Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-11-27
MARCELLA M. BYNoN.

1he wheel of time turns again. Wood
en- roofs and walls which sheltered
former generations of mankind from
the rain and sun are torn away, and the
place which has known them shall
know them no more forever But
what of the ghosts that dwelt within
them? Each of the mossy and deerepit
old structures had its story, even as
j, the spot upon which they stood, had
my story of day before men and wo-
men forcgathered TO make the town.
Great indeed must have been the con
sternation among the ghosts that day
when the work of demolition began
ghosts of the four-footed folks who
leaped so lightly that the grass and
flowers were barely stirred, ghosts of
the Indians who saw the valley us God
had made it and looked upon it as the
happy hunting ground, ghosts of the
pioneers who trod heavily across the
spot as became determined purpose, and
then the ghosts of that motely crew
of saints. and sinners who made the
town. The old order changeth.
The wooden buildings, with their
inch deep moss covered roofs which
have so long stood at the corner of
State and Liberty streets have been re-
moved to make way for modern ed.
flee of stone and brick and steel. and
with the change has come a flood of
reminiscence and clamor for my his
tory.
Let me tell you my story as briefly
as | can. | am the corner across the
street from the Salem Bank of Com.
merce, the one now being excavated.
Before the coming of the white men |
was lust Il part of beautiful piece of
to the hills in the distance. Ny first
recollection of any particular notice be-
ing taken of me by the early settlers
who came to the valley was one morn
ing heard Mr.. William II. Wilson tell
his wife that he had decided to take
Che land, of which i was a part, as ii
donation land claim. In those days the
settlers were lust beginning to take up
these claims. Mrs. Wilson readily
agreed that the selection was II very
wise one and Joined her husband in an
application. This was back in the for
ties, but it was not until February 4,
1862, that the patent was granted. !
distinctly remember that when it was
received my first white owners read it
over and / heard them say that the title
to the land in the claim came from the
United States of America, and that the
patent was signed by A. Lincoln, presi-
dent, by W. o. Stoddard, his secre-
tary.
The claim contained 6l602 acres of
land and of this very generous gift
they were much elated. The land con
tanned in the claim began on the river
bank on the west, ran east as far as
Twelfth street, the north line being on
a line with north Mill creek, and the
south line extended as far as Mission
street. So you will see that this claim
has been tualed into city in a really
short time.
No bit of land ever bore grander or
more beautiful trees than | carried on
my proud breast, and of these l was
very fond. You can imagine haw sadly
4 felt when Mr.. Wilson cut down these
handsome trees and in time took out
the very roots He told me he was do
ing this as he was going to plant Il
townsite and that some day should be
the very center and the most valuable
corner in his city-to-be. This comfort
ed me somewhat after the loss of my
beautiful adornment. Would that Mr.
Wilson were here today to see me as
1 stand the envy Of hundreds Of Sa
lem s citizens.
On March %, 1850, Mr.. Wilson filed
a plat of his townsite with Mr.. ]. N
Gilbert, z. G. NJ. c., naming 3he city
Salem and | was, so he told me, to be
thereafter known as Lot s in Block 2l
On the morning Of January 30, 1855
/ learned that on the day before, Mr.
and Mrs Wilson had sold me with II
other lots to Charles Bennet for $1,000
Yes, that was the Captain Bennet
heroic Indian fighter, who made sucl
an enviable name for himself in those
days as Il defender against the red
men. He was showing that in buying
me he had wisdom as well as bravery
wasn't he2 The Captain died in De
cember of the same year that he pur
chased me and Judge Boon decided aft
or listening to the story of the late Cap
tain's affairs that should 60 to Mrs
Mary a. Bennett the Captains widow
] think Mrs. Bennett was badly IL
. need of some money shortly after hel
husband s death for on February l3
1858, she sold me TO Benjamin Hayward
and Samuel G. Lightfoot for $500. Thi'
low price hurt my feelings and sh'
must have known this and having ten
der feeling for me she bought iron