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About Willamette farmer. (Salem, Or.) 1869-1887 | View Entire Issue (July 15, 1887)
w imsvdMiaiManti V i,wmvmimiiiiiihmimttmtiiiuimtiitimiimttiiiMaiiliiiMitmimtiit(.tirjrimimm.ivn VOL. XIX. OREGON PIONEER HISTORY. 8KETCHES OF EARLY DAYS. -MEN AND T1ME3 IN THE FORTIES. I1Y S. A CLARKE U A A V ' Cap) right tpplltd (jr. Alt right! reserved Plouoer Bteimbsatlajr. Rocolloctlons of a Man Who Ran on Ono of tho First Veiaeli Mr. James II. Elgin recalls to mind early experiences ot stoambontingon tho Columbia that aro umtiMing as well as interesting, and illustrate how mutters wcro mnnnged in early times. In Au gust, 1855, ho wtis assisting in building tho ftonmor Wasco, the third that was built nbovo tho Cascades. Tho Fashion, built in 1851, was first, but was taken bolow to work tho lower river. Tho Mary was next, built in 185H, by tho Bradford;, who, ho says, woro ns bravo, as enterprising and not afraid to faco tho tomnlinwk of tho savngo. They kopt men employed at good wagcH, were oasy bossos nnd tho monoy was ready every Saturday night. No man wns over heard to growl about work or treat ment. In August, 1855, tho Wasco wns launched; tho owners were I G. Imans, Cnpt. MoFnrlnnd nnd son, .'Coil MeFnr land. Cnpt. McFnrland was u wholo soulcd man, who mndu every mini with him feel good. I mndo many trips up nnd down tho Columbia with tho fast sailing steamer Wasco, says Mr. Elgin, for she'earried snil as well nn steam. It thon took from early morning until lato at night to go from tho Cascades to Tho Dalles. She carried from five tojtwonty passcngors. Thoy were Hudson's Day company rneu,Jmountnin mon, govern ment officials, prospectors or advent urers. Among those who traveled often on tho river wns W. Cain, nn Indian agont. It was often very rough on tho Colum bia; Agent Cain could not swim, and be-, sides was a very corpulent man, so ho usually moved his chair to tho contcr of tho small cabin, while tho rest of tho passengers wcro 6ented on tho stationary benches on tho sides. Tho boat wns 6mnll nnd tho waves would sometimes roll over hor, but she was staunch. Soatcd amidships tho ngent would growl if a passenger moved from ono sido to tho other. The Ieat motion, or chango of equilibrium, would rock tho tyoat, and mako him nervom. Ho couldn't stand having children about, nnd if a little ono toddled around him ho would poko it with his cane. He was an invetornto tobacco chower, and a tcrriblo expectorant, and would bo surrounded with a puddle. On one trip I rcmembor thore were n number of Indies nnd children on lo.ird. They had occasion to bo annoyed with his cross mnnnor, so ono of tho ladips pent for tho enptnin. When Cnpt. McFur land inquired as to her wishe.-, she taid pointing to Agent Cain and his sur rounding puddlo that "tho bo.it deni ed to bo sinking," and indeed to "hnvo tho pumps started to save the bout.'1 Tho captain took tho joko cleverly, but Mr. Cain became violent in his expres sions and his boisterous tone canted a roar of laughter from tho passengers that finally squelched him. In the fall of 1855, when boats went up and down tho river, they had to keep as close to tho Oiegon chores as they could. Tho Indians would thereto thomselves in tho rocks along tho river below tho Klickitat and White Salmon, nnd would fire into passing boats. I don't think anybody was ever hit with their leaden messengers, but the batter of the bullets on the pilot house and other parts of the boat m.ulo captains careful, and passengers would hide their heads in the safest placo they could find. Noun of us eared to stand on deck to take observations when passing one of those rocky point, know as Indian for tresses. The beautiful scenery along the river had not sufficient attraction to in- SALEM, OREGON, FRIDAY, dueo sight-scoiiig under thoo diffi culties. The waters were often so turbulent that tho little steamer of that day had to hunt soma small harbor along tho rocky shores, and lio thore until tho storm abated. I hnvo known a steamer to lio for twenty-four hours boforo it was safo to rosumo tho voyage. Whilo thus waiting tho turn of evonU there was danger of a night attack from savagos, and continual watch and guard hnd to 1)0 kcpt. l" Tomombor one trip, whon ono of tho oldest pioneers lit Tho Dalles Mr. McLiughlin and his daughter, now Mrs. Lord, took passage. Thoy hnd novcr been wet of tho Cascados, and intended to visit Portland and hnvo n steamboat ride, novcr having had one. Hut boforo tho Wnsco reached Crate's Point tho wind rose, whitn cups How, and tho boat began to roll and pitch in a