I I I ■ ■ ^^■■i ■fln HHGShSB Hnfll S3 Hfl BtMmaM Pass / ^&> Book X 2^ AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF P\KER GRANT, MALHEUR and HARNEY COUNTIES WITH A. BRIEF OUTLINE OE THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OREGON. VC Western Historical Publishing Company i 1902 f? .1 ' DEDICATED TO THE Pioneers of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, THE BRAVE MEN AND DEVOTED WOMEN, THOSE WHO HAVE GONE AND THOSE WHO REMAIN. "YET NEVER A DOUBT, NAY, NEVER A FEAR OF OLD, OR NOW, KNEW THE PIONEER." PREFATORY. II i N offering this volume to the public, its publishers can hardly hope that it will in all respects meet the approval of those whose golden opinions are so ardently desired. The accuracy and completeness of such a work depends not alone on the conscien- tiousness and care of the compilers, but more especially upon the amount and quality of the materials which happen to have' been preserved. For months the editorial force of the company has been searching with zeal and avidity for everything which could possibly throw light upon the past and present of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney counties. Their search has not been as successful as they could wish, but they have done the best they were able under the circumstances. It is thought that practically all printed matter which directly or indirectly related to the subject has been examined. Where no contemporaneous printed accounts could be found, the editors have been compelled to rely upon the testimony of pioneer settlers who took part in the events which they relate. In such cases they have, when possible, verified the statements of one man by those of another, knowing how treacherous and deceptive the memory frequently proves. But, with all vigilance, we cannot feel sure but that erroneous statements may have crept into the volume, and we feel constrained to invoke the kind charity of the reader to the faults he may discover. The compilers have almost invariably been received with courtesy by those whom they have had occasion to approach, and to all who have in any way assisted, their sincere gratitude is hereby cordially extended. To make specific acknowledgements to everyone to whom they are due is impossible, but we must in a special way bear testi- mony to the kindly assistance rendered by the committees who have perused the manu- script histories of Baker and Grant counties, giving us the benefit of their ripe knowledge and experience. We are greatly indebted to the Bedrock Democrat, whose grand old files have preserved for us valuable information concerning events transpiring not alone in Baker county, but in all southeastern Oregon, also to the Grant County News, the Ontario Argus, the Times-Herald, of Burns, the Harney Valley Items, and the Harney County News, for the use of valuable files. The editors of these and other newspapers have shown us every courtesy, exposing their files for our use, and giving us such information vi PREFATORY and aid as they were able. In only one instance has a newspaper man met us with other than cordiality and kindness. We must not forget to give due credit to Isaac Hiatt, for the very great help which we received from his valuable little book entitled "Thirty-one Years in Baker County. ' ' Without its assistance it would have been impossible to give so complete a picture of the early days as is herewith presented. We are indebted also to the writings of Professor Waldemar Lindgren, of the United States Geological Survey, and Dr. Thomas Condon, of the Oregon State University, for information about the mines and geology of the region, and in an especial manner to Charles W. Parrish, Esq., for kindly giving us the results of his own extensive investigations made in his capacity as historian of the cabin of Oregon Native Sons, at Burns. The various sets of county officers are also entitled to due credit for having granted us access to the records under their care, cheerfully pointing out where the desired information could be most readily obtained. ENDORSEMENTS. We, the undersigned, pioneer settlers of Baker County, have listened to the reading of the major portion of the manuscript history of Baker county to be published by the Western Historical Publishing Company; we have called the attention of its authors to such errors and omissions as our knowledge of the facts has enabled us to de- tect and we believe that as prepared by them and corrected by us it presents an impartial record of events, accurate and comprehensive in its treatment of the subject. Signed W. C. Hindman, Mrs. I. A. Packwood, E. P. Perkins. Baker City, Ore., October 15, 1902. We, the undersigned, pioneers of Grant county, having been chosen as a committee to pass judgment upon the merits of a county history soon to be published by the Western Historical Publishing Company, of Spokane, do affirm by our signatures that we have listened to the reading of the greater portion of said history of Grant County, and that in our judgment it chronicles the past and present events and conditions accurately and well and we com- mend it as a faithful, comprehensive and interesting story of the early struggles and later triumphs of our common- wealth. Signed G. I. Hazeltine, O. P. Cresap, W. S. SOUTHWORTH. Canyon City, Ore., October 4, 1902. TABLE OF CONTENTS. EARLY OREGON HISTORY. CHAPTER I. Explorations by Water. Introductory — Gasper Cortereal — Maldonado — Ferelo— Drake — Juan de Fuca — Pedro de Fonte — Captain James Cook — Inception of Fur Trade — The Nootka Controversy — La Perouse — Captain Berkley — Meares — The Discovery of the Columbia — Vancouver's Explorations 1 CHAPTER II. Explorations by Land. Verendrye — Moncacht-ape — Alexander Mackenzie — Thomas Jefferson — The Lewis and Clark Expedition — Negotiations Leading to the Louisiana Purchase' — Napoleon's Speeches — Details of the Lewis and Clark Expedition 7 CHAPTER III. The Astor Expedition — Profits of the Fur Trade — John Jacob Astor — His Plan — His Partners — -Voyage of the Tonquin — Fate of the Tonquin— David Thompson — The Adventures of Wilson Price Hunt and Party — -The Failure of Astor's Enterprise — Capture and Restoration of Astoria 22 CHAPTER IV. The Northwest and Hudson's Bay Companies. Joint Occupation — Early History of the Northwest Company — Rivalry of the Northwest and Hudson's Bay Companies — Absorption of the Northwest Company — Character of the Hudson's Bay Company — Its Modus Operandi — Its Indian Policy — Jedediah S. Smith — Captain B. L. E. Bonneville — Nathaniel J. Wyeth — The Hudson's Bay Company Seeks a New License — The Puget Sound Agricultural Company 39 CHAPTER V. Missions of Oregon and the Whitman Massacre. Jascn Lee and Party — Their Reception by the Hudson's Bay Company's Employes — Their Work — Their Politi- cal Effect — The Flathead's Search for the Book — Its Results to the Tribe — Expedition of Dr. Marcus Whitman and Dr. Samuel Parker — Whitman's Mission — Whitman's Work — His Letter to James M. Porter, Secretary of War — The Whitman Massacre — Ogden Comes to the' Rescue of the Captives — Indians' Declaration of Wishes — Ogden's Speech — List of Captives — The Cayuse War — Execution of Supposed Whitman Murderers — Their Declaration of Innocence 49 CHAPTER VI. The Oregon Controversy. Claims of the United States Stated — Negotiations of 1824 — Negotiations of 1826-7 — Evans on Effect of Joint Occupancy — Interest of Congress Aroused — Exploration is Stimulated — Immigration of 1843— Negotiations of 1831— Of 1842— Of 1843— Interest Manifested all Over the Union— Political Parties Take Up the Controversy — Negotiations of 1845 — Polk Gives Great Britain a Year's Notice of Intention to Abrogate Joint Occupancy Treaty— Negotiations of 1846— Great Britain Offers 49th Parallel— The Offer is Accepted— The San Juan Controversy — Its Settlement 63 TABLE OF CONTENTS, CHAPTER VII. Indian Wars of the 'Fifties. Reasons for Controversy Over Indian Wars — Washington Segregated From Oregon — Indian Troubles of 1853-4 — The Council of Walla Walla — Colonel Kipp's Journal — Results of the Treaty — The Outbreak of Hos- tilities — The Peopeomoxmox Matter — Colonel Kelly's Account of the Battle of Walla Walla — Governor Stevens' Report of His Labors — His Charges Against Wool 74 CHAPTER VIII. Indian Wars of the 'Fifties — Continued. Movements of the Spring of 1856 — The Battle of Grande Ronde — Governor Stevens' Efforts — Second Great Walla Walla Council — No Results — Quotation From Governor Stevens' Official Report — Last Battle of Walla Walla — Results of the War — Steptoe's Defeat of 1858 — Colonel Wright's Campaign 102 CHAPTER IX. Oregon, its Location, Area and Physical Features. Comparative Area — Natural Divisions — Western Oregon — Southern Oregon — Eastern Oregon — Rivers, Water Courses and Springs — Climate and Healthfulness , 115 CHAPTER X. Settlenemt of Oregon. Settlers of 1832 and 1834 — Parker's Explorations — The Whitman Party — The Importation of Cattle from Cali- fornia — Incident in Gray's Eastward Journey — Coming of Blanchet and Demers — Arrivals in 1839 — In 1840 — The Star of Oregon — Gale and Descendants — Population in 1841 — Immigration of 1842 — Of 1843 — Quota- tions from Nesmith — Judge Burnett's Estimate of Early Oregonians 118 CHAPTER XI. Evolution of Government. Government in 1838 — Petition of 1840 — Factions in Oregon — First Attempt to Organize a Government — Its Fail- ure — The Willamette Falls Lyceum — The First "Wolf" Meeting — First Steps in Organization of Provisional Government — Meeting of the 2nd of May — Of the 5th of July — The Organic Laws — Territorial Government — Admission to the Union — County Organization 127 HISTORY OF BAKER COUNTY. CHAPTER I. Settlement to 1863. Introductory — Dr. Elijah White — Adventures of Immigrants of 1845 — In the Meek Cutoff — Discovery of the , Blue Bucket Diggings — Subsequent Searches for the Lost Mine — Adventures of the Adams Party — Discov- ery of Gold in Griffin's Gulch — The First Winter in Baker County — Trip to Walla Walla — Immigration of the Spring of 1862 into Baker County — Arrival of the White Horse Company — Of John B. Bowen and Company — Founding of Auburn — Construction of the First Ditch — Construction of the Auburn Ditch — Im- portance of the Work of the Auburn Water Company — Beginnings of Agriculture— Political Organization — Homicides and Crimes in Auburn — First Execution — Election of a Recorder of Claims — Erection of Baker County — Lynching of Spanish Tom — Letter of Samuel Clarke — The Crime of Boy "Jim" 137 CHAPTER II. 1863 to 1878. Expedition in Search of the Blue Bucket Diggings— First Discovery of Quartz— Beginning of Indian Depreda- tions—Settlement of Other Parts of the County— Creation of Union County— Indian Raid of June, 1866— The TABLE OF CONTENTS. xi Expedition After Them — Adventure of George Walker — The Washoe Ferry — The Burnt River Ditch — Massacre of Scott and Family — The Quaker Policy of the Government — Louis Carey and Anthony Sicard Robbed— Pursuit of the Robbers — Conditions from 1867 to 1870 — Census of 1870 — Institution of the Bedrock Democrat — The Mining Outlook — Letter to Hon. A. B. Meacham Proposing a Large Indian Reservation — Quotation from Bedrock Democrat — Affairs of the Eldorado, or Big, Ditch — The Pioneer's Dance — Quiet Times Subsequent to 1873 — The Nevada & Northern Telegraph Line — Baker County Agricultural Society — Causes of the Nez Perce Outbreak — The Wallowa Difficulty — Railway Agitation — The Northwestern Stage Company — Interest in Senator Mitchell's Railroad Bill — Opposition to It on the West Side — Its Failure 152 CHAPTER III. 1878 to 1902. Effect of the Indian War— Steady Progress of the Years 1878-9-80— The Census of 1880— Severe Winter of 1880-81 — Powder River, Burnt River and Summit Wagon Road and Bridge Company — Flour Famine of 1882 — Railroad Activity — Race for the Burnt River Pass — Settlement of the Difficulty — Completion of the Road — Importation of Thoroughbred Horses — Fred Inkleman — Hailstorm in Sumpter Valley — Summary of Assessments for the Year 1886 — Erection of Malheur County — First Shipment of Lumber — Cracker Creek Mining District — Mining Corporations in 1889 — Death of Luther B. Ison and of James H. Shinn — The Sumpter Valley Railway — Its Trouble with the Baker Valley Irrigation Company — Settlement and Con- struction of the Road — Business Activity in the Spring of 1891 — Organization of the Baker County Pioneer Association — Mining Activity in 1893— Baker County at the World's Fair — Coxey's Army Passes Through the County — Wealth of the County in 1894 — Conditions in 1895 — The French Family Tragedy — The Good Times of 1897 — Effect of the Klondyke Excitement upon Mining — Seven Devils Railway Agitation — Cen- sus of 1900 — Annexation of the Panhandle— Sumpter Valley Railway Extended to Whitney — Mineral t Exhibit at the Pan-American Exposition — Conclusion 167 CHAPTER IV. Political. First Officers — First Meeting of the County Court — First Jury Trial — First Session of the Circuit Court — Officers Elected in 1864 — Boise Ferry — Washoe and Central Ferries — County Roads — Election of 1866 — Election of 1868— Election of 1870— Election of 1872— Conventions and Elections of 1874— Elections of 1876— Conven- tions and Elections of 1878 — Conventions and Elections of 1880— Garfield's Majority in Oregon — Election of 1882 — Conventions and Elections of 1884 — Elections of 1886 — The Prohibition Party in Baker County — Elec- tions of 1888 — Reapportionment of Baker County's Representation— Establishment of County Poor Farm — Elections of 1890— The People's Party— Their Platform— Elections of 1892— Elections of 1894— Success of the People's Party — Campaign of 1896— Elections of 1898— The Union Party — Campaign of 1900 — Demise of the People's Party in Baker County — The New Democracy — Conventions and Elections of 1902 180 CHAPTER V. Educational. Pioneer Schools— First School in 1861 — First School Superintendent — Oldest Records — School Population in 1865 — Establishment of Districts — Report in Bedrock Democrat in 1879 — Effects of Epidemics and Indian Wars—Betterment of the School System — Number of School Districts and School Population in 1884 — Value of School Property — School Funds — County Superintendent's Records — Special School Election in 1887 — Baker City Bonded for $30,000— Erection of Brick School House— Site Donated by J. M. Boyd— School Funds in 1889 — School Census of 1889 — The Primitive Log Schoolhouses Disappearing — Average Standing of Teachers — Average Salaries in 1901 — Baker City Schools at the Trans-Mississippi — Arbor Day Exercises in 1902— St. Francis Academy Founded by Father DeRoo— First Class Graduated in June, 1880— A New 880,000 Brick Edifice in Course of Construction 199 CHAPTER VI. Baker City. The Plat of the Original Town Made by R. A. Pierce— Pioneer Building— Ruckel's Quartz Mill— The Pioneer's Story— The First Settler in Baker City— Early Stage Service— The First Stone Structure— The First Brick xii TABLE OF CONTENTS. Building — Early Business Houses — Schools and Churches — Mrs. Calbreath's School — Baker City Academy — The Romish Clergy — Protestant Clergymen — Rev. John Flynn — Baker City Becomes the County Seat — The Bedrock Democrat — Claim of R. A. Pierce — Baker City in 1871 — Old Residents of Baker City — Population in 1874 — Lack of Transportation Facilities — Fire Department Established in 1875 — Fourth of July, 1883— Fire in October, 1884— The Arrival of the Iron Horse — New Charter — Population in 1885 — Fire in Fall of 1886 — Fire of September 5, 1888 — Water System Established in 1889 — Building and Loan Association — City's Indebtedness — Building Activity in 1889 — Great Snow Storm — Real Estate Boom in 1891 — The Giroux Amalgamator Works — Baker City National Bank — Flood of 1897 — Construction of Levees — Estab- lishment of Telephone Line — Spanish War in 1898 — Names of the Volunteers — Fire Losses in 1898 — Organ- ization of Baker City's Chamber of Commerce 205 CHAPTER VII. Other Towns of Baker County. Sumpter — First Settlement — Mineral Wealth in Surrounding Mountains — The Chinese Element — Arrival of the Railroad in 1896 — The Boom in 1901 — Improvements — Churches and Schools — Newspapers — Fraternal Or- ganizations — Business Houses — The Sumpter of To-day— Huntington — Its Location — First Business Estab- lishments — Inception of the Forwarding Business — Slow Growth of the Town — Incorporation in 1891 — The Northwest Railway Company — Present Business Establishments — Schools, Churches and Fraternities — Smaller Towns 219 HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY. CHAPTER I. Current History, 1862 to 1885. First Settlement — Explorations in Harney Valley in 1859— The Visit of Major E. Stein in 1860 — First Company of Gold Seekers — Mr. Allred's Story — Macgruder's Party — Lawlessness — Death of Dan LaFollette — Lynch- ings in Grant County — Mr. Paige's Story — Hanging of Berry Wey — Immigration in 1862 — The Canyon Creek Camp — Marysville and Prairie Diggings — Construction of Mining Ditches — Agriculture and Stock- raising — Whip-Sawed Lumber — The Miners' Meeting at Canyon City — Mining Population in 1862 — Pack Trains — Dalles Military Road Company — Indian Depredations — Mail and Stage Line from The Dalles to Canyon City — Howard Maupin's Story — The Slaying of Paulina — Military Mail Route Created from Canyon City to Fort Harney — Placer Mining — First Quartz Mill — Location of Ranches in the Valley — The Stock Industry — Horse Breeding — General Prosperity in the Late 'Sixties — Freight Rates — Prices of Commodities — Earthquake of- 1872 — Establishment of Schools and Churches — Indian War of 1878 — General Prosperity ^from 1879 to 1883 — County Seat Contest — Assessment Summary for the Year 1884 — Agitation for County Division. 379 CHAPTER II. Current History, 1885 to the Present. General Conditions in 1885 — Farms in the John Day Valley — Grant County's Valley Lands — Cattlemen's Hold- ings — Stock Valuations — Quartz Ledges — Agricultural Possibilities — Cloudburst in 1885 — Erection of a New Courthouse — Failure of Crops in 1887 — The Crime in the County Jail — The Execution of McGinnis— Division of the County in 1889 — Population of Grant County in 1890 — County Seat Agitation in 1891 — Execu- ' tion of Ming How — Dalles Military Road Litigation — Financial Panic in 1893 — Assessment Summary 1893 — Short Crops in 1894 — Cyclone in June, 1894 — Telephone Construction — Assessment Rolls 1895 — High Water in Spring of 1896 — Abundant Crops in 1897 — Big Transfers of Mining Property — 1898 an Exceedingly Prosperous Year— Discovery of the Great Northern Mine — Greenhorn Mining District — Urie Mining Dredger — Martial Spirit in 1898 — Indian Disturbance — Mining Activity in 1899 — Controversy Between the Stockmen and the Settlers — Conclusion 399 TABLE OF CONTENTS. xiii CHAPTER III. Political. The Creating Act — First Officers — First Official Act of the County Court — First Deed — An Appropriation — Abstracts of Early Elections — Election of 1868 — Election of 1870 — Election of 1872 — Special Election in 1873— Election of 1874— The Elections of 1876— Elections of 1878— Elections of 1880— Elections of 1882 and 1884— Elections of 1886— Election of 1888— Elections of 1890— Election of 1892— The Election of 1894. — Campaign of 1896— Election of 1898— Election of 1900— Of 1902 416 CHAPTER IV. Schools. The Log Schoolhouse — County Organized into School Districts in 1864 — The First School — Variety of Text- books — First Annual Report of the County Superintendent — School Assessments — Early Difficulties — Finances — Effects of Indian Depredations — Superintendent's Report for 1869 — Value of School Property in 1872 — Letter by J. W. Mack to State Superintendent in 1878 — Schools Maintained and School Population in 1885— Superintendent H. C. Mack's Report for the Year 1891— High School Agitation 426 : CHAPTER V. Canyon City. Location — Its Uniqueness — Business Directory of 1902 — Isolation — A City of Tents in 1862 — On Whiskey Flat — Its Moral Tone — First Death — The Dalles Road in 1864 — Pioneer Courthouse — The Fire of 1870 — Details — The Indian Scare of 1878— The Fire of 1885— Fire May 29, 1886— Telephone Agitation— High Water in 1896 — Partial Destruction of the City by the Great Fire of 1898 — The Town Rebuilt — Improvements — Hail Storm of May 11, 1901 — Incorporated — First Officers — Present Officers — The Town's Water System and Fire Department — Its Excellent Schools — Its Churches — Fraternal Lodges — Its Future Possibilities 481 CHAPTER VI. John Day, Prairie City and Other Towns. John Day — Its Importance — Its Industries — Settlement of the Town — Its Flouring Mill — Early Business Men — Lawlessness — Postoffice Established in 1878— First Postmaster — Two General Stores in 1881 — Its Rapid Development Between 1883 and 1893 — Chinatown — Natural Commercial Center of the County — Location — ■ Its Avenues and Homes — Surroundings — Incorporated in 1899 — Officers — Excellent Water System — Busi- ness Directory — Churches and Schools — First School in 1866 — The New Schoolhouse — The Town's Present Advantages — Prairie City — Situation — Settlement in June, 1862 — Dixie Town — Establishment of Prairie City — Kroppe Company Ditch — Early Merchants — Decline of Placer Mining — Quartz Mining — The City's Affairs in 1881 — Fire in 1884 — Fire of 1887 — Incorporated in 1891 — First Officers — Town Charter — Fire of May 6, 1902— Rebuilding the Town— First School— 1876 and 1877— Distributing Point for the Upper John Day Valley — Prairie City Roller Mills — Fraternal Orders — Population — A prosperous Town — Long Creek — Location — Early Settlement — Its Roller Mill — Business Houses — Officers — Other Settlements — Mt. Vernon — Hamilton — Beach Creek — Monument — Fox — Dayville — Supplee — Duncanville — Marysville — Seneca — Izee — Comer— Margaret — Alamo — Lawton— Susanville — Granite 441. HISTORY OF MALHEUR COUNTY. CHAPTER I, Settlement and Passing Events. Early Explorations — The Name "Malheur" — Immigration of 1845 — Mormon Basin — Eldorado — Malheur City — Keeney's Cabin — Stock Ranches in Jordan Valley — Piutes and Bannocks — Indian Raids in 1868 — Chinese Massacre — Settlements on Willow Creek — Beginning of the Stock Industry — Purchase of the Keeney Station by L. B. Rinehart — Names of Pioneer Settlers — Settlement on Bully Creek— Malheur Stock Ranges — xiv TABLE OF CONTENTS. Drowning of Florence Moreton— Indian War of 1878— Agriculture in 1880 — Irrigation in 1883 — Oregon Short Line— Organization of the County in 1887— First Officers— Creating Act-Financial Condition-Size of County- County Seat War — The New Court House at Vale — Stock Losses in 1897 and 1898 — Increase in Population in the Last Six Years — Lawlessness — Excellent Future Prospects 518 CHAPTER II. Political. Organization of the County — First Officers — First Meeting of the County Court — Road Districts and Election Precincts Created — First Jurors Drawn — Location of the County Seat — Election of 1888 — Election of 1890 — Election of 1892— Election of 1894— Election of 1896— Election of 1898— Election of 1900— Election of 1902. 532 CHAPTER III. Schools. First Public School in 1869 at Eldorado — First School District on Willow Creek — Location of Various Districts — William G. Thomson First Superintendent — No Official Records of Early Schools — Superintendent Stan- ton's Report for 1897 — School Population — Average Salaries — Value of School Property — Superintendent Miliigan's Report for 1902 — Present School Population— Number Teachers Employed — Present High Stand- ing 538 CHAPTER IV. Malheur's Business Centers. Ontario — Its Surroundings — Population in 1900— Fraternal Orders — Churches and Schools — Newspapers — Busi- ness and Professional Directory — Stage and Telephone Connections — Banks — City Officers — Early History — Completion of the Oregon Short Line — Fires — Its Future — Vale — Location — Settled in 1864— The Old Stone House — Vale Chosen the County Seat in 1887 — Story of the Title to the Town Site of Vale — County Buildings — The New Court House— Malheur Gazette — First Baak of Vale — First School — Present City Officers — Business Houses — Hot Wells — Remote Settlements — Jordan Valley — Eldorado and Malheur City — Nyssa — Arcadia — Beulah — Ironsides — Dell — Westfall — Cord —Riverside — Juntura — Mosquite — Owyhee — Watson — Carter — Sheaville 541 HISTORY OF HARNEY COUNTY. CHAPTER I. Current History 1865 to 1902. Early Explorations — Settlements in the 'Sixties — Military Camps — Fight with the Indians, 1865 — Pioneer Saw- mill Man, A. H. Robie— First Plowing— In 1867— Cattle brought into the County in 1869— Mail Service Prior to 1874 — Daily Mail in 1880 — Excellent Ranges — Bannock and Piute Raid in 1878 — Abandonment of Fort Harney — Pacific Livestock Company — Miller & Lux — Influx of Settlers from 1883 to 1885 — Warfare between Cattlemen and Settlers— The Harney Valley Items — Organized in 1889 — County Boundary Lines — First Election — Burns the County Seat — Discovery of Gold in the Northern Portion— Roller Flouring Mill Built — Financial Troubles in 1893 — Organization of Troop A, O. N. G. — Return of Prosperity in 1897 — High Water — Shooting of Peter French — Good Times in 1898 — Population — Assessor's Summary — County Fair in 1900 — Railroad Surveys— Willamette Valley and Cascade Mountain Wagon Road Company — Quotation from Judge Gilbert — Swamp Land Contest — Recession of Lake Malheur — The Harney Valley Improvement * Company 633 CHAPTER II. Political. First County Officers— Election of 1890— County Seat Struggle— Election of 1892— Of 1894— Of 1896— Campaign of 1898— The vote in 1900— The Campaign of 1902 649 TABLE OF CONTENTS. xv CHAPTER III. Towns of Harney County. Burns — Platted in 1878 — Nearest Postoffice at Camp Harney — First Business Established — Post office Removed from Egan to Burns in 1883 — Named in Honor of the Scottish Poet — Rapid Growth — Eastern Oregon Herald Established in 1887 — The United States Land Office — Incorporated in 1891 — First City Officers — Center of a Rich Agricultural and Stock District — Present Business Directory — Churches — Schools — Fraternal Orders — Burns Business College — Harney — First Business Establishments— Trouble Over the Town Site — Absorption of the Lower Town — Temporary County Seat — Business Men of the Town in 1888 — Slow Growth — Present Business — Lawen — Drewsey — Situation — General Merchandise Store Opened in 1883 — Post Office Establish- ed the Same Year— The Growth Slow until 1897—1. O. O. F. Hall Built in 1899— Healthy Development now in Progress — Present Business Directory — Grist Mill 651 DESCRIPTIVE AND GENERAL. . CHAPTER I. Topography, Resources! etc., of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties. Introduction — Baker County — Agricultural Resources — Area — Boundaries — Valley of the Powder River — Cli- matic and Other Conditions — Sumpter Valley — Elevation — Upper Burnt River Valley — Rye Valley — Valleys of the Panhandle — Principal Agricultural Districts of the County — Stock in the County — Value of Live Stock — Lumbering Interests — Grant County — Geology — John Day Valley — Valley of the South Fork — Valley Region in the North — The Middle Fork — Long Creek Valley — Fox Valley — Haystack and Corncob Valleys — Valley of the Silvies — Bear Valley — Murderer's Creek Valley — Contour of the County — Elevations — Physi- cal Barriers — Stage Lines — Telephone Lines- — A Ride over the Stage Lines — Mining Regions — Rocks and Fossils of the John Day Valley — Mineral Springs — Forests — Live Stock — Soil — Cereals — Horticulture — Cli- mate—Grant's Possibilities — Harney County — A Ride over the Ontario-Burns Stage Line — Area of Harney Valley — Irrigation — Alfalfa — Elevation — The Cereals — Immense Cattle Farms — Wool Growing— Possibilities of the Soil — The Small Valleys — Mountain Ranges — Sawmills — Lack of Transportation — Trout Creek Mining Camp — Pueblo Mining District — Climate — Topography — Lakes — Malheur Cave — Cliff Dwellers' Ruins — Malheur County — Area — Boundaries — Willow Creek — Bully Creek — Malheur River — Malheur Butte — Owyhee River — Fossils and Ruins — Snake River — Soil — Climate — Irrigation and Production — Gas, Coal and Oil— Conclusion 717 CHAPTER II. The Indian War of 1878. Introduction — Causes of the War — Plan of the War — Sale of Fire-arms to the Indians— Payne's Ferry — Meeting of the Bannocks and Piutes on Warm Springs Reservation — First Raid into Barren Valley — Skirmish at White Horse Ranch — The Smith Massacre — Attack on French's Party in Happy Valley — Battle of Silver Creek — Death of Buffalo Horn — Retreat of the Indians Northward — Preparations at Canyon City — Volunteer Company Formed at Prairie City — Destruction of Property in the John Day Valley — The Fort at Long Creek — Bannocks and Piutes Joined by Columbia River Indians — Baker County Escapes Hostilities — Baker City Division Headquarters for the Army — Col. Parsons' Story of the War in Umatilla County — Death of Egan— End of the War .-. 743 CHAPTER III. The Gold Fields of Eastern Oregon. ntroduction — Four Gold-bearing Areas in Oregon — The Blue Mountain Field — Placer Mining — Quartz Mining — Mormon Basin — Susanville — Virtue Mine — Connor Creek — La Belleview — Monumental — Cornucopia — Cracker Creek District — Gold Production between 1880 and 1899 — New Mining Districts— Minerals of East- ern Oregon— The Elkhorn District — Pocahontas District — Minersville and Auburn Districts — Sumpter and xvi TABLE OF CONTENTS. Cracker Creek Districts— Stamp Mill— The Columbia Mine— North Pole— Mountain Belle— Ibex— Bald Mountain — Mammoth — Amazon — Analulu — Bunker Hill — Cable Cove District — The Granite District — Greenhorn District — Bonanza and Upper Burnt River Districts — Susanville District — Dixie Creek Placers — Canyon District — Pomeroy Dredger — Prairie Diggings — The Oregon Wonder — Virtue District — White Swan Mine— The Brazos — Copper Butte — Sparta District — Sanger and Eagle Creek Districts — Union — Champion Mine — Snake River Canyon — Auriferous Deposits and Opals — Pedro Mountain — Willow Creek and Burnt River Districts — Clark's Creek Deposits— Opinions of J. D. Voss, George Gordon McNamara, J. N. Esselstyn and Dr. Alfred R. C. Selwyn 755. CHAPTER IV. History of the Press. Pioneer Newspaper Men — Bedrock Democrat — The Daily Sage Brush — Fire in Democrat Office — Baker City Herald — Blue Mountain American — The Sumpter Reporter — The Sumpter Miner — Huntington Herald — Press of Grant County — City Journal — Canyon City Express — Grant County News — The Blue Mountain Eagle — Prairie City Miner — Long Creek Ranger — John Day Sentinel — Harney County Press — The Times- Herald — Harney County News — Harney Valley Items — Malheur Press — Malheur Gazette — Ontario Argus — Ontario Democrat — Ontario Mattock — District Silver Advocate — Westfall Independent — Ontario News — Ontario Atlas 767 CHAPTER V. Reminiscent. Introductory — A Reminiscence of the Indian War — The Happy Valley Massacre — Sidelights on Pioneer Days — The Naming of Burnt Ranch — Why the Greenhorns were So Named — The Gold Hunter — The Cowboy's Patrol— The Old Sluice Box— My Friend Joe— To Elkhorn 776 GENERAL ILLUSTRATIONS. * Baker City High School 203 n Burnt RiVer Canyon 221 - Huntington Public School 221 J Snake River near the old "Olds Ferry" 221 •J Placer Tailings near Sumpter 176 V Eagle Valley 176 J A Mining Scene 137 J Pine Valley 137 / North Powder Lake, Elevation 6,000 154 J Placer Mining on Deer Creek 154 •4 Canyon City 440 •J Castle Rock 440 V Blue Mountain Springs 416 J Old House of Joacquin Miller, at Canyon City 416 y Residence of John H. Richmond 284 •J Salmon Fish Hatchery, near Ontario on Snake River... 528 J Scene on a Malheur County Sheep Range 528 V Malheur Butte 517 7 An Avenue of Poplars 517 i Residence of Judge James T. Clement 619 J Residence of Garrison J. Gray 568 4 Hauling Hay to Stock in Harney Valley 633 4 Haying Scene, Harney Valley 633 7 School House, Harney City 654 INDEX. BAKER COUNTY BIOGRAPHICAL PAGE Adams, William D 301 Aitkin, John H 282 Akins, Charley J 326 Albert, Henry H 361 Arble, William P 322 Ashwood, William _. 302 Ayre, William G T 281 Baker, Henry J 368 Barnes, Henry 354 Barnett, Lemuel M 345 Beck, Joseph 284 Beggs, Ellis 263 Beggs, Milo 297 Bennett, Thomas E 373 Bennett, William 372 Bentley, W. H 360 Bergman, Eric P 351 Berryhill, David S 351 Bishop, Philip R 277 Bohna, Frederick A 293 Borman, Edward T 228 Bowen, Ira B 295 Bowen, Ira B 334 Bowman, George J 262 Brock, Lewis T 352 Brooks, James C 314 Brown, Alfred M 254 Brown, Andrew J 250 Brown, Asa L 292 Brown, George W 365 Brown, P. J 239 Brown, William 276 Buchanan, Alexander A 355 Burrell, James 266 Butler, Marion A 338 Butterfield, James H 296 Carpenter, Moses , 244 Carter, Robert D 271 Cartwright, David 274 Case, E. A 354 Caviness, Alfred 291 Chandler, Eli 263 Christensen, J. C 259 Chute, John J 238 Cobb, John 369 Cole, Frederick 373 Coles, Edward W 303 Colton, William H 300 PAGE Cook, Ancell 335 Craig, Charles H 264 Cranston, Herbert B 253 Crews, Willis W 231 Dean, James M 311 Denney, James P 333 Denney, Zeno 332 Dewar, Andrew 340 Didrikson, Ole 328 Doane, John N 357 Dooley, Jere J 364 Dooley, John J' : 285 Duffy, Harry A 313 Duffy. Joseph M 311 Durbin, Casper J 260 Eastabrooks, Calvin 298 Edwards, L. C 353 Elliott, Andrew 320 Ellis, Arthur W 349 Emele, William D 306 Erickson, John 330 Erwin, John 304 Estes, Hardin W 248 Felix, W. W 342 Fergason, Leander 275 Fleetwood, Alva P 348 Fleetwood, Charles 344 Fleetwood, James 272 Foersterling, Emil F 302 Foster, Charles M 235 Foster, George H 290 Fraser, John 298 Gale, Byron 294 Garrett, Richard M 360 Geddes, Frank 230 Geddes, Joseph A 287 Geiser, Albert 337 George, Robert T 327 Gleason, William H 256 Gossett, William A 261 Gover, Samuel F 307 ' Grabner, Frank H '. 247 Graham, Bert W 317 Grant, Daniel 336 Greener, Andrew P 337 Grier, Sylvester ., 244 PAGE Griffin, Hiram B 356 Hacker, George W 320 Haines, Israel D 323 Hamm, William A 271 Hardman, Frank 334 Hartung, Andrew J 316 Haskell, N. C 278 Hindman, Albert 235 Hindman, William C 225 Hodgins, George R 225 Holcomb, James N 286 Holcomb, Lester L 347 Howard, Erwin P 266 Hulick, Louis H 247 Hunstock, J. D 283 Huntington, Alfred H 315 Hyde, Charles F 251 Irwin, Thomas R 343 lson, Luther B 255 Ison, L. 273 lson, O. P 315 Jenkins, William 233 Jett, George W 241 Jett, John H 242 Jett, Joseph S 306 Jones, Alvin P 359 Kelsey, L. S 333 Kerns, George W 367 King, Lemuel D 344 Kinnison, Joel P 269 Kirby, William W 267 Lachner, William J 330 Lang, Conrad J 305 Langrell, Richard T 346 Leap, Ellis L 359 Lee, Haner W 227 Lentz, Frank 372 Lew, John 265 Littlefield, David S 252 Livingston, John S 294 Locke, John S 322 Loennig, Arnst 240 Loennig, Frank 305 Loennig, Henry 328 Long, AJonzo ,...,...,.. 324 XX INDEX. PAGE Love, Avon S 296 Love, .Walter S 273 Low, Charles L 297 Lucas, Warren W 374 McClanahan, Isaac 342 ' McDaniel, Edward 'B 228 McEwen, Thomas 321 McKinnell, William 361 McMullen, Isaac 335 McPherson. Alex 357 Makinson, Richard W 367 Mann, Socrates C 245 Masters, Augustus 348 Masters, Joseph M 277 Maxwell, James 276 Merwin, Arthur T 289 Messick, John B 329 Miles, Patrick H v 234 Miles, William ' 309 Miller, Burton 325 Miller, O. L 239 Mills. James 353 Moody, George W 232 Moore, Daniel F 347 Moore. George 291 Mioore, James 332 Morris, Madison B 309 Morrison, Henry S 363 Moura, Bernardino J 287 Nash. William D 314 Nichols, Douglas M 339 Nicholson, William C 307 O'Hara, Michael 279 Olmsted. M. L 229 Osborn, Stephen 241 Palmer, Robert R 256 Pancake, Isaac N 314 Panting. James A 254 Payton, John A 248 Pearce, C. M 355 Pearce, Thomas M 319 Perkins, Edmund P 236 PAGE Perkins, Harlin Z 237 Perkins. Tulle B 257 Perry, Gustavus T 317 Pierce, Royal A., Jr 242 Pindell, Stephen S 362 Pollman, William 313 Potter, Byron T 249 Powell, John 331 Powers, William B 310 Reed, George N 312 Reed, Reuben 341 Reed, Tabor M 340 Reid, John A 275 Richardson, James 368 Richmond, John H 284 Rizor, George 233 Roach, Thomas 290 Robbins, Jacob H 350 Rogers. William J 353 Rohner, John 226 Ross, John P 258 Roswell, Caleb K 356 Rusk, Sanford , 368 Rust, Henry 270 Savage, Joseph L 341 Schwartz. Joseph 358 Selby, Wilber J 331 Shaw, Daniel Ii 371 Shaw. Frederick L 286 Shepard, Joseph 346 Shepardson, Dow F 325 Sherk, George W 319 Simonis, Frederick 303 Simonis. Mary J 303 Sisley, Elton 265 Sisley, Eugene 268 Sisley, Lewis J 243 Small, G. B 338 Smith. H. W. B 349 Snow, Taylor N 288 Stern, Oliver C 236 Stewart, Charles 336 Stewart, Lee 231 PAGE Stoddard, James B 280 Sturgill, George B 260 Sturgill, William R 251 Sumners. James 327 Swisher, Harry P 318 Swisher, John 281 Thompson, William N 250 Tobin. Warren H 292 Toney, A. J 324 Toney. John H 283 Travillion, John C 366 Travillion. Wallace W 245 Tucker, John A 238 Turner, Randle L 370 Usher, William R 299 Vanderwall. Garret W 312 Vaughan, Albert 358 Waldron, A. G 293 Warren, M. S 234 Watterburv. Charles M 301 Webber, William W 278 Wellington, William H 363 Wendt, Henry 371 Wham, M. Wilson 329 White, Jacob B 308 White, Samuel 258 Whittier, Edwin A 270 Wiegand. William 365 Wilcox, Davis 304 Wilkinson. Edward 326 Wisdom, John W 246 Wood, Joel B 268 Wood, John 370 Wood, William E 262 Woodworth, Elijah B 227 Young. Isreal N 299 Young, Joseph D 373 Ziegler, Charles 369 BAKER COUNTY PORTRAITS. PAGE Albert Henry H 360 Arble, William P 320 Barnett, Lemuel M 344 Bentley, W. H 360 Brooks, James C 314 Carptentcr, Moses 244 Craig, Charles H 264 Durbin, Casper J 260 Elliott. Andrew 320 Erwin, John 304 Estes. Hardin W 248 Fleetwood, James 272 Garrett, Richard M 360 PAGE IGleason, William H 256 |Grant, Daniel 336 •Hindman, William C 225 •iHuntington, Alfred H 314 llson, O. P 314 King, Lemuel D 344 .King, Mrs. Lemuel D 344 iLangrell. Richard T 344 Langrell, Mrs. Richard T 344 Littlefield, David S jLocke, John S 320 JLoennig, Arnst 240' -iLoennig, Frank 304 /Loennig, Mrs. Frank 304 4 Love, Avon S 296 PAGE Maxwell, James 276 •Maxwell, Mrs. James 276 JMcDaniel. Edward B 228 /McEwen, Thomas 320 IMcKinnell, William 360 ^Moody, George W 232 ■ ip'ancake, Isaac N 314 Pindell, Stephen S 360 'Richmond. J. H. Residence of. . 284 JShepard, Joseph 344 »| Snow. Taylor N 288 «l Stoddard. James B 280 Wellington. William H 360 i Wilcox. Davis 304 llWood, Joel B 268 INDEX. xxi n/ GRANT COUNTY BIOGRAPHICAL. Allen, James F Anderson, Andrew .. Armstrong, William Ballance, Charles Belshaw, Charles Blackwell, Clement C... Brasfield, Thomas H. C. Brierley, M. M Carpenter, William B. Carter, William M. .. Clifford, Morton D. .. Cochran, Emmet Coffey, Vandever L. . . Cohoe, Daniel C Conger, John W Cresap, Oliver P Cupper, Henry A Damon, Robert E.... Davis, Charles R Davis, Henry H Ditmars Joseph N. . . . Dore, Alva C Dustin, Charles S Dustin, Mel Faulkenberry, John F. Guernsey, Otis Hall, Henry Hall, Henry, Jr Hall, William Hamilton, John H... Hamilton, William T. Hinton, William W. .. PAGE • • 475 ■ • 458 . . 460 • • 455 •■ 505 • • 456 • • 457 •■ 478 . ■ 506 • • 510 • ■ 49i • • 503 .. 490 • • 459 •• 479 . . 496 . . 476 . . 486 ■• 467 •• 499 . . 494 ■• 492 . . 469 ■■ 493 .. 483 . . 501 • • 453 . . 482 •• 472 .. 512 PAGE Hodson, Joseph F 468 Hughes, John H 457 Hyde, Hiel A 500 Hyde, John 484 Ingle, W. D Jenkins, David W. 478 484 Keeney, Marshall S 473 Keeney, Thomas B 458 Keerins, David 497 Kuhl, Peter 471 Laycock. John A •. . . 473 Lesley, Martin C 463 Livingston, Newton 498 Lucas, Martin A 511 Luce, John C 488 Mack, Hiram C 489 Magill, David 454 Martin, Zachariah J 462 McGirr, Frank 461 McHaley, Rice R 475 McKenna, Alexander 464 McKern, William T 472 Miller, John L 479 Morgan, Samuel P 466 Mulcahy, George P 453 Murphy, Henry A 502 Neal, Napoleon B .* 509 Neal, William 470 Nealen, John G 495 512 Overholt, David G 480 Zeph, John Pearson, Francis M. Penfield, Edward S. Porter, George W. . Powell, Robert G. . . PAGE • ■ 470 Rader, George .... Roach, iMilas Robertson, Newton Robinson, James . . Rulisou, Nelson . . Scharff, Emil M Sels, Francis C Shields, James M Silvers, John C Small, James Snyder, Allen P Sollinger, George South worth, William S. Stockdale, McClellan . . . Stockdale, Robert J' Sweek, Lawrence Swick, Tunis Tabor, James W Tarter, Ballard P Thompson, Martin V. . . . Thornburg, Grant Titus, John D Trowbridge, Bradford C. Trowbridge, L. B Wickiser, James Wilson, Prior S Workins, Henry 462 508 485 482 5ii 486 509 514 460 507 490 463 481 474 504 505 505 477 466 476 497 508 464 500 506 493 468 487 465 502 GRANT COUNTY PORTRAITS. PAGE ^Carter, William M 508 i/Carter, Mrs. William M 508 V Cochran, Emmet 500 J Cochran, Mrs. Emmet 500 J Cresap, Oliver P 496 J Dore, Alva C 492 4 Guernsey, Otis 500 <{ Hall, Henry 453 JHall, William 472 J Hodson, Joseph F 468 •\ Jenkins, David W 484 ^Livingston, Newton 498 ./Robinson, James '(Livingston, Mrs. Newton Lucas, Martin A /Luce, John C. . . . I PAGE 508 Murphy, Henry A 500 N Neal, Napoleon B 508 •lOverholt, David G 480 ^Penfield, Edward S 498 'Powell, Robert G 508 -/Powell, Mrs. Robert G , 5o8-/Zeph, John PAGE .Rulison, Nelson 508 JSels, Francis C 460 'Southworth, William S 500 ".Tabor, James W 476 ^Thompson, Martin V 508 'Thornburg, Grant 464 Titus, John D 500 Titus, Mrs. John D 500 500 XX11 INDEX. MALHEUR COUNTY BIOGRAPHICAL. PAGE Amidon, Charlie E 587 Arnold, Thomas L 609 Barton, Thomas A 625 Beam, Edward 586 Beers, Ransom ..' 572 Beers, William P 563 Bigelow, Jonathan B 622 Blackaby, J. R 565 Blanton, George W 604 Bradley, Eber L 594 Brinnon, George W 599 Brosnan, Jeremiah 625 Brown, Cassius H 564 Brown, George G 580 Bush, Sylvester F 607 Carlton, William C 560 Clement, James T 619 element, Roswell W' 588 Clinton, Elbert H 582 Clinton, George W 581 Cole, Emory 585 Cole, Joshua L 562 Davis, Charles D 584 Davis, James T 558 Derrick, Jerome S 612 Dinwiddie, Joseph M 561 Divin, Robert M 576 Doran, John . 610 Dunbar, David 582 Duncan, George W 616 Edwards, John S 584 Ehrgood, Daniel R 627 Eldredge, Henry S 594 Emison, Sanford N 618 Farley, James H 591 Fiser. Thomas B 598 Fletcher, Thomas C 577 Ford, James C 557 Fraser, Edmund A 589 Gellerman, Frederick 622 Glover, G. B 573 Goodrich, Lafayette W 613 Goodyear, Thomas J 602 PAGE Gray, Garrison J 568 Greer, R. D 561 Hart, Richard H 557 Hatfield, James T 579 Hickey, George A 578 Hoffman, John 606 Hope, Isaiah W 570 Hope, Milton G 569 Howard, Baltimore 617 Hunter, Jason S 608 Isaac, William H , 607 Jones, Charles M 566 Kelley, Joseph C 593 Kelley, Melville D 627 Kennedy, James R 623 Kime, Frank A 602 King, Aimer G 575 King, Gilbert L. . .. 590 King, William R 576 Lackey, James A 629 Lamberson. Joseph G 604 Lawrence, James E 601 Locey, Cyrus T 596 Lockett, Robert A 626 Logan, William L 618 Lyells, George W 621 Mack, Alva P 583 Madden, James E 590 Madden, Joseph A 603 Mansjin, William M 571 McCain, James 572 McGregor, Andrew 567 McLaughlin. John B 599 Miller. William 609 Minton, William F 586 Morehead, Cornelius G 559 Morfitt, Cvrus W 595 Morfitt, William 560 Morton, Joseph A 628 Moss, Alvin S 556 Nichols, George 559 Zutz, Henry L O'Neill, Frank PAGE .. 58l Parks, William 556 Payne, Stowell L 605 Federson, John 613 Peer, Alonzo 615 Peirce, George W 614 Phelps, Perry E 597 Pogue. George A 600 Pullen, William H 555 Quimi, William 612 Ricker, Frank M 615 Rieger, Erwin A 574 Rose, John Hardy 611 Rutherford, Richard S 5*92 Scott, William J 620 Sells. John L 603 Shea, Albert J 558 Shea. Jeremiah 566 Smith, Charles . 563 Smith, George W 583 Snively, John M 616 Spann, Solomon L 606 Sproul, Andreas L 568 Stacev, Frederick W 598 Stark, Frank D 595 Stevens, John F 624 Tague, Joseph H 592 Tietsort, Henry P 579 Turner, Archibald W 555 Twycross, Ebenezer A 578 van Gilse, Robert 588 van Limburgh, William J., Jr. . . 580 1 Walter, James A 587 Ward, George E 573 Ward, Herbert J 565 Ward, John A 621 Weaver, James 623 Weaver, James M 601 Worsham, Robert W 574 597 MALHEUR COUNTY PORTRAITS. PAGE Fletcher, Thomas C 576 < Fletcher. Mrs. Thomas C 576 Gray, Garrison J. 568 PAGE ■' Clement, James T 616 J Cole, Emory 584 , Cole, Mrs. Emory 584 1 Duncan, George W 616 •1 Duncan, Mrs. George W 616 Edwards, John S .584 i Edwards, Mrs. John S 584 Emison, Sanford N 616 ^'Lawrence, James E 600 Howard, Baltimore 616 king, Will R 5/6 •'Kins-. Mrs. Will R 576 PAGE Logan, William L 616 ^Morfitt, William 560 ^Pogue, George A 600 iScott. William J 616 J Turner, Archibald W 555 ^Ward. John A 616 Weaver, James M 600 INDEX. xxm HARNEY COUNTY BIOGRAPHICAL. PAGE Allen, Tom 693 Altnow, William 684 Baker, Frank 663 Baker, Thomas 700 Bartlett, Jackson A 673 Bower, Seth , 686 Brown, Nathan 671 Buchanan, Joseph W 715 Bunyard, Jesse 7 1 ? Byrd, William C 708 Canaday, William Henry 666 Cary, David 670 Catlow, Edwin J 707 Catlow, John .„ 701 Cawlfield, 'George W 671 Chenev, Pleasant M 677 Clark,' William L 663 Clemens, Peter 7 X 3 Cote, Ubald J 674 Culp, William H 695 Cummins, Chauncey 7 11 Daly, John D 659 Davis, Jasper 676 Davis, Jesse C 690 Dibble, Ambrose M 689 Dickenson, James P; 665 Dixon, Harvey 697 Donegan, James J 685 Drake, Ransom 696 Duncan, N. E 667 Fenwick, Melvin 662 Foley, John C 704 PAGE Gearhart, James P 687 Gearhart, William H 703 Geary, John W 715 Geer, Irwin S 713 Go wan, Albert W 1-. . . 704 Haines, Charles A 680 Haines, Fred 687 Hall, Newell 682 Haskell, Thomas 691 Hayes, Cyrus 696 Hembree, Albert 668 Hill, Hiram M 701 Howard, Thomas 665 Howser,- Andrew W 682 Hudspeath, Green 699 Hughet, I. N 688 Jackson, Frank 695 Jones, Charles W 697 Johnson, Charles S 676 Johnson, William B 675 Johnson, William W 700 Keenev, Edward C 681 Kelley, Harrison 694 Levens, Henry C 707 Loggan, John E 681 Mahon, James F 672 Martin, W. D 670 McClain, Wallace 667 McKenzie, Alexander 710 McKinney, Charles F 708 McKinnon, Robert J 674 PAGE Miller, Mary A 660 Mothershead, Samuel T 711 Page, George W 668 Parker, James M 678 Poujade, Isadore L 661 Racine, Louis 692 Rann, Charles W 675 Rector, Joseph P 660 Richardson, Henry C 710 Robertson, Joseph 679 Robinson, John 698 Rutherford, Charles P 679 Shaw, George W 693 Shelley, George 692 Shields, Thomas J 683 Shown, James W 706 Simmons, James T 668 Smith, James 705 Smith, Martin V 661 Spangenberg, Andrew 714 Stanclift, George M 669 Stewart, Samuel B 686 Stubblefield, Ira 664 Sweek, Cyrus A 714 Terrill, Byron 709 Vanderpool, Abraham L 685 Voegtly, Charles H 703 Weatherly, James A 677 Williams, Joseph A 702 Williams, Robert J 690 Williams, Samuel N 689 HARNEY COUNTY PORTRAITS. PAGE J Daly, John D 659 ^ Dixon, Harvey 696 JDixon, Mrs. Harvey 696 •J Gowan, Albert W 704 PAGE . 680 'Haines, Charles A , VHayes, Julia A 696 4Hughet, Isaac N 688 iMahon, James F 672 PAGE Shown, James W 704 /Smith, James 704 BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES. CHAPTER I. EXPLORATIONS BY WATER. The opening of a new century is a fitting time to cast a backward glance in our local history, reconstruct to the eye of the present the interesting and heroic events of the past, and by comparison between past and present forecast something of the future. Old Oregon Territory, of which this county and this state were once parts, with its isola- tion, its pathos, its hospitality, has passed away. It had a strange history. It was the ignis fatuus of successive generations of ex- plorers, luring them on with that indescribable fascination which seems always to have drawn men to the ever-receding circle of the "West- most West," and yet for years and years veil- ing itself in the mists of uncertainty and mis- apprehension. We do not usually realize how soon after the time of Columbus there began to be at- tempts to reach the western ocean and solve the mystery of the various passages, north- west, southwest and west, which were sup- posed to lead through the Americas to Asia. The old navigators had little conception of the breadth of this continent. They thought it to be but a few leagues across, and took for granted that some of the many arms of the sea would lead them through to another ocean that would wash the Asiatic shores. In 1500, only eight years after Columbus, Gasper Cortereal, the Portuguese, conceived the idea of entering what afterward became known as Hudson's Bay and proceeding thence westward through what he called the strait of Anian. That mythical strait of Anian seems to have had a strange charm for the old navi- gators. One of them, Maldonado, a good many years later, gave a very connected and apparently veracious account of his journey through that strait, averring that through it he reached another ocean in latitude seventy- five degrees. But by means of Magellan's straits and the doubling of stormy Cape Horn, a connection between the two oceans was ac- tually discovered in 15 19. In 1543 Ferrelo, a Spaniard, coasted along the shores of California, and was doubtless the first white man to gaze on the coast of Oregon, probably somewhere in the vicinity of the mouth of the Umpqua river. In 1577 that boldest and most picturesque of all English sailors and freebooters, Francis Drake, started on the marvelous voyage by HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES which he plundered the treasures of the Span- ish main, cut the golden girdle of Manila, queen of the treasures of the Spanish orient, skirted the coast of California, Oregon, and Washington, and at last circumnavigated the globe. But in 1592, just one hundred years after Columbus, comes the most picturesque of all those misty stories which enwrap the early history of Oregon. This is the story of Juan de Fuca, whose name is now preserved in our northwest boundary strait. According to this romantic tale of the seas, Juan de Fuca was a Greek of Cephalonia, whose real name was Apostolos Valerianos, and under commission of the king of Spain he sailed to find the strait of Anian, whose entrance the Spaniards wanted to fortify and guard so as to prevent ingress or egress by the English freebooters who were preying on their commerce. Ac- cording to the account given by Michael Lock, "he followed his course, in that voyage, west and northwest in the South sea, all along the coast of Nova Spania and California and the Indies, now called North America (all which voyage he signified to me in a great map, and a sea-card of my own, which I laid before him), until he came to the latitude of forty- seven degrees; and that, there finding that the land trended north and northwest, with a broad inlet of sea, between forty-seven and forty-eight degrees of latitude, he entered thereinto, sailing more than twenty days, and found that land still trending northwest, and northeast, and north, and also east and south- eastward, and very much broader sea than it was at the said entrance, and that he passed by divers islands in that sailing; and that, at the entrance of the said strait, there is, on the northwest coast thereof, a great headland or island, with an exceeding high pinnacle or spired rock, like a pillar, thereupon. Also he said that he went on land in divers places, and that he saw some people on the land clad in beasts' skins ; and that the land was very fruit- ful and rich of gold, silver and pearls and other things, like Nova Spania. Also he said that he being entered thus far into the said strait, and being come into the North sea already, and finding the sea wide enough every- where, and to be about thirty or forty leagues wide in the mouth of the straits where he entered, he thought he had now well discharged his office; and that not being armed to resist the force of savage people that might happen, he therefore set sail and turned homeward again toward Nova Spania, where he arrived at Acapulco, anno 1592, hoping to be re- warded by the viceroy for this service done in the said voyage." This curious bit of past record has been interpreted by some as pure myth, and by others as veritable history. It is at any rate a generally accurate outline description of the straits of Fuca, the Gulf of Georgia and the shores of Vancouver Island and the mainland adjoining. And whether or not the old Greek pilot did actually exist and first look on our "Mediterranean of the Pacific," it is pleasant to imagine that he did, and that his name fittingly preserves the memory of the grand old myth of Anian and the northwest passage. There is one other more obviously mythi- cal tale, concerning our northwest coast. It is said that in the year 1640 Admiral Pedro de Fonte, of the Spanish marine, made the journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific and return, through a system of rivers and straits, entering the coast at about latitude fifty-three degrees. Coming from Callao in April, 1640, and after having sailed for a long distance through an archipelago, he entered the mouth of a vast river, which he named Rio de Los Reyes. Ascending this for a long distance northeasterly he reached an immense lake, on whose shores he found a wealthy civilized na- tion, who had a capital city of great splendor called Conasset, and who welcomed the HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES strangers with lavish hospitality. From this lake flowed another river easterly, and down this Fonte descended until he reached another great lake, from which a narrow strait led into the Atlantic ocean. There is one curious thing about these legendary voyages, and that is the general ac- curacy of their description of the coast. Although these accounts are unquestionably mythical, it is not impossible that their au- thors had actually visited the coast or had seen those who had, and thus gathered the material from which they fabricated, with such an appearance of plausibility, their Mun- chausen tales. We are briefly referring to these fasci- nating old legends, not for the purpose of dis- cussing them here at any length, but rather to remind the reader of the long period of ro- mance and myth which enveloped the early history of our state. Many years have passed after the age of myth before there were au- thentic voyages. During the seventeenth cen- tury practically nothing was done in the way of Pacific coast explorations. But in the eighteenth, as by common consent, all the na- tions of Europe became suddenly infatuated again with the thought that on the western shores of America might be found the gold and silver and gems and furs and precious woods for which they had been striving so desperately upon the eastern coast. English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian and American entered their bold and hardy sailors into the race for the possession of the land of the Occident. The Russians were the first in the field. That gigantic power, which the genius of Peter the Great, like one of the fabled genii, had suddenly transformed from the proportions of a grain of sand to a figure overtopping the whole earth, had stretched its arms from the Baltic to the Aleutian archi- pelago, and had looked southward across the frozen seas of Siberia to the open Pacific as offering them another opportunity of expan- sion. Many years passed, however, before Peter's designs could be executed. It was 1728 when Vitus Behring entered upon his marvelous life of exploration. Not until 1741, however, did he thread the thousand islands of Alaska and gaze upon the glaciated summit of Mt. Elias. And it was not until thirty years later that it was known that the Bay of Avat- scha in Siberia was connected by open sea with China. In 1771 the first cargo of furs was taken directly from Avatscha, the chief port of eastern Siberia, to Canton. Then first Europe realized the vastness of the Pacific ocean. Then it understood that the same waters which frowned against the frozen bul- warks of Kamtchatka washed the tropic islands of the South seas and foamed against the storm-swept rocks of Cape Horn. Meantime, while Russia was thus becom- ing established upon the shores of Alaska. Spain was getting entire possession of Cali- fornia. These two great nations began to overlap each other. Russians became estab- lished near San Francisco. To offset this movement of Russia, a group of Spanish, ex- plorers, Perez, Martinez, Heceta, Bodega and Maurelle, swarmed up the coast beyond the present site of Sitka. England, in alarm at the progress made by Spain and Russia, sent out the Columbus of the eighteenth century, in the person of Captain James Cook, and he sailed up and down the coast of Alaska and of Washington, but failed to discover either the Columbia river or the straits of Fuca. His labors, however, did more to estab- lish true geographical notions than had the combined efforts of all the Spanish navigators who had preceded him. His voyages materi- ally strengthened England's claim to Oregon, and added greatly to the luster of her name. The great captain, while temporarily on shore, was killed by Indians in 1778, and the com- mand devolved upon Captain Clarke, who sailed northward, passing through Behring HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES strait to the Arctic ocean. The new com- mander died before the expedition had pro- ceded far on its return journey; Lieutenant Gore, a Virginian, assumed control and sailed to Canton, China, arriving late in the year. The main purposes of this expedition had been the discovery of a northern waterway be- tween the two oceans and the extending of British territory, but, as is so often the case in human affairs, one of the most important results of the voyage was entirely unsuspected by the navigators and practically the outcome of an accident. It so happened that the two vessels of the expedition, the Revolution and the Discovery, took with them to China a small collection of furs from the northwest coast of America. These were purchased by the Chi- nese with great avidity, the people exhibiting a willingness to barter commodities of much value for them and endeavoring to secure them at almost any sacrifice. The sailors were not backward in communicating their discovery of a new and promising market for peltries, and the impetus imparted to the fur trade was almost immeasurable in its ultimate effects. An entirely new regime was inaugurated in Chinese and East India commerce. The northwest coast of America assumed a new importance in the eyes of Europeans, and especially of the British. The "struggle for possession" soon began to be foreshadowed. One of the principal harbors resorted to by fur-trading vessels was Nootka, used as a rendezvous and principal port of departure. This port became the scene of a clash between Spanish authorities and certain British vessels, which greatly strained the friendly relations existing between the two governments repre- sented. In 1779 the viceroy of Mexico sent two ships, the Princess and San Carlos, to con- vey Martinez and De Haro to the vicinity for the purpose of anticipating and preventing the occupancy of Nootka sound by fur-traders of other nations and that the Spanish title to the territory might be maintained and confirmed Martinez was to base his claim upon the dis- covery by Perez in 1774. Courtesy was to be extended to foreign vessels, but the estab- lishment of any claim prejudicial to the right of the Spanish crown was to be vigorously resisted. Upon the arrival of Martinez in the har- bor, it was discovered that the American ves- sel Columbia, and the Iphigenia, a British ves- sel, under a Portuguese flag, were lying in the harbor. Martinez at once demanded the papers of both vessels and an explanation of their presence, vigorously asserting the claim of Spain that the port and contiguous terri- tory were hers. The captain of the Iphigenia pleaded stress of weather. On finding that the vessel's papers commanded the capture, under certain conditions, of Russian, Spanish or English vessels, Martinez seized the ship, but on being advised that the orders relating to captures were intended only to apply to the defense of the vessel, the Spaniard released the Iphigenia and her cargo. The Northwest America, another vessel of the same expedi- tion, was, however, seized by Martinez a little later. It should be remembered that these Brit- ish vessels had in the inception of the enter- prise divested themselves of their true national character and donned the insigna of Portugal, their reasons being : First, to defraud the Chi- nese government, which made special harbor rates to the Portuguese, and second, to de- fraud the East India Company, to whom had been granted the right of trading in furs in Northwest America to the exclusion of all other British subjects, except such as should obtain the permission of the company. To maintain their Portuguese nationality they had placed the expedition nominally under the con- trol of Juan Cavalho, a Portuguese trader. Prior to the time of the trouble in Nootka. however, Cavalho had become a bankrupt and new arrangements had become necessary. The English traders were compelled to unite their HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES interests with those of King George's Sound Company, a mercantile association operating under license from the South Sea and East India companies, the Portuguese colors had been laid aside and the true national char- acter of the expedition assumed. Captain Colnutt was placed in command of the enter- prise as constituted under the new regime, with instructions, among other things, "to establish a factory to be called Fort Pitt, for the purpose of permanent settlement, and as a center of trade around which other stations may be established." One vessel of the expedition, the Princess Royal, entered Nootka harbor without molesta- tion, but when the Argonaut, under command of Captain Colnutt, arrived, it was thought best by the master not to attempt an entrance to the bay lest his vessel should meet the same fate which, had befallen the Iphigenia and the Northwest America. Later Colnutt called on Martinez and informed the Spanish governor of his intention to take possession of the coun- try in the name of Great Britain and to erect a fort. The governor replied that possession had already been taken in the name of his Catholic Majesty and that such acts as he (Colnutt) contemplated could not be allowed. An altercation followed and the next day the Argonaut was seized and her captain and crew placed under arrest. The Princess Royal was also seized, though the American vessels in the harbor were in no way molested. After an extended and at times heated controversy between Spain and Great Britain touching these seizures, the former govern- ment consented to make reparation and offered a suitable apology for the indignity to the honor of the flag. The feature of this cor- respondence of greatest import in the future history of the territory affected is that through- out the entire controversy and in all the royal messages and the debates of parliament, no word was spoken asserting a claim of Great Britain to any territorial rights or denying the claim of sovereignty so positively and persist- ently avowed by Spain, neither was Spanish sovereignty denied or in any way alienated by the treaty which followed. Certain real property was restored to British subjects, but a transfer of realty is not a transfer of sov- ereignty. We pass over the voyage of the illustrious French navigator, La Perouse, as of more importance from a scientific than from a politi- cal standpoint; neither can we dwell upon the explorations of Captain Berkley, to whom be- longs the honor of having ascertained the existence of the strait afterward denominated Juan de Fuca. Of somewhat greater moment in the later history of the northwest are the voyages of Meares, who entered and described the above mentioned strait, and who, in 1788, explored the coast at the point where the great Columbia mingles its crystal current with the waters of the sea. In the diplomatic battle of later days it was even claimed by some that he was the discoverer of that great "River of the West." Howbeit, nothing can be surer than that the existence of such a river was utterly unknown to him at the time. Indeed his con- viction of its non-existence was thus stated in his own account of the voyage : "We can now with safety assert that there is no such river as the St. Roc (of the Spaniard, Heceta) ex- ists, as laid down in the Spanish charts," and he gave a further unequivocal expression of his opinion by naming the bay in that vicinity Deception Bay and the promontory north of it Cape Disappointment. "Disappointed and deceived," remarks Evans facetiously, "he continued his cruise southward to latitude forty-five degrees north." It is not without sentiments of patriotic pride that we now turn our attention to a period of discovery in which the vessels of our own nation played a prominent part. The northern mystery, which had been partially resolved by the Spanish, English, French and HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARXEY COUNTIES Portuguese explorations, was now to be com- pletely robbed of its mystic charm, specula- tion and myth must now give place to exact knowledge, the game of discovery must here- after be played principally between the two branches of the Anglo-Saxon race, and Anglo- Saxon energy, thoroughness and zeal are henceforth to characterize operations on the shores of the Pacific northwest. The United States had but recently won their independence from the British crown and their energies were finding a fit field of activity in the titanic task of national organization. Before the consti- tution had become the supreme law of the land, however, the alert mind of the American had begun projecting voyages of discovery and trade to the northwest, and in September, 1788, two vessels with the stars and stripes at their mastheads arrived at Nootka sound. Their presence in the harbor while the events culminating in the Nootka treaty were tran- spiring has already been alluded to. The vessels were the ship Columbia, Captain John Kendrick, and the sloop Washington, Cap- tain Robert Gray, and the honor of having sent them to our shores belongs to one Joseph Barrel, a prominent merchant of Boston, and a man of high social standing and great influ- ence. While one of the impelling motives of this enterprise had been the desire of com- mercial profit, the element of patriotism was not wholly lacking, and the vessels were in- structed to make what explorations and dis- coveries thev might. After remaining a time on the coast, Cap- tain Kendrick transferred his ship's property to the Washington, with the intention of tak- ing a cruise in that vessel. He placed Cap- tain Gray in command of the Columbia with instructions to return to Boston by way of the Sandwich Islands and China. This commis- sion was successfully carried out. The vessel arrived in Boston in September, 1790, was re- ceived' with great eclat, refiitted by her owners and again despatched to the shores of the Pa- cific with Captain Gray in command. In July, 1791, the Columbia, from Boston, and the Washington, from China, met not far from the spot where they had separated nearly two years before. They were not to remain long in com- pany, however, for Captain Gray soon started on a cruise southward. On April 29. 1792, Gray met Vancouver just below Cape Flattery and an interesting colloquy took place. Vancouver communicated to the American skipper the fact that he had not yet made any important discoveries, and Gray, with equal frankness, gave the eminent British explorer an account of his past discoveries, "including," says Bancroft, "the fact that he had not sailed through Fuca strait in the Lady Washington, as had been supposed from Meares' narrative and map." He also informed Captain Van- couver that he had been "off the mouth of a river in latitude forty-six degrees, ten minutes, where the outset, or reflux, was so strong as to prevent his entering for nine days." The important information conveyed by Gray seems to have greatly disturbed the equi- poise of Vancouver's mind. The entries in his log show that he did not entirely credit the statement of the American, but that he was considerably perturbed is evinced by the fact that he tries to convince himself by argu- ment that Gray's statement could not have been correct. The latitude assigned by the American was that of Cape Disappointment, and the existence of a river mouth there, though affirmed by Heceta, had been denied by Meares; Captain Cook also had failed to find it ; besides, had he not himself passed that point two days before and had he not ob- served that "if any inlet or river should be found it must be a very intricate one, and in- accessible to vessels of our burden, owing to the reefs and broken water which then ap- peared in its neighborhood." With such reasoning, he dismissed the matter from his mind for the time being. He continued his journey northward, passed through the strait HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES of Fuca, and engaged in a thorough and minute exploration of that mighty inland sea, to a portion of which he gave the name of Puget Sound. Meanwhile Gray was proceeding south- ward "in the track of destiny and glory." On May 7th he entered the harbor which now bears his name and four days later he passed through the breakers over the bar, and his vessel's prow plowed the waters of that famous "River of the West," whose existence had been so long suspected. The storied "Oregon" for the first time heard other sound than "its own dash- ing." Shortly afterward Vancouver came to Cape Disappointment to explore the Columbia, of which he had heard indirectly from Captain Gray. Lieutenant Broughton, of Vancouver's expedition, sailed over the bar, ascended the river a distance of more than one hundred miles to the site of the present Vancouver, .and with a modesty truly remarkable, "takes possession of the river and the country in its vicinity in his Britannic Majesty's name, hav- ing every reason to believe that the subjects of no other civilized nation or state had ever entered it before." This, too, though he had received a salute of one gun from an Ameri- can vessel, the Jennie, on his entrance to the bay. The lieutenant's claim was not to re- main forever unchallenged, as will appear presently. CHAPTER II. EXPLORATION BY LAND. With the exploration of Puget sound and the discovery of the Columbia, history-making maritime adventure practically ceased. But as the fabled strait of Anian had drawn ex- plorers to the Pacific shores in quest of the mythical passage to the treasures of the Indian, so likewise did the fairy tales of La Hontan and others stimulate inland exploration. Fur- thermore, the mystic charm always possessed by a terra incognita was becoming irresistible to adventurous spirits, and the possibilities of discovering untold wealth in the vaults of its "shining mountains" and in the sands of its crystal rivers were exceedingly fascinating to the lover of gain. The honor of pioneership in overland ex- ploration belongs to one Verendrye, who, un- der authority of the governor-general of New France, in 1773 set out on an expedition to the Rocky mountains from Canada. This ex- plorer and his brother and sons made many important explorations, but as they failed to find a pass through the Rocky mountains by which they could come to the Pacific side, their adventures do not fall within the purview of our volume. They are said to have reached the vicinity of the present city of Helena. If, as seems highly probable, the events chronicled by La Page in his charming "His- toire de la Louisiane," published in 1758, should be taken as authentic, the first man to scale the Rocky mountains from the east and to make his way overland to the shores of the Pacific was a Yazoo Indian, Moncacht-ape or HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Montcachabe by name. But "the first traveler to lead a party of civilized men through the territory of the Stony mountains to the South sea" was Alexander Mackenzie, who, in 1793, reached the coast at fifty-two degrees, twenty- four minutes, forty-eight seconds north, leav-, ing as a memorial of his visit, inscribed on a rock with vermilion and grease the words, "Alexander Mackenzie, from Canada by land, July 22, 1793." His field of discovery was also without the scope of our purpose, being too far north to figure prominently in the inter- national complications of later years. Western exploration by land had, how- ever, elicited the interest of one whose energy and force were sufficient to bring to a success- ful issue almost any undertaking worth the effort. While the other statesmen and legis- lators of his time were fully engaged with the problems of the moment, the great mind of Thomas Jefferson, endowed as it was with a' wider range of vision and more comprehensive grasp of the true situation, was projecting ex- ploring expeditions into the northwest. In 1786, while serving as minister to Paris, he had fallen in with the ardent Ledyard, who was on fire with the idea of opening a large and profit- able fur trade in the north Pacific region. To this young man he had suggested the idea of journeying to Kamtchatka, then in a Rus- sian vessel to Nootka sound, from which, as a starting point, he should make an exploring expedition easterly to the United States. Ledyard acted on the suggestion, but was arrested as a spy in the spring of 1787 by Russian officials, and so severely treated as to cause a failure of his health and a consequent failure of his enterprise. The next effort of Jefferson was made in 1792, when he proposed to the American Philo- sophical Society that it should engage a com- petent scientist "to explore northwest America from the eastward by ascending the Missouri, crossing the Rocky mountains and descending the nearest river to the Pacific ocean." The idea was favorably received. Captain Meri- wether Lewis, who afterward distinguished himself as one of the leaders of the Lewis and Clarke expedition, offered his services, but for some reason Andre Michaux, a French botanist, was given the preference. Michaux proceeded as far as Kentucky, but there re- ceived an order from the French minister, to whom, it seems, he also owed obedience, that he should relinquish his appointment and en- gage upon the duties of another commission. It was not until after the opening of the new century that another opportunity for furthering his favorite project presented itself to Jefferson. An act of congress, under which trading-houses had been established for facilitating commerce with the Indians, was about to expire by limitation, and President Jefferson, in recommending its continuance, seized the opportunity to urge upon congress the advisability of fitting out an expedition, the object of which should be "to explore the Missouri river and such principal streams of it as, by its course of communication with the waters of the Pacific ocean, whether the Colum- bia, Oregon, Colorado or any other river, may offer the most direct and practical water com- munication across the continent, for the pur- pose of commerce." Congress voted an appropriation for the purpose, and the expedition was placed in charge of Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark (or Clarke). President Jef- ferson gave the explorers minute and particular instructions as to investigations to be made by them. They were to inform themselves should they reach the Pacific ocean "of the circumstances which may decide whether the furs of those parts may be collected as ad- vantageously at the head of the Missouri (con- venient as is supposed to the Colorado and Oregon or Columbia) as at Nootka sound or any other part of that coast ; and the trade be constantly conducted through the Missouri and United States more beneficially than by the HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES circumnavigation now practiced." In addi- tion to the instructions already quoted, these explorers were directed to ascertain if possible on arriving at the seaboard if there were any ports within their reach frequented by the sea- vessels of any nation, and to send, if practi- cable, two of their most trusted people back by sea with copies of their notes. They were also, if they deemed a return by the way they had come imminently hazardous, to ship the entire party and return via Good Hope or Cape Horn, as they might be able. A few days before the initial steps were taken in discharge of the instruction of Presi- dent Jefferson, news reached the seat of gov- ernment of a transaction which added materi- ally to the significance of the enterprise. Ne- gotiations had been successfully consummated for the purchase of Louisiana on April 30, 1803, but the authorities at Washington did not hear of the important transfer until the 1st of July. Of such transcendent import to the future of our country was this transaction and of such vital moment to the section with which our volume is primarily concerned, that we must here interrupt the trend of our nar- rative to give the reader an idea of the extent of territory involved and, if possible, to enable him to appreciate the influence of the purchase. France, by her land explorations and the estab- lishment of trading posts and forts, first ac- quired title to the territory west of the Mis- sissippi and east of the Rocky mountains, though Great Britain claimed the territory in accordance with her doctrine of continuity and contiguity, most of her colonial grants extend- ing in express terms to the Pacific ocean. Spain also claimed the country by grant of Pope Alexander VI. A constant warfare had been waged between France and Great Brit- ain for supremacy in America. The latter was the winner in the contest, and, in 1762, France, apparently discouraged, ceded to Spain the province of Louisiana. By the treaty of Feb- ruary 10, 1763, which gave Great Britain the Canadas, it was agreed that the western bound- ary between English and Spanish possessions in America should be the Mississippi river, Great Britain renouncing all claim to the ter- ritory west of that boundary. In 1800 Spain retroceded Louisiana to France "with the same extent it has now in the hands of Spain, and which it had when France possessed it, and such as it should be according to the treat- ies subsequently made between Spain and other states." The order for the formal delivery of the province to France was issued by the Spanish king on October 15, 1802, and, as above stated, the United States succeeded to the title by treaty of April 30, 1803. W?ien the treaty ceding Louisiana terri- tory to the United States was negotiated the three ministers conducting the negotiations were Monroe and Livingston, representing the United States, and Barbe-Marbois, who had been selected by Napoleon to represent France. Marbois's relations with Napoleon at that time were close and confidential, and the current tra- ditions of Napoleon's attitude throughout the negotiations is a more or less inaccurate ver- sion of the report made by Marbois in his "Histoire de la Louisiane," written after the Bourbon restoration and published in Paris by the Didots in 1829. The original edition, now rare in the United States, contains one of the earliest, if not the earliest, of the French maps of "the territory added to the United States by the treaty and its consequences," but interesting as this is, it scarcely compares in importance with the summary of the situation then existing as Marbois gives it, and with his report of Napoleon's conversations and speech- es on the subject. The second part of the work, which is de- voted to the treaty and its effects on the des- tinies of the world — which he appreciated with surprising foresight— opens with a valuable summary of the attitude of the United States toward France and England. He shows that 10 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the defeated Federalists were taking advantage of Jefferson's well-known French sympathies to press against France and against the admin- istration of the United States the dangerous questions which had been raised by the attitude of the West in demanding assurances of the free navigation of the Mississippi. "Although a very active faction in Congress," he writes, "worked secretly to force a declaration of war against France by the United States, the chiefs of the administration desired sincerely to pre- serve a good understanding. On its side the Consular government (Napoleon personally) seemed to wish to follow toward the republic a course opposed to that of the directory. War between France and England seemed inevit- able, and the American Cabinet easily under- stood that in case it was declared the French consul would be under the necessity of post- poning the occupation of Louisiana." He then quotes from the message of De- cember 1 8, 1802, in which Jefferson called the attention of Congress to the importance of the possible reoccupation of Louisiana by France, and details the circumstances under which Monroe was sent to France to re-enforce Liv- ingston, who was already in Paris attempting to negotiate for the city of New Orleans and the territory which controlled the mouth of the Mississippi. Marbois defines Livingston's mental state at this time as one of exasperation. He had been evaded and put off in what he considered a treacherous manner, until he was ready to square issues by making demands which no' one thought France would consider — among others as Marbois records it — "for the whole of the vast territory north of the Arkansas." This seems to be the first presentation of the idea of the cession as a whole, and Marbois feels cer- tain that Livingston's aggressiveness repre- sented his own feelings rather than those of the American administration. To such an ex- tent had this aggressiveness taken possession of Livingston — though he does not seem to have expected to have the proposition for the cession of the country north of the Arkansas entertained, Marbois records with disapproval — that when Monroe landed in Paris, Living- ston met him with a proposal "to take posses- sion of New Orleans first and trade after- wards." This sufficiently suggests Marbois's under- standing of the attitude of the United States, an administration in power friendly to France, but urged against France by a powerful minor- ity using the control of the Mississippi as a lever to such effect that the supporters of the administration were beginning to show signs of breaking away from control and forcing issues. To understand the attitude of Napoleon it must be recalled that in becoming first consul he had announced himself as a pacificator of the world, and after attempting to conciliate the powers in the treaty of Amiens, had con- tinued vigorously the attempt to reconstruct France in accordance with his own ideas. This he considered the object of paramount import- ance at the time, and whatever plans he had for extending the empire of France over Europe were to be postponed until he had firmly in- trenched himself at home and reorganized France completely. In a great measure, he had carried out his plans for doing this, when he saw that England was once more about to take the aggressive against him — this just at a time when he was preparing to cease to be first con- sul and to become "Napoleon the First." This is the situation which Marbois defines, and it explains the stimulus under which Na- poleon's genius acted in reaching the decision that there must be a radical change in the atti- tude of France toward the United States. After the Revolutionary war France had hoped to hold the United States as a ward under an informal French protectorate and had co-oper- ated with Spain to that end. To keep the United States surrounded by French and Span- ish territory was part of this plan. When Mon- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 11 roe sailed for France Napoleon seems to have reached a decision, foreshadowed in a conversa- tion in the Tuileries, to abandon once for all the idea of controlling the United States, and, by a sudden stroke, to set them loose as a first- class power against England. He announced this decision in a conference at which Marbois was present, just before Monroe landed. Before calling this conference he had de- nounced the claims of England to be "mistress of the seas," and had said "to free the world from the commercial tyranny of England it is necessary to oppose to her a maritime power which will one day become her rival. It must be the United States. The English aspire to dispose o time for further deliberation. From the current translations of Napoleon's second speech preceding the negotiations with Monroe and Livingston, the opening and clos- ing are generally omitted. As Marbois reports it, Napoleon, the day after he had listened to the arguments for and against the cession, 12 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES called his counsellors together, told them that he had just received letters from his ambas- sador in London, and then proceeded : "The English demand of me Lampedusa, which does not belong to me, and at the same time they wish to keep Malta for ten years. That island, where military genius has put forth its resources of defense to an extent which is incredible to those who have not seen it, would be another Gibraltar for them. To leave it to them would be to deliver to them the commerce of the Levant and to ruin my southeastern provinces. They wish to keep possession of it, and they demand that I evacuate Holland. "There is no time for uncertainty and de- liberation. I renounce Louisiana. It is not New Orleans only that I wish to cede ; it is the whole colony, without reservation. I know the price of what I abandon, and I have already proved the value I set on the province, as my first diplomatic act with Spain had its recovery for its object. I renounce it with keen regret; but the obstinate determination to hold it would be folly. I empower you to negotiate with the envoys of Congress. Do not even await the arrival of Mr. Monroe. Open negotiations to- day with Mr. Livingston. But I need a great deal of money for this war, and I do not wish to begin it with fresh taxes. For a hundred years France and Spain have been making in- vestments in improving the trade of Louisiana, for which it has not indemnified them. The sums which have been advanced to companies and to cultivators have never come back into the treasury. The repayment of all this is owed us. If I based my conditions on the impor- tance of this vast territory to the United States, they would be unbounded. In consideration of the necessity under which I wish to sell I shall be moderate. But keep it in mind that I must have 50,000,000 francs and that I will not treat for less. I will rather make a desperate attempt to keep this beautiful country. To- morrow you shall have your full authority." Napoleon paused here, but when one of his hearers, probably Marbois himself, spoke of the difficulties of selling "what the Germans call souls," he continued: "There you go (voila!) with all of your perfection of ideology, 'of the rights of nature and of man.' But I need money to make war on a nation which has it in abundance. Send your doctrines to London. I am sure they will be the object of great admiration there, and that they will not pay the least attention to them when it is a question of seizing the best parts of Asia. "Perhaps it may be objected," he went on, "that the Americans will be found too powerful for Europe in two or three centuries. But my foresight takes no account of terrors at a dis- tance. Moreover, you can look to the future for dissensions in the bosom of the Union. The confederations which are called perpetual only endure until one of the parties to the con- tract finds reason to break it. It is against present dangers to which we are exposed by the colossal powers of England that I wish to provide a safeguard." Marbois consulted with Livingston before Monroe's arrival, finding him full of suspi- cions and unable to believe it when told that the first consul would negotiate, not for New Or- leans only, but for the cession of the entire territory. He thought this merely another French device to gain time, and when Marbois met Monroe and Livingston together for the first time, he found that both had doubts of his good faith. He soon removed them, how- ever, and the negotiations proceeded without a hitch, except over the price and the boundaries. The jurisdiction of the ecclesiastical authorities at New Orleans had been claimed to the Pacific, but France was not willing to guarantee this, and the American envoys wished a definition of boundaries, because publicists had held in- valid treaties in which such definitions were not clearly given. It was finally decided, how- ever, to accept the French view, and it is inti- HISTORY OF BAKER. GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARXEY COUNTIES 13 mated that there was an understanding that this would be to the advantage of the United States in proceeding against England for the occupation of the western Pacific territory. In- deed, the whole inference from Marbois's book is that, back of the purchase price, which was important at the time to give Xapoleon money for war against England, there was a much more important, if even wholly undefined, un- derstanding that the cession involved, on the part of the United States, the assumption of the aggressive against England in support of France. This is strongly brought out in Mar- bois's report of Livingston's speech, made at the signing of the treaty. When the treatv had been actuallv signed. Marbois says that the three negotiators (Mon- roe, Livingston and himself) "felt a sentiment superior to glory. Never," he says, "had ne- gotiators tasted a joy more pure than theirs." As soon as they had signed they rose, shook hands, and Livingston, expressing the satisfac- tion of all, said: "The treaty we have signed has not been brought about by finesse nor dic- tated by force. "Equally advantageous to both the contract- ing parties, it will change vast solitudes into a flourishing country. To-day the United States take their place among the powers of the first rank. All exclusive influence in the affairs of the United States is lost to England forever. Thus is done away with one of the chief causes of European hatreds and rivalries. Moreover, if wars are inevitable, France will have in the Xew World a friend, increasing year by year in power, which cannot fail to become puissant and respected on all the seas of the world. It is by the United States that there will be re-es- tablished for all the peoples of the earth mari- time rights which are now usurped by a single country. Thus treaties will become a guaran- tee of peace and good will between commercial states. The instrument we have signed will cause no tears to flow. It will prepare centuries of happiness for innumerable generations of the human race. The Mississippi and the Mis- souri will see them prosper and increase in the midst of equality, under just laws, freed from the errors of superstition, from the scourges of bad government, and truly worthy of the re- gard and the care of Providence." It appears that in discussing the treaty the same "ideology" which Napoleon had so per- emptorily disposed of was considered by Messrs. Marbois, Livingston and Monroe with courtesy, but with the same conclusion. Mar- bois says that when the question of buying and selling Louisiana without consulting its inhabi- tants was raised, "the three ministers expressed sincere regrets, but a preliminary of this nature was rendered impossible by circumstances." He adds in explantaion : "To defer the cession would have been to make Louisiana a colony of England, to render its power predominant in America, and to enfeeble for centuries all that which the whole world ought to wish to set wax and grow greater in that part of the globe. This insoluble difficulty was at once put aside." Jefferson, when the same difficulty was pre- sented to him, wrote to Senator Breckenridge, of Kentucky, that "the Executive in seizing the fugitive occurrence which so much advances the good of his country, has done an act beyond the Constitution." He wished to have the Con- stitution amended to cover the case, but his recommendation was put on file with the other "insoluble difficulties" to which M. Marbois refers. In closing his review of Napoleon's action throughout the negotiations, Marbois says that "the following words (spoken when the signing of the treaty was announced) are enough to demonstrate what thought then dominated the first consul : 'This accession of territory,' said he, 'assures (affermit) forever the power of the United States, and I have given England a maritime rival which sooner or later will hum- ble her pride.' " Exact boundaries had not been established 14 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES at that time, but some idea of the extent of this purchase may be had when we remember that it extended from the present British line to the Gulf of Mexico and included what are now the states of Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana, the territory of Oklahoma, In- dian Territory, more than three-fourths of Montana and Wyoming, also parts of Colorado and New Mexico. Thus an enterprise which had in its in- ception for its chief object to advance the com- mercial interests of the United States acquired a new purpose, namely, the extending of the geographical and scientific knowledge con- cerning our own domain. Upon Lewis and Clarke a further duty devolved, that of inform- ing the natives that obedience was now due to a new great father. The expedition of Lewis and Clarke excited a peculiar interest at the time of its occurrence, and has ever since occupied a unique place in our history. To our colonial ancestors, caged between the sea and the domains of hostile natives and rival colonies, afterward absorbed in a death struggle with the mother country, all the vast interior was a sealed book. And when the successful issue of the Revolutionary war per- mittedi them to turn around and see where they were, still more when the great purchase of Louisiana from France enabled them to look toward the tops of the "Shining mountains" with a sense of proprietorship, all the romance and enthusiasm and excitement of exploration, hitherto sternly denied them by their narrow- ing lot, seized and fascinated all classes. The world-old wizard of "out west" stretched his wand over them, and under its magic sway they began, by mountain trail and river and open highway of the prairie, to fol- low it into the wilderness. The same impulse led them which drew the camel-drivers of Syria to the shores of the Mediterranean, which filled the sails of Roman galleys, which beckoned the Norse Viking to the desolate grandeur of Greenland, and which lit a signal fire in the tropic verdure of the Bahamas for the far-reaching vision of Columbus. So our great-grandfathers were chasing toward the sunset the shadows of their own coming great- ness, a shadow gigantic but always growing, crossing the great plains with seven-league boots and stepping across the ridge-pole of the continent like a Colossus. It is not surprising that to minds just ad- mitted to this atmosphere of boundless ex- pectation, even this plain and common-place narrative of Lewis and Clark should have had the fascination of a novel. This historic expedition had been projected and even partially fitted out by Jefferson before the purchase of Louisiana. But immediately upon the completion of that most sagacious in- vestment, the lingering preparations were hastened, and on the 14th of May, 1804, the party left St. Louis by boat, upon the muddy current of the Missouri, to search for the un- known mountains and rivers between that point and the Pacific. Their plan was to ascend the Missouri to its source, cross the divide, strike the headwaters of the Columbia, and, descend- ing it, reach the sea. And what manner of men were undertak- ing this voyage, fraught with both interest and peril? Meriwether Lewis, the leader of the party, was a captain in the United States army, and in Jefferson's judgment was, by reason of endurance, boldness and energy, the fittest man within his knowledge for the re- sponsible duties of commander. His whole life had been one of reckless adventure. It appears that at the tender age of eight he was already illustrious for successful midnight forays upon the festive coon and the medi- tative possum. He was lacking in scientific knowledge, but, when appointed captain of the expedition, had, with characteristic pluck, spent a few spare weeks in study of some of the branches most essential to his new work. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 15 William Clark, second in command, was also a United States officer, and seems to have been equally fitted with Lewis for his work. The party consisted of fourteen United States regulars, nine Kentucky volunteers, two French voyagers, a hunter, an interpreter and a negro. To each of the common soldiers the government offered the munificent reward of retirement upon full pay with a recommenda- tion for a soldier's grant of land. Special pains were taken to encourage the party to keep complete records of all they saw and heard and did. This was done with a ven- geance, insomuch that seven journals besides those of the leaders were carefully kept, and in them was recorded nearly every event from the most important discoveries down to the ingredients of their meals and doses of medi- cine. They were abundantly provided with beads, mirrors, knives, etc., etc., wherewith to woo the savage hearts of the natives. After an interesting and easy journey of five months they reached the country of the Mandans, and here they determined to winter. The winter having been profitably spent in making the acquaintance of the Indians and in collecting specimens of natural history of the plains — which they now sent back to the presi- dent with great care — they again embarked in a squadron of six canoes and two pirogues. On June 13th they reached the great falls of the Missouri. A month was spent within sound of the thunder and in sight of the perpetual mist- cloud rising from the abyss, before they could accomplish the difficult portage of eighteen miles, make new canoes, mend their clothes and lay in a new stock of provisions. Of material for this last there was no end. The air was filled with migratory birds, and the party was almost in danger of being overrun by the enormous herds of buffalo. The long, bright days, the tingling air of the mountains, the pleasant swish of the water as their canoes breasted the swift current the vast camp fires and the nightly buffalo roasts — all these must have made this the pleasantest section of their long journey. The party seems to have pretty nearly ex- hausted its supply of names, and after having made heavy draughts on their own with vari- ous permutatory combinations, they were re- duced to the extremity of loading innocent creeks with the ponderous names of Wisdom, Philosophy and Philanthropy. ' Succeeding generations have relieved the unjust pressure in two of these cases with the sounding ap- pellations of Big Hole and Stinking Water. On the 1 2th cf August the explorers crossed the great divide, the birthplace of the mighty rivers, and descending the sunset slope found themselves in the land of the Shoshones. They had brought with them a Shoshone woman, rejoicing in the pleasant name of Sac- ajawea, for the express purpose of becoming acquainted with this tribe, through whom they hoped to get horses and valuable information as to their proper route to the ocean. But four days were consumed in enticing the sus- picious savages near enough to hear the words of their own tongue proceeding from the camp of the strangers. When, however, the fair interpretress had been granted a hearing, she speedily won for the party the faithful allegi- ance of her kinsmen. They innocently ac- cepted the rather general intimation of the ex- plorers that this journey had for its primary object the happiness and prosperity of the Shoshone nation, and to these evidences of benevolence on the part of their newly adopted great father at Washington, they quickly re- sponded by bringing plenty of horses and all the information in their poor power. It appears that the expedition was at that time on the headwaters of the Salmon river, near where Fort Lemhi afterwards stood. With twenty-nine horses to carry their abund- ant burdens, they bade farewell to the friendly Shoshones on the last day of August, and committed themselves to the dreary and deso- 16 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES late solitudes to the westward. They soon be- came entangled in the savage ridges and de- files, already spotted with snow, of the Bitter Root mountains. Having crossed several branches of the great river named in honor of Captain Clark, and becoming distressed at the increasing dangers and delays, they turned to the left, and, having punished a brawling creek for its inhospitality by inflicting on it the name Coltkilled, commemorative of their extremity for food, they came upon a wild and beautiful stream. Inquiring the name of this from the Indians, they received the answer, "Koos- kooskie." This in reality meant simply that this was not the stream for which they were searching. But not understanding, they named the river Kooskooskie. This was af- terward called the Clearwater, and is the most beautiful tributary of the Snake. The country still frowned on them with the same forbidding rocky heights and blind- ing snowstorms as before. It began to seem as though famine would ere long stare them in the face, and the shaggy precipices were marked with almost daily accidents to men and beasts. Their only meat was the flesh of their precious horses. Under these circumstances Clark decided to take six of the most active men and push ahead in search of game and a more hospitable country. A hard march of twenty miles re- warded him with a view of a vast open plain in front of the broken mountain chain across which they had been struggling. It was three days, however, before they fairly cleared the edge of the mountains and emerged on the great prairie north and east of where Lewiston now is. They found no game except a stray horse, which they speedily dispatched. Here the advance guard waited for the main body to come up, and then all together they went down to the Clearwater, where a large num- ber of the Nez Perce Indians gathered to see and trade with them. Receiving from these Indians, who, like all that they had met, seemed very amicably disposed, the cheering news that the great river was not very dis- tant, and seeing the Clearwater to be a fine. navigable stream, they determined to abandon the weary land march and make canoes. Five of these having been constructed, they laid in a stock of dog meat, and then committed themselves to the sweeping current with which all the tributaries of the Columbia hasten to their destined place. They left their horses with the Nez Perces, and it is worthy of special notice that these were remarkably faithful to their trust. Indeed, it may be safely asserted that the first explorers of this country almost uniformly met with the kindest reception. The cruelty and deceit afterward characteristic of the Indians were learned partly of the whites. On the ioth of October, having traveled sixty miles on the Clearwater, its pellucid waters delivered them to the turbid, angry, sullen and lava-banked Snake. This great stream they called the Kimooenim, its Indian name. It was in its low season, and it seems from their account that it, as well as all the other streams, must have been uncommonly low that year. Thus they say that on October 13th they descended a very bad rapid four miles in length, at the lower part of which the whole river was compressed into a channel only twenty-five yards wide. Immediately below they passed a large stream on the right, which they called Drewyer's river, from one of their men. This must have been the Palouse river, and cer- tainly it is very rare that the mighty Snake becomes attenuated at that point to a width of twenty-five yards. Next day, as they were descending the worst rapid they had yet seen (probably the Monumental rapid), it repelled their effrontery by upsetting one of the boats. No lives were lost, but the cargo of the boat was badly wetted. For the purpose of dry- ing it they stopped a day, and finding no other HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES timber, they were compelled to use a very ap- propriate pile which some Indians had very carefully stored away and covered with stone. This trifling circumstance is noticed because of the explorers speaking in connection with it of their customary scrupulousness in never taking any property of the Indians, and of their determination to repay the owner, if they could find him, on their return. If all explorers had been as particular, much is the distress and loss that would have been avoided. They found almost continuous rapids from this point to the mouth of the Snake, which they reached on October 16th. Here they were met by a regular procession of nearly two hundred Indians. They had a grand pow-wow, and both parties displayed great affection for each other, the whites bestowing medals, shirts, trinkets, etc., in accordance with the rank of the recipient, and the Indians repaying the kindness with abundant and pro- longed visits and accompanying gifts of wood and fish. On the next day they measured the rivers, finding the Columbia to be 960 yards wide and the Snake 575. They indulge in no poetic reveries as they stand by the river which had been one principal object of their search, but they seem to have seen pretty much everything of practical value. In the glimmering haze of the pleasant October morn- ing they notice the vast bare prairie stretching southward until broken by the rounded sum- mits of the Blue mountains. They find the Sohulks, who lived at the junction of the riv- ers, a mild and happy people, the men being content with one wife, whom they actually assist in the family work. Captain Clark ascended the Columbia to the mouth of a large river coming from the west, which the Indians called the Tapteal. This was, of course, the Yakima. The people living at its mouth rejoiced in the liquid name of Chimnapum. Here Captain Clark shot what he called a prairie cock, the first he had seen. It was a sage hen, no doubt; a hand- some bird, nearly as large as a turkey and very common along the river at the present time. After two days' rest, being well supplied with fish, dog, roots, etc., and at peace with their own consciences and all the world, with satisfaction at the prospect of soon completing, their journey, they re-embarked. Sixteen miles below the mouth of the Kimooenim,. which they now began to call the Lewis river, they descried', cut clear against the dim horizon, line of the southwest, a pyramidal mountain,, covered with snow — their first view of Mount Hood. The next day, being in the vicinity of Umatilla, they saw another snowy peak at a conjectured distance of one hundred and fifty miles. Near here Captain Clark, having landed, shot a crane and a duck. Some In- dians near were almost paralyzed with terror,, but at last they recovered enough to make the- best possible use of their legs. Following them, Captain Clark found a little cluster of. huts. Pushing aside the mat door of one of them, he entered, and in a bright light of the: unroofed hut discovered thirty-two persons, all of whom were in the greatest terror, some: wailing and wringing their hands. Having by kind looks and gestures soothed their grief, he held up his burning glass to catch a stray sunbeam with which to light his pipe. Thereat the consternation of the In- dians revived, and they refused to be com- forted. But when the rest of the party ar- rived with the two Indian guides who had come with them from the Clearwater, terror gave way to curiosity and pleasure. These Pishquitpaws — such was their name — ex- plained to the guides their fear of Captain Clark by saying that he came from the sky ac- companied by a terrible noise, and they knew there was a bad medicine in it. Being convinced now that he was a mortal after all, they became very affectionate, and having heard the music of two violins, they 18 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES became so enamored of the strangers that they stayed up all night with them and collected to the number of two hundred to bid them good- bye in the morning. The principal business of these Indians seemed to be catching and curing salmon, which, in the clear water of the Columbia, the explorers could see swim- ming about in incredible numbers. Contin- uing with no extraordinary occurrence, they passed the river now called the John Day, to which they applied the name Lapage. Mount Hood was now almost constantly in view, and since the Indians told them it was near the great falls of the Columbia, they called it the Timm (this seems to be the Indian word for falls) mountain. On the next day they reached a large river on the left, which came thundering through a narrow channel into the equally turbulent Co- lumbia. This river, which Captain Lewis judged to contain one-fourth as much water as the Columbia (an enormous overestimate), answered to the Indian name of Towah- nahiooks'. It afterward received from the French the name now used, Des Chutes. They now perceived that they were near the place hinted at by nearly every Indian that they had talked with since crossing the divide — the great falls. And a weird, savage place it proved to be. Here the clenched hands of trachyte and basalt, thrust through the soil from the buried realm of the volcanoes, almost clutched the rushing river. Only here and there between the parted fingers can he make his escape. After making several portages they reached that extraordinary place (now called The Dalles) where all the waters gathered from half a million square miles of earth are squeezed into a crack forty-five yards wide. The desolation on either side of this frightful chasm is a fitting margin. As one crawls to the edge and peeps over he sees the water to be of inky blackness. Streaks of foam grid- iron the blackness. There is little noise com- pared with the shallow rapids above, but rather a dismal sough, as though the rocks below were rubbing their black sides together in the vain effort to close over the escaping river. The river here is "turned' on edge." In fact, its depth has not been found to this day. Some suppose that there was once a nat- ural tunnel here through which the river flowed, and that in consequence of a volcanic convulsion the top of the tunnel fell in. If there be any truth in this, the width of the channel is no doubt much greater at the bot- tom than at the top. Lewis and Clark, find- ing that the roughness of the shore made it almost impossible to carry their boats over, and seeing no evidence of rocks in the chan- nel, boldly steered right through this "witches' cauldron." Though no doubt whirled along with frightful rapidity and flung like foam flakes on the crests of the boiling surges, they reached the end of the "chute" without acci- dent, to the amazement of the Indians who had collected on the bluff to witness the dar- ing experiment. After two more portages the party safely entered the broad, still flood beginning where the town of The Dalles now stands. Here they paused for two days to hunt and caulk their boats. They here began to see evidences of the white traders below, in blankets, axes, brass kettles, and other arti- cles of civilized manufacture. The Indians, too, were more inclined to be saucy and sus- picious. The dalles seemed to be a dividing line between the Indian tribes. Those living at the falls, where Celilo now is, called the Enee- shurs, understood and "fellowshipped" with all the up-river tribes. But at the narrows and thence to the dalles was a tribe called the Escheloots. These were alien to the In- dians above, but on intimate terms with those below the cascades. Among the Esche- loots the explorers first noticed the peculiar "cluck" in speech common to all down-river tribes. The flattening of the head, which HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 19 above belonged to the females only, was now the common thing. The place where Lewis and Clark camped while at The Dalles was just below Mill Creek (called by the natives Quenett), on a point of rocks near the present location of the car shops. The next Indian tribe, extending appar- ently from the vicinity of Crate's point to the cascades, capped the climax of tongue-twist- ing names by calling themselves Chilluckitte- quaws. Nothing of extraordinary character seems to have been encountered between the dalles and the cascades. But the explorers had their eyes wide open, and the calm majesty of the river and savage grandeur of its shores re- ceived due notice. They observed and named most of the streams on the route, the first of importance being the Cataract river (now the Klickitat), then Labieshe's river (Hood river), Canoe creek (White Salmon) and Cru- satte's river. This last must have been Little White Salmon, though they were greatly de- ceived as to its size, stating it to be sixty yards wide. In this vicinity they were much struck with the sunken forest, which at that low stage of the water was very conspicuous. They correctly inferred that this indicated a damming up of the river at a very recent time. Indeed, they judged that it must have occurred within twenty years. It is well known, however, that submerged trees or piles, as indicated by remains of old Roman wharves in Britain, may remain intact for hundreds of years ; but it is nevertheless evident that the closing of the river at the cascades was a very recent event. It is also evident from the slid- ing - , sinking and grinding constantly seen there now that a similar event is liable to happen at any time. The cascades having been reached more portages were required. Slow and tedious though they were, the explorers seemed to have endured them with unfailing patience. They were cheered by the prospect of soon putting all the rapids behind and launching their canoes on the unobstructed vastness of the lower river. This was prosperously ac- complished on the 2d of November. They were greatly delighted with the verdure which now robed the gaunt nakedness of the rocks. The island formed at the lower cascade by Columbia slough also pleased them greatly by its fertility and its dense growth of grass and strawberry vines. From this last circum- stance they named it Strawberry island. At the lower part of that cluster of islands, that spired and turreted relic of the old feudal age of the river, when the volcano kings stormed each other's castles with earthquakes and spouts of lava, riveted their attention. They named it Beacon rock, but it is now called Castle rock. They estimated its height at eight hundred feet and its circumference at four hundred yards, the latter being only a fourth of the reality. The tides were now noticeable. This fact must have struck a new chord of reflection in the minds of these hardy adventurers; this first-felt pulse beat of the dim vast of waters which grasps half the circumference of the earth. And so, as this mighty heart-throb of the ocean, rising and falling in harmony with all nature, celestial and terrestrial, pulsated through a hundred and eighty miles of river, it might have seemed one of the ocean's mul- tiplied fingers outstretched to welcome them, the first organized expedition of the new re- public to this westmost west. It might have betokened to them the harmony and unity of future nations, as exemplified in the vast ex- tent, the liberty, the human sympathies, the diversified interests, industries, and purposes of that republic, whose motto yet remains, one from many. The rest of their journey was a calm float- ing between meadows and islands from whose shallow ponds they obtained ducks and geese in great numbers. They thought the "quick- 20 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES sand river" — Sandy — to be a large and impor- tant stream. They noticed the Washougal creek, which from the great number of seals around its mouth they called Seal river. But strange to say they missed the Willamette en- tirely on their down trip. The Indians in this part of the river called themselves Skilloots. Dropping rapidly down the calm but misty stream, past a large river called by the Indians the Cowaliske — Cowlitz — through the country of the Wahkiacums, at last, on the 7th of No- vember, the dense fog with which morning had enshrouded all objects, suddenly broke away, and they saw the bold mountainous shores on either side to vanish away in front, and through the parted headlands they looked into the infinite expanse of the ocean. Overjoyed at the successful termination of their journey, they sought their first pleasant camping ground and made haste to land. The rain, which is sometimes even now observed to characterize that part of our fair state, greatly marred the joy of their first night's rest within sound of the Pacific's billows. Six days passed in mouldy and dripping inactivity at a point a little above the present Chinook. They then spent nine much pleas- anter days at Chinook Point. This, however, not proving what they wanted for a permanent camp, they devoted themselves to explorations with a view to discovering a more suitable lo- cation. The party wintered in a log building at a point named by them Fort Clatsop. On the 23d of March, 1806, they turned their faces homeward, first, however, having given to the chiefs of the Clatsops and Chinooks certifi- cates of hospitable treatment, and posted on the fort the following notice: "The object of this last is, that, through the medium of some civilized person who may see the same, it may be made known to the world that the party consisting of the persons whose names are hereunto 1 annexed and who were sent out by the government of the United States to ex- plore the interior of the continent of North America, did penetrate the same by way of the Missouri and Columbia rivers, to the dis- charge of the latter into the Pacific ocean, at which they arrived on the 14th day of No- vember, 1805, and departed on their return to the United States by the same route which they had come." Of this notice several copies were left among the Indians, one of which fell into the hands of Captain Hall, of the brig Lydia, and was conveyed to the United States. The expedition made its way with no little difficulty up the Columbia river. They dis- covered on their return a large tributary of that river (the Willamette) which had escaped their notice on their outward journey, and made careful inquiry of the Indians concern- ing it, the results of which were embodied in their map of the expedition. At the mouth of the John Day river their canoes were abandoned, their baggage was. packed on the backs of a few horses they had purchased from the Indians, and traveling in this manner, they continued their homeward march, arriving at the mouth of the Walla Walla river on April 27th. The great chief Yellept was then the leader of the Walla Walla nation, and by him the explorers were received with such generous hospitality that they yielded to the temptation to linger a cou- ple of days before undertaking further jour- neyings among the mountain fastnesses. Such was the treatment given them by these Indians that the journal of the expedition makes this appreciative notation concerning them : "We may indeed justly affirm that of all the Indians that we have seen since leaving the United States, the Walla Wallas were the most hos- pitable, honest and sincere." Of the return journey for the next hun- dred and fifty miles, that venerable pioneer missionary, Dr. H. K. Hines, writes as fol- lows : "Leaving these hospitable people on the 29th of April, the party passed eastward on HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 21 ihe great 'Nez Perce trail.' This trail was the great highway of the Walla Wallas, Cayouses and Nez Perces eastward to the buffalo ranges, to which they annually resorted for game sup- plies. It passed up the valley of the Touchet, called by Lewis and Clark the 'White Stal- lion,' thence over the high prairie ridges and down the Alpowa to the crossing of the Snake river, 'then up the north bank of Clearwater to the village of Twisted Hair, where the ex- ploring party had left their horses on the way down the previous autumn. It was worn deep and broad, and on many stretches on the open plains and over the smooth hills twenty horse- men could ride abreast in parallel paths worn by the constant rush of the Indian generations from time immemorial. The writer has often passed over it when it lay exactly as it did when the tribes of Yellept and Twisted Hair traced its sinuous courses, or when Lewis and Clark and their companions first marked it with the heel of civilization. But the plow has long since obliterated it, and where the monotonous song of the Indian march was droningly chanted for so many barbaric ages, .the song of the reaper thrills the clear air as he comes to his garner bringing in the sheaves. A more delightful ride of a hundred and fifty miles than this that the company of Lewis and Clark made over the swelling prairie up- land and along the crystal stream between Walla Walla and the village of Twisted Hair, in the soft May days of 1806, can scarcely be found anywhere on earth." To trace the journeyings of these explorers ■further is not within the province of this work, but in order to convey a general idea of the labors and extent of the voyage we quote the brief summary made by Captain Lewis himself: "The road by which we went out by the way of the Missouri to its head is 3,096 miles; thence by land by way of Lewis river over to Clark's river and down that to- the entrance of Traveler's Rest creek, where all the roads from different routes meet; thence across the rugged part of the Rocky mountains to the navigable waters of the Columbia, 398 miles; thence down the river 640 miles to the Pacific ocean — making a total distance of 4,134 miles. On our return in 1806 we came from Trav- eler's Rest directly to the falls of the Missouri river, which shortens the distance about 579 miles, and is a much better route, reducing the distance from the Mississippi to the Pacific ocean to 3,555 miles. Of this distance 2,575 miles is up the Missouri to the falls of that river; thence passing through the plains and across the Rocky mountains to the navigable waters of the Kooskooskie river, a branch of the Columbia, 340 miles, 200 of which is good road, 140 miles over a tremendous mountain, steep and broken, sixty miles of which is cov- ered several feet deep with snow, on which we passed on the last of June; from the navi- gable part of the Kooskooskie we descended that rapid river seventy-three miles to its en- trance into Lewis river, and down that river 154 miles to the Columbia, and thence 413 miles to its entrance into the Pacific ocean. About 180 miles of this distance is tide water. We passed several bad rapids and narrows, and one considerable fall, 268 miles above the entrance of this river, thirty-seven feet eight inches; the total distance descending the Co- lumbia waters 640 miles — making a total of 3,555 miles, on the most direct route from the Mississippi at the mouth of the Missouri to the Pacific ocean." The safe return of the explorers to their homes in the United States naturally created a sensation throughout that country and the world. Leaders and men were suitably re- warded, and the fame of the former will live while the rivers to which their names have been given continue to pour their waters into the sea. President Jefferson, the great patron of the expedition, paying a tribute to Captain Lewis in 1813, said: "Never did a similar event excite more joy throughout the United 22 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES States. The humblest of its citizens have ta- ken a lively interest in the issue of this jour- ney, and looked with impatience for the in- formation it would furnish. Nothing short of the official journals of this extraordinary and interesting journey will exhibit the importance of the service, the courage, devotion, zeal and perseverance under circumstances calculated to discourage, which animated this little band of heroes, throughout the long, dangerous and tedious travel." CHAPTER III. THE ASTOR EXPEDITION. The limits of our volume must render this first or introductory part somewhat fragment- ary. For a complete history of the extremely interesting and romantic period prior to the organization and permanent settlement of our state we can only refer the reader to the many more pretentious works already pub- lished. We must, however, in view of its ef- fect upon subsequent history, revert briefly to those mammoth forces in the early annals of our northwest country, — the great fur com- panies. At the outset it is pertinent to inquire what were the motives which prompted the formation of those gigantic commercial or- ganizations, whose plans were so bold, far- reaching and comprehensive, and whose thea- tre of action was as wide as the world. The profits of the fur trade were such as might well entice daring and avarice to run the gauntlet of icebergs, of starvation, of fero- cious savages and of stormy seas. The net returns from a single voyage might liquidate even the enormous cost of the outfit. For in- stance, Ross, one of the clerks of Astor's company and located at Okanogan, relates that one morning before breakfast he bought of Indians one hundred and ten beaver skins at the rate of five leaves of tobacco per skin. Afterward a yard of cotton cloth worth say ten cents purchased twenty-five beaver skins, the value of which in the New York market was five dollars apiece. For four fathoms of blue beads, worth, perhaps, a dollar, Lewis and Clark obtained a sea otter skin, the mar- ket price of which varied from forty-five to sixty dollars. Ross notes in another place that for one hundred and sixty-five dollars in trinkets, cloth, etc., he purchased peltries val- ued in the Canton market at eleven thousand two hundred and fifty dollars. Indeed, even the ill-fated voyage of Mr. Astor's partners proved that a cargo worth twenty-five thou- sand dollars in New York might be replaced in two years by one worth a quarter of a mil- lion, a profit of a thousand per cent. We can not wonder then at the eager enterprise and fierce, sometimes bloody, competition of the fur traders. The fur-producing animals of especial value in the old Oregon country were three in number. The first, the beaver, was found in great abundance in all the interior valleys, the Willamette country, as was discovered, being pre-eminent in this respect. The two others, the sea otter and seal, were found on the coast. The sea otter fur was the most HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 23 valuable, its velvety smoothness and glossy blackness rendering it first in the markets of the world of all furs from the temperate zones of North America, and inferior only to the ermine and sable, and possibly to the fiery fox of the far north. Such, then, was the prospect which prompted the formation of the Pacific Fur Company, which shall have the first place in our narrative as being the first to enter the Columbia river basin, though it was long an- tedated in organization by several other large fur-trading corporations. The soul and prime mover of this enterprise was that famed com- mercial genius, John Jacob Astor, a native of Heidelberg, who had come to America poor, and had amassed a large fortune in commer- cial transactions. In 1810 there was conceived in the brain of this man a scheme which for magnitude of design and careful arrangement of detail was truly masterful, and in every sense worthy of the great entrepreneur. Even the one grand mistake which wrecked the en- terprise was the result of a trait of character which "leaned to virtue's side." Broad- minded and liberal himself, he did not appre- ciate the danger of entrusting his undertaking to the hands of men whose national prejudices were bitterly anti-American and whose pre- vious connection with a rival company might affect their loyalty to this one. He regarded the enterprise as a purely commercial one, and selected its personnel accordingly, hence the failure of the venture. Mr. Astor's plan contemplated the prosecu- tion of the fur trade in every unsettled terri- tory of America claimed by the United States, the trade with China and the supply of the Russian settlements with trading stock and provisions, the goods to be paid for in peltries. A vessel was to be dispatched at regular inter- vals from New York, bearing supplies and goods to be traded to the Indians. This was to discharge her cargo at a depot of trade to be established at the mouth of the Columbia river, then trade along the coast with Indians and at the Russian settlements until another cargo had been in part secured, return to the mouth of the river, complete her lading there, sail thence to China, receive a return cargo of Canton silks, nankeen and tea, and back to New York. Two years would pass in com- pleting this vast commercial "rounding up."' An important part of the plan was the supply of the Russian posts, at New Archangel, the object being two-fold, — first to secure the prof- its accruing therefrom, and secondly, to shut off competition in Mr. Astor's own territory, through the semi-partnership with the Rus- sians in furnishing them supplies. Careful arrangements had been made with the Russian government to prevent any possible clash be- tween the vessels of the two companies en- gaged in the coast trade. "It was," says Brewerton, "a colossal scheme, and deserved to succeed; had it done so it would have ad- vanced American settlement and actual occu- pancy on the northwest coast by at least a quarter of a century, giving employment to thousands and transferred the enormous profits of the Hudson Bay and Northwest British fur companies from English to American cof- fers." Like a prudent business man, Mr. Astor anticipated that, though the Northwest Com- pany had no trading posts in the region west of the Rocky mountains and south of fifty- two degrees north, its enmity and jealousy would be speedily aroused when a new com- petitor entered the field. He resolved to soften enmity by frankness, so wrote to the directors of the British company the details of his plan and generously offered them a third interest in the enterprise. This ingenuousness on his part found no response in the characters of the shrewd and unscrupulous men in whom he had so unwisely confided. Nobleness, in this instance, failed to enkindle nobleness. They met candor with duplicity, generosity with perfidy. 24 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Playing for time, they pretended, Caesar- like, to take the matter under advisement, and at once dispatched David Thompson, the as- tronomer and surveyor of their company, with instructions "to occupy the mouth of the Co- lumbia, to explore the river to its head waters, and, above all, to watch the progress of Mr. Astor's enterprise." They then declined the proposal. But Mr. Astor proceeded with his project energetically and skillfully. He associated with himself as partners in the enterprise (and here was his great mistake) Donald Macken- zie, Alexander Mackay, who had accompanied Alexander Mackenzie on his voyages of dis- covery, hence possessed invaluable experience, and Duncan MacDougal, all late of the North- west Company, and though men of great skill and experience, schooled in the prejudices of the association with which they had so long maintained connection and able to see only through British eyes. To the partners already enumerated were subsequently added Wilson P. Hunt and Robert Maclellan, Americans, David and Robert Stuart and Ramsey Crooks, Scotchmen, and John Clarke, a Canadian, and others. Wilson P. Hunt was given the post of chief agent on the Columbia, his term of office being five years, and when he was obliged to be absent temporarily a substitute was to be elected by the partners who happened to be present, to act in his place. Each partner ob- ligated himself in the most solemn manner to ■go where sent and to faithfully execute the objects of the company, but before subscribing to this bond two of the British perfidiously communicated to the British minister, Mr. Jackson, temporarily in New York, the de- tails of Mr. Astor's plan and inquired of him concerning their status as British subjects trad- ing under the American flag in the event of war. They were given assurances that in case of war they would be protected as English subjects and merchants. Their scruples thus put at rest, they entered into the compact. The larger part of the expedition was to go via Cape Horn and the Sandwich islands to the mouth of the Columbia, there to await the arrival of the Hunt party, which was sent out by land. To convey them thence the ship Tonquin, a vessel of two hundred and ninety tons burden, was fitted up for sea. She was commanded by Captain Thorne, a lieutenant of the United States navy on leave, and had on board Indian trading goods, the frame tim- bers for a coasting schooner, supplies of all kinds, and in fact everything essential to com- fort. Before the vessel had left the harbor Mr. Astor was apprised that a British war vessel was cruising off the coast for the purpose of intercepting the Tonquin and impressing the Canadians and British who were on board. This was a ruse of the Northwest Company to delay the expedition so that their emissary, Thompson, should arrive at the mouth of the Columbia first. But Mr. Astor secured as con- voy the now famous United States frigate Constitution, commanded by the equally fa- mous Captain Isaac Hull, and the Tonquin, thus protected, proceeded safely on her way. She arrived at her destination March 22, 181 1, after a voyage the details of which must be sought in Irving's Astoria, Franchere's narra- tive, o,v in some of the publications based upon the latter work. On the 12th of the following month a part of the crew crossed the river in a launch and established at Fort George a set- tlement to which the name of Astoria was given in honor of the projector of the enter- prise. They at once addressed themselves to the task of constructing the schooner, the framed materials for which had been brought with them in the Tonquin. An expedition also was made by Mr. Mackay to determine the truth or falsity of the rumor that a party of whites were establishing a post at the upper HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 25 cascades of the river, but when the first rap- ids were reached the expedition had to be abandoned, the Indian crew positively refus- ing to proceed further. On the i st of June, the ill-fated Tonquin started north, Mr. Mackay accompanying. We must now pursue her fortunes to their terrible conclusion. Mr. Franchere, a Frenchman, one of Mr. Astor's clerks, is the chief authority for the story. With his account Irving seems to have taken some poetic license. According to that graceful writer, with a total force of twenty-three and an Indian of the Chehalis tribe called Lamazee, for interpreter, the Ton- quin entered the harbor of Neweetee. Fran- chere calls the Indian Lamanse, and the har- bor, he says, the Indians called Newity. We shall probably be safe in following Bancroft, who surmises that the place was Nootka sound, w T hich has been 'referred to on a previous page as a bad place for traders. In 1803 the ship Boston and all her crew but two had been de- stroyed there. But it is well worth noting that these In- dians, like all others on the coast, were dis- posed at first to be friendly, and only the in- dignities and violence of the traders trans- formed their pacific disposition to one of sul- len treachery. Captain Thorne had been re- peatedly and urgently warned by Mr. Astor and his associates against trusting the Indians. One standing rule was that not more than four or five should be allowed on deck at once. But the choleric Thorne treated with equal contempt the suggestions of caution and the savage hucksters. A great quantity of the finest kind of sea otter skins had been brought on deck, and to all appearance a most lucra- tive and amicable trade was before them. But twenty years of traffic with the whites and a long course of instruction from the diplomatic and successful chief, Maquinna, had rendered the Nootka Indians less pliable and less inno- cent than Thorne expected. His small stock of patience was soon exhausted. At one cun- ning and leering old chief, who seemed to be urging the others to hold out for higher prices, the captain soon began to scowl with special rage. But the oily visage was scowl-proof, and the impatient sailor had the mortification to see that he was likely to be out-Jewed by one of those dirty and despised redskins. He could stand it no longer. In his most im- pressive and naval manner he bids the Indians to leave. But the obnoxious chieftain stands motionless, a perfect statue of savage impu- dence. All sense and judgment vanished from the captain's mind. Seizing him by the hair, he propelled him rapidly toward the ship's ladder. Then, with a convenient bundle of furs, snatched up furiously, he emphasized the chieftain's exit. Nor is it likely that he spared a liberal application of boot leather to the most accessible part of the savage trader's anatomy. Instantly, as if by magic, the Indians left the ship. In place of the babel of jabbering traf- fickers were only the hair-brained captain and his astonished and silent crew. Mr. Mackay, the partner on board, was very indignant when, on returning from a short trip ashore, he learned of the untimely cessation of trade. He assured Captain Thorne that he had not only spoiled their business, but had endangered all their lives. He there- fore urged making sail from the place at once. The Chehalis Indian, Lamanse, also enforced Mackay's wish, asserting that further inter- course with the Indians could only result in disaster. But the stubborn captain would lis- ten to no advice. So long as he had a knife or a handspike they needn't scare him into running before a lot of naked redskins. The night passed in quiet. Early the next morn- ing a number of Indians, demure and peace- able as can be imagined, paddled alongside. Bundles of furs held aloft signified their wish to trade. In great triumph Captain Thorne pointed out to Mackay the successful issue of his discipline. "That is the way to treat them," he said; "just show them that you '26 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES are not afraid and they will behave them- selves." The Indians were very respectful and exchanged their furs for whatever was offered. Pretty soon another large boat-load, well, supplied with the choicest peltries, asked per- mission to go aboard. The now good-natured and self-satisfied skipper gladly complied. Then another canoe, and a fourth, and a fifth, disgorged a perfect horde on board. But some of the more watchful sailors noticed with alarm that, contrary to custom, no women left the canoes, and that certain of the fur bun- dles the savages would not sell at any price, while as to others they were perfectly indiffer- ent. Pretty soon it was noticed that, moving as if by accident, the Indians had somehow become massed at all the assailable points of the vessel. Even Captain Thorne was startled when this fact became unmistakable. But putting a bold front upon his sudden fear, he gave the order to up anchor and man the top-mast, preparatory to sailing. He then ordered the Indians to return to their boats. With a scarce perceptible flush darkening their listless faces, they picked up their remaining bundles and started for the ladder. As they went, their cat- like tread scarcely audible even in the oppres- sive stillness, their knotted fingers stole into their bundles. Out again like a flash and in them long knives and cruel bludgeons. In an instant the wild war-yell broke the awful silence. And then the peaceful Ton- quin's deck saw a slaughter grim and pitiless. Lewis, the clerk, and Mackay were almost instantly dispatched. Then a crowd with fiend- ish triumph set upon the captain, bent on even- ing up at once the old score. The brawny frame and iron will of the brave, though fool- hardy old salt made him a dangerous object to attack, and not until a half dozen of his assailants had measured their bleeding lengths on the slippery deck did he succumb. Then he was hacked to pieces with savage glee. Meanwhile four sailors, the only survivors be- sides the interpreter, Lamanse, by whom the story is told, having gained access to the hold, began firing on the triumphant Indians ; and with such effect did they work that the whole throng left the ship in haste and sought the shore. Lamanse, meanwhile was spared, but held in captivity for two years. The next day the four surviving sailors attempted to put to sea in a small boat, but were pursued and probably murdered by the Indians. And then like a band of buzzards circling around a car- cass, the Indian canoes began to cluster around the deserted ship. The night had been spent in savage mirth,, and now in prospect of the rifling of an entire ship their joys knew no bounds. All was silent. The hideous tumult of the day before was succeeded by an equally hideous calm. Cautiously at first, and then emboldened by the utter lifelessness, in throngs the Indians clambered to the deck. Their instinctive fears of stratagem were soon lost in gloating over the disfigured forms of their vanquished foes, and in rifling the storehouses of the ship. Arrayed in gaudy blankets and adorned with multiplied 'strands of beads, they strutted proudly over the deck. Five hundred men, women and children now swarmed the ship. Suddenly with an awful crack, crash and boom, the luckless Tonquin, with all its load of living and dead, is flung in fragments around the sea. Her powder magazine had imitated Samson among the Philistines, and she had made one common ruin of herself and her enemies in the very scene of their triumph. Dismembered bodies, fragments of legs and arms, and spattered brains, stained and dark- ened the peaceful waters far and wide. Ac- cording to Lamanse, as quoted by Franchere, two hundred Indians were thus destroyed. Franchere also said that no one knows who blew up the ship, though he thinks it most likely that the four sailors left a slow train on board when they abandoned her. Irving most thrillingly describes Lewis as having been HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 27 wounded, and remaining on board after the four survivors had gone for the purpose of enticing the savages on board and then letting off the train so as to destroy himself and them in one final and awful retribution. Bancroft, however, finding no warrant for this in the narrative of Franchere, the only known au- thority, does not hesitate to accuse Irving of fabricating it. Whatever may have been the details, the general fact, with its horrible results to both whites and natives, rapidly spread abroad. Ere long it began to be whispered with bated breath among the Chinooks around Astoria. Then it reached the ears of the traders there. At first entirely disbelieved, it began to be painfully sure, after the lapse of months, and no Ton- quin in sight, that there must be something in it. The floating fragments of story finally as- sumed an accepted form, though not until the reappearance of Lamanse, two years after the event, was it fully understood. On July 15, 1811, David Thompson, with eight white men, arrived at Astoria. His ex- pedition had been long delayed on the eastern side of the Rocky mountains, in the search for a pass. Desertions among his crew also impeded his progress, and the final result was that he had to return to the nearest post and remain over winter. In the early spring he hurried forward. The party distributed many small flags among the Indians along the Co- lumbia, built huts at the forks of the river and took formal possession of the country drained by the Columbia and its tributaries in the name of the King of Great Britain, and for the company which sent them out. But the main object of the expedition was not real- ized. They were unable to occupy the mouth of the Columbia, and the perfidy of the Northwest Company failed of its reward. Hostile though the expedition was, it was re- ceived at Astoria with open-handed cordiality, MacDougal furnishing Thompson with sup- plies for the return journey against the urgent remonstrance of David Stuart. Such gener- osity to one's commercial enemy is, to say the least, a little unusual, but the magnanimity dis- played has for some reason failed to call forth the plaudits of historians. At the time of Mr. Thompson's arrival David Stuart was about to start for the Spo- kane country to establish a post, and he de- layed his departure for a short time, that his and Mr. Thompson's parties might travel to- gether. At the confluence of the Columbia and Okanogan rivers Mr. Stuart erected Fort Okanogan, the first interior post west of the Rocky mountains within the limits of the pres- ent state of Washington. On January 8. 1812, a part of the Hunt expedition reached Astoria, in a pitable con- dition. We must here take a backward step, chronologically, to pursue the fortunes of this ill-fated party of adventurers. While the Ton- quin was making her exit from New York harbor under convoy of the Constitution and was pressing forward to her destination in the west, the second partner in the enterprise, Wilson Price Hunt, was organizing at St. Louis a land party, which was to cross the plains and co-operate with the division by sea. Hunt had been merchandising for some years at St. Louis. His principal trade being with trappers and Indians, he had become very fa- miliar with the requirements of the business. In addition to this primary requisite he pos- sessed a character, native and acquired, worthy of more frequent mention in our early annals and of more frequent emulation by his asso- ciates and successors. Brave, humane, cheer- ful and resolute, he has risen from the mists of history and reminiscence as the highest type of the Jasons who vied with those of an- cient story in their search for the fleeces (this time seal and beaver fleeces instead of golden ones) of the far west. To a powerful phy- sique and iron nerve, Hunt added a refinement and culture rare indeed among the bold, free spirits of the frontier. .28 HISTORY OF EAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES In company with Hunt from the outset was another partner, Donald Mackenzie by name. He was a man insensible of fear, in- ured by years of hardship to the ups and downs of a trapper's life, and renowned even on the border for his marvelous accuracy with the rifle. The first thing for them was to get their men. To do this all the tact and patience of Hunt were brought into full play. For a proper understanding of his position it will be necessary to describe briefly the classes from whom he was obliged to fill his ranks. There were at this time two great classes of trappers. The first and most numerous were the Canadian voyageurs. These men were mainly of French descent. Many of them were half-breeds. They were the legacy of the old French domination over Canada. Cradled in the canoe or batteau, their earliest remembrance being the cold blue lake or foam- ing river, almost amphibious by nature and training, gay and amiable in disposition, with true French vivacity and ingenuity, gilding every harsh and bitter experience with laugh and song, with their quick sympathies and humane instincts easily getting on the best side of the savages, not broad in designing but pa- tient, courageous and indomitable in execut- ing, these French voyageurs were the main ■dependence of traffic in the wilderness. The second class were free trappers, — Booshaways they were sometimes called. These men were mainly Americans. Virginia and Kentucky Avere the original homes of many of them. They were the perfect anti- podes of the voyageurs. Often with gigantic frames built up on prairie dew and mountain breeze, with buffalo steak and wild birds' flesh wrought into their iron sinews; with nerves of steel on which it seemed might harmlessly play even the lightnings of Missouri storms, the drifting snows of winter but a downy cov- erlet to them, and the furnace blasts of sum- mer but balmy zephyrs; gorging themselves in the midst of plenty, but mocking the power of hunger and thirst when in want; mighty braggarts, yet quick as lightning to make good their boasts; patient and indefatigable in their wo-rk of trapping, but when on their annual trips to the towns given to wild dissipations and savage revelings, "sudden and rash in quarrel," careless of each other's sympathy or company ; harsh and cruel to the Indians when in power over them, but bold and recklessly defiant when weaker than they; seizing with- out compunction the prettiest Indian women and the best horses as their rightful booty; with blood always in their eyes, thunder in their voices, and pistols in their hands, yet underneath it all many of them having hearts as big as those of buffaloes, could they but be reached — this, now vanished race of Booshaways has gone to a place in history beside the old Spartans, whose great- est boast it was that their city had no wall, their army being the wall and every man therein a brick, or beside the Spanish conquer- ors of Mexico and Peru, like Orellano, who descended the Amazon on a raft and then put to sea with such a climax of audacity that even the stormy Atlantic was frightened into acquiescence and let him pass in safety. This old streak of brutality and tyranny, originally cast into the Anglo-Saxon nature and manifested in its best form in the savage grandeur of the Norse Valhalla, and in the overpowering energy of the Vikings, and at every emergency breaking with volcanic fury through the thin crust of modern culture, has shown itself in no way more notably than in the whole Indian management of the Ameri- can government. These free trappers executed with a ven- geance the unspoken, but not less real, policy of our government. Humanity, and even shrewd policy, have little place in the thoughts and actions of most of them. The Indians were simply to be stamped on like so many rattlesnakes. In the trappers' code, for an Indian to look longingly at a white man's HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 29 horse, or even to be seen in the vicinity of a beaver trap, was sufficient warrant to send a rifle ball boring its way through his heart. The Gallic gentleness which enabled the Canadian voyageurs to go almost anywhere unharmed among the Indians found no coun- terpart in the sterner composition of the great majority of American trappers and traders. Such were the men from whom Hunt had to make up his little army, and a vexatious job it was, too. The rivalries of opposing companies were the opportunity of the trap- pers. Big wages were demanded. Old whisky bills had to be paid off. Worst of all, Hunt found at nearly every station where he tried to engage men that the agents of the Missouri Fur Company, chief of whom was a Spaniard named Manuel Lisa, were neutralizing his ef- forts by representing dangers from the hostile tribes and barren wastes intervening between the Missouri plains and the Pacific. But Hunt's patience and perseverance, backed by Astor's unstinted purse, overcame all obsta- cles, and in April, 1811, the winter rendezvous at the mouth of the Nedowa (four hundred and eighty miles above St. Louis) was aban- doned, and in four boats, one of large size and mounting a swivel and two howitzers, the party of sixty set forth up the almost untrav- eled Missouri. Of the party five were partners, Hunt, Crooks, Mackenzie, Miller and Maclel- lan. One was a clerk, Reed by name. There were two English naturalists, Bradbury and Nuttall. Forty of the party were Canadian voyageurs. These latter were to do the row- ing, transporting, carrying, cooking and all the drudgery in general. The remainder were American hunters and trappers. These were the fellows to hunt and fight and plan and explore, and, when the proper place was reached, to cast themselves upon the mercy of the savages and wild beasts, endure hunger and thirst, and despite every difficulty establish trading posts The chief of these hunters was a Virginian named John Day. We shall meet him frequently. The party was in all respects most bountifully equipped. They designed following as nearly as possible the route of Lewis and Clark. Many interesting and some thrilling and exciting scenes were encountered on the pas- sage up the Missouri, especially on their way through the country of the Sioux Tetons. But they met with no serious hindrance, and on the 1 ith of June they reached a large village of the Arickaras, fourteen hundred and thirty miles above the mouth of the Missouri. It had been determined before this, on the advice of several hunters who joined the party in the wilder- ness, after they had left the Nedowa, to aban- don their canoes at this point and, securing horses, strike across the country south of Lewis . and Clark's route, so as to avoid the dreadful Blackfeet, who, alike the terror of the other Indians and of the whites, dominated all the' region of the upper Missouri. So with eighty- two horses heavily loaded — the partners only, together with the family of Pierre Dorion, be- ing mounted — on the 18th of July they set out: hopefully, despite the many gloomy prognos- tications from trappers remaining at the Arick- ara village, on their march across the Great American Desert and through the volcanic de- files of the great divide. On the wide monotony of the sky-bordered prairie they seemed to make no progress. Day succeeded day, and every morning's sun arose hot and dry, on apparently the very landscape of the day before. They did not seem, in fact, though taking a more direct route, to make so good time as did Lewis and Clarke. Guided by the Crow Indians, they penetrated range after range of the stepping stones to the final ridge, supposing each to be the last, only to find when it was surmounted that one yet higher succeeded, and at last on the 15th of September — the summer already gone — they mounted a lofty peak whence the boundless wilderness over which they had come as well as that which they must yet traverse lay like 30 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES a map at their feet. Gazing attentively west- ward, their guide finally pointed out three shining peaks ridging the western sky, whose bases he assured them were washed by a trib- utary of the Columbia. These peaks are now known as the Tetons from their peculiar shape. A hundred miles evidently lay between the weary travelers and that goal. When there, they felt that they would be almost at the end of their journey, little realizing the character of the thousand miles of travel yet awaiting them. Passing the green banks of Spanish river, a tributary of the Colorado, they laid in a large stock of the plentiful buffalo, gave their horses five days' rest and grazing on the abundant grass, and on the 24th of September, crossing a narrow ridge, found themselves on the banks of a turbulent stream, recognized by their guide as one of the sources of the Snake. From the name of the guide the stream was called Hoback's river. Down the rugged promontories which flanked this stream the party descended, often in danger of fatal falls, to its junction with a much larger one, which so much exceeded the first in fury of current as to receive the name of Mad river. This seemed to issue from the midst of the Tetons whose glacial and snowy immensity overtopped the camp of the travelers at the junction of the two streams. The all-important question now arose, should they abandon the horses and make canoes with which to descend the river. It was evident that, though containing abund- ant water for large boats, it was so impetuous as to render navigation a dangerous business. But the Canadians insisted on making the at- tempt. Weary of the toilsome and rocky foot- paths of the mountains, and having all confi- dence in their well-tried ability in handling boats in any kind of water, they longed to betake themselves once more to their favorite element, and, paddle in hand, their gay French songs beating time to the music of the paddles, they would be ready to shoot another Niagara if it came in their way. The partners finally gave their consent to make canoes. Forthwith the voyageurs repaired with joyful hearts to the adjacent woods, which soon began to yield up its best timber for the projected boats. Meanwhile a party of three, of whom the re- doubtable John Day was one, went down Mad river on a two days' journey. They returned declaring that neither in boats nor with horses along the banks could the party possibly go. Disappointed in this plan, they now took the advice of Hoback to go to a trapping post which had been established the year before by Mr. Henry, of the Missouri Fur Company. This post Hoback knew to be on one of the upper waters of the Snake and he thought that it could not be far distant. A violent storm of sleet, arising in the midst of their de- liberations, admonished them that winter was near at hand and that they must hasten one way or the other. The Snake Indians who had come to their camp before the storm and had professed to know the location of Henry's post now agreed to guide them thither. Ac- cordingly on the 4th of October, the hills all around being spotted with snow, they resumed their horseback march. Four days of cold and difficult journeying took them to a cluster of deserted log huts. This had been Henry's trading station, but was now entirely aban- doned. Beside the huts flowed a beautiful river a hundred yards wide. It was to all appear- ance a fine navigable stream. Two weeks of industrious work provided fifteen canoes, and in these, hastily embarking, they pushed out into the stream. Their horses were left in charge of the two Snake Indians. Nine men also, including Mr. Miller, one of the partners, had been detached from the party at points between Mad river and Henry's river, as the new stream was called. These men were to divide up into squads and trap on the streams thereabout. Well provided with traps, clothes, horses and ammunition, they set out cheer- fully into the unknown and wintry recesses of HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 31 the mountains, expecting to issue thence in spring with a great stock of valuable peltries. With these they could make their best way to Astoria. With the rapid current aiding the skillful paddles of the voyageurs, whose spirits arose to an unwonted height, even for them, as soon as they found themselves on the water, the canoes swept swiftly on toward the sunset. They soon came to the mouth of a stream which they took to be their old friend Mad river. They now considered themselves fairly embarked on the main body of the Snake, and already, in imagination, they began to toss on the vast current of the Columbia, and even to smell the salt breeze of the mild Pacific. Oc- casional rocky points abutting on the river made rapids which alternated with calm stretches of water, whose banks, shallow and grassy, were enlivened with perfect clouds of wild geese and ducks. For nine days they swept gaily on, with comparatively slight in- terruptions, making over three hundred miles from the place where they had first embarked. Then they met with a most lamentable dis- aster. In the second canoe of the squadron were Mr. Crooks as bowman and Antoine Clappine as steersman. The first canoe having safely passed a dangerous rapid, the second essayed to follow. With a sudden lurch she missed her course and the next instant split upon a rock. Crooks and three of his com- panions succeeded, after a hard struggle, in reaching the land, but Clappine, one of the most popular and useful men in the company, was lost amid the boiling surges. They had now arrived at an unboatable chain of rapids and frightful bluffs, among which neither boats nor horses, nothing, in short, but wings, were of use. At the beginning of this strait was one of those volcanic cracks peculiar to the rivers of this coast, in which the whole volume of the Snake is squeezed into a place thirty feet wide. This miniature maelstrom received from the disheartened voyagers the name "Cauldron Linn." The whole squadron now came to a halt. It was evident that a portage at least would be needed. And from the craggy volcanic ap- pearance about and below them, they had great fear that the obstructions extended a long dis- tance. This fear was realized when, after a forty-mile tramp down the river, Mr. Hunt discovered no prospect of successful naviga- tion. Returning to the main body, therefore, and discovering that they had but five days' food and no prospect of getting more, he de- termined to divide the party into four parts, hoping that some of them might find abund- ant game and a way out of the lifeless, vol- canic waste in which they were. One party, under Maclellan, was to descend the river; an- other under Crooks was to ascend it, hoping to find game or Indian guides on the way, but, if not, to keep on to the place where they had left their horses. Still another detach- ment, under Mackenzie, struck northward across the plains, having in view to reach the main Columbia. Mr. Hunt, left in charge of the main body, proceeded at once to cache a large part of their goods. Nine caches having been made to hold the large deposit, they took careful notice of the land marks of the neighborhood for future return, and then got themselves in readiness to move just as soon as the word should come from any of the scouting parties. Within three days Crooks and his party returned. Despairing of success on their doleful, retro- grade march, they had determined to share with their companions whatever might await them on their onward trip. Five days later, the party meanwhile beginning to see the ghastly face of famine staring at them, two of Maclellan's party returned, bidding them abandon all thought of descending the river. For many miles the river ran through volcanic sluice-ways, roaring and raging, at many places 32 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES almost lost from sight underneath impending crags, generally inaccessible from its desert bank, so that, though within sound of its angry ravings, they had often laid down to their insufficient rest with parched and swollen tongues. To manifest their anger at the hateful stream they named this long volcanic chute the "Devil's Scuttle Hole." What now re- mained? Nothing, evidently, but to hasten with all speed, their lives being at issue, to some more hospitable place. The party was, therefore, divided in two. One division, un- der Hunt, went down the north side of the river, and the other, under Crooks, took the opposite side. This was done in order to in- crease the chances of finding food and of meet- ing Indians. It was on the 9th of November that they started on this dismal and heart- sickening march. Until December they urged on their course, cold, hungry, often near starva- tion. At occasional wretched Indian camps they managed to secure dogs for food, and once they got a few horses. These were loaded down with their baggage, but, through scarcity of food, began soon to be too* weak to be of much service, and so their attenuated carcasses one by one were devoted to appeasing the hunger of the famished explorers. The country through which they were pass- ing presented an almost unvarying aspect of volcanic and snowy desolation. The few frightened and half-starved Snake Indians that they encountered could give no informa- tion as to the route. They signified, however, that the great river was yet a long way off. Hunt estimated that they had now put about four hundred and seventy miles between them and Cauldron Linn. They were evidently ap- proaching something, for gigantic snowy mountains, lifeless and almost treeless, seemed to bar their future way. Nevertheless they persisted with the energy of despair and clambered painfully up the snowy heights until at a sufficient elevation to command a vast view. Then, with a waste of mountains in front and bitter winds whirling the snow and sleet in their faces, they first began to despair of forcing their way. The short winter's day shut in upon their despair, and they were com- pelled to camp in the snow. Timber was found in sufficient quantity to prevent freez- ing, but during the night another snow storm burst on them furiously, and daylight, slug- gishly stealing through the snow-clogged at- mosphere, found them in a perfect cloud. The roaring river far below them was their only guide to further progress. Down the slippery and wind-swept mountain side they picked their way to the river bank. Here the temperature was much milder. Having devoured one of their skin-and-bone horses, they crept a few miles along the rocky brink of the brawling flood and made a cheerless camp. On the following morning (December 6) they were startled by seeing on the opposite bank of the stream a party of white men more forlorn and desolate than themselves. A little observation- convinced Hunt that these men were Crooks and party. Shouting across the stream at last he made himself heard above the raging river, and as soon as the men discovered him they screamed for food. From the skin of the horse killed the night before Mr. Hunt at once con- structed a canoe, and in this crazy craft one of the Canadians daringly and successfully crossed the fearful-looking river, taking with him a part of the horse and bringing back with him Crooks and Le Gere. Appalled at the wasted forms and despond- ent looks of these two men, and still further disheartened at the account they gave of the unsurmountable obstacles to continuing down the river, Hunt determined to retrace his steps to the last Indian camp they had passed, there to make a more determined effort to obtain- guides and horses. With dismal forebodings, therefore, on the following morning they took the back track. Crooks and Le Gere were so weak as to greatly retard the rest of the- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 33 party. In this extremity the men besought Hunt to leave those two to their fate while they hastened on to the Indian camp, but Hunt resolutely refused to abandon his weakened partner. The men gradually began to push ahead until by night but five remained to bear him company. No provisions were left them except four beaver skins. After a night of freezing coldness, one of the men being badly frost-bitten, Hunt, finding Crooks entirely un- able to travel, concluded that his duty to the main company demanded his presence among them. Accordingly, having made the ex- hausted men as comfortable as possible and leaving two of the men and all but one of the beaver skins with them, Hunt and the remain- ing three men hastened on. A day and night of famine and freezing brought them up with their companions. The pangs of hunger were beginning to tell in vacant looks and tottering steps. Some of them had not eaten for three days. Toward evening of that distressing day they saw with surprise and profound gratitude a lodge of Shoshones with a number of horses around it. Necessity knew no law. They descended on the camp, and seizing five horses, at once dispatched one of them. After a ravenous meal had satisfied their immediate necessities, they bethought themselves of their deserted companions. A man was at once sent on horseback to carry food to them and to aid them in coming up. In the morning Crooks and the remaining three men made their ap- pearance. Food must now be got to the men on the opposite bank, but a superstitious ter- ror seemed to have seized their companions as they looked across the sullen river at them. Ghastly and haggard the poor wretches beck- oning across with bony fingers, looked more like spectres than men. Unable to get any of the Canadians, overwhelmed as they were with ghostly fancies, to cross, one of the Kentucky hunters at last ventured the dangerous under- taking. Putting forth all his strength he at 3 last succeeded in landing a large piece of horse meat, and, encouraged by this, one of the Canadians also ventured over. One of the starving crew, frantic by his long deprivations, insisted on returning in the canoe. Before they had got across, the pleas- ant savor of the boiling meat so inspired him that he leaped to his feet and began to sing and dance. In the midst of this untimely fes- tivity the canoe was overturned and the poor fellow was swept away in the icy current and lost. John Day, considered when they started the strongest man in the company, also crossed the river. His cavernous eyes and meager frame showed well how intense had been the suffering of the detachment on the west bank of the river. Often the wild cherries, dried on the trees, together with their moccasins, were their only food. The mountains which thus turned back this adventurous band were no doubt that desolate and rather unnecessary range bordering the Wallowa country and the mouth of Salmon river. The detachments under Mackenzie and Maclellan, having reached these mountains before the heavy snows, and having found each other there, had stuck to that route until they had conquered it. After twenty-one days of extreme suffering and peril they reached the Snake at a point apparently not far from the site of Lewiston, and building canoes there, descended the river with no great trouble, reaching Astoria about the middle of January. Hunt and his men, saved from starvation by the discovery of the horses, hastened on to find Indian guides. But first Hunt, with his usual honesty, left at the lodge (for the occu- pants had fled at their coming) an amount of trinkets sufficient to pay for the horses he had taken. A few days later they reached a small village of Snake Indians. This, the largest village that they had seen on this side of the mountains, they had observed on their clown trip, but had not been able to get any 34 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES assistance from the inhabitants. Now, how- ever, with a persistance born of their necessi- ties, they insisted on a guide. The Indians demurred, representing that the distance to the river was so great as to require from seven- teen to twenty-one days of hard travel. They said that the snow was waist deep and that they would freeze. They very hospitably urged the party to stay with them. But as they also said that on the west side of the mountains was a large and wealthy tribe called the Sciatogas, from whom they might get food and horses, Hunt determined to push on, if he could find a single Indian to accompany him. By a most bountiful offer this desideratum was finally obtained. They were informed that they must cross to the west bank of the river and enter the mountains to the west. With infinite tact and patience Hunt sustained the drooping spirits of the party. Many of them wanted to cast their lot for the winter with the vagabond troupe of Snakes. They shrunk from crossing the chilly flood of Snake river with its huge ice blocks grinding each other with a dismal sound. Then to commit them- selves again to the mountains inspired them with terror. In fact, four of the Canadians, together with Crooks and John Day, were un- able to go at all. But at last, in spite of doubt and weakness, everything was got together (though they were obliged to desert their six sick companions), and in the bitter cold of the early evening (December 23d) they crossed the river and at once struck for the mountains. They could make only about fourteen miles a day. Their five jaded horses floundered painfully through the snow. Their only food was one meal of horse meat daily. On the fourth day of their journey the mountains gave way to a beautiful valley, across which they journeyed twenty miles. This must have been Powder river valley. Leaving this valley and turning again into the mountains, a short but toilsome march brought them to a lofty height whence they looked down into a fair and snowless prairie, basking in the sunlight and looking to the winter-worn travelers like a dream of summer. Soon, best of all, they discerned six lodges of Shoshones, well sup- plied with horses and dogs. Thither hasten- ing eagerly, their hungry mouths were soon filled with roasted dog. This valley, which looked so much like a paradise, must have been the Grande Ronde. Beautiful at all times, it must have seemed trebly so to these ragged and famished wanderers. The next morning the new year (1812) burst in upon them, bright and cheerful, as if to make amends for the relentless severity of its predecessor. The Canadians must now have their holiday. Not even famine and death could rob them of their festivals. So with dance and song and dog meat roasted, boiled, fried and fricaseed, they met the friendly overtures of the newly- crowned potentate of time. Rested and re- freshed, they now addressed themselves to what their guides assured them was to be bu< a three-days' journey to the plains of the great river. The time was multiplied by two, how- ever, ere the cloudy canopy, which so en- swathed the snowy waste as to hide both earth and sky from sight, parted itself before a genial breath from some warmer clime. And then, wide below their snowy eyrie, lay stretched the limitless and sunny plains of the Columbia. Not more gladly did Cortez and his steel-clad veterans look from their post of observation upon the glittering halls of the Montezumas. They swiftly descended the slopes of the moun- tains and emerged upon that diamond of the Pacific coast, the Umatilla plains. Here a tribe of Sciatogas (Cayuses) or Tushepaws (Umatillas) were camped, thirty- four lodges and two hundred horses strong. Well clad, active and hospitable, these Indians thawed out, almost as would have a civilized community, the well-nigh frozen energies of the strangers. Rejoiced above all was Mr. Hunt to see in the lodges axes, kettles, etc., indicating that these Indians were in communi- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 35 cation with the whites below. In answer to his eager questionings the Indians said that the great river was only two days distant and that a party of white men had just descended it. Concluding that these were Mackenzie and par- ty, Hunt felt relieved of one great anxiety. After a thorough rest the now joyful way- farers set forth across the fertile plains, and after a pleasant ride of two days on the horses obtained of the Tushepaws, lifting their eyes they beheld a mighty stream, a mile wide, deep, blue, majestic, sweeping through the treeless plain — the Columbia. The hard and danger- ous part of the journey was now at an end. In the absence of timber, however, and because of the unwillingness of any Indians that they met to sell canoes, they were obliged to wait till- reaching the Dalles before launching upon the stream. In the vicinity of the present Rockland (they had come from Umatilla on the north bank of the river) they had a "hyas wa wa" with the redoubtable Wisbram In- dians. Sharpened by their location at the con- fluence of all the ways down stream, these In- dians had clearly grasped the fundamental doc- trine of civilized trade, to-wit : Get the great- est possible return with the least possible out- lay. To this end they levied a heavy toll on all unwary passers. These levies were usually collected while the eyes of the taxed were other- wise engaged. In short, these Wishram In- dians were professional thieves. Endeavoring first to frighten Mr. Hunt into a liberal "potlatch" then to beg of him by representing their great services in protect- ing him from the rapacity of other Indians, but finding no recognition of their claims except abundant whiffs at the pipe of peace, they gave up in disgust and contented themselves with picking up whatever little articles -might be lying around handy. After considerable hag- gling several finely-made canoes were pro- cured of these people and in these the last stage of the journey was begun. Nothing extraordi- nary marked the two-hundred-mile boat ride down the river. On the 15th of February, rounding the bluffs of Tongue Point, they beheld with full hearts the stars and stripes floating over the first civilized abode this side of St. Louis. Right beyond the parted headlands and the water-bordering horizon they recognized the gateway to the illimitable ocean. As they drew near the shore the whole population of Astoria came pouring down to the cove (near the modern site of Dad's sawmill, now wharved over) to meet them. First in the crowd came the party of Mackenzie and Maclellan, who, having no hope that Hunt and his men could escape from the winter and the famine, were the more rejoiced to see them. Their joy in re- uniting was proportioned to the darkness of death which had so long enshrouded them. The Canadians, with French aban- don, rushed into each other's arms, crying and hugging like so many schoolgirls. And even the hard-visaged Scotchmen and nonchalant Americans gave themselves up to the unstinted gladness of. the occasion. The next day was devoted to feasting and story telling. No doubt, like the feast- ing mariners of the Aeneid, they discussed with prolonged speech the "amissos socios." These, as the reader will remember, were Crooks and John Day, with four Canadians, who had been left sick on the banks of the Snake. Little hope was entertained of ever seeing them again. But as their story is a natural sequel to that just ended, it shall be given now. The next summer a party under Stuart and Maclellan, on their way from Okanogan to Astoria, saw wandering on the river bank near Umatilla two wretched beings naked and hag- gard. Stopping their canoes to investigate, they discovered to their glad surprise that these beings were Day and Crooks. Their forlorn plight was quickly relieved with abundant food and clothes, and while the 36 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES canoes went flying down stream with speed accelerated in the joy of deliverance, the two men related their pitiful tale. Left in desti- tution of food and clothing, they had sus- tained life hy an occasional beaver or a piece of horse meat given by the Indians, who, seem- ing possessed of superstitious fear, dared not molest them. With rare heroism and self- abnegation, Crooks remained by the side of John Day until he was sufficiently recuperated to travel. Then, abandoned by three of the Canadians, they had plodded on amid Blue mountain snows, subsisting on roots and skins. On the last of March, having left the other Canadian exhausted at a Shoshone lodge, Crooks and Day pressed on through a last mountain ridge and found themselves in the fair and fertile plains of the Walla Wallas. Here they were received with the kindness which marked the intercourse of those Indians with the whites. Fed and clothed, they con- tinued down the river with lightened hearts, only to find at the Dalles that there are dif- ferences in Indians as well as whites, for there the Eneeshurs, or Wishrams, as Irving calls them, first disarming suspicion by a friendly exterior, perfidiously robbed them of the faith- ful rifles which thus far in all their distress they had never yet lost sight of, and stripping them drove them out. More wretched than any wild or imaginary venture. He was practical, generous, broad. He executed what Sir Alexander Mackenzie urged should be adopted as the policy of Brit- ish capital and enterprise. That one American citizen should have individually undertaken what two mammoth British companies had not the courage to try was but an additional cause which had intensified national prejudice into embittered jealousy on the part of his British rivals, the Northwest Company." By the first article of the Treaty of Ghent entered into between Great Britain and the United States, December 14, 18 14, it was agreed "that all territory, places and possess- ions whatsoever taken by either party from the other, during or after the war, should be re- stored." Astoria, therefore, again became the possession of the United States, and in Sep- tember, 181 7, the government sent the sloop- of-war Ontario "to assert the claim of the United States to the sovereignty of the ad- jacent country, and especially to reoccupy As- toria or Fort George." The formal surrender of the fort is dated October 6, 18 18. Mr. Astor had urged the United States to repossess Astoria, and intended fully to resume operations in the basin of the Columbia, but the Pacific Fur Company was never reorga- nized, and never again did the great captain of industry engage in trade on the shores of the Pacific. CHAPTER IV. THE NORTHWEST AND HUDSON'S BAY COMPANIES. It is pertinent to' now enquire somewhat more particularly into the fortunes and ante- cedent history of the Northwest and Hudson's Bay Companies, which are each in turn to operate exclusively in the territory with which our volume is concerned. By the Joint-Occu- pancy Treaty of October 20, 1818, between the United States and Great Britain, it was mu- tually covenanted "That any country which may be claimed by either party on the north- west coast of America, westward of the Stony mountains, shall, together with its harbors, bays and creeks, and the navigation of all rivers within the same, be free and open, for the term of ten years from the date of the signature of the present convention, to the vessels, citizens and subjects of the two powers; it being well understood that this agreement is not to be construed to the prejudice of any claim which either of the two high contracting parties may have to any part of the said country ; nor shall it be taken to affect the claims of any other power or state to any part of said country; the only object of the high contracting parties in this respect being to prevent disputes and dif- ferences among themselves." The Northwest Company, whose members were, of course, British subjects, was, there- fore, permitted to operate freely in all disputed territory, and it made good use of its privi- leges. Its operations extended far and wide in all directions ; its emissaries were sent wher- ever there was a prospect of profitable trade; it respected no rights of territory, it scrupled 40 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES at no trickery or dissimulation. When it learned of the expedition of Lewis and Clarke it sent Daniel W. Harmon with a party, in- structing him to reach the mouth of the Colum- bia in advance of the Americans. The poor health of the leader prevented this consumma- tion. Of its efforts to circumvent Mr. Astor's occupancy of the mouth of the Columbia we have already spoken. It showed also its animus to confirm and strengthen British title to all territories ad- versely claimed, and wherever a post was estab- lished the territory contiguous thereto was ceremoniously taken possession of "in the name of the king of Great Britain, for the Northwest Company." Its establishments and possessions afterward constituted the substantial basis of Great Britain's claim to the. territory. Although organized in 1774, the North- west Company did not attain to high prestige until the dawn of the nineteenth century. Then, however, it seemed to take on new life, and before the first half decade was passed it had become the successful rival of the Hud- son's Bay Company for the fur trade of the interior of North America. The Hudson's Bay Company when originally chartered in 1670 was granted in a general way the right to traffic in Hudson's Bay and the territory contiguous thereto, and the Northwest Com- pany began to insist that the grant should be more strictly construed. The boundaries of Prince Rupert's land, as the Hudson's Bay ter- ritory was named, had never been definitely determined and there had long been contention in those regions which were claimed by that company but denied to it by the other fur- traders. Beyond the recognized area of the Hudson's Bay territory, the old Northwest Company (a French corporation which had fallen, at the time of the fall of Canada, into the possession of the British) had been a com- petitor of the Hudson's Bay Company. When this French association went out of existence the contest was kept up by private merchants, but without lasting success. The new North- west Company, of Montreal, united and ce- mented into one organization all these indi- viduals for the better discharge of the common purpose. It is interesting to note the theory of trade of this association as contrasted with that of the Hudson's Bay Company. From established posts as centers of op- erations, the Montreal association dispatched parties in all directions to visit the villages and haunts of the natives and secure furs from every source possible. It went to the natives for their goods, while the rival company so arranged its posts that these were convenient to the whole Indian population, then depended upon the aborigines to bring in their peltries and exchange the same for such articles as might supply their wants or gratify their fan- cies. Consequently the one company required many employes, the other comparatively few. The clerks or traders of the Montreal associ- ation were required to serve an apprenticeship of seven years at small wages. That term suc- cessfully completed, the stipend was doubled. Skill and special aptitude in trading brought speedy promotions, and the chance to become a partner in the business was an unfailing in- centive to strenuous effort. The Hudson's Bay Company, on the other hand, had estab- lished fixed' grades of compensation. Promo- tion was slow, coming periodically rather than as a reward for specially meritorious service, and though faithfulness to duty was required, no incentive was offered for special endeavor. The Hudson's Bay Company based its terri- torial title upon a specific grant from the crown, while the rival association sought no other title than such as priority of occupancy and pre-emption afforded. It claimed as its field of operation all unoccupied territory wherever located. Such, in general, were the methods of the two companies whose bitter rivalry was carried to such an extent that both were brought to the verge of bankruptcy, and that civil strife was HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 41 at one point actually precipitated. In 1811 Lord Selkirk, a Scotch nobleman of wealth, who had become the owner of a controlling interest in the Hudson's Bay Company, at- tempted a grand colonization scheme. His project was to send out agricultural colonies to the basin of the Red River of the North. The enmity of the Northwest Company was at once aroused. They fully realized that Selkirk's scheme was inimical to their business, especi- ally so because his grant lay directly across their pathway between Montreal and the in- terior. Its effect would be to "cut their com- munication, interposing a hostile territory be- tween their posts and the center of operations." They protested that the grant was illegal, that it was corruptly secured, and urged that suit be instituted to test Lord Selkirk's title. But the government favored the project and re- fused to interfere. A colony was established at Assinaboia. Its governor prohibited the killing of animals within the territory, and the agents of the Northwest Company treated his proclamation with contempt. Matters grew worse and worse until hostilities broke out which ended in a decisive victory for the Northwest Company, in a pitched battle fought June 19, 1 816, twenty-two of the colonists being killed. Numerous arrests of Northwest- ers engaged in the conflict followed, but all were acquitted in the Canadian courts. The British cabinet ordered that the governor-gen- eral of Canada should "require the restitution of all captured posts, buildings and trading stations, with the property they contained, to the proper owners, and the removal of any blockade or any interruption to the free passage of all traders and British subjects with their merchandise, furs, provisions and effects through the lakes, rivers, roads and every route of communication used for the purpose of the fur trade in the interior of North America, and the full and free permission of all persons to pursue their usual and accustomed trade without hindrance or molestation." But the competition between the companies continued. Both were reduced to the verge of bankruptcy. Something had to be done. The governor-general of Canada appointed a com- mission to investigate conditions, and that commission recommended a union of the two companies. Nothing, however, of material benefit resulted. Eventually, in the winter of 1819-20, Lord Bathurst, British secretary of state for the colonies, took up the matter and through his mediation a union was finally effected. On March 20, 1821, it was mu- tually agreed that both companies should op- erate under the charter of the Hudson's Bay Company, furnishing equal amounts of capital and sharing equally the profits, the arrangement to continue in force for twenty-one years. By "An act for regulating the fur trade and estab- lishing a criminal and civil jurisdiction in cer- tain parts of North America," passed in the British parliament July 2, 1821, the crown was empowered to issue a license to the combined companies for exclusive trade "as well over the country to the east as beyond the Rocky moun- tains, and extending to the Pacific ocean, sav- ing the rights of the Hudson's Bay Company over this territory." "That is to say," explains Evans, "in the territory granted to the Hud- son's Bay Company by their charter, this li- cense did not operate. The company in the Hudson's Bay territory already enjoyed ex- clusive privileges; and this license recognized that territory as a province, excepting it as a British province from the operation of this license." Agreeably to the provisions of the statute just referred to, a license was granted to the Hudson's Bay Company and to William and Simon McGillivray and Edward Ellice, as representatives of the shareholders of the Northwest Company. The license was one of exclusive trade as far ^is all ether British sub- jects were concerned, and was to be in force for a period of twenty-one years. It was to extend to all "parts of North America to the 42 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES northward and westward of the lands and ter- ritories belonging to the United States or to any European government, state or power, re- serving no' rent." Of the grantees a bond was required con- ditioned upon the due execution of civil pro- cess where the matter in controversy exceeded two hundred pounds, and upon the delivery for trial in the Canadian courts of all persons charged with crime. Thus it will be seen that Americans operating in the Oregon territory (which was, by the act of the British parlia- ment and the license issued under it, treated as being outside of "any legally defined civil gov- ernment of the United States,") were subject to be taken, when accused of crime, to Can- ada for trial. How did that comport with the treaty of 1818, one provision of which was that neither power should assert rights of sover- eignty against the other? The fact that the British government required and the company agreed to enforce British law in the "territory westward of the Stony mountains" shows clearly the animus of the ever earth-hungry British lion to circumvent the treaty of 1818, and make Oregon in fact and verity a British possession. By 1824 all the rights and interests of the stockholders late of the Northwest Company had passed into the hands of the Hudson's Bay Company. The absorption of the one corpora- tion by the other was complete. The treach- erous and perfidious treatment of Mr. Astor and the demoralization of his partners availed the greedy Northwesters but little, for they were soon after conquered and subdued and forever deprived of their identity as a company by their powerful rival and enemy. The Hudson's Bay Company now became the sole owner and proprietor of the trade west of the Rocky mountains, and of all the rights accruing under the license of trade of December 5, 1821. An extended narration of the methods and rules of this corporation would be very interesting, but, mindful of our as- signed limits and province, we must be brief. The company has been aptly characterized by Evans as an "imperium in imperio," and such it was, for it was in possession of well-nigh absolute power over its employes and the na- tive races with whom it traded. It was con- stituted "The true and absolute lords and proprietors of the territories, limits and places, save always the faith, allegiance and sover- eign dominion due to us (the crown), our heirs and successors, for the same, to hold as tenants in fee and common soccage, and not by knight's service, reserving, as a yearly rent, two elks and two black beavers." Power was granted, should occasion arise, to "send ships of war, men or ammunition to any fort, post or place for the defense thereof; to raise mili- tary companies, and appoint their officers; to make war or conclude peace with any people (not Christian), in any of their territories," also "to seize the goods, estate or people of those countries for damage to the company's interest, or for the interruption of trade; to erect and build forts, garrisons, towns, villages ; to establish colonies, and to support such estab- lishments by expeditions fitted out in Great Britain; to seize all British subjects not con- nected with the company, or employed by them, or in such territory by their license, and send them to England." Should one of its factors, traders or other employes "contemn or disobey an order, he was liable to be punished by the president or council, who were authorized to prescribe the manner and measure of punish- ment. The offender had the right to appeal to the company in England, or he might be turned over for trial by the courts. For the better discovery of abuses and injuries by the servants, the governor and company, and their respective president, chief agent or governor in any of the territories, were authorized to ex- amine upon oath all factors, masters, pursers, supercargoes, commanders of castles, forts, fortifications, plantations, or colonies, or other persons, touching or concerning any matter or HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 43 thing sought to be investigated." To further strengthen the hands of the company, the char- ter concludes with a royal mandate to all "ad- mirals, vice-admirals, justices, mayors, sheriffs, constables, bailiffs, and all and singular other our officers, ministers, liegemen, subjects whatsoever, to aid, favor, help and assist the said governor and company to enjoy, as well on land as on the seas, all the premises in said charter contained 1 , whensoever required." "Endowed with an empire over which the company exercised absolute dominion, subject only to fealty to the crown, its membership, powerful nobles and citizens of wealth residing near and at the court jealously guarding its every interest, and securing for it a representa- tion in the government itself, is it to be won- dered," asks Evans, "that this imperium in im- perio triumphantly asserted and firmly estab- lished British supremacy in every region in which it operated?" Something of the modus operandi of the company must now be given. The chief factors and chief traders were paid no salaries, but in lieu thereof were given forty per cent of the profits, divided among them on some basis deemed equitable by the company. The clerks received salaries varying from twenty to one hundred pounds per annum. Below these again were the servants, whose term of enlist- ment (for such in effect it was) was for five years, and whose pay was seventeen pounds per annum without clothing. The servant was bound by indentures to devote his whole time and labor to the company's interests; to yield obedience to superior officers ; to defend the company's property; to faithfully obey the laws, orders, etc. ; to defend officers and agents to the extent of his ability; to serve in the capacity of a soldier whenever called upon so to do;- to attend military drill; and never to engage or be interested in any trade or occu- pation except in accordance with the company's orders and for its benefit. In addition to the pittance paid him, the servant was entitled, should he desire to remain in the country after the expiration of his term of enlistment, to fifty acres of land, for which he was to render twenty-eight days' service per annum for seven years. If dismissed before the expiration of his term, the servant, it was agreed, should be transported to his European home free of charge. Desertion or neglect might be pun- ished by the forfeiture of even the wretched pittance he was to receive. It was, further- more, the policy of the company to encourage marriage with the Indian women, their pur- pose being to create family ties whiph should bind the poor slave to' the soil. By the time the servant's term of enlistment had expired, there was, therefore, usually no choice left him but to re-enlist or accept the grant of land. "In times of peace, laborers and operatives were ever on hand at mere nominal wages ; in times of outbreak they were at once transformed into soldiers amenable to military usage and dis- cipline." The system was certainly a fine one, viewed from the standpoint of the company, but while it may command admiration for its ingenuity, it is certainly not to be commended for mag- nanimity. Its design and purpose was to turn the wealth of the country into the coffers of the English noblemen who owned Hudson's Bay stock, even though this should be done at the expense of the manhood, the self-respect and. the independence of the poor sons of toil who foolishly or from necessity bound them- selves to its service. The Indian policy of the company was no less politic than its treatment of its employes, but it had much more in it that was truly commendable. Its purpose did not bring its employes into conflict with the Indian, nor require his expulsion, neither was there danger of the lands of the savage being appropriated or the graves of their people disturbed. The- sale of intoxicants was positively and success- fully prohibited. Conciliation was the wisest policy for the company, and it governed itself 44 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES accordingly; but when punishment was mer- ited, it was adrhinistered with promptness and severity. When depredations were committed •the tribe to which the malefactor belonged was pursued by an armed force and compelled to deliver up the guilty to his fate. A certain -amount of civilization was introduced, and with it came an increase of wants, which wants could only be supplied 1 at the company's forts. Indians were sent on hunting and trapping ■expeditions in all directions, so that concentra- tion of tribes became difficult, and if attempted, easily perceived in time to circumvent it and prevent trouble. Thus the company secured -an influence over the savage and a place in his affections, from which it could not easily be ■dislodged. In its treatment of missionaries, civil and military officers and others from the United States, the company's factors and agents were uniformly courteous and kind. Their hospi- tality was in the highest degree commendable, meriting the gratitude of the earliest visitors and settlers. The poor and unfortunate never asked assistance in vain. But woe to the Amer- ican who attempted to trade with the Indian, to trap, hunt or do anything which brought him into competition with the British corpora- tion. All the resources of a company supplied with an abundance of cheap labor, supported by the friendship and affection of the aboriginal peoples, backed by almost unlimited capital, and fortified by the favor of one of the wealth- iest and most powerful nations of the earth, were at once turned to crush him. Counter- establishments were formed in his vicinity, and he was hampered in every way possible and pursued with the relentlessness of an evil fate until compelled to retire from the field. Such being the conditions, there was not much encouragement for American enterprise in the basin of the Columbia. It is not, how- ever, in the American character to yield a promising prospect without a struggle, and several times efforts were made at competition in the Oregon territory. Of some of these we must speak briefly. The operations of William H. Ashley west, of the Rocky mountains did not extend to the Oregon country and are of importance to our purpose only because in one of his expeditions, fitted out in 1826, he brought a six-pounder, drawn by mules, across the Rocky mountains, thereby demonstrating the feasibility of a wagon road. In 1826, Jedediah S. Smith, of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company, encouraged by some previous successes in the Snake River district, set out for the country west of the Great Salt Lake. He proceeded so far westward that no recourse was left him but to push onward to the Pacific, his stock of provisions being so reduced and his horses so exhausted as to render an at- tempt to return unwise. He went south to San Diego for horses and supplies, and experienced no little difficulty on account of the suspicions of the native Californians, who were jealous of all strangers, especially those from the United States. Eventually, however, he was able to proceed northward to the Rogue river, thence along the shore to the Umpqua, in which vicinity serious difficulty with Indians was experienced. Fifteen of the nineteen who constituted the party were massacred, in- deed all who happened to be in camp at the time except one were killed. This man, aided by friendly Indians, reached Fort Vancouver, and told his story to the magnanimous chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Company, Dr. John McLoughlin, who offered the Indians a liberal reward for the safe return of Smith and his two companions. A party of forty men was equipped at once to go to the Umpqua country, but before they got started Smith and the men arrived. McLoughlin took steps to secure the property stolen from Smith, and so successfully did he manage the affair that pel- tries to the value of over three thousand dollars were recovered, and the murderers were se- verely punished by other Indians. Smith was conquered by kindness and at his solicitation, HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 45, the Rocky Mountain Fur Company retired from the territory of the Hudson's Bay Com- pany. Of various other expeditions by Ameri- cans into the Oregon country and of the at- tempts by American vessels to trade along the coast, we cannot speak. Some reference must, however, be made to the work of Captain B. L. E. Bonneville, who in 1831, applied for a two years' leave r f absence from the United States army that he might "explore the coun- try to the Rocky mountains and beyond, with a view to ascertaining the nature and character of the several tribes of Indians inhabiting those regions; the trade which might profitably be carried on with them; quality of soil, produc- tions, minerals, natural history, climate, geo- graphy, topography, as well as geology of the various parts of the country within the limits • of the territories of the United States between our frontier and the Pacific. The request was granted. While Bonneville was informed that the government would be to no expense in fitting up the expedition, he was instructed that he must provide himself with suitable in- struments and maps, and that he was to "note particularly the number of warriors that may be in each tribe of natives that may be met with, their alliances with other tribes, and their relative position as to state of peace or war; their manner of making war, mode of subsist- ing themselves during a state of war and a state of peace ; the arms and the effect of them ; whether they act on foot or on horseback; in short, every information useful to the govern- ment." It would seem that a government which asked such important services ought to have been willing to make some financial re- turn, at least to pay the expenses. But Captain Bonneville had to secure financial aid else- where. During the winter an association was formed in New York which furnished the necessary means, and on May 1, 1832, the ex- pedition set out, the party numbering one hun- dred and ten men. They took with them in wagons a large quantity of trading goods to- be used in traffic with the Indians in the basins, of the Colorado and Columbia rivers. Bonne- ville himself went as far west as Fort Walla, Walla. Members of his expedition entered the valleys of the Humboldt, Sacramento and Col- orado rivers, but they were unable to compete with the experienced Hudson's Bay and Mis- souri companies and the enterprise proved a financial failure. The expedition derives its chief importance from the fact that it forms the basis of one of Irving's most fascinating- works, which "in language more thrilling and varied than romance, has pictured the trapper's life, its dangers, its exciting pleasures, the- bitter rivalry of competing traders, the hos- tility of the savages," presenting a picture of the fur trade, which will preserve to latest- posterity something of the charm and fascina- tion of that wild, weird traffic. Captain Nathaniel J. Wyeth, of Massachu- setts, projected in 1832, an enterprise of curi- ous interest and some historical importance. His plan was to establish salmon fisheries om the Columbia river, to be operated as an ad- junct to and in connection with the fur and In- dian trade. He crossed overland to Oregon, dispatching a vessel with trading goods via Cape Horn, but his vessel was never again* heard from, so the enterprise met defeat. The next year Captain Wyeth returned to Boston, leaving, however, most of his party in the- country. Many of the men settled in the Will- amette valley, and one of them found employ- ment as an Indian teacher for the Hudson's. Bay Company. Not to be discouraged by one failure, Cap- tain Wyeth, in 1834, fitted out another land expedition and dispatched to the Columbia an- other vessel, the May Dacre, laden with trad- ing goods. On reaching the confluence of the- Snake and Port Neuf rivers, Wyeth erected a trading post there to which he gave the name of Fort Hall. Having sent out his hunting and trapping parties, and made arrangements for- 46 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the season's operations, he proceeded to Fort Vancouver, where, about the same time, the May Dacre arrived. He established a trading- house and salmon fishery on Wapato (now Sauvie's) island, which became known as Fort William. The fishery proved a failure and the trading and trapping industry could not stand the competition and harassing tactics of the Hudson's Bay Company, and the constant hostility of the Indians. George B. Roberts, who came to Oregon in 183 1, as an employe of the Hudson's Bay Company, is quoted as hav- ing accounted for the trouble with the red men in this way. He said "that the island was thickly inhabited by Indians until 1830, when they were nearly exterminated' by congestive chills and fever. There were at the time three villages on the island. So fatal were the effects of the disease, that Dr. McLoughlin sent a party to rescue and bring away the few that were left, and to burn the village. The Indians attributed the introduction of the fever and ague to an American vessel that had visited the river a year or two previously. It is not therefore a matter of surprise to any who un- derstood Indian character and their views as to death resulting from such diseases, that Wyeth's attempted establishment on Wapato island was subject to continued hostility. He was of a race to whom they attributed the cause of the destruction of their people; and his employes were but the lawful compensation according to their code for the affliction they had suffered." Wyeth eventually returned to Massachu- setts disheartened. Fort Hall ultimately passed into the hands of the Hudson's Bay Company, and with its acquisition by them, practically ended American fur trade west of the Rocky mountains. But though Wyeth's enterprise failed so signally, his account of it, published by order of congress, attracted the at- tention of Americans to Oregon, and did much to stimulate its settlement. Paradoxical though it may sound, the Hudson's Bay Com- pany's success in this instance was its fail- ure. It will readily be seen, then, that whatever advantage the establishment of fur trading en- terprises might give in the final settlement of the Oregon question was with the British. We shall attempt a brief and succinct account of the "struggle for possession" in a later chapter, but it will here be our task to determine in some measure what the political mission of the Hud- son's Bay Company might be and what part that association was playing in international affairs. In 1837 the company applied to the home government for a new license, granting enlarged privileges. In enforcing its request, it pointed boastfully to its efficient services in. successfully crushing out American enterprise, and in strengthening the British title to the territory, contrary to the spirit and letter of the Joint-Occupancy treaties of 1818 and 1827. In presenting the petition, the company's chief representative in England, Sir John Henry Pelly, called the attention of the lords to the service rendered in securing to the mother country a branch of trade, wrested from subjects of Russia and the United States of America; to the six permanent establish- ments it had on the coast, and the sixteen in the interior, besides the migratory and hunting parties; to its marine of six armed vessels; to its large pasture and grain farms, affording every species of agricultural produce and main- taining large herds of stock. He further averred that it was the intention of the com- pany to still further extend and increase its farms, and to establish an export trade in wool, hides, tallow and other produce of the herd and the cultivated field, also to encourage the settlement of its retired servants and other emigrants under its protection. Refer- ring to the soil, climate and other circum- stances of the country, he said they were such as to make it "as much adapted to agricultural pursuits as any other spot in America ; and," said he, "with care and protection the British HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 47 dominion may not only be preserved in this country, which it has been so much the wish of Russia and America to occupy to the exclusion of British subjects, but British interest and British influence may be maintained as para- mount in this interesting part of the coast of the Pacific." Sir George Simpson, who was in charge of the Hudson's Bay Company's affairs in Amer- ica, in making his plea for the renewal of the license, referred to the international import of the company's operations in this .language: "The possession of that country to Great Brit- ain may be an object of very great importance ; and we are strengthening that claim to it (in- dependent of the claims of prior discovery and occupation for the purpose of Indian trade) by forming the nucleus of a colony through the establishment of farms, and the settlement of some of our retired officers and servants as agriculturists." One might almost expect that Great Brit- ain would titter some word of reproof to a company which could have the audacity to boast of violating her treaty compacts with a friendly power. Not so, however. She was a party to the breach of faith. Instead of ad- ministering merited reproof, she rewards the wrong-doer by the prompt issuing of a new license to extend and be in force for a period of twenty-one years. This renewed license, the date of which is May 31, 1838. granted to the company "the exclusive privilege of trading with the Indians in all such parts of North America, to the northward and westward of the islands and territories belonging to the United States of America, as shall not form part of any of our (British) provinces in North America, or of any lands or territories belonging to the said United States of Amer- ica, or to any European government, state, or power. Without rent for the first five years, and afterward the yearly rent of five shillings, payable on the 1st of June." The company was again required to furnish a bond condi- tioned on their executing by their authority over the persons in their employ, "all civil and criminal process by the officers or persons le- gally empowered to execute such process with- in all territories included in the grant, and for the producing or delivering into custody, for the purpose of trial, all persons in their employ or acting under their authority within the said territories, who shall be charged with any criminal offences." The license, however, pro- hibited the company "from claiming or exer- cising any trade with the Indians on the northwest coast of America westward of the Rocky mountains to the prejudice or exclusion of any of the subjects of any foreign state, who, under or by force of any convention for the time being between Great Britain and such foreign states, may be entitled to and shall be engaged in such trade." But no provision could be framed, nor was it the wish of the grantors to frame any, which should prevent the Hud- son's Bay Company from driving out by har- assing tactics and fierce competition, any Amer- ican who might enter the Oregon territory as a trader. One of the strangest ruses of this wonder- fully shrewd and resourceful company must now receive due notice. It was not in the power of the British government to convey lands in the Oregon country, neither could the Hudson's Bay Company in any way acquire legal title to realty. It therefore determined upon a bold artifice. A co-partnership was formed on the joint stock principle, the per- sonnel of the company being made up largely of Hudson's Bay Company stockholders. The name adopted for it was the Puget Sound Ag- ricultural Company. The idea which animated this association was to acquire a possessory right to large tracts of rich tillable and grazing lands, use these for agricultural purposes and pasturage until the Oregon controversy was settled, then, should the British be successful in that controversy, apply at once for articles of incorporation and a grant. It was, of 48 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES course, the purpose of the promoters, from motives of self-iacerest as well as of patriot- ism, to strengthen the claim of the mother country in every possible way. Great Britain never acquired title to the lands in question; the Puget Sound Agricultural Company never gained a corporate existence ; it never had any- thing more than a bare possessory right to any lands, a right terminating on the death or withdrawal from the company of the- person seized therewith. Logically, then, we should expect the absolute failure of the scheme. But it did not fail. So forceful was this legal fig- ment and the Hudson's Bay Company behind it, that they had the power to demand as one of the conditions upon which peace might be maintained between the two governments chiefly concerned in the Oregon controversy, that "the farms, lands and other property of every description belonging to the Puget Sound Agricultural Company, on the North side of the Columbia river, shall be confirmed to the said company. In case, however, the situation of those lands and farms should be considered by the United States to be of public and polit- ical importance, and the United States govern- ment should signify a desire to obtain posses- sion of the whole or a part thereof, the prop- erty so required shall be transferred to the gov- ernment, at a proper valuation, to be agreed upon between the parties." The Puget Sound Company laid claim under the treaty to two tracts, the tract of the Nisqually, containing two hundred and sixty- one square miles and the Cowlitz farm, contain- ing three thousand, five hundred and seventy- two acres. When the matter came up for set- tlement, the company asked five millions of dollars in liquidation of its claims. So the United States was forced, in the interests of peace and humanity, into an illogical agreement to purchase lands, the claim to which was es- tablished in open violation of the Joint Occu- pancy treaties of 1818 and 1827. She was forced by a provision of the treaty of 1846, to obligate herself to purchase lands which the same treaty conceded as belonging to her. More humiliating still, she was compelled to reward a company for its acts of hostility to her interests in keeping out her citizens ar.ci breaking up their establishments. But the sac- rifice was made in the interests of peace and civilization, and who shall say that in conserv- ing these it lacked an abundant justifica- tion? CHAPTER V. MISSIONS OF OREGON AND THE WHITMAN MASSACRE. With Wyeth's overland expedition, previ- ously mentioned, were Dr. Nuttall, a natural- ist, and J. K. Townsend, an ornithologist, both sent out by a Boston scientific society; also Rev. Jason Lee and his nephew, Rev. Daniel Lee, Cyrus Shepherd, Courtney M. Walker and P. L. Edwards, a missionary party sent out by the Methodist Missionary Board of the United States. The five men last named were destined to exert a tremendous influence upon the impe- rial Hudson's Bay Company and the British struggle for mastery in Oregon. The scientific men and the missionary party left Wyeth, who. was delayed in the construction of Fort Hall, and were guided the rest of the way by A. R. McLeod and Thomas McKay, Hudson's Bay men, to old Fort Walla Walla, which they reached September ist, and thence down the Columbia to Vancouver, where they arrived two weeks later. Little did these staunch and devoted servants of the great British fur mo- nopoly dream that the plain and unassuming missionary party, which they so kindly piloted from Fort Hall to Vancouver, was but another Trojan horse within whose apparently guileless exterior was confined a hostile force, which would, within a decade of years, throw wide open the gates of exclusive privilege and intro- duce within the jealously guarded walls a host of foes, to the utter destruction of intrenched monopoly and the final overthrow of British dominion and pretension on the Pacific coast! Well might Governor McLoughlin, the autocrat of the Pacific northwest, when he welcomed this modest party of meek Methodists, and as- signed them lands near Salem, have recalled the misgivings of the Trojan prophetess : Timeo Danaos, et dona ferentes — I distrust the Greeks when they offer gifts. "The American missionary was the advance agent o>f Yankee invasion." In sight of the field where Jason Lee's plow first stabbed the primeval sod, three score and six years ago, reigns the beautiful city of Salem, with its ten thousand busy and prosperous inhabitants, proud capital of a mighty commonwealth, while from the lofty golden dome of its state-house, the fierce glare of Jove's bolts, chained for the service of mor- tals, makes bright the places where once lurked savage beasts, and still more savage men ; with- in gunshot of Fort Vancouver, inside whose uncouth stockade McLoughlin received the mis- sionaries, with knightly hospitality, imperial Portland, metropolis of the great northwest,, takes its rise, spreads over Willamette's broad plain, crowns the lofty hills, spans the broad river, and with its ten times ten thousand citi- zens, abides a noble monument to' the brave men who risked their fortunes and their lives in the almost hopeless attempt to wrest the Oregon country from the relentless grasp of the Brit- ish; while Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Mon- tana and California, great sister common* wealths, by their very existence, pay rich trib- 50 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES ute of gratitude to the courage, foresight and patriotism of these heroes. About the time Wyeth's main party arrived at Vancouver, his ship, the May Dacre, on board which were his goods for the fur trade, together with the furniture and supplies of the missionary party, arrived at Vancouver. On October 6th the missionaries' goods were land- ed at Wheatland, as they called the place where the mission was to be established. By Novem- ber 3d a log house was sufficiently advanced for occupation, but before the roof was com- pleted Indian children were admited as pupils, and December 14th Jason Lee bapized twenty- one persons, of whom seventeen were children, at Vancouver. As evidence of the good will of the people at the fort, he received a gift of twenty dollars from them in aid of his work. This was a humble beginning, but it was the foundation stone of the evangelization and Americanization of the Oregon country. That this generous treatment of the missionaries by McLoughlin's people was not exceptional, ap- pears by the following letter accompanying a donation of one hundred and fifty dollars sent to Mr. Lee by Dr. McLoughlin and other em- ployes of the Hudson's Bay Company, of Van- couver, at a subsequent date: Fort Vancouver, 1st March, 1836. The Rev. Jason Lee, Dear Sir: I do myself the pleasure to hand you the enclosed subscription, which the gentlemen who have signed it request you will do them the favor to accept for the use of the mission; and they pray our Heavenly Father, without whose assistance we can do nothing, that of His infinite mercy He will vouchsafe to bless and prosper your pious endeavors, and believe me to be, with esteem and regard, your sincere well-wisher and humble servant, John McLoughlin. All previous efforts of Americans, and the enterprise of Wyeth, which was then under way, met with crushing and ruinous opposition from the all-powerful British monopoly, but the missionaries were assisted and encouraged in every way. Bonneville, Wyeth and the other American adventurers had come to Oregon to compete with the British traders or to colonize against British interests. Jason Lee and his party were there to Christianize the pagan in- habitants, to instruct the ignorant, to minister to the sick and the dying and to set a godly ex- ample to the irreligious, reckless and semi- barbarous employed and ex-servants of the corporation. Hence the difference in their re- ception. It is not our province, at this time, to* give a detailed account of the early struggles, trials, sufferings, misfortunes and final triumph of the missionaries and first settlers, but it is nec- essary, in order to appreciate and rightly value the men like Dr. William C. McKay, Major Narcisse A. Cornoyer, Captain William Mar- tin and their comrades, who fought with sav- age foes for the possession of the Inland Em- pire, that we should briefly recite the romantic story of the overthrow of British dominion and the subjugation of the aborigines in Oregon. The advent of the American missionaries in the Willamette valley, as before suggested, was the turning point in the history of the Pacific coast. The story of the causes of their undertaking is one of the most romantic char- acter. It is a tale which fitly illustrates how apparently trivial affairs will influence, and sometimes dominate, the most momentous hu- man events — how Divine Providence "moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform." Far up in the mountains of Montana, in one of the many valleys which sparkle like em- eralds on the western slope of the "Stony" range, a handful of natives, whom the whites called by the now inappropriate name of "Flat- heads," met to ponder over the unique tale re- peated by some passing mountaineer of a magic Book possessed by the white man, which as- sured its owners of peace and comfort in this life and eternal bliss in the world beyond the grave. The Flatheads were a weak and unwar- like people ; they were sorely beset by the fierce Blackfeet, their hereditary foes, through whose terrible incursions the Flatheads had been re- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 51 duced in numbers and harrassed so continuous- ly that their state was most pitiable. To this remnant of a once proud race the trapper's story was a rainbow of promise ; the chiefs re- solved to seek this Book, and possess them- selves of the white man's treasure. They chose an embassy of four of their wisest and bravest men, and sent them trustfully on the tribe's errand. The quest of the "Three Kings of Ori- ent," who, two thousand years ago, started on their holy pilgrimage to the lowly manger of the Babe of Bethlehem, was not more weird, nor was search of the knights of King Arthur's round table for the Holy Grail more picturesque and seemingly hopeless. Though they knew that there were men of the pale- face race on the lower waters of the Columbia, and one of these doubtless had told them of the Book, they knew that these uncouth trappers, hunters and fishers were ungodly men in the main and not custodians of the precious volume for which their souls so ardently longed. These were not like the fishers of old by the sea of Galilee, who received the gospel "gladly,'' and, following the footsteps of the Master, themselves became fish- ers of men, but were scoffers, swearers and contemners of holy things. So the Indians, like the ancient wise men, turned their faces to> the east. They threaded their toilsome way by stealth through the dreaded Blackfoot country, scaled the perilous "Stony", mountains, descending the eastern slope, .followed the tributaries of the Missouri through the dreaded country of the Dakotas, and then pursued the windings of the Missouri till they struck the Father of Waters, arriving at St. Louis in the summer of 1832. Indians were no rarity in this outpost of civili- zation, and the friendless and forlorn Flatheads soon discovered that the white trappers, hunt- ers, flatboatmen, traders, teamsters and riff-raff of a bustling young city were about the last people in the world to supply Indians, who had no furs to sell, with either spiritual or material solace.. .The embassy- was not only without money, but its members could not even speak the language of the pale-faces. Nor was any one found who could serve as interpreter. It would have been easy enough to have obtained a Bible, if they could have met with a stray colporteur, but none was in evidence, and the average denizen of St. Louis was better pro- vided with cartridge belts and guns than with literature of any sort. In despair they applied to Governor Clark, the official head of the ter- ritory, whose headquarters were in the town — the same William Clark who, with Captain Meriwether Lewis, had led the expedition to the mouth of the Columbia nearly thirty years before. It is possible that they may have heard of Clark by reason of his travels through their country a generation previous. By means of signs and such few words of jargon as they could muster, they attempted to explain to Gov- ernor Clark the purpose of their visit, but it is evident that they succeeded none too well. In response to their prayer for spiritual food he bestowed on them blankets, beads and tobacco — the routine gifts to importunate redskins — and the discouraged Flatheads abandoned their illusive quest for the magic Book. Before leav- ing for home the Indians made a farewell call on General Clark, during which they, or one of them, made a speech. Just what the speaker said, or tried to say, may be a matter of doubt, but the report made of it, and given to the press, is a marvel of simple eloquence. It is as fol- lows : "We came to you over a trail of many moons from the setting sun. You were the friend of our fathers, who have all gone the long way. We came with our eyes partly opened for more light for our people who* sit in darkness. We go back with our eyes closed. How can we go back blind to our blind people? We made our way to you with strong arms, through many enemies and strange lands, that we might carry back much to them. We go back with both arms broken and empty. The two fathers who' came with us — the braves of 52 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES many winters and wars — we leave here asleep by your great water and wigwam. They were tired with their journey of many moons, and their moccasins were worn out. "Our people sent us to .get the white man's Book of Heaven. You took us where they wor- ship the Great Spirit with candles, but the Book was not there. You showed us the images of good spirits, and pictures of the good land be- yond, but the Book was not among them to tell us the way. You made our feet heavy with burdens of gifts, and our moccasins will grow old with carrying them, but the Book is not among them. We are going back the long, sad trail to our people. When we tell them, after one more snow, in the big counsel, that we did not bring the Book, no word will be spoken by our old men, nor by our young braves. One by one they will rise up and go out in silence. Our people will die in darkness, and they will go on the long path to the other hunting grounds. No white man will go with them, and no Book of Heaven to make the way plain. We have no more words." The story of the Flathead embassy and their unique quest subsequently reached George Cat- lin, through the medium of Governor Clark. Catlin was an artist who had made a special study of Indian types and dress, and had paint- ed with great ability and fidelity many portraits of noted chiefs. In the National Museum, at Washington, D. C., may be seen a very exten- sive collection of his Indian paintings, supple- mented with almost innumerable recent photo- graphs, among which are those of Chief Joseph, the great Nez Perce warrior, and the Umatilla reservation chieftains, Homli, Peo and Paul Showeway. Mr. Catlin was not only a portrait painter, but a gifted writer. He converted the plain, unvarnished tale of Governor Clark, con- cerning the Flatheads, into an epic poem of thrilling interest, and gave it to the press. Its publication in the religious journals created a great sensation, and steps were immediately ta- ken to answer the Macedonian cry of the Flat- heads. The sending of Jason Lee and his party to Oregon was a result. The quest of the Flatheads, the sad deaths of all their embassy save one on the journey, and the temporary failure of their project, seemed a hopeless defeat, but they "builded wiser than they knew," for the very fact of their mission stirred mightily the hearts of the church people and through that instrumentality the attention of Americans was sharply directed to the enormous value of the Pacific northwest. The interest thus excited was timely — another decade of supine lethargy on the part of the narrow provincialism which then dominated American diplomacy, and the entire Pacific coast, from Mexico to the Russian possessions, on the north, would have passed irretrievably under British control. The Flatheads' search for the magic Book was to all appearance an ignominious failure, but their plaintive cry, feeble though it was, stirred the mountain heights, and precipitated the irresistible avalanche of American enter- prise into the valley of the Columbia, over- whelming the Hudson's Bay Company with its swelling volume of Yankee immigration and hurling British "Joint Occupation" aside as a thing of naught. In a lesser way, also, their mission succeed- ed, though success was long on the road. The western movement of white population en- gulfed the hated Blackfeet, thinned their num- bers till they were no- longer formidable, even to the Flatheads, confined them within the nar- row limits of a reservation in northern Mon- tana, where they were ordered about by a con- sequential Indian agent, and collared and thrust into the agency jail for any trifling misde- meanor, by the agency police; while the one- time harrassed and outraged Flathead roams unvexed through his emerald vales, pursues without fear, to its uttermost retreat in the Rockies, the lordly elk or the elusive deer, tempts the wily trout from the darkest pool of the sequestered mountain torrent with the se- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 53 ductive fly, or lazily floats on the surface of some placid lake, which mirrors the evergreen slopes of the environing hills, peacefully with- drawing, now and again, the appetizing sal- mon-trout from its cool and transparent depths, to be transferred presently, in exchange for gleaming silver, to some thrifty pale-faced housewife, or some unctious Chinese cook, for a tenderfoot tourist's dinner — forgetful all and fearless of Blackfoot ambush or deadly foray. Of a verity, the child-like quest for the magic Book was not without its compensation to the posterity of the Flathead ambassadors ! In the year 1835 the American Board sent Dr. Marcus Whitman, of Rushville, New York, and Dr. Samuel Parker, of Ithaca, New York, to examine the Oregon field and report on the conditions for missionary work. Having reached Green river, the general rendezvous of the trappers, it was decided that Dr. Parker should continue his journey to the Pacific and Dr. Whitman should return east and make ready to come back and locate some- where in Oregon Territory. Accordingly, in the early spring of 1836, in company with his newly-made bride, Narcissa (Prentice) Whit- man, and Rev. H. H. Spalding and wife, Dr. Whitman started across the plains. From the Loup fork of Platte river to Green River the missionary party traveled with the fur com- pany's annual detachment, but at the latter point they committed their fortunes and lives to a body of Nez Perce Indians who had come to meet them. The letters and journals of Mrs. Whitman and Mrs. Spalding give us some conception of the heroic fortitude with which they met the hardships and dangers of that unprecedented bridal journey of three thousand miles across the American wilder- ness. Reaching Fort Walla Walla, now Wall- ula, on September I, 1836, and being in the general vicinity of the region where they had expected to labor, it became apparent that they would need to establish friendly relations with the Hudson's Bay Company, the great auto- crats of the Columbia valley. Accordingly they made the additional journey by boat to Vancouver, where Dr. McLoughlin, a true- born king of men, received them with the kindly courtesy which always characterized his treatment of those who came to him. By his advice Whitman" was established at Waiilatpu, six miles west of the present Walla Walla. We must pass rapidly over the events of the next few years. Suffice it to say that they were years of great activity on the part of the missionaries. Travelers who visited the sta- tion expressed their wonder at the amount ac- complished by Dr. Whitman. He had brought over two hundred acres of land under cultivation, had built several larsre buildings, had put into running order a small grist mill, operated by water power from Mill creek, had also a small saw-mill on Mill creek, about fourteen miles above the present site of Walla Walla, had gathered together a large number of Indian children for instruction, and with all this, was acting as physician to all the whites in the country, and to many of the In- dians. He was a keen observer of the interna- tional politics which gathered about Oregon, and could not fail to see that his plans were necessarily antagonistic to those of the great English fur company, whose Briarean arms reached to all parts of the land, and whose evident and, in fact, necessary purpose was to keep the country in a state of savagery. Al- though the personal relations between Dr. Whitman and Dr. McLoughlin were of the pleasantest sort, each was keen enough to see that success for the one meant defeat for the other. Busy as Whitman was with the multifa- rious duties which he had loaded upon himself, he became more and more absorbed in the vital question as to Who was going to own this country. Among a number of Americans com- ing to Oregon in 1842 was A. L. Lovejoy, a man of intelligence and force, who informed 54 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Whitman of the pending Webster-Ashburton treaty between England and this country, the effect of which many Americans thought would be detrimental to their country. The more Whitman thought of it the more •he became possessed of the idea that it was his patriotic duty to go to Washington and in- form the authorities of the nature of this coun- try and its value, and assist the emigrants of the next year to cross the plains and mountains on their way to Oregon. That was one idea of that great winter ride of 1842-3, made by Whitman, Love joy accompanying as far as Fort Bent. The details of that grand, heroic ride, with the momentous results hinging upon it, and the magnificent success achieved, have been many times narrated, have been discussed, hotly disputed, exaggerated and belittled, and yet out of the general turmoil certain historical facts may be regarded as definitely established. First, it is now conceded by all that Whit- man's idea was "to save Oregon to the United States." Many writers have questioned this in the past. One writer (we are glad to say but one), has the unenviable distinction of having attributed low and sordid motives to the hero, believing that his object mainly was to secure the continuance of the mission as a source of profit to himself. She even, at one time, went so far as to> suggest a doubt whether Whitman was ever in Washing- ton at all. Although those to whom Whitman had related his experiences, as well as men who actually recalled seeing him in Washington, had given their testimony, yet these persistent efforts to depreciate him had produced a good deal of effect in the public mind. It was there- fore a matter of profound interest when, in 1 89 1, there was made in the archives of the War department an extraordinary discovery. This was a letter from Dr. Whitman himself to the department, proposing a bill for the es- tablishment of a line of forts from the Kansas river to the Willamette. This entire letter and proposed bill appeared in the Walla Walla Union-Journal of August 15, 189 1. A perusal of it will convince any one that Whitman's aim in his tremendous exertions was political, as well as that he had all the essential elements of statesmanship. We incorporate here the be- ginning and closing of this letter. To the Hon. James M. Porter, Secretary of War: Sir: — In compliance with the request you did me the honor to make last winter while at Washington, I herewith transmit to you the synopsis of a bill, which, if it could be adopted, would, according to my experience and ob- servation, prove highly conducive to the best interests of the United States generally; to Oregon, where I have resided for more than seven years as a missionary, and to the Indian tribes that inhabit the intermediate country. The government will now doubtless for the first time be apprised through you, and by means of this communication, of the immense migration of families to Oregon, which has taken place this year. I have, since our inter- view, been instrumental in piloting across the route described in the accompanying bill, and which is the only eligible wagon road, no less than — families, consisting of one thou- sand persons of both sexes, with their wagons, • amounting in all to more than one hundred and twenty, six hundred and ninety-four oxen, and seven hundred and seventy-three loose cattle. * * * * * . * Your familiarity with the government pol- icy, duties and interests, render it unnecessary for me to more than hint at the several ob- jects intended by the enclosed bill, and any en- largement upon the topics here suggested as inducements to its adoption would be quite su- perfluous, if not impertinent. The very exist- ence of such a system as the one above recom- mended suggests the utility of post offices and mail arrangements, which it is the wish of all who now live in Oregon to have granted them, HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 55 and I need only add that contracts for this pur- pose will be readily taken at reasonable rates for transporting the mail across from Missouri to the mouth of the Columbia in forty days, with fresh horses at each of the contemplated posts. The ruling policy proposed, regards the Indians as the police of the country, who are to be relied upon to keep the peace, not only for themselves, but to repel lawless white men and prevent banditti, under the solitary guidance of the superintendent of the several posts, aid- ed by a well-directed system to induce the pun- ishment of crime. It will only be after the failure of these means to procure the delivery or punishment of violent, lawless and savage acts of aggression, that a band or tribe should be regarded as conspirators against the peace, or punished accordingly by force of arms. Hoping that these suggestions may meet your approbation, and conduce to the future in- terests of our growing country, I have the honor to be, Honorable Sir, your obedient ser- vant, Marcus Whitman. The second fact established in regard to Whitman's work is that he did produce a profound influence on the minds of President Tyler and Secretary Webster and others in authority, and as a result, other influences, per- haps, also reaching them, our government took an entirely new stand and began to raise the demand of "Fifty-four forty." A third fact is that he published broadcast in the spring of 1843, his intention to return and pilot the train across the mountains. It is also true that many immigrants, though by no means all, were induced to come by his pres- ence and representations. A fourth fact is that he succeeded in con- ducting a thousand people, with wagons and cattle, to the promised land of Oregon. A fifth fact may be added to the effect that Whitman's station on the Walla Walla became the rallying point for Americans, with all their interests, between the Rockv mountains and the Cascades. Waiilatpu was the eastern fron- tier of American settlement in Oregon. For though the mission posts of Lapwai and Tchi- makain were actually farther east, they had no bearing on the political question of the time. Such briefly summarizes the acknowledged facts in regard to Dr. Whitman and his work. As to the comparative value of his services, as' to the controverted questions of what some' have styled the "Whitman Myth," this is not the place to speak. Suffice it to say that by the uniform testimony of his contemporaries cs well as of the students of history, Whitman' was one of the heroes of America. But Whitman's destiny was not yet ful- filled. Missionary, patriot, statesman and hero, he must now become a martyr. THE WHITMAN MASSACRE. After Whitman's return in 1843 the In- dians had become restive and ugly. They could form no conception of the exalted senti- ments which actuated the missionaries. They began to see in a rude way the logic of Ameri- can occupation. It meant a change in their whole method of life. It implied farming, cattle-raising, houses, fixed and narrowed do- mains, instead of the hunting and wild life of their ancestral habits. They saw also the an- tagonism between the Americans and the Brit- ish, and inasmuch as the latter were the more disposed to maintain the existing condition of savagery, the Indians generally inclined to sympathize with them. Dr. Whitman per- ceived the danger, and during the summer of 1847 he had in contemplation a removal to The Dalles. He had arranged to purchase the Methodist mission there and was planning to remove thither in the spring. In the meantime sinister influences were gathering around his devoted head, all unknown to him. His two principal enemies were Tamsuky, a Cayuse chief, and Joe Lewis, a renegade half-breed who had wandered to the mission, had been 56 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES befriended by Whitman, and then with the in- iquity which seemed to be inherent in his de- testable nature, become a prime mover in the murderous plot. During the summer of 1847, measles, in- troduced by immigrants, became epidemic among the Cayuses. Their native method of treating anything of a feverous nature was to enter into a sweat house, stripped of clothing, and remain there until thoroughly steamed, and then plunge naked and perspiring into a cold stream. Death was the almost inevitable re- sult. Whitman was faithful and unremitting in his ministrations, but many died. At this critical moment the wretch Lewis perceived that his opportunity had come. He made the Indians think that Whitman was poisoning them. He went so far as to affirm that he had heard a conversation between Spalding and Whitman as to what they would do when they had got possession of the country. The Indians determined to make a test case of a sick woman, giving her some of Whit- man's medicine, and agreeing that if she died they would kill the missionaries. The woman died, and the plot came to a focus. Istickus of Umatilla, who had always been a warm friend of Whitman, had felt some ink- ling of the plot, and suggested to him his dan- ger. He had never realized it before, but with •his daring spirit had laughed off thoughts of harm. At the warning of Istickus, Mrs. Whit- man, noble, intrepid soul that she was. felt the darkening of the approaching tragedy, and was found by the children in tears for the only time since the death of her beloved little girl eight years before. The doctor told her that if possi- ble he would arrange to remove down the river at once. But the next day. the fatal 29th of Novem- ber, 1847, dawned. Great numbers of Tam- suky's adherents were in the vicinity. Sur- vivors of the massacre say that on the day be- fore, the little hill on which the monument is now situated, was black with Indians looking down upon the scene. Their presence and their unfriendly looks added to the alarm felt by Mrs. Whitman. At about one o'clock on the 29th, as Dr. Whitman was sitting reading, a number of In- dians entered, and having attracted his atten- tion by the accustomed request for medicine, one of them, said afterwards by the Indians to have been Tamchas, drew forth a hatchet and buried it in the head of his benefac- tor. Another, named Telaukait, who had received many favors from Whitman, then came up and proceeded to beat and hack the noble face that had never expressed any sentiment but kindness toward those chil- dren of darkness. The work of murder, thus begun, was followed with fiendish energy. None of the white men, scattered and unsus- pecting, could offer any effective resistance. They were quickly shot down, with the excep- tion of such as were in places sufficiently remote to elude observation and glide away at night. Five men in that manner escaped, and after incredible suffering, reached places of safety. Mrs. Whitman was the only woman who suf- fered death. The other women were shame- fully outraged, and the children, both boys and girls, were held in captivity several days. On the day after the massacre at Waiilatpu William McBean, in charge of the Hudson's Bay Company's fort at Walla Walla, and who was the father of John McBean, recentty the interpreter at the Umatilla Indian reservation in this county, sent a messenger to Fort Van- couver to apprise the chief factor, James Doug- las, of what had transpired. The messenger stopped at the Dalles and procured a boat from Mr. Alanson Hinman, missionary at that place, with which to continue his journey. He neg- lected to inform Mr. Hinman of the massacre and the danger in which they were. The mes- senger reached Vancouver on December 4th, and Chief Factor Douglas sent, on the morn- ing of the second day thereafter, a letter to Governor Abernethy at Oregon City, inform- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 57 ing him of what had taken place at the Whit- man mission. On December 7th Peter Skeen Ogden, of the Hudson's Bay Company, start- ed from Vancouver with a force of men to the scene of the tragedy, and, on leaving The Dalles, advised the Americans at that place to abandon the mission • and seek safety in the Willamette valley, which they did. The next day Governor Abernethy in- formed the legislature of the catastrophe, and called for volunteers to rescue the prisoners and punish the Indians. A company of sol- diers was immediately organized and sent to The Dalles, as an outpost in case the Indians had hostile intentions against the Willamette settlements. The legislature pledged the credit of the provisional government to pay the expenses of the outfit for the company, and appointed a committee to visit Vancouver and negotiate for the same from the Hudson's Bay Company ; but they were compelled to become personally responsible for the amount involved. On De- cember 10th the company reached Vancouver, received their supplies, and pushed on to The Dalles, where they arrived on the 21st of De- cember. In the meantime the legislature entered with great energy on a series of resolutions and en- actments, with a view to organizing a suffi- cient military force to punish the Indians ; and the citizens, by private subscriptions and enlist- ments, warmly seconded the efforts of the pro- visional government. Many of the more ar- dent were pushing forward into the Indian country at once, with a formidable force; but more prudent counsels prevailed, and nothing was done likely to prevent the Indians from surrendering their captives to Mr. Ogden, of the Hudson's Bay Company, who had gone among them for that purpose. Ogden reached Fort Walla Walla Decem- ber 19th, called a council of the chiefs at the Catholic mission on the Umatilla river, just above Pendleton, in which the Indians signed the following declaration of their wishes : First — That the Americans may not go to war with the Cayuses. Second — That they may forget the lately committed murders, as the Cayuses will forget the murder of the son of the great chief of Walla Walla, committed in California. Third — That two or three great men may come up to conclude peace. Fourth — That as soon as these great men have arrived and concluded peace, they may take with them all the women and children. Fifth — They give assurance that they will not harm the Americans before the arrival of these two< or three great men. Sixth — They ask that Americans may not travel any more through their country, as their young men might do them harm. This document was signed, "Place of Ta- : watowe, Youmatilla, twentieth of December, 1847- (Signed,) Tilokaikt, Camaspelo', Tawatowe, Achekaia." On the 23d of December the chiefs assem- bled at the fort to hear what the Hudson's Bay factor had to say to them, and the following speeches by Factor Ogden and three of the In- dian chiefs, made on that occasion, explain the situation : "I regret," said Mr. Ogden, "to observe that all the chiefs whom I asked for are not present — two being absent. I expect the words I am about to address to you to be repeated to them and your young men on your return to your camps. It is now thirty years since we have been among you. During this long period we have never had any instance of blood being spilt, until the inhuman massacre, which has so recently taken place. We are traders, and a different nation from the Americans. But recollect, we supply you with ammunition 58 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES not to kill the Americans. They are of the same color as ourselves, speak the same lan- guage, are children of the same God, and hu- manity makes our hearts bleed when we behold you using them so cruelly. Besides this re- volting butchery, have not the Indians pillaged, ill treated the Americans, and insulted their women, when peacefully making their way to the Willamette ? As chiefs, ought you to have connived at such conduct on the part of your young men? You tell me your young men committed the deeds without your knowledge. Why do we make you chiefs, if you have no control over your young men? You are a set of hermaphrodites, and unworthy of the ap- pelation of men as chiefs. You young, hot- headed men, I know that you pride your- selves upon your bravery, and think no one can match ou. Do not deceive your- selves. If you get the Americans to com- mence once, you will repent it, and war will not end until every one of you are cut off from the face of the earth. I am aware that a good many of your friends and relatives have died through sickness. The Indians of other places have shared the same fate. It is not Dr. Whitman that poisoned them, but God has commanded that they should die. We are weak mortals and must submit, and I trust you will avail yourselves of the opportunity. By so doing it may be advantageous to you, but at the same time remember that you alone will be responsible for the consequences. It is mere- ly advice that I give you. We have nothing to do with it. I have not come here to make promises or hold out assistance. We have nothing to do with your quarrels ; we remain neutral. On my return, if you wish it, I shall do all I can for you, but I do not promise you to prevent war. "If you deliver me up all the prisoners, I shall pay you for them on their being deliv- ered, but let it not be said among you after- ward that I deceived you. I and Mr. Douglas represent the company, but I tell you once more we promise you nothing. We sympa- thize with these poor people, and wish to re- turn them to their friends and relations by pay- ing you for them. My request in behalf of the families concerns you; so decide for the best." The young chief (Tawatue) replied: "I arise to thank you for your words. You white chiefs command obedience with those that have to do with you. It is not so with us. Our young men are strong headed and foolish. For- merly we had experienced, good chiefs. These are laid in the dust. The descendants of my father were the only good chiefs. Though we made war with the other tribes, yet we always looked and ever will look upon the whites as our brothers. Our blood is mixed with yours. My heart bleeds for so many good chiefs I had known. For the demand made by you, the old chief Teioquoit is here. Speak to him. As regards myself, I am willing to give up the families." Teioquoit then said: "I have listened to your words. Young men do not forget them. As for war, we have seen little of it. We know the whites to be our best friends, who have all along prevented us from killing each other. That is the reason why we avoid getting into war with them, and why we do not wish to be separated from them. Besides the tie of blood, the whites have shown us a convincing proof of their attachment to us by burying their dead 'longside with ours. Chief, your words are weighty. Your hairs are gray. We have known you a long time. You have had an unpleasant trip to this place. I cannot, therefore, keep these families back. I make them over to you, which I would not do to another younger than yourself." Serpent- Jaune (Peo-peo-mox-mox) fol- lowed, stating that : "I have nothing to say. I know the Americans to be changeable; still I am of the opinion as the young chief. The whites are our friends and we follow your ad- vice. I consent to your taking the families." Mr. Ogden then addressed two Nez Perce chiefs at length, in behalf of the Rev. H. H. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 59 Spalding and party, promising he would pay for their safe delivery to him. The result was that both chiefs, James and Itimimipelp, prom- ised to bring them, provided they were willing to come, and immediately started to Clear- water with that purpose, bearing a letter from Chief Factor Ogden to Mr. Spalding. The result of that conference was the de- livery, on the 29th of December, to* Mr. Og- den (for which he paid to the Cayuse Indians five blankets, fifty shirts, ten fathoms of to- bacco', ten handkerchiefs, ten guns and one hundred rounds of ammunition), the following captives : Missionary children adopted by Dr. Whit- man — Miss Mary A. Bridger; Catherine Sager, aged thirteen years; Elizabeth Sager, ten; Martha J. Sager, eight; Henrietta N. Sager, four; Hannah L. Sager; Helen M. Meek. From Du Page county, Illinois — Mr. Jo^ seph Smith ; Mrs. Hannah Smith ; Mary Smith, aged fifteen years; Edwin Smith, thirteen; Charles Smith, eleven; Nelson Smith, six; Mortimer Smith, four. From' Fulton county, Illinois — Mrs. Eliza Hall ; Jane Hall, aged ten years ; Mary C. Hall, eight; Ann E. Hall, six; Rebecca Hall, three; Rachel M. Hall, one. From Osage county, Mississippi — Mr. Elam Young; Mrs. Irene Young; Daniel Young, aged twenty-one years; John Young, nineteen. From La Porte county, Indiana — Mrs. Harriet Kimball ; Susan M. Kimball, aged six- teen years; Nathan M. Kimball, thirteen; By- ron M. Kimball, eight; Sarah S. Kimball, six; Mince A. Kimball, one. From Iowa — Mrs. Mary Sanders; Helen M. Sanders, aged fourteen years; Phebe L. Sanders, ten; Alfred W. Sanders, six; Nancy L. Sanders, four; Mary A. Sanders, two; Mrs. Sally A. Canfield ; Ellen Canfield, sixteen ; Os- car Canfield, nine; Clarissa Canfield, seven; Sylvia A. Canfield, five ; Albert Canfield, three. From Illinois — Mrs. Rebecca Hays ; Henry C. Hays, aged four years ; also Eliza Spalding, Nancy E. Marsh, Lorrinda Bewley. On New Year's Day, 1848, Rev. H. H. Spalding, with ten others, being all the Ameri- cans from his. mission, arrived at Walla Walla fort under escort of fifty Nez Perce Indians, to whom Mr. Ogden paid for their safe deliv- ery twelve blankets, twelve shirts, twelve hand- kerchiefs, five fathoms of tobacco, two guns, two hundred pounds of ammunition and some knives. Three days later Mr. Ogden started to Fort Vancouver with the captives in boats. Shortly after he had left the fort at Walla Walla, fifty Cayuse warriors dashed up to the place and demanded the surrender of Mr. Spalding, to be killed, as word had reached them of the ar- rival of American soldiers at The Dalles, to make war upon them, and they held him re- sponsible for that fact. On January 10th, the rescued captives ar- rived safely at Oregon City. The killed in the Whitman massacre were : Dr. Marcus Whitman, Mrs. Narcissa Whit- man, John Sager, Francis Sager, Mr. Crockett Bewley, Mr. Rogers, assistant missionary, Mr. Kimball, Mr. Sales, Mr. Marsh, Mr. Saun- ders, James Young, Jr., Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Isaac Gillen. THE CAYUSE WAR. The ransomed missionaries from Waiilatpu, Lapwai and Tchimakain, reached the Willa- mette valley in safety. Concerning those from Lapwai and Tchimakain, it may be said here to the credit of the Indians that though one band, the Cayuses were murderers, two bands, the Nez Perces and Spokanes, were saviors. Few things more thrilling ever came under the observation of the writer than the nar- ration by Fathers Eells and Walker of the council of the Spokanes at Tchimakain to de- cide whether or not to join the Cayuses. The 60 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES lives of the missionaries hung on the decision. Imagine their emotions as they waited with bated breath in their mission-house to know the result. After hours of excited discussion with the Cayuse emissaries, the Spokanes announced their conclusion: "Go and tell the Cayuses that the missionaries are our friends and we will defend them with our lives." The Nez Perces made the same decision. Bold though those Cayuses were — the fiercest warriors 'of the inland empire, — their hearts must have sunk within them, as they saw that the Uma- tillas, the Nez Perces and the Spokanes, and even the Hudson's Bay Company, were all against them and that they must meet the in- furiated whites from the Willamette. For as soon as tidings reached the Willamette the provincial government at once entered upon the work of equipping fourteen companies of volunteers by an act of December 9. These volunteers mainly provided their own horses, arms and ammunition, without a thought of pecuniary gain or even reimbursement. Cornelius Gilliam, father of W. S. Gill- iam, of Walla Walla, was chosen colonel of the regiment, and with great energy pushing all necessary arrangements, he set forth from the rendezvous at The Dalles on February 27, 1848. Several battles occurred on the way, the most severe being at Sand Hollows, in the Umatilla country. The battle of Sand Hollows began on a plain where depressions in the sand made con- venient natural rifle pits. These were occu- pied by the Indians in force. The baggage train, protected by the company of Captain Lawrence Hall, formed the center of the white forces. The left flank, consisting of the com- panies of Captain Philip F. Thompson and of Captain H. J. G. Maxon, were on the north side of the road, and the companies of Captain Levi N. English and Captain Thomas McKay constituted the right of the command. The first onset of the Indians fell upon McKay's company which was at the extreme right. The forces of the Indians were composed of Umatilla, Cayuse and Walla Walla braves, who were in arms, not so much for the protec- tion of the Whitman murderers as for the de- fense of their country from a general white invasion. They feared, and with reason, that if they permitted a regiment of white soldiers to invade their territory severe reprisals would be made, and the innocent suffer with the guilty. Their principal leaders were Five Crows, the general chief of all three tribes and a recent Protestant convert, and War Eagle, also a Cayuse. These chiefs had assured their followers that the white soldiers should never reach the Umatilla river because they were both "big medicine" men. Five Crows asserted that no ball from a white man's gun could kill him, for he was a wizard, thereby calling forth the inference that his recent conversion had been neither deep nor abiding. War Eagle claimed that he was not only invulnerable to bullets, but that he could catch between his teeth and swallow all the balls from all the guns of the white army if they were fired at him. As the troops approached the Umatilla river the two chiefs rushed from under cover, gal- loped up to the white line of battle, to prove their powers and ability as wizards, and — horrible dictu — shot a small dog belonging to one of the soldiers which had run out to bark at them. The troops had been ordered not to fire first on the Indians, as the desire of Colo- nel Gilliam, in command, was to avoid hostili- ties if possible, but when gallant Tom McKay saw the chiefs charging fiercely toward the lines and saw the flash of their sruns, he was not to be restrained any longer, so, taking careful aim at War Ea^le, the nearest, he shot him, killing him instantly. First Lieutenant Charles McKay, brother to the captain, fol- lowed his example, and, firing hastily, wound- ed Five Crows so seriously that he was com- pelled to give up his command to another chief. This unexpected disaster, and the accompany- ing disillusion of the Indians as to their chiefs' HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 61 invulnerability, operated as a wet blanket on the ardor of the Indians, though they contested the advance of the troops stubbornly till even- ing put an end to the engagement. Once dur- ing the afternoon Captain M axon's company advanced beyond supporting distance, and, be- ing surrounded, was extricated with great diffi- culty, eight of his men being wounded. Eleven soldiers were wounded in the battle, but no one was killed. The Indian loss was severe, though, as usual, they carried off most of their dead and wounded. The next day the troops continued their advance, reaching the Whitman mission the third day after the engagement. They paused several days to recuperate and give a reverent burial to the remains of the martyrs, which had been hastily covered with earth when Ogden ransomed the captives, but were afterward partially exhumed by coyotes. The Indians had now fallen back to Snake liver. Following them thither, the whites were somewhat outgeneraled. They surprised and captured a camp of Indians, among whom were, as was afterward discovered, some of the murderers themselves. But the wily Cay- uses professed great friendship, and pointing to a large band of horses on the hill, said that the hostiles had abandoned them and crossed the river. Completely deluded, the whites sur- rendered the camp, and rounding up the horses, started on the return. And now the released captives, mounting at once, began a furious at- tack, which proved so harrassing that the vol- unteers were obliged to retreat to the Touchet, and finally, although they repelled the Indians, they let loose the captured horses. These the Indians seized, vanishing with them over the plains. In the struggle on the Touchet, when the retiring volunteers reached its banks, William Taylor was fatally shot by an Indian who sprang up in the bushes near by. Nathan 01- ney, who was afterward agent of the Umatilla Indian reservation, avenged the deed by rush- ing upon Taylor's assailant, snatching from his hand a war club in which was fastened a piece of iron, and dealing him such a blow on the head as to cause the iron to split the club, and yet without killing him. In the hand-to-hand struggle which then ensued Olney finally suc- ceeded in finishing the Indian with a knife. But the Indians in general had no wish to fight, and finding that the whites insisted on a surrender of the murderers, the tribe scattered in various directions ; Tamsuky with his friends going to the head waters of the John Day. There they remained for two years. In 1850 a band of Umatillas undertook to capture them and after a fierce fight killed Tamsuky and cap- tured a number. Of the captives five were hanged at Oregon City on June 3, 1850. Just previous to their execution they signed the following declaration of innocence : Kilokite — "I am innocent of the crime of which I am charged. Those whoi committed it are dead, some killed, some died ; there were ten, two were my sons ; they were killed by the Cayuses. Tamsuky, before the massacre, came to my lodge; he told me they were going to hold a council to kill Dr. Whitman. I told him not to do so, that it was bad. One night seven Indians died near the house of Dr. Whitman, to whom he had given medicines. Tamsuky' 3 family were sick; he gave them roots and leaves ; they got well. Other Indians died. Tamsuky came often. I talked to him, but his ears were shut; he would not hear; he and others went away. After a while some chil- dren came into- my lodge and told me what was going on. I had told Tamsuky over and over to let them alone; my talk was nothing; I shut my mouth. When I left my people the young chief told me to come and talk with the big white chief and tell him who it was that did kill Dr. Whitman and others. My heart was big ; 'tis small now. The priest tells me I must die to-morrow. I know not for what. They tell me that I have made a confession to the marshal that I struck Dr. Whitman. 'Tis false. You ask me if the priests did not en- 62 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES courage us to kill Dr. Whitman? I answer no, no. I am innocent, but my heart is weak since I have been in chains, but since I must die I forgive them all. Those who- brought me here and take care of me, I take them all in my arms ; my heart is opened." Quiahmarsum (Panther Skin) — "I was up the river at the time of the massacre, and did not arrive until the next day. I was riding on horseback; a white woman came running from the house. She held out her hand and told me not to kill her. I put my hand upon her head and told her not to be afraid. There were plenty of Indians all about. She, with the other women and children, went to Walla Walla to Mr. Ogden's. I was not present at the murder, nor was I in any way concerned in it. I am innocent. It hurts me to talk about dying for nothing. Our chief told us to come down and tell all about it. Those who com- mitted the murder are killed and dead. The priest says I must die to-morrow. If they kill me, I am innocent. I was sent here by my chief to declare who the guilty persons were; the white chief would then shake hands with me; the young chief would come after me; we would have a good heart. My young chief told me I was to come here to tell what I know concerning the murderers. I did not come as one of the murderers, for I am innocent. I never made any declarations to any one that I was guilty. This is the last time that I may speak." Kloakamus — "I was there at the time; I lived there, but I had no hand in the murder. I saw them when they were killed, but did not touch or strike any one. I looked on. There were plenty of Indians. My heart was sorry. Our chief told us to come down and tell who the murderers were. There were ten ; they are all killed. They say I ami guilty, but it is not so; I am innocent. The people do not under- stand me. I can't talk to them. They tell me I must die by being hung by the neck. If they do kill me I am innocent, and God will give me a big heart. I have no reason to die for things I did not do. My time is short. I tell the truth. I know that I am close to the grave ; but my heart is open, and I tell the truth. I love every one in this world. I know that God will give me a big heart. I never con- fessed to the marshal that I was guilty, or to any other person ; I am innocent. The priests did not tell us to do what the Indians have done. This is my last talk." Siahsaluchus (Wet Wolf) — "I say the same as the others; the murderers are killed, some by the whites, some by the Cayuses, and some by others. They were ten in number. I have nothing more to say; I think of God. I forgive all men ; I love them. The priest did not tell us to do this." Tamahas — "I did not know that I came here to die. Our chief told us to come and see the white chief and tell him all about it. The white chief would then tell us all what was right and what was wrong; learn us how to live when we returned home. .Why should I have a bad heart, after I am showed and taught how to live ? My eyes were shut when I came here. I did not see, but now they are opened. I have been taught; I have been showed what was good and what was bad. I do not want to die; I know now that we are all brothers. They tell me the same Spirit made us all. Tamahas joined with Kilokite. My heart cries my brother was guilty, but he is dead. I am innocent. I know I am going to die for things I am not guilty of, but I forgive them. I love all men now. My hope, the priest tells me, is in Christ. My heart shall be big with good." The Cayuse Indians, however, admit that one of those condemned was really guilty, namely, Tamahas, who struck Dr. Whitman the first blow. Their claim that the others were innocent is very likely true, and if so, is but another instance of the lamentable failure to apply either punishment or mercy accurately, which has characterized all Indian wars on HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 63 both sides. The innocent have borne the sins of the guilt in more ways than one. Many men afterward famous in Oregon and Washington history took part in the Cay- use wars. Among them we may name James W. Nesmith, afterward United States senator from Oregon, and father of the wife of Levi Ankeny, president of the First National Bank of Pendleton ; Joel Palmer, later speaker of the house of representatives of Oregon; Captain William Martin, who was sheriff and county judge of Umatilla county for sixteen years, and who died full of years and honors, at Pen- dleton, in 1899; Captain Thomas McKay, First Lieutenant Charles McKay and Second Lieu- tenant Alexander McKay, all of whom were conspicuous for their valor and important serv- ices during the campaign. The three last named were the sturdy sons of that Alexander Mc- Kay, partner of Astor, who was murdered on the ill-fated ship Tonquin, in 18 12. As before related, when Jason Lee crossed the continent, in 1834, he traveled from Fort Hall with Thomas McKay and his band of hunters. The two men became close friends, and when Lee returned to the states, in 1838, he was accom- panied by McKay as far as Bear river, where the latter's infant son, Donald, was baptized by Mr. Lee. This infant was the same Donald McKay who afterward gained fame as an In- dian scout, and was, at the time of his death, several years ago, the government interpreter on the Umatilla reservation. As Thomas Mc- Kay was unable to go all the way east, he turned three of his sons over to Mr. Lee to take to the States to be educated. Mr. Lee entered the boys in the Wesleyan Academy at Wilbra- ham, Massachusetts. One of them, the late Dr. William C. McKay, of Pendleton, afterward finished his studies at the Wesleyan University, at Middletown, Connecticut. As Dr. H. K. Hines well says in his Missionary History : "Many about the old Wesleyan Academy, at Wilbraham, and the University at Middletown have called to mind the intelligent half-caste, William C. McKay, who became an educated physician and an important personal force in the history of Oregon from the time of his return as an educated American to his native place until his death as an honored citizen, in 1894. It was Mr. Lee's influence that led Mr. McKay at the first to send his sons to an Amer- ican school instead of to an English or a Can- adian. It was an important act, as showing the commanding influence that Mr. Lee had gained over one of the most forceful elements of the mixed society of Oregon at that time; as Mr. McKay was very intimately associated with Dr. McLoughlin, the ruling power of the Hudson's Bay Company on the Pacific coast." Colonel Gilliam, who had shown himself a brave and capable commander, was accidentally killed on the return trip, a most melancholy end of a career which was full of promise to this section of the country. In taking our leave of this great epoch we can only say in the way of reflection, that grievous as the end of Whitman's career was, it no doubt will ultimately be seen to have pro- duced greater results for this region and the world than if he had survived to enjoy a well merited rest; for the subsequent development of this section, the founding of Whitman Col- lege, and the whole train of circumstances aris- ing from American occupation may be seen in some measure to have grown out of the tragedy of Waiilatpu. Here, as elsewhere, martyrdom seems a necessary accompaniment of the pro- foundest progress. While the offences of the Indians cannot be condoned, yet charity compels the admission that the poor creatures were hardly more re- sponsible than the wild beasts who also disputed the ground with civilized men, and though the progress of the world demanded the removal of both as obstacles, yet the disposition of many people to indiscriminate hate and to hold the savages to a higher standard of responsibility than we would allow even for the best of our- selves, does little credit to our boasted civiliza- tion and Christianity. CHAPTER VL THE OREGON CONTROVERSY. The reader is now in possession of such facts as will enable him toi intelligently- ap- proach the contemplation of the great diplo- matic war of the century, the Oregon contro- versy. It may safely be asserted that never be- fore in the history of nations did diplomacy triumph over such wide differences of opinion and sentiment and effect a peaceable adjust- ment of such divergent international interests. Twice actual conflict of arms seemed imminent, but the spirit of compromise and mutual for- bearance ultimately won, a fact which shows that the leaven of civilization was working on both sides of the Atlantic, and gives reason to hope that the day when the swords of the na- tions shall be beaten into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks may not be as far in the future as some suppose. We need not attempt to trace all the con- flicting claims which were at any time set up by different nations to parts or the whole of the old Oregon territory, nor to go into the controversy in all its multiform complications, but will confine our inquiry mainly to the nego- tiations after Great Britain and the United States became the sole claimants. France early established some right to what was de- nominated "the western part of Louisiana," which, in 1762, she conveyed to Spain. This was retroceded to France some thirty-eight years later, and in 1803 was by that nation conveyed with the rest of Louisiana to the United States. So France was left out of the contest. In 1819, by the treaty of Florida, Spain ceded to the United States all right and title whatsoever which she might have to the territory on the Pacific, north of the forty- second parallel. What then were the claims of the United States to this vast domain? Naturally they were of a three-fold character. Our govern- ment claimed first in its own right. The Columbia river was discovered by a citizen of the United States and named by him. The river had been subsequently explored from its sources to its mouth by a government expedi- tion under Lewis and Clark. This had been followed and its effect strengthened by Ameri- can settlements upon the banks of the river. While Astoria, the American settlement, had been captured in the war of 1812-15, it had been restored in accordance with the treaty of Ghent, one provision of which was that "all territory, places and possessions whatsoever, taken by either party from the other during the war, or which may be taken after the signing of this treaty, shall be restored without delay." It was a well-established and universally recognized principle of international law that the discovery of a river, followed within a reasonable time by acts of occupancy, conveyed the right to the territory drained by the river and its tributary streams. This, it was con- tended, would make the territory between HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 65 forty-two degrees and fifty-one degrees north latitude the rightful possession of the United States. The Americans claimed secondly as the suc- cessors of France. By the treaty of Utrecht, the date whereof was 1713, the north line of the Louisiana territory was established as a dividing line between the Hudson's Bay ter- ritory and the French provinces in Canada. For centuries it had been a recognized principle of international law that "continuity" was a strong element of territorial claim. All Euro- pean powers, when colonizing the Atlantic sea- board, construed their colonial grants to ex- tend, whether expressly so stated or otherwise, entirely across the continent to the Pacific ocean, and most of these grants conveyed in express terms a strip of territory bounded north and south by stated parallels of latitude and east and west by the oceans. Great Britain herself had stoutly maintained this principle, even going so far as to wage with France for its integrity, the war which was ended by the treaty of 1763. By that England acquired Canada and renounced to France all territory west of the Mississippi river. It was there- fore contended on the part of the United States that England's claim by continuity passed to France and from France by assignment to this nation. This claim, of course, was subject to any rights which might prove to belong to Spain. Thirdly, the United States claimed as the successor of Spain, all the rights which that nation might have acquired by prior discovery or otherwise having accrued to the United States by the treaty of Florida. In the negotiations between Great Britain and the United States, which terminated in the Joint-Occupancy treaty of 1818, the latter nation pressed the former for a final quit claim of all territory west of the Rocky mountains. In so doing it asserted its intention "to be with- out reference or prejudice to the claims of any other power," but it was contended on the part of the American negotiators, Gallatin and Rush, that the discovery of the Columbia by Gray, its exploration by Lewis and Clarke, and the American settlement at Astoria rendered the claim of the United States "at least good against Great Britain to the country through which such river flowed, though they did not assert that the United States had a perfect' right to the country." When, however, the United States suc- ceeded to Spain, it was thought that all clouds upon its title were completely dispelled, and thereafter it was the contention of this govern- ment that' its right to sole occupancy was per- fect and indisputable. Great Britain, however, did not claim that her title amounted to one of sovereignty or exclusive possession, but simply that it was at least as good as any other. Her theory was that she had a right of occu- pancy in conjunction with other claimants, which by settlement and otherwise might be so strengthened in a part or the whole of the territory as to ultimately secure for her the right to be clothed with sovereignty. In the discussion of the issue, the earliest explorations had to be largely left out of the case, as they were attended with too much vagueness and uncertainty to bear any great weight. The second epoch of exploration was, therefore, lifted to< a position of prominence it could not otherwise have enjoyed. Perez and Heceta, for the Spaniards, the former in 1774, the. latter a year later, had explored the north- west coast to the fifty-fifth parallel and beyond, Heceta discovering the mouth of the Columbia river. To offset whatever rights might accrue from these explorations, England had only the more thorough but less extensive survey of Captain James Cook, made in 1778. The advantage in point of prior discovery would, therefore, seem to be with the United States as assignee of Spain. After the Joint-Occupancy treaty of 181 8 had been signed, negotiations on the subject were not re-opened until 1824. In that year, 66 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES obedient to the masterly instructions addressed to 'him on July 22, 1823, by John Quincy Ad- ams, secretary of state, Richard Rush, min- ister to England, entered into negotiations with the British ministers Canning and Hus- kisson for the adjustment of the boundary. Mr. Rush was instructed to offer the forty- ninth parallel to the sea, "should it be earnestly insisted upon by Great Britain." He en- deavored with great persistency to fulfill his mission, but his propositions were rejected. The British negotiators offered the forty- ninth parallel to the Columbia, then the mid- dle of that river to the sea, with perpetual rights to both nations of navigating the harbor at the mouth of the river. This proposal Mr. Rush rejected, so nothing was accomplished. By treaty concluded in February, 1825, an agreement was entered into between Great Britain and Russia, whereby the line of fifty- four degrees, forty minutes, was fixed as the boundary between the territorial claims of the two nations, a fact which explains t!be cry of "Fifty-four, forty or fight" that in later days became the slogan of the Democratic party. In 1826-7 another attempt was made to set- tle the question at issue between Great Britain and the United States. Albert Gallatin tftien represented this country, receiving his instruc- tions from Henry Clay, secretary of state, who said : "It is not thought necessary to add much to the argument advanced on this point in the instructions given to Mr. Rush, and that which was employed by him in the course of the negotiation to support our title as de- rived from prior discovery and settlement at the mouth of the Columbia river, and from the treaty which Spain concluded on the 22d of February, 1819. That argument is believed to have conclusively established our title on both grounds. Nor is it conceived that Great Britain has or can make out even a colorless title to any portion of the northern coast." Referring to the offer of the forty-ninth paral- lel in a dispatch dated February 24, 1827, Mr. Clay said : "It is conceived in a genuine spirit of concession and conciliation, and it is our ultimatum and you may so announce it." In order to save the case of his country from being prejudiced in future negotiations by the liberality of offers made and rejected, Mr. Clay instructed Gallatin to declare "that the American government does not hold itself bound hereafter, in consequence of any pro- posal which it has heretofore made, to agree to a line which has been so proposed and re- jected, but will consider itself at liberty to contend for the full measure of our just claims ; which declaration you must have recorded in the protocol of one of your conferences; and to give it more weight, have it stated that it has been done by the express direction of the presi- dent." Mr. Gallatin sustained the claim of the United States in this negotiation so powerfully that the British plenipotentiaries, Huskisson, Grant and Addington, were forced to the po- sition that Great Britain did not assert any title to the country. They contented them- selves with the contention that her claim was sufficiently well founded as to give her the right to occupy the country in common with other nations, such concessions having been made to her by the Nootka treaty. The Brit- ish negotiators complained of the recommenda- tion of President Monroe in his message of December 7, 1824, to establish a military post at the mouth of the Columbia river and of the passage of a bill in the House providing for the occupancy of the Oregon river. To this the American replied by calling attention to the act of the British parliament of 1821, en- titled "An act for regulating the fur trade and establishing a criminal and civil jurisdiction in certain parts of North America." He con- tended with great ability and force that the recommendation and bill complained of did not interfere with the treaty of 181 8, and that neither a territorial government nor a fort at the mouth of the river could rightly be com- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 67 plained of by a government which had granted such wide privileges and comprehensive pow- ers to the Hudson's Bay Company. Before the conclusion of these negoti- ations, Mr. Gallatin had offered not alone the forty-nint'h parallel but that "the navigation of the Columbia river shall be perpetually free to subjects of Great Britain in common with citi- zens of the United States, provided that the said line should strike the northeastermost or any other branch of that river at a point at which it was navigable for boats." The Brit- ish, on their part, again offered the Columbia river, together with a large tract of land be- tween Admiralty Inlet and the coast, protesting that this concession was made in the spirit of sacrifice for conciliation and not as one of right. The proposition was rejected and the negotiations ended in the treaty of August 6, 1827, which continued the Joint-Occupancy treaty of 1818 indefinitely, with the proviso that it might be abrogated by either party on giving the other a year's notice. "There can be no doubt," says Evans, "that, during the continuance of these two treaties, British foothold was strengthened and the difficulty of the adjustment of boundaries materially enhanced. Nor does this reflect in the slightest degree upon those great publicists who managed the claim of the United States in those negotiations. Matchless ability and earnest patriotism, firm defense of the United States' claim, and withal a disposition to com- promise to avoid rupture with any other na- tion, mark these negotiations in every line. The language and intention of these treaties are clear and unmistakable. Neither govern- ment was to attempt any act in the derogation of the other's claim; nor could any advantage inure to either; during their continuance the territory should be free and open to citizens and subjects of both nations. Such is their plain purport ; such the only construction which their language will warrant. Yet it cannot be controverted that the United States had thereby precluded itself from the sole enjoy- ment of the territory which it claimed in sov- ereignty; nor that Great Britain acquired a peaceable, recognized and uninterrupted ten- ancywn-common in regions where her title was so imperfect that she herself admitted that she could not successfully maintain, nor did she even assert it. She could well afford to wait. Hers was indeed the policy later in the controversy styled masterly inactiv- ity: 'Leave the title in abeyance, the settlement of the country will ultimately settle the sovereignty.' In no event could her colorless title lose color; while an immediate adjustment of the boundary would have abridged the area of territory in which, through her subjects, she already ex- ercised exclusive possession, and had secured the entire enjoyment of its wealth and re- sources. The Hudson's Bay Company, by virtue of its license of trade excluding all other British subjects from the territory, was Great Britain's trustee in possession — an empire company, omnipotent to supplant enterprises projected by citizens of the United States. Indeed, the territory had been appropriated by a wealthy, all-powerful monopoly, with whom it was ruinous to attempt to compete. Such is a true exhibit of the then condition of Ore- gon, produced by causes extrinsic to the treaty, which the United States government could neither counteract nor avoid. The United States had saved the right for its citizens to enter the territory, had protested likewise that no act or omission on the part of the govern- ment or its citizens, or any act of commission or omission by the British government or her subjects during such joint-occupancy treaties, should affect in any way the United States' claim to the territory. ******* "The treaties of 1818 and 1827 have passed into history as conventions for joint occupancy. Practically they operated as grants of possess- ion to Great Britain, or rather to her represen- 68 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES tative, the Hudson's Bay Company, who, after the merger with the Northwest Company, had become sole occupant of the territory. The situation may be briefly summed up: The United States claimed title to the territory. Great Britain, through its empire-trading com- pany, occupied it, — enjoyed all the wealth and resources derivable from it." But while joint occupation was in reality non-occupation by any but the British, it must not be supposed that the case of the United States was allowed to go entirely by default during the regime of the so-called joint occu- pancy. In congress the advisability of occu- pying Oregon was frequently and vehement- ly discussed. Ignorance and misconception with regard to the real nature of Oregon, its climate, soil, products and healthfulness, were being dispelled. The representations of the Hudson's Bay Company that it was a "mias- matic wilderness, uninhabitable except by wild beasts and more savage men," were being found to be false. In 1821 Dr. John Floyd, a representative in congress from Virginia, and Senator Thomas H. Benton, of Missouri, had interviews at Washington with Ramsey Crooks and Russel Farnham, who had belonged to Astor's party. From these gentlemen they learned something of the value of Oregon, its features of interest and its commercial and strategic importance. This information Dr. Floyd made public in 1822, in a speech in sup- port of a bill "to authorize the occupation of the Columbia river, and to regulate trade and intercourse with the Indians therein." On December 29, 1823, a committee was appointed to inquire as to the wisdom of occupying the mouth of the Columbia and the committee's report, submitted on April 15 of the fol- lowing year, embodied a communication from General Thomas S. Jesup, which asserted that the military occupancy of the Columbia was a necessity for protecting" trade and securing the frontier. It recommended "the dispatch of a force of two hundred men across the conti- nent to establish a fort at the mouth of the Columbia river ; that at the same time two ves- sels, with arms, ordnance and supplies, be sent thither by sea. He further proposed the estab- lishment of a line of posts across the continent to afford protection to our traders; and on the expiration of the privilege granted to British subjects to trade on the waters of the Colum- bia, to enable us to remove them from our ter- ritory, and secure the whole to our citizens. Those posts would also assure the preservation of peace among the Indians in the event of a foreign war and command their neutrality or assistance as we might think most advisable." The letter exposed Great Britain's reasons for her policy of masterly inactivity, and urged that some action be taken by the United States to balance or offset the accretion of British title and for preserving and perfecting its own. "History," says Evans, "will generously awaid credit to the sagacious Jesup for indicating in 1823 the unerring way to preserve the Ameri- can title to Oregon territory. Nor will it fail to commend the earnest devotion of that little Oregon party in congress for placing on record why the government should assert exclusive jurisdiction within its own territory." In the next congress the subject was again discussed with energy and ability. In 1831 formal ne- gotiations with Great Britain were resumed. All this discussion had a tendency to dispel the idea, promulgated, as we have seen, by the Hudson's Bay Company, that the territory was worthless and uninhabitable, also to excite interest in the mystic region beyond the moun- tains. The United States claimed theoretically that it was the possessor of a vested right to absolute sovereignty over the entire Oregon territory, and in all the negotiations after the signing of the treaty of Florida, its embassadors claimed that the title of their country was clearly established. The fact, however, that joint occupancy was agreed to at all after 1828 could hardly be construed in any HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 69 other light than as a confession of weakness in our title, notwithstanding the unequivocal stip- ulations that neither party should attempt any- thing in derogation of the other's claims, and that the controversy should be determined on its merits as they existed prior to 1818. If the United States came into possession of an absolute title in 18 19, why should it afterward permit occupation by British subjects and the enforcement of British law in its domain? The United States' title, as before stated, rested upon three foundation stones, — its own discoveries and explorations, the discoveries .and explorations of the Spaniards, and the pur- chase of Louisiana. While it was not con- tended that any one of these conveyed exclu- sive right, the position of our country was that each supplemented the other; that, though while vested in different nations they were an- tagonistic when held by the same nation, they, taken together, amounted to a complete title. The title was, therefore, cumulative in its na- ture and had in it the weakness which is in- herent under such conditions. It was impos- sible to determine with definiteness how many partial titles, the value of each, being a matter of uncertainty, would cumulatively amount to one complete title. And however clear the right of the United States might seem to its ■own statesmen, it is evident that conviction must be produced in the minds of the British also if war was to be avoided. These facts early came to be appreciated by a clear-visioned. well-informed and deter- mined little band in congress. The debates in that body, as well as numerous publications sent out among the people, stimulated a few daring spirits to brave the dangers of Rocky mountain travel and to see for themselves the truth with regard to Oregon. Reports from these reacted upon congress, enabling it to reason and judge from premises more nearly in accordance with fact. Gradually interest in Oregon became intensified and the determina- tion to hold it for the United States deepened. While the country never receded from its con- viction of the existence of an absolute right of sovereignty in itself, the people resolved to establish a title which even the British could not question, to win Oregon from Great Brit- ain even in accordance with the tenets of her own theory. They determined to settle and Americanize the territory. In 1836 an element of civilization was introduced of a vastly higher nature than any which accompanied the in- roads of the Hudson's Bay Company employes and of trappers and traders. We refer to the American missionaries spoken of in the pre- ceding chapter. The part which these, and especially that great missionary hero, Dr. Marcus Whitman, had in stimulating this reso- lution of the American people have been suffici- ently treated heretofore. The results of Whit- man's midwinter ride and labors and of the numerous other forces at work among the people were crystallized into action in 1843, when a great swelling tide of humanity, pul- sating with the restless energy and native dar- ing so characteristic of the American, pushed across the desert plains of the continent, through the fastnesses of the Rocky mountains and into the heart of the disputed territory. Other immigrations followed, and there was introduced into the Oregon question a new feature, the vital force and import of which could not be denied by the adverse claimant. At the same time the American government was placed under an increased obligation to maintain its rights to the valley of the Colum- bia. But we must return now to the diplomatic history of the controversy, resuming the same with the negotiations of 1831. Martin Van Buren was then minister at London. He re- ceived instructions relative to the controversy from Edward Livingston, secretary of state, the tenor of which indicated that the United States was not averse to the presence of the British in the territory. While they asserted confidence in the American title to the entire 70 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Oregon territory, they said: "This subject, then, is open for discussion, and, until the rights of the parties can be settled by negoti- ations, ours can suffer nothing by delay." Un- der these rather lukewarm instructions, natur- ally nothing was accomplished. In 1842 efforts to adjust the boundary west of the Rocky mountains were again resumed, this time on motion of Great Britain. That power requested on October 18th of the year mentioned that the United States minister at London should be furnished with instructions and authority to renew negotiations, giving assurance of its willingness to proceed to the consideration of the boundary subject "in a perfect spirit of fairness, and to adjust it on a basis of equitable compromise." On Novem- ber 25th Daniel Webster, then secretary of state, replied: "That the president concurred entirely in the expediency of making the ques- tion respecting the Oregon territory a subject of immediate attention and negotiation between the two governments. He had already formed the purpose of expressing this opinion in his message to congress, and, at no distant day, a communication will be made to the minister of the United States in London." Negotiations were not, however, renewed until October, 1843, when Secretary Upshur sent instructions to Edward Everett, American minister to London, again offering the forty- ninth parallel, together with the right of navi- gating the Columbia river upon equitable terms. In February of the ensuing year, Hon. Richard Packenham, British plenipotentiary, came to the American capital with instructions to ne- gotiate concerning the Oregon territory. No sooner had discussion fairly begun than a melancholy event happened, Secretary Upshur being killed on the United States vessel Prince- ton by the explosion of a gun. A few months later his successor, John C. Calhoun, continued the negotiations. The arguments were in a large measure a repetition of those already advanced, but a greater aggressiveness on the part of the British and persistency in denying the claims of the United States were noticeable. As in former negotiations, the privileges ac- corded by the Nootka convention were greatly relied upon by Great Britain, as proving that no absolute title was retained by Spain after the signing of that treaty, hence none could be assigned. One striking statement in Lord Packenham's correspondence was to the effect that "he did not feel authorized to enter into discussion respecting the territory north of the forty-ninth parallel of latitude, which was understood by the British government to form the basis of negotiations on the side of the United States, as the line of the Columbia formed that of Great Britain." He thus showed all too plainly the animus of his gov- ernment to take advantage of the spirit of com- promise which prompted the offer of that line and to construe such offer as an abandonment of the United States' claim to an absolute title to all the Oregon territory. It is hard to har- monize her action in this matter with the "per- fect spirit of fairness" professed in the note of Lord Aberdeen to Mr. Webster asking for a renewal of negotiations. No agreement was reached. During the sessions of congress of 1843-4 memorials, resolutions and petitions from all parts of the union came in in a perfect flood. The people were thoroughly aroused. In the presidential election which occurred at that time the Oregon question was a leading issue. "Fifty-four Forty or Fight" became the rally- ing cry of the Democratic party. The plat- form framed in the Democratic national con- vention declared : "Our title to- the whole of Oregon is clear and unquestionable. No por- tion of the same ought to be ceded to England or any other power; and the reoccupation of Oregon at the earliest practical period is a great American measure." The position of the Whig party was milder and less arrogant, but equally emphatic in its assertion of belief in the validity of the United States' title. The HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 71 fact that the Democrats carried in the election, despite the warlike tone of their platform and campaign, is conclusive evidence that the peo- ple were determined to hold their territory on the Pacific regardless of cost. "Never was a government more signally advised by the voice of a united people. The popular pulse had been felt, and it beat strongly in favor of prompt and decisive measures to secure the immediate reoccupation of Oregon. It equally proclaimed that 'no portion thereof ought to be ceded to Great Britain.' " In January, 1845, Sir Rich- ard Packenham, the British minister, proposed that the matter in dispute be left to arbitra- tion, which proposal was respectfully declined. So the administration of President Tyler ter- minated without adjustment of the Oregon difficulty. Notwithstanding the unequivocal voice of the people in demand of the whole of Oregon. James Buchanan, secretary of state under Presi- dent Polk, in a communication to Sir Richard Packenham, dated July 12, 1845, again offered the forty-ninth parallel, explaining at the same time that he could not have consented to do so had he not found himself embarrassed if not committed by the acts of his predecessors. Packenham rejected the offer. Buchanan in- formed him that he was "instructed by the president to say that he owes it to his country, and a just appreciation of her title to the Ore- gon territory, to withdraw the proposition to the British government which has been made under 'his direction; and it is hereby accord- ingly withdrawn." This formal withdrawal of previous offers of compromise on 1he forty- ninth parallel, justified as it was by Great Brit- ain's repeated rejections, left the Polk adminis- tration free and untrammeled. Appearances indicated that it was now ready to give execu- tion to the popular verdict of 1844. The mes- sage of the president recommended that the year's notice, required by the treaty of 1827, be immediately given, that measures be adop- ted for maintaining the rights of the United States to fhe whole of Oregon, and that such legislation be enacted as would afford security and protection to American settlers. In harmony with these recommendations, a resolution was adopted April 27, 1846, author- izing the president "at his discretion to give to the government of Great Britain the notice re- quired by the second article of the said conven- tion of the sixth of August, eighteen hundred and twenty-seven, for the abrogation of the same." Acting in accordance with the resolution, President Polk the next day sent notice of the determination of the United States "that, at the end of twelve months from and after the delivery of these presents by the envoy extra- ordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States at London, to her Britannic Ma- jesty, or to her majesty's principal secretary of state for foreign affairs, the said convention shall be entirely annulled and abrogated." On the 27th of December, 1845, Sir Rich- ard Packenham had submitted another pro- posal to arbitrate the matter at issue between the two governments. The proposal was de- clined on the ground that to submit the propo- sition in the form stated would preclude the United States from making a claim to the whole of fhe territory. On January 17th of the following year, a modified proposal was made to refer "the question of title in either govern- ment to the whole territory to be decided ; and if neither were found to possess a complete title to the whole, it was to be divided between them according to a just appreciation of the claims of each." The answer of Mr. Buchanan was clear and its language calculated to pre- clude any more arbitration proposals. He said: "If the governments should consent to an arbitration upon such terms, this would be construed into an intimation, if not a direct invitation to the arbitrator to divide the terri- tory between the two parties. Were it possi- ble for this government, under any circum- stances, to refer the question to arbitration, the 72 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES title and the title alone, detached from every other consideration, ought to be tihe only ques- tion submitted. The title of the United States, which the president regards clear and unques- tionable, can never be placed in jeopardy by re- ferring it to the decision of any individual, whether sovereign, citizen or subject. Nor does he believe the territorial rights of this na- tion are a proper subject of arbitration." But the British government seems now to have become determined that the question should be settled without further delay. The rejected arbitration proposal was fol- lowed on the 6th of June, 1846, by a draft of a proposed treaty submitted by Sir Richard Packenham to Secretary of State Buchanan. The provisions of this were to the effect that the boundary should be continued along the forty-ninth parallel "to the middle of the channel which separates the con- tinent from Vancouver Island; and thence southerly through the middle of said channel and of Fuca's strait to the Pacific ocean." It stipulated that the navigation of the Columbia river should remain free and open to the Hud- son's Bay Company and to all British subjects trading with the same; that the possessory right of that company and of all British sub- jects south of the forty-ninth parallel should be respected, and that "the farms, lands and other property of every description belonging to the Puget Sound Agricultural Company shall be confirmed to said company. In case, however, the situation of these farms and lands should be considered by the United States to be of public importance, and the United States gov- ernment should signify a desire to obtain pos- session of the whole, or any part thereof, the property so required shall be transferred to the said government at a proper valuation, to be agreed between the parties." Upon receipt of the important communica- tion embodying this draft, the president asked in advance the advice of the senate, a very un- usual, though not unprecedented procedure. Though the request of the president was dated June 10, and the consideration of the resolu- tion to accept the British proposal was not be- gun until June 12th, on June 13th it was "re- solved (two-thirds of the senators present con- senting), that the president of the United States be, and he is hereby, advised to accept the proposal of the British government, accom- panying his message to the senate, dated June 10, 1846, for a convention to settle the bound- aries, etc., between the United States and Great Britain, west of the Rocky or Stony moun- tains." The advice was, however, "given under the conviction that, by the true construc- tion of the second article of the project, the right of the Hudson's Bay Company to navi- gate the Columbia would expire with the ter- mination of their present license of trade with the Indians, etc., on the northwest coast of America, on the 30th day of May, 1859." The wonderful alacrity with which this ad- vice was given and with which five degrees and forty minutes of territory were surrendered to Great Britain, is accounted for by some histor- ians (and no doubt they are correct) by suppos- ing that the "cession" was made in the inter- ests of slavery. The friends of that institution were unwilling to risk a war with Great Britain which would interfere with the war with Mex- ico and the annexation of Texas. Their play was to acquire as much territory from which slave states could be formed as possible, and they were not overscrupulous about sacrificing territory which must ultimately develop into free states. But for unfortunate diplomacy, "it is quite probable that British Columbia would be to-day, what many would deem desirable in view of its growing importance, a part of the United States." Notwithstanding the great sacrifice made by the United States for the sake of peace, it was not long until war cloud's were again dark- ening our national skies. The determining of the line after it reached the Pacific ocean soon became a matter of dispute. Hardly had HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 73 the ratifications been exchanged when Captain Prevost, for the British government, set up the claim that Rosario was the channel intended in the treaty. The claim was, of course, denied by Mr. Campbell, who was representing the United States in making the survey line. It was contended by him that the Canal de Haro was the channel mentioned in the treaty. Lord Russell, conscious, no doubt, of the weakness ■of his case, proposed as a compromise Presi- dent's channel, between Rosario and de Haro straits. The generosity of this proposal is ob- vious when we remember that San Juan island, the principal bone of contention, would be on the British side of this line. Indeed, Lord Ly- ons, the British diplomatic representative in the United States, was expressly instructed that no line would be accepted which did not give San Juan to the British. The position of the United States was stated by Secretary of State Lewis Cass, with equal clearness and decisiveness. Efforts to settle the matter geographically proved unavailing and diplomacy again had to undergo a severe test. For a number of years the matter remained in abeyance. Then the pioneer resolved to try the plan he had before resorted to in the settle- ment of the main question. He pushed into the country with wife and family. The Hud- son's Bay Company representatives were al- ready there and the danger of a clash of arms between the subjects of the queen and the citi- zens of the United States, resident in the dis- puted territory, soon became imminent. Such a collision would undoubtedly involve the two countries in war. In the session of the Oregon territorial leg- islature of i852-'3, the archipelago to which San Juan island belongs was organized into a county. Taxes were in due time imposed on Hudson's Bay Company property, and when payment was refused, the sheriff promptly sold sheep enough to satisfy the levy. Recrimina- tions followed as a matter of course and local •excitement ran high. General Harney, com- mander of the Department of the Pacific, in- augurated somewhat summary proceedings. He landed over four hundred and fifty troops on the island, and instructed Captain Pickett to protect American citizens there at all costs. English naval forces of considerable power gathered about the island. Their commander protested against military occupancy. Pickett replied that he could not, under his orders, per- mit any joint occupancy. General Harney, however, had acted without instructions from the seat of government, and the president did not approve his measures officially, though it was plainly evident that the administration was not averse to having the matter forced to an issue. At this juncture, the noted General Scott was sent to the scene of the difficulty, under instructions to permit joint occupancy until the matter in dispute could be settled. Harney was withdrawn from command entirely. Finally, an agreement was reached between General Scott and the British governor at Vancouver that each party should police the territory with one hundred armed men. Diplomacy was again tried. Great Britain proposed that the question at issue be submitted to arbitration and she suggested as arbiter the president of the Swiss council or the King of Sweden and Norway or the King of the Neth- erlands. The proposition was declined by the United States. For ten years longer the dis- pute remained unsettled. Eventually on May 8, 1 87 1, it was mutually agreed to submit the question, without appeal, to the arbitrament of Emperor William of Germany. George Ban- croft, the well-known historian, was chosen to present the case of the United States, and it is said that "his memorial of one hundred and twenty octavo pages is one of the most finished and unanswerable diplomatic arguments ever produced." The British also presented a me- morial. These were interchanged and replies were prepared by each contestant. The em- peror gave the matter careful and deliberate HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES attention, calling to his assistance three emi- nent jurists. His award was as follows: "Most in accordance with the true interpreta- tion o£ the treaty concluded on the 15th of June, 1856, between the governments of her Britannic Majesty and the United States of America, is the claim of the government of the United States, that the boundary line between the territories of her Britannic Majesty and the United States should be drawn through the Haro channel. Authenticated by our auto- graph signature and the impression of the Im- perial Great Seal. Given at Berlin, October 21, 1872." This brief and unequivocal decree ended forever the vexatious controversy which for so many years had disturbed friendly feel- ings and endangered the peace of the two great Anglo-Saxon peoples. No shot was fired; no blood was shed ; diplomacy had triumphed. CHAPTER VII. THE INDIAN WARS OF THE '50s. We have seen in the previous chapter the struggle for possession with England. Amer- ica won. Her home-builders outmatched the fur traders. But there was, as there always has been in our national history, another in- evitable struggle for possession. This was with the Indians. The so-called Christian nations have never stopped to consider much the rights of the native claimants of the land. This, too, though accompanied by needless cruelty, de- ceit and treachery, is one of the necessary though seemingly hard and bitter laws of life. The thing greatly to be deplored in all Indian wars, however, has been the general practice on both sides of inflicting punishment upon any innocent persons that might happen along. Some drunken and ferocious savages, as devoid of humanity as the wild beasts about them, would plunder, outrage and kill some family of immigrants or settlers, and forthwith, a band of the brave, manly, yet harsh and intolerant frontiersmen who have made our early history, would rush forth impetuously and kill some poor Indian wretches who had never heard of the outrage and had not the remotest conception of having committed any offense. In like man- ner, when some avaricious white had swindled the ignorant Indians out of land or some other valuable property, or some lustful and con- scienceless white desperado had outraged In- dian women or murdered unoffending braves, a band of Indians, inflamed with whisky pur- chased of some post-trader, and armed with weapons from the same source, would go on the war path and torture, mutilate and murder some innocent, helpless women and chil- dren, who had never had a thought of injur- ing a living thing. No one who has ever lived on the frontier can wonder at the bitter and intolerant hatred of the whites for the Indians. But if we, the civilized and the victors, could put ourselves in the place of the natives and view life with their eyes, none of us would wonder that they had hated us with the fury and frenzy of wild beasts. For it is safe to say that for every pang suffered HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 75 by whites, a score have been suffered by In- dians. And we, the higher race, must admit that we know better than they, and have less excuse for inhumanity and intolerance. Yet in the final summary there can be no other conclusion than that the extermination of the majority of the Indians and the total de- struction of their claims as owners of this coun- try was "writ down in the book of fate." It was simply part of the irrepressible conflict of life. Moreover by reason of the necessities of existence the early settlers could not wait to argue abstract questions of rights. They had obeyed the fundamental law to subdue and re- plenish' the earth, and in pursuance of that con- dition of all progress they could not stop to philosophize on the principles of human broth- erhood. They had to live, and with a toma- hawk just leveled over their heads they had to repel. And if the right to repel existed, the right to counter attack followed as a matter of course; and extermination of their enemies was, generally speaking, the only effectual means of repelling. It was sad but inevitable. And though we have lived a "Century of Dis- honor," it is much easier now to condemn than it would have been then to improve. By reason of the conditions just noted, we find the history of our Indian wars the subject of bitter controversy. Hardly any two writers or witnesses give the same version of supposed facts. One has a bias in favor of the pioneers and makes his facts conform to 'his opinions, and hence represents the pioneers as always justifiable and the Indians as always to blame. Another gives the reverse impression. Nor are pioneers generally much disposed to blame, or smooth either their opinions or expressions. It is all one thing or all the other with them. The other fellow is a fool or a liar and that ends it. Compromise does not flourish in pio- neer conditions. All are angels on one side and all devils on the other. We shall use our best endeavor in these pages to present the facts without bias, ac- knowledging the probable impossibility of sat- isfying all readers, but believing that at this distance from the time, though not far from the scenes of the struggle, we can calmly view it and clearly see that its good or evil are not to be found exclusively on one side or the other, but as with all human affairs, the texture of each is of a mingled warp and woof. After the Cayuse war had ended in 1850, by the execution of the supposed murderers of Dr. Whitman, there was a lull along the bunch- grass plains and sage-brush banks of the Co- lumbia and Snake rivers, and a few adventur- ous explorers and ranchers began to seek loca- tions on the streams hallowed by martyrdoms. The most considerable settlement was at Frenchtown, ten miles below Walla Walla, According to the best information obtainable, there were eighty-five persons, the men en- entirely of French origin and former Hudson's Bay Company employes, with: Indian wives and a good stock of half-breed children, living there and in the vicinity. There were a few men at what is now Wallula. There were some fifteen men living at various separated points. Among them were Henry M. Chase, well-known for many years in Walla Walla, and Dr. W. C. McKay, the most famous man of mixed white and Indian blood that ever lived in Oregon. There were three men, Brooke, Bamford and Noble, at Whitman station. On the 3d of March, 1853, Washington be- came a separate territory. Major Isaac I. Stevens was appointed governor, and in the following summer he set out for his domain. Gold had been discovered in the Colville coun- try and there were many adventurers moving across the plains in that direction. The In- dians were very restive. These explorations they regarded with well grounded suspicion as the entering wedge of the establishment of white sovereignty. There were at that time two remarkable In- dian chiefs, chiefs who belong to that line of remarkable red men of which Philip, Pontiac, 76 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Red Jacket and Tecumseh were more illustri- ous specimens; whose qualities of mind and character contain a hint of what Indians might have been had they had any wide or long con- tinued opportunity. These two Columbia val- ley chiefs were Kamiakin, of the Yakimas, and Peopeomoxmox, of the Walla Wallas. Like all .the Indian chiefs, they perceived the handwrit- ing on the wall revealed by the entrance of the whites, and they determined to make a desper- ■ ate effort to burst their tightening bonds while there was yet a chance of success. There was a general outburst of all the tribes of Oregon and Washington in 1853 and '54 which led into the great war centering in Walla Walla in 1855. This series of troubles began in the summer of 1853 in the Rogue river valley in southern Oregon. The usual bitter -controversy raged as to who was to blame for this. It looks as though whites and Indians were equally so. In 1854 occurred the horri- ble "Snake River Massacre," in which a num- ber of immigrants who had offered no provo- cation whatever, were butchered in the most brutal manner. Norman Ward, of Pendleton, then a boy of thirteen, was the only survivor. That massacre occurred on the Boise a few miles above Fort Boise. Great excitement en- sued in the Willamette valley when this atroc- ity was known, and Major Haller was sent by General Wool, then commanding the Depart- ment of the Pacific, to the scene. Having par- tially punished the supposed perpetrators of the outrage, the command returned to The Dalles. -All these things with many smouldering causes of discontent, prepared the Indians for war. The great war of 1855 had three fields of operation. One was southern Oregon, another Puget Sound, a third Yakima and Walla Walla valleys. In all there were probably four thou- sand Indians under arms, and many have be- lieved that nothing but lack of intelligent co- operation among these, prevented the annihila- tion of all the smaller settlements. But the various petty feuds and conflicting purposes, always characteristic of barbaric wars, pre- vented such co-operation. Indian fought against Indian, and whites profited thereby. In May, 1855, Governor Stevens and Gen- eral Joel Palmer met the representatives of seventeen tribes at Walla Walla, to endeavor to make treaties for the cession of their lands. The council ground was on and around the identical place now occupied by Whitman Col- lege. The immemorial council ground of the Walla Walla and other tribes of this country lay between the college brook and the one north of it, and around the place now known as Council Grove. A fair, entrancing spot it must have been in its primeval luxury and wild- ness. The tents of the great chiefs were pitched, as nearly as can be ascertained, on the spot now occupied by the house of Mrs. E. H. Baker. JOURNAL OF COUNCIL AT WALLA WALLA, MAY AND JUNE, 1855. Below is given the journal of Col. Law- rence Kip, U. S. A., which graphically de- scribes his trip from Astoria to Walla Walla, showing the situation of affairs along the route, and giving the actual proceedings of the great council, which established the white race in full possession of Eastern Oregon and Umatilla county. It is contemporaneous with the events it records, and no one can read it without being charmed by the writer's style, and deeply im- pressed with the magnitude of the issues in- volved in the controversy. It was about ten o'clock on a morning in the begin- ning of May, that our good steamer crossed the bar at the mouth of the Columbia river, from its shifting shoals the most dangerous navigation on the whole Pa- cific coast. Our passage of six days from San Fran- cisco had been remarkably stormy, and probably there were none on board more delighted than myself at the prospect of once more standing on terra firma. "Life on the ocean wave" has some very pretty poetical ideas connected with it, but I prefer to have got through with all my rocking in my babyhood, and now sympa- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 77; thize with the conservative party in wishing all things to be firm and stable. I am unfortunately one of those "Whose soul does sicken o'er the heaving wave." At noon we reached the village of Astoria, rendered classical ground by Washington Irving. An old trapper still living, who belonged to Mr. Astor's first party, says he has often seen 1,000 Indian canoes collected on the beach in front of the fort. When the Hudson Bay Company took charge of it, they removed their estab- lishment up the river to Vancouver, and allowed the fort to fall into decay, till not a vestige of it now re- mains. A few houses like the beginning of a village are scattered along the banks which slope down to the river, wooded to the edge with pines. Opposite to this we anchored for a few hours to land freight, and then continuing our course up the river, night found us still "on our winding way." At daylight I was awakened by the ceasing of the monotonous stroke of the engine and found we were opposite Fort Vancouver. The sun was just rising when I came on deck, so that I had the whob scene before me. Near the river are low meadow grounds, on which stands the post of the Hudson's Bay Company — a pick- eted enclosure of about three hundred yards square, composed of roughly split pine logs. Within this are the buildings of the establishment, where once much of its immense fur trade was carried on. From these headquarters, their companies of trappers, hunters and voyageurs, generally Canadians, were sent out to thread the rivers in pursuit of the beaver. Alone they trav- ersed vast plains, or passed months in the heart of the mountains, far north to the Russian possessions, or south to the borders of California, returning in one or two years with the furs to barter at the Fort. Then came generally a short time of the wildest revelry, until everything was dissipated or perhaps gambled away, when with a new outfit they set forth on another expe- dition. From Vancouver the company sent their cargoes of furs and peltries to England, and thence they re- ceived by sea their yearly supplies. They possessed an influence over the Indians which was wonderful, and which the perfect system of their operations enabled them for years to maintain. But the transfer of the country to the Americans and the progress of civiliza- tion around them, driving out the Indians and beaver, has forced' them to remove much of their business to other posts. Some distance back the ground rises, and on the ridge stand the buildings of Fort Vancouver, one of the frontier posts of the United States Army, marked by the American flag waving on the parade ground in front. Far in the distance, like a cone of silver, on which the first rays of the sun was glancing, rose the snow-capped point of Mount Hood. Among our passengers were one hundred and fifty recruits for the Fourth Infantry, in charge of Captain Anger, with whom I landed about six o'clock, and was. soon at the hospital quarters of Captain Wallen. Fort Vancouver was at this time under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Bonneville, whose "Adventures" for three years in the adjoining Indian country will always live and be read in the fascinating pages of Irving. Two companies of the Fourth Infantry and one of the Third. Artillery were statione 1 there. Altogether, it is prob- ably the most pleasant of our posts oh the Pacific coast. The place is healthy, the scenery around beautiful, fur- nishing opportunities of fishing, hunting and riding, while its nearness to Portland and Oregon City pre- vents the young officers from being, as at many other Western posts, deprived of the refining influence of female society. Many are the occasions on which they find it necessary to drop down to these places. Desert- ers are supposed to be lurking there, garrison stores . are to be provided, or some other of Uncle Sam's inter- ests are to be looked after. Then, these visits must be returned, for the inhabitants of these places have an equal care for the welfare of their neighbors at the fort. Numerous, therefore, are the parties of pleasure which come from these towns to enliven the solitude of the garrison. On these occasions they are welcomed by balls, night after night the Regimental Band is heard floating over the waters of the Columbia river and the brilliant glare of lights from the fort shows that tattoo is not the signal for all within its walls to retire. Here, a few days passed pleasantly, in the way gar- rison life always does. In such places there is but little change. "One day telleth another." Guard mounting — ■ the morning ride — the drill — the long talk over the din- ner table— the evening parade — the still longer talk at night with reminiscences of West Point days — and then to bed. At this time Lieutenant Hodges (Fourth Infan- try) was ordered to the post at The Dalles, about ninety miles distant, to conduct thither a company of recruits,, and I, having no definite object in view, except to see as much of the country as possible, determined to ac- company him. We left Vancouver about six a. m., in a small steamer, "The Belle," which runs up the Columbia river about fifty miles, as far as the Cascades. The scenery of the river is in all parts beautiful but very varied in its character. The pine forests stretch down to the banks, enlivened here and there by a cultivated spot which some settler has cleared, whose axe awakened new and strange echoes as it rang through the primeval woods. On the margin of the shore, and particularly on one of the islands, we noticed the dead houses of the Indians, rudely constructed of logs. Within, the bodies of the deceased are placed for a time, attired in their best array, until the building becomes filled. Then, the oldest occupants are removed and placed on the shore, till the tide launches them off on their last voyage and they are swept down to the ocean, which to the "untu- 78 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES tored savage," as to his more cultivated brethren, sym- bolizes Eternity. About noon, after a morning of almost incessant rain, we reached the Cascades, the head of navigation. Here, a portage has been made as the river for more than two miles flows over rocks, whirling and boiling in a succession of rapids, similar to those in the river St. Lawrence. Here is the great salmon fishery of the Columbia river, the season for which commences in this month, when the fish ascend the river in incredible num- bers. The banks are inhabited by the remains of some of the Indian tribes, who display their skill in catching the salmon, which they dry for exportation. As we passed up, we found them scattered along the shore em- ployed in this work. Little bridges are thrown out over the rocks, on which the Indians post themselves, with nets and hoops, to which long handles are attached. With these they scoop up the fish and throw them on the shore. They are then pounded fine between two stones, cured and tightly packed in bales of grass mat- ting lined with dried fish skin, in which state they will keep for years. The process is precisely the same as it was described by Lewis and Clark. The aboriginal vil- lage of Wish-ram, at the head of the narrows, which they mention as being the place of resort for the tribes from the interior to barter for fish, is yet in existence. We still notice, too, the difference which the early ex- plorers observed, between these Indians and those of the plains. The latter living on horseback, are finely developed, and look like warriors ; the former, engaged only in their canoes or stooping over the banks, are low in stature and seem to have been dwarfed out of all manhood. In everything noble they are many degrees below the wild tribes of the plains. We walked for about five miles, until we had passed the Cascades, and then took another little steamer which was to carry us to The Dalles. The scenery above is similar to that which we had already passed. In one place the mountains seem to come down to the river, ending in a huge rock perfectly steep, which has re- ceived the name of Cape Horn. Above, the precipices are covered with fir and white cedar ; two small cas- cades, like silver lines, leap from point to point for a distance of 150 feet, while below, in the deep shadows the water seems to sweep around the rocks with a sullen sound. At ten at night we reached the end of our journey. The post at The Dalles possesses none of the out- ward attractions of scenery which distinguish that of Vancouver. Its principal recommendation is its health- iness. The buildings are badly arranged, having been planned and erected some years ago by the Mounted Rifles, when they were stationed in Oregon. The offi- cers' quarters are on the top of a hill, and the barracks for the men some distance further down, as if the officers intended to get as far from them as possible. There is a want of compactness, as there is no stockade — nothing in the shape of a fortification: in case of an outbreak by any of the hostile tribes of Indians, the post might easily be surprised. At this time, two companies of the Fourth Infantry were stationed there under command of Major Rains. Here I spent a week very much as I had done at Vancouver. During this time we were enlivened by a visit from Governor Stevens, the Governor of Washing- ton Territory. He was on his way to the interior of the Indian country — to Walla Walla — in connection with the Indian Commissioners, to hold a grand coun- cil, to which he had summoned the tribes far and near. For some time they had been restless, numerous mur- ders of emigrants crossing the plains had occurred, and it is deemed necessary by the Government to remove some of the tribes to reservations which have been selected for them. The object of this council was therefore to propose to them the purchase of their ter- ritory — a proposition which it was expected (as it after- wards proved) would be received by some tribes with violent opposition. Governor Stevens had therefore stopped to request a small body of troops to be sent on to meet him at the council ground, to act as escort to the commissioners, and also to guard the presents which were to be forwarded for distribution among the Indians. A lieutenant and about forty men were therefore detailed by Major Rains for this duty, to which were added two half-breeds to act as packers, and a Cayuse Indian, who was to officiate as guide. This worthy from having been shot in the mouth in a fight with the Snake Indians, rejoiced in the sobriquet of Cutmouth John. Wounds are said to be honorable, particularly when received in front, but this was certainly not orna- mental, for it had given him a dreadful distortion of visage. On invitation of the young commander of the expe- dition I agreed to accompany it. The choice of this officer indeed held out every promise of a pleasant time, Lieutenant Archibald Gracie, in addition to his high qualifications as a soldier and gentleman — traits which he shared in common with the other officers of the post — had for my purpose the advantage of our cadet life together for a while at West Point, which gave us a common topic and ground of interest in the past. Many an evening, therefore, have we spent lying before our camp fire, out on the still plains or by rushing waters waters of the Umatilla, talking over these recollections or discussing the probable fortunes of those who were with us in the House of Bondage. Our preparations were soon made, for army expe- ditions do not allow much time for packing trunks. The command was mounted, some fifteen pack mules added to carry the camp equipage, and about noon, May 18th, we bid farewell to the officers and rode away from The Dalles. Our course during the afternoon was through the Des Chutes valley, an admirable graz- ing country, as the temperature is such that cattle can HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 79 be kept out for the whole year and always find sub- sistence. It was formerly the place where the Hud- son's Bay Company raised all the best horses they used. The country appears, however, from the absence of timber, to be waste and desolate, though the soil is said to be rich and admirably adapted to agriculture. After passing the little river of Des Chutes, we found some springs near the Columbia river and encamped, having advanced about twenty miles. Our arrangements for sleeping were soon made. We carried no tents, so that a buffalo robe and a blanket formed our bedroom furniture. This did well enough on pleasant nights, but when it rained, it required some skill to take refuge under the buffalo robe in such a way as to keep dry, and not wake up finding one's self lying in a pool of water. As soon as we encamped, fires were made by the soldiers and the cooking commenced. Our suppers, indeed, were not very sumptuous, the invariable bill of fare being bacon, hard biscuit and a cup of coffee. Yet, a long day's ride would supply the appetite, and after the horses were picketed and we were sitting cosily by the fire or were lying down watching the stars above us, with no sound on the wide plain but the measured tread of our sentinel, there was a degree of freedom about it far more pleasant than the conventional life of cities. Saturday, May 19th. We were up early this morn- ing with the intention of making a long march, but were disappointed, as some of our animals had strayed off. There being no Indians in the neighborhood, they had been turned loose. Men had to be sent out to hunt them up, and it was near eleven o'clock before the com- mand was ready to march. However, we improved on the previous day, going twenty-five miles. During this morning, we reached John Day's river. This is so called from a hunter who was one of the original mem- bers of Mr. Astor's enterprise. It took us some time to cross, as the water was high, and all the pack mules had to be unloaded and their packs taken across in a canoe. We went into camp about 5 o'clock. Sunday, May 20th. This was anything but a day of rest, for our march was the most severe one we have had, being more than forty miles, with the sun, hot as the tropics, beating down upon our heads. There was nothing, too, in the appearance of the country to afford any relief. Far as the eye could reach was only a wide sunburnt plain, perfectly lifeless, for the summer's sun, by burning up the herbage, had driven the game to seek refuge by the rivers. The prairie was covered with only a miserable crop of salt weed and wormwood, and our animals drooped as we pushed on to find some rest- ing place. Added to this was the want of water, for often in these regions we are obliged to march from twenty to twenty-five miles before we can reach a spring or water course. We were forced in this case to ride the whole day without stopping, until towards evening we reached Wells' Springs, a desolate looking place, at the foot of a range of hills. Here, however, we had water, and therefore encamped. Night, too, was at hand, so that we were relieved from the intoler- able glare and heat, and in addition one of the corpor- als had the good fortune to shoot a couple of ducks that were lingering about the neighborhood of the spring, so that our evening fare was quite luxurious. Monday, May 21st. To-day we made a shorter march, of thirty miles, and vent into camp at 3 o'clock. Three miles from our camping ground we passed the Indian agency, a house erected by the Government at an expense of six thousand dollars, for the residence of the agent. He is, however, seldom here, making his home at The Dalles, and when we passed the place it was unoccupied. In the evening a party of Indians, whom we found to be Walla Wallas, rode into camp. After a little pow-wow they left us, but having some suspicions of our visitors our little camp was arranged with extra care. The horses were carefully picketed, lest they should be run off, and Lieutenant Gracie directed the guard in walking their rounds to examine that their muskets were ready for immediate use. In the course of the night the rain had commenced and Lieutenant Gracie and I were striving to keep dry and sleep under the little tent of pack-covers we had hastily erected, when we were startled from our first slumbers by a terrific yell. It may be imagined that it did not take us many seconds to be on our feet, with our pistols ready for, what we supposed, was an attack. Looking out, however, in the dark night, everything seemed quiet on the prairie. The animals were grazing around, and not an Indian to be seen. Upon inquiry we discovered that the disturbance had been caused by one of the soldiers finding a large snake in bed with him. The reptile probably did not like the rain, and therefore crawled under the soldier's blanket for warmth. What species it was he did not learn, for the snake, disgusted with his inhospitable reception, glided away, and the soldier did not detain him to make any inquiries about his parentage. Tuesday, May 22d. Our course this morning was through the same desolate country, until we struck the Umatilla, a beautiful stream fringed with trees. About 10 o'clock we came upon a party of ten soldiers of the Fourth Infantry, who were encamped by the river. They had been sent out from The Dalles a week before, under the command of a corporal, in pursuit of some Indian murderers, in finding whom, however, they had been unsuccessful. As Lieutenant Gracie had been directed, in event of meeting them, to add them to his command, their camp was broken up and they marched on with us, making the number of soldiers forty-seven. Towards evening our guide announced that we were but a few miles from the valley which was the resi- dence of the Cayuse tribe. Lieutenant Gracie, there- fore, sent on the soldiers under command of a sergeant to find a camping place for the night, while we, under HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the guidance of Mr. Cut-mouth John, struck across country to visit his countrymen. We found their lodges in a beautiful, well-watered valley, which I am not surprised they are unwilling to give up. They are, however, much diminished in numbers, and did not seem to amount to more than two hundred. We went into several of their lodges, and although they are no- toriously the most unfriendly tribe to the whites among all the Indians in this region, of which we afterwards had some strong evidences, yet on this occasion they re- ceived us well and showed no feelings but those of cor- diality. After leaving them, we returned to the trail, and riding on about five miles, found our party en- camped by the Umatilla. Wednesday, May 23d. At 2 o'clock p. m. we ar- rived at the ground selected for the council, having made the march in six days. It was in one of the most beautiful spots of the Walla Walla valley, well wooded and with plenty of water. Ten miles distant is seen the range of the Blue Mountains, forming the southeast boundary of the great plains along the Columbia, whose waters it divides from those of the Lewis river. It stretches away along the horizon until it is lost in the dim distance where the chain unites with the Snake river mountains. Here we found General Palmer, the Superintendent of Indian Affairs for Oregon, and Governor Stevens, with their party, who had already pitched their tents. With the latter we dined. As was proper for the high- est dignitary on the ground, he had a dining room sep- arate from his tent. An arbor had been erected near it, in which was placed a table, hastily constructed from split pine logs, smoothed off, but not very smooth. Our preparations were made for a more permanent encamp- ment than we have as yet had. A tent was procured for Lieutenant Gracie and myself, while the men erected for themselves huts of boughs, spreading over them pack covers. Thursday, May 24th. This has been an exceedingly interesting day, as about twenty-five hundred of the Nez Perce tribe have arrived. It was our first specimen of this prairie chivalry, and it certainly realized all our conceptions of these wild warriors of the plains. Their coming was announced about 10 o'clock, and going out on the plain to where a flag staff had been erected, we saw them approaching on horseback in one long line. They were almost entirely naked, gaudily painted and decorated with their wild trappings. Their plumes flut- tered about them, while below, skins and trinkets of all kinds of fantastic embellishments flaunted in the sun- shine. Trained from early childhood almost to live upon horseback, they sat upon their fine animals as if they were centaurs. Their horses, too, were arrayed in the most glaring finery. They were painted with such colors as formed the greatest contrast ; the white being smeared with crimson in fantastic figures, and the dark colored streaked with white clay. Beads and fringes of gaudy colors were hanging from the bridles, while the plumes of eagle feathers interwoven with the mane and tail, fluttered as the breeze swept over them, and completed their wild and fantastic appearance. When about a mile distant they halted, and half a dozen chiefs rode forward and were introduced to Gov- ernor Stevens and General Palmer, in order of their rank. Then on came the rest of the wild horsemen in single file clashing their shields, singing and beating their drums as they marched past us. Then they formed a circle and dashed around us, while our little group stood there, the center of their wild evolutions. They would gallop up as if about to make a charge, then wheel round and round, sounding their loud whoops until they had apparently worked themselves up into an intense excitement. Then some score or two dismount- ed, and forming a ring danced for about twenty min- utes, while those surrounding them beat time on their drums. After these performances, more than twenty of the chiefs went over to the tent of Governor Stevens,, where they sat for some time, smoking the "pipe of peace," in token of good fellowship, and then returned to their camping ground. The Nez Perces, or pierced-nose Indians, received, their name from the early traders and trappers, but they call themselves by the name of Chipunish. While they are the most friendly to the whites of any tribe in this region, they are at the same time one of the most nu- merous and powerful, roaming over the whole Rocky mountains, along the streams to the west, and across the almost limitless plains to the east, until they reach the hunting grounds of the tribes of the Missouri. They hunt the elk, the bear, the mountain sheep and the buf- falo, while they trap the beaver to sell the skin to the whites. They are celebrated for their droves of horses,, which, after being branded, are turned loose to roam upon the fertile plains till needed by their owners ; when, this is the case, it requires but a few days to break them sufficiently to answer the purpose of their bold riders. About seventy women are seen among the warriors, for their presence is necessary when the tribe is to be encamped for any length of time. They perform all the menial offices, arranging the lodges, cooking and bring- ing wood, for it would be a disgrace to their lords to be seen engaged in these things. It would procure for them the title of squaws. Everything but the perils of war and the chase are beneath their attention. When at home and not occupied in preparing their arms, or in feats of horsemanship, they are gambling, lounging in groups on the mounds of the prairie, or listening to some story-teller, who recounts the exploits of the old warriors of the tribe. The Walla Wallas, another of the principal tribes present, is one much reduced in numbers and importance since the pioneer trappers first came among them. They range through the valley for thirty miles, to old Fort Walla Walla, once a central trading post of the Hudson's Bay Company, on the left. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 81 bank of the Columbia river near where the Walla Walla empties into it. In the afternoon, I visited the lodge of an old chief of the Nez Perces, named Lawyer. He showed us a wound in his side from which he was yet suffering, al- though several years had elapsed since it was received. It had been inflicted in a fight with their old hereditary enemies, the Blackfeet Indians. These are the most dangerous banditti airung all the tribes — perfect Ish- maelites — who, while they are at war with all the neighboring savages, have nourished the most implac- able hatred toward the whites, since they first met them in the days of Lewis and Clark. War is their employ- ment, and the booty they gain by it, their support. They are admirable horsemen and as much distinguished for their treachery as for their headlong courage. Their hunting grounds extend from the Yellow Stone and Missouri rivers to the Rocky mountains. He showed us also some locks of their hair which he wore about him — not as a love token, or presented willingly by the former owners, but rather the reverse, as I presume they are the remains of scalps he had taken. To-day Governor Stevens and Mr. Doty, one of his party, dined with us. It was the first dinner party we had given in the wilderness. Yet think not, O ye who dine your friends at Delmonico's that our entertainment was at all like yours ! In the center of a tent a buffalo robe was laid on the ground (the luxury of a table be- ing confined to the governor), on which were placed tin plates which were our only dishes, for china is not adapted to mule traveling on the plains. About this we reclined rather in Oriental style. At one end of the table (I mean the buffalo skin) was a beef steak from one of the cattle daily killed at the camp, and at the other end a portion of the same unfortunate animal's liver. One side-dish was a plate of potatoes — the other a plate of bread of leaden heaviness. The second course was — coffee, likewise served in tin cups. Yet we gath- ered about this feast with appetites which could not be found among the strollers in Broadway, and which it required no French sauces to provoke. Friday, May 25th. We awoke this morning to hear the rain pattering about us, and to be thankful that we were encamped, and not obliged to resume our march. At about noon it cleared up, when we procured our horses and rode over to the Indian camp to pay another ■visit to our friend Lawyer. We found the old chief surrounded by his family and reading a portion of the New Testament, while a German soldier of Governor Stevens' party was engaged taking his portrait in cray- on. He afterwards presented me with a copy, which I keep as memento of these pleasant days in the wilder- ness. In the evening he came to our tent to return our visit. We feasted him to the best of our ability, not omitting the indispensable pipe, and he seemed exceed- ingly gratified with his entertainment. A discussion had 6 taken place some time before as to the hospitality of the Indians, and Lieutenant Gracie determined on this occasion to test the question; so, when the old chief's heart seemed to be warmed up with our good cheer, he enquired, "Whether Lawyer would be glad to see him if he came to his country to make a short visit?" To this rather direct hint no reply was for some time given, and the old man evidently endeavored to change the subject. At last finding it pressed upon him, he said "That Mr. Craig (an American) had a very good house not far from his lodge." The nearest to an invitation that he would give, was to answer in reply to Lieutenant Grade's question, "Perhaps so." Saturday, May 26. I spent the morning on horse- back exploring the country. In the course of my ride I met an Indian boy with a prairie chicken he had just killed, and which he was delighted to exchange for an old silk handkerchief. There are three peculiarities for which this region of country has been remarked — its gorgeous sunsets, the rapidity with which the waters in its streams rise and fall, and the contrast between its hot days and cool nights. Towards evening the Cayuse tribe arrived, number- ing about three hundred. They came in whooping and singing in the Indian fashion, and after circling round the camp of the Nez Perces two or three times, they re- tired to form their own at some little distance. In a short time some of the principal chiefs paid their re- spects to Governor Stevens and then came to look at our camp. It was not, as w~e had reason to believe after- wards, a friendly visit, but rather a reconnoisance to learn our numbers and estimate our powers of resist- ance. In the evening I again visited Lawyer and also a number of his tribe. Some of them we found singing sacred music to prepare for to-morrow, which is Sun- day. Sunday, May 27th. The rain this morning when we woke, was not pattering upon our tent, but fairly splash- ing around it, so that we were content to keep within its covering till noon, when the returning sunshine in- vited us forth. After riding over to Governor Stevens' to lunch, we went to the Nez Perces' camp, where we found they were holding service in one of the largest lodges ; two of the chiefs were officiating, one of them delivering an address (taking the Ten Commandments for his text), and at the end of each sentence the other chief would repeat it in a lounder tone of voice. This is their invariable custom with all their speeches. Every- thing was conducted with the greatest propriety, and the singing, in which they all joined, had an exceed- ingly musical effect. There is an odd mixture of this world and the next in some of the Nez Perces', — an equal love for fighting and devotion, the wildest Indian traits with a strictness in some religious rites which might shame those "who profess and call themselves Christians." They have prayers in their lodges every mornin gand evening — service several times on Sunday 82 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES — and nothing will induce them on that day to engage in any trading. At an early day the Roman Catholic missionaries went among them, and as this tribe seemed blessed with a more tractable disposition than most of their brethren the labors of the fathers appear to have met with considerable success. A kind of Christianity was in- troduced among them, strangely altered, indeed, in many respects, to make it harmonize with Indian thoughts ■and actions, yet still retaining many of the great truths of the faith. It exerted, too, a very perceptible influ- ence over their system of morality.* The Methodists, I believe, have more recently added their teaching; so that if the theological creed of the Nez Perces was now investigated, it would probably be an odd system, which would startle an ordinary D. D. After service we rode through the Cayuse camp, but saw no evidence of Sunday there. The young war- riors were lounging about their lodges, preparing their arms or taking care of their horses, to be ready for the evening races. The Christianity among these Indians, we suspect, is confined to the Nez Perces. Monday, May 28th. At noon to-day 1 rode out about five miles from camp to visit some gentlemen who resided on the site of one of the old missions. It was once the residence of the Methodist missionaries, who seem to have succeeded the Roman Catholic priests in some parts of the country. For what reason, I know not, they appear to have abandoned their ground, and when the old adobe buildings stood vacant, being well situated, with timber around, they were taken by these gentlemen who were endeavoring to raise stock, to sell to emigrants crossing the plains, or settlers who will soon be locating themselves through these valleys. They have since abandoned it and moved fifty miles farther into the interior to a claim of their own. About a stone's throw from the house are the graves of Dr. Whitman and his family (seven in number), who were murdered in 1847, by a band of Cayuses. He was, I be- lieve, physician to the mission. f We spent the after- noon at the Nez Perce camp, where a band of some thirty young warriors were engaged in dancing and singing. Their musical instruments are few in number and of the rudest kind. The singing is very harsh, and to us, who listened to it only as a collection of sounds seemed utterly discordant. The songs are almost en- tirely extemporaneous, like the improvisatore recitations of the Italians, a narrative of some past events, or per- haps suggested by the sight of persons present, or by *Lieutenant Kip was misinformed in regard to the Catholics being first among the Nez Perces; also, the first missionaries were Congregationalists instead of Methodists.— Ed. fDr. Whitman was a missionar}' instead of a phy- sician to the mission, although a regular physician. — Ed. trifling circumstances known to the audience. We never saw the women dancing and believe they rarely do, and never with the men. During the dancing we had a little interlude in the shape of a speech. A young chief delivered it, and at the end of each sentence it was repeated in a louder voice by one of the old men. This repetition is their invariable custom, and a crier seems to be a necessary accompaniment to all their villages. To-day, leading chiefs belonging to some of the most distant tribes, attended by their followers, have been coming into camp, and most of those for which the commissioners have been waiting are now repre- sented. Their encampment and lodges are scattered over the valley for more than a mile, presenting a wild and fantastic appearance. The council will probably open to-morrow. According to the original orders re- ceived by Lieutenant Gracie, this was to have been our last day here, but foreseeing this delay, Governor Ste- vens had some time ago sent an express to The Dalles, stating the necessity for the soldiers' remaining. To- day the express returned, bringing instructions from Major Haller to Lieutenant Gracie, authorizing him to remain on the council-ground until the treaty was con- cluded, and informing him that provisions had been sent to the escort for seven days more. Tuesday, May 29th. To-day the council was to have met at 12, but it was 2 o'clock before they came together. About eight tribes were represented. Noth- ing, however, was done but to organize the council and swear in the interpreters. Governor Stevens then made a short address. All this occupied two hours, then it began to rain and the council adjourned to meet again at 10 o'clock to-morrow morning if the weather should be pleasant; otherwise on the first pleasant day. A fine prospect for the extension of our stay in the valley! There are about five thousand Indians, including squaws and children, on the ground. We had another of our recherche dinner parties this evening, entertaining one of the gentlemen residing at the Mission, and another attached to Governor Ste- vens' party. We received news to-day of the inspection visit of General Wool to Fort Vancouver and his order for an expedition to set out on the 20th of June, from Fort Dalles, fro the Snake Indian country, the force to be commanded by Major Haller. Wednesday, May 30th. At 1 o'clock this afternoon the council met, and business seems to be really com- mencing. It was a striking scene. Directly in front of Governor Stevens' tent, a small arbor had been erected, in which, at a table, sat several of his party taking notes of everything said. In front of the arbor on a bench sat Governor Stevens and General Palmer, and before them, in the open air, in concentric semi-circles, were ranged the Indians, the chiefs in the front ranks, in order of their dignity, while the background was filled with women and children. The Indians sat on HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 83 the ground (in their own words), "reposing on the bosom of their Great Mother." There were probably one thousand present at a time. After smoking for half an hour (a ceremony which with them precedes all business), the council was opened by a short address by General Palmer. Governor Stevens then rose and made a long speech, setting forth the object of the coun- cil and what was desired of them. As he finished each sentence, the interpreter repeated it to two of the In- dians who announced it in a loud voice to the rest — one in the Nez Perce and the other in the Walla Walla language. This process necessarily causes business to move slowly. Many of the Indians have been to our camp to visit us to-day; among them, Stickus, an old chief of the Cayuses. Thursday, May 31. On arriving at Governor Ste- vens' tent, I found that the council had already met. After, the usual preamble of smoking, Governor Stevens and General Palmer, in succession, made long speeches to them, explaining the benefits they would receive from signing this treaty, and the advantages which would re- sult to them from their removal to the new lands offered in exchange for their present hunting grounds. The council lasted until 3 o'clock This evening we went, as usual, to the Nez Perce camp. There was a foot race, but the great events of the evening were horse races. Each of the tribes now here possesses large numbers of horses, so that wherever they are, the prairies are covered with these animals, roaming at large till they are wanted by their masters. Part of these are derived from the wild horses of the prairies, while some, from the marks with which they are branded, show that they have been stolen from the Spaniards in upper Mexico. To capture horses is es- teemed next in honor to laurels gained in actual war, and they will follow the party of a hostile tribe for weeks, watching an opportunity to run off their horses. It is for this, too, that they are hovering around the emigrants on the plains, who sometimes by a stampede or a single bold dash lose in a single night all their animals, and are left helpless on the plains, as a ship at sea without sails. Living as they do on horseback, rac- ing forms one of their greatest amusements. They will ride for miles, often having heavy bets depending on the results. On this occasion we saw nearly thirty In- dians start at once and dash over the plains like the winds, sweeping round in a circle of several miles. Friday, June 1. The council did not meet this morning, as the Indians wished to consider the pro- posals made to them during the past few days. We learned that two or three of the half-civilized Nez Perces, who could write, were keeping a minute account of all that transpired at these meetings. At the races this evening a serious accident took place, and which had nearly proved fatal. The Indians, as usual, were dashing about on horseback, some going up and others down, when two of them came in colli- sion, knocking down both horses and leaving the riders senseless. No bones happened to be broken ; the "med- icine men" took charge of them, and it is supposed they will recover. To-day has been the warmest we have had; there has not been a breath of air stirring, and the valley seemed like an extensive oven. At evening, however, the skies darkened, and for two hours we had the most tremendous thunder storm I ever witnessed. It was worthy of the tropics. Saturday, June 2. Just before I was up this morn- ing, we had a call from some of the Indians, who pay little regard to visiting hours. After breakfast I rode over to see the gentlemen at the old Mission, and on my return to camp, found that the council was already assembled, having met at 12 o'clock. The Indian chiefs had at length begun to reply, so that another step has been gained. After Governor Stevens' opening speech, several of them followed in short addresses. I arrived there just in time to hear the last one, made by one of the Cayuse chiefs. He did not commit 'himself as to what they would do, but the whole tenor of his address was unfavorable to the reception of the treaty. After a few words in conclusion from Governor Stevens, the council adjourned till 10 o'clock on Monday. Then came part of my daily routine of amusement, to ride out and see Lieutenant Gracie practice the sol- diers at target firing. He has been gradually lengthen- ing the distance, and some of the men are now able to make very admirable shots. At the Indian camp to- night, there was a great foot race between about a dozen competitors, who ran over two miles. It was a good test of the long-winded endurance of the young warriors. As they raced off over the plain, parties of Indians, and those of us who were on horseback, rode on each side of them, the friends of the competitors encouraging them and taunting those w'ho flagged. Sunday, June 3. A quiet day, most of it was spent in reading in my tent. In the afternoon rode over to the Mission, and on my return dined with Governor Stevens. This evening the pack mules from Fort Dalles with seven days' provisions arrived at the Mission, and are to be brought over early to-morrow morning by some soldiers. Monday, June 4. Breakfast at the fashionable hour of 10, as I was waiting for Lieutenant Gracie, who* was obliged to go early to the Mission to see about the pack mules. An express came in this morning from The Dalles, giving him orders to join Major Haller's com- mand, forty-five miles below this place, as soon as the council breaks 'up. The diplomatists met to-day at 1 :30 o'clock. After Governor Stevens' address, the old chief Lawyer spoke, which was the first time anything had been heard from the Nez Perces. Several of the other chiefs followed, and the council finally adjourned at 5 o'clock, without having made any sensible progress. The maxim "that 84 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES time is money," which prevails so extensively among the Anglo-Saxons, has not yet penetrated into the wilder- ness to be received as a motive in any way influencing the conduct. With the Indians, "the next moon" will answer just as well as this month, for any business that is to be transacted. I should think, however, the com- missioners would have their patience utterly exhausted. Until a late hour we heard from the Indian camps the sound of their singing and the beating of their drums, and could see the figures flit before the fires as the dancing went on. Tuesday, June 4. Another visit before breakfast from some of our Indian friends. Earl}'' this morning- Lieutenant Gracie sent off an express to The Dalles to report progress. Then came the same routine of the council ; Governor Stevens, at the opening, gave them the most elaborate address he has yet made, explaining to the chiefs most definitely, what lands he wished to give up, and what their "Great Father" (the President) would give t'hem in return, together with the benefits they would derive from the exchange. General Palmer afterwards made a speech an hour long, in which he endeavored to illustrate to his audience the many ad- vantages resulting from their being brought into contact with civilization. His reasoning at one time led him to give an account of the railroad and telegraph. It was sufficiently amusing to listen to this scientific lecture (as Julian Avenel says of Warden's 'homily in the Mon- astery), "quaintly conceived and curiously pronounced, and to a well chosen congregation," but it probably would have been much more diverting could we have known the precise impressions left upon the minds of his audience, or have heard them talk it over afterwards in their lodges. After he had finished, Stickus, the old Cayuse chief, made a short speech, and then Governor Stevens adjourned them until to-morrow. There is evidently a more hostile feeling towards the whites getting up among some of the tribes, of which we had to-night a very unmistakable proof. The Cayuses, we have known, have never been friendly, but hitherto they have disguised their feelings. To-night, as Lieutenant Gracie and I attempted, as usual, to enter their camp, they showed a decided opposition ; we were motioned tack, and the young warriors threw them- selves in our way to obstruct our advance. To yield to this, however, or show any signs of being intimidated, would have been ruinous with the Indians, so we were obliged to carry out our original intentions. We placed our horses abreast, riding round the Indians, where it was possible, and at other times forcing our way through, believing that they would not dare to resort to actual violence. If, however, this hostile feeling at the council increases, how long will it be before we have an actual outbreak? Wednesday, June 6th. To-day the Indians again determined not to meet in council, as they wished to consult among themselves ; so there is another day lost. After my ride up the valley to the Mission, I found on my return to dinner an old trapper and Indian trader had come in to visit us, and was to be our guest. We had, however, a sumptuous repast, for he brought with him a buffalo tongue, a great luxury on the plains, and one which anywhere might tempt the epicure. The races to-night were the most exciting we have seen, as the Indians had bet some sixteen or eighteen blankets (a great stake for them) on the result, and all the passions of the savage natures were called into play. There was visible none of that Mohawk stoicism of manner which Fenimore Cooper describes. After the races were finished, Lieutenant Gracie and I concluded to ride into the camp of our amiable friends, the Cay- uses, to see how they felt this evening. There was no attempt to exclude us, though if savage and scowling looks could have killed, we should both have ended our mortal career this evening in this valley of Walla Walla. Thursday, June 7th. Mr. M'Kay took breakfast with us. He is the son of the old Indian hunter so often mentioned in Irving's "Astoria," and whose name is identified with pioneer life in this region. The council met to-day at 12, and I went into the arbor, and taking my seat at the reporters' table, wrote some of the speeches delivered. There is, of course, in those of the Indians, too much repetition to give them fully, but a few extracts may show the manner in which these wearisome meetings were conducted day after day. Governor Stevens. — "My brothers ! we expect to have your hearts to-day. Let us have your hearts straight out." Lawyer, the old Nez Perce chief. — The first part of his speech was historical, relating to the discovery of this country by the Spaniards, which is a favorite topic with the Indian orators. In course of it, he thus nar- rated the story of Columbus and the egg, which he had heard from some of the missionaries: "One of the head of the court said, 'I knew there was such a country.' Columbus, who had discovered it, said, 'Can you make an egg stand on its end?' He tried to make the egg stand, but could not do it. He did not understand how. It fell over. Columbus then showed them all that he could make it stand. He sat it down and it stood. He knew how, and after they saw it done, they could do it." He thus described the manner in which the tribes at the east receded at the approach of the whites : "The red man traveled away farther, and from that time they kept traveling away further, as the white peo- ple came up with them. And this man's people (point- ing to a Delaware Indian, who was one of the inter- preters) are from that people. They have come on from the Great Lake where the sun rises, until they are near us now, at the setting sun. And from that country, somewhere from the center, came Lewis and Clark, and that is the way the white people traveled and came on here to my forefathers. They passed through HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 85 our country, they became acquainted with our country and all our streams, and our forefathers used them well, as well as they could, and from the time of Columbus, from the time of Lewis and Clark, we have known you, my friends ; we poor people have known you as broth- ers." He concluded by expressing his approval of the treaty, only urging that the whites should act toward them in good faith. Governor Stevens. — "We have now the hearts of the Nez Perces through their chief. Their hearts and our hearts are one. We want the hearts of the other tribes through their chiefs." Young Chief, of the Cayuse. — (He was evidently opposed to the treaty, but grounded his objections on two arguments. The first was, they had no right to sell the ground which God had given for their support unless for some good reasons.) — "I wonder if the ground has anything to say? I wonder if the ground is listening to what is said? I wonder if the ground would come alive and what is on it? Though I hear what the ground says. The 'ground says, 'It is the Great Spirit that placed me here. The Great Spirit tells me to take care of the Indians, to feed them aright. The Great Spirit appointed the roots to feed the Indians on.' The water says the same thing. 'The Great Spirit directs me. Feed the Indians well.' The grass says the same thing. 'Feed the horses and cattle.' The ground, water and grass say, 'the Great Spirit has given us our names. We have these names and hold these names. Neither the Indians or whites have a right to change these names." The ground says, 'The Great Spirit has placed me here to produce all that grows on me, trees and fruit.' The same way the ground says, 'It was from me man was made.' The Great Spirit, in placing men on the earth, desired them to take good care of the ground and to do each other no harm. The Great Spirit said, 'You Indians who take care of certain por- tions of the country should not trade' it off except you get a fair price.' " The other argument was, that he could not under- stand clearly what they were to receive. "The Indians are blind. This is the reason we do not see the country well. Lawyer sees clear. This is the reason why I don't know anything about this coun- try. I do not see the offer you have made to us yet. If I had the money in my hand I should see. I am, as it were, blind. I am blind and ignorant. I have a heart, but cannot say much. This is the reason why the chiefs do not understand each other right, and stand apart. Although I see your offer before me, I do not understand it and I do not yet take it. I walk as it were in the dark, and cannot therefore take hold of what I do not see. Lawyer sees and he takes hold. When I come to understand your propositions, I will take hold. I do not know when. This is all I have to say." Five Crows, of the Walla Wallas.— "I will speak a few words. My heart is the same as Young Chief's." General Palmer. — "We know no chief among the Walla Wallas but Peo-peo-mox-mox. If he has any- thing to say, we will be pleased to hear it." Peo-peo-mox-mox. — "I do not know what is straight. I do not see the offer you have made to the Indians. I never saw these things which are offered by my Great Father. My heart cried when you first spoke to me. I felt as if I was blown away like a feather. Let your heart be, to separate as we are and appoint some other time. We shall have no bad minds. Stop the whites from coming up here until we have this talk. Let them not bring their axes with them. The whites may travel in all directions through our country, we will have nothing to say to them, provided they do not build houses on our lands. Now I wish to speak about Lawyer. I think he has given his land. That is what I think from his words. I request another meeting. It is not in one meeting only that we can come to a decision. If you come again with a friendly message from our Gfeat Father, I shall see you again at this place. To-morrow I shall see you again, and to-morrow evening I shall go home. This is all I have to say." General Palmer. — "I want to say a few words to these people, but before I do so, if Kamiakin wants to speak, I would be glad to hear him." Kamiakin, Yakima Chief. — "I have nothing to »ay." General Palmer. — "I would enquire whether Peo- peo-mox-mox or Young Chief has spoken for the Uma- tillas? I wish to know farther, whether the Umatillas are of the same heart?" Owhi, Umatilla Chief. — "We are together and the Great Spirit hears all that we say to-day. The Great Spirit gave us the land and measured the land to us, this is the reason I am afraid to say anything about the land. I am afraid of the laws of the Great Spirit. This is the reason of my heart being sad. This is the reason I cannot give you an answer. I am afraid of the Great Spirit. Shall I steal this land and sell it? or what shall I do? This is the reason why my heart is sad. The Great Spirit made our friends, but the Great Spirit made our bodies from the earth, as if they were different from the whites. What shall I do? Shall I give the land which is a part of my body and leave myself poor and destitute? Shall I say I will give you my land? I cannot say so. I am afraid of the Great Spirit. I love my life. The reason why I do not give my land away is, I am afraid I will be sent to hell. I love my friends. I love my life. This is the reason why I do not give my land away. I have one word more to say. My people are far away. They do not know your words. This is the reason I cannot give you an answer. I show you my heart. This is all I have to say." 86 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Governor Stevens. — "How will Kamiakin or Schoom speak?" Kamiakin. — "What have I to be talking about?" General Palmer. — "We have listened and heard our chiefs speak. The hearts of the Nez Perces and ours are one. The Cayuses, the Walla Wallas, and the other tribes say they do not understand us. We were in hopes we should have but one heart. Why should we have more than one heart? Young Chief says he does not know what we propose to him. Peo-peo-mox-mox says the same. Can we bring these sawmills and these gristmills on our backs to show these people? Can we bring these blacksmith shops, these wagons and tents on our backs to show them at this time ? Can we cause fields of wheat and corn to spring up in a day that we may see them? Can we build these school- houses and these dwellings in a day? Can we bring all the money that these things will cost, that they may see it? It would be more than all the horses of any one of these tribes could carry. It takes time to do these things. We come first to see you and make a' bargain. We brought but few goods with us. But whatever we promise to give you, you will get. "How long will these people remain blind? We come to try and open their eyes. They refuse the light. I have a wife and children. My brother here has the same. I have a good house, fields of wheat, potatoes, and peas. Why should I wish to leave them and come so far to see you? It was to try and do you good, but you throw it away. Why is it that you do so? We all sometimes do wrong. Sometimes because our hearts are bad and sometimes because we have bad counsel. Your people have sometimes done wrong. Our hearts have cried. Our hearts still cry. But if you will try to do right, we will try to forget it. How long will you listen to this bad counsel and refuse to receive the light? I, too, like the ground where I was born. I left it because it was for my good. I have come a long way. We ask you to go but a short dis- tance. We do not come to steal your land. We pay you more than it is worth. There is the Umatilla valley that affords a little good land between two streams and all around it is a parched up plain. What is it worth to you ? What is it worth to us ? Not half what we have offered you for it. Why do we offer so much? Because our Great Father told us to take care of his red people. We come to you with his message to try and do you good," etc., etc. These extracts will give a specimen of the kind of "talk" which went on day after day. All but the Nez Perces were evidently disinclined to the treaty, and it was melancholy to see their reluctance to abandon the old hunting grounds of their fathers and their impo- tent struggle against the overpowering influences of the whites. The meeting closed to-day with an effective speech by Governor Stevens, addressed to the chiefs who had argued against the treaty. I give it in part : "I must say a few words. My Brother and I have talked straight. Have all of you talked straight? Law- yer has and his people have, and their business will be finished to-morrow. Young Chief says he is blind and does not understand. What is it that he wants? Stickus says his heart is in one of these places — the Grand Ronde, the Tuche, and the Tucanon. Where is the heart of Young Chief? Peo-peo-mox-mox cannot be wafted off like a feather. Does he prefer the Yaki- ma to the Nez Perce reservation? We have asked him before. We ask him now. Where is his heart? Ka- miakin, the great chief of the Yakimas, has not spoken at all, his people have no voice here to-day. He is not ashamed to speak? He is not afraid to speak? Then speak out. Owhi is afraid to, lest God be angry at his selling his land. Owhi, my brother! I do not think God will be angry with you if you do your best for yourself and your children. Ask yourself this question to-night. Will not God be angry with me if I neglect this opportunity to do them good? But Owhi says his people are not here. Why then did he tell us, come hear our talk? I do not want to be ashamed of him. Owhi has the heart of his people. We expect him to speak out. We expect to hear from Kamiakin and from Schoom. The treaty will have to be drawn up to-night. You can see it to-morrow. The Nez Perces must not be put off any longer. This business must be dispatched. I hope that all the other hearts and our hearts will agree. They have asked us to speak straight. We have spoken straight. We have asked you to speak straight; but we have yet to hear from you." The Council then adjourned until six o'clock. In the evening I rode over as usual to the Nez Perces camp and found many of them playing cards in their lodges. They are the most inveterate gamblers, and a warrior will sometimes stake on successive games, his arms, and horses, and even his wives, so that in a single night he is reduced to a state of primitive pov- erty and obliged to trust to charity to be remounted for a hunt. In the other camps everything seemed to be in violent confusion. The Cayuse and other tribes were very much incensed against the Nez Perces for agreeing to the terms of the treaty, but fortunately for them, and probably for us, the Nez Perces are as numerous as the others united. Friday, June 8th. As the Council does not open until noon, our morning passes in the same way. Lieu- tenant Gracie and I practice pistol shooting, read, and ride about the country visiting Governor Stevens' party and at the mission. To-day it was nearly three o'clock before they met. After a few remarks by Governor Stevens, Genera! Palmer made a long speech addressed to those chiefs who refused yesterday to accede to the treaty. He told them, as they do not wish to go on the Nez Perces reservation (the tribes never having been friendly to each other) he would offer them another reservation, HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 87 which would embrace part of the lands on which they were now living.' After this offer had been clearly ex- plained to them and considered, all acceded to it, ex- cept one tribe, the Yakimas. It seemed as if we were getting on charmingly and the end of all difficulties was at hand, when suddenly a new explosive element dropped into this little politi- cal caldron. Just before the Council adjourned an Indian runner arrived with the news that Looking Glass, the war chief of the Nez Perces, was coming. Half an hour afterward he, with another chief and about twenty warriors, came in. They had just re- turned from an incursion into the Blackfoot country, where there had been some fighting, and they had brought with them as a trophy one scalp, which was dangling from a pole. Governor Stevens and General Palmer went out to meet them and mutual introduc- tions were made. Looking Glass then, without dis- mounting from his horse, made a short and very vio- lent speech, which I afterward learned was, as I sus- pected, an expression of his indignation at their selling the country. The Council then adjourned. At the races this evening in the Nez Perces camp we found ten of the young braves who came in that afternoon, basking in the enjoyment of their laurels. Dressed in buffalo skins, painted and decorated in the most fantastic style, they stood in a line on one side of the race ground, exhibiting themselves as much as pos- sible and singing songs in honor of their exploits. After the races we rode through the Cayuse camp. They seemed to be in commotion, apparently making preparation to depart. Saturday, June 9th. This morning the old chief Lawyer came down and took breakfast with us. The Council did not meet till three o'clock and matters seemed to have reached their crisis. The treaty must either soon be accepted, or the tribes will separate in hopeless bad feeling. On the strength of the assent yes- terday given by all the tribes, except the Yakimas, the papers were drawn up and brought into the Council to be signed by the principal chiefs. Governor Stevens once more — for Looking Glass' benefit — explained the principal points in the treaty, and among other things told them there would be three reservations — the Cay- uses, the Walla Wallas and the Umatillas, to be placed upon one — the Nez Perces on another — and the Yakimas on the third, and that they were not to be removed to these reservations for two or three years. Looking Glass then arose and made a strong speech against the treaty, which had such an effect that not only the Nez Perces, but all the other tribes, refused to sign it. Looking Glass, although nominally only the second chief, has more influence than Lawyer, and is in reality the chief of the different Nez Perce tribes. Governor Stevens and General Palmer made several speeches to induce him to change his decision, for, should he do so, the other chiefs would follow his example; but in vain, and the Council was obliged to adjourn until Mon- day. In the meanwhile, it is supposed the commission- ers will bring some cogent arguments to bear upon Looking Glass and induce him to accede to the treaty. Near the race ground this evening we found the women collected in circles on the ground, gambling with the most intense earnestness. Like the men, they will spend hours around the lodge fires, staking everything they have on the changes and chances of the game. Near them stood, as on last evening, the returned war- riors, exhibiting their fantastic finery and apparently thus challenging the applause of the softer sex. We supposed yesterday that we would have started this evening for the Umatilla, but the prospect now is that we shall be delayed several days longer. Sunday, June 10th. We understand there has been great excitement through the Indian camps to-day. The Nez Perces have been all day long holding a council among themselves, and it is represented, the proposition has been made to appoint Looking Glass head chief over Lawyer. Yesterday, while Looking Glass was speaking Lawyer left the Council without saying any- thing; which many of them are disposed to regard as the surrender of his place. Should this proposition be carried into effect it would give a quietus to the treaty. Monday, June nth. Before breakfast we had a visit from Lawyer with some other Indians. At ten o'clock the Council met. Governor Stevens opened it with a short speech, at the close of which he asked the chiefs to come forward and sign the papers. This they all did without the least opposition. What he has been doing with Looking Glass since last Saturday we cannot imagine, but we suppose savage nature in the wilderness is the same as civilized nature was in New England in Walpole's day, and "every man has his price." After this was over the presents which General Palmer had brought with him were distributed, and the Council, like other legislative bodies, adjourned sine die. As soon as the business was finished, we at once struck our tents and began our march toward Umatilla. On our way Lieutenant Gracie and I made our parting visit at the mission, and then proceeded about fifteen miles before we encamped for the night. Just before we started an express arrived from The Dalles bringing us letters and papers. We have now ended our connection with the Coun- cil and bid adieu to our Indian friends. It is therefore an appropriate place to say that we subsequently discov- ered we had been all the while unconsciously treading on a mine. Some of the friendly Indians afterward disclosed to the traders that during the whole meeting of the Coun- cil active negotiations were on foot to cut off the whites. This plot originated with the Cayuses, in their indigna- tion ajt the prospect of being deprived of their lands. Their program was, first to massacre the escort, which could have been easily done. Fifty soldiers against 3,000 Indian warriors, out on the open plains, made rather too 88 HISTORY OF EAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES great odds. We should have had time, like Lieutenant Gratton at Fort Laramie last season, to have delivered one fire and then the contest would have been over. Their next move was to surprise the post at The Dalles, which they could also have easily done, as most of the troops were withdrawn, and the Indians in the neigh- borhood had recently united with them. This would have been the beginning of their war of extermination upon the settlers. The only thing which prevented the execution of this scheme was the refusal of the Nez Perces to accede to it, and as they were more powerful than the others united, it was impossible to make the outbreak without their consent. Constant negotiations were going on between the tribes, but without effect, nor was it discovered by the whites until after the Coun- cil had separated. Tuesday, June 12th. We were up bright and early . this morning, expecting by sunrise to have been on our march. But some of our horses had strayed away dur- ing the night and it was eight o'clock before they could be collected to enable us to set out. After riding thirty miles we reached the Umatilla. Here we found a ser- geant of the Fourth Infantry and five men encamped, who had been sent to meet us with provisions. Just then a pour of rain began, and we were glad to make our preparations for the night. Wednesday, June 13th. I awoke to find it still raining in torrents and the wind blowing a beautiful accompaniment, as it swept through the trees which line the bank of the river. Fortunately the sergeant had brought with him a tent, which was turned over tc us, and we remained tolerably comfortable. In the midst of the storm, however, a visitor arrived. He was a Mr. Whitney, who lived about a mile from our en- campment, with Mr. McKay, on a claim he is cultivating, belonging to the latter. He invited Lieutenant Grade and myself to take tea with him. About three o'clock it cleared up and we rode over to his residence, where for the first time in several weeks we had the satisfac- tion of seeing something which looked like domestic comfort. Mr. Whitney had his wife and child with him, and he took us over his garden and showed us his crops. At six o'clock we had tea, after the manner of civilized people, which was a great luxury to us after our camp fire in the wilderness. Just as we were bidding them gooa-night three of our acquaintances arrived from the Council ground on their way to The Dalles. We learned from them that the Indians cele- brated a great scalp dance the night before, in which one hundred and fifty of the women took part. The tribes then broke up their lodges and returned to their own hunting grounds. Thursday, June 14th. The place where we now are is an old camping ground, well known to all western hunters, being a central spot where several trails diverge. The emigrant trail passes by it and stretches to the Blue mountains, leading to Fort Boise. Here Lieutenant Gracie had orders to remain until the arrival of the rest of the command, which starts from The Dalles on the 20th to enter the Snake country. He has been, there- fore, making arrangements to-day for a more perma- nent encampment, as he may be delayed here for a couple of weeks. The tents have been regularly ar- ranged, our own a little in advance, and those of the men built of boughs and pack covers, so as to protect them from the weather. A log house has been erected at one end of the camp, to hold the provisions, and to-day the men have been employed in constructing a corral, or enclosure to secure the horses. This even- ing our Indian guide came in. He had been left at the Council grounds to hunt up some stray horses. Friday, June 15th. Early this morning Lieutenant Gracie sent off the Indian guide to The Dalles, as he had no further use for him. Mr. Cut-mouth John has apparently served us faithfully, though being a Cayuse, we cannot tell how deeply he has been implicated in the plotting of his countrymen this summer, or what part he would have taken had their projected outbreak ripened into action. To-day Lieutenant Gracie began to have his drills for the men, one before breakfast and the other after supper. At the early drill they are exercised in shooting at a target. This evening, at Mr. McKay's, we met the old chief Stickus, who had stopped there on an expedition after some missing cattle. He seemed quite pleased to see us. While there General Palmer and his party also arrived from the Council ground. Saturday, June 16th. After drill we rode over to Mr. McKay's and found General Palmer's party still en- camped there, as he was taken ill this morning. He probably needs rest of both body and mind, and on the plains this is the great prescription, as the remedies which the hunters can give are comprised in a list of very few simples. Nature is generally expected to per- form the cure. Had his illness come on at the Council he could have had the ''medicine men'' of our friends, the Nez Perces, to prescribe for him. Their prescrip- tions, however, are always the same, whatever may be the disease, whether ague or fever, or small-pox. The patient is shut up in a small close lodge, called a "sweat- house," where he is subjected, until almost stifled, to a vapor bath produced by water slowly pouring over red-hot stones. Sunday, June 17th. My last Sunday on the plains, and it is passed quietly enough. After Lieutenant Gracie had finished inspection and we had taken our usual bath in the river, we rode over to General Palmer's encampment to enquire about his health. We found him still too unwell to travel. The rest of the day was spent in reading, for we have found a small supply of books at Mr. McKay's, which proved quite a treasure in the wilderness. Monday, June 18th. Lieutenant Gracie has com- menced practicing the men at skirmish drill for an hour HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 89 a day, and is thus preparing them for their Snake coun- try expedition. It has become too hot, except in the morning and evening, to move about with comfort, and after drill, our ride over to Mr. McKay's, and our bath in the Umatilla, we are content to spend the remainder of the day in lounging and reading under the shelter of our tent. In an encampment on the plains, during the dead silence of a sultry noon, with no conventional restraints of civilization about us, we realize more fully than in any other place the truth of the Neapolitan maxim — "Dolce far niente." We had to-day a visit from five of the Cayuse In- dians, two of whom had been accustomed to visit us at Walla Walla. Tuesday, June 19th. Before we were up we had an arrival of another party of the Cayuse tribe. Their lodges are in a valley about eight miles from the camp. They smoked the "pipe of peace," and probably this time with sincerity, as they knew we had force enough with us to defeat any attempt they might make. The principal chief of the Umatillas also came into our camp and some strange Indians we had never before seen. As Lieutenant Grade is obliged to remain at this camping ground, and it may be some days before the command arrives from the Dalles, I had myself deter- mined to proceed on to that post to-morrow in com- pany with Mr. McKay. I therefore this evening rode over to his place and made my arrangements for setting off the next morning. Wednesday, June 20th. This morning a messenger arrived from The Dalles with papers and the latest news — the latter having been almost forgotten by this time in the settlements. After drill I took my final leave of the camp. Lieutenant Gracie rode with me over to Mr. McKay's, where I left my horse, as he belonged to the command, transferring my saddle and bridle to one of Mr. McKay's, which I am to ride. And here Lieutenant Gracie and I parted. We had been companions for weeks by day and night, and in this his first independent command (in many incidents which I could not relate in this brief journal) he has established, with those at the Council who were accustomed to military expeditions in the Indian country, a character for decision and energy which gives the promise of distinction in much wider and more responsible scenes of action in the future. We set off about half-past nine o'clock — Mr. McKay and myself with two boys, whose business it was to drive the pack mules. Our traveling arrangements were made in the old Spanish-California style, still common in those parts of the country where horses are plenty. Besides those we rode were seven or eight which ran loose and were driven by the boys, to be used when our own began to fag. We crossed the Umatilla at once, and on the oppo- site side striking a trail on which we had gone into the interior, commenced our return westward. After riding twenty miles we reached the Indian agency. Here two of our horses were caught, our saddles and bridles transferred to them and the tired ones turned loose to follow with the rest. Then on we went until five in the evening, when we encamped for the night at Well's Springs, having traveled during the day fifty-five miles. Thursday, June 21st. We were on our way this morning by five o'clock, on the trail we passed every little while solitary graves, the last resting places of some unfortunate emigrants. The road from Missouri to the Rocky Mountains can almost be traced by these sad memorials, and no human language can convey an idea of the sorrow and suffering Which has taken place on the plains, caused by this rush to the land of gold. About ten miles on our way we met a portion of the Fourth Infantry and Third Artillery under Lieutenants Day, Hodges and Mendell. At noon we halted at Wil- low creek (seventeen miles from Well's Springs), for several hours to rest our horses. We then pushed on until eight o'clock in the evening, when we reached John Day's river, where a refreshing bath recompensed us for the long and hot ride. We had ridden to-day about forty-five miles. Friday, June 22d. We left John Day's river about seven o'clock, and after riding twelve miles met Major Haller (commander of the expedition) and Captain Rus- sell, Fourth Infantry, with their escorts, with whom we stopped for a short time. Soon afterward we met an- other detachment of troops, with two or three wagons, each drawn by six mules. About noon we struck the Columbia river, whose solitary banks were quite enliv- ened by the long trains of wagons containing the pro- visions of the detachment. We counted twenty-four, half of which were on one side of the river and half on the other. The different detachments and wagons will all meet at the camping ground on the Umatilla where we left Lieutenant Gracie. There will be about one hundred and fifty mounted men besides the packers and wagons. After resting for a couple of hours on the Columbia we set out for The Dalles, where we arrived at five o'clock. Here we found Lieutenant Dryer, who is to set out to-morrow morning and join the com- mand as quartermaster. And thus ended my expedition into the wilderness. It has shown me the rough side of army life, and yet the time has passed pleasantly from the very novelty and freshness of everything. And now, amid all the refinements of civilization, I cannot but look back with something like regret to the freedom of our little camp on the quiet plains, where no sound was heard to break our slumbers but the steady tread of our sentinel or the rippling of the Umatilla. The treaties negotiated at Walla Walla, June 12, 1855 (though dated June 9th), pro- vided for the surrender by the Yakimas of the 90 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES vast area of twenty-nine thousand square miles, being substantially Chelan, Yakima, Kittitas, Franklin, Adams, and the most of Douglas and Klickitat counties. From that cession was to be excepted the princely domain, one of the finest bodies of land in the world, now known as the Yakima reservation. The Yakimas, it may be said, constituted a "nation" composed of fourteen tribes, extending from the Cascade summits to the Palouse river. The Nez Perces agreed to relinquish almost as large an area, embracing what is now a good part of Whit- man, Garfield, Columbia and Asotin counties in Washington; Union and Wallowa counties in Oregon; and Washington, Idaho and Nez Perce counties in Idaho. A very large reservation was provided by the treaty for the Nez Perces; being, in addition to that now embraced in the Nez Perce reserva- tion, large tracts between the Alpowa and Snake rivers and the Wallowa valley. The re- tention of the Wallowa was insisted on by Chief Joseph, and seems to 'have been the key to the ratification of the entire plan; and it is the more to be deplored that the modification of the treaty in 1863, afterward precipitated the Nez Perce war of 1877. That change in 1863 involved the surrender of the Wallowa and the reduction of the Nez Perce reservation to what it was prior to its recent opening. But few Indians seem to have been consulted, and young Joseph, son of the Joseph who took part in the treaty of 1855, insisted on their claim to the country, and the difficulty led to the mem- orable war of 1877. This is not the place to discuss the event, but we refer to it here in order to illustrate the lamentable results which follow a failure to adhere to a given agreement from one administration to another. The treaty of 1855 should have been faithfully observed un- less abrogated by the clear and general agree- ment of both parties. And there was the deeper obligation on the part of the government to do it in the case of the Nez Perces, for to them Governor Stevens and his party owed their lives, and the settlers owed a debt of thankful- ness not to be computed. Instead of remember- ing this, the land-grabbers goaded those stead- fast friends of the whites into a cruel and causeless war. In connection with this Wall- owa matter, an interesting reminiscence was given the writer by John McBean, son of the Hudson's Bay employe of that name. Young McBean was at that time a boy of twelve, and being a half-breed and knowing the Indian language perfectly, could pass at any time for an Indian. He related that while acting as a spy on the grounds, he heard the discussion about the treaties, and the whole matter de- pended upon whether the Nez Perces would accept it. This they finally did on the distinct agreement that Joseph and his band should have permanent possession of the Wallowa. That point assured, the Nez Perces agreed. The others followed. That settled the whole matter. Otherwise the treaties would never have been accepted. Yet eight years after, without general agreement by the tribe, the vital point was violated and the cherished Wallowa valley left out of the reservation to be demanded in later years by white settlers. It should be added that those immediate settlers were in no way personally guilty. Government was to blame. That is a sample of one kind of reason for Indian wars. So much for the Nez Perce part of the agreement. The Umatillas, Cayuses and Walla W'allas, under the terms of this treaty, relinquished their right to another magnificent territory, embraced substantially in the present limits of Walla Walla county in Washington, and Uma- tilla, Morrow, and part of Union and Gilliam counties in Oregon. Their reservation was es- sentially that now known as the Umatilla reservation. Which of these three superb do- mains was the best would puzzle a good judge to decide. Any one of them is larger than most of the Atlantic states, and in point of opulence of natural resources surpasses equal areas in most parts of the world. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 91 For their concessions the Indians were to receive what seems a just and even liberal compensation, though to the mind of civilized man, ridiculously small ; for the whole vast area of probably thirty million acres outside of reservations, was relinquished for about six hundred and fifty thousand dollars ; in all, per- haps, roughly estimated, two cents per acre. It is probably worth to-day, with its improve- ments, nearly a quarter of a billion dollars. The compensation of the Yakima nation was two hundred thousand dollars, paid in an- nuities, with salaries for the head chiefs of five hundred dollars for twenty years, also some special agreement in regard to houses, tools, etc. The compensation of the Nez Perces was the same. The Umatillas, Cayuses and Walla Wallas were to receive one hundred thousand dollars ; each of the head chiefs to have an an- nuity of five hundred dollars for twenty years, and also to have the usual special donations for houses, tools, etc. Peopeomoxmox, whose favor was especially courted, was granted the unique privilege of beginning to draw his sal- ary at once, without waiting for the formal ratification of congress. His remaining son was to receive an annuity of one' hundred dol- lars a year, a house, and five acres of land, plowed and enclosed. Peopeomoxmox was also to be given three yoke of oxen, three yokes and chains, one wagon, two plows, twelve hoes, twelve axes, two shovels, a saddle and bridle, a set of wagon harness and one set of plow harness. Having completed this great work, Gov- ernor Stevens passed on to the north and east to continue the same line of negotiations with the Indians there. We may say in brief, that he succeeded in making a treaty with the Blackfeet, but was unsuccessful with the Spo- kanes. Meanwhile, during his absence, the great Walla Walla and Yakima war had burst with the suddenness of a cyclone upon the Columbia plains. And not only here but throughout the Sound country the storm of war had burst on all sides. That the outbreak of hostilities should have occurred almost simultaneously at places so remote from each other as Walla Walla, Puget sound and Rogue river, has led many to sup- pose that there was a definite and widespread conspiracy. Others have believed that there was simply an identity of causes, and that these produced like results at like times. While it is altogether likely that there may have been hints of outbreak in the air which spread from tribe to tribe, it is likely that the second is the true solution. Kamiakin, the Yakima chief, and Peopeo*- moxmox, the Walla Walla chief, were the animating force of the movement on this side of the mountains. Kamiakin was a natural general and diplomat. He seems to have signed the treaty at Walla Walla only under great pressure, and with the mental reserva- tion that he would break it at the first oppor- tunity. Hardly had the ink dried on the treaty when he was rounding up the warriors over the wide domain of the Yakima nation. These chiefs seem to have seen, as did Philip and Pontiac, that the coming of the whites, if not checked, meant the destruction of Indian rule. If they struggled against fate at all they must do it then. From their standpoint they were adopting the only possible policy. As some of the Nez Perces told Governor Stevens, they were not afraid of explorers, or trappers, or soldiers, but they were afraid of men with wagons and axes. They had now been watch- ing for fifteen years a steady stream of immi- grants passing down to the Willamette. Steamboats were running on the Columbia and Willamette rivers. Towns were spring- ing up. It was now or never for them. One Indian only, and that was Lawyer, the Nez Perce, perceived the impossibility of the In- dians ever coping with the whites, and that, therefore, the only wise course for them was 92 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES to yield to the inevitable as easily as possible and adopt the white man's mode of life and live on terms of amity with him. Though Looking Glass and Eagle-from-the-Light had dissented very strongly from the first, they had finally yielded to Lawyer's powerful influence and the treaty had resulted. Now in the midst of the fury of war they remained true to their agreement. Kamiakin had gathered together a great council of the disaffected at a point north of Snake river. The fierce and intractable Cay- uses were the most active in the movement of any except Kamiakin himself and his immediate friends. Young Chief and Five Crows were the Cayuse chiefs leading the war, Stechus alone, with a very small following, holding aloof. The war broke out rather prematurely in September by the murder of miners who were traversing the Yakima valley. Agent Bolon, having gone courageously into the valley to investigate the matter, was murdered and burned to ashes on September 23d. It is said that Quelchen, son of Owhi and nephew of Kamiakin, committed this crime. Tidings of the outbreak of hostilities hav- ing reached The Dalles, Major Haller with a hundred men started north at once and Lieu- tenant Slaughter went from Steilacoom across the Natchez pass to the Yakima to co-operate with Haller. But on October 6th the Indians burst upon Haller w T ith such energy that he was obliged to retreat with the loss of a fourth of his men, besides his howitzer and baggage. At this stage of affairs Peopeo- moxmox fell upon old Fort Walla Walla, now Wallula, and though it had no garrison the Indians plundered the fort of a considerable quantity of stores. The Walla Walla valley was swept of settlers. The regions bordering Puget sound were also ravaged by the Indians. At this time General Wool was the commander of the Department of the Pacific. It is not possible here to enter into any examination of the bitter and rancorous dispute that has arisen as to General Wool's conduct of this war. It was intensely unsatisfactory to the settlers. Wool seems to have decided that the whites in southern Oregon were more to blame than the Indians, and he felt disposed in conse- quence to let them meet the results of their own acts. Discovering from experience that there was little to be hoped for from the regulars, Gov- ernor Curry and the Oregon legislature speed- ily equipped a strong force under Colonel J. W. Nesmith. Colonel Nesmith having: gone to the Yakima country with four companies under general charge of Major Raines, of the regulars, on what proved to be a fruitless ex- pedition, Lieutenant-Colonel J. K. Kelly, in command of five hundred men, marched to Walla Walla. There occurred the famous battle of the Walla Walla, on the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th of December, 1855. The force of Oregon volun- teers having reached Wallula on December 2d, found that the Indians whom they had hoped to meet there had eluded them, leaving the fort in ruins. Setting forth in two divisions on December 5th, the volunteers proceeded up the Walla Walla river to the Touchet. Turn- ing up the latter stream, they had gone about ten miles when there suddenly appeared with a flag of truce no' less a personage than Peopeo- moxmox himself. Captain Cornoyer. who was in the vanguard, entered into a parley with the Walla Walla chieftain, in which the chief stated that he and his people were anxious to make peace. He told Nathan Olney, the Indian agent with whom he conversed, that he had at first intended to make war on the whites, but on reflection had decided that it would not be good policy. While the conference was in progress the troops, as well as the Indians, had gradually gathered around in considerable numbers and finally passed on in the direction of an Indian village near at hand. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 93 Seeing that they were approaching a danger- ous canyon, Colonel Kelly became suspicious that the Indians were meditating treachery, and he determined to return a short distance back upon the trail and camp without supper for the night. It was a cold, wretched night. Snow began to fall. Colonel Kelly, in his anxiety to make a forced march, had given orders to travel light and they were so very light that they had no supplies. Much difference of opinion developed as to the wisdom of pausing and camping on the trail. Captain Cornoyer held the opinion, which he afterwards stated to Colonel Gilbert, that Peopeonioxmox was acting in good faith and that if the army had gone on with him, he being entirely in their power, they would have reached the village in safety and would have found plenty of food, passed a comfortable night, and that the war would have ended then and there. Colonel Kelly believed otherwise and has left on record the following reasons for his opinion: Colonel Kelly writes that Peopeomoxmox "stated that he did not wish to fight and that on the following day he would come and have a talk and make a treaty of peace. On con- sultation with Hon. Nathan Olney, Indian agent, we concluded that this was simply a ruse to gain time for removing his village and preparing for battle. I stated to him that we had come to chastise him for the wrongs he had done to our people, and that we would not defer making an attack on his people un- less he and his five followers would consent to accompany and remain with us until all difficulties were settled. I told him that he might go away under his flag of truce if he chose, but that if he did so we would forth- with attack his village. The alternative was distinctly made known to him, and to save his people he chose to remain with us, a hostage for the fulfillment of his promises, as did also those who accompanied him. He at the same time said that on the following day he would accompany us to his village; that he would then assemble his people and make them deliver up their arms and ammunition, restore the property which had been taken from the white settlers, or pay the full value of that which could not be restored, and that he would furnish fresh horses to remount my command and cattle to supply them with provisions to enable us to wage war against other hostile tribes who were leagued with him. Having made these promises, we refrained from mak- ing the attack, thinking we had him in our power, that on the next day his promises would be fulfilled. I also permitted him to send one of the men who accompanied him to his village to apprise the tribes of the terms of the ex- pected treaty, so that they might be prepared to fulfill it. "I have since learned from a Nez Perce boy who was taken at the same time with Peo^- peomoxmox, that instead of sending word to his people to make a treaty of peace he sent an order for them to remove their women and chil- dren and prepare for battle. From all I have since learned, I am well persuaded that he was acting with duplicity and that he expected to entrap my command in the deep ravine in which his camp was situated, and make his escape from us." We will not now undertake to say who was correct, but all seem to have agreed in one thing, and that is that the men had a most wretched night and became exceedingly impa- tient, and rather blindly feeling that Peopeo- moxmox was to blame for all their discomfort, they were in the mood for the tragedy that followed 1 . This move of the "Yellow Serpent" was hard to explain in any way. It seemed 1 very strange that he would have put himself right in the hands of his enemies unless he really meant to act in good faith. Moreover, it is not easy to see how he could have expected to gain anything by leading the whites to his vil- lage, so long as his own life was sure to be 94 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the instant forfeit of any treachery. But on the other hand, it is very strange that if he was perfectly honest the Indians should have made the attack on the next day. However it may have been, it was plain that things were not going just according to program, for dur- ing the night Indians had gathered in great numbers about on the hills, and were evidently watching in great anxiety to see what might be the fate of Peopeomoxmox. The subsequent events made it seem likely that the Indians had made a change of policy during the night. They shouted words in the Cayuse language evidently intended for the captive chief alone. When morning of that bleak December day dawned, Peopeomoxmox was very anxious to get some stay of proceedings. He said that his people needed time to prepare provisions, etc., in order to give the whites a fitting recep- tion. It was nearly noon before the cold, hun- gry, disgusted command got started, and after passing through the canyon in safety they reached the Indian village, but alas, no warmth of food or welcome awaited them. The village was deserted. Scouts were seen on the sur- rounding hills, and finally, after much shouting and gesticulating, one Indian was induced to come to the camp. He proved to be the son of Peopeomoxmox. Having entered into conver- sation with his son, the old chief finally directed him to notify the people to come in and make peace. The son told him that they were only awaiting the arrival of Five Crows to do' so. But they waited a long time and the famished and exhausted volunteers saw that they must return to the mouth of the Touchet to join those that were left with provisions and baggage. Doing so, night found them at the Touchet. In the morning early the force was under way with baggage and all available resources, moving toward Whitman mission, where Colo- nel Kelly planned to make a winter camp, Peo- peomoxmox, with several companions, was still with them. Soon after the volunteers had crossed the Touchet the ball opened. Who fired first is still a matter of dispute. Gilbert quotes A. P. Woodward as asserting that the whites fired first, a member of Company B named Jont being the one that fired the first shot. A running fight up the Walla Walla valley ensued. At the mouth of Dry creek, near the present Loudon place, the Indians made a brief stand, but being forced from their position, they broke again and pressed on hastily toward Frenchtown. There, spread- ing across the valley, they made a determined stand. Here Lieutenant J. M. Burrows, of Company H, was killed and a number of men were wounded. Giving way again, the sav- ages retreated to the location of the Tillier ranch, and there, near the present site of the Frenchtown church the fight was renewed. There Captain Bennett, of Company F, and Private Kelso, of Company A, were killed. The soldiers had found an abandoned how- itzer at Wallula, and this, under charge of Captain Wilson, was now brought to bear on the enemy. At the fourth discharge the piece burst, severely wounding Captain Wil- son. But the Indians now broke again and fled. The fight was over for the time and the soldiers camped that night on the field of bat- tle. The spot where the severest contest oc- curred was marked a few years ago by a gathering with appropriate exercises and the raising of a flag provided by Mrs. Levi Ankeny, — a deeply interesting occasion, in which veterans of that war took great joy. Prominent among those were General Mc- Auliff, William Painter, Lewis McMorris and A. G. Lloyd. During the first day's battle, at about the hottest part of the action, occurred a very un- fortunate event, concerning which there has been much discussion. Peopeomoxmox and his companions in captivity were, with one ex- ception, killed by the guards and volunteers surrounding them, and whether this action was justifiable from the fact that the prisoners HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 95 attempted to escape or was wholly unwar- ranted, will never be ascertained with cer- tainty. The eyewitnesses of the affair are not in accord as to the facts ; indeed it is quite probable that no one of them is able to give an absolutely correct and detailed statement of all that transpired, such was the confusion and excitement prevailing at the time. Of this affair Gilbert says : "The following is an ac- count of it as given to the writer by Lewis Mc- Morris, who was present at the time and saw what he narrated. The hospital supplies were packed on mules in charge of McMorris, and had just reached the LaRocque cabin, where the first engagement had taken place. The surgeon in charge had decided to use it as a hospital in which to place those wounded in the battle and McMorris was unpacking the mules. Near it the unfortunate J. M. Bur- rows lay dead, and several wounded were be- ing attended to. The combatants had passed on up the valley, and the distant detonations of their guns could be heard. The flag of truce prisoners were there under guard, and everyone seemed electrified with suppressed excitement. A wounded man came in with his shattered arm dangling at his side and reported Captain Bennett killed at the front. This added to the excitement, and the atten- tion of all was more or less attracted to the wounded man, when some one said : 'Look out, or the Indians will get away!' At this seemingly every one yelled, 'Shoot 'em ! Shoot 'em !' and on the instant there was a rattle of musketry on all sides. "What followed was so quick, and there were so' many acting, that McMorris could not see it in detail, though all was transpiring within a few yards of and around him. It was over in a minute, and three of the five prisoners were dead another was wounded, knocked senseless and supposed to be dead, who 1 afterwards recovered consciousness, and was shot to put him out of his misery, while the fifth was spared because he was a Nez Perce. McMorris remembers some of the events that marked the tragedy, however, such as an impression on his mind of an attempt by the prisoners to escape, that started the shooting; that everybody was firing because they were excited and the target was an In- dian ; that he saw no> evidence of an attempt to escape, except from being murdered; that they were killed while surrounded by and mingled among the whites; and that but one Indian offered to defend his life. The pris- oner offering resistence was a powerful Will amette Indian called 'Jim' or 'Wolfskin,' who, having a knife secreted upon his person, drew it and fought desperately. T could hear that knife whistle in the air,' said McMorris, 'as he brandished it, or struck at the soldier with whom he was struggling.' It lasted but a moment, when another soldier, approaching from behind, dealt him a blow on the head with a gun that broke his skull and stretched him apparently lifeless upon the ground. All were scalped in a few minutes, and later the body of Yellow Bird, the great Walla Walla chief, was mutilated in a way that, should en- title those who did it to a prominent niche in the ghoulish temple erected to commemorate the infamous acts of soulless men." Gilbert also states that McMorris' account was confirmed by G. W. Miller and William Nixon, both of whom were present. A. P. Woodward, now living at Athena, and who was nearby when the chief was killed, tells us that the facts were briefly these : When asked what should be done with the prisoners, Colonel Kelly had told the guard lie "didn't care a damn." The prisoners were neither tied nor in any way confined, but were mingled with the volunteers. When the firing became warm, and several wounded had been brought back to where the guard and prisoners were, some of the troops became badly excited and called out, "Shoot the damned Indians and kill them !" Several shots were fired, and two or three of the In- 96 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES di'ans fell, though they were not attempting to escape. Then Peopeomoxmox sprang off his horse, and walking toward those who were firing, said: "You don't need to- kill me, — I am not Jesus Christ," and with these Vv'ords he fell. The biting sarcasm of the dy- ing words of Peopeomoxmox, if these were his words, can only be appreciated when we remember that they were uttered by a savage who could not be made to* understand why the white men had, according to their own ac- count, killed their own God. It should be stated, however, that in answer to a direct question as to whether any such language was used, Samuel Warfield, the slayer of Peopeo- moxmox, stated that the only foundation for the story was something that occurred on the evening previous. Wolfskin, he says, at- tempted to escape. He was immediately re- captured and while being tied to prevent a repetition of this attempt, he said: "That's as much as could be expected of you. Christ died for his people and I can die for mine," whereupon one of the volunteers rejoined, "Christ did not run," raising a general laugh. It is but fair to add the account of the kill- ing given by Air. Warfield, the man who actually took the life of the Walla Walla chieftain. At the request of the writer he furnished the following statement : "Amos Underwood and I were guards over the six Indian prisoners, Peopeomoxmox, Klickitat Jimmy, or Wolfskin, Nez Perce Billy and three others. About 4 o'clock in the evening there were a number of soldiers around the guard and prisoners. Word was sent two or three times for those soldiers to- come to the front ; but they did not go. Finally Colonel Kelly came and ordered them to the front. I said to the colonel, T want to go to the front. What will w*e do with these pris- oners?' He replied, 'Tie them and put them in the house, if they will submit to you, if not, put them in anyhow. Major Miller was there present among the wounded, having been shot in the arm. Just at that time Wolf- skin pulled his knife from his legging and struck at Major Miller, cutting his arm as it was thrown up to w-ard off the blow 7 . In an instant some one broke a musket over the Indian's head, killing him. Then the fight be- gan. Five of the Indian prisoners were killed, being either shot or struck over the head with the guns, Peopeomoxmox being the last one. I showed him to cross his hands so that I could tie him and put him in the house as the colonel had told us, when he grabbed my gun and tried to> wrench it around so as to shoot me. I jumped back and grabbed him by the collar and threw him down, still keeping hold of my gun. I also shot at him but missed, he being too close. He caught me by the breeches leg. and tried to regain his feet. I again jumped back from him as he tried to get up, struck him over the head with my gun, settling him for all time." This account of Air. Warfield's is prob- ably substantially correct as far as it goes, but it leaves open the question as to what incited Wolfskin to draw his knife. One of the vol- unteers confessed to' the writer that he be- came so excited by the fact that the wdiites at the front were being hard pressed and that some of them were killed and w-ounded that he completely lost his head and rushed back, shouting, "Shoot the Indians and kill them!" This and the attempted tying of their hands inspired the Indians with a belief that they would certainly be murdered, causing them to offer resistance, with the melancholy results above given. If this surmise is correct neither the Indians nor their guards could be very much blamed, the real cause of the tragedy being the hare-brained man, whose wild shout- ings alarmed the Indian prisoners. It is hard to understand how the officers could justify their conduct in retaining the Indians at all any longer than they wished to stay. They came under flag of truce, and if Colonel Kelly's report is true, remained voluntarily as. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 9T hostages, and when they were no longer will- ing to stay they should have been set at lib- erty. Nathan Olney, the Indian agent, is quoted as having said : "If you let Peopeo- moxmox escape our hides will not hold shucks." Whether this was true or not, the whites were not justified in retaining any ad- vantage gained by disrespect of a flag of truce and the honors of war, and the officers cannot therefore escape censure as being ultimately .responsible for the massacre of the Indians. While speaking of Peopeomoxmox it is but fair to' that heroic character to give him the benefit of a correct translation of his In- dian name. Major Lee Moorhouse, of Pen- dleton, whoi has given much attention to the history of the aborigines of this region, in- forms the writer that the name Peopeomox- mox (as it should be spelled in English) means Yellow Bird and not Yellow Serpent, as a malicious French half-breed interpreter, who had a grudge against the chief, trans- lated it to the whites. A. P. Woodward describes the chief as a man of middle age, six feet two inches tall, straight as an arrow, with piercing eyes and a nose like a hawk — hence his name of Yellow Bird, or Hawk. On the next day the battle was renewed. Colonel Kelly thus describes the events of the next two days, and inasmuch as his official report thus embraces the essential features of the case, we quote it at length. Early on the morning of the 8th, the Indians ap- peared with increased forces, amounting to fully six hun- dred warriors. They were posted as usual in the thick brush by the river — among the sage bushes and sand knolls, and on the surrounding hills. This day Lieutenant Pillow, with Company A, and Lieutenant Hannon with Company H, were ordered to take and hold the brush skirting the river and the sage bushes on the plain. Lieu- tenant Fellows with Company F, was directed to take and keep possession of the point at the foot of the hill. Lieutenant Jeffries with Company B, Lieutenant Hand with Company I, and Captain Cornoyer with Company K, were posted on three several points on the hills, with orders to maintain them and to assail the enemy on other points of the same' hills. As usual the Indians 7 were driven from their position, although they fought with skill and bravery. On the ninth they did not make their appearance until about ten o'clock in the morning and then in some- what diminished numbers. As I had sent to Fort Hen- rietta for Companies D and E, and expected them on on the tenth, I thought it best to act on the defensive and hold our positions which were the same as on the eighth, until we could get an accession to our forces sufficient to enable us to assail their rear and cut off their retreat. An attack was made during the day on Companies A and H, in the brushwood, and upon B on the hill, both of which were repulsed with great gallantry by those com- panies with considerable loss to the enemy. Companies F, I and K also did great honor to themselves in repell- ing all approaches to their positions, although in doing so one man in Company F and one in Company I were severely wounded. Darkness as usual closed the combat, by the enemy withdrawing from the field. Owing to the inclemency of the night, the companies on the hill were withdrawn from their several positions Company B abandoning its rifle pits which were made by the men of that company for its protection. At early dawn of the next day the Indians were observed from our camp to be in possession of all points held by us on the preceding day. Upon seeing them, Lieutenant McAuliff of Company B, gallantly observed that his company had dug those holes, and after breakfast they would have them again; and well was his declaration ful- filled, for in less than an hour the enemy was driven from* the pits and fled to an adjoining hill which they had occu- pied the day before. This position was at once assailed.- Captain Cornoyer with Company K and a portion of Company I, being mounted, gallantly charged the enemy on his right flank, while Lieutenant McAuliff with Com- pany B dismounted, rushed up the hill in face of a heavy fire and scattered them in all directions. They at once fled to return to this battle field no more, and thus ended our long contested fight. In making my report I cannot say too much in praise of the conduct of the officers of the several compa- nies and most of the soldiers under their command. They did their duty bravely and well during those four trying days of battle. To Second Major Chinn, who took charge of the companies in the bush by the river,, credit is due for bravery and skill; also to Assistant Adjutant Monroe Atkinson, for his efficiency and zeal as well in the field as in the camp. And here while giving to the officers and men of the regiment the praise that is justly due, I cannot omit the name of Hon. Nathan Olney, although he is not one of the volunteers. Hav- ing accompanied me in the capacity of Indian agent, I requested him to act as my aid on account of his admit- ted skill in Indian warfare; and to his wisdom in council and daring courage on the battle field, I am much in- debted and I shall ever appreciate his worth. Companies D and E having arrived from Fort Henrietta on the evening of the tenth, the next morning I followed with all the available troops along the Nez 98 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Perce's trail in pursuit ot the Indians. On Mill creek, about twelve miles from here, we passed through their village, numbering one hundred and nintey-six fires, which had been deserted the night before. Much of their provisions were scattered by the wayside, indica- ting that they had fled in great haste to the north. We pursued them until it was too dark to follow the track of their horses, when we camped on Coppei creek. On the twelfth we continued the pursuit until we passed some distance beyond the stations of Brooke, Noble and Bum- ford on the Touchet, when we found the chase was in vain as many of our horses were completely broken down and the men on foot. We therefore returned and arrived in camp on yesterday evening with about one hundred head of cattle which the Indians left scattered along the trail in their flight. On the eleventh, while in pursuit of the enemy, I received a letter from Narcisse Raymond by the hand of Tintinmetzy, a friendly chief (which I enclose), asking our protection of the French and friendly Indians under his charge. On the morning of the twelfth I dispatched Cap- tain Cornoyer with his command to their relief. Mr. Olney, who accompanied them, returned to camp this evening, and reports that Captain Cornoyer will return to-morrow with Mr. Raymond and his people, who now feel greatly relieved from their critical situation. Mr. Olney learned from these friendly Indians what before we strongly believed, the Palouses, Walla Wallas, Uma- tillas, Cayuses, and Stock Whitley's band of Des Chutes Indians were all engaged in the battle on the Walla Walla. These Indians also informed Mr. Olney that after the battles the Palouses, Walla Wallas and Umatillas have gone partly to the Grande Ronde and partly to the country of the Nez Perces; and Stock Whitley, disgusted with the manner in which the Cayuses fought in the battle, has abandoned them and gone to the Yakima country to join his forces with those of Kamiakin. We have now the undisputed possession of the country south of Snake river, and I would suggest the propriety of retaining this possession until such time as it can be occupied by the regular troops. The Indians have left much of their stock behind, which will doubtless be lost to us if we go away. The troops here will not be in a situation for some time to go to the Palouse country, as our horses at present are too much jaded to endure the journey, and we have no boats to cross Snake river, no timber to make them nearer than this place; but I would suggest the propriety of followiug up the Indians with all possible speed, now that their hopes are blighted and their spirits broken. Unless this is done they will per- haps rally again. Today (December 14, 1855) I received a letter from Governor Stevens, dated yesterday, which I enclose. You will perceive that he is in favor of a vigorous prose- cution of the war. With his views I fully concur. I must earnestly ask that supplies be sent forward to us without delay. For the last three days none of the volunteers, except the two companies from Fort Henrietta, have had any flour. None is here and but little at that post. We are now living on beef and potatoes, which are found en cache, and the men are becoming much dis- contented with this mode of living. Clothing for the men s much needed as the winter approaches. To-morrow we will remove to a more suitable point, where grass can be obtained in greater abundance for our worn-out horses. A place has been selected about two miles above Whit- man station, on the same (north) side of the Walla Walla, consequently I will abandon this fort, named in honor of Captain Bennett of Company F, who now sleeps beneath its stockade, and whose career of useful- ness and bravery was here so sadly but nobly closed. Very respectfully your obedient servant, James K. Kelly, Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Left Column W. H. Farrar, Adjutant of Regiment, O. M. V. The winter following the battle of the Walla Walla was one of the coldest and most trying ever known in this country. The vet- erans among the volunteers have left on record accounts of the sufferings, which show that war in an Indian country was not a picnic in those times. The writer has heard the late W. C. Painter describe vividly the experience of sleeping, or trying to, with scarcely any covering and the mercury at twenty below zero. Meantime, while these events were occur- ring in the Walla Walla and Yakima coun- tries, what was Governor Stevens doing? As already noted, after having negotiated the treaty at Walla Walla in June, 1855, he passed on to the Blackfoot country, where he also negotiated a successful treaty. Having reached Hellgate, in the present Montana, on his re- turn, he was met by a detachment of Nez Perce Indians, who informed him of the war and of the fact that he was thus cut off from any direct communication with his govern- ment. His own official report to the secretary of war gives so clear and vivid an account of what followed that we reproduce it here: "The result of our conference was most satisfactory. The whole party, numbering fourteen men, among whom were Spotted HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 99 Eagle, Looking Glass and Three Feathers, •principal chiefs among the Nez Perces, ex- pressed their determination to accompany me and share any danger to be encountered. They expressed a desire that after crossing the moun- tains I should go to their country, where a large force of their young men would accom- pany me to The Dalles and protect us with their lives against any enemy. "Having replenished my train with all the animals to be had, on November 14th we pushed forward, crossed the Bitter Root moun- tains the 20th, in snow two and a half to three feet deep, and reached the Coeur d'Alene mis- sion the 25th, taking the Coeur d'Alenes en- tirely by surprise. They had not thought it possible that we could cross the mountains so late in the season. "With the Coeur d'Alenes I held a council, and found them much excited, on a balance for peace or war, and a chance word might turn them either way. Rumors of all kinds met us here: that the troops had fought a battle with the Yakimas and drove them across the Columbia towards the Spokane, and that the Walla Wallas, Cayuses and Umatillas were in arms, and that they had been joined by a party of Nez Perces. The accounts were of so con- tradictory a nature that nothing certain could be ascertained from them, excepting that the several tribes below were in arms, blocking up our road, and had threatened to cut off my party in any event. However, I determined to push to the Spokane. "The Spokanes were even more surprised than the Coeur d'Alenes on seeing us. Three hours before my arrival they had heard that I was going to the settlements by way of New York. I immediately called a council ; sent to Fort Colville for Mr. McDonald, in charge of that post of the Hudson's Bay Company; sent also for the Jesuit fathers at that point. They arrived. A council was held, at which the whole Spokane nation was represented. The Coeur d'Alenes and Colville Indians also were present. "The Spokanes and Colville Indians evinced extreme hospitality of feeling; spoke of the war below ; wanted it stopped ; said the whites were wrong. The belief was current that Peupeumoxmox would cut off my party, as he had repeatedly threatened. They had not joined in the war, but yet would make no promise to remain neutral. If the Indians now at war were driven into their country they would not answer for the consequences; probably many of the Spokanes would join them. After a stormy council of several days, the Spokanes, Coeur d'Alenes and Colvilles were entirely conciliated, and promised they would reject all overtures of the hostile In- dians and continue the firm friends of the whites. "Having added to my party and organized, etc., we thence made a forced march to the Nez Perce country. Mr. Craig had received letters which informed me that the whole Walla Walla valley was blocked up with hos- tile Indians, and the Nez Perces said it would be impossible to go through. "I called a council and proposed to them that one hundred and fifty of their young men should accompany me to The Dalles. With- out hesitation they agreed to go. Whilst in the council making arrangements for our move- ments, news came that a force of gallant Ore- gon volunteers, four hundred strong, had met the Indians in the Walla Walla valley and after four days' hard fighting, having a num- ber of officers and men killed and wounded, had completely routed the enemy, driving them across Snake river and toward the Nez Perce country. The next day I pushed forward, ac- companied by sixty-nine Nez Perces, well armed, and reached Walla Walla without en- countering any hostile Indians. They had all been driven across Snake river below us by the Oregon troops. of £ 100 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES "It is now proper to inquire what would have been the condition of my party had not the Oregon troops vigorously pushed into the field and gallantly defeated the enemy. "The country between the Blue mountains and the Columbia was overrun with Indians, numbering one thousand to twelve hundred warriors, including the force at Priest Rapids under Kamaiakun, who had sworn to cut me off; it was completely blocked up. One effect of the campaign of the regulars and volun- teers in the Yakima country under Brigadier General Raines was to drive Kamaiakun and his people on our side of the Columbia river, and thus endanger our movement from the Spokane to the Nez Perce country. Thus we had been hemmed in by a body of hostile In- dians through whom we could have only forced our way with extreme difficulty and at great loss of life. We might all have been sacrificed in the attempt. For the opening of the way to my party I am solely indebted to the Oregon volunteers. Peupeumoxmox, the celebrated chief of the Walla Wallas, enter- tained an extreme hostility toward myself and party, owing to imaginary wrongs he sup- posed to have been inflicted upon him in the treaty concluded with the Cayuses and Walla Wallas last June, and had been known repeat- edly to threaten that I never should reach The Dalles. He was the first to commence hos- tilities by plundering Fort Walla Walla and destroying a large amount of property belong- ing to the United States Indian Department. ******* "At Walla Walla I found some twenty- five settlers — the remainder having fled to The Dalles for protection. With these were one hundred friendly Indians. Special Indian Agent B. F. Shaw, colonel in the Washington Territory militia, was on the ground, and I at once organized the district, placed him in command' and directed him, if necessary, to fortify, at all events, to maintain his ground should the Oregon troops be disbanded before another force could take the field. The Nez Perce auxiliaries were disbanded and returned home. "Thus we had reached a place of safety unaided, excepting by the fortunate movements of the Oregon troops. Not a single man had been pushed forward to meet us, although it was well known we should cross the moun- tains about a certain time, and arrive at Walla Walla about the time we did. Why was this ? Arrangements had been made with Major Raines by Acting Governor Mason to push forward a force under Colonel Shaw to meet me at Spokane about the time of my arrival there. A company had been enlisted, orga- nized and marched to Fort Vancouver to ob- tain equipments, rations and transportation,, which Major Raines had premised both Gov- ernor Mason and Colonel Shaw should be promptly furnished them. Some little delay ensued, and in the meantime Major General Wool arrived, who immediately declined equip- ping the company, as promised by Major Raines, and stated that he could not in any manner recognize volunteers or furnish them equipments or transportation, and declined to supply their places with regular troops, of whom, at Vancouver alone, were some three hundred and fifty men." Following this description of his journey, Governor Stevens went on to prefer charges of gross negligence on the part of General Wool. All history abounds in instances of intense personal feuds and disagreements, but our Pacific coast history seems to have been especially fruitful in them. That between General Wool with some of the officers who echoed his opinions, the regulars, in short, on one side, and Governor Stevens, supported by the volunteers and the nearly united people of the territory on the other, was peculiarly acri- monious. We insert the following extract from the report by Governor Stevens to the secretary of war : "When remonstrated with by Captain HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 101 William McKay, in command of the com- pany, to push forward to my assistance, when informed of the object for which the company was enlisted, and that if it was not pushed for- ward at once, or if some other force was not sent, Governor Stevens and his party would be in the most imminent danger, the general replied that in his opinion the danger was greatly exaggerated; that probably Governor Stevens would be able to protect himself, but if he could not, then Governor Stevens could obtain an escort from General Harney. "What a reply was that ! A moiety of the Indians now in arms had defeated a detach- ment of one hundred United States regulars, Major Raines had placed on record his opinion that an insufficient force would be defeated by these Indians, and my party was supposed to number no more than twenty-five men. Yet Major General Wool very coolly says, 'Gov- ernor Stevens can take care of himself.' So, too, in the remark that I could obtain aid from General Harney. Did General Wool know that the distance from Fort Benton to the sup- posed position of General Harney was greater than the distance from Fort Benton to The Dalles and that to obtain aid from him would require not less than six months, and that an express to reach him must pass through the entire breadth of the Sioux ? Such ignorance shows great incapacity and is inexcusable. "Mr. Secretary, Major General Wool, commanding the Pacific Division, neglected and refused to send a force to the relief of my- self and party when known to be in imminent danger, and believed by those who were less capable of judging, to be coming on to certain death, and this, when he had at his command an efficient force of regular troops. He re- fused to sanction the agreement made between Governor Mason and Major Raines for troops to be sent to my assistance, and ordered them to disband. It was reserved for the Oregon troops to rescue us. "The only demonstration made by Major Raines resulted in showing his utter incapacity to command in the field. As has heretofore been said, his expedition against the Yakimas effected nothing but driving the Indians into the very country through which I must pass to reach the settlements. "I therefore prefer charges against General Wool. I accuse him of utter and signal in- capacity, of criminal neglect of my safety. I ask for an investigation into the matter and for his removal from command." CHAPTER VIII. INDIAN WARS OF THE '50s— Continued. Governor Stevens reached Olympia early in January, 1856, and found that the storm of war was in full blast from east to west. The Sound Indians, aided by Yakimas, had ranged over the greater part of the region ad- jacent to the sound and had killed many set- tlers. Governor Stevens, full of courage and resources, roused the disheartened settlers and set on foot measures for saving the territory by the equipment of an army of one thousand volunteers, organizing forces of friendly In- dians, issuing scrip for meeting expenses, seiz- ing necessary stores and implements, inducing the settlers to get back again upon their farms and plant their crops, and sending Secretary Mason to Washington to acquaint the govern- ment with their plight and needs. In the very midst of his appeal, the Indians, by a sudden attack, seized Seattle and destroyed the most of it. Nevertheless the brave words and acts of the governor roused the faint-hearted and the territory speedily got itself into a better posture of defense and finally of attack. The Washington volunteers were equipped and the second regiment under command of Colonel B. F. Shaw, started in the summer of 1856 for Walla Walla. Meanwhile the Oregon volunteers had been spending that dismal winter and spring at Walla Walla and vicinity. The first Ameri- can fort of the regular army at Walla Walla was laid out on the location of McBride's stable, one of the old buildings, remaining there until a few years ago. The volunteers camped at a later time higher up the creek near the present location of the ranch of Pat- rick Lyons. During the spring Colonel Kelly returned to Portland, leaving Colonel T. R. Cornelius in command. The detachment set forth from their camp on Mill creek on March 10th and proceeded to the Yakima country, meeting and dispersing the Indians whom they met there and then, passing on to the Columbia, they returned to Oregon and disbanded. They had rendered signal service, having broken up the Indian, forces of both the Walla Walla and Yakima countries. While they were doing . this one of the most daring blows struck by any of the In- dians fell upon the settlers up and down the Columbia -near the Cascades. The famous old . block house there is a souvenir of that epoch. Associated with it also is the memory of the fact that Phil Sheridan fought there one of his first battles, distinguished, as he later was, for dare-devil courage and impetuosity. That Cascades disaster was one of the most cruel and severe that the settlements had suffered. The United States troops at that time made The Dalles their chief headquarters, and the force there had their hands full with wars and rumors of wars from Walla Walla, Yakima and the Cascades. The officers more especially concerned with the campaign on the east side of the mountains were Colonel Wright, Colonel Steptoe and Major Raines. It is to be remembered that there were three distinct forces operating in the country, viz. : United States regulars, Oregon volunteers and HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES IDS Washington volunteers. Governor Curry, of Oregon, and Governor Stevens, of Washing- ton, were in entire harmony, believing alike in a vigorous prosecution of the war, but the United States forces were entirely aloof from them in sympathy of aim and action. We have already outlined the achievements of the Oregon volunteers. In May, Colonel Wright moved from The Dalles to Yakima. There he found a force of twelve hundred or more defiant Indians, whose evident strength seems to have led Colonel Wright to crave peace without a battle. He shaped his policies in the direction of acceding to the demand of the Indians that he withdraw from the coun- try and exclude settlers therefrom. In July the second regiment of Washington volunteers, under Colonel B. F. Shaw, moved up the river and on July 8th camped on the place now owned by the heirs of Alfred Thomas, about two miles above Walla Walla. Learning that the hostiles were in force in the Grande Ronde valley, Colonel Shaw deter- mined to move thither and strike. Pushing rapidly over the mountains, he encountered the savages on July 17th, and in the most decisive battle thus far fought he scattered them in all directions. The excellent Life of Governor Stevens, by his son, Hazard Stev- ens, contains a picturesque account of how Colonel Shaw, with his long, red beard and hair streaming in the wind, swept down like a hurricane upon the foe and drove them fif- teen miles clear across the valley. Colonel Shaw's own version is so clear and vivid that we believe our readers will enjoy its perusal. More clearly than any present description could, this account preserves the flavor of the time in which it happened; that time which, though only forty-five years ago, seems so re- mote from our own. BATTTLE OF GRANDE RONDE, JULY 1 7, 1 856. "We arrived in the Grande Ronde vallcv on the evening of the 16th, and camped on a branch of the Grande Ronde river in the tim- ber, sending spies in advance, who returned and reported no fresh sign. On the morning of the 17th, leaving Major Blankenship, of the Centeral, and Captain Miller, of the Southern battalions, assisted by Captain De- Lacy, to take up the line of march for the main valley, I proceeded ahead to reconnoitre, accompanied by Major Maxon, Michael Marchmean, Captain John and Dr. Burns. After proceeding about five miles we ascended a knoll in the valley, from which we discovered dust rising along the timber of the river. I immediately sent Major Maxon and Captain John forward to reconnoitre and returned to hurry up the command, which was not far distant. The command was instantly formed in order; Captain Miller's company in ad- vance, supported by Maxon, Henness and Powell's companies, leaving the pack train in charge of the guard under Lieutenant Good- win, with a detachment of GofT's company,: under Lieutenant Wait, and Lieutenant Will-' iams' company in reserve with orders to follow on after the command. ''The whole command moved on quietly to this order until within half a mile of the Indian village, when we discovered that the pack train had moved . to the left, down the Grande Ronde river. At this moment a large body of warriors came forward singing and whooping, and one of them waving a white man's scalp on a pole. One of them signified a desire to speak, whereupon I sent Captain John to meet him and formed the command in line of battle. When Captain John came up to the Indians they cried out to one another to shoot him, when he retreated to the com- mand and I ordered the four companies to charge. "The design of the enemy evidently was to draw us into the brush along the river, where from our exposed position they would have the advantage, they no doubt having placed an ambush there. To avoid this I charged down 104 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the river toward the pack train. The war- riors then split, part going across the river and part down toward the pack train. These were soon overtaken and engaged. The charge was vigorous and so well sustained that they were broken, dispersed and slain before us. After a short time I sent Captain Miller to the left and Major Maxon to the right; the latter to cross the stream and cut them off from a point near which a large body of war- 1 riors had collected, apparently to fight, while I moved forward with the commands of Cap- tain Henness and Lieutenant Powell to at- tack them in front. The Major could not cross the river, and on our moving forward the enemy fled after firing a few guns, part taking to the left and part continuing forward. "Those who took to the left fell in with Captain Miller's company, Who killed five on the spot, and the rest were not less successful in the pursuit, which was continued to the crossing of the river, where the enemy had taken a stand to defend the ford. Being here rejoined by Captain Miller and by Lieutenant Curtis with part of Maxon's company, we fired a volley and I ordered a charge across the river, which was gallantly executed. In doing this Private Shirley, ensign of Henness company, who was in front, was wounded in the face. Several of the enemy were killed at this point. We continued the pursuit until the enemy had reached the rocky canyons lead^ ing toward Powder river, and commenced scattering in every direction, when, finding that I had but five men with me, and the rest of the command scattered in the 'rear, most of the horses being completely exhausted, I called a halt and fell back, calculating to remount the men on the captured horses and continue the pursuit after night. "I found the pack train, guard and reserve encamped on a small creek not far from the crossing, as I had previously ordered them to do, and learned that a body of the enemy had followed them up all day and annoyed them but had inflicted no damage beyond capturing many of the animals which we had taken in charge and left behind. "I learned also that Major Maxon had crossed the river with a small party and was engaged with the enemy and wanted assistance. 1 immediately dispatched a detachment under Lieutenants Williams and Wait, sending the man who brought the information back with them as a guide. They returned after dark without finding the Major, but brought in one of his men whom they found in the brush, and who stated 1 that one of the Major's men was killed and that the last he saw of them they were fighting with the Indians. At daylight I sent out Captain Miller with seventy men, who scouted around the whole valley without finding him, but who unfortunately had one man killed and another wounded whilst pur- suing some Indians. I resolved to remove camp the next day to the head of the valley, where the emigrant trail crosses it, and con- tinue the search until we became certain of their fate. The same evening I took sixty men, under Captain Henness, and struck upon the mountains and crossed the heads of the canyons to see if I could not strike his trail. Finding no sign, I returned to the place where the Major had last been seen, and there made search in different directions and finally found the body of one of his men (Tooley) and where the major had encamped in the brush. From other signs it became evident to me that the Major had returned to this post by the same trail by which we first entered the valley. "Being nearly out of provisions, and un- able to follow the Indians from this delay, I concluded to return to camp, recruit for an- other expedition in conjunction with Captain Goff, who had, I presumed, returned', from his expedition to the John Day's river. "I should have mentioned previously that in the charge the command captured and after- ward destroyed about one hundred and fifty horse loads of lacamas, dried beef, tents, some HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 105 flour, coffee, sugar and about one hundred pounds of ammunition and a great quantity of tools and kitchen furniture. We took also about two hundred horses, most of which were shot, there being about one hundred serviceable animals. "There were present on the ground from what I saw, and from information received from two squaws taken prisoners, about three hundred warriors of the Cayuse, Walla Walla, Umatilla, Tyb, John Day and Des Chutes tribes, commanded by the following chiefs: Stock Whitley and Simmistastas, Des Chutes and Tyh; Chickiah, Plyon, Wicecai, Watah- stuartih, Winimiswoot, Cayuses ; Tahkin, Cay- use, the son of Peupeumoxmox ; Walla Walla and other chiefs of less note. "The whole command, officers and men, behaved well. The enemy was run on the gal- lop fifteen miles, and most of those who fell were shot with the revolver. It is impossible to state how many of the enemy were killed. Twenty-seven bodies were counted by one in- dividual, and many others were known to have fallen and been left, but were so scattered about that it was impossible to get count of them. When to these we add those killed by Major Maxon's command on the other side of the river, we may safely conclude that at least forty of the enemy were slain and many went off wounded. When we left the valley there was not an Indian in it, and all the signs went to show that they had gone a great distance from it. "On the 2 ist instant we left the valley by the emigrant road and commenced our return to camp. During the night Lieutenant Hun- ter, of the Washington Territory volunteers, came into camp with an express from Cap- tain Goff. I learned to my surprise that the captain and Major Layton had seen Indians on John Day's river, had followed them over to Burnt river and' had a fight with them, in which Lieutenant Eustus and one private were killed, and some seven Indians. Th'ey were shaping their course for the Grande Ronde val- ley and had sent for provisions and fresh horses. I immediately sent Lieutenant Will- iams back with all my spare provisions and horses and continued my march. On Wild Horse creek I came across Mr. Fites, a pack master who had been left in camp, who in- formed me, to my extreme satisfaction, that Major Maxon and his command had arrived safe in camp and were then near us with pro- visions and ammunition. These I sent on im- meditely to Captain Goff. "I learned that Major Maxon had been at- tacked in the valley by a large force of Indians on the day of the fight; had gained the brush and killed many of them; that at night he tried to find our camp, and hearing a noise like a child crying, probably one of the captured squaws, had concluded that my command had gone on to Powder river and that the Indians had returned to the valley by another canyon. He moved his position that night and the next day saw the scout looking for him, but in the distance thought that it was a band of Indians hunting his trail. Conceiving himself cut off from the command, he thought it best to return to this camp, thinking that we would be on our way back to Grande Ronde with provisions and ammunition." While Shaw was winning this very import- ant victory, Governor Stevens was making every effort to sustain the friendly faction of the Nez Perces under Lawyer, aided by Will- iam Craig, a white man who had been adopted by the Nez Perce tribe and who had been one of the greatest factors in sustaining Governor Stevens. To hold the Walla Walla country seemed 1 to the governor the key of the situa- tion, because thus only could he come in touch with these faithful Nez Perces. The moral effect of Shaw's victory proved so great that the governor decided to go in person to Walla Walla to hold another great council of the friendly and neutral tribes and to get as many as possible of the hostiles to attend the same. 106 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES He seems to have had the double aim of giv- ing the hostiles every reasonable chance to make peace and also of refuting the slanderous charges of Wool to the effect that he was treat- ing the hostiles cruelly and dishonestly. On August 3d he urgently advised Colonel Wright to establish a permanent garrison in the Walla Walla valley and requested also that he meet him in conference at The Dalles on September 14th. He also called out two hundred more volunteers to take the place of Shaw's force, whose term had expired. And so Governor Stevens set forth again on another of those harrassing, exhaustive and dangerous expeditions to which fate seemed to have appointed him. Reaching Vancouver on August 13th, he met Colonel Wright, who in- formed him that he could not attend the pro- posed council, but would dispatch Lieutenant Colonel Steptoe with four companies of regu- lars to reach Walla Walla in season for the meeting. Ascending' the river to The Dalles in com- pany with Colonel Wright, and while there meeting the chief officers of the command, Gov- ernor Stevens, with the ardor and enthusiasm of his nature, and with his personal ascendency over men, so influenced them that for the time being he seemed to 'have won them over en- tirely to hearty co-operation with him in his plans. In reality, however, they were at that very time under orders from General Wool to disband the volunteers and expel them from the country and to forbid white settlers to re- main anywhere in the upper country, and to allow the Hudson's Bay people only to occupy it. Wool's idea was to make the Cascade mountains the eastern frontier of American settlement. Wright and Steptoe were almost guilty of dishonesty in allowing the gallant governor to proceed into the heart of the Indian country with such an erroneous impression of their real orders. Leaving The Dalles on Aug- ust 19th, the indefatigable little governor pushed on ahead of Steptoe, attended only by Pearson, a trusty scout, and with no escort ex- cept the "bull-punchers" of his ox train, he reached Shaw's camp, two miles above Walla Walla, on the 23d. On September 5th, Steptoe reached Walla Walla and established himself at a point four miles below Shaw's camp, said by Lewis McMorris to have been at the present garrison. The next day came Lawyer with a large force of Nez Perces, faithful still. Governor Stevens was exceedingly anxious to have perfect harmony of action with the regulars and thereby present a united front to the enemy, many of Whom had drawn the con- clusion that the regulars and volunteers were entirely different sets of people. He therefore requested Steptoe to move camp to a point near his own. On the next morning Steptoe got under way and paused at the governor's tent, who supposed, of course, that he was going to make camp there. He was dumfounded, as he well may have been, to discover that Steptoe was passing on from sight up the valley. This was the more startling, for on account of a re- port that volunteers below were being at- tacked, Shaw had gone down, leaving Stevens with but ten men. However, it had now be- come necessary for Shaw and his force to leave permanently, and with this in view, the gov- ernor requested Steptoe to return to his near vicinity. Incredible as it may seem, Steptoe declined to do so, alleging that General Wool's orders did not authorize him to make any such arrangements. The governor, though it must have made his hot blood boil, had to retain a detachment of sixty-nine men and left Steptoe to his own devices, at a camp which was on the island on the present Gilkerson place. And now opens THE SECOND GREAT WALLA WALLA COUNCIL. Space does not permit us to give the details of this remarkable meeting, fully as remark- able as the one of the year before. The Nez Perces were in large force at first, and the fac- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 107 tion under Lawyer was fully committed' to the support of the whites. But a large number, even of the Nez Perces, led by Looking Glass, Speaking Owl, Joseph, Red Wolf, and Eagle- from-the-Ligbt, were plainly on the verge of outbreak. Kamiakin, the redoubtable chief of the Yakimas, was coming out with a strong force. The scowling Cayuses and the brawny Umatillas came whooping, yelling and firing the prairie grass. Murder was in the air. Gov- ernor Stevens sent an urgent request to Step- toe to come to the council with at least one company. Steptoe returned in answer to the effect that if the Indians were really meditating an outbreak, he had not enough force to de- fend both camps, and therefore he deemed it necessary for Stevens to move to him, instead of he to Stevens. The heart of the fiery gov- ernor was almost broken at this humiliation, but he had to yield to necessity, and he ad- journed the council to Steptoe's camp. On the march Kamiakin and Owhi, with one hundred and five warriors under the immediate com- mand of Qualchen, the murderer of Bolon, met them. The fierce and threatening looks of these Yakima braves did not reassure the little force, and things looked exceedingly squally. On every day of the council but the first, In- dians, armed to the teeth, took places near the governor, with the evident design of murder- ing him and then attacking the force, but the nerve and vigilance of the governor and those around him prevented. The faithful Nez Perces kept their drums beating all night and maintained a guard around Stevens' camp. As remarked before, the debt of gratitude to these Nez Perces is beyond computation. One of the remarkable features of the last days of the council was the speech of Spotted Eagle, a Nez Perce, and one of the warm adherents of the whites. Governor Stevens mentioned this speech as one which, for feeling, courage and truth, he had never seen surpassed. And now the council was ended, and what had been accomplished? Nothing. They stood just where they were at first. Half the Nez Perces were determined to stand by the treaty, the other half not. All the other tribes were hostile. The governor repeated to them the terms of peace alone possible : "They must throw aside their guns and submit to the jus- tice and mercy of the government, but as they were invited under safe conduct they were safe in coming, safe in council, and safe in going." Governor Stevens naturally felt disap- pointed at the failure of his hopes, but having done all that man could do, he had no cause to reproach himself. Whatever impediments had fallen in his way were due to the position of General Wool and the officers who felt com- pelled to echo his opinions. It may be very prop- erly said here that Wright and Steptoe dis- covered their errors soon and modified their policy.. Wool never did, and in the early part of 1857 he was relieved of his command, and was succeeded by General N. G. Clarke, who gave, as we shall learn later, a "new deal" to the impatient pioneers of the Inland Empire. And now the governor and his retinue must move again westward. It must needs be that another battle be fought. Governor Stevens' own official report is the best summary of his return, and of this last battle in Walla Walla : "So satisfied was I that the Indians would carry into effect their determination avowed in the councils in their own camps for several nights previously, to attack me, that, in start- ing, I formed my whole party and moved in order of battle. I moved on under fire one mile to water, when, forming a corral of the wagons and holding the adjacent hills and the brush on the stream by pickets, I made my arrangements to defend my position and fight the Indians. Our position in a low open basin five or six hundred yards across (he was attacked on what is now known as Charles Russell's ranch) was good, and with the aid of our corral, we could defend ourselves against a vastly superior- force of the enemy. "The fight continued till late in the night: 108 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Two charges were made to disperse the In- dians, the last led by Lieutenant-Colonel Shaw in person with twenty-four men; but, whilst •driving before him some one hundred and fifty Indians, an equal number pushed into his rear, and he was compelled to cut his way through them towards camp, when drawing up his men, -and, aided by the teamsters and pickets who gallantly sprang forward, he drove the Indians back in full charge upon the corral. Just be- fore the charge the friendly Nez Peroes, fifty in number, who had been assigned 1 to hold the bridge on the south side of the corral, were told by the enemy they came not to fight the Nez -Perces but the whites. 'Go to your camp,' said they, 'or we will wipe it out.' Their camp, with, the women and children, was on a stream -about a mile distant, and I directed! them to retire as I did not require their assistance and was fearful that my men might not be able to ••distinguish them from hostiles, and thus friendly Indians be killed. "Towards night I notified Lieutenant-Colo- nel Steptoe that I was fighting the Indians; that I should move the next morning, and ex- pressed the opinion that a company of his troops would be of service. In his reply he stated that the Indians had burned up his grass and suggested that I should return to his camp, •and place at his disposal my wagons, in order that he might move his whole commandi and his supplies to the Umatilla or some other point, where sustenance could be found for his ^animals. To this arrangement I assented and Lieutenant-Colonel Steptoe sent to my camp Lientenant Davidson, with, detachments from the companies of dragoons and artillery with a mounted howitzjer. They, reached my camp about two o'clock in the morning, everything in good order and most of the men at the corral asleep. A picket had been driven in by the ■enemy an hour and a half before that on the hill south of the corral, but the enemy was im- mediately dislodged, and, ground pits being •dug, all the points were held. The howitzer having been fired on the way out, it was be- lieved nothing would be gained by waiting till morning and the whole force immediately re- turned to Lieutenant- Colonel Steptoe's camp. "Soon after sunrise the enemy attacked the camp but was soon dislodged by the how- itzer and a charge by detachment from Step- toe's command. On my arrival at the camp, I urged Lieutenant-Colonel Steptoe to build a block house immediately; to leave one com- pany to defend it with all his supplies, then to march below and return with an additional force and additional supplies, and by a vigorous winter campaign to whip the In- dians into submission. I placed at his disposal for the building, my teams and Indian em- ployes. The block house and stockade were built in a little more than ten days. My In- dian storeroom was rebuilt at one corner of the stockade. "On the 23d day of September, we started for The Dalles, which we reached on the 2d of October. Nothing of interest occurred on the road. "In the action of the 19th, my whole force consisted of Goff's company of sixty-nine, rank and file, the teamsters, herders, and Indian em- ployes numbering about fifty men. Our train consisted of about five hundred animals, not one of which was captured by the enemy. We fought four hundred and fifty Indans and had one man mortally, one dangerously, and> two slightly wounded. We killed and wounded thirteen Indians. One-half of the Nez Perces, one hundred and twenty warriors; all of the Yakimas and Palouses, two hundred warriors ; the great bulk of the Cayuses and Umatillas, and an unknown number of the Walla Wallas and Indians from other bands were in the fight. The principal war chiefs were the son of Ouhi, Isle d'e Pere and Chief Quoltomee; the latter of whom had two horses shot under him, and who showed me a letter from Colonel Wright, acknowledging his valuable services in bringing about the peace of the Yakimas. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 109* "I have failed, therefore, in making the de- sired arrangements with the Indians in the Walla Walla, and the failure, to be attributed in part to the want of co-operation with me as superintendent of Indian affairs on the part of the regular troops, has its causes also in the whole plan of operations of the troops since Colonel Wright assumed command. "The Nez Perces, entirely friendly last December and January, became first disaffected in consequence of the then chief of thle Cayuses, Ume-howlish, and the friendly Cayuses going into the Nez Perce country contrary to my positive orders. I refused to allow them to go there in December last, saying to thlem: T have ordered the Nez Perces to keep hostiles out of the country. If you go there your friends in the war party will come; they can- not be kept out. Through them disaffection will spread among a portion of the Nez Perces.' Ume-howlish, my prisoner, was sent into the Nez Perce country by Colonel Wright, and from the time of his arrival there all the efforts made by Agent Craig to prevent the spread of disaffection were abortive. What I apprehended and predicted had already come to pass. Look- ing Glass, the prominent man of the lower Nez Perces, endeavored to betray me on the Spo- kane as I was coming in from the Blackfoot council, and I was satisfied from that time that he was only awaiting a favorable moment to join bands with Kamaiakun in a war upon the whites, and Colonel Wright's management of affairs in the Yakima furnished the oppor- tunity. "The war was commenced in the Yakima on our part in consequence of the attempt first to seize the murderers of the agent, Bolon, and the miners who had passed through their country; and, second, to punish the tribe for making common cause with them and driving Major Haller out of the country. It is greatly to be deplored that Colonel Wright had not first severely chastised the Indians, and in- sisted not only upon the rendition of the mur- derers, but upon the absolute and uncondi- tional submission of the whole tribe to the jus- tice and mercy of the government. The long^ delays which occurred in the Yakimas, the talking and not fighting, this attempt to pacify the Indians and not reducing them to submis- sion, thus giving safe conduct to murderers,, and assassins, and not seizing them for sum- mary and exemplary punishment, gave to, Kamaiakun the whole field of the interior, and. by threats, lies and promises, he has brought, into the combination one-half of the Nez Perce- nation, and the least thing may cause the Spo- kanes, Coeur d'Alenes, Colvilles and Okano-- gans to join them. "I state boldly thc.t the cause of the Nez Perces becoming disaffected and finally going- into war, is the operations of Colonel Wright east of the Cascades — operations so feeble, so procrastinating, so entirely unequal to the emergency, that not only has a most severe- blow been struck at the credit of the govern- ment and the prosperity and character of this, remote section of the country, but the impres- sion has been made upon the Indians that the- people and the soldiers were a different people. I repeat to you officially that when the Indians- attacked me they expected Colonel Steptoe- would not assist me, and when they awoke from their delusion Kamaiakun said, T wilk now let these people know who Kamaiakun is.' One of the good effects of the fight is, that the- Indians have learned that we are one people, a. fact Which had not previously been made ap- parent to them by the operations of the regular- troops. "Is, Sir, the army sent here to protect our- people and punish Indian tribes, who, without; cause and in cold blood, and in spite of solemn, treaties, murder our people, burn our houses, and wipe out entire settlements ? Is it the duty of General Wool and his officers to refuse to- co-operate with me in my appropriate duties as. superintendent of Indian affairs, and thus prac- tically to assume those duties themselves? Is- 110 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES it the duty of General Wool, in his schemes of pacifying the Indians, to tramplie down the laws of congress; to issue edicts prohibiting settlers returning to their claims, and thus for at least one county, the Walla Walla, make himself dictator of the country?" And now that we have allowed the gov- ernor to tell his own story of the final struggle in the Walla Walla, every reader asks, "And how did it come out?" Gilbert pronounces that the Indians got all they wanted:, and that so the great Walla Walla war of '55 and '56 must go down in history as an Indian victory. After Stevens had reached The Dalles, Wright went back again for a short time to Walla Walla, with a force increased by one com- pany. But having reached the scene of the council and the farewell fight, he held an ami- cable meeting with the hostile chiefs and as- sured them that "The bloody cloth shall be washed, past differences thrown behind us, and perpetual peace must exist between us." He even went so far as to recommend that the Walla Walla treaties should never be con- firmed. Steptoe, by Wool's orders, issued a proclamation that no whites should return to Walla Walla, except Hudson's Bay people and missionaries. Wool, in general orders of Octo- ber 19th, expresses the hope that Wright, "warned by what has occurred, will be on his guard against the whites, and prevent trouble by keeping the whites out of the Indian coun- try." But Steptoe had got his eyes partly open by the events of the season, and a little later he ventured to suggest that a good, in- dustrious colony be permitted to settle in the Walla Walla valley. Wool promptly stepped on the suggestion by declaring that "the Cas- cade range formed, if not an impassible bar- rier, an excellent line of defense, a most excel- lent line of separation between two races al- ways at war when in contact. To permit set- tlers to pass The Dalles and occupy the natural reserve is to give up this advantage, throw down the wall, and advance the frontier hun- dreds of miles to the east, and add to the pro- tective labor of the army." Governor Stevens did not mince matters in summarizing this war and its results. His let- ters, both to Wool directly and to the War Department might, without putting too fine a point on it, be styled "vitriolic." To the frontiersmen of the country it seemed shame- ful surrender. After the bitter struggle of those frigid winters, after all the tedious traversing of dusty plains and snowy precip- itous mountains, after the lives lost and the many wounds received, and especially after the brilliant and well-deserved victories won, then to have the regulars step in and rob them of all the fruits of victory by a practical capitu- lation to the hostilities, — that was a pretty hard dose for Stevens and his constituents. We need not blame the governor for some rather strong talk. Thus at the close of 1856 the Walla Walla valley was, by military order, remanded to barbarism. In 1857 the present Fort Walla Walla was established, and there a force in charge of Lieutenant-Colonel Steptoe lay in- active. One thing interesting to note in connection with the mustering out of the volunteers is that the horses which they had captured on the Grande Ronde were sold at such a good price as to pay the entire cost of the expedition. Sales were for scrip issued by the territory, which depreciated but little. The total amount of scrip issued was $1,481,475.45, and the entire number of volunteers was 1,896. The general testimony of witnesses of those times is that there was a remarkably high morale on the part of all the volunteer forces, and that this was due very largely to the char- acter, ability and magnetic influence of Wash- ington's first governor, certainly the greatest man in the official history of those times. And so there was "quiet in the land by the space of a year." In 1858 the Yakimas became so troublesome that Wright began to conclude HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 111 that they were not such desirable citizens after all. Major Garnett was accordingly sent into their country with a strong force, and he seized and executed a number of their chiefs and braves, killed seven hundred of their ponies and secured quiet at last in the land of the sage-brush. And now, though no battle was to be fought again on Walla Walla soil, it was the outfitting point for the most remarkable dis- aster in the history of the territory, one which, if it had not been for the ever-faithful Nez Perces, would probably have anticipated the Custer massacre in completeness and horror. This was the STEPTOE DEFEAT OF I 858. Colonel E. J. Steptoe set out in May, 1858, to go with two hundred cavalry to the Spo- kane country, though, those powerful and in- dependent Indians had warned troops to keep out, alleging that they were neutral and would not allow either Yakimas or whites in their country. Steptoe, or, more strictly speaking, his subordinates, committed 1 a most egregious and incomprehensible blunder in starting from Walla Walla. On account of the great weight of provisions and baggage, a brilliant quarter- master conceived the idea of leaving behind the greater part of the ammunition, by way of lightening the load. As Joseph McEvoy ex- presses it, the force was beaten before it left Walla Walla. The expedition was made in May. The wild torrent of Snake river was running bank- full from the flood's of summer as the command crossed. Timothy, a chief of the Nez Perces, with a few followers, was living then at the mouth of the Alpowa, and by his efficient aid the soldiers crossed the wicked-looking stream in good' order and good time, and continued on their way, the brave old chief accompanying them. On May 16th the force reached a place which George F. Canis, on the authority of Thomas B. Beall, chief government packer of the expedition, describes as low and marshy, with big swales and thickets of quaking asp abounding, and surrounded by hills without timber. Mr. Beall locates the place as near the present town of Spangle. There is, how- ever, much difference of opinion among the survivors as to where all this happened. But wherever it was, there the Indians gathered with hostile intention. Steptoe, realizing the dangerous odds, decided to return. On the next day as the soldiers were de- scending a canyon to Pine creek, not far from where Rosalia is now located, Salteese, sub- chief of the Coeur d'Alenes, came up with an interpreter for a conference with Steptoe. The chief was making great professions of friendship, when one of the friendly Nez Perces struck him over the head with a whip, nearly knocking him from his horse. "What do you mean by speaking with a forked tongue to the white chief?" demanded the Nez Perce brave. Salteese, very angry, rode away in defiant mood. No sooner were the retreating forces well in the canyon than the attack was made. Second Lieutenant William Gaston's forces were the first to draw the fire of the enemy. Steptoe ordered Gaston to hold fire. When again asked for orders he gave the same command, but Gaston disobeyed and soon the firing became general. Gaston and Captain O. H. P. Taylor were in command of the rear guard, and, with amazing courage and devo- tion, kept the line intact, foiling all efforts of the Indians to rush through. They sent word to Steptoe to halt the line and give them a chance to load. But Steptoe deemed it safer to make no pause, and soon after those gallant heroes fell. A fierce fight raged for possession of their bodies. The Indians secured that of Gaston, but a small band of heroes, fighting like demons, got the body of the noble Taylor. One notable figure in this death grapple was De May, a Frenchman, who had been trained 112 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES in the Crimea and in Algeria, and who made havoc among the savages with his gun-barrel used as a sabre. But at last he, too, went down before numbers, crying, "Oh, my God, for a sabre!" At nightfall they had reached a point said to be somewhere on the flanks of Steptoe butte, though there is difference of opinion as to the exact location. Here the disorganized and suffering force made camp, threw out a picket line for defense, and buried such dead as they had not been forced to leave. In order to divert the Indians they determined, having buried their howitzers, to leave the balance of their stores. They hoped that if the Indians made an attack in the night they might suc- ceed in stealing away. The Indians, however, feeling sure that they had the soldiers at their mercy, made no effort at a night attack. But it is stated that Kamiakin, head chief of the Yakimas, urged them to do so. Had he car- ried his point, the night of May 17, 1858, would have been one of melancholy memory. Another massacre would have been added to the series of frontier outrages which have dark- ened our earlier annals. There was but one chance of salvation, and this was by means of a difficult trail which the Indians had left unguarded, as the Nez Perce Chief Timothy discovered by recon- noitreing, the savages rightly supposing it to be entirely unknown to the whites. But by the good favor of fortune or providence Tim- othy knew this pass. But for him, the next day would doubtless have witnessed a grim and ghastly massacre. During the dark and cloudy night the soldiers, mounted and in silence, followed Timothy over the wretched trail. Michael Kinney, a well-known resident of Walla Walla, was in charge of the rear guard, and is our chief authority for some portions of this narrative. The horrors of that night retreat were probably never surpassed in the history of In- dian warfare in the northwest. Several of the wounded were lashed to pack animals, and were thus led away on that dreadful ride. Their sufferings were intense, and two of them, McCrossen and Williams, suffered so unen- durably that they writhed themselves loos© from their lashings and fell to the ground, begging their comrades to leave some weapon with which they might kill themselves. But the poor wretches were left lying there in the darkness. During the night the troops fol- lowed, generally at a gallop, the faithful Tim- othy, on whose keen eyes and mind their lives depended. The wounded and few whose horses gave out were scattered at intervals along the trail. Some of these finally re- appeared, but most were lost. After twenty- four hours they found that they had ridden sixty miles or more, for the yellow flood of Snake river suddenly broke before them be- tween its desolate banks. Here the unwearied Timothy threw out his own people as guards against the pursuing enemy and set the women of his tribe to ferrying the force across the turbulent river. This was safely accomplished, and thus the greater portion of the command reached Walla Walla from that ill-starred ex- pedition in safety. A dramatic incident which occurred on the evening of May 20th merits a brief narration. While the horses were being picketed and preparations were in progress for the night,, the guards noticed a cloud of dust in the dis- tance. In a short time a band of mounted In- dians, approaching at full gallop, came into- view, and the clattering of the hoofs of their horses and the thick dust enveloping them gave the impression that the little band of soldiers, which had had such trying experiences and' now seemed within reach of safety, was to be literally wiped from the face of the earth. Excitement ran high. The soldiers became- greatly agitated, and orders to prepare for bat- tle were about to be issued when the standard- bearer of the oncoming horde, noting the con- fusion and mistrusting its cause,, flung the stars- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 113 and stripes to the breeze in token of friendly intentions. When the Indians swarmed into camp it was found that the banner was borne by none other than the ever-faithful Chief Lawyer. In the party were some of the sub- chiefs from Kamiah and noted members of the Nez Perce tribe. Steptoe declined to return to the conflict with the hostiles, much to the disappointment of Lawyer, who clearly pointed out how Indian allies could be secured and an easy victory won over the confident and exult- ing Indians of the Palouse country. The Nez Perces had, no doubt, learned of the defeat of Steptoe by means of the wonderful system of signaling in vogue among the aborigines. Individual narratives of experiences on that expedition have been given by men long after living in Walla Walla and elsewhere. Among these was John Singleton, Sr., now deceased, who told Professor Lyman that, being with- out a horse, he crawled on his hands and knees during the greater part of two days, running at night, until he at last reached Snake river and was put across the stream by the Nez Perces. His knees and hands were worn to the bones. A soldier named Snickster re- ported that he and Williams, riding one horse, had reached the Snake river and were prepar- ing to cross, when the Indians overtook them and in a spirit of grim pleasantry told them that if they could swim the river they might escape. Plunging into the turbid flood with their horse, they soon found the Indian bullets boiling around them. Williams and the horse were almost immediately killed, and Snickster, with an arm already broken, swam the rest of the way across Snake river. This story is told in several ways. George F. Canis, the correctness of whose account is vouched for by the chief government packer of the expedition, Thomas B. Beall, tells the story substantially as above, except that he says Snickster and Williams were set adrift in a canoe by the In- dians, who practiced markmanship upon them. According to this account, Williams was shot and Snickster escaped by swimming, though his arm was broken. Michael Kinney con- siders the entire tale a fabrication. Mr. Sin- gleton, however, told Professor Lyman he be- lieved it true. Joseph McEvoy regards it as true in part, though he claims that Williams was killed in battle. The story was generally credited in early times, but it is hard to believe that anyone, even under the most favorable circumstances, could swim the Snake river in flood time with a broken arm. Relative to the controverted question as to where the battle between Steptoe and the In- dians took place, the writer cannot undertake to discuss the matter in detail. The evidences seem quite good, however, that the fight be- gan in the vicinity of the present town of Rosalia. In the spring of 1899, while plow- ing some three miles north of that town, J. B. Wells unearthed three old Cjolt's army re- volvers, such as were in use in 1858. These weapons, as well as a cannon ball, cannon tire and stirrup, discovered near Rosalia, are now the property of Mrs. Mattie L. Anderson, they having been purchased by her deceased hus- band. It is related also that Indian Louis, also known as "Wild Coyote," who called to see the relics, told Messrs. Ralston McCaig and Charles Thompson, of Rosalia, in an in- terview with these gentlemen, that there were "lots and lots" of Indians engaged; that he saw fifteen bodies of whites on the field ; that three of the whites were killed on Little creek, three miles away (and he pointed toward the place where the revolvers were found) ; that he nearly killed two whites and was preparing to take the scalp of the second victim, who was wounded by an arrow from his bow, when the soldier raised up and shot him with a revolver, severely wounding him. Asked at what points the dead whites were seen by him, he said, "Three up there," (pointing to the Little creek above referred to) "one at the bridge" (direct- 114 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES ing attention to a place about a mile north of Rosalia) "and six over there" (pointing to the hill south of the town). The sequel of Steptoe's defeat furnishes a more creditable chapter in the history of our Indian warfare. General Clarke at once or- dered Colonel Wright to equip a force of six hundred men, proceed to the Spokane coun- try and castigate the Indians with sufficient severity to settle the question of sovereignty forever. On August 15th Colonel Wright left Walla Walla on his northern campaign. In the battle of Four Lakes, fought on Septem- ber 1 st, and in the battle of Spokane Plains, September 5th, Colonel Wright broke forever the spirits and power of the northern Indians. Lieutenant Kipp's description of the former fight is so picturesque that we cannot resist the temptation to reproduce it. He says: "On the plain below us we saw the enemy. Every spot seemed alive with the wild war- riors we had come so far to meet. They were in the pines at the edge of the lakes, in the ra- vines and gullies, on the opposite hillsides and swarming over the plain. They seemed to cover the country for two miles. Mounted on their fleet, hardy horses, the crowd swept back and forth, brandishing their weapons, shouting their war-cries and keeping up a song of defiance. Most of them were armed with Hudson's Bay muskets, while others had bows and arrows and long lances. They were in all the 1 bravery of their war array, gaudily painted and decorated with their wild trap- pings. Their plumes fluttered above them, while beneath skins and trinkets and all kinds of fantastic embelishments flaunted in the sun- shine. Their horses, too, were arrayed in the most gorgeous finery. Some of them were even painted with colors to form the greatest contrast, the white being smeared with crim- son in fantastic figures, and the dark-colored streaked with white clay. Bead's and fringes of gaudy colors were hanging from their bridles, while the plumes of eagle's feathers, interwoven with the mane and tail, fluttered as the breeze floated over them, and com- pleted their wild and fantastic appearance. " ' By heavens! it was a glorious sight to see The gay array of their wild chivalry.' "As ordered, the troops moved down the hill toward the plain. As the line of advance came within range of the minie rifles, now for the first time used in Indian warfare, the firing began. The firing grew heavier as the line advanced, and, astonished at the range 1 and effectiveness of the fire, the entire array of dusky warriors broke and fled toward the plain. The dragoons were now ordered to charge, and rode through the company at intervals to the front, and then dashed down upon the foe with headlong speed. Taylor's and Gaston's com- panies were there and soon they reaped a red revenge for their slain heroes. The flying warriors streamed out of the glens and ravines and over the open plains until they could find a refuge from the flashing sabres of the dragoons. When they had found the refuge of the wooded hills the line of foot once more passed the dragoons and renewed the fire, driving the Indians over the hills for about two miles, where a halt was called, as the troops were nearly exhausted. The Indians had al- most all disappeared, only a small group re- maining, apparently to watch the whites. A shell sent from the howitzer, bursting over their heads, sent them also to the shelter of the ravines. Thus the battle ended." In the battle four days later at Spo- kans Plains quite a number of Indians were killed, and Kamiakin, the war-chief of the Yakimas, was wounded. After resting a day the forces moved on up the river and encamped above the falls. While there they were vis- ited by Chief Gearry, a fairly well educated, rather bright Indian, who professed to be against the war. There is reason to doubt the sincerity of these representations, however. Colonel Wright talked plainly to him, saying HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 115 that if he and the other Indians wanted peace they could havie! it by complete and uncondi- tional surrender. On the 8th the march was resumed. About ten miles east of Spokane Indians were seen in the act of driving their horses to the mountains. The horses were captured and shot, with the exception of one hundred and thirty picked ones, which were kept for the use of the troops. Defeat in bat- tle, the loss of their horses and the execution of a few Indians who had participated in mur- ders completely humiliated the hostile tribes. Councils were held by Colonel Wright at the Coeur d'Alene mission and with the Spokanes, at which it was found that the Indians were prepared to enter a treaty of entire submission to the whites. Thus ended the era of Indian wars in eastern Washington and Oregon. CHAPTER IX. OREGON, ITS LOCATION, AREA AND PHYSICAL FEATURES. Previous to the admission of Washington as a state Oregon was the most northwesterly state of the Union. On the north side it is bounded by Washington, on the east by Idaho, on the south by Nevada and California, and on the west by the Pacific ocean. With the Co- lumbia forming the northern, and the Snake river most of the eastern boundary, and the waters of the Pacific washing its entire west •coast, Oregon is almost surrounded by nav- igable waters. The average width of the state, from east to west, is 350 miles, and from north to south 275 miles. Its area is 95,274 square miles, or nearly 64,000,000 acres. It is as large as all the New England states, with Indiana added, and larger than New York and Pennsylvania combined. To more fully impress the reader with the liberal pro- portions of Oregon, it may be added that it is half as large as France, nearly twice as large as England, five times as large as Swit- zerland, and seven times the size of Holland. Oregon has. a population of over 300,000. Were it as closely settled as Switzerland, it would have 12,000,000 people; as France, about 17,000,000; as Holland, about 25,000,- 000; or as England, at least 40,000,000. In its proportion of productive to waste land!, it will compare well with the average of the foreign countries named. In soil or climate or other conditions affecting the growth of vege- tation or commercial interests, the comparison would be vastly in favor of Oregon. Situated between the parallels of 42 degrees and 46 de- grees and 18 minutes north latitude, this state is not unlike, in climate and physical charac- teristics, Virginia or Tennessee. The Cascade mountains divide Oregon into two unequal parts differing widely from each other in topography, soil and climate, and to some extent in productions. Along its west- ern border the Coast Range also traverses it from north to south, while along its eastern boundary the Blue Mountain range, with its various spurs, covers probably a fifth of the total area of the state. Other lesser ranges, generally spurs of those named, jut into the intermediate regions, lending to the entire countrv an extraordinary diversity of feature. Fruitful valleys of varying extent, each of 116 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES which is traversed by a more or less important stream, are numerous. The valleys of its west- ern third have an average elevation of only a few score feet above the sea-level. The east- ern part, embracing fully two-thirds of the superficial area of the state, is much higher, from 1,500 to 5,000 feet above the ocean. The general divisions of the country, includ- ing scores of districts, are three. That part of Oregon lying West of the Cascade moun- tains and north of the Rogue River mountains (which range runs east and west, about one hundred miles from the southern boundary) is known as western Oregon. That part of the state lying east of the Cascade mountains, excepting two counties on the southern bor- der, is called eastern Oregon. The country lying south of the Rogue River mountains, with the two countries further east above re- ferred to, is called southern Oregon. The western division is about one-fourth of the state, but it contains at least one-half of the arable land, including the matchless valley of the Willamette, which is one hun- dred and forty by fifty miles in extent. Scarce- ly less important than the Willamette valley is the coast district of western Oregon, which borders the ocean for about one hundred and fifty miles. Between these arable districts lie broad ranges of forest, affording a supply of timber practically inexhaustible. No coun- try in the world is more bountifully watered than western Oregon. It is a land of rivers. Clear and pure water gushes from every hill- side, and it is rare that a square mile is found through which a crystal stream does not flow. What is called southern Oregon includes about one-fifth of the superficial area of the state. A small portion of this, lying next to the ocean, has physical characteristics and climate similar to western Oregon, while the remainder, compassed about with mountains, and being more elevated, has a climate of its own, drier than western Oregon, yet not so dry as the climate of eastern Oregon. In sum- mer these districts lie under a warmer sun than their northerly neighbors. Being in the elevated country, east of the Cascade moun- tains, they suffer, if not extreme cold, lower temperatures than are ever experienced west of that great ridge. Eastern Oregon is a general designation given to all that part of the state east of the Cascade mountains, excepting the much small- er southern portion last above described. This division embraces two-thirds of the area of the state. In its general characteristics this region may be described as high and dry, warm in summer, cool in winter, rich in soil, and fairly well supplied with timber. In a country so- vast there are many local variations from this general statement. The average elevation of eastern Oregon is about 2,500 feet. The southwestern portion of this section, notably all that lying south of Malheur river, is so dry as to require irrigation for the maturing of al- most all crops. The northern central por- tion of this eastern Oregon country is much broken by minor ranges of mountains, which afford fine pasturage; and here and there are narrow valleys, unsurpassed for fertility. The southern central section is known as the Har- ney Lake region, which has long been cele- brated as the main grazing region of the state. This may be described as a vast, rolling table- land, interspersed with valleys of considerable extent, which are natural meadows of luxuriant and nutritious grasses. RIVERS, WATER-COURSES AND SPRINGS. Oregon probably has no equal in our Union for the number, size and economical disposi- tion of its water-courses. The Columbia ranks with the greatest rivers of the world. From its birth, among the most magnificent scenes of the earth, in the far north and in the heart of Yellowstone National Park, down through its 2,500 miles of irresistible sweep to the west- ern sea, it is an avenue of wealth and wonder. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 117 Inland for three hundred miles from the Pa- cific, it averages about two miles in breadth, reaching over six miles near its mouth. En- gineers estimate that it carries off a volume of water but little, if any, less than does the Mis- sissippi. Its immense drainage of 395,000 square miles can be imagined from the fact that during the melting of the snows in the northwestern mountain ranges, its daily in- crease, for days at a time, has been equal to the entire volume of the Hudson. It is the only river in our great republic which is navigable for deep sea-going vessels 120 miles into the interior, or for a river steamer 1,000 miles inland. The Willamette river is next in size and may be navigated by the largest ocean steamships and sailing vessels as far as Port- land, 112 miles from the sea, and by river steamers a distance of 138 miles beyond. It gathers up the waters of forty-two streams, some of which are navigable for light-draft steamers. The Snake river is next in import- ance, being in fact the main fork of the Co- lumbia. It has been navigated by light-draft steamers to a point within 125 miles of Salt Lake City, almost under the shadows of the Wahsatch range. Among other navigable streams are Rogue river and Umpqua river in southwestern Ore- gon. Flowing from south to north in central Oregon and emptying into the Columbia are the Des Chutes and John Day rivers, each about three hundred miles long. In southeast- ern Oregon are the Owyhee and Malheur rivers, the former rising five hundred miles southward^ in Nevada, and emptying into the Snake where the latter stream strikes the east- ern Oregon boundary line. In northeastern Oregon are the Powder, Grande Ronde and Umatilla rivers, all swift, strong streams, watering large areas of fertile valley lands. The mountain tributaries of these rivers are almost innumerable. Rising among the eternal snows of the higher ranges, or bursting forth from thousands of crystal springs, they are among the greatest of Oregon's attractions, both on account of their value in the develop- ment of many material interests, and for their varied charms for the sportsman and tourist. The government has appropriated large sums of money for the improvement of the Columbia river at its passage through the Cas- cade range. When the work contemplated is completed, this stream with its tributaries will be the artery of almost unbounded commerce with a vast domain north and east of Port- land, the metropolis of the state. Work is also progressing on the improvements of the other navigable streams, all of which, when com- pleted, will greatly accelerate the development of the regions they drain. There is unlimited and unrivaled water- power at many points along these rivers and streams. There are falls almost innumerable, ranging from 25 to 500 feet in height, some of which are already being utilized, as will ap- pear under the head of "Manufacturing," in succeeding pages. There are several commodious harbors for vessels of light draft on the coast line, exclusive of those found at the mouths of the several rivers. At these places a thriving business is carried on in lumbering, coal-mining, fishing, oystering, dairying and agricultural products. As will be gathered from the foregoing, Oregon abounds in springs, large and small. These are found everywhere, from the seashore to the most elevated mountain peaks. Some are so large and deep as to almost arrive at the dignity of lakes, and the waters they throw forth at once make respectable creeks. This is especially the case in the Harney Lake region and in western and southern Oregon. CLIMATOLOGY AND HEALTH FULNESS. Each of the three natural divisions of Ore- gon has a climate peculiar to itself. The cli- mate of western Oregon is mild and equable. The average spring temperature is 52 degrees; 118 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES summer, 67 degrees; autumn, 53 degree; win- ter, 39 degrees; or an average of 52.75 degrees for the whole year. The thermometer seldom rises above 90 degrees in the hottest days in the summer, and rarely falls below 20 degrees in the winter; so that out-door labor may be performed at all times of the year, and at all hours of the day. Considering the thermom- eter's limited range during the four seasons, and the other conditions peculiar to the lo- cality, a year would more properly be divided into two seasons — the wet and dry, the former lasting from the middle of November until May, during which period the rainfall is copious and regular, insuring certain crops and good pasture. In the Willamette valley the annual rainfall is forty-four inches — about the same as at Davenport, Memphis and Phila- delphia, while in all other valleys it is sufficient to prevent any drouth. The rain never comes in torrents, but gently and without atmospheric disturbance. Thunder storms are rare. CHAPTER X. SETTLEMENT OF OREGON. In our endeavor to properly lay the foun- dations for our county annals we have already extended these introductory chapters far be- yond the limits contemplated in our original plan, but it is yet necessary that we trace brief- ly the inception of civil government in Ore- gon that we may understand the source of civil institutions in the counties with whose his- tory we are primarily concerned. Already, we trust, we have conveyed to the mind of the reader as vivid an impression as our limita- tions would permit of the first feeble knockings of civilization's standard bearers upon our western shores, of some of the expeditions by which the land so long a terra incognita was robbed of its mystery and the overland route to it discovered, of the regime of the fur trader and the trapper, of the diplomatic negotiations by which our title to sovereignty was estab- lished, of missionary occupancy and the advent of the pioneer settler and of that second strug- gle for possession which cost so much hardship and sacrifice on the part of both the white and the red races and has left so tragic a stain on our earlier annals. We shall, however, go back a few years chronologically to get a clearer idea of the first settlement of old Oregon Territory. Of those Americans who came to Oregon with the early expeditions three in 1832 and twenty-two in 1834 became permanent settlers. The names of these are preserved by W. H. Gray, as fol- lows: "With Jason Lee's party, besides himself, were Daniel Lee, Cyrus Shepard, P. L. Ed- wards and Courtney M. Walker. From Cap- tain Wyeth's party of 1832 there remained S. H. Smith, Sergeant, and Tibbets, a stone cut- ter, and from his party of 1834, James O'Neil and T. J. Hubbard. From the wreck of the William and Ann, a survivor named Felix Hathaway remained. With Ewing Young from California in 1834, a party came who re- mained in Oregon, consisting of Joseph Gale, HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 119 who died in Union county, that state, in 1882, John McCarty, Carmichael, John Hauxhurst, John Howard, Kilborn, Brandywine and a colored man named George Winslow. An English sailor named Richard McCary reached the Willamette from the Rocky mountains that year as did also Captain J. H. Crouch, G. W. Le Breton, John McCaddan and William John- son from the brig Maryland. This made twenty-five residents at the close of 1834, who were not in any way connected with the Hud- son's Bay Company, all of whom were here for other than transient purposes. There were no arrivals in 1835." The year 1836, however, was, as may be gleaned from previous pages, an important one for Oregon. While, as Gray states, there were no permanent residences established in Oregon in 1835, that was the year in which Rev. Sam- uel Parker and Dr. Marcus Whitman were sent out by the American Board to explore the country and report upon it as a field for mis- sionary labors. These gentlemen were met at the trappers' rendezvous on Green river by the noted Chief Lawyer, by whom they were per- suaded into the plan of establishing their pro- posed mission among his people, the Nez Perces. When this conclusion was reached Dr. Whitman started back to the east, accompanied by two Nez Perce boys, Mr. Parker continu- ing his journey westward to the shores of the Pacific. It was agreed that Parker should seek out a suitable location among the Nez Perces for the mission, while Dr. Whitman should make arrangements for the westward journey of a sufficient force and for the establishment and outfitting of the post. The result of Mr. Parker's journey ings are embodied in a work of great historic value from his own pen, en- titled "Parker's Exploring Tour Beyond the Rocky Mountains." From information con- veyed by this volume, Gilbert summarizes the conditions in Oregon in 1835 as follows : "Fort Vancouver on the Columbia, under charge of Dr. John McLoughlin, was estab- lished in 1824, and consisted of an inclosure by stockade, thirty-seven rods long by eight- een wide, that faced the south. About one hun- dred persons were employed at the place, and some three hundred Indians lived in the im- mediate vicinity. There were eight substantial buildings within the stockade, and a large num- 1 ber of small ones on the outside. There were 459 cattle, 100 horses, 200 sheep, 40 goats and 300 hogs belonging to the company at this place; and during the season of 1835 the crops produced in that vicinity amounted to 5,000 bushels of wheat, 1,300 bushels of potatoes, 1,000 bushels of barley, 1,000 bushels of oats, 2,000 bushels of: peas, and garden vegetables in proportion. The garden, containing five acres, besides its vegetable products, included apples, peaches, grapes and strawberries. A grist mill, with machinery propelled by oxen, was kept in constant use, while some six miles up the Columbia was a sawmill containing several saws, which supplied lumber for the Hudson's Bay Company. Within the fort was a bakery employing three men, also shops for blacksmith, joiners, carpenters and a tinner. "Fort Williams, erected by N. J. Wyeth at the mouth of the Willamette, was nearly de- serted, Mr. Townsend, the ornithologist, be- ing about the only occupant at that time. Wyeth had gone to his Fort Hall in the in- terior. Of Astoria at the mouth of the Co- lumbia but two' log houses and a garden re- mained, where two white men dragged out a dull existence, to maintain possession of the historic ground. Its ancient, romantic gran- deur had departed from its walls, when dis- mantled to assist in the construction and de- fenses of. its rival, Fort Vancouver. Up the Willamette river was the Methodist mission, in the condition already noted, while between it and the present site of Oregon City, was the Hudson's Bay Company's French settlements of Gervais and McKay, containing some twen- ty families whose children were being taught by young Americans. In one of these set- IB HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES tlements a grist mill had been just completed. East of the Cascade mountains Fort Walla Walla was situated at the mouth of a river by that name. It was 'built of logs and was internally arranged to answer the purposes of trade and domestic comfort, and externally for defense, having two bastions, and was sur- rounded by a stockade.' It was accidentally burned in 1841 and rebuilt of adobe within a year. At this point the company had 'horses, cows, hogs, fowls, and they cultivated corn, potatoes, and a variety of garden vegetables.' This fort was used for a trading post, where goods were stored for traffic with the In- dians. Fort Colville, on the Columbia a little above Kettle falls, near the present line of Washington Territory, a strongly stockaded post, was occupied by a half-dozen men with Indian families, and Mr. McDonald was in charge. Fort Okinagan, at the mouth of the river of that name, established by David Stewart in 181 1, was, in the absence of Mr. Ogden, in charge of a single white man. Con- cerning Fort Hall nothing is said ; but it fell into the. hands of the Hudson's Bay Com- pany in 1836. It was then a stockaded fort, but was rebuilt with adobes in 1838. Mr. Parker is also silent in regard to Fort Boise, which was constructed on Snake river from poles in 1834 as a rival establishment to Fort Hall, was occupied in 1835 by the Hudson's Bay Company, and later was more substan- tially constructed from adobe. If there were other establishments in 1835, west of the Rocky mountains, between the forty-second and forty-ninth parallels, the writer has failed to obtain evidences of them." Meanwhile Whitman was working with his characteristic energy in the east, and he succeeded in raising funds and securing as- sociates for two> missions in Oregon. The re- sults of his labors and their sudden and sad ending have been previously adverted to, but the matter which now concerns us is that the American population of Oregon was in; 1836 thereby increased by five persons, namely, Dr. Marcus Whitman, Narcissa Whitman, Rev. H. H. Spalding and wife and W. H. Gray. The ladies mentioned gained the distinction of hav- ing been the first white women whose feet pressed the soil of old Oregon and whose blue and dark eyes looked into the dusky, mystic orbs of the daughters of the Columbia basin. A few months later the Methodist mission was also blessed by the purifying presence of noble womanhood, but the laurels of pioneership have ever rested upon the worthy brows of Mrs. Whitman and Mrs. Spalding, and so far as we know no fair hand has ever been raised to pluck them thence. The missionary party brought with them eight mules, twelve horses and sixteen cows, also three wagons laden with farming utensils, blacksmith and carpenter's tools, clothing, seeds, etc., etc., to make it pos- sible for them to support themselves without an entire dependence upon the Hudson's Bay Company for supplies. Two* of the wagons were abandoned at Fort Laramie and heavy pressure- was. brought upon Dr. Whitman to leave the third at the rendezvous on Green river but he refused so to do. He succeeded in get- ting it to Fort Hall intact, then reduced it to a two-wheeled cart, which he brought on to Fort Boise, thus demonstrating the feasibility of a wagon road over the Rocky mountains. Although a reinforcement for the Meth- odist mission sailed from Boston in July, 1836, it failed to reach its destination on the Willa- mette until May of the following year, so that the American population at the close of 1836 numbered not to exceed thirty persons, includ- ing the two ladies. Prior to 1837 there were no cattle in the country except those owned by the Hudson's Bay Conmpany and those brought from the east by the Whitman party. The Hudson's Bay Company wished to continue this condi- tion as long as possible, well knowing that the introduction of cattle or any other avenue of wealth production among the American pop- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 12:1 ulation would have a natural tendency to ren- der the people that much more nearly inde- pendent. When, therefore, it was proposed by Ewing Young and Jason Lee that a party should be sent to California for stock, the idea at once met with opposition from the auto- •cratic Columbia river monopoly. Thanks large- ly to the assistance of William A. Slocum, of- the United States navy, by whom money was •advanced and a free passage to California fur- nished to the company's emissaries, the pro- jectors of this enterprise were rendered inde- pendent of the Hudson's Bay Company. Ew- ing Young was captain of the expedition ; P. L. Edwards, of the Willamette mission, was also one of its leading spirits. The men pur- chased seven hundred head of cattle at three dollars per head and set out upon the re- turn journey. They succeeded in getting about six hundred head to> the Willamette country, ^notwithstanding the bitter hostility of the In- dians. Gilbert quotes from the diary of P. L. Edwards, which he says was shown him by the latter's daughter in California, to prove that the trouble with the Indians was caused by the wanton and cold-blooded murder by mem- bers of the party of a friendly Indian who was following the band. The Indian hostilities were not incited by the Hudson's Bay Com- pany, but may properly be laid at the doors of the men who committed this barbarous outrage in revenge for wrongs suffered by a party to which they belonged two years before,— an- other instance of the innocent suffering for the $ins of the guilty. The arrival of neat cattle in the Willamette •country provided practically the first means of acquiring wealth independent of the Hudson's Bay Company- "This success in opposition to that interest," says Gilbert, "was a discovery by the settlers, both American and ex-employes that they possessed: the strength, to rend the bars that held them captives under a. species of peonage. With this one blow, directed by •missionaries and dealt by ex-American hun- ters, an. independent maintenance in Oregon had been rendered possible for immigrants." As before stated the reinforcements for the Methodist mission arrived in May, 1837. By it the American population was increased by eight persons, namely, Elijah White and wife, Alanson Beers and wife, W. H. Willson, the Misses Annie M. Pitman, Susan Downing and Elvina Johnson. In the fall came another re- inforcement, the personnel of which was the Rev. David Leslie, wife and three daughters, the Rev. W. H. K. Perkins and Miss Mar- garet Smith. Add to these Dr. J. Bailey, an English physician, George Gay and John Tur- ner, who also arrived this year, and the thirty or thirty-one persons who settled previously, and we have the population of Oregon inde- pendent of the Hudson's Bay Company's direct or indirect control in the year 1837. In January of that year W. H. Gray, of the American Board's missions, set out overland to the east for reinforcements to the missionary force of which he was a member. His journey was not an uneventful one, as will appear from the following narrative, clothed in his own words, which casts so vivid a light upon trans^ continental travel during the early days that we feel constrained to quote it. He says : "Our sketches, perhaps, would not lose in interest by giving a short account of a fight which our Flathead Indians had at this place with a war party of the Blackfeet. It 00 curred near the present location of Helena, in Montana. As was the custom with the Flat- head Indians in traveling in the buffalo coun- try, their hunters and warriors were in advance of: the main camp. A party of twenty-five Blackfeet warriors was discovered by some twelve of our Flatheads. To see each other was to fight, especially parties prowling about in this manner, and at it they went. The first fire of the Flatheads brought five of the Black- feet to the ground and wounded five more. This was more than they expected, and the Blackfeet made little effort to recover their 122 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES dead, which were duly scalped, and their bodies left for food for the wolves and the scalps borne in triumph into the camp. There were but two of the Flatheads wounded: one had a flesh wound in the thigh, and the other had his right arm broken by a Blackfoot ball. "The victory was complete, and the re- joicing in camp corresponded to the number of scalps taken. Five days and nights the usual scalp dance was performed. At the appointed time the big war-drum was sounded, when the warriors and braves made their appearance at the appointed place in the open air, painted as warriors. Those who* had taken the scalps from the heads of their enemies bore them in their hands upon the ramrods of their guns. "They entered the circle, and the war-song, drums, rattles and noises all commenced. The scalp-bearers stood for a moment (as if to catch the time), and then commenced hopping, jumping and yelling in concert with the music. This continued for a time, when some old painted woman took the scalps and continued to' dance. The performance was gone through with as many nights as there were scalps taken. "Seven days after the scalps were taken, a messenger arrived bearing a white flag, and a proposition to make peace for the purpose of trade. After the preliminaries had all been completed, in which the Hudson's Bay Com- pany trader had the principal part to perform, the time was fixed for a meeting of the two tribes. The Flatheads, however, were all careful to dig their war-pits, make their corrals and breastworks, and, in short, fortify their camp as much as if they expected a fight in- stead of peace. Ermatinger, the company's leader, remarked that he would sooner take his chances of a fight off-hand than endure the anxiety and suspense of the two days we waited for the Blackfeet to arrive. Our scouts and warriors were all ready, and all on the watch for peace or war, the latter of which, from the recent fight they had had, was ex- pected most. At length the Blackfeet arrived, bearing a red flag with H. B. C. in white let- ters upon it, and advancing to within a short distance of the camp were met by Ermatinger and a few Flathead chiefs, shook hands and were conducted to the trader's lodge — the larg- est one in the camp — and the principal chiefs of both tribes, seated upon buffalo 1 and bear skins, all went through with the ceremony of smoking a big pipe, having a long handle or stem trimmed with horse-hair and porcupine quills. The pipe was filled with the traders' tobacco and the Indians' killikinick. The war- chiefs of each tribe took a puff each of the pipe, passed it to his right-hand man, and so around till all the circle had smoked the big medicine pipe, or pipe of peace, which on this occasion was made by the Indians from a soft stone which they find in abundance in their country, having no extra ornamental work upon it. The principal chief in command, or great medicine man, went through the cere- mony, puffed four times, blowing bis smoke in four directions. This was considered a sign of peace to> all around him, which doubtless in- cluded all he knew anything about. The Blackfeet, as a tribe, are a tall, well-formed, slim-built and active people. They travel prin- cipally on foot, and are considered very treacherous. "The peace made with so much formality was broken two days afterward by killing two of the Flatheads when caught not far from the main camp. "It was from this Flathead tribe that the first Indian delegation was sent to ask for teachers. Three of their number volunteered to go with Gray to the States in 1837 to urge their claim for teachers to come among them. The party reached Ash Hollow, where they were attacked by about three hundred Sioux warriors, and, after fighting for three hours,, killed some fifteen of them, when the Sioux,, by means of a French trader then among them, obtained a parley with Gray and his traveling HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR. AND HARNEY COUNTIES 123 companions, — two young men that had started to go to the States with him. While the French- man was in conversation with Gray, the treacherous Sioux made a rush upon the three Flatheads, one Snake and one Iroquois Indian belonging to the party, and killed them. The Frenchman then turned to Gray and told him and his companions they were prisoners, and must go to the Sioux camp, first attempting to get possession of their guns. Gray informed them at once: 'You have killed our Indians in a cowardly manner, and you shall not have our guns,' at the same time telling the young men to watch the first motion of the Indians to take their lives, and if we must die to take as many Indians with us as we could. The Sioux had found in the contest thus far that, notwithstanding they had conquered and killed five, they had lost fifteen, among them one of their war chiefs, besides several severely wounded. The party was not further molested till they reached the camp, containing between one and two hundred lodges. A full explana- tion was 'had of the whole affair. Gray had two horses killed under him and two balls passed through his hat, both inflicting slight wounds. The party were feasted, and smoked the pipe of peace over the dead body of the chief's son ; next day they were allowed to pro- ceed with nine of their horses ; the balance, with the property of the Indians, the Sioux claimed as part pay for their losses, doubtless calculat- ing to 1 waylay and take the balance of the horses. Be that as it may, Gray and his young men reached Council Bluffs in twenty-one days, traveling nights and during storms to' avoid the Indians on the plains." Gray proceeded east and with the energy and courage which ever characterized him set about the task of securing the needed reinforce- ments. He succeeded in enlisting Rev. Cush- ing Eells, Rev. E. Walker and Rev. A. B. Smith with their wives, also a young man named Cornelius Rogers. He also succeeded in inducing a young woman to become his own bride .and to share with him the dangers and tedium of a transcontinental westward jour- ney and whatever of weal or woe the new land might have in store for them. Mention should likewise be made of the noted John A. Sutter,, an ex-captain of the Swiss guard, who> accom- panied this expedition and who afterward be- came an important character in the early his- tory of California. Two priests, Revs. F. N. Blanchet and. Modest Demers, also came during this year, so that the seeds of sectarian strife, which did so much to neutralize the efforts and work, of the Protestant missionaries, then began to be sown. The population of Oregon inde- pendent of the Hudson's Bay Company must have been about sixty at the close of the year- 1838. In the fall of 1839 came Rev. J. S. Griffin and Mr. Munger with their wives, Ben Wright, Lawson, Keiser and Geiger, also T. H. Farn- ham, author of "Early Days in California," Sidney Smith, Blair and Robert Shortess. W., H. Gray in his history of Oregon estimates the population as follows: "Protestant mission- aries, 10; Roman priests, 2; physicians, 2; lay- men, 6; women, 13; children, 10; settlers, 20;. settlers under Hudson's Bay control with American tendencies, 10; total, 83." In 1838 Jason Lee made a journey overland to the States for the purpose of procuring a force wherewith to' greatly extend his mission-, ary operations. His wife died during his ab- sence and the sad news was forwarded to him by Dr. McLoughlin, Dr. Whitman and a man hired by Gray. In June, 1840, Lee returned with a party of: forty-eight, of whom eight were clergymen, one was a physician, fifteen were children and nineteen were ladies, five of them unmarried. Their names are included in Gray's list of arrivals for 1840, which is as- follows : "In 1840 Mrs. Lee, second wife of Rev. Jason Lee; Rev. J. H. Frost and wife; Rev. A. F. Waller, wife and two children; Rev. W.. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES W. Kone and wife; Rev. G, Hines, wife and sister; Rev. L. H. Judson, wife and two chil- dren; Rev. J. L. Parish, wife and three chil- dren; Rev. G. P. Richards, wife and three •children; Rev. A. P. Olley and wife. Lay- men — Mr. George Abernethy, wife and two children; Mr. H. Campbell, wife and one child; Mr. W. W. Raymond and wife; Mr. H. B. Brewer and wife ; Dr. J. L. Babcock, wife and one child; Rev. Mrs. Daniel Lee; Mrs. David Carter ; Mrs. Joseph Holman ; Miss E. Phillips. Methodist Episcopal Protestant mission — Rob- ert Moore, James Cook and James Fletcher, set- tlers. Jesuit priests — P. J. De Smet, Flathead mission. "Rocky mountain men with native wives : William Craig, Robert or Dr. Newell, J. L. Meek, George Ebbetts, William M. Dougherty, John Larison, George Wilkinson, a Mr. Nich- olson, Mr. Algear and William Johnson, au- thor of 'Leni Leoti; or the Prairie Flower.' " Mr. Gray sums up the population of all the as J. W. Nesmith informs us, 1,250 head of cattle, 600 Tiead of mares, colts, horses and mules and three thousand sheep. The incident forms the theme of one of Mrs. Eva E. Dye's most charm- ing descriptions, but its strategic importance in "helping to Americanize Oregon and break up the cattle monopoly seems to have been over- looked by many other writers. The Joseph Gale who figured so promi- nently in this undertaking was afterward a member of the first triumvirate executive com- mittee of the provisional government. He is affectionately remembered in eastern Oregon, where he passed the closing years of his event- ful life, and particularly in Umatilla county, where his aged widow resides. Like nearly all the other early trappers who turned settlers, Gale married an Indian woman, though few were so happy as he in their choice. Although now about ninety years old and totally blind, his widow is still bright and lively. She lives on the Umatilla reservation with her daughter, Mrs. Edwin Simpson, and no doubt rejoices in the splendid standing which her progeny have won for themselves in the various com- munities in which they live. Some of her chil- dren and grandchildren are among the most worthy and highly esteemed of the citizens of the Inland Empire. By the close of the year 1841 the independ- ent population of Oregon had reached 253, thirty-five of whom are classed as settlers. In 1842 came an immigration of 111 persons, two of whom, A. L. Lovejoy and A. M. Hastings, were lawyers. In this year, also, came the Red River immigration of English and Scotch and of French-Canadian half-breeds to the Puget sound country. This immigration was in- spired by the Hudson's Bay Company, which designed it as an offset to the growing Amer- ican power in the Oregon country. It had, however, very little political effect, as many of its members drifted southward into the Willa- mette and became members of the provisional government. 1842 is also memorable for the famous winter ride of Dr. Whitman. In 1843 came the largest immigration the Oregon country had yet known, piloted across the plains and over the mountains by Whit- man himself. Its 875- persons, with their wagons and thirteen hundred head of cattle, settled forever the question of tne national character of Oregon. J. W. Nesmith has pre- served for us the names of all the male mem- bers of this expedition over sixteen years of HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 125. age, as also of those remaining from the im- migration of the year previous. In 1844 came eight hundred more Americans, and in 1845 a much larger number, estimated by some at three thousand. 1846 added another thou- sand to Oregon's American population. In that year the ownership of the country was definitely settled by treaty with Great Britain, and the famous world problem was solved. It is unnecessary to* trace the settlement of Oregon further. From this time forth its subjugation was assured and the man of pre- vision might foresee its importance as an in- tegral part of the great American common- wealth. The reader will naturally inquire what sort of government existed among these people so far from the seat of federal authority, and as the inception of civil institutions in Ore- gon is an important and interesting subject it shall receive brief treatment in our next chap- ter. It is of interest at this juncture, however, to give some description of the inner life of the Oregon pioneer, and this can be done in no way better than by reproducing some por- tions of an address delivered by Colonel J. W- Nesmith, that well known and influential pio- neer of the state, before the Oregon Pioneer Association. He says : "The business of the country was con- ducted entirely by barter. The Hudson's Bay Company imported and sold many articles of prime necessity to those who were able to pur- chase. Wheat or beaver skins would buy any- thing the company had for sale. But poor wayworn emigrants, just arriving in the coun- try, were as destitute of wheat and beaver as they were of coin. The skins purchased by the company were annually shipped in their own vessels to London, while the wheat was shipped to the Russian possessions on the north, and to California, to fill a contract that the Hud- son's Bay Company had with the Russian Fur Company. A small trade in lumber, salt, sal- mon, shingles and hooppoles gradually grew up with the Sandwich Islands, and brought in return a limited supply of black and dirty sugar in grass sacks, together with some salt and< coffee. "There being no duty collected upon im- portations into Oregon previous to 1849, ^ or " eign goods were comparatively cheap, though the supply was always limited; nor had the- people means to purchase beyond the pure ne- cessities. Iron, steel, salt, sugar, coffee, tea, tobacco, powder and lead, and a little ready- made clothing and some calico and domestics were the principal articles purchased by the- settlers. The Hudson's Bay Company in their long intercourse with the Indians, had, from prudential motives, adopted the plan in their trade of passing articles called for out through a hole in the wall or partition. Persons were not allowed inside among the goods to> make selections, and the purchaser had to be con- tent with what was passed out to him through the aperture. Thus, in buying a suit of clothes, there was often an odd medley of color and size. The settlers used to say that Dr. Mc- Loughlin, who* was a very large man, had sent his measure to. London, and all of the clothing was made to> fit him. The hickory shirts we used to' buy came down to our heels, and the wrist-bands protruded a foot beyond the hands ; and as Sancho Panza said of sleep, 'they cov- ered one all over like a mantle. They were no* such 'Cutty sark' affairs of 'Paisley ham' as be- fuddled Tarn O'Shanter saw when peeping in upon the dancing warlocks of 'Alloway's auld haunted kirk.' A small sized settler purchas- ing one could, by reasonable curtailment of the extremities, have sufficient material to- clothe one of the children. "The pioneer home was a log cabin with a puncheon floor and mud chimney, all con- structed without sawed lumber, glass or nails, the boards being secured upon the roof by heavy weight poles. Sugar, coffee, tea and even salt were not every day luxuries, and in many cabins were entirely unknown. Mocas- 126 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES sins made of deer or elk skins and soled with rawhide made a substitute for shoes, and were worn by both sexes. Buckskin was the ma- terial from which the greater portion of the male attire was manufactured, while the cheap- est kind of coarse cotton goods furnished the remainder. A white or boiled shirt was rarely seen and was a sure indication of great wealth and aristocratic pretension. Meat was ob- tained in some quantities from the wild game of the forests or the wild fowl with which the country abounded at certain seasons, until such time as cattle or swine became sufficiently nu- merous to be slaughtered for food. The hides •of both wild and domestic animals were utilized in many ways. Clothing, moccasins, saddles and their rigging, bridles, ropes, harness and other necessary articles were made from them. A pair of buckskin pants, moccasins, a hickory shirt and some sort of cheaply extemporized hat rendered a man comfortable as well as pre- sentable in the best society, the whole outfit not costing one-tenth part of the price of the essential gewgaws that some of our exquisite sons now sport at the ends of their watch- chains, on their shirt-fronts or dainty fingers. Buckskin clothing answered wonderfully well for rough and tumble wear, particularly in dry weather, but I have known them after ex- posure to a hard day's rain to contract in a single night by a warm fire a foot in longitude, and after being subjected to- a webfoot winter or two, and a succeeding dry summer, they would assume grotesque and unfashionable shapes, generally leaving from six inches to a foot of nude and arid skin between the top of the moccasins and jthe lower 'end of ithe breeches; the knees protruded in front, while the rear started off in the opposite direction, so that when the wearer stood up the breeches were in a constant struggle to sit down and vica versa. "The pioneers brought garden seeds with them, and much attention was paid to the pro- duction of vegetables, which, with milk, game and fish, went a long way toward the support of the family. Reaping machines, threshers, headers, mowing machines, pleasure carriages, silks, satins, laces, kid gloves, plug hats, high- heeled boots, crinaline, bustles, false hair, hair dye, jewelry, patent medicines, railroad tickets, postage stamps, telegrams, pianos and organs, together with the thousand and one articles to purchase which the country is now drained of millions of dollars annually, were then un- known and consequently not wanted. A higher civilization has introduced us to all these mod- ern improvements, and apparently made them necessaries, together with the rum-mill, the jail, the insane asylum, the poor house, the penitentiary and the gallows." Of the people who lived in Oregon during the period of which we are writing, Judge Bur- nett in his book entitled "Recollections of an Old Pioneer," says: "Among the men who came to Oregon the year I did, some were idle, worthless young men, too lazy to work at home and too genteel to steal, while some were gamb- lers and others reputed thieves. But when we arrived in Oregon they were compelled to work or starve. It was a dire necessity. There was there no able relative or indulgent friend upon whom the idle could quarter themselves, and there was little or nothing for the rogues to steal. There was no ready way by which they could escape into another country, and they could not conceal themselves in Oregon. I never knew so fine a population, as a whole community, as I saw in Oregon most of the time I was there. They were all honest be- cause there was nothing to steal ; they were all sober because there was no liquor to drink; there were no misers because there was noth- ing to hoard ; they were all industrious because it was work or starve." CHAPTER XL EVOLUTION OF GOVERNMENT. Such was the general character of the early pioneer as depicted to us by men who knew whereof they spoke. The discussion of the subject now under consideration will bring to light another characteristic of the early Ore- gonian — his political capabilities. His en- vironments and isolation from the rest of the world compelled him to' work out for himself many novel and intricate economic promlems; the uncertanty as to the ownership of Ore- gon, and the diverse national prejudices and sympathies of its settlers made the formation of a government reasonably satisfactory to the whole population an exceedingly difficult task. There were, however, men in the new community determined to make the effort, and the reader will be able to judge how well they succeeded from what follows. As early as 1838 some of the functions of government were exercised by members of the Methodist mission. Persons were chosen by that body to officiate as magistrates and judges and their findings were generally acquiesced in by persons independent of the Hudson's Bay Company because of the unorganized condition of the community, though there was doubtless a strong sentiment among the independent set- tlers in favor of trusting to the general mor- ality and disposition to' do right rather than to any political organization. The most im- portant act of the mission officers was the trial of T. J. Hubbard for the killing of a man who attempted to' enter his house at night with crim- inal and burglarious intent. Rev. David Leslie presided as judge during this noteworthy ju- dicial proceeding, which resulted in the ac- quittal of the defendant on the ground that his act was justifiable. In 1840 a petition was draftee', signed by David Leslie and others, and fo- warded to Congress. It is not entirely free from, mis- statements and inaccuracies, but is nevertheless an able and important state paper. It reads as follows : To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress Assembled: Your petitioners represent unto' your hon- orable bodies, that they are residents in the Ore- gon Territory, and citizens of the United States, or persons desirous of becoming such. They further represent to your honorable bodies, that they have settled themselves in said territory, under the belief that it was a portion of the public domain of said states, and that they might rely upon the govern- ment thereof for the blessings of free institu- tions, and the protection of its arms. But your petitioners further represent, that they are uninformed of any acts, of said gov: ernment by which its institutions and protec- tion are extended to them; in consequence whereof, themselves and families are exposed 128 HISTORY OF EAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES to be destroyed by the savages around them, and OTHERS THAT WOULD DO THEM HARM. And your petitioners would further repre- sent, that they have no means of protecting their own and the lives of their families, other than self-constituted tribunals, originated and sustained by the power of an ill-constructed public opinion, and the resort to force and arms. And your petitioners represent these means of safety to- be an insufficient safeguard of life and property, and that the crimes of theft, mur- der, infanticide, etc., are increasing among them to an alarming extent; and your peti- tioners declare themselves unable to arrest this progress of crime, and its terrible consequences without the aid of the law and tribunals to ad- minister it. Your petitioners therefore pray the Con- gress of the United States of America to es- tablish, as soon as may be, a territorial gov- ernment in the Oregon Territory. And if reasons other than those above pre- sented were needed to induce your honorable bodies to grant the prayer of the undersigned, your petitioners, they would be found in the value of this territory to the nation, and the alarming circumstances that portend its loss. Your petitioners, in view of these last con- siderations, would represent that the English government has had a surveying squadron on the Oregon coast for the last two years, em- ployed in making accurate surveys of all its rivers, bays and harbors; and that, recently, the said government is said to have made a grant to the Hudson's Bay Company of all lands lying between the Columbia river and Puget Sound; and that said company is actually exercising unequivocal acts of owner- ship over said lands thus granted, and open- ing extensive farms upon the same. And your petitioners represent that these circumstances, connected with other acts of said company to the same effect, and their declarations that the English government own and will hold, as its own soil, that portion of Oregon Territory situated north of the Co- lumbia river, together with the important fact that the said company are cutting and sawing into lumber, and shipping to foreign ports, vast quantities of the finest pine-trees upon the navigable waters of the Columbia, have led your petitioners to apprehend that the English government do intend, at all events, to> hold that portion of this territory lying north of the Columbia river. And your petitioners represent, that the said territory, north of the Columbia, is an invaluable possession to the American Union;, that in and about Puget Sound are the only harbors of easy access, and commodious and safe, upon the whole coast of the territory ; and that a great part of this said northern portion of the Oregon Territory is rich in timber,, waterpower, and valuable minerals. For these and other reasons, your petitioners pray that Congress will establish its sovereignty over said territory. Your petitioners would further represent, that the country south of the Columbia river,, and north of the Mexican line, and extending from the Pacific ocean one hundred and twen- ty miles into the interior, is of unequalled beau- ty and fertility. Its mountains, covered with perpetual snow, pouring into the prairies- around their bases transparent streams of the purest water; the white and black oak, pine,, cedar and fir forests that divide the prairies into sections convenient for farming purposes ; the rich mines of coal in its hills ; the salt springs in its valleys ; its quarries of limestone, standstone, chalk and marble; the salmon of its rivers, and the various blessings of the delightful and healthy climate, are known to us, and impress your petitioners with the belief that this is one of the most favored portions of the globe. Indeed the deserts of the interior have their wealth of pasturage; and their lakes,. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 129 evaporating in summer, leave in their basins hundreds of bushels of the purest soda. Many other circumstances could be named, showing the importance of the territory in a national, commercial and agricultural point of view. And although your petitioners would not un- dervalue considerations of this kind, yet they beg leave especially to call the attention of Congress to their own condition as an infant colony, without military force or civil insti- tutions to protect their lives and property and children, sanctuaries and tombs, from the hands of uncivilized and merciless savages around them. We respectfully ask for the civil institutions of the American Republic. We pray for the high privilege of American citi- zenship; the peaceful enjoyment of life; the right of acquiring, possessing and using prop- erty; and the universal, unrestrained pursuit of rational happiness. And for this your peti- tioners will ever pray. David Leslie (and others). (Senate document, Twenty-sixth Congress, first session. No. 514.) Inasmuch as the population of Oregon in- cluding children did not exceed two hundred at this time, the prayer of the petitioners, it need hardly be said, was not granted. But it must not be supposed that the document was there- fore without effect. It did its part toward opening the eyes of the people of the east and of congress to the importance and value of Oregon and toward directing public attention to the domain west of the Rocky mountains. Notwithstanding the paucity of the white people of Oregon, the various motives which impelled them thither had divided them into four classes, the Hudson's Bay Company, the Catholic clergy and their following, the Meth- odist missions and the settlers. The Catholics and the Company were practically a unit po- litically. The settlers favored the missions only in so far as they served the purpose of helping to settle the country, caring little about their religious influence and opposing their ambitions. The would-be organizers of a government found their opportunity in the conditions pre- sented by the death of Ewing Young, This audacious pioneer left considerable property and no legal representatives, and the question was what should be done with his belongings. Had he been a Hudson's Bay man or a Cath- olic, the company or the church would have taken care of the property. Had he been a missionary his coadjutors might have ad- ministered, but being a plain American citizen there was no- functionary possessed of even a colorable right to exercise jurisdiction over his estate. In the face of this emergency, the oc- casion of Young's funeral, which occurred February 17th, was seized upon for attempt- ing the organization of some kind of a gov- ernment. At an impromptu meeting it was decided that a committee should perform the legislative functions and that the other of- ficers of the new government should be a gov- ernor, a supreme judge with probate jurisdic- tion, three justices of the peace, three con- stables, three road commissioners, an attorney general, a clerk of the court and public re- corder, a treasurer and two overseers of the poor. Nominations were made for all these offices and the meeting adjourned until next day, when, it was hoped, a large representa- tion of the citizens of the valley would as- semble at the mission house. The time specified saw the various fac- tions in full force at the place of meeting. A legislative committee was appointed as fol- lows : Revs. F. N. Blanchet, Jason Lee, Gus- tavus Hines and Josiah L. Parish, also Messrs. D. Donpierre, M. Charlevo, Robert Moore, E. Lucier and William Johnson. No governor was chosen ; the Methodists secured the judge- ship and the Catholics the clerk and recorder. Had the friends of the organization been more fortunate in their choice of a chairman of the legislative committee the result of the move- 130 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES merit might have been different, but Rev. Blanchet never called a meeting of his com- mittee and the people who assembled on June ist to hear and vote upon proposed laws found their congregating had been in vain. Blanchet resigned ; Dr. Bailey was chosen to fill the vacancy and the meeting adjourned un- til October. First, however, it ordered the committee to confer with Commodore Wilkes of the American squadron and John McLough- lin, chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Com- pany, with regard to forming a constitution and code of laws. Wilkes considered it unnec- essary and impolitic to organize a government at that time, giving as his reasons : "First — On account of their want of right, as those wishing for laws were, in fact, a small minority of the settlers. "Second — That these were not yet neces- sary even by their own account. "Third — That any laws they might estab- lish would be a poor substitute for the moral code they all now followed, and that evil- doers would not be disposed to settle near a community entirely opposed to* their practices. "Fourth — The great difficulty they would have in enforcing any laws, and defining the limits over which they had control, and the discord this might occasion in their small com- munity. "Fifth — They not being the .majority, and the larger portion of the population Catholics, the latter would elect officers of their party, and they would thus place themselves entirely un- der the control of others. "Sixth — The unfavorable impressions it would produce at home, from the belief that the missionaries had admitted that in a com- munity brought together by themselves they had not enough of moral force to control it and prevent crime, and therefore must have recourse to a criminal code." The friends of the movement could not deny the cogency of this reasoning, and, it ap- pears, concluded to let the matter drop. The October meeting was never held and thus the first attempt at forming a government ended. However, the judge elected made a satisfac- tory disposition of the Young estate. But the question of forming an independent or provisional government continued to agitate the public mind. During the winter of 1842-3 a lyceum was organized at Willamette Falls, now Oregon City, at which the propriety of taking steps in that direction was warmly de- bated. On one evening the subject for dis- cussion was "Resolved, That it is expedient for the settlers on this coast to establish an in- dependent government." McLoughlin favored the resolution and it carried. Mr. Abernethy, defeated in this debate, skillfully saved the day by introducing as the topic of the next dis- cussion, "Resolved, That if the United States extends its jurisdiction over this country within four years, it will not be expedient to form an independent government." This resolution was also carried after a spirited discussion, de- stroying the effect of the first resolution. Meanwhile the settlers in the vicinity of the Oregon Institute were skillfully working out a plan whereby a provisional government might be formed. They knew the sentiment of their confreres at the Falls, the result of the deliberations at that place having been reported to them by Mr. Le Breton; they knew also that their designs would meet with opposition from both the Hudson's Bay Company and the mission people. The problem to be solved was how to accomplish their ends without stirring up .an opposition which would overwhelm them at the very outset. Their solution of this prob- lem is a lasting testimony to their astuteness and finesse. As a result of the formation of the Willa- mette Cattle Company and its success in im- porting stock from California, almost every settler was the owner of at least a few head, and, of course, the Hudson's Bay Company and the missions also had their herds. The fact that wolves, bears and panthers were destruct- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 131 ive to the cattle of all alike furnished one bond of common interest uniting the diverse popula- tion of Oregon, and this circumstance fur- nished the conspiritors their opportunity. Their idea was that having got an object before the people upon which all could unite, they might advance from the ostensible object, pro- tection for domestic animals, to the more im- portant, though hidden, object, "preservation both for property and person." The "wolf meeting," as it is called' convened on the 2d of February and was fully attended. It was feared that Dr. I. L. Babcock, the chairman, might suspect the main object, but in this in- stance he was even less astute than some others. The utmost harmony prevailed. It was moved that a committee of six should be appointed by the chair to devise a plan and report at a future meeting, to convene, it was decided, on the first Monday in March next, at 10 o'clock A. M. After the meeting pursuant to adjournment had completed its business by organizing a campaign against wolves, bears and panthers, and adopting rules and regulations for the government of all in their united warfare upon pests, one gentleman arose and addressed the assembly, complimenting it upon the justice and propriety of the action taken for the pro- tection of domestic animals, but "How is it, fel- low citizens," said he, "with you and me and our children and wives? Have we any or- ganization upon which we can rely for mutual protection? Is there any power or influence in the country sufficient to protect us and all we hold dear on earth from the worse than wild beasts that threaten and occasionally de- stroy our cattle ? Who* in our midst is author- ized at this moment to call us together to pro- tect our own and the lives of our families? True, the alarm may be given, as in a recent case, and we may run who feel alarmed, and shoot off our guns, while our enemy may be robbing our property, ravishing our wives and burning the houses over our defenceless fam- ilies. Common sense, prudence and justice to ourselves demand that we act consistent with the principles we have commenced. We have mutually and unitedly agreed to defend and protect our cattle and domestic animals; now, fellow citizens, I submit and move the adop- tion of the two following resolutions, that we may have protection for our persons and lives, as well as our cattle and herds. " 'Resolved, That a committee be appointed to take into' consideration the propriety of tak- ing measures for the civil and military protec- tion of this colony. " 'Resolved, That said committee consist of twelve persons.' " If an oratorical effort is to be judged by the effect produced upon the audience, this one deserves a place among the world's mas- terpieces. The resolutions carried unanimous- 1 y. The committee appointed consisted of I. L. Babcock, Elijah White, James A. O'Neil, Robert Shortess, Robert Newell, Etienne Lucier, Joseph Gervais, Thomas Hubbard, C. McRoy, W. H. Gray, Sidney Smith and George Gay. Its first meeting was held before a month had elapsed, the place being Willa- mette Falls. Jason Lee and George Abernethy appeared and argued vehemently against the movement as premature. When the office of governor was stricken from the list the com- mittee unanimously decided to call another meeting on the ensuing 2d of May. W. H. Gray, in his history of Oregon, describes this decisive occasion with such graphic power that it would be a wrong to the reader not to give it in his own language. He says : "The 2d of May, the day fixed by the com- mittee of twelve to' organize a settlers' gov- ernment, was close at hand. The Indians had all learned that the 'Bostons' were going to have a big meeting, and they alsoi knew that the English and French were going to meet with them to oppose what the 'Bostons' werf going to do. The Hudson's Bay Company had drilled and trained their voters for the oc 132 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES casion, under the Rev. F. N. Blanchet and his priests, and they were promptly on the ground in an open field near a small house, and, to the amusement of every American present, trained to vote 'No' to every motion put; no matter if to' carry their point they should have voted 'Yes' it was 'No.' Le Breton had informed the committee, and the Americans generally, that this would be the course pursued, accord- ing to instructions, hence our motions were made to test their knowledge of what they were doing, and we found just what we expected was the case. The priest was not prepared lor our manner of meeting them, and, as the record shows, 'considerable confusion was existing in consequence.' By this time we had counted votes. Says Le Breton, 'We can risk it; let us divide and count.' T second the motion,' says Gray. 'Who's for a divide?' sang out old Joe Meek, as he stepped out; 'all for the report of the committee and an organization, follow me.' This was so sudden and unex- pected that the priest and his voters did not know what to do, but every American was soon in line. Le Breton and Gray passed the line and counted fifty-two Americans and but fifty French and Hudson's Bay men. They announced the count — 'fifty-two for, and fifty against.' 'Three cheers for our side!' sang out old Joe Meek. Not one of those old veteran mountain voices was lacking in that shout for liberty. They were given with a will, and in a few seconds the chairman, Judge I. L. Bab- cock, called the meeting to order, when the priest and his band slunk away into the cor- ners of the fences, and in a short time mounted their horses and left." After the withdrawal O'f the opponents of this measure, the meeting became harmonious, of course. Its minutes show that A. E. Wilson was chosen supreme judge; G. W. Le Breton, clerk of the court and recorder; J. L. Meek, sheriff; W. H. Willson, treasurer; Messrs. Hill, Shortess, Newell, Beers, Hubbard, Gray, O'Neil, Moore and Dougherty, legislative com- mittee; and that constables, a major and cap- tains were also chosen. The salary of the legislative committee was fixed at $1.25 per day, and it was instructed to prepare a code of laws to be submitted to the people at Cham- poeg on the 5th day of July. On the day preceding this date, the anni- versary of America's birth was duly cele- brated, Rev. Gustavus Hines delivering the oration. Quite a number who had opposed or- ganization at the previous meeting were pres- ent on the 5 th and announced their determina- tion to acquiesce in the acts of the majority and yield obedience to any government which might be formed, but representatives of the Hudson's Bay Company even went so far in their opposition as to address a letter to the leaders of the movement asserting their ability to defend both themselves and their political rights. A review of the "organic laws" adopted at this meeting would be interesting, but such is beyond the scope of our volume. Suffice it to say that they were so liberal and just, so com- plete and comprehensive that it has been a source of surprise to students ever since that untrained mountaineers and settlers, without experience in legislative halls, could conceive a system so well adapted to the needs and condi- tions of the country. The preamble runs: "We, the people of Oregon Territory, for pur- poses of mutual protection, and to secure peace and prosperity among ourselves, agree to adopt the following laws and regulations, until such time as the United States of America extend their jurisdiction over us." The two weak- nesses, which were soonest felt, were the result of the opposition to the creation of the office of governor and to the levying of taxes. The former difficulty was overcome by substituting, in 1844, a gubernatorial executive for the triumvirate which had theretofore discharged the executive functions, and the latter by rais- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 133 ing the necessary funds by popular subscrip- tion. In 1844 also a legislature was substituted for the legislative committee. Inasmuch as the first election resulted fa- vorably to some who owed allegiance to the British government as well as to others who were citizens of the United States, the oath of office was indited as follows : "I do solemn- ly swear that I will support the organic laws of the provisional government of Oregon, so far as the said organic laws are consistent with my duties as a citizen of the United States, or a subject of Great Britain, and faithfully demean myself in office. So help me God." Notwithstanding the opposition to the pro- visional government, the diverse peoples over whom it exercised authority, and the weak- nesses in it resulting from the spirit of com- promise of its authors, it continued to- exist and discharge all the necessary functions of sov- ereignty until, on August 14, 1848, in answer to the numerous memorials and petitions and the urgent appeals of Messrs. Thornton and Meek, Congress at last decided to give to Ore- gon a territorial form of government with all the rights and privileges usually accorded to territories of the United States. Joseph Lane, of Indiana, whose subsequent career presents so many brilliant and so many sad chapters, was appointed territorial governor. The limits and province of our work pro- elude further narration of the history of Ore- gon in general. By the act of March 3, 1853, the country north of the Columbia was organ- ized into a separate territory, bearing the name of the great father of his country. At later dates the area of Oregon was further curtailed by the formation of Montana and Idaho ter- ritories, but in 1859, notwithstanding this cur- tailment, the country had so far advanced in population and general development as to gain admission to the Union. The provisional system had originally di- vided the territory governed by its provisions into three districts. The development and' set- tlement of the country necessitated an increase in the number from time to time and soon the name county was substituted for district. When eastern Oregon became sufficiently pop- ulous to' gain recognition in the councils of the state it was organized into Wasco county, with its seat of local government at The Dalles. The discovery of gold in eastern Ore- gon and Idaho soon populated the wilderness to such an extent that the inconvenience of this ponderous and unwieldy empire county began to be oppressive, and in 1862 two new counties, Umatilla and Baker, were organized. With the further history and development of one of these two older children of Wasco, the mother of eastern Oregon counties, our work will concern itself in future chapters. BAKER COUNTY A MIHIHG SCEHE. PIHE YALLEY. HISTORY OF BAKER COUNTY. CHAPTER I. SETTLEMENT TO 1863. When we consider the various types and shades of character to be found among men, the diverse motives which impel them to action and the fact that each is practically free to think and do as he pleases to pursue hap- piness of the kind which most appeals to his fancy and in a way of his own choosing, it seems almost impossible that there should be such a thinig as a philosophy of history. A superficial survey of the past annals of the race reveals a vast seething ocean of human life, lashed into fury by the passions of the hour, the waves apparently receding always as far as they advance. King contends with king, na- tion with nation, and principle with principle. Men are elevated to' the highest honors in the gift of nations only to be case down into the lowest depths of degradation and disgrace. Today the masses shout "down with royalty" and to-morrow they crown a new king with en- thusiastic bursts of applause and obsequious as- surances of their loyalty and support. But a' more extended study of conditions reveals the existence of method in all this seeming mad- ness, and the flight of centuries discloses the fact that of chaos, cosmos is being evolved, and that this apparent confusion is working out for each race and nation its own "manifest destiny." The truth is that while individuals differ materially in thought and purposes, so much so that a science of human nature never Has been and never can be developed, yet there are certain passions which move all men alike, certain basic principles embedded in the constitution of the race, which, when appealed to, cause simultaneous movements to take place among large numbers and shape the current of history. As the love of personal and religious lib- erty populated New England, and the aristo- cratic proclivities of the southern people in- clined them to* favor the institution of slav- ery, so' the acquisitiveness inherent in humanity impelled it across the wide prairies and through the fastnesses of the Rocky mountains until it poured its all subduing tide upon the shores of the boundless Pacific. The desire of wealth may be considered the dominating factor in the development of the west and one particular manifestation of this passion, the love of gold, has contributed immensely to' the .•subjugation of its natural resources. The presence of this metal in any locality has meant the speedy set- tlement and development of that locality and when once gold has been discovered no matter where, no danger from aboriginal inhabitants, no remoteness from a base of supplies, and no toils and hardships of the journey could 138 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES keep the doughty pioneer i'rom repairing thither, bringing with him the elements of civ- ilization and progress. The trail of the westward moving army of civilization passed through Powder river val- ley, but notwithstanding the beauty of the Blue mountains and the abundance of ever green timber upon their sides, and crests, there was nothing here of sufficient interest to stay the weary emigrant, obedient as he was to the impulse which was bidding him follow the star of empire as far toward the Occident as possible. The agricultural possibilities of these sagebrush and bunchgrass plains were unknown and unsuspected ; the presence of the red men would prove a constant menace to the settler and the distance from a base of sup- plies was an obstacle not easily overcome, even, if a sufficient inducement for settlement were known to exist. When, however, gold was discovered in this section, these obstacles were soon shown to> be not insurmountable and the seeds of future development at once began to be planted. Tthe chain of events leading toi the discov- ery of gold in eastern Oregon reaches back to the immigration of 1845, mention of which has been made previously. No notice, how- ever, was taken in former chapters of a very strange occurrence connected with that expedi- tion, an occurrence which is to form the first link in the concatenation of causes, the ulti- mate effect of which was the settlement of Baker county. Identified with the Methodist Mission in the Willamette valley was one Dr. Elijah White, whose charaJcter has been bit- terly attacked by sotne writers, and who cer- tainly seems to have been a self-seeking, am- bitions and not overly scrupulous man. His connection with the mission was cut short on this account, but he figured in Oregon affairs afterward as sub-Indian age at and in other capacities. In 1845 h e set out f° r Washing- ton, D. C, his purpose being, as has been sup- posed, to get himself appointed governor of Oregon, should it be organized into a territory according to the general expectation. What his connection with the events we are about to narrate may have been is not con- clusively established, but that he was mainly responsible for the sufferings endured by a portion of the immigration of 1845 1S gener- ally believed. When not far from Fort Boise he met a company of immigrants. Bancroft says there can be but little doubt of his having induced about two hundred of these families to leave the established road down Snake river, taking instead an abandoned trail up the Mal- heur. His idea probably was that they would be almost certain to find a pass through the Cascades and that eventually the credit of hav- ing made a most important discovery would be given to him. It appears that shortly before he left Ore- gon City, some one had sent word east that a new and better route had been discovered over the Cascades to the Willamette, and if fortune should favor Dr. White, and the expedition he had directed should discover a pass the honor would most surely be his. "It cannot be reas- onably supposed," says Mr. Hiatt in his Thir- ty-One Years in Baker County, "that he would have urged a company of immigrants to try a new and unknown route if he had an- ticipated the suffering which they were doomed to endure. Doubtless he had perfect faith in the feasibility of the enterprise, for at that time there was nothing known of the charac- ter of all that country lying between Snake river and the Cascade mountains, and it would be but reasonable to suppose that the Malheur and Burnt rivers had their source in the Cas- cade mountains and, judging from the size of those streams, the distance to the summit could not be so very great. The existence of the lake basin and desert plains between the heads of those streams and the Cascade mountains was not then known. But whatever may have HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 139 been White's motives, and whether or not he did induce a company to leave the emigrant road and follow the trail up the Malheur river, certain it is that they did try that route with Stephen H. L. Meek for a guide. He was a brother of Joe Meek, who, it has been erron- eously stated, induced the company to make the unfortunate attempt, himself acting as guide-" What Stephen Meek's private reasons might be for undertaking to lead a party through a country utterly unknown to him- self will probably always remain one of the unsolved problems in Oregon history. It is likely that he had heard enough of the country from trappers and adventurers to 1 cre- ate in his mind a sanguine faith in his ability to successfully accomplish what he undertook. It is certain that he had no 1 designs to do the emigrants harm, for he went with them, shar- ing all their hardships and in every way acting the part of a true and honorable man. While the company were following the banks of the Malheur river all went well, but as soon as they entered the alkali lake region they began to murmur against their guide, who 1 showed signs of knowing little more about the coun- try than did the people themselves. Their suf- ferings became intense, and some of them died from having drunk of the poisonous alkali wa- ter. As they proceeded their discontent heightened into anger and they began to make threats against the life of their guide. They turned into the dry country between the Des Chutes and John Day rivers and here their pa- tience was sorely tried. Little or no water was to be had. Their resentment against Meek became so bitter that it was considered unsafe for him toi longer remain with them and he acted upon the advice of some of the more moderate members of the party and separated from the expedition. His friends went on in advance of the main body to explore the way, and by keeping in touch with them he reached in safety a suitable place for crossing the Des Chutes river. He thought that he there might await the arrival of the train, inasmuch as the company had fared much better for a few days - past, having succeeded in obtaining water by dropping a bucket at the end of a rope two hundred feet long, down the precipitous can- yon side and into the Des Chutes. But when the foremost of the advancing column came up, he was informed that one man had vowed to shoot him on sight, in revenge for the death of two members of his family. Meek therefore pushed on down the river and across it, eventually reaching The Dalles. Upon his arrival there he showed a will- ingness to atone for whatever wrong he" may have committed by sending a man with pack animals loaded with provisions to the re- lief of the families, who in due time reached that town without further casualties. The incident of this trying adventure which in later years directly affected our sec- tion of the country is yet to be related. While somewhere near the head waters of the Mal- heur river, members of the expedition discov- ered nuggets of a curious yellow metal, un- doubtedly gold, but not being experienced in mining and having never seen the precious mineral in its natural state, no thought of the value of the discovery entered their heads. A probably correct account of this discovery was given by S. D. Clarke of Salem, in the Port- land Daily Bee, and quoted by Bancroft as f ollowis : "The first gold discovery in Oregon made by an American w'as near the head of the Malheur river, on a small creek divided irom the Malheur by a ridge. This stream ran southwest and was supposed to be a branch of the Malheur, an error that caused much trouble and disappointment to pros- pectors eight or ten years later. Daniel Herron, a cousin of W. J. Herron, of Salem, was looking for lost cattle while the company were in camp here, and picked up a piece of shining metal on the rocky bed of the creek 140 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES and carried it to camp as a curiosity. No one could tell what the metal was, and no one thought of its being gold. Another nugget was found and brought to Mr. Martin's wag- on, who tested it by hammering it out on his wagon /tire, but not being able to tell its na- ture, it was thrown into' the tool chest and forgotten and ultimately lost. After the gold discovery in California, these incidents were remembered, and many parties went in search of the spot where the emigrants said this gold was found, but were misled by being told it was on a tributary of the Malheur." However true or false this story may be, its narration had the effect of inducing several expeditions in search of the "Blue Bucket" diggings, as they were called on acount of the statement that a blue bucket had been left near the site oi the discovery, or some say because such a vessel had been filled with nuggets. The most important of these expeditions set out from Portland in August, 1861. Its history is strangely analogous to that of the emigrant party of 1845. It appears that a man named Adams was one day relating the story of the lost diggings on the streets of Portland when some California miners who were temporarily in that city en route to> the Oro Fino mines, chanced to join the company of listeners. Be- ing somewhat undecided as to the advisabilty of going on to Oro Fino owing to 1 discouraging reports from that region, these adventurous, men were in the proper frame of mind for any new and promising undertaking, and curiosity soon gave place to intense interest. They eager- ly questioned Mr. Adams as to his knowledge of the locality, and were informed that he had seen the gulch in which the gold had been found, that he could find it again without dif- ficulty and that he was more than willing, if a company could be formed sufficiently large to insure safety against possibly hostile Indians, to guide such company to the land where for- tunes could be picked up on the surface of the ground. As the statements of Adams were corroborated by three young men who also claimed to have been present at the place in 1845, an d to have seen the diggings,' they readily gained credence, and soon a company of men, including the four Californians, were equipped for the expeditions. With Adams for guide, they set out through the Cascades by the Barlow route and reached the Des Chutes at the point where it was event- ually 'crossed by The Dalles and Canyon City wagon road, the same point at which the emi- grants effected a crossing in ,1845. Proceed- ing thence to. Crooked river, a tributary of the Des Chutes, they ascended that stream to' its head waters. Their further progress led them into a dry region, and soon they began to suf- fer for water as had the 'Company of emigrants some sixteen years before. History repeated itself. Suspicions of the veracity of their guide, whose knowledge of the country was evi- dently not very extensive, were soon aroused. When threatened in an angry manner, the three young men who had confirmed Adams's story in Portland weakened, admitting that they had prevaricated and that they were not with Adams in 1845 an ^ had never seen the so- called Blue Bucket diggings. Adams, how- ever, still persisted in asserting that his story was true and that he could lead the party to the spot where gold had been found. Not- withstanding the shock which their faith in Adams had received, the company continued to follow him until the region of poisonous alka- li water was again entered by a party of white men. Here the men refused to follow their guide further and turning to the northward, proceeded to the banks of the Malheur and thence _ toward the head waters of the Burnt river. Although they had varied from the course in which Adams would have led them, they still insisted upon his finding the diggings, threatening him with death in case of failure. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 141 Indeed more than once a pistol had been drawn and it seemed that his last hour had come. Things assumed such a serious aspect that once Mr. Adams endeavored to effect his es- cape, but failing in this he was given one more day in which to find the diggings. Many of the men had left growing crops in the Willa- mette valley, feeling certain from the positive assertions of Adams that they would be more than recompensed for any pecuniary loss they might sustain in consequence. Now they had not only allowed their crops to' go to waste, but had endured incredible hardships and per- sonal suffering, and all apparently for nothing. However, a considerable portion of the party, including the Californians, had no such aggra- vated personal motives for hostility, and being perhaps better used to the disappointments of mining life, they did not share the extremely bitter feeling which animated the majority. When the evening of the day of grace arrived, with the diggings yet undiscovered, the ex- tremists were strongly in favor of the immedi- ate execution of Adams, but the minority suc- ceeded in gaining him a respite till morning, though he was guarded the entire night. About ten o'clock the next day, it was decided to put him upon his trial. A jury was selected and all the outward forms in vogue in legally con- stituted tribunals were observed, except that naturally much incompetent testimony was ad- mitted. After a trial of a day's duration, the case was given to the jury in the evening. Next morning the jurors announced their ver- dict to be that the defendant was guilty and that he should be deprived of all his property, including arms, ammunition, provision, etc., in fact everything but the clothing he had on, and that in this impoverished condition he should separate himself from the rest of the company, each member of which should be privileged to shoot the culprit should he be dis- covered anywhere in sight. He was also humiliated by being required to sign a con- fession of perjury. It may be that some members of the jury favored this procedure rather than a sentence to immediate death, in the hope that they might later devise a plan by which the guide's life might be saved. At any rate there were those in the company who; did not purpose to allow Adams to perish in such a barbarous and in- human manner. They planned to supply the wants of the condemned, keeping him con- cealed from the majority of their comrades until a point was reached at which the party had agreed to divide, the major portion re- turning via the route over which they had come and the minority striking out in a north- easterly direction to the old emigrant road, over which they purposed to return to Port- land. The plan worked and Adams's life was saved. What the true explanation of this man's conduct may be is another unsolved problem of Oregon history. Hiatt suggests that he may have heard of the Blue Bucket diggings so many times that the imaginary scene became so vivid as to cause belief that it was an actual experience. Such a supposition seems hardly consistent with sanity, but then Adams may have been slightly deranged. It is likely that he had so- much faith in his ability to find the diggings that he overstated the facts for the purpose of inspiring like faith in the minds of others and thus insuring the formation of a company and the equipping of the expedition. To this view it may be objected that if Adams was a member of the emigration of 1845 ne ought to have profited by Meek's experience. On the other hand it is a well known fact that not all men are wise enough to avoid the pit- falls into which others may have fallen to' their knowledge. With the party which returned by the route over which they had made the outward journey 142 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES we have here no further concern. The other party prospected along their route, finding col- ors on China 'creek and elsewhere, but discov- ering noi pay dirt until on the evening of Oc- tober 23, 1 86 1, in the gulch which has ever since borne his name, Henry Griffin sank a hole about three feet deep, striking bedrock and a good prospect. Twenty-twO' more claims were staked off, each of one hundred feet, and the choice among these was determ- ined by lot. Elk creek was not far distant from: the head of the gulch and a site for a ditch tapping it was at once surveyed out, the first requisite, of course, being water where- with to work the claims. This survey com- pleted, the party broke up camp and set out for Walla Walla. From that point the main company proceeded on to the Willamette, but Griffin, Stafford, Littlefield and Schriver re- turned with provisions, intending to spend the winter at the mines. November found the four indomitable pioneers last mentioned again encamped on Griffin's gulch, where they built a cabin and prepared to pass the winter. It will be remembered that this first winter spent by white men in Baker county was one of con- siderable severity, as though the elements themselves were determined to prove the metal of the advance agents of civilization, jealous that none unworthy should be allowed to re- main. The four miners were not unworthy. No sooner had they completed their cabin than snow fell to a depth of three feet, but early in the following month a five days' rain con- verted all this snow, as well as that accumulat- ed in the mountains, into floods of water. The result was that all of: Powder river valley be- came a vast, shallow lake. No sooner had the snow disappeared than the miners began operations upon their claims. So plentiful was the water, however, that the necessity of gum-boots became painfully ap- parent and the men perceived that another trip to Walla Walla must be made. Accordingly, about the middle of December two of them, Littlefield and Schriver, set out upon this ard- uous journey, taking with them more than one hundred dollars' worth of gold dust. A very interesting and, to the present generation, strange incident of this expedition took place in Ladd canyon, as it is now called, on the edge of- Grande Ronde valley. One night Mr. Lit- tlefield awoke from slumber to find facing him at no great distance what afterwards proved to be a large gray wolf. Awaking his companion and concomitantly drawing his revolver, he attempted to shoot the intruder but the pow- der had become damp and the gun missed fire. Schriver then tried with the same result for a while, but eventually he succeeded in dis*- charging his weapon. The animal was hit. He gave vent to his feelings in howls of pain and forthwith a chorus of howls rose on all sides. The unwounded members of the pack fell upon their stricken companion and de- voured him ravenously. The 'men built a fire for protection, beside which they kept vigil until morning, when the wolves skulked away. It must have given our adventurers great pleasure to find at the farther side of the Grande Ronde valley and near the site of the present Island City, a considerable settlement of white persons. With these they spent Christmas day and as Mr. Hiatt informs us, "witnessed one of those freaks in the affairs of life which are to' be seen only in new and unorganized settlements. A married couple had learned, after thirty or forty years' exper- ience, that they could not live together agree- ably, but found it equally difficult to separate on account of a disagreement about the divi- sion of their property. For the purpose of settling the affair and preventing more serious trouble which it seemed probable might follow, the settlers organized a court and took the case up and divorced them, and divided the prop- erty betwixt them, making a settlement that answered all purposes as well as if it had been done legally." Having reached Walla AValla, disposed of HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 143 their gold dust and purchased their rubber boots and other supplies, Messrs Littlefield and Schriver set out upon the return journey. They had with them one pack animal. Upon the Blue mountains they found the snow so deep that their horse could get, as they sup- posed, nothing to eat, but they resolved to give him a fair chance for his life, so unpacked him and turned him loose, taking the load upon their own shoulders. Thus relieved, the horse managed to subsist upon twigs and the bark of trees. He followed them all the way across the mountains, and was doubtless pressed into service again on reaching the lower levels. Before January was over, they were again with their companions in Griffin's gulch. The snow fall during the winter, according to meas- urements made by one of the miners, aggre- gated fourteen feet. The horses belonging to the company were turned out upon Powder river valley to subsist by pawing for grass and to- shelter themselves from storms as best they could. Most of them fell victims to the rapacious packs of wolves which that winter infested the valley. The mode of attack of these ravenous animals was to skulk around until they found a horse sep- arated from the rest of the band, then to fall upon him enmasse. The five horses which did survive until spring owed their lives to in- telligent co-operation. When any one of their number was attacked all would quickly assem- ble together and turning their flanks toward a common center, present a solid front in every direction, fighting off the common enemy with their fore feet. Mr. Hiatt tells us that it was very seldom a gray wolf was seen after the first winter, though some three or four years later a pack was known to cross Powder river above Auburn. In April, 1862, two of the miners, while prospecting at a point commanding a view of the Powder river valley, were greatly sur- prised and startled to see a large band of horses near the edge of the valley. Had the owners of this band been hostile Indians, as was at first supposed, the situation of the min- ers would have been indeed precarious, but on reconnoitering a little, they found that the party consisted of about fifty white men. The coming of these to the valley was a result of a strange trait in the character of the early wes- tern people and indeed in human nature gen- erally, leading some to frabricate wild, ro- mantic tales upon a relatively unimportant basis of facts and others to give at least suffi- cient credence to such tales to incite them to action. It appears that the gold dust taken by Messrs. Littlefield and Schriver to Walla Walla was purchased by Mr. Humason of The Dalles and sent by him to Portland, where it was placed on exhibition in a show case. It remained as a proof of all the tales that might be spun by the romancer, much the same kind of proof, to' be sure, as that offered by Mark Twain in support of his story about a notorious horse which bucked so hard he threw the sad- die sixty feet in the air. "If you don't be- lieve it," says the famous humorist, "I will show you the saddle." The hardy pioneers of Griffin's gulch must have been inspired with a new sense of their importance when they learned that notwith- standing the absorbing interest centering in the great Civil war, their humble efforts were attracting so much and such wide-spread at- tention. One would think also that the new- comers who had traveled so many miles ex- pecting to find a spot where men filled gum boots with nuggets and realized as high as $150 per pan of dirt would suffer a corres- ponding depression of spirits when they learned the real truth, but if so they bore their disappointment philosophically. They immed- iately set out in search of prospects and be- fore many clays made discoveries in numerous ^niches and creek beds in the vicinity. The party of men whose work we have just been describing were not many days in advance of another party. However, the membership 144 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES of the second expedition was made up mostly of stuff less stern. When this company were well on their way they met a number of per- sons who informed them that the reports about the mines were utterly without foundation, as- cribing them to> hirelings of the Oregon Steam Navigation Company, who, they said, had been employed to 1 spend the winter on Powder river and initiate stories calculated to cause a rush. These statements induced the major portion to return to their homes breathing forth impre- cations upon innocent heads of the company and its supposed accomplices in the wrong. Four or five who continued their journey reached Griffin's gulch in safety, saw for them- selves the evidences that gold had been found and proceeded to hunt claims of their own. During the entire summer following men roamed over this section of the country in all directions, exploring every river and creek and locating claims wherever good prospects could be found. Traveling parties came from Ne- vada, California and other western states, many of: them en route to the celebrated Sal- mon river mines, determined to' try their for- tunes in this region. Among the members of these parties some have ever since remained, assisting in the establishing and upbuilding of: civil institutions and the development of the country's resources. Hardin Estes and Fred Dill were leading members of a Nevada expedition numbering about twenty which has always been known as the White Horse company, from the color of the steeds most of them brought. These men and their companions might have been lost to Baker and Grant counties were it not for the high water off the spring of 1862, which for a time prevented their crossing Powder river and the valley through which it flows. While reconnoitering for a place to cross near the mouth of North Powder they were informed of the impossibility of their so doing by John Hibbard, who was on his way to Walla Walla. They returned some distance and camped in a canyon, but Mr. Estes went still further up the river, discovering a mining camp on its oppo- site side and also a place at the mouth of Blue canyon where a bridge might be constructed. Bringing the remainder of the company to this site he and his companions built a rude bridge oi trees and brush covered with mud, the first bridge that ever spanned the crystal waters olf Powder river. About half of the company re- mained in this vicinity and the other half went to the John Day mines ; Mr. Estes eventually settled in Washington gulch, taking on the 1 6th day of June, 1862, the first land claim ever filed upon in the Powder river valley. A little later in the season than the White Horse company came John B. Bowen and some forty-eight others from California, likewise enroute to the celebrated Salmon river mines. While reconnoitering for a way across the river and valley they struck the Estes trail, which of course led them to the bridge, but upon ar- riving there they found a man in charge who demanded a dollar a horse toll for crossing.' The company protested but finally paid the exorbitant charge and went on to> the mines, where they met a man from the Salmon river country. By his reports they were discour- aged from going on, so the population of the Powder river district was further augmented. When Mr. Estes learned that another had tak- en possession of his bridge, he repaired to the spot and sold the man the bridge, stipulating, however, that the toll should forthwith be re- duced to fifty cents per head for horses. It must not be supposed that the compa- nies above mentioned constituted the entire im- migration into the country during the spring and summer of 1862. On the contrary there were numerous other arrivals from California, Nevada and the Willamette valley, many of whom became permanent residents and leading citizens of Baker county. Nor were these in- trepid pioneers all men. Mrs. Love had the honor of having been the first lady toi enter the district, but she was not to be lone without HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 145 the companionship of her own sex, for Mrs. Lovell, Mrs. and Miss Rackerby and others canie almost immediately aifterwanl.-. The development of an agricultural and stock-raising section is necessarily slow, but owing to the peculiar fascination and excite- ment attending mining operations, localities where gold is found are usually settled with a rush. The population, however, is less stable and a new excitement in some other section is liable to cause the camp to be totally or par- tially depopulated as speedily as it had been settled. Although the population of this min- ing district in the fall and winter of 1861 con- sisted of just four white men, the spring of 1862 brought a numerous and varied popula- tion, and as early as May or June the propriety of founding a town began, to be canvassed. This agitation erystalized into' a definite movement on the thirteenth of the latter month, when, at a meeting called by William H. Packwood and others, it was decided to lay out a town. Why they named this town Auburn the writer does not know, but in the light of its subsequent history one might almost infer that its found- ers had some prophetic intuition of the time when like the "sweet Auburn" of the poet, it Should be a "deserted village." June 14th saw a street laid out from Freezeout gulch to Blue canyon, on each side of which lots were quickly taken. Cabins sprang up like mushrooms, and the town speedily assumed the aspect familiar to all who have ever visited primitive western mining camps. Of course the methods in vogue among the pioneer placer mines of Baker county were necessarily of the crudest character at first. There is something, however, so 1 exciting and energizing about the search for gold that ob- stacles which would deter for an indefinite per- iod a less progressive people are speedily over-' come by the mining classes. Patient in his search for a good prospect, reckless of danger and hardship when they lie in his uncertain 10 pathway to' sudden wealth, the miner naturally is not lacking in the energy to push develop- ment work, when sure that he has a good thing. Had Griffin's gulch been an agricultural dis- trict and settled by an agricultural people, re- quiring water for irrigation purposes, the prob- abilities are that the (farmers would have strug- gled along for years before arrangements could be perfected and a ditch secured. But since the water was to be used for washing out the yellow metal, no halting conservatism pre- vented the immediate construction of the ditch surveyed by Griffin and companions in the win- ter of 1 86 1 and by the 20th of May, 1862, it was pouring the waters of Elk creek into the sluices of the Griffin's gulch miners. But during the summer of 1862 it became apparent that much more water must be ob- tained, if work on the placer mines was to be carried on to- any great extent and projects were soon talked olf for bringing the water from Powder river into- the district. It may not be possible to determine to whom the honor of originating the plan for an extensive ditch rightfully belongs, but there is no doubt that Mr. Packwood was the man who made the first definite move toward putting that plan into operation. He entered into' negotiations with A. C. Goodrich, who was a surveyor and pos- sessed an invaluable experience in the con- struction of ditches, inducing Mr. Goodrich to make the preliminary survey. The report being favorable, Mr. Packwood then called to- gether those who were interested in the enter- prise. As a result, a company was at once or- ganized, stock being subscribed the first day as follows : G. W. Abbott, five thousand dol- lars; Henry Fuller, five thousand dollars; Ira Ward, three thousand dollars; Benjamin Cha- teau, five hundred dollars, George Berry, five hundred dollars ; W. H. Packwood, two thous- and five hundred dollars ; A. C. Goodrich, one thousand dollars ; J. J. Williams, two thousand five hundred dollars, and Isaac Smith, one 146 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES thousand dollars- The constitution and by- laws adopted provided among other things that the name of the association should be the Au- burn Water Company; that the capital stock should be fifty thousand dollars, consisting of one hundred shares of five hundred dollars each, each share being entitled to one vote ; that the officers of the company should consist of a board ofi three trustees, a secretary, a treasurer, and a superintendent, all of whom should be stockholders, and should be elected annually, and that stock should be forfeited for non- payment of assessments, with reserved privil- ege to the delinquent of redeeming forfeited stock at any time within sixty days. It was ordered that the ditch should be four feet wide at the bottom, seven at the top and two feet deep. The work was laid off in sections of forty rods each, and an estimate was made of the cost oi constructing each separate sec- tion. Instead of giving the entire contract to one man, the company awarded the work to several different contractors. Before the work was completed a proposi- tion was made by a man named Crane to- pur- chase the right, title and interest of the Au- urn Water Company and in reply tnat com- pany agreed to "sell, convey and quit-claim' - ' thirty-six shares in the ditch for "twenty-five per cent, premium upon all the cost of con- structing said ditch and upon all expenses in- curred therein by said company in the prosecu- tion of and completion of said water ditch as far as may be contracted for at this time." All allowances made or that it might be nec- essary to make to contractors and others for labor were to' be confirmed and complied with by the purchaser, and the water ditch was to be pushed to' completion in time to be ready for use early the next spring. By January 17, 1863, the Auburn Water Company had expended over twenty-five thous- and dollars in the promotion of this enterprise, though its existence had been of only about four and a half months' duration. On that date it assigned all its rights and privileges to the Auburn Canal Company. The doings of this private corporation have been related somewhat at length because, as Mr. Hiatt points out, the assistance their enter- prise was destined to render in the permanent settlement and development of the country was more important than could be guessed by its projectors. The beneficial effect which this expenditure of money had indirectly upon the business prospects of the community was far more important than the direct benefits ac- cruing to contractors, and their employes. The various interests needed this stimulus to tide them over a trying period, and the water itself was necessary to permit the working of the mines, making it possible for the population of the place to remain. "How many men," says Hiatt, "were inspired with confidence and stimulated to exertion by the example of the water ■ company cannot be estimated, nor can the number of those be known who were en- abled to remain in the country by reason of the work of ditch construction being done at that time. Only a portion of the mining ground in and about Auburn could have been worked, and that portion could have had but a small supply of water for a limited time in the spring and early summer. Without that ditch, Auburn as it was in 1863-4-5-6, would never have been ; nine-tenths of the people would have had to seek employment elsewhere; the farmers in the valley who were struggling to 1 make their business a success would not have had the aid of the Auburn market, and that alone would have been no slight loss, for a market for gar- den vegetables was a matter of prime necessity to many of them. "In the fall of 1862 thousands of immi- grants came to the country and many of them were dependent upon their daily labor for sub- sistence. But very few of them could have found employment, had it not been for the op- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 147 portunity offered by the water company and by individuals who were led to build houses and engage in business through hopes for the future which the company's enterprise had in- spired. The number of people in and about Auburn in the fall and forepart of the winter is estimated at five to six thousand. Probably not one half of them had supplies for the win- ter nor the means of obtaining them, and leav- ing the work of ditch construction out of the count, there could have been no inducement for merchants to bring in the amount of goods which the necessities otf the people required. The systematic way in which the company or- ganized for the work, and the energy with which it was prosecuted in the face of all the difficulties in the way are worthy of admira- tion." The rapidity with which mining develop- ment was pushed in 1862 is truly astonishing, but while the mineral wealth of the locality was the main factor in its population, other indus- tries were not overlooked. The miners must needs have supplies, clothing, tools, etc., open- ing an opportunity for the merchant, the farm- er and the freighter. Roads and bridges had to be constructed to make the importation of necessaries possible and expeditious. Ferries must be built and put in operation and little by little all the complex activities of civilized so- ciety must follow in turn. It is a well known fact that however rich a mining region may be,' it cannot furnish a claim to every man which will pay from the start, and if the would-be- miner is not possessed of sufficient means to support him while his ditches are being dug and sluices put in, assuming that he has been for- tunate enough to< strike a claim at all, he must turn temporarily to something furnishing more speedy returns for his labor. It is related of William Baldock, who came to the valley in the fall of 1862, that, noticing the tall bunchgrass in its primitive luxuriance, he conceived the idea that perhaps it might be cut and cured for hay. Going to Auburn he ascertained that a ready market might there be found for all he could bring, so he procured a scythe and snath and proceded with his hay making, handling the mown product with forked sticks for pitchforks. The hay sold for from fifty to sixty dollars per ton, enabling him to support his family and to accumulate before spring four hundred dol- lars in cash. To Joseph Kenison, whose ad- vent to the valley dates back to July, 1862, be- longs the honor of pioneership in agriculture. He it was who' plowed the first furrow, planted the first potatoes and corn and sowed the first oats in what is now the limits of Baker county. His experiments in this industry were made early in the spring of 1863. It seemed first that they were destined to end in failure, for early in June a frost occurred seemingly of suf- ficient severity to destroy all growing veget- ables. But time proved that his crop was little injured and that fall he realized neaily four thousand dollars tfrom his forty-acre tract. Of some of the other men who* introduced agriculture into Baker county, that esteemed pioneer and interesting writer, Mr. Hiatt, gives us the following account : "Mr. Hibbard and family from the Ump- qua valley settled at the foot of the mountains on a claim adjoining Mr. Morrison's, and Messrs. Worley, Spillman, Creighbaum and others took claims in the- vicinity. Strother Ison took up a claim on Pine creek, where he continued to reside until his death, which oc- curred in the year 188a. Jerry Shea took up a claim south of Ison's, which he afterwards sold to Hardin Perkins, who has lived upon it ever since. About the same time, James Ak- ers located the claim upon which he still re- sides (1893). George Ebell settled near the foot of the mountains, where he has made one of the best farms in the valley. Mr. Campbell settled on Powder river, near where Baker City now stands, and resided thereuntil his death in 1889. Thomas McMurren took up a 148 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES claim near Pocahontas, and other claims were located in different parts of the valley. Ex- press ranch and Miller's ranch on Burnt river were taken in the fall of 1862." We have spoken of the encouraging effect which the labors of the Auburn Water Com- pany had upon the community in the devel- opment of various industries. The benficial influence of its construction continued after the plant passed into the hands oi the Auburn Canal Company, which extended the ditch southward beyond Auburn, building above that town a reservoir from which distributing ditches were constructed to the various gulches. The disbursements of the company and its predecessor during the early years oif the his- tory of this section, aggregated something like $225,000. One very important service per- formed by this company was the importation during the spring of 1863 of more than $70,- 000 worth of provisions, thereby saving the community from actual suffering through want of the necessities of life. Even as it was, pro- visions were very scarce at that time. The political history of the county will form the theme of a future chapter, but it is necessary to the current off our narrative that the inception of government in the community be here given. The reader will have guessed that so- large an aggregation of people could hardly have gotten together without the pres- ence of some who would not duly respect the tenets of morality and the rights of others, and hence the necessity for law and punishment and prison walls must soon arrive. Indeed a new mining camp is always a center toward which confidence men' and thieves and outlaws invariably gravitate and Powder river valley was not without its share. It will be remem- bered that the great Civil war was in progress at this time, exerting the demoralizing influ- ence attendant upon so much contention and bloodshed, its issues furnishing the themes for disputes too frequently ending in personal en- counters and tragedies. Neither is it in the American people, accustomed as they are to the organization of government, to' fail to rise to the occasion when conditions demand some kind of civil institutions. When the pioneers of 1861 made their way into this val- ley, it was a part oif Wasco county and oi course subject to the laws of the state. But the county seat was at The Dalles, two hun- dred and seventy-five miles distant, mak- ing it next to impossible to' convict and punish offenders against the law. An ex- ample of this was furnished early in June 1862, when a man named Griffin was killed in his tent by his mining partner. The affair was consummated so quietly that, though several persons were near by at the time, no one heard a sound, yet the slayer justified his act on the ground that it was done in self-defense. Af- ter some deliberation among the crowd which gathered around the body of the deceased, two of the men offered to deliver the guilty party to the proper authorities at The Dalles. This proposition was accepted and fifty dollars were subscribed to defray the expenses of the jour- ney. Neither the prisoner nor his guards ever reached The Dalles, and it was reported that all three were subsequently seen mining on Salmon river. Some three or four months later another and still more atrocious homocide took place in the settlement. The two victims lived togeth- er in a tent in Auburn, the temporary charac- ter of their abode being due to' their recent ar- rival from Colorado'. One morning at break- fast one of them was taken with violent con- vulsions, and his partner hastily summoned Dr. Rackerby, the pioneer physician, who im- mediately diagnosed the case as one of strych- nine poisoning. The doctor speedily dis- patched Mr. Littlefield and two or three others, who had been attracted to the scene by the af- flicted man's cries of pain, to a spring at which the messenger, who had summoned the physi- HISTORY OF BAKER. GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 149 cian had stopped to- drink. They found him in convulsions and lying in the spring run. He was carried to the tent and to him and the oth- er man antidotes were administered but with- out avail in the case of the one first attacked. The messenger recovered. A piece of the bread they had been eating was given to a dog, and soon after devouring- it he too was thrown into convulsions and died. An examination of the miners' flour re- vealed small crystals of the deadly drug and it was evident to all that the poison had been put there with homocidal intent. A Frenchman who had been their companion on the journey from Colorado' was at once suspected. He had quarreled with the other men and had sworn to be revenged upon them for real or fancied wrongs. He was forthwith arrested and the question that presented itself for immediate solution was what should be done with him. With the distance to be traversed by the guards, the prisoner and the witnesses and the lack of transportation facilities in his favor, the chances were excellent for the defendant's escaping all punishment should he be taken to The Dalles. Why not organize a court and try him at Auburn ? It was noticeable during the discussion of this matter that the hitherto lawless element at once became solicitous for the sanctity of the law, Matt. Bledsoe, their leader, displaying especially great concern that no violence should be offered to its authority. The reason for this sudden conversion is plain- ly discernable. He was opposed to the insti- tution of a citizens' court, well knowing that if he should ever be arraigned before such a tribunal, as he was liable to be at any time, his chances of escaping merited punishment would be Ifew. Notwithstandng the strenuous oppo- sition of this worthy advocate of submission to legally constituted authority, the citizens event- ually organized a court of their own and pro- ceeded to try the accused. All the forms of law were observed. Sydney Abell was ap- pointed judge, James McBride and W. H. Packwood, associate justices; George Hall, sheriff ; Shaw & Kelly, attorneys for the plaint- iff, and Pierce & Grey for the defendant. A jury was impaneled, which listened patiently to the evidence in the case, the arguments of counsel, etc., and after due deliberation, found the defendant guilty of murder in the first de- gree. Judgment was passed accordingly and the condemned was executed. Referring to this event, Mr. Hiatt says: "The ability and integrity O'f the court and of- ficers could not be que/stioned. The whole business from first to last was conducted with a deliberation, dignity and fairness worthy of any tribunal organized in a strictly legal form. Had the same men been selected for their sev- eral positions by the same constituency at a regular election and all the formalities of the law been observed throughout, their action in the matter could not have been different, and had there been a legally constituted govern- ment with officers at hand to enforce the law, they would have been the; last men in the com- munity to' attempt to assume charge of the af- fair in any manner in the least infringing upon the prerogative of the proper officers." Long before this event happened the min- ers had exercised some other functions of gov- ernment, it being mutually understood that all should abide by the result and the minority yield to the will of the majority. Thus it is related that about the 20th of June, 1862, a meeting was held for the purpose of electing a recorder of claims for the Blue canyon dis- trict. There were two> candidates for the of- fice, both first-class men. Naturally no> atten- tion was paid to the political opinions of either, but the rivalry between Oregonians and Cali- Ifornians furnished a basis of division. A pres- ident was elected, who assigned the Oregon candidate, William H. Packwood, to stand on a log, and his opponent, E. C. Brainard, to a position on another near by. When the can- 150 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES didates had taken their respective positions, he said "Now boys, all of you who are in favor of Packwood for recorder, go over there and all who' are in favor of Brainard for recorder, go over to him.'' An Oreg-onian started for Pack- wood, saying "Come on all you Webfooters. Here's our Webfoot candidate!" And a Cal- if ornian led the opposing faction, saying "Come on all you Tarheads. Hlere's a Tar- head candidate!" The Calif ornians won the count and Brainard was elected. It is of in- terest to note that by May 6, 1863, he had re- corded 1,291 claims. But though the citizens of Auburn and vi- cinity might exercise legislative or judicial functions whenever necessity should arise, yet they early began to feel the need of a duly or- ganized local government. Monday, June 6, 1862, was election day in the state of Oregon. Probably for the sake of calling attention to' their needs the people met on that day on Un- ion flat, organized an election board, cast more than one hundred votes for the different candi- dates and certified their vote to the secretary of state as "election returns of Baker coun- ty." Of course the votes were not counted, but the authorities at Salem had a premonition of efforts to be made in 'future ifor the organ- ization of a new county. The people followed this suggestion up a few months later by sending O. H. Kirkpatrick to the state capital with instructions to' gain admission to the house of representatives as a member if possible, otherwise to bring unoffi- cially whatever influence he could to bear upon the legislature for the benefit of this section. He secured the passage of a bill incorporating Auburn, and doubtless had some influence in obtaining the erection of Baker county, which was created by an act passed at that session of the legislature. Its original territory in- cluded what are now Union, Wallowa and Malheur counties, as well as the present Baker county. While the citizens, as we have seen, invar- iably acted with prudence and moderation be- fore they had the advantages of a local gov- ernment, exercising such deliberation and good judgment in the only illegal execution occur- ring as to take from it all the heinousness of an ordinary lynching, strange to say they al- lowed the mob spirit to- become rampant among them when an excuse for it no' longer existed, thus staining the otherwise fair record of their early activities. In November, 1862, two men were fatally stabbed by a man known to history as Spanish Tom. The murderer and his vic- tims were all gamblers and the homicide was the result of a row over a game. To termin- ate the quarrel the two men afterward mur- dered had withdrawn from the scene, but the Spaniard followed, stabbed both of them fa- tally and fled. He was afterward captured at Mormon basin and delivered into the custody Of Sheriff Hall, who' put the prisoner into a room and placed him under guard. The citi- zens who would have insisted upon allowing the law to' take its course paid little attention to the matter, though they knew of the move- ment on foot to lynch Spanish Tom, thinking he was beyond harm's reach; but the conspir- ators worked away zealously, perfecting their plans in secret. When the preliminary hear- ing before Justice Abell was about to be held, the mob came in numbers and demanded that the examination be held outside the building- that all might see and hear. The officers so far acceded to the demand as to move to a shed on the hillside. They did not certainly know that any violence was meditated, but they had a guard of forty armed men to provide against any possible attempt to seize their prisoner. The mob was led by one Captain Johnson, who covered himself with infamy by the part he that day played. While the prisoner was en route to the shed, surrounded by the guard, Johnson gave the word of command and immediately the HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 151 sheriff, prisoner and guard found themselves in the center of a mob which vigorously de- manded the surrender of the Spaniard. Mr. Kirkpatrick mounted a stump and addressed the assembly, urging that the officers be al- lowed to do their duty; Johnson mounted an- other stump and made a noisy plea for the seizure of the prisoner. About half the guard deserted and later half of the remainder fol- lowed their perfidious example. It appears that a chain had been fastened to one of the prisoner's ankles, the remainder of its length being allowed to drag on the ground, and in their eagerness to capture their victim, the crowd pressed up so closely that one of theii number was enabled to seize the loose end of this manacle. A tug of war ensued the mob pulling on the chain and the sheriff with his men holding firmly to the Spaniard. Even Tbm himself realized the hopelessness of the struggle and told the sheriff to let go. The guard thereupon relaxed their hold; the pris- oner was hastily dragged to a street below, where a rope was fastened around his neck. He called to some Mexican friends to> shoot him and in response a few shots were fired, slightly wounding one man, but failing of their mark. Crowds of excited men seized the rope and with it rushed madly down the street. At one point in this mad race, the head of the doomed man struck a log, the blow no doubt proving instantly fatal, but the mob never stopped until they reached a convenient tree, upon which they hanged the Spaniard's life- less body. Justice Abell's official record of this horri- ble affair reads as follows : The People of the State of Oregon ) vs. > Murder. Spanish Tom. ) Complaint filed the 21st day of November, 1862. Warrant issued of same date. The defendant brought into 1 court the 22d day of November, 1862. Kelly appointed for prose- cution and McLaughlin for defendant. Wit- nesses sworn and testified — Mobseized the de- fendant — Dragged him through the street and hung his lifeless body on a tree. S. Abell, Justice of the Peace. The above account of this affair is substan- tially that given by Mr. Hiatt. It must be remembered, however, that all the details are recorded only in the memories of men, and as is almost universally true in such cases the witnesses are not in perfect accord. In a let- ter to W. H. Packwood, written in 1893, Sam- uel Clarke speaks of the affair as follows : "Soon after I returned to Auburn, Tom, the Greaser, killed Desmond and his partner over a game of cards. Squire Abell came to me and asked me to help examine the witnesses, as I wrote rapidly and could administer an oath. We met at the head of Blue canyon in an open field with at least two thousand very excited men looking on. I sat at a table under the shed with the sheriff's posse at my left and Johnson's vigilantes massed on my right and Squire Abell, white haired and venerable, in part interrogating the witnesses. This had gone on quite a while and I had taken down ev- idence, though every little while Johnson's crowd would rush in and try to capture the prisoner. They were run off by the sheriff's men each time. But the third time they were so bad I stood up in the melee and Johnson jumped on my chair and on the table and com- menced haranguing the crowd, when some one showed me that he had knocked my ink over on the table, and I knocked him off the table before I knew it. While he was picking him- self up his furious men had their guns and pistols shoved in my face and Sheriff Hall's men had their guns shoved past my ears the other way. It was decidedly a risky situation. One fellow hissed at me that he would kill me. I have always felt ashamed of having said to them 'Shoot you if you want to!' 152 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES But I was too angry to be polite just then I probably was not afraid because the sheriff's posse was 'on hand like a thousand O'f brick.' Anyway they didn't shoot, because I was so angry I forgot to be frightened. I got a local reputation that was valuable to me those rough times. "When the rumpus was over and the vigi- lantes driven back, judge what our consterna- tion was when good old Squire Abell turned up missing. Here was a situation. Hardly knowing what I did I jumped on to the table and waved my hand to' the crowd, and for a wonder silence fell upon them. I appealed to them to doi the thing with regard to the repu- tation of the camp. 'We are a long way from courts, but organize your own courts and se- lect your own jury. Let me finish taking the evidence and read it to the jury and let them decide if the man is guilty. Give him a show. The Squire is gone, but I am an officer and will help you in this.' Mr. Kirkpatrick took the same position. In an instant a shout went up, 'Bully for Clarke.' "The jury was selected and took their place and the taking of the evidence went on. It was a November day and nearly noon, but every witness was examined and testimony written toward sunset. I took the manuscript and read it to the jury, who stood in a row out- side the shed. All was done in perfect order. The sheriff's men were still there to maintain order and Johnson's crowd had to accept it as 'a square deal.' The jury said 'guilty' and as the sunset grew red the whiz of a lariat came from the outside. Some one picked up the noose and threw it over Tom's head and a hundred seized the rope and started down the gulch. The coolest man in the crowd was Tom. From my standpoint I saw it all, and in a moment, when his head struck a stump, I felt relieved because 1 knew the poor fellow's troubles were over." As in the trial of the Frenchman, SO' in this affair Matt Bledsoe was much in evidence, making loud threats against them all, but when< the lynchers gained the advantage he ccj?r eluded it was safest to make good his escape from so uncongenial a crowd. Horrible though this affair was, we are informed that it had a most salutary effect in Auburn, for the lawless element left the town forthwith, going, to Idaho and Montana. In the letter referred to above, Mr. Clarke also tells of another criminal case that oc- curred sometime in the summer of 1862. The offender, a boy named Jim, whose father was' a cousin of James K. Polk, was a member of a company oi Tennesseeans, all of whom were secessionists except Jim. They were mining on Powder river and the Confederate sympa- thizers taunted the boy incessantly. One day Jim suddenly concluded that forbearance had ceased to be a virtue, so grabbed the knife in the sheath of his latest tormentor and stabbed him with it. Jim was arrested and kept for awhile, but eventually Mr. Clarke, who was preparing to go to< The Dalles, was requested to take him to- Squire Ninevah Ford for exam- ination. He was committed for trial and Ford requested of Clarke that he should take the prisoner on to The Dalles. Mr. Clarke says he had met Jim in a friendly way and felt kindly to him, so told Jim that if he would give his word that he would not try to< escape he should not be ironed. Mr. Clarke told the boy he would certainly be convicted of man- slaughter and sentenced for life, but promised to have him pardoned in four years. Jim kept faith, assisting in herding horses and about the camp. In due time he was tried and convicted. Clarke saw him in prison and renewed his promise df securing a pardon. "Four years after," says Mr. Clarke, "he called to thank me and my wife for having pardoned him and went forth a free man and I think a good one." CHAPTER II. 1863 TO 1S78. The year 1863 was not as crowded with events of great moment in the history of Baker county as its predecessor had been, though men still continued to strive zealously for the yel- low metal and tc push actively all forms of material development. Excitement had brought thousands of people into the country, and ex- citement was taking thousands of them out again. All who failed to realize satis- factory returns for their labor were ready to resume the line of march. In the fall of 1862 the tide began to set in toward the Boise mines and before winter had passed this movement swelled to great proportions. So. hopeful was the gold seeker that often he left wife and family but poorly provided for and not infrequently he failed to secure and send back the needed means, so that many times the Auburn miners were called upon that winter to help the destitute families. It is stated that their responses to such appeals were invariably hearty and liberal. The year 1863 saw another expedition in search of the Blue Bucket diggings. A num- ber of men set out from Clark's Canyon and Auburn determined to* find the famous spot and when they reached Canyon City, they were joined by about as many more adventurers. The expedition found the old emigrant trail and followed it to a point near the head of a stream, but whether this stream was tributary to the Malheur or the Silvies river, they were unable to determine. At any rate the place answered the general description given by the emigrant of 1845 °f the locality in which they had found their yellow metal. Some old wag- on tires were to be seen also, two graves, but no trace of any nuggets could be discovered far or near. To add to their disappointment and discomfiture, the Indians stole their horses, making it necessary for them to ireturn on foot and to leave behind so much of their equip- ments as they were unable to carry. During the fall of this year a man named Philip Waggy and his companion in a hunt for horses discovered some floats of gold-bearing quartz about eight miles in a northeasterly di- rection from Baker City. This circumstance in- duced Messrs. Rockafellow and Wills to pros- pect for a ledge in that locality in the spring of 1864, and their efforts were rewarded by the discovery of a ledge which has since achieved great fame as an ore producer. This discovery induced the erection at Baker City of the Ruck- el quartz mill, a water power plant, which, though not very capacious, was yet equal to the task of reducing the output from this first dis- covered quartz mine of Baker county. The mine has long been known as the Virtue. Indians seem to have quite generally re- frained from depredations in Baker county prior to the spring of 1863, but during the years following not a few people were killed by them and robberies were frequent. Baker count}- was never the home of the red man, though its territories were held as neutral 154 HISTORY OF EAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES grounds by all the Indians of eastern Oregon. Every Indian considered himself free to' hunt and fish in the forests and streams of this sec- tion and to roam at will over its broad levels; but upon the approach of winter, he would re- turn with his share of the booty to his home in the north, east or south according as he be- longed to the Umatilla or Cayuse tribes, the Bannocks or the Piutes. After the Indian wars of the 'fifties, there were no more organized hostilities with the aboriginal tribes in eastern Oregon until 1878, though the war of 1877 in northern Idaho was occasioned by a disagreement between the Indians and the United States government about territory in this part of the state. The Indians, however, were quite troublesome for several years subsequent to 1863, stealing horses and frequently firing upon solitary white men or small companies. Their nefarious op- erations extended from the source of Powder river to the shores of the Snake and it has been supposed that they were directed and en- couraged by white marauders who shared the booty. There were also many white horse thieves who plied their contemptible vocation independently of the Indians. The red men commenced their depredations by attacking a packer named Porter while crossing Powder river en route to Clark's creek. His horses were driven away and he himself was shot through the neck, but eluded the Indians and eventually reached Auburn. He recovered. It is related also that during a term of the circuit court in Auburn the Indians made a successful raid upon a corall on Poker flat, cap- turing horses belonging to the judge and sev- eral of the attorneys as well as to different cit- izens of the town. The animals were taken from the possession of a man named Thomp- son, and were probably never recovered by their owners. Indeed, no> effort was made to recapture stolen property at first, but so fre- quent did these raids become that the people were eventually compelled to do something in self-defense. While the mining region contiguous to Powder river valley was being settled and de- veloped, similar causes were producing simi- lar effects in other parts of the vast domain then constituting Baker county. In all this western country there is not a fairer spot than Grande Ronde valley. Its broad expanse of grass clad prairies, its rippling streams cours- ing downward from the mountain heights and the mountains themselves, o>f nature's deepest blue and beautiful beyond description, did not fail to attract the attention of emigrant trains as they hastened toward the ever alluring "westmost west." At first, however, its dis- tance from a base of supplies and its unpro- tected condition made settlement impossible, but with the discovery of gold in Idaho and eastern Oregon and with the consequent devel- opment O'f the Powder river valley on the south and of the valley of the Umatilla on the north, these difficulties gradually disappeared. Its agricultural lands were therefore eagerly ap- propriated and before 1864 two towns had been started and a very considerable settle- ment effected. Though the creation of Baker county had greatly bettered the condition of the people in southeastern Oregon, the territory constituting this political division was so ex- tensive that many of the people were necessar- ily inconveniently far from the seat of govern- ment and its progress o hang on. Notwithstanding the steep and rough character of the road, the team pulled up at the farm yard gate without further casualties. Scott lived only a short time afterward and Mrs. Scott survived him but a few hours. Mr. and Mrs. Packwood had been invited to ac- company the Scotts to the Rye valley dance, but were compelled to decline through pres- sure of business, and to this, perhaps, they owe their lives. About the same time a company of Indians attacked from ambush a man named Folger while he was journeying from Mormon Basin to the ferry at Farewell Bend on Snake river. He was twice wounded, one ball striking the hip and the other the thigh bone, but he never- theless held on to his horse, which ran three miles down the gulch before it could be gotten under control. As soon as the animal quieted, he got off its back and crawled to water. He was not equal to the task of mounting, how- 158 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES ever, so had to lie there the remainder of the day and all that night. The next day he again attempted to gain a seat in the saddle, but though he tried many times, not until evening did he succeed. A ride of two miles brought him to the ferry, where Mr. and Mrs. Pack- wood cared for him until he died some six weeks later. So imminent was the danger from nomadic Indians at all times, that it was thought neces- sary by Mr. Packwood to' build and equip a small (ire-proof fort near his ferry for defense in case of attack. Similar fortifications were also maintained in other places. M(r. Hiatt tells us that : "In those days it was no> unusual thing for persons who 'were ^traversing .the) country from Burnt river southward to the head waters of the Owyhee, to find the remains of men who had doubtless been killed by In- dians. Notwithstanding the well known dan- ger, men would go through the country, some- times one alone, sometimes in small parties, and in all probability, but few of those who perished left any trace that has ever been discovered to tell their fate." There seems to have been noi unprovoked attacks upon Indians during the early days in Baker county, at least the writer has never seen any account of whites having assumed the offensive in any o'f the troubles or committed wanton depredations upon Indians, yet the eastern people and even those occupying high official positions in Washington were prone to consider every outbreak among Indians as at- tributable to land grabbers and "border ruff- ians." This false notion provoked in 1873 an eloquent defense of the pioneer peoples of Ore- gon and Washington by the Hon. J. G. Wilson, in which he shows that the aspersers of Ore- gonians knew nothing of the real character of the Indian, their ideas of him being formed solely by the romance writer. "It has become," says Mr. Wilson, "a custom in the east to' call every Indian war or disturbance on the Pacific Coast an act caused by the dishonesty of Ore- gonians for the purpose of speculation, and to speak freely of their usual cruelty and inhu- manity toward the red man. In the formation of this custom officials at Washington have lent their aid, until now the people of that west- ern coast can be branded as 'border ruffians' and destitute of instinct and feeling, by official speakers before Washington audiences, and without any reason therefor other than the complaint of a Digger Indian or the scribbling of an irresponsible correspondent. Twenty years of life in Oregon and an acquaintance with probably three-fourths of its citizens, en- able me to claim them the peers of any in their peaceful and law-abiding character and true humanity." Mr. Wilson then proceeds to at- tack the feeble, unjust, vacillating and utterly incompetent "Quaker policy," in an article forceful in its presentation and unanswerable in its reasoning. While it may be admitted that the Indian history of the Pacific coast does present instances of the whites having out- raged and wronged the red man, it must be borne in mind that it also presents innumerable instances of robberies, murders and other out- rages committed by savages without provoca- tion and without other reason than to' gratify their love of bloodshed and desire to 1 enjoy the rewards of labor without enduring its sacrifices. In 1867 an effort was made to organize the whole country for co-operation against white and Indian horse thieves, but some of those whose neighborhood had never suffered took little interest in the matter. An organization was effected, however, which soon found work to do. Louis Carey and Anthony Sicord, while engaged in hauling lumber, were halted by six masked men who tied them, took their per- sonal effects and their mules and horses except two, and then departed, telling them someone would be along shortly and untie them. The outraged men managed to untie themselves and mounting the two horses left by the robbers rode to Powder river valley for assistance. A company was formed consisting of four men, HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 159 one of whom was Sheriff Virtue, and these were overtaken later by C. C. Davis and three others, who were also- in pursuit of the robbers. The party were then upon the track of the thieves and following it up the creek they came to a camp, recently deserted, but whether it had been occupied by whites or Indians they could not determine. Following- the trail of the robbers to a point twenty miles beyond Canyon City, they came upon them not far from the timber's edge. The desperadoes opened fire from the brush. Crossing the gulch in which the robbers were, the pursuers got between their men and the timber to cut off the retreat, then opened fire with their repeat- ing rifles, being guided in their aim by the moving bushes. The robbers soon retreated to open ground and surrendered. One of them was slightly wounded in four places. Only four of the six were captured, the other two being away at the time, and of these four only two suffered punishment. They all escaped from jail, but Judd and Alexander were re- taken, tried, convicted and sentenced to' eight years' imprisonment. During the three years from 1867 to' 1870 there was comparatively little activity in the mines owing to the scarcity o>f water. A miner writing of the period gives a rather gloomy picture oi affairs generally, saying that the towns were in a delapidated condition, most of the fine stores, saloon and other business build- ings being empty. The general progress of the county up to this time, however, was sufficient to give token of permanency of settlement and future greatness. True, the population had not increased. On the contrary it numbered, perhaps, less than half what it was in the fall of 1862. A census taken in 1870 shows the number of dwellings in the county, 877; the number of families, JJJ; the number oi male whites, 1,457; °f female whites, 523; the num- ber of colored males, 665, and of colored fe- males, 18; total population, 2,663. The pop- ulation of Auburn alone in the winter of 1862- 3 was estimated as being between four and six thousand. It must be remembered, however, that many of the people who first came toi the county were adventurers brought here by a boom, while the census rolls of 1870 show only bona fide settlers, whose permanent homes were established in the county and whose interests were identified with it. Some very important improvements had been made by this time and in the course of the mining development, com- prehensive enterprises had been projected and completed or carried well on toward comple- tion. Conspicuous among these were the Au- burn canal and the Burnt river ditch, the latter oi which was then fifty-seven miles long. There were also many miles oi smaller ditches. The pioneer town of Auburn had greatly declined in importance, but in its stead had grown up that prosperous mining center, Baker City, which had become the seat of local government in 1868. Settlements were made all along the principal streams, also in Mormon basin, Eagle valley, Rye valley, Sumpter valley, on Connor creek and in numerous other places. The seeds of civilization and development had been scattered widely over the co>unty and had become deeply rooted. 'After a lull in mining operations lasting about three years, activities were, in 1870, re- sumed in good earnest. The Bedrock Demo- crat, the pioneer paper of the county, was start- ed on May nth of this year, and in its review of the mining situation, it predicted that the gold output of the twelve months would exceed the combined production of the last three years. It states that in the Shasta district, which em- braced Malheur, Eldorado' and a portion of Willow creek, the outlook was bright ; that on Clark's creek water was abundant, the miners were jubilant and the merchants happy ; that in the Easton district, including Cash, Discovery, Resevoir and number of other very rich gulch- es, mining was progressing finely and that in Rye valley some claims were being worked night and day. Work was also' in progress at 160 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Auburn and under favorable circumstances, the canal furnishing abundance of water. The false notions about the unproductiveness of the alkali soil had been dispelled by this time and not a few farms had been brought under cul- tivation. The possibility of agricultural de- velopment was, however, quite circumscribed during this period owing to> lack of transporta- tion facilities, and though the first agricultur- ists of the county received rich rewards for their labors, the market was easily glutted by an overproduction of any one article. Thus, in 1864 so many rutabagas were grown that their abundance and comparative worthlessness became a standing joke and the farming com- munities were nick-named "rutabaga districts." Naturally the rearing of horses and stock early became an important industry. However, there was an abundance of excellent pasture all over eastern Oregon at that time, so that prices were lower than they are to-day. Fur- thermore, the profusion of thieves and rustlers, of both the white and red races, was a standing menace to the industry. In 1 87 1 Baker and Grant counties were made the victims of one of those inexcusable governmental blunders which have at different times retarded the growth of various sections of the west and disturbed their peoples. The United States officials have never covered themselves with glory in managing Indian af- fairs. Their policies seem toi be framed in ab- ject ignorance of the character of the Indians, the conditions in frontier territories and the genius of the west. In the spring of this year Hon. A. B. Meacham received a letter from the Indian department, which we produce here, as follows : Washington, D. C, March 10, 1871. To Hon, A. B. Meacham: Sir: — You are hereby informed that, upon report of this office and recommendation of the Hon. Secretary of the Interior, an executive order has issued, dated the 14th instant, directing that that portion of the state of Oregon lying between the forty-second and forty-fourth parallels of north latitude, and the one hundred and sev- enteenth and one hundred and twentieth degrees of west longitude (excepting so much thereof as may have been or hereafter may be granted for military or wagon road purposes) be withdrawn from market as public lands for the space of eighteen months with a view to the selec- tion of a reservation upon which to collect all the Indi- ans in that state east of the Cascade mountains, except those who may select lands in severalty upon the reser- vations on which they are located. You are hereby instructed to proceed to select such reservations without unnecessary delay. E. S. Parker, Commissioner. Of course this order excited much opposi- tion in Baker and surrounding sections. The proposed reservation comprised about one hun- dred miles square of the southern portion of Baker and Grant counties. It embraced some good placer gold mines, partly developed, also a portion of the country through which ran the Burnt river ditch. Canyon City and vicinity were within the district which the government proposed to remand to barbarism. Some por- tions of this vast area were populated by busy miners, and an attempt to> remove them, reck- less as they were, would doubtless result in bloodshed. Of course, the order was never carried into full effect, but it hung for months like a dark cloud over the section affected, re- tarding in a measure the settlement and devel- opment of the country. Under the caption, "Then and Now," com- paring Baker county as it was in 1872 with the county as he first saw it in 1862, the editor of the Bedrock Democrat says : "In the summer of 1862 the valley and the mountain sides were one vast sea of as fine bunchgrass as ever grew. At that time a large portion of the valley was swamp and over- flowed lands and the travel passed at or near the foothills. The settlement made by the em- igrants of 1862 was the starting point of the present prosperity of Powder river valley. The settlers were poor and toil Avorn ; now they are wealthy and comfortable. A view of Powder river valley now presents to the eye a homelike and civilized appearance, with towns, villages, farms and farm houses interspersed over its whole extent. The swamp and overflowed lands have in a large degree been reclaimed and made to yield bountiful harvests to repay the- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 161 hardy and industrious pioneer husbandman. Churches and school houses now occupy the places where, but a short time since, the war- whoop of the savage was the only indication that a human being had an abiding place in this beautiful valley. We can now stand in our office door and view vast herds of cattle and sheep feeding upon the rich and luxuriant grasses of the valley and the surrounding foot- hills, a better range than which can not be found on the Pacific slope, which embraces the best and most extensive grazing lands in the world. The valley is surrounded by moun- tains, in which are found rich deposits of gold, silver and copper, which are being taken out by hardy and enterprising miners. The mining camps surrounding the valley supply a home market for the surplus produce of our farm- ers. "The pioneer of 1862, in passing over the valley, looks with astonishment at the change and the improvements that have been made in so short a time and it is only by some inde- structible landmark that he can recognize his exact locality." THE PIONEERS' DANCE. "On with the dance! Let joy be unconfined." In 1872 the settlers in Baker county, south of Malheur City, could almost have been count- ed on one's fingers, so few were there in this imperial region. At Malheur City there was quite a settlement of miners. The Eatons, Lagans, Prices, McDowells, Turners, Coles, Imblers, Phillips's, Moretons and Thomsons were living on Willow creek, a few ranchmen had located in Jordan valley, William Emison lived on Snake river between the Malheur and Owyhee, and L. B. Rinehart had recently pur- chased the Keeney road station, situated where the old emigrant road crossed the Malheur river. In the fall of 1872 he erected here a commodious stone house, quite a pretentious 11 structure for those days. The builders finished their work during December and just before the new year dawned, the Rineharts issued in- vitations for a New Year's ball and supper to be given in honor of the opening of the stone house. There were few social events in Baker co'unty in those days, particularly in this sec- tion, so that it was only natural that the settlers for fifty miles around prepared to> participate in the celebration. All day long, the day before the event, the settlers arrived at the stone house. Some came from as far as Dixie Slough and Middle- ton, settlements near Boise City, others came from the Payette yalley and the remainder from Malheur City, Willow creek and other isolated settlements in this county. They came by wagon and they came in the good old pioneer fashion, on horseback. By nightfall forty-one numbers had been sold, each num- ber selling for five dollars. A few were dec- orated for this gala occasion with what little finery they were fortunate enough to possess ; some wore the simple but striking and pictur- esque dress of the mountain and plain, while a larger number had relegated the matter of dress to a place of insignificant importance and were attired in their work-a-day clothes, those in which they felt the most comfortable. All were happy. The upper story of the house had been left unpartitioned purposely and here in this spacious ballroom, decorated with a few green sprigs and brightly-colored draperies, at early candlelight the company assembled. In one corner of the room a low platform had been built and here the musicians, two Owyhee fid- dlers, took their stations. Time has but made the memories of that event more vivid. At last they are all assembled on the floor, renewing old friendships and forming new ac- quaintances. Suddenly there is a flurry on the musicians' platform and unusual stir and move- ment among all. Then, to the shrill notes of the bobbing violins and the deep, loud tones of the caller, the merry dancers boiw, first to 162 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the left and then to the right, the nervousness of expectancy written on their smiling faces and displayed in their movements. A second ringing command. The bowing, scraping dancers move with a mighty swish and swirl, the figures melt into one indistinct mass of ro- tating color, the floor creaks and groans with joyous sympathy, and the dance is on. How swiftly the scene changes ! Now there is dig- nity in the step and courtesy, now the figures are pretty and graceful and now there seems to be a mad scramble and frolic and out of the confusion order again appears. There is a rythym and swing to it all that is exhilarating. Terpsichore reigns supreme and for the time being all are her blind disciples, forgetful of worldly cares and sorrows and intent only on mastering the intricate figures and mazes of the dance and drinking deep of pleasure's cup. The shadows fall deeper upon the outside world, the coyote slinks away from the scene of confusion and noise to which his curiosity has drawn him, the rabbits and other wild ani- mals, disturbed in their slumbers, steal hastily away into the blacker darkness, a few twink- ling stars pierce the blue vault of the heavens, then a whole legion of jewels set earth's blue canopy a-sparkle in the glory of the Master Jeweler. The moon, a slender silver crescent appears in the western world. The revelry in the house only increases. At midnight the music ceased and the room was cleared of the dancers. Then two long wooden tables, leaded heavily with choice vi- ands and delicacies, appeared as if by magic and for the time being the dancers became ban- queters, and the new year was ushered in amidst the joyous acclaim of all. After the inner man had been satisfied, the tables disap- peared by the same subtle magic which caused their appearance. Again the room is thronged, again the vi- olins cry in their anguish and then suddenly burst into laughing sounds of delight, and airain the revelers wind through the dreamy mazes of the waltz, the quick step of the polka, the stately reel and schottische, or the difficult, rollicking figures of the square dance or lan- cers. And thus the night was spent and ere the weary dancers tired or the dozing fiddlers fi- nally dropped off into slumber during some fa- miliar measure, the bright tints in the eastern horizon and the fading stars heralded the near approach of dawn. It was an event to- be long remembered and the joys and pleasures of that pioneer New Year's ball, given in the dreary wilderness of southern Oregon, are among the pleasantest memories treasured by the early settlers of Malheur county. During 1872 and the year following, ac- tivity in the mining region continued, especially along the course of the Eldorado or Big ditch, as the Burnt river ditch had come to' be named. This mammoth artificial waterway was then ninety-seven miles long, eight and a half feet wide at the top and six feet wide at the bot- tom and three feet deep. In 1869 J. H. John- son had become interested in the project of extending the Carter-Packwood ditch and had gone back east for the purpose of interesting capital in it. He succeeded in inducing Mr. Buford, of Rock Island, to come out and ex- amine the country, and that gentleman was so pleased with the result of his investigation that he bought almost the entire stock of the Carter- Packwood, or Burnt river ditch, organizing the "Malheur and Burnt River Consolidated Ditch and Mining Company," with a capital stock of a million dollars. At this time there was but one flouring mill in Baker county and its capacity did not ex- ceed twenty barrels per day, so< that notwith- standing the capabilities of the soil, flour had to be imported by teams from Union county and from Walla Walla valley, causing a con- tinuous outflow of the precious metal, and con- sequent hard times. No doubt, too, the general depression throughout the United States made itself felt in Baker county and for a few vears HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 163 subsequent to 1873 this section seems to have been rather quiet. In 1875 the Nevada and Northern tele- graph line, between Walla Walla and Silver City was built through the Powder river val- ley, touching Baker City and other towns in this section. Its advent occasioned consider- able rejoicing, not alone for its own sake, but because it was considered a forerunner and prophecy of the coming of the much-needed iron horse. In March, 1877, a Baker County Agricul- tural Society was organized with a capital stock of $2,500 and the Baker City race track and grounds were purchased by it. The first fair held in the county was held during the six days commencing on the tenth of September following the date of organization of this so- ciety. A splendid display of fine stock, fruits, vegetables, cereals, fancy work, etc., was col- lected and arranged, and an excellent program of running and trotting events carried out. The attendance was large, notwithstanding the in- clemency of the weather. During this year there were two things to deq)ly agitate the public mind. One was the Nez Perce outbreak in northern Idaho' and the other railroad agitation. In 1855 the United States government, by Governor I. I. Stevens, for Washington, and Joel Palmer, for Oregon, negotiated a treaty with the various tribes of Indians in eastern Oregon and Washington by which three reservations were formed, the Umatilla, the Yakima and the Nez Perce. As a condition precedent to the ratification of this important treaty, Chief Joseph insisted that the Wallowa valley should be confirmed to- him and his band. Only when the commissioners agreed to this did he throw the weight of his influence in favor of the treaty, an influence without which it would never have been rati- fied. The confirming of the Wallowa valley to ■Joseph was the sine qua non of the whole ne- gotiation. But notwithstanding all this the government some eight years later, concluded another and supplementary treaty with the Ne2 Perc.es, to which Josqoh and his band refused their consent, ceding to the United States for a consideration the cherished Wallowa valley. The theory of the United States in this as in all other Indian negotiations was that, as In- dian lands are held in common, the action of a majority of the chiefs and embassadors in coun- cil disposing of them binds the whole tribe. While from a legal point of view this theory may be both necessary and just, the injustice of it in this particular case must be apparent to any unprejudiced mind. Technically the Wallowa valley was the property of the whole Nez Perce tribe and as such might be ceded to the government by consent of a clear major- ity of the chiefs ; but it was understood by both the Indians and the representatives of the gov- ernment in 1855 to' be the special property of Joseph and his band. While, then, the treaty of 1863 was legally binding upon Joseph, in justice and good morals it ought to be consid- ered of no validity, as it practically amounted to a sale, by certain Nez Perce chiefs, of land which did not equitably belong to them. Re- alizing the force of these facts and considera- tions, the government in the spring of 1873 directed that the Nez- Perce Indians be per- mitted to' occupy the Wallowa valley at such times as the weather would allow and that an appraisement should be made of the improve- ments of white settlers for the purpose of se- curing an appropriation by Congress wherewith to purchase the same and extinguish their rights. This was only a case of righting one wrong by the enactment of a greater one. The settlers had gone into the Wallowa valley by invitation of the United States, had endured the hardships and privations of pioneer life there, and had at great sacrifice built up the country, acquiring inchoate rights for which they could not be equitably recompensed by mere payment for improvements. A man might have nothing upon his homestead but a pioneer ' shanty, a fenced vard and a few acres of culti- 164 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES vated land, yet he might have an incipient right to a home which in a few years would he worth thousands of dollars. Tb> take this from him hy merely paying for the shanty, the fence and the plowing, even though the appraisers should deal with him most liberally, to set him and his family again adrift in the world, to send them in search of another opportunity to build a home and undergo the privations inci- dent to the first few years of life on a new farm, that, too, after other men had been, dur- ing all the time he had spent in his Wallowa valley home, taking their choice of the remain- ing locations — the injustice of such a proposi- tion is plainly manifest. After disbursing some public money in making appraisements and keeping the settlers in suspense for months, naturally retarding the development and settlement of the country, the Indian department finally abandoned their project of returning the valley toi Joseph's band. The Joseph of 1855 had died, but he was succeeded by a son, also named Joseph, who dared maintain what he conceived to' be his hereditary rights. The outcome of the whole matter was the Nez Perce war of 1877. Though this war was fought out on Idaho> soil, it elicited much interest in various parts of eastern Oregon and Washington. No one could certainly prophecy into* what part the belliger- ent Indians might come or be driven, and in some places forts were built and other means of defense provided. Baker county was con- sidered to be in noi danger, yet to make se- curity doubly secure, the Baker City Home Guards were organized. It consisted of about sixty men, of whom R. C. George was captain, J H. Parker, first lieutenant, and A. A. Hous- ton, second lieutenant. No great alarm was felt here at any time, yet a lively interest was taken in the progress of the war, and some of the settlers in the remoter and wilder parts of the county moved to the towns for a time. But not once during- the entire war did a hostile Indian set foot in Baker county or even in the Walowa valley. Although the county was now about fifteen years old it was still suffering for want of ad- equate transportation facilities and related con- veniences. The general progress of events had brought some amelioration of conditions in this respect, but the great business of transpor- tation was still in the hands of freighters, stage companies, etc. We are told by pioneers that in 1862 and during a part of 1863, all letters and newspapers had to be brought by express- men from Walla Walla ; and that the price for conveying the letters was one dollar each and the price at which newspapers sold was a dol- lar a copy. On August 1, 1862, J. H. Shep- herd engaged in the business of transporting express packages and mail between Walla Walla and Auburn. He reduced the charge for carying letters to fifty cents each and made a like reduction in the price of newspapers. Mr. Shepherd won deserved success in the express business, frequently proving more alert and active than his competitors. In 1863 he ex- tended his operations to the Boise mines and his business grew until it required twenty-six horses. He sold out in the fall of 1863 to the Wells Fargo Express Company, which made arrangements to carry letters and packages to all the principal points in the upper country. During the early years the Northwestern Stage Company was a power in the land. Its mammoth operations extended over a route 860 miles long and it handled all the mail and ex- press between The Dalles, Oregon, and Kel- ton, Utah, besides transporting passengers and their luggage. But little complaint was made of this company. Indeed, they seem to have transacted all business entrusted to> them with fidelity and dispatch, but any such company, however Avell organized and equipped, was but a poor substitute for the huge gladiator of steel upon its iron track. It goes without say- ing that the people of eastern Oregon were HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 165 from the earliest times deeply interested in all projects which seemed likely to give them a railroad. Hardly could they take a drive on any important road without being- compelled to go down into their pocket-books for toll. Almost none of the principal streams and rivers could be crossed without paying high tribute to some ferryman. All articles of importation were likewise levied upon and the added cost was of course paid by the consumer. It speaks volumes for the productiveness of the mines that they were equal to' the task of supporting their operators under such circumstances and it tells well for the enterprise and push of the early citizens that they have accomplished so much while their energies were fettered by such an incubus. These being the conditions, it was natural that great interest should be excited in this and neighboring counties by Senator Mitchell's railroad bill, looking to the construction of the proposed Portland, Dalles and Salt Lake rail- way. The bill was introduced into the forty- fifth Congress in response to a monster petition signed by several thousand citizens of Ore- gon. Its main provisions were that the time for the completion of the Northern Pacific rail- road down the Columbia river should be ex- tended eight years ; that the railroad should be built on the south, or Oregon side of the river, and that the company should, within six months after the passage of this bill, commence the construction of the road, beginning either at Portland or at Umatilla, and that at least forty miles should be constructed each year until the whole should be completed; that the lands granted the Northern Pacific to aid in con- structing the above mentioned road should be surveyed and sold by the general government to actual settlers at $2.50 per acre, the proc- eeds to be used in paying the interest bearing bonds of the company ; that should the North- ern Pacific fail to build the road known as the Northern or Snoqualmie Pass road within the time already prescribed by law, an equal num- ber of acres should be granted to< any company that would build a road on the route of the proposed Portland, Dalles and Salt Lake rail- road, and that the track from Portland to Uma- tilla might then be used as common property upon such terms as should be fixed by arbitra- tion of a commission. Naturally the measure was opposed by the Northern Pacific Railroad Company and rather unnaturally, as it would seem, it was also op- posed by the Oregonian and the Portland Board of Trade. Portland's opposition no' doubt arose from the fact that many of the prominent citizens of. that city were stockholders in the Northern Pacific Company, but there was a disposition manifested even before this on the part of west side residents to oppose measures for the advancement of eastern Oregon. Of course the development of this section might act as a temporary drawback to the west by at- tracting emigrants who would otherwise go on to the coast, but one can hardly account for the failure to foresee that Portland's ultimate greatness could only result from the develop- ment of all Oregon, and that her true policy must be to promote the interests of the entire state, as far as lay in her power. The Ore- gonian must, in 1877, have been less ambitious than it now is to be a true exponent of the in- terests of the whole people of Oregon without reference to merely local and temporary consid- erations. But if the bill was opposed in western Ore- gon it was sustained with more than equal earn- estness in the counties east of the Cascades. Mass meetings were held at Baker City, Union and elsewhere in this section, at which resolu- tions were unanimously passed, warmly com- mending Senator Mitchell's bill. We tran- scribe those passed at Baker City, as follows : "Resolved, That the route and the means proposed by our United States Senator, John H. Mitchell, for the construction oi the North- ern Pacific and Portland, Salt Lake and South Pass railroads are, in our judgment, feasible 166 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES and that we endorse the bill of Senator Mitchell and urge its passage. "Resolved, That the constructing of such a means of transportation would be conducive to- the best material, commercial and political interests of Baker county and every portion of eastern Oregon and of the great northwestern country generally. "Resolved, That we sincerely believe that in encouraging and assisting that enterprise we express the sentiment of all who* are build- ing or expect to build their homes in a country SO' rich and boundless in resources as ours, in- habited by a class of people who. are anxious to engage in all the industrial pursuits of life and who, as it were, with one stentorian voice ask the promotion of this enterprise to> accel- erate their advance in the arts, civilization and peace. "Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to each of our Senators and Rep- resentatives in Congress. "Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be furnished the Bedrock Democrat with a re- quest on behalf of this meeting, that the same be published. "George J. Bowman, "D. D. Stephenson, "J. M. Shepherd, "Committee." As may be imagined the discussion upon the proposed bill waxed warm in the press and on the platform. Both sides contended with great energy and enthusiasm, but the influence of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company in Congress was too great to be overcome and the measure met defeat. The outlook for help from the northern road now seemed rather gloomy, as that company already controlled the navigation of the Columbia and it was in no hurry to itself build a road down that river, neither would it willingly permit any other company to do so. But the people of eastern Oregon did not lose courage. They clearly foresaw that the Union Pacific must have a feeder from the Pacific coast over which no rival should exercise control. The Union Pa- cific had already built one hundred miles of road in furtherance of a scheme to' start two lines, one to Montana and one to Boise City. The latter road could easily be completed through to Baker City, tapping the eastern Oregon mining region, thence to' the farming and stock raising Grande Ronde valley and be- yond. Furthermore the advantage to be gained by making this extension would be far more than proportionate to- the cost, and the hope of eastern Oregon that it was soon to' have a rail- road certainly rested upon a firm foundation. Then, too, it is a well known fact that when trade once establishes a certain channel for it- self, it is not easily diverted therefrom, and it was deemed possible that Portland, realizing this, would build a road to> Baker City and thus be the first to secure the vast and rapidly in- creasing trade of eastern Oregon. The era of railroad building in the inland empire was plainly about to dawn. But before the advent of the iron horse with its impetus to' industrial development, must come another temporary setback in the form of a second Indian war. A full account of that struggle will be found later in this volume. CHAPTER III. 1878 TO 1902. An Indian war is always a deplorable thing, not alone for the loss of life and destruction of property it occasions, but more especially on account of the great check it gives to immigra- tion and settlement. The Oregonian made the war of 1878 the subject o>f an article represent- ing eastern Oregon as wild and unsafe and urging newcomers to' the country to* continue their journeys until securely domiciled in the western part of the state. A desire to keep the balance of political power on the Pacific side of the Cascades and a narrow localism occa- sioned these continued attempts to' depreci- ate the inland country, but despite all this the railroad prospects were too bright and an era of progress too plainly discernable in the future to permit any great depression at this time. The years 1879 and 1880 were not charac- terized by any events of a sensational kind, but the entire country progressed with a steady pace. The mines, the herds and the cultivated fields all poured forth their wealth to' reward the labor of the delver and the husbandman, both of whom no doubt wrought with renewed courage, being assured that the day of stage coaches and freight teams must soon be ush- ered out and the day of railroads and tele- praphs, with their closer bonds of trade affini- ties and higher civilization, be ushered in. A census of Baker county, taken in 1880, shows the entire population and its distribution, as follows: District No. 1, Baker City and Pocahontas, 1,807; district No. 2, Sumpter, Auburn, Virtue, Burnt River and Clark's Creek, 1,165; district No. 3, Eldorado, Rye Valley, Humboldt Basin, Connor Creek, Quartz Gulch, Upper Burnt River and Stone, 949; dis- trict No, 4, Clover Creek, Pleasant Valley and Malheur agency, 235; district No. 5, Wing- ville and North Powder, 468 ; total, 4,624. The population of Baker City, including Chinese, numbered 815. The winter of 1880-81 was very severe and cattle perished in great numbers throughout the entire inland empire. Early in February the loss was estimated at seventy per cent, of cattle and sheep, though some men lost their entire herds. The ranges, we are informed, were covered with carcasses. 