# Oregon: Her history, her great men, her literature/Epoch III

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CHAPTER VI
Epoch III is an account of Oregon under the Provisional Government. It begins with the Champoeg meetings in 1843 and extends to March 3, 1849, when a territorial form of government was proclaimed in Oregon by Governor Joseph Lane. Preceding Epoch III, the Hudson's Bay Company administered the chief civil government of Oregon. But many of the settlers advocated a government of the people. There being much opposition to the movement, it was delayed until the death of Ewing Young, (February 15, 1841), who had settled in Yamhill district in November, 1634, and whose estate required prompt legal administration. Since Young belonged neither to the Hudson's Bay Company nor to the Mission, he was what was then called an "independent settler." The death of this American, the first to leave an estate, created a new and serious condition for which there was no legal provision. In this emergency immediate action was imperative. Following the funeral services of Ewing Young (February 17, 1841), a mass meeting was announced to take place at the Mission on the ​following day to provide for the settlement of the estate. At the mass meeting held, February 18, Doctor Ira L. Babcock, of the Mission was appointed supreme judge with probate powers. It is of interest in this connection to know that Ewing Young's estate was later settled, but for the want of a known heir it temporarily escheated to the commonwealth. A sheriff, three constables and as many justices of the peace were chosen, and a committee of nine with Rev. F. N. Blanchet as chairman was appointed to form a constitution and draft a code of laws to be reported at a meeting to be held June 7, 1841. At the June meeting, the Committee of nine failing to report, the colonists adjourned to meet October 1. But Charles Wilkes, U. S. N., and many leading citizens believing the time was not auspicious to organize an American government, "the project was dropped;" and for more than a year nothing further was publicly attempted.
Preliminary Meeting. Protection of Stock. When Doctor Elijah White returned with one-hundred and twenty emigrants in 1842, the American party was so strengthened that civil government was again discussed. Accordingly, a preliminary meeting was held February 2, 1843, at the Oregon Institute, to provide for a general meeting to be held on the second Monday of the following March, ostensibly for the purpose of providing for bounties for killing wolves, lynxes, bear and panthers.
Why Called the "Wolf Meeting." The meeting in March was known as the "Wolf Meeting" because funds were voted for suitable bounties for killing wolves and other destructive animals, and an officer placed in charge of that service. It was adroitly stated, however, that though provision had been made for the protection of their flocks, yet it was far more important that provision should be made for ​the protection of the settlers' families. Thereupon a committee of twelve was appointed "to consider the propriety of taking steps for the civil and military protection of the colony."
'Centennial History of Oregon'
WOLF HUNT ON FRENCH PRAIRIE IN 1843
Provisional Government Voted at Champoeg. The First American Government on the Pacific Coast was authorized by the people of the Willamette Valley, at Champoeg, May 2, 1843; and it is somewhat remarkable that the same number of colonists should meet to provide for the first constitution and self-government on the Pacific coast as there were in the "Mayflower" when the first constitution for civil government in the world was written, and the first self-government was authorized on the Atlantic coast.
The Vote for a Divide. At the Champoeg meeting 102 men had gathered in an open field for the purpose of considering the report of the Committee of twelve on Organization which had been appointed February 2. The committee reported favorably on the establishment of a government. After much heated discussion, friends of the movement for a government decided that prompt action was necessary. Following the motion to adopt the report of the committee, Joe Meek shouted:
​"Who's for a divide? All in favor of the report and of an organization, follow me!"
There were fifty-two who voted for the motion, while their opponents were but fifty. Since this meant a provisional government in Oregon, the opposing faction withdrew. The business of the meeting was resumed, and a committee of nine was chosen to report a plan of civil government at a meeting to be held at Champoeg on the fifth of the following May. JOSEPH MEEK
Legislative Committee Assemble at the Falls. At the Willamette Falls there was a small building used as a school, storage room, and lodging apartment. Here the committee of nine assembled as the first popular authoritative and deliberative body of Oregon, for the purpose of considering the form of Government to be recommended to their fellow citizens at Champoeg the following July 5. The most perplexing question to solve was concerning the Executive, with the result that the Legislative Committee decided upon vesting the executive authority in a committee of three.
​Provisional Form of Government Adopted. The convention assembled at Champoeg, July 5, to hear the report of the committee. Canadian settlers who had signed an address to the convention were present with the Americans. Their address was placed on file as a record of the interests of those opposed to the organization of a government. Some of the Canadians, however, expressed sympathy wit the object of the American movement, while others declared that they would not submit to any government which might be organized. The report of the committee of the Provisional Government was discussed, and Alanson Beers, David Hill, and Joseph Gale were selected as the Executive committee. Also, the officers chosen at the meeting held May 2, were continued until the election on the second Tuesday in May, 1844, at which time proceedings of the convention were to be submitted to the people for their approval. "Thus the first regular government in Oregon went into effect, although it was incomplete until July, 1845, when an organic law framed by the Legislative Committee was approved" by vote of the settler.