formidable way. Father and daugh tor both becamo very sea sick. Tho pcrpcndiculnr wall of rock on tho shore wns huhed by a heavy sen, and occasionally tho waves would roll entire ly over tho littlo Wasco, making tho timbers croak nnd tho boat to quiver with tho continued shocks. Wo had to keep up headway until wo reached ono of tho littlo coves to bo found between Mosicr's and Hood liver, whero the Wasco ran in and nnehorod near shore. Wo wero twenty miles from Tho Dalles, and tho only road was n rude trail nlong tho shoro, brushy and rocky by turns, and very rough to travel in tho best of weather. Hut Mr, and Miss McLaugh lin had nil thoy wanted of stenmbonting, nnd resolved to lcavo tho boat and mako their way back through tho savage wild erness, with all tho chances of savngo mon besides, rather than tnko risk of finishing the trip on tho steamer Wasco They had learned that no placo was liko home, and homo thoy went, afoot nnd nlono. Tho danger from hostilo Indians was groat, but it did not deter them. With tho McFnrlands, father and son, at wheel and engine. I always felt sufe, except onco when they wero bound to bent tho Mnry in a trip from tho Cascades to Tho Dalles. Tho two boats lay at tho Upper Cascados, and tho cap tain of tho Mary had been bragging of his intention to beat tho Wasco to Tho Dalles. Ho had gono to tho length of promising his passengers a frco rido if they came into Tho Dalles after tho Wasco did. It was genorally known that tho two bouts wero to race from (ho Cascades to Tho Dalle-". Wo left our landing just above tho falls, a few minutes before tho Mary did, with thirty passengers on board. When wo pushed out wo found that tho two tiller ropes hnd been cut and tho man at tho wheel had no control of tho boat. This happened j'ust above the falls, and the unmanageable boat was drifting down to the edge of tho rapids without means to handle hor. There was cause fornlarm and all hands were anxious. (i hail no yaw 1 lio.it to carry a lino to the i-hore. and there was only one polo Unit would reach bottom. The wind came down stream strongly, and made our situation moio perilous. Af ter some hard work we got near enough to shoro to get a lino out and make fast. While in this predicament ('apt. Dan liaughnuu passed us with all hands on board his boat yelling and groaning at the poor Wiibco, and jeering us with "When will you I nt The Dalle?" In half an hour we had our rudder ropes all right, and when thu Mary was threo miles or to up the river wo made our second start. And now for tho race. Tho Wasco was tired up fiecrccly ; the cook was down splitting wood; our pas sengers wero aroutcd by tho trick that endangered their lives, and all wero ready to lend a hand. Half an hour showed we were gaining ground and closing the long gap. Tho pasfcengers were much excited, and their excite ment ran o high that men went wild nt least mi n Granger would have thought if ho could have dropped in on tho same unawares. When tho Maiy found wo woro gaining so rapidly the ofllcers and passengers on board of her became equally excitod nnd commenced firing up nnd heating their boilor to tho dan ger point. But in spite of thoir efforts the Wasco went by them, and tho shriek ing of steam whistles wns drowned by the wildost yells imnginablo. Wo ran close alonslde, nnd all tho throats on bonrd tho Wasco grow hoarso with tho strain put on them, tho yells wo gnvo being accompanied by groans unutter ablo from the passongcrs and crow of the opposing boat. We passod them before reaching Wind rivor mountain, n distanco of twelvo miles. Then tho Mnry fired up afresh and passed us again. This mado Noil McFnrland hot ter than his boiler. Ho ordered tho old darkey cook to bring tho rein barrel, and into tho furnaco it went. Then ennio tho soap-fat burro!, and in it went, Things wero getting hot and hotter. The old darkoy was hunting his pantry for fat things whilo wo woro running by tho Mary. Even tho side of bacon went into tho fire. lint by this timo tho Mary was far behind, and fortunntoly for us they felt so discouragod that thoy gave up tho triid and went along nt n steady speed. Fortunately for us. I say, because wo had strained matters, nnd could not hnvo kopt our pace. Already a rivcl-hoad had hnd started, and escap ing steam hissed out a licico warning of danger. When tho rivet-head jumped oil' tho passengers concluded to walk aft and givo tho steam a fair chance. Neil Mc Fnrland stood up to his work, and watch ed tho steam hissing from many a scam, but he was not scared by a littlo sound. It was only when it was evident that thu Mary had given up tho