The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-24
A TYPICAL PIONEER.
Isaac WOOlen'S Career as a
FOntiersman.
FOUGHTINDIANS IN ROGUE RIVER
He Led the Van of Immigration I'm
Illinois, California, Oregon and
Washington.

Isaac Wooden. who died at his residence
on Market street Friday. was a California
pioneer Of $50, and came TO oregon in
1852. He was an Indian fighter and scout
OF extended service In the Rogue river
war Of 1856.
Mr.. WOODEN was born on the eastern
shore Of MARYLAND in 1915. and was 4 pio-
neer OF Indiana and Illinois. arriving at
Quincy. in the latter state, at the age Of
p. Arriving in California in 1880. he fol-
lowed mining for two years and then came
north and built the first fathoat ever op-
Grated on the Columbia river. He ran it
for one season between The nalles and
Portland. Al that time the Indian trou-
hles. in which col. Granville q. Halter and
Lieut.. Phi sheridan were engaged. were
impending. and the peaceful relations
were rather forced. The business IF the
fathoat was principally in the conveyance
Of immigrants and their goods after their
arrival at The Dalles from a seasons
march across the Western wilds Of plain
and mountain.
y Pack Train Driver in the Wilds.
Nr. Wooden then began operating a
mule pack train from Portland - Jackson
county. or. and Yreks. cal HIS mulcs
racked in all ~ the machinery for 4 saw
mil. and at one time the doors 70 a huge
vault. These We're 50 large that they eN-
tended before the animals heads, and they
@|t' t1EttfffltFHA EF AFifA INV f4ft ~
= carry the loads.
His mules. when once laden with casks
81 whisky. were stolen by the indiana
ana driven into the mountains. Wooden
gave chase the following day. repulsing
the maraudars with severe loss, while ne
lost two mules.
Flour was 4 considerable part Of the
freight carried south and cost 81 a pound.
paid IN gold dust. knowing that the train
had the gold. some white highwaymen at
tempted holtup. but were repulsef
through the bravery Of the driver. who
was never bested TN an encounter Th.S,
however. caused Mr. WOODEN 70 take the
preCaut.on n riding ahead n the train
upon the next trin, and there was every
occasion for belief that an encounter vas
thus aVerted
scout I'm the Rogue River War.
The opening 81 hostuities IN the Rogue
river var found Mr WOODEN among The
first Of the volunteers. and while he was
never an officer he was always looked 20
as a leading spirit. and acting in the capa-
citv o. a scout with parties OF pioneer sol
diers drove manv a redskin to his death.
The whites were clustered for protection
in a stockade az GashurE. now called
Phoenix. but Mt. Woole1's fighting vas
done In the omen field: vet he never re-
ceive3 "A wound, one NIGHT he lay behind
s log till davbreak watching hostile In
dams. sni then "a the Indians proceeded
70 advance thev we're duly surprised and
routed ~ Wooden and his men.
Candy. Grant Sheridan ana Joe Lane
were indian fighters who were personally
wei-auosn 10 Isaac Wooden. and al that
time. for his deeds Of bravery. he was
hardly less known than they. Mr- Wooden
remained IN the Rogue river valley. taking
"A donation claim OF SO acres four miles
from Ashland. ". '. Riuehart was 4
participant II the Nodoc war. as was also
J.. * Baxter. and Mr.. Wooden was well
known 20 them both.
\ Pipneer in New seattle.
IN +S-5 SIR Wooden buiir a fine residence
/. Ashland = TsEaslLe4 taegs AaA -