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About Willamette farmer. (Salem, Or.) 1869-1887 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 17, 1886)
r - 4XrKi . fc .vsKPlsaiiyy JV Miff t M A A m JA WmhwSfJ VOL. XVIII. OREGON PIONEER HISTORY. SKETCHES OF EARLY DAYS. ---MEN AND TIME3 IN THE FORTIES I1V S. A CLARKE. K. Capyrljlit p)llwl for. All tight! rticrvoJ NUMDEU XLVI. j Early Leglilatlvo Incidents. V Mr. Josoph Watt, who to-day ranks almost with tho "forofathors," tells somo amusing stories of tho early times, when things woro peculiar and laws of homo manufacture woro woll oboyod. In tho spring of 1815 tho first legislative ses sion was held, and it was not long boforo outsiders woro howling, nnd with somo cause, about "corporato inlluenco." Tho Hudson 13ay Company was tho groat power, and was liablo to nocd favors. It is possible that tho voncrablo old chief factor sympathized with tho destitution that was prevalent, and tho legislators shared in common with tbo rest of tho word. Ho wanted to sco ovory "honor ablo gontlemon" clovorly roofed in, so ho gavo each n tall whito hat, bell- crowned and poculiar, and also very conspicuous. So far as thoy could bo eocn tho hat was recognized, and tho boll-crowned "castors" becamo objects of popular romark. Thoy nlso rocoived from tho same liberal sourco two long- stemmed clay pipes with ornamontcd bowls. Thcso pipes and thoir great whito "castors" wcro insignias of oflico, and tho gontlomcn who wcro ablo to sport thorn could ignoro tho sneers and jibes of their constituents as thoy whiffed along tho rivcr-sidu, sending up fragrant clouds of curling smoke. Who filled tho tobacco-pouchos Watt does not know ; but it is safo to guess that samples of tobacco wont with tho calumets. Anothor chcorful privilcgo tho statesman of that ago had: Tho Hudson Bay Company's storo was tended by ono Ermutingor, who kept on tap a keg of "Al" brandy that was bo yond the reach of common mortals, but was kopt on tho sly, rathor, for tho privnto indulgonco of our ill-pnid law makers. It is claimed by many that. Dr. Mc laughlin was liberal oven genorous toward early emigrants. That he smoothed thoir way by a credit system nnd bestowed largosso whoro absolutely needed. Ho sustained that boncflciont relation to emigrants for many yoars and as wo hnvo scon did something toward tho maturing of wiso legislation. Scarco was tlioro over a successful statesmnu from Hamilton to Webster, from General Jackson to Androw John son, who used not tobacco and liked not brandy. McLoughlin exorcised his liberality in providing such law-corn polling and law compounding articles as ho know woro needed to sccuro wiso legislation. The bell-crowned castor through majesty of appcaranco over ovory wiso-ncro of them. Thcso inter esting facts havo been passed ovoras too trivia! by such distinguished historians as Gray, Thornton, Hurnott, ct al., but I pursue no beaten path. Truth is my object and pleasant incidents of tho oarly days will havo space in my narra tive. Wo all remember, who uro vorscd in oarly Oregon history, or havo read thoso sketches of "Pioneer Days," that tho liret provisional legislature passed a very itringont prohibitory liquor law to prevent liquor reaching tho Indians. It may eeom paradoxical, if not incon bistont, that under tho inspiring inllu enco of Hidson Bay Company's brandy theso wiso men of tho west should utter their protest against tho liquor trafllc. But thoy wero wiso enough to know that "ouo man's meat is another man's joison." Tho brandy that would in spiro a competent American legislator to tho enactment of wwo laws, would ' inflame an American savago to break those laws and commit outrago and murder. It required moro than ordi nary equipoise and a wisdom peculiar to tho times to enublo thoso whoso wis SALEM, OREGON, FRIDAY, dom was matured by sipping tho brandy that reprcsontcd Dr. McLough- lin'8 hospitality to enact that sipping brandy was a crime. Tho law was probably pascd in tho last hours of tho session and Govornor Abcrnothy re served his approval until all had taken their farowoll drinks. ax ornaous berokant-at-arms. In thoso days tho different emigrations hung thoir hopes together in a clannish way. Alva Shaw was in tho omigration of 1811, and ho was elected scrgoant-at- nrms of tho first legislature Shaw was (convinced of tho supromo power of tho legislature and was proud of his re sponsible position in it. Ho rathor "magnified his oflico" and mado its dutios and privileges include a wido rango of objects, to tho nnnoyanco of tho members, somo of whom triod to curb tho impotuosity of his zeal, but without