The San Francisco call., 1908-07-19
By Col. William Thompson

- HE race OF pioneers that con-
ouered the western wilderness is
fast disappearing and soon the
clods Of the valley viii cover the
last OF that noble band. The writer
recently net one of these. Captain Ivan
D. Appelgate. who for length OF service,
the number of battles in which he has
been engaged and knowledge Of Indian
warfare. history and traditions OF the
Paeicc coast tribes is perhaps un-
eoua,ed By any living American.
Captain Appelgate says his first rec
objection Of life is of the day when he
cling 70 the tattered garments OF his
mother as they wended their weary
way. barcrooted ana hungry down the
Colun,bic river in the fall Of lS4e. He
was then child OF three years. His
elder brother, together with three
others. was carried down in the great
whirlpool o.. the Columbia. They were
deseendirS the river in Indian canoes
and with them wlS lost provisions and
all Of their earthly possessions.
Captain Appelgste's father with a
goodly company had "outspanned" his
oxen in Missouri in the spring of 1876
and struck out bundly in search OF the
Oregon" over lofty mountains, the
backbone of the continent, across
grassy plains. alkan deserts and vast
stretches OF dun sagehrush plains,
they had arrived at The Dalles in the
fall The accident in the whirlpool of
fha COOS, ,-r-.- r~oT,-,1,s. hos raf+ tl,a
family destitute. After almost incred-
ibIe hardships and suGerings they
reached the Hudson bay post at Van
couver. DR.. John Mclaughlin was then
British governor Of the Oregon" and
with characteristic hospitality hos
pitality for which the Oregon pioneers
Will forever hold his name in grateful
remembrance-he relieved the wants of
the destitute immigrants. The ground
upon which Portland and Seattle now
stand was then prineval wilderness,
and Yerba Buena, the site of the pres
ent proud city of San Francisco. was a
Spanish village. scattered among the
sand hills.
Captain Appelgate received q fair
education in the log schooIhouses Of the
early days. He first saw service in
Indian warfare during the long and
bloody wars in southern Oregon, join
Ing the volunteers at the age of Il
He participated in the memorable battle
Of Hungry hiil where the dragons of
General A. J. Smith. of Red river fame
during the civil war. were saved from.
snnihilation by the velor of the pioneer
soldiers.
From War to School
With tho close Of the Rogue river
war he returned to the log schooIhouse
during the winter and with other
volunteers from the farms and mines
OF Jackson county acted as escort TO
immigrant trains through the dread
Modoc country during the summer and
fall On one occasion his company
found q train surrounded and hard
pressed by the savages. Though few
in numbers they were not the men to
falter. These hardy pioneers never hesf-
fated in the face OF danger, nor did
they serve for pay. Forming in line
they simply rode over and through the
ring Of savages amid shower Of ar
rows and Joined the immigrants just in
time to save them from massacre.
In 1863 Captain Appelgate was an
pointed captain Of United States vol
unteers and served through the In
dian wars in Idaho. eastern Oregon
and northern Nevada. His campaigns
there were characterized by battles
and hardships OF which the men of To-
DAY know little and perhaps care less.
Previous 70 this he served as chief of
the Indian scouts IN an expedition
against the Piutes and Bannocks. The
above photograph represents him with
war bonnet and paint, ready TO lead
his warriors to battle. The white
marks on his face were placed there
by great medicine man TO ward off
the bullets and arrows Of their foes.
He permitted It in order to give conf
oence and assurance to his dusky SOL
diers. He possessed wonderful in
nuence over the Indians. his quiet. re-
served manner. keen sense OF justice
and unquestioned bravery winning the