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About Willamette farmer. (Salem, Or.) 1869-1887 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 25, 1887)
& tf i i t PF VOL. XIX. OREGON PIONEER HISTORY. SKETCHES OF EARLY DAYS. ---MEN AND TIMES IN THE FORTIES nY B. A CLARKE. Copyright applIeJ lor. All rlghti rocrrod Tfca Trip of Rev. Elkanah WaUcer and the Emigrant of 1838. Mrs. Elkanah Walkor, whoso maiden namo was Mary Richardson, wns thn laughter of Joseph Richardson, of Bald win, Maine Sho lives on tho family do nation land claim that corners in tho boautiful precincts of Forest drove, and hor old ago is madodolightful by pleas ing wnys and livoly manners that make her company vory charming to all who enjoy tho pleasure of her acquaintance. I received tho story of hor lifo from hor own lips ono dolijghlful day in Juno, 188G, and givo it simply from my notes taken at tho time. Miss Richardson had intended to bo a missionary, and was deliberating bo twoon tho rcspectivo claims of Siani and Constantinople when Mr. Walkcrfound hor and presented tho porsonal claims of himself as n missionary and Zulnland us tho scono of prospective labor. In tho mean timo Mr. W. II. Gray had re turned from tho farthest west and ap pealed to tho A. B.C. F. M. for nssts tanco in that new Hold. So, upon tho sufrgostion of tho American board, Mr. Walker was induced to chango his desti nation to Oregon and also to hurry up tho important matrimonial contract ho was negotiating with Miss Mary Rich ardson. Ono Saturday night Mr. Walk er camo to her and said it was necessary ho should start immediately. Thoy were married in tho morning and started on their longjournoy across the continent at 9 o'clock thosamo oven ing. Thoy went thenco to North Yar mouth, whoro his family lived, thenco to Fortland, Mo., and started then for Boston, on' runnors, March 6, 1838. Thoy spent until another Sunday in getting fully ready and started for Now York by tho Trovidenco route. After omo doys in Now York thoy visited Philadelphia, thenco. to Chambcrsburg, Pittsburg, Oincinati, St. Louis, Indepen dence, generally journoyingby strain ers. At Indopcndonco thoy mot Mr. Gray, and tho wholo parly fitted out for tho ploins at Westport, Mo. Thoy had already performed n long and ted ious journey of over a thousand miles. That was a great foot for a down Easter from Maine, but their missionary zeal was enlisted and thoy vory daringly pre pared for the encounter of savago lifo among savago wilds in tho midconti nont and boyond. Thoy mot at Wcs'tport a missionary party consisting of Mr. ami Mrs. W. II. Gray, Mr. and Mrs. Eels, Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Smith, they themselves making tho fourth newly married pair. Cornel ius Rogers, a young man from Cincinati joined tho party to como through on his own account. Paul Richardson was hunter for the camp, and there were several other men employed as packers and hunters until they should roach tho great American rendezvous, on Groen river. They traveled in company with a bri gade of tho American Fur Company, that was to make the usual spring cara van with supplies, etc. This brigade was some days in advanco, and the misionaiy company was obliged to mako a week of forced marches to ever- take them. The caravan consisted of twenty-nine covered wagons, loaded with Indian goods; all who went in this company had to go armed. Capt. Dripps was in command. Drippa was a famous plainsman and mountaineer; his company was chiefly made up of Canadians, and the missionary outfit felt secure under such protecting influ ences. They forded all streams, after crosing the Kansas, until they reached the Columbia. Their journey was wearying and fatiguing, but ipringtimo was everywhere, and the country seemed SALEM, OREGON, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1887. beautiful to them ; ovon tho sago plains wcro attractive. Tho women had a lit- tlo wagon, but usually rodo on horse back, and Mrs. Walker remembers that ono timo sho was in tho saddlo nineteen nours. un mo ooutu nau nicy en countered largo herds of bison, and cap tured a calf that tho ladies undertook to caro for, and hauled awhilo in their wa gon, but wcio in tho old glad to turn it loosn again on tho plains. Ono of their travoling companions was tho famous Capt. Sutter, who wont as far as Whitman's with thenr, and then went to California via tho Sandwich is lands. Capt. Sutter had boon to Cali fornia before Hi3 family was left be hind in Switzerland. Ho was desirious that Mr. Walker should forsako his