Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1888-11-12
SAD REMINISCENCE.
The UnreeOrded Story Of an Oregon
Heroine.

| Few persons who reside in the
peaceful valleys of Oregon can
realize that only a short time since
within the memory of many an
old settler-these hills and wales
were populated with a race who
waged perpetual warfare with those
seeking new homes in this beauti-
ful land. One little incident may
revive the memory of many an old
settler and recount old scenes
that might otherwise be forever
lost. In August of 1855 a youth not
over sixteen years old was employed
by Mr.. Richard Forrest as mail
carrier on the route between Oak
land, Oregon, and Yreka, California.
This mail was carried every other
week or twenty-six trips per year.
One bright Tuesday morning this
youth left his night station at Le-
land, or Grave Creek, and started
for his next station which was near
Rock Point-there was but one post
Office in that distance, that Of Gold
river at the crossing of Rogue river.
He had crossed the divide from
Grave creek and entered the valley
of "Jump-of-JOe, " crossed that
stream and wound around among
the hills toward Louise creek where
the circumstance occurred that I
want to relate.
All the early pioneersettlers along
the road depended upon this mes
senger to deliver their mail, take
their letters to the Office and do
other errands, therefore they always
watched for his arrival and had
many good words and other favors
to give him and he in turn looked
upon them as his special friends.
He had just passed one house, after
pleasant greetings, when he was
surrounded by large number of
Indians who professed great friend
ship and warmly shook him by the
hand and at the same time tried to
drag him from his horse. He pulled
loose and went on until he came
to WagOner's house on Louise creek
where he detected another band of !
the redskins in the act of firing |
the building. They discov cred him
at about the same time and i'm
opened fire upon him.
He fled back to Harris place but !
was unable to reach the house as it
was surrounded by the first party he
had met and they showered the
bullets all about him, but he finally
and warned the citizens
pack along the road who nearly all
escaped to their fertilization. In
he Observation-Disclosures Mrs.
Her husband had left
home that morning to transact
ome business and left his wife alone
With "pet" Indian. This In dian
aw the others coming and told her
What they were doing. She inn
fastened the doors and
and prepared for a siege.
hey wanted her as a prisoner and t
nally set the house on fire thinking
hat would bring her out, but this
oor forsaken unprotected young
knowing her fate if captured I
the torture of the flames to 7
nat of the red devils bowling on the 5
ltside. This pet Indian told after 3
ard that the heroic woman, after ]
le house was fired, washed her g
zee, combed her hair before the 3
lirrOr and then sat down in her
'cking chair and sang until the i
nOke and flames suffocated her.
.er heroism and fortitude surprised r
lese savages and they tried to save
ar when too late. She was more
rtunate than some of her sister
eighbors captured that day whose .
nal time has not yet revealed.