Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-02-15

gon country. AT that meeting on the
memorable second of May, that the
"Bostons," the American settlers we're
termed by the Indians and the French,
won out against the opposing strength
of all the FIR ynch Canadians whom
the Hudson Bay company could col.
lect to vote against the proposition.
Every old pioneer loves to recite
the story of that meeting and the
manner in which the voting was car
ried on. To the present resident of
Oregon It is humorous and at the
same time inspires a spirit of loyalty
to those brave pioneers. The history
of this meeting as recited by the his.
torian Gray is as follows
"The second of May, the day fixed
by the committee of twelve to or
ganize a settlers government, was
close at hand. The Indians had all
learned that the "Bostons" were go.
ing to have a big meeting, and they
also knew that the English and
French were going to meet with them,
to oppose what the 'Bostons' were GO
ing to do The Hudson Bay company
had drilled and trained their voters
for the occasion under the Rev. +. N.
Blanchet and they were promptly on
the ground in the open field near a
small house (near Willamette Falls)
to tho amusement of every American
present, trained to vote mo- to every
motion put; no matter, if to carry
their point they should have voted
yes it was mo- LeBreton had in
formed the committee and the Amerl.
cans generally that this would be the
course pursued according to instruc.
tions, hence our motions were made
to test their knowledge of what we
expected was the case. The priest
was not prepared for our manner of
meeting them, and as the records
show, considerable confusion was ex.
existing in consequence. By this time
we had counted votes, says LeBerton.
We can risk It; let us divide and
count
Second the notion says Gray.
"'Whos for divide?" sang out old
Joe Meek as he stepped out. All for
the report Of the committee and OF.
uauization follovy mo
"'This was so sudden and unex-
pected that the priest and his voters
did not know what to do, but every
American was soon in line. LeBerton
and Gray passed the line and counted
SO Americans and but so French and
Hudson Bay company men. They an
nounced the count-52 for, and so
against
""Three cheers for our slde,' sang
out old Joe Meeks, and not one of
those old veteran mountain voices was
lacking in that shout for liberty.
They were given with a will and in
few seconds the chairman, Judge 1.
L. Babcock, called the MEETING TO
order, when the priest and his band
had skunk away into the corners
of the fences and in a short time
mounted their horses and left"
The result Of the meeting was the
organization Of the "Wolf govern.
ment," a triumvirate instead Of a
governor being at the head Of the
organization. The officers were as
follows
Executive Committee, (since the
wolf governors) David Hill, Alason
Beers and Joseph Gale.
Supreme Judge-A. e. Wilson.
Clerk or Recorder-George w.
LeBerton.
Sheriff-Joseph L. Meeks.
Treasurer-W. H. Wilson.
Legislative Committee-David Hill,
Robert Shortess. DR.. Robert Newell,
Alanso Beers, Thomas Hubbard. w.
H. Gray, James ONeil, Robert Moore
and William Daugherty.
This was the outcome OF the wolf
meeting called sixty-one years ago by
the white American settlers OF the
Willamette Valley.