Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1897-03-18
Pioneer Sketches.

!on aesuaired of for two weeks dur-
been u ;ah time he suffered severely,
,ns aaugreen resulting from erssip'
IT," ;. ,be foot. He was born on the
~ 81 II February, 1918, on the Atlantic
81" " aboard the American ship
vss' of which his father was mas
The early years of his life were
~'' in travel He visited nearly
VERY civilized country on the globe
e,s' ... a millright and mechanic rs
-s,, AS practical sailor and worked
.." ,r.de in many countries. We
w.. record, of mills built by him IN
Sn.,p and in China in the latter place
Ave stamp quartz mil.
:, 1910 he was on the eastern sea
... when he contracted the prevail
IT,. desire to 20 to California. An op'
,m,tuuity presented itself i" ship
~, Law at anchor condemned for tae
aeon that it was infected with yellow
~v.r He secured this from the
svner secured cargo and sailed for
c.,;fornia around the Horn. He ar
,;vpd in Golden Gate harbor when the
.od fever ran highest. Capt.
w;,,,ams' crew deserted him and soon
10 deserted the ship and left it
anchored in the bay.
He WAS then launched upon the
career of pioneer. He followed the
f,rtunes of tie gold camps devoting
bis time chiefly to the work OF engi.
ueeripg and building mills and ma
chinery of many kinds. Between
,asO and 1862 he followed the trade Of
mi,lright and contractor very devoted
~ and faithfully. He built ut last one
mill for himself ut Kerbyville, Oregon
which was destroyed by fire IN 1857.
In this fire he lost some valuable
papers and among them the title to
Spsuish land grant which loss occa-
stoned later visit to ST ain in vain
effort to repair his loss.
In all be built thirty-four -four mills
on the Pacific coast, the one ut Lapwai
which he built for the government
IN 1862 being the last.
In June 1853 while Capt. Williams
was engaged in mining and mechani-
cal work in Southern Oregon the Rogue
River Indians became so troublesome
that war was declared against them.
This tribe was the most murdeious,
treacherous and at the same time
bravest Indians OH the Pacific coast.
They are supposed to have committed
thousand murders between the year
Of 1850 and 1856. 1t was iii the eX-
citing times when the mines of that
country were in their glory aiiG people
were reckless of life as we'll as property.
The country was most favorable fol
Indian depredations; and the bleached'
bones of the unfortunate were strewn
unnamed throughout n vast district.
Finally the miners left their shOvels
ana their slulces and began war of
determination. Capt. Williams dis
tinguished himself at the battle of
Evans Creek where Gen. Lane was
wounded. He supported a cavalry
charge with his company OF infantry
under fearful rire his men following
him encouraged by the confidence he
inspired. He was instrumental in
effecting treaty with this fierce tribe
and they were placed upon the Table
Rock reservation in charge of Capt,
now Gen. A. ]. Smith of Washington,
u. e., retired officer. He went back
to bis work on Apologize creek. The
Indians grew restless again and in
1855 broke out into open warfare.
Capt. Williams mustered the first
company for this war and was second
70 report to the Governor for service.
company b Of Oregon Volunteers
with Capt. NJ. M. Williams ut the
head was the most active in the battles
OF Table Rock. Applegate Creek, Slate
creek, Hungry Hill aud Meadows.
Al the later place the Indians surren-
uered and the most powerful tribe on
the coast was broken up. They were
removed to distant reservations aud
are now almost extinct. Old John the
Chief and general of tie tribe was taken
" steamer to California aud died at
henicis. He never became reconciled,
out was beIligerent to the end. On the
"ean voyage to the military prison he
vas released from the shackles. He
'ecared ca pstan lever and began Wig.
s'ous battle with the guard aud ships
0'ew' He was with difficulty over
lowered and placed in irons. He said
ne had two Of his warriors he would
capture the "big canoe and go back
to his people.
Az incidents Of this war it may be
related that Capt. Williams was twice
Wounded. While leading u charge at
.sole Rock In VAIN effort 10 dislodge