The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current, December 31, 1916, SECTION FIVE, Page 12, Image 58

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    1S
THE SUNDAY OREGOMAX. PORTLAND, DECEMBER 31. 191A.
TREATY OF EMPIRE IS
FOUND BY LONG SEARCH
Coos Indians May Obtain iMnd Rights to 5,000,000-Acre Reservation as
Result of Success Attending 14-Year Quest Among Archives.
viwrtM t&sw
5 ' "PBS
13113 y wis?
claim Ins ny portion of the country herein
described shall not accede to the terms of
this treaty, then the bands becoming parties
hereunto agrree to receive such part of the
several annuities and other payments here
inafter named as a consideration for the en
tire country described a aforesaid as shall
be in the proportion that their aggregate
number may havt to the whole number ot
Indians renldlns: In and claiming the entire
country aforesaid as conoid era t ion and pay
ment In full for the tracts in said country
claimed by them . and provided, also,
that. whTf substantial Improvements have
bfren made by Individuals of bands becoming
parties to this treaty, the same shall be
valued under direction of the President of
th United States, and payment made said
Individual therefor, or. in lieu therefor, im
provements of equal extent or value, at their
option, shall be made on the tracts assigned
to each respectively.
Article II.
In consideration of and payment for the
country hereby ceded, the United States
agrees to pay to thr bands and tribes or
Indians claiming territory and residing in
aid country the several sum of money, to
wit : Ter. thousand dollars per annum for
the term of three years, commencing on or
before the first day of September. 1SG7;
$8000 pr annum for the term of three years
next succeeding the first three; $4000 per
annum for the term of three years next
succeeding the second three, and "J.VKKI per
annum for the term of six years next suc
ceeding the third three.
All of which several sums of monoy shall
be expended for the use and benefit of the
confederate bands, under the direction of
the President of the United States, who may
from time to time, at h Is d iscrctlon. de
termine what proportion thereof shall be ex
pended for such objects as. In his Judgment,
will promote- their well-being and advance
them In civilization ; for their mutual im -
provement and education ; for build ing
opening and fencing farms, breaking land
providing team, stock, agrlcultura. Imple
ments, seed, etc., for clothing, payment of
mechanic and farmers, and for arms and
ammunition.
Article III.
The United States agrees to pay said
same, and If not issued, the assignment may
be cancelled, and may also withhold from
such person or family their portion ot the
annuities or other money due them, until
they shall have returned to such permanent
home and resumed the pursuits of Industry;
and in default of their return the tract may
be declared abandoned and thereafter as
signed to some other person or family re
siding on said reservation.
Article VII.
The annuities of the Indians shall not be
taken to pay the Jebts of Individuals.
Article VIM-
The confederated bands acknowledge their
dependence on the Government of the United
States and promise to De xnenaiy w
ffftzon thereof, and Dledee themsel
commit no depredations on the property of
said cltlxens; and should any one or more
of the Indians violate this pledge, and the
fact oe satisfactorily proven before the agent,
the property taken shall be returned; or In
default thereof, or If Injured or destroyed,
compensation may be made by' the Govern
ment out of their annuities; nor will they
make war on any other tribe of Indians, ex
EX-GOVERNOR GEER RECALLS TRIP TO NEW
HOME IN GRAND RONDE 50 YEARS AGO
Romances of Early Days. Wild Frontier Life That Is Merry and Friendly. Tedious Methods of Transportation
Comparison With Today Are Some of Things Recalled.
; mei. t
United T
Ith all I
vea to I J
BT T. T. GEER.
ET mo give you a little personal
history which may in a measure
be of interest. reriWniscent in its
nature and suggested by the fact that
60 years ago today I made the trip
from Salem down the Willamette River
to Portland on my way to Grand Ronde
Valley to make my home. My father,
who for a few years had been a wldow-
eept in self defense, but submit all matter er and had spent the time in the mines
of difference between i mnu .
ifr '' iii.mi ...I. ffc y" j
veSHBSSS ' fSl "SS ISB ' ""' ' ' ' ' jjfjl"
C3
MABmnraSSUD, Or., Dec. no.
(Special.) After delving: for 14
years for evidence and informa
tion that would aid the Coos Indians
in obtaining their rights in lands be
longing to them before the whites
came to this section of the Coast,
George. Wasson recently unearthed the
absolute proof of the Treaty of Em
pire, wherein tr Government set off
a reservation about this district com
prising r, OoO.OOO acres for the tribes
which signed the treaty.
The original treaty was found in the
records at Washington, after a lapse
of 59 years. Although it had been
sought many t imes before, its finding
is the only time any record of its hav
ing been seen since 1857 is known.
The treaty never was ratified by the
Government, although the Government
proceeded to occupy the lands of the
Indians and move them about the state
as if the treaty WW in full effect. The
Indians lo.-t thir lands, but the Gov
ernment did not advance them annui
ties, as agreed; did not establish
schools, mills and farms, yet the In
dians kept their part of the agree
ment, and after being roustabouts for
10 years, the whites had occupied their
Lvmdfl and their fishing grounds and
homes in some instancnes.
inii inn Arc Scattered.
The Coos Indians spent five or six
years on a territory north of Coos Bay
and afterward scattered to many sec
tions. Some of them are now living
as far north as the Siuslaw River.
Some very interesting things are
brought out in the text of the treaty,
which will be of much historical value,
and copies will probably be sent to
the various historical societies of the
state. The spelling of Coos has been
the adopted regulation for many years.
For some time many used the spell
ing Koos. In the Joel Palmer treaty
of Empire the word is spelled en
tirely different, Kowes.
The land which is being sought, or
some equivalent, is bounded on the
south by the Coquille River, on the
east by the Coast Range divide and
on the north by a line near Heceta
Head, on the west by the ocean.
Mr. Wasson, who is at Washington,
writes home that every person to
whom the situation has been explained
admits the Indians have a just claim
and will beyond a doubt be properly
remunerated.
