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About Willamette farmer. (Salem, Or.) 1869-1887 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 6, 1886)
VOh. XVIII. OREGON PIONEER HISTORY. 3KETCHE3 OF EARLY DAYS. ---MEM AN TIMES IH THE FORTIES 11V S. A CI.AltKK C)pr tU'it Kpp'IcJ lor. All rUhli rcrcil M'.MUKK.XVU. XX IX I Tiio Cayusa War. In their now honict among thu soli tudos of thu Pacific, tlio American set tlor enjoyed tho great blessing of peace. The Hudson Hay Company wero n for eign corporation, with opposing, and at times, conflicting interests, but tlio great humanity and Christian sym pathy of its chief factor, Dr. McLough tin, secured for them supplies and as sistance that could not othenv iso liavo been procured, upon terms thnt wero liberal considering placo and distance. Tho Hudson Day Company might havo bcon, in a covert way, inimical to Amer icans, ami havo greatly retarded settle ment. It dispel all thought of ill-feeling and intention on tho part of "tho great monopoly," in soino early writers stylo this company, to remember that kinduces and nssi-taneo rendered Amor cans, strengthened and encouraged, an clement that would certainly in timo supplant English owcr and dotlirouo tho then all powerful fur company. There had grown up a scini-barb.irio empire among the savago wastes and great mountain rurges that occupied tho wide continent to the north, from Pugct Sound on the west to Hudson's bay on tho Atlantic a stretch of 1,000 miles from ocean to ocean. Tho great chief factor possessed many of tho qualities of a conqueror, and even more of tho characteristics of a grcnt ruler, for ho had not only undisputed control of many men who represented civilization, but his niimo was respected and even revorenccd as thutof a mighty chieftain among tho favage trilcs west of the rocky mountains, llo and tho company ho represented wero supremo over this great territory. Had ho wish ed to combine thu savage tribes under his dominion to sweep away missions and bottlers, to fieo thu mountains of in dependent trappers and hunter-, It could have been easily don o and it would havo been dilliuult to fix the responsi bility upon tho Hudson Hay Company or its chief. That he did not du i-o is plainly enough shown by tho history of oarly missions and immigrations. His warm sympathy with many Americans was shown by his kind act?, generous deeds nnd genuine hospitality. So when war actually cumo tho infant gov eminent turned toward tho Hudson flay Company for assistance without a mis- picion that it was implicated in tho massacre, though at this time John Mo Loughlin was not its chief factor and tho Ijndon direction had rovorsed what was conidered his too lilcral policy toward Americans. The news of tho Wuiilatpu masaero came to tho settlements of Western Or egon like a thunderbolt from a peaceful sky. McJJean sent a messenger a French Canadian to Vancouver with tho terrible story, and very hingulnrly, ordered him not to give tho news to .Mr. Hinman, who wa stationed at Tho Dalles mission, though he hoard of the war party being sent for its destruction. Mr. llinnmn furnished thin messenger a canoo ami accompanied him t' Vancou ver, only to learn of the atrocity of Wuiilatpu and tho dangor threatening his own people, as they wero wind Ixmud at Capo Horn. This action by Mclieun was inexcusable. Tho Isttcrs oKncd at Vancouver told tho story and Hinman returned to The Dalies, sending word to Gov. Abernothy to haston a smnll force there without an instants delay. Mr. Douglas also sent an official account of tho maanacro and the news went hasten ed by tho winter roads through tho settlements. It was iudcod a "timo that tried men's souls." There w ere few Tegnlar routes, not many laid out roads, SALEM, OREGON, FRIDAY, and mails wero casual happenings rather than nn organized system. Tlio only government was th" provisional organi zation, which n everything to the people in this emergency, as it gno co herence to public action, and character to tho claim for assistance in tho pur chase of supplies and munitions of war. The provisional legislature was in sos- sion.for it was December when tho news of tho massneic came, suddenly and ho unexpectedly, upon the peaceful Wil lnmetto valley. Gov. Abernothy imme diately Rent a message to the legislative assembly, iu which he In icily related tho fact and urged, "immediate and piompt action." Ho suggested "tho propriety of applying to tho Hudson Hay Com pany and tho mcichants of this placo (Oregon City) for n loan to carry out whatever plan you may lix upon." lie had faith that all expenses would bo promptly met by the national govern ment. Assistance must be sent to sur vivors, and an escort to convey them to civilization. It