FIRST EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The first Executive Committee consisting of Alanson Beers, David Hill and Joseph Gale, constituted the executive head of the new government of Oregon Territory for one year ending May 14, 1844.
First Organic Laws of Oregon. July 5, 1843, the first Organic Laws of Oregon were adopted "until such time as the United States of America extends jurisdiction over us." These laws, sometimes known as the First Oregon Constitution resembled usual announcement of principles, powers and duties of an American commonwealth with the further provision that slavery should be prohibited. Settlers were denied the right to hold more than one section of land, and permission was given to boys of sixteen and girls of fourteen to marry, the consent of their parents having been obtained. The legal fee for marriage was fixed at one dollar, and for recording the same fifty cents. The laws of Iowa Territory were adopted, with the provision that "where no statute of Iowa Territory applies, the principles of common law and equity shall govern."
SEAL OF THE OREGON PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT
The Salmon Seal. Upon the organization of the Provisional Government, a seal was adopted which was so designed that it would in no way prejudice either American or British interests. It was called the Salmon Seal because it contained the figure of a salmon typifying the fish industry which the settlers as well as the Hudson's Bay Company could promote. Above the salmon were three sheaves of grain symbolic of agriculture—the principal vocation of the makers of the Provisional Government. In the form of an arc above the sheaves "Oregon" was inscribed.
​Oregon Divided Into Four Districts. In December of 1843, the Legislative Committee created four legislative districts which, in 1845, were called counties.
FIRST FOUR LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS OR COUNTIES OF OREGON
Twality District was bounded on the north by the northern boundary line of the Oregon Country. Its eastern boundary was the Willamette River, and presumably an extension of a line from the mouth north to the north line of the Oregon Country; its southern boundary was the Yamhill River and presumably a line which would be the western continuation of the Yamhill River to the Pacific Ocean, said ocean being the western boundary of Twality District.
Yamhill District was bounded on the north by Twality District, on the east by the Willamette River and a supposed line running north and south from said river to California, on the south by California, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean.
​Champooick District was bounded on the north by a supposed line drawn from the mouth of the Anchiyroke (Pudding) River running due east to the Rocky Mountains, on die east by the summit of the Rocky Mountains, on the west by the Willamette River and a supposed line running due south to California, on the south by the 42nd parallel.
Clackamas District comprised all the territory not included in the other three districts.
Importance of the Champoeg Meetings. In 1901, Harvey W, Scott, in a paper on "The Champoeg Meetings" said: "What shall I say more of the impressive scene that was enacted upon this spot eight and fifty years ago? All the actors save one. the venerable F. X. Matthieu, who providentially is with us today, have passed from earth. The results of their fair work remain; and what we must regard as a thing of high significance is the fact that they well understood that they were laying the foundation of a State. In what they did here that day there was a clear premonition to them that it was a work for unborn generations. The instinct for making States, an instinct that so strongly characterizes that portion of the human race that has created the United States of America, never had clearer manifestation or more vigorous assertion. On the spot where this work was done we dedicate this monument this day. May every inhabitant of the Oregon Country, through all ages, take pride in this spot, and an interest in preservation of this monument, as a memento of what was done here!"
When Oregon Posed As "No Man's Land." At the beginning of the Provisional Government the northern boundary of Oregon was so seriously in doubt that it became a very delicate question requiring negotiations that covered a number of years. Neither Spain nor Russia at this time made claim to any part of the Oregon Country, but Great ​Britain and the United States did. The British wanted all they could get, and strange to say the Americans disputed among themselves as to what should be demanded as the boundary line. Some claimed the parallel of 54° 40′ as the north boundary, while others were content with the 49th parallel north. Under the singular conditions that prevailed neither the United States nor Great Britain was in position to make demands of the other or to exercise jurisdiction over the Oregon Country. Hence the Hudson's Bay Company and other adherents of the British greatly feared that something might be done by the Americans that would eventually forestall British rights in the Oregon Boundary Question. Therefore, it was decided by the supporters of the Provisional Government to act independently of all nations, to proceed as if Oregon were "No Man's Land," and to do nothing officially that would prejudice the rights or interests of either nation, until the boundary line was agreed upon. In the language of a memorial of the Provisional Government, dated June 28, 1844: "By treaty stipulations the territory has become a kind of neutral ground, in the occupancy of which the citizens of the United States and the subjects of Great Britain have equal rights and ought to have equal protection." This arrangement had much to do in quieting the suspicions and fears of British subjects concerning the purposes of the new movement; and many of them eventually became participants in the Provisional Government.