'The heaviest blow fell upon Wasco county, Benjamin Snipes, the stock king of that section, losing eighty per cent, of his herds. The vicinity of Prine- ville escaped disaster, but it had sustained heavy losses during the previous winter and the num- ber of cattle on hand was not large. It be- came evident to all stockmen that a change must be made in the manner of conducting their business, and that the only safe way in the future would be to prepare for feeding their animals during the winter months. When the cattle industry was in its incipiency in eastern Oregon, the bunch grass grew so tall and luxr uriantly that only a very deep snow could cover it and the cold alone, even in a severe winter, 168 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES was never extreme enough to cause serious loss. But for a decade herds had been multiplying -until some men were rich in cattle, who were poor in every other kind of property. The re- sult was that the bunchgrass was pastured down until a very shallow snow would cover it and when a winter came in which snow lay on the ground to a considerable depth for a long time, cattle must perish by the thousands. The result of this experience was to make the stockraiser more prudent in the matter o>f pro- curing winter feed. But while the loss of stock was a severe blow upon many individuals, its effectl upon the county generally was not what one might expect. By a strange compensation the same snow which brings disaster to the stockman almost invariably brings bountiful harvests to the farmer, and this was true o>f Baker county at the time of which we are writing. The spring of 1 88 1 opened with bright prospects for large developments in the business world. As the Walla Walla Statesman informs us, ("the building of the Northern Pacific in the columns of the newspapers" was of the past. Real ac- tive and practical work had begun in earnest. A call had been issued by the company, through General Sprague, for twenty million ties, three hundred and fifty thousand of which were to be delivered on the Yakima river or its tribu- taries on or before August I, 1881. It looked, therefore, very much as though something would be done by the Northern Pacific Com- pany which would relieve, in a measure, the urgent necessity for transportation facilities in eastern .Oregon and Washington. Further- more, the immediate construction of a road from Portland to The Dalles was assured and that completed, active work was to be begun on the gap between The Dalles and Walla Walla and there was the possibility that a start would be made on the proposed road through eastern Oregon to Salt Lake City. Thus the outlook for the country was most encourag- ing and enterprise of all kinds was stimulated in Baker and adjoining counties. In July, 1 88 1, William Parker, John Aus- tin and Thomas McEwen filed articles of in- corporation organizing the "Powder River, Burnt River and Summit Wagon Road and Bridge Company," with a capital stock of $50,- 000, their object to build a road from Prairie City to Auburn, a distance of forty miles. The construction of this road was o>f great value to Baker county, as it served to deflect the trade of the John Day valley from The Dalles to Baker City. It was also 1 o have an open route to the Pacific, and it was likewise of much moment to the O. R. & N. that it should secure a share of the business of south- ern Idaho'. The Short Line was at Shoshone, Idaho, and the O. R. & N. was building from Pendleton, over the Blue, mountains, to Baker City. The only feasible route for the Short Line to 1 reach the Pacific was through Burnt river canyon and this route was likewise nec- essary to' the O. R. & N., if it was to 1 secure the coveted southern Idaho, business. The lat- ter company was first to make its preliminary survey and file the necessary papers with the secretary of the interior. To further strength- en its claim it sent a force of men forward to the coveted pass early in the fall of 1882, and these were busily at work on the grade. The Short Line, also, had a surveying party in the canyon during the closing days of the year 1882, running a line near that of the O. R. & N. But as the canyon was so narrow and of such contour that the O. R. & N.'s road, as sur- veyed, would cross the river forty-four times in a distance of twenty miles, it was plain that both roads could not well occupy the pass. The difficulty was amicably settled at a joint meet- ing of the stockholders of the two 1 companies, held in March, 1883, at New York City. The igreement there reached was that the O. R. & N. should complete its extension from Baker City to the Snake river and that the Oregon Short Line should connect with it at Hunting- ton. Through traffic rates were arranged, schedules talked over and other details of the arrangement adjusted, and December 31, 1883, was fixed as the date for effecting the junction. Both companies increased their forces many fold in order to insure the completion of the work in the time specified. They did not suc- ceed, however, for it was twelve months later before the final spike was driven. On the train bringing the O'. R. & N. officials to take part in this ceremony were H. S. Rowe, super- intendent; P. T. Keene, private secretary; C. H. Prescott, senior manager; HL B. Thielson; R. M. Steele; G. R. Shaw, roadmaster; also Mr. Smeed, a Union Pacific engineer; J. Brandt, superintendent of the O. & C. road; Tony Noltner, of the Portland Standard; J. N. Steele, of the Portland News ; Senator Slater; J. B. Fithian ; J. S. Wilson, station agent at Baker City; and Thomas Merry, of 170 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the Oregonian. Two hundred people witnessed the ceremony, which consisted in placing the four rails in position and spiking them down, this necessary preliminary being followed by the driving of a highly polished steel spike. This was started by H. B. Thieson, after whom the various officials and guests each gave the spike a blow and when it had reached its final resting place, the two railroads were offi- cially united. The impetus given to industry by the antici- pation of a railroad did not cease to exert its influence after the whistle of the locomotive had awakened the echoes with its unwonted sound. Every industry rapidly accommodated itself to the new regime and many of them as- sumed larger proportions, owing to the encour- aging effect of cheaper and speedier transpor- tation. The farmer was no< longer dependent upon the local market alone and before the railroad was many months in existence, we find that he began shipping his products to outside cities, the first exportation being about fifteen cars of barley. Large numbers of cattle were also shipped. In June, 1885, the Oregon Horse and Land Company, which operated principally in Baker county, imported from France one hundred and nine Percheron horses, forty- seven males and sixty-two females, the aver- age cost of each being one thousand dollars. By this venture the company added to its al- ready very enviable prestige, for it was, prior to the purchase of these thoroughbreds, the largest horse raising association on the Amer- ican continent, perhaps in the world. It is stated that in 1884 it branded over 8,000 horses and in 1885, a still larger number, prob- ably 11,000. The presence of these and other valuable horses in the county naturally drew to this vi- cinity a large number of thugs and desperadoes, and the loss of horses as a result of their rav- ages was a thing of almost daily occurrence. Not a few of these characters terminated their earthly pilgrimage at the end of a hempen cord, suspended from a tree, but they seemed to prefer risking such punishment to honest endeavor, though the opportunities for such teemed on every side. The most notorious character of the period was a boy of less than twenty years; his name was Fred Inkleman. He had been a criminal from life's early morn- ing, but no 1 doubt insanity was the cause of his most atrocious crimes. In the spring of 1885 he went to work for a man named Busby, and soon he had a disagreement with his employer concerning wages. One morning he departed without ceremony, taking ten head of fine horses With him. No doubt he intended to drive these to his former home at Lakeview and there sell them, but when near Sumpter he met two of Baker county's most esteemed citi- zens, Rivers and Allen. It is supposed that he mistook them for officers ; at any rate he killed both. Three days later he was captured. When arraigned before the circuit court in October he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life im- prisonment. While awaiting trial, young Inkleman was accused of having added five more homicides to his load o>f guilt, by setting on fire the jail in which he was confined, hoping thereby to es- cape. He was the only prisoner who survived that terrible holocaust. There is, however, some doubt of his guilt in this instance. Twice while in the Baker county jail and twice in the penitentiary he attempted to take his own life. He was eventually transferred to> the insane asylum, where he died of gangrene, at the age of nineteen years. In July of the year 1886 a destructive wind and hail storm visited Sumpter valley, the most severe ever known in Baker county. Trees were uprooted, cabins razed to the ground, stock killed and several people seriously in- jured. At the Huckleberry mine a cabin was destroyed in which were three men at the time. Three large trees fell upon it almost simul- taneously, but strange to' say, all the men es- caped without injury. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 1TI As affording to the. reader a basis from which to estimate the material wealth of Baker county at this time, we quote the summary of assessments for the year 1886: 132,506 acres land, value $365,834; town lots, $286,710; im- provements, $784,942 ; merchandise and imple- ments, $297,971 ; money, notes, accounts, mortgages, $295,760; household furniture, $46,830; 15,605 horses, value, $392,510; 44,- 716 cattle, value, $635,517; 67,078 sheep, value, $97,901; 2,013 swine, value, $4,690; gross value of property, $3,208,665 ; indebted- ness, $684,309; exemptions, $174,700; total taxable property in Baker county, $2,349,255. The population of the county in 1886 was estimated at from fifteen to eighteen thousand, and thoug'h this may have been above the ac- tual, yet it is certain that an enormous gain had been made as a result of the railroad's advent. The prices for staple commodities at this peri- od, as given by C. M. Thorndyke & Company's published report were : Oats, 1 cent per pound ; barley, 90 cents per hundred pounds ; wheat, 50 cents per bushel; flour, $3.74 per hundred pounds ; potatoes, 80 cents per hundred pounds ; onions, $1.50 per hundred pounds; cabbage, the same; bacon, 8 T / 2 cents per pound; chick- ens, $2.50 per dozen; wood, $3 per cord; beef hides, $1 to $3.50; deer skins, 15 cents to 25 cents; sheep pelts, 15 cents to 25 cents; bear skins, $3 to $8; beaver skins, $2 to $4.50; ot- ter skins, $3 to $7; fisher skins, $2.50 to $10; martin skins, 75 cents to $2 ; coyote skins, 25 cents to $1 ; red fox skins, $1 to $1.50. At the Mechanics' fair, held in Portland in the fall of the year 1886, Baker county was es- pecially well represented, its exhibit being one of the finest ever seen in the northwest. To the energy and good taste of J. W. Virtue, its manager, the excellence of this exhibit was mainly attributable, though no one man, could have gotten together such a diverse and repre- sentative collection of the county's products. This could only be accomplished by public- spirited co-operation on the part of all the lead- ing citizens. "One feature of the collection," says the Portland News, "is especially note' worthy. A map of a farm six miles from Baker City shows the various portions on which were raised wheat, barley, oats, pota- toes, etc., also 1 the orchard and the mountain- ous section. Around the map of the farm are magnificent specimens of wheat, barley, oats, timothy, potatoes and fruit raised thereon, and in a plate is over $50.00 worth of gold dust, gathered from the gulches of this same farm." In the spring of 1887 an important reduc- tion was made in the territorial extent of Baker county by the formation out of its southern por- tion of Malheur county, which, according to the law creating it, was to be organized April 1st. The boundaries of the new county were fixed by territorial enactment, as follows : "Be- ginning at a point on the boundary line between the states of Oregon and Nevada, which is at the southeast corner of Grant county, thence north on the line between Grant county and Baker county, to the first angle corner in the east line of said Grant county ; thence north on range line between ranges 36 and 37 east, to the summit of the Burnt river mountains, in township 15 south, of range 36 east; thence easterly and following the summit of said Burnt river mountains, to the intersection of south boundary line of township 14 south, of range 43 east ; thence east on said south bound- ary line of township 14 to the middle channel of Snake river, between the state of Oregon and the Territory of Idaho: ; thence up the me- andering of said Snake river, on the line be- tween Oregon and Idaho 1 , to the mouth of the Owyhee river on said line ; thence south on the line between Oregon and Idaho, to: the north line of the state of Nevada ; thence west on the north line of Nevada to the place of begin- ning." By this act Baker county lost about half its territory (ten of its twenty-seven voting pre- cincts), and suffered a decrease in the total valuation of its taxable property of $859,624. 172 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Of course the new political division assumed its share, amounting to> $30,000, of the indebted- ness of the old county. This year is memorable also for the fact that in it the first shipment of lumber was made out of Baker county or this section of the state, an event which gave prophecy of an im- portant industry to be developed. The ship- ment consisted of thirteen cars, consigned to Bernard White, Ogden, Utah. The consign- ors were McMurren, Crabill & Company, a firm of local capitalists. In 1888 a new and important mining dis- trict came into prominence in Baker county, adding its stores to the mineral wealth of the region. Some time during the previous year a prospector, on one oi his gold seeking expe- ditions, discovered a rich ledge in a narrow gulch known as Cracker creek. He immedi- ately sold to a miner named Bourne, who, in partnership with Col. S. H. Knowles, worked it for about ten months. The result of this labor was to' prove the mines among the richest in the world, and in 1888 they were sold to 1 a St. Louis syndicate, the Oregon Mining Com- pany, for one million dollars. By this corpor- ation they were named the Eureka and Excel- sior, and as such have become known to the world. Cracker City was laid out in July on a site seven miles northeast of Sumpter. Its name was later changed to' Cleveland and still later to Bourne. There are mines all around it at present, but among the earliest discovered in the vicinity were the Columbia, Appotomax, Golconda, Wide West, Amazon and North Pole. The extent of commercial operations in Baker county during the year 1888 is shown by the following statistics, compiled by the Ore- gonian and substantiated later by the investi- gation of M. S. Tichner, whoi was appointed by the board of trade to prepare a report of the county's commercial progress : Actual gross value of Baker county property, exclusive of mines, $15,000,000; wool produced in 1888, 1,250,000 pounds; hides, 30,000 pounds; pelts, 10,000 pounds; ore shipped to Denver, 500,- 000 tons; sheep shipped, 150 carloads; cattle, 200 carloads; horses, 50 carloads; increase of shipping over previous year, 25 per cent. The board of trade report for 1889 names as among the most important mining corpora- tions operating in Baker county : Connor Creek Mining Company, Connor Creek, 35 stamps ; Eureka & Excelsior, Cracker Creek, 20 stamps; Gold Ridge, 10 stamps; Bonanza, 10 stamps; Virtue, 20 stamps; White Star, 10 stamps; Elkhorn, 10 stamps; Cleveland, 10 stamps ; Oregon Gold Mining Company, Cornucopia, 20 stamps ; Auburn Mining Com- pany, Auburn, 5 stamps; Miner, 10 stamps; Elkhorn Extension, 10 stamps; La Bellevue, 20 stamps; Monumental (silver), 20 stamps; Golden Monarch, 10 stamps; Baker City, 10 stamps; Worley, 10 stamps; Phoenix, 10 stamps ; Evening Star, 10 stamps. Ihe death roll of pioneers this year in- cludes the names of two prominent men in county affairs. Luther B. Ison, who served as a school teacher in this county during early days, as county clerk three terms, and finally as judge of the sixth judicial district, passed awa) r on August 2, aged seventy-eight. He had been a resident of the county since 1862. A few days later occurred the demise of Hon. James H. Shinn, also a pioneer of 1862. He was elected sheriff in 1870 and served four years and in 1882 was summoned by the franchises of the people to> the office of county judge, which he also retained four years. The year 1890 was a remarkably lively one in Baker county. The first important move- ment was made early in the spring and con- sisted of an effort on the part of the Oregon Lumber Company to interest the citizens of Baker City and vicinity in the construction of a proposed Sumpter Valley railway, to connect Sumpter valley with the seat of local govern- ment. C. W. Nibley, president of the lumber company, at a citizens' meeting held in the HISTORY' OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 173 First National Bank, stated his firm had in- vestigated thoroughly the large tracts of tim- ber lying between Sumpter and Baker- City, and had concluded to- build a road to tap this belt, also to construct mills in the latter place for the reduction of this timber wealth to lum- ber. The whole undertaking, however, was contingent upon the company's receiving sub- stantial encouragement from the citizens. Mr. Nibley's proposal was that if local capitalists would take fifty thousand dollars' 'worth o enter the Sumpter country, and indeed the only feasible route, it seemed for a time that the two> corporations were in danger of becoming involved in litiga- tion, and that the beneficent designs of one or both would be thwarted. At length, however, it was arranged that the railway might cross the dam on a bridge, and other mutual conces- sions were made which led to an amicable ad- justment of all differ ences. Then the railway company announced that the fifty thousand dollars, demanded as a con- dition precedent to the building of the road, would not be called for, but that the company would build the entire line with its own capi- tal, asking only for ten acres of land in Baker City on which to- build depots, and for the right of way. By July it had already completed nineteen miles. Its engineers concluded that McEwen's station, twenty-two miles out from Baker City on the Canyon City stage route, should be the terminus. As this point was al- ready a center where three stage lines convened and was now to- become an important railway point, McEwen's farm and the territory ad- jacent were laid out into lots, and the town of McEwensville was started. The first carload of log's was hauled over this road on August first. The spring of 1891 brought another busi- ness revival in Baker City and county, the result of the Seven Devils boom, for Baker City was the nearest railway point to that fam- ous camp. The section also realized the bene- fit from the development of the lumbering in- dustry incident to the construction of the Sumpter Valley Railway and the fact that the rich mining districts around Sumpter were made directly tributary to it. In the spring of 1892, an industry of very great importance to the mining interests of the county was estab- lished in Baker City, namely, the Baker City Sampling Works. The value of this plant to mining men generally is obvious when it is re- membered that it enabled all ore producers to thoroughly test their products at home, where- as formerly this could not be done nearer than Denver or Butte. In March, 1893, a Baker County Pioneer Association was organized for the purpose of collecting interesting stories of early days, photographs of pioneers, historical data, etc. In order to- preserve as complete a list as pos- sible of those who laid the foundation of the county's development, making the sacrifice without which civilized and enlightened so- ciety never could have had existence here, we 174 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES reproduce the list of charter members as fol- lows : Pioneer of 1844, William B. Perkins; pioneers of 1862, A. H. Brown, John J. Doo- ley, I. B. Bowen, Mrs. John Dooley, G. M. Fos- ter, J. P. Bowen, Thomas Smith, Truman F. Smith, George Chandler, Mrs. J. A. Ison, John Cramblit, Isaac Hiatt, W. H. Packwood, Sr., Jere J. Dooley, D. S. Littlefield, Mrs. I. B. Bowen, F. Dill, James Rea, J. M. Shepherd, George W. Campbell, L. O. Ison, Mrs. A. G. Chandler, S. Osborn, Martin D. Flemming, Mary A. Littlefield; pioneers of 1863, John A. Payton, William A. Hamm, A. J. Vincent, Ned Blake, Daniel H. Slam, L. S. Jenkins, Thomas J. Denny, W. C. Hindman, John Bru- ner, Mrs. A. F. Cramblit, W. C, Miller, Rich- ard Garrett; pioneers of 1864, F. M. Alfred, John Bulger, Hardin Z. Perkins, John Blize, Sara A. Hamm, R. C. George, James D. Young, J. M. Lachner, Carlos Perkins, F. W. Thompson, .J. A. Reid, W. H. Killing; pioneers of 1865, P. R. Bishop, George Ebell, William Bentley, John I. Sturgill, Sarah P. Caviness, V. Pfeiffenberger, John McMillan, Mrs. M). E. Alfred, F. H. Henrizi, Alfred Caviness, Thomas Huffman. Only those who were resi- dents of eastern Oregon prior to January 1, 1866, and residents of Baker county at the time of applying for admission to the society, were eligible for membership therein. The first of- ficers of the association were: president, W. H. Packwood, Sr. ; vice-president, A. H. Brown ; second vice-president, Thomas Smith ; secretary; C. M. Foster; treasurer, William Brown. It is hardly necessary to remind the reader that 1893 was the year upon which Was ushered in the era of financial stringency, panic and distress. Banks in Spokane, Portland, Ta- coma, Boise and almost all the principal cities and in the smaller towns of the west were com- pelled to close their doors. A huge impene- trable black cloud overcast the financial sky, obscuring the sun of prosperity, which had hitherto shone in splendor. It might be sup- posed that Baker county must share in the gen- eral depression, must feel the weight of the in- cubus which was fettering the wheels of indus- try in other parts of the Union, but such was not to be, at least not at first. There is some- thing so vitalizing about a mining boom that it draws out the latent energies and resources of the people, casting aside every hindrance as a thing of no importance. It so happened that a most opportune discovery was made in Baker county in the spring of 1893, which brought crowds of gold hunters to the section, neutralizing the effect which the panic might otherwise have had. Early in May James Baisley, who had been prospecting for weeks in the vicinity of the White Swan mine, walked into' the Citizens' National Bank, and placed on exhibition a large piece of quartz, carrying- heavy values. He had found it about three miles southwest of the White Swan mine, in a locality that had been prospected over many times. A rush was made to the new Eldorado. Every man who could possibly get away shouldered a pick and shovel and started for the latest Mecca. Counters were deserted. Salar- ies could no longer hold men. It became im- possible to procure help of any kind in Baker City and regular business enterprises were nec- essarily neglected. Outsiders flocked to Baker City from the country surrounding, making trade for the merchant and demand for the produce of the farmer. The entire summer of 1893 was a lively one, but though the newly dis- covered district was indeed a rich one, the ex- citement gradually subsided and things re- sumed their former condition. The mining men of Baker county and east- ern Oregon generally, true to their accustomed public spirit and enterprise, made good use of the World's Fair at Chicago to advertise the mineral wealth of this section of the world. The work of collecting minerals in this part was assigned to assistant superin- tendent of the state exhibit, F. H. Rowe, and with the help of J. W. Virtue, C. M. Donald- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 175 son, G. B. Moulton and others, he made one of the most complete collections of the mining products of Baker county ever before gotten to- g-ether. Each mine was requested to furnish a sample of its ore or dirt, to consist of not less than one hundred or more than five hundred pounds of the former or two or three sacks of the latter. The result was that minerals filling four cars were collected, most of which came from Baker county mines, though a portion was from other parts of southeastern Oregon. Among the minerals displayed as the products of this section were gold, silver, copper, lead, nickel, galena, iron and coal. Various building stones, granite, marble, sandstone and slate were included in the collection. While, as we have said, local causes pre- vented the coming of hard times to Baker county as soon as to the northwest generally, they could not wholly overcome the effect of the outside depression and the years 1894 and 1895 were not productive of much advancement in any line. The passage of Cbxey's tatterde- malion army through the county in May, 1894, gave ocular demonstration of the sad condi- tion obtaining in some parts of the west, but it is safe to assert that the army received few, if any, recruits from Baker county. A mining community, especially a gold pro- ducing community, seldom feels financial de- pression as do manufacturing and agricultural sections. Many persons, disappointed in their efforts to secure 'wealth in other walks of life, turn, at such times, to the search for the treas- ure supposed to be hidden in the secret vaults of earth, bringing with them a measure of pros- perity to the mining centers. Many of them fail in their quest but a, certain proportion are always successful. This causes revival of inter- ests in mines, a greatly increased output of the precious metals and the gradual return of pros- perity. There can be little doubt that the min- ing revival, caused by the financial stringency of 1893—6, was itself the chief factor in cur- ing that stringency. It is stated that the wealth production in this county, outside of minerals, in 1894, was approximated as follows : wheat, 77,835 bush- els; oats, 94,131 bushels; barley, 78,330 bush- els; potatoes, 40,081 bushels; apples 7,596 bushels; hay, 28,594 tons; wool, 81,704 pounds; butter, 660,090 pounds; corn, 176 bushels; tobacco, 1,070 pounds. The new year brought a considerable busi- ness revival. A number of old mines changed hands and some pioneer placer claims that had been abandoned because they would not pay the wages prevailing in good times were re- located and worked. Reviewing the year, in the Oregonian, John C. Young summarizes conditions in substance as follows : Considering the general depression in the whole northwest and eastern Oregon, Baker county probably fared as well, in 1895, as any of her sister counties. While there was but little, if any, development in an industrial line, the people were generally less oppressed by un- favorable conditions than they were the pre- vious year, 1894, owing to the practice of more strict economy. The farmers made their old wagons, harnesses and machinery do; stock- men made no new hazards, as the upward spurt in the price of beef the year previous had been short lived, owing to the free importation of beef from Mexico; and while the mines were progressing favorably, but little new capital was invested in this branch of industry in 1895. Had it not been for the fact that debts, con- tracted in flush times, remained fixed in terms and that taxes are seldom reduced to corre- spond with the universal fall in prices, the people of this county would have speedily re- adjusted their affairs to changed conditions. The farmers who depended on irrigation to raise crops reaped light harvests of grain and hay, owing to the drouth that followed the light snowfall in the mountains, although the lowlands produced abundantly. The hay crop was lig-ht in consequence of the drouth, though superior in quality. Hay brought from $3 to 176 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES $6 in the stack. The low price of grain, in 1894 resulted in a somewhat large "hog crop" in 1895, which in turn resulted in large ship- ments of hogs, bringing about 2^ cents per pound, live weight. The grain market was also affected by this overproduction, wheat bring- ing only half a cent per pound. Plenty of beef was marketed at a low figure. Three-year-olds brought in the neighborhood of $21 per head, while the pick of range cattle were sacrificed at $8 to $12 per head, by the herd. 1 The fruit crop of Eagle valley and the Burnt river fruit district was most abundant and o>f unexcelled quality, but the market being limited the prices realized were extremely low. Some young peach orchards on the Snake river came into bearing and produced fruit of high grade. The lumber industry of eastern Oregon, be- ing chiefly represented by the Oregon Lumber Company, entered the new year with a record of prosperity. The Oregon Company, owning the Sumpter Valley railroad, purposed to ex- tend the line through to Sumpter and had al- ready commenced grading. Directly and in- directly, the company furnished employment to nearly two hundred persons and the wages so distributed in this section, each year, could not but have a good effect on the community at large. The concern has lumber yards in all of the principal towns of Utah and in some of the towns along the Union Pacific in Wyoming and Idaho, besides its yards in Oregon, and has recently established yards at Walla Walla and other Washingtan towns. The scarcity of water during the summer of 1895 had its effect on the products of the placer mines, which were greatly diminished. In the Cornucopia district, a little new capital was invested during 1895, one Utah company and one Montana company each putting in a mill- ing plant in their quartz mines. In the Virtue district, several new discoveries were made of free gold quartz lodes, but new developments were insufficient to give that district a boom such as it had in 1892-93. The Virtue mine constantly employed eighty men and was yield- ing in the neighborhood of $18,000 per month. The last strike of two> small pockets turned out $44,000. The base ore mines of the Elkhorn district were not operated with very great vigor and financially the season was not a prosperous one. At Cracker Creek, the Longmaids, ex- perienced mining men, had the E. & E. mine under lease and bond and were concentrating their ores for shipment to the Tacoma smelter. Their shipments averaged two' carloads a week of concentrates, of the average value of $135 per ton. About forty men were employed and preparations were being made for the installa- tion of twenty more stamps. At Cable Cove a Utah company was developing a group of claims under bond and the following June were to determine whether they would go on and erect a 30-ton concentrator or not. The good year 1 896, the year in which the financial cloud began to clear away, was mark- ed in Baker county by a most lamentable ca- tastrophe. On the night of June 1 5th the water of the Goodrich creek reservoir refused to be longer restrained within its accustomed bounds and breaking away rushed madly down the mountain side, wresting huge boulders from their places, tearing out trees by the roots and bearing huge quantities of debris before it. Had there been a village in its path, the Johns- town horror would have been repeated. As it was, the only family residing below the reser- voir, consisting of C. S. French, wife and five children, perished utterly and without warning, for their remains when found, were clad in night attire. The reservoir was a large one, covering about forty acres. It was constructed by Zero Snow, in 1873, for irrigation purposes. In 1894 its headgate showed signs of decay. In 1895 it was not in use but the following year it was repaired and again pressed into service. The work done upon it was not suffi- ciently extensive and thorough, however, as the result proved. During this year, the Sumpter Valley rail- iiJt^s, •"•' ] PLACER TAILIHGS HEAR SUMPTER. EAGLE YALLEY. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 177 road was extended to- Sumpter, an event which was celebrated, October 3d, by an excursion to that city and by appropriate exercises. The report of the First National Bank of Baker City and many other indications make it manifest that prosperity had returned to this region, but it was not until 1897 that the last vestiges of distress were cleared away and the country took up the forward march with its wonted vigor. In the spring o started for Alaska, were so pleased with the prospects of this region that they remained here. The rapid development of Baker City since is evidence of this fact. Agriculture also received quite an uplift in 1898, adding materially to the gross wealth production of the county. The wood shipments of the year brought about $100,000 as returns ; 34,000 head of sheep were sold at an average price of $2.50 each; about 30,000 cattle at $30 per head; and eight hundred horses at $5 each. The cereal crops were also good and commanded a fair price. The year was one of unpredecented prosperity through- out the entire state. At the Trans-Mississippi exposition, Oregon was the only Pacific state represented and it is said that her mineral dis- play 'won thirty-seven gold medals and di- plomas and her entire exhibit three more gold medals than that of any other state. The chief topic of interest during 1899 was the proposed Seven Devils railroad. Though it was not built, a wagon road was, as was also a road from Sumpter to Bourne. Some of the people of what was known as the "Pan- handle" of Union county had long been de- sirous of severing their connection with the- political division of which their section formed, a part, and uniting their fortunes with Baker county. During this year they began working energetically to this end but their exertions re- mained unrewarded until the beginning of the- year T901. For the sake of record we reproduce the statistics of Baker county's population, pre- pared from the census of 1900 by William C. Hunt, as follows: Alder, 283; Baker City, First ward, 1,729, Second ward, 789, Third ward, 2,280, Fourth ward, 1,865 ; Baker pre- cinct, No. 1, 270; Bourne, 592; Bridgeport,. 172; Cleary, 279; Connor Creek, 150; Depot, 69; Express, 417; Haines, 323; Huntington precinct, including the town of Huntington, 1,014; Huntington town, 821 ; McEwen, 292; North Powder, 162 ; North Sumpter precinct, including part of Sumpter town, ,678; Parker, 538; Pocahontas, 330; Rock Creek, 447; Rye Valley, 142; South Baker, 506; South Sump- ter precinct, including part of Sumpter town, 12 178 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 1,179 ; Sumpter town, part of, 131 ; Unity, 257; Virtue, 317; Weatherby, 145; Willows, 185; Wingville, 187; total population, 15,597. As just stated, a bill was enacted in Febru- ary, 1 90 1, giving to> Baker county a large sec- tion of territory which had formerly belonged to Union county. The bill passed the lower house on the 21st, and the senate the following day, and became a law without the governor's signature. We quote a portion of this law as follows : "Be it enacted by the Legislative Assem- bly of the State of Oregon: "Section 1. That all that portion of the state of Oregon embraced within the following boundary lines and heretofore a part of Union ■county be and the same is hereby made a part •of Baker county, to-wit : Commencing at the intersection of the township line between town- ships six (6) and seven (7) south, range forty (40) east, with Powder river, thence east on said township line to the center of range forty- two (42) east, thence north to the township line between townships five (5) and six (6) south, thence east on said township line be- tween townships five (5) and six (6) to' the Wallowa county line, thence easterly along the Wallowa county line; to' Snake river, thence up and along Snake river 1 to the mouth of Powder river, thence up and along Powder river to the place of beginning. "Section 2. That the territory embraced within said boundary lines shall hereafter be exempt from all laws, regulations, civil and military jurisdiction of said Union county, and shall be subject to the laws, regulations, civil and military jurisdiction of said Baker county. "Section 3. The county clerk of Union county shall, within thirty days after this act shall have gone into 1 operation, make out and deliver to the county clerk of Baker county a transcript of all taxes assessed upon all persons and property within said bound en territory, and all taxes which shall remain unpaid upon the day this act shallbecome a law shall be paid to the proper officer of Baker county. The said clerk of said Union county shall also make out and deliver to the clerk of said Baker county, within the time above limited, a transcript of all cases in the circuit and county courts of said Union county in which the defendant resides in said above bounden territory and a transcript of all matters, probate or otherwise, in which the moving party or the property involved is within said bounden territory, and file said transcripts in the clerk's office of said Union county, and transfer all the original papers in said cases or matters to Baker county for fur- ther proceedings therein." By this act the assessable property of Baker county received an increment of about $440,- 000 and was required to assume the propor- tionate part of Union county's indebtedness fairly chargeable against the section of coun- try transferred, which amounted to $30,751.35. Perhaps partly for the purpose of testing the validity of this act, George W. Benson, the county clerk of Union county, refused to fur- nish to Baker county the transcripts required by its provisions, whereupon Baker county ap- plied to Judge W. R. Ellis for a writ of man- damus compelling Benson to comply with the law. The court granted the writ ; the case was appealed on several grounds, one being that the bill was unconstitutional. By a decision, ren- dered December 2, 1901, the supreme court of Oregon affirmed that of Judge Ellis and the case was decided in Baker county's favor. On Sunday, June 2, 1901, the Sumpter Valley railway fifteen-mile extension was formally opened to 1 the public. This road fur- nished an outlet for the vast quantities of tim- ber surrounding Whitney and provided for the utilization of a valuable source of wealth pro- duction. At the Pan-American exposition of this year the mining men of Oregon, as is their usual custom, took the trouble to have their industry fairly represented. The mineral ex- hibit of the state was a fine one and inspired HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 179 Mrs. Harriet Connor Brown to write for the •columns of the New York Engineering and Mining Journal a very flattering descriptive article. She said, in part : "That the state of Oregon has stores of mineral wealth which are being rapidly de- veloped is shown by its exhibits in the Mines building at the Pan-American exposition. The exhibit is in two parts. A general display of Oregon minerals is made by A. W. Miller, of Portland, who, as superintendent of Oregon's mineral exhibits at the Chicago and Omaha expositions, has done so much to make the re- sources of the state known to the world. A collection of specimens from the gold-ribbed mountains of eastern Oregon is exhibited by Fred R. Mellis, of Baker City, whose fine museum of mineral wonders is well known in his own locality. This joint Oregon display is attractively installed in a conspicuous position on the floor of the Mines building, and receives the favorable comment of all visitors. It is made under the auspices of the state, M'r. Mil- ler and Mr. Mellis each having received a cer- tain amount of the state appropriation to aid them in their work. "Mr. Miller's collection includes a great variety of specimens and covers Oregon's min- eral wealth very thoroughly from gold and cop- per to pebbles and mineral waters. Specimens of free gold and gold in various combinations are shown, some of them representing ore worth as much as $12,521 per ton. A few specimens of silver ore are exhibited, but they are not many or important. "The varied riches of other sections of the state sink into comparative insignificance be- side the golden treasures of eastern Oregon. Specimens of ore from that mineral belt, which includes all of Baker county and parts of Grant and Union counties, and embraces 14,- 000 square miles, are the chief pride of Mr. Mellis' collection. The specimens are most of them large in size, showing that they have been taken from developed mines by the aid of mod- ern machinery." The current of our narrative has brought us out of the realm of history and into that of the present. At this writing, prosperity con- tinues her benign rule; the mineral output of the old established mines of the country is on the increase ; new discoveries and prospects are being developed.; railroad enterprises are being projected to facilitate the movement of ores ; and confidence in the future everywhere lends buoyancy to the spirits of the citizens, inspiring and energyzing industrial operations. The ultimate destiny of the county cannot be even dimly foreseen, but its undeveloped resources of agriculture and timber give earnest of great things yet to be, while the variety, diversity and wide distribution of its mines lead to the belief that past achievements in this industry are but a trifle compared with the greater de- velopments which the future will bring forth. * CHAPTER IV. POLITICAL. The circumstances which led to the organ- ization of Baker county have been adverted to in former chapters. The officers appointed to perform the various official functions until such time as they could be succeeded by duly elected officers, were : County judge, Hon. John Q. Wilson; sheriff, George W. Hall; clerk, Samuel A. Clarke; treasurer, William F. McCrary; as- sessor, W. D. Quigley ; school superintendent, William H. Packwood. These officers, or at least a part of them, entered upon their duties on the 3d day of No- vember, 1862. Their first item in the journal of the county court read as follows : County Court of Baker County, Oregon, met pursuant to law, November 3, 1862. Present, the Hon. John Q. Wilson, county judge; I. H. Wickersham, under sheriff; Will- iam Waldo', deputy county clerk. It appears that the first attorneys to prac- tice before this court were Grey and the firm of Heed & Pierce. Of these Mr. Grey was attor- ney for the plaintiff and Heed & Pierce for the defendant, in the case of A. B. Roberts vs. Thomas Allison, who have the distinction of being the first litigants to submit their cause to the adjudication of this court. The first jury trial to come before this court, and probably the first jury trial before any legally organized tribunal in the county, was that of Thomas Allison vs. David Love, D. H. Belknap and A'. B. Roberts, for damages. The personnel of the jury in this trial is given by the records as follows: J. J. Blake, B. C White, John A. Johns, William Mi. Powers,. W. C. Wills, foreman, and I. Coleman. It ap- pear that the jury awarded to the plaintiff damages in the sum of $140. The case was appealed but ultimately settled by agreement of the parties. Hlaving organized the county government,, some of the appointed officers seemed to think that their mission ' was fulfilled and resigned.. Thus it appears from the journal that at the term of county court commencing May 4,. 1863, W. R. Park appeared as sheriff, vice George W. Hall resigned, and that on the 7th of July of the same year, James M. Pyle as- sumed the official position of Mr. Wilson, who had also resigned. Mr. Quigley also* failed to serve out his full term as assessor and in No- vember, 1863, John S. Rice assumed the du- ties of that office. The first session of the circuit court toi be- held within the limits of Baker county con- vened at Auburn on June 15, 1863, the Hon.. Joseph G. Wilson, whoi was circuit judge for the fifth judicial district, comprising- Wasco, Umatilla, Baker and Grant counties,, presiding. Not even with the kindly assistance and aid of the very accommodating- county officials were we able to< find complete records of the early elections, the names of candidates, ma- jorities, etc., but from the records it may be HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 181 gleaned that at the first general election, which took place on the first Monday in June, 1864, the following were elected : Joseph G. Wilson, circuit judge; James H. Slater, prosecuting attorney; Jairjes Mi. Pyle, :state senator; Samuel Colt, representative; Neill Johnson, county judge; C. ML Foster, clerk; John Lovell, sheriff; A. Witherell and A. Morrison, county commissioners ; W. F. McCrary, treasurer; John D. Rice, assessor; N, J. Snaver, coroner. The creation of Union county necessitated the resignation of some of these men, for they were resident within the limits of the new political division. For this reason, Mr. Wither- ell resigned the office of county commissioner and in his stead was appointed B. K. Koontz, who declined. Valentine Grey was then ap- pointed. With regard to the school superin- tendency, which was also' left vacant by the formation of Union county, we find the followb ing notation in the county court's journal under date of November 14, 1864 : "It appearing to the board of commission- ers that J. R. Ellison, superintendent of com- mon schools of Baker county, is no longer a resident of said county and that he has been appointed superintendent of common schools of Union county by the state legislature, it is therefore ordered by the county court that said office of superintendent be declared vacant and that the board of commissioners appoint Jesse B. Stump superintendent of common schools, vice J. R. Ellison, removed." Mr. Stump resigned in 1865 and C. M. Foster finished the term. A vacancy in the shrievalty of Baker county was created in the fall of 1864 by the removal to Idaho of Jona- than Lovell, and John H. Ingraharn, formerly deputy sheriff, was appointed to the office. John S. Rice having resigned as county as- sessor in May, 1865, Sheriff Ingraharn per- formed the duties of that office also until the following January, when he, too, relieved him- self of the burdens of public office. Hiram Huffman served as sheriff the remainder of the term. At the December term, 1864, of the county court, Jonathan Keeney was granted a license, upon the payment of $100, to operate the Boise ferry across the Snake river, and George Walker and C. D. Bacheler license to operate a ferry on the Owyhee river "at a point within one mile of the present crossing of the Owyhee and Red Bluff roads," their license to be $50. Following were the rates fixed for both ferries : Each footman, 25 cents ; each pack animal, 50 cents; each loose animal, 25 cents ; each wagon, one ton freight and pair animals, $2; each additional ton freight, $1 ; each additional pair animals, 50 cents ; and each sheep or hog, 10 cents. At the March term of 1865 a license was granted to John Partin to operate the Washoe and Central ferries, and to R. P. Olds to op- erate one at Farewell Bend on the Snake river. August Trunk was also granted a license to operate a ferry on Burnt river, at the mouth of Clark's creek. Naturally much attention was given, dur- ing the early days, to the formation of county roads. It would seem from the records, though they do not specifically so state, that the first county road established was from Auburn to Monohin's ranch in the Powder river valley. At the July session, 1864, a petition was pre- sented and read, praying the commissioners to lay out and establish a county road commenc- ing at A. Morrison's house in the Powder river valley and extending, via the Ladd canyon and LaGrande, to Fox's mill in the Grande Ronde valley. The election in Baker county, held June 4, 1866, resulted as follows: For Congress, R. Mallory, 286, J. D. Fay, 294; for governor, G. L. Woods, 283, J. K. Kelley, 299; for sec- retary 01 state, S. E. May, 288, L. F. Lane, 292 ; for state treasurer, E. N. Cook, 285, J. C. Bell, 294 ; for state printer, W. A. McPherson, 288, J. O. Meara, 286; for district attorney, C. R. Meigs, 253, J. H. Slater, 287; for state 182 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES senator, L. W. Getchell, 243, S. Ison, 261 ; for representative, William Corcoran, 242, A. C. Loring, 263 ; for county commissioners, T. Mc- Murren, 235, J. J. Jarvis, 237, J. M. Rea, 255, J. C. Humphrey, 259; for joint representative, William C. Wills, 243, W. C. Hindman, 261 ; for sheriff, M. F. Colt, 230, J. W. Virtue, 262 ; for clerk, C. M. Foster, 237, J. H. Shinn, 252 ; for assessor, R. F. Brown, 232, P. R. William, 258 ; for treasurer, George Brattain, 248, L. Pfeiffenberger, 243 ; for surveyor, I. B. Bowcn, 237, M. T. Hindman, 258; for superintendent public schools, J. M. Boyd, 237, L. Critton, 259; for coroner, M. C. Farrar, 234, O. Dean, 257- In September, 1866, Neill Johnson resigned the county judgeship and A. F. Johnson was appointed to fill the unexpired term. We have been unable to' find any record of the election returns for the year 1868, but Mr. Hiatt gives the names of the successful candi- dates as 'follows : Member of Congress, Joseph Smith; member of the legislature, Ransom Beers; county judge, L. L. McArthur; sheriff, James W. Virtue; clerk, Joseph Shinn; treas- urer, Joseph Beck; assessor, Hiram Osborn; commissioners, John P. Bo wen and A. J. Weather by. The result of the election of state, county and district offices in Baker county, for the year 1870, was : For Congress, Slate, Democrat, 561, Wilson, Republican, 414; for governor, Grover, Democrat, 579, Palmer, Republican, 402 ; for secretary of state, Chadwick, Demo- crat, 582, Elkins, Republican, 401 ; for treas- urer, Fleischner, Democrat, 577, Kincaid, Re- publican, 405 ; for district judge, McArthur, Democrat, 591, Whitten, Republican, 363; for district attorney, Lasswell, Democrat, 569, Lichtenthaler, Republican, 372 ; for state sen- ator, Brown, Democrat 486, Foster, Republi- can, 364 ; for representative, Porter, Democrat, 488, Olds, Republican, 366; for joint represen- tative, McLean, Democrat, 510, Bentley, Re- publican, 356; for county judge, McFarland, Democrat, 490, no opposition candidate; for sheriff, Shinn, Democrat, 427, Littig, Republi- can, 408; for clerk, Ison, Democrat, 488,. Webber, Republican, 355; for commissioners, Sehofield and Gardner, Democrats, 486 and 485 respectively, Brown and Boswell, Repub- licans, 369 and 327 respectively; for treasurer, Parker, Democrat, 477, Logan, Republican,. 375 ; for assessor, Richardson, Democrat, 508',, Cole, Republican:, 329; for surveyor, Johnson,. Democrat, 495, (Cralbill, Republican, 357; for school superintendent, Foster, Democrat, 498,. Hiatt, Republican, 351; for coroner, Snow,. Democrat, 495, Cleaver, Republican, 351. L. L. McArthur, who was elected county judge in 1868, resigned before the expiration of his term and L. O. Sterns was appointed in hisi place. In 1870, as above stated, J. D. Mc- Farland ,wiasi elected county judge without op- position. A dispute arose as to who should have the offibe, Mir. Sterns claiming that he should hold it under his appointment until McArthur's. term should have expired, that is until 1872. Mr. McFarland claimed the office in virtue of his. having been elected by the people and hav- ing been furnished a certificate of election. Mr. Sterns held the office until the fifth of September, when the county commissioners, Judge McFarland and several substantial citi- zens insisted that he should vacate the seat in Jjavor of McFarland, holding that a certificate of election was of more force than an appoint- ment by the governor. In 1872 the Democratic party of Baker county, at its convention held February 26th, nominated the following- countv officers : For sheriff, James H. Shinn; for clerk, L. B. Ison; for the legislature, J. B. Onstien; for county treasurer, G. W. Parker ; for county assessor, William Quinn; for commissioners, H. W. Estes and D. B. Sehofield; for surveyor, John Brattain ; for coroner, Dr. T. N. Snow ; for school superintendent, J. W. Wisdom. The Republicans held their convention on the 4th of March and named as their candidates HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 188 the following person? : For sheriff, Walter Femald; for clerk, Daniel 'Dwight; for treas- urer, O. H. Clentent ; for assessor, D. S. Moo- maw ; for county commissioners, John Wade and William Baldock ; for superintendent of schools., E. 'H. Bunnell; for county surveyor, J. E. Mleacham; for coroner, Dr. J. ML Boyd; for representative, H. Ml MbKinney. i The result of the election following may be summarized as follows: J. B. Onstien, Demo- cratic candidate for representative received 558 votes; H. M. McKinney, Republican, 326; Dunham, 1 Wright, Democratic candidate for joint representative, 554, S. S. White. Repub- lican, 336 ; for county commissioners, H W. Estes and D. B. Schofield, Democrats, received 521 and 432 votes respectively; W. Baldock and John Wade, Republicans, 356 and 423 re- spectively; for sheriff, James H. Sibimi, the Demperatie nominee, received 526 votes and W. Femald, Republican, 342, while E. W. Reynolds, the independent candidate, received twjo votes. The popular ahoice for clerk was Luther B. Ison; for treasurer, G. W. Parker; for assessor, W. Quinn; for superintendent of schools, J. W. Wisdom ; for coroner, Dr. T. N. Snow, all P'emocrats. The Democratic convention of the year 1874 was held in the court house in Baker City, on the 23d of February. The nominees of this party for the various county offices were : For state senator, John W. Wisdom ; for rep- resentatives, C. G. Chandler and J. C. Wilson ; for sheriff, James H. Shinn; for county clerk, Luther B. Ison; for county judge, D. B. Scho- field ; for county commissioners, M. Kelley and W. Fuqua ; for treasurer, George W. Parker ; for assessor, William. H. Hull; for surveyor, John Brattain; for school superintendent, W. F. Payton ; for coroner, Dr. T. N. Snow. The Republican convention: held on the 17th of March, 1874, named the following ticket: for senator, Samuel Colt; (for representatives, Thomas Littig and William Chambers; for sheriff, Dr. J. M. Boyd; for commissioners 1 , E. H. Bunnell and E. Imbler; for surveyor, Cy. Brattain ; for coroner, Dr. J. T. Atwood. This convention endorsed D. B. Schofield, Democratic candidate for the office of county judge. The election in Baker county resulted as follows : Representatives, Chandler and Wil- son, Democrats, 452 and 437 votes respective- ly, Chambers and Lawrence, Republicans, 351 and 155 respectively; for state senator, Wis- dom, Democrat, 434, Colt, Republican, 334; Sterns, 30; for sheriff, Shinn, Democrat, 379, Boyd, Republican, 436; for county judge, D. B. Schofield, the nominee on both tickets, 821 ; for county clerk, Ison, Democrat, 427, Web- ber, Republican, 395 1 ; for county treasurer, Parker, Democrat, 509, Grier, Republican,. 325 ; (for superintendent schools, Payton, Dem- ocrat, 445; McClelland, Republican, 376; for county surveyor, John Brattain, 478, J. C. Brattain, 334; assessor, William, H. Hull, Democrat, 520, Pritchard, Republican, 291; for coroner, Snow, Democrat, 480; Atwood, Republican, 345 ; county commissioners, Fu- qua and Kelley, Democrats, 466 and 549 re- spectively, Imbler and Bunnell, Republicans, 286 and 303 respectively. The campaign of 1876 was an extremely strenuous, even virulent one. The Democrats held their county convention March 6th, and placed the following ticket in the field : For rep- resentatives, I. D. Haines and A. J. Lawrence; sheriff, R. C. George; clerk, George W. Park- er; county treasurer, S. Ottenheimer; assessor, L. B. Rinehairt ; commissioners, William Glenn and Strother Ison; surveyor, C. L. Means; su- perintendent schools, S. H. Small; coroner, Dr. J. B. Hulsey. On April 12th, the date set for the Republi- can convention, delegates representing the dif- ferent precincts of the city and county met and placed a "Taxpayers' " ticket in nomination. This ticket was the first fusion ticket ever placed in the Baker county political field, the delegates being Republicans and Democrats 184 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES not satisfied with their regular party organ- ization. The nominees were: For representa- tives, Dr. J. M. Boyd and David Littlefield; for sheriff, William Brown ; clerk, T. J. Brow L •er; treasurer, John P. Ross; assessor, — Ed- wards; county commissioners, William Cham- bers and Anse Loennig; superintendent coun- ty schools, P. Crabill; surveyor, Stephen Os- foorn ; coroner, no nomination. A few days later a call was issued, signed ■"Many Time Republicans," (for a county con- vention to be held April 24th, and relating that : "'Whereas the delegates to the county conven- tion held on the 12th inst, false to the trust reposed in them by the Republican primaries which elected them, fused with the disap- pointed Democracy, to place in the field a so- called Taxpayers' ticket, thus completely ignor- ing the Republican organization and subordin- ating the public good and the party discipline to the requirements of private ambit* on and in- dividual chicanery; that the Republican party stands without representation or recognition in the political field and that all true Republicans be and they are hereby requested toi meet in convention April 24th." On this date, "many true Republicans" assembled and having or- ganized themselves, adopted the following res- olution, contrary to the intent of the signed call: "Resolved, That as true Republicans, hav- ing the best interests of the party and county at heart, we feel it our duty, aside from politi- cal issues, to endorse the 'Taxpayers-' ' ticket, and We would appeal to every voter of the county to do the same." The result of the election in June was as follows : For representatives, Haines and Lawrence, Democrats, received 563 and 465 votes respectively, Boyd and Littlefield, Fu- ■sionists, 387 and 381 votes respectively; for sheriff, George, Democrat, 481 votes, and Brown, Fusionist, 427. votes ; for clerk, Park- er, Democrat, received 481 votes and Brower, Fusionist, 438 votes ; for treasurer, Ottenheim- er, Democrat, received 495 votes and Ross, Fusionist, 402 votes; for assessor, Rinehart, Democrat, 503 votes, Edwards, Fusionist, 392 votes; for commissioners, Glenn and Ison, Democrats, received 493 and 490 votes respec- tively and the Fusionist candidates, Chambers and Loennig, 419 and 416 votes respectively; for superintendent county schools, Small, Dem- ocrat, received 485 votes and Crabill, Fusion- ist, 411 votes; for surveyor, Means, Demo- crat, received 506 votes and Osborn, Fusion- ist, 406 votes; Dr. Hulsey, the Democratic nominee for coroner received 628 votes, there being no opposition. Judge McArthur, the only candidate for the county judgeship, re- ceived 666 votes. The year 1878 found the two leading polit- ical parties rent by factional strife. The Dem- ocratic party in Baker county was said to> be dominated by a ring, subservient to the inter- ests of a state ring at Salem. The Republi- cans had not yet forgotten their troubles in 1876 and the total disorganization of their party in this county that year. Then, too, county affairs were in a bad way financially. The exact condition of the treasury could not be ascertained, as the books were in such a muddled condition that the grand jury had em- ployed expert accountants to> examine them, and these accountants had not yet reported when (election day arrived. The Bedrock Democrat, the exponent of the Democratic party of this county and section of the state, was but lukewarm in support of that party's candidates, and was in open revolt against the Democratic leaders at Salem:. On the whole, the situation was hazy and none could fore- tell results. The Republican state convention met at Salem, April 17th, and placed in nomination the following ticket: governor, C. C. Beek- man; Congress, Rev. H. K. Hines; secretary of state, R. P. Earhart; state treasurer, Ed- Ward Hirsch; state printer, W. B. Carter; su- perintendent public instruction, L. J. Powell; HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 185 district attorney, C. W. Fairish. At the coun- ty convention held April 3d, the Republicans chose the following as their standard bearers in county politics : State senator, J. P. At- wood; representatives, A. C. Goodrich and L. W. Nelson ; clerk, A. C. McClelland ; sher- iff, Charles Kellogg; treasurer, A. P. Weller; •county judge, A. B. Elmer; county commis- sioners, C. TL Lacy and John F. Stevens; as- sessor, William Morfitt; superintendent of schools, H. N. McKinney; surveyor, William Chambers; coroner, Thomas Smith. The Democratic state nominees for 1878, nominated at Portland, April nth, were: Gov- ernor, W. W. Thayer; Congress, Hon. John Whiteaker; secretary oif state, T. G. Reames; state treasurer, A. H. Brown; state printer, A. Noltner; superintendent public instruction, T. G. Stites ; district attorney, Luther B. Ison. The Democratic county convention was held March 25th, and nominated candidates as fol- lows : state senator, I. D. Haines ; representa- tives, C. G. Chandler and W. R. Curtis; sher- iff, R. C. George; clerk, G. W. Parker; treas- urer, S. Ottenheimer; county judge, W. J. Leatherwood; county commissioners, Hiram Osborn and R. P. Yantis; assessor, David Rankin; superintendent schools, L. C. Bare; surveyor, C. L. Means; coroner, Dr. G. W. Biggers. The election was closely contested and -for the first time in several years, the Republicans secured a fair share of the offices. The result in Baker county was as follows : Congress, Whiteaker, Democrat, 562, Hines, Republican, 334; governor, Thayer, Democrat, 543, Beek- man, Republican, 366; secretary of state, Reames, Democrat, 533, Earhart, Republican, 372; state treasurer, Brown, Democrat, 409, Hirsch, Republican, 443 ; state printer, Nolt- ner, Democrat, 474, Carter, Republican, 398; superintendent public instruction, Stites, Dem- ocrat, 540, Powell, Republican, 367; district attorney, Ison, Democrat, 407, Parrish, Re- publican, 480; state senator Haines, Demo- crat, 453, Atwood, Rq>ublican 424 ; represen- tatives, Chandler and Curtis, Democrats, re- ceived 536 and 447 votes respectively and Goodrich and Nelson, Republicans, 445 and 325 votes respectively; sheriff, George, Dem- ocrat, 443, Kellogg, Republican, 424; county judge, Leatherwood, Democrat, 392, Elmer, Republican, 458; treasurer, Ottenheimer, Democrat, 352, Weller, Republican, 503 ; clerk, Parker, Democrat, 467, McClelland, Republican, 411; county commissioners, Yantis and Osborn, Democrats, 478 and 424 votes respectively, and Stevens and Lacy, Republicans, 452 and 371 votes respectively; assessor, Rankin, Democrat, 499, Morfitt, Re- publican, 366; surveyor, Means, Democrat, 465, Chambers, Republican, 364; superinten- dent public schools, Bare, Democrat, 407, Mc- Kinney, Republican, 450; coroner, Biggers, Democrat, 431, Smith, Republican, 408. The spring election of the year that saw Garfield chosen president, 1880, was as lively as those preceding, and resulted in a Democrat- ic victory. The Democrats were first in the field with their county convention, having held it March 15th, with the following result: Representatives, A. J. Lawrence and L. B. Rinehart; sheriff, Wallace W. Travillion; clerk, Thomas D. Parker; treasurer, H. C. Paige ; assessor, David A. Rankin ; superinten- dent county schools, John A. Payton; county commissioners, George Chandler and W. S. Glenn ; surveyor, C. L. Means ; coroner, H. C. Durkee. At the state convention held at Al- bany, Hon. John Whiteaker was a second time nominated 'for Congress. P. P. Prim, J. K. Kelly and John Burnett were nominated as justices of the state supreme court, and L. L. McArthur as district judge and D. W. Bailey as prosecuting attorney for the fifth judicial district. Besides these the regular number of presidential electors were named. The Republicans held their county conven- tion late in March and placed the following ticket before the electors of Baker county : Rep- 186 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES resentatives, J. P. Atwood and Jere J. Doo- ley ; sheriff, A. P. Weller ; clerk, C. L. Palmer ; treasurer, C. M. Kellogg ; county commission- ers, J. M. Swift and W. K. Stark; assessor, A . MePherson ; superintendent county schools, H. 'N. McKinney; surveyor, C. M. Foster; coroner, C. W. Durkee. At Portland the Republicans placed M . C . George in nomina- tion for Congress; John Waldo<, W. P. Lord and E . B . Watson in nomination for supreme court judges; and M. L. Olmstead as district judge and Robert Eakin as prosecuting attor- ney for the fifth judicial district. George, Republican, was elected to Con- gres over his Democratic opponent, Whiteaker, and McArthur defeated Olmstead for circuit judge. The county Democratic ticket went into office with a victory unmarred by the de- feat of a single candidate. Garfield and Arthur carried the state by a majority of 423 at the election in November. In Baker county the official returns gave Han- cock and English 629 votes and Garfield and Arthur, 446 votes, thus making Baker county Democratic by a majority of 183. The campaign of 1882 was as closely con- tested as that of 1878, the county electing a full set of Democratic officers with the excep- tion of assessor, which went to< the Republicans by a majority of 10 votes, and coroner. The Republicans waged their battle more on na- tional issues than local, one phase being espe- cially interesting to the west, the proposed passage by a Republican Congress of the Chin- ese Exclusion act. The Democrats sought to give first place to> local issues and claimed among other reasons why their cause was the just one, that the state was in the hands of a federal ring. The campaign ranks as one of the bitterest oif the county's early campaigns. The state gave the Republican ticket a major- ity of about 1500. The roster of the Democratic nominees read as follows : For Congress, W. D. Fen- ton; for governor, Joseph S. Smith; for su- preme judge, E D. Shattuck; for secretary of state, J. K. Weatherford ; for state treasurer, Hiram Abraham; superintendent public in- struction, C. L. Worthington ; state printer, Wilbur F. Cornell ; prosecuting attorney, T. C. Hyde ; for representatives, L. B. Ison and W . R. Curtis; for state senator, I. D. Haines; for county judge, James H. Shinn; for county commissioners, E. P. Perkins and J. T. Till- son; sheriff, W. W. Travillion; for clerk, T. D. Parker ; assessor, R. Lineberger ; fo3> Miller, Prohibi- tionist, 20; for supreme judge, Lord, Repub- lican, 783, Burnett, Democrat, 861 ; for district judge, Fee, Republican, 764, Ramsey, Dem- ocrat, 749; district attorney, Rand, Republican, 812, Crawford, Democrat, 700, Stephenson, Prohibitionist, 13; representatives, Haskell, Rpublican, 808, Haines, Democrat, 535, Hind- man, 84; sheriff, Hinshaw, Republican, 848, Kilburn, Democrat, 644, Helms, Prohibition- ist, 6 ; commissioners, McMurren and Thomp- son, Republicans, 867 and 763 votes respective- ly and Hutchinson and McClure, Democrats, 720 and 623 votes respectively ; clerk, Mix, Re- publican, 875, Jett, Democrat, 609, Rigdon,. Prohibitionist, 9; treasurer, Twiss, Republi- can, 666, McCord, Democrat, 820, James, Pro- hibitionist, 1 1 ; superintendent of schools,. Whitney, Republican, 832, Baker, Democrat, 650, Kennedy, Prohibitionist, 10; assessor, Borman, Republican, 914, Stevens, Democrat,. 570, Wyatt, Prohibitionist n; surveyor, Fos- ter, Republican, 813, Means, Democrat, 662, Fosnott, Prohibitionist 1 1 ; coroner Boyd, Re- publican, 771, Parker, Democrat, 708, Yocum,. Prohibitionist, 2. In this year, 1888, an effort was made to- ward the establishment of a more comfortable and commodious home for the unfortunate, poor of the county. A contract was entered into with Mr. Eugene Smith, of the Old Ex- press ranch in the southern part of the county,, which in effect was to convert the place into- a poor farm. Previously a small building in Baker City did service as poorhouse, but this, had long ago become inadequate. The Republicans convened early in April,. 1890, and placed their ticket in the field as fol- lows : representative, Charles Duncan; coun- ty judge, William McMurren; commissioner,. J. M. Duffy; sheriff, Deck Smith; clerk, Jo- seph McKay ; treasurer, J. A. Geddes ; record- er, George Borman ; assessor, John H. Bacon ;.. superintendent of schools, C. H. Whitney,*-; surveyor, C. M. Foster; coroner, W. J. Pat- terson. The Portland convention on April 20th, naminated the following ticket : Congress,, second district, Binger Hermann; governor,: D. P. Thompson; supreme judge, R. S. Bean; /secretary of state, G. W. McBride ; state treas- urer, Phil Metschan; state printer, Frank C.- Baker; superintendent public instruction, E. B. McElroy; district judge, R. Eakin, and prosecuting attorney, J. L. Rand; joint sena- tor, Baker and Malheur counties, O. M. Dod- son. April 1 7th was the date of the county Dem- ocratic convention which nominated a ticket ! 190 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES headed by Edwin Hardy for representative. P. Conde secured the nomination for sheriff; H. H.'Hindman for clerk; S. B. McCord was re- nominated for treasurer; B. W. Lev ens for re- corder; John B. Griffin for assessor; Patrick Campjbell .for county judge; J. J. Sturgill for superintendent of schools ; Emil Voigt for .surveyor; and J. M. Shepherd for coroner. The state convention nominated R. A. Miller for Congress. Sylvester Pennoyer led the state ticket. The other nominees were: sec- retary of state, William M. Townsend; state treasurer, G. W. Webb; supreme judge, B. F. Bonham; state printer, John O'Brien; superin- tendent public instruction, A. LeRoy; district judge, Morton D. Clifford and district attor- ney, Charles F. Hyde; joint senator, Baker and Malheur counties, George Chandler. The June election resulted in a sweeping Democratic state victory and also' the defeat of the Republican candidates for district offi- ces and the legislature. Interest in the elec- tion in Baker county was largely absorbed by the boom, then at its climax in Baker City, though on election day an unusually large vote was polled. Honors were about evenly di- vided in county politics as will be seen from the following official figures : Congress, Her- mann, Republican, 959, Miller, Democrat, 900 ; supreme judge, Bean, Republican, 925, Bon- ham, Democrat, 93 1 ; governor, Thompson, Republican, 842; Pennoyer, Democrat, 1032; secretary of state, McBride, Republican, 954, Townsend, Democrat, 915; state treasurer, Metschan, Republican, 971, Webb, Democrat, 913; superintendent of; public instruction, Mc- Elroy, Republican, 925, LeRoy, Democrat, 941 ; state printer, Baker, Republican, 937, O'Brien, Democrat, 938; circuit judge, Eakin, Republican, '(682, Clifford, Democrat, 1166; prosecuting attorney, Rand, Republican, 954, Hyde, Democrat, 864; joint senator, Dodson, Republican 907, Chandler, Democrat, 909 ; representative, Duncan, Republican, 886, Hardy, Democrat, 919; for county judge, Mc- Murren, Republican, defeated Campbell, Dem- ocrat; commissioner, Duffy, Republican, 931, Eyfer, Democrat, 874; sheriff, Smith, Repub- lican 865, Conde, Democrat, 953; clerk, Mc- Kay, Republican, 1077, Hindman, Democrat, 707; recorder Borman, Republican, 1090, Le- vens, Democrat, 738; treasurer, Geddes, Re- publican, 857, McCord, Democrat, 959; as- sessor, Bacon, Republican, 854, Griffin, Demo- crat, 960; superintendent of schools, Whitney, Republican, 1000; surveyor, Foster, Republi- can, 1 012, Voigt, Democrat, 762; coroner, Pat- terson, Republican, 920, Shepherd, Democrat, 879. The year 1892 marked the dawn of a new epoch in American politics. Certain forces had been at work for years crystallizing and organizing those who favored monetary and other reforms and the result was the formation of the People's party, which this year for the first time became a considerable factor in the old parties favored silver, and in mining com- stand them, were based upon the theory that the fiat of government is all that is necessary to give value toi money. They therefore favored an irredeemable paper currency. While free coinage of silver was not all they wished, they considered it a step in the right direction, so were willing tO' join heartily with others of dif- ferent political faiths who were advocating the 16 to 1 theory. Many members of both the old parties favored silver and in mining com- munities the movement was especially popu- lar. In Baker county especially were conditions favorable for the success of the Silver move- ment, as the placing of the white metal on an equal footing with gold would -open up the silver mines in the western part of Baker coun- ty and those in Grant county and tributary to Baker City. Thus it was that on May 1st, the "First Free Coinage Silver Cluib of Oregon"- wlas organized by about forty prominent citi- zens of this county, including bankers, mer- chants, ranchmen, mining men, miners, and HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 191 representatives of other industries. Its prin- ciples were stated as follows : "Our motto — Equal rights for gold and silver, free coinage for both; our object — To use every legitimate means to secure the free coinage of silver.'"' J. H. Parker, cashier of the First National Bank, was president of the club and J. C. Young was its first secretary. Its members were composed of Democrats, Republicans, Prohibitionists and independents alike. The People's party, later to be known as the Populist party, was organized in this coun- ty at a county convention held March 9, 1892. Its beginnings were not auspicious but ere long it developed a strength which threatened seriously to render it the superior of the older parties. The campaign cry of the People's party in 1892 was "Anti-extravagance and anti-mismanagement." For the purpose of re- cording its principles we reproduce the plat- form adopted by the Baker City convention : "Wheras, the people seeing the financial condition of Baker county, the public debt hav- ing grown in a few years to the enormous sum of nearly $200,000, and "Whereas, the rate of; taxation has been and now is enormously high, unequal and un- just, and "Whereas, the public debt of Baker county is being increased at the annual rate of from $5,000 to' $37,000, and "Whereas, there has been a lavish expend- iture of the people's money by the officers of Baker county, and "Whereas, such officials' misconduct and high taxation has become and now is an un- bearable burden, and "Whereas, crime of every kind goes un- whipped of the law and gambling dives and other vices are openly conducted under the eyes and with full knowledge of the officials elected by the people, and whose sworn duty it is to diligently prosecute offenders against the law, and "Whereas, large amounts of county orders have been and are now issued for illegal pur- poses, now, therefore, be it "Resolved, that iwe, the people, by and through this assembly, do protest against the extravagance and malfeasance of the present officers, and pledge ourselves to' rectify the abuses by placing in nomination, clean, honest and capable men for the offices to> be filled at the June election of 1892, of Baker county." The county ticket placed in nomination by the People's party was : representative, H. H. Angell; commissioner, George Eibell; sheriff, Jerry Waggy ; clerk, Arthur Smith ; treasurer, W. J. James; recorder, W. H. Hull; assessor, B. W. Yoakum ; superintendent schools, W. W. Lovelace; surveyor, Isaac Williamson; coroner, G. B. Sturgill. The Republicans held their convention early in March wth the following result : for repre- sentative, C. H. Duncan; for sheriff, I. S. Hin- shaw ; for clerk, Joseph McKay ; for recorder, W. S. Bowers ; for treasurer, L. W. Place ; for county comissioner, H. K. Fisher; for asses- sor, William Boyd ; for superintendent of schools, M. Alexander; for surveyor, C. M. Foster; for coroner, W. J. Patterson. The state convention was held at Portland the first Wednesday in April and nominated as con- gressman from the second district, W. R. El- lis; F. A. Moore for supreme judge; L. R. Webster for attorney general ; Harrison Kelly for circuit judge and Charles H. Finn for dis- trict attorney, 6th district ; besides the regular presidential electors. It was late in March when the Democrats met and chose their candidates for county po- litical honors. The convention pledged itself to stand by any platform the state convention might adopt on the money question and in the state platform, a lukewarm free silver plank was placed. However, it was but a secondary issue in the campaign of 1892, and was not destined to move men's passions to; fiery heat until four years later. For representative, the Democrats chose William Smith; for sheriff, 192 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES P. A. Conde ; for recorder, H. E. Freelove ; f or treasurer, S. B. McCord; for clerk, John A. Payton; for assessor, J. F. Dooley; for com- missioner, J. H. Hutchinson; for superinten- dent of schools, W. R. Privett; for surveyor, B. Gale; for coroner, Dr. T. N. Snow. The state convention nominated as follows : con- gressman, second district, James H. Slater; supreme judge, A. S. Bennett; attorney gen- eral, George E. Chamberlain ; circuit judge, M. D. Clifford and district attorney, Charles F. Hyde. The June election sent Hermann and Ellis, Republicans to Congress, while in state and district offices, honors were about even. The vote in Baker county follows : supreme judge, Bennett, Democrat, 869, Moore, Republican, 738, Walker, Populist, 240 ; Welch, 42 ; attor- ney general, Chamberland, Democrat, 1006, Webster, Republican, 874; Congress, Ellis., Republican, 669, Slater, Democrat, 752, Luce, Populist, 468, Bright, 29; circuit judge, Clif- ford, Democrat, 1075, Kelly, 640, Green, Pop- ulist, 229; district attorney, Finn, Republican, 742, Hyde, Democrat, 898, Griffin, Populist, 299; board of equalization, Hunter, Demo- crat, 946, Morfitt, Republican, 972 ; representa- tive, Duncan, Republican, 978, Smith, Demo- crat, 651, Angell, Populist, 307; sheriff, Conde, Democrat, 837, Hinshaw, Republican, 808, Waggy, Populist, 319; clerk, McKay, Republi- can, 1047, Payton, Democrat, 776, Smith, Populist, 123; recorder, Bowers, Republican, 1036, Freelove, Democrat, 673, Hull, Populist 242 ; treasurer, McCord, Democrat, 844, Place, Republican, 824, James, Populist, 262 ; com- missioner, Ebell, Populist, 372, Fisher, Repub- lican, 761, Hutchinson, Democrat, 798; asses- sor, Yoakum, Populist, 775, Boyd, Republican, 593, Dooley, Democrat, 563; superintendent of schools, Privett, Democrat, 1070, Alexander, Republican, 599, Lovelace, Populist 252; sur- veyor, Foster, Republican, 1132, Gale, Demo- crat, 480, Wilkinson, Populist, 303 ; coroner, Snow, Democrat, 836, Patterson, Republican,. 655, Sturgill, Populist, 346. The office of sheriff was contested by Hin- shaw and taken to the courts, where a decision was rendered by Judge Bradshaw in favor of Conde, giving him a majority, by corrected count, of 42. By 1894 the silver element in Baker coun- ty had grown so strong that the Republican party incorporated a free silver declaration in- its platform at the county convention held April 7th. At this convention, the following ticket was placed in nomination: Representative, J. My rick; county judge, George E. Thompson;: commissioner, W. W. Webber; sheriff, J. K. Fisher; clerk, Fred Eppinger; recorder, W. S. Bowers; treasurer, George H. H. Tracy; as- sessor, William Leitner; superintendent of county schools, J. A. Churchill; surveyor, L. L. Foster; coroner, Dr. T. N. Snow. W. P. Lord was nominated for governor at the state- convention, held April 2d; H. R. Kincaid was nominated for secretary of state; Philip Met- schan for state treasurer; C. E. Wolverton for supreme judge; C. M. Idleman for attorney- general; G. M. Irwin for superintendent of public instruction ; W. H. Leeds for state print- er; W. R. Ellis for Congress from the second district; James A. Fee for judge and John L. Rand for prosecuting attorney in the sixth ju- dicial district ; and C. A. Johns for joint senator from Baker and Malheur counties. This con- vention did not come out openly for a gold- standard neither did it declare itself opposed to the free coinage of silver. The Democrats met on April 14th and- placed their ticket in the field as follows: Rep- resentative, J. B. Messick; sheriff, J. L. Bais- ley ; clerk, A. C. Shinn ; treasurer, R. D. Carter ;- recorder, I. H. McCord; county judge, W. W. Travillion; commissioner, Thomas B. Moore;- assessor, A. A. Kniss; coroner, J. M. Shep- herd. The nomination for surveyor was left vacant. A week later the state convention-- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 193 met and nominated as follows: governor, William Galloway; attorney general, W. H. Holmes; secretary of state, Charles Nickell; state treasurer, T. L. Davidson; supreme judge, A. S. Bennett'; superintendent public instruction, D. V. S. Reid ; state printer, John O'Brien; Congress, second district, J. H. Raley. James A. Fee, the Republican nom- inee for the district judgship, was indorsed and J. M. Carroll, of Union, nominated for prose- cuting attorney. E. H. Test received the nomination for joint senator to represent Baker and Malheur counties. The Populists, who were to elect seven of the twelve county officers at the June election, met March nth and agreed upon the following standard bearers: representative, J. C. Young; sheriff, W. H. Kilburn; clerk, H. B. Lowman; recorder, J. B. Taylor; treasurer, J. H. Jett ; county judge, G. B. Moulton ; commis- sioner, William Brown; assessor, D. W. Yoa- kum ; superintendent of schools, W. R. Privett ; surveyor, Arthur Philbrick; coroner, W. J. James. The state convention was held at Or- egon City, March 16th, and resulted as fol- lows : Governor, Nathan Pierce ; secretary of state, Ira Wakefield ; state treasurer, R. Camp- bell; supreme judge, R. P. Boise; attorney general, M. L. Olmstead; state printer, George M. Orton; superintendent of public instruc- tion, Tl C. Jory ; congressman, second district, Joseph Waldrop; circuit judge, sixth district, Nat Hudson; prosecuting attorney, sixth dis- trict, Colonel William Parsons; joint senator, Baker and Malheur counties, William R. King. E. H. Test, the Democratic nominee for state senator, did not accept the nomination tendered him, leaving the field to the Populists and the Republicans. The campaign was a lively one and fought mostly on local issues. The Populist party, in this county but two> years of age, came out victorious, as will be gleaned from the following official figures: governor, Pierce, Populist, 874, Lord, Repub- lican, 825, Galloway, Democrat, 603, Kenne- dy, Prohibitionist 32 ; supreme judge, Wolver- ton, Republican, 819, Boise, Populist, 758,. Bennett, Democrat, 702, Hackleman, Prohibi- tionist 33; secretary of state, Wakefield, Pop- ulist, 892, Kincaid, Republican, 839, Nickell,, Democrat, 536, McKercher, Prohibitionist,, 36 ; state treasurer, Metsehan, Republican, 889, Caldwell, Populist, 784, Davidson, Democrat, 433, Richardson, Prohibitionist, 94; attorney- general, Olmstead, Populist, 1029, Idleman,. Republican, 724, Holmes, Democrat, 500,. Bright, Prohibitionist, 52 ; superintendent pub- lic instruction, Reid, Democrat, 860, Jory,, Populist, 684, Irwin, Republican, 675, Har- ford, Prohibitionist, 79; state printer, Orton,, Populist, 859, Leeds, Republican, 858, O'Brein, Democrat, 527, McKibben, prohib- itionist, 49; congressman, Waldrop, Populist, 834, Ellis, Republican, 754, Raley, Democrat,, 710, Miller, Prohibitionist, 24; circuit judge, Fee, Republican-Democrat, 1390, Hudson Populist, 834; district attorney, Rand, Re- publican, 1044, Parsons, Populist, 796, Car- roll, Democrat, 458; joint senator, King, Populist, 1253, Johns, Republican, 986; rep- resentative, Young, Populist, 1000, Foster, Republican, 800, Messick, Democrat, 475 ; sheriff, Kilburn, Populist, 1030, Fisher, Re- publican, 667, Baisley, Democrat, 608; clerk, Eppinger, Republican, 973, Lowman, Pop- ulist, 692, Shinn, Democrat, 626; recorder, Bowers, Republican, 941, McCord, Demo- crat, 800, Taylor, Populist, 564; county judge, Travillion, Democrat, 990, Moulton,, Populist, 716, Thompson, Republican, 581 ; treasurer,- Jett, Populist, 919, Tracy, Republi- can, 762, Carter, Democrat, 613; commission- er, Brown, populist, 1002, Webber, Republi- can, Jj6, Moore, Democrat, 508; assessor,, Yoakum, Populist, 1082, Leitner, Republican, 850, Kniss, Democrat, 354; surveyor, Foster,, Republican, 1294, Philbrick, Populist, 923; su- perintendent of schools, Privett, Populist, 1432, Churchill, Republican, 809; coroner, Snow, Republican, 978, James, Populist, 681, 13 194 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Shepherd, Democrat, 607. The state went Republican in this election by substantial ma- jorities. The campaign of 1896, one of the greatest and most important in the history of our re- public, was a memorable one in Baker county as well as elsewhere, and was not lacking in the intense earnestness, the supreme effort on the part of the different contending forces, and the brilliancy which give the campaign distinction above all others. The fire of enthusiasm for the white metal kindled at the Chicago conven- tion by William Jennings Bryan, swept west- ward with the rapidity of lightning, and burned in eastern Oregon with consuming fierceness. Baker county gained the distinc- tion of being the banner silver county qf the state. The disciples of Bryan argued the evil results of a single money standard, the humil- iation and degredation of the laboring man, the despotic power of capital, and the misrule and ruinous pohcy oif the Republican party ; the supporters of McKinley were just as ardent in exposing the worthlessness and impractica- bility of a silver standard, in their belief that the American laborer would be elevated to> a higher and more dignified plane by protecting his work from the competition of cheap labor, and in pointing out the commercial stagnation, and as a result the general demoralization, that would follow the introduction of the Demo- crats into office. The largest vote ever polled in Baker county, up to that time, was polled on that November day, 2827 ballots being cast, of which Bryan received 1870 and McKinley 957, or a majority for Bryan of 913. Baker county's large majority for the Democratic ticket, as has been said above, entitled this county to the distinction of being the banner Democratic county of Oregon. Eastern and southern Oregon, the mining sections of the state, gave Bryan a sufficiently large vote to cut the Republican majority in the entire state down to 2037. The June election being more of local inter- est and conducted largely on local issues, was not so much disturbed by national politics and then, too, it was early in the presidential cam- paign. The Populists, now at the height of their power, were first in the field, placing in nomination, at a convention held March 14th, the following ticket: for representative, D. W. Yoakum; for sheriff, W. H. Kilburn; for clerk, M. E. Swan; for recorder, John G. Fos- ter; for treasurer, J. H. Jett; for assessor, Wayman Miller; for commissioner, G. B. Moulton; superintendent of schools, W. R. Privett; surveyor, D. S. Littlefield; coroner, J. W. Roland. The state convention was held at Salem 1 on the 26th of March, and resulted thus: For Congress, second district, Martin Quinn; supreme judge, Joseph Gaston; district judge, sixth district, R. J. Slater; prosecuting attorney, sixth district, H. E. Courtney ; mem- ber state board of equalization, O. P. Goodall ; and the presidential electors. The Republicans held their county conven- tion the last of March and selected their can- didates as follows : representative, C. W. Nib- ley; sheriff, Thomas McEwen; clerk, F. W. Eppinger; recorder, J. W. Goodman; treasur- er A. B. Elmer; assessor, A. G. Hempel; com- missioner, W. W. Webber; superintendent of schools, C. H. Whitney; surveyor, C. M. Fos- ter ; coroner, Dr. T. N. Snow. At this conven- tion, as might have been expected in such an important mining community, resolutions were passed favoring the free and unlimited coinage of silver at the ratio of; 16 to 1. The state convention, held April 8, nominated as follows : congressman, second district, W. R. Ellis; supreme judge, R. S. Bean; district judge and prosecuting attorney, sixth judicial district, Robert Eakin and J. W. Knowles; member state board of equalization, W. T. Wright. Ellis, however, was nominated as a silver can- didate by the second congressional district con- vention. , ; HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 195 Immediately after the adjournment of this convention, the dissenting Republicans of this district, opposed to free silver, met and placed Judge Henry Northrup, of Portland, in nomin- ation as their candidate for Congress. No oth- er nominations were made. W. F. Butcher, candidate foe representa- tive, led the Democratic county ticket nomin- ated April 3d. George Whited was nominated for sheriff; I. H. McCord for recorder; W. W. Parker for clerk ; J. M. Lachner for treasurer ; J. iH. Hutchinson for commissioner; J. A. Payton for assessor; Mrs. M. C. Byam, for superintendent of schools (the first woman to receive such a nomination in this county) ; Charles D. Brown for surveyor; J. M. Shep- herd for coroner. The state convention made nominations as follows: For Congress, sec- ond district, A. S. Bennett; supreme judge, John Burnett; district judge, Thomas H. Crawford; district attorney, Samuel White; member of board of equalization, A. C. Craig. Both conventions adopted resolutions favoring the free and unlimited coinage o>f silver. The result of this scattering of the silver forces was a state victory for the gold stand- ard party, though in local politics the Populists greatly cut down Republican majorities. Ellis Was elected to Congress by a very small major- ity. In Baker county the Democrats secured' but two offices. The official figures are as fol- lows: Congress, Quinn, Populist, 847 Ellis, Republican, 784, Bennett, Democrat, 541, Nor- thrup, Independent Sound Money, 178, Mc- Kercher, Prohibitionist, 29; supreme judge, Bean, Republican, 898, Gaston, Populist, 734, Burnett, Democrat, 532 ; district judge, Eakin, Republican, 1389, Slater, Populist, 702, Craw- ford, Democrat, 449; district attorney, Court- ney, Populist, 992, White, Democrat, 922, Knowles, Republican, 618; member state board of equalization, Wright, Republican, 1030, Goodall, Populist, 868, Craig, Democrat, 713; representative, Yoakum, Populist, 882, Butch- er, Democrat, 797, Nibley, Republican, 787; sheriff, Kilburn, Populist, 1296, McEwen, Re- publican, mi, Whited, Democrat, 150; clerk, Swan, Populist, n 13, Eppinger, Republican, 1099, Parker, Democrat, 261 ; recorder, Mc- Cord, Democrat, 1087, Foster, Populist, 808, Goodman, Republican, 532; treasurer, Jett, Populist, 1253, Lachner, Democrat, 701, El- mer, Republican, 540; assessor, Payton, Dem- ocrat, 1 125, Hempel, Republican, 815, Miller, Populist, 581 ; commissioner, Moulton, Popu- list, 981, Webber, Republican, 804, Hutchin- son, Democrat, 644 ; superintendent of schools, Privett, Populist, 1364, Whitney, Republican,' 1022; surveyor, Foster, Republican, 1268, Lit- tlefield, Populist, 665, Brown, Democrat, 413; coroner, Snow, Republican, 1309, Shepherd, Democrat, 588, Roland, Populist, 586. The Populist star, which came upon the political horizon in 1892 and which had at- tained such brilliancy in 1896, was already growing dim when the year 1898 arrived, and' before the nineteenth century dawned was des- tined to become a scarcely discernible point of light. The silver question had given a new lease of life to the Democracy and between the two older and stronger parties, Popul- ism was swallowed completely. Democrats, Populists and Silver Republicans com- bined their interests and in a joint con- vention held at Portland, March 26th, nom- inated the following state ticket: For gov- ernor, W. R. King, Populist; for secretary of state, H. R. Kincaid, Silver Republican-; supreme judge, W. A. Ramsey, Democrat; at- torney general, J. L. Storey, Populist; state treasurer, J. O. Booth, Democrat ; state printer, C. A. Fitch, Populist ; superintendent public in- struction, H. S. Lyman, Populist; congress- man, C. M. Donaldson, Silver Republican. In district convention the following nominations were made: prosecuting attorney, Samuel White, Democrat; joint senator, Baker and Malheur counties, William Smith. At this 196 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES state convention, a portion of the Populist del- egates, afterwards known by the appellation "Middle-of-the-Roaders," refused to fuse with the Union party, formed of the silver elements of the Democratic, Republican and People's parties, and placed another state ticket in the field. In Baker county this fragmentary party attempted to reorganize the old People's party' but it was too late. Several candidates were nominated, but the result on election day- showed the uselessness of the nominations.' The Union party held its first county con- vention April 2d, and nominated tbe following ticket: representative, W. E. Grace; sheriff, W. H. Kilburn; clerk, M. E. Swan; recorder, I. H. McCord; county judge, W. W. Tlravil- lion ; treasurer, A. C. McClelland ; county com- missioner, William Brown; assessor, J. A. Payton; surveyor, Arthur Philbrick; coroner, Dr. H. E. Currey. The Republicans held their county conven- tion April 8th, at which the following ticke: was selected: representative, N. C. Haskell; county judge, P. Crabill ; sheriff, A. H. Hunt- ington ; clerk, Frank Geddes ; treasurer, T. W. Downing; assessor, George Tetrau; recorder, O. C. Stern; commissioner; C. M. Cartmille; superintendent of county schools, M. Alexand- er; surveyor, C. M. Foster; coroner, Dr. T. N. Snow. The state convention was held at As^ toria, where the following ticket was placed in nomination : for governor, X, T. Geer ; su- preme judge, F. A. Moore; state treasurer, C. S. Moore; secretary of state, F. I. Dunbar; state printer, W. H. Leeds ; attorney general, D. N. Blackburn; superintendent public in- struction, J. H. Ackerman; Congress, second district, Malcolm Moody ; circuit judge, C. W. Parrish; and prosecuting attorney, W. J. Lachner; joint senator, Baker and Malheur counties, J. H. Aitkin. The campaign was waged on the same is- sues as was that of 1896 except of course, that in local elections local issues were also taken into account. The Republican state ticket was elected by a substantial majority, as were also both Republican congressmen. William Smith, Unionist, was elected joint representative and Crawford and White were also elected to the circuit judgeship and prosecuting attorneyship respectively. The following figures show the result in Baker county: governor, King, Un- ion, 1436, Geer, Republican, 1191, Luce, Pop- list, 115, Clinton, Prohibitionist, 51; secretary of state, Kincaid, Union, 1398, Dunbar, Re- publican, 1 09 1, Wakefield, Populist, 157, Da- vis, Prohibitionist, 75 ; state treasurer, Booth, Union, 1336, Moore, Republican, 1139, Sears, Populist, 205, Votaw, Prohibitionist, 51; Con- gress, Donaldson, Union, 12 17, Moody, Re- publican, 1008, Courtney, Populist, 420, In- galls, Prohibitionist, 61 ; supreme judge, Ram- sey, Union, 1425, Moore, Republican, 1179, Hackelman, Prohibitionist, 95 ; superintendent public instruction, Lyman, Union, 13 13, Acker- man, Republican, 1104, Hosmer, Populist, 148, Emerick, Prohibitionist, 71 ; state printer,. Fitch, Union, 11 78, Leeds, Republican, 1061, Grace, Populist, 322, McDaniel, Prohibitionist, yy; attorney general, Story, Union, 1385, Blackburn, Republican, 1140, Bright, Prohib- itionist, 115; district attorney, White, Union, 1347, Lachner, Republican, 1285 ; joint senator, Smith, Union, 1435, Aitkin, Republican, 1171 ; representative, Grace, Union, 1595, Haskell, Republican, 939, Young, Populist 178; sheriff, Kilburn, Union, 1373, Huntington, Republi- can, 1405; clerk, Swan, Union, 1365, Geddes, Republican, 1366; assessor, Payton, Union, 1865, Tetrau, Republican, 852; recorder, Mc- Cord, Union, 1849, Stern, Republican, 874; superintendent schools, Privett, Union, 1621, Alexander, Republican, 1145; treasurer, Mc- Clelland, Union, 1026, Downing, Republican, 1009, Jett, Populist, 610; county judge, Tra- villion, Union, 1427, Crabill, Republican, 954, Sparks, Populist, 262 ; commissioner, Brown, Union, 13 16, Cartmille, Republican, 1071, HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 197 Thomason, Populist, 271 ; surveyor, Philbriek, Union, 1 103, Foster, Republican, 1507; coro- ner, Currey, Union, 1206, Snow, Republican, 1 160, Lew, Populist, 292. The campaign of 1900 was fought princi- pally on issues growing out of .the Spanish- American war, though the silver question and the general prosperity of the country under a Republican administration, each came in for a good share of attention. Compared to the pre- vious presidential election, that of 1900 was less strenuous, though by no means apathetic. Oregon elected Republican congressmen, the justice of the supreme court, the dairy commis- sioner, and four Republican presidential elec- tors, Samuel White, the Democratic candi- date for the district attorneyship, defeated Cockran, his Republican opponent and in Ba- ker county the officers were about equally di- vided. The following resolution adopted by the Populists, in convention, marked the official demise of this meteoric party in Baker county : "Resolved, That we unite with the new Dem- ocracy ; that we continue to urge the principles which made us; that as members and adher- ents of the new Democracy, we accept its good fellowship and will ever vie with our friends in the support of those grand principles which' work for our common good."' The "Middle- of-the-Road" Populists, who withdrew from the state convention in 1898, when the Union party was formed, made an attempt again this year to resurrect the People's party but met with even poorer success than in 1898. The new Democracy met in county con- vention April 1 7th, and proceeded to nominate a ticket as follows : for representative, W. E. Grace; for sheriff, W. W. Looney; for clerk, George H. Foster; for recorder, C. W. James; for commissioner, W. H. Gleason; for asses- sor, G. W. Jett; for treasurer, A. C. McClel- land ; for superintendent of schools, W. R. Pri- vett; for surveyor, John Hagel; for coroner, Dr. E. B. McDaniel. W. M. Ramsey was nominated as chief justice of the supreme court and William Schulmericb as dairy com- missioner, at the state convention. At this convention, also, William Smith was accorded the nomination for congressman from the sec- ond district and Samuel White was selected as the convention's choice for prosecuting at- torney for this district. At the Republican county convention held March 31st, the following ticket was placed in the field: For representative, John T English; for sheriff, A. H. Huntington ; for clerk, Frank Geddes ; for recorder, Daniel C. Robbins ; for assessor, Hiram Hblcomb; for commissioner, H. Fieldew; for treasurer, Robert Palmer; for superintendent of schools, H. Hjyde Stalker; for surveyor, C. M. Foster; for coroner, Dr. T. N. Snow. The state convention nominated M. A. Moody for Congress; C. E. Cockran for district attorney; Charles E. Wolverton for justice of the supreme court; and J. W. Bailey for dairy commissioner. The Independent Democrats placed J. E. Simmons in nomination for congressman from this district, the Populists, Leslie Butler for the same office, and as before mentioned, a state ticket and candidates for several county offices. But as will be seen from the official vote, the influence of these independents was hardly felt. Official returns o>f the June election : Con- gress, Smith, Democrat-Populist, 1454, Moody, Republican, 1438, J. E. Simmons, In- dependent Democrat, 197, Butler, Populist, 104; supreme judge, Wolverton, Republican, 1569, Greene, Democrat, 1535, Bright, Pop- ulist, 118; dairy commissioner, Bailey, Repub- lican, 1497, Schulmerich, Democrat-Populist, 1283, Kenady, Populist, 152; district attorney, White, Democrat-Populist, 1704, Cockran, Republican 13 14; representative, Grace, Dem- ocrat, 1693, English, Republican, 1463, Har- bin, Populist, 98; for sheriff, Huntington, Re- 198 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES publican, 1666, Looney, Democrat, 1475, Oli- ver, Populist, 56; county clerk, Foster, Dem- ocrat, 1569, Geddes, Republican, 1644, Finch, Populist, 54; recorder, James, Democrat, 1728, Robbins, Republican, 1396, Meisner, Populist, 99; assessor, Jett, Democrat, 1690, Holcomb, Republican, 15 15; treasurer, Palm- er, Republican, 1677, McClelland, Demo- crat, 1364; commissioner, Glason, Democrat, 1570, Fieldew, Republican, 1249, Estes, Pop- ulist, 198; superintendent of schools, Privett, Democrat, i486, Stalker, Republican, 1469; surveyor, Foster, Republican, 1892, Hagel, Democrat, 11 24; coroner, Snow, Republican, 2213. At the presidential election in November, Baker county's vote was more evenly divided than in the election four years previous, stand- ing as .follows : McKinley, 1458 ; Bryan, 161 5 ; People's party, regular, 6; Weaver, Prohibi- tionist, 40; Social Democrat, 44. The Republican county convention for 1902 was held March 26th, at which the fol- lowing ticket was named : for representative, George H. Chandler ; for county judge, Charles Duncan ; for sheriff, Harvey Brown ; for clerk, James Chord; recorder, Robert Henry; for treasurer, Robert Palmer; for assessor, R. W. Fame; for commissioner, John R. Gilkinson; for surveyor, Charles M. Foster ; for coroner, Dr. Ti. N. Snow. At the state convention held in Portland, April 2d, after an exciting contest, W. J. Furnish, of Pendleton, captured the gubernatorial nomination. R. S. Bean re- ceived the nomination for supreme judge; F. I. Dunbar for secretary of state; C. S. Moore for state treasurer; A. M. Crawford for attorney general ; J. R. Whitney, for state printer ; and J. H. Ackerman for superintendent of public instruction. At the district convention, J. L. Rand was nominated for joint senator from Baker, Malheur and Harney counties, and T. N. Williamson for congressman from this dis- trict. The Democratic county convention was held April 3d and resulted as follows : repre- sentative, J. H. Robbins ; county judge, W. W. Travillion; for sheriff, Thomas Profitt; clerk, A. G. Combs; recorder, C. W. James; treasur- er, E. P. McDaniels ; assessor, G. W. Jett ; com- missioner, J. C. Brooks; surveyor, John He- gle; coroner, Dr. Claude M. Pearce. The la- bors of the state convention which met at Port- land April nth, resulted as follows: for gov- ernor, George E. Chamberlain; for supreme judge, B. F. Bonham; for secretary of state, D. W. Sears ; for state treasurer, Henry Black- man; for attorney general, J. H. Raley; for state printer, J. E. Godfrey ; ,f or superintendent of public instruction, W. A. Wann; Congress, second district, W. F. Butcher, Baker City; joint senator, Baker, Harney and Malheur counties, William Smith, Baker City. CHAPTER V. EDUCATIONAL. "History repeats itself," is a well known maxim, yet perhaps few realize how completely the development of any section of country is a re-enactment in miniature of the history of the race. Enlightened humanity is the pro- duct of long continued and very gradual pro- gress from a primitive condition of savagery. As the intellect of man became slowly devel- oped, tribal relations were formed, then federa- tions of tribes, then absolute monarchies, which were followed, as the masses advanced in the scale of civilization, by partially representative governments and last of all by republics. The beast of burden was early pressed into* the ser- vice of man. As the wants of humanity mul- tiplied the need of a servant more efficient for many purposes was felt and steam was har- nessed. This in turn became inadequate to all the requirements of the advancing race and the lightnings were chained to turn man's wheels and flash his messages from place to place. So by gradual evolution came all the complex machinery of civilized life, factories to elaborate the products of the earth, railways to transport them to parts where needed, news- papers to tell men what their fellows are do- ing and thinking, telegraphs to keep the news- papers in touch with distant lands, churches, schools, colleges and universities to train men for the responsibilities of life. When a new section is to be developed, the men and women who undertake the task do not go back to a condition of savagery, but they lay aside almost all the conveniences of this advanced age. They dispense with the rail- way, the telegraph, the telephone, with schools, churches and society, substituting the saddle horse for the palace car, the pack mule for the freight train, the rude cabin for the conven- ient modern dwelling. Then commences the process of development which gradually brings to the region all these conveniences and luxu- ries, repeating in general the process by which they first came into use among men. The pioneer families whose destiny it was to lay the foundation of things in eastern Or- egon early began the upbuilding of an educa- tional system. The passion for gold brought them here, but even the love of the yellow metal never took such complete possession of them as to cause forgetfulness of the educa- tional needs of their children. The inception of the public school system of the county is, however, not capable of being traced at this time consecutively or in much detail. The his- tory O'f a county is analogous to the history of the race in another respect besides those just given, namely, in that it has its unauthentic period preceding the era when events are re- corded in a permanent form. The old pioneers were not much given to the use of the pen. The printing press was unknown in their midst, and Mnemosyne often deceptive and uncertain, was practically the only annalist of the early days. The story of the heroism and sacrifice upon 200 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES which the public school system was built may never be fully told, could not be even though' the records had been kept in the most approved' manner. It takes but a slight effort of the imagination, however, to picture the conditions under which the first rude schools were built and the work in them conducted. Certainly few luxuries had place in the pioneer temple of learning. The house was of logs, the furn- iture of home manufacture, the course of study such as the teacher herself might construct,' and the textbooks those which could be found' in the trunks and boxes which the people had brought with them on their long westward journey. It is a. singular fact, however, that many of the boys and girls who took their first steps in the pursuit of knowledge under these circumstances acquired an intellectual grasp and a power of thought which served them well in the stern battles of later years. The first settlement of Baker county was made ini 1861, and less than a year later, the first school was opened. Miss O'Brien, now Mrs. W. H. Packwood, has the honor of hav- ing given inception to this pioneer education- al institution. No sooner had she arrived in Auburn than she began raising money for the purpose of building a schoolhouse. A suffi- cient sum was speedily subscribed; the school was built and its doors opened for the recep- tion of pupils. About fifty availed themselves of its privileges. Miss O'Brien taught about six weeks, then gave her school to a Mrs. Stafford, who died* sometime in the winter. Mrs. Stafford was the first public school teacher employed in the county, her predecessor, Miss O'Brien, having maintained a subscription school. Mr. Hiatt tells us that a school was also taught near Po- cahontas during this same fall and winter by a Miss Chandler. The first school superintendent was Will- iam H. Packwood, who divided the county into five districts. As this and Union were then one political division, the territorial ex- tent of these districts was naturally great and the children in remote parts of each would have had long walks to school had there been any children living in the remote parts. We are told that Mr. Packwood granted four certifi- cates, but of the first schools at Auburn and Po- cahontas and of other schools taught during the early sixties we have no official account. The oldest record of any kind in the county superintendent's office at present is a report by Thomas Smith as clerk of district No. 1, dated March, 1865, by which it is shown that the number of legal voters was 233, of pupils 85, thirty-seven of whom were enrolled; number of terms during which school was maintained, three ; amount paid teacher, by subscription, $180; Mrs. C. Calberth, teacher. There is, however, a report nearly as old, sub- mitted by William Chambers, clerk of district No. 2 (Pocahontas), which gives the number of pupils as 115, only eighteen of whom were enrolled. J. Wisdom, teacher. During a portion at least of the year 1865, C. M. Foster served as county superintendent, and he it was who established district No. 5, (Baker City). ' The names of those whose qualifications to teach were certified by him are recorded as Mrs. J. Kilburn, Joseph H. Shinn, J. H. Johnson, Mrs. Adeline Buchanan and Mrs. Rachael Vincent. Districts 7 and 8 were established by Su- perintendent J. H. Shinn, in 1866 and 1867 respectively. Then there were no more dis- tricts formed until 1870, when J. B. Foster or- ganized Rye valley into district No. 9. An epitome of Superintendent Foster's report for the year ending April 1, 1871, shows eight districts in this county; the number of per- sons between the ages of four and twenty, 397; the amount paid in teachers' salaries for the year, $2,582. During the administration of C. S. Means and W. F. Payton, districts 10, 11 and HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 201 12 were formed and nearly forty teachers' certificates were granted, but the amount of public funds disbursed seemed to de- cline steadily. We have no information as to the average length of term for which school was maintained in the different dis- tricts, but it is probable that the public fund was swelled considerably by private subscrip- tion and that most of the schools remained in session at least three months. In a full report published in the Bedrock Democrat in January, 1879, Superintendent H. N. McKinney gives us a good insight into the condition of the public schools at that time. He states that with two exceptions, the Mal- heur district and No. 18, in Jordan valley, all the schools were or had been in session. The two exceptions were schools in sparsely settled communities of what is now Malheur county. Mr. McKinney states that rude schoolhouses housed most of the pupils, and as in all frontier settlements, school was irregularly held. Not much attention was generally paid to rules and discipline and considerable apathy was mani- fest among the settlers. The teachers, how- ever, were for the most part earnest and tire- less workers and in some instances were ac- complishing great good, despite unfavorable circumstances. At this time diphtheria and other juvenile diseases were interfering with the work to an unusual extent. The recent Indian war, also, had upset conditions and on the whole the picture of the school system was of rather sombre coloring. The tendency toward betterment of the system was steadily operative during the next' few years, however, and superintendent John A. Payton's report for the year ending March 3, 1884, shows that the number of districts in the county had increased to twenty-nine, the number of children of school age to 1,600 and the enrollment to 919. It shows twenty-one active teachers in the county, receiving aver- age stipends of $45 per month for males and $35 for females. These salaries were so small in proportion to the cost of living and the average terms so short that teachers must necessarily have other occupations in order to live. This in itself was a great disadvantage, making teaching an avocation rather than a profession to which one's whole time and tal- ent should be devoted. The financial showing is a very favorable one compared with those of earlier reports. The estimated value of school property was $6,535 > tne tota l amount of school funds received by the different school districts, $7,981.97, of which $6,948.76 had been expended in the maintenance of schools, leaving a balance on hand of $1,053.21. The progress of the public schools during the next four years was quite marked, as will appear from a comparison of the figures above given with those in a resume of Superintend- ent L. B. Baker's report for the year ending March 5, 1888, which shows the population o>f the county between the ages of four and twen- ty as 1,765, of whom 897 were enrolled in the different schools. The total receipts for school purposes this year were $18,791.96 and the disbursements $10,594.28, leaving a healthy balance in the treasury. The average school term had been lengthened to five and a half months and the average wages of teach- ers had increased -to $53.25 for males and $41.50 for females. The estimated value of furniture and apparatus was placed at $1,127. The number of school districts in the county had been reduced to twenty-nine, by the cre- ation of Malheur county, and oi these only twenty-three had school houses. Prior to 1888 the county superintendents were not provided with suitable books for, keeping records, nor with an office, but C. H. Whitney, who was elected to the superintend- ency in that year, introduced some radical re- forms. He succeeded in getting a room in the court house suitable for an office, modern record books in which to keep statistics, and 202 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES other needed equipments. His skill as a book : keeper was just what the superintendency re- quired. Later superintendents have followed his example, so that any item in the affairs of the districts may now be easily discovered. At a special election held in September, 1887, in Baker City school district, the tax- payers, by a vote of 71 to 61, authorized the bonding of the city in the sum of $30,000 for the purpose of building a school house, and during the following year a fine brick building was erected. This structure occupies a sight- ly location on a block of ground which was donated by the state to be used for school purposes. It had been given to the state in 1870 by J. M. Boyd as a site for an academy and for years had been occupied by the old Baker City institution. Mr. Whitney's first report, that for the year ending March 4, 1889, shows that the amount of money on hand at the beginning of the year was $6,382.21 ; the amount received from district taxes, $9,420.05 ; from the coun- ty school fund, $8,992.45 ; from the state school fund, $2,206.25 ; from all other sources, $21,663.10, of which $20,698.22 belonged to district No. 5 (Baker City), procured no doubt by the sale of bonds; total, $48,561.14. Of this sum $8,503.80 were paid to teachers and $24,094.40 for buildings and sites. The value of school houses and grounds was es- timated at $50,720; of school furniture, $3,830; of apparatus, $342.50. The census report showed 962 males and 982 females of school age in the county. There were twenty- three first grade, twenty-two second grade, and eight third grade certificates in force and five permits were issued. It is not thought necessary to abstract the later reports year by year. An examination of them discloses some very encouraging ten- dencies in the public school system. There has been a steady and constant increase in the number of children of school age in the coun- ty, the last census showing a juvenile popula- tion of 2,104 males and 2,083 females; total, 4,187. The ratio between the children of school age and the enrollment varies consid- erably from year to year, but the percentage of enrollment is always too small, considering that there are so few private schools in the county. Last year a little less than seventy per cent, of the children had their names on the teachers' registers and when it is remem 1 - bered that a considerable proportion of those who enroll in country schools withdraw after a brief attendance, it becomes evident that not" a few children are reaping little or no benefit from the public schools. The reasons for this are not far to seek, but there should be a united effort on the part of school officers and parents to overcome obstacles in the way of children's attendance at school, so as to give them the benefit of an intellectual discipline which will be even more valuable in the future than it has been in the past. The primitive log school houses have been replaced by more commodious frame and brick Tmes. The value of school furniture and apparatus has steadily increased, showing a commendable disposition on the part O'f the patrons to provide the pupils with comforts and the teachers with needed facilities. One encouraging showing of the report is the average standing of the teach- ing profession. Of the thirty-three men and sixty-eight women employed in the schools during 1901, three men and thirteen women held state certificates or diplomas ; twenty men and twenty-eight women, first grade county cer- tificates ; four men and thirteen women, second grade ; and only three men and eleven women, third grade. Six teachers were granted tem- porary permits. T|o one familiar with the requirements for high grade certificates, these figures speak volumes for the professional training and liberal education of the teachers, and proclaim them the peers of any other pro- fession in breadth of general culture. Ac- '((' o o W o CO M saddle and harness shops, three hardware stores, three jewelers, three shoemakers, two planing mills, one saw- mill, one grist mill, four newspapers, two ex- press offices, one tailor, three breweries, one surveyor, fourteen saloons, a large number of carpenters and blacksmiths, three painters, two barber shops, four hardware implement stores, two large Chinese stores, two cigar stores, three laundries, two dentists, one briekmaker, one undertaker, two furniture stores. There are seven secret societies, also six religious de- nominations represented, four of which have good church edifices. There is an excellent public school, employing three teachers; also a school for boys and one for girls, under the auspices of the Roman Catholics. The boys' school occupies a large three-story brick build- ing and has four instructors. The enterprise and intelligence of the city is shown by the number and character of its newspapers. The Daily Sage Brush is a sprightly little sheet, while the Bedrock Democrat, Reveille and Tribune are well conducted and influential' weeklies, giving much attention to home mat- ters and working for the interests of the county." We have mentioned the organization of two or three fire companies, also the purchase of a fire engine, yet when the fire fiend paid Baker City a visit, as it does sooner or later to almost all towns built largely of wood, it caught the people totally unprepared. In the fall of 1886, about noon one Sunday, flames began leaping from, the rear of Mansfield's billiard hall, on Main street, and in a short space of time the entire block was in ruins. All the buildings were frame structures and burned so rapidly that but few goods could be, saved. That a general conflagration did not ensue Was owing to the fact that an al- most dead calm prevailed at the time. The loss, according to the Bedrock Democrat, was distributed as follows: J. T. Wisdom, $3,000; Mrs. S. H. Small, $1,200; Mr. Boreman, $2,000; Louis Mansfield, $1,000; Rogers & Heyde, $100; O. H. P. McCord, $18,000; M. Mitchell, $500 ; J. H. McDonald, $6,000, with $2,000 insurance; Weller & Henry, $2,000; Oscar Trevalle, $500; A. B. Elmer, $2,000; J. M. Lachner, $5,000; Robert Pabst, $1,500. This hint of danger passed unheeded by the people, as did another about a year later, when the Griffin residence on First street was destroyed, also a boarding house occupied by Mrs. L. E. Miller (the first frame structure erected in Baker City), Basche & Company's warehouse, the dwelling house of J. B. Gard- ner and three other frame buildings. The result was that when a serious fire broke out on Wednesday morning, September 5, 1888, it found the people with no> equip- ments wherewith to give it battle, but a few water buckets. This was by ifar the most disastrous fire that has ever occurred in the history of Baker City. On that eventful morning Ed Flanner, an officer, discovered a small blaze in an unoccupied building on the HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 213 comer of First and Court streets. He en-' deaivored to extinguish the fire, but seeing it was impossible to 1 do* so, gave the alarm. The cry of fire was not very promptly re- sponded to, but the peals of the fire bell event- ually aroused the people. They could offer but a feeble resistance, however. Soon the flames spread to the surrounding buildings and the wind, blowing in a southeasterly direction, carried the flames to the stone and brick struc- tures on the east side. Though considered' fireproof, these buildings soon fell, but J. B. Bowen's stone building on the southeast cor- ner of the block, which had a tin roof and iron doors and shutters, easily withstood the flames, saving also all the business blocks to the east and south of it. The losses in this fire were: P. Basche &' Company, largest hardware house in eastern Oregon, $50,000, insurance, $10,000; Baer & Bloch, stock and* building, $75,000, insurance, $40,000; M. Weil & Company, $50,000, insurance, $20,- 000; A. Haussman & Company, $2,500, insur- ance, $1,000; James Richardson, $2,500, no insurance; H. Bamberger, building, $8,000, insurance, $4,000; George Hahn, building, $6,000, insurance, $4,000 ; W. J. VanSchuvyer & Company, building, $15,000, insurance, $6,000; A. F. & A. M. hall, $4,000, no in- surance; S. Ottenheimer, building, $2,500, no insurance; L. B. Ison, building, $1,000, no insurance; Basche & Parker, two buildings, $10,000, insurance, $4,000. This fire thoroughly aroused the people and in the election .following the citizens voted to bond the city for the purpose of construct- ing water Works. Bonds were placed on sale and by January 12, 1889, all were disposed of. The system thereupon constructed and in- stalled was what is known as the direct pump- ing system, water being pumped from deep wells into a reservoir on the hill above town and carried thence into pipes to wherever need- ed. Though this plant cost $60,000, it did not prove adequate and a new system was installed at a later date. In January, 1889, the first building and loan association was instituted in Baker City, with a capital stock of $165,000, its officers and directors being leading men of the city. Its organization was a matter of no little im- portance in Baker City's future progress, en- abling the erection of many homes, which could not be built without its aid. The same month also witnessed the first use of gas in the town. In February a new charter was asked of the legislature, making the following changes in the old one : The city was divided into four wards, with two councilmen for each ward, to be elected one every year and hold office for two years. The limit of city indebtedness was extended from $20,000 to $60,000. The maximum li- cense for the retail sale of liquors was in- creased from $300 to $1,000. Definite sal- aries were to be paid to the city treasurer, the city attorney and the police judge. The city- council was to meet at least once per month. In the fall of this year a franchise was granted to J. E. Kirk, of Arlington, Oregon, A. P. Campbell, of Denver, Colorado, T. F. Campbell, L. M. Robinson, E. H. Blake and Samuel White, to construct and operate a street railway in Baker City, extending from Auburn street along Front to Court, Wash- ington or Center streets, and along one of these to the O. R. & N. depot. The railway was to be completed and in operation by June 1, 1890. As the result of an act passed by the legis- lature providing for the organization of the First Eastern Oregon District Agricultural Society, comprising the counties of Baker, Malheur, Grant, Union and Wallowa, for the purpose of holding annual fairs and exhibi- tions, the initial district exhibit was held in Baker City in October, 1889. Products of the counties concerned were well represented, 214 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES large crowds attended and much interest was manifested in this first fair held by the assist- ance of the state. It will be seen from the foregoing- that the year 1889 was one of unusual activity in Baker City. During its closing days, the three-story Heilner block was receiving its fin- ishing touches, the Hotel Warshauer was be- ing rapidly constructed and the brick work on the First National Bank was just complet- ed. The report of M. L. Tichner, appointed by the board of trade to investigate the com- mercial standing in December, called attention to the fact that a. municipal system of water works had been constructed; that a gas and electric light company had instituted ai plant; that a telephone system had been inaugurated ; a creamery started ; the construction of a street railway begun; two national bank buildings erected; and other improvements made, both public and private. The estimated value of all the improvements of the year was $250,000. In January, 1890, a great snow storm of two or three days' duration, resulted in cut- ting off communication with all points west of Baker City. The principal blockade was in Pyle's canyon, a deep gorge a few miles north of town, the snow being so deep at this point that nine days were required to clear it away. Meanwhile, trains from the east were pouring hundreds of people into Baker City. These were taken care of by the company and royal- ly entertained by the citizens, who did all in their power to make the stay of the travelers as pleasant and comfortable as possible. Early next spring the Interior Land and Improvement Company began operations in Baker City. They secured a bond on two thousand acres of land and began advertising the city and county extensively, but how much credit or blame is to- be given them for the boom which followed is naturally a matter of opinion. Great financial prosperity was and for some time had been the portion of this en- tire section, so the time was opportune for a sudden inflation of values. The cause of these financial disturbances, so disastrous in their reactions, is a matter for the sociologist to de- termine, but certain it is that more than one western town has felt their wonderful tem- porary uplift and suffered the depression and demoralization which follows. So sudden was the advent Of the boom to Baker City that be- tween the first and fourth of May, many par- cels of real estate doubled in value. Prop- erty changed hands so> rapidly that not a quar- ter of the deeds could be recorded. Large sums of money passed from man to man in the streets daily. The country for several miles around was platted into town lots, and so great was the fever of speculation that many of them were sold for prices far in ex- cess of their reasonable value. It is related that a ranchman, who' owned three lots in the suburbs of Baker City, was met on his way to town and offered $80 each for his lots. Not being aware of the boom, he immediately accepted and while the purchaser was in the bank drawing the money wherewith to make good his offer, he was tendered $300 each for the lots. The Interior Land and Improvement Company sold $110,000 worth of lots in one week. On May 21, a party of three hundred came by special train from Portland and it is estimated that during the few days of their stay at the "Denver of Oregon,"' they invested $75,000 in realty. Of course the fever heat of this boom soon passed, but the mania lasted long enough to rob the election of June 6th of practically all its interest. May 8th of this year will be remembered as the date of President Harrison's visit to Baker City. His train arrived at 10:45 p - M -> remaining until 1 1 o'clock, and during the fif- teen minute interim speeches were made by the President, Postmaster-General Wanamak- er and by local speakers. At the conclusion of these brief addresses a minature gold brick HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 215 was presented to the president, upon which were inscribed the words "To Baby McKee." About two thousand people participated in this ovation to President Harrison. Among the new enterprises inaugurated in 1890 was what was known as the Giroux Amalgamator Works. To secure this plant some of the people of Baker City subscribed stock, upon Giroux' s representations that he intended to put in a large amount of machin- ery and institute a plant which would be of inestimable value to the mining interests of town and county. The plant actually con- structed was a relatively small and unimport- ant affair, so the local stock subscribers refused to pay for their stock and the result was that the matter was taken into the courts. While the case was in litigation the plant burned down, entailing a loss of ten thousand dollars, six thousand of which was covered by insur- ance. Though successful in court, Mr. Giroux was morally in the wrong and subsequent de- velopments proved him to be a man of ques- tionable integrity. The year of 1892 was one of steady devel- opment in Baker City, the most important es- tablishment of the year being the sampling works before referred to. As heretofore stat- ed, Baker City did not share the general de- pression of the panic of 1893, but on the con- trary it was unusually lively, owing to the ex- citement caused by the Baisley brothers' rich discoveries in the White Swan mining district. The panic in Portland caused one business failure in Baker City in 1893, that of E. M. VanSlyck's drug store, which was compelled' to close because it could not liquidate, on short notice, its indebtedness to a Portland drug firm. In July, 1894, however, the Baker City National Bank was compelled to close its doors, not through any fault of its management or because of any local depression, but through the unfair action of its New York correspond- ent, the Chase National Bank, which appropri- ated the deposit balance of the Baker City Na- tional to its own uses without notice, causing drafts against this deposit to be protested. Consequently there was a loss of confidence in the local bank, the result of which was heavy withdrawals of deposits. The general feeling of panic and distrust caused another business failure or two during the year, resulting from a disposition on the part of creditors to- force immediate settle- ments, rather than from any actual condition of insolvency. During such times it is impos- sible for any town to forge ahead at a rapid pace, but Baker City was unusually fortunate and while progress was out of the question, no such distress was experienced here as in other towns. The depression was not such as to cause a suspension of smelter agitation. In 1895 it looked as if steps toward the securing of this desideratum would be taken forthwith. O. R. & N. officials and prominent mining men of the east met the leading men of Baker City in a conference, in which the project of put- ting in a $75,000 plant was thoroughly dis- cussed. The plan failed to materialize, how- ever, but the matter has been agitated at dif- ferent times since and a smelter at Baker City is still considered as among the developments which the future shall bring forth. The year 1896 brought a considerable re- vival of business activities in Baker City and the surrounding country, though times con- tinued dull in other localities until the next year. It is stated that there was four times as much building within the limits of the town in 1896 as in 1895, the number of new struc- tures put up being between fifty and sixty. It is said also that labor was very generally em- ployed and at good wages. The spring of 1897 was a disastrous one in Baker City. Early in April the weather turned off warm, rapidly melting the accumu- 216 HISTORY OF BAKER; GRANT, MALHEUR AND. HARNEY COUNTIES lated snow of a rather long winter. The resi- dents along the banks of Powder river ex- pected a flood, but it came so; rapidly that they had not time to> prepare for it. The or- dinarily peaceful Powder river soon became a roaring torrent, rushing madly downward to the Snake, and bearing upon its bosom bridges, timber and debris of many kinds. On the 17th of April it overleaped its banks, causing much' damage to city property. The roadbed of the Sumpter Valley Railroad, contiguous to the river, was completely washed out, entailing a loss of several thousand dollars. The railway necessarily discontinued operations and once again the stage was called into requisition. During the ensuing twenty-four hours every bridge on the river, within the city limits, was washed out, with one exception. When the Auburn avenue bridge went out not a little excitement was occasioned, for it was reported that a number of persons had gone down with it, and as a matter of fact several people did narrowly escape. On Tuesday, April 20th, the weather cooled, the river began to* recede, and in due time it returned to its old channel, after having washed out acres of valuable real estate and done damage to the extent of sev- eral thousand dollars. An issue of the Bed- rock Democrat, which appeared a few days after the river first overflowed, says : "The entire span of the river at the block bridge is filled with timbers and debris of every descrip- tion and the main part of the river is running through a channel at the east of the bridge and circles over to the George Campbell residence. The water before coming to the bridge and near the rear of the Weil and Dilsheimer resi- dences, runs straight and is inclined to force its way through the grade of the west side of the bridge and on through the Jenkins prop- erty. If another rise of the river occurs this channel will be cut and the loss of the Weil and Dilsheimer residences is certain, and perhaps the Jenkins place also. The only preventive is to clear the bridge of debris or take it out altogether. "All over the north part of the city the ravages of the angry torrent of a day or so ago are plainly to be seen and the sight causes an expression of sympathy for the people who have been the victims of the flood. The dam- age done will take a long time and the ex- penditure of much money to repair. "The Griffin residence on Auburn avenue will probably be saved from destruction, but the danger is not yet over. A heavy crib has been anchored along the bank and the current turned, but more or less washing out of the banks continues. The ice house, near the Griffin property, washed away Wednesday morning together with considerable ice." In October following this flood a number of the leading property holders of East Baker constructed a levee five hundred feet long, to prevent future overflows. Large piles were driven into the earth at intervals, to which three inch boards were spiked, constructing a bulkhead about ten feet high. Against this earth was thrown, forming a solid embank- ment, the whole costing about $2,000. Notwithstanding its unpropitious opening the year 1897 was a prosperous one in Baker City, as it was throughout the northwest gen- erally. The expenditures for new homes and business buildings during the year were esti- mated at $200,000, some of the principal struc- tures erected or begun being the Haskell block, the Eaull building, the Geddes-Pollman block, the Hotel Sagamore, the Baker City Electric Lighting plant, the Waterman & Schmitz block, the Small & Donnelly block, St. Eliza- beth's Hospital, the Sherman, the Grace and the Geiser-Pollman buildings. In the fall of the year Receiver Beard of the Baker City Na-r tional Bank, which closed its doors in 1895, made the sixth and last payment to depositors, who received, in all, seventy-eight per cent, of their deposits. A fewi preferred depositors and' HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 21T creditors fared better, the officers of the bank having hypothecated some of the best securi- ties to them before closing its doors. On August i, 1897, the Canyon City Tele- phone Company commenced operations in Baker City, giving the town a new local sys- tem and long distance connection with Sump- ter, Bourne and the Columbia, Bonanza and Clifford mines, also promising communication, in the near future, with Canyon City, and, through affiliated lines, with LaGrande, Union, Heppner, Enterprise, and other points. When in the spring of 1898 the wave of patriotic fervor inspired by the declaration of war with Spain, swept over our land in mighty force, Baker City was deluged as deeply as any other town, east or west. The news that Congress had passed belligerent resolutions caused greater excitement than would the dis- covery of a mountain of gold and from almost every business house and many residences the beautiful banner of the free was flung to the loyal breezes. Never before, since the close of the Civil war, was such a martial spirit" abroad in the land. Even before the country was electrified by the news of Dewey's victory, sixty- four young men of Baker City and vicin- ity had offered their services to the United States, sending their names to Governor Lord with a request that they be organized into a militia company at once. As Oregon's first regiment could be fully made up of militia- men already organized and equipped, and as Baker City's old company had been allowed to decline and become practically disbanded, none of the boys from this section, except pos- sibly a few who' may have enlisted from other points, had opportunity to enroll in answer to McKinley's first call. By the time the second call issued, however, the young men of Baker City and county were ready to respond, and of the four hundred asked from Oregon, six- ty-eight were furnished from this city. Dewey's Manila victory caused a tremend- ous outburst of applause here, but unfortun- ately a little later an accident happened which put a quietus upon future demonstrations. It was known that on the evening oif May 19th two trains from Boise, bearing a volunteer reg- iment of 800 men would pass through Baker City, and in order to give them a cordial greeting about two* thousand people gathered at the O 1 . R. & N. depot. A three-hundred- pound iron cannon was brought into< requisi- tion to salute the soldiers, which, by some mis- calculation, was overcharged, and on being fired burst into fragments. Curtis Spencer, an eight-year-old boy, was struck on the head by a piece of the flying metal and died a few hours later. Another 70-pound fragment was hurled into 1 the dense mass of humanity, knocking down three men and slightly injuring another man and a woman. Ernest Wars- wick's left leg was fractured. The names of the sixty-eight who volun- teered in response to the second call and were accepted, are here given, for reference, as fol- lows : Lieutenant Alliene Case, James B. Layton, Edward D. Trumbull, Daniel A. Rinard, Har- lan U. Beatty, Charles A. Gagen, William H. Hutchinson, Charles W. Johnson, Arthur J. Lowell, Joseph R. Spearman, Ernst Ruoff, H. B. Barker, Wilbur M. Guile, Edward J. Gan- non, Charles E. Snow, Sylvester L. Kellogg, Carleton W. Faull, Walter L. West, Anton Klause, Harold G. Sammons, Walter A. Nittle, James R. Gaskle, Michael Smelzer, Sebastian E. Hamilton, Brigham W. YoUng, Wallace G. Grill, Francis J. Muller, Van R. Roselle, Charles D. Abbel, John G. Saxton, John H. Wagner; Frank D. Dwight, George W. Rank- in, Edward C. Rea, Herbert L. Whitehead, Frank D. Wheeler, Edward Dougherty, Ed- ward T. Bowers, Robert Neuhaus, Michael Flemming, Mathias E. Garner, Hyland H. Corey, Henry H. Schroeder, Frank G. Jewett, Clement O. McWilliams, Harvey Flaugher, 218 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Charles D. Albee, Don A. Roberts, William G. Small, Louis Weadman, Thomas P. Manus, Paschal M. Saunders, Angel Calcari, John J. Miller, Emery Case, John McKinnon, Thom- as E. Hackett, Joseph E. Harrison, Frederick N. Fisher, Peter Peterson, Addison E. Coats, Lewis E. Case, Benjamin F. Evans, James P. Emerson, William H. Fairchild, Charles Hardman, Arthur Allison, Wayne E. Ewing and Clarence McConnell. They were mustered into service Thurs- day, July 22, by Captain Kendall, and together with the Salem volunteers, manned Battery B, Oregon Volunteer Artillery, stationed at Ft. Vancouver, Portland. On October 22d, they were mustered out of service, without having enjoyed an opportunity to* prove their mettle in the battle's front. Upon their return the Baker City contingent permanently organized themselves into a company of the Oregon Na- tional Guards. During 1898 Baker City experienced two serious losses by fire. In August the Baker City Iron Works was burned to the ground, entailing a loss of ten thousand dol- lars, and a few days later the McCord block, Rust's opera house and two> other frame build- ings fell victims to the flames. Of the twenty- seven thousand dollars lost in this latter fire fifteen thousand was covered by insurance. These fires no doubt inspired the reorganiza- tion of the fire department, which consisted of one hook and ladder and five hose cart com- panies. On April 2, 1899, the old Commercial Club was dissolved and in its stead was or- ganized the Baker City Chamber of Com- merce, its object being, of course, to conserve the business interests of the city. In its efforts in this direction and in all things looking toward progress it has the sup- port of a united and energetic people alert to perceive opportunities to> promote the general welfare and ever ready to lend a helping hand to any worthy project. Public spirit has en- abled them to develop the mining wealth in their vicinity, to- draw to themselves a fair share of the trade of the surrounding country and by utilizing the forces so* abundant in their vicinity to build up a wealthy, substantial city. The same public spirit is still theirs. It is now and will ever continue to be operative in en- couraging mining, promoting railway con- struction, inducing internal improvements and drawing to itself the means of growth and affluence. No rival attempts to compete with it for first place among the towns of this sec- tion and from the nature of the case it must always remain the metropolis of southeastern Oregon. CHAPTER VII. OTHER TOWNS OF BAKER COUNTY. SUMPTER. The visitor to the thriving little city of Sumpter is impressed as soon as he alights from the train by the spirit of progress which everywhere pervades the place. Hardly will he have reached the nearest hotel before he will have mentally observed how thoroughly the people believe in their town ; at least such was the experience of the writer. Noi sooner had he entered the hotel door than he was handed a glass of water with the injunction: "Sample this water; you have no 1 such water as that in Baker City." The genial host then called at- tention to his healthy looking person, supplied with an abundance of adipose tissue, remarking that he felt ten years younger than he did four years ago when he first came to Sumpter and attributed this remarkable rejuvenation to the purity of the air and water and the general salubrity of the climate. Sumpter certainly has pure water and a healthy climate; it also has a beautiful location at the head of the fine mountain valley whose name it bears, while the mineral wealth of the surrounding country gives earnest of the continuance of its material prosperity and forms the founda- tion of its present hopefulness and courage. The town is old and yet new. The first settlement in its vicinity, we are told, was made by a party of five southerners in the fall of 1862. They named the primitive cabin which they built in a gulch near by, Fort Sumpter, to manifest their pleasure at the fall of the famous stronghold of that name in South Car- olina. From this circumstance the valley and the little city which later sprang into existence came to' be known by the names they now bear. Though Sumpter began to> be several dec- ades ago, it remained for many years a mere hamlet, containing, perhaps, not more than a dozen houses. The timber in its vicinity could not be utilized owing to the lack of transporta- tion facilities. Only a very vague idea of the mineral wealth hidden in the depths of the Blue mountains contiguous to the town ex- isted in the minds of men, and there was noth- ing to keep it up but the placer mines,whieh, after the first few years, were worked only by Chinese. Chinamen may yet be seen in large numbers during the mining season on a hill- side near town, industriously digging for the precious metal, but no estimate can be made of the amount of gold which rewards their labors, as inquiry into this delicate matter of private business invariably elicits the same reply: "Some days belly well, some days no good at all." Gold bearing quartz ledges were discov- ered in Sumpter district before the close of the 'sixties, and even at that early date some few local miners had a general idea of the exist- ence of mineral wealth, but time alone and the general development which it brings could render this wealth available. In 1896 came 220 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the much needed railroad, the Sumpter Val- ley narrow gauge being that year extended from MeEwen. Naturally the advent of mod- ern means of transportation infused new life into the town, but it was not until 1898 that it began to forge ahead at a rapid rate. Four years ago last January, the town consisted of two small general merchandise stores, a black- smith shop, two hotels, a meat market, a small hardware store and a few other business estab- lishments, a public school and a limited num- ber of residences. It covered an area of about thirty acres, had a population of a few hun- dreds and improvements worth perhaps twen- ty-five or thirty thousand dollars. Such was Sumpter when the boom came. In 1901, according to the Blue Mountain American, it covered an area of fourteen hun- dred acres, had eighty-one business houses with stocks of goods aggregating $420,000' in value; improvements worth in the vicinity of $500,000, eight brick buildings with a com- bined frontage of 351 feet, all the brick and lumber for which were manufactured at Sumpter; a fine gravity (system of water works, the reservoir having a capacity of 1,200,000 gallons and the mains measuring five and a half miles; a thirty-thousand-dollar electric light plant; an efficient fire depart- ment, equipped with two hose carts, a drying tower', a well equipped hook and ladder truck, a three-hundred-dollar fire bell and tower, rubber coats, rubber boots, service hats, etc.; 1,850 feet of graded and paved streets; five and a half miles of sidewalk; twelve and a half miles of local telephone wire, and ten long distance telephones; an efficient city govern- ment, and almost everything else that an up- to-date town of more than three thousand in- habitants might be expected to hare. While the boom is now over no demoraliz- ing reaction has yet come to the town, but progress continues and the evidences cf com- mercial health are everywhere to be seen. Though the marks of Sumpter' s rapid growth are plainly visible, and the vices which go wherever prosperity reigns are well repre- sented, the forces which make for morality; culture and the highest enlightenment are also here. The churchman may have his choice of four denominations, the Methodist Episcopal, Protestant Episcopal, Presbyterian or Cath- olic. Of these, one society, the Presbyterian, already has a neat church building, and the Methodists and Catholics have takei the initial steps toward erecting suitable temples of wor- ship. It is expected that the last-mentioned' denomination will also build a school and a hospital. The town has a fine public school building, in which four teachers are at work, but it is not large enough to accommodate all who seek its benefits, so another room has to be rented and a fifth teacher employed. Among the educational forces of the com- munity, the newspapers may also be classed. Of these there are three, the Blue Mountain American, the Sumpter Miner and the Sump- ter Reporter, the last named being a daily'. The papers are in an unusually healthy finan- cial condition, and are surprisingly well equipped with machinery, presses, type and everything needful to well regulated modern plants. Editorially they are conducted on broad, liberal principles, and no effort is spared to make them faithfully portray the life of the community. The fraternal organiza- tions are quite generally represented in the town. To give a full and complete lesume of all the business establishments of Sumpter would not be an easy task, but so far as could be learned in a brief space of time, the princi- ple ones are as follows: Five general mer- chandise stores, one large hardware, two meat markets, two groceries, a racket store, two bakeries, one candy and cigar store, fourteen or fifteen saloons, four or five general black- smith and repair shops, two millinery and BURST RIYER CASYOB, HUHTINGTOH PUBLIC SCHOOL. SHAKE RIYER NEAR THE OLD "OLDS FERRY. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 221 fancy goods stores, two banks, four hotels, two restaurants, a large number of boarding and lodging houses, a large saw and planing mill, several mining offices, two assayers, three newspapers, three warehouses, two feed stores, two clothing stores, carrying shoes, etc., two plumbing establishments, four barber shops, two tailor shops, a photograph gallery, a sec- ond hand store, a dance hall, an opera house, three physicians and four lawyers. Such is the Sumpter of to-day. Of its fu- ture it is not the province of the historian to speak, but all will readily see that it depends almost entirely upon the development of the mining region contiguous. Lumbering is still an industry of great importance and hay rais- ing and some other forms of the hardier farm- ing are carried on successfully in the valley, but these are subsidiary to mining and with- out the main source of wealth production would not support the town. The future of the mining district is, of course, more or less uncertain, but all indications point toward an indefinite development both in the number of properties and the average output. The opin- ions of some noted experts have been obtained and they are all to the effect that, if the experi- ences of mineralogists in California and else- where are to be confirmed here, the district must long continue one of the largest producers in the world. If the best mining science of the present lis to prove trustworthy in Sumpter district, the future of the active, energetic little city which forms its central gem must be a bright one indeed. HUNTINGTON. On a small, level valley, girt round with towering, sage-clad hills, in the eastern part of Baker county, is Huntington, well known in railroad circles on account of its being the point of junction between the Oregon Short Line and the O. R. & N. railroads. Long before the advent of the iron horse or the in- ception of the town, Miller's Station on the overland route had been established in the valley, and had become well known to all who traveled in pioneer days. The land, however, was secured from the government by the Huntington Brothers, whose inchoate title was carried to patent about the time the rail- road was built. During the years 1883-4 these men main- tained a small trading post on their land. In 1884, with the advent of the railroad, came J. T. Fifer, who had been selling general mer- chandise to the construction crews, moving his goods from town to town as the work progressed. Shortly after Mr. Fifer arrived the Huntingtons closed up, leaving him alone in the general merchandise business. He was not permitted to enijoy this monopoly long, however, for that fall came the Oregon Con- struction Company, consisting of R. M. Steele & Son and D. P. Thompson, with a stock of general merchandise. About the same time w!as opened the first blacksmith shop, that of E. Macri, and in 1885 the the Pacific Hotel was erected. The business establishments at the close of that year may be outlined as fol- lows: Two general merchandise stores, a blacksmith shop, a good hotel and several boarding houses and restaurants, and a num- ber of saloons. The town then stopped grow- ing rapidly, though in 1886 a drug store was added by J. M. Duffey. In 1888 J. H. Aitkin came to Hunting- ton to assume charge of the O. C. Company's general merchandise business. He built a warehouse and began, by soliciting the atten- tion of trade of points far to the south, to build up the forwarding trade of the town. He succeeded in drawing patronage and ship- ping business from places as far remote as Stein's mountain, in southern Harney county. The next year the state appropriated $10,000 for the construction of a road down the Snake 222 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES river to Connor creek. The road encouraged farmers and miners to come to Huntington for supplies and to ship their products, also en- couraged the people of Mineral City, a min- ing camp in Washington county, Idaho, to do their trading there. For years Huntington was practically the sole shipping point for the great cattle country to the south, but in re- cent years Ontario has been drawing a share of this business. The growth of Huntington has been slow, but steady and substantial. No destructive general conflagrations have come to give it a setback and no boom periods to cause inflation of its realty value, followed by depression and business demoralization. In February, 1891, it became for the first time the home of a county newspaper. In that year also it ac- quired corporate existence, and installed its first corps of officers. In 1898 the Northwest Railway Company, promoted by Isaac E. Blake, began operations to connect Hunting- ton with the Seven Devils by a standard gauge railroad. The company expended much money in developing the Iron Dyke copper mine, which also belongs to them, and several hundred thousand dollars in grading, but be- fore their projects were carried to a success- ful issue they became embarrassed financially and both the mine and the road went into the hands of a receiver. Last winter the affairs of the company were satisfactorily settled and the project of building the road is being re- vived. It is stated that the company has re- cently been reorganized and capitalized at $4,000,000, their purpose being to resume work on the road in the near future. Though the mine is immensely rich in copper it is of no value without transportation and the people of Huntington are therefore hopeful that a road will be built that will not only develop the Iron Dyke and bring its trade to their city, but will also attract the trade of the Seven Devils copper camp beyond. Huntington gains a very considerable ad- vantage from its being the terminus of two railroads and the presence in it of their repair shops. The success of the Northwest Com- pany scheme would greatly augment its im- portance as a shipping point and make it a very considerable railway center. The business establishments of Hunting- ton consist at this writing of the general mer- chandise stores of the O. C. Company, Shirk, Graham & Company, and J. T. Fifer; drug stores belonging to W. M. McClure and the estate of J. M. Duffey; the shoe store of F. M. Stubblefield; the pacific Hotel, owned by the O. R. & N. Company, the Gate City Hotel, owned by Mr. Kruse; the Central Hotel, by Chinamen ; the private boarding house of Mrs. Thrill; the livery stables of L. Tirrill and the Brown Brothers; the blacksmith shop of F. Macri ; the meat market of Cole & Insenhoff er ; the millinery store of Mrs. M. B. Stephens; the jewelry and notion store of Mrs. W. A. Young; the barber shops of William J. Moore and A. C. Degel; the fruit, cigar and confec- tionery store of Abbott Brothers ; the commis- sion and forwarding business of the Frame Forwarding Company; the Bank of Hunting- ton, J. H. Aitkin, president, A. W. Sutherland, cashier; the harness shop of J. W. Gray; the coal and wood business of L. Tirrill ; the real estate and mining agency of Woods & Laman ; the bowling alley of E. H. Griswold; and three saloons. The legal profession is not represented in the town, but there are two physicians there, Drs. W. O. Spencer and J. B. White. The town also has a local and long distance telephone exchange. A water main, conveying water furnished by the railroad companies, extends around several of the principal business blocks, giving adequate protection against fire. This means of safety is rendered effective by an efficient volunteer company. Huntington is possessed of all the con- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 223 veniences and social privileges usually found in a town of this size. It has an excellent six-thousand-dollar brick schoolhouse, in which three teachers labor assiduously for the intellectual development of the young during about nine months of each year. Three de- nominations of Christians are represented, the Congregational, Catholic and Methodist Epis- copal, the first of which have commodious edifices. At present the Methodists meet in the Odd Fellows' Hall. The Protestant church societies are both supplied with resident pas- tors, but no priest resides in Huntington at this time. Several fraternities maintain or- ganizations in the town, among them the I. O. O. F, the A. O. U. W., M. W. A., W. of W. and G. A. R., with the corresponding ladies' auxiliaries. With its substantial development already achieved, with its established social institu- tions, its excellent and extensive tributary ter- ritory, the promise of the mining districts in its vicinity and its railway prospects, Hunting- ton faces the future with confidence, assured that in the onward march of the county it will bear its full part and receive its share of the reward of industry. OTHER TOWNS OF BAKER COUNTY. Besides Baker City, Sumpter and Hunting- ton, there are a number of other very consid- erable towns in Baker county, deserving of a more extended description than we have space and opportunity to give them. Among these is Haines, situated in a prosperous farming country. It was shown by the census of 1900 to have a population of 147 and it has all the business houses, shops, etc., usually found in a town of that size. It is situated on the O. R. & N. line, ten miles north of Baker City. Bourne, in the northwestern part of the coun- ty, is a mining center of importance, credited by the census with a population of 75. Whit- ney, about the center of western Baker county, is the terminus of the Sumpter Valley Rail- road. It is experiencing a very rapid growth at present. Durkee is a considerable town twenty miles west of Huntington on the O. R. & N. It is in the center of a good farming country and the mining district contiguous to it is promising. At this writing the town has two general stores, two hotels, barber shop, blacksmith shop, saloon and a local telephone exchange connecting a number of farmers in the neighborhood. Sanger, Cornucopia and Sparta are important mining centers in the Panhandle country credited by the census of 1900 with population of 24, 176 and 58, re- spectively. The volume of business transacted in them is doubtless much in excess of what one would suppose from their size. Hereford, Unity, Bridgeport, Weatherby, Eagleton, Keating, Halfway, Carson, Homestead, Pine, Newbridge, Richland, Pleasant Valley, Wing- ville and McEwen are small villages and set- tlements in various parts of the county, many of them remote from railroads. WILLIAM C. HINDMAH. BIOGRAPHICAL. WILLIAM C. HINDMAN.— The wor- thy pioneer and noble veteran of many a struggle in life's battles whose name is at the head of this article, is one of the most fa- miliar figures in Baker county, having been here from the earliest days and continued in the prosecution of the same enterprise con- stantly since, wherein he has displayed the commendable qualities of keen foresight and wise business management coupled with the most exacting uprightness and moral worth, while his public service and efforts for the advancement of the interests of the county and section in general have been untiring and em- inently successful. Mr. Hindman was born in Pennsylvania on April 30, 182 1, being the son of Samuel and Sarah (Manning) Hindman. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, where his an- cestors settled prior to> the Revolutionary war, in which struggle they participated, while his father iought in the war of 1812. He was a millwright and followed his trade in the summer and taught school in the winter. Our subject's mother was a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and her ancestors came over with Lord Baltimore and settled in that city. Her father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and was present at the memorable time when Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown. She was born three years before Washington was elected for the first time. Our subject received his primary educa- tion in the public schools, and after he was twenty-one years of age wrought his way through a good academy. His parents came to Ohio when he was but a child and from that state he went to^ Iowa and farmed near Council Bluffs for a time, and then came over- land with ox and horse teams to Baker coun- 15 ty, in 1863. For two years subsequent to his arrival he freighted and then embarked in cattle raising, taking a homestead and buy- ing enough more land for this enterprise, and to the successful prosecution of this business he has devoted his entire energies, with the result of almost unbounded success. He is also interested in mining and owns some val- uable city property. In 1867 he was called from private life by the ballots of his fellows and charged with the responsible duties of representing Baker and Union counties in the state legislature, which he did with display of ability and rigid faithfulness to the interests of his constituents. The marriage of Mr. Hindman and Miss Sarah Kyle was celebrated in Iowa in 1853;. she was a native of New Brunswick, but reared in Ohio. They became the parents of seven children: Clara; Phila; Agnes, de- ceased; Homer; Grace; Frank; Willard. His sons, Frank and Homer, have charge of his cattle. In 1883 Mrs. Hindman was called' from the duties of her position on earth to the regions beyond. On November 25, 1897, Mr. Hindman was married a second time, on this occasion Mrs. T'ollie Mounts Douthitt became his wife. Mr. Hindman was brought up under the teachings of the Presbyterian church, but he has never united with any denomination, although his life is one Of the strictest integrity and ex- emplification of the principles of truth. GEORGE R. HODGINS.— One of the leading mechanics of the county and one whose skill and energy have placed him forward in the manipulation of the arts of his trade, the 226 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES subject of this sketch is here accorded a rep- resentation in this volume, since his real worth and commendable qualities justly entitle him to such, as well as his success in the enterprises that he has followed since coming to' the county. Across the waters, in the little Emerald Isle, that has been the home of sonie of the greatest men that have graced the human race, we find the birth place of Mr. Hodgins, and the memorable 1849 * s tne y ear °f his nativity. While still a child he was brought by his par- ents to London, Canada, where he received his educational discipline and where he also learned the prince of all trades, the black- smith's, having completed it when he was sev- enteen years of age, thus demonstrating both his ability and his energy. His first move was to Michigan, where he followed his trade for three years, then he came to> Boise City in 1869 and there continued in the same occupa- tion until he came to Baker county in 1876 One year later he migrated to Arizona and wrought in Phoenix and Prescott until 1881, then returned to Wingville, opened there a shop and beat the anvil to the time of honest industry until 1887. At that date he entered into partnership with John M. Rohner and opened a butcher shop and grocery store in Wingville, which business they prosecuted to^ gether until the fall of 1893, when they sold it out and took up stock raising and farming- together. They own about four hundred acres of land, which is w r ell improved and operated to the best advantage. Mr. Hodgins is road supervisor in his district at the present time and has held the responsible position of jus- tice of the peace and in all these public posi- tons he has shown both ability and integrity. On November 1, 1881, Mr. Hodgins mar- ried Miss Trena, daughter of Jacob and Anna Rodner, who cair.e here with her parents from Switzerland. They have become the parents of one child that died in infancy. Mr. Hodgins is a member of the I. O. O. F., Wingville Lodge, No. 69, and also* of the W. of W., as well as of the Encampment No. 8. In religious affairs he is affiliated with the Methodist church, South, and has been very active in church work all the years of his life. At the present time he is superintendent of the Sunday-school and has been for fifteen years, having given much time to this work and making a fine success in his endeavors. Mr. Hodgins is associated with the Democratic party in political matters and takes an active interest in countv and state affairs. JOHN ROHNER.— From every portion of the globe come those who make up the citi- zenship of this great land, and it is frequently the case that those born in foreign countries have a keener appreciation of our free insti- tutions than those who are native born. Amon that worthy class who have grown sturdy in the famous little republic of the Alpine region are many that have sought larger fields and greater chances in this Utopia of the west and one of their number well known here for his enterprise and faithfulness, as Avell as his abil- ity in the affairs of the land, is the prominent citizen and gentleman whose name appears at the head of this article. On April 26, 1865, near the eternal snows of the world famous Alps, was born the sub- ject of this sketch and there he spent the first eight years of his earthly life, at the end of which time he was brought by his parents to southern Utah, where they remained for two years and then removed to southern Nevada, in which place they resided until 1881. At that date they brought horses to< Wingville, this county, and soon our subject settled where we now find him, about eight miles northwest from Baker City. Here, in partnership with his brother-in-law, G. R. Hodgins, mention O'f whom is made in the sketch immediately preceding, is engaged in farming and stock raising. During the interim from 1887 to 1893, our subject was engaged with Mr. Hod- gins in the butcher and grocery business in Wingville, but at the last date they sold this business and engaged as has been said. Thrift and industry are manifest in all the affairs of Mr. Rohner and his skill and wisdom displayed in the art of tilling the soil is quite commenda- ble. He is at the present time discharging the dutes of justice of the peace of his district, the same being done with ability and straightfor- wardness. He has also been for a good many years clerk of the school board, as well as holding other positions of trust. The marriage of Mr. Rohner and Miss Fannie R., daughter of William and Lydia B. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 227 Ward, was solemnized in Skamokawa, Wash- ington, on November 18, 1888, and to them have been born four children: William H., aged ten years; Anna P., seven years old; Charles F., four years of age; Archie, who has nassed three years in this life. Mr. Roh- ner is a member of the I. O. O. F., Wingville Lodge, No. 68, and also of the W. of W.. Lodge, No. 68, and also affiliates with the Methodist church, South, and demonstrates, both by precept and practice, his interest in his faith. Mr. Rohner's father died while en route to this county, but his mother still resides at Wingville. The family consists of the follow- ing children : Trena, wife of J. R. Hodgins ; Jacob, Jr. ; John ; Louisa, now Mrs. William Hindman: August; Emil; F'reda, wife of Charles Haskill ; Godfrev. ELIJAH B. WOOD-WORTH.— Among those who have wrought for the development of this legion for one-third of a century and whose skill and sturdy strength have added materially to the substantial progress of the county is the gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph and who has been a real pi- oneer in the fullest sense of that expressive word, having followed that most pioneer of all industiies, mining, during a long and eventful life. Mr. Wocdworth was born in Warwick county, Indiana, on October 3, 1835, being the son of Benjamin and Alary Woodworth. When two years of age he was taken by his parents to Massac county, Illinois. His education was received in the schools of Cincinnati, and as tarlv as 1854 he became desirous of viewing for himself the undiscovered regions of the boundless west and accordingly engaged with a freight outfit to Salt Lake and then made his way from there to California, where he em- barked at once in mining, continuing thereat for eleven years, at the end of which time he had gathered a fortune, principally on the Feather river. But, as is so often the case in this ocucpation, he invested in another section and lost his hard earned dust. During the excitement on the Salmon river he started thither but stopped at Granite and later went to Canyon City, where he was again favored with success in mining. Two years later he migrated to Idaho City, where he spent five years in the search for nature's vaults of treas- ure and then went to the Grand Ronde valley and from there he came to this county, where he has been for thirty years constantly follow- ing his chosen occupation. In the last few years he retired from the more arduous activ- ities of the mines and settled on a farm seven miles west from Baker City, where, engaged in the pleasant duties of the basic art of agri- culture, we find him at the present time. The marriage of Mr. Woodworth and Miss Frances Mitchell was solemnized in 1864, in Idaho City, and to them have been born the following children: Eliza; Daisy; Molly; Bessie, married to' Jack Chadd ; and Minnie. Mr. Woodworth is a man of sterling prin- ciples and possessed of fine abilities, which have rendered him great service as an exem- plary member of society and a stanch and faith- ful citizen, while his demeanor has been such that he has won for himself the confidence and esteem of the people. HANER W. LEE. — It is now our pleas- ure to give in epitome the salient points of the career of one of the leading - stockmen and most substantial citizens of his section, whose life of marked ability and wise financiering, coupled with stanch integritv, has been a power for good and advancement in this county, while in his private business achievements he has been crowned with that success that comes to the wise manipulation of the resources that were so richly displayed in this favored section. Mr. Lee was born in Michigan on July 22, 1859, being the son of Daniel and Betsey (Weatheruax) Lee, the latter having died when he was a child, and his father in 1890. He received his education in Jackson, his na- tive state, and in 1872 came with his father to this county. In 1890 he took a homestead, where he now lives, in the Lower Powder riv- er valley, fifteen miles northeast from Baker City. Here he devotes his attention to' farm- ing and raising blooded stock, mostlv Short Horn Durham. He also buys and sells stock a great deal and operates a creamery, all of which occupies him continuously ; but in each particular line he manifests commendable skill 228 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES and every detail is cared for with such prompt- ness and all is supervised with such wisdom that success is constantly his portion to> enjoy. In addition to> these duties he finds time to give the attention demanded of every wide awake citizen to the affairs of state and government, and especially is he active in educational mat- ters, having given good service on the school boards for a number of years. The marriage of Mr. Lee and Miss Olive, daughter of Samuel and Jane (Moore) Col- well, was solemnized on January I, 1888. They have one daughter, Minnie P., and they have also' adopted a child, Owen M. Mr. Lee's father was distinguished by his service in the Indian wars in an early day in Michigan and adjacent regions, while in p litical matters he was no< less prominent, hav- ing been sheriff of Eaton county, in Michigan, for several terms, and also rendering other commendable service of a public nature. Our subject affiliated himself with the I. O. O. F., Union Lodge, No. 39, of Union county in 1884, and he is also 1 a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Lodge No. 5326, of Baker City, and of the Fraternal Union of America. In ail of ,'these social relations Mr. Lee is pleasantly distinguished and very popular among his fellows, while his whole life is fraught with kindness and indus- trious action and commendable achievements. EDWARD B. McDANIEL, M. D— Prominent among those who minister to the sick in Baker City and county is the learned and skillful physician whose name gives caption to this review, and though he has not been a resi- dent of the political division with which our volume is concerned as long as many of those whose names appear herein, his high standing and prominence as a professional man and citi- zen render it fitting that due representation should be accorded him in this portion of our work. Our subject is a native of the great com- monwealth in which he is now living, the town of his birth being Cove, Union county, and the date March 19, 1873. He grew to early manhood there, acquiring his preliminary edu- cation in the public schools and in Leighton Academy. In the fall of 1889 he started to the Beaumont Medical College, of St. Louis, Mis- souri, from which institution he graduated in 1892. His medical education was further augmented during the summer following by hospital practice and in the fall he entered Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, and from this institution he also received a degree in the spring of 1893. A year was then spent in study in various eastern hospitals, after which our subject returned to his native town and began practice. Shortly afterward he went to Portland, where he practiced with Dr. A. C. Smith until 1897, which year is the date of his advent to' Baker City. His skill and ability, the natural result of careful and long continued training, were speedily recog- nized, and he now has one of the most exten- sive practices enjoyed in the city. During the first years of his residence here he served as county physician, and at the present time he is chief physician and surgeon of the St. Eliza- beth hospital of Baker City. He maintains an active membership in both the State and the American Medical Societies. Our subject is also- a very enthusiastic worker in the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Consistory, the Temple, the Shrine and in fact all the branches of Masonry. Several times he represented the subordinate bodies to which he belongs in the grand lodge. Dr. Mc- Daniel is also exalted ruler of the local organ- ization of the B. P. O. E. He examines for the Massachusetts Mutual, the New York Mu- tual, the Pacific Mutual and other insurance companies. EDWARD T. BORMAN.— It is with pleasure that we are enabled to present here a brief review of the life record of the success- ful mining man whose name appears above, for we are fully persuaded that the man who adds to the world's wealth in a way which brings no sorrow is to be honored as a benefac- tor of his race. Mr. Borman is a native of Saxony, Ger- many, born August 15, 1831, the son of Fred and Augusta (Linzenbard) Borman. He re- ceived the public school training usually given to' the German youth, then turned his atten- tion to printing, a handicraft which he fol- lowed much of the time for the half decade succeeding Iris sixteenth year. When twenty- EDWARD B. McDAHIEL, M. D. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 229 one years of age he put into execution a deter- mination to enjoy the advantages of the new world, so emigrated to the United States. Lo- cating first in the city of Boston, he there learned the trade of the shoemaker, a handi- craft which he afterward followed for three years in Chicago. In 1857 he moved to Kan- sas City, Missouri. He took a claim in Shaw- nee county, Kansas, where he was during the John Brown raid and the other slavery diffi- culties, He was himself a pronounced free state man, but being peaceably disposed, he preferred to emigrate rather than take part in the troubles, so set out with ox teams for Cal- ifornia. At Red Bluffs he followed his trade for a period of six years, and at the time of the mining excitement in Idaho in 1864, he came north to Silver City, where for another period of six years he busied himself in shoemaking. He then devoted a half decade to the hotel business and mining, thereafter coming to> Ba- ker City, where he has mined almost continu- ously since, though for a time he was in the general merchandise business at Virtue. He has a fine home and eighty acres of land, one mile southeast from Baker City, where his home now is, and where he is spending the re- mainder of his days in peace and quiet, though he is still active in mining ventures. Mr. Borman has been in the Masonic order since 1867. His marriage was solemnized in 1853, when Miss Christina, daughter of Will- iam Dupel, became his wife, and they have had three children, namely: Clara E., de- ceased, Edward W., of Baker City, and George W., who married Miss Maggie Rea, also> a res- ident of Baker City. JUDGE M. L. OLMSTED.— Few men exert a great influence upon the country, and especially upon the communities during their early formative periods, than the legal fra- ternity, and among these the most influential and those destined to* leave their impress upon the plastic embryonic body politic are the heads of the judiciary departments. As one of the leading representatives of those who< have done faithful service upon the bench in Baker county and in eastern Oregon, stands the estimable gentleman whose name initiates this para- graph, and whose interesting career of worthy achievement it is new our pleasant task to epitomize. On September 29, 1842, our subject first saw the light in Tullahoma, Tennessee, where he remained until he was four years of age. He was still in his school work when the call came for volunteers to defend the nation, and with the promptness born of true patriotism and praiseworthy valor, he immediately re- sponded for three months' service, which ex- tended itself to the end of the war, during all of which time he rendered valiant service un- der the banner that he bore, the flag of free- dom. His enlistments were in the Seventy- eighth and One Hundred and Second New York. Following the war he served some in various Indian conflicts in all parts of the fron- tier. He reached the rank of brevet lieutenant colonel in the Civil war and was commander of a company of volunteers in the Bannock war. After the close of that war he was elected to the position of judge of the sixth judicial district, which at that time included the great- er portion of eastern Oregon. He discharged the duties thus incumbent upon him with dis- play of acumen and probity and impartiality that commended him to the people in a very satisfactory manner. Since that time he has been devoting his energies to- the practice of law in the various courts of his state, wherein he has achieved a very gratifying success, while in political matters he is very active and influential, having been nominated as one of the Bryan electors. He is interested in min- ing and handling timber products. Frater- nally he is affiliated with the A. O. U. W., and has been for twenty-four years, also with the Woodmen of the World and the Fraternal Union. The marriage of Judge Olmsted and Miss Celia E. East, a member of one of the^ pioneer families of Iowa, was solemnized in Iowa on November 5, 1867, and to them have been born tw r o sons, Percy N. and Harland H'. The elder one is now a lieutenant in the navy, hav^ ing inherited the military spirit and valor of his father, and is serving on the Brooklyn. He was the acting flag lieutenant of the south Atlan- tic squadron, from which post he was assigned to duty with Sampson's fleet during the Span- ish war. He was in charge of the eight-inch battery on the Indiana during the great naval conflict off Santiago and received honorable 230 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES mention in the details of the battle. One of his home papers in Baker City spoke as fol- lows: "Leslie's Weekly of July 25 contains a picture of the gallant eight-inch gun crew of the Indiana as they appeared just after the sinking of Cervera's fleet, July 3. At the head of the line stands our Oregon boy, easily re- cognizable by his old time friends of Baker City." The May number of the Century, also, in an article headed "The Story of the Cap- tains" mentions the lieutenant in honorable ac- tion. That day's work is history and written by a thousand pens, the best the world affords, and all are familiar with it. Following- this brilliant day he was assigned to the flagship, Brooklyn, at Cavite, Philippine Islands, later the vessel went to Taku, China, and is at the present time at Nagasaki, Japan, he having been in continuous service 611 it. His parents in Baker City have a fine collection that he has sent to them, which consists of relics, arms, pictures, uniforms, coins of gold and silver melted and run together on the Spanish ships, and many other rare and interesting things. P. N. Olmsted was appointed by Congressman Binger Hermann to- the U. S. Navy Academy at Annapolis in 1887, and on June 2, 1893, he was graduated with credit from that institu- tion, being commander of the Second Cadet Corps. Following this he was for two' years on the protected cruiser, Philadelphia, in Hon- olulu, then assigned to- the navy yard at New York as instructor, then sent with the South American squadron in 1896, holding the posi- tion of acting flag lieutenant. In December, 1897, lie was recalled from Montevideo' and assigned as artillery officer on the Iowa, and on February 15, 1898, he was given the posi- tion of division officer on the Indiana. Subse- quent to this followed the brilliant service, as described above, which was attended with items of bravery and acts of commendable skill that would far exceed the space we are allowed, and which it is a matter of regret that we can not further detail. The second son of Judge Olmsted is being instructed at Hill's Military Academy in Portland and is giving promise of doing honor to' the ancestors whose name he bears. The Judge has been dentified with the his- tory of eastern Oregon from an early day, hav- ing migrated to Canyon City in 1872, and to Baker Citv in 1886. He is esteemed bv al 1 that know his name, having ever been an exem- plification of those principles of uprightness, truth and integrity that make the substantial citizen and worthy man. FRANK GEDDES.— It is a source of grat- ification and deserving of worthy commenda- tion to see the descendants of the early pioneers rising to take the places of those gone before and to push forward the work of development and upbuilding, the foundations of which were so skillfully and deeply laid by that praise- worthy band that first broke the sod in this favored region. Not least among this rising class is the gentleman whose name is men- tioned above and whose career of usefulness and commendable achievement has demon- strated the excellent capabilities and fine prin- ciples with which he is possessed. A product of this county, being born here on December 2, 1871, to Joseph A. and Eva M. (Freligh) Geddes, the subject o- dard of honor and uprightness and display- ing faithfulness, ability and integrity in all of his dealings both public and private. The parents of our subject, Michael and Mary (Mercer) Moody, were natives of North Carolina and Kentucky respectively, and in 1842 they removed to Missouri, where their home was until the time of their death. At the beginning of the war, our subject enlisted in Company A, Fifty-ninth Missouri Volun- teer Infantry, and did faithful service there for ninety days, when he was discharged, being disabled by rheumatism. In 1863 he fitted up ox teams and crossed the plains settling first in the Burnt river valley, for one year, and then removed to Auburn, where he was en- gaged in mining for six years. Following this period he repaired to Eagle valley and took land on Sage Brush flat, September 16, 1874, being the date of his settlement. In this place we find him at the present time engaged in farming and stockraising, having wrought for himself a marked success, for his holdings amount to eight hundred acres of fine land besides a great many head of thoroughbred Short Horn cattle and much other stock, in addition to the improvements of value upon his estate. He is also superintendent of three irrigating companies, where he does excellent service. He is a man that has always taken an active interest in the affairs of state and is always on hand at the conventions and prima- ries, displaying the part of a good citizen that is interested in the welfare of his county. He has been chosen as a delegate to every con- vention of the county since he has resided in his 1 present place. The marriage of Mr. Moody to Miss Au- phenia, daughter of Peter and Mary (Knowles) Grier, was solemnized in i860, and they have become the parents of the following children: Otis C, died when he was an in- fant; Lottie, died in 1880; Willard, married; Henry, married; George M.; Laura, wife of Mr. W. N. Young; Fannie, wife of Mr. Will- iam Cole. Mrs. Moody died in 1880, beloved and mourned by all. Mr. Moody contracted a second marriage and the lady that became his wife was Polly Young, daughter of Mitchell and Rosa (Dan- iels) Young. Our subject is one of the leading men of his vicinity and of the county and has always so demeaned himself that he has won the es- teem and confidence of all who may have the pleasure of his acquaintance. His is doubtless the finest place in the val- ley and his elegant residence is equal to any in the county. He manages his estate with wisdom, and neatness and thrift are manifested in every detail. It is of note that during the Indian war of 1878, the settlers made his yard a stockade and Mr. Moody volunteered to go to Union after night to obtain arms. He was able to secure ten guns and some ammunition only by giving a bond for one thousand dol- lars. The items that Mr. Moody gives in ref~ erence to the value of real estate in the valley are highly interesting. Land that to-day is bringing on the market seventy-five dollars GEORGE W. MOODY. 1 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 283 per acre, coild be bought in 1874 for as many centsi per acre and a common cayuse could eas- ily be traded for forty acres. Then the best crops were eighteen bushels of oats, per acre and the same land now under irrigation pro- duces one hundred bushels annually. WILLIAM JENKINS, deceased.— The ranks of the noble men and women who toiled through the arduous undertakings of opening a new and far distant country to civilization are thinning fast by the ruthless ravages of time and the silvered locks tell eloquently of the toil and endeavor of the days gone by for- ever. Prominent among this worthy class and well known throughout the county as one of the earliest of its settlers, was the stanch and faithful man whose memory we now pay tribute to' in this memorial, wherein we en- deavor to present the salient points of his in- teresting career. The birth of our subject was in that most famous of modern countries, the Emerald Isle, on May 15, 1820, where he remained un- til 1839, at which date he became enamored of freedom's land and made his way hither. His first settlement was in St. Louis, where he remained until 1849, an< ^ then removed to Illi- nois. He was engaged there in tilling the soil until 1864, and then came to the west via the plains, using ox and horse teams for the journey. In the same year he landed on the present site of Baker City and soon selected land eight miles northeast, where he gained title to five hundred and twenty acres adjoin- ing the stage road. Here he settled and de- voted his entire attention to the rearing of cat- tle and horses, gaining the success that is the inevitable result of care and skill, coupled with industry, all of which were displayed in his career with exceptional excellence. For twen- ty-three years he toiled on this place and then removed with his family to Baker City, where he had a very comfortable home and resided for thirteen years. But on the 24th day of March, 1897, he was called to leave the land where he had wrought so faithfully and had manifested forth the light of a worthy and noble Christian life, and come to the world where there will be death no more and where the proper reward of faithful service will be his for the enduring ages. He was a member of the Methodist church, south, and a consistent Christian during his long life, which was fraught with kind deeds and generous sym- pathy. His demise was mourned by all and the funeral was a time of expression of genuine sorrow at the loss, not only to his family, but to the entire community. The marriage of Mr. Jenkins and Miss Elizabeth A. Maxfield took place in St. Louis in 1845, an d to them were born the following children: Sarna J.; N. Emaline; Thomas Hi, deceased ; William ; Mary A. ; John Edward ; George W. ; Francis M. Mrs. Jenkins stiil survives, having passed about fifty-seven years of married life, and is active in the manage- ment of the fine estate left by her husband. She is in good health and passes the golden years with the calm assurance of contemplating a life well spent and buoyed by a bright hope for the future. GEORGE RIZOR.— It is with pleasure that we are enabled to incorporate in this por- tion of our volume a brief resume of the very useful career of the honored pioneer agricul- turist and stockman whose name 'appears above. A public spirited citizen, a gentleman of integrity and worth and a genial friend and neighbor, he enjoys the good will and confi- dence of the community in which he lives, and his standing is in all respects an enviable one. Our subject was born in Holmes county, Ohio, September 3, 1837, his parents being Michael and Sarah Rizor. He received such educational advantages as the public schools of the place and period afforded, but it must be confessed that these were painfully meager. At the age of fifteen he removed to Jefferson county, Iowa, where he lived for several years, thereafter going to Pawnee county, Nebraska, his business in all these places being farming mostly. In 1875 ne emigrated to Baker county, Oregon, and in clue time he located on a farm on Alder creek, six miles west of Express, where we now find him. In 1878 he was ab- sent from his home for a while with General Howard in his pursuit of Chief Joseph. Mr. Rizor is the owner of a fine, rich, well improved farm and is achieving a very envia- ble success in his pursuit of the basic art of 234 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES agriculture and in stock raising. He is one of the thrifty and successful farmers of his neighborhood, as he is one of its most esteemed citizens. He takes some interest in mining and has some properties of great promise. Public spirited and actively interested in all matters of general concern, Mr. Rizor is especially solicitous that the cause of educa- tion be promoted in his neighborhood, and this solicitude has found expression in his serving for the past decade and a half as director of his district. The marriage of our subject was solemn- ized in Jefferson county, Iowa, September I, 1 86 1, Miss Sarah Batten becoming his wife at that time, and to this union nine children have been born, namely : Michael, of Baker City; Benjamin C, living near home; John, of North Powder River; Wesley, of Geiser, Ore- gon; Anna, deceased; Lewis, deceased; H. J., at home; Ella, deceased; and Nellie, at home. M. S. WARREN.— In a work of the character of the history of Baker county, there would be sad incompleteness were there omis- sion to chronicle the interesting and eventful career oi the worthy pioneer and estimable cit- izen whose name appears above and who has faithfully done his part in this region for near- ly forty years, manifesting those substantial qualities which are the major exemplifications in those men who form the boast and pride of any well regulated community. The birth of Mr. Warren occurred on July 3, T837, in Somerset, Pulaski county, Ken- tucky, being the son of William and Elizabeth Warren, and in his native place he spent the first eighteen years of his life, being- but poorly favored with school advantages, which lack, however, he has well made up by careful and continuous reading since. In 1855 he came to Grundy county, Missouri, and there engaged in farming until 1864, when he joined the stream of immigration to' the pacific coast and with ox teams made the weary and dangerous journey from Missouri to< his present ranch, consuming six months on the road. He immedi- ately set himself to the task of development and improvement of his western home, and his efforts were soon apparent in the thrifty ap- pearance and substantial returns that he re- ceived from his land. In 1877 he went to Union county and for twenty years he labored and gained success there and then he came back to his old homestead and is there now, spending the golden years that begin to draw on apace, comfortably established on the land where he first broke the sod in the wild scenes of the west. Mr. Warren has passed the days of the years of his stay here in most commend- able manifestations o his profession in this county since its inception as a political division, has manifested rare capabilities and principles of honor and moral worth that are as refreshing as they are beautiful in exemplification. The birth of Mr. Foster occurred in Cal- edonia county, Vermont, on October 3, 1835, and there he passed the vears of his minority, gaining in the public schools the primary edu- cational training and later taking a degree from> the Barre academy, near Montpelier, the same institution from which Admiral Dewey graduated about that time. Following his graduation he took up a special course that thoroughly fitted him for his profession, that of civil engineering. . Having received his de- gree, he engaged for a time with different rail- road companies* in the capacity of civil engi- neer, but' in 1859 he crossed the plains to Pike's Peak and later to California, being transported by ox teams. The train was very small, having but three wagons, and although those preceding and following had much diffi- culty with the Indians, the company of Mr. Foster was unmolested. For one year he mined in the Golden state, then came to; Port- land in 1861 and served as clerk to the super- intendent of Indian affairs, Edward R. Geary, there for a time, following which he went to Walla Walla and opened a mercantile estab- lishment for six months and then went to Florence during the gold excitement in 1862. Succeeding this he removed to' Auburn in Baker county and followed mining for a time, and then was elected clerk oi Baker county, being the first incumbent of that office elected. After his term of two years in this service he gave his attention to his profession and this has occupied him since. In 1868 he was elect- ed county surveyor, and excepting about eight years he has served in that capacity since, which continued term of faithful discharge of public trusts is iin itself a most convincing^ proof both of ability and sound principles. In addition to this he has also* served as city coun- cilman and city surveyor and has always given entire satisfaction. He is possessed of an ele- gant residence at 1524 Dewey avenue, besides much other property, as houses and lots, farms and mines. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. in Baker City. The marriage of Mr. Foster and Miss Alice Erland took place in Auburn in 1869 and they have become the parents of three children : Leo L., married and living at the Bonanza mine, where he is bookkeeper; Harry E., bookkeeper at the Elkhorn mine ; Calleen E. Mrs. Foster is a member of the First Presby- terian church and active in the interests of her faith. ALBERT HINDMAN.— This honored pioneer and esteemed, citizen of Express was born in Council Bluff, Iowa, on May 14, 1855. AVhen nine years old he accompanied the re- mainder of the family to> Baker country, Ore- gon, where they again engaged in farming, their location being four miles west of Baker City. Our subject received only a very limited 236 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES education, the largest portion of his time and energy being devoted to< the development and improvement of the parental homestead, upon which he wrought unftl he became twenty- three years of age. Mr. Hindman then took a homestead about fifteen miles east of Baker City, and engaged for himself in the business of farming and rearing cattle, apparently achieving excellent success therein, for he is now the owner of eight hundred and forty acres of land. A part of this has been laid out info town lots, streets, alleys, etc., and upon it the town of Express is springing up. Our subject is the owner of quite a herd of cattle and horses, including some very choice Shorthorn and Hereford males and a Percheron stallion. Mr. Hindman is one of the leading farmers and stockmen in the county, thrifty, energetic and progressive, while as a man and citizen his standing is one of which he has every reason to be proud. His benevolence was manifested in his having donated the ground for a union church in Express, and in his liberally con- tributing to the same, but it has also found ex- pression; in many other 1 ways. A public spirit- ed man, he takes an active interest in all affairs of general concern in town, county, and state, though he has never displayed any special am- bition for political preferment or personal ag- grandisement. Our subject married, at Baker City, Ore- gon, on December 10, 1882, Miss Addie, daughter of E. R. and Annie Powers, and the issue of their union is five children, Claude O., Elmer C, Fannie E., Edgar I. and Amy E. OLIVER C. STERN.— Mr. Stern was born in Shellsburgh, Benton county, Iowa, on June 3, 1850, being the son of David M. and Mary (Heitchew) Stern, natives of Pennsyl- vania. He was educated in his native state and also' received the invigorating exercise of assisting to till his father's farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he embarked on life's arena for himself, his first venture being to learn telegraphy, following the same in the employ of the B. C. R. & N. Railroad Com- pany until 1874. Finding that it was necessary to satisfy his desire for more active life, at that time he embarked in contracting, a knowledge of which important industry he had gained before. For two years in Iowa and one in Ne- braska he prosecuted this business and then in 1880 determined to verify the experiences of that most unique of all undertakings, crossing the plains by team. He journeyed to Baker City and immediately upon arriving began operations in his contract work and building, which he followed continuously until 1884 when he was appointed to the position of superintendent of the water works system of Baker City, and to the discharge of the duties there incumbent upon him he has given his time and attention continuously since. This long term of service in caring for this depart- ment of the city's government and interests in itself speaks convincingly of his ability and trustworthiness. He is a member of the Mac- cabees lodge in this city and very popular in this relation. The marriage of Mr. Stern and Miss Sadie E, daughter of John H. and Hjarriet Mitchell, was solemnized in Baker City on December 7, 1884, and to them have been born two chil- dren : Virginia M. and Frank C EDMUND P. PERKINS. A veritable pioneer of the pioneers, a citizen of rare ability and stanch principles, manifesting ever that unswerving stability and uncompromising in- tegrity that characterize a noble type of our race, the man whose name initiates this para- graph is one of the most familiar figures in our county and one of the most respected and beloved, whose life is exemplary and worthy of emulation by those who value virtue and genuine worth and his achievements are com- mensurate with his sterling qualities and mani- fested wisdom, which have given him a most enviable and gratifying success in the finan- cial world. Born and reared in Kentucky, he inherited from the time of his advent into- this world, which occurred on January 23, 1832, the valor and chivalry of the sons of the old Blue Grass state and has demonstrated them with accept- ability ever since. In 1850, he came with the rest of the family to Grundy county, Mis- souri, being a pioneer of that section, where he remained until 1862 occupied in the art of agriculture, and in the mercantile business in HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 237 Trenton. On May 4, of the year last men- tioned, he "pulled up stakes" and, with his earthly goods in a wagon train drawn by oxen, grappled with the weary task of crossing the plains, and on September of the same year he landed in Baker county. He soon entered land and devoted his entire energies to the de- velopment of his farm and to raising stock, Which kindred occupations have employed him continuously since, which together with his in- domitable continuity in the care of detail and partinaeity in prosecuting his enterprises have won for him a success that is a proper crown- ing. He still owns the old homestead and one half section in addition, part being northwest near Wingville and the other tract six miles north of Baker City. He and his son own four hundred head of cattle and their herds are among the finest in the state of Oregon. Hie also owns the entire block where his handsome residence is in the city of Baker. His marriage occurred in Grundy county, Missouri, in 1853, February 15, when Miss Mlary A. Henry, a native of that state, became his wife. They have become the parents of five children; Madella, wife of W. O. Rey- nolds; Brent, living twenty miles below on Powder river ; Gustavus, in the cattle business with his father; Piatt, a farmer; Myrtle. Mrs. Perkin's people were among the early settlers of Missouri. Mr. Perkins crossed the plains back to Missouri in 1866, using ox teams for the journey and then returned over the same route with mule teams. He is a member of the I. O'. O. F., and has been since 1855, having his affiliation now in Lodge No. 25, of Baker City. He is also a member of the Methodist church, South, and is a powerful supporter of his faith, both in example of life and skill- ful presentation of precept. HARLTN Z. PERKINS.— It is with es- pecial pleasure that we devote space in this work for an epitome of the life o the office o that interest- ing age of fifteen years he accompanied his father across the plains, making the entire journey with ox teams and the follow-, ing year, 1863, he settled on the place where we find him at the present time, eight miles west from Baker City; the remainder of the family, the father and son, followed in 1864. His farm is well improved with substantial buildings, and thrift and taste are manifested throughout; while in addition to this place he owns about twelve hundred acres of hay and farming land, which also is well improved and tilled. He feeds every win- ter about five hundred head of cattle, being one of the leading stockmen of the county. He affiliates with the I. O. O. F., Wingville Lodge, No. 69, and is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, where he is well esteemed and a prominent figure, be- ing an ardent supporter of his faith both by precept and practical exemplification of the principles of Christianity. Mr. Osborn and Miss Lettie, daughter of John W. and Mary Coleman, were married in Wingville on March 2, 1871, and the fruit of this union is nine children, six o>f whom; are at home, their names being as follows : Orin, Pearl, Beulah, Jessie, Rowena, Louis. The three eldest, George, Homer and John, died with the diphtheria. ROYAL A. PIERCE, Jr.— We are pleased to have the privilege of epitomizing the career of the industrious and enterprising stock raiser and farmer whose name initiates this paragraph, and who is a native of this section, having been born beneath the stars of the Occident, where he has already wrought for himself a place in the affairs of men, quite commensurate with the ability that he has manifested. Our subject is the son of Royal and Eliza- beth (Turk) Pierce, natives respectively of Vermont and Sussex, England. The father came to this county in 1862 and four years later was admitted to the practice of law and in 1879 went to Idaho, where he resides now, being one of the leading practitioners of the entire county. The mother came to this coun- try in 1850, and settled in Wisconsin, where on December 18, 1853, she married Mr. Royal Pierce. They came to this county, crossing the plains with horse teams. In 1885 she took a homestead where Royal, Jr. is now living. She also owns property in other places and a residence on East street, in Baker City, where she now lives. To her and her husband have been born the following children : Lila, buried in Wisconsin; Augustus, also buried there; James A., buried in Baker City; Abel T., lives at Pocatello, Idaho; Martha H., wife of S. D. Sturgle; Nellie H., wife of J. A. Wil- son; W. D., single, at Cornucopia; Mary E., wife of T. B. Perkins; Royal A., Jr., single. Our subject has demonstrated his ability as an agriculturist and stock raiser and takes rank among the leaders in that industry in this sec- tion. His faithfulness and integrity and real moral worth have won for him the esteem and confidence of the entire community and his life of unsullied character and uprightness has fully deserved these encomiums. JOHN H. JETT.— Prominent among the leading men of the county, and one who has constantly wrought for the advancement of the interests of this section must be mentioned the gentleman whose name initiates this para- graph and whose faithful service in public ca- pacity and excellent achievement in private business stamp him as a man of a high sense of honor and dominated by a characteristic wisdom and integrity that are refreshing and exemplary. Mr. Jett is the son of William E. and Eliza- beth (Miller) Jett, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively, and was born in Grundy county, Missouri, near Trenton, on October 4, 1851. His father died in a north- ern prison for soldiers in 1862, and his mother with her children moved to Chillicothe, Mis- souri, where the subject of this sketch received his education in the public schools and also HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 243 learned his trade of stone cutting. In 1871, in company with his brother, G. W., mention of whom is made in another part of this work, he started to the west to work out his destiny. They went by rail to Salt Lake and as the stage fare from there to Baker City was very high and their exchequer was lean, they decided to cover the distance on foot, which they did in fifteen days. Having 110 1 blankets they were often obliged to walk before daylight to keep warm. This unique trip served to> demonstrate the pluck and perseverance with which Mr. Jett is so richly endowed, as well as his capa- bility for completing a hard task. Upon his arrival here he at once commenced to operate in a placer mine on the Burnt river near Baker City and followed this industry until 1882, when he embarked in the grocery business with his brother. For four years he followed this business and then sold out to engage in stone cutting, and he at once founded the Baker City Marble Works, where he has been operating without intermission since. He runs a feed store and grocery store in connection with the monumental work and has just completed a fine two story stone structure at the corner of First and Valley streets. He also: owns a fine resi- dence at the corner of Valley and Fifth streets. Mr. Jett has been active in political affairs and in 1894 he was called by the people, his name appearing on the People's party ticket, to act in the responsible and exacting position of treasurer of the county and so faithfully and efficiently did he perform the duties of that office that he was elected to succeed himself. In fraternal affiliations he is with the I. O. O. F., W. of W. and the I. O. R. M. The marriage of Mr. Jett and Miss Dora S., daughter of James and Angeline (Shinn) Tracy, took place in this county on December 27, 1883, and they have become the parents of two children, Jesse W. and Bessie F. Mr. Jett and family are members of the First Bap- tist church and he is an ardent promulgator and supporter of his faith both by precept and practical exemplification of the teachings oi the same as well as in other substantial ways. LEWIS J. SISLEY.— It is with pleasure that we are enabled to present here a brief epitome of the career of the venerable pioneer whose name forms the caption hereof. In him are developed many of the characteristics which render famous the class to which he be- longs, courage, resourcefulness, stamina, and he also possesses the virtues which win one friends and esteem in civilized communities, a public spirited interest in the general welfare, and sterling integrity of character. With this brief preliminary estimate, we shall pass to the specific history of his life. Mr. Sisley Was born near Meadville, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, on December 5, 1828, the son of Lewis and Catherine Sisley. He re- sided on a farm in his native state until about fifteen years old, attending school off and on as he had opportunity, then moved to Cedar county, Iowa, where he passed the remaining years of his minority. As soon as he became twenty-one, however, he set out across the plains with ox-teams to the west, spending five months on the journey, and several times experiencing troubles with the Indians. At one time the train lost all their stock, but for- tunately the animals were afterward recovered. Arriving at last, after an eventful and danger-fraught journey, he settled in Jackson county, Oregon, and engaged in farming and mining. He was there for twelve years, at the end of which extended period he came to Baker county, locating first on Burnt river, and in 1872 removed to Snake river. In 1885 he moved to a place one mile southeast of Express, where he has ever since lived. H|e now has a fine, well improved farm, supplied with good buildings and equipments, and he is spending the evening of his life in peace and abundance. Furthermore he enjoys the pleas- ant consciousness that -he is secure in the es- teem of all who knew him in early days and of those who have made his acquaintance since. It is of: interest to> note that our subject set out, at Weatherby, in 1865, the first orchard ever planted in this county. As might be supposed, one whoi came to the county as early as did Mr. Sisley could hardly escape having some trouble with Indians, and we find on inquiry that such happy fortune was not his, for twice he participated in severe bat- tles with them. On Christmas day, 1856, in Phoenix, Jack- son county, Oregon, Mr. Sisley married Mar- tha Ann Culver, and to them the following children were born ; Frank, deceased ; Donna, 244 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES residing in Jackson county; Lotta, wife of Loomis Near; Eugene, a resident of Burnt River; Ettie, wife of W. G Lane, of Boise valley, Idaho ; and Mattie, wife of James Cole- man, of Jackson county. Mr. Sisley's first wife died in 1868, and in February, 1872, he married Lottie O'Blenis, by whom- he has one son, Archie, at home. In 1864 Mr. Sisley built the road down Burnt river to Weatherby, thus opening the country for settlement. SYLVESTER GRIER.— Among the very oldest of those now living in Baker county, who came here in earliest days, is the gentle- man whose name appears above and to whom we are constrained by force of right to ac- cord a representation in this volume of chron- icles of our county, both because of his worthy achievements for the advancement of the wel- fare of the county and his successful endeavors in replenishing his |bwn exchequer, as well as for the exemplary life of integrity and upright- ness that has been shown by him during all these years wherein he has wrought. Crawford county, Pennsylvania, is his na- tive place and July 5, 1830, the date of his birth. Until about ten years of age he re- mained there and then accompanied his step- father to Illinois, in which state he received his education in the public schools, and re- mained assisting his step-father on his farm un- til April, 1852, at which date he turned toward the "regions beyond" and sought for a home in the territory of Oregon. October 4, of the same year, was the date in which he landed in Linn county and from that time until 1861 he was engaged in work for wages. Then he went to> Florence, Idaho, searching for proper diggings but soon returned to the Willamette valley, whence later he again came to this re- gion and prospected in various parts until May, 1864, when he came to Auburn and bought into a livery business and the following spring he came to Baker City and built a feed corral 1, where he now owns what is known as the Grier and Kellogg stables. In 1871 he sold a half interest to Mr. Kellogg. They re- mained together for fifteen years in successful operation of the ever increasing business and then Mr. Grier bought the partner out and operated the stables alone until 1896, at which time he rented them, desiring to retire from active business to secure more leisure for the ripening years of his life. He also bought the interest of Mr. Kellogg in a ranch which they had purchased together in 1872, and he now owns five hundred and forty acres, which is also rented. He owns a herd of seventy-five cattle and a number of horses. The marriage of Mr. Grier and Miss Ma- tilda Clark was solemnized in Linn county, Oregon, on October 29, 1865. She crossed the plains from Iowa in 1851 with her parents, A. F. and Christie Ann Clark. To our sub- ject have been born eight children; Dollie, deceased; Lillie, wife of J. W. Daly; Clara Edith; Bird, deceased; Minnie, deceased; Os- car, deceased; Pearl; Vesta. Mr. Grier is a member of the I. O. O. F. In the spring of 1866 he volunteered for service in the Cayuse war and while he did not get called into' active battle he assisted to drive the Indians across the Columbia and did service at Pendleton, Walla Walla and on the Snake river. MOSES CARPENTER.— The prominent mining man whose name gives caption to this review deserves rank among the benefactors of his county, state, and nation, if one who in- creases the material wealth of the world may be considered as belonging to that class. The miner's gold is clean. It is never wrung from the horny hands of toil, nor does it come to the purse of its possessor wet with widow's tears. It is of the kind which brings to the world an unalloyed blessing. The man, therefore, who adds to the wealth and comfort of his race by discovering it and digging it out of its hiding place should be given due credit for having- produced an amelioration of conditions. It is therefore with pleasure that we are enabled to say some word of appreciation of the work which our subject and many others like him in Baker county have done for their section, their state, and for humanity. Inquiry into the life history of Mr. Car- penter brings to light the fact that he is a na- tive of the famed old Bluegrass state, born near Mannsville, on September 28, 1845. His parents, Joseph and Annie (Hogan) Carpen- ter, died when he was a mere boy, and he be- came the ward of his uncle, Asa" Mann, who,' MOSES CARPEHTER. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 245 in 1855, took him to the vicinity of St. Joe, Missouri. When he became seventeen years old, he enlisted in the Confederate army and was assigned to General Joseph Shelby's cav- alry brigade. He participated in several se- vere engagements during his service in the army, among them those at Kane Hill, Prairie Grove, the second battle of Springfield, Mis- souri, the battle at Helena, Arkansas, and the battle of Jenkins Ferry. At Cedar Glade he was very seriously wounded in the head by a rifle ball' and left on the field for dead. If his comrades had had time they would have bur- ied him, but notwithstanding the severity of his wound he eventually regained his health and rejoined his regiment. At the close of hostilities, Mr. Carpenter went to Mexico in company with his former commander, General Shelby, and in 1865 he came to the Pacific coast of that country, where he remained two years. He then removed to Baker county and engaged in mining in part- nership with Judge Ison, who had been an old friend of his in Mexico', and whose school in eastern Oregon he attended for a while in the endeavor to retrieve the loss of educational advantages occasioned by the war. At a later date our subject bought out Judge Ison. He has been engaged in mining continuously since, and naturally has had in- terests at different times in some very excellent properties. Besides his quartz prospects he has some very excellent placer ground in the county. He and his partner, J. T. Jones, own together forty acres of rich placer ground on the Upper Salmon creek, but they are giving the greater part of their attention now to the Carpenter-Jones of Never Sweat mine and the Nelson placer eight miles west of Baker City. Mr. Carpenter is a, public spirited citizen and has ever manifested a lively and intelligent interest in the affairs of his county and state, though he seems to be devoid of ambition for personal aggrandizement or political prefer- ment. Fraternally he is affiliated with the well known brotherhood, the I, O. O. F., Wingville Lodge, No. 69. On October 10, 1877, in Clackamas county, Oregon, our subiect married Miss Glendora Thompson, daughter of Joseph R. and Min- erva A. Thompson, pioneers of 1875. Their marriage has been blessed by the advent of five children, namely, Joseph E., Moses, Jr., Thom- as W., Lamar, and Oates. SOCRATES C. MANN.— It now be- comes the pleasant task for us to outline in brief the salient points of the career of the es- timable gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph and who takes rank as one of the prominent men of the county and is one of its most substantial citizens, having spent here many years of his life, and here he has accumu- lated the generous amount of property with which he is at present possessed, it being the material witness of his skill, energy, and wis- dom which have been so patiently displayed. The birth of Mr. Mann was on December 13, 1856, in Plainfield, Vermont, being the son of Abel and Lucia Mann, and in his native place he remained until he was nineteen years of age, receiving a good education in the Barre Academy, which was in the town of the same name. Upon the completion of the course in that institution he sought his fortune in the west and ultimately landed in Baker county in 1877, where he soon commenced operations as a farmer and stockman, which he has followed since with such enterprise and skill that he has accumulated eight hundred and forty acres of land, three hundred of which is timber land, besides other valuable property interests, as well as considerable personal property and stock. He affiliates with the Fraternal Union. Mr. Mann was married to MHss Ellen E., daughter of William B. and Adaline Powers, and a native of Baker county, Oregon, on De- cember 25, 1884, the ceremony taking place at North Powder. The fruit of this union is three children : Dora E., Leo L., Charles S. Mr. Mann has so demeaned himself in all his af- fairs and walk that he has won the entire con- fidence of his fellows and is esteemed by all who may have the pleasure of his acquaintance. JUDGE WALLACE W. TRAVILLION. — It is necessary in a compilation of this char- acter to make mention of the leading and prominent gentleman whose name initiates this article and whose well known ability and 246 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES enterprise have wrought so faithfully for the material welfare and substantial progress of this region, while his unsullied reputation and characteristic manifestation of stanch prin- ciples of truth and uprightness have placed him in a position of great prestige in our county. The subject of this sketch was born in Cooper county, Missouri, on January 24, 1849, being the sou of Thomas and Anna E. (Will- iam) Travillion, natives of Virginia and Mis- souri, respectively. His mother was a grand- daughter of Richard Brannin, who in 1822 was sent by President Monroe as Indian agent of the Osage Indians located where Kansas City is now situated. In his native state, our sub- ject was educated and there passed the years of his minority. In the year 1870 he located in Baker City and gave his attention to* the prosecution of mining for six years. At the expiration of these years, he was appointed deputy sheriff and in 1880 was elected as coun- ty sheriff, the responsible duties of which of- fice he discharged with manifest ability and care to the satisfaction of his constituency for two terms. In 1894 he was again called by the people to public office, this time to the prominent position of judge of Baker county and continuously since that time he has filled this office, displaying his characteristic faith- fulness and acumen coupled with probity and impartiality. The Judge owns a fine estate near the city. The marriage of Mr. Travillion and Miss C. C. Sonna, a native of Denmark, was solem- nized in Baker City in 1883 and they have be- come the parents of two sons, Clair E. and William W., Jr. The Judge is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 25, of Baker City, and is also affiliated with die Encampment, No. 7, in which order he has passed all of the chairs. HON. JOHN W. WISDOM.— This dis- tinguished and influential gentleman has the distinction of being the oldest business man in Baker City, having arrived in September, 1862^ when the handiwork of man was not to be seen, and is one of the earliest pioneers of the county, having spent the major portion of his life within its precincts, where he has ever shown that rare business ability and stanch in- tegrity that combine in the typical citizen, mak- ing him one of the most esteemed and respect- ed men of our county, while his worthy achievements are bright examples for the ris- ing men in the hurrying business ranks of to- day. Mr. Wisdom was born in Randolph county, Missouri, on March 15, 1840, being the son of Thomas Barnes and Lucinda (Guess) Wis- dom, who came to' Baker City in 1863 ; the mother died here two years after her arrival and his father passed away in 1893, at the age of seventy-five. Our subject was educated in the log- schoolhouse in his native county and in 1856 removed to Grundy county, in the same state, where he was occupied in tilling the soil until 1 86 1, when he removed to Boone county and in the following spring started across the plains to' this country, being with a train of sixty wagons. The first winter he hauled the supplies from The Dalles. He was occupied in a blacksmith shop and on a canal for a time near Baker and then went to Idaho in the mines, following which he commenced to farm on a squatter's claim in this county, and on the night of June 21, 1864, his entire crop was destroyed by freezing. He divided his attention between farming and freighting until 1866, when he sold his teams and en- gaged in the drug business, where we find him to-day, continuing in the same stand, having never made a move during all these years. His is the pioneer business of the city and his faithfulness and care in his business has given him a gratifying success. He owns a stock farm of three hundred and sixty-seven acres and is interested in breeding blooded horses. He raised and owned Challenger Chief, a horse with a good record, and many other good ones. In political matters he has shown marked in- terest and has been the recipient of honors from the people, among which positions he has been called to fill by popular vote may be men- tioned that of state senator in 1874, serving that yeai" and all of the two- following years, treas- urer of Baker City five years ; president of the board of school directors when the high school was built ; and also he was delegate to the na- tional Democratic convention that nominated Hancock and English. The marriaee of Mr. Wisdom and Miss Mary E. Sturgill, a native of Sullivan county, Missouri, occurred near Wingville, on June 14, 1868, and they have become the parents HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 247 of the following children: Ada, deceased; Prank, deceased; Frances W., wife of E. H. Blake, of Kansas City, Missouri; Marguerite, deceased ; Vesper, deceased ; Loys Winter ; Mable Gertrude; Glenn Albert; John W., Jr. Those who have passed away are all lying bur- ied in the cemetery at Baker City. Mr. Wisdom is a member of the I. O. O. F. and also of the Masons, being the oldest material member in Baker City Lodge, No. 25. He has so demeaned himself that his rep- utation is untarnished and geniality has won him hosts of friends throughout the entire county. LOUIS H. HULICK.— To the esteemed pioneer and representative citizen whose name initiates this paragraph, whose faithful labors for so many years were manifested in this re- gion and whose upright life and unsullied char- acter shone here in every walk of life that he was called to grace, we are pleased to accord this memorial, since in a work of this character there would be serious incompleteness if there were omission to 1 chronicle the salient points of his career. Louis H. Hulick was born in Indiana in 1845, where he grew to> manhood and received his early educational training. In the state of Iowa he was joined in the bands of matrimony to Miss Margaret A. Gable, a native of Wash- ington county that state. In 1864 they crossed the plains with ox teams, completing the perilous and arduous journey in good time. After the close of this unique pilgrimage they came to a halt in the Grande Ronde valley and there took up the related occupations of stock raising and farming, prosecuting the same with vigor that brought success. They re- moved to' Big Creek in Baker county, where Mr. Hulick died, and then later went to the lower Powder river valley and settled on a quarter section, obtaining title thereto by pur- chase, and for twenty years this place has been the family home. In December, 1870, Mr. Hulick, after a faithful life of industry and en- terprise, was called to depart from the scenes of this earth and enter upon the realities of another world. He left to' mourn his sad de- mise a widow and the following children : George W. ; John D.; Harriet J.; Tunis died in 1 898 at the age of thirty-one years ; Frank- lin S. ; Delia A. ; L. Edgar, and Willard. Mrs. Hulick has assumed the cares and responsi- bilities of directing the estate and is in a com- mendable manner discharging all the duties incumbent upon her in this trying position, while she is rounding out a well spent and bright life of faithful service and manifesta- tion of noble and upright principles. FRANK H. GRABNER.— The enterpris- ing and successful fanner and stock raiser whose career it is now our task to outline was born in Waterloo, Iowa, on April 10, 1858, the son of George P. and Ermina Grabner. When a child he was taken by his parents to Austin, Nevada, whence in 1862 the family moved to Virginia City. Here our subject spent the ensuing eighteen years of his life, attending school during its sessions until he became sixteen years old, when he entered upon an apprenticeship to the trade of an iron mol- der. For a while after completing his appren- ticeship he worked as a miner, but eventually he came via San Francisco and Portland to Baker county, Oregon, where he has since made his home. In due time he acquired two hundred and forty acres of excellent land one and a half males southeast of Express, and to the culti- vation and improvement of this he has given himself with diligence and assiduity with the result that it has long since been brought to a high state of cultivation and made to yield the rich harvests of which it is capable. Mr. Grab- ner raises about three hundred tons of hay each year, which he feeds to> his own stock. He is justly considered one of the most energetic and prosperous agriculturists in his section, and as a man and citizen his standing is an enviable one. The marriage of our subject was duly sol- emnized on April 22, 1883, when Miss Georgia A., daughter of Joseph and Justina Prescott, and a native of Iowa, became his wife. The issue of their union is three children, Martin A., deceased ; Abbie Gertrude, and Jennie Ed- na, both attending the public school. Mr. Grab- ner is a charter member of the K. of P., Tri- umph Lodge, No. 80, being also vice chancel- lor of the order. 248 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES PROF. JOHN A. PAYTON.— If it may be said, that the members of any profession have more than those of another to* do in the elevating of the people, the development of the latent powers of the masses, the bringing to a higher standard and better tone the communi- ty" and the advancement of the commonwealth to a more exalted plane of intelligence and to the aspirations for nobler ideals and more per- fect exemplifications of the principles of pure political economy, that distinction belongs to the devotees of the educator's calling. As a leader in that profession in eastern Oregon for many years, stands the gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph, and whose worthy achievements in this and adjacent coun- ties are so well known that we are treading fa- miliar ground in attempting to epitomize his career; however, a volume of the character of the history of Baker county would be sadly in- complete were there failure to incorporate therein the salient points of this eventful and highly useful life. The birth of our subject occurred in Mis- souri on January 27, 1850, being the son of William F. and Mary Payton, who crossed the dreary plains with their young son to where Baker City now stands, in the early days of 1863. They located on Powder river about seven miles from the site of Baker City and there in assisting to till his father's farm and acquiring the primary educational training pos- sible to be had in the public schools of that day, our subject passed the years of his mi- nority until he matriculated in the Agricul- tural' College at Corvallis, in which institution he received his education. Immediately suc- ceeding this he engaged in teaching and fol- lowed it for many years in this and adjacent sections, having the distinction of holding one position for nine consecutive years. In 1880 the people recognizing his ability and faith- fulness, rewarded the same by electing him to the position of superintendent of the schools of the county. With such faithfulness and effi- ciency did he discharge the duties there in- cumbent upon him that he was re-elected and at the close of his second term he was called for a third time to assume the duties of that office. Then he retired to private life again, and in 1896 was called by the franchises of his fellows to the position of county assessor, and after the expiration of his first term of serv- ice he was elected as his own successor. In the spring of 1901 he was appointed to fill the unexpired portion of the term of county su- perintendent, made vacant by the death of W. R. Privett, and in this capacity we find him at the present time. Prof. Payton has also accumulated a fine portion of the wealth of this world, having an estate of one thousand acres in the valley, well improved and stocked. He is also a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., has served as delegate to the grand lodge and as district deputy, and is a member of the Encampment and of the W. of W. The marriage of Mr. Payton and Miss Rosa Pitney, a native of the plains, having been born at Soda Springs while her parents were en route to this country, was solemnized in Lane county, in February, 1873, an d to them have been born the following children : Will- iam; Raleigh; Otis and Osie, twins; Alma; Elizabeth, deceased. Prof. Payton is one of the most highly respected and esteemed men of the county, having ever demeaned himself in such a commendable manner and with the manifestation of such integrity and stanch principles of moral worth that he has won the confidence of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. HARDIN W. ESTES.— A veritable pio- neer of the pioneers, the gentleman of whom we now speak has spent most of his eventful career upon the frontier of this great country in preparing the way for the industries and people to follow, while in this county particu- larly he has wrought with an energy and wis- dom that have brought to him the proper emol- uments as well as to the county material pro- gress, constantly displaying a broad public spirit and exemplifying the virtues and princi- ples of a faithful Christian life. Mr. Estes was born on a farm in Clay county, Missouri, on November 2, 1828, being the son of Joel and Martha (Stollins) Estes. He had but scanty opportunity to gain an edu- cation from the subscription schools of his lo~ cality, the buildings being of logs and the floors of puncheons and the teachers not of the best. At eighteen years of age he entered the commissary department of the United States army at Fort Leavenworth and served for one year there, then went with Colonel HARDIH W. ESTES. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 249 Childs and five hundred volunteers to estab- lish posts from the Missouri river to The Dal- les, and was given charge of the artillery, and in the fall of 1848 he assisted in his capacity of officer in the commissary to equip Joe Meek and Joe Lane, the former a noted man of this region and the latter the first governor of Or- egon territory, for their journey across the plains. In 1849 ne came to California with ox teams via the Truckee route, consuming about four and one-half months on the trip, and sometimes they suffered much from lack of water, losing about one-third of their stock, and again they crossed the Truckee river twen- ty-eight times in twenty miles. He mined for one year at Nevada City, California, then left in 1850 for San Francisco, whence he returned by water to his eastern home. In his mining he was abundantly successful, taking out as much as nine hundred and ninety-two dollars of dust in one day. In the spring of 1853 he crossed the plains again by ox teams and set- tled in Linn county and took up a donation claim of three hundred acres, giving his atten- tion to its cultivation until 1857, then sold out and returned to Missouri again by the water route. The following year he entered the employ of the gov- ernment as wagon master and came to Oregon again, this time with General Johnson, and by way of Salt Lake, where he helped to establish camp Floy City. He settled for a year in Linn county, then went to California and to Nevada and teamed far a time around Virgin- ia City, then constructed the stage stations from Carson City to Salt Lake, using for ma- terial "doby" and rock, the owner of: the stage being the well known Ben Halloday. In the spring of 1862, he started for the Salmon river mines but stopped in this county and located a ranch on Washington Gulch, the first one taken in the county, and he owns the place still and' produces one hundred tons of fruit on it an- nually. In the early days he raised garden truck and sold it to the miners at good prices, thus making a handsome income. He took an active and prominent part in the organization of the county and has since continued one of the most effectual workers for its advancement and development. He filled at that time the im- portant office of county commissioner for four years and helped by his wisdom and ability to get things in running shape. He now owns a fine hay ranch of: six hundred and forty acres, four miles north from Baker City and also two hundred acres of land suitable for other crops near by, and a one-third interest in five hun- dred lots in McCrary addition to Baker City, also a fine home and four lots where he lives at 2446 Church street. The marriage of: Mr. Estes and Miss Ma- hali Ring was solemnized in April, 185 1, while he was in Missouri, and they have three chil- dren: Dr. Logan, deceased; Kate, wife of W. W. Boughton, of Skagway, Alaska; Lutitia, deceased. The second marriage of Mr. Estes occurred in Baker City, on November 14, 1867, Mrs. Pearlina (Hackleman) Smith becoming his wife at that time and they have become the parents of four children : Rosa L., wife of Har- ry Bowen of Baker City ; Amy, wife of Victor C. Lewis of: Manilla; Mabel, wife of Robert Donald of Baker City; Meda. Mr. Estes and wife are members of the First Baptist church and very active in the exemplification of the teachings of their faith and in its promulga- tion. BYRON T. POTTER.— In executing a compilation of this character, serious criticism would be broug-ht upon us did we fail to men- tion the leading business man and prominent citizen whose name initiates this article and who has demonstrated in the arena of life's struggles his fitness for the distinction that he enjoys, proving himself a worthy descend- ant of the noted line of ancestry that precedes him, being a direct lineal descendant of the famous Potter family that broke away from the thralldom of the established church in England in 1600 and assisted to found the world famous Quaker colonies in the United States, his mother also coming from one of the oldest families in the United States. The birth of our subject occurred in Buf- falo, New York, on July 26, 1854, his parents being Abram and Mary A. (Tucker) Potter, natives of the Empire state. In his native city he was educated, and when twenty years of age he went to Chicago' and embarked upon his business career, his initial effort being in the commission industry. After two years in this 250 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES business he repaired to Fort Dodge, Iowa, and took up insurance and handling sewing ma- chines until 1 88 1, when he came west as a member of the engineers' corps for the Ore- gon Short Line, continuing in that capacity until 1884. The following year he came to Union county and took up general merchan- dising in the Cornucopia mining district, where he was favored with very gratifying prosper- ity. In 1890 he came to Baker City, follow- ing the same business for seven years, when he was asked to> accept the position of post- master for Baker City, and in this capacity he has been serving since, with the display of abil- ity and faithfulness that have won for him commendations from all of the patrons of the office. He is considered a most conscientious and efficient officer. He has acted as chair- man of the Rquilblican county central com- mittee and is very prominent in his party, where his counsels are prized. He was deputy sheriff in Union county from 1887 to 1889, and he always manifests a commendable interest in the affairs of the county, city and nation. The marriage oif Mr. Potter and Miss Eda L., daughter of James B. and Mary (Huion) Sisson, took place in Iowa on January 1, 1886. Mr. Potter is a member of the Masonic lodge, the A. O. U. W., and the K. of P. He is a stockholder in the Baker City National Bank and has a fine residence on Sixth and Church streets, besides considerable other property. WILLIAM N. THOMPSON.— It is fit- ting that in a work of the character of the his- tory of Baker county that mention should be made of the gentleman whose name is at the head of this article, and whose career of up- rightness and enterprising effort and commend- able walk and achievements are well known to all and to him have been entrusted some of the most trying and responsible duties of a public nature that the county has to bestow. William N. was born in Leasburgh, Cas- well county, North Carolina, on April 17, 1858, to Joseph R. and Minerva Thompson, who removed with their son to' Dallas county, Arkansas, while he was still an infant. In that place he remained until he was sixteen years of age, gaining meanwhile a good com- mon school education. At the. age mentioned he was led to make the adventurous journey across the plains, using mule teams, and set- tled in Oregon City, remaining there for six years and then he came to> this county. His first occupation here was mining for Carpen- ter and Jones on their placer properties for eight years, after which time he engaged in farming, meeting with good success, and five years ago he was called to> take charge of the county poor farm. In this capacity he has been constantly occupied since and it is with great credit to himself, for in every respect he has given entire satisfaction, having demeaned himself in a very exemplary manner in all of this arduous service. The marriage of Mr. Thompson and Miss Eva, daughter of James and Mlary Hutton, and a native of Iowa, was solemnized on No- vember 14, 1883, in this county. The fruit of this union is as follows : Clifford ; Sydney, who died at the age of eight years ; Roy ; Will- iam. Mr. Thompson affiliates with the I. O. O. F., Wingville Lodge, No, 69, and also with the Encampment, No. 7, at Baker City, and with the W. of W. Lodge No. 343. He is a member of the Methodist church, south, and displays activity in the interests o>f his faith that manifests a genuine spirit of true Chris- tianity, while his life has been such that he is highly esteemed by all who know him. ANDREW J. BROWN.— In the person of the estimable gentleman whose name heads this article we have before us one of the in- trepid and sturdy pioneers, not only of this section, but also of all of the Pacific states, where in various capacities he has wrought with the energy and enterprise born of true manhood and a noble spirit of advancement and interest in the welfare of others, as well as his own. His efforts in this and adjacent counties have been fraught with a wisdom and assiduity and breadth of public spirit that char- acterize him in all of his relations and have made him highly respected and beloved by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. Andrew J. was born in Sumner county, Tennessee, on January 29, 1824, and at seven years of age he went to- Illinois with the fam- ily and later to- Iowa, in which two states he was educated in the public schools. He con- tinued on his father's farm until he had reached his majority, and in 1850 gathered all together HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 251 and commenced the weary journey to Cali- fornia with ox teams ; and on September I o>f that year he reached Placerville and engaged in mining. Three years later he returned to the states via the Isthmus and farmed there un- til 1864, at which date he migrated to> Mon- tana and spent two years in getting timber for the mines. In 1867 he came to the Grande Ronde valley and homesteaded a quarter sec- tion in the lower Powder country. He contin- ued in the stock business here and in this sec- tion until recently he sold his herds on account of the desire to' retire from active enterprise and spend the golden years of a well spent life in more seclusion, enjoying the fruits of his labor. He owns three lots and a comfortable home in Baker City, besides other property. Mr. Brown was married in Iowa on No>- vember 23, 1847, to Miss Martha A. Harp, a native of Illinois. To them have been born thirteen children : George W. ; Mary Ellen ; Pleasant J. ; Hannah Rebecca ; Rosella Alice ; Ada Ann; Elosia, deceased; Andrew Jackson, deceased; Martha J.; Cornelia; Almina; Cora May, and one infant not named. On February 20, 1874, Mrs. Brown was called to lay down the burdens of this life and take her place in the scenes beyond. Mr. Brown is well ad- vanced in years, but is enjoying good health and is the recipient of the good wishes and es- teem of his wide circle of acquaintances, and his years are being passed in quiet enjoyment of the portion his toil justly accumulated. WILLIAM R. STURGILL.— Among; those who came to this county in the early years of its existence and' who have wrought faithfully during all of the years that have followed for its material welfare and substan- tial progress, ever standing for the principles and ways that work for the good of all, es- pecial mention must be made of the gentleman whose career it is now our pleasant task to> out- line and whose life is well known to' all in this region, where his energy, industry and wis- dom have also' carved for himself a place in the world of property and wealth. The birth of Mr. Sturgill occurred in Sul- livan county, Missouri, near the city of Milan, on May 31, 1843, an d there he remained until he had passed the first score years of his life and gained a good education in the common schools. His first venture was a trip to Vir- ginia City, Montana, where he spent eight months in the mines as laborer and then went to Denver and from there he later went back to his early home. In that place he was en- gaged in farming until 1868, when he made the trip across the plains to> Baker county, us- ing mules as teams. Here he first settled at Wingville, where he remained until 1899, and then removed to his present place, thirteen miles northwest from Baker City, where he owns a magnificent estate of six hundred and forty acres, all under the highest cultivation and excellently improved. Here he is engaged in farming, stock raising and the culture of fruit, having an orchard of four hundred trees. The marriage of Mr. Sturgill and Miss Virginia A., daughter of William and Rachel Talley, was solemnized on March 4, 1866, at Milan, Missouri. They have become the pat- ents of the following children ; Elsie, deceased ; Blanche ; Fred H. ; Susie ; Benton ; Cecil R. Mr. Sturgill is affiliated fraternally with the W. of W., Lodge No. 100, in Baker City. He is also a member of the Baptist church and is an exemplary Christian, a loyal citizen and a highly esteemed neighbor. CHARLES F. HYDE.— The legal profes- sion of Baker county is not wanting in men of large caliber and rare capabilities in compar- ison with the bar in other portions of the state, and prominent among the fraternity in this city, as well as among the legal lights of the state, stands the gentleman whose name ini- tiates this paragraph and whose life has been spent in this section since his admission to the bar, in continuous practice of the law, in which he has manifested an ability second to none of the region and a keenness of perception and fearlessness of execution so essential to> the successful practice of his profession ; and in connection with this there has been displayed unswerving integrity and a depth of research and information and acumen that are highly commendable. He is a native of the Occident, being born in California on October 29, 1857. His father, Henry H., a native of New York, came to Oregon in 1843, an d thence to> California in 1 252 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 1849, the family removing to Grant county in 1869, locating at Canyon City. There the fa- ther opened a general merchandise establish- ment, being the first in Grant county, and he continued in the prosecution of this business until his death in 1877. Two years later the mother died and our subject removed to Forest Grove, this state, where he received a collegi- ate course, following which he spent five years in reading law with Whalley & Fechheimer, of Portland, his admission to the bar occurring in 1 88 1. The following year he came to* Ba- ker City and has continued here ever since in the practice of. his profession, and to-day he has a very lucrative and large practice. For five years he has been city attorney of Baker City, and for four years he was district attor- ney of the sixth judicial district, which includes seven counties. In all these public relations he has served with faithfulness and efficiency. He is a leader in politics and very active in the interests of good government. He is the owner of much valuable city property, besides other holdings. His marriage occurred in Baker City on September 22, 1886, Miss Mary E. Packwood becoming his wife at that time. To them have been born six children .: Edith Whalley, Will- iam H., Eleanor M., Loring C, Gilberta P., Marion. Mrs. Hyde is a native of Auburn, this county, being the first white child born there. Mr. Hyde is fraternally affiliated with the F. & A. M., the B. P. O. E., the W. of W,, and the I. O. R. M., in all of which orders he is a very popular member. ♦ ♦ » DAVID S. LITTLEFIELD.— Of all the men who have helped to lay the foundation of Baker county's institutions none has a better right to receive credit at the hands of the his- torian than he whose name gives caption to this review. Mr. Littlefield is certainly the pioneer and pathfinder of the region or one of them, for though the soil of the country may have been pressed before his advent by the feet of advancing armies of colonization and en- lightenment, to him belongs the honor of hav- ing discovered the metal which drew perma- nent settlers hither and made the region a place of happy homes and one lighted by the lamps of civilization. Rightly may our sub- ject be denominated the father of Baker county, for he it was, with his few associates, who 1 not only first settled in the section, but who took the initial steps toward the organization oi a local government. With truth it may be said that the history of Mr. Littlefield and his coad- jutors is the history of Baker county during the first few years of its existence. Mr. Littlefield is a son of Rufus and Sarah (Batchelor) Littlefield, his mother being of the good old Puritan stock. Born in Prospect," Waldo county, Maine, he spent the initial twelve years of his life there, receiving a some- what meager common school education. The dauntless spirit of the lad then manifested it- self, and he went to sea, and from that time until 1850, his home was on the deep. He then came by water to> California, where he was engaged in placer mining until 1859, going then to the Fraser river country, in which he sought for treasure during one season. He washed out about one thousand dollars worth of gold dust, and with this returned to Califor- nia. In 1 86 1, he came to' Portland, Oregon, intending to' go to Oro Fino, but he was there dissuaded by other California miners who had been disappointed in that section. He informs us that Portland at that time consisted of one wooden hotel building and a few shacks, and that the people had a goodly supply of fruit but little else. Mr. Littlefield was one of those who made an expedition in search of the myth- ical "Blue Bucket" diggings, and after his re- turn from this disappointing trip, he set out with Henry Griffin to the eastern Oregon coun- try, and they discovered gold in the canyon since known as Griffin's gulch. At that time there was not a white man, except the mem- bers of the party, this side of the Blue moun- tains. During the winter of 1861, the little mining party ran short of provisions, so a trip to Walla Walla became necessary. They, of course, told of their good luck and the stories were greatly exaggerated and widely circu- lated, resulting in a great excitement and a rush the following spring. The merchants with whom they dealt deliberately exaggerated their reports, their object being to create a rush and augment their trade. When in April the advance guard reached Mr. Littlefield's mining camp the people therein thought for a DAYID S. LITTLEFIELD. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 253 time that the Indians were coming, but of course soon discovered their mistake. Some of those who were in the first rush discovered gold on the site of the present Au- burn, and thither our subject went, obtaining a claim. Gold was also discovered in numer- ous other places and excitement ran high. It should be remembered that at this time all of eastern Oregon constituted Wasco county, of which The Dalles was the county seat. The necessity for a smaller division and a seat of government nearer home soon began to be felt, so the miners organized and took the ini- tial steps toward securing the erection of Baker county. In response to their petition, the gov- ernor appointed two executive officers, a coun- ty judge and a county sheriff to maintain or- der. The men named were respectively Wil- son and Gray. It should be recorded that af- ter the initial election held within the limits of the present Baker county, a man named Grif- fin was killed by his partner, one Herrington, in a most dastardly manner. The murderer was captured and taken to Auburn, where it was decided by vote to send him to' The Dal- les for trial and punishment. Twoi men were given fifty dollars to> take him there. Letters to the sheriff at The Dalles failed to elicit any information concerning the prisoner and it was at length discovered that he and his two custodians were mining on Salmon river and enjoying excellent fortune. The miners de- termined they would try the next man charged with crime themselves. Space forbids the tracing of Mr. Little- field's very useful career further in detail. He still retains some of his mining properties, but latterly has given much attention to i farming and the rearing' of cattle and horses on his farm near Auburn. He has been quite as suc- cessful in the raising of horses as he was form- erly in mining, and his stock have found their ways into' all the principal marts of the United States. In Auburn, on December 13, 1872, our sub- ject married Mrs. Mary A., widow of Dr. Grant, a pioneer of 1862, and proprietor of the first drug store in the county, as also of the first pharmacy in Baker City. To them were born two children, Charles Grant, a resident of Baker City, and Isophine, wife of Prof. Alex- ander of this county. By a later marriage Mr. Littlefield has three children: Rufus W., en- gaged in the stock business at Auburn; Eva, wife of Oliver Holloway, of Baker City; and Grace, wife of Wallace Holloway, engaged in the coal and ice business in Baker City. HERBERT B. CRANSTON.— This leading stockman and agriculturist is a son of the Occident and beneath its stars he has wrought out already a measure of success that is commendable and gratifying to all con- nected with this eminent sculptor of his own destiny. His parents, Edward P. and Anna (Comnaughty) Cranston, were married in i860 in Idaho City, being the first couple that entered the matrimonial state in that place. They were natives, respectively, of Ohio and New York. This elder Mr. Cranston struck out into the world for himself when he was twenty-three years of age and from that time to the present he has prosecuted a life of vig- orous activity and enterprise. His first ven- ture was in the mercantile world at Walla Walla, Washington, where he continued for one year; he then removed to' Auburn in this county and operated there and also maintained a branch store in Idaho 1 City, and one at Clarksville, until 1879. At that date he sold his entire mercantile interests and went to Salem and opened the same business which was later sold and he returned to Baker City, where he purchased the stock of goods of a Mr. A. H. Brown, and in connection with this establishment he operated a branch store at Sparta, this state. He finally sold the entire business and bought a ranch of three hundred and thirty acres, where he is at the present time engaged in raising stock and tilling the soil. He handles thoroughbred cattle and sheep, having traded cattle for sheep in 1887. The following children have been born to this worthy couple: Herbert B.; Walter B. died January 5, 1895; Edward T., married to Lena Sturgill ; Earl F., married Maggie White; Anna E., wife of W. Moeller; Maude, at home. Returning to the subject of our sketch, Herbert B. Cranston, we note that he was born on December 21, 1864, and in the various places that have been mentioned where his fa- ther did business he received his educational 254 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES training and learned the ways of business by practical contact with the commercial world and the problems of the day. On March 5, 1889, he was married to Miss Laura Saunders, and to them were born the following children : Herbert C, Florence L., George A. On Sep- tember 13, 1899, Mrs. Cranston was called from the duties of this life to enter the scenes beyond and left a mourning husband and her three children motherless. At the present time Mr. Cranston is living about twenty miles from Baker City in the lower Pbwder river valley and operating his mammoth estate of six hundred and twenty acres, producing the fruits of the soil and raising stock. He is also discharging the du- ties of postmaster at the office called Keating, which is done with dispatch and faithfulness and acceptability to all the patrons. His de- meanor is fraught with the display of upright- ness and candor and genuine principles of truth and probity, which have gained for him the esteem and confidence of all who may have the pleasure of his acquaintance. JAMES A. PANTING.— Of all the men who in recent years have made their home in Baker county, none come with a better record for past achievement, energy and progressive- ness than he whose career we must now essay to epitomize. His has been, in a commercial and intellectual sense at least, a conquering life, and to him is due a large measure of the honor always instinctively bestowed upon those who prove themselves heroes in the fight. Mr. Panting is a native of Gloucester, Eng- land, born April 1, 1861. His ancestry is one of which he may justly be proud, the Panting family being an old and distinguished one, and the home from which he came being like- wise notable, hoary with age, but without the decrepitude usually attendant thereon. His parents were Alfred A. and Anne (Addis) Panting, natives, respectively of Wales and of England. Our subject attended the common schools of his native land, showing great aptitude in his studies and early graduating from one of the higher schools. In 1877 he, crossed the ocean to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he graduated in Swensberg College, receiving a diploma as an expert accountant and mathe- matician, and attracted much notice, he being the youngest graduate the institution ever pro- duced. His diploma was endorsed by the pres- ident of the G. R. & I. R. R. Co., also by the lieutenant governor of the state and by all the bank presidents of Grand Rapids. Upon retiring from school he entered the service of his wealthy uncle, William Addis, for a while, then spent two years in learning the lumber business from the woods to the market. In 1881 he became manager for the firmi of Copely, Marthinson & White, also o>f the Amoskeag mills near Eastman, Georgia. In time he followed the lumbering industry into Cuba and then to Central America, where he became interested in one of the rebellions. He was very successful in his business and in fact in everything he undertook. From Cen- tral America he came north to' Mexico, thence to Seattle, Washington, where, during the boom, he became one of the largest real estate and mine owners in the city. He was at that time manager for the Huron Ltumber Com- pany. Going to Cincinnati in 1893 ne became a lumber broker there, and to that business he continued to devote himself with zeal and as- siduity until 1896, when he came to Baker county,, locating upon Gold Hill, five miles east of Express. He is extensively engaged in farming, stockraising and mining, and spends large sums of money in developing properties and in the employment of labor. He is also procuring water rights and farming lands for the companies he represents, and in numerous other ways is contributing a lion's share toward the development of his community and the county. He is and will continue to be a great benefactor of the entire section, and it is to be hoped that the example he sets of pro- gressiveness and thrift will inspire others to greater activity and nerve them to nobler ef- forts, Mr. Panting's family consists of himself and wife and one child. ALFRED M. BROWN.— A public spirit- ed, benevolent man, worthy citizen and a good thrifty agriculturist and stock raiser, the man whose name appears as the caption of this ar- ticle, is deserving of rank among those who HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 255 have contributed to the well-being and progress of Baker county, and it gives us pleasure to be able to accord some slight recognition of his services and integrity. Mr. Brown, son of Samuel and Charlotte (Smith) Brown, was born near Centerville, Appanoose county, Iowa, on October 23, 1856. He was reared on a farm, and had but poor early opportunity to secure an education, attending school only dur- ing short intervals of time. When he became seventeen years old, however, he moved toi Centerville, where for three years he attended high school. During the next few years he farmed, but eventually he engaged in the flouring mill business in company with his fa- ther. He followed this line of commercial ac- tivity for two years, but finding that it did not agree with his health he then, sold out his in- terests and emigrated to Baker county, Ore- gon. He taught school for a while after his arrival, but as soon as possible he embarked in the stock raising industry, procuring a tract of land for the purpose, and to this he has de- voted himself ever since. His farm, situated two and a half miles southeast of Express has been improved by the erection of a comfortable residence, a fine, commodious barn and other buildings, and with a beautiful, well chosen orchard. He keeps quite a large herd of cat- tle. Our subject was married in Centerville, Iowa, on .September 27, 1883, to Miss Linda, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Mishler, and to them have been born six children, namely : Theron C, Laurel L., Golda W., Miinnie P., Opal A. and Athel M. Mr. Brown is also in- terested in mining and owns some good prop- erties. HON. LUTHER B. ISON, deceased.— Among the men who have wrought in Baker county from the time when the first pioneers set- tled upon its fertile territory until the later years, none have been more prominently dis- tinguished and influential than was the gentle- man whose name initiates this paragraph, and to whom we are pleased to accord this me- morial, only regretting that we are not able to more fittingly portray his virtues and worthy efforts in our midst, where at least in two leading professions he gained marked dis- tinction, while his entire life was fraught with deeds of generosity and kindness and his ca- reer manifested that rare ability and uncom- promising integrity and strict morality and exemplification of Christian principles that characterize the true Christian, the typical man and the noble citizen. Luther B. Ison was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, on October 19, 1841, being the son of Strother and Judith Ison, who brought him in 1849 to Grundy county, Missouri, where he received his primary education in the pub- lic schools and then took a degree from Cen- tral College at Fayette, in the same state. Dur- ing his college days he was converted and joined the Methodist church and from that time until the day of his departure he showed forth the teachings of the Saviour O'f men, both in precept and by practical example of an up- right Christian life. In 1866 he came to Ba- ker county to join his parents, who had pre- ceded himi, and there he settled and began to work out his destiny in the new land, where he was afterward to play so prominent a part. For a time he gave his energies to mining, but soon turned to the more important work of instruction and in this profession he soon rose to the highest ranks and was considered in his time the leading educator in eastern Oregon. He taught in the city schools of Baker and was elected to the position of superintendent of the county schools, ever displaying rare tal- ent and consummate faithfulness in all his ef- forts. Many positions were offered to him, but he chose one in which he could fit himself for more extended usefulness and exert a wider influence for the benefit of his fellows and the promotion of the interests of the com- monwealth, namely, the profession of law. In 1870 he allowed his name to be used on the Democratic ticket as candidate for county clerk, and was promptly elected and at the expiration of his term was re-elected with even a larger majority. During these years he de- voted his spare moments to industriously pe- rusing the lore of Blackstone and Kent under the direction of R. A. Pierce and in October, 1876, he was admitted to the bar and to the successful practice of law he bent his entire energies with the most gratifying success. His ability was immediately recognized and he was elected district attorney of the fifth judicial district and at the close of a term of most faithful and efficient service, he was re-elected 256 HISTORY OF EAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES to fill the position again. He built up a large and lucrative practice and in political matters he was a power in his party, the Democratic, and one of the most influential men in politi- cal circles in the state. In 1882 he was elected to represent his district in the legislature and few men have ever displayed in the state halls of Oregon such powerful forensic oratory as it was his pleasure to deliver. In 1884 he was chosen president of the electors of this state and his campaigning was noted for rich eloquence, convincing argument and untiring efforts. Two years later he was called by an appreciative constituency to> accept the respon- sible position of judge of the fifth judicial dis- trict and in the impartial exercise of the exact- ing duties of this office he was engaged at the time of his death. None have been more generally mourned and deeply lamented than the late Judge Ison, but he had fought a good fight and he went to accept the crown that was waiting him. The marriage of Mr. Ison and Miss Jose- phine, daughter of Spencer and Phoebe (Cun- ningham) Cates, was solemnized on Septem- ber 12, 1870, at the bride's home in Union, Oregon, and to them have been born three chil- dren : Bertha, deceased; Edna B., married to> Mr. McDougall; Virgil S., attending Colum- bia Medical College, of New York Oity. Mrs. Ison is spending the years of her widowhood in the quiet retreat of her own home, await- ing the hour of greatest triumph of all true followers of the lowly Nazarene. She is, a woman of gracious personality and well known for her deeds of loving kindness and charity. WILLIAM H. GLEASON.— Hardly could the charge of inconsistency and incom- pleteness be successfully rebutted were there failure to incorporate in this part of our work an epitome of the life of the esteemed citizen and prominent political leader whose name gives caption to this article. More than once has he been entrusted with positions of trust and emolument, and when so honored he has never failed to prove faithful and efficient. It is therefore a pleasure to accord him such rep- resentation as we can and to give some feeble expression of our appreciation of his services and intrinsic worth. Mr. Gleason was born in Canaan, Maine, on June 28, 1852, the son of Moses and Lydia (Fowler) Gleason, scions of old colonial fam- ilies. He grew to manhood in his native town, receiving a common school training, but when he arrived at the age of twenty, he went to Michigan and engaged in the lumber business as an employee. He busied himself thus for about twoi years, then went back to< Maine, where he ' lived if or the ensuing seven years, his means of gaining a livelihood being agri- culture. Going then to Wisconsin, he spent three more years in the lumbering industry, after which he came out to Oregon. He set- tled in Union county, on the Grande Ronde river, and resumed the line of activity he had before followed in Michigan and Wisconsin, continuing in the same until 1893. In that year, however, he removed to< Sumpter and em- barked in the meat market business, and in that he busied himself until 1899, since which year he has been practically out of all lines of activ- ity excqot mining. He has interests in the Greenhorn district, on Cracker creek and on Deer creek, all of which are famous mining districts. When the town of Sumpter was first in- corporated, our subject was honored by being accorded a seat in its council chambers, and at the first general election he was the choice of the people for the mayoralty, the duties of which office were discharged by him with great faithfulness and with ability and good judg- ment. After serving as mayor of the town for two years, he was elected county commissioner on the Democratic ticket, and that office is still his. Mr. Gleason is a thoroughly public spir- ited man and always has the interests of his town and countv near his heart. Fraternally our subject is affiliated with the time-honored order of Masons, in which he has. attained to the Scottish Rite, his member- ship in this degree being in Portland. His. marriage was solemnized in Baker City, on October 23, 1895, when Mrs. F. D. Farnhanv of Maine, became his wife. ■» » » ROBERT R. PALMER.— We are pleased to accord to the prominent young business man and capable and efficient public officer whose name initiates this paragraph, a representation. WILLIAM H. GLEASOH. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 257 in this volume, since by force of right he stands among the leading men of the county, both because of his excellent abilities and sound principles and integrity, while in the years that he has been before the public in business rela- tions, he has demonstrated his ability as a busi- ness man and has wrought for himself a very gratifying success in building up a very ex- tensive trade and in reaping proper financial remuneration. A son of the Occident, being born in La Grande, this state, on October 9, 1868, he has passed his life in eastern Oregon, receiving here his education and business training and made here his success in life, being a product to which the institutions of Baker county can refer with pride. After completing the school course in the city he went to> Portland for a course in the business college of that city, tak- ing his degree from that institution in 1888. He came with his parents to Baker City first in 1877, an( i here he has remained since. Im- mediately succeeding his graduation he opened up a harness and saddle store in Baker City in partnership with Mr. Denham, the firm be- ing known as Palmer & Denham, and in the prosecution of this business he has been found constantly, with the gratifying result that he has a patronage that comes from many miles in every direction. Their store is on Front street and they carry a large stock of goods, the harness and saddles being of their own make. In June, 1900, the people asked him to assume the duties and responsibilities of the important office of county treasurer, and with entire satisfaction to his constituency he has discharged the same since, displaying the same tireless energy and faithfulness that are char- acteristic of him in his own private business. He affiliates with the Republican party in po- litical matters and is a prominent member of the same. He was city treasurer in La Grande for one term previous. In addition to his other large business interests he is handling considerable stock in this county. Mr. Palmer was married to Miss Maud S., daughter of N. H. and Ada Starbird, from Minnesota, on October 1, 1894, in La Grande. To them has been born one child, Ruth M. Mr. Palmer's parents are John and Almira (States) Palmer. Our subject has ever demeaned him- self in such an acceptable and upright manner that he has won the confidence and admiration 17 and esteem of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance, and the same wisdom and in- domitable effort that have wrought out his bril- liant career to the present time will doubtless be further manifested with as gratifying re- sults in the days to come. TULLE B. PERKINS.— It is always with gratification that one is enabled to view the products of his own land and it is with es- pecial pleasure that we are permitted to chron- icle the salient points in the' career of the prominent stockman and representative citizen whose name is at the head of this article, and who first was brought into being in this county and since has become one of its ablest devel- opers and most enterprising sons. Our subject is the son of Edward and Mary (Henry) Perkins, who were among the very first settlers in this region, having drawn up their train on Sunday, September 4, 1S62, within the boundaries of the county, where since they have lived and wrought for the wel- fare of the county's interests and its develop- ment, while they have prosecuted with success their own private business. On April 16, 1865, Tulle B. was born at Wingville, and there he passed the years of his minority with the ex- ception of the time which was spent in Port- land, where he was acquiring his education, after completing which he commenced at the age of eighteen the battles of life for himself, his first venture being to rent his father's place and embark in stock raising. The measure of success that crowned his efforts may be reck- oned when we discover that after four years of this work he was enabled to purchase a farm for himself. Hte selected a quarter sec- tion in the lower valley of the Powder river and there we find him to-day engaged in farm- ing and raising stock. His ability and faith- fulness have been recognized by his fellows, for they have kept him in public office almost continuously since his settlement in that vi- cinity, and the school interests of the district have profited by his wisdom for many terms. He lives in the Keating district. No. 36. The marriage of Mr. Perkins and Miss Mary, daughter of Royal and Elizabeth (Turk) Pierce, was celebrated on January 1, 1 888. This union has been blessed by the ad- 258 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, Sf AIJSEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES vent of one child, Bernice. Mr. Perkins is highly esteemed by his fellows and his integ- rity and intrinsic moral worth are deserving of .all the enconiums that he has received. Mr. Perkins has a beautiful and comfortable home and his farm is one of the most fertile in that favored region. JOHN P. ROSS.— It is without doubt a fact that everyone of the far eastern common- wealths of the United States are represented by their children in the cosmopolitan popula- tion of Oregon, and the old Keystone state has not been backward in sending her full quota of children to these occidental regions, as we perceive by the stanch citizens who were brought up under the benign influence of the William Penn regime, but now form a consid- erable portion of our wide-awake and progres- sive inhabitants. Among this worthy class is the gentleman whose name heads this para- graph and whose enterprising career and com- mendable achievements have been largely wrought out in our midst, having come to- this section in 1866, being actively engaged in bus- iness here since. His birth was in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, on January 30, 1832, being the son of Samuel H. and Sarah (Liv- ingston) Ross, both natives of the same state, and of Scotch extraction. In 1841 he removed with his parents to Iowa territory, settling near Mount Pleasant, where he remained until 1850, when he became desirous of satisfying his ad- venturous spirit by actual experience in the western regions and accordingly set out with ox teams for the Golden state, where he en- gaged in mining and freighting until 1866, at which time he came to Baker City and at once settled. At that time twelve houses and thir- ty-one people constituted the village and from that embryonic stage until the present, Mr. Ross has been one of the foremost men in the active promotion of the interests of the town and country adjacent. In 1863 he had passed through this place, but did not stop at that time. From the beginning he was very active in the organization of the city government and a very prominent factor in the establishment of her present commendable institutions. He was a member of the first city council and con- tinued in that capacity for a number of years, held other important positions and has always been a liberal supporter of the churches and other institutions of the city. In 1868 he en- gaged in business and continuously wrought therein until 1890, when he retired from more active operations to enjoy the rest and com- petence which his industry and enterprise had earned and entitled him to. He has a fine home on Resort street and considerable other city property and holdings also in other places. He was married to Miss Martha A., daugh- ter of Levi and Matilda Smith, in Mount Pleas- ant, Iowa, on September 27, 1869, and to them have been born two children : William A., in business in Baker City, and John M., in busi- ness in Union, Oregon. Mr. Ross is a member of the I. O. O. F., Baker Lodge, No. 25, of the Encampment, No. 7, and the Rebekah De- gree, No. 8, all in this city. In his trip across the plains the Indians attacked the train at the Humboldt river, but none of the immi- grants were injured. SAMUEL WHITE.— Distinguished in the legal fraternity as a man far above the av- erage in ability, fortified by deep research and extensive experience, the subject of this sketch is a gentleman to whom one may safely refer as a leader in his profession, having displayed distinct talents and commanding eloquence, coupled with unswerving- integrity and intrin- sic worth. _ Mr. White is a native of Griffin, Georgia, being born on September 15, i860, and the son of John Haywood and Jane Rebecca (Johnstone) White, natives, respectively, of Tennessee and Georgia. His father was cap- tain of the Griffin Light Guards during the Rebellion, and after the war returned to his native town, where he resided until March, 1898, the time of his death. His mother is still living in that city. Our subject received his primary education in the public schools of his native town and then attended the Univer- sity of Tennessee, after which he took up the study of law under the tuition of Frank L. Hlarralson, state librarian at Atlanta, Georgia, where he was admitted to the bar on October 6, 1 88 1. Hie immediately began the practice of law in Atlanta, continuing the same until 1885, when he came to Oregon, locating at HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 259 Grant's Pass for two years, then removed to eastern Oregon, choosing - Baker City as his home, and here he has since continued in the practice of his profession with an ever increas- ing patronage and brilliant success. In the political school he is allied with the Democrats and is a prominent leader in that party, beitr chairman of the state Democratic central committee, where his keenness and wise po- litical foresight is much valued. He is also captain of Company A, Oregon National Guards and in 1898 was elected district attor- ney and in 1900 was elected as his own suc- cessor. Thus is shown the appreciation of his constituency in his ability and faithfulness, which in every way is justly merited. In fra- ternal affiliations he is associated with the B. P. O. E,, the A. O. U. W. and the W. of W. The marriage otf Mr. White and Miss Ida I^awrence was solemnized in Baker City on October 8, 1890, and they became the parents of two children : John Haywood and John- stone Lawrence. Mrs. White was the daugh- ter of Judge A. J. Lawrence and a, native of the Sandwich Islands, being born while her father was supreme judge in Honolulu. She died in 1892. Mr. White was married the second time, February 17, 1896, Mrs, Frances E. Wisdom, becoming his wife at that time. Mrs. White is the eldest daughter of Albert H. Brown, who was formerly treasurer of the state of Oregon. He came to the coast in '1849 an d to Baker City in 1862. She was born in Yreka, California, on July 2, 1861. Her father now resides in Portland. Mr. White was a resi- dent of Pendleton for a time previous to lo>- cating in Baker City, and while there he was city attorney at the time W. F. Matlock was mayor. It is but right that we should say that Mr. White is possessed of rare capabilities and has manifested integrity and moral worth that stamp him as a man in whom implicit confi- dence may be placed and this he has gained in unstinted measure from his fellows. J. C. CHRISTENSEN.— The successful and enterprising business man, agriculturist and stockman of whom we now have the pleas- ure to' speak, is one of the leading figures in his section, having demonstrated his ability and good financiering in his investments and in the operation of his varied interests in this county from a very early day, himself being one of the worthy number who* are denominated by that prince of all English words, pioneer, while his walk and life have ever been of that character which calls for the encomiums of his fellows and the respect of all. The little kingdom of Denmark is the na- tive land of our subject and the date of his birth was September 8, 1848, and for nineteen years he remained in the northern part of that land near the fiords of the sea, gaining a good education and learning the arts of honest toil. The confines of the diminutive land could hold his adventurous spirit no longer than until he arrived at manhood's estate, for he then sought out the new world and there began the strug- gle for his fortune that has resulted so suc- cessfully. For two years after arriving here he worked on the Union Pacific railroad and then in 1869 settled in Baker county. He bought land and commenced to- raise horses and also- engaged in mining for eleven years, after which time he devoted his whole attention to farming and raising stock until 1895. At that time he opened a general merchandise store in Haines, occupying a building that he had erected in 1888. In this capacity he has been blessed with his usual success and he has a large and lucrative trade, and in addition to superintending that he also gives attention to handling fine stock on his large farm of three hundred and ninety acres. He owns nearly one hundred head of fine well bred Short-horn cattle, besides other stock. In fraternal affilia- tions he is associated with the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 112, and the A. O. U. W., Lodge No. no. The people have frequently called him to serve on the school board and in other public capacities. Mr. Christensen and Miss Clara Dwinell were married at Wingville in 1881, but in January, 1883, Mrs. Christensen died. On April 26, 1884, at Pocahontas, this county, Mr. Christensen was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of James and Eliza En- gram, and a native of Arkansas. They have become the parents of seven children : Mary ; Thomas, attending school in Baker City ; Nel- lie, John, Annie, George, William, all being at home except Thomas. Mr. Christensen is a man of great activity and fortunately possessed 260 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES of great adaptability and he is making a fine success in each line of his varied activities, and it was he who in company with Mr. Toney opened the first butcher shop in Haines in con- nection with his other business. CASPER J. DURBIN.— It is with no lit- tle pleasure that we essay the task of outlining the career of the venerable Pacific coast pioneer and the successful farmer and stockraiser whose name appears as the caption of this re- view. He is one of the most thrifty and pro- gressive of the agriculturists in the vicinity of Huntington, and his premises and environs bear eloquent testimony to his industry and good management. Though apparently not particularly ambitious for leadership among his fellows and never a candidate for any of-' fice, he takes the interest every good citizen should in the general welfare of his commun- ity and county, and ever manifests a willing- ness to contribute his share towards any en- terprise of public concern. Our subject was born near Belleville, Richland county, Ohio, on April 26, 1822, his parents being John and Sarah (Fitting) Dur- bin. He worked on a farm, attending school a few months out of each year, until about nineteen years old, then accompanied his pa- rents to Clinton county, Missouri, remaining a period of two years. He then returned to Ohio, but the year 1845 found him again in Missouri. His parents crossed the plains that year to Polk county, Oregon, finally locating in Marion county. In 1853 our subject also crossed the plains with ox-teams, rejoining the remainder of the family at Salem, Oregon, where he became a partner of his brother in the hotel and livery business. In 1855 he engaged in farming in the vicinity, and in 1862, he removed to' Au- burn, Baker county. He ran a feed stable at that place until 1864, then entered a homestead about a mile northwest of Huntington, where his home has ever since been. As may be sup- posed from the length of time spent in this one spot and the progressive character of Mr. Dur- bin, his place has been improved by the erec- tion of a comfortable house, a fine large barn, all needful fences and everything which goes to make rural life attractive, and has been brought to an excellent state of cultivation. It produces an abundance of hay and fine fruit of many varieties, as well as other crops of different kinds, Mr. Durbin once returned to his old home in Ohio, intending to find a location there and dispose of his property in the west, but like most of those who go east with similar inten^ tions, he soon concluded that he would not ex- change his occidental home for any farm in the east, if one condition should be that he should live there. On March 1, 1849, our subject married Miss Julia Anne, daughter of William and Betsey Draper, a native of Canada, and to> their union were born nine children only two of whom are living, John B., living at the head of Durbin creek, and Alice B., at home. Mrs. Durbin died March 28, 1884. Our subject's father died at Salem, Ore- gon, at the age of one hundred and three, and his mother at ninety-eight. The latter was a first cousin to the late President William Mc- Kinley. It is of interest also to> record that Mr. Durbin cast his first vote for William Hen- ry Harrison, in 1844, an d has supported the Republican ticket ever since. Mr. Durbin was in the employment of the United States gov- ernment for five vears and helped build the first house in Grand Island, Nebraska, it being built for the^p-overnment, and he also was one of the first at Fort Laramie, Wyoming, being in the quartermaster's department. GEORGE B. STURGILL.— Among the sturdy pioneers that braved the dangers and hardships of that weariest of all journeys on this continent, crossing the plains in the earlier days with ox teams, mention must be made of the esteemed and prominent citizen whose name is at the head of this paragraph, and whose life of activity and enterprise is well known to the dwellers in this county. Francis H. Sturgill and his wife, Caroline (Richmond), parents of our subject, and na- tives, respectively, of Alabama and North Car- olina, and who were married in Virginia, Lee county, came to> Missouri in 1841, settling in Sullivan county, where they remained until CASPER J. DURBIH. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 261 1865. At the last date mentioned they, in com- pany with their children, undertook the trip across the plains to Oregon, and on August 29, while en route, the mother was taken from them by death. She was descended from a very prominent Virginia family, the Rich- monds. Mr. Sturgill first settled at Wing- ville and took up a homestead, where he de- voted his time and energy to agriculture until 1877, and then came to the lower valley of the Powder river. One day, while Mr. Sturgill was mowing, he stopped to remove the sickle and having completed that job leaned the sickle ap-ainst a tree in the rear of the machine. The horses became frightened and backed SO' quick- ly that they caught his arm against the blade of the sickle, severing an artery, from which he bled to death. He was esteemed by all who knew him and his death was mourned by the entire community. He was in his sixty-second year at the time of his death, and his funeral was taken charge of by the Masons and in their cemetery in Baker City he lies buried. Mr. Sturgill had been very prominent in the politics of the county and had held several pub- lic offices, among them county assessor in 1870 to 1872. He was the father of the following children : George B., the subject of this sketch ; W. R., whose wife is Miss Virginia Talley; Benjamin F. ; Joel M. ; Louis, married to Car- rie Tones ; Easter C. ; John I., married to Mary Stevenson; Mary E., wife of Mr. Abbott; Ste- ven D., married to Martha Pierce; Rachel, Re- becca, Robert, Henrv, the last four deceased. Returning to our immediate subject, George B. Sturgill was born December 8, 1841, in Sullivan county, Missouri, and there received his education and remained until the trip across the plains, above mentioned, on which occasion he acted as captain, being eminently fitted for the responsible position since he had been across the plains to Montana the year previous, and had spent the summer of 1864 in mining in the famous Alder gulch of Montana. In 1868 he commenced to buy and sell stock and for six years thereafter he resided in Union county, then returned to Wingville, where he remained until 1893, when he bought his present place in the lower valley of the Powder river, where he is at present engaged in farming and rais- ing stock, being one of the most prosperous and substantial settlers of that community. The marriage of Mr. Sturgill and Miss Lida A. White was solemnized in Missouri in October, 1861. Mrs. Sturgill's parents, Mad- ison and Elizabeth (Abbott) White, were na- tives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively, and her mother died on June 1, 1850, and is bur- ied in the Williams graveyard, near Milan, Missouri. To our subject and his wife have been born the following children : Jonathan J., married to Barbara Duckworth; Eliza B., wife of James Osborn; Lena C, wife of E. Cranston; May, wife of R. R. Sparks; Effie L., wife of James York; Joel C, married to Mintie Kase; Madison W., cleric at Baker City; Thornton, in Baker City. Mr. Sturgill is a member of I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 69, at Wingville, also> of the Modern Woodmen, Lodge No. 48, of the same place. He is prom- inent in politics, having chosen the Populist party to affiliate with and frequently he is nominated for important office, in 1892 run- ning for coroner. At the present time he is a member of the school board and is efficient and faithful in the discharge of public duties. WILLIAM A. GOSSETT.— It is ever a pleasure to chronicle the life history of one who has wrought energetically and faithfully, and one who has so> prosecuted his own private business that in building up the same he has likewise contributed toward the general wel- fare. Such a man is he whose name gives caption to this article. Mr. Gossett is one of the most broadly enterprising citizens of the county, in which he ever manifests a vital and public spirited interest, and he has earned a place in the esteem of the people such as few enjoy. Our subject is a son of Eli H. and Eliza- beth (Briton) Gossett, born near Half Rock, Grundy county, Missouri, October 29, i860. While yet an infant he was taken by his father to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, but soon after their removal thither, the older Mir. Gossett was killed in the battle of Shiloh, he having enlist- ed in the Fourteenth Iowa Infantry for serv- ice in the Civil war. When five years old our subject was placed in the orphans' home at Davenport, Iowa, where he remained, attend- ing school, until thirteen years old. He then entered the high school at Mount Pleasant, graduating from the same two years later. Af- 262 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES tenvard he learned the trade of a barber, but he seems not to have followed his handicraft much in Iowa, for soon afterward we find him in Trenton, Missouri, whence in 1885 he came to Baker county, Oregon. For a time after his arrival he worked at the barber trade in Ba- ker City, but soon misfortune overtook him, and for several years he was compelled by sick- ness to retire from active participation in any line of endeavor. When at length he recov- ered sufficiently he engaged in contracting and building and in the manufacture of lime. His kiln is located six miles east of Baker City, near the O. R. & N. track, and has a capacity of about one hundred and sixty barrels. Its production is of the very finest quality, less than three per cent, of the limestone being left as dross after a burning. Mr. Gossett has a fine herd of about thirty thoroughbred Angora goats, in which he takes a pardonable pride. His energy and taste are further manifested in his having turned to good account as fish ponds the ponds near his place created by the overflow from springs in the vicinity. In these at present are about twenty thousand fish, mostly trout, and our subject will never be content until he has in- creased that number to one hundred thousand. In fraternal affiliatons Mr. Gossett belongs to the Woodmen of the World, and his wife and two oldest daughter are members of the circle. On March 5, 1881, in Baker county, Oregon, our subject married Miss Mary M., daughter of Philip and Rosana Lenz, and to their union have been born six children : Rosa E., a photographer in Baker City; Katie L., Charles D., Pauline A., Bertha J. and Philip C. WIJLLIAM E. WOOD. — Among the men who have come out to the Pacific coast at an early date, and have borne the brunt of the battle, as a result of which the darkness of barbarism has been dispelled and the bright day of civilization ushered in, must be counted the venerable pioneer whose name appears above. It is with no' feigned pleasure that we accord him representation in our volume as one of the founders and builders of 'Baker county, some of whose most renowned mining properties were discovered by him and his part- ner, Mr. Eastabrooks. Our subject was born in Westchester coun- ty, state of New York, on September 27, 1827. He worked on a farm and attended the pub- lic schools until about seventeen years old, then went toi New York City, where he clerked in a store for a few years. Eventually he em- barked at New Bedford, Massachusetts, on a whaling vessel, and while out visited Argen- timie Republic, cruised along the west coast of Africa to St. Helena, passed the Falkland islands, going- thence to the Azores and on to the Cape Verde islands, returning in about two years to> the port of departure with a vessel laden with sperm oil. This venture proved a decided success for him. Air. Wood then embarked in the merchan- dise business at Katonah, New York, but in 1853 ne pulled up stakes and set out by the Panama route for Shasta county, California, where he for the first time engaged in mining. In the year 1866 he entered into- part- nership with Mr. Eastabrooks and they have been tog-ether ever since. They came to Baker county together and have been together inter- ested in the Connor creek and Gold Hill mines and in other valuable properties, as they are in the prospects they now have and in their pleas- ant little farm near Weatherby. While in California Mr. Wood joined a company organized by Captain Walker in 1854 and going down into Lower California, was there engaged for a time in fighting outlaws and Indians. GEORGE J. BOWMAN.— After an ex- tended career of activity and usefulness the esteemed citizen and thrifty western pioneer whose name forms the caption of this review has retired from the active pursuits of life, though he still maintains interest in public af- fairs, which has ever characterized him. Like many other thrifty and successful men in various parts of the United States, Mr. Bowman is a native of Germany. He was born in that empire not far from the French border on January 1, 1829. He received a good public school education in his fatherland and shortly after leaving the school room en- tered upon an apprenticeship to the trade of wagon maker. In 1848 he came to the United States, and settling in Kentucky, there en- gaged in the pursuit of his handicraft. In HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 263 1852 he removed to Dover, Missouri, where he followed wagon making uninterruptedly until 1873, in which year he put into execution a determination to try his fortune in Baker county. He worked at his trade in Baker City for half a decade, at the end of which period he moved to Wallowa county and en- gaged in farming and stockraising. However, when he first came to Baker City he purchased property where the Gieser Grand hotel now is, and his property interests necessitated his be- ing in this city a considerable portion of his time. Though he still owns his farm in Wal- lowa county, he has now become a permanent resident of Baker City, his tasteful and com- fortable new home being on the corner of Third and Estes streets. Mr. Bowman has always been a leader in the communities in which he has lived. He is enthusiastic in the promotion of the cause of education and has served on numerous school boards in different places, among them the board which inaugurated the first graded school in Baker City. He also has the distinction of having served four years as chairman of his home city's first council. He is, moreover, a very active worker in the First Presbyterian church, in which he has served as elder longer than any other person. The marriage of our subject was solem- nized in the state of Missouri on November 9, 1854, when Miss Elizabeth, daughter of David and Rachael Twoodie, became his wife. They have seven living children, namely : Mrs. Kate M. Palmer, of Baker City; Bettie, wife of J. P. Halle; Frank G., who married Miss Alice Shelton and is living in Eagle Valley; John T., married to' Miss Mollie Poe and living in Eagle Valley; Robert B., living on his fa- ther's farm in Wallowa county; Beulah, a teacher in one of the Baker City schools ; and Myrtle, a graduate of the Monmouth Normal school, wife of J. W. Campbell, of Wheeler county, Oregon. ELI CHANDLER.— In at least two lines of industry the gentleman whose name ini- tiates this paragraph has achieved a commend- able success, and it is with pleasure that we accord to him space for an epitome of his ca- reer, since it is the purport of this compilation to grant a representation to the leading and prominent citizens of the county, and to those that have been instrumental in the advance- ment O'f the material welfare and the substan- tial progress of this political division. Hamilton county, Indiana, is the native place of our subject and the date of his birth was 1 85 1, he being the son of Enoch and Sid- ney (Wright) Chandler, who were natives of the Buckeye state, but whose home was in In- diana until the time of their demise. At the age of twenty-two Mr. Chandler started out for himself, crossing the plains by railroad and stage to Jimtown, which is now Sparta, in Baker county, and in December, 1872, he settled in Eagle valley, where he devoted him- self toi farming and stock raising. He sold por- tions of his estate, until he has but fifty acres left, turning his attention, meanwhile, to the commercial world. Eighteen hundred and eighty-eight was the date when he first opened a store in Newbridge, and in 1899 he removed it to Richland, and since that time he has con- tinuously prosecuted this enterprise and he has to-day a fine stock of general merchandise and his patrons are numbered by hundreds, while his trade is constantly increasing. His fine ca- pabilities and uniform geniality and upright business principles are instrumental in mak- ing him the most popular merchant in his sec- tion. Fraternally he is affiliated with the I. O. O. F.. Lodge No. 123, in Eagle Valley. The marriage of Mr. Chandler and Miss Susie B., daughter of William Rich, and a native of Kentucky, was celebrated in 1899. It is pleasant to state that Mr. Chandler is one oi the most highly respected members of society in the valley and is considered a lead- ing property owner and substantial citizen, who is dominated by wisdom and skill of a high order in his business enterprises. ELLIS BEGGS. — A representative of a class of men now fast vanishing before the ever extending network of iron rails, and a splendid specimen of the type of bold, sturdy manhood developed by adventurous and dan- gerous undertakings in a new and but partly civilized country, the man whose name gives caption to this review is to be congratulated upon having escaped uninjured or with but a slight wound in many hazardous conflicts with 264 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the footpads who- beset the routes of the stage driver, rendering his honest business exceed- ingly precarious. He is also to be congratu- lated upon the success which has attended his efforts in the commercial world since retiring from his former adventurous pursuits and upon the enviable standing he has acquired as a representative citizen of Baker county. Mr. Beggs was born in Chickasaw county, Iowa, near Bradford on June 12, 1858. He resided there until twelve years old, then ac- companied his parents to California and thence to Jacksonville, Oregon. At the age of four- teen he began driving stage on the route be- tween Oregon and California, and in 1878 he came to Baker county, and drove between Kel- ton and Umatilla Landing-. Hfe continued in stage driving until 1895, making his trips over many different routes in Washington, Oregon and California, and in his extensive experience, he has been in no fewer than fourteen hold- ups. He was eight times overtaken by high- waymen on the Mendocino and Cloverdale route, escaping each time without injury, but on what is known as the Red Hill route, in 1 89 1, he was shot through the wrist, though he succeeded in making good his retreat in a running fight. In 1895, when our subject retired from stage driving, he engaged in freighting around Red Rock and Virginia City, Montana, and he still oversees the operations of his three six- horse freight outfits in Baker county, though he gives most of his own time now to the liv- ery business, he having a year and a half ago purchased an interest in the livery stable of his brother, Milo Beggs, in Baker City. The firm has an oufjfit of about forty single and double rigs and keeps in all about seventy-five head of horses. CAPT. CHARLES H. CRAIG.— This enterprising sheep man and farm- er, of Eagle Valley, has the honor of being not alone a very early pio- neer of the county and a veteran of the early Indian wars, but also of being one of those who in the dark days when the demons of dis- ruption and disunion raised their heads rallied to the support of freedom and correct govern- mental principles. The public spirit which led him to take the risk, when the cause of his country demanded it, has remained with him throughout all after life, rendering him a good, patriotic citizen, ever interested in the promo- tion of the general welfare. Mr. Craig is a native of Morgan county, Illinois, born in 1836, the son of Joseph and Susan A. (Grady) Craig, natives respectively of Kentucky and Virginia. When he became nineteen, our subject gave inception to his in- dependent career by engaging in farming in Missouri, and this was his business until 1862, when the call of patriotism summoned him to sterner duties. In February of that year, he enlisted in Company F, Second Missouri Cav- alry, and for the ensuing thirty-seven months' he followed the fortunes of war, his rank at the time of his discharge being duty sergeant. He participated in many engagements and skirmishes, and in the battle of Chalk Bluff, Arkansas, was shot through the hand. At the close of hostilities, Mr. Craig re- sumed his farming in Missouri, but in 1869, he sold out his holdings and came to Baker county, Oregon, locating at Auburn. He mined there until 1872, then at Sparta until 1875, eventually coming to Eagle valley, where he filed on a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. He now owns two hundred acres, and is engaged in general farming and in the sheep business, in both of which industries he is achieving, an enviable success. At the time of the Indian outbreak in 1878, our subject organized a company of volunteers in Eagle valley, of which he was captain, Tom Pearce being second lieutenant and Joseph Beck, first lieutenant. The most important en- gagement in which it participated was that at Lookout mountain, in which it suffered no cas- ualties but killed a number of Indians. At present, Mr. Craig is commander of Phil Kearny Post, No. 66, G. A. R. of Pine valley. His marriage was solemnized in Oc- tober, 1861, the lady being Catherine, daugh- ter of Peter B. and Mary Ann (Noell) Greier, natives of Virginia, and to this union, two children have been born, Richard Franklin, who married Rebecca E., and Clara, widow of Orley Moody, deceased. Captain Craio- and William Ainsworth are the discoverers of Lewis lake, which was named after a boy who caught incredible numbers of trout in its waters. CAPT. CHARLES H. CRAIG. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 265 Mrs. Craig had a narrow escape from the paws of a bear one 4th of July day. The family and J. Hokomb, while traveling on horseback, discoverel a steer that had recent- ly fallen a victim to the savage beast, and while they were looking at the carcass, Bruin put in an appearance. Several shots were fired at him, and soon he appeared to be dead. Dismounting, Mrs. Craig ran to him that she might be the first to touch him. To her sur- prise and dismav he soon proved to be very much alive, and it was only by presence of mind and agility that she was enabled to es- cape uninjured. ELTON SI SLEY.— Though not among the very earliest pioneers, the man whose ca- reer we must now attempt to trace in outline, is an old settler of the county with which our volume is concerned, and it is right to state that in the years of his residence here he has ever so< ordered his life in its relations with his fellows as to secure their confidence and render him esteemed. He is an energetic, thrifty and successful agriculturist and stock- raiser and in this line O'f activity is contribut- ing to the wealth and advancing the material development of Baker county. Our subject was born near Cedar Rapids, Linn county, Iowa, on August 6, 1852, the son of Simon S. and Rebecca (Coleman) Sis- ley. He attended the common schools until fourteen years old, then ran the parental farm, his father having died in 1862, until 1877, which year is the date of his and his mother's advent to Baker county. They located on a farm about two and a half miles below Weath- erby, on Burnt river, where our subject is still to> be found when at home, but his mother died on April 15, 1900, in Baker City. He has a fine farm, well improved and a very comforta- ble home, also a splendid herd of cattle on the range near his place. Mr. Sisley was married March 26, 1885, the lady being Lucy I., daughter of Andrew J. and Sarah J. (Bashaw) Weatherby. They have no children of their own, but are rearing Laura Clarke, a daughter of Mrs. Sisley's de- ceased sister. Mrs. Sisley's father, a prominent citizen o:f Weatherby, where he served as justice of the peace and postmaster, died January 11, 1890, and her mother June 29, 1901. Of the de- mise of our subject's father, mention has al- ready been made. It should be added, how- ever, that he came to his death as a result of diseases contracted in the war of the Rebellion, he having enlisted in 1861 in Company D, Sec- ond Iowa Cavalry. He participated in the bat- tles of Corinth and Pittsburg Landing and in numerous others until the illness of which he died compelled him to leave his regiment. JOHN LEW, deceased. — On November 27. 189 1, the community in which he lived, and in fact all of Baker county, was called upon to mourn the. loss of the venerable pioneer and worthy citizen whose name appears above. His many good qualities as a man had rendered him endeared to those with whom he was by circumstances thrown in contact, while all rec- ognized the benefits which had accrued to the community in consequence of his efforts and enterprise. It is but fitting, therefore, that a brief review of his eminently useful career be here given. Our subject was born in Knox county, Canada, on August 9, 1836, and there he grew to man's estate and received his educational discipline. At the early age of sixteen he started in life for himself, going to Roches- ter, New York, where he learned the carpen- ter trade. He worked at that handicraft until 1856, then came via the Isthmus to' California, where he followed placer mining until 1861. He then came to the Salmon river mines in Idaho. He was one of a party of nine men who prospected the Boise basin for six weeks when the Indians were very hostile and dur- ing that time he had many narrow escapes. In 1862 he came to Auburn in Baker county and engaged in mining there. He was one of six men who located the first mines where Sumpter now stands, and it is interesting to note that they named the place Sumpter from the fact that Fort Sumpter had fallen about that time. Our subject remained in that vi- cinity for two* years, then moved to> Granite, where the ensuing six years were spent in the effort to discover earth's hidden treasures and win them from her. About 1870 he moved onto a farm about six miles west of the pres- ent Baker City and engaged in the dual occu- m HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES patfion of mining and farming. This he was enabled to do from the fact that a part of the farm was fine placer ground, as is attested by the fact that he gathered four thousand five hundred dollars worth of gold dust the first year. At one time J. W. Virtue took a selec- tion of fruit and a number of nuggets to a fair at Portland, both of which were from Mr. Lew's farm, and it is recorded that this singu- lar exhibit attracted much attention. During the last few years of our subject's life he de- voted his energies entirely to farming. He will long be remembered as one of the most enterprising and public spirited of Baker coun- ty's early settlers and one who assisted much in its development and its preparation for the purposes of civilized man. In fraternal affiliations our subject was identified with the A. O. U. W. and the W. of W. His marriage was solemnized at Au- burn on December 9, 1868, on which date he became the husband of Mrs. Elizabeth Hedges, nee Jones, who- had crossed the plains with ox teams in 1863 from Iowa. The following children were born to them, namely : John H.; George; Harney, deceased; Albert F. ; Katie M|. ; Bertha E., and C. Bertie, deceased; Ralph, deceased ; Frank R. The children all live at home with their mother. They have an excellent farm of four hundred and eighty acres, improved witlh a fine house, a good barn and other substantial buildings, also eighty acres of valuable timber land. JAMES BURRELL.— The prosperous farmer and stockraiser whose name appears above is a native of England, born in Essex county on January 15, 1835, the son of Rich- ard and Nancy Burrell. He remained in his native country until twenty-two> years old, ac- quiring his education in the public schools, and afterward engaging in farming. In 1857 ^ ie came out to- Illinois, in Boone county of which state he lived for the ensuing two years, after which he crossed the plains to California, mak- ing the trip with horses. Hfe worked at min- ing for about four years, then purchased a drove of cattle and came with them to the Ban- nock basin in Idaho. Coming to Baker county in 1867 he engaged in placer mining on Rock creek and on Muddy creek, in which business he busied himself for about six years. He then bought some cattle and again engaged in the stock business, but three years later, in Elko, Nevada, he sold his herds. Returning to Baker county in 1876 he purchased a place a mile west of Haines postoffice, where he has ever since lived. He now has three hundred and eighty-seven acres of well improved farm- ing land and is very comfortably situated, reaping a rich reward for his toil and industry. He is to be ranked among Baker county's most enterprising agriculturists, as he is one of its most highly esteemed citizens. Fraternally our subject is affiliated with Haines Lodge, No. 112, I. O. O. F. In Po- cahontas, Baker county, on November 27, 1877, he married Mrs. Nancy A. Clark, daugh- ter of William and Nellie Goodman. They have one adopted daughter, Eva J., born May 27, 1897. Mrs. Burrell is a native of Ten- nessee, born in 1846, and came with her moth- er and the family to Baker county in 1877. The father died in Tennessee before the family came here and the mother died in this county May 10, 1900. ERVVIN P. HOWARD, M. D.— Among the various professions that conserve the in- terests of the Iniman race, there is none that gives a wider range for the manifestation, both of skill and genuine expression of kindness to one's fellows, together with the power to assist in promoting the happiness of the mem- bers of the race, than does the practice of medicine, and dependent upon the powers of the surgeon or the skillful practitioner are the issues of life, hence it is that to- the true and faithful doctor there is ever a debt of grati- tude to be paid by the people, and as the sub- ject of this sketch is one of the leading de- votees of the healing art in the county and is held in high esteem by his fellows, both for his skill and his manifestation of kindness, we are bound to grant him representation in this vol- ume. Erwin P. was born in the Empire state on September 19, 1852, being the son of Alanson D. and Mary E, ( Payne) Howard, natives, re- spectively, of Massachusetts and New York. When our subject was two years of age he was taken by his parents to Sturgis, Michigan, HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 267 where they remained until the death of the fa- ther, which occurred on January 9, 1900. At the age of fourteen the son commenced the ac- tivities of life for himself, operating first as a clerk in a mercantile establishment in his home town. Four years later he began the study of: medicine, taking up the profession wherein his father had won laurels. He took a course in the Bennett Medical College in Chicago and af- ter the first year became enamoured with the reports from the gold fields of the Pacific slope and came there and took up mining in Cali- fornia. After some time at this captivating work he turned again to> the study of medicine and took his degree. He was then engaged by the Union Pacific Railroad Company as sur- geon, where he operated for a few years, giv- ing entire satisfaction, and then he again turned to mining, having purchased some promising properties. While engaged in this he built a quartz mill and operated the same at the Cornucopia mines in this county. Later this property was destroyed by a snow slide and then he turned to the practice of medi- cine again, settling in the town of Richland, where he has been signally successful in the prosecution of his profession. Lately he has started a drug store in connection with his practice and he is also proprietor of a grocery store. Fraternally the Doctor is associated with the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 123, in Eagle Valley, and also with the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, being decided in his views, and since he is one of the leaders in the county he is a prominent figure at the conventions. In 1876 the marriage of Dr. Howard and Miss Eliza B., daughter of Samuel and Mary (Spencer) Gill, was celebrated and they have become the parents of two children : Guyello, handling stock in Idaho; May Belle, holding the chair of music and elocution in the Salina Military Academy, at Salina, Kansas. COL. WILLIAM W. KIRBY.— To the stanch veteran of the Civil and Indian wars, the stirring business man, estimable citizen and intrepid and doughty frontiersman and stock- man whose name initiates this paragraph, we are pleased to accord space for an epitome of the career that has been fraught with enter- prise and interest from incipiency until the present time. And it is matter of regret that, to one who interposed himself willingly in the breach of danger to stand and die, if need so demand, rather than see the flag of our glory trampled under treason's feet, it is matter of regret, I repeat, that space forbids a full ac- count of deeds of bravery and a life teeming with stirring incident. Mr. Kirby is the son of Wade H. and Em- ily (Blew) Kirby, natives of Kentucky, and he was born in Schuyler county, Missouri, in 1842. His mother's father, Richard Blew, fought for the independence of the colonies under General George Washington, and the military career of his grandson but adds lus- ter to the brightness of the family record. In his native county our subject received his ed- ucation and at the breaking out of the war en- listed in Company E, Twenty-second Mis- souri Volunteers, being but seventeen, years of age, and his regiment was assigned to wes- tern duties. For three years he fought for the stars and stripes and after the expiration of his term he enlisted again to repel the savages from the frontier. Following this he engaged to the government as wagon master, and at the end of his services he was ranked as colonel, while he entered as private. In 1866 he set- tled down to farming and operating a mer- cantile establishment in Barry county, Mis- souri. Later he gave up the mercantile part and confined his efforts to stockraising and farming alone. In 1886 he came to Eagle Valley, this county,' and bought the farm where he is at present residing, and here he is devoting him- self to tilling the soil and stock raising; how- ever, he frequently is found in the mountains searching for the key to nature's hidden vaults of treasure and so successful has he been that at the present time he owns a fine property on the Snake river, consisting of fourteen claims. The mineral is copper and it is considered one of the finest properties in this section. The marriage of Mr. Kirby and Miss Mary, daughter of AVilliam and Winifred (Buck) McClintock, natives of Ohio', was sol- emnized in 1864 and they are the parents of the following children: James A., married to Florence Wood ; Maggie, wife of Mr. W. W. Chandler ; Richard B., married to Miss Augus- tus ; Cora E., wife of Mr. Samonis; William 268 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES L., married to Miss Samonis; Maud A., wife of Mr. Frasier. Mr. Kirby is affiliated with the G. A. R., where he is a prominent member, and he is also very active in politics, being as- sociated with the Republican party, where he does good work and is known to ever stand for those principles and policies that are for the best interest of all concerned. By way of reminiscence, it is of interest to state that Mr. Kirby was in the battle of Cor- inth, his regiment being attached to the Tenth Missouri, and after the charge he was among the number sent to Island Number Ten and later, with his company, was captured. He lay for a time in prison, and then with a man named Felix Cornelius, he made his escape, having some thrilling adventures and hair breadth escapes, meanwhile enduring all sorts of hardship from exposure, hunger and fa- tigue, swimming streams and other weary toils. At last they reached the Federal lines at Thomasville, Missouri, and he was assigned to duty with the First Missouri Cavalry, where he served out his time. When the colonel was crossing the plains he was chosen train master and some exciting times were experienced with the Indians. On one occasion, near Julesburg, Colorado, a bat- tle occurred with the redskins and one of them was killed, and a little further above, a part of the train went ahead, and they were attacked and killed by the Indians in plain view of the others, before assistance could be given. JOEL B. WOOD. — This progressive and successful agriculturist and stockraiser of the vicinity of Pine is among the earliest pioneers of Baker county, and during all the years of his residence here he has shown himself a man worthy oi respect and esteem, ever acting with integrity in his relations with his fellows. Forceful and industrious, he has contributed not a little toward the general progress, and he deserves rank among those who* have in some measure proved a blessing to* the neighborhood in which they have lived. Born in Barre, Washington county, Ver- mont, on May 13, 1843, our subject grew to manhood there, remaining at home with his parents until twenty years old, working on the farm most of the time, but attending school at least a portion of each year. When twenty- three years of age, he put into execution a project, previously .formed, of trying his for- tunes in the wild west, crossing the plains with mule teams, and finally coming to a halt in Eagle valley, Baker county. , He remained there most of the time during the first three years of his stay in the Occident, then spent a half decade in the Sparta mines, eventually coming to Pine valley, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land. Before the time arrived for making final proof, how- ever, he sold his improvements, and pur- chased a quarter section a half mile east of where Pine postoffice now is, upon which he has ever since lived, engaged in general farm- ing and raising cattle and horses. Mr. Wood takes quite an active interest in political matters, supporting the tenets of the Republican party. In this connection it is of interest to record that his father, Ezekiel, who lived and died in Vermont, cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison, Whig candidate for president, and his last for Benjamin Har- rison. He died at the old homestead in Barre in 1889 at the age of eighty- four. Our sub- ject's mother, Emily (Foss) Wood, likewise a native of Vermont, died in the Green Moun- tain state at the age of sixty-six. Mr. Wood handles a g-oodlv number of fine sheep, in addi- tion to his other enterprises. EUGENE SISLEY.— The son of re- spected pioneer parents and himself a native of Baker county, the young man whose name appears above has by his industry and thrift, and the courage with which he has thus far fought the battles of life, reflected credit both upon his parentage and his birthplace. An in- dustrious man and a good citizen, he has by his integrity and worth won a place in the con- fidence of the people with whom he has been thrown in contact and he enjoys a very envia- ble standing in the community where his home now is. Our subject was born in Baker City on May 27, 1867, the son of Lewis J. and Mar- that (Gainer) Sisley. His early life was spent on the parental homestead, and though his physical powers received their fullest develop- ment in the invigorating tussle with nature's opposing- forces, his educational advantages were rather limited. At the early age of six- JOEL B. WOOD. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 269 teen he began the battle of life on his own ac- count, following farming and stock raising and giving some attention to mining enterprises. About five years ago he removed to 1 his pres- ent place of abode and there he now has a very good quarter section of land, which he is im- proving as rapidly as possible, and compelling to yield the abundant harvests of which it is capable. The marriage of our subject was solem- nized on June 15, 1887, Miss Minnie M., a daughter of Martin and Mary HI. Hill, and a native of Indiana, then becoming his wife. They have had six children, Gladdys E., Ha- zel G, Maxwell E., deceased, Lettie H., Frank and Goldie. JOEL P. KINNISON.— Few men within the confines of the county with which our vol- ume is concerned have lived here longer and seen more of the development and progress of eastern Oregon than has he whose career it is now our task to present in epitome. He tells us that he has ridden all over the site of the present Baker City when he could not see a track even of a cow or a horse and that he has watched its growth from the time its first cabin was erected until the present date. He also has the honor of having broken the first sod, planted the first potatoes, sowed the first oats and operated the first mower in Baker county. During all the years of his residence in this important and wealthy political division he has been engaged in enterprises which have added to> its prosperity, and his active public spirit has led him to take a vital interest in all its concerns and to promote its welfare when- ever opportunity offered. What then can be more fitting than that his important services should receive due recognition in a work of this character? Our subject was born in Perry county, Mis- souri, on the Mississippi river on March 11, 1838. His parents, J. P. and Harriette (Finch) Kinnison, natives of Virginia, died when he was quite young, so he early had to shoulder life's responsibilities alone. In 1853 ne accompanied an uncle across the plains to California, mak- ing the journey with ox- teams in six months and four days. During the first two years af- ter his arrival he worked for his uncle in the stock business and farming, then he and his brother, H. A., bought a band of cattle and engaged in the industry on their own account. In 1862 they drove their herds through to Baker county, Oregon, and located on a place seven miles west of Baker City, where our subject now lives. They purchased a half sec- tion from the state of Oregon, and upon this they renewed their stock raising business. It is of interest to note that for about one hundred beef cattle which they drove from Cal- ifornia into the mining town of Placerville, Idaho, they received as high as twenty-five cents per pound dressed. They had quite an interesting experience with Captain Jack and his band of Indians while driving to Idaho. This doughty red skin surrounded the com- pany and their cattle and demanded pay for the privilege of grazing stock on the range. The whites refused and, getting their guns, prepared for battle. The Indians seeing that their would-be enemies were in earnest, de- cided to compromise by accepting as pay a crippled cow. In 1863 Mr. Kinnison raised fourteen acres of potatoes, for which he received ten cents per pound, also a patch of corn, the product of which sold for one dollar per dozen roast- ing ears. The same year he raised some five or six thousand pounds of oats more than were needed for their own consumption, and these sold for from sixteen to twenty cents per pound. In the spring of 1876 he and his brother drove one thousand head of cattle into Wyoming, realizing twenty thousand dollars upon the transaction. Verily these were the times to accumulate fortunes. At present Mr. Kinnison has a fine farm of six hundred and forty acres, all in one par- cel and well improved. He is also the owner of some valuable city property. Our subject is a member of Wingville Lodge, I. O. O. F. He has been twice mar- ried. On January 18, 1865, in Baker county, Oregon, he married Miss Mary, a daughter of Charles and Rachael Chandler, and a pioneer of 1862. The had five children, Charles G, engaged in mining in Cripple Creek, Colorado ; J. W. ; Hiram B., residing in Baker county; Lawrence O., deceased ; Joel P., Jr., at home. Mrs. Kinnison died in 1883, and her re- mains lie buried in Wingville cemetery. On December 28, 1884, Mr. Kinnison again mar- ried, the lady being Mrs. Mary Hanna, widow 270 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES of Samuel Hanna, who came to Union county in 1862. She had two children by her former marriage, Ada, wife of Flavius Perkins, of this county; Anna, who was queen of the carnival in 1 90 1 ; and she and Mr. Kinnison are par- nets of two children, Mabel H. and Myrtle. HENRY RUST.— There are few tasks more pleasant than to recount the items in the career of one who has given himself to the de- fense of his country and risked all, that he might preserve to posterity the institutions of freedom that are so dear to' the human heart. Among the army of gallant and intrepid men who promptly responded to the first call of the president for men to follow the flag against rebellion's attacks was the estimable gentleman and loyal citizen whose name initiates this paragraph, and whose career it is now our privilege to epitomize. We have to cross the waters to that sub- stantia] land whence come so many of our best citizens — Germany — to find the native place of our subject, his birth having occurred in Bavaria on September 25, 1835. In his native country he received a thorough education, tak- ing a degree from the excellent universities of that land. After the completion of his educa- tion he entered the commercial life and con- tinued therein until 1858, the time of his im- migration to this land. His first occupation here was with a nursery firm in Monroe coun- ty, New York, where he acted as commercial salesman until April 16, 1861, when he dem- onstrated his loyalty to and love for the land of his choice by enlisting in Company C of the New York Infantry. His company was put in the first corps of the army of the Potomac, where he served until 1862, when he was wounded while on a transport, the wound be- ing inflicted while they were taking new re- cruits between Baltimore and Washington. He was given his discharge on account of this dis- ability, but three months later he was received in the commissary department, where he ren- dered excellent service until the close of the war. He was with Sherman's army and on the staff of General Milroy, with headquarters in Tennessee. In this service he was ordered to Nashville, then sent on the sea, to Georgia to meet Sherman, which he accomplished by steamer from New York, and then he was dis- patched to Morehead, North Carolina, where he was at the time of Lee's surrender. From here he went to^ Washington and continued un- til the main part of winding up the commissary affairs was completed, when he wait to Mon- tana in company with two* other army officers and took up mining. In this enterprise he was sometimes successful and sometimes otherwise. The following year, 1866, he came to Oregon and bought the brewery at Clarksville and op- erated it for nearly two years and then went to Peru, Chili, and Bolivia, spending nearly a year in this trip. It was in 1874 that he estab- lished the brewery in Baker City, and he has devoted his energies to the successful opera- tion of this since. He has a plant with a ca- pacity of ten thousand barrels, and enjoys an excellent patronage. He also owns a fine es- tate in the country, which is leased. In the political field he has been an active participant and has served as president of the city coun- cil and also in other official capacities. He is director of the Soldiers' Home at Roseburg, and commander of the 'Grand Post at Hunt- ington, while he is a member of the G. A. R. in Baker City. He affiliates with the Elks and is a very popular member of their ranks. In view of the excellent services that he rendered for the government and the wounds that he sustained in that service, he draws a pension from the public bounty. In 1872 he was married to Miss Liza Kess- ler, a native of Germany, the nuptials occur- ring in Baker City. Mr. Rust is one of the most popular and esteemed citizens of the county and his stanch principles and unswerv- ing integrity have won for him the confidence of all, which is richly merited. EDWIN A. WHITHER.— While the subject of this sketch has not been in the coun- ty as long as some, he has manifested such thrift and wisdom and enterprise in his achieve- ments while here that he takes high rank among the leading stockmen and agriculturists of this section. From the rock-bound coast and distant region of Maine he has traversed a continent to settle in the snug little valley that composes a part of the fertile and rich Baker county. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 271 The parents of Mr. Whittier were New- man and Sarah (Hill), both natives of the Pine Tree state, where the father died, but the mother is still living in Huntington, this state, and our subject was born in Augusta in i8s5- When he had reached the age of nine- teen years he left the parental roof and began life's activities for himself, engaging first as a hand on a ranch, and then shortly afterward we find him in Salem, this state. In the vi- cinity of that city he worked and practiced economy until in 1880, when he had sufficient funds to warrant him purchasing a ranch, which was done, the selection being where he now resides in Eagle valley. Here in part- nership with his brother, he operates a sheep ranch and they are having very flattering suc- cess in the manipulation of the same. The fa- vorite breeds raised by them being Delaino and Merino. It is with pleasure that we are able to announce that everything around the premises of these stockmen manifests them to be up to date and enterprising in every par- ticular and they are reaping the proper re- ward of such care and thrift. The marriage of Mr. Whittier and Miss Alice Shelton was solemnized in 1888, and to them has been born one child, Edna. Mr. Whittier is held in high esteem by all of his ac- quaintances and he has won the confidence of the entire community. ROBERT D. CARTER.