avail. It culminated in a res olution divesting him of oflico, very much to his chagrin and humiliation. Shaw scorns to havo had many friends, and nctivo ones, in his fellow emigrants of tho preceding year. Tho emigration of 1811 had an osprit du corps that would not tamoly submit to sco ono of its members wronged or unnecessarily ill-used. Ono of that year was John Inyard, an ardent supporter of clan nish feeling. Mr. Inyard enmo to Mr. Watt with tho story of Shaw's down fall and asked his help to draw up a memorial, asking tho honorablo logisla turo to roplaco Shaw out of regard for tho emigrants of 18 1 1. Ho said to Watt it would novor do to havo ono of their emigration "sat down on" in that man -ncr, and appealed to him as n brothor- of-tho-plalns to help Shaw. So Mr. Watt seized his pen and wroto tho dosircd memorial and all Orogon City signed it. Copt, Couch, whoso path of travol loft no trail was un nrdont friend of AlvaV, and though his jolly sides shook with tho fun of having tho omi gration of '-1 1 cspouso Shaw's cnuso, ho mado a thorough canvass of tho town and got all to sign it. That was ono of tho moving incidonts of that timo. His tory docs not say whether or no Shaw was rcstorod to his placo and cautioned to go slow. My informant was alivo to tho fun thoy had over it, and thinks thoy did bull-dozo tho legislature into trying Shaw a second timo. Ho is amused at romombcring tho esprit du corps that was shown by tho nojournors of 1811, and misses tho cream of the joko whether Shaw was rostored or loft out in tho cold. Ho seems to havo skimmed off tho skim milk and left tho cream to moulder among tho unrecorded Hysterica of time. Tbe Vancouver Clilm. Among tho omigranta of 1811 was Henry Williamson, now in California who, after looking around for a locution, concludod to tako up his allotment of 040 acros adjoining Fort Vancouver on tho west. At this timo Dr. McLoughlin had withdrawn from tho H. B. Co., and McLoughlin was chiof factor in his placo. His claim did not tresspass on any enclosure of tho Hudson Bay Com pany, but camo up to thoir improve ments. Sir. Douglas objected ttrongely to Williamson's locating thore. Appeal was mado to influential Americans to secure thoir advice towards his abandon ment of this claim, but all tho efforts wcro useless. Williamson had dogged ohstiuacy in holding to his rights, and bolievod ho was legally entitled to hold this claim. Ho was impressed with the senso of its coming value. Indoed tho land ho claimed now covers tho elto of Vancouver. Dr. E. White, while Indian sub-agent and goneral ollicial represent ing tho government, took special pains to persuado Williamson to abandon his claim. Whito was always workinir in tho interest of tho II. B. Co., or any other stronK party. In an intorview betweon the chief parties in intorost Douglas said ; "Mr. Williamson, if vou occupy this laud you will always bo a disturbing oloment to us. Social inter course with you will rondoronrsorvanls discontented, and will cortainly trouble us. Wo will assist you if you will locate clsowhoro but cannot permit you to scttlo thore. Williamson said : "This location Biiits mo, and promises great future value shall not scok tho company of your servants, nor try to dlsaffect them. I don't wish your assistance I locato thcro bocaiiBO I chooso to do so, and havo a right to do so." Douglas thou throatcned, in enso ho should persist, to sand him to tho chief of tho Hudson Bay Company, at Hud son bay, under nrmed escort. William son 6aid : "You can do so if you wish, for you havo tho prcsont power; but you will send mo a long way off if you scud mo out of tho roach of tho govorn mentof tho United States nnd its powor to protect mo." HENRY WILLIAMSON'S CAREER. In tho posthumous papers of Dr. Mc Loughlin, ho says ho supposes William son dosistcd on account of tho inlluenco of leading Americans, who advised him to locato olsowhoro ; but tho fact is, ho let tho matter lio in nboyanco until tho American inlluenco should hnvo pro pondcrancc. Why ho did not locato on tho placo and improvo it immcdlutely, was for tho reason that ho bocamo interested with John Minto in tho pur chase of tho Old Mission farm, north of Salem. Tho public had connected bis namo with Alderman, who tried to jump Dr. McLoughlin's claim at Oregon City. Williamson was disgusted nt such a connection and for tho timo went at other work. Ho was no 'claim jumper," and had very honorablo instincts. Ho took hold with Minto to farm tho mis slou claim, nnd various circumstances prevented his resuming tho claim ad joining Vancouver. Ho was n capablo man nnd made property fust. Ho had very "strnight-grainod Ideas" of honor. Ho had all along been engaged to marry a young lady at tho cast, and went back to do so, when ho received a blow that changed nil his viows and extinguished his dearest hopes. Ho rcachod his old homo, whoro ho had left tho object of his affections, to find frionds returning from her funeral. If.