was a momentous time when this messngo reached tho house and wtw read, together with tho letters of Mcllcan and Dougla, that conveyed the infor mation of the masacrc. .Mr. Nesmith ollVrcd u resolution that was adopted, whorcby tho governor was authorized and requited to miso and equip a com pany of rillenien not to exceed tifty men, with olllccrs and dispatch them forthwith to Tho Dalles mission station and hold josossion until reinforcements (an arrive. This resolution led to a meeting, called tho same evening, that was numerously attended. Stirring re marks wero made by Nosinitli, Harlow, Lee, nnd others, and tho enlisting im mediately commenced. Oregon City was a small city at that time, and tliero was nn opportunity or timo to spare for gathoring peoplo from the country. Forty-two names wero Higncd to tho roll and such prompt action was had that in fifteen hours from tho timo tho roll was Higncd this company of piomor rillos wns on the way to the seat of war Tho columns of tho .Spectator, tho only journal of that day, read as fol lows : fcAt 12 o'clock on the aflemnon of Tuesday, the company assembled at tho city hotel, whoro they were pro-out-oil with an appropriate flag by Judge Ncsmith, on behalf of the ladies of Or egon City. With an appropriate ad dress, Capt. l.co, on the part of the com puny, madoan exceedingly happy icply upon receiving the beautiful token of tho patriotism of the lovely donors. Two hours after this presentation thu company started, amid the tiring of cannon and thu cheers of assoinblod cit icens." It Htwko well for Oicl'oii Citv. that In loss than twenty four hours her citions enlisted such a company of noble and bravo men, and armed, equi ped and dispatched them for tho so.it of war. It is well worth mentioning that hurried aw was thoir departure, tho ladies of the town mado them a battle llag us a roiniuder of home and duty. This baud of riflemen consisted of the following named persons and their de scendants require no other patent of nobility than this record bestows Captain, H. A. C.Leo; Lieutenant-,. J. Mugonp, J. K. ItoffS Commissary, C. H. Davendorf; Surgeon, W. M. Carpci. ter , S.irgcants, J. S. IMiicarson, C. W. Savage and Win. Hcrry; Corporals, Stephen dimming and J. II Mc.Millcu. Privates - -I. H. Proctot, Ueo. Moore, II. W. Coo, Lucius Marsh, Win. Huckman, Joel McKee, T Purvis. S. A. Jackbon.II. I.ovnlloy, Jacob Witchey, J. . Moigan, C. Kichardson, John Hemming, O. Tup per, A. C. Little, 1!. S. Tupior, L Wal gamoutts, A. J. Thomas, John (i (iib son, Geo. Westby, John Hiner. H. II. Uogtrs F.dvv. Jtobson, (J. H. Has worth, K. Hrattin, Andrew Wise, Jacob John- eon, h. K. Harlow, D. Averson.J. C. Dafonl, Geo. Weston, John Holton. Through the country tho news spread "by word of mouth," and thos who could do so gave of their subsume, while others gave of their time and risk ed their lives. Tho young and active men took tholleld; the would receive a blanket from n neighbor, u gun from another; this man contnbuted a horse, that one a saddle and rigging, and ior haps all could furnish a quota of pro visions. So tho crtMader win mounted, clothed, fed and armed, receiving what ho lacked. Not standing on the order of his going, ho went quickly Theie was now active recruiting in all sections. Oregon City was tho point where government centered and where troops gathered. Tho recruil,as soon as teiidy, batio good bye to tho homo spot and started by tho shortest trail for Oregon City. If ho camo to somo sequestered cabin, nowlo built on some homo spot that was to be, ho never doubted what his cheer would be. It might be boiled wheat and rough faro for tho table, and chanco to spread his blankets on the puncheon floor for his bod, but ho was roundly welcomod, had tho U'st they had to give, and a blessing went with him as ho wont away. Tliero was tho hoaity greeting at every pioneer's homo for tho man who went to light their battle Hcsidcs tho company raised mid olll cored at Oregon City, another company was raised on French prairie by Thomas McKay, among the Canadian French and half-breeds, .lodge Grim, who set tled near Aurora, in the full of IS 17, describes this redezvous and the enlist ing of some iifty men, mostly half-breed. Mr. limn hud heard of him as an ener getic mid remarkable num. p.titly Indi an himself, with some education and native wit enough to carry him trough ordinary dillicultios. Hu is described as riding liko n centaur, tho horse ho be strode seeming a part of himself. Some around him wero on foot and some on horseback , jeoplo naturally grouiwd according to race and nationality. Mr. McKay would dash from one group to nuothor, narrating tho sceuo of the hum sacro, tho need of prompt action to secure tho