- -In chroni- cling the history of Baker county it is eminent- ly fitting that especial mention should be made of the gentleman whose name heads this arti- cle, since his rare ability and stanch integrity and strict adherence to the principles of truth and uprightness have made him a potent factor in the municipal affairs o>f the county seat, as well as throughout the county in general, while his prominence as a distinguished citi- zen is well attested by all. Being a descend- ant of one of the worthy patriots who- accom- panied William Penn to> this continent, his fa- ther's and mother's ancestors both participat- ing in the Revolutionary war, we would ex- pect to find exemplification of these same rare virtues in their son, which is abundantly veri- fied throughout his entire career. Mr. Carter was born in Cecil county, Mary- land, on August 26, 1856, being the son of Daniel and Martha (Hanna) Carter. His edu- cation was received in his native county, where he remained until 1875, then came west to Col- orado, Wyoming and Idaho. Two years were spent in these states and then he came to> Baker City and engaged with J. M. Swift in the stock business, continuing therein for four and one- half years. The two years next succeeding this period he was in the employ of the O. R. & N. Company in the engineering department. After this he engaged in the butcher business, in which capacity he has continued uninter- ruptedly until the present time. Hie is in part- nership with Mr. Miller, the firm being known as Carter & Miller, and they do- a general butchering and packing business, besides op- erating a stock farm of eight hundred acres. Mr. Carter is also* owner of considerable valua- ble real estate in Baker City and elsewhere and is also interested in mining, and is considered one oif the leading business men of eastern Ore- gon. He was a member of the city council and also a member of the water committee when the Baker City water system was originally adopt- ed. For a number of years he has served as chairman O'f the Democratic central commit- tee, and is a valued man in that capacity. From 1894 to 1898 he served as councilman and in 1900 he was called by the people to fill the chair of chief executive of Baker City, and in this position we find him at the present time. It is refreshing to> note that in all of this lengthy and arduous public service Mr. Carter has received the honors without the slightest solicitation on his part, believing that honor will come to whom honor is due, thus mani- festing the grand example of the proper de- meanor of an officer in a republic. The marriage of Mr. Carter and Miss Clara M. Sprague, a native of Canada, was solem- nized in Anacortes, Washington, and to them have been born two children : Roberta and Sprague H. Mr. Carter is a member of the snow water. When he was putting forth that idea it was opposed by friend and foe alike, who demonstrated that it was not feasi- ble, but the genius and perseverance of our subject were equal to> the occasion and he has constructed a reservoir that has met the re- 18 quirements and is in successful operation at the present time. Thus have all the questions of value been brought out, and we look upon Mr. Love as a real benefactor of his fellows. The birth of Mr. Love was near Eugene, Oregon, on January 15, 1858, being the son of David S. and Ffelen (Stewart) Love, natives of Pennsylvania, and as early as 1853 they made their way across the plains to this region. At the age of twenty-two our subject began the conflict of life for himself, undertaking at first the raising of sheep and to this industry he has devoted himself continuously since with the proper reward of his endeavors and his perseverance in abundant success. He is con- sidered one of the most skillful and prosper- ous stockmen of the entire vicinity. He took a homestead and eighty acres of desert land and forty acres o this he devoted himself on the "old Herman" until he reached Washington territory, when he went to the Cariboo mines in British Columbia, where he operated for two years, and then paid a visit to his brother in Elk City, Idaho. He spent one summer with his brother in work on the latter' s claim, then repaired to The Dalles and engaged with the O. S. & N. Company until the following spring and then came to Baker county with a pack train, where he and his partner, James Fletch- er, engaged in mining and carpentering. He gained possession of two very valuable mines, the Gordon and the Collateral, which he after^ wards sold. In 1866 he built the old Western house in Baker City and operated it for a num- ber of years, also taking charge of the stage company's business at the same time. He was a member of the first city council and has al- ways been very active and prominent in the up- building of the town. He nowi owns the whole block where he lives and has just completed an elegant residence at the corner of Fourth street and Auburn avenue, still owning the old West- ern hotel property, and considerable other city property and also valuable interests in Mich- igan. The marriage of Mr. Reid and Miss Annie, daughter of Captain Duncan and Sarah (Coutts) McEachen, was celebrated in Can- ada, September 25, 1871, and it is of note that they started for their western home on the day of the beginning of the great Chicago fire, Oc- tober 8, 1 87 1. They have become the parents of six children : J. Gordon, married and living in Chicago; Pearl L., teacher in the public schools; William E. ; Andrew D. ; Sarah V. and Robert A. Mr. Reid is an active member of the First Presbyterian church and has ever been prominent in the advancement of the in- terests of all that was for the welfare o*f the people. He is the fourth in a family of eight children and seven of them. 1 are still living. It is of note that he is a relative of the well-known Gordon Bennett of New York. LEANDER FERGASON.— There are few among the sturdy pioneers of this section that have shown more perseverance and faith- fulness in the prosecution O'f the duties of life and in the endeavors to promote the welfare and progress of the interests of the county, than the worthy subject of this sketch, while he has ever manifested those substantial quali- ties- of integrity and genuine worth that make the typical man in any community. The parents of our subject, Alexander and Elizabeth (Baker) Fergason, natives of Can- ada, came soon after their marriage to this country and settled first in New York, whence they came to Oregon in 1866, settling first here in the Grande Ronde valley. Later they re- moved to Eagle valley and in that place they both departed from the labors of this life, the 276 HISTORY OF EAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES mother at the age of sixty-five years and the father at the age of ninety years. Our subject was born in New York in the year 1830, and he continuously remained with his parents until the time of their death, serv- ing faithfully and exemplifying in a commend- able manner that beautiful word of command, "Honor thy father and thy mother." After their demise, he removed from the old place to his present home on Goose creek in the lower valley of the Powder river, where he owns a quarter section and follows general farming and stock raising. His residence is twenty- one miles northeast from Baker City. In Mr, Fergason we have one of those men who ad- mire the principles of the grand old Jefferson- ian Democracy and stand by it with the fervor and energy that produce conviction that its principles are sound and its teachings are deep and trustworthy. In political matters he has always shown a marked activity and is careful to maintain the part of a good citizen in the at- tention paid to the same. Mr. Fergason has never chosen a partner to share the joys and shades of life's way, preferring to remain with the joys of the sin- gle state. He is now passing the golden years of his life in the quiet prosecution of the af- fairs connected with his estate and is respected and esteemed by all that have the pleasure of his acquaintance. WILLIAM BROWN.— The energetic and successful stock raiser, fruit grower, and gen- eral farmer, whose name gives caption to this review, is a native of the north of Ireland, born March 1, 1841. When about three years old he accompanied his parents to the vicinity of Mineral Point, in Iowa, county, Wisconsin, where he grew to manhood, his intellectual powers receiving their discipline in the public schools and his physical forces being developed in the effort to make the parental homestead yield up its wealth. In 1862 our subject set out across the plains with horse teams to the section now known as Baker county, arriving here in August, the same year, and that winter was passed in the town of Auburn. The ensuing spring he went to the Boise basin, where for three years he mined, the scene of his principal operations be- ing Placerville. Returning in 1865 to Baker county, in 1867 he settled on a quarter section of land about eight miles northwest of Baker City, and there he has resided continuously since. He now has a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres, which has been reduced by his industry and toil to an excellent state of culti- vation, and which has been improved by the erection of needed buildings, fences, etc. He is one of the leading and most thrifty farmers of his vicinity. Fraternally Mr. Brown is affiliated with the Masonic order, and in religious persuasion he is a Methodist. He takes a lively interest in political matters, and for seven years has been a member of the board of county com- missioners. His marriage was solemnized on January 31, 1869, Miss Julia A., a daughter of O. R. and Sarah Dean, and a native of Mississippi, then becoming his wife. The is- sue of their union is four children : Lily, wife of W. B. Landreth, residing in Baker City; H. K. ; Abbie, wife of W. A. Payton, a resi- dent of this valley; Ella, now; Mrs. M. S. Os- born, living in the valley. JAMES O. MAXWELL.— The worthy gentleman whose career it is now our task to present in outline is one of the best and most extensive farmers in Baker county, and it is a pleasure to accord him representation in this portion of our volume as one who has added and is yearly adding to the wealth of the com- munity. He is an esteemed and honored cit- izen of the county, public spirited, and ever ready to do> what lies in his power for the ad- vancement of the general well-being and the promotion of every worthy public enterprise. Mr. Maxwell was born near Rocheport, Boone county, Missouri, on November 24, 1853, his parents being Wallace and Anne Maxwell. He remained in his native state un- til about twenty-two years of age, coming then to California, where he wrought for wages during a full quadrennium, thereupon coming to Baker county. He purchased three hun- dred and twenty acres four miles northwest of Haines, and set assiduously and zealously about the task of improving and cultivating the same. Conserving the rewards of his thrift and enterprise, he was enabled to add MRS. JAMES 0. MAXWELL. JAMES 0. MAXWELL. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 277 to his original realty holdings from time to time until he is now the owner of eight hundred acres, and has control of about a; thousand acres in all. His place is perhaps as well improved as any in Baker county, and is stocked with about two hundred head of fine, graded Shorthorn cattle, thirty of which are dairy cows. Mr. Maxwell has also- many hogs and horses, and a very choice family orchard. In religion, Mr. Maxwell is a Baptist, his membership at present being in the church of that denomination at Haines. In Baker county, On January 23, 1887, he married Miss Nancy A., a native of Illinois, and a daughter of James and Elizabeth Hand, and to their union have been born seven children, all of whom are at home, namely, Lena A., J. Wallace, Myrtle E., John E., Rosa A., Charles Dewey and Omer O. In addition to the excellent improvements that adorn and enhance the value of the agri- cultural portion of Mr. Maxwell's estate, he has one of the most beautiful and comfortably and tastilv furnished residences in the county, in which good cheer abounds and joy adds its grace to the material comforts of competence. PHILIP R, BISHOP— One of the lead- ing mine owners of the county at the present time and a member of that estimable band of pioneers that made their way through the wilderness to this region in the early sixties and subdued the barriers to the development o fession. Soon, however, he returned to' Cali- fornia, but not to remain, for a few months later we find him again in Oregon, this time engaged in mining. For several years he sought mineral wealth in various parts of the country, eventually, in 1864, making his way to Baker county, where he has made his home ever since. Locating on a farm in Rye valley, he engaged in farming and stock raising, though he never lost his interest in mining ventures, and still owns some properties. Fraternally, Mr. Webber is affiliated with the Masonic order, with the Woodmen of the World, and with the Order of Washington, his name being on the charter of the last-named society. His marriage was solemnized August 8, 1888, when Mrs. Mary Rancor, daughter of James and Eliza (Sheldon) Tony, became his wife, and to their union one child has been born, namely, Effie Alice, attending the home school. Mr. Webber's father died in Ohio, at the old home place, in the year 1875, being then seventy-five years old, and his mother died on June 23, 1897, at the age of ninety-two years. HON. N. C. HASKELL.— The business ability, keen foresight and good financiering displayed by the subject of this sketch are well known to all in this section, and it is bv com- HISTORY 'OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 27» mon consent that he is placed among the fore- most imen of the entire county, having demon- strated his capabilities in the arena of active enterprise, while he has ever displayed sterling qualities tin all his operations. Mr. Haskell is the son of Enoch and Esther (Mendenhall) Haskell, being born on March 17, 1850, in Oxford, Ohio, where he also re- ceived his educational training and remained until he was 'eighteen years of age. At that age he went to Montana and the next year con- tinued his journey to Nevada, where he en- gaged in mining for one year, and then repaired to California, and embarked in the printing business -and soon took the position of editor of the Yuba City Banner, which 'he made a journal of distinct merit and vitality, then re- signed his position and came to this county in 1874. He was engaged with the Marysville mining company and in 18,77 was installed as manager of all their properties here, continu- ing in this capacity with the manifestation of practical wisdom and marked executive abil- ity for twelve years. Succeeding this he formed a partnership with H. W. Sloan, and engaged in hydraulic mining on Elk creek in the Susanville mining district until 1899, when he sold his entire interests there and has since devoted himself to the care of his large proper- ties in and adjacent to Baker City as well as in other parts. He owns a handsome residence at 1441 Washington street and a fine brick business block on Front street, two^story and fifty feet front, a one story brick building with a frontage of eighty feet on Court street and a large frame building near the Republican office, an interest in the Haskell's addition to> Baker City and much other property both here and elsewhere. He owns stock in the Baker Opera House Association and is one of its di- rectors, has also stock in the Natatorium and is secretary of that association. In political matters he is ever active and has been of great worth to his party, the Republican, in advanc- ing those principles for which it stands. H)e is now serving as school director in Baker City and in 1889 he was selected by the people to represent this county in the state legislature, which he did with ability and integrity. The marriage Of Mr. Haskell and Miss Florence J. Pennington was solemnized in California in March, 1877, and to them w r ere born four children : John C, married and liv- ing in Susanville, Grant county ; Francis E.., machinist in Pocatello, Idaho, who served in Company G, First Idaho Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish war and also in the upris- ing in the Philippines ; Florence E. ; Clinton R. In 1 891, on October 3, Mrs. Florence J. Has- kell was called from a mourning family and devoted husband to the realms o>f another world and her remains were laid to rest in the city cemetery in Baker City. In 1893 Mr. Haskell was again married and this time to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Kimbell, of Newbury- port, Massachusetts, and the nuptial cere- monies occured on February 14. Mrs. Has- kell is a member of the First Presbyterian church -in Baker City. MICHAEL O'HARA.— From every quar- ter of the globe have come the stanch and ener- getic citizens of Baker county, and not least among these members are those who have been cradled among the Shamrocks of the Emerald Isle, whence have come some of the noble giants of the world. As a worthy representa- tive of his enterprising race and a candid, stanch and prominent citizen of our county we are constrained to mention the gentleman whose life's career is nowi to be traced in epit- ome, and it is with pleasure that we are en- abled to add his name to' the list of distin- guished citizens of Baker county. On August 8, 1843, there was born to Michael and Helen O'Hara the subject of this sketch, the birth place being Ireland, and the parents of that nationality. About 1846 Mr. 0''Hara, with his family and earthly belong- ings, bade farewell to friends and native scenes and embarked for the new world, where he arrived in due time without accident, and he immediately settled in New York state and there the subject of this sketch was reared and educated. When the call came for men to de- fend the Union, though a youth not yet twen- ty, he and his brother responded, enlisting in Company K, Thirteenth New York Heavy Artillery, the year being 1863, and there they did faithful service until hostilities ceased. They were detailed to ; serve on the army gun- boat Reno, and participated in numerous skirmishes and did faithful and heavy military 280 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES duty until their honorable discharge at the close of the war, the date of the laying down of arms for his company being July, 1865. Im- mediately following this he went to the great lakes and shipped as a sailor, where he soon rose to rank of captain, having command of a vessel in 1&/2-3, which was the schooner Cas- cade, and in 1876, of the schooner. Napoleon. In 1877 he left the waters and went to Texas, whence in 1882 he crossed the plains with teams and visited the northeastern part of Or- egon, settling for a time near Milton. In 1884 he came to> Baker county and here he has been since, numbered as one of the thrifty and pro- gressive miners of the county. His home is near Weatherby and his time has been spent pi incipally in the active operations of the search for nature's treasure vaults, with the gratify- ing result that he has to-day some of the valu- able claims of the county, which promise to become rich producers soon. Politically Mr. O'Hara is a Republican and prominent in his community and is always active in the interests of good government and law and order. He is serving the second term as justice of the peace, where he has been placed by an appreciative and discriminating people. Fraternally he is associated with the G. A. R., U. S. Grant Post, No. 17, of Huntington, being past commander and now adjutant; with the I. O. O. F., Burnt River Lodge, No. 86; with the Eastern Gate Lodge. No. 40, Daughters of Rebekah, of which last he is a charter member. Mr. O'Hara is highly respected in the community where he lives and in the entire circle where he is known, being a man of capabilities and integrity, and is dominated by a wisdom and principles of truth that are commendable. Recently he has been selected to fill the office of postmaster at Weatherby and in this capacity he is giving entire satisfaction. JAMES B. STODDARD.— One of the giants of local industrial achievement whose career we must now essay to outline, is a na- tive of Utah, born January 15, 1857, the son of John and Emily (Kershaw) Stoddard. He grew to man's estate in the commonwealth of his nativity, receiving such educational ad- vantages as the public schools afford, also a complete course in the college at Logan, Utah, and another in Salt Lake City. Upon retiring from college, he. accepted a position as princi- pal of the high school at Wellsville, but later he engaged in the lumber business with his father and brothers in Wyoming, Utah, and Idaho, with them, supplying the lumber for the Utah Northern Railway and for the Union Pacific. In 1884, he went to Ogden, from which point as a center, he operated saw mills in various places, all o'f these being the property of his father and himself and brothers. He was afterwards with the Ogden Lumber & Building Company and the Rocky Mountain Lumber Company, both of Ogden, Utah. After an active experience in the lumber business in Utah, covering a period of fourteen years, our subject sold out his interests, came to Baker City, Oregon, and before a year had passed was again in the lumbering industry in Sumpter, his partner in this venture being" Thomas McEwen. Later Mr. McEwen sold to A. W. Ellis, who in turn sold to George Stoddard. A year later this last partner also withdrew, and Mr. Stoddard has conducted the business alone since. His mill has a ca- pacity of twenty thousand feet per day, and furnishes practically all the trade of Sumpter and all the mines except those that have their own mills. Most of the materials out of which the town was built were manufactured by the plant of which our subject is the owner. He* also ships large quantities of his product as far east as Wyoming and into southern Utah and Idaho. Mr. Stoddard is extensively interested in Sumpter realty, being the owner of the hospi- tal located there, a large share in the new ho- tel now being constructed, the Sumpter laun- dry and other property of high value, including a fine home at the foot of Main street, con- sisting of six acres of land and the hand- somest residence in the town. Mr. Stoddard is a past consul commander in the W. of W., of the local camp, of which he was an organizer. His marriage was duly solemnized in Utah, on January 6, 1881. Miss Esther, daughter of James A.' and Catherine (Thomas) Leishman, then becoming his wife. The issue of their union is. five children, Leon B., bookkeeper in his father's office; Carmen E., attending the Baker City high school; Mil- ton A., Bessie K., and Sophia G It is but fair to add that our subject is as JAMES B. STODDARD. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 281 active in promoting the public good when- ever opportunity offers as he is in building up his own business. He has ever manifested a public spirited interest in town, county, and state, himself serving as a member of the city council. He was active in securing the organ- ization of the town, and was a candidate- for the mayoralty thereof in its first election. ,.,.■ Of Mr. Stoddard's father we must say a word. The old gentleman and David Eccles established the Oregon Lumber Company, which has since spread out over the whole of Oregon and Utah, putting in many 'branch es- tablishments, and building numerous mills. The older Mr. Stoddard built the large mill at Baker City, also the one at Hood River, and was one of the incorporators of the Sumpter Valley Railway. It is safe to say that he did more for the development of the lumber busi- ness in eastern Oregon than any other one man. He died in Utah in August, 1894, aged fifty-eight years. JOHN SWISHER.— It is befitting that one who has braved the terrors of the unknown west in the early days and fought his way into the regions that are now the productive parts of this county, maintaining himself against all sorts of hardships and the savage raids of the cruel red men and continuing until the present time in the front ranks of those who sought for the development and advancement of this sec- tion, it is befitting, we repeat, that an epitome of his deeds be preserved, that the generations who follow may read the accounts and learn what it costs to open this grand country for them to reap from. Among the very ■ earliest settlers that turned the virgin sod of Baker county stands prominently this man whose name initiates this paragraph, and to whom we grant space for the salient points of his career in this volume. Mr. Swisher was born in October, 1835, in the state of Pennsylvania, being the son of Jacob and Mary (Hunter) Swisher, both na- tives of the Keystone state, and there, also, they lie buried at the present time. In i860 our subject stepped forth from the parental nest and began the duties and conflicts of life for himself. His first trip was the memorable one that so many of the worthy pioneers of this region participated in, crossing- the plains with ox teams. As early as i860 was this trip made by Mr. Swisher and the Golden state was his destination, but two years later he sought out this land and settled here until 1867. Then he returned toi the states and the follow- ing year again came to this region and took a squatter's claim in Eagle valley, and there de- voted his energies to the improvement of the same until 1885, when he removed to his pres- ent place. During his residence, in this valley he has had much trouble with the Indians, but they have ever been overmatched by the doughty and intrepid man of courage that settled here to stay, and the badge of his vic- tory is the fact that he is here to-day spending the golden years of his life in quietness in the valley where savage cunning was so often dis- played to drive him hence. In 1872 occurred the marriage of Mr. Swisher and Miss Sarah, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Counsan. Seven years later, on November 27, Mrs. Swisher was called from the duties of life and her husband with two infants was left to do battle on the frontier alone. The two children mentioned were Anna, now wife of H. P. Swisher ; and Jennie, wife of O. Potuine. Mr. Swisher did nobly and persevered through all of these hardships and troubles. To-day he owns a fine farm and is engaged in its culture and in stock raising, and his life has been such that he is greatly es- teemed by his fellows, and beloved by all. WILLIAM G. AYRE.— The citizens of Baker county have reason to be proud of the number of men who have risen from their ranks to places of distinction in the commer- cial and business world. Prominent among those who have found here the opportunity to achieve remarkable success in material things is he whose name forms the caption of this article. Mr. Ayre is a scion of a well known English family, and that he possesses a goodly share of the commercial spirit which has made his race a power in the world is proved by the fact that he is now reputed to be one of the wealthiest men in a county noted for its rich men. In epitomizing his life history, therefore, we enjoy such pleasure as is always ours when contemplating the battles and successes of one 282 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES who has distinguished himself by the magni- tude of his achievement in any line of human endeavor. Mr. Ayre was born at Tiverton, Devon- shire, England, on April .29, 1856, his parents being Thomas and Mary E. Apperley (Garn- sey) Ayre, the former a native of Devonshire and the latter of Somerset. Tiverton is very notable on account of its having been for many years represented in the house of parliament by Viscount Palmerston, the eminent English statesman, and from its being the location of the celebrated Blundell's grammar school. Our subject attended this institution seven or eight years, then went to a higher institu- tion of learning and became a thorough Latin and Greek scholar. In 1884 he crossed the ocean to America, but instead of trying to utilize his education, he engaged in the very lu- crative wool growing industry, with the result that he is now the most extensive sheep man in the county, and one of the largest in the state of Oregon. His residence and center of operations is located one mile west of Express, where he has a very elegant home. He is president of the Express Telegraph and Tele- phone Company. In politics Mr. Ayre is a very strong Re- publican and a firm believer in protection, but he is too independent a man to be firmly tied to any party and always claims the right for himself to> think independently on every propo- sition affecting the public weal. The father of our subject is dead, but his mother still lives near the old home in Eng- land, which has been established for some cen- turies. JOHN H. AITKIN.— No compilation of the character of these chronicles of Baker coun- ty would be complete without a prominent place granted to the subject of this sketch, who stands to-day as one of the leading business men, not only of Baker county, but of this portion of the northwest. Fine natural capa- bilities, reinforced with a careful and valuable training in the commercial world, guided and controlled by a will that brooks no> defeat nor pines at any obstacle, dominated by a sagacity that is keen and far-seeing, while his executive ability is in no whit behind his other excellent qualifications and with ability for handling the financial problems of the day in a safe, yet progressive manner, we have reason to expect from John H. Aitkin achievements of a sub- stantial .and mammoth character, and the re- sults of his life's labors up to this present mo- ment have in no way disappointed these ex- pectations. On August 15, 1858, in Michigan, the sub- ject of this sketch was born to William and Elizabeth (Harley) Aitkin, both natives of Scotland, and this last fact gives us much clue to the stability and integrity that are man- ifest in their son. In Michigan John H. grew to manhood and received a good education from the schools, and commenced at the age of fifteen years the training that has made him so successful in his work. He first worked in a store as clerk at fifteen dollars per month and this was constantly continued until he was twenty-one years of age. At that time he went on the road as salesman and for seven years he continued in that excellent training and then started for himself in the mercantile world in Michigan. For one year he was oc- cupied in that line and then perceiving the possibilities of the west, in 1888 he came to Baker county and located at the "Gate City," Huntington. He first took stock in the Ore- gon Construction Company, which operated a store at Huntington, and became manager of the store, and in that capacity he has continued since, and since 1896 he has also been president. In 1888 the old company was succeeded by the Oregon Commercial Company. His skill and ability soon became manifest and it was evi- dent that, coupled to this, his uprightness and deferential treatment of all patrons would bring the patronag-e which makes success, and the facts of the years have borne this out in every respect. The Oregon Commercial Com- pany is one of the largest mercantile establish- ments in the northwest and entirely exceeds any other concern in Baker county. In 1900 they sold two hundred and eleven cars of gen- eral merchandise and they were the first con- cern that ever shipped a train load of goods at one time to the northwest. They have ample room, having four large warehouses in addi- tion to their salesrooms, and they do both a retail and wholesale business. In 1897 Mr. Aitkin organized the Bank of Huntington and has been its president since that time. He also organized the Huntington Lumber Company HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES and is president of that corporation and was the first treasurer of the North West Railway Company. In addition to the houses in Hunt- ington, the company also has a branch estab- lishment at Durkee, and the patronage of these houses is extended far and near. The breadth of grasp, firm execution and unwearied care of detail put forth by the president and mana- ger of these concerns, have made them the un- bounded success that they are to-day. In ad- dition to these cares and heavy responsibilities Mr. Aitkin finds time for the fraternal associa- tions, and is prominent in the Knights of Pyth- ias, being grand chancellor for the state of Oregon ; he is also aide on the staff of Major General Carnahan, U. R. K. of P. In the Ma- sonic fraternity Mr. Aitkin is a Knight Tem- plar and is also a member of the A. O. U. W. and the W. of W. He served as city mayor for two years, being the oldest living mayor of the city ; for three years he was treasurer of the city, holding these positions for five con- secutive years, and is now chairman of the school board. In church matters Mr. Aitkin is active and besides all of his other weighty and pressing duties he gives attention to super- intending the Sunday-school of the Congrega- tional church, the institution where are his church relations. In politics Mr. Aitkin is a Republican and is frequently called on for counsel in the political matters of the county. Mr. Aitkin and Miss Harriett ML Pike, 'a native of LeClaire, Iowa, were joined in the holy bands of wedlock on September 26, 1892, and the fruit of this union has been two chil- dren, J. Harold and F. Harley. It is pleasant to add that in supplementing the unbounded success that has attended the w|ise operations of Mr. Aitkin, there should be mentioned that he is held in high esteem by his fellows and in the business world and is respected and admired by all, having been faithful, kind and upright in all of his dealings and varied relations. J. D. HUNSTOCK.— The enterprising and progressive farmer and stock raiser whose i.areer it is now our task to present in brief outline was born at East Baton Rouge, Louisi-. ana, on November 24, 1834, being the son of William Henry and Eliza W. (Holmes) Hun- stock, natives of Hamburg, Germany, and Vir- ginia, respectively. He received a common school education, then engaged in farming, an enterprise in which he continued to seek his livelihood until 1856, when he went to clerk- ing. He busied himself in this line of ac- tivity until the outbreak of the Civil war, then enlisted in Company B, First Louisiana Reg- iment, John Scott's Cavalry, and participated in many hard-fought battles and campaigns, among them Murfreesborough, Chickamauga and Richmond. At the close of hostilities he again engaged in farming at Baton Rouge, but in 1869 he sold and came out to Baker City, Oregon, making the journey to Kelton, Utah, by train and the remainder by stage. For a year after his arrival he clerked in the store of his brother-in-law, A. H. Brown, and for the two years ensuing he worked in a quartz mill. In 1871 he purchased the place he now owns, but rented it for the first six years, he himself living upon and farming Mr. Brown's place. In 1879 he moved onto his own land, four miles west of the present Haines, where he has ever since lived, engaged in farming and stock raising. He is, as above intimated, an industrous, thrifty man and a good, progressive farmer. On March 11, 1884, at Baton Rouge, Lou- isiana, Mr. Hunstock married Miss Mary, daughter of George and Caroline Cooper, and they have had four children, three of whom are still living, namely : Joseph D., Jr., Mable C. and Flavia G. Mrs. Hunstock's father was a relative of the Coopers of Revolutionary fame. JOHN H. TONEY.— This prosperous farmer, stockraiser and horticulturist was born in Jefferson county, Illinois, on October 4, 1858, and there he resided until seven years old, coming then across the plains with his uncle, Alfred Toney. His parents were John and Martha (Hudson) Toney and the mother died in Illinois in 1863, and the father died at the home of our subject on December 25, 1900. His father and brother had already crossed the continent to Baker county, and he joined them here, remaining with them until 1872, which year is the date of inception of his in- dependent career. Though only fourteen years old his self-reliance was such that he feared 284 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES not to face the stern battle of life, and for the ensuing twelve years he sought for mineral wealth in the mining regions of Arizona, Ne- vada, Idaho and Oregon. In 1886, however, he desisted from the search that he might join his brother, A. J., in dealing in and shipping horses. For more than half a decade they continued in this with fair success, but in 1890 our subject resolved upon a change of occu- pation, so purchased a farm five miles north- west of Haines. He now has two hundred and forty acres, having recently purchased a well Improved tract adjoining his original home, upon which he now lives. He is regarded as one of the thriftiest and most progressive farm- ers in his neighborhood, while his life in all its relations with his fellows has been so or- dered as to win for him their esteem and con- fidence. Fraternally Mr. Toney affiliates with Wing- ville Lodge, No. 343, W. of W., and in re- ligious persuasion he is a Methodist, his mem- bership at present being in the First M. E, church at Haines. He was married in Weiser, Idaho, on April 9, 1881, to Victoria, a daugh- ter of James and Lida Toney, and a native of Illinois. They have one son, Fred A. JOHN H. RICHMOND.— Among the ag- riculturists and stockraisers of Baker county, the man whose name forms the caption of this article must be given a prominent and leading place. Though not one of the most exten- sive /tillers of the soil he is one of the most thrifty, industrious, and progressive, his plan being intensive rather than otherwise, and his crops diversified rather than confined to one particular thing. As a man and citizen, also, his standing is a very enviable one. The birthplace of our subject is Quebec, Canada, and the date of his advent into life July nth, 1855. He lived with his parents, George and Mary Richmond, until 1879, en- gaged in farming while not attending school, then determined to inaugurate independent ac- tion. He worked in the woods of Minnesota and farmed in the Dakotas until 1893, when he came out to Baker county. Until two years ago, he was engaged in farming rented land, but he then bought a fine farm five miles west of Haines, and to the cultivation and improve- ment of this he has devoted himself with assid- uity and zeal ever since, the natural result be- ing that he has excellent improvements and is very comfortably situated. He raises cattle, fruit, and various other kinds of farm prod- ucts, ever studying to anticipate the market and supply thai for which there is greatest demand. In^ religious persuasion, Mr.' Richmond is a^ Baptist, his membership at present being at Haines. On June 13, 1897, he married Mrs. Sarah E. Coles, widow! 01 the late B. C. Coles, a pioneer, and daughter of August and Emma E. George, who* were also' very early set- tlers, and now reside at Haines. Mrs. Rich- mond had, by her former marriage, five chil- dren : Edward, who married . Miss Ollie Taylor, living near Haines ; Walter ; Cleveland ; Florence, wife of Elmer Hill, of Portland; Lulu, who died August n, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Richmond have one adopted daughter re- siding with them' at present. JOSEPH' BECK.— A veritable pioneer of the pioneers and one that has ever wrought faithfully in that most commendable undertak- ing, opening up the frontier for the settlements from the east, a man that has served in public office, as well as energetically prosecuted pri- vate endeavor, always displaying that effi- ciency and unswerving integrity that commend to the. confidence and esteem of his fellows, the subject of this sketch is accorded a place in these abiding records of Baker county with pleasure, and it is surely fitting that such as he should be held in honorable remembrance by the generations to follow. Mr. Beck is the son of Christian and Eliz- abeth (Stamm) Beck, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectively, and he was born on March 29, 1826. In 1850 he traversed the plains with the ox team of the day and came to Hangtown, California, and engaged in min- ing, and in 1863 to Auburn, where he mined, after which he removed to* Sparta, where he followed the same industry until the centennial year, when he settled in the Eagle valley, tak- ing as a homestead the place where he now re- sides. Eighty acres of this place is devoted 'to fruit and grain and he has attained great success in the culture of the former, having taken prizes at the exposition at Philadelphia, among which was first prize on tomatoes. CO M U o o o W H W i— i o W o M U HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 285 In political matters he has ever been very prominent, affiliating- with the. Democratic par- ty. For two years he was elected to the position of treasurer of Baker county and has also served in several other public capacities. Mr. Beck is a veteran of the Mexican war, having served in Company A, First Illinois, for thirteen months, during which time he par- ticipated in much fighting, notably in the battle of Buena Vista. The marriage of Mr. Beck and Miss Mary, daughter of William and Gernevia (Jackson) Lindsey, was solemnized on November 9, 1848. To them were born the following children : George A., Margaret E., William C., Anna, Joseph H., John Rolland, John Rice, all of whom have died. While Mrs. Beck was on a visit to the east, she was stricken with sickness and passed away. Thus has our subject been called to' pass through an almost incredible amount of sadness and sorrow, but he has borne up well and is to-day pressing onward in the race of life with vigor. Mr. Beck was married a second time, the lady that became his wife was Miss Mirandia, daughter of Pardon and Elizabeth (Pyburn) Williams. Our subject is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being- one of the charter member o>f Baker City Lodge, No. 47. ■» * » JOHN J. DOOLEY.— One of the most influential and widely known men in this part of Oregon, and one of that worthy class of men and women whose praiseworthy efforts opened this section for the advancement of civilization, the gentleman whose name ini- ates this paragraph is deserving of especial mention in a work of this character, since he has been intimately identified with the develop- ment and advancement of this region from a very early day until the present time. John J. Dooley was born in Utica, Oneida county, New York, on March 14, 1838, and there passed the first sixteen years of his life. Then he came to Chicago and learned the ma- chinist's trade and engaged as an engineer on the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad, now the Northwestern, where he remained for nine years. In 1862 he crossed the plains with ox and horse teams, settling in Auburn, then the county seat of Baker county, and a town of two thousand and five hundred inhabitants, in August, the time of his arrival ; but before the I winter set in the number of people had in- creased to five thousand. Here he took up mining for six years and then was appointed collector of internal revenue for Idaho, and during his incumbency in this office, two years,' he resided in Idaho City. Following this he built the toll road over the mountains known as the Dooley toll road, and to the operation of this he devoted his time and energies for twen- ty years. It was one of the leading industries of the county and it facilitated communication with the surrounding country and was of in- estimable benefit. After this work he removed to Baker City and engaged in raising sheep until six years ago, when he retired from active participation in business and sought more- quiet for the golden years of his career, while he enjoys the fruit of his industry. He owns a handsome residence at 2043 Grove street in the city, Where he dwells at the present time.. Mr. Dooley has taken an active interest in the affairs of his county and state and city, being always allied with the Republican party. He. is a member of the A. O. U. W. and has served- as deputy grand master for a number of years. His interest in the welfare of .this order is un- flagging and he has done much to' promote its- advancement. He also affiliates with the I. O. O. F. When he crossed the plains there was much fighting with the Indians, but with no loss of life to the immigrants. The marriage of Mr. Dooley and Miss Phoeba, daughter of Asa and Philura Knapp, old pioneers of Illinois, was solemnized in Chi- cago on December 25, 1861, and they have become the parents of the following children: Lilah, wife of Porter S. Colt of Mormon basin and it is said that she is the first white child born in Baker county, her birth being on November 3, 1862; Albert G., deceased; John F. married and in the mercantile business in Baker City; Emma, deceased; Frank R., clerking for Weil & Company of this city; Nora M., preparing for a professional nurse; Asa Knapp; Margaret A. Mr. Dooley served as deputy sheriff in the fall of 1862 of this county and in that as in all his other public service, as well as private walk, he has ever demeaned himself with such wisdom, integrity and uprightness that he has won the confidence and esteem- of all who may have the pleasure of his acquaintance. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES JAMES N. HJOLCOMB.— From Nim- rod's day until the present there has been a cer- tain attraction in the hunter's business that has called many men like Daniel Boone and the worthy subject of this sketch into the wilds of nature's frontiers, where they have become exceedingly expert in the chase and in opening the regions for other and slower feet to- follow. In addition to this expertness acquired by our subject as a sleuth of the forest he has also gained a reputation as an expert and intrepid fighter of the savages that infested this region in the days gone by and were such a menace to civilization's progress. Mr. Holcomb was born at Ionia, Michi- gan-, in 1845, being the son of Gideon and Nan- cy (Houseman) Holcomb, natives of New York and Ohio, respectively, who< also crossed the plains and took part in the development of this section till they were called to pass away, the father dying in Eagle valley and the moth- er in Prairie City. At the age of twenty our subject enlisted in Company A, Twenty-first Michigan Infantry, and for twenty-two months did valiant service for his country, being wounded in the arm by buckshot and in the leg with a minie ball. In 1867 he came by water to the coast and settled first in Canyon City and two years later returned to the states for his folks. In 1870 he settled in Eagle Valley and began to raise fruit, and although when he was fifty-two years old he won the gold medal for accurate shooting, he has won fully as great commendation for his efforts in the quiet- er field of husbandry and as an orchardist, hav- ing at the present time over four thousand bearing peach trees, besides much small fruit. He is also interested in apiarian pursuits, hav- ing two hundred colonies of the little honey gatherers. Mr. Holcomb has a fine farm, where he resides, besides other property. He is interested in political matters and has held several county offices. He is also affiliated with the G. A. R., of Pine Valley. In 1866 Mr. Holcomb and Miss Marchy Bow en celebrated their marriage and one child, W. A. Holcomb, was the fruit of the union. At the early age of twenty-two years Mrs. Hol- comb died, leaving one child and her husband to mourn her untimely demise. The second marriage of Mr. Holcomb was with Miss Eliza Kenney, and to them were born six children: Gideon; Sarah, deceased; Maud; James, deceased; Newton, deceased; Marcy, deceased. A third time he went to the nuptial altar, this time with Carrie Gale, daughter of ex- Governor Gale, and one child graced this union, Hazel, deceased. Mr. Holcomb celebrated his fourth mar- riage when Miss Emma Kiersey became his bride and to them have been born three chil- dren : Earl, Ralph, Emily. FREDERICK L. SHAW.— This en- ergetic farmer and stock raiser and esteemed citizen of the county is, like many others who have achieved success in this country and won for themselves a place in the hearts of its people, a, native of England, indeed, his moth- er belongs to one of the oldest and proudest families of Lincolnshire, the surname of which is East. Our subject was born in Nottingham on December 24, 1863. He attended the pre- paratory school there until ten years old, then entered Mintholm College, from which he grad- uated six years later, receiving his diploma at the remarkably early age of sixteen years. When eighteen he put into execution a desire long cherished of trying his fortune in the new world, and came to' the United States. Locat- ing in Nance county, Nebraska, he followed farming and stock raising there for nineteen years, at the end of which extended period of time, he came out to his present place of abode, half a mile south of Express. Immediately upon his arrival here he resumed his former occupation, farming and stock raising, and we now find him very energetically engaged in building a home for himself and family in his new location. Though his residence here has been of such short duration, he is already man- ifesting a public spirited interest in the local concerns, and. doing what he can for the up- building of the new tow»n of Express. He is the owner of a third interest in the telephone exchange there established, and is vice-presi- dent of the company. On April 30, 1883, Mr. Shaw married Miss Grace Bennet, a native of England, and two children graced the union, Ruby, attending the Normal school at Weston, and Clare L., at- tending the high school at Express. Mr. Shaw married a second time on De- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 28? eeinber 29, 1893, M'iss Kate Beagle, formerly of. New York state, then becoming his wife, and two children have been born to them, namely : Phyllis and L. Kay. Fraternally our subject affiliates with the Woodmen of the World and the Knights of Pythias, of the latter of which orders he is a past chancellor commander. Mr. Shaw was one of the leading- spirits in building the Union church at Express, and he is a stanch supporter of the faith. BERNARDINO J. MOURA.— Among the thriftiest and most prosperous farmers re- siding in the vicinity of Express is to' be num- bered the esteemed and trusted gentleman whose career we must now essay to epitomize. Mr. Moura is a native of the Azores Islands, born at Santa Maria, September 13, 1854* the son of Antonia and Antonia Moura, both of whom are' still residents of the old home in the Azores. He continued to' reside in his native town during all the years of his minority, ac- quiring a public school education and after- ward devoting himself to the cultivation and improvement of the parental farm. When twenty-one years of age, however, our subject emigrated to the United States, landing in Boston, Massachusetts, where he remained a short time. His next move was to Red Bluff, Shasta county, California, where he resided until 1879, coming then to> Canyon City, the county seat of Grant county, Oregon. He went thence to his European home on a visit, and when he returned located half a mile south of Express, where we now find him. He has acquired three hundred and twenty acres of as desirable farm land, perhaps, as can be found anywhere in the- county, and a water right that is certainly unsurpassable, Burnt river passing through the place, upon which also are numerous springs. Mr. Mioura is to be congratulated on his good fortune in securing so enviable a location. He raises al- falfa hay, grain and other farm products, and has the comfortable consciousness that his land will produce almost anything, so that he can gauge his crops to suit the variations of the market. Our subject is an active participant in po- litical affairs, his party affiliations being with the Republicans. Fraternally he is identified with the Baker City organization of the A. O. U. W.. and with Express Lodge, No. 80, K. of P. In Baker county, Oregon, Mr. Moura married Francisca M. Silver and to their union have been born four children : Antonio, Mary, Anna and Jessie, all of whom are still at home. JOSEPH A. GEDDES.— Tis a trait of human nature to admire those who' through ad- versity and in spite of early difficulties and disadvantages have wrought their way to suc- cess in any line of human endeavor. It is therefore not without pleasure that we take under review the life history of him whose name appears above for he certainly has had to contend with obstacles such as beset the pathway of but few men and as certainly has he won a signal triumph. Mr. Geddes is a native of Canal Dover, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, born November 2, 1850, his parents being Joseph and Catherine (Moore) Geddes. In 1854 the family re- moved to Williams county, in the subscription and public schools of which he received a meager education. When he was nine years old his father died, leaving, a family of twelve children, so, youthful though he was, he had to begin life's battle on his own account. He worked on the farms in his neighborhood at whatever he could get to do. Though his earn- ing capacity increased, of course, as he grew older, he continued in the same line of activity, namely, farm work,, until he reached his ma- jority, then he came west by railroad to Kelton, Utah, thence by stage to Baker City, Oregon. For the first two years after his arrival he sought, his fortune in mining,, but he then de- termined to try the surer business of farming and stock raising, so he ourchased two hundred and forty acres of land about four miles north of town. He followed these kindred industries until 1889, in which year he left his farm, in other hands and himself engaged in the meat market business in the town. Two years later William Pollman bought in with him, forming the firm of Geddes & Pollman. Mr. Geddes still owns the old home place and the firm to which he belongs has title to about twelve hundred acres in the county, upon which mam- moth domain a large number of cattle find pas- ture. The firm is also* the owner of considera- ble city property. 288 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Thus it will be seen that from a very humble beginning Mr. Geddes has wrought his way un- til he has gained a place of no little prominence and power in the commercial world. It must not be supposed, however, that business success is the only form of achievement which has been his. He has ever been quite a potent factor in the progress and development of his section, taking a lively interest in the affairs of county and state, and for a number of years he has served as a member of the city council. Fratrnally our subject is affiliated with the local lodges of the I. O. O. F. and the A. O. U. W. His marriage was solemnized in the state of Indiana on February 19, 1871, on which date Miss Eva J. Freligh became his wife. Their union has been blessed by the advent of six children : Frank A., county clerk of Baker county; Ora H., William E., J. Logan, de- ceased ; Eva M. ; Josephine, deceased. TAYLOR N. SNOW, M. D.— This dis- tinguished gentleman needs no introduction to the people of Baker county and no words of ours could in any measure enhance the esteem in which he is held by the people nor serve to commend the ability and skill and integrity that are already well known and appreciated by all whoi have the privilege to know him. Dr. Snow is the county physician and cor- oner and holds his offices in the Crabill build- ing. He was born in Portland, Indiana, on July 4, 1835, being the son of James and Susan A. Snow. His father was born in Boston in 1754 and served through the Revolution and the war of 1812. His mother died when he was born and his father, when he was eight years of age, and he early began a life of rov- ing adventure traveling by stage coach to most of the important cities of the United States and by working his way on board ships made the tour of the principal seaports of the world. In 185 1 he settled down to the study of theol- ogy, intending to enter the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church, and to this end he entered Asbury University. Later he re- linquished this purpose and commenced the study of medicine in the medical college of Louisville, Kentucky, but completing the course before he was twenty-one was refused his de- gree, still he entered on the practice of his profession before he had reached his majority. From 1856 to 1858 he lectured on physiology and phrenology in addition to his practice. In 1859 ne started on foot from Des Moines, Iowa, to California, and in due time he landed at Santa Rosa in the Golden state. During the toilsome journey he experienced many perilous adventures, encountered hostile In- dians, met Horace Greeley, General Albert Sydney Johnston, and other historical charac- ters. From 1860-4, he practiced medicine in San Francisco, and at the same time conducted a drug store. For about two years, he was as- sistant surgeon in the city and county hospital. In 1 861 -2 he attended two courses of lectures at the Cooper Medical College of San Fran- cisco' and at the time of the gold excitement in Idaho in 1864 he went thither and was ap- pointed county coroner and physician of Al- turas county in that territory, but he soon re- turned to California to> take a further course of lectures, at the state university, following which he repaired to Corvallis, Oregon, and practiced medicine during 1865-6 and then came to Baker City the next year. From that time until 1876, he held the offices of county coroner and physician of Baker county and at the same time he also' acted as sur- geon for the Idaho and Oregon Stage Com- pany. He then practiced medicine for a brief period in Susanville, California, and then again attended a course of lectures at the CooperMed- ical College, taking a degree from that insti- tion on November 2, 1876. On July 2, 1876, the Eclectric Medical Society of California awarded him a certificate of honor upon exam- ination and a similar token of merit was awarded him by the state board of medical ex- aminers on March 21, 1877, and the Doctor also holds certificates from the state medical boards of Colorado and Oregon dated respec- tively 1 881 and 1892. From his work at the Cooper Medical College he went to Reno, Ne- vada, and there practiced medicine until 1880, following which he gave himself to his profes- sion in Gennison, Colorado*, for one year, where also he was surgeon for the Barlow and San- derson Stage Company, and medical officer with the rank of major on the staff of Briga- dier-General Curtis. He also practiced in Bellevue, Idaho, where he was health officer (2Jz^z&-? HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 289 of the city, and now for nearly twenty years he has been well known and highly appreciated as a leading physician in this pity. Since 1882 he has: been examining" surgeon for the government and in 1887 he was appointed ex- amining surgeon with the rank of lieutenant- colonel, in the Oregon State Militia on the staff of General Comston and here he served for eight years. )He is also surgeon for the U. P. Railroad, chief surgeon for the S. V. R. R. Company, and the S. V. L. Company and chief medical examiner of the N. Y. Equitable Life Insurance Company. He has been elected county coroner and physician a number of times. He enjoys a very lucrative practice and has performed some of the most difficult and delicate surgical operations known to the profession. The Doctor is a charter member and or- ganizer of the A. O. U. W. and has twice rep- resented the local organization in the grand lodge. He joined the I. O. O. F. twenty- six years ago in Baker City and also belongs to the Rebekah degree. He was a charter member and the first presiding officer of the Queen City Camp, No. 48, W. of W., and a charter member of the auxiliary of this order. He also' belongs toi the Foresters of America, the M. W. A., the Royal Neighbors, Order of Pendo, and American Order of Pro- tection. He is medical examiner, physician and surgeon for the Court of Foresters and medical examiner for the A. O. U. W., the W. of |W., the M. W. A., the Order of Pendo, the American Order of Protection, the Ladies Maccabees., and the Royal Neighbors of Amer- ica. He owns a pleasant home in the city and many property interests in various places. The marriage of Dr. Snow and Miss Su- san A., daughter of Hon. Charles Chandler, was solemnized in this city and they have be- come the parents of three children: Dr. Charles V., deceased; Dr. Frederick, deceased; Jesse B., with his father in the office. ARTHUR T. MERWIN.— The busha- way, the conrrier de bois, and the voyageur live now only in history. The prospector with his "grub stake," his roll of blankets and his pony, has well nigh completed his work in this 19 country, and the stage driver and freighter have given place to the gladiators of steel and iron which swiftly draw their tons of burden over the paths of steel. Interesting, indeed, are the accounts furnished us of the age of po- etry and romance preceding this age of rail- roads, telegraphs and telephones and it is ever a pleasure to meet with one who has outlived his generation and who brings into the present personal recollections of the wild, romantic past. Such a man is he whose name forms the caption of this article. Mr. Merwin is a typical frontiersman and knight of the plains and in him have been de- veloped in a high degree the best traits of character to be found in the honored pioneer. He was born in Morgan county, Ohio, on a farm near McConnelsville on June 24, 1840, his parents being Edwin and Susan (Jenkins) Merwin, natives of the Buckeye state. When twelve years old he accompanied the remainder of the family to Illinois, and four years later he moved with them to the vicinity of Law- rence, Kansas, where his home was until he arrived at the age of nineteen. Farm life de- veloped his physical powers and spirit of man- ly independence, but of intellectual discipline he received little. His education had to> be ac- quired afterward in the stern battle of life. In 1859 he gave inception to> his career of adventure by accepting employment as a team- ster on the plains. After two years he was pro<- moted to a position as wlagon master and at the same time he became part owner in a train of freight wagons. Twenty-six wagons, he tells us, three hundred and twelve head of cattle and five mules constituted a train or full outfit. During the nine years ensuing he busied himself in freighting from Fort Leav- enworth to> Santa Fe, New Mexico; Denver, Colorado:; Camp Douglas, Utah, Fort Lara- mie, Wyoming; and other points, and during all the years of this service except, perhaps, one or two, the Indians were hostile. He and his men had many serious adventures with the red skins and at one time our subject was the only man in the train who effected his escape Mr. Merwin was a personal friend of ihe no- ted Kit Carson and was quite intimately ac- quainted with many other 1 famous western scouts. He was present at Carson's death in 1867. In 1868 our subject sold his teaming outfit 290 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES and came across the plains with mule teams to Oregon. He located on the lower Powder river, of the valley of which he is the first set- tler, taking- as a homestead one hundred and sixty acres of land. Later he purchased anoth- er quarter section adjoining and upon this, his original home in the far west, he resided un- interruptedly until March of the present year (1901), engaged for the most part in stock raising. Then, however, he moved to 2305 Third street, Baker City, and retired from the active pursuits of life. A leader in the ushering in of civilization in the west Mr. Merwin has been very active also in public affairs since the country has been organized and government fully established. He served on a school board in Union county consecutively for fourteen years and three times afterward he was elected but refused to qual- ify. He has helped in numerous other ways to established a good public school system, es- pecially by assisting in the erection of school houses. For four years he was deputy county assessor in Union county, and he now holds a like position here. Fraternallv our subject is affiliated with Baker City "Lodge, No. 25, I. O. O. F. He was married at Lawrence, Kansas, April 6, 1866, the lady being Miss Celestia P. Wait, a native of New' York. They have had three children, but two of them, Eugene and Charles C, died in infancy. The third, Helen ML, is at home with her parents. She is a graduate of the Baker City high school and is now en- gaged in teaching in Baker county. THOMAS ROACH.— It is with pleasure that we are enabled to chronicle here the life record of the successful fanner and merchant whose name appears above. While he is not, so far as we are informed, one of those who are especially ambitious for leadership and great personal influence among his fellow men, his integrity and inherent worth have won for him the confidence and esteem of his neighbors generally, and his standing in the community is a very enviable one. With this brief pre- view we shall address ourselves to the task of epitomizing his career. Mr. Roach was born on January 5, 1867, near the town of Chilton, Calumet county, Wis- consin, his parents being Edmund and Bridget (Lynch) Roach. He continued to reside under the parental roof until twenty years old, at- tending school most of the time until his fif- teenth year had been completed. About the year 1887 he moved to the northern part of the state and engaged in the lumbering in- dustry there, continuing in the same for two years, after which he went to Santa Clara val- ley, in California. Conditions there seem to have been not exactly to his liking for soon he moved north to Puget sound, and thence to Baker county, where he arrived in the spring of 1890. Since his arrival here he has followed mining some, but has given the major part of his attention to farming and merchandising. At the present time he is proprietor of a fine, well stocked mercantile establishment at Weath- erby, where he also> has a good two-hundred- and-forty-acre farm, a part, at least, of which has been brought to a high state of cultivation and has been well improved, its products being fruit, hay and vegetables. Mr. Roach is justly regarded as one of the leading and most pro- gressive and enterprising citizens of Weth- crby. On March 28, 1892, our subject married Miss Henrietta, daughter of E. F. and Mary E. (Neymeyer) Foersterling, and they have three children, Emmett, Ralph and Lenora. For the seven years prior to the spring of 1901 Mrs. Roach served as postmistress in her neighborhood. GEORGE H. FOSTER.— It is with pleas- ure that we incorporate here a brief review of one who can lay claim toi sonship of the wild and varied west and who has grown up to a manhood which reflects credit upon the sec- tion in whose institutions his character was formed and developed. Our subject's eyes first looked out upon the light of day in the vicinity of Florence, Nez Perce county, Idaho, he be- ing, of course, the son of pioneer parents. His father, James B., had crossed the plains in T847, an d his mother Elizabeth Foster, nee Henderson, had made her way over the same toilsome journey sometime in the early fifties. Their birthplaces were respectively the states of Iowa and Missouri. Our subject was born January 6, 1866. In 1870 he was brought by his parents to Baker HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 291 county, of which his father, a Baptist minister, was elected the first school superintendent. The family owned and occupied what is now the county poor farm. After a residence of about five years here, they returned to Idaho, locat- ing in Boise, where Mr. Foster received the major part of his ducational discipline. After leaving the Boise high school he served an apprenticeship in the handicraft of the printer, but he seems to> have cared but little for that business, for soon we find him engaged in the railway mail service. To this six years of his life were devoted then he received an appoint- ment as postmaster at Baker City, and for the ensuing three years he served as such with great faithfulness and efficiency. The next two years were given to the bakery business, he being proprietor of the City bakery, but in 1895 he was summoned by the franchises of the people to the office of city treasurer, where he is still efficiently serving. In 1898 he ac- cepted the post of deputy county recorder, the duties of which are now being discharged by him in conjunction with the city treasurership. Mr. Foster brings to the work in which he is now engaged the same conscientiousness and painstaking thoroughness which have ever characterized him in both public and private life, and which have won him confidence and esteem from all who< have known him inti- mately. In that excellent fraternal organization, the I. O. O. F., our subject is a very active worker. He has passed through all the chairs in the subordinate lodge, and once was elected to an office in the grand body, to which he has many times been a delegate. Like most residents in a rich mining region, Mr. Foster is personally interested in the search for mineral wealth and in the process of its production. He owns some valuable properties in the Granite country. GEORGE MOORE.— A worthy represen- tative of that noble class, the pioneers, that pushed their way into these regions and sub- dued the savages and overcame the obstacles and difficulties that beset the path, Mr. Moore deserves mention in this work, and also because he has wrought here with a faithfulness and energy that have been instrumental in aiding very materially in the development of the county and the adjacent country. George Moore was born in Trumbull coun- ty, Ohio, on July 26, 1834, being the son of Harvey and Phoebe Moore. His early life was spent on a farm and in attending common school during portions of each year until he was eighteen years of age, and then the adven- turous spirit aroused by the tidings from the golden West determined him to try his fortune in these regions, and accordingly he came to California with an ox train, consuming six months in the trip. He landed in Vulcan min- ing camp and immediately began what proved to be his life's work, mining. In the early 'six- ties he went to the camps about Florence and Elk City, Idaho, then returned to California and I went to Virginia City, later to Dia- mond City, Montana, then in 1868 came to Baker county. Here he has made his home since and has constantly been occupied in min- ing. He has owned some valuable claims and has been a leader in his line for many years, having both the energy and the experience with the ability required for this position. At the present time he is still actively interested in mining and working some claims in the county. Fraternally Mr. Mbore is affiliated with the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 26, of Baker City, and he enjoys the honor of being past grand. Mr. Moore has so' demeaned himself that he has won the entire regard and confidence of the people and is held in high esteem, while the golden years of his life are being spent in the associations of many friends. ALFRED CAVINESS.— It is with pleas- ure that we are enabled to incorporate here a brief review of the honored pioneer and es- teemed citizen whose name gives caption to this article. He has long been regarded as a man of integrity and worth, and in all his relations wlith his fellow men during the many years of his residence in Baker county, his life has been in every respect so ordered as to* entitle him to the confidence of the people and to secure him their esteem. Mr. Caviness is a native .of Indiana, born October 12, 1840, being the son of John and Susan (Poe) Caviness, natives of North Carolina, and Indiana was his home until fourteen years old. He then accompanied the remainder of the family to Henry county, 292 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Iowa, where he farmed until 1865. He then crossed the plains to Baker county, making the journey with oxen, as the custom of the time was, and settled on a spot within sight of his present place of abode, six miles west of Baker City. During the first two years of his residence in the west, he followed freight- ing from Umatilla Landing to the various mining camps, then he farmed. in the Powder river valley for about three years, after which he engaged in placer mining in McCord's gulch. For several years he devoted his energies to this, but in 1897 he purchased eighty acres, where he now resides and engages in farming and stock raising. He follows the diversified plan, ;jbelieving jit better to till intensively a small tract rather than to farm superficially a large area. In religious persuasion Mr. Caviness is a Methodist, his membership at present being in the M. E. church at Pocahontas. He was mar- ried August 3, 1862, in Henry county, Iowa, to: Sarah P. Elliot, the daughter of George and Dorcas Elliot, and to their union eight children have been born, namely: George, a resident of Pleasant Valley; John, residing in Baker City; Bert, living on Burnt river; Sidney, a resident of Baker City; Frank, working in the Elkhorn mine; Fred, at home; Pink; Annie, attending high school at Baker City. ■»»» WARREN H. TOBIN.— It is with es- pecial pride and pleasure that we are enabled to chronicle the career of the intrepid fron- tiersman and valiant defender of the early set- tlements whose name appears at the head o>f this paragraph, since his life of uprightness and faithfulness has placed him as an object of con- fidence and esteem from his fellows and also since he has been one of the men that opened this section to the settlement of the white men, having been one of those characters that are ever in the lead. His parents were John and Eliza (Mc- Nealy) T'obin, natives of Kentucky, who moved to Platte county, Missouri, where they remained until the day of their death. At the early age of seventeen our subject left the shel- ter of the parental tree and met the battles of life alone. H^e first crossed the plains with ox teams to Hangtown, in California, where he gave his attention to- mining, meeting with much trouble from the Indians at a place called Ash Hollow and also at another point, named Soda Springs. In 1861 he came to Florence, a mining district two hundred miles northeast from Eagle valley. From' there he came to Eagle valley and he enjoys the honor of be- ing the first white man that traversed its rich fields, where he soon after settled. Here he married the daughter of the esteemed and be- loved Governor Gale. This governor was the first man to organize civil government in the state and his wise methods and faithfulness in administering justice won him friends from all law abiding citizens, while to> those that were not law abiding his name was a terror. He married an Indian woman by the name of Eliza, and it is recorded that she is still living on the Umatilla Indian reservation, and her de- scendants are among the leading people of the land, lawyers, bankers and law-makers being among the number, and it is recorded that one of her granddaughters was regarded in Wash- ington society as one of the handsomest women in that great city. Our subject is the owner of the well known mines, Alpine No. 1, and Alpine No. 2, which are properties of merit. He is a man of ability and stanch principles, and is regarded by all as one of the most substantial citizens of the county. And true it is that to these worthy pioneers that are all too soon passing away, we owe a debt of gratitude that time is too' short to repay, since it is to their masterful efforts and wisdom and daring that we are indebted for the grand country that we now possess in this rich county. ASA L. BROWN.— The prosperous farm- er and esteemed citizen whose name forms the caption of this review, has the distinction of being a native of Baker countv, and by his in- dustry and thrift he is reflecting credit upon the section which witnessed his birth. He was born in Auburn, April 16, 1864, his father be- ing A. H. Brown, the distinguished statesman who for several years represented Baker county in the upper and lower houses of the state leg- islature. Oiir subject lived in Baker county until T874, then accompanied the remainder of the HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 293 family to Salem, whither his father Went in consequence of his having been elected state treasurer. This gave Mr. Brown an excellent opportunity to complete his education in the well known Willamette University, in which he continued to study until 1879. Returning then to the parental farm, five miles west of Haines, he has lived there continuously since, except for two years, during which time he was handling stock in Wallowa county, where he took a homestead. He now has a very excel- lent farm in the vicinity of Haines, well im- proved, and abundantly supplied with build- ings and equipment. He follows the diversi- fied plan, rearing cattle, hay and whatever products he believes the market will most de- mand. It is no exaggeration to' say that he is one of the most thrifty and progressive farmers in the county, of which he is also a representa- tive and leading citizen. Public spirited and benevolently disposed, he takes a vital inter- est in political matters and in everything for the promotion of the general welfare, his in- terest in the cause of education finding mani- festation in the faithfulness with which he dis- charges his duties as chairman of the board of trustees of his home district. At Wingville, on March 25, 1890, our sub- ject married Miss Catherine, a daughter of Levi and Catherine Benson, and they have four children, all at home, namely : Albert Lee, Cornelius J., Francis R. and Routherford A. FREDERICK A. BOHNA.— This ener- getic and successful miner and fruit raiser, re- siding on Sisley creek, three miles north of Weatherby, is a son of Christian and Mary Bohna, born on March 14, 1844, in Hemp- stead county, Arkansas. When he was a very small child the family removed to Missouri, but shortly afterward they returned to Arkan- sas, where our subject passed his early youth and acquired his educational discipline, the same consisting of such as was to be obtained by attending the local public school during a few months of each year. In the year 1859 our subject, accompanied by his father, made the long journey across the plains to Bakers- ville, California, traveling, as was the custom in those days, with ox teams. There he fol- lowed farming and mining. In 1862 the father •came north to Canyon City, Oregon, thence to Auburn, in Baker county, where he was joined by our subject two years later. From Auburn Mr. Bohna went to the Boise basin, but returning soon afterward to Baker City, he there established himself in the bakery business, a line of activity in which he contin- ued for about seven years. Coming then to* his present place of abode he secured a very de- sirable tract of land, and engaged in fruit rais- ing, and he now has a fine, large orchard, pro- ducing an abundance of apples, peaches, pears and other varieties of fruit. He still retains his old enthusiasm for mining and is the owner of some promising properties. A public spirited citizen, our subject has ever manifested an active interest in the polit- ical welfare of his county and state, support- ing the tenets of the Democratic party. His solicitude for the maintenance of a good school in his neighborhood has found an unmistaka- ble manifestation in his having served with faithfulness for twelve years as director of his district. In fraternal affiliations he is a Ma- son. In 1875 our subject married Miss Martha A., a daughter of James A. and Sarah Dor- sett, and to them have been born seven chil- dren, namely: Henry L, deceased; Birdie L., William F., Maggie L., Minnie A., Sadie, de- ceased and Elsie, deceased. A. G. WALDRON.— It has been said that the mingling of all the races under the sun has produced the American nation, the leading type of humanity on the face of the earth to-day. True it is, that the Americans lead to-day, and true it is that there are within the borders of the United States representatives from every nation under the sun, but whether the admix- ture has caused the development of the race, or the free institutions founded here by stanch men of wisdom have brought out the latent tal- ents of those privileged to exist under their be- nign influence, is a question ; but it is a pleas- ure to find in every walk of: life noble men, of fine ability and unbounded energy as the sub- ject of this sketch, who trace their ancestry to the other side of the ocean, but who are the very substantial supporters and organizers of our excellent institutions. Mr. Waldron was born in Butte county, California, in 1858, being the son of Charles 294 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES and Levinia (Balsam) Waldron, natives, re- spectively, of England and France. The fa- ther came to the Golden state around Cape Horn and engaged in mining through that sec- tion and also over Idaho and Oregon, being a typical pioneer and frontiersman. At Sparta, this state, he was called to leave the scenes of his labors and enter upon his rewards. The mother died in Washington. Our subject was early forced to try the hardships of life, even at the age of nine years commencing for him- self. He worked first in the salmon canneries, then followed mining for a time and finally gave himself to the blacksmith trade. In 1874 he came to> Sparta and there mined for a time, and 1890 was the date that he settled in Eagle Valley, opening a blacksmith shop near New- bridge postoffice, where he is now beating the anvil to the time of honest industry. Mr. Waldron and Miss Clara, daughter of Joseph Bowlby, a native of Iowa, were married in 1889 and they have become the parents of three children, . Latteen, Francis, Lucille, all at home. Mr. Waldron is fraternally affiliated with the I. O. O. F., Eagle Valley Lodge, No. 123, and with the K. of P., Lodge No. 79. He is a man of broad public spirit and ac- tively interested in all that is for the welfare of the community and county. BYRON GALE.— The energetic and suc- cessful wool grower and esteemed citizen of Baker county whose life history it is now our 1 pleasant task to present in brief review, was born in Windsor, Canada, just across the line from Detroit, Michigan, on Mav 8, 1859. His parents, Benjamin and Caroline (Thornton) Gale, who' are natives, respectively, of Canada and the state of Pennsylvania, moved toi Mich- igan, Oakland county, in 1869, and he accom- panied them. The family resided on a farm near the village of Rochester for a few years, then lived at Caseville on Saginaw Bay until 1877, m which year they moved toi Texas and engaged in farming. To this basic industry they devoted their energies until 1883, when they crossed the plains to Baker county, Ore- gon. Our subject, however, remained in Texas until 1885, employed during a portion of this time at least on the stock ranch of General Talbot. In early youth he had learned the trade of a cigar maker and had worked at it some, but the skill which proved most valuable to him in after life was that which resulted, from his study of music. He was an expert cornetist and his services were frequently called into' requisition by theatres in large cities. In 1885 Mr. Gale came out to Baker county and turned his attention to> ^he wool growing industry. He took on shares a band of sheep belonging to Mr. Swift, but this first venture proved disastrous and he was compelled, in consequence of losses sustained, to engage in- work for wages. In 1888, in company with his father and his brother Albion, he purchased a band of six hundred sheep, and his interest in these formed the entering wedge into' a bus- iness which has proven very profitable. At present Mir. Gale is the owner of about two- thousand head. He resides in a fine home at 2533 Tenth street, Baker City, consisting of a comfortable, commodious and tastefully furnished house and three town lots. His standing in the community in which he lives is one of which he has reason to be proud. The confidence and esteem of his ' neighbors are manifested in many ways, but find more partic- ular expression in their having elected him councilman from his ward. Active and pub- lic spirited, he has ever manifested a deep in- terest in the political affairs of city and county and a disposition to do what he could for the promotion of the general welfare. The marriage of our subject was duly sol- emnized in Baker City, on October 3, 1894, Miss Minnie J. McAulay then becoming his wife. They have one child, Henry C. Mrs. Gale is a member of the Methodist church of Baker City. Her parents, Arthur K. and Nan- cy McAulay, natives of Michigan, are also res- idents of this city. JOHN S. LIVINGSTON.— Few men en- joy the good will of the community in which they live to a greater extent than does he whose career it is now our task to present in brief and necessarily incomplete resume. Our sub- ject is a native of Union Star, De Kalb county, Missouri, born April 19, 1858, the son of De- Witt C. and Mary E. (Landers) Livingston. He worked on his father's farm until grown,. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 295 enjoying the advantage of the local public school for a short interval out of each year, and when the time arrived for him to inaug- urate independent action and to> begin for him- self the battle of life, he engaged in farming on the place adjoining the parental homestead. He continued to busy himself thus until 1889, in which year he emigrated to Baker county, Oregon, located in the vicinity of Express, and resumed his farming and stock raising. In 1890 he sold his farm, moved into town and engaged in the business in which we now find him, namely, that of: a cigar and liquor mer- chant. Mr. Livingston was married at Union Star, Missouri, on August 30, 1887, the lady of his choice being Miss Lizzie, daughter of Mere- dith B. and Elizabeth (Ljarkin) Taylor and to their union one child has been born, Alice May, at present attending school in Express. Mrs. Livingston's father was a "forty- niner" in California, but after searching for gold there for several years, and finding some, he returned to his home in Missouri, where her mother still lives. IRA B. BOWEN, deceased. — It is now our pleasant task to outline in brief the very useful and active career of one of Baker coun- ty's pioneer citizens and one who, during the years of his residence therein, has actively en- gaged in numerous enterprises, the effect of which was to increase its wealth and promote its material prosperity. While Mr. Bowen was not one to seek for personal aggrandize- ment or political preferment he belonged to that large army of progressive, industrious men who form the real strength of the great common- wealth of Oregon, toiling unostentatiously in various fields oi endeavor and contributing tow T ard the general progress in a degree of which they themselves, perhaps, have little conception. Our subject was born in the vicinity of Ypsylanti, Michigan, May 28, 1825, his par- ents being Zolvia and Ann (Matthews) Bowen, natives of the Empire state. He was early taken to New York state, in the public schools of which he received his educational discipline. When he reached the age oi eighteen he became second engineer on the steamer Edith, which plied between Buffalo., New York and Chicago. After two years' service he was promoted to the post, of first engineer, and he served as such until, some three or four years later, when his vessel was wrecked, sinking so- rapidly that her crew had but three or four minutes in which to effect their escape. Our subject then accepted a position as lo- comotive engineer on the Galena & Chicago Union Railway, now the Northwestern, and after three years had been spent in that he was made master mechanic. He continued to dis- charge the duties of this responsible position until 1862, when he resigned that he might be free to come west and try his fortunes in Ba- ker county, Oregon. He crossed the plains in a train made up of both ox and horse teams and consisting largely of his own relatives. They were very fortunate in crossing the wide prairies and traversing the mountain passes in that they had no trouble with the In- dians, though the trains just ahead of them lost heavily in conflicts with the reds. Upon reaching his destination Mr. Bowen located at Auburn, where, the same year, in company with a Mr. Leveridge, he purchased a sawmill. This was the first mill of its kind operated by steam which was ever imported into the country. They ran it at Auburn until May, 1863, then removed it to Idaho City, where they kept it in operation both at night and day steadily for about fifteen months. At the end of that period Mr. Bowen sold his in- terest and returned to Auburn, where he em- barked in the mercantile business in company with E. P. Cranston. The firm later established a branch store at Clark's creek. Having sold his interest in 1868, he moved with his family to Salem, where he was engaged in a like bus- iness for the ensuing three years. Returning then to Baker City he established here a mer- cantile business,, putting in a store also at Sparta and purchasing, as a species of side is- sue, the Eagle Canal Company's water ditch. In 1880 he sold out and invested a portion of the proceeds in the Arlington hotel, of which he was proprietor until the date of his death, May 11, 1881. Mi". Bowen always manifested a vital in- terest in the political arid general welfare of his town and county, and toi him belonged the honor of having been chairman of the first city council. He was married in Chicago, January 296 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 2, 1850, the lady being Miss Anna Dooley, daughter of Mark and Anora (Seymour) Dooley, and to their union the following chil- dren have been born, namely : Lilah, wife of E. P. Cranston, of Baker county; Catherine A., wife of Judge Miller; Amelia, wife of J. W. Virtue; Mary, deceased; Francis A., in Port- land; Ira B., Jr., editor of the Morning Dem- ocrat; J. Frederick, deceased; Ned; Edward C. ; Harry S. ; Clinton, deceased ; Edith E. ; Ella A., wife of J. T. Anderson, of Boise, Idaho; and J. Clifford. Mrs. Bow en has a very pleasant home at 1667 Washington street and some other city property, also a fine farm of four hundred and forty acres about three miles south of Baker City. -*-•-*- JAMES H. BUTTERFIELD.— The gen- tleman whose name heads this article, is one of those men who has spent his life in the van- guard of civilization, laboring for the develop- ment and opening up of the regions where his lot has been cast, ever operating with a skill and energy and faithfulness that have placed him as one of the substantial leaders of his fellows. The birth of Mir. Butterfield was in 1831, in the state of New York, being the son of Zimeny and Fillitta (Powell) Butterfield, na- tives, respectively, of New Hampshire and Pennsylvania. They came to Illinois in an early day and settled on a farm that is now embraced in the city of Chicago. At the age of seventeen years our subject went to the Wisconsin river lumber region and operated as a lumberman for a number of vears, then he returned to Chicago and remained there un- til 1859, when he made the weary journey from there to California across the plains with horse teams. Hangtown, in the Golden state, was the first point at which he arrived and there he commenced mining and at that industry he has continuously been engaged since. In 1881 he came to Eagle valley and since that time his home has been there. He is the owner of some valuable properties in Maiden gulch near the Powder river, where he has done consider- able work. To one unaccustomed to mining, the work that is necessary to open up a vein in nature's vaults might seem inconsiderable, but to- the initiated, it speaks volumes that one has opened a mine and put a property on the producing list by the labor of his own hands, and to whom, more than to these same hardy and intrepid prospectors and developers do we owe that in Baker county have been opened some of the most valuable mines in the world ? Surely the tribute that is generally paid to these doughty and faithful men is all too small, for had it not been for their herculean labors the vaults of nature would be as se- curely locked to-day as ever since the time that the glittering mineral was first placed there for our use. As a real leader among this class stands the subject of this sketch, and his faith- fulness is recognized by all and he enjoys the confidence of his fellows in an unlimited meas- ure. Mr. Butterfield has become the father of two children : Chauncy J. and Lila M. AVON S. LOVE. — Among the represen- tative men of his section mention must be made of the worthy gentleman and stanch man oif principle and loyal citizen whose name ini- tiates this paragraph, since he is one of the foremost men of this region and one of the heaviest property owners, having acquired his holdings by his energy, industry and wise man- agement of the resources of the time, being a fair specimen of the sons of the west, having been born in Eagle valley, and there he has wrought out the success that is so justly his. Avon S. Love was born in 1866, being the son of David SI and Marion (Stewart) Love, and in Eagle valley he received the education that fitted him for the battles of life and as soon as he had finished this training, and in fact while he was going to school, he began to take part in the affairs of- the farm and the management of the stock with such display of energy and wisdom that it was evident that success would very soon crown his efforts. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania and in 1852 they started across the plains with ox teams, but long before their arrival to the longed-for haven their oxen nearly all died and most of the immigrants were forced to walk and they also suffered greatly from lack of food. Finally they reached Eugene and set- tled in that section and gave their attention to farming until 1861, when thev removed to AYOH S. LOYE. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 297 Auburn in this county and commenced to op- erate in the mines. Later they removed to Eagle valley and took up government land, having the enviable distinction of being the first settlers in this favored spot. The father was a man of sound principles and well in- formed and active in political matters, and ■during the heated times of the Civil War he with one other was prominent by being the only •ones that held for the Union. At such a time as this he was theatened with hanging if he did not remove from the country. He was not to be so easily frightened and it is pleasant to note that he remained until he died a natural death at a good ripe age, on November 9, 1895. The mother died on August 2, 1872. both remaining in the Lower Powder valley until the time of their departure, having come there in 1871. Our subject remained with his parents until their demise and then bought his present mammoth estate of nine hundred and twenty acres, where he devotes his entire atten- tion to farming and stock raising. Mr. Love has just completed an elegant residence on his home place and the other improvements are commensurate therewith, an air of thrift and enterprise pervading the whole premises. He ■also owns the old homestead of two hundred and eighty acres in Lower Powder valley. In fraternal affiliations, Mr. Love is associated with the Masons, Woodmen of the World, and A. O. U. W., all of Baker City. The marriage of Mr. Love and Miss Mar- garet, daughter of W. W. and Mariah (Cush- man) Crews, was solemnized in 1889, and the fruit of the union is as follows : Clyde C, Jennette, Vernon C. Mr. Love is esteemed by all who know him and his life has been fraught with such wis- dom and faithfulness that he has the confi- dence of the entire community, which is man- ifested by the fact that he is almost constantly kept in public office. ♦ ♦ » CHARLES L. LOW.— Among the sons of Baker county who are reflecting credit upon the place of their birth and the institutions that rrolded their characters is the enterpris- ing and thrifty farmer and stock raiser whose :name forms the caption of this review, and it is with pleasure that we are enabled toi accord him representation here as one who has, by his past achievement, given promise of a ca- reer of honor and usefulness. Mr. Low/ was born on the parental home- stead, seven miles west and a little north of Express, on September 7, 1871, being the son of Leonard and Malinda V. (Moss) Low. He attended the local public schools and for a time enjoyed the advantages of the graded schools in Baker 1 City, then worked at home, acquir- ing a 'knowledge of farming and stock rais- ing, of inestimable value to himi in after life. For about a decade he has 'been engaged in this dual occupation on his own account, achieving a very enviable success. He now has a very well improved place, supplied with all needed buildings, fences and other equip- ments and stocked with quite a herd of cattle and some horses. His energy and good judg- ment, coupled with an intimate knowledge of his business, have enabled him to win success in his calling, and his; integrity and many other good qualities as a man have gained him the confidence and good will of those who know himL tOn August 17, 1898, in Baker county, Oregon, our subject married Miss Lyda, daughter of William and Ann C. Stewart, of Marshalltown, Iowa, and to their union has been born one child, Frederick C. Mr. Low's father was a very early pioneer of Oregon, having emigrated from the state of Maine in 1859. Eighteen hundred and six- ty-two is the date of his location in Baker county, land here his home was until May 20, 189.3, w hen he passed to the great beyond. Our subject's mother is living in Baker City at present. MILO BEGGS. — This enterprising and industrious young man has the distinction of being a son of Oregon, his birthplace being Jacksonville, Jackson county, and the date De- cember 13, 1873. When eleven years old he ac- companied his parents to California, but two years later the entire family returned to Jack- sonville, where the ensuing quadrennium was passed. Coming then to Baker county, he went to work at stage driving, continuing to busy himself thus for the ensuing seven years. About four years ago he purchased the livery business 298 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES of J. H. Parker & Son, and aibout a year and 1 a half ago he admitted his brother, Ellis, to partnership therein. They are now enjoying a very extensive patronage, using in their busi- ness about seventy-five horses and about forty excellent single and double rigs. Mir. Beggs is also a stock raiser and deals quite extensive- ly in horses. He is a very energetic and worthy young man, and enjoys the respect and good will O'f his community and city. ; CALVIN EASTABROOKS.— This ven- erable pioneer of the Pacific coast is deserving of rank among the greatest benefactors' of Baker county, many of whose most famous mines were discovered and developed by him. In the course of his long career he has had some exciting experiences with the red men, in one foray receiving a, wound in the ankle, from which he never fully recovered. Notwithstanding his many discoveries of gold mines and his distinguished services in the development of this section, he is. not rich in worldly treasure, but he is rich in the con- sciousness oif having been a blessing to his race and is held in lasting honor by those who know him, as one who* has ever "stood four- square to every wind," always acting with in- tegrity and uprightness in the varied relations of life. Our subject was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, on April 21, 1822, the son of John and Lucy Eastabrooks. He was reared on a farm, attending school during short intervals yearly, and when he became old enough farming be- came his settled occupation. In 1850 he crossed the plains with ox teams to California, consuming about six months in making the journey, and several times having unpleasant experiences with the aborigines. In one fight the company lost four men and had quite a number of cattle stolen. This was on the Humboldt river. Arriving at last in Georgetown mining camp, California, Mr. Eastabrooks mined there and in the surrounding country until 1859, continuously except when 1 engaged in Indian wars. In 1851 the Indians became very hostile in Placer county and a company was farmed under Captain Tracy to> assist in giv- ing them battle, and in this our subject en- listed. He served until the fall of 1852, or until the Indians were completely subdued. In the Humboldt war of 1859 he also saw some severe service, and it was in this that he re- ceived the wound in the ankle referred to above. In 1859 our subject returned via the Pana- ma route to his home in Ohio, remaining un- til 1862, when he crossed the plains a second time, coming to Baker county. He has had several skirmishes with the Indians since corn- ing to Oregon, and has lost quite a number of cattle as the result of their ravages. In company with his present partner, Mr. Wood, Mr. Eastabrooks located the Connor creek mine, and worked it for about five years, then discovered the celebrated Gold Hill mine and erected a mill on the same. He and his partner have owned and developed a num- ber! of other properties and at the present time are interested in some very promising gold and copper prospects. They are engaged now in farming also, their home place being about two and a half miles up Burnt river from Weatherby. JOHN FRASERi— Tb the prominent citi- zen and substantial stockman and agriculturist whose name initiates this paragraph we are bound by .force of right to grant a repre- sentation in this volume, since for some years he has been a leader in the region where he is at present domiciled and because he has ever manifested those principles and qualities that are praiseworthy and commendable. Mr. Eraser was born in Scotland, whence come so many of our best and most industrious citizens, in 1842, being the son of Duncan and Mary Jane (Campbell) Fraser, natives of the same famous land, where also they passed the entire time of their pilgrimage in the scenes of earth. Our subject left the "banks and braes and streams" of his native land when he was twenty-five years of age and sought his for- tune in the "home of the free." He first set- tled in Ohio and engaged in farming for a time, and then migrated to Umatilla county,, where he took up sheep raising. About two years later he came to tbe Eagle valley and here he has lived continuously since. At first he embarked in the sheep business here, but soon disposed of these animals and devoted HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 299» his attention.' to raising cattle and tilling the soil, adding also the culture of fruit. He owns at the present time a quarter section of land and his industry and thrift are manifested in the high state of culture which is shown in his Ifairm. For a number of years, previous to' the ichange in the territory of the county he wias a stock inspector of Union county, and in this trying position he rendered valuable and satisfactory sendee. At the present time he is discharging the duties pf justice of the peace, having been re-elected to> his third term, thus displaying the confidence that is reposed in him by the people of his precinct. In fra- ternal affiliation he is associated with the K. of P. Lodge No. 86, in Eagle valley. The marriage of Mr. Fraser and Miss Flora, daughter of Peter and Mary (Monroe) Grant, who were farmers in Scotland, was solemnized twenty-six years ago, and to; them have been born the following children : Fred A., Duncan P., Mary J., and Flora,, who died tw)o years ago, aged nine years, and her re" mains lie buried in Eagle valley. Mr. Fraser is a man that commands the respect and has won the confidence of all that know him. HON WILLIAM R. USHER.— This gentleman has been one of the potent factors in the advancement of civilization in the fron- tier places where his lot has been cast, and especially soi in this county, since here and in an adjoining state he has been a real leader in the fullest sense of the terrrj, while his life has been fraught with both commendable labor and the display of unswerving integrity and upright principles, and his worth is mani- fest in that since the days of the Mexican war, of which struggle he has the honor of being a veteran, until the present, he has shown forth intrepidity, probity and fine ability. Mr. Usher was born on the rolling deep while his parents, William R. and Elizabeth (Malsbury) Usher, were en route from Eng- land, their native land, to the United States, on June 21, 1832. While he wias but a child his parents returned 1 to England, where they both died, and at the age of eleven he went to steamboating on the Ohio. When he had reached the age of fifteen he entered the Mexi- can war, learning there the hardships of a military career. In 1851 he started for San Francisco, and the next year landed in that city, and in that state he followed mining until. i86i;. Then he went to Nevada, and five years later 1 to Idaho-, and in 1864 he was in the famous Silver City mining camp. Five years later he removed to> Utah, and in 1878 we find him again in Nevada, and in 1880 he came toi Eagle valley, where he has since re- sided. He was one of the enterprising pros- pectors that discovered the well known Cor- nucopia mines and named them. He also laid out and named the town of Richland, which is situated on a portion of his homestead- While in Idaho he was called by the people to serve in the sixth session of the state leg- islature, and since then he has held numerous other offices, both in that state and here, be- ing deputy sheriff of Union county for a term of years, and his name has frequently been before the conventions of the county. He is affiliated with the I. O. O F. in Tuscarora^ Nevada, and with the K. of P., Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 28, at Union. The marriage of Mr. Usher and Miss Vir- giniai, daughter of Dangerfield and Ellen ( Ran- dall) Carpenter, natives respectively of Vir- ginia and Kentucky, was solemnized in 1865,, and to them has been born one child, W. 'R., who died in Silver City in 1868. Mr. Usher is a notary public at the present time and is- doing business for the Pennsylvania Fire In- surance Company. ISREAL N. YOUNG.— Those men who- foirmi the bone and sinew, as it were, of any thrifty community are such as steadily and continuously meet the changing scenes of life with their freight of responsibility or adversi- ty of success with the same uprightness, can- dor and unflinching determination toi make the best of everything and then take hold and Work out that end ; such a man is the one whose- name introduces this paragraph, and such has been his record from the time that he was thrown on the world at an early date until the present time. Mr. Young- was born in Ashmore, Illinois,, on November 27, 1843, being the son of Will- iam and Nancy (Nicols) Young, natives re-. spectively of Tennessee and Illinois. In this- 300 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES latter state the parents resided until the time of their death. When very young our subject was forced to live with strangers on account •of the death of his parents, but when his eldest brother was married he made his home with his family and in company with them came to northern Missouri in 1856. Here they re- mained until 1863, when they toiled through the arduous journey from that point toi the Grande Ronde valley, in this state, Here the elder brother took a homestead and our subject •engaged in freighting until 1867, when he set- tled on a farm in the Grande Ronde valley, and four years later he went to Eagle valley, where he is at the present time engaged in farming and stock raising. He has bought and sold considerable land in the valley, but he still retains his old homestead. In political matters he allies himself with the Democratic party and is generally one of the delegates: to the county conventions, while in school matters he is active, and is useful in advancing the interests of education in serving on the school board of his home district. Fraternally he is affiliated with the I. O. O. F., Lodge 123, Eagle valley. The marriage of Mix". Young and Miss -Adaline, daughter of Alex and Eliza- beth (Baker) Furgason, was solemnized in 1867, and they have become the par- ents of the following children: Valen- tine; Effie; Edith; an infant, that died in) 1874; Harley, who died in 1875; Lillian; Bertha; Lena. Mrs. Young's parents were natives of New York and agriculturists there, but in 1866 they camie across the plains to the valley where the daughter now lives-, and in this place they lie buried. While en route to Oregon, their train was attacked by Indians, who secured all of the stock. Search was made and the stock recovered, but in the fight one of the Indians was killed, and when they came toi examine his body they found that he Was a! white renegade, and evidences pointed to the belief that the other members of the band were also white. This occurred near the Black Hills. WILLIAM H. COLTON.— It is with pleasure that we incorporate here a brief re- view, of the career of the enterprising and successful farmer and wool grower whose name forms the caption hereof, for to him belongs the honor and respect due to those who succeed in spite of difficulties and discourageing cir- cumstances. Ouir subject is a native of Juneau county, Wisconsin, born near Mauston on Jan- uary 1, 1855, ms parents being Dr. John and Alice (Lever) Colton, natives respectively of Ireland and England. He grew to early man- hood in the county of his birth, receiving there such' educational discipline as the local public schools afforded. In 1875 he came west to Red Bhxff, California, where for four years he was engaged in the lumbering business. At the end of that period of time he came to Uma- tilla county, Oregon, purchased the old Vanaer- naim saw mill and engaged in the lumbering industry on his own behalf. Later he ptir- chased an interest also in the Eagle saw mill. He continued to busy himself in the manu- facture of lumber, pursuing the business with energy and success for the ensuing eight years, eventually selling out and investing the proceeds or a portion thereof in a band of sheep. The scab got among them; and wrought considerable havoc, and during the first winter, which proved a very severe one, he lost quite heavily, though owing to great care and diligence, his: losses were not as. heavy as those sustained bty other sheep men. His flocks, however, were in a poor condition the next spring and he sold out for just what he had put into the business. I Coming then to a part of Union county which has since been transferred to the politi- cal division with which our volume is primar- ily concerned, 'he started again in the sheep business with one hundred and eighty-two ewes. Fortune favored him this time and his flocks continued to- increase until be had six thousand head, of which he disposed in the spring of 1898. At the presait time he is the owner of about four thousand head, though he expects in the near future, to run about ten thousand sheep. He is the owner also of about four hundred acres of excellent hay land under the ditch, upon which he raises three crops of alfalfa per year. Thus it will be seen that from) a very humble beginning Mr. Colton has, by energy and faithful attention to business, acquired a very neat fortune, and his, experi- ence should be an inspiration to all young men HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 301i who are similarly situated, showing them what steadfastness and a progressive, thrifty dis- position will accomplish. On November 7, 1881, our subject married Miss Caroline, a daughter of Joel M. and Mary J. Thrasher, natives of Missouri. They have eight children: George W., and Charles H., both in the sheep business in Baker county; Caroline M., Alice M., John J., Elizabeth, William M. and Nellie. Mr. Coltom's father was a physician and surgeon in the Civil war. He was with General Custer in his first expedi- tion from Fort Lincoln to the mouth of the Powder river. CHARLES M. WATTERBURY.— Who can tell the amount of suffering and hardships endured, the sorrow and grief borne and the deprivations and self denial undergone by the early settlers that opened this vast region for their children to enjoy? Pen and paper cannot express it, nor words fittingly convey, to our minds at this remote period the keenness and vividness of these scenes of half a century since, when the intrepid and dauntless persons threaded the dreary waste of sand and sage brush, arid plain and rocky mountain, toi gain a home in these valleys. In the hateful decep- tion known as Meeks cut off, Mrs. Watter- bury, the mother of our subject, was lost with the train, and for days and weeks they were on the verge of starvation, and the stock was slain to keep life in their bodies, while hunt- ing parties sent for help were never found again. From, this living trap they finally emerged, what were left of them, and in due time found a resting place from their weary journey in the Willamette valley. The immediate subject of this sketch, the son of worthy pioneers, was born in Port- land, in 1865, tnus becoming a native of this rugged promised land so- sought after in the time of his parents, and here he has. wrought out his destiny, never swerving from the con- stant conviction that the occidental stars were the onesi that would finally smile the success to him that his enterprising and energetic achieve- ments made him, so manifestly wiorthy of. At the early age of fifteen years, he commenced the struggle of life, embarking first in the stock business. Eight years later he took a home- stead in Eagle valley, where he lives at the present time, and is now, as he has been continuously since his* first visit here, engaged in raising stock and tilling the soil. The marriage of Mr. Watterbury and Miss Mamie Gibson, a native of Boise, Idaho., and daughter of Robert and Mary (Newman) Gib" son, natives respectively of Wisconsin and Germany, was celebrated in 1890 and they have the following children : Christie; Llna;. Dewey, who died at the age of two weeks and is buried in the Eagle valley cemetery; Viola,, died at the age of two- months and is. buried in the same cemetery. Mr. Watterbury has been a prominent figure in the educational affairs of the county and has served in the ca- pacity of school clerk for a number of years, where he has given faithful and efficient ser- vice. In social affiliations he is with the Fra- ternal Union of America and is. a popular and. highly esteemed member. WILLIAM D. ADAMS.— A veteran of" the Civil war, a respected pioneer of Baker county, and an energetic, forceful and highly respected citizen, the man whose name gives, caption to this review is certainly deserving of mention in this part of our volume, and it af- fords us pleasure to grant him representation., here. Our subject was born in Natchez, Missis- sippi, on June 6, 1823. His father died when he was an infant and his mother with her chil- dren later removed to Kentucky, where he re- ceived his education in the public schools., When the time came for him to initiate inde- pendent action he engaged in the business his parents had previously followed, namely, farm- ing When the war broke out he enlisted in the Missouri home guards (he had moved, to that state in 1855), an d he continued to contribute his part toward the cause of the- Union until the last disloyal gun had been si- lenced. He then took up farming again, fol- lowing that branch of human activity there- until 1 88 1, when he and his family came out to Baker county, Oregon. They purchased a place near Wingville, five miles west of Baker City, and upon this our subject resided, en- gaged in farming and stock raising, until death, claimed him for its victim, on February 14, 1 901. He was one of the most thrifty and 502 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES successful farmers of the county and had ac- cumulated quite a large amount of valuable real estate. He was also quite active in the political affairs of the county and state, though he appears toi have had little ambition for per- sonal preferment. \ Fraternally Mr. Adams was affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, an order in which he had taken great interest for a period of forty years. His marriage was solemnized in Tlren- ton, Missouri, on April 16, 1857, when Miss Barbara A., daughter of Amos and Hulda Bailsey, natives of Pennsylvania, became his wife, and they had twelve children, seven of whom are still living, namely : Elizabeth, wife of James Worley, of Sumfpter valley, this county; Clarissa, wife of Frank Gardner, of Baker county; Amos O. L. and S. L. Dow, twins; George W. ; Sydney L. and Thomas B. The family are member of the Christian church. Mrs, Adams resides in a fine home at 2130 First street, and is the owner of three farms, -containing about nine hundred acres in all. WILLIAM ASHWOOD.— This, prosper- ous and progressive faru.ter and stock raiser is a native of the vicinity of Mineral Point, Jowa county, Wisconsin, born June 17, 1854. He grew to manhood there, receiving a public school education. In the year 1876 he crossed the plains with horses to' the west and the same year he settled in Harlan county, Nebraska, near Orleans, where he farmed during the en- suing six years. He then came toi Baker coun- ty, purchased a farm three and a half mliles west of Haines, and again engaged in agricul- tural pursuits and stock raising, He is now the owner of a fine farm of four hundred acres, all well improved, and everywhere re- flecting credit upon the industry and progres- siveness of the man whose labor brought it toi its present state. A very energetic and success- ful farmer and stock raiser, Mr. Ashwood is also a deserving citizen, possessed of a broad- minded public spirit and taking a very vital in- terest in everything which concerns the general welfare. His interest in the cause of education is manifested by his having consented to> serve for six years as director of his school district. Fraternally Mr. Ashwood is affiliated with Haines Lodge, No. 11, A. O. U. W., and in religious persuasion he is a Methodist, his mem- bership at present being in the church of that denomination at Haines. On. December 24, 1878, in Harlan county, Nebraska, our subject married Miss Kiturah, a daughter of Martin and Jane Marzolf, and a native of Mineral Point, Wisconsin. Their union has been blessed by the advent of four children: James, Mary, Millie and Minnie. Mr. Ashwood is in- terested in a company composed of tw'elve neighbors, which owns a threshing outfit for the use of each one on his farm. He is also stockholder in an irrigating company that has built a reservoir in the mountains for the pur- pose of furnishing water for irrigating the farms of the neighborhood. When Mr Ash- wood took the farm where he now lives it was covered with sage brush and every one prophe- sied that he would be obliged to abandon it. However, he has gone forward, attended with the success that his wisdom and skill deserve, and is to-day possessed of as fine a farm' as lies in the precincts of Baker county. Thus do wisdom, foresight and pluck overcome seem- ingly insurmountable obstacles, make the desert blossom as the rose and attach civilization's joys and comforts to the once barren land of the savage. EMIL F. FOERSTERLING.— This pub- lic spirited citizen and enterprising blacksmith, farmer, and stockraiser of the neighborhood on Sisley creek, northeast of Weatherby, is a native of Prussia, born August 9, 1841. When eight years old he accompanied his parents across the ocean to America, and his. first home in the new world was in Louisville, Ken- tucky. He attended school there for half a decade, then went to' Jacksonville, Illinois, where he worked on a farm' for a time and afterwards learned the trade of a blacksmith. In April, 1861, the even tenor of his life was somewhat rudely interrupted by the necessity of his obeying the call of patriotism. He en- listed in the Tenth Illinois Infantry, and served three months, and in the following April, he again enlisted, this time in the First Missouri Cavalry. He participated in several severe en- gagements, and once was captured by the rebels, being afterwards exchanged, but es- caped without even a wound. His war record was a very honorable one and one of which HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 303 he and his farqily have cause for pardonable pride. After the last disloyal gun had been silenced, Mr. Foersterling worked at his handi- craft in D^wight, Illinois, for a number of years, but in 1886, he emigrated to Baker county, and located on the place on which we now find him. He has a good farm, a com- fortable home, an orchard of choice varieties of fruit-trees, and quite a herd of stock on the ranch. Mr. Foersterling takes a very active inter- est in the cause of education, as. he does in all other things which have for their object the amielioiration of conditions and the promotion of the public 1 good. He has served either as school director or as clerk for the past twelve years, ever discharging his duties wiith faith- fulness and good judgment. On May 25, 1865, our subject married Miss Mary E., daughter of William and Chris- tina Niemeyer, and to their union thirteen chil- dren have been born, of whom eight are still living, namely, Edward C, Henrietta B., now Mrs. Thomas Roach, of Weatherby; Leonora L., Jesse W., Willis H., Mildred J., Meta E., and Frederick L. Mtr. Foersterling- is a prominent member o;f the G. A. R., U. S. Grant post at Huntington, and is alsoi affiliat- ed with the I. O. O. F EDWARD W. COLES.— Among the sons of Baker county who have grown up to reflect credit, by their industry and ability in com- mercial pursuits, or in other walks of life, upon the place of their birth must be numbered the enterprising young stock man whose name ap- pears above. His past achievements give promise of much greater successes to be real- ized in the future and we may be pardoned in expecting that time will make Mr. Coles one of the stock kings of the county. As already implied, our subject is a native of the political division with which our volume primarily concerns itself, and the date of his advent into life is October 11, 1878. He is the son of Fred C. Coles, one of the early settlers of this section, who died at the family home a half mile north of Haines in 1895, and his mother, now Mrs. Richmond, is the daughter of Augustus George, another pioneer of an early date. Mr. Coles acquired his education in the local public schools, in the high school at Baker City and in the Portland Business College, which latter institution he left in 1894, being called away by his father's illness. Since that time he has been in charge of the Coles stock ranch constantly. He keeps about two hundred head of graded Shorthorn and Here- ford cattle also about two hundred head of Poland China hogs, many of which are regis- tered. Our subject takes especial pride in these latter, and deals quite extensively in registered Poland-Chinas, buying and selling. Fraternally, Mr. Coles is affiliated with Haines Lodge, No. 11, A. O. U. W., and with No. 144, W. of W., of the same place. At the home of her mother five miles west of Haines, on November 3, 1897, he married Miss Ollie, a daughter of James and Annie Taylor and a native of Missouri. Their union has been blest by the advent of one daughter, Leatha L. FREDERICK and MARY J. SIMONIS. — To these worthy and faithful pioneers and substantial citizens of this county we are pleased to accord a representation in this vol- ume, since their labors have been instrumental in developing this 1 region and they have been in the lead in promoting the welfare of the county's interest in the long years in which they have been domiciled within its borders. Mr. SimOnis was born in New Jersey, be- ing the son of Matthias and Mary (Grouse) SimJomis, natives of Germany.. Mrs. Simonis is the daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth (Baker) Furgason, natives of Canada, who came to the United States, and settled in Eagle valley, where they are both buried now. The marriage of our subjects occurred! in 1863, and then they set out on one of the most unique wedding journeys that is in the history of ouir country, namely crossing the plains from the central states to the Pacific coast with ox teams. Youth and energy were potent to> keep their spirits bright as they steadily pursued their course toward the setting sun in search of a home for the days. to> come. Without special incident, they landed in this state and industriously set about carving out for them- selves a home and fortune in its boundless 304 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES resources. In 1874 they came to 'Eagle val- ley and settled where the widbw is residing to-day. At the age of forty-eight, on May 6, 1889, the beloved husband was called to de- part this life and in sorrow the widow took up the burdens that fell upon her. Mr. Simonis was very prominent in the county affairs and had served the people very acceptably as sur- veyor for the county for a number of years. He had also given of his time and talent to the promotion of good schools, serving as director for a long time. The children of this worthy couple are as follows : Mary, who died' at the age of twenty ; Frederick, married; Matthias, married; Louis, married; James, at home; Joseph, still on the home farm; Leander, at home; Edward, at home; Anna, married; Ella, married; John, who died at the age of sixteen ; Alexander, at home; Leo, who died at the age of thirteen. At the present time Mrs, Simonis is, carrying on the affairs of the old homestead and is highly esteemed by all who know her as a faith- ful and exemplary Christian and wise woman. + » » DAVIS WILCOX.— It is always pleasant to trace the career of a successful man, and es- pecially so when we see one that has wrought out by his own skill, energy and industry, a place for himself in the business world, hav- ing started at the bottom of the ladder and made his way to> the top by genuine worth and ability, such as has the prominent citizen and estimable gentleman whose name appears at the head of this article, who came to this sec- tion as a saleman and is now the proprietor of one of the leading mercantile establishments of the entire county. Mr. Wilcox was born on April 13, 1859, near Sharon, Walworth county, Wisconsin, being the son of David and Sarah Wilcox. His father was a tiller of the soil, and our subject received the invigorating exercise in assisting to carry on the farm until 1872, when they all removed to Washington county, Ore- gon. For seven years he remained there and then came to' Umatilla and engaged in the mercantile establishment of John R. Foster & Company, as salesman for three and one-half years. From there he went to North Powder and operated in the same capacity for Kellogg, Funch & Company until 1887, when he came to Haines and established a branch house for the firm. A little later, he bought out the estab- lishment and is now engaged in the operation of one of the largest general merchandise con- cerns of the county, carrying everything that is needed by his large and ever-increasing pat- ronage, and toi dispense the goods that come from his shelves and warerooms seven sales- men are kept busy, while his time is ever occu- pied in the oversight of his mammoth busi- ness. The marriage of Mr. Wilcox and Mrs. Mattie Hill, daughter of John Ferguson, was solemnized in 1892. He is fraternally affili- ated with the A. O. U. W. Lodge No. 11,. also with the W. of W., Lodge No. 341, both of Haines. Mr. Wilcox is a man that takes an active interest in the political and educa- tional matters of his county and is of a broad public spirit and ever in the lead for the ad- vancement of the interests of all, having mani- fested a very commendable spirit and rare abil- ity during the years of his stay in this county, as well as throughout his entire business course' and is highly esteemed by his fellows and re- spected by all. In addition to' his large busi- ness interests he has been called to take charge of the postoffice at Haines and in the discharge of these particular duties he has given per- fect satisfaction. JOHN ERWIN. — It is with especial pleas- ure that we are allotted the pleasant task of outlining- in brief the career of the well known pioneer and prominent citizen whose name introduces this article, since he has played a prominent part in the development of this region, has ever wrought with energy and wisdom, has maintained an unsullied life and has proved on the field of battle his devotion to his country and his love for its free institutions. And to whom, more than to the noble men, when frat- ricidal strife lowered and raged through this fair land, that laid aside the affairs of per- sonal interest and went toi the front to lift again into its place the banner that had so ig- nominiously been torn from the standard of freedom, should we delight to do' honor by mentioning their lives of faithful devotion? DAYIS WILCOX. JOHH ERWIH. . FRAHK LOEHHIG. MRS. FRAHK LOEHHIQ. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 30& John Erwin is the son of David and Elen- or (Arnott), natives respectively of Ireland and Scotland, who came to this land and were married in New York state, where they settled in Genesee county. In that place, on September 20, 1839, our subject was born and there he recived his educational training. He had scarcely reached his majority when the call came for troops and he responded at once, enlisting in the One Hundred and Fourth In- fantry, and in that capacity he remained until July 12, 1865, when he was discharged with' the rank of sergeant major. He participated in all of the battles in Virginia and was in ac- tive service from the start to finish. On De- cember 13, 1862, he received a bayonet wound at Fredericksburg, and on July 4, at Gettys- burg, he was wounded by a sharpshooter and several other times his body stopped rebel lead, but from all these he recovered. Return- ing to his native state he engaged in general merchandising at Linden, and one year later all was lost by fire, following which he re- paired to Oakland, Michigan, whence two years later he went to Baker county, 1868 be- ing the date when he first landed here. For over twenty years he engaged in mining and raising cattle, being in company with J. C. Powers & Co., and at one time owned over one thousand head of cattle on the range. In 1892 he bought the farm where he now resides in Lower Powder river valley, and here he has devoted his entire attention to tilling the soil and stock raising and buying and selling stock. He has some fine thoroughbred Short Horn Durham cattle and some excellent horses. In political matters he has always been prominent in the Republican party and the county has profited much by his service in office. He was county commissioner of Union county for some time and justice of the peace for four years and for sixteen years he has been a school of- ficer in Erwin district. On January 23, 1881, Mr. Erwin and Miss Ada, daughter of A. J. and Martha (Harp) Brown, natives of Tennessee, were married and to them have been 'born the following chil- dren : Belle, wife of H. C. Easterbrook; James G. ; Ethel O 1 . ; John P. ; Ada E. ; Jackson O. ; Edith V. ; Walter G. ; all of whom, except the married daughter, reside at home. Mr. Erwin has made a number of trips to Michigan 20 for the purpose of selling horses. And during the early days it is to be recorded that he was very active in participating in the Indian wars of this region. He was one of the number that chased the notorious Indian chieftain, Egan, and has been to the front whenever there was danger to the settlers. FRANK LOENNIG.— This prosperous- young farmer and stockraiser of the neigh- borhood situated about six miles west of Haines postoffice has the distinction of being a native of the county he is now helping to de- velop, having been born on Willow creek, four miles northwest of the present Haines, on No- vember 5,1867. His parents, Arnst and Ma- rie Loennig, were pioneers of the county of the year 1863. Our subject lived with them until. 1894, then purchased the place on which he now lives, three hundred and twenty acres. To- the cultivation and improvement of this he has devoted himself energetically since, with the result that he has some very excellent im- provements, and that an air of thrift is every- where perceptible about the premises. Mr.. Loennig is one of the substantial citizens of the county, belonging to that class which though, not ambitions for personal aggrandizement or political preferment, or for leadership of any- kind, are yet the real strength of any commun- ity, the earnest of its future progress. On June 8, 1897, at his father's home on Willow creek, our subject married Miss Emma E., a native of Kansas, and daughter of Philip P. and Wilamina Lang, and to their union three children have been born, namely, Erna June and Franklin Lang, and an infant. CONRAD J. LANG.— The thrifty and progressive farmer and stock-raiser whose ca- reer it is now our task to present in epitome, was born near .Sandy Hill, Steuben county, New York, on the twenty-fifth of January, i860. When four years old he was taken by his parents to the vicinity of Appleton, Wis- consin, and there he took his initial steps in the pursuit of knowledge. In 1869, the family re- moved to Crawford county, Kansas, but after §06 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES a residence of seventeen years duration there, the father died and the mother and her chil- dren returned to New York, where she also departed this life. In 1882 our subject emigrated to' Baker county, Oregon, and he has resided within it's limits ever since, though his home has been located in various places at different times. In 1890 he settled upon a tract of land about three miles northeast of Weatherby, on Sisley creek, where he has ever since resided, and where he now has a very comfoirtable home, and a farm well improved and equipped with all necessary buildings, machinery, etc. His premises bear eloquent testimony to his thrift and industry. On February 15, 1881, in Osage Mission, Kansas, Mr. Lang married Miss Sarah ML, •daughter of John and Susana (Sideling) Lei- hold, and to them have been born eight chil- dren : Joseph V., Edward W., Francis J., die- ceased, Regina, Mary R., Conrad M., Lewis \G. and Arthur, all at home. Fraternally, Mr. Lang is affiliated with the A. O. U. W.,'of Baker City. JOSEPH S. JETT.— Among the leading farmers of Baker county, must be mentioned the man whose name gives caption to this re- view. He likewise takes a vital interest in political matters and exhibits broad-minded public spirit and a willingness to do> what lies in his power for the upbuilding of his com- munity and county and the advancement of the general welfare. As a man and member of society, his standing is an enviable one, and it affords us pleasure to be able to accord him representation here as one of the county's lead- ing men. Mr. Jett is a native of Franklin county, Missouri, born May 12, 1844, ms parents be- ing William E. and Elizabeth Jett. In 1848 he accompanied his parents to Grundy county, same state, where he attended the district school during its sessions and worked on a farm the remainder of the time, until 1864. He then crossed the plains to Baker county, Oregon, locating first in the Powder river valley, near Baker City, where he lived until 1869. He then settled on the old Scott place, seven miles northwest of Huntington, on Burnt river, the original owners of which, M'r. and Mrs. Scott were shot by Indians in 1867. To* the cultiva- tion and improvement of this tract, he has de- voted himself zealously since, with the natural result that it has long since been brought to such a state of cultivation as to> produce abund- ant crops of alfalfa and other farm products, including fruit of various kinds. Mr. Jett also has a large band of cattle on the range. As before implied, our subject is a leader in political matters, his party affiliations being with the Democrats. He was married on De- cember n, 1 88 1, to Henrietta Christenson, a native of Des Moines, Iowa, and they are now parents of eight children, Augusta M., Lizzie, deceased, Ida P., Clara, Ruth C, Joseph B., Hattie D., and Dorman E., all at home. WILLIAM D. EMELE.— This honored pioneer and successful farmer and stockman of the Powder river valley was born in Illinois, near the city of Quincy, on February 1 1, 1839. His father, William, was a native of Germany, and his mother, Evaline, of Illinois. The fa- ther died when he was quite young and the family moved to Iowa, settling near Burling- ton, in Des Moines county. Our subject re- ceived a good common school education, and with this for his only equipment, he set out at the age of twenty to* try his fortunes in the wild and rugged west, crossing the plains in the primitive fashion of the times, namely, with ox-teams. His objective point was the Golden state, where he farmed for a period of two years, thereupon coming to> Oregon. After arriving here he settled first in the Big- Creek country, but soon he filed on a quarter section of government land in the Panhandle country, sixteen miles northeast of Baker City, where he now lives. For many years he has devoted himself assiduously and exclusively to the basic art and he now has a very excellent and well improved place all under irrigation. He keeps about forty head of well graded cattle, and in addition to his fine farm with its stock and equipments, he is the owner of some valuable city property at the county seat. The mar- riage of our subject and Miss Elizabeth Bow- man was duly solemnized in the state of Mis- souri, on April 15, 1871, and they now have five Children, namely, Elmer, living on Big HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 307 Creek, six miles north; Estella wife of J. M. Dean, a resident of the valley ; Eveline, wife of R. J. Jameson, of Baker county; Benjamin, .and Elizabeth. WILLIAM C. NICHOLSON.— This en- ergetic and successful farmer and fruit raiser, residing eight miles west of Haines, is, deserv- ing of representation in any work whose prov- ince is similar to that of our volume, he being not alone a leader in his line of activity but also an esteemed and highly respected citizen of his community and county, public spirited and a potent factor in the promotion of the general welfare. He was born in Hayward county, Tennessee, oni March 191, 1842, and there he resided until sixteen years old, ac- quiring hisi educational discipline in the local private schools. In the year mentioned he ac- companied the remainder of the family to Jack- son county, Arkansas, where his home was until about 1867. ( Our subject was not privileged to' remain with hisi parents much after 1862, however, for the cause he believed to' be right was summon- ing him to sterner duties, and in that year he enlisted in Colonel Matlock's cavalry regiment. He participated in the battle of Prairie Grove, where Colonel Young was killed and Hicks became colonel of the regiment, and in the battle at Helena, where he was wounded in the right chest and taken prisoner. Upon being exchanged in the fall of 1863, he joined Grider's battalion, and then under Colonel Mc- Gee, ranking as orderly sergeant, he par- ticipated in Price's campaign in Missouri, taking part in the battles of Bridgeport, Pilot Knob and in numerous other engagements and skirmishes. In 1867 our subject moved to northern Arkansas and two years later came thence across the plains to. Baker county, making the trip with ox-teams. For 1 about eight years he farmed at Wingville, and two were passed in like employment in the Grande Ronde val- ley. He also followed agricultural pursuits in various other parts of the county until 1883, when he pre-empted a quarter section eight miles west of the present Haines, upon which he has since lived. He now has three hundred and twenty acres of fine land, most of which has been brought by industry and skill to a high state of cultivation, also a good house, and all needful outbuilding's, fencesi, etc. His premises are an unmistakable monument to his industry and thrift. Fraternally, Mr. Nicholson is a charter member of Haines Lodge No. 112, I. O. O. F., and of Haines Lodge No, 11, A. O. U. W. He is also a leading member and a deacon in the Baptist church. Twice our subject has been married. In Arkansas in the year 1865, he wedded Miss Sarah Miller, and toi their union were born three daughters : Mary, now Mrs. Skaw, operating a boarding house at North Powder ; Nancy, wife of Grant Hohurg, living at Baker City; Naomi, residing at Sumpter. His second marriage was solemnized on January 4, 1880, the lady being Mrs. Martha Burke, daughter of Reuben and Elizabeth T. (Baker) Haines and a native of Ohio. Mrs. Nicholson has one living son by her former marriage, James Burke. SAMUEL F. GOVER.— It is ever gratify- ing toi see exemplified that excellent quality of continuity and perseverance, and especially so when it is accompanied by other equally as fine and worthy talents, as is the case in the leading stockman and prominent citizen whose njime heads this article, having been in the stock business here almost continuously for over a quarter of a century, gaining meanwhile a very marked and gratifying success in this enterprise. Mr. Gover is the son of David and Jane (Shadow en) Gover, natives of Kentucky, in which state the father passed out of this life, and the mother died later in Missouri. At the age of eighteen, September, 1868, he left the Blue Grass state and landed in Missouri, near Marshall, where he worked on a farm for three years, after which he came toi the Pacific coast, landing in Baker City in about 1872. He immediately went to the lower Powder river valley and engaged on a farm for wages, where he continued for four years. After this time, he went to, driving cattle between this county and Rock Creek, Wyoming. He was one of the first men that contracted cattle to Sfeawright Brothers to> go east. He has con- tinued in the cattle business uninterruptedly since with the exception of a short time he was 308 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES in Nebraska. About eight years ago be bought a ranch in Eagle valley and his wife also has one in the same valley. At Sturgill creek, Washington county, Idaho, he has a homestead, where the family reside at the present time. The marriage of Mr. Gover and Miss Mattie, daughter of Henry and Vina Cundiff, was celebrated in 1891, on February 5. He made a trip to> Somerset, Kentucky, to claim his bride, and together they came to> their western home. They have two children, Wal- ter G, and Vina, at his Idaho' residence. Mr. Gover is one of the most experienced stock- men of this section and is looked up to by all, both for his. wisdom and for his integrity, which is ever manifested in a becoming manner. JACOB B. WHITE, M. D.— Upon no class of men are the issues of life and death so dependent as upon the physicians and thus it is that popular sentiment calls that they be men of great ability and stanch integrity and thorough training, that they may the more suc- cessfully cope with the dread enemies, disease and suffering. Baker county may well be proud of her quota of medical residents and well toward the head of this distinguished number must be placed the name of the prom- inent and skillful young doctor whose name initiates this paragraph and to whom we are pleased to accord a representation in this vol- ume. Doctor White is the son of Galvin G. and Emily (Thompson) White, being torn on July 12, 1 87 1, at Fremont, Nebraska. His father was a chaplain in the Civil war and after the close continued in the ministry in the Methodist Episcopal church and for a term of years was presiding elder of the Omaha and Lincoln dis- tricts. During his time in that state he was captain of Company C, of the Nebraska Home Guards and did some hard fighting in the Sioux Indian outbreak. After a long life of faithful and distinguished service in the cause of his Divine Master, he fell asleep on November 23, 1883. Hi s widow also departed this life on June 30, 1900, in Kansas City, The im- mediate subject of this sketch was taken by his parents to Lincoln, in his native state and there attended the public schools until fifteen years of age and then entered the State University, from which he took with honor the degree of B. S. in 1892. Immediately following this, he. matriculated at the University of Michigan and graduated from that institution in 1895 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine and Surgery. In 1896 he came to Huntington in Baker coun- ty, and located and since that date he has given himself to the practice of medicine with a. manifestation of skill and depth of erudition that have speedily and permanently won for him not only a large and lucrative practice but. have also given him a high place in the esteem and affection, of the people. Among his con- freres he is held in high repute, having gained the distinction and encomiums that his real worth merits. The Doctor has displayed marked financial ability and keen foresight in his business life, and the meed of this worthy action is shown in that he is one of the heavy mine owners of his town. He owns and con- trols, the Amyl group of mines in the south- eastern part of the county, also the Eldorado group of placer mines near Malheur city; he- is also largely interested in the Eldorado- Oil Company in Malheur county and is a heavy shareholder in the Huntington Light and Ar- tesian Water Company. Among the first to detect the indications of oil in the recently discovered oil-belt of Idaho and Oregon, hie gave all of his leisure hours, for months to' a thorough and exhaustive study of the geological formation there existing; from April to< August in the year just past,. the work proceeded quietly, with frequent pauses during the press of professional duties. During the month of August, the work of other investigators drew public attention to the task in hand and then in a few weeks was inaugur- ated the first stage of either the greatest oil- boom or one of the most laughable location craze's, in modem times. The calm serenity of the Doctor's researches in geological lore soon changed to a hasty effort to secure for himself and friends the fruits of his labor. The whole country was overrun with locators of all descriptions from every walk of life. The hills and valleys fairly bristled with posts topped with location notices, many of the latter being fearfully and wonderfully made. Re- turning surveyors became more or less gratuit- ous, instruments for the spread of the infection, and generally succeeded in augmenting the ex- citement. From the general chaos resulting HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 309 the Doctor succeeded in locating several thou- sand acres of the choicest portions O'f the oil lands, in the interest of a company of western ■capitalists who later' incorporated under the name of the "Inter-State Petroleum Oil Com- pany." This company, of which the Doctor was elected secretary, is now proceeding with the thorough exploiting of their property in the field, having in view the permanent growth and rational development of the same. Though too early to predict with -certainty the outcome of the present un- dertaking O'f this and other companies, it .is safe to say that no stone will be left unturned to tap nature's reservoir of crude petroleum, .and secure for this portion of the state, if pos- sible, an era of prosperity unprecedented in size and permanence. The marriage of Doctor White and Miss Jessie M., daughter of Joseph M. and Ella M. (Smith) Duffy, was solemnized on June 21, 1899. Mr. Duffy was one of the most prom- inent men of the county in his time and his death occurred in the spring of 1896, while 3iis widow is still living in Huntington. Doc- tor White is fraternally affiliated with the I. O. O. F. Burnt River Lodge, No. 86, and at the present time holds the position of noble grand in that lodge, also is a member of the Rebekahs, Eastern Gate, No. 40, and of the Modern Woodmen and the Woodmen of the World. WILLIAM MILES.— To the man whose life record it is now our task toi epitom- ize belongs the distinguished honor of being •one of those who. rallied to the support of the Union and the flag in the dark days when civil strife threatened to rend our land in twain. Like most of his comrades, alsoi, Mr. Miles has sustained the good record of his military service in the severe battle of life which had to be fought before and since, and has contributed his share toward the progress and upbuilding of his part of the country he fought so valiantly to save. In peace and in war he has ever stood "four square to every wind" and he deserves and receives the good will and esteem of all who know him. Inquiry into the past life of Mr. Miles de- velops the fact that his native country is Ire- land, and that he was born January 8, 1839, near Dublin. When about eight years, old he was brought by his parents, to America, and for the ensuing six years his home was in Ontario county, New York. In 1855 the fam- ily moved to Chicago and two> years later to Joliet, Illinois, where our subject lived until 1862. In that year the even tenor of his life was somewhat rudely interrupted in conse- quence of the Civil war and the duty he felt it entailed of giving his support to the cause of national union. He enlisted, obedient to the call of patriotism, in Company C, Nine- tieth Illinois, and from' that time until the close, of hostilities, he followed the fortunes of war. He participated in the struggles at Mis- sionary Ridge, Jacksonville, Fort McAllister and other places, receiving a severe wound in the right arm at the point last named. His military record was one of which he and his family have reason to feel proud. When hostilities ceased and he received his honorable discharge, he came out to' Boise, Idaho, where he remained for three years, thereupon returning to Joliet. He was em- ployed there for the ensuing fourteen years as foreman in the rolling mills of the town, but at the end of that extended period, he again came out ten the west, locating this time in Baker county, where he took a homestead and where he has ever since lived. He is one of the thrifty and prosperous agriculturist of his locality and one of its leading citizens. At present he is serving as postmaster at Miles, which wasi named for him. In fraternal affiliations our subject is iden- tified with Bartleson Post, No. 6, G. A. R., of Joliet, Illinois, He married on November 2, 1872, Miss Annie E. daughter of John and Mary Harbison, of Odell, Illinois, and to them have been born eight children, Mary L. ; Nellie, wife of Milton Martin ; James, John, William, Agnes, Katie and Neal. Dr. MADISON B. MORRIS.— Few have had the privilege of passing through a more checkered career and meeting with more stirr- ing scenes of interest than the subject of this sketch, whose life's opitome it is now our pleasant task to chronicle. Madison B. Morris, familiarly known as Dr. Morris, was born in Henry county, Ten- 310 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES nessee, in 1824, being - the son of Lemuel and Martha (Estes) Morris, the father being buried in Salem, Arkansas, and the mother 1 in Santa Anna, Calif ornia. When twenty-seven years of age, our subject commenced the study of medicine and after finishing his course, he at once commenced the practice and almost constantly until within the past ten years he has been engaged in that profession, although owing to his stirring nature and love of ac- tivity he has frequently been engaged in other enterprises in addition to the practice of medi- cine. He practiced in Bassville, Arkansas, from 1848 to 1853, and then came to The Dalles, Oregon, where he followed his profession for four years, thence to the Cas- cades, where he also practiced and engaged in supplying the steamboats with wood and also took up a ranch opposite Dead Island in the Columbia river. In 1865 we find him follow- ing his profession in Walla Walla and for fif- teen years he was in that city ; after which he spent four years in Weston, and seven years in Somerville and in 1882 came to Eagle valley, where he now owns a quarter section of land and is engaged in fruit culture and general farming. '■ The marriage of Dr. Morris and Miss Elizabeth Lillybridge was celebrated in 1867 and to them have been born the following children: James, Lily, Lemuel, Delia, Clyde, deceased, Charley, deceased, Sadie. Mrs. Morris' parents came across the plains with ox teams in 1865 and many exciting and thrill- ing experiences were theirs to pass through while en route. At one time the stock were stampeded by the stage appearing suddenly and at another time the Indians stampeded and stole the cattle. Fortunately, they were en- abled in the morning to recover all of their cat- tle so that they could proceed. The doctor met this train on the Cascades, and then later fol- lowed the happy marriage we have mentioned above. While the doctor was superintending a train across the plains in 1853, he came across a man that had been abandoned by the train that preceded his, the poor unfortunate being left to die. The doctor, like the Good Samari- tan, picked up this helpless man and nursed him to life, using his medical skill to restore him. His train was stampeded on the Snake river and many of their horses were never recovered. When he was below the Cascades, he barely escaped being murdered by the In- dians in 1856, the date of a terrible massacre in that section. At one time, the doctor had the misfortune to fall through a poorly con- structed bridge in Portland. He landed twenty- six and one-half feet below and it was sup- posed that he was dead, for for three days and nights he lay speechless, but he was en- abled finally to< pull through, although to-day he is suffering from the effects of this same fall, however, he has received no remuneration from the city for their failure. WILLIAM B. POWERS.— It is with pleasure that we are enabled toi accord repre- sentation in this portion of our volume to' the esteemed pioneer and thrifty, industrious ag- riculturist whose name appears as the caption of this article. He was one of the earliest settlers in the community in winch he lives and in Baker county, and during the nearly three decades of his residence here his life has been in all respects, so ordered as to win him the fullest confidence and most unfeigned and hearty good will of those with wh)om he has. been thrown in contact. He is possessed of a broad-minded public spirit, and has ever shown himself a potent factor in the promotion of the general well-being and the development of the country. Mr. P'owers is ai native of the vicinity of Flemingburg, Fleming county, Kentucky, born March 4, 1825. When he was still quite young, he was taken by his parents, Edward H. and Maty Powers, to Pike county, Missouri, whence he accompanied them a few years: later to Lincoln county, and thence to Warsaw, Ben- ton county, where for a number of years the father had charge of a ferry. Our subject farmed there until 1850, then set out across the plains to California;, making the trip with oxen. He mined at Bear river, Auburn, Georgetown and other places for a biennium, then returned to Missouri via the isthmus of Panama, the oceans and New York. He resumed his farm- ing in Benton county, but after having seen the west he could be contented there noi longer, and in 1864 he again set out across the plains, his objective point this time being Baker coun- ty. He settled six miles west of the present North Powder, taking a homestead. He has HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 311 purchased and disposed erf much land since, but at present is possessed of two hundred and twenty acres, a part of which is the original home place. His realty is all fine farming land, and it has been improved by judicious cultivation and by the erection of fences and fine buildings, until it is one of the best farms in that section of the county. Mr. Pbwers has a fine orchard but gives his attention mainly to stock-raising and general farming, achieving in his efforts in this direction a very enviable success. Our subject was married in Boone county, Missouri, in December, 1849, to Miss Adeline Barclay, who died in 1869, leaving seven chil- dren, namely: William, a miner in Idaho*; Mary, wife of James Hutchinson, a resident of Union; John H., living at Salem; Ellenora, deceased; Ada, wife of R. L. Turner, living- at Bourne, Oregon; Ellen, wife of S. C. Mann, a prominent farmer of the county ; Laura, now Mrs. J. L. Dodson, living - on the home place. JOSEPH M. DUFFY, deceased.— As a slight tribute to the memory of the departed patriot, pioneer and distinguished citizen of Baker county, we are constrained to add this memoir ial to 1 the name of the late Joseph M. Duffy, whose demise was lamented by all and whose memory is cherished by every one that had the pleasure of his acquaintance. On August 6, 1849, Joseph M. was born in the town of Marshall, West Virginia, and in that place he passed the years, of his minor- ity, excepting what time was spent in the serv- ice of his country, to which he gave himself while yet in the tender years of boyhood that he might assist in saving to the generations to come the Union and retrieve from 1 insult and ignominy the banner of the free that had been disgracefully attacked by treason's minions. He enlisted in Company D, Seventh West Vir- ginia Cavalry, and was with General MeClel- lan in the army of the Potomac, where he did faithful service and manifested intrepidity and stanch qualities that distinguished his tender years, and at the close of the war he was hon- orably discharged to take up the duties of civil life. In 1866 he went to- Pike's Peak and later to the Black Hills and then to Georgetown, Colorado, in search for nature's gold ; how suc- cessful he was in this enterprise is not stated, but afterward we find him in. the less adven- turous walks of life. In 1875 he was in Ma- con, Missouri, and nine years later came to the O'wyhee valley in this state. In 1886 he settled in Huntington, and was the first mayor of the city, and later held the office of county commissioner of Baker county from! 1890 to 1894, ever faithfully discharging the trusts imposed upon him with discretion and ability. The marriage of Mr. Duffy and Miss Ella M. Smith was celebrated in Maconi, Missouri, in 1875, and to themi have been born the fol- lowing children : Harry A., mention of whom is made in another portion of this work; Jes- sie M., wife of Dr. Jacob B. White, of Hunt- ington; Joseph M., Jr., deceased. Mr. Duffy was affiliated with the Masonic lodge at Baker City, with the I. O 1 . O. F., Burnt River Lodge, No. 86, in Huntington. In political preference he was associated with the Republican party, and his ability and integrity were manifested so that he held a foremost position among the men of the county, being reckoned one of its leaders. On April 2, 1896, in the city of Huntington, death claimed him as a victim and 1 he passed to the rewards of another realm, witere his faithful service shall receive due meed in those things that fade not away. His demise was the cause of general mourning, and with proper and appropriate ceremonies he was consigned to his last resting place, to; await the clay when his eyes shall behold and his ears hear the Master whom: he served here below. Mrs. Duffy survives her husband and resides in Huntington. JAMES M. DEAN.— This prosperous farmer and stock raiser of the lower Powder river valley is a native of the .great common- wealth in which he now lives;, having been born in Washington county, near Oregon City, on April 6, 1857. His parents, Francis M. and Mary J. (Roberts) Dean,, natives respectively of Tennessee and Missouri, were both pio- neers of 1852. Our subject resided in the county of his nativity until 1870, then aiccotnh- panied his parents to the Grande Rondel valley, whence, in 1871, he moved to a point not far distant from his present place of abode. His parents took the quarter section of land now eil2 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES known as the Turner place. Though he had attended school in Washington county, he had not finished his education at the time of his ar- rival here, so for some time he was a pupil in the Big Creek school, though it is situated six miles away. As soon as our subject reached man's estate he engaged in the lumber business on Coos Bay, and to that his energies were de- voted for a couple of years, at the end of which time he returned to Baker 'county and engaged in farming and the stock business, purchasing for the purpose the quarter section on which we find him' at present. He now: owns* a beau- tiful farm 1 of two hundred acres, all good, .rich land under irrigation, and he formerly kept as high as four hundred head of cattle iru part- nership with one N. C. Love, but during recent years he has reduced his herd to about eighty. In 1899 he purchased a part interest in the saw mill of Jameson & Company, situated about eight miles northeast of his plaice, but he has since sold out the same, deeming it best to give his undivided attention to farming. Mr. Dean is vitally interested in, the cause of education, a fact which is manifested by his having served faithfully for twelve consecu- tive years as director of his district. Frater- nally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Baker City Camp, No. 5326. On September 9, 1 891, in the Powder river valley, he married Miss Estella I., a daughter of W. David and Elizabeth (Bowman) Emele, pio- neers of this county. They have three 'chil- dren : Oval A., Marvin B. and Burl D. GEORGE N. REED.— This honored pio- neer of the state of Oregon is a native of Ypsi- lanti, Michigan, born in 1840, the son of Cal- vin and Alvira (Round) Reed. He crossed the plains with them ten years later, corning to Clackimas county, and making the trip by ox- teams. When twenty years old he struck out for himself, going into 1 the cattle business and farming, and in 1864 he emigrated to the Pa- louse country. Two months 1 later he went to Snake river and thence three months after- ward to Walla Walla, from which point he journeyed to Helena, all this time with a band oi horses. After having spent the suminuer in Montana's capital, he returned to Walla Walla, and from that city he came to Eagle valley. In 1877 he took a homestead in Eagle valley, where he has ever since lived. He has a fine home, well improved and abundantly supplied with buildings, fences and other equipments. In 1872 our subject married Miss Sarah, daughter of Abraham' and Edith (Fairman) Swisher, natives of Pennsylvania, and to> their union seven children have been born: Har- riet, now Mrs. Samuel Sloan ; Valeria:, wife of Clarence Spaugh ; Abraham, married to Ida Maley; Anna, Calvin, Donnie, and Gladys, at home. Mrs. Reed's parents crossed the plains to Mexico in 1864, but soon returned to Pennsyl- vania, whence, in 1868, they came to Oregon, again crossing the plains with ox-teams. On the latter trip they had several casualties. In the North Platte river they upset, losing every- thing, so 1 they had to send to Fort Laramie for aid. They experienced many difficulties with the Indians, and sometimes had to part their traiin to allow stampeding buffaloes to' pass by. GARRET W. VANDERWALL. — A splendid representative of the unconquerable Saxon race to which he belongs, Mr. Vander- wall possesses an abundant measure of the thrift and energy which has rendered the Dutch race famous and has made the sons of Hol- land who have found their way to America such desirable citizens. Our subject is a native- of the province of Friesland, born July io, 1857. He resided in the land of his nativity until twenty-three years of age, acquiring a public-school education and such invigorating physical discipline as the farm affords. In 1880 he came to California, where for a, period of four years, he worked as a wage earner, saving- his earnings that he might some day be privileged to. engage in the more independent life of a farmer. The year 1884 found him in Baker county, Oregon, and in possession of a fine farmi five miles west of Haines, where he has ever since lived. He is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres, well improved and abundantly supplied with all needed buildings, fences, etc., etc. Mr. Vanderwall is a general farmer, raising such products as he thinks will be most demanded by the market and keeping- on the average about fifteen fine dairv cows. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 813 Fraternally our subject affiliates with Haines Lodge, No. n, A. O. U. W. His mar- riage was solemnized in 'Goshen, Indiana, on the 24th of April, 1884, Miss Anna Fisher, a native of Indiana, then becoming his wife. Their union has been blessed by the advent of three children, Sylvia, Leona and Roy. WILLIAM POLLMAN. — Among the successful business men: who< have come to Ba- ker county and have found here the "tide which taken at the flood leads on to fortune," must be counted the man whose 1 career we must here essay to outline. Coming to this com- munity with but very little money in his pocket, he has by dint of diligence, thrift and business ability wrought his- way to at least moderate fortune and a, very enviable position of power in the commercial world'. We shall now attempt to present the specific history of his life. Mr. Pollman was born in Quinicy, Illinois, on the 24th of August, 1867, his parents being F. W. and Amelia Pollman, natives of Ger- many. When but two and a half years old he was taken to- Lacygne, Kansas, where his fa- ther was engaged in the meat market and stack business. There our subject received his pub- lic school training, which was supplemented by a course in the Gem City Business College, of Quincy, Illinois 1 , from which he received his diploma; when twenty years of age. ' He had also attended previously the normal school at Fort Scott. His experience in the meat business began while he was still a child. In 1889 he de- termined to try his fortune in the west, so came to> Portland, Oregon, but apparently not find- ing the conditions obtaining there exactly to his liking, he returned that same fall to Baker City, where he was employed by Geddes and John Kraft for a short time, when he formed a partnership' with Mr. Geddes, Mr. Kraft hav- ing sold his interest in the business, and to- gether they continued in the meat business. Fortune has favored themi, and at present they have large herds of stock in different parts of the county and ranches aggregating about twelve hundred acres. Mr. Pollman has valu- able business and residence property in Baker City and is also* interested in the Gas and Elec- tric Gompany, of Baker City, of which he is president, and he owns a beautiful residence at No. 16 1 5 Washington street. Be is a public- spirited man and takes the interest every good citizen should in the general welfare of his town, county and state, though he is not per- sonally ambitious for political preferment. Fraternally our subject is affiliated with the K. of P., the I. O. O. F. and the R P. O. E. His marriage was solemnized on Feb- ruary 5, 1896, when Miss Emma Geiser, daughter of John and Eliza Geiser, became his wife. They have two children, Louisa E. and Edna G. HARRY A. DUFFY.— It is with pleas- ure that we are allowed the privilege of mak- ing mention in this volume of the prominent young business man and distinguished citizen whose name initiates this article and whose life has largely been spent in the county of Baker and with that uprightness and manifestation of ability and integrity that have won the esteem 1 and confidence of all amd where he has already carved for himself a place of enviable distinc- tion both in the social and business world, being at the present time manager and part owner of the second oldest drug business in the county, the Duffy drug store. The birth of Mr. Duffy took place in Ma- con, Macon county, Missouri, on February 29, 1876, being the son of Joseph Ml and Ella M. ( Smith) Duffy, especial mention of the father being made in another part of this work. When eight years of age the parents removed to Owyhee valley in this state, and two years later they repaired toi this county, settling first in Huntington. Here our subject attended the graded Schools, and graduated therefrom' in 1897. The training acquired in this way was by no' means all that he gained, for much of his time was spent in practical service in the drug business, and when he finished his schooling he was ready to go before the state board of pharmacy, and there he passed with honor the trying examinations to< be undergone by those who would become registered pharmacists. He gained this distinction readily and at once entered business for himself and is at the pres- ent time enjoying a large and lucrative patron- age, being well and favorably known through- 14 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES out all the section adjacent to his home town, as well as through; the county at large. Fraternally Mr. Duffy is affiliated with the Burnt River Lodge, No. 86, I. O. O. F., also with the A. F. & A. M., Baker City Lodge, No. 47. He is a member of the Congregational church and is active in its support and in gen- eral' church work. He has served as mayor of the city and is at the present time city council- man, and in all of this public work he has manifested the same sagacity and keen fore- sight that is characteristic of him in his 1 private business enterprises.. In political matters he is active and interested, and allies himself with the Republican party. WILLIAM D. NASH, one of the public- spirited citizens and enterprising farmers and stockmen of Eagle valley, was born in States- ville, North Carolina, in 1854. When about fifteen months old he was brought by his par- ents, William M. and Elizabeth (Knox) Nash, to Missouri, and in 1869 he accompanied them to California. Though his home was. with; his parents until he became twenty-three years old, he began life's battles on his own account some nine years earlier. He herded sheep for a stockman in the Golden state, and eventually got to' be foreman for his employer, then leased a band of sheep and embarked in the industry on his own account. During his wage-earning days he traveled over the entire state of Cali- fornia, and it was by working on the Sacra- mento river and vicinity that he got his start, and there he took his first place. In 1878 he settled in Lassen county, California, and there he remained until 1886, when he came to Eagle valley, Oregon, Purchasing a tract of one hundred acres on Eagle creek, he established a home there, while he utilized the ranges for pasturing his sheep and cattle. During the first sixteen years of his. residence here he fre- quently made trips with his flocks as far as Montana. Our subject takes the interest which be- comes a good citizen in politics and matters of general concern. He belongs to the Odd Fel- lows and was one of the organizers of the sub- ordinate lodge in Eagle valley. Our subject married Miss Dora, daughter of Thomas and Rebecca (Gumings) Summers, and they have had six children: Carl, de- ceased and buried near Big Valley, California; Lorena, wife of Frank Sultz; Zella, Bessie, Ruper J. and Odeta, at home; and one that died in infancy. It is of interest to- note that Nashville, Tennessee, was named after our subject's pa- ternal uncle. JAMES C. BROOKS.— The good, sub- stantial citizen and prosperous fanner whose name appears above is a native of Newcastle, Delaware, born in 1843, ms parents being Jo- siah and Mariah (Long) Brooks, likewise na- tives of Delaware. He was educated at New- castle, where the school was maintained by funds bequeathed to* it by William Penn, for the purpose of educating its youth. In 1868 he accompanied the remainder of the family to Kansas, in which state his father died, the date being 1872. He then assumed the man- agement of the paternal estate, removing short- ly with his mother and the other children to the Grande Ronde valley, Oregon, where they remained between the years 1875 an d 1877 '- In the latter year they removed to Pine val- ley, located on a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, two and a quarter miles north- east of Halfway postoffice, and engaged in cattle raising and general farming. He has a fine place and is comfortably situated, but has never been married and since the death of his mother, on July 13, 1888, has been without the cares and without the pleasures of domesticity. The remains of his mother were laid to rest in Halfway cemetery, after she had trodden the course of the pilgrim for one more year than the allotted three score and ten. Mr. Brooks owns nearly two hundred head of cattle, and thirty horses, being a skillful handler of stock. He is one of the earliest settlers of this valley and deserves great credit •for his labors here. ISAAC N. PANCAKE, a veteran of the great Civil war, and an honored citizen of Baker county, in the development of which he has materially aided, was born in Noble coun- ty, Indiana, in 1838. His parents, Abraham and Mary (Choup) Pancake, natives of Ohio, were among the first settlers of northern Indi- ana, where they followed fanning until death claimed them. Our subject remained under the parental roof until the outbreak of the Civ- JAMES C. BROOKS. ISAAC N. PAHCAKE. 0. P. ISOH. ALFRED H. HUHTIHGTOS. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 315- il war, then enlisted as a non-commissioned offi- cer. He served three years and one month, participating in many hard-fought engage- ments and skirmishes, one of his superior offi- cers for a part at least of the time being the famed General Lawton, who 1 perished in the Philippine war. At the close of his service our subject was discharged as a color ser- geant. Returning home, he remained with his parents about two years, then went to Linn county, Kansas, and engaged in farming, an occupation which continued to engage his en- ergies until 1877, which year is the date of his advent to Pine valley. Arriving in Septem- ber, he purchased a place two and a half miles north of the present Halfway postoffice, and again under new conditions and surroundings, began farming and stockraising, a business which he has followed energetically and suc- cessfully ever since. Thus has he demon- strated that the same conquering force of char- acter which made him a good soldier in war times could enable him to win success in the less dangerous, but sometimes no less arduous, battles of civil life. Mr. Pancake was married in Indiana in February, 1865, to Miss Nancy, daughter of Robert and Nancy (Cutler) Curtis, natives of Vermont, and to their union seven children were born, Bruce; Lena, wife of William Mills; Vertie, deceased; one that died in in- fancy; May, wife of Fred Painter; and two others who died in infancy. Mr. Pancake's father was a leader in Ohio politics, having been twice representative of his district, also one of the first board of county commissioners of his county. Our subject himself is vitally interested in matters of public concern, especially in the cause of education, which he has promoted by efficiently serving as trustee both in Kansas and where he now lives. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Phil Kearny Post, No. 66, G. A. R. O. P. ISON. — Among the very first ones that came to- this section and remained, honor- able mention should be made of the gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph, who> for nearly forty years has wrought here for the material welfare and substantial development of this county, while his fine business ability and keen foresight have given him the proper rewards of a good competence among the peo- ple whoi have bestowed in him their confidence and esteem, which have been richly merited in every respect. Mr. Ison was born in Garrard county, in the old Blue Grass state, on June 11, 1846. When but three years of age, he was removed by his parents to Trenton, Missouri, and there wrought on a farm until 1862, when the entire family made the trip across the plains with ox teams, settling near Wingville, and engaging in farming and stockraising. Our subject has given his attention to these related industries, almost continuously since, and he is known as one of the most prosperous and experienced stockmen in eastern Oregon. His residence is one mile west of Baker City, but his hay farm, which consists of one half section of fine hay producing soil, is situated eight miles north from Baker City. He has at the present time over three hundred head of fine graded Short Horn and Hereford cattle, besides some fine specimens of thoroughbreds. The marriage of Mr. Ison and Miss Mar- tha J., daughter of that city. He had been ordained in 1868. His services as a minister of the Gospel continued until 1887, when he retired. He still lives in Eureka, and enjoys remarkably good health for a man over ninety years old. Our subject received his educational disci- pline at Pacific University, where he took a two years' course. In 1875 he went to North Ya- kima, Washington, and engaged with his brother, J. B., in the cattle business. Fortune smiled upon their venture and by the fall of 1880 they found themselves in possession of ■six thousand head. The following winter, however, proved an unusually severe one, ainjd before spring their herds were reduced in numbers to six hundred and eighty. With' this remnant they removed to Baker county, Ore- gon, locating at the site of Huntington, where 'they purchased the Miller ranch and stage sta- tion. They were the ones, who platted the town, and from them, it takes its name. In 1883 they suffered some heavy losses and were 'Compelled to make an assignment, which closed out the remnant of a one hundred and fifty thousand dollar estate. i In the spring of 1885 our subject stuck the first stakes which marked the Cornucopia mines,, he being one of the original discoverers. In, the fall of that year he sold his. one-fourth interest, realizing only three thousand dollars therefor. The mine is, now valued at about one hundred and forty thousand dollars. Later he became owner of some very valuable properties in the Cable Cove district, among them being the Herculean and the Eagle group, but, like most of the original discoverers of mines, he realized but litttle out of them. In 1895 he went to Burnt river and bought a farm wihere the town of Whitney now stands,, and upon this he resided until 1898, when he was summoned by the franchises of the people toi the office of county sheriff, so he disposed of his interests at Whitney. The excellence of his service as sheriff of the county is at- tested by the fact that in 1900 he was re- elected, and it is but fair to say that he has ever proved himself a conscientious and emi- nently efficient officer. His public service and his private life have both been such as to* win him the esteem' and respect of the people of his county, and his standing is indeed an envia- ble one. In fraternal affiliation Mr. Huntington is identified with the time-honored A. F. & A. M., also with the W. of W., the Maccabees and the A. O. U. W. On January 26, 1897, in Eureka, California, he married Miss Inze Albee, and' they have two children, Alfred H., Jr., and Lucius A, In 1865 he was one of the two passengers on the stage from Burlington to Johnson, Vir- ginia, which carried the news of Lee's surren- der to Grant. ANDREW J. HARTUNG.— Among the progressive forces of Baker county must be numbered the prosperous and enterprising agriculturist whose name appears above. Not content with occupying a place among the fore- most farmers of the section, and contributing to the general progress in that way, he is also interested in numerous mining properties in this and adjoining counties, and while develop- ing these is at the same time contributing im- measurably to the development of the sections in which they are located. Truly he is de- serving of rank among the benefactors of Ba- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 317/ ker county, and it is with pleasure that we ac- cord him representation as such in this por- tion of our volume. Mr. Hairtung was born in Jasper county, Illinois, on February 19, 1859, his parents being Alexander and Lucinda, Hartung. In 1865 the family went to Germany, intending to locate there, but after a residence of about six months in Europe they returned to- the United States, locating in Plymouth, Wayne county, Michigan, where our subject completed his education. In 1874 they moved to Texas, and in 1877 they came thence with wagons and horses through Indian territory, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Idaho to Ba- ker county, in which they found themselves early in the year 1878. locating on Muddy creek, eight miles northwest of Haines, they there engaged in the basic art of agriculture, and there our sub- ject has ever since lived. He is now the owner of a fine, well improved farm oif two- hundred and eighty acres, upon which he is raising al- most every variety of product suited to- the soil and climate and quite a number of horses and cattle. His premises proclaim! himi a care- ful, thrifty man, industrious, progressive and skillful. Mr. Hartung has interests in several quartz mines in Lacede district, Union county, also in Numbers 1 and 2, Copperwonder group, in Baker county. He is an organizer of the Killimacue Fake Reservoir and Rock- creek Irrigating Company and serves accept- ably as one of the Muddy creek high school trustees. In his fraternal affiliations our subject is identified with Haines Lodge, No. 11, A. O. U. W., while in religious persuasion he is a Seventh Day Adventist, his membership being in the church at Baker City. His marriage was solemnized in Paris, Illinois, on January 7, 1890, the lady being Miss Sadie Kirkpatrick, daughter of David and Mary, and a native of Kentucky. They have two adopted children, Ollivene and Alaric. BERT W. GRAHAM.— Some one said that the pulse of a nation's prosperity is felt by knowing its commercial status, and equally true is it that the tradesman of any stated place is a standing index to both the financial condition and the enterprise and intelligence of" the surrounding territory, and it is eminently fitting that in Baker county we find a most, thrifty and stanch 'commercial element, especi- ally progressive yet manifesting ai due con- servatism in the transactions of business ; and distinguished among this number is the firm of Sherk & Graham Company, wholesale and re- tail general merchants of Huntington, of which company the gentleman mentioned at the head of this article is one partner. The birth of Mr. Graham was in Croswell,. Michigan, the date being February 24, 1873, and his parents, Robert and Laura (Wixon) Graham. He was reared on a farm and at- tended the common schools of that section un- til he Was sixteen years of age, when he com- menced teaching, and then took a course in the Cleary Business College of Ypsilanti, Michi- gan, after which he became editor and pro-- prietor of a newspaper for four years. It was in 1899 that he came to the town of Hunting- ton, and there in company with G. W. Sherk opened their present large and attractive estab- lishment, where they have built up a fine patronage. While in the east Mr. Graham always took an active part in politics, support- ing the Republican party, but since coming to the west, while he maintains the interest proper to good citizenship, he has given himself mostly toi the prosecution of his business. He affili- ates with the I. O. O. F., Burnt River Lodge, No. 86, and also with the Maccabees. His fa- ther was taken away by death in May, 1900, at the home place, but his mother is still living there. The marriage of Mr. Graham and Miss Ida. E., daughter of William- and Charlotte Court- ney, was celebrated in Carsonville, Michigan, on June 11, 1896. GUSTAVUS T. PERRY.— The popular hotel man and prosperous farmer and stock- raiser whose career it is now our task to out- line in brief, was born in Green county, Illinois, in 1835, tne son °f William and Mary (Coop- er) Perry, natives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky. In 1836 he was taken by par- ents to Missouri, where he grew to man- hood and where he: lived for a number of years after man's estate had been reached. He was-. 318 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES connected with his father in the management and cultivation of a three-hundred-acre ranch -until he became thirty-three years of age, then he engaged in farming on his own account, continuing to employ himself thus until 1886, when he crossed the continent to Eagle valley, in Baker county. For a time after his arrival "he farmed in company with his. brother-in-laiw, J. B. Feniel, in the upper part of the valley near where Newbridge postoffice now is, but in 1890 he bought sixty acres within the town^ site of Richland, where we now find him. He has been engaged principally in farming and stock-raising since this last change of resi- dence, as he was before, but for the last six years he has maintained a hotel in connection with his other enterprises, known as the Perry house. Mention should be made of the fact that ■our subject was a soldier in the Confederate army during the 'war of the Rebellion, and served for two years as a member of Sterling's and Price's escorts, then on General Shelby's -escort, the time of his entire service aggre- gating four years and one month, or about the entire time during which hostilities lasted. He was faithful and efficient in support of the 'Cause which seemed to him toi be right, and possessed, no doubt, his full share of the dash, daring and vigor which characterized the southern armies. In 1870 our subject married 'Miss Susan, daughter of Zacariah and Sarah (Odeneal) Feniel, natives of North Carolina, and to this union seven children have been born : Ida, de- ceased ; Waldo, a resident of Union county ; Charles, at home: Edgar, at home; John, at home; Bessie, deceased; and Eula, at home. Mr. Perry handles' about one hundred head of fine cattle. ♦ « » HARRY P. SWISHER.— One of the earliest pioneers of Baker county and one of those who have been forceful factors in the de- velopment of the country and in effecting its transformation from) a state of barbarism and savagery to civilization, the man whose name appears as the caption of this paragraph is cer- tainly worthy of recognition herein as one of the founders and builders of eastern Oregon. Mr. Swisher was born in the great Key- stone state, near Danville, Columbia county, on September 13, 1852, his parents being Abra- ham and Edith (Fairman) Swisher, also na- tives of Pennsylvania. When sixteen years old he accompanied the remainder of the fam- ily on the long journey over the wide expanse of prairie and through the mountain fastnesses to Baker county, making the trip from St. Joe, Missouri, with ox-teams. The party experi- enced some difficulty with Indians at Rock creek, and were robbed of quite a number of their cattle, and on the north fork of Platte river, where North Platte is now located, they were overturned in the effort to effect a cross- ing and lost all their valuables', including sev- eral hundred dollars in greenbacks. Arriving at last in Eagle valley, despite the exigencies of the journey, the parents settled on the spot where the nest was found from which the place received its name and 1 at once en- gaged in farming and stock-raising. Our sub- ject, who had not yet completed his education, attended school in Baker City for a time. When he arrived at the age of legal majority he took as a homestead a quarter section adjoin- ing the parental farm and joined his brother in the stock-raising industry. They habitually kept on hand during those early days (between five and six hundred head of neat cattle. On Au- gust 16, 1 88 1, the mother of our subject de- parted this life, and on the 2d of December, 1898, his father also died. Mr. Swisher has succeeded them in interest, and in addition to the land bequeathed to him and that secured from: the United States government, he is now the owner also of a quarter section acquired by purchase. In 1898 he moved toi 2467 Madison street, Baker City, where he has since resided, directing the affairs of his farm from his urban home. Fraternally our subject is affiliated with the Fraternal Union of Baker City, he having been a charter member of that order in Eagle Valley. His marriage 'was solemnized in Ba- ker City, on March 20, 1895, Miss Annie Swisher, a daughter of John and Sarah (Cor- sen) Swisher, then becoming his wife. They have one child, Hayman. We should not neglect to add the interest- ing reminiscence of Mr. Swisher's experience with the Indians during the Bannock war. He and other Eagle valley settlers were forted up at Mr. Moody's place for a while during the year 1877, and in 1878 the settlers again forti- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 319 fied, this time on the old Love place, but when the second stockade was built our subject and his father-in-law were in Umatilla Landing after a load of freight, or, in other words, they were on a journey which required forty-nine days for its completion. When at Cayuse Sta- tion, a few miles this side of Pendleton, they were met by Indians, who fired upon them, so they turned and retraced their steps to Pendle- ton. There they lay in the bushes all night, not knowing at what moment their hiding place might be discovered, for they could hear the red skins driving cattle the live-long night. GEORGE W. SHERK.— In the large firm of Sherk, Graham Company, incorporated, we have one of the leading wholesale and retail mercantile establishments in eastern Oregon, and its successful establishment and prosper- ous continuance in the arena of business is largely due to' the fine ability both executive and financial, coupled with excellent foresight of the senior partner in the concern, whose name heads this, article and to whom we are endeavoring to grant a representation in this volume commensurate with his prominence and his stanch integrity. George W. Sherk, son of Henry and Blinda (Walker) Sherk, was born August 4, 1852, in Springfield, Ontario', Canada, and there received from the most excellent schools of that province his education, remaining also until he had attained manhood's estate and gained a commendable business training. In 18S1 he came to Croswell, 'Michigan, and began a business career that demonstrated him to be possessed of marked ability, which brought to Mm the rewards that are dependent upon sa- gacity and probity. For eighteen; years, he was at the head of one of the most successful and powerful mercantile establishments in his sec- tion, known as the Sherk Brothers mercantile institution. In addition toi the arduous duties devolving upon him in the capacity of directing such a concern, he was also director of the State Bank in his town, president of the Sans Pari el Roller Mill Company, director of the Rice anld Allen Company, secretary of the Electric Light Company, besides being one year member of the town council, three years clerk of that body, and one term president of the same. In January, 1900, he turned from the scenes of his many and successful labors and sought out Huntington, where he estab- lished, in connection with the junior member of the firm, B. Wi. Graham', who is specifically mentioned in another part of this work, the present large business house mentioned above. From the beginning there has been a large trade, which, augmented by the strict business principles maintained and the affableness of the proprietors, has grown to mammoth propor- tions. Mr. Sherk is president of this incor- poration and has invested heavily in. its estab- lishment, but it is evident that again he was guided by sound financial wisdom, for the re- turns are already all that could be wished. Mr. Sherk and Miss Phoebe H. Barton were married in Springfield, Ontario, February 24, 1 88 1, and to them have been born the fol- lowing children : Dafoe H., attending the Uni- versity at Eugene, Oregon ; H. Everett, attend- ing the graded school in Huntington; Beatrice; George Barton. Mr. Sherk affiliates with the I. O. O F., Burnt River Lodge, No. 86, with the Masons, Foresters, Maccabees', and Knights of the Legal Guard. Together with his wife, he is also a member of the Eastern Star and the Daughters of Rebekah. THOMAS M. PEARCE.— One of the earliest settlers in Baker county, of which he has ever been a public-spirited and progressive citizen, the subject of this review has in all re- spects so ordered his life as to win and retain the good will and confidence of those with whom, he has been thrown in contact, and his record since he has been in the section not alone for potency in promoting the general advance but as a worthy man and honorable member of society is one of which he has no reason to be ashamed. It is therefore witih pleasure that we are enabled to accord him representation in this part of our volume. Mr. Pearce is a native of Boone county, Illinois, born October 4, 1842. When ten years old he accompanied his parents; on the long and dangerous journey across plain and mountain to the west, and in 1853 the family settled near Roseburg, in Douglas county. After a residence there of fourteen years' duration, they removed to California, where our subject's mother died. i 320 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES The father, L. M. Pearce, moved back to Oregon', after this sad event, settling in Coos county, where he remained until the time of his 1 death, which occurred in 1889. In 1862, Mr. Pearce crossed the Cascades to Baker county, coming here during the 'big rush caused by the discovery of gold in Griffin's gulch, and for about three years after his arrival, he was engaged in packing to Boise and to other mining towns. About 1865, he engaged in the cattle raising industry in Umatilla county, which lucrative business was his for the ensuing six or seven years, whereup- on he moved onto a place in Eagle Valley, where he now lives. He devoted his energies assiduously to> cattle raising until about three years ago>, when he sold out most of .his neat stock and turned his attention' to the sheep in- dustry. That has been his line of activity ever since. In politics, our subject is a Democrat. He was ' married near Pilot Rock in Umatilla county, on October 6, 1874, the lady being Laura M., daughter of John and Eliza Carter, the latter of whom! is still living at Tillamook. Their union has been blessed by the advent of six children : Claud M., at Sumpter; Elsie M., at home; Pery Ri, F. R., Winnie D., likewise at home, and Elberten, deceased. Mr. Pearce has two sisters, Mrs. Florence Buell, Mrs. Matilda A. Masters, both living in Coos county, Oregon. GEORGE W. HACKER, who has. the dis- tinction of being an old and honored pioneer of the west, and whoi has contributed not a lit- tle toi the development of Baker county, was born February 8, 1830. He lived with his parents, Eli and Scena (Smith) Hacker, until twenty-six years old, crossing the plains with them in 1854. Their objective point was Sac- ramento, California, but they soon moved thence to Marysville, where the father and mother died. For three years following 1859, our subject followed teaming, then he passed a couple of years in Ureka, coining thence in 1 861 to The Dalles, Oregon, where he re- mained about ai year and a half, driving stage between that point and Sylila. Selling- out then he engaged in freighting to Boise. In the 'sixties our subject enlisted at Salem, Oregon, in Company C, First Oregon Infantry,, and from that date until the last disloyal gun was. forever 1 silenced he followed the fortunes of war, his term of service being of eleven months' duration. Upon receiving his dis- charge, he returned to Oregon, locating this time at Baker City, and again engaging in teaming. To this he has given himself almost continuously since until about three years ago, . when he homesteaded a quarter section of land near Sparta and engaged in raising horses. For many years, also*, he gave a portion of his attention to mining. He is an energetic man and a good, thrifty citizen. ANDREW ELLIOTT is doubtless one of the earliest as well as one of the most intrepid and sturdy pioneers of the region with which our volume is. concerned, and it is quite fitting that a review of his interesting career be em- bodied here, since his life has been spent in the worthy and commendable efforts that have re- sulted not only in giving him a good' compe- tence for the journey of life, but also in bring- ing about the development of the country that he loves so well and has aided to materially. He was born in Orleans county. New York,., to John and Nancy White Elliott, on October 15, 1842, where he spent the earlier years of his life on a farm with his father and some : time in the pursuit of knowledge in the pub- lic schools of his day. At the age of fourteen he started with his older brother to the country where Minneapolis now stands, and later took a trip down the Mississippi river, but when the hostilities of the Civil war broke out he re- turned to Dubuque, Iowa, in 1862, where he found the train which he joined and with which he crossed the plains, using horse teams. The journey was made without special adven- ture, save that at one ferry on the Snake river, instead of paying the exorbitant price asked, they went farther round and came through the section where Baker City now stands. The only white men in that region were John Bowen, Hiram and Joseph Kin- nisson. Our subject, with soane others, turned aside intoi the Powkler river valley and there - put up hay for the stock. The following spring-, 1863, he started with a pack train from Auburn to Boise City, and thence to AHDREW ELLIOTT. THOMAS HcEIEH. WILLIAM P. ARBLE. JOHS S. LOCKE. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 321 Boise Basin, and engaged in mining, also worked at the Rock Bar, and in 1865, in com- pany with two others, came to Walla Walla. This journey was attended with much dan- ger on accotint of some desperate fellows that were bent on robbing them. Thence they went on the old Mullen road to Bear 1 Gulch, where they wintered. From Walla Walla they took a pack train oif tea and tobacco to the mines, which was sold at good figures, the tea bringing four dollars and the tobacco ten dollars per pound. From this time until 1868 he was in the various mining camps, of the region adjacent to Missoula and Helena and then came over the famous Loi-La trail to Lewiston, where they outfitted and went into' the Wallowa valley, the Grande Ronde valley, and the Edmunds mining camp, and later in the fall arrived in Sumpter. This he rr.iade headquarters and has been following mining, both quartz and placer, since in the various camps adjacent. His life has been one oif hardship and arduous undertakings that are incident to pioneering and mining on the frontier. He has owned some very valuable claims, among which was the Wide West, on the Mother Lode, and sold to- Mr. English for a good sum. In addition to this he has sold other properties and still owns some that are considered very fine. He also has a comforta- ble home in Sumpter. Mr. Elliott is a member of the A. F. & A. M., having taken the master's degree, and is also affiliated with the Royal Arch Chapter. He was one of the committee of three ap- pointed by Judge Schofield in 1871 to view the route for the road from Auburn to Sumpter. It is with pleasure that we are able to state that none are held in higher esteemi by the people than is Mr. Elliott, and it is evident that none are more deserving oif the confidence of his fellows., land also their encomiums., than is this worthy pioneer who has wrought with such energy and wisdom since the early days when he blazed the way into- (this favored region. THOMAS McEWEN.— Among the thrifty sons of Scotland who have contributed to the development of Baker county he whose name gives caption to' this article is certainly to be ranked one of the chiefest. He has 21 been assiduously engaged in numerous lines oif activity during all the years of his resi- dence here and success in abundant measure has crowned bis efforts in practically every- thing he has undertaken. A leader in the coun- cils of the Republican party, he has been fre- quently honored by that organization with preferment, and whenever it has fallen to his lot to perform public duties the same have been discharged with a faithfulness and integrity which have won him esteem and augmented the confidence the people repose in him. But a better estimate of the man may be gleaned from the epitome of his career wlnich follows. Mr. McEwen was born in Glasgow, Scot- land, on May 10, 1853, his parents being Ed- ward and Jennie (Johnson) McEwen. He grew toi early manhood in his native city, re- ceiving a common school education.. Coming to America in 1869, he first settled in Canada, where he followed farming for a short time. Coming thence to New Jersey, he resided in that state for about eight years.. In 1879 lie came to. San Francisco, but a short time later we find him in The Dalles, Oregon, where he had his first experience in the transfer busi- ness, it being his duty to bear a part in the work of the Overland Stage Company, operat- ing between The Dalles and Baker City. For two years he drove stage for them., then he purchased the Canyon line from his former em- ployers and gave inception to his very suc- cessful career as a liveryman and stage oper- ator. He now operates between Sumpter and Canyon City and sends daily stages to the Red Boy, Bourne and Granite mining camps, one hundred miles of route in all, and in this business he employs about one hundred head of horses. Indeed Mr. McEwen does most of the transfer business of this entire region. The town of McEwen takes its name from our subject, w'ho was the first hotel man there- in. He, with Mr. Tabor, of the Ried Boy, platted forty acres for the embryo city, and also gave the land on which the school build- ing is located and the sites of the different churches. Like many others in Baker county, our subject has realized very considerable sums oif money out of mining ventures. He sold one of his properties in the Cracker creek district, the one adjoining the North Pole, to 322 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the Barring- Brothers, erf London, who are owners of the North Pole, for fourteen thou- sand dollars. He was one of the three owners of the Belle of Baker, which one year ago sold for ten thousand dollars., and he has pro- moted many other valuable properties. He still owns three promising claims adjoining the Badger group at Susanville. Mr. McEwen is likewise the owner of six hundred and twenty acres of land in the Sumpter val- Jcy, c.ncl considerable valuable property in Sumpter and McEwen. It wlas he who built the Capital hotel, the Healey building and numerous other houses in Sumpter. Indeed, it may truthfully be said that he has done more building than any other man in that town. Active in almost every other line, he has borne his part also in the political affairs of the county and state, and more than once he has been honored by his party. In 1896 he was the nominee of the Republicans for sheriff, and notwithstanding the overwhelming fusion landslide of that year, he was defeated by only eighty votes. For the past twelve years his voice has been heard in the state conventions of his party, and in 1900 he was a delegate to ' the national convention, and had oppor- tunity toi assist in the nomination of McKinley and Roosevelt. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Free- masons, practically all of the degrees of which have been taken by him. He is a past master of Prairie City Lodge, No. 60, and has served as delegate to the grand lodge. He affiliates, likewise, wiith the B. P. O. E., the A. O. U. W. and the W. of W.. His marriage was sol- emnized in Baker City, on August 23, 1894, when Miss Minnie Fox, a daughter of old and respected pioneer parents, became his wife. WILLIAM P. ARBLE.— Of all the pio^ neer occupations which sturdy mankind have followed there is none that gives greater op- portunity for exploration and contact with na- ture in the rough, and genuine thrilling ex- periences, than does mining. The subject of this sketch is one of those hardy, intrepid and noble specimens of our race that has ever been on the frontier clearing the path for less ex- perienced feet to follow, searching from the hidden depths of nature's treasure house the precious metals and bravely and faithfully do- ing his part in the development of the country. Mr. Arble was born on June 7, 1825, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, being the son of Fred- erick and Rebecca (Fairfax) Arble, whoi were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Vir- ginia. Their marriage occurred in Pennsyl- vania, where the father was engaged in the iron works, and also operated as a contractor. In 1834 the father died, and in i860 the mother also departed this life. In his native place, our subject was reared and received his education in the common schools. In 1850 he left the parental roof and began life's work for himself, coming, via the Isthmus, to* Cali- fornia, where he at once engaged in mining, continuing therein in that locality until 1865, when he removed to Nevada,. After some time spent in that territory he repaired to Utah, and thence he went to' Montana, always engaged in his chosen work, mining. From Montana he went to the British possessions, and from there he came toi Oregon, settling first in Can- yon City, in 1868, where he mined for three years and then, came to- Sparta,. Thirty years ago he sought out a place in this locality and at the present time he is still living in Sparta. During his many years of travel and frontier life he has endured many hardships and passed through many thrilling experiences, which would be very interesting to> detail had 1 we the space. At one time he was snowed' in on the mountains for three months in the dead of winter and only managed to' subsist by get- ting elk meat, his only article of diet for all of these weary weeks. Mr. Arble has never chosen a partner to share his pleasures and stand with him during the shades of life, and to-day is passing the golden years of his life in the quietness of celibacy. He owns considerable property and among it may be mentioned the Blue Cloud mine, a property of great promise. JOHN S. LOCKE.— The population of Ba- ker county have always been noted for their push and enterprise and forwardness in devel- oping the resources that nature has so boun- tifully bestowed within the county's precincts, and among the leaders, even in this active HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 323 number, we are compelled by force of right to mention the well known and prominent citi- zen whose name heads this article, and whose capabilities and excellent business operations have placed him in his present enviable po- sition. The birth of Mr. Locke took place in the Granite state in 1848, March 10, at Manches- ter, lie being" the son of Levi and Nancy M. (Durgin) Locke. The father died in 1893, and the mother is still living on the old home place at Concord, New Hampshire. When our subject was still a child he removed with his parents to the city of Concord and there re- ceived his education in the common schools until he was sixteen years of age. At that time he entered the employ of the United States and Canada Express Company, continu- ing with them for seven years. Following this he went into business for himself, handling fuel and ice, in which he was prospered until 1879, 'when he sold all and migrated to' Baker county, locating first in Rye valley. Here he operated as superintendent of mines and later furnished all the timber for the Snake river bridge that was constructed by the O. S L. Col He spent some time in this line of con- tracting and then turned his attention to stock farming - , handling: cattle and horses. He built and operated the first livery stable that was in Huntington, which he sold three years since. At the present time he resides in Hunting- ton, having a handsome home there, besides a farm of eight hundred acres some ten miles west of the city ; he is also- interested in the Vaughan mines and other valuable properties. Mr. Locke and Miss Charlotte A., daugh- ter of Newell D. and Eliza A. (Averill) Fos- ter, were married in Franklin, New Hamp- shire, on October 11, 1868, and to them have been born three children : Hattie A., wife of Daniel Padrick, of Portland, Oregon; Jennie B., deceased; Graver F., attending school in Huntington. Mr. and Mrs. Locke are mem- bers of the Congregational church in Hunting- ton, and take especial interest in its support and welfare. Mrs. Locke's parents are both dead. Mr. Locke is associated with and is past noble grand of the I. O. O'. F., Burnt River Lodge, No. 86, and has been the repre- sentative to the grand lodge nearly every year for the past sixteen years ; he is also a member of RathbOne Lodge, No. 32, Knights of Pythias, and is past master workman in the Huntington Lodge, No. 19, A. O. U. W., and is a member of the Maccabees. He was for several years sheriff of Merrimac county, New Hampshire. HON. ISRAEL D. HAINES.— It is ever a pleasure to take under review the life history of one who has wrought valiantly and well in the business of life, combining with sterling integrity and worth a degree oif native ability enabling him to occupy a place of leadership and prominence among his fellows. The man whose career is now our theme was such an one. A pioneer of the pioneers, he knew well the topography and understood well the genius of the west, facts which caused him to become distinguished in the counsels of the state, dur- ing the decade spent in the Oregon Legisla- ture. As a lawyer, also*, his standing was such as to win him a reputation more than state wide, and to bring to his office many dis- tinguished clients, but the qualities which chiefly rendered him esteemed were sincerity, benevolence and a broad minded interest in the general welfare. With this general pre- face we must attempt to present a specific out- line of his career. Mr. Haines was born in Xenia, Ohio, on December 7, 1827. When he arrived at the age of nineteen he set out across plain and mountain to the wild and unknown Pacific. On the way both he and his brother were stricken with cholera, but both survived, be- ing in this respect more fortunate than many of their fellow trourists. Arriving, after a journey beset with many dangers, in the sta/tie of California, he piloted the first boat that crossed the b&y toi Jacksonville, where he and his brother' Robert were for a time engaged in the mercantile business. Later he went to- Cal- ifornia and engaged in the search for hidden treasure, but eventually he returned to Oregon, Jackson county, where he read law under Judge Primm. In 1864, he was admitted toi the bar, and he thereupon went to Silver City, Idaho, and opened a law office. He soon won distinc- tion in practice, and it fell to his lot to be of counsel in the Poor Man case and in many other celebrated trials. He spent the winter of 1865-6 in San Francisco, in the company of Binger Herman, Thomas H. Brents and others 324 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES who have won like renown. In the spring of 1856, he started back to Idaho, but while pass- ing through eastern Oregon, he found Colonel Loring, his old commander in the expedition, made by the Rifle regiment in 1849, a ^ so other old friends and comrades. By these he was persuaded to remain in Baker county, so* he located at Auburn and engaged in mining and the practice of law, beginning his career of success and usefulness as a lawyer and politi- cal leader. He soon won the esteem and con- fidence of his own profession and the state generally. For ten years, he represented the people of Baker county in one branch or the other of the state legislature, as he had done those of Jackson county in 1862. He was one of those whoi took an active and prominent part in securing the removal of the county seat of Baker county from Auburn to; Baker City. Mr. Haines became the owner of large landed interests and great herds of sheep in the Powder River valley, also of much valua- ble realty in Baker City. He alsoi founded the town of Haines., the site of which is still owned by his heirs, he having died on June 19, 1892. Fraternally, Mr. Haines was affiliated with the I. O. O. F., his name being on the charter of the Baker City lodge. In the metropolis of the county, on November 23, 181 7, he married Miss Sarah M. Dorsett, a daughter of James A. and Sarah M. Dorsett, who crossed the plains to Auburn in 1864. To this union five children were born, four of whom still live, namely : Stella M., wife of Judge Mes- sick; Robert W 1 ., of Haines, Oregon; Amy C, teacher in the public schools of Baker City; J. David, a printer, and Elsie, deceased. A. J. TONEY. — This industrious and en- terprising stockman, farmer, and dealer in horses is deserving of rank among the leading citizens in the vicinity of Haines. He is thrifty in his business and possesses a liberal public spirit which causes him to take an active interest in the affairs of his community and county, while his standing as a! man and mem- ber of society is of the highest. It is therefore a pleasure to accord him representation in this portion of our volume. ' Mr. Toney was born in Jefferson county, Illinois, on July 7, 1845, his parents being John and Martha (Hudson) Toney. He re- sided under the shelter of the parental roof until he became eighteen years old, acquiring a good common school education. When the time arrived for him to sever family ties and to begin life's! battle on his own account, he re- moved toi Virginia City, Montana, where he followed mining and teaming for two years, coming then to> Baker county, Oregon, in 1866. Soon he had acquired a start in the stock business, and to that he has given the major portion of his time and energy since, though he does some general farming, own- ing a fine farm of two hundred acres. In 1892, he drove a band of four hundred horses to South Dakota and exchanged them for a valuable farm there, which he still owns. He is quite extensively engaged in the business of raising and shipping horses, and is achieving a very enviable success therein. On December 3, 1871, our subject married Miss Hannah R., daugdtter of A. J. and Martha Ann Brown, who crossed the plains in 1864, and to their union ten children have been born, namely: Effie B., wife of A. J. Willis; Ida E., wife of I. G. Young; Etta E., now Mrs. Joseph Carter ; Daisy E., wife of John R. Long ; Eva G., a dressmaker in Baker City; Alta R. ; Edna A.; Carlie; and Ocie and Emmit, twins. ALONZO LONG. — For many years one of the progressive farmers of the county and at present an enterprising grain dealer in Haines, the subject of this review is deserving of rank among the forceful factors in the coun- ty's! development and it is but fitting that due representation as such should be accorded him in this portion of our volume. Mr. Long is a native of Mercer county, Illinois, born July 31, 1847, his parents being Lewis and Sarah Ann Long. In 1854 he crossed the plains with his parents, making the journey by the aid of the slow moving oxen, as the custom of the time was. Eventually they settled in Linn county, Oregon, where our sub- ject devoted himself to' the basic art of agri- culture until 1872, during which year he came to Baker county. In due time he settled on Muddy creek and engaged in the business of farming- and raising cattle. As above stated, he was for many years a leader in this dual in- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 325 dustry in the county, and he still owns his original home and superintends the operation thereof, but at present he is: himself engaged in managing his grain handling establishment in Haines and has been since 1899. As a busi- ness man he is energetic and progressive, pos- sessed of the good judgment and foresight essential to success in commercial pursuits, and as a citizen and member of society be enjoys a very enviable standing. In Linn county, Oregon, on May 13, 1869, our siibject married Miss Julia Ann Taylor, a daughter of James and Elizabeth, and a native of Oregon. They have ten children : Ida Belle, wife of William Jackson, living west of Haines ; Charles Denino, married to Ida Hodges, a native of Arkansas, and living on the home place; Clara May, wife of William J. Welch, of Haines ; John R., living on the home place and married to Daisy E., daughter of A. J. Toney ; Viola Ann, wife of R. P. Ander- son, a resident of Haines; William! Oscar; Lee Cleveland ; Archie Jackson ; Lora Ellen ; Rosa Odelia. DOW F. SHEPARDSON.— The indus- trious and enterprising merchant and business man whose life's career it is now our pleasant duty to epitomize is one of those men that are able to adapt themselves to the country in which they are, and to make the resources of their region respond "with the reward of wealth for the labor put forth. To such that take the lead into new sections and patiently open the way for others to follow there is much credit due, and in the business ventures of our subject we see that sagacity and progressive- ness manifested that may well characterize the real leader. Born on October 4, 1857, at Mongo, Indi- ana, to Edmund G. and Catherine (Wilson) Shepardson, he was there educated in the pub- lic schools, and also received a fine training from his father in the commercial establish- ment that he owned. At the age of twenty- three he came, by way of Kelton, Utah, to Baker City, and there was engaged in various enterprises until June, 1901, when he saw an opening at Unity for a general store, and he immediately put in a stock of goods, and is now operating a good concern there, having in the meantime, by careful attention to busi ness and uniform 1 geniality and uprightness, se- cured a fine patronage, which is steadily in- creasing. He is already increasing his stock, and the outlook is that in the near future he will have to; enlarge his capacities for the trans- action of business. Mr. Shepardson and Miss Lillie Horfield, the daughter of Mrs. A. B. Swift, were mar- ried on October 12, 1898, and to them have been born two children : Iva and Roy. BURTON MILLER.— Any compilation purporting to give a review of the leading citi- zens of Baker county would be sadly incom- plete were there failure to mention prominently the leading business man and stanch and worthy citizen of the bright village of Whit- ney, whose name introduces this article and whose untiring efforts in the upbuilding of his native town, and in the promotion of its welfare are well known to all, as well as. his excellent business capabilities in the prosecution of his private enterprises. Mr. Miller was born in Attleboro, Massa- chusetts, on February 15, 1865, being the son of John and Elizabeth (Stevens) Miller, and in his native place he received the educational discipline to' be had in the common schools. As early as fifteen years of age he started in life's battles for himself, migrating first to Deming, New Mexico, and thence to Alma, in the same territory, where be occupied himself in stock-raising until 1888, at which time he came to Pocatello, Idaho, and embarked on the mercantile sea. For a decade he carried on a successful business in that plaice and then sold out and came to Sumpter and took up pros- pecting for a time. On October 10, 1900, he took the first load of lumber into what is now Whitney and built a store and again com- menced operations in the commercial realm'. His energies and ability have been directed into the channel of upbuilding and extending his trade, and he has been eminently success- ful, for today his customers are counted in large numbers and come from all adjacent points. He is considered one of the brightest and most enterprising citizens of the town, and on February 16, 1901, after Whitney was in- corporated, he was chosen the first mayor, thus being the recipient of the highest honors that 326 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES his fellows had to bestow. In this capacity he has rendered efficient service, and is faithful in the care of the interests of all. Fraternally, Mr. Miller is. affiliated with the A. O. U. W, Lodgei No-. 122, of Whitney, and holds the position of master workman ; he also belongs to the W. of W., in PoeatellO. The quiet joys of celibacy have heretofore claimed Mr. Miller, having never chosen the responsibilities of matrimonial life. CHARLEY J. AKINS,— Among those to whom specific mention is granted in this volume, there is none of whom it gives us more pleasure to speak than the gentleman, whose name initiates this paragraph ; and an epitome of his interesting career is matter that will be pleasant reading to many in this county, since his name is familar to. a large circle and his in- tegrity and ability, coupled with genuine affableness and broad public spirit have made him generally beloved and esteemed by all. Charles J. Akins is the son of Dennis and Triphena (Sanders) Akins. and was born on October 1, 1854, in Trumbull county, Ohio, whence he was removed by his parents, at the age of eight years to Iona county, Michigan. In T865, they removed to Polk county, Iowa, and three years later they crossed the plains- to- Idaho Springs, Idaho. While the advantages in early life were few for Mr. Akins. to gain educational training, still he so improved 1 what were available and also' carefully occupied his spare moments with profitable reading so. that he became a well informed citizen and in some lines he chose later in life, a leader, thus demon- strating what perseverance and pluck cam ac- complish.. In 1 87 1, he left the parental roof and went to Wyoming, engaging with the Union Pacific Company as fireman on a loco- motive, where he remained until he had mastered the intricacies of locomotive engi- neering. Following this, we find him in Cali- fornia and Oregon operating in the mines and making himself master of placer mining and other parts of the art as well. Then he went to Las Vegas, New Mexico., engaging as engi- neer on the Santa Fe road from 1879 to 1882, then returned to Montpelier, Idaho, and took an engine on the Oregon Short Line. After the road was completed to Huntington, he took a passenger engine run from there, serving from 1885 Uinti l : 897. At the above date, Mr. Akins determined to. leave the service of the company and accordingly took charge of the works of the Huntington Placer Mining Com- pany, which incorporation was instituted under the laws of Nebraska. He is a practical placer miner, having operated in many places since he came west. He is a heavy share owner in the company. Their property is located at the mouth of Connor creek, about eighteen miles below Huntington, and is considered one of the finest placer propositions in the state of Ore- gon. The marriage of Mr. Akins and Miss Kate O'Hara, a native of Nebraska, was; solemnized on August 29, 1879, and to them have been born seven children, four of whom are still living: John L, a graduate of the Hunting- ton high school, and at the age of nineteen a graduate also of the law department of Drake University, of Des Moines, Iowa ; Charley E., who finished the high school course at the age of fifteen years; Jessie E. and Myrtle, ' attend- ing school in Huntington. Mr. Akins affili- ates with the Masonic fraternity. His father was a veteran of the Civil war, enlisting in 1 86 1 in Company C, of Light Artillery, Ohio Volunteers, and participated in a number of battles, but was discharged in 1863, on account of disability, which in 1879 caused his death while in the state of Colorado. EDWARD WILKINSON.— This enter- prising merchant and prominent citizen of Pine has lived a life of great activity and adventure, traveling over almost the entire globe. He is quite an early pioneer of Baker county, which has greatly profited by his living within its borders, and it is but consistent with our plan that a brief review of his career be given place in our volume. Mr. Wilkinson was born in Westmoreland county, England, in 1846, the son of Edward and Elizabeth (Atkinson) Wilkinson, natives of the same place. He remained at home until fifteen years old, acquiring a common school education, then yielded to the promptings of his adventurous nature, and went to the coast of Africa. Pie traveled quite widely over the Conger river region, then visited the Cape HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 327 Verde islands, the island of St. Helena,, As- cension island and many more in the region, and when they had explored the country suffici- ently to satisfy him he set sail for Rio de Janeiro, thence to the Falkland islands and through the strait of Magellan to the Pacific ocean. He went to Honolulu, thence to Port- land and thence to San Francisco, arriving at the latter point in 1867. Soon he was engaged in mining in the Golden state, hut apparently not finding condi- tions to his liking, he came north to> Portland, and thence to the Boise basin, where he was engaged in placer mining for about eighteen months. At the end of that period he entered the Malheur district, in which he spent a couple of years., eventually coming to Sparta. For about three years he followed mining and the -general merchandise business there, and for three years more he followed like pursuits in the upper end of Pine Valley He then came to> Pine postoffice and embarked in the general merchandise business with S. S. Pindle, whom he afterward bought out, that he might enter into partnership' with his brother, Robert A. The two> are in business together at present and are building up a very extensive and thriving trade, the natural result of their business sa- gacity and fair dealing. Our subject is the owner of a couple of Galena claims in Idaho, some realty at Sparta, and fruit ranches at Eagle, Bridgeport and Pine. Mir. Wilkinson states that he has never had any personal difficulties with the Indians, though he participated in the Joseph war. It is of interest to record at this juncture that he met Captain Semmes, of the Alabama, at Luzon island, and that he saw the Kearsage and was on board her a short time before she fought the Alabama 1 . JAMES SUMNERS.— While we are not in possession of enough material concerning the gentleman whose name gives caption to this article to give a connected outline of his life, his popularity in Baker county, and his standing among its pioneer citizens, was such that we cannot omit all mention of him;. Com- ing here from his home in Kentucky when twenty-two years old, he was identified with Baker county from that time until, at the age of fifty-three years, he passed to the great be- yond. During the early Indian wars he acted as a scout, and he was in all other respects a typical frontiersman. While he possessed the daring, hardihood, patience and resourceful- ness which characterize the true pioneer, he possessed also a warm, tender heart, which ever inclined him to espouse the cause of the unfortunate and the oppressed. Without relatives in this section of the country, he had friends by the hundreds, and his demise was a cause of mourning in many a household'. He was buried close to the Galena mine, which was discovered by him, his pick and shovel, which had been his companions on many a journey among the hills being placed beside him in the tomb. May he rest in peace. ALBERT GEISER.— Among the great captains of industry who have figured in the development of Baker county, none stands more permanently conspicuous than he whose name appears above. Successful in winning from the earth its wealth of hidden treasure, in the banking business and in farming, as also in numerous other lines of .endeavor, he has become one of the wealthiest men in the Inland Empire, and what is of more importance toi the general public, he is employing his riches in such a way as to contribute immeasurably toward the general forward march. Nothing therefore, could be more fitting than that a re 1 - view of his life should be given due place in a volume of this Character. Mr. Geiser is a son of John and Elizabeth (Briebaeb) Geiser, both natives of Germany. He was born in the vicinity of Denver, Colo- rado-, on the 10th of February, 1863, and in 1870 be accompanied his' parents thence to. Ne- vada, from which state they later journeyed to Utah and thence to- California. Our subject's father, who. was a veteran of the Mexican war, and one of the originial Gilpin county miners, was engaged for several years in the Golden state in endeavoring to> win from. Mother Earth her hidden treasure. In that state Mr. Geiser completed his edu- cation, which had been begun in Colorado, graduating from the high school in Oakland. He then joined his father in the mining pursuit, continuing in the same in that state until 1881, .328 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES when he came to Baker county, resolved to try his fortune in the rich gold fields of this re- gion. Be worked several quartz mines in the section, and eventually, with his mother and sisters, 'became interested in the Bonanza mine. His progress since coming to< the county has been uninterrupted, and he is now an owner or part owner of several dividend-paying mines, among them the Brazos, situated southeast of Baker City, ■ over the company owning 'which, he presides ; the Keystone Bell and the Gold Boy, with headquarters at Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania; the Pyx, in the Bonanza district, with a five-stamp mill ; and the Greenhow or Wbrley mine. He is also a director in the Baker City Gas & Electric Company ; also owns the Geiser Grand hotel and other valuable property in the city. Though interested in so; many other lines of activity, he is one of the most promi- nent large contractors in eastern Oregon. In fraternal connection, our subject is a leading Mason, belonging to all the degrees of that order except the thirty-third, and he like- wise belongs to the K. of P. and the B. P. O. E. He was married, in Baker county, on December 19, 1894, to Miss Bernice Dodson, daughter 'of Henry Dodson, who at one time was school superintendent of Grant county. They have two children, Annie and Edward. One of the leading achievements of Mr. Geiser, in the county, has been the developing and bringing out of the Bonanza mine, which he operated from 1891 to 1898, when he sold it. HENRY LOENNIG.— The enterprising agriculturist whose career it is now our pleas- ant task to trace a brief outline of, is the son of Arnst and Marie Loennig, who crossed the plains with ox teams to Baker county in 1863, locating on Willow creek shortly after their arrival. Our subject, who was born near Quincy, Hancock county, Illinois, on July 8, i860, 'was brought by therm over the trail of many mioons, and his home continued to be the parental hearthstone on Willow creek until i88t, when he bought a place about five miles west of Haines post office, where he has ever since lived. By dint of hard work and assidu- ous application he has brought his place to an excellent state of cultivation, improving it by the building of fences and the erection of a good house, barn and other structures. Public-spirited and vitally interested in everything which promises to promote the gen- eral welfare and tends toward tht develop- ment and progress of his neighborhood and the county, Mr. Loennig is especially solicitous for the cause of education, his interest therein finding manifestation in the faithfulness and ability with which for six years he has dis- charged the duties of school director of his dis- trict. In religious persuasion our subject is a Catholic and his membership at present is in the church of that denomination at Baker City. He was married on December 1, 1881, the lady being Miss Celestine Agatha, a daughter oif Michael and Elizabeth Relling, and a native of Minnesota. They have seven children : Ern- est, attending- school at Mount Angel, Oregon; George, attending the Muddy creek high school ; Barbara ; Joseph ; Ralph ; Agnes ; and Emma Agatha. OLE DIDRIKSON.— A typical frontiers- man and possessed of that dauntless, courage and intrepidity, coupled with a frame of iron strength, that are so necessary to the suc- cessful prosecution of the pioneer life, the sub- ject of this sketch has passed an interesting ca- reer, and it is a matter of regret that we are not enabled to grant more space to the details of his experiences. Born in Denmark, to Nelson and Coska- sine (Kreston) Didrikson, natives of that king- dom, and passing their entire lives near Kbl- den, our subject early learned the thrifty ways of the people of his country, and was engaged variously, from 1843, seven years after his birth, until 1864, the time of his advent into the United States. Driving stage, farming, serving as soldier, and other occupations kept him busy until the last date mentioned. His first night in this country was spent in Castle Garden, and the next day he was the subject of some very shrewd tricks on the part of the United States recruiting officers, who sought for two weeks to entrap him into enlisting in the army. Finally the consul of his native land was called in and he was sent on his way to Wisconsin, his journey's destination. By some mishap he was switched onto the wrong train, and was fast being carried to> the seat of HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 329 war but was enabled finally to get transferred to a train going to Oshkosh. At one dinner stop the accustomed hurry of a late train was in- terfering with dinner, when our subject seized a roast chicken, some bread and other things from the table and made the train, amid the merriment of the passengers and the discom- fiture of the host. For a few years Mr. Did- rikson was employed on a farm:, in the woods on Lake Superior, in Chicago, in Minnesota, and finally, in 1868, crossed the plains 1 with ox teams. His same adventurous spirit led the way to the mines at Helena 1 , on Peace river, even to Lawson, Alaska, then to Walla Walla, afterward to Colorado, and then to Baker county, wiith a bunch of stock. While on this last trip he was so taken with the view of the Pine valley as seen from the tops of the moun- tains that he immediately came thither and se- cured a homestead, only two families being in the valley at the time. Quietly and industri- ously pursuing the life of the agriculturist and stockman, he has passed the intervening years on this ranch, until the present, but now he has sold and again is embarking in mining near the Iron Dick, on Snake river. His properties are rich in copper. The life of Mr. Didrikson has always been that of the celibate, he preferring the freedom of that career to the cares of domesticity. M. WILISON WHAM.— Pour miles north from Unity, on the south fork of Burnt river, we find located one of the most substantial and enterprising of Baker county's stockmen, M. W. Wham, who by his industry and sagacity has accumulated a fine large holding in both real estate and cattle and horses, while his quiet and faithful demeanor in all his. life has won for him' the esteem of his fellows and made him the center of a large circle of ad- miring friends. The birth of Mr. Wham occurred in Fay- etteville, Arkansas, on October 26, 1848, his parents being John and Elizabeth Wham. In his native state he received the educational discipline to be had from 1 the common schools, and there continued until he had arrived to the age of manhood. It was in 1869, that with others he made the weary journey from his eastern home to Clackamas county by the means of ox teams. For three years he re- mained there and then came to the east side of the Cascades and settltd on Willow creek. Two years later, in 1874, he came to< his present place and located. He has a fine stock farm and abundance of water. He has sontinuously been engaged in raising stock since the date of his settlement, except the time that was spent in the Indian wars in the late seventies, where he did some good service. Mr. Wham was married to Miss Frances, daughter of William and Lucretia Hill, in Baker county, on June 20, 1883. They have been blessed by the advent of the following children : Roy, Belle, Eddie P., Melvin, Irene and John. While Mr. Wham is not solicitous for political preferment of any kind, still he takes the part of the good citizen in all matters of local interest and political import, ever put- ting himself on record for that which is for the advancement of all and the upbuilding of the community and its interests. He is one of those quiet, substantial men that form the boast of any well regulated community and are the real stanch part of this strong republic. JUDGE JOHN B. MESSTCK.— Promi- nent among the young professional men of Baker county is the public-spirited political leader and successful attorney whose name gives caption to this review, and it is with pleasure that we accord him clue representa- tion here as a man who* has already proven him- self a forceful factor in the community, and who promises to be still more influential in the years to come. Judge Messick was born in Nicholasville, Kentucky, on the 14th of July, 1862, his par- ents being Richard M. and Mary B. (Tomlin- son) Messick. The family removed to Mis- souri in 1870, and there our subject grew up and received his educational discipline, the same consisting of a public school training and a course in the William Jewell College, at Lib- erty. L T pon completing his preliminary train- ing he returned to' the Bluegrass state and enf- gaged in the mercantile business, a line which he followed until 1885, when he returned to Missouri and engaged in school teaching. A year later he came to Oregon, locating in the Willamette valley, where he practiced the 330 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES pedagogical profesion until 1890. He then came to eastern Oregon and taught in somes of the schools at Union and Baker counties for a time, but he had been devoting his spare moments for years toi the study of law, and in 1892 he was admitted to the bar. He opened an office in Baker City, and here has ever since been engaged in the practice of the law, winning an enviable success, his ability and devotion to the interests of his duties having won bis a large patronage. Indeed he is. consid- ered one oi the ablest attorneys in the city. In the spring of 1900 he was elected toi serve a two years' term as justice' of the peace, a post for which his professional skill and his natural disposition toward absolute fairness have eminently fitted him. In fraternal affiliations, our subject is iden- tified with the Woodmen of the World, in Queen City Camp, Noi. 48, of which he has served as counsel commander. On April 3, 1895, he and Miss Haines were married and they now have one daughter, Minerva Bell. Mrs, Messick is a daughter of the noted Judge Haines, of whom more particular mention has been made in another part of this volume. JOHN ERICKSON.— To the energetic fanner and stockraiser whose career we must now essay to outline, belongs the honor 1 of hav- ing wrought hisi own way in the world from, a very early age, and he has the independence of character and resourcefulness! which result from such early struggles with conditions. Born in Arboga, Sweden, in 1829, he was left fatherless in early infancy, so had to be cared for by persons not related to him. Naturally, under those circumstances, he felt it incum- bent upon him to> attempt for himself the battle of life as soon as possible, so when he became fifteen engaged in farm work independently of all supervision by guardians. He was thus employed for about half a decade, going then to Stockholm 1 , where for a. few years he was in the service of a sugar refinery. He next worked in a gas factory, then in a machine shop, learning a trade in the latter place. In 1864 he emigrated to Quebec, Canada, and proceed- ing thence to Lake Superior, he there wrought for a time in the copper and iron mines. In 1867 he removed to Illinois, in which state and in Kansas he farmed until 1877, when he came to Union county, Oregon. Eventually, he came thence into Pine valley, where he pur- chased a quarter section of land, and to the cultivation and improvement of this he has de- voted his time and energies ever since. He is a diversified farmer, producing almost all kinds of crops suitable to- the soil and climate, as well as cattle and horses. He is a thrifty, energetic man and a good citizen. Politically, Mr. Erickson is a Republican, and he takes the interest everyone should in the general welfare of the community, county and state. In 1867 he married Miss Martha Johnson, a native of Sweden, and tot their union have been born two. children, John J. and Au- gust, both at home. WILLIAM J. LACHNER.— The promi- nent young attorney and influential political leader whose name appears at the beginning of this article is one of the most promising young men in Baker county. A most excellent public speaker and blest with a, genius for lead- ership among his fellows such 1 as few possess., he has already risen to distinction, and the his- torian of the future will doubtless accord him rank among the greatest men of a great state. Mr. Lachner was. born in Canyon City, Grant county, Oregon, on November 30, 1869, the son of J. M. and WaJburg W. Lachner, na- tives of Germany and pioneers of Baker coun- ty of 1862. When, he was but twO> years old he was taken to' Baker City, where he received a public school education, which was after- ward supplemented by a course at the St. Jos- eph College. He then studied law with the late T. Calvin Hyde, of his home town, afterward entering the law department of the University of Michigan, from which he 'was graduated in 1896. Most persons who achieve such success as he in college work are assisted financially by their parents, but we have here an instance where one not only works his own way through college and the law school, but actu- ally assists his parents all the time he is so do- ing. Upon receiving his degree, he at once began practice, and success has been crowning his efforts ever since. He has been in politi- cal life since he reached his majority and twice he has been chairman and once secretarv of the HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 331 Republican County Central Committee. In 1898 he was offered the nomination of his. party for the office of representative 1 , but re- fused. He was, however, nominated for pros- ecuting attorney, much against bis wishes, but the ticket was defeated, and that particular of- fice secured by Samuel White. When Mc- Kinley was first a candidate for the presidency Baker county gave his opponent a majority of 956. In the last election this majority was re- duced to one hundred and fifty, this very radi- cal change in the sentiment and political com- plexion of the county being due in large meas- ure to the efforts of our subject, who was serv- ing as chairman of the county committee. In fraternal circles, also, our subject is quite a prominent figure, his affiliations being with the A. OL U. W. and the B. P. O. E He was married, on November 30, 1898, to Miss Ida M Tibolet, a native of Upper Sandusky, Ohio. *-•-♦ WILBER J. SELBY.— This prominent young merchant and respected citizen of Baker City is a native of Kirksville, Missouri, born October 19, 1867, the son of Joshua, and Har- riet (Howerton) Selby. He grew to man- hood there, receiving unusually good educa- tional advantages, the same consisting of a course in the local commoni and high schools and in the State Normal school. In 1888 he went to Utah, where he taught successfully for the ensuing decade ; then 1 he moved to Col- orado, and was there engaged in the mercan- tile business for a period of one year, after which he came to Baker county. He was. em- ployed here by P. Basche for a short time, but soon he had purchased an interest in the Baker City Mercantile Company, an establishment doing business in the Geiser Grand building, carrying a full line of fancy and staple grocer- ies, queensware. feed, etc. He is manager of the business and the other members of the firm are M. and L. B. Miller. Theirs is one of the leading mercantile establishments of the city and does credit to the men whose energy and business ability have built it up. Our subject is a public-spirited man and has ever taken an active interest in the affairs of communities in which he has lived, as he is doing in the politics and welfare of Baker City. He once served on the city council of Ophir, Colorado. In Kirksville, Missouri, on October if, 1900, Mr. Selby married Miss Alice, daughter of Solomon and Fannie (Tinsman) Otto, of that city. Both she and our subject are memt- bers of, and prominent workers in, the Metho- dist Episcopal church here located. They re- side in a pleasant home, No. 2314 Fifth street. JOFIN POWELL.— Oregon is well known as a stock raising state, and within its boundar- ies are some of the largest and most skillful stockmen that are to be found in the United States, and it is our pleasure at the present time to give the epitome of the career of one of the largest owners of thoroughbred Shorthorn cat- tle in the state, and it is- largely due toi his skill and enterprise that the standard is placed so high in his state in regard to registered stock, for he has produced some of the finest speci- mens, and owns today some excellent animals. Mr. Powell was born on April 1, 1834, in Genesee countv, New York, his parents being Milo and Lucina (Gardner) Powell. While yet a child he was removed by his parents to Cass county, Michigan, and there remained until he had gained manhood's estate, receiv- ing meanwhile a good training in the public schools and in assisting bis father on the latter's farm. AVhen he was twenty-two years of age he started to the Eldorado, of the west, Cali- fornia, via New York and the Panama Isth- mus.; landing- in Amador county, he at once engaged in mining, and in 1858 went toi Vir- giia City, Nevada, and there was among the first discoverers of the mines in that vicinity, and made a fine stake. During the summer' of i860 he returned to his home in Michigan, and for one year was taken up with seeing old friends and visiting his relatives. Following this pleasant trip he returned, by stage from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Virginia City, Where he owned considerable mining - property, among which were the claims now owned by J. W. Mackey, and known as the consolidated Vir- ginia. In 1 86 1 we find him in the forefront of the gold excitement in Florence, Idaho, with what success we are not told, and then later he went to Vancouver, Washington, and engaged 332 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES in butchering, which he followed until 1873, then came to Baker county. From this date until 1879 he was engaged in hunting and prospecting, and during these years, he was a veritable Daniel Boone. In 1879 he deter- mined to change his occupation, and accord- ingly located ai ranch where he lives at the present time, three miles northwest from Uni- ty, on the south fork of the Burnt river. From, one quarter section at the beginning, he has increased his holdings to the mammoth propor- tions of six hundred acres. His estate is well improved, and he has a large herd of excellent thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle, being one oif the largest owners of pure bred stock in the state. He has three registered bulls that will weigh about twenty-three hundred pounds a piece. The marriage of Mr. Powell and Miss M. Ella, daughter of James and Rose Moore, was solemnized in Baker county on July 4, 1894, and to them have been born three children: Adell Adalade, Margery Lucina and John Lie- land A. Mr. Powell is highly esteemed by all the community, and his life of uprightness has given, him the meed of the admiration and con- fidence of all, while his thrift is rewarded by a generous competence. JAMES MOORE.— Among the repre- sentative citizens of Baker county and the sub- stantial property owners, mention must be made of the esteemed gentleman 1 whose name forms the heading of this article, and to whom there is great credit due for his praiseworthy efforts and achievements in this county and in other places, ever laboring for the advanee- ment of the interests of the community and the good of all, while he has been eminently successful in his private business operations. Mr. Moore was born near Terre Haute, In- diana, on May 23, 1846. There he worked on the farm with his father, and also attended school during the school seasons until he was eleven years of age, when the family removed to near Marysville, Missouri, where they lived during the Civil war, and they experienced some stirring times and thrilling adventures. In 1869 they emigrated to Wilson county, Kansas, and continued there farming until 1 881, when he came with mule teams across the plains and located twelve miles north from Baker City, buying a ranch and remaining there until 1889. Then he located his present ranch, five miles northwest from Unity, where he has resided since, giving himself to the in> provement of the same and general farming and stockraising. He has now a very com- fortable home and a goodly holding in various other property. The marriage of Mr. Moore and Miss Ro- sina S., daughter of William and Mary Sting- ley, was celebrated at Whiteville, Missouri, on October 15, 1867, and they have become the parents of six children: Hester A., wife of Franklin McCullough ; John. W. ; Thomas E. ; Ella, wife of John Powell ; Lettie J. ; Bessie R. Mrs. Moore was called from the scenes of life to the world beyond on May 1, 1900, and her demise was universally mourned. Mr. Moore's father 'was a soldier in the Civil war, enlisting in the Missouri Volun- teers, in 1 86 1, and saw much service in battles and skirmishes. He was honorably dis- charged at the close of the war, and then moved to Elk county, Kansas, where he died in 1881. The mother is still living in the old home place in Kansas. ZENO DENNEY.— It is now our pleas- ant task to present in brief outline the life his- tory of the successful young farmer and stock- man whose name appears above. He is one of the enterprising citizens residing in the vicin- ity of Pine, and though he has not been on his present place long enough to have greatly im- proved it, he is energetically at 'work, and will no> doubt soon have a pleasant and comfortable home. He was born in Lake county, Cali- fornia, in 1868, his parents being James P. and Sarah (Jones) Denney, natives respect- ively of Arkansas and Kentucky, and both at present residing in Dry creek valley. Our subject remained under the parental vine and fig tree until twenty-five years old, then took a homestead not far from his present place of abode and engaged in farming. After about two years experience in the basic art he resolved to try his hand in commercial pursuits, so engaged in business at Homestead, on the Snake river. He busied himself in the devel- opment of his trade for about four months, then embarked in numerous other enterprises, HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 333 but about a year ago he purchased land seven miles northeast of Pine post office and again engaged in tilling the soil. He owns a fine place of one hundred and sixty acres, and is raising all varieties of crops which are suited to soil and climate. On September 9, 1895, Mr. Denney mar- ried Miss Clara A., daughter of Joseph and Lyda (Hughes) Ludiker, residents oif Pine val- ley. Their union has been blest by the advent of two children : Nadie and Noel Z., both at home. Mr. Denney handles considerable stock in connection with his agricultural pursuits. L. S. KELSEY. — This extensive real es- tate owner and prosperous, progressive agri- culturist and stockraiser, of the vicinity of Haines is to be counted among the leaders: in his line of enterprise in Baker county to the development and general progress of which he has very materially contributed and of 'which he has long been an esteemed and honored citi- zen. Mr. Kelsey was born in Tooele county, Utah, on January 21, 1855. He resided there until the fall of 1879, receiving his education in the local public schools and developing his bodily powers- by hard and invigorating exer- cise on the farm>. In the year mentioned he came to Baker county and settled on the North Powder river, seven miles north of where Hlaines now is, and to his original homestead he has kept adding betimes, as means came as a reward of his well directed efforts, until he is now the owner of a princely domain of two thousand acres. He is the owner of a fine band of graded Shorthorn cattle, consisting of about two hundred head, likewise is interested in the production of many different kinds of agricultural products, especially hay. He also owns some very promising mining properties. Plonored for his forcefulness and ability in business, Mr. Kelsey is no- less honored as a worthy member of society, his unvarying in- tegrity and many other good qualities as a man rendering him trusted and esteemed. Fraternally bur subject is affiliated with North Powder Lodge No. 109, W. of W. His marriage was solemnized on August 5, 1875, in Tooele county, Utah, the lady being Miss Susan Tanner, who: some years later died, leaving three children : Violet, wife of Henry Parder resides at home ; Laura, now Mrs. Lane Goff, and a resident of Baker county; Letta, wife of H. H. Wilson, living on Beard creek. In the fall of 1883 our subject again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Grace, daughter of James B. and Jane Wilson, of Union county and to this union four chil- dren have been born : Edna, Maude, Nellie and Ethel, all at home. JAMES P. DENNEY.— Among the earli- est pioneers of the coast is he whose name ap^ pears above, and as he is also quite an early settler of the political division with which our volume is concerned, it is but fitting that he should be granted representation herein. It is always a pleasure to review the lives of those who have assisted in the herculean task of founding and building the west, and such pleasure is ours in outlining the career of Mr. Denney. Our subject was born in Illinois on No>- v ember 17, 1832 his parents being John and Martha (Llewellyn) Denney, natives of Ten- nessee. He accompanied themi to Arkansas when quite young, and in that commonwealth he grew to manhood and received his educa- tional discipline. When twenty-three years old he began the battle of life independently of parental guidance, and in 1856 he set out over the untrammeled highway of the prairie, and through the fastness of the mountains, to' the Pacific coast. He came to a halt at a mining camp called Jamieson creek, in California, and in 1857 he went thence to' the Sacramento val- ley, where the ensuing twenty-one years of his life were passed, his principal occupation being farming. At the end of that extended period he emigrated to« southern Oregon, but not find- ing conditions there exactly to: his liking, he soon came toi Pine valley, arriving in 1880. Locating on a homestead about seven and a quarter miles northeast of Pine post office, he engaged in farming here, and to the cultiva- tion and improvement of his land he has- given his best energies ever since, compelling it by judicious tillage to yield the abundant harvests of which it is capable. He is a man who stands well in his community, being of unquestioned integrity and unusual force of character. On October 6, 1852, our subject married 334 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Miss Sarah Ann, daughter of John W. and Katie (Caudel) Jones, natives of Kentucky, and to> this union seven children have been horn, as follows: John; Martha L., wife of J. B. Whelock ; George W. ; Catherine, wife of James W. Cann, o pleting his handicraft he returned to Baker City and engaged in the publication of the Bed- rock Democrat, which had been established in 1870, the second oldest paper in eastern' Ore- gon, and the oldest in Baker county. He was engaged on that paper in one capacity or an- other much of the time until 1887, when he and George B. Small purchased the plant, and ever since that date our subject has been editor and publisher of the Daily Morning Democrat and the Bedrock Weekly Democrat. Thanks to his energy and ability, his paper has always taken the lead in the county, and it now has a larger circulation than any of its rivals. It be- longs to> the Associated Press, hence is able to give to its readers the benefit of the dispatches secured by that powerful organization. It is also the countv official paper. As before stated, Mr. Bowen is very active in the counsels of the Democratic party, and several times he has been called upon to serve as chairman of its county central committee, the duties of which office he invariably dis- charged with great faithfulness and ability, materially strengthening the Democratic plu- rality in the community. Like most of the prominent men, he is interested in fraternal or- ganizations, his membership being in the B. P. 01 E., the A. O. U. W., and the Fra- ternal Union. He was married on October 16, 1895, the lady being Miss. Mary E., daugh- ter of P. and B. Burke, pioneers of the county. They have two children, J. B., Jr., and Anna Marie. Mrs. Bowen's father is one of the large and successful stockmen of the county. FRANK HA RDM AN.— The stockmen and farmers of Baker county have done no small part in redeeming the wilds of nature to be wealth producing regions and making the property estimate of this county to- be largely increased, while their labors and wisdom, have added much to the improvements of the coun- try and the comfort of all. One of these worthy citizens is- named above, and we now endeavor to chronicle in brief outline the salient points in his career. Mr. Hardman is a native of the Web-foot state, being born in Linn county on May 24, 1866, to Joseph and Barbara (Ritter) Hard- man. The parents crossed the plains in 1850 with ox teams and settled in the same year in Linn county: the father died in 1897, and the mother in 1899, each being in the seventieth year at the time of death. When our subject was three years of age he came with his par- ents to the John Day country, settling first at Prairie City. In 1892 he bought the land where he resides at the present time, eight miles south of Whitney, on the Burnt river. Here he has a fine estate, well improved, which produces many tons of fine timothy hay each year, and in addition he owns a- goodly herd of excellent blooded cattle. The marriage of Mr. Hardman and Miss Lillie, daughter of H. M. and Martha (Wil- cox) Craig, was solemnized on April 4, 1888, and to them have been born the following chil- dren : George H., Thomas, Grace, deceased, April 9, 1894, and Hazel. Mrs. Hardman's parents live near Prairie City, this state. Mr. Hardman is affiliated with the Modern Wood- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 335 men of America, Unity Lodge, No. 7977. He is also one of the directors of the school dis- trict where he lives, and takes ai lively interest in political matters and local affairs. He is considered one of the most substantial citizens oif the community, and is one of those worthy men that form the boast and foundation of any well regulated district. ANCELL COOK. — It is now our pleasant duty to brief!)' review the life of one of the most substantial and prominent men of his sec- tion, having been instrumental in assisting ma- terially the advancement of the interests of the county and aiding in its progress anid develop- ment since his domicile within its precincts was acquired, and whose capabilities and stanch integrity and intrinsic worth have been a source of both pleasure and profit to all that have been associated with him, in these years. Mr. Cook was born, in Hickory county, near Quincy, Missouri, on October 7, 1846. The educational advantages of that timie and place were very limited, but the industry and appli- cation of our subject largely made up for that by careful reading and investigation as oppor- tunity afforded. When thirteen years of age he took the long and weary journey across the plains with ox teams to California, and set- tled six miles from; Chico, on the Sacramento river, and engaged in raising stock until 1882. At this date he camie to Baker county and bought the place where he now resides one and three-fourths miles southeast from. McEwen, on the Baker City road. Here he owns one of the finest farms in the county; while it is not as large as some, still its productiveness is most marked, and an abundance of fine water adds greatly to its general fertility. He gath- ers annually bountiful harvests of good timo^ thy hay and other crops. He owns a large herd of good cattle, and his ranch is well im- proved, having one of the most handsome and commodious residences in the valley. In every particular pertaining to the home and business of Mr. Cook there is an air of thrift and care- ful attention that gives rest and comfort to his rural abode. In 1873 the marriage of Mr. Cook and Miss Anna E. daughter of Eli and Caroline Brewen, was celebrated in Contra Costa coun- ty, California. They have become the parents of six children : Delia G., wife of Mark Boyce, living near Baker City ; Walter ; Carrie M. ; Sylvia P., wife of Ervin Spencer, of Sump- ter; Jessie M. ; Frank. In educational mat- ters Mr. Cook is quite active, and has been in- strumental in assisting the cause of education materially in the valley. He and bis wife are very active in church work, and are affiliated with that body in McEwen, where he is widely and favorably known. By way of reminiscence it is interesting to> note that while en route to California, although Mr. Cook had several hard struggles with the Indians., and he himself but young in years, he was victorious at every onset and escaped un- injured, although they determined to take his life. This speaks highly both of his courage and his intrepidity as well as of his physical activity. ISAAC McMULLEN, one of the leading farmers and most respected citizens of the vi- cinity of Pine post office was born in God- erich, Ontario, in 1846. He lived •with, his parents, William H. and Elizabeth (Hall) McMullen, natives of Ireland, until he became eighteen years old, acquiring a common school education and learning the trade of a shoe- maker. Upon giving inception to his inde- pendent career he set out for Chicago and from 1 that time until 1866 he traveled quite exten- sively, going as far south as Kentucky. • In 1866 he came out to Nebraska City, and thence along the Union Pacific railroad, as a member of different construction crews. In January, 1869, our subject landed in the northern part of Eagle valley, Baker county, and he lived where the premises of W. Tobin now are, for a year or two, coming then to Pine valley, where he took a: homestead of one hundred and sixty acres and engaged ini farm- ing and stockraising. To this dual occupation he has given his best energies ever since, with good success. He has a pleasant home, com- fortably environed, and a place well supplied with buildings and equipments. Though vi- tally interested in the welfare of his com- munity, county and state, he has never been himself a candidate for political preferment, and never has sought personal aggrandize- ment. He has, however, done his share for 836 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the cause of education by serving as director of his district. In 1878 Mr. McMullen married Betty K., daughter of Joseph and Susan (West) Bragg, natives of Missouri, and they have three chil- dren: Joseph W., Maud M., and Bessie M., all at home. Mr. McMullen' s father was a veteran of the war of 18 12, being a boy of sixteen at the time hostilities commenced. DANIEL GRANT, M. D.— Prominent alike in his profession and in mining circles, the subject of this reviewi is to be congratu- lated most fervently upon the success which lias attended him thus far, as well as upon the bright prospects for future usefulness and reputation which are his. He was born in Nova Scotia, on November 24, 1874, his par- ents being Alexander R. and Margaret Grant, natives respectively of Nova Scotia and Scot- land. Having completed the course offered by the excellent public schools of his native prov- ince, our subject entered McGill University of Montreal, and from) the medical department of that famous institution he graduated in 1896. He then practiced for two years in the state of New Hampshire, after which he came to Baker City, Oregon, where he practiced a year, thereupon being appointed physician and surgeon to the E. & E., Columbia, Golconda, North Pole, Venus and Mountain View mines. He also enjoys a very enviable patronage out- side of his mining practice, this coming to him as a reward of his painstaking care and con- scientiousness in the discharge of his profes- sional duties. Fraternally our subject is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, at Sumpter, Oregon, and the Pioneers of the Pacific, being examin- ing physician for the last named order. He also affiliates with the very ancient K. A. E. O. He belongs to the British Medical Society, and the New Hampshire Medical Association, and while in Baker City he was on the staff of phy- sicians of St. Elizabeth hospital. Dr. Grant has achieved a very enviable success in his mining ventures, having been half owner of the Porcupine group, which sold a short time since for fifteen thousand dollars. He alsoi has interests in other valua- ble properties in the district. CHARLES O. STEWART, one of the leading agriculturists and general farmers in the vicinity of Pine post office, was born in Eola, Polk county, Oregon, on January 3, 1858. His parents, Francis 'M. and Anna C. (Strain) Stewart, were natives respectively of Illinois and Indiana, and were married in Folk county, Oregon, in 1855, the Rev. Mr. Waller officiating. After their marriage they lived about six years in that county, then removed to a point about eighteen miles above Seattle, in Washington, that city being at the time their nearest postoffice. They hewed out a home in the forest, and for about six years succeeded as well as could be expected, but in 1867 Mrs. Stewart died, and at the time of her death Mr. Stewart was absent in Seattle. About the same time also- all the household belongings of the family, in fact everything except the house in which they lived, were destroyed by flood, the water rising much higher that year than it has ever done since. These misfortunes dis- couraged our subject's father, so> be sold out, moved to Portland and engaged in the carpen- ter trade. Two 1 years later he came to Union county, Oregon, where he lived with his brother about a year, moving then to Pine valley, of which he was a pioneer. Locating on land about a mile north of Pine, he lived there until September 7, 1895, when death put an end to his earthly pilgrimage. Both he and his wife were lifelong members of, and workers in, the Methodist church. In his earlier years the old gentleman was a Democrat, but he had been a consistent and active Republican, ever since the Civil war. Our subject was born in) Eola, Oregon, on January 3, 1858. He remained under the parental roof until the death of his mother, then lived a while with am aunt in Portland, but when his father moved to Union county he also came along. At the age of sixteen he struck out for himself, going to> Colorado' with a herd of cattle. He passed the winter of 1876-77 there, returning the next spring to Pine valley. Soon, however, he removed to Boise, but in a year's time he was again a resi- dent of Pine valley, and located on a quarter section of land on Dry creek. Of this, how- ever, he afterwards disposed, investing a por- tion of the proceeds in an eighty-aei e tract one and a half miles north of Pine, where he has ever since lived, engaged in improving his DAHIEL GRAST, M. D. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 337 place and in general farming and stockraising. He ranks among the leading farmers of his neighborhood, while his integrity and upright- ness of character, together with his many neighborly qualities, have rendered him trust- ed and respected. Mr. Stewart was married, at F'urman 1 Sta- tion, Oregon, on. September 25, 1882, the lady being Miss Fannie, daughter of John and Anna (Clark) Furman. To' their union nine children- have been born : Fannie A. ; Marion P., wife of J. H. Haney, of Halfway ; Robert C. ; Har- rison P., died January 17, 1900; Lilah C. ; an infant that died unnamed, February 23, 1893 ; Anna B. ; Edith, died October 27, 1898; Vada, Mrs. Stewart's parents were natives, the mother of Ohio, and the father of New York. Both emigrated to the west, and they met and married in, Oregon, where for a number otf years they followed farming. The father was afterward a partner in the first livery stable in Baker City, but is now living on Boundary creek, Alberta province, Northwest Territory. His wife died in Baker City in 1869. Mr. Stewart has a herd of seven hundred fine sheep, which he handles in addition to his other enterprises. ROBERT T. GEORGE.— It is with pleas- ure that we present here a brief outline re- view of the life history of the prominent farm- er and stock raiser and energetic, forceful man whose name appears above, as we realize that in his long career as an agriculturist and freighter he has, while working out his own destiny, concomitantly contributed very ma- terially to the development of the county in which his home has been. Mr. George was born in Boone county, Missouri, on July 14, 1858, his parents being A. and Ann Eliza George. In 1865 the family crossed the plains to Baker county, and on the paternal farm on Willow creek our sub- ject lived until he had completed his educa- tion and grown to early manhood. In 1874, though only eighteen years old, he essayed the task of fighting- life's battles on his own account, going to Rock creek and there en- gaging in agricultural pursuits. He continued in the same place until about ten years ago, and then moved to a point six miles southwest 22 of Haines, where he now has a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres. Faithful, as- siduous 1 toil has brought! it to- an excellent state of cultivation and many improvements in the way of substantial buildings, fences, etc., bear testimony to the thrift of its owner. For several years Mr. George was exten- sively engaged in freighting, operating with seven six-horse outfits, and transporting goods to many parts of eastern Oreg - on and Idaho. About six months ago-, however, he sold out, and he has since been giving his entire at- tention to his farm and stock. On December 18;, 1889, in Pocahontas, Ba- ker comity, our subject married Miss Etta, a daughter of James and Eliza Ingraham, and a native of Arkansas, and their union has been blessed by the advent of three children : Bertha, Leona and Rosa. , ANDREW P. GREENER.— No volume which has. to do with the leading and public spirited citizens of Baker county could escape the charge of incompleteness and inconsistency did it fail to incorporate a brief review of the Civil war veteran and representative man whose name appears above. Ever an active- worker in his business and in the promotion of the public good, he has contributed his share- toward urging on the forward march in Baker county, and in substituting light for darkness,, cosmos for chaos. Our subject is a native of Shelby, Illinois, born in 18I41, his parents being John J. and M. J. (Savage) Greener, natives respectively of Bavaria and Indiana,. He continued to reside under the parental roof until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in. Company B, Fifty-seventh Illinois Infantry, and he did: not lay down his arms until the last disloyal gun had been silenced, never more to> awake the echoes. He was wounded twice, the first battle scar being received at Pittsburg Land- ing, the second at Corinth. When his services as a soldier were no longer required he went to Kansas and en- gaged in school teaching. For nine consecu- tive years he wrought for the educational' amelioration of the youth of Jefferson, and Linn counties, but in 1875 he came out to Grande Ronde valley, Oregon. For two years he fol- 338 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES lowed his profession there. In 1877 ne came to Eagle valley, and after teaching a term took a claim of one hundred and sixty acres a mile and three-quarters north of the present Pine postoffice and turned his energies to farming and stock raising, a line of en- deavor in, which he has been engaged ever since. He is an energetic man, and has highly improved his premises by the erection of good buildings, fences, etc., and by judicious culti- vation of the soil. In politics Mr. Greener takes quite a lead- ing interest, being a stanch Republican, and an active worker in the conventions of his party. For two years he served as county assessor, and toi him belongs the honor of having secured the establishment of the post office at Pine, and of having acted as its first postmaster. In April, 1873, ollr subject married Miss Amanda, daughter of Josiah and Mariah (Long) Brooks, natives respectively of Penn- sylvania and Delaware, and to their union seven children have been born : Birch, de- ceased ; Elmer ; Edward, Ola and Eva, at home ; Orville, who died in 1900-, and Norvall, at home, the last two being twins. Mr. Greener is a member of Phil Kearney Post, No. 66, G. A. R. MARION A. BUTLER.— A leader in po- litical circles, a good public speaker and a law- yer of distinguished ability, the man whose name gives caption to this article is toi be ranked among the foremost citizens of the county with which our' volume is concerned, and it is therefore fitting that he be given due representation among the men who have built up and are building up this section of the great Inland Empire. Our subject is yet a young man and the achievements of his past life are such that much may be expected from him in the future, so that indications, must prove false if he fails to make a record for himself which will place him among the noted men of the state of Oregon. Mr. Butler was born in Douglas county, this state, on May 21, 1865, the son of Benja- min and Lydia (Beard) Butler, natives of Ohio, who crossed the plains in 1853. They spent the first winter in Clackamas county, then took a donation land claim five miles southeast of Oakland, where they resided until 1871, moving then to Olympia, Washington, in which town their home was. until 1878. Our subject attended the common schools wherever the family resided, finishing his common school training in Pomeroy. He then took a two years' course in Whitman college, and finally graduated from Lewis Collegiate Institute at Lewiston, Idaho. Upon receiving his diploma he engaged in teaching school in Idaho, but later he went to Farmdngton, where he spent a period of two years in the drug business. Go- ing thence to- Spokane he followed real estate brokerage until 1892, in which year he located at Pendleton, Oreg'on, and began the practice of law. In 1899 ,ne came to Baker City, where he has built up a very lucrative and flattering practice. He is: the law partner of the well known Senator John H. Mitchell. Our subject has contributed his share to- ward the mining development of this section since coming - here, and has at present some valuable properties. He formerly held a con- trolling interest in the Virginia mine. As before intimated, Mr. Butler is a very- enthusiastic politician, his party affiliations be- ing with the Republicans, for whose success he has wrought very faithfully, making many campaign speeches. His fraternal connections are with the K. of P., Gauntlet Lodge, No. 8, of which he is a past chancellor, and with the W. of W. On July 13, 1885, our subject married Miss Alice, daughter of David S. and Acena A. Trescott, natives of Ohio', but residents, at present, of Asotin county, Washington. The issue of this union is two children, Harold R. and Ella May. The family reside at 1940 Seventh street, Baker City. GEORGE B. SMALL.— This prominent editor, publisher, and political leader was born in Butte county, California, on January 14, 1864, the son of S. H. and Frances E, Small, natives of Missouri, whoi crossed the plains with ox teams to California in i860. When eight years old our subject accompanied the remainder of the family to Baker county, in the public schools of which county he received his common school education. He then at- tended for three years Blue Mountain uni- versity at La Grande, working during vaca- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 339 tions in the Democrat office, learning the printer's trade. When ■ he retired from col- lege he assumed editorial management of the paper in the office of which he had acquired his technical skill and to this work he gave himself uninterruptedly for several years. In May, 1887, our subject and I. B. Bow en purchased the Democrat, and they now have, it is said, the finest and largest newspaper and job printing plant in the state of Oregon. Mr. Small attended the national editorial asso- sociation at Chicago in 1893 as a: delegate from this state, also* the one at Asbury Park, New Jersey in 1894. He is also past president of the Oregon press association. Prominent in the journalistic profession, our subject is no less famed as a political leader His voice has been many times heard in Democratic state conventions and more than once he has served as chairman of the county central committee. - Like many other prominent men in Baker county, Mr. Small is interested in mining prop- erties, and he is alsoi the owner of some very desirable city realty, including his fine resi- dence on the corner of Seventh and Wash- ington streets. Fraternally our subject is affiliated with the B. P. O. E., of which he is a past exalted ruler, and with the K. of P., in which he is a past chancellor. He attended the grand lodge of the Elks at St. Louis in 1899 as a delegate, and he has also twice attended the grand lodge of the K. of P. He was married on January 20, 1887, the lady of his choice being Miss Nea B. Hazeltine, a daughter of old and re- spected pioneer parents. They have had three children, namely: Eva B., deceased; Nea Ha- zel, and Frederick Irving. DOUGLAS M. NICHOLS.— No class of men have aided more in the development of the resources of the country and in bringing civilization within our bounds than have the stockmen and agriculturists, of whom Baker county has a large quota of progressive and ca- pable devotees, and among this enterprising class there is to' be given especial mention of our subject, since he has wrought in the west for many years and has been one of those sub- stantial citizens whoi form the very bone and sinew of any community and whose stability and integrity have been displayed in a manner worthy of emulation in his long years of faithful service. The son of Luther R. and Adelia (Wood- bridge) Nichols, being born on December 12, 1844, in Kenosha, Illinois, he was removed by his parents to Yreka, California, in 1852. They crossed the plains with horse teams, the train being led by Judge Tblman, who is now in Jacksonville, Oregon. The first venture of the father on the Pacific coast was in the hotel business for two years, and then at Canal Gulch, and later at Shasta bridge, he operated in the mercantile realm. Following this he took a homestead and tilled it for six years, or until the death of the mother, and then the father and our subject came to< Port- land. When Douglas M. arrived at the age of twenty-one he migrated to> Idaho City, en- gaging in dairying. Two years later we find him at Falks Store postoffice in the stock busi- ness, then in Eagle valley in 1880, whence, three years later, he removed to' his present place one mile northeast of 'Bridgeport, where he took a homestead and has since added by purchase four hundred and eighty acres more. His farm is very valuable, being supplied with an abundance of water, and produces bountiful crops of hay. He has improved it in good shape, having comfortable buildings, a good orchard and other essentials to a thrifty and first class ranch. He handles many cattle and has some very fine specimens of registered Shorthorn animals. The marriage of Mr. Nichols and Mrs. Rtufina (Sawings) Paddock was celebrated in 1869 at Falks Store postoffice, Rev. Ford, of the Methodist Episcopal church, officiating. Five children were born to this union, as fol- lows: Ernest, who at four years of age fell a victim of a sad accident and was burned to death ; Arthur E., married to Zetta Vanburen ; Cora, wife of Charles Vanburen; Wilbert E. ; and Ira. On April 22, 1900, Mrs. Nichols was called to pass the river of death ; she was a noble woman, loving mother and faithful wife and her demise was universally mourned. Mr. Nichols contracted a second marriage April 8, 190a, Mrs. Nina Ahlhauser, of the vicinity of Salem, becoming his wife at that time. Mrs;. Nichols is a: native of Canada, and by her former marriage has one 340 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES daughter, Grace Ahlhauser. Her parents, Job and Mary (Heath) Denyer, were natives of England and immigrants to the United States, the mother dying in Turner, Oregon, where the father still lives. Mr. Nichols' father was a volunteer in the Rogue river war with the Indians, and on Oc- tober 4, 1 90 1, he died at Salem, aged eighty- four. ANDREW DEWAR.— Born in Perth- shire, Scotland, on January 31, 1836, the sub- ject of this review possesses his full share of the thrift and forcefulness of character which have made his race famous the world over, and which have made them such worthy citi- zens of the United States. While Mr. Dewar has not been characterized by any ambition for personal aggrandizement, and has never, so far as we know, been a candidate for any office, he takes the interest every good citizen should in the affairs of his county and state. He belongs to* the great class of men whose names, are not on everybody's tongue, but who nevertheless form the real sinew of any com- munity. Mr. Dewar received his education in the excellent public schools of his native land, and remained there until 1872, when he resolved to enjoy the larger advantages to be had in the new world. Accordingly he set sail for Ameri- ca.. During the first two years he traveled considerably, seeking a suitable location, and when he finally came to a halt it was that he might try his fortunes in the rich mining region of which Sumpter, Oregon, is the cen- ter. He soon acquired an interest in various properties which have since became famous, among them the Ibex, which sold two years ago> for sixty-five thousand dollars. This prop- erty was discovered and located in 1895 by our subject, with Joseph Michael, Edgar Main and James Fain as associates. Mr. Dewar was also. interested in the Amazon mine, which was sold in 1898 toi Mr. English for five thousand dollars. i It is of interest to. note that when Mr. Dewar came to Baker county Sumpter was merely a placer camp, and that the quartz mines which have made it famous have all been of more recent discovery. There was only one house and a few small shacks in the town when first seen by our subject, and at that time lum- ber had to' be hauled from Auburn, where also- all the Sumpter people got their mail. Other provisions had to be conveyed from Umatilla by pack train. Mr. Dewar has therefore enjoyed the op- portunity of seeing the place develop from a primitive mining camp to a first class center, and he no doubt also enjoys the consciousness that he has been in a very considerable meas- ure a contributor to this progress and devel- opment. TABOR M. REED.— In the character now before us we have one of those sturdy men of courageous spirit and dauntless in- trepidity who' so. nobly did the praiseworthy work of opening the frontier regions to the march of civilization, and whose life has been filled with stirring adventures and interest- ing incidents. Much more is due this worthy class of pioneers than ever the citizens of the now wealthy county of Baker will ever be able to pay, both as a debt of gratitude and for commendable effort that has resulted in open- ing up to the settlers that followed later the rich territory now embraced in our county.. On September 16, 18)38, near Mumcie, In- diana, the subject of this sketch was born, and he was reared on a farm, attending the public schools during the winter season. At the age of seventeen he went to Holt county, Missouri,, and thence to Fremont county, Iowa.. In De- cember, 1859,, ne migrated, via New York and the Isthmus, to California, going direct from San Francisco to the mines in Shasta county, in February, i860. He continued in mining there until the spring of 1862, when he came to Auburn, in Baker county, thence to Canyon City, returning to Auburn and then going to Clark's creek, being the first white man in that section, which afterward proved the best placer camp in eastern Oregon. Fol- lowing this he took a trip to California and Nevada, which was a very dangerous under- taking at that time, as the Piute Indians were at that time on the war path. In the spring of 1863 he returned and at once engaged in min- ing in different parts of Baker county until 1872, when he located the ranch where he now lives, five and one-half miles east of Here- ford. At this place he owns three hundred HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 341 and twenty acres of fine 'land, well watered, and that produces abundant crops of hay. He has added many valuable improvements and his is a comfortable and valuable home place, He also owns large herds of cattle and horses and engages in mining in addition to his stock and agricultural interests. In political mat- ters he is active and prominent in his vicinity, having been justice of the peace for a number of terms. In 1 87 1 the marriage of Mr. Reed and Miss Frances, daughter of Belta and Sarah Dragoo, was solemnized at Mumcie, Indiana. Tk> them have been 'born the following chil- dren: Daisy M., wife of John Wallace, of Lagrande, Oregon ; L. Belle, whoi has been in- structor in the high school at Express ! for some time ; Mary R. ; Birdie A. ; Nellie P. It is of note that the father of Mr. Reed's grandfather was a soldier in the 'Revolution, and the stanch characteristics of his. ancestors have been commendably displayed in the sub- ject before us whoi bears the worthy name. During the Indian trouble of 1878 Mr. Reed removed his family to a place of safety in the fort at Clarksville. Once, in 1868, Mr. Reed's mincle was lost in the mountains., and became so badly frozen that the services of a surgeon were required. Our subject went to Boise, Idaho, for one and in the trip very nearly lost his own life by freezing, but finally pulled through. ♦ *» REUBEN REED, an enterprising farmer and mining man, residing in the vicinity of Halfway ipostoffice is deserving of mention .among the builders and benefactors of the county with which our volume is concerned, and it affords us pleasure to accord him such. He was born in Union county, Ohio, in 1836, and was tiaken thence to Clayton county, Iowa, hy his parents, John and Malinda (Asher) .Reed. In that state he was deprived of his father by the icy hand of death, and in 1859 he brought his mother and the remainder of the family to Colorado. He mined there a couple of years, then embarked in cattle rais- ing, an industry which continued to engage Tii9 energies uninterruptedly for thirteen or fourteen years. In 1882, however, he sold out and came to Pine valley, Baker county, home- steaded one hundred and twenty acres of land a mile and a half north of Halfway postofflce, and engaged in diversified farming, although he has also given some attention to mining and prospecting and is the owner of interests in various properties at Cornucopia and Snake river. He has been an energetic man in his endeavors toi secure a competency, and at the same time contribute toward the development of his section, and is richly deserving of what- ever success has been his. His integrity and worth of character have secured him the con- fidence and esteem! of those who know him, giving him an enviable standing in his com- munity. Mr. Reed was married in Clayton county, Iowa, in 1862, to Sarah A. Zimmerman, a native of Richfield, Pennsylvania, and daugh- ter of Jacob G. and Catherine Zimmerman, and to them have been born eleven children : John, Ida, Katie, who died in 1888; Charlotte M., Ella, Melinda, Effie, Charles, Delmer, Myrtle and Cleveland. Most of the children are now married and doing for themselves, but Charles, Delmer, Myrtle and Cleveland are still at home. Mr. Reed's father was a soldier in the war of 1 81 2, and his mother died in Colorado. Her mother died in Pennsylvania when this daughter was seven years of age, and her father died in Iowa in 1884. JOSEPH L. SAVAGE.— Active for many years in the processes of bread-stuff production, as well as in stock raising and horticulture, a man of great energy and activity and one who easily overcomes difficulties which would over- whelm 1 a less, resolute person, the honored gen- tleman whose name forms the caption of this article has; certainly earned the right to be considered among the builders of Baker coun- ty, and it affords us pleasure toi accord him representation as such herein. Our subject was born in Cook county, Illinois, near Plainfield, on January 19, 1843. He resided with his parents., Americus and Mary Savage, at their home in Peolia, Illinois, until 185 1, when he accompanied the remainder of the family across the plains to Linn county, Oregon, where he lived until he was seven- teen years old. Hie then went to California, where he worked at mining for about three years, thereupon returning to Linn county. He farmed until 1872, which year is the date 842 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES of his advent in Baker county. His first home was on Rock creek, but in 1876 he moved to his present place of abode six miles west of Haines, where he has. lived ever since. For a number of years he ran a blacksmith shop in addition to his other industries, then he in- vested in a, threshing' outfit, which made the seasons for twelve years. In 1900 he sold this, and last fall he operated an outfit owned by himself, in conjunction with several other farmers. He has a fine, well improved place, supplied with machinery, implements, build- ings, fences, and in fact almost everything requisite to a well regulated ranch. Fraternally our subject is affiliated with Haines Lodge, No. n, A. O. U. W. He was married in Linn county, Oregon, October 22, 1864, to M'elinda, daughter of James and Elizabeth Taylor, and a native of Illinois, and to this union have been born eleven chil- dren, namely : Minnie, wife of 'Bayard Angell, now deceased ; William, deceased ; Dean, resid- ing near his father's home; Guy, at home; Ollie, wife of W. N. Gardner, of North Pow- der; Edward, at Laclede mine; Nora, wife of Samuel Lang; Lulu, wife of W. M. Cavin; Ivy, deceased ; Joseph ; Ira. ISAAC McCLANAHAN.— The stock men of Baker county are well known for their progressiveness and the commanding position than! they have held for some time, and they have been instrumental in materially advancing the interests of their county and in enhancing the wealth of the same, as well as developing the resources of the eastern part of Oregon. A worthy representative of this thrifty class is mentioned at the head of this article, and with- out doubt he is one of the most skillful and successful stockmen of the county,, although there are others, perhaps, that may own herds that will outnumber his. The son of Isaac and Sarah McClanahan, born on March 4, 1833, near M untie, Indiana, he spenft his early years on the farm with his father, alsoi attending school a portion of each year. When he had attained the a:g-e of nineteen he was allured by the tales of the fertile Willamette valley to cross the plains with an ox team to Portland, this state. The following spring- he went with pack horses' to Yreka., California, thence to Redding's dig- gings in Shasta county, and took up mining: there until 1858, when he went to the Fraser river region, also in quest of nature's hidden treasures, but what success attended his ef- forts we are not told; but soon .after we find him in Portland, and until 1862 he tilled the soil on a farm' near that city. At that date he went to Tillamook bay, and in the following^ summer he went to the Clark's creek mines near Bridgeport, where he mined and kept hor tel until 1867, then sold his property. In 1 87 1 he bought the property where he now lives, about one mile southeast from Here- ford, and his thrift and industry have enabled him to> add to fcs acreage until he has one sec- tion of fine hay land that is well watered and forms one of the finest stock ranches in the whole county. He is very skillful in handling it, having it well improved and gaining suf- ficient hay therefrom to support a large herd of cattle. The marriage of Mr. McClanahan and Miss. Annis, daughter of John and Catherine (Bo- nett) Butt, was solemnized in Washington county, Oregon, November 13, 1859. It is of note that in the Indian war of 1878 Mr. McClanahan, with somie of his friends, stood guard on a prominent point to keep the Indians from: stealing their stock in the valley. The wily savages were tooi shrewd,, however, for the white men and succeeded in making quite a haul. «» »» W. W. FELIX. — This respected citizen of Sumpter and esteemed member of society, fa- miliarly known as Judge Felix, has, during all the years of his active life been deeply inter- ested in the cause of education and in the promotion of humanity's welfare in other ways,, and it affords us pleasure to mention him here as one whose benevolent disposition has made him a useful and honored man in other states, and will doubtless result likewise in the town where he now lives. Our subject was born in Wayne county, Illinois, the son of David K. and Susan E. Felix, natives of Kentucky. He received a public school and academic educa- tion, then, though only seventeen years old, began teaching. He followed that profession) in Mississippi, Kentucky and Illinois for half HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 343 a decade then engaged in the commission busi- ness in St. Louis, Missouri, continuing there- in until 1889, when he came to Tacoma, Wash- ington. For two* years he was engaged in real estate brokerage there, after which he em- barked in the fruit business in Los Angeles, California. For about four years he was en- gaged mostly in buying fruit for different wholesale houses, but becoming inspired with the hope that perhaps he might make money more rapidly in mining, he made a two years' prospecting tour into the desert. Returning he came to Baker county, arriving here in 1898. He prospected in this section for a short time, then moved to Lagrande, where he wrought as a bookkeeper for a time, re- turning then to Sumpter and turning his at- tention to contracting. He was engaged in this line of activity and in bookkeeping until June 14, 1900, when he was elected justice of the peace on the Democratic ticket. He is dis- charging his duties as such with fairness and impartiality and in a manner to commend hirn- self to the confidence and esteem of the public. I As above indicated our subject has taken an active interest in public affairs wherever he has lived. For two years he served as as- sistant superintendent of schools of Wayne county, Illinois, and in 1885 he was proposed to the legislature of his state for the office of doorkeeper. \ Fraternally Mr. Felix is affiliated with the Ancient Order of Red Men, Eagan Tribe No. 20, of Sumpter, and in religion he holds to the Baptist faith. Mr. Felix is interested with A. H. Hunt- ington and Thomas Barbee in two mining claims, the St. Charles and the Queen Esther, in Grant county, near the Baker county line, both of which, it is expected, will be shipping ore in the course of a year. THOMAS R. IRWIN.— We must now es- say to- present in brief outline the life history of the prominent and enterprising farmer and mining man who'Se name appears above. He is a very early settler of Baker county, in the development of which he has been a potent fac- tor, adding to its wealth by assisting in the conquest of its agricultural resources and the discovery of its mineral treasures. Like many other citizens who have distin- guished themselves in the industrial upbuild- ing of this section, our subject is a native of Ireland, his birthplace being Newtown- Limavady, Derry county, and the date 1839. In 1849 he accompanied his parents, Thomas and Hannah (Ramsey) Irwin, to the United States. For a number of years afterward he remained under the parental roof, but in 1864 he, his father and three brothers came west to Montana, where they remained two years. 0|ur subject then came on to> Portland, Ore- gon, the others returning east. For the ensu- ing three years he worked for wages, hauling lumber to Oregon City, on contract for a por- tion of the time, then 1 removed to southern Ore- gon, where he lived about eighteen months. He thai went to Central City, Nebraska, farm- ing in the vicinity of that town for another period of a year and a half, after which he came again to Oregon, halting first in Union, but soon coming to Pine valley. In 1881 he pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land four and a half miles northwest of the Pine postoffice, where he has been engaged in general farming and stock raising ever since. His energies are, however, too great to be con- fined to farming, and for the past fifteen or sixteen years he has also been engaged in min- ing. He has five or six ledges on Snake river, and most of the mines now being worked at Cornucopia were discovered by him, twenty- four mines in thatl locality being located in one year. Thus by energy and resourcefulness he has been enabled to' add very materially to the wealth and prosperity of Baker county and earned the right to> be considered one of its benefactors. In Portland, Oregon, in the year 1873, Mr. Irwin married Mrs. George Coggan, daughter of Ezra and Fannie (Robinson) Stone, natives of Ohio, and they have one child, Ira at home. At one time our subject had a white horse stolen from his 'barn, and it may be of interest to record his experiences in pursuing the thief. The horse was taken in Silver City, Idaho, and the thief at once struck out toward the Nevada line, whither he was followed by Mr. Irwin, who was guided by the tracks of the horse. The day before he came upon his man Mr. Ir- win was set upon by seven Indians, whom he motioned back. The reds paid no attention, so he got off of his horse and shot two of their 344 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES ponies, whereupon they concluded to go, though they followed him at a distance all day. The next day Mr. Irwin saw the thief going down towards the Humboldt, got ahead of him, met him, got the drop on him, and secured his prisoner and his horse. CHARLES FLEETWOOD.— The region with which our volulme is. primarily concerned is the home of many men of marked ability, who have migrated hither from various states, and also, there is coming to the front toi take the places of these pioneer business men and developers 1 of the county a class of younger mien, some of whom are immigrants, and some of whom are native born, and among this latter mumlbier may be placed the subject of this sketch, who ranks high in the capabilities that make a successful business man, in uprightness and unswerving integrity, having demonstrated what energy, guided by masterful wisdom', is able to accomplish in at least two lines of in- dustry within the boundaries of our county. ; Charles Fleetwood is the son of Asa and Elizabeth (Johnston) Fleetwood, and was born in Bridgeport, Baker county, on Septen> ber 28, 1870. He was reared on his father's farm, from early youth displaying energy and industry in the assistance that he rendered in the duties of the farm, and gaining from, the common schools his educational training, which has been greatly increased by careful and constant reading. When he had reached his majority 1 he entered the business realm' of life on his. own account, taking up first the raising of stock. This he has continued ever since and is making a marked success in that line. In 1893 he bought the store at Hereford and in a most successful manner has operated it since that time. He has manifested marked ability in handling his commercial interests and has built up a flourishing trade that is constantly increasing. He carries a well as- sorted and full line of general merchandise that is fitted for his surrounding country and is one of the leading rural merchants of the county. In addition to the duties that are incumbent upon him in these lines, he has also been postmaster since entering the store and has discharged the duties of that office in a satisfactory manner. Mr. Fleetwood has spent his entire life in the neighborhood where he now resides and is a son of the county in which his native country may well take pride. The marriage of Mr. Fleetwood and Miss Maggie A, daughter of John Ri. and Sarah J. (Duff) Vancil, was celebrated on Septem- ber 7, 1 89 1, and to them has been born one child, Maud Ethel, who is attending school at Hereford. Mrs, Fleetwood's parents live near Union, this state. Mr. Fleetwood is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, where he holds the position of venerable coun- sel. Mr. Fleetwood's father lives about two miles west from Hereford, but his mother died on March 20, 1899. Although just beginning a career of business activitiy, Mr Fleetwood has displayed such integrity and uprightness that he has: won the confidence of all and the outlook for his future success is very flatter- ing. » LEMUEL D. KING.— While Baker coun- ty has produced millions of wealth from her mines., she is nevertheless distinctively a stock country as well as rich in mineral treasure, and many of the n~/ost prominent citizens have been quick to perceive the rich bestowals of nature in these associated lines and have al- lied their efforts in following the course point- ed out by the natural resources of the country. Among the progressive ones that have wrought a gratifying success in these industries may be mentioned the prominent citizen whose life's career it is now our pleasant privilege to epitomize in a brief review:. Born in the greatest mining state of the Union, California, in Siskiyou county, on No- vember 3, 1 86 1, and at three years of age re- moved with his parents to Grant county, equal- ly famed with her sister political organization in the production of the minerals, he has been associated with the great industry of producing the minerals from the native soil since his earliest remembrance; using his own words, he was "Raised in the mines., and educated in the public schools." His parents were Flavius J. and Nancy C. (Fancher) King, natives re- spectively of Arkansas and Alabama, who crossed the plains wtith ox teams in 1859 an d wrought on the Pacific coast for many years in the development of its. resources and the advancement of its interests. The father was MRS. L. D. KIHG. LEMUEL D. KING. LEMUEL M. BARHETT. JOSEPH SHEPARL. RICHARD T. LANGRELL. MRS. R. T. LAHGRELL. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 345 a cabinet maker and designer. He passed from the scenes of life in Washington, on December 18, 1897, and the mother departed this life at Susanville, Grant county, in 1883. The immediate subject of this sketch be- gan the baittle of life 00 his own account when he was. eighteen years of 'age and mining was the work that he first took up, and more or less he has continued at that occupation since. He also raised stock in connection with the former, Susanville being his headquarters until 1883, at which time he sold his cattle and repaired to the John Day. valley and occupied himself with farming and teaming until 1887. In that year he migrated to Baker county and acquired land where he is. living at the pres- •ent time, eight miles southeast of Whitney. He continued the mining industry and stock raising and added farming. He formed a partnership with his uncle, Lemuel Barnett, and together they own. three hundred and twltnty acres of land and handle one hundred and twenty-five head of cattle. They are pro- gressive and prosperous and are among the most substantial citizens of the entire county. In addition to the property already mentioned, Mr. King is equally interested with his uncle in the Phoenix and other mines which give great promise of value and richness. At Prairie City, Grant county, on July 18, 1882, Mr. King and Hattie J., daughter of Joseph C. and Sarah J. (Dimmick) Gillen- water, and a native of Grant county, were married, and they have become the parents of the following children : H. Pearl, married to Joseph B. Hardrran, and is living near by; Lemuel J. ; William C. and Mary Z., twins ; Audry M. Mrs. King's parents were among the first settlers Of Grant county,, and the father is a native of Tennessee, .and the mother of Illinois. Mr. King is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a man respected and esteemed by all and has made a record for faithfulness and enterprising ac- complishment that is both worthy and com- mendable, while his integrity and uprightness are manifest to all wlho have to do with him. LEMUEL M. BARNETT.— To one who lhas ever been in the vanguard of civilization's march and has continuously wrought with en- ergy and wisdom for the development of the country and the welfare of his fellows, as has the intrepid veteran and hardy pioneer and esteemed citizen, Lemuel M. Barnett, it is a pleasure to grant a representation in this vol- ume that purports to. epitomize the careers of the leading citizens of Baker and Grant counties. Mr. Barnett was born in McMinn county, Tennessee, on February 13, 1830, being the son of Lemuel and Cecilia (White) Barnett. He was reared on a farm and at the early age of twelve years started into the realties of life for himself, migrating first to Georgia, and then, four years later, returned to his na- tive state, whence he .went to Arkansas, and on June 7, 1847, enlisted in Company C, Twelfth Volunteer Infantry, for service in the Mexican war. He was soon sent to the Qity of Mexico, and was there transferred to Company A, and participated in many skirmishes. In August, 1848, he was honorably discharged and re- turned to Arkansas, whence, in 1854, he started across the plains with ox teams for Yreka, California. In that place he mined for a decade, and then came to Canyon City, this state, where he continued the search for na- ture's hidden, treasures until 1889, when he added farming and stock raising to his other employment. He is in partnership with his nephew, Lemuel D. King, and they own three hundred and twenty acres of fine land, well watered, that produces an abundance of hay, and which is situated at the mouth of China creek, about eight miles below Whitney. They also have a large herd of cattle and some very valuable mining property — one-fourtib interest in the Phoenix mine, located in the Greenhorn district in Baker county. The marriage of Mr. Barnett and Miss Mary J. King was celebrated at Mount Ver- non, Arkansas, on January 8, 1851. For thirty- eight years Mr. Barnett has been a master Ma- son. During bis long residence in this county he has conducted himself with such upright- ness and integrity that he has won the confi- dence arid admiration of all that have the pleasure of his acquaintance. Mr. Barnett's grandfather fought in the Revolutionary war, and his father served under Jackson in the Creek war. 346 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES JOSEPH SHEPARD.— A very early pio- neer of true west and a prominent mining man and agriculturist, the man whose name appears above has done his full share toward the de- velopment of Baker county and eastern Ore- gon, and it is but fitting that representation be accorded him in this, volume as one of the build- ers of the section. Mr. Shepard was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, in 1843. He lived with his parents there until his majority was attained, going with them: to Kansas. In 1864 he set out across the plains, with mule teams for Boise, Idaho, where he was engaged in mining for four years, going- then, to' the Feather river country, on the headwaters, of the Boise, where he prospected all summer, returning to Boise in the fall. The next spring he prospected on Cedar creek, and the next he went into the Boise basin, where he worked for two years, going then to. Walla, Walla. Early in the spring he went to Cedar creek, in the British possessions, and after prospecting all summer he returned to Walla Walla,,, wintering there. The next season was spent in the Spokane country and in the Coeur d'Alene region, and the next in the Eldorado country, not far from Baker City. During the summer, fall and win- ter of 1870 he was, engaged in rocking on the Snake river bars, and the ensuing quadrennium was spent in the country around Sparta, where he wrought at placer mining. In 1875 he pur- chased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Pine valley, and turned his attention to' farming and cattle raising, a line of activity in which he has been engaged ever since. He brings, the same enthusiasm and vigor to. his efforts, in this direction which formerly char- acterized his search for earth's hidden treas- ures, and is regarded as one of the leading farmers of his section. On December 22, 1891, our subject mar- ried Miss Elizabeth Gosen, and to them, have been born six children, namely: Harry E., Louis, Delbert, Violet, Lillia, and one that died in infancy. We should not forget to> record the inter- esting reminiscence that Mr. Shepard was one of the five men who were attacked by twenty Indians on Big Camas prairie in the fall of 1864. In the fight thirteen of the redskins were killed, but fortunately none of the whites were injured. The battle occurred at day- break. i RICHARD T. LANGRELL.— This enter- prising merchant and leading citizen 1 of the vicinity of Carson is, like many other thrifty and progressive men who. have found homes in the west, a native of Canada. He was born in Alfred, Ontario, July 27, 1844, the son of Joseph and Mary (FitzGerald) Langrell, na- tives of Ireland, who' came to 1 the American shores at a very early date and spent their lives in Canada. He remained under the parental roof until his majority had been attained, then removed to Minneapolis., Minnesota, and en- gaged in the lumbering industry. In 1873 ne emigrated to Puget Sound, and in the conver- sion to lumber of the mammoth timber abound- ing in that region he busied himself for a couple of years, going then to Nevada and into the search for earth's hidden mineral wealth- He mined over different parts of Nevada and California, coming from the latter state to Baker City in 1881. Here he resumed saw- milling and followed it for a, year, coming then, to Pine valley. In 1883 he located on a quar- ter section of land two miles from Carson,, but was not yet ready to give up lumbering, so he ran a saw mill on his own account in different parts of the valley, combining this, with farming. Eventually he sold his mill to G. W. Brown and engaged in general mer- chandising, erecting a store on his own premises. The same energy and foresight which characterized his operations in the lum- ber business are enabling him to. succeed in his present endeavors and he is building up= and extending his trade steadily. Politically Mr. Langrell is a Republican. He takes an active interest in affairs of gen- eral concern, and for four years served with efficiency and faithfulness as county comrnis- sioner of Uinion county. Fraternally he is. identified with the subordinate lodge of Ma- sons at Baker City, and with Pine Camp, No. 7579, Modern Woodmen of American at Lan- grell hall. At Baker City, on December 22, 1881, our subject married Miss Clara, daughter of HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 34? Charles and Maggie (Bohna) Schellworth, and they have seven children : Nellie, Etta, Maud, Charley, Richard, Willie and Albert. LESTER L. HOLCOMB.— This promi- nent farmer, mining man and political leader of the vicinity of Richland was born in! Rollers- ville, Ohio, on July 7, 1846. His parents, James T. and Amanda (Loomis) Hokomb, natives respectively of Connecticut and Ohio, were engaged in farming there and he lived with them until about twenty-two years of age, being absent, however, for four months during the Civil war as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Ohio. When he became twenty-two' he gave inception to his independent career, engaging first in farming in the commonwealth of his nativity. Eater he moved to Central county, Kansas, where he farmed about seven years, thereupon crossing the plains with horse teams to Eagle valley, in Baker county. He made his ad vent into the country during the Bannock war, when travel was exceedingly dangerous, but though the trains ahead and behind his suf- fered losses in the conflicts with the Indians, his train escaped uninjured. For the first year Mr. Holcomb lived in the upper end of the valley. He then took one hundred and twenty acres of land one and one- fourth miles east of Richland postoffice, where he has ever since lived, engaged in general farming and stock raising, at the same time giving some attention to mining ventures. He owns several placer and quartz mines on Snake river. Fraternally our subject is identified with Phil Kearney Post, No. 66, G. A. R., of Pine valley In politics he is an ardent Republican, and in the councils of his party he is quite ac- tive. He was one of the first justices of the peace in Eagle valley, being elected first in 1880, and again two' years later, while his in- terest in the cause of education has made him prominent in the affairs of the local school dis- trict. On October 15, 1868, Mr. Holcomb mar- ried Miss Candace, daughter of Joseph H. and Eleanor (Evans) Jennings, natives of the state of Ohioi. To this union six children have been born: Donna M., now Mrs. Strayer; Alta M., now Mrs. Reynolds; James T, de- ceased; Addie, Noval and Linn, at home. \ Mrs Holcomb' s father was a, prominent man in the politics of his state, and in the Civil war he did valiant service, first as a member of Company A, One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio, and later as captain of Company G, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Ohio. DANIEL F. MOORE.— A man of great inherent energy, the subject of this review has lived a life of intense activity, leaving home- when only twelve years old and traveling ex- tensively. He is a pioneer of the Pacific coast of 1856 and has for many years been identified with Baker county, toi whose development he has contributed not a little. His interest in all things pertaining to the general good be- speaks broad-minded public spirit, and his standing as a citizen and member of society is an enviable one. Mr. Moore was born in Gandia, New Hampshire in 1836;, the son of Daniel and Mary (Brown) Moore, both natives of New Hampf- shire, and 'both of whom died in Lowell, Massa- chusetts. As above stated, he started in life for himself when only twelve years old, going to sea at first for two years. At the end of " that period he returned home and visited for three or four months, but as soon as the gold_ excitement broke out in Australia his love of adventure again asserted itself and in 1850 he- landed on that far-away island. For more than half a decade he sought for the precious metals in that distant land, but with what success we are unable to say. Early in 1856 he embarked for 'Massachusetts, coming via England, over which country he traveled extensively. After another visit of three months we find him en route for California., corning via the Isthmus despite the terrible massacre which occurred there just previous. Arriving at Redwood City, California, he again took up the search for the key to nature's, vaults, and his search led him all over the state. He likewise spent two- years in the shingle business in California.. In 1862 he came to Baker county, Oregon,, being one of the first to search for gold in this famous region, his first place of abode- being Auburn. He remained there and in dif- ferent parts of the county until 1869, when he- -348 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES settled in Sparta and engaged in the hotel busi" mess and in mining ventures, remaining until 1874. He then went to Union county and en- gaged in hotel keeping again, building the Cen- tennial hotel, which was so named on account of; its being completed July 4, 1876. The year 1885 found him again in Pine valley, where he located a homestead and engaged in farming, stock raising and market gardening, not, however, to the entire neglect of the old and much-beloved 1 occupation, mining. He -states that when he first saw the valley in 1873 it had but five settlers. Fraternally our subject was affiliated with the Union lodge of Red Men, which was in- stituted in 1876, and in politics he is an ardent Republican. His marriage was solemnized in 1865, in Auburn, Miss Emmaretta, a native of ■Ohio and a daughter of Henry and Mary (Da- vis) Moffett, then becoming his wife. AUGUSTUS MASTERS.— A very early ■pioneer of the Pacific coast and of Ba- ker county and a forceful factor in the in- dustrial! development of both, the man whose name appears above is deserving of rank among the prominent and representative citizens of ■the section in which he lives, and it is but fit- ting and consistent that a brief resume of his ■career be given place in our volume. Mr. Masters is a native of Ithaca, Tomp- kins county, New York, born May 3, 1836. He grew to manhood in the city of his nativity, •or rather on a farm, just adjoining it but in 1863 he set out across the plains to the west, making the trip with mule teams. In due course exemplify the principles of their Divine Master. On March 28', 1895, the mother, and two days later the father, was called from the walks of this life to the rewards of that which is beyond, and Iheir demise was universally mourned, they being noble and true Christians who had won the love of their fellows. The subject of this sketch wasi born in Bloomington, Illinois, on July 31, 1874, and there spent the first twelve years of his life in assisting his father on the latter's farm and in attending the public schools. In 1886 he came with his parents to this county and at- tended the public schools and continued with his father on the farm until he was twenty years of age, and then he took up the realities of life for himself, embarking in farming amid stock raising. He lives at the present time a half mile west of Hereford. The marriage of Mr. Fleetwood and Miss Lou F, daughter of Andrew J. and Patsy G. (Lockett) Eblem, was solemnized at 'Baker City on March 15, 1896, the Rev. Bell, of the HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 349" Presbyterian church, officiating. To them: have been born two children, Bruce Leondis and Cecil Lockett. Mrs. Fleetwood's father was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 18, 1829, and the mother was born on May 14, 1840, in Henderson county, Kentucky. They emigrated to Dell postoffice on Willow creek in this state, viai Kelton, Utah. On April 7, 1900, the father died in Baker City, but the mother is still liv- ing in Ontario', Malheur county, this state. It is pleasant to be able to state that the sub- ject of this sketch is one of the most thrifty and respected of the younger class of business men that are in his section of the county and his uprightness and integrity and uniform geniality have woo him hosts of friends and the confidence and esteem of all the communi- ty, and a bright future seems to stretch before him and his. ARTHUR W. ELLIS.— Among the wealthy and prominent business men of Sump- ter must be numbered the public spirited citi- zen whose name appears as the caption of this review. Formerly owner of the entire town site, he still retains large interests in its real estate, while he also has some very valuable mining properties, and is principal owner in the Columbia Brewing and Malting Company oif Sumpter. Inquiry into the antecedents and former life of Mr. Ellis develops the fact that he is ai native of Michigan, bom November 22, 1865. His mother died when he was but three year's old, and at seventeen the hand of an ; assassin left him fatherless also. He was privileged to enjoy but meager educational ad- vantages, and whatever intellectual discipline he has. has been acquired in the large school of life, and in the hard, practical battles thereof. He was engaged in various enterprises in different states until 1894, when he came out to Sumpter and purchased the town site, also the Ellis placer mines. For a time he oper- ated the latfier, reaping a rich reward for his labor, then he leased them to other parties and gave his attention to* the lumber business. In course of time he sold his mill to> Stoddard & McEwen, afterward investing a portion of the proceeds in a half interest in J. B. Stoddard's plant. In the fall of 1899 he sold this also, and since that time he has devoted his atten- tion mainly to' his mining and real estate in- terests, though in the spring of 190O' he bought a share in the brewery, of which he became- manager the ensuing fall. \ Mr. Ellis was active in incorporating the town of Sumpter, of which he has ever since been a councilman, and in many other ways he- has manifested his interest in the promotion of the general welfare and the upbuilding of his section of the county. ; I Fraternally our subject affiliates with the- W, of W., the Red Men and the Elks. He was married in Baker City, December 31, 1894, the lady being Miss Maude Spaulding, and to. their union three children have been born: George A., deceased; Madge E., and Edwin E.. H. W. B. SMITH— Among the men who. are occupying leading positions in the grand forward march of [Baker county's mining in- terests the man whose name appears above is certainly to be given a prominent place. 'Tis a well known fact that though the mineral re- sources of this section have been in course of development since the early 'sixties, the period of discovery is. as yet only begun, so that there is still much room for the genius and energy of such a man as cur subject to find abundant operation. It is to be hoped that his push and courage in endeavoring to develop new mines and produce an augmentation of Baker coun- ty's wealth will find their well earned meed. Mr. Smith was bom in Portland, Oregon, 00 May 5, 1866, his parents being George R.. and Catherine J. (Morrison) Smith, natives, respectively of Maine and New Brunswick, and pioneers of this great comtmonwealth of" 1 86 1. He received a common school educa- tion in the public schools of Portland, then for three years followed the transfer business,, after which he tried his fortune for two* years in a retail cigar and confectionery store, his. own venture. The ensuing three years were devoted to traveling as a salesman for the J. N. Matschek Candy Company, and the four- years succeeding the expiration of that period to the grocery business at Long Beach, Wash- ington.' Having eventually disposed of this last mentioned business, he again became a traveling salesman, representing various whole- sale confectionery firms until 1896, when he- entered the employ of the American Biscuit: 350 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES . Company, for whom he traveled over eastern Washington, Oregon and Idaho until July, 1900, when he resigned to accept the general managership of the Cracker-Summit property, situated at Bourne, Oregon, in the famous Cracker creek district. This property consists of nine claims adjoining the well known Eure- ka,, Excelsior and North Pole properties on the west and the Columbia on the north, so that ■our subject and his company entertain not un- reasonable hopes that sufficient development will bring to 1 light another wealth producer. .Mr. Smith has a force of men at work at pres- ent, and is pushing developments with ah vigor. ' Our subject is also interested in numerous other promising 1 properties, among them the Cyclone, in the famous Virtue district, near Baker City, of which he is a half owner, like- wise he has some city property in Sumpter. He is a very energetic man and is justly re- garded as. one of Baker county's most valuable citizens. The marriage of our subject was solemn- ized in Waitsburg, Washington, October 7, 1899, when Miss Sophia M., daughter of Duncan and Marion (Mason) Ingrahami, be- came his wife. JACOB H. ROBBINS.— No compilation which Jhas to do with any section of the great state of' Oregon and the men who built it could escape the charge of incompleteness did it fail to grant due representation to the energetic and forceful citizen whose name appears as the caption of this article. A native of this great commonwealth and the son of pioneer parents, he has, by his energy and distinguished abili- ty as an operator in the commercial world, re- flected credit upon both his state and his fami- ly. But without further introductory remarks we shall present here a brief summary of his life and allow the reader to> judge for him- self. Mr. Robbins was born May 12, 1859, in Salem, Oregon. In 1862 the family removed to Umatilla Landing', where our subject's fa- ther organized several big pack trains where- with to transport supplies to Boise City and various other mining camps in Idaho. In 1864 they went to Granite, the older Mr. Rbbbins taking the first wagon into that region, cutting his oiwn wagon road. Later he went into the merchandise business, establishing trading post throughout the entire country, and in company with Joe D. Young opening the first trading post on the ground where Sumpter now stands. Our subject received his early intellectual discipline in the public schools of this and neighboring counties, and his initial training in business in his father's trading establishments. It was afterward his good fortune to enjoy the advantages of Baker City Academy and the Portland Business College, graduating from the latter institution in the spring of 18791. After returning from school he re- mained with his parentis about a year, then went to Umatilla county, where he was engaged in merchandising until 1886. In that year he moved to Pendleton and engaged in real estate brokerage. Twoi years later he was called by the franchises of the people to the post of county treasurer, and for the ensuing two' terms he retained this office. During the same time he was appointed assistant cashier of the Pen- dleton Savings Bank. In 1893 he retired from the service of this institution to accept a posi- tion as receiver of 't5he United States land office at Lagrande, and for the next half dec- ade he busied himself with "Uncle Samfs" business, during the latter part of this period becoming alsoi interested in the Farmers and Traders National Bank at that point, oif which he is still vice-president and a director. He was also engaged in the merchandise business there for a time. In 1899 Mr. Robbins came to Sumpter. Shortly after his arrival he with others had or- ganized the first bank of Sumpter, with our subject as president, J. W. Scriber vice-presi- dent, J. W. Mead cashier and director. They have a very fine brick building. Mr. Rob- bins is also quite extensively engaged in mining ventures in this district, among his properties being the Concord, adjoining the famous Red Boy, looked upon as one of the coming mines. Our subject has ever manifested an active and public-spirited interest in affairs of general concern, doing all in his power to> conserve and promote the welfare of town, county and state. In 1901 he was elected mayor of Sump- ter, the duties of which office are being dis- charged by him with faithfulness and good judgment. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 351 ' In fraternal circles Mr. Rbbbins is well known. He belongs to all the degrees of Ma- sonry up to and including the Knight Templar, also to the A. O. U. W., the W. of W., tttie United Artisans, the Pioneers of the Pacific, and numerous other orders. He formerly served as the grand officer in the last named fraternity. The marriage of our subject was solemnized in Portland, Oregon, February i, 1882, the lady being Miss Edith V., a daugh- ter of F. C. and Caroline (Thomas) Can*. Their union has been blessed by the advent of three children : J. Franklin, clerking in a drug store in Sumpter; Charles H. and one that died in infancy. ERIC P. BERGMAN.— A very early pio- neer in the west, an energetic and successful business man of Sumpter, and a public spirited citizen, vitally interested in the welfare of the town, county and st&te, the subject of this re- view is certainly deserving of representation in a work of this character, and it is with pleasure that we are enabled to accord him a place herein. He is withal a self-made man and entitled toi the respect instinctively paid tb mien who 1 possess the conquering spirit to such a degree that they are able to> overcome all obstacles and win for themselves success in their own chosen line of activity in spite of poverty or any other disadvantage. Mr. Bergman is a native of Sweden, born February 21, 1867. He grew to' early man- hood there, receiving a public school educa- tion, but when he arrived at the age of nine- teen years he emigrated to Seattle, Washing- ton, and for a number of years he wrought as a laborer in logging camps and on farms in the vicinity of that city. He saved his money, con- trary to the usual custom of men among that class., and in 1888 engaged in a produce busi- ness in Seattle. A, year later he went to Surn- nier, (Washington, and embarked in general merchandising, in which he continued to em- ploy his energies for a period of tihree years. He then sold out and went to> Portland. Here he was in the grocery business continuously for eight years, after which he removed to Sumpter, where we now find him. He is now manager of the E. P. Bergman company, the leading grocers of the town, whose place of business is on Mill street. They carry a stock valued at about fifteen thousand dollars and are doing a large business and enjoying a very profitable and rapidly extending trade. Mr. Bergman also has some very good mining properties, among the number being the Gypsy King, the Intermountain, the Buf- falo and the St. Louis, and he owns a nice residence on Auburn street. He is certainly to be congratulated on flie success with which he has climbed to his present exalted position in the commercial world despite the many ob- stacles which beset his pathway when he first arrived from Europe, without money, without influential friends, and without) even a knowl- edge of the language. His thriftiness and natural business ability are to be credited in large measure to the decided change in his standing and condition in life. ' Fraternally our subject is affiliated with the Masons, the K of P., and the Odd Fellows. His marriage was solemnized in Sumner, WashingttOn, in April, 1893, Miss Nellie M. Seaman then becoming his wife, and their union has been blessed by the advent of one child, Beth Edell. Mrs. Bergman's father crossed the plains to California in 1849, an d came thence to' the Sound before Tacoma was started, becoming one of the oldest pioneers of the state of Wash- ington. > DAVID S. BERRYHILL.— A veritable pioneer of the pioneers, and a man that has had wide experience in all of the leading min- ing camps of an early day in the west, ever manifesting a sturdiness of character and an in- trepidity and uprightness that made him a stanch supporter of the right, the subject of this sketch is eminently deserving of a place in any volume that purports to give mention of the representative men and leading citizens of this section, it is with pleasure, therefore, that we are enabled to> give here an epitome of his career. Mr, Berryhill is the son of Alexander and Elizabeth ( Smalley) Berryhill, and was born in Miami county, Ohio-, on February 13, 1827. He was reared on a farm and acquired during the years of his minority, his eautational dis- cipline in the public schools of his native place. When he arrived at eighteen years of age he embarked on the career of life's realities 352 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES for himself and remained in his native country until 1852, then the siren: of fortune's fields beckoned him to the regions of golden store and he embarked thither, via the New York and Isthmus route, landing in San Francisco on January 9, 1852. He immediately sought the mines and for one complete decade he wrought faithfully in the various camps of the state of California, then came to Auburn, in Baker county, in the spring of 1862, continuing min- ing there and in various other camps in east- ern Oregon, and then repaired to Montana, where he spent two years in his. favorite occu- pation, mining. Following this he rivaled the hero O'f Mark Twain's novel by making a trip down the Missouri in an open boat, landing at Sioux City safe and sound. After a short stay there he crossed the plains in a stage to Helena, Montana, whence, after a short stay he came to Powder river valley, near Baker City. There he bought a farm and turned his at- tention to tilling the soil until 1877, at which timie he bought his present place, three miles west of Hereford, and embarked in raising stock, cattle and horses. He has a valuable ranch that produces plenty of hay, and he has improved it in a fitting manner. . Enjoying the legacy of the 'bachelor's quiet comfort and freedom from the responsi- bilities that attend the domestic life of con- nuibiality, Mr. Berryhill is passing the golden years of his adventurous and stirring career in the quiet of his rural retreat, where he di- rects his estate and herds. LEWIS T. BROCK, M. D.— Baker coun- ty, so fortunate in the spirit arid enterprise of the business and mining - men who have made their homes within its borders, is likewise to be congratulated on the superior scholarship and skill of its professional classes, especially those who minister to the sick. Not the least prominent among its excellent staff of medical practitioners is he whose name appears as the caption of this article, and in presenting here a brief review of his career it is ours to enjoy the pleasure always attending upon the consid- eration of the biographical histoiry of one who has fought life's early battles faithfully and achieved remarkable success in any line of sci- entific accomplishment. . Dr. Brock was born in Woodsfield, Ohio, April 11, 1855, his parents being Dr. Jacob and Annie (Brock) Brock, pioneers of Ohio. His father died when he was yet in his infancy, and his mother moved to Illinois, where she married again, and where our subject grew to early manhood, receiving a public school edu- cation. He then graduated from the pharma- ceutical department of the state university of Illinois, from which, however, he received no diploma, being too young at the time of gradu- ation. He next went to California and there entered a San Francisco drug store as a clerk, remaining three years. In 1875 he moved to Boise, Idaho, where for tlhe ensuing half decade he was engaged in the drug business in com- pany with Dr. J. B. Wright, then the firm started a branch store in Bellevue, Idaho, of which our subject bad charge until 1884. In that year he went to Seattle, and engaged again in the practice of pharmacy, continuing therein until 1888, when he went to South America. After making an extensive tour of that con- tinent he returned to Portland, where he again engaged in the drug business, a,t the same time studying in the medical department of the uni- versity of Oregon, from which he graduated in 1897. He acted as surgeon for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company for a time, then as surgeon for the Spreckles Sugar Company, during the construction of their factory at Sa- linas, California. He then came, in 1898, to Sumpter, where his: abilities as a physician speedily received recognition and soon he found himself in possession of a pleasant and lucrative practice. He is considered one of the finest physicians and surgeons in the coun- ty, his standing being an enviable one, both among the people and his fellow practitioners. He was elected city physiciani shortly after coming here, and in that capacity he has acted ever since. He is also surgeon for the Sumpter Valley Railroad Company and examiner for the Equitable, the Mutual, the Pacific Mutual, the State Life and other insurance companies. In his fraternal affiliations he is identified with the Royal Arch of the Masonic fraternity,. the W. of W., the M. W. A., the Pioneers of the Pacific and the I. O. O. F. His marriage was solemnized in Bellevue, Idaho, on Novem- ber 15, 1882, when Miss Ada A. Worswick became his wife, and they have one child, Jes- sie. The family live in a very pleasant home on Granite street. 