If they should only receive what
raw Government land has always sold
for. $2.50 an acre. th total payment
would reach $12,500,000. There are sev
eral hundred claimants for the land,
and they are supporting the research.
It is expected the bill providing for
payment will reach Congress at its
next session, early in the deliberations.
Treaty Text (ilvrn.
The text of the treaty:
Articles of agreement and convention en
tered into on the ltth and 17th days of
August, IM&t In the Territory of Oregon.
bwtw en Joel Palmer, Enquire, Commlwloner
of the United states, and t& Indians re
iddlnp along the coast west of the nummit of
the Coast Range of mountains, and between
the Columbia Fliver on the north and the
southern boundary of Orenon on th- nouth.
February 1. Head the first time
and. on motion of Mr. St-bastian. referred,
together with the message and accompany
ine documents, to the committee on I ndian
affairs and ordered to be printed In con
fidence tor the use of the Senate.
Articles of agreement and convention made
and concluded at the places and dates here
inafter named, in the territory of Orctron.
by Joel Palmer, Superintendent of Indian
Affairs, on the part of the United States,
and t ht follow ing chiefs and headmen of
the eon federated tribes and bands of In
dians residing a'ong the vst coat or the
mm mil of the Coast Itangc of mountains,
and between the Columbia River on the
North and the southern boundary of Oregon
on the south, they being duly authorized
thereto by their respective bands, to-wit:
ttOtiie. Oal-he-na, Jel-kete, Albert. Ki
hose. Sme-ka-hite, Qulnk-ouse. Quc-mah,
Kle-ick, Pah-hi, Ha-ake, Tue-to. Que-lls-ka
and Quo-op -pa, of the Alcea band of In
dians. Jim. Con-chu, Toch-a-Ua, Pah-ni-ka-u.
No-coH-court. Tlat'-hal, He-a-kah, Sam
may. Ke-etch and John, of the Vah-yuo-nah
band of the Tillaniooks;
Jim, Sis-nah-quo-Hn. Scho-yo, Kir -eon -onts.
Yon -ton, Flouched, To-cot-so. Jake.
Chah-quo-lah, C hin-na-quo- wah, Tu-e-uch,
Ah-is-lep, Se-cow-in. Jo-han-na, and Yet
slt. of the Seletsa band of the Tlllamooks;
John of thti Ne-a-chus-na band of the
Tillamooks;
Kn-cots. D'i-Chaum, John, Pos-cal. Ha-l-tuth.
KaA-la-wot-sa. Ha-lo-gleese, Bl-cham-an.
Louis. Lake-man, Jerome, Peir and
"Wilson, of the Siuslau tribes;
Jim. Tim. Tom, Sam, Fattim, Don-qulx-ott-
Charley. Oue-il-me. Qui-lt and Ila-lo-
lea-iio. of the Kal-a-wot-set or I'mpqua
tribe;
Jim. Hob. John 1st, Captain. Stephen.
Charley 1st, Wol-lonch, Loch-Itch. YVolloch,
Pete, Jackson, Hal-lieu, Taylor, Pc-lee-gray,
Joe. Sam 1st. Charley 2d. Sam 2d. Jim 2d,
Johnson, Charley 3d, Ole-inan, Jack. Tom
2d. Jim 3d. John 2d, GabrieU CrU, Ne-at
ral-woot. Jake, Quin-al-chet, Tot. Se-no,
Lolkt, Damon, Ka-tow-na, Loch-hoio, Ten
ach. Kl-hi-ah,' How-seach. Ko-at-qua. Solo
mon, Lol-lotch. Skil-a-milt, Yah- v. ho-wieh.
Tes-lch-man. How -new-wot. Skil-a-milt,
How -new - wot, Squat-kle-ah. K I - wot -set. Alia-
wom-mets. Toot-to: and Xo-whe-na, of
the Kowes Bay tribe ;
T-8in-no-nas. Pll-le-kif, Clas-wan-ta. Sat
toe, Waii-hench, Tom, Joe, Mal-o-quock.
Won-ot-tlos, Mil-luck, John 1st. Charley,
Che-kaw-nah. Kume-mos. T-sha-sa w, K ow -u-iuuw,
Sands. T-sls-tah-no-ka. M ah -t lose,
C.hll-la.h, How-ouse. Charles. Lah - lee. N'or-to-Soch,
Chaly, Klong-klus, Bill. Other-Tom,
Yohn. Nelson -hut, Klo-kot-on. land-tsh.
Kitchen. Jim-f-o-wah, Joe-lane, Frank,
John 2d, Jim. George, Bob. Kl-kah-hut, of
the Quans-sake-nah. Klen-nah.hah and Ke-ah-mas-e-ton
bands of the O-mah or Co
quille tribe ;
Tag-o-ne-cia, Loo-ney YoKu, Jim En-nach-nah
and Ta-wos-kah. of the Se-qua-chee
band of the Tootootoneys;
An-ne-at-ta. Tal-ma-net-sa. Ko-chil-Ia
and Hust-la-no of the Tootootoneys;
Kn-thlack. Too-whuskah, Ka-tulch-kla,
and No-get-toe-lt, of the Chltco tribe;
Sin- whus-chan, Kn-san-e-k Ion. I'n-nah
wose-tah, and Yas-kah-chin-a-mah-tln of
the Yah-schute band of Tootootoneys:
Nal-tah-nos-shah, Chah-hus-sah . Kos-sa-on,
and E-ule-te-tes-tlah of the Whis-to-na-tln
band of the Tootootoneys;
Ses-tel-tul, Yot -sa. and H us-to-ma h -say,
of the Cos-sa-tony band of tho Tootooton
eys : ;
Mos-quot. No-on-me-has-quah; Tuc-qua.
and Cosh -nul -see, of the Che t-leas-Ing-ton
band of the Tootootoneys:
Smut-tah-ta. Too-kus-chal-nah, Sc-tah-kVl,
and Seha.I-iah, of the Port Orford band
of the Tootootoneys ;
Ah -chase, Tos-ton. Qui! -see and Too-quot,
of the Kukle-chee band of the Tootootoneys;
Mussle-tic-whalt. Kloose-tla. and Eutii
mus. of the Kler-it-la-tcl band of Tootoot
oneys ;
L'lt-sa-yah, Yah-sun-see. Ton-ua-nic-a-eha,
Che-nun-tun. and Chis-tah, of the Te-cha-quot
band of the Tootootoneys
Tut-lel-ol-tus. En -sal -sun, Squo-che-nol-ta.