- returned a muol changed man. Ho had no wish to tako tho old claim and sought an active, mov ing life. Others claimed tho land nnd hold it, nnd Williamson would havo undorgono any trial that could hnvo bcon put upon, him if it had suited him to locato tlioro in pcrmunonco in 1815. As it was, ho brought bnck to Oregon n very Yuluablo horeo that was unfortun ately killed by tho bito of a snake. In 1817, in lloguo river valley, ho was shot with an arrow and narrowly escapod death. Ho wont into mining and mado money fast and finally located In Cali fornia. In 18.10 Williamson made u big drlvo of sheep to California big for those days, that is. Ho drovo COO head through overland, for which ho paid ?5 a head. Mr. Minto t-ays in 185:1-1 ho sold tho samo grade of sheep for $12 a head and sold lambs at the same price What to get for CbrUtmai? Tlioro is no ono subject of gieutor importunco to all, just now, than "what shull I got for Christmas?" Tho art of choosing a suitablo souvenir is n huppy ono, and wo hesitate to refer to tho many usoful and, at tho samo timo, aj- prcciativo articles. Ono of tho nicest presents, in our mind, it that of a toi let sot comb, bruih nnd glass or, in fuct, any toilet articlo. such as perfum eries, toaps, glasses, brushes, work-has kets, wisp brooms aud holders, nnd a thounsnd other little handy household articles and conveniences. Such articles can bo found at Geo. E. Good's drug storo, 2i:i Commercial street. Mr. Good has brought to Hnlem a full assortment, and intends to sell them all, and, what is better, nt a fair price. Call and sea his elegant display, that ono must sco if thoy pass up Commercial strcot. Blue Vitriol. Cheapestnt Port Drug Co., 100 Stoto street. DECEMBER 17, 188(J. for0tii1tiw. A Doscrlpllon or Wasco, Sltuatod la Wasco County, Oregon. Wasco, Or., Dec. 5, 1880. Editor Wilamotto Farmer : Wnsco is situatod ton miles south of Grant's station, and Is up on the high 'rolling prairio, and was laid out by our fellow townsman, Clark Dunlap, for merly of your town, and a largo stock raiser of Wasco county. Tho town has boon growing very nicoly, and tho build ings are of a Biibstnntlnl character. It is in tho contor of a largo farming country, and is attracting considerable uttontion in tho way of schools. Tho farmors on tho surrounding hills aro all through seeding thoir immonso flolds of fallow grounds, and wo look forwnrd to n very lnrgo harvest noxt season. Tlioro is cosidorablo fear that wo will not bo ablo to movo all tho crop In duo timo, as thore is but ono main road that leads to tho railroad ; and with tho teams that aro necessary to movo tho grain from a traot of land twenty miles wido and thirty miles long, it would require a doublo road ; and then on thcso dry hills tho roads got cut up so vory badly that thoy nro almost im passable, though teams nro kept con stantly hauling and strawiug them. Wo are satisfied relief will como soon in tho way of a railroad ; for when tho Yaqul un rond Is completed across tho Cas cades, it will thon bo in tho bolt of laud thnt leads to tho Columbia river abovo Colilo Falls, nnd horo tho Columbia can bo hoatod for somo two or thrco hundred miles, and wo aro confident rolicf will soon reach us. Wo would liko a good shower of rain now, so that plows could start, as it Is yet vory dry nnd warm j havo not had any cold wenther to speak of yet. Stock un tho rango aro not lu n good condition for any kind of n winter, owing to tho short grass. A good many stockmen hnvo amplo feed to kcop thoir stock alive, but not In fit condition for mar keting in tho "priug. With somo oxtrn feed and sholtcr, stock could bo im proved horo in winter, as woll as in other nnd oldor sottlod plnccs. Yours, respectfully, W..M. Harnett. Municipal Bonds Not Taxable. Scio, Or., Deo. 13, 1880. Editor Willamette Farmer! III a former letter I mado tho inquiry why tho Portland water bonds to the amount of $700,000 should bo oxompt from taxation? In a Into isstio of the Orogcniuu n writor kindly volunteered to give mo tho desired Information. Ho referrod mo to the constitution which oxcinpts certain kinds of proper ty fioin taxation, ouo of which is muni cipal puiposod. Now, tho question is, whether a plant to supply and sell water to private individuals, hotels, China wash hoiircs, etc., would come