Willamette farmer., January 07, 1887, Image 1

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VOL. XVIII.
JL
OREGON PIONEER HISTORY.
SKETCHES OF EARLY DAYS. -MEN AMD
TIMES IN THE FORTIES. .
LI
DY S. A CLARKE.
Cop right applied (or. All rlghti nuorred.
Joseph Watt's Ezperltnca Cronlng tho Plains
Some Early EpUodei
v' It it hardly possiblo to comprehend
tho hardships endured by tho linrdy
sons of America who settled tho west
and pushed tho frontier lino ot civiliza
tion along across tho prairies, plnina and
mountains, over rivers, lakes and deserts,
towards tho sotting sun. Wo may
havo "hard times" now, .but tho times
wore fearfully hardor to livo and thrivo
in then. Tho denizen of tho far west
depended on his riflo for moat, mado
sassafras toa, spun and wovo homespun
mado fox skin caps and cowhido boots,
and lived so entirely on thor own pro
ducts Hint thoy wore indopondont of
store keeping; corn-brcad, store veg
etables, wild fruits and game, gave sizo
and musclo to tho brawny sons of toil
who grow up on thoso western wilds,
whoso descendants to-day show physi
ques equaled by no other portion of our
country, evidonco of which was shown
when tho westorn hosts marched in
grand armies to tho dofoat of tho slave
holders' rebellion.
During tho years when tho groat west
was building up, Benton and Dr. Linn,
of Missouri, in tho United States Sonato
steadily asserted tho valuo of Oregon
and tho importanco of saving tho Pacifia
region to our republic. Meetings of
citizens were hold to discuss this subject
nil through tho west, and on tho frontier
was circulated Dr. Linn's proposed bill
to oncourago tho sottlemont of Oregon.
Joseph Watt went from Ohio to Mis
souri in 1837. Tho family moved away
from hard times and civilization to tho
frontier, where tho sort of lifo we havo
doscribed was in fashion and tho fashion
of tho world was unknown, or at least
unpracticcd. Thrco yoars before, when
only 17 years old, Josoph had proposed
to his f a tli or to lcavo for Texas, to holp
tho rcdoubtablo Sam Houston fight for
independence Wo who havo known
Joseph sinco his maturor years would
scarce belie vo that in tho frisky timo of
youth tho Ohio lad wanted to risk lifo
and its hopes for Texas indopondenco.
But he inherited tho national lovo of
liberty wherovor it struggled, and that
fact somewhat answers tho slur tho
quid mines of our timo would caet on
tho immigrants of "tho fortios." There
are- exceptions to all rules and we cheer
fully except tho quid uuncs from tho
general rulo wo lay down, that tho sons
of Amorica inherit and act onthoir lovo
of liberty, and that many camo to Ore
gon strongly impressed of tho desire to
eavo this country to tho United States,
Young Watt did not go to Texas in
'37, perhaps for tho same reason tho
writer of tills did not como to Oregon
in '-17, i. c, because his parents objected
. to his doing so. From Missouri Watt
went to Arkansas to tho Cherokee
nation wnero there was money in cir
culation, to earn a living for the family.
During the years sinco he wanted to go
to Texas, he had become a skillful
mechanic, and had skill as a carpenter
and joiner that was in good stead to him
whon ho finally reached Oregon. When
at Arkansas ho saw a copy of Linn's
Oregon bill, and became very much
interested in tho subject of coining to
Oregon. No word had como back from
the emigiations of 1812 and 1843, as
travel across the plains was w uncertain.
Linn's bill was to insure each settler his
mile square of land CIO acres and
though land could not be sold there for
$ 1.25 an acre, because times were so
hard and money not to be had at any
price of labor and promises, there was
a fascination in the thought of acquir
ing so much interest in an earthly para
dise like the beautiful valley of Western
Oregon.
Watt read and listened to everything
SALEM, OREGON, FRIDAY, JANUARYS 1887.
to bo learned about Oregon and induced
a well-to-do farmer to also liston, named
Gcrrish. Ho talked Oregon to an awk
ward-looking boy namod Clark, who
listened, opon-mouthed, and agreed to
go. Ho enlisted or converted to tho
faith in Oregon, Sam Crockett, another
young and zealous man, and tho thrco
of them agreed to drivo tho teams and
cattlo belonging to Gcrrish's outfit and
so work tho two thousand miles of pas-
sago. Tho samo obstinate porslstonco
that has stuck to Watt's later lifo and
mndo its success, markod his adventure
towards Oregon and his adventures by
tho way. Ho started alono with Mr.
Gcrrish in 1813, but failod to roach tho
rendezvous in timo and tho train was all
gouo boforo thoir arrival. With theso
now recruits thoy were in good timo for
tholoaving in 1811.'