Shet-nul-lus, and Noch-nos-see-yah, of
the Mach-a-no-tin band of the Tootootoneys;
Washington Tom. Chl-a-le-tin. Tie, Nt-ich-lo-sls,
Eu-sl-wah, and Jackson. and
David of the Cah-toch; Chln-chen-ten-tah-ta.
Whiston and Klen-has-tun bands of the Co-
quilles.
Article X.
The aoove named confederated bands of
Indians cede to the United States all their
rights, title and Interest to all and every
part of the country claimed by them. In
cluded n the following boundaries, to-tvit:
Commencing in the middle of the channel of
the Columbia River, at the northwestern
extremity of the purchase made by the
Calapoola and Molalla bands of Indians:
thenco running southerly with that boundary,
to the southwestern point of that purchase ;
and thence, along the summit of the Coast
Range of mountains, with the western boun
daries of the pu reliant made of the I'mp
quas and Mollala-s of the I'mpqua Valley,
and of the Scotons. Chaste, and Grave
Creeks of Rogue River Valley, to the south
ern boundary of the Oregon Territory; thence
west to the Pacific Ocean; thence northerly
along said ocean to the middle of the
northern channel of the Columbia River;
t hence follow ing the middle of the ta id
channel to the place of beginning :
Provided. however, that so much - of
the country -described above as is contained
In the following boundaries shall, until oth
erw lee directed by .the President of the
United States, be set apart as a residence
for said Indians, and such other bands or
parts of bands as may. by direction of the
President of the United States, be located
thereon. Such tract for tho purpose con
templated shall be held and regarded as an
Indian reservation, to-wit:
The Reserved land for Indians.
Commencing where the northern boundary
of the 17th range of townships south of the
Base Line strikes the coast; thence east
to the western boundary of the eight
ranges of townships west of the Willamette
meridian, as Indicated by John B. Preston's
diagram of a portion of Oregon Territory ;
thence north on that line to the southern
boundary of the third range of townships
south of the Base Line; thence west to the
Pacific Ocean ; thence sout herly along
coast, to the place of beginning.
Provided. however. that the district
wen of the said eight range of townships
between the said northern boundary of
range 17 and the fourth standard parallel
south, shall for the term of 20 years be
held and regarded as a part of said Indian
reservation and together with the tract de
scribed by this section. a such, be subject
to me laws ann rsruiat ions ' Trade ana In
tereourse With Indian Tribes' now In force.
or, hereafter enacted by the Congress of the
I nited Mates. All of which tract shall ba
t apart, and. so far as nil sur
veyed and marked out. for the exclusive
use of such Indians as are or mav here
after be located thereon, nor shall any per
son other than an Indian be permitted to
reside upon the same without the consent
and permission of the Superintendent of In
dian Affairs and the agent having charge
ot said a istnct.
The said bands and tribe agree to re
move and settle upon the same within ons
year after the ratification of this conven
tion without any additional expense to the
Government other than is provided in this
treaty; and until the expiration of the
time specified the said bands shall be per
mitted to occupy and reside upon the tracts
now possessed by them, sr'taran teeing to all
white citizens the right to enter upon and
occupy as settlers any lands not included
said reservation, or actually enclosed hy
said Indians : Provided, however, tha
when the public Interest or convenience may
require, th rign t or construction of roads
railroads or other public highway, and
navigating the streams or bays In said reser
vation. Is hereby secure to the United
States; ond prolded, also. that, if an
band or bands of Indiana residing In and
Indians the additional sum of $3n.OOO. a
portion whereof shall be applied to th pay
ment for auch articles as may be advanced
them at the time of signing of this treaty,
and in providing after the ratification
thereof, and prior to their removal, such
articles a may be deemed by the- President
essential to their wants ; for the erection of
buildings on the reservations, fencing and
opnin-r farms: for the purchase of teams,
farminc implements. tool and seeds; for the
payment of employe, and for subsisting the
Indians the first year after their removal.
Article IV.
In addition to the consideration specified,
the United States agre to ertet at suitable
points on the reservation two sawmills, t"o
flour ire mills, four schoolhouses and two
hlaekamlth shops, to one of whleh shall be
attached a tlnshop; and for two sawyers, two
millers, one superintendent of farming op
erations, three farmers, one physician, four
teachers and two blacksmiths, a dwelling
house snd the necessary- outbuildings for
each; and to purehas and kep in repair,
for the time specified for furnishing em
ployes, all nepeary mill fixtures, mechan
ical tools, medicines, books, and stationery
for schools, and furniture for employes.
The' United States further rnwHc to sec air a
and pay for the services and subsistence, for
the Mrn at IS years, of thre farmers, two
blacken it hs. two saw era, t wo millers, and
for the term of 20 years. of one physician.
one superintendent of farming operations,
and four school teachers.
The United States further engage to re
tain the services of one Indian agent, and
to ereet at the most central suitable points
agency buildings, w her such agent shall
reside.
Article V.
The half-breeds, legal representatives of
the bands and tribes being parties to this
treaty, who reside outside of the reservation,
shall b allowed to draw the share of an
nuity payments to which they may be en
titled, either in cash or goods, at their op
tion; and when resid Ing upon the reserva
tion they shall be entitled to all the benefit
of the annuity as well as other payments ;
but no half-breed shall be permitted upon
said reservation without the conseut of the
superintendent and agent.
