VOL. XIX.
x"
OREGON PIONEER HISTORY.
SKETCHES! OF EARLY DATS. MEN AND
TIMES IN THE FORTIES
' DV 8. A CLARKE. u A .
Copyright applied for. All tljhtieietve.l.
Baccesstnl Formation of the Provisional Gov
ernment or Oregon.
Regulating tho curroncy wns at
tomptod and roally worked well nt that
monoyloss period. Gold and silver of
courao woro recognized, also acceptances
of solvent merchants, wheat that was
merchantable, at market prico if stored
in mills or warehouses ; all of tlioso wero
mado of lawful tondor for all dobtB, but
any Bpcclal contract mado to tho con
trary wos to hold good. W. 0. T'Vault
was appointi'd postmnstcr-gcncrnl, for
this peoplo attempted to organizo somo
Bort of a postal service, a subject wo
.will inquiro into moro fully hereafter to
loorn how ho succeeded. It will bo in
teresting to look up tho persons who
woro prominent in pioneer annals nnd
trnco their histories. Somo, of course,
wero men whoso names nro household
words, but it is thoir duo to bo honored
as they desurvo, and havo thoir modest
lives given as oxamplos to tlioso who
como nftor them.
Pronouncing against slavery caused
no dissatisfaction, for ovon tho fen- pro
slavory peoplo hero acquiosccd freely to
tho popular voico. It wns known that
tho free-soil sontimont was largely in ex
cess, so slavery had no champions. But
tho voto against whisky was quito an
other matter. Whilo it is truo that tho
majority a great majority, too favored
prohibition, it is equally truo that thon,
na now, ardent spirits had anient frionds
men who nid not foar Indian tnas
eacros so long as thoy thcmsolves could
drink and sell it to others to do tho samo.
Tho influonco of this interost was exer
cised in 1840 to repeal tho oxisting law
prohibiting tho salo of spirits, and exer
cised with success. A bill pasecd to
license, instead of to prohibit. Ciov.
Abornethy roturnod it with his veto, but
it was carriod over tho voto by a voto of
cloven to flvo, and thon, for tho first
time, a man could legally becomo intox.
icatcd in Oregon.
By this tinio nil classes had become
reconciled to tho oxistenco of tho pro
visional government. Even ilio Hud
son's Bay company gavo its nssont and
its lending men filled scuts in tho legis
lature Also, by changes nnd amend
ments mado, tho organic Jaw was ma
terially Htrongthonod nnd improved in
many rospocts. Tho government of
Oregon, as finally instituted, was digni
fied and sufficiently powerful and hon
p orcd to command respect from foreign
ers who visited tho country. Tho logis
lativo assembly finally consisted of sixty
members, and was n dignified and really
capablp body of mon. Its system of
laws showed this, for, though in somo
few points the legislation was weak, in
tho most important features it was cor-,
rect aud served admirably to govorn a
prosperous people. In disregard of tho
projudico existing against British inter
ests, tho laws woro framed with enreful
regard to tho rights of all, and every
messago urged loyalty to the homo gov
ernment of tho citizen as well as to that
of Oregon. Without money, without
credit to command means, and with no
money market to rely on for assistance,
this far-off community succeeded in nil
respects, and when in time it surren
dered control to tho government insti
tuted by the United States, Oregon had
no debt to. burden its future and no blot
to shadow its present or future.
ThW infant state was not without its
trials, withal. In tho evening of the
Cayuse war, that resulted from tho
Whitman massacre, we see a crisis of no
small magnitude and importance. Ac
tion was necessary, and that speedy. To
understand tho power of this govern
ment we need only relate that in thir
teen days from the time the news
reached the governor and the state leg
SALEM, OREGON, FRIDAY,
islature a volunteer force was raised,
equipped and transported to Tho Dullos,
East of the Cascades, upon tho field of
dangor. That, too, when tlioro was no
transportation facilities other than ca
noes and battcaux. Whilo this shows
tho charactor of tho times, it speaks
plainly of pioneers, whoso ready ro
8poii8o to tho call to amis mado tho no
tion of thoir provisional government
comparatively an easy task.
