The Nevada Democrat., 1861-01-08
OREGON IN EARLY TIMES.
AN INCIDENT AT wALLA wALLA.

1t may be proper to state, says the Port
land Advertiser, that the substance of this
sketch was published in journal of limited
circulation, some thirteen years ago. when
there were fewer people in Oregon than
now. The author of it, one of the editors
of this paper. hopes its republication now,
may not be without interest to the general
reader.
Fort Walla Walla which was destroyed
by the Indians in the war of 1885, was
among the earliest posts established west of
the Rocky Mountains by the Northwest
Company, and with the union of the two
companies it of course passed into the con-
troll of the Hudson's Bay Company. A.
Mckinley, Esq, then of the II. b. Company
now a citizen of Yamhill county, and much
esteemed by all who know him, was in
charge of Fort Walla Walla for several
years, and it is our present purpose to
speak of an exciting occurrence that took
place there during the period of his admin
istration of its affairs. The Indians around
this post, the Nez Perces, Cayuse, and Wal
la Wallas, were of brave and warlke
character, this latter feature has been con-
sderably softened however by their contact
with civilization. Still they are dstin-
guished for their courage, aud the Nez Per-
ces for some traits nobler than this. Mr..
Pamburn, the predecessor of Mr.. Mckinley.
had experienced some harsh treatment from
the Indians, having on one occasion been
overpowered aud bound by them in an en-
deavor to oblige him to give higher price
for their peltries, Ia which however they
failed, as Mr.. Pambrun's mental power
proved decidedly superior to his physical
strength.
1t was in the summer of I843, we believe
that young chief, the son of the principal
chief Of the Walla WalIas, one day entered
the Fort and appropriated to himself some
articles OF little value--a piece of wood. if
we mistake not, from lot of which. living
therein the Indians had been in the habit Of
taking pieces whenever they chose for the
purpose of making whip handles. The prac-
tice had been positively forbidden, as the
wood was OF particular kind and of ser.
vice to the company. 1t was in an expos-
tulatlon with the young chief, that young
MT. =, q clerk in the company's en-
ploy, received signal affront which occa-
Stoned rencounter, and the chastlsement
OF the lndlan. AT this time, there were
perhaps half dozen whites at the Fort, and
although the buildings were enclosed by
"stockades," yet there were no means of
e1ectually securing the entrances, the stock
ade was OF recent construction, and the
gates had not been made, nor were they un-
I'll year after. Consequently it was, com
paratlvely speaking, defenceless position.
lhus II was when on the next day, the In
dlans, some OF each tribe, crowded into the
establishment to revenge themselves in the
death OF Mr.. T. Talking could achieve
nothing, every consistent means was resort
ed to In vain to appease the turbulent null
tltude. The men belonging to the Fort
were at work in the field, even could their
presence have effected any good in the IS
sue. The Indians were brandishnp their
weapons and seemed to be fullv aware of
their superiority, and disposed to exercise il
IN summary manner. Already had Mr..
Mckinley suffered indgnities. and vonno
T was defending himself as well as he
was able, with his back against the wall
when by one of those brilliant and luckv
tnoughls' generally occasioned by great
emergencies, the whole appearance ofthngs
was changed, aud the object of the savages
deieated. 1t was at this juncture that Mr..
Mchlnley suddenly started from The crowd
that surrounded him, into the adjoining
room, the store room, seized upon a keg of
powder, steel and flint, returning. instant
y placed the keg in the centre of the room
and knocked in its bead--it was oil the
work OF a moment There he stood over
the opened keg Of powder with flint and
steel in either hand, and dense mass of
Indians around him.
NOW" said be, "kill him, If you will.'
pointing to p, "but that moment kin
you all! Two of US can die where there
are many braves to die with u.s.,
The proposed slaughter was on too extern
sye scale for the Indians panic seized
them they turned 10 dismay and rushed pre-
cipitately from the house. Thus. bv nres-
ence Of mind and cool determination was
the cifusion Of blood prevented, and the au-
thoruy of Mr.. Mckinley as chief of the most
greatly augmented. 1t is needless to state
Inat Glnerences were soon adjusted to the
satisfaction of all concerned.
STATISTICS 90 TO DFova that zoo =; ,,.I