The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-05-23
CHAPTER XVI.
The Debated Country.

ohiAhNNf N'NN'iF~'t'
Our army OF peaceful occupation t
scattered along the more fertile parts /
of the land, principally among the
valleys. OF course, II should not be |
forgotten that what was then called \
Oregon meant all Of what now Is en-.
| braced in Oregon. Washington and
Idaho, with part of Wyoming as we'll, !
ii extended south 70 tho Mexican pos /
sessions Of California How far north
II was TO run. It was my errand here
1 to learn
| settled near the mouth Of the WI
lamette river near Oregon City, and
not far from where the city Of Port
land later was begun: and builded for
myself o. little cabin Of two rooms,
/ with connecting roof This | fur
nished, as did my nelghbprs their
| similar abode, with ia table made o.
hewed puneheons, chairs sawed from
| blocks n bed framed flom poles, on
| which lay rude mattress Of husks
and straw,
| From the eastern states | scarcely
could now hear in less than year,
for another wagon train could not
start west from the Missouri until the
following spring. We could only
guess how events were going forward
in our diplomacy.
The mild winter wore away, and
learned little. Spring came, aud stu
no word Of any land expedition out OF
Canada We and the Hudson bay
folk stIll dwelt In peace. Tho flowers
began to bloom In the wild meads.
and the horses fattened on their ma
tive pastures
Summer came on. The fields began
to whiten with the ripcnlng grain,
grew uneasy, feeling myself only an
idler In q land so able to fend for
itself now was much disposed to
discuss means OF getting back over
the long trail TO the eastward to
carry the news that Oregon was ours
II was at this time that there occurred
Z a startling and decisive event
was on my way on canoo yoy-
are Nh the wide Columbia, not far
above the point where 1t receives It's
greatest lower tributary, the VII.
lamette, when all at once | heard the
sound OF a cannon shot. ! turned to
see the cloud OF blue smoke stil hang
ing over the surface of the wator
/ Slowly there swung into view an
ocean.going vessel under steam and
auxiliary canvas. She made D gal
liant spectacle But whose shin was
i she? examined her colors anxiouslN
IL enough. | caught the import OF hei
il ensign. She flew the British Unior
/, Jack!
{ England had won the race by stal
8 Something of the ships outline
ID seemed to me familiar. ! know thu
a set OF her short masts, the pitch o
A. her smoke.stacks, the number Of he
' guns. Yes, she was the Modesto q
y the English navy-the same shi
which more than a year before ha
II seen at anchor OF Montreal,
y News travels fast In wild countries
l anu IL lOOk US liflif ilitG w iANth ~
= destination of the Modesto. She cam
i to anchor above Oregon City. and we
!" below Fort Vancouver. At once. {
(" course, her officers made formal cal
i upon Or. Mclaughlin, the factor
Fort Vancouver. and accepted head
i the British elements whereabouts, T~
ol weeks passed in rumora and count'
lis rumors. and vastly dangerous te
on sion existed in all the American ee
he Elements, because word was spfef
ex- that England had sent ship 10 on
he u.s. Then came 10 myself and ccrta
me others at Oregon City messenge
ln from pescelovlng DR. McLaughl'
mlp ny asking us to Join him IN q little Gel
" bration In honor Of the arrival OF b
M n,ajesty's vessel
,he Here at last was news; but II W
me news not wholly TO my liking which
be- soon unearthed The Modesto "
for but one ship OF 49, A feet Of IS "
on sells. 400 guns. then lay In Puget sour
hat The watch.dogs of Great Britain We
flr az our doors This question of M
''ea archy and the republic was not !
settled. after ALL
pass the story OF the banquet
80 Fort Vancouver. because It is
80 pleasant to recite the difficulties o.
b. kindly host who finds himself "
M iarring elements at his board. Y
gm. oisely this was the situation Of VIII
and naired DR. Mclaughlin of Fort V
couver. n WAS an incongruous
ioh- sembly in the first place. The oilc
lers OF the British navy attended IN
ihf splendor OF their uniforms. glitter
ana in braid and gold. Even Or. McIau
NV lin made brave display, as was
:" wont. in his regalIa OF dark blue cl
- and shining buttons--his noble
tso, lures and long. snow white hair
,an king him the most lordly figure
M them all. AS for Us Americans. !
enc and brown, with hands Hardened
who toll. our wardrobes scattered owe
the thousand miles OF trail, bucks
ms tunies made our coats. and moccai
ian's our boots. haze seen some nc
gentlemen so clad in my day
very II was as may be supposed. late
'eu' the night when our somewhat disc
- ant banqueting party broke up.
''epe were all housed. as was the hospiti
fashion Of the Country, In the scatts