mis sionary work on tho Columbia and go with him to California and tako up a set tlement there ; loavo tho work of train ing Indians for tho more profltablo bus iness of getting a Moxican land grant, and then got stock to pasture it. As wo look at it now, wo boo that from all worldly considoratious Suttor was cor rect, and tho Walkers missed a good thing. Tiioy kept up their missionary zeal only a brief time, and betook them selves to farming in tho Willamette. Thoy might havo had a broador acreago in tho Sacramento vally, but thoy seem to havo had enough in tho Willamette to answor all rcasonablo purposes. It will be nows to many that tho famous Capt. Sutter oer visited Oregon, as ho did, bo yond doubt, for tho purposo of dooiding whothor ho would scttlo on tho Colum bia or tho Sacramento, to mako his per manent homo. At Fort Bolso tho Indians stolo con siderable of thoir stock, and somo was not rocovon-d. Thoy roached tho Walla Walla rivor, at Waiilatpu, Whitman's Rtation, tho last week in August. Whit man hclpod them along by sending fresh horses aud supples to meet them. Tho impotuous Joe Mook was at tho Green rivor rendozvous, where ho was himself several times over in fantastic array. Ono of his favorito characters was to dress as a savage, paint his faco and flourish a. Dlackfoot scalp to traro tho women. Tho mission party stopped somo weeks at tho American Fur Company's rendezvous on Greon river. Thoy had laid in scant supplies at starting, to last until they reached tho buffalo country. They used tho tea and coffoo ery econo mically and for a considerable timo thoy lived alone on buffalo meat. Whou the buffalo became scarce they stopped and cured moat to last them tho rest of tho journoy. Thoy also had hunters out and oured meat at the rendezvous. Dr. Whitman sent supplies to meet them at Forts Hull and Boi6o. Cornmea and flour came as un agreeable chango after dieting for weeks on buffalo meat, fresh and dried. Matters became critical while they waited at the rendezvous. Their escort, commanded by Dripps, went no further, and thoy could not think of going on alone through to the Columbia, for all conceded that to bo tho most dangerous portion of tho entire journey. Wocks passed and thero was no cscor. visible. It became a question whether thoy should wait longer or retrace their steps back to tho frontier and abandon the expedition. Rut this alternative was not to befall them. Ermatinger came one day with a party of Hudson Ray Company's people and when they re turned to Fort Hal the missionary party could go with them in perfect safety. The reaction from the fear and apprehension they had suffered was so groat as to entirely overcome them. Men actually wopt for joy, and the womon were the calmest of thoir com pany. Mrs. Walker tells ons item of an ex perience on tin sage plains, as follows : While the men of .the company were driving stock, and alio other ladies were in the wagon, she was on horse back with Mr. Gray and Captain Sutter. Gray rodo on in advanco to roach Fort Hall, when thoy noarcd it, to lot thorn know of tho arrival of tho mission party. Tho stock wore behind them and Gray's animal was faster than tho othor two riding mules. Thoro was no trail visi ble, tho wind having filled it lovol with tho plain. Thoy soon becatno lost as Gray was out of sight and thoy couldn't toll tho routo ho took. However, thoy let tho bridlo reins looso and tho mules wont direct to Fort Hall. Tho good lady thought it rather a compromising situation to bo in nlono on tho sago plain with even so renowned a man as Capt. Sutter. Thoy wore very glad to roach Whit man's. His littlo daughter seemed nn angol to thorn. Many of tho Indians thoy met thought that whito women were superhuman. Squaws askod tho mountain mon why thoy took Indian women when women of their own raco wcro so much more beautiful. Spalding was at Walla Walla expecting thorn, and holding a protracted meeting with tho Indians. Mrs. Walker says sho was delighted and surprised at what sho saw at Whitman's. Tomatoes and green corn wcro ripo; great iucIouh and squashes wore abundant, and new pota toes of immenso hIzo, Tiioy had an adobohouso, with bedroams and kitchen. Tho meeting) were hold in a largo In dian loJgo near by. Indians wcro at work in all directions, helping to build, making gnrdon, ole. They grow somo wheat and corn, but had no grist mill yet. Milk was abundant, as thoy had n fow cattle. They put up another houso to accommodate their visitors. But thoy wero not to remain at Whitman's, Their destiny was to os.nblish