The Oregon Rangers. Difficult to Enforce Law. By this time it was found difficult to enforce some of the laws which the Provisional Government had made. Various depredations were committed, and the perpetrators escaped without arrest. An incident in Oregon City, however, drew special attention to the situation and military aid was provided for the executive authority.
Murder of Recorder Le Breton. George W. Le Breton, Recorder of Oregon under the Provisional Government, ​and another citizen, were fatally wounded March 4, 1644, while attempting to arrest a Molalla Indian, who with five other Indians, was creating a disturbance in Oregon City.
SECOND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
(May 14, 1844—June 12, 1845)
P. G. Stewart, Osborn Russell and W. J. Bailey were chosen executive committee at the election held May 14 1844.
Prohibition Law. Upon assuming charge of the Hudson's Bay Company interests, Doctor McLoughlin, who favored prohibition as a wise economic measure in transacting business with the Indians, ordered that no intoxicating liquors be sold to them. Later, when Nathaniel Wyeth brought liquors to trade to the Indians, Doctor McLoughlin at once made known to him the Company's policy on this point in such a way that Wyeth acquiesced with the Doctor's views. As soon as the Methodist Mission opened a school a temperance society was organized, which many of the whites joined through the influence of Doctor McLoughlin Therefore, since the settlers were greatly outnumbered by the Indians most of whom were subject to whiskey-craze, the legislative committee passed a law (June 1844) prohibiting the sale of ardent spirits.
Tyler's Lost Minister. A minister to a foreign country is so strictly a representative of his nation that should any ill befall him at the hands of another nation grave complications would naturally follow. In 1844 just this kind of thing seemed for a time to have taken place in America. President Tyler had appointed Delazon Smith, then of Iowa, but later U. S. Senator from Oregon, as minister to one of the South American republics. After the new minister took his leave for the scene of his duties nothing was heard of him for eleven months, during which time the possibility of all kinds of national complications resulting from his disappearance was discussed by the press and statesmen of Europe and America. Later it was learned that the new minister upon assuming the duties of his office had decided to inform himself regarding the unexplored region in the vicinity of the Andes. For this purpose he traveled horseback across the continent, and for eleven months was so completely shut off from communication that his whereabouts was unknown. In consequence of the vigilant search made for him by the State Department and the international interest which his disappearance created, Smith won the nation-wide sobriquet of "Tyler's Lost Minister."
​Negroes Forbidden in Oregon. Slavery a Delicate Question. In those days negro slavery was practiced in the Southern States, and there was a tendency to extend the system of slavery to the Oregon Country. So the emigrants from the North and those from the South began to ask one another, "Shall there be negro slavery in Oregon?" The colonists therefore, seeing the advisability of meeting the issue squarely, decided to place themselves on record regarding the negro question. A measure was accordingly passed by the Legislative LOUIS SOUTHWORTH Committee, in June, 1844, whereby residence was forbidden to any negro in Oregon. It was made a law that "Slavery or in voluntary service should not exist; any negro slave brought into the country should in three years become free; any free negro or mulatto coming to the country should leave within two years; if he (or she) failed to leave the country after notice, he should be whipped on the bare back with not less than twenty nor more than thirty-nine stripes, and flogged likewise every six months until he did leave.
The law was repealed in the following session; yet the negro question continued for many years to be a bone of much contention. "Officially, slavery never existed in Oregon; but actually some of the Oregon pioneers held slaves" during an extended period covering the time that the people were awaiting a final decision on the subject.
​Legislative Action in Ewing Young Estate. Since the discussions in connection with the estate of Ewing Young had much to do with the formation of the Oregon Provision
Oregon was approaching statehood, and a popular vote was taken on the negro question, it is noteworthy that while the vote against slavery was almost three to one, the sentiment on the negro question was so intense that the vote against
al Government, it is interesting to note that December 16 1844, the Executive Committee reported to the Legislative Committee at Willamette Falls, "This government has in its possession notes amounting to $3,734.26, most of which are already due. These notes are a balance in favor of the estate of Ewing Young, deceased, intestate. We will therefore advise that these demands be settled and appropriated to the benefit of the country, the Government being at all times responsible for the payment of them to those who may hereafter appear to have a legal right in them. Thereupon the money was devoted to the building of a jail at Oregon City, the first of the kind west of the Rocky Mountains." A few years afterward, Joaquin Young, of New Mexico, established his claim as a son of Ewing Young and the full amount mentioned was paid to him.
Governor and Legislature Provided. "A session of the Legislative Committee was held in Oregon City beginning December 16, 1844, and continuing seven days. Upon the recommendation of the executive committee, a committee was appointed to frame an amended Organic Law which was to be submitted to the people at a special election, and if approved by the popular vote, the amendments were to ​go into effect from and after the first Tuesday in June, 1845. The amendments to the Organic Law met with approval of the people, the office of governor was substituted for the Executive Committee, and the Legislative Committee was superseded by the House of Representatives consisting of not less than thirteen nor more than sixty-one members apportioned among various districts according to population."
