Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1886-12-17
LIFE AT OLD FORT VANCOUVER.
Interesting "reminiscences of tn,
Early Days of Oregon.

Bancroft has given a graphic descrip
ton Of Fort Vancouver, the headquar-
tiers Of the Hudson Bay company il
what was known as the Oregon Terri
tory in times prior to American do
minion. In 1884 the United State:
and England held this region under
treaty of joint occupancy.
The fort was situated upon the north
bank OF the Columbia river, about six
miles above the mouth of the William
cite river. The country all around
was full of scenes of natures grandeur
beauty and loveliness. Snowy peaks
looked down upon the blue forests OF
the lower ranges, and the majestic riv-
cr rolled its waters through shores coy
cred with vcrdurc and shrubs bearing
flowers OF the brightest colors.
The fort was not formidable in ap-
appearance 1t consisted of strong
stockadc about twenty feet high, with
out bastions, embracing an area of
$50 by $50 yards. Within this enclos-
urc, around three sides, were ranged
the dwellings of the gentlemen in the
company's service. In the center,
facing the main entrance or great gate,
was the residence of DIR. John Me
Laughlin, the governor by courtesy of
the Hudson Bay company; Il French
Canadian structure, painted white,
with piazza and flower beds in front
and grapevines trained along Il rude
trcllis. The steps leading to the hall
OF the Governors house We're of horse
shoe form, and between the two flights
stood Il twcnty-four pound cannon
mounted on Il ships carriage. On
either side OF this were two mortar
guns, all with shot piled orderly about
them, but otherwise looking innocent
enough in their peaceful resting places.
There were no galleries around the
walls for sentinels, nor loop-holcs for
small arms; no appearance, in fact
indicating dangerous ncighborhood
Near the center of the enclosure
was the company's flagstaff, and every
thing about the place was orderly, neat
and business like. The magazine,
warehouses, store and shops were all
contained within the palisades, and
during the hours appointed for labor
every man attended to his duties,
whether as trader, clerk, smith, baker
or tailor.
\ bell, large enough for country
church, was supported by three stout
poles about twenty feet high, covered
with Il pointed roof to keep off the rain
This brazen monitor rang out at 5
o'clock in the morning, rousing the fur
riers, mechanics and farmers to their
tasks. At il announced breakfast; ut
8, work again, at II, dinner; at |, work !;
at 6, suspension of labor, and supper.
Saturdays work ended at 5, ut which
time the physician of the establish
ment served to the men their week 5
rations, consisting in winter OF eight
gallons of potatoes and eight salt sal
mon; and i'll summer of peas and tai
low, no bread or meat being allowed,
except occasionally The Indian ser
wants hunted and tished for additional
supplies. Nor WAS this unremitting
industry unnecessary. The manage
mcnt of the Hudson Bay company re-
quireG its posts to be self-supporting.
The extent Of territory they traded
over was immense, and the number of
their forts increased the demand for
such articles as could be produced only
in favorable localities. For instance
at Fort Vancouver the demand for
axes and hatchets for the trappers and
Indians required fifty of them to be
made daily. In addition to the manu-
factuIe of these, the smiths had plen-
ty to do in repairing farming tools and
milling machinery and making the
various articles required by commun-
ity OF several hundred people. The
carpenter, the turner and the tailor
were equally busy; two or three men
were constantly employed making
bread for the fort people and sca-bs-
cult for the coasting vessels. The furs
had to be beaten once Il week to drive
out the moths and dust. The clerk
had not only to keep accounts and
copy letters, but keep a journal of
every days affairs. Among so many
persons some were sure to be in the
hospital, and on these the best medical
care was bestowed. Though so far
from the world as to seem removed
from the worlds wants, Fort Vancou-
yer was no place for the indulgence of
poetic idleness.
On the farm Was Il Touring mill and
thrcshing machine, worked by oxen
or horses in the Arcadian way, yet
sufficient for the wants of all. A few
miles above the fort, on IA little stream
falling into the Columbia, stood saw
mill, cutting lumber enough during
the year to supply not only the fort
but to load one or two vessels for the
Hawaiian islands.