a mission on tho Spokane river, several hundred miles north. In February old chiof Rijr Head camo and escorted them to their now home. Ho brought a company of his braves and marched them with all tho honors to Spokane. Hero we leavo them to work out their salvation, tem porarily, with tho nid of Dig Head and the great Spokano nation. All things wore not harmonious ovon among tho solfabnogating missionaries, who forsook good homes in native laud to work up an idea far towards tho set ting sun. Mr. Gray wanted u tcjmrnte mission to run according to his own missionary way. Not getting what ho wished ho withdrew und awaited a di vision of tho goods and stock. Thcso indoponduut missionaries roceived no regular salary but lived as cheaply as possible. When Mr. Gray drew out thoy guvo him somo horses and cattlo for his interest in the live stock, aud some oth.'r propjrty. They gnvo him his fuir proportion as thoy thought. Gray and SpalJing differed been use each wanted to bo "bo8." Tho general regard for wives of missionaries occas ionally saved them from receiving treat ment that selfishness dciorved. This remark is very general. The fact that tho missionary spirit was strongly im bued with common-place human na ture accounts for whatever was unpleas ant and evil. Read Tbls. I you want any photograph? taken go to W. P. Johnson's, where you can get tho best out, the benefit of the re cent reduction in prices. Johnson is al ways willing to rimue tiio uonelita with his patrons. A r-c'iit drop of prices on goods enabhs luui to givo a liberal reduction in prices on all works in his line. Remember the place. Commer cial St, Salem Oregon . Nothing but intrinsic merit can nn- connt for the enormous talus of Froeo's Hamburg Tea, the demand for which is constantly increasing. Tho reason is obvious to all. It is a purely vegetable preparation, mild, yet tlflcieiit in its nc- uon carrying uu un lujjiuruien iruni the system, and imparthg a glow and viiror. which only tlioeo who haeused it can appreciate. Ortgoa Kidney Tea cure backacbe. , tntfmhttt About Taxing Dogs. AuMsvim:, Or. Fob. 19, '87. I'Mitor Willamette Firmer: Tho bill taxing dogs lately passed by tho legislature is cortainly "unconsti tutional," ns it is founded in neither jus tice, equity, Statesmanship, policy, nor oven common sonso. What is tho ob ject? Presumably to lesson tho number of dogs that do mischief. Practically this tax is in tho nature of a punishment by flno, for tresspasses committed by dogs. So, if I kcop a good farm dog, and tako proper enro that ho docs no harm to any ono, and somo mon in Douglas county lins a worthloss hound that kills hi neighbors sheep, I must bo punished, and all tho rest of tho pco plo in tho Stato also, for that ono mans mismanagement of his dog; a matter with which wo are ontiroly disconnect ed, and over which wo are ontiroly dis connected mid ovor which wo can oxor ciso no control. There's "Statesman ship" for you. A good dog is a usoful and valuablo animal on a place, as much so as a good cow. Ho is also as legitimate property as a cow, horse, or any other domestic animal, yea, oven as tho much adored hog. Theso animals somotimes commit trespasses, and by, tho samo Bapiont rulo of reasoning of our Legislative Solons, why should thoy not bo especially takon also. Thon, if my old ccw breaks into a neighbors grainflold, tax ovory cow in tho State, so that people wont kiop so many pesky cows. So also with horses, hogs, etc. Consistency is such n towel. If every person wns compelled by law to restrain their animals, of ovcry kind, from tresspassing upon others, leaving to tho owner or kecporof tho uuimals tho adoption of such dovico to restrain thorn as much as he saw fit, provided it wns effectual, that would settle tho mat ter of trespass, fence laws, hog laws, etc. once and forever and havo dono with it. Hut this idea of placing a disability, a tax, a flno, upon all in older to reach tho fow. Bah II It is unworthy of our day and age. It in cquallsd to filly and injuetico, only by tho projroscd "prohib itory amendment." It is to bo hopod that tho Governor will declino to put his ofllcial signature to so unjust and unwise n measure. F. S. Mattkiisox. Weatner in Rocu River ValUr. Central Point, Feb. 21, 1887. Kditor Wilamette Farmer i Wo havo bicn havlng.au old fash ioned Oregon in Sonthorn Oregon. Tho heaviest miow that hai fallon for yoars fell this winter. Tho first enow fell to the depth of 14 indict in tho center of tho valley, much deeper us you near the hills. Stock has been suffrring in