Article VI.
The President may. from time to time, at
his discretion, cause the whole, or such
portion as he may think proper, of tha
tract, that may now or hereafter be set
apart as a permanent home for these In
dians, to be surveyed Into lots and assigned
to such Indians of the confederated bands
as may enjoy the prlvliigcs and locate
thereon permanently; to a single person,
over 21 years of age, 40 acres; to a family
of two person. 60 acres; to a family of
three and not exceeding five, SO acres; to a
family of six persons and not exceeding 10.
120 acres: and to each family over lo in
number, 20 acres for each additional three
members. And the President may provide
such rules and regulations as will secure
to the family. In cane of death of the head
thereof, the possession and tnjoymcnt of
dians to the Government or ine uniieu
States, or its agents, tor aecision. inn
thereby; and If any of the said Indians com
mit any depredation on other Indians the
same rub- shall prevail as that prescribed
In the case of depredation against cltlxens.
Article IX.
For the purpose of establishing uniformity
laws. ruls and regulations among the va
rious bands of Indians being panleB to this
treaty and to give greater security to per
son and property. It is hereby agreed that
the ongress of the United States with
the approval of the President, shall have
power to enact laws for the government or
said ludians.
Article X.
In order to prevent the evus oi intem
perance cmong said Indians, It , hereby
provided that if anyone of them shall drink
liquor to excess or procure It for others to
drink his or hr proportion of the annut
ti mav be withheld from him or her for
such time as the President may determine.
Article XI.
The United States agrees to
sum of money not exceeding $10,000 in
opening and constructing wagon roads be
tween the different settlements on said
reservations, and from tho saw and flour
mills herein provided for to said settle
....... in th event of a failure to
effect secure landings for vessels in the
transportation of annuity goods within said
reservation, the additional sum. not exceed
ing $10."0. shall be expended by the
l -nited Spates In opening and constructing
a wagon road from some point at or near
the mouth of the Ne-a-ches-na or Salmon
Klver to he settlements In the Willamette
Vallev. and one waron road from some
nuvlgable point on Yah-quo-nah or Alcea
River to the vaiiey or tne vtji.amcne
Article XII.
The United States engages to estaMish
nd maintain a military post on said reser
vation whensoever the peace ad safety of
the Indians residing thereon shall render
tho same necessary.
Article XIII.
This t.-eaty shall be obligatory on the
contracting parties n soon a the nsrrm
shall be ratified by the President and Sen
ate of the United States.
In testimony whereof, the said .IoM
Palmer, on the part of the United States,
and the undersigned chiefs, headmen and
delegates of the said confederated bands
ba vp hereunto set 111 fir hand and seals.
this 11th day of Auaust. laaa.
Signed In the presence of 'rls Taylor
tHlialsjl J to treaty; W. W. Raymond. sub-
Indian arent; R. W. Dunbar, R. M . Palmer.
JOKI, PAUfamR.
Superintendent Indian Affairs. Oregon Ter
ritory.
Then follows the signatures of .1 of the
Indians, all with his X mark attached.
They were from tho Slu-slau, "Winchester
Bay' baud of the Kal-e-wat-set or Umpquas.
and t he several tribes of th Kowes Hay
and the signatures were attached August
17. iSSS.
The witnesses to this signing were CH
Taylor. R, B. Metcalfe, sub-Indian agent;
ET. P. Drew, sub-Indian agent ; John B.
Gagnier. John Fleet. J. C. Clark, Interpre
ters; EL W. Ounbar, U. P. Brown, M. EL
Hill and Johr. Gale.
The next tribes to sign were the Coqullles.
avnd this wus contracted on the 2'td of
August, tSMb Other bands of the Coqullles
signed on the 8th day of September, is."..'..
Second Uleutenant August V. Kant. U. S.
A., and Henry Hill Woodward appeared as
wltneaees on the last signatures.
The latter part or the document snows
another concession for Indians living away
from Poos Bay, wherein the following
agreement was entered Into and signed
and sealed by Ta-wos-ka:
We. th chiefs, headmen and delegates
of th" .S-q uate-ftah, Ko-so-e-chah, Enka
ache. Vah-shute. Tootootoney, Mack-a-n-tln.
Kos-sul-to-ny. M us-sle. Cns-sa-to-n . Klu-it-ta-tel,
T-cha-quot. Chet-Iess-lng-ton . and
Whls-to-na-tin bands of the Tootoptoney
trib and Cl.etco tribe of Indians, after
of Eastern Oregon and Idaho, had re
cently remarried and had decided to
engage in the business of raising fruit
in the Cove, 1 nion County. I had the
year before quit my attendance at the
Willamette University, had uo abiding
pla- e and had derided to make my home
with my father In that, then, new coun
try.
The many changes that have taken
place during these 50 years, not only
among the paople, but along the lines
of customs and conditions concerning
them, render this day of remlni.soenee
wonder fully interesting to me, even
aside from the fart that a half century
mark means a span of personal experi
ences of varying character that on this
day present a kaleidoscopic picture of
successes, failures, happy associations,
fond memories and sad partings that
attend the average life of a busy man.
.oodhe to lalta TaJtes Long.
First, let me describe that trip from
Portland to Union County In December.
1866. The day was Monday on which
I went from the farm of my uncle,
Ralph C. Geer, 12 miles east of Salem,
in the Waldo Hills. 1 walked that 12
miles. My uncle was going to Salem
by team, hut a mile on the road lived
two young ladies who had professed
raucn grief that I was going awny
impression was that the boat was trav
eling in the direction it was pointed
when I entered it. and all 'day long, in
violation of my knowledge to the con
trary, we were going in a westerly di
rection, with the result that I arrived
in Grand Ronde Valley with my mind
In confusion as to directions, and. dur
ing the 10 years that I lived there, the
sun persistently rose in the north, and
does yet upon my occasional return
visits.