GOVERNOR GEORGE ABERNETHY
(June 12, 1845-March 3, 1849)
SECTION VII
"O bearded stalwart, westward man, So tower-like, so Gothic built! A kingdom won without the guilt Of studied battle."—Joaquin Miller.
First Provisional Governor of Oregon. An election had been held on June 3, 1845, for governor and other officers, at which time George Abernethy and A. L. Lovejoy were candidates for governor. Mr. Abernethy was elected by a majority of 98 votes in a total of 504 and was inaugurated on the third of the following August. Two years later the same candidates were again before the people for the same office and Governor Abernethy was successful by a plurality of 16 votes in a total of 1807.
Conditions During Abernethy's Administration. Illustrating conditions in that formative period of government, the following in Governor Abernethy's message to the legislature in December 1846, is of special interest: "I regret to be compelled to inform you that the jail located in Oregon City and the property of the Territory, was destroyed by fire ​on the night of the 18th of August last, the work, I have no doubt, of an incendiary. A reward of $ 100 was immediately offered, but, as yet, the offender has not been discovered. Should you think best to erect another jail I would suggest the propriety of building it of large stones clamped together. We have but little use for a jail, and a small building would answer all purposes, for many years, no doubt, if we should be successful in keeping ardent spirits out of the territory."
First Wagons to Cross the Cascade Range. The first emigrants reached the Willamette Valley by coming down the Columbia in boats and barges, driving their stock over the mountains. But late in October, 1845, Samuel K. Barlow, who said, "God never made a mountain without some place to go over it," left The Dalles with a train of thirteen wagons upon the hazardous undertaking of crossing the Cascade Mountains. With the advice of Joel Palmer and others in the train a route lying along the south side of Mt. Hood was chosen. Upon reaching the top of the divide the emigrants were compelled to abandon their wagons. They succeeded in reaching the settlement December 23. As soon as the snows sufficiently melted in 1846, the wagons were safely taken into the valley, despite the fact that at different times it was necessary to chain them to trees so that they could be let down over cliffs to other cliffs below, and so on until they were drawn by the teams again. In ​July these wagons, which were the first to cross the Cascade Range and to come over an all-wagon route from the states to the Willamette Valley, arrived in Oregon City. Upon learning that the emigrants had taken their teams and wagons across the mountains the surprised Doctor McLoughlin said, "These Yankees can do anything." The important route along which the new road lay was afterward named Barlow Pass in honor of its principal discoverer and promoter.
Southern Oregon Emigrant Road Opened in 1846. For more than two decades the Hudson's Bay Company trail was the only traversed route through Southern Oregon. But in the meantime it came to be believed that this trail lay ​along a more practical route to the Willamette Valley than the newly discovered route by the way of Barlow Pass; and a plan was devised for a new emigrant road into Oregon. This road was to leave the old Oregon road at Fort Hall, then to follow the Truckee and the Humboldt River, to cross the Modoc and the Klamath country and the mountains into the Rogue River Valley, then pass through the Umpqua Canyon onward into the Willamette Valley. By incredible effort with ax and saw, ropes and chains, in 1846 emigrants with their wagons and teams came over the Southern Oregon route which they developed into a widened trail; but which later was made into a practical wagon road.
Settlement of the Oregon Question. Americans had come to Oregon in such numbers that they began to dominate the country, north as well as south of the Columbia—a condition which the British fur traders did not overlook. Also the agitation of the Oregon question throughout the United States so interested the American people that many became unwilling to accept the 49th parallel as the north boundary of Oregon. When James K. Polk, in 1844, was chosen President, it was believed that the national campaign shibboleth—"Fifty-four forty or Fight," had much to do in electing him. Also the Oregon question was given prominence in the President's inaugural address. However, the United States exhibited willingness to compromise on the 49th parallel, an offer which the British minister courteously refused. Congress then voted to put an end to joint occupation in Oregon; but to avert war, the President, upon the advice of John C. Calhoun, opened the question with Great Britain again, and that nation, in June 1846, agreed to accept the 49th parallel as the boundary. Upon the advice of the Senate, the President signed the treaty, June 15, 1846 by which Oregon was distinguished as the first and only American territory that the United States of America has acquired on this continent without either bloodshed or cash purchase.
First Newspaper West of the Missouri. The "Oregon Spectator," a semi-monthly publication issued at Oregon City, February 5, 1846, was the first newspaper published west of the Missouri River. Its first editor was Colonel W. G. T'Vault. The "Spectator," which was non-political, became chiefly useful in disseminating the laws and acts of the Provisional Government.