Rutte creek range very much, as tho snow got so deep that stock men could not get tho stock to where tho food was. Feed is getting warco all over tho county and what makes it look worso is it has commenced snowing again this after noon jubt as hard as ever, and as though it had never been knowing before this winter. Stock mora look blue aud far mers also as everything has come to a standstill. Somo stock has already died and a great deal more will go, if this weather continues much longer. J. W. H. Don't Barn Your Straw. Salkm Or. Fob. 20, 1887. I'Mitor Willamette Fanners Just as farmers generally began to think the enow all geno, Sunday morning dawned with lh wornt storm of tho season. Feed is vory scarce now and many are out entirely, others ha I uotio to start in with. I have often ben surprised to tee farmers burning their straw when they can build sheds cheap that will not only shelter their straw, but will also shel ter their cattle while eating, thus saving NO. 3. ono half tho feed. Now somo of our good farmers, W. W. Culver for in-stancc,-novor burns any straw and what thoy do not uso or soil to those who burn theirs, thoy scatter on thoir sum mer fallow, thus enriching their land. You can toll tho effect for yoars to como. I will givo a plan for a straw or hay barn 2-lx-lO 1-1 feet in height. Sovon post) on oaoh sido set on good sills, let tho rafters extend over plato 10 feet on each side, thus forming good shelter ; brnco each pair of raftors that come over post from end of rafter to post; board tho ends bo as to keep tho stock from eating, arrango tho mangers on each sido to suit. You will find this tho cheapest way to feed Htock through tho winter. Ri:i Hill Fahmer. Oregon BUta Bandar Bonool Association Portland, Or., Fob. 14. 1837. Kdltor Willamette Farmert Tho Second Annual Convention of tho Oregon Stato Sunday School Asso ciation will bo held at Salom, Oregon, commencing Tuesday ovoning, March 8th, and closing Wednesday ovoning, March Oth, 1887. Whilo this is a Mass Convention and all interested in tho Sunday School work, will bo welcomo to participate in thclworkjof tho Convention, but to in sure a representation, all Sunday Schools throughout tho Stato are earnestly re quested to elect dologatcs plodgcd to attend. i Nowspapors, Pastors, Superintendents and all to whom this notico shall como, are requested to mako it as publio as possible. A good programmo has been arranged nnd prominent spoakors and workers havo been secured. Notwithstanding tho fact that tho good pooplo of Salem have been fooding an Oregon Legislature nnd its attaohocs for tho past forty days, yot tho assur anco comes to us that thoro is still some thing loft and that their latsh string will bo found out to all who desiro to innko use of it. All such aro requested to send thoir names to Mr. P. H. Ray moud, Subm, at as early n dato as pos sible Tho 0. t C. R. R. and tho Ore gon Hallway Co. (Narrow Guago Lines) will return all dolcgatcs paying full faro in going at ono-flfth rate. E. W. Allkn, President. S, J. Hahiikii, Secretary. WIHTER OF 1B8. It is seldom that wc havo such u sea son as tho winter now gono by has boon. Anothor issuo of tho Faidiiu gives ub spring. To bo euro March is ofton a rude month. Its n-putaliou is, of boing the most blustery and tempestuous month of all tho year, but occasionally March and April chango places and red handed Mara becomes ns delightful as May. Threo years ago March wus do lightful, and April jtourod upon uu n month of doluging storm and cold bit ter rain. Two years ngo thoro was no March. Tho world was a mouth ahead of timo all through spring timo aud harvest. March was diviuo. A year ago we had ten days of March weathor in tho middle of May and much fruit was blighted aud fell Off tho trees. It is usual to see pleasant weathor, warm; sunny weather before this, but so fsr the winter has bocn continuous of rain and sleet und snow. Early in January itwttw.mn rain. February camo in with snow uf itfl very birth. Now for time almost four weeks, we have had snow or "-loot almost daily. With oc casional breathings of the legendary Chinook wind that gave the snow a melting moods but ouly for u day or to. Yof, tho present winter will go into his tory remarkable for no severity, no ex teenies. There has been snow frequent ly nnd often, but not much, Thero has been abundant rain, but no great flood. It has Iwn qnltu cold, but never below zere. There wus a time when peach buds studied but did not bloom. Mat ters might have been nlearauter and could have been much worse.