So mupj of the permanency of first
impressions, whether for good or the
reverse.
omen Ran Town Tkrn. mm Now.
Umatilla Landing was a much lartrer
town then than it is now. though the
women who were there at that time !
had much to do with the way the
town was run, as they do now, though
different methods were employed. 1
arrived at Umatilla after dark on
Thursday and on Friday morning, lonp
before daylight. I boarded a stage
which drove to what was known as the
Twelve-Mile House for breakfast.
I do not recall the Twelve-Mile House
so much as I do the ride which took
us there. It was a biting cold morn
ing, aero weather, which I had never
before encountered, and following the
advice of over -kind relat ives at home
I hud put on two pairs oi" woolen socks
as a defense. Within 20 minutes I had
discovered my mistake. With boots
that rather snugly fit my feet with one
pair of socks, the extra pair served to
impede circulation, and I have never
suffered with cold as on that short
ride though it seemed we would never
reach our destination. At the Twelve
Mi'e House I divested myself of that
extra pair of socks and had learned a
valuable lesson along certain lines.
We crossed the Umatilla River where
nu on inr oaj Derorp I had pmmisfd pf ndl,ton is now situated, but thcro
to stop on my way to Salem and wc was nothing there then but a bride''.
would have a la.-t goodbye. , staBe barn and a little hotel that was
I kept my word, of course, and my kepi bv Mrs. Goodman, afterward Mrs.
un ie had promised to stop as he passed Ralev. and who but recently died in
and I would uccompany bAau However. Pendleton.
as he explained afterward, he was de- That nicht we stayed at what was
layed In Kiartinc. and. sui i. . :.:- ih.i !
it would not require more than a half
hour for our goodbyes to be properly
attended to. he had driven rapidly by
In order to overtake me and shorten
my walk. But he had forgotten how
long It really takes to accomplish some
things satisfactorily, and after waiting
for two hours for him to call I pro
ceeded to Salem on foot, arriving there
at about 2 o'clock.
Fifty years ago today: A few years
afterward one of these girls, then IS
e.irs or age. married, becoming t h,.
known as Warm Springs, now Bingham
Dine .moii niH i n s. passeo inrouKn 11111
merville and within a few hours ar
rived at "The Point." hut two miles
from the Cove, where my father wa.s
engaged in assisting six other men m
building the new mill being construct
ed by French & Haley which burned
down three years ago.
Trip of r l.io. mw I" llourn.
I was thus five dAvs and a itart of
some of the nights in traveling from ICorvallis, and J. '. Ainsworth w
ley. liunham Wright is living nt
-v4iifc.. aim n. i . ..it I'aui.-is is a re
u . ' fnsscu in UltaL Lfiviae 1
the i nknown.
l nion was then a thriving: lit
town . a r . . ' w. ,J . . .-1 .. . Ill
of the first, if not the very earliest.
i V . . IT UUIIIIi miMIII'HS IIIC
one ownea ny t.eorgc wiiciit. fat
ere. and Sam Hannah, afterward
State Senator.
hay from the wild grass to the thi
goinc to 'the Idaho mines, at the
-. a ion. ana incy were :-inl
Py it. It was and is. a great val
richly endowed by nature.
Ada All re BlQ.
Other changes have overtaken
country besides those 1 have vt
I I 1 ' t . 1 1 Klll.nl u -Aa... . .... ..... .
hmi i" yesterday looking through
Oregon ian of December 17. 186.
was a four-page paper and falrl
filled with advertising, but no ad
oi space. puon a display as one
V. i... X. Prinli'. r..ll .j.
dav would . I . 1 1 i f . I...... .. ...
panic in the composing-room and
ruptcy to the firm offering It.
cepted.
The advertisements announce tha
C. Oibbs was president of the Ore
I -.... V ,. r-l- . . . . I ... .. I T
. v . i . - v . . . - -. . . 1 1 ....... i i ... i an rri, 1 1
thorn Jfc Lorvca wore "physicians
proprietors of the Oregon State In
at-law "with Judge A. E. Walte
r ront street, over Weatherford's
store"; L. P. VI". Quimby was in ch
of the Wntm Hotel, at Morrison
Kir.-t streets unci P. rt. Sinnolt
manager of the New Columbian, at
corner of Morrison and Front.
Henry L. Plttock announced that
had for sale ;o pounds of news
ill .i ii - mi li ii ii I s ill .. :i - n .
ton; Carter, llayden a Co. were scl
sand, flooring, "(onguc ami groov
at ?I7; W. T. Shanahan ha.d Just
solved a copartnership with A. EL
frene; A. P. Richardson was an ;
tloneer at Front and Oak: McCorn
had a. bookstore at "105 Front tt
opposite Mount Hood": A. .. Mo-
was president of the P. T. fonip:
which was running the i;..;
mother of four children, and passing a'm to a P'nt equal to the distance I itletit of the Astoria line of boat!
such home ami the Im provement thereon : I bavins "a '' explained to iw tlie above
- t w.. . . . I tretv. do herehv accede t." It urovl on?.
and he may at any time, at hi discretion.
after such person or family had made loca
tion on the land assigned a u permanent
home, issue a patent to such person or fam
ily for such assigned land, conditioned that,
the tract shall not be aliened or leased for
a lonrer term than two year, and shall be
exempt from levy. sale, or forfeiture, which
conditions shall continue in force until a
state constitution embracing such lands
within lt limits hall have been formed.