1 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 353 WILLIAM J. ROGERS, one of the en- terprising farmers and stock-raisers of the county and a popular hotel man, is a native of Westville, Franklin county, New York, born January 5, 1825. He remained under the shel- ter of the parental roof until about of age, then engaging in farming, and he was numbered among the leading agriculturists of the Em- pire state until 1871, when he came to Grant county, Oregon, and embarked in placer mining. Early in 1873 he came to Baker county, and located on a quarter section of land on Dooley mountains, twelve miles south of Baker City, where he has ever since lived, and where he has a very fine stock farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Hay is his principal crop. Mr. Rogers is alsoi proprietor of what is widely known as the Mountain House, a hostelry in which all guests receive a warm welcome and hospitable treatment. In Westville, New York, on May 8, 1862, our subject married Miss Hannah Brown, and to their union was born one child, which died in infancy. L. C. EDWARDS.— Gifted with all the qualities which go to win success for a man in commercial pursuits, and .possessed of an inti- mate knowledge of has profession, the man whose career we shall now attempt to outline has won an enviable place among business men and pharmacists in Baker county and it is with pleasure that we are able to present here a brief review of his life as one who has contributed largely in his own way to the general progress. While he does not seem to be specially ambi- tious for political preferment (though he has been the candidate of his party for some high offices of trust) he ever manifests a deep and abiding interest in the welfare of his locality and his state, and deserves to be counted among broad-minded, public-spirited, and benevo- lently disposed men. Mr. Edwards was born in MeMinnville, Tennessee, on March 2, i860, and there he grew to manhood, receiving a public school education. Later he graduated from the Wal- ters and Walling College, and in 1881, shortly after receiving his degree, he came west to Ar- lington, Oregon. He engaged in the drug business, and to that he gave his best energies 23 for about thirteen years, thereupon coming to Sumpter, where he has succeeded in building up the finest trade enjoyed by any drug store in the county. He owns his building and car- ries a full line of drugs, chemicals, notions,, etc., in fact, everything usually to be found in a thoroughly equipped and well stocked phar- macy. For a number of years Mr. Edwards acted as mayor of Arlington, and once he was candi- date from the district in which that town is lo- cated for the office of representative in the- state legislature. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic order. He was married in the Willamette valley in 1885, to Miss Mattie Simon, a daughter of old and esteemed pioneer parents, and to their union one child has been born, namely, Jesse E. JAMES MILLS, an old and esteemed' pioneer of Pine valley, and a man who has always enjoyed an enviable standing among his neighbors, by whom he is trusted and re- spected, is a native of Ballygawley, Ireland,, born in 1836, the son of James and Ester (Laughran) Mills, likewise natives of that: place. He remained under the shelter of the- parental roof until fifteen years old, then be- gan for himself the battle of life. Believing the new world contained excellent opportun- ities for an energetic, ambitious youth like him- self, he took passage in 1852 for the United States. His first home on this side of the At- lantic was in Warren, Ohio, where he worked two years, going then to the lead mines of Grant county, Wisconsin, where the ensuing three years of his life were passed. The fall of 1856, found him in the then highly agitated! state of Kansas, there he continued to reside- until the spring of 1859, when he started for Pike's Peak, Colorado'. The ensuing sixteen- or seventeen years of his life were devoted to- farming in that commonwealth, but in 1877,. he determined toi try his fortune further west so came to the state of Oregon. Purchasing a place six miles north of Union, he remained here three or four years, but 1881 witnessed" his entrance to Pine valley. He settled upon a farm of eighty acres two and a half miles north of Pine postoffiee, and to the cultivation and improvement of this he has devoted some 354 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES portion of his time and energy since, though he has also been engaged for years in the search for hidden treasure, and has a very promising mine at Cornucopia. Mr. Mills has always fully sustained the good name his countrymen have for industry, frugality, and thrift, and is one of those whom all good citizens are glad to welcome to' our shores. In Weld county, Coloradoi, in 1861, our subject married Miss Cornelia, daughter of Eli and Jane (Bird) Phelps, and to their union have been born nine children : William E., Ed- walrdl, Minnie, Alice, Ester, Nora, Patrick H., Andrew J., and an infant that died in Colorado in 1864. Mrs. Mills' father is. a native of Canada and was twice sheriff of Buchanan county, Iowa. HENRY BARNES.— We are pleased to grant to the subject of this sketch a represen- tation in this 1 volume of the chronicles of Ba- ker county, since he has wrought here with an assiduity and energy, coupled with keen fore- sight and dominated by commendable sagacity, that have made him the recipient of gratifying success and given him the meed of the confi- dence and esteem of his fellows, while his un- swerving integrity and uniform geniality have won' him hosts of friends. Mr. Barnes was born in M'illford, Connec- ticut, on November 25, 1831, being the son of Harry and Laura (Root) Barnes. His father was a hatter, and in assisting him' in this trade and attending the public schools of the city where he lived, Henry spent the earlier years of his life. When he arrived at the age of manhood his adventurous spirit led him to the realms of the unexplored west, coming to California via New York and Panama. He landed at San Francisco and later was at Marysville, but he soon bought a ranch near San Jose and con- tinued in the culture of the same until 1862, the year that he came to ithe Grande Ronde valley in this state In that valley he bought a farm, and there lived until 1873, when he went to Eldorado, near where Malheur is now situ- ated, and kept hotel and operated a; livery and feed stable. In 1878 he took a homestead where he now lives, three and one-half miles southwest frorm Hereford, and here he has re- sided since. His time has been occupied with stock-raising and culture of the soil, and he has been' favored with a very gratifying suc- cess in these enterprises. His farm, is a valu- able producer of hay, being well watered and well improved, and he has a fine herd of cattle and some horses. The marriage of Mr. Barnes and Miss Mary M., daughter of Jacob and Julia (Shaver) Conner, was solemnized on Octo- ber 2, 1878. The golden years of this) worthy citizen are being spent in the quiet enjoyment of the competence that his skill and industry have provided, and he is one of the substantial members of society and an active worker in the realm of good government. E. A. CASE. — This esteemed citizen and enterprising furniture dealer of Sumpter was born in Essex, Vermont, January 16, 1849, his parents being Lyman and Mary A. Case, na- tives likewise of Vermont. When Mr. Case be- came six years old he was taken by his. parents to Marine City, Michigan, then known as New- port, and about two years later he accompanied them to Minnesota, where he grew up and re- ceived th major portion of his education. Com- ing to Walla Walla in 1876, he spent the next tiwo and a half years in the wood business there, going then to. Asotin county, where he followed his trade, carpentering, for about three and a half years. He then went to Puget sound and embarked quite extensively in the manufacture of lumber, building several saw mills in different parts of that country. In 1896 he came to Sumpter and resumed his con- tracting and building, erecting some very im- posing edifices, among them the public school house. In 1897 he embarked in the furniture business in the town, conducting it atone until 1899, when he incorporated a company of which he is president and manager, Clark Snyde vice-president, and H. S. Durgan sec- retary and treasurer. Theirs is the only furni- ture store in town, and it enjoys a large and increasing business. The company own the building in which they are doing business, and carry a stock valued at about fourteen thousand dollars, including besides furniture proper, carpets, wall paper, etc. The company also do an undertaking business and own the Blue HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 355 Mountta-in cemetery. Their building is. prac- tically three stories high, and is supplied with a basement twenty-five by one hundred feet. The company also owns a large warehouse. Mr. Case is personally the owner of some valu- able town property, including a fine residence at the head of Center street, and is interested in mining. Our subject has, by his business enterprise, added much to the development of the town, but he is not satisfied with this, and is striving in other ways to build it up and promote its welfare. Its political interests find in him 1 a jealous guardian, and its first city council prof- ited by his presence and the wisdom of his sug- gestions, he being a member of that body, and on December 3, 1901, he was again chosen by the people as councilman for the city. On January 1, 1891, in Tacoma, Washing- ton, Mr. Case married Mirs. Louis Mullett, of Delmar, Iowa, and they have one child, Earl L. ALEXANDER A. BUCHANAN.— This pioneer settler and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of the vicinity of Pine was born in Middlebrook, Virginia, in 1833, his parents being James and Margaret Buchanan, likewise natives of Virginia. He continued one of the circle around the parental hearthstone until eighteen years old, aind received such educa- tional advantages as were to' be had in the local schools, then engaged in the pursuit of the 'car- penter's trade in different places in the south. In 1852 he moved to. western Iowa, and after two years more had been devoted to carpenter work and building in that locality, he set out across the plains and through the mountains to Placerville, California. Three years were there devoted to mining, then he moved to' Jackson county, Oregon, where for half a decade he busied himself as a teamster. Returning then to the Golden state, he spent there eight years more, this time engaged in farming, then he farmed six years in his former place of abode, Jackson county, afterward coming to' Pine A^alley, Baker county. In 1870 he located on a homestead five miles northeast of Pine postoffice and engaged in the dual occupation of diversified farming and cattle raising, in which kindred industries he has been occupied ever since, achieving such success as properly belongs to well directed, long continued effort and judicious manage- ment. In Stockton, California, in 1861, our sub- ject married Nancy J., daughter of Marion and Emily (Million) Taylor, natives of Mis- souri, both of whomi died; in Oregon. To their union eight children have been born, William, John, Thomas, Jennie, Robert, . George, Mar- garet and one that died in infancy. C. M. PEARCE, M. D.— Though a very young man, the subject of this review has al- ready achieved much in the difficult profession he has chosen for his own, and 1 he certainly gives great promise of 'becoming one of the leading physicians' and surgeons in the west. A graduate of one of the most famous medi- cal colleges in the United States, and gifted with great natural ability, he seems to> have come into prominence all at once, without un- dergoing the novitiate SO' trying to young proi- fessional men, and already be and his partner are in possession of a large and lucrative prac- tice. Dr. Pearce is a son of Thomas M. and Laura M. (Carter) Pearce, natives respect- ively of Iowa and Illinois. The father crossed the plains to the Willamette valley in 1850, and ten years later came to' Clark's creek in eastern Oregon to' engage in mining and in operating with a pack train between 1 Umatilla Landing and Boise. The mother came with her parents via New York and Panama to Cali- fornia, and thence they removed toi Oregon in 1 86 1. In 1874 their marriage was solemnized, and on February 16, 1876, our subject was born. He received the advantages offered by the common schools of the county and by Ba- ker City high school, and with this preparation entered Jefferson Medical College, of Phila- delphia, from which he graduated in 1899. He then took a course in the Jefferson Medical College hospital and three months' training in the Philadelphia sanitarium' for children, thereupon coming to Sumpter, Oregon, where he and Dr. Tape started the Sumpter general hospital. Dr. Tape later sold out toi Dr. An- derson, our subject's present partner. They have a large practice, the natural result of their skill and care, for they are counted as among the leading physicians of the county. 356 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES In fraternal affiliations Dr. Pearce is iden- tified with the B'. P. O. E. of Baker City ; he also belongs to the W. W. Keen Surgical So- ciety, of Philadelphia. In Philadelphia, on September 19, 1899, Dr. Pearce married Miss Janette, daughter of James and Elizabeth Hur- ley, of that city. Mrs. Pearce is a graduate nurse of Jefferson Medical College hospital of Philadelphia, and renders her husband very material assistance in the supervision and management of his hospital. HIRAM B. GRIFFIN.— Among the most esteemed and respected of the leading citizens of Sumpter is the prominent hotel and mining man whose career it is now our task to present in brief resume. Perhaps no class of men con- tribute more to the development and prosperity O'f a town than they who cater to the material necessities of its visitors and transients, and Mr. Griffin certainly understands how to' make his hostelry a place of comfort and a place at which commercial travelers will delight to make their temporary abode. Mr. Griffin is a native of Warren county, New York, born December 2, 1833, tne soni °f Jonathan and Sybil (Seely) Griffin. His edu- cational advantages were such as the common schools afforded, and as soon: as he had com- pleted his intellectual discipline he engaged in the lumbering industry, at first in his native state and later in Canada, where he spent about four years, Returning eventually to New York, he followed the livery business there for a period of eleven years, thereupon coming to California, where he gave inception to> his career as a hotel man. Coming to Oregon, he took up land in Umatilla county, and there he farmed for a few years, ultimately going to Caldwell, Idaho, where he again engaged in the hotel business, remaining until 1898. In that year he came to Sumpter, purchased the property on the corner of Mill and Auburn streets, enlarged the same to accommodate fifty guests, and engaged in the hotel business in good earnest. Mr. Griffin also has some very valuable mining claims in Baker county, among them the Eureka and the Grey Eagle in the famous Cracker creek district, and among his realty holding's is some valuable city property. A public-spirited man, our subject has ever manifested a deep interest in the promotion of the public good wherever he has lived, taking an active part in the upbuilding of his town and county. At present he is doing what he can for the promotion of the cause of good gov- ernment in Sumpter by serving with faithful- ness and good judgment in the city council. In fraternal affiliations he is a Mason. His marriage was solemnized in July, 1855, in New York state, when Miss Mary F., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Crandall, became his wife. The issue of their union is five children : Mary, widow of Mr. Brink ; Helen, wife of Dr. J. C. Epperson, of Illinois ; Sybil, wife of Frank B. Clopton, of Pendleton, Oregon ; Ruth, wife of L. S. Carter, of Portland; and Hiram B., Jr. ! n March 31, 1900, Mrs. Griffin was called away by death, leaving a mourning household and many friends, being highly esteemed and beloved by all. CALEB K. ROSWELL.— The enterpris- ing business man whose name forms the cap- tion of this brief biographical review has for years belonged to that adventurous and daring class of men now almost passed from the face of the earth, being supplanted by the railroads, which have proven so useful, so indispensable in the development of remote regions. We refer to 1 the stage drivers. Our subject's line of activity has kept himi on the frontier almost all his life, and in him are fully developed the daring, independence of character and re- sourcefulness for which pathfinders of the wilderness and pioneers of new and uncivilized sections are renowned. Mr. Roswell entered upon the stage of this life in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 28, 1836. His parents, N. C. and Rachel Roswell, moved to Missouri when be was 1 fifteen years of age,, their children, of course, accompanying them, and it was in that state that our subject re- ceived the major portion of his education, which was confined to a common school course. When he became eighteen years old his love of adventure could no longer be restrained and he removed to Mexico to give inception to his career as a frontiersman. Before the year was - over we find him in an emigrant train and bound for the Pacific states. He settled in Santa Fe, New Mexico', where for four years he was employed as a stage driver, them, in 1859, ne went to Pike's Peak, Colorado, and HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 357 for two years devoted himself ta mining. He thereupon removed to Idaho, locating in Boise, where for twenty-five years he was engaged in the stage business. During his long career as a stage operator he had occasion to travel ex- tensively over the western part of the United States, and the topography of this vast region is quite thoroughly known to him. In 1895 'Mr. Roswell caiime to Sumpter, •Oregon, and again engaged in the stage busi- ness, operating between that city and Bourne and the mines in that vicinity. He continued to. busy himself thus until 1892, when he opened what is known, as the Pioneer Feed Store, on the corner oif Mill and Auburn streets, and to the upbuilding and extending of this establish- ment he has devoted his energies assiduously since.' His enterprise is meeting with deserved success and his trade is increasing rapidly. ALEX. McPHERSON.— This energetic .and progressive farmer and stock-raiser of the vicinity of Bridgeport is a, native of Ontario, Canada, and he possesses in a full measure the thrift, resourcefulness and other qualities of good citizenship for which the sons of that province are noted. An early pioneer of Baker county, he has, during all the years of his resi- dence here, so conducted 1 himself as to 1 win the confidence and good will of the people with whom 1 he has been thrown in contact, and his standing in the community in which be lives is •certainly a very enviable one. Mr. McPherson grew to man's estate on the farm of his parents, Donald and Catherine McPherson, but as soon as his legal majority had been attained he came out to Baker county and began seeking his fortune in the mining regions of this section. After two years' ex- perience he began dividing his time between that search and farming, and he carried on this dual occupation in different parts of the county until 1881, when he settled on a three- "hundred-and-twenty-acre farm three miles west of Bridgeport. To the .cultivation and irril- provement of this he has given himself assidu- ously since, and as the meed of his hard and painstaking labor he now has a very excellent place, with fine home and comfortable envir- ons 1 . He has a large herd of very choice graded Shorthorn cattle^ and also a drove of horses. In fraternal affiliations our subject is a member of Malheur City Lodge, No. 1 1 1 , of the W. of W., and of the Baker City lodge of the Knights of Pythias, and he formerly be- longed to the lodge of Odd Fellows at Malheur City, which surrendered its charter. On: Janu- ary 1, 1889, he married Miss Euphea, daugh- ter of Andrew Eblen, and a native of Ken- tucky, and toi their union three children have been born, Donald, Alexander and Cath- erine G. JOHN N. DOANE.— Surely our volume, purporting, as it does, to. give in brief review the biographies of the leading men of this county, would be seriously incomplete were there failure to mention the career of the sub- stantial mining man and estimable citizen that has for many years wrought within the pre- cincts of Baker county and who has ever main- tained a position of esteem, and respect in the communities, where he has labored, and whose name heads this article. Mr. Doane was born at Springfield, Penn- sylvania, on September 24, 1845, being the son of Joseph C. and Mariah (Scran ton) Doane. He was taken by his parents while a child to Clinton, Connecticut, and at the age of thirteen years commenced work on a farm.. After this he attended the high school and then later again sought to the basic art of agriculture, after which he clerked in various mercantile establishments, among them, the large house of C. H. Oakes & Company in New Haven. Fol- lowing this he came to Iron Ridge, Wisconsin, and thence to Jacksonville, Illinois, at which latter place he was commissioner of the insane asylum for twoi years. After this he visited various cities and counties in the interest of a stock company, finally coming to St. Louis and engaging on the street railway as conductor. Later he was traveling salesman for a St. Louis house and then returned to the railway company and eventually went to Denver and took up mining. After some years spent at this he came across the plains on horseback, ac- companying a government supply train, and also 1 took part in the Bannock Indian war in 1878. Following this he purchased a farm near Baker City and turned his attention to tilling the soil until 1889, when he sold out 358 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES and removed to Suimipter valley and in 1896 to Sumpter. He owns a good house and lot in the city of Sumpter and also some very promising' mining property in the regions ad- jacent to that place. The marriage of Mr. Doane and Miss Mary A., daughter of John and Ellen Weather- ford, of Briton Station, in Baker county, oc- curred on February 5, 1885, and to them have been born the following named children : Les>- lie L., Roscoe B., Earl N., Annie L., John L., Alice M. Mr. Doane is a member of the Fra- ternal Union oif America, in Sumpter. ALBERT VAUGHAN.— Among the young men of whose industry and achieve- ments Baker county has reason to be proud, the gentleman whose name initiates this para- graph must be given, a; conspicuous place. Though less than a quarter of a century old, he has already achieved fame and wealth by discovering one of the most remarkable mines in the region, and his strength of character and mental! equipoise are demonstrated by the fact that notwithstanding his good fortune he is still active in lines of endeavor which will still further add to the wealth of the county. Mr. Vaughan was born at Elko>, Nevada, in 1877, hi s parents being Henry C. and Lois (McCarthy) Vaughan. He remained with the remainder of the family in the old parental home until his parents passed away, his busi- ness being mining. After he began life's struggle on his own account he still continued to search for mineral wealth. In 1897, in. com- pany with his brother, Jake P., he discovered what is now extensively known as the Iron- dyke mine. The two were searching for iron used in fluxing in smelters, and while so en- gaged they discovered a very rich copper mine, which they named the Irondyke, comiiiemo rative of the search in which they were en- gaged at, the time. They retained the claim about six months, at the end of which time they had ten thousand tons of ore in sight. They then bonded their, mine for two years, the consideration to, be forty thousand dollars. , . Immediately upon' negotiating this sale our subject engaged in. the cattle business and, in general farming, purchasing a quarter section ol.land twoand a.half miles northeast of Pine postoffice, but it is needless to state that he is still interested in mining. He owns some promising claims at Sumpter and Homestead. In politics Mr. Vaughan is an active DenK> crat. He was married at Baker City on Feb- ruary 18, 1900, the lady being Amy A., daugh- ter of Emsley and Martha (Whitley) Ride- nour, natives respectively of Illinois and Ore- gon and residents at present of Pine valley. JOSEPH SCHWARTZ.— This enterpris- ing merchant of Sumpter, Oregon, is a native of Germany, born June 16, 1868. He received the advantages of the excellent public school system which has made his native country fa- mous, and ai year later, or, in other words, when he was fifteen years old, came to the United States. He settled in Lincoln, Ne- braska, where for -the ensuing five and a half years he wrought assiduously as a clerk in a store, gaining that excellent knowledge of commercial pursuits which has stood him in-, such good stead since. He then went to Oma- ha, and clerked four years longer, going then to Sioux City, Iowa, where he embarked in the grocery business, continuing in the same for about three and a half years. Eventually sell- ing out, he came to Oregon, settled in Oregon City, and engaged in the clothing business. He was numbered among the enterprising mer- chants of that town for two years, but in 1899 be sold his business and holdings and went east on a visit. Returning the following year, he started in business in Sumpter, Oregon, and though the establishment of his enterprise, known as the Hub Clothing Store, has been so recent, he has already built up a large trade,, and his business is extending and ramifying more and more widely as time goes on. Mr. Schwartz's experience is an exempli- fication of the statement that "concentration is the secret of success." He has devoted himself diligently and uninterruptedly to- mercantile pur suits, gaining an intimate knowledge of busi- ness methods, and this, coupled with his natural sagacity, foresight and good judgment, has- enabled him to achieve a success in the com 1 -,, mercial world seldom reached by one of his years. But though our subject attends strictly, to business, he, is not so exclusive but that be, can take the interest becoming every good citi-. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 359 zen in public affairs, and he has ever mani- fested a public-spirited solicitude for the ad- vancement and the welfare of his town and county. Fraternally Mr. Schwartz is affiliated with the W. of W. and the K. O. T. M. In Iowa, on October 28, 1896, he married Miss Rosa Ginsberg, also a native of Germany. ELLIS L. LEAP, one of the leading- citi- zens and prosperous farmers of Pine valley, is a product of the sunny south, his birthplace being the vicinity of Wheeling, West Virginia. He remained with his parents, John and Sarah (Wise) Leap, until about twenty-two years old, then, in 1866, went north to Indiana. Two years later we find him again in Virginia and engaged in the oil works there and in mercan- tile pursuits. A quadrennium was thus passed at the end of which time he built what is known as a trading boat, which he ran up and down the various rivers of the system existing near his home for a number of years, eventually selling and moving to Missouri, whither his father and the remainder of the family had gone. He farmed in that state two years, then went to Texas and spent four years on the rail- road, after which he bought cattle and drove them> over the trail to Missouri, then returned to Texas, later crossing the plains to Oregon. He spent the first winter, that of 1875, in the Grande Ronde valley, coming the next spring to Pine valley, Baker county, taking a home- stead of one hundred and sixty acres, now in- creased to two hundred and twenty acres, a half mile north of Halfway postoffice, where he is now to be found. He has been ever since engaged in general farming and cattle raising, a (business in which he has achieved a very enviable success. He has a pleasant home and surroundings and his premises bear testimony to his thrift, energy, and progressiveness. As a main and citizen his standing in the com- munity in which he has passed so many years is of the highest. ,' While in Missouri, our subject married Miss Anna Fortune, a native of Missouri, who died while crossing the plains in 1875, and was buried at Laramie. She left one infant child, which died upon reaching the Grande Ronde valley. In 1878, at- Brown Lee ferry, in Idaho, Mr. Leap again married, the lady being Miss Anna Bragg, who died in Pine valley in 1879, leaving one daughter, Anna B., at home with her father. Mr. Leap tells that when he came to Pine valley, there were any number of bears, deer, elk, and antelope in the country, and that while the settlers were stockaded up for four- teen days during the Indian troubles the bears wrought great depredations among their hogs and other domestic animals. Apropos of the fort, he says that it was built about a quarter of a mile from Halfway, and was constructed in this wise. A trench three feet deep around a one hundred feet square was dug and into it were inserted the butts of fourteen foot pine trees, stood side by side, the smallest being twoi feet through. At each corner a semi- circle of logs was made to shoot from, and a lining of logs was constructed inside of the in- closure as high as the portholes. Inside of this stockade a block house was built with roof about two feet higher than the outside palisade, with portholes near the top. ALVIN P. JONES.— Among those who have wrought for the material advancement and substantial progress of Baker county and have ever been manifesting a praiseworthy in- terest in the welfare of all, the subject of this sketch stands high. He is one that has devoted much time and energy to the search for valuar ble prospects and also in developing them to the time of producing, taking rank with the lead- ing men engaged in the business of mining in this section. Mr. Jones was born in Gage county, Ne- braska, on October 10, 1859, being the son of Samiuel and Rebecca (Pethond) Jones. His early life was spent on the farm receiving the invigorating exercise incident to the agricul- turist's art, and also attending the public schools of bis place. When he had attained the age of eighteen years, h'is desire and ambi- tion was toward the west and accordingly he turned thither and made the journey in the methods of foamier years, driving horse teams the entire distance. He settled ait Junction City, Lane county, and in the following spring came to Pendleton. That was 1 the time of trouble with the Indians and he experienced . 360. HISTORY' OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES much difficulty with them. In 1879, ne migrated to Malheur and engaged in raising stock which occupied his attention until 1891 being attended with good success. At the last date, he disposed of the homestead 1 he had taken meanwhile and came to McEwen in Baker county and engaged in mining. It was in 1897 that he camie to Sumpter, where he now owns a fine home and considerable other property adjacent. He owns one-fourth inter- est in the 'Magnolia mine in the Granite dis- trict about eighteen miles west from Sumpter which is considered a very valuable property, be also- owns a half interest in the Rising Sun, which is- known as. the Lucky Boy. In addi- tion to these valuable properties he has vari- ous others, and is a substantial mining man of the county. The marriage of Mr. Jones and Miss Addie L., daughter of Samuel B. and Josephine (San- born) Reeves, was celebrated at Malheur and to them have been born two> children as fol- lows, James D. and Frank J. Mr. Jones is .affiliated with the A. CX U. W., Lodge, No. 100, at Baker City. He is a respected member of society and has so demeaned himself in all of his associations that his reputation is of the best and the confidence of the entire community is his to enjoy. RICHARD M. GARRETT. — It is with pleasure that we essay the task of outlining the career of the venerable frontiersman whose name appears above. For nearly forty years he has been identified with the development of the Pacific coast states, most of that time being spent in Oregon, and in all that period he has shown himself willing to do his share for the advancement of the general good; has participated in the Indian wars; and in many ways manifested an enlightened public spirit. Born in Sheridan county, Missouri, on June 10, 1834, he grew to early manhood there, acquiring a common school education. When be became nineteen he yielded to the prompt- ings of his ambitious and daring spirit, which were summoning him westward, and came out to Oregon. The next year he journeyed southward to California, where he was engaged in freighting and packing into various mining camps in the mountains for the ensuing eleven years, and during that time he participated in the Modoc war, serving under General Crosby as a member of Captain Ballard's com- pany. In 1864 he returned to Oregon and en gaged in packing from Umatilla landing to various points in Idaho and Montana. In 1868 he settled on Powder river, where for a period of two years he followed trapping and hunting, afterward taking a quarter section of land, about ten miles south of Baker City, and engaging in farming and stock raising. To this dual occupation he has devoted his energies assiduously ever since, though his present home consists of a quarter section other than that on which he first settled, but close to' it. He carries hay and vegetables, and keeps about forty head of cattle and sixty head of horses. In Baker county, on April 2, 1876, our sulject married Miss Louisa Hart, a native of England. During the Modoc war, above referred to, Mr. Garrett endured many hardships, and his company sustained severe losses in several of the engagements in which it participated. W. H. BENTLEY— It now 'becomes our pleasant task to outline in brief the career of the estimable gentleman and well known pio- neer and leading business man whose name heads this paragraph and whose life of wise achievement has been potent in the develop- ment of this and adjacent counties, while his uprightness and stanch principles have ever displayed an integrity and stability that have commended him to the entire community. He was bom in Licking county, Obio, on March 24, 1831, and while still a child was removed to Richmond, Indiana, with the other members of the family, later to Greenfield, the same state, and then to Putnam county, Missouri, and finally, in 1846, they came to Iowa, where our subject attended school in a log house and acquired the discipline of birch and literary research there to be ob- tained. In 1849 he removed to Illinois, and in 1852 turned toward the Occident and thread- ed the dreary and dangerous plains with ox teams for four months and ten days until he reached the land "where rolls the Oregon" and selected a home on one of its tributaries in Yam Hill county, there occupying himself in RICHARD M. GARRETT. W. H. BEELTLEY. HEHRY H. ALBERT. WILLIAM McKIHNELL. STEPHEH S. PIHDELL. W. H. WELLIHGTON. ■HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 361 carpentering and operating a saw mill. After some time he was attracted to Florence, Idaho, and spent one summer in searching for the hidden treasure of that region; he also went to Boise basin, where he continued the search for a brief period After this he repaired to Umatilla for the winter and the following spring was engaged as superintendent on the Indian reservation, his duties being to instruct the aborigines in the art of agriculture. It was as early as 1865 that he made a permanent settlement in Baker county, although he had frequently been in its territory previous to that date. At that time he .'bought state land and occupied himself in its culture and in tean> ing for a short time, when he again turned to mining in Burnt basin, near the Express ranch. In 1868 he came to this valley and .followed farming and carpentering until 1886, when he removed into: Baker City, there also prose- cuting his handicraft for a time and then was elected justice of the peace, discharging the duties oif that office with such ability and faith- fulness for four years that he Was called by the people to> accept the position of police judge, auditor and clerk for the mjunicipality of Baker City, and in the fulfillment of the functions; of this incumbency we find him; at the present time, being re-elected to the same office on November 4, 1901. His life has been one constant expression of the faithful per- formance of duty that devolved upon him and the faithfulness and integrity thus manifested have won for him the entire confidence of the people, wihile he is also held in marked esteem and distinction by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. In fraternal affiliations the Judge is with the I. O. O. F., and the Redmen, being a popular associate in both orders, as well as generally throughout the county. HENRY H. ALBERT.— One of the sub- stantial stockmen and agriculturists of that thrifty and enterprising class in Baker county, the subject of this' sketch, is here accorded representation, since it is very fitting that in a volume purporting to review the lives of the prominent men of the county, he should have a leading place, having spent his life in great activity, displaying an adaptability that made him successful in many lines of enterprise and gave him experience wide and enjoyable. Also it is to be recorded to his credit that at a time when this nation called for her sons to rally to the rescue of our beloved institutions he quickly responded and freely gave his services to face the cannon of the enemy, and if need so require, give his blood for his country. Henry H. was born in Newark, New Jer- sey, on January 1, 1848-, being the son of Fred- erick and Johannah Albert. There he attended the schools of the city until he was twelve years of age, and then learned the tinsmith's trade, at which he continued until the spring of 1863, When the call came for one hundred day men, and he promptly responded, enlisting in Company F, Thirty-fifth New Jersey. At the end of his service he was honorably dis- charged and returned home and took up his trade until 1867, then he determined toi satis- fy his desire for travel and accordingly made the circuit of the east and south, working at his. trade at intervals, and in 1870 we find him in Texas, later in New Mexico, and he also visited Arizona, where he turned to driving cattle in 1873. Two years after this he was in the mines in Arizona, and with what success we are not told, and then he came to California, and finally to Portland, whence he went to the Waterford cannery and took charge of the tinning department of the same. In 1878 he came to' Baker City and took up mining until 1884^ when he deemed it time to settle down in life, and accordingly took a homestead where he now resides, five miles west from Bridgeport. His property is valuable and well improved and he owns a large herd of fine cattle and some horses, his time being occupied in stock raising and agriculture. He has ac- cumulated ten thousand dollars and more and is one of the most substantial stockmen of the county. Politically he formerly held with the Democratic party, but since the free silver issue he has taken his stand with the Republi- cans'. As yet Mr. Albert has preferred the quieter joys of the single life with its free- dom and repose, rather than the cares of con- jugal relations and the responsibilities, of do- mesticity. ! WILLIAM McKINNELL.— Perhaps no country in Europe is so. widely noted for the sturdy character and sterling integrity of its 362 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES sons as is old Scotland, the country which has sent so many men to our shores who have aft- erward become noted for thrift and assiduity in business and loyalty toi the principles for which our government stands. It is now our pleasure to accord brief mention toi one of these sturdy sonsi of Caledonia, who has distin- guished himself in Baker county as a mining man and merchant, and who formerly distin- guished himself when opportunity offered as a valiant defender of the Union and the flag. • 'Mr. McKinnell was born in Dumfriesshire, in September, 1845, the son of David and Violet (Wilson) McKinnell, likewise natives of Scotland. His mother died in 1854, and three years 1 later his father came toi Mark- ham, Canada. Our subject lived in the home of a paternal uncle from the time of his moth- er's demise until sixteen years of age, then started for America, the date of his departure from Europe being likewise the date of the firing on Fort Sumter. Naturally he went to Markham, where his father was, but about eighteen months: later he moved to Chicago, and from that time until November, 1864, he traveled around considerably. During this in- terval he assisted Edwards, a directory man, to compile a directory of Chicago, and a ga- zetteer of Wisconsin, the latter being done in 1863. In November, 1864, he enlisted in Com- pany K, Ninth Illinois Cavalry, and for the ensuing year he. did service as a soldier, being also quartermaster's clerk a short time. Alt the close of hostilities he returned to Canada, but three months later was in Chicago again, where he entered the employ of R. M. & O. S. Hough, packers, for 1 whom' he worked during the next eight years as shipping clerk. The panic of 1873 determined him to try his fortune in Oregon, and in 1874 he reached the Willamette valley. After a short residence in that famous basin he came to Sparta, where he mined, but though he was in Pine valley at about that time, he did not permanently settle there until 1882, when he took up land and started farming. Prior toi that date he Avas engaged in mining almost wholly, and in that industry he has never lost his interest. He owned claims in tfe 'Copper creek country. He owns 1 a mine on the hill above Carson, and also has ai quarter section of land at Half- way. At present Mr. McKinnell has charge of ' the estatecof S\ Si Pindell, deceased,- which includes the store at Carson, in which he is now carrying on business, having been admin- istrator since 1900. For four years Mr. 'Mc- Kinnell has served as notary public. In fra- ternal affiliations he is identified with Phil Kearny Post, No. 66, G. A. P., of which he served as adjutant for several years. It is of note that the great grandmother of Mr. Mc- Kinnell, Mary Paul, was a sister of the noted admiral John Paul Jones, of world-wide fame STEPHEN S. PINDELL, deceased.— It is very fitting that we accord to the estimable gentleman whose name is at the head of that article a representation in the history of Baker county, since he took such a prominent part in its industries and by his upright life and fine qualities won as friends all who had the pleasure of his acqtiaintance. Mr. Pindell was born near Marathon, Cler- mont county, Ohio, in February, 1834, and there passed his boyhood days. In 1852 he came to the coast, via the Isthmus, and imme- diately took up mining in Yreka and at Scott's. Bar until i860, and after that date he was in most of the prominent camps of the entire- northwest, having spent twO' years in the Koo- tenai district with his brother, Reason Pin- dell, and there he owned a large ditch and did much active mining on good claims. In 1871- he wintered in Walla Walla, being oc- cupied in the commercial establishment of the Adams Brothers, and the following year he came to Sparta, Union county, now Baker county, and after mining for several years in Maiden Gulch he formed a partnership with Edward Wilkinson., and for four years there- after they conducted a general store at Sparta. In the spring of 1883 the firm sold their entire interests at Sparta and Mr. Pindell moved to Pine valley, and there started the first general store in the place. Later he took as partner Robert A. Wilkinson, and soon thereafter he also took into the firm Edward Wilkinson, brother of Robert, and the three operated the establishment for ten years, and then the firm dissolved. They had one of the best trades im that part of the county and were generally esteemed and confided in by the people. Soon- after this event Mr. Pindell repaired to a place' that- is how named Car'son and there opened a. l - HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 86S, general mercantile house and in the operation of the interests of this business, he was. con- stantly found thereafter. He did a good busi- ness, and best oif all he had the love and con- fidence of every one in the community. His patrons were only limited by the population.. On February 12, 1900, the messenger of death; came to Mir. Pindell and summoned him from the scenes of his home and the cares of his business to the realities of another world than this. No man in the community was more esteemed and beloved than was this worthy character. Upon the day of the funeral the weather was exceedingly inclement, and at that time there had been a smallpox scare that had scattered every public meeting for some time, but these things could not hold back the throng of loving and mourning friends from assembling in a great concourse and pay- ing their respects to the memory of the de- ceased. Surely no man of the county was ever followed to his tomb by more or sincerer friends. WILLIAM H. WELLINGTON.— While the man whose career we shall now attempt to present in outline was not one of those whose names are especially familiar in political cir- cles and the ambition for personal ag- grandizement never controlled in his life, he belonged, during his lifetime, to that great class which forms the real strength and boast of any community, the class which goes assiduously about the work in hand arid in a quiet way contributes immeasura- bly toward the general progress and develop- ment. It must not be understood, however, that our subject was lacking in public spirit. He always manifested a deep interest in the affairs of county and state, and his concern for the cause of popular education found ex- pression in faithful service for several years as school director of his district. ' He also served for eight years as postmaster of Keat- ing postoffice. Mr. Wellington will long be remembered by those who knew him as a faithful, honest, industrious man and a good neighbor and citizen. ; ; - But to be more specifiic in our remarks — our subject was a native of Cornwall county, England, born June 6, 1849,- his. parents be- : ittg Thomas and Ann Wellington'. He '. ac- quired his educational discipline in the excel- lent public schools of his native land, then learned the trade of a stone mason. When he- arrived at the age of twenty he executed a de- termination! previously formed of trying his- fortune in the new/ world. Accordingly he came out to San Francisco, California, where- far 1 the ensuing nine years he was engaged assiduously in the pursuit of his handicraft. He then followed mining in California, Ore- gon and Idaho until 1887, when he purchased a quarter section of land in the lower Powder river valley and embarked in farming and stock raising, an industry which continued to engage his energies until August 2J, 1896, when he passed toi the unknown beyond. His interest in public affairs has been already ad- verted to, and it is only necessary to add that his standing in the community in which he re- sided for so many years was such as can only be enjoyed by a sincere man and a good, citizen. In Baker county, Oregon, on October 29, 1 88 1, our subject married Miss Grace Crews,: daughter of Wiley and Maria (Cushman) Crews, and their union was blessed by the- advent of seven children : William H., A. Viv- ian, Phila H., M. Irene, Geneva G., Jonathan C. and Thomas G Mrs, Wellington still owns the old home place and she has increased the- holdings bequeathed by her husband to six hundred acres, upon which, at present, she- keeps one hundred head of cattle. She has a very pleasant home at 1405 Fifth street, Ba- ker City, where she now lives, having moved into town that her children might enjoy the superior school advantages. HENRY S. MORRISON.— Few men in Baker county have a better right toi be called public-spirited than he whose name gives cap-, tion to this article. The county has many citi- : zens who take a deep' interest in the promotion of the general welfare, but Mr. Morrison is always working zealously in various ways fon the good of his town, county and State, and it affords us pleasure toi pay a slight tribute to his wealth of worth and to his broad-minded pa- triotism 1 . • : ■■ ';:; ~^ 2 Our subject was •born in ■Sitatesville, North. CaroKn a, ; ori . August. '21; ' 1 859,-; f .the \ son of- :364 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES James B. and Elizabeth A. (Sumimerland) Morrison-, likewise natives of North Carolina, but of Scotch-Irish descent. He grew to> man- hood in the state of his nativity, receiving a common school education!, then a. course in Taylorsville College, where he studied medi- cine for a year and a half. A protracted fever and consequent impairment oif his health neces- sitated his giving up all thought of professional •career, so he engaged in the merchandise busi- ness in Taylorsville, following the same until 1886, when he came west. Locating in Mitchell, Oregon, he accepted a position there as head clerk for the firm' of Sargent & Com- pany. After serving in this capacity for a period of two years he took a trip back to his home in the east, and upon his return to the Occident he started in business for himself in Spokane. Soon, however, he went toi • Port- land, where he served first as a clerk in the school clerk's office, then in a large grocery establishment. In 1891 he became city sales- man and collector for the firm of Northup & Sturgis, the duties of which position were dis- charged by him until May, 1900, when he went to Cape. Nome, Alaska, with intent to try the mercantile business there. This he did and with very fair success, but in January, 1901, he sold out, came to' Bourne and embarked in the grocery business in that town. He carries a full line of staple and fancy groceries and en- joys a large and constantly extending trade. As a business man he has, perhaps, no superior in the county. Possessed of a liberal educa- tion, he has added to that and to bis natural endowments a wide and varied experience in the line in which he is now engaged, while his foresight and caution have enabled himi to avoid failure and bankruptcy, so frequently the lot of business men, at every stage of his career. As above stated, M ! r. Morrison, is char- acterized by a broad-minded interest in public affairs. He is a leader in every project for the upbuilding of his town, which was incorporated •chiefly as a result of his endeavors, and of "whose first council he was a member. At pres- ent he is making strenuous 1 efforts to secure water works in the town. In military affairs, also, our subject has ever taken an active part. He was first ser- geant of Company A, First Regiment, O. N. <}., the members of which were all six feet or over, and which was widely known as the six- foot company of Oregon. Of this, also, he was twice elected captain, but both times resigned on account of the pressure of other business. When the Spanish-American war broke out he organized the first volunteer company oif the state, but the membership being all new re- cruits and there being too many militiamen in the state already, their services were not ac- cepted. Fraternally our subject is affiliated with the W. of W. and the Pioneers> of the Pacific, being commander of the latter order, of which also he was an organizer. His marriage was solemnized in North Carolina, in September, 1887, when Miss Mamie I., daughter of Julius P. and Margaret (Sharpe) Douglas, became his wife. They now have two children, Ada E. and Dwight D. Like most of the other leading men of Ba- ker county, Mr. Morrison is interested in the mining development of the region, and is him- self the owner of some promising properties. JERE J. DOOLEY.— It is with pleasure that we here present a brief review of the ven- erable pioneer of the state and esteemed citizen of Baker county, whose name appears above. He has held some important positions of trust here and elsewhere, ever proving faithful, and in all respects so ordering his life as to win esteem and confidence. Born in Albany, New York, on April 25, 1834, he grew up in Utica receiving there a good education and early learning the principles which govern all com- mercial transactions, having begun life's bat- tle as a clerk in a dry goods store. His fa- ther, Mark Dooley, died when Jere was a child. In Utica, New York, also, occurred the marriage of Mr. Dooley and Miss Christiana Thomas, a native of Ohio, the wedding taking place on March 24, 1856. Leaving the home of his mother, Honora Dooley, in 1857, he removed to Chicago, Illinois, where for five years he was employed first as brakeman and later as conductor on the railway between Freeport and Chicago In 1862, he crossed the plains to Auburn, Baker county, which honored himi with the election, to the office of city treas- urer, he being the first to serve in that capacity. While there he was clerk also for Brooks & HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 865*. Cranston, who maintained a general mer- chandise store. In 1863, he went to Idaho City, where he remained for eight years, the first three of which were devoted to mercantile pursuits and the remaining five to the duties incident upon his appointment as United States revenue assessor. The year 1871 found him again in Baker county, this time running a general merchandise store on Clark's creek and giving a portion of his tiime and attention to placer mining. He also had charge of the postoffice there established. In 1886, he moved his stock to Bridgeport, of which he has the only store and of which he is postmaster. Fair dealing and correct business principles have secured for him a very enviable trade, while his integrity and magnanimity have won him respect and esteem from those with whom he is associated. It is worthy of note that he has served Uncle Sam as postmaster for twenty- four years of his life. Fraternally he was affiliated with the local lodge of I. O. O. F. at Malheur City, which has surrendered its charter. Mr. Dooley is notary public and was for many years justice of the peace, also: acting as school director, in all of which capacities his characteristic faithfulness and attention to business have been displayed. Mrs. Dooley is known throughout the entire community as one whose aid in sickness is never solicited without a kindly response, and her benevolence and goodness have won her a place in the hearts of the people, which she justly merits. GEORGE W. BROWN.— It is with no little pleasure that we are enabled to* incorpor- ate here a brief review of the career of the energetic lumberman and farmer, whose name initiates this paragraph. A leader in business enterprises, he is likewise a leader in the pn> motion of the general welfare and in local politics, fairly deserving to rank among the representative men of his section. ; Born in Jasper county, Iowa, in 1849, Mr. Brown passed there the initial fifteen years of his life, residing at the home of his parents, A. J. and Martha A. (Harp) Brown. In 1869, ne went to' Nevada, where for more tjhan a decade he followed teaming, but in 1881 he went to Oregon, and spent a year in the vicin- ity of Powder river, coming then to> Pine val- ley, where he took a homestead northwest of Pine and engaged in farming. He has recently purchased another farm 1 of one hundred and sixty acres, in the west end of the valley and still handles both farms. He busied himself entirely in agricultural pursuits and stock- raising until about six years ago', when he bought saw mills, and turned his attention to the manufacture of lumber. He operated his mills in different parts of the section, one be- ing at Sparta, bought in 1896, and one at Car- son, bought in 1898. At present he is devot- ing most of his attention to the lumber in- dustry. The esteem and confidence in which he is held by the people of his county found expres- sion in 1900, when he was elected county com- missioner. At that time the territory in which Mr, Brown lives was in Union county, but re- cently it has been transferred to> Baker county, that act taking place while he was an incumbent of that office, and he ceased to act as soon as the real transfer was made. Mr. Brown is. highly esteemed in the sections where he is known and deserves great credit for the skill and enterprise manifested in the industrial and; business world. WILLIAM WIEGAND.— An active mam in the public affairs of his town and county and 1 a leader in commercial pursui is, the sub- ject of this review is 'a forceful factor in the- development of his community, and as such- it is but fitting that he should receive credit in this portion of our volume, the purport of" which is to give due representation to the- founders and builders of Baker county. Mr. Wiegand is a native of Allegan county, Michigan, born May 8, 1866, his parents being John and Ann Wiegand, natives respectively of Germany and England. He passed his- early youth in the commonwealth of his na- tivity, receiving a common school education, then engaged in the lumbering industry, con- tinuing in the same until 1893, when he came out west and turned his attention to mining. He was in this line of endeavor 'but a short- time, however, when misfortune overtook him ; he met with an accident which rendered it im- possible for him to continue in that pursuit and with true resourcefulness and versatility,. -366 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES he embarked in merchandising, buying out the dry goods store of Kear & Edwards, in Bourne, and establishing the Wiegand Wonder Store. He carries a full line of dry goods, notions, tobacco, cigars, and confectionery, owns the building in which he is now located, and has a large and constantly increasing trade. Mr. Wiegand is also the owner of some other build- ings in the town and of many mining interests in the vicinity. Thus has he brought success and prosperity out of an accident which would have crushed and ruined a less resolute and re- sourceful man. Our subject is treasurer of his town and agent of the Express and Telephone Companies. Fraternally he is a Pioneer of the .Pacific, of which order, also', he is. treasurer. The marriage of Mr. Wiegand and Miss Annie, daughter of J. A. and Annie Zerlant, was celebrated in Bourne, on October 16, 1901, and they are highly esteemed members of society. JOHN C. TRAVILLION.— To the gen- tleman O'f whom we speak, there is much credit due for the enterprising and excellent manner in which he took hold of the resources found in Baker county and wrought therefrom ad- vancement of the county's interest and wealth for himself. Farsighted in business matters, .and possessed of good judgment and ability in handling both finances and the products of the country, he has distinguished himself in ■at least two distinct lines of industry; and a success such as he has attained in either one of which is sufficient to stamp a man as both capa- ble and prominent in our county. Mr. Travillion was born to Thomas M. and Ann E. (Williams) Travillion on August 1, 1852 in Otterville, Missouri, where he was reared on a farm and secured his educational training in the public schools. In 1873, he. left the home nest and turned toward the west for exploration and to seek a home for himself. He came by rail to Kelton, Utah, and thence by stage to Baker City, where he at once went into the operations of mining, which he prose- cuted with vigor until 1878, then took govern- ment land on Powder river, about sixteen miles north of Baker City. He gave himself to farming and stockraising, mpst of his time being occupied in handling cattle and sheep, and uninterruptedly he has continued that in- dustry since. He has gained an enviable suc- cess in this work because of his wisdom in handling affairs and because of his tireless en- ergy in caring for detail in every department of his business. His real estate holdings have grown from' the government piece to> an estate of one thousand acres of good land all fenced and improved in an up-to-date manner with all the buildings and conveniences needed for the transaction of his business. In 1892, Mr. Travillion entered into partnership with Mr. Kelsey and Mr. Gorham in the milling busi- ness in North Powder. They erected a good mill of fifty barrels capacity per day in that city and equipped it with modern and complete machinery. The power for operating it is taken from the Powder river it being a water power plant. The business has been handled with sagacity and deferential treatment of its patrons until at the present time they enjoy a trade as large as the plant can handle and have the entire confidence of the community. In 1898, Mr. Kelsey sold out his interests and Mr. Travillion, in company with Mr. 'Gorham', owns the entire plant. In 1892 Mr. Travillion removed his family from the stock farm to North Powder and there resided until 1898, when he erected a modern ten-room- rtsidence at 2208 Clark street, Baker City, elegant and tasty, where his home is made at the present time, although he spends much time in per- sonal supervision of the plant at North Powder. On September 7, 1879, Mr. Travillion and Miss Fannie J., daughter of Captain Edward M. and Nancy M. White, were married and the fruit of the union is three~childfen, Lillie A., Harry C, and Nettie J. Mr. Travillion is a past grand in the I. O 1 . O. F., Lodge No. 88, in North Powder, and is also a member of the W. of W., Camp No. 109, in the same town, and in Baker City he belongs to the Fraternal Union. The parents of our subject came to Baker City in 1883, the father was retired from business and his demise occurred in 1894, but the mother is still living in Baker City. He has one brother in the Willamet valley and one, County Judge Travillion, in Baker City. Mr. Travillion is at this day one of the most prominent business men of the county and has ever manifested a worthy conduct that has won for him the esteem of all and the entire confi- dence of the business world where he operates. While never pressing forward for personal HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 367 preferment in the political world, nevertheless he has taken the interested part of the good citi- zen 'and forms one of that number of substan- tial men who are tfhe bone and sinew of the community and of the political world are the very foundation. RUCHA'RD W. MAKINSON, an ener- getic and prosperous farmer of Pine valley, of which he is a representative citizen, is a native of Missouri, born in 1848, the son of Evans and Hannah (Armstrong) Makinsoin, natives of England. When but two years old, he was left an orphan, and for the ensuing eight years he made his home with a brother-in-law named Solomon Townsend. When ten years old, he began life's struggles on his own account, though he lived with his brother about two> years thereafter. He followed whatever he could get toi do in Iowa until 1862, then re- moved to Missouri. He was at this time too young to enlist, but showed his willingness to fight the battles of the republic by following the army from place to place, and he was pres- ent at the battle of Shiloh. When he became nineteen, he removed to Kansas, and after ex- ploring some portions of that state, he started fori the Black Hills. Changing his course, how- ever, he came to Cheyenne, Wyoming, and thence, in 1876, to Union county, Oregon. In the fall of that year he moved to' Pine. The next year he bought land where Halfway now stands, but for some reason, sold this again soon, and moving to 'Eagle valley, purchased some land there. After seven years bad been devoted to agricultural pursuits in that neigh- borhood, he sold out, investing a portion of the proceeds in a half section, upon a portion of which the village of Pine has been built. Hje is farming this and a quarter section on the reservation, which is known as the Pendle ranch. In addition to' his fine farm, Mr. Makinson owns some valuable realty in Rich- land, where he makes his home at present. He is a self-made man 1 , having, as has been said, started in life without educational ad- vantages, without a dollar and without a friend of 'any influence, and to> him belongs a share of the honor bestowed upon those who possess within them' the energy and force needed to conquer overwhelming adverse circumstances. In Linn county, Kansas, in 1872, our sub- ject married Sarah, daughter of Josiah and Ma- riah (Long) Brooks, and to> them have 'been born six children, Fred ; Alberta, wife of Os- car Kendall, postmaster at Pine; Robert; Mary, now Mrs. H. Moody; Charley; and Josiah . With Mr. Makinson in the trip to the Black Hills above referred to was just one compan- ion, a man named Smith, and their worldly wealth consisted of but little more than a mule team apiece. When they reached Green river, three other men joined them, one of whom was Jacob Rainwater, who laid out the town of Dayton. Another, whose surname was Green, died en route, being buried ait Boise, Idaho, falling a victim of a fever, caused by exposure in the attempt to cross a swollen stream with the wagon box as ferry boat. GEORGE W. KERNS.— This prominent mining man and stage operator of Bourne has the honor of being an early pioneer of the west, almost all parts of which have been vis- ited by him. The place of his nativity is the vicinity of Bloomington, Illinois, and the date August' 8, 1863. His parents, Samuel and Jane (Wallace) Kerns, moved with their chil- dren to Kansas when he was but a small boy, and there he grew up and received a public school education. In 1881 he removed to. Col- orado, where he remained for one year en- gaged in railroading, a line of endeavor which he also pursued in Idaho for a time. Eventual- ly, however, he went to' Butte, Montana, and turned his attention to mining. In the spring of 1883, he returned to' Idaho and with his brother, John, engaged in stage operating, but two years afterward he sold out, and from that time until 1892, he traveled quite ex- tensively, visiting almost all the western states. In 1892 he began mining in the Baker City region and tin 1895 ne came to Bourne, still engaged in the quest for mineral wealth. He continued the search until the summer of the current year, in fact he has never given it up as he still owns some promising claims, but a few months ago he embarked in the stage busi- ness, operating between his home town and Sumpter. A register of his mining properties would include the Monday, the Oregon, the Golden Crest, the New York, and others. 368 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Our subject was married in Union county, Oregon, on August i8>, 1890, toi 'Miss Emma, a daughter of Israel and Jane (Wallace) Tbdd, natives of Illinois, and to their union three children have been born, Margaret J., Ruby M., and Georgie. HENRY J. BAKER, one of the pronv inent agriculturists of the vicinity of Pine post- office and one of the substantial and respected citizens of Baker county, was born in Iowa, being the first white child born in Dallas coun- ty and was raised in the great Empire state, his parents, George and Charlotte (Crouch) Baker, being natives respectively of New York and England. He obtained his education in the schools of Rochester, New York, and when seventeen years old, began for himself the bat- tle of life, his parents having both died previous to that time. He first went to Missouri, where he embarked in the general merchandise busi- ness in the town then known as Waterville, which was afterwards called Bakerville, and has recently experienced another change of name.. After a residence of about four years in Missouri, our subject came, in 1878, to North Powder, Baker county, Oregon,, where he assisted in the construction of the first store and where he remained for three years. Com- ing then to Pine valley, he engaged in farming and the stock business, at first on rented land and afterward on. a two hundred and forty- acre tract five miles northeast of Pine post- offilce, which his thrift and frugality enabled him to purchase. He is also engaged in the mercantile business at that place, dealing es- pecially in farm produce, which he buys and sells. His integrity and fair dealing have won him the confidence of the rural population in his vicinity, and as a natural result his trade is increasing and extending. Fraternally, Mr. Baker is identified with the time-honored order of Free Masons, his membership at present being in Union Lodge. His 1 marriage was solemnized at Union in 1883, Miss Hester, daughter of Frederick and Sarah (Myers) Shoemaker, then becoming his wife. To their union eight children were born, John H., Mollie, Walter T., Maggie L., Louis J., Hallis C, Hettie and an infant. Mrs. Baker's parents were among the earliest set- tlers of Grande Ronde valley, where their re- mains have been laid to rest. Her father was widely known on account of his activity in church work. Mr. Baker was census enumer- ator in 1900. and has held numerous govern- ment positions in the revenue department, in civil service, and other branches, and is a capa- ble and efficient man dominated with sagacity- and faithfulness. JAMES RICHARDSON, one of the most successful cattlemen in Baker county, is, like many others whoi have achieved a conspicuous success in different lines of enterprise, a native of Ireland. He comes, too, from that thriftiest portion of the Emerald Isle, the northern part, his birthplace being Belfast, and the date of his advent into life August 12, 1839. He received his educational discipline in the land of his na- tivity and resided there for some years after he became a man, but in 1869, he set out for the new world. He came direct to Baker coun- ty, settled on Clark's creek and engaged in. mining, an enterprise which continued to> busy him for the ensuing decade. He then pur- chased a quarter section of land a mile north of Bridgeport postoffice, and embarked in the cat- tle raising business. Success crowned his. efforts from> the start and his herds grew until he now has an average of two hundred head. He was a member of the old Malheur lodge of the I. O. O. F., but has never been identified with any local organization of that fra- ternity since the charter of his first lodge home was given up. He has never exchanged the freedom of celibacy for the pleasures sup- posed to belong to the married state. , SANFORD RUSK.— It is. with pleasure that we are able to incorporate here a brief biographical review of the honored citizen of Bourne whose name appears above. An in- dustrious, active, energetic man he has wrought his way to success in several different" lines of enterprise, and well-directed effort in mining has enabled him to win a competency. Nature- gave him 1 the ability to perceive his opportunity and when the tide which taken at the flood leads on to fortune came to him he took it and success in commercial affairs was the result. Mr. Rusk is a native of Montgomery HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 369 county, Indiana, born August 14, 1842. After receiving a common school education, he en- gaged in farming, continuing a devotee of the basic art until 1870, when he embarked in the drug business in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He divided his energies between this and mercan- tile pursuits until 1873, when he removed to Roswell, Illinois, and turned his attention to operating a meat market. Two years were thus spent. In 1878, he crossed the plains with mule teams to the Grande Ronde valley, where he accepted a. position as foreman on the right of way for the O. R. & N. Company, who at that time were constructing their road. Upon leaving their employ he engaged in hotel keep- ing in Orodell, but after a year's experience in this, he sold out and moved back to. Kansas. There he spent another period of two years in the drug business. Returning then toi Lar grande, he once more engaged in hotel keep- ing, and for two 1 years also discharged his duties as town marshal. In 1890, he open eld a hotel in Bourne, but soon gave his attention more particularly to dairying and mining, though he ran the E. and E. boarding house, for about eight months, serving at the same time as watchman of their mill. In 1896 he located the Silver Dick, which he afterwards sold for $27,000. He owns quite a herd of neat cattle and some horses, also some realty of value in the town of Bourne. Fraternally, Mr. Rusk is an Odd Fellow. His first marriage was solemnized in Indiana on March 12, 1863, Miss Ellen, daughter of John and Elizabeth Sloan, then becoming his wife. To> their union were born four children, two of whom are living, namely, John, and Effie, now Mrs. Fred Budde. Mrs. Rusk died on October 1, 1872, and on March 4, 1873, our subject married Miss Nellie, daughter of Lorenza D. and 'Martha E. Hayes, and to them were born four children, Burton S., Loui R., Walter W., and Mabel B. CHARLES ZIEGLER, a representative of the versatile French race, and an old and honored pioneer of the coast, at present an en- terprising farmer in the vicinity of Newbridge, was born at Puttalange, France, in 1831, the son of John and Nanette (Field) Ziegler, like- wise natives of Europe's greatest republic. He 24 remained with his parents until eighteen years old, then yielded to the impulses of his ad- venturous nature, which were urging him to seek larger opportunities, and came to Ameri- ca. Landing in New Orleans, he made his way thence up the Mississippi and across the plains to California,, where for the nine years following 1850, he sought assiduously for hidden treasure. He then went to farming in Mendocino county, which he helped to or- ganize, and after busying himself in agricul- tural pursuits for about eight years, he spent a year in the southern part of the state. Re- turning again to Mendocino county at the ex- piration of the twelve months, he farmed near his old home for a full decade, thereupon com- ing to Oregon. Until four years ago his home was in Harney valley, 'but in 1897, he removed to Eagle valley and purchased eighty acres at mile and a half north of Newbridge postoffice,. where he has lived and farmed ever since, mak- ing a very pleasant home for himself and family. In 1865, our subject married Miss Zarrisia Babcock, and to their union six children have been born, Pardon, Charles, Mary, Leonie,- Anna, and Louis. Mrs. Ziegler' s mother,. Elizabeth Rieburn Babcock, who lives at the home of Joseph Beck, is eighty-four years old- and has great-great-grandchildren. In 1851 Mr. Ziegler participated in battles against the Indians in California, being under Brigadier General Winn. 1 JOHN COBB. — To this esteemed citizen and enterprising business man of our county and pioneer of the state, we are pleased to ac- cord representation in this volume, since a compilation of this character would be sadly deficient if there were failure to incorporate his life's career therein, having been a prom- inenti figure in this county for a third of a cen- tury. His father was a sea captain, in command of a vessel, the Connor, carrying on a coast trade on the Atlantic and later on the Pacific. On this vessel, in 1838, Mr. Cobb was born and for eighteen years he was with his. parents, learning well the sailor's arts and skill. Fol- lowing this time, he was engaged as seaman on board a United States revenue cutter plying between San Francisco and the Sound ports. 370 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Two years spent on this vessel, The Shoe- brick, gave him much experience in this line of business. In 1863, he left San Francisco for Portland, thence to Canyon City and later to Auburn, engaging in mining which he also* followed later at Granite creek, and also at Robinson's mill. He has traveled well over the county and over the adjacent counties oif this and other states. From mining he took up the life of the surveyor and has followed it continuously since. He was one that was prominently connected with the laying of the northern- boundary line of the county. During his life he has ever manifested that integrity and uprightness that are so ; praiseworthy and becoming the citizen of any community and his demeanor has been such that he has won the confidence and esteem of all whoi may have the pleasure of his acquaintance. His life has been active and adventurous, but still he has never ventured on the matrimonial sea, choos- ing rather the freedom and quietness attend- ant upon the life of a celibate than the cares and responsibilities of domesticity. RANDLE L. TURNER.— Of all the leading and representative citizens of Bourne none is more universally esteemed and respect- ed than the successful mining man whose name gives caption to this review. The popu- larity of the man found expression as soon as the town was incorporated, he being the unanimous choice of the people for the high- est office in their gift, that of mayor. Integrity and force of character, combined with a liberal public spirit, are the traits which have won him his enviable standing in the community in which he lives, while careful application and absolute trustworthiness have enabled him to win success in business. Mr. Turner is a native of Dubuque, Iowa, born August 3, 1S64, the son of Richard and Rosana E. (Miles) Turner, natives of Eng- land. His parents took him to Kansas when he was but six years old, and there he received some educational discipline, but when he ar- rived at the age of twelve, he took upon him- self the struggle of life, severing home ties and going to Texas. There he rode the plains herding cattle until 1881, when he went to Idaho and engaged in freighting. After hav- ing devoted two and a half years to that he re- moved to Union county, Oregon, where for a short time he followed freighting and lum- bering, but the major portion of his attention and energy has been devoted to mining since he arrived in Oregon. He is an assayer by profession and has mined in Idahoi and Mon- tana as well as in this state, everywhere achiev- ing success on account of his carelessness and skill. He has acted as foreman of the East Eagle in Union county, and since coming to Bourne, in 1898 has wrought as a skilled miner in the Columbia, much of the time. In the beginning of 1902, Mr. Turner was appointed superintendent of the Mammoth Gold Mining Company's properties, a position which he is filling with credit toi himself and profit toi his company. He is the owner of several mining claims in the district of which his home town is the center, and likewise of realty of much value both in Bourne and in Baker City. At one time he had title to the Blue Bird on Wind creek and an interest in the Porcupine group, which latter property was sold for fifteen thous- and dollars. As previously stated, Mr. Turner is mayor of the town and an active worker for its development and for the substantial prog- ress of the same. Fraternally, he affiliates with the North Powder organization of the I. O. 0>. F., all the chairs of which have been occupied by him. His marriage was solem- nized on December 1, 1897, the lady being Miss Ada B. Powers, whose parents, William B. and Adaline (Barclay) Powers, were among the earliest pioneers of California and of his state. They were natives of Kentucky and Virginia, respectively. ♦ » » JOHN WOOD.— This enterprising farm- er and market gardener of the vicinity of Baker City was born in Rochester, New York, on November 11, 1875, his parents being John and Isabella (Cotehfer) Wood, natives of England. He continued to reside under the parental roof until sixteen years old, receiving such educational advantages as the public schools afforded, but he then determined to give inception to' his independent career, soi came out to Oregon. Soon he settled upon land seven miles south of Baker City, a tract of HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 371 swale or bottom land, well suited to the pro- duction of hay and vegetables, and to that kind of farming he has ever since devoted himself, marketing his products in Baker City. He is an enterprising, industrious and progressive young man, belonging to the great and numer- ous class who work quietly and unostentati- ously and who are yet the real strength of a community, the men behind the guns in its battles. Mr. Wood was married on December 24, 1896, the lady being Miss Lucinda, daughter of George and Lucinda (Bigley) Springer, both of whom are residents of Baker county. Of this union one child, Ben, was born. DANIEL H. SHAW. — Prominent among the leaders in the farming and stbckraising in- dustry in Baker county is the energetic and thrifty gentleman whose name gives caption to this review, and it is with pleasure that we are able to; accord him representation here as one of the builders of the political division with which our work is concerned, of which he is an honored pioneer. < Born in Putnam county, Missouri, near the Iowa line, on April 10, 1845, ne grew to early manhood there, receiving such educational ad- vantages as were to be had in the local public schools. He in the spring of 1863, and his parents Theophalis and Elizabeth (Leachman) Shaw, in 1865, came over the trail of many moons toi Oregon. The engine which pulled his train was an oix team, his coach a prairie schooner, time from Iowa to the coast four months and a half. Eventually they landed in Union county, where the first winter in the new state was spent. From the time of his advent until 1865, our subject busied himself in pack- ing fromi Umatilla Landing (to Silver City and other points in Oregon and Idaho. He then bought a parr of o>xen with which he teamed in Silver City for a couple of years. In the fall of 1867 ne moved with his parents onto a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, situated six miles south of Baker City, and upon this he has ever since lived. He has added to his original holdings from time to time, until he now has a fine farm of four hundred acres, all of which has 'been long since rendered mellow by the plow, and most of which is now producing its annual crop of hay. He raises each year about three hundred tons of excellent timothy hay, which is fed chiefly toi cattle and horses on his own farm. He keeps a fine band of graded Shorthorn and Hereford cattle, such as would delight the eye of any connoisseur in such things. Mr. Shaw also owns some valuable property in Baker City. Fraternally our subject is affiliated with the A. O. U. W. In Baker City, on March 15, 1879, he married Miss Perlina F., daugh- ter of Alfred G. and Eliza J. McKinney, old pioneers of the county, and to their union were barn four children, Daniel A., Samuel CD., Mamie B., and Pearl J. Mrs. Shaw passed to the great beyond on March 21 1901, and her remains were laid to rest in the Baker City cemetery. Mr. Shaw's parents died in 18174. HENRY WENDT.— To the esteemed pioneer and eminent citizen, whose name heads this article, we are constrained to grant this memorial since his was a life that well merits the encomiums of his fellows both for the ability displayed in the private walks of business enterprise and because of the public spirit manifested throughout his entire career. In March, 1834, in Germany, our subject was born, and the years of his minority were spent in the "Fatherland" where he was wtll trained in those ways of thrift and enterprise that so characterize his counrymen. At the age of twenty-one years he came to> the United Sates and began the life of the agriculturist on the fertile prairies of Illinois, but later the siren of nature's hidden treasures lured himi to the frontier and he took up the life of the miner in California, and in 1862 came to Ba- ker county, continuing this occupation in Au- burn and then at Clarke's creek until 1871, at which time he settled at Bridgeport and began raising stock. In that place and occupation he was always faithfully pursuing the course of the estimable and industrious citizen, until he was called, on May 10, 1898, to lay down the burdens of this life and depart to> the realms, of another world. He was universally beloved and esteemed and it was with sincere grief that his loved ones and his wide circle of friends and neighbors consigned to their last resting place the remains of the noble pioneer, stanch business man and faithful father and husband. 3T2 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES The marriage of Mr. Wendt occurred in Freeport, Illinois, in 1869, Miss. Amelia Brink- man, also a native of Germany, at that time becoming his wife. To them were born the fol- lowing children : Amelia, deceased ; Pauline, now 1 Mrs. N. N. Elliott; Minnie, deceased; Charles, born December 29, 1875 ; Henry, born June 27, 1878, and married October 23, 1901, to Miss Addie Elliott, a daughter of Daniel and Josie Elliott, and a native of Baker coun- ty; William, born December 24, 1881. Mrs. Wendt is still living with her sons on the old place, where they are going on with the stock business that was so> well started by their fa- ther. The farm 1 is well improved and annually produces many tons of fine hay. An elegant residence, besides other buildings, adds attrac- tion, value and comfort to the place, while their holdings in live stock are large. Five hundred head of fine Durham' and Hereford cattle and a large drove of horses, besides small stock, are a part of their quota. The three sons men- tioned above are operating the place in part- nership and they are considered the finest and most skillful stockmen in their section. FRANK LENTZ, one of the most thrifty and prosperous farmers and stockmen in the county, of which he has long been an esteemed and honored citizen, is a native of Keokuk county, Iowa, born July 22, 1867, the son of Williami and Mary (Boyd) Lentz, likewise na- tives of that state. When about seven years old he accompanied the remainder of the fam- ily on the long journey across the wide waste of plain and over the mountain barriers' to Ba- ker City, in the vicinity of which his father took up land. He grew to- man's estate in the county, receiving his educational discipline at the James schoolhouse. As soon as 1 he became of age hie took up three hundred and twenty acres of government land in Sumpter valley, six miles east of Sumpter, and engaged in farming and stock-raising, an industry to which he has devoted the efforts of his life ever since. As a natural result of his assiduity and thrift he has achieved a very enviable success and is now in possession of an. excellent farm of ■generous proportions, well improved and stocked and supplied with all needed buildings and machinery. In 1899 he purchased eighty acres two miles east of Auburn,, where he now lives, controlling operations upon this farm and the one in the valley. He raises hay and grain principally and keeps about fifty head of cattle and some horses. On October 5, 1890, Mr. Lentz married Miss Mary, daughter of William and Rebecca (Smith) Graham, natives of Missouri, pio^- neers of this state of 1862 and residents now of Boise, Idaho. To their union has been born one child, Harry F. Mr. Lentz's father lives in Sumpter, but his mother died in 1887. WILLIAM BENNETT. — Among the prosperous' and leading business men. of Baker City, mention should be made of him whose name initiates this paragraph, since his enter- prise, industry and ability are manifest both in his private business life and in his demeanor as a public-spirited citizen. He is the senior mem- ber of the firm of Bennett & Sons, leading lum- ber merchants and manufacturers of Baker county. Mr. Bennett is the son of Joel and Sarah (Bird) Bennett, natives of New York and Eng- land respectively, and he was born at Williams- port, Pennsylvania, in 1829. He passed his minority in his native place, staying with his parents and receiving a good education in the- public schools and Dickson Seminary. In i860 he started to Pike's Peak, being led thither by the gold excitement at that time. For four- years he mined in that vicinity and them went to Montana, on Alder creek, and engaged in freighting to Fort Benton until 1870, when he returned to Pennsylvania and started a saw- mill in Sullivan county. For a number of years he followed this occupation and then removed his plant to> Klickitat county, Washington, and later to White Salmon. At this last point he- added a planing mill, and two years later, in 1886, he removed the whole plant to Baker City, establishing the planing mill in the city and locating his sawmill nine miles out. He has since added another mill thirteen miles south O'f Baker City, and the combined capacity of his plants is one million, feet of lumber for one year. He has always found time to take up the questions of political import and local significance, as well as matters of educational interest, ever manifesting his characteristic- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 373 wisdom and keen foresight. Several times he has been before the conventions, but his prefer- ence is not for political preferment of any kind, and hence he has retired in favor of others. Mr. Bennett and Miss Elizabeth Berry were married in Pennsylvania in 1856, but on Febr- ruary 14, 1868, Mrs. Bennett was called to pass the river of death, and her remains 1 are buried in the cemetery at Hugbsville, Pennsylvania. To this union were born the following chil- dren : Milliard F. ; (Bion, died September, 1898; Thomas E. ; Eugene; Elizabeth. Mr. Bennett .contracted a second marriage in 1 87 1, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary J. Watters, a native of Pennsylvania. To them have been born the following children : Cora ; Callie; Stella; Mary and Martha, twins; in- fant, deceased ; infant, deceased ; and Malcolm. Mr. Bennett not only deals in lumber and all kinds of planing mill products but also handles implements and is sole agent for the well-known Fish Brothers' wagon. FREDERICK COLE, at present post- master of Auburn and a prominent mining man of the county, oif which he is a leading and es- teemed citizen, is ai native of Devonshire, Eng- land, born May 21, 1866, his parents being Elias and Eliza Oole. He grew to manhood in his native land, receiving the advantage oif the excellent public schools there established, and when he became twenty-two years of age yielded to the ambition which was urging him to seek newer and larger opportunities than are to be had in Europe. He landed in Can- ada, Where for a twelvemonth he was engaged ini farm work. Coming to Baker county, Oregon, in 1889, he settled in Auburn and found employment in the placer mine belonging to David S. Little- field and Charles Duckworth, the latter of whom was an uncle of his, who had come to Auburn in 1862, and had been a partner of Mr. Littlefield ever since his arrival. When, in August, 1898, Mr. Duckworth died, our subject succeeded him in interest, and he has ever since run the mine in partnership with Mr. Littlefield. It is known as the French Gulch placer mine from 1 its location, and its average annual output at present is $1,500. Mr. Cole also owns a small interest in a quartz claim which is supposed to be the mother lode of his placer mine, from which the company ex- pect to> begin shipping ore in the near future. Fraternally our subject is affiliated with the Baker City camp of the W. of W. His mar- riage was solemnized in England im February, 1894, Miss Emily Greenslade then becoming his wife, and to their union two children have been born, Ellen. L. and Emily E. THOMAS E. BENNETT— The young business men of Baker county have fully mer- ited the encomiums that have been given to them, as also they have in every particular sus- tained the reputation of the county's prosperous condition gained by the older organizers of commercial enterprise in this section ; and as a prominent one among these rising men, we mention the gentleman whose name heads this article, and who; is well known throughout the entire county, being- at the bead oif the firm of Bennett & Eickorn, lumber manufacturers and merchants, as well as heavily interested with his brother in mining propositions in the Green- horn district. Mr. Bennett was born in Pennsylvania in 1868, being the son of William and Elizabeth Bennett, who are mentioned in another part of the work. In his native place and in Portland and in Baker City business college he received his educational discipline, and in this county he embarked in business for himself. His mill is situated three miles north fromi Auburn and has a capacity of fifteen, thousand feet per day. The marriage of Mr. Bennett and Miss Grace, daughter of H. H. and Catherine Sparks, was celebrated in 1894, and to them has been born one child, Georgia E. Mr. Ben- nett also owns a planing mill located on Resort street, and does a general planing business, being prosperous, in all his business: enterprises. •» * » JOSEPH D. YOUNG— An old pioneer O'f the Pacific coast and of Baker county, in the development of which he has very materially aided, the man whose name gives caption to this review is richly deserving of representa- tion in any volume whose purview includes biographical notice of the founders and build- 374 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES ers of this section, and it is with pleasure that we accord him such herein. Mr. Young is a native of the sunny south-, having - first opened his eyes to- the light in Independence, Virginia, on July 10, 1832, his parents, Timothy and Elizabeth (Baker) Young, being likewise na- tives of the state famed as the "mother of presidents." He resided under the shelter of the paternal roof until about twenty-three years old, receiving a rudimentary education, but on March 27, 1855, he stepped on board a ship in New York harbor bound for the "westmost west." In due time he went via Greytown to San Francisco, and on April 22 of the same year he sped through the Golden Gate. His occupation for seven years was in the horticul- tural line, supplying fruit and vegetables for the markets, and one year he clerked in a store. In 1864 he came to Granite, Grant county, Ore- gon, and engaged in placer mining. While prosecuting this industry he discovered the rich ground that is now known as Joe Young's bar. In 1 87 1, Mr. Young, in company with Harvey Robbins, opened a general merchandise store and meat market in Sumpter, beginning opera- tions in the spring of that year. This business continued until 1874, when they sold out. Mr. Young also supervised the building of the wagon road from Sumpter to Granite, and he served as the first postmaster of the former place and has the honor of naming the post- office. The christening was on this wise : In 1862 some prospectors camped on the ground where now stands Sumpter, and they named it Port Sumter. But when they were casting about for a name for the office Mr. Young sug- gested Sumpter, which 'means a pack animal, since all the goods came there by pack trains. And Sumpter it has been since. The first team, which consisted of four horses, was driven by Joe Young and Charles Rimbol to Cable Cove on Silver creek. They built the first sawmill in Sumpter, engaged in generail merchandising, operated a hotel, handled freight, did a butcher- ing business, built ditches and sold water to the miners, and added other improvements to the amount of ten thousand dollars or over. Much credit is due to' Mr. Young for the efficiency and wisdom; with which he wrought for the upbuilding 'of Sumpter during his residence there and for the liberal contributions made toward its development. He has ever shown himself a public-spirited man, and no enter- prise of general concern, fails toi elicit his inter- est. Mr. Young has always been strictly a temperance man, hence he had no time to waste about the saloons or loafing places of drink, and the result was that many times he was searching over the hills and brought in many trophies o>f the chase, such as good, fat deer, antelope, elk and bear. In 1884 Mr. Young married Mrs. Mary A. Flynn, daughter of Edward and Mary Coffey. The following year their only child, Rimbol, was born, being the second white child born in Sumpter. Mrs. Young has by her first hus- band three children, two boys and one girl, who received the name of their stepfather and have been reared and educated as his own. The daughter is now the wife of Andrew E. Lucas, son of W. W. Lucas, an early pioneer of Ore- gon. Mr. Young is highly esteemed by his fel- lows, and he has an unsullied reputation, being a man of unswerving integrity and intrinsic moral worth. At the present time Mr. Young and family are living on his farm, four miles southeast from Sumpter. He has a fine estate, well improved and supplied with all needed buildings and machinery, and it is handled in a skillful manner, his principal crop being tim- othy hay. ■♦»» WARREN W. LUCAS.— Hardly could the charge of incompleteness be refuted by the publishers of a volume whose purview includes biographical mention of the leading men in Baker county were there failure to accord due representation to the esteemed pioneer, ener- getic and successful mining man and public- spirited citizen whose name initiates this para- graph. Mr. Lucas was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, on August 15, 1833, the son of Thomas and Rachel (Percival) Lucas, na- tives, respectively, of Vermont and Connecti- cut. He grew to manhood in the Buckeye state, but on arriving at the age of twenty-two he set out across the plains to the Willamette valley. After consuming six months and four days in making a journey which would now require not more than: the four days, he reached his destination, not, however, without ai brush or two with Indians, by whom some of the train's stock Were stolen. For the seven years succeeding the date of HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 375 his advent in Oregon our subject worked in various lines of endeavor, but in 1862 he caught the gold fever, and came to Auburn, Baker county. He was engaged in mining there and around Granite until 1884, in which year he went to' Stien mountain and turned his attention to farming and stock-raising. Three years at that, then he went back to: the mines, and his search for earth's treasure was not again renounced until 1898. Then, however, he purchased four hundred and eighty acres of land five and a half miles southeast of Sump- ter, and for the second time in life engaged in farming, believing that industry better suited to his advancing years than the more rigorous occupation of mining. He still has, however, some good quartz claims and some valuable placer diggings in Granite. His realty hold- ings also include a fine two-hundred-acre farm within twelve miles of Salem, Oregon. Mr. Lucas married, in the Willamette val- ley, on August 18, 1859, Miss Adelaide, daugh- ter of Leonard and Emily Williams, pioneers of Oregon of 1847. Their union has been blessed by the advent of two children, Viola A. and Andrew E., who married Libbie M. Young, and they also have two grandchildren, Elsie and Libbie. Mrs. Lucas died in the Willamette valley on January 17, 1862, and her remains lie buried in the cemetery at Independence, Polk county. GRANT COUNTY HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY. CHAPTER I. CURRENT HISTORY, 1862 TO 1885. The early history of Grant county, like that of almost every other section, must be gar- nered mostly through interviews with men who assisted in making that history, and as few re- member any but the most striking and sensa- tional incidents., a work depending for its ma- terial upon the memories of men must oif neces- sity be somewhat fragmentary and incomplete. It is a well known fact also> that those who are able to recall accurately events which happened thirty-five or forty years agoi are very few, so 1 that the earliest annals of our section can hardly be Written as. authoritatively as one could wish. We have, however, endeavored to make the best possible use of the means at hand, and when no printed accounts of hap- penings could be obtained, have verified verbal reports of them as far as possible by consult- ing others beside the original narrator that "out of the mouth oif two or three witnesses every word might be established." The original Grant county has long been known to white men, though its settlement dates back only about forty years. Its earliest history is a part of the mist-like annals of old Oregon territory, with its trappers and fur traders. Later it figured not inconspicuously in the military arrangements of our govern- ment. By an order of the secretary of war, bearing date September 13, 1858, the old de- partment of the Pacific was subdivided into the departments of Oregon and California. General G. W. Harney, in whose (honor the present Harney county was named, was as- signed to the 'command of the Oregon depart- ment. Two days after his arrival at his head- quarters in Vancouver, namely, on the 31st of October, 1858, he secured the plaudits of the entire population of Oregon by issuing an or- der opening the Walla Walla valley (which had been remanded to barbarism in 1855 by the interdict of General Wool) to the occupa- tion of white men. Harney proved a better friend of the people than any of his predeces- sors, though even he was inclined to> think lightly of the Indian troubles and to devote his attention, mainly to gratifying his passion for establishing military roads. Accordingly 'in April, 1859, he sent Captain D. HI Wallen to recomnoiter a road from The Dalles to Salt Lake City, ascertaining whether it was prac- ticable to build such a road up the John Day valley, thence over to the headwaters of the Malheur and down that river to the Snake. Wallen met no predatory bands of Indians, and for a good reason. They had eluded him, and when safely in his rear had Swooped down upon the Warm Springs reservation, driving 380 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES away cattle belonging to friendly Indians. The result was a call upon Harney for forces to protect the reservation, to which that gen- eral replied by sending rifles and ammunition. Acting upon this hint, the agent in charge or- ganized a comipany of reservation redskins, ~which, under command of Dr. Thomas L. Fitch, marched up the John Day in hope of re- covering the stolen property. They killed a number of braves, took their women and chil- dren prisoners, and secured a few horses, but the immunity purchased by this victory was short-lived. A few months later the Snake In- dians again raided the reservation, killing a number ai women and children, scaring the whites out of the country and destroying thou- sands of dollars worth of property. Meanwhile Wallen pushed his explorations as far as the Harney valley. He proved of in- estimable service to the large immigration of 1859, only one company of which was attacked by Indians. In the spring of i860 Harney sent Major E. Stein into the region, for the purpose, among other things, of continuing the explora- tion of the Salt Lake road from the point where Wallen left it onward. This expedition and another sent in company with it under Captain A. J. Smith were resisted by the Indians, so that reinforcements became necessary. When these arrived Stein marched southward to what is now known as Stein mountain!, and sur- prised a small band of Indians there, who' fled to the top of the butte. Stein pursued with all his forces over the crest of the mountain and down the opposite slope. The descent was through a narrow and dangerous canyon, but fortune favored the command and it escaped with the loss of a single mule. In September Colonel Wright, who had succeeded Harney to the command of the de- partment O'f Oregon, reported to headquarters that the routes, of immigration had been ren- dered safe by the operation of the troops. Even before he made this statement, however, the horrible Snake river massacre, the details of which are most shocking, had transpired, and soon accounts of it came in, effectually contradicting his report. Such was the condition of things in south- eastern Oregon at the close of the year i860. Certainly but poor protection was offered to the miner, the prospector or the agriculturist who might wish to* seek his fortune in this region. Yet no danger can deter the hardy searcher after gold from going wherever he thinks him- self likely to find the precious metal, and even while the country was closed to miners by mili- tary orders, parties of men ventured intoi its bounds prospecting for mineral deposits. The adventures of one of these parties have been narrated at some length in a previous chapter and the foundation of the Auburn camp and of Baker county detailed. We saw that when the expedition which set out from Portland in the fall of 1 86 1 in search of the Blue Bucket diggings was ready to return home it resolved itself into two parties, one of which set out through the John Day country, intending to return over the Barlow trail. In answer to a request by the 'writer for information con- cerning this party, D. S. Littlefield, of Baker City, stated that about the 18th of October fouteen men started back from Burnt river by this route, intending to go to Portland or The Dalles, and that the next day five more left. Of the men who' constituted this party Mr. Li- tlefield remembers the names of three, Wood- ward, Bennet and Lewis, the first named being the captain of the company. The next spring he was informed by Bennet and Lewis, who came over to where he was mining in Griffin's gulch, that this party discovered gold on the north fork of the John Day five or six days after they separated from their companions. They staked out claims for all; then Wood- ward and most of the comipany went on to get a supply of provisions, leaving Lewis and Ben- net at the claims. These remained upon the river as long as they could but they awaited HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 381 in vain the return of Woodward. At length their larder became dangerously lean, and they Were compelled to strike out for (civilization. Upon reaching The Dalles^ they found that Woodward had been killed by Indians while on, his way to Portland. Whatever may have been the merits of the mines discovered by these men, they had little effect upon the his- tory of the county, and the discovery which resulted in the settlement of the region was of a somewhat later date. The earliest settlers on Canyon creek had noi knowledge oif this disr- covery, were not induced into the country by it, but were on their way to the Idaho mines when the fortunate find was made which caused them to pause and eventually to give up their design of going on to Florence. Evidently the first company of gold seekers to reach the site of the present Canyon City arrived on the 8th of June, 1862. William C. Allred, one of the party, states that to his knowledge two or three companies had started ahead of his for the Florence mines, but of their subsequent operations he knows nothing. They must have traveled by some other route, for his company saw no signs of a previous visitation to' Canyon creek, and had to make their own trail. They reached the headwaters of this noteworthy stream about the first of June, and about midday on the 8th pitched camp on Little Pine creek, just below the spot on which Marysville now stands, having left Canyon creek at the western foot of Canyon mountain. "When we pitched camp," says Mr. Allred, "the understanding was that we were not to move until the next morning, so 1 several of us took our pans and started off to> do some prospecting. I concluded to> try the creek we had just descended, so headed my horse westward and soon found myself on the banks of a rushing, roaring stream. At that time the bottom 1 of the canyon was covered with a heavy growth of brush and grass. The most likely place (now known as Hog Point) to try a prospect was across the stream, so leaving my pan and all needless articles on this side I plunged in, and after quite a struggle reached the other bank. Then I found I had forgotten my handkerchief, in which I pur- posed to tie up some dirt and gravel. There- was nothing else to do but to. press my under- wear into service, so taking off my drawers I constructed a receptacle out of themi, filled it with gravel and returned to the other bank. The result of a few minutes panning was per- haps very nearly four dollars in gold. I hastily mounted my horse and rode for camp to* tell the boys what I had found. Imagine my sur- prise and anger to find that during my ab- sence the company had decided to move on,, and had left me. I came up with them on the flat just below the present Prairie Diggings, and reported my find. But it was no use. They were bound for Florence, and to Flor- ence they would go, soi there was nothing for me 101 do but accompany them. "When we reached the John Day river it was so high and swift that we could not ford it. Of course that meant the building of a bridge, so we prepared for a few days' stay. We found a good place to build a bridge just below where the present bridge stands, and set to work with a will to build a rude structure. Macgruder's party was close on our heels, and came up the next day after we arrived. It was here that I became acquainted with this noted leader through an adventure that nearly cost us both our lives. I was down on the river doing some work when he came along and inquired if I thought it would be safe to> cross. 'No,' said I, 'it's too deep and the cur- rent too< strong*. Besides., you notice that the bank overlies the water, and if you were once caught in a current and carried under one of those banks you could not save yourself.' He listened to what I said, but announced his in- tention to try it, anyway, and it was no. use to argue with him. Where I failed, however, his horse won, for the animal refused to enter the water. Time after time Macgruder urged 382 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES him to, but not a step would the animal take. So- Macgruder got mad, and riding- back a few rods, dug in Lis spurs and whipped the horse into a run, thinking he would force hirn to take the water. "Just as I expected, the horse stopped short right on the tn}ge of the river, sending Mac- gruder sprawling over his head into the water. Maegrudei" wore heavy spurs, and in some way they caught in the reins, thus holding him feet uppermost,- and strangling him. Hie struggled frantically, but without avail. I ran to his aid, and climbing out on the horse, which was so- frightened it could hardly move, grasped the bridle to pull it off and disentangle it fromi Mac- gruder. Just then the horse reared, throwing me into the water. Then Macgruder, strang- ling and excited, clutched me and began to try to climb up, just as drowning men da He pulled me down, fighting like a mad man, and to save myself I struck him, a blow, causing him to loose his hold, after which I took him by the hair and held him away from me. By this time we had drifted out into the stream, and were being whirled rapidly away under one of those overhanging banks, when I managed to grasp- a willow and hold on, yelling all the time for help. Some of the men hurried to- the scene, and, throwing us ropes and poles, hauled us out. Macgruder refused to take hold of anything but me, and more dead than alive, we finally reached the shore. It was some time before either of us were in a fit con- dition to- work. "Well, we crossed a few days later on the bridge we had built, and proceeded on across the Dixie and Burnt river ranges, in due course of time sighting Auburn. When we crossed down into the Powder River Valley several of us determined to proceed no further, having heard discouraging reports of the Idaho mines, and here twenty-six of us left the main com- pany. Of this number eighteen, including myself, elected to return to where I had panned so well in the John Day country. We stayed at Auburn, which was then a thriving, bust- ling camp, only long enough to' secure more supplies, and then struck westward over the o-ld trail. Arriving at Canyon City, July 3d, we found a camp of several hundred men, and the creek bed down to the John Day taken up as claims. At Prairie Diggings we met a party of eighteen men bound for the Idaho mines, but upon hearing from- our company that the outlook at Florence was discouraging, they voted to proceed no further. This was the beginning of the Prairie Diggings- camp, for they found gold, organized a company and stayed there." But during Mr. Allred's absence from Can- yon creek important developments were taking place. The next day after the departure of his company another party of California min- ers came through en route to Auburn and Ida- ho. They camped on the banks of the creek, and some of their number suggested the idea of prospecting for color. The result was that on what afterwards became known as Whisky flat a good prospect was- obtained, so good, indeed, that the idea of proceeding further on their journey was given up.- During the next few days the banks of Canyon creek were pros- pected energetically, and soon the -entire creek bottom to the confluence o-f the stream with the John Day river was divided into- mining claims. The same causes: which brought the parties of which we have spoken into the valley were still operative to bring others here. Indeed the spring of 1862 was a season of migrations among the California miners, nomadic as were their habits, and ever ready as they were to take uo the line of march whenever a promis- ing discovery was made. David Deitz says that on the road that spring the traveler could look away ahead of his train and see other trains winding up the hillsides like huge serr pents, and looking backward could see yet oth- ers far in his wake. Most of these emigrants were satisfied wiih the prospects in Canyon HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 383 creek and remained, so that before many months the place had a numerous, population. By the first of July there were probably three hundred people operating between the site of the present Canyon City and the junction of tht creek with the John Day river. Of course some regulations had to be made for the government of the colony, especially in relation to the different mining claims, and on July 3d the miners convened for the pur- pose of drafting a code of laws. The regula- tions adopted were much the same as those which were in vogue in the mining districts of California. George Woodburn was elected recorder of claims. He had distinguished him- self in California as a legislator, and is cred- ited with having made a map of eastern Ore- gon and Idaho remarkable for its approximate accuracy. H. C. Paige had been spoken of for the position, but declined, as he thought Woodburn the proper man. Mr. Paige, who served as secretary of this meeting, tells us that he was also secretary of a similar assem- bly which convened on Pine creek some time previous. The 'laws drafted at the meeting were written out in extenso and copies posted in conspicuous places on Canyon creek, Little and Big Pine creeks. So busy were the miners in taking out the gold that they did not spend time to build houses at first, but lived all summer in tents. The first house in the district was erected by Tim Whiting & Company on Rebel Hill, in the early fall of 1862, the material used in its construction being cotton wood logs. It was later torn down to make room for a better building. There is no disputing the fact that the Can- yon creek placer mines were very rich, cer- tainly among the richest that have ever been discovered on the Pacific coast, and if the best machinery could have been' brought into opera- tion all at once, fabulous fortunes would have been made in a day. Even with the crude methods in vogue, large returns were secured for labor, and unlimited prosperity prevailed. Those who know of the convivial disposi- tion of the California miner need not be told that the institutions which win lucre by taking advantage of the social instincts in our nature were soon on the spot. The saloon was here before gold had been discovered many days, and with it came the gambler, with his deck of cards, ready to try his skill with any poor son of toil who might be willing to "take a hand." Deprived of the restraining influences of the home, the church and settled institu- tions, and with little of the elevating and puri- fying atmosphere which refined, virtuous women take with them wherever they go, many a youth strayed from the path of purity and rectitude, who might under more favorable cir- cumstances have always remained a light in his community. It must be remembered, how- ever, that it is not the miners who give any new camp the name of being a rough, lawless place. Labor itself has its own purifying and restraining influence. The toiler may be pas- sionate and have in his blood the fire which may betray him' into some crime of violence or impel him to> lapses from the highest moral- ity. His passion for the pleasures of society, failing to find pure sources of gratification, may impel his footsteps into forbidden paths; but the toiler is seldom a criminal at heart, or a moral leper, and his failings are chargeable to the force of environment, rather than to a firmly rooted disposition to do wrong. It is. that despicable class that flock to the frontier because they cannot thrive in a land where laws are established and enforced, who give the mining camps a bad name. It is that equally reprehensible class, who, too indolent to seize legitimate opportunities for themselves 1 , prey like parasites upon the industry of others, who bring reproach upon mining communities ; and Canyon City had an abundant supply of both. ! 384 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Some of these men were killed in quarrels with each other, but when a bad man met a violent death nobody attempted to bring the slayer to justice. One gambler whose fate is frequently spoken of by old residents was Dan La Follett, better known by the sobriquet of Black Dan. He is described by HI C. Paige as having been a tall, handsome fellow, about thirty years of age, probably a member of an excellent family in the east. "The last time I saw him alive," says Paige, "he was stand- ing in front of Marchand's saloon on a beauti- ful evening about sundown. I had a ten-cent piece, a rare coin in those days, too small in value for any use, as nothing less than twenty- five cents would purchase anything. Seeing a small crack in a post to; the awning, I placed the money in it and remarked to Dan, 'I won- der if anyone will dig that out.' Having busi- ness, I went away, and in a few minutes heard a shot." Dan was not killed instantly, but knew him- self to be mortally wounded, He was laid out on a table in a saloon, there to repose until summoned to the "undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns." To be- guile the last weary moments of his earthly pilgrimage he had the women of his acquaint- ance called in, and they sang songs and poured whisky down his and their own throats until the spark of his unprofitable life was quite ex- tinguished. Meanwhile a man had been sent to' dig a grave for Dan, for it was thought proper to give him a decent burial. The task was not an easy one, as the grave had to be dug in hard cement, but at. last it was accomplished. Un- fortunately, however, for the plans of the funeral managers, another man had been shot in the night, and his body, too, must be laid to rest. A character known as Sailor Jack was selected to dig a grave for the second victim. Jack found the grave already dug for Dan, hastened back after the body for which he was preparing a sepulchre, got it in the grave, oth- ers assisting, of course, hastily lowered it to the bottom, and returned to Ganyon City. In the language of the miner's, Dan's grave was "jumped," and the gamblers who had his body in charge were forced to dig another one for him;. But though little attention was paid to shooting scrapes over card games and the like, miners were always determined that cold-blood- ed murderers should be made to: pay the pen- alty of their crimes. As Mr. Hiatt says, the most determined mobs which ever' undertook to' perform' acts contrary to law were composed of California miners'. Nevertheless, there seems to have been noi lynchings if we except the execution of Berry Wey during the early days in Grant county, consequently mistakes costing innocent men their lives 1 (an almost certain accompaniment of mob rule) have never darkened the earlier history of the county. M. Paige tells a strange incident in which a camp of Californians came near making a seri- ous mistake of this kind. He says that while traveling into the John Day country from Au- burn he lost his partner, George Wilcox, some- where along the trail, owing to the fact that Wilcox would stop and talk to every man he met. Paige continued his journey alone, and soon his troubles commenced. The John Day river had to be crossed. "I made several at- tempts," says he, "to cross by fording, 'but it was too deep and rapid. I wanted to keep my clothes dry and save the pick, pan and shovel. At last I made it, ten miles below, but got wet. Night was coming on. I saw smoke; thought it was an Indian camp. Indians or no In- dians, I was- bound to go to that camp, as a very cold wind was blowing; so hungry and wet, I started to the camp. I had been in wild Indian camps alone many times before with safety, therefore felt that I could take another chance. As god luck would have it, it proved to be a party from California, and by me they were posted of the locality they were in. I HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 385 lay down. A little way off all had got to- gether but two, who remained with me. I thought nothing of it at the time. I slept between two men, Wallace and Kitchen, from whom I learned at a later date that the meet- ing they held was for the purpose of discuss- ing about hanging me, believing I had mur- dered my partner and was trying to get away. Only for the pick, shovel and pan, I might have lost my life, but they reasoned no man would commit a crime and pack those tools, without food." The story illustrates how liable to error is a company of men disposed to take the reins of justice into their own hands. Yet resort toi lynching, dangerous and demoralizing though it is, cannot well be avoided in new communities where crime is rife, and legally constituted courts lacking, or so' far distant as to preclude the' probability if not the possi- bility of the law's being enforced. The Grant county miners had no' occasion to deal with a murderer of the deepest dye until the early spring of 1863. Then, however, a crime was committed of a very atrocious nature. It ap- pears that Berry Wey and a man named Gal- lagher were traveling together with pack ani- mals between Canyon City and The Dalles. While camped somewhere between Currant creek and Antelope valley, about eighty miles this side of the latter point, Wey, as is sup- posed, killed his partner, and dragging the body of his victim to a wide-spreading juniper tree, secreted it there, covering it with a few boughs. He then continued on his way to The Dalles with his murdered companion's money and mules. He purchased goods, loaded the mules and returned to Canyon City, where he made the statement, on being ques- tioned regarding Gallagher, that his former partner had sold him his mules and had gone to Portland over the Barlow road. Unfortu- nately for Wey, however, some persons travel- ing toward Canyon City discovered the body in its hiding place. Wey was arrested, but 25 escaped from his guard and struck out over the mountains. He was followed to. Boise City, captured and brought back to Canyon. Upon arriving there, he was forcibly taken by a com- mittee of citizens from the custody of Frank McDaniels, the deputy sheriff in charge. They purposed to hang him immediately, without ceremony, and this would doubtless have been done were it not for the efforts of Ike Hare, who is described as being a, bold, fearless man, and a fine speaker. He had served as an of- ficer in the Mexican war, and later in the legis- lative halls of California, Hare mounted a pile of Avhip-sawed lumber and made an elo- quent plea for calmness and prudence, advis- ing that the man be kept till the next day, then given a "fair and impartial trial." "Yes, gen- tlemen," said he, "we will give hirm a fair and impartial trial. We know him to- be guilty,, and we will hang him, anyway." Next day a jury of twelve men was select- ed, counsel was furnished the prisoner and a trial in somewhat resembling leg-al form was. had. He was convicted and the clay follow- ing was taken outside the town and hanged. The sentence was considered a just one, and' his executioners were never questioned by the law on account of their acts. It is related that after Wey's escape from his custodians, an express rider named Van Tichner related the circumstance to the people of Auburn. They were so incensed that when, a few days later, McDaniels came through their town following the trail of the murderer, they were ready to hang him. A strong plea kept the mob from' carrying their threats into execution. McDaniels proceeded on his jour- ney and soon had his man. The deputy sher- iff was so angry at Van Tichner for causing him' this trouble that he threatened to kill the expressman on sight. He probably had no intention of doing so-, but in time they met ; Van Tichner got the drop on his adversary, and McDaniels fell at the first fire. Throughout the whole of the year 1862 386 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES mien were pouring into Grant county from dif- ferent parts of the west. Many who failed to find what they were looking for in the Auburn camp or elsewhere in what is now Baker coun- ty came to the John Day valley, and hundreds of prospectors fresh from California, as well asi others disappointed in the Idaho mines, were searching for gold in all the creek bottoms and gulches. The Canyon creek camp was far more important than any other in Grant coun- ty, and Canyon City early became a populous, thriving town. During the first few years the banks of the stream from Whisky gulch to the John Day river were covered with shacks and tents. What is now the town of John Day was called lower town and Canyon City, upper town, but while the houses: were not ar- ranged in any order there was practically only one community, and that extended over an area more than two miles long. The discovery of gold on little Pine creek led to' the settlement of Marysville, which in 1862 had perhaps two hundred and fifty or three hundred inhabitants. The Prairie Diggings camp, as before stated, was discovered by a party of eighteen Cali- fornians, mostly of German descent, who pros- pected there early in 1862, while en route to Florence, finding some gold, but not enough to cause a permanent halt in their march. On being met by Allred's return party, as hereto- fore related, and informed of the discouraging reports from Florence, they determined to: re- turn and prospect the region more thoroughly. They soon found fair prospects and located eighteen claims. Among the original discov- erers of the camp were George Robinson, Bar Smith, A. Lytle, W. Stone and Neil McNulty. Immediately afterward, F. C. Sels, E. J. W. Stemme and three others took six adjoining claims, and a little later several more locations were m-ade, so that the camp soon numbered between thirty and forty men. The original discoverers at once pooled their interests into a joint stock company and began constructing a ditch from a creek, some two: miles distant. The ditch was completed early in the summer, and carried about three hundred miner's inch- es. What water the incorporators could not use was sold to individual claim owners, who thus procured enough water to keep them busy about four hours each day. The same year (1862) another and much larger ditch was constructed by Marysville and Canyon City miners, conveying some eight hundred inches of water from Indian and Big Pine creeks. This canal was twelve miles long. It belonged to a co-operative miners' company, unincorporated, and in it water rights were secured by the Prairie Diggings miners. At present this ditch and the smaller one are both controlled by the Hioosier Boy Mines Company, and are used toi furnish water power for their stamp mills and hydraulics. It has been estimated that the eighteen original owners of the Prairie Diggings cleared $10,000 each during the first year of their operations, and miany hundreds of thousands have been garnered from this natural thesaurus of wealth by the numerous companies which have since owned them:. The first ditch constructed by the Canyon creek miners was known as the Rawhide ditch, because the flumes were built of rawhide, on account of the lack of lumber in the community at the time. The ditch took its water out of Canyon creek, near where the courthouse now stands, and conveyed it about a mile down the west side. Eli Lester and A. P. Riley were its principal owners. It was a very small ditch, its capacity being about two hundred inches, and it was abandoned entirely after having been used a year or two. It did not long ante- date the Lone Star ditch, put in by a small party of Texans. It took its waters out of the creek, tapping that stream about a mile above Canyon City. By the close of the year 1862 it was one mile long, and the next year was continued to Blue gulch. For some time the HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 387 Lone Star was. the principal ditch of the Can- yon district and it was used more or less until some nine or ten years ago. The Humboldt ditch was also begun in 1862. It was so named from, the fact that its first owners came from Humboldt county, in California. Like the Lone Star, it was a public ditch, and water could be obtained from it for fifty cents per inch per day of twelve hours. The work on this ditch was done largely by miners owning property under it, who received their pay in water. The ditch is still in use, though it has long since passed out of the ownership of the Sproul Brothers and Kaiser, its original proprietors!. It occu- pies, a position on the hillside far above the old Lone Star, so that a breakage anywhere in it was sure to cause like damage to the other ditch, doubling the expense of making repairs. To remedy this, the Humboldt purchased the Lone Star five or six years ago, since which time the latter ditch has remained unused and neglected. During the early days perhaps nobody in the county had any idea of permanently set- tling here. The miners purposed to get all the money they could in a fewi years, then re- turn to the lands whence they came, to> enjoy their speedily acquired wealth. Judging by the latitude and the altitude of the place, it was thought that the climate must be very cold, too cold to be endured with any comfort dur- ing the winter months. This belief was fos- tered also by the unusually cold, backward spring of 1862, following, as it did, a winter of extreme severity. Agriculture they consid- ered out of the question entirely, and notwith- standing the abundance of luxuriant bunch- grass covering each hill from base to crest and spreading out profusely over the valleys, even Oregonians thought that stockraising could never be profitably engaged in, owing to the supposed length and severity of the winters. Provisions of all kinds, including potatoes and other vegetables, had to be imported from with- out, and as freight from The Dalles was 16 to 24 cents per pound, it may be imagined that the price of living was high. The enormous profits to be reaped from the raising of vege- tables, should experiments in that direction prove successful, early induced a few men to plant small patches of potatoes and garden vegetables. Mr. Overholt says that for some unknown reason all the first horticultural ex- periments failed utterly, confirming the general impression that the country was worthless for agriculture. It may be that the planting was done too early. Nevertheless, potatoes were successfully raised during the early 'sixties, for John Herburger states that he got a fine crop at a very early date. He offered them for sale at twenty-five cents a pound, and they were purchased with such avidity that he was forced to limit the sale to any one man to four pounds, so that all might enjoy the taste of the un- wonted luxury. He says that not infrequently he got a dollar for four potatoes, a fact which shows that the soil was capable of giving gen- erous proportions to its products. The suc- cess of Mr. Herburger and the few early ex- perimenters encouraged others toi try, and so agriculture in the John Day valley got its start. The same causes induced the importation of a few cattle and horses, giving inception to the stock industry. The first homesteads were taken by B. C. Trowbridge and William, Wilson, on the 16th day of July, 1862. They were situated in the John Day valley, on the apposite side of the river from the miouth of Canyon creek, and were held originally by their locators, in partnership. At first all lumber used in the construction of flumes and sluices had to be whipsawed. As it sold for three hundred dollars per thous- and, an excellent opening was presented to the lumberman, and perceiving this, Sanborn & Roy brought in a little sawmill in the fall of 1862, setting it up on Big Pine creek. It had a capacity of between one thousand and fifteen hundred feet per day. A little later a mill 388 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES was established on Canyon creek above Can- yon City, by a man named Penfield, and the necessity of producing the lumber supply of the colony by the laborious whipsaw method was obviated. When fall came many of the miners wished to return to their homes for fresh supplies o>f provisions, and perhaps, too, because they feared the severity of the coming winter. A miners' meeting was therefore called at which it was decided by common consent that claims should be respected until June 15, 1863, though no work should be done on them 1 between the time of the meeting and that date. Just how many people there were in; Grant county in the fall of 1862 we have no means; of determining, but conservative men estimate the number at between four and five thousand. Of course, these men could not bring with them provisions enough to; last for any con- siderable length of time, so' a base of supplies had to be sought somewhere. Mr. Hiatt tells us that at the Auburn camp there were a great many discouraged and disappointed men who were willing to sell their outfits and provis- ions for almost any figure and get out of the country, and the same may have been true to a less extent in the John Day mining region. But though the circumstances might lessen the demand for tools and provisions somewhat, a sure base of supplies must be found, and the miners, though they knew not their exact ge- ographical position at first, were sufficiently cognizant of their whereabouts toi look toward The Dalles as their nearest supply point. The first pack train to enter the John Day valley was brought from The Dalles by J. J. Cozart and D. N. Luce. It had started for the Sal- mon river country, but turned aside to Canyon creek, on account of the reports of miners met en route. It arrived some time in July or Au- gust, and from its packs the first two stares in Canyon City obtained their stocks of goods, which were duly installed upon shelves shel- tered by canvas tents. Later, J. W. Case and a Frenchman named Wadleigh brought in packs of goods. Nevertheless, provisions were not plentiful in the fall of 1862. The business of packing provisions into the mining camps on mules was a very lucra- tive one, and many were engaged in it during the first few years, notwithstanding the terri- ble gauntlet of highwaymen and Indians which had to be run by the freighters and packers. To; accomodate these adventurous knights of primeval transportation, and at the same time to draw trade to their little city, public-spirited merchants of The Dalles had the old trail ma- terially improved. Indeed the first men who went through from 1 Canyon City to The Dalles after provisions were a company made up of two or three members from 1 each party of Cali- fornians. They followed the route which looked easiest, guided only by the contour of the country and such inaccurate traders' maps as they possessed. On their return journey they were enabled to make several cut-offs, but the trail they made was far from' the best that could be found. To facilitate transportation the citizens of The Dalles straightened out and improved this primitive highway, putting a new bridge across the DesChutes river many miles above the old one. At a later date a company was formed, known as The Dalles Military Road Company, which obtained a grant of land from 1 the general government to remunerate it for building a military highway from. The Dalles to Fort Boise. A fair road was built, over which, for many years, vast amounts of freight were: conveyed by pack train and wagon. "For several miles south of Upper Currant creek, and west of a small stream called the Muddy, which comes fromi the soiith and strikes Currant creek at right angles, is a large scope of country of peculiar formation," says an Oregonian correspondent, writing in 1886. "The appearance of this locality can best be understood by the name 'Potato Hills.' given to it by the first travelers along the route. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 389 These small grassy knolls were clustered thick- ly over the expanse, interspersed with scrubby pines and clusters of service berry, wild plum and greasewood bushes. These potato hills increase in size, elevation and ruggedness to the east, a distance of nearly five miles, till the little stream of Muddy is reached, when the hills give place to bluffs of shelving and scale rocks. "In this locality the Snake Indians made their principal attacks upon trains and trav- elers in 1862, though the whole distance from this place to Canyon City was subject to their attacks. Down this creek filed a pack train belonging to a man named Nelson, who> was on his return from The Dalles with a load of goods. Along the creek were numerous clus- ters of wild currant bushes, from 1 which the creek received its name, affording excellent shelter for the skulking Indians. The packers were gaily, or otherwise, urging their mules along the gravelly path, and had possibly for- gotten that the locality was a dangerous one. "The train was strung out down the nar- row trail, the bell-mare and rider far in the lead. An abrupt, though low, ledge of scale rocks was a few rods to the left of the trail, the creek ^witb its skirting of current bushes close to the right ; the packers were busy 'fix- ing' the packs, and the riding animals were loose on the trail. Suddenly the rider of the bell mare shouted 'Indians !' to those behind, and, clapping spurs to his horse, clattered off down the trail at a keen run. Out from the currant bushes, down from the ledge of rocks, poured the Indians. Some tried to catch the mules, others opened fire with bows and ar- rows and guns upon the packers, who left their work and hurriedly mounted saddled mules and scampered back ; on the trail to the rear. The Indians were too numerous to 1 be successfully contended with by the train ; two men, armed only with revolvers, could not reasonably hope to cope with fifty or more Indians, all armed, many of them with rifles. The music of the fleeing bell, far in the front, could not be heard, and when the two men had retired to a safe distance; they stopped on an elevation and surveyed the savage horde below, in earn- est chase of the fleeing mules. The men all escaped unhurt, but the mules and cargo were lost." The above incident is only one of a very great number in which Indians: robbed pack trains during the early days, sometimes getting the mules without killing their o ! wners, but taking human life whenever they could. The road was alsoi infested in some places with highwaymen, or "road agents," as they styled themselves. These were as unrelenting as the Indians, and almost as much to be feared. They usually accomplished their object with- out bloodshed, being able to secrete themselves so> as tO' take their victims wholly by surprise, but when resistance was offered they failed not to< use their weapons with deadly effect. The Indians were also very troublesome on 1 the road entering Canyon from the south, but the "road agents" confined their operations mostly to the northern route. Not alone were the routes of travel infested by the thievish and murderous redskins, but the country contiguous to the mines was also overrun by the same scourge. The 1 Indians did not attack the miners in the towns, but con- tented themselves with hanging around the outskirts and picking up any horses or mules they might find insufficiently guarded, or mur- dering small companies of prospectors. The residents of Marysville and Canyon creek were accustomed to hire herders to< range their horses on the hills during the day time and put them in a large corral at night. On at least one occasion the Indians made a desperate ef- fort to raid this corral at night, but failed. Late in the fall of 1862 a company of five men were prospecting up the South Fork of the John Day river on a stream since known as Murderer's creek. They made their camp under a projecting rock near the brook, and 390 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES not far from. 1 the road over the Blue mountains. The road was rather infrequently traveled by wagons or pack trains, and as the men knew this, and had seen no signs of Indians, they be- lieved themselves absolutely safe. One even- ing they retired, as usual, to their beds under the rock, and lay there conversing and smok- ing. Suddenly, about dusk, the sharp' crack of four rifles broke upon their ears, and simul- taneously a flight of arrows came from the neighboring rocks, some of which found lodge- ment in the bodies of the unfortunate men. One of the miners was killed outright, and all the others 1 were wounded. TV0 1 struggled to the creek and down its shore half a mile, when one of them could go no farther, having been mortally wounded by a rifle ball. He lay down in a cluster of bushes close to the stream' and died. His companion pushed on to Of- ficer's ranch, where he also passed away the next day, after a night of great agony. The following summer a party of emi- grants, with whom was G. I. Hazeltine, were camped near the place where the first victim died. While two of the girls belonging to the party were wandering along the creek one of them 1 found a gold watch near 1 a cluster of bushes. Upon further search they discovered the skeleton of a man, undoubtedly the re- mains of the murdered miner. The two other members of this ill-starred prospecting party escaped from their covert under the rocks to a thicket of brush a short distance away, where they .paused, that the wounds of the younger man might be bandaged. It was found that he had re- ceived a very severe wound in his side, from a rifle ball, also two> less serious wounds from arrows. His companion, a man quite far ad- vanced in life, was but slightly injured by an arrow, and considered himself most fortunate in escaping so well, but time proved that the arrow inflicting the apparently trifling wound had been poisoned. When the younger man had been made as comfortable as possible, the two> climbed painfully over the high bluffs on the east side of the South Fork, hoping to make their way to Canyon City. They were afraid to take the trail along the main river, lest the Indians should again attack them, so kept on over the rough, gorge-cut country as best they might. The death of the younger man seemed unavoidable, so he finally prevailed upon his aged companion to leave him and try to save his own life. The old man eventually reached Canyon City, but the poison, had permeated his system so completely that he could not live. Meanwhile his deserted companion strug- gled slowly onward, stopping at all convenient places to bathe his wounds. He, too:, at last reached the town. By careful nursing he re- covered sufficiently, after a few months' con- finement, to go about again, though he never regained his former vigorous health. Some time during the year 1864 a man named Middlesworth left his pack train half a mile outside Canyon City and himself came into town to spend a few hours. While he was gone the Indians stampeded the mules, run- ning them over the mountains and intoi Harney valley. Mr. Middlesworth raised a company of mien and set out in an attempt to recover his property. In due time he came upon them in the valley, but his force was so badly out- numbered by Indians that he considered it tin- wise to make an attack. During the same fall an attempt was made by Indians to, drive away some horses that were feeding on the hills near Canyon City. They were opposed by a superior force of white men and driven back, leaving one of their num- ber apparenty dead. His only wound, how- ever, was found to consist of a broken leg. His captors brought him into town, and when he had sufficiently recovered to' endure the op- eration, his limb was removed. Mr. Onsley, the physician of the town, was without a supply of surgical instruments, but succeeded in am- putating the wounded member with a knife and a butcher's saw. Chloroform was also lack- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 391 ing, but the stolidity and stoicism of the say- age were equal to the occasion. After recov- ery he traversed the streets at will on crutches, living off the bounty of the mien he tried to rob, and apparently enjoying his new environ- ment. For several months he remained in civi- lized society, but the promptings of his savage nature at last impelled him' back to the wilder- ness. It is said that someone gave him' an old horse to get rid of him. During this and the two or three years suc- ceeding, roving bands infested the stage and immigrant roads, thieving and murdering, ter- rorizing small settlements and infusing into' the everyday life of the miner, the rancher and the traveler an element of unrest and anxiety that was almost unendurable. The details of these raids are not only intensely interesting as sto- ries, but they show the conditions under which life was sustained during this period of the country's history. Stages over the various routes suffered a great deal from' Indian at- tacks and travelers never risked their lives on journeys without being well prepared for de- fense. An interesting story is told of an attack by the Indians on the Canyon City-Dalles stage, as follows : H. H. Wheeler, for whom Wheeler county is named, came to The Dalles in 1863 with considerable money realized in the lumber busi- ness in California. With this capital he es- tablished the first mail and stage line from The Dalles to Canyon City. Commencing in 1864. he took the mail contract for four years, at $12,000 per annum. He ran four-horse coaches, and had eight changes of horses on the route. The coaches held eleven passen- gers, and the fare was $40 from The Dalles to Canyon City. Besides, Mr. Wheeler had a contract to carry all of Wells, Fargo & Com- pany's express, mostly gold from the famous Canyon City mines. It was a paying business., but the risks were great. In the fall of 1866 a band of Indians at- tacked the stage, on which were Mr. Wheeler and Wells, Fargo & Company's messenger, Hi C. Paige, about three miles above where the town of Mitchell now is, then in Wasco, now in Wheeler county. The Indians had rifles and commanded the driver to stop, which he did. Paige at once opened fire on the Indians, but without effect. Then a big buck on the hillside shot Mr. Wheeler through the face, the bullet passing through both cheeks, taking the upper gum and teeth away, besides a piece of jaw bone. He hung his whip on the brake, jumped off the stage and unhitched one of the leaders, while Paige unhitched the other. Each then mounted a horse and rode at full speed by to C. W. Myer's station, on Bridge creek, a distance of about six miles. Some of the redskins followed them 1 , while the re- mainder stayed to plunder the stage. About half way to' the station Paige's horse threw him. (Neither horse was broken to ride), and while he held the Indians at bay with his rifle Wheeler caught the horse and helped him (Paige) to; mount again. The Indians con- tinued shooting from a distance, but the pur- sued suffered no further injury. Balked of their human prey, the entire band turned their attention to the stage and its contents. They cut open the mail bags and cut the top off the coach, broke open the express box and took everything they thought of value. Fortunate- ly for the express company, the Indians had never seen paper money, and threw $10,000 in greenbacks contemptuously to one side, which Paige picked upi two^ hours afterward, when he returned to the spot with a posse of armed men. The Indians had by this time fled, so had the wheel horses. Two days after- ward Mr. Wheeler went down on the stage to The Dalles to have his mouth treated. Dur- ing the time Mr. Wheeler was running the stage line the Indians stole eighty-nine head of horses, for which he has had a claim of $20,000 pending before the government for twenty years. Howard Maupin was a pioneer of 1864, 392 HISTORY OF EAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES who settled in Antelope valley, on the Canyon City road. When he came here with his fam- ily and stock the Piute Indians held undis- puted sway over all the country south of the road leading from The Dalles to the mines on the John Day river, at Canyon City. These Indians were warlike by instinct, and maraud- ers from necessity ; they knew no: peaceful neighbors ; every stranger was an enemy. From time immemorial a Piute Indian, stand- ing in his realm of sage brush, alkali beds and rim rock canyons, could turn his eyes in no direction but he faced a land where dwelt he- reditary enemies of his tribe. When the whites began to pass through his country as immigrants to western Oregon, or In later years, as gold seekers, the Piutes re- garded them as but a new enemy come to tor- ment them when in strong parties, and proper victims to 1 kill and plunder when venturing in small ones. Such were the environments of Antelope valley, when, lured by its luxuriant grass, which covered an almost unlimited scope of free pasturage, Howard Maupin built his cabin. He was not ignorant of the clanger that men- aced him, for he had spent his youth on the Texan border, and was well schooled in In- dian character, learned in many a bloody con- flict with Comanches and Apaches. He was a man of gigantic proportions, a Hercules in strength, true to his friends and a terror to his enemies. One dark July night, while a gentle driz- zling rain was pattering on his cabin roof, the stampeding and snorting of the horses in the corral awoke Mrs. Maupin. She heard the swish of the lariet, followed by a wild rush of the horses in the corral. From this she knew that the Indians were endeavoring toi steal their horses, and she awakened her husband. How- ard Maupin rushed to the corral ; all was dark, nor sight nor sign of Indians was to be seen or heard, but the horses were greatly excited. He waited and listened for some time, but could not hear footfalls of moecasined Indians. He then returned to the house, put on his clothes and, with gun in hand, started back to the corral. The Indians, on seeing or hearing his first approach, had clambered over the stone wall that formed the enclosure, and squatted in the shadows. During the short time it took Maupin to go to the house and dress, the In- dians made a breach in the wall and drove the horses out. Maupin could hear their hoofs clatter as the Indians drove them up a steep, stony hill. The Indians were not mounted, and as Maupin' s first appearance had balked their attempts to catch horses to ride, they were attempting to- drive off the band afoot, and consequently could not put them 1 at a full run. Maupin, followed by his twelve-year-old son, gave chase, and in a mile came up to the horses. They saw in the darkness an Indian glide behind a rock. Maupin fired at the shadow. It fell, and then seemed to be en- deavoring to crawl off. Another shot made the shadowy phantom lie still. The shots startled the horses-, and to fire more was to put the whole herd to flight. As dark shadows of Indians glided among the horses Maupin had hard work to keep his son from shooting. By daylight he and his son had the horses under control, and drove them back to the corral. After breakfast he and his son went back over the ground again. By the rock where he had shot at the Indian was a great pool of blood and many wads of grass where the wounded Indian's comrades had vainly at- tempted to staunch the blood by plugging the wound with grass. The Indian had died, how- ever, and his companions had carried hint to a stony hillside and covered him with rocks. It was most probably the attention which the In- dians were giving their woimded companion that prevented their killing Maupin and his son and making off with the band 1 of horses. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 393 A short time afterwards the Indians made a successful raid upon Maupinfs horses and drove; off the herd, and it is to recover some- thing from; the United States that his widow is now pressing her claim. Maupin always believed that Paulina, the chief, was responsible for his loss. A year or more afterwards he had an opportunity to avenge his loss, and at the same time rid the country of a murderer and robber who had been the s'eourge of the border. Frank McBean first came into Grant coun- ty in 1863, when miners, dug coarse gold out of Canyon creek by sackfuls. He was there when the mail sacks and pack trains ran the gauntlet of ambush by day and swift attack by night, when packers and express riders were left dead by the wayside and a govern- ment escort was necessary to safe conduct from The Dalles to Canyon City. About 1865 he joined the United States troops stationed at Camp Watson, and followed the savages into the Beaver 1 creek country, where they were overhauled and engaged in a battle, the details of which are not known. However, the prompt measures taken by the miners and sol- diers served to check the hostile raids, and trouble was only intermittent until the murder- ous old chief, Paulina, was killed. In 1870 Mr. McBean engaged in the mail service of the United States, his first contract being to transport military mail once a week from Canyon City to Fort Harney, in which service he gained the distinction of being the first mail carrier to enter what is nowi Harney •county. This route was over sixty-eight miles of mountain road, which was traversed on horseback when possible, and at other times, on snowshoes. For four years he filled this ser- vice, during which his contract was 'extended to carrying general mail from. Canyon City to Camp McDermitt, in Nevada. This service carried him over a route that is unique in the history of the United States mail service in Oregon, for it extended 245 miles south of the initial point, in which distance Fort Harney and Egan, near Burns., were the only post offices supplied. He carried a camping outfit, and wood, water and grass were the only adjuncts necessary to his stopping places. After leaving Harney and Egan the only in- habitants passed were the pioneer cabins of Todhunter & Devine, at Alvord, and at Camp C. F. Smith. In August, 1866, a band of about fifty In- dians raided the Elk creek and Dixie creek re- gions, murdering, firing buildings and steal- ing stock. A temporary camp, named Logan, had been established and garrisoned the previ- ous winter, on the north side of Strawberry Butte, but in the spring the troops, were re- moved, and the country was left practically un- protected from the attack of the savages. This camp was most advantageously located. It guarded the best Indian passes into the John Day valley, and had it been continuously and properly garrisoned settlers in the valley and travelers along the Boise road, from 1 Canyon City to Willow creek, would have been com- paratively safe. But for some unexplained reason, and against the earnest protest of the settlers and miners, the camp was never prop- erly garrisoned, and was eventually abandoned. Camp Watson, established in 1865, was sixty miles from Canyon City, on The Dalles, road, and therefore no reliance could be placed upon its troops in time of danger. For many months the John Day valley was at the mercy of the Indians, and during this time many min- ers were killed and their property stolen, cab- ins were burned, schools in the settlements were abandoned, and business of all kinds was at a standstill. These conditions prevailed, with but little change, until late in the year 1867, when proper consideration was given the demands of the settlers and effectual protec- tion was granted. From 1865 to 1878 was an alternating pe- riod of placer and quartz mining and the devel- opment of the agricultural and horticultural resources of the county. While the richer 394 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES placer twines of Canyon creek had been prac- tically worked out, placer mining near John Day continued into the 'seventies, the work being done by Chinamen on shares. The first quartz mill was established in the summer of 1867, in connection with J. A. Porter & Company's sawmill at Susanville. The mill was an eight-stamp, two-battery mill, with a capacity of between eight and ten tons a day, and was erected by a joint stock com- pany of mining and business men of the county at a cost of about $5,000. John L. Miller was the first manager. The mill was not a success, however, for the reason, that it was poorly con- structed, and the ore was not rich enough. It was operated but very little, and in the early 'seventies was. purchased by Cabal & Roy, and taken to their mine. In the meantime a number of ranches had been taken in the valley, at first for the sole purpose of harvesting hay for stock feeding, and cultivating vegetables for home supplies. The B. C. Trowbridge ranch was taken in 1862. A little later the Belshaw ranch was located twenty-two miles further down the river. D. B. Rinehart was also among the early ranchers.. In the early 'seventies Nich- olas Noble and John 'Paul settled on Long creek. Their old ranch is now known as. the John Randu place. In the south end of the county W. S. Southworth located at Seneca, in 1883. These have been followed by others, until all the arable lands were appropriated. The change fromi stock ranches to farms was gradual, in fact, it has never become radical, as the stock interests in the county have always been so- great, and the facilities for shipping farm products so poor, that there has; been no occasion for the ranchman to> devote himself exclusively to> agricultural pursuits. But the adaptation of the land to agriculture has been thoroughly tested. As early as 1870 there was an overproduction of grain in John Day valley. Much of the surplus found its way over the mountains to Camp Harney. On the Belshaw, Trowbridge and Rinehart places orchards were planted many years ago, and they now produce, in great abundance, fruits of all varieties and of the finest flavor. It may be of interest toi record here the fact that in the early 'sixties oats and barley sold for ten cents per pound, while potatoes brought $20 per hundred pounds. Following the mining industry, the next to receive the attention of the settlers was the stock industry. Until 1882 the stock men dealt chiefly in cattle and horses. In that and the following year over 30,000 head of cattle were driven from 1 the Grant ranges to those of Harney and Malheur counties. Other thous- ands were sold and many cattlemen became sheepmen. Herds: of cattle gave way to flocks of sheep, principally because of a change in the conditions of the ranges. The first sheep for breeding purposes were brought in by Small and Wolfinger in 1867. Because of the care that has been exercised in breeding, and be- cause of the special adaptation of the ranges to the sheep industry, Grant county has always excelled in the production of wool. The Spanish. American and Delaine Merinos are the breeds that have done best here, and Grant county clips are noted for their long fibre, light shrinkage and freedom from cockleburrs and grease. Plorse breeding was one of the early in- dustries, existent with the raising of cattle. For many years .some of the best horses in the state came from the Grant county ranges and ranches. But the industry has degenerated, owing to the fact that it has ceased to be suf- ficiently remunerative. Thousands of horses roam the rang-es now and breed at will, the result being that the most desirable draught horses and roadsters cannot be found here. While there are a few who- are giving special attention to the breeding of blooded stock, the industry has practically lost its importance. A condition of general prosperity prevailed in the late 'sixties. On July 1st, 1869, there HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES ^95 were $1,501.97 in the county treasury. On the main John Day river eighty claims had been taken, 9,064 acres were fenced, 3,608 acres were under cultivation. The largest claims fenced contained 400 and 250 acres respective- ly. Freight rates from The Dalles were from six to ten cents per pound. A comparison of prices prevailing for necessaries in 1869 and in 1888 shows that while in a few instances there was a marked difference, owing to new' freight lines and changes in rates, as a rule supply, demand and cost of transportation have maintained equable relations. Some of the prices in 1869 were as follows: Coffee, 26 cents; kerosene, $1.12 to $1.25; beans, 11 to 14 cents : butter, 45 to 50 cents; eggs, 50 cents; soap, per box, $3 to $3.50. In 1888: Coffee, 25 cents; kerosene, $1.00; beans, 12 to 14 cents; butter, 35 cents; eggs, 50 cents; soap, per box, $3. Greenbacks in 1869 were worth only 72 cents on the dollar. An act passed by Congress in October, 1868, was vastly important in its effect upon the people of Grant county. This was the measure authorizing the construction of The Dalles military road, which ran up the John Day valley, across the divide, and down Wil- low creek and Malheur river, in Malheur coun- ty. By this, act the government and the state of Oregon were defrauded of 600,000 acres of land, including large areas of the best ranges and arable tracts of Grant county. This land is now valued at many million dollars, and set- tlers, instead of being allowed to homestead it, or purchase it from 1 the government at a nomi- nal price, have been compelled to buy it of the Eastern Oregon Land Company, at several dol- lars per acre. This has worked great hard- ship to the settlers of Grant county, and it will be many years before the evils resulting from this land steal will disappear. A complete history of the gigantic fraud is given in an- other chapter. On the evening of December 18, 1872, there was a slight earthquake in .Canyon City and vicinity. It lasted only a few seconds, but during this inconsiderable space of time its ef- fects were distinctly perceptible. Houses were- shaken, glassware, earthenware and tin- ware clinked together in the shelves, swinging lamps oscillated from side to side, and in other ways the activity of the earth was manifested.- The stores were all open, and business men and loungers, noticing the movement of articles over the floor and on the counters; and shelves, and experiencing the sensation of rocking, be- lieved at first that they were victims of halluci- nations. The violence of the disturbance in- creasing, however, and finally culminating in a slight though distinct shock, these beliefs were dispelled, and the true nature of the phenome- non became apparent. A few were badly frightened, but no damage whatever was done. Even before the establishment of schools the influence of the church began to permeate the mining camps and the hastily built settle- ments. When the first sermon was preached, or where, or by whom, in Grant county, his- tory does not say, but one thing is certain, the gold hunter and the Methodist preacher ar- rived on Canyon creek just about the same- time. The first preachers were men who adapted themselves to- the surroundings, work- ing during the week and preaching on Sun- days, thus imitating the example of the great apostle to the Gentiles. Services were held in the open air, in tents and in private houses, and later on, in the school houses, also at the- court house, and in the Good Templars' hall. The first society was organized at Canyon City in 1874, Rev. A. J. Joslyn, pastor, and quite a number of the original members of the class are on the church roll yet. The first M. E. church built in the county was begun at Canyon City by Rev. G. W. Grammis in No- vember, 1876, and pushed to completion im- mediately. Since then three other churches have been erected at the following places : Long Creek, Jobn Day and Prairie City. The churches are well furnished inside- and out- 396 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES side. Evidently the old pioneers intended to do the best they could, and spared no expense to have creditable churches. The seating ca- pacity of each church is about 250, except the one at John Day, that being* smaller. Al- though situated so far from a railroad, the an- nual conference with Bishop Walden held a regular session at the Canyon City church dur- ing the regular pastorate of Rev. l G. W. Gramt- mis nine years ago. The Long Creek church is situated on a hill out and alone from the rest of the buildings. The cyclone of June, 1894, wrenched the building somewhat, but it was built on a rock, and stands firmi, though slightly disfigured. The Prairie City church has more veteran members than the other three combined, and is well attended. The early Methodists did not forget the Sundav school, and Frank I. MeCallum, of John Day. has the books of the first school ever held in the John Day valley. The rec- ords show that a Mr. Dillinger was the first superintendent. The Canyon City Sunday- school has an enviable reputation, and a most serviceable superintendent in the person of Hon. E. S. Penfield, who has been superin- tendent since the school was organized, over twenty years ago. At present the school has a membership of seventy. Each of the four churches has an Epworth League. There have been seventeen pastors on the Canyon City charge since Rev. A. J. Joslyn began in 1874, several attaining more than local celebrity. The Episcopal church was established at Canyon City in 1876, with Dr. Nevius as the rector. A handsome church edifice was erect- ed in the same year. Another of the early Episcopal ministers was Arthur N. Wrixon. The Advents have a society at John Day. For a short time during the summer of 1878 Grant county was greatly disturbed, and intense excitement was created by the sudden appearance of the Indians. When Buffalo Horn announced his intention to lead the Ban- nocks to war, the aid of the Piutes on the Mal- heur reservation was sought and given, and early in June, 1878, the redskins appeared sev- eral hundred strong on Strawberry range, and the mountains east, General Howard pursuing. Here the Bannocks were joined by the Piutes, and followed the range westward, the troops being in close pursuit. No damage was done by the Indians thus far in Grant county. When about twenty miles south of Canyon City, the inhabitants here took to the abandoned tunnels west of town, most of the people taking clothes and other valuables and preparing to stay until the danger was over. Many did stay several days. At Long Creek a stockade and! log fort were built, and into it was taken all stock, goods and the womien and children. The In- dians passed westward, without attempting to molest the inhabitants of Canyon and John Day, and crossed the valley about ten miles below Canyon creek, where they burned sev- eral ranch houses and murdered two sheep- herders, nephews of James Small. While the Indians were passing south of Canyon a scouting party of seven men left the town to watch the Indians' movements. On Murderer's creek, a branch of the south fork, about thirty miles southwest of Canyon City, the scouting party came upon the Indians, and a skirmish' ensued, resulting in a man named Aldrich losing his life instantly and another named Schutz being slightly wounded. The rest of the party, William Burnham, Casey Officer, William Colby, Joseph D. Combs and James Clark, escaped unscathed. From the John Day valley the redskins took a northward course over Fox valley and past- Long creek, going by within sight of the fort, but attempting no hostilities. Then, veer- ing eastward, they passed up Butter creek and attempted a junction with the Umatillas, with the result known to history. Having been dis- persed, the Piutes came back by way of the Dixie range, crossing the John Day valley at its extreme head. The only atrocities known HISTORY Of BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 397 to have been committed on this return trip were the murders of James Verdaman and a man whose name is unknown. The former was shot dead at his ranch near Susanville, while standing in his doorway, and the latter at his home on Olive creek. The settlers in the valley were under arms during the whole war, and at Prairie City a home guard was or- ganized with J. W. Mack as captain. There was no organization at Canyon City, SO' far as recorded. Mr. Allred claims that there was a secret organization of one hundred men formed with Robert Lockwood as captain. These men planned to< join the army as scouts, but were refused the privilege, it being feared that they would precipitate a battle which How- ard was very anxious to avoid. This company was never regularly organized, and never saw service. A more detailed account of this war will be found in another chapter. The period covered by the years 1879 to 1883, inclusive, was one of general prosperity. All interests advanced. There was a feeling of security from Indian depredations. At no time in the past had the people felt absolutely safe from.' the attacks of the marauding bands of savages that infested the country. This element of unrest or insecurity had had its in- fluence upon all industries. Perhaps not di- rectly, but indirectly, it acted as a clog on the energies and enterprise of the stockman and ranchman, as well as upon those of the miner and business man. The ventures of all were attended with serious risks and served to pre- vent their fullest developments. But with the passing" of the troublesome Indian question every man's way was clear, and all interests began to forge to the front. In 1882 the assessor's records showed a net gain in real and personal values of several hundred thousand dollars. With the exception of cattle, the number of stock on the ranges had increased enormously. At this time the gross value of all properties was $2,068,353, an d the taxable property was valued at $1,603,779. Since 1879 there has been a steady and uninterrupted increase in all values, and many fortunes have been made in the mines and on the ranches. The spring of 1884 saw a determined ef- fort to remove the county seat from' Canyon City to* some town in the Harney valley, the promoters of the project contending that the seat of local government ought to be there, in view of the fact that Harney val- ley was almost equal in extent to> that of the Willamette, and that the heaviest tax- payers were resident in it. They argued that the placer mines of Canyon creek, Marys- ville and Dixie creek were almost all ex- hausted, and the narrow strip of land along the John Day was already too' much impoverished for successful agriculture, and unable to ; fur- nish enough cereals, vegetables and beeves for home consumption of the sparse population. "Furthermore," they said, "Harney valley is soon to* be connected with the outside world by railroad." The county commissioners in power were seriously considering the plan of erecting a new conrt house and jail, in fact had gone so far as toi ask for bids, and perhaps their only reason for not proceeding at once with the work was that the plans and specifications sub- mitted to would-be contractors called for too expensive a building. The bids ranged from $20,500 to $34,000, and it was thought that even the smaller of these sums was more than the county's treasury would warrant the com- missioners in expending. Tureman and Mc- Gowan, candidates for membership in the county court, made the main issue of their campaign opposition to the erection of new county buildings until the voters should have a chance to express their opinion by the ballot as to the permanent location, of the county seat. Tureman and McGowan were defeated and the movement failed. It would seem; that the project was hardly a wise one, as it was plain- ly discernable to all that the mammoth empire then included in Grant county could not long 398 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES remain one political head, and must have a location which would be central to a new coun- ty, when such would be formed. It might therefore be necessary to again move the seat of government. The true policy for the resi- dents of Harney valley to pursue would seem to be to> endure patiently any inconveniences which their distance from the county seat might entail until such time as they should be- come strong enough to bear the burdens of independent government, then work for the formation of a new county. This policy was the one which ultimately prevailed. The administration of the affairs of Grant county at this time seems to have been re- markably efficient and satisfactory. In 1882 the indebtedness was $20,464.99, and in 1884 it had decreased to $12,463.30, a reduction of $8,001.69. This showing is all the more en- couraging when it is remembered that during the biennial period referred to more money was expended for the improvement of roads and the building of bridges than in any previ- ous four years of the county's existence, also that the tax for county purposes was lower in the year 1882-83 than ever before, and in 1883-84 was reduced to two^thirds of that of the previous year, or to ten mills. The reduction in the rates may, however, have been due in part to' an increase in the as- sessment rolls, for the county was enjoying not a little prosperity at the time. The prospects for the cattlemen of eastern Oregon were very bright, as the demand for their product was steady and the price high. As affording a basis from which the wealth of the county at this time may be roughly esti- mated, we quote below a summary of the as- sessment roll for the year 1884. Probably the total there given must needs be multiplied by three or four in order to 1 get the real value of Grant county's assessable property, but the summary referred to' makes the following showing : Number acres of agricultural land, 109,799, valued at $174,822 ; number of lots, 79, valued at $7,335 ; value of improvements, $337,922 ; value of merchandise, $138,516; value of money, notes, etc., $393,453! furniture, $54,- 875; number of horses and mules, 17,359, value $643,351 ; number of cattle, 83,602, val- ue, $1,632,415; number of sheep, 172,305, value $387,311 ; number of swine, 1,721, value $4,123; gross value, $3,774,123. Considerable disquietude seems to' have prevailed throughout this period of the coun- ty's history over the existing political divisions. Eastern Oregon counties were inconveniently large. Long distances had to be traversed by citizens in order to' reach the different seats of local government, and though this was neces- sary at the time the counties were formed, ow- ing to* the paucity of the settlers and their wide distribution, it was thought that the time had arrived for the amelioration of conditions in this respect. Thus in the fall of 1884 the citizens of Trail Fork precinct, in Grant county, met at the Lost Valley school house and drafted resolutions protesting against the proposed ex- tension of Crook county so as to: include quite a large tract of Wasco and Grant counties lying north and east of John Day river, on account of the inaccessibility of Pineville to the section, and because it had no interests in common with Crook county. This meeting also passed reso- lutions favoring the erection of a new county embracing the eastern portion of Wasco* coun- ty, beginning at the John Day river; the west- ern part of Umatilla county and all that portion of Grant county lying north of the John Day river. Frank Aholt and W. F. White were appointed a committee to' confer with repre- sentatives of other portions of the territory di- rectly concerned and draft a memorial to' the legislature praying for action fin accordance with the resolutions. Like many similar pro- jects, this plan failed to materialize. CHAPTER II. CURRENT HISTORY, 1885 TO THE PRESENT. Perhaps it would be as well to interrupt the current of our narrative to give the reader a bird's-eye view of the general conditions ctf> taining in Grant county at this time. This we are enabled the better to accomplish on account of an excellent article on the subject which appeared in the issue of the West Shore of Fd> ruary 15, 1885. "The largest and agriculturally least de- veloped county of Oregon," says the article referred to, "is Grant, lying just east of the Cascade mountains., and extending from, Uma- tilla county to the Nevada line. It is nearly a rectangle in shape, about two hundred miles long from north to south, and ninety miles from east toi west, and contains a superficial area of 13,000 square miles, equal to the com- bined area of the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. It is one of the 'cow counties' so often spoken of; in fact, it stands at the head of the stock industry in Oregon. Its population (some six thousand) is engaged chiefly in mining and stock rais- ing. The reason why it has not been settled by an agricultural population is its isolation from navigable rivers or railroads, and a mis- apprehension by the people of the quantity and quality of its arable land. The construction of the Oregon Railway & Navigation Com- pany's line through Baker county has greatly reduced the distance from the center of popu- lation in Grant county to> a railroad outlet. For this reason, and because it contains a large portion of desirable vacant government land, unincumbered by railroad grants, the county offers inducements which should receive the careful consideration of emigrants." The great trouble with the country at the time, according to the statement of this writer, was that a few wealthy men had monopolized the valleys and hills and covered them 1 with vast bands of stock, to the exclusion of the small farmer. These men, he said, had per- sistently slandered the country, asserting that it had no* agricultural value whatever, and was fit only for the grazing of stock in large bands, such as would require many square miles to be under the domination of each cattle owner, while the facts were that there were thousands of acres of arable land, some of it, to be sure, requiring irrigation, which were suitable for farms, where farming and stock raising might be profitably united. "When," says this writ- er, "these numerous valleys are wrested from the grip of the cattle kings and divided up into homesteads for actual settlers; when they are made to yield the diversified products of which they are capable; when the numerous farmers shall utilize the adjacent hills for the grazing of as many cattle, sheepi, etc., as each can properly care for; when the school house shall replace the cowboy's hut and the settler's cabin shall be seen in every nook and corner of these vacant valleys, then the country will multiply its population and wealth, and the era of its real prosperity will dawn. The 400 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES tendency towards this happy state of affairs is already marked, and the tide sets in stronger every year. Land is too valuable to be de- voted exclusively to pastoral pursuits for the benefit of a few fortunate men, while thousands of energetic, intelligent and worthy men are seeking homes for themselves and families. Were the vast bands of cattle grazing within the limits of the county divided among two thousand, instead of two score owners, each with his family ocupying a small, well-culti- vated farm', the population and assessable value of property woud be increased tenfold and the region would enjoy a prosperity it has never known. There would then be no. need to travel a hundred miles to reach a railroad ; rail- roads would gO' further than that to seek the county. Then can the great mineral resources of the region be properly developed and made to yield their store to add to the general wealth. There need be no fear that the settlements of those valleys by an agricultural people will be a death blow to the stock industry. It will simply change the system of conducting it, and will place the ownership of cattle in many hands, instead of those of a few. It will, in fact, if the history of other sections may be relied upon as an indication of what may be expected, actually increase the total number of cattle, the value per head and the value per acre of land. The states of Illinois and Iowa, divided up into multitudes of small farms, be- sides producing their millions of bushels of corn, grain and countless other products, sup- port more cattle, and of a far better quality, than an equal area of the finest cattle ranges of the west. This is because, by cultivation of cereals and tame grasses, each acre, in addi- tion to its other products, isi made to yield the nourishment for stock which a dozen acres of purely grazing land will not give. The result is schools, churches, colleges, factories and a dense population enjoying all the comforts and refinements of an advanced civilization." "In proportion to its total area," says the writer, "the amount of arable land is small, but when the numerous valleys are considered by themselves, and their areas added together, the result carries the total. far up into the mill- ions of acres. Put together in one body, it would make a compact arable tract equal in size to some of the best counties in the state." In 1885 there were a few farms in the John Day valley, one of the principal being the Gundlach farm, a mile and a half west of Can- yon City, which gave abundant proof, by its production of wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, al- falfa and fruit, of what the soil of the valley is capable of when properly tilled and irrigat- ed. Fox valley, about fiften miles north of Canyon City, was nearly all settled; Long creek valley was likewise mostly taken up', and there were a number of small valleys along the Middle Fork, which were appropriated to the uses of the agriculturists, but Haystack and Corncob valleys, in the warmest part of the county, still offered many choice locations, to homeseekers. Murderer's creek valley, twelve by five miles in extent, Beaver creek valley, thirty miles long by three to. fifteen' wide, Rab- bit and Paulina valleys, four miles each in di- ameter, the valley of Twelve-Mile creek, twenty miles long and three wide, and the val- ley en the south fork of Crooked river, eight by twenty miles, were all ocupied exclusively by cattlemen,. The same was true of Bear val- ley, twenty-five miles long and from seven to ten wide, situated twenty miles south of Can- yon. City ; also- of Silvies valley, twenty miles long and an average of about seven wide, and of the valleys of Emigrant and Silver creeks, of Warm Spring valley, the great Harney val- ley, with its numerous tributary valleys. Dia- mond, Dunder and Blitzen, Catlow, Warner Lake and man}- others, some of them small and nameless, some of considerable size. "Along the eastern edge of the county," says the West Shore, "are numerous tribur taries of the middle fork of the Malheur, along which is much desirable bottom land, all occu- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 401 pied by cattlemen. Juniper valley is four by six miles in extent. On White Horse creek is White Horse ranch, the headquarters of Tod- hunter & Devine, the largest cattle owners in the county. It is the home of Mr. Devine, and shows, what this country is capable of agri- culturally. The ranch is a model in, every re- spect, producing grain, vegetables, fruits and flowers in abundance. Fowls and domestic animals of the best strains may here be found. The ranch, which occupies the whole valley, is eighteen miles long by six wide. 'P' ranch, headquarters of French & Glenn, is another illustration of the productiveness of this region. Crane Creek valley, tributary to the Malheur, is twenty miles long and two wide, and is occupied by a stock firm. The same is true of Otis valley, a tract four by fifteen miles in ex- tent. On the middle fork of the Maheur there is, within the limits of Grant county, a tract of land eighteen miles long and six wide; also several arms stretching out from the main val- ley from three to six miles. Belowi this the river passes into 1 Baker county and flows across it to a junction with the Snake. "One cannot peruse the foregoing review of the location, size and condition of the numer- ous valleys of the county without being forci- bly impressed with the fact that the stockmen have appropriated the lion's share. This they have been permitted to do because the public has been led to believe that they were fit for nothing else. These men have steadily and persistently asserted that the lands of these val- leys could not be successfully cultivated, and this in the very face of the fact that whenever they have found it necessary to cultivate them for their own use — as in the case of the 'P' and White Horse ranches — they have met with the highest success. They have thus far been suc- cessful in keeping settlers out and appropriat- ing the whole country to. their own use, even completely fencing in many of the valleys and grazing their vast bands of cattle free of ex- pense on the public domain. In this every 26 taxpayer in the county has been wronged. Were these valleys settled, as they should be, the assessable valuation of county property, now $3,300,000, would soon reach five times that amount. The cattlemen are nearly all non-residents; the cattle are sold out of the county and the money used elsewhere; all the benefit the county derives is the presence of the few men needed to care for the stock, and the taxes upon the cattle, greatly undervalued, both in quantity and price. Todhunter & Devine have 40,000 cattle; French & Glenn, 30,000; Thomas Overfelt, 30,000; Riley & Herdin, 25,000; C. G. Alexander, 15,000; Sweetzer Bros., 25,000; George W. Mapes, 10,000; William, Hydespath, 6,000. Without count- ing the many smaller bands, this gives a total of 181,000, and yet the total number assessed for the year 1883-84 was but 74,611, valued at $20 each, at a time when cattle were selling orr the ranges, big and little, old and young, for $30, and good beef cattle were worth $50.. There are also from 15,000 to 20,000 horses,, and from 125,000 to 150,000 sheep. Settlers^ would keep fully as many cattle, besides adding to the assessment rolls the value of their farms and improvements. Some of the best wheat lands in the Walla Walla region were for years held for free occupation by stockmen 1 by this same plan of decrying their value for agri- cultural purposes. The truth was finally dis- covered, and now farms, towns', school houses, churches and millions of dollars worth of prop- erty may be seen where were formerly but a few bands of cattle. Good locations for homesteads are becoming harder to find every year, while the number of people seeking them suffers no diminution. In the nature of things these valleys cannot much longer be sequest- ered. It has been the history of every region that the home-seeker has searched patiently till every desirable spot was found, and SO' it will be here. The citizens of Grant county are de- sirous that these valleys shall be filled with an enterprising and industrious population, and 402 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES they extend to all such who are seeking homes a cordial invitation to come here with their families and settle." Such was the condition of Grant county in the year 1885, ar, d such some of the sentiments and hopes which animated its population. A small army of placer miners had begun forcing the streams 1 and creek banks to 1 give up their wealth of golden treasure in 1862, and so as- siduously did they work, and with such energy, that the cream of nature's bounty had long since been skimmed off. True, numerous valu- able quartz ledges had been discovered, the wealth of which could not be so quickly gar- nered, and copper was known to exist on Dixie creek, galena on Elk creek, limestone and mar- ble on Dog creek, near Canyon City, and coal in various places, but none of these sources' of wealth had been developed toi any great extent. The agricultural possibilities of the region were likewise lying latent, and cattle raising was far and away the leading industry of the county. It was known that future developr ment must be along two lines, namely, the di- vision of arable lands into small tracts, each held by a bona fide settler and cultivated for diversified crops, and the installation of costly and heavy machinery for the economical hand- ling of ores. The mills of the gods are said to grind slowly always, but they grind with es- pecial slowness in a country a hundred miles from railway transportation, and to be reached by wagons only after a tedious climb over for- bidding mountain ranges. Seventeen years have elapsed since the West Shore correspond- ent said he plainly saw forces at work which must eventually produce the highest material and social development of the country, yet has their ultimate result only begun to be accom- plished. The development which fully utilizes a section's natural possibilities is yet far in the future in Grant county. But to- take up again the thread of our annals.— the closing days of the year 1884 were made memorable by a disgaceful event in Har- ney valley which quite thoroughly aroused the citizens of Burns and vicinity. Saturday, De- cember 26th, two men named Todd and Vick- ers set out from Burns to Stofer's cattle ranch, on Crane creek. The next day came the news that two white men had raided an Indian camp in that direction, killing one Indian, breaking another's arm and beating two squaws most shamefully. Todd and Vickers were at once suspected. A mass meeting of the citizens of Burns was called, by which Messrs. Abbott and Hedges were authorized to* arrest these men. This task was accomplished without difficulty. In the meantime a coroner's jury was im- paneled to hold an inquest over the body of the murdered brave, but when the men arrived at the scene of the tragedy they found that the Indians had decamped. Todd and Vickers were given a preliminary hearing and bound over. Vickers escaped. His partner was dis- charged for lack of evidence, and the indigna- tion of the people soon subsided. At this period Harney valley was develop^ ing more rapidly than any other part of the county. The homeseeker had turned his atten- tion in that direction, and there was quite an influx of settlers from Grande Ronde valley, the vicinity of Salem and from California. About one thousand filings' were sent out of the valley to the Lakeviewi land office during the spring of 1885, a fact which encouraged the hope that the day of the non-resident stock- man was approaching its close and the day of the settler and home builder was dawning. All the best meadow and bottom lands in the northern portion of the valley, not claimed by the wagon road company, w r ere taken. Con- siderable grain was sown in the spring of 1885 and opportune rains insured a good crop, so that prospects for this section of the country seemed bright and hopeful. The precipitation in the northern portion of the county was alsoi copious, but it did not prove an unmixed blessing, and in one in- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 403 stance it assumed a destructive form. Referr- ing to this remarkable phenomenon, which was the second to visit the region down the river from John Day, a less violent one having oc- curred some four years earlier, the Grant County News of July 2, 1885, says: "The most destructive cloudburst ever known in this county occurred last Monday and extended over a tract of land twelve miles in length. The Dalles stage, which was clue here Monday night, did not arrive, owing to the washout. Rocks weighing tons were washed loose on the hills and came down like an avalanche, sweeping away fences, houses and groves ; dry gulches were filled to over- flowing; the smallest rivulets became roaring torrents. Below the immediate scene of the flood the river rose ten feet, covering meadows and destroying growing crops'. No estimate can now be made of the damage sustained by farmers, but it will amount to many thousands of dollars. "The deluge started back of W. W. Stone's place and extended down to Harvey Field's lower place. The bridge across Birch creek, at Addingtons, and one at Warren Carsner's were swept away, and the gulches washed out from twenty to twenty-five feet in depth. At Carsner's it washed out a cut thirty feet wide and about twenty-five feet deep, and changed the channel of the river from' its fo>rmer course to Mr. Carsner's meadow, almost completely destroying it. The fences from; Stone's to James Small's place on the north side of the river were nearly all swept away. The princi- pal sufferer is John Wolfinger, sixty-five bales of wool and some sheep. Harvey Fields has his old Gundlach place almost completely ruined and the house demolished." Notwithstanding opposition from the south- ern part of the county, and perhaps from other sections, the county court, during its May term, in 1885, received bids for the erection of a new court house, jail and vault. Butz & Stansell's bid was found to be the lowest and to them the contract was awarded, the price to be paid being $10,770. At first the inten- tion was to tear down the old building and erect the new one on its site, but it was later decided to put up the new building on a level and sightly tract near Canyon creek. The total cost of the court house and jail was greater by several thousand dollars than the contract price, owing tO' variations in the plan. The year 1886 was not fruitful of any- thing sensational or revolutionary in the sec- tion of which we are writing, but the range for stock was good, prices were high, crops fair and the mines were profitably worked, though there were no large transfers, and few new developments. The greatest disaster of the year was a cloudburst just above Canyon City, which did considerable damage to prop- erty in that town. It is said to> have been more destructive than one which occurred five years previously, in short to have been the worst that had occurred in the memory of white men. Otherwise the year was generally prosperous', though not phenomenal in any re- spect. The early months of the year 1887 saw a decided movement inaugurated by residents of Harney valley looking toward the division of Grant county and the creation of Harney coun- ty out of the southern portion. Several pe- titions were signed and forwarded to' the legis- lature and most of the residents of the part of the county it was proposed to segregate became exceedingly anxious for the division. The movement was opposed by the News for the reason that Harney valley was as yet but sparsely settled and it would be unwise for new settlers to assume the burdens of separate coun- ty government until there was a sufficient num- ber of taxpayers to make the rate of taxation reasonable. The people of Grant realized that a separation must come, but thought it yet too early. On January 18, 1887, Representative John- son, of this county, introduced house bill No. 404 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 104, providing for the creation of Barney county out of all that portion of Grant county lying south of the fourth standard parallel. The temporary county seat was to- be located at Burns, and the two counties, Grant and Harney, were to be represented in the legisla- ture by one representative and one senator. All delinquent taxes assessed from the roll of 1886 within the limits of Harney county were to be payable to the proper officer of Harney county, and within one year of the passage of the bill. Harney county was toi pay to Grant a just proportion of the indebtedness of Grant county, after deducting therefrom the value of its public property, such proportion to> be de- termined by the two county judges of said counties. The bill passed the house almost unanimously, but in the senate the committee to which it was referred reported adversely. Thus the measure was killed after it had passed the house by a large majority. Its defeat was attributed to a petition signed by 226 residents of Harney valley, pro>- testing against the division a,t this time, and another petition signed by forty^seven persons who claimed to have signed the: petition favor- ing the divison under a misapprehension. The bill was fought by residents of the northern portion of Grant county for three reasons: First, as the value of the public property was upwards of $23,000 and the county debt was far below this figure, Harney would have noth- ing to pay on Grant's indebtedness and would have something like $15,000 taxes of 1886 in its treasury ; second, only a very small amount of the taxes of 1886 had as yet been collected, and therefore nearly the whole tax roll stood at that time as delinquent; and lastly, because the bill was prematurely introduced. A month later another bill was framed and presented to the senate, the intent of which was to cut off the northwestern part of Grant county and add it to^ Gilliam, making the north fork of the John Day the boundary line be- tween the two- counties. It was defeated by a majority of four, so> the year passed without the loss to Grant of any of its territory, except: a small portion which was taken with a section of Baker toi form the new county of Malheur. But though so prolific of division schemes, the year 1887 was not especially productive of anything else. It was not a favorable year for stock or sheepmen, or for the general farmi- er. During the winter of 1886-87 snow lay on the ground to a great depth for many weeks,, with the natural result that heavy losses were sustained, and the summer following was ex- ceedingly dry. Crops were almost a failure on the lower John Day, and were light every^ where. The next year, however, brought abundant crops and a return of prosperity gen- erally. In July, 1888, the passions of Grant coun- ty's citizens were stirred to their profoundest depths by the commission of a most revolting- crime in the county jail. At the time there were two prisoners confined in the jail, namely Buccaro Jim, an Indian, charged with killirig- J. M. Bright, of Harney valley, and Patrick McGinnis, held to answer a charge of horse- stealing. On the evening' of July 5th Deputy Sheriff Robert Lockwood failed to return to his home at the usual hour, and when midnight was passed and still he did not come, his fam 1 - ily became alarmed. A search was instituted, with the result that about one o'clock the body of Lockwood was found in the jail, pierced by an assassin's bullet. Both the prisoners had escaped. The county court at once offered a reward of five hundred dollars each for their apprehension, and ai further reward of two hundred and fifty dollars each was offered by Sheriff Gray, but there can be do doubt that a diligent search would have been made for the fugitives, even without a mercenary motive. McGinnis was soon found hiding near Alexander Fisher's farm, down the river, and Buccaro 1 Jim near the Indian camps on the Malheur. Both wiere, of course, returned to the jail. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 405 The appetite of the Irishman for blood was not fully satisfied by his one brutal murder, so he secured some morphine and placed a suffi- cient quantity of the drug in the Indian's tea to have caused the death of the redskin had the plot not been discovered. The Indian was released at an examination held later, but McGinnis was convicted at the November term of the circuit court and sen- tenced to death on January 18, 1889. By dilatory proceedings his attorney managed to prolong the life of the prisoner until the 26th of the following April, when he expiated his crime on the scaffold. This was the sec- ond legal execution to take place in the county. Unfortunately it became necessary to erect a scaffold for the third time before the year was passed, the condemned man in the last instance being one Peter Sullivan, who> confessed to having murdered his companion, John Biron- kee, who was; living with him in a small cabin on Pine creek, a few unfiles east of Canyon City. Sullivan's execution took place on No- vember 15th. We have spoken of the failure of numerous county division schemes proposed prior to> 1889, among which was one to; create Harney county out of the southern portion of Grant. The citizens of Harney valley were too nearly successful in their last attempt to long abstain from further efforts for a new county, indeed the promoters of the scheme worked quietly and persistently in the moulding of public opin- ion until they created such a sentiment in favor of their project that more than five-sixths of the legal voters signed a petition to the legisla- ture praying for the passage of an enabling act. A bill in harmony with their wishes was intro- duced by Representative Gilliam 1 at the Janu- ary session, and it passed practically without opposition, the citizens in the northern part of the county deeming it useless to resist. On February 25th the bill was approved by the governor, and Grant county lost nearly two- thirds of its territory. According to the provisions of this act, the county judges of the two counties, with the assistance, in case of a, disagreement, of one of the judges of the sixth district, were ap- pointed to adjust the proportion of indebted- ' ness to be assumed by Harney county. This commission reported November 25th, as fol- lows : Net debt of Grant county, February 25th, $62,620.80 ; assessable property, $3,262,- 080 ; value of assessable property of Harney county, $1,618,220; proportionate share of net debt to be assumed by Harney county, $31,- 064.30; deductions by reason of taxes collect- ed, $12,063.66; balance due from Harney county, $19,000.64. For some reason the year 1890 did not prove a very prosperous one in Grant county, and complaints were made that money was scarce, yet crops were all excellent, with the single exception of fruit; the range was good, and there was plenty of hay, so that the stock- men had no cause for complaint. The assess- ment roll for 1890 showed a decided increase in the number and value of stock in Grant county, with the exception of sheep, of which there were 240,201 in 1889, against 125,291 a year later. Land values increased nearly $200,000, and town lots nearly $40,000. The population of Grant county by pre- cincts, according to the official census of 1890, was as follows: Austin, 28; Bear Valley, 188; Canyon City, 382; Fox, 244; Granite, 249; Hamilton, 352; Haystack, 290; John Day, 331; Long Creek. 533; Marysville, 227; Middle, 200; Mountain Creek, 107; North Fork, 179; Olive Creek, 52; Rock Creek, 85; Rosebud, 135; Shoofly, 131; Silvies, 192; Su- sanville, 52 ; Union, 760 ; Warm Springs, 293 ; Waterman, 41 ; total, 5,080; Canyon City, 304; Prairie City, 222 ; John Day, 211 ; Long Creek, '60. With the creation of Harney county the seismiic disturbances which were threatening to overturn existing institutions in eastern Ore- gon did not wholly cease. As a general thing, 406 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES a new county scheme excites but little bitter- ness in comparison with a proposal to change the seat of local government. Perhaps the most virulent fights that ever occur in any com- munity are over the location of the county seat or for the capture of some other prize promis- ing to give one town the advantage over its nearest rival. The year 1891 brought one of these contests to 1 Grant county. Just before the session of the legislature a petition was framed and signed by citizens, of Long Creek asking for the passage of an enabling act pro- viding that the voters of Grant county might express their opinion on the advisability of re- moving the county seat from Canyon City to- Long Creek. The movement gained consid- erable strength in that part of the county and other towns, especially Prairie City, John Day and Mount Vernon began to count up their chances of capturing the prize. Naturally counter-petitions were presented by citizens of Canyon City and vicinity, calling the attention of the legislature to the fact that Canyon had been the location for more than twenty years, and that the county property, val- ued at thirty-four thousand dollars, had been erected in the town, and that this would have to be practically sacrificed, necessitating the ex- penditure of more than that sum for the erec- tion of new buildings. The petitioners re- spectfully represented that the county wias deeply in debt, and that the expense which would be incurred in removing the county seat and establishing" a new one would be an unjust burden upon the taxpayers. The enabling act was introduced into the house by Representative Dustin, and notwith- standing the strenuous, opposition of residents in the John Day valley, passed that branch of the legislature. The senate, however, post- poned action indefinitely, thus killing the bill. The people of Long Creek manifested their chagrin and indignation by hanging in effigy Senator Blackmail, who strenuously opposed the measure. Notwithstanding the almost unanimous de- mand which was made in 1889 for the erection of Harney county, some of the citizens thereof soon tired of their allegiance and, in 1891, pe- titioned the legislature that the northern part of Harney, including the town of Drewsy and a portion of Silvies river valley should be de- tached from Harney and annexed to Grant county. Their brethren further south opposed them and the matter was eventually dropped. On January 8, 1892, another legal execu- tion took place, the victim this time being Ming How, a Chinaman. This; is the only instance of a Mongolian's having been convicted of a capital offense within the limits of Grant coun- ty. Sheriff Cresap was in charge of the de- tails of this execution. Residents of Grant county at this time will remember that in 1892 this county was consid- erably stirred up over the suit instituted by the government against The Dalles Military Road Company and its successors. Although this suit was commenced two years earlier, not much was heard of it outside the courts until this year, when much testimony was taken in the counties affected. In order to make the whole matter of this gigantic swindle clear, however, we will digress from the thread of our narrative here and give the history of the case from its beginning, as no other coiinty was effected more than Grant county in its out- come. By act of Congress, passed February 25, 1867, there was granted to the state of Oregon by the United States, to aid in the construction of a military wagon road from The Dalles, on the Columbia river, to Fort Boise, on the Snake river, each alternating- section of the public lands designated by odd numbers, tO ! the extent of three sections in width on each side of the said road. By the terms of the act of Congress, the state of Oregon was authorized to 1 dispose of said lands for the purpose of aiding in the con- struction of the said military road ; and in pur- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 407 suance of this authority the legislature passed an aict which was approved by the governor on the 20th clay of October, 1868, granting to The Dalles Military Road Company, a corporation duly organized for the purpose of constructing this road, all of the lands aforesaid. The act of Congress further provided that the land should be disposed of in the following manner, to- wit : "That when the governor of said state shall certify to the secretary of the interior that ten contiguous, miles of said road are completed, then the quantity of land hereby granted, not to exceed thirty sections, may be sold, and so from time to time until said road shall be completed." On June 23, 1869, Governor Woods filed the following acceptance, wihich is such am im- portant document that we deem it worth pub- ishing : "Executive Office, "Salem, Oregon, June 23d, 1869. "I, George L.Woods, Governor of the State of Oregon, do. hereby certify that this plat or map of the Dalles Military Road has been duly filed in my office by the Dalles Military Road Company and shows in connection with the public surveys, as far as said public surveys are completed, the location of the line of route as actually surveyed and upon which their road is constructed in accordance with the require- ments of an act of Congress approved Febru- ary 25th, 1867, entitled 'An Act granting lands to the State of Oregon to aid in the con- struction of a military wagon road from Dalles City on the Columbia River to Fort Boise on Snake River,' and with the act of the legis- lative assembly of the State oif Oregon ap- proved October 20, 1868, entitled 'An Act donating certain lands to Dalles Military Road Company.' I further certify that I have made a careful examination of said road since its completion and that the sarnie is built in all re- spects as required by the said above recited acts and that said Road is accepted.. "Tn testimony whereof I have hereunto' set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Oregon. "Done at Salem, Oregon, June 23d, 1869. "Geo. L. Woods. (Seal of the State of Oregon.) "Samuel E. May, "Secretary O'f State." On January 12, 1870, the governor issued a further certificate in like terms and effect as that of June 23, 1869, certifying to the secre- tary of the interior the completion of the said military road throughout its entire length by The Dalles Military Road Company. On December 18, 1869, the commissioner of the general land office of the United tSates withdrew from, sale the odd numbered sections of land within three miles on either side of said road in favor of The Dalles Military Road Company. Congress, on June 18, 1874, passed an act authorizing the issuance of patents, for lands granted to> the state of Oregon in certain cases,.' which act of Congress, after reciting that Con- gress had granted to the state of Oregon cer- tain lands to . aid in the construction of certain military wagon roads in said state, and that there existed no law providing for the issuing of formal patents for said lands., provided "that in all cases when the roads, in the aid of con- struction of which said lands were granted, are shown by the certificate of the governor of the state of Oregon, as in said act provided, to have been constructed and completed, patents to said lands shall issue in due form to' the state of Oregon as fast as the same shall under said grant be selected and certified, unless the state of Oregon shall by public acts have transferred its interests in said lands to any corporations, in which case patents shall issue from the gen- eral land office to such corporation: or cor- porations." Under the provisions of this; act the road company selected lands, and May 31, 1876, conveyed the title to such lands to Edward Martin, the consideration being given as 408 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES $125,000. Then, by sundry mesne convey- ances, the title became vested in the Eastern Oregon Land Company. This was the status in 1885, when public opinion, calling for an investigation into' the fraud that had been practiced upon the gov- ernment by this road company, became SO' strong that at the session of the legislature that year a memorial was passed by both houses., asking Congress to 1 look intoi the matter and commence suit for the recovery of the lands. On March 2, 1889, Congress responded to this appeal, passing an act authorizing the attorney general of the United States to' bring suit to procure a decree of forfeiture of all lands granted by the act of Congress of February 25, 1867, on the ground that the terms of the grant had not been complied with. This act also sought a cancellation of all patents therefor, issued by the United States under the act, and all conveyances to purchasers under said patents, and under the act, as well as a forfeiture of the lands still unpatented. The bill filed by the attorney general alleged, in substance, "That the road was never con- structed in whoJe or in part; that through the fraudulent representations of the officers, stock- holders and agents of the corporation, the gov- ernor of Oregon was deceived and induced to issue a certificate in pursuance of the provis- ions of the act, declaring that he had examined the road throughout its entire length, and that it had been constructed and completed in all respects in accordance with the statute; and that, relying on this certificate, the patents to portions of the lands had been issued by the United States/' Suit was immediately begun in the circuit court, district of Oregon, before Judge Saw- yer, L. L. McArthur appearing as United States attorney, and James A. Kelley and Dolph, Bellinger, Mallory & Simpson for the defendants. The Dalles Military Road Com- pany, et al. The case caane up for argument on February 18, 1890, the defendants filing two pleas, as follows : That the governor's certificate was made without fraud; that the defendants were bona fide purchasers from The Dalles Military Road Company, without no- tice of any fraud or defect in the title. In an opinion rendered February 2, 1890, Judge Saw- yer sustained the defendants' pleas and dis- missed the case. From such decision the case was appealed to the United States circuit court, Ninth dis- trict, Justice Blatchford handing down the opinion, May 25, 1891, which reversed the de- cision of the district court and remanded the case for further hearing. The conclusion reached was that the district court erred in not permitting the United States to reply to the pleas and dismissing the bill absolutely. After the mandate had been filed in the district court issue was joined on these two pleas, testimony taken from settlers and others', and on Decem- ber 7, 1 89 1, a decree was again entered, sus- taining the second plea. From this decree an appeal was taken to the circuit court of appeals, by which court, on March 10, 1892, that de- cree was affirmed, and from this decree of af- firmance the United States appealed to the su- preme court of the United States. Assistant Attorney General Parker appeared for the United States, and Jamies K. Kelley for The Dalles Military Road Company. Justice Brewer handed down an opinion from the su- preme court bench, March 6, 1893, which af- firmed the decision of the district court and the court of appeals. Thus the original title of the road company to these lands has been made absolute. Several other military road grants, including that of the Willamette Valley and Cascade Mountain Wagon Road Company, who'se road passed through what is now Har- ney county, then Grant, were also in litigation at this time, and as the basic facts in all were the same as in the case against The Dalles Road Company, this case was made a test case and the cases against the others dropped when negative decision was rendered against this HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 409 company. The main point upon which the de- fendants rested their case was that by the act of 1867 Congress provided that the only proof of construction required +0 obtain possession of the lands was the governor's certificate, and when that was given, and proven to have been bona fide, the title to the land was absolute. The peach crop of 1892 in the John Day valley was a very poor one, but the quantity and quality of all other varieties of fruit were up to the usual standard. The grain crop of the year was mulch larger than that of 1891, and the price of wool and stock was such as to encourage these industries. The next year, however, the year that brought panic and distress to the country gen- erally, brought to Grant county its share of depression. The sheepmen, especially, were much discouraged over the gloomy outlook for their business. There was an ominous ab- sence of wool and sheep buyers at The Dalles, Arlington and Heppner, and while the grow- ers were holding their wool for ten cents a pound the dealers were asserting their inability to pay that much. It was claimed that the fear of tariff removal, in accordance with the prin- ciples of President Cleveland, was the cause of the depression in the wool market, for the producers of Australia and the Argentine Re- public could, were it not for the tariff, lay down their product in the United States at a price which would defy the competition of the west- ern sheepmen. The hay crop in some of the leading valleys was only half the usual aver- age, and the local causes of discouragement, together with the general depression over the country, had a decided effect upon business generally, though no failures were recorded. Among the noteworthy events of the year was the execution of F. W. Gallin for the mur- der of A. W. Shaw. The eastern Oregon dis- trict fair was held at Prairie City this year. It was a success, notwithstanding the inclem- ent weather, the features of greater interest being the display of fruits and vegetables and the races. According to: the assessment roll for 1893, there were 205,630 acres of assessable land in Grant county, valued at $650,660; improve- ments, valued at $103,300; money, notes and accounts, $172,370; 8,950 horses and mules, valued at $150,980; 17,631 head of cattle, val- ued at $209,690; 158,355 sheep, worth $316,- 710; and 1,396 swine, valued at $3,060. The reader will note the falling off in the number and value of cattle since 1885, when over sev- enty thousand head were assessed. This de- crease was due in large measure to the forma- tion of Harney county, taking away nearly two-thirds of the territorial area of the origi- nal Grant county, but also to the gradual fail- ure of the bunch grass and the development of other industries. There was an increase in the total valuation of property since the last assessment of $271,150; this, too, in spite of the prevailing hard times. The year 1894 was a hard year in Grant county. Grain 'crops were below the average and the price of wheat fell to the phenomenally low figure of twenty-six cents a bushel delivered at the railroad. The general depression was also felt by cattle and sheepmen, and by the business interests generally. But notwithstand- ing these discouragements another district fair was held at Prairie City, and it proved superior in many respects to ; that of the previous year. The people were somewhat encouraged by the false hope that perhaps the railroad rumors then afloat might in part, at least, prove trust- Worthy. It was reported that negotiations were in progress for uniting the Oregon Short Line with the Oregon Pacific, thus giving the Union Pacific a through line to the seaboard at Yaquina. Should this plan be carried out the road, it was thought, would start either from Nyssa or Huntington, and, traveling northward, pass through the John Day valley. However, the era of railroiad construction in 410 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Grant county has not yet dawned, though, the Sumpter Valley line is gradually extending farther and farther into the interior. The year 1895 brought little improvement in conditions, as the financial stingency contin- ued and crops were below the average on ac- count of the dry weather prevailing through- out the summer and fall. The hard times were exceedingly oppressive, though not as bad here as in many other parts of the country, for cat- tle and sheep, cheap though they were, were not as low-priced relatively to the cost of: pro- duction as wheat, and the people were more self-reliant and versatile than are the residents of manufacturing communities, where there are many employed and few .employers. Then, too, the depression and consequent cheap labor rendered it possible to< work mines which would not pay the scale of wages obtaining in pros- perous seasons., so 1 that a means of obtaining a livelihood was thus furnished to a portion of the population. In June of this year the northern part of Grant county was swept by a cyclone, which destroyed many thousands of dollars worth of property and resulted in the death of three people and the wounding of several on Long creek. This cyclone entered Grant county from the western portion of Baker county, breaking and twisting off large trees and pil- ing them up like straws, and crossing the mountains struck the edge of the town of Long Creek with tremendous force. Of the build- ings which stood in its path not a single trace remained after the storm had passed. An old resident and his wife, Mr. and Mrs, David J. Parrish, were killed in their home, and in the demolition of Dr. and Mrs. Nichol's house their little baby, Blanche, met death. The other members of the family who were in the building at the time miraculously escaped with their lives, though injured to a. greater or less extent. C. H. Lee's house was in the path of the storm. All the inmates escaped serious injury, although one of Mrs. Lee's arms was shattered and nearly wrenched off. Several others were slightly injured. L. W. Solawn was picked up by the wind and carried over the top of Woodall's store. Fortunately he alight- ed safely on a pile of hay, where N. B. Oliver's barn once stood. In Long Creek eight build- ings were swept away, the school bouse, which cost $5,000, was wrecked, the roller mills of C. L. Williams were badly damaged, making a total loss in property estimated at $25,000. Several families were left homeless and penni- less. The people of the town cared tenderly for the injured and loving hands prepared the dead for their long rest. The news was at once communicated to the outside world, and a considerable amount of relief money was raised and forwarded toi the sufferers. The cyclone, after leaving Long Creek, continued its course northward, unroofing two or three dwellings before reaching the middle fork of the John Day river, at which point it seems to have spent its force. Much loss was reported on east Long creek, at the Flood Meadows., on Beach creek, and alsoi in Fox val- ley, but no further loss of life. One forward step' taken in 1895 was the organization of the Inland Telephone Ex- change, with a capital stock of $2,000, divided into shares of ten dollars each. Local men subscribed most of the stock, and the project was heartily supported by residents of this sec- tion generally. The purpose of the company was to erect a. telephone line connecting the principal towns in Harney county with Canyon City, John Day and Prairie City, where the line would be met by one from Baker City. The organization of this company was not ef- fected, however, and another local company was organized in February. 1896, to build a line between Canyon City and John Day. Nothing was done by this company either, but finally the; Blue Mountain Telephone Company constructed the needed lines in Grant and Har- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 411 ney counties and later built a 1 line to Baker City, so that now this country has excellent telephonic communication . The following statistics made from the assessment rolls for the year 1895 by the Grant County Nezus are considered of sufficient im- portance to merit reproduction here : Number of legal voters, 1,460; males between ten and twenty-one, 567 ; males under ten, 622 ; fe- males over eighteen years, 818; females be- tween ten and eighteen, '547; females under ten, 524; wool produced, 2,177,489 pounds; sheep in the county, 119,926; hogs, 2,029; horses, 9,246; mules, 53; cattle, 18,013; wheat produced, 43,575 bushels; oats, 84,999 bush- els; barley and rye, 19,128 bushels; corn, 520 bushels; hay, 31,673 tons; butter and cheese, 73,993 pounds; hops, 113 pounds; potatoes, 41,185 bushels; apples, 9,806 bushels; prunes and plums, 12,000 bushels; gold, 4,040 ounces; silver, 30,500 ounces ; lumber, 986,000 feet. The spring of 1896 brought disaster to Canyon City and to many farmers in the lower John Day. Much rain fell in the valleys, while the higher ranges were covered with snow. Toward the last of May the weather turned warmer, and on the afternoon of Friday, May 29th, a heavy thundeir shower occurred on Canyon creek, which was followed at once by a downpour almost equal in volume toi a cloud- burst. The creek was already swollen, and with the torrents pouring into it from all the hills and gulches, it soon outgrew its wonted bounds, breaking over the town levees and sweeping away outbuildings, woodpiles and debris of all kinds. By midnight Canyon City was considered in danger of destruction and the fire bell was rung vigorously to< arouse those who might be sleeping in disregard of their peril. Already a large portion of the town was under water, and a change in the creek's channel might occur at any time, which would cause wholesale loss of property and perhaps of life. They went to work with a will, felling and placing timbers so: as to strengthen the frail levees and clam up the critical place. By this means the stream was held in its old channel until early morning, when the weather cooled and the waters began to subside slowly. Of course the same causes produced a like rise in the John Day, with an overflow of its lower valley, occasioning heavy losses of hay, stock and buildings 1 to the ranch- men of that region. But notwithstanding its inauspicious opening, the year 1896 brought large crops of hay, grain and fruit, with better prices, and consequently better times. Before 1897 had passed prosperity had fully returned to 1 Grant county. The autumn months brought an abundant crop of wheat, which commanded a high price, so high indeed, that many a farmer in the John Day valley and elsewere was enabled to lift the mortgage and pay off all his debts. Beef, wool and mut- ton also brought high prices, the improvement in the sheep industry being phenomenal. Lambs which could be purchased a year earlier for seventy-five cents a head were held at more than double that figure, and sheep rose in value proportionately. The day had fairly dawned after the long night of financial depression and industry felt the stimulus of the buoyant and hopeful spirit which had taken possession of all. Big transfers of mining property took place early in March of this year, showing that a re- vival in the mining industry was beginning. The Western Mining Company, for a consid- eration of fifty thousand dollars, gained title to some of the most valuable placer claims along the John Day river, and a Mormon conih pany, from Salt Lake, bought up every claim that was for sale along the North Fork. Ditches dug as far back as 1862 were opened for use, and work was renewed on old proper- ties with improved gold saving machines. An impetus was given to development in the- Quartzburg district by the proposed erection of a five-ton smelter on Dixie creek. All these movements and changes presaged 412 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES great things for 1898, and indeed that was an exceedingly prosperous year all over Oregon, though it brought some serious disasters to Grant county. Before it had fairly opened the county was thrown, into a furor of excite- ment by remarkable mining developments in the vicinity of Canyon City. During the last week of January Isaac Guker, a well known mining man, who' had previously made several small discoveries on Canyon mountain, struck a pocket consisting of decomposed quartz, through which ran innumerable golden wires. The claim was named the Great Northern. In a few days Mr. Guker took out between $700 and $800, and still he had bushels of the precious metal in sight. No costly machinery was available, but it was not needed, for wealth could be garnered quickly enough with a pros- pector's pan. In this primitive way fully fif- teen thousand dollars' worth of gold was taken out by the first of March, the best pan contain- ing $84.75. People flocked over the snow to the discovery, and soon scores of claims were located upon the mountain side. No event of recent years has so profoundly stirred the resi- dents of Grant county. It looked for a while as though a rush would be made from 1 without such as would rival that to the Canyon creek diggings at the time of their first discovery. But it takes more to* boom an old camp than a new one, so the people at a distance awaited further developments and the confirmation of reports before setting out for the promising Eldorado, thotigh the whole country was ready for a rush in case other discoveries had been made. Describing the original find, in its issue of February 10, 1898, the Grant County News uses this language: "An apparently exhaustless seam of gold lies between walls of porphyry, the richness being beyond the wildest dreams of the Klon- dike argonauts, and the extent of which is yet to be determined. The claim proper embraces two parallel ledges running in a northeasterly and southwesterly direction. On top of the ridge above Pine creek is a three-foot ledge dipping to the northwest. Lower down the mountain is what Mr. Guker calls the mother lode, fourteen feet wide and dipping to the southeast, or in toward the heart of the moun- tain, and directly toward the other ledge. A spur of copper bearing rock leaves the nar- rower of the two ledges and runs into the mountain' southeasterly, and another spur bear- ing gold runs in a northwesterly direction, crossing the fourteen-foot ledge just above the place where the rich pockets have been found. A great many seams of stringers of quartz in- tersect the mother lode, coming in almost north. These seams Mr. Guker followed up last fall before the snow fell, and where they join the mother lode is where the rich pockets have been located. These pockets are merely depressions in the porphyry footwalls, and the gold lies in decomposed quartz and porphyry in seams and crevices, narrowing down and again widening to< conform! to the contour of their porphyry prison." The deeper the Great Northern tunnel was driven the richer the ore became, and it ser- tainly seemed that a mine had at last been dis- covered beside which the cave of Monte Cristo itself would appear commonplace. The mine, however, like almost all which are so* wonder- fully rich, did not turn, out a permanent pro- ducer, but it remained the center of local inter- est a long time, and was much talked of for at least two> years after. Smaller veins were opened in the neighborhood, but nothing equal- ing the original discovery in importance. It is quite probable, however, that rich and per- manent mines may yet be discovered on this famous mountain of mineral. During the year 1898 the Greenhorn min- ing district began to move forward after a long period of inactivity. Silver is an impor- tant product of this region, and the great de- cline in value of that metal caused a suspension of operations. The revival in the district was HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 413 not stimulated by any hope of a rise in the market price of silver, but as a result of the return of general prosperity and confidence in the future. It was during 1898, also, that an initial effort was made to put into operation a project which had been discussed for many years, namely, that of securing with a dredger the gold from the auriferous bed of the John Day river. Long continued and thorough pros- pecting had proven that very rich deposits ex- ist in the river bed just below the mouth of Canyon creek, and that gold was also plentiful in other parts of the river's course. But it was also known that the wealth of yellow metal could not profitably be secured without a dredger, and local capitalists shrunk from the expense and risk of equipping this, to them, new and untried kind of machinery. In August, 1898, however, it was an- nounced that the Urie Mining Machinery Com- pany, of Kansas City, Missouri, would build a dredge on the John Day river, just below the town of John Day, for the purpose of mining the ground from Canyon creek's mouth to some point several miles below. The boat to be constructed was to be eighty feet long by twenty-four wide, and capable of floating at least seventy-five tons of machinery. The plant was to have a capacity of two thousand yards of gravel or sand per day of twenty-four hours. By the middle of November the dredge was completed, but notwithstanding its great size it did not prove equal to the task for which it was designed, and its use in the John Day river has been abandoned. The project was not given up, however. The martial spirit which spread over the whole United States in a great wave during the spring of 1898 was felt in full force in Grant county, though there were no special demonstrations, owing no doubt to the fact that it was well known that few of the patri- otic youth of the section would be given op- portunity to show their courage at the battle's front. However, a meeting was held by those of warlike inclinations, and steps taken towards organizing a company of volunteers;: but though a call was issued and a roster par- tially filled out, no company was ever formed, for the simple reason that there was no hope of its being accepted. Doubtless not a few of the young men of Grant county found oppor- tunity to become identified with regiments that were accepted, but the only one whose name we have learned was T. E. Chidsey, of Com- pany C, Idaho Volunteers. In the early part of October, 1898, oc- curred the nearest approach to an Indian dis- turbance that has happened in many years. It created not a little excitement, though no doubt in the early 'sixties, when such things were common, it would hardly have elicited a pass- ing notice. While hunting horses in the vicin- ity of his home, near Izee, John Hyde, a ranch- man, was fired upon by a redskin belonging to a band of roving Columbia river Indians. He immediately informed his neighbors of the cir- cumstance, and a posse was formed forthwith for the purpose of arresting the Indian. The redmen were overtaken the next morning, Oc- tober 26th, on Deer creek, and a demand was made upon them: .for the surrender of the offending brave. The Indians refused, and a pitched battle followed, resulting in the killing of the redskin who had been guilty of the offense and the wounding o>f another. George W. Cutting, of the pursuing force, was likewise wounded so that he died the next day. The Indians fled toward the head of Murderer's creek, where they scattered, some going in an easterly direction and others toward the south fork of the John Day. Though not so fruitful of events of general interest as its predecessor, the year 1899 was a very important one in Grant county. It witnessed unusual activity in placer and quartz mines, while the cash returns from the cattle and sheep driven out of the county were very large. Grain, hay, vegetables, fruit of alt kinds and berries were copious in quantity, ex- cellent in quality, and brought a good price.. 414 HISTORY OK BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES All kinds of skilled labor found steady and lucrative employment and the demand for ex- perienced harvest hands during the fall months was far in excess of the supply. One of the chief animating' forces of the year 1900 was the prospect of the speedy build- ing into the John Day country of the Columbia Southern Railway. A large surveying party was in the field running lines along the John Day river, and another was working south from Prineville towards Lakeview, so that ap- pearances justified the hope that the long- looked- for railway transportation was about to be an accomplished fact. That railway builders and promoters were fully awake to the import- ance of this vast, undeveloped field for railway operations is made evident from an article in the Raikvay Age, which referred most flatteringly to this region "comprising half the state's area, traversed by numerous streams, embracing great stretches of magnificent, irrigable agri- cultural lands, forests of the finest timber in the northwest, pasture and fruit lands, coal beds, iron and copper deposits, veins of gold and silver bearing ores, the very highest quality of lime and possibly cinnabar, tin and lead ores.'' It was well known that E. E. Lytle, the moving spirit of the Columbia Southern, pro- jected a railroad from The Dalles to Ontario, through the heart of eastern Oregon, and that he had been working in the promotion of his scheme for three years past. Indeed, the road had already been built to Shaniko, seventy miles out from Biggs, the junction with the O. R. & N., and its speedy extension into the John Day valley was a thing naturally to> be expected. Large eorporations, however, are notoriously slow in their operations. Compli- cations frequently arise which cause weari- some delays, and complications arose in this case, as a result of which the road has yet failed to miake its appearance in the pro- ductive valley taf the famed John Day, so that the inhabitants of Grant and adjoining "coiinties still "grunt and sweat under a weary load," the load of long freight hauls over bad roads. It is understood, however, that a set- tlement of the Columbia Southern affairs has been effected, so that again the people may look hopefully in that direction for the solu- tion of the transportation problem. But this railroad is not their only hope. The Nevada, California & Oregon road is headed in this di- rection, and there is every reason to believe that the Sumpter Valley narrow-gauge will be completed at least as far as Prairie City with- in the next few years, though that road was primarily designed, and has ever been operated, as an adjunct to the company's lumbering en- terprises. Its extension, therefore, will be only as rapid as is necessary to conserve the interests of its proprietors in the timber wealth of this region. But it is not at all improbable that the next few years may witness considera- ble rivalry between the different roads for the possession and control of this greatest and richest section, yet lacking railway facilities, in the northwest, and some of the towns now greatly circumscribed in their possibilities of growth, by reason of their distance from cheap transportation, may ere long be converted into thriving railway centers. While the cattle and wool interests of Grant county are still of transcendent impor- tance, forces long at work for the modification of these lines of activity have recently mani- fested their inevitable trend so plainly that no large stockman can fail to see the handwrit- ing on the wall. Indeed, the cattle kings have long foreseen the denouement now so rapidly taking place, and have endeavored to* fortify their interests as well as possible. They have secured, by purchase, pre-emption and home- stead all the creek bottoms and water rights within their power. Small settlers have been hedged in and their holding's forced on the market. Some have not hesitated to employ agents to hoimestead desirable tracts for them, thus securing their desiderata by a species of subornation or perjury. But thanks to the HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES vigilance of the people who have ever closely watched with a jealous eye legislation dispos- ing of the public domain, these men have never been able to fully accomplish their purpose. There were weak places in the fortifications built by the stockmen, through which the set- tler has gained an entrance, and now nothing can resist the relentless oncoming of the home- seeking hordes, the! men and women who want a little ground whereon to plant their vine and fig tree, and from which to 1 obtain a comforta- ble livelihood. Few places could be found more remote from 1 ordinary courses of travel and less inviting to the superficial observer than Deso^ .lation creek, in the northern part of Grant county, yet home-seekers have been pushing into, it during the present season in considera- ble numbers. They are settling upon and fenc- ing the creek bottoms, thus cutting off the stockman from his water supply and conserv- ing the pasturage of the rough hill lands con- tiguous to. their homes for their own little flocks and herds. Other small valleys are like- wise being settled and fenced from end to end, narrowing the free range for stock very ma- terially. But the settlement of the country has in- directly as well as directly, affected the inter- ests of the stock king in Grant county. The Walla Walla country, which now produces its millions of bushels of wheat annually, was formerly a vast stock range. The same was true of the Pendleton country, the Palouse country, in fact, of all the old settled communi- ties of the inland empire. Stockmen have re- treated before the advance of civilization and their field of operations has ever been narrow- ing, until now the remaining ranges are greatly overcrowded. Disputes and even feuds have already arisen and the end of the troubles be- tween the different interests cannot be fore- seen. Cattle and sheep men encroach upon the rights of the settler or the miner and the result is a damage suit. They encroach upon the sup- posed or understood rights of one another and disputes are the outcome, too often ending in the use of firearms either against the unoffend- ing animals or the men who have charge of them. All classes of residents are united in opposition to foreign sheep and cattle, that is, animals which are driven in from adjoining counties to spend the summer in Grant county and eat out its substance without paying any taxes into its exchequer. To remedy the evils and prevent trouble various measures have been introduced in Congress, among them being bills providing for the leasing of public lands to stockmen. The leasing system would undoubtedly do away with disputes by giving to some men rights which all others would be legally compelled to- respect, but it has been generally considered as likely to conserve the interests of the large stockmen to the detri- ment of the farmer and small cattle raiser and the general welfare of the country, hence has been bitterly opposed by the masses. The con- clusion of the whole matter is not far to seek. The stockman must himself become a home builder. He must reduce his herds to such numbers as can be supported by his own proper holdings and such public lands of no value for agriculture as lie adjacent to his home and can be controlled by him, through his owner- ship of water rights. Such land as is arable must be cultivated intensively and such domestic animals as he keeps around him 1 must be improved so as to> yield a greater profit per head than did the range stock, valuable only for their hides and flesh. Already many stock- raisers are reducing their herds and the occa- sion for trouble over ranges must gradually disappear, but during the interim 1 serious com- plications are almost certain to arise and there is danger of a cattle war of considerable pro- portions. While the march of the home builder now fairly taken up may work a hardship upon the large cattle owner, there is no doubt but that it will redound to the general good of the county, bringing in its train the school, the college, the church and all the adjuncts and refinements of an advanced civilization. CHAPTER III. POLITICAL. As before stated, the act creating Grant county was approved October 14, 1864, and on the 7th of the ensuing month the new political division was duly organized. According to the county court journal, the first officers in charge of the county's affairs were: William Lair Hill, judge; Thomas H. Brents, clerk; Edward S. Penfield and William Luce, county commis- sioners. A provision of the creating act made it incumbent upon these to appoint other offi- cers to fill out the quota, but this duty was not discharged during the first term, the court deeming such action unnecessary at the time. Aside from the routine business of organi- zation, the first official act oi the county court was to refuse to P. T. Sharp a license to sell liquors in small quantities, but this action was evidently not construed as establishing a prece- dent, for many licenses were granted at a later date; indeed, the major portion of the first vol- ume of the journal is filled with records of petitions for liquor licenses and the actions of the court upon themi. At a meeting held during the fall session, M. P. Berry appeared as sheriff, and on De- cember 6, 1864, M. H. Adams was appointed treasurer ; Joseph Tompkins, surveyor ; D. B. Rinehart, superintendent of schools, and J. N. Bell, coroner. The first court house was a building known as "Bunker's hall," which on November 9, 1864, the commissioners voted to purchase for twelve hundred dollars. The first deed tendered by the venders was not ac- cepted, but at a later date the building was satisfactorily transferred to the county for $1,114. It was fitted up as well as possible for court room, clerk's office, sheriff's office and jail, and served these purposes, or some of them, until 1870, when it was destroyed by fire. On Tuesday, December 6, 1864, an order was passed by the court which shows how much more intimately associated with each other were the civil and military branches of the government in the days when the Indian was a power in the land. For the sake of the side light it throws upon the conditions obtain- ing in eastern Oregon at that time, we quote it in full, as follows : "Whereas, under a requisition made by the authority of the war department of the United States, the governor of the state of Oregon did, on the 24th day of October, A. D. 1864, issue a call for a regiment of infantry to be raised by the citizens of the state; and, whereas, it appearing that certain expenses will necessarily be incurred by the recruiting officer in making voluntary enlistments to fill the quota apportioned to' this county under said call, for which no provision has been made by the law of the United States or otherwise ; and it further appearing that it is a matter of great importance to the citizens of this county that such quota should be thus filled. "It is therefore ordered that an ap- propriation of $300 be made from the county treasury in favor of such recruiting officer in order to defray such necessary expenses, two BLUE MOUHTAIH SPRIHGS, OLD HOUSE OF JOAQUIH MILLER, C1EYOI CITY. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 417 hundred dollars to be paid immediately, the other one hundred at the expiration of one month from this date." A military poll tax of two dollars wa? also imposed upon all male residents of the county within certain limits of age, and a poll tax for state and county purposes of two dollars more. Some time in the fall of 1865, M. H. Ad- ams, the county treasurer, died, and Fred Ad- ams was appointed to' fill the vacancy thereby created. No abstracts Of early elections can be found in the clerk's office at present, but as far as may be gleaned from 1 the journal- of county court proceedings, the officers elected in June, 1866, were: County judge, C. H. Miller, who afterward became known to fame as Joaquin Miller, the poet of the Sierras ; sheriff, Thomas Howard ; clerk, Thomas H. Brents ; treasurer, F. C. Sels; commissioners, H. H. Hyde and A. P. Riley; school superintendent, D. B. Rinehart; county surveyor, G. W. Kniseley; coroner, G. W. Rosencrans. During the July term of court in the year 1866, J. W. Wood served as commissioner, presumably by ap 1 - pointment. Mr. Rinehart resigned the school superintendency in August and Eli Lester was appointed to fill the vacancy at a salary of two hundred dollars per annum. The election in 1868 appears by the journal to have resulted as follows : Sheriff, Thomas Howard ; commissioners, William' Ritchie and H. M. Rice; county treasurer, H. R. Sels; county surveyor, G A. Stanglen; county as- sessor, E. W. Webster; county clerk, Thomas W. Poindexter; coroner, F. C. Horsley. From an old copy of the Baker City Bed- rock Democrat, which in 1870 was the official paper of Grant county, we learn the result of the 1870 election in this county as follows : For Congress, Slater, Democrat, majority 51; for governor, Graver, Democrat, 5 1 ; for sec- retary of state, S. F. Chadwiek, Democrat, 51 ; for treasurer, Fleischner, Democrat, 51; for state printer, Patterson, Democrat, 54 ; for dis- 27 trict judge, McArthur, Democrat, 68; for dis- trict attorney, Lasswell, Democrat, 48 ; for senator, Baldwin, Democrat, 23 ; for represen- tatives, McCoy, Democrat, 23, and Clark, Democrat, 26; for sheriff, Thomas Howard, Democrat, 49; for clerk, Poindexter, Demo- crat, 2 ; for coimty commissioners, J. J. Cozart and M. D. Cameron, Democrats, 47 and 61 re- spectively; for assessor, J. G King, Democrat, 40 ; for surveyor, Kniseley, Democrat, 52 ; for school superintendent, Dillinger, Democrat, 23; for coroner, Horsley, Democrat, 57; for county judge, F. C. Sels, Republican, 10; for treasurer, Philip. Metschan, Republican, 17. The total number of votes cast in Grant county in 1872 was 622. These votes were cast in the following precincts : Canyon City, Marysville, Burnt River, North Fork, Rock Creek, Middle, Granite, Elk Creek, John Day City, South Fork, Union and Olive. The re- sult of this election was : For sheriff, William. P. Gray, Republican, 326, A. M. Henderson,. Democrat, 254; clerk, James Robinson, .Re- publican, 298, William M. Wilson, Democrat,. 283 ; county commissioners, Frank Wallace' and T. J. Smith, Democrats', 292 and 285 votes- respectively, and William Luce and N. S. Bab^- cook, Republicans, 300 and 282 respectively; treasurer, C. G Castle, Republican, 317, Jo- seph Messinger, Democrat, 264 ; assessor, Samuel French, Republican, 303, J. W. King, Democrat, 279, A. M. Henderson, 5 ; super- intendent of schools, James A. Holmes, Re^ publican, 306, Eli Lester, Democrat, 278; sur- veyor, J. M. Johnson, Republican, 299, George Kniseley, Democrat, 281. In 1873 a special election was held in Ore- gon to choose a member of Congress from this state to fill a vacancy. At this election Grant county's vote was as follows : J. W. Nesmith, Democrat, 170, Hiram Smith, Republican, 129, scattering, 6. This election was held Oc- tober 13th. There were three parties in the field im 1874, the two old parties and an independent 418 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES or "Hayseed" ticket. This independent ticket sprang into existence for the purpose of de- feating certain rings which it was claimed ex- isted in the other parties, and was successful in electing its nominees for county judge, county commissioner and treasurer. The vote follows: For sheriff, W. P. Gray, Republi- can, 301', Cal Farmer, Independent, 234, R. D. Johnson, Democrat, 76 ; clerk, Phil Metschan, Republican, 204, James. Robinson, Democrat, 2 57- J- F. Cleaver, Independent, 144; county judge, M. Dustin, Independent, 276, J. W. Church, Republican, 217, Eli Lester, Demo- crat, to6; county commissioners, R. E. Damon, Republican, 255, E. C, Officer, Independent, 244, W. F. Settlemire, Independent, 232, W. S. Southworth, Democrat, 209, Manwar- ing, Republican, 172; treasurer, A. Hacheney, Independent, 293, I. J. Haguewood, Democrat, 159.. D. Saltenstall, Republican, 156; assessor, S. French, Republican, 212, W. B. Davis, In- dependent, 204, John 'Motley, Democrat, 191 ; surveyor, George Kniseley, Democrat, 343, , 230; superintendent of schools, W. II. Kelley, Republican, 272, A. J. Joslin, In- -dependent, 255 ; coroner, F. C. Horsley, Demo- crat, 260, W. F. Pruden, Democrat, 246. Another special congressional election oc- curred October 25, 1875, at which Grant coun- ty voters expressed their choice as follows : Harry Warren, Republican, 176, L. F. Lane, Democrat, 147, G M. Whitney, Independent, 32, G. W. Demick, Prohibitionist, 19. The June election of 1876 resulted as fol- lows: For sheriff, W. P. Gray, Republican, 256, T. J. Smith, Democrat, 242, G W. Mc- Haley, Independent, 97 ; clerk, Phil Metschan, Republican, 309, A. E. Starr, Democrat, 216, G. Gundlach, Independent, 165 ; commission- ers, I. H. Wood, Republican, 326, J. F. Wolf- inger. Republican, 268, J. H. Hamilton and T. H. Mead or, Democrats, 253 and 172 re- spectively, F. Perry and P. Thomas, Indepen- dents, 2T4 and 141 respectively; treasurer, J. W. Church, Republican, 274, N. McNulty, J Democrat, 240, T. W. Poindexter, Indepen- dent, 160; assessor, S. French, Republican, 351, J. Finnigan, Democrat, 229, J. T. Mael, Independent, 112; surveyor, George Kniseley, Democrat, 293, J. Tompkins, Rqxiblican, 206; superintendent of schools, D. B. Rinehart, Re- publican, 354, W. A. White, Democrat, 280, A. R. McCallum, Independent, 52 ; coroner, F. C. Horsley, Democrat, 262, G. Sater, Re- publican, 370. Two years later, or in 1878, the vote for county officers was as follows: For county judge, George B. Currey, Republican, 428, G. I. Hazeltine, Democrat, 459 ; sheriff, J. S. Hap- tonstall, Republican, 378, J. J. Wash, Demo- crat, 503 ; clerk, Phil Metschan, Republican, 426, W. S. Southworth, Democrat, 452 ; treas- urer, J. W. Church, Republican, 427, T. W. Poindexter, Democrat, 452 ; commissioners, B. C. Trowbridge, Republican, 425, H. Hall, Sr., Republican, 462, W. P. Esham, Democrat, 398, J. H. Hamilton, Democrat, 492 ; assessor, J. B. Johnson, Republican, 448, Oi. P. Cresap, Democrat, 436; surveyor, James Tompkins, Republican, 420, G W. McFarland, Democrat, 467 ; coroner, G Sater, Republican, 467, F. C. Horsley, Democrat, 7, F. Marnhold, Inde- pendent, 2. Below we give a summary of the election of 1880: For sheriff, I. J. Wash, Democrat, 500, Fred Winegar, Republican, 375 ; clerk, W. S. Southworth, Democrat, 436, N. Rulison, Re- publican, 427; treasurer, James Robinson, Democrat, 409, N. H. Boley, Republican, 460; county commissioners, J. H. Hamilton, Demo- crat, 466, T H. Meador, Democrat, 408, R. Damon, Republican, 436, H. L. Thompson, Republican, '438; assessor, John Marshall, Democrat, 438, John Luce, Republican, 408; superintendent of schools, J. W. Mack, Demo- crat, 446, George Ridgen, Republican, ; surveyor, W. R. McFarland, Democrat, 438, W. H. Kelly, Republican, 430; coroner, W. F. Pruden, Democrat, 390, O. M. Dodson, Re- publican, 479. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 419 The vote for county officers in 1882 re- sulted as follows: County judge, W. A. White, Democrat, 355, Phil Metschan, Repub- lican, 512; sheriff, O. P. Cresap, Democrat, 430, W. P. Gray, Republican, 434; clerk, M. Fitzgerald, Democrat, 374, H. C. Jarrell, Re- publican, 488; treasurer, W. H. Clark, Demo- crat, 278, A. H. Boley, Republican, 311; as- sessor, John 'Marshall, Democrat, 398, W. R. Fisk, Republican, 466; county commissioners, G. W. Shearer, Democrat, 417, C S. Dustin, Democrat, 388, A. J. Van Horn, Republican, 467, John Laurence, Republican, 479 ; county school superintendent, J. W. Mack, Democrat, 454, M. N. Bonbam, Republican, 419; sur- veyor, George Kniseley, Democrat, 378, O. Gearhart, Republican, 490 ; coroner, F. C. Horsley, Democrat, 436, Warren Carsner, Re- publican, 424. The shrievalty was awarded Cresap in a contest which followed this elec- tion. The Democratic county convention for 1884 assembled April 24th and nominated the following ticket: For representative, J. W. Mack ; sheriff, A. C. Dore ; clerk, Robert Lock- wood; commissioners, George McGowan and Francis Wallace; treasurer, F. C. Horsley; as- sessor, M. D. Cameron; superintendent of schools, J. T. Mael; surveyor, A. G. Hedges; coroner, Dr. J. W. Ashford. The Republicans met on the 19th and placed their ticket in the field, as follows : For representative, G. W. McFIaley; sheriff, James W. Allen; clerk, H. C. Jarrell; treasurer, J. W. Church; commis- sioners, W. A. Tureman and Charles Frey ; as- sessor, W. R. Fisk; surveyor, P. O. Gearhart; superintendent of schools, M. N. Bonham; coroner, D. J. W. Howard. Both parties ex- pressed themselves as opposed to the erection of permanent county buildings at Canyon City or any other point until such time as the per- manent site could be determined by the voters of the county. Below is a summary of the election in Grant county: Congress, Hermann, Repub- lican, 558, Myers, Democrat, 555 ; supreme judge, Flinn, Republican, 541, Thayer, Demo- crat, 572; circuit judge, Olmstead, Republi- can, 676, Walker, Democrat, 418; prosecuting attorney, Parrish, Republican, 480, Clifford, Democrat, 623 ; representative, McHaley, Re- publican, 577, Mack, Democrat, 495 ; county commissioners, Frey and Tureman, Republi- cans, 364 and 491 votes respectively, Wallace and McGowan, Democrats, 471 and 606 votes respectively; clerk, Jarrell, Republican, 681, Lookwood, Democrat, 403 ; sheriff, Allen, Re- publican, 472, Dore, Democrat, 601 ; assessor, Fisk, Republican, 530, Cameron, Democrat, 548; treasurer, Church, Republican, 553, Horsley, Democrat, 515; superintendent of schools, Bonham;, Republican, 527, Mael, Democrat, 557; surveyor, Gearhart, Republi- can, 608, Hedges, Democrat, 470; coroner, Howard, Republican, 472, Ashford, Democrat, 598. At the November election, Blaine and Logan received 645 votes and Cleveland and Hendricks 679. At the January session of the County court, in 1886, Elk Creek, Olive Creek, Monumental and Catalow precincts were abolished, certain other precincts were cut off by the formation of Malheur county, and several new precincts were organized. As reconstructed the pre- cincts were as follows : Canyon City, Rose Bud, *Harney, Burns, )Camp Cujrry, Dunder and Blitzen Nos. 1 and 2, Alvord, John Day, Middle, Marysville, South Fork, Union, Gran- ite, Rock Creek, Mountain Creek, Shoo Fly, Haystack, Fox, North Fork, Long Creek, Silvies and Warm- Springs. The Democrats met in county convention April 15, 1886, and made the following nomi- nations: Senator, J. H. Hamilton; represen- tative, M. C. Caldwell: county judge, G. I. Hazeltine; sheriff, A. C. Dore; clerk, J. T. Mael ; commissioners, Thomas Meaclor and T. . A. McKinnon; treasurer, O. P. Cresap; super- intendent of schools, H. F. Dodson; assessor, M. D. Cameron; surveyor, R. E. Williams; 420 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES coroner, F. C. Horsley. Four days later the Republican convention named their standard bearers, as follows: Senator, F. C. Sels; rep- resentative, J. B. Johnson; judge, N. R. Maxcy; sheriff, W. Y. King; clerk, G. W. Dart; commissioners, S. J. Gilliam and Max Ramsby; treasurer, Edwin Hall; assessor, W. R. Fisk ; superintendent of schools, A. Lacld ; surveyor, J. H. Neal ; coroner, Dr. Rinearson. The official vote follows : Governor, Pen- noyer. Democrat, 863, Cornelius, Republican, 715, Houston, Prohibitionist, 28; congress- man, Hermann, Republican, 795, Butler, Dem- ocrat. 794, Miller, Prohibitionist, 15; secre- tary of state, McBride, Republican, 744, Gib- bon, Democrat, 844, Kinney, Prohibitionist,. 17; state treasurer, Marston, Republican, 743, Webb, Democrat, 832, Long, Prohibitionist, 19: state printer, Baker, Republican, 752, Nickell, Democrat, 828, Shepard, Prohibition- ist, 19; superintendent of public instruction, McElroy, Republican, 769, Bell, Independent Democrat, 196, Lyman, Prohibitionist, 15, Da- vis, Democrat, 606; supreme judge, Waldo, Republican, 768, Strahan, Democrat, 829; cir- cuit judge, Olmstead, Republican, 821, I son, Democrat, 752, Balleray, Prohibitionist, 1 ; prosecuting attorney, Holman, Republican, 628, Clifford, Democrat, 940; senator, Hamil- ton, Democrat, 802, Sels, Republican, 692 ; representative, Johnson, Republican, 836, Caldwell, Democrat, 678; county commission- ers, Gilliam 1 and Ramsby, Republicans, 658 and 68 1 respectively, Meador and McKinnon, Dem- ocrats, 903 and 770 respectively; county judge, Hazeltine, Democrat, 746, Maxcy, Republican, 768; sheriff, King, Republican, 673, Dore, Democrat, 839; clerk, Mael, Democrat, 846, Dart, Republican, 664; treasurer, Hall, Repub- lican, 764, Cresap, Democrat, 743 ; superin- tendent of schools, Dodson, Democrat, 841, Lacld, Republican, 670; assessor, Fisk, Repub- lican, 680, Cameron, Democrat, 837; surveyor, Neal, Republican, 771, Williams, Democrat,. 743; coroner, Horsley, Democrat, 805, Rinear- son, Republican, 685. The issues of the election of 1888 were mainly national and resulted in a sweeping vic- tory for the Republicans in Grant county. The two parties placed tickets in the field as fol- lows : Democrats — Representative, J. F. Morri- son ; sheriff, J. I. Haguewood ; clerk, J. T. Mael ; assessor, T. J. Cozad ; treasurer, O 1 . P. Cresap; superintendent of schools, J. D. Daly; commissioners, H. H. Davis and T. A. McKin- non ; surveyor, George Kniseley'; coroner, M. Dustin. Republicans' — Representative, G W. Gil- ham 1 ; sheriff, W. P. Gray; clerk, John W. Sayer ; assessor, Charles Timms ; treasurer, N. H. Boley; superintendent of schools,- E. Hayes ; commissioners, J. H. McHlaley and E. Stewart ; surveyor, J. H. Neal ; coroner, S. Orr. The result follows : Congressman, Her- mann, Republican, 1,116, Gearin, Democrat,. 818; supreme judge, Lord, Republican, 1,035, Burnett, Democrat, 904 ; circuit judge, Fee,. Republican, 1,014, Ramsey, Democrat, 906; district attorney. Rand, Republican, 1,018, Crawford, Democrat, 904 ; representative, Gil- ham, Republican, 975, Morrison, Democrat, 897; sheriff, Gray, Republican, 997, Hague- wood, Democrat, 860; clerk, Sayer, Republi- can, 767, Mael, Democrat, 1,089; assessor, Timms, Republican, 1,051, Cozad, Democrat, 824; treasurer, Boley, Republican, 982, Cre- sap, Democrat, 889 ; superintendent of schools, Hayes, Republican, 939, Daly, Democrat, 931 ; commissioners, McHaley and 'Stewart, Repub- licans, 1,076 and 854 votesi respectively, Mc- Kinnon and Davis, Democrats, 828 and 971 votes respectively; surveyor, Neal, Republican, 1026, Kniseley, Democrat, 820; coroner, Orr, Republican, 991, Dustin, Democrat, 864. At the national election in November Harrison re- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 421 ceived 912 votes and Cleveland 892. There were 18 votes cast for the Prohibition candi- date. The Republican county convention in 1890 met April 8th and chose their nominees as fol- lows : For sheriff, John Austin ; for clerk, J. W. Waterman; county judge, N. R. Maxcy; for treasurer, N. H. Boley; for assessor, Charles Tirnms ; for superintendent of public schools, M. N. Bonham ; for county commis- sioner, L. D. Palmer ; for surveyor, J. M. Fisk ; and for coroner, Dr. A. J. Thebido. On the 17th the Democratic convention assembled and nominated: For sheriff, O. P. Cresap; for county judge, G. I. Hazeltine ; for clerk, George Shearer; for assessor, James Wallace; for superintendent of the public schools, P. W. McRoberts ; for commissioner, W. H. John- son ; for surveyor, J. W. Mack ; for coroner, W. A. Fisher. As in 1888, the campaign was waged on na- tional issues, principal among which was the tariff question. A summary of the votes cast follows : Congressman, Hermann, Republi- can, 735, Miller, Democrat, 634; governor, Thompson, Republican, 664, Pennoyer, Demo- crat, 715; secretary of state, McBride, Repubn lican, 720, Townsend, Democrat, 653 ; state treasurer, Metscban, Republican, 814, Webb, Democrat. 554; supreme judge, Bean, Repub- lican, 717, Bonham, Democrat, 656; superin- tendent of public instruction, MeElroy, Repub- lican, 716, LeRoy, Democrat, 661; state print- er, Baker, Republican, 722, O'Brien, Demo- crat, 660; circuit judge, Eakin, Republican, 586, Clifford, Democrat, 797; district attorney, Rand, Republican, 684, Hyde, Democrat, 6yj ; joint senator, McHaley, Republican, 784, Blackman, Democrat, 574; joint representa- tive, Cardwell, Republican, 637, Dustin, Demo- crat, 740; county judge, Hazeltine, Democrat, 719, Maxcy, Republican, 613; commissioner, Palmer, Republican, 639, Johnson, Democrat, 698 ; sheriff, Austin, Republican, 580, Cresap, Democrat, 749; clerk. Waterman, Republican, 664, Shearer, Democrat, 670; treasurer, N. H. Boley, Republican, 762 ; superintendent of schools, Bonham, Republican, 681, McRoberts, Democrat, 654; assessor, Timms, Republican, 702, Wallace, Democrat, 639 ; surveyor, Fisk, Republican, 649, Mack, Democrat, 657; coro- ner, Thebido-, Republican, 717, Fisher, Demon crat, 603. Henry Blackman was elected joint senator from Morrow, Grant and Harney counties and C. S. Dustin joint representative from Grant and Harney counties. The Republicans met the latter part of March, 1892, and nominated the following ticket: Sheriff, J. D. Combs; clerk, Marshall Howell; treasurer, N. H. Boley; assessor, Carl N. Wagner; superintendent of schools, M. N. Bonham ; surveyor, Charles G. Caspary ; coro- ner, Daniel Morrow; commissioner, Tunis Swick. At the district convention C. A. Rich- ardson received the nomination for joint rep- resentative. The Democratic convention was held April 12th, and made the following nomi- nations : Sheriff, O. P. Cresap ; clerk, George Shearer ; treasurer, Bailey O. Dustin ; assessor, Charles H. Utley; superintendent of schools, Thomas Gurnee; commissioner, S. J. Hunt; surveyor, J. W. Mack ; coroner, William Wil- son. M. R. Biggs was nominated as joint rep- resentative. Simultaneously with the organi- zation of the People's party in other portions of Oregon, a county organization was formed here. Friends of the movement met at Mt. Vernon April 21st and adopted the following platform : "Resolved, That we, as the People's party of Grant county, Oregon, demand the building of bridges over streams on the main and gen- eral thoroughfares of the county; we demand that all values bear equal burden of taxation ; that our district judges be requested to- dispatch business in the interest o-f the taxpayers instead of prolonging it in the interest o-f the script ring ; that we demand of our county board that a twenty-mill tax levy be a maximum rate and that all needless expense be lopped off." 422 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES The following ticket was then nominated : For sheriff, Charles Ballance; for clerk, W. H. Short ; for treasurer, John Segerdahl ; for as-'' sessor, A. A. Dean; for superintendent of schools, George Gilbert; for commissioner, E. C. Officer; and for surveyor, Loren Seward. Mell Fenwick was declared to be the party's choice for joint representative. The official returns were: Congressman, Bright, Prohibitionist, 13, Ellis, Republican, 593, Luce, Populist, 363, Slater, Democrat, 387; supreme judge, Bennett, Democrat, 496, Moore, Republican, 588, Walker, Populist, 254, Welch, Prohibitionist, 20; attorney gen- eral, Chamberlain, Democrat, 596, Webster, Republican, 710; circuit judge, Clifford, Dem- ocrat, 710, Kelly, Republican, 413, Green, Pop- ulist, 222 ; prosecuting attorney, Finn, Repub- lican, 522, Hyde, Democrat, 567, Griffin, Populist, 259 ; member state board of equaliza- tion, Hunter, Democrat, 446, Morfitt, Repub- lican, 831; joint representative, Richardson, Republican, 532, Biggs, Democrat, 457, Fen- wick, Populist, 352 ; sheriff, Combs, Republi- can, 544, Cresap, Democrat, 509, Ballance, Populist, 294: clerk, Shearer, Democrat, 611, Howell, Republican, 499, Short, Populist, 237; treasurer, Boley, Republican, 573, Dustin, Democrat, 565, Segerdahl, Populist, 213; as- sessor, Wagner, Republican, 613, Utley, Dem- ocrat, 448, Dean, Populist, 276; superintendent of public schools, Bonham, Republican, 748, Gurneei Democrat, 384, Gilbert, Populist, 204; commissioner, Hunt, Democrat, 331, Swick, Republican, 623, Officer, Populist, 368; sur- veyor, Caspary, Republican, 588, Mack, Dem- ocrat, 491, Seward, Populist, 244; coroner, Morrow, Republican, 705, Plbdson, Populist, 472. Richardson was elected joint representa- tive by a majority of 28, but resigned shortly afterward, necessitating a special election in November. This special election resulted in the election of A. W. Gowan by the following vote : Gowan, Republican, 478, W. C. Byrd, Democrat, 439, Mell Fenwick, Populist, 288. The vote 00 national candidates was : Cleve- land, 437, Harrison, 573, Populist candidate, 283, Prohibition candidate, 13. The political campaign of 1894 in Grant county was marked by a complete and over- whelming Republican victory. The agitation of the tariff question had aroused the wool growers of this region and the result on election day showed that they had taken an active part in the campaign. The Republicans convened April 3d and nominated the following : For sheriff, J. D. Combs; county judge, N. H, Boley; clerk, J. A. Powell; treasurer, M. E. Stansell ; assessor, Robert Deardorff ; superin- tendent of schools, M. N. Bonhami; commis- sioner, P. Thomas ; surveyor, Clarence John- son ; coroner, Frank White. The district con- vention nominated Orin L. Patterson for joint representative, and A. W. Gowan for joint sen- ator. The Democratic convention nominated G. I. Hazeltine for county judge; Patsy Daly for sheriff; F. P. Horsley for clerk; O 1 . P. Cresap for treasurer; J. A. Taylor for assess- or ; W. F. Loder for superintendent of schools ; Samuel Capenter for commissioner; and J. W. Mack for surveyor. F. Kellogg was nomi- nated for joint senator and J. A. Steach for joint representative. The People's party met at Mt. Vernon the same day that the Demo- cratic convention assembled at Canyon City, and chose their candidates as follows : County judg-e, W. H. Gates; sheriff, Newton Livings- ton; clerk, J. B. Eddington ; treasurer, John Segerdahl ; assessor, Joseph Putnam ; commis- sioner, Terry Kimzey; superintendent of schools, Thomas Gurnee ; surveyor, C. G. Cas- pary ; coroner, J. F. Hodson. C. S. Dustin was nominated for joint representative and W. H. Gilbert for joint senator. The official vote was as follows: Gov- ernor, Lord, Republican, 763, Pierce, Populist, 416, Galloway, Democrat, 336, Kennedy, Pro- hibitionist, 21 ; secretary of state, Kincaid, Re- publican, 762, Wakefield, Populist, 394; Nick- ell, Democrat, 355, McKercher, Prohibition- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 423 ist, 16; state treasurer, Metschan, Republican, 862, Caldwell, Populist, 346, Davidson, Demo- crat, 285, Richardson, Prohibitionist, 27; su- preme judge, Wolverton, Republican, 769, Bennett, Democrat, 391, Boise, 'Populist, 351, H'ackleman, Prohibitionist, 18; attorney gen- eral, Idleman, Republican, 733, Olmstead, Pop- ulist, 408, Holmes, Democrat, 363, Bright, Prohibitionist, 10; superintendent of public in- struction, Irwin, Republican, 740, Reid, Dem- ocrat, 386, Jory, Populist, 363, Hartford, Pro- hibitionist, 34; state printer, Leeds, Republi- can, 768, Orton, Populist, 374, O'Brien, Demf- ocrat, 362, McKibben, Prohibitionist, 15; con- gressman, Ellis, Republican, 784, Raley, Dem- ocrat, 3Q0, Waldrop, Populist, 353, Miller, Prohibitionist, 8; circuit judge, Fee, Republi- can, 1,062, Hudson, Populist, 375; prosecut- ing attorney, Rand, Republican, 809, Parsons, Populist, 353, Carroll, Democrat, 339; joint senator, Gowan, Republican, 722, Kellogg, Democrat, 392, Gilbert, Populist, 372 ; joint representative, Patterson, Republican, 758, Dustin, Populist, 451, Steach, Democrat, 282; county judge, Boley, Republican, 643, Hazel- tine, Democrat, 506, Gates, Populist, 341 ; sheriff, Combs, Republican, 681, Livingston, Populist, 446, Daly, Democrat, 370; clerk, Powell, Republican, 752, Horsley, Democrat, 419, Eddington, Populist, 319, assessor, Dear- dorff. Republican, 749, Taylor, Democrat, 403, Putnam, Populist, 338 ; treasurer, Stansell, Republican, 619, Cresap, Democrat, 507, Seg- erdahl, Populist, 350; superintendent of schools, Bonham, Republican, 725, Loder, Democrat, 505, Gurnee, Populist, 252; com- missioner, Thomas, Republican, 674, Carpen- ter, Democrat, 455, Kimzey, Populist, 357; surveyor, Johnson, Republican, 732, Mack, Democrat, 377, Caspary, Populist, 367; cor- oner, White, Republican, 842, Hodson, Popu- list, 511. The Republican candidates for joint ■ senator and joint representative were both elected. The campaign of 1896 raged fully as fierce- ly in Grant county as in other parts of eastern Oregon, though, in strong contrast to other eastern Oregon counties, Grant county went partly Republican. One reason advanced for this in a mining community is that the large stock interests in this section were favorable to a high protective tariff, and consequently gave more attention to this phase of the campaign than to the monetary side. The Populists were first in the field with their ticket, holding their convention March 5th, with the following re- sult : For sheriff, Newton Livingston ; clerk, Lincoln D. Luce ; commissioner, Charles Ball- ance; treasurer, John Segerdahl ; assessor, Will- iam Collins ; superintendent of schools, W. L. O'Hara ; surveyor, C. G. Caspary ; coroner, Joseph F. Hodson. C. S. Dustin was nomi- nated for joint representative. The Repub- lican convention was held at Canyon City March 28th. Its nominees were as follows : Sheriff, J. B. Johnson; clerk, J. A. Powell; treasurer, N. R. Maxcy ; assessor, J. D. Titus ,* superintendent of schools, A. R. Cobb; com- missioner, Al. Porter; surveyor, W. F. White; coroner, Daniel Morrow. Far joint repre- sentative E. Hall was nominated. Following is the ticket nominated -by the Democratic county convention held at Canyon City, April 15th: For sheriff, W. B. Cowne; for clerk, W. A. May; for treasurer, G I. Hazeltine; for assessor, Scott Hyde ; for commissioner, Sot Taylor ; for superintendent of county schools, R. D. Williams ; for surveyor, George Knise- ley; and for coroner, J. W. Greenwell. The nomination for joint representative was left vacant. The vote in Grant county was as follows : For supreme judge, Bean, Republican, 722, Gaston, Populist, 417, Burnett, Democrat, 361 ; for congressman, Ellis, Republican, 591, Quinn, Populist, 414, Bennett, Democrat, 339, Northrup, Independent, 163, McKercher, Pro- hibitionist, 14; district attorney, Dustin, Inde- pendent, 648, Parrish, Republican, 514, Buse, Independent Populist, 168, Sweek, Democrat, 424 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 138; member of state board of equalization, Holland, Republican, 763, Pierce, Populist, 540; joint representative, Dustin, Populist, 740, Hall, Republican, 641 ; sheriff, Livingston, Populist, 670, Johnson, Republican, 580, Cowne, Democrat, 251; clerk, Powell, Repub- lican, 640, May, Democrat, 539, Luce, Popu- list, 319; treasurer, Hazeltine, Democrat, 598, Maxcy, Republican, 519, Segerdahl, Populist, 356; assessor, Titus, Republican, 666, Hyde, Democrat, 453, Collins, Populist, 351; super- intendent of schools, Williams, Democrat, 657, Cobbs, Republican, 587, O'Hara, Populist, 206 ; commissioner, Taylor, Democrat, 432, Ballance, Populist, 391, Porter, Republican, 349, Rader, Independent, 295 ; surveyor, White, Republican, 600, Kniseley, Democrat, 424, Caspary, Populist, 374; coroner, Mor- row, Republican, 707, Hodson, Populist, 398, Greenwell, Democrat, 316. Dustin was elect- ed joint representative. Bryan carried the county by -a majority of 129 over McKinley, in November, he receiving' 867 votes, McKin- ley 738, and other candidates 42. In 1898 the Democrats and Populists fused, nominating" the following ticket at a joint coun- ty convention held at John Day April 23d : County judge, C. S. Dustin ; sheriff, Newton Livingston ; commissioner, E. E. Thornburg, silver Republican; assessor, J. T. Berry; treas- urer, T. F. Hall ; superintendent of schools, R. D. Williams; surveyor, C. G. Caspary; cor- oner, J. P. Hodson. At the district conven- tion J. W. Morrow was nominated for joint senator; G. D. Hagey for joint representative from Grant and Harney counties ; M. D. Cliff- ord for circuit judge of the newly created Ninth judicial district; and E. Hicks as prose- cuting attorney for the district. The Republicans met at Canyon City March 29th and selected their nominees as fol- lows: Sheriff, J. D. Combs; clerk, R. R. Mc- Haley; county judge, John A. Laycock; treas- urer, Zach Martin ; assessor, J. D. Titus ; superintendent of schools, J. F. Slaughter; commissioner, Daniel Dimmick; surveyor, W. F. White; coroner, W. H. Kelly. The dis- trict nominations were as follows: For joint senator, A. W. Gowan; for joint representa- tive, R. N. Donnelly; for circuit judge, C. W. Parrish; for prosecuting attorney, William Miller. The official vote cast was as follows : Gov- ernor, Geer, Republican, 973, King, Fusionist, 678, Luce, Populist, 112, Clinton, Prohibition- ist, 25 ; secretary of state, Dunbar, Republican, 961, Kincaid, Fusionist, 704, Wakefield, Popu- list, 85, Davis, Prohibitionist, 27; state treas- urer, Moore, Republican, 959, Booth, Fusion- ist, 651, Sears, Populist, 115, Votaw ; , Prohibi- tionist, 30; superintendent of public instruc- tion, Ackerman, Republican, 934, Lyman, Fus- ionist, 644, Hbsmer, Populist, 100, Emerick, Prohibitionist, 30 ; state printer, Leeds, Repub- lican, 923, Fitch, Fusionist, 615, Grace, Popu- list, 136, McDaniel, Prohibitionist, 25; su- preme judge, Moore, Republican, 932, Ram- sey, Fusionist, 722, Hacklemian, Prohibition- ist, 36; attorney general, Blackburn, Repub- lican, 909, Story, Fusionist, 705, Bright, Pro- hibitionist, 45 ; Congress, Moody, Republican, 908, Donaldson, Fusionist, 668, Courtney, Populist, 96, Ingalls, Prohibitionist, 45 ; cir- cuit judge, Clifford, Fusionist, 771, Parrish, Republican, 752, Williams, Independent, 179; district attorney, Miller, Republican, 881, Hicks, Fusionist, 784 ; member state board of equalization, Hall, Independent-Republican, 937, Gregg, Fusionist, 675 ; joint senator, Gowan, Republican, 910, Morrow, Fusionist, 754; joint representative, Donnelly, Republi- can, 944, Hagey, Fusionist, 679; sheriff, Liv- ingston, Fusionist, 921, Combs, Republican, 796; clerk, McHaley, Republican, 884; May, Fusionist, 771 ; county judge, Lay- cock, Republican, 993, Dustin, Fusionist, 666; treasurer, Martin, Republican, 865, Hall, Fus- ionist, 764; assessor, Titus, Republican, 954, Berry, Fusionist, 685 ; superintendent of schools, Williams, Fusionist, 865, Slaughter, HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 425 Republican, .771 ; commissioner, Dimmick, Re- publican, 868, Thornburg, Fusionist, 470, Rader, Independent, 283 ; surveyor. White, Republican, 921, Caspary, Fusionist, 652; cor- oner, Kelly, Republican, 961, Hodson, Fusion- ist, 616. Clifford, the Democratic candidate, was elected circuit judge, and 'Miller, the Re- publican candidate, received a majority of the votes cast for district attorney. Morrow and Donnellv were elected joint senator and joint representative, respectively. The Republican county convention met March 24th, 1900, placing their ticket in the field as follows: For sheriff, D. P. King; for clerk, R. R. McHaley ; treasurer, Z. J. Martin ; commissioner, M. W. Bailey; assessor, Peter Kuhl: superintendent of schools, W. N. Bon- ham: surveyor. W. F. White; coroner, Dan Morrow. The district convention placed Will- iam Miller in nomination for a second term as district attorney, and W. W. Steiwer was nominated for joint senator from Gilliam, Grant. Sherman, Wasco and Wheeler counties. For these same counties three candidates for the post of joint representative were named, George Cattanach, of Grant, George A. Bar- rett, also of Grant, and George Miller, of Ar- lington. In the county platform adopted es- pecial stress was laid on Grant county's de- plorable financial condition. The Democrats did not convene until April 1 6th. The county's financial condition was re- ferred to in the platform adopted, and atten- tion was called to the evils existing in the of- fices of those to whom is entrusted the assess- ing and collecting of taxes. E. P. Laurance was nominated for sheriff ; William Byram for clerk ; W. H. Bowman for commissioner ; T. M. Ray for assessor ; H. C. Mack for superin- tendent of schools ; and George Kniseley for surveyor. For joint senator V. G. Cozad was nominated, and W. J. Edwards, of Gilliam, T. R. Coon, of Wasco, and Robert Misener were chosen as the party's nominees for joint representatives. Williairu R. King received the nomination for district attorney. Official summary: Supreme judge, Charles E. Wolverton, Republican, 779, Thom>- as G. Greene, Democrat, 550, C. J. Bright, Pro- hibitionist, Jj; state dairy and food commis- sioner, J. W. Bailey, Republican, 633, W. Scbulmerich, Democrat-Populist, 400, P. L. Kenady, Prohibitionist, 54; congressman, Mal- colm A. Moody, Republican, 829, William Smith, Democrat-Populist, 498, J. E. Sim- mons, Independent Democrat, 177, Leslie But- ler, Prohibitionist, 48; district attorney, Will- iam Miller, Republican, 869, William R. King, Democrat-Populist, 702 ; joint senator, V. G. Cozad, Democrat, 758, W. W. Steiwer, Re- publican, 753 ; joint representatives, George J. Barrett, George H, Cattanach and George Miller, Republicans, 866, 766 and 742 votes, respectively, T. R. Coon, W. J. Edwards and Robert Misener, Democrat-Populists, 538, 525 and 508 votes, respectively ; sheriff, King, Republican, 764, Laurance, Democrat, 787 ; clerk. McHaley, Republican, 939, Byram, Democrat, 643 ; treasurer, Martin, Republican, 1,256; commissioner, Bailey, Republican, 698, Bowman, Democrat, 625, Barnard, Populist, 195 ; assessor, Ray, Democrat, 764, Kuhl. Re- publican, 749 ; superintendent of schools, Mack, Democrat, 945, Bonham, Republican, 596; surveyor, White, Republican, 641, Kniseley, Democrat, 569, Caspary, Independent, 305 ; coroner, Morrow, Republican, 1,163. The Republican candidates for joint representatives and joint senator and for prosecuting attorney were elected. At the November election there were 914 votes cast for McKinley, 613 for Bryan, 15 for the Prohibitionist candidate. 26 for the Social Democratic nominee and 6 for the P'eople's party candidate. The campaign of 1902 is still fresh in the minds of our readers, so we need not dwell on the issues presented. Suffice it is to say that they were mainly along national lines, though 426 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the parties took opposite sides on the question of establishing a high school in this county. The Republican convention was held March 26th, and resulted as follows: County judge, R. R. McHaley; sheriff, J. D. Combs; clerk, G. W. Dart ; treasurer, Z. J. Martin ; assessor, A. O. Mosier; surveyor, W. F. White; commissioners, James A. Pope and R. P. Kilbourne; coroner, D. W. Morrow. The district convention nominated C. P. John- son, of Grant, W. F. Danneman, of Gilliam, and R. S. Ginn, of Sherman county, for joint representatives. The Democratic convention assembled April 10th and placed the following in nomination: County judge, Sol Taylor; sheriff, E. P. Laurance; clerk, Neil Niven; assessor, Mack Ray; commissioners, P. Noyer and Walter Brown; surveyor, William Reese; coroner, J. W. Ashford. E. G. Stevenson, of Grant, E. P. Weir, of Gilliam, and P. G Han- son, of Wasco, were nominated for joint repr- esentatives. CHAPTER IV. SCHOOLS. In no way, perhaps, is America's progress- iveness better shown than by its superior school system. Europe, it is true, boasts older halls of learning and until recent times was the ac- knowledged center of the educational world, but as "the star of empire westward takes its way," so it has affected the educational orbit and drawn its center toward the Occident until today oiir universities and colleges rank with those of Europe and our public school system is the peer if not the superior of any. Our excellent school system has not sprung up in an instant, however; rather it has been the growth of three of the world's most enlight- ened centuries, and into its development has been inculcated the profound learning and ex- perience of Europe, coupled with the energy and genius of America. The first step in this great educational sys- tem is the little log sehoolhouse, the old dis- trict school so dear to the heart of the Ameri- can schoolboy, which has in many instances laid the foundation for some of the world's most brilliant statesmen, profoundest scholars and greatest merchant princes. , Within 5ts rough walls that sturdy spirit of independence and liberty was fostered ; its crude pine tables and benches were an incentive to- better things and awoke a spirit of ambition that would not down ; and the rudimentary principles of edu- cation expounded by the zealous and sincere, if not always profound, schoolmaster, added the finishing touches to' the mould in which has been cast the American citizen — the leader of the race. Hardly does the courageous pioneer penetrate the forests primeval and erect a home before the district sehoolhouse makes its ap- pearance and the education of the young is be- gun. Everywhere the sehoolhouse has followed closely upon the heels of emigrant and settle- ment. This being true, it is not strange that the sehoolhouse early made its appearance among the pioneer gold seekers of Grant county. The first comers, being adventurers without fami- lies, there was no need of schools, consequently nothing was done in this direction the first year. The following' summer, 1863, the first HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 427 immigrant trains arrived from California, forming the nucleus of a permanent settlement. The county was organized at the session of the legislature in 1864, and in December of that year D. B. Rhinehart was appointed superin- tendent of county schools by the county court. At that time Grant county was considerably larger than the state of Maryland. His first act was to organize the county into three school districts, which he did December 15th, as follows: No*. 1, Canon City (as it was then spelled) ; No. 2, Marysville; No. 3, John Day. On January 2, 1865, district No. 4, or Union district, was organized at the re- quest of several petitioners. A. J. Adams, Joseph Gilbert, A. R. McCallum, directors, and Noble A. Trowbridge, clerk, comprised the first school officers of district No. 1 ; Joseph Gillenwater, Sr., Samuel Larrison, Joseph Harer, directors, and J. B. Spaulding, clerk, constituted the board of district No. 2 ; and that of district No. 3 was composed of A. G. Mulkey. N. W. Fiske, Wilson Harer, directors, and W. F. Vinegard, clerk. The records, which are unusually well preserved, show that out of ninety-three children of school age, fif- teen boys and fourteen girls attended the first school in district No. 1, which was held in a small rented building. The only other school maintained the first } r ear was at Marysville, twenty-one pupils attending. B. E. Hunt and Miss Elizabeth E. Chope, who 1 were granted teacher's certificates December 16, 1864, have the distinction of being the first to preside over Grant county school rooms, Mr. Hunt teaching at Canon City, and Miss Chope at Marysville. For the sake of recalling pleasant memories (or perhaps unpleasant, as the case may be) to those who attended the first schools in Grant county, we reproduce a list of the principal text books used: McGuffey's series of readers, Thompson, Ray and Colburn's arithmetic, Smith's grammar, Webster's speller and dic- tionary, Monteith's geography, Cornell's ge- ography, Cornell's outline maps, Sander's primer, Davies>' arithmetic, Sander's spellers and Willard's history of the United States. In his first annual report to the state super- intendent, Mr. Rhinehart says, regarding school funds : "Our school fund, as your Honor may per- ceive, is very limited, not being sufficient to support one fashionable Pedant for a term of three months in this isolated and expensive sec- tion. Canon City district very wisely made an effort to levy a tax for school purposes, but the meeting was annoyed so much by the rabble that it was found impossible even to organize, and consequently adjourned sine die. In con- sideration of the great necessity of upholding our common schools, and our bounden duty to the rising generation, we respectfully sub- mit the following suggestion : "An amendment to- section 7 of an act re- lating to common schools, substituting five mills on a dollar, or one-half of one per cent, instead of two mills on a dollar, as it now stands. Our object in offering the above sug- gestion is for the increase of school funds without resorting to district tax, which is next to an impossibility in a mining community. Merchants and miners are almost unanimously opposed to this tax, and will vote it down whenever occasion offers. We hold that it is more essential, financially and morally, to tax the people for the support of the common schools than it is for the support of state pris- ons and county jails." This extract gives us a partial insight into the difficulties with which the early supporters of education had to contend and this same spe- cial difficulty was not peculiar to this section. There is an element in every community which is so grasping and selfish that it cannot bear to see money expended unless direct personal ben- efit is received by them, and this class is es- pecially large in a mining district, as so great a proportion are unmarried men with but one object — gold. The public lands were yet un- surveyed, and remained in this condition until ■428 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 1870, thus depriving 1 the schools of considera- ble money that should have been derived from the sale of school sections. The state in no way assisted in their maintenance, and the path to knowledge was indeed rocky and uncertain. But one term, lasting three months, was held in Canon City and Marysville, owing to the lack of funds, the two other districts failing 'even to establish schools the first year. The total amount expended in district No. 1 was $180.50, and in district No. 2, $97.34. The more progressive element of the population tri- umphed, however, and the schools were main- tained and their number increased. In 1866 Elk Creek district was organized as district No. 5, and schools were conducted at Canon City, Marysville, Union and a sum- mer school at John Day. Owing to an un- usually large amount of money received in fines this year, a seven months' school was maintained at Canon City and one quarter each at Union and Marysville. That we may still better understand conditions as they existed then, we again quote from Superintendent Rhinehart's report as follows : "Union school district is composed of agri- culturists, some of them living remote from the school room, in the upper portion of John Day valley, exposed to hostile bands of prowl- ing savages, who- would ruthlessly murder or carry into captivity any children who wander from parental protection, on their way either to or from school. Even while at home fam- ilies are in jeopardy of their lives and property, and many of them contemplate leaving as soon as practicable unless protection is speedily rendered by the proper authorities. Under the above circumstances we cannot reasonably ex- pect a community to be pecuniarily, much less educationally, prosperous. The district has had, however, a three months' winter school, with an average attendance of I3 : 4- Her citi- zens seem anxious to continue school, even at their own expense, but on account of the above considerations deem it unsafe at present." Of school rooms he says : "Our school rooms are too small ; not appropriately supplied with furniture and destitute of globes, maps, objects and libraries; all of which are indis- pensable to a high grade of instruction. They are well ventilated, however, and as comforta- ble as circumstances will permit." Of finances he writes : "Our funds are still inadequate for the support of our public schools, although much larger than last year. Canon City district received, per apportionment, $321.56, 3 — coin and $684.89 legal tender, which, with an excess of last year, constituted a fund sufficient to support a public school of eight months. Marysville school district re- ceived $117.64, 4 — ■ coin and $250.59 legal tender. John Day district, No. 3, received, as per apportionment, $164.71 coin, and $350.79 legal tender, being an amount sufficient to pay teacher's salary, with a balance to the credit of the district. Union district is still in arrears to its teacher, the amount apportioned being $86.27, 3 — coin and $183.75, legal tender. The total amount of money apportioned to the district was $690.19 coin and $1,470 legal tender. Of the above amount only $685.19 was received from county taxes, the balance be- ing from fines, etc." "Our school districts," he says further along, "are composed of people from different nations, the children being unequal in intellect, temperament and domestic education ; yet I have never witnessed as much unanimity ex- isting between those directly interested in our schools as I have witnessed in Grant county. Our teachers are gentlemen of high moral worth and unconditionally loyal to the gov- ernment of the United States. It requires no stretch of conscience with them to take the oath of qualification for their responsible positions." At this time the teachers were: District No. 1, B. E. Hunt and A. B. Power; district No. 2, D. B. Rhinehart; district No. 3, N. A. Trowbridge; district No. 4, A. G. Mulkey. There were fiftv-nine scholars in attendance in HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 429" the first district; twenty-one in, the second; nineteen in the third; and twenty- four in the fourth. During- the winter of 1867 a private school was taught on Elk creek by W. S. Southworth. Conditions did not improve during the in- terim between the second and third annual reports. School funds were low, in fact so low that but one quarter was taught in dis- tricts Nos. 1, 2, and 3, and no school at all was maintained in the two other districts. The failure of the government to survey the public lands created a serious deficiency in school funds, Says Eli Lester,, superintendent at this time, 1868 : "The insecurity of life and prop^- erty in this county from Indian depredations has been so great that many families have — and much property has been — removed to safer localities." The superintendent's report for the year ending March 1, 1869, shows only $1,140.44 expended in the maintenance of the county's schools, $631.22 in coin and $509.22 in legal tender. Schools were taught in districts Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4, with respective attendances as follows : Forty-six, fourteen, forty-eight and forty-six pupils. District No. 1 was the only district in which more than one term was taught, two quarters being held in Canyon City. There was no school maintained at Elk creek this year. Barely enough money was secured to support even these small schools, and the state had thus far failed to aid in their support. Only by private subscriptions and special enter- tainments could the teachers be paid and prog- ress was impossible. Between 1870 and 1872 districts No. 6, Mt. Vernon, No. 7, Dayville, No. 8, North Fork, No. 9, Strawberry, and No. 10, Mead- ows, were created. By 1877 there were four- teen districts organized and reporting, and 379 pupils enrolled out of 678 children of school age. Thirteen women were employed as teachers, and one man, holding five first- grade and seven second-grade certificates among them. The value of school buildings, furniture, etc., was estimated at $7,100, and $6,485.81 is given as the cost of conducting the schools during the previous year, 1871-72. Sixty-two pupils were enrolled in private schools. A letter written to Hon. L. J. Powell, state superintendent of public instruction, by J. W. Mack, superintendent of the county schools m> 1878, says : "Hon. L. J. Powell, "Salem, Oregon. "Sir : It is a matter of regret that the coun- ty has made such a poor showing 1 in educa- tional matters for the past year. Some of our districts were partially or wholly burned out by Indians, and the people are in such a state of expectation and trepidation that nearly all' schools were broken up. In Harney valley every dwelling and schoolhouse was burned to the ground. In Blitzen district, Happy val- ley, every house but the school house was de- stroyed. Other districts suffered, but not so severely. For months nearly all the families in the county were huddled together in forts, submitting to many inconveniences and neglect of crops, stock and school in the struggle for self-preservation. If the excitement cooled down so' that some of the bolder went home, fresh news of approaching hostilities: would' send them crowding back again, and in Canyon City, the county seat, nearly, if not all, the fam- ilies spent their nights in the tunnels for some time, and occasionally went for them in a rush during the day. "Many of the districts are newly organized and have as yet no- schools. In consideration of all the circumstances and the scattered con>- dition of our people, and the excitement and suffering of the past year, I am astonished that the schools have done as well as they have. "If the 'noble red man' will behave him- self during the coming summer and let his; 430 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES white brother repose in peace, this county will make a much better report the coming year. "J. W. Mack, "Superintendent of the Public Schools of Grant County." In 1885 the fourteen districts had grown to thirty-four, of which, however, only twenty- seven maintained schools. According to the school census, there were 1,558 children be- tween the ages of four and twenty-one. The annual report for the year 1890 was encourag- ing to educational workers. There we're forty districts, all except one reporting, in which forty-onie teachers were employed in teaching 1,104 pupils. Four months and a half was the average length of the term taught. Thus very briefly have we traced the growth of Grant county's educational system up to the present. The path to- knowledge is generally conceded to be among the roughest of paths and it has been only by the hardest work that this path in Grant county has been cleared of the obstacles of financial difficulties, apathy or lack of interest and natural impedi- ments to be found and expected in a new and sparsely settled country, and the public school system placed on a firm footing. But progress has triumphed, as it ever will. Superintendent H. C. Mack, in his report for 190 1, gives us the following resume of the present condition of the schools of the county : Number of children of schbol age, 876 male, 821 female; number registered, 558 male, 522 female; number under six years of age, 35 male, 33 female; teachers, 28 male, 40 female, holding certificates as follows: State certifi- cates, 17, first-grade, 17, second-grade, 13, third-grade, 8, primary-grade, 1. The county is divided into forty-three districts, all re- porting, in which there are forty-one school houses, valued at $25,244.50. The average school year is stated as four and one-half months. Teachers' wages amounted to $11,039.15, the total expenditure for school purposes being $15,364.59. The high grade certificates held by the teachers speak volumes for the standard of the staff, and from an ex- amination of the records the writer is satisfied of the excellence of the work done by the pupils. Professor Mack gained his school education in the schools over which he is now superin- tendent, and his success is a credit to himself and a living testimonial to those pioneer teach- ers who fought the early battles of education here. With time, improvement has come, and will come, sometimes slowly, it is true, but al- ways surely. As yet Grant county has no higher insti- tutions of learning, but the necessity of estab- lishing a county high school is becoming more apparent every year, and the agitation bids fair to result successfully at an early date. District high schools have been established at different times, and this winter Canyon City will have one. Progress is the watchword all along the line. CHAPTER V. CANYON CITY. The first impression the traveler receives of this delightful little mountain, town, as he alights from the stage, is that he is in one of the most uniquely located villages in Oregon. The town nestles cozily and peacefully in the bed of a deep canyon at the western base of Canyon mountain, protected from the stormy elements by high green hills and hidden from the gaze of the curious world by its remote- ness from thoroughfares of travel. The near- est railroad point is forty-five miles away, and it is two miles down the canyon to the John Day valley. To the southeast towers the Strawberry range, and Canyon mountain, one of the loftiest peaks of this range, has often been termed "Gold Mountain," because of the incalculable wealth of mineral that is believed to be hidden away in its depths, while Canyon creek, of mining fame, dashes angrily through the town on its course to' the John Day river. The gold taken from, the auriferous bed of this creek alone would have built a city second in wealth to none in the state, and if equally dis- tributed among the present inhabitants would make Canyon City a city of magnificent for- tunes. Owing toi its peculiar location the number of its streets may be counted upon one's fing- ers, the three principal ones running north and south. As is usually the case in smaller towns and cities, the business of the place is conducted on one main street, which here is probaby half a mile long. In early days the stores were lo^- cated on Canyon street, a narrow thoroughfare running parallel with, and close to, the creek. At this time it is said that the streets were so narrow that a team could not be turned around in them. In fact, this condition existed until the late fire, when one street was abandoned and the additional space given to the main street. The diverging gulches and adjacent level bench lands have all been utilized for building purposes, and even the creek's waters have been narrowed clown to as small a channel as possible by enterprising citizens. Forty years ago: the creek's course was through what is now Washington street, but it was turned aside into its present bed by miners anxious to wash its gravel and utilize the ground for building purposes. Every foot of available ground has been used, until now the further growth of the town is limited by the hills, un- less one is content to. live on their steep, slopes or high summits. The business buildings are substantial frame and stone structures and house business enterprises that would be a credit to a much larger city, because of the complete stocks carried and their up-to-date methods of handling trade. Among them are the large general stores of Hazeltine & Company, Begg & Mason, Cunningham & Lyon and R. K. Chambers ; the large hardware store of the In- terior Mercantile Company, Incorporated ; W. C. Thompson's drug store; Mrs. Elizabeth Robinson, millinery; N. Rulison, furniture; John Turner, meat market; the Canyon City 432 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Brewery, F. C. Sels, proprietor; the Canyon City Soda Works, H. B. Guernsey, proprietor; McBean & Haguewood and Alexander Mc- Kinney, livery stables ; H. Putzien, photograph gallery; A. J. Stephens, barber shop; J. A. Water bury, jewelry store; William S. Howie and William; Worth, blacksmith shops; the Elkhorn Hotel, Samuel Bauer, proprietor; Mark Rulison, builder; A. Hupprich, boots and shoes; and three saloons. W. S. South- worth operates a sash and door factory. The only banking institution in Grant county is lo- cated in Canyon City, the Grant County Bank. This bank has a capital stock of $25,000, and though it has been in existence only a very short time, the most optimistic hopes of its pro^ jectors have been realized. Its officers are: W. H. Johnson, president; Clarence Johnson, vice-president; A. P. Goss, cashier. J. W. Ashford is the only physician in Canyon City. W. F. White is a United States mineral sur- veyor, and the legal profession is represented by Stillman, Leedy & Pierce, Hicks & Davis, Cattanach & Wood, M. Dustin, V. G. Cozad and J. E. Marks. Mrs. Elizabeth Gray is the present postmistress. Canyon City is fortunate in possessing two such excellent newspapers as the Grant County News and the Blue Mountain Eagle, published by Glenn & Chandler and Patterson & Ward, respectively. Both are bright, newsy, well edited weeklies, and each strives to outdo the other' in working for the advancement of the city's and county's interests. Neither is hampered by blind party devotion, and because of this independence they are able to wield a more powerful influence than they might oth- erwise. The News was established here in 1879, and the Eagle was established at Long Creek in 1886 and removed to Canyon City two years ago. The people of Canyon City are justly proud of their home, and while they do not claim for it all of the conveniences and complex activi- ties of a railroad town, they are well satisfied with steady and substantial progression, con- tent toi await the impetus which the opening of the vast mineral wealth surrounding it will give. At present there is a daily stage be- tween Canyon City and Whitney, the terminus of the Sumpter Valley Railroad, a daily stage to' Heppner, also a daily stage to Mitchell, and tri-weekly stages between here and Burns and Izee, so that the city is blessed with unusually good transportation facilities for an inland town. Soon after the discovery of the mines here, on June 8th and 9th, by Calif ornians journey- ing to the Idaho' mines, a city of tents rose, and the construction of more durable quarters was begun by a few, which resulted in several log cabins and rude shacks with canvas roofs and sides being built, the latter mode of construc- tion leading to the nickname of "Bracetown" for a time. There were no attempts made in a mercantile way until about the first of July, when Charles Becker and Peter Zimmerman opened a small store in a log cabin on Rebel hill. This store was a very small one and the goods were originally intended for sale in the Idaho gold fields. Then Thomas H. Brentz and his partner, Nelson by name, erected a small build- ing for use as an express office, Brentz taking the first letters to The Dalles from this camp. In rapid succession Powers, Shuman & Wad- leigh and Luce, Cozad & Stone brought in pack trains from The Dalles, loaded with groceries, whisky and tobacco', and opened establishments in temporary quarters. As might be natural to suppose, a saloon was among the first busi- ness establishments, the liquor being dispensed from a canvas structure on a sloping tract of bench land just above the present town, whence the name "Whisky Flat." 'The business houses next to follow were a bakery, opened by Hall Brothers, and a restaurant, conducted by Louie Hadlich, near where the City brewery now stands. Later this was sold to George A. Bieson, who built an addition and opened the first hotel, the City House. In 1863 a HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 433 Frenchman, Fleurette by name, erected a frame building for hotel purposes, which superseded the old City House. At first no attempt was made towards grouping the tents and cabins, as each miner erected his temporary abode as near his claim 1 as possible. However, when pack trains began to arrive and stores were opened, the necessity of forming a town became apparent to all, and at a meeting held July 20th a rude town site was laid off, Messrs. Mulkey and Cooper tak- ing the lead in this movement. The creek was already known as Canyon creek, and the town was named Canyon City. The Spanish spell- ing of canyon was first used, but subsequently this was, anglicized by inserting a "y." For some time a portion of the town stood on Whisky Flat, but as this site was altogether too inconvenient for those who 1 worked on the creek this settlement was gradually moved down by the stream in the bed of the canyon, where several buildings had been erected, and where the town now lies. There was only one street, Canyon street, which ran parallel with the creek, and adjacent to it on the east side. The principal object of the builders being to get as close as possible to the creek, where the claims were being worked by thousands of men, but little attention was paid to symmetry or fine effects, and consequently the buildings were crowded together as closely as possible so as not to occupy valuable "pay" ground. The street was a mere alley, and the buildings one story high and of the simplest and rudest con- struction. During July and August of the year 1862 several new stores and some ten or twelve saloons commenced operations. Thus the town grew, numbering probably between twelve and fifteen hundred people when the winter of 1862-63 set in. At that time the creek bed was a little to the east of the stream's present course, and through what is now the business center of the town. So> rapidly was the ground worked, however, that in the spring of 1863 claim own- ers along the creek for perhaps three hundred yards through the town decided to attempt to flume the creek that they might get at the gravel in its bed. Accordingly, an immense flume was constructed through Canyon street and the water turned into it. The attempt was successful, and for several weeks Canyon creek was kept within its timber bonds. How- ever, high water caused a flood, and the stream was turned into its old bed, but not until most of the ground had been worked. The con- struction of the Lone Star and Humboldt ditches, in 1863 and 1864, aided the business of the town quite materially, as many men were given employment on these works in ad- dition to 1 the hundreds at work in the surround- ing country. Canyon City w ! as the only town of importance within a radius of a hundred miles, and consequently handled the major portion of the! county's trade for 1 many years. For a mining town, Canyon City seems to have been remarkably free from those law- breaking, bloody affairs which characterized most mining camps in the 'fifties and 'sixties,, though the town was by no 1 means a model con>- munity. There were the usual number of small affrays, fights and robberies, but murders were infrequent, and the reputation of this eastern Oregon mining camp is unstained 1 by records of lynchings. The miners, as a class, were law- abiding, and only dealt harshly with those who attempted to interfere with their peaceful pur- suits. The creek was settled by Californians and Oregonians of the better class, and this fact undoubtedly assisted materially in giving a higher tone to the community. Even at the present day one will hardly find a more peace- ful, law-abiding and contented class of people than live in Canyon City, while their cordial- ity, hospitality and culture are noticed at once by the stranger. Until as late as 1870 prowl- ing Indian bands occasionally managed to> steal a few 1 horses on the nearby ranges and commit 28 434 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES smaller depredations, but no very serious loss- es were experienced by the townspeople from this source. R. H. J. Comer, writing- in his paper, the Canyon City Journal, in 1868, says: The first death in this camp was that of a man whose name has escaped our memory, on Pine creek. He died of consumption. The second was that of James K. Knox, killed by W. Blev- ins on the 23d of November, 1862, at which time our too well filled graveyard was picked out and dedicated. The first persons joined in the holy bonds of wedlock were James Adams and Jenette Hunter." When the first miners came to Canyon City the banks of Canyon creek were covered by a heavy growth of cottonwood and pine timber, and before bedrock could be reached it was necessary to clear the land. This undertaking required many months to complete, and when finished greatly changed the appearance of the canyon. Bunch grass grew knee high and vegetation bloomed luxuriantly everywhere, affording the finest grazing imaginable for 1 the few head of stock which were brought in by the earliest settlers. The first families to ar- rive came in from California in July, 1863, the size of this train being given by Mr. Comer as consisting of thirty-two: wagons, one hundred and five men, fourteen women and several chil- dren. This immigration added substantially to the permanent population of the place. Slowly but steadily Canyon City added to its population and size. A road was- opened to The Dalles in 1864, and the current of traffic between these two> centers set in, ever growing stronger and building up the business interests of these communities. In this year Grant county was organized and Canyon City took on the dignity of county seatship. In later years other towns, believing themselves tO' be better located and fitted to maintain the seat of county government, sought to wrest this honor from Canyon City, but without avail. With the establishment of the county offices here the permanency of the town was assured and many drawn within its limits who other- wise might have settled elsewhere. The pioneer court house stood on Main street, just east of Washington street, and was built in 1864. This building was destroyed by the fire of 1870. A new court house was im- mediately constructed in its stead, which was used until 1885, when the present handsome county building was erected at a cost of about $22,000. The grounds are beautifully situ- ated on a level tract of land on the western bank of Canyon creek, and ocupy an entire block. The first very serious setback was given the city by a disastrous fire, which occurred August 12, 1870, by which the entire business section and many private residences were destroyed. The damage was estimated at $278,000, in round numbers, with $40,000 insurance. D. B. Rhinehart, at that time correspondent of the Oregonian in this county, writing in that paper under date of September, 1870, gives the fol- lowing graphic account of this fire "What a world of smoke, ashes and ruin ! Canyon City remains only in name. Nearly all that was once lovely or valuable of our fa- vored county seat has passed away. The city having been composed almost entirely of wood- en buildings, save a few bank fire-proofs, and everything as dry as powder, you may well imagine the quick destruction that followed. The fire is said to have originated from the kitchen stovepipe of the International hotel, George Bieson proprietor. The day was calm and lovely. A quiet breeze was perceptible from the north, but was quickly fanned into greater activity by the first burst of flame from the hotel roof. Men, women and children hur- ried to and fro in wild excitement as the de- vouring elements spread with increased fury northward, southward, eastward and west- ward. The flames, like infuriated demons, bent on destruction, leaped from roof to roof, 1 and from attic to base, causing the frail struc- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 435 tures to disappear 'like leaves before a driving storm.' There was little hope from the first of saving any buildings in the business portion of the town, but many heroic and successful efforts were made to save human lives, precious relics, public documents and valuable property. Several persons were confined to their beds at the time, and were the first to claim the atten- tion of their friends. By immediate and vig- orous action they were rescued just in time to escape most horrible deaths. A decrepit Chinaman, however, fell a victim to the flames and was burnt to a cinder. It is said that he was in the act of secreting some stolen goods when the flames closed him in forever. "We need only mention a few cases 1 of hair- breadth escapes in which heroism was exhib- ited. Mrs. Day, wife of the United States deputy marshal for this county, while in a dar- ing attempt to secure her husband's public and private papers from burning in the Interna- tional hotel, was twice carried from the sur- rounding flames and falling timbers. Still un- daunted, in the spirit of a devoted wife and true heroine, she was about to make her last desperate effort when the papers were secured and she carried them off in triumph, to the joy of many witnesses. We next find her in the storeroom of George B. Fearing & Company, engaged in packing goods into the underground fire-piroof, and when informed that the fire was upon them, and that she had better flee for her life, she firmly replied, 'We can save a few more things,' until Mr. Fearing closed the iron door against her and forced her from the burn- ing building. There were also several other ladies who might be honorably mentioned in this connection for their daring perseverance. F. C. Selsi, our present county judge, came near losing his life through over-exertion and copi- ous inhalation of heat and smoke. He is still confined to his bed and in a rather critical con- dition. "Every business house and many private dwellings have been destroyed. The follow- ing is a list of the losses as obtained in person from the parties themselves : "George B. Fearing & Company, store- house and goods, $7,500; Rhinehart & Over- holt, storehouse and goods, $8,000; Dr. F. C. Florseley, drug store, $8,000; Neal McNulty, saloon, $3,000; George Bieson, hotel, $3,000, insurance, $2,000; McCollough & Hellman, storehouse and goods, $100,000, insurance, $10,000; Drs. Tierney & Keler, drug store, $3,000; Dr. Tierney, private property, $4,000; Mary St. Clair, saloon and contents, $20,000; Overholt & Pellett, wagon shop, $2,500; Gund- lach Brothers, storehouse and goods, $14,000,- insurance, $10,000; Bradley office building, $1,200; Hyatt, saloon, $1,500; Foster, watch- maker, $1,000; Phil. Metschan, meat market, $1,000; M. P. Berger, storehouse, $1,000; Mr. Fleurette and lady, French hotel, $10,000, partly insured ; Haguewood & McBean, saloon, $5,000, insurance, $1,500; Haguewood, pri- vate property, $1,500; Thomas Poindexter, private dwelling, $1,000; Coffman & Messen- ger, storehouse and goods, $20,000, insurance, $8,500; Sels & Stemme, storehouse and goods, $7,000, insurance, $3,000; F. C. Sels, brewery, $7,000; B. J. Beesley, blacksmith shop, $1,000; Krause, barber, $500; L. B. Trowbridge, dwelling, $1,500; Fred Marhoe, $1,000; I. O. O. F. building and contents, $8,000, insurance, $2,400; Masonic loss, $1,500; H. Cole, black- smith, $2,000; I. O. G. T. loss, $1,500; county court house and jail, $40,000." These figures are given as only approximate, and doubtless the real loss was far below that given above. With characteristic enterprise and energy the citizens went bravely to work repairing the damage done by the fire's ravages, and within a short time new and better buildings arose out of the ruins and cosmos was again evolved from chaos. Eight years later Canyon City was visited by an Indian scare of considerable propor- tions. General Howard, in close pursuit of Chief Egan and his warring redskins, drove 436 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES them east out of Harney valley, passing within twenty miles of Canyon City on the south. When it was learned that the Indians were coming in this direction, steps were at once taken to insure protection for the women and children, and every able bodied man and boy was placed under arms. A requisition was made for more arms, and a consignment of one hundred rifles, with ammunition, was sent from The Dalles. The mining tunnels west of town were trans- formed into places of refuge, and here were gathered most of the women and children and valuables, many families moving their furni- ture, bedding, kitchen utensils, etc., into these temporary forts. The city took on a martial air, scouting parties were organized, sentinels posted and every precaution possible taken to guard ag-ainst an attack. Steps were taken toward the formation of a military company, but, as the sequel proved, its services were not needed, and it was never formally organized. The citizens remained under arms for several days, or until the Indians had fled through Fox valley, up Long creek and northward out of striking distance. During this time the city was visited several times by detachments of soldiers, sometimes after supplies, sometimes after information, so that the place was well protected at all times and ready to stoutly de- fend itself. Not much of particular interest occurred in Canyon City during the next few years. The town grew slowly and was prosperous in pro- portion to the general prosperity of the mining and stock industries of the county. During the 'seventies many Chinamen secured control of the old creek claims, which had not been thoroughly worked in the eager haste of their early owners, and scores of the Mongolians were employed in sifting the gravel in search of the yellow metal. Thus a Mongolian town grew up on the outskirts of the city. A fire broke out in this district February 6, 1885, and in a short time totally destroyed it. For a time it was feared that the whole town was en- dangered, .but fortunately the fire was checked before it had progressed far enough to obtain a firm foothold in the business section. The Chinese were not allowed to 1 build on the old site, and the majority of them moved to John Day. The fire department at this time, con- sisting of sixty persons, was in an efficient con- dition. Water was obtained from four hy- drants of immense pressure, and there were four hundred feet of serviceable hose. About half past three o'clock on the after- noon of Saturday, May 29, 1886, a cloudburst occurred just above town, which did consider- abe damage to business houses and private dwellings generally. The creek became a roaring torrent, rolling large boulders, trees and debris into the roads and streets, flooding cellars, carrying away flumes, filling tunnels, destroying goods, filling stores and shops with mud and gravel, twisting sidewalks and de- stroying the county bridge across the creek. George Gundlach & Brother were the principal losers, their cellar being flooded and goods damaged to the extent of several hundred dol- lars. This was a greater storm than the one five years previously, but not so much damage was done, as the water kept, a more direct course towards the creek. Old residents give it as their opinion that this storm was the severest which ever occurred in this section. The total damage amounted to several hundred dollars. Telephone agitation, which had been going on for some time, took a more definite form in April, 1895, when the Inland Telephone Ex- change was organized with a capital stock of $2,000. Local capitalists were behind the en- terprise and hearty support was given the pro- ject by residents of this section. The company purposed to- erect a line between the principal towns in Grant and Harney counties, and the line to Prairie City was to be met there by one extending from Baker City. The organization of this company did not materialize, however,. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 437 and another local company was organized in February, 1895, to build a line between Can- yon City and John Day. A portion of the equipment was purchased and preparations made to proceed with the construction work, but in the case of this company, too, nothing was done. Finally the Blue Mountain Tele- phone Company constructed a line to Canyon City, John Day, Prairie City and. Burns from Heppner, and later a line was built from Baker City to Prairie City, giving the country excel- lent telephonic communication with the outside world. The telegraph will come with the ad- vent of the iron horse. The spring of 1896 was a rainy one and while rain deluged the valleys, snow fell to a considerable depth in the high altitudes, caus- ing the streams to rise much above their usual height. On May 29th a heavy thunder shower occurred on Canyon creek, and by ten o'clock that evening this quiet stream had become a roaring, raging torrent, and had risen to the danger point, sweeping away outbuildings, woodpiles and loose debris. At midnight. the fire bell apprised the sleeping inhabitants o county bridge could be built to* take the place of the one washed away. Little did the inhabitants of Canyon City dream, when they retired to rest on that ill- omened Friday night, November 11, 1898, that ere another sunrise their peacefi/l little city would be all but blotted out of existence by the dread fire fiend, and that many of them would be homeless and not a few penniless. Little did they imagine the awful destruction that was to' fall upon them and the fierce strug- gle that was to' ensue to 1 save even a remnant of their homes. Great calamities come when least expected, and in this the catastrophe which befell Canyon City was no exception, although it is true that since the founding of the place its inhabitants had realized, that its destruction by a sweeping fire was a. possible if not a probable occurrence. The very nature of conditions, the way in which the town was built and its situation in the draught of a nar- row canyon, were favorable to such a calam- ity, and as if to make the circumstances still more favorable, the city's fire system was in a deplorable condition. So when the clang of the fire bell rang out upon the still night air this clear wintry even- ing, giving warning to' the citizens to prepare for battle, all realized that the fight was to be a hard one. A strong wind from up the canyon fanned the flames., and unfortunately the reser- voir above town, which furnished the water supply, was unusually low. It required only an instant to sum up the situation, but, not- withstanding the discouraging circumstances, the fight began. Away up in the second story of the Elk- horn hotel the tiny flames first burst through into the air, about half past ten o'clock, and as if in response to a preconcerted signal it seemed only a moment until the hotel was grasped by a hundred forked tongues of fire and enshrouded in clouds of tell-tale smoke. Just across the street stood the old City hotel, 438 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES and without an effort the leaping flames crossed the narrow street and penetrated its dry wood- en walls, devouring them as if they were made of paper, and extending its ever reaching de- struction to the north and to the south. To the south of the Elkhorn hotel the tide of flame then rolled, and the crackling, snapping and crashing soon told that the buildings in its path in that direction were doomed. Then to the north and west, and the fire fiend was conquer- ing everywhere and melting within its furnace the accumulations of years of hard work and toil, whilst it seemed as if nt» human power could check the complete destruction of the city. Meanwhile the fire apparatus had been hur- ried into service and willing hands lent aid. Bucket brigades were formed, corps of men, women and children set to; work saving what property could be snatched from 1 burning build- ings and removing it to places of safety, and an heroic effort, in which all joined, was made to check the conflagration. Everything that even savored of hope was tried, and if energy and tireless effort could have saved, Canyon City would have met with small loss. But early in the night the water supply gave out, and with a strong wind lending life to the flames and the close proximity to^ one another of the dry wooden buildings, the fight was an unequal one. Straight down Washington street the fire took its course, razing every- thing destructible in its path. It finally ended its course in that direction by burning the dwelling of Robert Hines. Its progress south- ward was not so rapid, owing to more unfavor- able circumstances, and at the residence of O. P. Cresap the flames were stayed. The Episco- pal church, just across the street, was also saved. The creek proved an impassible barrier on the west and that portion of the town across the creek and lying south of the Cresap resi- dence escaped unscathed. It was a dreary, desolate scene the morning dawned upon. Canyon City's business center and the greater portion of its residence section were smouldering heaps of ruins ; the heart of the city was laid in waste ; the winter was close at hand and want and penury stared scores in the face. The picture was of most sombre coloring and it required brave hearts to face the prospect without flinching. One-half the population was homeless ; the greater portion of a winter's supplies had been destroyed, a serious loss at this season of the year, and lum- ber was not to be obtained at any price. The monetary loss, was appalling, footing up into the hundreds of thousands of dollars and practically uncovered by insurance, as, in the majority of cases, insurance companies re- fused risks at any price and when rates were made they were so high as to preclude the idea of carrying any reasonable amount. Among the principal losses were: Canyon City brew- ery, $30,000; Elkhorn hotel, $5,000; City or Valade hotel, $5,000; Odd Fellows' hall, $5,- 000; A. Hinch, $12,000; Cunnington & H'ors- ley, $20,000; R. A. Hines, $3,000; Dr. J. W. Ashford, $4,000; N. Rulison, $2,000; A. L. Markham, $3,000 in United States bonds; Mrs. L. Robinson, $2,000; Methodist church, $2,500; Thompson Drug Company, $3,000; Col. D. I. Asbury, $3,000; Guernsey & Clark, $3,000; I. J. Haguewood, $2,000; Brown & Simpson, $1,000; McBean & Miller, $1,500; Clay Todhunter, $1,000; Frank Fleishman, $1,000; and W. H. Kelly, $1,000. These losses were the principal ones, besides which there were many smaller ones by other business houses and residents. The contents of the post- office were saved. No time was lost in mourning, however. The situation was too pressing. The court house was at once thrown open to the home- less and those more fortunate generously ex- tended their hospitality to others. The Grant County News, whose office had been the one business house to escape the fire, was at once offered to place before the outside public news of the dire calamitv that had befallen Cairyon HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 43» City and solicit aid. As soon as the extent of the loss became apparent Editor Chandler and his force commenced work, and by nine o'clock the next morning several hundred copies of the News were on their way to neighboring towns. The greatest need was building material with which to rebuild the destroyed homes. Many tents were utilized and the surrounding sawmills were notified that a large supply of lumber would be needed at once. Mayor Cre- sap appointed as ai fire relief committee, P. F. Chandler, editor of the News, chairman, Mrs. Frank Sels, Mrs. J. W. Ashford, Walter Brown and E. S. Penfield. Long Creek was the first town to respond to the appeal sent out, the residents of that town sending a subscrip- tion of $55. Then Baker City's relief fund was received. It amounted to $202, besides many large private subscriptions. Prairie City, Heppner, John Day, Portland and other towns and mining camps of Oregon contributed gen- erously, in all, something over $3,000 being realized, which, needless to say, was used to the best possible advantage. Hardly had the last smouldering ember died out before the click of the hammer and the song of the saw were heard, and as rapidly as it was possible to procure lumber and other necessary building material new business and residential structures arose over the ashes. However, it was slow work, this rebuilding, and many months elapsed before the burnt dis- trict again assumed the life and appearance of a city. Canyon City profited by the fire in several ways, the most important being that larger and more substantial structures were reared. For- merly there were three streets running north and south, and in no one was it possible for a team to turn around, the streets 1 being so nar- row. At a citizens' meeting held directly after the fire it was voted to do away with one of these streets and widen the business portion of Washington street to sixty feet, the additional width being taken from the western side. Pro- vision was' made far a change in the charter, allowing the council jurisdiction over the streets, that the change might be made legally, and meanwhile it was mutually agreed by prop- erty owners to< comply with this desire. The street thus abandoned, Canyon street, was at one time the main thoroughfare of the city. The new Canyon City was an improvement in many ways over the old town, and, best of all, was the confidence in the future of the city which the rapid and costly rebuilding instilled in the people. The most terrific hail storm that ever vis- ited this region passed over the city May 11, 1901, at half past three o'clock, lasting half an hour. Hail measuring one and a half inches fell, breaking windows, tearing off roofs, strip- ping fruit trees and doing other damage. Teams hitched on the street broke their fasten- ings and dashed wildly through the city, seek- ing to escape the storm of missiles. A deluge of water down Town gulch followed the storm, flooding the streets and cellars and doing con- siderable damage. Temporary levees were hastily constructed to keep the water from rushing down side streets, and by this means the damage was confined as much as possible. Until 1 89 1 the inhabitants of Canyon City did not possess the privilege of living within the limits of an incorporated town, though in importance and population it had been entitled to that dignity many years before, but at the session of the legislature that year a bill was introduced and passed incorporating Canyon City, Prairie City and Long Creek. Under the provisions of this charter, the first election was held here in March, 1891, which resulted in the following officers being chosen : Mayor, C. W. Parrish; recorder, N. Rulison; treasurer, John Muldrick; councilmen, D. G. Overholt, M. V. Thompson, N. H. Boley, A. Hupprich, Frank McBean ; marshal, W. R. Cunnington. The last municipal election was held in April, 1902, when, the following corps of officers were elected to administer the city's affairs during 440 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the ensuing year : Mayor, William Mason ; recorder, Z. G. Martin, treasurer, G. I. Hazel- tine; marshal, George Fugit; councilmen, A. Jackson Chambers, V. G. Cozad, Robert Glen, J. F. Turner and George F. Ward. The city has never had adequate fire pro- tection. Had there been a fairly good system of water works in 1870 and again in 1898 the city might have been saved the appalling losses suffered by fire on those memorable occasions. The present system was installed several years ago' and consists of two small reservoirs, with an aggregate capacity of 12,000 gallons, situ- ated on the hill east of the town and fed by springs. With twoi streams playing at the same time, it is estimated that this supply of water would last but little over an hour, and con- siderable time is required to refill these reser- voirs. Water mains convey this water to dif- ferent parts of the city, several hydrants being in use. The city boasts a well organized de- partment, there being two companies of four- teen members each. At no> time: has the city been so well protected from fire as at present, and with the erection of stone and brick build- ings from time to time, each year the danger of a repetition of the conflagrations of 1870 and 1898 becomes less. Since the rebuilding of the city the last time the different insurance companies have decided to assume risks, where- as before that it was impossible to obtain any insurance on business houses. In no way, perhaps, does Canyon City show its progressiveness better than by its excellent school. The Canyon City school is in charge of Professor C. J. Mcintosh, assisted by J. M. Montgomery and Miss Olive Coral ee. There are about ninety scholars in the school and this year a high school branch will be instituted. The writer witnessed the first annual - gradua- tion, exercises of the Canyon City public school last May, when a class of ten bright young men and women were granted diplomas, and by word and action they acquitted themselves well. The preceding evening the younger schol- ars gave a school exhibition and sang the oper- etta "Red Riding Hood," and it is keeping within the bounds of truth to say that it was the peer of any like entertainment we have ever seen given by children of their age. There are two 1 churches here, the Meth- odist, presided over by Rev. P. F. Chandler, and the Episcopal, under the rectorship of the Rev. M. J. Goodheart. Both edifices are a credit to the religious inclinations of the people and each draws to its altar large congregations when services are conducted, every other Sun- day in the Methodist and every Sunday in the Episcopal church. Canyon City might aptly be termed the "City of Lodges," for in no city of its size in Oregon are there more fraternal organizations and societies. In 1899 a handsome stone fra- ternal hall was erected by the different lodges in the city, at a cost of six thousand dollars, and in this building the different orders meet. The Masons are represented by Blue Moun- tain Chapter, No. 7, R. A. M., Canyon City Lodge, No. 34, A. F. & A. M., and Julia Chap- ter, O. E. .S. The Odd Fellows have two lodges, Excelsior Encampment, No. 3, and Ho- bah Lodge, No. 22, besides Hebron Lodge, No. 6, Daughters of Rebekah. Vernon Lodge, No. 43, K. of P., Canyon City Camp, No. 218, Woodmen of the World. Blue Mountain Circle, No. 222, Women of Woodcraft, Homer Lodge, No. 78, A. O. U. W., Maggie Barker Lodge, No. 63, D. of H., D. W. Jenkins Cabin, No. 2$, Native Sons of Oregon, Elizabeth Gray Cabin, No. 21, Native Daughters of Oregon, and Evergreen Lodge, No. 57, I. O. O. Lions, recently organized, complete the list of fra- ternal societies in the city. All have thriving lodges and their influence is apparent in the community. We have traced in the foregoing pages as best we could the growth of Canyon City from its inception to the present. It has had vicissi- tudes of fortune to which mining camps are usually subject, has bravely endured the CAHYON CITY. CASTLE ROCK. