The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1889-04-25

The following from the pen OF a
pioneer of 1840-41, will be read with
interest. 1t is verbatim narrative
and relates many historic remin.
iscenses not previously published.
Through the courtes Y of Hon. Bin.
ger Hermann THE Historian is able
to lay the story before its readers:
HoUsToN, Texas, Feb. IA 1889.
Hon, BingeT Hermann, Congress
SiOnal Representatives Of Oregon.
HoNoRED SIR;
Your correspondent was for some
time resident of Oregon, and did
some deeds worthy of remembrance,
having often imperiled my life for
the sake Of others. In 1910, in the
month of May I arrived on the Co.
lumbia river as a missionary, and pro-
ceeded to the Willamette and pro-
ceeded at once to put up a sawmill,
where now the city of Salem stands,
it was at that date eight miles in ad-
vance of the settlement The mill
was the first house built, and became
the pioneer of civilization.
I then went to the mouth of the
river within a mile of the sea; first
settled on Clatsop plains, or prairies
as they are more appropriately named.
There were two of us, Mr.. /. H. Frost,
and your correspondent. Through
fear we left our wives with Mrs. Bir-
ney, at Fort George, which is by
Americans called Astoria. We reached
the prairies by way of Young's bay,
Scapanowan river, then SO called.
We passed the woodland and swamp,
and camped in the prairie, and spent
the night without discovery. At
early day light, the tribes were all at
their winter quarters ten miles south,
our camp fire led to our discovery
the white mans smoke rises up in an
umbrella shape, which is not the case
with an Indians fire, he makes his
fire entirely Of dry stuff which makes
light scattering smoke. We moved
northward three miles to the bend of
the stream and pitched our tent, and
at once commenced to dig well
about forty feet from the stream, and
had reached the depth of little over
five feet, when my colleague looking
south beheld the tribe armed and
equipped for bloody work, which they
were not strangers to. We at once
put our dishes in trunk and hid all
from the curious eye, and lashed up
our tent and stood in front, and when
they were within forty yards of us we.
STOOD FIRMLY AND UNDAUNTED.
And patted our hearts, saying, ''Nika
tumtum klash copa mesika" Then
the chief Kotati, patted his heart and
all the armed braves sat down with
their guns crossing their laps. I then
proceeded to acquaint them with our
design, and soon effected treaty.
They spent the night with us in
their tents, which they brought with
them, and in the morning returned to
their winter quarters. The chief
looked upon us as new race, and
favored us with five strong men to
carry our timber out of the woods
to build our cabin, and with their
assistance we, in one week, reared our
cabin, up to the plates, and released
our helpers with presents which
pleased them. After living here
few months we concluded to move
up to the river shore, about six miles
north. All this was venturesno one
could have supposed to be possible.
The unexpected good treatment
encouraged our wives to take up their
abode with us as soon as the roof was
on the cabin spoken of above. My
wife had been badly thrown by a
run away horse and greatly injured,
so that we had TO carry her in a chair
lashed to two poles supported by
straps over our shoulders. The effort
was mighty one, and withall we had
to leave our bedding in the cabin,
until we could return. But after
leaving the prairie and passing along
the sea shore, for two miles we met
about a dozen natives who never
witnessed such a scene before, aud
knowing how good name the five
mentioned above gave of us, four of
them offered to do the Office l was
doing and the rest went back with me
and brought out our bedding
and other things much needed.
On the arrival of Mr.. Frost and son
with my wife; the chief now re-
turned to Point Adams at the mouth
of the river, he and his wife ran out
their best canoe and manned it
WITH THEIR MOST TRUsTY MEN
And sent all up the river at high tide
and did the same for me when 1
arrived with my bedding and wares,
for which compensated him to his
satisfaction. Ny wife gave the chiefs
wife Scotch plaid dress that was
greatly appreciated.
We had built on the shore a double
log cabin with side leans. And here
we lived when the Peacock was
wrecked.
A short time before the arrival OF
the exploring expedition-there was
war on the north side of the Columbia
river. The field was from Bakers
bay to Pillar rock. For three months
the roar Of guns was heard from the
shore where I lived, @ distance Of
about four miles. I saw that this
might lead to trouble with the COM
ing strangers, I therefore hazarded
my life one whole day between the
conflicting parties, The picture was
sad, but l tainted not atdthe peril If I
might secure peace, and did effectually
stop it, and secured the friendship of
the tribes for my fellow countrymen,
while engaged in their surveys.
One Sunday in July, 1841, I was
preaching in the village at Tanzy
point, little after IL A. M, a native