First Oregon Fruit Nursery. The first fruit nursery of Oregon was known as the Traveling Nursery because it was brought to Oregon on wheels. Henderson Luelling, a prosperous nurseryman of Henry County, Iowa, conceived the idea of conveying trees by wagons to Oregon. Thereupon in the early spring of 1847, with his son Alfred, he started westward driving two four yoke ox team hauling ​about 800 vigorous young trees. They arrived at the present site of Milwaukie, November 27th. Their trees consisted of different varieties of apple, pear, peach, plum, and cherry, and were in immediate demand; hence the nursery was permanently established in that locality, and gave to Oregon the name of the "Land of the Big Red Apples." So important, therefore, was the Traveling Nursery that Ralph C. Geer, who took much interest in the first fruit culture of Oregon, remarked: "Those two loads of trees brought more wealth to Oregon than any ship that ever entered the Columbia River." Such was the beginning of the first nursery on the Pacific Coast of America.
Territorial Courts. When the territorial government of Oregon was established by Act of Congress, August 14, 1648, it was provided by the same Act that the judicial power of the Territory shall be vested in a Supreme Court, District Courts, Probate Courts, and in Justices of the Peace; the Supreme Court to consist of a Chief Justice and two Associate Justices. The Chief Justice and Associate Justices were authorized to hold the district court. In its largest sense, this Territorial Court was a Federal Court; it was national in its significance, and it had jurisdiction not only of matters which would be cognizable in the courts were the Territory a state, but of all matters which were made cognizable in the Federal or United States courts.
The Oregon Coast Range Ablaze. Before white men lived at Coos Bay a great fire swept along the Coast Range, leaving black stumps and trunks of trees along the hills and mountains that had been templed with beautiful groves for ages. These mute reminders of the conflagration can be seen to this day. There have been many fires in the Coast Range, hence the date of the Great Fire has been somewhat in question. There is evidence that a conflagration in 1776 ​and another in 1836 swept over the same region. However, Indians, whose methods of calculation are somewhat uncertain, have fixed the time of the Great Fire in the Oregon Coast Range at about 1846, in which year it is known from other sources that a fire devastated the country south of Tillamook. Indians connect the Great Fire with the coming of the first trading ship into Coos Bay. To know the year when the first trading ship appeared in Coos Bay is to know, therefore, the date of the great Oregon Coast Range fire of which Nature and the Red Man tell us. Some information bearing on this date has been obtained.
In 1898 Chief Cutlip of the Coos Bay Indians related the following through an official interpreter to Major T. J. Buford, of die Siletz Agency When Chief Cutlip was a young man a sailing vessel came into Coos Bay to trade for furs. It was the first ship his people had ever seen. They stood on the shore and watched the ship until it came well into the Bay; and believing it to be the "Spirit boat," they all ran away. When the vessel anchored, the men aboard di^layed bright garments and glittering beads and other trinkets, and beckoned to the Indians to come to them. Cutlip, being the chief, took two of his men and ventured aboard. The. officers gave each a suit of clothes and many other presents among which was sugar — ^the first which the Indians had ever tasted — and then indicated by signs that they wished to trade with the Indians. Cutlip returned to his people; and after a parl^ the tribe decided to trade ¥rith the white men. This was the beginning of fur trade ¥nth the whites who came by ship to Coos Bay.
Destruction of Life. This being the year of the great fire along the Coast Range, the superstitious Indians attributed the fire to the presence of the white man's boat. There had been other forest fires in that locality, but this one was so terrible that much game and many Indians were burned to death and the Indians who survived lamented the coming ​of the "white sail." The heat was so intense at Coos Bay that the Indians were driven into the water for protection.
At the close of the interview, Chief Cutlip's account of the intolerable heat was confimed by Salmon River John another aged Indian who weighed his words carefully as he spoke. He said the fire was so great that the flames leaped across Yaquina Bay, that many of the Indians perished, and that only those were saved who took refuge in the water; and even they suffered much while their heads were exposed to the heat.
The Greatest Forest Fire in Oregon. (1848). There have been so many destructive fires in the immense forests of Oregon since its first settlement that it is difficult to name the greatest. But there appears to be no doubt that the fire which swept over both the Cascade and the Coast Ranges late in the summer of 1848 covered a wider area and ruined more timber than any other before or since. Then, as now, it was often impossible to trace a forest fire to its actual beginning. But in those days there were numerous bands of Indians roaming the mountains in quest of game; and, doubtless, the fire of 1848, originated through the carelessness of Indian hunters. It was also the practice of the Indians to fire the brush growth, that grass might become plentiful for the wild game. At any rate, the fire of that year was more destructive, in the opinion of those who saw it, than any that has followed. Men are yet living who remember that in eastern Malheur County in the region of Silver Creek Falls the atmosphere became so hot that it ​practically evaporated the water in that stream and many fish were killed. In many places the water stood in pools only, and was the color of lye.