safety of tho settlement, and urging thoo who could do so to "join the volunteer1 and go to tho war." With eloquonco, in iwlyglot stylo.he addressed tho settlors tho A moricans in Knglish, Turning Ui the French, he appealed to them, with fiery tones, in their mother tongue, while tho next moment he would inspire the half breeds with a torrent in their own vernacular, thu hybrid ('bin oo It was amazing to see and hear this hero of the wilds exhort, entreat and inspire and not without oll'oet, for his company of fifty men was raised on the ground that day. Tho pioneers of tho forties acicplcd it a serious duty to subdue the Cayiise nation and show them thnt the suprem acy ol Americans must in uiiqucstioneu. Tho roads to Oregon City wero used by those seeking maiohing orders, and very soon a small but efficient army was in the Held. It was another duty of the timo to procure supplies and anus anil sustain a commissariat, as well as to provide quartermaster stores. Going to war in an enemy's country, and in the winter time time, was no trivial uir.iir, no holiday effort, no mere summer pic nic The niasaTe occurred in the last days of November, and tho call to arms was issued early hi December It was the very dead of winter, and while tonic weio opjKjsed to moving at that season, tho majority realized that no time wa to bo lo-t in indicting a lesson on tho CayiiKn. 'To leave it for spring and summer would bo to earn theii con tempt In tho summer they could scat (or and live anywhere, while in winter they dcHimU-d on supplies provided iu tho summer ami fall and could neither leave them nor carry them with them. To campaign iu tho winter might lo in convenient, but if well conducted and actively prosecuted would be sure to bring them sjiecdily to terms. It was December when the American trootw AUGUST (J, 188(5. tool, tin ili Id, and mid win'. i when tho young and active men of this rogion took up the lino of march, by highways and byways, to Oregon City to enlist for the war. Mr. John Minto tells how lie equipped for tho war, though he after wards joined Capt, Uobinson to ceort .lesse Applegate to California in search of help from any source that might bo available there State or National. He sold a yoke of cattle to secure a horo ; Ilov. .1 II. Wilbur furnished him a "biillalo gun." as a large lille then iu use was commonly called lie leineui- bers being present at a meeting of tho older settlers, somewhat informal, held in Salem lit Thomas Cox's store, where were present Mr. Cox, Daniel Dolanoy, Daniel Waldo, Jcmj Looney, "Jimmy" Smith. W. II. Hector, T. D. Kei.ur, Towner Savage, tho Methodist mission men and others we cannot name. Thoy met to talk over tho situation and do something to provide the sinews of war. This meeting illustrates the situation, the feeling of the community, and tho loyulity and sclf-siicrillcu that pervaded it. Kaeh man named what ho could spine for the eiii'rgency. One could spa io a horse, another could equip it, a thiid had one or mom guns, lllankets and budding wero needed for tho winter campaign. It is probable, and indeed certain, that in ovory neighborhood of this legion s0 rioh iu nion and women to make a state, but so poor iu worldly goo Is there wore similar gatherings, HHintaueoiiH and earnest to provide means to carry on tho war. 1 low dif ferent this from tho way despots inukn conscriptions and levy taxes to gather men and munitions of war! The pro visional governor and legislature, or ganized and umpowored by tho fow nion who then settled Oregon, had only to recommend a courso to bo pursued to see it executed by tho free will of a bravo and self-sucrilicing people. Balem at a, Buelnesi Point In a communication headed "Sulum" the Statesman has some good suggos tious by "Citien," of tho means that can bo Used to foster business interests, and their further development. Among other things ''Citizen" says, "thoie must 1ki a commerce running through the city that creates a demand for nionoy, both in receiving and disbursing, and and wherever we find commerce doing its work, thoro wo find prosperous banks." This is well said, mid I venture td add t it. preceding the very necessi ty of banking capital, is tho neco-sity of ways by which commerce can reach most cheaply tho btisine-is point to beiiciltod by its fertilizing stream. Since wiitingtho short article which appeared in the Daily Talk of July :ilst, iu which the iniH)riaucc (to thu future of Salem) of an highway from hero into Central, K.iStcrn and Southeastern Oregon by tho Uvt known natural pass through the Cascade riiuge of mountains, 1 have made inquiries as to thu results of a lit tle biiflini.