Willamette farmer. (Salem, Or.) 1869-1887, December 10, 1886, Image 1

Willamette farmer., December 10, 1886, Image 1

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Newspaper Page Textr ? i I. VOL. XVIII. OREGON PIONEER HISTORY. SKETCHES OF EARLY DAYS. ---MEM AN TIMES IN THE FORTIES I1Y S. A CLARKE. CopyrUlit applied for, Alt right reicncj NTMDElt SLV. i V ' ' A Chapter of Notes from the Kcmlnitccnces x or Dr. William C. McKay. S- " N rnoM OUKQON TO tiii: STATES IN' 18U8. Dr. Win. C. McKay says : In 18:18 my father took my brothers, Aleck and John, and myself, to Fort Hnll to send us Enet to bo educated. Itcv. Jnsnn Leo was going back that year. Fnthor went with us to Green river, the usual ren dezvous. When arrived thero wo found the plnco locked, but thoro was n broken window and insidu of it wn read this inscription, written on nn ox scull, "Come on to Yellowstone! Lots of wo men, so como on!" This screed was signed "Jo Heck.'" Tho women in this enso meant missionaries wives. It was a long journoy to mako and considerably out of tho way, but our party changed tho routo to tho Yellowstono, hundreds of miles north, n long journey nnd far out of tho way. Thoy got to tho Yel lowstone and found thoro tho great ren dezvous of tho Amorican Fur Compnny and two thousand persons gathered, very much as peoplo nro usually gatliered nt Green river, which was this yenr abandoned. Of tho great crowd wo joined, 1.100 wore connected with tho American Fur Company. Somo wero Indians who camo thoro to oxclmngo furs for goods. They found thero Mrs. Whitman nnd Mrs. Spalding, vho woro having a rather exciting timo among such a strango gathering. Whon thoy arrived nt tho frontier they found that tho Ohio wns too low to enable steamboats to pass, so thoy went on by land through Illinois. Whon Peoria was reached thoy found ono of tho boys very unwoll and woro detained thero cightoon days in consequence. During that timo Mr. l.oo lectured on Oregon, and thoy talked our country up as they associated among citizons of tho place. This laid tho foundation for tho immigration of 18I10-10 that wo havo already published. It included Joseph Holman, J. J. Grillln, Green B. David son, 1 15. Littlejohn nnd others. PESTILENCE A.MONO THE NATIVES. Dr. McKay says : Tho diseuso that proved so fatal among tho Indinns of Western Oregon camo about 1831, and a littlo after that tho employees at Van couver wero attacked, ns woll ns tho In dinns, with intermittent fover. It was brobnbly caused by brenking up the bottom land, near tho fort. Tho In dians followed tho sweating procoss in this discaso and many of them died. Tho whites usually recovered, ns thoy do from ordinary bilious fover. Tho disease that swopt oil' tho upper Colum bia Indians came ten years or moro afterwards. SWEARING. INTO CITIZENSHIP. John Minto is ono of tho most earnest friends of American libetty that ever emigrated from old England. Ho de termined before ho left Pennsylvania to plnco tho "vKgis of Liberty" over him for protection, so ho could claim citizen ship in spito of British "joint-occupancy" whon nrrived in Oregon. When ho went into tho court room to mako his declaration of intentions, tho clerk asked him in a perfunctory wny : "How will you swear?" 'Any way you liko," said Minto, with earnestness. That made all present smile rather loudly. He gave him tho ordinary oath. TOM M'KAV AND THE WASCOITM CHIEr1. Wo havo alluded, in reciting tho ad ventures of tho Hudson bay men at an early day, to tho beligerant character of tho Wascopums, or Dalles Indians. Dr. McKay gives an instanco at tho time he went East to be educated, as early as 1833. Tho Indians attempted to pre vent their passage at that time, on the rather singular plea that it was Sunday, and the white man's Sabbath, and they refused not only to assist, but to prevent the passage over The Dalles portage to be made. Tom JJcKay was not gifted with saintlike patience, and he protested that they were going on a long journoy, SALEM, OREGON, FRIDAY, and could not afford to loso tho time. Tho old chief wns very piously inclined that day. Ho said ho had been taught by tho missionaries to keep tho Sabbath, and intended to do so. McKay replied that this was a caso of necessity that ho had to overtako parties in advance of him, and could not do so if ho lost n day's timo there. Ho said it wns right to pray and observe tho Sabbath, but it would only tako a littlo timo to help them over tho portage, nnd nftor that they would havo tho whole day to use in religious observances. But tho pious old savngo became, isolcnt, and Tom McKay got very angry. Finding all argument and reason usolcss, and knowing well that tho Indian was