. W. Chapman, then a member of -the legislative assembly. - -Soon after these two acts were passed, their validity was questioned, -especially that of the one which located the public buildings, and -transferred the seat of government from Oregon City to Salem. Those -who denied their validity did so on the ground that they contravened -that clause of the organic act of August 14, 1848, section 6, which -provides that "To avoid improper influences which may result from -intermixing in one act such things as have no proper relation to each -other; every act shall embrace but one object, and that shall be -expressed in the title." - -Legal proceedings were soon taken by persons interested in retaining -the capital at Oregon City to declare the act of removal invalid. A -suit brought for that purpose came on for hearing before the supreme -court at Oregon City, in December, 1851. By law the judges of the -district courts composed the supreme court of the territory. They were -Thomas Nelson, Chief Justice, O. C. Pratt, and William Strong. Of -these Nelson and Strong had been appointed by Presidents Fillmore and -Taylor, respectively, while Pratt was holding over under an -appointment of President Polk. The former were Whigs politically, -while the latter was a Democrat. Judges Nelson and Strong convened at -Oregon City, and opened the supreme court there. Judge Pratt went to -Salem under the act which changed the seat of government, but without -a quorum could not hold a session of the court. Judges Nelson and -Strong then decided that the act of the legislative assembly providing -for the selection of places for the location and erection of the -public buildings, passed February 1, 1851, was void, because it -contravened the organic law of August 14, 1848, as before stated. The -opinions of the judges were never published in the Oregon Reports, for -what reason I do not know. Possibly they were not filed with the -supreme court. Judge Pratt claimed that this decision amounted to -nothing because it was not made at the seat of government, as -established by act of the legislative assembly, and in this opinion -that body then assembled at Salem, readily concurred. This heated -controversy about the location of the capital was, however, settled by -a joint resolution of Congress, adopted May 4, 1852 (10 U. S. -Statutes, 146). The first section legalized the act of the territorial -legislature which located the public buildings, and the second section -declared that the late session of the legislative assembly was held in -conformity with the provisions of law. This, of course, ended all -dispute about the location of the capital, but unhappily another -controversy grew out of the construction placed by Judges Nelson and -Strong upon the sixth section of the organic law of August 14, 1848. -For the same reasons which they held the act for the location of the -public buildings void, they also held the act of the legislative -assembly, which adopted the revised statutes of Iowa, to be also -invalid. In other words, these judges held that by adopting several -distinct statutes of Iowa in one act, it necessarily embraced more -than one object. Judge Pratt took a different view and held that the -act of the legislative assembly embraced but one object, to wit, the -adoption of a code of laws of the territory. - -The result of these conflicting views of the judges was that in Judge -Nelson's judicial district, composed of Clackamas, Marion, and Linn -counties, and in Judge Strong's district, composed of Clatsop County -and the counties north of the Columbia River, the Iowa Code of 1838, -adopted by the Provisional Government, was held to be in force. Judge -Pratt's district, composed of all the territory west of the Willamette -River, included the counties of Washington, Yamhill, Polk, and Benton, -and in this district the "Chapman Code" of the Revised Code of Iowa -Statutes of 1843, was recognized as the law in force. In the district -of Nelson and Strong, the lawyers would cite the law from the "Little -Blue Book," as the volume of Statutes of Iowa of 1838 was called. In -Judge Pratt's district the same lawyers would quote from the "Big Blue -Book," as the Iowa Code of 1843 was called. There were but three or -four copies of the _little blue book_ in the territory, one of which -was owned by Hon. A. E. Wait. The last time I saw it it was in the -possession of Hon. Benton Killin. There were only two copies of the -_big blue book_ in Oregon and the statutes adopted by the Chapman Code -were not published until the latter part of 1853, when they were -printed by the territorial printer and bound in paper covers. A number -of these printed copies were distributed among the several counties in -the territory, but the uncertainty and doubt as to their validity -made them of little value. - -As I said before, Judge Pratt's views of this legal controversy -coincided with those of the legislative assembly, then in session at -Salem, and that body passed an act detaching the counties of Marion -and Linn from the judicial district of Judge Nelson, leaving him only -Clackamas County, in which he resided. In this act it was provided -that the terms of court in Marion and Linn counties should commence -one week earlier than they did under the old law. So Judge Pratt held -court at Salem and Albany under the new law, and a week later in each -county Judge Nelson went to Salem and Albany to hold the district -court under the old law. He found, however, that Judge Pratt had -preceded him, held the courts, and adjourned for the term. Judge -Nelson finding that no business was prepared for hearing before him by -the lawyers, and no jury summoned to try cases, returned somewhat -disgusted to Oregon City, and was soon after relieved by the -appointment of Hon. George H. Williams, as chief justice of the -territory. He went back to his home in New York, where I believe he -still lives [1894.] - -I have referred to this almost forgotten history of the early days of -the territorial government of Oregon to show the necessity that -existed for a revision of the statutory laws of the territory. The -uncertainty as to what laws were then in force, and the desire to be -relieved from this condition of affairs was the principal reason which -induced the legislative assembly to pass the act of January, 1853, -providing for the election by that body of three commissioners to -prepare a draft for a code of laws, to be submitted to the next -legislature. In pursuance of this act, the legislative assembly -elected the following commissioners in the order named: James K. -Kelly, of Clackamas County, Reuben P. Boise, of Polk County, and -Daniel R. Bigelow, of Thurston County. - -Being first elected, I acted as chairman of the board, and notified -the other commissioners of the time of our first meeting, which took -place some time in March, 1853. We met in the council chamber of the -legislative building, where all our subsequent meetings were held. - -The first two or three days were occupied in discussing the general -outline of our duties and the kind of code to be prepared. By common -consent we agreed to accept the New York code of practice as the basis -of our own, but with a notable exception in regard to proceedings in -equity. Mr. Bigelow strongly insisted upon having no separate court of -equity or of equity proceedings, but urged that we should follow the -example of California in this respect. Mr. Boise and I differed from -Mr. Bigelow. We contended that in the organic act of August 14, 1848, -a separate system of equity proceedings was contemplated, wherein it -is provided that "each district court or judge thereof shall appoint -its clerk, _who shall be the register in chancery_": Act, August 14, -1848, Sec. 9. - -That it was so understood by the members of the first legislative -assembly appears by the act of September 14, 1849, directing the mode -of proceedings in chancery: See Hamilton Laws. - -The system of equity jurisprudence and proceedings in equity adopted -by the first code commissioners has now prevailed in Oregon for forty -years, and during all that time I think has met the approbation of -both bench and the bar. - -Another thing agreed upon by the commissioners was that the code -should be prepared so that it might be adopted by the legislative -assembly in several acts instead of one, as was done in the Chapman -Code in 1850. This was done in order to comply with the provisions of -the organic law, which required that every act should embrace but one -object. - -These preliminaries being settled it was agreed that each commissioner -should take one subject and prepare the draft for an act upon that -particular branch of the law. During the preparation of these drafts -the commissioners held frequent consultations, as often as once or -twice a week, to discuss and agree upon the proper phraseology to be -adopted, or arrangement of subject-matter in the proposed act. - -It was agreed among us that Mr. Boise should prepare the act relating -to executors and administrators, and also proceedings in the probate -courts. - -To Mr. Bigelow was assigned the duty of preparing the act relating to -crimes and misdemeanors, and to regulate criminal proceedings. I -undertook to prepare the code of civil procedure in actions at law and -suits in equity. - -These three subjects embraced the greater part of the laws which we -undertook to prepare, and, after their completion, the remaining -portion of our work was comparatively easy and brief. According to my -recollection it was completed in the latter part of the summer or -early fall of 1853. We prepared the draft for an entirely new code of -statutory laws, with the single exception of the law relating to -wills. This had been enacted by the legislative assembly in 1849, at -its first session, the main features of it being a transcript from the -Missouri statute on the same subject. As this was one of the first -acts passed by our own legislation we adopted it in our draft with -only a few verbal changes. - -In the spring of 1853 Joseph G. Wilson, afterwards Judge Wilson of the -supreme court, came to Oregon, and about May we employed him as our -clerk to transcribe the drafts prepared by us, in order that they -could be printed for the use of the legislative assembly at its next -session in December. We caused about two hundred copies to be printed -by Mr. Asahel Bush, the territorial printer, for that purpose. These -were published in an unbound octavo volume, so that they could be -readily separated into different bills for legislative use. - -Soon after we entered upon the discharge of our duties as -commissioners many of our political friends suggested the propriety of -electing one or all of us members of the next legislative assembly, so -that we could explain to the members or give any desired information -to them concerning our work. We soon, however, learned that Congress -had passed the act to organize the Territory of Washington, and this -would necessarily prevent Mr. Bigelow from becoming a member of the -Oregon legislative assembly. - -Mr. Boise was nominated by the Democratic party as a candidate for -member of the House of Representatives from Polk County. I was -nominated by the same party as member of the Council, to fill a -vacancy caused by the resignation of Hon. A. L. Lovejoy, who had -recently been appointed Postal Agent for Oregon by President Pierce. -Both Mr. Boise and myself were elected on the first Monday in June, -1853. - -The legislative assembly met on the first Monday in December, and -after the respective houses were organized Mr. Boise was appointed -chairman of the Judiciary Committee in the lower house, while I was -appointed chairman of the same committee in the upper branch of the -legislature. Of course, the burden of seeing the code properly passed -rested with him and myself. We divided the draft which the code -commissioners had prepared into proper bills, according to the -subject-matter of each. Some of these bills were introduced into the -House of Representatives by Mr. Boise, and others of them into the -Council by myself. All we had to do was simply to preface an enacting -clause to the bill as it had been printed by order of the -commissioners, and to insert a section at the end of each bill -declaring that the act should be in force from and after the first of -May next. The reason these acts were made to take effect on May 1, -1854, was that there was no possibility of having them printed before -that time. Indeed, there were no facilities then existing in Oregon -for either printing or binding the volume containing the statutes -comprised in the first code. Mr. Bush, the territorial printer, made -arrangements to have them printed and bound in New York. I do not now -remember how many copies of the code were ordered to be printed, but -certainly several hundred. About two hundred of these were sent to -Oregon by way of Panama and arrived safely some time in the summer of -1854. The remaining copies of that edition were sent around Cape Horn -by a sailing vessel. These never reached Oregon. They were either -shipwrecked or so injured that they were worthless. At the next -session of the legislative assembly, commencing in December, 1854, -that body ordered a new edition to be printed to supply the place of -the copies which were lost at sea, and that edition was printed in New -York in 1855. It included the acts which were passed at that session -with those of the code adopted at the preceding session of the -legislature. This accounts for the printing of two editions--one in -1854 and another in 1855. - -Between May 1, 1854, when the code took effect and the arrival of the -first copies of the printed volume from New York, we were somewhat -troubled for want of evidence of existing statutes, and the judges and -lawyers used in the courts copies of the printed draft reported by the -code commissioners. A few of these unbound volumes still remained and -such changes as had been made by the legislature were noted in them. -Some of the lawyers even went to the trouble of having them indexed so -as to be more convenient for reference and citation. When, however, -the first copies of the code arrived from New York these unbound -copies of the code commissioners' draft were thrown aside. One of them -I kept as a time-honored curiosity for many years. - -Although the _Oregon Code_, as it was then termed, has since been -revised two or three times to adapt it to a state, instead of a -territorial government, yet in its main features it has remained -substantially the same as when prepared by the first code -commissioners and adopted by the legislative assembly of 1853-54. - -The commissioners who prepared the first code of Oregon are all still -living [1894], but nearly all the members of the legislature that -adopted it are gone. Besides Judge Boise and myself I can think of no -one of them who is now living. - - JAMES K. KELLY. - - _September 25, 1894._ - - - - -A PIONEER RAILROAD BUILDER. - - -Responding to a request for an account of the operations of Dr. D. S. -Baker as a promoter and financier of transportation enterprises, and -particularly of the Walla Walla and Columbia River Railway, I herewith -submit some scraps of history. - -Dr. Dorsey S. Baker was born in Wabash County, Illinois, October 18, -1823. He studied the profession of medicine at the Philadelphia -Medical College. Crossed the Plains to Oregon with the emigration of -1848, and went to California in 1849. The practice of his profession -was remunerative, but his strong predilection for business led him to -abandon a profession always distasteful. - -He engaged in the hardware business in Portland in the early fifties, -and subsequently built a flouring mill at Oakland, in Southern Oregon, -and it was his boast that he brought to Oregon the first pair of mill -stones ever used in the State. In 1861 he removed to Walla Walla, then -a trading post adjacent to the army garrison established some years -previously. He engaged in the mercantile business, being associated -with William Stephens. The firm name was D. S. Baker & Co., afterward -changed to Baker & Boyer, when his brother-in-law, John F. Boyer, was -taken into the firm. The firm did a large business with the stockmen -and settlers, and in outfitting miners and packers flocking by -thousands to the Oro Fino and Florence mines, and later to Boise, -Idaho, and Montana. Sales were large and profits good, and the firm of -Baker & Boyer flourished. - -Doctor Baker was a man of keen business judgment and great foresight. -It is probably not an over statement to say that the State of -Washington has not numbered among her citizens any that approached -him in financial ability. In 1862 he became associated with the late -Senator Corbett and Captain Ankeny in the steamboat business. They -built the steamer Spray, which plied between Celilo and Lewiston. The -company had boats on what was known as the Middle River, between The -Dalles and the Cascades, and also on the Lower River between the -Cascades and Portland. They built a wooden tramway portage on the -Washington side at the cascades, using mules as motive power. The -remains of this tramway could be seen from the opposite shore within -recent years. This company's line was run in opposition to that of the -Oregon Steam Navigation Company, to which it finally sold. - -The portage of the cascades, being the key to the situation, was the -bone of contention. The Oregon Steam Navigation Company had procured -the passage of a bill through Congress giving them what they claimed -to be an exclusive right of way over the cascade portage, and this -question not having been at that time adjudicated, Doctor Baker's -company sold out as above recited. - -Doctor Baker's next transportation enterprise was the building of a -narrow gauge railroad from Walla Walla to Wallula. He organized a -company under the corporate name of the Walla Walla and Columbia River -Railroad Company in 1871. Among the original stockholders were Doctor -Baker, John F. Boyer, Paine Brothers & Moore, B. L. Sharpstein, -Charles Moore, B. F. Stone, William Stephens, William O. Green--all -residents of Walla Walla. Doctor Baker was, however, the capitalist, -and it was his money, his energy and unflagging perseverance that -carried the enterprise to a successful consummation. To build thirty -miles of railroad under conditions then existing was a great -undertaking. Ties and timber for bridges had to be obtained from the -head waters of the Yakima River, an untried stream. - -A logging camp was established in the winter of 1872--a Wisconsin -lumberman named Tarbox being placed in charge. An attempt was made to -drive logs to the mouth of the Yakima the following spring, but the -water proved insufficient and the log drive was hung up. Another -expedition was sent to the woods the following winter, in charge of D. -W. Small, afterward a well known resident and business man of Walla -Walla. He succeeded, by incredible effort, in bringing out the logs. A -mill was erected on the banks or east bank of the Columbia above the -old town of Wallula, where the ties were sawed, and it was at this -point that the first railroad construction in Washington, other than -the portage road of the cascades, was begun. Two small dummy or -camel-back engines were bought in Pennsylvania and shipped out via San -Francisco and Portland. Freight on them from Portland to Wallula was -about $450 each. The first ten miles of the road was built with wooden -stringers six by six, laid on cross ties. It was Doctor Baker's belief -that these ties would last for a few years, and it was his intention -to then replace them with T rails, but in this he was doomed to -disappointment. When construction had reached the ten-mile post, the -wooden rails at the river end were worn out. He then bought ten miles -of strap iron and continued construction. This also proved a failure. -Finally, convinced in the rough school of actual experience that T -rail only would serve his purpose, he ordered, through Allen & Lewis -of Portland, twenty miles of 26-pound rail. This was purchased in -Wales and was brought around the Horn in a clipper ship coming to the -Columbia River for a cargo of wheat. From Portland the rail was -shipped by the Oregon Steam Navigation Company line to Wallula. This -involved five handlings--two at the cascade portage, two at The -Dalles, and one at Wallula. The cost of the rails and the freight were -both very great. When the road reached a point ten miles out from the -Columbia it began to haul wheat, the teamsters being glad to avoid the -long, hard pull over the sandy roads. - -When the road had reached Whitman Station, six miles west of Walla -Walla, Doctor Baker's available funds were exhausted, and he would not -borrow. He thereupon announced that its terminus would remain there -until the earnings sufficed to complete it to Walla Walla. The -citizens, fearing a rival town would spring up at Whitman, promptly -raised and donated $25,000 to secure the continuance of the road to -Walla Walla. - -In the inception of the enterprise, Doctor Baker had asked Walla Walla -County, through the board of county commissioners, to guarantee the -interest on a proposed issue of bonds, to be sold to provide funds for -the construction of the road, offering in return to permit the -commissioners to fix the rate for carrying grain to the Columbia, -provided only the rate should not be less than $3 per ton. The -question was submitted to a vote, and rejected by a decided majority. -Doctor Baker then said: "I will build the road without your -assistance, and you must allow me to fix the rate." The rate was $5 -per ton from Walla Walla to the river. There was an additional charge -of fifty cents for transfer to the steamboat. The Oregon Steam -Navigation Company's charge was $6 per ton, and there was a wharfage -charge at Portland of 50 cents, making a total of $12 per ton, or -thirty-six cents per bushel from Walla Walla to Portland. The charge -of $5 per ton seems now a pretty stiff rate, but teamsters in those -days sometimes charged $12 per ton for the same haul, although the -usual charge was $6. They could not always handle the crop, and the -price fluctuated. - -During the discouraging period of construction few people believed -Doctor Baker would ever complete the road. His friends thought he -would fail utterly, and predicted that his fortune would be lost, but -the Doctor knew better than most the wealth of the country's -undeveloped resources, and with a faith that nothing could shake, and -with a determination that grew stronger as each obstacle presented -itself, continued the work of construction, staking his last dollar on -the success of his enterprise. No mortgage was ever placed on the -property during his ownership, and no lien or debt encumbered it. It -paid unheard of dividends, and was sold at a price greatly exceeding -its cost. The Oregon Steam Navigation Company bought six-sevenths of -the stock in 1877, Doctor Baker remaining as president. During this -ownership a branch line was built from Whitman to a point known as -Blue Mountain Station, in Umatilla County, Oregon, to tap the wheat -fields of that county. - -Still later, on the first day of July, 1879, the road was included in -a sale made by the Oregon Steam Navigation Company to Henry Villard. -The track was changed to a standard gauge, and became a part of the -present Oregon Railway and Navigation system. - -Many amusing stories are told of experiences in traveling over this -line, known as Doctor Baker's "rawhide road." Wheat was hauled on flat -cars. A box car, with seats along the sides, originally did duty as a -passenger coach. To the traveling public this was known as "the -hearse," but no serious accident ever occurred on the line. It was -strictly a daylight road, Doctor Baker persistently refusing to allow -trains to be run at night. - -H. W. Fairweather, who took charge of the road after its purchase by -the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company, still tells of some of his -early experiences. At that time the law required a printed schedule of -freight rates to be posted in each car. Looking about in vain, he -finally found the required notice posted in the roof of the car in -such a position that to read it the reader must lie on his back. The -newspapers have another story regarding General Sherman's ride over -this road. In 1877 the General had ridden through Montana and Idaho, -examining the country with reference to the proper location of -military posts, and had reached Walla Walla on his way to the coast. -He is said to have made application for a special train to take him to -Wallula, which Doctor Baker refused to furnish, remarking that there -was a train load of wheat going out during the afternoon, upon which -the General could take passage, and that availing himself of the -opportunity, this aggregation of military glory bestrode a sack of -wheat, and thus mounted, was dispatched on his journey. The fact was -that he rode in a passenger coach attached to the freight train, but -perhaps it is hardly worth while to spoil so good a story. - -Some years after the sale of the Walla Walla and Columbia River line, -Doctor Baker built another narrow gauge to connect with a timber flume -bringing lumber and wood to Walla Walla. This line was fifteen miles -in length and extended to the town of Dixie in the foot hills of the -Blue Mountains. It did a considerable business in transporting wheat. -This was also sold to the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company, which -company still operates it as a narrow gauge. - -This was Doctor Baker's last undertaking, his health having failed -soon after the completion of this road. - -When Henry Villiard first met Doctor Baker, he said to him: "You were -a bold man to build into the lion's jaws," refering to the fact that -the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company controlled the outlet down -the Columbia, but Doctor Baker had formulated a maxim, "He who owns -the approaches to the river owns the river," by which he meant that -the business of the boats originated on the railroad and the boats -were dependent on the railroad. - -One of Doctor Baker's biographers has said of him, "He was the -self-reliant architect of his own fortune." Perhaps no man in the -Northwest has left his name more completely entwined into the history -of his chosen country and city than has Dorsey S. Baker, who cast his -lot with Walla Walla forty years ago, whose fortunes were the fortunes -of the town and whose successes were the successes of the place he -called his "home." - -He died at Walla Walla July 5, 1888. An imposing granite monument, in -the City Cemetery, emblematic of his rugged virtues and strength of -character, marks his last resting place. - - MILES C. MOORE. - _Walla Walla, Wash., August 7, 1903._ - - - - -FROM WALLA WALLA TO SAN FRANCISCO. - -By CAPT. JOHN MULLAN, U. S. A. - -From the Washington _Statesman_ (Walla Walla) of November 29 and -December 6, 1862. - - -For those who have not made the journey direct from Walla Walla, -through the agricultural heart of Oregon, and across the mountains -through the mining region of northern California, there is much of -interest and pleasure; and though the trip should be fraught with much -personal discomfort, there is much to repay the traveler in the -collection of statistics, and in seeing a region where the wilderness -of yesterday has to-day given place to homes, where material -prosperity, at least, arrest the attention of the traveler at every -mile of the journey. The mode of conveyance from Walla Walla to -Wallula is by stages that run daily between these points, and where -the journey is of six hours and a cost of $5 brings you to the banks -of the Columbia, whence you take steamers for the Des Chutes Landing. -The improvements along the banks of the Walla Walla, in the shape of -new and additional enclosures for farming purposes, during the last -two years, have been many, and mark with unerring certainty the future -of the Walla Walla country, as the distributing center for a radius of -three hundred miles of country, now fast developing in all the -elements of material, social, and political prosperity. It has more -than once occurred to me that the Walla Walla River, by a system of -locks, could be advantageously used as a line of connection between -Wallula and Walla Walla, and one needs but see the long line of wagons -and pack trains, heavily freighted for the interior, to become -convinced that either this or some more rapid and economical means is -positively demanded, in order to connect the heart of the valley with -the Columbia River. Economy at the present would argue in favor of -converting the river into a canal, but the prospective wants of the -country are much more in favor of a railroad connection. For a -distance of eighteen miles below Walla Walla the nature of the face of -the country is eminently suited in its present condition for laying a -railroad track; and thence to Wallula the character of work being -either excavation in sand, clay, or soft rock, will enable a road to -be built at economical figures. The Touchet and the crossings of the -Walla Walla River will require heavy bridges but good abutment sites -are to be had, and the streams not being subject to overflow, no -impediment will ever be had from this cause. It could be safely stated -that a capital of $600,000 would construct and equip this road, and -when it is known that not less than one hundred thousand tons of -freight, at $20 per ton, and ten thousand passengers, at $5 each, pass -over this line annually, it does seem strange that capitalists are not -disposed to move in the matter in a practical shape. It is a project -in which every citizen could become interested. The farmers could -supply all the ties needed; the mills are fully capacitated to supply -all the lumber demanded, and the surplus population from the mines and -those out of employment could advantageously supply all the labor -needed in its construction; and with the valley of Walla Walla to -supply every necessary of life, to me it is anything but an Utopian -idea, and I feel warranted in believing that another twelve months -will not roll around before the matter is taken up with a view to its -practical execution. The teams now freighting on the road will not -necessarily be thrown out of employment, but the increasing -development of the interior will cause them simply to seek new lines -upon which to transport this same freight after the railroad shall -have deposited it at the city of Walla Walla, which nature has -constituted a commercial center, and from which will be distributed to -every point of the compass the merchandise which their wants demand. - -Reaching the Columbia at Wallula one is pleased with the commercial -character which this point is fast assuming. Freight strewn along the -levee for half a mile--stores erected, commission houses plying their -vocations, and everything giving an earnest of a prosperous future. -This site has doubtless many advantages as a commercial point; but so -long as men shall desire pleasant homes,--where the eye is as desirous -of drinking in draughts of pleasure and beauty as the pocket is of -accumulating wealth,--where mills, farms, gardens, and pleasant -enclosures can be had,--where the products of the fields are garnered -with a short transportation to a ready market--just so long will Walla -Walla and not Wallula be the chief emporium and point of business for -the interior, and for supplying the more immediate demands of the -Walla Walla Valley. That Wallula will always be a point where -commission houses, a few stores, and one or more hotels will always be -supported, no one can doubt; but looking toward a large and growing -city with all the pleasant appurtenances that make life happy, I can -not but conceive that its growth must become circumscribed within the -above limits. - -We took passage on the pleasant steamer Tenino, and in eight hours -were landed at Celilo, a point some two miles below the Des Chutes -Landing, where the Oregon Steam Navigation Company have already formed -the nucleus of a thriving village. The freshet of the past season has -strewn the banks of the Columbia with cord wood in abundance--which -commands $10 per cord. The John Day's wood yard, however, is the chief -depot for fuel. Here, too, one notices the marked progress that is -daily making its onward march to the interior. Here we saw two -steamers building, one already launched, owned by Captain Gray, and -still another at Celilo, of large dimensions. There is no doubt we are -far in advance, in point of boldness and daring, in the question of -river navigation on the Columbia, of those similarly engaged on the -eastern waters; and the success which has thus far attended the -efforts of those who dared to move in the navigation of the Upper -Columbia, has only emboldened them to greater efforts, and it is no -dream to feel that the day is not far distant when the Snake to the -American Falls, and the stretches of the Columbia from Wallula to Fort -Colville, and the Clark's Fork, from Park's Crossing to Horse Plain, -will all be tested by steam and thus made tributary to the growing -wants of trade and travel. - -The fare from Wallula to Celilo is $10. A ride of three hours brings -us to The Dalles--which point, too, is showing visible signs of a -healthy improvement; and the increasing trade to the mines of John -Day's and Powder rivers is destined to make it a point of great -commercial import. Whether the idea entertained by Mr. Newell, and -other men at The Dalles, of a direct trade from San Francisco to The -Dalles, shall ever be realized, is not so easy to be determined. It -certainly has a favorable location for the full consummation of such -an idea--and we all know what magic results gold can be made to -produce, and without desire of detriment to Portland, I should -heartily desire to see such a happy result attained. The will to do -it, and the means with which to do it, are the only two essentials -needed; and if these are had, it will be done--and the sooner the two -former are ascertained the sooner will the commercial idea (grand in -its conception and pregnant with so many grand results) become a -matter of past history. The railroad company have resumed the work of -grading and ballasting, and it is the desire of the company to have -the cars running by the first of next May. The roadbed is prepared for -some five or six miles out from the city, and the iron track laid for -half a mile. My own convictions are that the railroad, eventually, is -to be more beneficial to Walla Walla than The Dalles, but that the -latter is also to derive much benefit no one will doubt. - -We found the line of opposition steamers running, which, having the -tendency to reduce the rates of freight and travel, was a thing that -the commercial and traveling public were but too glad to see. The -passage from The Dalles to Portland was only one dollar. That -competition on this immense line will be fraught with healthy results -no one will doubt. The Oregon Steam Navigation Company, as the -pioneers on an untested river, do certainly merit much credit for the -bold hazard they so successfully made, and merit reward as such; and -though many complaints (founded in justice, doubtless,) have been -urged, still the history of all monopolies has shown a greater degree -of extortion than I have heard urged against this company. But so long -as the Columbia River shall remain an open sea I do heartily desire to -see competition seek here a channel of investment--and which it will -always do so long as it is found to pay. All philanthropic ideas of -"parties desiring to serve the public, without being remunerated," -will find no believers among the merchants and travelers of the Upper -Columbia. The merchant and traveler will take that line where the -rates are the lowest and accommodation the best, irrespective of the -owners of the line or those who pioneered them through to a success. -At least this is the history of the commercial past, and I see no -reason why it should not be the history of the commercial future. -Just so soon as capitalists find that putting steamers on the upper -Columbia is a paying investment, steamers will be put on; and, unless -the capitalist is so convinced, it will be a difficult task to cause -him to turn his capital into such a channel. - -This age is, preeminently, an _utilitarian_ one; in which facts and -figures are, particularly, the weapons with which the capitalist wages -his financial war. Armed with these, his victory is in his own hands; -not so armed, it is in those of some one else. The portage of the -Cascades, heretofore so great a bugbear in the trip from The Dalles to -Portland, is now made in a brief hour on the cars, without detriment -or danger. An extra dollar for riding on the cars is charged, though, -if you prefer it, you can walk on the road in nearly the same time, -free of cost. No traveler passes over this portage without awarding to -Colonel Ruckle every praise for the bold prosecution of his bold -project, and no one begrudges him the ample reward which he is to-day -deriving in token of his past labors. This portage is on the Oregon -side; but it is to be hoped that the difficulties on the Washington -side, between Bradford and Bush, will be speedily adjusted, so that -the steam cars, now running on a portion of the track already -completed, shall connect the two termini of the portage, and thus -reduce the time of travel within the minimum limits. The post at Fort -Cascades is now abandoned, nor does it seem at present necessary to -hold it under garrison, so far as the Indians are concerned. The -question of a foreign war, however, would render it a key-point of -marked importance. - -A run of seven hours brings us to Portland. I fear, from the present -appearance of Vancouver, that all chances of commercial rivalry with -Portland have been banished. Capital is certainly not seeking it at -present as a point of investment. The freshet has left its marks of -devastation along the levee and lower portions of the city, and it -will require much capital and energy to reinstate Vancouver in the -position it occupied two years since; and if the idea of making The -Dalles a large commercial emporium be ever consumated, I can not -conceive that Vancouver will ever occupy a position of more than -secondary importance, unless the western slopes of the Cascades should -open up a gold-bearing region. In such an event Vancouver would -necessarily become a point of fixed commercial importance; but so long -as the permanency which now marks Portland shall continue to be -maintained, and the question on the part of the citizens of The Dalles -to make it a commercial depot shall continue to be agitated, so long -will Vancouver stand the chance of being kept in the background. On -the Lower River we traveled to Portland in company with quite a a -number of emigrants destined to Puget Sound, and they all regretted -that they could not have gone from Walla Walla to the Sound by land. -This is a matter in which every citizen of Washington Territory is -more or less interested. The road opened in 1853, by the Natchess -Pass, has fallen into such a state, that, unless repaired and kept so, -it will be useless for all practical purposes of emigrants for the -Sound from the States. I understand that the Packwood trail is deemed -by many preferable to the Natchess route; but whether we shall have a -route via the Natchess, Snoqualmie, Packwood, or any other pass, is a -matter about which those truly interested in seeing the Sound section -brought directly in communication with the interior, will not fall -out. The citizens of the Sound need a good road across the Cascades, -direct from Wallula. The valley of the Yakima will doubtless give us a -good line, and then across to the Wenatchee, via Packwood's Pass, -either into Olympia or Steilacoom. The long interval which has elapsed -since the Natchess Pass was traveled has naturally caused the line to -fall out of repair. The emigrants who desire to locate on the Sound -need a line by which they can carry their wagons, and over which drive -their stock, and not be driven to take the steamers down to -Monticello, thus increasing costs so heavy that it seems -impracticable. This is a matter of great importance, not only for -emigrants, but in order to bring the citizens of the Sound, by the -most direct trade and associations, with those resident on the eastern -slopes of the Cascades,--and is one of such importance that it is to -be hoped that the attention of Congress will be duly called to it. -Military necessity calls for such a line, and a military road should -be so located and constructed. - -The large crowd that daily assembles on the wharf on the arrival of -the steamer from The Dalles is an unerring barometer of the interest -felt in the development of the upper country; and a conversation with -the leading merchant of the city convinced me that the trade of the -Willamette--where the returns to the merchants are in flour, grain, -hides, and fruit,--is small and of minor importance compared to that -whence their returns are by daily steamers and in gold dust. The -latter is immediately converted into coin and seeks new channels of -investment, and is turned over a half-dozen times a year, whereas the -former must bide its fortunate market and sales thus delayed from week -to week and from month to month. The establishment of a branch mint, -either at Portland or The Dalles, is becoming a subject of daily -commercial necessity, and should such a branch be established, if the -treasurer was allowed, as soon as the assays were made and the value -of the certificate of deposit made known, to pay out the coin -immediately for these deposits, much time would be saved to the -depositor, and much gain and saving to the miner, whereas now, without -a branch mint, the miners are forced to sell their dust to -speculators, who must be paid for their time; and this payment is kept -up till it reaches San Francisco--here from fourteen to twenty days -are consumed before the dust is coined--though not more than two days -before the value of the deposit by the assayer is determined. The -treasurer has always on hand an amount of funds which could be paid -out for the deposits made, which deposits, when coined, could replace -that paid out, thus benefiting the miner by bringing him directly in -contact with the Government, who has eventually to coin his dust, and -save him time and "shaving" by the speculator, and to this extent -materially benefits the country by distributing and disbursing the -money in the very same region where it is dug from the earth. A branch -mint for Oregon and Washington, and an authority for the assistant -treasurer to pay out at once the value of the deposit as soon as the -assay is determined, are two things which, if effected, would -materially tend to benefit the miner, and hence the country; whereas -now the time consumed in sending the dust from the mines and getting -it back in coin must be paid for by somebody, and that somebody ever -has been, and, unless these changes be made, will always be the miner. -Just as quick as the dust of the miner is returned to him in coin in -the minimum space of time and with the minimum "shave"--which in this -case would be only the cost of transporting it to the branch mint and -back,--then will the capital of the country be in the hands of the -greater number, and that number a class of people who are interested -in the material interest and prosperity of the country--and thus on -[will our] roads, rivers, and works of internal improvement--our -schools, academies, and all the elements of social and substantial -happiness and wealth be added to and quickened by an impulse that is -healthy in itself, and which aims at and desires healthy avenues of -investments. Should such a branch mint be established, Portland would -doubtless claim the site; but whether it be there, at The Dalles, or -Walla Walla, is not a subject upon which there should be any feeling. -Let us have it at one of these points; and if there is any one point -where arguments could be adduced to determine the matter to the -exclusion of the others, that point is at Walla Walla. For it is here -whence the greater bulk of gold dust must flow; and if not here, then -at The Dalles--the great Golden Gate of the Upper Columbia. - -Desiring to see a section of the country through which I had never -passed we took the stage from Portland to Sacramento, which at the end -of the first day's journey brings us to Salem--where I determined to -lay over a day to visit the woolen factory, and observe the -characteristics of the place. The ride through the Willamette from -Portland to Salem is pleasant and refreshing,--large and well-tilled -farms, orchards of great proportions, with their trees ladened with -the golden fruit--peaches, apples, and pears, in most profuse -abundance; neat and well-trimmed gardens, where the poetry of -horticulture bespoke the appreciation of the owners of well-tilled -acres. The style of farms, buildings, barns, and outhouses were all in -good taste, and indicated the extent of means of the farmers of -Oregon. The orchards of Oregon during the past twelve years have -proven to be a source of golden wealth; nor is their value in the -least diminished by the large amount of fruit being now raised in -California. Many have asked where Oregon would find a market for her -orchards when California should produce her own fruit, and though it -is more than doubtful whether California will ever rival Oregon in the -growth of apples, yet if this should prove to be the case, the mining -sections of eastern Oregon and of Washington are to-day sending forth -a message to all fruits growers to dry, preserve, and can all their -fruits, and they offer even to-day a golden market that must forever -consume all fruits so preserved; and I have no doubt but that those -who will turn their attention to this employment of preparing fruits, -either as dried or canned, must always reap a golden reward for their -labors. I noticed at several points that attention was already being -much given this species of labor, and the future will prove that the -mining sections for dried fruits will guarantee an equally lucrative -market for Oregon, that California has proven for her in green fruits -in times past. - -In point of natural beauty I do not think that the Willamette Valley -compares favorably with the smaller but equally well cultivated valley -of the Rogue River; but when we see once a magnificent outlet for all -the produce of the farmer, and the absence of such an outlet in the -latter, we are forced to prefer a home in the Willamette--where Ceres -has erected her temple of large proportions, and where her votaries -are annually basking in the sunshine of her smiles, her bounteous -plenty. In passing through this rich and exuberant country I could not -but regret that the donation law that first opened homes to the first -settlers of Oregon was as generous as it was in the largeness of its -grant--six hundred and forty acres, in other words, was too large a -grant for the full and truly healthy growth of any new country. True, -it required a great inducement to turn a pioneer colony toward the -Pacific so early as '46 and '47; but I verily believe that one half -the grant would have brought as many settlers as double the amount has -done. The true index, doubtless, of the prosperity of a country might -be regarded the ratio of its population to the square mile; but when -we find only one settler to the square mile, the country, from -necessity, must be sparsely populated; and this condition must hold -for so long a period that detriment on a large scale must be felt. -That the donation act has had, therefore, its disadvantages with its -advantages no one I think will doubt,--taking the present as the -standpoint from which to view the prosperity of the country. This, -coupled with the fact that the lands were taken without any regard to -the points of compass--thus ignoring our system of land surveys, so -simple and yet so beautiful,--I can not but regret that the action of -our Government could not have foreseen some of the detrimental results -into which its generosity has led it. Of course, it is among the -things of the past, but not on that account the less to be regretted. -The experience in this matter may not, and, probably, never will find -any field for application--for the spirit of all preemption, -homestead, and donation laws, as since passed, has studiedly held two -things in view, namely, the minimum amount of land commensurate with -the object to be attained by their cession and the most rigid -adherence to the points of the compass in their location. In referring -to the donation act, I do not cavil at the generous action of a -generous government--for I but too well appreciate that it has had the -effect to open to our grasp a golden continent, with avenues of trade -and with wealth--which has built up a line of battlement of half a -million of Freemen; not probably, in looking at the results attained, -it might seem ungenerous to object, at this late date, to any of those -measures that assisted even in part to bring about this result. But I -am rather disposed to believe that the agricultural districts of the -Pacific were occupied and filled more in consequence of the gold -discoveries and to supply their wants than from the spirit which -pervaded the donation acts; for the latter antedating the discovery -of gold on the Pacific did not point out the market where the produce -of well-tilled fields should be sold. The coincidences of that date, -however, were most happy. - -At Salem we found the legislature in session, and the excitement -incident to the election of Mr. Harding as United States Senator -having subsided, the body were moving in such business as looked -toward the growing wants of the State. I found in Mr. Harding a plain, -unpretending, and sensible gentlemen, and in whom the interests of -Oregon will find a true representative. At the invitation of Governor -Gibbs I visited the Committee of the State Fair, composed of delegates -from all the counties. It was here decided to make Salem the site for -holding the annual fairs; a point so central, so well suited in every -respect, that there seemed to be great unanimity of sentiment in the -matter. The grounds around are open and spacious, and you feel that -you breathe the air and tread the ground of a rural city, in making a -tour of its extent. It is one of the most beautiful localities I have -seen in Oregon--on the right bank of the Willamette, with beautiful -shade trees, neat cottages, not cramped or huddled together, but with -ample spaces for gardens--with a fine view of the woods, which, in a -vista of twenty miles, surround it--and, in the background, with the -bold slope of the Cascades, renders it one of the most beautiful sites -for a city to be found in Oregon. It is not only the political center -of Oregon, but it is also destined to become a point of great -manufacturing importance. It is surrounded by fine forests of oak, -fir, pine, cedar. The large fields of grain here cluster around it as -the center. Its pioneer woolen factory, turning its hundred of -spindles, here rears its head, thus attracting toward it every milling -interest. The same stream that turns its gristmills, turns its -sawmills--and even then the water is not allowed to run to waste, but -is again caught and harnessed up to the spindles of industry where the -covering of the back of the sheep of yesterday is converted into a -covering for your own back of to-day. No one resident north of -California can visit the woolen factory of Salem without a feeling of -pride and of pleasure; and as he sees the bales of blankets, of -clothes, and of flannels, lading the wagons which stand ready to be -freighted for every homestead in Oregon, he feels the glow of pride in -thus seeing our own looms weaving wools of our own growth, and desires -instantly to robe himself in garments that no foreign hand has woven, -and from wool grown from flocks no alien hand has tended. Let "Home -Industry" be patronized, home products be consumed, and the country -will be benefited to such an extent that we shall not have idlers to -stir up mischief nor rebels to stir up rebellion in either the North -or South. Mr. Rector, the obliging and gentlemanly head of the -factory, showed me through the compartments and gave me some valuable -statistics relative to its annual growth. His intention is to double -this year the number of spindles. The surplus wool, heretofore shipped -to New York, will be retained and manufactured at home; thus, our -clothes and blankets will all be supplied from wool which all can -grow. Mr. Rector finds difference in the wools grown on the east and -the west of the Cascades, and preference being given to the latter, as -containing more oily or fatty matter, and hence requiring less oiling -in the process of manufacturing. That grown to the east of the -Cascades is thought to be not only drier but harsher--more dirty--but -time and the proper attention to its culture will doubtless bring -about changes. New breeds, housing in winter, and dry foothills for -grazing, are all advantages which wool growers to the east of the -Cascades can have on their side. There are few regions where finer -grazing fields are to be had than the slopes of the Bitter Root -Mountains; and the freedom from excessive dampness, the pure, fresh -mountain springs, are all so many advantages, that I confidently look -forward to the day when these many well-grassed slopes shall be -covered with fleecy flocks, and when the waters of the many silvery -streams that now flow through the Walla Walla Valley, shall be caught -and used to turn the wheels of a woolen factory, from which shall be -turned out all the fabrics needed to clothe the population destined to -find homes to the east of the Cascade Mountains. The clothes made by -the Salem factory compare favorably with those imported. One thing -certain, there is no cotton in their fabrics. Flannels of every hue -are turned out at forty cents per yard; blankets from $4 to $8, -according to texture; and clothes from 75 cents to $1.50 per yard, -according to fineness. It would be a most happy result if every -merchant, farmer, miner, and professional man in Oregon and Washington -would determine in his own mind to have at least one suit of clothes -made from Salem cloth, and every bed to be covered by at least one -pair of Salem blankets. This would be affording a practical proof of -our pride in seeing established in our midst these factories, which -must eventuate in the profit of individuals. It is much to be -regretted that the immense and illimitable mill power at Oregon City -is not now turned to good account. The disasters by fire and flood of -the Linn City mills have been of such a sad character that the -tendencies now are to intimidate capitalists, at least for a time, -from embarking in similar investments at the same site. A substantial -railroad is being built around the portage at Oregon City, destined to -diminish the time and cost of shipment up and down the Willamette. The -season for practicable steam navigation to the upper points of the -river being over, but little business could be noticed on the part of -those engaged in this enterprise. - -While in Salem I called the attention of Judge Humason, of Wasco, and -of Governor Gibbs, to the importance of establishing a mail line from -Walla Walla to Fort Laramie, to there tap the present daily overland -mail service, by which means our mails at Walla Walla could be -delivered in fifteen days from Saint Louis, and in seventeen days to -Portland--this in the summer season--or twenty to twenty-two days in -the winter. At present our mails cross the continent to Sacramento, -two thousand miles; thence to Portland, seven hundred; thence to Walla -Walla, three hundred more; making a total of three thousand miles to -travel before we get them; whereas I can guarantee a line by the route -indicated of one half the distance and one half the time. I framed a -memorial, which Judge Humason would introduce in Congress, for this -line; and was promised by Mr. Harding his cooperation to see that the -matter was not allowed to pass unnoticed during the coming winter. - -Leaving Salem, a journey of twenty-four hours passes us through -Corvallis and Eugene City; and through an exceedingly beautiful and -rich agricultural country on to Oakland, where the celebrated "Baker -Mills" are established, producing, it is said, the finest flour in -Oregon. The disasters of the flood were too visible at each and every -point, sweeping away bridges and ferries, and destroying property to -the extent of thousands of dollars. A large structure across the -Umpqua, costing $10,000, was thus carried off--its convenience being -now replaced by a ferry. All along the road we passed small parties of -immigrants who crossed the Plains this season; some in search of new -homes; others to join their friends who years since had preceded them. -The Umpqua is a beautiful valley in a high state of cultivation; the -school-houses, dotting here a hill, and there a valley, betoken that -the education of the youth of the country was not being neglected. -Roseburg, the county seat of the Umpqua region, is a gem of a village; -streets neatly laid out, and neat, white, frame cottages, giving the -place a rare picturesque beauty, where mountain and dale, and the hand -of refined culture, all joined in beautiful harmony. The line of -telegraph posts extends throughout this entire distance from Portland -to Canyonville--the farthest point south where they are as yet -erected. It is fully anticipated to have the line from Salem to -Portland in working order by winter; as also the line from -Jacksonville to Yreka. The posts are supplied and erected by contract -by the farmers and others living along the line, at a cost of from -$1.25 to $2 per post, and the line when completed will cost $200 per -mile. Local intelligence, and the interest which every citizen feels -in the reception of intelligence, now bristling with so much import, -will cause this line, as