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 441 storms of financial depression and discourage- ment which at times beset the growth of a vil- lage, and as a city, looks hopefully forward to the future. At one time it was the center of one of the richest placer mining districts in the world and beneath the mountain forests of the Strawberry range lies an incalculable wealth of quartz, which, when properly developed, can- not but enrich the country and may build a metropolis on Canyon creek. CHAPTER VI. JOHN DAY, PRAIRIE CITY AND OTHER TOWNS. JOHN DAY. John Day is the second town in population and importance in Grant county, and if its present rapid growth continues it will not be long until Canyon City, the present metropolis, . will have to share honors equally with its neighbor. Even at the present time it would be impossible to say which of these two thriv- ing towns transacts the most business, so evenly is the trade of this section divided. Both have a population of between four and five hundred, and if a miracle were to be wrought and these two centers combined, the city thus formed would be the equal of any in Oregon of its size. From the border of one town to the border of the other the distance is only about a mile and a half, an excellent high- way connecting the two places. Perhaps the day will come, it is not an improbability, when the wealth garnered from the depths of Can- yon mountain, the sands of the John Day and the mineralized section which lies between the two, from the fruit and agricultural industries of the John Day valley and the stock-raising interests of the outlying ranges, will build a city on Canyon creek which will extend from Canyon City to John Day and include both these towns. John Day was founded under the same cir- cumstances, at the same time, by the same class of settlers, grew up under the same influences and is now sustained by practically the same industries that sustain Canyon City. Quite naturally the business of this mining district had a tendency to concentrate in one place, and as the latter named settlement was nearest the center of the mines, it grew more rapidly and became the principal town. The story of the discovery of the Canyon creek and Marysville mines in April, 1862, has been narrated at length elsewhere — of how the creek bed from' Whisky Flat to the mouth of the creek was taken up in claims within a few weeks after the arrival of the first miners. Mining was the sole support of the community then ; and agri- culture was as yet but a misty dream of the future and the fertile John Day valley in its virgin condition. Among those prominently identified with the discovery and operation of the first mines at the mouth of Canyon creek may be men- tioned G. I. Hazeltine, P. V. Middlesworth and C. B. Cobb. A town was unthought of then. The following year, 1863, the numerous population of this district demanded a nearer trading point than the settlement up the creek, and so Captain E. B. Fearing erected a small 442 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES store near where Main and Canyon streets now intersect. A saloon was also* opened. The natural advantages of this place as a commer- cial center were soon recognized and this same summer a small hotel was opened. In 1864 A. R. McCallum and G. I. Hazeltine, with keen foresight, recognized in the richness and ex- tent of the mines and the thousands of acres of fertile agricultural land in the valley the fac- tors that would result in a permanent settle- ment here, and, with commendable enterprise, they built a small flouring mill in the little settlement near the mouth of Canyon creek. At that time a few settlers had taken up agri- cultural land and these promised to sow wheat if a mill were started. Flour then sold at twenty-five dollars per fifty-pound sack. Mc- Callum & Hazeltine paid from, ten to fifteen cents a pound for getting the machinery in, nearly all of it having to be packed in on horses from The Dalles, two hundred miles away. Although this mill was a small one, it proved a financial success and assisted in noi small way in firmly establishing the agricultural industry here. This mill was used until the 'eighties, when it was remodeled and enlarged. Power is furnished by water taken from the John Day river. The mill is now owned by H. M. Bas- ford. In 1864, also 1 , another small store was opened and two saloons were doing business, one kept by a man named Hiatt, the other by a man familiarly known as "Shorty." E. Mosier was another pioneer of John Day, hav- ing built a blacksmith shop there in 1865. At this time, as heretofore stated, miners were scattered along the creek, and while the upper settlement was known as Canyon City, that at the mouth of the canyon was always referred to> as the "Lower Town." About this time, however, the inhabitants of this section chris- tened their business center "John Day," after the famed stream which flows, through the val- ley and gives it its name. In those days there was much lawlessness in this region. Robberies occurred in the com- munity almost nightly; weapons were carried by every one and petty crimes were frequent. In short, the Canyon Creek camp was typical of most mining centers of the rugged west, and yet, in comparison with some of the early Ne- vada, Colorado and California camps, the wickedness of this camp was never great. During the latter 'sixties the population here began to: scatter, the placer mines giving out, and all through the 'seventies the Chinese were about the only miners who considered the tailings on Canyon, creek worth re-working. The transition period between the passing of the great placer mines and the rise into first importance of stock-raising and agriculture lies in the 'seventies. Stock-raising was the first to relegate the mining industry to 1 secondary importance and it gained very rapidly after the first few years. The John Day valley was quickly divided into small holdings of land, the tributary valleys were populated, immense herds of cattle and horses and bands of sheep occupied the ranges and very slowly, but with ever increasing momentum, the county forged to the front as one of the permanent and rich agricultural and stock-raising communities of the state. Prairie City and Long Creek sprang into existence and Canyon City and John Day were lifted into greater importance by this rising tide of prosperity. In 1878 John Day was designated as a post office and Frank I. Mc- Callum' was appointed the first postmaster 1 . The rapid settlement of the valley around there brought about this action. Until this time the small hamlet here could hardly be called a town, and its inhabitants considered its exist- ence as temporary, though its excellent geo- graphical location was apparent. When, in 1876, Anton Hacheney decided to open a gen- eral store at this point and for that purpose erected what was probably the first stone build- ing built in Grant county, there were between forty and fifty people living there. A small HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 443 variety store was kept by a man named Sloss and there were two other small tobacco stores or stands. The next year, 1877, Miss Met- schan built a stone building' across the street from Mr. Hacheney's place, but this was not occupied as a store until the following' year, when Haptonstall, Dart & Company opened a store here. Earlier in 1878 Frank I. McCal- lum 1 built a small frame building on Main street and also opened a store. E. A. McCoy after- ward became a partner of Mr. MeCallum, Haptonstall, Dart & Company continued in business until 1896, when G. W. Dart bought out the remaining interests, also the remnant of Mr. Hacheney's stock, he having gone out of business in that year. Among other pioneer business men here we may mention William Davis, who kept a saloon known as the "Mt. Hood" saloon until his death in a street fight about 1868; Charles B. Cobb, who> conducted a hotel about 1880; and Daniel A. Reamer, a blacksmith of this same period. In November, 1881, according to a corre- spondent of the Bedrock Democrat, John Day possessed two general stores, two small hotels, two livery barns, a harness shop, a flouring mill, a blacksmith shop, a meat market, a good school, one church (the Methodist), one saloon and three secret orders. From 1883 to 1893 the town grew quite rapidly, and appears to have received more benefit from' the growing industries of sheep, cattle and horse-raising and farming than did Canyon City. This period was one of great prosperity and John Day re- ceived its full share. After the destruction of the Chinese portion of Canyon City by fire in 1885, and the subsequent refusal of residents of that place to allow the Chinese to rebuild, the Mongolians removed to John Day and added their numbers to the Chinese settlement already there. Thus quite a large Chinese town grew up, which at one time numbered be- tween five and six hundred inhabitants. At present there are perhaps a hundred Chinamen in John Day. They have their own stores, three in number, and the community is apart from, the main town. The inhabitants of this quaint settlement are orderly and apparently contented, and while, as 1 is their way, they do not mingle with Americans nor do they adopt American manners and customs, they are not considered a detriment to the town. During the hard times which prevailed throughout the country between' 1893 and 1897 John Day was at a standstill, going backward if moving at all. But with the dawn of pros- perity which has flooded the country with its penetrating and warming rays of progress, hap- piness and peace since then, the present John Day takes its beginning. The past five or six years marks the greatest and most substantial development of the town, and especially the past three years. From 1 a small hamlet it has attained to the population and importance of a large town — and it is still growing. From a geographical point of view, John Day is the natural commercial center of the county. Situated at the mouth of Canyon creek, it is the gateway to all that territory which lies on Canyon creek and south of Can- yon mountain ; the only road through the John Day valley passes through the town; while it is connected with Long Creek and the northern and western portions of the county by excellent roads. John Day is a natural terminus for all these highways. At the present time the dif- ferent stage lines terminate at Canyon City, but, with the exception of the Burns and Izee stages, all pass through John Day. The town lies at the mouth of the creek canyon and on a rolling tract of land. For- merly this was all occupied as mining claims and most of it has been worked for the gold deposited in the soil. Until June 1, 1880, the town site might be spoken of as government land, as by that time the mines had been aban- doned and the claims had thus reverted to the government. However, William 1 H. Kelly, an old settler, took up forty acres of this land as a homestead during the latter part of the 'sev- 444 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES enties, and on June i, 1880, was granted a United States patent by President Garfield. On this land most of the town is situated. John Day possesses several fine avenues. The town is fairly embowered in magnificent groves of poplars and other shade trees, which fringe the streets and roads leading into the place, giving it a very pretty and cO'Zy appear- ance. Like the majority of mining" towns, however, its streets are very irregularly laid out, the most important being Main street; on which the business houses are situated, and Canyon street, leading up the canyon toi Can- yon City. Many beautiful homes and yards lend beauty and attractiveness to the town, while its business structures are buildings oi which many larger towns in eastern Oregon might well feel proud. Several are built of stone, a number are frame buildings of recent construction, while the most substantial and commodious building in the county is now being erected by Clarence and William H. Johnson. This is being built of brick with stone trimmings, will be two> stories high, with an eight-foot stone basement, and its ground dimensions are sixty-four by seventy-four feet. When completed it will be occupied by a hardware store, a dry goods establishment and a bank, besides which there will be a spacious hall in the second story. T. T. Kelly, of Sump- ter, is the contractor, and it is estimated that the aggregate cost of the building will approxi- mate $10,000. At this point the John Day valley is about a mile wide. On the north side it terminates in rocky bluffs several hundred feet high, while on the south the valley rises into the foothills which farther southward become the Straw- berry range of mountains. Between these foothills and bluffs the main John Day river flows, just touching the northern outskirts of the town, and the narrow valley thus formed is not without the impressive beauty usually found in such places. The Trowbridge ranch, which bounds the town on the north, occupies the whole valley here. This ranch is the oldest ranch in the county, having been taken up in 1862, and is also one of the most highly culti- vated and most productive. The location of the town is high and dry and therefore a healthy one, and with congenial people and pleasant surroundings, John Day is unusually attractive as a residence town. The Prairie Diggings mine, which operates a twenty-five stamp mill and when running full force employs between thirty and forty men, is situated about three miles east of John Day, and three-quarters of a. mile below' the town is the great Pomeroy mining dredger, recently built and equipped at a cost of over one hun- dred thousand dollars. This gigantic machine daily sifts hundreds of tons of sand and gravel scooped from the river bed, and with human- like intelligence and skill extracts and saves the smallest grain of gold in this apparently worthless ground. Between fifteen and twenty men are employed, and as the payroll at the present time amounts to- about $3,000 a month, this industry means much in a business way to John Day. John Day was incorporated three years ago by the legislature, the following officers being appointed to act until the election of 1900: Mayor, E. J. Bay ley; recorder, J. W. McCul- loch ; treasurer, F. C. Hacheney ; councilmen, Frank I. McCallum, William Geiger, H. M. Basford, C. P. Johnson, Edward Hall and Charles Timms ; marshal, Charles Angel. At present Anthony Hacheney is mayor; N. H. Boley, recorder ; Frank C. Hacheney, treas- urer ; H. M. Basford, B. M. Burton, J. T. Berry, Clarence Johnson, G. W. Dart and J. H. Fell, councilmen ; and T. B. Hall, marshal. But few towns have been as fortunate as has John Day in escaping the disasters of fire, flood and wind, which generally overtake com- munities at some time during" their existence. During the nearly two 1 score years John Day has been in existence it has never experienced a fire of any great consequence, nor has it ever HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 445, been damaged by destructive floods or winds. Its life has been marked by no unusual events and its people have seldom; been disturbed out of the serenity surrounding them. The town has received no- serious setbacks nor have boom periods been inflicted upon it. Its growth has been steady and in response to the demands of a growing and prosperous com- munity. The town is well protected from fire by an excellent water system, owned by Anton Hach- eney. Just south of town, on the hillside, is a stone reservoir with a capacity of 13,000 gal- lons. This is filled by a pipe conveying the waters of a large spring, situated between John Day and Canyon City and taken up by Mr. Hacheney twenty years ago>. Four-inch mains carry the water from the reservoir into town, where it is distributed by several small mains and hydrants. The pressure thus ob- tained is excellent, being a fall of 120 feet. A large supply of hose and other fire extinguish- ing apparatus is owned by the town. In the eastern part of the town are situated the John Day Roller Mills, owned by H. M. Basford. These mills grind considerable of the flour used in Grant county and use thousands of bushels of grain each year. They occupy the site of the old McCallum & Hazel- tine mill. There are three large general stores here, McCallum & Bay ley, established in 1890, Al- bert Hinsch, established in 1898, and B. M. Burton, established two years ago. Johnson (C. P.) & Parrisb (J. L.) conduct a large dry goods and furnishing establishment in what was the old Hacheney store. Clarence Johnson opened a hardware store here in 1889, and this business, together with the dry goods business of his brother Williami, will occupy the new brick building now under construction and be- fore mentioned. The old Hall hotel is now un- der the management of R. W. Floyd. M. W. Myers has a furniture store, managed by Win- field Allen. Other business houses here are: A drug store, recently opened by P. A. Sny- der; meat market, Berry & Ho'iloway, pro- prietors; blacksmith shop', T. P. Morgan; tan- nery, G. Lucas ; confectionery and fruit, store, S. F. Ottman ; restaurant, Edward Hanna; liv- ery stables, Harvey Middlesworth and Frank Wallace; barber shop, Jacob Bosler; shoemak- ing shop, Frank Wiseman ; miillinery and dress- making parlors, Mrs. P. V. Middlesworth; boarding house, Mrs. E. F. Foren. Besides these business houses there is a new steam laundry, now being built, a Chinese laundry and three saloons. There are two physicians, Dr. J. H. Fell and Dr. William Lewis. The legal profession is unrepresented here because of the town's proximity to the county seat. John Johnson is the present postmaster. Wil- kins Lodge, No. 105, A. O. U. W., and Mar- garet E. Lodge, No. 64, Degree of Honor,, are the only fraternal organizations, the re- maining orders having combined with those at Canyon City. There are two churches here, both of which own commodious houses of worship, the Meth- odist, which is the oldest, and the Advent. The Rev. Perry F. Chandler ministers to the people from the Methodist pulpit every other Sunday, while regular services are held in the Advent church by its pastor, F. W. Brampton.. John Day has excellent schools and its. peo- ple have always been found standing shoulder to shoulder on all problems affecting the ad- vancement of the educational interests of the town. This school district was established by Superintendent Rhinehart on January 2, 1865,. and was known as district No. 3, which num- ber it still retains. The first session of school was held in the summer of 1866. The pioneer- board of this district was composed of A. G. Mulkey, N. W. Fiske, Wilson Harer, directors, and W. F. Vinegard, clerk. School has been- maintained regularly since then, and at pres- ent about one hundred pupils are enrolled. This summer a new four-room schoolhouse, costing $3,400, was completed, which is now 446 HISTORY OF EAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES in charge of Professor H. L. Mack and wife and F. S. Ottman. The school board is com- posed of Clarence Johnson, C. H. Timms and G. W. Porter, directors, and E. J. Bayley, clerk. Blessed with an excellent location, natur- ally and geographically, a healthy climate, an abundance of pure water, substantial business houses and enterprising and industrious citi- zens, John Day has much for which to be thankful and may look forward to a bright future. When a railroad enters the John Day valley, and this time is not far distant now, this town will be one of the most important busi- ness centers in this part of the state. As 1 the agricultural and stockraising industries grow in importance and extent 'by thousands, instead of hundreds being employed in these two im- portant branches of business, John Day will grow commercially. In no other town in the county is prosperity more prevalent than in John Day and none is making rapider strides forward. PRAIRIE CITY. It is not difficult toi discover the reason why the founders of Prairie City chose that name to designate their little settlement, for be- fore it the valley of the John Day river spreads out in all its beauty, one of the prettiest bits of mountain scenery in the west. From the his- toric river, winding like a silver ribbon through the valley the undulating, magnificent stretches of emerald prairie rise gradually to the foothills, where they melt away into the more sombre green of the pine-covered Strawberry mountains, which tower ab- ruptly and majestically upwards and paint a picture of rugged snowy beauty against the blue of heaven ; a display of color that only the eye can appreciate and a scene of grandeur that would require the pen of an Irving to' ade- quately describe. The town lies at the base of the foothills of Dixie mountain and at the mouth of Dixie creek, whose auriferous sands in early days furnished the main support of this lively little mining camp. Like most mining centers, it has had its viscissitudes of fortune; now over- flowing with prosperity and then again strug- gling for an existence. Of late years, how- ever, agriculture has gained much in im- portance in the valley and now contributes as much as mining to the town's support if not more. But to correctly and fully tell the story of Prairie City the historian must carry his read- ers back to the earliest settlement of the coun- ty, to the summer of 1862, when the van of the great emigration from California reached east- ern Oregon. It was about the middle of June when a party, numbering perhaps fifty or sixty persons and known as the "woman party" from the fact that with it were the first two white women to enter this section of the country, encamped near Dixie creek on their way over Dixie mountain. Two parties, Hop- per's and Macgruder's, had already passed over the trail, all having the Salmon river mines in Idaho as their ultimate destination. When the woman party, as we will call it, reached the summit of the divide, the next morning they were met by a portion of Hop- per's party returning to Canyon creek. Mem- bers of the latter named party told discourag- ing news of the outlook ahead, whereupon the woman party held a consultation and decided to also return. That evening camp was again pitched on Dixie creek about three and a half miles above its confluence with the John Day, and, as the story goes, the women panned out sufficient gold in the creek to warrant a further investigation. The result was the founding of Dixie town, both the creek and the town being so named because of the southern sympathies of its first settlers. The site of this mining town was closely analagous to that of Canyon City, being upon a slightly elevated bar of the stream. The nucleus of the settlement thus formed HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 447 was rapidly augmented by passing- miners on their way to Auburn, and soon a population of between three and four hundred was engaged in extracting the precious metal from the creek bed from far above Dixie town to the John Day. Pack trains brought commodities in as rapidly as possible and soon H. H. Hyde and George Dollina were conducting general stores in rudely constructed structures and two sar loons were opened. Then Jules LeBrut erected a livery stable ; a butcher shop was opened ; a hotel conducted by William Davis, and a man named Clark, better known as "Seven-Up Clark," commenced business, and the place be- gan to assume the air of a business community. The population of the town at this time might be characterized as migratory, since strangers were constantly arriving and miners departing in search of richer diggings. The gravel bar on which this thriving, bustling camp sprung up was really mining ground and all taken up in claims, so> that the existence of the town de- pended entirely on the good will of the claim' owners. For this reason noi attempt was made to plat Dixie town, but it grew and spread wherever the residents willed and the miners permitted. The creek bed was torn toi pieces by the eager miners in search of gold until finally it bore rather the appearance of a glacier-swept canyon than that of a quiet- looking gulch through which the mountain stream wended its way undisturbed to the val- ley below. In 1865 Ferine & Hobson erected a small sawmill several miles up the creek and supplied the townspeople, miners and ranch- men with such small amounts of lumber as they wished. In after years this pioneer mill was removed across the valley to Squaw creek, where it was in operation until a few years ago. Up to 1868 the water used for mining pur- poses was taken fromi Dixie creek and tribu- tary streams, but in that year the Kroppe Com- pany began the construction of a small ditch which should take its water out of the John Day river. The next year another ditch was built by the Starr-Webster Company, and in 1870 a third was constructed by Flageolette & Company, the water for both these ditches being taken from the John Day river and being used principally for mining purposes. These three ditches were the principal water canals then and are still the main dependence of the town for its water supply. But there was to. come a time in the near future when the placer mines on Dixie creek could no longer produce as bountifully as in former years and the miners should demand the ground on which Dixie town was situated. This time arrived ten years after the first dis- covery of gold on the creek, for in the spring of 1872 the encroaching miners could no long- er be restrained and the demolition of Dixie town was begun. At the mouth of the gulch, on the left bank of the creek, a. site on which to build a new town had already been selected. As one might expect, the valley had commenced to be settled by a few hardy pioneers. About 1864 Henderson Harrier located a homestead at the mouth of Dixie creek, but though the miners' claims extended down the creek nearly to this farm, no attempt was made to form a settlement at the lower end of the diggings until 1868, when E. W. Webster and Vinton A. Hartley built a saloon, and A. E. Starr and William Kroppe erected cabins on gov- ernment land just at the base of the hill. Them, realizing that Dixie town was only a temy- porary place of abode, those who desired to> re- main on the creek commenced to remove to this new town. A desire to locate a permanent settlement here having been manifested by those already on the ground, it was decided to employ a surveyor to plat the town. So J. W. King (who- died just a short time previous to this writing) was engaged, and to him is given the credit of suggesting the name Prairie City. At all events this name seemed most appropriate and pleasing, and Prairie City the place was christened. The town continued to 448 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES grow 1 slowly until 1872, when those who had remained at Dixie in the hope that something might yet happen to save the town relinquished all hope and added their numbers to those al- ready at Prairie City, resulting in a fair sized village. Meanwhile the tailings of the old placer claims had been either leased or sold to the Chinese, who> continued to work the ground to advantage for many years, thus demonstrating that the (claims were not as thoroughly worked as they might have been. To-day the former site of Dixie, ait one time the second town in the county in population, is marked by a dilapidated weather-stained shack, the former butcher shop, and as the traveler rides down the hill and past the spot a desolate waste of rock heaps and barren grav- el banks meets his gaze and tells the story of a deserted mining camp only too plainly. The first store in Prairie City was con- ducted by H. H. Hyde, who, in conjunction with the Odd Fellows, erected a commodious building. Frank Flageolette built a saloon and hotel combined, which in after years became known as the Hartley hotel. A Mrs. Cooley kept a boarding house, and other establish- ments formerly located at Dixie resumed busi- ness here. Among the other pioneer business men was Jules LeBrut, who maintained a liv- ery and carried the mails to Prairie City for many years. Gradually placer mining declined in im- portance and those previously engaged in that business either moved away or became in- terested in stock raising and agriculture. Just when the first quartz mine in this section was discovered we have not been able to find out, but it is quite certain that only in the past few years has quartz .mining assumed any great importance. For many years after the placer claims were abandoned the mining in- terests around Prairie City became subordinate to those of stock raising and agriculture and the town became more of an agricultural than a mining- center. A correspondent of the Baker City Bedrock Democrat, writing in the issue of November 9, 18S1, says: "This town (Prairie City), as its name implies, is a prairie town, being situated on a sloping side hill, with the John Day valley spreading out beautifully before it. The town contains business houses as follows John Laurance, Jules LeBrut, W. J. Galbraith and N. Fisk, general stores ; Mrs. J. W. Cleaver, ladies' goods; Walter Reynolds, harness shop; E. J. Baldwin, tinshop ; N. W. Thornton, Will- iam Shaw, Williami Johnson and D. B. Fisk, blacksmiths; Charles Cooley, J. W. Mack, ho- tels; Jules LeBrut and A. Cripsal, livery sta- bles ; Morehead & Cleaver, flour and feed ; Samuel Hough and William Brodie, butchers;; L. Flageolette, saloon; A. M. Dodson, physi- cian. A good school is kept in operation, and there are several lodges. Several new houses have been erected this season and the future prospects of the town are bright." A fire originating in Baldwin's tinshop and Galbraith's store, April 24, 1884, reduced the greater portion of the town to ashes, only two' buildings being left standing in the upper side of the town. The business section was nearly all destroyed. Of course this calamity was a severe blow to the town, but notwith- standing their loss, the citizens went ener- getically to work rebuilding, and in a comparat- tively short time new and more substantial structures had taken the place of those burned, and Prairie City resumed its progress. Three years later another destructive fire visited the town, consuming the business por- tion and most of the buildings south of Main street. The flames were first seen pouring out of the Odd Fellows-Hyde building, and de- spite the desperate efforts made to confine the damage to that structure, the fire spread with the disastrous results above mentioned. At the session of the legislature in 1891 an act was passed incorporating Prairie City as a town. The spring election resulted in the selection of the following officers : President,. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 449 M. Howell; councilmen, William Wright and S. S. Durkheimer; recorder, J. T!. Sullens ; treasurer, W. R. Fisk; marshal, Albert Wor- ley. The charter bears date February 18, 1891. Ten years later, or in 1901, proceedings were instituted by J. W. Mack, on behalf of the citi- zens, to secure a clear title from the govern- ment to the upper portion of the town site. As heretofore mentioned, the old town was lo- cated on government land, title to which had never been obtained, owing to some inexplica- ble oversight. No one had ever questioned the rights of property owners to the land in that section of the town, but in order that no em- barrassing complications might result from this neglect, application for the land was made in the name of Marvin Kilbourn. He had pur- chased Mr. Harrier's homestead about 1876 and platted the northern or upper portion of the land which now forms the main part of the town and consented to the. use of his name. The government readily granted a patent upon the application being filed, and deeds of trans- fer were then made out to the present prop- erty owners. This same year the legislature granted the town a new charter, giving Prairie City the rights and privileges of a city, under which charter the municipal government is now car- ried on. At the last election the following officers were elected : Mayor, Marshall How- ell ; treasurer, William Donaldson ; recorder, B. M. Carrier; councilmen, J. B. Dixon, J. H. Blinn, A. L. Babcock and T. M. Ray. The severest loss which Prairie City has ever sustained was that by fire, May 6th, last, when one-half of the business section of the town was destroyed. Twice before the fire- fiend had wreaked its fury on the struggling village, and now it was to meet with a third and more disastrous loss, just as an era of prosperity had dawned upon it. Within four years the business interests of Grant county's two most important towns have been all but destroyed by the flames. The fire originated in the Prairie City ho^ 29 tel, catching from a. defective flue in the kitchen, and in a few minutes the building was enveloped in clouds of flame and smoke. The fire department responded quickly, but for some reason the chemical engine refused to work, and as the town has no> water system, the fire fighters had to resort to the old-time bucket brigade. The flames made slow pro- gress at first, however, and had there been even a small water system their progress could easily have been stayed. As it was, the fire spread quickly to Miller's drug store and Durk- heimer's general store. From there the fiery element swept westward, devouring the en- tire business block, including the store and warehouse of Isham Laurance, valued at $25,- 000. On the north the residence of S. I. Belknap had caught fire, and in a compara- tively shoirt time William Shellaibarger's har- ness and saddle establishment and Kight & McHaley's butcher shop had furnished feed for the flames. Within an hour from' the first tap of the alarm the entire business block west of Main street and north of Fifth street was a: smouldering heap of charred timbers and ashes,, representing a loss of v$6o,ooo. Five thou- sand dollars would probably cover the amount of insurance carried. Besides these business buildings many residences were destroyed and private losses sustained which are not included in the above amount. The citizens, men, wo- men and children, fought heroically to save their town, and many were the acts of daring performed by the fire fighters. Had the wind veered to the southward the whole town would undoubtedly have been destroyed, as condi- tions were highly favorable for such a calami- ty. One human life was sacrificed, George Jones, a resident of Prineville, who had come to the city the day previous. He was in his room at the hotel sleeping when the fire broke out, and it is supposed awoke too- late to es- cape from the burning building. Following is a summary of the losses sus- tained : Isham Laurance, general merchandise and 450 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES buildings, $25,000; R. T. McHaley, large in- terests in property, $10,000; Prairie City ho- tel, $5,000: William M. Shellabarger, harness shop, $3,000; Frank Miller, drug store, $2,500; C. C. Thomas, saloon, $1,700; livery stable, $1,800; P. Basche, office buildings and ware- house, $1,500; Mrs. A. R. Bachus, hotel sup- plies and household goods, $1,200; Kight & McHaley, butcher shop, $1,000; Sig Durk- heimer, store building and household goods, $1,000; Vinton A. Hartley, building, $1,000; Mrs. William 01p>, residence and household goods, $800; S. I. Belknap, household goods, $800; Dr. V. C. Belknap, building, $600; H. N. Crain, jewelry store, $500; B. N. Carrier, law office, $300; Prairie City Miner, material and stock, $250; Chamberlain & Long, black- smith shop, $200; and Levi Anderson, hay and grain, $200. As rapidly as possible the burnt district was rebuilt, and once again the town resumed its progress with renewed impetus and cour- age. Fortunately there was no< suffering from the cold experienced, as was the case at Can- yon City's last fire, and lumber and other nec- essary building materials were easily secured. More substantial and commodious buildings are being erected and other improvements made which give the place a superiority over its old condition. Early data regarding the establishment of the first school at Prairie City is almost impos- sible to obtain. No school whatever was ever maintained at Dixie for the reason that there were very few children in the community, not enough to support a, school. The first school of which there is any record was established at Prairie City in the winter of 1876-77, and was taught by a man named White. The school was in session only a few weeks and was held in a small building in the southern portion of the town. The next year, 1877, J. W. Mack, who had just arrived in the coun- try, was engaged to^ conduct the school, which he did, the session lasting three months. The desks were of primitive pine board character, and long boards, supported at each end, served for seats. Mr. Mack says there were ninety- seven pupils under him, of all ages and sizes. In 1885 this school house was sold to the Methodist church society and a new frame building of commodious size erected to accom- modate the growing school. This building, together with the furniture and apparatus, valued at $3,500, was destroyed by fire Mon- day, December 16, 1901. Preparations for erecting a new school house are now being made. Prairie City is the third largest town in Grant county, and Union precinct, in which it is situated, is the largest voting precinct. As the distributing point for the upper John Day valley and the famous Ouartzburg, Susanville, Dixie Meadows, Oregon Wonder and Prairie Diggings mining districts, Prairie City is a commercial center of importance, and many predict that it will some day become the metropolis of the county. Its growth has been gradual and substantial and it has grown in response to the country's needs rather than forced into an unnatural existence, as are so many western towns. Its business men are progressive and energetic, and its citizens alive to the needs of their city. Just above the city are the Prairie City Roller Mills owned by Taylor Brothers. This flouring mill has a capacity of between forty and fifty barrels a day and furnishes consid- erable of the valley's supply of flour. The Prairie City Miner is a weekly news- paper published here by W. W. Watson, an experienced newspaper man. The Miner was founded in 1900 and during its two years ex- istence has proven a very valuable aid and po- tent factor in the upbuilding of the city. The fraternal societies of the city are rep- resented by flourishing lodg'es of the A. F. & A. M., organized February 20, 1873: the Grange, organized in 1872 ; the I. O. O. F., established in 1871; the A. O. U. W., Modern HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 451 Woodmen, and several auxiliary lodges. There is only one church represented here, the Meth- odist, and this society owns a commodious building. At present the population of Prairie City is between three hundred and four hundred people, and growing, and within the past year or two* the city has made rapid strides in a business way. The mining industry has had new life infused into it by the introduction of capital and energy, and already a thirty-ton smelter has been erected and is in operation in the Quartzburg district, while preparations are being made to da extensive work in other sur- rounding districts this year. The Sumpter val- ley railway has been surveyed across Burnt river and Dixie mountains and down Dixie •creek to' Prairie City, and all feel confident that this country does not purpose to allow this rich section to be without railway transportation much longer. The vast agricultural possibili- ties of the John Day valley, with its thousands •of acres of the most fertile land in eastern Ore- gon, are beginning to be appreciated, and with development and progress along mining and agricultural lines, which will follow the advent of a railway, Prairie City cannot help but reap a benefit and attain to high rank as one of the most prosperous, healthy and beautiful small cities in the state. LONGCREEK. From a scenic and sanitary point of view the town of Longcreek is delightfully situated at the head of a valley, several miles in ex- tent. The approach to the town, either from the north, south or east, is a long and steep descent, and for miles it is plainly visible — a scattered settlement — on the slope of the foot- hills far below. Longcreek is one of the older, and perhaps the largest, of the outlying vil- lages of Grant county. Joseph W. Keeney opened a general store here about 1879. Three or four years later Edward Allen purchased the stock and con- tinued the business. A water power roller- mill was erected in 1885 by Williams & Black- man. These were the first steps in the build- ing of the town which has grown to one of considerable importance. There are now two general stores, a grocery and a drug store, a jewelry store, the Monumental hotel, a livery stable, twoi blacksmith shops, a meat market, a harness and saddle store, a newspaper (The Longcreek Ranger) . There are two physicians. Two churches and a good school building have been erected. In 1891 the town was incor- porated. Its present officers are: Mayor, G. M. Roberts ; recorder, George Rinehart ; treas- urer, Frank Kahler; marshal, J. M. Shields. The postmaster is Frank Kahler. A stock and agriculturil region is tributary to the town, and its prospects for substantial growth are good. OTHER SETTLEMENTS. There is a number of minor settlements and postoffices variously located as follows : Mt. Vernon, in the central part of the county on the John Day river; Beach Creek Station, on the creek of the same name; Hamilton, an in- land point fourteen miles northwest of Long- creek; Monument, in the northwest corner of the county near North Fork; Fox, in the west central part on Fox creek; Dayville, in the west, near South Fork; Suplee, in the south- west corner; Duncanville, a few miles north- west of Soda Springs ; Marysville, directly east of Canyon City ; Seneca and Izee, south of the Strawberry mountains ; Margaret, twenty-five miles east of John Day, south of the river; Comer, at the head of Dixie creek; Alamo and Lawton, mining towns in the northeast. Susanville is an old mining camp in the northeastern part of the county — the site of the oldest quartz mining camp in the county. In 1900 it had a population of fifty-one. In the extreme northeastern part of the county is Granite, a prosperous mining town of three hundred inhabitants. Susanville and Granite are in what is known as the Greenhorn mining district. HON. HENRY HALL. BIOGRAPHICAL. HON. HENRY HALL.— There can be no doubt but that Grant county, and the en- tire state of Oregon as well, owe much to. the ability and labors of the prominent citizen of whom we now speak and to whom we desire to grant representation in this volume. A pioneer of the earliest days, acquainted with the county from the time the first white men trod its soil, experienced in all the hardships and toil of ■a pioneer's career, a man that has ever been ready to put his shoulder to the wheel to as- sist in the progress of the country and that has ever manifested his public spirit through wise acts and worthy achievements, Mr. Hall is emi- nently fitted to sustain the honors which have come justly to him and top fill the leading posi- tion where his fellows have rightly placed him. Born in Dorset, England, in 1836, he there spent the years of his life until 1856, gaining the excellent training to be had in the schools of his land and acquiring the skill of the hus- bandman and horticulturist. In 1859 he came to the United States, filled with buoyant hopes and fired by a spirit of progression and ener- gy. His first occupation was operating' a dairy for J. Taylor in Polk county, where he con- tinued for two years, and then in company with his brother, William, bought the outfit and removed it to Walla Walla in the fall of 1 86 1. In the hard winter of 1861-62 they lost all their stock, and the spring bringing tidings of the new diggings on Powder river, in com- pany with his brother, Thomas Brentz and Na- poleon Nelson, Mr. Hall determined to seek his fortune there, and soon was on the ground. He went on to' Canyon City, and there com- menced mining, which occupied him until 1864. Thomas Brentz and Mr. Hall were the build- ers of the first log cabin in Grant county, is the opinion of Mr. Hall. After the time in mining, as stated, Mr. Hall and his brother bought the farm where he is living at the present time, four miles west /from Prairie City. Their farm contained eight hundred acres, but has been increased to two thousand five hundred acres and is well improved and slocked. In company with his brother, Mr. Hall is still raising cattle and tilling the soil, prosperity having attended his efforts from the beginning. In political matters he has ever been active, and holds with the Republican party. In 1880 the people of the county called him to the office of county commissioner and with satisfaction to all he discharged the func- tions of that office. From 1882 to 1885 he was state senator and did excellent service in that capacity, holding the chairmanship of the important committee on education, and was also a potent factor in passing the Hy- giene bill and the bill against prize fighting. Fraternally Mr. Hall is affiliated with the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 33, of Prairie City. Mr. Hall was married in 1870, and has three children, John, Jennie and Egbert. It is interesting that Mr. Hall's sons have, unaided, constructed an electric plant that supplies the hoitse with light, which, even in these days of advanced engineering, is a feat that is very praiseworthy. Mr. Hall believes that Napoleon Nelson was the first man to make a trip> to The Dalles with gold dust from the new camp. GEORGE P. M'ULCAHY.— While much is due to the hardy prospector that endures the grief incident to finding- the veins of nature's hidden wealth, still there largely de- volves upon the promoter of these prospects 454 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES a responsibility that is second to none in the entire operation of mining, from outfitting the prospertor to conducting the full-fledged pro- ducer. The successful promoter has to be a skilled prospector, a good geologist, a judge of ores, a mechanical engineer, and capable of judging water powers and landscapes, as well as a first class business man and always filled with that enthusiasm that will interest the capi- talist. He also should be able to judge of veins, which in itself is a profession. The gen- tleman whose name is at the head of this arti- cle has gained real distinction in a number of lines in his business life, but as a pro- moter of mines he is one of the leading figures, not ondv of our countv, but of the entire north- west, having gained a valuable reputation as wide as is the knowledge of the famous camps west of the Rockies. George P. was born in Ireland, of American parents, on November 10, 1864, and the following year was brought to Toledo, Ohio, with the rest of the family. There and in Michigan he received his education, learn- ing also telegraphy and becoming an expert operator. At the age of eighteen he came to 1 the Cloeur d'Alene mining section and at once took part in that business. Later he entered the employ of the Northern Pacific Railway Company as a train dispatcher at Sprague, then managed the same office in conjunction with the Western Union at Ellensburg. While in that city he organized the development com- pany that discovered the iron mines on the Teenaway. At the time of the opening of the Okanagan reservation he went thither and par- ticipated in the early times of stirring interest there enacted, both in mining affairs and in county organization. He was nominated for the county treasurership and doubtless would have been elected to that office had not a bit- ter fight as to the location of the county seat been precipitated. He was not yet of age when that nomination was made. He was connected with some of the first mining locations on Palmer mountain. From here he entered the employ of the O. R, & N. Company in eastern Oregon, and served in several responsible po- sitions. After this he opened a real estate and mining office in Spokane and began the opera- tions that have made his name well known in all this vast mining region and himself famous as one of the most skillful and able promoters that have ever operated in the west. He helped to build Rossland, British Columbia, has aided in the promotion of many of the finest mines in that section and has induced large amounts of capital to> seek investment in the mining camps of the northwest. At the present time he is operating in Grant county and territory adjacent thereto', while his headquarters are in Spokane still. Among the properties that he has promoted may be mentioned the fam- ous Prairie Diggings near Canyon City, as well as many in Idaho and others nearer. Per- haps no' other man of the county has been in- strumental in assisting materially in the up- building of the interests, not only of the county, but of the entire northwest, more largely than has Mr. Mulcahy. His judgment in regard to a prospect has rarely been found to be in- correct. Happ}' is the prospector when he can succeed in getting Air. Mulcahy tO' take hold of his claims. j The marriage of Mr. Mulcahy and Miss Louise Richenberg was solemnized in Ruby, Washington, in 1889, and to them have been born two> children, Helen U. and Grace E. DAVID MAG1LL.— There is no class of citizens of our prosperous county that have done more toward the development of its boundless resources and for the advancement of its interests than the stockmen, of which there are not a few domiciled within its bor- ders, and among this number the gentleman whose name initiates, this paragraph demands especial mention in this volume of the abiding chronicles of Grant county and 1 the bio- graphing records of its leading citizens, since his sagacity and enterprise have made him prominent in the affairs of the county, besides giving him good success in the private opera- tions of his business. Brown county, Kansas, is the native place of David, and there he passed the initial four years of his existence after his birth, which occurred in i860. Then he was taken by his parents to Polk county across the plains with ox teams — thus did the hardy pioneers of the last century brave the dangers and endure the hardships and deprivations of a new coun- try, far from civilization and peopled with sav- ages. His parents were Caleb W. and Nancy HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 455 Magill, the father living now in California, and the mother halving - passed to the rewards of another world, her remains, being buried in the Willamette valley. At the age of twenty, our subject came to this county, and soon thereafter took a homestead where he still resides, one mile northwest of Izee, He has added to the original holdings until his es- tate is now over five hundred acres. This is well improved and he raises the ordinary • products of the soil in this region, but his at- tention is largely devoted to. raising cattle. He has some fine herds and prosperity has attend- ed his faithful endeavors. The marriage of Mr. iMagill and Miss Lona, daughter of R. V. Office, was solemn- ized in 1884, and they have become the parents of two children, Zella and Arthur. Mr. Magill is a member of John Day Lodge, No. 105, A. O. U. W. He is quite prominent in politics-, being a potent factor at the conventions. He allies himself with the Democrats, firmly hold- ing the stanch old principles of Jefferson. CHARLES BALLANCE.— In the person- of the subject o>f this sketch we have one of the most substantial men among Grant coun- ty's population of mien of both ability and in- tegrity. Mr. Ballance has been one that has labored steadily and with telling wisdom and energy for the welfare of the interests of his chosen section, as well as manifesting com- mendable sagacity and enterprise in the prose- cution of the business interests that are oc- cupying him, and wherein he has been favored with the success that is sure to follow wisely bestowed industry. It is a pleasure to accord to such an one a representation in this volume, and, too, since when the thrilling call came to assemble at the capital for its defense against the minions of treason and the hordes that would have torn from its proud cupola the star- bedecked banner that had been the light oif liberty and the safeguard of the independent citizens of this republic, he was one of the filrst to offer his services, enlisting in Company E, Second Kansas Infantry. He participated in the battle of Wilson's creek and several skir- mishes, serving twoi months beyond the three for which he had offered himself. After being mustered out he was one of three that were instrumental in 1862 in forming a company, being- Company C, of the Sixteenth Kansas Cavalry, that did excellent service throughout the entire war. He went in as second lieuten- ant, but was soon promoted to the position of first lieutenant. He was on the plains con- siderable of the time under Generals. Fremont and Curtis, and participated in the battle of Westport, besides many skirmishes. At the close of the war he was mustered out and re- turned to his home in Kansas and occupied himself with farming- until 1874, then came by rail to San Francisco, thence by steamer to Portland, settling in Linn county and tak- ing up farming. Two years later he came to his present place, one mile east of Longcreek, and homes teaded the same where he has de- voted himself to farming- and stock raising. He owns two- hundred and forty acres, well improved and skillfully tilled. He has a good house, barn and orchard, and a band of cattle and horses. The birth of Mr. Ballance was on No- vember 5, 1840, near Macomb, McDonough county, Illinois, being the son of John and Hannah Ballance. He was reared on a farm and attended the public school. While yet a child his parents removed to. Lee county, Iowa, and in 1857 they came to Franklin county, Kansas, where he remained until i860, going that year tQ< Pike's Peak and returning the following year. In 1862 he was married to Miss Eliza J. Ricker, of Franklin county, Kansas, and to therm were born four children: Charles A. married to Julia Dustin, and living near Su- sanville; Melvina, wife of Henry A. Murphy, a merchant of Monument; Anna Belle, wife of Ota Walker, of Monument; Effie M., wife of George A. Reinhart, of Longcreek, now de- ceased. Mrs. Ballance died at her home near Longcreek in 1877. Mr. Ballance contracted a second marriage om January 16, 1881, the lady of his choice be- ing Sarah J., daughter of S. B. and Berthana (Wright) Carter. They have become the parents of the following children: Robert W., deceased; Bertha; John Carl; Frank O., deceased. Mrs. Carter came to this country from Missouri, bringing her children, her hus- band having died previously. She is now in her eightieth year, and is living with her chil- dren. Mr. Ballance is considered one of the 456 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES most enterprising and stable citizens of the county, having ever manifested a spirit of up- rightness and integrity which has won for him the esteem of his fellows, while they re- pose generously in him their confidence. CLEMENT C. BLACKWELL.— To the esteemed and patriotic citizen whose name in- itiates this paragraph we are pleased to grant a representation in this volume of the chroni- cles of Grant county, since he has been a force- ful factor in the development of the resources of the county and instrumental in materially augmenting the wealth o other country has ever been able to produce is the typical westerner, of which Mr. Cohoe is a perfect specimen. Fearless, yet gently courageous but careful, moderately educated in books, but possessed of deep erudition in all of those qualities that make up' genuine manhood, and intimately ac- quainted with the face of nature and her ways in this grandest of all regions, the Rockies and their adjacent territory to the Pacific, well acquainted with the savage foe and the fierce hardships which nature binds relentlessly on those who first invade her domains, yet generous and open-hearted as the boundless country where he has spent his days, we feel that Grant county is to be congratulated in the possession of this veteran of pioneer ex- ploration and we are well pleased to grant him a representation in our volumie. To Daniel and Mary Cohoe, on October 24, 1836, near Altoona, Blair county, Penn- sylvania, was born the subject of this sketch. Working the farm and attending school in a log house on the present site of Altoona,, his childhood days were spent, but when bud- ding majority came he pushed to, the west and settled for a year near the young town of Da- venport, Iowa, then journeyed on to Leaven- worth, Kansas, where he entered the employ oif the government as assistant on a surveying expedition into Wyoming. In 18159 ne went to Pike's Peak, then returned to Kansas, and finally to his old home in Pennsylvania, In the spring of 1861 he started with mule teams across the plains and completed his journey at Chico, California, where he mined for two, years and then went to the Humboldt mines, where he operated for a time, and then, on ac- count of the hostility of the Indians, came to the Owyhee mines, whence in 1869 he came to Boise City, and the fololwing year found him at the Eldorado mines in Baker county.. In 1872 he visited the Olive mines near Gran- ite and in 1874 came to Prairie City and lived there until 1884. He assisted to build the- first stamp mills in the Dixie mining camp. In 1884 he located on his present home place, two miles south from Monument, where he has lived and occupied himself in raising sheep and cattle, the latter taking the place of the sheep in 1898. He has one half section in his home place, which is well improved and wisely laid out, having - a handsome residence, good barns and other necessary appliances for a first class ranch, as orchard, fences, utensils and so forth. He alsoi owns three hundred and. twenty acres in Fox valley, well improved. The marriage of Mr. Cohoe and Miss Anna Elizabeth, daughter o render the tribute •of a representation* in this volume, and it is but fight to say that perhaps no man in the county today has had a moire adventurous life and has been dominated by keener wisdom than has Mr. Cohoe, who won his way on the frontier wrested from nature's vaults a rich share of her stores, generously bestowed it with .an unstinted hand, fought frequently the sav- age Indians, and now, after faithfully and wisely consummating it all is quietly spending the golden years of his life in the spot he has chosen for home while he enjoys the com- petence that his thrift and care have produced. WILLIAM ARMSTRONG.— No more worthy class of men ever walked the free land 'of the United States than those who left the comforts of home and civilization to brave the terrors of the desert, the dangers of hostile sav- ■ ages, the hardships of the pilgrim's life and the want and suffering incident to those who are thus isolated. To them is the honor of opening a new realm to the .ingress of the thousands that were crowded out of eastern sections of congestion, who have come to the broad fields of the west and made for them- selves bJomes and names and carved out for- tunes from the boundless resources of nature's lavish display in these favored regions. Not least among these intrepid and sturdy ones is the gentleman whose name is at the head of this article, and who has wrought well and suc- cessfully in the furthering of the development of this country. In 1830, in the mother country, he first saw the light and for twenty-nine years he la- bored and studied in his native country and then led by an adventurous spirit he migrated to the new land, settling first in Grant county, Wisconsin, where he remained for a few years, then came direct to Oregon, arriving in Can- yon City as early as 1864. His attention was turned to mining here until 1870, when he purchased the old military road ranch, where he is now living, two miles north from Mount Vernon, at the Mount Vernon warm springs. Here he gave, himself to stock raising and the improvement of his property, and the success that has attended his efforts has. given him a good competence and a comfortable home. His is a well kept ranch, bearing evidence of thrift and industry in every particular. His improvements are tasty and substantial and he has been satisfied to take a medium sized ranch and improve it well rather than to> have a great quantity of land that is half cultivated. The marriage of Mr. Armstrong and Miss Hannah Stonehouse, a native of England, was solemnized in 18162 and to them have been born, three children: Robert E., Lizzie, de- ceased, and William C. HON. FRANCIS C. SELS.— If a man is to be judged by the accomplishments of his life and his success is to be measured by the consummation of his achievements, surely then we are to accord to the prominent citizen whose name is at the head of this article a place of leadership in the annals of Grant county, since he has been one of the potent factors in the government of the same and in its proper representation in the state as well as a very material force in the advancement of its progress and the development of its re- sources since the early day in which he first domiciled within its borders. Like so many of our most thrifty and en- terprising citizens, Mr. Sels was born of good old German stock in Westphalia, his native town being Meschede, and the date of his na- tivity 1837. At the age of seventeen the at- tractions of the "Fatherland" were left behind, farewells were spoken to the friends and rela- tives, and young Sels turned his face to the Mecca of the world's advancement, America, and opened a career that was destined to be fraught with stirring activities, crowded with events and crowned with becoming success. On December 31, 1854, he reached California, and on July I, 1862, he set foot in what is now Canyon City. That summer was spent in min- ing in the Prairie diggings, four miles north- east from Prairie City, and the following spring he opened a general merchandise establishment in Canyon, bis partner being E. J. W. Stemme, who had been his companion 1 on his journeys hitherto. In this business Mr. Sels continued until 1866, when he sold out to his brother, HOH. FRAHCIS C. SELS. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 461 fi. R. Sels. From 1864 to 1866 he was jus- tice of the peace, 'and the last year of that time was also postmaster, which he resigned to accqDt the treasurership of the county, hav- ing "been elected to that position in 1866. Two years later he was chosen state senator, de- defeating his opponent, John Driblesby, by a majority of five votes, he being the only Re- publican candidate that was elected. Driblesby carried the matter to the senate in contest and secured his seat because Mr. Sels had an un- decided contest on his hands with L. O. Stearns from the election of 1866. In 1869 he took a pleasure trip back to his native land, and upon returning to Canyon City in 1870 was elected county judge, which position he held for four years. In 1870 Mr. Sels bought the brewery in Canyon City, and twoi weeks later it was destroyed by fire. Immediately he re- built fireproof buildings and gave his attention to the prosecution of this business, which he has successfully operated since, in addition to the varied and numerous public positions that he has faithfully and efficiently filled. It is of note that when he was in The Dalles in 1863 buying goods, that his train was attacked by the Indians when fifteen miles out from Canyon City. Again, the next year, the attack was repeated, but in both cases the savages were repulsed. During the long and interesting career of our subject he has never entered the matrimonial state, choosing rather the quietness of celebacy than the cares and responsibilities of domesticity. And now in the golden time of life, with the pleas- ures of a goodly competence that his sagacity and enterprise have accumulated, Mr. Sels is enjoying to the utmost his portion, being also favored with the respect, esteem and confi- dence of all that are numbered in his ac- quaintanceship. FRANK McGIRR— The prominest citi- zen and esteemed gentleman whose name is at the head of this article is one of the leading stockmen and stock dealers in eastern Ore- gon and has wrought with herculean efforts in this county for the advancement of its wel- fare and for the development of its resources, as well as* being eminently successful in the achievements of his private business enter- prises. As a pioneer to the region where he now resides, he commenced at the 'bottom of the ladder and it is largely due to his efforts that Fbx valley owes its prosperity, since he was instrumental in bringing the resources with which it is blessed to the attention of others that the way should be opened for the ingress of civilization. Mr. McGirr's father was a native of Ire- land and came to the United States when a lad of thirteen, locating in Missouri, where later he married Miss Elizabeth Haskins and they became the parents of five children, four of them being in Grant county, and the other is deceased. In 1852 the family came across the plains and experienced much trouble with the Indians en rotate, losing one man and nearly fifty head of stock in the many battles that oc- curred on the Humboldt river. They settled near Stockton, California, and later moved to Nevada, where the father died, and in 1899 the mother died in this county. Referring more particularly to Mr. Frank McGirr, the subject of this sketch, we may say that his. birth occurred in Stockton, California, on Jan- uary 23, i860, but while still a. child he went with his parents to' Austin, Nevada, where he was raised on a farm and in giving attention to the herds his father owned. Here also he received his education in the public schools. At an early age he commenced the life of the cowboy and rode for several years in Nevada. It was in 1879 tnat ne came to the north in company with thirty-five others who were de- tailed to bring ten thousand head of cattle from Sterns mountain to Wyoming for a Mr. Davis. The cattle were divided into three bands, and twelve men were the number with each band. Before completing the journey Mr. McGirr resigned his place and came through this val- ley en route to Walla Walla. In the follow- ing spring he returned to this place and took up a pre-emption and then a homestead, where- he now lives, at Fox postoffice. He has added until his estate is nearly twelve hundred acres,, and it is all fenced and improved. He g-ives his attention to farming and raising stock and also to buying and selling, being one of the heaviest dealers in this section. He has some very fine specimens of thoroughbred cattle and takes a great interest in improving the stock throughout the valley. The marriage of Mr. McGirr and Miss Henrietta, daughter of Harice and Marguerite- 462 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES ■ Hart, late of Prescott, Washington, was con- summated on March 21, 1880, and to this hap- py union there have been born the following children: Rhoda E., deceased; Nora May, de- ceased ; Albert ; Frank B. ; Ettie E. ; Nellie M. ; Cash E., deceased; 'Bertha N. ; and Mabel Irene. In addition to the stock ranch Mr. Mc- Girr owns a fine home in John Day, where the family reside during the school season, that the children miay have the advantage of the better schools, It is of note that Mr. Mc- Girr was the first man to bring a family into- the valley and since his settlement here he has been a power for the advancement of all that is for the welfare of the people and the inter- ests of the community. At the present writing he is feeding two hundred young steers on the John Day and is one of the leading stockmen of this entire region. GEORGE W. PORTER.— Among the progressive and thrifty population of Grant county that give their attention to' the art of ag- riculture and raising stock are found many of the most substantial and worthy citizens, and the gentlemani of 'whom we now have the pleasure of writing is, one whose industry, energy and wisdom are manifested to all and who has Avrought with faithfulness in the good work of developing the resources, of the county and advancing its substantial interests, while in his personal demeanor there has ever been manifested a stanch uprightness and unswerv- ing integrity that are both attractive and com- mendable. Mr. Porter was born in Dixmount, Maine, in 1832, and when but three years of age his mother died and he spent his childhood and youth in the home of relatives. When he arrived at the age of twenty his attention and time were turned to teaching school, and for a series of years he was numbered with the active and progressive educators of his native place. Following this he learned the wagon- maker's 1 trade and wrought at it for ten years, then turned to farming for a time, and in 1870 he migrated to> this section of the west. For a period he was occupied in farming near to John Day and then took a homestead in Malheur, but subsequently he bought the place where he now lives two miles west from John Day. Here he owns and cultivates three hun- dred and twenty acres of land and is counted one oif the leading stockmen and agriculturists of the county. His place is well improved and an air of neatness and thrift characterize ev- erything about his premises, and he has added many things that make rural life attractive and comfortable, while his care and ability as a farmer are manifested in every department. Mr. Porter alsoi owns the ranch that he se- cured in Malheur and considerable other prop- erty, being a substantial representative of the property interests of his region. His herds are extensive and his skill in handling them gives himi the best of returns from his in- vestments. The marriage of Mr. Porter and Miss Caro- line Prentice was- celebrated in Maine in the year 185 6. Tbi them have been born four children : Francis, Edith, Lesley and Mary, all of whom are married. In fraternal affiliations Mr. Porter is identified with the Masons, Ar- chon Lodge, in Dixmount, Maine. In politics he is a stanch Republican and has always been an upholder of their platform. He has a gooidly prominence in local affairs, having served as justice of the peace for two terms in succession, and is always 1 wide awake in matters that pertain toi the welfare of the state and education. ZACHARIAH J. MARTIN.— Among the worthy representatives of Grant county there cannot be failure to mention the esteemed gen- tleman whose name heads this article, unless there should be serious incompleteness in our volume, for his life of faithful endeavor and commendable achievement as an educator for a decade and also in administering the law in a judicial capacity have been marked and faithful, while his walk has ever been such as to win the confidence and command the re- spect of all the people. Mr. Martin was born in April, 1869, in the Golden State, being the son of P. C. and Phcebe (Davis) Martin, natives respectively of Indiana and Missouri, the father having crossed the plains in 1854, and the mother in the previous year, both having had the exper- ience of riding the entire distance behind ox teams. Their marriage occurred in March 1862, and in 1869 they came to Oregon. Zach- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 463 ariah J. received his education in this state and at the age of nineteen years began teach- ing school in Gilliam and Grant counties and continued in that capacity with undisturbed and excellent success for ten years. From 1890 to 1897 he was justice of the peace in the Hay- stack precinct and his decisions and adminis- tration of the law were marked with ability and integrity. In 1898 the people of Grant county called him to act as county treasurer, he having run on the Republican ticket. In this capacity he is acting at the present time, and it is with credit to himself and advantage to> his constituency. In fraternal affiliations he is associated with the W. of W., Lodge No. 222, Canyon City. Mr. Martin is universal- ly beloved and esteemed, being possessed of those qualities that are the admiration of all and displaying geniality, ability and integrity always. MARTIN C. LESLEY.— It now becomes our pleasant task to give in brief review the salient points of the interesting career of the esteemed gentleman and enterprising agricul- turist whose name initiates this paragraph and who has wrought assiduously far the advance- ment of the interests of Grant county, as well as mlaking a successful battle in the private business operations that he has prosecuted with vigor and sagacity while domiciled here? Martin C. was born in Pike county, Ken- tucky, on October 25, 183 1, being the son of Amos and Lucinda Lesley, who removed with their son to Edgar county, Illinois, in 1837. It was the lot of ouir subject to 1 have the invig- orating and wholesome exercise of assisting his father on the latter' s farm' during his grow- ing days, and also he attended the district school during the proper seasons. In 1848 he was called to mourn that deepest loss to a boy's heart, the death of his father. Four years subsequent to this sad occurrence he turned from the associations of childhood and began the long journey across deserts and mountains to the land of the setting sun, where he has since wrought in various capacities that have been .brought before him in the walks of life. The journey hither was consum- mated by the ox team of that day and landing in Clackamas county he turned his attention "to farming. Subsequent to this work he was occupied in assisting to> repel the attacks of the savages in their outbreak that brought on the Bogue river war of 1855-56, wherein he served with faithfulness. Later he was en- gaged in mining in southern Oregon and in California. In 1876 he came to Monument mountain and settled on the Heppner road and took up farming and stock raising, con- tinuing in the same until 1882. At this date he located the home where he now lives, one and one-half miles north from Monument. On this place he has made a specialty of farming, and success has crowned his efforts in a very gratifying degree. He owns sufficient stock to carry on the farm in good shape and his place is well improved, being now of the gen- erous proportions of two hundred acres. The marriage of Mr. Lesley and Mrs. Clara C. Minkler was solemnized in Clackamas county in October, 1853, an< ^ to them have been born two 1 children : Jasper Newton, liv- ing in Tillamook county, this state; Ida,, wife of Mr. Dunnaway, of Portland, recently died. By her former marriage Mrs. Lesley has four children, Barney, Sarah, Julia and Clarissa. In political circles Mr. Lesley has been quite prominent and for one term he served the county by acting in the important office of commissioner, where he did faithful and effic- ient work. During the Indian war of 1878, Mr. Lesley and one other man in the com- munity stayed on their ranches and experienced no difficulty with the savages. JAMES SMALL.— There are few that come to our shores from the mother country that are not men of stanch character, good ability, thrifty and industrious, and one among that number that ranks high in the possession of these cardinal virtues, and has displayed commendable enterprise and especial capabili- ties since arriving here in the prosecution of the varied occupations that have laid claims on his time is the respected citizen and substantial representative of free government whose name heads this article. Mr. Small has won much honor in the raising of sheep, being the pioneer representative of that industry within the pre- cincts of Grant county and a leader in it from the outset. In 1824 he was born in England, and at 464 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the tender age of ten shipped for a seafaring life, knowing the hardships of the craft from cabin boy to the top. In 1844 he landed in Baltimore, and from there made his way to Washington, D. C, and being of an adaptive turn oif mind, found that market gardening was a paying business and immediately em- barked therein. Four years later he shipped on the "W. P. Sable'' for an exploration trip in the southern Pacific ocean. On November 14, 1849, m t ne midst of the unparalleled ex- citement of that memorable year, he landed in San Francisco 1 , and for eight years he searched for the hidden treasure with diligence and much labor and hardship. In 1857 he commenced to ranch in Shasta county and this occupied his attention until 1862, the date of his advent into Canyon City, which then consisted of a. few houses and two stores, was the spring of 1863, and here he immediately took up mining and followed' it closely for two years. Then it was his happy lot to take a pleasure trip to the east for one year, after which he again came to Canyon City and com- menced the raising of sheep, which he has fal- lowed ever since, being attended with a very gratifying success. He was the first one that raised sheep in Grant county, and to-day he is one of the leaders, having one section of land and many of these profitable animals, be- sides a number of horses. In political matters he isi a prominent figure in the county, pulling ever with the Republican party, where his wis- dom and keen foresight are particularly use- ful and acceptable to the good of his party. Fraternally he is a member of the Masons and the I. O. O. F., having passed all the chairs of these institutions. The charms of the celibate's quiet life of comfort and good cheer are his, having never been lured therefrom to try matrimony's sea of uncertainty and ca- reer of cares and responsibilities. ALEXANDER McKENNA.— There are many in the precincts of Grant county who have done valiant service in reclaiming' the wilds of nature, the only heritage that fell to their lot; and let it be said to> their credit that they have left a legacy to the civilization that is following richer by far than ever can be paid to themi; and a most worthy member of this patriotic and intrepid band, it is now our pleas- ant privilege to outline in brief review of his life, granting a place in these chronicles of the county's history commensurate with his valued achievements of development and pro- duction here. Practically a product of the west since when six months of age, he was brought from, his native country, Ireland, by his parents, William and Sarah McKenna. September 23, 1847, was the time when he first saw the light, and California was the destination of the first trip from Ireland. In Humboldt county they final- ly settled and remained until 1863, at which time Mr. McKenna struck out into 1 the activi- ties of life for himself. He came to> Canyon City at that time, and engaged in a hotel for a period, and then v\ ent toi work in a sawmill on Pine creek, remaining in this last employment for six years. At that time he bought the mill, and for twelve years he was busied with the manufacture of lumber, achieving a very gratifying success. Selling the mill then, he turned his attention to agriculture, purchasing a farm about eight miles from Canyon City. In this occupation he was engaged continuous- ly from that time until 1899, and then he sold his ranch and bought the livery and feed stable in Canyon City, where he is doing a good busi- ness at the present time, being one of the most progressive and leading citizens of the town. He is one of the city councilmen at the present time, and has ever demeaned himself with wis- dom and ai marked display of integrity. I The marriage of Mr. McKenna and Miss Lucetta, daughter of J. C. and Sarah (Demick) Gillingswater, was celebrated in Grant county. Three children were the fruit of this union : William, who died in infancy; Sarah, wife of C. Darrity; and Milton. Mrs, McKenna died on October 7, 1880. Mr. McKenna contracted a second mar- riage, the lady of his choice this time being Miss Alice Jenkins, and to' them have been born eight children: Anna, the wife of C. Ingle ; David ; Dora ; Emma ; Velma ; Charley ; Edward ; Hazel. GRANT THORNBURG— It is with pleasure that we are enabled to grant to the leading and enterprising gentleman whose- name initiates this paragraph consideration in the history of Grant county, since, his labors GRAHT THORHBURG. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 465 have 'been productive of so much development and in adding so much wealth to this county, besides being - a man of geniality and affability, with a dominating' sense of honor and upright- ness and commensurate business ability. Mr. Thornburg was born in Indiana, on February 10, 1865, the son of Joseph and Sarah (Wall) Thornburg, natives, respectively, of Indiana and Illinois. In 1865 the family came to Iowa, where our subject was educated and grew to manhood. In 1882 the family went thence to Missouri, and there Grant en- gaged in farming until 1889, in which year they came to the ground now occupied by the thrifty town of Granite. But one house graced the site at that time. He built the first hotel on the site of Granite, and with the exception of two years, he has been in the business since that time. He now handles the Grand hotel, a house of good reputation, and one in which the comfort of the guests is attended to with an untiring care that bespeaks enjoyment to the traveling public. In addition to the duties of host, Mr. Thornburg has attended to min- ing, and has made a very commendable show- ing in that line. He sold the Cougar to its present owners, and in company with his brother,, sold the Thornburg placers. At the present time he has some fine properties and devotes much attention to mining. Mr. Thorn- burg is one of the principal owners of the town site and he takes a very active part in political matters in general, being one of the leading men of the town and county. The marriage of Mr. Thornburg and Miss Mary M. Gutridge was solemnized in Mis- souri, in 1885, and they have two children liv- ing, Odessa and Harry A., and one deceased. Fraternally Mr. Thornburg is affiliated with the B. P. O. E., of Baker City, and the K. of P., in Sumpter. Since the incorporation of the town Mr. Thornburg has been mayor, and at his own expense he has established a town water works system. It was in 1899 that the town of Granite was incorporated and it has been known as a center of a very rich mining region for a number of years. Mr. Thornburg is deserving of much credit for his untiring labors, not only for the town, but for the development of the mineral re- sources of the surrounding country, which has been instrumental in bringing so much wealth to this section. 30 HENRY WORKINS.— A pioneer of the pioneers, capable, vigorous and enterprising, the subject of this sketch has done much for the development of Grant county, and his ex- perience, both in the early days and later, has been varied and extensive. Being a man thus closely allied with the interests of the county, and also of uprightness and integrity, he is justly entitled to a representation in this vol- ume of the county history, asd we gladly ac- cord him such. Mr. Workins was. born in Holmes county, Ohioi, in 1839, and received his education in a German school, the same being thorough and well grounded. At the age of ten he was brought by his parents to Indiana, where they lived until 1854, and in October of that year they removed to Jackson county, Missouri. In< May, 1857, Henry left Iidependence, Mis- souri, to make the trip across the plains to California, receiving as compensation for his services while en route fifty cents per day, and the time consumed was four months and seven- teen days. Landing in Santa Rosa, he made rails for three dollars per hundred, herded cattle, worked in a blacksmith shop, drove stage between Cloverdale and Petaluma, then, in 1859 turned his attention to farming, which he continued until May I, 1863, when he sold a span of horses for five hundred dollars to secure money to pay the expenses of a trip to Canyon City, and on June 13, 1863, he reached the desired destination and immediately set to* work for a Frenchman for five dollars per day operating in the mines. He soon bought some claims above the town for three hundred dol- lars and the following March sold them for nine hundred dollars. On the first day of March, 1864, he bought a one-third interest in a claim just above the court house, and one month later sold it to John Brown for nine hundred dollars. Following this he went to Sil- ver City and bought claims and worked them until August, then returned to Canyon City, on August 13, 1864. He at once bought a claim above town and after five days' work on it sold it for ten thousand dollars. He then went up the creek to Dead Sheep flat and purchased the Conrad claims and some property in the Greenhorn district, paying for the latter three thousand three hundred dollars. On some of these claims his partner worked until he had taken out one thousand ounces of gold and 466 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES then left. Mr. Workins. secured machinery and built a ditch toi the claims and in the spring of 1867, when the ditch was finished, he was three thousand dollars in debt, but on March 26 he returned to the claims on John Day flat from a time of sickness, and in thirty days he had padd this amount and five hundred dol- lars besides. He worked on these claims until July 4, 1867, and at this time he met the lady who afterward, in February, 1868, be- came his wife, she being- Katie Mosier, daugh- ter of E. Mosier, a pioneer of 1864. To this union were born two children : William Pope, of Canyon City ; Harry E., married toi Carrie Fry. On April 7, 1875, Mr. Workins was called to mourn the death of his beloved com- panion. She was a woman beloved and es- teemed by all and her memory is dear to' all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance. In 1888 Mr. Workins married again. He has been -a member of the I. O. O. F. since 1870, and also of the A. O. U. W. Mr. Workins has had much experience in mining, farming and stock raising, but he has now sold all these properties and is enjoying the golden years of his life in quiet retirement, having wrought well and faithfully in all the industries where he hasi been found. He is a respected and highly esteemed resident of the county. SAMUEL P. MORGAN.— While Grant •county is so well supplied with the talent and brawn necessary to carry forward successfully the various avocations that are incident to hu- man existence, it may be especially congratu- lated on its possession of men of ability to' handle the mechanical work that is needed, and not least among the efficient corps of ma- chinists and followers of that king of all trades, the blacksmith's, may be numbered the gentle- man whose name initiates this paragraph and whose capabilities and integrity has won for him an enviable place in the thrifty community and in the esteem and confidence of his fel- lows. Mr. Morgan was born in Belmont county, Ohio, on February 29, 1840, being the son of E. S. and Rosana (Palmer) Morgan, and there on his father's farm he spent the early days O'f his life, also attending- school a portion of each year in the district schools. In 1850 he came with his parents to Iowa City, Iowa, and in the following year he was left alone by the untimely death of both father and mother. A few years subsequent to this sad event he went toi Council Grove, Morris county, Kan- sas 'and the next occupation that engaged him was driving stage from Independence, Mis- souri, to Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was dur- ing the times of Indian outbreaks, and many were the encounters that he had with the sav- ages. During the years of 1861-63 he was acting in the capacity of government scout in eastern Kansas and adjacent territory and later was constable and then deputy sheriff of Mor- ris county. In 1864 he was captured with the desire for western exploration that then was sweeping over the country, and he migrated to the Pacific coast with a wagon train, set- tling in Salem. The following year he had charge of seventy-five men in the construction of the new road into the Santiam mines, and then came to the John Day mining camp in Grant county and engaged in the search for gold. Five years later he left that business and was occupied with freighting for twelve years, then sold out and took up the life of a tobacconist and dealer in liquors for five years. His next venture was the purchase of the stage line from John Day to Monument, and a year later he sold this and took up stock raising. In 1895 he sold the entire interests that he had accumulated and opened a black- smith shop in John Day. He has a fine, well equipped shop and a comfortable home and is doing a good business. ' Mr. Morgan was married in November. 1882, to Mrs. Mary C. Stone, of John Day, to them have been born the following chil- dren: Maud A. and Leah M. By her form- er husband Mrs. Morgan had three children, Bert A., Nellie and Arthur. Fraternally Mr. Morgan is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, No. 36, in Canyon City. TUNIS SWICK— We are gratified to have die privilege to grant to the gentleman whose name heads this article an epitome of his in- teresting and active career, having been a fron- tiersman for many years and doing much for the advancement of the interests of the section where he has lived and labored and having HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 467 wrought in Grant county with an assiduity and sagacity that have brought their sure reward, a competence, and a place among the leading stockmen of his section. Mr. Swick was born in New York state in 1832, being the son of Minor and Louisa (Latourette) Swick, natives of New Y|ork. The next year succeeding his birth our sub- ject was brought by his parents to Michigan, and there he received his education and grew to manhood. In 1853 the family came across the plains and our subject drove a team of oxen the entire distance, and he has the dis- tinction of having made the trip in his bare feet. When at Council Bluffs he saw a man hung, and after leaving the Missouri river un- til they landed in the Willamette valley they saw no house. The parents located in Marion county and our subject spent his first winter in Portland, then but a village. The follow- ing year he went to' the Siskon mines and for two years wrought there, and then the time until 1875 was spent in various places. At this last date he came to Grant county, locating at Longcreek and taking up the stock business. About 1880 he repaired to The Dalles and there engaged in farming, whence, five years later, he removed to Grant county again, lo- cating at his present place, taking up a hotne- stead and pre-emption, nine miles southwest from Hamilton. At the present time he has added to his estate until he and his son are proprietors of a fine domain of two thou- sand and four hundred acres. They are en- gaged in raising stock, mostly sheep, and they are numbered among the heaviest stockmen of their section. Mr. Swick has always evinced an interest in the affairs of politics and he has labored steadily and faithfully for the welfare of the county, having served in the important office oi county commissioner. In 1861 Mr. Swick married Miss Margaret, a native of Missouri, and daughter of Samuel Madison and Martha Ann (Stevenson) Gil- more, who came to Oregon in 1843. The wed- ding occurred in June and the following chil- dren have been born to them : Yyman D., liv- ing about twelve miles northeast from Monu- ment, married to Annie Cochran and the fa- ther of two children, Howard and Dewey; William, residing four miles west from Hamr ilton, and married to Elsie Franklin, one child having been born to them; Martha, wife of Charles Gentry, on Cottonwood creek, and they have one daughter, Mericle. Mr. Gilmoire was in the territorial legislature and was also sheriff of Buchanan county, Missouri, in an early da} - . He died in The Dalles in 1895, but the mother is still living near that city. Mr. Swick' s parents died in Yam Hill county, Ore- gon. Our subject and his family were here during the time of the Bannock and Piute Indian outbreak, in 1878 and while they were safe from the savages in the fortifications at Longcreek still the Indians burned his improve- ments, killed his cattle and stole his horses. CHARLES R. DAVIS.— As one of Grant county's most thrifty and enterprising stock- men and agriculturists the estimable gentle- man whose name initiates this paragraph is well known, being as upright and exemplary citizen and successful business man, but as proprietor of the famous summer resort known as McDuffee's hot springs, he is widely known throughout eastern Oregon and the adjoining states, the springs in question being equal to the celebrated hot springs in Arkansas, as stated by some of the leading physicians who have investigated the subject. Mr. Davis was born on April 7, i860, near Mount Vernon, St. Lawrence county, Mis- souri, whence, in 1861, he was removed by his parents, T. J. and Man' A. (Gentry) Davis, to Susanville, Lassen county, California, cross- ing the plains and traveling the entire distance with ox teams. His father was a dealer in stock and a farmer, and in assisting in these occupations, as well as in attending the public schools of his home place, the early years of Charles R. were passed. During the years of his minority the family removed to the Pitt river country, and in 1884 tne subject of this sketch stepped out into the world for him- self, his first venture being to migrate to the Fox valley, in this county. Two years later, after due investigation, he took a home- stead a short distance from where he now lives and gave his attention to farming and stock raising. Success attended his efforts and in 1895 he sold that farm and bought the place of his residence, at Ritter postoffi'ce. On this farm are the springs mentioned above, and which are justly attracting attention both from 468 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the medical world and from those who* are suf- fering from rheumatism and skin diseases, as well as other maladies. The water from the springs is no degrees Fahrenheit, with medi- cal and healing properties that have made the springs sought after each year by hundreds of patients. Mr. Davis has provided his springs with a fine and commodious bath house, while a good hotel store, postoffice, feed and livery stable, are at hand, making it a desirable place to spend an outing and recruit from the mala- dies to which our race is heir. The surround- ing county is. alsoi very attractive, both in pic- turesque beauty and on account of its adjacency to one of the richest mining regions in the northwest. Under the skillful management of their generous and public-spirited owner the springs are rapidly becoming a very popular resort and bid fair to make one of the leading institutions of our state. In addition to this valuable property Mr. Davis owns one half section of land near by that is well improved and also bands of cattle and horses. During the summer season not only those who partake O'f the good cheer of the hotel from the quota of the guests, but camping grounds are pro- vided for those who desire the outing and it is a very pleasant sight to see from one to two hundred persons camped about, while the grounds of the genial proprietor are thrown open to guests and his herds and gardens sup- ply abundance of good things for the table and the many horses are at hand for trips through the adjacent hills. Mr. Davis was married on October 2, 1894, Miss Mary, a native of Oregon, and a daugh- ter of William M. and Pernice Carter, who live near Longcreek. They have become the par- ents O'f three children, James M., Elijah and Mildred. In 1886 Mr. Davis' parents mi- grated hither from California and took a homestead and began stock raising but later they sold out and removed to' Longcreek, where they live at the present time. JAMES WICKISER.— In the person of Mr. Wickiser we have one of the typical fron- tiersmen who were so: instrumental in open- ing up our western territories for the settle- ment that subsequently came from the more populous states of the east. His life has been filled with incident and adventure that are at- tended upon this rugged existence and an un- stinted amount of credit is due to> him for his worthy efforts in blazing the way into' the sav- age regions, and in working faithfully and un- remittingly for their development and advance- ment. In 1828, in the state of Ohio, he was born, and there passed the first twelve years of his life. He then came with his parents to Mis- souri, later to' Iowai, and then to Illinois, in which latter state his parents remained until the time of their death. In 1853 James was led by the glowing accounts from the Golden state region to come hither for the search that many were prosecuting so successfully. He landed at American valley and there mined for twelve years, and then came to Umpqua val- ley, Oregon, and took up a homestead, where he was engaged in farming- for ten years. Leaving this pursuit then he went to what was at that time Cook county and again took up- mining and followed it unintefruptedly until sixteen years since. He then sold his ranch and all his other property and came to' Izee and retired from active service. His golden years are being spent in the quiet retreat of this retired region and it is his to enjoy the goodly competence that his industry and wis- dom have gathered during the years of his toil. Mr. Wickiser has never contracted a matrimonial alliance, being disposed to' prefer the quieter joys of the celibatarian. He is highly esteemed by all and enjoys the con- fidence of the entire Community, while his friends are numbered among all the residents of the place and wherever he has sojourned in his pilgrimage career. JOSEPH E. HODSO'N is one of the earliest pioneers of Grant county and has been a constant resident here since his advent in 1 86 1, laboring steadily for its development and for the welfare of all, having- displayed in this long time a character of sterling worth and principles that are sound, while his achieve- ments have been praiseworthy and wisely wrought out and to-day he enjoys the esteem and confidence of all who are acquainted with him, being counted one of the wisest and most substantial citizens of the county. In 1840, in Wayne county, Indiana, Joseph JOSEPH F. HODSOH. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 469 F. was born, and while still young, his parents removed to Fairfield, Iowa, and later migrated to Emporia, Kansas. In 1859, with ox teams, they crossed the plains and settled in Douglas county, this state, our subject accompanying them on this arduous journey, and after he saw them well settled departed, in i860, to Jackson county and engaged in mining for one year. The following year, 1861, he came to John Day, and operated in the mines and at pack- ing for a number of years. Observing the agri- cultural possibilities of the county, he selected a pre-emption where he now resides, two miles east from Mount Vernon. In addition to the original amount taken he has added much •grazing land and is now engaged in the stock business. He is one of the substantial mien in that industry and skill and energy are mani- fested in all his endeavors. It is of note that during the time when he was in Kansas there were in action the various forces that contended for the supremacy in the state over the question of slavery, and some thrilling adventures were experienced by him in his boyhood days. At one time he partici- pated in a pitched battle, called the battle of Blackjack, while it was his duty to carry dis- patches to the captain of Fort Scott. It is worthy of note that in those days the neigh- bors congregated in companies of twenty or thirty and thus took their grists to the mills to be ground. On one occasion they found three men gagged and bound to' trees. Two of the unfortunate victims were already dead, and the other nearly so-. HON. CHARLES S. DUSTIN.— Distin- guished in a number oif commendable lines, as a pioneer of the west, a veteran of the early Indian wars, where he did faithful and brave service in the military, later by his success in the agricultural and stock raising industries, and then especially in the halls of legislation, where he has twice been sent by a discriminat- ing people, and in which capacity he has left a record that is worthy and gratifying, while throughout he has ever maintained a mien that manifests both sagacity and integrity in connection with capabilities that are recog- nized as far above the average, the subject of this sketch is properly granted representation in this volume. Charles S. is the son of Dudley B. and Catherine ( Slosson) Dustin, and was born on Ferbruary 23, 1840, near Cincinnati, Ohio. Thence, in the same year, the father removed with his family to Muscatine county, Iowa, whence in 1850 he came across the plains with ox teams to Portland, Oregon, which was at that time but a small village. After explora- tion they settled in Washington county. When Charles S. Dustin had reached the age of six- teen year si he enlisted in the Washington Ter- ritory Volunteers under Captain Hamilton J. G. Maxon to fight the Indians who were mak- ing trouble at that time. He enlisted at Van- couver and from there the company went to the Sound and from thence across the Natchez pass in the Cascades to the Yakima country, then to Walla Walla, and finally on to the Gjrande Ronde country, where they had a se- vere conflict with the savages, three men being killed and a number wounded, while miany horses were shot. The company of soldiers numbered eighty, while the Indians were two hundred strong. After this they returned to ; Vancouver, and he was mustered out. Then he went to Forest Grove and attended college for twoi years, when, in 1862, he came with a Company of men to the Elk City mines in Idaho, and for nineteen days after reaching that famous camp he industriously mined, and found at the end of that time that he was twenty-one dollars in debt. Here his actual experience in digging - for gold ended. He turned to freighting, packing goods intoi Oro Fino, Elk City, Warren, Silver City, Boise Ba- sin, and even to Blackfoot, Montana, and K001- tenai, British Columbia. This occupation was fallowed by him until June, 1868, and then he returned to' the Willamette valley, where he was married to Mrs. Rufina Smith, daughter of the Hon. Bart Curl, formerly member of the state legislature from. Linn county. The nup- tials occurred on December 18, 1868, and the fruit of the union was the following children : Rufina L., wife of William Coy, of Red Bluff, Montana; Julia E., wife of Albert Ballance, of Susanville; Charles B. ; Kate, wife of D. S, Flynn, of Ritter. On March 20, 1880, Mrs. Dustin was called from her family and heme by death. On June 25, 1891, Mr. Dustin was a sec- ond tirre married, the lady of his choice being . Mrs. Gearhart, daughter of J. F. Miller, of 470 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Prineville, and they have twoi children, Rjuth S. and Hannah. In August, 1869, Mr. Dustin removed from the Willamette valley to Mount Vernon, on the John Day river, and there followed 1 ranch- ing' and stock raising- until December, 1878, at which time he removed to Long-creek, and lived on the present site of that village. Later he bought the present large estate of eight hundred acres, three miles northeast from Longcreek. His farm is all fenced and well improved and he has a comfortable residence and' gives his attention to the agricultural art and raising various kinds of stock. He has been notary public and justice of the peace and twice was elected to the legislature from Grant and Harney counties, and recently he has given considerable attention to the prac- tice of law. Mr. Dustin descends from 1 English forefathers, among whom, was the noted "Han- nah Dustin" and on his mother's side he traces back to the Dutch from' the Mohawk valley in New York. Mr. Dustin is a man of ability and uprightness and has successfully wrought in the county for one-third of a century and is one of the substantial and worthy citizens of today that has the respect and esteem of all. FRANCIS M. PEARSON.— Truly the west has reason to be proud of her sons, and one of the most enterprising and wide awake business men among them is the estimable gen- tleman whose name is at the beginning of this article, and it is with pleasure that we are con- strained to grant him a representation in this volume oif chronicles of the leading men of Grant county. A son of the Occident, and one worthy of the boundless west, he has found here the scenes of his labors and the place of his home, believing in its unlimited resources and the conditions of prosperity that nature has so lavishly bestowed for the hand of man. Yam Hill county is the native place of Francis M., and his birth occurred in i860, being the son of Joseph and Ella (Eads) Pear- son, The father was a native of St. Joseph, Missouri, whence he came across the plains in 1850 to Yam Hill county, which was the native place of the mother. This worthy couple were among the sturdy pioneers of that time and the father now lies buried at Palouse, Washington, and the aged mother is still living at Fletcher, Idaho. At the age of twenty-four our subject stepped from under the parental roof and be- gan the voyage of life as captain of his own craft. The first venture that was to attract his attention was buying and selling horses, wherein he was successful, and also in the art of agriculture, that he took up at the same time. In 1886 he took a government quarter where he now resides, twenty miles south from Can- yon City, near Seneca, and gave his attention to subduing and improving the same, and also to raising sheep. In addition to these indus- tries he has operated a dairy which demon- strates his business abilty to handle success- fully a number of enterprises, and it is but right to say that Mr. Pearson is one of the leading business men of this section, being recognized as such by all. Mr. Pearson and Miss Delia, daughter of Samuel S. Smith, of Pilot Rock, were married at Pilot Rock, and they have become the par- ents of five children : Austa, Olney, Ada, Edna and Fred. Mr. Pearson's fine practical knowl- edge and his capabilities were brought into play for the benefit of his fellows recently, he being chosen stock inspector, and so suc- cessful was he in this line that he was chosen as his own successor. Fraternally he is affili- ated with the I. O. O. F., at Canyon City, and is held in high esteem there as well as in all his walk among his fellows. It is of note that Mr. Pearson, senior, was one of the active participants in the Gayuse Indian war, and there rendered faithful and valiant service. Our subject was a volunteer in the Bannock and Piute war of 1878 and did good work in the battle of Beasley's mill, near Pilot Rock. WILLIAM NEAL.— One of the earliest pioneers to the state of Oregon, as well as to this county, and one of the oldest men in the county today, the subject of this sketch rightly deserves a place in the chronicles of Grant county, where he has labored for the ad- vancement of the interests of all, as well as faithfully prosecuting the business enterprises that have been his occupation while domiciled here. A man of uprightness and integrity, he has shown also a broadmindedness and public spirit that have won for him the warm ap- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 471 proval of the people and the confidence of his fellows. On April 3, 181 5, William Neal was born to Louis and Millie Neal, in the state of In- diana, in Bartholomew county, being the sec- ond white child born in that state. He was reared on a farm, and at the age of twenty- two came to Illinois, and there followed the same occupation until 1844, at which tim|e he migrated to Andrew county, Missouri, remain- ing there until the spring of 1850. At that time he was moved by the reports from the west and came with a wagon train of eight outfits to the Willamette valley, where he set- tled in Marion county. The trip consumed six months, and was without unusual event, save that at the crossing of the Platte river the wagon capsized and the provisions were lost, and then on the Snake there occurred a skirmish with the Indians. He took a donation claim in Marion county and gave his attention to farming and stock raising until 1868, when he came east of the mountains. From Hepp- ner to- his present residence, six miles west from Monument, he drove the first wagon that had been brought into these regions. He took up government land and went to raising stock and farming. Prosperity has attended his ef- forts and he has today one-half section of land there besides four hundred and forty acres in the Willamette valley. His home place is well improved, having a good house, barn and out buildings, besides the necessary fence and other things indispensable on a well regulated farm. During the Indian trouble in 1878 he endured much hardship and lost heavily, as did many other settlers. In political matters he is with the Republican party and is active in advocat- ing just government, while in educational matters he is ever at the front. Energetic, enterprising, and dominated by a sagacity that is able to discern the best investments and mjethods, he has made an unbounded success. The marriage of Mr. Neal and Miss Ma- hala M. Parker was solemnized in Indiana and to them have been born the following chil- dren : Louis, married to Matilda Cox, and liv- ing in Wallowa county ; Julatha, wife of John Trask, of Marion county, now deceased; Min- erva M., married to A. C. Christman of Linn county; John, married to Esther Wagner, of Marion county ; Marguerette, wife of John Mc- Culley of Lake county; Napoleon B., married to Lizzie Munkers, and living on the home place; Martha A., wife of Joseph Putnam,, near Monument. Mrs. Neal was born in Indiana, Bartholomew county, on May 19, 181 3, and was the first child born to white parents in that state. On May 18, 1901, she was called from the scenes and cares of life to the world beyond, having lived on this earth for eighty- eight years, lacking' one day. Mr. Neal is spending the golden years of his life in the home that his skill and industry wrought out for him from the wilds of nature, and here he is highly respected by all and is one of the substantial and leading citizens of the county. PETER KUHL.— At least in two differ- ent lines of industry the gentleman whose name initiates this article has gained distinc- tion since he has been in the region now em- braced in Grant county. From an early day he has been in the vanguard of the developers and advancers of the county and has wrought here with a display of energy, industry and wisdom that are commendable in a high degree. Like many of the most industrious and sur> stantial of our citizens, Mr. Kuhl was born in Germany, and there was educated and learned his trade, blacksmithing, gaining both in it and in educational discipline the advantage to be sought after and that is found in the older countries where a great premium is placed on thoroughness rather than on skimming- over things. The date of his birth was 1847, an d at the age of twenty he was ready to bid "good by" to the fatherland and try his fortunes in the land of the free, and indeed to one so full of energy and guided by wisdom and well for- tified for the battles of life in the mechanical line as Mr. Kuhl nothing short of the best suc- cess could await him. So it proved, for from the beginning- he has steadily increased in the goods of this world and also has gained the esteem and confidence of his; fellows in an unstinted measure. He settled first in Daven- port, Iowa, and wrought at the forge for one year, and then 1 migrated toi Grand Island for a one year's stay, whence he set out in 1868 on the long trip overland with ox teams that ended successfully in the regions of the coast,, and in 1870 was at Canyon City, where he immediately established a shop, and also in 472 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES connection therewith a feed store. These he successfully operated and in the meantime set- tled on a government claim where he now lives, twelve miles east from Canyon City. He has steadily added to his estate until he has now the generous domain of twelve hundred acres. For eighteen years he gave his first attention to the shop, stocking- up the farm as occasion provided, and in about 1890 he removed from town to the estate and has since been actively engaged in the raising of cattle and practicing the art of the agriculturist. Mr. Kuhl and Miss Julia Sels, the daugh- ter of H. I. Sels, an old pioneer who' has passed away, were married in 1878, and to gladden their happy union there have been born four children': Henry, Ernest, Hermion and Phil- ip. In fraternal circles Mr. Kuhl is prominent, being identified with the I. O. O. F, Canyon City Lodge, No. 22, and the A. O. U. W., of the same place. In his long career here Mr. Kuhl has maintained a dignity and uprightness that have won for him the encomiums of his fellows and that justly entitles him to the po- sition he holds as one of the most substantial citizens o>f our population. WILLIAM HALL is one of the leading- stockmen and agriculturists of Grant county, having come here before there were any im- provements made by the hand of the white man, and being identified with the county from the incipiency of political organization, he has steadily allied himself with its development and labored for its advancement and progress, as well as prosecuting his own private busi- ness with a vigor and sagacity that have brought the wealth of prosperity, its well earned meed. Mr. Hall was born in Dorset, England, in 1840, and came to America with his brother, Henry, in 1858, remaining in Guelph, Canada, for three years, engaged on a farm, after which he went to Salem, this state, to join his brother, who had preceded him thither. In 1861, in company with his brother, be bought a herd of dairy cows and took them to Walla Walla, and in the winter following was un- tormnate enough to lose them all in the un- usually cold weather. In the spring of 1862 lie was induced by the rumors from the new diggings in the Powder river region to come thither. He pressed on into the Canyon City district and was occupied in mining until 1864, and then in company with his brother bought the term where they now live, two miles west from Prairie City. Here he has operated in company with his brother and has given his at- tention to raising stock and tilling the soil. Prosperity, because of his energy and wise methods of procedure, has attended his efforts and he justly ranks at the head among the stockmen of eastern Oregon. In 1867 lie made a trip to> England for pleasure, and again in 1872, at which time he was married to his cousin, Miss Elizabeth Hall, a native of Ash- more, Dorset county, England. Tb them were born three children, William, Sarah and George. Mrs. Hall was taken by the hand of death from her family and husband and her remains lie buried in the cemetery at Prairie City. Her demise was universally mourned. Mr. Hall is a member of the I. O. O. F., Prairie City Lodge, No. 33. In political matters he is with the Republican party and is an ardent supporter o>f their prin- ciples. In 1886 he was a member of the state tax commission. It is of note that Mr. Hall and his brother were the first men to start a bakery in the county, which they operated for some time with success attending their efforts. Mr. Hall is one of the leaders in the county and is a man possessed of a broad public spirit, keen discernment, and a geniality that is mani- fest to> all. Being a fine conversationalist and well informed, he is looked up to as one that is rightly placed in the position of leader among his fellows, and it is gratifying that he is al- ways arrayed on the side of sound principles and uprightness. WILLIAM IT. McKERN.— Among the leading stockmen and agriculturists who have wrought in faithfulness for the development of this county and 1 for the advancement of the interests of all, while he has prosecuted his own private business with a success that bespeaks both his capabilities and attention in the lines of business we mention the subject of this article, whose integrity and sound principles commend him to> the confidence and esteem of all. WILLIAM HALL. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 473 Eighteen hundred and fifty-five was the date of the birth of Mr. McKern and both of his parents died when he was very small. At the age of ninteen he apprenticed himself to a carpenter to learn that trade, hut an ac- cident occurred that changed his mind and he entered the business of raising cattle and sheep and tilling the soil. In 1883 he bought the place where he now lives, one and a half miles west from Mount Vernon:. His first purchase was one quarter, but his industry and thrift have enabled him to add by purchase until his es- tate is of the generous proprotions of eight hundred acres. He has some fine herds of cat- tle and sheep and is counted one of the most skillful sheepmen in the county, which is evi- denced by his gratifying success. The marriage of Mr. McKern and Miss Edna, daughter of W. W. and Eva (Allen) Stone, was solemnized in 1887, and to them have been born four children, Salina, Jay E., Enid and Valene. Mr. McKern is a member of the Workingmen's order, No*. 105, at John Day, and is quite prominent in the People's party, allying himself with that as more near- ly embracing the principles that he believes to be for the welfare of the country. MARSHALL S. KEBNEY.— In the per- son of the estimable gentleman and successful business man whose name appears above we have one of Grant county's most successful stockmen, a keen business man possessed of excellent foreight and talents that have demon- strated him one of the best handlers of finance in the county, while his principles of upright- ness and uniform straightforwardness have made him respected by all and a worthy pro- moter of the interests of the county, having also materially augmented its wealth by his good judgment and wise procedue and thrift. Marshall S. is the son of Jonathan and Mary A. Keeney, and was born on October 1, 1850, in Lawrence county, Missouri. Seven years later, in the spring, the family started across the plains, being composed of five chil- dren and the parents. When they landed in Healdsburgh, Sonoma county, California, six months later, there was another child, it having been born on the way. In the spring of 1858 they came to< Linn county, Oregon, and soon removed to Lane county, settling near Eugene. Our subject remained there until 1865, having assisted his father on the farm: and in the stock business. Then he came across the moun- tains with 1 a band of sheep to Umatilla county. In 1868 he went to San Joaquin valley, Cali- fornia ; later he went again to Lame county, Oregon, and in 1870 1 came to' Birch creek, Uma- tilla county, whence two years later he went to the Owyhee river in Idaho with a herd of cat- tle. In 1873 h e went to> Wallowa county, and from there returned to his home in Umatilla county. From there, in company with his brother he went again to the San Joaquin valley, this time for a herd of horses, with which they returned the same year to Grant' county and settled on their present place. He is in partnership with his brother, Thomas B., and together they own one thousand acres of good land, that is all fenced and well improved. Formerly they were handling sheep, but these were replaced with cattle, of which stock they at the present time own large herds. Mr. Keeney has a good home and all the accessory improvements that make the rural life both profitable and comfortable. The marriage: of Mr. Keeney and Miss Calrrie, daughter of Enoch and Permelia Con- ger, living near Longcreek, was solemnized on December 25, 1882. To them were born two children, Bertha A. and Hubert C, who is deceased, having passed away on March 12, 18819. Mrs, Keeney died in November, 1889. Mr. Keeney' s father, one of the prominent citizens of Umatilla county, died in 1884, and the mother one year later. JOHN A. LAYCOCK— As one of the leading stockmen and tillers of the soil, the subject of this sketch is and has been well and favorably known in Grant county, but as a county officer he has gained more prominence than in any other line, since he has manifested an ability and integrity in the discharge of the duties incumbent upon him' as county judge, which has gained for him the encomiums of the people and won their esteem and approval. On August 27, 1847, John A. was born to Peter and Susanna Laycock, in Hancock coun- ty, Illinois, whither his parents had come in 1842 from their native land, England. While 474 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES still a child he was taken to St. Louis, Mis- souri, and four years later his father deter- mined to make the journey overland to Cali- fornia. Sending the teams on to Council Bluffs, he embarked with his family on a steam- er for the same place. Before they arrived at their destination the boat sunk and all the freight on board was lost, but Mr. Laycock es- caped with his family and then secured a team for the completion of the journey to- Council Bluffs. Arriving there he established his family temporarily and then returned to St. Joseph, Missouri, to purchase a new outfit. This done he embarked again for Council Bluffs, and before the steamer arrived at its destination he succumbed to the ravages of cholera, as bad nearly all of the other pas- sengers on the boat. Our subject was the oldest son, and to his lot fell the hard bur- dens of assisting his mother in the stern du- ties of life. Until 1856 they remained in Coun- cil Bluffs, and then sold all and undertook the journey to California. At the age of sixteen years Mr. Laycock went to> the gold mines o>f Washoe, Nevada, where he continued for two years and then returned to Napa City, Cali- fornia and took a course in the Napa College. Following this we find him in Canyon City, landing there on November 20, 1865. Here he was occupied with mining for six years and during that time was superintendent of the Prairie Diggings and was one of a company that erected the first quartz mill in this re- gion. After this extended period of activity in the mining industry he turned his attention to farming and stock raising. He purchased two hundred and forty acres where he now lives, four miles west from John Day, and has steadily added by purchase until he owns a broad estate of twelve hundred acres, all of which is utilized in crops and in handling his 1 herds. In addition to this he also> owns eight hundred and eighty acres in the Bear valley, which is. used for a stock ranch. Mr. Laycock is one of the heaviest property owners in the county and one of the most successful stockmen. In political matters he is allied with the Republican party and is stanch and unswerving in his stand for sound principles. In 1898 he was placed in nomination for coun- ty judge, and it is demanded that we remark that in all that canvass he spent no money for liquor and simply waited for the manifesto of the people at the polls, where he was called into that office with an overwhelming majori- ty, far in excess of his ticket. The a'bility and sagacity and impartiality and vigorous stand for duty and right that have been evinced in his discharge of duties are powerful in ally- ing to him more than ever the affections of the people. The marriage of Mr. Laycock 'and Miss Jo>- sephine, daughter of E. C. and Sarah (How- ard) Officer, natives respectively of Missouri and Tennessee, was celebrated on December 21, 1 87 1, and to them^ have been born the fol- lowing children: William C, married; John A., married ; Mary A. ; Guy H. Fraternally Mr. Laycock is affiliated with the Masons, hav- ing joined Canyon City Lodge, No. 34, A. F. & A. M., in 1868, and he has served his lodge as deacon, warden and worshipful master for several years; also> he joined Blue Mount Chap- ter, No, 7, R. A. M., in 1868, and later the Or- der of Priesthood, and Washington Coun- cil, No. 3 of Portland, Oregon, Royal and Se- lect Masters, and Julia Chapter, No. 56, O. E. S.. of Canyon City. Mr. Laycock is strictly a temperance man, both in precept and practice and would encourage younger men to: adopt those principles. GEORGE SOLLINGER.— It is ever with pleasure that we hail an opportunity to' add our mite to the tribute toi the memory of the. worthy life that so many of our sons of free- dom experienced in the trying times between i860 and 1866, when "to the front" was the cry that rose from all loyal lips and the sturdy and intrepid lads that wore the blue rallied with quick step to its stirring tones and with its never-ending cadence ringing in their ears hurried on to the seat of fierce war. One of those brave fellows that flung themselves be- fore the cannons of the enemy and fought with desperate valor until the last attack on the stars and stripes had been forever 1 repulsed is named above and we heartily grant to> him the representation in this volume that places him as ooe of the leading citizens of this coun- ty where he has wrought for a third of a century in successful efforts for the develop- ment of the resources that nature has so boun- tifully placed within our borders and the ad- vancement of the interests of all. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 475- Mr. Sollinger cam|e from stanch German stock, being born in the fatherland in 1839, and three yeans later migrated with his father to this country, settling in Roches- ter, New York. At the age of six he went to live with his grandfather, where he continued until he was fourteen years old, when he went to Wisconsin and set- tled in Beaver Dam until the war broke out, and then at the first call he offered his services, enlisting in Company F, Forty-third Wiscon- sin, under General Thomas. He rendered ex- cellent service until the close of the war and received honorable discharge on May 22, 1866. He immediately returned to his home in Wisconsin and two years later came to Can- yon City. For the first year here he worked on a ranch and then went toi mining, but later took a ranch for himself, where he now resides*, one mile west of Canyon City. To the culti- vation and improvement of this property he has devoted himself with energy since, also carrying on a dairy business and raising stock. For twenty-six -"ears he was devoted to dairy- ing, but recently he dropped that branch and handles stock exclusively with his farm prod- ucts. His marriage occurred in 1861, Miss Cath- erine Hubenger becoming his 'bride at that time. To them have been born the following children: John, Caroline, George, Albert, Frank, and Ella and Elmer, twins. Mr. Sol- linger is a member of that distinguished body, the G. A. R, where he is held in high esteem', as he also is by all that know him, for his intrinsic worth and unswerving integrity and good, substantial qualities. JAMES F. ALLEN— is at the present time operating - one of the important commercial es- tablishments of Grant county, and it is due to his excellent ability and uniform uprightness and geniality that he enjoys a good patronage, having labored assiduously to this end since his advent into the realms of trade. Mr. Allen is a mlan that is universally respected and es- teemed by his fellows, and it is especially pleasant to be able to note that in every re- spect he justly merits the confidence that is so unhesitatingly reposed in him, while his la- bors food judgment prompted him to take ;a helpmeet, which he did on October i 3 1872, the lady of his choice being Miss Cordelia H., daughter of Charles and Harriet ( Cockered ) Capon. Mrs. Cupper is a native of Framling- ham, Suffolk county, and her father was one of the prominent stockmen of that notel stock county and was instrumental in producing some of the leading specimens of the noted Suffolk horses. To Mr. and Mrs. Cupper have been born the following children : Harry C, de- ceased; Frederick W., married to Laura Gard- ner, of Drain, Douglas county ; Ethel C. ; Nora A., deceased ; an infant deceased ; Percy A. ; Norton C. In 1877 Mr. Cupper disposed of his in- terests in the home land and accompanied by his family sought the land of his choice, land- ing in New York, whence he came direct to' Oregon, arriving in February, of that year. From that time until July, 1878, he spent in looking the country over and finally bought the place where he now lives, seven miles north- west from Monument. Here he owns about three thousand acres of land and large bands of stock, especially sheep. During his first year on the new place Mr. Cupper was called to> demonstrate of what stuff he was made by the outbreak of the Indians, and it was with credit toi himself that he was found right at the front. He assisted in building a fort in Monu- ment, and was also> captain of the night guards of Heppner. In 1887 he took his family to visit the old home in England, and while there he bought a trio of the well known Suffolk horses, which he brought to> this country. He had the misfortune to lose the two stallions, but still owns the mare. Mr. Cupper has gained an enviable distinction as a successful stockman in the quarter of a century in which he has wrought in this county, and it is with pleasure that we are able to state that he is one of the leading men in that industry in all this region. Politically he is a stanch Re- publican and has the courage of his convic- tions. Fraternally he is affiliated with the A. F. & A. M., at Monument. Mr. and Mrs. Cupper are prominent members of society and they enjoy the confidence and esteem of all who may have the pleasure of their acquaint- ance. LAWRENCE SWEEK.— In a work that purports to give the careers of the leading citi- zens of this county there would be serious fail- ure were there omission of the gentleman, whose name is at the head of this paragraph and who has wrought here for twenty years, with an energv and perseverance that are wor- thy of especial mention. In the course of his en- deavors in this county he has met with reverses that would have overwhelmed a less resolute- and. energetic man, but with every rising- dif- ficulty there has been developed in him a de- termination and fixed purpose to surmount it. and come off victorious, which it is pleasant to relate, has been the case in all of his undertak- ings, for despite the obstacles that have been in his path he has become one of the leading and most successful stockmen of the county. A native of the Occident, being born to- John and Maria (Beard) Sweek on February 26, 1857, in the Willamette valley, about ten miles south of Portland, he has ever cast his, lot in the west and here he has met and con- quered in the battle of life's way. His early- life was spent on his father's farm and in at- tending the common schools of the place and when the time of his majority came he com- menced in the basic art of agriculture for hirm- self, continuing therein until the spring of 1880, the date of his advent into this county. Two years were spent in Prairie City, and then he came to Hamilton and took a band of sheep. on shares. Success was attending - his faithful efforts, but the severe winter of 1887-88 swept off nearly the entire number and the balance' he turned over to the ones from whom he rented. In 1890 he bought a band and moved to his present place, four miles south of Monu- ment. Four years later he sold the entire band, realizing ninety cents for ewes and seventy-five cents for lambs, per head. Then he turned his. attention to freighting for two years, and in 1896 determined to again try his fortune with. 478 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES sheep, and accordingly bought a band of two thousand for one dollar per head, getting time for the payment and being backed by the First National Bank of Heppner. In three years he was enabled to pay out, and now he has a farm of eleven hundred and twenty acres, all fenced, with a good proportion of tillable land, and his flocks are numbered to about three thousand head. Prosperity has attended his efforts' and he is at the present time one of the most sub- stantial stockmen of the county. Mr. Sweek and Miss Emily L., daughter •of Benjamin and Mary Harding, of Washing- ton county, this state, were married on Feb- ruary 17, 1879, and they have become the parents of eight children, as follows: Fay, wife of W. W. Flemming, of Monument ; Rex L. ; Ona ; Bel ; Calvin L. ; Blanch ; Ruth ; Gladys. Mr. Sweek is a member of the Ma- sonic lodge in Monument, and also of the Woodmen of the World, Lodge No. 378', of the same place. He is active in the realm of ■politics and displays his characteristic sagacity and vigor there. W. D. INGLE. — It is with pleasure that we are enabled to grant to the esteemed gen- tleman whose name is at the head of this ar- ticle a representation in this volume of the history of Grant county, since he has labored here for years and has done much toward the upbuilding of the county and the advancement of its interests, having manifested, meanwhile, commendable zeal and ability, coupled with which are displayed an uprightness and in- tegrity that stamp him as a true man and faith- ful citizen. The birth of Mr. Ingle occurred in South Carolina in the year 1837, and at an early age he was taken by his father to Darke county, Ohio. His parents were Daniel and Annie (Sharpe) Ingle, natives, respectively, of Ken- tucky and South Carolina. In Ohio' his boy- hood days, were passed and there he received the education that fortified him for the battle of life. In 1846 he went to Illinois and there engaged in farming and stock raising- for four years. Eighteen hundred and fifty-nine was the date that he crossed the plains by horse teams toi California, the entire train having the misfortune to lose their horses. The In- dians stole about four hundred of these ani- m|als>, leaving only enough to haul the bare wagons, while many of the men were forced to walk the rest of the way. After spending some time in California he repaired to Grant county, and there took up farming and raising stock. At first he homesteaded land, then sold, and later bought school land one-half mile west from Mount Vernon, where he now has the fine estate of five hundred and sixty acres and is devoting his attention to' handling cattle and horses and is one of the substantial stock- men of the county. In Knoxville, Illinois, in 1854, Mr. Ingle married Miss Julia Bibler, a native of Ohio, and seven 'children have been born to' them, Laura L,, May, Clara, Stella, Benton, Claude and Omertis. Mr. Ingle formerly was affiliated with the I. O. O. F., and he is highly esteemed in this section and enjoys the good will and confidence of his fellows. M. M. BRIERLEY,.— To the prominent and capable gentleman whose name heads this paragraph we are constrained to grant a rep- resentation in the history of Grant county, since he is at the present time one of the po- tent factors in its population, and since he has wrought here and in other places on the frontier for many years with a display of the true pioneer spirit, and since his personal quali- ties of morality and ability are excellent and he is highly esteemed by his fellows. Mr. Brierley was born in Lee county, Iowa, on April 2, 1842, being the son of Samuel and Sophia Brierley, and in 1853 the family came across the plains with ox teams, and while en route they had two pitched battles with the Indians, but in due time the)'- made their way to California, settling in Amador county. The mother died in Oakland and in 1859 the father and our subject came back across the trail with a pack train, the son having the distinction of riding a Spanish mule the entire distance from the Pacific coast to Missouri. In 1875 our subject returned to California, locating in Stockton, where he engaged in farming- for a decade. The year 1885 was when he came to Burns, engaging in sheep raising and freight- ing for five years. Following this period he removed to Hamilton, where he continued in HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 479 the same business until 1899, when he sold out and removed to Monument. Here he has served as justice of the peace for eight years, and in 1895 he was appointed stock inspector for Grant county and served for one year. In Buchanan county, Missouri, Mr. Brier- ley married Miss Barbara Goodman, a native of Missouri, and to them have been born the following children: Samuel, in California; George D., of Canyon City; Lee Annie, wife of John Garrett, of Pendleton; Thomas, of lone; Bernice, wife of Frank Bowman, of Monument; Eliza, wife of William Bowman, of Monument; Rosa, wife of J. Boyce, of Grant county. On September 22, 1861, Mr. Brierley en- listed in the second battalion, Missouri State Troops, and in February, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Fifth Missouri Cavalry, and in that capacity he served until the close of the war, participating in the battles of Lone Jack, Prairie Grove, the expedition on the 'Red river, besides numerous other battles and skirmishes, making an enviable record as a brave and faith- ful soldier, intrepid and courageous, and loyal to the banner of freedom. Mr. Brierley is a prominent member of the G. A. R., and he organized the Post, No. 48, at Burns, for two years holding the position of commander; he also organized the Blue Mountain Post, No. 72, at Hamilton, and was commander there for two years. Mr. Brierley is one of the well known and esteemed citizens of this coun- ty and he has the entire confidence of his fellows. JOHN L. MILLER.— It is gratifying to note that in the subject of this sketch we have displayed the praiseworthy qualities of stabili- ty and endurance coupled with energy and wis- dom that have enabled their possessor to meet, with the calmness that is born of assurance of final success, the greatest obstacles, and in spite O'f difficulty overcome in a measure that is most praiseworthy, winning every inch of the ground of success by dint of exertion per- severance and determination that would have done credit to a cause of more extended notice and men of great public mention. The birth of Mr. Miller was in Lane coun- ty in 1856 and his parents were David and Maggie (Douglass) Miller the former a na- tive of Illinois and the latter of Iowa. His father crossed the plains in an early day be- ing in the first train of settlers, and he made his way from The Dalles to the Willamette valley on a raft. He first settled on French Prairie, but later moved to Lane county, and there he lived until death took him from the scenes of life's activities. His remains lie buried at Creswell, in that county, while the mother sleeps at Gresham. John L. was only three years of age when the death of his par- ents occurred and he then went to California, and there he remained until the spring of 1881. At that date he came to Grant county, locating at Canyon City and engaging in the livery busi- ness. In addition to this activity he took up stock raising and farming, giving, however, his personal attention to the livery. At the time of the great fire in that town he lost every- thing, and was thus obliged to start again in the business world. He moved to Izee and began dealing in general merchandise in a small way, gradually increasing his stock and operating a wagon through the country until he secured sufficient funds to: carry a large stock, and now he enjoys a lucrative trade,, having purchased the store at Izee postoffice recently. He has anticipated the wants of the. people and been so: faithful in supplying them that he has won for himself a large trade and the confidence of the entire community. Mrs. Miller is the postmistress at Izee. The marriage of Mr. Miller and Miss Lillie, daughter of William' H. Chambers of Bates county, Missouri, was solemnized in 1895, an d they have become the parents of twoi children, Eugene and Arthur Lyle. Mr. Miller is a member of the Masonic fraternity in Canyon City, and also of the W. of W. in the same place, while his wife is a member of the East- ern Star. JOHN W. CONGER.— Among the many industries that have employed the hand of man none are more ancient, more widely followed, and more necessary for the sustenance of the race than those of raising stock and farm- ing. Grant county has a wide awake, progres- sive and intelligent company of patriotic citi- zens who have given themselves to the prose- cution of these industries and prominent among them is the gentleman of whom we now have 480 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the pleasure of writing and who has been in- strumental in assisting materially in the devel- opment of the resources of the county and its substantial progress, as well as demonstrating his ability and good financiering in handling his own private affairs. Mr. Conger was born in Lane county, Ore- gon, on March 7, 1861, being the son of Enoch and Permelia (Hall) Conger, who migrated to that county the year previous from the state of Iowa, whither they had come from their native state, Indiana, Remaining with his parents, in working on the farm and in at- tendance upon the public schools, the minority of John W. was passed, and in 1879 he came direct to this valley and settled on his present place, which is six miles north from Long- creek. He took a pre-emption and also a homestead, and then, bought one hundred and sixty acres more, which gives him the gener- ous estate oif four hundred and eighty acres. Tb the improvement and cultivation of this land' he has given his careful attention since and the result is that unbounded success has been the meed of his endeavors. In addition to this he handled sheep for two years imme- diately succeeding his advent here, then in company with his brother they handled them on share for eight years, wherein he has pros- pered continuously, owing to his. vigilance in every detail and his sagacity and executive ability in manipulating the enterprise. After the close of this time he sold the entire bands and alone bought cattle, which he has been handling since with his accustomed success and prosperity. His fine farm is well improved, having ai comfortable house and large barn and other accessories. The marriage of Mr. Conger and Miss Olive E., daughter of John P. and Harriet V. Baird, of Sumpter, occurred in October, 1888, and they have become the parents o>f three children, Willard M., deceased; Ad die B., de- ceased; Sadie Marie. In 1881 Mr. Conger's parents removed from their donation claim in the Willamette valley to Longcreek where the mother is still living, but the father died in 1895. Mr. Conger is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, at Longcreek. He is one of the substantial and successful men of the county and actively interested in public matters, ever manifesting uprightness and in- tegrity. DAVID G. OVERHOLT.— If there is one quality more than another that is commendable in the human breast and that calls out the praise of one's fellows, it is that of continuity of purpose and ability to rally in the face of defeat. In the life of the esteemed pioneer and enterprising business, man that we have the pleasure of epitomizing at the present time, there has been set forth the exemplification of those qualities oi the highest order, and while to others of more timidity and less resolute purpose the barriers thrown across his path would have been entirely unsurmountable, still, in the case of Mr. Overholt, the rising obstacle but produced rising strength to scale its loftiest pinnacle and sickening misfortune but strength- ened an irrepressible will toi call forth a fund of self-reliance and a wealth of personal re- source that could bid defiance to all attacks and rally victory out of defeat. Bucks county, Pennsylvania, is his; native place, and 1830 the date of his birth, his par- ents being Samuel and Barbara Overholt, both natives of Pennsylvania. The old- home place was twenty-four males out from Philadelphia, and there young- Overholt remained until he was nineteen years of age, acquiring a good education, and alsoi becoming skilled as a wheelwright. When manhood's budding years began to approach he turned his way toward the west and settled in Ohio;, Rbwsburg, and there wrought at this trade until 1852, when the siren of the setting sun again beckoned him forward, and he set out on the perilous and weary journey toward California across the plains. The journey was in this wise : Messrs. Rows and Landis had been to California in 1850, crossing the plains and returning in 185 1 by water. They reported the land fine, the country good, the gold plenty, but the Indians thick and hostile on the plains. They raised a company of one hundred and twenty-five men, each oi whom was to pay one hundred and twenty-five dollars, and assist in handling- the teams across the plains. The money thus raised was expended by the enterprising pro- prietors of the scheme in buying teams, out- fits, provisions and so forth, and the men were set to work to take the train across the plains. Our subject was one of these men, and he drove an ox team all the way to California and stood guard one-half of every other night during the trip. Arriving at the sink of the DAYID G-. OYERHOLT. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 481 Humboldt, they took the Trukee route and arrived in due time at the mouth of the Nelson on the Feather river, that being the first settle- ment, and it composed of miners. A big flume was being built and fifty dollars per day was offered to men to stop, and our subject took ad- vantage of the offer and worked until fall, the ordinary wages being sixteen dollars per day. He went later to Napa, and there carved out honest enterprise at the bench. On April 7, 1863, he came to Canyon City, where he was destined to play a prominent part in the commercial destiny of the embry- onic town. He assisted to build some among the first lumber houses now in Canyon City, and for five years he wrought industriously and with abundant success and then turned back to his native state in 1868. ,There, in the same year, he married Miss Sebella, daughter of Martin and Elizabeth (Anglemyer) Tyson, natives of Pennsylvania. The following chil- dren were born to' them: Mary E., married to D. I. Asburg, at McMinnville; Lillie Jane, at home; William E., in the mine owned by him- self and father. In the spring of 1869 he returned to< Can- yon City and entered the mercantile business. It was but a short time until he had secured a large and lucrative patronage, but the demon of fire sprang out and reduced his store and stock to: ashes. No insurance covered his. loss and such a blow would have laid toi the ground the ordinary business man, but not soi with the subject of this sketch. With courage and en- terprise and resolution that would brook no defeat he gathered the remnants together and before the smoke of his sacrificed goods ceased to ascend, ground was broken for another and better establishment. Here he was even more successful than before, and soon he was on the topmost wave of prosperity, when again he fell a prey to the ravages of fire. This time, as before, the loss was practically total, as no insurance covered his goods and buildings. Now there seemed no possibility that recov- ery could be gained, and friend and foe alike prophesied the total defeat of his business ca- reer. The genius and courage of Mr. Over- holt were equal to the occasion and again he brought out of the ashes of his calamity a more brilliant success than had hitherto been his to enjoy. His achievements were the won- der of all that knew the severity of the blow, 31 but to the credit of Mr. Overholt let it be stated that at no time of his struggle has he ever for one moment considered the advisabili- ty of retrenchment. His vocabulary os business knows but one word, "Onward to success." It was his motto and it led the way. From this last event of misfortune until the date of the sale of his entire business Mr. Overholt was destined to enjoy one continuous round of suc- cess, not, however without having to meet and overcome the trying obstacles connected with commercial life. On March 15, 1901, the time came when it was deemed best to retire from the activities of business life, and so the busi- ness was sold and now, free from the cares of active affairs, he is enjoying the retirement that he has so well earned and is ministered to by the competence that his own pluck and skill wrought out for himself and his son. Fraternally he is connected with the Ma- sons, Lodge No. 34, Chapter No. 7. ; I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 22, Excelsior Encampment, Nov 6, and Julia Chapter, No. 56, of the Eastern Star, the last having been named from Julia Abrams, of Portland. He is a stanch Republi- can and has always been actively interested in politics, as also 1 in school and local affairs. It is of note that Mr. Overholt was one of four that walked from The Dalles toi Canyon City, packing provisions. At supper time they would eat and then slip away four or five miles and crawl into the bush to sleep for fear of the Indians. His oldest daughter was on the stage the first time it was robbed on the way from Baker City. ALLEN P. SNYDER.— One of the in- trepid pioneers of early days and a man of stanch qualities and worth is the subject of this article, and an industrious and esteemed citizen whose career has given him the confi- dence of the entire community, he stands to- day as one of those substantial characters who make the strength and boast of the leading communities of our fair land. Allen P. was born in Pennsylvania and when eight years of age came with his father to Missouri, where they remained for a few years, and then came to California, crossing the plains with mule teams. For six months after arriving in the Qolden State our subject 482 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES was occupied in mining and then went to Sil- ver City, Nevada, where he continued that oc- cupation until 1864. In the fall of that year he again tried the soil of California, operating in Plumas county, but later went to< ranching in Sonoma county. From this he again went to Silver City and then after some time in the mines turned his attention to freighting until he came to Oregon in 1867. He teamed here for the government forts — Harney, Warner and Camp Winithrop, in eastern Ore- gon — until 1870, when he took up land where he lives at the present time, one-half mile west from Dayville, and entered the ranks of Ore- gon's stockmen. He now owns one half sec- tion and is attended with prosperity, his chief stock being cattle and horses. Mr. Snyder and Miss Missouri Officer were married at Canyon City in 1876, and they have become the parents of six children, Jessie, Delia, Dora, Ada, Alice, and also one, Frankie, who is deceased. The last mentioned was the second born, but the stern-visaged monster stepped in while she was but a child and claimed Frankie for his awn. It was a severe blow to the parents, but she waits in the other land, where sorrow comes not, nor pain can despoil the rest of its inhabitants. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder are highly respected in the community and are exemplary in their life and demeanor to all. HEXRY HALL, Jr. Many of our most esteemed and enterprising citizens came from across the waters, especially from England. As one who fully sustains the reputation of his countrymen for industry and wise management of business affairs the subject of this sketch is mentioned and his life of worthy achievement since coming to this county has placed him in the front ranks of prominent and substan- tial citizens. Dorsetshire, England, is his place of birth, and May 24, 1844, the date thereof. It is of note that he was born on the anniversary of the queen's birth. In his native city he was trained in the public schools, but at an early age, fifteen, he was destined to meet the battles of life alone. He first took up the work of an architect and surveyor, which he fol- lowed for a decade and more, then turned from the land of his birth to this of newer institu- tions and wider prospects. Eighteen hundred and sixty-eight was the year in which he landed in Grant county, and after a proper time spent in investigating its resources, he settled ten miles east from Canyon City, and for eleven years he was occupied in the in- dustry of stock raising. In 1880 he bought the place where he now resides, eleven miles east from Canyon City, and hundred and sixty acres being the amount of his first purchase. By careful attention to ; business and the de- tails of his affairs he was soon enabled to add to this land and the amount of his estate is at the present time ten hundred and forty acres. This fine domain is well improved and stocked with cattle and he is one of the leading men in that industry in the county. Mr. Hall's father was very prominent in church work in the home land. He was instrumental in organ- izing and firmly establishing the Wesleyan chapel and denomination, where he labored, and in i860 he was called to< the rewards of his labors. The mother passed away in 1871, and they both lie buried in the yard of one oif the chapels that the father was instrumental in building. Our subject is not affiliated with an denomi- nation, but is a man o>f strict uprightness and of unswerving integrity, while his reputation is unsullied and his demeanor is such that he has won the confidence and respect of all his fellows. Being partial to the quieter joys of celibacy, Mr. Hall has never contracted a marriage and is thus relieved of the greater responsibilities and cares of the marital rela- tion, ♦-►-•> MILAS ROACH.— A veritable pioneer of the pioneers, Mr. Roach stands as an exem- plary character in that worthy and never-to be-forgotten band that has done such won- ders for these western sections, and he has been through all the experiences and hardships that attend the one that presses into the new regions of nature's fastnesses but to his credit it is said that in all o the Florence mines in Idaho, where he continued for two years washing out the nuggets of nature's wealth. From there he went to Portland and in 1865 came again to this county and continued at mining in the different camps until 1869, when, he located three hundred and twenty acres where he now lives, seven miles west from Monument. He took up stock raising and farming and has con- tinued steadily in this ever since. His farm has increased by purchase until he now owns the generous domain of twoi thousand acres, which is well improved, with house, barn, or- chards, fencing, and so forth. Mr. Rloach en- joys the distinction of being one of the first settlers on the north fork of the John Day in the vicinity of Monument and he has wrought well and wisely for the development of the county. Success has attended his efforts and he is today one of the leading men of substantiality and uprightness in this section. He enjoys in unstinted measure the confidence and es- teem of all his neighbors and numbers among bis friends all the early pioneers of the county. Connubial bliss has never attracted Mr. Roach from the quieter charms of the celibatarian's life and his golden years are being spent in tbt peaceful retreat that he has wrought out by his industry and careful and wise manipu- lation of the resources that nature placed in his hands. JOHN F. FAULKENBERRY.— Many men have wrought well in the arduous under- taking of developing and bringing to the front the reso'Urces of Grant county, and their ef- forts have been universally crowned with suc- cess and it is with pleasure that we give here mention of one who has manifested both ability and integrity, coupled with enterprise and thrift in this praiseworthy project since he has been domiciled in the county. The son of Hugh and 'Sarah (Estes) Faulkenberry, born on June 19, 1852, in Saline county, Arkansas, Mr. Faulken- berry is, however, really a product of the west, for when he was one year of age his parents started over the plains with ox teams for the far and famed land of the Willamette valley. The train had reached a point in Colorado when the father was taken sick with a fever and soon succumbed toi the messenger of death and his remains are buried by the great emigrant road in Colorado. The heart-lbroken widow with her five children could but proceed on the journey to the ex- pected home in the land of the west and reached Polk county without further incident of note. On the donation claim there secured the sub- ject of this sketch grew to manhood, and there received his education: in the common schools. Until he was twenty-five years of age he re- mained on the farm assisting his step-father and then started in the battle of life for him- self, taking up farming. It was in 1892 that he came to his present home in Grant county, which is nine and one-hail f miles north of Long- creek postoffice. Here, in company with his half-brother, George W. Sebring, he bought the W. H. Ward farm of one-half section Since that time they have added the J. O. Williams farm by purchase, making their es- tate four hundred and eighty acres at the pres- ent time. Mr. Sebring is still in partnership with his half-brother, and is one of the sub- stantial citizens of the county, being a, man of marked enterprise and thrift, ever assisting in those undertakings that are for the upbuilding of the county and its interests. He has de- meaned himself with such wisdom and mani- festation of upright principles that he has won the esteem and confidence of his fellows. The estate of these gentlemen is well improved and is a very valuable hay producing farm, as well as first class for cereals. They harvest an- 484 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES nually from one to twoi hundred tons of hay in addition to their other crops, while they handle a fine herd of cattle. The marriage of Mr. Faulkenberry and Miss Daisy, daughter William and Jennie (Hooker) Lanceford was celebrated on Au- gust 20 1898, and they have been rejoiced by the birth of two> children, Roy F., a bright and promising heir of two years past, and the baby, who is not yet named. JOHN HYDE.— Under the stars of the Occident, where he has remained since, was born the subject oif this sketch, and faithfully has he wrought to augment the wealth of the county and has earned a place for himself among the leading stockmen of the county, since he has displayed an unswerving integrity and intrinsic worth that can but comr mend him] to the esteem and draw forth the encomiums of his fellows, and it would be ser- ious incompleteness in our volume were there failure to incorporate in its pages a resume of the salient points of his interesting career. In 1854 John Hyde was born in Jackson county, this state, being the son of Perry and Eliza (Tyler) Hyde. The parents came across the plains in 1852 with ok teams from Missouri and lived at Harrisburg, in Linn county. When our subject, had attained' the years of his ma- jority he embarked in the industry of rais- ing cattle, and therein, continued, near Prine- ville, this state, for some time, about six years in all. From that place he came direct to Grant county and selected a homestead near Izee, where he lives at the present time. His place has been increased by the purchase of one hundred and sixty acres and his estate lies two miles northwest from Izee. Cattle raising has occupied his attention since set- tling here and he has been attended with grat- ifying success in his endeavors. In 1878 Miss Marv. daughter of William and Julia (PI ungate) Bunton, became the wife of Mr. Hyde, and to them, have been bom the following children : Maude, Perry, Ollie and Nellie. An interesting reminiscence that occurred on the journey of his parents across the plains is worthy of mention here, There was in the train one young man of a very aggressive and boastful disposition. It was his delight to con- stantly affirm; despite the reprovals of his elders, that he was determined to' shoot the first redskin that he should see, whether it were man or woman. One luckless day the foolish bravado spied a harmless and innocent Indian woman, and in cold blood he shot her down. Not long after an overwhelming force of redskins equipped for war, surrounded the train. A hastv corral was formed and the women and children protected as well as possi- ble. A messenger from the Indians announced that no harm would be done to the train if the murderer of the Indian woman was delivered to them. Justice demanded that the young man be delivered, and accordingly it was done. The enraged savages chained him to< a tree and burned him to a crisp. DAVID W. JENKINS.— "Render honor to whom honor is due ' is one of the old and tried sayings and following- this we are con- strained to give to the distinguished and esti- mable gentleman whose name initiates this para- graph prominent representation in this work that endeavors to give proper biographical men- tion to the leading citizens of Grant county. A pioneer in many senses of the word, and descended from the strong blood that subdued and held, in spite of the world, Scotia's hills, he has demonstrated in a life full of bright achievement and stirring adventure on the frontier of the foremost nation of the globe that he is possessed of the same stanch quali- ties and commendable characteristics that made his ancestors famous. Born in Scotland, on August 22, 181 1, he enjoys the distinction of being the oldest man in the county of Grant, and perhaps in eastern Oregon. When he had attained his majority his adventurous spirit led him from the fold of his native land to the rising and progressive republic on the west of the Atlantic. Landing in New York, he at once engaged in the Brook- lyn navy yards, and until 1844 cu d continuous and faithful service there. Then he went to Galveston, Texas, and entered the navy yards- there for two* years, then on to Mexico' in the same occupation. At this latter place he suf- fered the misfortune of being nearly killed by the Mexicans and he repaired to the Golden HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 485 Gate ini 1848, where he built a vessel and also erected the first buildings in that place, which has become the metropolis of the Pa- cific coast, his wages for this work being eleven dollars per day. In the fall of 1848 he went to Stockton, and mined for five months, then returned to San Francisco. In partnership with three oth- ers, he bought a vessel to go whaling, but was diverted from that purpose by a reported new diggings, whither they went, they being on what had been named Trinity river; coming up the coast from here, they entered a place named Trinidad, but were attacked by the In- dians and driven out. Later in San Francisco they met a captain that wished to find a little bay for starting a town, and they piloted him thither and established a town called Eureka, which is Humboldt today. Later Mr. Jenkins went to the head of the bay and established a town which was named Arcadia. Turning from this occupation he went to packing to the mines, and in 1863 came to what is now Grant county. Here he prospected this and adja- cent territory, having traversed all the sur- rounding country long - before there was any Baker City. In 1864 he pre-empted and home- steaded two hundred and forty acres where he now lives, seven and one-half miles west from John Day, and these holding's have increased to one-quarter of section 23 and one- half of section 35. His attention is de- voted to raising stock and tilling the soil, and he has been attended by prosperity in his efforts. He is highly respected by all in the community and wherever he is known, and his industry and thrift have wrought out for him a fine lega- cy toi leave to his family when it comes his time to depart from the scenes of earth. At the age of ninety he is hale and hearty and full of life and vigor and writes and handles the affairs of life as steadily as many men in the prime of life. During boyhood days Mr. Jen- kins was denied the advantages of education to any extended degree and it was by continu- ous effort of reading and personal research that he was enabled to store his mind with prac- tical information. The marriage of Mr. Jenkins and Miss Anna Riley was consummated in 1861, and to themi have been born three children : Alice, wife of Alex McKenna, of Canyon City; two infants that died before they received a name. It is with great pleasure that we are enabled to say that of all the old pioneers, who are a highly esteemed and respected class of citizens, there is none among them that stands higher in the minds of their fellows than Mr. Jenkins, and in point of age he is the senior of them all, which together with his other qualifications of merit, justly entitles him to the place of lead- ership. Mr. Jenkins affiliates with the I. O. O. Fl, Hobah Lodge, No. 22, of Canyon City. GEORGE RADER.— A pioneer that has known the early life of the Pacific from California to Grant county, and a mlan to whom nature has given liberally of those qualities which make ithe typical frontiersman, the substantial citizen and the noble representative of our race, the subject of this sketch is today one of the prominent citizens of Grant county and a prosperous and successful stockman that has added materially to the wealth of the county and to the interests of all by the manifestation of an enterprising public spirit and by careful- ly prosecuting a career of private business un- dertakings with wisdom and energy. The son of George and Emily Rader, he was born near Rockville, Park county, Indiana, on August 12, 1840, and when eleven years of age was removed by his parents to Monroe county, Iowa, where he remained until nine- teen years of age and worked on the farm with his father until the latter' s death, in 1858, and then two years longer he remained with his mother. But on the morning of May 21, i860, he turned the oix teams that he had provided toward the setting sun and began the long journey that ended in Shasta county, Califor- nia, on Saturday evening- before the election of Abraham Lincoln. He engaged in farming and working for wages until May 22, 1862, at which timie he went with a pack train for the Salmon river, but turned aside and stopped in Canyon City on July 4, of the same year. He turned his attention to mining there until August, 1865, then went to Susanville, follow- ing the same occupation until December, 1876, at which time he located his present place at Longcreek postoffice. He bought the right of a settler with his improvements and then filed on a homestead and commenced the occupation 486 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES of the stockman and agriculturist. Prosperi- ty has attended his wisely directed efforts and' tireless thrift and today he is the owner of large tracts of land and numerous herds of cattle and sheep and is counted as one of the most substantial stockmen of the county. At one time he and seven others, among- whom was the noted Jim Cummings, captured thirty-six horses from the Indians after, an exciting con- flict. On July 3, 1877, the marriage of Mr. Ra- der and Miss Frances E., daughter of James F. and Julia Miller, was celebrated, and they have becomie the parents of four children: Maud O., deceased; Harvey, deceased; Fred- erick W. ; Helen E. Mr. Rader is a man that is highly respected by all and has won the confidence and esteem of those who know him, having- demeaned himself in a commendable manner, ever manifesting principles of truth and uprightness. JAMES ROBINSON, deceased. Any compilation that purports to give the history of Grant county would be incomplete were there failure to mention in connection therewith the capable gentleman whose name is at the head of this paragraph, since he was closely connect- ed with its development and progress during a long life of commendable activity here, and it is with pleasure that we grant to his memory this article, being assured that he is one of the deserving citizens of this section. St. Johns, New Brunswick, was the spot of his birth, and 1834 the date, his parents being William and Annie Robinson. In that coun- try he was educated and in 1863 started out in the activities of life for himself, coming, via the Isthmus, to California, where he remained until 1855, then returned to his home in the east. The following year he came back to California, and from' that time until 1864, he was engaged in the mines in Yreka, California, at which time he came to Canyon City, and there worked at mining. He was soon elected justice of the peace, and for four years he continued in that office, dis- charging the duties incumbent upon him with efficiency and impartiality. About 1872 he was selected by the people to act in the capacity of county clerk, and in these relations he ac- quitted himself with distinction. Following this period, wherein he had performed the du- ties of this important office with an ability and cleverness that gave general satisfaction 1 , Mr. Robinson was often reinstated in the office of justice of the peace, and throughout it all he was characterized with the same sagacity and straightforwardness in dispensing justice. In 1 87 1, at Canyon City, Mr. Robinson married Miss Lizzie, daughter of Thomas and Jane (Blake) Abrams, natives of England and pioneers to California in 1854, and to' this happy union there were born three children, as follows: James S., deceased; Elnora S., de- ceased, and Edith May. On March 15, 1901, the angel of death came for Mr. Robinson and he stepped forth into the realities of another, world. He was beloved and esteemed by all, and one of Grant county's, capable and faithful citizens was then taken, for whom all sincerely mourned. Mrs. Robinson is taking up the burdens of life alone since that sad event, manifesting a brave and good spirit, and nobly she is handling the af- fairs of life thus resting upon her. She has a good business in Canyon City, in the mercan- tile line, and also handles the express office, and she is highly esteemed by all. ROBERT E. DAMON.— It is with pleas- ure that we embrace the opportunity to chroni- cle the salient points in the interesting career of the gentleman whose name heads this arti- cle, and who has been a potent factor in the affairs of Grant county for one-third of a cen- tury, having in that lengthened period mani- fested those principles of uprightness that commend one to the confidence and esteem of his fellows, while he has wrought with energy and wisdom in all of his enterprises, achieving that success which is the meed of those who> are the faithful disciples of wisdom, energy and industry. On November 25, 1828, at Scituate, Massa- chusetts, Robert E. was born and there he passed the years of his minority. About the time of the memorable "49" he was stirred by the rumors from the far west and he migrated thither, landing in San Francisco on January 1, 1854. Thence he went to Yreka, where he remained for six vears and in i860 went back JAMES ROBIHSOH. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 487 to Massachusetts on a visit and then came to Oregon, settling at Jacksonville, and farmed there for two years. In 1862 he went to Flor- ence, Idaho, where he sought the treasures of nature for two years and then returned to San Francisco for the winter, after which he re- paired toi Jackson and commenced to 1 buy cat- tle and drive them to Grant county. He made three trips at this employment and in 1870 came to the county and settled where his ranch is at the present • time three miles west from Mount Vernon. He first took one hundred and sixty acres but has added by purchase since until he owns seven hundred acres of fine land, which is well stocked with sheep, cattle and horses. He is personally attending to a feed stable in Mount Vernon. In political matters he is a stanch Republican and has served as county commissioner, being promi- nent in the county. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masons, Lodge No. 34, at Canyon City. In 1870 Mr. Damon and Miss Anna, daughter of William and 1 Ellen (Allen) Sted- man, were united in the holy bonds of matri- mony, and the fruit of the union has been as follows : Walter H., Sarah E., Catherine, John, Edward and Emily. Mrs. Damon's parents came to this country from Australia and her birth occurred while they were en route. Mr. Damon is now verging into the golden years of his life, and although his industrious career dominated with wisdom, has given him a competence, and even far beyond that, still he is active and prefers to 'be busied with the over- sight and care of his interests, than to remain in quietness. He is beloved by all and is one of those substantial men that form the real life and solidity of any community. PRIOR S. WILSON, deceased. To the memory of the esteemed gentleman, and in- trepid pioneer, whose name is at the head of this article, we are constrained to grant this memorial, since toi his. labors, Grant county is much indebted for development and augment- ing its quota of wealth, while his life of up- rightness and display of sound principles were a worthy example to' those who> are left to follow. Mr. Wilson was the son of John and Ma- hala Wilson and was 1 born in Holt county, Missouri, on April 25, 1845. There he passed his early life and then came to Linn county with his parents, where he completed his education. It was about i860 that he came to Umatilla county with his parents, who settled there and opened a dairy and also operated a pack train from Umatilla to Baker City. Much of their packing was done at night, as the burdens were largely composed of butter. Later he en- gaged in stock business and it was as early as 1870 that he came to Grant county. He wrought with wisdom and energy and his labors were crowned with success. On July 20, 1899, he was called from the scenes of his labors and victories to the world beyond the veil. He was universally beloved and respect- ed. His remains 1 lie buried in the Monument cemetery. His widow, Mrs. Sarah J. Wilson, and four children were left to mourn his de- mise. He was a prominent member of the A. F. & A. M., and was always active in politics, being a real leader in that realm. Mrs. Wilson's marriage with the deceased occurrel on October 6, 1881, and the names of her children are as follows : Mahala, wife of Thomas Brirly, of lone; Eppa; Chaneey; Lot- tie C. Previous to. this last marriage Mrs. Wil- son was the wife of Isaac Violett and by that marriage she had four children: Endora, wife of James Anderson, formerly of Harney coun- ty, but now living in Monument; Mary M., wife of Edward Keeney, of Harney county; Homer, deceased ; Helen, wife of Joseph Wool- ery, of lone, a merchant. Her marriage to; Isaac Violett occurred in Linn county, Oregon, in 1862, and soom following this they removed to Wasco county and took up general merchandis- ing there until October 6, 1870, when they re- moved to Grant county and engaged in the stock business, in which they were laboring when the death of Mr. Violett occurred in 1874. Mrs. Wilson's parents were Daniel and Clarissa (Perry) Minkler, and natives of In- diana and New York, respectively. Mrs. Wil- son is living in Monument and is well esteemed by all. She has an elegant residence, owned the land on which the village was built, owns the leading hotel of the town, which is rented, also a livery and feed stable which she is oper- ating, and three large farms near by. Her land is well improved and the one adjoining the town is very valuable. She displays 488 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES marked wisdom in managing her large inter- ests and is to 'be commended upon both her ability as a financier and keen foresight coupled with excellent executive force. She has large bands of stock and is counted as one of the most successful operators in that line in the county. When a child, she accompanied her parents across the plains, making the entire distance with ox teams. They settled in Clackamas county in 1849, where the father was engaged in farming until the time of his death a few years later. The aged mother is still living in Monument. WILLIAM T. HAMILTON.— Among the representative men of this section and one of the leading citizens of Grant county is the gentleman of whom we now have the pleasure of writing. He has gained distinction in at least two different lines of industry in the county and today stands as one of its leading merchants as well as a successful agriculturist and stockman, having been enabled by his ability and faithful dealing to build up a fine trade in the town of Hamilton, where he re- sides. Mr. Hamilton was born in Multnomah county, this state, on October 20, 1867, being the son of John H. and Mary J. Hamilton. From near Oregon City, the place of his birth, the parents moved to the place where our sub- ject is now living, in 1872, and here he spent the early years of his life in looking after the stock of his father. He was enabled to attend school but little on account of the school being distant four miles, and also because his eyes were not sufficiently strong to allow him 1 to study. Thus his early education was limited, but by careful observation and treasuring up with an excellent memory what he has dug out by himself in odd times, he has come toi be well informed and is thoroughly drilled in the business of which he has shown himself mas- ter. His parents were the first settlers in In- dian valley on Deer creek and the town of Ham- ilton was named after them. Mr. Hamilton now owns three hundred and forty acres of good land, which is well improved and carefully looked after; he also has a large band of cattle and horses. In 1897 he erected a store build- ing in Hamilton and occupied it with a stock of general merchandise. His careful attention to the wants of his customers and uprightness in dealing have won for him a fine trade that is constantly increasing. He has a beautiful modern residence in the town and a good barn and orchard in addition to his store building. The marriage of Mr. Hamilton and Miss Ella, daughter of D. D. and Mamie Hinton, of Hamilton, was celebrated on November 1, 1896, and to them have been born one 1 son, Crisa Mr. Hamilton is a member of the W. of W., Lodge No. 581, in Hamilton. He is deeply interested in educational matters and has been instrumental in forwarding the cause much in his district, having acted as clerk, and always being interested in any movement that will advance the cause. He has won the es- teem and confidence of the entire community and. is highly respected by all. JOHN C. LUCE.— In the person of the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this article we have one of the most prominent citizens of the county and one that has been a leader since his advent here in 1862, thus be- ing one of the first white men that settled with- in the borders of Grant county. In political matters, as well as in the realm of stock raiser and agriculturist, Mr. Luce has been a distin- guished figure before the people for some time and his influence has been felt to the remotest corners of the state, having been so' prominent in the political arena that he has been in con- test for the supreme office of the state. John C. was born September 20, 1843, m Iowa, and at the age of nine years was brought by his parents across the plains with ox teams to the Willamette valley, where they settled near Eugene until 1859, when he removed to California. It was as early as July 17, 1862, that Mr. Luce made his way into- this section and engaged in mining and packing to Canyon City from The Dalles. He discerned the fu- ture of the country and accordingly took a, pre- emption claim, where he still lives, three miles west from John Day. This was one of the first pieces of government land taken for farm- ing in the county. To- this he has added until he has a fine estate of five hundred acres, which is used in handling his large herds of cattle. He g-ained his first start in cattle by buying in JOHH C. LUCE. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 489 the Willamette valley and driving to this sec- tion. Prosperity has followed his efforts, be- cause oif his thrift and his ceaseless, efforts in attention to and wise handling- of his: cattle, and he has become one among the wealthy stockmen of the county. Care and thrift are manifested in all his enterprises and his place is a model of comfort and neatness, Mr. Luce has by no> means confined his efforts to raising stock, but has gained distinction in a number of lines in the county, notably among which is the newspa- per realm. During 1893 and 1894 he conduct- ed successfully a sheet of merit in John Day, and was one of the most powerful men in politics in the county. He was instrumental in organizing the first Farmers' Alliance in this and Harney counties and has been a leader in it since. He was a candidate for Congress against Judge W. R. Ellis, and also was in the field for gubernatorial honors against Geer, and made a very commendalble race in both cases. The mlarriage of Mr. Luce and Miss Cyn- thia A., daughter of J. F. Hodson, was cele- brated in 1868, and to them were born the following children : Lincoln B. ; Chauncey M., deceased; Ruhama B. ; Frederick O., deceased; James E., deceased; William A.; Charles F. ; Bertha E. In 1889 Mrs. Luce was taken from her family by death and her remains were in- terred in the Canyon City cemetery. She was aged thirty-six years at the time of her de- mise. HIRAM C. MACK.— If to one class of people more than to another belongs the privi- lege of shaping the state and upon whom rests the responsibility of instilling right principles in the rising generation 1 , that honor pre- eminently reverts to the educators of this land ; and it is only just to 1 them, to say that no> class of people are deserving of more credit both for unselfish and painstaking labor and constant care along these lines than are the teachers of our land, and true it is to-day that for the value of the services rendered there is no class that is so stinted in the remuneration received from a generally generous public. Among those who have wrought in these western coun- tries to properly train the youth, to raise a higher standard of educational qualification, to form the plastic forces of an embryonic state into molds of stanch statesmanship and sound principles, the esteemed citizen whose name heads, this article, stands high and as a verita- ble leader he has been manifested in the years of his toils in this line in Grant and adjoining counties. Mr. Mack was boirn in the Willamette val- ley in 1 87 1, being the son of J. W. and Helen M. (Duston) Mack, natives of New York and Ohio, respectively. In 1852 they crossed the plains to. the Willamette valley and settled on a ranch there and in 1877 came thence to Grant county. In the schools of Prairie City the foundation of his education was laid. Aft- erwards, by hard work and strict economy, he was enabled to spend a term at the State University at Eugene. After leav- ing the university, he began the career of the educator and it was evident from, the beginning that nature had given him those qualifications that marked him as one to whom pre-eminent success would come as the result of his pains- taking and arduous labors and careful and con- tant using of the rich talents with which he had been endowed. It was to be expected then, that he would do soon what he did in fact ac- complish, take leading place among the edu- cators of eastern Oregon. His ability for this position was quickly manifest to> all and the unbounded enthusiasm in this work and love for the same that were constant companions with him wrought powerfully in the circle of educators of this region, producing more ard- ent effort and enterprising activities in their various duties, giving withal an inspiration that resulted in untold good to the schools of Grant and other counties where he labored. Two years ago, he was allured into the field of commercial business, and what educator has not felt the same desire to lay down the seemingly thankless and bitter tasks of training stubborn minds and free himself by loading on his shoulders the cares of commercial life, as- suredly knowing that the burdens taken up would be but rest compared with those laid down? Fort two years he reveled in the delights Oif his freedomi while he carried on the drug business, but fortune was not thus disposed to lose an ardent dis- ciple of Socrates and Agassiz, and so insisted by the vote of the people that he should leave the drug business and come back to the higher, though correspondingly harder and 490 HISTORY OF EAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES weightier duties of superintending' the county schools. He immediately responded with the fitting repentence as he again took up life with his first love and the people oif Grant county are to he congratulated that they have secured his services in this capacity and also that they rescued from the petrefaction of the commer- cial world and its strife of competition one who is soi well qualified to- carry on with un- bounded success the calling of the true edu- cator. In political matters, as is usual with the students of the land, he is allied with the Dem- ocratic party and is a force in real politics, and it was on this ticket that he was elected to his present position. It is with a bright out- look for the future that the young educatoa- is thus again pressed into the harness and unless every prognostication of past fact in his career is a patent perverter of the truth, the future has in store some rich, work and excel- lent achievement for this, student, whose heart is thoroughly in the greatest of all human call- ings and professions, that of the educator. VANDEVER L. COFFEY.— Among the leading agriculturists of Grant county, it is fitting to make mention of the gentleman whose name heads this article, and although he has not been domiciled within the county as long as some, still his life has been connected with the interests of eastern Oregon for a long time and with the state for nearly half a century and in this lengthened period he has ever manifested those sterling qualities that are the pride and boast of any well regulated community and which characterize him to this day. Mr. Coffey was born to John and Nancy Coffey, in Gallatin county, Illinois, on October 26, 1833. In his native county, he worked on a farm) and attaided school during the proper seasons until the spring of 1853. Then his adventurous spirit was ready for the long trip across the weary deserts to the land of promise near the Pacific. Oregon City was his first stop and soon he was in the mines in Port Orford, where he wrought until 1855, the date of his en- listment in Captain John Cratomi's company of minute men, a portion of the state volunteers that were led out to quell the uprising of the savages, which conflict continued until the close of 1856. He did faithful military service and participated in many skirmishes and some bat- tles, among which may be mentioned one at the mouth of the Coquille river in which there were seventeen of the savages, slain but not one of the, soldiers. Following the retreating red skins, they captured seventy-five of their num- ber and delivered them to> the Indian agent and this completed the war. For some time subse- quent toi this, he was engaged in various places and in different occupations and then came to Weston and embarked in the furniture business and later in a livery stable. The latter burned down and left him penniless. It was in 1884 that he entered a homestead near Heppner and there he gave his attention to fanning until the spring of 1901, when he sold the entire property and bought where he now resides, eighteen miles west from John Day. He is postmaster at Beach Creek and also has a long distance telephone station. His farm is well improved, having fine buildings and other accessories to a first-class estate. In addition to the enterprises mentioned, he is operating a hotel and feed stable and is one of the well-to-doi and prosper- ous citizens, of the county. The marriage of Mr. Coffey and Miss Re- _ becca J. Wright occurred on January 5, 1871, in Marion county, Oregon. Mr. Coffey is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has been for thirty-five years. He and his wife are prominent members of the Methodist church, South, where they take great interest in both church and Sundav-school work. JOHN C. SILVERS.— It is the pleasant task that has fallen to our lot to write, in brief review, an epitome of the career of the esti- mable and progressive gentleman whose name heads this article and who is classed as one of the leading agriculturists and stockmen of Grant county, having been one of that worthy class that pressed into this section at an early day and opened it up for the advent of civiliza- tion's institutions, undergoing much hardship and putting forth very commendable efforts in this praiseworthy achievement. It is a source of great pleasure to see domiciled in the rich valleys of our county the hardy and brave men th;il wrought so faithfully in opening up the frontier, and it speaks well of the resources of this county that so many of the early ones remained here. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 491 Mr. Silvers was born on. January 22, 1846, on St. George Island, in the far away East Indies, but at the age of nineteen years came to this land of the free, where he has made his home since. He landed at Boston, and soon was enroute to the Golden state, via the Isth- mus, and the following year he came to Canyon City. For eight years he was engaged in min- ing and then took up ranch work for twelve years, and four years since he purchased: the estate where he now resides, one mile west from John Day, which consists of two. hun- dred acres. It is a valuable farm and skillfully handled by its owner. Every department is looked after with a discerning care and thrift, and neatness and dispatch are everywhere in evidence on tire estate. It is well improved and all the accessories that add comfort and convenience toi rural life are found in place. The marriage of Mr. Silvers and Miss Jessie Maura, a native of Maria Island, which is close to St. George, was. celebrated in 1888 and to this happy union have been born the following children: Mary; Anna, deceased; Manvel; Jessie; John; one infant, deceased. It is very pleasing to see in this worthy couple resting thus under the benign influence of our free American institutions an exemplification of genuine democracy and stanch and fervent love for the flag that waves over a nation antipodal to the sea girt islands of their na- tivity. It lis the blending of such noble pioneer characters that has made the American repub- lic the foremost nation on the earth to-day. _ HON. MORTON D. CLIFFORD.— While every true American rejoices in the grand freedom that our matchless democratic institutions furnish to the law-abiding citizens, there is no less comfort and satisfaction in the strong bulwark of law that with its stern hand renders possible the proper enjoyment of true freedom while it holds in check that foul coun- terfeit, license, that strives to checkmate and absorb the benign influence of the salutary re- straints; that wise legislators have placed about our firesides and political creations. With courage and spirit never overmastered, with hardy endurance and continuity unparalleled, our forefathers asked for, and then fought until they -obtained the birthright of self gov- ernment and then demonstrated to an amazed world of spectators their deep sagacity as modern Solons by creating in the midst of the throes of a desperate struggle of death, the solid constitutional foundation, and rearing thereupon the magnificent superstructure of statute law, the most brilliant, wise, and practi- cal that had hitherto been wrought in words by human beings. To such a legacy have the American people fallen heirs, and it requires no less erudition and probity coupled with a mas- terful executive power to properly expound, apply, and execute these sound principles of justice and equity than was displayed at their marvelous inception and codification. How- ever, let it be mentioned to the praise of this free nation, that there has never been wanting a son of freedom to rest in the seat of our dis- tinguished ancestors who- could and did with honor to his. predecessor carry out the spirit of the wisdom manifested in the primary ex- pression of these wise principles. Mighty statesmen and eminent jurists, have been in the number from the supreme bench to the remotest parts of the great domain and it is with great pleasure that we are enabled to state, that although not yet in a federal position so marked by exaltation as some enjoy, yet none the less distinguished by his depth of wisdom and sound principles and sterling qualities, coupled with unswerving integrity and un- stained honor, stands the faithful expounder of the laws whose name initiates this para- graph and to. whom we are desirous of grant- ing this slight mention. Morton. D. Clifford was born. May 24, 1859, i n Iowa, being the son of Harmon and Jane (Mahon) Clifford. In 1870 he accom- panied his mother to Oregon and settled at Canyon City, living first on a ranch and se- curing what school privileges he was enabled to, but constantly giving himself to- good read- ing and investigation. His stock of informa- tion, was so thorough and full that he was warranted in beginning the practice of law at The Dalles when he was twenty years of age, doing his initiative work in the office of Hill & Mayes, of that place, where also he continued for two years and then was admitted to the bar of the state. Following his admission, he came to Canyon City, and set up the prac- tice of law. Two years later, he had risen so rapidly and displayed such a breadth of in- 492 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES formation and depth of legal understanding that the people asked him to accept the posi- tion of district attorney of the sixth judicial district. This position was filled faithfully and with manifestation of ability until the ex- piration of his term in 1888, when he again resumed the practice of law. In 1890 he was appointed by the governor to fill the unexpired term of L. B. Ison as judge of the same dis- trict, serving for two years, then he was elected to a six years' term of the same position and at its expiration he was elected to' a six years' term of judge of the ninth judicial district, this hav- ing been formed from the old sixth. At the present time he is holding his position, and it is with credit to his whole district, for his univer- sal fairness and marked skill and deep knowl- edge of both the law and the spirit of equity have justly made him renowned. Judge Clifford and Miss Edith, daughter of Judge G. I. and Emiline (McCullum) Hazel- tine, were married in August, 1885, at Canyon City and to them have been born two children, Harold and Emma. In political matters the Judge is associated with the Democrats. Fra- ternally, he is affiliated with the Masonic lodge No. 60, at Prairie City, and in 1883 he received the degree of Royal Arch in Chapter No. 7, Canyon Cjity, where he held the position of high priest ; he also is a member of the Wash- ington Council, No. 3, of royal and select masters, and of the high priesthood in the state commandery, No. 1, Walla Walla; also re- ceived the thirty-second degree of Scottish rite at Portland and was elected junior grandwar- den of the grand lodge of Oregon in 1891, and senior grand warden in 1892, deputy grand master in 1893, and grand master in 1895; he also belongs to the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 22, of Canyon City. ALVA C. DOPE.— What thrilling days were those when the fleet and hardy steeds bore their more intrepid riders from post to post in the dispatch of important business, in the never-to-be-forgotten pony express ! Deeds of daring and bravery that well might stir the spirit of the reader were of frequent occurrence, and hardships were too common to dwell upon. These times are gone, the prairie schooner has been brushed aside for the chariot of steel, the harnessed lightning darts o'er the course where the hoofbeats of the flying pony express are heard no more and it is not without a tear of regret that we glance back at the past while we embrace the new. How acceptable then it is to sit and listen to one who comes as an actual participant from those daring times and relates to us the tales of interest. All hail to the opportunity to chronicle the deeds of those sturdy and noble pioneers that are all too soon passing away from us. The subject of this humble sketch is one who has passed through much of this life and has been instrumental in inaugurating civilization's reign with her aids and inventions, while he brings items of the past as it were from a new land. Alva C. Dore was born in Penobscot coun- ty, Maine, on Februarv 28, 1840, being the son of Series and Lucinda Dore. He was reared on his father's farm and remained until he was nineteen years of age and then came to the new west, going at once to* the Rocky mountains and engaging as a rider on the pony express line that was so famous in those early days. He rode across the mountains until the telegraph line was put up, then was express messenger for Ben Haliday until 1862 and then quit and went toi San Francisco, and thence by steamer toi Portland, when he made his way to Albany, and operated a sawmill for three years. At the end of this period he went to Walla Walla and operated a mill there for two years and then came to Canyon City and engaged in the same business here, in which he has constantly been occupied since, adding mining also. He came to his present place in 1890. It is located twelve and one- half miles south from Canyon City, on Canyon creek, and here he owns a good mill and one half section of valuable timber and farming land. He has a good house and other im- provements. In 1874 the marriage of Mr. Dore and Miss Emma, daughter of Emanuel and Sarah Mo sier, of John Day, was celebrated, and to them was bom one child, Alva S., now married to Bertha Voley, of John Day. In 1878 Mrs. Dore was summoned hence by death. Mr. Dore was married a second time and the lady of his choice was Mrs. Amy Westfall, Avho was called to pass the river of death in 1888. There were born to this second union triplets, one of whom died in infancy, one died at the age of three years, being named Amy, ALYA C. DORE. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 493 and the other, named Helen, is still living-. Mr. Dore is a charter member of the A. O. U. W. lodge in Canyon City. He takes an active part in politics and is ever working for the ad- vancement of the interests of the county. In 1886 the people summoned him to the service of the county as sheriff, and after a term of faithful and efficient work in that capacity he was re-elected and served two years more. His public career, as his private, has been domi- nated 'by wisdom and the manifestation of abili- ty that give hin the confidence of his fellows and the respect of all. During his last term of service as sheriff he collected all the taxes of the county, an occurrence which was never duplicated before or since, HON. MEL DUSTIN.— It is inherent in mankind to manifest approval to those who have amidst difficulties and in the face of towering obstacles wrought out a success that is worthy, and among the many sturdy pioneers that have been rightly placed in this class, men- tion must be made of the esteemed citizen whose name initiates, this paragraph, since he has been a conspicuous example of those who by their own efforts have carved a place in the annals of time for their names. He was born in Iowa, in 1842, of Dudley P. and Harriet A. (Slausen), natives respect- ively of New Hampshire and Ohio. He is a de- scendant of the famous Thomas and Hannah Dustin, of Haverhill. In 1850, he crossed the plains with his parents and that winter he at- tended the first school taught in Portland, the teacher being Mr. Outhouse. Mr. Dustin has been a person of energy and enterprise from the beginning to the present time. He remained with his parents until twelve years of age and then joined the list of trappers and hunters that were prominent in those days and until eighteen years, of age he was- assiduously following that occupation, becoming skilled in all its interesting lore and experiencing many thrilling and intensely exciting incidents. When he arrived at eighteen years of age, his mind had 1 been sufficiently satiated with those adventures that are so acceptable to younger days of boyhood, and he began toi see the need of an education in order to do justice to the name he bore in the battles of life. To see the need was for young Dustin to supply the same, and so earnestly and wisely did he set to the task of gaining educational discipline that two years later he was the proud bearer of a state certificate granted by Governor Pennoyer. For one decade he gave himself to the worthy art of teaching, but finding- a, desire for larger fields', he set himself to the greater task of pre- paring for the practice of law. This also he successfully accomplished and in 1869, he was admitted to the bar in Washington and in 1875 received the same honor from the state of Ore- gon. From that time he has steadily pursued the practice, perfecting himself in every depart- ment that was of practical service in his varied and large clientage. In 1874 he was selected county judge for Grant county, and in 1880 he was nominated for the state senate, running om the Democratic ticket. His practice in Canyon City has been long and successful and his standing in the county and among his as- sociates at the bar has been and is of the high- est order. The marriage of Mr. Dustin and Miss Emma, daughter of Samuel and Wealthy (Lowe) Markee, was celebrated in 1868 and to them have been borni six children as follows : Bailey C. ; Effie, wife of John Brandt, of Port- land; Celia, wife of Frank Foster, of John Day; Hiram E. ; Rosa; Mel G. With natural acumen and acquired lore, gathered during a long and studious career of constant experi- ence, dominated by sagacity and probity that are the willing servants of a powerful mind and an indomitable purpose, Mr. Dustin prop- erly holds rank as one of the leading attorneys of eastern Oregon. DR. L. B. TROWBRIDGE.— It is with pleasure that we are called upon to briefly epitomize the interesting career of the esteemed citizen and early pioneer, whose familiar name is at the head of this article, since he is by force of right classed among the leading citi- zens of this county and one that has wrought with assiduity and display of sagacity here for the development and progress of the coun- ty, and his efforts have been very potent in bringing good to his fellows as well as dis- playing the latent powers of which he is pos- sessed so richly. 494 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES The Doctor was born in Broome county, New i York, in 1834, and at the age of twelve years was taken by his parents to Lee county, Illinois, in which place the parents made their home until the time of their death. At the budding age of eighteen years, L. B. com- menced the activeness of life for himself, tak- ing up the carpenter trade, and utilizing care- fully all of his spare time in the study of medi- cine. Seven years later he came to Yreka, California, and there engaged in mining until the spring of 1862, at which time he came to where Canyon City now stands. Here he built the first house in the limits of what is now the town, the building occupying the site now utilized by the Masonic hall. For three years subsequent to this he was occupied in mining and buying and selling stock. In 1868 he took up hotel keeping and successfully operated the Western, a popular house in those days, but the fire of 1870 left him penniless. With his accustomed pluck and enterprise, he was soon in business trim again and the mercantile world was the scene of marked natural ability and his mind is well stored by deep research and con- tinued study while his experience has been over a very wide range, while his travels have given him possibilities for observation and ac- cumulation of knowledge and skill that have rendered him not only a physician of deep erudition but have given him a fund of valuable information on a wide range of topics that is both gratifying and praiseworthy. Doctor Trowbridge is interested in the Mammoth copper mine and the Gold Hill mine,, all of which are properties of great promise. Fra- ternally he is affiliated with the I. O. O. F. JOSEPH N. DITMARS.— In the person of the subject o>f this sketch we have one of the doughty and intrepid pioneers of the entire northwest and a man of great and varied ex- periences, which have given him a breadth O'f comprehension, which, augumented by his natural keenness and executive force, make hime one of the strong men of Grant county. Joseph N. was born in Clinton county, Ohio, in March, 1846, being the son of Abraham and Jennie (Perkins) Ditmars, natives of Ohio and Kentucky, respectively. In 1849 the family came to Clinton county, Missouri, where our subject was reared on a farm and educated. In 1861 he enlisted in Price's army and fought at Corinth, after which he went to Virginia and served until the close of the war, beine wounded once. At that time he went to Texas 'for a time and then returned to Missouri, where he remained until 1867. We next see him in Nevada, mining, and* in the fall of 1868 he went to Fraser river, in British Columbia, and in the following year he went to Bena river, in Alaska, but the guide died and the party were lost, and spent the winter at Fort Sill, subsisting on rabbits. In 1870, he returned to Nevada, going the en- tire distance afoot, arriving there late in the summer. He was occupied there mining, with good success until 1881, when he went to Fresno, California, and there mined and built mills until August, 1887, at which time he went to China, being engaged by that govern- ment as mining engineer in the Ping To gold mines. On account of failing health, after two years he returned to the United States, and came to Oregon with the intention of going into the stock business. Arriving at the Green- horn district he was so impressed with the mineral wealth o Canyon City, where he went at once to mining. He secured some valuable placer claims, which he worked with very gratifying success until the fall of 1870, when he sold his mining interests and went to the Big Basin country in this county and engaged in stock raising. He owned fine stock farms in different parts of the country and in 1880 he moved onto one near Monument, where he made his home and headquarters. In 1898 he began to sell his stock and real estate hold- ings, desiring to retire from the more weighty cares and responsibilities of active business. He was attended with fine success in handling stock and at the present time he holds securities in many places through the county and in ad- jacent counties, while he is also one of a rich company that has promoted a salmon cannery in Alaska, on Dundas Bay. He obtained a patent from the government for a large por- tion of the bav and erected buildings and put the enterprise in active operation. In the spring of 1901 he made a visit of four months to this property and is much enthused with its favorable outlook. Mr. Nealen carries two heavy policies in two of the old line com- panies. It is of note that during the Indian scare Mr. Nealen offered twenty dollars per day for men to assist him in putting up hay for his stock, but was unable to secure hands and so did the work himself alone at great risk. Dur- ing his long career on the frontier he has met 496 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES all sorts of hardships and dangers and has faced many trying ordeals, in all of which there has been the true Irish force of character to outride them all and to-day he is well and fa- vorably known to almost every resident of the county, having maintained a faithful walk among his fellow citizens, and a strong ad- herence to the principles of patriotism and freedom and the beloved institutions of our government, for which he fought with valor and intrepid courage. During his career Mr. Nealen has always been partial to the quiet joys of the celibatarian and has never ventured on the uncertain sea of connubial relations. Now' as the golden years begin to draw apace, with the consolation of a well spent career in the past, enjoying the plenty that his thrift and sagacity have accumulated, while his gen- iality has won him friends on every hand, Mr. Nealen is passing the days of the best years of his life in quietness and peace amid the good wishes and hearty good cheer of all who know him. OLIVER P. CRESAP.— What an air of interest clings to the early pioneers of this land that immediately catches the desires and awak- ens the spirit of investigation in each one of us. This is not without adequate cause, because we are all more or less acquainted with the stirring adventures and dangers encountered by these heroes of the plains as well as the ar- duous labors endured and mining excitements of the day. The dreary trip across the plains, enlivened by the ferocious attacks, of the sav- ages ; the restfulness experienced at the end of the journey; the exhilaration of new scenes and ways ; the exciting stories of fortunes made in a few days in the mines ; the rise of ambition to "try his luck" that fired every younug Ameri- can who entered the domain of the west; the toils, the hardships of the search, the sickening drop of spirits at failure, the buoyant exuber- ance of joy when a strike was made; the weary trip from camp to camp 1 — all this is only part of what each one lived day by day, and which combined to make a distinct type of humanity in the real pioneer of the early days. Genial, kind, patient under hardships and deprivations, ever expectant, never showing a sign of de- sire to quit the struggle — the sturdy repre- sentatives of those unique days carry about with them a winning something of interest in their life that causes us to halt and bring out the reminiscences of past days in entertaining conversation with the worthy characters. What words could equal these, for the subject of this sketch, that he is a typical representative of the pioneer days, possessed of capabilities and integrity that doi credit to even that worthy class. His career began early in this line and he has traveled the complete gamut of ex- perience. Born in Alleghany county, Maryland, on August 23, 1840, the son of Daniel H. and Eliza Cresap, Oliver P. spent the early days of his life in work on the farm of his father and in attending school. His mother died when he was eight years of age and in ,1856 he tame with his father to Bonaparte, Iowa, where he remained until i860. The real spirit of adven- ture and exploration for' his fortune in the west took possession of him at that time and he started across the plains in company with oth- ers, driving a band of horses. After passing Salt Lake City the Indians succeeded in steal- ing the entire bunch, and the unfortunate own- ers were obliged to walk the rest of the dis- tance toi the coast, eleven hundred miles. Ash- land, Jackson county, Oregon, was their land- ing place, and for two years Mr. Cresap was occupied with various kinds of work, then started to Oro Finoi, but was turned from this purpose and stopped at Canyon City in June, 1862. He located the second claim of the county, it being situated at the mouth of Whis- ky Gulch. Two years he followed placer min- ing and then packed from The Dalles for four years, then went to Susanville, in this county, and followed placer mining for thirteen years with good success. In this county on June 16, 1880, the mar- riage of Mr. Cresap and Miss Oregon H. Douthit, a native of Indiana, was solemnized and to them have been born the following- children : Helen M., Clara M., Henry O., Wilbur D., Minnie E., Elsworth W. Mrs. Cresap crossed the plains in 1853 with her parents. In 1882 Mr. Cresap was called by the peo- ple to act as sheriff and his service in that ca- pacity was efficient and satisfactory. In 1892 he was ag-ain elected to the same office. Un- der Cleveland's first administration he was postmaster in Canyon City. From 1883 to OLIYER P. CRESAP. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 497 1895 he was engaged in mercantile business and at the last date he sold that business and again turned his attention to mining. He now has some very valuable properties in the Marys- ville district, and also some others in different places. He owns a fine home in Canyon' City and some other property. It is of note that many times in the early days Mr. Cresap was frequently shot at by the Indians while in con- flict with" them, and he was the guide for Gen- eral Howard during the war of 1878, was in the Birch creek fight and the north fork of the John Day fight. Fraternally he is affiliated with the I. O. O. F., and with the Encamp- ment, and with the A. O. U. W., and with the K. of P. He is past grand of the I. O. O. F. and past workman in the A. O. U. W. DAVID KEERINS.— What a debt of gratitude does our country owe to^ the gallant and sturdy sons of the Emerald Isle for the prominent part that they have played in the development of the resources of this wealthy land and for the interest taken bv them in the promotion of the welfare of all. Not least among this distinguished number may be men- tioned David Keerins, who has allied himself with this, his foster land, leaving behind the scenes and associations of the home country, to carve 'for himself a fortune in the bound- less region of our western territory, and the success that has attended his efforts, speaks strongly of the thrift and industry, dominated by wisdom and keen foresight that are char- acteristic of him, the evidences of which are manifested everywhere in his handiwork. In 1861 was the date of his birth and Ireland the country and there he spent the first nineteen years of his existence. At the time when manhood's estate began to dawn on him his ideas and adventurous spirit led him to the realms of the new world and thither he came, landing in New York in 1880. From that place he came to California and there was en- gaged in farming for six years,, after which he came direct to Grant county and took a homestead eight miles northwest from Izee. Here, in company with his brothers. Joseph and Owen, he has been engaged in the stock business. Cattle and sheep are the kinds that they raise, with sufficient horses to handle the 32 business. Their estate has been increased be- times until they are now the proprietors of two thousand acres of good land, which is well improved for their business. Mr. Keer- ins has so demeaned himself in the walks of life that he has won the confidence of his fel- lows and the high regard of all. Mr. Keerins has never ventured on the sea of matrimony, preferring to associate himself with quieter joys of the celibatarian's life, where the re- sponsibilities and cares of connubial relations are not found. BALLARD P. TARTER.— A man who has the 'courage of his convictions is entitled to respect, and it is well to say that no man ever walked in pioneer shoes who was lacking in that quality. It took men of courage to face the hardships of the west and operate here. Among this number we are constrained to men- tion the gentleman, whose name is at the head of this article, for he has been a potent factor in the material advancement of Grant county and in its substantial development for a goodly number of years. His birth occurred in Hawkins county, Tennessee, on June 29, 1842. Scarce out of his swaddling clothes, he was left fatherless, and the widowed mother removed with her little ones to Wythe county, Virginia, where Ballard P. was reared and educated. When the dogs of war became active he enlisted in the cause that lay nearest his heart and took up arms in Company E, Fiftieth Virginia, in Floyd's Bri- gade in June, 1861. His service was valiant and faithful until laid low by disease and when sufficiently recovered he was transferred to the quartermaster's department where he con- tinued until the close of the conflict. He par- ticipated in many skirmishes and witnessed some of the large battles of the war. It was his lot, to use his own words, to see "Dixie bloom and fall." Subsequent to the war he went to Garrard county, Kentucky, and worked at the carpenter trade and from there he migrated to Springfield, Missouri, and in September, 1873, ne came to Polk county in this state. He came via San Francisco, and from that city to Portland he went on the steamer, George M. Elder. Through Oregon, California, and Arizona, he followed his trade until 1887, when he came to Grant county and 498 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES took a homestead nine and one half miles north from Longcreek. Here he resides at the present time and is giving his attention to the art of agriculture and fruit raising. ■ He has been exceedingly successful as an orchardist and possesses one of the finest orchards in the county. Mr. Tarter is one of the celibatarians of the county and is enjoying the quiets of that life rather than the cares and responsibilities of the connubial relation. He is highly re- spect by all and is secure in the esteem and con- fidence of his fellows. EDWARD S. PENFIELD.— It were inv possible to compose a volume that had to do with the biographical part of Grant county without giving a prominent place to> the es- temed gentleman and worthy pioneer whose name heads this article, and who- has been a leading and distinguished figure about Canyon City and in this region for about forty years, being especially active in church work and in the advancement of those things that are for the good of all. Mr. Penfield was born in Greene county, New York, in 1819, thence, being still a young man, he accompanied his parents to New York City. In 1849 hi s adventurous spirit was not contented to remain in the realms of civiliza- tion, and, accordingly, he came via the Isth- mus to California, landing first in San Fran- cisco, and immediately he engaged in mining, continuing the same far one year, and then returned to New York City. He remained in the east for a time, but the attractions of the west were decidedly too strong for a long stay there and accordingly he came again to San Francisco and opened a mercantile estab- lishment at the foot of Sacramento street, where he had purchased a building. After one year there in business he repaired to Santa Cruz, continuing in the same business. In the early fifties he came to Oregon and opened a mercantile establishment in Portland ; later he removed to The Dalles, and when the gold ex- citement broke out in eastern Oregon he came to Canyon City, expecting to> soon return, but the years rolled by and he is still a resident of our beautiful county. He mined for some time after arriving here and then erected a sawmill, it being about the first that was built in this region. One year after he built it he soid out and went down on the John Day river and took up a ranch and commenced toi raise stock and till the soil, and this occupation has engaged him constantly until a few years since, when he sold out entirely and retired from the more arduous activities of life. He is at the present time acting as agent for some of the leading insurance companies, and is one of the highly esteemed and respected business men of the city. In church work Mr. Penfield en- joys the distinction o'f being the real pioneer of the county, having been instrumental in or- ganizing the first church in the county, the Methodist, which he formed in 1864. From the beginning- Mr. Penfield gave liberally of his means and of his time and talent to push for- ward the work that was so dear to> his heart. He has stood by it in all the years that have intervened and many times he has assumed the responsibilities of the pulpit, being especially favored in this line as an interesting and fer- vent speaker of the gospel that has given cheer to his own life of over four score years. Mr. Penfield is deserving of much credit for his valuable and self-sacrificing labors in this work. NEWTON LIVINGSTON.— Any com- pilation purporting- to mention the leading citizens of Grant county which failed to in- clude the name of the gentleman of whom we now speak would be seriously incomplete, in- asmuch as he has wrought with an energy and assiduity in the prosecution of the private en- terprises at his hand, which have marked him both as prominent and capable, while in the af- fairs of the county at large he has been and is both popular and active in bringing about the welfare of its citizens by assisting in the exe- cution of wholesome principles in government and placing in power such men as would be both upright and capable. In Andrew county, Missouri, on April 7, 1850, he was born to Thomas and Elizabeth (Higgins) Livingston, and one year after this event he accompanied them to 1 the Pacific coast, the entire journey being accomplished by means of ox teams. While en route the train was several times attacked by the savages, who succeeding- in capturing a 'portion of the EDWARD S. PENFIELD. HEWTOH LIYIHGSTOH. MRS. HE1TON LIYIHGSTOH. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 499 stock, and 1 also in killing several of the emi- grants. The parents settled near Rosebuirg, Douglas county, and took up farming- and stock raising, in which the son assisted until he was twenty-five years of age. Like many of the pioneer lads, his opportunity for educational discipline was rather limited, which, however, he supplemented by more careful attention to personal investigation and reading. In 1875 he commenced to farmi for himself in the same county and continued in the successful prose- cution of this industry until 1886, when he migrated to his present place in Grant county, which is fourteen miles north from Longcreek, on the middle fork of the John Day river. Here he at first took a homestead, and has since bought until he now has the fine estate of nine hundred acres, which is all well fenced and im- proved, having a good large house, substantial barn, fine orchard, and so forth. He raises horses and cattle and has been favored with the most gratifying prosperity, .owing to> his tireless attention to details and wise handling of his herds and farms. In the year 1896 he was called by the people from the private walks of life to assume the responsible and ar- duous duties of sheriff of Grant county, and at the close of his term of faithful and effi- cient service he was asked by the voters to continue for one term: more, which he did to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He is affiliated with the Hobak Lodge, No. 22, I. O. O. P., of Canyon City, also* with the K. of P., Lodge No. 42, of Longcreek. Mr. Livingston was married toi Miss Mattie E., daughter of John and Catherine (Bone- brake) Newman, in Douglas county, in Oc- tober, 1875, an d the fruit of this union has been the following children: Emma E., wife of I. P. Remington, of Com stock, Douglas county, Oregon ; Katie E., wife of J. W. Quinn, of Wallace, Idaho; John N., deceased; Mar- guerette, deceased; Myrtle; Francis G|., de- ceased; Georgia Arvilla. Mr. Livingston's father died in Douglas county in 1885, an< ^ the mother also passed the river of death in 1896. Our subject is one of the most substantial and enterprising men of the county, always gov- erned by principles of truth and uprightness and has ever manifested unswerving integrity and intrinsic worth of character in the walks of life, which has made him highly esteemed and respected by all. HENRY H. DAVIS.— It is ever pleasant to have the privilege to recount some of the salient points in the career of an old timer and pioneer of these hills and valleys and especially so is it enjoyable to speak of those that came here at an early date and have labored faith- fully and steadily shoulder to shoulder for the development of the resources of nature and for the advancement of the interests of the county generally, while individual industry has been rewarded by the competence that is so pleas- ant to enioy in the later years of life. Such an one is the esteemed gentleman, whose life's record we are about to give in epitome. Pa- triotic, capable, and upright he has manifested both ability and integrity in a very commend- able manner in the days of the years of his pil- grimage in Grant county. Williamson county, Illinois, was the place of his birth and February 3, 1832, the date. He worked on a farm until he was twenty- seven years of age and then went to New Or- leans, Cuba and across the isthmus toi San Francisco, whence he soon made his way to the mines in Siskiyou county, where he sought for the treasures of nature until 1863, then came to Canyon City and followed the same oc- cupation until 1868. At this date he spent some time in looking over the country on a trip of exploration and finally settled at the mouth of Beech creek and took up stock rais- ing and farming until 1878 when he sold out and bought a ranch near Longcreek and con- tinued in the same occupations. He was fol- lowed with good success and in 1899, he was enabled to retire with a goodly share of this world's goods for the years of the time of life that are spent in retrospective meditations to- gether with the brightness of the light of hope. He sold the farm and at the present time owns some property in Longcreek, where he is liv- ing. After the sale of Kis farm in 1899, he returned once more to the scenes of childhood, having been absent therefrom for forty-one years. Old scenes brought familiar memories and once again he lived over the times of the bright days of school and farm when he was a boy, and anew were formed the acquaintances that were fresh when he turned to the west in the fifties. Time had relentlessly chiseled over the familiar features, but hearty welcomes re- mained for the bronzed westerner and warm 500 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES hearts made glad the day when he again was in their midst. The west is relentless, when once it enfolds a soul, and soon he was longing for his home amid the scenes of Grant county. Mr. Davis is well and favorably known throughout the county, having served as coun- ty commissioner for four years succeeding 1888. He is clerk of the school district and councilman of Longcreek having also been constable for the same venue. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masons, joining that body in Canyon City in 1864 and when the lodge was formed in Longcreek he became a charter member. His experiences on the frontier have been thrilling and numerous and trying, hav- ing endured much in the endeavors to open up the country and subdue the forces that nature arrays against the pioneers. He was in partner- ship with George Rader of Loongcreek for a number of years and in 1864, he was with the noted Joaquin Miller in combats with the In- dians in the Steen mountains. Politically, Mr. Davis is a stanch Democrat of the Jeffer- sonian type and is a man of courage equal to his convictions. HI EL A. HYDE. — As one of the veterans of the Civil war, the subject of this sketch is deserving of especial mention in addition to the fact that he is one of the substantial and worthy citizens of this county. When the call came for help to defend the flag, young Hyde was ready to go< to the front and there he did valiant service until his physical system suc- cumbed to the trying ordeal and he sickened and then was honorably discharged to return to the more quiet walks of private life. Mr. Hyde was born in Franklin county, New York, in 1841, being the son of Alfred and Margaret (Rodgers) Hide. He was with his parents on the farm until 1871 when they came to Oregon and settled where he lives at the present time, seven miles east from Prairie City. They took a homestead and commenced to raise garden vegetables and some grain, and in 1889 his father died, his mother dying two years previous to that time. He does a good market gardening business and raises stock. In 1 861, he enlisted in Company E, Ninety- Eighth New York Volunteer Infantry where he did fine service for nine months and then was discharged on acount of disability. In 1887, the marriage of Mr. Hyde and Miss Sarah, daughter of J. G. Barkley, was solemnized and they have become the parents of the following children, Lida M,., Josephine L., Mary J., Joseph E., William A., Hiel A., Ruel J. Mr. Hyde is afhiliated with the I. O. O. F., Prairie City Lodge, No. 33. He is also very prominent among the temperance workers of the county and has done efficient service in that cause, both by bright personal example and careful precept, at opportune times and fit- ting occasions. He has been a leading spirit in the Good Templar movement for some years and he was instrumental in organizing a blue ribbon club in April, 1901, and at the present time, November, 1901, its membership has in- creased to- over one hundred. Mr. Hyde is highly respected and his life of uprightness is a living example for all. JOHN D. TITUS.— It is a matter of uni- versal commendation when a man achieves a good success in any one line of honorable indus- try, but in the person of the subject of this sketch we have a gentleman whose adaptability and breadth of capabilities have enabled him toi win the laurels: of success from the hands of Dame Fortune in number of different undertakings, some widely divergent, while in all of his career he has ever maintained a repu- tation untarnished and a walk displaying both integrity and upright principles. In the sister land of Canada we find the birthplace of Mr. Titus, it being Norwich, On- tario, while his parents were Israel D. and Mar- guerette Titus, and the date of his nativity April 27, 1842. His early days were spent in the healthful and invigorating exercise of assisting his father on the farm, while he gained a good education from the justly famous schools of the province of Ontarioi. When he had arrived at the age of seventeen he launched on the seai of life's conflicts for himself and at once came to Painsville, Lake county, Ohio, where he learned the trade of the jeweler. In i860, during the days of thrilling" deeds and intense suffering in some of the southern and western states, he migrated to Lockhart, Cald- well county, Texas, where he remained until 1863. After this period he went to. Monterey, Mexico, following his trade there. In the next JOHH D. TITUS. MRS. JOHH D. TITUS. OTIS GUERNSEY. JOHH ZEPH. HEHRY A. MURPHY. EMMET COCHRAH. MRS. EMMET COCHRAH. WILLIAM S. SOUTHWORTH. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 501 year he came via Mazatlan, Mexico, to San Francisco on the steamer and remained in dif- ferent parts of California and engaged in vari- ous enterprises until 1870, when he came to Al- bany, Oregon, and took up the jewelry business again, this time in company with his brother. There they operated successfully until 1881, when they embarked in the stock business near the mouth of Pine creek in Wheeler county. Later they established a horse market in T'a- coma, and some time following this they dis- solved partnership and our subject came to his present place in Fox valley, two miles west from Beech Creek postoffice, in 1893. He owns six hundred and forty acres of land, all fenced and well improved, with good house, barn and or- chard. He handles horses and cattle and is one of the successful stockmen of the county. In 1895 the people called him to public life as assessor of the county, and at the expiration of a two-year term re-elected him to the same office, on the Republican ticket. During his stay in Albany he was city treasurer for one term also. In all his public service he has givai entire satisfaction and left a record for efficiency and faithfulness. Mr. Titus married Miss Elizabeth, daugh- ter of William C. and Marguerrette Baird, of Brownsville, Oregon, in October, 1873, and they have one child, Marguerette, wife of Charles E. Cohoe, of Fox valley. OTIS GUERNSEY.— There are few men who have had their lives so crowded with con- tinued activities and thrilling adventures, coupled with hardships and frontier experiences from every quarter, and in every department of that eventful and rugged existence, as has the intrepid and enterprising gentleman of whom we now have the pleasure to write, in giving the salient points of his interesting ca- reer, which, were it written in full, would make a very lively volume, full of information, of our western plains and mountains and conflicts with Indians and search for gold tha,t would do credit to a ready writer in the pages of Ameri- can history. Montpelier, Vermont, is his birthplace, and September 14, 1833, the date of his advent into life, being the son of H. B. and Sovia J. Guernsey, who went to Canada while their son was an infant. When Otis had reached the age of eight years the family removed to Val- paraiso', Indiana, and there he worked on a farm with his father until 1853. Then, in company with two uncles, he undertook the long journey over plains and mountains to the Pacific coast. The train was. composed of twenty-five outfits drawn by oxen. The captain was an uncle to our subject. Several times they were attacked by the Indians; once three of their number being killed, and once one was killed. Their provisions began to get very low and for two weeks they existed on half rations, but the government officers hear- ing of their distress, aid was sent and they reached their destination, Jacksonville, Ore- gon, in seven months from the date of starting. From those that sent aid the train was named the Miller and Conder train. When Mr. Guern- sey reached Oregon he was just in time to meet the uprising of the Rogue Indians and enlisted to fight them, being in Captain Love's com- pany. Later on he fell in with the noted Kit Carson and went with him into Fort Hall, Salt Lake, to the Colorado river, and on through Arizona to Los Angeles, California. During this time he participated in a number of severe battles and was the subject of some thrilling adventures. At Los Angeles he separated com- pany with the noted scout and turned to. San Francisco' and from there into the mines in dif- ferent portions of the state. Afterward he was at Stockton, whence he went to Sonoma coun- ty and farmed for two' years and then repaired to Healds'burg, where he engaged in the livery business in connection with the wholesale liquor trade. He did a thriving business until 1865. At that date he fitted conveyances and went back across the plains to Mis- souri with his familly and in that state and in Iowa he lived until 1880, and then removed to Colorado, living there for four years, then crossed the plains again with wagons to Can- yon City, arriving there on August 9, 1884. He at once perceived an opening in the lum- ber business and was quick to' take advantage of it, erecting a sawmill, and in operating that he has been continuously engaged since. His home and mill are eight miles south from Can- yon City and he has a fine property, consisting of sawmill, residence, stock ranch of three hun- dred and twenty acres and a section of timber and grazing land, besides interests in some valuable mining properties. 502 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES The marriage of Mr. Guernsey and Miss Nancy J. Fisher, of Stockton, California, was celebrated December 25, 1856, and to> them have been born the following children : Hosea B., married to Maggie Solinger, of Canyon City; Lena R., wife of William Lincoln, of Canyon City; Charles O., married to Minnie Hopprich, near Canyon City; Mary S., wife of EiiO'S Tref ry, now deceased ; and three that died in infancy. Mr. Guernsey is a member of the I. O. O. F., in Canyon City, and politically he is with the Republican party. He is a citi- zen that always takes an active interest in the affairs of government and is dominated by a wisdom and prudence that have made him both successful in his business enterprises and highly respected by his fellow men. It is of note that the ancestors of our subject were na- tives of Guernsey Islands, and doubtless gave the name in early days to the islands. JOHN ZEPH.— It is with a feeling of inability to properly portray the life of thrill- ing incidents of the subject of this sketch that we make the attempt. Having passed a military career that is seldom exceeded by any man in the United States, being entirely through the war of the Rebellion and in nearly all of the main Indian conflicts on the frontier, and experiencing all the strange and trying adventures that are incident to pioneer- ing, Mr. Zeph could relate incidents and ac- counts of actual experience that would fill a volume with pleasant and intensely interesting reading. The grand little republic across the waters that could produce a William Tell is the native land of Mr. Zeph, and 1838 was the date of his birth. When seven years of age he came to this country with his parents, who> settled in New York. At the tender age of thirteen years John joined Company I, First Regular Cavalry, a,s bugler, and for twenty-two years he served continuously in military duty, finally being hon- orably discharged with the rank of sergeant. He is the oldest white man. now living that stepped into the territory that is embraced in Grant coiunty, having come through it in 1853. His company was assigned to the west, being stationed at Boise, k> meet the savages in their raids and to< quell them, and here he was em- ployed in various parts of the frontier and in the arduous and dangerous conflicts with the redskins until the breaking out of the Rebel- lion. He was at the Cascades in one battle with the Indians, and there received an arrow wound in the hand ; this was at about the time of the Whitman massacre. When the Civil war broke in its fury upon our fair land Mr. Zeph was ordered with his company to< the seat of war, and in the army of the Potomac he served until the last gun was silenced. Seven times he was wounded in this conflict and few men- have seen harder service and suffered more pain and hardship for their country than he. Following the Rebellion he was sent to Camp Watson in Oregon, and finally in the centennial year he received an honorable discharge. He then came to Canyon City and commenced to> operate as a miner, and later took up gardening. He has a fine and comfortable home in Canyon City and is one of the leading citizens of the county. In 1886 Mr. Zeph was married to Cather- ine Rebhorn, but the following year she was taken from him by death. Mr. Zeph was married a second time, to Catherine (Steele) Powers. After a, life of such vigorous activity and such commendable achievement Mr. Zeph is now enjoying the fruits of his labors and has the esteem and confidence of all who know him. Mr. Zeph can read and write English, German, French and Italian, thus being a fine linguist, in which study he excels. HENRY A. MURPHY is the senior mem- ber of the Monument Mercantile Company, and it is very interesting to trace the career of this leading- merchant and prominent citizen of Monument, since his has been a life of varied scenes and filled with the manifestation of en- ergy and activity that have wrought out a very satisfactory success, and which mark him as possessed of abilities far above the average, while his integrity and uprightness are entire- ly commensurate with the display of capability in his business endeavors. Born in Bremer county, Iowa, on July 19, 1864. he was early taken by his parents, James and Mary (Buckmaster) Murphy, to Aurora, Missouri, whence, after a short residence, they went to Cherokee countv, Kansas. When he HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 503 was nine years of age another move was made, this time to Sipe Springs, Comanche county, Texas, his parents 'being among the first white families that settled in that county. The In- dians were hostile, and their stay there was be- set with many dangers from than, and finally, in 1881, they pulled up stakes and came over- land to Walla Walla, using teams to cover the entire distance. 'The following summer they removed to Fox valley, and it was on the birth- day of our subject, July 18, that they arrived. According to his report of the state of his exchequer at that time his assets were an In- dian pony and $2.50 in cash. But young Mur- phy was possessed of plenty of courage and he immediately showed the blood of which he came by taking' a position on the work that was being prosecuted by the citizens of Can- yon City and John Day in constructing a road from Fox valley to Canyon City ; the same road is to-day used by the mail carriers from Hepp- ner to Canyon City. He carefully economized his earnings and saved every cent possible, and the result was that in a few years he had suf- ficient funds to purchase a band of horses, and in 1889 he embarked in raising horses. He followed this several years with excellent suc- cess and then on account of the hard riding that was injuring his health, he sold the entire band and opened a store in Monument. He built the first business building on the town site. Here he to-day is operating a first class general merchandise establishment, that is known for many miles in every direction. His stock is complete and well selected. At first he started in the venture with a small stock, pur- chasing largely from Minor, of Heppner, but to-day he is at the head of a large establish- ment. His trade is large and constantly in- creasing and the goods from his shelves and warehouses are found in distant portions of the adjacent county. He operates on the cash plan exclusively, thus being enabled to> handle goods at a smaller margin and giving the benefit to his customers;, an item that they are quick to take advantage of. The marriage of Mr. Murphy and Miss Vina A., daughter of Charles and Eliza (Rick- er) Ballance. of Longcreek, was solemnized on April 22, 1888, and u> gladden the happy union there have been born four children, Stel- la M., Lera, Florence M., Gladys D. Mr. Mur- phy is a member of the W. of W., and also of the Maccabees. Mr. Murphy's father was a native of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and later moved to* Illinois, and then to Iowa, where he enlisted in Company D, Sixteenth Iowa In- fantry, and was with General Sherman in the memorable march to the sea. On account of sickness he was honorably discharged to return to the quieter walks of life. He was a member of the G. A. R. and died in Portland in 1898 and was buried in Fox valley. The mother is still living in Monument. Mr. Murphy owns a fine residence in the town of Monument and it is just toi state that he enjoys in the fullest measure the confidence and respect of all of his townsmen and those who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. Since writing the above, on January 1, 1902, Mr. Murphy sold one-half of his mam- moth business to J. H. Anderson and together they have bought all the general merchandise business in the town and the firm is known as the Monument Mercantile Company, and they doi a thriving business and are representative business men. EMMET COCHRAN.— There are few stockmen in Grant county that are more indus- triousi and progressive than the capable gen- tleman of whomi it is now our pleasant privilege to speak and whose successful and wisely di- rected efforts in rearing the ruminants have been instrumental not only in giving him prom- inence as a leader in his line, but have given him the substantial rewards of competence and materially increased the wealth of the county, while his public spirit and upright principles have ever led him in the interests of all in his walk in public life. A native of the Occident, being born in Clackamas county, near Oregon City, on Feb- ruary 6, 1869, its stars have been the beacon light of his endeavors since. His parents, Will- iam W. and Sarah M. (Moody) Cochran, na- tives of Boone county, Missouri, removed, while he was still an infant, to California, and soon after that trip returned to> Missouri on a visit and then went to The Dalles, whence they migrated to this county and settled on what is now known as the Cochran homestead, five miles below Monument, the date of that set- tlement being the fall of 1870. Sixteen years later the father died at that place. Our sub- 504 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES ject was educated in the schools of the various places where he spent his early days, and in 1889 he bought the ranch where he now lives, ten miles west of, or below, Monument, at the mouth of the north fork of the John Day river. His original purchase was one thousand acres, but he has added since until his estate is now two thousand acres. It is well improved and all fenced and contains some very fine land. He has good buildings and orchards and is up- to-date in all his efforts. He raised cattle until 18912, and then disposed of them and took up sheep, which he has successfully handled since, having now large bands. Of late years he has been adding some cattle and operates a few head at the present time. On December 6, 1889, Miss Emma C, daughter o>f William G. and Catherine Allen, and a native of Oregon, living near Monu- ment, became the wife of Mr. Cochran, and they have become the parents of one child, Ben- jamin. Mrs. Cochran's father died in May, 1 90 1, but the mother still resides in Monument. Fraternally Mr. Cochran is identified with the Masons at Monument, and with the Woodmen of the World. Wisdom, uprightness and in- dustry characterize the subject of this sketch and prosperity has attended him) constantly in his endeavors, while his integrity and intrinsic worth have made him' a worthy member of so- ciety and respected and esteemed by all. WILLIAM S. SOUTH WORTH. — A pioneer of the early days, possessed of energy and wisdom 1 , coupled with excellent ability to grapple with the problems of life in the west, while his walk has been commendable in dis- playing both integrity and upright principles in all his career, the subject of this brief sketch is one of the substantial and worthy citizens of the county that has well earned his good stand- ing and has wrought out in different lines of industry as well as in faithful and efficient public service a success that is both enviable and praiseworthy. From- the Green Mountain state came the adventurous and energetic young American that has fought his way through all the trying scenes of the rugged frontier, displaying the same spirit that characterized the native sons of that state in their daring and courageous conflict for liberty. He was born near Brad- ford, Orange county, on November 23, 1834, being the son of E. and Phoebe Southworth. Passing the years of his minority on the farm with his father, he also' acquired the discipline to be had in the public schools and then at the age of nineteen years same to the west, locating in Kane county, Illinois, where he remained until 1859, when he took the memorable jour- ney of crossing the plains with ox teams. Landing in Shasta county, California, he at once took up mining and followed it with suc- cess until 1863, when he came direct toi Can- yon City and engaged in the same industry in the gulch near the present town site. For eight years he worked in these placer diggings and then sold out. During this time he had also operated a saw mill and to this he then gave his entire attention until 1883, when he located his present home at Seneca, which is at the lower end of Bear valley on the Burns road. He took up a homestead and pre-emption and commenced to raise stock. His land is all fenced and well improved. At his place a post- office was established in 1895 and Mrs. South- worth is the postmistress. He owns a planing mill in Canyon City and gives a portion of his time to the operation of this, while his sons handle the stock and farm. In 1878 the peo- ple elected him county clerk of Grant county and at the close of his term rewarded him 1 with re-election. His service in this 1 office was satis- factory to all and very efficient. He also served as deputy sheriff under O. P. Cresap from 1890 to 1892. He has been a member of the I. O. O. F. since 1864 and is past grand. On October 13, 1874, the marriage of Mr. Southworth and Miss Minnie Hannas, of Kane county, was solmenized and they have become the parents of four children as follows : George, deceased ; Edward I. ; Webster S. and Florence. Mr. Southworth sold his saw mill in 1898 and since 1883 has been operating successfully the planing mill and sash and door factory above mentioned. Mr. Southworth is one of the successful and substantial bxisiness men of the county and has always taken an active interest in the politics of the county and state. He is highly esteemed by all and is a potent factor in the advancement of the county and the upbuilding of its interests. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 505 CHARLES BELSHAW.— How richly were endowed the early pioneers of this coun- try not only in the cardinal virtues that make up stanch manhood but also> in the abilities that have led the way to the gratifying- devel- opment of the resources of nature and the bringing out of the latent talents of their fel- lows and stirring to a flame the desires for the pursuit of knowledge and the acquisition of that perfection in the arts and sciences, — how richly, I say, were the early pioneers endowed in all this talent can now be plainly seen in the results of their labor, which are manifest in an educated and enlightened population and in the institutions of learning that have been estab- lished and maintained by therm and their off- spring. Well distinguished among this worthy class stands the subject of this sketch as he has been a leading figure in striving for years for the betterment of his fellows and in bringing to practical use the knowledge that he pos- sessed. March g, 1833, in the substantial land of England, Charles Belshaw was born and in 1834 came with nine brothers and sisters to the United States, accompanied by his parents, who settled in Indiana. In 1853 with his par- ents and three brothers, he came to Eugene, in Lane county, this state, and there the parents died. One of the brothers was killed by the Indians in 1855. Mr. Belshaw entered the ranks of the agriculturists and also' went to California on a trip of exploration and later came to Canyon City, his arrival here being in the fall of 1862. Late in the same fall he re- turned to Eugene and in 1864 brought his fam- ily to this section, and then engaged in farming and fruit raising, at which he has been emin- ently successful. He has been the originator of a variety of prune, known as the Belshaw, that is a real addition to the realm of fruit, growing to the great size of six to one pound. He has the reputation of being the leading orchardist of the county, and surely his skill and energy in that line have been of untold benefit to the people of eastern Oregon. In ad- dition to the labors of his hands, M!r. Belshaw has gained real distinction as a teacher oi music. When he first landed in the Willa- mette valley, his abilities in that line were mani- fested and brought into active service and he has been prosecuting this art for many years, giving many successful benefit concerts for different churches. Sometimes he has given his whole attention to it. Thus in at least two different lines, he has been beneficial to his fellow men and led the way for them. Mr. Belshaw and Miss Jane Luce, a native of Kentucky, were married in 1859, and to them have been born the following children, Lincoln, Grant, Hattie, Edith, Johnny, the last one deceased. Mr. Belshaw is now passing the riper years of the golden age that is his to enjoy in the quieter retirement from more act- ive service, in the comfortable home that his thrift and industry have wrought for him, be- ing now sixty-nine years o because in the time of trouble when our glorious ban- ner was suffering from the hands of unwise and treasonable sons of the Republic, and dis- memberment of the Union and destruction to our beloved institutions of freedom seemed imminent, he stepped forward and offered him- self to assist in stemming the tide of destruc- tion and in beating back the champions of re- bellion. In 1863, he enlisted in Company A, Second Arkansas Infantry, and the fortunes of war were his until the close of the memorable strife that forever wiped out Rebellion's min- ions and left to us the legacy of a country and a home. He participated in the battle of Saline Crossing and in many skirmishes, being in the western Division under General Steele. When the war closed, he was honorably discharged and returned to the old home place in Johnson county, Arkansas, and followed successfully the pursuits of the agriculturist until 1877, when he came across the plains with horse teams direct to Grant county. He located first where the village of Longcreek is now situated and enjoyed the distinction of being the first settler. Selling out here, he went to handling sheep on shares, but after two years in this in- dustry, he sold out and took a homestead, which he also sold later and bought the farm which he now owns. It is situated eleven miles north of Longcreek post-office and is well im- proved, being embellished with house and barn and other necessaries for its successful culture. In addition, he owns some cattle and sheep. At the present time Mr. Shields is living in Longcreek. Mr. Shields was first married in March, 1852, Sarah Martin, native of Georgia, becom- ing his wife at that time. One child, John Q., was born to them and since he has died. On August 6, 1856, death stole from the happy home the wife and mother and her remains sleep in Arkansas. Later he took to himself another wife, as follows. The marriage of Mr. Shields and Miss Sarah A. McWhorter of W alker county was solemnized on December 10, 1856, and to them have been born eleven children : Samuel M., married to Sarah Mor- ris and living near Longcreek; Julia A., de- deased; Martha A., wife of William H. Stir- ritt, a stockman of Dayville; Lenora F., wife of C. W. Blackwell, of Walla Walla; William, deceased; James A., deceased; Mary C, wife of Augustus Paine on Cottonwood creek ; Flor- ence E., wife of Lest Paine of Cottonwood creek; Julius M., married to Anna Blackwell of Longcreek ; Elmer A. ; Cora M. The birth of Mr. Shields occurred in Jackson county, Georgia, on January 21, 1831, being the son of John S. and Charlotte Shields. He was raised on a farm and in 1859 moved to. Frank- lin county, Arkansas, and a little later to' John- 508 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES son county, in which place began his military career which has been outlined. He is a meml- ber of the G. A. R. post of Hamilton and is highly respected by all. ROBERT G. POWELL.— The esteemed gentleman whose name forms the caption of this article is one of Grant county's enterprisr- ing and successful agriculturists and stockmen and a worthy citizen of the republic and com- monwealth that he has. chosen for his home, having manifested a public spirit and patriotism quite commensurate with the sterling qualities of worth with which he is endowed, while his career here has been dominated with a sagacity and display of integrity that have made him both successful and highly respected in all his relations. The son of Henry and Catherine (Mc- Cutchin) Powell, he was born March 15, 1852, near London, in the province of Ontario, in Canada. His early life was spent on a farm and it was his good fortune to be educated in the justly famous common schools of Ontario, which rightly take the lead as being the fin- est known to civilization. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-three years of age and then opened an account with the world on his own credit. Until 1875 he) remained in his native county and then was lured by the tempting offers of ad- vantages to the 'United States, coming first to Esmeraldo county, working on a farm and then later for one year in the Northern Bell mine. In 1879 he came to Mammouth City, Mono county, California, where he was mar- ried on May 1 of the same year, Miss Bell F., daughter of Millet and Mehetabel W. (Baker) Smith, and natives of Maine. They have one child, Ernest Glen, born May 5, 1890, and a bright lad that is now attending the graded school at Longcreek. Mrs, Powell's father was a native of New Hampshire and her mother of Massachusetts, but both died in the state of Wisconsin. In January, 1881, they removed to Cor- valllis, Oregon, remaining until 1885, when they came to Heppner and the following year settled on their present place, which is eleven miles from Longcreek. Here he has one thou- sand acres of land under fence and well im- proved, with good house, commodious barn, fine orchard, and other accessories for the car- rying on of a first-class ranch. He has large herds of cattle and gives his attention mostly to raising them. In 1882 Mr. Powell's parents came from Canada to this county and settled in Heppner, where the mother died in 1890. The father was born November 23, 1822, and has been a preacher in the Methodist church for fifty years. At the present time he is liv- ing in Montana. Mr. Powell is one of those men that have never been covetous of political preferment but still is interested in having the best men at the helm of state, while his life of exemplification of those virtues that make the citizen and the noble man has been a light in the community and he is the recipient of the confidence of the entire populace. On Septem- ber 5, 1898, in a serious runaway accident, Mrs. Powell received an injury that at one time threatened her life. She has, however, grad- ually recovered from the effects, although she had a very narrow escape from death. MARTIN V. THOMPSON.— When na- ture's wilds were yet unbroken and all the stern and rugged beauty that mingles with the wilderness rested in its pristine grand- eur, the subject of this brief sketch found his way into the region that is now com- prised in Grant county, being a typical rep- resentative of that sturdy class of noble men that unclasped the fastnesses of the for- ests and blazed the way for men of less in- trepidity and daring to follow. Here he ex- plored the hitherto unknown vaults of treasure and was among the very first that broke the virgin soil in their quest. Born in M'achiasport, Maine, on December 9, 1836, being the son of Elijah R. and Sarah (Cole) Thompson, both natives of the Pine Tree state, Martin V. remained there until he had arrived at man's estate. In 1858, his fa- ther having preceded him, he went to the Utopia of the west via the Isthmus and landed first in San Francisco. For one year he explored the new land and then returned to the eastern home and took unto himself a wife, whoi accompanied him on his second trip to the Golden Gate, where he rented his father's farm that com- prised the land that is now in the suburbs MRS. ROBERT G. POWELL. ROBERT G. POWELL. MARTIN Y. THOMPSON. NAPOLEON B. NEAL. NELSON RULISON. WILLIAM M. CARTER. MRS. W. M. CARTER. MARTIN A. LUCAS. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 509 of the metropolis of the Pacific coast. After a time spent in this occupation he took up stock raising on Russian river, Cali- fornia, and then came to where Canyon City now stands. He was one of the sec- ond crowd of men: that reached the gold fields of this region, the first halving staked ground and taken water rights and departed again for provisions. The date of his arrival was June 20, 1862, he being in company with Fouts and Eastman and four others, and they were just two weeks later than the first num- ber. He immediately commenced mining on Rich Gulch and around Marysville and con- tinued in that line for eighteen years, in that time visiting all of the leading camps in this entire region, also doing hydraulic placer min- ing around Canyon City. It is of note that the second cabin that was built in Grant county was erected by Fouts and is standing to-day. The camp of Marysville was. named from the wife of the man who built the first cabin in that memorable town, her name being Mary. This was Mr. Thebeau. In 1880 Mr. Thompson bought the city hotel of Canyon City and gave his attention to the duties oif a host until 1885, when he bought the ranch that he now owns at Blue Mountain Springs, twenty-five miles from Canyon City at the head of the John Day valley. There he owns three hundred and twenty acres in partnership with A. H. Groth. In 1887 he sold out his hotel and mines and gave his entire attention to raising stock and building up the health resort at the hot springs on his estate. Mr. Thompson and Miss Charlotte A., daughter of Matthias and Elnorai (Berry) Finney, were married in November, 1859. Mr. Thompson is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity at Prairie .City, and also of the I. O. O. F., at Canyon City. He has taken great interest in the summer and health resort that is on his estate and it is an institution that justly merits commendable mention, having been en- dowed richly by nature's preparation and also beautifully and comfortably arranged by the improvements that he has from) time to time added and to any one that wishes to enjoy the wildness of beautiful scenery in close proximity to the rugged mountains and health-giving ozone that is bountifully provided in the clear atmosphere of those regions, it is worth while to make the trip to the resort. And also it is to be mentioned that in connection with all these advantages, one is enabled to also* enjoy the comforts and pleasure of a first-class, hotel, while the health-giving properties of the beau- tiful springs are evidenced by the scores of suf- fering humanity that have been benefited and cured in their waters. NAPOLEON B. NEAL.— Among the many stockmen and agriculturists that are mak- ing the hills of Grant county yield wealth' to their skill in rearing stock and tilling the soil, mention should be made in these chronicles of the enterprising and industrious gentleman, whose name initiates this paragraph. A native of the Occident, he has steadily pursued his course here considering that the boundless re- sources of the west were more favorable for advancement than the congested centers of the east. In Marion county, on April 21, 1856, he was born to William and Mahala (Parker) Neai, and in that county he passed the first years of his childhood and there and in Grant county he received his education from the pub- lic schools. He assisted his father on the farm, and when the family moved here in 1868 and settled six miles west from Monument, he came also and here has constantly been in operation with his father in the stock business. Uniform success has attained his efforts and he is. one of the well-toKloi stockmen of the county to-day. On November 19, 1876, he was married to Miss Lizzie Munkers, who is the daughter of Benjamin Munkers, of Linn county. Mr. Munkers was a pioneer of Linn county, Ore- gon, of 1846, where he still resides, but the mother, Marzella (Hester) Munkers, is now deceased. To bless the union, four children have been born as follows: Frederick M., Leo G., Delman R 1 . and Bessie F. NELSON RULISON.— As a prominent member of society, and one that has been active in the welfare of the interests of all, while prosecuting his private enterprises with suc- cessful outcome, the subject of this brief re- 510 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES view is deserving of more extended mention than our limited space allows, since his in- tegrity, sagacity and good intrinsic qualities of worth have given him the meed of the esteem and confidence of all that have the pleasure of his acquaintance. The 'birth of Mr. Rulison occurred in Os- wego county, New York, on December 2, 1832, being the son of Samuel and Sarah (Ray) Rulison, natives respectively of New York and Connecticut. In 1853 Mr. Rulison turned to 1 - ward the Eldorado of the west and sought his fortune in its mines. On American river, he labored until 1856 and then went to Uba coun- ty and in 1862, came to the Cariboo district and a few months later landed in Portland. Following this, he spent some time in carpen- tering and contracting, being the builder of the first bridge across mill creek. On January 29, 1863, he landed in Canyon City and com- menced mining, which he followed until 1870. Then he went to carpenter work again and the next year he accepted a position as wheel- wright in Camp Harney as operator for the government, where he remained for seven years and then returned to Canyon City and operated a hotel for two years. Selling this property, he commenced the industry of sheep raising in partnership with Mr. Birge and continued until 1882 and then sold that also and took a pleas- ure trip to the east. Later he started the milk business in Chicago* and for some time we find him enjoying prosperity there, but the west was too attractive and he disposed of his interests and came again to Canyon City, where he has remained since. In 1888 he was elected justice of the peace on the Republican ticket and for ten years he has served in that capacity, having given universal satisfaction. The marriage of Mr. Rulison and Mrs. Mary Birge was solemnized in Canyon City in 1887, and they have become the parents of the following children : Pearl ; an infant, de- ceased; Mark, in business with his father; Minnie, deceased ; Dora. Fraternally Mr. Ruli- son is affiliated with the Masons, Blue Mt Lodge, No. 34, of Canyon City; the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 22, and Excelsior No. ^3, m which latter ones he has passed all of the chairs. Mr. Rulison and son are among the leading business men of Canyon City, handling ai stock of paints, oils, wall paper, and so forth, while they do an undertaking business. WILLIAM M. CARTER.— Among the prosperous and progressive stockmen and ag- riculturists that have wrought with assiduity and energy in the worthy enterprise of subdu- ing the wilds of the frontier and augmenting the wealth of Grant county while they have carved for themselves homes and names in this substantial community of wide-awake and lead- ing citizens, especial mention should be made of the gentleman whose name initiates this par- agraph and who has manifested both industry and integrity in the battle of life, wherein he has been eminently successful and has set forth an exemplary line of conduct. In Polk county, Tennessee, on October 1, 1844, there was born to S. B. and Barthenia Carter, the subject oi this sketch, William M. Carter. At the age of seven years he went with his parents to Montgomery county, Ar- kansas, and worked on a farm with his father until the spring of 1863. Then came the call of patriotism, for his heart was with the cause, and he enlisted in Company G, Fourth Arkan- sas Cavalry, volunteers, under Colonel Moore and General Runnels. Plis fate was to be called to and froi largely in the state of Arkansas, where he participated in many skirmishes and endured all the hardships of war with its suf- fering and danger. At the close of hostilities he was mustered out at Little Rock and is now a member of the G. A. R., at Hamilton. From the military ranks he went to Newton county, Arkansas, and entered the ranks of its aericul- tural population, where he continued until 1875, when he prepared teams and crossed the plains to Grant county, settling at Canyon City, where he remained until 1878 and then re- moved to his present place, which is three miles east from Longcreek, and took up farming and stock-raising. Success has attended his efforts from the beginning and he is now the proprietor of seven hundred acres of good land, well im- proved. He has a comfortable home and good barns and orchards, while the ranch is in a high state of cultivation. • In 1867, Mr. Carter and Miss Eliza Hud- son were married and to them 1 were bora three children : Benjamin A., living in the Willa- mette valley; Sarah E., wife of Dudley Curl, near Sumpter; James S., near Burns, Harney county. In Newton county, Arkansas, in 1872, Mrs. Carter was taken from her family and husband by death. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 511 On December n, 1873, Mr. Carter and Miss Pernice P., daughter of C. C. and Jennie Blackwell, were married and to them have been born ten children: Mary M., wife of C. R. Davis; Cora Maud, wife of Iven Slone, of Long-creek ; Samuel B., married to Martha Har- riman; Charles; Carrie A., wife of James M. Scroggins ; John L. ; William ; Leona Dell ; Nellie; Jennie Esther. Mr. Carter's mother moved with her younger children, after the war, to Barry county, Missouri, the father having died before the war. Shortly after the son came to this county, the mother removed hither and took a farm in the Fox valley, but recently she has sold this property and lives with her children. She is now in her eightieth year. Mr. Carter is one of the most successful and en- terprising stockmen of the county and is re- spected and esteemed by all, having ever dis- played those characterictics that are the asso- ciates of typical manhood and the bulwarks of substantial citizenship. MARTIN A. LUCAS,— No pen will ever be able to record the deeds of valor and bravery that were enacted in the awful conflict that rent this fair land of freedom in twain during the last century; yet when it is possible to place on paper the career of one of the valiant boys that wore the blue, the opportunity is seized with a keen relish, although it must be said that it can only be in a fragmentary way that these deeds of daring- are chronicled. As a typical son of the Emerald Isle, whose whole heart and soul entered into the struggles of his fos- ter land, the subject of this sketch made for himself a record in the Civil war that is seldom surpassed and he generously bought the title that distinguishes him as a defender of his country. In 1845 he was born in Ireland and in 1856 came to the United States with his parents, settling in Boston. When he started for him- self it was to go to the cities of Vermont, where he learned the carpenter, harness, and trunk making trades. In this capacity he was serving when the call came for troops and as one of the first he enlisted for the three months' service, all that then was deemed necessary, and participated in the first conflict that was precipitated. At the close of his three months he promptly re-listed in Company A, Second Vermont Infantry, for three years. He served through the. entire war, taking part in the struggle on thirteen distinct battle fields, in- cluding the seven clays' campaign under Mc- Clellan, where he was wounded. After the three years were ended, he again enlisted in the regular army and came west in 1864 with the First Regulars to San Francisco* and ten days later came to Vancouver and from there to fort Steilacoom and one year later to camp Watson, where his time expired on September 18, 1867. He immediately engaged in carpen- tering there and at camp Harney and at the lat- ter place his oldest daughter was born, being the first white child born in that section. From here he went to The Dallas for one year and then operated with a saw mill in Grant coun- ty until 1872. Then he took up carpentering for eight years, after which he gave his atten- tion to' raising stock in Bear valley. There he owns one half section of land but at the present time he is living seven and one half miles miles west from* Mount Vernon. The marriage of Mr. Lucas and Miss Anna Walker, a native of Ireland, who came to' the United States in 1856, occured in 1864 and to them have been born the following children ; Eliza June, now Mrs. W. S. Fields ; Thomas William; Annie Etta; Myrtle; Florence. NEWTON ROBERTSON.— Among the many stockmen and agriculturists that are making Grant county wealthy, mention should be made of the esteemed gentleman whose name is at the head of this article, and who has wrought since his advent into the county in a very successful manner in the prosecution of his business, manifesting a sagacity and enter- prise that have won for him the meed that is properly attached to them — the prosperity that is so gratifying to members of our race. Stead- ily pursuing the business that first occupied him, he has been enabled to overcome the ob- stacles that have swamped other less wise ma- nipulators and to gain a holding that is very commendable, while his uprightness and intrin- sic worth are constant companions to his com- mendable achievements. October 11, 1852, was the date that New- ton Robertson was born to Charles and Annie 512 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Robertson in Champaign county, Illinois. His early life was spent in the invigorating exer- cise of assisting his father on the farm and also in attending the public schools of his place. In 1884 he came across the plains di- rect to Grant county and soon after arriving here he embarked in the sheep industry and con- tinuously he has operated in that line since and he enjoys great prosperity. He now has a large ranch where he resides, eight miles south- west from Monument, and it is -weir stocked with horses and cattle besides several thousand sheep. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic lodge and in politics he is a stanch Republican and is very active in the affairs of county and state, while he is a very potent fac- tor in the party in the county. Mr. Robert- son's father is still living in Kansas, but his mother has passed to the other side. Mir. Rob- ertson is highly esteemed in the county and en- joys to the fullest extent the confidence of his fellows and is one of the leading figures in the county, as well as one of the most substantial. JOHN H. HAMILTON.— Among the sturdy bands of men and women that left the comforts and quiet of their eastern homes to endure the hardships of the weary trip across the plains, and to suffer from the frequent at- tacks of the savages while they were making their way to the unexplored and wild regions of the west, where they put forth herculean ef- forts in their endeavors to subdue the wilder- ness and bring from the new ground sustenance for themselves and their little ones, we are bound to mention the gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph and who> stands as a worthy specimen of this valiant number. Mr. Hamilton was born in Kentucky, to James and Julia Hamilton, on April 5, 1826, and while still a child was removed by his parents to Decatur county, Indiana. He spent the years of his minority on a farm and in 1 85 1 came to Randolph county, Missouri, where he spent but one winter, starting across the plains the next spring. That dread disease, cholera, came in the train and one night three oi his sisters were taken. The next day their bodies were laid in one grave, where they sleep beside the weary trail of many years ago. Mr. Hamilton came on to the Willamette valley and located near Oregon City, where he took up a half section and went at the task of opening a farm in the midst of the forests. That was the scene of his labors until the spring of 1872, when he came to' Grant county and set- tled near where the town of Hamilton is now located. He was the first settler ini this section and the town was named after him. He took a homestead and increased his holdings to one thousand acres of good land and prosperity seemed to smile on him, but as the golden years came on he was unfairly dealt with and his property was largely taken frorni him unjustly, so that now he has but a small amount com- pared with the princely estate and stocks that he had accumulated by his care and thrift. On October 9, 1848, the marriage of Mr. Hamilton and Miss Mary J., daughter of Na- thaniel and Nancy Robins, of Greensburg, In- diana, was celebrated and to' them have been born the following children : John Milton, mar- ried to Lettie Fuller, but he was killed in the mines in Fox Valley; James N., of Burns, Harney county; Arthur J., married to Mary Chapel and living near Portland ; Sebastian E., in Portland; Jacob W., married to Emma Shirts and living near Hamilton; Lewis H., married to Mary Wills, near Prineville; Will- iam, married to Ella Hinton and living in Hamilton; Edith, deceased; Nancy C, wife of John Hinton, of Sumpter; Permelia J., wife of George Baker, of Sumpter. On May 4, 1900, Mrs. Hamilton was called from the walks of earth to the home beyond, and her demise was mourned by all. Mr. Hamilton is one of the most highly respected and esteemed of the old pioneers, having ever been faithful in the walks of life. WILLIAM W. HINTON.— Pen and ink can never portray and printed page will never tell half of the hardships endured, the ability displayed, the victories won by the worthy pi- oneers who took their lives in their hands and faced every danger that man is heir to in the herculean efforts to< bring within the pale of civilization the regions that are now placidly owned and richly enjoyed by the citizens of this county and adjoining sections of this and other states on the coast. A work of the char- acter that we are endeavoring to make for the HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 513 people would be sadly deficient were there fail- ure to incorporate therein a review of the ca- reer of the gentleman whose name heads this article and whose life has been an inspiration throughout the entire eastern part of our state by his achievements in the practical industries, by his wise counsels and enterprising progres- sion, coupled with patient. and continuous ef- fort in the lines of industry that he allied him- self with in the incipiency of his career on the frontier region. Thus, and thus only, is wrought out for the use of generations to fol- low the facts and knowledge that is beneficial in the practical walks of life, that, is not all mere theory and unsubstantial vision. Thus, by patient continuence in the lines of his en- deavor he has acquired knowledge more val- uable than theory and has demonstrated by carefully conducted experiments, facts that are indispensably coupled to the successful prose- cution of the stock and other leading indus- tries of this unique region, while his unbound- ed personal success in practical demonstration of this valuable information has made him one of the leading men of wealth in his community and throughout all eastern Oregon, where he has operated. Our subject's parents, Job and Henrietta Hinton, crossed the plains in 1852, the father being captain of a train of fifty-two wlagons, which, be it said to his credit, he piloted safely through without the loss of a single person, al- though they were frequently attacked by In- dians. Some of the stock was sacrificed, but human life was preserved intact. The train was headed for California, but for reasons that have not been stated, they turned toward the west- ern part of Oregon and settled in Lane coun- ty. Here the wisdom and courage of the fa- ther were manifested and very helpful in the solution of the many vexing questions that stand across the way of the early settler, and in meeting the many dangers that faced them on every hand. He was looked up to and beloved by all. Their confidence and affection were manifest in choosing him to positions of lead- ership and of trust almost continuously during his life time. His death was inexpressibly sad, he being shot in the prime of his life by his own son, who accidentally discharged a firearm with that awful effect, being one of those acci- dents that human wisdom can never compass, only bow to. With sorrow and general mourn- 33 ing throughout the entire section where his life was cast, the remains of the good and really great man were laid to rest until the day when the future shall be opened to' vis all and the scenes of life shall have explanation in the boundless wisdom of eternity itself. Many, many pioneers are reposing in the final sleep of life beneath the sod where rolls the Willa- mette, while nature weeps in silent sadness as she enfolds their mossy monuments and wraps than about with the gentle draperies of the morning mist ; but none among that distin- guished band e'er wrought with firmer hand or gave wiser counsel, tempered with his great love and sympathy, than the father of our sub- ject, Job Hinton. Following this event 01 sorrow, the mother came to eastern Oregon to live with the son of whom we now speak, and who had preceded her to this region as early as 1864. She, too, has since been called to the realms of the life beyond. After spending five years in mining about Boise City, in Idaho, Mr. Hinton came to* Was- co county, which is said at that time to> have embraced a large portion of eastern Oregon, and engaged in raising sheep. He was one of the pioneers in this industry and from that time until the present he has followed it with the success that he justly deserves for his en- ergy and faithfulness displayed. He owns, land in various parts of eastern Oregon, but his headquarters are at John Day, in Grant county. In 1888 he was chosen stock inspec- tor and in this position he rendered excellent and valuable service for three years, being em- inently fitted for its duties by his life of prac- tical touch with every department of the busi- ness. In 1866, at Franklin, Lane county, the mar- riage of Mr. Hinton and Miss Frances Jones was solemnized. To bless this union, seven children' have been born, as follows : Hannah H., wife of D. G. Slavens, but since deceased ; Clayton B. ; William W. ; Martha B.; Emma M. ; Thomas C. ; Lottie. Fraternally Mr. Hin- ton is affiliated with the K. of P., Lodge No. 40, of Longcreek. It is of note that the brother of our sub- ject, Clayton B. Hinton, was killed in a bat- tle with the Indians at Hungry Hill. For four days the settlers fought the savages and during that time there was no chance to partake of food, and hence the name of the hill. Mr. 514 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Hinton is one of the most substantial men of the county and the stanch qualities that charac- terized his ancestors are exemplified in his ca- reer in a very commendable manner, and now surrounded with a loving family, he is passing the golden days of the years of his life in quiet enjoyment of the competence that his skill and industry have gathered, while he directs his large interests and is content in the crowning joy that the memories of past days show well spent hours. EMIL M. SCHARFR— The sunny land of France has contributed many noble and lib- erty loving citizens to< this country, who; are faithful in upholding the free institutions that have been fostered here, and one among that devoted band is the pleasant gentleman of whom we have the privilege of speaking, and who has contributed materially to the advance- ment of the county where he is now domiciled, having wrought faithfully here both for the good of the public and the augmenting of his private exchequer, being attended meanwhile with the most gratifying success. As suggested above, Mr. Scharff was born in France, the province of Loraine, in the east- ern part, being the place and June 12, i860, the date. His early life was passed 'on a farm and he gained the educational training to be had in the public schools. On October 12, 1873, hi s mother died, and two years later the father, with his four children, emigrated to the United States, settling near Galena, Jo- Daviess county, Illinois, being near the birthplace of General Grant. For two* years there he worked with his father on the farm and then his ad- venturous spirit longed for the scenes of the west and thither he came, alert for the fortune that awaited him. One year was spent in freighting from Denver to Leadville, and then he went to Laramie City and spent a short time on the range. At this place he heard of the In- dian war then going on in eastern Oregon and desiring to take part in the same he came thith- er via Winnemucca, landing in Harney county, but was too late to' participate in the conflict. The following spring he came to John Day and engaged to Berge Edington to herd sheep and one year later he purchased a band of sheep for himself. He remained three years in the vicinity of John Day with his flocks and then in 1883 came to> the region of Monument and a little later bought the place where he now lives, one-fourth of a mile southeast from Mon- ument. The estate is of the generous propor- tions of four thousand acres. The town of Monument is partly situated on what was a portion of his farm. Mr. Scharff' s flocks are numbered by thousands and his estate is well improved with all necessary utensils and fences and buildings, as a good barn and a fine resi- dence and other things that make it valuable and comfortable. He also has a good orchard and some cattle and horses. On July 22, 1897, the marriage of Mr. Scharff and Miss Celina, daughter of Daniel C. and Anna Cohoe, took place and to them have been born three children : Bertha D., Cedric C. and John. Mr. and Mrs. Cohoe live near Monument. Mr. Scharff 's father had poor health in this country and so went to France in 1884, and in 1888 he passed to the world beyond. Mr. Scharff is affiliated with the I. O. O. F., at Heppner, and the K. of P., Lodge No. 40, at Longcreek. In political matters he is a Republican and holds firmly to the tenets of that party, believing" that the principles laid down there are for the welfare of the country. Mr. Scharff is a man of abil- ity and sound judgment and is one of the most substantial of Grant county's population, hav- ing ever manifested both sagacity and unswerv- ing integrity. MALHEUR COUNTY '«%**• • ■ '• I "«Wfr- 4&* : jh MALHEUR BUTTE. £ VP.NTTFT', Off' PnPT.SRR HISTORY OF MALHEUR COUNTY. CHAPTER I. SETTLEMENT AND PASSING EVENTS. Traditional Oregon was an inaccessible re- gion, a wild wilderness of wood, mountain and plain, habitable only by preying beasts and prowling savages. When, after his memorable and hazardous ride across the plains, in the winter of 1842-43, Marcus Whitman present- ed himself to> President Tyler and Secretary Webster at Washington, robed in the skin of the mountain lion, shod with moccasins and crowned with fur, his skin red-hued like an Indian brave's, and roughened by the winds of the arid desert and the bleak mountains, his disheveled locks falling over his broad shoul- ders, it required all the eloquence of his in- tensely fervid nature to impress with the stamp of truthfulness his strangely fascinating story of Oregon and its wonderful possibilities. The personality of the* man, the convincing force of his language eventually won the confidence of President and people and gave credence to his story. The daring spirit of man has never sought for more than a mere excuse to justify exploitation The Whitman story furnished far more than an excuse. In it there was an elo- quent appeal and a promise of great reward. What more was needed to lift the tide-gate and pour out upon the plains the flood of im- migration that flowed across the Oregon bor- ders in succeeding years? But, while Oregon was the Mecca, in the popular mind the name stood only for sheltered valleys, where broad streams flow, where, without consuming strife, may be gathered the wealth of soil and river. The current was swift in the earlier streams of immigration and there was no pausing on the borders of the new territory. But a less impetuous band would hardly have halted when the superficial aspect of the country was so cheerless and uninviting. The repellant fea- tures of the desert behind them were stamped upon it. Its sun-parched plains generated a sense of desolation in the hearts of the most venturesome. Extreme eastern Oregon was not yet ripe for settlement. It must await an- other day and another generation — a people impelled by other influences, actuated by other motives. It so long remained fettered by ex- ternal appearances and by natural disadvan- tages that its very name was once a synonym for desolation and loneliness. But the days of its disrepute were numbered and the season of its redemption came at last. Those who braved the adverse conditions existing in the early 'sixties were fearless men whose 1 stout hearts never quailed when facing the priva- tions and dangers of pioneer life. In those clays southeastern Oregon was coveted by no man as a place of residence, as a fair, propi- tious land in which to grow his vine and fig tree. But in various ways men became resi- 518 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES dents here. They drifted in, sometimes agents of the government erecting forts, some- times as prospectors, or, again, as squatters along the trails providing food and forage for caravans and overland stages. Through force of circumstances many of these remained. In a sense they became discoverers. Through them a knowledge of the possibilities of the soil was gained and something became known of the character and extent of mineral deposits. Wrong theories concerning climatic conditions and effects were exploded and the peculiar ad- vantages, destined to accomplish so much for later generations, received proper rating in hitherto incredulous minds. For reasons which may be discerned from a study of the facts and conditions briefly out- lined above, the usual order of things has been reversed in the settlement of Oregon. It has developed fromi the west to- east (from the valley of the Willamette to' that of the Snake river) instead of from, east to west. The ter- ritory at present embraced within the boundaries of Malheur county was almost the last within the state to' give way before the onward march of civilization. Comparatively speaking, only a fewi years have elapsed since the war whoop of the Bannock and Piute sav- ages fell upon the ears of the stage driver or the express rider in his wild flight for the pro- tecting walls of the fort or for the camp of the caravan. It was not until the year 1878 that old Chief Winnemucca, of the Piutes, and Buf- falo Horn, of the Bannocks, with their murder- ouse bands were driven from Jordan valley and even later life and property were "in jeopardy in some parts of Malheur county. Some squatter rights were held in various parts of the county very early in the 'sixties, but many years intervened between the period of exploration and that of permanent settle- ment. There is no authentic account of ex- plorations made in southeastern Oregon prior to the year i860. Probably the first white men to penetrate this portion of the state were the trappers and hunters employed by the Northwestern Fur and Hudson's Bay com- panies. These nomads, seeking only for furs, and such valuables as they might obtain from the Indians, traversed the entire northwest an- nually in their numerous expeditions, and un- doubtedly often had occasion toi pass through the territory now embraced by Malheur county. In fact, Old Fort Boise, a Hudson's Bay Com- pany post, stood at the mouth of the Boise river, on the Idaho side of the Snake, for many years. This famous old outpost, situated hun- dreds of miles from the border settlements, and inhabited by a few white men who had braved the perils of the wilderness for the pur- pose of trading with the Indians, was not abandoned until 1852, and durings its long existence served as a beacon light to guide hun- dreds of emigrants on their westward voyage. It is quite probable that the name which this county bears was given the river of the same name by a party of French trappers at- tached to this old trading post. Tradition re- lates that some time during the fore part of the nineteenth century a party of French trap- pers and traders ascended this stream- to its headwaters in search of furs. The trip was an unsuccessful one, they were attacked by the Indians, several of the party were wounded, others were killed, and still others fell sick. So it was quite natural that this long train of misfortune should cause them to name the river "Mai (bad or unfortunate) heur (hour of time," or, translating freely, the "unhappy" river. The old emigrant road, if a road it might properly be termed, leading to the far north- west, divided into two forks at old Fort Hall, Idaho, near the present city of Pocatello. One branch crossed the Snake river at the fort and proceeded up the northern side of the river, the other ran along the Owyhee and then up the western bank of the Snake to a point op- posite to Fort Boise. From this point the lat- ter 1 road continued north through what is HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 51& now Malheur county, crossing the Mal- heur river about fifteen miles above its mouth, following the course of what is now Willow creek for several miles, thence leav- ing this section by way of Tub Springs and the Burnt river canyon. Seeking wealth, health and happiness in the land of fair promise be- yond were scores of immigrants, on foot, or horse, or in the historic prairie schooner, wend- ing their way in all seasons over this old road. Little did these wanderers dream 1 that the day would come, and, too, in the not far distant future, when beautiful, prosperous ranches and happy homes would gladden the vision of later travelers along this highway. Little did they dream that the land which they had passed by as worthless would some day surpass in value many of their own homes on the western slope. The immigration of 1845 (William Mor- fitt, a pioneer of 1847, seriously doubts if a single expedition reached the coast that year) probably traveled over this route. Be that as it may, however, we know that the immigra- tion of 1847 use d ^is trail to the Willamette valley, as did also the expeditions made in the 'fifties. Soon after the fame of the newly discovered Eldorados on the Powder river, in Oregon, and Wood river, in Idaho, had spread abroad in 1862 a steady stream of travel passed over this old road. Some went north to Powder river; others south to Wood river. Prior to> its legal formation in '1887 the history of Malheur county is contained in that of the early settlements! within its present boundaries. One of the first of these, in fact the first of real importance, was made in the northern part of the county in Mormon Basin, which came into prominence early in the his- tory of the Auburn camp. These placer dig- gings were discovered immediately following the rush to this region and the camp attained considerable importance and population. The nearby camp of Eldorado sprang into existence in 1865, and five years later Malheur City was founded, lying just a mile from Eldorado.- Although the population of this district has risen and ebbed with the varying fortunes of the gold seekers, several hundred being in the, district at one time, still there has always been a considerable permanent settlement there. Only recently these old camps have been stirred with new life by rich quartz discoveries, which bid fair to produce larger and more permanent camps than those of the 'sixties. At present Malheur City is a thriving town, while Mormon Basin is inhabited principally by Chinamen. As soon as travel over the old emigrant road began to> increase to large proportions sta- tions were established along the route. So, we are told by L. B. Rinehart, the well known pioneer of eastern Oregon, that during the winter of 1863-64 Jonathan Keeney built a small cabin at the Malheur river crossing, near the present town of Vale. This cabin was con- structed of willow logs and poles, obtained from the sparse growth along the river at that time, plastered over with adobe mud. Here this pioneer innkeeper attended the wants of those who cared to tarry and rest and refresh the weary body after the toilsome day's jour- ney. Mr. Keeney had several sons, one of whom, James, conducted this station alone from 1868 to 1870. About the time this cabin was built the Silver City mines, in Idaho, were discovered. This camp, which is still one of importance, lies just across the state line and only a few miles from Jordan valley. In 1863 what is known as "Ruby Ranch'" was opened in Jor- dan valley. It is located in the upper valley, contains three thousand acres, and was first owned by "Doc" Inskip. The property now belongs to W. P. Beers. At the same time in the middle valley of Jordan creek, "Sheep Ranch" was opened by a man named Mc Will- iams. This contained eleven hundred acres, and is now the property of J. P. Merrill and John Milky. These ranches are well remem- 520 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES bered by all travelers over the old Winnemucca stage road. These stages made stops at each place. United States troops were frequently quartered here, and during- the Indian troubles a government telegraph station was kept in op- eration at Sheep Ranch. In those days the country was infested by the several Indian tribes living in this section of the state, the Piutes and the Bannocks be- ing the strongest. Small predatory bands of these redskins haunted the emigrant roads and trails, and many a lonely prospector or traveler suddenly disappeared from, sight. His bleach- ing bones, and beside them two or three ar- rows, found perhaps months afterward under the foliage of a clump of sage brush, only too plainly told the story of his end. These mur- ders were not infrequent during the 'sixties, nor did they entirely cease until the Indian war of 1878 thoroughly subdued the savages. In 1869 the government made a treaty with the Piutes, and this tribe was established on the Malheur reservation, a large tract of land lying on the north fork of the Malheur river in the extreme northwestern corner of the county. Although constantly causing trouble and necessitating eternal vigilance to keep them on the reservation, the government managed to hold them fairly in check until the outbreak of 1878, when they were removed to the Ya- kima valley. The f oho wing year, 1879, the agency farm and buildings were sold to the Pacific Live Stock Company, and the rest of the valley lands to settlers. Previous to the establishment of this reser- vation, however, many small raids were made by the Piutes on the settlements. During the early spring of 1868 they raided the small set- tlement on Clark's creek and drove off a large number of horses. The settlers raised a com- pany of seven and fallowed the redskins, trail- ing them to a point near the Grant county line. There the Indians ambushed the party, killing a young man named Belknap. The rest re- treated, and the next day a much stronger party returned to the scene of the attack and buried the body of young Belknap. One night a short time afterward another band of Piutes stole into* the Amelia settlement, six miles east of Eldorado, and tearing down a large cotton- wood corral there, drove off forty or fifty head of stock. The next morning the settlers, to the number of five, including the Sutherlands, father and son, and James Roland, started in pursuit. For twenty miles beyond Malheur City they tracked the fleeing Indians up Wil- low creek. They then stopped in a small cove to eat their midday lunch. While eating sev- eral rifles cracked on the summit of the hill overlooking the camp, and young Sutherland fell dead. The rest of the party very fortu- nately escaped and succeeded in reaching El- dorado without further loss. In 1867 or 1868 Egan, the noted Piute chief, with a party of Piutes and Bannocks, fell upon forty Chinamen en route from Winne- mucca to the Silver City mines, and slew all but one. The Chinamen were entrapped near the state line, and after being surrounded by a superior force of redskins, were commanded to surrender. The Mongolians, trusting to Egan's promises of mercy, gave up their arms without resistance. Then, as is usually the case in such instances, the Indians turned the cap- tured weapons upon their defenseless owners and commenced a wholesale slaughter. After many had been shot to death the chief ordered the Indians to save the ammunition and beat the remainder of their victims to^ death. De- spite the shrieks and yells for mercy and the groans and curses of the wounded and dying, the carnival of crime was continued. Only one Chinaman escaped to tell the horrible tale. Notwithstanding the desperate efforts made by the miners and officials to apprehend and pun- ish the guilty Indians, no certain proof could be found against any, and the matter was final- ly dropped. Years afterward Egan told the story of this affair to an intimate white friend of his in such a way as to leave but little doubt HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 521 of its truthfulness and as to the identity of the perpetrators. Until the treaty made with the Piutes in 1869, however, settlement in this portion of Baker county was confined practically to the mining districts, as roving - bands of Indians were too- numerous to permit isolation. But after the Indians were placed on their reserva- tion the land was opened to settlement, and during- that and the following year quite a settlement was made on Willow creek. The valley is divided into* two sections, the upper and lower, and being situated close to the min- ing camp of Eldorado was the first portion of the county to be extensively settled by ranch- men and farmers. In 1865, S. B. Reeves lo- cated a claim, now known as the Norwood place, in the lower valley, where the old emi- grant road crosses the creek, and the same sum- mer George Derby and a man named Shoe- maker took up ranches six miles above the Reeves place. These were the only ranches in the lower valley until 1868. William Morfitt, an emigrant of 1847,, an d one of the oldest Ore- gonians living, located the first ranch in upper Willow creek valley in March, 1868. This claim lies about two- miles south of Eldorado*. In 1868 L. B. Rinehart, another pioneer Oregonian of whom we have spoken, turned loose at the Washoe ferry on the Snake river the first band of cattle ever ranged in Baker county, south of that point. Two years later, in 1870, Mr. Rinehart purchased the Keeney station and land rights and in 1872 built a stone house on the land and established his home there. This old landmark, known throughout ' the country as the "old stone house," is still standing. For years it was the only hostelry in this portion of the country, and as such became known to all who^ traveled through the region. From Mr. Morfitt and Mr. Rinehart we have been able to secure a partial list of those who settled in Malheur county previous to and including the year 1872. Many names are doubtles lacking, but Mnemosyne is a poor historian at the best. The list follows : Jonathan Keeney, James Keeney, 1864; S. B. Reeves, George Derby, Shoemaker, Samuel Colt, Colt, Thomas Littig, Daniel Bruner, 1865; Henry Barnes, James Delaney, James Lynn, 1867; William Morfitt, L. B. Rinehart, George Drinnon, Archie Turner, Hank Edwards, Thomas Welch, Baltimore Howard, Chauncey H. Eaton, J. L. Cole, Jo- George Coggans, Charles J. H. seph Stevenson, Goodnough, Kirkpatrick, 1 Rose, B. F. Sargent, 1869; George Collins, Mary Collins (Richardson), John Collins, C. F. Locey, George Phillips, Joseph Moreton, Samuel Lake, William Glenn, William O'Brien, R. W. Worsham, A. LeBard, 1870; John Thomson, William G. Thomson, Samuel Mc- Dowell, Flammer & Fuqua, A. W. Turner, Ed Imbler, Silas Imbler, J. C. Phipps, John Till- son, James Thomson, William L. Logan, Price, William Emison, Peter Keeney, Thomas Glenn, William Kennedy, Levi Westfall, 1872. During the year 1872 Levi Westfall in- itiated a settlement on Bully creek, and Peter Keeney and Thomas Glenn took up ranches on the Owyhee river. In the fall of 1873 J. D. Osborn settled at the grove on the Malheur river about ten miles above the old stone house, and the year following James McMahan led the vanguard of settlers into 'the Harper valley. Otoe cause worked greatly to- the detriment of the early settlers of this region, and is still working to- that end, viz., the gift by the gov- ernment of thousands of acres of the best land in the county to the two military road com- panies whose roads 1 passed through this region. The Dalles military road entered the county near the Ironside mountain, following the north fork of the Malheur river down to Wil- low creek, thence down Willow creek and the course of the old emigrant road. The Willam- ette valley and Cascade military road enters the county by one of the forks of the Malheur 522 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES river, and follows the course of the main river to' its mouth. By act of Congress, passed in 1866, and of the Oregon legislature, passed in 1868, these two companies were granted each alternate section of land on each side of the road within a limit of three miles. The consequence of this was that hundreds of set- tlers in this county alone were crowded out or compelled to purchase land at high prices. Not only was valuable land thus donated to these corporations to build roads that were not needed and could have been built at much less cost, but the roads were never built. At the best these alleged highways were but trails; streams were forded instead of being bridged, and in the case of The Dalles road a wagon was simply driven over the course. Several years ago these frauds were investigated and the matter carried to the supreme court of the United States, but owing to> a technicality the government was not allowed to* prove fraud. By the terms of the acts passed by Congress, the governor's affidavit certifying to the com- pletion of the roads according toi contract was the only proof of compliance required, and as Governor Woods made affidavit to' this effect, the provisions of the grant were fully carried out and the company could not be held. A fuller history of this case will be found in the history of Grant county. Until only a few years ago Malheur coun- ty possessed an unexcelled stock range and one of immense proportions. In the northern por- tion the Malheur river valley, with its numer- ous tributaries, furnished a fine winter range, the streams being lined with a heavy growth of willows and rye grass, and the sage brush and prairie grasses furnishing excellent feed. During the summer thousands of head of cat- tle, horses and sheep were driven southward among the foothills and valleys of the upper country, where the bunchgrass grew abundant- ly, even luxuriantly. But with the increasing population and settlement of the county the range gradually failed to> support the stock grazing upon it and stock raising lost much of its prestige. However, farming was not yet toi assume an important place among the in- dustries of this county, not until the early 'eighties. The winter of 1873-74 was a severe one, and as stock in those days was simply turned loose on the range during the winter as well as the summer, large numbers, perished from the cold. The loss is estimated at between ten and fifteen per cent. During the later 'sixties and the early 'sev- enties the Canyon City placer mines were at their zenith, and there was considerable travel to the John Day country from the southern portion of the state and Idaho. So it was quite natural that a stage line should be es- tablished between Canyon City and Boise. This pioneer stage line utilized the emigrant road as far as possible and passed the old stone house at the Malheur river crossing. From the meager records we have of this line it is only possible to say further that Charles Moore drove the stage and was its probable owner, and that it was in operation for several years. Some time in the summer of 1876 a tragedy occurred in the Malheur river settlement which shocked the whole community and cast a deep shadow of gloom over the entire region. This sad affair was the drowning of Florence More- ton, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph More- ton, who lived on the Gillerman place, near the confluence of Bully creek and the Malheur river. This young girl was in bathing at the river with another young lady who lived in the neighborhood, and venturing too far into the current was swept off her feet and whirled away into deep water. She could not swim, and struggling - frantically to reach the shore, she sank from view within sight of her com- panion, who was powerless to' aid her. Par- ents and neighbors hastened to the scene as soon as possible and willing hands searched the shores and explored the waters for the body, but it was not until after midnight that two HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 523 of the searchers, L. B. Rinehart and Jep D. Osborn, were successful. Meanwhile neigh- bors and friends came in from the country for several miles around until the whole Mal- heur river settlement was congregated at the Moreton place. Though over a quarter of a century has sped since this sad affair occurred, the story of that weird and ghostly midnight search is still graphically imprinted ,on the memories of those who participated. As is well known, eastern Oregon was the scene of a bloody Indian war in 1878. The Bannocks, under Buffalo Horn, left the Fort Hall reservation, in Southern Idaho, in the ear- ly part of June and proceeded westward along the Snake river, scattering death and destruc- tion in their path. They crossed the Snake into Oregon at Henderson's fern-, and then taking more of a northward course, struck directly for the Piute reservation in the northwestern part of Malheur county. Here they jwere joined by the Piutes, under Egan, and under these two merciless warriors the Indians made their famous campaign into Grant and Uma- tilla counties. The course of the Bannocks led through an uninhabited portion of this county, very fortunately, and with the exception of a small loss of stock and the murder of one or two settlers in the extreme southern portion of the 'county, and one living near Westfall, no serious injury was inflicted upon this re- gion. Scouting parties were sent out from the Willow creek, Malheur river and Malheur City settlements, 'who kept watch of the red- skins' movements and were ready at an in- stant's notice to warn the settlers. General Howard passed through Malheur City with two companies of infantry in pursuit of the Indians and several scouts joined the army at this point. The subsequent history of this memorable campaign is fully told in another chapter of this work. A hard winter, similar in many respects to that of 1873-74, prevailed throughout this sec- tion in 1879-80, the stock losses being about fifteen per cent. This was the last winter of such severity as to entail heavy loss upon stock- men here. One lesson thoroughly learned as the result of this heavy loss was that better covering and feed must be given stock during severe weather. With the dawn of the next decade, that of 1 880- 1 890, agriculture began to assume an important place among the industries of the county, and several irrigation projects began to create considerable interest among the set- tlers, who realized that water alone is needed to give life to the fertile valley lands, and that stock raising must go< hand in hand with agri- culture. In 1880 William Morfitt built the first gristmill in Baker county, south of the Burnt river mountains. This mill was a small water power mill, using the burr process, and was erected on Mr. Morfitt's ranch on Willow creek. For several years he ground all the grain raised in this region, but the abandon- ment of the mill was finally made necessary by the use of the creek's waters for irrigating purposes. The operation of this little mill greatly stimulated grain production in the Wil- low creek valley. In 1883 two important irrigating canals were projected and their construction com- menced, the Owyhee and the Nevada. The former was taken out of the Owyhee river and was expected toi water that valley; the latter was taken out of the Malheur river and was in- . tended to irrigate the lower Malheur valley. Be- sides these large canals many smaller ones were undertaken and all tended toi enhance the im- portance of agriculture in its numerous- branches. The importance and general effect of this important canal construction during the early and middle 'eighties on the growth and interests of the county at large can hardly be overestimated. By undertaking these works the settlers showed a substantial token of their faith in the country, and by their completion the permanence of the settlement is assured long after the stock industry shall have passed '524 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES into minor importance by the reclamation of the range. But perhaps toi the Oregon Short Line rail- road more than to any other influence is Mal- heur county indebted for the progress of the past ten or fifteen years. In building down the Snake river in 1873 the company found it con- venient to cross the river from Idahoi to 1 the Oregon side near Nyssa, a station ten miles south of Ontario. About twelve miles of this line is in Malheur county, crossing its eastern extremity. Up to this time Baker City had the trade of all 'this section of the state. When a station was established at Ontario' in 1884 it at once sprang into> importance as a shipping point. Being ninety miles southeast of Baker City, it is more accessible from the ranges of Malheur and Harney counties, and portions of Grant county. The establishment of this trade center made the development of agricul- tural and other resources not only possible, but highly profitable, while at the same time it greatly enhanced land and ditch values and brought the ranges within easy reach of the markets. In April, 1900, the Oregon Short line purchased eighty acres of land adjoining Ontario and built thereon the most extensive stockyards in eastern Oregon. This step was necessitated because of the heavy live stock shipments, cattle, horses and sheep being driv- en here from the ranges of Malheur, Harney, .Grant and Crook counties. Previous to 1884 all this business had been done at Baker City. But each year following witnessed an increase of shipments at Ontario. A radical change was gradually taking place, in which Baker City was losing and Ontario was gaining as a shipping point. The creation of this new commercial center led eventually to the agi- tation of the question of the organization of a new political division in the southern half of Baker county. There was but little opposition to the measure and by the year 1887 matters had so shaped themselves that those most di- rectly interested believed the time had arrived for action. I. D. Haines represented this sena- torial district in the state legislature. R. A. Lockett of Willow Creek and R. H. Holland, of Vale, were representatives from Baker coun- ty. In February, 1887, they secured the passage of an act dividing Baker county and creating out of its southern portion the county of Malheur. For the new county Governor Pennoyer appointed the following officers : County judge, F. K. Frotnan; sheriff, Henry C. Murray ; clerk, Edward H. Test ; treasurer, T. A. Levey; assessor, William Ritchie; school superintendent, Thomas Alves ; commissioners, John F. Lackey and C. T. Locey. The or- ganization took effect and the county com- menced its official existence April 3, 1887, with an inherited debt from Baker county of $30,- 000. Taxable property in the county was at this time valued at $859,624. The territory included in the new county was at that time described as 1 offering exceptional advantages to the stockman, the miner, the manufacturer and the agriculturist. Subsequent advancement and the general progress of the county since its organization have proven that its advan- tages have never been overestimated. For the information of the citizens and for the pur- pose of reference we print herein the full text of the act under which the county was or- ganized. AN ACT To Create the County of Malheur, in the State of Oregon, and to fix the Salaries of County Judge and Treasurer of said County. Be it enacted by the Legislative assembly of the State of Oregon : Section 1. That all that portion of the state of Oregon embraced within the following boundaries be, and the same is hereby created and organized into a separate county and body politic by the name of Malheur, viz. : Beginning at a point on the boundary line between the state of Oregon and Nevada, which is at the southeast corner of Grant coun- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 525. ty, in the state of Oregon; thence north on the line between Grant county and Baker coun- ty to the first angle corner in the east line of said Grant county; thence north on range line between ranges 36 and 37 east to the summit of the Burnt River mountains, in township 15 south of range 36 east ; thence easterly and fol- lowing the summit of said Burnt River moun- tains to the intersection of the sounth bound- ary line of township 14 south of range 43 east; thence east on the said south boundary line of township 14 to- the middle channel of Snake river, between the state of Oregon and the territory of Idaho; thence up the meander- ings of said Snake river on the line between Oregon and Idaho' to the mouth of the Owyhee river on said line ; thence south on the line be- tween Oregon and Idaho to the north line of the state of Nevada ; thence west on the north line of Nevada to' the place of beginning. Section 2. The territory embraced within said boundary lines shall compose a county for all civil and military purposes, and shall be subject to the same laws and restrictions and be entitled to elect the same officers as other counties in this state: Provided, That it shall be the duty of the Governor, as soon as it may become convenient, after this act shall have be- come a law, to appoint for Malheur county and from among its resident citizens, the several county officers allowed by law to other counties of this state, which said officers, after duly qualifying according to law, shall be entitled to hold their respective offices until their suc- cessors are duly elected at the general state election of 1888, and have duly qualified ac- cording to law. Section 3. The temporary seat of Malheur county shall be located at Vale, in said county, until a permanent seat is adopted. At the gen- eral state election of 1888 the question of a lo- cation of the county seat shall be submitted to the legal voters of said county and the place, if any, which shall receive a majority of all the votes cast at said election shall be the county seat of said county ; but if no place shall receive a majority of all the votes cast, the question shall be again submitted to the legal voters of said county between the two places having the highest number of votes at said election at the next general state election, and the place receiving the highest number of votes at such election shall be the county seat of said county. Section 4. The legal electors of Malheur county shall be entitled to elect at the general state election of 1888, and thereafter, until otherwise provided by law, one member of the house of representatives, while Baker county shall be entitled to elect one, and said county shall for senatorial purposes be annexed to the- twentieth senatorial district and be entitled with said district to one senator, until other- wise provided by law. Section 5. The county clerk of Baker county shall send to the county clerk of Mal- heur county within thirty days after this act becomes a law a certified transcript of all de- linquent taxes, including school taxes, from the assessment roll of 1886 that were assessed within the limits of Malheur county; also a, certified transcript of the assessment of persons, and property within the limits of Malheuir county for 1886, and the said taxes shall be payable to< the proper officer of Malheur coun- ty and retained bv that county, save and except, that the county treasurer of Malheur county shall, out of the first moneys collected for taxes, pay over to the treasurer of Baker coun- ty the full amount of state tax on the assess- ment roll of 1886 due from citizens of Malheur county; the said clerk of Baker county shall also make out and send to the clerk of Malheur county, within the time above limited, a trans- script of all cases pending in the county and circuit courts of Baker county between parties residing in Malheur coimty, including all pa- pers relating to 1 the unsettled estates of de- ceased persons formerly residing in the terri- tory embraced Avithin Malheur county, and .526 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES transfer all original papers in said cases to be tried in Malheur county. The expense of all transcripts furnished to Malheur county shall be borne by that county. Section 6. The said county of Malheur is hereby attached to the sixth judicial district •of the state of Oregon for judicial purposes, and the terms of the circuit court for said coun- ty shall be held at its county seat on the fourth Monday in June and the fourth Monday in No- vember of each year. Section 7. The county court of Malheur county shall be held at the county seat of said county on the first Monday of every alternate month, beginning on the first Monday of the month next after the appointment by the Gov- ernor of the county officers as provided in this act. Section 8. Until otherwise provided, the county judge of Malheur county shall receive an annual salary of four hundred dollars. Section 9. Until otherwise provided, the county treasurer of Malheur county shall re- ceive an annual salary of one hundred dollars. Section 10. The county of Malheur, within one year after its organization by the appoint- ment of its officers as herein provided, shall as- sume and pay to the county of Baker 1 a just pro- portion of the indebtedness of Baker county after deducting therefrom the value of the pub- lic property of Baker county, and M. D. Wil- son, Ed. Test and L. O. Ison, of Baker county, are hereby appointed a board to' determine the value of such property and the amount of indebtedness to be assumed by said Malheur county; said persons shall meet at the county seat of Baker county on the first Monday in April, 1887, or within ten days thereafter, and take and subscribe to an oath before the clerk Baker county faithfully to discharge their du- ties ; thereupon said board shall proceed with said work, and at the same time said board shall compute the amount of the school fund in the treasury of Baker county and the amount derived from taxation and from fines, forfeit- ures, etc., within the limits of Malheur county and make an award for such proportionate amount to said Malheur; when, said board shall have completed its duties it shall file a re- port of its conclusion, that affecting the school fund separate and distinct from the other, in duplicate with the Iclerks of Baker and Mal- heur counties ; within thirty days from the filing of such report in Malheur county either coun- ty may take an appeal from the decision of said board to the circuit court for Baker county by serving a notice of appeal upon the clerk of the other county ; upon perfecting the issues in said circuit court either county may demand a change of the place of trial to any other county of the sixth judicial district which may be agreed upon by said counties, or, in the event of their disagreement, which may be designated by the judge of said district; the trial may be by jury and the judgment rendered may be enforced as other judgments against counties; if the county appealing fails to recover a more favorable judgment than the finding of said board by at least five hundred dollars it shall pay the expense of the trial. If no> appeal is taken by either county within the thirty days above provided the finding of said board shall be conclusive, and thereafter the treasurer of Baker county shall pay to the treasurer of Malheur county upon the presentation of a copy of the finding and award of said board as to the school fund above mentioned, certi- fied by the clerk of Baker county, the amount of the award made and such copy shall stand toi the treasurer of Baker county in lieu of the warrant of the school superintendent of said county, and the receipt of the treasurer of Malheur county shall be accepted by the school superintendent of Baker county as a full ac- quittance of the moneys therein represented in the next succeeding settlement between such su- perintendent and treasurer of Baker county. The persons constituting the board above pro- vided for shall receive for their services the sum of five dollars per day each for every day HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 527 actually consumed in the work for which they aire appointed and mileage at the rate of ten cents a mile for every mile actually traveled in going to and returning from the said county seat of Baker county and such expense shall be tome equally hyi Baker and Malheur counties. Section n. The county judge of Malheur county shall let by contract to the lowest re- sponsible and efficient bidder the work of transcribing all records 1 of Baker county affect- ing real estate situated in Malheur county, and when completed they shall be examined and certified to by the clerk of Bajker county and shall thereafter be recognized and acknowl- edged as official records of Malheur county: Provided, That the clerk of Malheur county shall be allowed toi bid on said work. Section 12. No expenditure exceeding the sum of forty-five hundred dollars shall be made toward the erection or purchase of public buildings within Malheur county until after the location of a permanent county seat. Section 13. Inasmuch as the early forma- tion of Malheur coinnry is much desired, this act shall take effect and be in force" from- and after the first day of April, 1887. Approved February 17, 1887. Commencing its official existence with a property valuation of $859,624, in ten years, according to the assessment of 1897, this valu- ation increased to $1,235,920, a gain of $376,- 296 during this period. In 1897 it was the fifth smallest county in the state in point of wealth. According to the assessment sum- mary for 1901, the gross value of all property was placed at $1,589,760, a gain of $353,840 in the four years between 1897 an ^ : 90i. In area it is the second largest in the state. It is near- ly as large as the states of Massachusetts and Connecticut combined, having an area of 9,784 square miles. Harney county exceeds this by 202 square miles. Ever since the passage of the act creating the county an earnest rivalry has existed be- tween Vale and Ontario for county seat honors. The recent action on the part of the citizens of Vale in erecting a court house, which they propose to donate to the county, is possibly the final step in the contest, although there are as yet but few outward indications of surren- der in the city of Ontario. The contest having extended over a period of fifteen years, it is fitting that the various acts of the contesting parties should be recorded in this work. In 1887 section three of the creating act named Vale as the county seat. This selection was ratified by the people of the county at the general elections in 1888, and also 1 in ii890. In new counties, as a! rule, the county seat war rages indefinitely, and this statement is true concerning the fight in Malheur county. By some of the citizens it is not yet thought to be definitely settled. Ontario, the metropo- lis and commercial center of the county, con- tinues to be a vigorous aspirant for county seat honors and at nearly every session of the legis- lature an effort is made by her citizens and by residents of this portion of the county, to se- sure the passage of an enabling act, and thus again g-et the county seat question before the people. In the latter part of December, 1898, petitions were circulated asking the legislature to pass an enabling act at the regular session opening in January, 11899, that would allow the voters of Malheur to select a county seat at the next g-eneral election. Ontario was un- derstood to be responsible for this petition, which was signed by 700 voters.. A counter petition was also circulated, (Which obtained 4.00 signatures. As a result of this agitation House Bill No. 311 was introduced January 24, 1 8991, by Representative J. R. Blackaby, and was passed January 3 1st by a vote of forty- five to six. In the meantime the opposition was not idle and a strong influence was brought to bear upon the members of the upper house that evidently had great weight when that body came to vote upon the passage of the bill. The bill was introduced in the senate by Sena- 528 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES tor Smith and was reported back favorably by the committee on counties, but when it reached a vote it was defeated. There were thirteen for and thirteen against its passage, four mem- bers being absent. In) December, 190O', another effort was made to get the matter before the people. A meeting of the citizens of Ontario was held in the opera house. At this meeting David Wil- son, who owns a great deal of real estate in the city, proposed to donate grounds and to erect thereon a brick court house, which would in- clude court room, offices, vault, jail and all necessary fixtures. The structure was to cost $8,000, according to specifications and plans submitted by architect W. A. Samms, of Baker City, which described a building fifty by seventy feet, two stories high, with thirty-foot walls. Mr. Wilson proposed to furnish $5,000 of the building fund, provided the citizens of On- tario would subscribe the remaining $3,000. He also offered to Malheur county a $15,000 bond, with prominent citizens of Ontario as security, to insure the fulfillment of his con- tract, the erection of the court house and its final transfer to the county. A committee of citizens was appointed to proceed in the matter. This committee consisted of E. H. Test, chair- man ; J. J. Cortwright, secretary ; J. A. Lackey, J. M. Babcock, J. T. Clement, C. W. Piatt and L. Adam. The $3,000- was subscribed by citi- zens, who also agreed to bear the expenses of the election. Following these steps a peti- tion was circulated again asking the legislature to pass an enabling act, and a bond was of- fered by the city to insure the erection of the building" and the defraying of election expenses should the act be passed. The petition received 874 signatures. In the meantime the citizens of Vale were also perfecting plans for the erection of a court house by private subscriptions, the build- ing, when completed, to be given to the count)'. County Judge J. F. Stevens, Sheriff J. D. Lo- cey and Clerk A. G. King were appointed as a committee from the county to act with a com- mittee of citizens in securing funds and di- recting the construction of a court house. The citizens' committee consisted of D. C|. Wells, M. G. Hope, J. C. Kelley, Findley McDonald and J. L. Cole. These committees secured subscrip- tions of $10,000 as a building fund. The final plans for the court house provided for a two- story stone structure, sixty by eighty feet, with court room, jury rooms, offices, vault and jail. Ontario's petition for an enabling act was again defeated in the legislature, and shortly* afterward work was commenced on the build- ing at Vale. L. B. Rinehart donated grounds, and the building contract was awarded to James Patten and Edward Warner. The court house is nearing completion and when finished will be the most modern and in all particulars the finest of any of the eastern Oregon coun- ties. The completion of this building will possibly settle for all time the county seat question and will make it possible for the two contesting cities to unite their energies in ef- forts for the general advancement of the coun- ty's interests. Malheur county has passed through periods of financial distress> but the suffering from such causes has not been extreme nor of long duration. ■ In 1893 the only interests that had attained an exceptional degree of development were those of the cattle and sheep men, and it is a well known fact that stockmen suffered less from the financial troubles than almost any other class. The burden fell rather upon the mercantile companies through whom the stock- men conducted their transactions, and these companies being strong in financial resources, weathered the storm without serious losses. The stock interests in the county suffered somewhat during the winter of 1897-98. In the latter part of that winter many range cat- tle perished. The loss was not attributed to disease, epidemic nor to cold. Until late in the winter stock was forced to subsist upon the scant forage grasses of the plains and hills, SALMOH FISH HATCHERY, HEAR OHTARIO, OREGOH, OH SHAKE RIYER. '$**'** '?^ - l * k.' *,« » K 5, m 1 5^' - Mp^C> SCEHE OH A MALHEUR COUHTY SHEEP RAHCH. