Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-11-20

~ ~ III l'NN'NNipIl w vi ltlt lIlNidlIN-
They told us of the murder of Mr..
White while on his way home. As
they We're going around the edge of a
point of timber. he was walking by
the side of the cart holding the reins
when Mrs Stewart said: There is
an Indian now. He turned and
grabbed the barrel of the gun in
time to prevent the shot from hit
ting him. The report of the gun
! frightened the horse, which ran
away for home, leaving Mr.. White in
a desperate struggle with the Indian,
trying to get the gun and protect
! himself but before he could do that
eight more came out of the bushes.
He fought hard, for his body was
found 100 yards nearer home than
where he was first attacked. Mrs.
White, when she got home, wanted
the men to 90 to Mr. Whites aid,
but they knew it was too late, and
there were too many Indians. They
thought it best to start immediately
for Andrew Chambers place, where
they left the women and children.
got as many men together as they
could, and started for our place.
| l',,,,. ,,f tl,,,, ,.,,a;,al u.;tb ~. aD,l
the others went out to Capt. Ter
rcnS, returning in the morning,
when the most of them went the
road that Mr.. White had taken, to
get the body, and the rest of us took
Il shorter road through the timber.
All of us were walking except father
and my little sister. He also held
the extra guns ttor there were more
guns than mem, until we came To
the timber, when we halted and
planned what was best to do If In
dians should attack us while going
through the woods.
An Irishman, whose name | have
forgotten, had me, q child Of IL, walk
ing bv him carrying d tlintlock shot
gun, cooked, as he wanted it ready
and handy to use when his own dis
charged, so there would be no time
wasted before he could shoot again.
1t is Il wonder we got through that
timber without that gun going off
for neither looked at the gun OF
where | was walking, rs | was look
ing for Indians. We got through
without any alarm, and where we al
could breathe naturally again.
We stayed at the home of James
Pattison until the new fort was
ready to move into. 1t was never
finished. Mr., Pat.ison parents
and brothers were there, too. There
were Just twenty five of us, big and
little, occupying two rooms. There
were double hunks, one above the
other. In these cramped quarters,
Just three weeks after Mr.. White 5
death, father died. We lived in the
fort all summer. and there being no
more trouble with the Indians this
side of the mountains, there was 4
general move of families back to their
homes, and with the little they had
managed to save of their possessions
during the war, went to work to I'M
prove their homes and make living.
Long after the war was over, an
Indian of the party that killed Mr..
White, said that after sending the
one that he (Mr. White) had wound
ed of in the care of two of their
party. the rest of them rode over to
our place, intending to kill us. But
seeing so many women and children
in the yard, they thought there must
be men and that they were in the
house and would shoot them if they
came too near. Their riding to the
top of the hill was to see if their COM
radeS were all right. From this hill
there was fine view of the entire
prairie.
Gradually the settlers recovered
from the effects of the war and have
done their best to help the develop
ment of their chosen State. Yet the
newcomers call them mOss-backs. .
| wonder how much more they would
have done, with the hardShips to
contend with, than has the old
pioneer.
COMMANDER Perry is laying plans
| fnr fln South ,Nnln nftnr lp