raco that he camo down to ordinary steam ; but ho was not sorry when it was possible to do so. Ho was n man destitute, of fear; oven on the battlo field ho hnd proved superior to it. Tho next boat built was the Hnstalo, and I recite tho time of theso evonts bo cause a correspondent who wrote of this subject last spring in Tho Orogonian certainly was incorrect as to dates, and I know I am giving thm correctly. Tho Ho-smlo wis considered a very line boat, and was launched in .July. 1850. Al most ovcry year thereafter until the rail road wont down the river, ii new boat was built for the middle rivor. (To bo Continued.) Pioneer Excursion to tho rait. At u biiHiiiem meeting of tho Oregon Pioneer Association, held just after the annual reunion on the 15th ulu, n mo tion was carried thai the prcsidont of tho association appoint a committee to inquiro into the feasibility of tho meas ure, and after investigation, if it seemed wise to make all necessary arrangements for nu excursion of pioneers to tho East- err .States. Hon. M. Wilkius, president of the association, has appointed ('apt, J. M. Oilman, John Hurko and O'eo. If. Himes, beeretnry of the association, such committee. Inasmuch as numerous old settlors have given notice of a desire to go on such a trip, tho committee, have concluded it wito to begin planning for tho same, anil will at onco lay out a routo and effect definito arrangements. Thoir goncral plan will bo to go east by ono routo ant return by another, so as to avoid going over the tamo u round twice, and will tnko in Hoston, Now inrk, I'hiladelphia, nntduugton nnd Chicago. Judicious thinning of tree fruits is a very fine and profitable thing wherever it can be convenient practiced. With peaches it often pays exceedingly well. Two choice jieaclies aro worth more than three mctliuin, or tix inferior ones. So with pears ami even apples, Ho also with plums. Don't be afraid that n littlo thinning will hurt your crop. 'I ho question only ii, how to do it in iiiu quicKcsi uuu leasi exjiensive way on a largo tcalo. Who, among our reader, can give ns "pointu"! JULY 35, 1887. orreggomlenc. Btrawberrlti Mow and Old. CitosTo.s, July W, 1887. Editor Willamttto Farmon As I promised to state in the Farmer how soiuo of tho nowcr kinds of Ftrnw berries hnvo done this season, I now pro ceed to do so. First, this has been tho worst season I havo know for ovor thirty-' six years. Tho cold rains and frosts killed most of tho very early, medium, and oven lato strawberries. And sec ondly, tho dry, hot wenthor since, nearly finished up tho business. Hcnca thoro has been less of berries grown this, than any, season I rccollectot for thirty six years. Jackfrost did it. Deep nnd constant cultivation in tho middle of tho rows of strawberries, seem to bo tho only avnilablo means of mitiga ting tho drouth. Tho strawberry requires inoro moist uro than any other plnntHnvo thoso only aquatic. Honco the necessity, in our dry seasons, of cultivation, constant cultivation. I was unable, being sick, to givo mine the thorough work they needed. Thcro is deep philosophy in cultiva tion. Ouo inch of triturated earth, or dust, on the surface, is ono of tho boat mulchers known. It not only absorbs moisture from below but also from'tho air above. This cultivated stirred mass, becomes a pilo, chemically, in which tho acids nnd alkalies set up nu inter-moloo-ular action betweon tho atoms and molecules ot tho orgauanic and inor ganic elements constituting a strata of soil highly charged with negative and positivo electricity. Hero olectrieity tho biological principle oxygon, hydro gen, culKiiiic acid, ammonia tho food principlo- -aro collected and retained for tho uso of tho spongiolcs of plants. Especially is this so iu nlluminus and calonrious soils; and oven iu silicious and diluvium soils. Now, in hard, dry, uncultivated soil thoro is no chemical action no integration and disintegra tion consequently uo'plnnt-food. Honco tho plants starve. Clearly, thon, if we would have plants grow finely wo must cultivate -tho soil thus forming n mass of plant food for them to feed on. This is all true. Hut look here. When it is pouring down rain, hail and spits of snow of the day and frost of tho night, who, I ask, can cultivated tho soil? Thoro nro some things man can't do, besides thoro mo 60U10 things ho is too sick or too Iny to do. Difficulties and trials ire as much a part of life ns health nnd ploasuro. So wo must tako things ns wo find them, nnd simply do for tho host, that's all. Tho host newer kinds of strawloiries arc as follows : Tho Jewel this is a very fine bearer, a good, but