The Forest Fire of 1867. Another tremendously destructive fire swept over the Coast mountains in the summer of 1867, and laid waste to a vast area of the finest of timber. Many people who had gone to the beach for camping and who had started homeward were compelled to return to the beach and remain a week longer. A well known farmer of the Willamette Valley who had started home was compelled to drive his team into the small stream of Salmon River and remain there all night to avoid the immense heat of the fires. Schools of fish, frightened at the heat and confusion frequently scared his horses and the man was crippled in his effort to control his team. These three fires are perhaps the most destructive known to the history of Oregon and the thousands of acres of whitened stumps of former giants of the forests, to be seen now in all of our ranges of mountains, bear witness to their ravages in the days long before the national government had taken steps for the patrol of the mountains by Forest Rangers.
Growing Troubles at Whitman Mission. As has been stated, Doctor Whitman in October, 1836, established a mission that was named after him. Here the Indians were taught to read the Bible, and to cultivate the soil, raise cattle, and perform other kinds of civilized labor. Here also Indian orphans and white children were given a home and educated. The Doctor generously and freely gave medical care. But the habits of the Indians were so different from those of the whites that the same kind of medical care could not be given successfully to both races. When the whites and Indians were stricken with measles, the Indians who were treated by the Doctor persisted in regularly taking cold plunges in the Walla Walla River, contrary to his advice; and necessarily this proved fatal to many of them Then the Indian- doctor, or Medicine Man, who beheld with envy Doctor ​Whitman's growing influence with the Indians, charged that the whites were being cured, but that Doctor Whitman was exterminating the Indians by his treatment, in order that the whites might occupy Indian possessions. It was also pointed out by Thomas Hill, an educated Shawnee, that Doctor Whitman had a few years before made a mid-winter journey across the continent to persuade more whites to come west; and that in the following summer of 1843 he piloted the emigration train of 675 persons to the Oregon Country in order that the whites might overrun the territory and eventually drive the Indians away from the land of their fathers, as the whites had already driven the Shawnees from their land. At this time Joe Lewis, a half-breed Indian who had been befriended by Doctor Whitman, was aided by other Indians in kindling the growing antagonism into a flame of wrath among the tribesmen. As a result of these and other forces that were at work it was decided by the Cayuses to exterminate the protestant missionaries in that country, and in order to make their destruction complete, they determined also to kill the whites of the other protestant missions east of the Cascade Mountains. To conduct successfully this general massacre of the whites, the Cayuses found it necessary to form alliances with all Indians affected by the missionary movement, and emissaries were sent to other tribes to urge their cooperation.
The Whitman Massacre. Hints from friendly Indians and the sulky manner of the hostiles convinced Doctor Whitman that treachery was intended. The sacrifice that Doctor and Mrs. Whitman had undergone in aiding the Indians was already so great that taken together with hostile threats, the Doctor and his wife at last realized that they had too long delayed their departure from the Waiilatpu Mission. On the afternoon of November 29, 1847, the Indians suddenly broke into the mission house and barbarously and treacherously killed Doctor and Mrs. Whitman and seven ​others. A few days later they massacred five more. They also took captive about fifty women and children of the
mission, and others temporarily there to be held for ransom as hostages to guarantee immunity from punishment by the whites as they claimed — though some were not intended to be released.
After the Whitman Massacre. Following the Whitman Massacre three urgent requests were made for immediate relief and protection for the whites. The first came to Vancouver from William McBean, of Fort Walla Walla, asking that a party be sent to ransom the prisoners; the second was from Alanson Hinman asking that an armed force be provided to protect the station at The Dalles; the third was made by Governor Abernethy who asked the Legislature for enough troops to capture the murderers of the Whitman Mission victims, and to subdue the warlike tribes.
The Mission Captives Ransomed. News of the Whitman massacre was sent by Agent William McBean, of Fort Walla Walla, to James Douglas, chief factor at Fort Vancouver. The authorities at Vancouver promptly notified ​Governor Abernethy; and Peter Skeen Ogden of the Hudson's Bay Company immediately departed for |he scene of the tragedy, his object being to rescue the women and children taken captive. On December 19th, he addressed the Cayuse chiefs at Fort Walla Walla, censuring them for permitting the murderous deed. After reminding them of the probable vengeance that would be visted upon them Ogden told the chiefs that his whites were traders and neutrals, who wished to buy the captives and prevent further trouble and bloodshed. Ogden made liberal presents to the chiefs and upon his threats the captives were released. Nine days later they arrived at Oregon City amidst much rejoicing.