acting tho hypocrite, nnd wns not half so re ligious as ho pretonded,but trumped up this excuso to annoy him, Tom seized a henvy riding whip, with a loaded handle, nnd struck tho chief with it. Whon ho rcsistod ho knocked him down, and as ho tried to get up, knocked him over continually. In tho end his chiofship was glad to apologize for his impudence, and lot his men nssist in making tho portage. A SKETCH Or TOM M'k'AY. Tom McKay was a moro boy in 1810, when his father left Now York with tho Astor expedition, ami wns only a boy whon tho Northwest company bought out tho Astor compnny. Ho was n long timo a clerk in chargo of dilTcront posts nnd provod vory cflicicnt ns woll ns bold, and fearless. Had many others did what McKay did thoy would havo been victims of savngo vongenuce, but all tho tribes respected his bravery and conceded to his boldness nnd courage what they would allow few others. In a dilliculty nt Wnlla Walla ho killed an Indian, and tho died was to teach them to (car nnd not to triilo with him. They fenrcd him moro than thoy hated him. It wns during tho timo of tho North west compnny, and McMullcn,nu ofllccr of that compnny, got into dilliculty witli nu Indian, who wns about to kill him, when McKay, to protect McMullon'a life, killed tho Indian who threatened him. Tho suvago had drawn his weapon, but McKay got tho first shot in. 1)11. WHITMAN' PRESENTIMENTS. Dr. Whitman hud n strong presenti ment of dangor, and wns preparing to romovo his mission, probably to Tho Dalles, where ho had purchased tho Methodist claim, which purchaso fell through in consoquenco of his death. Ho nnnouncod to a company of emi grants ho met near tho Umntilln, of whom Judgo J. W. Grim of Mnrion county wns one, near whom ho enmped when roturning from this vnlloy with fanning tools, that ho felt he wns in dangor from tho ill disposition of tho Indians. Only n month or so lator tho massacre occurred. When nt Oregon City, on that samo occasion, ho wns dining with Mr. MoKinlny, and told tho latter a story that boro on this same matter. Ho said that Tom I.uckey, tho Indian who holpcd to kill him, had laughingly said to him that thoy wero intending to kill ofl' nil tho medicino men because thoy had so poor success in curing tho "old sick," and as ho was tho greatest medicino man of nil, thoy thought of beginning with him. This story struck tho mind of McKinhy with alarm. He was well acquainted with Indian character, nnd said; ''Well, Doctor, that sounds dangerous!" Whit man said Tom Luckoy was only joking. McKinlay replied that it was his ex perience that an Indian never je6ted, and always had a serious meaning to apparent jokes. He warned Whitman that he was in danger. It was when returning from Oregon City on that trip tuat no torn tiio emigrants wiio camped near him that ho thought he was in danger. Dr. McKay thinks that overland im migration brought tho disease that spread among the Indians East of the Cascades in 1810-7, and resulted in the massacre at Whitman Station. Tho disease that spread through tho tribes of Western Oregon ten years previous did not extend West of the Cascado mountain). jjontfysnuUntq. Taxation and Japaneao Phoaialits. At'MSvit.LK, Or., Nov. 29, 1880. Kill tor Willmnctto farmer: In your issuo ot tho 20th ins t. I notice two communications brought out ap parently by my comments on "assess ment nnd taxation," nnd tho "gaino" and "trespass" laws. This is good. Discussion of theso questions is just now pertinent. Plenso nllow mo a brief word. First ns to Mr. Armstrong of Cor vallis, I ngrco with him in nil except n point or two. Perhaps I nin hard on tho .Tapaucso pheasant, hut I think not. Mr. A. says tho Jap is "precisoly similar in habits to tho English," but I doubt it, and I think that future acquaintance with tho Jap will justify tho doubt. In New York tho jay is protected by law among other useful birds. Let them introduco tho Oregon Jny nnd see how long thoy would protect him. And yet, to a superficinl observer, ho is "precisely similar in habits." But bo that ns it mny, tho cxporionco of tho shootist, nnd pliability of a Legislature which dc mnnds under sovero penalties that tho farmors shall rniso, theso birds for them without compensation isthomnin point. As well might theso gentry demand that tho fanner should feed them, nnd their horses and dogs whonever thoy go out to his farm to shoot. And how is a n bird "easily killed oil'" if ono is liable to bo lined from $50 to $ 100, with u $25 inducement for somo sneak to bo como informer. (Perhaps theso sports men think by this means to mako a lit tlo raise occasionally.) Again, Mr. A. says, "tho mojority of farmers don't mind him" (tho city sheotist) "going