not a ram pant grower; n medium-sued, not too large berry .of fine form, and tho longer it remains on the vinos the brighter and bitter it becomes, It is a pistilato and therefore 'requires a stnminato (male) or hermaphrodite to fertilize it. I miule more money from it proportionally than any other sort. Prince of Hurries . A splendidly flav ored berry ; a weak plant, or poor grow or, requires a manure heap, heavy cult ure and all runners cut. I shall dis card it as unworthy. Itnrbnch Vigorous plant, of largo green leaves ; large foot-stalks ; good boarer of largo fruit. Is worthy. Ontario'- Not a very strong grower; fruit line, but soft: may do tatter; I hope so at least; shall try it longer, Hclmont: In every way a splendid inirket berry; ery line, oblong, dark rich color ; large, handsome, and sells well. I will propagate it as fust as pos sible. Jumbo: A dead failuie. Kunupee: Don't like it. Mammoth : IMggest berry yet grown ; NO. 33. lino form, firm, nnd very good ; plant only a modernto growors loaves pale green, nnd n modernto bearer. Don't recommend it yet, but shnll givo it a fair trinl. May King ; A small plant, nnd small borry. Don't recommend it nt nil. Henderson : With mo a poor bearer of small berries, but of good tlnvor. Shall discard it, being unprofitable. Cornelia: Being lato; of largo siw and lino flavor; strong plant; makes runners liko "cats llght'n;" a very poor bearer ; can't call it worthy. Though it was scut out with a great flourish. Is n pistilato. Early Canada : A complete failure with me. So much for now strawberries. Every grower must buy and experiment for himself, on his own soil and his own locution. Now, n fow words on tho older kinds. This season, the most productive and profltablo kinds with mo are: Of early oiicb, Warren, Cumberland, Tri umph, Finch and Sharpless. Tho Wil ton, Did well nnd Miner, aro good enough to bo includod with the early ones. Tho late ones ate Manchester, (lolden Defiance, Jiicuuda, and Jersey Queen. These are all profitable. Tho Sharpless, Jucuudn, Jorsoy Queen, Golden Defiance and Jewel were more productive and brought mo more money than any others this season. Hut everyone, who desires to grow strawber ries, must try, for himself, on his own farm what his exporiouco convinces him is best. Fruit growing, liko every other piofossion, has its losses and its profits, and it is folly to yield to misfortune or bad luck. "Push things" is a giitty motto. If tho frost comes ono year wo must not givo up but "try, try, again." Let mo here say, as a premonition, bo shy of now and higly praised fruits; or, at least, try them on a small scnlo ; for then you nro snfo ; othorwiso you mny lo badly bitten. To-day, 13th of July, I gathered lino bcrrios from Jersoy Queen; Jucunda, (ioltlon Defiance, Cornelia and Jewel. Tho Jersey Queens wcro tho host. Tho Jucunda will havo berries on it for four or five days yot. I think if these Into berries, or plants rather, woro irrigated and cultivated alternately, overy threo days, they would, in this climate, pro duce hordes nil this mouth. Who'll try it? A. F. Davidson. How many hnnl-wnrkcd individuals in all our great cities are bemoaning their poverty, which provents thoir find ing the relief that chango of plnco and circumstance, and, above all, rest, so fre quently nllbrds. A largo majority of mankind art) deprived of this means of recuperating thoir exhausted energies. But "there's a halm in Oilead." Frese's Hamburg Tea gives vigor to tho vital forces, promotes digestion, and gives tono to the system. Try it. Geo. E. Good, the popular druggist 1112 Commercial street, Salem, carries iu stock a full and complete block of drugs, patent medicine, perfumeries, toilet nrticles of nil kinds, and iu fact every thing that appertains to a flrst-elnss drug "tore. A speciality mado of physl chum' prctcriptions. Alto agent for tho fclcbiat'Ml Tannin's 1'iiuch 5-ccnt cigar. Call on Mr. Good if in need of any one of them a r leloc We call attention to the advertismeut of Messrs Holm ( Adams, general black smithing anil horMi shoeing, at 15, Stato Kt, They are pic pared to do all Hues of work with iientuesh mid dispatch. Mr, Holm is recently fiom California and W. II. Adams is a homo hoy. Cull and tee them and gel their pi ices. The truth iu regard to the question of profit or loss in tho culture of farm crops is, that the majority of fanners make smaller profits than thoy very easily might; that by oor culture and muugcincut thu average yield of farm crops ja not quite half what it wight easily U. i 4 y I " i HiVrwrAtframr mwt&mwy ewaMam&a i j i i iii m hum ppa -rvJfl