Provided. alo. That. If any person or family
shai: at any time neglect or refue to occupy
or till a portion of the land a.s!gned and on
which they have located, or shall roam front
place to place, indicating a desire to aban
don said home, the President may. if the
patent shall have been issued, revoke the
with the following proviso: That th canoes
belonging to the member of our respective
hands ,hall cither be trannportcd to the
district designated as a reservation, or
other canoer or boats furnished In lieu
thereof, or te value of the same puld the
Indians by the Government of the fnlted
States. 1st the discretion of the latter, and
that means of transportation for the old.
Infirm and children, with good, wares and
chattels belonging to the members of the
said banr and iihltcnce for the mem
bers thereof during time of removal shall
also b furn'shed hy. snd at the expense of
the Government of the United Sta'c.
In witness whereof, we hereunto affix our
?lgnaturc5. or marks, this 11th day or
August. IRriV
on zi yens ago. and the othei ih.
mother of six children, now lives in
Washington, and. 1 trust, will muI
this reminiscence of a happy incident.
now a nan-century old.
i hi Id Then In Wife .Not,.
At that time my present wife was a
girl of 5 years of age do I dare give
this fact away? wus living with her
parents at Oswego, and today, while
talking with her about the significance
of the anniversary. I referred to the
fact that the boat passed that place,
when she declared that she was on the
bank of the river at the time, and
waved her little bonnet at me. mean
ing that she hoped I would at some
time return and call for her!
And that helps some.
I will describe that trip from Port
land to the Grand Ronde Valley In 1866
with some degree of detail for the il
lustration it will afford of the improve
ments that haKne since been effected.
I traveled for five days and a part of
some nights, and. starting from Salem
early on Tuesday morning. I arrived
at "Hendershott's Point" on Saturday
noon. The first day took ma to Port
land, and it required all of Wednesday
to reach The i .lies.
The next morning at 4 o'clock we
boarded the train that carried us to
CeHlo. arriving there while it was as
yet quite dark. It was very cold, and the
passengers entered the boat at once
for comfort. It was tied with its bow
down the stream, pointing west, and
shortly afterward started for I'matilla
Landing.
Of course, after swinging into the
river, it turned around and proceeded
upstream, but I didn't realize this at
the time, and after daylight I went out
on deck to view the country, but my
to La Grande, a trip that can now be "leave, as usual, on Mondays and
made with the greatest comfort in 18 days"; H. W. Corbatt had full ;is:
hours! This comparison should not be i ment of "crosscut saws, mining
tary that now, if a train is 30 minutes ' Van Schuyver were making door:
late, the average traveler will bemoan j window blinds.
his ill luck and abuse the railway I Coach I. Ine Advertised.
auinoi.iics more saaKe, man nm mc p. i j;. f-ardwcll announced tha
man w ho encountered the facilities In , h,i i,ii . . , rrm l-c.i.-i
vogue a half-century ago. Really. ejljad,i & Tilton informed the pu
" I I I ,t 1 lll- II.IM 1 i I . I I " ' I I ' Ill IH" If
in l X ritt l n 1 1 i it t n i n f v mi nn v it- i j i wi . . . ... ... a
ceimy oeen esianusnea. o -ernor - j tho building oi rupi. tl by Messrs
moo naa appointee, ine iirsi usi or -p. fjnnrhiU & o. m Front strm
n t I Icoro iiii.l )ir1 v.i 1 ' . .f . I m - T noli. ! x o m
in turn appointed my father his dep- Ione Kir Cemterv Compute v vrere
uty. which accounted for his polnp to vtted to n meeting of stockholders
W. H. H. MQRGAN HAS RESIDED
IN OREGON SINCE YEAR 1843
Time Recalled When Wild Fowl on Sauries Island Were So Thick That
Double-Barreled Shot Brought Down 45 Ducks From Flock.
w
BY ADDISON BKXNETT.
ILLIAM HENRY HARRISON
MORGAN was born in Ohio on
the eighth day of December.
1840. his father. ICdward Morgan, be
ing a farmer at the time. Two years
later the family removed to I-.ee Coun
ty, Iowa, and resided there on a farm
until the early Spring of 1845. The
Oregon "fever" was running strong In
that section at the time, and the elder
Morgan determined to seek a new
home and get a farm of his own. So
they sold off their furniture and what
other personal propel ty they had.
packed a few dishes, mostly of tin,
their bedding, clothing and seven chil
dren Into two wagons, hitched thereto
four yoke, of oxen, trailed two milch
cows behind, and "set sal'" for the
Oregon country, which they reached
in the Fall of that year.
Of the trip across the plains W . H.
H. Morgan remembers but very lit
tle. He was only five years old when
they arrived at Linnton. there being
no Portland then. But from hearsay
he accounts for Indian raids, mishaps
on mountain trails, troubles in getUng
across the streams and all such dif
ficulties as the pioneers of those days
met up with In their Journey of over
-'OO-i miles. One incident he remem
bers hearing his parents "ell of fre
quently, and that was an accident that
befell them in crossing Burnt reiver.
In ICastern Oregon. The wagon in
which he was riding upset In mid
stream and he was thrown in under
the bedding and was almost dead when
rescued. He also remembers of often
hearing of how the trip from The
Dalles down the river was made, the
wagons being brought down the stream
and the oxen driven over the Indian
trail. On the way two of the oxen
and one cow were lost, so they arrived
with six oxen, one cow and what little
plunder they had in the wagons and
a smooth silver half dollar in cold
cash'.
Homestead la Selected.
Arriving at Linnton. the elder Mor
gan went to the store, there being but
one there, to invest his four bits in
flour. He found that commodity sell
Ing at four bits a pint! But it took
more than a little thing like the lack
of tlour to bring despair to the early
pioneers. They did the best they could
without flour, and went at the first
work at hand to earn a little money
to make their filing on the land. Most
of the country thereabouts was cov
ered with brush or timber, but he
heard there was open country on 8au
vles Island, a few miles down the Co
lumbia from Liinnton. Going to look
at it. he found it fully up to his ex
pectations, and selected k section,
which, he soon took up his abode upon
flfr &
II Mill I i
William Henry Harrison Morican.