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 529 and it is believed by some that the stockmen delayed the feeding season too long, and the cattle becoming weak and emaciated were ren- dered incapable of enduring the rigors of the later months of the winter, even when put upon the regular rations of alfalfa. In succeeding years stock losses have been immaterial, stock- men having learned from experience, dearly bought, that it is wise economy to open the feeding season early in the winter. It has seldom occurred that feed for stock could not be obtained at a fair price, although the prevalence of unusual conditions has at rare intervals made stock feeding somewhat expensive. This was the case in the winter of 1898-99. In Malheur county alfalfa hay has always found a ready market at four dollars per ton in the stack. It has never sold for less, but has frequently brought much more. The con- dition of the ranges and the number of stock to be wintered has invariably regulated the price of forage. During the fall and winter of 1898 especially high prices prevailed for all kinds of stock feed. Alfalfa brought one dollar more than usual in the stack, and before the grass on the ranges was ready for the herds in the spring it sold as high as eight and nine dollars per ton in the bale. The summer of 1898 was exceptionally hot, and the ranges were practically dried out by the middle of August. The hay crop was short in compari- son with that of former years and these condi- tions naturally operated in favor of the hay producers, who reaped a rich harvest from their alfalfa fields. In anticipation of a hard winter and in con- sideration of the prevailing high price of hay, farmers and stockmen sold a great many cat- tle and horses. They were further influenced in these sales by the excellent prices offered in the stock market. For cattle buyers paid $18 and $20 for yearlings, $26 for two-year-olds and $33 for three-year-olds. Horses also sold comparatively well, and taking the season 34 through, both the stockmen and the hay pro- ducers received excellent returns from their investments. As was the case in all other stock sections of eastern Oregon in 1899, a great deal of feeling was manifested concerning the proposal of the government to lease to stock raising companies extensive ranges for their exclusive use. As elsewhere, it was a matter of vital importance to ranch and stockmen in Malheur county, most of the range plains and hills still belonging to the government. On October 8th, of this year, a mass meeting of stock and ranchmen was held at Vale for the purpose of formulating a protest against the proposed legislation of Congress. Resolutions condemn- ing such legislation were drawn up and passed. Petitions were also, formulated and afterward circulated throughout the voting precincts of the county. The resolutions passed at this meeting were given publicity, and, with the petitions, numerously signed, were forwarded to the proper representatives at Washington. These, with the petitions and resolutions that went forward almost simultaneously from all over eastern Oregon, evidently- had the proper effect on the national legislators, and the scheme to build up the larger at the expense of the smaller stock interests was justly de- feated. That the people of Malheur county are pa- triotic and ever ready to unite on any national or international question that affects their re- lations to existing" governmental institutions was evidenced during the Spanish troubles of 1898. While no special organizations were sent from the county down to the firing line, quite a number of her citizens went to the front and served faithfully while the war lasted. Throughout the county sentiment ran high and nowhere were heard stronger expressions of devotion toi flag and country than among the settlers on the plains and in the mining camps of Malheur. The last six years have witnessed a won- 530 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES derful increase in population in Malheur coun- ty. On good authority we are informed that in 1897, when the population was about 6,000, not fifty foreigners were permanent residents of the county. In this particular a decided change has taken place. During the spring and summer of 1898 the population of the county increased rapidly. Settlers of nearly every na- tionality, and from, all points of the compass traversed the plains and valleys in search of homes. Nearly all came with more or less capital and many with abundant resources. They have proven themselves a very desirable class of citizens. Some bought farms, others bought stock, and a few rented farm lands. All have since been busily and energetically •engaged in building for themselves and families permanent homes. They have cleared away large areas of sage brush, set out orchards of fruit and groves of shade trees, planted shrubbery and flowers, built neat and commodious farm houses, and in many other ways added to the beauty and value of their holdings. By their investments and labor the value of farm lands the county over has been greatly enhanced. The immi- gration of 1898 was not all foreign, but to the foreigners who came, as well as to the native born Americans, is Malheur indebted for the' progress and general improvement of conditions that have followed their coming. The history of Malheur county is unsually free from records of lawlessness. In all border settlements are to be found lawless characters, and records of bank and stage robberies, mur- ders and similar crimes form a part of the his- tory of nearly all new communities. In the earlier years of its settlement Indian raids were of frequent occurrence, but since .the Piutes and Bannocks were subdued crimes have been exceptionally few. In July, 1895, robbers broke into the store of Hope Brothers, at Vale, blew open the safe, and secured $1,300 in cash. Efforts to' trace and capture the criminals were ineffectual. Suspicion pointed to certain individuals of law- less propensities, but evidence sufficient to war- rant their arrest and trial was unobtainable. The pursuit at last ceased and the matter was allowed to drop. About ten o'clock Friday evening, Decem- ber 30, 1898, a masked man entered the store of Scott & Skelton, of Westfall. Exhibiting a revolver, he demanded the postoffice money of John Skelton, who was postmaster, and who was alone in the store. When informed and convinced that this money had been sent to the postmaster at Boise by the last stage, he or- dered Mr. Skelton to open the store safe, which was done. Here he secured $70, unintention- ally allowing a twenty-dollar gold piece to re- main in the cash drawer. The robber, having marched Mr. Skelton out of the store, mounted his horse and fled. The alarm was at once given and William Hart started in pursuit. He overtook the criminal after a furious ride of about three miles and engaged him in a pistol duel. No harm resulted to either from the exchange of shots, but in the excitement of the' chase the robber dropped a mitten contain- ing $55 of the stolen money. By practicing a little deception while the robber was in the store Mr. Skelton succeeded in saving $700 of the firm's money which was stored in another place in the safe. For this crime no one was ever apprehended. In August of the following year a robbery was attempted at Jordan Valley. The affair was managed by a woman living near Jordan Valley and known as "Calamity Jane." She owned a stock ranch and was fairly well-to-do*. "Calamity Jane" owed the firm of Blackaby & Parks the sum of $450. August 3, 1899, she drove in from her ranch a small bunch of cattle and disposed of them to> a local buyer. She received a check for the sum due her, which, instead of taking toi the parties to' whom she was indebted, she cashed at another place. She then appeared at the store of her creditors and paid her indebtedness in bills. While in die HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 581 store she conducted herself in a peculiar and unusual manner, and her actions at last aroused the suspicions of Messrs. Blackaby and Park. When evening came they concealed armed men in various positions in and about the store and awaited developments. About nine o' clock Joh seph Lawton, a notorious character who had for some time made Jordan Valley his head- quarters, and a man named Jensen entered the store. Lawton was. in the lead, and he at once opened fire on the clerk. The concealed watch- men immediately brought their guns into ac- tion and Lawton fell dead before he had time to fire a second shot at the clerk. Jensen at- tempted to 1 escape and ran out of the store. In the doorway he was met by one of the out- side watch, at whom he discharged his revolver. The shot fortunately did not take effect and the watchman in turn emptied his shot gun at the fleeing robber. Although badly wounded, Jensen effected his escape. Shortly afterward, however, he was captured and punished. Evi- dence was not strong enough toi convict "Ca- lamity Jane" of instigating the crime and she escaped punishment. The only attempt at stage robbery in Mal- heur county of which there is any record was made Saturday night, September 29, 1.900. The Ontariof-Burns stage had just left the Fopian ranch en route for Burns when from the darkness a shot was fired across the road in front of the horses. At the word of command from the highwayman the driver drew rein and threw out all the mail sacks. There was one passenger on board, but he was not molested. When the mail sacks were thrown out the driver was ordered to go ahead. It was about five hours' drive to the first settlement. There the hold-up was reported and pursuit of the highwayman organized. He was never cap- tured and his identity was never established. He obtained nothing of consequence from the mail sacks, there being but one registered pack- age, containing merchandise. On the night of August 8, 1902, six un- known parties raided a settlement of Chinese miners at Mormon Basin in the northern part of the county. Thirteen dwellings, one store- house, two cellars, one barn, one slaughter house and one wood house were burned. Other depredations were committed and the China- men driven out of the settlement. Information of the outrage was communicated to the Chi- nese embassy at Washington. The embassy filed a formal complaint with the government and the department of state at once took the matter up with Governor Geer. Through a misunderstanding concerning the location of the attack, the district attorney at Baker City was instructed to proceed in the matter and to take such action as the facts in the case warranted. W r hen it was learned that the crime was not committed in Baker, but in Malheur county, instructions were at once issued by the governor to District Attor- ney William Miller, of Ontario, to commence investigations and to proceed against the crimi- nals. The following letter from Mr. Miller, addressed to Governor Geer, explains the situ- ation at the present writing and shows the atti- tude taken by the authorities of Malheur county toward the criminals : "Ontario:, Oregon, Sept. 2. — Dear Sir: — Last evening Thomas B. Littig, accompanied by one Charley Wing, a Chinaman, called on me and made formal complaint against six par- ties, whose names are unknown, charging them with the crime of arson in the burning of thir- teen dwellings, one storehouse, two cellars, one barn, one slaughter house and one woodhouse, on) the night of August 8th, last, at what is known as Mormon Basin, a mining camp in Malheur county, state of Oregon. I have drawn up three separate informations or affidavits and filed same with G. L. King, justice of the peace for this district, and warrants have been issued for the arrest of the guilty parties. I assure you that the authorities here will do all in their power to ascertain who the parties are, and if possible place them under arrest. Mr. 532 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Littig informs me that it will require some detective work to secure evidence, but this can be done." When this village was destroyed and the occupants driven out the Chinamen were en- gaged in working the Mormon Basin mines on shares for the owners. Thus far it has been impossible to learn the real object of the raid, and the names of the perpetrators of the act are still unknown. Malheur county has a past history the im- portant events of which we have attempted to chronicle. But she has a future history of far greater moment to make. The conditions are most favorable for rapid progress and high achievement. There is room on her hills and plains and in her valleys for half a million of prosperous people. There is wealth untold in her soil and in her metal mountains that will yield readily to patient industry. Men and women of moral and intellectual strength have acquainted themselves with her possibilities, have been identified with her past and will iden- tify themselves with her future. When the- miner and manufacturer, the capitalist, the husbandman and the stockman shall have expended their best efforts in the development of her wonderful resources, Malheur county will attain an intellectual, a financial and a po- litical greatness the equal of any commonwealth in the great northwest. Indications point to an early realization of these predictions. CHAPTER II. POLITICAL. Until the winter of 1887 the. thousands of square miles now embraced in Malheur county constituted the southern portion of Baker coun- ty. At that session of the legislature this county was created, and on February 17th, 1887, Governor Pennoyer approved the act. Under the provisions of that act the governor was empowered to< appoint the required corps of county officers, who were to- hold' office until the general election to be held in 1888. Gov- ernor Pennoyer 1 appointed the following citi- zens the first officers of Malheur county: F. K. Froinan, county judge; John F. Lackey and C. T. Locey, county commissioners; E. H. Test, county clerk; Henry C. Murray, sheriff; L. A. Sevey, county treasurer ; William Richie, assessor; W. G. Thomson, superintendent of schools; E. L. Bradley, surveyor. The county court held its first meeting on. Thursday, April 7, 1887, at Vale, the tempo- rary county seat, the full court being present. The first business transacted, after the officers had been sworn in, was the passage of a reso- lution authorizing the county clerk to corre- spond with some firm regarding the construc- tion of a county jail, the Baker county jail to be used meanwhile. Then the matter of a court house was taken up and bids were so- licited for furnishing a building suitable for a court house, said building to be situated at Vale. At the regular meeting of the court, May 2nd, the following road districts and election precincts were created, the boundaries of pre- cinct and district being identical : Ontario', Vale, Stone, Mormon Basin, Malheur, Carlisle, HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 583 Castle Rode, Bully, Three Forks and Jon-dan Valley. At this session bids were received and accepted for the erection of a jail to cost $4,500 and a vault to cost $125. No bids having been received for furnishing a court house, the coun- ty judge and the clerk were instructed to con- tract for the erection of a court house, which was completed that summer, L. B. Rinehart donating the site. This building cost $1,400. Robert Boswell was appointed stock inspec- tor for this county at the July term of court, and at this term the first county road was or- dered and subsequently accepted. This road was built along the Malheur river between the •county bridge at Vale and the Tom Glenn ford, several miles up the river. In October the court levied a county tax of 22 mills, the rate deemed necessary to raise $21,186, the amount estimated as required to pay the first year's expenses in the new county. A school tax of 5 mills was also levied. The first term of circuit court held in the newly created county was convened by Judge L. B. Ison, at Vale, June 27th. Morton D. Clifford was present as district attorney and A. Sicord served the court as bailiff. Princi- pally for the sake oif preserving a partial list of those who were in the county at the time, we herewith present the first panel of jurors drawn in the county : W. G, Pennington, G. W. Pierce, W. L. Logan, Joseph A. Madden, Isaac McCumsey, H. F. Norton, George W. Brumm, J. D. Loeey, W. C. Johnson, F. P. Smith, M. Crisman, Charles Becker, J. B. Mc- Laughlin, J. L. Yantis, J. G. Lamberton, H. M. Plummer, John McMahon, William Shel- by, L. Faulkner, W. L. Boston, J. S, Hunter, James Lynn, A. S. Moss, Emory Caleand Will- iam J. Kane. The first grand jury was con- stituted as follows: J. S. Hunter, foreman; W. L. Logan, Charles Becker, William Shel- by, M. Crisman, W. G. Pennington and Isaac McCumsey. The grand jury brought in five true bills in all, only one of which was disposed of, that of the state vs. Marquis Stewart, indicted jointly with Frederick Yangen for horse steal- ing. Stewart pleaded guilty and was sen- tenced to a three years' term in the peniten- tiary. Court was in session five days. As before stated, until 1887 Malheur coun- ty was a part of Baker county. Therefore its political history up to that time is identical with that of the latter named county and will be found in that chapter. The first election held in this county took place November 8, 1887, and was a special one, several amend- ments toi the state constitution being voted upon. In Malheur county the prohibition amendment received 149 affirmative and 226 negative votes ; that relating to the salaries of state officers received 105 affirmative and 242 nega- tive votes ; that relating to changing- the time of holding the general elections', 290 affirma- tive and 57 negative votes. Of course the permanent location of the county seat was the all absorbing issue at the first general election, held June 4, 1888. There were several strong contestants for the honor, Vale, Jordan Valley, Ontario, Paris (a town site laid out by enterprising ranchmen on the upper Malheur river), Grove City (another embryo town recently surveyed) and Baxter- ville (likewise a point selected by an ambitious settlement). However, the prize fell to Vale by the following vote: Vale, 215; Jordan Valley, 202; Ontario-, 163; Paris, 146; Grove City, 30; Baxterville, 2. From a party standpoint the first election resulted in an overwheming Democratic victory, as will be seen from the following vote taken from the official records : For congressman, Binger Hermann, Republican, 387, John M. Gearin, Democrat, 396, G. M. Miller, Prohibi- tionist, 3 ; supreme judge, John Burnett, Demo- crat, 407, W. P. Lord, Republican, 277', circuit judge, W. M. Ramsey, Democrat, 417, J. A. Fee, Republican, 362 ; district attorney, T. H. Crawford, Democrat, 445, J. L. Rand, Repub- lican, 334; representative to the legislature, 534 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES H. P. Napton, Democrat, 401, I. H. Holland, Republican, 366 ; sheriff, H. C. Murray, Demo- crat, 351, C. E. Bos well, Republican, 256, Thomas 1 Dryden, Independent, 162; clerk, E. H. Test, Democrat, 489, J. M. Harbour, Re- publican, 283 ; commissioners, Conrad Ryan and J. C. Skelton, Democrats, 678 and 418, re- spectively, C. T. Locey and W. G. Pennington, Republicans, 395 and 114, respectively; county judge, J. T. Clement, Democrat, 419, A. W. Kime, Republican, 347 ; treasurer, L. A. Sevey, Democrat, 478, A. J. Newman, Republican, 259; assessor, W. S. Lawrence, Democrat, 391, T. W. Halliday, Republican, 377; super- intendent of. schools, Frank Moore, Republi- can, 411, William Gribble, Democrat, 359; surveyor, Henry Hedges, Democrat, 4 — , John E. Johnson, Republican, 360; coroner, Larry Faulkner, Democrat, 4T4, J. H. Kime, Repub- lican, 357. At the November election the Republican candidate for President received 330 votes, the Democratic candidate 303 and the Prohibition- ist candidate 14. By the terms of the creating act, unless one town received a majority of all the votes cast for' the county seat at the first eleatiom, the two receiving the highest number should again be candidates for the honor at the second gener- al election, or that of 1890. So at the June election of 1890 Vale and Jordan Valley again came before the voters as aspirants for the county seat, the former winning by an over- whelming majority, the vote being as follows : Vale, 459; Jordan Valley, 138. This settled the county seat question, as the legislature has never granted the county another opportunity to again vote on this matter. The official vote for Malheur county at this election follows: For governor, H. S. Pen- noyer, Democrat, 362, Thompson, Republican, 337; secretary of state, W. M. Townsend, Democrat, 358, G. W. McBride, Republican, 343; state treasurer, G. W. Webb, Democrat, 356, Philip Metschan, Republican, 343 ; su- perintendent of public instruction, A. Leroy, Democrat, 352, E. B. McElroy, Republican, 3511 ; state printer, John O'Brien, Democrat, 3G1, F. C. Baker, Republican, 342; supreme judge, B. F. Bonham, Democrat, 364, R. S. Bean, Republican, 339; circuit judge, sixth ju- dicial district, M. D. Clifford, Democrat, 364, Robert Eakin, Republican, 331; district attor- ney, Charles F. Hyde, Democrat, 362, John L. Rand, Republican, 329; congressman, R. A. Miller, Democrat, 355, Binger Hermann, Re- publican, 348; joint state senator, Dod'son, Re- publican, 354, Chandler, Democrat, 340; state representative, Thomas B. Littig, Republican, 384, Henry Elms, Democrat, 299 1 ; sheriff, J. N. Fell, Democrat, 390, L. Cole, Republican, 298; Clerk, E. H. Test, Democrat, 430, J. S. Edwards, Republican, 258; assessor, W. C. Carleton, Republican, 377, R. W. Worsham, Democrat, 310; treasurer, J. W. Sevey, Demo^ crat, 346, A. W. Kime, Republican, 340; com- missioners, William' Cowgill, Republican, 403, A. W. Turner, Democrat, 282; superintendent of schools, J. D. Denman, Republican, 371, William Thomson, Democrat, 319; surveyor, John E. Johnson, Republican, 348, John R. Johnson, Democrat, 324; coroner, no vote re- corded. Although the Populists appeared strong in numbers throughout eastern Oregon in 1892, for some reason they did not become strong enough in this county to nominate a ticket until two years later. As between the Democrat and Republican parties, the county election of 1892 was about evenly divided. The vote in Malheur county follows : For congressman, J. H. Slater, Democrat, 295, W. R. Ellis, Republican, 240, J. C. Lude, Populist, 54, O. J. Bright, Prohibitionist, 30; supreme judge, A. S. Bennett, Democrat, 297, F. A. Moore, Republican, 257, W. H. Walker, Popu- list, 43, B. I. Welch, Prohibitionist, 25 ; attor- ney! g enera b G. E. Chamberlain, Democrat, 331, L. R. Webster, Republican, 304; circuit judge, M. D. Clifford, Democrat, 325, Harri- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 535 son Kelley, Republican, 265, William Green, Populist, 33; district attorney, C. F. Hyde, Democrat, 319, C. H. Finn, Republican, 259, G. Griffin, Populist, 40; member state board of equalization, W. G, Hunter, Democrat, 320, William Morfitt, Republican, 308; state repre- sentative, W. R. King, Democrat, 370, T. B. Littig, Republican, 257; sheriff, J. N. Fell, Democrat, 571, seven scattering votes; clerk, E. H. Test, Democrat, 365, S. L. Payne, Re- publican, 270; county judge, C. H. Brown, Re- publican, 322, H. C. Murray, Democrat, 313; commissioner, Webb Anderston, Republican, 341, M. W. Hart, Democrat, 293; treasurer, A. W. Kime, Republican, 394, J. W. Sevey, Democrat, 237; assessor, C. W. Piatt, Republi- can, 332, L, B. Boyle, Democrat, 299; super- intendent of schools, J. D. Denman, Republi- can, 394, W. C. Hoseason, Democrat, 240; surveyor, L. A. P'ickler, Democrat, 539, no opposition; coroner, Dr. G A. Pogue, 120, James Mahau, 42, several scattering. In November Harrison received 246 votes, Clev eland 265, Weaver 95 and the Prohibition candidate for President 19. The official returns for the election held June 4, 1894, follow : For governor, W. P. Lord, Republican, 313, William Galloway, Democrat, 241, Na- than Pierce, Populist, 238, James Kennedy, Prohibitionist, 17; secretary of state, H. R. Kincaid,) ^Republican, 323:, Charles Nickell, Democrat, 234, Ira Wakefield, Populist, 230, F. M. Kercher, Prohibitionist, 14; state treas- urer, Phil Metschan, Republican, 323, T>. L. Davidson, Democrat, 239, R. P. Caldwell, Populist, 220 ; Isaac N. Richardson, Prohibi- tionist, 18; superintendent of public instruction, G M. Irwin, Republican, 298, D. V. S. Reid, Democrat, 252, T. C. Jory, Populist, 208, Helen M. Harford, Prohibitionist, 24; state printer, W. H. Leeds, Republican, 314, John 0''Birien, Democrat, 232, George M. Orton, Populist, 225, James H. McKibben, Prohibi- tionist, 16; supreme judge, Charles E. Wolver- ton, Republican, 316, A. S. Bennett, Democrat, 253, R. P. Boise, Populist, 219, T. P. Hackle- man, Prohibitionist, 17; attorney general, C. M. Idleman, Republican, 303, M. L. Olmstead, Populist, 233, W. H. Holmes, Democrat, 226, C. J. Bright, Prohibitionist, 20; circuit judge, James A. Fee, Republican, 555, J. N. Hudson, Populist, 211 ; district attorney, John L. Rand, Republican, 337; J. M. Corrall, Democrat, 212, William 1 Parsons, Populist, 197; joint senator, Baker and Malheur counties, Will R. King, Populist, 434, C. A. Johns, Republican, 321; Representative, I. W. Hope, Republican, 386, R. A. Lockett, Democrat, 374; congressman, W. R. Ellis, Republican, 321, James H. Raley, Democrat, 245, Joseph Waldrop, Populist, 210-, A. F. Miller, Prohibitionist, 15; sheriff, T. W. Halliday, Republican, 306, James M. Duncan, Democrat, 298, W. S. Lawrence, Populist, 183; clerk, C. W. Piatt, Republican, 342, B. L. Miilligan, Democrat, 294, J. C. Skelton, Populist, 1 50 ; commissioner, Dennis Dyer, Re- publican, 331, G B. Glover, Democrat, 241, Joseph Whiteley, Populist, 209; assessor, F. G Wilson, Republican, 290, C. T,. Yantis,. Democrat, 241, W. G Pogue, Populist, 238; treasurer, James Weaver, Republican, 371, J. W. Sevey, Democrat, 224, E. F. Allen, Popu- list, 177; superintendent of schools, Susie W. Moore, Republican, 320, Mrs. R. Gj. Wheeler, Populist, 252, Theresa Keenan, Democrat,. 199; surveyor, L. A. Pickler, Democrat, 635, no opposition; coroner, Benjamin McDonald, Populist, 407, James Mahan, Democrat, 221. The now famous campaign of 1896 was fully as exciting in Malheur county as in other portions of eastern Oregon and the country generally. Curiously enough, however, while the Rqjublicans were given the largest vote at the June election and succeeded in electing narly all their candidates for county offices, at the presidential election Bryan received more than twice the number of votes McKinley did, or 654 votes to McKinley's 312. Each of the three parties had tickets in the county field, 536 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES but without going into details we present the vote as cast: For congressman, W. R. Ellis, Republican, 310, Martin Quinn, Populist, 260, A. S. Bennett, Democrat, 230, H. H. Northrup, Independent Republican, 61, F. McKercher, Prohibitionist, 18; supreme judge, R. S. Bean, Republican, 344, Joseph Gaston, Populist, 278, John Burnett, Democrat, 217; district attorney, ninth judicial district, C. W. Parrish, Repub- lican, 390, O. F. Buse, Populist, 236, C. A. Swede, Democrat, 223, M. Dustin, Independ- ent, 34 ; member state board of equalization, I. H. Holland, Republican, 422, G. W, Pierce, Populist, 392 ; state representative, I. W. Hope, Republican, 441, M. N. Fegtly, Populist, 387; county judge, J. G Lamberson, Populist, 351, B. C. Richardson, Democrat, 345, C. H. Brown, Republican, 196; sheriff, Charles E. Boswell, Republican, 310, J. N. Fell, Democrat, 293, J. D. Locey, Populist, 295 ; clerk, C. W. Piatt, Rquiblican, 422, E. C. Bunch, Derno>- crat 313, W. C. Carleton, Populist, 162; com- missioner, James Morfitt, Republican, 424, Sidney Knight, Democrat, 289, G. J. Gray, Populist, 81 ; treasurer, J. M. Weaver, Repub^- lican, 407, J. W. Sevey, Democrat, 266, John Doran, Populist, 198; assessor, A. G King, Democrat, 321, John Ward, Republican, 303, J. Henry Wilson, Populist, 251; superintend- ent of schools, F. J. Stanton, Republican, 340, W. J. Calloway, Democrat, 268, William Lem- on, Populist, 260; surveyor, J. S. Millikin, Populist, 389, L. A. P'ickler, Democrat, 356; coroner, F. K. Froman, Democrat, 365, R. N. Linebarger, Populist, 348. ■ As is well known, Malheur county ifur- nished the Fusionists with their candidate for governor in 1898, and this may account to. some extent for the failure of a single Republican candidate, Avith the exception of two, Dr. H. T. Hoople, candidate for coroner, and William Miller, candidate for district attorney, to re- ceive a majority of votes cast for any office. Mr. King resides at Ontario, where he enjoys a lucrative law practice. The Democrats and Populists joined their forces in this county as wdl as in the state. The vote cast in this county was : For gov- ernor, Will R. King, Fusionist, 555, T. T. Geer, Republican, 387, J. C. Luce, Populist, 27, H. M. Clinton, Prohibitionist, 25 ; secretary of state, H. R. Kincaid, Fusionist, 497, F. I. Dunbar, Republican, 405, Ira Wakefield, Popu- list, 39, H. C. Davis, Prohibitionist, 28; state treasurer, J. O. Booth, Fusionist, 476, C. S. Moore, Republican, 405, J. K. Sears, Populist, 60, Moses Votaw, Prohibitionist, 19; superin- tendent of public instruction, H. S. Lyman, Fusionist, 473, J. H. Ackerman, Republican, 408, J. E. Hosmer, Populist, 59, B. E. Emer- ick, Prohibitionist, 24; state printer, C. A. Fitch, Fusionist, 449, W. H. Leeds, Republi- can, 376, D. L. Grace, Populist, 53, T. S. Mc- Daniel, Prohibitionist, 19 ; supreme judge, W. M. Ramsey, Fusionist, 481, Frank A. Moore, Republican, 381, T. P. Haddeman, Prohibi- tionist, 28; attorney general, J. L. Story, Fu- sionist, 480, D. R. N. Blackburn, Republican, 389, C. G. Bright, Prohibitionist, 25 ; congress- man, C. N. Donaldson, Fusionist, 482, M. A. Moody, Republican, 392, H. E. Courtney, Pbpulist, 54, G. W. Ingalls, Prohibitionist, 25 ; representative, J. R. Blackaby, Fusionist, 528, W. A. Sisson, Republican, 343, G. L King, Silver Republican, 61 ; circuit judge, ninth dis- trict, M. D. Clifford, Fusionist, 548, C. W. Par- rish, Republican, 376, Thornton Williams, Independent, 13; district attorney, William Miller, Republican, 458, Errett Hicks, Fusion- ist, 421; member state board of equalization, J. R. Gregg, Fusionist, 492, William Hall, Re- publican, 374; joint senator with Baker county, William Smith, Fusionist, 526, J. H. Aitkin, Republican, 402 ; sheriff, Julian D. Locey, Fu- sionist, 517, Charles E. Boswell, Republican, 427; clerk, Aimer G. King, Fusionist, 498, C. W. Piatt, Republican, 345, J. W. Haworth, Silver Republican, 102; treasurer, E. R. Mur- ray, Democrat, 441, James M. Weaver, Repub- lican, 438, T. F. Oik, Silver Republican, 103: HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 537 •commissioner, G. W. Blanton, Fusionist, 447, R. H. Hart, Republican, 424; assessor, J. H. Wilson, Fusionist, 438, S. L. Payne, Republi- can, 43 8'; superintendent of schools, B. S. Milligan, Fusionist, 470, F. J. Stanton, Repub- lican, 420; surveyor, J. S. Millikin, Fusionist, 558; coroner, H. T. Hoople, Republican, 486, John Doran, Fusionist, 376. The tie vote be- tween Payne and Wilson was decided by draw- ing slips from an envelope, according to the law provided for the adjustment of such cases. Dame Fortune smiled upon Mr. Wilson as the lucky candidate. During the interim between the campaigns of 1898 and 1900 political sentiment in Mal- heur county, which was growing very rapidly dujring that period, experienced a decisive change. Whereas in 1898 the Fusionists were in control, in 1900 the Republicans were gen- erally victorious and at the presidential elec- tion in November Bryan received only three votes more than McKinley, the figures being, Bryan, 481, McKinley 478. Tihe vote in Malheur county follows: For representative, Harney and Malheur counties jointly, I. S. Geer, Republican, 472, W. D. Baker, Fusionist, 363, John L. Sitz, Independ- ent, 73 ; congressman, M. A. Moody, Republi- can, 400, William Smith, Fusionist, 344, J. E. Simmons, Populist, 101, Leslie Butler, Prohi- bitionist, 38; supreme judge, C. E. Wolverton, Republican, 427, Thomas G. Greene, Fusionist, 410, C. J. Bright, Prohibitionist, 46; food com- missioner, J. W. Bailey, Republican, 375, W. Schulmerich, Fusionist, 364, P. S. Kenady, Prohibitionist, 42 ; county judge, J. F. Stevens, Republican, 493, J. G. Lamberson, Fusionist, 428; sheriff, J. D. Locey, Fusionist, 646, J. A. Newton, Republican, 296; clerk, A. G. King, Fusionist, 569, S. L. Payne, Republican, 364; treasurer, J. C. Kelley, Republican, 525, Will- iam Plughoff, Fusionist, 406; assessor, W. H. Pullen, Republican, 498, M. N. Fegtly, Fu- sionist, 390; commissioner, T. A. Barton, Re- publican, 449, James G. Gartin, Fusionist, 441 ; superintendent O'f schools, B. L. Milligan, Fu- sionist, 662, no opposition; surveyor, J. S. Millikin, Fusionist, 614, no opposition; coro- ner, H. T. Hoople, Republican, 652, no oppo- sition. The last campaign is too recent to require any resume of party platforms. With the cam- paign of 1900 the Populist party went out of existence after its meteoric career, though traces of its belief are to be found in the plat- forms of both the old parties. It would be im- possible to say truthfully whether the dominant political party in this county at the present time is Republican or Democratic, so evenly is the populace divided. As in all new counties the struggle for supremacy between the leading towns has entered greatly into the political ac- tivities here and has more than once resulted in Ibitter factional contests between members of the same party. The official vote at the election of 1902 was as follows : For governor, George E. Chamberlain, Democrat, 549, W. J. Furnish, Republican, 543, A. J. Hunsaker, Prohibition- ist, 20, R. R. Ryan, Socialist, 18; secretary of state, F. I. Dunbar, Republican, 564, D. W. Sears, Democrat, 474, C. W. Barzee, Socialist, 37, N. A. Davis, Prohibitionist, 35 ; state treas- urer, Charles Moore, Republican, 552, Henry Blackman, Democrat, 477, T. S. McDaniel, Prohibitionist, 36, W. W. Myers, Socialist, 28; superintendent of public instruction, J. H. Ack- erman, Republican, 513, W. A. Wann, Demo- crat, 457, R. W. Kelsey, Prohibitionist, 31 ; at- torney general, A. M. Crawford, Republican, 526, J. H. Raley, Democrat, 438, T. H. Goyne, Prohibitionist, 25 ; state printer, J. R. Whitney, Republican, 503, James E. Godfrey, Democrat, 428, W. 'W. Brooks, Prohibitionist, 31, J. E. Hosmer, Socialist, 22 ; member of Congress, J. N. Williamson, Republican, 600, W. F. Butch- er, Democrat, 447, Dietrich T. Gerdes, Social- ist, 24, F. R. Spaulding, Prohibitionist, 21; United States senator, T. T. Geer, Republican, 518, C. E. S. Woods, Democrat, 407; joint 538 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES state senator with Baker county, John L. Rand, Republican, 561, William Smith, Democrat, 520; joint representative with Harney county, E. H. Test, Democrat, 600, Fred J. Palmer, Republican 511; sheriff, James E. Lawrence, Democrat, 625, A. L. Sproul, Republican, 484; clerk, W. G. Thomson, Democrat, 549, J. D. Eairman, Republican, 496; treasurer, J. C. Kelley, Republican, 673,. H. B. Donahey, Democrat, 402 ; assessor, W. H. Pullen, Re- publican, 565, Thomas J. Goodyear, Democrat, 464, Z. G. Wilson, Populist, 79; commissioner, G. W. Blanton, Democrat, 489, Sanford Emi- son, Independent, 371, Cassius H. Brown, Re- publican, 254; surveyor, J. R. Evans, Republi- can, 576, John S. Millikin, Democrat, 499; coroner, H. T Hoople, Republican, 542, R. O. Payne, Democrat, 500. CHAPTER III. SCHOOLS. The establishment of schools in a stock raising 'community is usually a slow and diffi- cult task. The reason for this condition of affairs is to be found, not in the apathy or in- difference of these people in educational mat- ters, for the love of knowledge is inherent in the whole American people, but rather in a lack of opportunity. Settlers in these regions are generally widely separated, often many miles apart, and because of this it is almost impossi- ble to> gather enough pupils to form a school. The difficulty in organizing schools in mining communities is also well known. Here the rea- son is not due to lack of population, but to the fact that there are usually few, if any, families in new mining camps and the nature of the work is so exciting and exhilarating that the finer things in life are relegated toi the back- ground for the time being in the rush for wealth. As soon as such settlements as we have mentioned begin to> grow and assume perma- nency, however, the little district school is established at the earliest possible opportunity, and from thence on the general progress of the community may be accurately judged by a reference to the condition of its educational institutions. Then, as settlement gradually continues and the industries become more sta- ple, school houses dot the land and higher educational facilities are provided by the es- tablishment of high schools, academies and colleges. Malheur county was settled by the two classes of people heretofore named, miners and stockmen. The former settled the mining dis- tricts in the extreme northern portion of the county as early as 1862 and 1863; the latter turned the first stock loose over this range a few years afterward. Such was the sparse- ness of population and the slow growth of the region, however, that the first public school of which we have any authentic record was not opened until the year 1869. This district embraced all of that portion of Baker county lying south of Eldorado. William Morfitt was active in securing its formation, and served as clerk of the board for several years. The school house was a little 'frame building and stood in the old town of Eldorado. The first HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 539 term was held in 1869 and was taught by Terry Tuttle, who it is interesting to note was the first superintendent of schools of Union county. Mr. Morfitt says this first term lasted three months. The next term was taught by a teacher named Ison. Mattie Smith and Belle Small were other teachers of this first school. Soon after the founding of Malheur City this district was abandoned and a new one created at the latter place, to which the Eldorado school was transferred. This, perhaps, accounts for the fact that there is no official record of this district on the books of the superintendent, the first school district being given there as the one known now as District No. 1. This district embraced the settlement on Willow creek, and the school house stood about two> miles south of where Cell is now situated. On the school records of Baker county it was known as district No. 12, and the date of its organization is given as January 25, 1875. William G. Thomson, the first su- perintendent of schools of Malheur county, and at present county clerk, taught this pio- neer school. "The school house was a small frame struc- ture," he says, "rudely fitted up, and I had probably twenty-five scholars of all ages, sizes and dispositions. I guess we had in our little school every text book ever issued from the press, as I could not begin to name the differ- ent authors. Wilson's, McGuffey's and Towne's readers were among the books we used. I taught this school during the first term: and held four months, for which the directors paid mle $60 a month." District No. 18, of Baker county, was or- ganized December 10, 1877, on Sucker creek, and is now known as district No. 2, of Malheur county. The fourth district school to be estab- lished within the confines of this county was organized in Jordan Valley on January 3, 1878, and is now known as district No. 3. The rec- ords fail to give the dates of the organizing of Nos, 4 and 5, but this took place some time between 1878 and 1881. These schools were situated on the Malheur river near Vale and at Ironside. District No. 6 was first known as No. 23, of Baker county, and was organized at Westfall in 1881. District No. 7 is now abandoned, having been consolidated with N0 1 . 24 and was organized March 10, 1882, in the settlement above Vale. Ontario was the next community to establish a school, this district coming into existence September 15, 1883, as district No. 30, of Baker county. Then district No: 32, now No. 9, was organized,' be- ing located in the extreme southern portion of the county. No. 10 is situated on Willow creek, near Dell, and the records give the date of its formation, as March 5, 1885. No. 11 was or- ganized at Beulah, December 20, 1885; Nos. 12 and 13, in 1886; and No. 14, January 20, 1887. Thus we have traced briefly the history of the Malheur county schools up to the forma- tion of the county in 1887. As will be seen, there were fourteen districts cut off from Ba- ker county. William G. Thomson was ap- pointed superintendent of schools by Govern- or Pennoyer and served in that capacity faith- fully until the first general election, in 1886, when Frank Moore was elected to that po- sition. It is to be regretted that the earliest- detailed report oi the county's schools to be found in the superintendent's office is for the year 1895. From a comparative table given in one of the late publications issued by the state- superintendent's office, however, we learn that the enrollment in the Malheur schools in 1887 was 278, or an average of nearly twenty pu- pils to each district. In 1895 the fourteen dis- tricts had become twenty-three and there were over 1,000 persons of school age in the county, most of whom were enrolled. In order that the growth of the schools, during these early years may be the more easily traced we will give a summary of the report: of Superintendent F. J. Stanton for the year ending in the spring of 1897. By this report. 540 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Ave see that there were at that time 1,129 P er " sons of school ag-e in the county, of whom 756 were enrolled, 390 male and 366 female pupils. Thirty-one teachers were employed, twenty- two women and nine men, of whom nine held state certificates' ; seven, first grade ; six second grade; and six, third grade. The mien drew average salaries of $51, and the women eight dollars less. The average school year taught was four months. The value of school grounds and 'buildings in 1897 was $ I 5>4 2 5! furniture, $2,778; and apparatus, $1,168. Flour school houses were built during the year, costing in all $2,615, making a total of seventeen in the county. To maintain these schools required $9,998.54, of which $5,446 went to the teachers. When the present superintendent, B. L. Milligan, assumed charge of the county's edu- cational affairs in July, 1898, there were thirty- four numerical districts, or more than twice the number there were in 1887. Some of these, however, had been abandoned or consolidated, so that really there were not thirty- four active districts. During Mr. Milligan's occupancy of the office eight new districts have been created, making a total of forty-two, six of which do not maintain schools. From 1 Mr. Milligan's last report to the state superintendent, that for the year end- ing in March, 1902, we find there are 1,556 persons of school age in the county, 815 male and 741 female, and that of this number 1,061, or nearly seventy per cent., are enrolled as pu- pils. The average daily attendance for the past year has been 748. Forty-two teachers, twelve mien and thirty women, are employed to teach in the thirty-six public schools maintained in the county, and that the standard of the teach- ers is high may be seen from the fact that of these forty-two* teachers, twelve hold state cer- tificates, nine first grade; six second grade; and five, third grade. Thirty of these teachers are enough interested in their work to be read- ers of educational journals, thereby keeping abreast of the latest and best methods employed by the highest skilled teachers in the country. Two new school houses were built during the year, so that there are now thirty-two' school- houses, in which an average term of six and a quarter months is taught. Besides these pub- lic schools there are four private ones, attended by thirty-two pupils. There are no parochial schools or private academies in the county. Financially the county schools are in excel- lent condition, there being a balance of several thousand dollars in the treasury. The esti- mated value of school property is $23,000. Last year $23,600 were collected for school purposes and $15,752 expended, the teachers receiving $12,791 of this latter amount. Nine of the districts levied a special district tax av- eraging nine and one-sixth mills each. Comfortable and commodious schoolhouses are ever a necessary adjunct to good schools, and in possessing both of these Malheur coun- ty is indeed fortunate. There is but one log schoolhouse in the county, that in district No. 9, on the Nevada state line, while Ontario' now possesses an $11,000 brick building, and Vale one of the two stone schoolhouses in the state. Nyssa, Malheur City and Jordan Valley each have provided very comfortable buildings, which are soon to< be enlarged. At the present there is no' county high school in the county, but there are two district high schools, one at Ontario and one at Vale, established during the past summer, while the school at Malheur City has been doing ad- vanced grade work for some time. With these two regularly established high schools, this county is unusually well equipped for educa- tional work and nothing- augurs so> well for a bright future of the county's schools and better illustrates the interest taken by citizens here in the work. The establishement of these high- er institutions of learning- means that the youth of this county need not go beyond their home for a higher education than that afforded by the public schools and is a strong inducement HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 54t for the boys and girls to take up this ad- vanced work. Superintendent" Milligan is an experienced and able teacher and to his deep personal inter- est in the schools and his energy and enthusi- asm in building up the system, much credit is due for the present excellent standard main- tained in this county. The schools must ever lead the van of progress and all that works for modern civilization. CHAPTER IV. MALHEUR'S BUSINESS CENTERS. ONTARIO. First impressions of the general character of a county or state are not infrequently formed through a more intimate acquaintance with its larger towns and cities. In a general way a knowledge of the climatic conditions which prevail in surrounding areas, the scenic fea- tures of the country, the character of its people, the nature and productiveness of the soil, is gained through intercourse with the merchants and professional men of the business centers. The restless spirit of man impels him to board the transcontinental fast express at some sta- tion in the overcrowded east. His thoughts have for a long time followed the "Star of. Empire" in its westward course. He has gained some knowledge of the west and his ideas, although crude, are picturesque and fascinating. He believes that its climate, soil and business advantages will combine their greatest possibilities that he may quickly come into possession of a goodly inheritance, when he may rest from the more active efforts of life and enjoy its sweeter, better and more elevat- ing gifts. The startling speed of the fast ex- press is in harmony with his thoughts. His impatience brooks no delay and when at length the "valley-plains" of the Mississippi and the rough range of the Rockies have been left far to the eastward and he stands on the railroad, platform of some western town which by pre- arrangement he has selected as his initial point of venture, there is no abatement of urgency. The areas of the west that are peculiarly adapt- ed to the wants of the homeseeker are so vast in extent that but few men can undertake to> familiarize themselves, by personal inspection,, with the special features of more than a com- paratively small division of the whole. The new arrival makes the village or town which marks the first stop in his long journey, his base of operations. He looks it over and is favorably or unfavorably impressed as 1 , the case may be. He meets the business and pro- fessional men in his quest for information and the locality gains or loses in his estimation as he is greeted cordially or with indifference. A town, though small, with neat homes, with attractive stores, and well kept streets, whose citizens in general and whose business and pro^ fessional men in particular are cordial and companionable, appeals, as no other influence can, to the better class of people who come from from the eastern states in search of newer fields, better homes and more congenial sur- roundings. Under these influences the home seeker gains favorable impressions, his store of 542 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES information grows rapidly, his interest heightens, his faith in the future of the coun- try is established and in natural sequence he forms, attachments which eventually result in its becoming his permanent abiding place. In none of the business centers of south- eastern Oregon will the travel-stained tourist who is seeking a western home, find more to interest and to please than at Ontario, the me- tropolis of Malheur county. One can only be favorably impressed with the general appear- ance of the town. Evidences of thrift and en- terprise are on all sides. Its citizens are affable and enthusiastic in their devotion to local and surrounding interests. In 1900 there was a population of 445. In July, 1902, this had increased to 1 about 700. All lines of business are well represented. Some of the most successful men in mercantile pursuits in eastern Oregon are located here and an enor- mous volume of business is yearly transacted over their counters and in their offices. In professional circles talented and capable men are found with a fund of interesting lore which is graciously imparted to. the solicitous stran- ger. In social circles are entertainment and instruction of a very high order. A superior tone of moral sentiment is evidenced in the people one meets. The fraternal spirit per- meates all circles. Insignia of numerous fra- ternal organizations are visible when one min- gles with the populace at public functions. The following are the chartered lodge organ- izations having good membership rolls : Ar- cadia Lodge, No. it 6, A. E. and A. M. ; On- tario Lodge, No. 90, I. O. O. F. ; Armour Lodge, No. 69, K. of P. ; Alvin P. Ovry Post, No. 21, G. A. R!. ; Arcadia Camp, No. 364, W. of W. ; Malheur Lodge, No. 97, A. O. U. W. ; Beatrice Lodge, No. 82, Daughters of Rebekah; Star Chapter, No. 69, Eastern Star. There is also a Chapter of the Rathbone Sisters, Ontario is also, to- be credited with an ag- gressive interest in religious progress and all who contemplate future residence in the city may feel assured of finding here advantages in this direction equal to those of a great many larger places. There is an organization of the Methodist Episcopal church, whose efficient pastor is Rev. John W. Harvey. This so^ ciety occupies a commodious and comfortable house of worship, which was erected in 1897. It is pleasantly situated in the southern part of town and in size is 46 by 24 feet, with a lecture room whose dimensions are 24 by 16 feet. The Baptists are also organized. The Rev. Thomas Spight ministers to their spiritual desires. He is an earnest worker, a pleasing and forceful speaker. Under his care the church is growing and its influence has be- come one of the positive factors in establish- ing for the town a high moral standard. The Baptists have not as yet erected a place of wor- ship, but the building is one of the possibilities of the near future. They are at present using the Congregational church. This house was built a number of years ago>, but at present the Congregationalists are without a pastor. The organization is kept up, however, and though not very strong at present, it will undoubtedly grow and maintain its present standing as one of the agencies whose mission is to elevate the moral sentiment of the community. The Ad- ventists have quite a numerous following and have built a church edifice that is a credit to the town. To its church membership Ontario is very largely indebted for those influences which have proven so effective in attracting here the more intelligent and progressive class of home builders. As is universally the case in pioneer settle- ments in America, the church has followed the school at Ontario. It is an interesting- fact of history that in the gradual development of the country, from the Alleghany mountains to the Pacific coast, the first subject to secure the consideration of new communities is that of educational facilities. In 1894, six years be- fore the city was incorporated, and when there HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 543 were only about fifty persons of school age in the district of which the town formed a part, bonds to the amount of $5,000 (which was five per cent, of the taxable property of this district) were issued for the purpose of erecting a schoolhouse. In 1902 additional bonds aggregating $6,000 were issued and the school building was doubled in size. The structure is of brick and, standing on a com- manding site west of the town's center, pre- sents an imposing and enduring appearance. The building and furniture represent an invest- ment of $12,500. The patrons of the district may surely be commended for their efforts in furthering the intellectual progress of the younger generation and the building is de- cidedly a credit tO' all, epitomizing, as it does, the advanced ideas and the progressive senti- ment of the people. The district was formed in 1883, when Malheur was a portion of Baker county. At its organization in 1887, the entire school population of Malheur county was but 287. At the present time in this district alone there are 262 persons of school age. Great care has always been taken in selection of instructors to be placed in charge of the schools and to this wise precaution is due much of the success that has invariably attended their man- agement. During the school year of 1902-03 Professor W. J. Peddicord will be in charge as principal. He will be assisted in the vari- ous grades by Miss Minnie Smith, Mrs. Retta Payne, Miss Emma J. Wade, and Miss Mary B. Locey. A movement is in progress look- ing to the establishment of a district high school, with every indication pointing to an early consummation of the people's intent. Such an institution will greatly enhance the educational advantages and when it is estab- lished, Ontario will become still more inviting as a fixed abiding place, from a homeseeker's point o-f view. Co-essential with the public schools in all communities, as educational agencies and as factors in the general progress, are the news- papers. Of these there are two published at Ontario — the Ontario Argus, which is most ably edited by Don Carlos Boyd and Judge James T. Clement, and the Ontario Democrat, whose popular and competent editor is William R'. King. The influence for good which is exer- cised by these publications, the effectual sup- port contributed to all worthy movements of a public nature, the real benefits accruing to the city by reason of the good name they give it throughout the country, cannot well be es- timated. The men of energy and force of character who have brought to successful consummation all public enterprises, who have organized the fraternal orders, who have built the churches and who constitute the membership of the various religious organizations, who have made the schools what they are to-day, and who' stand ever ready to give moral and ma- terial support to> any measure promising the general advancement of the people's interests, are found in all the walks of the city's life; in the shop and in the store, in the counting room, in the bank, in the office of the merchant and that of the professional man, where intelli- gence, integrity, enterprise, mental and physi- cal activity are absolute essentials. Beside the clergymen already mentioned, the roll of pro^ fessional men includes the names of William Miller, William' R. King, W. E. Lees, John Michel and A. W. Soliss, attorneys at law; G. A. Pogue and Rolla O. Payne, physicians and surgeons; M. Pefferle, dentist. A real estate agency is maintained by W. E. Lees, an insurance and real estate agency by J. J. Cort- right. Other real estate firms are those of Kennedy and Millikin, and Butler and Lackey. G. L. King is agent for several insurance companies; he is also the agent of the Burns- Ontarioi stage line, which operates daily stages between these two points by way of Vale, Westfall and Drewsey, carrying mail, passen- gers and express. The line is owned and opera- ted by S. S. Williams. Two telephone lines af- 544 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES ford easy communication with all points. The Malheur Company's lines run from Ontario to Westfall, while the Bell Telephone Company's long distance lines bring the remote cities and towns within call. Mrs. J. E. Olliver manages the central offices of both lines. Two' east bound and two west bound passenger, mail and express trains, stop at Ontario each day on the Oregon Short Line railroad. The numerous connections' which this line makes with other roads render the town easily ac- cessible from all parts of the country. E. P. Shaw has charge of the company's affairs at this podnt, having been installed as agent Jan- uary i, 1902. There are twoi ferryboats operated on Snake river; one south and one east of town, each about one and one-half miles distant from the business center. All mails are handled by A. L. Sproul, postmaster. A very considerable amount of matter passes through this office and the business of the office is on the increase, as will be learned by reference to Mr. Sproul' s comparative state- ment issued February 13, 1901. The receipts for the year 1894 footed $618.75, while those for 1900 were $1,634.71, showing a gain of $1,015.96 in annual receipts after a lapse of six years. The Ontario* hotel is conducted by Frank Smith and Mrs. Etta Stephenson. This is an imposing and modern structure with thirty rooms besides a; large parlor, dining room, office and billiard room'. It is a much larger hotel than is usually found in towns of this size and is one of its live institutions, adding much to the substantial appearance of the city. The Brown hotel is managed by Thomas Fiser. There is' also a handsome two-story brick room- ing house owned by J. M. Brown. The ac- commodations afforded by these houses are ex- cellent and the traveling public has only words of praise for the management. A Chinaman named Jim Roaa conducts a restaurant and is well patronized. Hung Chung is a Chinese laundryman. Mrs. Mary Lackey has a confec- tionery and bakery. Confections are also sold by J. J. Cortright and at the Ontario confec- tionery, owned by F. M. Gibler, who has, in addition, a large stock of notions. In other lines there is a photograph studio, where excel- lent work is done by J. P. Kidd; R. Bolan is a scenic painter and taxidermist; John Bab- cock and J. A. Draper are contractors and builders ; John Landingham is proprietor of the Ontario Transfer line; Noe and Utley, and D. T. Wilkerson have neat barber shops; house painting and paper hanging are done by Robert Turner; he also carries a stock of wall paper. The Oregon Forwarding Company, of which Fred J. Keisel is president and E. A. Rieger is manager, handles general merchan- dise and implements. It has four warehouses and its business transactions amount to $150,- 000 annually. In 1900 it handled 1,500,000 pounds of wool. E. A. Fraser and K. T. Hus- ted, of the Malheur Mercantile Company,handle general merchandise and farming implements, E. A. Fraser is manager of the company. Boyer Brothers & Company handle general mer- chandise. Griffin and Staples are clothing merchants. The Ontario pharmacy is con- ducted by Snyder and Newman. The R. J. Stone Drug Company was established in 1901. The Cash Racket store, conducted by George H. Shearer, contains a large assortment of notions. F. M. Gibler is also a notion dealer. There is a furniture store owned and managed by A. Zimmerman. Lumber yards are owned by L. Adam and by J. M. Babcock. James Farley runs the Ontario stables and Carter and Johnson are also> doing a good livery business. Harness and saddles are sold by William Shel- by; jewelry by W. E. Loomis; meats by C. E. Belding; coal by Madden Brothers ; George W. Lyells & Son, I. H. Moore and George Cham- bers are blacksmiths. Two millinery establish- ments have 'been opened, one by Miss Carrie Newman, and the other — the Chicago) Millin- ery parlors — by Simpson and Westrope. Brick are manufactured by David Wilson,. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 545 whose yard is one and a half miles east of town, and by William R. Shimp, who is located one and one-half miles to the northeast. The Bank of Ontario was established in 1899. Its capital stock is $40,000. June io, 1901, its undivided profits were $2,159.93 and deposits, $107,106.75. Stephen Carver was the founder of this bank and is now president. J. R. Blackaby is vice president and C. W. Piatt, cashier. Directors are J. L. Cole, L. Adam, Robert Van Gilse, T. J. Brosnan. The volume of business transacted by this institu- tion is clearly indicated by the figures quoted above. The bank enjoys the confidence of the people and has a promising future. The First National Bank was established June 6, 1901. The capital stock is $25,000. July 16, 1902, the undivided profits were $501.28; deposits, $181,165.25. During the first three days of its existence over $30,000 were received on deposit. The officers oi the bank are as follows : John D. Daly, president; M. Alexander, vice-president; E. H. Test, cashier ; E. M. Clark, assistant cashier. Stock- holders are John D. Daly, 'M. Alexander, E. H. Test, N. U. Caq>enter, William Jones, Ab- ner Robbins's estate, William Miller, Frank R. Coffin, B. F. Olden, Thomas Turribull. Although but recently established, the bank is already doing an immense business, its offi- cers and stockholders are men of integrity and worth, well known and highly respected, and it is destined to> become one of the permanent in- stitutions of southeastern Oregon. The city officers of Ontario are as follows : Mayor, William Miller; recorder, J. P. Kidd; treasurer, C. A. Martin; justice, G. L. King; marshal, J. M. Bevel; councilmen, L. Adam, A. L. Sproul, V. B. Staples, J. A. Draper, J. M. Brown, D. B. Purcell. Ontario was so named at the request oi James W. Virtue, one of its founders, who wished thus to honor the place of his nativity — Ontario, Canada. In 1883 William Morfitt, Daniel Smith, James W. Virtue and Mrs. 35 Mary Richardson, all of Baker City, exercised desert land rights under United States laws and took up four adjoining sections of desert land. Filings were made June 11, 1883, at Baker City. The de- scription of the section taken by James W. Virtue, on a portion of which the town of Ontario has been built, is as follows : N. E. Quarter of section nine, S. E. Quarter of sec- tion four, S. W. Quarter of section three, N. W. Quarter of section ten; Township No. 18 South of Range No. 47, East of Willamette Meridian. The east two-thirds o>f this section was subsequently deeded to the Idaho-Oregon Land Improvement Company, of which Abra- ham Caldwell was president. This was done in order to- locate a railroad station on the land, Mr. Caldwell having been granted certain con- cessions by the Oregon Short Line, which vest- ed in him the authority to establish stations along the line of that road. The five individuals who are named above were all participants irh the act of locating, platting and thus founding; the city of Ontario. Later the territory which had been deeded to the Idaho-Oregon Land Improvement Company was purchased by- David Wilson, who is now one of the most ex- tensive real estate owners in the city. In 1884 William Morfitt concluded a contract with the Nevada Ditch Company by which water was brought onto the land described, and from this source the city is still supplied with water for irrigating purposes. The period of development dates from 1884,. when William Morfitt erected the frame build- ing now occupied by the R. J. Stone Drug Company. This building was originally 25 by 60 feet, and in, it Mr. Morfit resided for' a time and also> carried a small stock of general merchandise. A postoffice was secured the same year and Mr. Morfitt was appointed postmaster. The next to build was James- Richardson, also in 1884. The pioneer busi- ness firm was that of T. T. Danilson and S. H. Oliver, wh 01 commenced operations in 1884. 546 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES They dealt in general merchandise and for a time occupied a tent near the (present site of the depot. A store building was soon erected, however, into which they moved their stock before the close of the year. About the same time a lumber yard was opened by James T. Clement. The Scott House was opened on Thanksgiving day. This was made the occa- sion of a general gathering and a great cele- bration. The Caldwell brass band was pres- ent, accompanied by a large delegation of citi- zens from that town. Besides these there were present several hundred people from Mal- heur, Upper Willow, Weiser, Huntington, Payette and the surrounding country, to dedi- cate the border railroad town's hostelry, some •coming a distance of fifty miles. The festivi- ties closed with ai grand ball and supper. Among the earlier business men were A. W. Porter, who established a drug store, Will- iam Shelby, who sold harness and saddles, and A. L. Sproul, who- erected the first livery stable. The first blacksmith shop was built by Joseph Durr. Having completed the building, 'Mr. Durr descended a ladder from the roof, sat down upon the lower round and died. The shop was afterwards occupied by Robert Visel. Among others who located here in early days were James T, Clement, first county judge, and E. H, Test, who* came in 188:4; R. S. Rutherford and Mrs, Mary Welch in 1885; H. T. Husted in 1886; E. A. Fraser and Josiah Carter in 1888. The Oregon Short Line was built from Granger to Huntington in 1883. A station was established here in the winter of 1884-85 and G. L. King came from Soda Springs., Wy- oming, to take charge. Here are established the largest stock yards on the O. S. L. R. R. Nearly all the stock and wool shipments made from Harney and Malheur counties are for- warded by the O. S. L. from Ontario. In June, 1899, tne average of the daily shipments of cattle alone was valued at $25,000, a total of $750,000 for the month. The railroad was short five hundred ears on its cattle orders. Two or three trainloads were forwarded daily and cattle came from 1 as far inland as Crook county. This: month's record may be taken as a fair indication of the stock shipments made here every year. In 1885 Fred J. Keisel established a general store with E. H. Test as manager, in a building which still stands, an old land mark, on the east side of Main street. In 1886 the stock came into possession of William L. Geary & Company, Mr. Keisel retaining an interest and Mr. Test continuing a® manager. Another change took place in 1890, when the Keisel, Shilling & Danilson Company was formed. The business was conducted un- der this firm name until 1896, when there was a reorganization and it became the Oregon Forwarding Company, Fred J. Keisel, presi- dent, and E. H. Test, manager. The R. D. Greer Mercantile Company was organized in 1896. In 1900 this became the Malheur Mer- cantile Company. E. A. Fraser and H. T. Husted are proprietors. Mr. Fraser is business manager. These two firms do an immense business and to them is very largely due the credit of making Ontario the center of a very extensive trade. Some idea of the extent of the transactions of these two' firms may be learned from a statement of the fact that as long ago. as. May, 1897, their ag- gregate receipts for the month were something over 900,000 pounds of freight. Another of the earlier business houses which has a very large trade is that of Boyer Brothers & Com- pany, established in 1895. The Hotel Ontario was built by David Wilson, its present owner, in 1895, bait was not opened until July, 1897, when C. E. Belding, of Portland, took charge. The year 1894 was a building era; several brick stores and a number of residences were erected. The year 1899 witnessed '.another building boom. During this year David Wil- son constructed several brick store - buildings and an opera house. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 547 Ontario has fortunately suffered but little front fires. The livery barn of Morfitt & Cole was destroyed in 1897 and in 1899 seven store buildings were destroyed, entailing a total loss to property owners of $12,050. In November, 1 90 1, Ed Ashley and Company, of Weiser, under contract with the city sunk a drill 1,100 feet at a point on Main street near the Hotel Ontario. The citizens were in quest of artesian water, but instead found oil and natural gas. No practical use has been made of this well, but it is believed by experienced oil and gas men that if it were properly piped natural gas would flow in sufficient quantities to light the streets, business houses and residences of the city. Ontario was incorporated February 11, 1899. Since 1896 improvements made have cost about $50,000. It is located on a rich sage brush plain in the forks of the 'Snake and Mal- heur rivers, the latter river flowing into the former two miles below the city. The foothills of distant mountain ranges are outlined on all sides. The elevation is 2,157 feet. A rich agricultural and stock country, with a radius of 150 miles is directly tributary to the town as a shipping and supply point. All the essen- tials necessary to permanence and substantial growth are established conditions. As has been previously stated, the town is in many respects a very desirable place of residence. In 1897 the authorities purchased trees enough to plant each side of Main street and the citizens turned out and planted them. These trees now make of the principal business thoroughfare an avenue of shade, and add greatly to general appearances. The summer's heat is not intense and the winter's cold is not severe. Climatic conditions are most favorable. Tributary in- terests cannot be excelled. Shipping facilities are excellent. The citizens are a unit in sup- port of all public measures bearing the im- press of excellence. Men of mettle, sound judgment, strict integrity and keen foresight have put their shoulders to the wheel and it is a foregone conclusion that Ontario 1 must event- ually become one of the most enterprising and populous cities of eastern Oregon. VALE. To one who is accustomed to the green tim- ber and grass of the eastern states, the sage brush covered hills and plains of southeastern Oregon are not particularly inviting, but to those who have lived in Colorado and Utah and who have watched these arid regions blos- som and bloom with luxuriant vegetation at the magic touch of water, to> them the Mal- heur river valley and its numerous tributaries present an unexcelled field for the production of wealth and beauty. All is ready for the wizard's touch and wherever his liquid hand is laid, there will spring up the richest and love- liest of verdure. Gradually this wonderful transformation is taking place and it requires but. ordinary vision to foresee what the near future has in store for this fertile region. Here, nestling peacefully in this valley, about fifteen miles above the confluence of the Snake and! Malheur rivers, and on the banks of the latter, is situated Vale, the thriving county seat of the prosperous county of Mal- heur. The high bluffs of the river rise pro- tectingly to the southeast of the town, while on the north is a low range of hills forming the divide between the Malheur river and Willow creek. The valley makes a slight bend here to' the southward, spreading out far to the east and west and traversed throughout its entire length by life dispensing irrigating canals, whose banks on either side are brightened by prosperous and highly cultivated farms. Of this excellent territory Vale is the com- mercial center. While possessing probably not more than two hundred inhabitants, the town does a large business and as the sur- rounding country grows in population and wealth, so must Vale. Ontario is the nearest 548 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES railroad point, fifteen miles eastward, but the Ontario-Burns stage line passes through the town, the company running two stages daily over this route, one westward and one eastward. Here, also, is located the only flouring mill in the county. This mill was erected in 1897 by the Vale Milling Company at a cost of $12,000, and has a capacity of fifty barrels a day. A large canal taken from the Malheur river furnishes the operating power. The settlement at Vale is one of the oldest in the county, the mining camps in the northern portion alone laying claim to pioneership. Just which is the oldest we are unable to say but probably it is Mormon Basin. However, as early as 1864, Jonathan Keeney had erected a small house on the bank of the Malheur river just south of the present site of Vale, for the accommodation of passing emigrants and miners on their way to. the Powder river and Boise mines. This historic old emigrant road, forming one link in the line of travel to the far northwest, entered the county near the mouth of the Boise river, crossed the Malheur river at Keeney' s place and left the county by way of Willow creek and Tub Springs. Keeney maintained this rude and primitive hostelry until 1870, when L. B. Rinehart, a cattleman who had recently come to this region, purchased the place and the squatter rights of Keeney. Two years later Mr. Rinehart built what has since been known as the "old stone house." This is a substantial stone structure of commodious size and served both the pur- pose of a home for the Rhiehart family and as a resting place for travelers over this route. A grand New Year's ball, given January 1, 1873, marked the occupation of this house, which is still standing and used as the Hotel Vale. The Dalles and the Willamette valley and Cascade mountain wagon roads also' in- tersected at this point and as considerable travel passed over them during the 'seventies, Mr. Rinehart's home became an important station. Until 1883 the old stone house occupied the site of the future town in solitary peace, but in the spring of the year, Henry C. Murray opened a small store in connection with the old inn, then in his charge. Mr. Rinehart had, during the first years of his occupancy, attempted to maintain a trading post, an effort which failed, however, for lack of sufficient patronage. Mr. Murray kept the store only a few months, selling in the fall to R. N. Line- barger, who in turn disposed of his interests to L. A. Sevey and I. H. Holland the following year. This same year, 1884, also witnessed the establishment of a postoffice here, the name Vale being bestowed upon the settlement by reason of its natural location in the valley. H. C. Murray was appointed the first post- master. The country was now settling very rapidly and it soon became apparent that this portion of Baker county would in the near future be cut off and organized as a new county. In 1887 the growing desire of the inhabitants of this region for county division was acceded to by the legislature and Vale was designated as the temporary county seat. Meanwhile the Malheur river, Willow and Bully creek val- leys, all tributary to Vale, had become well settled and the little hamlet had grown to be an important trading center. The impetus given the town by its selection as the county seat was of course considerable and many new business enterprises were added to the nucleus already formed. The selection of Vale as the permanent county seat by the general elections of 1888 and 1890 not only the more strongly established the permanency of the town, but also strengthened it commercially. Its growth since then has been steady and substantial,, though slow. The town site of Vale was, until 1887, un- patented government land, the title to the ground being in dispute between L. B. Rine- hart and the Willamette Valley and Cascade Mountain Wagon Road Company. Mr. Rine- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 549 hart claimed the land by right of priority of settlement, he having held it by squatter's rights until the government survey in the early 'seventies, when he filed a pre-emption claim. By act of Congress, the Road Company was •entitled to all alternate sections of land lying within three miles of each side of the road. This claim is described in the surveyor's min- utes as the N. W. Y\ of section 29, town 18 south, range 45 East Willamette Meridian, .and would, therefore, under the road com- pany's grant, belong to that corporation. However, after a period of litigation covering several years, the apparent conflict of the law was solved by the United States allowing the state of Oregon to select this claim as indemnity .school land and as such it was sold to Mrs. Rinehart. The state deed bears date December 22, 1887. Eldridge's addition has since been added to the town plat. In 1887 temporary county buildings were erected at Vale, which have since been oc- cupied by the county officers, owing to the fail- ure of the county to- provide more suitable quarters. The continual agitation of the coun- ty seat question has also had much to do; for- ward retarding such action. In 1900, however, the citizens of Vale and the surrounding country determined to present the county with the much needed court house and accordingly J. C. Kelley, D. C. Wells, M. G. Hope, J. L. Cole and Finley McDonald were appointed as a committee to raise funds and take charge of the erection of the building. This structure will be completed this fall and will, when fin- ished, have cost between $8,000 and $10,000. It is built of Malheur county dressed stone, is sixty by eighty feet in ground dimensions and two stories high, and besides a vault and jail will contain a court house, two jury rooms and five offices. This will be as fine a court house as there is in this portion of Oregon and one of which the county and especially the citizens of Vale can justly feel proud. James Patten and Edward Warner are the con- tractors. L. B. Rinehart generously donated the block of land on which the building stands. The Malheur Gazette, the oldest newspaper in the county, was established at Vale in Au- gust, 1888, by S. H. Shepherd. At present this journal is owned by J. D. McCulloch and is an active and ever willing advocate of the best interests of the town and county. The First Bank of Vale, tlie only bank in Vale, is only a little over a year old, but during that time has made a fine business record and reflects well the prosperity of the community. This institution was organized August 10, 1901, as a state 'bank, with a capital stock of $50,000, one-half paid up, the incorporators being J. L. Cole, M. G. Hope, F. O'Neill and Elmer A. Clark. At present its officers are: president, J. L. Cole; vice-president, T. W. Halliday ; cashier, Elmer A. Clark ; directors, J. L. Cole, T. W. Halliday, E. A. Clark, Will- iam Quinn, Thomas Turnbull, J. C. Kelley, and R. A. Lockett. The bank owns and oc- cupies a handsome stone building, costing $5,000. The first school maintained in Vale was opened in 1887 and was held in a small frame school house. In 1895 the district issued $2,- 000 in bonds, with which a fine stone school- house was built in the southwestern portion of the town. Mr. and Mrs. O. H. Byland constitute the present corps of instructors and 51 pupils are enrolled. There is only one church in the town, the Methodist, which was erected two years ago. At present the church is without a pastor. At the last election the following city offi- cers were chosen : mayor, Charles E. Boswell ; recorder, John Boswell, treasurer, T. F. Oik; councilmen, I. W. Hope, Walter Glenn, J. A. Newton and B. C. Richardson. Among the business enterprises and profes- sions of Vale, besides those already mentioned, are the following: general stores, Vale Com- mercial Company, Charles E. Boswell, I. F. S. Diven ; hotels, the Hotel Vale, M. E. Tag- 550 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES gart, proprietor; the Hess house, S. V. Hess, proprietor; drug store, John Boswell; livery bams, Henry Eldredge, Nicholas Oik; butcher shops, L. B. Teter and E. R. Murray, harness store and saddlery, Joseph C. Kelley; barber shop, Charles Tillotson; blacksmith shop, Henry Eldredge; real estate, P. E. Phelps; physician, H. T. Hoople; lawyers, R. G. Wheeler, J. W. McCulloch ; contractors, James Nurse, T. A. Barton; several saloons. J. A. Newton is postmaster and Phoebe Newton, his deputy. Just outside the city limits are several wells, from which streams of hot water flow, some of them shooting up into the air several feet. These waters possess highly valuable medicinal properties, and have been pronounced by chem- ists and specialists at Hot Springs, Arkansas, as the equal, if not the superior of any mineral water on the Pacific coast. The owners of these wells now purpose combining and erecting suit- able buildings here for the accommodation of those who wish to avail themselves of the water for medical treatment. The wells were sunk in 1897-98 for the purpose of tapping the great oil region which is supposed to underlie this section of the state. REMOTE SETTLEMENTS. For a number of seasons the people of Mal- heur county cannot yet be said to be a unit, either in sentiment or action. Comparatively speaking the county has only been organized a few years and no* questions permitting union of sentiment or action have been before the people. The county embraces a very large ter- ritory and the settlements are remote from each other. Jordan Valley is about eighty-five miles from^ Ontario and Vale and about 150 miles from Malheur City and Mormon Basin. Jordan Valley is almost exclusively a stockraising set- tlement, Malheur City a mining community, Vale is an agricultural center and Ontario is the metropolis and the only shipping point. Each settlement has a history peculiarly its own, which in no> respect resembles that of any of the other localities. For these reasons the history of the county, after, as well as prior to its organization, may perhaps be obtained in better detail by a perusal of the history of its various communities, rather than by that of general records. The history of its railroad town and metropolis, and of the county seat, has been written. We will now proceed with the record of the smaller settlements. These are records of important events which are in- timately associated with the gradual develop- ment of the county as a whole, and they carry us back to: the period of gold discoveries and the location of stock ranches. JORDAN VALLEY. This period dates back about forty years. In 1863 we find McWilliams and Inskip on extensive stock ranches in Jordan Valley. These men and others who followed them and made permanent homes in the valley, came from California mining regions and may be said to have been the pioneer stockmen of the county. Although Jordan Valley is on one of the first established stage routes in the country,, it was in the old days far removed from mining camps or other centers and its permanence as a settlement was probably owing to the estab- lishment of forts in its vicinity. For a number of years Camp Three Forks and Camp Lyon were garrisoned by United States troops sta- tioned here for the protection of the whites from 1 the Indians. These forts proved a source of revenue to the first settlers and were an in- ducement to others to make permanent loca- tions. We leara that J. P. Merrill, who bought "Sheep Ranch" of McWilliams in 1865, put up $2,000 worth of hay for the government in the summer of 1866. Troubles with the Indians continued in this part of the country until late in the 'seventies and during all this time hay and other supplies were in demand HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 551 by the troops at the forts. At intervals efforts have been made to farm, the valley lands, but they have not been crowned with special suc- cess. It is pre-eminently a stockman's land. Many have grown rich here in the stock busi- ness and all the desirable lands are now oc- cupied. A village numbering one hundred and fifty people has grown up about the postoffice of Jordan Valley. This office was established in 1870. John Baxter is now postmaster. There are two stores, a blacksmith shop, a livery barn and a hotel. In the precinct are polled about seventy-five votes. Among the pio- neer settlers, besides those already mentioned, we may name Sherman Castle, William and D. D. Monger, Clarence A. Goodrich, Franklin Cable, T. C. Fletcher, Bert Hooker, Alexander Canter, Joe Tuttle, Al. Carp and Jack Bowden. The last three named were scouts, stage drivers and noted characters, whose exploits would form an interesting chapter in the earlier his- tory of the northwest. ELDORADO AND MALHEUR CITY. Al thou eh eold was discovered in and about o o the present site of Malheur City as early as 1864 and development work commenced soon after,, no> permanent settlements were 'made until 1870. In the meantime a camp had been made at Eldorado. In 1865 miners began placer work here and three years later a town was started. Charles Goodnough, Kirkpatrick, and Stephenson Brothers each erected store buildings. S. B. Reeves built a hotel. El- dorado continued a thriving camp until 1870. The famous Eldorado ditch, which had been brought from a point on Burnt river over 100 miles away for the express purpose of mak- ing these diggings profitable, ran a mile south of the camp. In 1870 the office of the ditch company was removed from the camp to quar- ters near the ditch. The business houses, hotel and residences were at once removed to loca- tions along the ditch and Eldorado was abandoned. The new camp was named Malheur City. Of the new buildings erected, the store of Lake Brothers was first. Another was built 'by George and Mary Collins and still another by William Glenn. A second hotel was put up by W. J. Leatherwood and in a remarkably short space of time Malheur City assumed the appearance of a well founded town. And so indeed it proved to be, as it is still a pros- perous village having a population of about 200. There are no indications that the mines will be exhausted in the next half century and Malheur City has therefore good future pros- pects. It is near the heads of Quartz, Feasta,. Cottonwood and Rich gulches and on the Burnt river and Willow creek divide. The placer gold in these gulches has been almost worked out, but extensive and rich quartz ledges have been found and the indications are that some of the most profitable mines in the Blue moun- tains will be developed, here in the near future. In the rock fof Daniel Barklow, of Coos county; Elizabeth, wife of Irmir Miller, •of Curry county; John E,, of Malheur county; Ella, wife of Walter Applegate, of Malheur county; Richard, in Malheur county;. Dora, wife of Robert Mill- ion. In Coos county, on January 21, 1881, Mrs. Pullen died. On October 14, 1881, Mr. Pullen married a second time, the lady be- ing Luanda Whetstone, a native of Indiana, and the nuptials occurred in Jackson county, and three children have been born to> them, Jesse W., Thomas J., and Eva L. Mrs. Pul- len's parents came to' Oregon in 1871. Mr. Pullen is affiliated with the I. O. O'. F., Lodge No. 90, of Ontario and he is one of the well known and highly respected men of our county. ALVIN S. MOSS.— This enterprising and substantial stockman and farmer of Malheur county is located .nine miles northwest from Rockville, Idaho, and is one of the pioneers of this sec- tion and has labored with assiduity and sagac- ity here since the early eighties and is now re- warded with abundant prosperity and a goodly showing, gained by his thrift and careful la- bors. Mr. Moss was born in Illinois, on Sep- tember 10, 1857, the son of Sardus B. and Ceria E. Moss. At the age of eight years he went with the balance of the family to south- eastern Kansas and there grew up. He gained "his education there and labored on the farm with his father. In 1879, he came to Colorado and two years later, he came thence to Mal- heur county, locating where his estate now is. He has one half section of good land and over one hundred head of cattle, besides many horses. His estate is well improved and he is counted one of the wealthy and substantial men of his section. In political matters, Mr. Moss is always ac- tive, taking great interest in the affairs of the county and state, while in educational af- fairs he is found in the place of the intelligent citizen. It has never been among the ventures made by our subject that he should embark on the matrimonial sea, choosing rather the quieter joys and walks of the celibate. WILLIAM PARKS.— One of the oldest pioneers oi Malheur county and a man of ex- cellent capabilities, being possessed of prac- tical ability and judgment, and a keen dis- crimination that have made him a very suc- cessful business man and one of the leaders in the realm of finance in this section, the sub- ject of this article is abundantly worthy of recognition and especial mention among the prominent men of Malheur county and this portion of Oregon, being also a man of worth and personal virtues. Mr. Parks was born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 7, 1845, being the son of Abra- ham and Jane Eliza (Vanderhoof ) Parks. He was deprived of his mother when an infant, but received his education and grew to man- hood in his native place. It was in 1859 that he crossed the plains\to California, locating in Eldorado county, where he engaged in farm- ing until 1864. Then he came to Silver City, Idaho, and there took up mining until 1871, when he made his way to Jordan valley, now in Malheur county. He at once took a home- stead and gave his attention to farming and stock raising, He was successful in that line and now 1 he owns four hundred acres of fine, well improved and irrigated land adjoining the town of Jordan Vialley. He has fine buildings and a large band of cattle. In 1895 Mr. Parks engaged in the mercantile business, and as in his other undertakings, so in this, he was blessed with abundant success, because of his untiring efforts and wise management and HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 55T.. careful business methods. He operated in company with J. R. Blackoby and in 1901 he sold out and is now, interested in the Jordan Valley Mercantile Company. Mr. Parks is one of the real builders of the county, both in an industrial and commercial line, being one of the leading financiers of the county to-day. He has an interest in the Ontario Bank and is also interested in various other places. The marriage of Mr. Parks and Miss Julia West was solemnized in Jordan Valley in 1879, and they have become the parents of five children : George, a member of the Jor- dan Valley Mercantile Company ; James W. ; Hollister; Guy; Mona. Mr. Parks has seen all the hardships incident to frontier life, be- ing here and open to the dangers of the In- dian outbreak in 1878, as also in other lines and times he has braved the dangers and en- countered the hardships, but in all he has tri- umphed and is one of the most substantial, well respected men o r the county, being looked up to by all and holding an enviable position of prestige. RICHARD H. HART.— This capable and enterprising stockman and farmer of the vicin- ity of Jordan Valley is one of the substantial men of Malheur county, and is numbered with the earliest pioneers who broke sod in this sec- tion, and it is to> his credit that he has con- stantly labored for the welfare of the country and its upbuilding in a worthy manner ever since that time. Mr. Hart was born in Indi- ana, on April 18, 1849, trie son 0I John K. and Eliza Hart. When he was one year of age, his parents removed to* Iowa and there he received his education and remained until he had reached his majority. 1871 was the date when he came to Malheur county and lo- cated a pre-emption where his estate is now located, being one-half mile west from the vil- large of Jordan Valley. He now has one of the fine estates of the county, well improved and producing abundant dividends annually. In addition to' this generous holding, he has eight hundred and forty acres of land on Cow creek. Mr. Hart has two hundred horses, and as many cattle and is one of the leaders in the realm of raising- stock, being both expert and progressive in this work. He was here during the Indian outbreak in 1878 and rendered ex- cellent service for the country, acting as scout and bearer of messages. Also in the time of the robbery, he was efficient in aiding the offi- cers. The marriage of Mr. Hart and Miss Har- riett Luella Moore, a native of Iowa, was sol- emnized in Indianola, Iowa, in February, 1879, and they have three children, Gertrude, Ruth, and Ethelyn. Mr. Hart always evinces an intelligent interest in the affairs of the state and county and is a patriotic and capable citi- zen who stands well with his fellows and has done a large amount for the advancement of the county. JAMES C. FORD.— This well known and enterprising stockman has been a man of, frontier life, spending his days since a lad in the various pursuits incident to pioneering, and especially has he been occupied in raising and handling stock, being one of the best posted and most skillful stock men in this county of stock men, and abundant success has been his. since he has inaugurated action for himself. Mr. Ford was born in Arkansas, October 15, 1856, being the son of William Ford. His mother died when he was an infant and he was . taken by his father to Tennessee and when the war broke out, the father sent this son to> friends in Illinois and joined the ranks to fight for the Union. At the close of the war the father died and our subject was left an. orphan. He was filled with determination, and courage and soon we find him in Texas, riding the range and becoming familiar with the hardships of the cowboy and all the lore of handling and breeding cattle successfully. He worked for the noted Chisum Company and made several drives from Texas and Mex- ico to the north. It was 1879 when he came to this country. He was engaged first with Ryan & Lang, driving cattle for three years; to Montana, after which he made a drive for Mayberry, from The Dalles to Wyoming. He • next operated for Con Shea, being foreman for him. for three years and then he retired from riding the range and went into business, for himself. He now has a fine ranch of five hundred and sixty acres of fertile land on Sucker creek, six miles west from Rockville. He has good buildings, the estate well im- proved, raises hay, grain and alfalfa, and also. 558 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES has a fine herd of Hereford and Shorthorn cattle. Being an experienced stockman, Mr. Ford understands the value of raising the best and doing so in a skillful manner. On November 25, 1888, Mr. Ford married Miss Fannie, daughter of Charles and Mary (Wilson) Smith, who are mentioned in this volume. Mrs Ford is a native of Salem, Ore- gon, and she is a woman of many virtues and graces and presides over the comfortable rural home with becoming dignity, while this worthy couple are valuable members of society, being esteemed by all. ALBERT J. SHEA.— While the older members of the pioneer staff are retiring one by one, it is pleasant to note that there are younger men oi courage and enterprise to take up the worthy labors of these estimable men, who opened this country for settlement, and to prosecute them with an untiring zeal and a sagacity that is sure to< win in the battle of life. Among this wide awake class, we are con- strained toi mention the subject of this article, who has made a name and place for himself in the ranks of the leading stockmen of Malheur county, being justly entitled to< the position he holds, because of his merit and worth, and be- cause of his brilliant achievements. Albert Shea was born in Owyhee county, Idaho, on February 4, 1872, being the son of Cornelius Shea, the well and widely known stockman of this country. The senior Mr. Shea was one of the heaviest stock owners west of the Rockies and one of the keenest and most energetic operators that ever handled cattle. He sold out his immense herds in 1897, and is now living with his family in San Francisco. He is a native of Canada and came to^ this section in 1867. Reverting more particularly to our subject, we note that he was educated in San Francisco and also on the farm and in the saddle in Eastern Oregon and Southern Idaho. He knows the cattle business from the ground to the completion, and is making a commendable showing as a worthy son of a wise father. At the present time, Mr. Shea is living: on his estate of three hundred and sixty acres of fertile land, in the Jordan Val- ley, where he operates his herds of cattle and bands of horses. He is one of the wide- awake men of the county and is well known and esteemed by all. The marriage of Mr. Shea and Miss Celia Cornners, a native of Owyhee county, Idaho, was solemnized in Portland, Oregon, on De- cember 12, 1896, and they have one daughter, Genevieve. JAMES T. DAVIS.— One of the worthy pioneers of this county, a man of ability and executive force and unswerving integrity, the subject of this sketch is now one of the lead- ing citizens of Nyssa, and a prominent man in Malheur county. He lives one mile northwest from the town of Nyssa, having a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, well improved and handled in a skillful manner, which is a good dividend producer. James T. was born in Unionville, Putnam county, Missouri, on October 25, 1850, being the son of Hamilton and Saline Davis. In 1862, the father and the oldest son came across the plains with ox teams and in 1865, our sub- ject and his mother came the same journey with horse teams. They both made the trip without serious accident and when the mother arrived in Boise, the father was there to meet them and the reunited family made their way to the Willamette valley where they settled in Polk county. Four years later, they removed from that place to Umatilla county and in 1874, our subject went from the home in that county to Boise valley, Idaho, and later re- turned to his people, who had in the meantime migrated to Baker City. The reports which he brought from the Boise valley caused all to move there and engage in raising stock. Our subject went thence to Emmett, Idaho, and there married Miss Lulu Brinnon in May, 1 88 1. In 1895, Mrs. Davis was called away by death. In 1885, Mr. Davis came from Id- aho to Ontario and there engaged in the livery business, handling also and shipping many horses to various markets. Later he located an island just below the Riverside ferry as mining land, selling the same at a good advan- tage. Then he bought the land where his home is at the present time and this has been transformed into a valuable farm. Among other productions, he raises much alfalfa hay and has a comfortable home. Mr. Davis contracted a second marriage, HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 559 the lady becoming his wife at this time being Miss Laura, daughter of Mrs. A. J. Lewis, who makes her home with them at the present time. The date of this wedding was Febru- ary, 1898. Mr. Davis takes an active part in politics, being allied with the Democratic party and he is a good citizen and a well re- spected and upright gentleman. , GEORGE NICHOLS.— No more worthy class of people ever stepped beneath the folds of the stars and stripes than the doughty, cour- ageous, intelligent, capable and sturdy pio- neers, who braved dangers, endured hardships, performed the arduous labors incident to< their lot, and wended their way into the wilds of this western country, to beat back the savages and make here the abodes of civilized men. As a worthy one among this illustrious number, we are pleased to mention the subject of this sketch, who is now one of the substantial and enterprising citizens of Malheur county. Mr. Nichols was born in New York, on October 22, 1841, being the son of Asa and Mary Nichols., who brought their son at the age of five to Kalamazoo 1 , Michigan. There George was educated, grew to manhood and on May 10, 1 86 1, he responded to the cry of patri- otism then sounding through the land, by of- fering himself as one to fight for his country. He was enrolled in Company K, Second Mich- igan, under Capt. Charles S. May. He was in the battle of Bull Run, at the siege of York- town, fought at Fair Oaks and several other engagements, and was wounded at Fair Oaks. On account of disabilities resulting from this, he was discharged on February 3, 1863. He returned to his home, and soon after he was in the west. He assisted to build the U. P. R. R. in Nebraska and in Utah, in 1868 he went to White Pine, Nevada. Teaming and min- ing occupied him there and then he went to Paradise Valley, then came through this coun- try to British Columbia on a prospecting tour. In 1879, he- went to the Wood river country, in Idaho, then in 1894 he came to his present place, which is located seven miles east of Jor- dan Valley. He has a fine ranch, all irrigated and well improved and which returns abundant crops to his skillful husbandry. Mr. Nich- ols is a prominent member of the G. A. R., in Hailey, Idaho, Post No. 61, and he is secure in the esteem and confidence of his fellows. Mr. Nichols has never embarked on the matri- monial sea, and is content in the quiet joys of the celibatarian's life. * » » CORNELIUS G. MOREHEAD.— A na- tive of the Web-foot State, the son of about the earliest pioneers of this state, raised amid its environments, both eastern and western Or- egon, the subject of this article is thoroughly an Oregonian and a typical representative of its energetic and progressive citizens. Cornelius G. was born in Linn county, Oregon, on June 26, 1865, being the son of Robert M. and Martha (Curl) -Morehead. The parents came with ox teams to Oregon in 1848 and settled in the Willamette valley and the father being a millwright, built the first mill of the state. It was located at Salem and was built in 1849. In 1869, the family removed to Jackson coun- ty, Oregon, and in 1872, they came to< Prairie City, Grant county, this state. There the fa- ther erected the Strawberry flour mills and in 1879 sold out and went to Weiser, Idaho. He built a mill there and in 1887 he returned to the Willamette valley, where he died in 1890. Mrs. Morehead is still living in Douglas coun- ty, this state. Our subject was educated in the schools of the various places where he lived and in 1884 he started for himself. He raised stock in Idaho until 1888, then sold out and came to Malheur county and engaged with the Oregon Horse and Land Company, where he wrought for a number of years. During this time, he made several trips to different markets with stock. In 190 1 he purchased his present place, a farm of eighty acres, one and one- fourth miles west from Nyssa. His farm is well improved, produces abundance of alfal- fa hay, and other fruits of the field. He has a comfortable residence arid a young orchard and is fast making his place an abode of rural com- fort and attractiveness. In addition to his property, Mr. Morehead has a good bunch of cattle and devotes considerable attention to handling them. The marriage of Mr. Morehead and Miss Elizabeth, daughter of David R. and Jane Ehr- good, was solemnized on April 21, 1899, and two children have been born to them, Alma 560 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Pearl and Ruby Edna. In political matters, Mr. Morehead is allied with the Republican party and manifests an intelligent activity and interest in the affairs of the county and state. WILLIAM MORFITT.— To this worthy veteran of many a struggle with the savages on the frontier, as well as in many of the bat- tles of life in the wild country, being a pioneer of the state of Oregon, and having led a life of activity in the forefront of the progress of civilization, having done well his part in all this good work, we are pleased to grant a con- sideration in this volume of Malheur county's history, both because of this prominent part that he has taken in the county and in its lead- ing industries and developments, as well as for his worth as a man and citizen. Mr. Morfitt was born in Yorkshire, Eng- land, on April 17, 1838, being the son of James and Susana Morfitt. In 1842 the father brought his family to the United States, landing in New York and thence to the site of Chicago, where he located the first foundry of that now famous city. In 1847 h e came with his fam- ily across the plains to Oregon. Enroute they were attacked by the Indians several times, once on the Rogue river, where four savages were killed, but no loss of life among the im- migrants. Before that, in the Modoc coun- try, they lost half of their cattle by the red- skins. At the mouth of the Yam Hill river, the stock was left and the father came to Or- egon City in a canoe. There he located, it being a village of few people, and there he opened a foundry, the very first that was ever erected in the territory of Oregon. Our sub- ject received a good education from the schools of the various places where he resided, perfect- ing himself as a civil engineer. In 1849 ne > with his father, went with the rush of the gold miners to San Francisco in a sail boat and in the spring of 1850, he returned to Oregon. In 1855 our subject enlisted in the Clackamas county company to fight the Indians in the Yakima war. After that he followed farm- ing until 1867, when he removed to- Grant county and thence to Boise, Idaho. In com- pany with a Mr. Libby, Mr. Morfitt built the first bridge across the Boise river at Boise. Eighteen hundred and sixty-eight marks the date when Mr. Morfitt came to upper Willow creek and located the first ranch there. He farmed and raised stock there until 1883, when he came to the site of the present Ontario, and in company with Messrs. Virtue, Smith and Richardson, located the town of Ontario, he surveying the land. He still owns one hun- dred and twenty acres of this land. His home place is located one and one-half miles south- west from Ontario 1 and consists of forty acres. He has the finest farm house in the county and barns and outbuildings and all tasty improve- ments to match. His place is well supplied with water and has a fine orchard. It is a model of thrift and beauty in every respect. Mr. Morfitt is vice-president of the Owyhee ditch company and stockholder in the same and also a stockholder and director in the Ne- vada ditch company. In politics Mr. Morfitt is a Democrat and takes an enthusiastic part in the advancement of educational interests. The marriage of Mr. Morfitt and Miss Juliette Worsham occurred in Clackamas county, on March 11, 1858, and they became the parents of six children, as follows: James, Robert, William L., Cyrus W., Charles H. and Iona. In 1893 Mrs. Mor- fitt died. In 1899 Mr. Morfitt was married a second time, the lady becoming his wife at this time being Elizabeth M. Carlisle, a native of what is now Malheur county, and they have been blessed by the advent of two* children, Julian and Ashton. Mr. Morfitt served as scout for General Howard during the Bannock war. WILLIAM C. CARLTON.— This worthy gentleman is one of the substantial citizens of Malheur county and one of the thrifty stock- men and farmers of the vicinty of Rockville, his estate of two hundred and twenty acres of good land lying seven miles west from that place. Mr. Carlton was born in Maine in 1834, beng the son of Amos and Mary Carl- ton. He received his education from the schools of his native state and there remained until 1854, when he came via Panama to San Francisco, and thence toi Indian valley in Sier- ra county, where he at once engaged in the fas- cinating- labor of mining. In i860 we find* him in Oregon, and then in Walla Walla, whence he returned to The Dalles and then ■m w WILLIAM MORFITT. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 561 visited his home in Maine. Returning- again to California, he went to Los Angeles county, and thence to Boise, Idaho, where he engaged in wagon building until 1882, at which time he located his present home place as a homestead. Mr. Carlton has devoted his time and energies to raising stock, cattle and horses, and to gen- eral farming, from that time until the present, having achieved a good success in these en- deavors. In addition to these labors, Mr. Carlton has also operated a blacksmith shop, gaining a good trade from the surrounding neighborhood. He has the prospects of a fine coal mine 011 his lands, which will make them exceedingly valuable. The marriage of Mr. Carlton and Mrs. Phoebe Basil, a native of Iowa, was solem- nized in Boise, Idaho 1 , in 1871, and they have six children, William A. ; Laura M., wife of John Howard, of Pleasant valley; Alice, wife of Frank Beech, of Owyhee county, Idaho; Charles; Oliver; Robert. Mr. Carlton is a member of the A. F. & A. M., of Boise. For one term, Mr. Carlton served as county asses- sor and discharged the important duties of that office to the satisfaction of all. He is al- ways interested in the affairs of the county and takes an active part in politics, being allied with the Republican party. For two and one- half years, he has been postmaster of Carter postofnce and he is a man in whom his fellows have confidence and is highly esteemed by all. R. D. GREER. — It is with pleasure that we are enabled to grant consideration in this volume of the history of Malheur county to the estimable gentleman whose name is at the head of this article, since he is one who partakes of the real spirit of the pioneer and since he is a man of excellent qualities and since he has wrought in this vicinity for the substantial progress and upbuilding of the same for many years. Mr. Greer was born in Ohio, on September 28, 1850, being the son of Guin and Elizabeth Greer. In 1866 he came with his parents to Lancaster county, Nebraska, and there he re- ceived the completion of his education and gave his attention to farming. He first came to Malheur county in 1875, then two years later returned to Nebraska, only to come west 36 again in 1880. Settlement was made at Em- mett, Idaho, and twelve years he labored there, then removed to Weiser, where he operated in the lumbering industry and then moved to On- tario, and there embarked on the mercantile sea. He continued in a successful business- there until 1900, when he sold his interests- and came to his present place, one mile south- east from Owyhee postofnce. He has one quarter section, well irrigated and improved and productive of good dividends annually. Mr. Greer is active in the affairs of the county and has ever been allied on the side of progress and enterprise. The marriage of Mr. Greer and Mrs. Alice L. Conley, a native of Michigan, was solem- nized in 1872, at Lincoln, Nebraska, and they have one daughter, Myrtle. By her former husband, Mrs. Greer has one daughter, now the wife of Frank Davis, of this county. Mr. Greer is one of the leaders in the establishment of the Owyhee ditch and has always been dom- inated by a keen foresight and perception which has given him abundant success in his endeavors. Fraternally, he affiliates with the W. of W., in Ontario-. JOSEPH M. DINWIDDIE— This well known pioneer and responsible and leading business man and stockman of Malheur coun- ty, is one of the prominent citizens of the town of Jordan Valley and is a man of sterling qual- ities of worth and integrity, being possessed of excellent capabilities which have wrought with a winning hand in the business and finan- cial realm of our county for many years. Joseph M. was born in Indiana, on Sep- tember 1, 185 1, being the son of Daniel and Elsie Dinwiddie. In 1853 his parents came with the noble band of pioneers who- crossed the plains in those days, and located in Linn county, Oregon. That was their home until the time of their death. There also our sub- ject received his education and grew to- man- hood's estate. It was in 1875, that he started out for himself, and at once went to Klickitat county, Washington, and engaged in the stock business. He made a success, but in 1881 he determined to try the vicinity of Jordan Val- ley, and accordingly came hither with his herds and here he has been one of the promi- 562 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES nent citizens since that time. He now has a fine estate of one section of fine land adjoining the town of Jordan Valley, and it is well im- proved with good buildings and all conven- iences for handling it in a first class manner Also he owns twelve and one-half acres in the village and operates a first class hotel and liv- ery barn. Mr. Dinwiddie is also one of the leaders in the realm of stock raising, for he has about three hundred and fifty head of horses and a large band of cattle, having been successful in this line and continuing at it con- stantly since his first residence here. The marriage of Mr. Dinwiddie and Miss Laura E. King, a native of Walla Walla, Washington, was solemnized in Jordan Valley in 1884, and they have become the parents of four children, Zora, Elsie, Davis, and William Rufus. Mr. Dinwiddie enjoys the distinction of being one of the leaders of the county, a man of substantial qualities and whose labors establish him to be a man of excellent worth and reliability and wisdom. JOSHUA L. CODE.— As one of the real builders of Malheur county, being a pioneer of the west in a very early day, the subject of this sketch is justly entitled to consideration in the volume of history now being made and it is with pleasure that we are enabled to recount some of the items of a long and useful career, wherein he has always been a prominent fig- 'ure in the progress of the county, the welfare of his fellows, and in the prosecution of the business in his hand. At the present time Mr. Cole is the president of the first bank of Vale, being an incorporated state bank, with a cap- ital of fifty thousands dollars and half that amount paid up. Mr. Cole was born in Ripley county, Indi- ana, on March 29, 1832, being the son of William and Sarah J. (Clark) Cole. The fa- ther was a native of Virginia, but was taken to Kentucky in a very early day before even any wagon roads were made in that state. There • he was raised and married and his first four children were born there also. He went thence to Indiana, and in 1858 he migrated to Minnesota, in which place he died in 1862. The mother was a native of Maryland and died in Iowa in 1842. Our subject was reared on a farm, received a common school education in the primitive log school house, and on April 1, 1856, was married to Miss Malinda, daughter of John B. and Nancy (McLaughlin) Wise. To this union there were born three children, as fol- lows : Leonard, married to' Hattie Bond, and living in Huntington, Oregon ; Emory, mar- ried to. Barbara Kennedy, living on lower Wil- low creek; Eldora, wife of James Moody of Huntington. In i860, Mr. Cole removed to Scott cow 1 "" Minnesota, and in the spring of 1864, he went thence on the arduous trip across the plains with ox teams, the journey being completed in good time without serious trouble with the Indians, and the landing point was Boise, Idaho. Until 1868 we find Mr. Cole in that section of the country and then a move was made to what is now Malheur coun- ty, and fo'ur years later he came to lower Wil- low creek where he embarked in raising stock. Mr. Cole acquired title to one thousand acres of land, which was known as the J. L. Cole ranch throughout the entire country, and there he raised large herds of stock. In addition to the stock, Mr. Cole handled a large apiary, having as many as five hundred swarms of bees at one time. They brought a handsome return as he had large fields of alfalfa. In the spring of 1 90 1 Mr. Cole sold his ranch and stock to his son, Emory, and he removed to Vale where he had a handsome residence. He was instru- mental in starting" the bank above referred to and as its head and manager, he has made a fine success in this business equal to his un- bounded success in his former enterprises. He has a fine two story stone building in a prom- inent location in the town and handles a large business, having the bank quarters fitted up in fine shape. On June 18, 1896, Mr. Cole was called upon to mourn the death of his wife. On May 21, 1898, Mr. Cole contracted a second marriage, the lady of his choice at this time being Miss Emily, daughter of William H. and Sarah J. (McLaughlin) Blackwell, of Ripley county, Indiana, and a relative of his first wife. In politics, Mr. Cole is a stanch Republican, and he cast his first vote for John C. Fremont, and has staid with the party since that time. He and his wife are devoted members of the Meth- odist church, as was also the former wife and the are warm advocates of the faith and sup- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 563 porters of the same. It is of note that when Mr. Cole came to Boise there were no houses there, the town being one of tents and he has always been in the vanguard of the pioneers laboring wisely and faithfully for the advance- ment of the country and the upbuilding of good industries, while in his walk he has shown forth those qualities of commendable virtue which have made him a light and example in the community, where to-day he is highly es- teemed and beloved by all, he and his wife be- ing leading members of society. CHARLES SMITH.— This worthy pio- neer and substantial citizen of Malheur coun- ty, is deserving - of a place in any compilation that purports to' give the history of this sec- tion, since his labors have been here for many years toward the development and progress of the country, and since he is a man of ability and has achieved a goodly success as the re- ward of his labors and thrift. Mr. Smith was born in Louisville, Ken- tucky, on October 18, 1835, being the son of John and Susan Smith. At the age of eight he went with his parents to> Illinois and there remained until 1854, when he came across the plains with his brothers, in an ox train, to Sis- kiyou county, California, and there engaged in mining. He made some good discoveries and later, 1858, went to> the Cariboo mines at the time of the Fraser river excitement, whence he returned to> Portland, then to Salem, and there followed his trade of brick mason. In 1878 he removed to Jackson county and re- mained three years and then went to Muggins- ville, California, where he mined until 1880. The next year he came to Malheur county, and located the place where he now lives as a homestead, ten miles northwest from Rockville, and devoted himself to farming and stock rais- ing. His place is under the irrigating ditch and well improved and he has a good band of stock. Mr. Smith mines some, being inter- ested in several erood properties. The marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Mary, daughter of John and Frances Ram- sey, was solemnized in Salem, on November 9, 1865, an d they have become the parents of three children, William W., residing in Mal- heur county ; Fannie, wife of Mr. Ford, a stock- man of Malheur county; George V. Mrs. Smith's parents crossed the plains in 1863, and her father died in Salem in 1875, but her moth- er is still living in Malheur county. Mrs. Smith was born on May 11, 1865. She has some fine relics, as gold rings and so forth, the gold of which she pounded out of the rocks with her own hands in California. WILLIAM P. BEERS.— To the esteemed and distinguished gentleman and worthy pio- neer, whose name initiates this paragraph, it is fitting that a consideration be granted in the history oi Malheur county, since he, perhaps more than any other one man, has been instru- mental in makino- the county what it is to-day, and also in the development of the other sec- tions adjacent. Mr. Beers has done the lion's share, and in all this excellent labor and the achievements O'f his brain and hand, there have ever been manifested noble qualities of the typ- ical man, and the courageous and intrepid pio- neer, while his masterful ability has always placed him as leader among his fellows and rightly, too, for success has. always been the result of his keen perception, sagacity, and as- siduity. William T. Beers was born in Wayne county, Indiana, on August 18, 1842, being the son of entemrisinfy and leading parents. The family came to Burlington, Iowa, when our subject was quite young and eight years later they removed to Scott county, and three years subsequent to that we find him in Deca- tur county. In these various places William P. was educated and when the call came in 1862 for the loyal hearts to take up the cause of their country, young Beers was one of the first to press to< the post of duty and he en- listed in the Thirtenth Missouri Calvary where he fought in many battles and did arduous mil- itary duty until the time of his honorable dis- charge. Four years and five months were spent in this service, and during this time he participated in the battles of Spring- field, Blue Mount, and also others among which was one on the plains, his regiment be- ing stationed for a time at Fort Collins, in Wyoming. In 1866, he crossed the plains to Helena, Montana, then went to the Bitter Roots and mined and in 1868 bought a freight out- 564 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES fit and did business between Fort Benton and Carrinne and Virginia City, making also three trips to Fort Hall, and then he came to the Snake and wintered near Idaho- City. Then three years were spent in Nevada, and soon thereat ter we find him in Silver City, Idaho, and after some more freighting to that city he sold his outfit and bought a portion of his pres- ent ranch, in 1874. The next years he assisted to erect a telegraph line from Winnemucca to Silver City, and also bought another freight outfit and moved mining machinery to Silver City, being in partnership with the well known John Catlow. Mr. Beers was here during the Indian outbreaks and his house still shows some O'f the bullet holes from the savages' ri- fles. Mr. Beers owns what is known as the Ruby ranch, which is located fifteen miles west from Jordan Valley, beino- one O'f the first stage sta* tions in the country. The ranch consists of three thousand, five hundred acres of fine land, being one of the best ranches in the entire state. Mr. Beers has about eight hundred head of cattle and three hundred head of horses. He used to handle about four thousand cat- tle but has now a less number and some of the finest specimens in the range. He has one thous- and acres of fertile meadow land and is really the stock king of this country. Mr. Beers is actively interested in political matters and al- ways is progressive and aggressive, although dominated by wise caution, and he holds to the principles of the true Jeffersonian Democracy. The marriage of our subject and Miss Mary E. Annawalt was solemnized on the ranch where they now live in 1877, and they have five children, Ethel E., William E., R. Leone, Nellie B. and Ruby. Mrs. Beers is a native of Kansas City, Missouri. CASSIUS H. BROWN.— It is very ac- ceptable to have the privilege of giving in epit- ome the salient points of the career of the esti- mable gentleman whose name is at the head of this article. Mr. Brown, familiarly known as Judge Brown, is one of the pioneers of this county and has always been much interested in its welfare, prominent in politics, a leader in the advancement o>f the cause of education, a prominent citizen and property owner, and a large-hearted, genial, upright, capable, and tal- ented American citizen. The birth of Cassius H. was on December 2j, 1852, in a log cabin in Mt. Hope, McLean county, Illinois, being the son of George W. and Eleanor (Kenyon) Brown. This was. in the Mt. Hope colony and the father enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Seventeenth. Illinois Infantry, being second lieutenant un- der General A. F. Smith. He participated in the battles at Nashville and Belmont and in. many skirmishes. But just before Sherman started to the sea, the elder Brown was taken with pneumonia and died at Pulaski, Tennes- see. His enlistment was on July 12, 1862. In 1869 our subject, after having gained a good education in the common schools, went_ to Henry county, Illinois, and in the fall of the following year he went to Iowa, but soon returned to Henry county. In February, 1873, he came to Plumas county, California, follow- ing farming and driving stage until the spring of 1879, when he went to Reno, Nevada, and clerked in a store, then went on the coast sur- vey for the United States. In the spring of 1880, he went to Lyon county, Nevada, and in the fall of 1881, he came to his present place, which is nine miles west from Ontario, in the White settlement. He has a fine two hundred and forty acre farm, well irrigated, and im- proved in a good manner. He owns a large- interest in the Nevada ditch and was one of the promoters of that fine institution, having been an officer in it for some time. His party were the first settlers in this vicinity. Judge Brown was one of the very first who advocated the raising of alfalfa and he was one of the first persons, who demonstrated that the Mal- heur valley was a successful fruit country, hav- ing now an elegant twenty acre orchard of all varieties indigenous to his climate. In 1892, Mr. Brown was elected as county judge on the Republican ticket, being the first incumbent of that office elected bv that party. He served with efficiency and satisfaction to the public for four years. Judge Brown was chairman of the Republican county conven- tion in 1896-98 and 1900, and in 1898 and 1900 he was a delegate to the state convention and was a member of the state central com- mittee. His grandfather Kenyon was a can- didate for congress against Judge David Davis in Illinois, and in Atlanta, Illinois, our sub- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 565 ject had the pleasure of seeing- Abraham Lin- coln. Fraternally. Tnd^e Brown is popularly affiliated, being a Mason at Beckwith, Califor- nia, in Hope Lodge, No. 234, and he has served for several years as secretary. In 1880 he was a charter member of the Hope Lodge, No. 22, in Mason Valley in Nevada, and the first master under the charter. He was a mem- ber of the Washoe Lodge, No. 28, at Payette, Idaho, when he came hither. In 1898 he be- came a charter member of Acacia Lodge, No. 118, at Ontario, and he was the first master for two years. He was a charter member of the Eastern Star, Chapter No. 69, of Ontario, and was the first worthy patron which position he is still filling. Judge Brown has always taken an active interest in school matters and has served as clerk for many years. In addition to his handsome holdings already mentioned, the judge has an interest in the Vale Milling Com- pany, and also is one of the incorporators of the Ontario Cemetery Association. HON. J. R. BLACKABY.— Malheur county can boast of many distinguished pio- neers who have made brilliant success in both the financial world and in the political realm, and one of the prominent men of this influen- tial number is the gentleman whose name is at the head of this article, and who stands as one of the real builders of the county and is also one of the largest general merchandise op- erators within her borders at the present time, his store being located in Jordan Valley. Mr. Blackaby was born in Iowa, on April 12, 1 86 1, being the son of Bernard and Emeline Blackaby. There he grew to manhood and there also he received his primary education, completing the same when he graduated from the college in Keokuk, Iowa. That was in 1880, and immediately he came west, locating in this county and engaged in farming and teaching school. Three years were spent in the work of the educator and four as deputy clerk of the county and four years he served as postmaster in Jordan Valley. In 1898 the people recognizing his abilities, rewarded him with a term in the state legislature, where he did excellent work, serving on important com- mittees and taking part in beneficial legislation for the entire state. Eighteen hundred and ninety-one was the year when he embarked on the mercantile sea and now he has one of the largest stocks of goods in the entire coun- ty and he is the recipient of a large patronage, drawn to his stores by his deferential treatment of all customers and his care of the interests of those who trade with him. He carries a well assorted stock and one can get anything that is in the realm of general merchandise and be assured that it is the best; and when once a person becomes a customer of Mr. Blackaby he is sure to remain. Mr. Blackaby is one of the organizers of the Bank of Ontario of On- tario, Oregon, and is now and has been since its establishment its vice-president. He is one of the financiers of the county and has dem- onstrated his ability in a worthy manner. The marriage of Mr. Blackaby and Miss Mary J. Bauch, a native of Van Buren county, Iowa, was solemnized in that county on Oc- tober 11, 1882. They have five children, Otto C, Earl, Larue, William J., Ja V R. Mr. Blackaby is a member of the I. O. O. F., Jor- dan Valley Lodge No. 158, and of the K. O. T. M. Mr. Blackaby, by reason of real worth and the merits of his achievements, is counted one of the most influential and prominent citi- zens of the county and he is also one of the men always arrayed on the side of advancement and progress. HERBERT J. WARD.— This capable and progressive gentleman is one of the leading- men of this vicinity, being a well-to-do and prominent farmer and was one of the promo^- ters of the valuable Owyhee ditch, being an incorporator and one who led the enterprise to a successful issue. Mr. Ward was born in Quebec, Canada, on April 12, 1856, the son of George P. and Elizabeth (Sherman) Ward. He spent his youthful days in the invigorating exercise of farm work and in gaining a good education from the public schools. At the age of twenty-two he left the parental roof for the world of labor and trial. His first work for himself was fireman on a locomotive and in due time he had mastered the engineer's art and was installed as an engineer of a steam shovel and then handled an engine on the road In 1880 he came to Oregon, engaging in the sheep business. It was at this time that he be- 566 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES gan the agitation of the Owyhee ditch prop- osition and was among the very first who con- ceived the plan. He has steadily labored and planned for this valuable consummation and now he has a fine quarter section well watered from this canal. It was in 1894 that he set- tled on the land now his farm, taking it by the homestead act. It is situated two and one- half miles southwest from Nyssa and is one of the fine farms of the country. He has large fields of alfalfa, fine orchards, a valuable resi- dence with barns and outbuildings to match and shade and ornamental trees and tasty grounds. Mr. Ward has added forty acres by purchase, which gives him a very valuable es- tate. He has several thousand sheep and is one of the leaders in that industry. The marriage of Mr. Ward to Miss Syl- vinia, daughter of James and Sarah McCon- nell, was solemnized on November 16, 1896, and one child, George P., was born to them on February 16, 1898. Mrs, Ward's parents were formerly of Ontario, Canada, but went to New York and in 1885 the father died. The mother, with eight children, came to Caldwell, Idaho, and is now living at Owyhee. Mr. Ward came to this country with practical- ly no means and he has won the meed of good success and a generous competence for the industry and wise management that he has bestowed here. CHARLES M. JONES.— It is gratifying to be privileged to nut in print an epitome of one of the brave men who fought, as did the subject of this sketch, for the honor of the stars and stripes and the safety of our free institu- tions when the foul hand of treason sought to deface all and destroy the homes of freedom. In addition, Mr. Jones has always shown him- self in the walks of life to' be upright and ca- pable and has done a noble part in the advance- ment and development of the resources of the country. Speaking more particularly of his personal history, we note that his birth occurred in Hick- man county, Tennessee, on August 13, 1836, being the son of Stephen and Jane Jones. He was reared amid the environments of a farm and gained his education from the schools held in the log cabins of the day. Our subject re- mained at home until he had reached man- hood's estate, and in October, 1857, he was married to Miss Emily M. Downey in Searcy county, Arkansas, and soon thereafter went to Marion county, in Arkansas. And there, when the war broke out, he offered his services for freedom's cause. The date of his actual enlistment was August 6, 1862, at which time he was mustered into Company C, First Ar- kansas Cavalry, in the volunteer army. He was under Colonel Harrison and was soon de- tailed as musician in the regimental band. He participated in many skirmishes and did his share of hard service until August 23, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. He is now a member of the A. P. Hovey Post, G. A. R., at Ontario. Immediately following his discharge, he returned to his home and family and in 1875 he brought his family, having eight children, across the plains with ox teams, to the vicinity of Prairie City, Grant county. Two years later, he came to Ada county, Id- aho, and thence to Washington county. It was in 1892 that he came to the vicinity of Ontario and went to farming and in 1899, he purchased his present place of forty acres, one mile west of Nyssa. He has it well improved and raises abundance of alfalfa hay, cutting as high as eight tons to the acre each year. His farm has abundance of water from the Owyhee ditch. To Mr. and Mrs. Jones there have been born the following children: William A., de- ceased ; David J. ; Mrs. Emma Langley, of Santa Cruz, California; Andrew J., of Wash- ington county, Idaho ; John R., traveling agent; Mrs. Laura Stacy, near Vale; George W., de- ceased ; Ada, deceased ; Erastus E. Mr. Jones is beginning the golden years of his life and he is well entitled, because of his faithful labors, to enjoy in quietness the portion that he has gained, being respected by all. JEREMIAH SHEA.— One of our early pioneers, whose worthy labors have done much toward the development of the resources and the substantial progress of Malheur county, is named at the head of this article and he is eminently fitted to be accorded consideration in this volume of his county's history, since he is a man of good standing, influential and prom- inent, has always been a progressive and pat- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 567 riotic citizen, is possessed of integrity and a stanch character and is held in high esteem by all of his fellows. Mr. Shea was born in Canada on March 31, 1847, and there he was educated and remained until he had arrived at manhood's estate. Then he engaged in lumbering until 1872, at which date he came to this country and engaged with his brother in the stock business. Afterward he went to South Mountain and operated a meat market, then migrated to Silver City, and went into the livery business, and from there he furnished horses to the fleeing settlers at the time of the Indian outbreak in 1878. In 1883 we find him in Wagontown, keeping hotel, where he spent a number of years and soon afterwards he was on Cow creek engaged in the stock business. In 1887 Mr. Shea re- moved to Jordan creek and bought a ranch and two rears later bought his present ranch home three miles east from Jordan Valley. He has four hundred and eighty acres of valuable land and large herds of horses and cattle. Mr. Shea also owns a stage line to De Lamar and Daisy from Jordan Valley, and he has been county assessor for a time. The marriage o'f Mr. Shea and Miss Mary Fenwick, a native of California, was celebrated at Wagontown, in 1877, and they have nine children, named as follows : John, Maggie, Sarah, Neal, Agnes, Ellen, Guy. Ilene, and Eugene. Mr. Shea is one of the prominent men of the county, and also one of the heavy property owners and is a -stanch, upright and patriotic citizen and esteemed gentleman. ANDREW McGREGOR.— This doughty and intrepid frontiersman, now one of the lead- ing farmers and stockmen of his vicinity, hav- ing a fine estate eight miles west from Ontario, which is the family home, and being a man of prominence and capabilities, has accomplished much in the development of the county and we are pleased to accord to him a representation in the history of Malheur county. Mr. McGregor was born in Glasgow, Scot- land on June 28, 1845, being the son of Dun- can and Marguerette (Mclntyre) McGregor. The father was born in Inverness, north Scot- land, on February 14, 1800, and the mother was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on August 2^, 1805. In 1846 the family came to America in a sailing vessel, being six weeks on the trip. Landing in New York, they made their way to Boston, where the father worked at block printing and dyeing in a calico factory. In 1849 marks the date when they came to 1 the vicinity of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and there on August 14, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, Twentieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, be- ing mustered in at Camp Randall, Madison, Wisconsin, and went thence to the barracks at St. Louis, and served under General Schofield in the First Brigade, Second Division, Army of the Frontier. He participated in the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, December 7, 1862, was in the third siege of Vicksburg in 1863, took part in the battle of Yazoo>, Atchafalga, Fort Morgan, Alabama, Spanish Fort, the siege of Mobile, and many skirmishes and re- ceived an honorable discharge on July 14, 1865, at Galveston, Texas. Following the war he returned to< this home in Wisconsin, and followed logging for a time, and on July 3, 1869, he was married to Martha M., daugh- ter of James W. and Caroline Davis, who were natives of the state of New York. Our sub- ject then went to Kewaunee county, Wisconsin, and in 1871 removed to Meeker county, Min- nesota, and there farmed and lumbered until • 1876. In 1877 he drove a team across the plains to Boise and the following year he was with Colonel Green under General Howard, after the Indians, a few of whom they cantured on the head waters of the Salmon. At one time, Mr. McGregor owned the site of the Nat- atorium in Boise. It was 1879 that his wife and four children joined him at Boise, and in 1882 they came to the vicinity of Ontario, and there he paid fifty dollars for a willow cabin and dirt floor for his family. Eighteen hun- dred and eighty-six marks the date of his re- moval to his present place, eight miles west from Ontario, as mentioned above. His place is excellently improved with buildings, or- chards, fences, shade trees, irrigating ditches, and all things necessary to' make a rural place comfortable and profitable. He has another farm two and one-half miles west from Ontar- io. Mr. McGregor is a member of the A. P. Hovey Post, No. 21, of the G. A. R. at On- tario. He is also a member of the Armor Lodge, No. 69, K. of P., of Ontario. Tb this worthy couple, there have been 568 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES born ten children, as follows: Isabella, wife of H. T. Husted, of Ontario; Minnie, wife of H, C. Ross of Nyssa ; Andrew ; Robert; Mag- gie, deceased ; Harry ; Martha, wife of A. Wel- lington of Dell ; Eva ; James ; John. In addi- tion to the property holdings mentioned above Mr. McGregor has a good band of cattle and fifty stand of bees, which provide abundance of honey from the fine alfalfa fields. He is a man of prominence and ability and enjoys the esteem and confidence of the entire community. ANDREAS L. SPROUL.— The well known representative of business in Ontario, who-se name initiates this paragraph is a man of enterprise and intelligence, being at the present time the incumbent of the postoffice, where he has served the interests of the people since March 20, 1899, and has demonstrated, as also: in all his career, his ability, faithful- ness, and integrity. Mr. Sproul was born in Annapolis county, Nova Scotia, on February 18, 1863, being the son of Samuel and Mary (Litch) Sproul. He was favored with a good ■education from the common schools and at the age of fourteen went to sea, and at the age of seventeen years he was promoted to the posi- tion of captain, his vessel being the David J. Adams, plying between Digby and Boston. Later, he and his brother purchased the same vessel and rechristened it the Annie M. Sproul, having a sister of that name. The brother still owns and operates the vessel. At the age of twenty-three our subject sold his interest in the ship and came west to Grant county, Ore- gon, arriving there in the spring of 1887. He located near Dayville and went into the sheep and horse business, which he continued unin- terruptedly until 1895. At that date he sold his sheep, but still owns a band of horses. He had acquired real estate interests in various places in Malheur county, and has made this county his home'since 1892. On March 11, 1893, Mr. Sproul took to himself a wife, the lady being Miss Ella, daughter of Lewis and Martha Dale, of Missouri. Mrs. Sproul was teaching in Caldwell, Idaho, previous to her marriage. In 1894 Mr. Sproul removed with Tiis family to Ontario and there opened the On- tario Livery and Feed Stable, whicn he success- fully operated until 1899, when he sold, being appointed postmaster at that time. Mr. Sproul was one of the locaters of the Owyhee ditch, being one of the incorporators of the company and filled the office of director until he sold his interests. He owns considerable real estate in Ontario, and also improved prop- erty and is one of the prominent men of the town, being always interested and active in political matters. He has served as council- man of the town and at the present time has received the nomination on the Republican ticket as sheriff of the county and he is well' liked and highly esteemed wherever he is known. Mr. and Mrs. Sproul have one child, Harold. GARRISON J. GRAY.— To the promi- nent and esteemed citizen of Malheur county whose name appears above we grant a repre- sentation in the history of the county, since he is to-day one of the leading men domiciled here, has always labored for the upbuilding of the county, is a man of integrity and upright- ness, and receives the commendation of his fel- lows. Mr. Gray's grandfather, John Gray, was said to be the last living soldier from the Revolution. He was a drummer boy at Bun- ker Hill and saw his father fall, then seized his sire's musket and fought until the struggle closed. He worked for General Washington after the war. He died near Hiramsburg, No- ble county, Ohio, in March, 1868, lacking only two months of being one hundred and five years of age. His stepdaughter, Mrs. Nancy Thom- as, is now living at the age of ninety years on the farm adjoining that old homestead. Our subject was born In Noble county, Ohio, February 23, 1830, being the son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Gorby) Gray. When five years of age he was taken with his parents to Athens county, and the following year, 1836, his mother died. In 1839 he went with his father to Jones county, Iowa, thence to Linn county and then to Cedar county, in which last place, at the age of eleven, he attended his first term of school. The next year they re- moved to Muscatine county and one vear thereafter he tied his earthly possessions in a red handkerchief, clad in simple clothes and with a straw hat which he had braided himself, started forth into the wide world to seek his fortune. Flis first dav's travel led him to Mas- GARRISON J. GRAY. RESIDENCE OF GARRISOH J. GRAY. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 569 catine and the next stop was Bloomington, and there he visited his sister, who was working at the house of Judge Williams, a brother of Judge George Williams, of Portland. Thence he went to his brother, in Jones county, and there attended school. The next spring he carried the mail from Dubuque to Iowa City on horseback, then went to Rock Island, Illinois, and broke prairie sod with ox- en. He kept zealously at work with his books and at the age of twenty had a certificate and was back in his native place in Ohio teaching school. In the spring of 1851 he went with a company to Fort Leavenworth, and then paid fifty dollars for the privilege of driving an ox team across the plains to Huntington. Thence our subject, who was a carpenter, John Wes- ton, a clerk, George Cowne, a printer, and Isaac Hamilton, a farmer, each provided with twenty-five pounds of hardtack, made their way afoot to The Dalles in ten days, arriving on August 13, 1 85 1, the very day that the first steamboat made its way to that town, un- der the direction of Captain Wells. He went to Portland on the Captain's row boat, and in that town refused a job with pay at three dol- lars per clay and town lots at twenty-five dol- lars each in the heart of Portland as pay. He went to Astoria, saw Major Halleck, Generals Grant and McClellan, then went to Salmon and the winter of 1852-3 attended the univer- sity at Salem., known as the Willamette Uni- versity. He taught school in Oregon and Cal- ifornia and followed carpentering in the sum- mer until i860, when his industry and frugal- ity had gained him a nice little holding of prop- erty. In 1863 he find him in the Idaho mines and at Fort Boise he was in charge of the car- penter work of the post and was there when the town was laid out. He kept a stage station seventeen miles below Boise and sold five thou- sand dollars worth of vegetables from his ranch, and in 1867 he went to Albany, and having made a snug little fortune, he retired. In 1 87 1 he desired more activity and took a large bunch of cattle for the Idaho mines and stopped and took a homestead at lower Willow creek, where he now lives, having a good farm of four hundred and eighty acres, an elegant two-story and one-half ten-room dwelling, with pure spring water piped into it, a finely improved estate, and a large holding of stock. He has also plently of water for irrigating, one hundred swarms of bees, a five-acre or- chard of choice varieties and is a leading and prosperous citizen. His estate is located three miles southwest from Dell, of which he was the first postnlaster, continuing for fifteen years. He received his commission in this office from General Grant. Mr. Gray and Miss Sarah A. Moore, a na- tive of Ohio, were married on February 1, 1855, and six children have been born to them : Martha A., deceased; Ida I., wife of B. L. Jones, of Vale; Elizabeth E., wife of B. Em- mons, of Eugene; Mary B., wife of Dr. O. M. Dodson, of Baker City; David L., deceased; Rosetta, wife of H. C. Bowers, of Baker City. On January 20, 1885, Mrs. Gray was called away by death. On September 6, 1886, Mr. Gray married Miss Sarah I. Wales, of Rood- house, Greene county, Illinois, and they have three children, Ethel, Elmer Roe and Edith. On June 17, 1899, this lady died. Mr. Gray and both of his wives were members of the M. E. church. He is affiliated with the Masons. In the early times Mr. Gray had difficulties, as had all the settlers, with the Indians and many are the hardships which he and his were called upon to endure. In 1897 Mr. Gray went to his old home in the east and had a joy- ous time in renewing old acquaintances. MILTON G. HOPE.— It is with pleasure that we are enabled to incorporate in" the vol- ume of the history of the county of Malheur an epitome of the career of the estimable gen- tleman, careful and capable business man, and sturdy pioneer of this section, since he is a man of ability, has shown commendable zeal in the development of the country, has gained 1 a handsome holding in this county, is a man of sound principles, and well known for integ- rity and uprightness. The birth of Mr. Hope occurred in Brook- ville, Vernon county, Wisconsin, on August 31, 1859, his parents being George W. and Emeline (Williams) Hope. The account of the father's noble service in the war of the re- bellion, the mother's moves to Kansas and so forth, are mentioned in another portion of this work and need not be repeated here. Our sub- ject was educated in the common schools and later took a course in the Institute at Atchison, 570 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Kansas. He went with his mother to Kansas, Brown county, in 1870, in 1873, went to* Nor- ton county, and in 1880 he went to Colorado, and the following year, his brother, Isaiah, mention of whom is made in this book, came and they went into partnership, in which they have continued since. In 1882 they came to Wood river, Idaho, and the next year they came to Malheur county, each entering a homestead in the vicinity of Vale. In 1887 they started a merchandise establishment with a capital of one hundred dollars, and here was brought out the real metal of the brothers for it was but a short time before their fair and deferential treatment of patrons brought them such a large trade that they had a fine store and about forty thousand dollars' worth of goods. Such is their business record in short and in part. In addition to this commendable showing they have large interests in the First Bank of Vale, own seven hundred acres of land and sixty acres on which are situated the famous hot springs known now as the Hope Geysers, which have heretofore been a landmark since the white men first came to this country. Po- litically, Mr. Hope is a stanch Republican, cast- ing his first vote for James A. Garfield in Col- orado and walking sixteen miles to' the polls. He has served on the school board for thirteen years, thus manifesting his untiring zeal for the welfare of the educational interests of the county. He has been mayor of the town for two terms and for eight years he was postmas- ter. It "is of note that in 1887-8 our subject was in business with his older brother, John A., but finding the need of further training in the school he sold out and went to the insti- tute mentioned amove and after that graduated from the Bryant & Chapman Commercial College of St. toseph, Missouri. Then fol- lowed the successful career that has been out- lined. The marriage of Mr. Hope and Miss Emma H., daughter of Francis and Sarah J. High, occurred at Norton, Kansas, and three children have been born to bless the happy household : Leslie L., Elizabeth, and the baby, not yet named. Mr. Hope is past grand of the I. O. O. F., Vale Lod?"e, No. 100, and was first chief patriarch of Malheur Encampment of Vale. Mr. Hope is to-day one of the men who enjoys the respect and esteem of the population of Malheur county and is entitled to much credit for the enterprising labors which he has per- formed here, and the zeal manifested for the welfare of the town, schools, and county in general, while his own large business interests as vice-president of the First Bank, manager of the Vale Milling Company of which he and his brother own one-half interest, and numer- ous other industries, are attended to with the same care, geniality, keen foresight, and good practical wisdom that have always chaiacter- ized him in all his walk. HON. ISAIAH W. HOPE is one of the most prominent men in Malheur county to- day, and he has been a leader here for many years, having - started in the mercantile business with his brother in an early day and building up one of the mammoth establishments of the west, while also' in many lines of industry he has brought the fine talent of which he is pos- sessed into play with the gratifying result that he has achieved a genral round of success in the realm of merchant, general developer of the country, organizer of the Vale Commercial Company, promoter of various leading indus- tries of the countv, banker, and representative of his county in the state legislature, in which latter position he has the distinction of being the only man who has received a second term at the hands of the people; thus it is seen that Mr. Hope is deserving of a prominent mention in the history of Malheur county, where he stands esteemed by all both for his work and for his own intrinsic worth. Isaiah W. was born in Brookville, Vernon county, Wisconsin, September 28, 1861, be- ing the son of George W. and Emeline (Will- iams) Hope. His father was one of the mar- tyrs of the Civil war, enlisting in the Twenty- fifth Wisconsin Volunteers in the spring of 1862. He was under Sherman in the siege of Vicksburg, was sent to the north to fight the Indians in the Minnehaha massacre, returned to go with Sherman to the south, and was taken sick and sent to the hospital at Memphis, Ten- nessee, where he died in the spring of 1863. In 1870 our subject went with his mother and the rest of the family to Brown county, Kan- sas, and in 1873, they went to Norton county, where the mother took up a soldier's claim and is living there at the present time. In July, HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 571 1 88 1, Mr. Hope came west to Colorado, enter- ing into partnership with his brother, Milton G., with whom he has labored ever since. In 1883 they came to Bellville, Idaho, and the following" year they came to Vale. They each entered a homestead and with their bare hands they commenced the work of improvement. In 1887 they started a mercantile establishment with one hundred dollars capital and they have merited the patronage of the people because of fair and honorable treatment, and the patron- age came and the result has been that at the present time the Hope Brothers have a stock of from thirty to forty thousand dollars worth of finely assorted merchandise, and a fine large stone store. In 1902 they incorporated under the name of the Vale Commercial Company in which they hold a half interest. They also own an interest in the Vale Milling Company, and have seven hundred acres of land, besides sixty on which are located the famous Hope Springs. They are interested heavily in the First Bank of Vale. In 1890 Mr. Hope married Miss" Lillie B., daughter of Fred and Hannah Gellerman, near Vale, and to them have been born the follow- ing children : Norma E., Irma D., Mazie. In 1894 Mr. Hope was elected on the Republican ticket to 1 represent this county in the state legislature and at the expiration of his term was promptly re-elected. He is a member of the state central committee, and chairman of the county committee. Mr. Hope is member and past grand of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No, 100, of Vale ; is also' past chief patriarch of the Malheur Encampment of Vale. He and his wife are member of the Rebekah and she is past grand, while he has served as secretary of the I. O. O. F. for several years. Mr. Hope was educated in the common schools and then has perfected himself in that greatest of all schools, practical business on the American frontier. He and his brother were the original locators of the Malheur Oil Company and hold large interests in that concern. Mr. Hope has forty acres adjoining the town of Vale and intends soon to erect a residence there. WILLIAM M. MANGIN.— The subject of this article is one of the oldest pioneers of Jordan Valley, a man of ability and worth, one who has wrought here with assiduity and sagacity since the early days, is now recog- nized as one of the prominent men of the coun- ty, has ever maintained an unsullied reputation and manifested a stanch character of upright- ness and integrity, and in business circles has won a success that is a credit to any man, therefore he is deserving of a prominent posi- tion in the history of his county and it is with pleasure that we accord him such at this time. William Mangin was born in Boston, Mas- sachusetts, on March 16, 1830, being the son of James and Elizabeth Mangin, natives of Ireland and Nova Scotia respectively. Our sub- ject received his education at his native place and at the early age of sixteen years he em- barked on the schooner, Boston, which went to Newfoundland to load with codfish for Gib- raltar; thence to Madrid where they loaded with fruit and wine for America. Returning to Boston, he then went to^ Mobile for a load of cotton, then transferred, after a summer spent on the bay, to another ship, the Dublin, and went with a cargoi of cotton to Liverpool. Re- turning to 1 New York, he made another trip to Liverpool, then made several trips to foreign countries, as West Indies, France, and many others. In 1856 he arrived in San Francisco*, sailing on the good ship, Wild Duck, and spent some time on the bay, and then in 1858 came to the timber regions of Puget Sound, whence he went to Fraser river experiencing some ex- citing times with the Indians. It was as early 1872 when he came to Jordan Valley. He had a brother living here then, who died in 1874. Our subject took a homestead and at once went to farming and raising stock. He has been eminently successful in these lines and now has one of the finest farms in the county of Malheur, it being located one mile east from Jordan Valley, and consisting of four hundred and eighty acres of fine fertile land. He has a large bunch of cattle and is a leader among the stock men. In 1878 when the savages were on the war path, Mr. Mangin was of inestim- able service in defending the settlers, and he has always shown the qualities of worth and bravery. The marriage of Mr. Mangin and Martha Kellog, widow of John Kellog, a pioneer of 1872, was solemnized in 1883. By her former husband, Mrs. Mangin has four boys, Warren J., Joseph M., Edward C, and George A. It is with pleasure that we have reverted to the 572 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES career of Mr. Mangin during his entire stay in this county, for it has been passed with cred- it to himself and advantage to all concerned, while he numbers as his friends all who may -have the pleasure of his acquaintance. HON. RANSOM BEERS is one of the oldest pioneers of this section and a man of enterprise and energy, having wrought in all the arduous and trying occupations of the frontier life, being eminently successful in them all, as well as having done much here for the upbuilding of the county, while his life of uprightness and integrity, with manifestation of sound principles, has commended him to the confidence and esteem of all who have the pleas- ure of knowing him. The birth of our subject occurred in Ohio, near Columbus, on March 27, 1831, and his parents were Conrad and Jemima (Zin) Beers. He was reared on a farm and received his ed- ucation in the primitive log schoolhouse of that section and day. At the early age of ten, his mother died and he knew the sorrows of that sad event mingled with his boyhood clays. Until the fall of 1852 he remained with his father, and then he removed to Henry county, Iowa, and the following- spring set out across the plains in a train of twelve wagons to Cali- fornia. Four months later he was digging gold in Placerville, having completed the trip with- out special incident. Eleven years were spent in that section in mining and success crowned his efforts. Then, in the spring of 1864, he went by ship to Portland, and thence to Mor- ■jikhi basin, where he engaged in placer mining until 1872, being also successful in that ven- ture. Mr. Beers rented his mines in that basin and opened a store which occupied his atten- tion until 1874, when he came to his present place, which is five miles southeast from Mal- heur. Here he owns one-half section of land, well improved and stocked. He has a fine eight-roomed residence, a good barn and a nice bunch of cattle. Mr. Beers took this land from the raw country and has made all these improvement, being one of the most successful farmers and stockmen of the country. In fraternal relations Mr. Beers has been for thirty-nine years a member of the I. O. O. F. and is one of the charter members of the Baker City Lodge, No. 25. In 1868 the peo- ple of the section where he resides called him from the pursuit of his private enterprises, and elected him to represent the county in the state legislature. And in that capacity Mr. Beers manifested the same thoroughness, good judg- ment, ability, and faithfulness, that have ever characterized him and he filled the office with credit to himself and satisfaction to his con- stituency. He was elected on the Democratic ticket. We desire to say that Mr. Beers started out in life with no capital except his hands and' a good stout heart and he has accumulated a fine property because of his thrift and indus- try. He still owns the mines in the Mormon Basin. In the time of the famous Centennial, Mr. Beers went to visit the exposition in Phil- adelphia. In 1900 also he went to the east, but in all his travels Mr. Beers disclaims hav- ing found any place which pleases him as well as his western home. He is now spending his golden days in the quiet enjoyment of his por- tion, which he has wrought out with his own hands, and he is one of the highly esteemed and respected men of the county, being beloved by all. Mr. Beers has always cast his lot with the ways of celibacy, being content to> enjoy its quieter walk than the responsibilities of the connubial relations. JAMES McCAIN.— The estimable pio- neer whose name initiates this parag-raph was a man of energw, faithfulness, and integrity, and he wrought here for the development and substantial progress of the county, with a strong hand and with display of wisdom which gave him a brilliant success both in the estab- lished confidence of his fellows and in the fin- ancial holdings that came to him. It was a sad day when he was called from the walks of life and associations of his family. James McCain was born in New York in 1833, and there he remained for the first twen- ty years of his life, and then came to Wiscon- sin. There on July 24, 1854, occurred his marriage with M^° Eliza Tamson, a native of England, who came at the age of fifteen with her parents to Wisconsin from her native land. In 1866 the young couple crossed the dreary waste of plains and mountains to Boise valley, locating about sixteen miles from Boise. They HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 573 took up farming. and stock raising and later re- moved to Reynolds creek and four years later went thence to Cow creek, remaining until 1878, when they were driven out by hostile Indians. At this time they lost about seven thousand dollars worth of stock, mostly horses. They then removed to their present place, two miles east from the town of Jordan Valley. At this place they acquired title to two hundred and seventy-three acres of land. Here, on July 11, 1893, occurred the death of Mr. Mc- Cain. He left his widow and two children, Ellen, wife of John Huff, of Riverside ; James B., a stockman. There was one other child, Thomas, deceased. Mrs. McCain has married Mr. G. A. Mc- Govern, and they reside on the home place, which is supplied with all necessary improve- ments and provided with a good stone resi- dence. Mr. McGovern was born in Canada, on April 18, 1854, and is a man of good stand- ing and well respected. GEORGE E. WARD.— No work that purports to chronicle the careers of the leading citizens of Malheur county would be complete were there omission to> mention the estimable gentleman whose name initiates this para- graph, and whose labors have been fruitful of much good to this portion of the county, as well as adjacent vicinities, having been instru- mental in originating the famous Owyhee ditch and in furthering the plans for its com- pletion, while also- in general development of the country he has done very much. George E. Ward was born in Quebec, Canada, on Sep'- tember 14, 1852, being the son of George P. and Elizabeth (Sherman) Ward. He was reared on a farm and in a hotel and was edu- cated in the common schools of his native place. In 1879 ne came to Silver City, Idaho, and there he engaged in the sheep business, re- maining in the same for five years. Then he sold out and went to Umatilla coimty, in this state, bought a band of sheep and brought them to the Owyhee river and since that time he has continuously devoted his attention to the sheep business. He has a stock ranch in Grant coun- ty and one on the Owyhee river and is one of the leaders in this important line of industry, having brought to bear in its prosecution a wealth of ability, energy and wisdom that have given him an excellent success. His three brothers were associated with him in the Owy- hee ditch project. Four others were brought into the enterprise and later it was incorporated and Mr. Ward has remained in it, giving his wisdom, energy and money to make of it the unbounded success that it is at the present time. In political matters Mr. Ward is allied with the Republicans and has always devoted the proper amount of attention toi the affairs of the county and state. He believes implicitly in the principles of protection for the industries and citizens of this republic and always labors for that end. He has now much stock and is esteemed as one of the leaders of the promi- nent men of the county. G. B. GLOVER.— The stockmen of Mal- heur county are the men who have brought the county to the front by their arduous labors and wise manipulation of the resources here found, and as a prominent one of this distin- guished class the subject of this article is well known, being also a worthy pioneer, who- wrought here with a firm hand and endured the hardships incident to 1 that life, while his keen foresight and enterprise led him to see- the value of the country that he was opening. Mr. Glover was born in Holly Springs, Mississippi, on December 20, 1841, and at the age of fourteen went with his father and the balance of the family to- Arkansas, where he re- mained until the breaking out of the terrible Civil war and then enlisted in the Confederate army, doing- valiant military service until the close of the conflict. He then returned toi his home, and in 1870 came to Jackson county, Missouri, and thence, five years later, he jour- neyed to what is now Malheur county. He lo- cated where he now lives, eighteen miles north- west from Jordan valley, at Cow Creek lakes, took land, and engaged in farming and stock- raising. Success has attended his thrifty and wisely bestowed labors and he now has a valu- able estate of eleven hundred and forty acres of land. "The Lakes," as the estate is called, is one of the most beautiful, as well as valuable, in southeastern Oregon. He has it well im- proved, and it is made a comfortable and at- tractive rural abode. Mr. Glover has one hun- : 574 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES dred and fifty cattle and other stock. He is al- ways active in the political matters of the coun ty and state and is an influential and promi- nent citizen. The marriage of Mr. Glover and Mrs. Elizabeth (Shea) Keenan was solemnized in Wagontown and they have become the par- ents of the following children : Wren, de- ceased, Holmes, Frances, John, Violet and Elaire. Mrs. Glover is a Canadian by birth, and had by her former husband two children, Anna and Theresa. Mr. Glover has always manifested uprightness in his. business life, and the manner in which he has managed his busi- ness interests reflects credit upon him and demonstrates him to be a man bf ability and wisdom. ■ ■♦ ♦ » ROBERT W. WORSHAM.— This enter- prising and representative citizen of Malheur county has the distinction of being one of the early pioneers of Oregon, while also he was among the very first in many mining regions where he endured the almost overwhelming hardships there encountered and wrought with a strong hand and courageous heart, doing well his part in the great development of the west. Robert W. was born in Hopkinsville, Christian county, Kentucky, on April 30, 1839, being the son of Robert and Emeline (Elgin) Worsham. He was reared on a farm and in the winter months attended sohooh In 1852 he came with his parents across the plains and settlement was made in Clackamas county, near Oregon City. The trip was without dan- ger or special incident, except four of their number died with the cholera, although the train was small, consisting of only eighteen wagons. The father had a large family and the first winter in Oregon City was a time of trial. Flour sold for thirty dollars per barrel and potatoes for five dollars per bushel. Of meat they had none except what game they killed. The father took a half section of land and settled down to make a home, and in 1859, our subject went to the Similikameen mines and then on the Thompson river, in British Columbia, whence he went to Fraser river and from there to the Canal river in the Cariboo district. He followed prospecting and mining and many is the fight he had with the In- dians and finally he was obliged to leave the region on account of their hostilities. In i860 he bought a farm and settled down near the home place and on April 11, 1861, occurred the happy event of the marriage of Mr. Worsham and Miss Lucy E., daughter of Joseph T. and Hannah E. Wingfield, of Oregon City. In 1862 he went to> the Florence mines in Idaho, and later to the Oro Fino mines, being success- ful in both places. Then he returned home and spent a little time on the farm, after which he opened a butcher business in Oregon City, remaining there until 1877, when he came to Malheur 1 and bought a stock farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres four miles southeast from 1 Malheur post office. H bis personal history, we note that James T. was born in Adair county, Missouri, on July 14, 1839, being the son of Andrew and Mary Hat- field. He removed with his parents while still a child to Putnam county, in the same state, and there remained with them until the time of his marriage, which happy event occurred on September 9, 1858, Miss Lucinda Sumpter then becoming his wife. In 1 September, 1861, Mr. Hatfield enlisted in the Confederate army under Price and participated in the battle of Lexing- ton, serving three months. Then he returned home, and, being convinced of the error of the cause of Confederacy, he did what few men would have the courage to do, that was, own his mistake and offer his services on the right side. He enlisted in Company E, Ninth Mis- souri Volunteers, and served in this capacity until the fall of 1863, being then honorably dis- charged. It was in the spring of 1864 that he joined a train of emigrants bound for the west with ox teams. Sixty-five wagons and one hundred and thirteen emigrants formed the train, and notwithstanding several attacks from the savages, they arrived in Austin City, Ne- vada, in due time without the loss of any of their number. He remained there until i< 580 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES and then returned to Missouri on horseback. Missouri was his home then until 1876, at which time he came to Battle Mountain, Ne- vada, there running a hotel, freighting and doing various other labors until 1888, when he came by wagon to Owyhee and thence to Boise valley, returning to the Owyhee in 1890. He located a homestead and improved the land, which property he sold in 1901. At the same time he purchased the eighty acres where he now lives, and has it improved in good shape. He also 1 owns another farm of forty acres with his son. To Mr. and Mrs. Hatfield there have been born five children, one of whom is still living, Emanuel Isaiah, who was born January 22, 1874. Mr. Hatfield is a Democrat and always active in the affairs of the county. He and his son have a large band of cattle and horses and are numbered with the leading stockmen of the section. WILLIAM J. van LIMBURGH, Jr.— It gives us pleasure to speak in this connection of the talented and enterprising young gentleman whose name appears above, and who has come to us from the busy land of Holland to make one of the stanch American citizens, being of the pure Anglo-Saxon blood whence comes the leading men of the day. He is now one of the well-to-do farmers of the vicinity of Arcadia, owning a, tract of eighty acres two miles south- west from that place. William J. was born in Rotterdam. Holland, on September 12, 1878, being the son of William J. and Johanna van Limburgh. The father was a very wealthy and prominent citizen of Holland, being president and chief owner of the famous Basalt Mining Company of Rotterdam. The mines are lo- cated in Germany and Belgium and produce a fine grade of stone for building and paving. This gentleman made a trip to' the United States to visit his son in 1900 and he was very favorably impressed with the country. He also spent one month in Washington, D. C, visiting the ambassador, Baron Gevars. Returning to his native country, Mr. van Limburgh contin- ued ini his business until May 9, 1902, when he was taken very suddenly ill and passed away. He was in his fifty-ninth year. The mother is still living on the old homestead in Holland. Our subject grew up in Rotterdam, received his primary education in the common schools- and then attended the high school and subse- quently took his degree from the Agricultural College at Wageningen, Holland. Soon fol- lowing this event he came to the United States, landing at New York, and thence direct to On- tario, arriving here on February 23, 1897. He purchased his present place, and soon went to improving it. and in the good labor of handling it successfully he has been engaged since that time. The land is under the Owyhee ditch and is productive of large crops of alfalfa and fruit. Mr. van Limburgh is a man of much informa- tion, having profited much by his privileged course in the institutions of his native land, and he manifests an active interest in the affairs of his 'chosen country. He has taken his papers for citizenship and his fellows have chosen him for delegate to- the county convention. In fra- ternal relations he is allied with the K. of P., Armour Lodge. No. 69, of Ontario. The happy event of the marriage of Mr. van Limburgh and Miss Sophia Boode, a na- tive of The Hague, Holland, was celebrated on; October 21, 1900, and to them has been born one child, William J. GEORGE G. BROWN.— This represen- tative agriculturist and patriotic citizen is one of the leading farmers of the vicinity of Nyssa, having a quarter section of good land, which is his family home, two miles west from that town. Mr. Brown was born in Piatt county, Missouri, on January 22, 1850, being the son of George and Jemima (Harris) Brown. In March, 1855, the family went to Doniphan county, Kansas, and the father was one of the early settlers of that section. He was a pro- slavery advocate and was through the exciting times of that period. In 1867 they removed to Newton county, Missouri, and in 1869 the fa- ther died there. Our subject grew to man- hood on a farm, gaining his education as best could be done from the scanty opportunity of the common schools, which, however, was made the most of by our subject. On March 15, 1874, in Newton county, oc- curred the marriage of Mr. Brown and Mar- garet D. Gary. In 1878 they removed to Gray- son county, Texas, and there Mr. Brown de- voted his energies to farming and stockraising until 1886, at which time he returned to New- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 581 ton county, Missouri, and two years later came thence to this country across the plains with teams and wagons. He had his wife, four children and mother on the trip and one hun- dred days were consumed in making it. They arrived at Long valley, Idaho., .'without serious accident and there Mr. Brown engaged in rais- ing stock. It was in 1891 that Mr. Brown re- moved his family to his 1 present abode. He entered a homestead and began the toil of mak- ing a fertile farm and comfortable home from the wilds of nature. He has succeeded in a good manner and has a valuable plaice. He secures water from the Owyhee ditch, has the farm well tilled, has a good residence, fine orchard, and secures' a good return annually from the abundant crops raised. Mr. Brown is affiliated with the K. of P., Armour Lodge, No. 69, of Ontario, and in political matters holds with the Democratic party, being active in the interests of the coun- try and laboring always for the advancement and upbuilding of the same. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born the following named children: Carrie B., wife of Ira Rutledge, near Nyssa; Daisy, wife of John Ray, living near Nyssa; Effie, wife o.f N. Minton, living near Nyssa ; William Edward ; Francis ; Georgia. » » » FRANK O'NEILL.— The sturdy pioneer, capable gentleman and patriotic citizen whose name heads this article is one of the leading agriculturists and stockmen of his section o>f Malheur county, being a man who. has wrought with great energy and commendable wisdom in his efforts to assist in the upbuilding and ad- vancement cf this section of the country. Our subject was born in the County of Antrim, Ulster province, Ireland, on May 10, 1846, being the son of John and Elizabeth O'Neill. He was reared on a farm and remained in his native place until 1866, when he went to Scot- land, and four years later was in Liverpool, whence on September 23, 1870, he embarked on the "Harvest Queen," a sailing vessel bound for the United States. After a very rough trip of thirty-eight days he landed in New York, thence to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and one year later went to San Francisco. In Sonoma county, at Visalia, and in Mendocino ■county, in that state, he labored in the ltimbei business. In San Francisco., on December 18, 1875, Mr. O'Neill married Mary Mullary, and in 1881 they came to Portland. Thence they journeyed by team to lower Willow creek in Malheur county and located a quarter section, taking up the stock business. Three children were born to this marriage, Mrs. Annie Zahlor, Mrs. Mary Loean and Francis P. In 1882, very soon after landing in Malheur county, Mrs. O'Neill was called away by death. Mr. O'Neill contracted a second marriage, the date being October 12, 1886, and the lady Mrs. Anna Jackson, who had by her former husband three children, Frank O, Mrs. Mary B. Madden and George W. To this second marriage there have been born two. children, Mable E. and Elsie M. Mrs. O'Neill came across the plains with her husband, Stephen Jackson, and three children from the state of Wisconsin in 1882. They located where Mr. and Mrs. O'Neill now live, fifteen miles west from Vale, on the Burns and Ontario stage line,- at what is known as the Hot Springs stage station. Mr. Jackson was murdered there, an account of which occurs elsewhere in the vol- ume. Our subject owns his ranch on lower Willow creek, and they own another quarter near where they live, in addition to the family home. They are worthy and capable citizens and are secure in the esteem and favor of their fellows, being upright and possessed of in- tegrity. GEORGE W. CLINTON.— A veritable pioneer of the pioneers, and a man of sterling qualities of worth and substantiality, while his excellent achievements mark him one possessed of more than ordinary ability for business enterprises, the subject of this article is to be mentioned with the prominent men of Malheur county and is well worthy of the prestige and esteem that he enjoys. Mr. Clinton was born in New York, in 1837, being the son of Alexander and Mar- garet (Balfour) Clinton, natives respectively of Maryland and Pennsylvania. In 1844 the family removed to Wisconsin, and in 1859 they took up the arduous journey across the dreary plains beset with great danger and hard- ship. In due time they arrived at the Sacra- mento valley and there engaged in farming. In 1864 our subject made his way into the L 582 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES wilds of this country, locating first at Silver City, then coming to the place where Jordan Valley now stands. He located land and went to raising stock and farming. For twenty-four years he labored on and then sold his posses- sions and for a period afterward his time was equally divided between this place and Cali- fornia. At the time of the Indian outbreak in 1865 he lost heavily, the savages stealing his horses. The parents of our subject both died in California and also all of a family of eight children but George W. At the present time Mr. Clinton is living on his fine estate of twelve hundred acres O'f fertile land located twelve miles west from the town of Jordan Valley, where he handles large bands of stock, cattle and horses, and is one of the heavy property owners of the countv. DAVID DUNBAR.— In the person of the subject of this sketch we have one of the lead- ing- citizens and stockmen of Malheur county, and it is with pleasure that we chronicle the salient points in his interesting and active career, wherein he has ever manifested in- tegrity, ability and industry. David Dunbar was born in Ontario, Canada, near Kingston, on February 5, 1849, being the son O'f James and Eliza ( Laird) Dunbar. He was reared on a farm with his parents and gained his educa- tion from the common schools of that province. In July, i860, he was called to mourn the death of his mother, and in the fall of the same year stepped forth, from^ the parental roof to do> bat- tle with the forces of this world alone. He went to' New York and thence by steamer to San Francisco, arriving in that city in thirty days. He worked during the winter on the Union Pacific railroad at Truckee, Nevada, then journeyed by steamer from the Golden Gate to Portland and thence to The Dalles. At that city he joined a saddle train and made his way to the Idaho basin. This was in 1867, and he mined for a time and then freighted from Kelton, Utah, to> Silver City, Idaho, after which he purchased a band of horses and took them to> Montana and sold them, purchasing a band of stock and work cattle. These he brought back to Silver City, selling the cattle for work there, and brought the stock cattle to the vicinity of Ontario. He had wintered previous to that time near where Ontario' now stands. He located his present place of two hundred "acres on Snake river, which is now well improved, and also his place where he now lives, six miles west from Ontario. This farm contains one hundred and sixty acres of good land, well improved, and furnished with plenty of irrigating water. He also* owns a fine resi- dence of modern design on a block of lots in Ontario, which is the family home during the school season. In 1880 Mr. Dunbar made a trip toi Laramie, AVyoming, with a band of cattle, shipping them to Chicago, and thence he went to his old home in Canada, and made a visit to his father, remaining over one winter. In the spring of 1881 we find him again in Ore- gon, bending his energies to' the prosecution of the stock business, which he has followed since that time with the wisdom and thrift that have given him great success. Mr. Dunbar is selling off his range stock, and is devoting him- self to breeding thoroughbred Shorthorns, and raising abundance of alfalfa hay for them. On March 30, 1891, Mr. Dunbar married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of George and Mar- garet (Calder) Manson. Her parents are de- ceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar there have been born three children, named as fallows: Margaret, Ralph and Helen. ELBERT H. CLINTON, deceased.— It is true that the worthy pioneers whose familiar figures were seen among us so many years are now one by one passing from these scenes to the rewards of another world and it is emi- nently proper that such as the subject of this; article should be granted a memorial in the volume that chronicles the history of the coun- try where he labored and endured, manifesting always those pleasant virtues and principles that characterize the true and typical man. Elbert H. Clinton was born in New York, in 1834, and ten years later his father's family came to Wisconsin, whence they went in 1852 to Iowa, and soon thereafter to 1 Sacramento valley, California. Our subject was in all these journeys, and in 1863 he came to Silver City and thence to Jordan Valley, being one of the very first white men who settled in this vicin- ity. He took land and went to farming and raising stock, and success from the start at- tended his industry and wise management of his business. This business occupied him until HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 583 the time for him to depart the cares and la- bors of earth. This sad event occurred in January, 1900, and with sincere mourning among a very large circle of friends, this worthy pioneer and good man wasi consigned to his last resting place. He was a man of energy, and always manifested great interest in the affairs of the county, being a leading and influential citizen, respected by all and worthy of the confidence that was reposed in him by the people. ALVA P. MACK. — This enterprising and intelligent gentleman is one of Malheur coun- ty's leading agriculturists, being a man of good ability and possessed of thrift and those talents which make the successful man, which in its full degree he has demonstrated him- self to 1 be, for he came to Ontario in 1890 with less than twenty dollars in finances, and by his own endeavors he has amassed a good- ly holding of valuable property ; his estate of one hundred and twenty acres, which is highly improved and excellently tilled, lies four and one-half miles southwest from Ontario. It is a model rural home, and shows in every detail both the wisdom and the untiring energy and industry of its proprietor. He produces abundance of alfalfa hay each year, has a good band lof cattle, a fine orchard, raising also considerable corn, which yields fifty bushels to the acre. The farm has good buildings, in- cluding outbuildings, a commodious barn and a residence of modern architectural design of nine rooms and kept in a tasty and beautiful manner. In fact everything about the prem- ises of Mr. Mack indicates a wide-awake, care- ful, yet vigorous man in charge and he is justly entitled to the position of leader in his line of business, which is accorded to 1 him by his friends. Reverting more particularly to the personal history of our subject, we note that he was born in the vicinity of Battle Creek, Calhoun county, Michigan, on January 14, 1868, be- ing the son of Edward C. and Sarah (Tal- mage) Mack. The father was a native of' Michigan and served for one year in the Civil war, after which he returned to his home in his native state and lives there still. Our subject was reared on a farm and received his education in the public schools. His home was with his parents until the spring of 1890, when he was led by a stirring and adventurous spirit to seek for himself a home in the west. Accordingly he came hither, and as said above, when he lauded in Ontario less than twenty dollars lined his pockets. He at once sought employment from the Oregon Forwarding Company, and for six years his face and form were familiar as one of the leading salesmen of that mammoth establishment. At the end of that period he had saved enough money to purchase his present valuable estate, which has already been noted. On July 4, 1 89 1, the marriage of Mr. Mack and Miss Lulu, daughter of Elbridge and Lois E. (Kentfield) Wellington, and a native of Clinton county, Michigan, was solemnized near Ontario. To our subject and his worthy wife there have been born five children, as follows : Lloyd A., Merle E., Ella M., Gerry E. and Lois E. Mr. Mack affiliates with the K. of P., Armour Lodge, No. 69, of Ontario, while he and his wife are faithful members of the Methodist church. GEORGE W. SMITH.— Among the sub- stantial and enterprising citizens of Malheur county is to be mentioned the gentleman whose name is at the head of this article. He is a man of uprightness and has labored here with energy and skill for many years in the en- deavor to bring this section into- a state of de- velopment and also> to enhance the condition of his own exchequer. Mr. Smith was born in Carter county, Kentucky, on November 16, 1836, being the son of Clayborn and Cloa (Luck) Smith. He went with his parents to Randolph county, Arkansas, and soon removed thence to Lawrence county, in the same state. At this last place they both died, he being but a small child at the time. Thus early left an orphan, he learned some of the hardships of life and lived in various places in the neigh- borhood, where he attended the district school as he had opportunity. He was in Arkansas during the war and many dangers and not a few hardships were his to endure. In 1869 he went to Grayson county, Texas, and there followed the art of farming until 1879, at which time he went to Salt Lake City and the following spring he continued his journey to the Salmon river mines, where he pros- , 584 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUXTIES pected and mined and cut wood until 1884, when he came to his present place, three miles northwest from Ontario-, locating" a quarter section there. He settled down to improve the place, building a comfortable residence, outbuildings, planting an orchard, and so forth. He sold eighty acres subsequently, and now makes his home on the other eighty. Mr. Smith has also a number of stands of bees, with sufficient stock for the farm. When he came here there were but a few houses in Ontario, and settlers were far apart, he being one of the early pioneers of this vicinity. When he came to this country he was not blessed with any financial resources, but by careful labor, wise management and thrift he has been able to make a comfortable home and gain a competence. Mr. Smith is a mem- ber of the Methodist church and is devoted to the faith, being active in its precepts and mani- festing a life of uprightness and integrity. CHARLES D. DAVIS.— This worthy pioneer and capable citizen of Malheur coun- ty is one of the well known farmers of the vicinity of Ontario', having a farm of eighty acres two and one-half miles northwest from Ontario, which is well improved with comfort- able buildings, orchards, etc., having also* a good supply of water for irrigating. Mr. Davis is a native of Douglas county, Nebraska, being born on November 23, 1855, and the son of Charles B. and Jane (Piatt) Davis. The father was a veteran of the Mexican war, participating in many battles and skirmishes and being honorably discharged at its close. He was a native of Ohio, but went into the war from Iowa. Following his discharge, he removed with his family to Nebraska and set- tled in Douglas county. In 1861 he again pressed to the front and served his country, enlisting for a three-years' period. In 1864 the elder Davis came across the plains with his family, locating in Boise first, when few peo- ple were there and bacon cost fifty cents per pound. In 1868 he removed to the vicinity of Malheur City and being a lawyer, he prac- ticed there and in Baker and Eldorado. In Baker City he was called hence by death, in 1875. In 1873 our subject removed to Lower Willow creek and engaged in the stock busi- ness. In the spring of 1880 he came to the Malheur river and took land and three years later he came to his present place, taking a quarter section, of which he sold half. He produces much alfalfa hay each year. At various times he has also been engaged in mining, as well as the stock business. On September 3, 1877, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Davis and Miss Jane A., a daugh- ter of Joseph A. and Clementine Morton, and they have been blessed by the advent of seven children to their home, as follows : Lillie, wife of C. A. Haygood, of the vicinity of Vale; Kate, wife of Frank Carmen, near On- tario; Charles; Nellie; Nora; George and Adrian. Mrs. Davis' father lives near On- tario. Mr. Davis' mother has passed away, the date being 1886, as also his father, as mentioned above. Mr. Davis is a member of the A. O. U. W., in Ontario. He started in this country with no money and possessed of good health and a resolute will. He has made a commendable showing and has accumulated a good property. It is of note that Mr. Davis says at the time the site of Ontario was sur- veyed, he assisted to grub the sage brush from the streets. JOHN S. EDWARDS.— The subject of this article is one of Malheur's foremost men in the realm of stock raising and agricultural pur- suits, which are the wealth of our county, and he has labored in the section since an early day, having the distinction of being one of the first pioneers and real builders of the county. ■ John S. was born near Oskaloosa, Iowa, on Novem- ber 25, 1849, being the son of Thomas D. and Barbara E. (Rinehart) Edwards. In 1854 the parents came with ox teams in a large train to Lane county, Oreg-on, passing through the territory of what is now Malheur and Harney counties. Some stock was stolen on the road, but no other trouble befell them. In Lane coun- ty the father entered government land and set- tled down to farming. Until the spring of 1871 the subject of this sketch lived with his parents and then came to where Vale now stands, there being but one cabin there then. Two years later he came to the vicinity of his present home and engaged in stock business. Mr. Edwards now has about nine hundred acres of land, four hundred of which is fine bottom JOHH S. EDWARDS. MRS. JOHH S. EDWARDS. MRS. EMORY COLE. EMORY COLE. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 585 land and the remainder .grazing land. H'e has the ranch well improved, occupies a fine two- story residence, has good barns and outbuild- ings, a fine orchard, and also owns a large band of horses and some cattle. The marriage of Mr. Edwards and Miss Sarah F., daughter of George W. and Rebecca (Lamb) Smith, of Union, Oregon, was cele- brated on July 27, 1876, and they have become the parents of the following children : Thom- as O., deceased; Nora M., deceased; Pearl E., attending the normal school at Weston ; Har- ry A. ; Alma R. ; Phil E. ; Irma E. ; Clarice B. ; and Willard R. Mrs. Edwards was born in Monroe county, Iowa, and crossed the plains with her parents in 1864 with ox teams, the family settling near Island City, Union coun- ty, Oregon, where the father died on June 7, 1892, but the mother is still living there. Mr. Edwards' mother died on May 19, 1883, at the old home place in Lane county, and his fa- ther passed away at Eugene, this state, on Oc- tober 5, T894. In addition to the other enterprises which he is so capably managing, Mr. Edwards has a large interest in the Simmons group of mines, a valuable property at Cornucopia. He is one of the leading men o years subsequent to' that they re- turned to this county and located where our subject now lives. Here Edward was educated and spent his time in learning the arts of tilling the soil and raising stock. He has been brought up in the county and is familiar with its resources and history and is well known as a young man of sterling qualities and he has the confidence of the people. Mr. Beam has one-half section of fine land, which produces abundant crops annually, among" which is two hundred tons of hay. He has fifty head of cat- tle and also a bunch of horses. Mr. Beam is considered one of the substantial citizens of the county, and the brilliant success that has attended his efforts is abundant proof of both his industry and his ability. The marriage of Mr. Beam and Miss Eu- cibia McPherson, a native of California, was solemnized near Vale, on September 18, 1899, and they have two children, Arthur W. and Nettie F. Mr. McPherson was an early pio- neer to California and came to the territory now embraced in Malheur county in 1888. Mr. Beam is always active in the welfare of HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 58T the county and takes a great interest in the politics of the county and state, being ever allied on the side of progress and upbuilding. He is rightly numbered with the leading men of his section and is one whose efforts have aided materially in the making of Malheur county. JAMES A. WALTER.— About five miles southwest from Ontario, is the farm and home of the subject of this article. It is a place of eighty acres, well improved, skillfully tilled, has fine buildings, good orchards and a vine- yard, and in connection with the care of this estate, Mr. Walter is operating a dairy and manufacturing a good quality of butter, which is readily sold in the markets. In person Mr. Walter is a man of sound principles, stands well among his fellow's, possesses good ability, and has made a success of his labor, starting with his bare hands and now has a good prop- erty accumulated. He was born in Wayne county, Indiana, on February 14, 1854, being the son of Henry and Lovier (Lee) Walter. He grew up on a farm, received a good edu- cation from the common schools, and remained with his parents until 1880, having removed with them to Henry county, Indiana, in 1875. When he stepped out for himself, he came by rail to Reno', Nevada, and in the fall of 1881 came across the country with teams from there to Malheur county, locating in Malheur valley, and doing his first work as a wage earner in this new country. The settlers were few then and the country open and he selected a farm near where Yale stands, but later closed out the farm business and for three years he acted as salesman through the country for the Pay- ette nursery. In 1894 he purchased the im- provements of a man and filed a homestead on the eighty above described. On January 16, 1896, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Walter and Miss Lillie M. Steele. She is a native of Arkansas, whence she came across the plains with her parents twenty-five years ago, settling in this county. The par- ents are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Walter there have been born three children, Maud, Ora iM. and Orville. Mr. Walter's mother died in the east, and the father came to this country in 1887, and here he died in 1894. Our subject is a member of the K. of P., Armour Lodge, No. 69. He is a man of integrity and sterling worth of character and has manifested substantial qualities constantly, which have given him a fine prestige among his fellows. CHARLIE E. AMIDON.— This weir known and representative farmer and stock- man is a substantial and enterprising citizen of Malheur county, dwelling near Ontario, five and one-half miles southwest, where he has a fine farm of one hundred and eighty acres, well tilled and improved with buildings, or- chards, and so forth, in addition to which he owns one hundred acres of land in another place, besides other property. The birth of Mr. Amidon occurred at Glenn, Allegan coun- ty, Michigan, in i860, August 23, being the son of Edson and Electa (Tracy) Amidon. The father enlisted in Company B, Thir- teenth Michigan, in October, 1861. He was transferred to Sherman's army and was with that celebrity on the famous march to the sea. Before going, he was home on a furlough, on account of the measles. Upon his return to the army after his furlough he was promoted as corporal and he did valiant service in the battles of Chattanooga, Chickamauga, At- lanta and many others, as well as numerous skirmishes. He served until the last disloyal gun was silenced, and then received his hon- orable discharge, after four years of war toil. Our subject was reared on a farm, edu- cated in the common schools and at the age of twelve went with his parents to Grand Island, Nebraska. Two years later the family re- turned to Wayne county, Michigan, and from there he went to- Glenn, his birthplace. He lumbered in the woods and in the spring of 1883 he went to Elgin, Illinois, from which place he returned to his home and prepared for the trip to Baker City, whither he came in 1884. From Baker City he came to Ontario, which was then a side track and two build- ing's, and worked at different occupations and raised some stock for a time. In the spring of 1892 he filed a desert claim on eighty acres where he lives now. Mr. Amidon married Miss Martha J., daughter of Thomas and Mary J. Steele, on December 30, 1896, and they have one child, Alva Tlracy. Mrs." Amidon' s parents crossed'. ■588 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the plains in 1877, from Arkansas and settled in Grant county, this state, where they died soon after. Mr. Amidon is a charter member of the A. O. U. W. and is a man of good standing among his fellows and respected by all who know him. ROSWELL W. CLEMENT.— Among the leading agriculturists of Malheur county is to be mentioned the subject of this sketch, whose life has manifested a worthy record of honest and vigorous endeavor, dominated with sagacity and tempered with prudence and dis- play ot affability and genial bearing toward all. In Middleville, Barry county, Michigan, on January 5, 1862, occurred the happy event of the birth of Roswell W. Clement, his par- ents being Tudge James T. and Lucy (Hayes) Clement. The familv came to Osage, Iowa, while our subject was a small child, and thence they removed to the vicinity of Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1868. In these various places Roswell W. was reared, receiving a good edu- cation from the common schools. 1881 marks the date when they again removed toward the west, this time journeying with teams, one •of which our subject drove the entire distance, to Payette, Idaho, making the trip in eighty days. Here 011 September 11, 1884, Mr. Clement married Miss Harriet, daughter of John and Melissa Neal, and a native of Den- ver, Colorado. Mr. and Mrs. Neal were early pioneers of the Payette valley, coming thither from Denver, in which town they also were among the first settlers and lived there when flour retailed at fifty dollars per sack. To Mr. and Mrs. Clement there have been born four children, named as follows : Martha Ethel, James R., Walter and Buell J. Mr. Clement came to his present place, which con- sists oif one hundred acres of valuable land six miles southwest from Ontario, in 1895. He purchased the land when it was raw and at once began the work of improvement with the happy result that now he has it producing abundant crops. He harvested as high as three hundred and fifty tons of alfalfa hay in one year, besides much other fruit of the fields. He has plenty of water for irrigating, has good buildings, a fine orchard, and a shade and ornamental grove that adds great beauty and value to his rural home. It is of note that Mr. Clement came here without financial resources and now he is one of the wealthy men of this section of the county, and he is to be credited with having gained it all by hard labor and wise management of the re- sources placed in his hands. Politically, he is allied with the Democratic party and takes the interest that becomes an intelligent citizen in the affairs of 1897 he returned and bought one hundred and sixty acres south- west from; Ontario six miles. He here opened a nursery and also devotes much attention to producing fruit for the market as well as much alfalfa, having sixty-five acres of the latter and as much of the former. He has all kinds of fruit, has improved his farm in a fine man- ner with all buildings necessary, and has also plenty of water for irrigating. In addition to this, Mr. van Gilse has another quarter section where he is now living, two and one half miles northwest from Nyssa. This farm is newer than the other, but is well improved and has twenty-five acres planted to alfalfa and one hundred and twenty to orchard. This with his other farm makes one of the finest orchards in the entire country. And on account of the time needed in attention to this vast amount of market fruit, Mr. van Gilse has closed out his nursery stock. % He is a man of great energy and in addition to this commendable work he has succeeded in bringing to this country a colony of his people and they are fast becoming the most substantial and worthy citizens of the state. The marriage of Mr. van Gilse and Miss Trien Tenses occurred on April 29, 1900, and one child is the fruit of theiunion, Mary. Mrs. van Gilse is also a native of Holland. We are glad to note the energy and skill that have been displayed by this worthy citizen in the progress of the interests o>f our county and truly Mal- heur county oaves much to his arduous and wisely bestowed labors within her precincts. Fraternally, Mr. van Gilse is affiliated with the A. F. & A' M., Acacia Lodge, No. 118, of On- tario, and also with the K. of P., Armour Lodge, No. 69. He is active in the interests of good government, being allied with the Democratic party and is central committeeman of the Nyssa precinct. Our worthy President said recently of a friend, "Fie is a man who has done things." Such may well be applied to our subject. He has done things and his works proclaim him the man whom men recognize as a benefactor of the country and of his fellow men. Mr. van Gilse was the moving spirit in inaugurating the rural free delivery system. EDMUND A. FRASER.— The young and eminently successful gentleman whose name appears above is one of the leading men of Malheur county, being the owner of a con- trolling interest in the Malheur Mercantile Company, a large general merchandise estab- lishment of Ontario-, which does an immense business not only from the country adjacent to Ontario, but also from the interior of Malheur and Harney counties. Our subject was born in Woodstock, Canada, on September 2, 1870, being the son of George and Sarah (Sheperd) Fraser. He attended the common school, and at the age of twelve was ready to enter the Upper Canada College of Toronto, whence he graduated in the spring of 1886. His parents came to Indiana and he came, at the age of eighteen years, to Ontario. April, 1888, was the date of his landing here ^nd he soon was in the employ of Kissel, Shilling & Daniel- son, of the Oregon Forwarding Company, in the capacity of bookkeeper and clerk. In this position, he performed faithful service until 1900, when he purchased the controlling inter- est in the R. D. Geer Mercantile Company, changing the name to' the Malheur Mercantile Company, which is incorporated. Mr. Fraser is manager and secretary of the company, and they carry a large stock of goods in dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, hardware, gents' furnishings, and in fact in every line which is used in the vast territory, whence comes the many hundreds of patrons that visit their com- modious store, one of the finest in this section of the country. In addition to their large store building, they have two- spacious ware- houses filled with goods. The firm is a very popular one of the country, and our subject is among the very leaders of the business world of eastern Oregon. The fair treatment always extended to patrons, the spirit of accommoda- tion, and the wise business methods used in selecting and purchasing goods, makes this firm one of great prominence and accounts for its unbounded success and the credit for this pleasant state of affairs is largely due ho the •590 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES wisdom and ability of the subject of this sketch. Mr. Fraser is also a director of the Owyhee ditch and one of the directors of the Ontario opera house, having stock in both companies. The marriage of Mr. Fraser and Miss Ida, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Holland, was solemnized on October 4, 1899, and they have been blessed by the advent of one son, Ed- mund A., Jr. Fraternally Mr. Fraser is iden- tified with the I. O. O. F., being past grand of the order, Lodge No. 90, at Ontario; and is a Master Mason and treasurer of Acacia Lodge, No, 118, A. F. & A. M. GILBERT L. KING.— It is now our pleasant privilege to recount the items oi the career of the prominent and capable gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph, who is to-day one of the leading men in Malheur county, being not only crowned with abundant financial success as the result of his industry and wise management of the resources that came to his hands, but also a man of promi- nence in educational lines in younger days, and at the present time a fluent public speaker and well informed man of ability and culture. Gilbert L. was born in Jeffereson county, New York, on February 9, 1848, being the son of Lorenzo D. and Julia Ann (Schryver) King. While a child he came with his par- ents to Dodge county, Wisconsin, and grew up there on the frontier, gaining his education at first from the common schools and thorough reading. On February 4, 1864, patriotism stirred young King to offer his services in the Third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Com- pany G, being the Twentieth Corps, under Joe Hooker, a part of Sherman's army. He participated in the battle of Resaca and in sev- eral skirmishes, being wounded in his leg. In July, 1865, he was honorably discharged and returned to Wisconsin, thence to Mason coun- ty, Illinois, where he taught school for a time. In 1869 he went to Webster City, Iowa, and engaged in the grocery business, but sold out in 1870 and repaired to Bloomington, Illinois, where he took a course of two years in the state normal school. He then taught school in McLean county, the same state, and in 1874 he went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad Company, having also labored for them some previous to 1869. He had mastered telegraphy in his course at the normal and from 1874 until 1897 he was in the service of this company at various places on their line as station agent. He came to- Ontario in 1885, being the first agent here, and in this position he remained until 1897, when he resigned and removed on to his farm, a rich tract of land adjoining the town on the west. It is one of the best in the county, has a fine house, twenty- acre orchard of all varieties of fruit indigen- ous to this section, and supplied with plenty of water for irrigating purposes. Mr. King has a large band of cattle. In 1899 he opened a real estate and insurance office in the town of Ontario, and he does a good business now in these lines, handling a number of the lead- ing companies. He is also' secretary and stock- holder in the Nevada and Owyhee ditch com- panies. Mr. King commenced life with no capital in finances, but with good ability and a resolute purpose to succeed, and he has done so in an admirable manner, both in financial enterprise, being possessed of much wealth, and also in maintaining an untarnished reputa- tion throughout his busy career, being also highly respected and esteemed by all who know him. The marriage of Mr. King and Miss Isa- bella Easton occurred on September 14, 1875, in Hall county, Nebraska. They have six children : Edward L., Arthur S., Ira N., Ed- na L., Alice, Homer G. Mr. King is a past master and member of the Acacia Lodge, No. 1 18, of the A. F. & A. M., of Ontario, and has represented his order in the grand lodge; he also belongs to the Eastern Star. In politics Mir. King is a Republican and often his elo- quence is heard on the platform in political contests. JAMES E. MADDEN.— This well known and representative business man is one of the prominent citizens o St. Louis, where the fa- ther went to railroading on the Illinois & St. Louis Railroad. He held the position of road master for nine years and at the time of his death, in 1892, he was general manager of the entire road. Our subject learned railroading, beginning as a fireman, then operated as en- gineer, and later retired from it and handled a stationary engine in Kansas City. Follow- ing that he went to work on a horse ranch near North Platte, Nebraska, remaining there until 1 88 1, then migrated to Granger, Idaho, worked on the railroad a short time and then came to where Ontario now stands. Not lik- ing the country he went to Olds Ferry, operat- ing the same for a time, and then to the Grande Ronde valley in 1882, where he took a timber claim near Elgin and operated a saw mill. La- ter he sold this property and then we find him in Seattle, whence he went to Walla Walla, and from that point to Ontario. He engaged to run an engine for the mines on Snake river, and in 1900 he purchased the entire property of the Ontario Livery and Feed Stable, con- sisting of barn and full equipment. He now. handles . a first-class livery, probably the largest in the entire country, and his rigs are first-class, his horses of the best and an untiring care for the welfare of his patrons is manifested by him constantly. In addition Mr. Farley handles coal, does a general dray and teaming business, and handles a good farm of one-quarter section, five miles south- west from the town. He also owns, twenty acres adjoining Ontario. The marriage of Mr. Farley and Miss Martha, daughter of Jesse and Catherine Darr, was solemnized at Weiser on November 17, 1884, and they have become the parents of five children : Jesse, Kate, Lulu E., James H., deceased, and Opal M. Mr. Farley is affili- ated with the I. O. O. F., Ontario Lodge, No. 592 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 90, also with the A. F. & A. M., Acacia Lodge, No. 118, and with the K. of P., and the A. O. U. W., while he and his wife are members of the Rebekahs and the Eastern Star. RICHARD S. RUTHERFORD.— As a man among men, possessed of integrity, abil- ity and perseverance; as a soldier, whose steady and constant service in the struggle .for the punishment of treason and the wiping out of the insult to the stars and stripes was valiant and brave; as a business operator, whose wisdom and enterprise have been well manifested; the subject of this sketch stands, and it is fitting that a representation of him be granted space in this volume of Malheur's hostory. Richard S. was born in Armagh county, near Belfast, Ireland, on February 22, 1840, being the son of Thomas and Amelia (Parks) Rutherford, who emigrated to this country when this son was eighteen months old. They settled in Quebec, Canada, whence in 1848 they came to Niagara county, New York. In 1852 they removed to Tuscola county, Michigan, and four years later our subject started in life for himself. His first move was to Scott coun- ty, Missouri, where he lived until the break- ing out of the Civil war. At that particular time he was in charge of a plantation. On the tenth day of August, 1861, he offered his serv- ices to fight the battles of the nation, enlisting in Company H, Eighth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, being in the Fifteenth Army Corps under General Logan, and in Sherman's Di- vision. He went in as private and helped with good will to fight the battles of Ft. Donelson, Corinth and Shiloh, and then was promoted to the position of head wagon master for the Fifteenth Corps train, with a salary of one hun- dred and twenty-five dollars per month. Then he participated in the battles of Vicksburg, Jackson, Atlanta, Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain, then on August 20, 1864, he re- ceived his honorable discharge at Atlanta. He returned to Michigan and in twenty days was back again to the scene of fighting, and this time was installed as master of the hospital wood train at Nashville, Tennessee, where he received a salary of one hundred and fifty dollars per month. During this time he was appointed as captain of a special company when Hood surrounded Nashville. He served until the close of the war, then was honorably discharged and returned to Michigan. He was fortunate during the entire service, being in the hospital but one week and that on account of the mumps. Soon after returning to his old home in Michigan he was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Robert and Mary F. Turner, the wedding occurring on June 14, 1866. Mrs. Rutherford is a native of Canada and of English extraction. He operated a ho- tel for a short time and then, in 1867, went to Georgetown, Colorado, and shortly after started the mining town of Silver Plume. He handled a pack train, and mined until 1876 and then went to California, thence to Ne- vada, and in 1878 came to Waits burg, Wash- ington. Eighteen hundred and eighty was the date he removed to Boise, Idaho, and three years later he came to Ontario. He opened the Rutherford, a first class hotel, and operated it until 1892, when it burned down and then he removed on to his farm, which he had taken as a soldier's homestead, and there he re- mained until January, 1902, when he sold out and retired to Ontario. Here he has a fine residence in the heart of town, with ample grounds and tasty buildings. To Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford there have been born eight children, asj follows : Roy S., married to Beulah Arnold; Benjamin F., married to Daisy Henshaw ; Charles E., deceased; Ray W.. deceased; Adrian A. Also John, Edwin and Clara, the three oldest, who are deceased. Mr. Rutherford is a past grand of the I. O. O. F., Ontario Lodge, No. 90; of the encamp- ment : and of the A. F. & A. M., Acacia Lodge, No. 118; and of the G A. R., Alvin P. Hovey Post. of which he is past commander. He and Iris wife are members of the Rebekahs and Eastern Star, and also are allied with the Con- gregational church, while in political matters Mr. Rutherford is a Republican. Mrs. Rutherford's parents were Robert and Mary (Franklin) Turner, and Benjamin Franklin is one of her ancestors on her moth- er's side. JOSEPH H. TAGUE.— It is with un- feigned pleasure that we are privileged to re- count somewhat of the career of the estimable gentleman and patriotic citizen who' is men- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 593 tionecl above, since he is a man of good stand- ing, a well-to-do agriculturist and stockman of Malheur county, and has the honorable dis- tinction of being one of the brave men, who hazarded life and limb for the safety of our beloved union and the promotion of good gov- ernment. He was born in Ripley county, In- diana, on July 13, 141, being the son of Lemuel and Ann (Buchanan) Tague, the mother be- ing a second cousin of James Buchanan, the president of the United States. Our subject remained at the home place until the cruel war of the Rebellion broke out and then he prompt- ly enlisted in the Sixth Indiana Infantry, Com- pany H. This was in the summer of 1861, and he was among the very first of the three years' volunteers. He served under Rose- crans and then under Thomas. He took part in the battle of Lookout Mountain, also that at Green river and in many skirmishes, doing the part of the true and valiant soldier. He re- ceived a wound from a bayonet, in his eye that cost him its sight. He served three years, and one year and three months of this time was on a gunboat. He was honorably dis- charged and is now commander of the Sedg- wick Post of the G. A. R., at Huntington, No. 4. Many were the hardships and deprivations that fell to his lot in the army and many times he suffered from hunger in addition to all the other woes of war. Following the war Mr. Tague went to his native place in Indiana. He had two brothers who served in the Third In- diana Cavalry and one was wounded severely. The marriage of Mr. Tague and Miss Mar- tha E. Wise was celebrated in Ripley county, Indiana, in 1865, and in 1877 they removed to Gibbon, Nebraska, entered government land and settled down to farming. In 1883 he re- moved to Council Bluffs and then in 1893 ne came to the west via train and located at his present home place, where he purchased a quarter section, three-fourths of a mile south- east from Dell. He has a good farm, well ir- rigated and improved, having comfortable house, barn and other buildings. Politically Mr. Tague is allied with the Republicans and is also very active in the promotion of educa- tional facilities. To Mr. and Mrs. Tague have been born the following children : Nancy A., wife of B. Parks, of Nebraska; Lavina, wife of R. Boswell, of Malheur; Minnie, wife of A. Derrick, of Dell ; Rosa, wife of P. Flaherty, of 38 Omaha ; Carrie, wife of E. Kendall, of Hunt- ington ; Bertha, wife of H. Lockett, of Dell; Villa, wife of O. McCauley, of Huntington ; Joseph H., Charles R. and Emery. Mr. Tague is a man of good standing among his fellows, has made a fine record in the world as a busi- ness man, soldier and citizen and is highly esteemed by all. JOSEPH C. KELLEY, one of the young business men of Malheur county, was born January 3, 1870, at Idaho City, Idaho, his par- ents being Joseph and Margaret (Thompson) Kelley, pioneers of that state. Joseph Kel- ley, senior, was a native of Farmington, Iowa, and was among those who in the early fifties sought the golden sands of California. After spending several years in California, in the middle sixties, Mr. Kelley again emigrated, going to Idaho and establishing himself in business as a mechanic at Idaho 1 City. Here, in the closing days of 1870, the silver cord was broken and all that was earthly of the departed pioneer was laid at rest. A little while later the family removed to Oregon, settling near Nyssa, in this county, and in 1877, Mrs. Kelley having meanwhile become the wife of W. K, Stark, the family again chose a new home, this time on Willow" creek, where the subject of this sketch grew to manhood's estate. The mother passed into the life beyond in August,. 1897. Of the immediate family now living there are but two, Joseph and his brother, Mel- ville D'. Kelley, a prosperous ranchman re- siding on Willow creek. Mr. Kelley remained at home, engaged in ranching and stock raising, until 1898 when, having learned the saddler's trade, he came to Vale and opened a small harness and saddle store. From a small beginning the business has grown to one of considerable size. He is the sole saddler and harness dealer at the coun- ty seat, and his business occupies new and commodious quarters. In 1900 Mr. Kelley was nominated for the office of county treasurer by the Republican party and was elected over his opponent, Will- iam Plughoff, fusionist, by a majority of one hundred and nineteen votes. He was ac- corded a renomination this year and was vic- torious a second time, his majority over H. B. 591 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Donahey being two hundred and seventy-one, or nearly double that he received the first time he appeared in the political arena. Mr. Kel- ley is a member of the strong fraternal organi- zation, the Odd Fellows, belonging to Vale Lodge, No>. ioo; he is also a Mason, belong- ing to Acacia Lodge, No. 118, of Ontario. He is a master Mason and also he has served the Vale Lodge of the I. O. O. F. as noble grand. Mr. Kelley is also as yet, a member of that largest, though most unstable of all orders, the Bachelors. HENRY S. ELDREDGE.— The subject of this article has done much toward the indus- trial development of Malheur county, and is one of the prominent business men in the town of Vale at the present time, being owner and operator of the Glen livery barn, where he has fine, large rigs and good stock, taking an es- pecial care for the comfort and welfare of his patrons ; he owns and operates the blacksmith shop, having also a large, tract of land in the vicinity of the town, while in all these enter- prises he manifests a commendable business sagacity, a worthy integrity and maintains an unsullied reputation among his fellows. Mr. Eldredge was born near Northfield, Minnesota, on Mary 23, 1862, being the son of Charles R. and Cordelia E. (Carter) El- dredge. While still a child he was taken by his parents to Beaver Falls, in his native state, and there the father followed milling. Our subject was educated in the graded schools and in 1882 he came with his father to the west, traveling through by train 'to Granger and thence by teams to Baker City and passing through this portion of Malheur. In Baker City Henry S. learned the blacksmith trade and more or less during the time from- that date until the present he has been engaged in the king of all trades. In various places he has wrought at the forge, has traveled consid- erably, and at the time of the great fair in Chi- cago he visited that city. Mr. Eldredge had two hundred and eighty acres of land, but re- cently sold a portion and bought the livery mentioned above. He has a good trade both in the barn and in the shop, and is considered one of the substantial business men of the "town. The marriage of Mr. Eldredge and Miss Euphemie F., daughter of William; R. and Sophia Shimp, of Ontario, was celebrated on July 1, 1895, and to them was born one child, Opal V. On March 22, 1900, Mr. Eldredge was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife by death. Mr. Eldredge is happily affiliated with the W. of W., Arcadia Camp, No. 364, of Ontario; with the Maccabees, Council Tent, No. 15, of Council, Idaho. It is of note that Mr. Eldredge's father located the land of a portion of the site of Vale. The father died on April 19, 1886, but the mother is still liv- ing in Monon, White county, Indiana. Mr. Eldredge is well liked among his fellows, is a man of stability and capabilities, and it is quite fitting that he should be accorded a rep- resentation in this volume of our county's his- tory, since he has wrought here faithfully for the advancement of the county's interest. EBER L. BRADLEY.— This capable gentleman, better known as Judge Bradley, is one of the prominent men of this county, hav- ing been in the vicinity of Malheur, where he now resides, for many years, and taking al- ways a leading part, both in the development of the country and in the manipulation of gov- ernmental affairs, in all of which he has dis- charged faithfully and well the duties devolv- ing upon him, and now as one of the venerable patriarchs, stanch pioneers, and patriotic citi- zens, he is held in high esteem and admired by all. Mr. Bradley was born in Butler county, Ohio, on July 31, 1829, being the son of Eber M. and Elsie (Rinearson) Bradley. He went with his parents to Des Moines county, Iowa, in 1843 an d i n I 85i he came across the plains in a train of thirty wagons drawn by oxen. He passed through the territory now occupied by Baker and Malheur counties and went on to Oregon City. He followed packing for a time and then took up a merchant's life at Jack- sonville, Oregon. Later he packed to Yreka and other points, and in 1855 sold out and the following year visited the spot where the city of Spokane now stands. Thence he returned to Umatilla and The Dalles and that fall he enlisted in Company C, of Oregon Volunteers, to fight the Indians. Fie was under Captain James K. Kelly, afterward colonel and now ex-state and United States Senator. He par- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 595 ticipated in several skirmishes and was detailed to appraise the government property, being also clerk in the quartermaster's department, and later was honorably discharged. After this he was again on the mercantile sea with Profes- sor Post and also interested in steamboa'ting on the Willamette. In i860 he closed out this business and went with a pack train to British Columbia, and the following spring he was in Oro Fino and Pierce City merchandising and mining. Here he was robbed of about nine- teen hundred dollars. Later he closed out and went to work for Wells Fargo, carrying the express from Lewiston to Florence. In 1863 Mr. Bradley was deputy sheriff under Captain Fisk and in this capacity he had charge of the famous murderers of McGruder, who were fi- nally hung. Later he was in Walla Walla, and in 1864 he was in Boise, and in 1867 he came to Malheur, where he still lives. He at once engaged in mining and has lived here con- tinuously since that time, being always one of the prominent men of the section, as he is to- day. While in Oro Fino M'r. Bradley was elected the first county clerk of Shoshone county, Idaho, the date being 1863, and he ran on the Republican ticket. In Boise he was deputy sheriff under Pinkham, and in Malheur he has been notary for the past twenty years, serving a number of terms as justice of the peace. He had charge of the Malheur Indian Agency from 1882 to 1886 and also of the Malheur and Camp Harney reservation. In 1880, in 1890 and in 1900 Mr. Bradley acted as census enumerator. Mr. Bradley owns the hotel in Malheur, has several other valuable buildings and also some good mining property on the Mormon Basin creek. He is highly es- teemed wherever he is known and is one of the substantial and upright men of the county. Mr. Bradley is one of the veterans of the Indian wars and was always ready to go> to the front in time of impending danger. FRANK D. STARK.— This well known and estimable stockman and agriculturist of lower Willow creek, is one of Malheur coun- ty's prosperous and enterprising citizens and has a fine estate of two hundred and forty acres one mile southeast from- Dell, where the family home is at present. Mr. Stark was born in Franklin county, Kansas, on August 31, 1869, being the son of James S. and Mari- etta (Cannon) Stark. While a child the fam- ily removed to Cherokee county, Kansas, and there he attended the public school, acquiring a good education. In 1880 the father sold his possessions in that country and came across the plains with the family, being one of a train of twenty wagons. There were six chil- dren in the family, including our subject, and they came via Kelton and Boise, and the father selected the place where our subject now lives, which is one of the fine places on the creek. Our subject purchased it from his father and now owns two hundred and forty acres of fine land. He has abundance of water for irriga- tion, a fine seven-room house, good barn, out- buildings and other improvements, such as an orchard, and so forth. Mr. Stark has also a fine band of cattle and horses and a number of swarms of bees. Mr. Stark takes great in- terest in the educational advancement of the country and labors assiduously for it, as also for all lines of progress. The marriage of Mr. Stark and Miss Belle, daughter of Mathias and Alice Oik, of Dell, was celebrated on August 30, 1894, and they have been blessed by the advent of three chil- dren, Sybil E., Gerald D. and Homer. Mr. Stark is a good specimen of what may be called a wide-awake, progressive and enterpris- ing westerner and demonstrates what can be accomplished here by care, good management, industry and business ability, having accumu- lated his holdings by his own efforts entirely and has placed himself among the prominent property holders of the county. CYRUS W. MORFITT.— A native of this state and one of the promising and already well-to-do stockmen and farmers of Malheur county, having a fine estate of four hundred and forty acres, three miles southwest from Malheur, the subject of this sketch is deserv- ing of mention in the history of the county, both because of his excellent success in the fi- nancial world and because of his own intrinsic worth, as well as for the labors performed in the advancement of the county's interests. Cyrus W. was born on September 9, 1865, at Oregon City, being the son of William and Juliet E. (Worsham) Morfit. Her father 596 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES crossed the plains to the Willamette valley in 1847, being a native of England, and having come to the United States when he was five years of age, and now resides near Ontario. The mother of our subject crossed the plains in 1852 and on January 18, 1894, she was called hence by death. In 1867 Cyrus W. was taken to Boise with his parents and the fol- lowing year they came to the country where he now lives. He attended the common school and remained with his parents until he was eighteen and then with a capital of five dollars and three ponies, he started life's battles for himself. He engaged in the stock business and now has the fine estate mentiond above, which comprises a large tract of fertile bottom land. He has a band of cattle, and a fine six-room residence, two large barns, outbuildings, and all accessories to operate a first class farm and stock ranch. Mr. Morfitt has also given some attention to fruit raising, having a good or- chard. On May 12, 1889, Mr. Morfitt married Miss Alice M., daughter of George W. and Susan D. (Suit) Duncan, and they have been blessed by the advent of the following chil- dren : Edith L., Nellie E., Albert W., Cecil M. and Laura T. Mrs. Morfitt's parents came across the plains from Kansas direct to Willow creek in 1881, and in 1893 the fa- ther died, but the mother is still living on Willow creek. Mr. Morfitt is a member of the W. of W., Burnt River Camp, No. 111; also of the I. O. O. F., Eldorado Lodge, No. 152. He is past counsel in the former order. Mrs. Morfitt is a member of the Circle, No. 216, as is also her husband, and she holds the office of guardian neighbor. Mr. Morfitt is actively interested in educational matters, hav- ing devoted time to the duties of director for three years. He is one of the patriotic citizens, capable business men and prominent stockmen of Malheur county and is esteemed by all who kno>w him. CYRUS T. LOCEY.— The subject of this sketch has the distinction of being one of the earliest pioneers of the state of Oregon, as well as among the earliest in Malheur county, and he was one of the capable men who* assisted in the organization of the county and has labored here for its upbuilding since that time, being now one of the venerable and highly esteemed citizens. The birth of Cyrus T. occurred on September 18, 1835, at Mineral Point, Wis- consin, being the son of A. R. T. and Alice H. (Hfowell) Locey, the father having the de- gree of M. D. While a child he was taken by his parents to Platteville, and then to Lancas- ter, in his native state, the father being coun- ty clerk in the latter place for a series of years, and there also- the mother died in 1842. Thence they removed to Galesburg, Illinois, and then on to St. Joseph, Missouri, and in April, 1846, they started with ox teams across the plains, going direct to Oregon City, which place they reached in six months. The father settled on a farm and Mrs. P. H. Hatch, our subject's sister, taught the first school in Oregon City, the same being in 1846-7. In the gold excite- ment of 1849 the family removed to Coloma, California, and there the, father operated a drug store and hospital, that being the place where the gold was first discovered. In the fall of 1850 the family, consisting of the father, stepmother, one sister, one brother and our subject went via the Nicaragua route to New Orleans and thence to the old home in Gales- burg, Illinois. These were the first white women that ever traveled that route. In the spring of 1852 they came across the plains again with ox teams to Oregon City, and the following year the father died. For seven years subsequent to this event our subject went to school in the winter and worked at steam- boating in the summer on the Willamette. On January 1, i860, Mr. Locey married Miss Ma- ria, daughter of James and Susana Morfitt. The parents were natives of England and came to the United States in 1841 and crossed the plains from Illinois with ox teams in 1847. For twelve years subsequent to his marriage Mr. Locey followed steamboating and also op- erated a mule railroad from Canemah to Ore- gon City, going thus around the falls in the river at that point. He had the distinction of transporting during this time ex-vice-president Colfax and other dignitaries. In 1872 Mr. Locey left the Willamette valley and came to Willow creek, and in 1877 located on his pres- ent place, three miles east from Ironsides. He has a fine estate of six hundred and forty acres, which produces abundant crops of hay, and is well improved, having a good residence and commodious barns. Mr. Locey raises much HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 597 stock, principally cattle and horses. He has been notary public for several years and in 1880 and 1890 he was census enumerator. To Mr. Locey and his estimable wife there have been born the following children: Clar- ence T., deceased; Charles W., deceased; Jul- ian D., who was elected sheriff of this county in 1898 and was re-elected in 1900 by a large majority, but died on June 27, 1901, before his term had expired; Addie M, wife of James Lackey., of Ontario, Oregon ; Susie C. ; Mary B., a teacher in the public schools, being a grad- uate of Monmouth Normal school ; James E., married to Hattie Derrick; Cyrus C, deceased; Frederick E. Mr. and Mrs. Llocey are devout followers of the faith of the Scriptures and hold their church fellowship with the M'etho- dists. In educational matters Mr. Locey is ac- tive and has discharged the duties of clerk of the school board with credit for several years. When the county was organized Mr. Locey was chosen one of the commissioners, it being a very responsible office at that time. He has a very distinct recollection of see- ing Dr. Marcus Whitman, a noted pioneer and Christian missionary to this country in the earliest days, and who brought the first wagon train over the Rockies. The Doctor stopped with the father of our subject on one occasion and took supper with them. PERRY E. PHELPS.— This capable and enterprising gentleman, one of Vale's progres- sive business men, is at the present time operat- ing a real estate office in the town and does a good business and is considered as one of the most valuable residents of the county, being a man of capabilities far above the average, and having the distinction of making a success in at least two different callings in the walks of life. Perry E. was born in Miami county, Kan- sas, on April 20, 1863, being the son of Mark Y. and Naomi (McDonald) Phelps. The fa- ther had crossed the continent from Pennsyl- vania to California in 1849 to cu §" gold, and in 1853 he returned to his native place via the isthmus route. A few years later he removed to Kansas and there was married in 1859. ^- n 186 1 he enlisted in the Kansas volunteers and was promoted to captaincy of his company. He was in many skirmishes and in 1863, on ac- count of sickness, he was honorably discharged and shortly after we find him with his wife and two children, our subject being then but an infant of two months, en route via the isth- mus to California. They finally located on The San Benito river and the father raised stock there until 1870, when he removed the family back to Kansas, where our subject at- tended school, graduating from the graded de- partment. In 1 88 1, on account of the father's failing health, they removed to' the west again, this time to Boise, Idaho. There they farmed and raised stock until 1893, when the father died, but the mother is still living in Boise. In 1894. our subject came to Mountain Home, Idaho, and engaged in the real estate business, where he was blessed with good success. In 1896, feeling it an urgent call, he entered the ministry of the Methodist church, taking charge of the church of that denomination at Salu- bria, Idaho. On March 6, 1897, occurred the happy event of the marriage of Mr. Phelps and Miss Flora L., daughter of A. J. Gowey, and they have become the parents of three chil- dren, Mark Y., Timothy G., and the baby. In September, of the same year of the wedding, Mr. Phelps came to Vale to assume charge of the Methodist church there, and for two years he continued in this good work, and then be- cause of the failure of his voice, he was obliged to retire from the ministry. He purchased a farm near town, but soon sold it. In 1900 he opened a real estate office in Vale and there we find him at the present time doing a good bus- iness and establishing himself as one of the bright business men of the county. He owns a fine seven-room residence, and some other property. Mr. Phelps is held in high esteem by all and is worthy of the confidence reposed in him. HENRY L. ZUTZ.— Although not one of the pioneers of the county, still the subject of this sketch is one of the substantial citizens of to-day in Malheur county, and is a man of en- terprise, capable and given to> promotion of the cause of education, of the interests of the coun- ty and the prosecution of successful business in the line of agriculture and stock raising. Henry L. was born in Manitowoc county, Wis- consin, on March 20, 1854, being the son of Michael and Christina Zutz, natives of Ger- n 598 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES many and early pioneers of that county. Our subject was reared on a farm and attended the common schools, where he acquired his educa- tion. In 1 88 1 he went to Polk county, Minne- sota, and there farmed until 1895, at which date he made his way with his family to- Malheur county. He has a quarter section cf road land, which is well improved and which pro- duces good crops. ' On July 3, 1878, occurred the marriage of Mr. Zutz and Miss Mary Porter, and three children were born to this union: Ferdinand, married to Matilda Gellerman; Lillie; Henry, deceased. On April 16, 196, Mr. Zutz was called to mourn the loss of his wife, the death occurring in Ontario. In 1898 Mr. Zutz contracted a second mar- riage, the lady of his choice on this occasion being Annie, daughter of N. C. and Elizabeth Long, of the vicinity of Vale, and one child has been born to them, Grace. Mr. Zutz is ac- tive in the matter of betterment of the county's interest and enthusiastically champions the cause of advancement along the lines of edu- cation, while in his walk, both public and pri- vate, he manifests stanch character, upright- ness and commendable zeal in the lines of his enterprises, while he enjoys the esteem and confidence of his fellows. FREDERICK W. STAGEY.— The sub- ject of this review was born in Devonshire, England, on May 8, 1863. In 1870 his par- ents, Simon P. and Martha O. (Daniel) Sta- cey, emigrated to' America, settling in Hones- dale, Wayne county, Pennsylvania. Three years later the family moved to Silver City, Idaho. In the common schools Mr. Stacey re- ceived his early education. The year 1878 marks the elate of their migration to lower wil- low creek, Malheur county. Here he remained with his parents until four years later, when they made permanent settlement in their pres- ent location, which is twelve miles west of Vale, on the south side of the Malheur river. During his school days Mr. Stacey spent his summers in the service of stockmen on the Idaho ranges and this experience gave him much practical knowledge of the stock busi- ness. When final settlement was made in Mal- heur count)- he naturally drifted into the stock trade and has gathered about him on his Mal- heur ranch quite a numerous herd. In 1882 he began to "ride the range" for Miller & Lux, remaining in their employ for five years. During one of these years he oc- cupied the position of foreman. In 1901 Mr. Stacey and his brother, Harley O., entered into a partnership in the stock business, operating together since that time, the firm' being known as Stacey Brothers. The marriage of Mr. Stacey to- Miss Viola, daughter of L. W. and Lucy Goodrich, who were natives of California, and who came to this state in 1890, was hallowed on June 28, 1 89 1. They have become the parents of five children, Harold (deceased), James C, Bea- trix E., Vera V., and George F. Mr. Stacey's father, whose family owned an old homestead in England for many generations, died on Feb- ruary 21, 1 90 1, but his mother still lives in Vale. Mr. Stacey is recognized as one of the leading men or the county. He has enviable reputation for integrity and executive ability and, although a foreigner by birth, has ever manifested the true pioneer spirit in his patri- otic devotion to American institutions. THOMAS B. FISER.— This esteemed gentleman is one of the well known and rep- resentative men of the county of Malheur and one of the business men of Ontario, where he operates the Brown hotel, also' handling a tract of thirty acres immediately east from town, where he has a fine orchard and raises many of the fruits of the soil indigenous to this lati- tude. Thomas B. was born in Weakley coun- ty, Tennessee, on April 2j, 1854, being the son of Pleasant I. and Elizabeth (Hunt) Fiser. Pie grew up on the farm, attending the public schools and remained there with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age. At that time he went to Calloway county, Ken- tucky, and a few years later went to Johnson county, Arkansas, and there on December 27, 1883, occurred his marriage to Miss Mary K, daughter of John M. and Susan Brown. In 1888 Mr. Fiser migrated with his family to Baker City, Oregon, and the following- year lie went to Juntura, Malheur county, entered government land and devoted his energies to raising stock. He proved up on the land and HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 59& owns it. Subsequent to proving up on the farm he was foreman on the Otis ranch for Miller & Lux, and in September, 1897, he re- moved to Ontario, purchased the land above spoken of and settled down. He handles the hotel mentioned, his wife largely attending to that, while he supervises the gardening and fruit on the land adjoining town. To Mr. and Mrs. Fiser there have been born the following named children : Clarence L., Susan, William H. and Emma E. Mir. Fiser is a member of the I. O. O. R, Ontario Lodge, No. 90, and also of the W. of W. He has manifested much interest in the advance- ment of the county's welfare, and has always been characterized by enterprise and sagacity in his affairs, having achieved a good success. JOHN B. McLAUGHLIN, deceased.— It is quite fitting that a memorial be granted to the esteemed subject of this review, in the history of the county where he labored so long and faithfully and where he was known far and near as one of the capable, substantial and upright men of the county, being a prominent citizen, while his labors were crowned with success in almost every endeavor to> which he put his hand. The birth of Mr. McLaughlin occurred in St. Genevieve county, Missouri, on January 13. 1827, being the son of James and Mary McLaughlin. When a child the family lemoved to' the vicinity of Covington, Ken- tucky, where he was reared on a farm and ed- ucated in the country schools. In 1848 he started west' with ox teams and the first win- ter was spent at Fort Laramie, and in the spring of 1849 ne came to California, where he mined until 1861 and then came to Walla Walla and thence to the Idaho basin. It was in the spring of 1863 that he came to River- side, a point on the Snake, and there in com- pany with Jonathan Keeney and John DuVall put in the first ferry boat at the old emigrant crossing. In 1866 this venture was sold and he turned his attention to farming and stock raising. At about this time, or definitely, on November 19, 1865, Mr. McLaughlin and Miss Bethsinah J. Froman were married. Mrs. McLaughlin's parents, Dr. Felix K. and Mar- tha Froman. were natives, respectively, of Kentucky and Virginia, and lived in Ray coun- ty, Missouri, where Mrs. McLaughlin was- born. Thence they removed to' Iowa and then, crossed the plains in 1864, coming with a train of one hundred wagons, assembling thus large on account of the hostilities of the In- dians. Much hardship was endured on the road and six months were consumed in getting to Boise. In the spring of 1878 Mr. McLaugh- lin removed to lower Willow creek, and in. 1880 they came to their present place, which, is nine miles west from Vale on the south side of the Malheur river. They were pioneers irt this region, there being only two> women west from Vale. Mr. McLaughlin secured about the finest place in this part of the country, and now the widow owns five hundred acres of land, under cultivation, with a fine two-story frame residence, commodious barns and sub- stantial outbuildings, and is carrying on the place in a commendable manner. On March 26, 1 90 1, Mr. McLaughlin was very suddenly taken by death, and he was sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends. The Masonic fra- ternity took charge of his funeral, he having been a member of that body for forty years. Besides his widow Mr. McLaughlin left four children to mourn his demise, John, George,. Mabel and Grace. The oldest child, James F.„ was also deceased. GEORGE W. BRINNON is one of the real pioneers of the section where Ontario now stands, having passed through here in 1863. He has led a life of stirring activity and done- much toward the development of this section, of the west. His birth occurred in Wheeling, West Virginia, on April 15, 1838, being the son of William P. and Elizabeth (Preston) Brinnon, who removed with him, while he was still a child, to Champaign county, Ohio,, whence they went to Caldwell county, Mis- souri, then to Davis county, in the same state. George W. attended school in the log school houses when the teachers were paid by sub- scriptions. At the age of fifteen years he started to drive a team for the government across the plains from Missouri points to the Rockies, and during the last two years he was assistant wagon master and received seventy- five dollars per month. He made his last trip from Denver to Missouri in 186 1. In 1863 he 600 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES went to Madison county, Iowa, and thence on April 5," 1863, he started across the plains to the Idaho mines, in company with his broth- ers-in-law, Gardner and Ninemire. They ar- rived at Boise in the fall, the place being a lit- tle burg of two or three houses and some tents. He followed mining for a short time and then went to the mouth of the Boise river and en- gaged in running a ferry on the old emigrant road across the Snake. He had to' defend his property from the attacks of the hostile red- skins and in 1864 he left and went to Emmett, Idaho. There he married Miss Nancy J- Smith, a native of Harrison county, Missouri, and who had crossed the plains with the same train in which he came. The wedding" oc- curred on October 24, 1864. It was in 1867 that he came to Malheur City and engaged in mining in that vicinity. In 1871 he moved to the mouth of the Malheur river and secured four hundred acres of land and there raised stock until 1887. when he sold out and engag-ed in mining altogether, in which line of indus- try he has been successful. In 1898, while Mr. Brinnon was returning from Denver, whither he had gone with ore, he was caught in a terrible wreck at American Falls, in which ten persons were killed outright and twenty were wounded. He was bruised in a terrible manner, both legs being broken, which result- ed in the loss of his right leg. He was taken to the hospital in Salt Lake City, and by his Odd Fellow brothers he was well cared for, but the loss of his limb has been a severe blow to> him. To him and his estimable wife there have been born eight children : Louisa, deceased ; Mary E., wife of Thomas Brosnan; Jonathan M., deceased ; Charlotte, wife of William Hall; George Ann, wife of Martin McEndree; Julia, wife of J. B. Percell ; Edward, married to Lulu Brison ; Frederick E. On May 15, 1887, Mr. Brinnon was called to mourn the death of his beloved companion. In 1861 Mr. Brinnon enlisted in Company C of the Twelfth Missouri Volunteers in the Confederate army and participated in many battles and skirmishes. He was in Price's army and fought at Wilson creek, Lexington, and Kirksville, the first battle, and was taken prisoner in 1863 and later was paroled. Fraternally M'r. Brinnon is affiliated with the I. O. O. F., Ontario Lodge, No. 90, being a charter member, and is also a member of the encampment. He is one of the substantial and successful men of the county and is held in high esteem by all. GEORGE A. POGUE, Ml D.— The genial and affable gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph is not only a man among men possessed of those pleasant qualities mentioned, but as a professional gentleman of ability and skill he ranks with the best physicians of this portion of our commonwealth, having had abundant practice, and is fortified with deep erudition. George A. was born in Fairbanks. Indiana, on June 22, 1856, being the son of Hi- ram and Rachel ("Hunt) Pogue. When a child he was taken by his parents to Shelby county, Illinois, where they reside at the pres- ent time. He received a g-ood education and at manhood's estate gave his attention to teach- ing for a time. . Following that period he went to the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louis- ville, whence he graduated in 1879, and then one year was spent in the Louisville Medical College in post-graduate work. Another year was spent as assistant physician in the free dis- pensary at that place, when he removed to Firth, Nebraska, practicing medicine for a number of years, then removed to Lincoln, in the same state, in 1886, and in 1889, October 22, he landed in Ontario, and at once he began the practice o JOHN L. SELLS.— This worthy pioneer of the county of Malheur is to-day one of the substantial citizens and leading stockmen. For many years he has wrought here with energy and assiduity, gaining by industry and careful conservation of the resources placed in his hands the competence that is the crown of his labors now. Mr. Sells was born in Franklin county, Virginia, in August, 1856, being the son of John L. and Elizabeth (Akers) Sells. In 1862 the entire family removed to Mont- gomery county, Indiana, and there our subject was reared on a farm, gaining his education from the common schools of that locality. In 1874 he turned toward the west with an ad- venturous spirit and a courageous heart. He went to California and mined in the principal camps of that state and Oregon, going then to Silver City, Idaho. In 1880 he came to Baker county, Malheur being then Baker, and he says that at that time there was no Ontario, Vale, and no fences for miles in any direction and only ocasionally a settler. He devoted his en- ergies at that time to stock raising, leaving the mining field. He has continued in the stock business since that time and has gained a good success therein. He has a half section of good land, three miles east from Westfall, part of which he took as a homestead. The farm is well improved, with a fine seven room house, good stone barn, plenty of water for irrigating and produces an abundance of hay. Mr. Sells has a good bunch of cattle, a fine business property in Westfall and his home place is valuable. In political matters he is allied with the Democratic party and he has always devoted that attention to political mat- ters that is demanded. The marriage of Mr. Sells and Miss Fran- ces, daughter of Joseph A. and Clementine (Ireland) Martin, was solemnized on Decem- ber 6, 1895, and they have become the parents of the following children : Selma and Mar- tin C. JOSEPH A. MADDEN.— One of the en- terprising citizens and capable business men of the vicinity of Westfall is named at the head of this article and it is with pleasure that we grant to him a representation in this vol- ume, since he is a man of worth and integrity ; since he has labored faithfully here for the general advancement and welfare; and since he is one of the real builders of the county. Mr. Madden was born in Perry county, Ohio, on March 5, 1837, being the son of Hezekiah and M'ary Madden. He attended the schools of the day, which were held in log cabins, and humble ones at that, and thus he gained his education. At the age of eighteen years he came to northwestern Ohio, and thence to Mills county, Iowa, where he engaged in farm- ing, also labored at saw milling. He returned to Ohio and in 1861 he married Miss Rachel FI. Spencer, and then returned with his young bride to Iowa. When the memorable call came for "ninety-day" men he responded promptly and went to fight for his country. He served his time and then returned home and after the war he removed his family to; southwestern Missouri, where he lived for three years, and then returned to Iowa, whence, in 1874, with a train of thirteen emigrant cars he came to San Francisco-, and thence by steamboat to Portland. Later he came to- The Dalles and there engaged in raising cattle and sheep un- til i88t, at which time he sold his property there and came overland to his present place,, which is located about four miles northwest from Westfall, and consists of two- hundred and forty acres of especially fertile land. It is largely cultivated to alfalfa and some grain. He has the farm well improved, with fine buildings and a good orchard. He has plenty of water to irrigate his land and possesses a goodly bunch of cattle. In addition to han- dling this farm Mr. Madden and his son, Charles, have been operating a general mer- chandise business in Westfall, which they sold in June, 1901. Mr. Madden has always been 604 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES on the frontier, in Ohio, in Iowa, and in Ore- gon. He has always manifested those quali- ties of worth and distinction that characterize the true frontiersman and which have done so much in the davancement of the interests of this country. In politics he is a Republican and displays the interest that becomes the in- telligent citizen. He has been justice of the peace for several terms. In all his business relations of late Mr. Madden has taken his son as partner, and together they are inter- ested in the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Madden have become the parents of two children, Charles W., who married Mamie Jackson, and has one child, Elden Leslie; and the other is Ida M., wife of James Stingle. JOSEPH G. LAMBERSON.— Among the pioneers of Malheur county it is eminently fitting that a representation be granted to the estimable gentleman whose name 'is at the head of this article, both because of the excellent labors which he has accomplised for the gen- eral welfare, and because of his own intrinsic worth and uprightness of character. Mr. Lamberson is the son of Lawrence and Mary (Holtz) Lamberson, and was born on July 31, 1852, in Summit county, Ohio. He grew tip with his parents' on a, farm, attended the com- mon school, and later the college at Mount Union, Ohio: In 1869 he left the parental roof and went to Fremont, Nebraska, thence to- Bis- mark, Dakota, and in 1873 on to Helena. Later we find him in Virginia City, Nevada, and there he labored in the mines until 1875, then returned to Nebraska, and in 1879 he came across the plains on horseback. He land- ed in Union county, this state, having con- sumed three months on the journey. He la- bored on the farms at the Cove, Union county, and in 1881 he came to lower Willow creek, and there, on May 25, 1882, he was married to Miss Rosa Kendall, whose father crossed the plains in 1850, and her mother in 1852. They came from Illinois and located in the Willam- ette valley, and later removed to Union county, where Mrs. Lamberson was born. Eighteen hundred and eighty-nine was the year in which Mr. Lamberson came to Bully creek, his farm of two hundred and ninety acres being one and one-half miles from Westfall. In 1896 the people called Mr. Lamberson, on the Populist ticket, to act as judge of Malheur county for four years ; and to the entire satisfaction of a discriminating public he discharged the duties there incumbent upon him, and since has re- tired to- private life again. The Judge has won many friends in this county and is popular in all parts of the country. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party. He has a fine farm, which is handled in a skillful man- ner and produces abundantly. Fraternally Judge Lamberson is a member of the A. O. U. W, Lodge No. 120, of Westfall. His father died in 1900, being in his ninety-eighth year. He was a veteran of the Mexican war. To Mr. and Mrs. Lamberson there have been born five children — Lawrence J., Bertha E., Clara L., May E., and Rosa B. GEORGE W. BLANTON.— The subject of this article was born in Monroe county, Ten- nessee, on October 28, 1832, being the son of Vinson and Sarah ( Marshall) Blanton, farm- ers of that place. He came when eight years of age with the balance of the family to Mor- gan county, Kentucky, and there had the privilege of walking four miles each day to attend the school in a log cabin, which had split logs for benches. His education was ac- quired by dint of hard application and he also labored hard on the farm during the summer seasons. At his home place, on April 25, 1853, Mr. Blanton married Miss Fannie J. Oliver, and in 1856 they journeyed to Coles county, Illinois, where he took up farming. In the spring of i860 he removed to Linn county, Kansas, and there on July 16, 1862, he was stirred by the call of patriotism and enlisted in Company G, Twelfth Kansas Infantry, be- ing first sergeant, and his regiment was in the Seventh Corps of the Western Division under General Steele. At the battle of Jenkins Ferry, Arkansas, which was a hotly contested struggle, he participated with credit to himself, and in many other severe fights lie did faithful duty. Three years after the enlistment the fighting was done, the disloyal guns silenced, the government saved and our subject laid aside the weapons of war and re- turned to his home, whence he removed the family to Johnson county, Kansas, near Kan- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, .MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 605. sas City. In that place he continued to till the soil until the spring of 1881, when he came across the plains with his family, making the trip with mule teams, and consuming three months in the journey. He located his pres- ent place of one-quarter section, four miles southwest from Ontario, and hegan the good labor of building up the county and improving his place. The first land has grown to two hundred and eighty acres, well tilled and wat- ered and improved with comfortable and sub^ stantial buildings. When Mr. Blanton set- tled here the country was wild, covered with sage brush, populated with jack rabbits and an occasional settler amid the waste, and the howling coyotes were his nightly companions. He was a man of keen perception and fearless courage and he saw that it was capable of great development if only one could weather the trying days of pioneering; he has bravely done so, and has labored with a skill, stability and enterprise that have given him the meed of a worthy position among his fellows, and a goodly competence. He built the first lumber house in the valley, assisted to erect the first house in Ontario, and has been a leader in con- serving the interests of the county and there- by of its citizens, having ever brought to bear the same wisdom and energy in these noble labors that has characterized him in the pros- ecution of his private business enterprises. The children born to> Mr. and Mrs. Blan- ton are named as follows : William F., of Johnson county, Kansas; Mrs. Sarah J. Leav- itt, of Douglas county, Kansas ; Margaret, de- ceased; Georgian, deceased; Mary J., deceased; James M., near Ontario; John W., near On- tario; Mrs. Emma J. Smith, near Westfall; Mrs. Ida Hulery, near Ontario; George W., near Ontario; Mrs. Dora Herron, of Lind, Washington ; Lena Belle. Mr. Blanton is past master of the A. F. & A. M., Acacia Lodge, No. 118, having been a Mason for forty years ; and he is also affiliated with the G. A. R., A. P. Hovey Post, No. 21, being past commander of the same. He has always taken an active interest in the advancement of educational in- terests and the betterment of the facilities of this important branch of our government. Mr. Blanton has also been active in the affairs of the county, as becomes the intelligent citizen, and it has profited much by his wisdom and labors. In 1898 he was elected on the fusion ticket as commissioner of Malheur county, and for four years he has done creditable service in this office. At the convention in the spring of 1902 he was placed in nomination by the Democratic party for the same position and was elected by a handsome majority. Hie has done faithful service in this office and has always the interests and welfare of the county at heart. It is readily seen that Mr. Blanton has been a leading figure wherever he has op- erated, being especially fitted by nature with keen and fine ability for this position, and as a sturdy pioneer, capable man, brave defender of his country and faithful citizen he is es- teemed bv all. STOWELL L. PAYNE.— The well known and representative farmer whose name appears, above is one of the wealth producers of Malheur county, having been a pioneer of the same, and has labored steadily since for its development and advancement. His ranch, where the family home is located, is six miles from Westfall, on Bully creek, and is one of the first places located on that creek above Westfall. He has his land all fenced and well improved and cultivated. Has fine buildings and a good orchard, and is one of the leading tillers of the soil in western Malheur. Speaking more particularly of the personal history of our subject, we note that his birth occurred in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, on December 1, 1852, and his parents were James and Emiline (Woolley) Payne. The father died when Stowell L. was a boy. He attend- ed the public school, and later the Milton col- lege, after which he took a position as book- keeper, and finding it too 1 confining for his health he went at out-door labor, traveling -over the county. In 1872 he came to the west with an emigrant train, landing in Elko county, Ne- vada, and rode the range for a time, also* mur- ing. In 1873 he was in the Grande Ronde val- ley a short time. Eighteen hundred and seventy-six is the next date when he came to the Grande Ronde valley, and there, on No- vember 28, 1878, occurred the happy event of his marriage with Miss Sarah A., daughter of Benjamin F. and Lucy (Russell) Kendall, whose father crossed the plains with ox teams in 1 85 1, settling in Linn county, Oregon, the birth place of Mrs. Payne. In 1882 Mr. Payne 606 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES came to Lower Willow creek, then in Baker county, and the following year located his present place. Fraternally Mr. Payne is identified with the Masons, Acacia Lodge, No>. 118, of On- tario. In politics he is active, being a strong Republican, and he has always labored faith- fully for the good of the county. He was appointed county assessor, and was also: stock inspector for a period, and in 1890 and 1900 he was census enumerator. To Mr. and Mrs. Payne there have been born seven children, named as follows: James, Benjamin, Fred- erick, Margaret A., Ella E., Cardie L. and Edward. It is of note that Mrs. Payne's father was in the Rogue river Indian war, and was a true pioneer who always kept in mind the progress of the country and the welfare of the people. SOLOMON L. SPANN.— The well known gentleman of whom we have now the privilege of speaking is one of the substantial and intelligent farmers of Malheur county, having labored here for many years in the up- building of the county, and he has ever mani- fested himself one of the capable and loyal citi- zens, maintaining a high sense of honor and manifesting unswerving integrity, while he is highly esteemed by his fellows. Solomon L. was born in Pittsfield, Illinois, on August 23, 1842, being the son of Jordan and Mary Spann. He was reared on a farm, received his educa- tion from' the common schools, held in a log cabin, and when the call came for men, brave and true, to fight for the nation's honor and safety, he enlisted in the Ninety-ninth Illinois Infantry, Company C, in July, 1862. He was in the Thirteenth army corps, under Grant, and participated in the battles of Hartville, Lebanon in Missouri, Fort Gibson', Champion Hills, Raymond, Jackson, Black River, Ed- ward Station, the siege of Vicksburg, Spanish Fort, Blakely, Mobile, and many others, be- sides many skirmishes. He did faithful ser- vice, endured much hardship and deprivation, and in all of his hard fighting he was never wounded nor taken prisoner. On August 23, 1865, he was honorably discharged and re- turned to his home. There, on October 22, 1867, occurred the happy event of the marriage of Mr. Spann and Miss Mary J. Moore, a na- tive of Rochester, New York. In 1871 they removed to> the vicinity of Indianapolis, Indi- ana, and in 1876 they returned to Pike county. Twoi years later they removed to Lyon county, Kansas, and he worked in the coal mines until 1880. In that year he went with his family to Georgetown, Colorado, and in 1882 they came thence to American Falls, Idaho. All these trips were made with teams and wagon. In 1884 the journey westward was continued, and the family came to the vicinity of their present home. Stock raising occupied him for a time, and in 1892 settlement was made on the place where Mr. Spann and his family reside at the present time. This is an eighty- acre farm, four and one-half miles south from Ontario. The land is fertile, well tilled, and improved in a becoming manner. Mr. Spann raises much alfalfa hay, plenty of fruit, and does also a dairying business. The products of his dairy, as well as the fruits of the farm, find ready market. To Mr. and Mrs. Spann one child was born, Laura E., who married James Grant. To that marriage one son, Edward S., was born on February 8, 1891. Mrs. Grant died in 1891, and Mr. Grant followed in 1899, and the little boy now lives with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Spann. Mr. Spann is a past commander of the A. P. Hovey Post, No. 21, of the G. A. R., in Ontario'. JOHN HOFFMAN.— This gentleman is one of the prosperous stockmen of Malheur county and has labored well here for the up- building and advancement of the county, while he has acquired fine holdings in real estate and stock, being one of the leading men of his sec- tion. His fine ranch of two hundred acres, well improved and skillfully handled, lies about one mile north from Juntura postoffice. Mr. Hoffman was born in Switzerland on February 7, 1856, being a son of natives of that land, and he was reared on a farm. He received his education in his native land, and in 1884 came to the United States. He settled first in Florida, spending one 3^ear in that place, and next we see him in Wasco: county, this state, and later in Ellensburg, Washington. All these years he was industriously laboring and gaining a goodly competence to start in HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 607 the stock business, and in 1893 he made his way into Malheur county and selected his pres- ent place, which he bought, and he has de- voted his attention mainly to handling sheep since that time. He also raises other stock and does a general fanning business At the pres- ent time Mr. Hoffman has a number of thou- sand of fine sheep, besides his real estate hold- ings and his other stock, such as cattle, horses, hogs, and soi forth. Mr. Hoffman has made a success in his venture of handling sheep,, which demonstrates his sagacity, painstaking care, and industry in this labor. In December, 1900, Mr. Hoffman married Mrs. Mosley, a native of Kentucky, and one son has been born to> them, named John Francis. Mrs. Hoffman has three daughters by her former husband, and they are named as fol- lows : Susie, Mattie and Nannie Mr. Hoffman is a member of the A. O. U. W., and stands well in the community, and is considered one of the substantial stockmen and public-minded citizens of the county of Mal- heur. WILLIAM H. ISAAC— Malheur county has some of the largest stock owners of Ore- gon, and one among that number is mentioned at the head of this article. Mr. Isaac has shown remarkable wisdom, skill and ability in handling his stock interests in this county, which by no means contains his entire hold- ings, for he is one of the well known stock- men of the entire northwest, having property and animals in many places. He started at the bottom, and his native pluck, tenacity and keenness have enabled him to climb the ladder of success until he stands at the very top. Mr. Isaac was born in New York, in Oc- tober, 1852, being the son of James and Mary Isaac. When he was seven the family came to Minnesota, and there they lived until 1868. The next move was to Walla Walla, Washing- ton, where William H. completed his minor- ity, and also finished his education. The par- ents died at Pendleton 1 . The first venture of our subject was in the cattle business, and one severe winter swept away all his hard earned stock. Then he entered the employ of Will- iam Sturgis, acting as sheep herder. Few men would have taken this move, but Mr. Isaaf was not to be disconcerted, and was determined to win the smiles of Dame Fortune. He dis- played his skill and faithfulness, and soon was enabled to purchase an interest in the business with his employer. Success crowned the ef- forts put forth, because of the untiring care, wise methods and skill emploved, and in 1884 it was deemed best to divide their large hold- ings. In that year Mr. Isaac came with his herds and flocks to Malheur county, making his residence, however, in Caldwell, Idaho. His interests are in Malheur county in many places, and practically this county has a right toi claim him, although he has holdings in other Oregon counties. He prospered well in every turn he made, and his sheep increased until at the pres- ent time he has twenty-five thousand head. In 1900 he took as partner M. B. Guinn. They have, in addition to 1 the large bands of sheep mentioned, other stock, and ranches in vari- ous sections of the country, located convenient for the handling of the stock. This large acreage places our subject as one of the heavy real estate holders as well as one of the leading stockmen, while he has also other business in- terests. Mr. Isaac married Miss Ada Miner, a na- tive of Boise county, Idaho, and one daughtetr was born to them, Ada Narine. Mrs. Isaac was called from her pleasant home and loving family in 1896, and her remains repose in the cemetery in Caldwell. Mr. Isaac is affiliated with the I. O. O 1 . F., of Caldwell, and is highly esteemed by all who know him, being an influential, capable and up- right man. SYLVESTER F. BUSH.— The subject of this sketch is a pioneer in the real sense of the word, and has tried the various hardships and labors and deprivations of the frontier in many places of the west, displaying always staunch virtues and courage and wisdom, which have given him the meed of success, and an enviable prestige among his fellows. Mr. Bush is a native of Canada, being born on Wolf island, in the St. Lawrence, on April 21, 1837, the son of Eli E. and Mehetable (Hadley) Bush. His father died when he was small, and he came with his mother to Dexter, New York. Both of his grandfathers were members of the body guard of General Washington during the 608 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Revolution, a position of great distinction, while his father fought in the war of 1812. From Dexter our subject went with his mother to Hennepin county, Minnesota, and there he enlisted in Company I, of the Minnesota Vol- unteer Infantry. Eighteen hundred and sixty- one was the year of his 'enlistment, and he served throughout the entire war. He was in Sherman's department, and engaged in the bat- tles of Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge and others. Being honorably discharged at the close of hostilities with the rank of cor- poral, having enlisted as private, Mr. Bush then soon went to Helena, Montana, with a larg - e emigrant train, and there engaged in min- ing. In the fall of 1868 he came thence to Mormon basin, in Malheur county, it being then in Baker county. Mining claimed his at- tention until 1880, then he spent a couple of years in looking the country over for a loca- tion, finally deciding upon his present home place as the spot. He filed a homestead right on it on September 14, 1882. It is fourteen miles west from Westfall, on Bully creek, and the estate is now of the generous proportions of two hundred acres. It is well supplied with water, has good buildings and orchards, and is well kept. In addition to this<, Mr. Bush has three hundred and twenty acres on Clover creek, which is fenced and partly cultivated. On June 8, 1874, Mr. Bush married Miss Ella I., daughter of Jeremiah and Eliza M. ( Starbird ) Jarvis, and four children have been born to them, as follows: Ernest E. ; Charles J., a graduate of the College of Idaho, at Cald- well, Idaho ; Brian B., attending college at Val- paraiso', Indiana ; Elfa M. Mr. Jarvis came from Maine around Cape Horn to California in 1849, an d engaged in mining. In 1853 his wife came thither via Panama, and they dwelt in Marysville, where Mrs. Bush was born on July i 1 /, 1854. In 1856 the family came to Portland, later to> Burnt river, near where Durkee station is now, remaining there until the death of Mrs. Jarvis, in 1885, November 3, when Mr. Jarvis returned to San Francisco; where he died on October 10, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Bush are capable and intelligent people, entitled to the esteem and confidence of their fellows, which they enjoy tc> a generous de- gree, and they are deserving of much credit for their faithful labors here. JASON S. HUNTER.— The well known gentleman named above is one of the prominent stockmen and land owners in Malheur county, being also' a man of integrity and capabilities that have manifested themselves in the bright success that is his tO' enjoy at the present time. He has a beautiful estate of nine hundred and sixty acres, nine miles north from Beulah, which is the family home, and is one of the finest health resorts of the county. A number of springs furnish plenty of pure water for all purposes, and the place is well improved, and Mr. Hunter has a good bunch of stock. Reverting to his personal history, we note that Mr. Hunter was bom in 'Gentry county, Missouri, on April 18, 1840, being the son of John T. and Nancy Hbnter. The father was a miller, and consequently the son grew up in town until fourteen years of age, when they went on a farm. His education was gained largely from the subscription school held in the leg cabin of the day. In 1862 he enlisted in Company E, Missouri State Militia, and served one and one-half years in Colonel Cramer's regiment, being honorably discharged at the end of his service. The marriage of Mr. Hunter and Miss Eliza Atkinson, was solemnized on April 13, i860, and eleven children were bom tO' them, five of whom are living: Oscar M., of Jor- dan, Montana; Mrs. Louisa Gray, of Callahan, California; Leonard, of Miles City, Montana; Malcolm, of Jordan, Montana; Mrs. Annie Carel, of Ontario. In the spring of 1864 Mr. Hunter started across the plains with his fam- ily, and drove five yoke of oxen, hauling four thousand pounds of freight the entire distance from Missouri to' the Grande Ronde valley, be- ing five months on the road, and enduring much hardship in the journey. He purchased state and school land near Lagrange, and went to raising stock. In 1878 he had some trouble with the Indians, they being on the warpath then. They burned some of his property. He acted as scout, and also handled freight at that time, securing remarkably good remuneration, on account of the danger. On February 18, 1879, Mr. Hunter was called to mourn the death of his wife. He contracted a second marriage on' October 16, 1880, Miss Malinda A., daughter of John G. and Mary J. Moore, becoming his wife on this occasion. Mr. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 609 Moore came from the state of Massachusetts, around Cape Horn, to California, in 1849, an( l located in San Mateo county, where Mrs. Hunter was born, and her parents still live there. Mr. Hunter sold out in the Grande Ronde valley in 1883 and came to his present place and took land under the preemption and homestead, and desert, and timber culture, and timber rights, and this has been his home since that time. Mrs. Hunter also took two hundred and forty acres of desert land. Five children have been born to the second marriage, named as follows: Clarence J., Elmer N., Ralph G., Edith E. and George W. Mr. Hunter has been living in his present home for nineteen years, and the conditions of climate, water, and so forth, are so conducive to: health that it has never been necessary to' call a physician for the family in all this long period. Mr. Hunter is a true pioneer, having settled in the Grande Ronde valley when few settlers: were there, and coming to his present place when it was fresh in the natural state. He has labored faithfully for the advancement of the country, being an adherent of the Democratic party: THOMAS L. ARNOLD.— The subject of this sketch is well known throughout the west- ern 1 portion of Malheur county, and, in fact, all over the county, having come here as a pioneer and laboring in prominent positions since that time, being now a leading farmer and stock- man of the vicinity of Beulah. His farm of two hundred acres lies four miles northeast from Beulah, and is a valuable place, possess- ing fine improvements, and is. productive of handsome dividends annually Mr. Arnold is a native of Mississippi, being born in Panola county, on February 28, 1842, the son of John and Mary Arnold. The mother died when he was a child, and he grew to manhood with his father on the farm, se- curing a good education from the common schools, On May 1, 1861, Mr. Arnold enlist- ed in the Confederate army, in the first Missis- sippi battery, and from that time until the dis- charge at Gainsville, Alabama, on May 5, 1865, he was in the regular army, and generally in the hottest of the fights. He participated in the battles of Shiloh. Baton Rouge, Holly Springs, Memphis, Fort Pillow, Nashville, and the siege 39 of Vicksburg, beside many others. He was wounded in the head, in the breast, in the hips and in the leg, all from gunshots, and also' re- ceived a saber cut on the hand. He was under Bragg, and then with Forrest, and was field sergeant all the time. In 1867 Mr. Arnold's father died, and the following year he removed to Grayson county, Texas, with his family, hav- ing been married on January 9, 1861, to Eliza- beth Withers. They were schoolmates toi- gether, and about the same age. From Texas they journeyed to- Colorado Springs in 1873, and in 1878 to Albion, Idaho, and in 1883 he came, to his present place. All of these moves were made with teams-, and that across the plains with ox teams. His place is known as 1 - the agency valley, and he was appointed post- master in 1884. He continued to act as post- master until 1897, the office being named from one of his daughters, and when he resigned it was removed to its present location, four miles southwest from the home place. Eighteen hundred and eighty-six was the date when Mr. Arnold bought his present place from the state and school lands. Fraternally he is affiliated with the A. F. & A. M., Acacia Lodge, No. 1 1 8-, at Ontario. The children born to> this worthy couple are named as follows : Mrs.. Mary McManus, of Susanville, Grant county,. Oregon; Thomas F., near Drewsey; Mrs. Beu- lah Rutherford, from whom the postoffice was named, now living in Ontario; Oscar; Charles; Hoyt, near Hamilton, Grant county. Mr. Arnold was the first to locate in the valley with a family. He has continued steadily in the good labor of development of the resources of the country, and deserves much credit for it, while he is highly esteemed by his fellows. JUDGE WILLIAM MILLER.— It is in- herent in our race to give plaudits to' the man who has achieved success against a fight with adverse circumstances, and especially so> when by virtue of his own ability and pluck and worth, he has won against great odds that for which he fought and labored. As an example of this class of men we are constrained to men- tion- the worthy gentleman whose name initi- ates this paragraph, being one of the leading men of worth and integrity in Malheur county,, and also holding his present position of district 610 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES attorney for this and Grant and Harney coun- ties by virtue of his intrinsic worth, and enjoy- ing a prestige which has been well earned through faithful effort and excellent accom- plishment. Mr. Miller was born in San Francisco-, Cali- fornia, on January 8, 1854, being the son of David and Agnes (Iriving) Miller. He was educated in the commion and high schools, and then went to Stockton and acted as salesman for a number of years, 1877 being the date when he arrived in that city. Eighteen hun- dred and eighty-two marks the date when he left there and came to Harney valley, in this state. He drove team all the way for J. F. Marion. In Harney he broke mules, teamed and made posts for the first year; then in 1883 he went into the store of McGowan & Steugars, where he clerked for thirty-three months. In 1886, while acting as deputy clerk for Grant county, he took up the study of law under the direction of Charles Parish, in Canyon City, and in clue time was admitted to- the practice at the bar. When Harney county was cut off as a separate political division, in 1889, he re- turned to Burns and selected all the record books for the county, and was the first deputy clerk of the county, under W. E. Grace, being also elected, later, as the first county judge. He was elected on the Democratic ticket and served for four years, being elected in 1890. On account of the failure of his wife's health he was forced to remove from that place, so located in Ontario. In 1898 he was elected district attorney for Malheur, Grant and Har- ney counties, on the Republican ticket, served two years, and then was promptly re-elected, the term having been then changed to four years. The marriage of Judge Miller and Miss Eva F., daughter of Thomas and Sarah D. (Howard) Cozad, of Canyon City, early pi- oneers from Missouri, was solemnized on No- vember 30, 1887, the issue of which was five children, as follows: Irving; Edna, de- ceased ; Emmet, deceased ; Lulu ; and Agnes. On March 1, 1898, Mrs. Miller was called from her home and family by death. On September 11, 1899. Judge Miller contracted a second marriage, the lady being Mrs. Mattie Blakesley, a daughter of Mrs, Sisson, of Baker City. Mrs. Miller had one daughter by her former marriage, Madge Blakesley. Judge Miller is a charter member of Acacia Lodge, No. 1 18, A. F. & A. M. ; also a member of the I. O O 1 . F., Ontario Lodge, No. 90, being also past grand ; and is a member of the W. of W. He is possessed of a good library, some prop- erty in both the country and town, including a good office building and much other valuable real estate. Judge Miller is one of the most highly esteemed men of the three counties mentioned, and is well worthy of the entire confidence of the people, being a man of integrity and worth, and having wrought out a success in three counties commensurate with his intrinsic qualities, and it is with pleasure that we have been enabled to- grant him consid- eration in this volume of abiding chronicles of these counties. He is a purely self-made man. Judge Miller is mayor of the city of Ontario, Oregon, at this writing. JOHN DORAN. — The interesting career of this enterprising and capable gentleman is fraught with activities and commendable un- dertakings, and is well rounded by a sagacious care and energy which have made him one of the active participants in the building and de- veloping of many places on the frontier, where he has always manifested that unswerving in- tegrity that has held him in the path of tem- perance and uprightness in both public and pri- vate walk. John Doran was born in Liverpool, England, on November 5, 1840, being the son of Felix and Mary (Leonard) Doran. In 1845 ne was brought with his parents to: Amer- ica's shores, landing in New Orleans, where the mother died soon after. He remained in New Orleans until 185 1, then went to St. Louis, and in 1852, with a train of four ox teams, he came across the plains, assisting to drive two hundred cattle all the way. and walk- ing the entire distance. He had the experi- ence of being' a target for Indian bullets on this occasion, and still remembers the thrilling days. In 1853 we find him working in a hotel in Marysville for twenty-five dollars per month and then he lived with Mr. Gray, and later with a Mr. Brumagin, where he worked and attended school, after which he went to Heald's College, in San Francisco. He then taught for one year in that institution, and then, in partnership with one Vinsonhaler, he organized HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 611 the Union Business College, which he after- wards sold. Next we see him operating a fruit farm at Fruitvale, for Governor J. B. Weller. Three years later he went to- San Diego, then to Bear valley, and in one district he taught for three years, after which he had charge of the reform school for a time. Then he went to Virginia City, and engaged in min- ing': and there, eighteen hundred feet under ground, he was brought a paper 'containing an "ad." which his father had put in in search of this son. He immediately went to New York, this being in 1875, and he found his father and brother, whom he had not seen since 1847. The following year he came to California, and in 1879 to Harney county, Oregon, where he taught again for some years, and in 1882 en- tered land on Indian creek, now in Malheur county. He sold this later to the Miller & Lux land company, then he turned his atten- tion to- his first love once more, instructing the young, doing service in the vicinity of Vale. He then located a ranch on Bully creek, after- wards going to Nyssa, having sold this proper- ty, and at that place opened another ranch and was one of the organizers of the Owyhee irri- gating ditch. Later he sold this and, return- ing to Bully creek, bought his old ranch again, and in the fall of 1901 he sold out entirely and retired from business. Mr. Doran is a man of temperance, and although he has never en- tered the matrimonial sea, is one of the affa- ble, capable and talented gentlemen of the county, and has made a commendable; record as an educator, a business man, and has had much experience as a traveler. He is the pioneer school teacher of this count}''. JOHN HARDY ROSE,— This leading and representative citizen of Malheur county is one of the men who' has taken hold with his hands and wrought out here in our midst a success which might be a fitting crowning to any man in any place, and in addition to- this fine display of both ability and industry he has manifested stanch integrity, faithfulness and sound principles, being a man of wisdom and stability. Mr. Rose was born in Scioto county, Ohio, on October 3, 1835, being the son of Israel and Mary (Pay ton) Rose. He lived with his par- ents in that then frontier country and went to school in the log school house of the time, but spending his time in most earnest study, he was enabled to gain a fortification for life that has been of great assistance in subsequent years. In 1856 he came with his parents to Knox county, Illinois, and the following year they went to Putnam county, Missouri, and there he resided on a farm with his parents until the time of his marriage, which happy event was celebrated on April 2, 1862, the lady of his choice being Miss Louisa, daughter, of Francis and Caroline Hastings. The following day, April 3, 1862, Mr. Rose took his young bride and started across the plains with a wagon train drawn by oxen. His wagon has seven yoke of cattle, and these pulled the bridal coach to the region of Walla Walla, where the fam- ily wintered, and Mr. Rose returned to Au- burn, Baker county, through which they had passed en route, and there worked at mining. The parents of our subject came to the west in the same train. In 1864 Mr. Rose removed his family to Auburn, where he was mining, and from there, in 1872, he came to Willow creek and built a small house, then went after his family, and there they settled down to im- prove the land and raise cattle. Their home place is two miles south from' Ironside, and there Mr. Rose has two thousand acres, a large band of cattle, and his place well improved, with a house of fifteen rooms, commodious barns and substantial outbuildings. The en- tire estate is one of the finest in this section of the country, and there is manifested the wis- dom, skill, taste and good judgment of the owner at every turn on the entire premises. In all of this accomplishment Mr. Rose has unavoidably been called upon to pass through great hardships and much deprivation on the frontier, in which his faithful wife has had her portion, and the. family now are enjoying the fruits of the wisely bestowed toil of the parents in the excellent competence that they have gained. The children born to this worthy couple are: Francis, married to Mary F. Gardner, living near Malheur; Charlotte, wife of Ed- ward Coburn, near Ironside; Angeline, wife of Archie J. Murray, near Unity ; Israel, married to Edna Whitely, near Ironside; John Hi., de- ceased ; Louisa, wife of Sheriff James E. Law- rence; Eli. Mr. Rose and his wife are both 612 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT. MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES devout members of the Christian church, and they are highly esteemed throughout the entire community, and they are fully worthy of the great respect and confidence that are generously bestowed upon them. JEROME S. DERRICK.— The subject of this article is one of the good and substantial citizens of Malheur county, and is eminently deserving of a representation in this work, since he has wrought for the upbuilding of the coun- ty while he has also operated a good stock ranch of one-half section two miles north from Ironside, where the family home is now situ- ated. Jerome S. was born in Roane county, east Tennessee, on February 9, 1841, being the son of Andrew and Julia (Brown) Derrick. The family resided in Tennessee until i860, then came via New York and Panama to San Francisco:, remaining in Sonoma county until 1864. Then they removed to the vicinity of Milton, in the Walla Walla valley, and there farmed. There, also>, in October, 1867, our subject took unto him as wife, Miss Hester, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Cole) Vveaver, and three children were born to them, as follows: Arthur A., married to Minnie Tague, and living on lower Willow creek ; Efhe E., formerly wife oif Lewis Allen, now de- ceased, and she is now the wife of John Turner ; Julia I. and William Allen, of California. On October 22, 1873, death took from his home Mr. Derrick's wife. On April 24, 1875, Mr. Derrick married a second time, the lady of his choice on this occasion being Miss Mary A., daughter of Alfred and Emoline (Enos) Watts. Mr. and Mrs. Watts, crossed the plains in 1859 with ox teams, Mrs. Derrick then be- ing three years of age. They came from Cass county, Missouri, direct to the Willamette valley, and in 1870 settled near AYeston, Uma- tilla county, where Mrs. W'atts died. Mr. Watts was a minister in the Methodist church. In 1880 our subject removed to Morrow coun- ty, and thence, in 1887, to the vicinity of his present place. The following year he went to Baker county, and four years later went to> the vicinity of Portland, and then, in 1896, came back to Willow creek, bought a saw mill and operated the same until the fall of 1901, when he sold it and confines his attention now to handling horses at his home place. He has a good house, barns, outbuildings, and all satis- factory improvements on the ranch. Also, Mr. Derrick has a, large bunch of good horses. Mr. and Mrs. Derrick are the parents of the following children: William A.; Hattie J., wife of Ernest Locey ; Horace M. ; Claude M. ; John E. ; Merle I. ; LeRoy, deceased ; Albert and Delbert, twins, the former deceased ; Delia, deceased; Wallace M. Mr. Derrick takes an active part in the educational advancement of the country, and manifests the zeal and intelli- gence of the true American citizen. Mr. Der- rick's father died at the old home place near Milton, and the mother passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Kate Henderson, wife of a prominent business man in Walla Walla. Mr. Derrick is one of the substantial and stanch men of the community, and is held in esteem and respect. WILLIAM QUI NN.— Among the most enterprising and capable men of Malheur coun- ty stands the gentleman of whom we now have the pleasure of speaking, being one of the men who first penetrated this country, carrying his blankets through the fastnesses and wilds of the uncivilized region, and having wrought here with great success both on account of his industry and beacuse of his fine ability and wise methods of procedure. Mi*. Quinn comes of good Irish stock, being born in Wicklow coun- ty, Ireland, on December 18, 1837, and the son of Philip and Mary (Deley) Quinn. While still a child he lost his father, and when he had arrived at the age of twelve he came with his brother and sister to America. They were eight weeks on an emigrant ship, and finally landed in Philadelphia, remaining in the state until 1853. At that date he came to Missouri, with the intention of crossing the plains, but no opportunity presented itself until 1855, when he started out with a train of thirty-two wagons, and it was nearly nine months later that he arrived in Placerville, California, having encountered trouble with snow on the Sierra Nevadas, and also some trouble with Indians. He labored at mining in different camps of the state until 186 1, then came north to> Rhodes creek, Idaho, and then to Salmon river, and later to Granite creek, and in 186"; he landed r~t HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 613 in the vicinity of Malheur, where he mined for twenty years, after which he purchased a stock ranch, and now owns nearly eight hundred acres of. land used for this purpose. This fine estate lies ten miles west from Malheur, and is well improved and handled in a commendable manner, making lucrative returns to the own- er. Mr. Quinn has a good residence, large barn, and handles a great quantity of hay. On December 27, 1883, Mr. Quinn married Miss Nancy, daughter of William and Isabella Kennedy, and a native of San Francisco, and to them have been born four children, as fol- lows : Mary I. ; Philip, deceased ; William ; Christopher, deceased. Mr. Quinn was elect- ed to the position of assessor of the county on the Democratic ticket, and it was with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents that he discharged these responsible duties. Mr. Quinn has gone through the entire list of hardships, clangers, deprivations and toil in- cident to a pioneer life, and he is rightly classed as one of the capable and enterprising builders' of the county, since he has both wisely planned and executed thoroughly his business enter- prises, and also has done faithfully and well the public duties devolving upon him ais county ifficer and as citizen. LAFAYETTE W. GOODRICH.— Among the substantial and enterprising citi- ens of Malheur county mention must be made of the gentleman whose name appears above, because he is one who has labored for the up- building of the county and its interests, has made a commendable showing in spite of fre- quent adversity in his own business enter- prises, is a man of sound principles, upright- ness, integrity and sagacity. Mr. Good- rich was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on Jan- uary 6, 1844, being the son of James and Nancy R. (Stone) Goodrich. While still' a small child he went with his parents to Missouri, Polk county, and in 1849, 'the family started across the plains for California, passing the first winter in Fort Leavenworth, whence in the following spring they made their way across the remainder of the weary waste of plains and mountains to California, and in 1861 the father started a hotel in a canvas house at Stockton, then a small burg. In 1854 they removed to Sutter county, and there, in 1864, our subject commenced for himself the battle of life. His first venture was with sheep, and soon we find him in Colusa county,, in which latter place on September 26, 1869, he married Miss Lucy J., daughter of Warren and Catharine A. Markham. Mr. and Mrs. Markham came to California overland with ox teams from New York state, crossing the plains in 1852, on which trip, while the parents were in the territory of Utah, our subject's wife was born. They settled in Sacramento. Our sub- ject sold out his sheep interests and removed to Tehama county and took up farming, later again going to Modoc county, where he re- sumed the raising of sheep. The winter of 1889-90 was so' severe that he lost heavily, so he determined to change residence, and came to Vale, and in 1892 came to> his present place, where he started anew in the battle of life. He has a good home, has sixty acres of good land, well watered and improved, and a good band of cattle. The following children have been borni to this worthy couple : Viola and Violetta, twins, the former being the wife of F. W. Stacey, and the latter is deceased ; Trask E. ; May V., wife of W. Wells ; Eva V., wife of B. Richardson ; Foster A., deceased; Marion E. Fraternally Mr. Goodrich is affiliated with the Masons, Neuville Lodge, No. 205. He is a man of enterprise, and is the recipient of the confidence of his fellows, while he has wrought for the upbuilding, advancement and welfare of the sections where he has been domiciled, being a man of unquestioned integrity, ability and up- rightness. JOHN PEDERSON, deceased.— As the old pioneers pass away the younger men rise to fill their places in the business world, but the former made a place and name for themselves in the history of the county that is quite proper to' mention in this work, and thus we grant to the esteemed gentleman whose name is at the head of this paragraph, since he was one of the stanch supporters of our free in- stitutions, was a real pioneer, a good and kind father and husband, and a, noble man. John Pederson was born in Denmark, in August, 1828, there passing his early years until he shiped on the ocean and in that capacity sailed 614 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES to all parts of the world, and at the age of ma- turity came with his parents to New York, thence to New Orleans and up the Mississippi, and across the plains to Utah, using ox teams in the latter journey. Eighteen hundred and fifty-eight was the date of landing there, and two years later he went to California, and on July 7, of that year, was married to Mrs. Adelia (Johnson) Riddles. Mrs. Pederson had crossed the plains in 1847 with her parents, coming from Iowa with ox teams. Our sub- ject and his wife lived in Alpine county, Cali- fornia, on a farm until 1863, then came to Wil- low creek, and two years later to> the present homeplace, four miles west from Vale. They took a quarter section as government land and improved it, buildecl irrigating ditches, erected house, barns, outbuildings and all the con- veniences, and made a fine home. At the home place, on May 17, 1899, Mr. Pederson was called to leave his work, his home and his family, and pass the river of death. His de- mise was a time 1 for mourning among all who knew him. for he was a good man. The chil- dren left are as follows: John O., married to Alice Gelleran ; George and Nellie, twins, the latter the wife of J. Benning ; Samuel ; Lizzie, wife of S. Adams: Olive, wife of J. J. Davis; Alda; Ruby; Vesta May. Mrs. Pederson was born June 14, 1845, an ^ ner ^ rst husband was Richard Riddles, deceased, and by that mar- riage she has three children, as follows : Mar- tha A., wife of James Crooks, of Seattle; Mary J., wife of E. Henderson, of Sherman county, Oregon; Celia, wife of James Henderson, of Yreka, California. Mrs. Pederson's sons, George and Samuel, are running the place, in company, and it is the family home. GEORGE W. PEIRCE.— No compilation purporting to' give in review the careers of the leading citizens of Malheur county would be complete were there failure to incorporate an epitome of the esteemed and capable gntle- man whose name heads this paragraph, since he has wrought here with a master hand in the development of the county for many years, having a fine farm six miles west from Vale, since he has done much in different frontier districts, since he fought the battles bravely of the cause of the Union, since as a man he is upright, possessed of great executive force, genial and affable, and highly esteemed by his fellows. Mr. Peirce was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, on August 30, 1830, being the son of Gainer and Bethsina (McGeth) Peirce. In 1838 the family came to Columbiana county, Ohino, and in 1840 to Caldwell, Missouri, in which place our subject received his education from the subscription schools held in the log school houses. Also- he was in different parts of Missouri. In 1849 he drove seven yoke of cattle across the plains to Santa Fe, New Mex- ico, drawing a cargo of seven thousand, three hundred and thirty-five pounds of black pow- der. After this he came to Las Vegas and worked in the quartermaster's department, un- der Lieutenant Buford, until the fall of 1850, when he returned to Missouri, and in the fall of 1852 he married Miss Frances Griffin, and one child was born to them, Louis B., now in Yakima county, Washington. In September, 1854, Mrs. Peirce was called home by death. On December 'Do- Mr. Peirce contracted a second marriage, the lady of his choice at this time being Miss Mary, daughter, of Robert and Ann Edwards, a native of Kentuckv, and the wedding taking place in Buchanan county, Missouri. Eighteen hundred and sixty-two was the date when Mr. Peirce moved to Keo- kuk county, Iowa, and there he enlisted in the Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He partici- pated in the battle of Nashville, and did good military duty until August, 1865, having en- listed in the fall of 1864. He is now a member of the G. A. R., Hovey Post of Ontario. Sub- equent to the war Mr. Peirce removed his family to Piatt county, Missouri, and there he followed the blacksmith trade, having learned the same from his father, who was a black- smith. In 1874 he removed to P'aradise val- ley, Humboldt county, Nevada, and there fol- lowed his trade until 1883, when he came by wagon to' his present abode, being six miles west from Vale. This land he took as a home- stead on August 16, 1883, and here has been the family home since that time. He has good land, well improved, comfortable buildings and plenty of water for irrigating. To Mr. and Mrs. Peirce there have been born ten children, as follows: Thaddeus W., deceased ; Frances A., widow of the late David Coleman, of Paradise, Nevada; Bethsina J., HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 615 wife of W. G. Pennington; Felix F., deceased; Laura P., deceased; Sarah S., wife of David Cathcart, of Paradise, Nevada; George W., deceased; Isaac L., deceased; Martha E., wife of George Kershner; James F., married to Amy Ash more. Mr. Peirce is a Mason, and has been for forty-five years, and he affiliates with the Acacia Lodge, No. 118. In the political realm he is identified with the socialistic move- ment, and in religious persuasion he and his estimable wife are members of the Missionary Baptists. In all his walk, both public and private, Mr. Peirce is an exemplary man, and now in the golden time of his well spent life he has the satisfaction of being in a circle of friends and relatives by whom he is well be- loved, and looked up to, and held in great es- teem. FRANK M. RICKER.— About seven miles west and a little south from Vale we come to the pleasant home of F. M. Ricker, who has an estate of two hundred and forty acres of well irrigated and improved land, which is capable, through his skillful hus- bandry, of producing abundant returns. He is one of the leading stockmen and agricultur- ists of this section, and although he has not been domiciled here longer than since 1897 he has made a commendable showing, having fine improvements, a comfortable home, and evi- dently everything is managed with a wise plan and true executive force and enterprise. Mr. Ricker is a native of far away Maine, being born in Somerset county on August 3, 183 5, and his parents were Moses and Mary C. (Dame) Ricker. He found his place under the parental roof, assisting on the farm and attending school, until 1857, when he was lured to the west, going first to Minnesota, and thence, two years later, to the famous Pike's Peak to participate in the mining excitement that was then running high. He followed mining and lumbering until the spring of 1861, then returned to Maine, and in the fall came via New York and Panama to California, land- ing at San Francisco and going direct to Placer county. He mined, logged and freighted in various sections of California until 1867, then deemed it high time to return to his native state and take unto himself the lady who was waiting there to become his wife; and the pleas- ant ceremony that made Mr. F. M. Ricker and Miss Sarah J., daughter of Elisha and Eliza- beth (Martin) Godfrey, husband and wife was performed on January 25, 1868. He settled in the native state until 1875, then determined to again try the west, and accordingly came to Andrew county, Missouri. But being eaten out there by the grasshoppers which infested that country then, he came west in the fall of the same year and settled in Sutter county, California, where he farmed until the fall of 1880, when another move was made, to Ellens- burg, Washington. Two years later we find him in Union 1 county, Oregon, near the Medi- cal springs of that county, and thence in 1885, he came to upper Willow creek, near Ironsides. He farmed and raised stock there until 1897, when a final move was made which brought him to his present valuable and pleasant home place. Fraternally Mr. Ricker is affiliated with the Masons, Acacia Lodge, No. 118, of Ontario, and has been a member of that order since 1875. Mr. Ricker always takes the part of the intelligent citizen in political matters., while in the realm of education he is active and enthusiastic in the advancement of good schools and proper facilities for study and instruction. To Mr. and Mrs. Ricker have been bom the following children : George Herbert, whose wife, Daisy Long, died April 1, 1902; Alice May, wife of M. Carlile, of Ironsides; Mertie E., wife of J. D. Miles, of Union county, and she is now deceased ; one boy who died in in- fancy ; Lizzie Bell ; Nettie M. ; Frank Emerv. ALONZO PEER.— One of the sturdy men and faithful pioneers who opened this country for the tread of civilization, and whose labors have resulted so well in developing the re- sources of the land is the subject of this article, and he is deserving oif consideration in this volume of our county's history, being also* a man of sound principles and integrity. He is proprietor of the Nyssa hotel and feed stable, where he does a good business, having a popu- larity with the traveling public that insures him a, fine patronage. Mr. Peer was born in Morris county, New Jersey, on June 28, 1842, being the son of Ira and Eliza Peer. He grew to manhood's estate in his native place, and there also received his educational disci- 616 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES pline. There also he cast his frst vote, and it was for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. About 1868 he went to Jackson county, Michigan, and opened up a farm on the frontier, entail- ing no small amount of hard labor and trial. Later this property was sold and he journeyed to Salt Lake, Utah, and thence to Arizona and New Mexico, but returned again to Utah, where he contracted a marriage with Mrs. Sarah J. Green, on May 12, 1883. She had crossed the plains with her parents in 1867, -starting from Nebraska on March 4, and land- ing in Lehi, Utah, on August 4, making the trip with ox teams. Her native place is Rich- land county, Ohio, and her father was Lyman Warren. By her former marriage Mrs. Peer had three children, as follows : George P. Green, of Lewisville, Idaho ; Lyman A., near Nyssa ; Mrs. Mercy A. Leuck, of Nyssa. In 1885 Mr. Peer came to Idaho' Falls with teams over the old emigrant road and then took a claim, and it was with much hardship and ar- duous labor that he was enabled to> open it up. Water was difficult to obtain, and they had to haul it six miles. Many became discouraged and left the country. But Mr. Peer was per- severing, and he reaped the rewards of his labors. In 1899 ' ie s °ld his property and came to Nyssa. and here he purchased lots and erect- ed the hotel and feed stables mentioned above. He has a good trade and is well liked. To Mr. and Mrs. Peer there have been born three children, as follows : Eliza Ann, Martha Ellen and Sadie Irene. Mr. Peer is greatly interested in educational matters, and labors faithfully for the advancement of that good work. He has always been zealous for the welfare of the county, and in him is found both the capable and good man and the patri- otic and progressive citizen. JOHN M. SNIVELY.— As one of Mal- heur county's promising men, a public official in the responsible position of superintendent of the entire road system in the county, a pro- gressive citizen and a genial and amiable gen- tleman, we are bound to 1 accord Mr. Snive- ly a representation in the history of his coun- ty. He was born in Watsonville, California, on September 17, 1873, being the son of Dan- iel and Priscilla (Childers) Snively. The father is a native of Pennsylvania and came across the plains with an ox train, meeting his future wife at the Missouri river and she trav- eled across the plains in the same train. Soon after reaching California, they were married and after the birth of our subject, they removed' to Sacramento and thence to Red Bluffs, Te- hama county, where they reside at the present time. Our subject was reared thereon a fruit farm and remained with his parents until 1897, when he came to Jordan Valley and located his present homestead, thirty miles west from Jordan Valley oostoffice. His place is adapted to' raising hay and is surrounded with the best of stock grazing land. On October 7, 1900, Mr. Snively married Miss Nellie G., daughter of James and Eliza- beth (Thompson) Johnson, of Walla Walla, being early pioneers of that region. In Jan- uary, 1902, Mr. Snively was appointed road master of the entire county and he is at the present time discharging the duties thus in- cumbent upon him with wisdom and mani- festation of sound practical knowledge that bespeaks much to his credit and the profit of the county and the convenience of its resi- dents. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Jordan Valley Lodge, No. 158, and is secretary of the same. Although not a pioneer of the county, he is nevertheless a real pioneer in spirit and of the section where he now re- sides, being a man of energy, integrity, and ex- cellent executive force. GEORGE W. DUNCAN, deceased.— Among the living representatives of Malheur county there should appear an account of him whose name is at the head of this article, as a tribute to his memory, since he was one of the capable and upright men of this countv, having ever manifested praiseworthy virtues in his life, being a devout Christian and also one of the noble men who> pressed to the front to save the nation in the time of great danger. George W. Duncan was born on January 29. 1843, m Williamson county, Illinois, be- ing the son of Dudley W. and Elizabeth (Spil- ler) Duncan. He was reared on a farm and at an early age was deprived of both parents by death. He made his way in the world, en- countering the adversities and sorrow of the orphan, but succeeded well in his undertakings. GEORGE W. DUICAI. MRS. GEORGE W. DUSCAS, BALTIMORE HOWARD. WILLIAM L. LOGAH. S. H. EMISOH. ^ y JUDGE JAMES T. CLEMEHT. WILLIAM J. SCOTT. JOHH A. WARD. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 617 On September 17, 1863, he enlisted in Com- pany B, Fifteenth Kansas Cavalry, for three years. His service was largely on the border between Kansas and Missouri and he partici- pated in man)" trying skirmishes. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged and went to Linn count)', Kansas, to take up the duties of civil life. And there, on May 19, 1867, he was united in the holy bonds of mat- rimony with Susan D., daughter of Jacob and Georgiana (Gleason) Suit. Subsequent to this important event in his life, he removed to "Wilson county, Kansas, and there took up gov- ernment land and gave his attention to farm- ing until 1880. At that date, on account of failing health, Mir. Duncan sold his property and provided rigs and came overland with teams to the present home place. His health was much improved, but still he was not fully restored, and on November 28, 1892, the an- gel of death summoned him hence. He was fully prepared to go and he passed as the true Christian to the realms beyond. The children born to this worthy couple are named as follows : Rosetta, wife of the late sheriff, Julian D. Locey ; Alice M., wife of Cyrus W. Morfitt; Ninnie, deceased; Albert, deceased; Wiley B. married to Gretta Wis- dom; Cora A., deceased; Walter T., Ralph A., Ray R.. and Nannie B. Mrs. Duncan has taken up the added burdens of life since her husband's death in a noble and skillful man- ner and she is now attending to the manage- ment of their large estate of eight hundred acres of land, one-half mile northeast from Ironsides, where the family home is. The place is comfortable and carefully improved and pro- vided with all necessary buildings, orchards and conveniences for a first-class farm and stock ranch, and Mrs. Duncan has also a large herd of cattle. She is a member of the Meth- odist church, as her husband was, also, and she is a faithful supporter of the true faith, being an exemplary woman in her daily walk and characterized by graciousness and hospitality. BALTIMORE HOWARD.— To the ca- pable and substantial citizen whose name ini- tiates this paragraph we are constrained to grant representation in the history of Malheur county, as he is a man of ability and integrity, and has wrought with faithfulness for the gen- eral good, and has shown commendable wis- dom in the manipulation of his affairs. The father of our subject, Jonathan B., was born in Maryland, in 1803, and the mother, Marga- ret Vinden, was born in Kentucky. Baltimore was born March 3, 1840, in Shelby county, Illi- nois, and in 1853 he came with his parents across the plains with ox teams, leaving the Missouri river at St. Joseph on May 5, and landing in Oregon City on August 20, which was about the best time that ox teams ever made across the plains. Our subject remained with his parents until i860, and then took the gold fever and went to British Columbia and operated on the Fraser river for a season and then returned to Willamette valley. In 1861 he went to Oro< Fino, Idaho, and returned to the valley in the fall of the same year and en- listed in Company E of the First Oregon Cav- alry Volunteers, under Captain George B. Cur- ry, and our subject was the first man to put down his name on the roll of privates. He enlisted for the purpose of going east, but he was detained in the west and for three years he served, fighting" Indians. He was honora- bly discharged and in 1865 came to Walla Walla, and two years later went thence to Boise, Idaho. In 1868 he came to the vicin- ity of his present home and engaged in mining and farming. He entered a homestead in 1880, where he now resides, ten miles south- west from Malheur, and here he owns one- half section, well improved and stocked with a large band of cattle. He has commodious barns and outbuildings and a comfortable res- idence and is one of the leading stockmen of the region. On December 25, 1876, Mr. Howard mar- ried Miss Fannie, daughter of Jerry Ralston, and a native of Lebanon, Oregon, and to them have been born the following children, Clar- ence Elmer, Charles Oliver, Juliet Myrtle, Floyd Homer, Clara Rose, and Gladys Naomi. Mr. Howard is a Republican in politics, where he takes the part of an intelligent citizen, and in educational matters he is an enthusiastic worker and ever laboring for the progress of each department of the county. It is of note that Mr. Howard commenced with no capital except his hands and he has wrought out his present success, which demonstrates his abili- ty and enterprise. 618 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES In 1878 Mr. Howard served as scout un- der General Howard and went from Malheur to Pendleton with him. WILLIAM L. LOGAN.— It is with pleas- ure that we are enabled to give a resume of the life of the worthy pioneer, capable gentle- man, and stanch and patriotic citizen whose name initiates this paragraph, since he has wrought in many places on the frontier for its development, has done a lion's share of the hard work to accomplish this praiseworthy un- dertaking, has been exposed to the hardships of such a life, the dangers from the storms of the mountains, the dangers from Indians on the warpath, the dangers from wild animals in the forest, and in it all has shown that true courage, stability, and calm and good judg- ment that so well become the true American citizen. Also in Malheur county Mr. Logan has wrought with a faithful hand and his works are manifest to all. William L. was born in Nashville, Tennes- see, on May 31, 1827, being the son of Thom- as and Elizabeth (Owens) Logan. When a child he came with the family to Illinois, thence toi Wisconsin, and in 1852 across the plains with ox teams to Placerville, California. En route they had to fight the Indians, and there, as many times since in such conflicts, the sav- age foe fell at the crack of the trusty rifle of our subject. He mined and dealt in stock in California, traveling all over the state, and Ari- zona and New Mexico, as well, until 1862, then pulled up from his headquarters at Marys- ville and Sacramento and came north to Ore- gon, through the Grande Ronde valley, to Walla Walla, Lewiston, Florence, Idaho' Ba- sin and to the vicinity of Weiser, where he set- tled and went to farming and stock raising and also kept a stage station. In 1869 he came to lower Willow creek, where he now lives, four miles northwest from Dell, entered a home- stead and settled down to improve the land and raise stock. He has added by purchase until he has three hundred acres of land, well sup- plied with water, and improved with good, comfortable house and all needed buildings. He raises as high as eight hundred tons of alfalfa per year and handles a large band of cattle and horses. When Mr. Logan settled here there were two other cabins, his being the third. On April 18, 1863, Mr. Logan married Miss Nancy J., daughter of James and Luan- da (Malory) Harris, and they have become the parents of the following children : William Weiser, born March 13, 1864, being the first white child born in the vicinity of Weiser, Ida- ho, and now married to Hattie Denham, re- cently deceased ; John T., married to Minnie O'Neal; James N., deceased; Edward A., mar- ried to Edna Logan; Frankie, deceased; Min- nie H., deceased; Oscar W. ; Arthur; Young P. and David P., twins, the former deceased; Robert L. Mrs. Logan came across the plains with her parents in 1862, making the trip with ox teams from the state of Iowa. She w T as born in Kane county, Illinois. Mr. Logan is a man of good capabilities, now well on in the golden time of his life, respected by all and esteemed by those who know him and to be highly credited for the noble part that he has done in the pioneer labors of the entire west and also for the prominent work that he has accomplished in this country. SANFORD N. EMISON.— No man in the vicinity of Nyssa, Malheur county, is better known than the capable and enterprising busi- ness man whose name is at the head of this sketch. He is a member of the firm of Emison Brothers, which does a large business in the general merchandise trade, having a spacious and well equipped store in Nyssa, where they carry a complete stock of gents' furnishing goods, dry goods, groceries, hardware, house furnishings, farm implements, lumber, coal, and in fact a line of all kinds of goods that are needed in the wide range of territory whence comes their extensive and lucrative patronage. In addition to their commodious store, the firm owns a large two-story warehouse, where they ha 1 * e a great quantity of goods and the upper part is occupied with the opera house of the town. The firm also handles the Nyssa ferry, and until recently, they have handled a large stock ranch of fifteen hundred acres, well stocked and one of the largest in this section of the country. Reverting more particularly to the personal history of our subject, we note that he was born in Baker City, Oregon, on July 13, 1872,. ;i H H o Eh" CO 1-3 p O H O P i— i CO Pi HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 619 being thus a native of this portion of the state and one of its younger business men. His parents, William and Mary N. (Rice) Emi- son, came across the plains with ox teams from St. Louis, Missouri, in the early sixties and settled in Baker City, where the father fol- lowed mining for a time. Later he removed his family to near the place where Ontario now stands and engaged in stock raising. Our subject was a small child at this time and he grew up amid the environments of a stock ranch, gaining his elementary education from the common schools, and completing the same by a thorough course in the Willamette Uni- versity at Salem, of which institution he is an alumnus. The father operated near Ontario for a number of years and then sold out and came to the vicinity of Nyssa and purchased fifteen hundred acres, where he continued his labors until April, 1900, when he was taken hence by the angel of death. The mother then purchased a place in Portland and is residing there at the present time. Our subject and his brother, Charles R., formed a partnership in 1896, handling the father's stock business and also a general merchandise establishment in Nyssa. The brother gave especial attention to the stock portion of the business and our sub- ject handled the store. But in the spring of 1901, they disposed of the stock and gave their united attention to the merchandise business, and they have a fine establishment and the con- fidence and patronage of a large number of people, their trade extending many miles in every direction. Mr. Emison has a large ten- room house of modern architectural design, tastily surrounded and handsomely furnished, which is the family home at the present time. The marriage of Mr. Emison and Miss Eva Tharp was solemnized on April 19, 1896, and to them have been born two children, Bea- trice and Sidney S. Mrs. Emison is a lady of many virtues and graces, and she presides in a becoming manner over their elegant home, which she makes a center of refined hospitality. Mr. Emison is a member of the Modern Wood- men, Nyssa Camp, No. 7489. He is also post- master of his town, and in this exacting posi- tion he has given satisfaction to all, and he is highly esteemed by all and is a business man of talent and executive force. JUDGE JAMES T. CLEMENT.— It is truly gratifying that we are enabled to chron- icle the career of this esteemed and prominent gentleman of Malheur county, being a man who wears the crown of success, having been especially prosperous in the affairs of business, one who has the entire confidence of the people, which is properly reposed, has manifested those virtues of manly uprightness and sagacity, coupled with enterprise and keen business dis- crimination and at this moment enjoys the prestige that talent and virtue produce. James T. Clement was born in Pulaski township, Jackson county, Michigan, on May 31, 1840, being the son of Theophilus and Cleora (Webster) Clement. His mother was a second cousin to the noted Daniel Webster. Our subject grew up on the farm, received his education fromi the schools of his native place and on October 24, i860, was married to Lucy E., daughter of Eli and Anna Hayes, and a native of Ohio. He settled down to farming until 1867, then drove a team Mitchell county, Iowa, and two years later drove on to^ Lan- caster county, Nebraska, and thence in 1881, he came by team to Canyon county, Idaho. He settled near Payette, where he entered gov- ernment land and now owns a fine farm there of two hundred acres of fertile soil, watered by his own ditch, and improved with orchards, el- egant residence, barns, and so forth, which make it an ideal retreat and rural home. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Clement, namely : Roswell W., married to Hattie Neal, near Ontario; J. Buell, deceased, was married to Helen Plummer; Flattie L., wife of Rich- ard Waters, near Waterville, Washington; Edna, wife of D. C. Boyd, of Ontario. In February, 1884, Mrs. Clement died at the farm home in Idaho. In September, of the same year, Mr. Clement moved to Ontario, where his sister kept house for him. She has the dis- tinction of being the second woman in On- tario. Mr. Clement then engaged in the lum- ber business, having yards at Payette, Ontario, and Weiser. This business occupied him until 1895, when he sold out and afterward engaged in general merchandise business with R. D. Greer & Company. This was likewise sold nut and in 1900, the year following, Mr. Clem- ent purchased, in connection with his son-in- -820 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES law, D. C. Boyd, the Ontario Argus, a weekly Republican newspaper, which they handle with credit to themselves, it being a sheet of distinct vitality and merit and fearless in champion- ing the principles of right and progress. In 1888 Mr. Clement was elcted the first county judge of Malheur county on the Democratic ticket and for four years he served with abil- ity and in such manner that all were satisfied and approved his wise and faithful course. Formerly he had served as justice of the peace. In fraternal relations the Judge is popularly allied, being a member of the I. O. O. F., On- tario Lodge, No. 90, and past grand, also, having been representative to the grand lodge a couple of times and is also elected to the same position for this year ; he is also a mem- ber of the Encampment of Ontario, No. 45, and is the present scribe; and is a member of the Rebekahs. The marriage of Judge Clem- ent and Mrs. Emma Hall, the first white child born in Layton, Michigan, was solemnized on December 25, 1884, and the family home is one of the most palatial and comely residences in eastern Oregon, being situated in lovely grounds, which partake of the practical, hav- ing fine gardens and orchards, and also of the beautiful and decorative, being tastily and skillfully laid out and handled. This lovely home is one of refined hospitality, and with graciousness it is presided over by Mrs. Clem- ent. In addition, the Judge has much other valuable property. It would not be fitting to. close this brief article without referring to the pleasant fact that Judge Clement is a member of the Congregational church, and for nine years was superintendent of the Sunday-school, and in all that period he missed his accustomed place at the head of the school but nine Sun- days. He is a man of ability, integrity, and is happily possessed of an amiable nature and an affability that have won him hosts of friends from all classes, and he is highly respected. WILLIAM J. SCOTT.— The doughty pi- oneer of whom we now have the privilege of speaking, is one of the well known and progres- sive stockmen of Malheur countv, having: his family residence and home place about six miles south from Dell, where he manages a mammoth establishment of hay producing land and large bands of stock, being the man who enjoys the distinction of sowing the first al- falfa in the entire county, thus being the means of introducing this wealth-producing plant in our midst. Mr. Scott was born in Angels Camp, Calaveras county, California, on Decem- ber 23, 1852, his parents being Oscar W. and Elizabeth (Logan) Scott, who came direct to that place from Greene county, Illinois, mak- ing the trip with ox teams. It is of note that the well known Joaquin Miller was a guest of the father of our subject for some time. In 1 85 7 the family went to Healdsburg, Califor- nia, and the following year they went to Men- docino county on the coast and there they farmed until 1878. There, also, on September 3, 1874, Mr. Scott married Miss Idella Titus. In 1878 Mr. Scott came to this rounfy, taking a portion of his present estate as a homestead and began the good work of improvement and raising stock. He added two hundred acres of land by purchase and now has a farm that produces six hundred tons of alfalfa each year. In addition to introducing alfalfa in 1 88 1 he also at that time stretched the first wire fence in the county. The farm is well supplied with water from Willow creek and in addition to this fine holding, Mr. Scott has several thousand head of sheep, and also^ cat- tle and horses. He has a good six-room dwell- ing, large barns and good orchard. When he came here he notes his possessions as one horse, one mule, and an old pack saddle. The chil- dren born to Mr. Scott and his first wife are, Mary A., deceased; Florence L.. wife of B. Jones; Frederick F., Winfield, Harry H., Russell. On August 12, 1893, Mrs. Scott was called from her home and family by death. On January 12, 1896, Mr. Scott married a second time, the lady of his choice on this oc- casion being Mrs. Nancy (Bonee) Murphey, who has by her first husband three children, as follows : Harry H. Howard, married to Ber- tha McCabe; George Howard, married to Bessie Rainey ; Newell Howard. The second husband of Mrs. Scott died without issue. The first one was named Marshall Howard. Mr. Scott is a member of the I. O. O. F. in On- tario. He is a capable and upright man and has done much for the advancement of the country and is justly entitled to the approval and confidence of his fellows, which he enjoys in unstinted measure. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 621 JOHN A. WARD.— Among the leading citizens of Malheur county is to be placed the name of the subject of this sketch, since he is a man of excellent talent and enterprise; since he is one of the heavy land owners of this ir- rigated section ; and since he is one of the pro- moters and originators oi the Owyhee ditch — which has been of untold benefit to this and surrounding country, making more wealth for Malheur county than almost any other one venture. John A. was born in the province of Que- bec, Canada, on February 15, 1858, being the son of George P. and Elizabeth (Sherman) Ward. Hie was reared on a farm and gained his education from the common schools. The father was a man of property and handled a hotel in addition to the farm. In 1872 the mother died and in 1881 the father also was called from the scenes of earth. In September of the same year, our subject came by train direct to Winnemucca, Nevada, and thence on horse back to Silver City, Idaho. He worked a short time in a livery stable and then en- gaged in the mines and later with his brother he went in the sheep business. In 1S84 he engaged in the sheep business in Malheur county, folowing the same until 1891. At that time, he sold his sheep and took up a claim of eighty acres on the Owyhee river, which he watered with irrigating ditches and improved well. In 1899 Mr. Ward removed to his pres- ent place which consists of two hundred and twenty acres of fine land, three miles southwest from Nyssa. It is a model place, being well watered and having good improvements. Mr. Ward and his three brothers and four others commenced the Owyhee ditch and later they incorporated and he is one of the original stockholders and incorporators. His land is well watered from this ditch. The marriage of Mr. Ward and Miss Ida B., daughter of Albert B. and Angeletta (Davis) Neathery, of the vicinity of Nyssa, was solemnized on September 9, 1891, and they have become the parents of the following named children: Audrey J., Pearl F., Irl D., Cecil, and Albert W. Mr. Ward is one of the prominent men of this section and deserves much credit for the energetic and enterprising manner in which he has wrought for the ad- vancement of the country and its improvement. He has the esteem and respect and confidence of all. GEORGE W. LYELLS.— The hearty, genial and jovial gentleman whose name heads this article is one of the best known men in the county of Malheur, having wrought in in- dustrial development in various portions of it, and always maintaining his reputation untar- nished and manifesting that uprightness and integrity and industry that are the sterling virtues of typical manhood. He was born in Jonesborough, Illinois, on January 27, 1858, being the son of Richard C. and Sarah (Toney) Lyells. He was reared on a farm and gained his education from the district schools of his native and other places. In 1869 his father took his family, consisting of himself, wife and ten children, our subject the oldest, across the plains to Pueblo county, Colorado. They en- dured the real pioneer hardships en route, and , suffered much from the attacks of the Indians. In 1872 Mr. Lyells started out in life for him- self, his first trip being across the plains bare- foot, driving six yoke of oxen hauling two wagons from Colorado to Baker City, Oregon. He helped fight the Indians, being attacked sev- eral times en route. October 10, 1872, was the glad day when they first saw Baker City. George W. worked on a farm' for a time, then went to Rye valley and mined in the placers; of that vicinity, after which he returned to Baker City and attended school for a period. After that he went to Idaho> and freighted with oxen to the different camps, and in 1875 returned to Baker City, where he entered as an apprentice at the forge, and for nine years he labored in that city. Then he went to Malheur and opened a shop, 1884 being the date. Five years later we find him in Vale beating the anvil to the tune of skillful labor and honest effort, and in 1900 he came to Ontario. Here he has a good shop, owning the building and the lot, and his patronage is such that he is busied all of the time, and then is not able to attend to it all. He enjoys the meed of a good honest reputa- tion earned by hard and skillful labor and an upright life of careful walk. In addition to the blacksmith shop he operates a, wagon repair shop. July 25, 1880, marks the happy date when Mr. Lyells led to' the altar his chosen bride, Miss Mary E., daughter of Benjamin and Rosa Stevens. They. are the parents oi the following children : Edward R., married to Stella M. Craig, and one child, Percy E., has been born to them; Sylvia V., wife of E. A. 622 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Rieger, of Ontario: George F. ; Angel ine E. ; Lillian E. ; Syrene B. He is a member of the Ontario Lodge, No. 90, I. O. O. R, while he and his wife are members of the Rebekahs, and his wife of the Cherry Circle of Woodcraft, No. 304. Mr. Lyells carries with becoming dignity the honors of grandfather, although his geniality and affableness are tinged with the life and vigor of twenty-five. Both he and his wife are esteemed by scores of friends from all parts of the county. JONATHAN B. BIGELOW.