soon as placed in good working order, to pay -to the stockholders fair dividends on their capital. This link between -Canyonville and Jacksonville will be completed during the next season. -I saw Mr. Strong in Yreka, and found him pushing ahead the line with -all his characteristic energy. He deserves much credit for prosecuting -this project thus far to a success that is to bring to our doors daily -intelligence from the East, and it is to be hoped that the citizens of -the Upper Columbia will move in the same matter as soon as the line is -completed to Portland. - -A ride of twenty hours brings us into the Rogue Valley and to -Jacksonville, a region I regard as one of the most beautiful and -picturesque to be found in Oregon. The valley is from twenty-five to -thirty miles square, entirely taken up by beautiful farms and under -high cultivation; with farmhouses and barns in good keeping with the -character of its progress; grist and sawmills erected to supply the -wants of its inhabitants, and with inexhaustible forests of timber. -Gold mining is here carried on with much success; and it was -interesting to see the lines of sluice boxes running through the -streets of Jacksonville that turned out as pretty gold as any mine on -the coast. Unfortunately for this fine valley, it has no outlet for -its produce, and is dependent solely on a home market. Its supplies -are brought in by the way of Crescent City, by a good wagon road, at a -cost of four to five cents per pound. Oats here are 40 cents a bushel; -wheat, 70 to 90 cents; lumber, $15 per thousand; labor from $30 to $40 -per month. We observed, in squads, the ubiquitous Chinaman, moving -from mining locality to mining locality, fleeing from the kicks of one -to the cuffs of the other, with no fixed abiding place to be called -his permanent home. - -A location for a railroad line from Portland to Jacksonville is -eminently practicable, and the citizens of the Willamette will be -blind to their own interests if they do not so move in the matter so -as to secure to themselves the advantages of the ample provisions made -in the Pacific Railroad Bill for a connection between Portland and -Sacramento; but south from Jacksonville there will be a severe problem -for the engineers to solve, both in the shape of grades and tunnels. -The Calapooia range will present an easy problem for solution; but the -Scott's [Siskiyou?] and Trinity mountains will not be easily handled. -They are high, broad, and broken, and no railroad line can be laid -across or through them, except at most enormous cost. But that it is -practicable, and will in time be built, I have no doubt. But my views -relative to this location as a branch of the Pacific Railroad have -been more than confirmed by a detailed view of its geography, and I -still insist that a branch of the Pacific Railroad that will benefit -Oregon and Washington as such can only be found by tapping the main -trunk at or near Fort Laramie, and coming into the Columbia at or near -the mouth of Snake River; and thence using the main Columbia to such a -point whence freight can be shipped to and across the ocean. I made -special inquiries relative to the depth of snow across the Calapooia, -Scott's and Trinity mountains during the past winter, and learned that -not less than eight feet fell upon these mountains; still the stage -coach passed these mountains every day until the freshet suspended the -travel; which was for the period of six weeks. The Scott's and Trinity -mountains are higher than any mountains crossed by my road from Walla -Walla to Fort Benton; and knowing that the question of snow with us is -no more difficult than that met and overcome on this and other lines, -I am sanguine to believe that a mail line from Fort Laramie to Walla -Walla will prove eventually practicable. But the _experimentum -crucis_, that will leave no lingering doubt even with the most -uncompromising cavalier, will be afforded us, I trust, during the next -twelve months; and that will deliver at our doors in Walla Walla the -mails direct from Saint Louis in fifteen days. I am but too anxious -that this last crowning success should be afforded us; not only to -give us increased mail facilities for the present, but to awaken a -practical attention to that region where the _isothermal_ and -_isochimal_ lines have for ages past presented, and do still continue -to present, to us meteorological phases as wonderful in their nature -as they are destined to prove useful in their future results. - -To those who derive pleasure in seeing the rough, rugged, wild face of -Nature, made to wear the smiles of civilization and of progress, and -to witness what money and labor can accomplish, I know of no point -where they can visit to see these in all their grandeur than across -the Scott's and Trinity mountains, which, in point of difficulty and -rugged wildness, surpass any mountain region it has ever been my lot -to travel, from the Columbia to the Missouri River. Toll roads lead -over both of these mountains; one connecting Yreka with Rogue River; -and the other, Yreka with Shasta. The road over Scott's Mountain is -about twenty miles long, and made at a cost not far from $200,000; and -the other, eight miles, made at a cost of $16,000. The mind that -conceived the road, and the hand that executed it, were not cast in -Nature's ordinary mould; genius of a higher order was Nature's gift to -them. Those who invested their capital (for they were both built by -private enterprise) are now being well repaid; of this, the long line -of wagons and pack trains, freighted from Red Bluff to the northern -mines, furnish unmistakable evidence. - -A ride over Scott's Mountain amply repays one for all the labor -required to make it; and can be made by no one who will not appreciate -that bold enterprise that is to-day leveling mountains, leveeing -valleys, bridging torrents, and, by the sound of pick and drill, even -arousing Nature from her lethargy sleep--deep down in the very bowels -of the mountains--throughout the length and breadth of California. - -Leaving Rogue River, we pass at once from an agricultural to a wild, -mountainous region, which constitutes the mining section of northern -California, of which Yreka may be considered the center. It is a place -of much trade, built mostly of brick, and presents a bustling -appearance. It supports two newspapers, three or four hotels; has a -large post office, and, at present, is the northern terminus of the -State telegraph line. A cemetery, well arranged in its plan, forms the -northern entrance to the city; the number of graves it contains shows -that here as elsewhere death has done its work. A day's journey, and -we come to Shasta, a mining town of one thousand people, possessing -few attractions outside of a business locality. The road, approaching -Yreka, winds near the northern base of Mount Shasta, a frowning snow -peak, fourteen thousand feet above the level of the sea. Though grand -and majestic, it does not compare favorably in either respect with -Mount Hood--the father of all snow peaks on the Pacific. From Shasta a -ride of a day brings us to Red Bluff--to which point steamers of light -draught are still running from Sacramento, but with so many delays and -uncertainties that the traveler prefers to continue the journey by the -stage. At this point, however, we finally emerge from the mountains of -California and enter upon the broad swelling prairie which constitutes -the norther portion of the Sacramento Valley--where, though the -country is mostly a waste, dotted here and there with clumps of oak, -or openings of the same growth, yet where many large and inviting -farming sections are had. At Tehama we cross the Sacramento, by a -buoy-ferry, and, in a few miles, enter upon one of the most choice -agricultural districts the eye ever rested upon--where grain fields -are not measured by the acre, nor yet by the mile, but by the league. -By a day's drive we passed through the extensive and rich fields of -Major Bidwell, where eleven thousand acres of grain were being -threshed--where his own mill stood ready to convert into flour the -produce of his own fields; where his own mammoth store furnished -hundreds of his employes with all the wants of life; where his own -energy was opening, with his own means, a wagon road from the -Sacramento River to the Humboldt mines; and where his own purse has -already paid out $35,000, and backed by a willingness to pay as much -more, in order to open up a new market for the exuberant products of -so rich a soil as he himself possesses. The center of his large -estate is the beautiful village of "Chico," where, in rural wealth as -well as in rural simplicity, live an educated and contented peasantry, -all more or less supported by the means of this bachelor -millionaire--whose residence, on the banks of the Sacramento, is one -of those architectural gems hid away amidst shrubs, trees, orchards, -and groves, as if to avoid the gaze of him whose residence is of -crowded cities and who is almost unworthy to breath the sweet perfume -of a region where such bowers grow. May Major Bidwell long -live--though bachelor he be--to dispense his bounties to a people who -respect him for the liberal and generous manner in which he shares his -wealth with those not similarly blest. - -From Tehama the ride of half a day brings us to Oroville, a city well -named, for situated as it is on the Feather River, it is in the heart -of a rich mining country, where the miners have worked like so many -beavers, and where the water of the Feather River is made to run in -pipes and reservoirs into lakes for hundreds of feet above the level -of the river, at the site of the town. This river is crossed by a -ferry. A steamer is said to have once landed here from Sacramento, but -such occurrences I regard as rare. The river is rapid; boils and -surges over a rocky and rugged bed, and joins the Sacramento at -Marysville--to which point a night's ride brings us--continuing to -pass through a rich agricultural region, under a state of high -cultivation. Marysville is a large, prosperous city--houses, mostly of -brick--at the junction of the Yuba and Feather rivers. Thence on to -Sacramento, (a journey of eight hours' staging,) the road is over a -level, agricultural district, throughout which the piles of drift -timber and the absence of fences, in many places, and the presence of -boats and bateaux, all told that the water had been here supreme not -many months past; barns with their roofs a mile distant; houses -without any; outhouses and dwellings with a watermark up to the second -story--and in many localities no dwellings at all, where commodious -and comfortable tenements had been--all told of the presence and the -power of the waters of Sacramento when charged with fullness on its -way to the ocean. It seems to me that a system of high levees is the -only thing to reclaim hundreds of acres of fine swamp land along the -Sacramento, and to prevent the repetition of these disastrous results, -which made the people poor and retard the growth of the State. -Sacramento is already surrounded by a high levee which may protect it -another season; but the levee should begin at Marysville and extend to -Sacramento. It will, of course, be expensive, but it will repay the -labor in the end. - -Between Marysville and Sacramento we passed the large and magnificent -claim called "Sutter's Ranch," though not under a high state of -cultivation. The old pioneer is now poor, but his friends are -sufficiently zealous in his behalf to see that his wants go not -unsupplied. One can not pass over this region and at the same time -observe how rapidly the Sacramento River is being obstructed by the -immense deposits of sand and sediment which its current is daily -bringing down, thus forming bars and deltas destined not only to -intercept but probably to suspend at no distant day navigation to its -upper waters,--without feeling the pressing importance of a railroad -connection between Sacramento and the more northern regions of -California. Already are parties out viewing and prospecting a road -through Noble's Pass, where it is proposed by some to carry the -Pacific railroad line. - -That California will be covered with a network of railways is only a -question of time, and that time determined by the low rates of -interest that will cause capitalists to become interested in these -great works of internal improvement. Local trade and travel must -always be great, and must always increase so long as gold shall be -mined, and that period seems to be illimitable. - -From Sacramento we took passage on the fine steamer Antelope, for San -Francisco, which in six hours and at a cost of $5 brought us to the -end of one section of our journey. There are no opposition steamers on -now and hence the monopolists command the river. The signs of the -devastation of the flood marked the entire distance from Sacramento to -the bay of San Francisco. But here and there we found the inhabitants -raising their dwellings a story, and by levees and other improvements -trying to reclaim their fields, as well as to defy the freshets of -coming years. No one can pass over this exceedingly interesting region -from Portland to Sacramento without feeling a thrill of pride and of -pleasure to see what American energy and American capital have -accomplished during the past fourteen years of its occupancy; and to -picture in imagination what the next fourteen years may produce, would -almost render oneself liable to such an unjust criticism that I would -forbear to enter upon a theme so pregnant with interest; suffice it to -say, let those who have not made the trip, make it at least once and -see for themselves pleasant homes and well-tilled fields, grand -mountains, useful rivers, forests of orchards, and oceans of grain; -miles of sluice boxes and tons of gold; and the beauty of a region -redolent with the songs of thrift and industry--and if they be not -well repaid for all the fatigues of a mountain journey, the fault will -certainly be theirs, and not the bounty of generous nature, who with -lavish hand has spread so many pictures of the grand and -beautiful--nor yet the fault of the inhabitants by the wayside, who -by culture and improvement have framed these pictures in gilded and -golden casements, and where contentment and happiness are the visible -garments in which everything would seem to be enrobed. - - - - -INDIAN WARS OF SOUTHERN OREGON. - -ADDRESS OF HON. WILLIAM M. COLVIG DELIVERED AT THE REUNION OF THE -INDIAN WAR VETERANS, AT MEDFORD ON SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1902. - - -I was first invited to deliver an address of welcome to the Indian war -veterans, who meet here to-day; but within the past few days I was -informed that an historical sketch of early days in southern Oregon, -including an account of the Indian wars, would be my part in the -programme of exercises. - -My knowledge of the subject is not very extensive. I lived in southern -Oregon as early as 1852, but was only a boy, not old enough to take -part in any of the stirring incidents which I remember of those days. -I see before me faces that recall events long past, and which left -pictures in the album of memory that time will never efface, and you -will pardon me if I refer to one of those personal recollections. - -In 1855 my father, Dr. Wm. L. Colvig, and family lived in a log cabin -on the South Umpqua River, near Canyonville. One bright, clear day in -October of that year, myself and brother, on returning from a trip in -the "canyon," saw standing, in an exhausted condition, a white cayuse -pony before the door of our home. The horse was covered with blood. -Everything seemed quiet about the place. We rushed into the house and -saw a man lying on his back, full length, upon the puncheon floor. His -clothing was partially removed. His body was covered with blood. -Father was kneeling over him on one side and mother on the other. They -were dressing his wounds. He had nine separate bullet holes in his -limbs and body. Doctor Colvig had his case of surgical instruments at -hand, which consisted of a butcher knife and a pair of scissors. The -knife was the one we had used to cut meat when crossing the plains. -Mother was preparing bandages by tearing up some of our old "hickory" -shirts. Well, they patched Uncle Bill Russell--called "Long Bill" in -those days--up in pretty good shape. I see him here to-day, but I -don't think that he is looking for a fight with Indians. At the time -of which I speak, he had been shot by the Indians about five miles -from my father's house but succeeded in riding to our door. His -companion, Weaver, had a close call, but escaped unhurt. - -The Indian wars of southern Oregon were stubborn contests. It is a -natural law that the fittest survive, and wherever civilization in its -advance meets barbarian force, the latter must give way. When they -meet there is an "irrepressible conflict," the details of which we can -not always reconcile with the Golden Rule. The tribes who took part in -these several wars in southern Oregon were the Rogue Rivers, Modocs, -Klamaths, Shastas, and Umpquas. The only honest acquisition of the -Rogue River Indians was their name. On account of the thieving and -treacherous habits of the people of that tribe, the river which flows -through the valley was called by the early French trappers "Riviere -aux Coquin," the river of rogues. The Oregon legislature in 1853 -sought to change the name, and did name it Gold River, but, as the -boys say, "it didn't take." - -It will be impossible for me to do more than mention a few of the more -prominent incidents, and I can not be very accurate in regard to dates -and other matters pertaining to that period, as my information has -been gathered from many sources, some of which are not very authentic. - -It may be of interest to know that on December 27, 1850, Congress -passed what is known as the donation land law, which gave to every -American citizen over the age of eighteen years, if single, one half -section of land; if married, one section of land, one half of which -was the absolute property of the wife, the other half of the husband. -There were no settlers in the Rogue River Valley prior to New Year's -day, 1851. In the spring of 1851 a man by the name of Evans -constructed a ferry across Rogue River, just below the town of -Woodville. During the same spring a man by the name of Perkins also -established a ferry on that river. The first donation land claim was -located by Judge A. A. Skinner, an Indian agent, in June, 1851. This -claim is the Walker farm, near Central Point. Upon it he built the -first settler's house ever built in the valley. Chesley Gray, his -interpreter, also located a donation land claim in June, 1851. It is -what is known as the "Constant Farm," near Central Point. The -following named persons filed donation land claims prior to February, -1852: Moses Hopwood, on Christmas day, 1851; N. C. Dean, at Willow -Springs, December, 1851; Stone and Poyntz, at Wagner Creek, December, -1851; L. J. C. Duncan, Major Barron, Thomas Smith, Pat Dunn, E. K. -Anderson, and Samuel Culver had made their locations prior to -February, 1852. I do not pretend that these were all, but the entire -number of claims taken up to that time did not exceed twenty-eight. - -In December, 1851, James Clugage and J. R. Poole located the first -mining claim in southern Oregon, at a point near the old brewery in -Jacksonville. They had been informed by a couple of young men who were -passing through the country that they had found gold near that place. -Immediately after this discovery became known in California and by the -incoming immigrants to Oregon, there was a rush made to the mines of -Jacksonville. Old man Shiveley, the discoverer of Shiveley Gulch, -above Jacksonville, inside of eighteen months had taken out over -$50,000, and since that time, from the best statistics obtainable, the -mines of southern Oregon have yielded about $35,000,000 in gold. - -During the winter of 1852 flour was sold at $1 per pound, tobacco at -$1 an ounce, and salt was priceless. Jacksonville was laid out as a -town in the summer of 1852 by Henry Klippel and John R. Poole. - -I will now speak of the Indian wars in which the people of southern -Oregon were engaged. The first recorded fight between the Indians and -whites in any portion of southern Oregon occurred in 1828, when -Jedediah S. Smith and seven other trappers were attacked by the -Indians on the Umpqua River, and fifteen of the whites were slain, -only Smith and three of his companions escaping. The next fight of -which we have any account was in June, 1836, at a point just below the -Rock Point bridge, where the barn on the W. L. Colvig estate stands. -In this fight there were Dan Miller, Edward Barnes, Doctor Bailey, -George Gay, Saunders, Woodworth, Irish Tom, and J. Turners and squaw. -Two trappers were killed, and nearly all were wounded. Within my -recollection, Doctor Bailey visited the scene of this fight, and -pointed out to my father its location. In September, 1837, at the -mouth of Foots Creek, in Jackson County, a party of men who had been -sent to California by the Methodist mission to procure cattle, while -on their return were attacked by the Rogue River Indians and had a -short, severe fight, in which several of the whites were badly wounded -and some twelve or fourteen of the Indians killed. In May, 1845, J. C. -Fremont had a fight with the Indians in the Klamath country; it may -have been a little over the line in California. Four of Fremont's men -were killed and quite a large number of the Indians. Kit Carson was a -prominent figure in this battle. - -As before stated, a few bold adventurers had located in Rogue River -Valley as early as December, 1851. During the spring, summer, and fall -of that year there was a considerable amount of travel through the -valley, by parties from northern Oregon going to and returning from -the great mining excitement of California. Fights between these -travelers and the Indians were of frequent occurrence. On the -fifteenth day of May, 1851, a pack train was attacked at a point on -Bear Creek, where the town of Phoenix is now situated, and a man by -the name of Dilley was killed. On June 3, 1851, a party of Oregonians, -under the leadership of Dr. James McBride, had a severe fight near -Willow Springs with Chief "Chucklehead" and his band. Chucklehead and -six other Indians were killed; several of the whites were severely -wounded. - -About this time Maj. Phil Kearny, afterwards General Kearny, who was -killed at the battle of Chantilly in the Civil war, happened to be -passing through the valley on his way from Vancouver to Benicia, -California, with a detachment of two companies of United States -regulars. He remained a short time and assisted in punishing the -Indians for the numerous depredations committed by them during the -year. He had several fights while in the valley, in which about fifty -Indians were killed. One of these fights was on Rogue River, near the -mouth of Butte Creek, where Captain Stuart, of the United States army, -received an arrow wound from an Indian, who was also wounded. The -arrow penetrated the captain's body, and he died the next day at the -camp on Bear Creek, near Phoenix. The camp thenceforth took the name -of Camp Stuart, and Bear Creek in all government records is called -Stuart's Creek. The captain's body was buried at a spot where the -wagon road crosses the mill race in the town of Phoenix. Some years -ago his remains were taken up and sent to Washington, D. C., to be -buried by the side of his mother. Captain Stuart's last words were, -"Boys, it is awful to have passed through all the battles of the -Mexican war, and then be killed by an Indian in this wild country." - -At the massacre of emigrants at Bloody Point, Klamath County, in 1852, -thirty-six men, women, and children were murdered. Capt. Ben Wright -and twenty-seven men from Yreka and Col. J. E. Ross and some -Oregonians went out to punish these Modocs. Old Schonchin, who was -afterwards hung at Fort Klamath in 1873, at the close of the Modoc -war, was the leader. Wright gave them no quarter. He and his men, -infuriated at the sight of the mangled bodies of the emigrants, killed -men, women, and children without any discrimination--about forty in -all; and it is said that they asked for a "peace talk," whereupon a -roast ox was prepared. Wright poisoned it, gave it to the Indians, and -then rode away. [This story is now generally discredited.--EDITOR.] - -I can not give you the names of all who were killed in Rogue River -Valley during the years 1851, 1852, and 1853. I will mention some that -were killed in 1853. In August of that year Edward Edwards was killed -near Medford; Thomas Wills and Rhodes Nolan, in the edge of the town -of Jacksonville; Pat Dunn and Carter, both wounded in a fight on Neil -Creek above Ashland. In a fight with the Indians on Bear Creek, in -August, 1853, Hugh Smith was killed, and Howell, Morris, Hodgins, -Whitmore, and Gibbs wounded, the last named three dying from their -wounds soon after. - -These murders, and many more that could be mentioned, brought on the -Indian war of 1853. Southern Oregon raised six companies of -volunteers, who served under the following named captains, viz, R. L. -Williams, J. K. Lamerick, John F. Miller, Elias A. Owens, and W. W. -Fowler. Capt. B. F. Alden, of the Fourth U. S. Infantry, with twenty -regulars, came over from Fort Jones, California, and with him a large -number of volunteers under Capt. James P. Goodall and Capt. Jacob -Rhoades, two Indian fighters of experience. Captain Alden was given -the command of all the forces. The first battle of the war was fought -on the twelfth day of August, 1853, and was an exciting little fight -between about twenty volunteers under Lieut. Burrell Griffin, of -Miller's company, and a band of Indians under Chief John. The -volunteers were ambushed at a point near the mouth of Williams creek, -on the Applegate. The whites were defeated with a loss of two killed -and Lieutenant Griffin severely wounded. There were five Indians -killed and wounded in the battle. On August 10, 1853, John R. Harding -and Wm. R. Rose, of Captain Lamerick's company, were killed near -Willow Springs. On the sixteenth of August, 1853, Gen. Joseph Lane, -afterwards United States senator from Oregon, and a candidate for vice -president in 1860, came out from his home in Douglas County and -brought fifty men with him, to take part in the war. General Lane was -a man of large experience in Indian warfare and in all military -matters. He had commanded an Indiana regiment in the Mexican war and -enjoyed a well earned reputation for bravery. On the day that General -Lane arrived what is known as the battle of Little Meadows was fought. -Lieutenant Ely and twenty-two men met the Indians near Evans Creek, in -the timber, and a short, but deadly conflict took place. Seven whites -were killed inside of an hour; Lieutenant Ely and three men wounded. -They left the battlefield in charge of the Indians--at least, in the -popular phraseology of that day, "they got up and got out." On August -24, 1853, the battle of Evans Creek was fought. In this fight the -Indians did not fare so well, twelve of them being killed and -wounded. One volunteer named Pleasant Armstrong was killed and Captain -Alden and Gen. Joe Lane were each wounded. During the summer of 1853 -several men were shot by Indians in Josephine County. In the fall -General Lane patched up a temporary peace, which lasted till 1855. - -The war of 1855-56 was preceded by a great many murders and -depredations by the Indians in different parts of southern Oregon. I -will mention a few: ----. Dyar and ----. McKew, killed while on the -road from Jacksonville to Josephine County on June 1, 1855. About the -same time a man by name of ----. Philpot was killed on Deer Creek, -Josephine County, and James Mills was wounded at the same time and -place. Granville Keene was killed at a point on Bear Creek, above -Ashland, and J. Q. Faber was wounded. Two men, ----. Fielding and -----. Cunningham, were killed in September, 1855, on the road over the -Siskiyou mountains. - -On account of these various depredations Maj. J. A. Lupton raised a -temporary force of volunteers, composed of miners and others, from the -vicinity of Jacksonville, about thirty-five in number, and proceeded -to a point on the north side of Rogue River, opposite the mouth of -Little Butte Creek. There he attacked a camp of Indians at a time when -they were not expecting trouble. It is said that about thirty men, -women, and children were killed by Lupton's men. The major himself -received a mortal wound in the fight. This fight has been much -criticised by the people of southern Oregon, a great many of them -believing that it was unjustifiable and cowardly. Two days after this -affair a series of massacres took place in the sparsely settled -country in and about where Grants Pass is now situated. On the ninth -day of October, 1855, the Indians, having divided up into small -parties, simultaneously attacked the homes of the defenseless -families located in that vicinity. I will name a few of those tragic -events. On the farm now owned by James Tuffs, Mr. Jones was killed, -and his wife, after receiving a mortal wound, made her escape. She was -found by the volunteers on the next day and died a few days -afterwards. Their house was burned down. Mrs. Wagner was murdered by -the Indians on the same day. Her husband was away from home at the -time, but returned on the following day to find his wife murdered and -his home a pile of ashes. The Harris family consisted of Harris and -wife and their two children, Mary Harris, aged twelve, and David -Harris, aged ten, and T. A. Reed, a young man who lived with the -family. Mr. Harris was shot down while standing near his door, and at -a moment when he little suspected treachery from the Indians with whom -he was talking. His wife and daughter pulled his body within the door, -and seizing a double-barreled shotgun and an old-fashioned Kentucky -rifle, commenced firing through the cracks of the log cabin. They kept -this up till late in the night, and by heroic bravery kept the Indians -from either gaining an entrance into the house or succeeding in their -attempts to fire it. Just back of the cabin was a dense thicket of -brush, and during a lull in the attack the two brave women escaped -through the back door and fled through the woods. They were found the -next day by volunteers from Jacksonville, our late friend, Henry -Klippel, being one of the number. Mrs. Harris lived to a good old age -in this county. Mary, who was wounded in the fight, afterwards became -the wife of Mr. G. M. Love, and was the mother of George Love of -Jacksonville and Mrs. John A. Hanley of Medford. David Harris, the -boy, was not in the house when the attack was made, but was at work on -the place. His fate has never been ascertained, as his body was never -found. The Indians stated, after peace was made, that they killed him -at the time they attacked the Harris house. Reed, the young man spoken -of, was killed out near the house. - -On October 31, 1855, the battle of Hungry Hill was fought near the -present railway station of Leland. Capt. A. J. Smith of the United -States army was at that battle, and a large number of citizens -soldiery. The result of the battle was very undecisive. There were -thirty-one whites killed and wounded, nine of them being killed -outright. It is not known how many of the Indians were killed, but -after the treaty was made they confessed to fifteen. The Indians were -in heavy timber and were scarcely seen during the two days' battle. - -In April, 1856, after peace had been concluded between the whites and -Indians, the Ledford massacre took place in Rancherie Prairie, near -Mount Pitt, in this county, in which five white men were killed. This -event was the last of the "irrepressible conflict." Soon afterward the -Indians were removed to the Siletz reservation, where their -descendants now live and enjoy the favors of the government which -their fathers so strongly resisted. - -The war in Rogue River Valley had now virtually ended. "Old Sam's" -band, with an escort of one hundred United States troops, was taken to -the coast reservation at Siletz. Chiefs "John" and "Limpy," with a -large number of the most active warriors, who had followed their -fortunes during all these struggles, still held out and continued -their depredations in the lower Rogue River country and in connection -with the Indians of Curry County. - -Gen. John E. Wool, commander of the department of the Pacific, in -November, 1855, had stopped at Crescent City while on his way to the -Yakima country. He received full information while here of the -military operations in southern Oregon. Skipping many details, it is -sufficient to state that he ordered Capt. A. J. Smith to move down -the river from Fort Lane and form a junction with the United States -troops under Captains Jones and E. O. C. Ord (afterward a -major-general in United States army), who were prosecuting an active -campaign in the region about Chetco, Pistol River, and the Illinois -River Valley. Captain Smith left Fort Lane with eighty men--fifty -dragoons and thirty infantry. I can only take the time to mention a -few of the fights in that region during the spring of 1856. On March -8th Captain Abbott had a skirmish with the Chetco Indians at Pistol -River. He lost several men. The Indians had his small force completely -surrounded when Captain Ord and Captain Jones with one hundred and -twelve regular troops came to his relief. They charged and drove the -Indians away with heavy loss. On March 20, 1855, Lieutenant-Colonel -Buchanan, assisted by Captains Jones and Ord, attacked an Indian -village ten miles above the mouth of Rogue River. The Indians were -driven away, leaving several dead and only one white man wounded in -the fight. A few days later Captain Angne's [Augur?] company (United -States troops) fought John and "Limpy's" band at the mouth of the -Illinois River. The Indians fought desperately, leaving five dead on -the battlefield. On March 27, 1855, the regulars again met the Indians -on Lower Rogue River. After a brisk fight at close quarters the -Indians fled, leaving ten dead and two of the soldiers were severely -wounded. On April 1, 1855, Captain Creighton, with a company of -citizens, attacked an Indian village near the mouth of the Coquille -River, killing nine men, wounding eleven and taking forty squaws and -children prisoners. About this time some volunteers attacked a party -of Indians who were moving in canoes at the mouth of Rogue River. They -killed eleven men and one squaw. Only one man and two squaws of the -party escaped. On April 29, 1855, a party of sixty regulars escorting -a pack train were attacked near Chetco. In this fight three soldiers -were killed and wounded. The Indians lost six killed and several -wounded. - -The volunteer forces of the coast war were three companies known by -the names of "Gold Beach Guards," the "Coquille Guards," and the "Port -Orford Minute Men." I have not the time to enter into the details of -the battle that was fought on the twenty-seventh of May, 1855, near -Big Meadows, on Rogue River. Captain Smith was in command of his -eighty regulars. Old "John" lead the Indians. The operations covered a -period of two days, John using all the tactics of military science in -handling his four hundred braves during the battle. Just as everything -was ready, according to "John's" plans for an attack upon the -regulars, Captain Angne's [Augur?] company was seen approaching. The -Indians were then soon dispersed. Captain Smith lost twenty-nine men -killed and wounded in this battle, and had it not been for the timely -arrival of Angne's [Augur?] company, his men would all have been -killed. - -While these operations were being carried on by the United States -troops, the volunteer forces were not idle. They were kept busy with -"Limpy" and "George's" warriors, at points in Josephine County. On -January 28, 1856, Major Latshaw moved down the river with two hundred -and thirteen men. He had several skirmishes and lost four or five men -in killed and wounded. On May 29th "Limpy" and "George" surrendered at -Big Meadows to Lieutenant-Colonel Buchanan. On May 31st Governor Curry -ordered the volunteer forces to disband--nearly all the Indians had -surrendered. About one thousand three hundred of the various tribes -that had carried on the war were gathered in camp at Port Orford. -About July 1, 1856, "John" and thirty-five tough looking warriors, the -last to surrender, "threw down the hatchet." I have now gone over, in -chronological order, the principal events connected with the Indian -wars of southern Oregon. I am fully aware that the narrative is very -defective, and that many events of importance have not even been -mentioned. You who took part in these early struggles can easily fill -in the gaps, and correct the errors that I may have unconsciously -made. - -There were some men who took part in the Indian wars of southern -Oregon who afterward became prominent in the history of the Nation. I -will name a few, viz, Gen. U. S. Grant, Gen. J. B. Hood (late of -Confederate army), Gen. Phil Kearny, Gen. Wool, Gen. A. J. Smith, Gen. -Geo. Crooks, Gen. A. V. Kautz, Gen. Phil Sheridan, Gen. J. C. Fremont, -Gen. Joe Lane (candidate for vice president of the United States in -1860), Gen. Joe Hooker (who built the military road in the Canyon -Mountains in 1852), and Kit Carson. - -We all rejoice that the general government has at last acknowledged -the value of your services to civilization; and has made some -provision of recompense for the privations which you suffered. - -I see before me old gray headed mothers who will also share with you -this recognition of the Nation's gratitude. It is well, and to my -comrades of the Civil war, who are here, and who have been the -promotors of this reunion of veterans, let me say that no women of any -war, in which the American people have ever been engaged, are more -deserving of the Nation's bounty than these old, feeble, pioneer -mothers of southern Oregon. When their fathers, brothers, and husbands -went out to meet their savage foes, these women were not left in well -protected cities, villages, and homes, but often in rude cabins, -situated in close proximity to the conflict; and unlike the chances -of civilized warfare, no mercy could be expected from the -enemy--surrender meant not only death, but torture and heartless -cruelty. In every hour of those dark days these women proved -themselves to be fit helpmates to a race of daring men--and worthy all -honors that are accorded the brave. - - - - -MINTO PASS: ITS HISTORY, AND AN INDIAN TRADITION. - -By JOHN MINTO. - - -There was a tradition among the Indians of the central portion of the -Willamette Valley at the time when the missionaries of the Methodist -Episcopal Church attempted christianization from 1834 to 1840, that a -trail or thoroughfare through this natural pass had formerly been much -used by their people and that its use was abandoned after, and as one -of the results of, a bloody battle between the Mollalas (who claimed -the western slopes of the Cascades from the Clackamas River south to -the Calapooia Mountains,) and the Cayuses who were originally of the -same tribe, but who had become alienated by family feuds, of which the -battle or massacre of their tradition was the end. The superstitious -belief of the Indians in the transmigration of the souls of dead -warriors into the bodies of beasts of prey, like panthers, bears, and -wolves, would of itself go far to cause the Indians to abandon the use -of such a trail, but the formation of the gorge by which the river -cuts its way through the roughest portion of the range is such as to -give great numbers of opportunities for ambuscades--a common resort of -Indian warfare. Certain is it that for some cause the Indians of -Chemeketa, Chemawa, and Willamette spoke with dread of going up that -river. They did, however, have trails on each side of this natural -pass,--that to the south being first used by a pioneer settler named -Wyley. It became known as the Wyley Trail, and subsequently was -adopted as a general route over which the Willamette Valley and -Cascade Mountain Military Wagon Road was located. The other to the -north comes into the Willamette Valley via the Table Rock and down the -Abiqua. Both these trails were used exclusively by the Indians of the -east side of the range as means of coming into the Willamette Valley -with the exception of the Mollalas, who were intermarried with the -Warm Springs Indians and the Klamaths when the settlement by the -whites began. The free trappers and the retired Canadians, who had -settled as farmers and trading parties of the Hudson Bay Company, -continued to use the trail up the North Santiam Valley until 1844-45, -when, in addition to the country reached by it being "trapped out," -furs fell in price in the general market so that it temporarily ceased -to be used by the engagees of the Hudson Bay Company. In the summer of -1845 Dr. E. White, then a sub-agent of the United States for the -Indians of Oregon, examined, or claimed to have examined, the route as -a means of getting immigration into western Oregon more easily than by -way of the Columbia River Pass. Either the doctor did not examine -closely or was very easily discouraged; at all events no beneficial -results followed. At this same time Stephen L. Meek was leading a -party of the immigration of that year with the purpose of entering the -Willamette Valley by that way. Meek had trapped on the head waters of -the John Day River a few seasons previous, and had here met Canadians -from the Willamette, who had come over the trail and doubtless thought -he could easily find it; and there is little reason to doubt that he -would have done so had it not been that by reason of their much -wandering in searching the way from the mouth of the Malheur to the -waters of the Des Chutes, the people he led were in such desperate -straits that he had to flee for his life. There was another reason: a -ridge makes out on the east side of the main range, but parallel with -it, which completely shuts the pass from being seen in outline from -the east. - -The failure of Meek to get his party through raised the question in -the settlements as to whether there was so easy a means of passing the -Cascade range at that point as the Hudson Bay Company trappers and -traders represented, and in the spring of 1846 a public meeting was -held at Salem and a committee of six citizens was selected to go and -make an examination of the trail. Col. Cornelius Gilliam was the head -of the committee of the American portion of the party, and Joseph -Gervais, a Canadian trapper, preeminent for general intelligence among -his class, went along to show the way. The Hon. T. C. Shaw, nephew of -Gilliam, was of the party (the youngest). He is at present (1887) -county judge of Marion County, and recently went over part of the -ground they then passed. From him it is learned that the trail did not -then pass through the narrow gorge which has been spoken of, but took -over the tops of the most broken and rugged portion of the range. The -party proceeded until they came to what they termed the "scaly rock -mountain," which Colonel Gilliam pronounced impassable for wagons. The -party returned and reported accordingly, and from that date till late -in 1873 that pass way was unused and to a great extent forgotten. - -In October, 1873, two hunters in search of good game range penetrated -up the north bank of the river through the gorge before mentioned, and -found that about twelve miles from the then settlement on King's -Prairie that the valley widened out and the mountains seemed lower; -narrow belts of bottom land lay between the mountains and the river, -and appeared to continue up to near the base of Mount Jefferson, -which, in fact, they do. One of these hunters (Henry States) sent for -John Minto, being unable, on account of a sprained ankle, to go to the -latter, and told him of their findings. This rediscovery or new -discovery revived recollections of statements made by Joseph Gervais -and others, and Minto took sufficient interest in the subject to go -before the board of county commissioners of Marion County and repeat -the statements of the hunters, volunteering the suggestion that it was -important if such a natural pass existed as was thus indicated the -county had an interest in making the fact known. One of the -commissioners, Hon. Wm. M. Case, had long lived near neighbor to the -famous Hudson Bay Company's leader, Tom McKay, and had often heard him -speak of that as the shortest and best way across the Cascades. A -short consultation resulted in the "order" that Mr. Minto take two -comrades and proceed up the valley of the North Santiam until he was -satisfied whether it made such a natural cut into the range or not. -After an absence of twelve days the party returned and Minto reported -a deep valley apparently almost dividing the range, and so sheltered -that several varieties of wild flowers were found in bloom on the -eighteenth of November. Upon this representation a petition for the -survey of a road was presented to the board of county commissioners -early in 1874, and the viewing out and survey of such a road ordered, -Porter Jack, Geo. S. Downing, and John Minto to act as viewers, and T. -W. Davenport as surveyor. The survey was made and the viewers' report -in favor of an excellent roadway was made to the county commissioners -of Marion County, August, 1874. The results were got by following up -the north bank of the Santiam River, generally within sight or sound -of its waters, from the point where it enters the Willamette Valley to -its most eastern springs. Starting from the bank of the Willamette -River at Salem, where its course is east of north parallel with the -Cascade range, the survey leads up its Santiam branch eighty-three -(83) miles, to the true summit of the Cascades, here found in a -narrow cut or pass lying across the summit ridge, the general course -of the survey being southeast by east. From the summit thus found it -is an estimated distance of only five (5) miles down to the Matoles -branch of the Des Chutes River, here running east of north parallel -with the range, the same course as that of the Willamette on the west -side; but taking down the eastern declivity with an easy grade for a -wagon road, the plain of the Des Chutes would be reached in about -seven miles and the Willamette Valley and Cascade Mountains Road, -where it skirts the base of Black Butte, three miles into the Des -Chutes plain, in about ten miles. In making this view and survey an -old and deeply worn trail was frequently crossed, and such a trail, -less deep, was found leading over the pass eastward. The first -observed trail gives some support to the Indian tradition of a former -native thoroughfare down the valley. - -The trail out of the pass is not so much worn, neither is the Strong -trail leading off towards the west from a point about seven miles -eastward, used by Lieutenant Fremont as he passed the locality in -1843. The trail so noted reaches first the immense springs of Matoles, -where a full grown river rises from under the northeast base of Black -Butte, into which the salmon ascend in July and August for spawning -purposes, at that date and since making a valuable fishery for the -Indians, and scarcely less valuable as fisheries where the numerous -lakes to the westward, which, taken in connection with abundant game -of the entire region, make it a hunter's paradise. At the date of -Fremont's march, of which had Meek been informed in 1845, he would -have almost certainly succeeded in getting the people he led into the -Willamette Valley by that way easier than they reached The Dalles -after he abandoned them. - -After the viewing out and survey of the wagon road as before related, -parties incorporated or filed articles of incorporation for a -projected railroad through the pass to Winnemucca. It was a mere -speculation on the part of persons who had neither money nor credit of -any kind. It had the effect of weakening the public interest in having -a common road constructed, so that after the lapse of the legal hold -on the pass thus attained, there was little disposition to spend money -on the opening of a common road which was liable to be destroyed at -any time by a railroad interest. An association was formed, however, -and a stock trail was opened at a cost of $1,800, in labor. As much -more spent at that time would have enabled wagons to pass. For lack of -this small sum the trail constructed did not attract the public use -except in a small measure for horses. In 1880 Hon. John B. Waldo, -while enjoying a summer recreation trip along the summit ridge, came -to a point some seven or eight miles south of the point to which the -survey had been made and over which a trail had been opened, which he -felt confident was lower than it. He spoke of it to Mr. Minto, who, -the next spring, had a small sum ($200) placed at his disposal by -Marion County in order to remove obstructions which had fallen into -the trail. After removing these obstructions that had fallen in during -the previous four years, Mr. Minto had $111 of the money left which he -asked permission of the board of commissioners to use in viewing out -and surveying the most southern of the two main branches of the Upper -North Santiam. The suggestion was made that this arm of the stream -trended so far southward that it would probably be found to reach the -summit by a greater meander and consequently afford a more gradual -approach to this supposed lower point of the summit, and therefore be -more favorable for railroad purposes. The order was made in accordance -with the suggestion, and Capt. L. S. Scott, Geo. S. Downing, and John -Minto were appointed viewers and T. W. Davenport surveyor. After some -loss of time by efforts to locate a line of communication, Minto took -one comrade and went eastward through the old pass, taking the -altitude of it as he went and finding it, according to an ordinary -barometer, such as is used by railroad surveyors, to be five thousand -five hundred and thirty-six feet above the sea, and proceeding -southward and then westward on the same day found the instrument to -read at the point indicated by Judge Waldo, four thousand nine hundred -and eleven feet above the sea. From this point a line was struck and -surveyed, which by way of the southeast branch of the North Santiam, -connects with the original survey by an easy grade for railroad -purposes and of which the projectors of the Corvallis and Eastern -railroad were immediately informed. An examination of the whole route -from Gates to Summit via the last viewed section, was made by Colonel -Eccleson, civil engineer, and Summit was reached by a fraction over a -two per cent grade. Construction began at the Summit with the least -possible delay and rails were hauled by wagon from Albany and laid in -order to hold the pass. From the pass westward more than half of the -right of way was cut and much of the grade made ready for the ties -between this lowest pass and the junction with the original Marion -County survey at what the party making it called Independence Valley, -directly south of and as the bird flies about eight miles from the -apex of Mount Jefferson. From Idanha, the terminal of railroad track -laid, four miles east of Detroit, fully twelve miles of right of way -and grade were constructed when work was suspended by the original -railroad company. From Mill City eastward to the Summit, the company -appropriated fully ninety per cent of the original surveys made at the -cost of Marion County. This need not be objected to, but in addition -to this these railroad promoters often exercised an assumed right to -name points that will be of permanent interest which they did not -discover. This seems hardly fair. From my point of view the Hon. John -B. Waldo, who first observed the apparent lowness of the pass, and -called my attention to it, is more entitled to have his name attached -to it than Col. T. E. Hogg, whose name I understand was given to by J. -I. Blair, the railroad magnate of New York, who was one of the chief -supporters of Colonel Hogg's enterprise. - -As a matter of some historical interest I will close this paper by -inserting some of the original names given places and things by the -first white explorers of the valley. - -The stream named Breitenbush was named by Henry States, Frank Cooper, -and John Minto on the first legal examination for the pass for John -Breitenbush a hunter who had cut his way to it ahead of them. Detroit -was named by the man from Michigan who first opened a house for -entertainment there. Boulder Creek was named by T. W. Davenport on his -survey notes in 1874. It makes in from the north at Idanha which was a -Muskrat Camp of first surveying party, but renamed by the proprietor -of the first summer resort house. Minto Mountain was named by some one -unknown to the writer, after he had led to the opening of a trail to -Black Butte, in Crook County, in 1879. It was the grass covered -mountains seen by Minto from the top of a fir tree into which he -pulled himself to get a view of their surroundings when first seeking -the pass in November, 1873, and which grass land his associate, Frank -Cooper, asserted was in eastern Oregon, to his, Cooper's, personal -knowledge, though he would not risk climbing the tree to see it, being -a very heavy man. This mountain will for all time be an attractive -object to summer recreationists and the most easily reached from the -center of the Willamette Valley when the railroad is extended twelve -miles farther east. The first stream making in from the northeast of -Boulder Creek was called, by the surveying party of 1874, the White, a -first fork from Jefferson. In August the snow melts from the southwest -slopes of Jefferson and runs through volcanic ash as fine as bolted -flour and it enters the main Santiam like thickened milk, coloring it -down to Mehama sometimes. Custom has adopted the name "Whitewater." In -1879 I gave the name Pamelia Creek to the next stream which flows off -the south face of Mount Jefferson and the same name now attaches to -the lake at its south base. The name was given for Pamelia Ann Berry, -because of her cheerfulness as one of the girl cooks of the working -party, of which her father and sister were valued members. -Independence Valley was so named by the road viewing party in 1874. -Our party rested there on the fourth of July. The first waterfall on -the east branch was named Gatch's Falls for Prof. T. M. Gatch, by -election of the party, the young members all having been his students. -Marion Lake and Orla Falls at the head of it were named at the same -time. The latter by the younger members of the company who had danced -with Miss Orla Davenport, the oldest daughter of our surveyor. The -most of the water of Marion Lake seems to come over these falls from -the northern declivities, a rocky peak of many pinnacles, locally -called "Three-fingered Jack," but to which the name of Mount Marion -was given in the report of this survey. This peak rises from the -summit ridge south of Mount Jefferson and north of Mount Washington -about equal distance of seven miles from each and about fifteen miles -from the most northern of the Three Sisters. There are inviting -situations for delightful summer residences on or near the ridge, both -north and south of Mount Marion, which will in the near future -probably become sites of permanent homes. The climate, as indicated by -plant life, is that of the Highlands of Scotland, as here the American -congener of both purple and white heather is found on and near the -summit ridge. - -The writer, who was an active member of these first exploring, -surveying, and road constructing parties, closes this with the -statement that the rugged labor sometimes involved was the very best -kind of summer recreation, where nature in all her varying phases was -enjoyed and the sights of the day made themes of camp fire talks, -intermingled with subjects connected with social, educational, -business, and public interests. There was little difference in this -respect between the camp fires of a party of professional men seeking -rest and that of road makers constructing lines of development. - - - - -REMINISCENCES. - -Secured by H. S. LYMAN. - - -ANSON STERLING CONE. - -Anson Sterling Cone, who came to Oregon in 1846, and is now--February, -1900,--living upon his donation claim a mile and a half from -Butteville, on one portion of French Prairie, is a native of Indiana, -having been born in Shelby County of that State in 1827. At the age of -seventy-three he is still in good health, and of good memory. He is -carrying on a large farm, and, together with his wife, is supporting -the family of his brother's daughter, as his own. He is a man of -medium size, of rather sandy complexion, with hair and beard now -white. He is plain and straightforward in manner, and remembers -distinctly many details of his early experiences in Oregon. Some of -the most interesting features of his narrative are his meeting with -Whitman; his service as juror on the trial of the Indian murderers of -Whitman; and his trip overland to California in the first wagon train -to the mines. His story, however, will be given as he relates it, and -the reader may then use his own judgment as to the relative importance -of his recollections. - -With his father's family, who removed for a short residence from -Shelby to La Porte County, Indiana, he went as a mere lad to Iowa. The -farm occupied by his father was alongside one of the main roads, and -there, year after year, he saw the emigrants in their great wagons on -the way to Oregon. In the course of time he took the fever to go with -them to that enchanted country. The opportunity was not long withheld. - -In 1846 a well-to-do neighbor, Edward Trimble, made up a party, in -which an older brother of Anson's, Aaron Cone, was to go. Obtaining -permission of his father, Anson, then but a youth of eighteen, -assisted in helping the train off, and drove with the party for some -distance. When the time arrived for him to return home (his dejected -appearance probably indicating his longing to go on with the -emigrants) Trimble said to him: "Anson, I don't advise or ask you to -go to Oregon; but if you are bound to, you may go with me." "I have no -outfit," said the young man. "I have $1,000," answered Trimble; "and -as long as that lasts you shall have your share of it." - -Anson went. His patron, however, never reached Oregon. Trimble was one -of the comparatively few who fell a victim to the treachery of the -Indians. He was killed by the Pawnees, on the Platte River, near the -big island. He had been selected captain of the company of forty-three -wagons which was made up at Saint Joe, where the train crossed the -Missouri, and took the route south of the Platte. - -At a point opposite the big island, as then known, the cattle were -stampeded by the Pawnees, and driven away, so that the train was left -entirely without teams. Trimble started out to hunt the animals; but -his wife, seeing that he had no arms, said to him, "Edward, you had -better take your rifle." He answered, "I do not need it; I am only -going to look for the trail." But reaching a knoll and finding the -trail of the lost stock, which led to the river, he and a man named -Harris rode on without stopping, until they discovered the cattle on -the island. Going down to the river side, however, they were suddenly -confronted by a party of armed Pawnees, who had secreted themselves -under the steep bank. Harris then, in his excitement, left his horse, -and Trimble delaying for him was shot by the Indians. His body was not -recovered but arrows stained with blood were found, which had -probably been shot through his body. These were preserved by Mrs. -Trimble, and it is thought that they are still in possession of the -family; a daughter of Trimble, having become Mrs. Pomeroy, of Pomeroy, -Washington. - -By the men of the train who saw the affair, Harris was rescued, and -the most of the oxen, though in a sad state of demoralization, were -recovered. A considerable number were never found, and on account of -this seven wagons were compelled to return to Saint Joe, with just -enough cattle to draw them. But the mischief was also played with the -oxen that went forward. After one thorough stampede such animals are -always unreliable. Mr. Cone remembers one serious stampede later, of -the whole train on the road, which was started only by a jack rabbit -driven by the dogs under a wagon. "It was a pretty hard sight," he -says, "to see the wagon hauled off, with oxen on the run. But they had -to stop at last; some fell down and were dragged along. Many an old ox -lost his horns. There were horns flying then--let one catch his tip in -the ground and it was gone!" - -However, though under unusual strain from this unlucky incident with -the rascally Pawnees, the plains and mountains were crossed at last. -Fort Bridger, Fort Hall, and the Grande Ronde and Blue Mountains were -passed in due order, and about the middle of October the wagons -descended upon the Umatilla. - -Here the two young men, Anson and his brother Aaron, thought it -advisable to leave the train and push on to the Willamette. To -accomplish this they went over to the Walla Walla, with the idea of -working for Whitman long enough to pay for a pack horse. At Waiilatpu -they found the doctor at home, and made known their intention. "Boys," -replied the Old Man (A. S. C.), "you had better take Bob there, and -all the provisions you need, and go at once. At the end of the season -there will be those coming who will have to stay here anyhow, and I -had better save the work for them. I will be down in the Willamette -country next summer, and you can pay me then." The young men -accordingly took "Bob," a trusty old white cayuse horse and a good -pack animal, who had somehow lost his tail, all except a short stump, -just sufficient to hold the crupper. - -By this kindness and confidence of Whitman Mr. Cone was greatly -impressed. "He was a good man," he says, "he had a heart like an ox!" -According to his recollections Whitman was about six feet tall, -straight as an Indian and of fine presence. His face was florid, his -hair chestnut, and not noticeably gray. In manner he was quick "for a -big man," and "always in for anything that had life"--sociable, and a -good joker. The horse and provisions, taken from the doctor's door, -amounted to about $25 worth; "and the next summer," says Mr. Cone, -"when I heard that the Old Man was at Oregon City, didn't I rustle -around to have the money ready for him!" - -Young Cone arrived at Oregon City on November 6th, his nineteenth -birthday. He began almost immediately to look about the country, and -taking the road to Tualatin Plains, was surprised, but greatly -pleased, to meet on the way--at the house of Mr. Masters, near the -present town of Reedville--an old friend, whom he had known at the -East. This was T. G. Naylor, long a well known resident of Forest -Grove. By this hospitable friend Cone was invited to spend the winter -on the farm on Gale's Creek, and actually spent two months, managing -to find eight working days between showers, out of that time--which -indicates that the climate, even then, was rainy. However the young -immigrant had good health, enjoyed life, and grew fat. For his eight -days of work he received an order for eight bushels of wheat, and -being in great need of new clothes, went back to Oregon City, and -obtaining work at rail splitting, he succeeded in mending his fortunes -sufficiently to procure new garments. He also found work afterwards in -the sawmills. "Many a day," he says, "I worked alongside the Kanakas." -There was at that time a considerable number of these native Sandwich -Islanders in Oregon. They were good workmen, says Mr. Cone, being -especially useful in work about the water. They had their own -quarters, which they kept themselves, and provided their own -sustenance quite independently. - -During the dry season of 1847 the two brothers having decided to -return East across the Plains, made a long tour of the Willamette -Valley, in order to tell all about Oregon, with which, however, they -were not fully satisfied as a permanent home; but their preparations -not being complete they were delayed until late in the next season. - -It was in August of that year that the Cayuse Indian murderers were -brought down from the upper country, and were tried and hanged at -Oregon City [Mr. Cone was evidently confused in this part of his -recollections as the Cayuse Indian murderers did not give themselves -up until April 1850; and were tried later in that year.