Thoy had advonturcs, for tho first day
thoy had a yoko' of oattlo drawn tindor
a drift as thoy wore crossing a rapid
stream. At Grand river, Missouri, whon
on their way to tho rondozvous, as their
cattlo woro crossed thoy were honied by
rt young man on tho other sido, whoso
kind assistance was duly appreciated.
Aftor reaching Oregon, when talking
over tho journey with Judgo Boise, ho
said ho was tho young man in question.
Ho was at tho timo looking after lands
his father owned in Missouri.
Thoy finally joined Gilliam's company
to which bclongod John Minto. Thoir
first acquaintance was almost an "un-
ploasantncss." Minto was calling tho
guard ono night, and Watt was trying
to invent somo oxouso. Tho usual
bluntness of tho Northumberland lad
was manifest when ho said: "I don't
want you to bo lying on mo." Joseph
stood guard. Much ns ho wanted to
join issuo with Mexico in 1837, ho didn't
tako issuo with Minto in '-11.
At tho ngoncy near St Joo, Indians
stampeded their cattlo ono night. So
thoy staid over a day or so, and told tho
agent thoy must havo pay for tho stock
stolon or would hang tho thioves. They
had found whoro their cattlo had been
butchered. Thoy lost n fow day's time,
but had pay for tho cattlo out of tho
Indians' supplies.
Ono Sagor undertook to run a buffalo
down on foot, overdid himself, took
fovor and died at Green river. Ho said
ho hadn't provisions, and must hunt to
get moat Tho fact was that most of
tho emigrants had no just conception of
tho distanco thoy had to go. Their con
fidonco in frontior luck was as astound
ing as thoir ignoranco. Tho 4th of
July found them only well started on
tho Littlo Bluo. Tho younger mon
domandod to ga 'ahead and would do so.
This causod tho train to givo up hunt
ing, tho great command broko up, and
the military organization, formed at tho
outsot, went to pieces.
On tho Flatto Watt had chills and
fover and asked Gcrrish for medicine,
knowing ho had a lot on hand left of an
old stock of goods. Gcrrish said ho
couldn't givo away pills, and Watt had
no monoy. Watt tuen throw ins tilings
out of tho wagon and told him to drivo
his own team. As ho camped thus on
tho prairie, shaking and burning by
turns, passers asked tho reason. Ho
had about a "hatful" of pills sont to
him in a little while. Ho joined tho
company of Kendall and Bocsman.
Gcrrish went back to Ford's company
and engaged a long, gangling boy to
drivo in Joe's place Ho didn't know
how to drive, and tho second day upset
the wagon and spilled out all the pills
and the balanco of tho plunder on tho
prairie. Tho boys of tho train found
where rabbits bad run and had dropped
something very like pills in looks and
shape. Theso they carried to the afflicted
man, saying : "Hero's some more of yer
pills."
September 1 they met a party from
Oregon, at Bridger's Nate Smith and
Ohio Smith, lib father. There were
three of them. They said the party was
V
thon half way to Oregon and Gcrrish
retorted that it was n Ho, told to frighten
womon and children. Nato Smith re
turnod with thorn. It K. Faino and
Jcsso Gago staid at Brldgor's, also Joo
Smith (J. S. Smith) who was turned off
ignominously by Gcrrish. It was Joo
Smith who overturned tho wagon and
pills. Tho truth was that Joo Qniith
was in such poor hoalth that his sur
vival was awondor. Ho wintorod, ns
wo havo told, at Brown's Holo with
somo gamblers, and afterwards told
Watt that ho must havo boon crazy to
remain thorc. But ho had no monoy or
frionds, and ovon less of health and
strength. At Bridgors tho train broko
in small squads.
Mr. Watt now says it appears passing
strange to him that pooplo then camo to
Oregon as thoy did. Linn's bill had
great intluoncc; thoy imagined Oregon
nn earthly parndisoj thoy believed all
reports of missionaries and mountain
men, and tho idoa of a section of laud
nonr tho soashoro was attractive With
young men it was an advonturo, but
now it seems that any married man was
foolhardy to como with such uncertain
ties and such certainty of constant and
appalling danger. They know not what
to expect of Indians in Oregon when
sottled, nor what thoy would encounter
on tho plains. British occupanoy didn't
trouble them, but they realized that
their iniluonco as settlors would crcato
a possessory right. Tho feeling was
common to all, and quito strong, that
their coming would strengthen tho
Unitod States' claim to hold tho land.
It harrowed tho feolings of many whon
thoy took nn oath to respect tho rights
of Great Britain. Whon Thurston was
in tho provisional legislature ho said:
"Mr. President, I want it understood
that I will seo my right hnnd fall from
my body boforo I will tako another such
an oath."