AVho Has l.Uc.i In Oregon 71
Years.
and went to Hlllsboro and made his
filing. Sauvles Island was nt the time
inhabited principally by Hudson Bay
farmers, white men who mostly had
squaw wives. So the "society" was
nothing to brag about.
Soon they had a log house erected,
and by the following Spring they, were
readv to plant their crops. Mr. Mor
gan relates that the wheat yielded
well, and remembers the operation of
cutting and threshing it. The former
was done with a short scythe, some
thing like a sickle, then It was flailed
out on tne ground and his father would
stand on a high stump and throw the
wheat and chaff in the air for the
wind to fan the latter out. and the
boys caught the wheat in a sheet'
Mr. Morgan says that the sweetest
morsel he ever ate was the "mess" of
boiled wheat and sweet milk which
they had from the nrst "threshing."
Vhen the Morgans settled on Sau
ries islam! it was noted for its wild
fowl ducks, geese and cranes. It was
the favored hunting ground for the
Indians and whites for miles and miles
aVound. The waters In the sloughs
and along the shores between the is
land and the Oregon mainland were
thick with v.-apato. a sort of wild po
tato. and the fowl fed principally on
the vines and tubers of that. He says
that It srave a flnvor to the meat un
known at tie present time, and Ho I qualntances Join.
fattening qualities were so great that
J h. has caught hyth ducks and geese
I that were actually too fat to fly.
j Where is the wapato now? It is no
more. That great game rlsh. the cele
brated carp, was introduced, and "he"
harvested the wapato. leaves, vines,
tubers and all. There are still lots ot
wild fowl on the island, but not like
in the olden days, when at times the
air was alive with them. Mr. Morgan
says he has often seen, when he was
a little lad. more ducks and geese In
an hour than now Inhabit the island
in an entire season. Shooting both
barrels of an old shotgun into a flock
of geese once he killed 33: at another
time with a double discharge into a
flock of ducks he killed 4.".. The Mor
gans forged ahead quite rapidly in the
early days, for there was usually a
good demamd for game, principally- for
mallard and canvasback ducks and
cranes. These often commanded as
much as $5 a dozen. Cranes were very
plentiful, as were also deer but both
are mighty infrequent visitors now.
Kver since he was five years old Mr.
Morgan lias lived on Sauvtes Island. thousand
I I III II Ills lillllfl 0VO III I , l II- I
J I tlnued to farm the place, and has con
I j tlnued to do so up to the present time.
J although he spends much of bis time
at his fine home on Hawthorne ave
4 inue. where he brought his family for
j educational purposes.
I In the Spring of 1 griO his father sold
I the original donation claim and took
I I another section nearby. He received
I $100 in "cash money," at a time when
that sum was quite a fortune. The
son has added an adjoining half sec
tion to the original tract, and now
has 960 acres, making one larg
est and finest farms In this vicinity.
Km thi son wa.s approaching his
twenty-fourth birthday, having lived
and worked continuously with his
father, a young woman by the name
of Sarah Klizabeth Orchard came to
spin for his mother. She resided with
her parents at Sprlngville. a few miles
ot the west, on the "mountain. the
location of the settlement being on
what Is now the skyline boulevard.
then a mere mountain trail. Thus
started an acquaintance that soon cul
minated in a trip to Vancouver and a
marriage.
Elevrii children have been born to
them, eight of whom are now living.
The elder Morgan was married twice.
and a son by his first wife Is now re
siding on a farm in Douglas County,
his age being 95 years George Mor
gan, a well-known citizen of the Rose
burg vicinity.
Although Mr. Morgan is now
past his seventy-sixth birthday, he
is hale and hearty, and Mrs. Mor
gan looks more like a matron of 4i
than the mother of 11 adult children.
(They are not numbered among the plu
tocrats of the land, but have sufficient
of the world's goods for their modest
wants, and their fine home in town
Is a real home in every thing the word
implies. A son-in-law is the real
manager of the farm and big dairy
business there carried on, but Mr. Mor
gan spends a good portion of his time
at the old home and takes great pride
In having one of the really successful
farms of Oregon. Both he and his
wife have every reason to look for
ward to many happy years, and in this
hope n multitude of friends and c-
Oranrl Itonde Valley. He boarded with
his brother's family, doing the house
work for which was a young woman
recently from Missouri and whose
parents lived in the Cove, 18 miles
across the valley. The acJnaatntance
thus formed, wholly acctdenuTl. result
ed in marriaige in October. 1866, and
this, in turn, caused my going to that
country in December.
What apparently disconnected events
shape the entire course of our lives!
I have often wondered what ray life
work would have been, and where, if
Governor Glhhs had appointed some
other, or any other, applicant for that
Job: or supposing F. V. Duncan had
remained In Missouri with his girls,
or if my uncle had haptened to have
employed some other girl.
Ilnllwaya Were l"ar Array.
Pioneer conditions prevailed in I'nion
County 50 years ago. To be sure, all
Ihu land in the Covej. which comprises
a section of country about three miles
in width and 10 in length, fertile and
sloping into the foothills, was claimed
and mostly fenced, de voted largely to
wheat raising, but the houses consisted
of log cabins and everything was new.
The earliest settler in the Grand
Ronde Valley had been there but four
years and it was much like coming lo
the Willamette Valley in 1S47. There
was no railroad nearer than. say.
Omaha, and no newspaper between
Walla Walla. The Dalles and Boise.
Most of the flour used was brought
from the former place.
It was regarded as purely a stock
country and was so given to frost visi
tations that it was considered doubtful
if it would prove itself adapted to fruit
raising. Kvery year during the late
Spring and early Summer months tens
of thousands of acres of the central
part of the valley were covered with
water backwater from the Grand
Ronde River and Catherine Creek.
j This section later furnished the hsy
I supply for practically all the settlers.
who would move to the grounds In
I August and as campers cut and stack
; thousands of tons of wild grass, which
really made splendid food for cattle and
: horses.
he "Sandridge." eomprisinc several
acres of desert anil appar
ently worthless land, was wholly uncul
tivated until In the '80s. when its adap
tability to wheat-raising were discov
ered, and it now produces fully 1.000,
000 bushels of that cereal each year.