"Oregon Rifles" Sent to The Dalles. Upon learning of the Whitman Massacre, Governor Abernethy, on December 6, sent to the legislature a message concerning the seriousness of conditions and also issued a call for volunteers. The same day a company of forty-five volunteers was organized in Oregon City for the purpose of protecting The Dalles, which at that season of the year was the "Pass of Thermopylae," through which the Cayuse Indians and their allies were compelled to go before entering the Willamette Valley. This company, which was the first military force organized for the protection of Oregon, was called the "Oregon Rifles"; because the members of the company furnished their own rifles and equipment.
A Regiment of Volunteers Organized. In accordance with the Legislative Acts of Dec. 8, 1847, a regiment of fourteen companies volunteered for the purpose of suppressing the troubles with the Cayuse Indians and their allies. Colonel Cornelius Gilliam was placed in command, and with fifty men reached The Dalles on the 23d of January, 1846, followed three days later by the remainder of the regiment. On the 27th Colonel Gilliam moved eastward toward Walla Walla.
March to the Enemy's Country. "Colonel Gilliam desired to press forward as rapidly as possible; for it was plainly evident that if the war was not carried to the Umatilla, the Willamette Valley might soon be molested. Also it was equally evident that to permit the murd^ets to escape would give the Cayuses confidence to commit further crimes. On February 25, the Cayuses and their allies from die north side of the river, fdt strong enough to force a battle. Their position was on the elevated sage-brush plains west of the Umatilla River; and their boast was *that the whites should never drink of its waters',"—H. S. Lyman.
Cayuse Chiefs Profess Wizard Powers. But the Cayuse Indians, who seemed imbued with some kind of sorcery, were deluded into the belief that the white man's gun could not kill their Chief Five Crows; and War Eagle, another chief of that tribe, stated that he could swallow all the bullets the whites might shoot at him. To prove that they were invulnerable, the medicine chiefs rode into open view of the volunteers and shot a little dog that ran to meet them. A well-aimed bullet from the rifle of Captain Thomas McKay crashed through the brain of War Eagle, while a load of buckshot from the gun of Lieutenant Charies McKay dis​abled Chief Five Crows so that he gave up the command of his warriors. Events like these proved disheartening to the Indians, many of whom had from the beginning shared only slight sympathy with their tribesmen.
Attacks and Skirmishes. After a battle of three hours, the Cayuse Indians retreated from the Umatilla to the Walla Walla River, where they learned that the Nez Perces had decided not to join them. They then began to realize that many of their own tribe were not in sympathy with the war against the whites. To add to their discouragement, Colonel Gilliam obtained the Hudson's Bay Company stores of ammunition at Fort Walla Walla, However, several vigorous attacks and lively skirmishes took place. At Touchct the Indians successfully disputed the further progress of the troops; but not knowing that they had won a victory, the Indians retreated across the Snake River where it was not practicable to pursue them. At this time, for various reasons, the troops were ordered to return down the Columbia, during which journey Colonel Gilliam was killed by the accidental discharge of a gun, and Colonel Henry A. G. Lee was chosen to succeed him.
End of the Cayuse War. The Cayuse Indians, having been reduced in rank and prestige and being discredited by their alfies, ostracized the murderers, who were finally captured on the John Day River by the Nez Perces, The prisoners were taken to Oregon City, where they received a fair trial lor murdering Doctor Whitman and eleven others at Whitman Mission; upon being found guilty by a jury and sentenced by the federal judge they were hanged by Joseph Meek, the U. S. Marshal, June 3, 1850. Thus ended the Cayuse War, which established authority over the Indians and gave the Americans prestige over the Hudson's Bay Company. Through the results of the Cayuse war the whites became more united, became more patriotic toward the American Government, and loyally combined against the common foe—the Indian.
​Why Marcus Whitman Was Famous. "After living in Oregon a number of years. Doctor Marcus Whitman discovered that the English were discouraging American emigrants from settling there, and were colonizing it with their countrymen. Late in 1842, he set out for Washington, D. C, and on arriving there in March, 1843, gave the government valuable information which led to extensive colonization on the part of the Americans, and in all probability kept Oregon from falling into the hands of the British."—(Harper's Encyclopedia of History). Other authorities, however, relate that his visit was solely to the mission board at Boston, in the interest of the Oregon Mission, over which the board had supervision.
​Oregonian Discovered Gold in California. "The discovery of gold in California one of the events which lifted the United States above all other nations, was made by James W. Marshall, who came to Oregon as a settler in 1844. Two years later he went to California. Soon he became the partner of Captain John A. Sutter, who had STATUE OF JAMES MARSHALL visited Oregon in 1839 and going to California had built Sutter's Fort on the present site of Sacramento City. Marshall was sent up from Sutter's Fort into the Sierra Nevada Mountains to select a site and build a saw mill. He chose the point at Coloma, on the south fork of the American River, and built the mill. After turning on the water January 24, 1848, he discovered in the tail race shining particles of gold which the water had washed from the sand. Two other Oregonians who had been employed by Marshall—Charles Bennett and Stephen Staats of Polk County—were called to look at the gold in the water and confirm the discovery."
