Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-03-28

SO houses occupied by employees of
the company, and a hospital, where
the sick and wounded were cared for.
Outside the forts northern gate was
an orchard of 10 acres planted to ap-
pie trees that were bearing fruit at
the time Of Farnham's visit; a large
garden and vineyard, in charge of a
capable gardener, presumably Scotch.
Along the river stretched the fort
farm of 5000 acres, all fenced into
fields and dotted with the houses Of
dairymen, herdsmen and shepherds.
Says Farnham: "A busy place Is this
the farmer on horseback at break of
day, summons a hundred half-breeds
and Iroquois Indians from their cabins
to the fields. Twenty or 30 plows tear
open the generous soil; the sewers fol-
low with the scotland pressing ON
them come q dozen harrows to cover
it, And thus 80 or 40 acres are planted
in a day, till the immense field Is
under crop"
Then comes the harvest which fur
nishes food to the TOO persons at the
post, and at many other posts tribu-
tary to Vancouver. There was a saw
mill, which was supplied by the labor
of 30 or 40 Sandwich Islanders, who
cut down the trees and hauled them
to the mill, which was busy night and
day, and sawed 100000 feet a year;
much Of this being foreign consump-
ton.
In addition to the sawmill, a grist-
mill was in constant operation, to pro-
vide flour for the needs Of Vancouver
and its posts, and also the Russian
in the north. With these man
fold activities to be superintendent, 1t
viii readily be seen that its chief fac
tor must have been man Of strong
and unusual executive ability. Both
were united in the person of John /
Mclaughlin, to whose memory Ameri- /
ca owes debt OF gratitude, for his
aid to the first settlers of Oregon.
Having given us a picture of the
interior of the fort, and Of the coun- I
try surrounding 1t, Farnham next con-
ducts us into the dining hall, where,
at the head of the table 20 feet in
length, stands DR. Mclaughlin, or
Governor Mclaughlin, as Farnham
styles him, directing guests and gen.
,lemen from neighboring posts to their
places; and chief traders, the phySi-
ian, clerks. and the farmer slide re-
;pectfully to their places, at distances
from the governor corresponding to
he dignity Of their rank in the serv-
ce. Thanks are given to God, and all
ire seated. Roast beef and pork, boiled
mutton, boiled salmon, boiled ham,
)eets carrots, turnips, cabbage and po-
.atoeS and wheaton bread, are taste
u1ly distributed over the table among
/ dinner set of elegant Queens ware,
furnished with glittering glasses and
iecanters Of various colored italian
vines Course after course goes round,
md the governor fills to his guests
md friends; and each gentleman IN
urn vies with him in diffusing around
he board a most generous allowance
VI viands, wines and warm feeling
The cloth and wines are removed to-
ether, cigars are lighted, and a stroll
ng smoke about the premises, en-
Ightened by a courteous discussion Of
ONE mooted point Of natural history
n politics, closes the ceremonies Of
he dinner hour at Fort Vancouver"
n FeudaI Style
This description ~closes the cere-
nonies," and presents a vivid picture
4 the long table loaded with eatables
nd wine: 1t shows the employees slid
ng respectfully TO their places, at dis
ances from the governor correspond
ng to the dignity Of their rank In the
ervice," all In true feudal style, but
lothing is said Of the appearance or
ress Of those who dine there, nor
re we told whether as Of old, the
entry sat above the salt. and the
leroy and employees below It.
From his picture we can 10 fancy
&c the commanding figure Of the gov
rnor at the head OF the table, punc-
iIliously dressed In the latest London |