The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-10-21

started for Texas, One day while
overton was travelling along 4
lonely road he was pursued by In
dians. In order to escape them he
drove his pony over steep precipice
and both rider and pony were dashed
to death.
The winter of lS44-1Si5 was spent
in Oregon City, At that time the one
store was owned by the Hudson's Bay
Co. Gov. Abernethy owned -four mill
the capacity of which was rather
limited. That winter Mr., Writ
wanted to get an extra sack of flour,
and upon his request for 1t Gov,
Abernethy replied, Your neighbor
must have -four as well as yourself"
In the spring of the same year
| (lS45) Mr.. Writ moved to Clatsop
Plains and took up a donation land
claim. Upon the discovery Of gold
In California he went in c
small sailing vessel, with several
other men. the trip lasting sixteen
days, to the mines and remained sew
eral months. making considerable
sum in mining. running ferry boat
and in other ways. A short time
after his return home his wife died,
leaving him with the care of Ave small
children In new and sparsely settled
country. In 1850 he married Lusa
Kimball. who is now "A years of age
and in feeble health,
Mr.. and Mrs Writ still live
at their home, which was built
at Skipanon in 1850 at great
expense of time, labor and mon
ey. The house. two story
frame structure, required one whole
year to build, Mr.. Writ and a man
by the name of Walker being en-
ployed all the time. The lumber
which was used in its construction
was brought from a mill at Seaside |
and was then dressed by hand. and
cost SIS per thousand feet. The
bricks used to build the chimney |
were brought around the Horn and
cost $50 per thousand. The lime was
brought from Oregon City in sail
boat and cost 50 per barrel, and the
man who built the chimney was
paid s75 for his labor.
Beef in 1s45 brought seven cents
per pound on foot. Two years later
dressed beef brought 25 cents per
pound. The hides were tanned and
each farmer was his own shoe
maker. While crossing the plains the
party which Mr.. Writ was with was
twice surrounded by Indians in the
most dangerous places along the
route. In order to escape them they
formed barricade with their wagons
and as they possessed rifles the In
dams, having only bows and arrows,
concluded that the white men were
too smart for them and so left in dis
gust.
Another interesting incident Of the
trip was an immense herd of buffa-
loes which required an hours time to
pass In front of the emigrant train.
Three of the members of the party
hunted buffaloes. killing seven. The
meat was hung on the wagons to dry
and was used for food for the re-
mainder of the trip. Antelope were
also very plentiful along the route.
Mr. Writ being a fine shot was al
ways able to get his full share. of
whatever game was to be had. One
night in rounding up the cattle it
was found that an immense buffalo
had become separated from the nerd
and had made himself at home with
the cattle. After considerable effort
his lordship was finally killed, and
later was eaten.
Mr.. Writ has five sons and three
living, with several grand
children and great grand children.
The sons are Andrew Writ of Oyster
Vile, Morse Writ of San Francisco,
John Writ of Astoria, o. B. Writ OF
Portland, and Phillip Writ, now In