--EDITOR.] The -Indians had the benefit of counsel, and the usual motions were made -for acquittal. Among others was rejection of many jurymen, on the -ground of prejudice. As it began to seem that no jury could be found, -Cone, who was present as a spectator at the trial, whispered to a -companion, "Come, let's go; they will be getting us on the jury!" - -They quietly slipped out, therefore, and retiring to a big rock on the -bluff, were engaged chatting. A young man soon approached, however, -whom they took to be another like themselves, but they recognized that -he was after them and a deputy sheriff, when he proceeded to summon -them to the jury box. They were accordingly impaneled, with the -necessary number, and listened to the evidence. The case was entirely -clear, the prosecution simply presenting evidence to show that the -accused were the Indians who had committed the crime. - -As to the motive of the murder, or the causes back of it, Mr. Cone -inclines to the opinion very prevalent at the time, that it was due to -religious differences; "there was another church there, and this I -know, that none of the other church were hurt." He mentions -particularly Joe Stanbough, who was not injured, yet was a full-blood -white man. This is mentioned here, and indeed is given very cautiously -by Mr. Cone, not as any brand for present sectarian differences, but -as a true reflection of opinion at the time. The precise justice of -that opinion is not discussed here. - -Very soon after the trial Cone was told by General Lovejoy, at Oregon -City, of the discovery of gold in California. "If I were you," said -Lovejoy, "I would go as soon as possible." By this advice Cone and his -brother were led to get together three wagons and join the overland -company. This was a most eventful journey and illustrates the capacity -of the trained Oregon men. - -According to Mr. Cone's recollections there were forty one wagons; -though Peter Burnett says, in "An Old Pioneer," that there were fifty -and one hundred and fifty men. There was but one family in the train, -the name of which Mr. Cone has forgotten. In this he coincides with -Burnett. Cone also recalls Thomas McKay very distinctly as the guide -and virtual leader; who said that he could take them through to the -Sacramento River without trouble; "and there is only one place that I -am afraid of; that is going down the mountain into the Sacramento -Valley. You may have to let your wagons down with ropes there." - -Burnett, in his vivid sketch of this journey, says that he went to -Doctor McLoughlin for advice, and was directed by him to employ McKay, -as this intrepid son of the unfortunate Alexander McKay was acquainted -with every foot of the way and was especially efficient in dealing -with the Indians. But Mr. Cone recollects nothing of Burnett. - -As to Indian troubles, Cone says that there was only one Indian -killed. This was in the Umpqua Valley, and the deed was without -provocation, and by an irresponsible young man, of the kind that hung -on to almost every party. McKay read the young man a severe lesson, -and complained to the company, endeavoring to show how reckless such -actions were. The young man made the saucy reply that he must be -still, or else there would be another Indian killed--alluding to -McKay's Indian blood. However, there were no other natives disturbed, -and the way was through the country of the Klamaths, the Modocs, and -the Pitt River Indians. Burnett mentions meeting a very few natives -near the end of the journey, but says there was no trouble whatever. - -In the Pitt River Valley the Oregon wagon train came upon the track of -the California immigrants, whom Peter Lawsen--or Lassen, as Burnett -spells the name--was guiding to his great ranch on the Upper -Sacramento. When at last overtaken they were found to be in great -destitution, and so exasperated at Lassen, who had lost the way, and -was wandering in the Sierra Nevadas, trying to find a practicable way -down their stupendous western declivities, that he seemed in danger of -his life. A practicable descent was found at last, however, and then -began the race to see who would be first into the valley. This was -near Lassen's Peak, which is so high as to be spotted with old snow, -even to late autumn. - -Here Mr. Cone describes "the maddest man he ever saw." This was the -pioneer, Job McNemee, of Portland. With an extra good team and high -determination of his own he had declared that he would be first in the -valley. He was well on the way to success, having got and held the -lead; but halfway down the mountain side, in his wild career, he ran -his wheel against a protruding bowlder, by which the heavy wagon was -upset, and there it lay, while the other wagons, nine in number, of -that particular section of the train, went bouncing by. But at last, -in spite of all accidents, men and animals reached Lassen's ranch, and -were there treated with royal hospitality. The vaqueros were directed -to slaughter beef, and the Oregon men, as well as the California -party, were invited to the barbecue. The Oregonians, however, were not -likely to wait long. It was now late in November, and though some went -first up to Redding's ranch, all soon struck out for Coloma. Although -not an active participant in the Indian troubles there, these are -recalled by Mr. Cone. He remembers the murder of the party of Oregon -men, recalling the circumstance, however, that the number killed was -five, and that one of the six escaped. The Indians, as he remembers, -were tracked to their camp on the river, and attacked and punished. - -His memory was more deeply impressed, however, with the enormous price -of provisions; as, for instance, going down one day to Sacramento, and -seeing some nice little hams, he had a mind to purchase one. On asking -the price he was told four dollars a pound. He concluded he did not -want any. That was late in the season of '48 or early '49. Vast -quantities of stores were shipped in soon, and prices fell. -Misfortunes robbed Mr. Cone of the results of his adventure. His -brother was taken sick and died. He was himself attacked by scurvy, -and finally being unable to work longer, sought passage home on a -sailing vessel, which crossed the Columbia bar late in the fall of -'49, a very smoky season, and of long drouth, the vessel being -becalmed for days together. - -Mr. Cone remembers many amusing incidents of the mining life; one of -which was the shooting of Weimer's pig by his partner--the animal -being a nuisance around camp, yet of great value. One morning the -partner of Cone said: "Load the gun and I'll shoot the ---- sow." To -run the bluff, Cone did so, and not to be backed off, the partner shot -and killed. Then to hide their trespass the carcass was hidden in the -brush; but upon returning at evening from their rockers the young men -found that the ravens had taken care of the pork. - -In 1850 Mr. Cone, having recovered his health, located a claim on -French Prairie. His father arrived in Oregon in 1851. His brothers, -Oscar and G. A., Jr., came in 1847. Three other brothers also became -Oregonians, Oliver, Francis Marian, and Philander Johnson. All found -claims near each other on French Prairie, or just across the river. -Anson and Oscar are the only ones now living. - -Of the old father, G. A. Cone, there are eighteen grandchildren and -thirty-seven great-grandchildren. - -Anson Cone was married in 1866 to Sarah A., the widow of his brother -Oliver, whose maiden name was Wade, and who is herself a pioneer of -'53. - - -MRS. REBEKA HOPKINS. - -Mrs. Hopkins, the daughter of Mr. Peter D. Hall, who perished near -Fort Walla Walla--Wallula--after escaping from the Whitman massacre, -is now living on the farm held by her first husband, Philander J. -Cone. Although past the age of fifty she is in good health, of -prepossessing appearance, and of very active habits. Her cosy farm -home, which is on the prairie, but at the edge of the grove, and -shaded by some oak trees in the dooryard, is ornamented also with -choice varieties of flowers, especially of roses, of which she has -many rare kinds. - -She was but five years of age when the massacre occurred; and by the -terror of that event all previous recollections seem to have been -completely obliterated. She does not remember anything of her father; -but of the massacre itself, so far as her own observation went, she -still has a vivid picture in her mind. She recalls the upstairs room -where the women and children were huddled together after Whitman was -struck down, and where Mrs. Whitman came after she was shot in the -breast. Mrs. Whitman, she says, was standing, when wounded, at a -window, and was washing the blood from her hands, as she had been -dressing the wounds of her husband. Mrs. Hall was with her. It could -not have been apprehended that further murders would be committed, and -Mrs. Whitman must have been the equal object of the Indians -superstitious rage, as she was the only woman killed. - -Mrs. Hopkins remembers the appearance of the upstairs room, and that -the Indians were kept back from coming up for a time by an old gun, -which was probably not loaded, but was laid so as to point across the -stairway. The savages would come to the stairway until within sight of -this gun barrel, and then afraid, or pretending to be afraid, of its -fire, would scamper back. Mr. Rogers was with the women and children. - -As to the death of her father, who escaped and sought safety at old -Fort Walla Walla, on the bank of the Columbia River, but was refused -admission, Mrs. Hopkins believes he was killed near the fort. By Mr. -Osborne, who with his family, finally reached the fort, the clothes -of Hall were seen and recognized. It was said to him, when he -exclaimed, "those are Hall's clothes," that Hall had been drowned in -attempting to cross the Columbia. - -Mrs. Hopkins considers the account of the massacre as given in the -June number of the _Native Son_ [1899], which was furnished by Mrs. O. -N. Denny, as the most accurate that she has seen. Mrs. Denny, Mrs. -Hopkins' older sister, who was about twelve years old at the time of -the tragedy, has a comprehensive recollection of the whole affair. - - -MRS. ANNA TREMEWAN. - -Mrs. Tremewan, now residing at Champoeg, has many most interesting -recollections of her early life. Although now past middle age she is -of magnificent physique, being about five feet eight inches tall, -straight as an arrow and well proportioned, but at the same time of -that peculiarly supple mold and movement that so distinguishes the -French creoles. Her hair is still jet black, and long and wavy and -very thick; her eyebrows heavy and black, and her features, though -strong and marked, refined and very intelligent. - -Her speech is remarkably clear, every word being distinctly -pronounced, with rather an English or Scotch accent, and in a full -rich voice of rather low key. During conversation her features light -up noticeably, and though she speaks deliberately she has no -hesitation, never pausing to think of a word or construction. She -complains of her poor memory for dates, but possesses a large fund of -family information, both of her own people and the Hudson Bay Company. - -Her mother was a daughter of Etienne Lucier, of French Prairie; her -father was Donald Manson, a trusted captain of the Hudson Bay Company, -and her first husband was Isaac Ogden, a son of Peter Skeen Ogden, -governor during the latter years of the Hudson Bay Company's -occupation of Fort Vancouver. She is living now at Champoeg, in the -old house built by her father, though now owned by herself with her -husband. - -Her brothers are men of education and ability; Donald Manson, Jr., -being a resident of Portland; James Manson, living at Victoria; and -William Manson, who was educated in Scotland, being principal of a -school at New Westminister, B. C. Another brother, Stephen, no longer -living, who was named by his mother or his grandfather Lucier, is -described by those who knew him as a man of remarkably handsome -appearance, and bright intellect. He was, as a boy, attending the -school at Waiilatpu at the time of the Whitman massacre, and although -uninjured was so shocked by the bloody occurrence that long afterwards -he would start from sleep crying out "The Indians, the Indians!" There -were two daughters besides Anna (Mrs. Tremewan), Isabella and Lizzie. - -The following are some of the recollections taken hurriedly at a -morning call of Mrs. Tremewan. In reply to a question about her father -she said: "My father was in the employ of the Hudson Bay Company--you -may have heard of it. We lived until I was fifteen in British -Columbia; no, not at Victoria, but on the head waters of Frazer River, -at Stuart's Lake--you might call that a little ocean. That was a long -way from Victoria, though that was our point of supplies, and my -father made a trip from there every year to carry out the furs--for -that was what he dealt in. He went a part way by river, and a part way -by horses. At Fort Langley he met the steamer from Victoria, and from -that point the goods were brought up the river to our place. - -"Yes, he used to leave us all alone at Stuart's Lake every year while -he made the trip, and that would be from April to September. On one -time I remember perfectly well he came back on the seventh of -September. What makes me remember this was because it was then my -sister Lizzie was born, and my mother was still in bed, and when the -cry was made that the boats were coming, we were all so eager to have -papa see the baby. - -"Indeed, Stuart Lake was a beautiful place, the loveliest I have ever -seen. The mountains were blue across it, they are so far away. When -the wind blew the waves rolled up like a sea. The water is perfectly -clear. When we used to walk along the shore, or swim in the lake, we -could see to the bottom. It was full of fishes of all kinds; salmon -and sturgeon and trouts. I have often told my husband that I wished I -could see Stuart Lake again. - -"But I was born in Alaska,--in the land where the gold is now; at Fort -Stikeen. The cabin was so near the water that the waves rolled up -against it. I have have often heard my mother tell about it. - -"Yes, I remember the trip out from Stuart Lake perfectly. Our first -stop was at Fort Alexandria; then we came on by boat to a place called -Kamloops, where we waited a month while the horses were got together -and trained for the rest of the journey. We came on to Fort Hope, and -then by boat to Fort Langley. There we took the steamer _Otter_. There -were two steamers then, the _Otter_ and the _Beaver_; we had the -_Otter_. - -"I did not know what a Yankee was. I remember that when I was on the -steamer they used to say to me 'So you are going to be a Yankee!' I -did not like it a bit. We had more the English way of talking, and did -not say 'I guess.' It was a long time before we could talk like the -Yankees. - -"When my father first came to Oregon he was pretty wealthy and bought -this place. But he lost so much in the flood of '61 that he was nearly -broken up. He never fully got over this--together with sickness and -other things. - -"When the Hudson Bay Company was at Fort Vancouver, and during the -Whitman massacre, Ogden was governor at the fort. Well, his son was my -first husband--his name was Isaac. Peter Skeen Ogden was a wealthy old -man; he was from Montreal. He left considerable money to his children. -He had four; Isaac, who lived at Champoeg, where we were married; -William, who lives in Portland; Emma, who died at the age of thirty; -and Mrs. Sarah Draper, of McMinnville, who has six children. - -"My mother was a daughter of Stephen Lewis--I think that would be the -English of it; but the French called it Lucier, Etienne Lucier. What -makes me think it was 'Stephen,'--I have heard mother say she named my -brother Stephen for his grandfather. My grandfather was a Frenchman -from Canada, and my mother was the daughter of his first wife; I think -she came from east of the Rocky Mountains." - -Mrs. Tremewan was well acquainted with Archibald McKinley, who settled -just across the river from Champoeg; and the family of Mr. Pambrun, -one of whose daughters was Mrs. Dr. Barclay, of Oregon City; Mrs. -William Pratt, another; and Mrs. Harriet Harger, of Chehalem Valley, -another. Mrs. Harger has a family of six daughters. - - -LOUIS LABONTE'S RECOLLECTIONS OF MEN. - -See Reminiscences of Louis Labonte, Vol. 1, p. 169. - -Doctor McLoughlin: Big man, hair white as snow, face ruddy; fine man, -but like a grizzly if he was mad; carried a cane, stood straight as an -arrow; treated him very kindly; got him to school at Vancouver, took -him by the hand, told him he would provide him books and pens; he -went to school to Mr. Ball. - -Douglass: Slim, but even taller than McLoughlin; his hands reached -below his knees. - -Peter Skeen Ogden: A tall, big man--big as McLoughlin; an American by -birth. - -Donald Manson: A large man; face ruddy; white hair. - -Jason Lee: Very tall, powerful; not straight. - -Doctor Barclay: Medium height, heavy set. - -Pambrun: Medium size; his wife from the Red River. - -Archibald McKinley: Lived across the river from Champoeg; big man; red -face. - -George T. Allen: A small looking man; he was nicknamed Twahalasky, -Indian name for coon; and a small-sized Cascade Indian bearing that -name traded names with Allen. - -James Birnie: A powerful, heavy man; very fine looking; exceedingly -hospitable. - -Alexander Latty: A fine man; captain of steamer _Beaver_ two years; he -was also mate of the schooner _Cadboro_, built in England. - -Captain Scarborough: Medium size, good looking; father of Edward -Scarborough, of Cathlamet; had a Chinook wife; made frequent trips to -England in command of Hudson Bay vessels, and introduced pigs and -Shanghai chickens from China; also took pains to bring ornamental -shrubbery, perhaps introduced the "Mission Rose." - -Captain Brotchie: Another sea captain on Hudson Bay vessels; -introduced from England the "Brotchie" potato, an early kidney -variety. - -Robert Newell: A very fine man; Labonte's captain when in the Indian -war of '56, stationed at Vancouver. - -Calvin Tibbetts: Came with Wyeth. - -Alexander Duncan: Captain of the _Dryad_; came in the river when -Labonte lived at Scappoose; particular friend of Birnie's. - -Thomas McKay: About six feet tall; walked with a limp; never was -scared; very keen eyes; shot "War Eagle" in Cayuse war. - - - - -COMMUNICATIONS. - -EARLY SCHOOLS IN LANE COUNTY. - - - LATHAM, Oregon, February 6, 1902. - - _Mr. Geo. H. Himes, Assistant Secretary Oregon Historical - Society, Portland, Oregon_-- - - DEAR SIR: Your letter of 3d received [asking for data on - early schools in Lane County.] In response would say the - first two schools I remember in our district were taught by - Mr. James M. Parker and Mr. H. Clay Huston, in a log house - on my claim in Lane County. The branches taught were A B - C's, spelling, reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, - geography. I do not recollect which of these two gentlemen - taught first. I taught many terms of three months each in - various districts. In early days most districts were weak - financially, and but few could afford more than one term in - a year. Public money from school funds would not be quite - enough to pay the bill, and rate bill would be made for - balance and collected from patrons. The method of making - rate bills would be to average and find price per day per - scholar, and number of days' attendance per rate would be - each scholar's fee. Sometimes a subscription school would be - gotten [up] at so much per scholar for the term, the teacher - taking the subscribers for pay. - - The houses were either log, frame, or box, principally log, - but as fast as district became able improvements were made. - Some had huge fireplaces where red hot coals assisted the - teacher's switch to keep the outer boy and girl warm while - he stored away his A B C's or fed his mind on ab, ib, ob. - Some were heated by stoves. Some would have long, narrow - windows, one on each side of the house, and under them long - desks fastened to the walls to write on, and long benches - for the writers to sit on; others would be constructed with - plenty of windows and reasonably comfortable seats and - desks. - - The books principally used were Sanders' and Webster's - elementary spelling books, Sanders' first, second, third, - and fourth readers. I think Montieth's geographies, - Thompson's arithmetics, Smith's and Clark's grammars. - Teachers set most of copies for writers, but some copy - plates were used. Classes would be formed as much as - possible. A-B-C scholars would have to be heard singly, and - those just commencing to spell. Those in arithmetic would - have to be attended to singly except in general exercises on - blackboard. Four lessons a day in A B C's, spelling, first, - second, and third readers; two in the fourth reader, - besides closing spelling classes at noon and night. Often - these would consist of two classes, one class containing the - smaller, the other the larger scholars. One geography, one - grammar, one blackboard exercise for each class--about - fifteen or twenty minutes, set apart especially in fore and - afternoon for writers, so teachers could give them close - attention. Commencing with the A B C's first, after calling - school to order, then the spellers, next first, second, - third, and fourth readers; mingled with this would be the - necessary assistance to the arithmeticians, geographers, - grammarians. Classes having recited, then write geography, - grammar,--and blackboard exercise heard, usually in the - afternoon. Quiet could be better kept by requiring the - scholars to ask permission to speak when they wanted to - whisper, to leave their seats when wanting something in - another part of the room, or to go out when they wanted to - leave the room. Compositions would be better written, - speeches committed to memory, and read and delivered at - stated times; spelling schools in winter at night, and - sometimes examination or exhibition on last day. Christmas - times were apt to be jolly times. The scholars made it a - point to get to the schoolhouse before the teacher and - either bar him out or catch him before he got in, carry him - to a pond of water, and make him treat. Teachers would - sometimes board around among the scholars and sometimes - board at one place. The easiest, best way to control the - school was to make no rules only as needed; when - irregularity occurred, correct as required, with the - understanding that no such would be allowed the second time. - - Patrons of the school furnished fuel, usually hauling wood, - wagon lengths, about ten or twelve feet long. Teacher and - larger scholars would chop it up for fires. Teacher or large - scholars did the sweeping. - - Respectfully. - - JOS. H. SHARP. - - - - -THE MONTURES ON FRENCH PRAIRIE. - -In his history, H. S. Lyman speaks of "Montour, a character considered -fabulous by Bancroft, but said to have made a settlement on French -Prairie." - -Referring to notes given me by Mr. L. H. Ponjade, one of the old -residents on French Prairie, I found the following: - - My father, the old French doctor, had studied at Montpelier, - and after receiving his diploma as surgeon and physician, - was immediately taken into the service of Napoleon, and - served three years as surgeon on the army of France, mostly - in Spain. He naturally did not wish to serve in the army - again, so came to America, found his way to Oregon, and from - force of associations, made his home on French Prairie. - - Our first camp was at the ranch of old man Monture, that at - that time looked like an old farm, as it was well improved. - Peter Depot then owned the claim where Gervais is now - situated, and I understood that he got it from Monture some - time previous to that, but do not know the particulars. - - Monture had two sons, named George and Robert. Whether they - were both sons of the wife he then lived with I do not know, - as morals were rather loose previous to arrival of the - missionaries. There was a custom among ex-servants of the - Hudson Bay Company to claim a wife wherever they might be - among the Indians. After the arrival of Father Blanchet they - were allowed to have but one wife. - - I remember that George Monture was a very large man and very - powerful; must have weighed 350 pounds. I have seen him - lasso wild cattle and hold them to be branded without any - cinch or other thing to hold the saddle on the horse. He did - it by mere weight and bodily strength. He would do this for - half a day together at a time. - - Bob--as he was called--was not so large, but was stout and - active. He was a fine shot with his rifle. - -When I saw this mention of "Montour," I wrote to my old friend, L. H. -Ponjade, to ask if his mention of Monture meant the same that Lyman -thus referred to, and he confirms it as the same, and adds: "The old -place where they lived was about one quarter of a mile west of -Parkersville. Every man with any knowledge of old settlers knows of -the Montures." - - S. A. CLARKE. - - - - -DOCUMENTS. - -OREGON MATERIAL TAKEN FROM A FILE OF AN INDEPENDENCE (MO.) AND WESTON -(MO.) PAPER FOR 1844 AND 1845; ALSO SOME MINOR EXTRACTS FROM OTHER -PAPERS IN THAT VICINITY. - - -During this time these towns were important outfitting points for -Oregon pioneers. The Oregon fever was raging throughout the -surrounding country, the frontier counties of Missouri. The -newspapers, Democratic and Whig, in this vicinity appreciated the -interest in the Oregon Country and in the movement of emigration -thither. Their columns were open to reports of travelers returning -from the Columbia. Letters sent back by pioneers in the Willamette -Valley seemed to be in great demand. The documents printed below -contain two noteworthy letters from persons who were in the great -migration of 1843. Contemporary sources of the history of that epochal -event are especially valuable. - -[These extracts were made from the files of these papers in the -possession of the Missouri Historical Society, Saint Louis, Mo.] - - From the _Independence Journal_, September 12, 1844. - - (Vol. I, No. 1, G. R. Gibson, editor.) - - "Civis," in a communication, dwells upon the importance of - the Independence trade in outfitting Santa Fe traders. One - hundred and fifty thousand dollars are annually expended at - Independence for this purpose. There are good reasons for - believing that in a few years it will quadruple that amount. - Concerning the outfitting of the Oregon pioneers, he says: - - "The Oregon emigrants will, no doubt, continue to rendezvous - near this place, and will number annually 1,500 persons, the - outfit for which number will cost $50,000, and all of which - our citizens may furnish." - - Mountain trade, now of inconsiderable importance, will be - worth $10,000 per annum. "Civis" is urging the establishment - of a turnpike to the Missouri River. - - * * * * * - - From the _Independence Journal_, September 12, 1844. - - OREGON TERRITORY. - - Last Saturday's _Expositor_ contains a long letter from - Peter H. Burnett, dated Linnton, Oregon, July 25, 1844, - which we shall publish in our next; not having received it - in time for this week's paper. - - * * * * * - - From the _Independence Journal_, September 12, 1844. - - OREGON EMIGRANTS. - - We have news from the Oregon emigrants up to the 3d of - August, at which time they left Fort Laramie. They expected - to reach their destination about the beginning of October. - They were deficient in breadstuffs and could not procure any - at the fort without money. They expected to obtain a supply - at Buffalo, five or six days' journey from the fort. Some - fears were entertained that the Sioux Indians would steal - their stock, and otherwise give them trouble. Altogether - they appear to have got along very well, considering the - unusual weather they experienced between this and the Big - Platte. - -The _Independence Journal_ of September 19, 1844, gives Peter H. -Burnett's letter, written from Linnton, Oregon, July 25, 1844. [This -letter was printed in the June QUARTERLY, 1903, pages 181-184 of this -volume. It was taken from the _Ohio Statesman_, which quoted it from -the _Washington Globe_.] - -In the _Independence Journal_, September 19, 1844, under the caption -of "Independence: Its Trade and Prospects," the high state of -prosperity of the town is spoken of. Wagon makers are employed to -build seventy-five wagons for the Santa Fe traders by next spring, in -place of only fifty made the present year. Santa Fe road within the -State must be improved. United States Government should give it a port -of entry, and the State legislature should locate a branch of State -Bank there to accommodate Santa Fe traders and commerce of western -part of State. - - * * * * * - - From the _Independence Journal_, October 24, 1844. - - Mr. Gilpin, of this place, who went out to Oregon about - eighteen months since, arrived on Tuesday last with several - other persons. They left Bent's Fort on the 22d of - September. All was quiet and well at the fort, but there - was a difficulty between the Santa Feans and Eutaw Indians. - The Spaniards had killed some Eutaws; and the head chief and - five other principal chiefs went to Santa Fe to receive - compensation. The Governor gave them what he could, or what - he thought was enough, and, refusing to give more, the head - chief, in a passion, pulled his beard, when he seized his - sword and killed him and another, and the guards, being - called, fell upon the other four and killed them. The - Indians who accompanied them immediately left, and killed, - on their retreat, several Spaniards who were going from Taos - to Santa Fe. Altogether they had killed ten or twelve - Spaniards. A war between the Indians and Santa Feans, of - course, was expected. Some Spaniards, who were out on a - buffalo hunt, met Colonel Owens' company at the Cimmaron, - and dispatched immediately an express to Santa Fe. They made - up a company at Santa Fe, on receipt of the intelligence, - among whom were Messrs. Chavis, Armigo, and Percas, to - escort him to Santa Fe; and brought out fresh mules, and - everything they would probably need. Colonel Owens - accompanied them to Santa Fe, where a ball was to be given - him. They met Charles Bent, Mr. Alvarez (our consul at Santa - Fe), and Mr. Ferguson, at Choteau's [Chouteau's] Island, - about three days' travel this side of Bent's Fort. Mr. St. - Vrais [Vrain?] was this side of Corn Creek with waggons, - going on well. Doctor Connolly, with Lucas, was between Ash - Creek and Pawnee Fork, twenty-five miles ahead of Mr. - Speyers' company, which was near Walnut Creek. Mr. Speyers' - mules were poor and much worn out; they had left several on - the road, beside ten or fifteen lost shortly after they left - Independence. All the teams of Messrs. Bent and Connolly - were in good order, and they were getting along well. - - We are indebted to a Spaniard, who accompanied Mr. Gilpin, - for the foregoing. We have not heard anything of particular - importance from Oregon. Mr. Gilpin brought a large number of - letters, but we have not, as yet, been favored with the - perusal of any. The emigrants, we understand, were generally - getting along well. - -The _Independence Journal_, October 31, 1844, under the heading -"Oregon and Colonel Polk," gives an extract of a speech delivered by -Colonel Polk in Congress on a bill for extending jurisdiction of the -laws of the United States over all the people of Oregon Territory, and -directing officers of the Government to take possession of the mouth -of Columbia River, and establish a fort there. This, it says, will -show whether he (Polk) is for immediate occupation of it or not; and -that his opinions coincide with Mr. Clay's upon this subject. Gives -an extract of Polk's speech to substantiate its claim that Polk was no -more radical than Clay on this Oregon question. (_Independence -Journal_ was supporting candidacy of Clay.) - -_Weston Journal_, January 4, 1845 (Vol. 1, No. 1), Geo. R. Gibson, -editor (the same who edited _Independence Journal_ in 1844), in -leader: "To the Patrons of the _Journal_," he refers to recent -political campaign, and says, among other things: - - We shall advocate the annexation of Texas, but we wish to do - it without dishonor and by common consent. We shall advocate - the occupation of the Oregon Territory, and the erection of - a chain of posts from Missouri to the mountains; to protect - and extend facilities to companies, etc. Proposes to open - correspondence as soon as possible with mountain traders and - the settlers in Oregon. - -The _Weston Journal_ prospectus contained regularly this paragraph: - - From the great intercourse between this place and the - mountains, the editor will pay special attention to the news - from that quarter, the Oregon Territory, and the whole - Indian country. The Oregon Territory, attracting at the - present time the public attention, the patrons of the - _Journal_ may expect to find in its columns everything of - interest which may be gathered either from public or private - resources, relative to a country of such vast extent, varied - scenery, and diversified soil and climate. - - * * * * * - - From the _Weston Journal_, January 4, 1845. - - LETTER FROM THE SANDWICH ISLANDS, OREGON, CALIFORNIA, - EMIGRATION, ETC. - - We publish the subjoined letter, received by one of our - citizens a few days since, from a gentleman who accompanied - the Oregon emigration last year [1843]. We give it entire, - that our readers may have all the information that can be - gathered from this section of the country. It is not so - favorable, in some respects, of the Oregon Territory, as the - accounts of others, but it is by no means disparaging. Mr. - Gilpin thinks that corn can be raised to advantage, and says - that the reason why they have none, is--because they plant - none. It is undoubtedly a fine country for all the small - grains and is unsurpassed as a grazing country. The - emigrants who went out the past season have made a great - change in business, and money now circulates on the - Columbia as well on this side of the mountains, and - everything begins to assume the appearance of civilization, - business, trade, and the refinements this side the - mountains. We see that Mr. Cushing, our minister to China, - has returned by way of the city of Mexico; and here we have - a letter from one of our enterprising citizens from the - _halfway house_--the Sandwich Islands. - - We have been in the habit of looking to Europe for Asiatic - news; let our government establish a chain of posts from - this to Oregon, an overland mail will speedily follow, and - the China and East India trade will pour into our channels - of commerce from the gorges of the Rocky Mountains: and a - journey from New York to China, by way of Oregon, will be - less thought of than it formerly was to Saint Louis. The - Government should consider that a little enterprise will - place the East India trade at our door; and the sooner the - better. We hope Congress, this winter, will take active - measures to bring about such a state of things. What is a - few thousand dollars compared with the object to be - acquired? - - LAHIANA, MAUI, Sandwich Islands, July 17, 1844. - - _J. Wells, Esq._-- - - DEAR SIR: In a few days the first ship that has left this - place for the States, since my arrival here, will sail, and - I take this opportunity to tell you something of my journey - and Oregon, etc., though probably you have heard all the - news long before you get this. I should have written you ere - this, had an opportunity offered. But to tell you of the - trip: I left the Shawnee mission on the 29th of May; our - route was through the Caw Indian country, which is good, has - considerable timber, and is well watered. It is a bad - country for wagons to travel through, having so many sloughs - and bad creeks; the teams were often stalled, and made very - slow progress. We had three rivers and creeks to cross - before we reached the Platte River. The Platte River has - good grass--plenty of it--but is destitute of timber; here - we saw the first buffalo--they were poor and tough. We saw a - few of the Pawnee Indians. They are fine looking fellows, - and no doubt, live well on buffalo meat; they are quite - treacherous. We reached the crossing of Platte on the - twenty-sixth day of July, a little more than one month out. - The traveling up the Platte is very good, level, and hard. - We struck from this to the north fork of the Platte, one - day's travel. On the 13th of July we arrived at the crossing - of Laramie's Fork, at the fort of the American Fur Company; - before arriving here we saw many splendid sights; also many - of the dog towns that you have heard of. I saw quantities of - the dogs; they are small, round animals, the size of a cat. - Certain it is that there are owls that visit them, also - rattlesnakes, but for what reason is a matter of dispute. - After we left Laramie we came to the Black Hills, the worst - of all traveling,--hilly, sandy, and full of wild sage--'tis - death on a wagon. The country is all of this barren, sandy - kind, until we reach Fort Hall and destitute of timber. - Arrived at Fort Hall the 13th of September, after - experiencing some cold rains, snow, hail, etc. At Fort Hall - we could get no provisions, and were obliged to go down the - river (Snake), and depend on getting fish to subsist on; - this was the reason of my going to Oregon instead of - California. The country down Snake River is hilly, rocky, - sandy, no timber, but an abundance of sage, until we get to - the Blue Mountains; here is plenty of pine, the country very - broken, and bad traveling, though the wagons went through. - After getting through the Blue Mountains we came to a - splendid country of grass, where there were thousands of - Indian horses grazing. About twenty miles from this, we come - to the Walla Walla Valley. There is a missionary - establishment here. They raise grain and vegetables, but no - timber, except for firewood. About twenty miles from this we - came to the Columbia River. Many of the emigrants sold their - cattle here, and went down the river by water, as they could - not cross the Cascade mountains with their wagons, though - they could go down one hundred miles farther and then take - water, as many did. The country on the Columbia is only fit - for grazing, being good grass, but sandy soil. On the 3d of - November arrived at Fort Vancouver, just as the rainy season - had commenced; and it was very disagreeable and rained most - of the time I was there. I then went to the Willamette - Falls; quite a town here--forty houses, four stores, two - sawmills, one flour mill, and another to be erected soon. - This country is not capable of half as large a settlement as - people represent; there is much timber, and it can not be - cleared in many years, so as to be capable of great - production; and what prairie there is will not produce as - much as your land; but the wheat is better. Neither do many - think the soil will last long, but that it is rather - shallow; and there is much fever and ague. Besides, the - winters are so wet 'tis impossible to do much out of doors. - It has the advantage that grain (wheat) is worth eighty - cents per bushel, and cattle will winter themselves. Take it - all in all, 'tis nothing like your country. - - After my arrival there, finding that I could not get to - California until spring, I concluded to take a vessel for - the Sandwich Islands, and then go from here to California, - so I concluded to stay. It [this] is a fine climate--a - perpetual summer, and little rain. The natives require but - little clothing, and, in fact, some of them do not wear any. - - I hardly know what to write about Oregon, or what you would - like to know; though if I was where you are, and should see - some one from Oregon, I could ask him a hundred questions, - as you could me. The report of Wilkes that you had is very - correct. There are thousands of salmon here [Oregon]--some - wild game, plenty of ducks, geese, and swans, and some good - wet places to raise more of them--as there must be some wet - places, being so much rain in the winter, and no snow. - - There is scarcely any corn raised--it will not do well. I - saw a little, but it was poor. Most other kinds of grains do - well. There is no money in Oregon; although most of those - who have been farming a few years have made property, as - grain is high and cattle take care of themselves, and sell - high. Oxen are worth $75 to $125 per yoke; beef, six cents - per pound. Many of the people who went to California have - left it and gone to Oregon. I saw many of them while there, - and they gave as one of the reasons of leaving--trouble with - the Spaniards. - - Truly yours, - - JOHN BOARDMAN. - - * * * * * - - From the _Weston Journal_, January 11, 1845. - - THE OREGON. - - The editor of the _New York Commercial_ has read letters - from the Oregon Territory, brought overland and mailed at - the extreme western frontier of the United States. They are - as late as June 17th, from the Methodist missionary station - at Willamette. The Rev. Mr. Gary, who was sent out by that - missionary society, had arrived at Willamette _via_ the - Sandwich Islands, himself and wife in good health. Mr. Gary - had been but a short time in Oregon when an opportunity - offered of sending a communication to the Board of Missions - by a small party who were about to return to the United - States. He had, however, seen all the mission family, except - Rev. Mr. Perkins, who was at a distant post. The - missionaries and their families were in good health at the - date above mentioned. No event of special interest regarding - the mission had taken place since last previous advices. Mr. - Gary concurs, with several missionaries who have returned - from that far country, in the opinion that the natives are a - degraded race of beings, and that there is little prospect - of doing them permanent good by any ministerial labor which - may be expended among them. - - * * * * * - - From the _Weston Journal_, January 18, 1845. - - OREGON AND CALIFORNIA. - - A gentleman well qualified for the task has prepared a - pamphlet, called a guide to Oregon and California, which - will probably be published during the present winter. The - readers of the _New Era_ will recollect several well written - communications on that subject published during the past - year, which emanated from the same pen. The writer has lived - in Oregon and California, has traveled different routes to - and from those regions, and is well qualified to give full - and satisfactory information to emigrants and other persons. - Success to his efforts.--_New Era._ - - * * * * * - - From the _Weston Journal_, January 25, 1845. - - OREGON. - - (Editorial.) - - Congress may provide for the occupation of it--for the - formation of a territorial government--they may establish - posts and a military road across the mountains, and - encourage emigration in every possible manner, and the whole - will not contribute so much towards its settlement as the - negotiations of a treaty with China, opening to us a market - for our products in that country. If the one now before - Congress has done so, Great Britain may set her claim to the - Columbia--it will be a claim for but a short time. Our - shipping, farmers, merchants, and tradesmen will soon find a - road to a country possessing the advantages the west side of - the American continent would possess, in that event, and but - a short time would elapse before China would be supplied by - American skill and industry, from the mouth of the Columbia, - with all she would admit. - -The _Weston Journal_, March 1, 1845, under heading, "Oregon -Territory," speaks of a bill introduced into the Senate proposing that -Oregon include: All the territory lying west of the Missouri River -south of the forty-ninth degree of north latitude and east of the -Rocky Mountains, and north of the boundary line between the United -States and Texas, not included within the limits of any State, and -also over the territory comprising the Rocky Mountains, and country -between them and the Pacific Ocean south of fifty-fourth degree and -forty-nine minutes of north latitude, and north of the forty-second -degree of north latitude, etc. [!!!] - - * * * * * - - From the _Weston Journal_, March 1, 1845. - - RAILROAD TO OREGON. - - The _Philadelphia Ledger's_ Washington correspondent says - that Mr. Whitney, of New York, contemplates the construction - of a railroad from the western shore of Lake Michigan, in a - direct line through to the Columbia River, covering the - distance of some 2,100 miles, which shall be the point of - debarkation to China. - - The cost of the road, when completed, is estimated at fifty - millions of dollars, and twenty-five years would be required - to perfect the scheme. Eight days would be about the - traveling time from New York City to the terminus of the - road, and if [steamship?] facilities were employed, some - twenty-five more would convey one to Amoy, in China, so that - by this short cut, a journey across the globe might be - accomplished within the narrow limit of a single month. - - By the establishment of this means of communication, we - should be enabled to command the Chinese market, and to - extend our commerce with South America, Mexico, India, and - other parts. - - And, in addition to the vast results that would necessarily - ensue from this work by the force of circumstances, we should - secure the transportation of the English trade on account of - the great shortening of time. - - All the cooperation and assistance that Mr. Whitney asks the - government is a grant of sixty miles wide of the public - land, from one terminus of the contemplated road to the - other, for which a full consideration would be given in - carrying the mails, and transporting ammunition stores, - soldiers, and all public matters free of cost. - - * * * * * - - From the _Weston Journal_, March 15, 1845. - - OREGON EMIGRANTS. - - Preparations are making on the whole frontier, by the Oregon - emigrants, to leave at an early day. One company goes from - Savannah, another from some point between that and this, and - the company from this county, we understand, will leave at - Fort Leavenworth, or its neighborhood. One of the emigrants - who goes with the Savannah company informs us that not less - than one hundred families will leave at Elizabethtown, and - thirty families from the other points. The number from this - county we do not know. * * * A committee has submitted some - rules and regulations for the intending emigrants. They have - not yet had a meeting to adopt them, but they no doubt will - do so. They go about it in the right way, and the rules and - regulations are such as to secure order and method. They - expect to leave about the first of April, if the grass is - sufficient, or as soon thereafter as it is. - - * * * * * - - REPORT - - Of the committee appointed to draft a constitution for - "Savannah Oregon Emigrating Company." - - Whereas, in order the better to prepare the way for and to - accomplish our journey to Oregon with greater harmony, it - was deemed advisable to adopt certain rules and regulations; - and whereas the undersigned, having been appointed a - committee to draft and prepare said rules and regulations, - and having given the subject that attention which its - importance demands, beg leave respectfully to report the - following as the result of their deliberations, viz: - - Sec. 1. This association shall be known by the style and name - of the "Savannah Oregon Emigrating Company." - - Sec. 2. Any person over the age of sixteen may become a member - of this company by subscribing to this constitution and - paying into the treasury the initiation fee of one dollar. - - Sec. 3. No person under the age of twenty-one years can become - a member without the consent of their legal guardian. - - Sec. 4. No person shall be admitted whose intention is - obviously apparent to avoid payment of his debts. - - Sec. 5. A majority of the members shall have power to expel any - member for good cause. - - Sec. 6. The officers of this company shall consist of a - president, commandant captain, lieutenant, secretary, - treasurer, and executive council of thirteen, the commandant - being one thereof, and such other inferior military officers - as the executive council shall determine. - - Sec. 7. The president shall be elected on the adoption of this - constitution, and shall continue in office until the - commandant captain shall be elected, when his functions as - presiding officer shall cease. - - Sec. 8. The secretary shall be elected on the adoption of this - constitution, and shall continue in office until the - completion of the objects of this company; and he shall keep - a record of the transactions of the company, and perform - such other duties as usually pertain to his office. - - Sec. 9. The treasurer (ditto as to election) shall collect and - safely keep, and at the direction of the commandant shall - disburse all moneys belonging to the company. - - Sec. 10. The commandant captain, lieutenant, and such other - military officers as the council shall determine, shall be - elected when the company shall assemble at rendezvous - preparatory to a final start; and they shall hold office - until the completion of their journey, and shall perform - such duties as usually appertain to military officers of - their respective grades. - - Sec. 11. The executive council, to consist of twelve men, - beside the commandant, shall be elected when assembled at - the rendezvous, and shall have general superintendence of - the affairs of the company, and perform such other duties as - may be assigned to them. - - Sec. 12. The company shall elect, at least one month before the - rendezvous, three inspectors (not members of the company), - whose duty it shall be, after taking oath, to perform all - duty faithfully, to inspect the wagons, teams, cattle, and - provisions, and report to the executive council, who shall - determine upon their report as regards the outfit of all - members of the company; said inspectors to be paid a sum not - exceeding one dollar for every day actually engaged in such - services. - - Sec. 13. The funds of the company shall be faithfully applied - for contingent expenses in furthering the objects of the - association. - - Sec. 14. The necessary outfit shall consist of 150 pounds of - flour, or 200 pounds of meal, and 60 pounds of bacon for - every person (excepting infants) in the company. - - Sec. 15. The wagons shall be expected to be able to carry - double the amount of their loads, and the teams to be able - to draw double the amount the wagons are capable of bearing. - - Sec. 16. All cattle, excepting teams in use, shall be - considered as common stock; an inventory of age, brand, - kind, and number, shall be handed in by the contributor to - the secretary, and at the termination of the journey the - company shall account to each contributor for the amount - inventoried. - - Sec. 17. The number of cattle thus inventoried and put in shall - never exceed fifty to one driver. - - Sec. 18. No ardent spirits to be taken or drank on the route, - except for medicinal purposes, and if smuggled in shall, - when discovered, be destroyed under the control of the - commandant. - - Sec. 19. Every person over the age of sixteen shall furnish - himself with a good and sufficient rifle, ---- pounds of - powder, and ---- pounds of lead, to be inspected by the - inspector, and reported on as in other cases. - - Sec. 20. All members of this association shall assemble at - ----, and on the ---- day of ----, 1845, and organize for - the final