Significance of Marshall's Gold Discovery The significance of the Gold Discovery in California by James W. Marshall, is described by Gaston as "one of the greatest industrial events of the world." In his history of Oregon, he adds,—"A careful survey of the whole field of enterprise, the commerce of the world, and the standard of living in the United States, will show that the discovery of ​gold wrought a greater change throughout the United States and the financial relations of this country to other nations than any other fact subsequent to the independence of the United States.
​Oregon Became a Territory. Various memorials had been sent to Congress requesting full recognition of the Oregon Territory by the United States Government. But slavery and other national questions delayed a favorable reply to the petitioners until August 13, 1848, at which time the measure was finally passed by Congress giving the Oregon Territory a government authority. Upon signing the bill, President Polk appointed General Joseph Lane governor of the Territory of Oregon, and Joseph Meek, who was thoroughly familiar with existing conditions in Oregon, was chosen United States Marshal.
who spent the summer of 1848 in Washington, D. C., as a delegate from the Provisional Government of Oregon.
Oregon School Lands Increased. First Territory to Obtain Each Thirty-sixth Section. While Congress was considering the advisability of extending territorial government over Oregon, various collateral questions arose, one of which was Government Aid to Schools as a Means of Education. In this connection "The Centennial History of Oregon" says:
"To Nathan Dane, of Massachusetts, who was a member of the Continental Congress from 1785 to 1787 is due the honor of framing the memorable ordinance of 1787 which organized the great northwest territory, prohibited slavery therein, and declared that schools as the means of education shall be forever encouraged." By a previous act of the same congress, and in pursuance of a contract made by the officers of the United States treasury with Rev. Manasseh Cutler and Winthrop Sargent, ​of the State of Connecticut, in October 1787, the sixteenth section of public land in each township in all states formed out of the northwest territory was devoted to the support of public schools.
In framing the art for the organization of Oregon territory, the thirty-sixth section of land in each township was added to the sixteenth for the support of public schools in Oregon, and every state organized since 1848 has thus been endowed.
* ↑ The late John Minto suggested the strange coincidence that the wolf should have been associated with the first government in Rome and with the first government of Oregon.
* ↑ "The genesis of American political government in the 'Oregon Country' dates from March 16, 1838, when a memorial, prepared by J. L. Whitcomb and thirty-five others, was forwarded to Washington, presented to Congress by Senator Linn on January 28, 1839, read and pigeonholed. A second memorial, signed by seventy Oregon settlers, was presented by Senator Linn in June, 1840, and suffered the same fate."
* ↑ Now "Tualatin."
* ↑ Now "Champoeg."
* ↑ Among those who were held as slaves in Oregon was Louis Southworth, (died in Corvallis 1917) who in 1855 had purchased his freedom from his master in Benton County for $1,000. Also in 1857, Reuben Shipley (colored) residing three miles west of Corvallis paid $400 (or $700) for his wife, who was claimed as a slave in Polk County, Oregon. "History of the Willamette Valley."
* ↑ History of the Pacific Northwest."
* ↑ George Abernethy was born in New York, Oct. 8, 1807. In 1840, he came to Oregon as a lay member of the Methodist mission and kept a store for a time in Oregon City. He served two terms as Provisional Governor, and died in Portland in 1877.
* ↑ The first wagon of this train to reach Oregon City was driven by Reuben Gant who died at Philomath, Oregon, in 1917 at the advanced age of 98 years.
* ↑ In 1851, a good crop of apples and cherries was harvested from these trees, and four bushels of apples were sold in San Francisco for $500.—Chapman's "Story of Oregon."
* ↑ The Fire as Viewed from Sea by Night. Night is supreme, but darkness will not come. The world's on fire. The forests are ablaze. Flames leaping skyward from the tallest trees, burst and vanish. Sparks soar and fall upon the bosom of a blood red sea. They dampen and die. Gigantic pines, fir, spruce and hemlocks fall in the flaming path. The red among the higher branches fades into the white and blinding furnace below. The roar and crackle carry far out to sea and warn the sailor. A hundred miles it runs along the Coast Range and the shore, the greatest fire chronicled in northwest history.—S. S. Harralson.
* ↑ Those without rifles and ammunition were supplied on their personal credit by Doctor McLoughlin, who hesitated to trust the Provisional Government because he lacked confidence in its financial stability. The "Oregon Rifles" went into camp at The Dalles, Dec. 21, 1847. The "Oregon Rifles" will not be mistaken for the "Rifle Regiment," which came to Oregon in 1849.
* ↑ Certain authorities claim that Charles Bennett was the real discoverer of gold at Sutter's Mill; but it is probable that history will indorse the verdict of California, which has honored Marshall with a memorial for discovering the gold.