East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1913-09-11

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Such is the history of this lady with
whom this story is concerned Since
1887 she has lived in Oregon, most of
that time in Pendleton. Before com
ing to this state she was three years
in California. She came west shortly
after the first transcontinental rail-
road was finished
Born i'm Maine.
This lady was born in Leeds, Maine.
so miles from Portland She comes
OF straight Puritan stock, her peo-
pie having intermarried with the May
flower voyagers. the Aldens and the
Brewsters. General Howard was
born but a short distance from her
birthplace
The old homestead In Leeds is still
occupied by members of the family
and each year a reunion is held.
Mark Lathrope. one of the old New
England pioneers, was relative. He
was born in Bridgewater. Massa-
chusetts. and her family are jes-
cendents from him. In 1643 he came
to New England. He lived to be 80
years of age One day, so the story
is told, he mounted his horse and rode
TO Leeds. There was nothing sur
prising in this but on the occasion 1t
happened that Mr.. Lathrope was in
his 90th year. He kept his vigor to
the very last He was a major in
Colonel Crafts regiment when Wash
ington took command of the conti-
mental army. The stories he would
tell of the campaigns proved interest
ing and he never grew tired relating
tales of Washington whom he wor-
SHIPPED.
Ono story which he used to delight
in telling pertained to time when
he and few companions became lost
from their detachment. They wan
dered three days in the woods with
out thing to eat One morn, how.
ever they found a dead crow and up
on this they made meal. each TAX
ing a portion, After the three days
fast this crow tasted as palatable as
fried chicken.
A grand-aunt OF the Pendleton wo-
mans lived to be 100 years old She
remembers this aged lady well. also
Morgan Brewster, who was sixth
regular descendent of Elder Brew
ster the great New England divine.
He used to tell stories OF the war and
OF the first settlers in the new coun-
try.
In those days there were no roads
and trails through the forests were
followed by means of spotted" trees.
In the girlhood days OF the local
lady. a telephone was unknown OF
course and there were no railroads
nor system of lighting as we have to-
day. The nearest railroad line was
out of Boston. and Boston was many
miles away. To get to the hub of the
| New England states, the stage coach
was the only vehicle in use. Many
preferred to make the trip on horse-
back but this was a strenuous adven-
ture and only the rugged could with
stand 1t.
Tells Her Story.
But perhaps it will be better now
| to let this local lady tell her story in
her own way:
"All we had for illumination in those
days was the tallow candle. The cam
dies were dipped once year and the
occasion was made a sort of holiday
when the neighbors would get togeth-
er and make a supply to last another
twelve months. The tallow from the
animals We killed was saved and at
the end of the season It was used for
the candle making. Whaleoil lamps
came into use later But II was IA
or Is years before saw whale oil
lamp.
IAN the dresses Of the girls and wo-
men were made at home. The tailor
ess came twice year bringing her
needles and work material with her
Then there would be busy sewing
bee. often saw the tailoress sew.
ing by the light OF candle-dip. How
she managed to do II was q systery
to me. / have often seen my father
n reading, holding the paper on one
hand and the candle in the other.
There were few schools in those
days. The means of acquiring ar
education were extremely small. NJ,
father managed to get about thre,
months OF schooling such as II was
He was nevertheless in public life {
good deal and was one of the big mel
of the state. He was senator repre-
sentative and county commissions