trip. - - Sec. 21. * * * This constitution may be altered or amended at - any time by a vote of two thirds of the members present at - any regular meeting of the company, or at any special - meeting called by the commandant. - - All of which is respectfully submitted. - - JAMES OFFICER, - WM. DEAKINS, - B. M. ATHERTON, - C. F. HALLY, - - _January 4, 1845._ Committee. - - * * * * * - - From _Western Journal_, March 15, 1845. - - LETTER FROM OREGON. - - The following extracts from a letter written by one of the - emigrants of 1843, will be particularly interesting at this - time, and should be carefully read by those going out this - spring. It will be particularly useful to emigrants who - leave from this part of the country: - - FORT VANCOUVER, November 11, 1843. - - DEAR SIR: We were six months to-day, from the time we left - home, in getting to this place, though we might have arrived - one month sooner had we not unnecessarily wasted time on the - way. To give you a full description of our travels would - occupy more time than I have to spare. I will, however, give - you and my friends a short sketch. We left Westport on the - 27th of May, and crossed the Kansas River near the old - village: thence up the north side of the Kansas, where we - had a great deal of rain and stormy weather to encounter - which made it very disagreeable traveling. We then crossed - over [to] the Platte, about eighty miles above the Pawnee - village; thence up the Platte about fifty miles above the - forks, where we crossed the South Fork. We then struck over - on to the North Fork and traveled up it until we came to - Fort Laramie. We then crossed Laramie's Fork of Platte, - which we found very difficult to pass. We still kept up the - North Fork to within forty miles of the Rocky Mountains, - where we crossed it. We came to a small stream, called - Sweetwater, one of the streams of the northern branch of - Platte; we traveled up this until we passed through the - Rocky Mountains, which we found to be as good as any part of - our road. We then came to the waters of Green River, which - is one of the branches of the Colorado--then to Fort Bridges - [Bridger], which is on the waters of Green River; from there - we next struck Bear River, which empties into the Great Salt - Lake. We traveled several days down this river, then crossed - over on to the Snake River, and arrived at Fort Hall on the - 25th day of August. Here I found some of the best beef I - ever saw. From here we traveled down Snake or Lewis River, - crossing and recrossing the same to Fort Bosie [Boise]; - thence to Fort Walla Walla, crossing the Blue Mountains in - our route. We passed them much easier than I expected. - - At Walla Walla myself and Reeves, and many others of the - emigrants, exchanged cattle [for cattle] at Vancouver. We - got age for age and sex for sex. Here we found it advisable - to take [to the] water and travel down the great Columbia, - which we did with some difficulty. Those who did not - exchange their stock went to the Methodist mission at the - foot of the Cascade Mountains. Here they carried their - wagons by water and drove their stock through by land. A - large portion of the emigrants have arrived, and the - remainder will be here in a few days. Those who have been to - the Willamette Valley say it is a rich and beautiful - country, but to what extent they know not, as they have not - had sufficient time to examine it. I find any quantity of - provisions can be had here. Doctor McLoughlin, of Vancouver, - has rendered great assistance to the emigrants in loaning - them his boats and furnishing them with provisions to take - back to the companies that are yet behind--at the same time - refusing any compensation for either. We have found the - Hudson Bay Company at all the forts very accommodating. The - road from Independence to Fort Hall is as good a road as I - would wish to travel,--from Fort Hall there is some bad road - and some good. The reason why we did not try to take our - wagons across the Cascade Mountains was that the season had - so far advanced it was thought to be a dangerous undertaking - through so much snow and cold weather. We will prepare a - road across these mountains next summer, so that the next - emigration can bring their wagons through without any - difficulty. Some of us will meet the next emigration at Fort - Hall. - - I will now give you a description of the necessary outfit - each person should have to come to this terrestrial - paradise. Your wagons should be light, yet substantial and - strong, and a plenty of good oxen. Though I wrote while on - the Sweetwater that mule teams were preferable, but after - seeing them thoroughly tried I have become convinced that - oxen are more preferable--they are the least trouble and - stand traveling much the best--are worth a great deal more - when here. Load your wagons light and put one third more - team to them than is necessary to pull the load. Bring - nothing with you except provisions and a plenty of clothes - to do you one year from the time you leave. They can all be - had on as good terms here as in Missouri, and even better; - bring but few bedclothes, for they will be worn out when - they arrive here--they can be had here on good terms. Your - oxen will not require shoeing. Bring a plenty of loose - cattle, cows and heifers particularly, as they are but - little trouble and are worth a great deal. Bring mules to - drive your loose stock. Bring a few good American mares, but - use them very tenderly or you will not get them here. - American horses are worth considerable in this country. - Horses can not get here except they are well used, and you - should have two or three pairs of shoes and nails for them - and your mules. You should bring 200 pounds of flour, 100 - pounds of bacon, for every member of the family that can - eat, besides other provisions. Make no calculation on - getting buffalo or other wild meat, for you are only wasting - time and killing horses and mules to get it. Have your wagon - beds made in such a manner that they can be used for boats; - you will find them of great service in crossing - streams--have your wagons well covered, so that they will - not leak, or your provisions and clothes will spoil. Have - your tents made water tight; start as early as possible; let - your teams and stock all be in good order. Start as soon as - your stock can get grass enough to travel on, for the grass - will be getting better every day until you arrive at Fort - Hall; after that you will find the grass bad in places until - you get to the Blue Mountains. You will find plenty of grass - from there to the Willamette Valley. Our cattle are in - better order than they were one month ago. Large flintlock - guns are good to traffic with the Snake Indians. Bring a - plenty of cheap cotton shirts to trade to the Indians on - this side of the mountains. You might start with calves and - kill them on the way, before they get poor, for fresh - eating. You will find some beans, rice, and dried fruit of - great use on the road. You should travel in companies of - forty wagons, and continue together the whole route. You - will find some ship biscuit to be of great use at times when - you can not find fuel sufficient to cook with. - - Be sure and bring nothing except what will be of material - use to you on your journey, for, depend upon it, if you - overload you will lose your team, wagon, and goods. You will - find good stout young cows to answer in place of oxen, in - case you should not have sufficient; let them be about - middle size; let them be good, sound oxen, that have never - been injured. I am satisfied from the products of the - country that a man can live easier here than he can in any - part of the United States. If he raises any produce he is - sure of getting a good price for it in anything he may call - for, money excepted. There is very little money in this - country, though it is very little use when a man can get - anything he wants without it. The merchants here will sell - their goods cheaper for produce or labor than they will for - cash, because they make a profit on the commodities they - purchase, while there is no profit on cash. In fact, - business is done here altogether by exchanging commodities. - We can purchase anything of the Hudson Bay Company cheaper - by promising wheat next year than we can for cash in hand. - Cows are worth (that is, American,) from $30 to $50; - American horses from $60 to $100; oxen $60 to $80; wheat $1 - per bushel; oats, 40 cents; potatoes, 40 cents; peas the - same; beef, 6 cents; pork, 10 cents; butter, 20 cents; - common labor, $1.50; mechanics, $2 to $3. - - The next emigration will get their cattle and wagons through - quite easy, if they will start early and travel constantly - though slow; they must not push. - - Persons on the north side of the Missouri should rendezvous - on the south side of the river, opposite the Blacksnake - Hills, and go up the Nemaha and strike the Platte near the - Pawnee village; by so doing they will avoid crossing the - Kansas, and avoid some bad roads, and go 100 miles nearer. - - We were not troubled with the Indians in the dangerous part - of the country, for this reason, I have no doubt,--we kept a - strong guard in nighttime and a sharp lookout in daytime. - After we passed Green River we abandoned guarding and broke - up into small companies, though advised to the contrary, and - in passing from the Blue Mountains to the valley some of the - emigrants were imposed on, in fact, some of them were - robbed, though it was their own fault for not sticking - together. You should start with some medicine, for you will - have more or less sickness until you get to Fort Hall. Be - sure and take good care not to expose yourself - unnecessarily, for people have to go through a seasoning on - the road, which makes the most of them sick. We are now - eating apples which grew at Vancouver. They are now - gathering their apples, peaches, and grapes, etc.; these are - the only fruits tried as yet; they are fine. - - The missionaries here have done more toward Christianizing - the Indians in five years than has been done in the States - in twenty years. Numbers of them who can not speak one word - of English hold regular family worship. They are members of - the Methodist Episcopal church. I am convinced it is in - consequence of not being able to get liquor. The Hudson Bay - Company and missionaries and settlers have taken a bold - stand against the introduction of ardent spirits into this - country, and I am convinced while they continue this - praiseworthy course we all will see more satisfaction and - pleasure, and our little colony will profit thereby. - - S. M. GILMORE. - - * * * * * - - From _Weston Journal_, April 5, 1845. - - CORRESPONDENCE. - - MR. EDITOR: I desire to recommend, through your paper, to - all emigrants to Oregon, to pass by the Council Bluffs. The - road from Weston to the Bluffs is now in fine order. All the - streams are bridged or have ferries, so that there is no - obstacle to cause an hour's detention until the company - shall reach the Bluffs. The best route is that crossing the - Nishnebatona at Huntseeker's Ferry; thence by the residence - of Major Stephen Cooper to Port au Poule, where a good - ferry-boat is now in preparation to cross the Missouri. From - the Missouri, at that point, to the Pawnee villages, the - road is much better than on the lower route, and the - distance is about the same. - - ONE WHO KNOWS. - - _Weston, April 2, 1845._ - - * * * * * - - From _Weston Journal_, March 15, 1845. - - OREGON! OREGON!! OREGON!!! - - MR. EDITOR: I wish to give notice, through your paper, to - all those parties who intend to emigrate to Oregon, that - arrangements have been made to cross the Missouri River at - two different points, the one in Andrew, the other in - Buchanan County. Some of the citizens of Andrew have made an - arrangement with the Sacs Indians for the privilege of - range, wood, and water, opposite Elizabethtown. - - They have promised the Indians six two-year-old beeves, to - be paid by that portion of the Oregon company which may - cross at Elizabethtown. This point is very suitable for - crossing the Missouri River. The rates of only about half - what is usual at the common ferries on the Missouri. - - The company expect to rendezvous in the Indian country, - opposite Elizabethtown, between the first and tenth of - April. A number of excellent citizens expect to cross at - this place. This is the point from which a portion of the - Oregon company started last spring. Taking all things into - consideration, this is probably the best route to cross the - Missouri at Elizabethtown (where there is an excellent - large, new ferry-boat), and fall over on the Platte, - opposite the Pawnee village, and thence pass along up the - south side of the Platte River. - - A MEMBER OF THE OREGON COMPANY. - - _March 8, 1845._ - - * * * * * - - From _Cherokee Advocate_, Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation, - February 27, 1845. - - LATER FROM THE SANDWICH ISLANDS AND OREGON. - - Advices are to September 4th. The United States ship - _Warren_, Hull, sailed on the 8th of August from Honolulu - for Mazatlan, by way of California. The _Delaware_, Carter, - which arrived at Honolulu with naval stores from Valparaiso, - September 1st, reports having seen a large vessel, probably - the United States ship _Savannah_, entering Honolulu Bay. - The _Polynesian_ contains intelligence from Oregon to August - 2d. - - The legislature of Oregon adjourned a few days before the 3d - of July, having passed some important laws. One of its acts - is: "Any person who shall make, sell, or give away ardent - spirits in Oregon, south of Columbia River, shall forfeit - and pay $100 for each and every such offense." The - legislature is called the "Legislative Committee," and - consists of nine persons elected by the people. The officers - of the Oregon Territory consist of three governors, called - the Executive Committee, a Supreme Judge, and a Legislative - Council. The laws are the same as those governing the - Territory of Iowa. The government is purely democratic - republican. Doctor Babcock is the supreme judge. The name of - only one of the governors, Doctor Bailey, is mentioned. On - the 1st of August a Belgian brig arrived at the Oregon city, - having on board a number of nuns and several Catholic - priests from Antwerp, sent out to Oregon by the church of - Rome. - - The colony is in a most encouraging condition. The crops - were giving promise of an abundant harvest. - - People were coming into the territory in large numbers, and - the country is filling up with thriving and energetic - colonists. Doctor Babcock, "the supreme judge," went to - Oregon as physician to the Methodist mission family. Doctor - Bailey was from this city, where his family now - resides.--_New York Evening Post._ - - * * * * * - - From _Cherokee Advocate_, February 27, 1845. - - A large company of emigrants are expected to leave - Independence, Missouri, about the first of May for Oregon. - - * * * * * - - From _Cherokee Advocate_, Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation, - February 27, 1845. - - PRINTING PRESS FOR OREGON. - - We see by the _Commercial_ that the proprietors of that - paper forwarded one of Hoe's best printing presses to Oregon - last week, with type, printing ink, paper, etc., for the - newspaper about to be established in Oregon. The paper is to - be connected with the missionary station there.--_New York - Sun, 27th ultimo._ - - * * * * * - - _Missouri Statesman_, September 1, 1843. - - The _Western Expositor_ is the name of a new Democratic - paper published in Independence. Editor, Robert G. Smart, - Esq. It takes the place of the _Western Missourian_. - - * * * * * - - CORRECTION. - - NOTE.--"William Marshal," on page 11 of the March QUARTERLY, - should read "James Wilson Marshall." - - - - - THE QUARTERLY - OF THE - OREGON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. - - VOLUME IV. DECEMBER, 1903 NUMBER 4 - - - - -THE ORIGIN AND AUTHORSHIP OF THE BANCROFT PACIFIC STATES PUBLICATIONS: -A HISTORY OF A HISTORY.--I. - -By WILLIAM ALFRED MORRIS. - - -The true student of history, when confronted for the first time with a -statement of what purports to be an historical fact, weighs at the -outset, as all-important, the evidence of its accuracy. If there be at -hand no means of verifying the statement, the only ground of assurance -is a knowledge of who is speaking, how likely he is to know the truth, -and how well fitted he is to tell it; for to be a writer of accurate -history one must not only know facts, but must also be truthful, and -so far above bias upon his subject as to be able to treat it fairly, -openly, and without false coloring of any part. It is therefore the -first canon of historical criticism to accept as authority no -statement unless it be known who is making that statement. - -The greater our interest in a given subject, the more important to us -becomes the question of the authority for all statements concerning -that subject. As the field of history is narrowed down to a single -state or to a single locality, where every man may to a certain -extent be an historian, an anonymous written account, though excellent -in itself, will still be viewed with suspicion. The fact that there is -a good local knowledge of the subject by no means removes the -necessity of determining authorship. - -Fortunate it is for the Pacific States and Territories of the United -States that data concerning their history from its beginning were -collected during the lifetime of men who laid the foundations of these -commonwealths. It is then a matter of the highest importance to the -people of this vast empire to know who wove this material together, -and wrote the only attempt at a full and connected history of the -Pacific Coast which has ever been published. - -The completion of the Bancroft series of Pacific Slope histories, to -which reference is here made, marks an event unique in the annals of -history writing. At no other time and in no other land has there been -carried to completion a work of like character and magnitude. There -had previously been written a few histories of Oregon and California -covering a certain period, and designed chiefly to give a treatment of -a certain institution or political subject, but so far as the thorough -working up of the whole ground was concerned, a virgin field presented -itself. - -Moreover, the undertaking was an unusually inspiring one. It was none -other than that of tracing from the days when Europeans first trod the -Pacific shores of America the sequence of events by which these lands -were acquired and occupied by their present holders, political -governments organized, and the development of resources entered upon; -in short, it was the following up of the successive steps by which the -institutions and industries of a nineteenth century civilization were -established in a western wilderness. When we remember that the greater -part of this record could at the time of writing be made from -information furnished directly by the men who made this history, and -that the lack of material which so often embarrasses the writer could -not here be a cause of complaint, we may well conclude that such an -opportunity had never before fallen to the lot of the historian. - -Again, in the vast collection of historical sources into one place, as -well as in the newness of the field and inspiring nature of the work, -the undertaking presents a most remarkable feature. The projector of -this enterprise was the first on the coast to undertake such a -collection on a large scale. This fact, together with the recency of -many of the events, which both rendered an unending number of -eye-witnesses easily accessible for procuring personal narratives, and -likewise caused those who possessed papers and books throwing light -upon history, to set slight value upon them, enabled Mr. Bancroft to -collect a library of material such as on the beginning and early -chapters of Pacific Coast history in all probability can never again -be equalled. - -Finally, in the amount of material which it presents, and in the -extent of ground which it covers, the Bancroft series has attained -epoch-making proportions. So closely related is the history of the -Pacific states and territories of the United States to that of the -regions north and south, that to insure a complete understanding of it -required the writing also of the History of Mexico, Texas, and Central -America, as well as that of British Columbia and Alaska. When we learn -that two thousand different authorities were consulted in writing the -History of Central America, and ten thousand in arranging the material -for the History of Mexico; that in taking out material for the History -of California eight men were employed for six years; and that in -merely indexing the material for the History of Mexico five men worked -ten years, we are inclined to quote approvingly these words of Mr. -Bancroft: - -"I say, then, without unpardonable boasting, that in my opinion there -never in the history of literature was performed so consummate a feat -as the gathering, abstracting, and arranging of the material for this -History of the Pacific States": (Bancroft's Literary Industries, 581). - -The history of no American locality would be considered without some -account of its aborigines. The result, then, of this Bancroft plan has -been the writing of the History of the Pacific slope of the continent -from Bering Sea to Darien, with a History of the Native Races in five -volumes as an introduction, and a half dozen volumes of sketches and -essays by way of conclusion, in all thirty-nine octavo volumes. - -But this work, the greatest of the kind, few if any of whose separate -divisions have been superseded by later works has suffered greatly in -the estimation of historians because they do not know who is authority -for the statements contained in them. Justice to the people of any -state or territory whose history appears in this series demands that -they should know in whose words it is related. A compliance with the -reasonable expectations of the pioneers who contributed books, -narrations, and documents to aid in the preparation of a standard -history of their respective states calls for a public knowledge of the -identity of the writer to the end that the volume in which their chief -interest centers be not stigmatized as anonymous. And above all, a -conformity with usage, not to mention an observance of the principles -of right, requires that the author of finished work published in this -series, or any other, should receive public acknowledgment of his -labors and whatever of praise or blame is his due. - -Ten years ago it was shown in the California press that the Bancroft -histories are not the works of the man who claims to be their author. -But to say that "The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft" were written by -any person other than Hubert Howe Bancroft is such a contradiction as -to startle today the great majority both East and West whose attention -have never been directed to the question. To determine the authorship -of a work we are wont to consult its title page, and the title pages -of these volumes all declare that they are "By Hubert Howe Bancroft." -The advertising matter sent out by the Bancroft publishing -establishment refers to them as "the writings of Mr. Bancroft," with -never a suggestion that any other person wrote a line. The same course -was followed in the reviews of these volumes, which at the time of -their publication were scattered by the press throughout the length -and breadth of the leading countries of Europe, as well as in our -land, although here we must remember that book reviews may be but -another name for advertising matter prepared by the publisher and -inserted at advertising rates. In his Literary Industries, the volume -giving an account of his literary activities, Mr. Bancroft refers to -himself as the author (Lit. Ind., 361, 661), and speaks of his own -writing without a clear reference to that of others (Lit. Ind., 288, -568, 571, 653) in such terms as to give the impression that he was the -only writer who prepared the manuscript as it went to the printer. -True, he mentions assistants, and we can easily see, as he tells us, -that he must have had fifteen or twenty note takers, cataloguers, and -other library aids (Lit. Ind., 582) in order to arrange so vast an -amount of material. When assistants are mentioned it is usually in -words which justify the reader in the inference that these aids are -meant (see Central America I, preface, viii; Literary Industries, -584), and that, therefore, the assistants are in no sense authors. - -By a careful reading of the Literary Industries, however, we find that -there was a class of assistants who are differentiated from ordinary -library aids, by the statement that they were "more experienced and -able," and whose work Mr. Bancroft describes as "the study and -reduction of certain minor sections of the history which I employed in -my writing after more or less condensation and change": (Lit. Ind., -568). But even this passage seems to indicate that the material -prepared by these writers was rewritten by Mr. Bancroft. - -As a result, therefore, of the indication of the title page of these -works, of the recognition of the public press, of the statements of -the Literary Industries, and of Mr. Bancroft's connection with the -work widely known through personal means, it happens that today he is -called the "Historian of the Pacific Coast." Furthermore, he is the -only person to whom such a title is given, being so recognized by -newspapers, encyclopedias, and the people at large. In the minds of -the great number, Hubert Howe Bancroft is the historian of the Pacific -states for just the same reason that George Bancroft is the historian -of the United States. Speaking in accord with this popular estimate of -Mr. Bancroft's work, Wendell Phillips once called him "The Macaulay of -the West." - -Nowhere, however, can there be found a statement by this historian in -which he lays an unequivocal claim to the authorship of the works -which have been published under his name. By his own words quoted -above he admits that the work was, at least in part, cooperative, and -that he was a compiler of the work of his assistants. And for any one -man to assert authorship of the Bancroft series of histories would be -preposterous. According to actual computation, the mere work of -arranging the material and writing the History of the Pacific States, -after a small army of note-takers had concluded their operations, -represents an equivalent to the labors of one man for a hundred -years: (Frances Fuller Victor in _Salt Lake Tribune_, April 14, 1893.) -Moreover, the use of quotations from foreign languages, of which Mr. -Bancroft had no knowledge, proves that parts of the work are not from -his pen, while the different literary styles (see for example, the -review of Oregon I in the _New York Tribune_, Nov. 26, 1886; in the -_S. F. Argonaut_, Oct. 23, 1886; in the _Sacramento D. Record-Union_, -Oct. 27, 1886; and in the _Portland Oregonian_, Oct. 28, 1886), and -varying degrees of historical workmanship (Compare reviews of Oregon -II in _N. Y. Tribune_, January, 1887; and in _S. F. Chronicle_, Jan. -13, 1887, with reviews of other Bancroft works) clearly reveal the -work of a number of writers. - -A little knowledge on this point has proved a dangerous thing for the -reputation of the histories. Some of the newspapers of the coast have -learned that Mr. Bancroft did not do all the writing and have even -published the names of other authors of the series with statements -more or less conjectural as to the writing done by them. In some -cases, wild speculations as to the authorship of the works have been -published. Many are under the impression that those who went about -taking statements of pioneers and in other ways collecting material -were themselves writing the manuscript which was published, and that -consequently much of the history is no more critically written than an -ordinary newspaper article, and as little known about its authorship. -Furthermore, it is believed in some quarters that those who prepared -narrations for Mr. Bancroft were writing history for him to publish, -and that persons not connected with the Bancroft library were authors -of parts of the work. In accordance with this idea, it has been -claimed that a certain tone favorable to the Mormons which runs -through the History of Utah is to be accounted for by the theory that -the volume was written by some one connected with the Mormon church, -whereas the truth is that, although the historian of that church -prepared some data for Mr. Bancroft's use, the work was prepared in -the library by Mr. Bancroft and one of his assistants from the annals -in his possession (Frances Fuller Victor in _Salt Lake Tribune_, April -14, 1893). - -In some instances, the histories have lost standing because of the -assumption that Mr. Bancroft was their author. Thus statements in the -History of California supposed to be, but now known not to be from his -pen, have been singled out as reckless, and argument has been made -upon the principle "false in one thing, false in all," that the seven -whole volumes of California history are unworthy of credence (pamphlet -proceedings of the Society of California Pioneers in reference to the -histories of Hubert Howe Bancroft, page 10). Following this lead an -attempt has been made to discredit Bancroft's Oregon on the ground -that his California is said to be unreliable. - -Had Mr. Bancroft made public the fact that three persons besides -himself wrote the History of California, that he was in reality the -author of but sixty pages in the entire seven volumes of that set, -that he had not the least claim to the authorship of the History of -Oregon, and that the histories of the two states were in the main -written by different persons, the fallacy of this argument would have -been clear, estimates of the collections of matter in these volumes -would have been made on their own intrinsic merit, and their value -would not have been impaired by false assumptions concerning their -authorship. - -A third result of this neglect of Mr. Bancroft to make public -acknowledgment of the extent of the writings of his assistants has -been the accusation "that he is a purloiner of other peoples' brains," -(_Salt Lake Tribune_, Feb. 16, 1893) and that he has made a -reputation as an author at the expense of his assistants. Concerning -this charge, the most remarkable ever made in the annals of American -historical writing, the reader must be the judge after weighing all -the facts. - -The writer's apology for this article is his desire to give such facts -as he has in the hope that they will do something to clear up mistaken -ideas concerning the authorship of these histories, that they may aid -somewhat in forming a correct estimate of the series, and that they -may secure for the other authors as well as for Mr. Bancroft whatever -credit is rightfully theirs. To these ends it is to be hoped that -those who have any additional facts will make them public. The late -Frances Fuller Victor, one of the Bancroft corps of writers, had long -collected material on the authorship of the histories. In preparing -this paper, the writer has depended largely upon information furnished -by her correspondence and papers, and by explanations given by her in -conversation. - -The statement of Mr. Bancroft in the Literary Industries to the effect -that his "assistants" merely wrote up minor topics which he then used -in his own writing, must be taken as applying to the work as projected -rather than as actually carried out. In a letter written in 1878 -before the final division of labor was made, Mr. Bancroft said, "When -all the material I have is gone over and notes taken according to the -general plan, I shall give one person one thing or one part to write, -and another person another part": (Letter to Mrs. Victor of August 1, -1878.) Here, it will be observed, the plan is for the "assistants" to -do the actual work of writing history and not to prepare material for -their chief to use in his writing. And it will shortly appear that it -was the "assistants" who wrote the work and Mr. Bancroft who wrote the -minor parts. To understand why the intended order was thus reversed, -it is necessary to study the growth of the history project and to -enter into the steps through which it was evolved. - -Hubert Howe Bancroft, with whose name these works are linked, and who -has been widely credited as their author, is a native of Granville, -Ohio, where he was born May 5, 1832, a descendent of old New England -families through both the paternal and maternal lines. In his own -account of his life (Literary Industries, 47-244), he tells us that -when but three years old he could read the New Testament without -having to spell many of the words. At the school age, however, he -found it difficult to learn, and after a winter at the brick -schoolhouse under the tutelage of a brother of his mother, the latter -became satisfied that he was not treated judiciously and fairly took -him out of school. - -A sister had married George H. Derby, a bookseller of Geneva, New -York, subsequently of Buffalo, and at about the age of fifteen, the -boy was offered the choice of preparing for college or entering the -Buffalo bookstore. He at first chose the former course and spent a -year in the academy of his town, but becoming discouraged in his -study, entered the employ of Derby in August, 1848. Discharged from -the store in six months, he returned to Ohio and acted as a sales -agent for his brother-in-law's goods with such success that he was -invited back to the store and became a clerk with the beginning of the -year 1850. His father, influenced by the gold excitement, decided to -go to California in February of that year, and with George L. Kenny, -his closest friend, he was sent by Derby to handle books in the land -of gold, setting out in December, 1851. - -After their arrival in San Francisco, Sacramento was determined upon -as a place of business, and young Bancroft worked in the mines until -arrangements could be made with his brother-in-law. But Derby's death -in the meantime ended the plan, and in 1853, he set out to try his -fortune at the newly-boomed mining town of Crescent City. Here he was -employed as bookkeeper and bookseller, and made six or eight thousand -dollars, most of which he subsequently lost through investing in -Crescent City property. In 1855, Mr. Bancroft made a visit to his old -home in the East, and his sister, in return for his assistance in -recovering the amount of Derby's California investment, let him have -the sum, amounting to $5,500, with which to begin business. Obtaining -credit in New York he shipped a ten thousand dollar stock of goods for -San Francisco, and with Kenny organized the firm of H. H. Bancroft and -Company about December 1, 1856. - -From the first, Mr. Bancroft tells us, he had a taste for publishing, -and it was but three years until the inception of what grew into the -historical project. In 1859, Wm. H. Knight, manager of the Bancroft -publishing department, while employed in preparing the Hand Book -Almanac for the next year, asked for the books necessary to carry on -the work. It occurred to the head of the firm that he would again have -occasion to refer to books on the coast states, and he accordingly -transferred to Mr. Knight a copy of each of the fifty or seventy-five -books in stock that had reference to the country. Later he added to -the number by purchases in second-hand stores, and when in the East -secured from the bookstores of New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, -volumes which fell under his observation. By 1862, he had a thousand -volumes, and upon a visit to London and Paris in that year, learned -that much more remained to be done. In 1866, he started on a search -throughout Europe, which resulted in increasing his collection to ten -thousand volumes. As to the field covered by these works, he says: - -"Gradually and almost imperceptibly had the area of my efforts -enlarged. From Oregon it was but a step to British Columbia and -Alaska; and as I was obliged from California to go to Mexico and -Spain, it finally became settled in my mind to make the western half -of North America my field": (Lit. Ind. 180). He now began the -collection of Mexican works and the purchase of private libraries in -the United States. In 1869, after ten years' collecting, the library -numbered sixteen thousand volumes, about half of which were pamphlets. -In May of the next year, these were placed on one floor of the -Bancroft building on Market Street, and a young New Englander named -Henry L. Oak, lately editor of a religious journal published by the -firm, was installed as librarian. - -(The main facts of Oak's life, as learned by Mrs. Victor, are as -follows: Henry Labbeus Oak was born at Garland, Maine, in 1844. His -ancestry--including the family names of Oak, Merriam, Hastings, Hill, -and Smith--was entirely American from a period preceding the -Revolutionary War, being originally English and Welsh. He was educated -at the public and private schools of his native town until, in 1861, -he entered Bowdoin College, and was graduated at Dartmouth in the -class of 1865. During his college course, he taught in the public and -high schools of different towns in Maine; and after graduation, for a -year in an academy at Morristown, New Jersey. - -Mr. Oak came to California by steamer in 1866, and, after some -attempts at commercial life, broken by a long illness, again became a -teacher. A year was spent as principal of the public school at -Haywards, and as instructor in the collegiate institute at Napa, and -in the spring of 1868, he became office editor of the _Occident_, a -Presbyterian paper which the Bancroft house was then publishing for an -association. According to Mr. Bancroft (Lit. Ind. 219), "the whole -burden of the journal gradually fell on him." But when, owing to a -disagreement with the religious association, the firm declined to -publish the paper any longer, the young editor was left without -employment. In the meantime a somewhat erratic Englishman named -Bosquetti had succeeded Knight as custodian of the Bancroft library, -and Oak was appointed to assist him. Upon his decamping a few months -later, at the end of 1868, Mr. Oak was appointed to the position.) - -The beginning of a classification of the material in the library had -been made by Mr. Knight, who saved clippings and arranged them in -scrap-books and boxes. It now became Oak's duty to superintend the -extraction of material from the volumes in his custody and to -catalogue new books as they came in. In May, 1871, he prepared for -publication by the firm, two guide-books for tourists. It was at the -same time that Mr. Bancroft took another step toward the history plan. - -The plan of publishing a Pacific Coast encyclopedia had been under -consideration for a year or two, and was now adopted. Mr. Bancroft -began to look for contributors. John S. Hittell, publisher of the -Commerce and Industries of the Pacific Coast, prepared a list of the -principal subjects to be treated, and Oak began to gather statements -from pioneers and contributors of every sort by issuing circulars and -writing letters. For about a year the preparations continued. During -the first half of 1872 Ora Oak, a younger brother of the librarian, -together with others, extracted material on Pacific Coast voyages and -travels. Walter M. Fisher, an educated young Englishman who came to -the library early in the year, wrote out such travels as those of -Bryant, Bayard Taylor, and Humboldt. The librarian, finding inadequate -the system of indexing the library then in use, set to work to devise -a more practical one, and spent three months in bringing it to -perfection. This was apparently the only part of the year's work which -proved abiding. - -That the material in the Bancroft library was better adapted to the -preparation of a history than of an encyclopedia gradually appeared to -those who came in contact with it. (Walter M. Fisher was born in -Ulster in 1849, and was the son of a Presbyterian clergyman, a member -of an English and Scotch colony. He was educated at Queen's College, -Belfast. Nemos remembered him as "a handsome fellow, a great eater, -and a hard worker." Together with Harcourt, he left Bancroft's employ -in 1874 to accept the editorship of the _Overland Monthly_. Returning -to London in 1875, he published a clever work entitled the -_Californians_. Subsequently he became a physician). After several -years of suggestion, discussion, and change, Mr. Bancroft decided to -reshape the entire plan of work accordingly. The history of the -Pacific slope of the continent was to be written, beginning at the -Isthmus of Panama with the first appearance of the Spaniards, and then -taking up the successive regions to the north as their history had its -beginning. This work, embracing an account of all the various -republics, provinces, states, and territories along the Pacific, it -was decided to designate as The History of the Pacific States. - -Heretofore, Mr. Bancroft had been known only as bookseller and -publisher, and manager of one of San Francisco's large business -houses. His experience in writing had been limited to the preparation -of some material for the proposed encyclopedia. But now, when he had -reached the age of forty years, practically all of them except the -first sixteen, spent in the world of business, the head of the firm of -H. H. Bancroft and Company made his first venture as a literary man, -writing himself and rewriting the work of others. He began by -preparing what he considered a suitable introduction to the history. -The task was not easy, especially for one unaccustomed to write. In -fourteen weeks he had taken out material from which he wrote three -hundred pages of introduction to the History of Central America which -he subsequently reduced to seventy-five pages. This seems to have been -the only part of the work that he considered as exclusively his own -theme: (Lit. Ind., 291). But this matter subsequently had to be -rewritten. - -While writing on this volume, Mr. Bancroft became convinced that the -history could not be complete without an account of the original -inhabitants of the coast. To quote his own words, "I did not fancy -them, I would gladly have avoided them. I was no archaeologist, -ethnologist, or antiquary, and I had no desire to become such. My -tastes in the matter, however, did not dispose of the subject. The -savages were there, and there was no help for me; I must write them up -to get rid of them." To compile information concerning the manners and -customs, the mythology, the language, and the antiquities of these -aborigines, Mr. Bancroft estimated that two volumes would be required: -(Lit. Ind., 301). The Native Races as completed is a work of five -volumes. So much of an expansion in all of the early historical plan -was necessary. - -Mr. Bancroft, wrote but two hundred and seventy out of the four -thousand pages of the Native Races, devoting his time while that -series was in preparation largely to a rewriting of the first volume -of Central America, to a continuation of a summary of early voyages -for other volumes, and to a perfection of the plan and a collecting of -material for the histories. His relation to this work may be likened -to that of a managing editor. He decided upon the division of labor as -suggested by Oak or others, and required changes in the manuscript as -completed if he considered them necessary, either for the sake of -treatment or style, but the extent of his writing as printed in this -work certainly falls far short of that necessary to substantiate the -claim which he has made to its authorship. The chapter which he wrote -was that on the Hyperboreans. As to this work, he tells us in the -Literary Industries that during the first half of the year 1873 he -"was writing on northern Indian matter, giving out the notes on the -southern division to go over the field again and take out additional -notes": (Lit. Ind. 571). As to his further connection with the work, -he says that in December of the same year he became convinced that the -plan of treating Indian languages adopted by Goldschmidt was not the -proper one, and that the latter was "obliged to go over the entire -field again and re-arrange and add to the subject matter before I -would attempt the writing of it." (Lit. Ind., 573.) This passage -ascribes the actual preparation of the volume to Goldschmidt, and the -writing referred to here must have been largely in the nature of -editorial work. It is hardly to be presumed that a man of Mr. -Bancroft's education and slight literary experience would have -attempted at this time anything so ambitious as the complete -preparation of a treatise on Indian languages. - -We see, then, that although the influence of Mr. Bancroft was felt in -arrangement and even in style, the Native Races was written almost -entirely by other persons. But one would hardly suppose that such was -the case from reading the words: "During the progress of this work I -succeeded in utilizing the labors of my assistants to the full extent -of my anticipations": (Lit. Ind., 304). - -When speaking in the Literary Industries of work done for him by -others, Mr. Bancroft shows a habit which is derived from his long -experience as manager of a business concern. His constant tendency is -to speak of work done by those in his employ as his work, neglecting -a distinction between a publisher and an author, which is a vital one. -The reputation of a publishing house depends upon the workmanship of -its employes, but that of an author depends solely upon his own -talents and the work of his own hands. While a publisher may with all -propriety speak of work done by agents as his printing, for him to say -that writing done for him by others is his writing is a positive -misstatement. When Mr. Bancroft paid his writers for their manuscript, -he became its owner with full rights of publication, but no one will -say for a moment that he thereby became the author. In speaking of the -Native Races, as well as the History of the Pacific States, Mr. -Bancroft often does so in such terms as to indicate that writing was -done by him when it was his only by purchase. (Compare statements in -Literary Industries, 303, 568, 571, and in Native Races I, preface -xiii, with the facts as shown by the statements of different members -of Bancroft's literary corps as to the work actually done by each -writer and as given later in this article.) - -The division of responsibility for collating and arranging facts for -the various divisions of the Native Races was made apparently toward -the latter part of the year 1872. We are told that routine work was -laid aside for three or four weeks in the middle of the summer, and -this time devoted to placing the library in order and cataloguing the -new books which had been added. This was obviously done preparatory to -entering upon the new work. To a young Englishman who called himself -T. Arundel-Harcourt, and who entered the library in November, was -assigned the preparation of that portion of the work devoted to the -manners and customs of the civilized nations. (This man's true name he -did not reveal. His collaborator Nemos says that he attended a -boarding school, and then continued his studies in Germany, at -Heidelberg, according to his own account. He claimed to have come to -America with $5,000 in pocket money, and found his way first to -Montana. On his arrival at San Francisco he entered the library. -Leaving in 1874 to assume editorship of the _Overland Monthly_ with -Fisher, he was soon back in Bancroft's employ. Naturally he was the -most able of the library corps. But while he was brilliant, handsome, -and witty, he was at the same time erratic and unreliable. He died in -1884.) - -Mr. Fisher's part was mythology, while the division of the work -relating to language was given to Albert Goldschmidt, a German, who -had been employed in the library since the end of 1871. (According to -Nemos, Goldschmidt was said to have been the son of a Jewish clothing -dealer at Hamburg. In early life he ran off to sea, and claimed to -have become master of a vessel. He had acquired much general -knowledge, and was musically inclined, often singing in church choirs. -Before coming to the library Nemos says that he led a "vagarious life" -in Nevada. As a linguist he had great ability, and was able to -translate almost any language which he encountered, but was inclined -to fritter away his time. Nemos declared him "the most systematic -idler in the library." This failing brought about his discharge. Later -he became a mining superintendent in Chihuahua.) Mr. Oak took the -subject of Antiquities and Aboriginal History (preface to Native Races -I, p. 13). - -The undertaking was an enormous one, because of the vast quantities of -material to be handled, as well as the inexperience of the workers, -which made it necessary for them to devise their own system as they -proceeded. It is said that by an actual calculation the sum total of -all the labor expended upon each of the five volumes of the series -represents an equivalent to the work of one man for ten years. -(Literary Industries, 305). Indeed, Mr. Bancroft's own reason for -entrusting this work to others is that it would have taken him a half -century, leaving his main work untouched. Mr. Oak's indexing system -proved a great labor saver, as by it the indexers went through all the -material, classifying and making references. They were followed -immediately by note-takers, who copied the facts indicated in these -references. The writers then had the data placed before them for -arrangement. When Mr. Bancroft's chapter on the Hyperboreans was -completed he went over it with them, all making criticisms and -suggestions to be adopted in the arrangement of the other divisions as -well as that one. By this means was the library system perfected, a -common method developed, and a corps of library workers trained: (Lit. -Ind., 304). - -The Native Races was very much in the nature of a compilation, and our -knowledge concerning the authorship of its various parts is -necessarily less exact than is true of any of the other Bancroft -works. Such facts as are at hand come from two schedules--one of his -own works, the other of that of the corps generally--prepared by -William Nemos, a gifted Swedish writer who entered the library in -1873, subsequently becoming Oak's chief assistant, and ultimately his -successor in the librarian's office; from separate information gained -by Frances Fuller Victor as to the part of the work done by Oak. (This -consists of three different statements, one in a letter to a friend, -another in an autobiographical sketch, and a third in a statement -copied by Mrs. Victor. Mr. Oak himself refuses to give testimony, -doubtless on account of his former intimate personal connection with -Mr. Bancroft and his acquiescence in the plan followed, as well as his -poor health, which renders him unwilling to enter into a discussion -of the question, and from statements in an autobiography of Thomas -Savage, chief Spanish interpreter in the library after August, 1873.) - -The facts as deduced from these sources show that Oak wrote more of -the Native Races than any one else, two fifths of the entire work, or -to be exact, fifteen hundred and ninety-seven pages out of four -thousand. While engaged in this writing, it must be remembered that he -also acted as "chief assistant to Mr. Bancroft, manager of all details -of this work, as well as that on the History, overseer of the corps of -workers, and chief proof reader," duties which so engrossed his time -that he wrote principally between eight o'clock in the evening and -midnight. The fourth volume on Antiquities is his work entire, as is -also the fifth on Primitive History, except the introductory chapter -on the Origin of the Americans, in the preparation of which it would -appear that Bancroft had a hand (Lit. Ind., 570), and the last three -chapters dealing with the tribes of Central America, the authorship of -which the writer has no means of determining. Nemos says, however, -that he prepared "a good deal of clean manuscript" for this volume as -well as for some others. - -To Harcourt the division of the field as already given points as the -author of the second volume. Oak wrote the introductory chapter -entitled General View of the Civilized Nations, and also the chapter -on the Aztec Picture Writing and Maya Arts Calendar and Hieroglyphics. -Bancroft is the author of the chapter on Savagism and Civilization, -and Nemos is to be credited with the writing of some parts. As -Harcourt wrote six hundred and thirty-six pages of the Native Races, -and there appears but one reference to his writing in connection with -another volume, and that a chapter of a hundred and fifty pages, we -may conclude that the remainder of Volume II is from his pen. - -With Fisher rests the credit for the authorship in the main of the -Mythology portion of the third volume. Nemos relates that Fisher -sought his aid for this work soon after he came to the library, -believing that his previous training in philosophy fitted him for -mythology, and that Fisher obtained for him the continuation of the -volume, when in October, 1874, he left it "half finished" to accept -the editorship of the _Overland Monthly_. Nemos then being new to the -work, Harcourt revised his manuscript. - -To Goldschmidt had been assigned the task of writing the treatise on -Indian languages for the third volume. The evidence of Nemos shows -that Goldschmidt prepared this part of the work, although the -quotation from the Literary Industries already given seems to show -that it was revised throughout once, and afterward rewritten, in part, -at least, by Bancroft. Goldschmidt also prepared the ethnographical -map of the coast. - -Of the first volume, Oak wrote about half of the preface, and the -chapter on the Columbians, Harcourt the chapter on the Californians, -and Nemos and Savage the remainder, with the exception of a few slight -parts prepared by others. - -In a compilation like the Native Races, there was of necessity much -matter printed in such a form that those who prepared it could not -claim the authorship. Of this character were the contributions of Mr. -Savage, the Spanish expert. Nemos also claimed to be the author of -parts of every volume except the fourth, but from his own statements -we learn that much of his work, like Savage's, consisted in making -translations. - -The public acknowledgment made in the introduction of this work -concerning the part done by the several writers would be fair, if we -overlook the fact that its wording tends to give an exaggerated idea -of Mr. Bancroft's part in it--were the name of the latter but printed -on the title page as editor or compiler. But by omitting either word -he has announced himself to the world as author. His own explanation -for this seems to be that he considers himself responsible for the -work in treatment and style (Native Races I, Preface XIII), but the -real reason is no doubt to be found in a desire to give the work -standing in the literary world by ascribing it to one name already -quite widely known among book dealers and publishers. - -As regards scientific merit these volumes can not make great claims. -No serious attempt was made to collect facts concerning the American -Indians of the West at first hand. Mr. Bancroft made no pretensions as -an antiquarian or ethnologist, content with compiling what others had -written and thus discharging his duty toward the introductory part of -his work that he might the sooner take up the more serious task of -writing the histories. Different parts of the Native Races differ -greatly in value. Oak was habitually scholarly and always made an -effort at honest research. Nemos was likewise thoroughly reliable. -Goldschmidt was noted for his shiftlessness, and Fisher and Harcourt -are charged with such uncritical methods as the incorporation in their -writings of statements found in magazine articles which were nowhere -verified. (Mrs. Victor had learned of this.) The last three must, -therefore, be considered clever and brilliant writers rather than -critical historians. - -The chief value of the Native Races consisted in the fact that it -presented in accessible form a classified collection of all the facts -known concerning the Indians of the Pacific slope. Philosophers who -made use of these facts in their generalizations, while prizing the -work highly, were not, however, especially concerned as to how it was -written. In the East and in Europe the discovery was not made that it -is merely a compilation. The Native Races was regarded as a work of -great learning (see Literary Industries, 335, 356) and its authorship -ascribed to Hubert Howe Bancroft in accordance with a literal reading -of its title page. The five volumes were published at three-month -intervals between October 1, 1874, and Christmas, 1875. Just before -the first volume appeared, Mr. Bancroft made what he called a literary -pilgrimage to the Eastern States to bring himself and the work to the -notice of the great literary men there. He also made arrangements for -publication in France and Germany simultaneously with the issuing of -the volumes in New York. This was the result as told in his own words: -"Never probably was a book so generally and so favorably reviewed by -the best journals in Europe and America. Never was an author more -suddenly or more thoroughly brought to the attention of literary men -everywhere": (Lit. Ind., 361.) - -As director and manager of the Native Races, Mr. Bancroft performed a -literary service of great importance and in such a capacity richly -deserved the unsparing praise which was showered upon him. But the -commendation and honor bestowed upon him as author of the work we must -in all fairness regard as quite a different matter. According to his -own statement (Lit. Ind., 361), this must be considered as the status -generally assigned him and the basis upon which he was presented with -a number of complimentary certificates and honorary diplomas, among -them being honorary membership in the Massachusetts Historical -Society, the American Antiquarian Society, and the Buffalo Historical -Society, and the honorary degree of Master of Arts at Yale. - -So far as the question of authorship was concerned, all reviews and -general press mention of subsequent Bancroft publications followed -along the same line as the reviews of the Native Races, recognizing -Mr. Bancroft alone as the author. We may, therefore, conclude as does -he himself (Lit. Ind., 361, 661) that it was his being accredited with -the authorship of the Native Races which made for him his literary -reputation. It has been shown that this credit depended in turn upon -the fact that his own name was on the title page as author instead of -managing editor. The facts show, therefore, that Mr. Bancroft was -assisted largely by his corps of writers even in the revision of -manuscripts, that due credit has never been given Oak, Fisher, -Harcourt, Goldschmidt, and Nemos, who, aided by a number of compilers -and writers of fragmentary bits, are the true authors of the work, and -that the rise of the fame of Hubert Howe Bancroft as an historical -writer was founded upon a popular misconception, both as to the nature -of his first work and his connection with that work. - -Just as fast as the members of the library force ended their -respective labors on the Native Races, they were set to work taking -notes for the history, Mr. Oak continuing to act as manager of detail -as heretofore. The system of note-taking was perfected by Mr. Nemos -and now included a boiling down process by which new members could so -prepare rough material as to permit writers to turn out manuscript -more quickly. - -Laying aside for the time being the work on Central America and -Mexico, Bancroft and Oak decided to direct the activities of a library -force now thoroughly trained to the material on California, since -California history is the starting point for that of a number of other -states, including Northern Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, and more -especially because the mass of original material collected for this -state was greater than for any other, a fact necessitating the -reduction to a minimum of the possibility of its accidental -destruction while yet unused: (Lit. Ind., 583.) The actual -organization of the material on the Southwest, including the writing -of the history of the Northern Mexican states and Texas down to 1800, -together with the Spanish and Mexican annals of Arizona, New Mexico, -California, and the Northwest Coast, was entrusted to Oak as his -special field. - -The story of the collection of this California material as told by Mr. -Bancroft (Lit. Ind., 365 and sq.) is one of the most interesting -connected with the history enterprise. In October, 1873, there had -entered his service one Enrique Cerruti, an erratic individual, born -in Italy, but intimately acquainted with the ways of Spanish-Americans -through a long residence in Bolivia, under the government of which -state he had served in a diplomatic capacity. Cerruti's diplomacy was -turned toward the securing of historical facts in the possession of -the old Spanish residents of California, and the first task set for -his craft was to gain the cooperation of General Vallejo, a native -Californian, early alcalde at San Francisco, and colonizer of Sonoma. -After several months' negotiations, his efforts were rewarded by a -personal narrative from Vallejo, by the gift of his papers, and by his -enthusiastic support in gaining the aid of other Californians of his -own race. Among those who furnished dictations at his instance were -two of his brothers, and his nephew Alvarado, Governor of California -under Mexican rule. For two years Cerruti and Vallejo worked together -collecting, their time being divided between Sonoma, San Francisco, -and Monterey, from which centers they made divers excursions. It seems -that the wily Italian, together with other representatives of Mr. -Bancroft, sometimes gained possession of valuable manuscripts by such -indirection as to cause much dissatisfaction on the part of the -original owners. - -The official Spanish records of the country which had been turned over -to the United States Surveyor General at San Francisco consisted of -four or five hundred volumes. To copy these, twelve Spaniards worked -for a year under the direction of Mr. Savage,[40] "the greatest single -effort" ever made in connection with the Bancroft enterprise. The -mission records in possession of the archbishop of San Francisco were -copied by Mr. Savage and three assistants in a month. In quest of data -on Southern California, Bancroft and Oak took a trip to San Diego -early in 1874, returning overland and visiting depositories of -records. On this tour, Judge Benjamin Hays of San Diego turned over to -Mr. Bancroft his historical collections, and subsequently directed the -collecting in the south. The most efficient of the assistants employed -by him was Edward F. Murray who, among other services, copied the -records of the Santa Barbara missions. In March, 1877, Mr. Savage -began work on the civil and ecclesiastical archives at Salinas, -continuing the work at San Jose, Santa Cruz, and Sacramento. With -others, he obtained dictations of the highest importance from native -Californians and others, and in 1877 and 1878 spent eight months in -that work, visiting all the missions from San Diego to San Juan -Bautista with the exception of San Fernando and Purisima. - -While his aids were thus gathering the material upon which the History -of California is founded, Mr. Bancroft, as he tells us (Lit. Ind., -657-663), was devoting his attention more especially to the gaining of -information concerning the proceedings of the two vigilance committees -that held sway in San Francisco in the "fifties," by no means an easy -task, since the acts of both of these organizations were illegal and -their surviving members could not be expected to talk very freely, -even after a lapse of twenty years. After considerable urging, -however, those who had custody of the records were induced in the -interest of history to turn them over for Mr. Bancroft's inspection. -This material was made use of in the supplemental volumes on Popular -Tribunals; in the first writing of which Mr. Bancroft was himself -engaged from 1875 to 1877. Like his manuscript for Central America, -however, this work had to be revised before its publication ten years -later. - -At an early date, Mr. Bancroft tells us (Lit. Ind., 623-628), he had -corresponded with the heads of governments lying within his territory. -The presidents of the Mexican and Central American republics and the -governors of all the states had accorded him every facility. In 1874, -especially favorable letters were received from the presidents of -Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua, the latter appointing a special -commissioner to secure and ship documents. - -The great mass of California matter, at first so voluminous as to be -appalling, was now in hand, and in 1878 Mr. Bancroft turned his -attention to the Northwest. Upon a visit to British Columbia in that -year, he obtained access to the official records of the province, took -the reminiscences of many old fur traders, secured the papers of -others, and had help from several who had undertaken to write a -history of the country: (Lit. Ind., 534; Hist. N. W. Coast, preface, -viii). It was from this data that Mr. Bancroft in the years -immediately following wrote, with the aid of some other writers, the -History of the Northwest Coast, and the History of British Columbia, -volumes constituting the great part of the work of which he can claim -the actual authorship: (See Lit. Ind., 549.) - -The history seeker had already secured the writings of Gov. Elwood -Evans of Washington Territory. Crossing the straits from Victoria, he -made some collections about Puget Sound, and then went to Portland and -Salem, accompanied by Amos Bowman, a stenographer who subsequently -became one of the writers in the library and prepared some manuscript -for the History of British Columbia. (Bowman was a Canadian with some -experience in government surveys and mining explorations. Before -joining Mr. Bancroft on this expedition, he was located at Anacortes, -Washington.) The Oregon Pioneer Association was then in session at -Salem, and a number of its members furnished dictations. The -secretary, J. Henry Brown, was engaged to copy documents in the state -archives (Lit. Ind., 540-546). He subsequently made this matter the -basis of a book which he himself published on Oregon history. - -After dictations had been secured in passing through Southern Oregon, -the Oregon material at Mr. Bancroft's disposal was further increased -on his return to San Francisco by the employment of Frances Fuller -Victor, a writer of experience and author of several books on Oregon, -who, during a residence of more than ten years in the state, had -collected data with the intention of herself writing and publishing -its history. As by her researches she had become familiar with the -history of the entire northwestern part of the United States, the -working up of this field was assigned her just as the southwest had -been assigned to Oak. - -(Frances Fuller was born in the township of Rome, New York, May 23, -1826. She was a near relation of Judge Reuben H. Walworth, Chancellor -of the State of New York, and through her ancestor, Lucy Walworth, -wife of Veach Williams, who lived at Lebanon, Connecticut, in the -early part of the eighteenth century, claimed descent from Egbert, -the first king of England. Veach Williams himself was descended from -Robert Williams, who came over from England in 1637, and settled at -Roxbury, Massachusetts. - -When Mrs. Victor was thirteen years of age, her parents moved to -Wooster, Ohio, and her education was received at a young ladies' -seminary at that place. From an early age she took an interest in -literature, and when but fourteen years old, wrote both prose and -verse for the county papers. A little later the _Cleveland Herald_ -paid for her poems, some of which were copied in English journals. - -Mrs. Victor's younger sister, Metta, who subsequently married a -Victor, a brother of Frances' husband, was also a writer of marked -ability. Between the two a devoted attachment existed, and in those -days they were ranked with Alice and Phoebe Carey, the four being -referred to as Ohio's boasted quartet of sister poets. The Fuller -sisters contributed verse to the _Home Journal_ of New York City, of -which N. P. Willis and George P. Morris were then the editors. Metta -was known as the "Singing Sybil." Both sisters were highly eulogized -by Willis, who regarded them as destined for a great future as -writers. - -In her young womanhood Frances spent a year in New York City, amid -helpful literary associations. Being urged by their friends, the two -sisters published together a volume of their girlhood poems in 1851. -In the more rigorous self-criticism of later years, Mrs. Victor often -called it a mistaken kindness which induced her friends to advise the -publication of these youthful productions. But in these verses is to -be seen the true poetic principle, and their earnestness is especially -conspicuous. - -Metta Fuller Victor, after her marriage, took up her residence in New -York City, and continued her literary work both in prose and in -verse. Frances' husband, Henry C. Victor, a naval engineer, was -ordered to California in 1863. She accompanied him, and for nearly two -years wrote for the San Francisco papers, her principal contributions -consisting of city editorials to the _Bulletin_, and a series of -society articles under the _nom de plume_ of Florence Fane, which, we -are told, by their humorous hits, elicited much favorable comment. - -About the close of the war, Mr. Victor resigned his position and came -to Oregon, where his wife followed him in 1865. She has often told -how, upon her first arrival in this state, she recognized in the type -both of the sturdy pioneers and of their institutions something -entirely new to her experience, and at once determined to make a close -study of Oregon. As she became acquainted with many of the leading men -of the state, and learned more and more about it, she determined to -write its history, and began to collect material for that purpose. - -Her first book on the history of Oregon was The River of the West, a -biography of Joseph L. Meek, which was published in 1870. Many -middle-aged Oregonians tell what a delight came to them when in -boyhood and girlhood days they read the stories of Rocky Mountain -adventures of the old trapper Meek as recited by this woman of culture -and literary training, who herself had taken so great an interest in -them. The book was thumbed and passed from hand to hand as long as it -would hold together, and today scarcely a copy is to be obtained in -the Northwest. Intensely interesting as The River of the West is, the -chief value of the work does not lie in this fact, but rather in its -value to the historian. Meek belonged to the age before the pioneers. -It was the trapper and trader who explored the wilds of the West and -opened up the way for the immigrant. Later writers freely confess -their indebtedness to Mrs. Victor's River of the West for much of -their material. The stories of the Rocky Mountain bear killer, Meek, -romantic though many of them are, check with the stories given by -other trappers and traders, and furnish data for an important period -in the history of the Northwest. - -In 1872 was published Mrs. Victor's second book touching the -Northwest, All Over Oregon and Washington. This work, she tells us in -the preface, was written to supply a need existing because of the -dearth of printed information concerning these countries. It contained -observations on the scenery, soil, climate and resources of the -Northwestern part of the Union, together with an outline of its early -history, remarks on its geology, botany, and mineralogy, and hints to -immigrants and travelers. Her interest in the subject led her at a -later date to revise this book and to publish it again, this time -under the title Atlantis Arisen. - -In 1874 was published Woman's War With Whiskey, a pamphlet which she -wrote in aid of the temperance movement in Portland. Her husband was -lost at sea in November, 1875, and from this time, she devoted herself -exclusively to literary pursuits. During her residence in Oregon she -had frequently written letters for the San Francisco _Bulletin_ and -sketches for the _Overland Monthly_. These stories, together with some -poems, were published in 1877 in a volume entitled The New Penelope. - -This last volume was printed by the Bancroft publishing establishment -in San Francisco. The Bancrofts were an Ohio family of Mrs. Victor's -early acquaintance. Hubert Howe Bancroft now laid before her his plan -for writing the history of the Pacific slope, and asked her to work on -the part concerning Oregon. In 1878 she entered the Bancroft library. -Leaving the library at the completion of the work, in 1890 she -returned to Oregon and was employed by the state in 1893 to compile -her History of the Early Indian Wars of Oregon, a volume which was -published by the State Printer the following year. She continued to -write for the Oregon Historical Quarterly up to the time of her death. -Her last published work was a small volume of poems printed in 1900, -and selected from the many metrical compositions which she had written -for newspapers and magazines through a period of sixty years. She was -an able writer of essay, and possessed an insight into the evolution -of civilization and government rare, not only for an author of her -sex, but for any author. Combining the qualities of poet, essayist and -historian, she occupied a position without a peer in the annals of -Western literature. She died at Portland, Oregon, November 14, 1902). - -Data on Alaska and the Russian Colony at Fort Ross, California, were -being collected and translated during these years by Ivan Petroff, a -highly educated Russian some time resident at Cook's Inlet. Material -from Russia was furnished by the savant M. Pinart who had made a -special study of Alaska, and Petroff prepared translations. In 1878 he -visited Alaska in search of more material, and spent the year 1879 and -part of 1880 in Washington extracting matter from papers, the -existence of which he had discovered on the northern trip; (Lit. Ind., -551-561.) Petroff had begun the writing of this material and had done -part of the Alaska volume when he left the library to become -supervisor of the census of 1880 in the Northern Territory, leaving -Mr. Bancroft and others to bring this part of the work to completion. - -(The main facts of Petroff's life which had been a very eventful one -are here taken from Bancroft's Literary Industries, 270-272. He was -born at St. Petersburg in 1842, his father being a soldier. His mother -died in his infancy, and at the age of five, he was placed in the -military academy of the first corps of cadets at St. Petersburg. Left -an orphan when but a boy by the death of his father at the battle of -Inkerman, a remarkable talent for languages secured his transfer to -the imperial academy of sciences for training as military interpreter. -A serious illness caused an impediment in his speech which ended such -prospects, but he was nevertheless permitted to continue his studies -and became amanuensis for Professor Bohttink while engaged in the -preparation of a Sanscrit dictionary. Attached subsequently to M. -Brosset, who was making a study of Armenian antiquities and -literature, he became so proficient in the language that he was chosen -to accompany his superior on a two-year scientific expedition through -Georgia and Armenia. He was then sent to Paris to St. Hilaire with -part of the material obtained, thence sailing for New York in 1861. -After working a short time on the _Courier des Etats Unis_, he -enlisted in the seventh New Hampshire regiment. By hard study he -mastered the language, after writing letters for the soldiers as a -means of practice, and acquired a proficiency in the use of English -such as one seldom meets with in a foreigner. From private he became -corporal, then sergeant and color bearer, a rank which he held in -1864, when his company was sent to Florida. He took part in all the -battles fought by Butler's army and was twice wounded. After the -battle of Fort Fisher, he was promoted to a lieutenancy. Mustered out -in July, 1865, he returned to New York, and accepted a position for -five years with the Russian American Company at Sitka, believing that -this region was sooner or later to pass to the United States. On the -way to Alaska he was delayed and improved the time by making a -horseback tour of Northern California, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. -Finding his position filled when he arrived at Sitka, he was given -charge of a trading post on Cook's Inlet until the transfer of the -territory to the United States in 1867. Subsequently Petroff was -appointed acting custom officer on Kodiak Island and was put in charge -of the seized barkentine Constitution, with which he arrived in San -Francisco in October, 1870. Mr. Bancroft at once sought his services -as Russian interpreter for the library. After his return to the -government service in the north, he distinguished himself both in 1880 -and 1890 by his zeal in securing information concerning Alaska desired -by the census bureau, and several times risked his life in this -service. Returning to Washington he was subsequently employed both by -the census bureau and the state department. With one exception, the -Utah volume, this was the last of the series of history proper to the -actual authorship of any considerable part of which Mr. Bancroft can -lay claim.) - -So great was the opposition created among Gentiles in Utah by a turn -in the Bancroft history more favorable to the Mormons than they -considered fair, and so many and so fierce the charges against Mr. -Bancroft in consequence, that he has apparently been very careful to -give, in the Literary Industries (pp. 631-640), an extended account of -the manner of collecting the material for the History of Utah. Here he -tells us that, at an early date in the development of the history -project, he realized the difficulty of gaining data on Mormon history, -an obstacle apparently so great as to be insuperable. For though the -Mormon church have a regular historian, whose duty it is to preserve -their archives, the director of the Bancroft project at once perceived -the objections which would be made to the turning of this material -over to be written up by one not in sympathy with their faith. But he -must have seen very clearly that a Gentile history of Utah not -unfavorable to the Mormons was the one thing they desired above all -else. Accordingly, in 1880, he tells us that he succeeded in showing -to their satisfaction that he was not prejudiced against them, and -asked Orson B. Pratt, official historian of the Mormon church, for the -desired information. John Taylor, president of the church, called a -council of its twelve apostles, with the result that it was agreed to -comply with the request, and Franklin D. Richards was sent to San -Francisco as Professor Pratt's representative, to furnish the Bancroft -library with such material as was desired from the official church -records. - -The year 1880 is an important one for the history project in another -and more important respect also. The end of that year found definite -plans made for the publication of the History of the Pacific States. -Mr. Bancroft had long since decided that, unlike the Native Races, -this work should be handled exclusively by his own house, and Mr. -Nathan J. Stone was placed in charge of the publication department of -the firm, now A. L. Bancroft and Company, to attend especially to this -matter. The date of commencement of work by the printers Oak sought to -have deferred that there might be no haste in searching out and -digesting facts, but against his advice Bancroft determined to begin -the publication of the series in 1882, impatient doubtless at the -prospect of a deferred return from his large financial investment in -the work, and somewhat fearful, as he tells us, lest through some -calamity it might never come to publication. - -This decision for an early beginning of publication with the general -change in plan which it brought, rendered Mr. Oak's complicated tasks -too severe, as he was now in failing health. The work of taking notes -on the vast amount of material on California and the Spanish Southwest -generally had been finished some time before, and, as Oak had now -completed his preliminary researches, he determined to give up part of -his duties that he might have time to write the volume covering his -field. To Mr. Nemos, who up to this time had been employed chiefly on -the Mexican volumes, was accordingly turned over the general direction -of the half-dozen younger writers, together with the plans of writing, -and the management of the note-takers, a change which gave him all -interior supervision except over special departments attended to by -Mr. Bancroft--such as the work of Oak and Mrs. Victor. Nemos had -wonderful ability for drilling men into a common method and served as -director of library detail "with remarkable ability and success." - -(This was Oak's expression. All who speak of Nemos have much -commendation for his ability. He was born in Finland, February 23, -1848, the son of a nobleman. German and piano lessons were first given -him by his mother, who belonged to a wealthy family of good stock. -After a year's study in a private school at St. Petersburg, he -returned home to attend school, and later took a course at the -gymnasium, or classic high school, at Stockholm preparatory to -entering Upsala university, where a brother was at the time in -attendance. - -This ambition was not to be attained, however, for in his seventeenth -year, family matters compelled him to give up his studies, and a place -for him was found in a London commission and ship-broker's office by a -family friend who believed that the acquisition of English and a -business experience would be of the greatest advantage to the young -man. Rather than drag the family title into the by-ways of trade, he -laid it aside and assumed the name of Nemos. - -Evening and leisure hours were now devoted to the study of philosophy -and kindred higher branches under an Upsala graduate. After a business -training of eighteen months, he was transferred to a responsible -position in a house trading with India. When five years had been -spent in this capacity, the fear of consumption induced him to take a -long sea voyage, and in the spring of 1870 he left Liverpool by -sailing vessel for Australia, arriving at Melbourne in the third month -out. A venture at mining resulted disastrously through the dishonesty -of his partners, and after a stop at Sydney, he came to San Francisco, -where he landed in the summer of 1871. He had completed an engagement -as assistant civil engineer on a proposed railroad in Oregon when he -returned to California and accepted a position in the library. Nemos -is described as retiring in all his tastes and enthusiastic as a -student. He was especially fond of philosophy and languages, and had a -knowledge of all the principal tongues of Europe.) - -Oak, although he now considered himself chief only in name, still -acted as librarian, business agent for most of the intercourse with -the printing house, and reviser of the final proofs of all the -volumes. - -For protection against fire, the library was in October, 1881, moved -to a building constructed for its reception on Valencia Street. At the -same time, the printers began work on the first volume to be -published, Central America I, which was immediately followed by Mexico -I. After that time Mr. Bancroft (Lit. Ind., 585,) gave out for the -press whatever was most convenient, so that frequently parts of -several volumes were in type at one time. When the printing began, -material aggregating fifteen volumes was ready. These included -manuscript for Mexico and Central America, the field assigned Savage -and Nemos, matter prepared by Oak for California, by Mrs. Victor for -Oregon, by Bancroft for Popular Tribunals, Literary Industries, and -The Northwest Coast, and by Petroff for Alaska. Bancroft estimated at -this time that the notes were also taken for three fourths of the -works which were yet to be written. - -Material upon which to base the remaining fourth was collected in the -same way as previously, Mr. Bancroft visiting the country to be -written up, ascertaining the nature and location of the materials, -collecting what could be had conveniently, and then leaving the -further ingathering in the hands of agents. A visit to Mexico in 1883 -furnished him with some material on social conditions in that country -which he tells us was utilized in the last volume of the Mexican -history: (Lit. Ind., 701). More extensive collections remained to be -made in the regions farther north. - -After the completion of the two volumes on Oregon, Mrs. Victor's -attention was next directed to the volume on Nevada, Colorado, and -Wyoming. In the carrying on of this work, a greater number of -suggestions as to manner of treatment were made by Mr. Bancroft, we -may believe, than was usual in the preparation of a volume, for the -reasons that it was hurried more for publication than earlier works, -that it was written under his immediate direction, and that he himself -collected and forwarded material from the field as required. The -record of the progress of the work, as it occurs in Mr. Bancroft's -letters to the writer of the volume, is of unusual interest in that -the methods followed, though in some ways exceptional, may perhaps be -taken as fairly typical of those employed by Mr. Bancroft in the -preparation of the later volumes of the series which he immediately -supervised. - -In August, 1884, shortly before the completion of the second volume of -the History of Oregon, Mr. Bancroft went to Salt Lake City, where he -left with Franklin D. Richards a memorandum to guide him in extracting -material on the Mormons in Nevada which, he said, would be about the -first material needed. Pending the arrival of this, on September 11th, -he advised Mrs. Victor to familiarize herself with the history of -Wyoming and Colorado, he himself having done the same for Nevada. - -A letter written a few days later presents the idea of making a plan -of the volume "as the men do on Mexico, etc.," and says, "By so doing -you can give each section its due proportion and by working to the -plan save unnecessary labor." As to the method of treating early -expeditions to Colorado and Wyoming, he says to consult the History of -Utah, and the two opening chapters which he himself had already -written on Nevada. When these chapters were prepared, it was the -intention to devote an entire volume to this state. In planning the -work as recommended in this letter, Mrs. Victor ascertained that these -chapters were out of proportion for the volume as now planned, and -wrote to Mr. Bancroft to this effect. On September 21st, however, he -advised her that he recognized the fact, but that they would "have to -do." On the same date he forwarded the dictations of three of the -first Mormons in Nevada, requesting that when the material had been -used for this volume, they be turned over to Mr. Bates, then at work -on the History of Utah. He also suggested a perusal of Benton's City -Saints and other Utah books for light on Nevada, and directed that Mr. -Newkirk search the library thoroughly for Nevada material. - -From Colorado Springs on October 7th he wrote announcing that a -package of material on Colorado had been sent, though evidently with -more thought of pleasing those who furnished the dictations than of -affording material for the history of their state. Said he, "Some of -the dictations don't amount to much, but I would like them used for -all they are worth, and more too, putting them in list of authorities, -quoting them freely, and giving biographical notice, etc." On October -11th, he wrote that he would go to Denver in a few days to finish -gathering what material for Colorado he could procure. With reference -to this he says, "I am told that there is no file of the _Rocky -Mountain News_, or any other early paper I can get. Possibly I may -obtain access to one. Still I think we will have stuff enough, all -there will be room for. I will then go to Cheyenne to get what I can -on Wyoming, and that will finish up the business of gathering for that -volume, or any other volume except what the canvassers bring in." - -He calls attention to the fact that in the Colorado dictations there -is frequently material on Montana, and in the Utah dictations, -material on Idaho and Nevada. The reason for this he gives in the -typical Bancroft sentence: - -"If I strike a man here, as I frequently do, who has been to these -other places in early times I follow him up there for all it is worth -of course, the same as here." - -At Colorado Springs Mrs. Helen Hunt Jackson, author of a Century of -Dishonor, asked Mr. Bancroft to adopt her views on the Colorado Indian -wars. With reference to this matter, he wrote on October 13th, the day -of his departure for Denver, as follows: - -"She wishing a thing done would be the very reason I would not do it -if I could help it. I speak of it that you may get the work and use -the information. I do not care about mentioning her name one way or -another in the whole work. She has been polite enough here, although -she has a broken leg, but I don't care for her politeness. I should -have had fair recognition for the service I did her in the matter of -her California articles in the _Century_ which I never got." - -Writing subsequently from Denver on November 2d, he says: "Everybody -in Colorado, nearly, is against Mrs. Jackson on what some call the -Chevington massacre. That side don't call it a massacre, but a fight. -I should give their side in full, then say some few took exception to -this action, and there let it stand on its merits--that is, I think so -now." - -In the same letter Mr. Bancroft announced that he was going over the -_Rocky Mountain News_ with Mr. Byers, the founder and former editor, -"a man of remarkable ability and memory," whose dictation to a -shorthand reporter was given, he said, in such a way that it was -almost pure history and could be taken from his manuscript as fast as -one could write. This he advised Mrs. Victor to take as a basis for -Colorado history, building upon it and giving it the preference in -regard to discrepancy of statement. He also called attention to the -fact that "a lot of people" had in one way and another wandered over -the region before white men settled there, and said he supposed that -what Coronado did should first be considered. As to the wanderings of -Spaniards in Colorado, a schedule sent about this time refers Mrs. -Victor to all Oak had written on the subject, to the first few pages -of the History of Utah, and to the original authorities upon which the -latter was based. After calling attention to some works of travel, -such as Fremont's writings and Renton's Adventures in Mexico and the -Rocky Mountains, he asked Mr. Nemos to see that the material for Mrs. -Victor's use in preparing the volume be taken out more thoroughly than -had heretofore been the case, and upon this point directed him to -consult the early volumes of the series and make this correspond. Mrs. -Victor subsequently asked that she be permitted to take out her own -notes, and the request was granted as Mr. Bancroft had now decided to -reduce the number of his force as fast as possible and bring the work -to a conclusion. Already on October 25th, he had given as his opinion -that Colorado should make about half of the volume, at the same time -inquiring what laws of Colorado and Wyoming were desired, and -recommending a study of "Hepworth Dixon's work on the Great West, -Bonneville's Adventures, and Bayard Taylor's Travels." - -Writing from Cheyenne on November 8th, Mr. Bancroft announced the -shipment of a small package of Wyoming stuff, all that he had been -able to secure, and also his intention to have some one take matter -from the office files of the newspapers of that place, the _Sun_ and -_Leader_, the latter of which was very complete. Though returning -himself to Denver, that day, he promised to have more Wyoming -dictations taken. - -In a letter dated the next day, he expressed the opinion that a proper -division of the work would be made by devoting three hundred and fifty -pages to Colorado, two hundred and twenty-five to Nevada, and one -hundred and seventy-five to Wyoming, and requested that the writing be -done on that basis until some change should be found necessary. In -closing, he suggests another line of research to be carried through -the volume in the words: "And all the way from the Gulf of Mexico to -British Columbia, I want to pay special attention to the cattle -interest and cattle men, the origin and development of the industry, -one of the most marvelous and important of modern times." - -The last letter dealing with the manner of treatment of material dated -October 9, 1885, asks Mrs. Victor to do the best she can with Mackey -and the silver question in order to satisfy Mr. Stone, the publishing -agent, whose work, Mr. Bancroft said, was hard enough at best. - -It thus appears that three leading objects were kept constantly in -mind at this time: one, the handling of the various subjects in such a -way as not to displease the people in the district written up, that -the work might be popular and the work of the canvassers easy as they -went about soliciting subscriptions for it; another, the writing of -the various chapters in such a way that the first draft would -constitute finished history and take up no more space than that -assigned in the volume; and finally, and really at the bottom of the -preceding, a desire to have the history written as soon as possible. -Evidence that Mr. Bancroft wished to have the work done in the least -possible time and with the least possible cost is abundant in these -letters. - -In October Nemos had been set to counting the pages which Mrs. Victor -had written since entering the library, a proceeding which she -resented, believing that it afforded no just basis for judging her -historical work. The next letter from Mr. Bancroft, on October 20th, -brought the request that she bring the work "at first writing within -the requisite compass so as not to make it so terribly costly." An -intimation that greater haste would be pleasing was again conveyed on -November 1st, when Mr. Bancroft expressed the confidence that if Mrs. -Victor were to write three volumes more, they would be done in three -years instead of six, a view of the case most contrary to hers, since -before entering the library she had already worked out many of the -problems in Oregon history, and now that she was entering upon another -field, found more time necessary. That Mr. Bancroft did not make -allowance for this, however, is shown by a letter written on November -17th. Here he begins the subject by stating that it would be a great -mistake to suppose that he was dissatisfied with Mrs. Victor's work, -or that any one had in the faintest degree criticised it, and says -that all he wants is to practice such economy of time and money as -will enable him to complete the work before he is dead or has failed -in business. Then he proceeds to reckon up results thus: - -"I do not know when the present volume will be finished ready for the -printer. But six years have already passed, and, calling this volume -done, it would be two years to a volume. About fifteen hundred of -your pages make a volume, I believe, and counting three hundred days -to the year, would be two and a half pages a day. When you first came, -you started off with ten pages, which we all thought rapid, but the -outcome makes it exceedingly small. This, with what other work has -been done on your volumes, would make every page of your manuscript -ready for the printer cost me considerably over two dollars a page." - -After a denial that this is intended as a complaint about the past, he -says: - -"Go on and do the best you can. I have written equivalent to six -volumes during the last six years besides devoting my time to revising -and outside matters. But I don't expect any one to work as I do. I am -not satisfied with old hands now, however, who do not give me say, -four or five pages a day all ready for the printer." - -According to the printed rules of the library, the hours were from -7.15 sharp to 6 o'clock in the evening, with half an hour for lunch. -When we recall the complexity and minuteness of research and thought -necessary in historical writing, we must consider three hundred such -days a year heavy work. The requirement of an average of a certain -number of pages a day was therefore one which would naturally tend to -increase the worry of the writer. This requirement was also exacted of -Mr. Oak, and we may well conclude that if such pressure were brought -to bear on the two most experienced writers in the library, upon the -junior writers it must have been intense indeed. - -The writing of the volume on Colorado, Nevada, and Wyoming, so far as -the material at hand permitted, was completed at the end of the year -1885. With all of the precautions taken, however, the pages on -Colorado had to be condensed nearly a third to bring them within the -space allowed. This was done, as was frequently the case, by throwing -matter into fine type and printing as footnotes, instead of making -many changes in the manuscript. - -The system of biographical footnotes as it appears in the history, -Mrs. Victor claimed as her contribution to the general plan of the -work. The idea was followed with excellent results in her own volumes -as well as those written by others, the object being to make -biographical mention for the benefit of posterity of every man who -took a prominent part in the building of a Pacific state or territory. -For carrying out such a purpose, the time of writing during the lives -of at least part of the same generation that founded these -commonwealths, offered unusually good advantages. - -The original intention, Mrs. Victor has told us, was for her to -prepare the volume on Utah, since before coming to the coast, she had -had occasion to make a study of early Mormon history through coming in -contact with some refugees from Nauvoo. But so much work had already -been assigned her that when the time came to do the writing, this was -impossible. Mr. Bancroft had already made a study of the early Spanish -history of the territory, and had written this part when he assigned -the work on the bulk of the remainder to Mr. Alfred Bates, a writer of -polished English and a man of scholarly attainments who had previously -assisted Mr. John S. Hittell in his work on The Commerce and -Industries of the Pacific Coast. (From Literary Industries, 267-68, we -learn that Bates was a native of Leeds, England, born May 4, 1840. His -father was a wool stapler who lost his fortune in the panic of 1847. -Compelled at an early age to earn his own livelihood, he began -teaching at the age of fifteen, and later taught at Marlborough -College of which the dean of Westminster was then head. To him young -Bates became private secretary in 1862. While preparing for Cambridge -the following year, he accepted a lucrative position in New South -Wales, where he suffered much from ill health, at one time being given -up by three doctors. An offer of a position as teacher in California -took him thither and he continued at this work for a year. During the -two years spent with Mr. Hittell, he was the most valued of his -assistants.) Those acquainted with the circumstances and the men have -accordingly held that certain incidents in Utah history unfavorable to -the Mormons could not have been toned down by Bates as they are in the -printed volume, and that the Mormon turn to the work was therefore -given by Bancroft in the pages which he wrote and in his revision of -Bates' work. (See article by Frances Fuller Victor in _Salt Lake -Tribune_ of April 14, 1893.) This seems probable from what Mr. -Bancroft tells us of his efforts to secure material for the volume -from the Mormon church, as well as his natural desire to please -subscribers to the work. - -Mr. Nemos, who was a foreigner, had no preference as to the field in -which his writing was done, and it was consequently scattered through -different volumes. Besides collaborating with Mr. Savage and others on -the Mexican and Central American volumes, he wrote part of the -material on British Columbia and Alaska. By the time Mrs. Victor's -third volume was completed at the end of the year 1885, Oak had -completed his work on the North Mexican States and the five volumes on -California under Spanish and Mexican rule. The writing of the two -volumes containing the American portion of California history was -thereupon assigned to Mrs. Victor and Nemos, the former assuming -responsibility for the preparation of the political chapters, a field -in which her work had been pronounced especially good, and the latter -taking up the institutional chapters, a part which he had largely -fulfilled toward all the Spanish volumes of the history. - -The introduction of the institutional feature is to be accredited to -Nemos. The writing done by Oak was in the form of annals, a form in -general suited admirably to the provincial records which he worked up; -but against such a style throughout the series, Nemos tells us that he -presented suggestions and arguments to Mr. Bancroft for introducing -material which should tell the history of the people, and that in this -he prevailed. - -In April, 1886, the burning of the Bancroft business house threatened -temporarily to bring the history project to an abrupt termination at a -time when only the first volumes had been published, but the -enterprise soon recovered from the blow. Under the leadership of Mr. -Bancroft, both business and history writing went on as before, the -firm of Bancroft and Company being organized for the conduct of the -former, while the publication of the history previously carried on as -a department of the general book concern was now turned over to The -History Company, a corporation organized by Mr. Bancroft for the -purpose of handling the work. - -At the completion by Oak of his volume on New Mexico and Arizona in -May, 1887, he retired from the library with health very much -shattered, leaving Mr. Nemos at the head of affairs. After spending -some time on a new work now undertaken by Mr. Bancroft, the latter -also severed his connection with library matters in August, 1888. - -At the time of Oak's departure, Bancroft was planning a biographical -work to be issued at the conclusion of the task which was then -engaging the attention of the library force. This work, at first -called Chronicles of the Kings, but published under the title -Chronicles of the Builders of the Commonwealths, was to present in -detail the lives of wealthy and influential men who had borne a -prominent part in the affairs of the various Pacific Coast states. For -such notice they were charged from a thousand to ten thousand dollars -according to the length of the published sketch. (This is according to -the printed schedule, the minimum price being paid for three pages -print, the maximum for thirty. This included also the printing of a -portrait engraved on steel.) The attempt to burden the prestige gained -by the histories and their projector with such a load could result -only in crippling both. The volumes printed subsequent to the -inauguration of this scheme could not be received with the same -open-mindedness as former works. The information subsequently made -public that money was accepted for notice in the Chronicles lost for -Mr. Bancroft the regard of the press of the coast, caused grave doubts -to be expressed concerning his disinterestedness as an historian, -called out an expression of many bitter--in some cases utterly -false--statements concerning his work, and sadly damaged the literary -reputation he had been for nearly twenty years building on the work -done under his direction. - -While it was inevitable that the publication of the Chronicles as a -parasite upon the history should result thus disastrously and -deplorably for the fame of the latter work, we must not fail to -recognize the fact that the labors of the writers upon both works were -not a whit less conscientious and painstaking than they had always -been. After the sixth and seventh volumes of the California history -were completed in 1888, the volume on Washington, Idaho, and Montana -was written. In 1890, the final volume on California was published, -followed in the next year by the supplementary volumes, Essays and -Literary Industries, which ended twenty years of library work for -Hubert Howe Bancroft and his assistants. - -The History of the Pacific States, we have seen, was an evolution, -passing through the stages of handbook and encyclopaedia before it -became a history. But when the last idea had been reached, the -development of the project was by no means complete, but rather just -begun. The necessity of the Native Races was demonstrated before work -had proceeded for a twelve-month. As late as 1878, Mr. Bancroft -estimated that the history proper would comprise but fourteen volumes -at the outside. - -In his letter to Mrs. Victor, dated August 1st of that year, we get an -interesting glimpse of the plan in an earlier stage. The work is to be -divided, he says, somewhat in the following manner: Conquest of -Darien, one volume; Conquest of Mexico, one volume; Mexico under the -Viceroys, two volumes; Mexican Revolution and Modern History, one or -two; Explorations Northward and the History of California, three or -four; the Northwest Coast, Oregon and British Columbia together, two -or three; Alaska, one. Under the head of California history was to be -included somewhere the histories of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and -Nevada, and the history of Oregon was likewise to include Washington, -Idaho, and Montana. Oregon and British Columbia he thought could be -written in a year. Not until six more years had passed was it finally -recognized that natural expansion as the work proceeded would -necessitate devoting to the series of history proper a number of -volumes exactly double that which was then contemplated. To this -series were added as a supplement an even half dozen volumes. - -If we find that the outline grew from that of a few volumes in 1872 to -one of almost forty in 1884, and that the work expanded fourteen -volumes after it had been definitely laid out, we are not at all -surprised that the part of the whole which Mr. Bancroft intended to -write grew relatively less as time went on, and the part assigned to -others became correspondingly greater. There is some evidence to show -that when writing began on the first volume of the Central American -History in 1873, the director of the project actually had in mind the -plan which he gives in the Literary Industries, that of writing with -the aid of assistants who were to be responsible for "the study and -reduction of certain minor sections" which he was to "employ" in his -own writing. Thus we find, according to the information left by Nemos, -that Bancroft actually wrote half of the volume, that Oak at first -took out notes, and that Nemos prepared his work in the rough, leaving -a considerable part of it to be rewritten. For the next volume -undertaken, the first of the six on Mexico, we see that the chief was -unable to prepare so much material in its final form, and rested with -but two chapters completely to his credit, together with the rewriting -of part of Nemos' work on the remainder. In four or five years, he -expresses the determination of writing what he can himself and leaving -the rest to his aids. This as we shall see amounted in the end to his -doing about one seventh of the history, slightly revising the work of -the other authors, often by the aid of critics in his employ, and -preparing most of the material for the supplementary volumes. - -Thus it came about that the original plan, the plan as published, was -exactly reversed, and instead of Mr. Bancroft's doing all the work in -final form, except some minor sections assigned to those whom he -called his assistants, it was the so-called assistants who really -wrote the History of the Pacific States, and Mr. Bancroft who did a -few minor, or at any rate less difficult parts. Nor is it at all true, -as one authority has said (Appleton's Encyclopaedia of American -Biography, I, 156), that Mr. Bancroft wrote the most important -chapters. Of course, the surprising thing about this is that Mr. -Bancroft should have stated in the Literary Industries that he had -followed a plan for the division of labor originally intended, but not -followed at all. Especially unfortunate is this, in view of repeated -charges of absorbing the literary reputation of his collaborators and -aids, and appropriating the credit for their work. - -It has long since been recognized that the name of Hubert Howe -Bancroft can not be placed in the ranks of great American historical -writers. In the first place, he wrote only parts of volumes. It will -be observed, too, that as a rule he wrote simpler parts, consisting of -synopses of early voyages, or annals easy to handle, such as the -rovings of Spaniards in Utah, or the rise of a provincial government -among the fur-traders of British Columbia. But Mr. Bancroft, as -founder of the library and organizer of the history, has rendered a -real and lasting service to historical literature. - -The first great end subserved by his undertaking was the preservation -of a great mass of invaluable historical material, which would -otherwise have been lost. In 1880, he wrote: - -"There are men yet living who helped to make our history, and who can -tell us what it is better than their sons, or than any who shall come -after them. A score of years hence few of them will remain. Twenty -years ago, many parts of our territory were not old enough to have a -history; twenty years hence, much will be lost that may now be -secured": (Lit. Ind., 635). - -It is thus for the timeliness of his labors in collecting his library -that the Pacific Coast, and the whole world as well, is indebted to -Mr. Bancroft. For this work his qualifications as a successful -business man experienced in handling books were exactly those -required. - -A second great end which Mr. Bancroft attained was the founding of a -history of Western North America on the original sources which he had -collected in order that it might constitute a foundation upon which -future histories would be built. - -"He who shall come after me," says he in the letter quoted above, -"will scarcely be able to undermine my work by laying another and -deeper foundation. He must build upon mine or not at all, for he can -not go beyond my authorities for facts. He may add to or alter my -work, for I shall not know or be able to tell everything, but he can -never make a complete structure of his own." - -That the volumes supervised by Mr. Bancroft should contain -imperfections is in the nature of the case inevitable. Perfect -historical estimates of contemporaries can not as a rule be made, and -history based largely on personal reminiscence must contain errors of -refraction which can be corrected only in the clearer light of later -years. The handling of material by a writer who did not collect it, -and who is likely to find the places and conditions dealt with strange -to his experience, inevitable though it be in so large an undertaking, -results in the writing of faulty history. The hastening of the work -and the editorial revision of manuscripts by a manager desirous of -pleasing subscribers, and impelled by various other motives of his -own, are not circumstances likely to increase the accuracy of the -work. But after allowance has been made for all inaccuracies which -have crept in through these various avenues, we still have the fact -that the histories are based upon sources which may be supplemented -but can never be displaced. No greater mistake could be made, -therefore, than to say that because they contain errors they are -worthless. All must agree with the practical argument made by a -thoughtful old pioneer of the writer's acquaintance that, in spite of -all criticisms which may be passed upon the Bancroft histories, they -contain a great fund of information which is nowhere else to be found -in print. - -A third result of the history plan, and one which is of importance to -historical writers everywhere who have large fields to cover, was the -devising of a cooperative method for organizing the vast collections -in the library. Mr. Bancroft makes the claim of having been the first -to resort to such a division of labor; and points out (Literary -Industries, 767) that his method avoids the repetition of details and -insures a more thorough working up of the field than does the -cooperative method as the term is usually understood, under which the -writers work independently of each other after the field is divided. -Such a claim might indeed be granted had Mr. Bancroft announced -himself as editor and reviser instead of author, and had he designated -the part of the work written by each of his collaborators in -accordance with the usual custom in cooperative works. The printing of -his name as author on the title page, and his general recognition as -such in accordance with press notices following those of the Native -Races, have, of course, largely lost for him the credit of originating -a cooperative method for the organizing of large quantities of -material. - -Concerning the understanding Mr. Bancroft had with his corps of -writers generally as to the public acknowledgment of their work which -he would make, information is not at hand. Only one had ever before -written and published a book, and perhaps the majority gave no thought -to the rights which would be theirs as authors. Certain it is that -when the greater number of the more prominent writers entered the -library, the work was planned on a much smaller scale than that upon -which it was carried out, and, as they did not know that they were to -become the authors of entire or consecutive volumes, the question was -not then of the importance which it assumed with the later growth of -the series. What the understanding was with those who first entered -the library we can not say definitely, but his ideas on that subject -seems to have been a survival of the encyclopaedia project. To Mrs. -Victor, just prior to her entering his service, he wrote on August 1, -1878: - -"The work is wholly mine. I do what I can myself, and pay for what I -have done over that; but I father the whole of it and it goes out only -under my name. All who work in the library do so simply as my -assistants. Their work is mine to print, scratch, or throw in the -fire. I have no secrets; yet I do not tell everybody just what each -does. I do not pretend to do all the work myself, that is, to prepare -for the printer all that goes out under my name. I have three or four -now who can write for the printer after a fashion; none of them can -suit me as well as I can suit myself. One or two only will write with -very little change from me. All the rest require sometimes almost -rewriting." - -He further adds that it gives him pleasure to acknowledge his -obligations to his assistants, but that this acknowledgment is always -voluntary on his part and not claimed as a right by them, and says -that while he is not sure of mentioning certain persons in connection -with certain parts as he had done in the introduction to the Native -Races, he will certainly not do more than that. The only mention which -he promises definitely to his writers is a biographical notice in the -Literary Industries. - -"The work in the library," says he, "good or bad, is mine; were it not -so, I would simply do what I could with my own fingers, or do -nothing." - -It