Boforo leaving for Oregon it was
necossary that Jo should havo somo
littlo supplies. There wan no monoy in
tho family safo. Tho oxohoquor wus
low. So pator familias borrowed of a
friend tho munificont sum of $2.50.
With this Josoph bought a pair of
scrviccablo boots, and many a milo of
mountain, desort and plain, ho wearily
plodded on, foot-soro and tired, with
thoso boots slung over his shoulder, par
ing off tho ends of his buokskin pnnts
to mond his worn out moccasinB with.
Tho small romaindor ho spent for "ictas"
suited to tho Indian trado, and many a
timo ho smooihod tho way for somo
siwash bargain by drawing from his
pocket a fish-hook or a fow pins.
Speaking of tho toughness of somo
emigrant feot, Mr. Watt tolls how
Charles Sweglo, Esq., owns tho old
Whitman claim on tho Walla Walla
river, in 1818, on a wagor, stamped down
a prickly pear with his nativo soles, and
after that won a bottlo of brandy by
walking fifty yards in a boiling spring
stream several inches deep, where tea
would draw in 11 vo minutos. But then
Sweglo understood his interest, and
prickly pear and boiling water don't
often stand in tho way of it As a con
sequence, his interest account fools up
cleverly several thousa ml dollars a year.
Straw will soon bo used for building
purposes. It is claimed that straw may
bo closely proised into bales 14x10 inches,
or any size dwircd, and tho bales bo
used for building walls. Tiio walls can
bo plastered over, or bo arranged to suit
the convenience of tho builder.
The London Graphic says that petro
leum has just been found in Franco for
tho first time. A fino petroloum spring
is now yielding well on an estato near
Clermont Ferrand, in Anvergne, the oil
being of the finest quality.
Tho Advocate tells of a successful
affair at the Methodist Chinese Mission
in Portland, Iter. Dr. Harring ton of
Salem officiated.
orliclhirI,
FKUIT OROWERB' MEETING.
Tno annual mooting of this associa
tion was hold Tuesday, January 4th.
Aftor an interesting address by Dr. J.
It Cardwoll, tho President, and report
by A. F. Miller, tho Secretary. A reso
lution was adopted that regular quarter
ly meetings shall bo ho hold on tho
second Tuesdays in January, April,
July and October. Somo other businoss
was had, and n programmo laid for noxt
mooting. Tho following persons wore
oloctcd officers for tho year to como :
Prosidont, J. It Cardwoll; Vico Prcsi
donr, J. H. Lambert; Secretary and
Treasurer, A. F. Miller; Kxccutivo Com
mittee, Soth Luolllng, E. W. Alton.
Tho Prune Quoitlon.
Tho importation of prunos for tho
yenr ending Juno 30th, 1880, amounted
to 04,995,517 pounds, nn incrcasoof ovor
7,000,000 pounds. Tho cnuso of this
incroaso was that tho old vinynrd IuiuIh
in tho phyloxorn infested districts of
Franco havo boon plated in prunes, to
tho nmouutof thousands of acres. These
now orchards are just coming into bear
ing, and tho importers oxpoct to mako
America tho grcnt pruno markot for tho
immonso product coming on in Franco.
Tho pruno product in California, for
tho year onding Juno 30th, 1880, has
bcon estimated at 1,550,000 pounds, and
for tho present year it will roach 2,000,
000 pounds. Tho produot in tho future
will, under right conditions, will bo in
an increasing ratio. Tho conditions of
soil nnd climato required for successful
pruno culture exist in California to a
yet unknown oxtont Tho quality ot
tho California pruo equals that of tho
imported nrticlo, and its oxcollenco is
assured when tho proper methods of
curing and packing are nppliod.
Thoso facts are in tho possession of
Now York importors, and their deduc
tion from thorn is natural. If tho pruno
industry of California is permittod to
grow, and is encouraged by a sufficient
tariff, tho imported pruno must retire
from at least a part of its oxpoctud mar
ket This, in viow of tho immenso pro
duction of prunos, of which tho prcsont
incroaso is only u forctasto, cannot bo
permittod, and honco tho destruction of
the California pruno industry has bcon
resolved upon. There are two mothods
in coursoof employment for this destruc
tion : First, tho lowering of tho prico
boyond tho point of profitablo produc
tion with our high priced labor and now
plant ; and second, tho dofcating of the
paseago of a tariff bill protecting tho in
dustry. Will tho patriotic and gonorous
pooplo of tho cast pormit this spoliation
to succcoodT San Joso Morcury.
Prunlnx Rotes.
