The morning call., 1892-08-06
INCIDENTS IN PIONEER LIFE.

In 1S45 my Parents came to the then small
town of Portland, Or, crossing the plains
in ox-wagons, the journey lasting nine
months and filled with hardships and peril
Our farm was situated IN 1amhlll. near
DAYTON. The farmers all about raised
wheat and fruit, and many lived on credit
year after year pledging their crops IN ad-
vance The country was wild and abound
ed in deer, bears, wolves, pantherS and wild
hog Indians, too, were frequent visitors,
and all were obliged TO treat them we'll, for
they perpetually feared an outbreak.
Ny sisters and myself were entirely demo-
cratic in our principles, so we played So
berry with tho little redskins, on terms Of
perfect equality. We soon learned to jab-
Der jaFgon with them, and they delighted to
deck our hair with the gayest feathers of
the grouse and pheasant. These head
feathers formed the greater part of the
clothing worn in summer by the boys.
/ shall never forget the first barbecue |
ever witnessed. My fathers cattle had
suddenly disappeared and no traces Of them
could be found. With suspicious prompt
ness an Indian visited us, and learning of
our loss offered to organize a party and
hunt for the missing animals; but my
father must give the searchers fat steer If
they were successful, as they wished TO
have big lat" We knew they had driven
the herd away but there was no aiterna-
tive, and my father assented with seeming
cheeTfuness.
Attic close of the next day the missing
cattle were driven up by Il mounted In
dians, who we're then allowed to select
fat OK. Which they killed at once. ana build
ing great fire, proceeded 10 roast II entire.
They camped near BY aud passed the time
10 sleep when not eating. when every
morsel Of meat was consumed they lett with
grunts Of approval and many proteStations
Of friendship.
A handsome and bright young squaw who
used TO visit Us, bringing baskets aud beaded
mocassns 20 sell or trade for cast-Of cloth
ing. was a favorite of my mother One
morning she came running to our cabin and
begged that We would hide her. Her father
had sold her TO an old blind Indian for 80
ponies; the purchaser had come TO claim his
bride and she ran away, but the savages
were on her track.
Dangerous as such a course would prove
if she were discovered, my parents could
not resist her pleading. She was secreted
between the mattresses Of bed, with her
face TO the wall that she might not smother.
The house doors we're left open and we all
went uncOnCernedly about our work.
Presently several Indians appeared,
headed by the enTaged father of the girl.
They were told that she had probably passed
there; they must come in and eat something
aRd my father loaded his gun and called up
his dogs 10 set on her track should they strike
u
Of any suspicion and they went on their
way.
After some days, when the search had
been abandoned as hopeless, my father gave
the girl letter 10 an old friend in Oregon
City. aud sent her there IN disguise In his
family she found shelter and work.
This occurred in the spring, and we had
almost forgotten the episode when, late in
the autumn, young squaw, gayly dressed,
and astr!de fine horse, rode up 10 orr door.
and, calling NY mother out, pointed proudly
10 the young buck who accompanied her
HE not bind!' she said with meaning:
and both laughed gayly.
In answer 10 my mothers questions the
girl explained that she bad found a scttor
willing and able 10 give the 30 ponies for
her. and they were on the way TO her father
with them.
''Are you not afraid of your fathers
aDgeT?" my mother asked.
The happy squaw laughed and replied
that be would be oyerj0yed TO see her, as the
ponies we've all he wanted. No one was
wronged but the old blind Indian, and She
was not sorry for him.
Not SO fortunate, however, was the next
girl who sought to make our house a refuge.
She was Oyertaken at the very door by
mounted Indians. Her father had sold her
TO stalwart young Indian, but as her affec-
lions were conferred On another, she fatty
refused to accompany him TO his Wigwam.
In vain did my mother counsel gsntleness
and persuasion, and my father advise CIV
Ing her time. According to Richardson,
Red human nature is like white human
nature, and when was lover known TO nesi-
tate? This one did not. The young woman
was very strong, and Ii required half a dozen
Indians to throw her across the back of a
FESTIVE horse ana tie her hands and feet to-
gether under his body. Meanwhile. she
screamed and fought. and many were the
kicks and thwacks bestowed upon tie
would-De bridegroom. He took it all in
good part, aud did not strike her In return
Indeed, no more violence was USED by apy
Of the Indians than was necessary TO ac-
complish their purpose. When at length
she was oyerIowered, the triumphant
Bridegroom grinned goOd-naturedly at his
brother bucks jeers at his Gisordered sp-
peRrenee. AS they mounted he led the pro-
cession, and we could hear the mems wells
of delight and the despaITiDg shrieks of the
luekless bride. until they were more than
mile away.
At this time Oregon City was mere ham,
let, containing one store where 'necessa-
Tles-such as whisky, tobacco, quinine and
squaW" eRlt3o-WeTe dispensed at exorbI-
tant prices. In the country bordering on
the Willamette the Indians pastured their
ponies Now the former hunting-ground of
the red men is dotted with towns and vii
lagos. and Portland Is a great metropolis.
goodly sight even to eyes accustomed TO the
splendors OF Boston or New York
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