Judgo Thornton says that Dr. Whit
man told him in 1817, tho yonr previous
to tho massacre of tho dangers that sur
roundod him at Waulntpil, and said ho
lookod to tho establishment of a terri
torial govornmont by congress as his
only means of safety from massacre,
nnd tho destruction of tho mission
by tho savages. If congress had
acted soonor and had showed tho
power of tho government hero in time,
by establishing a territorial government,
with military posts to proporly nwo tho
Indians, tho torriblo tragedy that stainod
tho banks of tho Walla Walla river with
so much innocent blood, and cost so
many vnlunblo lives, would never havo
occurred. Oh, hon many such murders
has tho government of tho United States
causod by its delays, and Kb failures to
fulfill its promises I This one, alone, sac
nflcing as it did Whitman's and other
lives, cannot bo at toned for. This shows
us what tho pioneers who made Oregon,
sacrificed, nnd what thoy dared to do to
hold this region for tho United Stato. All
thoy suflercd and ondurod, if summed
up in words, would mako a volume of
thrilling interest It docs sometimes
seem that tho American congress has a
world of criminality to answor for. It
was criminal that peoplo situated a, our
Oregon pioneers wero for ten years, whilo
thoy watched and waited for tho coming
of our flag, and tho protection itgunrnn
tcod, should havo had for ono momont
to enduro tho indifforenco of n congress
Hint listened unmoved to memorials that
cumo thrco thousand miles by land, or
sovontecn thousand miles by scu, nnd
heard, without appreciating, tho ardent
spcochos made by such mon as Bonton,
Linn and Douglas, in our bohalf,
Tho provisional government of Oregon,
that commenced in 1811 nnd that went
went through many changes nnd amend
ments, lasted for n roomornblo epoch.
It found Oregon, in 1811, with a mero
handful of American citizens, claiming
recognition from tho mother country.
Through eight years of changes and
vicissitudes Oregon becamo slowly
stronger in numbers and its provisional
organization becomo hotter perfect by
the wisdom of its pioneor legislative
power. During that eight years tho
scarco moro than ono hundred citizens
wore increned to thousands. Gold be
ing discovered, tho golden gates wero
opened to all the nations. Oregon was
no longer isolated, remote, solitary nnd
unknown, but wns becomo known nnd
npprecinted by all tho world. Congress
passed an act of organization August,
1818, nnd in Mnrch, 1840, Governor Jo
Lane arrived and assumed the reins of
government. Tho provisional govern
ment then dissolved and was known no
moro as a ruling power, but through nil
her history, bo it through days of ter
ritorial dependence oi tho pride of later
statehood, thoro is not any period of
which her citizens can bo moro justly
proud, not if he live n decade of cen
turies from now, than of tho "pioneer
days" in "the forties," whon tho stalwart
yeomen of that poriod framed their own
government, made and executed their
own laws and conquered peace when
tho worst of ravages mado war.
Advices from the West coast of
Africa say that natives uttacked and
plundered English ami French settle
ments, burning villages' and torturing
and murdering native inhabitants. Thoy
attempted to capture tho English and
French stations where weru stored goods
of value. After four days of seigo an
English gun loat came and drove them
off. The French station ropulsed them
unaided.
JorrcjJottilent.
Letter Front Monmouth.
Monmouth, Juno 0, 1887.
Editor WlUmetto Farmer t
Our small town is all astir over tho
prospects of Commencement weok. Tho
programmo is as follows: Entertain
ment 8 p. m. Sunday, Juno 12th, Bac
calauroato Borinon. by Prof. S. G. Irvino,
ol Albany, 11 a. m. Monday, Juno 13th
studonU reunion, 8 p. in. Tuesday,
Juno 14th, annual meeting of Board of
Trustees, 10 a. in. Tuesday, Juno 14th,
entertainment by Athlotic Association,
8 p. m. Wednesday Juno 15th, Gradua
tion Day. Exercises beginning at 10 a.
in. Usual nddrcss by Prof. It. K. War
ron, Principal of Portland High School.
