Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1869-01-02
"reminiscences of Early Life in Oregon,

"reminiscences of Early Life in Oregon.
A correspondent writing over the sigma
turc of can Oregonian," in the Albany
Register. gives the following incidents of
pioneer life. Everything relating to the
early settlement of the northwestern coast,
possesses a peculiar interest for those idcn-
tilted with its progress, and serves to illus
trate the wonderfully rapid strides VIC are
making in reclaiming land that was but
few years ago the home Of the savage:
Twcuty-f9ur years have passed, and many
thrilling incidents and laughable anecdotes
still lingcr in mcmory's grasp; in the days
when log cabins and leather breeches were
the style; when wagoncovcrs and tents were
worked into clothing; when seven yards Of
"bit" calico was sufficient for Sunday dress
for the most fastidious lady, and when We
could bounce into "two-ox" wagon, and
drive from three to seven miles to "meet-
ing" to hear the pioneer preacher as he un-
folded, without affectation, the plan Of sal
vatiOn.
l remember on one occasion when there
was to be preaching at Mr.. -. The
ncghbors came in for miles around. The
young men came at full speed, mounted on
Cayusc ponies, without saddles, and ropes
(made Of horse hair) for brides; others
came on foot, in some instances carrying
theft rifles on their shoulders; some
came in wagons drawn by oxen,
with the entire family. These various
modes Of lOcomotiOn were then too common
to attract unusual attention. Soon after
the congregation had assembled, the eyes
of the whole assemblagc were suddenly
turned toward two young men who were
rapidly approaching the house on foot
As they entered the house you could see
old men and young ladies, young men and
matrons, gaping and staring at them in
opcn-eycd wonder, as if they had just
dropped from the moon. Even the preach
cr, with all his reverence for the place,
day and occasion, could not refrain from
scrutinizing them closely from head to
foot. You arc ready to ask, what was the
matter. Why, matter enough! They
were dressed; had on "bilcd" shirts and
broadcloth coats and pants-thc first that
had been seen in that part Of Oregon. For
weeks after, the principal topic of convcr.
sation was about tho two Mr.. P.'s and their
"Sunday clothes"
A very amusing incident occurred in the
winter Of '45, which will explain the lux.
ury Of the prmative style. Mr.. q. very
amiablc man. who like everybody else,
dressed in the common product of the
country, buckskin, and had been all one
day on the hunt Of his pony, which he had
trailcd from French Prairie to some point
in Polk county. lie had been compelled
to cross sloughs and creeks from knee deep
to almost swimming, 80 that his clothing
were thoroughly soaked. Night coming on,
he stopped with an old acquaintance living
on the Lockleall-Mr. d. A cheerful fire
was soon kindlcd, and after supper several
hours were spent in social converse, dur
ing which time Mr.. G.'s pants had become
thoroughly dry. Mrs. D. at length an
nounced that the bed was ready, and as
Mr.. G. had tramped all day he must
be weary and needing rest. Mr.. G. appa-
rertly not needing the first invitation to
retire, Mrs. d. again informed him that
his bed was ready. All this time Mr.. G..
was. revolving the question over in his
mind, how he was 70 got his buckskins of,
as they had dried tight to the skin. See.
ing that he must do something, and that
soon, he watched favorable opportunity,
slipped out of doors, went TO the creek and
plunged in, and soon had his pants in a
rliable condition that admitted Of their
being taken off. He then went back to
the house and fStiTtd 70 rest, bit took
good care to hang his bGckskins where
they wouldn't dry out leaving him In 8
still worse fix in the morning.
The Indians were troublesome at timss,
and resistance was necessary TO keep them
from committing robberies. There were
among the early pioneers heroic females
who could aud often did use tho rife 70
defend their children and property from
the assaults Of the wild savage. IL IL fall
Of As, two Indians attempted to rob tho
house Of Mr.. j. during his absence at the
mill, some twenty-five miles distant, whore
hc, with an OK team, had gone 70 get .
supply Of breadstuff, leaving his wife alone
with three small children. Mrs. j. was
one Of those resolute women who was a6.
customed to the perils and privationy Of
pioneer life, and could use the rife or pistol
as occasions might require. The Indians
came up, dismounted, and tnceremoniously
entered the house, wltSx they declared
their intention 70 rob tile premises; one Of
thom drawing hugo knife, and brandish-
ing it over his head threatened to kill them
all and burn the house, If resistance was
offered. One Of the Indians commenced
operations ky mounting ladder and 60
ing up into the "loh," where he COM
meuced ovcrhauling the icers, when Mis-.
j., nothing daunted BY thir threats, reach
ing Under the pillow on the bed standing
near at hand, drew therefrom largo holster
pistol, which she deliberately cooked sdd
pointing it toward the Indians ordered them
to Aiac clataca or she would kill them.
L. IL Al - =