over their land, as thero is little game to get." That tho farmer cares littlo for tho gnmo, is very true. It is the pilfer ing, nnd mischievous nnd oftou malicious dovilmcnt that theta shootist do, Hint tho fnrmcr objects to. Tho shootist knows that ho is nu obnoxious trcpnor, to begin with, nnd nppenrs to regnrd the farmer ns having no rights which ho is in any way Ixnuid to nupoct ; hence tho need of ''strong enough laws to punish trespassers nnd preserve tho game " to tho farmer, who is tho rightful owner. All gamo -sjy geet, (lucks, snipe, grouse, pheasants, quail, pigeons, deer, oik, hares, rabbits, fur-bearing animals nnd fish should bo rognrded in law ns tho property of tho pnrty on whoso hind thoy mny bo found. Then small birds as robius, meadow lurks, orioles, blue birds, tnnngers, grosboaks, towhee, nil tho thrushes, (Inches, swallows, and insect-eaters generally should bo pro tected by law, at all times, the County Court Iteing impoworcd to issue permits to proper parties to tnko such biids, their nests and eggs, for scientific pur poses only. But tho farmer cannot roneonably ex pect tho Legislature to make laws iu his intorost unless ho takes some interest in the matter hiinsolf, and not only knows what ho wants, but makes his wants known and insists upon having his fair share of attention from the roj resontativeB of tho people. As to Mr. A. C. Jennings, of Ining, hu says ho is " astonished!!" at the pro position to not tnx money and credits. Perhaps ho will bo moro " astonished " at tho assertion that money and credits now pay no tax, practically, tho debtor paying the tax in tho shapo of broker age, or increasod interest, or enhanced prico on goods. And this is one cause why the banker is enabled to be " clothed in royal apparel and fare sumptuously every day." If Mr. J. were to bo told that wo loso more than ten dollars to collect ono by our prosent system of taxing monoy and credits, it would perhaps "astonish" him again; but if bo will examine into tho matter carefully, I think he will find that bucIi is tho caso; and I think that ho will also find that tho landowners' DECEMBER TO, 188(5. taxes will bo lesscund instead of being increased ; that interest will bo lowered nnd monoy bo moro plentiful when money nnd credits go freo nnd taxes aro laid on property in sight only. I hopo Mr. J. is not among those who think that tho intorost on money can bo fixed by law, for tho idea is tho veriest nonsense. Ab well try to fix tho prico of wheat, potatoes, cnttlo, hogs, or nny thing else. Tho monoy-londcr will tako nil ho can get, cither ns intorcst or brokcrago, nnd no law can provont it. Thoro appears to bo in Oregon n feel ing of antagonism against tho capitalist that is much to bo regretted. Wo need tho capitalist. We havo not halt enough of him. Wo want more. Antagonism and hostile legislation is folly in tho extreme. As to tho proposed bill, I can boo vory littlo good in it hut perhaps I am n poor judgo. An "exemption of from $500 to $1000 to every householder" is good policy. Then exempt money and credits, nnd tax everything in sight at its reasonable value, dediictim: no in debtedness, nnd we will have, as nearly as possible, equitablo taxation. F. S. MArnwoN. Why Aro Water Bonds Exempt from Taxation? "Hno, Nov. !I0, 18SI1. lMitor WiUmclto Furmiri Judging from tho iianio of your paper, you expect to look after tho interests of tho rural districts. I see by the adver tisement for bids for tho sale of Portland water-bonds, they aro exempt from Stnto nnd county taxation. I rend Judgo Wnl do's opinion on tho mortgngo-tnx law, which wns, " that notes nnd credits woro taxable," nnd that being tho caso, what diU'ercnco is there between a bond nnd nny other noto Hint it should becxcmptT Tho basis is 11 vo per cent, interest, and the inducement, at such u low rate of interest, is the exemption from taxation. Why should not tho fanners in tho several counties havo the privilege of giving their notos, and said notes lo ex empt from taxation ; so tho borrower could well allbrd to pay his u,-." taxes on nil tangible property, and it would causo less confusion iu making our assessments. Any tax on money is u tax on tho borrower, shape it as wn will. IXql'IKEK. HuuUvlllo Items. Huntbvii.i.e, W7T, Nov. 110, 18S(i. Kditor Willamette Fanner- Wo nro having beautiful weather, almost liko spring. How will that com pare with tho weather roports of Ore gon. Farmers are plowing and putting in thoir fall grain. Tho Seminary, under tho efilciont management of Prof. W. 8. Wnlkor, is progressing lottor than ever before known, and many havo como a great distance to attend school here. Thanksgiving was well observed iu