is easy enough to see why Mr. Bancroft should wish to have absolute -control of manuscripts to insure good work, and a complete covering of -the field, but it is difficult to see how he could justly make the -claim before the world that manuscripts turned out by other persons -were his writing. - -Not only was the myth of Mr. Bancroft's authorship repeated on the -title page of each volume of the history, and in the reviews which -built upon the prestige gained by him as supposed author of the Native -Races, but not a word was printed to show that any one else wrote the -least part of the work. When asked to indicate in the preface the part -done by each person, according to the evidence of a number of his -writers, he always declared that this was just the one thing he wished -to avoid. The only approach to an acknowledgment is the statement in -the preface in words which apparently refer only to indexers and -note-takers, that he has been "able to utilize the labors of others," -among whom as the most faithful and efficient he mentions Oak, Nemos, -Savage, Petroff, and Mrs. Victor. (History of Central America, I, -preface viii). The promise is made that he will speak of these and -others at length elsewhere, and this promise is redeemed by the -printing of their biographies in the Literary Industries without -indicating who was engaged in writing and who in purely routine work -connected with the library, much less designating what parts of the -work each had done. From a popular edition of this volume subsequently -issued for wider circulation, even these were stricken out. - -While the real authors of the history never agreed to keep silence -concerning their right to recognition, it was very well understood -that they would remain in Mr. Bancroft's employ only so long as they -acquiesced in his claiming the work as solely his own and made no -individual claims for themselves. This bread and butter argument for -silence proved effective in all cases. An example of the method in -meeting claims made for any of the library writers occurs in -connection with the publication of the History of Oregon. A notice of -the work just before it was issued was sent to the Oregon press and -the statement made that Mrs. Victor was the author. (Emma H. Adams in -Portland _Oregonian_, October 5, 1886, under the title, "Mrs. Victor -and Her Latest Literary Work.") This was met by Mr. Bancroft with a -letter for publication in the paper printing the notice, in which he -asserted that no entire volume of the series had been written by Mrs. -Victor. Of course the significance of this statement is in the word -"entire," which simply meant that he had interpolated a line here and -there as he went over the manuscript. A note to Mrs. Victor under date -of October 16th explains this apparent denial of her authorship thus: - -"I do not want for myself the credit due to my assistants. At the same -time, I do not deem it necessary to explain to the public just what -part of the work was done by each. Everybody knows that you have been -at work on Oregon, and that is all right, although I have done -considerable work on your manuscript for better or worse, or at all -events to make it conform to the general plan." - -In view of Mr. Bancroft's persistent refusal to give "assistants" -anything like credit for their work in accord with general custom and -literary ethics as well, and in view of the fact that this refusal -meant that the public would credit him solely as the author, it must -have been a difficult matter for him to convince his corps of writers -that he did not want the credit due them. - -The process of making Mrs. Victor's manuscripts conform to the general -plan, which is here regarded as the principal source of alteration, -according to Oak, meant nothing except the condensation of her work, -mainly by the omission of considerable portions, in order to bring it -within the space assigned. That such revision did not affect her -claims to authorship, is of course apparent. - -It is sufficiently clear, from what appears above, that Mr. Bancroft's -public justification of himself for publishing under his own name all -the work done in the library is the fact that he reserved the right to -alter all manuscripts and make what changes he saw fit. This made him -managing editor, however, not author. The comparatively few additions -he made to the manuscripts can not justify such a claim. That the -revision of Mrs. Victor's work consisted in the main of nothing more -than leaving out parts appears from two cases already cited, one in -connection with the History of Colorado, Nevada, and Wyoming, the -other with the History of Oregon, as well as from the direct -statements of those who supervised library work. As we have seen he -demanded that his writers turn out a certain number of pages a day -"all ready for the printer," so he could have had little occasion to -revise their work. The writers who Mr. Bancroft said in 1878 wrote -with very little change from him were of course Oak and Nemos. Now Oak -wrote seven and a half volumes of the history, and Nemos and Mrs. -Victor five each, while Bancroft wrote four--a total of at least -twenty-two volumes out of the twenty-eight to the authorship of which -no serious claim could be made on the ground of altered manuscripts. -Moreover, Savage says in his autobiography that, while Bancroft made -additions and amendments to the three volumes which he wrote, in some -of his pages only a word or two was changed and that others remained -intact. What rewriting was occasionally done on the remaining volumes, -was apparently done as often by other persons as by Mr. Bancroft. His -relation toward the work was therefore exactly the same as that of a -managing editor toward the matter printed in a newspaper. The latter -could never claim the authorship of the articles written by his -staff, although altered to a considerable extent by him or by his -direction. - -It should be stated here that Mr. Bancroft justified his course to -those in the library by insisting that they furnished him merely with -rough notes, and that it would be necessary for him to rewrite the -work, or at any rate, considerable portions of it. This, had it been -done, would have been strictly in accord with the account of his -connection with the work as printed in the Literary Industries. But it -was not done, and the account as printed is incorrect. - -Since the completion of the history, but one of the writers has -publicly claimed the authorship of the volumes written in the library. -Ill health, only too common with those who labored through the work, -has in most cases been a sufficient barrier to such action. Savage and -Bates remained in Mr. Bancroft's employ for a number of years engaged -in other work, and of course under such circumstances could not make -any claims. Nemos as a foreigner could not be expected to take much -interest in such matters, and his early return to Europe and -subsequent residence there have rendered it difficult for him to make -such a statement did he so desire. Mrs. Victor alone has printed a -general statement of the portions of the history written by her, a -course in which she was influenced by years of absolute independence -in directing her literary energies before entering Mr. Bancroft's -employ, and a consequent appreciation of the rights and honors of -authorship. Four volumes of the Bancroft histories were exhibited as -her work at the Mechanics Pavilion in San Francisco during the fair in -January, 1893, and also among a collection of the works of New York -women authors made the same year (_Utica Morning Herald_, May 4, -1893). A special preface over her name inserted in the first volume of -the Oregon history in the exhibit claimed the authorship of the -volumes. - -(These are the words of the preface: "It seems not only just, but -necessary to affix my name to at least four volumes of the History of -the Pacific States, although that does not cover all the work done on -the history by myself. The four volumes referred to comprise the -states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, and -Nevada. My name is therefore placed on the backs of these volumes -without displacing that of Mr. Bancroft.") - -As to the shares of the various writers in the history proper, we have -the sources of information which have already been mentioned in -speaking of the Native Races, supplemented by very full data left by -Mrs. Victor concerning her part in the work. It is thus possible to -give in a general way the authorship of each volume, barring -fragmentary writing. - -From these sources it is found that during the progress of the work on -the Native Races, Mr. Bancroft had after hard labor and much revision -completed his introduction to the History of Central America, and had -written a half of the first volume. Oak wrote half of the preface and -the fine print summary of explorations, and Nemos was responsible for -a third of the volume from page 460 on, although he prepared material -in the rough, leaving it to be rewritten by a German aid whose name is -not given, but who may have been a man by the name of Kuhn mentioned -as having done work on the second volume. - -Of this latter volume, Mr. Bancroft wrote one chapter, apparently the -first, which deals with Pizarro and Peru. Nemos and a writer named -Peatfield (J. J. Peatfield, described by Bancroft [Lit. Ind., -265-267,] as a "strong man and one of talent," was born in -Nottinghamshire, England, August 26, 1833. His father, a clergyman, -educated him for the church and he took his degree at Cambridge in -1857, being graduated in the classical tripos. The church, however, -was distasteful to him, and he obtained a tutorship, subsequently in -1862 going to Nicaragua to engage in cacao cultivating. This -enterprise proved a failure. After attempting cotton, cacao again, and -finally coffee all in vain, in 1865 he became a bookkeeper at San -Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. In January, 1868, he was made a clerk -and translator to the legation at Guatemala, and two years later, -British Consul General for Central America. While holding the -consulship of Guatemala a third time, he resigned on account of ill -health and went to San Francisco, where he arrived in November, 1871. -Becoming bookkeeper and cashier for a Nevada mine at White Pine, and -battling much with ill health, he returned to San Francisco, where he -acted as teacher and bookkeeper until February, 1881, when he entered -the library), labored together on the volume and prepared half of it, -and Bates a fourth. Kuhn wrote a fifth which was partly rewritten by -Nemos. The latter claimed about a fourth of a volume as the actual -material written by him for the first and second volumes together. - -The third volume, including the history of Central America in the -nineteenth century, was written by Savage, who, nearly all his life -had been engaged in the consular service of the United States in Cuba -and Central America. - -(Thomas Savage, according to a biography written by himself, was born -at Havana, Cuba, August 27, 1823, a short time after his parents had -removed thither from Philadelphia. His father, a descendant of the -earliest settlers of Massachusetts and a brother of Savage, the famous -genealogist of New England, was from Boston, and his mother, a native -of Charleston, South Carolina, was the daughter of a French planter -who had escaped the great massacre in San Domingo and a Maryland -woman of Jewish extraction). - -In childhood, Savage was several times taken to the United States and -back as the necessities of his father's business demanded. At the age -of fifteen, he had studied the Latin classics, advanced mathematics -and languages, nearly breaking forever his health, which had always -been feeble. Abandoning his studies and taking a long rest in the -country, he regained sufficient strength to enable him to support -himself, for his parents had now lost their fortune. He entered a -commercial house at Havana, and after working a few years as -bookkeeper, in the summer of 1846 joined the United States consulate -as clerk and translator. From that time until the end of the year -1867, he was attached to the consulate, rising successively to the -positions of secretary to the consul general, deputy consul general, -and vice consul general. From 1854 on, there was not a single year -during which the consulate general was not in his charge for several -months. During the War of the Rebellion he was several times in -charge, once for twenty months, and during this trying period won the -confidence of his government by laboring hard to do his whole duty. - -He spent the greater part of the year 1868 in the United States, and -then went to Panama, where he was engaged as assistant editor of the -_Star and Herald_, having charge of the Spanish portion of the paper. -Savage had lost a wife in Cuba, and in January, 1870, married a second -time. Shortly afterward, he embarked for Salvador, where he taught -English in the University, became consul-general, and finally started -a newspaper. Just as this last enterprise was beginning to pay, his -wife's precarious health necessitated his removal to a better climate, -and he settled in Guatemala. Here he established a fine printing -office, and began the publication of a newspaper. Though aided by the -government, the business nevertheless proved unprofitable, and after -selling out at a heavy loss, he came to San Francisco in 1873. -Throughout life, Savage was a constant reader, with a special fondness -for history. He once said that he believed he had read the histories -of all the world. - -From a perusal of what Nemos says concerning the History of Mexico, we -are led to infer that Bancroft again wrote the introduction, as the -former librarian credits his chief with two chapters of the first -volume. Nemos wrote the remainder, but Bancroft rewrote some of his -work, he said only a fifth, much of the revision consisting in a mere -change of words. Oak differed with him on this point, holding that -Bancroft did more rewriting, but Nemos persists that this is an -exaggeration. - -The second volume was done by Nemos, Savage, and Peatfield, Nemos -writing the first half and some later chapters, two thirds of the -volume in all, Savage one fourth, and Peatfield a little. - -Of the third volume, Nemos wrote between a third and a half, -including, as he tells us, the leading institutional and political -parts, Savage a third, a writer named Griffin (George Butler Griffin -was a native of New York state, and a graduate of Yale. He was a -linguist, and had been an engineer in South America. Apparently early -in the eighties, his connection with the library had ceased. He died -by his own hand.) two or three chapters, and Peatfield a part. - -Of volume four, Bancroft did one chapter, Peatfield a fourth of the -whole, and Savage a third. Nemos "assisted on parts," his work -aggregating a fourth of the volume. - -The fifth volume of the Mexican History, embracing the period from -1804 to 1861, was known as Savage's volume. Of the manuscript, he -actually wrote about two thirds. Nemos did about a fourth, including -the fall of Mexico and the leading war episodes. Some of the writing -was done by Peatfield. (In conversation he claimed to have written a -large part of the Mexican War chapters.) - -The last volume of the Mexican History was prepared chiefly by Nemos -and Savage, the latter writing the first and last chapters, the former -about two thirds of the volume, including the history of Maximilian -and the institutional chapters. Peatfield did a little work on this -volume. Oak's contribution to the History of Mexico, according to his -own statement, consisted of a "few slight parts." - -The history of the northern part of Mexico, and the Southwest of the -United States was Oak's special field, designated by him as The -Spanish Northwest. The entire first volume of the History of the North -Mexican States is his work. The history of Lower California in this -volume, as well as that in the next, was based on a manuscript on -Lower California written several years before by Harcourt. But this -work was so altered by both Oak and Nemos in their respective volumes -through condensation, the changing of conclusions, and the adding of -new material, as to amount to a rewriting. - -The History of Texas in North Mexican States, second volume, is the -work of Peatfield; the remainder of the volume, between a third and a -half, that of Nemos. (The Texas part was subsequently extended by -Peatfield for the edition now in circulation, that it might find a -better sale in that state.) - -The volume on Arizona and New Mexico is the work of Oak alone. - -Spanish and Mexican California likewise belonged to Oak's field and -the first five volumes of the History of California are from his pen. -(Nemos adds, "though he neglected to put in institutions, leaving -them for W. N. [himself] and Savage." In view of Oak's oft-repeated -assertion that he was sole author of these five volumes, this must -mean that they were supplied in other volumes. Moreover, there are no -institutional parts properly speaking in these five volumes, and if -such parts as "Mission Progress," "Commercial Affairs," and the like -are to be regarded, they make up half the work.) - -The early American history of California was a topic in which Mr. -Bancroft was naturally interested because of his own mining experience -during the early gold days. Nemos' schedule shows that he wrote sixty -pages for the sixth volume of California, a circumstance which taken -with our knowledge of fields of research into which he entered in the -preparation of California Pastoral and Popular Tribunals makes us -reasonably sure that he wrote the first, second, and twenty-fifth -chapters. Mrs. Victor, who in her work on Oregon had been found -especially strong as a writer on political subjects, was assigned the -task of working up the political history of California, and, according -to her own statement, wrote two hundred and thirty-four pages for this -volume. We can positively identify chapters twelve, thirteen, -twenty-three, and twenty-four as her work. From the similarity of -their subject-matter to some already treated by her in the Oregon -history, and from the fact that their addition to the work just -indicated brings the total almost exactly to the figures given, we may -conclude that she also wrote the third, fourth, and fifth chapters. -The chapter entitled Mexican Land Titles is Oak's work, and the -remainder of the volume, almost two thirds, is that of Nemos. - -Information given by Mrs. Victor shows that she wrote for the final -volume of the History of California four hundred and eighty-nine pages -on politics and railroads. We are thus enabled to designate as her -work chapters nine to twenty-one inclusive, and chapter twenty-five. -This still leaves to her credit eighteen pages to be located in some -other chapter. The rest of the volume, embracing the portions dealing -with commerce, manufactures, agriculture, and mining, was written, -Nemos says, by himself. Before publication, the sheets on California -judiciary were submitted to Justice Stephen J. Field for his approval. -The estimate of certain pioneer characters in the California history, -together with the adopting of the Mexican view of the conquest of that -state by Americans, brought down upon Mr. Bancroft the condemnation of -the California Society of Pioneers, who, in 1894, expelled him from -honorary membership in their body. (See pamphlet proceedings of the -Society of California Pioneers in reference to the History of Hubert -Howe Bancroft.) It is a curious fact, however, that the passages which -were made the basis of the society's indictment are almost entirely in -the first five volumes of the California history, which were written -by Oak. He has declared that even the revisions were his own and not -Bancroft's. - -The History of Utah, another storm-center among the histories, was -written by Bates and Bancroft, the former, according to Nemos, -preparing twice as much manuscript as the latter. The earlier chapters -are by Bancroft, but no more certain assignment of their respective -shares in the work can be made from the information at hand. - -The History of Nevada, Colorado, and Wyoming, as already noticed, was -written by Mrs. Victor, with the exception of the first two chapters -on Nevada, which were by Bancroft. Mrs. Victor's statement of her work -includes these also, perhaps by inadvertence. It is possible that she -rewrote them, however, as Mr. Bancroft had admitted that they were out -of proportion. - -In the work on the Northwest Coast, we again see Bancroft's -predilection for early voyages. The first half of Volume I, including -the Spanish explorations of the coast, belonged to Oak's field, and -was written by him. Bancroft wrote most of the remainder of the two -volumes, which included the maritime fur trade, the Lewis and Clark -expedition, the Astor enterprise, the Northwest and Hudson Bay -companies, and the later American fur trade. - -A hundred pages on the "Oregon Question" written by Mrs. Victor for -Oregon were incorporated in the second volume of the History of the -Northwest Coast. She had taken the American side of the case, a view -with which Mr. Bancroft was not in sympathy. By his order, Mr. Oak -rewrote the subject from an English standpoint. He added chapter -fifteen, but to some extent made use of her work in preparing chapter -sixteen. Mrs. Victor always claimed that he merely altered it, Oak -himself that he rewrote it. The remainder of her manuscript was -retained and printed as chapter eighteen. - -The volume on Washington, Idaho, and Montana, was written wholly by -Mrs. Victor, a task for which she was fitted by her work on early -Oregon history. - -The History of Oregon was also her work, a fact which has been known -and fully recognized by prominent Oregonians since the day of its -publication. She had contemplated writing such a work even before the -beginning of Mr. Bancroft's project, and it was only a realization of -her inability to compete single handed with the capital and other -resources at his disposal which caused her to enter his employ. In -collecting material within the state, she had the assistance of such -pioneer families as her friends the Applegates and McBrides, and among -others, of Judge Deady and Elwood Evans. Valuable data concerning -Hudson Bay rule in Oregon were furnished her in a correspondence with -Mr. A. B. Roberts and Mr. Allen, formerly of the Hudson Bay Company. -(This correspondence is now in the possession of Mr. E. H. Kilham, of -Portland, Or.) The work as written made more than two volumes, and -condensation was necessary. A chapter on geology and mining was -omitted by Mr. Bancroft; the disposal of the manuscript on the "Oregon -Question" has already been noticed, and matter on the San Juan -boundary dispute and the Modoc war was also incorporated in other -volumes. Mrs. Victor considered the first volume of the History of -Oregon as perfect as it could be made at the time. With certain -features of the second she was not so well satisfied, the most -prominent being the omission of the history of the Oregon Steam -Navigation Company, necessitated by Mr. Bancroft's failure to secure -material, and certain changes made by him in her manuscript on Indian -Wars in Southern Oregon in such a way as to throw blame upon the -settlers (Mrs. Victor in [Salem] _Oregon Statesman_ February 24, -1895). It is worthy of note that her history is the first to pass over -the political results attributed to Whitman's ride by previous -writers. The sheets of the Oregon history before they were issued were -submitted to Judge Deady for his approval. - -In the half of the History of British Columbia which he wrote, Mr. -Bancroft utilized some of the material that he had collected in -person. Bates prepared a fourth of the manuscript, and Nemos and -Bowman together the remainder, Nemos writing some of the chapters and -revising others. - -The History of Alaska afforded Mr. Bancroft an opportunity for further -research in the field of early voyages. He is credited with half of -the volume, Bates with a third, Nemos a little, and Petroff about a -fourth. Nemos places all of his own writing on this work and British -Columbia together at a third of a volume. - -A review of the facts shows that if we exclude the comparatively few -interpolations and changes made by Mr. Bancroft, we can with assurance -declare the authorship of all portions of the third volume of Central -America, of the volumes on California, and of those on the North -Mexican States, Arizona and New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, and Wyoming, -the Northwest Coast, Oregon and Washington, Idaho and Montana, and -that we can give in general terms, though without being able to locate -the exact parts done by individuals, the names of the authors of two -volumes of Central America, and all of Mexico, Utah, British Columbia, -and Alaska. In these works Oak and Nemos were agreed that there were -scattered fragmentary bits aggregating several volumes so worked over -by different writers in different ways as to render it impossible to -determine the exact authorship. - -Turning to a consideration of the individual field of writing, we find -that of the twenty-eight volumes of history proper, Bancroft is to be -credited with four, no one entire, Oak with seven and a half, Nemos -five, no one entire, Mrs. Victor a little less than five, Savage over -three, Peatfield one and a half, principally in small parts, and Bates -one and a fourth. (This is a computation based exactly upon the facts -as given, except in Bancroft's case.) Nemos upon the same basis makes -the shares, except Savage's and Bancroft's, all slightly greater. He -assigns to Oak between seven and a half and seven and two thirds -volumes, to himself and Mrs. Victor over five each, to Peatfield about -two, and to Bates one and a half. An actual count of the parts of -volumes written by Bancroft gives a total of three and a half, but -Nemos said that he took four as the number upon the authority of Oak. -This would allow him a half volume of interpolations in the -twenty-four and a half volumes done by others. Griffin, Petroff, Kuhn, -and a man named Rasmus were the authors of fragments. Oak thought that -the name was Erasmus, but said that Nemos who gave Rasmus was the -better authority. - -Concerning these facts in their main features, there is a complete -agreement between Oak and Nemos, who together knew all the details -which were to be known, and the evidence of the other writers fits -exactly with their statements. The popular estimate of Hubert Howe -Bancroft as the historian of the Pacific Coast, is founded upon the -vague references and indefinite assertions of the Literary Industries -within the pages of which there is nowhere to be found a -straightforward statement that this man wrote more than a part of the -works to which his name is attached. On the other hand, his own -statements over his own signature admit that he did not pretend to be -the author of what went out under his name. The ranking of Mr. -Bancroft among historians of the United States is, therefore, an -error, and what has appeared in the public press concerning an -"Historian of the Pacific Coast," and a "Macaulay of the West," is -legend pure and simple. Instead of one Pacific Coast historian who -wrote the Bancroft volumes, there were eight. - -As to the six supplementary volumes of the "Works of Hubert Howe -Bancroft," which ended the series, Mrs. Victor had some means of -determining the authorship. According to her notes, Savage and Nemos -did a great deal of writing and revising. The Modoc War in _inter -pocula_, a part of the chapter entitled Some Indian Episodes, was -written by Mrs. Victor from notes obtained by herself on the ground. -She also wrote some other matter for this volume. The remainder was -done by Bancroft and his family, who also aided him much on Popular -Tribunals. - -Pastorals was produced chiefly by Bancroft. Of the Literary -Industries, Nemos wrote several chapters or parts, Savage a little, -and Oak three or four bits of a few paragraphs each. It must be -remembered that Bancroft's writing in these private volumes was -subjected to criticism, revision, and retouching by the best literary -talent which the library afforded. - -Concerning the Chronicles of the Builders, the biographical series -which followed the histories, with such unfortunate results, some -notes in Mrs. Victor's handwriting taken in 1888, about a year before -work finally ended, give us the following facts: The introductory -essay is by Nemos, as are also the reflective chapters and reviews, -together with most of the historical text. Peatfield wrote Oregon, -Washington, and Texas, though some of the latter was rewritten by -Nemos. Mrs. Victor wrote "Routes and Transportation," and a number of -the leading biographies, making nearly a volume. Savage wrote about a -third of a volume. - -Mr. Bancroft as a writer of history was subject to certain influences -likely to be felt in his treatment of facts, which did not affect his -coworkers. One great object was of course to make the work popular. It -was with this end in view that much attention was given to literary -finish and typographical features. It was his practice to have a -writer employed for the purpose go over his own manuscripts and -sometimes those of his assistants to add "classical allusions," as he -termed them, for rhetorical effect. He himself was given to the -reading of English classics--Carlyle's works are especially mentioned -by his friends--as a means of acquiring a good literary style. To -stimulate the reader's attention, he occasionally made a side remark -of such a ludicrous character as to be startling when one comes upon -it in a perfectly serious paragraph. Mrs. Victor often laughed over -the interlineation in a paragraph written by her on the Oregon -boundary question of the words: - -"Man is a preposterous pig; probably the greediest animal that crawls -upon this planet": (Oregon, I, 592.) - -In passing upon the work of his corps of writers, one who combined the -duties of financier as well as editor of the work either consciously -or unconsciously must have been influenced by the question whether the -treatment of the subject before him was such as would please the -people in the locality whose history was being written. The Mormon -turn given the History of Utah by the toning down of certain incidents -which other historians have "shrunk from contemplating" occurs to us -as a case in point: (Frances Fuller Victor in _Salt Lake Tribune_, -April 14, 1893; _New York Mail and Express_, November 23d). - -The publication of the Chronicles before all of the volumes of history -were out could hardly have lessened this tendency, as a favorable -mention of a man in the history would naturally tend to make him more -approachable upon the subject of contributing to that work. Upon the -back of the letter to Mrs. Victor instructing her to give prominence -to certain dictations, which he admits are practically worthless, is -written in her hand the legend, "Ways that are dark and tricks that -are vain." As a result of complaint, changes were sometimes made in -the text, even after the first edition was out: (Pamphlet, Proceedings -of the Society of California Pioneers in Reference to the Histories of -Hubert Howe Bancroft). - -In the History of Montana occurs an example of a change made directly -for business reasons. Several pioneers justly entitled to a place in -the history of their territory disagreed with the agent of the -Bancroft house concerning the number of volumes of the history which -their contract required them to take. As a punishment for their -refusal to comply with the demands of the publisher, their biographies -were stricken from their place in the footnotes after the volume was -set up, and other matter was substituted. (The original sheets with -marginal annotations as to amounts paid and biographies to be omitted -are in the possession of Mr. E. H. Kilham of Portland, Oregon.) In -view of these facts, we are forced to conclude that the business man -in Mr. Bancroft, developed by the experiences and associations of a -lifetime, sometimes got the better of the historical editor of -scarcely fifteen years' standing. - -A second factor to be considered in Mr. Bancroft's writing was -sometimes expressed by his acquaintances as a mistaking of -contrariness for originality. As already indicated, his tendency is -toward a form of writing such as will attract the reader's attention. -This tendency frequently asserts itself in sweeping statements and -striking characterizations, many of them apparently impelled by a -desire to give a turn to an incident or an estimate of a character -different from that given by any previous writer. Thus Bancroft wrote -an estimate of General Grant, which was startling because of the -general hostility of its tone, and was considered so unjust by Mrs. -Victor and Oak that they persuaded him to leave it out. (Letter of -Mrs. Victor of July 25, 1892. The paragraph which was originally -intended as a footnote in the History of Oregon, II, 246, is printed -on page 18 of the Pamphlet of the Society of California Pioneers, -which gives their proceedings with reference to Bancroft's histories.) - -Again, in making an effort to avoid following Washington Irving, he -has given in the part of the Northwest Coast which he wrote a -treatment of the Astor enterprise, and an estimate of the character of -Captain Bonneville, which later historians have shown to be -prejudiced and in error. (See Chittenden's History of the American Fur -Trade in the Far West, I, 432-33.) - -A third influence affecting the treatment of facts of history which -passed under Mr. Bancroft's editorship, as well as those which he -presented in the scattered portions of volumes of which he could claim -real authorship, is that of personal bias. The manager of the Bancroft -enterprise was a man, who in the course of a thirty years' business -career had many business rivalries and personal enmities. His strong -dislikes frequently assert themselves in his writings, if we are to -take his own statements. (Lit. Ind., 374.) - -Again, the personal equation must be accounted for in the value which -he sets on the work of historians who wrote before him. He not -infrequently disparages their writings in the strongest terms, his -depreciation of Washington Irving being one of the most palpable -cases. (Chittenden's History of American Fur Trade in the Far West, I, -244-46), has forcibly revealed the extent of the injustice done by -Bancroft in this one case. That there are others like it will readily -appear. For the effort to demonstrate the superiority of the Bancroft -histories over others, we must accordingly make due allowance when -attempting a critical estimate. - -Furthermore, the editor-manager began the work with certain theories -and notions of history that have found their way into the pages which -he has published. From the beginning, he adopted the British side in -dealing with the dispute over the Oregon boundary. In his treatment of -Indian wars, the same tendency to adopt ready-made theories asserted -itself. In the manuscript of Mrs. Victor's History of Oregon, treating -of Indian Wars in Southern Oregon which "gave great credit to the -veterans of that struggle and the settlers generally for their -forbearance," the editor interlined some expressions, throwing the -blame upon the settlers. When it was pointed out to him that this was -not true, he replied that he had begun his History of Central America -with this theory of Indian wars, and must be consistent throughout the -entire series (Communication of Frances Fuller Victor to the [Salem] -_Oregon Statesman_, February 24, 1895). - -To such errors as those just enumerated the work of Mr. Bancroft's -collaborators was not subject. The dislike inspired by some of the -measures of their chief has sometimes resulted in their disparagement -as historians by a public press, absolutely ignorant of the parts of -the work for which they were responsible. (In the _Salt Lake Tribune_, -February 16, 1893, is a very striking example. Occasional utterances -of the San Francisco papers of about the same time follow along the -same line.) It must be remembered that they were not only able and -educated, but that the competitive wage system under which they worked -offered every inducement to search for the truth and to make it known -as they found it in the best collection of books, pamphlets, and -newspapers on Pacific Coast history that was ever made. The only -characteristics which were common to the library corps, as shown by a -study of their biographies, were good education, ill health, and -liberal religious views. - -In general, these writers had special qualifications which adapted -them for work in their respective fields. To Oak there was a -fascination in the study of documents from which the usually -uninteresting and sometimes tedious details of events in Spanish and -Mexican provincial localities were derived. His contributions to -history he could honestly claim were better than other writings on the -same subject because of the exhaustiveness of his research through the -great amount of material at his disposal. While he admired the finer -qualities of style in the writings of others, they were not required -in his work. He frankly declared that he had little natural ability in -this line, and in the writing of provincial annals found no -opportunity for the cultivation of what he had. Oak once asserted in a -joking mood that he had found of great service a thorough knowledge of -Spanish and French, together with a useful smattering of other -languages, including English. None of his chapters were rewritten or -even reread with a view to polish, for the reason that he believed his -works had their chief value merely as records, and that an attempt to -make them fascinating to general readers could but result in impairing -their value for reference. The fact that the superintendent of -literary activities in the Bancroft library was an enthusiast in -original research who cared vastly more what was said than how it was -said is a circumstance favoring the accuracy of the histories which -must not be overlooked. Oak could say that from the first he had -exercised an important influence in the direction of honest research -and against superficial work, and that he opposed undue haste in -bringing the work to a conclusion. - -Nemos, unlike Oak, was a writer of smooth, flowing English. On account -of his foreign birth he had no preference in the selection of a field, -and wrote for more different volumes than any other member of the -library force. His great ability, and his consequent position of -all-round man, are to be accounted for by great natural endowment -supplemented by a thorough training in youth in his own country, a -schooling during his London residence in the philosophy of his own -country as well as that of the German universities, and a wide -acquaintance with European languages. With a remarkable faculty for -systematizing work, he was useful, honorable, and trustworthy. - -To Mrs. Victor was assigned the agreeable task of working up the field -in which she had long taken special interest. She was the only member -of the staff who had a literary reputation before entering the -library. Noted as a poetess of unusual promise in her earlier days, -she had also written excellent prose for different journals, among -them a magazine history of the United States published in serial form -by the Harpers, until the beginning of the Civil War compelled the -discontinuance of the publication in which it appeared. As a -contributor to the San Francisco papers in the early "sixties," she -had met with pronounced success, while her work on her projected -History of Oregon and her publication of two works on the Northwest -fitted her for her special field. She had the enviable faculty of -putting life into her writings, and it was partially on account of her -graceful style that Mr. Bancroft sought her services, for his eye was -always attracted by good literary work. But the volumes written by -Mrs. Victor were of a far different stamp from the popular literary -history. The late Mary Sheldon Barnes, professor of history in -Stanford University, declared that she had done her work well. All who -were acquainted with her personally recognized the fact that she -placed the truth as she conceived it before all else. The leading -opponents of the stand she took on disputed questions freely -recognized the fact that she had striven to do conscientious, -painstaking work. Given to speaking what she believed was the whole -truth, even when it was contrary to her immediate interest to do so, -she was the last of all persons whom a regard for literary effect -would swerve from the path of historical accuracy. - -A better man for chief Spanish authority than Thomas Savage could -scarcely have been found. Thoroughly acquainted with the language by a -life-long residence in Spanish America, he had a natural fondness for -history, to which his long continuance in the consular service had -added a habit of accuracy, and a capacity for hard work. The fifth -volume of the History of Mexico, embracing the history of that country -from 1824 to 1861, and the third volume of the Central American -history which threads out the tangled skein of the history of the five -little republics in the nineteenth century, serve as examples of the -vast amount of detail which his writing covered, to say nothing of his -labors in collecting and extracting an overwhelming mass of material -on Spanish American history. All agree that he was a polished and -sound man. - -In the writers of smaller parts of the history, we find that the -qualifications and fitness for the individual field of writing were no -less than in those who prepared more manuscript. Peatfield's -connection with the British consular service bespeaks his reliability -and capability; Bates' occupancy of a responsible position under a -prominent English educator, and the high regard in which his work was -held by Hittell bear witness that he was competent to write history; -and Petroff's standing as a scholar in his own country, together with -his thorough acquaintance with Alaska, vouch for the character of his -work. - -While the Bancroft corps of writers were not infallible, they were a -class of persons in whose integrity and accuracy we may have as great -confidence as in the average historian. We can only regret that we can -not point out all parts of the work done by each, and that we can not -show in detail the extent of Mr. Bancroft's editorial alterations of -their work. This latter feature, inherent in the Bancroft plan of -writing history, is its greatest weakness, since it of necessity -involves some uncertainty as to whether the words we are reading are -those of the author who wrote the volume, or the interpretation of Mr. -Bancroft. A comparative study of the style of what we know to be the -work of the respective writers may suffice to settle a given case. We -may state as a fact that the majority of alterations in the -manuscripts of the chief assistants were due to the necessity of -condensation; and that, aside from this, the revision of their work -usually consisted merely in the suppression of radical utterances and -the interlineation of a few lines occasionally for literary effect. -The somewhat rough estimate given of the number of volumes written by -the respective writers indicates that Mr. Bancroft's revisions -constitute about one page in fifty of the work in fields assigned to -his assistants, although the average may be lower. In view of these -facts, the knowledge that those who wrote the Bancroft histories were -capable, honest persons, must tend decidedly toward the increasing of -our general confidence in the series. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[40] This is on the authority of Savage. - - - - -PIONEER PAPERS OF PUGET SOUND. - -By CLARENCE B. BAGLEY. - - -The trapper, the trader, the missionary, and the printer were the -pioneers of "Old Oregon," as the original territory lying between the -Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, and extending northward from -California to the British possessions may be properly called. A mere -handful of patriotic Americans founded a provisional government for -this vast wilderness in 1843, and the American Government enclosed it -safely in the national fold in 1846 by treaty with Great Britain, and -organized it into a territory August 14, 1848. - -Those who are the leading spirits in the several historical societies -of the Northwest, and the writers of its history, realize the true -value to be placed upon the labors of the pioneer printers and -newspaper men of "Old Oregon." This expression is tautological. There -were no newspaper men who were not printers in the pioneer days. - -It has been my good fortune, as child, boy, and man, to know nearly -all the old newspaper men of Oregon and Washington of that period by -sight, and to be on terms of friendship with most of them, as well as -most intimate with the majority. Among them were: - -Ashael Bush, W. L. Adams, Thomas H. Pearne, T. J. Dryer, Harvey W. -Scott, H. L. Pittock, Beriah Brown, James O'Meara, W. Lair Hill, Wm. -G. T'Vault, Samuel A. Clarke, Mrs. Duniway, D. W. Craig, John -Atkinson, E. M. Waite, L. Samuels, John Burnett, J. M. Baltimore, -William Newell, P. B. Johnson, R. R. Rees, E. T. Gunn, Charles -Besserer, Eugene Semple, A. M. Poe, John Miller Murphy, Randall H. -Hewitt, L. G. Abbott, Thornton F. McElroy, James N. Gale, J. R. -Watson, David Higgins, Charles and Thomas W. Prosch, John F. Damon, D. -C. Ireland, Francis H. Cook, S. L. Maxwell, H. C. Patrick, R. F. -Radebaugh, and many of their contemporaries, as well as a host of -their successors. - -Nearly all these were practical printers, and most of them skillful at -the case, capable of taking entire charge of the mechanical department -of the early day printing offices. - -This training made them accurate in their literary work. While some of -them might not have been on intimate terms with the rules of grammar, -they made up for any such deficiency by untiring and conscientious -efforts to give their readers good newspapers, in the face of the -gravest difficulties. In the matter of politics full allowance had -ever to be made for the personal bias of the writer, but in the matter -of news, especially that of a local character, the most absolute -fidelity to the truth was ever maintained. No efforts were made for a -"good story" at the expense of truth. The head of the paper always had -a personal knowledge of the facts and usually prepared the account of -them. If he found he had made a mistake he usually corrected it in the -next issue, if it was of sufficient importance. For this reason the -writer of the present day who delves among the old newspaper files of -pioneer days, and even down to within twenty or twenty-five years ago, -can rely upon the fairness and truthfulness of their local columns. -They were all writing history but few of them realized it. - -Life was too strenuous with the pioneers of the "forties" and -"fifties" for them to spend much time in keeping diaries or other -records of passing events. If they had done so, the unsettled -conditions under which they lived, the lack of substantial buildings, -the migration to new countries, and the rush to new mines, would have -resulted in the loss or destruction of most of such manuscripts. - -Of the early Oregon papers, I doubt if more than two or three perfect -files exist. Of the early papers of Washington, not more than three or -four complete files remain of any of them. Of the first Seattle -papers, there is but one file. It I began collecting more than forty -years ago. How much care, then, should be exercised in gathering these -old papers from the garrets and the closets where they have lain fifty -years or more, perhaps--as well as to observe the most painstaking -care for their preservation. - -When the missions among the Indians of Oregon were established by -Messrs. Whitman and Spalding in 1836, the First Native Church of -Honolulu decided to send to it a small printing press and some type -and material that had been in use for some time there in printing -spelling books and religious matter, thinking the work of the mission -in Oregon would be advanced by its aid. - -Edwin O. Hall had been one of the printers of the Honolulu mission and -he was engaged to accompany the printing outfit to Oregon. With the -press, type, fixtures, a stock of paper and binding apparatus in his -charge he, accompanied by his wife, arrived at Vancouver, on the -Columbia River, early in the month of April, 1839. In a few days the -press and party started up the Columbia River in a canoe and reached -Wallula on the 30th. From there the press was sent on pack animals to -Lapwai, on the Clearwater River, not far from the present City of -Lewiston, Idaho, while the rest of the outfit and the party went on up -the river by canoe. - -May 18, 1839, the first proof sheet in the original Oregon Territory -was struck off amid great rejoicing among the missionary party. A -large number of publications in the Flathead, Spokane, Cayuse, and Nez -Perce language was printed by the mission people. In fact, the press -was in use a great deal until in 1846, when Doctor Whitman sent it to -The Dalles, where it remained until after the Whitman massacre, -November 29-30, 1847. - -In 1848 it was in use near Hillsboro, on Tualatin Plains, for several -months, where eight numbers of the _Oregon American and Evangelical -Unionist_ appeared, which was the third paper in chronological order. - -By this time more modern presses, apparatus and types had reached -Oregon and the pioneer outfit was laid aside. Years later it came into -the possession of the Oregon Historical Society at Portland. - -The _Oregon Spectator_ was the first newspaper in Old Oregon, and the -initial number appeared at Oregon City on Thursday, February 5, 1846. -A new plant had been procured for it in New York, whence it was sent -around "The Horn." Col. William G. T'Vault was its editor and John -Flemming the printer. This paper passed through many vicissitudes in -the ensuing years--numerous changes of editors and publishers with -frequent alterations in size, now larger and again smaller, until it -finally suspended in 1855. - -The second paper was the _Oregon Free Press_, which appeared in March, -1848, under the control of George L. Curry, who later became Governor -of Oregon. - -The fourth in order was the _Western Star_, first issued at Milwaukie -November 21, 1850, by Lot Whitcomb. At that time Milwaukie, on the -east side of the Willamette, a few miles above Portland, was a rival -of the latter place for commercial supremacy, but in May, 1851, -Milwaukie had fallen behind in the race, and the _Star_ was moved to -Portland, and its name changed to the _Oregon Weekly Times_. It lived -much longer than most of the early newspaper ventures of the -Northwest. Among its numerous editors were A. C. Gibbs, Governor of -Oregon during the Civil War period, and also W. Lair Hill, with whom -all lawyers of Oregon and Washington are familiar personally or by -reputation. He was the author of the well-known code of this state -bearing his name, and for a considerable period a resident of Seattle. - -The fifth was the _Weekly Oregonian_ and the only one of all the -newspapers of Oregon and Washington appearing prior to 1860 to survive -with its original name and without periodical suspensions. - -The _Oregonian_ had to struggle for existence during all its early -years. Rivals unnumbered went to the newspaper graveyard during the -succeeding quarter century. It is a conservative estimate to place the -aggregate at a $1,000,000 sunk during that period by ambitious -printers, dissatisfied politicians, and by corporations who could not -control its editorials, in the various attempts to break the -_Oregonian_ down. The most notable contest was between the _Oregonian_ -and the _Bulletin_, when Ben. Holladay was the great magnate in -railroad and steamship affairs of the Northwest. He established, about -1872, a first-class newspaper and job printing office that cost not -less than $50,000. He employed the best newspaper talent he could -secure, and the _Bulletin_ at once became a dangerous rival for the -_Oregonian_, which had to depend solely on its own resources for its -support, while the weekly deficit in the _Bulletin_ office was made -good by a check from Ben. Holladay. - -The _Oregonian_ had at that time about seven thousand subscribers at -$3 per year to its weekly paper, while the _Bulletin_ had only a few -hundred. The _Weekly Oregonian_ saved the day, and the _Bulletin_ died -the death. Its backer is reputed to have sunk not less than $100,000. -This left the _Oregonian_ master of the field, and it became the -overshadowing journalistic power of the Northwest until the great -dailies of Seattle forced it to the rear in the State of Washington. - -Thomas J. Dryer was its first editor and A. M. Berry the first -printer. Henry L. Pittock became a printer in its office in November, -1853, and was admitted to partnership in 1856, and only four years -later became its sole owner. Mr. Harvey W. Scott went on its editorial -staff in May, 1865. In 1877 he bought an interest in the paper and -became editor-in-chief. He and Mr. Pittock still own the paper, and it -need not be added that it has made them immensely wealthy. - -The _Daily Oregonian_ made its first appearance February 4, 1861. It -consisted of four pages, each page about 111/2x18 inches, four columns -to the page. - -March 26, 1851, the _Oregon Statesman_ was launched on the newspaper -sea at Salem, the state capital, with Joseph S. Smith at the helm. In -later years Smith went to Congress from that state and was always a -conspicuous figure in Democratic circles. In September, 1852, when we -arrived in Salem from across "the plains," Asahel Bush had become -owner and editor. He soon became public printer, then an exceedingly -profitable billet, and in six or eight years was quite wealthy. The -_Statesman_ was the leading Democratic journal for a long period and -wielded a powerful influence until Joseph Lane and the Democratic -party under him lost the state, when Abraham Lincoln was elected -President. After that its influence gradually declined. It underwent -the usual changes of ownership and temporary suspensions. - -It will be difficult for the younger men in the newspaper offices of -today, with their many departments and special work, to realize the -many cares and duties devolving upon the pioneer newspaper men. The -successful one was a capable printer who could "set type," run a -press, make up the forms, make a roller, and wash it if need be. He -was editorial writer, local reporter, business manager, and mailing -clerk. A "job office" was usually a part of the printing establishment -and he, perforce, must be his own job printer and pressman as well. - -During all the earlier years there were no telegraphic dispatches, the -"news" being selected from the weekly issues of the _Tribune_ or -_Herald_ of New York City, which came by mail steamer to the Isthmus -of Panama, thence across and by steamer to San Francisco, and thence -with the utmost irregularity by steamer to Portland, from there down -the Columbia and up the Cowlitz River and by pack animal or mud wagon -to Olympia. - -Under all these adverse circumstances it is remarkable what good -newspapers were issued. They were usually on paper 24x36 inches in -size, which was about the limit for hand presses then in use. The -editorial matter was vigorous and able, the typography and presswork -equal to that of the present day, the selection of news and literary -matter unexceptionable. It is not a matter of surprise that men -capable of accomplishing such good work in the face of such -difficulties should have wielded a powerful influence in the pioneer -work of the territory. - -Of the pioneer newspaper men of Oregon and Washington there are many -in Seattle. First in age and experience is Charles Prosch, with over -forty years to his credit. Rev. John F. Damon comes next in seniority -of service. Judge Orange Jacobs had much editorial experience in -Oregon before coming here. Henry G. Struve, Esq., was an editorial -writer for years prior to 1873, in Vancouver, Clarke County, and in -Olympia. Ex-Governor Semple spent many years in all kinds of newspaper -work in Oregon and Washington, beginning about 1870. Thomas W. Prosch -learned to be a printer as he learned to read on the _Herald_ at -Steilacoom and the _Tribune_ in Olympia. C. B. Bagley began newspaper -work in 1868 and continued it with little intermission for twenty -years. Samuel C. Crawford began as printer's devil for John Miller -Murphy on the Olympia _Standard_ thirty years or more ago. Beriah -Brown, the senior of them all, recently died here, and his son Berry -began "at the case" and other newspaper work as early as 1868. - -The _Columbian_ was the "pioneer newspaper west of the mountains, -between the father of Oregon waters and Kamstkatka," as an editorial -paragraph in the first number puts it. Messrs. Wiley & McElroy -established it in Olympia September 11, 1852. Later its name was -changed to the _Pioneer_, and not long afterward it was merged with -the _Democrat_, a rival paper, under the name of _Pioneer and -Democrat_. From the above date Olympia has never been without one or -more weekly papers, and at times has enjoyed two daily papers at the -same time. - -The _Puget Sound Courier_ was the pioneer paper at Steilacoom, which -was started by Affleck & Gunn, May 19, 1854. It was Whig in politics, -and as the population was overwhelmingly Democratic it soon died for -lack of sustenance. - -Mr. Charles Prosch, the dean of newspaperdom on Puget Sound, whose -erect form and snow-white hair are familiar on the streets of Seattle, -published the _Puget Sound Herald_ at Steilacoom, beginning March 12, -1858, for about six years, and later other papers at Olympia. - -The _Northern Light_ appeared at Whatcom in 1858, under the management -of W. Bausman & Co., during a few weeks of the height of the Fraser -River gold rush, but its light was soon snuffed out. - -The _Port Townsend Register_ was started January 4, 1860, by a young -man named Travers Daniels, but the field was not an encouraging one, -and at the end of ten weeks he sold out to William T. Whitacre, who -kept it alive until August, when it suspended. - -July 5 of the same year the _Northwest_ was started in Port Townsend -by E. S. Dyer, publisher, and John F. Damon, editor. Mr. Damon -continued with the paper until it suspended, before the second volume -was completed. - -Rev. John F. Damon, the Congregational clergyman of Seattle, is too -widely known to require extended mention here. - -The _Register_ was resuscitated late in 1860 and run a violent career -for several months, and later was followed by the _Message_, which ran -several years under different management. - -In 1874 C. W. Philbrick purchased the press on which the last-named -paper was printed, changed the name to _Puget Sound Argus_, and -succeeded in placing it on a paying basis, a hitherto impossible -achievement in Port Townsend. In 1877 Philbrick, after accumulating -considerable property, sold the _Argus_ to Mr. Allen Weir. - -July 29, 1861, the _Overland Press_ was started in Olympia. A short -time before the pony express had been put on the route between the -Missouri River and Sacramento, carrying the news and a few letters, -thus placing San Francisco and New York in communication with each -other in from ten to twelve days. This suggested the name of the -paper. It was enabled to give a brief summary of Eastern news only -three weeks old. Prior to this it had been from six weeks to three -months old when it reached Olympia. - -The great Civil War had broken out only a few weeks earlier and the -manager of the _Press_ of Victoria, British Columbia, with commendable -business sagacity, determined to establish a paper in Olympia -containing the latest war news, and have it ready to distribute at all -Puget Sound ports and have a supply to distribute to its own readers -in Victoria and other parts of British Columbia on the arrival of the -weekly mail. The Eliza Anderson, then the crack steamer of Puget Sound -waters, made weekly trips, leaving Olympia early on Monday morning, -arriving at Seattle about 4 P. M., and at Victoria early Tuesday -morning. The paper at once became very popular and gained an immense -circulation for those days. - -Early in the fourth volume its name was changed to the _Pacific -Tribune_. Randall H. Hewitt, now living in Los Angeles, owned and -published it for a time, when Charles Prosch acquired it and continued -its publication at Olympia until 1873. By this time his son, Thomas W. -Prosch, had manifested much newspaper ability and had become the owner -of the paper. He moved it to Tacoma, the new railroad town, that year -and continued there until the almost total death of the place forced -another move and he came to Seattle with it. In 1878 Thaddeus Hanford -bought it and merged it with the _Post-Intelligencer_. With but one -change of name it had lived about seventeen years, or longer than any -other of the early Washington papers, with one exception. - -This exception was and is the _Washington Standard_ of Olympia, the -most notable instance of newspaper longevity, with the exception of -the _Oregonian_, in old Oregon. Its first number was largely written, -set up and printed by its founder, John Miller Murphy, and now, almost -forty-three years later, it is his proud boast that it has never -missed an issue, has never changed its name and that not a single one -of its weekly issues has failed to have more or less editorial matter -from his pen. It was "Union" in sentiment during the war of the -rebellion, but espoused the cause of Andrew Johnson in his contest -with a Republican Congress, and since then has always been -consistently Democratic. Mr. Murphy has always been too proud of his -independence to subordinate his will or the expressions of his journal -to the control of his party leaders, and has often refused preferment -at their hands on that account. He still superintends the mechanical -department of his office, as well as attending to his editorial -duties. He had achieved a competence but the panic of 1893 and the -ensuing period of financial depression made great inroads upon his -fortune, so that necessity compels him to remain in the harness, -though nearly a half century of continuous work has certainly earned -him rest. - -The _Seattle Gazette_ was the name under which the first paper -published in Seattle appeared, dated December 11, 1863, nearly forty -years ago. It was edited, set up, published, and with the assistance -of an Indian for roller boy, printed by J. R. Watson. The office was -in the second story of one of Yesler's buildings, then standing near -the present north line of the Scandinavian Bank Building. The paper -consisted of four pages, the printed matter on each page measuring -91/2x141/2 inches. The type and other material were destroyed many years -ago, but the old Ramage[41] printing press is a relic highly prized at -the State University. The _Seattle Gazette_, _Puget Sound Gazette_, -and _Puget Sound Weekly_ continued nearly four years with frequent -changes in form and ownership. - -Pioneer printers have taken a great deal of interest in regard to the -antecedents of this old press. Mr. George H. Himes was an Olympia boy, -who served his apprenticeship in the office of the _Washington -Standard_ under John Miller Murphy. From there he went to Portland and -in time "Himes the Printer" became a household word in Oregon and -Washington. He has of late years been prominent in the pioneer and -historical societies of Oregon. He has given much time to research -regarding this old press, and as a result gives it as his opinion that -it was first sent from New York to Mexico, thence to Monterey, -California, in 1834, where it was used by the Spanish governor for a -number of years in printing proclamations, etc., and on August 15, -1846, the _Californian_, the pioneer paper of California, was printed -on it. Late in 1846 it was sent from Monterey to San Francisco and -used in printing the _Star_, the first paper of that city, issued in -January, 1847. These two papers were combined at a later date, and in -the fall of 1848 the first number of the _Alta California_ was issued -from it. From San Francisco it went to Portland and the first number -of the _Oregonian_ was taken off it. In 1852 it and the old plant of -the _Oregonian_ was bought by Thornton F. McElroy and J. W. Wiley, who -brought it around on the schooner Mary Taylor to Olympia, where the -first number of the _Columbian_ was printed on it. In 1863 J. R. -Watson brought it to Seattle, and December 10th the first paper, the -Seattle _Gazette_, was printed on it. Again in 1865 S. L. Maxwell used -it to print the earlier numbers of the _Intelligencer_. - -There seems to be no doubt that it was used to print the first -newspapers on the Pacific Coast, the first in Monterey, San Francisco, -Portland, Olympia, Seattle. - -Although Seattle's first paper was of much more modest proportions -than any of its predecessors or contemporaries, it had the honor of -starting the first daily paper in the territory, which appeared April -23, 1866, and continued to August 11th of the same year. - -The Western Union Telegraph line was completed to Seattle October 26, -1864, and at 4 P. M. of that date the _Gazette_ issued its "Citizen's -Dispatch," giving the first published dispatch coming by wire to this -place. It gave the Eastern war news to October 24th, from Kansas City -and from Chattanooga of the operations of Sherman against Hood in the -Atlanta campaign. - -Occasionally telegraphic dispatches appeared in succeeding papers, but -not until about July 1, 1872, when the _Puget Sound Dispatch_ was -established by Larrabee & Co., Beriah Brown, editor, was any regular -publication of the press dispatches undertaken here. - -In June, 1867, a suspension took place, and August 5th next S. L. -Maxwell sent to press the first number of the _Weekly Intelligencer_. -The plant had come into the ownership of Messrs. Daniel and C. B. -Bagley, and Mr. Maxwell was permitted to use the same and pay for it -as he could out of the earnings of the paper. The type, rules, press, -and much of the advertising matter of the older paper, still standing -in the forms, was used in the makeup of the new paper, so that it may -properly be considered a lineal successor of the _Seattle Gazette_. -Mr. Maxwell proved to be a good newspaper and business man, and as the -town and surrounding country was having a vigorous growth, it did not -take him long to pay off the small debt and to add much needed -material to the office, which was moved across Yesler Way to a small -wooden building, and, later, up Yesler Way to near the southwest -corner of Second Avenue South. It gained influence as it grew, made -money for its owner almost from the start, and had the local field to -itself until the _Dispatch_ was started. - -In the latter part of 1878 some of the prominent local office-holders -and business men organized a company to start another paper, and -November 21, 1878, the _Seattle Weekly Post_ made its first -appearance, being made up from the _Daily Post_, which started on the -15th of the month. Its first quarters were in the two-story wooden -building owned by Hillory Butler that stood on the ground now occupied -by the southwest corner of the Hotel Butler. In passing it may be -added that this building was, from time to time, the home of more -early papers than any other in town--_Dispatch_, _North Pacific -Rural_, _Chronicle_, _Post_, _Times_, _Press_, and others with single -and hyphenated titles long since forgotten. - -In the meantime the _Intelligencer_ had been installed in a larger -two-story building then standing on the west side of First Avenue -where it deflects into First Avenue South, and remained there several -years. - -About 1879 Thomas W. Prosch and Samuel L. Crawford had acquired -ownership of it. Both had been printers from boyhood, and Mr. Prosch -had gained much experience as a newspaper man in Olympia and Tacoma, -and under their management it continued to grow in value and -influence. - -In 1881 the Post Publishing Company began the erection of a -substantial brick building, two stories and basement on the northeast -corner of Yesler Way and Post Street. As it was nearing completion -negotiations were opened for a consolidation of the _Post_ and -_Intelligencer_, and this was effected October 1, 1881, with Thomas W. -Prosch owner of one half and John Leary and George W. Harris each one -quarter. The basement and lower story of the new building were used by -the company and the upper story rented for offices. - -This building continued to be the home of the paper under several -managements, until the great fire of June 6, 1889, destroyed it and -most of its plant. - -Early in 1886 a joint stock company, consisting of Frederick J. Grant, -C. B. Bagley, Griffith Davies, Jacob Furth, John H. McGraw, E. S. -Ingraham, W. H. Hughes, Thomas Burke, and Dr. Thomas T. Miner, bought -the _Post-Intelligencer_ from T. W. Prosch. Grant continued -editor-in-chief, Bagley was business manager, S. L. Crawford city -editor and reporter, and E. S. Meany had charge of the carrier -service. - -Near the close of the same year L. S. J. Hunt purchased the -controlling interest in the paper and assumed management at once. He -had come to Seattle with large financial backing, determined to go -into the newspaper field, and the majority of the stockholders, -fearing he might establish another paper and make it a powerful rival, -sold him their interests. He proceeded to spend money most lavishly -upon it and soon built it up into a great paper. - -In May, 1871, a small printing outfit that had been in use at Sitka, -Alaska, was brought to Seattle, and for a few months the _Seattle -Times and Alaska Herald_ was printed from it. - -Later this material became the nucleus of the office of the _Puget -Sound Dispatch_, which was established by Beriah Brown and Charles H. -Larrabee. The latter was then a prominent attorney in Seattle. He was -among the killed at the time of an appalling tragedy at Tehachipe -Pass, on the line of the Southern Pacific, between Los Angeles and San -Francisco. He soon retired from the paper, leaving Beriah Brown in -sole control, which he retained with an occasional intermission until -about 1878, when it was merged with the _Intelligencer_. - -Mr. Brown was one of the old school newspapermen, who were writers of -editorials worthy of the greatest papers of the United States. He was -a friend of Horace Greeley, the elder Bennett and others of the noted -editors of a half century ago. He rarely wrote anything for his own -paper. His custom was to go to the case and put his articles in type -as he composed them. Few can realize the difficulties occasioned by -the dual processes of thought thus brought into play. Local news is -the life of all newspapers in young communities. This he could not -purvey, nor was his business management a success. - -Thaddeus Hanford, the eldest of the brothers of that name, in his -early boyhood showed ability as a writer and after he had passed -through college with honor he returned to Seattle and engaged in -newspaper work. For a year or more he was the owner of the -_Intelligencer_, but sold it about 1879 as is noted elsewhere. - -One of the most widely known as well as popular of the old-time -newspaper men was E. T. Gunn. He worked in the _Oregonian_ office as -early as 1851 and was one of its owners for a time. In 1855 he was -engaged in newspaper work at Steilacoom. November 30, 1867, he started -the _Olympia Transcript_ and its publication was continued regularly -until his death in 1883. The _Transcript_ was the neatest and -best-printed of all the early papers and for many years exerted much -influence in political affairs of the territory. A split in the -Republican party occurred in 1867 and was the cause of the -_Transcript_ being started, and for about six years while this schism -continued it championed the cause of the "bolting wing" of the party. -In 1872 an alliance between the bolters and the Democrats resulted in -the overwhelming triumph of the fusion party, Judge O. B. McFadden -being elected to Congress over Selucius Garfield, the Republican -candidate. All the newspapers in Olympia were in sympathy with the -fusionists, and this led to the organization of a company which -established the _Puget Sound Courier_. - -This company was under the leadership of Elisha P. Ferry, then -Surveyor-General, who became Territorial Governor in 1873, and the -first Governor of the State of Washington in 1889. - -The _Daily Courier_ made its first appearance January 2, 1872, and -the weekly later in the week. During that year H. G. Struve, then -practicing his profession in Olympia, did much editorial work, while -the late Fred Prosch had charge of the mechanical department. In -December C. B. Bagley became business manager and city editor, and in -June, 1873, he bought the office and newspaper. The daily was -discontinued at the close of 1874. Mr. Bagley was appointed -Territorial Printer in 1873, and held that position for ten years. He -continued the _Weekly Courier_ until late in 1884, when he sold out to -Thomas H. Cavanaugh, who changed the name of the paper to the -_Partisan_. - -During the period between 1873 and 1883 Olympia had four weekly -newspapers most of the time, while several small dailies appeared from -time to time, but never for more than a few months. Until the Seattle -papers began to take telegraphic dispatches the Olympia papers had -most of their circulation at Seattle and points further down Sound, -but this gradually ceased, and long before the admission of the state -their patronage had become almost wholly local in character. - -Steilacoom, until about 1880, when Tacoma began its second growth, was -a favorite field for newspaper ventures. Mr. Charles Prosch held the -field there nearly six years, much longer than anyone else, and while -some of his early contemporaries manifested more vigor and -belligerency in their editorial columns, none of them gave so much -local news or possessed one half the literary merit of the _Herald_. - -Francis H. Cook also moved from Olympia to Tacoma, with a newspaper -plant, on which he had for a time published the _Echo_. This paper was -started in 1868 by Randall H. Hewitt, and that year in its office the -writer began work as a printer. James E. Whitworth, now of Seattle, -Nathan S. Porter, of Olympia, and Ike M. Hall worked together in that -office. Hundreds of the older residents of Seattle remember Judge -Hall, who died here about ten years ago. Early in 1869 C. B. Bagley -became the owner and publisher of the _Echo_ for about a year. Like -most of its fellows, it underwent all manner of changes of ownership, -of form and place of publication during an erratic career of about -eight years. - -During the eight or ten years following the founding of Tacoma in -1873, many attempts were made to establish newspapers there, but most -of them were far from profitable to their backers. In fact, it has -been frequently reported that their more pretentious successors have -not been far from financial stress. - -The _Beacon_ was brought from Kalama by Mr. and Mrs. Mooney, which had -been the organ of the Northern Pacific Railroad. This soon died. In -1880 there started the _North Pacific Coast_, but its life was brief. - -R. F. Radebaugh, of San Francisco, and H. C. Patrick, of Sacramento, -came to Tacoma and started the _Weekly Ledger_ April 23, 1880. April -7, 1883, the _Daily Ledger_ was started, and both the weekly and daily -are still appearing regularly, having long passed the usual period -that has been fatal to so many papers on Puget Sound. - -Mr. Patrick left the _Ledger_ in 1882 and bought the _Pierce County -News_, which had been started August 10, 1881, by George W. Mattice. -Mr. Patrick changed the name to _Tacoma News_, and it appeared as a -weekly paper until September 15, 1883, when he started the _Daily -News_. It continues to occupy the evening field, while the _Ledger_ -retains the morning field. - -The limits of this article do not permit mention of many papers which -have appeared from time to time in every town and almost every -village. In the writer's collection there are not less than one -hundred publications, daily, weekly, or monthly, that have sprung -into life since 1852. Most of them are forgotten in the communities -where they appeared. Success has come to but here and there one. - -Kirk C. Ward was a fluent writer and a promoter of no small sagacity. -Having lost control of the _Post_, he soon induced some friends to -back him and started the _Chronicle_. It had a variegated career and -finally became the property of one of the leading law firms of the -city, McNaught, Ferry, McNaught & Mitchell. They employed a Bohemian -from Kansas, named Frank C. Montgomery, as editor, who conducted it -until May 1, 1886, when Homer M. Hill, who is now engaged in other -business in Seattle, bought it. - -The Hall brothers were conducting the _Call_ and the two papers were -consolidated, and on Monday, May 3, 1886, the paper came out with Vol. -1, No. 1 of the Seattle _Daily Press_. A weekly paper was also run in -connection with the daily. Mr. Hill ere long acquired the entire -ownership of the paper. He was a shrewd, capable business man of -untiring industry, and under his management the paper became a -valuable property. Interests in it had been sold and bought back from -time to time, and at the time Mr. Hill closed out his ownership Harry -White held some of its shares. At that time the paper was absolutely -free from debt and had a good bank account and was making money for -its owners. - -Mr. W. E. Bailey, a wealthy young man from Philadelphia, had large -interests here, and he became the victim to an ambition to conduct a -big newspaper. Under these circumstances Mr. Hill had no difficulty in -getting his price for the _Press_. Mr. L. S. J. Hunt of the -_Post-Intelligencer_ conducted the negotiations and made the purchase -and at once transferred the property to Mr. Bailey. He made important -additions to the mechanical department and engaged a large news and -editorial force, whose chief instructions were to make a clean, live -newspaper. - -At the time Mr. Hill bought the _Chronicle_ it owned the Associated -Press evening franchise, which was its most valuable asset. - -In passing, it is proper to note the fact that the present _Times_ is -the lineal successor of the _Chronicle_, and while for a brief period -there was a break in the legal succession, it may be truthfully said -that the historical succession to the Associated Press franchise is -derived from the _Chronicle_ down through the _Press_ and the -_Press-Times_ to _The Times_ of to-day. - -The consolidation of the _Chronicle_ and _Call_ threw a lot of -printers and newspaper men out of employment, including Thomas H. -Dempsey, the foreman of the _Chronicle_ office. The latter was a keen -business man and a competent printer. He and the late Col. George G. -Lyon and James P. Ferry at once organized a new company, and secured a -printing outfit that served their purpose temporarily. The same day, -May 3, 1886, that the _Press_ was issued, No. 1, Vol. 1 of the _Daily -Times_ also appeared. Seattle, then a little city of about 10,000 -population, was thus the proud possessor of three daily papers. - -The starting of these two papers just preceded the "boom" in Seattle -real estate, when the volume of advertising was vastly increased as -well as population of the city, and both papers made money rapidly. - -February 10, 1891, Mr. Bailey bought the _Times_ from Lyon and -Dempsey, paying for it $48,000. He had paid somewhere from $20,000 to -$25,000 for the _Press_. He consolidated the two under the name of the -_Press-Times_. - -The period of financial depression which followed a couple of years -later bore heavily upon Mr. Bailey and and he was finally compelled -to give up the paper to his creditors, having lost not less than -$200,000 during his journalistic career. - -The history of its subsequent vicissitudes and difficulties would fill -a volume, but can be touched upon but briefly here. The paper was on -the market for a long time. John Collins had it for a time and sunk a -lot of money in it, having acquired it through a mortgage of $15,000. -John W. Pratt, whose recent lamented death is fresh in the memories of -a host of friends, secured control of it for a time. At times it was -published by a receiver. Hughes and Davies came into possession of it -through ex-Sheriff James Woolery, who had taken it over under the -mortgage given to John Collins. - -During this troubled period among other happenings the name was -changed back to _The Times_, and also the Associated Press franchise -was surrendered and that of the United Service taken over. Later, and -subsequent to the mortgage of $15,000 given to John Collins, the -Associated Press franchise was again secured, and this was a vital -point in the legal contest that arose, The Times Printing Company, -headed by Col. A. J. Blethen on one side, and Hughes & Davies on the -other. - -Colonel Blethen bought _The Times_ August 7, 1897, and his first -editorial appeared in it three days later. He came well equipped for -newspaper work and management by reason of wide experience in other -fields, and month by month he and his sons, Joseph and Clarence B., -have made it better and better, and to-day is one of the most valuable -newspaper properties on the Pacific Coast and one of the great dailies -of the United States. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[41] The Ramage was so called because it was constructed by Adam -Ramage, who went to Philadelphia about 1790, and is believed to have -been the first press builder in America. For many years he constructed -all the presses used in this country. The posts and cross-pieces of -the larger sizes of his early presses were made of wood, and the bed, -platen, tracks, springs, screw, lever, etc., of iron. The largest -Ramage press I ever saw had a bed 22x32 inches, with platen 16x22 -inches. This was used in printing the _Oregonian_ for the first four -months of its life, December, 1850, to April, 1851, and required four -impressions to perfect a paper--an impression for each page. Sixty to -seventy perfect papers per hour was the limit of a pressman's -capacity. During the summer of 1853 a wooden extension was added to -the platen of the press by an Olympia (Wash.) mechanic, thus doubling -its capacity. The extra strain upon the muscles of the pressman as a -result of this enlargement caused the old machine to be dubbed a -"man-killer."--GEORGE H. HIMES. - - - - -IN MEMORIAM OF WILLARD H. REES. - - -It is a labor of love to say that when the writer first met W. H. Rees -in 1844, the latter was, for a man in his twenty-fifth year, in -advance of his general surroundings. His intelligence and manner of -telling what he knew on any subject drew men near his own age to him -strongly. There were, I found on riper acquaintance, family reasons -for part of this. His father (then a citizen of Hamilton County, -Ohio), had been a member of the legislature of his native state of -Delaware, and his mother had a place in the _literati_ of her day. The -father was of Welsh stock, and judging by the son, an active, ardent -member of the Whig party at the time. Willard and I were thrown -together in the tide of emigration setting out from Saint Louis -towards the rendezvous of proposed emigrants to Oregon. The boat we -were on landed at Weston, and from thence we hired a team belonging to -other emigrants to haul our effects, and we walked to Saint Joseph. -From thence Rees and I footed it ten miles higher up the Missouri to -the camp of the emigrants under Gilliam's leadership. Learning there -that a man living but three miles off needed two assistants to get his -family and effects to Oregon, we were at his residence next morning as -he rose from breakfast, and within five minutes were engaged to come -to Oregon with him as his assistants. Within twenty-five minutes, -mounted on a good horse, with gold coin to purchase breadstuffs for -ten persons for three months' journey, Rees was on his way back to -Saint Joe. He and I then began a year of such intimate relations to -each other as leads me to say Capt. R. W. Morrison, our employer, made -no mistake in trusting Mr. Rees with the most important acts in -conducting his preparations for the journey to Oregon. When we -effected a military organization for the trip, no mistake was made in -the election of Rees as first sergeant, with the duties of adjutant. -And when, after arrival in Oregon, fifteen of us near the same age -were employed logging and running Hunt's saw mill, on the Lower -Columbia, Rees was easily our leader. Leaving that in June, 1845, and -coming to Oregon City to vote, he still, without effort on his part, -was by common consent in the first place. There were at Oregon City -two young men I might claim as his peers at that date--Charles E. -Pickett and J. W. Nesmith. It was the former and Rees, I believe, who -led to the formation of the first literary association. Mr. Pickett -was at that time reader from the public news box. The contents were -volunteer contributions, each writer choosing his subject, and of -course extending from harmless fun to the most serious questions. This -suggested the formation of the literary society, naturally. - -J. W. Nesmith stood among the young men of 1843 immigration to Oregon -as W. H. Rees stood among those of 1844. Both observers and helpers in -the history being made, the former watching and participating -personally in almost every forward movement, the latter wielding -perhaps a greater personal influence, but manifesting no ambition for -personal advancement. Mr. Rees worked as a carpenter at Oregon City -from June, 1845, to June, 1846 (the exact dates are not remembered), -but between these dates had purchased a claim in the northern portion -of Champoeg, [Marion] County. At the finishing of Doctor McLoughlin's -flouring mill he with other American mechanics celebrated the occasion -with a ball, which was attended by most of the leading people of -parties having interest in the Oregon Boundary Question. Lieut. Wm. -Peel was there using his tongue, eyes and ears, we may suppose, to -give reliable information in regard to Americans in Oregon to his -father, then premier of the British Government. Lieutenant Peel was of -the British navy, but not of the _Modeste_ whose officers generally -were in company with him when mingling with Americans as on this -occasion. There was no dancing going on. It was a time of social -relaxation. Doctor Newell, a Rocky Mountain doctor, and a man of -sterling good sense, had been giving his opinion of some of Peel's -social behavior as not such as was beyond criticism among Americans. -Peel replied, "Well, Doctor, Americans believe in the rule of -majorities, and I think the British are in a majority here." Mr. -Newell thought not. A Britisher will settle any question by a bet, and -Mr. Peel offered the bet of a bottle of wine that a majority of those -then present were for the British side of the Oregon Boundary -Question. Doctor Newell took the bet. A count was made and Mr. Newell -won. Peel on this, looking at a man across the mill floor, offered -another bottle on that particular man fighting for the British side in -the contingency of war over Oregon. William Penland, an Englishman, -put the question: "Sir, which flag would you support in the event of -war over Oregon?" Rees replied, "I fight under the Stars and Stripes, -sir." Mr. Rees, no matter what his garb, was always comparatively -neat, and might well be taken for a middle class Welshman. - -Newell and he already neighbors, from this time forward had a potent -influence among the French-Canadian farmers. Both were admirers of -Doctor McLoughlin, and Rees' influence was greatly enhanced by his -taking the finishing of the Catholic Church at Saint Louis, and by -writing brief tributes to their lives as they passed to the other -side. From his genial social nature it was easy for Mr. Rees to give -these retired engagees of the Hudson Bay Company information as to -what these newly formed relations to the United States Government -required of them, in which he was aided by neighbors and -friends--Doctor Newell and F. X. Mathieu. It was his pleasure and -pastime to learn of the later life, death and burial in the French -settlement of two of the gallant band, Philip Degrett and Francis -Rivet, [The authoritative lists of the Lewis and Clark Company does -not contain these two names.--ED.] who followed the lead of Lewis and -Clark from the sources of the Columbia to the ocean in 1805, and to -give to the historian a transcript of the first Catholic parish -registry, including the names and ages of Gervais, Lucier, Cannon, -Labonte, and Dubruil, who came with Hunt in 1811. - -In 1847 Mr. Rees was elected as a colleague of his friend Dr. Newell. -Wm. H. Rector, A. Chamberlain and Anderson Cox being the other members -representing Champoeg County in the lower house of the Oregon -legislature. From the foregoing causes and his steady patriotism Mr. -Rees became a potent influence in sending young men from the French -settlement to the fighting field in the Cayuse country on the Whitman -massacre, himself going as regimental commissary agent. - -As the troops were retiring from the Cayuse country, gold was -discovered in California and many of the soldiers were amongst the -first to go to the mines, Willard H. Rees of the number. A larger -proportion of the French half-breeds never returned than of the -Americans, and from 1849 the Canadian settlement began to -disintegrate. As the pioneer settlement died, Rees's ready pen gave -them kindly notice. In the period between 1850 and 1860 he was -watchful and active, but never for himself; being of Whig antecedents -it was natural for him to help in the formation of the Union party, -and that he did; also, being a leader in the formation of the Pioneer -Association, the pages of its annual publications will furnish the -future historical gleaner many valuable points there inserted by the -pen of Willard H. Rees. - -The death of his body at 83 years is not reasonable cause of mourning; -his nearest friends have had cause for sadness in the slow and gradual -mental decay which was perceptible to them for many years before the -final end. A change, slight and unperceived by ordinary observers, -was noted by his intimate friends as far back as 1879, when a few -lines in the annual address to the pioneers prepared by him but which -he was unable to attend and deliver, and were well read by F. M. -Bewley, seemed unlike the Rees of 1859. Yet in that address he -characteristically goes to the very beginning of social free and easy -interchange of personal views on the life of the times of 1845-6. This -early social life expressed itself through an organization called the -Pioneer Lyceum and Literary Club, and he thus speaks of it: "The -following are the names Charlie Pickett had on the membership roll. -They were at times widely scattered and are designated upon the roll -as regular and visiting members: - -"John H. Couch, F. W. Pettygrove, J. M. Woir, A. L. Lovejoy, J. -Applegate, S. W. Moss, Robert Newell, J. W. Nesmith, Ed Otie, H. A. G. -Lee, F. Prigg, C. E. Pickett, Wm. C. Dement, Medorum Crawford, Hiram -Strait, J. Wambaugh, Wm. Cushing, Philip Foster, Ransom Clark, H. H. -Hide (Hyde?), John G. Campbell, Top McGruder, W. H. Rees, Mark Ford, -Henry Saffren, Noyes Smith, Daniel Waldo, P. G. Stewart, Isaac W. -Smith, Joseph Watt, Frank Ematinger, A. E. Wilson, Jacob Hoover, S. M. -Holderness, John Minto, Barton Lee, General Husted, and John P. -Brooks. - -"Perhaps a more congenial, easy-going, self-satisfying club has never -since congregated in the old capital city and under changed condition -of affairs, especially in fashions so strikingly different from the -unique and richly colored costumes of that day, never will the good -people of our spray-bedewed old city rest upon the like again." The -names are given as history, the last quotation as a sample of Mr. -Rees's quiet humor. - -Now an end of life by natural law is not a proper subject of mourning. -Willard H. Rees did not so regard it, when his generous kindness led -him to collect the most praiseworthy incidents of very earliest and -most unlettered of the pioneers from those coming with Lewis and Clark -and Astor's enterprise to those better informed who came after he -himself was here. The contributions of Willard H. Rees, J. W. Nesmith, -and M. P. Deady to the Oregon Pioneer Association publication would -alone constitute no mean volume of the history of Oregon, beginning -with retired Canadian hunters and trappers who by cultivating the soil -of Oregon and creating a magazine of supplies to the American -homebuilders unawares were cultivating the seeds of civilization aided -and foreseen by the Applegates, Burnetts, Waldos, Nesmiths, Rees, and -others who managed a bloodless victory over the pro-British occupation -of Oregon. - - - - -SHORT BIOGRAPHY OF JOSEPH HOLMAN. - - -Joseph Holman was born at Little Torrington, Devonshire, England, -August 20, 1815. His parents were John and Elizabeth Holman. His -father was a mechanic, and manufacturer of agricultural implements, -and died when Joseph was quite young, leaving two older sons. The -eldest son carried on his father's business, the younger brothers -living with him to learn the trade. - -When Joseph was sixteen years of age, the second brother emigrated to -Canada and sent such good reports of large wages for mechanics that -when Joseph was eighteen his elder brother allowed him to follow, -though bound to him until twenty-one. In 1833 Joseph took passage on -the ship "Eliza" for Canada and landed at Prince Edward's Island where -the ship was seized for debt, which detained the passengers some -weeks, the creditors furnishing codfish and potatoes only, for food. -The ship finally sailed for Quebec and to London, in Canada, where -Joseph found his brother, and worked in that place for several years, -but disliked the rough ways of that early time. He went alone to New -Lisbon, Ohio, where he worked at wagon making for a year. Hearing much -of the so-called West at that time, he went to Peoria, Illinois, found -work and lived two years there. During that time, Jason Lee, on his -way from Oregon to the East, stopped at Peoria and lectured on Oregon. -In the spring of 1839 eighteen persons agreed to go to Oregon and -settle there. Joseph Holman had ideas of a large city at the mouth of -the Columbia River, and he wanted to be one to help take the claim. -The party started west with horses and wagons. At Independence, -Missouri, they sold the wagons and bought mules to carry packs. Mr. -Farnham was chosen captain. They traveled to Bent's Fort on the -Arkansas River without mishap, and to Bent's Fort on the Platte River -[generally called St. Vrain's] became demoralized. Some went back, Mr. -Farnham went to Santa Fe, others went through the next year, but -Joseph Holman, with Cook, Fletcher and Kilbourn, determined to go to -Oregon. While away from the fort to get dry buffalo meat for food the -Indians stole their horses. They worked at the fort until they earned -more horses, and late in the fall the four started alone and reached -Green River, in the Rocky Mountains, and camped in a sheltered place -called "Brown's Hole," also Joe Meek, Doctor Newell, Cary and others. -Joseph Holman's mechanical knowledge helped him here, for he stocked -guns, made saddles for Indians, and received an extra horse and beaver -skins (as good as money) in return. Doctor Newell decided to start -early in the spring, with the beaver skins to Fort Hall, in Idaho, to -avoid Indian war parties who would be out later on. They were caught -in the snow and nearly perished. Where Doctor Newell expected to see -buffalo they did not see one. They were four days without any food, -until they met a Digger Indian woman who sold them her two dogs. After -that they now and then killed an antelope until they reached Fort Hall -where they remained three weeks to recuperate themselves and horses. -Doctor Newell remained here. The four young men left with a Hudson Bay -agent for Fort Boise, but went alone from there to Walla Walla, -arriving there May 1, 1840; from there down the Columbia River to Fort -Vancouver, was the hardest part of the trip, especially from The -Dalles to Fort Vancouver, on the north side of the Columbia. The water -was high at that season of the year, had covered the Indian trail on -the bank of the river, and they were obliged to lead their ponies over -the bluffs to Fort Vancouver, a fact Doctor McLaughlin could hardly -believe when they arrived, at 11 o'clock June 1, 1840. In the -afternoon of the same day a ship arrived at Fort Vancouver from New -York, with forty Methodist missionaries to teach and convert the -Indians. A Miss Almira Phelps, from Springfield, Massachusetts, was -one, to whom Joseph was married in less than a year. He was twenty-six -years of age, and even then showed a progressive spirit. The four, Mr. -Cooke, Mr. Fletcher, Mr. Kilbourn, and Joseph Holman, rode around -looking for places to settle. They took up land and built a cabin. The -Methodist mission employed them for a time and paid them in stock. - -Joseph Holman cut the first stick of timber on the present town site -of Salem, and just back of the asylum for the insane he took up his -claim of land, which was a mile square. He rode a horse to the east, -to the north, to the west, to the south, and staked it. Years -afterward surveyors said he surveyed it correctly on his horse, a mile -square. Mrs. John H. Albert, now living, was born on this land, Joseph -Holman's eldest daughter. His only son, George Phelps Holman, was the -first white child born in Salem, or the county. - -Joseph Holman's heart and soul were for Oregon, for its building up, -its prosperity. His loyalty was unbounded. He was honest, -affectionate, and true. - - * * * * * - -This short statement was dictated by Mr Joseph Holman to his wife -during his last illness in 1880. He was on a lounge, and told these -facts, and she penciled them down and copied them June 27, 1902, in -the present form. - - - - -DOCUMENTS. - - -Letter of fur traders Jedediah S. Smith, David E. Jackson, and Wm. L. -Sublette--1830. - -Gives an account of the taking of the first wagons to the Rocky -Mountains and of the Hudson's Bay Company post, Fort Vancouver, and -its operations in the Oregon Country. An argument for the termination -of the convention of 1818. - - The letter of Smith, Jackson, and Sublette forms part of - Senate Executive Documents 39, 21st Congress, 2d session, - pp. 21-23. The whole document is taken up with a - consideration of "the state of the British establishments in - the valley of the Columbia, and the state of the fur trade, - as carried on by the citizens of the United States and the - Hudson's Bay Company," as shown in the communications of - Gen. W. H. Ashley, Joshua Pilcher, J. D. Smith, David E. - Jackson, and W. L. Sublette, and William Clark and Lewis - Cass. - - ST. LOUIS, October 29, 1830. - - SIR: The business commenced by General Ashley some years - ago, of taking furs from the United States territory beyond - the Rocky Mountains has since been continued by Jedediah S. - Smith, David E. Jackson, and William L. Sublette, under the - firm of Smith, Jackson, and Sublette. They commenced - business in 1826, and have since continued it, and have made - observations and gained information which they think it - important to communicate to the government. The number of - men they have employed has usually been from eighty to one - hundred and eighty; and with these, divided into parties, - they have traversed every part of the country west of the - Rocky Mountains, from the peninsula of California to the - mouth of the Columbia River. Pack horses, or rather mules, - were at first used, but in the beginning of the present - year, it was determined to try wagons, and in the month of - April last, on the 10th day of the month, a caravan of ten - wagons, drawn by five mules each, and two dearborns, drawn - by one mule each, set out from St. Louis. We have eighty-one - men in company, all mounted on mules, and these were - exclusive of a party left in the mountains. Our route from - St. Louis was nearly due west to the western limits of the - state and thence along the Santa Fe trail about forty miles, - from which the course was some degrees north of west, across - the waters of the Kanzas, and up the Great Platte River, to - the Rocky Mountains, and to the head of Wind River, where it - issues from the mountains. This took us until the 16th of - July, and was as far as we wished the wagons to go, as the - furs to be brought in were to be collected at this place, - which is, or was this year, the great rendezvous of the - persons engaged in that business. Here the wagons could - easily have crossed the Rocky Mountains, it being what is - called the Southern [South] Pass, had it been desirable for - them to do so, which it was not for the reason stated. For - our support, at leaving the Missouri settlements, until we - should get into the buffalo country, we drove twelve head of - cattle, beside a milk cow. Eight of these only being - required for use before we got to the buffaloes, the others - went on to the head of Wind River. We began to fall in with - the buffaloes on the Platte, about three hundred and fifty - miles from the white settlements, and from that time lived - on buffaloes, the quantity being infinitely beyond what we - needed. On the fourth of August, the wagons being in the - meantime loaded with furs which had been previously taken, - we set out on the return to St. Louis. All the high points - of the mountains then in view were white with snow, but the - passes and valleys, and all the level country, were green - with grass. Our route back was over the same ground nearly - as in going out, and we arrived at St. Louis on the 10th of - October, bringing back the ten wagons, the dearborns being - left behind; four of the oxen and the milk cow were also - brought back to the settlements in Missouri, as we did not - need them for provision. Our men were all healthy during the - whole time, we suffered nothing by the Indians, and had no - accident but the death of one man, being buried under a bank - of earth that fell in upon him, and another being crippled - at the same time. Of the mules, we lost but one by fatigue, - and two horses stolen by the Kanzas Indians; the grass - being, along the whole route going and coming, sufficient - for the support of the horses and mules. The usual weight in - the wagons was about one thousand eight hundred pounds. The - usual progress of the wagons was from fifteen to twenty-five - miles per day. The country being almost all open, level, and - prairie, the chief obstructions were ravines and creeks, the - banks of which required cutting down, and for this purpose a - few pioneers were generally kept ahead of the caravan. This - is the first time that wagons ever went to the Rocky - Mountains, and the ease and safety with which it was done - prove the facility of communicating overland with the - Pacific Ocean. The route from the Southern Pass, where the - wagons stopped, to the Great Falls of the Columbia, being - easier and better than on this side of the mountains, with - grass enough for horses and mules, but a scarcity of game - for the support of men. One of the undersigned, to wit, - Jedediah S. Smith, in his excursion west of the mountains, - arrived at the post of the Hudson's Bay Company, called Fort - Vancouver, near the mouth of Multnomah River. He arrived - there in August, 1828, and left the 12th of March, 1829, and - made observations which he deems it material to communicate - to the government. Fort Vancouver is situated on the north - side of the Columbia, five miles above the mouth of the - Multnomah, in a handsome prairie, and on a second bank about - three quarters of a mile from the river. This is the fort as - it stood when he arrived there; but a large one, three - hundred feet square about three quarters of a mile lower - down, and within two hundred yards of the river, was - commenced the spring he came away. Twelve pounders were the - heaviest cannon which he saw. The crop of 1828 was seven - hundred bushels of wheat, the grain full and plump, and - making good flour, fourteen acres of corn, the same number - of acres in peas, eight acres of oats, four or five acres of - barley, a fine garden, some small apple trees, and grape - vines. The ensuing spring eighty bushels of seed wheat were - sown. About two hundred head of cattle, fifty horses and - breeding mares, three hundred head of hogs, fourteen goats, - the usual domestic fowls. They have mechanics of various - kinds, to wit, blacksmiths, gunsmiths, carpenters, coopers, - tinner, and baker. A good saw mill on the bank of the river - five miles above, a grist mill worked by hand, but intended - to work by water. They had built two coasting vessels, one - of which was then on a voyage to the Sandwich Islands. No - English or white woman was at the fort, but a great number - of mixed blood Indian extraction, such as belong to the - British fur trading establishments, who were treated as - wives, and the families of children taken care of - accordingly. So that everything seemed to combine to prove - that this fort was to be a permanent establishment. At Fort - Vancouver the goods for the Indian trade are imported from - London, and enter the territories of the United States - paying no duties, and from the same point the furs taken on - the other side of the mountains are shipped. The annual - quantity of these furs could not be exactly ascertained, but - Mr. Smith was informed indirectly that they amounted to - about thirty thousand beaver skins, besides otter skins and - small furs. The beaver skins alone, at New York prices, - would be worth above two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. - To obtain these furs, both trapping and trading are resorted - to. Various parties, provided with traps, spread over the - country south of the Columbia to the neighborhood of the - Mexican territory, and in 1824 and 1825 they crossed the - Rocky Mountains and trapped on the waters of the Missouri - River. They do not trap north of latitude 49 degrees, but - confine that business to the territory of the United States. - Thus this territory, being trapped by both parties, is - nearly exhausted of beavers, and unless the British can be - stopped, will soon be entirely exhausted, and no place left - within the United States where beaver fur in any quantity - can be obtained. - - The inequality of the convention with Great Britain in 1818 - is most glaring and apparent, and its continuance is a great - and manifest injury to the United States. The privileges - granted by it have enabled the British to take possession of - the Columbia River, and spread over the country south of - it; while no Americans have ever gone, or can venture to go - on the British side. The interest of the United States and - her citizens engaged in the fur trade requires that the - convention of 1818 should be terminated, and each nation - confined to its own territories. By this commercial interest - there are other considerations requiring the same result. - These are, the influence which the British have already - acquired over the Indians in that quarter, and the prospect - of a British colony, and a military and naval station on the - Columbia. Their influence over the Indians is now decisive. - Of this the Americans have constant and striking proofs, in - the preference which they give to the British in every - particular. - - In saying this, it is an act of justice to say, also, that - the treatment received by Mr. Smith at Fort Vancouver was - kind and hospitable; that, personally, he owes thanks to - Governor Simpson and the gentlemen of the Hudson's Bay - Company, for the hospitable entertainment which he received - from them, and for the efficient and successful aid which - they gave him in recovering from the Umquah Indians a - quantity of fur and many horses, of which these Indians had - robbed him in 1828. - - As to the injury which must happen to the United States from - the British getting the control of all the Indians beyond - the mountains, building and repairing ships in the tide - water region of the Columbia, and having a station there for - their privateers and vessels of war, is too obvious to need - a recapitulation. The object of this communication being to - state _facts_ to the Government, and to show the facility of - crossing the continent to the Great Falls of the Columbia - with wagons, the ease of supporting any number of men by - driving cattle to supply them where there was no buffalo, - and also to show the true nature of the British - establishments on the Columbia, and the unequal operation of - the convention of 1818. - - These _facts_ being communicated to the Government, they - consider that they have complied with their duty, and - rendered an acceptable service to the administration; and - respectfully request you, sir, to lay it before President - Jackson. - - We have the honor to be sir, yours, respectfully, - - JEDEDIAH S. SMITH, - DAVID E. JACKSON, - W. L. SUBLETTE. - - To the Hon. John H. Eaton, _Secretary of War_. - -Excerpts from St. Louis papers, 1832-1848, on the migration to and -settlement of Oregon. - - The _Missouri Republican_, July 5, 1831. - - The American Society for encouraging the settlement of - Oregon Territory, propose to enlist 1000 men for the - purpose, to rendezvous in this city January next. Each man - will receive gratuitously a lot of land. There is said to be - "an immense water power up the Wallamott or Mulnomah." - - * * * * * - - _Republican_, November 8, 1831. - - An unlucky little paragraph of ours in relation to the - prosperous colony at the mouth of the Columbia River has - been the source of much trouble to us. We have been - frequently addressed both by letter and in person for - information upon the subject, without having the means of - replying satisfactorily to querists. * * * We cannot now - state whether the plan has been abandoned, but time has - passed by when the adventurers were to have assembled here. - The project originated in Boston, where, we believe, the - principal officers of the society reside. - - * * * * * - - _Republican_, April 24, 1832. - - OREGON COLONY. - - Thirty-six persons attached to this colony arrived in this - city Friday last. They have since proceeded on their way. - - * * * * * - - _St. Louis New Era_, February 14, 1843. - - OREGON, THE NEW ELDORADO. - - We derive from a long letter in the _National Intelligencer_ - the following sketch of the Territory beyond the Rocky Mts., - which is now the theme of debate in the U. S. Senate. - - * * * * * - - _Newark Advertiser._ - - "Within a few years several Americans, of whom the writer is - one, have crossed the Rocky Mts., to the mouth of the - Columbia, with objects entirely unconnected with trade or - commerce. Mine was a desire to see a new country, a love of - adventure for its own sake, and an enthusiastic fondness for - natural history. The party with which I traveled left - Independence, Mo., about the latter part of April, 1834, and - arrived at the British Fort, Vancouver, in September, having - performed the whole journey on horseback. From this time - until October, 1836, with the exception of the first winter - which I passed at the Sandwich Islands, my residence was in - the Territory of Oregon. Dr. McLoughlin, chief factor, - treated me with uniform and singular kindness, supplying all - my wants and furnishing me with every facility in the - prosecution of my plans. This is, I believe, the uniform - character of the Superintendents of British forts in that - country. Travelers, naturalists, and all who are not traders - are kindly and hospitably treated, but the moment a visitor - is known to trade a beaver skin from an Indian, that moment - he is ejected from the community. The company has a sum of - money amounting to several thousand pounds sterling, laid - aside at Vancouver for the sole purpose of opposing all who - may come to interfere with its monopoly, by purchasing at - exhorbitant prices all the furs in possession of the - Indians, and thus forcing the settler to come to terms or - driving him from the country. If it be an individual who is - thus starved into submission he then usually clears a piece - of land on the Willamette River, takes an Indian wife, and - purchases furs of the natives, which, by previous contract, - he is bound to sell to the company at an advance which is - fixed by the governor. - - Ft. Vancouver, the principal trading post of the Oregon, - stands on the north bank of the river, about 90 miles from - the mouth. The fort consists of several dwellings, - storehouses, workshops, etc., all of frame arranged together - in quadrilateral form, and surrounded by a stockade of pine - logs about 20 ft. high. The Ft. has no bastions, and - contains no armament. There are, to be sure, 4 great guns - frowning in front of the governor's mansion, 2 long 18s and - 2 9-pounders, but two of them have long been spiked and the - others are unfit for service. - - The rainy season begins here about the middle of October and - continues until the first of April. During this period the - weather is almost uniformly dull, foggy, or rainy. Sometimes - rain falls incessantly for the space of 2 or 3 weeks. - Occasionally, during the winter months, there will be a - light fall of snow, and in the winter of 1835-6 the river - was frozen over. The intensity of cold, however, continued - but a few days and was said to be very unusual. The general - range of the thermometer, (Fahr.) during that season was - from 36-48 degrees, but for 3 or 4 days was as low as 25 - degrees. - - In the vicinity of Ft. Vancouver, the cattle graze during - the whole winter; no stabling or stall feeding is ever - requisite, as the extensive plains produce the finest and - most abundant crops of excellent prairie grass. In choosing - a site for settlement on the main river, it is always - necessary to bear in mind the periodical inundations. Ft. - Vancouver itself, though built on a high piece of land at a - distance of 600 yards from the common rise of the tides, is - sometimes almost reached by the freshets of early spring. - The soil here, on both sides of the river is a rich black - loam, the base being basaltic rock. - - The face of the country from Ft. George, (Astoria,) to - Vancouver, a distance of 80 miles, is very much of a uniform - character, consisting of alluvial meadows, along the - river-side, alternating with forests of oak, pine, etc., - while behind are extensive plains, some of which receive - estuaries of the river, while others are watered by lakes or - ponds. The pine forests are very extensive, the trees being - of great size, and the timber extraordinarily beautiful. All - the timber of the genus pinus is gigantic. I measured with - Dr. Gairdner, surgeon of the fort, a pine of the species - _Douglass_, which had been prostrated by the wind. Its - height was above 200 ft., and its circumference 45 feet. - Large as was this specimen, its dimensions are much exceeded - by one measured by the late David Douglas. The height of - this tree was nearly 300 ft., and the circumference 56 ft. - Cones of this pine, according to Mr. D., were 12 to 15 - inches long, resembling in size and form sugar loaves. Oak - timber of various kinds is abundant along the river, as well - as button wood, balsam, poplar, ash, sweet gum, beech, and - many other useful kinds, but no hickory or walnut. The - governor of Ft. Vancouver, who is an active agriculturist, - has exerted himself for several years in raising whatever - appears adapted to the soil. Wheat, rye, barley, pease, and - culinary vegetables of all kinds are raised in ample - quantity. Fruits of various kinds, apples, peaches, plums, - etc., do remarkably well. I remember being particularly - struck, upon my arrival at Vancouver in the autumn, with the - display of apples in the garden of the fort. Trees were - crowded with fruit, so that every limb had to be sustained - with a prop. Apples were literally packed along the - branches, and so closely that I could compare them to - nothing more aptly than ropes of onions. In the vicinity of - Walla Walla or the Ney [z] Perce's Fort, the country in - every condition for many miles exhibits an arid and - cheerless prospect. The soil is deep sand, and the plain - upon which the fort stands produces nothing but bushes of - aromatic wormwood. Along the borders of the small streams, - however, the soil is exceedingly rich and productive, and on - these strips of land the superintendent raises his corn and - the vegetables necessary for the consumption of his people. - The prong-horned antelope occasionally ranged these plains; - black-tailed or mule deer is found in the vicinity; grouse - of several species are very abundant, and large prairie hare - is common. In autumn and winter, in the vicinity of Ft. - Vancouver, ducks, geese, and swans swarm in immense numbers. - These are killed by the Indians and taken to the Ft. as - articles of trade. For a single duck, one load of powder and - shot is given; for a goose, 2; and for a swan, 4 loads. For - deer 10 loads of ammunition, or a bottle of rum is the usual - price. Early in May salmon are first seen entering the - river, and the Columbia and all its tributaries teem with - these delicious fish. The Indians take great numbers by - various modes, subsisting almost wholly on them during their - stay, and drying and packing them away in thatched huts to - be used for their winter store. Salmon also forms a chief - article of food for the inmates of the fort, and hundreds of - casks are salted down every season. - - About 20 miles above this, in the Wallamet Valley, is the - spot chosen by the Methodist missionaries for their - settlement, and here also, a considerable number of retired - servants of the company had established themselves. The soil - of this delightful valley is rich beyond comparison, and the - climate considerably milder than that of Vancouver. Rain - rarely falls, even in the winter season, but dews are - sufficiently heavy to compensate for its absence. The - epidemic of the country, ague, is rarely known here. In - short, the Wallamet Valley is a terrestrial paradise, to - which I have known some to exhibit so strong an attachment - as to declare that notwithstanding the few privations which - must necessarily be experienced by settlers of a new - country, no consideration would ever induce them to return - to their former homes." - - J. K. T. [TOWNSEND]. - - Washington, Jan. 26, 1843. - - * * * * * - - _St. Louis New Era_, Tuesday, February 28, 1843. - - OREGON. - - The following is an extract from a letter dated Honolulu, - Oct. 30, 1842. "The town is now full of strangers, the - Chenamus having brought some 19 passengers from the Oregon, - who are returning home, disgusted with the people and the - country. Then again, the Victoria brings a few families here - on their way to the river to settle. They must be encouraged - by meeting so many here, returning." - - * * * * * - - _New Era_, Thursday, March 9, 1843. - - (Contains notice of "Travels in the Great Prairie - Wilderness, the Anahuac and Rocky Mts., and in Oregon - Territory," by T. J. Farnham; said to contain full account - of a journey overland and the Methodist missions in the - Territory. Notice copied into "_Era_" from _N. Y. Tribune_, - from which office it is issued.) - - * * * * * - - _Republican_, July 22, 1843. - - We learn from Maj. Albert Wilson who has just returned from - the Mountains, that he met the Oregon emigrants on the big - Arkansas [Platte], one month after they had left the - settlements, and that they were cheerfully wending their way - onwards. There were 1150 emigrants, 175 wagons, and a great - number of cattle, horses, mules, etc., etc. Lord Stewart and - his party of pleasure, consisting of 100 persons, were three - days in advance of the Oregon emigrants. - - Copied into _Rep._ from "_Liberty Banner_." - - * * * * * - - _Republican_, August 7, 1843. - - A letter received from the emigrants, at Iowa City, some - days since: - - OREGON EMIGRATING CO. - - June 10, 1843. - - The return of a company of mountain traders to the - settlements presents an opportunity for writing which I feel - much inclined to embrace. We are now between 2 and 300 miles - west of Independence, on the Blue river, a tributary of the - Kansas, in good health and spirits. I regret to say that a - division has taken place in the company, in consequence of - the number of cattle driven by some, those having no cattle - refusing to stand guard over stock belonging to others. The - result of all this was that Capt. Burnett resigned command - of the company, and the commander, in accordance with our - regulations, ordered a new election, and so altered the - by-laws that the commander should be called colonel, and - also authorized the election of 4 captains, and 4 orderly - sergeants. The cattle party selected myself as their - candidate, those opposed selected Mr. Wm. Martin, an - experienced mountaineer. There being a majority in - opposition to the cattle party, Mr. Martin was elected, and - a division of the company ensued. About 50 wagons, with - those who had large droves of loose cattle, now left, with a - general request that all in favor of traveling with them - should fall back. I was particularly solicited to leave - Martin's party, but as it would travel much the fastest, and - Col. Martin was a very clever fellow, I declined. The new - company, it is expected, will be commanded by Capt. - Applegate. Our roads, since leaving the settlements have - been very fine, except within the last few days, during - which period they have been almost impassable in consequence - of the tremendous rains, but they are again improving. We - have had no trouble with the Indians, with the exception of - horse and cattle stealing, and this business they have - carried on pretty lively. I had a very fine mule and an ox - stolen from me on the Kansas river, and we lost in all some - 8 or 10 head of horses and mules. I believe there is not a - case of sickness in camp, though old Mr. Stout, from Iowa, - has a violent swelling in his eyes. Tell the boys from Iowa - to come on with all the cattle and sheep they can get, and a - company large enough to drive them. - - Truly yours, etc., - - M. M. M. [MCCARVER]. - - P. S.