In a iccont issuo of tho Itural Press,
Helon Couant, of Santa Cruz, brings up
tho question of pruning roses. I submit
tho following clipping: "Kosos must bo
pruned back with a lavish hand, cutting
ont all the old wood and weak branches
so as to increase tho shoots from tho
roots, and to cucourugo tho numbor of
flowering shoots. Last season, says an
enthusiast in tho Springfield Ilopublicau,
an old moss roso was cut back most vig
orously, becauso tho previous year it had
bloomed vory sparsely. Tho eflbct was
soon seen in tho strong shoots sont up
from tho ground, and tho clusters of
moBsy buds wero very numerous. This
season all tho old growth has been cut
out, and only last year's shoots loft to
florvor, and tho shoots from tho roots
aro now very luxuriant and filled with
buds.
"Hybrid porpetuals will bloom in
great beauty in September, if all tho
old wood is cut out after Jnno flowering,
and no flowers left to bloom upon the
bushes and exhaust thoir strength by
going to seed. Cut back most of the
NO. 48.
shoots but thoso springing Tromtho roots
and lot now wood form, upon which
largo clusters of buds will appear in duo
season.
"Monthly roses cannot onduro quito
ns much pruning as their strongor sis
tors, yot thoy will respond in fresh buds
and ilowcrs if tho Bcissors aro used to
clip off nil tho branches that havo borno
roses and tho weak shoots, nnd thereby
stlmulato fresh shoots to put forth in
ronowod beauty."
Tnlnnlnc Fruit on the Trees.
Wo havo often urged tho importance
of thinning tho fruit on overloaded trees
whllo yot small, to givo tho remaining
specimons a full ohanco to bocomo woll
dovulopod in sizo and flavor, as woll as
to roliovo tho trco of noedloss exhaus
tion. A writer in tho Now England
Fannor givos tho following statomont of
his work in thinning :
Wo have about finished thinning tho
fruit from nonrly fifty pear trcos. Tho
work has been done at odd hours, as tho
fruit developed and showed n surplus.
Ono wholo day was spent in tho work
about tho 20th of July, nnd many
thousands of imporfoat specimens takou
off. All wormy, ill-shaped or undorslzcd
specimens woro pulled off, and in near
ly nil casoa whoro two pears touched,
ono was removed. It is not nonrly as
slow work as ono unaccustomed to it
might suppose. With good laddors and
a forked steel on tho end of a long polo
to reach occasional high hanging onos,
n groat deal of good work can bo dono
in ton hours of steady application. It
should bo remembered in this connec
tion that fruit has to bo picked but once,
and what surplus is removed now, will
savo work in tho final harvost Tho
nvcrago quality of tho fruit improves
very rapidly aftor thinning.
Tne World Without Sugar.
Has any houBOwifo ovor realized tho
alarming condition of cookery in tho
benighted gonoratlons boforo tho gener
ations before the invention of BUgarT It
is really almost too appalling to think
about So many things wo now look
upon ns all but nccessarios cakes,
puddings, mado dishes, confectionory,
preserves, swcot biscuits, jollies, cooked
fruits, tarts, 'etc woro thon practically
impossible. Fancy nowadays to livo a
single day without sugar; no toa, no
coffee, no jam, no cake, no swoots, no
hot toddy boforo ono goos to bod ; tho
barn Idea of it is too terrible. And yot
thnt was really the abjoot condition of
all tho civilizod world up to tho middlo
of tho Middlo Ages. Horace's punch
was sugarless ; tho goutlo Virgil novor
tastod tho congenial cup of uftornoon
toa ; nnd Socrates went from his cradlo
to his gravo without ovor knowing tho
flavor of poppormint bullsoyos. How
tho children spent thoir Saturdays, or
their weekly holidays, is a profound
mystery. To bo BUre, pooplo mado
honoyj but honoy is rare, dear and
scanty; it can novor havo flllod ono
quarter tho placo that sugar fills in our
modorn uffootions. Try for a momont
to realize drinking honoy with whisky
and water, or doing tho years prosorving
with a pot of Nurborino, and you got at
onco a common measure of tho difference
between Hip two as practical sweeteners.
Nowadayr wo got sugar from cnuo and
beet root in abundance, whilo sugar,
riaplo and palm troos of various sorts
afford n considorablo supply to remoter
countries. But tho childhood of tho
littlo Greeks and Itomans must havo
been absolutely unlightod by a singio
ray of joy from chocolate creams or
Evcrton taffy. Tho conseuenco of
this excessive production of swoots in
modorn times is, of course, that we
havo began to distrust tho indications
afforded us by the sense of tasto in this
particular and to tho wholeeomenesa of
various objects.
Oregoa Kidney T cures wba all other
remedies Ml. Try It. ,