Tho Normal sonior class, which consists
of fifteen members, tho Collogiato !)rd,
and tho Commoreial 2d, planted their
class troo on tho college grounds, Satur
day Juno -lib. Tho programmo was
very interesting. It was oponcd by
musio by tho band. Miss Minnio
Wado's recitation was well rendorcd.
Rov. Murgatroid, of Independence, de
livered tho nddross, which was highly
appreciated by all. Miss Sarah Cabit
recited in n very nblo manner, a poem
on "Our Class Troo." Tho class song,
tho words of which wero composed by
Mr. Hoy Lowis, was vory good. After
tlioso exorcises tho baud followed by
tho class and faculty, led tho way to the
groundn, whero n fow appropriate ro
marks woro mado by Mr. B. F. Mulkoy,
and tho class tree pooin was read by its
author, Mies Minnio Wade. Tho class
tree song was composed by .1. A. Buch
annon. Aftor each mombcr of tho class
had taken his turn in putting the dirt
round thoir tree. Tho nudienco retired
to tho fir grovo on tho college campus,
where n bountiful suppor was served by
tho women of town. After supper tho
young peoplo amusoi thomselvcs with
croquet and other games. Tho Athlotio
Association's now building is almost
completed, nnd prcsonts a very neat ap
pearance. Mrs. M. J. Morris nnd her
daughter Ada, of Turner, went tho guests
of Miss Olnra Hilleary, Inst week. Sun
day, Juno 5th, tho S. S. had somo very
interesting excrcifos. The services in
tho ovening were do voted to children.
Mrs. Dr. Byrd, of Salem, is visiting her
parents, Mr. nnd Mrs. Wolvcrton.
0. A. Hiu.E.wtv.
A Uox Case.
Plkaant IIomb, -May 21, 18S7.
KJitor Willamette Farmer:
Tho minds of our peoplo nro not ns
tranquil as in by-gono days, for ono mnn
has enforced tho hog law, and whero he
sees it is violated, he has ttio offenders
brought to trial. Tho other day thoro
was a lawsuit in cniiM-qucncoof tho vio
lation of law by letting tho hog run at
large. Tho citizons met at an informal
meeting, and all agreed to bo neighbor
ly and not inforco tho law against each
other. All wero present, but the con
tending party, who makes it n businoss
to mako tho peoplo abide by tho law.
Tho law should not apply to a timbered
region like this, whero all can keep good
fences, nnd whero thoro is to much wasto
land ns here, whero nothing but hogs
can over reach. No ono ever thought
they wero a damage but rather a benefit
to kill thistles and fern wliich abound
all over tho soil Nothing moro than
a bit of contrary work prompted by ill
will towards their neighbor, would ever
causo anyona person to make a commu
nity such unpleasantness as this has
done. The result thus far has been ono
lawsuit, and one trial and ono person
bound over to tho grand jury for 1 1,000.
Much troublo and anxiety will ho tho
future result to the contending parties,
by tho lime they get clear from the law.
Farmers are jubilant over the fine
weather that has of Into dawned upon
us. Most the planting is done. Somo
JUNE 10, 1887.
potatoes yot to plant. Orient saw mill
is moving down on tho rivor, n short
distnnco from Portland ; itis"ownedby
Robt. Smith, n former partner. Wo ro
grot its going, as it has been n great
bonoflt to our vicinity, furnishing lum
bor at homo. Causo of removal, being
too far from tho 11. It., mako expen
ses vory heavy hauling with teams.
Success attend thoir futuro aims.
J. 8.
Weather Report for May, 1887.
Eola, Or., Juno 1, 1887.
Editor Willamotto Farmer:
During May, 1887, thero wero 10 dayB
during which min foil, nnd an aggro
gato of '1.37 inchos of water. Thero
wero 8 clear and 13 fair days.
