The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-12-21
A Pioneers Lie History.

"Uncle" Jesse Ferguson, tor over
half century a resident of Thurston
county, during most all of which time
he occupied the same home, died on
his place on Bush prairie at $50
o'clock Sunday morning. The death
of Jesse Ferguson is of particular note
from the fact that he was among the
first party of white settlers to take up
their homes north of the Columbia
river and from the further fact that
but three of that famous party now
survive. Mr.. Ferguson had been fail
ing for several weeks past. His mind
was clear until the end, which came
peacefully to the old pioneer. lis
death was due primarily, to old age,
deceased being 76 years old when the
summons came.
Jesse Ferguson was born near San
dusky, Ohio, May 6, 1924 He was
one of IL children. When Jesse was a
young man his parents emigrated first
to Illinois and later to Savannah,
Missouri. On May Is, 1874, in COM
panY with the party of which Michael
Simmons was the captain, Jesse started
across the plains bound for Oregon
Territory. They had considerable
trouble with the Indians enroute but
all of the party escaped with their
lives. With the Simmons party were
besides Mr.. Ferguson, David Kindred,
James McAllister, Gabriel Jones and
George Bush, the latter the father of
NO., J. T., and III. S. Bush. The
three latter are now the only surviv-
ing members of that party, the first
actual white settlers of what, is now
the state of Washington. The party
| first came to The Dalles, and later on
their way to Oregon City passed a
dense forest where Portland now stands.
At Oregon City they remained nine
months and then went to Washougal,
above Vancouver. Then they came to
this county, the time of their arrival
being the fall of 1S45. They settled
first at what was later New Market
and still later Tumwater, and the men
OF the company went to work for the
Hudson Bay company makingshlngles.
Shortly after his arrival Mr.. Ferguson
settled on 800 acres of land on Bush
prairie about four miles south of this
city, upon which claim he died Sun
day last In 1S49 he followed numer-
GUS gold-seekers to California, but re-
manned only a short time, when he
came back to work upon his claim
here. During the winter of 1851 he
joined the Inflated party which took
prssage on the sloop Georgiana which
was later wrecked on the coast of
Queen Charlotte island, B. C. The
members of this party, it will be re-
called, were captured by the Indians
on the island and held in captivity 81
days, and in order to secure their re-
lease it was necessary to ransom them,
the Indians being given 500 worth of
to secure the freedom of the miners.
This experience, to quote Mr.. Fergu-
son, cured the gold fever and he re-
turned to his ranch to spend the rest
of his days. During the Indian war
OF 1906 Mr.. Ferguson refused to
come into Olympia and gain the secur-
ity Of the famous stockade, but built a
blockhouse on his farm and sought
safety there when necessary.
On May 20, 1853, Mr.. Ferguson was
married to Miss Margaret Jane Rut-
ledge, who shared his hardships until
1861, when she died. From that time
until his death he resided with some
of his children. Six children were
born to them, four of whom are now
living. David S. Ferguson, who re-
sides on the old homestead: Samuel
Ferguson living at Little Rock; Mrs.
Sarah ]. Lee, who resides on the old
place, and Mrs. Annie Callow, of New
Kamilche.
Mr.. Ferguson was d man of retiring
disposition, who never desired to nor
held Office and enjoyed the respect OF
all who knew him. The funeral will
be held from the home of halt cen.
tury ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
Brave Men Fall
Victims to stomach, liver and kid.