--My friend, Mr. Henry Lee, from Iowa, has just been - elected Capt. of one of the divisions. While writing, news - has been brought in of the discovery of a dead Indian about - one mile from this place, and freshly scalped, and nearly - all the company have gone to see him. He was shot with - arrows and is supposed to be a Pawnee, killed by a party of - the Kansas Indians whom we met the other day, consisting of - 200, with fresh scalps and fingers, which they said had been - taken the day before. - - * * * * * - - _Republican_, Friday, September 6, 1843. - - We have been favored with the perusal of a private letter - from Bent's Fort, dated July 26. The writer is one of Mr. - Fitzpatrick's party, and says that thus far their trip has - been a severe one. The party has been delayed since the 14th - inst., waiting for the arrival of Mr. Fremont, who left them - on the 17th of June with 18 men. After progressing ahead - some distance, he despatched an express back, requesting the - rear party with Fitzpatrick not to move until he joined - them, alleging as a reason that there were hostile Mexicans - on their route. On the morning of the date of the letter, - the writer says, they were dividing into two parties again, - with the intention of meeting at Ft. Hall, Oregon, in about - 4 days [weeks]. Fitzpatrick's party intended crossing the - Platte that morning, and would take up its line of march - over the mountains. He speaks of a slight difficulty with - the Indians, but furnishes no particulars. - - * * * * * - - _Republican_, Friday, September 29, 1843. - - We have received from Mr. Edward Hutwa a very handsome, and, - as far as we have any means of judging, a correct lithograph - map of the Oregon Territory, as claimed by the U. S., with a - portion of the adjacent territory. The principal rivers, - mountains, routes, trading depots, and the trading depots - and forts of the Hudson's Bay Co., are laid down with - accuracy. To those migrating to the Columbia, or to those - wishing to study the topography of the country, this map - will be of importance. - - * * * * * - - _Republican_, Wednesday, December 13, 1843. - - A postscript to a letter from a gentleman in the Indian - country, dated October 19, received by a gentleman of this - city, says: "Ft. Hall, on the Oregon has been delivered up - to Lt. Fremont, and it is believed that Ft. Vancouver soon - will be." How far the report is reliable, we have no means - of knowing, except that he and his party are in Oregon by - the authority and direction of the United States Government. - - * * * * * - - _Republican_, Thursday, December 14, 1843. - - We yesterday noticed a postscript of a letter from the - Oregon country. We have since seen letters from Lt. Fremont - and other men of his party, written at Ft. Hall, and bearing - date of 20th September, which do not confirm the report - alluded to. The silence of these letters as to the - surrender of Ft. Hall is full assurance to us that the - report is not correct. The letter before us, the statements - of which are corroborated by Lt. Fremont, himself, says:-- - - "I arrived at this place (Ft. Hall) on the 13th inst., with - my part of the caravan all safe and in tolerable order. * * * - (Unimportant part skipped). Lt. Fremont, whom I parted - with on the South fork of the Platte, and expected to meet - at this place, joined us yesterday after making a survey of - the Salt Lake, which he has done much to his satisfaction. - The exploration and new routes which we have taken have made - our trip tedious and very laborious, but, I hope it will be - satisfactory to the Department. We leave tomorrow for the - lower country, and find it necessary to let some of our men - off on account of the scarcity of provisions, which are not - to be had at this place. The full objects of the expedition, - will, I hope, be completed ere we return. I shall leave the - party in a few days for Walla Walla, or perhaps lower down, - to provide necessary supplies for the completion of the - business in that quarter. I can not say what time we will - return to St. Louis; it is to be hoped before the - adjournment of Congress. The emigrants passed this place - some short time since, pretty well worn down and scarce of - food. The Indians on the Columbia are expected to become - troublesome to these newcomers. It is supposed they are - induced to acts of violence by some persons as yet unknown. - They have already burned Dr. Whitman's mill, and I fear it - is not the last spark which will be kindled in the - settlement and occupation of this country. The Hudson's Bay - Company are improving and pushing their business, perhaps - with greater energy than usual, Dr. McLoughlin is laying off - towns on the Willamette, selling lots, etc. This is the - report, and you can see that the Dr. is in advance of Dr. - Linn's bill." - - The foregoing is the latest news from Oregon, and may be - relied upon as correct. Not the least interesting part of it - is that which relates to the disposition of the Indians - towards the emigrants. We have always believed that the - Indians, backed and incited as they will be by agents and - emissaries of the Hudson's Bay Co., and furnished as they - doubtless will be, with arms and means of warfare from some - source, would oppose the emigrants in making their - settlements. That the country must be conquered before it is - attained, we hardly entertain a doubt, and if we did, the - supineness of our Government would only strengthen the - belief. Why is it that our Government is so indifferent to - the claims of the nation upon this territory, its wealth and - possessions? - - * * * * * - - St. Louis _Reveille_, Oct. 21, 1844. - - The Platte _Argus_ contains a letter from "Multnomah City," - Oregon, from which we make the following extracts. The - killing of the Indian has been briefly mentioned - heretofore. - - "When I first came here, 19 months ago, there were but 4 or - 5 houses, now there is upwards of 80 good buildings, nearly - all of two stories, and 4 or 5 of three stories high. If - there had been plenty of nails we should have had a number - more up. If a supply of nails reaches us this spring, we - shall have 200 houses before this reaches you, and some of - these of brick, for a company from Baltimore are now - building a brickyard. A tanyard is also being established. - The fact is, we have mechanics of all kinds here, though not - a tenth of the number of each kind required. The winter is - past, but it was no winter. It was rather a blooming spring, - for we had but little rain and no snow, and grass green all - the time. We have had but two days' rain in the last 45. I - saw cattle yesterday which had run all winter, in finer - condition than I ever saw any in your state. Uncle Sam had - better be doing something for this country, for if not, - within three years _it will be too late_. You laugh, but if - you live you will see it. Therefore stir them up, Mac, for - we do not want trouble here, and would all rejoice if the - star-spangled banner embraced us within its ample folds. Our - flag flying by authority would make a vast difference here. - - An Indian committed some outrages lately, and our sheriff - endeavored in vain to arrest him; then offered $100 reward - for the Indian, and went to his own house, 30 miles from - this place. On Monday the Indian came into Oregon City, - close to Dr. McLoughlin's mill, where some 25 or 30 men were - at work. Winslow and some white men went to take him, and - got close to him. He saw Winslow, fired his gun, which - missed its mark, the ball lodging in a tree on this side of - the river within 2 feet of me, for I was at work at my - garden at the time. The Indian then fired his pistol, 2 - balls from which lodged in the shoulder of G. W. LeBreton, - clerk of the court, tearing his arm dreadfully. Mr. LeB. - seized the Indian with the other hand, and then threw him - down. Winslow then ran up and knocked out his brains. In the - meantime, 5 other Indians fired their guns, and then their - arrows, and wounded two men." - - * * * * * - - _Reveille_, November 4, 1844. - - NEWS FROM OREGON. - - The _Western Expositor_ of Saturday last announces the - arrival of Mr. Wm. Gilpin, formerly of this place, from - Oregon. Mr. Gilpin passed the winter among the American - settlements of the Willamette and the adjacent sea coast, - and he describes them as enjoying prosperity when he left - them in April last. The emigrant party of '43, which he - accompanied, arrived at their destination in November last, - "after having braved and overcome unparalleled dangers and - difficulties from savages, from hunger, from thirst, - crossing parched treeless plains, fierce angry rivers, and - forcing their wagons through 1000 miles of mountains, - declared impassable by the most experienced guides and - voyageurs." - - This accession swelled the population of Oregon to upwards - of 2000, and they had formed a government, elected officers, - established courts, and a record of land titles. "Farms," he - says, "freckle the magnificent plains, towns are springing - up at convenient points upon the rivers, a dozen of - excellent mills supply lumber and flour for home use and - export; the fisheries are not neglected, and lands are - surveyed. A college, numerous schools, and several churches - are scattering education amongst the young. Money has been - sent from New York for a printing press and steam engine, - cattle and stock of all kinds are accumulating and rapidly - increasing under a mild climate and unfailing pastures. - Provisions of all kinds are abundant, of most excellent - quality and moderate prices." - - Mr. Gilpin passed the trading fort of Bridger and Vasquez on - the 19th of August. This fort is 100 miles west of Green - River, and exactly half way from Independence to the - Willamette. The American trappers scattered among the - mountains had there collected to meet the emigrants of last - spring; an advanced party of 30 of whom, with their wagons - and cattle, passed on the 17th, two days later than the - emigrants of the preceding year. Two larger companies - behind, under the command of Gen. Gilliam and Col. Ford, - passed subsequently, and all in good time reached the - settlements before the setting in of winter. - - * * * * * - - _Reveille_, January 20, 1845. - - OREGON. - - We learn from a letter published in the _Weston Journal_, - dated at the Sandwich Islands, that the Oregon emigrants who - went out during the past season, have made great changes in - business, money now circulating, and everything begins to - assume the appearance of the civilization, business, trade, - and refinements this side of the mountains. - - * * * * * - - _Republican_, February 8, 1848. - - OREGON. - - We see it stated in up-country papers that the late arrivals - from Oregon furnished information that two parties of - emigrants, dissatisfied with their prospects in that - country, attempted to return home last winter, but were - prevented by the difficulties of road and weather. We have - never entertained a doubt that this disposition was - uppermost with all the best portions of the emigration to - that region; but obstacles are presented of such a character - as to deter many persons from attempting to return. - Emigrants from the states find the greatest difficulty in - descending the mountain declivities into the valley of the - Columbia River, but then their wagons have been relieved of - a great part of the provisions and surplus weight, and they - do get along. If they should attempt to return to the United - States, however, a different prospect is presented. They - must start amply provided with provisions and everything - necessary for the journey, and thus loaded it has been - deemed impossible to get wagons along over the mountains - which they necessarily have to ascend in their progress. - This cause alone has deterred many persons from making the - attempt, and they have been compelled to accommodate - themselves to a country and a condition of things in no - respect better than they originally left. No man, in our - opinion, who has a comfortable home in any of the states can - be justified in giving it up in the expectation of bettering - himself in Oregon. If he has a family, he does a gross - injustice to them in exposing them to the hardships of so - long and perilous a journey with no prospect of returning to - their friends, should they become discontented; and even if - an emigrant has nobody to care for but himself, he had - better stay at home and earn an honest living, than go to - Oregon and run the risk of working out a precarious one. For - this reason we have never countenanced any one for whom we - had the least respect in a journey to Oregon or California - with a view to a fixed residence there. Neither country - presents half the inducements to be found in any one of the - Western states, and an adventure of this kind is prima facie - evidence of a restless and discontented spirit, not likely - to be pleased anywhere. - - * * * * * - - _Republican_, May 19, 1848. - - On the 20th of November the Governor appointed Columbia - Lancaster to be Supreme Judge of Oregon Territory, in place - of J. Quinn Thornton, resigned. From some proceedings of the - legislature of a subsequent period, we infer that Judge - Thornton had left Oregon on a visit to Washington City, as a - sort of general agent, to attend to the distribution of - offices in the new territory. Of his arrival we have not - heard, and it is probable that Mr. Meek may reach Washington - before him. - - [Then follows proceedings of legislature, resolutions, etc., - intended to keep J. Q. T. from leaving the territory, quoted - in full. Also Governor's message, expressing the - disappointment at the failure of Congress to extend - jurisdiction over that country, etc.] - - * * * * * - - _Republican_, July 26, 1848. - - ARRIVAL OF MR. KIT CARSON FROM CALIFORNIA. - - Information has been received by Gov. Mason in California of - the difficulties between the Oregon settlers and Indians, - but it does not appear to come down to a later date than - that which we have received from Oregon direct. - - * * * * * - - _Republican_, August 2, 1848. - - LATE FROM OREGON. - - [General account of defense of Oregon regiment against - Indians; death of Col. Gilliam, etc.] - - - NOTE--A CORRECTION. - - The name "L. H. Ponjade" occurring on pages 268 and 269 of - the September number of THE QUARTERLY should be L. H. - Poujade. - - - - -INDEX - - - - -INDEX TO VOL. IV. - - - Abbott, Captain, 237. - - Abbott, L. G., 365. - - Abrams, W. P., 60. - - Abrams, C., 63. - - Academy, Bishop Scott's, opened, 66. - - Academy, St. Mary's, opened, 66. - - Adair, Col. John, first collector customs at Astoria, 134, 135. - - Adams, Henry, wrote history of United States, 7. - - Adams, Emma H., 342. - - Adams, W. L., 365. - - Affleck & Gunn, publishers of _Puget Sound Courier_, 372. - - Agriculture in United States, table of, 118. - - Agriculture, 118-122; - values, table of, 121. - - Aiken, ----, 139. - - Albert, Mrs. John H., 394. - - Allen, Capt. B. F., wounded, 234. - - Allen and Lewis, 197. - - Allen, ----, 353. - - Allen, George T., 265. - - "All Over Oregon and Washington"; - purpose of, 317. - - _Alta California, The_, 376. - - Alvarez, ----, consul at Santa Fe, 272. - - Alvarado, Governor of California under Mexican rule, 311. - - Alvord, General, 105. - - Anderson, E. K., 229. - - Angne [Augur?], Captain, 237. - - Ankeny, Captain, 196. - - American Antiquarian Society, 309. - - Applegate, Jesse, 106, 390. - - _Argonaut, The San Francisco_, 292. - - _Argus, The Puget Sound_, 373. - - Armstrong, Pleasant, 234. - - Arundel, Harcourt T., employed by Bancroft, 303. - - Astoria and Columbia River Railroad Company, 146. - - Astoria and Willamette Barge Company, 136. - - Astoria, Social and Economic History of, by Alfred A. - Cleveland, 130. - - Astor, John Jacob, 8, 9, 131. - - _Astorian, The_, 28, 29, 30, 138; - quotation from, 141, 142, 143. - - Atkinson, John, 365. - - "Atlantis Arisen," revision of "All Over Oregon and Washington," - 317. - - Augur, General, 105. - - - Babcock, Doctor, supreme judge of Oregon Territory, 285. - - Badollet, and Company, 140. - - Bagley, Clarence B., pioneer papers of Puget Sound, 365, 371, - 377, 378, 379; - business manager _Courier_, 381; - owner and publisher _Echo_, 382. - - Ball, John, teacher, 265. - - Bailey, Doctor, 230; - governor Oregon Territory, 1845, 285. - - Bailey, W. E., purchased the _Press_, 383; - purchased the _Times_, 384. - - Baker, Colonel E. D., candidate for United States senator, 72, 93; - elected United States senator, 94, 99; - mustered into service, 101; - reply to Breckinridge, 102; - death of, 103. - - Baker, Florence E., 84. - - Baker and Boyer, 195. - - Baker, D. S. & Company, 195. - - Baker, Dr. D. S., the pioneer railroad builder, sketch of life, - 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200. - - Baker Mills, The, 217. - - Baltimore, J. M., 365. - - Bancroft Pacific States Publications: The origin and authorship of, - A History of A History, by William Alfred Morris, 289. - - Bancroft, Hubert Howe, "The Macaulay of the West," 292; - a sketch of early life and of growth of history project, 296; - first venture as a literary man, 301; - fame as historical writer, 310; - method of collecting material, 324; - three leading objects kept in mind in preparation of histories, - 328; - plan for works, 335; - not a great American historical writer, 337; - errors in works, 358. - - Bancroft, H. H. & Company, firm of, organized, 297. - - Bancroft's histories, vastness of the enterprise, 289; - not all his own work, 291; - parts written by assistants, 330. - - Barclay, Mrs. Dr., 264. - - Barclay, Doctor, 265. - - Barnes, Mary Sheldon, 362. - - Barnes, Edward, 230. - - Barron, Major, 229. - - Bates, Alfred, employed by Bancroft, 325, 363; - sketch of life, 331. - - Bausman, W., and Company, printers, of _Northern Light_, 372. - - _Beacon, The_, 382. - - Berry, A. M., first printer on the _Oregonian_, 370. - - Berry, Pamelia Ann, 249. - - Bent, Charles, 272. - - Benton, Senator, 91, 157. - - Bewley, F. M., 390. - - Black, Capt. H. M., 99. - - Blair, J. I., 248. - - Besserer, Charles, 365. - - Bidwell, Major, 222, 223. - - "Blue Book, The Big," name for Iowa code of laws, 188. - - "Blue Book, The Little," 188. - - Bigelow, Daniel R., elected commissioner to draft code of laws - for Oregon, 190, 191, 192. - - Bernie, James, 132, 265. - - Blakeley, James, 74. - - Blanchet, Archbishop, 66, 269. - - Blethen, Col. A. J., purchased _The Times_, 385. - - Boelling, V., 22, 32. - - Boardman, John, letter from, 276. - - Boise, Reuben P., 167; - elected commissioner to draft code of laws for Oregon, 190; - elected state representative, 192, 194. - - Bonneville, Captain, 359. - - Boon, John L., 104. - - Booth, A., & Company, 140. - - Bohttink, Professor, 319. - - Bowman, Amos, employed by Bancroft, 314. - - Border Ruffians, 42. - - Bosquetti, librarian for Bancroft, 299. - - Boyer, John F., 195, 196. - - Boyle, ----, 145. - - Breckinridge, John C., nominated for president, 94, 101. - - Breitenbush, John, 248. - - Bridger, Jim, 113. - - Brotchie, Captain, 265. - - Brooks, John P., 390. - - Brosset, M., 319. - - Brown, ----, 26. - - Brown, Miss, teacher, 29. - - Brown, John, 42. - - Brown, Hugh, founder of Brownsville, 74. - - Brown, F. M., 74. - - Brown, Beriah, 365, 372; - editor _Puget Sound Dispatch_, 377; - publisher _Puget Sound Dispatch_, 379. - - Brown, J. Henry, employed by Bancroft, 314. - - Buchanan, Lieutenant Colonel, 99, 237, 238. - - Buchanan, President, 126. - - Buffalo Historical Society, 309. - - _Bulletin, The_, 317, 369. - - Burnett, Peter H., 11, 78, 256, 271; - letters of taken from _Ohio Statesman_ and _St. Louis Reporter_, - 180. - - Burnett, John, 365. - - Bush, Asahel, territorial printer, 192, 193, 365; - editor _Oregon Statesman_, 370. - - Burke, Thomas, 379. - - Butler, Hillory, 378. - - Butler, Henry, 104. - - Butterfield, John, 126. - - Byers, ----, founder _Rocky Mountain News_, 327. - - - Calapooia, The Upper, by George O. Goodall, 70. - - _Call_ and _Daily Press_ consolidated, 383. - - California Pioneers, Society of, 294, 351. - - California material, how collected by Bancroft, 311. - - _Californian, The_, pioneer paper of California, 376. - - Campbell, John G., 390. - - Carey, Alice and Phoebe, 315. - - Carson, Kit, 230, 239. - - Carter, Miss Julia, 64. - - Carter, ----, 232. - - Cartwright, Charlotte Moffett, Glimpses of Early Days in Oregon, - 69. - - Carey, ----, 393. - - Case, Hon. Wm. M., 244. - - Casey, General, 105. - - Cavalry, The First Oregon, recruited, 100, 103. - - Cavender, A. B., 74. - - Cavendish, McDonald and, 74. - - Cavanaugh, Thomas H., purchased _Courier_, 381. - - Cerruti, Enrique, employed by Bancroft, 311. - - Chamberlain, Governor George E., 12. - - Chamberlain, A., state representative, 389. - - Chapman Code, The, 186, 188, 190. - - Chapman, Hon. W. W., 186. - - Chittenden, Captain, the American Fur Trade in the Far West - (quoted), 6, 9. - - _Chronicle, The San Francisco_, 293. - - Chronicles of the Builders of the Commonwealth, plan of, 334. - - Clark, George Rogers, proposed expedition of, 5. - - Clark, Harvey, 59. - - Clark, ----, 167. - - Clark, Ransom, 390. - - Clarke, S. A., The Montures on French Prairie, 265, 268, 365. - - Clay, Henry, 273. - - Cleveland, Alfred A., The Educational History of Astoria, Oregon, - 21. - - Cleveland, Alfred A., The Social and Economic History of Astoria, - 130. - - Clugage, James and Poole, located first mining claim in Southern - Oregon, 229. - - Coffin, Stephen, 65. - - Columbia River, discovery of, 5. - - _Columbian, The_, pioneer newspaper north of the Columbia River, - 372, 376. - - Colvig, Hon. Wm. H., Indian Wars of Southern Oregon, 227. - - Colvig, Dr. Wm. L., 227, 228, 230. - - Collins, John, 385. - - Commerce, 123. - - Cone, Aaron, 252. - - Cone, Anson Sterling, 251. - - Cone, Philander J., 259. - - Connelly, Dr., 272. - - Connelly, Owen, 66. - - Cook, Captain, off the Oregon coast, 4. - - Cook, Francis H., 366; publisher _The Echo_, 381. - - Cooper, Frank, 248. - - Coquille Guards, 238. - - Corbett, H. W., 63, 64; - senator, 196. - - Cornelius, Thomas R., appointed colonel, 99, 101, 135. - - Corvallis and Eastern Railroad, 247. - - Couch, John H., 390. - - _Courier, The Puget Sound_, 372, 380; - the daily, first appearance, 380. - - Courtnay, Mrs. Agnes B., 74. - - Courtnay, Isaac B., 75. - - Coues, Dr. Elliott, 6. - - Cowles, Captain R., 100. - - Cox, Anderson, state representative, 389. - - Craig, D. W., 365. - - Crawford, Medorum, 390. - - Crawford, P. V., 71, 167. - - Crawford, Samuel C., 372. - - Crawford, Samuel L., 378; - city editor _Post Intelligencer_, 379. - - Creighton, Captain, 237. - - Crooks, General George, 239. - - Crosby, Captain, 59. - - Culver, Samuel, 229. - - Cunningham, ----, 234. - - Currey, Captain George B., 100. - - Curry, Governor George L., 238, 368. - - Cushing, William, 390. - - Cushing, ----, minister to China, 274. - - - Dall, Captain W. L., appointed lieutenant in navy, 104. - - Damon, John F., 365, 371; - editor _The Northwest_, 373. - - Daniels, Travers, publisher Port Townsend _Register_, 372. - - Daniel, ----., 377. - - Davenport, T. W., An Object Lesson in Paternalism, 33, 244, 247, - 248. - - Davenport, Miss Orla, 249. - - Davis, ----, secretary of war, 157. - - Davis, H. W., appointed captain volunteer company, 61. - - Davis, A. L., 63. - - Davies, Griffith, 378. - - Deady, Judge M. P., 352, 353; - contributions to Oregon Pioneer Association, 391. - - Deakins, William, 280. - - Dean, N. C., 229. - - Deardorff, J. D., and wife, 26, 27. - - Degrett, Phillip, 389. - - Dement, William C., 390. - - Dempsey, Thomas H., publisher _Times_, 384. - - Dennison, A. P., 99. - - Denny, Mrs. O. P., 261. - - Dent, Captain F. T., 99. - - Depot, Peter, 269. - - Derby, George H., 296. - - Devlin and Nygant, 140. - - Dilley, ----, 231. - - _Dispatch, The Puget Sound_, 377, 379. - - Dixon, Hepworth, 327. - - Doane, Rev. N., 65. - - Documents, 78; - Oregon material taken from a file of an Independence, Mo., and - Weston, Mo., paper for 1844 and 1845, 270, 395. - - Dodge, Hon. A. C., 78. - - Douglas House Bill of 1846, 90. - - Douglas, Stephen A., candidate for president of United States, 94. - - Douglass, ----, 265. - - Downing, George S., 244, 247. - - Draper, Doctor, 34. - - Draper, Mrs. Sarah, 264. - - Drew, C. S., Major First Oregon Cavalry, 100. - - Dryer, Thomas J., 64, 93, 365; - first editor of _Oregonian_, 370. - - Duncan, L. J. C., 229. - - Duncan, Alexander, 266. - - Dunlap, John A., 75; - representative, 76. - - Duniway, Mrs., 365. - - Dunn, Pat, 229, 232. - - Dyar, ----., 234. - - Dyer, E. S., publisher _Northwest_, 373. - - Dyson, George, 74. - - - Eberman, N., 132. - - Eccleson, Col. E., 247. - - Edison, Thomas A., 39. - - Edwards, Edward, 232. - - Ely, Lieutenant, 232. - - Ematinger, Frank, 390. - - Emigration of 1843, experiences of, 177. - - Evans Creek, battle of, 233. - - Evans, Mr., constructed a ferry on Rogue River, 229. - - Evans, General Elwood, 314, 352. - - Everett, ----., 43. - - _Expositor, The Western_, 74. - - _Express Advance, The_, 74. - - - Faber, J. G., 234. - - Failing, Josiah, 63. - - Fairweather, H. W., 199. - - Fessenden, Mr., 102. - - Ferguson, Mr., 272. - - Ferry, Elisha P., first governor of Washington, 380. - - Ferry, James P., published _Times_, 384. - - Field, Justice Stephen J., 351. - - Fielding, ----., 234. - - Fields, Thomas, 75. - - Fillmore, President, 187. - - Finance, 126. - - Findlay, John, 75. - - Finlayson, Mr., and wife, 28. - - Finley, R. C., 70, 71, 72, 74. - - Fisher, Walter M., 299; - sketch of life, 300. - - Flavel, Captain George, 32. - - Flemming, John, printer _Oregon Spectator_, 368. - - Foard and Stokes Company, 143. - - Ford, Mark, 390. - - Foster, Phillip, 390. - - Fowler, W. W., 232. - - Frazer, Thomas, 63. - - Fremont, Captain, 11, 78; - colonel, 157, 158, 230; - general, 239, 245. - - Fur and Trading Company, 80. - - Fur Company, The American, 274; - The Northwest, 130, 137; - The Missouri, organized, 8; - The Pacific, 8. - - Furth, Jacob, 378. - - - Gale, James N., 366. - - Garfield, Selucius, defeated for congress, 380. - - Gary, Rev. Mr., 276. - - Gatch, Prof. T. M., 249. - - Gay, George, 230. - - _Gazette, The Marine_, 31, 138. - - _Gazette, The_, published first dispatch coming by wire to - Seattle, 377; - first paper in Seattle, 375. - - Gervais, Joseph, 243, 244. - - Gibbs, Addison C., was governor of Oregon, 108, 214, 217. - - Gibbs, A. C., editor _Oregon Weekly Times_, 368. - - Gibbs, ----., 232. - - Gibson, George R., 273. - - Gilliam, Colonel Cornelius, 243. - - Gilmore, S. M., letter from, 284. - - Gilpin, Mr., 271. - - Glass, Robert, 72. - - Gold, discovery of, in California, prices of products in Oregon, - 49, 60. - - "Gold Beach Guards," 238. - - Goldschmidt, Albert, employed by Bancroft, 304. - - Goodall, George O., the Upper Calapooia, 70. - - Goodall, Captain James P., 233. - - Grace Church Parish School started, 23, 27. - - Grant, General, 105, 109, 239. - - Grant, Frederick J., 378. - - Gray, Captain, sent to North Pacific Coast, 5, 9, 131, 205. - - Gray, Chesley, 229. - - Green, Wm. O., 196. - - Greenwood, Mary, 161. - - Griffin, Lieutenant Burrell, 233. - - Griffin, George Butler, sketch of life, 348. - - Gunn, E. T., newspaper man, 380. - - Gunn, Affleck &, 372. - - Gwin, Senator, plan for slave-holding republic on Pacific Coast, - 105, 106. - - - Hall, Peter D., 259. - - Hall, Edwin O., 367. - - Hall, Ike M., 381. - - Hally, C. F., 280. - - Hamilton, S. M., 67. - - Hamilton, Louis, reference to, 190. - - Hand Book Almanac, 297. - - Hanford, Thaddeus, 374, 380. - - Hanley, Mrs. John A., 235. - - Hanthorn & Company, cannerymen, 141. - - Harding, Captain E. J., 100. - - Harding, Benjamin F., quartermaster First Oregon Cavalry, 100. - - Harding, Senator, 214, 217. - - Harding, John R., killed by Indians, 233. - - Harger, Mrs. Harriet, 264. - - Harker, Charles, 104. - - Harris, Captain T. S., 100. - - Harris, David, 235. - - Harris, Mary, 235. - - Harris, ----, 252. - - Harris, George W., 378. - - Hathaway, Major J. S., 135. - - Hawthorne, Doctor, 61. - - Hays, Judge Benjamin, 312. - - Hazen, Captain, 105. - - Helm, George, "Lion of Linn," 73. - - Hensill, Mrs. Mary J., 66. - - _Herald, Puget Sound_, 372, 381. - - _Herald, The Cleveland_, 315. - - Hewitt, Miss, teacher, 24, 29. - - Hewitt, Randall H., 365; - publisher _Pacific Tribune_, 374; - published _Echo_, 381. - - High School, The Astoria, 31. - - Higgins, David, 366. - - Hill, Mrs., 26. - - Hill, W. Lair, 365; - editor _Oregon Weekly Times_, 369. - - Hill, Homer M., purchased _Chronicle_, 383. - - Himes, Geo. H., 375. - - History of the Preparation of the First Code of Oregon, by James - K. Kelly, 185. - - History of the Early Indian Wars of Oregon, 318. - - History Company, The, 333. - - Hittell, John S., 299, 331. - - Hobson, John, 32. - - Hobson, Mr., and family, 132. - - Hodgins, ----, 232. - - Hogg, Col. T. E., 248. - - Holderness, S. M., 390. - - Holman, Joseph, Short Biography of, 392. - - Holman, George Phelps, first white child born in Marion County, - 394. - - Holladay, Ben, published _The Bulletin_, 369. - - _Home Journal_, of New York, 315. - - Hood, Gen. J. B., 239. - - Hooker, Colonel Joseph, 104; - builder of military wagon road, 239. - - Hoover, Jacob, 390. - - Hopkins, Mrs. Rebeka, 259. - - Hopwood, Moses, 229. - - Hosford, Rev. C. O., opened first school in Astoria, 21. - - Houston, Sam, 151. - - Howell, ----., 232. - - Hudson Bay Company, possession of the Northwest, 9, 78, 81, 82, - 83, 89; - and Northwest Fur Company consolidated, ----, ----, 132, 153, - 154, 156, 242, 261. - - Hughes, W. H., 378. - - Hughes and Davies, purchased _The Times_, 385. - - Humason, Judge, 217. - - Hume, R. D., and Company, 140. - - Hungry Hill, battle of, 236. - - Hunt, L. S. J., 383. - - Hunter, Col. George, "Reminiscences of an Old Timer," quotation - from, 97. - - Hunt's Astor party, route of, 10. - - Heisler, William, 71. - - Husted, General, 390. - - Hustler, Captain, 134, 139. - - Huston, H. Clay, 267. - - Hyde, Aaron J., 65. - - Hyde, H. H., 390. - - Hyland, Rev. T. H., 23. - - Hyland, Mrs. T. H., 23. - - - Indian Wars of Southern Oregon, an address by William H. Colvig, - 227. - - Indians: Umpquas, 228; - Klamaths, 228; - Rogue Rivers, 228; - Modoc, 228; - Shasta, 228; - Mollalas, 241; - Cayuses, 241, 255; - Klamaths, 242; - Warm Spring, 242; - Pawnees, 252. - - Infantry, The First Oregon, 108. - - _Informant, The_, 74. - - Ingalls, Rufus, 105. - - Ingalls, David, 133, 136. - - Ingraham, E. S., 378. - - _Intelligencer, The Weekly_, 377. - - _Iowa Gazette_, 78. - - Iowa Code, 188. - - Ireland, D. C., 366. - - Irish, Tom, 230. - - Irving, Washington, 358. - - - Jack, D. N., elected assessor of Linn County, 76. - - Jack, Porter, 244. - - Jackson, Stonewall, 42. - - Jackson, Mrs. Helen Hunt, 326. - - Jackson, P. B., 365. - - Jackson, David E., letter of, 395. - - Jacobs, Judge Orange, 371. - - Jefferson, President, trading posts with Indians, 5, 12, 110. - - Jefferson, Delos, 65. - - Johns, James, 79. - - Johnson, Miss, 24. - - Johnson, Doctor, 38. - - Johnson, Mr., 63. - - Johnson, P. B., 365. - - Jones, Mr., killed by Indians, 235. - - Jones, Captain, 237. - - _Journal, The Independence_, 270, 277. - - - Kautz, General A. V., 239. - - Kearny, Major Phil, 231, 239. - - Keene, Granville, 234. - - Keeney, Johnathan, 74. - - Kelley, Hall J., agitating colonization of Oregon, 9. - - Kelly, Captain William, 100. - - Kelly, James K., History of the Preparation of the "First Code - of Oregon," 185; - elected commissioner to draft code of laws for Oregon, 189; - nominated and elected member of council, 192. - - Kendrick, Captain, sent to North Pacific coast, 5. - - Kenny, George L., 296. - - Kirchoff, Louis, 137. - - Kilham, E. H., 353, 358. - - Killin, Hon. Benton, 188 - - Kincaid, Mr., night school taught by, 24. - - King, Colonel William, 60, 65. - - King, Wm. H., 66. - - Kingsley, C. S., 67. - - Kinney's cannery, 140. - - Kinney, R. C., & Sons, 139. - - Kinney, M. J., 141. - - Kirk, Alexander, 74; - elected county judge of Linn County, 76. - - Kirk, W. R., 74. - - Klippel, Henry, laid out Jacksonville as a town, 230, 235. - - Knights of the Golden Circle, 73, 106, 108. - - Knight, Wm. H., Manager Bancroft Publishing Department, 297. - - Kuro-shiwo of Japan (Japan current), 39. - - - La Bonte, Louis, Recollections of Men, 264. - - Ladd, W. S., 61, 63. - - Lamerick, Captain J. K., 232. - - Lampson, Roswell C., 104. - - Land Law, The Donation, 37, 38, 229. - - Lane, General Joseph, appointed governor of Oregon, 91; - nominated for vice president, 94, 95, 101, 105, 106, 233, 234, - 239, 370 - - Larkin, T. N., 63. - - Larrabee, Charles H., publisher _Puget Sound Dispatch_, 380. - - Larrabee & Company, publishers _Puget Sound Dispatch_, 377. - - Latshaw, Major, 238. - - Latty, Alexander, 265. - - Lawrence, Miss, 28. - - Lawson, Peter, 257. - - Leary, John, 378. - - Ledford Massacre, 236. - - _Ledger, The Philadelphia_, 277. - - _Ledger, The Weekly_, 382. - - Lee, Jason, 265, 393. - - Lee, Barton, 390. - - Lee, H. A. G., 390. - - Leinweber, Christian, 137. - - Lewis and Clark Centennial, The, by F. G. Young, 1. - - Lewis and Clark Expedition--Relation to the Northwest, 1; - primary inception of, 6. - - Lewis and Clark, exploring expedition, 5; - the trail, 10, 12, 13, 115. - - Lewis and Clark Centennial, mission of, 2; - possibilities of, 16; - duties of its authorities, 16-18. - - Lewis, Mr., 9, 130. - - Lewis and Clark, 8. - - Lewis, Stephen (Etienne Lucier), 264. - - Limerick, L., 63; - appointed county school superintendent, 64. - - Lincoln, Miss Liza, 26. - - Lincoln, Abraham, 74, 97, 99, 101, 108, 370. - - Lindgren, Waldemar, 124. - - Lingenfelter, James W., 104. - - Linn, Senator Lewis F., 151. - - Literary Club, The Pioneer Lyceum, 390. - - Little Meadows, Battle of, 233. - - Lorraine, Lieutenant, 105. - - Lorrea, Doctor, 61. - - Louisiana Purchase Exposition, purpose of, 14. - - Love, George, 235. - - Love, G. M., 235. - - Lovejoy, Hon. A. L., appointed postal agent for Oregon, 192, 256, - 390. - - Lownesdale, D. H., 59. - - Lucier, Etienne, 261, 264. - - Luelling, H., 59. - - Lugenbeel, Major, 99. - - Lumber Industry, The, 124. - - Lupton, Major J. A., 234. - - Lyman, Rev. Horace, 65. - - Lyman, H. S., Some Corrections, 86. - - Lyman, H. S., Reminiscences, 251, 268. - - Lyon, Colonel George G., published _Times_, 384. - - - Madison, President, 9. - - _Mail and Express, The New York_, 357. - - Manufacturing, 122. - - Marshall, J. W., discoverer of gold in California, 11. - - Massachusetts Historical Society, 309. - - Massacre at Bloody Point, 232. - - Mason, Robert, & Company, 141. - - Masters, ----, 254. - - Mathieu, F. X., 167, 389. - - Matthews, Captain Wm., 100. - - Mattice, George W., purchased _Pierce County News_, 382. - - Maulsby, G. T., 26. - - Manson, Donald, 261, 265. - - Manson, James, 262. - - Manson, Jr., Donald, 262. - - Manson, Wm., 261, 262. - - Manson, Stephen, 262. - - Maury, R. F., Lieutenant Colonel First Oregon Cavalry, 100. - - Maxwell, Mr., 26. - - Maxwell, S. L., 366; - publisher _Weekly Intelligencer_, 377. - - Mead, Elwood, chief of Division of Irrigation, 17. - - Meany, E. S., 379. - - Medary, Col. Samuel, 174. - - Meek, Joseph, 85, 90; - United States Marshal, 91, 160, 316, 393. - - Meek, Stephen L., 242, 245. - - "Message, The," 373. - - McBride, Dr. James, 231. - - McCarver, M. M., 78; - letter of, 403. - - McClure, Colonel John, 132, 137. - - McDonald & Cavendish, 74. - - McElroy, Thornton F., 365, 376. - - McFadden, Judge O. B., elected to congress, 380. - - McCaw, William, elected clerk of Linn County, 76. - - McGraw, John H., 378. - - McGregor, Miss, teacher, 29. - - McGruder, Top, 390. - - McHargue, James, 75. - - McKay, Tom, 244, 256, 266. - - McKay, Alexander, 257. - - McKean, S. T., 32; - and family, 133. - - McKew, ----, 234. - - McKinley, Archibald, 264, 265. - - McLoughlin, Dr. John, in charge of Fort George, 131, 154, 257, - 264, 281; - flouring mill completed, 387. - - McNaught, Ferry, McNaught & Mitchell, law firm of, 383. - - McNemee, Mr., 64. - - McNemee, Job, 258. - - Miller, Dan, 230. - - Miller, Captain John F., 232. - - Mills, James, 234. - - Mineral Productions, 123, 124. - - Miner, Dr. Thomas T., 379. - - Minto Pass: Its History and an Indian Tradition, by John Minto, - 241. - - Minto, John, 167: Minto Pass: Its History and an Indian Tradition, - 241, 243, 244, 247, 390. - - Missouri Historical Society, 270. - - Mofras' description of Astoria in 1841, 131. - - Monnastes, David, 61. - - Money, Beaver, coined at Oregon City, 62. - - Montgomery, Robert, 75. - - Montgomery, Frank C., editor _Chronicle_, 382. - - Monture, George and Robert, 269. - - Montures on French Prairie, The, by S. A. Clarke, 268. - - Mooney, Mr. and Mrs., publishers _The Beacon_, 382. - - Moore, Mr., 26. - - Moore, Asa, 70, 74. - - Moore, Robert, 71, 76. - - Moore, Miles C., on A Pioneer Railroad Builder, 195. - - Moore, Charles, 196. - - Moore, Paine Brothers &, 196. - - Morrison, Captain R. W., 386. - - Morris, ----, 232. - - Morris, William Alfred, The Origin and Authorship of the Bancroft - Pacific States Publications: A History of a History, 287. - - Morris, George P., editor _New York Home Journal_, 315. - - Morse, Mrs. H. B., 22. - - Moss, S. W., 390. - - "Mountain Men," 9. - - Mullan, Captain John, From Walla Walla to San Francisco, 202. - - Municipal Exposition, Dresden, Germany, 18. - - Murphy, John Miller, 365; - publisher _Standard_, 372, 374, 376. - - Murray, Edward F., assistant to Bancroft, 312. - - Muscovite, the advance of in the Pacific Northwest, 4. - - - Nash, Isaac M., 84. - - Native Races, The, preparation of material, 308. - - Naylor, T. G., 254. - - Neale, Miss, teacher, 29. - - Nelson, Thomas chief justice supreme court, 187, 188; - relieved of office of supreme judge, 189. - - Nemos, William, employed by Bancroft, 305; - sketch of life, 322; - severed connections with Bancroft library, 333. - - Nesmith, Senator Jas. W., 47, 167, 387; - contributions to Oregon Pioneer Association, 390, 391. - - _New Era, The_, 277; - extract from, 399. - - Newell, ----, 205. - - Newell, Robert, 265, 388, 390, 393. - - Newell, Wm., 365. - - Newkirk, Mr., employed by Bancroft, 325. - - _New Penelope, The_, 317. - - _News, The Pierce County_, 382. - - Nolan, Rhodes, 232. - - _North Pacific Coast_, 382. - - _Northern Light_, 372. - - _Northwest Coast_, 81. - - _Northwest, The_, 378. - - - Oak, Ora, employed by Bancroft, 299. - - Oak, Henry L., Bancroft's librarian, 298; - main facts of his life, 298, 305; - retired from Bancroft's library, 333. - - O'Bryant, Hugh D., first mayor of Portland, 61. - - _Occident, The_, Presbyterian paper, 298. - - Officer, James, 280. - - Ogden, Isaac, 262. - - Ogden, William, 264. - - Ogden, Emma, 264. - - Ogden, Peter Skeen, 262, 264, 265. - - _Ohio Statesman_, 78. - - Olney, Judge Cyrus, the Olney lottery, 137. - - O'Meara, James, 365. - - Oregon, Glimpses of Early Days in, by Charlotte Moffett - Cartwright, 55. - - _Oregon Spectator, The_, 81; - first newspaper in old Oregon, 368. - - Oregon and Its Share in the Civil War, by Robert Treat Platt, 89. - - Oregon, a territory of United States, 91; - became a state, 93; - voted for Lincoln, 94; - railroad to, 277; - printing press, 286. - - "Oregon Country, The," 111. - - Oregon--Pittsburgh meeting and Dr. White's report, 170. - - Oregon Historical Society, 167; - old mission press, 368. - - Oregon Territory, confused condition of statutory laws, 185. - - Oregon Bar Association, 185. - - Oregon Emigration Movement, documents relating to, 170. - - Oregon Steam Navigation Company, 196, 197, 198; - bought six sevenths stock Walla Walla and Columbia River Railroad - Company, 199, 204, 206, 353. - - Oregon, Provisional Government of, adoption of Iowa laws, 185. - - Oregon Reports, 187. - - Oregon Country and Its Earlier Conditions, Letters descriptive of, - 178. - - Oregon Code, 194. - - Oregon Emigrating Company, 177. - - Oregon Emigrants, extract from _Independence Journal_, 271. - - Oregon Pioneer Association, 314. - - _Oregon Weekly Times_, 368. - - _Oregon American and Evangelical Unionist, The_, 368. - - Oregon Emigrating Company, 403. - - Oregon Railway and Navigation Company, 139, 143, 199, 200. - - _Oregon Free Press_, 368. - - _Oregonian_, first published, 64, 293, 369; - Daily, 370, 376. - - Ord, General, 105. - - Ord, Captain E. O. C., 237. - - Osborne, ----, 260. - - Otie, Ed, 390. - - _Overland Monthly, The_, 300, 304, 317. - - _Overland Press, The_, 373. - - Owens, Adair, Mrs. Dr., 26. - - Owens, Captain Elias A., 232. - - Owens, Colonel, 272. - - - Paine Brothers & Moore, 196. - - Pambrun, ----., 264, 265. - - Parker, Mrs. H. B., 32. - - Parker, Mrs. W. W., 29. - - Parker, W. W., 32, 133, 135. - - Parker, James M., 267. - - Parrish, Rev. J. L., 132. - - _Partisan_, 381. - - Paternalism, An Object Lesson In, by T. W. Davenport, 33. - - Patrick, H. C., 366; - started _Weekly Ledger_, 382. - - Pearne, Thomas H., 365. - - Peatfield, J. J., employed by Bancroft, 345; - sketch of life, 346, 363. - - Peel, Lieut. William, 387. - - Perry, ----, 132. - - Pettygrove, F. W., 390. - - Perkins, Dr. J. N., 71. - - Perkins, T., constructed a ferry on Rogue River, 229. - - Petroff, Ivan, sketch of life, 318; - employed by Bancroft, 318, 363. - - Phelps, Almira, 394. - - Philpot, ----., 234. - - Philbrick, C. W., published _Puget Sound Argus_, 373. - - Phillips, Wendell, 292. - - Pickett, Charles E., 387, 390. - - Pierce, President, 192. - - Pinart, M., furnished Bancroft's Alaska material, 318. - - Pioneer and Historical Society, 138. - - Pioneer Captain of Industry in Oregon, A, by James R. Robertson, - 150. - - Pioneer Railroad Builder, A, by Miles C. Moore, 195. - - Pioneer Papers of Puget Sound, by Clarence B. Bagley, 365. - - Pittock, H. L., 365; - printer of the _Oregonian_, 370. - - Poe, A. M., 365. - - Polk, President James K., 90, 91, 187. - - Polk, Colonel, 272. - - Pomeroy, Mrs., 253. - - Poujade, L. H., 268. - - Poole, J. R. and Clugage, located first mining claim in Southern - Oregon, 229. - - Poole, John R., laid out Jacksonville as a town, 230. - - Pope, Miss, teacher, 22. - - Population, increase of, in West, 114; - table of, for United States, 116. - - Porter, Nathan S., 381. - - Portland founded, 59. - - Port Orford Minute Men, 238. - - _Post Intelligencer, The_, 374. - - _Post, The Seattle Weekly_, 377; - _The Daily_, 378. - - _Post_ and _Intelligencer_ consolidated, 378. - - Powell, Joab, 71. - - Powers, T. P., 22, 29, 136. - - Poyntz, Stone &, 229. - - Pratt, O. C., justice supreme court, 187, 188. - - Pratt, Orson B., appointed historian Mormon Church, 321. - - Pratt, Mrs. William, 264. - - Pratt, John W., 385. - - _Press, The_, 373; - Daily, 383. - - Prigg, F., 390; - publisher of _Pacific Tribune_, 374. - - Prosch, Thomas W., 366, 371, 378; - published _Puget Sound Herald_, 372. - - Prosch, Charles, 366, 371, 374, 381. - - Prosch, Fred, in charge mechanical work of _Courier_, 381. - - Provisional Government of Oregon, 89. - - Public School, The, of Astoria, 25. - - Public buildings, transferred from Oregon City to Salem, trouble - caused, 186. - - - Radebaugh, R. F., 366; - started _Weekly Ledger_, 382. - - Railroad, Astoria and Willamette Valley, 135. - - Railroad, Astoria and Columbia River, 136. - - Railroad, Astoria and South Coast, 116. - - Railroad Transportation, 125, 126. - - Railroad Bill, The Pacific, 219. - - Railroad, Corvallis and Eastern, 247. - - Raleigh, P., 63. - - Rasmus, employed by Bancroft, 355. - - _Record-Union, Sacramento_, 292. - - Rector, William H., state representative, 389; - head of Salem Woolen Mill, 215. - - Reed, C. A., 60, 65. - - Reed, Henry E., The Great West and The Two Easts, 129. - - Reed, T. A., 235. - - Rees, Willard H., In Memoriam of, 386. - - Rees, Willard H., elected state representative, 389, 390; - contribution to Oregon Pioneer Association, 391. - - Rees, R. R., 365. - - _Register, The Port Townsend_, 372. - - Reminiscences secured by H. S. Lyman, 251. - - _Reporter, Saint Louis_, 78. - - _Republican, The Missouri_, extracts from, 399, 402. - - Reynolds, General, 105. - - Rhoades, Captain Jacob, 233. - - Rice, J. N., 72. - - Richards, Franklin D., 321, 324. - - Riggs, T. A., 70, 72; - copy letter of, 74. - - Riley and Ginder, 144. - - Rinearson, J. S., junior major First Oregon Cavalry, 100. - - River of the West, The, 316. - - Rivet, Francis, 389. - - Robb, Professor, 28. - - Robertson, James R., on A Pioneer Captain of Industry, 150. - - Roberts, A. B., 353. - - Robnett, Wm., 75. - - _Rocky Mountain News, The_, 327. - - Roosevelt, Theodore, "Winning of the West," (quoted), 7. - - Rose, Wm. R., death of, 233. - - Ross, Colonel J. E., 232. - - Ruckle, Colonel, 207. - - Russell, General, 105. - - Russell, Uncle Bill, 228. - - Russian-American Company, 319. - - - Saffren, Henry, 390. - - Samuels, L., 365. - - Saunders, Mr., 230. - - Savage, Thomas, employed by Bancroft, 306; - sketch of life, 346, 362. - - Savannah Oregon Emigrating Company, report of committee, 278. - - Sawmill, first in Oregon, 60. - - Scarborough, Captain, 265. - - School History of Astoria, what it reveals, 32. - - School, The Wilcox, first in Portland, 64. - - Schools in Lane County, Early, letter by Joseph H. Sharp, 267. - - Scott, Harvey W., 365; - editor _Oregonian_, 370. - - Scott, General, 101. - - Scott, Captain L. S., 246. - - Semple, Eugene, 365, 371. - - Sutter's Ranch, 224. - - _Seattle Times_ and _Alaska Herald_, 379. - - Seward, William H., 110. - - Sharpstein, B. L., 196. - - Sharp, Joseph H., Early Schools in Lane County, 268. - - Shelby, A. D., 63. - - Sheridan, General, 68, 105, 109, 164, 239. - - Sherman, General, 109, 200. - - Shaw, Hon. T. C., 243. - - Shively, Mr., 84, 229. - - Shively, J. M., 132; - first postmaster west of Rocky Mountains, 133, 136. - - Shortess, Robert, 132. - - Skinner, Mrs. Judge A. A., 26. - - Skinner, Judge A. A., 26; - located first donation land claim, 229. - - Small, D. W., 197. - - Smart, Robert G., editor _Western Expositor_, 283. - - Smith, Gerritt, 36. - - Smith, Delazon, 72, 94, 104. - - Smith, Volney, 104. - - Smith, Solomon, 132. - - Smith, Jedediah, attacked by Indians, 230; - letter of, 395. - - Smith, Thomas, 229. - - Smith, Hugh, 232. - - Smith, Gen. A. J., 105; - Captain, 236, 238, 239. - - Smith, Joseph S., editor of the _Oregon Statesman_, 370. - - Smith, Noyes, 390. - - Smith, Isaac W., 390. - - Snooks, Major, 104. - - South Pass, The, discovery of, 10. - - Spalding, Rev. H. H., 71, 76, 367. - - Spanish, Advance of, in Pacific Northwest, 4. - - Speyers, ----., 272. - - Stanbough, Joe, 256. - - _Standard, The Washington_, 374. - - _Star, The_, first paper in San Francisco, 376. - - States, Henry, 243, 248. - - _Statesman, The Washington_, article of Captain John Mullan, 202. - - _Statesman, The Oregon_, 353, 360, 370. - - Steen, Major, 99. - - Stein, Mr., 74. - - Stephens, J. B., 59. - - Stephens, Wm., 195, 196. - - Steptoe, Colonel, 69. - - Stewart, C., 64. - - Stewart, P. G., 390. - - Stevens, General, 105. - - Stone, B. F., 196. - - Stone & Poyntz, 229. - - Stone, Nathan J., charge of publication department, A. L. Bancroft - & Company, 321. - - Strait, Hiram, 390. - - Strong, Judge, 134, 187, 188. - - Struve, Henry G., 371, 381. - - Stuart, Captain, death of, 231. - - St. Vrain, Mr., 372. - - Sublette, William L., letter of, 395. - - Supreme Court, decisions of, 187. - - Summers, Doctor, 132. - - Sumner, Brigadier General E. V., 99. - - - Tarbox, a Wisconsin lumberman, 197. - - Taylor, Colonel James, 32. - - Taylor, Judge F. J., 135. - - Taylor, President, 187. - - Taylor, John, 321. - - Templeton, ----., 71. - - Templeton, William T., 75. - - Terwilliger, L. L., 66. - - Tibbetts, Mr., 132. - - Tilden, of Washington, 106. - - Times Printing Company, 385. - - _Times, Daily_, 384. - - Thompson, Frank W., 104. - - Thompson, Captain D. P., 100. - - Thornton, Judge, 91, 96. - - Thurston, Samuel R., first delegate Oregon territorial government, - 47. - - _Transcript, The Olympia_, 380. - - Trask, Mr., 132. - - Tremewan, Mrs. Anna, 261. - - _Tribune, The New York_, 293. - - _Tribune, Salt Lake_, 293, 294. - - _Tribune, The Pacific_, 374. - - Trimble, Edward, 251. - - Truax, Captain S., 100. - - Tuffs, James, 225. - - Turner, Professor F. J., 8. - - Turners, J., 230. - - T'Vault, Colonel William G., 365; - editor _Oregon Spectator_, 368. - - - Union League, The, 73. - - _Unionist, The_, 360. - - - Vallejo, General, 311. - - Vancouver, Fort, 83. - - VanDusen, Miss Cora, 24. - - Van Voast, Captain, 99. - - Victor, Frances Fuller, 293, 294, 295, 305; - employed by Bancroft, 314; - sketch of life, 314, 324; - volume on Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming, 324. - - Victor, Meta Fuller, 315. - - Victor, Henry C., 316. - - Vigilante committee, 107. - - Villard, Henry, bought Walla Walla and Columbia River Railroad, - 199, 200. - - - Wagner, Mrs., murdered by Indians, 235. - - Wait, Hon. A. E., 188. - - Waite, E. M., 365. - - Waldo, Hon. John B., 246, 247, 248. - - Waldo, Daniel, 390. - - Waller, Rev. Alvan F., letter of, 178. - - Wallace, General Lew, 104. - - Walla Walla and Columbia River Railroad Company, 196. - - Walla Walla to San Francisco, From, by Capt. John Mullan, U. S. A., - 202. - - Walworth, Lucy, 314. - - Walworth, Judge Reuben, 314. - - Wambaugh, J., 390. - - Ward, Kirk, a fluent writer, 383. - - Warren, Miss Emma C., conducted private school in Astoria, 24. - - Warren, Mr. R. K., 27. - - Warren, F. M., 66. - - Washington, Territory of, organized, 192. - - Watt, John, 150. - - Watt, Miss, 28. - - Watt, Joseph, Sr., 150; - early life, 150, 159, 166, 390. - - Watson, J. R., 366, 375, 376. - - Wayne, J. W., 26. - - Weaver, ----, 228. - - Webster, Daniel, 43. - - Weir, Allen, bought _Puget Sound Argus_, 373. - - Welch, James, 26, 133. - - Wells, J., Letter to, 274. - - West, The Great and The Two Easts, by Henry E. Heed, 110. - - West, future of, 127; - The Great, table of comparisons, 114. - - _Weston Journal_, 368. - - _Western Star_, 368. - - Western Union Telegraph, 140; - completed to Seattle, 377. - - Whitacre, William T., 372. - - Whiteaker, Governor John, 99. - - White, Captain, 134. - - White, Dr. E., Indian sub-agent, 242. - - White, Harry, 383. - - Whitcomb, Lot, published _Western Star_, 368. - - Whitman, Doctor, 78, 79, 84, 254, 260, 367. - - Two Whitman Sources, 168. - - Whitmore, ----., 232. - - Whitney, ----., 277. - - Whitworth, James E., 381. - - Wilbur, J. H., 59, 64. - - Wilcox, Dr. Ralph, 64. - - Wiley & McElroy, publishers _Columbian_, 372. - - Wiley, J. W., 376. - - Willamette Valley and Cascade Mountain Military Wagon Road, 242. - - Williams, Geo., 104. - - Williams, Hon. George H., appointed chief Justice of Oregon - Territory, 189. - - Williams, Captain R. L., 232. - - Williams, Robert, 315. - - Williams, Veach, 314. - - Williamson, ----., 26. - - Willis, N. P., editor _New York Home Journal_, 315. - - Wills, Thomas, 232. - - Wilson, A. E., 132. - - Wilson, Joseph G., 191. - - Woman's War With Whiskey, one of Mrs. Victor's books, 317. - - Woir, J. M., 390. - - Wood, Tallmadge B., copy of letters from, 80, 84, 132. - - Woodfin, Thomas S., 75. - - Woodworth, Mr., 230 - - Wool, General John E., 236, 239. - - Woolery, James, 385. - - Worthington, Professor, 24, 28, 29. - - Wright, Colonel, 99, 105. - - Wright, Captain Ben, 232. - - Wyeth, Nathaniel J., expedition to the Columbia, 9. - - Wyley, ----., pioneer settler, 241. - - - Yellowstone Expedition, failure of, 7. - - Young, F. G., The Lewis and Clark Centennial, 1. - - Young, Mrs. Maxwell, 24. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Quarterly of the Oregon Historical -Society, Vol. IV, by Various - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK QUARTERLY--OREGON HIST. 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