under that head? The writers reference to jails, and court houses is not n parallel case us thoy nro a part of tho machin ery which currio on tho government of the whole State. It is, of no interest to the rest of the Stato how Poitlandis supplied with water any more than with milk, yet wo find that it has been grant ed by the Legislature an exemption from taxation of this vast amount of property which has to bo protected by the county uild State, and in justice ought to pay its quota of tuxes. Tho writor's comparison of Portland water works to tho farmer's well U well put, us if the farmer should want to borrow ono hundred dollars to furnish himself with water, tho note would certainly lie assessed und taxed; or whatever tho well addod to tho value of the real estate It would bo counted as so much im provement. If in future incoriKunted towns want to run their wutcr works, gas works, eta., it would bo tho duty of the Legis lators from the rural districts to look ;U NO. 45. after tho interests of thoir constituents, and voto against granting such spccinl privileges, any moto than to individuals. Inquirer. Caro In Drying off Cows, Kilitor Willamette Farmer Al this season of tho year, it Is tho custom of mony dairymen to dry off their cows, as tho small quantity of milk given docs not, thoy think, Vurraut milking them. In doing this, a little carelessness ofton does an injury by tho loss of a teat that can never bo mado up for. Tho loss of u teat so impairs tho usefulness of a cow that it seldom pays to retain ono In tho dairy nftor alio has mot with such a misfortune, so that such an accident is pretty nearly equivalent to dropping a cow out of tho herd. It is an important item, therefore, in tho economy of dairy farming, to sco to it that such occurrences should lo guarded against ns far as possible. No human foresight is clear enough or watchful enough to guard against an occasional nccidont of this kind, hut most of tho numerous mishaps which spoil tho teats of cows can bo avoided by propor cure. Ninety per cent, of tho spoiled udders aro destroyed by bad niauugomontliu drying oft cows at tho closo of tho milking soason. When thoy aro giving so little milk that it is not decmod ad visablo to milk regularly to savo it, thoy aro pretty apt to bo nogloctcd and to go so long without milking as to induco iiillammatlou in ono or more quarters of tho udder, and whon inflammation is onco established thoro, It is a pretty dif ficult matter to counteract it. Tho milk thickcus in tho resorvoirs of tho udders, mid as tho curd can not pass out through tho small tubes loading into tho touts, It remains thoru to irritatoand keep up lullammutlou until tho part of tho udder involved is spoiled boyond remedy. Milk should, therefore, ho drawn often enough to koop tho bag limpiy and cool. S. W. N. Death ot Dr. Tolmlo. Dr. Win. F. Tolmlo died at Olovordalo Farm, Vancouver Island, on tho 8th tilt., In tho 75th year of his ago. Ho was born at Inverness, Scotland, on Febru ary .'1, 181 'J, hud joined tho Hudson Bay company's sorvlco on tho 12th of Sep tember, 181)2. Ho started for Amorica in the same your, coming around tho Horn in a sailing vosboI, calling at tho Sandwich Islands, and arriving at Fort Vancouver, on tho Columbia river, then the chief post of tho company, in tho spring of 18li:t. In 1855 ho becamo Chief Factor of tho company, which po sition ho hold till 1870, tho concluding ton yours nt Victoria, B. 0., whon ho retired from tho service and settled on n farm lu British Columbia. Dr. Tolmlo was well known to many of the people of Wcntorn Washington Territory, espe cially to the i-o tiler of Pioicound Clnrko counties. Among tho pleasant thing of tho year i-mucH the Christmas times, and the th .'lit that tho approach of Santa Clait. 'mugs to (ho children's minds is literally nothing computed to tho mag nificent display mado by tho pioneer grocer, J dm G. Wright, on Commercial street. ' cull attention to the fact that ho 'I sell these goods at a bar gain, uii I is they uro selling rapidly, we nugget ' iat till Impromptu Santas throughout, this Miction pay Mr. Wright a itit. llomemhcr how you enjoyed and looki d forward to tho joyous Christ mas time whon you were u child. A discovery has boon made that about ten miles north of Wushtuckua Lake ami twniity-tive miles south of Uitz ville, five or six townships of good land wait MHtlement. Mii"h good country that is a little off tho travolcd lines, proves to lo excellent for settlement in that section. Tho publication of tho much-falkcd- of Thackeray loiters in Sciibner's Maga zine will begin at mi early (Into during tno iirst year,