Tho mean temperature for tho month
was 55.80 dog. Highest daily mean
temperature for tho month 85 rieg. on
tho 29. lowest daily mean tempcrnturo
.10 dog. on tho 11.
Mean tomperaturo for the month at
2 o'clock P. M., 05.20 dog. Tho highest
tomperaturo for tho month was 00 deg,
at -1 o'clock P. M., on tho 29. Lowest
tompornturo 32 dog. at 7 o'clock A. M.
on the 11. Frost occurred on tho 11.
Tho prevailing winds for tho month
woro from tho SW during 12 days, S 2
days, N 17 days.
During May, 1880, thoro wero 11 rainy
days and 1.50 inches of water, 9 cloar,
9 fair, nnd 2 cloudy days. Mean torn
poraturx for tho month, 50.08 dogroos.
Ilighost daily mean temperature 71 dcg.
on tho 2. Lowest daily moantompcra
turo for tho month 51 dog. on tho 11.
T. Pkarck.
The Time Fixed for the Annual 0 ran re
Plenlo at Jefferson.
Tinio for holding tho annual grange
picnic undor tho auspices of tho Linn
county business council has boon fixed
for tho 23d, 21th, and 25th of Jnuo, nt
tho usunl place on tho south fork of tho
Santiam rivor nt JcfTorson. Hon. W.
Cyrus, of Scio, hns been appointed tires
presldont, and Hon. Chas. Millor, of
JeOurson, marshal for tho occasion.
Eminont speakers from diflbront por
tions of tho state will be present. A
largo attendance promised.
Inspecting Sheep.
.1. W. lllake, Gilliam county's efiicicnt
stock inspoctor, has about completed his
semi-annual tour of iuspoction. Out of
about eighty bands examined up to Mon
day last, ho had found fourteen bauds
infected with scab. This is much less
than in Crook or Wasco counties. It is
reported that tho inspector of Crook
county, when ho had examined about
sixty bands, had only found about ten
bands free of disease. Tho total number
of sheep inspected by Mr. Blako was
121,030, not counting lambs, aud tho
total number in Gilliam county, not
counting lambs estimated at 1!)5,000.
Fossil Journal.
Undor tho caption of "Benefits of
Fall Seeding," tho La U rondo Gazotto
soys : Thoro are many reasons why it
pays to sow wheat in tho fall iustoad of
waiting till tho busy spring season de
mands n rush of tho work. This is tin
important matter. It makes just tho
dinoronco of a firmer being in a position
to crowd his work, instead of having his
work crowd htm. With his seod in the
ground, ho has amplo timo to turn his
attention in many needed directions in
tho spring season. Thero is this much
in fall seeding from nn economical viow
for thoro is just as much economy in
timo as in material. All fall-sown grain
is up high, nnd has a deep green and
thrifty appearance, tho ground under
neath being sufficiently shaded to retain
the largest iiossiblo amount of moisture.
A great deal of tho wheat on tho Sand
ridge is fall sown, and no fiolds of grain
ever looked moro promising.
Tho fruit crop about Macleay will bo
very light this Reason. Grain and other
farm products look well yet, but a few
moro such hot days as last Sunday will
cut thorn short; so says a corres
pondent. A small force is at tho Cascades and
not much work can be done at tho
canal there until the rivor falls.
NO. 18.
The Oregon Commission.
Our Oregon llailroad Commissioners
havo dono n good thing, nnd wo hopo it
will bear good fruit, in making direct
suggestions to tho Oregon Railway and
Navigation Company for reduction of
their charges.