-r that has been going on by a rougher nud inoru roundabout way , yet, passing through this city, because the party conducting the biisiutss and the banker who supplies the capital, are cit izens of Salem and Marioiieounty A ifridont of this county last year began tho bui-imns of collecting fat sheep and driving from I'rineville, in Crook coun ty, to sell in the Portland market or others northwest of the Cascades. His best way to pass ibo range was via the W V. .V C. M. (Lebanon) wagon road. Tho ro.ul follows the South Santiam val ley, crossing the Wyley Hills, the Seven Mile Mountain, which separates the South Santiam from the headwaters of the M Kenie, Fish Lake, and thence up "Sand Mountain," nine miles, to the true summit of thu range. Thus in volving three mountains to cross, each steeper and more difficult than ouo on tho North Santiam route, and three hard d ys drive further for fat sheep than tho Jatter involves. Tho toll is three conts NO. 2(1 per head. Yet this circuitous mid hard road to travel brings mutton sheep through Salem to tho Portland market at .'17 cents per head less than they can bo brought from Princvillo to Portland via Tho Dalles and railroad. Tho wrilor learned from a sheep jobber driving a lot of theso bunch grass sheep on foot to Portland alongside of tho railroad, that ho was making fail profits iu this busbies, and thoro was-not only econ omy of cost in driving, as against ship ping by car, but that tho stock went into tho butcher's hands iu better condition. Now, Mr. F.ditor, knowing as wo do from reports of viewers and surveyors acting under the County Court, that the North Santiam valley oilers tho best natural roadway yet discovered leading into Central Oregon for thu construc tion of a good freo common road, that can be traveled by tho poorest citicn (and it is believed nan be traveled at all seasons of the year) is it not worth whilo for the citizens nf Marion county to make an ell'orl to get such a road opened by which not only fat sheep, but bales of wool, fat beovos, horses, hides, skins, peltries and furs may bo made to puss through Salem on their way to Portland and other markets of tho northwest. It is well worth the consideration of the business men of Portland also. Thirty-seven cents per head and moto healthy moat is some consideration on her "chop" account. Hut, assuming as permanent that there would bo about that rale of cheapen ing iu the delivery of all meats on foot from that great body of pastuio land west, south and east of Princvillo; there is the preservation of hor intcrosta in the wool trade, on which tliero is fifty miles lesa of railroad freights between Balcmand Tho Dillosiii reaching Port land ; besides much that is now forced to go to Tho Dalles, Arlington or cast ward to Ontario, will nover go to Port land. It. will take tho other end of the rail. That city has learned, or is learn ing, that tliero is moro than ouo road for the products of Oregon to reach distant markets. 'Tho little Oregon Pacific, as one of her most wido awake business men reeontly showed her board of trade, is putting down iron and such imports at Kugene, Corvnllis, and Albany, at if I jwr ton cheaper than she herself is re c.'iviug it. This means that the same road will take wheat, wool, etc., corrcs jiondiiigly cheaper to tho ocean. It then becomes her business men not only to cheapen freights into tau mouth of the Columbia to Portland, but also thence to consumers of her mcrcban diso in tho interior. 'The mad I am now speaking for will take largo amounts of farm implements, clothing, house and kitchen furnishing, iijiou the cost of which to consumers a deduction of fifty miles of railroad freight would bo worth considering, This would bo oU'eeted by having a bet ter and freer road from Princvillo to Saleiu than thoro is now between I'rino villoaud Tho Dalles. 1 know whereof I speak, Mr. Kditor, when I assert that there is no such "pull" required to cross tho C'l-cado.s vh the North .Hiiiitium val ley as that necessary iu crossing the valley of tho Des Chutes at Shearer's bridge, that such a road once opened, and terminated by a freo biiilge, would bring a rich stream of commerce through Salem mid Marion. Corr Sa lem Daily Talk. As will bo seen by an announcement in another column, Mr. Delos Jefferson is agent for the ''Sherwood Novelty Harness." He has exhibited it several times on our sheets and attracted uni versal attention. Wo cannot describe it, but say it must be seen to bo appre ciated. .Messrs. J. 1). Jordan A Son are agents for Mr. Jcfibrson. Tho most doadly foe to nil malarial diseases is Ayer's Ague cure, a combina tion of vegetable ingrcdiouts, of which the most valuable is used it; no other preparation. This remedy is an abso lute specific, and succeeds, w lion other remedies fail. Warranted.