Mir of i .... i . ii.... PVaMi
The first election had been held in
I'nion County in the preceding June.
At the time of my arrival there A. C.
Craig was the Sheriff; S. M. Black.
Clerk: James Hendershott was the
member of the lower house of the
legislature, and James Pyle was the
State Senator. Pyle Canyon, immediate
ly south of I'nion. was named after the
latter. "."'age' Baker was one of the
leading lawyers of La Grande and as
sociated with him was D. W. Uitch
tenthaler. James H. Slater wa also
there. "Old Man Patterson" was the
postmaster and Daniel Chaplin and
Green Arnold were leading citizens.
The town was on the bill and the site
of the present I .a Grande was a yellow
wheat stubblefleld In December. 1866.
There was a large store at Hender
shott's Point, owned by Frank & Barn
burger, the latter of whom is now liv
ing In this city. A smaller one was
kept by a man named Crawford. The
Cove was a lively place that Winter
and for several following, as many
young men returned from the Idaho
mines to "Winter" and have a good
time. They had money to spend and
came there to spend it. Dancing
schools, singing schools. spelling
schools, writing schools and debating
societies often required more nights in
the week than had been provided, but
the time went quickly and strenuous
Joy reigned supreme until the snow
was gone in the Spring and the call of
the mines was in the air once more.
laa- ef Friends .-.
A hunch of bright men constituted
the first settlers in the Cove Writing
this reminiscence I recall M. R. Rees,
James Hendershott. A. C. Smith, Dun
ham Wright. S. D. Cowles, E. P. Mc
Danlels, Edward Payne. F. W. Duncan.
H. J. Geer. Sam Colwell. Joseph Mar
tin. Otho Kckersley. S. G. French, and.
indeed, a score of others who were
forceful citizens of the truly pioneer
type.
H. 1. Pittock. B. 1". Onnlwell and 1
neer line of iinirni'i conchi s imo I
ho. Jacob Stitzel was Sheriff of M
nomah County ami R. Wilcox was C
and Auditor of the city, while L.
Parrish was school clerk.
ine mention oi iuci.e names se
to give an idea of the chnngea
have occurred in the business worl
ortlMnti n 6U , . :, i . u far as I k
the onlv men whose ti.-ir.i- occur in
The Orcgoninn who art1 now alive
1 1. L. Plttock. L P. W. Quimby
resident of Roise.
The Oregonisn was even then
cussing the threatened impeni.-hiuen
President I-in.-oln. a move that was
Tially attempted two years al'terw
Tber. was less than one column of
turial matter. I tuav confess that
was closing the volume I was star
at noticing on the editorial pnge
announcement of the marriage of
father, as follows:
Married, at Cove, l.nion ounly. '
con. on t. tom-r 14. by Kev. I. r . I
erts, Mr. Heman J. Geer to Miss K
A. Duncan. '
It seemed a striking COincMeMC
I ........ IU II, I - I ' ' I I III." Ill" i- IH.II
that particular issue. The. event it
was then more than two months
1'.. lit.. .1 Campaigns Krenltrd.
Ah, well, this covers a "notch" it
life including a full half century,
as I stop writing a moment I can
panorama of moving pictures, the
Ihf.r . .1 , . f" ... ... ifl' fni- nrnrl
form In that far-away day. and I
dulge a retrospective introspeetio
what I have done, tried to do and
undone.
I have a full and composite, a sw
ing and whirling vision of friend
the several parts of the state in w-
1 have made my home, of a happy
ambitious boyhood, of a contented
nietlc life, of two splendid wives
i iiiTiMi'-n inii . 1 1 in, ui political
paigns through a period of 40 :
winning the highest honors and
fering depressing defeats, being
-rli. . Ilirnn.'li It nil'
background of this Picture I
volvlng glimpses of a school tear
strenuous pastime of political sr
bles. speakerships, collectorships.
' 1 11. . . I . . . f. . . . 1 . i . - 1 'IIIUI
ihihi simic inner soiiis niiii wass--
the night), but beyond it all my i
goes back with fondest recollectlo
the 10 years I lived beneath the sha
of Mount Fanny In the cove.
golden years In the lives of most
pie between the ages of 1j
years.
Though that was a happy decade.
entire r0 years have seen so
contributions to th material adva
ment of mankind and in a general
I have enjoyed it SO much that
deepest regret at this moment is
I i.-i.i ..... I....- h..rn vpslrmav.
100 years of good health vouchs
me and Id gladly live it all
again:
nd
After these 60 years I recall but one attack.
DIVER'S ATTACK SHOC
l ...... -! . ....... 1 ...... .
I 1 I I . I I 11 I II I Will I . 1
Thrown 20 l'cct h Kxplosioit.
HAZLETOX, Pa.. Dec. 15. Mrs.
Hertz, wife of a Hazleton dentist
settlements, arriving here from
York to spend the holidays with
mother and other relatives, told
other day how she escaped with o
nassengers from the liner Ara
sunk In the Mediterranean on Nov
tier t. .urs. riertr. is sun suiii-n
severely from the shock. She lost
her baggage and valuables.
When tin attack was made. :
Hertz was sitting on deck. The fd
of the explosion threw her about!
feet forward. She was Injured.
erapt to her lifebelt, in the use of wl
all had been thoroughly instructed
the crew when they took passage,
ship's guns fired at the I'-boat.
inflicted no damage. Lifeboats
hastily lowered and all got away sal
except two engineers, who went g
with the vessel. Mrs. -Hertz d I
the submarine gave no warning "
i