Wo givo tho document in full, ns
follows :
Sai.km, Juno 3. Tho railaoad com
mission, through its clork, has sent to
the officials of the 0. 11. & N. Company
at Portland tho following recommenda
tion for construction of propor depot
facilities at Tho Dalles, and n schodulo
of rates on wheat, wool. eto. :
"Recommendations fordopot facilities
ot Dalles City, Oiogon Tho Board
having examined tho condition of Tho
Dalles as respects depot accommodation,
and finding that said city is without a
depot building or other facilities for tho
nccom medat ion of tho traveling public
arriving and departing therefrom, would
respectfully roprosent to tho Oregon
Railway & Navigation Company and its
lessees, that : tho commission doom the
early construction of dopot buildings at
snid point n matter of great importance,
and would recommend that suitublo
depot buildings bo nt onco constructed,
with such accommodations as will moot
the requirements nnd necessities of said
city. This recommendation is urgod
for the reason that tho present nrraugo
mont for stopping passenger trains,
partly in tho street and partly over Mill
creek, is inconvonicnt, unsatisfactory
and ovon dangorous."
RKnUCTION 01" RATES.
Following is its rccommondation for
a reduction of rates : "Tho Board would
recommend to tho O. It. ifc N. Company
that its tariff1 of rates on wheat, flour,
oats, barloy, rye, farina, flaxseed and
potatoes bo reduced to tho following
schedule of rates: When in carload
lots of 20,000 pounds, from all points
cast within tho Stato of Orogon to Port
laud, Oregon: Kates per 100 pounds:
Tho Dalles, Summit and intermediate
points, 13 cents ( Colilo, Deschutes and
intermediate points, 10 cents; Grant's,
John I)ay,Quinnand iuterinediato points,
17 cents ; Blalock's, Arlington, Willows,
Shipsburg, CitBtlo Rock, Coyoto, Stokos
and intermediate points, 18 cents';
Umatilla Junction, Fostor, Echo and
intermediate points, lOcontir Barnhart,
Pendleton, Eastland, Adams, Center
villo, Cayuse, LnGrando, Union North
Powder, Baker City, Huntington, Cold
Springs, Juniper, Milton. Bluo Mount
ain and intermediate points, 20 cents.
And tho Board would also rccommoud
thnt tho Oregon Railway & Navigation
Company roduco thoir tariff of rates on
wool, whon in sacks or compressed bales,
to tho following schodulo of rates, to
wit: From all points cast within tho
State of Oregon to Portland, rates per
100 pounds: Rowoua. Tliu Dulles and
intermediate points, 37 J conts; Colilo,
DesChutcs and intormodiato points, 45
cents; Grant's, John Day, Quinn, Bla
lock's, and intermediute points, 50 cents ;
Alkali, Willows, Coyote, Umatilla Junc
tion aud intcrmediata points, 00 cents;
Fostor', Echo nnd intermediate points,
05 cents; Barnhart, Pendleton and in
tormodlato iioints, 75 cents ; Cayuse,
Huntington and intermediate points,
75 cents; Contervillo, Bluo Mountain,
Milton und intermediate points, 75
conts Cold Springs, Juniper and inter
mediate points, 75 cents.
Tho present rnto per ton of shipments
on flour, whent, etc., from Tho Dalles is
H per ton, nnd tho rato recommended
is $3, u reduction of 25 per cont. Other
reductions hnvo been recommended on
about tho samo basis.
Commissioner Slater and Waggonor
returned this morning from Canby,
whero thoy went to examine into a-complaint
against tho O. it C. Tho matter
lias been considered, but no action
taken.
TIIK ItAII.HOAl) lllMDOK.
The Oiogon Hallway & Navigation
Company to-day Mod with tho Secretary
of State Hi acceptance of tho terms of
the net passed by the lust legislature,
by which they wero authorized to con
struct a bridgo across tho Willamette at
Portland. This company bus also filed
an agreement, as romiircd in said act. to
employ none but white labor in con
struction oi me unugo. unuor ino
terms of the act construction of the
bridiro must bctrin within six months
after tho passago of tho act, and tho
structure must bo completed within two
years from that date.
'Driics. toilflt artitdeH. including snan.
combs nnd hand-clasa. can be found in
endless variety at the Port Drug Com
pany No. 1UU btate street, Huleiu.
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