Huntsville. At 11 o'clock Itev. Gnlln her delivered a tcrmon which was very appropriate for tho occasion. At 2 o'clock r. m. tho patious and friends of tho school's public nnd seminary, as sembled nt tho chapel to listen to tho exercises, which was pronounced by all a siicees. After tho exercises woro all over I'rof. Walker nnd his woll trnhicd military boys pnrnded tho yard. From tho way and manner in which tho loys conducted themselves it was evident that Prof. Walker had taken much pains iu drilling them, Nancy Gee. Monmouth Correipondence Monmouth, Or., Dec. 0, 1880. Editor WilUmette Farmer s Thanksgiving passed vory pleasantly with us. Tho exorcises of tho day wero hold in tho Normal chapel which was boautifully decorated with evergreens and autumn leaves. Tho cxcrciscj wero opened with musio by tho choir, prayer by Itev, Burnett, music and nn address by Itev. M. Waller, after which Prof. T. F. Campbell, former president of tho Christian Colloge, addressed tho audi ence, recalling his schooldays and com NO. 44. paring tho present advantages with tho past. Tho first schools ho attended wero taught iu rudo log huts without n floor, and a log taken out to admit tho light. Tho scats wero hown logs with two holes bored in thorn nnd sticks stuck through for legs. When ho first saw ti frnmo school building ho thought if ho could go to school in such n houso ns that it would bo no troublo to bo edu cated. Tho schoolboys and girls of to day scorn tho idea of tho pioneer school Iiouko. Prof. Campbell delivered n sorics of lectures on " Man " iu tho chapel last week. Tho procoods will bo used for tho building of a gymnasium, which will bo furnished with nil ucccssnry equipments. Thero has been quito n number of visitors iu the chapel of Into, among them Prof, Hawcs, principal of tho Hillsboro public school. Calisthenics havo been introduced in tho school ns n class work, nnd is prac tised three times u week. The Hespcrians will givo an opou session cu the 17th. All nro cordially invited. Tho method class hns about sovonty five members, and is increasing daily iu interest. It is conducted by President Stanley. During tho past term tho los nous havo bcon lecturos ou "School Manngoniont," Tho lectures will con tinuo until niter holidays, when n text book will bo used. Tho hints of tho President on how to vontilnto school rooms, study, etc., wero very instructive. Great caro should always bo taken to keep tho school-room well ventilated and at a propor temperature. Every school room should bo provided with u thor momoter. In dry weather tho temper ature should bo about 05 to 03 degrees, nnd in cold, damp woathor 70 degrees. If tho window cannot bo lowered frdin tho top, the deficiency mny bo remedied by taking a strip one-half inch thick, fitting it snugly under the lowor sash, and thus raising it; tho nlr mny pass in nnd out between the upper nnd lower sashes. Moro children tnko cold by breathing hot, impure air than by ex posure to the cold. Miss 'Kato llristo, primary teacher, was called to tho bedside of of her sis ter, who is vory sick iu tho blind school at Salem, During her abseuco Miss Allio Hicks taught tho littlo urchins. Miss Millio Doughty's lecture on " Language as Source of Patriotism" wns listened to with grent intorcst. There is quito nn excitement in this small burg on tho mysterious disap pearance of our druggist, Mr. M. Davis, who went to Portland about flvo weeks ago, nnd hns not been heard of for three weeks. His store Inyi been nttnehod; the Sherill' enrrios the key. C. A. II. Weather Report for November, 1880. Eoi.a, Dec. 2, 188(1. Editor WilUmotta Fanner! During November, 1880, there woro 8 days during which rain fell, nnd an aggregate of l.-lfi inches of water; theio wero 0 clear, 5 fair nnd 10 cloudy days, other than which rain fell. The mean temx;raturo for tho month was 1 1.00 deg. Highest daily menu teiiipcmturo for tho mouth, -10 deg. on tho 12th. Iioncxt daily mean temperature for tho mouth, fit deg. on tho 15th. Mean tt-iiijM-iaturu for tho month at 2 o'cIcm-!; f. m., 15.00 deg. Highly temperature for tho month, 51 at 2 p. m on tho 7th. Lowei-i temperature for the month, 20 deg. nt 7 . m. on tho loth. Frosts occurred on tho 1st, 2d, 7th, 8th, 0th, l.'ith, 11th, 11th, inth, 10th, 21st and 2.'ld The pievailing winds for the month were from the north during 17 days, south 3 days, southwest i) days, north west 1 day. During Novemler, 1885, there wero 21 jainy days and -1.110 in. water; there wore 2 fair, nnd 7 cloudy days. Mean temperature for tho month 15.8a deg. Highcnt daily mean temperature for tho month, 52 deg., on tho 1st. Lowest daily mean temperature for the month 118 deg. on 30th. T. Pbahck.