— The capa- ble and enterprising gentleman, whose name is at the head of this article is one of Malheur county's thrifty agriculturists, and has labored here faithfully in the interests of improvement and building himself and family a comfortable home. Mr. Bigelow was born in St. Charles county, Missouri, on September 6, 1 85 1 , being the son of Rufus and Henrietta (Eveisman) Bigelow. While he was a child he went with his parents to Saline county, in. his native state, and there he was educated in the public schools. There also the family lived when the war broke out, and they were called upon to suffer much hardship, and humiliation from the hordes of soldiers, who> carried off nearly all the goods from his father's store. Also the famous James and Younger brothers raided the store, thus the father being nearly robbed oif all his property. Subsequent to the war Jonathan worked on a farm, and on March 29, 1877, he was married to Miss Neoma Woolard. In 1880, with his wife and two children, Mr. Bige- low started to Paradise, Nevada, Humboldt county, and there they labored until 1889, when he came across the country to the Mal- heur valley. He returned for stock, and when he landed here he was possessed of less than twenty dollars. The first winter was one of hardship, and he gained his provisions; by sell- ing sage brush in Vale, and he experienced the real life of the pioneer, and he has won suc- cess by his hard efforts of labor and industry and skillful management. Later Mr. Bigelow moved to the Owyhee, and then again moved to the vicinity oif Nyssa, and in the spring of 1 90 1 he came to his present place. He owns one hundred and twenty acres five miles south- west from Nyssa, and forty acres o alfalfa, which produce annually five hundred tons of that excellent cattle feed. He has a good dwelling, commodious barns and outbuildings, and a general air of thrift per- meates the entire premises, proclaiming the owner a man of care, industry, and wise man- agement. Mr. Kelley has also a herd of fine 628 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES cattle and he is numbered among the leading stockmen of the country. Mr. Kelley's parents were Joseph and Mar- garet (Thompson) Kelley. The father died at Idaho City, Idaho, in 1870, having been an early pioneer to California and thence to Id- aho. In 1 87 1 Mrs. Kelley contracted a sec- ond marriage and the step-father to our subject was William Stark. Soon after this marriage the family removed to Ontario, this county, and in 1877 they came to the place owned by our subject and described above, it being the old home place. In 1891 Mr. Stark was called to pass the river of death and in 1897 the mother of our subject died. In the early days the family experienced much trouble with the Indians and knew full well the trying hard- ships and deprivations of the pioneer's lot. On March 22, 1891, occurred the marriage of Mr. Kelley and Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and Amanda Taylor, and they have become the parents of six children, as follows, Maggie M., Ruby H., Rosa E., Charles C, Laban, and the baby, still unnamed. Mr. Kel- ley takes especial interest in the promotion of good schools and the advancement of the cause of education, having rendered efficient service as clerk of the school board of his" district for ten years. Mr. Kelley is a man of capabilities that give him a prestige among his fellows and he sustains an unsullied reputation and enjoys the fellowship and esteem of all who have the pleasure of knowing him. JOSEPH A. MORTON.— This intrepid pioneer and enterprising stockman and farmer of Malheur county stands among the leaders of this sectioin of the country in the stock business, having an excellent band of horses, numbering many hundreds, besides which he owns much real estate in various sections. He is a man of intelligence and* in all his varied career, much of which has been spent in the arduous pursuits of the frontier, he has mani- fested great energy, perseverence, and faithful- ness, coupled with a keen discrimination in bus- iness affairs. Mr. Morton was born in Pres- ton county, Virginia, on January 5, 1834, be- ing the son of James and Jane (Connor) Mor- ton. In 1843 he went with his parents to Darke county, Ohio-, and from there to How- ard county, Indiana. His education was gained in the log schoolhouses of those days, and he had to walk a long distance to attend school. He was reared on a farm and in 1852 left the old home place and started for himself. Go- ing to Adams county, Iowa, he there operated' a sawmill for a time and there also occurred his marriage with Miss Clementine Ireland, in 1856. They went with ox teams to Coffey county, Kansas, entered government land, and in the spring of 1862 went with ox teams thence to the Grande Ronde valley. They were members of a large train and endured much hardship on the route, being six months in making the journey. Indians were trouble- some also. Mr. Morton located land in the new country and the following spring went to' Ea- gle creek, to> mine, which occupation he fol- lowed until 1870. At that date he came to lower Willow creek, near Vale, and engaged in the stock business. In 1872 he removed to Bully cieek and two years later to the Snake river near Ontario. In 1895 Mr. Morton sold that property and bought a toll road running from Horse Shoe bend to Placerville and op- erated this until 1898, then bought a farm two miles west from Ontario, continuing the stock business all the time. • He sold that farm and bought nearer the town, which farm he also* sold and then bought a place in Snake river, it being an island of about five hundred acres. In the spring of 1902 Mr. Morton bought six- ty acres four miles southwest from Ontario, which is the family home at the present time. His place is well improved with buildings and corrals and orchards and provided with water for irrigating. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mor- ton were eleven, but seven are still living, named as follows, Mrs. Jane Davis; Leonard M. ; Mrs. Frances Sells ; Mrs. Clementine Chambers; Mrs. Alma King, of Vale; Joseph' W. ; Reuben M. During the Indian war of 1878 Mr. Morton enlisted as scout and did good service. In the spring of 1901 he went to Alaska with a band of horses, which he sold at Nome, and then spent the summer prospect- ing, returning to his home in the fall. .Mr. Morton relates that when he first came to this country the neighbors were few and about eight miles apart, but he has labored faith- fully and steadily here and has seen the coun- try develop to its present prosperous condi- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 629 tion, aiding materially in this good work. In addition to the other property named, Mr. Morton owns ninety acres adjoining the town of Boise, besides much other property, being one of the substantial and well-to-do' men of the country.. . JAMES A. LACKEY.— Among the lead- ing stockmen of the entire country must be placed conspicuously the name of the subject of this article since he has charge of the larg- est horse ranch in the United States, managing the same with great skill and wisdom, and ever manifesting that fine executive force of which he is so' richly possessed, while commensurate therewith are the integrity and stanch princi- ples of worth and uprightness that characterize him. James A. was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, near the town of Lexington, on May 22, 1858, being the son of Anderson and Eliz- abeth (Miller) Lackey. He received his ed- ucation in the district schools of the county and village and remained with his parents un- til the spring of 1875, when he journeyed to Kern county, California, and engaged in min- ing for a time and alsoi in the stock business, continuing his efforts there until 1880, at which time he came to Malheur county. He engaged here in stock raising, settling near Malheur City. There were few inhabitants of this land and no railroad and he had to drive his stock across the mountains to Wy- oming. He has made many such trips and his energy and vigor surmounted every obstacle and won success in a brilliant measure. On April 7, 1885, Mr. Lackey married Miss Acldie M., daughter of Cyrus T. and Ma- riah Locy, the nuptials being celebrated at Malheur. The fruit of this union is as fol- lows : Mamie, deceased ; Chester T., Hazel C, and James Russell. Mrs. Lackey's par- rents reside near Ironsides at the present time. In 1890 Mr. Lackey sold out his possessions and removed to Seattle, taking land on the sound. While living there he shipped several carloads of horses to 1 New York. In 1892 he transferred his residence to Ontario and here he took charge of the business of the Oregon Horse and Land Company, supposed to- be the largest company handling horses in the United States. In this capacity is manifested the real worth of the wisdom, executive ability, and' experience of Mr. Lackey. He has charge of many thousands of dollars of property and does a mammoth business. In addition to this he owns in his own right a farm of two hundred acres two miles out from Ontario, a fine residence in Ontario, and much other val- uable property in various places. He always manifests great interest in educational mat- ters, having given his services for nine years as clerk of the district. Mr. Lackey is active* and zealous in building" up the interests of On- tario and has acted as councilman for many years. He is affiliated with Acacia Lodge, No. 118, A. F. & A. M., also with the A. O. U. W., while he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. Mr. Lackey spends much of his time, perhaps a majority, in Ontario, di- recting his business from that point, but he also is occupied much in traveling to various parts of the United States and adjacent countries in marketing stock. He is respected by all and his ability is recognized and properly appreci- ated, although he is too busy to accept public office other than mentioned. HARNEY COUNTY HAULING HAY TO STOCK IN HARNEY YALLEY. HAYING- SCENE IN HARNEY YALLEY. HISTORY OF HARNEY COUNTY. CHAPTER I. CURRENT HISTORY, 1865 TO 1892. Inasmuch as the territory now constituting" Harney county was originally a portion of Grant, much of its early history has been non ticed in connection with that county. It is, however, necessary that some facts connected with its settlement and development be some- what more fully treated. Of the experiences of trappers and hunters who visited the region in the days when the Hudson's Bay Company held autocratic power in the northwest, we have little more record, than of the inter- tribal relations, wars and. wanderings of its Indian inhabitants, or of that still older race whose mortars, pestles, arrow heads and other stone implements are found widely diffused over the country. In Charles W. Parrish's collection, of curios are some relics of the emi- grant train of 1845, which was one of the first expeditions of white people to pass through the Harney country. . Their experiences in the desert and in the Harney lake region have been narrated at some length elsewhere in this vol- ume in connection with the discovery of gold in Baker county. There are some white men now living in central and southeastern Oregon who were in Harney valley, en route to the coast during the year 1 1853, an d ft * s probable that hardly a year passed since then in which white men have not ventured into the region, though not to remain permanently. During the early 'sixties the Harney coun- try was threaded by quite a large number of expeditions of miners, en route to Auburn, Canyon City and the Idaho mines. To pro- tect this migratory class, as well as the west- ward moving armies of emigrants, military posts were rendered necessary at a very early date. Of these a succinct outline account was furnished to Charles W. Parrish, historian of the local cabin of the Native Sons of Oregon, by the war department in a letter of recent date. From the communication we learn that Camp Alvord, a temporary United States canip, located near Lake Alvord, in what is now Harney county, was established September 5, 1865, by Company G, First Oregon In- fantry, and abandoned May 25, 1866; that Carntp Curry, a temporary camp on Silver creek, forty-five or fifty miles north from Camp Harney, was established in August, 1865, an d abandoned in May, 1866 ; that Gamp C. F. Smith, on White Horse creek, Oregon, was established in May, 1866, and abandoned November 9, 1869; and that Fort Harney, at the mouth of Rattlesnake creek, Harney coun- ty, was established August 16, 1867, as Camp Steele; that its name was changed September 14, 1867, and that it was abandoned June 14, 1880. The communication does not mention Camp Wright, which was established at what 634 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES is now kmown as Wright's Point, in August, 1865, by Captain L. L. Williams, of Company H, First Oregon Infantry. It was named in honor of General Wright, whoi went down be- fore Crescent City, California, in the vessel "Brother Jonathan," during the fall of the year 1865. It has been related that during September, 1865, a fight occurred between the Harney valley iPiutes and a part of the force under Captain Williams, somewhere between Camp Wright and Harney lake. About the same time Lieutenant Applegate, of Company H, in command of a part of Captains Williams' men, was attacked while traveling from Camp Curry to Clamp Wright at a point called in jest Fort Drellinger. on what afterward became Mrs. McGee's ranch. Next morning about eight miles south of the present town of Burns Indians shot from the rimrock near a cove, wounding a soldier named Griffin, who after- ward died from the effects, of the shot, and another soldier named Smith. Mrs. Grace, formerly of the Herald, whose investigations resulted in the discovery of the facts just narrated, states that the grave in front of old Camp Wright's site is. that of a sol- dier known among his fellows as "Reddy," from the color of his hair. "Reddy" was shot by the Indians on the Blitzen as he mounted guard one dark night in February, 1866. It is claimed, however, that the grave is not that of a soldier, but of an emigrant named Stewart, who was killed by the Indians some time in the 'fifties. Of all the military camps located in the Harney country no other was so influential in the civil history of the section as Camp Harney, established, as before stated, in Au- gust, 1867. It had a military post office and received regular mail from Canyon City, the mail being carried on horseback by a man named Walker. There were many civilians in and around the camp from the time of its inception, but as these were totally dependent upon the existence of the camp for a livelihood, they cannot be classed as settlers. Just who was the first to. establish himself permanently in the country we will not undertake to- state. A'bner Rabbins used to travel around among the Indians of the valley long before any white man established a residence therein, but he did not become a settler till later. Before the establishment of Camp Wright A. H. Robie, to whom probably belongs the honor of hav- ing been the pioneer sawmill man of the vast region of which Harney county forms a part, moved a sawmill from Molthrop., Idaho, to. the left fork of Coffee Pot creek, but as he had milling interests in different other places, he did not reside in Harney valley permanently and is not classed as a settler. Mr. Robie was a son-in-law of Colonel William Craig, of the Hudson's Bay Company, whose wife was an Indian woman. He furnished lumber and shingles to build Camp Harney. In 1871 Mr. Robie moved cattle from Idaho into- the Har- ney country. His brand was diamond shaped, and from: it Diamond valley received its name. In 1872' Mr. Robie sold his interest in the sawmill, which had been moved to a point some twelve miles distant from Camp Harney, for $44,000. Robie, with a man named Snyder, who had been a sutler at several different military posts in northern California and south- ern Oregon, also with J. N. Clarke and Frank McBean, acquired some kind of an incipient right under the swamp land act to large tracts of land along the Blitzen river. This right, with all Mr. Robie's stock except a few horses, Peter French persuaded Dr. Glenn, of Califor- nia, to buy, thus laying the foundations of the noted French-Glenn ranch. The purchase price was $36,000. Mr. Robie was gathering up the reserved horses ini June, 1878, and so hap- pened to be present at the Diamond ranch on the eventful day when the battle with the In- dians took place. The first plowing in Harney valley was done by E. C. Bulkley for J. J. Cozort, now HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 635 residing near Prairie City. Mr. Cozort was at- tempting to get an advantage over his com- petitors in contracting for the furnishing of supplies to the United States government. He reasoned that if he could raise grain in the valley he could undersell those who had to transport their grain from' the John Day coun- try. He therefore employed Mr. Bulkley, in 1867, to plow up fort}- acres near Camp Har- nev. The experiment failed. Mr. Cozort tried again, and again he failed. The ground was so loose owing to the decay of successive crops of grasses, that the frosts, which were of much more frequent occurrence at that time than they are now. completely destroyed the growing grain. It is said that even at this date cereals grow much more luxuriantly where there has been an old road, showing that compactness is a great advantage to' soil of this character. In 1869 or 1870 John S. Devine came into the White Horse country with cattle. Some time later he drove a large part of his stock over into Harney valley, where, in 1877, ^ e bought out Venator and Cooksey, establishing his headquarters on the place of the latter, or where now is the Island ranch of the Pacific Live Stock Company. Mr. Devine Avas one of the progressive men who seized the excellent opportunities afforded by the Harney country in an early day, turned the same to his own advantage and built up a splendid property in the section where his lot was cast. His Al- vord place is one of the finest in all Harney county. Mr. Devine has been criticised by many on account of his methods of acquiring lands, but he was a large hearted, generous man and many a poor settler received help in one way or another from his bountiful hand. He died recently. The actual settlement of Harney valley be- gan in the year 1872, when Stilley Riddle, John Boone, George C. Smyth, with his sons, John T., Darius H., George A. and Presley, and John Chapman came in with stock. The Smyth family settled first at Warm Springs, about five miles from Burns. They remained in that locality until November, 1873, when a remarkable snowfall caused them to move. For four days it snowed and snowed, until the level valley land was covered with a blanket of ermine three feet deep. Becoming alarmed, the Smyths and other settlers gathered up their cattle and set out in search of more kindly conditions. In Happy valley they found the snow only six inches deep, so they resolved to stay there. When the snow went away some of those who had taken their cattle into this well-named region returned, but the Smyths remained, making their home in the valley. It was there that the father and oldest son met such a tragic fate during the Indian war, being killed in their house after a brave de- fense, and then burned with the building which had sheltered them. In 1873 came J. S. Miller, J. Cooksey, T. Prather and the Yenators. with cattle and horses, and James Sheppard and the Curry family, with cattle only. The advent of Frank McLeod and Maurice FitzGerald, the latter of whom was a soldier, also dates back to that year. In 1874 came P. F. Stenger, Thomas Whiting; and no doubt others. These settlers were without mail privileges other than the weekly military mail from Can- yon City until 1874. when a route was estab- lished from Canyon City, via Camp Harney, to to Camp McDermitt, Xevada. Over this route the redoubtable G. W. Anderson, familiarly known by his sobriquet of "Doc,"'" made weekly trips. In 1879 a tri-weekly service was estab- lished, and in 1880 this gave place to a daily mail. The next year, however, the route was abandoned entirely. It is thought W. W. John- son was the first postmaster at Camp Harney after the abandonment of the military post in 1880. To Daniel Wheeler is ascribed the honor of having first served as justice of the peace in the valley. During all these years the only industry of 636 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the valley was stock raising. Everything the cattleman and his employes consumed was im- ported from without. No one 'believed that anything could be raised in the country, and in this belief they were confirmed by the fail- ure of Mr. Cohort's scheme. The climate was different then from what it is at present. Rain was of much less frequent occurrence; the snows of winter were deqoer, and frost was so common that anything in the line of vegetables or cereals would be destroyed before they had well started to grow. But there was grass everywhere. No fences disturbed the bands of cattle, sheep and horses. The natural meadows supplied what hay was necessary, though at first it was not the custom to feed range cattle in the winter. The market for beef was generally good and prosperity prevailed. While many of the blessings of an older civilization were lacking-, while the -children were 'denied good school privileges, and churches were unknown, yet there was no- lack of sociability among - the people and plenty of provision was made for the entertainment-- of young and old. Throug-hout the long winters a continual round of dancing parties at the homes of the different ranchmen, furnished op- portunity for social intercourse and pleasure. No slavery to conventionalities marred the hap- piness of any ; no cliques divided people from each other's society, and all had a merry time. The first and only great sensation of the early days occurred in the spring of 1878, when the Bannock and Piute, Indians made their raid through Idaho' and eastern Oregon. As this has been fully narrated in another 1 place, it must be passed over here with a simple mention. After the Indian war and the abandonment of Fort Harney there seems to- have been a very considerable change in conditions in the Harney country. The statement is frequently made by old residents that at that time the large cattlemen began buying out their less favored brethren and there was a decided movement in the direction of concentration 'of wealth. The foundations of several large farms had been laid before this, as has been already noted. The men who had invaded the country from California, Nevada and elsewhere and had en- gaged extensively in the cattle business were men of great energy. Furthermore they were in many instances connected with wealthy cat- tlemen in the states; from which they had come, soi they controlled the funds wherewith to do business. They were enemies of civilization and settlement ; were far sighted and experi- enced enough to know that the supply of natur- al pasturage would not prove inexhaustible and were animated by a desire to* control as much of the country as possible. They saw in the small stockman an obstacle to their plans and used the resources at their command for the double purpose of increasing their own hold- ings and getting rid of him. As long as this could be done by peaceable purchase all was well, but the country was tooi large toi be con- trolled by a few. Settlers who left were re- placed by others. The would-be monopolists were embarrassed in their efforts to> secure title to- the whole country in violation of the spirit and sometimes the letter of the law by the sturdy opposition of the redoubtable set- tler, and a war broke out which has been waged in the press, in the courts and in poli- tics until the present day. In 1879 began the evolution of the Pacific Live Stock Company, the most powerful cattle corporation operating in southeastern Oregon. Some time in the fall of that year Tt M. Over- felt and Frank Sweetser came into southern Grant county and bought the cattle of a man who- went by the assumed name of Caleb Ran. Mr. Overfelt then interested the large Califor- nia cattle firm of Miller & Lux in his enter- prise and they, with a. man named Mason, a resident of Nevada, formed a co-partnership known as T. M. Overfelt & Company, for the purpose of engaging in the stock business in HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 6^7 Oregon. They were name.d locally the L. F. Company, from their brand. The partnership continued until June, 1885, when Overfelt was accidentally killed by his team running away. Miller," Lux and Mason purchased the interest of their deceased partner. Later the Califor- nia firm bought out Mason. They denominated themselves the Pacific Live Stock Company. At one time John Devine's interests were iden- tified with those of Miller & Lux. 'During- the early 'eighties there came a reaction against the tendency toward central- ization above referred to. A considerable number of settlers went into Harney valley at that time, despite the assertions of cattlemen that the counry had no agriculural value. Their experiments proved that grain and vegetables might be successfull raised under the climatic conditions then existing, although this fact had been in a measure established by the cattle- men themselves, some of whom had built com- fortable homes and made some successful ef- forts toi raise fresh products for their own tables. The influx of settlers in 1883-84-85 re- sulted in the best government lands not already appropriated by cattlemen being taken, so that later coiners must of necessity occupy the less desirable locations, where the means of irriga- tion were not so close at hand. The scarcity of lands naturally irrigated, so that they would produce wild hay in abundance, or on the banks of streams led to< contests with cattlemen for the lands supposed to be illegally held by them under the swamp land act or otherwise, and the warfare between cattlemen and settlers became very bitter. The protracted litigation arising out of this struggle for possession in Harney county will be briefly adverted to again later. In July, 1885, tne fi rs t newspaper in south- em Grant, the Harney Valley Items, issued from the press, and thereafter that section of the country, had a stanch advocate and friend. Its enterprising proprietor and editor, Horace Dillard, was alone in the journalistic field until the fall of 1887, when D. L. Grace established the East Oregon Herald. Both of these jour- nals have almost complete files, the pages of which have given us great assistance in the preparation of this work. In 1887 southern Grant county made its first effort to secure political segregation and the organization of a new local government. A bill was introduced into the legislature of that year to create Harney county, but the movement had been opposed from the first by many stockmen and others in the territory affected, who feared that the rate of taxation would be raised too high if a section so sparse- ly settled should assume the burdens of county organization. As stated in a previous chapter, the measure was opposed by the people of northern Grant, who> also* considered it prema- ture. Some of those who signed the affirma- tive petition were afterward induced to join the remonstrators by representations that the new county scheme was projected by a few de- signing men in Burns. The opposition from within the territory itself and- the strenuous efforts of Senator Hamilton caused the defeat of the bill. One of the most sensational events of the 3'ear 1888 was the assassination, on May 5th, of James Bright, a quiet, unassuming young man without any known enemies. The unfor- tunate affair occurred about twelve miles east of Harney, near the spot where a stage robbery had occurred a twelvemonth before. The mo- tive of this homicide was also' robbery. In- vestigation into- the matter resulted in the ar- rest of Buccaroo' Jim, an Indian, whose connec- tion with the jail breaking and murder in Can- yon City and final acquittal has been previously adverted 1 to in this volume. The movement for the erection of Harney county, though defeated in 18S7, had never been allowed to drop, and early in 1889 a second bill was presented to the legislature. It was forcibly urged that there could be no real security in a country two days' travel from 688 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the machinery of the law and that business could not he expeditiously conducted where land titles could not be examined, mortgages released, contracts or bonds executed and like matters attended to without a long and ex- pensive trip. Those whoi considered any move in the direction of securing the conveniences of civilization, anything likely to advertise the resources of the country a menace to their pe- cuniary interests were on hand with their re- monstrance again, but their efforts proved un- availing, and on February 26th the bill creating Harney county became a law. According to its provisions, the territory of the new political division should consist of all that portion of Grant county south of a line described as fol- lows : "Beginning at a point where the west line of Girant county crosses the township' line be- tween townships eighteen and nineteen, in said county of Grant, and running thence east on said township: line to' the west line of the old Malheur Indian reservation in said county of Grant ; thence north following the west line of said Indian reservation six miles; thence east to the east line of Grant county." The original draft of Hon. G. W. Gilham's bill provided that the governor of Oregon should locate the temporary county seat of Harney county, but the enemies of the measure had this provision changed soi that Harney was designated as the place to' be honored. This was a shrewd play, designed to excite the opposition of the Burns people, but the friends of the measure and of Burns were too sharp to 'be caught. They continued working zeal- ously for the passage of the bill, notwithstand- ing this one obnoxious provision, and success crowned their efforts. Great interest centered around the first elec- tion held in Harney county, that of June, 1890, for there was to be decided the question as to where the permanent county seat should be located. Harney had gained an advantage over its chief rival. Burns, in that it was designated the temporary seat of government. The busi- ness men of Burns decided to more than offset this by direct appeal to the pocketbook of every voter. They met together on January 27th, and after a half hour's consultation, donated $2,100 with which toi purchase what was known as the Smith & Young building, then in course of erection. They did buy this building and offered to donate the same to Harney county for use as a court house, provided the county seat should be located at Burns. The building was thirty-four by eighty feet, and thirty-one feet high, substantially built and quite well suited for the [purpose. Furthermore, they giave a guarantee that should the county seat be located at Burns they would pay all the cost of moving the county property from Harney, in order that the county might not incur a dol- lar's expense by such removal. The campaign waxed warm. It would have been a hotly contested election in any event, but it gained additional heat from the fact that it was a battle in an old and bitter war, that between the large cattlemen and the settlers. Burns had always been identified with the interests of the latter class in this conflict and so- had incurred the unrelenting en- mity of the men who wished to keep the coun- try in barbarism for the benefit of their stock interests. That there was much illegal voting on election day is abundantly proven by the fact that 1,016 votes were cast on the county seat issue, whereas the number of legal voters in the county was known to' have been much smaller than that. This vote was divided as follows: For Wright's Point, one; for Silvies City, eighty- four; for Drewsey, four; for Har- ney, four hundred and fifteen; for Burns, five hundred and twelve. The law required that to be successful any of the towns voted for must receive a majority of all the votes cast. From' the foregoing figures it is evident that Burns had a majority of eight votes. But the vote for some of the county officers was con- siderably larger than on the county seat matter, HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 639 a small proportion of the ballots having been left blank in part. The Harney people con- tended that in determining - majorities these blanks should be counted. Under their in- terpretation of the law Burns did not receive the required majority; there was no- choice of permanent county seat and the county of- fices of right still belonged in Harney, the temporary seat of government. The citizens of Burns claimed otherwise, of course, and the matter was taken into the circuit court. The judge interpreted the law in accordance with the contention of Burns and issued a writ of mandamus, commanding the county officers to move all the appurtenances of their respec- tive offices and all the county property to Burns as the legal county seat. The writ was served and the offices moved. Harney, however, took an appeal to the supreme court, which declared the writ null on account of errors. The county court then passed an order, which, after setting forth the facts as above, recites as follows : "In view of and respect for the decision of the court of last resort of this state in this mat- ter and the importance to the taxpayers of this county that the business transacted by this court is legally soi, "We doi deem it justice to ourselves as officers and the taxpayers of this county, that the only legal place of holding court in Har- ney county is as by law directed in the town of Harney, the temporary county seat of this county, and that we have a copy of this ordi- nance published in each of the newspapers pub- lished in Burns, this county and state. "W. E. Grace, Clerk. "By order of the Hon. County Court." But in the decision of the supreme court the writ of mandamus was reversed for error only; the decision did not go to the merits of the case. In fact Judge Lord, of the supreme court, gave it as his opinion that the blanks should not be counted. This, it was contended, made it incumbent upon Harney to establish beyond doubt its right to the county records, which could only be done by proving the eight votes of Burns's majority illegal. The Burns people were also persuaded that the order of the county court above in part quoted was il- legal, as all power in the premises passed from the county authorities on the issue of the man- damus by Judge Clifford, and appeal to the su- preme court; that the order must come from Judge Clifford or the supreme court for their removal. In the absence of an order from the proper tribunal, they declared, they would not permit the records toi be moved. It is stated that teams did come from Har- ney for the county property, but found the people of Burns determined to defend their supposed right to the county seat vi et armis if necessary. They wisely decided not to pre- cipitate bloodshed by any show of force, and returned with empty wagons. It was finally agreed to> submit the matter for final adjudication to Judge E. D. Shat- tock, of Portland. One hundred and f en \otes were called in question by Harney as being il- legally cast for Burns and one hundred and forty-six by Burns, as being illegally cast for Harney. The investigation which followed showed that votes had been cast by persons living in Malheur and Grant counties, by resi- dents, of Nevada, and by residents of Harney outside of their own precincts. A number of minors also voted. Judge Shattock simply re- jected the votes found by him to be illegal, then decided in accordance with the mathe- matics of the case. His first decision was in favor of Harney, and there was jubilee in that part of the valley. The rejoicing proved premature, however, for a few days later the judge discovered an error in his arithmetic which necessitated a reversal of his former findings. According to his second decision 956 legal votes were cast, of which Burns re- ceived 481, or six majority. The opinion is dated November 12, 1892. The year 1891 was one of great excitement :,i ; 640 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES in Harney county over the discovery of gold in its northern portion. Soi rich were the finds at first reported that the Blue Bucket legend was revived. The Harney Press o>f the time con- tains this language : "It is authoritatively stated that the long lost Blue Bucket mine has been discovered in what is known as the Peter Mortimer canyon, northeast of Harney City. It appears that an old prospector named White has been tracing the old emigrant trail through from Snake river and found the grave of the woman who' died a little over a day's drive from the famous Blue Bucket discovery. He has been at the work about six months and since finding the grave has made diligent search this way from it. About ten days ago- he put a man on the road to California with orders to change horses and make one hundred miles per day. White himself packed his things and started a few days later. The rider told at one of his stopping places that his boss had panned out two ounces of gold from ten pans and had sent him for friends in California. • The par- ties receiving this information at once hastened to Harney City and began hunting for the discovery. On Saturday morning there was a rush for the Peter Mortimer canyon. Gold was discovered there, and it is thought that this is the rich mine. Notices were written and pasted on stones and men on horseback rode a race for the first claims. ''The mountains are full of men. The ex- citement is spreading and wagon loads of eager men are coming into' Harney City daily from distant localities. The wildest rumors are afloat of great banks of gold dust being found. It is with the greatest care that the news gath- erer can separate the true from the false re- ports. The discoveries are rich enough with- out any exaggeration!. "Gold has been found in paying quantities in three gulches on Salt creek. On the Harney City side eight claims have been located, on Soldier creek, Rattlesnake, Coffee Pot and Cow creeks." Harney business men were deluged for some time with letters of inquiry by every mail from Boise, The Dalles, Portland and other towns. The boom continued all winter, though, as in most cases, the discoveries did not prove so rich as was anticipated. One great draw- back to the development of the mines was a lack of water, there being noi stream from which water could be diverted. One of the important movements of the year 1892 was inaugurated by N. Brown, a business man of Burns, and had for its object the encouragement of wheat raising in the val- ley. Mr. Brown proposed to erect a roller flouring mill of forty or fifty barrels per diem capacity, providing citizens would subscribe $3,000, all sums advanced by subscribers to be paid back in grinding, flour, etc. After the lapse of several years the mill became an ac- complished fact. Though a private enterprise, it is thought to have been one of great public moment under the circumstances, as it en- -couraged attempts to raise wheat in considera- ble quantities, thus materially helping to : estab- lish an important industry. Another movement of a similar tendency, though of a vastly different nature, had its inception in 1893, the year of the wide-spread panic and disaster throughout the United States. This consisted in an attempt by the county court to secure artesian water, where- with to redeem 1 for cultivation the arid lands of the Harney valley. An agreement was en- tered into September 18th, whereby George W. Kellogg, of Salt Lake City, covenanted to bore a well to the depth of 1,500 feet if so ordered by the county court, the consideration being $2.75 per linear foot for boring and in- serting the necessary casing in the well. Mr. Kellogg secured a flow, it is said of thirty gal- lons per hour, but he thought that -by going deeper he could secure a much larger flow. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 641 He did sink the well to a considerably greater depth, then met with an accident to his ma- chinery and the project was given np. During this year Troop A, O. N. G., was organized at Burns and mustered in, with Al- bert W. Gowan as captain, Samuel E. Joy, first lieutenant, and Henry E. Thompson, second lieutenant. Its original roster contained fifty- one names besides those mentioned. The old cavalry troop is well remembered by many residents' of Harney county, though it has been disbanded for many years, having been mus- tered out in August, 1896. Its final muster roll shows that A. W. Gowan was still its captain and that the number oi officers and enlisted men entitled to honorable mention was thirty- two. The financial depression oi 1 893-96 was but little felt in the Harney country. Of course the low price of mutton, beef and wool, of wheat and other farm products obtaining in the general markets of the country could not fail to- have its effect on this section, but local supply and,demand were not very greatly affected by external conditions. During such times it is certainly an advantage to be away from the railways. Furthermore, it is cus- tomary in stock countries for the merchants to grant large credits to cattlemen, enabling them to hold over a season o>f low prices, and if nec- essary hold over still another season, or until prices come up again. Naturally the merchant must have large interest for the value thus loaned, but the stockman can well afford to pay for the accommodation. Then, too., in countries where the people get their sustenance directly or practically from the products of soil and herds, there cannot easily be the dis- tress that is found during periods oi depresi- sion in manufacturing centers where employers are few and the employed are many. It may be asserted with confidence that there never were any hard times in Harney valley between the years 1893 and 1897, and that few if any who desired to find employment were long 41 without an opportunity to labor for fair re- muneration. The year 1897, which witnessed the return oi prosperity to the country in general, brought bountiful crops, good prices and good cheer to the residents of Harney county. The price of sheep advanced to $2 and $2.25 per head and lambs went from 75 cents to from $1 to $1.75. The price of cattle rose proportionately. Money began to circulate with freedom and rapidity and drummers found the towns a splendid place in which to display samples and book large orders. The exceedingly high water of the springtime, which washed away many bridges, cut Burns off from any wagon com- munication with points east, making it neces- sary to' use row boats in places for the trans- portation of the mails, and made trouble for all persons who* were compelled to move from place to place, seems to have had no bad effect upon the main industries of the county and did not in any way hinder the ad- vent of the larger prosperity. One tragic event oi the year deserves no^ tice, namely, the shooting of Peter French, one of the most noted men of the Harney country,, and the chief factor in the upbuilding oi the well known French- Glenn ranch. Mr. French and several oi his employes, were rounding up< some cattle on the Sod House ranch on the day oi the fatal occurrence, December 26th. About two o'clock P. M. one Edward Oliver came toward the cattle. French rode out to meet him and demanded that he turn back, as he had been cautioned many times before to remain off the premises. Oliver refused and an altercation ensued in which French was shot and killed. The author of the homicide made good his escape, but was afterward ar- rested, and on May 24, 1898, was acquitted by the trial jury. The year 1898 was not inferior in point oi prosperity to its predecessor. It was one of almost unprecedented good times throughout the state and Harney county got its full share 642 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES of the blessings it brought. In the New Year's edition of the Oregonian Hon. A. W. Gowan gave some statistics which, though only ap- proximately correct, are nevertheless of val- ue as showing the wealth and productive capacity of Harney county at the time. The population is placed at 3,500; the number of acres under cultivation, 1,000; number of bushels of wheat raised, 5,000; of oats, 4,000; of barley and rye, 8,000 ; tons of hay, 100,000 ; pounds of butter and cheese produced, 25,000; bushels of potatoes, 5,000; of apples, 300; ounces of gold dust mined, 300; feet of lum- ber manufactured, 2,000,000; pounds of wool produced, 300,000; number of sheep in county, 72,000 ; of hogs, 500; of horses and mules, 10,- 000; of cattle, 55,000. Circumstances were such as to> give Har- ney county no direct part in the Spanish- American war, although there was patriotism and chivalry enough within its borders to' fur- nish many as bold, courageous and irresistible as ever bore the Stars and Stripes to victory at Santiago or San Juan Heights. The cavalry troop of the O. N. G. at Burns had been mus- tered out two years before the outbreak of hostilities, otherwise it might have enjoyed the opportunity toi prove its mettle in active warfare. Two sons of Harney county, J. H. . Loggan and David Loggan, were accepted as members of Company A, First Nevada Vol- unteers', and served with General Wheaton in his campaigns, acquitting themselves in all re- spects like men, and reflecting credit* upon the wild free region where their manly powers were developed. As affording some basis by which the wealth of Harney county in 1899 may be es- timated, we quote the summary of assessments for that year, as follows : Acres of tillable land, 55,920, total value. $244,790, average value, $4.37; acres of non-tillable land, 553,- 901, total value, $892,500, average value, $1.60; improvements on deeded lands, $75,- 815: town and city lots, 694, total value, $25,- 905, average value, $36.32; improvements on the same, $34,815; improvements on land not deeded, $15,430; miles of telephone and tele- graph, 43, value, $450; merchandise and stock in trade, $35,755 ; farming implements, etc., $32,415; steamboats, railroad, etc., $10,590; money, $9,900; notes and accounts, $36,- 320; shares of stock, 75, value $75; house- hold furniture, etc., $17,165; horses and mules, 10,491, total value, $66,065; aver- age value, $6.20; cattle, 59,195, total value. $830,830, average value, $14; sheep and goats, 51,195, total value, $76,805, average value, $1.50; swine, 481, total value, $1,410, average value, $2.^2; gross value of all property, $2,416,755; exemptions, $82,975; total taxable property, $2,233,780; number of polls, ^62. The year 1900 is memorable as the year during which the initial Harney county fair was held. It proved a decided success in even- way and not a few, even of those who had most opportunity to know about the resources of the section, were greatly surprised by the ex- cellence of the exhibits. Cattle, horses, sheep, swine, grasses, grains, fruits, vegetables, flow- ers, needle work, paintings, photography, flor- al and wax work, and many other products of the range, the farm 1 , the garden and the skill- ful hand were to be seen in artistic disposition and arrangement. The fair was so successful that its repetition every year since has been a matter of course, though subsequent exhibits have not equaled the first in point of excellence, on account of their failure to elicit sufficient interest among the people. The prosperity which had been smiling so benignly upon central Oregon for two or three years caused quite a revival in the fall of 1899, in the interest in the region taken by the various railroad companies. Surveyors were running lines in almost every direction. The Sumpter Valley from the east, the Columbia Southern from the north, the Oregon Midland in the southwestern section, the Corvallis & Eastern HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 643 from the west and the California, Nevada & Oregon from the south, all had engineering parties in one part or another of this great isolated region and the prospects seemed bright that one or more of the roads would penetrate the county in the near future. The railroad has not yet made its appear- ance in Harney valley, though its appearance in the near future is still looked forward to with eager anticipation! by many, but with any- thing but pleasure by others so- situated as. to realize large profits 1 out- of the prices prevail- ing by reason of the freight hauls. Neither will the railroad be welcomed by 'those who dread the settlement of the country. They have realized large fortunes by the pasturage of public lands, and while these cattle kings have secured title in various ways to large tracts of land, the appropriation of government domain under the homestead and desert laws, of the United States is. looked upon by them as a menace to their industry. Naturally, then, they seek toi discourage railroads, or anything else having a tendency to' promote settlement. T|he history of our country has been that the settler has invariably conquered in the long run, and this history is repeating itself in Har- ney county. In several different ways has the United States, acting through the state of Oregon, at- tempted to assist in the development of this and other sections by the appropriation of pub- lic lands in aid of public improvements. The way in which these schemes have almost invar- iably miscarried is creditable neither to the astuteness of our legislators .nor to the general uprightness of human nature. The most no- torious of these schemes affecting Harney val- ley was given effect by act of Congress of July 5, 1866, which reads as follows : "That there be and hereby is, granted to the state of Oregon, to aid in the construction of a military wagon 'road from Albany, Ore- gon 1 , by way of Canyon City and the most feasible pass in the Cascade range of moun- tains, to the eastern boundary of the state, alternate sections of public lands, designated by odd numbers, three sections per mile, to be selected within six miles of said road : Provided, That the lands hereby granted shall be exclusively applied in the construction of said road';, and shall be disposed of only as the work progresses ; and the same shall be ap- plied to no other purpose whatever ; And pro- vided further, That any and all lands hereto- fore reserved to' the United States by act of Congress or other competent authority be, and the same are, reserved from the operation of this act, except so far as may be necessary to locate the route of said road through the same, in which case the right of way is. granted, sub- ject to the approval of the "President of the United States. "Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the said lands hereby granted to said state shall be disposed of by the legislature thereof for the purposes aforesaid and for no other, and the said road shall be and remain a public highway for the use of the government of the United States, free from toils or other charges upon the transportation of any property, troops or mails of the United States. "Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That said road shall be constructed with such width, gradation' and bridges as to' permit of its regu- lar use as a wagon road, and in such special manner as the state of Oregon may prescribe. "Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That the lands hereby granted to said state shall he disposed of only in the following manner — that is to. say, that when ten miles of said road shall be completed a quantity of land not ex- ceeding thirty sections for said road, may be sold coterminous to said completed portion of said road, and when the governor of said state shall certify to the secretary of the in- terior that any ten 'continuous miles of said road are completed, then another quantity of land hereby granted, not to- exceed thirty sec- tions, may be sold coterminous to said com- 644 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES pleted portion of said road, and soi from time to time until said road is completed, and if said road is not completed within five years no fur- ther sales shall be made, and the land remain- ing unsold shall revert to the United States." On October 24, 1866, the legislature of the state of Oregon conferred said grant on the Willamette Valley and Cascade 'Mountain Wagon Road Company by the following act : "Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the legisla- tive assembly of the state of Oregon, That there is hereby granted to the Willamette Val- ley and Cascade Mountain Wagon Road Com- pany all lands, right of way, rights, privileges and immunities heretofore granted or pledged to this state by the act of Congress, in this act heretofore recited, for the purpose of aiding said company in constructing the road men- tioned and described in said act of Congress, upon the conditions and limitations therein prescribed. "Sec. 2. There is also hereby granted and pledged to said company all moneys, lands, rights, privileges and immunities which may be -hereby granted to this state to aid in the construction of such road for the purpose and upon the conditions and limitations mentioned in said act of Congress, or which may be men- tioned in any further grants oif money or lands to aid in constructing such road. "Sec. 3. Inasmuch as there is no law upon this subject at the present time, this act shall be in force from and after its passage." On June 25, 1867, the company, by vote of its directors, accepted the grant. Afterward the route described in the con- gressional act was changed by act of Congress dated July 15, 1870, as follows: "Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That an act entitled 'An act granting lands to the state of Oregon to aid in the construction of a military road from Albany, Oregon, to' the eastern boundary of said state,' be amended so as to strike out the words 'by way of Canyon City,' in the first section of said act, and insert instead thereof the words 'by way of Camp Harney.' ' By the operation of this legislation the Willamette Valley & Cascade Mountain Wagon Road Company secured about 900,000 acres of the public domain. No greater wrong •was ever perpetrated upon the general public of Oregon than resulted from these unwise acts of the national and state governments and the perfidy of this company. That the road was not constructed according to requirements of the statutes is as sure as anything can be. In Harney valley, level as a floor, so that a first class road might be constructed almost any- where for a sum very much less than three sec- tions! per mile were worth, even at the govern- ment price of $1.25 per acre, the company did nothing but to set stakes marking out a route. They went ten, miles around in order to secure the best lands in the valley and an extra thirty sections of land. Of course what travel there was through the valley would not follow their meanderings, so> that the sage brush was never killed out by the hoofs of passing teams and the road never had an ex- istence. Yet, by driving these mile stakes, the company secured thousands- of acres of the best lands in Harney county. Litigation over this land formed a. part of the great war fought by settlers for the possession of the Harney re- gion. The United States government had lots of land at that time; the state of Oregon was not particularly interested in the matter and thel brunt of the battle against this egregious wrong fell upon the poor settler who* wished a small portion of this domain for a home. It is probable that had the suits of the settlers been pushed at the proper time and with sufficient vigor, the company would have lost the land, as it should have, but delays operated in favor of the company and its assignees and they held their unearned estates. As giving a concise and authentic history of this matter we quote in part the decision of HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 645 Judge Gilbert, rendered in 1892. After ab- stracting in brief the conditions of the grant, the opinion says : "Within the time limited for the construc- tion of the road, the whole line of road from Albany to the state line, 487 miles in all, was certified to have been completed in the manner required by the act, by four several certificates of the governor of the state of Oregon, the first bearing date April 11, 1868, and the last June 24, 1 87 1. "On June 18, 1874, Congress passed an act recognizing the transfer to the wagon road company, and authorizing the issuance of patents to that corporation for all the lands so granted to the state, with the following proviso : 'This shall not be construed to revive any land grant already expired nor to' create any new rights of any kind, except to provide for issuing patents for lands to which the state is already entitled.' On June 19, 1876, under this statute, patents issued to the |wagon road company for 107,893 acres of the land 1 . "On August 19, 1 87 1, the wagon road com- pany sold and conveyed the land grant to H. K. W. Clarke, for a consideration, as recited in the deed, of $75,000, and on September 1st of the same year Clarke conveyed the same to David Calm in trust for said grantor and for T. Egenton Hogg and Alexander Weill. "In March, 1878, complaint was made to the secretary of the interior by citizens of Ore- gon that the road had not been constructed according to the provisions of the original granting act, and two years later a special agent was appointed to investigate and report upon the matter contained in said complaint. In October, 1880, the agent made his report to the effect that the road, and particularly the eastern portion thereof, had not been con- structed as required by the act of Congress. His report with the evidence accompanying the same was placed before Congress. In the House of Representatives the matter was re- ferred to the committee on military affairs, and that committee after investigation, reported that no action be taken. "Subsequently in February, 1882, further charges and proofs were laid before Congress which, in the House, were referred to the com- mittee on public lands and in the Senate to the committee on military affairs. Both commit- tees reported that no action be taken by Con- gress, alleging as a reason for that conclusion, 'that the executive department of the govern- ment had ample authority in law without any instruction from the legislative department.' "The secretary of the interior thereupon made an investigation of the matter, and as a result thereof, directed the commission of the general land office to proceed and certify the lands for patent. In October, 1882, patents issued to the wagon road company for 440,856 acres of the lands which had been selected. Since that date no patents have issued for the remaining lands claimed to have been earned by the wagon road company, and 312,691 acres of the same remain unpatented. "On March 2, 1889, Congress passed an act directing the attorney general to cause a suit to be brought against all claimants of the lands so granted for wagon road construction 'to determine the question of the reasonable and proper completion of said road in accordance with the terms of the granting act, either in whole or in part, and the legal effect of the several certificates of the governor of Oregon of the completion of the road, and to declare forfeited to the United Statesi all land not earned in accordance with said act, savin©- and reserving the right of all bona fide purchasers of such lands for vaulable consideration,' and providing that said suit or suits should 'be tried and adjudicated in like manner and by the same principles and rules of jurisprudence as other suits in equity therein triedr' "In pursuance of the authority so conferred upon the attorney general this suit was> com- 646 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES menced by the United States against the wagon road company and the subsequent grantees of the land in question. "The bill sets forth the facts above enumer- ated and alleges that noi portion of the road was constructed as required by the act within the time limited therein, that the certificates of the governor were fatally defective in form and were procured by the fraud and misrepre- sentation of the wagon road company, and that the present grantees of the land from the wagon road company purchased the same with knowledge of said facts. "To this bill the defendants, Alexander Weill and David Cahn, make answer setting forth the following defenses : "i. That the road was completed in all respects as required by the granting act and within the time therein limited. "2. That the certificates of the governors v of Oregon Avere by the act made conclusive evidence of the completion of the road, and that upon the strength of said certificates the defendants became bona fide purchasers of the lands. "3. That conceding that the road may not have been completed within the time limited, nevertheless, and before any declaration of forfeiture by the United States, the road was fully completed in the manner required by the act, and thereby the forfeiture was avoided. "4. That the defendants after purchasing said lands, relied upon the action of Congress in 1874 in directing the issuance of patents to said laud, and upon the result of the investiga- tion made by Congress above referred to, and the action of the secretary of the interior after his investigation in 1882, directing the is- suance of patents, and in consequence thereof expended large sums of money in and about said lands in repairing said road, whereby the United States have become estopped to claim a forfeiture." The judge admits in the opinion from which this excerpt has been taken that the road was not completed in the manner contemplated by the granting act, especially the eastern portion of it, but on account of the certificates of the governor, and the appearance of good faith in the purchasers of the grant, who paid for their land a price commensurate with its value .at the time, and on account of the delay on the part of the United States in bringing the matter to issue and of several of its acts in a measure confirmatory of the grant, he considered the government estopped from further action and decided in favor of the defendants. The present owners of the land are making no effort to improve the same, neither are they disposed to sell it in small tracts to would-be settlers, so that large areas in Harney county are thus held back from settlement. Some of these lands are rented to residents, 'but the con- sistent policy of the road land holders has been and is to spend as little money as possible on anything frorm which benefit might inure to the country and to hold their property in- definitely for the sake of the unearned incre- ment in its value. They thus compel the settler to reward them for the wrongs they or their grantors have done' him; all of which they are enabled to accomplish through the bungling incompetence of men who were sent to Congress or to the legislative halls on ac- count of their supposed superior wisdom and statecraft. Another piece of legislation which has caused no end of trouble and litigation in Har- ney county was the grant of all swamp lands to the state government and the subsequent dis- position of the same by the state ; howbeit the evil arising from this policy was not inherent in the policy itself but grew out of the abuse of it. It certainly was legitimate enough for the na- tional government to grant to the state for its use and benefit all lands unfit for cultivation by reason of their swampy character and it was legitimate and right that the state should dis- pose of these lands to any person who would reclaim them to the uses of man. The wrong: HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 64T was perpetrated by the land grabber, who at- tempted to procure under the provisions of the law, thousands of acres which were not swampy in character and if covered with water in the spring time were only rendered the more valuable on that account from the fact that the growth of natural grass was made luxuriant and healthy by this an- nual inundation. Even had the law been duly respected in letter and spirit it would have enabled large cattle owners to se- cure title to vast quantities of land, thus defeating the policy of the government, which has generally been, in theory, if not in practice, to prevent the accumulation, by in- dividuals and companies, of large areas. But the intent of the law was not respected. It is claimed that cattlemen in some instances actual- ly created swamp lands artificially by damming up streams and causing overflows. Others un- doubtedly secured lands under the swamp land act which were never swampy. It was by mak- ing swamp land purchases, legitimate or other- wise, that the foundation for some of the mam- moth cattle ranches of Harney county was laid. In the struggle against the "swamp angels," as these swamp land claimants were called, the settler was again called upon to bear the heat and burden of the battle. The United States was 'apathetic in the matter and it was to the interest of the state that as much should be '•'swamped" as possible, as the price paid for such land went into the state coffers. With admirable courage, the settlers took up the gauntlet, filing upon lands which they believed the swamp claimant had no> right toi and insti- tuting contests in the local land office. The litigation lasted for years, causing (bitter feel- ing and much personal animosity. As each case had to be decided upon its merits, it is im- passible in a volume like this to state definitely what was the final result of this protracted con- testing in the land offices, before the secretary of the interior, and in the United States courts. It may be stated, however, that the settlers were generally successful, though of course the swamp claimants got the land in every case where they were able to prove that it was actually swamp)' in character. They got it also in many instances where the settlers despaired of final success, grew weary of litigation and determined to accept the pittance offered by the "swamp angels" to secure a settlement. A third cause of bitter protracted litigation in Harney valley was presented by the recession of Lake Malheur, whereby thousands of acres of land, formerly the bed of the lake, were left high and dry, ready for the agriculturist. The causes of the recession have been called in ques- tion and it was even intimated by some that the rich 1 cattle companies caused the overflow into Lake Harney by artificial means. It is proba- ble, however, that the lowering of the lake was wholly the result of natural forces. The dough- ty homeseeker was ready to appropriate this land as soon as the receding of the water made it possible for him to> do so. In due time a petition was presented to the department of the interior asking for a survey of the land below the meander line. This precipitated litigation for the large cattle men, who owned thou- sands of acres on the shore of the lake, and they at once .asserted claim to the land as riparian owners.J It is an old and well established principle of common law that the property of residents on the banks of a stream or body of water is not consid- ered as grounded by the surveyed line along the shore, but extends at least to the wa- ter's edge. The principle has its foundation in justice, being meant to protect property hold- ers, so situated, from being cut off from direct waiter communication in case the meander line does not mark the exact boundary between the land and the water as is frequently the case. It is ordinarily just, too, and it is certainly law that where the water recedes from its old levels the land thus left uncovered should belong to the man who owns the property contiguous to it. The loss would be his if by erosion or other- 648 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES wise the water encroached upon his land and the gain should be his when from natural causes the water acts in an opposite way/ Un- der ordinary circumstances the justice oi the rule could hardly be questioned, but in the Mal- heur lake case it operated to give to> wealthy corporations, who had already acquired by the bounty of our government thousands, of acres of land for a nominal price, other thousands oif acres of rich and valuable land practically as a free gift. When the settlers on the land made applica- tion! for the .survey as above stated, the depart- ment of the interior hesitated about ordering it on account of a then recent decision of the supreme court of the United States which con- firms title toi an owner adjoining a meander survey of "lands bounded on a lake or pond, which is not tidewater and is not navigable, to the Center 1 of the lake or pond, notably with other riparian proprietors if there be such." But in 1892 the Hon. Binger Hermann ap- peared before the department and made an ar- gument in behalf of the settlers, making the point that as to the status of the land beyond the meander line, adjoining which there were no private owners, the title being in the govern- ment, the supreme court decision does not refer and hence that such uncovered and now dry areas are subject to occupancy under the home- stead law. The department decided that as to' such lands covered by lakes or ponds and not patented or applied for under the general land laws, when the same should have become dry and fit for agricultural purposes they should be surveyed and disposed of as government land. A survey was accordingly ordered. It is stated that the local land officers misunderstood the instructions of the department of the interior and allowed the survey lands below the meander line, not alone contiguous to unpatented and unclaimed government lands, but contiguous to the lands belonging to the cattle companies. When the matter was again brought before the department of the interior it rather arbitrarily, as it seems to the writer, refused to sustain the old meander line and ordered the survey of a new meander line conforming to the boundaries of the lake as they were at that time. The cattle companies were therefore compelled to relin- quish their claims to the land they had formerly claimed as riparian owners. \ Within a year or two an act has been passed which promises, if carried out according to its spirit and intentions, to prove a great blessing to Harney county. We refer to the Carey act, the gist of which is that any person, association, or corporation may enter into contract with the state land board to reclaim any tract of desert government land. The applicant must, at his own expense make a survey of the sec- tion to be reclaimed and submit with his appli- cation for contract a map and plan of the pro- posed reclamation project with estimates of first cost and maintenance, statements of the amount of water to be rendered available, the area to be covered, etc. The contract when entered into by the state land board creates a lien upon the land for the cost of construction and main- tenance which shall be valid against the legal subdivisions: of the land for the amount due as agreed upon with interest at six per cent. from date of reclamation. Congress grants the land toi the state under certain conditions and those conditions must be fulfilled as re- quired by law to the satisfaction of the secre- tary of the interior before the transfer is fully completed. Under this law the Harney Valley Improve- ment Company, and it may be other cor- porations and individuals have begun opera- tions. The Harney Valley Improvement Company purposes to take water from the Silvies river chiefly, though they alsoi expect to construct storage reservoirs for emergency service. They believe that the withdrawal of water from the river will so* reduce the volume of the stream that it will not overflow and cre- ate marsh land about its mouth, and that thus indirectly, as well as directly, land will be re- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 649 claimed by their scheme. It would seem on the surface that the Carey act •could hardly Operate otherwise than beneficially, but so many times have such schemes miscarried in the past history of Harney county that many of the people view this one with suspicion. They are inclined to doubt the sincerity of some of those who have undertaken to redeem land un- der the provisions of this act, believing that their real intention is toi secure the free use of the land foir pasture for so long a period as possible. Tlhey have an extended period in which to complete their operations and it is possible for them to control the lands until the time is nearly ov entirely up, by doing very little work. CHAPTER II. POLITICAL. Harney county began its official existence in the spring of 1889 under the following corps of officers, appointed by the governor : County judge, T. J. Shields ; county clerk, W. E. Grace; sheriff, P. F. Stenger; commissioners, T. J. Morrison, D. H. Smythe; superintendent of schools, L. B. Baker; surveyor, W. H. Gradon. In 1890 the following were the successful candidates for office in Harney county : For sheriff, A. A. Cowing, Democrat ; for clerk, W. E. Grace, Democrat; for county judge, William Miller, Democrat; for coun- ty treasurer, Thomas H. Roberts, Democrat; for assessor, W. E. Alberson, Democrat; for commissioners, William Altnow, Democrat, and N. E. Duncan, Republican; for superin- tendent of schools, Charles Newell, Republi- can; for surveyor, T. A. McKinnon, Democrat; for coroner, F. P. Moore, Democrat. The principal event of the campaign of 1890 was the contest between the different towns for the seat of county government. This struggle for supremacy was very sharp and so close was the vote that it was only by a de- cision of the courts that Burns was able to maintain its victory over Harney. There were 1,016 votes cast, of which Burns received 512, or a majority of eight over all. Harney con- tested the election. The detailed story of this contest will be found in the chronological his- tory of the county in another chapter. The vote in 1 892 was as follows : For con- gressman, C. J. Bright, 19, W. R. Ellis, 257, J. C. Luce, 147, J. H. Slater, 346; for district judge, M. D. Clifford, 272, W. Green, 25, H. Kelley, 483 ; for prosecuting attorney, sixth district, C. H. Finn, 293, G Griffin, 157, C. F. Hyde, 329, C. H. Fill, 8; for member board of equalization, W. G. Hunter, 426, W. Mor- fitt, 339, 0. D. Huffman, 1 ; for joint repre- sentative with Grant county, M. R. Biggs, 328, M. Fenwick, 153, C. D. Richardson, 290; for county clerk, H. C. Levens, 365, P. L. Shid- eler, 396; for sheriff, H. Gittings, 410, P. F. Stenger, 350 ; for county treasurer, H. Cheat- ham, 138, J. S. Geer, 249, T. H. Roberts, 154, C. Ziegler, 225, George Huston, 1; for assessor, R. Hendricks, 363, S. W. Miller, 406; for superintendent of schools, D. L. Grace, 302, C. Newell, 465, Peter Martimer, 1, John Vaughn, 1 ; for county surveyor, F. J. Martin, 328, J. H. Neal, 433 ; for county commissioner, 650 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES R. R. Sitz, 396, T. Walls, 375, Samuel Kings, 1 ; for coroner, C. F. McKinney was elected by a plurality of 29 over several other candidates. The official vote at the election which took place two> years later resulted : For circuit judge, M. D. Clifford, Democrat, 272, W. Green, Populist, 25, Harrison Kelley, Republi- can, 483 ; for prosecuting attorney, C. H. Finn, Republican, 293, G Griffin, Populist, 157, C. F. Hyde, Democrat, 329; for member of state board of equalization, W. G. Hunter, Democrat 426, W. Morfitt, Republican, 339; for joint representative with Grant, M. R. Biggs, Demo- crat, 328, Mell Fenwick, Populist, 157, C. D. Richardson, Republican, 290 ; for county clerk, H. C. Levens, Republican, 365, P. L. Shideler, Democrat, 396 ; for sheriff, A. Gittings, Re- publican, 410, P. F. Stenger, Democrat, 350; for county treasurer, H. Cheatham, Populist, 138, I. S. Geer, Republican, 249, T. H. Rob- erts, Independent, 154, C. Ziegler, Democrat, 222 ; for county assessor, R. Hendricks, Repub- lica'n, 333, S. W. Miller, Democrat, 406; for superintendent of schools, D. L. Qrace, Demo- crat, 302, Charles Newell, Republican, 465 ; for surveyor, E. Martin, Democrat, 328, J. H. Neal, Republican, 433 ; for coroner, R, R. Sitz, Republican, 396, T. Walls, Democrat, 375. The famous campaign of 1896 was as close- ly contested in Harney county as in other parts of eastern Oregon, as will be seen from the official vote herewith presented : For congressman, second district, A. S. Bennett, 220, W. R. Ellis, 217, F. McKercher, 8, H. H. Narthrup, 27, Martin Quinn, 273: for supreme judge, Robert S. Bean, 230, John Burnett, 243, Joseph Gaston, 241 ; for prose- cuting attorney, Charles W. Parrish, 265, O. F. Buse, 118, M. Dustin, 111, C. A. Sweek, 260; for joint representative with Grant, C. S. Dustin, 360, E. Hall, 316; for member state board of equalization, J. H. Holland, 309, G W. Pierce, 305 ; for county clerk, E. L. Beede, 163, Harrison Kelley, 315, S. W. Miller, 277 ; for sheriff, A. Gittings, 236, John Jacque- min, 200, John McKinnon, 310; for treasurer, W. N. Jorgensen, 137, L. Waldenberg, 198, J. C. Welcome, 391; for assessor, J. O. Cawl- field, 190, Albert A. Reineman, 268, W. S. Waters, 275 ; for superintendent of schools, W. C. Byrd, 280, Horace A. Dillard, 269, Charles Newell, 192; if or sureyor, Vl Deffenbaugh, 207, T. A. McKinnon 322, J. A. Neal, 197; for commissioner, Charles Bonnett, 158, George Hagey, 287, W. B. Johnson, 268; for coroner, Lloyd Culp, 242, Austin Goodman, 169, Thom- as W. Stephens, 293. The result of the election in 1898 may be gleaned from the following figures : Circuit judge, M. D. Clifford, Union and Democrat, 474, Charles W. Parrish, Republican, 289, Thornton Williams, Independent, 65 ; prose- cuting attorney, Errett Hicks, Union and Democrat, 435, William Miller, Republican, 335 ; senator, A. W. Gowan, Republican, 356, J. W. Morrow, Union and Democrat, 440; representative, R. N. Donnelly, Republican, 269, George D. Hagey, Union and Democrat, 457; member state board of equalization, J. R. Gregg, Democrat, 438, William Hall, Re- publican, 310; county judge, Charles P. Ruth- erford, Populist, 253, James A. Sparrow, Re- publican, 345, Thomas Walls, Union and Democrat, 257; clerk, H. A. Dillard, Populist,. 290, Harrison Kelley, Republican, 190, Henry Richardson, Union and Democrat, 385 ; sheriff, E. H. King, Republican, 351, A. J. McKinnon, Union and Democrat, 514; treasurer, H. E. Cheatham, Populist, 137, J. J. T'upker, Union and Democrat, 198, J. C. Welcome, Republi- can, 522 ; assessor, J. W. Buchanan, Union and Democrat, 335, J. H. Loggan, P'opulist, 233, W. S. Waters, Republican, 289; superintend- ent of schools, W. C. Byrd, Union' and Demo- crat, 475, Charles N. Cochrane, Republican, 326; surveyor, George Whiting, Republican, 523; commissioner, Robert Drinkwater, Popu- list, 184, Charles R. Peterson, Union and Democrat, 272, A. Venator, Republican, 359; coroner, W. L. Marsden, Republican, 573, S. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 651- B. McPheeters, Union and Democrat, 245. The vote in iqoo< : For joint representative, ninth district, W. D. Baker, Democratic-Peo>- ple's candidate, 309, I. S. Geer, Rqxiblican, 333- John L. Sitz, Straight Republican, 194; for district attorney, ninth district, Will R. King, Democratic-People's, 402, William Miller, Republican, 388; for county clerk, R. T. Hughet, Republican, 335, Henry Richardson, Democrat, 495'; for sheriff, Thomas. Allen, Republican, 403, George Shelley, Democrat, 423; for county treasurer, R. C. Angevine, Democrat, 357, R. A. Miller, Republican, 467; for assessor, J. W. Buchanan, Democrat, 470, M. B. Hayes, Republican, 349; for school su- perintendent, J. C. Bartlett, Democrat, 491, Charles N. Cochrane, Republican, 325 ; for sur- veyor 1 , J. R. Johnson, Democrat, 488, Frank M. Jordan, Republican, 327 ; for commissioner, Thomas Bain, Republican, 292, R. J. Williams, Demlocrat, 485 ; for coroner, W. L. Marsden, Republican, 637. The result of the last campaign, that of 1902, in Harney county was as follows : For congressman, W. F. Butcher, Democrat, 382, D. T. Gerdes, Socialist, 45, F. R. Spalding, Prohibitionist, 12, J. N. Williamson, Republi- can, 470; for joint senator, 25th district, John L. Rand, Republican, 472, William E. Smith, Democrat, 427 ; for joint representative, .27th district, Fred J. Palmer, Republican, 348, E. H. Test, Democrat, 516; for county judge, W. C. Byrd, Democrat, 443, H. C. Levens, Re- publican, 507; for county clerk, R. T. Hughet, Republican, 390, Frank S. Reider, Democrat, 556; for sheriff, Thomas Allen, Republican, 540, George Shelley, Democrat, 409; for as- sessor, W. E. Alberson, Democrat, 413, J. E. Loggan, Republican, 530; for treasurer, James M. Dalton, Democrat, 450, R. A. Miller, Re- publican, 488 ; for commissioner, Edward J. Catlow, Democrat, 410, C. F. Miller, Republi- can, 515; for coroner. W. L. Marsden, Re- publican, 712; for surveyor, John H. Neal, 24, F. M. Jordan, 62. CHAPTER III TOWNS OF HARNEY COUNTY. BURNS. While the thriving little city of Burns has been a town for but little more than a decade and a half, he whoi would trace its history from the first must g H o back to the year 1878. Not long after the Indian war of that date had been brought to a close a man named Jonas, so an old settler informs us, bought a a quantity of merchandise and put up a small store on the spot afterward occupied by the City hotel, of Burns. The Fitz Gerald Broth- ers, of Lakeview, brought in and installed in the same building a couple of barrels of whis<- ky, which found a ready sale among the thirsty- cowboys and cattlemen. In, the spring of 1879 so much of Mr. Jonas' s stock as re- mained on his shelves was purchased by Will- iam Curry and removed to a place called Egari. During 1881 P. M. Curry dispensed whisky for twenty -five cents a drink in a small log cabin about two miles from the present Burns,. 652 HISTORY OF EAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES and his place became a sort of rendezvous and headquarters of the cattlemen who spent the winter in the valley. The nearest postofhce at this time was Camp Harney, which was visited once each week by a mounted mail carrier from Canyon City. The following year Mc- G'owan & Martin opened a general merchandise store at Egan, with the result that a postofhce was established there, a new mail route granted and the town given a fair start. About the same time, however, A. O. Be- dell started a small store on the site on which P. F. Stenger's residence was afterward erect- ed. Later Robertson & Johnson put up a building in the same locality, forming the nu- cleus of another town. The usual rivalry re- sulted, but fortunately was of short duration, for Bedell sold his stock to P. F. Stenger, who formed a partnership with Mr. McGowan, of Egan, uniting the two mercantile es- tablishments. With this bond of union draw- ing them together, weak as they both were, their consolidation in May, 1883, was a natural consequence. The postofhce was removed from Egan. Its name was changed to Burns, in honor of the celebrated Scottish poet, and the foundations of the metropolis of Harney valley and county were fairly laid. At this period an influx of papulation set in toward Harney valley. Would-be settlers began disputing the claims of stockmen that the country was of no value for agricultural purposes and contending with them for a foot- hold in the broad unsettled region. The re- sult was that Burns grew quite rapidly. In 1885 it had so far progressed as to justify the establishment of a newspaper, and Horace Dillard came in with a small plant and be- gan the publication of a four-page six-column patent outside sheet, known as the Harney Val- ley Items. On November 23, 1887, volume No. 1, of the East Oregon Herald, made its debut, announcing that in politics it would be straight-out Democratic and that its purpose should always be to promote the in- terests of its home town and county in every way, holding itself strictly independent of any corporation control or class domination of whatsoever nature. D. I. Grace was its first editor and proprietor. Under date of May 16, 1888, this publication gives a register of the business of Burns, from which we learn that P. S. Early was then engaged in blacksmithing and wagon making ; that J. C. Welcome carried a stork of harness and saddles; that W. C. Byrd was proprietor of the Red Front livery barn; that T. Sillman was engaged in the sa^ loon business ; that N. Brown was building a flouring mill near the town ; that W. E. Grace had a drug store; George McGowan a hard- ware, P. F. Stenger a general merchandise store, Charles Sampson a jewelry store, and that J. W. Sawyer, of the firm of Sawyer & Dore^ was the proprietor of the best equipped saw mill in the valley, situated near Burns. The town at this time, so the paper states, was forging ahead at a rapid pace. The in- flux of settlers had continued for three years pervious, exerting a marked effect upon the development and upbuilding of the principal trading point of the country. But notwith- standing this healthy condition of things, the ignorance obtaining on the outside with re- gard to Burns and eastern Oregon generally was very dense, as is strikingly illustrated by the fact that the Oregon State Board of Agriculture stated in one of its publications that this rising star of the interior of eastern Oregon was the county seat of Malheur county. The same statement was also made in the Pa- cific States Newspaper Directory. Although Burns was not in Malheur coun- ty and had no desire to leave its own most favorable location, even at the behest of the board of agriculture or the newspaper direc- tory, and though it was not ambitious to con- test with Vale and Ontario for the honor of being the political center of Oregon's newest governmental division, it was ambitious both for county seatship and for segregation from HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 658 the county of which it then formed a part. It had led in the movement for the formation of Harney county in 1887. Though defeated in its purpose it was not disheartened, and in 1889 it was again before the Oregon legislature with its new county proposition, determined to win. It did win. Its next effort was in the direction of se- curing to itself the prestige and advantage al- ways attending the location within the borders of a town cf county buildings, and all the machinery of county organization. In the leg- islature its rival, Harney, had secured a de- cided advantage by getting itself designated as the temporary county seat, but Burns went to work with a will to carry the ensuing election. Its business men showed their energy and pub- lic spirit by purchasing a new and suitable build- ing and pledging themselves to convey the same to Harney county by warranty deed in case the town were chosen as the seat of government. Burns had already secured the location within its limits of a United States land office. Its two newspapers were not slow in pointing out this advantage and also that it was the terminus of all stage lines, and the center of public highways, that it had a daily mail and the only distributing postoffice in the valley, the only money order and postal note office, the largest number of private residences, the only har- ness and saddlery store, the only jewelry estab- lishment, the only boot and shoe shop, the only brewery, the only flouring mill, the only tin shop, the only drug store, the only public bath house, the only photograph gallery, and the only church building. Persons wishing to transact certain lines of business or make certain pur- chases must, therefore, of necessity come to Burns, and toi such location of the county seat in that town must be a great convenience. Men- tion was also frequently made of new enter- prises under way, such as the fine central school building, a large and complete saw mill, a furniture manufactory, a bank building and a modern hotel. These and other arguments must have had their weight with the voters, for the official count gave Burns a small majority. The con- test which followed has been sufficiently treated of in other parts of this work. It is sufficient here to state that Burns held and still holds the county seat and that it still holds the lead among the rising towns of Harney valley. In January, 1891, Burns secured from the legislature of Oregon a charter permitting it to organize and maintain a city government, and in accordance with the powers therein granted, it elected as its first officers : Captain Kelley, mayor; J. C. Welcome, recorder; Ir- win Geer, treasurer; Peter Stenger, Lee Cald- well, L. M. Brown and Dr. J. W. Ashford, councilmen. The city of Burns has enjoyed a steady, substantial and almost uninterrupted growth, though it has never had a boom. Not even dur- ing the period of financial depression did it cease to forge ahead, and since the advent of prosperity it has been steadily building up and assuming a more solid and substantial as- pect. It is the center of a large area of rich country, and wares from the shelves of its merchants find their way into the homes of families living many miles distant. The stock raisers and farmers who make Burns their base of supplies have for the last few years been realizing good prices for their products, while the seasons have been: favorable for abundant yields and large increase. The pros- perity resulting has been shared by the mer- chants and business men of the towns toi such an extent that it may with truth be asserted that there is not a single commercial establish- ment in the place which is not realizing excel- lent profits upon the money invested. As soon as the stranger enters Burns he perceives un- mistakably that progress and improvement are the watchwords. The services of every man who can handle a mason's trowel are called into requisition, the man known to possess even a little skill in any of the building trades is not 654 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES only offered employment and good wages, but is importuned to. endeavor 1 to arrange his plans so that he may lend a hand in the erection, of some of the brick and stone structures in course of construction. Commercial travelers are agreed in classing Bums among the finest business points in the west. A residence of some weeks in this prosper- ous inland city has enabled the writer to form a fair estimate of the people of Burns, and he must bear testimony that he has invariably found them genial, approachable, obliging and orderly. Were it not for the long freight trains that are to be seen daily on the streets, the arrival and departure oif stages and the conspicuous absence of the locomotive's so- norous whistle, one might easily forget that he was in a frontier town more than a hundred miles from the nearest railroad. The carous- ing and breaches of the peace which are usually to be found in the commercial centers of cattle countries may have obtained here in times past, but at present the rules of order and decorum seem to be as well respected and when neces- sary the laws and ordinances as faithfully en- forced as in any other city in the west. A reasonably comprehensive register of the present business of the city would include the following: Five hotels, the Burns., Samuel Bailey, proprietor; the Syme, Mrs. H. B.Syme; the Oregon House, Mesdames Weis and Win- ters; the 'French Hotel, Mrs. L. Racine; and the Cottage ; one restaurant, of which Tom, the Chinaman, is proprietor; the Harney Valley brewery, owned by L. Woldenberg; Geer & Cummings and Voegtly & Kenyan, hardware and implements; N. Brown & Sons, Lunalberg & Dalton, Miller & Thompson, Schwartz & Budelman, general merchandise; the City drug store, owned by H. W. Welcome & Company; G. W. Waters & Brother and J. W. Jones & Company, dealers in fruits, farm produce, etc. ; the Burns Furniture Company, of which W. C Byrd is manager; John Gemjberling's jewel- ry store; the White Front and Red Front liv- ery stables, both owned by McClain & Biggs, also Jorgensen's and Simon Lewis' barns; Mrs. C. M. Byrd's millinery ; three newspapers, the Times-Herald, the Harney Valley Items and the Harney County News; Shelley & Fo- ley, Grant Kesterson's and Joe Tupker's black- smith shops ; five saloons ; the harness and sad- dlery establishments of J. C. Welcome & Son and Hopkins & Hunter; one bank, ^he Bank of Burns; a United States land office; John Mc- Mullan, photographer; James Smith, shoe maker; the meat market of Levens & Mace; G. W. Clevenger's undertaking parlors ; several barber shops ; Flibbard & Broncton, dentists ; Marsden & Geary, and H. Volp, physicians and surgeons; Farrish & Rembold, Biggs & Biggs, Williams & Fitz Gerald, John G. Saxton, George Sizemore, A. W. Go wan, C. S.* Sweek and Charles L. Leonard, attorneys. There are also the flouring mill of Joseph Sturdevant and four saw mills and two shingle mills, in the country surrounding the town. Burns has three churches, the Presbyterian, Baptist and Catholic, all supplied with com- modious frame or stone edifices and settled pas- tors. All the leading fraternal and some of the less known secret orders are represented, Some of them by flourishing lodges. The educational interests of the town are conserved by an excellent public school, em- ploying five teachers, and well attended. There is also a well equipped business college in Burns, maintained by a joint stock company of local business men. HARNEY. The old fort from which this pleasantly situated little town received its name has been referred to, in the former chapter. It was lo- cated about two miles from the site of the Har- ney of the present, on Rattlesnake creek. The fort has done its work and not a vestige of it remains at this day, for the soldier, whose habitation it once was, has done his work and Ml iji SCHOOL HOUSE, HAEHEY CITY. !r HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 655 in his place lias come the farmer, the stockman and the merchant. One of the results of this supercession of the military by the civil is the town of Harney, whose first business establishment was insti- tuted the summer of 1885 by Thomas Bain. At this time the land which was to form the site of the town was held by one Robert Ivers, under the pre-emption laws of the United States. Mr. Bain paid him for lots on the property, taking some kind of an obligation that title should be furnished as soon as Ivers received his patent from the government. The same year a saloon Was built by Samuel Qver'- lander and Herman Lawen, and a hotel and livery stable by N. Fisk. Several dwellings were also erected, no* doubt in the expectation mat Mr. Ivers would convey title to the lots whereon they stood as soon as he was able to do so. During the next summer Stewart Brothers put in a flour and feed store, and one other business was established, of a decidedly temporary character, however. So far all was harmonious, but in 1886 Ben Brown, J. C. Buckland and Jasper Davis de- termined to build a rival town on a site near by. Brown put in a general merchandise es- tablishment, Davis moved a small stock of goods from Harney and opened a store in the new town and Buckland built a hotel and feed stable. A saloon was started by a man named Coatsworth, in 1887. Now came a battle for supremacy. Mr. Ivers seems to have decided with the new town, for he conveyed one-third of his own site to Ben Brown and one-third to John Ainsley, re- taining the remaining third for himself. This evidently made it possible for the new town to put a stop to the growth of its rival or kill it entirely. But the indignation of the friends of Harney proper was thoroughly aroused by this procedure. They determined to checkmate the adversary if possible and they found their opportunity in the fact that Ivers had violated the law in obligating himself to convey the land before final proof had been made and patent had issued. Suit was begun, Henry Lyons filing the complaint at the instance of Mr. Bain. The case was carried to the secretary of the interior, who decided against Ivelrs, holding his title void, and all transfers under it. Mr. Bain then had the land declared a government town site so that any person wish- ing to settle in the place and erect a building might have two lots for the cost of filing and final proof. To further 1 work the discomfiture of his adversaries, he secured indirectly 'a third interest in their town site. The result was that the opposition town ceased to grow and soon its business houses were removed to Har- ney or allowed to stand idle. When the post- office was removed from old Fort Harney it was established in the lower town, but after Cleveland's election T. B. James was appointed postmaster, and by him the postoffice was taken to> the present town. According to a Burns newspaper, the busi- ness men of the town in 1888 were Victor J. Miller, attorney at law; Jasper Davis, general merchant; J. C. Buckland, hotel keeper and liveryman ; J. H. Loggan, store keeper for W. J. Snodgrass, and deputy postmaster; Lessing & Coatsworth, saloon men; Van S. Curtis, blacksmith and wagon maker; E. H. King, sawmill man on Rattlesnake creek. As before stated, Harney was designated as temporary county seat by the act which created Hairney county, and it made a desper- ate struggle to retain the honors and advan- tages accruing toi the county's official center. It failed, however, though many of its citi- zens still believe in the justice of their cause in that contest and feel that the county seat was not fairly won by Burns. Since its defeat in the struggle Harney has not grown rapidly, indeed it is hardly as lively a town as it was twelve years agoi. It has had several fires which have done considerable damage, but never a general conflagration. In 1894 a lamp exploded in the Pacific Hotel, and 656 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES several buildings were destroyed in conse- quence. The next year Waldenberg's and Price Wither's stores were burned, also- Buckland's and George Tregaskes' saloons and Snod- grass' livery barn. Louis Waldenberg, Jr., built a store in the place of his uncle's de- stroyed one; a saloon was moved on to- Buck- land's lot, and another was put on the site of the destroyed livery barn, soi that Price With- ers's store was the only business not replaced in some way. A business register of the town at present would include the general merchandise stores of Fred Haines and Seth Bower & Company; the blacksmith shops of Seth Bower and Charles Crawford; the Hotel Harney, owned by William Russell, and the Tremont, owned by Charles Roper; the carpenter shop of R. Everett; and the saloon of Charles Rand. T'wo years ago. a fine city hall was built and last summer a beautiful and commodious schoolhouse. These, with the few residences, constitute about the only developments which have taken place since the buildings which re- placed those destroyed by fire were finished. An excellent graded school is maintained in Harney and there is a church building be- longing to the Presbyterian denomination, in which both the Burns preachers hold services. lawen. This is a small town in the Malheur lake country. It has several business establishments and is growing steadily. Its population, ac- cording to the last census, was 27. Other vil- lages and settlements, in which postoffices have been started are Andrews, Crane, Denio, Dia- mond, Egli, Narrows, Riley, Shirk, Silvies, Smith, Van and Venator. DREWSEY. Situated near the southern boundary of what was the Malheur Indian reservation, in the center of a stock raising and agricultural community of noi little importance, is Drewsey, one of the four chief towns of Harney county. Its inception is coeval with the opening of the reservation, and to the influx of people result- ing from the removal of the red men its owes its existence. Messrs. E. E. Perrington and A. Robbins were the first to take advantage of the opportunity for profitable trade incident to the new regime. They opened a general mer- chandise store in 1883. The same year a post- office was established, with Mr. Perrington as postmaster. Next came S. T. Childs, the first village blacksmith, and in 1884 was established the first sajloon. During the fall of that year McAfee & Bales built a hotel, a saloon and a livery stable. They succeeded to the business interests of the pioneer vendor of liquors, who shot a man in a quarrel and was compelled to become a fugitive from justice. Hardly was the hotel of McAfee & Bales completed when it fell a victim to the fire demon. Thomas Howard resolved to avail himself of the oppor- tunity afforded by this accident to establish a profitable business, SO' he erected what be- came known as the Elkhorn hotel. In 1885 a man named Lessing started another store; Al Jones became the saloon man of the town in place of McAfee & Bales, retired, and Joseph Bales, of this firm, put up another hotel, which^ in 1888, was purchased by 'Thomas Howard and moved away. After the impetus given to the building of the town by the settlement of the reservation had spent its force, the growth of Drew- sey was at an end until 1897, in which year A. I. Johnson & Brother built a general merchandise store, M. M. McDonald and William Altnow a saloon, and Annie Rob- ertson the City hotel. New structures have- been erected at different times since, among them the I. O. O. F. hall, built in 1899. At the time of the writer's visit, in the fall of 1902, evidences were not wanting that a healthy development was in progress.. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 657; Though there has never been a general con- flagration in Drewsev, fire has on several oc- casions wrought its work of destruction, the last business building to fall before its fury- being the old Elkhorn hotel. A register of the present business houses of the town would include the Bartlett Hotel ; the City Hotel, owned by J. W. Ward ; general merchandise stores, J. D. Daly add A. I. John- son & Brother; livery stables, Williams & Drewett and J. A. Bartlett, that of the latter having been erected this summer; saloons, J. A. Weatherly and E. Olson ; blacksmith shops, Jesse B runner and R. B. Johnson ; a money or- der postoffice, H. J. Clark, postmistress. Near the town is a grist mill, which was built in 1896, and is said to> be supplied with good, modern machinery. Though designed far water power, it was run by steam one fall. Owing to some complications about the ditch in which it was intended to convey the water to the mill, the plant has been idle for several years, but the property is thought to< have recently passed into the hands of A. W. Gowan, of Burns, who- is considering the advisability of putting it in operation again. Should he do so a great impetus will be given to the wheat rais- ing industry of the country contiguous to Drewsey. VJ, JOHH D. DALY. BIOGRAPHICAL. JOHN D. DALY.— It is with pleasure that we are permitted to write concerning the tal- ented and enterprising" business man whose name appears above, since he is one of those men of honor and stability who form the real strength of any community, and since he is numbered as one of the leading business men of the county of Harney, and has here and else- where achieved a success which is very grati- fying both in the results to him individually and in the general business world of eastern Oregon, where he has operated. Mr. Daly was born in Canyon City, Ore- gon, on May 13, 1866, being the son of Eugene and Mary A. (Donohoe) Daly. His parents were natives of County Cork, Ireland, and ■came to the United States in 1862, locating in Boston, whence in 1863 they came via Pana- ma, to California, and in 1864 came on to Canyon City. His father died in 1881 and the mother died in 1897. Our subject grew up in Canyon City, gaining a good education from the schools there and at the age of six- teen years started on a course of teaching, wherein he made a commendable record. He gained sufficient money by this labor to pay his way at college, and he attended at Santa Clara, California. In the fall of 1890, he came to Drewsey and in partnership with Ab- ner Robbins started a general merchandise es- tablishment, which has since been one of the 'leading business houses of the county and is operated under the firm name of Daly & Rob- bins. They commenced with a small stock of goods, labored hard and have built up a fine trade, because of their wise methods and be- cause of the manifestation of integrity and up- rightness in all their ways. They have a large stock of all kinds of goods from dry goods, clothing, furnishings, boots and shoes, crock- ery, groceries, and feed to lumber, hardware, and machinery and implements. In addition to this fine business, Mr. Daly and his partner are among the leading financiers of the sec- tion, being largely interested in the First Na- tional Bank of Ontario, and the First National Bank at Burns, Oregon. Our subject is the president of both of these institutions and they are in a flourishing condition and well estab- lished. The firm also handles a sawmill, twenty-two miles north from Drewsey, and Mr. Daly has about one-half dozen ranches of value in various parts of the country, and he manages this large amount of business with marked wisdom and discretion, putting into the entire lines energy and vigor which are characteristic of his own personality. Mr. Daly was married on Mav 5, 1894, to Daisy O., daughter of Joseph and Emeline (McAfee) Robertson, and three children have been born to them, as follows : Mary E., born June 18, 1895 ; Eunice M., born July 25, 1897; Abner R., born September 10, 1899. Mr. Robertson was a native of Scotland, came to Illinois, and thence in i860 to Jackson county, Oregon, crossing the plains with ox teams. They were six months making the trip having to fight the Indians considerably. In 1863 he came to Grant county and to Harney in 1889. Mrs. Daly was born near Canyon City, Ore- gon, on February 5, 1875. Fraternally Mr. Daly is affiliated with the A. F. & A. M., Burns Lodge, No. 97, and the A. O. U. W., Drewsey Lodge, No. 119. He dwells in a fine modern residence of nine rooms, over which his estimable wife presides with a graciousness and dignity that are be- coming. 660 . HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES JOSEPH P. RECTOR.— Among those who have gained a remarkable success in Har- ney county we are constrained to mention the gentleman whose name initiates this para- graph, and who- has wrought with such wis- dom, energy and assiduity that he has gained one of the finest holdings of the county and is numbered among the leading stockmen of this section. This is more to his credit when it is mentioned that he came to the county with no means and has gained his entire prop- erty by his thrift and wise management since his advent. Joseph P. was born in Schenectady county, New York, on August 28, 1844, being the son of Matthew H. and Ruth Rector. He grew up on a farm and gained his education from the adjacent schools. In 1869 he came west as far as the railroad ran and then took wagon transportation to the terminus of the Central Pacific and came to> San Francisco. Hje soon located in Humboldt county and for several years engaged in farming and dairying. Then he transferred his residence to Palisade, Ne- vada, and engaged in raising stock. In 1880 he came to Harney valley and worked for wages for a time and then located his present place, fifteen miles northeast from Lawen and as many miles southeast from Harney. He devoted his attention to raising stock, cattle and horses, and he has been attended with fine success. He now has one thousand acres of fine land, all fenced and well improved. He has a fine grove, excellent orchard and devotes much of his land to raising hay. His industry and thrift account for the success that he en- joys. His ranch is known all over the country as the Crow Camp ranch. The reason for this is that in the early days a Mr. Rankin Crow, who was herding stock for Todhunter & De- vine, discovered the excellent springs located at this point and also the abundance of good grass all about, which resulted from; the fertil- ity of the soil and the generous supply of pure water free from alkali, and he made it his headquarters for a long time. Then the sol- diers from Camp Harney took their stock to this place. Since that time it has been known as the Crow Camp ranch and it one of the finest stock ranches in this portion of the state. Mr. Rector manifested his excellent judgment in securing it and making it a permanent lo- cation. Mr. Rector is esteemed by all and stands well throughout the county. He has always kept within the realm of the celibate, and chooses rather the quiet and comfort of that life to the cares of connubiality. MARY A. MILLER, familiarly known by all as "Grandma Miller," is one of the lovable elderly ladies of our county and it is especially gratifying to have the opportunity to append an epitome of her career in this the abiding chronicles of Harney county. She & a woman of many virtues and graces and has done a noble part in the life of the pioneer and she has many friends who admire her real worth of character, her faithful life, and her own rare qualities of intrinsic worth. She is now mak- ing her home with her daughter, Mrs. Jane Poujade, who is the wife of one of the leading stockmen of Harney county and whose com- fortable and commodious residence is six miles east from Harney, on what is known as Cow creek ranch. Mrs. Miller was born in Richland county, Ohio, on September 29, 1827, and at the age of eleven went with her parents to Henry coun- ty, Iowa. There she married Mr. Isaac H. Jones, on October 26, 1845. They removed to Boone county, Iowa, where Mr. Jones died on June 27, i860. In 1862 Mr. Jones mar- ried William Miller and in 1863, with five chil- dren, they started across the plains with ox teams for the Pacific coast. The arduous and trying journey was completed when they land- ed in Salem. There Mr. Miller engaged in raising stock for three years and then removed to the Rogue river valley, where he continued in raising stock and farming until the time of his death, which sad event occurred on June 6, 1886. Since that time, Mrs. Miller sold the property and has come to reside with her daughter, as mentioned above. By her first husband there were born to Mrs. Miller, five children, named as follows : Albert J., deceased ; Mrs. Elizabeth J. Lu, of Baker City; Mrs. Amy A. Mclntyre, deceased; George W., near Portland; Charles W., de- ceased. By her second marriage she had four children, Mrs. Mary Savage, of Burns; Mrs. Jane Poujade, near Harney ; John C, deceased; Frank S., near Burns. Mrs. Miller has al- ways lived on the frontier and she has done a HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 661 noble pari in the advancement of civilization into the wilds of the various frontier regions. She is hearty and well now, and remarks that she loves to dwell in a new country, thus show- ing' the admirable pluck, courage, and spirit of which she is possessed. She is beloved by all, and her pilgrim years have been crowded with good deeds and now she is enjoying the golden years of life in comfort and happiness. MARTIN V. SMITH.— A veritable pio- neer of the pioneers is Mr. Smith, having come to the Pacific coast in the early fifties and con- tinned here in worthy labors in various lines since that time, ever displaying the same cour- age, capabilities, tenacity of purpose, and in- tegrity, that have made the pioneers such a noble class of people. Mr. Smith was born in Kennebec county, Maine, on January 10, 1833, being the son of James and Hannah Smith, natives also of Maine, the father being born near Portland. His death also' occurred in that state. Martin V. received a good schooling and remained with his parents until 1853, when he went to New York and stepped aboard of one of the Vanderbilt ships, that took him to Nicaragua, whence he went to> San Francisco and soon we see him in the mines delving with the vigor and strength of young manhood for the hidden gold. Five years he labored there and then went to Yuba county and took up farming and stock raising. The hard winter of 1861-62 killed all his stock and he went to freighting from Marysville to various points in California and Nevada. In 1873 he went to Bntte county and settled on one of Judge O. C. Pratt's grants and went to farming. His landlord was the first territorial governor of California. Mr. Smith was successful in this venture and continued until 1880, when he went to the foot hills in Butte county and en- gaged in gardening and fruit raising until 1884. Then he freighted until 1886 and came overland to Silver creek, Harney county. He entered land and took up stock raising until 1892, then traded his ranch for his present home place, two miles south from Lawen, which consists of one quarter of fine hay land and is well improved. He handles cattle mostly. On January 28, 1864, Mr. Smith married Miss Mary E. Kennedy, in Yuba county, and two children were born to them, Othniel, de- ceased ; Izora, wife of Scott Hayes, near Lawen. In August, 1867, at Marysville, Mr. Smith was called toi mourn the death of his wife. On Thanksgiving clay, 1876, Mr. Smith married Sarah (Linn) Gorman in Butte coun- ty, California, and two children have been born to them : Ada L., wife of Charles T. Miller, near Lawen; Otto V., of Tulare county, Cali- fornia. It is of note that Mr. Smith was one of the delegates to the war convention in California, from Yuba county and the times were exciting as many were for the south. Mr. Smith was a stanch Union man. In religious persuasion, Mr. Smith is allied with the Universalists. In 1900 he was appointed as census enumerator in Harney county. He is a man of good stand- ing, and now is passing the days of the golden years of his life in the enjoyment of his por- tion in peace, being beloved and esteemed by his associates and acquaintances. ISADORE L. POUJADE.— This promi- nent citizen and leading stockman of Harney county is one of the men who deserves to be accorded space in the history of the county because of his worth, because of his upright- ness, integrity and probity, and because of the excellent work that he has accomplished in the upbuilding and progress of the county. Mr. Poujade was born in Marion county, Oregon, on December 8, 1857, being the son of Andrew and Matilda (dinger) Poujade. At the age of fifteen he went to- Jackson county with his parents, with whom he resided until 1880. He gained his education in these places and also a wealth of excellent training in the practical walks of life and in raising stock and in farming. In 1880 he came to* Harney val- ley and engaged as. foreman for Todhunter & Devine. Six years were spent in this responsi- ble position, and then he engaged in partner- ship with Charles W. Jones, in the stock busi- ness. They purchased what is known as the Cow Creek ranch. This estate consists of eight hundred acres of fine meadow land, six miles east from Harney, and is improved with 662 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES a fine dwelling" of twelve rooms, good shop, barns, corralls, fences and all implements for handling a first-class stock and hay ranch. After the death of Mr. Jones Mr. Poujade pur- chased all the stock, but owns the ranch in part- nership with Mrs. Jones, the widow of his late partner. Mr. Poujade is one of the prosperous stockmen of the county, and has demonstrated his ability to so conduct the affairs of business that a crowning success is his to enjoy. On May 20, 1888, Mr. Poujade married Miss Jane Miller, and to them have been born five children: Lulu Ivy, Verna Lee, Mary Matilda, Floy Willina and Amy Girtrude. Mr. Poujade stands well among his fellows, has earned the prestige that he enjoys and Harney county is favored to- have domiciled within her borders such men of talent, integrity and faith- fulness. MELVIN FENWICK.— A true pioneer, a man of exemplary standing and life, possessed of capabilities and qualities of worth, the esti- mable gentleman of whom we now speak, is entitled to representation in the volume of Harney county's history. His parents, Alex- ander and Nancy (Long) Fenwick, were na- tives of Kentucky, and his father crossed the plains to California in 1849. He was a black- smith and carried his tools on a pack horse and wrought at his trade, shoeing horses, and so forth, all the way. In 185 1 he returned via Panama, and with his wife and seven children he came in 1852 to Amador county, California. There our subject was born on May 18, 1855, being the ninth child. The family removed to Napa county in 1858, and in August, 1865, came thence to Lane county, Oregon. There the father remained until his death in 1883. It was in February of that year that Melvin came to the Harney valley. He entered land at his present home place four miles north from Burns, and has engaged in farming and rais- ing stock there since that time, being favored with abundant success on account of his in- dustry and perseverance. He now owns five hundred acres of land, well improved and skill- fully tilled. He formerly handled hogs, but is now devoting his attention to cattle mostly. When Mr. Fenwick came here there was but one house where Burns now stands, and settlers were very few in the country. Bacon cost thirty-five cents per pound and flour ten cents. Mr. Fenwick put up the first barbed wire fence in the valley, the year being 1884 when this was done. The marriage of Mr. Fenwick and Miss Jennie, daughter of Arthur and Mary Wallace, who were natives of Kentucky and came to Oregon in 1876, was solemnized on September 22, 1889. In political matters Mr. Fenwick was allied with the Democratic party, but at the time of McKinley's election he voted for that worthy man and has since cast his vote with the Republican party. In 1872 and 1873 Mr. Fenwick enlisted to assist in quelling the Modocs, he being in Captain Roger's Company E, of Oregon militia. Mr. Fenwick has quitted himself in all the various relations of the fron- tiersman in a commendable manner and he stands high among his fellows to-day and is a worthy citizen of our county. It is not right to close this article without a special mention of one item that has had much bearing on the general history of the county of Harney and in which Mr. Fenwick took a leading part, though it cost him much effort and money to do so. Early in 1887 fifty- eight of the small farmers of the county band- ed together and formed a corporation known as the Harney Valley Dam and Ditch and Ir- rigation Company. The purpose was to divert the water from the Silvies river to irrigate their barren lands. Labor and money were freely expended by all these hard working men until the dam and ditches were all com- pleted. At that juncture W. B. Todhunter, one of the cattle kings of Harney county, com- menced suit against this company and secured injunctions stopping proceedings of their work and project. The shareholders were poor peo- ple and fifty of the fifty-eight threw up their shares and quit the field. Some men's mettle is shown only .the better when in the face of desperate opposition, and so in this case. Mr. Fenwick saw the crisis, the wonderful amount depending on the issue and so threw himself into the breach and fought, supported by the other seven, with such desperate and telling- force and manifestation of right and demand for justice that after three years of severely contested litigation, Todhunter threw up his case and victory was gained for the common people once more. Twelve thousand dollars and more were spent in the fight of this un- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 663 reasonable opposition to proper improvement, and it is with great pleasure that we can chron- icle that this move and worthy stand on Mr. Fenwick's part was entirely successful, and it has materially changed the history of Harney county, and it is the entering of the wedge that. will allow Harney 'county to become one of the leading political divisions of the west, for the sullen and avaricious heel of monopoly can not and shall not forever stay the way of the chariot of progress and development. Mr. Fenwick is now and has been secretary of this company from its incipiency and he is a man of resolution and ability and has nobly cleared the way for further improvement and advnce- ment. FRANK BAKER.— This native young Oregonian has demonstrated what pluck and perseverance can do when manipulated with wise management irr the things of the financial world, as conditions obtained in this country, having made a brilliant success, as will be noted from the following. Mr. Baker was born in Lane county, Ore- gon, on June 20, 1870, being the son of George and Mary (Watson) Baker. His mother died in that county and the father with his children removed to Washington county in 1874. In the fall of 1878 he came with his family to Harney valley, settling where the town of Burns is now located. The children were three boys and two girls. The father went to freighting and soon died, thus leaving the little group orphans in a frontier region. Our sub- ject had but little opportunity to gain an edu- cation from schools, but made the best of what he did have and also by careful and diligent re- search qualified himself for the battle of life. He soon went to riding the range for wages and continued diligently at this occupation un- til 1894, when he started in for himself, hand- ling stock. He gained steadily and in 1898 he purchased his present place of one hundred and sixty acres three miles northeast from Burns, which is a well improved ranch, pro- ducing abundant crops of hay for his stock, which consists mostly of cattle. The marriage of Mr. Baker and Miss Grace, daughter of Milton and Eliza Riggs, was solemnized on December 15, 1896, and two children have been born to them, Lulu and Frank. Mr. Riggs was an early pioneer of Oregon and died in Burns in 1895, while his widow still lives there. Mr. Baker has, unaided, and by his own efforts of industry and skill, gained a fine prop- erty holding and bids fair to be one of the leading property owners in the county. Fie has always manifested with these fine quali- ties mentioned a becoming stability and integ- rity and he is counted by all as a reliable, up- right and stanch young man. WILLIAM L. CLARK.— Among the suc- cessful business men of Harney county is to be mentioned the gentleman named above, whose well known establishment of general merchan- dise at Lawen, where he has done business ful- some time, is one of the prosperous business houses of the county; and in addition to hand- ling this, Mr. Clark has a hay farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he attends to and also raises cattle, and also he has been a mail contractor of the interior of Oregon. William L. was born in Carroll county, In- diana, on April 3, 1845, being the son of Thomas and Ann (Davidson) Clark. In the spring of 1853, the father started across the plains with his family in an ox train from Car- roll county, Indiana, They made the trip suc- cessfully, but the last six weeks they had to live on the flesh of the oxen they killed, without even the luxury of salt. Fresh meat with water for six weeks is not so pleasant as might be imagined. They came through the Harney valley and settled in Lane county, near Eu- gene. The remaining oxen ate poison weeds in the -valley and all died. The father look a donation claim, and, being a miller, wrought at his trade in Eugene as well as handled his farm. He died in Eugene in December, [896, and the mother died in [899. Oin April 6, 1865, William L. enlisted in Company EC, First Oregon Volunteers, under Captain A. B. tngra- ham, to fight the Piutes and the Snake In- dians. He was in one battle on the middle f< wrk of the Malheur and one on the south fork of the John Day. He was in the service for one year and did scout duty .most of the time. 1 le covered the entire portion of eastern Oregon and did valuable work. Being honorably dis- charged at the close of the conflict, he went 664 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT. MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES home, and there on February 12, 1867, he married Nancy E., daughter of William 1 and Irene Ogle. The father was a soldier in the Union army and is living in, Missouri. Mrs. Clark came across the plains with an uncle in 1864. Mr. Clark learned the wagonmaker's trade at Springfield and wrought at that after his marriage. In 1880 he went to Eagle Point in the Rogue river valley and worked at his trade and then returned toi Lane county, where he did the same labor. It was in 1885 that he came to Harney valley and entered a home- stead near Lawen. He has it well improved and handles stock and raises hay. In 1898 he took the contract of carrying the mail from Burns to Crane, which ended on July 1,1902. In 1900 he engaged in the general merchan- dise business in Lawen, and owns a block of lots with his store buildings and alsoi a residence there. He does a good business and is fast working up a first class patronage. To Mr. and Mrs. Clark there have been born six children, named as follows : Mrs. Irena A. Way, of Klamath county, Oregon; Mrs. Bertha A. Johnson, near Lawen; Mrs. Viola J. Page, of Coos county, Oregon ; George W., Ira B., Thomas R. ■»»» IRA STUBBLEFIELD.— A man of great "adaptability, with vigor to carry him 1 through his various undertakings, and wisdom to gnide him in the safe path, and, withal, possessed of executive force to manipulate enterprises with success, the subject of this article is a man to whom we gladly accord representation in this volume of Harney county history. He was born in Blanco county, Texas, on April 28, 1866, being the son of W. K. and Eliza (Lu- mas) Stubblefield. The father of our subject was born in Tennessee, October 30, 181 6, and •at the age of fourteen went to Bolivar, Mis- souri, and in his twentieth year lie went to Texas and lived in twenty-three different coun- ties in that state. He was on the frontier all of the time and did miuch hunting and scouting and fought the Indians continually. He was with the noted cattle king-, Bob Tout, and the two doubtless slew more Indians when the sav- ages were on the murderous raids than any other men of the country. At one time eigM white men, including Mr. Stubblefield and Bob Tout, were attacked by Indians, seventeen in number, and all of the whites fled but Stubble- field and Tout and two companions, and thev fought the savages to a finish, completely whipping them. Mr. Stubblefield was in many a battle and skirmish with the treacherous sav- age and always came out victorious. In 1868 he went to Carroll county, Arkansas, and bought a farm and settled down until 1885, when he came to Walla Walla, thence to- Port- land, then to Lagrande and finally to the Im- naha country, where he raised stock. In 1896 he sold his property and moved to Enterprise and started a livery stable, where he is doing a good business at the present time. He is eighty-six years of age, well preserved and hearty. In his younger days he shouldered and carried five hundred and sixty pounds of iron on a bet of twenty-five dollars. He was always a quiet man but never found any one who could withstand him in a struggle. During his life Mr. Stubblefield married six times, each wife dying a natural death, the last one passing away on the Imnaha. ■ He is the father of twenty-six children, fourteen of whom are liv- ing, named as follows : Mrs. Martha Mickle, of Boundary county, Texas ; Thomas, in In- dian territory; Mrs. Sarah White, of Boone county, Arkansas; Jasper, in Nebraska; Mrs. Christina Blue, in Stone county, Missouri, born on Clear creek, Blanco county, Texas, on Janu- ary 22, 1864, being a full sister of our subject; Ira, the subject of this sketch, now in Harney county ; William and Mickle, in Wallowa coun- ty; Mrs. Eliza Newell, of Burns; Haymon, of Wallowa county; Mrs. Lydda Rowley, of Union county; Fancho, Newell and Breman, in Wallowa county. Returning more particularly to our subject, we note that he came to Wallowa county in 1886 and to Burns in 1888, where he bought and sold stock, taking a band to the Willa- mette valley. On September 23, 1890, Mr. Stubblefield married Miss Ettie, daughter of Jefferson and Emily (Smith) Byerly. The fa- ther came across the plains in 1846, from Illi- nois, and settled in the Willamette valley, so Mrs. Stubblefield is a native-born Oregonian. Mr. Stubblefield took his young wife to Chico, California, thence to Lagrande, Enterprise, The Dalles, Prineville and Burns, arriving here in 1892. In 1893 he went to Newport, Oregon, and in 1894 to Garfield county, Wash- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 665 ington, thence to Whitman county, then to Wallowa county, and in June, 1899, he re- turned to Burns, having been trading and buy- ing and selling stock, etc., on all these trips, in which he did well. He bought a place near Burns and in the spring of 1902 he sold and bought his present home place, six miles north- east from Burns, where he has a, quarter sec- tion of good land, well improved, and gives his attention to tilling it and raising stock. He also owns another quarter near by. To Mr. and Mrs. Stubblefield there have been born four children: Christnia died in Wallowa, county; Peach, born August 16. 1896, in Colton, Whit- man county, Washington ; Fancho, born April I, 1898; Ruth, born February, 1901. JAMES P. DICKENSON has gained a good success in material things in Harney ■county since his advent here and is one ®i the substantial and leading stockmen and farmers to-day. He and his family have two good hay farms near the Narrows and also three near Lawen. These fine tracts of land return him annually large amounts of hay and give him opportunity to handle many head of stock. James P. was born in Grayson county, Vir- ginia, on February 18, 1842. being the son of John and Rosa (Hale) Dickenson. He grew up on the farm and g-ained his education from the common schools, and in the spring of 1861 he enlisted in Company C, Forty-fifth Virginia, as second lieutenant under General John B. Floyd. He was in the battles of Wytheville, Parisburg, Big Sewell Mountain and Carnifax Ferry, besides many skirmishes. At the end of the year for which he enlisted he retired from the army and went home and was chosen tax collector for Gra3^son county. Eighteen months later he enlisted in the Twenty-second Virginia Cavalry and took part in the battles ■of Lynchburg and Luray valley, at which last place his horse was shot from under him and Tie was captured. He languished in the war prison at Point Lookout, Maryland, until the close of the war, July, 1865. The treatment was severe in the prison. He returned to Gray- son county, and in February, 1866, he married Miss Laura A. Milton. He engaged in farm- ing and stockraising until 1872, then came via .San Francisco and Portland to Linn county. Oregon. There he farmed until 1888. and then migrated to Crook county, and in 1889 came near to Lawen. He entered a homestead on the Malheur lake and took up raising stock. He has gained title to the land mentioned above and he has a fine band of stock. He resides at Lawen and is a worthy and progressive citizen. Mr. Dickenson is a member of the Stock Asso- ciation of Harney Valley. To Mr. and Mrs. Dickenson there have been born three children, Mrs. Effie M. Syrne, of Burns; Guy E., at Lawen ; Mrs. Rosa C. Kern, of Lawen. THOMAS HOWARD.— This substantial and capable gentleman is one of the real build- ers of the county of Harney, and it is quite proper that he should be accorded representa- tion in its history, being a man greatly re- spected and worthy of the high esteem given to him. He was born in the city of New York, on May 11, 1833, being the son of Patrick H. and Mary (Ford) Howard. The father was an engineer, operating a stationary engine. Thomas grew to manhood, gaining a good edu- cation meanwhile, and part of the time work- ing in the markets, where he learned the butcher trade. In the memorable 'forty-nine he was one of the gold seekers, going from. New York on a steamer to> Panama and thence to San Francisco on a sailing vessel. The trip was hot and tedious, being two months from Pana- ma to the Golden Gate. He mined for a time and then went at his trade in Marysville and other places in the state. It was in 1859 that he went to Carson and Virginia Cities, Nevada, and there operated at his trade, and also wrought in Esmeraldo. In the spring of 1862 Mr. Howard was hired at a wage of one hun- dred dollars per month to accompany a herd of cattle belonging to Job Dye to Florence, Idahi >. The water around Harney lake being so high that it was impossible to make headway, they were turned aside, not knowing the route they were taking, and came where Canyon City n< w stands. They discovered the first gold on the creek and their band of cattle were the first cattle that were driven into this section. The first gold that they discovered on Canyon creek went as high as one dollar per pan. Mr. I tow- ard butchered the. first beef in Canyon country, and the meat sold at thirty cents per pound. 666 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES They went to Auburn and the cattle were left on Powder river and there part of them were butchered and the balance driven to Boise. In 1864 Mr. Howard was nominated for sheriff of Wasco countv on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated. However, he carried his portion of the county by a large majority. While stumping the county he was on his way to Rock creek with two 1 men who were going to The Dalles. They had the express, about ten thousand dollars of dust, and Mr. Howard had two hundred ounces of dust with him. They were attacked by Indians, who shot his horse and headed off the express men, who; were run- ning away with the mules. All the saddles, canteens, purses, etc., were taken, but the dust was left, the Indians not seeming to know 1 its value. They were shot at a number of times, but -the savages seemed poor marksmen. Mr. Howard got a party of men to go back with him and he secured nearly all of his gold. After Grant county was cut off from Wasco Mr. Howard was elected in 1866 sheriff on the Democratic ticket, being the first incum- bent of that office in the county, serving six years, and was nominated for the fourth time but removed from the county before the elec- tion. The marriage of Mr. Howard and Mrs. Shinn, a native of Illinois, was celebrated on April 18, 1865. Mrs. Shinn had been a pioneer of 1 86 1. After leaving Grant county Mr. Howard traveled to various places and then re- turned to that county, and in 1883 he came to his present place, four and one-half miles west from Drewsey. He entered land and went to the commendable labor of improving and he has been numbered with the leading men of the county since his advent here. Mr. Howard now has a fine estate of one section, and plenty of water for irrigating purposes. This worthy couple have one son, Edward J., who' lives at home. WILLIAM HENRY CANADAY.— It is fitting that in a work that purports to accord to the leading citizens of Harney county rep- resentation there should be special mention of the well known business man whose name heads this article and who has labored in our midst for a number of years, gaining a good success and making for himself a name and standing which are enviable. Madison Canaday was born in Hillsboro, Highland county, Ohio, on October 21, 1831, and when a boy went with his parents to Illi- nois and thence to Iowa, whence they crossed the plains with ox teams in 1852. They settled in Douglas county, Oregon, the parents taking a donation claim. Later they removed to Yam Hill county. Miss Sarah E. Abbott was born near Springfield, Missouri, in 1842, and started across the plains with ox teams in 1852, having traveled to Texas and returned to Missouri in • 1844. The train was a large one and the dreaded cholera attacked them and her father was the first victim to succumb to that terrible disease, passing away on June 9. Before the journey was completed the mother died also, the date being September 30, and she sleeps near where Baker City now stands. Thus from the happy eastern home this child was left an orphan on the dreary plains. She came on to Yam Hill county, Oregon. There she met and married Madison Canaday, the date of this happy wedding being 1857. In i860 they went toi Douglas county, and in 1862 to Lane county, where our subject was born on May 26, 1863. They still live in that county, near the old homestead place, and are honored and respected citizens. William; H. was reared in Eugene, in Lane county, and there received his education. He also learned sawmilling and became head sawyer. In 1883 he went to Weston, Umatilla county, and there learned the art of the photographer. He bought the gallery later and removed it to Heppner, where he did business for a time and then re- turned to Lane county. He worked at his trade and in a sawmill there for a time. In 1887 he came to Longcreek, in Grant county, and there did business in a gallery, after which he came to Drewsey. He built a gallery there and then came to Burns, where he opened the first gallery in the town. This was in the fall of 1887. He has continued in the county since that time. In addition to his business he en- tered land, and later sold it, and also has op- erated at the saw milling business some. On December 22, 1897, in Portland, Mr. Canaday married Miss Mary C, daughter of Silas W. and Elizabeth McMurphy, natives of Canada and Ohio and born July 6, 1836, and May, 1 84 1, respectively. They were early pio- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 667 neers from Iowa to California, and in 1885 they came to Harney valley, where they now live. Mrs. Canaday was born in California, on January 26, 1872. To Mr. and Mrs. Cana- day two children have been born, Ambrose W., born July 4, 1899; Sylvester M., born June 3, 1901. Mr. Canaday is past grand in the I. O. O. F., Harney Lodge No, jj, of Burns, while he and his wife belong to the Rebekahs. WALLACE McCLAIN. — This well- known and representative business man and patriotic citizen of Harney county is one of the firm of McClain & Biggs, liverymen and deal- ers in horses and mules in Burns, where their stables are, being also* owners of a fine stock ranch. Our subject was born in Scotland coun- ty, Missouri, on September 16, 1854, being the son of Martin and Sarah (Childers) McClain. The father was in the Confederate army and in the battle of Pea Ridge lost his right arm. He served under Price. In 1866 the family re- moved to Schuyler county and our subject was educated in these two localities and he remained with his parents until 1875, when he went to Waterloo, Iowa, and took up the grocery busi- ness. In 1877 he went to Elk City, Kansas, and the next year he came to San Francisco, and thence by steamer, George M. Elder, to Portland and soon he was in Linn county. He was engaged in a flouring mill until 1881 and then came to> Summerville, Union county, and freighted from Umatilla 'to Idaho. It was 1883 when he came to the Silvies valley, en- gaging with Lux & Miller, stockmen. He took a train of twenty-one cars of cattle to Chicago and another to Omaha and. was foreman of the company until he met with an accident of fall- ing under a wagon, which unfitted him for the arduous labors of a stock foreman. This was 1886, and he went into business in Drewsey and in 1889 Mr. McClain married Mrs. Eva (Robertson) Whittle and then moved to Uma- tilla county. He took up the business of mak- ing and selling ties, took land, operated a store and butcher shop, also ran a butcher shop in Pasco, Washington, continuing in these lines until 1897, when he sold out and came to Burns. He opened a hotel and livery stable and in 1900 he sold the hotel and entered into partnership with John W. Biggs, and they are now handling- a general horse and mule market in addition to their livery business. They handle more stock than any company in the county and are leaders in their line. They own fine stables and a full quota of rigs and good stock. Fraternally Mr. McClain is affiliated with the W. of W., being council commander of Harney Valley Camp, No. 381, in Burns. Mr. and Mrs. McClain have .. one child, Harry Goulden. It is of note that Mr. McClain was special deputy sheriff under W- J. Furnish in Umatilla county and was one of twelve invited to see the hanging of a noted criminal, "Zoon," in Pendleton. Mr. McClain is well known throughout the county and is respected by all and stands high both in business circles and in the social realm. N. E. DUNCAN.— It is with pleasure that we are enabled to write concerning the es- timable gentleman whose name is at the head of this article, since he has been one of the potent factors in the development of Harney county, has 'manifested wisdom and enterprise in all his ways here, has labored as a true pioneer in many other sections of the country and has always manifested the same unswerv- ing integrity, moral uprightness and sound principles, having sustained a reputation as an exceptionally reliable man, and ever arraigned on the side of rig-ht. Mr. Duncan was born in Williamson coun- ty, Illinois, on March 27, 1838, being the son of Dudley W. and Elizabeth Duncan. On April 16, 1859, Mr. Duncan started to New Orleans on the Panama route to California. He had an adventurous spirit and was ready to grapple with the hard problems of pioneer life and has since proved himself of the right kind of stuff. He 'stopped five days on the way, at Havana, and then landed in San Fran- cisco on May 16. He worked for wages un- til the 'fall of 1861, then went by steamer to Portland, Oregon. On April 16, 1863, he started to Auburn, Baker county, arriving there on the 16th of May, and for fifteen years he was numbered with the hardy and worthy miners of that vicinity. It was 1878 that he came to> upper Willow creek and took up ranch- ing. In 1884 he came thence to> the vicinity of 668 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Drewsey, and there engaged in farming and stock raising'. He took raw land, two hun- dred and forty acres, and made of it a fine farm, and was successful in raising stock. Later he sold the farm and neat stock and handled sheep' and horses exclusively. In 1899 he sold his entire property holdings in this section and retired for a time from active business. He is at present continuing this re- tired life. Fraternally he is affiliated with the I. O. O. F., Drewsey Lodge, No. 147. Mr. Duncan was nominated for county commis- sioner on the Republican ticket, and notwith- standing his protests he was elected, but re- fused to qualify. Mr. Duncan has never ven- tured on the matrimonial sea, but is enjoying the quieter placidity of the celebate. He is a man of unquestioned integrity and stands high in the estimation of the people. GEORGE W. PAGE.— Among the lead- ing stockmen of the country, the subject of this article also stands with the prominent and substantial citizens of the county of Harney and is one of the real pioneers of this section, being also 1 a westerner by birth. He owns Sonoma county, California, as his native place and February 13, 1858, is the date thereof. His parents were Joseph W. and Nancy (Johnson) Page. In 1867 they all came overland to Lane county, Oregon. The father had been operat- ing a large dairy in California, and in Oregon he devoted his attention to farming, also raised stock. In 1884 our subject came to Harney county and operated a saw mill. After this he roved about in Idaho, Washington, and Ore- gon and in 1893 came to Harney county and engaged in the sheep business, entering into partnership with G W. Bartlett. Later he sold out and then went into partnership with James Campbell. They divided up in 1901 and Mr. Page sold one-third interest to his brother, Edward N., and his nephew, Claud Hendricks. They own several thousand head of sheep and are prosperous in this business, being skilled in handling them. Mr. Page is a member of the I. O. O. F., Drewsey Lodge, No. 147. He is a man of public spirit, has al- ways labored for the advancement of the coun- ty and is one of the promoters of substantial progress. JAMES T. SIMMONS.— Among the ar- rivals in Harney county who have come from native places to identify themselves with this progressive region, we must not fail to men- tion the gentleman whose name is at the head of this article and who has wrought here with untiring energy and unflagging zeal in the line of stock raising, and in addition now handles the mail and stage line from Diamond to An- drews. Mr. Simmons was born in Berryville, Arkansas, on March 22, 1862, being the son of Isaac and Sarah Simmons. "He grew up on a farm and received his education from the public schools and in 1877 went to Millville, California, afterward returning to Arkansas. It was in 1888 that he came to the Harney valley, and here at the Narrows, on January 1, 1893, ne married Mrs. Mary A. Burneson, daughter of Albert and Mary Hembree, who are mentioned in this volume. To this happy union there were born two children, Alice Es- ma and Rose Alliene. By her former mar- riage Mrs. Simmons had two children, Charles Albert and Ira D. P. Mr. Simmons engaged in raising stock and handles the stage line in addition. His father was a captain in the Union army and died soon after the war was over. Mr. Simmons is a man of sound principles and has won friends in his walk, being well known and respected by all. ALBERT HEMBREE.— It is indeed very gratifying to be allowed to> epitomize the ca- reer of this esteemed pioneer, being, as he is, one of the earliest pilgrims who ever crossed the dreary plains and rugged moun- tains toward the setting sun; and since that' early date he has been identified with the progress and development of the great west, having ever done a worthy share where his lot has been cast. It will be of interest to chron- icle some of the more definite details of this life and we note first that Mr. Hembree was born in Tennessee on April 23, 1833, being the son of Joel J. and Sarah Hembree. While a child he came with his parents to> Dade county, Missouri, remaining there until the spring of 1843. ln that spring they joined the famous train of four hundred wagons led by Captain and Jesse Applegate, and guided HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 669 by the noted and beloved Dr. Whitman, which wound its way across the plains to the latter's home near Walla Walla. No roads were built and "the work had to be done as they progressed. An incident of the journey illustrates the nature and courage of the man to whom, more than to any other single indi- vidual, we owe the opening of this vast terri- tory, Dr. Whitman. While crossing the Platte our subject's mother and some other women were in one wagon and the teams be- came tangled up. Dr. Whitman saw the trouble which threatened death to the women and cried out, "Boys, are you going to let those women drown?'' He at once sprang into the water and swam to the teams, straightened them out, and so saved the oc- cupants of the wagon. The train divided in Oregon, our subject's parents going to Dr. Whitman's home, near Walla Walla, and thence to The Dalles and finally to Yam Hill county. There a donation claim was located and the worthy pioneers settled to develop the country. The father operated a store at Lafayette and later at McMinnville, where he died in 1867. The mother died in 1854. The father started across the plains with nine chil- dren ; one died en route and one was born on the way. Our subject grew up on the farm and in the store and acquired a good educa- tion and then went to teaching school. On December 28, 1854, he married Miss" Mary,' daughter of Calvin P. and Mary (Aladine) Pell. Mr. and Mrs. Pell were married in Holmes county, Ohio 1 , where Mrs. Hembree was born on April 8, 1839. Mr. Pell moved to Missouri in 1840, and in 1852 came across the plains with a large ox train direct to' the Willamette valley. Mr. Pell had two brothers, Gilbert and John, and their father, Nathaniel Pell, served in the Revolution. They descend- ed from English lords. In 1856 Mr. Hembree removed to Lane county and went to farming and raising stock. In 1886 he brought a band of stock to Harney county, settling on Poison creek. In 1891 he came to the Narrows and took a homestead and sold his cattle and engaged in mercantile business. In 1899 the store was burned, en- tailing a great loss. Since that time Mr. Hem- bree has been operating a hotel and livery stable and handling his farm. He also owns the ranch on Poison creek. Mr. Hembree kept the postoffice for six years at the Narrows. To Mr. and Mrs. Hembree have been born nine children, as follows : Mrs. Mary A. Sim- mons ; Mrs. Annie L. Hamilton ; Mrs. Emma D. Moomaw ; Mrs. Minnie E. Wooley; Eugene F. ; John L., of Portland; Guy L., a merchant at Silver Creek; Mrs. Rose E. McGrath; Loren C. Mr. Hembree's uncle, Abraham Hembree, was a captain in the Indian war of 1855-6. Mr. Hembree and his estimable wife are worthy citizens of this county and have earned and enjoy in generous measure the es- teem, confidence, good will and admiration of all who know them, being good people and worthy pioneers. GEORGE M. .STANCLIFT.— Surely the subject of this review has passed the various stages oi all kinds of pioneer work, with its hardships, deprivations and dangers, while he has met each point with a calm determination to overcome and make his way through it all, which he has done in a most commendable manner, being now one of the stanch and up- right men of Harney and one O'f its well-to-do citizens, having his home on one of the finest pieces of soil in central Oregon, the same be- ing one hundred and fifty-three acres, one mile north from' Burns, which forms the family home and is a good dividend producer. Mr. Standi ft was born in Erie comity, New York, on April 25, 1837, being the son of Reuben and Elvira (Adams) Stanclift. At the age of fifteen he went with the family to Cass county, Michigan, and thence to Berrien county, where his mother died. In February, 1855, he came via New York and Panama to San Francisco 1 , crossing the Isthmus with the first through passenger train. On the sea they encountered great storms that made the pas- sage unpleasant. Upon landing in California he went to the Poor creek country, and thence to Plumas county and mined. Yuba coun- ty he later took up mining and dairying to- gether and in the spring oi i860 he went to the vicinity of Virginia City. But the second winter there his partner was killed by the In- dians, and all the stock driven off by them, en- tailing a loss upon Mr. Stanclift of seven thou- 670 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES sand dollars. He went to work for wages again and on January 8, 1867, he married Miss Mary C, daughter of Gabriel and Kitty A. Stephens, who were natives of Kentucky, their daughter also being born there ; and they had removed to Missouri, where they died. Mrs. Stanclift came across the plains with an elder brother in 1853, the trip being exception- ally tedious. After his marriage Mr. Stan- ch ft came by wagon to Douglas county, Ore- gon, and took up stock raising, the year being 1 87 1. In 1876 he came to Harney valley with a band of cattle and in 1878 he removed his family over here, it being the year of the Bannock war. He was exposed to much danger and hardship, there being but eight families in the valley. He settled on his pres- ent place, and soon he sold his cattle and bought sheep and later sold them and confined himself to farming alone. To Mr. and Mrs. Stanclift have been born three children : Mrs. Etta Horton; Mrs. Laura P. Biggs, of Prine- ville ; Lewis L., of Montana. It is of note that the grandfather of our subject, John Stanclift, fought in the Revolution, and was with Wash- ington's army at Valley Forge. W. D. MARTIN.— One half mile south- east from Harney is one of the finest small grain farms in the county. It consists of eighty acres of choice land and is well under cultiva- tion. The improvements are of a quality and kind quite fitting such an estate and its owner is the subject of this article. Mr. Martin was about the first man to try raising grain in this locality and he has made a marked success in this direction. He raised in 1901 the largest crop of any one man in Harney county and he is classed as one of the leading agriculturists of middle Oregon. W. D. Martin was born in Walla Walla county, Washington, on February 13, 1865, being the son of John and Nancy (Owens) Martin. The parents came from the state of Iowa overland with ox teams direct to> Walla Walla and the father took a ranch that joined Oregon, and within one hundred yards of the state line our subject was born. Soon after that event, the family removed to the Oregon side and dwelt in Umatilla county until 1885. W. D. was educated in the common schools there and grew up on a farm, developing both his mental and physical powers in a becoming manner to> a western born son. In 18&5 he came to Baker county, near North Powder and on June 8, of that year, he married Miss Leo- rah, daughter of Jason -and Margaret Wyatt, who were pioneers from the state of Indiana to Baker county in 1876. Mrs. Martin was born in Indiana. They removed to Walla Walla county and thence in 1891 to Harney county. He at once engaged in farming here and was one o, Florence, Warren, and other camps until 1865, when we see him again in Linn county and on December 26, of that year he married Miss Rebecca A., daughter of Jesse and Anna Barr, pioneers from Iowa in 1853, having made the trip with the ox teams of the day. Our subject took up farming, and also operated at general merchandising and in 1883 he sold out and removed to Harney val- ley. Here he gave his undivided attention to stock raising. His present home is six miles northwest from Crane postoffice and he owns one thousand six hundred acres of good graz- ing and meadow land. Mr. Cary pays atten- tion to cattle mostly and has a goodly band. He was one of the first settlers and has always wrought on the frontier and while he started the battle with nothing, he has now a com- mendable holding and is one of the substantial men of the valley. He is road supervisor, and always active in the advancement of the inter- ests of the country. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cary: Ma- halie A., wife of George Shelly, ex-sheriff of Harney county; Mrs. Malinda A. Stenffer; Clarence T. ; John L. ; Gracie. Mr. Cary has always so conducted himself that he has main- tained an untarnished reputation, and he stands high among his fellows. NATHAN BROWN.— The worthy pi- oneer and capable business man of whom we now have the privilege of speaking is one of the leaders in the business realm of Burns, be- ing senior member of the firm of N. Brown & Sons, general merchants, who have one of the largest stocks in the county and do a mam- moth business, being well established and high- ly esteemed by all. Mr. Brown was born in Germany, in Jan- uary, 1835, and at the age of thirteen years came to America. In 1852 he came via Cape Horn to San Francisco, and thence to Oregon City, where he engaged in business for a few years. We next see him in Walla Walla. where he took up the business of general mer- chandising, and in 1866 he returned to San Francisco and there operated at the clothing business until 1883, at which time he sold out his entire business there and came to Burns. It was 1884 when he entered into' business here, taking his two sons, Benjamin and Leon M 1 ., as partners. They began in a small way and by careful attention to business and defer- ential treatment of their patrons have increased their trade until it is at present of far reaching and generous proportions, and success in a very brilliant form is theirs to enjoy. In 1896 they erected a large two-story structure, which they occupy at this time, the upper story being rented to the I. O. O. F. lodge of Burns, and the United States land office. They carry a large stock of merchandise and are favorably known all through the country. In addi- tion to the merchandise the firm owns several tracts of land in the county, mostly improved hay and grain land, which is rented. Mr. Brown has a wife and two married daughters and the two sons mentioned, all of whom re- side in San Francisco*. Mr. Brown is a man of excellent capabilities and has won success, while he is highly esteemed by all, and is a man of worth of character mg integrity and intrinsic GEORGE W. CAWLFIELD.— This worthy gentleman is to- be numbered with the younger men of Harney county who- have at- tained a good success in the stock business here and who bid fair to gain much better in the future, judging by their faithful and wisely bestowed labors of the past. George W. was born in Johnson county, Kansas, on October 21, 1870, being the son of David A. and Abi- gil ( Evans ^ Cawlfield. The father was a na- tive of Tennessee, and went across the plains to California in an early day and then returned via Panama, after which for some time he acted as government freighter on the frontiers and finally settled in Kansas. In 1874 the family came overland to Pueblo county, Colorado, and there the father followed stock raising. In 1888 the father, with his wife and ten chil- dren, came by covered wagons to. Harney and settled on Rye Grass flat, east from Burns, and there engaged in raising stock. Our subject 672 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES attended school in the various places of his resi- dence, and in 1891 he went to Portland and acted as express messenger and baggageman to different points on the O. R. & N. This continued for two. years, and he returned to Harney county, and there, on November 24, 1897, he married Miss Hlattie, daughter of Jesse O. and Emma Bunyard. To them have been born two children — Gladys R., born Feb- ruary 3, 1899, and Edna, born July 1, 1901. In 1898 Mr. Cawlfield located a homestead twelve miles north from the Narrows, where he lives now. This he has improved in good shape, having a good six-room house, barns, outbuildings, corralls and all necessary. conven- iences for a first-class stock ranch. In 1899 he formed a partnership with his father, in the stock business, and they are succeeding well. His parents live with him now. The father also owns a ranch of one-half section on Cram creek. Our subject started in with no> capital and now has a large band of cattle, a good home and is prospering well. He has labored faith- fully and managed his business interests with excellent wisdom and practical judgment, all of which combine to. make him, the competence which he now enjoys. JAMES F. MAHON.— It is especially gratifying to be enabled to chronicle in this volume of the history of Harney county the salient points in the career of the estimable gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch, since he has done so much for the development and advancement of this county, has demonstrated his ability as a financier and to handle successfully large interests, of which he is happily possessed at the present time, being doubtless the larg- est grain farmer in the county and also a leader in raising fine horses and mules ; while individually, Mr. Mahon is a man of marked ability and integrity, always dominated by sound principles and possessed of an executive force and practical judgment that array him on the side of success, and' his moral virtues and untarnished reputation for honor and upright- ness are commensurate with his other qualifi- cations of high order. Tjhe account, there- fore, of Mr. Mahon's operations in this county would form an important parts of its history, and it is but right that such giants of achieve- ment, whose labors have wrought such advan- tage to all, should be granted a position which their sagacious conduct rightly marks as their own. Reverting more particularly to the person- al history of our subject, we note, which ac- counts for his indefatigable energy and the boundless resources of his personality, which demonstrate him equal to any emergency, that he comes from stanch Irish blood, his parents being natives of the Emerald Isle. He, him- self, was born on April 29, 1855, in Syracuse, New York, to Patrick and Catherine Mahon, who had come hither while young. James F. was reared on a farm, gaining his education from the schools of his vicinity, and early he manifested the precocity which later produced the success winning talents which have charac- terized him in his entire walk. At the budding age of nineteen, James F. started out for him- self, and soon we see him in the far west in the vicinity of Stockton, California. He en- gaged on the farm of Jacob Grundike, as a laborer. The estate of this worthy gentle- man consisted of two thousand five hundred acres of land devoted to grain and stock. Mr. Grundike was a man of keen perception and sound judgment and withal of a kind and dis- sriminating spirit and soon he discovered that in his employee, he had a man of no ordinary ability and trustworthiness, and he did the wise thing both for himself and our subject, — he placed him in the position of superintendent of the entire estate, which was a very responsi- ble incumbency. For tAvo years in that capac- ity and also as renter of the entire property for five years, Mr. Mahon remained with Mr. Grundike; and the only outcome that could resolve itself to- the skill, energy, industry, and excellent judgment of Mr. Mahon was the un- bounded success that attended his efforts, both to his own and Mr. Grundike' s financial ad- vantage. During these years, Mr. Mahon's fa- ther had come to join his son and in 1879 they disposed of their interests in California and came thence to central Oregon, settling in Har- ney valley. Let it be said to. the honor of the kind benefactor of Mr. Mahon, Mr. Grundike, that he willingly placed to the credit of our subject the financial backing necessary to start' this young man on a career that has won a most brilliant success. Space forbids the de- JAMES F. HAHOE, HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 673 tails of the years since the first settlement in Oregon to the present, hut a brief summary of the present will manifest plainly the talent with which Mr. Mahon has wrought. For a time his father remained in partnership with him and then the son bought his interest and now he is one of the heaviest property owners in the state. Coming early, and being a prac- tical farmer, Mr. Mahon secured the choicest farms to- be had in Harney county. He has five different well improved ranches in the county. Two of them, aggregating two thou- sand five hundred acres, make the finest grain farm in the county. The other three amount to four thousand acres, while Mr. Mahon has a number of sections of fine grazing land. His home place is at Steins mountain, and the postoffice was named by Mr. Mahon, Mule, from the fact that he' handles so many of these animals. Mr. Mahon makes a specialty of raising horses and mules and is the largest owner of these quadrupeds in the county. On his home place he has twenty-six miles of fencing and utilizes it as the breeding ranch for his entire stock. His horses are all well bred black Percherons and he owns a Dexter Prince stallion, Thomas H., which paces in two-fourteen, and many other horses of fine blood, as Clydesdale, and so forth. Mr. Ma- hon is a noted nimrod and has some fine ani- mals for the chase consisting of Chesapeake hounds and Blue Dane; and many exciting- chases he participates in. The marriage of Mr. Mahon occurred in 1881 and his wife died in 1886. He con- tracted a second marriage and has four chil- dren by this union, Emily F., a graduate of Oxford; Tva J., attending school in California; Pearl R., and Stella M., deceased. Fraternally he is well connected, being a member of the Masons, the Elks, the I. O. O. F., the K. of P., the A. O. U. W., and the M. W. of A. Po- litically he is allied with the Democratic party and is active in the interests of good govern- ment. Mr Mahon is a fine exper 4 " with horses and an admirer of that beautiful animal. He is a leading man in the county, and has done much for the advancement of its interests. From the time his faithful labors attracted the kindly notice of his worthy employer, Mr. Grundike, who promptly placed him on the road to brilliant success, which he has achieved, Mr. Mahon has always been faithful, upright, pro- 43 gressive, dominated by wisdom of a high or- der, and he has made a name and place for himself among men that is worthy of emula- tion, and the prestige which he now enjoys is the result of his intrinsic worth wrought into crowning achievements. Mr. Mahon is tak- ing great pains and sparing no expense to grant his children all opportunity to gain a first class educational training. He has re- cently given his son, Ira J., an interest in the business. The young' man is proving his abil- ity and mettle by making a success which is a credit to himself and his father. JACKSON A. BARTLETT.— This well known and representative business man of the town of Drewsey has a fine hotel,, where he does a thriving business and also 1 a large livery and feed stable, being a man of excellent capa- bilities and one of the prominent figures in this part of Harney county. He was born in Owen county, Indiana, on August 31, 1847, the son of James and Sarah (Alexander) Bartlett. He was reared on a farm and gained his edu- cation from the public schools of the vicinity and when he heard the call for troops in the times of fratricidal strife he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, Company B. He was largely on post puty, being in Louisville, Kentucky; Nashville, Tennessee; and Decatur, Alabama. The date of his enlistment was February 14, 1865, and his honorable discharge occurred in October, 1865. He at once returned to his home in Indiana. In 1868 he migrated to Scotland county, Missouri, and there on December 25, 1870, occurred his marriage with Miss Arminta J., daughter of Will- iam and Margaret Myers. He followed farming there until 1887, and then with his family of wife and seven children he made the trip across the country to Union county, Oregon. The following year he came to the agency, in the vicinity of Beu- lah, Malheur county, entered a homestead, im- proved it and settled to raising stock. It was in 1896. that he came to- Drewsey and bought a hotel and embarked in that business. He did a good business from the start, but in 1899 the entire property was destroyed by 674 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES fire. He immediately rebuilt a fine twostory structure, fifty-six feet front and forty-four feet deep. He has a nice large office, parlors, dining room, kitchen and twenty sleeping apartments. In 1890 he sold his ranch and stock and devoted his entire attention to the hotel and feed stable. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett: Jesse, near Long- creek, Grant county ; James C, who was elect- ed in 1900, on the Democratic ticket, as super- intendent of the schools of Harney county; Mrs. Grace Arnold, of Pine creek; Hattie, Hettie, Hugh, triplets, Hugh being deceased; Carl and Stella V. ROBERT J. McKINNON.— This worthy pioneer is a man of energy, ability and stir- ring qualities of worth, having wrought with a ready hand and willing heart in the noble work of developing the western wilds and he is now one of the well-todo and respected stockmen and farmers of Harney county, re- siding about nine miles northwest from Burns, on Curry Garden creek. Robert J. was born in Hancock county, Indiana, on January 22, 1837, being the son of Thomas D. and Elizabeth McKinnon. He attended school in a log cabin with a mud chimney, and the expenses of the teaching were borne by subscription. In 1853 ne re_ moved to Des Moines county, Iowa, and in 1857 the family went to Page county and there on November 7, 1858, our subject married Miss Emily H., daughter of Daniel and Eliza- beth Long, who had resided in Indiana, where our subject was born, and these young people had been raised together. In 1861 our sub- ject and his wife removed to Keokuk county, Iowa, and thence to Des Moines county, and in 1863 he came via Panama to California, then to- Virginia City, Nevada, and took up mining and lumbering and in 1864 he went to Downing, California, and there did the same work until 1865, when he came back to his Iowa home. In 1869 he removed to Jack- son county, Missouri, and in 1875, returned to Page county, Iowa, whence he journeyed to California, settling in Shasta county. He en- tered government land and also did freighting. In the fall of 1S81 he went to Red Bluff, and in 1886 he came overland to Harney valley. He lived near Burns on a rented farm and did freighting until 1888, when he came to his present place, which is well improved with good house, orchard, shrubbery, and SO' forth. He handles stock, mostly horses. To Mr. and Mrs. McKinnon there have been born eleven children, James Edward, of Cornucopia, Baker county; Mrs. Ida M. Mc- Campbell, of Shasta county, California; Robert J., near Burns; Andrew J., of Santa Rosa, Cal- ifornia, who was sheriff of this county from 1896 to 1900, being elected both times on the Democratic ticket; Mrs. Lucy J. Baird, of South Dakota; Mrs. Belle Dora Clark, of Harney, her husband being superintendent of the French Glen ranches ; Thomas D., of Cor- nucopia; Hattie Elizabeth, deceased; Mrs. Emma Alice Clark, near Burns ; William L., who was killed in Burns in 1898; Mrs. Elsie Alvie Cleveland of this county; Mrs. Essie Geneva Smith, of Burns. Mr. McKinnon owns a half interest in a good mining property in the Virtue district in Baker county. He also took a trip to' Alaska in 1900, and also went the next year, prospecting and mining, and made the trip in 1902. He has a good farm of one-quarter section. UBALD J. COTE.— This enterprising gentleman is one of the worthy citizens of Harney county and is a man who. has demon- strated his excellent qualities in the estimable success which he has wrought out here in our midst, as is evidenced by the fact that when he came to this country he tells us that he was somewhat in debt, but now he has a fine es- tate of six hundred and eighty acres of hay and grazing land, all fenced, a good six-room house, barns and outbuildings, a good black- smith shop, a band of stock and is well-to-do and prosperous. Mr. Cote is also a man of in- tegrity and sound morals and is esteemed by all. He was born on August 4, 1866, in Champlain county. Canada, being the son of Antoine and Marie Cote, natives of France. In 187 1 the family came to Lowell, Massa- chusetts, and there he attended common school. worked in the cotton factories and at fourteen entered as apprentice to a blacksmith, where he served for three vears. He worked there HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 675 at his trade until he came west in 1886. Dur- ing this time he took three different trips to Canada and in the date mentioned he came to Winnemucca by train and thence by stage to Burns. He went to work for wages, herd- ing sheep for a number of years, and gained some stock of his own, and in 1895 he entered a homestead where he now lives, about half way between Riley and the Narrows, in Warm Springs valley. He also took a desert claim and commenced to raise cattle. He has im- proved in good shape and is a man of influ- ence and integrity, which is recognized by all. The marriage of Mr. Cote and Miss Annie, daughter of John and Emma Bankofier, was solemnized on June 22, 1902. Mr. Bankofier was a native of Germany and his wife of California, to which state he was an early pio^ neer. Mrs. Cote was born in Nevada county, California, and her father died there in 1882, but heir mother, Mrs. John McNulty, lives there still. Mrs. Cote came up from Cali- fornia in 1893 and has followed teaching school in Harney county since that time, be- ing one of the leading educators of the coun- ty, and having the confidence and hearty ap- proval in her work of all wherever she taught. Mr. Cote has a good home. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Harney Lodge, No. JJ, of Burns. CHARLES W. RANN is well known in Harney county, and he has been a great travel- ler and consequently -has gained much experi- ence that gives him prestige and enables him to gain a good success in his labors. He was born in San Francisco on December 14, 1848, being the son of Caleb and Lucinda Rann. He was among the very first white children born in that place. The father was a native of* Nova Scotia and came to.' Maine and thence around Cape Horn to San Francisco in 1846. The mother crossed the plains in 1847 with ox teams from Tennessee. Thev were mar- ried in Santa Clara and removed to' San Fran- cisco. The parents removed to various places in the state and finally settled in Peach Tree valley where the home was until 1864. Then they came to Canyon City region and the par- ents went to raising stock while our subject went to mining and followed it until 1871. We next see him in White Pine county, Nevada, where he mined for two' years. On April 10, 1874, he was in Canyon City again and mar- ried on that date to Miss Mattie Harper. Four children were born to this union, Clifford, Frank M., Maggie, and Agnes. In 1880 Mr. Rann went to Butte, Montana, thence to Fort Benton and Walla Walla and in 1882 he set- tled in Srague, Washington, where he went into business until 1886. Then he came to Canyon City remaining until 1890. From that date until 1900 he was in various places in Id- aho, Nevada, Arizona, California, Washing- ton, and Oregon, prospectinig and mining. On August 8, 1 901, Mr. Rann married a second time, the lady then becoming his wife was Mrs. lone (Whiting) Baker. At present Mr. Rann has a good building in Harney where he operates a retail liquor store, carry- ing a choice stock of wines, liquors, tobaccos and so forth. He is doing a thriving business. He also owns a good residence in the town. Mr. Rann stands well among the business men and is one of the energetic workers for the welfare of the county. WILLIAM B. JOHNSON.— Among the enterprisiing citizens of Harney county we should mentioin the gentleman whose name in- itiates this paragraph, and who has labored here faithfully and continuously for a long time, being at the present time one of the in- fluential men of his section, Mr. Johnson was born in Crawford county, Arkansas, on September 24, 1852, being the son of John L. and Frances J. (Elliott) Johnson. The father was an orderly sergeant in the Confed- erate army and died in service. The widow was left with four children and the improve- ments of the plantation were all destroyed by the ravages of war. Bravely she stood with her little flock and kept them together. Our subject received a primary education from the schools of his native place and in the spring of 1868 came with an uncle to California, assist- ing to bring a band of cattle. They landed in Merced county and he worked with stock for a time and then attended school for two years, one of which was at the San Joaquin college at Stockton. In 1874 he went to Mo- doc county and there engaged in farming, stock raising, and dairying. He owned a 676 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES good farm there, but in 1883 he brought his stock north to Silver Creek, Harney county, and in 1884 he sold his California property, and the year following his family joined him in the Oregon home. They settled first near their present home, but later removed to the place where the^ now reside, five miles north- west from Riley postoffice. Mr. Johnson has two' hundred and forty acres of fine land, well improved with good house, barn and outbuild- ings, orchard and plenty of water. His stock consists mostly of cattle and he is one of the thrifty men of his section. Politically, Mr. Johnson is allied with the Democratic party and is active in that realm, being now central committeeman for his county, while in educa- tional matters he is zealous for advancement and betterment of school facilities. On August 3, 1873, Mr. Johnson married Miss Mary E., daughter of John and Martha A. Street, of Merced county, California, and they have become the parents of eight children, Francis A., deceased ; Mrs. Martha Dibble, of Silver creek; Alfred J.; Mrs. Elizabeth Gar- rett, deceased ; Lulah ; Roxana ; Mary E. ; Clar- issa, deceased. Mr. Johnson's mother died in Arkansas February 27, 1868. Mrs. Johnson's father died on August 31, 1883, but her mother still resides in California. CHARLES S. JOHNSON.— This capa- ble and enterprising stockman and agriculturist of Harney county is one of the substantial men who have labored for the upbuilding and material progress of this section of central Or- egon for many years, and now holds prominent places as leading citizens. Our subject was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa,, on October 20, 1854, being the son of John andPermelia Johnson. In 1864 the family came across the plains with the "prairie schooner" of the day to Honey Lake valley, California, where they stopped for a short time and then made their way to Butte county. Our subject received his education there from the primitive schools of that pioneer day. His parents were pio- neers in Iowa and also in California and so the education of our subject was gained with mea- ger advantages. He grew to manhood in Butte county and there on September 18, 1883, he was married to Miss Sadie E., daughter of Shelby and Darlutha (Daugherty) Sim- mons. Mr. and Mrs. Simmons were pioneers from Arkansas to that county in 1850, crossing the plains with ox teams. It was 1888 that our subject came to Roekford, in Harney county,, and engaged in the stock business. Later, he went to The Narrows and then to the warm springs on the west side of Harney lake. There he entered government land and improved it in good shape. This continued to> be the family home until 1900, when he sold out and came to his present place, twenty-four miles west from Drewsey. He has a half section of good land all fenced and improved in an excellent manner, with fine house, barns, orchard, and plenty of water for irrigating purposes. He raises hay for his stock principally. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born the following children : Amanda B., Emmett S., Sadie D., Elbert C. Mr. Johnson has al- ways evinced great interest in the betterment of school facilities and labors wisely and zeal- ously for this worthy end, while also he takes the part of the intelligent citizen in general politics. JASPER DAVIS.— In the work of devel- oping Harney county, Mr. Davis has done a good share and in many other places he has done pioneer work, having spent most of his life on the frontier, and in opening up various sections. He is a man possessed of those qual- ities so much admired in the pioneer, has al- ways shown himself upright, courageous, and active in the affairs of life. And to-day he is- one of the substantial citizens of Harney county and has gained and retains the confi- dence of the people. Mr. Davis was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, on April 5, 1840, being the son of David T. and Laurinda (Baker) Davis, natives of Kentucky. Our subject was reared on a farm and gained his education in the various places where the family resided. He commenced school at the age of twelve and continued until nineteen, being familiar with the log cabin schoolhouses of his day. The family came to Davis county, Iowa, while he was young and there on July 31, 1862, he married Miss Mary E.. daughter of Adam and Mary A. (Lasley) Miller. In 1865 they went to Wilson coun- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 677 ty, Kansas, and there farmed and raised stock. Mr. Davis was elected sheriff of that county in 1867. In 1876 he removed to Stafford county and entered government land. In 1879 he was elected justice of the peace. In 1880 he prepared mule teams and with his family of wife and six children started on May 10, for the west. On July 31 they arrived at Union, Union county, Oregon. In 1884 they went to Spokane and he mined some in the Coeur d'Alene country. The same year he came to Camp Harney and soon thereafter came to Harney, where he engaged in mercan- tile business until 1891, then sold out. The next year he bought his present place, one- fourth of a mile south from Harney. He has a good farm and a comfortable home. Mr. Davis was the first justice of the peace ap- pointed when the county was set off and he has filled that office most of the time since, being at present the incumbent. In political matters, Mr. Davis is a Democrat. To- him and his estimable wife there were born ten children, named as follows : Mrs. Laura M. Boyd, of Coos county ; Laurinda, deceased ; Jasper F., of Harney; Emily Ann, deceased; David P., of Baker City; Alma, at home; Pe- ter, oi Baker City ; Charles H., Ira, and Dottie Lee, at home. On February 14, 1894, Mrs. Davis was called to' pass the river of death. She had been a noble Christian woman, of fine ability and constantly employed in good works. She was a conscientious member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and was always laboring for its advancement. She took especial pains to rear her children care- fully and in a Christian manner. She was born on the frontier in Iowa and was always on the frontier and did much hard and self- sacrificing labor. On June 22. 1900, Mr. Davis married Miss Lucy B., daughter of John W. and Nancy W. Coleman. Mrs. Davis is from Decatur, Illi- nois. Mr. Davis and his wife are interested in church work and they are highly respected members of society having displayed real worth ■of character and sound principles. JAMES A. WEATHERLY.— The sub- ject of this article is one of the men whose la- bors have been instrumental in building up the country and bringing it to its present prosper- ous condition. James A. was born in Fannin county, Texas, on August 12, 1870, the son of Jesse C. and Frances (Williams) Weath- er ly. In 1877 the family came across the plains with mule teams, coming direct to the Grande Ronde valley, having a tedious jour- ney of nine months. Two> years were spent in the Grande Ronde and then another move was made to Wallowa county. There the father took up stock raising and lives at the present time, the. mother having passed away on May 22, 1882. Our subject received his education from the common schools and remained with his father until 1890, when he came to central Oregon and went to riding the range for the Pacific Live Stock Company. He was one of the foreman during the last six years of his service and was an efficient stockman. On ac- count of his health failing, he was obliged to retire from the more active duties of handling stock and accordingly he opened a wine and li- quor store in Drewsey where he is at the pres- ent time. He carries a choice stock of liquors and tobaccos. He owns his own building in the center of town and has it well furnished. He affiliates with the I. O. O. F., Drewsey Lodge, No*. 174. He is a man of good stand- ing among his fellows and has done his share for the development of the country. PLEASANT M. CHENEY.— Although born in Arkansas, still the subject of this sketch is practically a product of the west since his birth occurred on February 26, 1856, and the spring following his parents came overland with ox teams, settling in Sonoma county, Cal- ifornia. The parents, William W. and Mar- tha (Meek) Cheney, soon went to Lake coun- ty, thence to San Louis Obispo county, and raised stock and later removed to San Bernar- dino county, and in 1880 went to the vicinity of Los Angeles and engaged in fruit raising and farming there until the death of the father in 1899. The mother died in 1901 and she and her husband were each eighty years of age at the time of death. When Pleasant M. reached the age of sixteen he went to Kern and en- gaged in riding the range and visited Carson City, Nevada, also went to Texas. He rode after stock on the frontier of Texas and on the Rio Grande for nearly two years, then re- 678 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES turned home. After this he visited Arizona and mined there and in thee different states in Mexico and Lower California, returning home after an absence of four years. He was at Tombstone, Arizona, when nine thousand peo- ple were there before a house was built, and in his stay in Texas he saw much fighting- be- tween the Texas rangers and the Mexicans. It was 1883 that he came to Lake county, Ore- gon. He worked on the range for Cox & Clark then went to Crook county and rode for Logan & Son for three years and then we find him in the Harney valley in 1887, where he worked for Riley & Hardin foi: four years, the last three being in the capacity of foreman. In 1 891 he entered a homestead on upper Sil- ver creek and engaged in stock raising. He now owns eight hundred acres of hay and grazing land all fenced and improved with comfortable house, outbuildings, and orchard and he has a goodly band of cattle. His es- tate is located twenty-five miles southeast from Riley. On January 17, 1895, Mr. Cheney married Lizzie A., daughter of John C. Garrett, of Okanogan county, Washington, and one child, Martha Tillie, has been born to them. Mr. Cheney is a good citizen, an upright man, a first class neighbor, stands well with his fel- lows, and is one of the substantial property owners of the county. JAMES M. PARKER.— To detail the ac- tive career and stirring adventures of the sub- ject of this sketch would require a volume, so incessantly has he labored and travelled ; but space forbids, however much we may wish to give more, that we chronicle more than a re- view, but it demonstrates the vigor, the true pioneer spirit, the ability and the stirring qual- ities of our subject when we note how he has wrought and gained success. James Parker comes from a good stock of patriots, his maternal grandfather fighting in the Revolution, his uncle Zelock Darling, being in the war of 1812, and his father a captain in the regular army. James M. was born on January 24, 1833, in Douglas, Worcester coun- ty, Massachusetts, to Abel and Sarah (Dar- ling) Parker. He was educated and stayed on the old homestead until nineteen, and then, having also had experience in the cotton fac- tory and Hunt's ax factory and machine shop, he came in 1852 to Linn county Iowa, and the next year started across the plains. He was nearly drowned in the Platte and at the sink of the Humboldt, he started a foot toward Cal- ifornia, while the train went another way. He was beset with thirst and hunger and great hardship in this journey on foot, going fifty miles once through a desert. He also met the noted Jim Beckwith, a leader of Indians. He finally landed with his companion in Plumas county and went to mining, then repaired to Gibbonville and worked in a hotel, afterwards going to Hopkinville, where he saw the first woman that came to the camp. He mined un- til the spring of 1855 and then with twelve hundred dollars in his pocket he went via the isthmus to his home in Massachusetts. He en- gaged in the merchandise business until the father removed to Rockford, Illinois, and then he bought a stock od later we find our subject in Heppner, operating the stage from that city to Monument. The next move was to Longcreek, Grant county, where he was engaged in operating a hotel for two years and then we find the active Edward C. Keeney in Umatilla county, on Camas prairie, handling stock and tilling the soil. It was from that place in 1895 that he came to his present abode, twenty-three miles west from Drewsey. He has a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, well improved, having comfortable residence and plenty of water for irrigating. He devotes his time arid attention principally to raising cattle. The marriage of Mr. Keeney and Miss Mary May Vilott, was solemnized on January 1, 1893, at lone. They have the following children: Juanita B., Chauncey W., Gladys P. Mrs. Keeney's father, Isaac Vilott, was one of the very first settlers of the north fork of the John Day river. Mr. Keeney is a mem- ber of the A. O. U. W., Lodge No. 119, of Drewsey. He has served for two years as justice of the peace and his efforts in this line have been with acceptability to the people. JOHN E. LOGGAN.— Among the young men of Harney county who have gained dis- tinction, both in the military line as well as in the business enterprises, while also- he enjoys the honor of being called to the office of coun- ty assessor by the people in the June election in 1902, we are constrained to> mention the genial and capable gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph. John E. was born in Cass county, Nebras- ka, on August 8, 1870, being the son of John H. and Emily D. Loggan. The parents re- moved to Washington county, Kansas, when this son was small and in 1879 they came across the plains with teams to Union coun- ty, Oregon. John E. attended school there until 1885, when another move was made, this time to Harney valley, and soon there- after to Harney, where the father engaged in the hardware business. In 1888 our subject went to Philomath College, in Ben- ton county, this state, and graduated from 682 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the same in 1891. He came home and entered his father's store where he labored faithfully until 1898 at which time, in company with his uncle, D. M. Loggan, he enlisted in Troop A, First Nevada Volunteer Cavalry, to go> to> the Philippines. These two were the only ones who> went from Harney county. He was in San Francisco' a short time and then went to the seat of war at Manila. He served under General Lawton and had his share of the peculiar hardships which the soldiers there were called to endure. He was honorably discharged in the fall of 1899, as corporal, hav- ing had part in numerous skirmishes and the battles that were fought. He returned home after the war, and took up the stock business, having a quarter section on Rock creek, this county. As stated above, in the June election, 1902, he was chosen on the Republican ticket tO' act as assessor for the county and is dis- charging the duties incumbent upon him there with dispatch and efficiency. On November 28, 1901, Mr. Loggan mar- ried Miss Ella Howser, daughter of Andrew W. and Hannah (Kuster) Howser, near Har- ney. Mr. Loggan is a young man of great promise, has displayed stanch integrity and in- trinsic worth of character, and he has hosts of friends throughout the county. NEWELL HALL.— Among those who have gained a well earned success in Harney county and have turned all opportunities and resources to advantage, must be mentioned the gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph, being a man of boundless energy and courage and withal a man whose life has been well spent in various kinds of labor. When Mc- Kinley was assassinated, the governor of New Jersey, an old friend of Mr. Hall, was threat- ened and Mr. Hall promptly offered his serv- ices with those of three friends to come to his assistance which elicited a hearty response of gratitude from the governor. Newell Hall was born near Freehold, Mon- mouth county, New Jersey, on August 29, 1849, being the son of Gordon and Susan Hall. The father was educated for a physi- cian but never practiced. At the time of the Civil war he was four years above the limit of age but enlisted nevertheless, and served the term and then re-enlisted and served to the end of the war. He was through much hard service, and was taken prisoner at the battle of Williamsburg. The Confederates demanded from him the oath of allegiance or he would be shot. Hall calmly replied, "Shoot." He was released and rejoined the army. He was under Generals Sherman and McClellan. Our subject was educated in the common schools and in Freehold Academy, then served four years in the Burdon iron works in Brook- lyn, learning there the machinist's trade. He also acted as locomotive engineer for eight years. In 1881 he went west over the first through train on the Atchison and Topeka line from Deming, New Mexico 1 , to> San Fran- cisco. Enroute, they were robbed and the bri- gands stole Mr. Hall's boots, so 1 he was forced to go into San Francisco barefooted. He went thence to Jackson county, Oregon, and worked for wages and was taken sick and when he left that county for Harney he was owing the doctor three hundred dollars. One year after landing in Harney he had the doc- tor paid up and a good start. He worked nine years for the V cattle company and during this time purchased his present home place, which consists of five hundred and sixty acres and lies on Peaceful flat, twelve miles south- east from Riley. In 1893 he moved on the ranch and began raising horses and mules, de- voting especial attention to> mules, of which he has a good band. He is a member and past grand of the I. O. O. F., Paola Lodge, No. 102 Miami county, Kansas, and also he be- longs to the Order of Washington, in Port- land. Mr. Hall is a man of considerable prop- erty, has displayed good energy and ability with uprightness and integrity in his labors here and stands well to-day, being prominent among - his fellows. ANDREW W. HOWSER.— It has been many years since this worthy pioneer settled in the territory that is now Harney county, and many years before that he was a pioneer to the Pacific coast, and it is very fitting in a volume that has to do' with the old pioneers, that we should grant an epitome of his life, having al- ways been a man whose conduct commends him to the esteem and confidence of his fellows, and having done much hard labor to advance the interests of the country, while also he has HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 683 always been a champion who has led the way for better school facilities and deeper educa- tion of the people. Andrew W. Howser was born in Warsaw, Benton county, Missouri, on October 19, 1837, being the son of Stephen A. and Sallie P. How- ser. He was the first boy born in Warsaw, and it seems to have been his lot since to be among the first ones to open the country in various localities. The father was a farmer but lived in town and in 1850 he started to go to Cali- fornia the land of gold ; but fate decreed oth- erwise and in the vicinity of Carson City, Ne- vada, he died and was there laid to rest be- side the weary trail that led but to his death, and a lone grave on the wide expanse of plains. In 1853 the mother with her five children un- dertook the same dreary journey and in due time they halted their ox teams in Yuba coun- ty, California. While all this was occurring another line of history was forming, which began with the birth of a girl amid the rugged scenes of Switzerland. She was cherished by loving parents and came across the Atlantic with them and their home was in Ohio until 1852, when they came across the wide expanse of dreary plains to California, with ox teams. In due time Mr. Howser met this lass and on June 15, 1 86 1, they were married, the lady be- ing Miss Hannah Krister. They remained in Yuba county raising stock until 1876, and then they took up the course of the pioneer again and wended their way to- near where Burns now stands. Less than one hundred citizens, some estimate it was sixty-five, were then dom- iciled in the vast territory that is now em- braced in Harney county. Few houses were in the country and one must know that many hardships were the lot of those brave and hardy ones who with families would penetrate into this lonely region. Mr. and Mrs. Howser were not of the fainthearted kind and vigor- ously they went to work to make a home and establish themselves. They took a homestead and went to- raising stock and from that time their lives have been identified with Harney county, or the territory that is now embraced in this county. They have seen the growth, have experienced the hardships, have endured the privations, have fought off the savages, and have remained steadfast to the one purpose of making this the abode of civilization. Hand in hand they have trodden the journey and now as the years of the golden time of their lives are dawning, it is with great pleasure that we can add that they are comfortably established in their own home one mile southwest from Harney, where they own two hundred and forty acres of good land and have a fine band of cattle. And also it is gratifying to have the pleasure of placing their names on the pages of history that will be read with interest by the .succeeding generations. It was in 1882 that Mr. Howser moved to his present place. To this worthy couple, eight children have been born, named as follows : Lola, wife of Lewis Stenger, of Whatcom, Washington; Mary F., wife of Thomas J. Vickers near Harney ; Sar- ah L., wife of C. C. Kilburn, foreman on the Harper ranch in Malheur county; Emma E., wife of D. R. Meyers, of Toledo, Ohio; Thorn" as G., married to Rose Loggan, near Harney ; Stephen R., at home; Susan B., deceased; Ella, wife of John E. Loggan, near Harney. Mr. Howser is a stanch supporter of the Jefferson- ian principles of Democracy and he has been a zealous advocate of educational facilities and good schools, and his efforts have resulted in much good for the schools of Harney county. JUDGE THOMAS J. SHIELDS.— To this eminent and well known citizen O'f Har- ney county it is very fitting that especial men- tion should be made in his county's history, since he has been prominent here, has ever been forward in develpoment andadvanoement, and has manifested himself as an upright and capable man, true to all trusts imposed, and faithful and upright in all relations. Thomas J. Shields was born in Andrew county, Missouri, on August 17, 1849, being the son of James and Matilda (Crowley) Shields. His father was captain of the state militia for a number of years until 1852, when he came to the Pacific coast with his family of wife and five children. Our subject's uncle, G. W. Crowley, was captain of the train, a large one, and pulled by oxen, and they had some difficulty with the Indians, losing some stock. They came direct to Linn county, and settled on a donation claim and there the fa- ther remained until his death in 1890. He was treasurer of Linn county. for a number of terms in succession, and when the state was admit- *684 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES ted to the Union, he was a member of the body that framed the constitution. He was also justice of the peace for many terms. The mother of our subject was a daughter of Judge Crowley of Andrew county, Missouri. Thomas J. grew up on the old donation claim, attended the common schools and finished his education in the academy at Lebanon. In 1865, he went to Douglas county and took up sheep raising. Later, he sold out and returned to Linn county, attended school and then acted as salesman in a general store. In 1871 he went to Siskiyou county, California, now Modoc county. He .assisted to erect the first house in Dorr is Bridge, now Alturas, the county seat of Mo- -doc county. He followed the calling of the educator most of the time until 1871, then set- tled on land and the creek received his name. Later, he went to Lake county, taught school, did carpenter work and painted the first house in Lakeview, the county seat of Lake county. In 1882 Mr. Shields returned to Modoc coun- ty and soon came thence to Harney county, bringing a band of cattle. He settled on Sil- ver creek near his present home and engaged in the dairy business, taking his butter to Can- yon City. He entered a homestead in 1884 which is the present family home, two miles southeast from Riley. He has a good estate of hay and grain land and pays attention to raising cattle and horses. When Harney coun ty was organized, Mr. Shields was chosen the first county judge and he discharged those im- portant duties in a becoming manner and to- the satisfaction of all concerned. Judge Shields brought to bear in his official work not only a fund of great experience among men, but also sterling qualities of integrity, ' impartiality, justice, and keen perception, which rendered his regime one of excellent administration of justice. On October 5, 1880, Mr. Shields married Miss Julia A., daughter of John C, and Nancy E. Garrett, of Okanogan county, Washington, and to them have been born six children : Myra E., wife of Joseph W. Vanderpool; James E. Elmer F., deceased; Ruby M., Virgil E., Ma- rie, Judge Shields is a member of Lake Lodge, No. 63, I. O. O. F., of Lakeview ; also a mem- ber of the Pioneers of the Pacific; and En- campment, No. 71, being worthy commander of the latter. Politically, he is affiliated with the Democrats. By way of reminiscence, it is fitting to note that Mr. Shields was lieutenant of a company raised to fight the Indians in Modoc county, California, but he did not get into' the field with his men on account of the ending of the war. WILLIAM ALTNOW.— The worthy pio- neer whose name appears above is one of the intrepid and sturdy men who fought the bat- tles of the country in the Civil war and has done a lion's share in developing the west in various frontier regions, having been also one of the very first settlers in the region where he is now living, seven and one-half miles north- east of Drewsey, Harney county. It is, therefore, very fitting that consideration be granted him in this volume, which devotes space to the leading and prominent citizens of this and adjacent counties. Mr. Altnow was born in Moxfelde, Ger- many, on June 16, 1835, and there was reared, attending school for eight years without a va- cation and finally graduating from the high school. In 1855, he bade the fatherland fare- well with friends and home and sought the new world for the fortunes that might smile upon his honest endeavors. He landed in New York after a five weeks' voyage on a sailing vessel. Thence he went to Watertown, Wisconsin, and from there to Sibley county, Minnesota. There in June, 1864, he enlisted in Company H, Second Minnesota Volunteers. He first served in Tennessee, then was under Sherman in Georgia and went on the famous march to the sea. He fought in the battles of Jonesborough and Bentonville, and many skir- mishes and had but one sick day in the entire service. He was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, at the end of the war, having made a fine military record. From Kentucky he returned to his home and there on October 28, 1866, he was married to Miss Matilda Mat- thia, a native of Germany. In October, 1868, he started with wife and child via New York and Panama, to California, getting to San Francisco in twenty-two' days. He went thence to Salem, Oregon, coming to that town on December 11, 1868, whence in the follow- ing year he removed to Antelope, in Wasco county. But few people were then settled there, and our subject remained until Gilliam county HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 685. was cut off, thus living in two counties with- out moving, and had he remained until Wheel- er was cut off it would have been three. He was occupied in raising stock and he has al- ways made a success of his business. It was in 1 88 1 that he located his present place. He moved the family first to Canyon City and thence in 1884 to* the present home. He has a fine estate of four hundred acres, all fenced and well improved with orchards and build- ings, having two very large barns and one of the finest residences in the entire country, it be- ing an eleven room house of modern architec- tural design and provided with all conven- iences. In 1890 the people called Mr. Altnow to act as the first county commissioner of Har- ney after it was a separate political division. He discharged the responsible duties that de- volved upon him in that incumbency with cred- it to> himself and satisfaction to all concerned. Mr. Altnow has steadily and wisely labored for the upbuilding of the entire country and has done much for Harney county. He came here when the nearest neighbors were forty-five miles distant and he has endured much hard- ship and deprivation to i help build up the country and has always shown the true spirit of the pioneer. The following children have been born to' Mr. and Mrs. Altnow : Emma, deceased; Willie J., Mrs. Lillie Glen, of Vale; Albert and Mrs. Ina Brittingham. JAMES J. DONEGAN.— From the Em- erald Isle came the ancestors of our subject, and thus he is infused with that patriotic and stirring blood that has made itself felt all the world over in the march which the sturdy Irish race has made to every clime and region in the interests of civilization. Patrick Don- egan came from western Ireland to New York in 1852, and two* years later he went thence via Panama to- San Francisco, and then to Jack- son county, Oregon. He returned soon to Ire- land and married Margaret Lynch and brought his bride to Jackson county. In that place, on August 29, 1872, our subject was born to them. The mother died in 1874. The father was a blacksmith and mechanical engineer, and our subject was brought up in Jacksonville, where the father labored. He was a gradu- ate from the Jacksonville high school and in 1889 came to Burns. Returning to his native place he worked the father's farm until 1894, then came to Burns and tended bar for Mr. Trisch, who is now his partner. They own a fine corner in Burns, with a good building and operate a good orderly saloon, carrying a fine- stock of wines and liquors. Mr. Donegan is a member of the Native Sons of Oregon, at Burns, having been its first president. He is also a member of the K. of P., Inland Lodge, No. 70. The former lodge is No. 33, since Oregon was the thirty-third state admitted to the Union. Mr. Donegan was chairman of the Republican county central committee from 1896 to 1898 and at the same time he was a member of the state and congressional com- mittee. He was also a stockholder and sec- retary of the Citizens Bank of Burns which was sold to the First National Bank in June, 1902. He is also interested in mining in the Pueblo district and has a fine six-room modern dwell- ing in Burns and is counted one of the pro- gressive and capable business men of the town. On August 30, 1896, Mr. Donegan married Miss Margaret, daughter of John and Marga- ret Smyth, pioneers of Harney county, from Douglas county, Oregon. Mr. Smyth was a settler in Diamond valley, this county, and was killed by the Indians in the Bannock war of 1878. Mrs. Smyth is married again and lives in Lagrande. To Mr. and Mrs. Donegan were- born three children, Carmen, Patrick Hugh, and James Donald. Mr. Donegan's father is still living in Jacksonville, Oregon. ABRAHAM L. VANDERPOOL.— This enterprising stockman is a native son of Ore- gon, and his life has been such that his state may take commendable pride in him. He was born in Benton county on October 29, 1855, be- ing- the son of C. M. and Eliza J. Vanderpool. The father crossed the plains from Missouri in 1858. The mother came from Illinois about the same time. The father has followed farm- ing and raising stock in Benton county ever since his settlement there. He fought in the Indian war for two> years and was in many bat- tles and many skirmishes, being on duty ac- tively for the entire two. years. Our subject attended the common schools until eighteen and then started out for himself. He went to HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the Yakima country, thence to Prineville, work- ing with stock in the latter place, and in 1889 he went with a band of horses overland to Colorado. It was in 1890 that he came to the vicinity of his present place. He worked for wages a while and then entered land and took up stock raising. Here he has three hun- dred and sixty acres, well improved, a good band of cattle, and also some horses. On November 6, 1892, Mr. Vanderpool married Miss Arlu E., daughter of J. C. and Nancy A. Garrett, of Okanogan county, Wash ington. To' this union there have been born four children : Jessie C, Maggie C, Agnes A., Delia L. Mr. Vanderpool is a member of the Native Sons of Oregon, at Burns. SAMUEL B. STEWART.— The pio- neer's life is one that demands a strong body, resourceful mind and courageous heart, and we are pleased to state that the subject of this sketch is happily possessed of all the requisites of a true pioneer and in the years that have gone by he has demonstrated repeatedly his capabilities and faithfulness in this line, for in Iowa, Kansas, and in Harney county, he has wrought on the frontier and has done a lion's share in the development of the country. At present Mr. Stewart is dwelling three miles east from Drewsey, on Otis creek, and has a fine farm and well watered with a ditch, and improved in a becoming manner. He handles cattle and horses and raises hay, and is con- sidered one of the prominent men of his sec- tion. Mr. Stewart was born in Otsego county, New York, sixteen miles from Cooperstown lake, on February 15, 1830, being the son of Leeman and Susan Stewart. He grew up with his parents and went with them to Kala- mazoo county, Michigan, where they both died, the mother passing away in 1863, and the fa- ther in his eighty-third year. The father had been a prominent man in New York, having held the judgeship of the county for. twelve years. Also he taught school for a number of years and his son was well educated. In Mich- igan on December 25, 1854, our subject mar- ried Miss Rebecca L. Forrester. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania and she was born in Erie county, that state, on March 18, 1829. In i860, our subject and his wife removed to Cass county, Iowa. When the call came for men to defend the country, Mr. Stewart was quick to respond and in 1862 he enlisted in Company I, Twenty-third Volunteer Infantry of Iowa. He was under Sherman and Grant and fought through the entire war. He did service at the siege of Vicksburg, fought at Champion Hill, and Jackson, and in many oth- er battles. He went to New Orleans and up the Rio Grande and fought in Texas and served throughout without a gun wound, but had his leg broken at New Orleans. He was mustered out at that city in May, 1865, having seen much of the hard life of the soldier under various conditions. He returned home and the family soon removed to> Taylor county and thence in 1868 they went to Crawford county, Kansas, and there followed farming until the spring of 1880, when he fitted out covered wagons and made the trip across the plains to Walla Walla. We see him next in Jack- son county, Oregon, whence in 1883 he came to near where he now resides and in 1887 he settled on the present home place. He has two hundred acres in this farm and also* has an un- divided half interest with his son in a quar- ter section on the north fork of Malheur river. Mr. Stewart is one of the substantial men of the community and expresses his desire to re- main in his favored spot until his pilgrim ca- reer is done. To Mr. and Mrs. Stewart there have been born four children : Mrs. Seraphine Gittings, Charles C, Mrs. Lillie E. Gibler of Ontario; Rolla F. SETH BOWER.— This well known busi- ness man and stockman is one of the success- ful men of Harney county, having gained that enviable distinction both in the stock business and in the mercantile line, both of which, with the assistance of his capable and genial wife, he is carrying on at the present time. Mr. Bower was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, on September 10, 1840, being the son of Joel and Belsy (Kaler) Bower. He was edu- cated and grew to' manhood in his native place and when the war clouds burst on this fair land he was quick to respond, and enlisted in the Fifteenth Ohio Heavy Artillery. He served his time of three years and then prompt- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 687 ly re-enlisted and fought clear through to the end of the struggle and saw the last rag of de- fiance pulled down and the last gun silenced. He was in hard service, participated in numer- ous battles and skirmishes and was with Sher- man on that memorable march to the sea. He received his honorable discharge at the close of the war and on December 3, 1865, he married Miss Mary E., daughter of Elijah and Wealthy (Lamb) Weston. Mrs. Bower was born in Geauga county, Ohio, on October 5, 1844. In 1868 Mr. Bower and his family removed to Mason county, then to Peoria, and later to Lo~ gan county. In 1871 he went to Crawford county, Kansas, thence to Butler county, Kan- sas, where they remained ona farm until 1881. In that year they crossed the plains with teams landing in the Grande Ronde valley, which was their home until 1884. Then another move was made and they settled south from Burns where they took a homestead. They continued there in the stock business until 1897 when Mr. Bower sold his ranch and removed his family to Harney. He at once entered in to the general merchandise business, and he has a good trade now. He carries a good as- sortment of all kinds of general merchandise and is known as one or the reliable men of the county. In addition, Mr. Bower owns a ranch and some stock to which he devotes consider- able of his personal attention, while Mrs. Bow er attends to the store. In addition to the store, Mrs. Bower has charge of the stage of- fice, and the telephone office. They own their store building, their residence and considrable other property in Haney, in addition to farm land and cattle. Tlo Mr. and Mrs. Bower there have been born two children : Herbert S. married Mag- gie Loggan, and he operates a blacksmith shop in Harney; Alma L., who keeps books in the store. Mr. and Mrs. Bower are reliable and highly esteemed people of the county and they enjoy the confidence of all, being worthy of the same. JAMES P. GEARHART.— The wealth and prosperity of Harney county are largely due to the enterprising stockmen of its pre- cincts, and prominent among those on the north Malheur is the gentleman whose name is at the head of this article, and whose labors have been bestowed here with wisdom and vigor. James P. was born in Howard county, Mis- souri, on October 14, 1844, the son of John M. and Catherine (Brown) Gearhart. His mother died in 185 1, and the following year the father came, with the balance of the fam- ily, across the plains with ox teams to Benton county. The trip was made in the company of a large train, and the end reached in safety. In 1858 the family removed to Josephine coun- ty, and in 1862 our subject came to the terri- tory now embraced in Grant county. He landed at Canyon City in the time of the rush, and mined there until 1866, then journeyed to Humboldt county, California, and engaged in the cattle business. We find him there until 1873, when he came with a bunch of cattle to the Goose lake country, in southern Oregon, where he remained until 1882, then came to the Malheur valley, near his present place. He assisted to build the first house erected west of the agency in the Malheur valley, and in 1883 he located at his present place, which is twenty-two 1 miles west from Drewsey. He now owns three hundred and twenty acres of land, all fenced and well improved. He has a comfortable home, good orchard and plenty of water for irrigating purposes. He raises cattle principally. The marriage of Mr. Gearhart and Miss Margaret A. Davis was solemnized in 1873, and they have become the parents of five chil- dren — Mrs. Cora A. Capps, James W., John F., Bessie and Jessie. Mr. Gearhart is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., Drewsey Lodge, No. 147. + »» FRED HAINES' success is a fine ex- emplification of what the thrifty, sagacious and industrious man can do in Harney county. He came here, to> use his own words, "with nothing," and now he is one of the heavy prop- erty owners of the county, he is a leading busi- ness man of eastern Oregon, and he has gained a real prominence in the political field, and withal, he has maintained an untarnished repu- tation, enjoys an enviable prestige, and is one of the builders and prominent men of the county. Fred Haines was born in Ripley county, Indiana, on November 20, 1864, being the son of John and Eliza (Jennings) Haines, where 688 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES he was reared on a farm and gained his edu- cation from the public schools. In 1885 Mr. Haines came to Linn county, Oregon, and went to work for wages on a farm. In 1886 he came to Prineville, and went to riding for stock. The next year he came to Lawen, where he labored for two years, and then on to Harney. He used his small capital to open a general merchandise store, and so commenced business. His genial and affable ways soon drew him customers, which his fair and upright dealing have always kept, and it was not long until the people perceived that they could rely on Mr. Haines, both as to his ability to select goods and as to his honesty and integrity in treating them right, and the result was that the trade increased in a most thriving manner. At the present time Mr. Haines has a fine store building thirty-six by seventy feet, filled with a choice selection of all classes of goods needed in his trade, including groceries, gents' furnishings and clothing, crockery, hardware, dry goods, harness, and in fact everything that is required in this section of the country. In addition, he has all kinds of farm machinery and vehicles. He has a large stone fireproof warehouse, twenty-four by sixty-five, packed full of choice stock. Mr. Haines has a branch store in Burns, owns a saloon building in Har- ney, a fine farm of two- hundred acres, five miles east of Harney, a good band of cat- tle, besides other property. He has a brother' in the general merchandise busi- ness in the Narrows, who is also mak- ing a good success. Mr. Haines is now serving his third term as mayor of Harney, which is done to the general satisfaction of the people. He is an active Republican, and is frequently in the county conventioin, although not striving for personal preferment, and on three different occasions he has been delegate to the state convention. He was appointed postmaster on April 15, 1897, and was the f postmaster appointed in Oregon under McKin- ley's administration. On September 7, 1890, Mr. Haines mar- ried Miss Julia, daughter of Robert and Per- melia Ann Ferguson, early pioneers of Baker county, where Mrs. Haines was born. To this happy union one child was born June 10. 1891. named Ethel Lee. Mr. Haines is a worthy man, a public-minded citizen, who has done much for the welfare of the county, a thorough and capable business man, and a loyal friend, and he justly deserves the position of trust and the place of honor and prestige that is accord- ed to him bv his fellows. I. N. HUGHET was born in Linn county, Oregon, on February 15, 1857, being the son of Milton and Sarah E. (McMillan) Hughet. The father came across the plains in an early day and settled in Linn county. His father, Robert R. Hughet, fought in the war of 18 12 and took a donation claim in Linn county, where he lived until the time of his death in 1887. Milton Hughet died in Canyon City in 1862. The mother of I. N. came across the plains with an ox train and is now living in Harney county. When this son was seven years old he went with his mother to Humboldt county, California, and there he received his education. He milked cows and broke horses to earn sufficient for his board and clothes while he was studying. And later he invested his earning in calves, which gave him a fine start in the stock business. We wish to men- tion one of the hard labors and trying under- takings that our subject did when he was but a boy in California. It was carrying mail from Petrolia to the upper Mattole valley over the mountains. Three times a week he made the journey and many times it was necessary to swim the streams. However, for three years- he steadily did this labor and in 1884, he sold his stock and came to Harney county. He first located on road land, but later gave this up, as he was not sure of winning in the litiga- tion. In 1886 he went to Rockford, about ten miles southeast from The Narrows, and preempted one hundred and sixty acres, which he sold in 1889. Then he removed to Warm Springs, where he now lives and since that time he has been occupied in raisin? stock, and handling his large estate of about twelve hun- derd acres. About the time of the county seat fight, Mr. Hughet was the leader in securing the road from Rockford to intersect with the Burns-Silver creek road via The Narrows. Mr. Hughet named the road. The enterprise was opposed by Peter French and others, but through the skillful management of Mr. Hugh- et the opposition was placated and overcome. I. H. HITGHET. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 689 In addition to his fine estate, Mr. Husrhet has an excellent bunch of cattle, numbering over one hundred and twenty. He has com- modious and substantial barns, good house and all other improvements " needed on his ranch and is one of the leading citizens of the coun- ty. Mr. Hughet has always been of a pub- lic mind, has labored well for the advancement of the country, and the cause of progression and upbuilding always finds a champion in him. While he was at Rockford, he was in partnership with his brother, who came from California with him, and this arrangement continued until 1891. Some time since, Mr. Hughet unearthed the skeleton of a buffalo, which demonstrates that these noble creatures roamed here as they did on the eastern plains. In 1 89 1 Mr. Hughet married Miss Lillie, daughter of George and Philiamenia (Hart- man) Pfordt, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. To this union there have been born the following issue: Glen N., Esther, Mildred, Louis M., Albert, Lee, and an infant unnamed. Mr. Hughet is a member of the Native Sons of Oregon, A. H. Rubie Camp', of Burns. He came to this county with limited means, but has gained a large holding by his wisdom, his in- dustry, and his fine business ability. SAMUEL N. WILLIAMS.— This pros- perous and well known citizen of Harney coun- ty lives on a fine ranch about fourteen miles west from Drewsey, where he does a general farming business and raises' stock. He is a man of good principles, and has done a noble part in the development of Harney county and other portions in the west. Samuel N. was born in Henry county, Illinois, on October 9, 1853, an d at nine years of age his mother died, and the father passed away three years later. As an orphan he knew the hardships of life, and was early thrown on his own resources. At the age of fifteen he went to Iowa and there worked for wages until 1874. Then he determined to try the west, and accordingly came to Grant county, this state. In that county he did faithful labor for a decade, and then came to' Harney county. He located near where he now lives, taking government land and devoting himself to* its improvement. He prospered and made a good 44 showing, and in 1901 he sold that property and bought his present home place. It is a quarter section of excellent hay land, well improved and produces fine returns annually. Mr. Will- iams has about one hundred head of cattle, and devotes considerable attention to this depart- ment, being one of the successful and substan- tial stockmen of this stock country. In social life Mr. Williams is genial and affable and always has a hearty welcome for all, while he has hosts of warm and loyal friends. He is a member of the I. O 1 . O. F., Lodge No. 147, of Drewsey. Mr. Williams has never seen fit to embark on the matrimonial sea and is one of the quiet participants in the peaceful joys of the celibatarian's life. AMBROSE M. DIBBLE, deceased.— Harney county lost a fine citizen and his fam- ily a devoted father and husband when the subject of this memorial passed away. He was a sturdy pioneer all the days of his life, and did very much for the upbuilding of the various sections where he wrought, and he is deservedly ranked with the leading men of this county. A. M. Dibble was born in Chenango< coun- ty, New York, on March 5, 181 3, being the son of Reuben and Anna Dibble. His father served seven years in the Revolution under Captain Roberts, in Washington's army. In 1835 our subject went to Hillsdale county, Michigan, and there assisted to- survey much of that section. In 1849 he crossed the plains with the train known as the Fayette Rovers, which was accompanied for six weeks in the most dangerous parts by Kit Carson as scout. At Salt Lake they experienced some trouble with the Mormons, who stole their stock. Mr. Dibble visited most oi the important camps of the state of California, and finally went to rais- ing stock. During the Indian troubles of 1852-53 he lost about twelve thousand dollars worth of stock. He fought the savages under the noted Captain Lawton, and experienced some thrilling times in this service. Following this Indian war Mr. Dibble went to' farming, and in 1854 returned via Panama to' Hillsdale county, Michigan, where, on June 19, 1855, he married Miss Clarrissa, daughter of Aaron and Martha Spencer, natives of the state of 690 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES New York. To this union there were born four children — -N. Adelbert, born March 5, 1856, and married to Rosetta Penick; Herbert A., born October 12, 1858, in Michigan; Car- rie A., deceased; Frank C, born February 19, 1 87 1, in California, married to> Martha A. Johnson. Mr. Spencer was the first white child born in Canandaigua county, New York, and his daughter, Clarissa, was born there also, on January 13, 1832. In 1835 Mr. Spencer re- moved his family to Hillsdale county, Michi- gan. In i860 Mr. Dibble and his wife crossed the plains with ox teams to Butte county, Cali- fornia, and there engaged in farming until 1883, then came overland to Lewis county, Washington, and in May, 1884, came to Sil- ver creek, Harney county. They live here at the present time, and are engaged in raising stock, being prosperous, and the sons own land in addition to that of the mother. On Sep- tember 6, 1886, came the summons for Mr. Dibble to depart this realm, and, sincerely mourned, not only 'by his family, but also< by all who knew him, the good man went to his final rest. Since that time the widow has con- ducted her affairs with commendable wisdom, and is one of the highly respected residents of the county. JESSE C. DAVIS. — The enterprising and genial gentleman whose life's career it is now our pleasant privilege to outline is one of the substantial men of the Malheur river valley, and has wrought here with an energy and sa- gacity that have rendered him one of the pros- perous and well-to^-dO' stockmen of that section. Jesse C. Davis was born in Carroll county, Missouri, on December 2, 1862, the son of Archibald and Elizabeth Davis. The father was killed in an accident on the railroad while the son was a child. In 1874 the mother came with her children to Reno', Nevada, on the train, and thence by wagon to Lake county, Oregon. In 1882 our subject came to Mal- heur valley, near his present place, and soon after went to lower Willow creek, and there engaged in the stock business for a time. He .returned, however, to the Malheur valley, near his former settlement, and entered land, the same beins: twenty-one miles west from Drew- sey. He has a half section, well improved and partly in meadow grasses. He has a comfortable home, and is one of the prominent stockmen of his vicinity, handling cattle prin- cipally. The marriage of Mr. Davis and Miss Bertha E. Wintermeief was solemnized on July 16, 1893, and they have become the parents of the following named children : William B., born February 5, 1894; Ethel B., born Sep- tember 4, 1895; Charles W., born May 6, 1898. On September 22, 1899, Mr. Davis was called upon to' mourn the death of his wife. He started in this section with no money, and has labored along with care and enterprise, and now he is in a very prosperous condition and has the privilege of enjoying the recom- pense of his faithful toil, having been blessed with success in his business ventures. Mr. Davis has taken to himself a second wife, and the date of this hapoy marriage was June 8, 1902. The lady then becoming Mrs. Davis was Louisa May Landing, a native of Oregon. ROBERT J. WILLIAMS.— Three miles east from Riley postoffice, on Silver creek, we come to the estate of the subject of this sketch. It consists of one thousand acres of fine hay and grazing land, fenced and skillfully hand- led, while its improvements are all that are called for on a modern stock ranch, as Mr. Williams handles a goodly bunch of cattle. He is the son of Frederick and Mary (Davis) Williams, and was born in Sevier county, Ar- kansas, on July 21, 1861. The father was a soldier in the Confederate army, and was taken prisoner, and as he was never heard of after that it is supposed that he died in prison. In 1865 Robert J. was taken by his mother to Madison county, Arkansas, and he remained there until 1879, at which time he came to Modoc county, California. He worked for wages for a time and then went to raising stock, continuing the same until 1882. At this last date he came with a band of cattle to Silver creek and located his present home place. He has continued here in the stock business since that time with good success, and he is numbered with the substantial and capa- ble and prosperous men in the county, being also a popular man among his fellows, for in 1900 he was elected, on the Democratic ticket. as county commissioner for four vears. He HISTORY OF BAKER. GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES tai was one of the very earliest settlers of his lo- cality, and he knows the hardships of the pi- oneer, and has clone excellent work in the de- velopment of the county and bringing- out its resources. On January 2, 1884, in Modoc county, Cal- ifornia, Mr. Williams married Miss Emma, daughter of J. C. and Nancy E. Garrett, now of Okanogan county, Washington, and to them have been born six children — Ella, deceased ; John Lester; Robert Frederick; James Lee; Harry Amos ; William Edgar. Mr. Williams is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Burns Lodge, No. 97, and is alsoi a member of the Pioneers of the Pacific, at Pendleton. Mr. Williams is a man of ability and integrity, and his fellows have confidence in him, since he has always so conducted himself that he is above reproach and has maintained an unsullied reputation and possesses a stanch character of intrinsic worth. 4 »» THOMAS HASKELL, deceased.— In outlining the career of this doughty and capa- ble frontiersman it is becoming also that es- pecial mention should be made of his worthy wife, who is still living, and is one of the highly respected citizens of Burns. Thomas Haskell was born in Auburn, Maine, in February, 1826, being the son of Thomas and Ruth Haskell. He grew to man- hood in his native place, and then came via New York and Cape Horn to' San Francisco, in 1855. He went to Placer county and mined, and there, on February 7, 1863, he married Mrs. Sarah (Broadhead) McClintock, widow of John McClintock, who died in Iowa in 1861. Mrs. McClintock was born on November 21, 1823, and by her first husband has four chil- dren — Thomas; Mrs. lone Whiting, near Burns ; Mrs. May Dalton, deceased ; Frank, of Burns. After the death of her first husband Mrs. McClintock started, with her youngest child, via New York and Panama, to San Francisco. On account oi the intoxication of the captain and crew the ship was nearly wrecked, and amid the commotion one fright- ened Irish woman was heard in fervent prayer, and amid other things she exclaimed : "Oh, Lord, if you will only put me on shore, I don't care a d — n if the old ship does go to the bot- tom." Danger of all going to the bottom was imminent, but the ludicrousness of the scene and words combined was too much, and hearty laughter greeted this ebullition of intercessory zeal. In due time, however, Mrs. McClintock reached San Francisco, and went thence to Tumales bay, and then to Placer county, where she opened a laundry for a time, and then rent- ed a hotel. After her marriage with Mr. Haskell they removed to Alta, and Mr. Haskell engaged to drive fast freight to Cisco, In 1867 Mrs. Haskell bought a hotel on the in- stallment plan, and was successful in the ven- ture. Then she operated the Tule hotel in Winnemucca, Nevada, and in 1869 she was in the same business in Carlin, Nevada, also op- orating a restaurant. Then a move was made to Long valley, California, and they went to ranching. In March, 1882, Mr. Haskell had his feet frozen, and it was necessary to cut off his toes, but as no surgeon was to be had Mrs. Haskell was forced to do it with the shears. All on one foot and one on the other foot were sacrificed. This shows the stern realities of living on the frontier. On June 5, 1882, Mrs. Haskell, with her crippled husband, started overland with a team for Burns, whither her children had preceded her. The first day an axle was broken, and this heroic woman unloaded the wagon, took it back for repairs and then came on. One week of the journey was spent without seeing a house. Having divided their rations with some starving pilgrims met on the way, it caused our subjects to run short, and the last of the journey was spent without food. Upon arriving in Burns, there being but a house or two-, our subjects took a homestead and went to work, their capital being three horses and ten dollars. Mrs. Haskell put up a tent and cooked for the men who were build- ing the first hotel in Burns, then she went to Egan and cooked there. (Egan was a town now extinct.) Then Mrs. Haskell operated the hotel there. Mr. Haskell was engaged in raising stock, but soon a cancer developed in his mouth and he had toi go to San Francisco to be doctored, and there he died in! 1889. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Haskell has struggled on alone, and has man- aged her own affairs, and is now the happy possessor of a good residence in Burns, a well improved ranch, and a goodly competence for 692 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES her old age, the golden years that now begin to run apace. She is seventy-nine years old, and has good health and is highly respected by all, being a noble and true woman of sterling worth and many virtues. LOUIS RACINE.— This worthy gentle- man and his estimable wife have the true spirit of the pioneer, and have manifested it in a very becoming manner since coming to Harney county, as they have by dint of hard labor, .wise management and careful handling of the resources of the country, come to< be among the leaders in the business realm and in stock raising, being also people of integrity, worth and uprightness. Mr. Racine was born in November, 1854, at St. Hiacinth City, Canada. He grew to manhood there, went to Montreal, and there married Miss Mathilde Giguere on June 24^ 1877, she being a native of that city and born March 22, 1861. Mr. Racine was a baker, and operated a store of general merchandise and a bakery, Mrs. Racine managing the store while he baked. In 1882 they removed to Lowell, Massachusetts, and started a grocery and bak- ery, and in 1886 sold this and came to Burns. They landed here with four small children and but little capital. Mr. Racine could speak English, but his wife knew the French only. Burns was a hamlet of but few houses, and Mr. Racine started a hotel in a small shack, doing the cooking, while his wife managed the busi- ness. They did well ; supplies being high, the high price of meals offset it, and they made money. Soon they purchased a house and lot on the installment plan, and from that time to this they have been steadily adding to their property. They now have a fine hotel of twenty-five sleeping apartments and other rooms, while the care that is maintained for the comfort of the guests and to make the cui- sine the best that skill can do has given the French hotel a very enviable reputation with the traveling public. Mrs. Racine manages this while her husband attends to a large stock ranch which they own, about twenty-five miles from Burns. This ranch is supplied with all necessary improvements and supports a fine band of cattle. Also they have a good ranch of one hundred and sixty acres, the other ranch being about seven hundred acres, six miles from town. In addition to these ranches, the fine hotel and lots, they have a good seven- room residence and considerable other prop- erty. To this worthy couple there have been born four children, named as follows : Adelord, Wilfrid, Eugenia and Dolaress. The boys are graduates from the Portland Commercial Col- lege. The girls are now in the New England Conservatory of Music, at Boston. Miss Ra- cine has finished a classical course and is now devoting her whole attention to the art of music, while Miss Dolaress is pursuing the classical studies in connection with the musical work. They both have displayed great talent in their various studies and are accomplished and gracious ladies. Mr. Racine has his sons with him on the ranch, and they are much in- terested in raising fine stock. When Mr. Ra- cine and his wife came here they determined to start a French colony, and so paid the way of a number of immigrants here, but they be- came dissatisfied with the country and re- turned without paying their transportation, ex- cept one who; staid and went to work and is now a well-to-do citizen. Mr. Racine and his es- timable wife are talented business people, and they are both handling the affairs under their charge with commendable wisdom and skill, and they stand high in the esteem of the people, having many friends wherever they are known. GEORGE SHELLEY.— Honest industry, uprightness and integrity with capabilities have placed the subject of this article in an enviable position among his fellows, and it is with pleasure that we are permitted to grant a re- view of his life's career. His parents, Jere- miah and Martha (Williams) Shelley, were natives of Kentucky, and at Louisville, in that state, they were married, and there, on Septem- ber 23, 1855, George was born. They went to Daviess county, Missouri, and the father removed them later to> Texas, where he was in the stock business. He had previosly been a soldier in the Mexican war. This son stayed with his father in the stock business until the latter' death, and then he came toi Colorado Springs, and here attended school. Later he went to Colorado City and learned the black- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 693 smith trade, and after working- there for a time, in 1875, he came overland to Boise, where he engaged to ride after stock until 1877. In that year he went with a band of cattle to Wyoming and accompanied the train to Chicago. In the spring of 1878 he was in the Leadville excitement, and in July of that year he enlisted under Captain Maxim to fight the Indians, and he did scout work over east- ern Oregon and in Idaho. He was in the bat- tle of Monday Ferry, where one man was killed. He fought until all was done, and then went to the Grande Ronde valley and worked at his trade there until 1884. He next opened a shop in Campi Harney, and in 1887 went to Crane creek, where he operated a shop until 1895, when he came to Burns, where he has been since. In 1897 Mr. Shelley entered into partnership with J. C. Foley, and since that time they have worked together. In 1900 the people called Mr. Shelley to act as sheriff of Harney county, being elected on the Democratic ticket. He rendered good service for his entire term, satisfying the people and leaving a commendable record. On July 1, 1902, he retired from 1 the office and again went to the forge, and is working there at the present time. Mr. Shelley is a member of the K. of P., Inland Lodge, No. 70. On October 23, 1886, Mr. Shelley married Miss Hallie. daughter of David and Rebecca Carey, of Crane, and to them have been born two children — Frankie and Lenora. GEORGE W. SHAW.— A successful till- er of the soil in Harney county, a man of sta- bility and uprightness, while also he is a patri- otic citizen, the subject of this article is de- serving of conspicuous mention in his county's history, which we are ^ratified to accord to him. Mr. Shaw was born in Oswego county. New York, on December 28, 1847, being the 'son of Parley and Elizabeth Shaw. When he was eight years old he went to Wapello coun- ty, Iowa, with his parents, thence to Kane county, Illinois, and then to DeKalb county, Illinois, and in 1863 they removed to Kankakee county. The father died in 1866, and in 1874 our subject came to Lincoln county, Kansas. His mother accompanied him and they dwelt there until 1883, when they came west to Canyon City. The following year they came to Harney valley, but returned to Canyon City and operated a hotel there for a time, and then came to Harney valley again. He located first on Poison creek and engaged in raising .stock. It was in 1896 that he bought his present place of four hundred and eighty acres, four and a half miles east from Burns. The estate is well fenced, mostly cultivated, provided with good house and outbuildings and a fine young orchard. Mr. Shaw also owns the one hundred and twenty on Poison creek, which is also well improved. He does considerable gardening in addition to general farming and raising stock. The marriage of Mr. Shaw and Miss Maud, daughter of David and Alice Martin, of De- catur, Illinois, was salemnized on February 25, 1900. Mr. Shaw's mother lived with him un- til the time of her death, which occurred on January 18, 1901. She was a noble and good woman, and had wrought faithfully in life's battle. Mr. Shaw is considered one of the substantial and leading citizens of his section, and is esteemed and stands well among his fellows. TOM ALLEN.— In the history of Harney county the name of Tom Allen is inseparably connected with the stock industries, while also he has ever manifested a public spirit and great zeal in the upbuilding of the interests of the county, and thus he should be accorded es- pecial mention in this work, since also' the peo^ pie have entrusted him with the important of- fice of sheriff, having been elected in the June election, in 1902, on the Republican ticket. Mr. Allen was born in Benton county, Oregon, on May 9, 1854, being the son of Jacob and Cynthia A. Allen. The father was a native of Indiana, and came across the plains in 1850 with the ox teams of that day, settling in Ben- ton county. The mother was a native of Ken- tucky, and in 185 1 came from Missouri across the plains with ox teams, landing in Benton county. In 1853 they were married, and our subject is their first child. In 1864 the family removed to Walla Walla, and two years later returned to Benton count}-. Our subject was reared on a farm and received his education from the district schools. In 1878 Tom Allen 694 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES came to Silver creek and at once engaged to ride for stock with Cecil Brothers. Four years were spent with them, and he then ac- cepted the foremanship for Hardin & Riley for four years. Then he went to Crook county and engaged in raising horses for himself, which he retired from a few years- later and took the foremanship for Hardin & Riley again for three years. Then he was cattle foreman for the Pacific Live Stock Company ; then held the same position for William Hanley, and then for the French-Glen Company, where he continued until the first day of July, 1902, when he took the oath of office as sheriff of the county of Harney. Mr. Allen is well known, and it is no experiment to place the re- sponsibilities of this office in his hands. He is at present master of Lodge No. 97, of the A. F. & A. M. On December 23, 1888, Mr. Allen married Miss Ada. daughter of Isaac and Mariah Thornburg, and they have one child, Fred Bither, born July 26, 1898. Mr. Thornburg died in 1894, but his widow lives with Mr. Allen. In his labors Mr. Allen has been faith- ful, vigorous and capable; in his walk he has been upright, and always manifests stanch in- tegrity ; while as a man, a neighbor and an associate he has the confidence, the approba- tion and admiration of the people. It is of note that Mr. Allen's father fought in the Mexican war under General Scott, and participated in the battle of Buena Vista and also did some skirmishing. CAPTAIN HARRISON KELLEY— One of the legal fraternity of the state of Ore- gon, the subject of this sketch, is now allied with the interests of Burns, having been domi- ciled here for a number of years, in which time he has won hosts of friends in all parts of the county and has shown himself an upright and faithful man, a patriotic citizen and a good business man, being one of the foremost prac- titioners of the eastern part of the state. Mr. Kelley was born in St. Joseph county, Michigan, on November 2, 1838, being the son of Harrison and Nancy (Edgar) Kelley, na- tives, respectively, of Virginia and Kentucky. His great grandfather fought in the Revolu- tion. Our subject attended school in Michi- gan, then went to the Baptist University at Hillsdale, afterward graduating from the law department of the State University of Michi- gan at Ann Arbor. This was i860. He com- menced the practice of law in Sturgis, Michi- gan, and was admitted to the supreme court of the state and the United States courts. Upon the re-organization of the Eleventh Michigan Infantry he enlisted as private in Company A, in March, 1865, and was soon after appointed sergeant major of the regiment. He w T as afterward given the position of second lieu- tenant of Company A, in this regiment. He went as far south as Tennessee, southern part, and was commander on detail duty at Chatta- nooga until the close of the war. Then he returned home, and in 1866 he married and practiced until 1867, when he came via New York, Panama, San Franciseo> and Crescent City to Jacksonville. He practiced law and took up mining also-. In the outbreak of the Modoc Indians in 1872 he organized a com- pany and was commissioned captain by Gov- ernor L. F. Govern. He was in the thickest of the fight, with his men, and in the Lava bed battle one of his men was killed beside him, and about fifty killed and wounded in this bat- tle, being every fourth man of the entire com- mand. The captain was shot at many times, but was not seriously hurt. He manifested great bravery, courage and coolness, and this may truly be said of him in all of his military career. After the struggle he returned to his practice and in 1889 was appointed receiver of the United States land office at Burns, and came thither in his own covered conveyance. Five years were spent at this labor, also attend- ing to the practice of law, and in 1896 he was elected to. the county clerkship on the Re- publican ticket, and it may be said that the Captain is a Republican through and through, having voted for Abraham Lincoln and the ticket straight since, and he hurrahed for Fre- mont. He was the first mayor of Burns and has always been active in politics. While practicing in Jacksonville he was editor of the old Oregon Sentinel, one of the oldest papers in the state. He built the first house on the hill in Burns and dug the first well there, hav- ing now a very fine place and a good farm six miles south from town, which is mostly hay land. Mr. Kelley gives considerable atten- tion to raising stock, horses and cattle. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 695 To Mr. and Mrs. Kelley has been born one child, Phoeba L., now in charge of the tele- phone office in Burns. She graduated from the Commercial College in Portland and has taught, having also been on the board for ex- amining teachers for eight years. The Captain has a good practice, is an upright and honorable man of ability and stands high in the com- munity. WILLIAM H. CULP.— This well known and good man has been successful in at least two different lines of endeavor in the battle of life, being" at the present time engaged in dairying, farming and gardening", while also he raises stock, his home place being about five miles northeast from Burns, where he has a good body of land, well improved and handled in a skillful manner. William PL Culp was born in Pickaway count)", Ohio, on June 15, 1837, his parents being David and Catherine (Cach) Culp. While he was young his parents removed to Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, but soon re- turned to Ohio, and thence went to Clark coun- ty, Illinois. In 1855 they removed to Taze- well county, Illinois, and then to Woodford county, Illinois. Our subject grew up on a farm and gained his education from the schools of the various places: where he lived. On June 18, 1862, he married Miss Rebecca, daughter of John and Sarah A. Culp, then removed to McLean county, Illinois. Mr. Culp had previously mastered the painter's art, and he wrought at this for a few years, and then re- moved to Linn county, Iowa, continuing his trade there until 1887. In that year he came direct to Harney county, and for four years wrought at his trade in Burns. He then deter- mined to engage in stock raising and farm- ing, so took a homestead, later trying the busi- ness on a rented farm, which is now his own. He has a fine herd of milk cows, his farm is provided with good buildings, and he is com- fortably and prosperously settled. In Iowa Mr. Culp used frequently to act as justice of the peace, being elected often, and also did the duties of road supervisor for the people. Toi Mr. Culp and his estimable wife there have been born four children : Lloyd, near Burns; Mrs. Florence M. Schock, in San Francisco ; Austin W., of Harney county ; John H., of Burns. Mr. and Mrs. Culp have been married for forty years, and all of this time they have been treading in the narrow way, being pilgrims of the Christian faith. They are zealous in this cause, as is evidenced in the fact that they have opened their dwelling for the organization of the Christian church of Harney county, and for several years services have been regularly held there on each Lord's Day. His faith and his life, comparable there- with, has been a source of much testimony in the county, and he is esteemed by all as an up- right, capable and good man. FRANK O. JACKSON.— This young- man is one of the substantial residents and citi- zens of Burns, having displayed here the happy and worthy capabilities possessed by him, both in an untarnished life of uprightness and in a successful career in the business world, being of enviable standing and highly respected. Mr. Jackson was born in Sauk county, Wisconsin, on March 14, 1876, being the son of Stephen and Annie Jackson. The parents came to Wheeler county, Nebraska, while their son was a child, and in 1882 they came across the plains to Warm Springs, Malheur county. The father was engaged in ranching and rais- ing stock, and our subject studied at home, there being no schools near. In 1893 Mr. Jack- son came to Burns and spent some time in the schools here and in the business college. He worked for wages while not in school, and in 1896 he went into the wood business. He was very successful from the start, also doing farm- ing. He now owns his wood business, handles his farm;, owns three good residences in Burns and forty good lots for residence purposes, while he devotes the major part of his time to clerking in the establishment of Lundberg & Dalton. Mr. Jackson is a member and past grand of the I. O. O. F., Burns Lodge No. jj; also of the K. of P., Lodge No. 70; and of the Encampment; and the Rebekahs. He is also one of the councilmen of Burns. On September 5, 1885, a stranger came to the home of our subject's father and asked to stay all night. He was granted the favor, and about one o'clock the next morning he went to a haystack, where Frank O. and a Frenchman were sleeping, and killed the 696 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Frencman with an axe and set fire to the stack. He then went to the house, shot Mr. Jackson in the head, killing him instantly, and also shot Mrs. Jackson, but she recovered. The fire was burning the clothes of our subject when he awoke. The supposed object of the murder was money. This will be more fully detailed in another portion of this volume. Mrs. Jack- son later married Mr. O'Neil, and they live at the Warm Springs ranch. Our subject is a man of energy and ability, and has done a commendable work in Burns, being now one of the recognized business lead- ers and in every way respected and esteemed. RANSOM DRAKE.— This estimable gen- tleman and patriotic citizen of Harney county has long been one of the enterprising stockmen and real developers of the country, manifest- ing the worthy qualities of which he is richly possessed in the labors that he has accom- plished. He was born in Michigan on March 24, 1859, the son of Francis and Julia (Wil- son) Drake. From the native state they mi- grated to Green county, Wisconsin. There the father enlisted in Company E, Thirtieth Wis- consin Infantry, the date being August, 1864, and he served on detached duty until the close of the war, being mustered out the last of June, 1865. He returned to his Wisconsin home, and in 1872 went thence to California, and the year following the mother and our subject fol- lowed. Settlement was made in Santa Bar- bara county, and our subject remained there and in Ventura county until 1877, at which date he came to Prineville, this state, it then being in Wasco county. He worked for a brother of Joaquin Miller for a time, and then came to Harney county, the date of this last move being 1879. He settled on the Malheur river, taking up land as soon as it was opened for settlement, and turning bis attention to raising horses. He was one of the first set- tlers in this vicinity. He is living at the pres- ent time about six miles southeast from Van postoffice, on a rented farm, and he devotes his entire attention to handling stock. His own ranch of one quarter section lies on the Silvies river, and is a good place, well improved. The marriage of Mr. Drake and Miss Bertha Selle, a native of Minnesota, was cele- brated on December 9, 1894. Mrs. Drake came west with her parents in 1886. They were Christopher and Susie Selle, natives of Germany, but both dead now. Mr. Drake is one of the upright and capable stockmen of his vicinity, and has always made a record that has commended him to his fellows, in whose es- teem and confidence he stands high. CYRUS HAYES, deceased.— The mem- bers of the noble band of pioneers who wended their way across the wilds of this region fifty years ago, are going one by one to that bourne whence no traveller returns, and it is very fit- ting that we should chronicle in this history of Harney countv the salient points in the life of one worthy man, Cyrus Hayes, that his mem- ory may be handed down to succeeding gener- ations, since he was a real builder in the great west and a good man. Cyrus Hayes was' born in Guernsey county, Ohio, October 4, 1818, being the son of Bailey and Mary Hayes. He grew to manhood in his native place and then went to> Marion coun- ty, Iowa. There, on February 15, 1855, ne married Miss Julia A., daughter of W. S. and Catherine Duncan. Mr. Duncan was a native of Robinson county, Tennessee, came to Illi- nois when it was a territory, acted as sheriff of Franklin county for two terms, and also was a member of the legislature for one term while the territory of Illinois existed. Mrs. Duncan was born in Caldwell county, Ken- tucky, and was married in Franklin county, Illinois, where Mrs. Hayes was born on April 12, 1832. They removed to Iowa, and later were in Warren county, that state. In 1862 Mr. Hayes with his wife and three children started across the plains with ox teams. The train consisted of one hundred and fifty wagons and some trouble was experienced with the Indians. Mrs. Hayes drove the oxen much of the way, which necessitated walking, and she has done very much hard labor which falls to the lot of the pioneer. They wintered in Auburn, Baker county, then went to Boise ba- sin and in the fall following, their arrival they went to Lane county. Mr. Hayes entered land and engaged in farming until 1874, when the family came to Lake county. In this latter place they lived until the death of Mr. Hayes, f s JULIA A. HAYES. HARYEY DIXOH. MRS. HARYEY DIXON. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 697 which sad event occurred on September 24, 1887. Mr. Hayes died of heart disease while on the desert with his son, Marcellus B. His remains were buried at Paisley until I90i,when they were removed and now rest in the Silver Lake cemetery. The son, Scott, had come to Harney county and soon after the death of her husband, the mother came hither also and en- tered land where she now lives, three and one- half miles northwest from Lawen. She has a; half section of fine hay land and owns some cattle. To Mr. and Mrs. Hayes there were born five children: Mary C, wife of William' T. Hill, near Lawen ; George W., married to Annie Alberson, at Burns; Scott, married to Mrs. Izora (Smith) Buck and they have one child, Ora Scott, and live near Lawen ; Mar- cellus B., married to Belle Claypool, near LaWen; Linley Bailey, married to Edith Clay- pool, near Lawen. Mrs. Hayes has nobly borne the burdens of life since her husband was called hence and she is one of the highly esteemed residents of the county, and is be- loved by all. HARVEY DIXON.— Rightly Mr. Dixon belongs in the list of reliable and sturdy pio- neers of the west, for he has been on the fron- tier for fifty years, laboring in various capac- ities as is needed in frontier life, and now be- ing one of the real builders and leading men of Harney county. He was born in Illinois on December 25, 1838, being the son of Raph- ael Dixon. While an infant he was taken with the family to Andrew county, Missouri, where the mother died soon after. In 1852 he came across the plains with his uncle, James Dixon, and he has the distinction of driving from five to nine yoke of oxen all the way, being then but fourteen years of age. They settled in Ma- rion county, and the following spring, the sub- ject of this sketch started on horseback alone to Yreka, California, and he got there, too, in good shape. In that vicinity he mined with good success. In 1855 he enlisted in Captain Bushe's spy company to fight Indians. He was, soon after, the express messenger and was in numerous skirmishes, being also- in many tight places where he barely escaped with his life. Following that war, Mr. Dixon set- tled at the mouth of the Rogue river and en- gaged in stock business. Later he was at the mouth of the Klamath, packing for the gov- ernment. In 1 86 1 he came to Walla Walla and packed to British Columbia to the Car- iboo mines ; then in 1862 he went to The Dal- les and packed to Canyon City, Elk City, Lew- iston and other points and mines. He was at the falls of Spokane river when there was not a house in the vicinity. On January 14, 1868, Mr. Dixon married Miss Mary E. Demeris, who crossed the plains with her parents from Iowa to Walla Walla with oxen in T863. Mr. Dixon made his home in W T alla Walla until 1873, then went to Cali- fornia and later came to Prineville, and finally in 1863 he came to his present place and set- tled. He has a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, well improved, and lying one mile northeast from Burns. Also he owns two hundred and eighty acres twenty miles north from Burns. He has stock, cattle and horses, and is one of the substantial men and property owners of the county. To Mr. and Mrs. Dixon there have been born two children, Mrs. Susan S. Whiting, and Mrs. Sarah E. Baker. By way of reminiscence it is interesting to note some of the adventurers of Mr. Dixon. On one occasion, he was prospecting" in British Columbia and in company with his partner he made a raft and they attempted to go down the Finlev river. The raft was destroyed, their chattels lost, their camp equippage was all lost and they were obliged to ride one hun- dred and fiftv miles bareheaded, with only their underclothes for protection against the weather. Thev subsisted on Sands berries. At the time o the agency all had fled. He returned to Canyon City and accepted a position as blacksmith to' shoe the government horses and accompanied the sol- diers in' the expeditions. He witnessed some fighting, especially at Castle Rock. Follow- ing the war he was engaged as post blacksmith at Camp Harney until that was abandoned in 1882, and then he remained with the buildings until 1883. It was in this year that, in com- pany with John Robinson, Mr. Johnson built the first house in Burns. It was located where the Burns hotel now stands, and was a hotel and bar room. Since that date Mr. Johnson has been identified with the town of Burns and the county of Harney. He is now operating a liquor store, having a fine stock of choice liquors and tobaccos. He has always been progressive, and for two years he was deputy United States marshal under Marshal Barran. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson there have been born seven children — Mrs. Ada M. Mothers- head, near Seattle, Washington; Charles W., Lloyd L., Eldon E, and Mrs. Hester E. Good- man, all of this county; Lulu J. and Leon M., at home. Mr. Johnson has a good residence in Burns, and he is respected and stands well in the community, being a man of energy, ability and uprightness. THOMAS BAKER.— We are pleased to append the following review of the salient points of the career of this esteemed and ex- cellent young citizen of Harney county, both because of his intrinsic qualities of worth and because of the good achievements he has ac- complished in this county, having been beset with adverse circumstances, yet manifesting a purpose and fortitude that have enabled him to conquer all to the forwarding of his own brill- iant success. Thomas Baker was born in Lane county, Oregon, on October 22, 1868, being the son of early pioneers, George and Mary (Watson) Baker. The mother died in Lane county, leav- ing five children. The father, a contractor, removed in the fall of 1878 to Harney valley, and there, in January, 1879, ne was called away by death, being one of the first ones buried in Burns cemetery. The little group of orphans were cared for by the kind neighbors, there being' no property left to them, and at the age of thirteen our subject commenced to' work for the stockmen of the valley. He was care- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 701 ful of the money that he earned, and soon had sufficient to purchase a place, and a part of his present home place was then bought, and he added since that time until he has now four hundred and eighty acres of fine grain and hay land, six miles east from Burns. He has a good house, barn and outbuildings, and a fine young orchard, and his estate shows great skill, industry and thrift. Mr. Baker, from the first opportunity, went to' acquiring a bunch of stock, and he has been successful in that line also, and he is the owner of much of that valu- able property now. His place is admirably situated, having plenty of water for irrigating and alsoi springs in abundance for stock ana domestic purposes. On December 15, 1892, Mr. Baker took a wife, Miss Ettie, daughter of Harvey and Sarah Dixon, of the vicinity of Burns. Three children have been born to them — Mary Ida, Alvin Douglas and Mabel. There is much cred- it due Mr. Baker for the excellent success that his sagacity and labors have wrought out, and he is one of the most substantial men of the county, being recognized by all as an upright, capable and good citizen, and a fine man of ability. JOHN CATLOW, deceased.— Who shall ever tell the hardships endured, the labors wrought, the dangers encountered, the thrill- ing struggles with savages, the vigils of weary nights and the wearing watchfulness of the pioneer's life in its fullness? In recounting ■some of the salient points of the career of the esteemed gentleman of whom we now have the pleasure to speak, and to whom we accord this memorial, we tread the sacred ground of the worthy pioneers in the fullest sense of the word, and feel assured that he was one of the notable ones to whom we justly do honor. John Catlow was born in Yorkshire, Eng- land, on November 5, 1824, and at the age of sixteen his adventurous spirit broke the bounds of the civilized east and overleaped the barriers and plunged into the scenes of the west. He landed in New York, went thence to> Boston, labored until he had sufficient means to start west and in 1861 we find him threading the dreary plains with an ox train to< Modoc coun- ty, California. Several skirmishes were fought with the Indians, some of the immi- grants were killed and some stock lost. He engaged in farming and in 1864 came thence to Silver City, Idaho, and there followed team- ing, contracting, and mining. He handled and raised stock and was very successful in his la- bors. He took part in all the Indian fights that occurred in the various sections where he lived and it is truthfully said of him that he was a man who- never knew fear. At one time he was one of thirty-six white men pitted against two thousand Indians, and when they were re- inforced, they had but two> rounds of ammuni- tion left. He pioneered in Owyhee county, Idaho, and then in 1872 took his stock to Har- ney county, then Grant county. He entered a valley that was named Catlow valley to this day from him and there he established himself ini the stock business. He owned large tracts of land, always was interested in the affairs of the county and labored to assist the early set- tlers. The marriage of Mr. Catlow and Miss Mar- garet Finn, who came around Cape Horn from Boston to San Francisco', occurred in Silver City, and they became the parents of three children : Edwin J., Joseph J., and Mrs. Sar- ah M. Feour, of Dilley, Oregon. On June 7, 1 90 1, the summons came for Mr. Catlow to depart this life and he passed quietly to the world beyond. By his request hisi remains were buried on the home place, which is in Pueblo valley, where the widow now resides. Mr. Catlow was a Mason for many years and his labors in this and adjacent counties have dona much for the development and advance- ment of them. Being always a public spirited and generous man and ready to assist his fel- lows, he left a pleasant memory behind and many over a large region mourned sincerely when the good man passed away. HIRAM M. HILL.— Much of the life of the subject of this sketch has been passed in the west, and most of this in the state of Ore- gon, where he has labored faithfully in the various callings that came to his hand, and he is an upright man of sound principles, and is respected by all. He was born in Whiteside county, Illinois, in January, 1855, being the son of Zachariah and Lyda Ann (Boyer) Hill. The father died in 1856 and soon thereafter 702 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the mother married Jesse Hill, a brother of the father. In 1864 the family came across the plains to Lane county, Oregon. They used mule teams in the journey and had some trouble with the Indians. In one battle one of their number was wounded. The spring fol- lowing their arrival they went to Yuba coun- ty, California, and in 1866 came back to Lane county, which continued to be the home until 1874, when they came to> Silver lake, in Lake county, this state. They took up stockraising, and in 1886 moved to- Prineville, in Cook coun- ty. The father and stepfather were natives of North Carolina and the mother was born in Pennsylvania, on June 9, 1832. The stepfather died at Prineville in 1887. The father was an early settler in Illinois and in the time of the gold excitement in California he went thither and returned in 1852, when he got married. The children by this marriage were: Cerilda; W. T., near Lawen; Mrs. Mary Maxwell, of Eugene; Hiram M., our subject. By the sec- ond marriage four children were born : Mrs. Elzora Brown, of Linn county; Eliza, de- ceased ; Charles E. ; and Albert, of Prineville. Our subject has labored at raising stock and farming much of the time in this section of the west and is a man of much experience in these lines. He carries a three-thousand-dollar policy in the Woodmen of the World, Camp No. 215, of Dufur, Oregon. Mr. Hiram M. Hill married Miss Martha Connery, and to them was born one child, Mrs. Minnie E. Richardson. Mrs. Hill was called hence by death and her remains lie buried at Silver Lake cemetery. Mr. Hill contracted a second mar- riage, the nuptials taking place in Illinois, at which time Sarah Endsley became his wife. One child was born to them, Phlorie, now de- ceased. It is fitting here to note some of the de- tails of the life of the brother of the sub- ject of this article. William T. Hill was born in Whiteside county, Illinois, and in 1864 he crossed the plains with his par- ents to> Lane county, Oregon. In 1865 they went to California and returned to* Ore- gon in 1866. In 1874 a move was made to Lake county and there he engaged in raising stock and farming-, i In 1880 he moved to Harney county and in 1900 he located where he is now living, seven miles southeast from Harney. He has a fine farm of four hundred and sixty acres and devotes his attention to raising stock and general farming. In Lane county, Oregon, on October 13, 1872, Mr. Hill married Miss Mary C, a daughter of Cyrus and Julia Hayes, and a na- tive of Warren county, Iowa. To this happy union there have been born six children : George T., Harriett L., Emory, Ora W., Effie A. and Julia A. JOSEPH A. WILLIAMS.— A man of activity in the labors of the pioneer, the sub- ject of this article is one of whom Harney coun- ty may well be proud, on account of the faith- ful labors that he has bestowed here for the general development and advancement, while he has prosecuted his own business enterprises with a vigor and sagacity that have given him the emoluments of good success. He is a na- tive of Oregon, having been born in Lane county, on January 13, 1861, the son of Elias P. and Almira (Russell) Williams. The par- ents crossed the plains with ox teams from the state of Ohio, in 1853, settling on the old home place in Lane county. The mother died soon after our subject was born, but the father is still living on the old homestead which he set- tled upon over forty years ago. Joseph A. received his education in the schools of his vi- cinity and remained with his father on the farm until 1882, when he came to the western part of Harney county, then Grant county. He worked for a salary for a time, and then went to raising horses, later changing to cattle, which stock he still handles. He entered land and improved it, puchasing some also. He re- mained there until 1900, when he purchased his present place of four hundred and eighty acres, sixteen miles west from Drewsey. The year following he sold his estate in the western part oi the county and now devotes' his whole attention to handling his stock and caring for the present home place. The farm is well improved, with house and other outbuildings and orchard, and is well watered with four ditches, both from creeks and the Malheur river. The marriage of Mr. Williams and Miss Ruth A., daughter of Samson McConnel, a pioneer of Lane county in 1852, was solemn- ized on May 9, 1892. and the fruit of this union HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 703 has been as follows : Martha Louise and Ira M. Mr. Williams is a member of the M. W. A. and of the I. O. O. F., of Drewsey, and while he was in the western part of the county he was justice of the peace for six years. He has always manifested great zeal and interest in the advancement of educational interests and labors unceasingly in this worthy cause. CHARLES H. VOEGTLY.— The sub- ject of this sketch is a first class representative of what skill, pluck, and enterprise can do in the business world, for in October, 1891. he started into the hardware business in Burns with a very limited stock of goods, in a small wooden building, and by careful attention to business, deferential treatment of customers, wise buying, and untiring care of every detail, he has grown toi be one of the largest dealers in the county, has a stock of all kinds of goods that are handled in the hardware trade, and a fine two-story brick building, twenty-six by ninety, and also some warehouses which he utilizes in his very extensive trade. The new building was erected in 1899, and the upper story is rented for lodge room and offices. On February 1, 1902, Mr. Voegtly took as a part- ner in this business, Charles E. Kenyon, and they operate under the firm name of Voegtly & Kenyon, being the leading hardware dealers in the county. Mr. Voegtly still owns the building personally, which he rents to the firm. Reverting more particularly to 1 the personal history of our subject, we note that he was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, on January 8, 1861, being the son of Nicholas H. and Mary S. Voegtly, natives also of the Keystone State. Our subject was reared there, learned the machinist trade, and gained his education from the public schools and the Western Uni- versity of Pittsburg. On April 13, 1886, he was stirred to see the west and accordingly, came to^ San Francisco, thence to Portland, Oregon, and soon he was in The Dalles. Sep- tember of the same year found him in Burns and engaged in the stock business. He now has an interest in two> hundred and forty acres of good hay land and also a bunch of stock. And we desire to mention that in addition to he complete stock of hardware, paints, oils, stoves, doors, windows, sash, tinware and all that is handled in the trade, the firm has one of the finest tin and repair shops in the entire community. Mr. Voegtly has also valuable town property in addition to his holdings men- tioned. The marriage of Mr. Voegtly and Miss Mary A. Tupker was solemnized on Decem- ber 16, 1894, and they were blessed, by the ad- vent of two children : Nicholas H, born No- vember 24, 1895, and one daughter, Flora Mary, born February 13, 1900, who died Feb- ruary 27, 1900. Mrs. Voegtly died on March 1, 1900, and on March 21, 1901, Mr. Vogtly married Miss Luella, daughter of M. F. Will- iams, and one son, Charles Raymond, was born to them, January 11, 1902. Fraternally, Mr. Voegtly is affiliated with A. F. & A. M. Lodge No. 97, of Burns, also' with the Royal Arch chapter, Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 7, of Can- yon City. He is a charter member of the Eastern Star, and his wife also' belongs to that order. Mr. Voegtly is one of the substantial and leading men of the county and has gained the enviable position that he owns by reason of his real worth and the excellence of his achieve- ments. WILLIAM H. GEARHART.— This sturdy and intrepid pioneer, whose labors have been instrumental in bringing about the de- velopment of the country where he now lives as well as various other portions of Oregon, is worthy of representation in any volume that has to doi with the history of central and east- ern Oregon. William H. was born in How- ard county, Missouri, on February 12, 1847, the son of John W. and Catherine (Brown) Gearhart. The mother died soon! after his birth and the father started across the plains with the balance of his family in 1852, making the way to Benton county with ox teams, whence soon after they went to' Josephine county, where they remained until 1861. The fathe'r followed farming and raising stock, but at the date last mentioned sold out and went to' California, there taking up the same business. In 1872 he came back to Oregon, this time to Klamath county, and soon after our subject and his brother, James P., en- gaged in partnership in the stock business and then came on to the Malheur river, near where he resides at the present time, about fourteen 704 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES and one-half miles west from Drewsey. They built the first house erected west from the agen- cy, making it of juniper logs. Mr. Gearhart now owns four hundred and eighty acres of land in one body fenced and half cultivated to meadow and grain. He handles cattle princi- pally. His place has been comfortably fitted as a home with good improvements. The marriage of Mr. Gearhart and Miss Agnes Durkee was celebrated on May 6, 1883, and they were the parents of two children, Hannah M., deceased, and William L., de- ceased. Mr. Gearhart married a second time, Mrs. Eliza E. (Davis) Metcalf, becoming his wife on October 29, 1894. Mrs. Gearhart is a native of Carroll county, Missouri, and em- igrated to Oregon in 1874. She had by her former husband the following children : George W., deceased; John A., deceased; Mrs. Mary E. Holebos ; Mrs. Dora E Cranmer ; Emma J., wife of William O. Newell ; James S. E. ; Ida M. Mr. Gearhart is a member of the I. O. O. F., Drewsey Lodge No. 147. He is a prominent man of his section and has always manifested great sagacity and enterprise in his endeavors. , JOHN C. FOLEY.— This well-known and enterprising gentleman is one of Harney coun- ty's leading citizens and is a potent factor in the development of the country, having wrought here in two distinct lines, being the substantial stockman and agriculturist and also at the present time handling in partnership with ex-Sheriff George Shelly, one of the lead- ing blacksmith shops of the county. John C. was born in Marquette county, Wisconsin, on January 8, 1858, to James and Mary (McNul- ty) Foley, natives of the west coast of Ireland. They migrated to the United States in 1847, settling in Vermont, whence in 1855 they came to Wisconsin. The country there was wild and new and the nearest railroad was at Chi- cago. The father followed farming and re- mained on the old homestead, where he is liv- ing to-day. The mother died there in 1894. Our subject grew up on the farm, received his education from the district schools, and served his apprenticeship in the blacksmith shop. In 1879 he went to Alexandria, Dakota, and there opened the first shop of the place. Two years later he sold out and returned to Wisconsin. In 1883 he came thence to California, Nevada county, and entered into the stock business. In the fall of the same year he brought a bunch of cattle to Harnev county, bought land, and lo- cated. He now has four hundred acres of good land, well watered and improved with house, barn, and all necessary conveniences for handling stock and farming. For a time, Mr. Foley retired from his trace and was foreman for the Pacific Live Stock Company, and made some of 1 the principal improvements on their ranches in various parts of the state. He trav- elled all over the state for eight years in the service of this company, also handling stock for himself. Mr. Foley has been on the fron- tier all of his life and is well acquainted with its rigorous service and hardships and dan- gers and he has wrought with a firm hand, and wisdom, and has made a brilliant success of his labors as is evident by his fine holdings. In the political realm, our subject is always active, being a firm Democrat. His name appeared on that ticket for county judge in 1902, but although he made a stirring race he was beaten. Miss Mary E. Boylan, of Marquette coun- ty, Wisconsin, was a schoolmate of our sub- ject and he made a trip to his old home in 1898 and on April 11, of that year, they were mar- ried. Two children have been born to them : Charles B., and Agnes J. Mr. Foley and his wife are devout members of the Catholic church and he is one of the substantial and highly esteemed men of the county. In his shop he does a good business, being a fine workman and his affability and skill have brought him patronage from all directions. He has a fine residence in Burns in addition to the other property mentioned. HON. ALBERT! W. GOWAN is a man well known over the entire state of Oregon and has made a record with which the people are familiar and nothing that we could say would add to this or to the success that he has achieved, which are justly his own by reason of his worth and excellent achievements. Mr. Gowan was born in Allegheny coun- ty, New York, on May 1 6, 1 846, being the son of Nathaniel and Rhoda (Putnam) Gowan. His father was grandson of Dr. John Gowan, HOH. ALBERT W. GOWAH. JAMES SMITH. JAMES W. SHOWS. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 705 who was an officer in the Revolution, being with George Washington at the crossing of the Delaware. The mother of our subject was a descendant of General Israel Putnam, famous as an Indian nVhter and revolutionary soldier. While a child, Albert W. went to Crawford county, Pennsylvania, was educated there and in the fall of 1863 enlisted for three years in Light Battery M, First United States Artillery, and took part in all the manoeuvers of the armies of the James and Potomac, under Ben- jamin F. Butler, except when he was absent with his command quelling the election riots in New York City in 1864. He fought in Petersburg and Richmond and all the way along until the surrender at Appomattox court house. In June, 1865, he was sent to Texas under General Steele, and served seven months on the Rio Grande; and also he was with his command to' quell the Fenian raids at Buffalo, Ogdensburg, New York, and so forth. Upon the expiration of his term of enlistment he was honorably discharged and returned at once to Cambridge, Pennsylvania, and estab 1 lished himself in the grocery business, and on July 14, 1868, was married to Miss Delnora J. Pitcher, whose parents were earlv pioneers of Wisconsin. In 1871 a move was made to Osborne county, Kansas, and Mr. Gowan took up farming until 1882 when he came across the plains with a large train, being captain and going direct to Union county. He settled in the Wallowa valley and the following year went to Joseph, where he took up in earnest the study of law, having also been studying it be- fore. He was connected with C. H. Finn, now of Lagrande, Oregon, and later formed a part- enrship with W. G. Piper, who had formerly been chancery judge in Indiana and district at- torney of the third judicial district of Oregon. This partnershio was dissolved in 1888 and two years later, our subject left Joseph and came to Burns. He was in 1890 appointed special agent for the abstractor of census and travelled over the entire state and later received the appointment as clerk in the United States land office at Burns, which he held until 1892. From 1880 to 1882 Mr. Gowan was represen- tative for his count-" in the state legislature in Kansas. In 1892 at a special election he was chosen representative for Grant and Harney counties to the legislature. He "was elected on the Republican ticket and in 1894 was chosen 45 joint state senator for Morrow, Grant, and Harney counties. In 1898 he was defeated for the same position by a small majority. Dur- ing this time Mr. Gowan had been in partner- ship with A. W. Waters, ex-United States marshal for Oregon. In 1900 this relation was dissolved and Judge N. A. Cornish was partner of Mr. Gowan under the firm name of Gowan & Cornish. April 30, 1902, this partnership was dissolved and Mr. Gowan is now enjoying a large and lucrative practice alone. While in the leg- islature Mr. Gowan served as chairman of the committee on railwavs and transportation, also on the committee on public lands and intro- duced the farmers artesian well bill, which passed both houses without opposition, but was vetoed by the governor. While senator, he was on the committee on military affairs, that of railroads, and that of the judiciary, and in 1897 was also chairman of the latter commit- tee, besides serving on other important com- mittees. Mr. Gowan was admitted to' the bar of the supreme court of his state in 1888, and to the United States district and circuit courts, in 1 90 1. He has valuable property in Burns, and is a man of enviable standing. The fol- lowing children have been born to him and his. estimable wife : Mrs. Cora Shafer, of Hoxie, Kansas; Winfield A., of Burns; Mrs, Lotta. Harpers, of the Narrows ; Mrs. Nora Kester- son, of Burns ; Mable E, ; Frank, clerk in Burns; Genet. Mr. Gowan was a member of the Oregon National Guards being first lieuten- ant of Company I, Third Regiment, and re- signed in 1890. Then he was captain Of Troop A, Burns, serving until June, 1898. He is a past master Mason of Joseph Lodge, No. 81, . and also affiliates with Lodge 97, of Burns, having served both lodges in prominent capac- ities. He is active in G. A. R. circles and was judge advocate for Oregon in 1895. Judge Gowan is prominent and well liked and main- tains a high sense of honor, being of untarn- nished reputation and established character Tightness and integrity, while his ability is rec- ognized by all. JAMES SMITH.— Among those who came to this country in an early day, we place the name of James Smith, and feel assured that he has worthily performed the labors of 706 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the pioneer and is deserving of the esteem and respect which is generously accorded him and also a place among the real builders of Harney county, and his labors have always been for development and progress, while personally he is a gentleman of unswerving integrity and in- trinsic worth. Mr. Smith was born in Hampton, Geauga county, Ohio-, on August 13, 1857, being the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Yearger) Smith. The father was a native of Ohio, and the moth- er of Pennsylvania. The father gave his ser- vices at the beginning of the Civil war and -fought through to the end. He was in the bat- tle of Gettysburg and in many other battles and also many skirmishes. He was wounded in the knee and was a cripple on account of it until the day of his death, which occurred in 1894. During the war the mother and the children went to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and thence to Williamsburg. While our subject was growing up, he was educated in the common schools and learned the shoemaker trade from his father. In 1876 he left home and went to Clay county, Missouri, thence to New Orleans the next vear, then went to New Mexico;, Ari- zona, Colorado, and the Black Hills, and final- ly on to the John Day country. He arrived here at the time of the Indian trouble in 1878, and the same year, he went to Cheyenne, Wyoming, through Camas prairie, with a band of cattle to ship to Chicago. He returned to Baker City on horseback and in the spring of 1879, he went to the mines of Granite and then to The Dalles. In the spring of 1881 we find Mr. Smith driving a band of cattle to Eagle creek," Idaho, and two years later he came again to the John Day country. It was 1884 that he came to Burns and entered land and engaged in the stock business. The hard winter of 1889 and 1890 caused him to turn to farming, but in 1895 he shipped three car loads of his horses to Georgia. After selling the horses he went to Pennsylvania and visited with his mother for one year. He then returned to Burns and after a time turned his attention to* his trade. He now owns and runs a shop for the manu- facture of foot wear and the general repair of the same and is now favored with a good trade. Mr. Smith has never embarked on the matri- monial sea, always preferring the quieter joys of single life. He is esteemed by all and maintains a good standing in the community. JAMES W. SHOWN.— There are no words of introduction that we could utter that would make the subject of this sketch better known to the people of Harney county than is the case already. He is not only well known, but he is very favorably known and highly re- spected by all, having always been stanch and upright in the walks of life, has maintained a reputation untarnished, has arrayed himself on the side of morality and good government, and his example has been most favorable. James W. was born in Johnson county, Ten- nessee, on March 26, 1851, being the son of Peter L. and Mary Shown. He was reared on a farm and gained a good education and as well was thoroughly trained in the school of hardship, as he was in the path of the awful Civil war that swept with besom the fair country for many miles in the south. His fa- ther lost all of his property and was terribly abused in the war and soon thereafter died from the exposures and hardships sustained. The mother died when James was a small child. He continued to reside in Tennessee until 1884, then left the scenes of childhood for the regions of the west. He landed at Mitchell, then in Grant county, Oregon, and thence in June, 1886, he came to- Harney. He worked for wages for a time and then took a pre-emption in August, 1886, near Harney. When the town of Harney was platted he se- cured some lots and put up a house, barn, and made other improvements. He now owns eighty acres adjoining the lots and also* the pre-emption and a good ranch on the island. The eighty is farmed to grain and the other ranches are used to raise hay. Mr. Shown has always taken an active part in politics and also- in the welfare of Harney. He has served as councilman and mayor and he has also been active in the educational af- fairs of the town. He taught the first school and he has constantly befriended the cause of education. Mr. Shown is a past grand in the I. O. O. F., Pandora Lodge, No. 74, of Pan- dora, Tennessee. In 1899 he had the joy of making a trip to the home place and visited there for six months. He has one sister, Mary L. Goodwin, in Tennessee, and three brothers, Landen, Caleb and Peter, all three in Ten- nessee. Mr. Shown has never ventured on the matrimonial sea, and he is now one of the well-to-do and happy devotees of celebacy HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 707 and is respected and esteemed by all. Still it may be that the charm of this life may be broken by the invasion of some southern belle. By way of reminiscence it is veil to note that during the troublesome times of the Civil war mentioned, a large bell was to be tapped when danger came, but on one occasion a squad of Confederates were upon the house of our subject's parents without any warning. James saw and quickly recognized the danger and began a parley with the captain, whom he cajoled into tapping the bell to learn the sound and the result was a timely warning. Another time a soldier stole the lad's cap, and, boy though he was, he fought the intruder to a finish. But the cap was demolished. Mr. Shown is a strong supporter of good govern- ment and zealous for the prevailing of the right. He is interested in seeing the gospel preached and supports it liberally. ■» » » EDWIN J. CATLOW.— The subject of this sketch is one of Harney county's younger men, who are coming forward as the old and worthy pioneers drop, one by one, from the posts which they filled' with such credit to themselves and advantage to the country. Ed- win J. Catlow was born in San Francisco on May 14, 1870, being the son of John and Mar- garet (Finn) Catlow, the father one of the leading pioneers of this coast and especially of southern Idaho and central Oregon. Our subject remained in San Francisco and there gained an education while his. father was handling stock on the range. He attended the common schools and then graduated from the Sacred Heart College, after which he studied in a law school for a time. He also did book- keeping and acted as salesman for a number of years and then, in 1895, he came with his mother to- their present home in Pueblo val- ley, ten miles north from Denio'. He there engaged in the stock business with his father and brother, Joseph J., and he has prosecuted the same business with vigor and wisdom since that time. He has always taken an active part in political matters and has served as jus- tice of the neace for a number of years. The marriage of Mr. Catlow and Miss Julia Allen, of Silver City, Idaho, was sol- emnized on July 20, 1898, and they have two children, Eunice M. and Dolores M. Mr. Catlow is a prominent citizen of his section, has a fine ranch and a large bunch of cattle and is one of the substantial men of the coun- ty, well known and highly esteemed. JUDGE HENRY C. LEVENS.— Emi- nent among his fellows as a man of ability and intrinsic worth of character and integrity, a worthy successor to the office of county judge, to which the people called him on the Republi- can ticket in 1902, a leading property owner and stock raiser and agriculturist in Harney county, the subject of this article is especially worthy of a place in his county's history. Henry C. Levens was born in Galesville, Douglas county, Oregon, on July 10, 1861, being the son of Daniel A. and Fannie I. (Tryon) Levens. His father came from Iowa to California across the plains in 185 1, thence to Oregon in 1852. He operated a pack train from Scottsburg to Yreka in the time of the Rogue river Indian war and was among the very first settlers in Douglas county. He had a fort at his stage station which was known as Fort Levens. His station was also called Levens station, and there he remained until the time of his death, October 25, 1889. The mother crossed the plains from Michigan to Douglas county in 185 1, and there married Mr. Levens and remained on the old home place till her death on December 26, 1894. Our subject was reared there and gained his education in the common schools and in the business college in Portland, from which he graduated in 1883. He engaged in mercantile business in Canyonville and other places until 1886, then removed to Burns, there being but a few houses here at that time. Previous to this time Mr. Levens had been engaged in the stock business, and had driven into this valley in 1878, 1880 and in 1882. He made a per- manent location here in 1886. He bought land close to town and engaged in the stock business. He now has about nine hundred and sixty acres of good land and much stock. He rents as much land as he owns and cuts about one thousand tons of hay each year, be- sides raising about three thousand bushels of grain. He has his estate well improved with 708 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES buildings, orchard and so forth and handles many cattle, horses and hogs. The marriage of Mr. Levens and Miss Maggie M., daughter of Jacob C. and Leona Welcome, who were pioneers from Illinois to California and then to this country in 1888, was solemnized on June 11, 1889. Frater- nally Mr. Levens is affiliated with the A. F. & A. M., Burns Lodge, No. 97, while he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star, his wife being past worthy matron of that order. On the Republican ticket, June 2, 1902, Hen- ry C. Levens was elected as county judge and it is without doubt that he will conserve the interests of justice and equity in the service that he will render to 1 his county. It is also' to be mentioned that Mr. Levens has a butcher shop on one of the best business corners in Burns, while he has a residence also in that town. CHARLES F. McKINNEY.— There are few men in Harney county that do not know Charles F. McKinney, and to know him is to be his friend, for he is one of the enterpris- ing, upright, capable, affable and successful men who have done much to build up the coun- try and develop its resources, being at the present time not only a heavy land owner, but also an operator of a good sawmill and a dealer in timber goods. Charles F. was born in Fayette county, Ohio, on October 15, 1847, being the son of William S. and Sarah (Adams) McKinney. The mother was a great-granddaughter of John Cjuincy Adams. In 1849 the family came to Marion county, Iowa, and there our subject grew to manhood, receiving his education. The father enlisted in Company G, Fortieth Iowa Volunteers, and after fighting for a time he was taken sick and died in the hospital at Keokuk. The mother died at the old home- stead in the fall of 1901. Until 1872 Charles F. remained with his mother, and then came to Silver City, Idaho, where he mined and wrought at the lumber business. In 1875 he went to- Benton, Mono county, California, and thence to Bodie, a thriving mining camp at that time. On account of there being SO' many bad characters gathered there the phrase orig- inated, "The bad man from Bodie.'' In 1882 Mr. McKinney was elected sheriff of thai county and in 1884 was re-elected on the Democratic ticket, receiving a handsome ma- jority at both elections. In addition to this public service, faithfully rendered, he followed mining and kept a hotel. It was 1887 when he came to Harney county, and he at once engaged in the sawmilling business. He has a fine plant located twenty miles northeast from Burns and about eight hundred acres of fine timber land. In the spring of 1889 Mr. McKinney entered into partnership with Judge Sparrow, and together they carried on the lumber business until 1898, when Mr. Spar- row was elected judge of the county, then Mr. McKinney bought his interest. Mr. McKin- ney is interested in various lines in addition to the mill business, and he has one of the finest houses in Burns that is in Harney county, and in fact in eastern Oregon, It is a modern, twelve-room structure, of beautiful architect- ural design and suitably located. At the time Harney was the county seat our subject and his partner erected a fine county court house, which they rented to' the county, and when the county seat went to Burns Mr. McKinney was at his mill and his buildings all took fire and burned up in Harney, without insurance. The marriage of Mr. McKinney and Miss Emma Wilson, a native of Iowa, was sol- emnized on February 21, 1867, and they have two children : Cora, wife of E. E. Puning- ton, of Pendleton; William M. Mr. McKin- ney was made a Mason in 1869, in Iowa, and now: belongs to the Burns Lodge, No. 97, and also belongs to the Royal Arch Chapter in Bodie, California, and is a member of the commandery there and of the K. of P., Inland Lodge, No. 70, of Burns. WILLIAM C. BYRD'.— The power of adaptability which has enabled the subject of this article to engage his abilities to the most advantageous way in the affairs of life that have came to his hand is a happy talent and is quite commensurate with his excellent capa- bilities in the business, literary and educa- tional world, wherein he has wrought with abundant success in each line, and therefore it is with pleasure that we grant him repre- sentation in the list of leading men of Harney county. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT. MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 709 Mr. Byrd was born in Highland county, Virginia, on May 10, 1843, being the son of James Hi and Alice Byrd. He received a good education in the schools of his vicinity and then attended the law school at Charlottes- ville, Albermarle county. In April, 1861, when the demon of strife was stirred in our fair land, he enlisted promptly where his in- terests and home lay, being enrolled in the Thirty-first Virginia Infantry, Company B. He entered as corporal, was promoted to a second lieutenancy and fought under the dis- tinguished Stonewall Jackson. He participat- ed in the battles of Phillippi, McDowell, Win- chester, Sharpsburg, Cedar Mountain, Peters- burg, Gettysburg, and in numerous other en- gagements, being wounded twice. He fought to the end and then returned home and in May, 1866, he married Miss Amanda R. Bird. The next year he went to Pettis county, Mis- souri, and in 1883 he migrated to near where Burns now stands, took government land and set to the improvement of it and teaching school. To this latter calling he h*d devoted considerable time while in the east. Mr. Byrd also operated a livery stable for a number of years. In 1889 he purchased the Times-Her- ald and was immediately installed as editor. He made the paper one of distinct merit and vitality and it has since been a power in the county. Of later years Mr. Byrd's son has taken immediate charge of the paper, and our subject has turned his attention to handling furniture and house furnishing goods, having the largest store of the kind in the county and carrying a complete line of goods and being favored with an excellent patronage. This last venture was taken up in February, 1901, and his son, Julian, who edits the Times-Her- ald, is interested in merchandising. Politically Mr. Byrd has always been active and has filled many offices of trust. In the recent election Mr. Byrd was defeated on the Democratic ticket for county judge, but only by a very fewi votes. He has filled the office of justice of the peace for many years and in 1896 he was elected county superintendent of schools and re-elected in 1898, and has made a very excellent record in this office. In Missouri Mr. Byrd was city clerk for many years. Six children have been born to him and his es- timable wife, namely: Charles A., Julian C, Ambrose M., Mrs. Alice King, Mrs. Madge S. Leonard, Mrs. Edith M. Hunter. Frater- nally Mr. Byrd is a member of the I. O. O. F., the K. of P., the Encampment and the Re- bekahs, being past grand of the first order. BYRON TERRILL.— As an upright man, a patriotic and public minded citizen and a successful and enterprising stock man and business man the subject of this sketch is men- tioned in this connection, and he is personally an affable and genial gentleman who stands well with his fellows, and has wrought with a true pioneer's spirit and hand in the upbuild- ing of the country. Mr. Terrill was born in Monroe county, Iowa, on March 31, 1856, being the son of Horace J. and Lucy A. (Wil- cox) Terrill. In 1867 the family came across the plains with mule teams in four months, making settlement in Linn county. The train with which they journeyed was commanded by Captain Cook and consisted of about thirty wagons. In October, 1868, the father went to Jackson county and bought a donation claim. He devoted his attention to farming and stock raising and the subject of this sketch assisted, also attended school. In 1879 ne left the pa- rental roof and came through Harney county on his way to Fort Hall, Idaho. He went from that place to San Francisco 1 , thence by steamer to- Portland and then to' Jackson coun- ty again. In the spring of 1881 Mr. Terrill again passed through this country to Boise, Idaho, and ; in the fall returned here and worked for wages and then took up' merchan- dising at Silver Creek. Then he located a ranch about eight miles southeast from Burns and on January 1, 1885, he married Miss Au- gusta, daughter of James M. and Lydia Parker, early pioneers of California and Ore- gon. Our subject took a homestead about eight miles south from Burns and that was the family home for a time and then a move was made to' Burns, where they resided until April, 1902, when M. Terrill purchased his present ranch of one hundred and eighty-four acres of land. This is located seven miles north from Burns and is a very valuable for hay. During most of his time in this county Mr. Tjerrill has devoted his attention to rais- ing stock and he has some nice bands at the present time. He has also a valuable residence in Burns. 710 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES To Mr. Terrill and his worthy wife there have been born five children : Effie A., Nora Blanche, Ina D., Vella V., deceased, and Vio- let. Mr. Terrill is a member of the W. of W. and of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 77, of Burns, and he and his wife are members of the Rebekahs. Of the I. O. O. F. Mr. Terrill is a past grand. During all his life our sub- ject has been on the frontier and he has served faithfully in the development of the country, and there is much credit due him for these worthy labors. For to bring a land from the wilds of savagery to civilization is a herculean task and demands courage, endurance, tenac- ity and stanch principles, in all of which Mr. Terrill excels. Mr. Terrill' s parents are still dwelling in Jackson county. ALEXANDER McKENZIE.— This in- trepid and doughty pioneer and successful stockman is one of the prominent property holders of Harney county and a leading citi- zen, living at the present time one and one- half miles north from the Narrows postoffice, where he has a fine tract of land and is engaged in raising stock. Mr. McKenzie is a native of Mercer coun- ty, Virginia, born on March 16, 1842, the son of Alexander and Barbara McKenzie. He was educated in a log cabin, remained at home until fifteen and then started out for himself. He went to Ray county, Missouri, and in 1859 went across the plains to Fort Laramie, driving a band of cattle for Frank Saner. The next year thev went to Santa Clara coun- ty, California, and for two. years subsequent to this time acted as foreman for Mr. Saner un- til that unfortunate man was murdered for his money. Then Mr. McKenzie went to Sonoma county, bought a farm and after working it for a time he went to Idaho City, Idaho, op- erating a pack train. In 1866 he went to Salem and for a time ran a dray and express outfit, then went into the butcher business un- til 1875, when he went to Staten for a short time, in the same business. He then went to Douglas county, bought a ranch and raised sheep, which he closed out later and migrated to the Narrows, where he lives now. This was in 1888, and he was the first settler that took land in that vicinity. Fie went to raising cattle, horses and mules, and in this he has been very successful, with the exception of the winter of 1889 anc ^ l &9°> when he lost heavily. He now has several hundred acres of land, good buildings and is considered one of the leading stockmen of the county. On October 12, 1867, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. McKenzie and Miss Alice Blue, a native of Salem, Oregon, and to them have been born six children, Charles, William, Mrs. Olive Cummins, Marshall, Josephine L. and Julia, twins. It is of note that in 1862 Mr. McKenzie volunteered to fight the Indians in Nevada, being under Captain Armsby, with a company of one hundred and forty-six men. He was in one fight near Reno, where all the company, including the captain, was killed with the exception of nineteen. Our subject survived, but carried three wounds in his head, one in his side and one in his knee. For two months he was unable for active service, then fought under General Crooks at Pyramid lake, when they killed fifteen hundred of the sav- ages, which practically ended the war. These were the Piutes. Mr. McZenzie is a substan- tial man and possessed of unswerving integrity and uprightness. HENRY C. RICHARDSON.— No com- pilation that has to do with the leading men of Harney county would be complete were there failure to mention the esteemed gentle- man and public minded citizen whose name initiates this paragraph, since he has labored long and faithfully and successfully here for the upbuiding of the county's interests and has always maintained an untarnished reputa- tion, being a man of excellent capabilities and keen and practical business judgment. Mr. Richardson was born in Benton coun- ty, Oregon, on October 8, 1869, being the son of Madison G. and Savanah (Cox) Richard- son. The father was born in Lane county, Oregon, in 1847, anc ^ ms mother came across the plains from the state of Missouri in 1863. with her parents, in an ox train. Our subject went with bis parents to Silver City, Idaho, in 1S74 and thence to Malheur City, Baker county, in 1877. Then they went to Weiser, Idaho, where Henry C. finished his education. The parents live there still. In 1884 our sub- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 711 ject came to Burns and engaged in the butcher business for three years, then operated the Burns hotel from 1892 to 1898, owning the same which is the largest and best one in the county. The structure contains twenty-four sleeping apartments upstairs and two below, besides the office, barroom, kitchen and dining apartments below. Mr. Richardson still owns a one-half interest in the hotel, which is rented In 1898 the people called Mr.. Richardson to act as county clerk and two years later they re- elected him to the same position, thus demon- strating their approval of his faithful services. Mr. Richardson owns about five hundred acres of hay land twenty-five miles southwest from Burns, which is well improved with buildings and necessary corralls and he handles a band of cattle. In Burns, he had a modern seven-room house in a desirable locality and a half block of lots. The marriage of Mr. Richardson and Mliss Nora, daughter of William K. Goodman, a pioneer to this county in 1882, from Kansas, Was solemnized on January 17, 1893, and two children have been born to them, James T. and Henrietta. Fraternally, Mr. Richardson is affiliated with the K. of P., Lodge No. 70, and also with the Native Sons of Oregon. Mr. Richardson is a man of honor, capable in busi- ness, faithful in trusts, affable and genial, and has hosts of friends in all parts of the county. CHAUNCEY CUMMINS.— In at least two lines of human endeavor the subject of this article has gained distinction and he stands to-day one of the leading business men of cen- tral Oregon, being of the firm of Cummins & Geer, hardware merchants and implement dealers of Burns, Oregon, where their mam- moth store is situated. Chauncey was born in Steuben county, Indiana, on January 20, 1844, being the son of William and Almira (Clark) Cummins, who brought their family across the plains in 1853, coming with ox teams and con- suming six months in the journey. Settle- ment Was made in Lane county and there our subject grew to manhood, assisting on the farm and gaining his education from the com- mon schools. In 1870 he went to Douglas county and there engaged in raising sheep, and two years later he removed his stock to the Harney valley and the next year sold out and returned to Lane county. There he farmed until 1882, when he repaired to Paisley, in Lake county, and engaged again in the sheep industry, and in 1885 he removed from that location to the Steins mountain country, then in Grant county. He prosecuted his labors with success, adding cattle to the sheep raising, and in 1900 he sold his sheep and came to Burns. He has a fine residence here and still owns his farm of about six hundred acres of hay land in the Steins mountain country with his cattle, which his two sons are handling, be- ing in partnership with him. At the time Mr. Cummins came hither, he entered into part- nership with I. S. Geer, cousin of ex-governor Geer, and they started a hardware store. They have a fine two-story structure built of stone and brick and carry the largest stock of hard- ware in the county. In addition to hardware, they have crockery, glassware, farm imple- ments, and so forth. They have a fine patron- age and the goods from their shelves find their way all over the interior of Oregon. The marriage of Mir. Cummins and Miss Margaret A., daughter of George C. and Mar- garet Smith, was solemnized on November 9, 1866, and they have become the parents of four children, Horace, deceased ; Dora, wife of I. Bubbington, of this county ; George "VV\ and Francis W., on the farm. Mrs. Cummins' father was murdered by the Indians in the Bannock war. He was a pioneer of 1853, crossing the plains with ox teams and settling in Lane county. Mr. Cummins is affiliated with the A. F. & A. M., Lodge No. 97, at Burns, and in political matters he is with the Republicans and in March, 1902, the people chose him as chief executive of the town of Burns. SAMUEL T. MOTHERSHEAD.— While there are some who have been residents of Harney county longer than the subject of this sketch, still he stands among the leaders in the county to-day and is a young man of untarnished reputation and good ability, and has gained a place in the esteem and confidence of the people that is enviable and of which he is worthy on account of his uprightness and sound principles. Samuel T. was born in Jef- ferson county, Missouri, on September 23, 712 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT. MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 1872, being the son of Willis T. and Malissa (Wiley) Mothershead. They were natives of Kentucky and came to Jefferson county in an early day. The mother died there but the fa- ther is still living on the old homestead and has always taken an active part in politics with the Democratic party. Our subject grew up on the farm and attended school, graduating from the Desoto high school in 1890. The next year he came to Burns and worked for one and one-half years on the Items newspaper, having charge of the same. In 1895, in company with Ben Brown, he started the Burns Times which they sold one year later to the East Oregon Herald, which is now the Times Herald. Sub- sequently to this, Mr. Mothershead accepted a position with the sheriff as deputy, serving four years under A. J. McKinnan and for two years under George Shelly. Mr. Mothershead lias always been active in politics, being a firm Democrat. On September 26, 1897, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Mothershead and Miss Ella, daughter of A. S. and Elizabeth Swain, early pioneers to the Grande Ronde valley, from Iowa, and coming to this county in 1889, where they settled at Lawen. To Mr. and Mrs. Mothershead has been born one child, Mildred. Our subject is a member of the I. O. O t . F., Harney Ledge, No. yy, a charter member of the K. oi P., Inland Lodge, No. 70, and he and his wife are members of the Rebekahs. He has repTesented his lodge in the grand lodge and is past chancellor. Mr. Mothershead has a fine six room house on one of the fine corners of the town which was biult in 1897, being the first plastered house in Burns. JESSE O. BUNYARD.— A noble portion of the pioneer's work has been done by the es- timable gentleman and patriotic citizen, whose life's career it is now our pleasant privilege to outline, since he has spent most of his days on the frontier and has always been in the harness for advancement, and progress, while the try- ing scenes incident to a pioneer's life have all been undergone by him. Mr. Bunyard is a native of Mercer county, Missouri, being born on October 2, 1843, tne son of James B. and Eliza Bunyard. In 1849 the father crossed the dreary plains with ox teams to California in search of the mining treasures of that land. In 1854 the mother with her six children, three boys and three girls, crossed the plains to Lane county, Ore- gon, where the father joined them from Cali- fornia. The trip across the plains with ox teams for this little family was a serious un- dertaking and they suffered much on the road. For three weeks they were without flour and were forced to kill one of the oxen for food. In the spring of 1854 they all went to Jackson county and the father took land near where Ashland now stands. They were pioneers of the county and labored faithfully to make a good home and open a farm. The mother died in 1863 and the father died in 1886. Our sub- ject gained his education in the little log school house, grew up on a farm and in 1866 came to Walla Walla with nine yokes of oxen and wintered on Wildhorse creek. He sold his cattle the following spring and went to Silver City and engaged in freighting from Uma- tilla landing. Later he sold his outfit and went to mining and in 1868 he was in Eldorado, and acted as foreman on the rock work of the Eldorado ditch. After this he went to Lane county and farmed and there on July 24, 1870, he married Miss Emma, daughter of G. C. and Louisa Duncan, who crossed the plains in 1854 from Iowa to Lane county. In 1874 Mr. Bunyard removed to Jackson county and worked his fathers farm for a time, then came to Silver Lake valley in 1876. His youngest son was the first white child born ther and Mr. Bunyard sowed the first grain in that favored spot. In 1866 he sold there and came to this county, settling in the Cow creek country. He raised stock and handled his land to hay most- ly. In June, 1901, he bought his present home place of one hundred and sixty acres of good land, seven miles northeast from Harney. He has good buildings, a fine orchard and handles many cattle and horses. To Mr. and Mrs. Bunyard there have been born six children. Mrs. Arvilla Thrash, of West Virginia ; Frank M., of Harney county; Elva, deceased; Mrs. Hattie Cawlfield, LeRoy, and James B., all of Harney county. Mr. Bunyard has been in many fights with the Indians and his prowess as a marksman has saved his life in different encounters with them. He has worthily filled his position as frontiersman and real pioneer and builder of this county and is highly es- teemed by his fellows. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 113 HON. IRWIN S. GEER.— As one of the substantial and capable citizens of Harney county, whose life has always been allied on the side of right, and whose efforts in this county in the business realm have given him need of brilliant success and the entire con- fidence of the people, while in a political line he has been active and rewarded by the people with the highest honors they have to give, we are pleased to accord to Mr. Geer representa- tion in this volume of his county's history as both a pioneer and a prominent and distin- guished man. A native of the Occident, Mr. Geer was born on February 28, 1864, Marion county be- ing the spot. His parents, Cal and Ellen S. Geer, came across the plains in 1847 an d I &5 2 > respectively, both making the journey with ox teams. Our subject was reared on the farm and received a common-school education, fin- ishing the same with a course in the business college at Portland. It was 1890, that he started for himself, coming direct to Burns where he opened a hardware store, starting on a small scale and increasing as the trade de- manded until he has become the largest dealer in these goods in the county of Harney. In 1900 he took as partner, C. Cummins, and they have a mammoth trade extending many miles in every direction. They handle a full line of hardware, sporting goods, crockery, stoves and tinware with farm implements and tools. In 1892, Mr. Geer was in partnership with his brother, R. C. Geer, and they erected a fine large two-story brick and stone structure, which is the store to-day. Politically Mr. Geer is among the leaders, having the confidence of the people both as to Tiis ability and integrity. In 1900 he was elected as representative of Malheur and Har- ney counties, and did good service in the house. In 189 1 he was selected as city treasurer and in 1892 he was called to be treasurer of the county, being re-elected in 1894. He ran on the Republican ticket each time. Fraternally Mr. Geer is affiliated with the K. of P. and the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. yy, of Burns; and also with the Masons, being both past grand chan- cellor and past grand ; and he is a member of the encampment. The marriage of Mr. Geer and Miss Belle Erb was solemnized on August 4, 1889. and they have four children, Juanita A., Waldo Gv, Henry C, and Ellen M. Mr. Geer is a man of good standing, is always active for the interests of his county, is up- right and stable, and has the confidence of all. PETER CLEMENS.— The well known gentleman whose name heads this article is one of the prominent men of Harney county, a heavy property owner, a leading stockman, and withal a gentleman of ability, and who has wrought out his present large holding by rea- son of his industry, thrift, and wise manage- ment in the affairs of business. Mr. Clemens was born in Loraine, France, on July 5, 1850, being the son of Nicholas and Margaret Clem- ens. In 1855 the family came to America and located in Canada, then moved to Menominee county, Michigan. It was 1865, that our sub- ject came via Chicago, New York, and Cape Horn to San Francisco, making the ocean trip in a trading vessel, which was a very tedious journey. In California he labored at various callings and learned the brick mason's trade. In 1869, he went to British Columbia and Alaska and mined successfully for three years. Next we see him in Seattle and in 1872 he went to Manataron, South America, and went into the employ of his uncle, who operated a bakery. The next year he came back to San Francisco, and the following year went to Seattle and there built the Wharton and Dex- ter bank. In the spring of 1875 he was in the Black Hills, Dakota, where he mined a year and then went to Tuscarora and in 1877 to Eureka, Nevada. In this latter place he fol- lowed freighting to White Pine. The next year he went to Paradise valley to build a stamp mill and in 1879 Mr. Clemens came to Steins mountain, in Harney county. He had a pack and saddle horse and went to work for wages. He built the large store on the White Horse ranch and did various other work in the country and in the fall of 1882 he located on his present place, six miles north from Burns. He pre-empted and then homesteacled and went to raising stock. He has been eminently suc- cessful, for at the present time he has fifteen hundred acres of fine land, a good house, barn, corralls, and all the improvements needed on a first class stock and hay ranch, besides large bunches of cattle and horses. He has some fine specimens of thoroughbred Durham cattle. 714 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES The marriage of Mr. Clemens was cele- brated on December 7, 1882, M'rs. Jennie Thomas then becoming his wife, and they have three children, Thomas, Peter Clay, and Glen. Mr. Clemens is a member of the A. F. & A. M., at Burns. He is general road master for the county of Harney. CYRUS A. SWEEK.— To the leading and capable attorneys of a county and state very much credit is due for the [excellent in- stitutions that are brought out as the result of salutary and wise laws which they have framed and caused to be placed on the books. As one of the worthy gentlemen of that im- portant profession we mention the patriotic and public minded citizen, mentioned above, who is now at the head of his profession in Harney county, being a man of broad and comprehensive views, given to an impartial judgment of matters, with a well stored mind and a keen perception and dominated with an unswerving integrity that controls his acts and places him as one of the most reliable and substantial men of the country. Mr. Sweek was born in Washington coun- ty, Oregon, on August 5, 1853, being the son of John and Maria (Beard) Sweek. His par- ents were married on February 29, 1852, and the same spring they came across the plains with ox teams to Oregon, from St. Genevieve county, Missouri. The father had started across in 1849, but at the Rockies he heard of the death of his parents and returned and came as stated. He was one of the very first settlers in Washington county, took a dona- tion claim and there wrought until his death on February 26, 1890. The mother is still living at the old home place. They raised a family of six children, all living, of whom our subject is the eldest. Cyrus A. grew up on the farm and learned his primary lessons in the primitive country school and then attended the Pacific University at Forest Grove, and immediately after his course there he went into the study of the law with W. Lair Hill, of Portland. For three years Mr. Sweek pur- sued this course and on January 7, 1880, he was admitted to the bar, and on January 1 1, 1880, he married Miss Ella S., daughter of John P. and Missouri A. Gage, of Clackamas county, Oregon, being pioneers from Missouri to Oregon in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Sweek then came to Prairie City, Grant county, and there they taught school for a time and in the spring of 1881 he commenced the practice of law in Canyon City. He was admitted to the United States district and circuit courts in 1888. In the spring of 1889 they removed to Harney, then the county seat of Harney county. In 1890 they came thence to Burns, and here Mr. Sweek has practiced since with the gratifying success of gaining a large pat- ronage from the county, and he now has one of the finest residences in Burns and three hundred acres of fertile meadow land adjoin- ing the town of Burns, besides other prop- erty. Mr. Sweek is a charter member and was the first master of the A. F. & A. M., Burns Lodge, No. 97, joining the order in Canyon City in 1885. To Mr. Sweek and his noble wife there have been born ten children : John M. ; Earl L., attending the Co'rvallis College; Agnes, also attending the same in- stitution ; Alice ; Ella ; Dorcas ; Cyrus A. ; Lois ; Esther and Alexander D. Mrs. Sweek is a descendant of General Gage of Revolution- ary fame. Mr. Sweek is one of the leading citizens of the county and has many warm friends in all parts, being a man of real worth and his walk has always been with dignity and uprightness. ANDREW SPANGENBERG — The well known and respected gentleman of whom we now have the pleasure of speaking is one of the well-to-do stockmen of Harney county and is worthy of especial mention because of his pioneer labors and the manner in which he has always wrought for the advancement of the country and its substantial progress. He was bom in Denmark, whence come so many of our most substantial and thrifty citizens, the date of his advent into life being Febru- ary 14, 1838. He grew up there and received a common school education and at the age of twenty-one was married to Miss Kate Wolfe, and the fruit of the union was two' children, Peter and Adolph. Mr. Spangeiiberg was called to mourn the death of his wife and then he determined to leave the native land and accordingly came thence to the United States in 1867. He was engaged in various sections HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 715 until 1872, when he came to Carson, Nevada, and in 1875 went to 1 Modoc county, California, thence to Chico, and finally in 1883 he made his way to Harney county. He settled in Cat- low valley, thirty miles west from Andrew postoffice, on the south side of the valley. From that time to the present he has steadily pursued the way of the stockman, and he has been well prospered. He has now) a fine estate of eight hundred acres of land and a fine band of cattle. He was one of the early pioneers of the valley and has done the work of the frontiersman in a commendable manner. Fra- ternally Mr. Spangenberg is affiliated with the Red Men at Perm and he is popular in the social realm, as in all of his ways he is highly esteemed, being a man governed by sagacity, integrity and sound principles, and highly hon- ored bv all who know him. ■ JOHN W. GEARY, M. D.— It is a matter of congratulation that Harney county is so well provided with professional talent, as that fraternity is well to the front; one of the leaders of this distinguished class of men is the subject of this sketch, being a man of un- sullied reputation, with a strong personality, characterized by stanch qualities of worth and firmness, possessed of excellent capabilities, which have been exceptionally well trained in the medical lore, Dr. Geary is calculated to stand high in his profession and we are not disappointed at the prestige that he enjoys and the high regard in which he is held by the people. John W. Geary was born in Fredericks- burgh, Ohio, on November 16, 1850, being the son of Edward R., P. iD., and Nancy M. (Woodbridge) Geary. About the time of his birth his parents came via New York, Pana- ma and San Francisco to Portland and on to Yam Hill county, Oregon, settling- at La Fay- ette, and in 1857 removing thence to Linn county. The father was a clergyman in the Presbyterian church and was one of the found- ers of the Collegiate Institute at Albany, being the moving spirit in it and teaching there for a number of years. He removed to Eugene later and was one of the regents of the state university there until the time of his death, in 1887, having been there fourteen years. Our subject received his primary education in the public schools, and completed the training at an academy at Homer, New York, and at La- fayette College. In 1871 he went to work for the Northern Pacific in the civil engineer corps and also spent some time as a salesman and clerk, and in 1879 he laid aside all these various employments and gave himself to< the study of medicine, at the Willamette Univer- sity at Portland, graduating from that insti- tution in 1883. H e immediately began the practice at Halsey, Oregon, and three years- later went to the Polyclinic school at New York City, taking a post-graduate course and then returned to Hasley, remaining there until 1894. Then he located at Harrisburg and later was at Junction City and in August, 1899, he made his advent in Burns. He immediately en- tered partnership with Dr. Marsden, the firm being known as Marsden & Geary. Fraternally the Doctor is affiliated with the A. F. & A. M., Lodge No. 97, at Burns, and with the L O. O. F., at (Junction City, being both past master and past grand. Also belongs to the Encampment at Harrisburg, Oregon, the W. of W. and the A. O. U. iW. Doctor Geary stands well with his colleagues, being recognized as a talented practitioner and a very skillful physician. He is a member of the Oregon State Medical Society and the Amer- ican Medical Association. The Doctor is highly esteemed by all who know him and has a very extensive practice. -4~«~*- JOSIEPH W. BUCHANAN is one of Harney county's reliable and enterprising cit- izens. He is a man of energy and has labored with assiduity and sagacity in the improve- ment of his fine estate of six hundred acres of good land on Rock creek, thirteen miles east from Harney, while also he conserves the interest of the county in his faithful service in the assessor's office, where he has served for nearly one term. Mr. Buchanan was born in Tama county, Iowa, on April 19, i860, being the son of William D. and Helen J. (Cullen) Buchanan. The parents are now both in their seventy-fourth year, being mar- ried when they were twenty. They live at their pleasant homestead, twelve miles east from Burns, and are accredited with being the oldest couple in the county. In 1865 they 716 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES came across the plains with ox teams from Iowa to Lagrande. They fought frequently with the savages, but did not lose any of their number. Five months of this weary journey- ing brought them to their destination and the father took land and engaged in farming. Union county was the scene of our subject's childhood, and there he received his educa- tion. There also, on May 12, 1884, he mar- ried Miss Hattie E,, daughter of William P. and Eliza A. Gates, pioneers from Vernon county, Missouri, to Union county in 1879. Our subject came to' Harney county in 1885 and selected a homestead where his home es- tate is now located. He .gave his attention industriously to raising stock and improving his place and he has a good residence, barns and so forth. It was in 1898 that Mr. Buchan- an was elected county assessor on the Demo- cratic ticket, being re-elected in 1900. Fra- ternally Mr. Buchanan is a member of the I. O. O. 'F., Harney Lodge, No. jj. To our subject and his worthy wife there have been born four children : Warren, deceased ; Eliza E. ; Albert Leo and William Monroe. Mr. Buchanan successfully handles his line of business, as he has shown his capabilities to judiciously and in a becoming manner dis- charge the public duties entrusted to him by the franchises of his fellows. In addition to the other property mentioned, Mr. Buchanan has a modern six-room residence in one of the best portions of Burns. DESCRIPTIVE AND GENERAL CHAPTER I. TOPOGRAPHY, RESOURCES, ETC., OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES. "No menace, now, the desert's mood of sand; Still westward lies a green and golden land." "For, at the magic touch of water, blooms The wilderness, and where of yore the yoke Tortured the toilers into dateless tombs, Lo ! brightsome fruits to feed a mighty folk." "After all there is no desert," says a recent writer, after quoting Emerson's well known aphorism, "To science there is no poison; to botany no> weed; to chemistry no dirt." Cer- tainly to the present generation there are no "waste places" in the severe sense of the term. But many are living to-day who in youth were schooled in a knowledge of the "Great Ameri- can Desert" west of the Mississippi. The bor- ders of this vast wilderness were not definitely outlined either on the maps or in the minds of those who had undertaken its exploration, but it was believed to include large portions of what are now Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and Oregon, an almost illimitable territory. Descriptions that found their way into print, telling of its vastness, its repellent visage, its blazing heat, its deadly simoon, its sun scorched plains and its dark canyons, its rushing torrents and its dry river beds, its savage beasts and its equal- ly savage men, excited intense interest in the credulous eastern mind. And these stories were not overdrawn. The most imaginative and sensational writer could scarcely have pic- tured in too vivid language the gloomy grand- eur and utter desolation of this arid empire. Withal it was not without beauty of a start- ling barbaric sort. In its midst was the great dividing wall of the Rocky mountains and the gray sands of the plains were relieved by the browns of the mountain slopes and the snows of the mountain peaks. There is beauty in majesty and the desert was majestic in its por- trayal of the titanic forces of nature. There is beauty in grandeur and the desert was grand in its passion of storm and flood. But it was no less a desert and for many years only stout hearts and fearless souls dared venture into its midst or attempt to traverse its cheerless wastes. But stout hearts came; at first, in bands of two or three, later in companies of a score or more and, later still, in armies a thousand strong. Forty years ago these armies began their encroachments ; the "Great Desert" boundaries became, year by year, less and less distinct; year by year its area was diminished, 718 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES until now it exists only in the memory of the sturdy pioneer who weathered its rigors in those old heroic days. Much of the territory of eastern Oregon was once classed with the desert lands of the west, but at last the miner, the stockman and the agriculturist forged into the region. They subdued the savage and drove him within the reservation confines. They braved the frown of nature and forced ajar the door of her treas- ure house. Nature, with all her powerful forces, was arrayed against them, but they were men of mental vigor as well as men of might, and they marched on to victory. Now, lo! — ■ Where once was sombre gray, are richest shades of green, And yellow gold of ripening grain on plain and vale is seen. And on the mountains' slope and by the river's flow ) Where savage Piutes' council fire blazed forth in angry glow, There roam a thousand flocks and herds, in wood and wold, O'er countless miles of bunchgrass range — "Oregon's check for gold." Far up the rocky gulch where lair of beast was laid, Are spread the tents of miners' camps. With pick and pan and spade Now delves the miner deep in rock and sand and soil And gathers stores of shining gold — reward for patient toil. And over all the land — once sombre-hued and gray,— Is spread the sky of light and peace, undimmed the livelong day. BAKER COUNTY. In the transformation from desert plain to farm, orchard and garden, with their ver- dure and beauty and bloom, with their wealth of comfort for man and beast, Baker county has had a goodly share. The black sage brush soil of its valleys was early found to be pro- ductive, when supplied with a greater abund- ance of water than parsimonious Nature was willing to afford, and though the valley was much less favorable to agriculture in 1862 than it is in 1902, the earliest efforts to court the favor of Ceres were by no means unavailing. We have mentioned these first experiments in former chapters. Their success and the de- mand for farm produce incident to the opera- tion of the placer mines soon resulted in a considerable development of the agricultural resources of the county and the work of home building and soil subjugation has progressed steadily, if somewhat slowly, ever since. As if to reward the farmer for his faith and per- severance, the climate of Baker county and eastern Oregon generally has become much more mild and equable than it Was when the region was first visited by white men; frosts are less frequent and severe and the rainfall has shown a tendency to increase with the tilling of the soil. To the proper appreciation of the agricul- tural and other resources of Baker county, a general understanding of its topography, ele- vation, etc., is necessary. The area of the county is given by Rand, McNally & Com- pany's maps as 2,275 square miles, but the Panhandle of Union county has since been added, SO' that the present area would be ex- pressed by figures considerably larger than these. Its western boundary follows for the most part the summit of the axis of the Blue mountain range ; its northern boundary may be said to be formed by the Powder River moun- tains and from these spurs are sent out ex- tending far into its interior. The ranges re- ferred to reach a maximum altitude of nearly 9,000 feet above the sea and are from 4,000 to 6,000 feet higher than the general level of the valleys. "Snow remains on the highest peaks throughout the year, and, with the ex- ception of a short period during the heated season, these mighty monuments are dressed in the white liveries of angels and point in marble-like majesty to heaven's azure vault as if directing, in their virgin purity, that the HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 719 happy inhabitants of this region should ever be thankful for the privilege of enjoying a life well worth living in one of the most resource- ful, fertile and healthful counties to be found anywhere in all our peerless republic." The eastern boundary is formed by the swift and treacherous Snake river, into which all the drainage of the county eventually makes its way. The principal water courses are Burnt and Powder rivers, though there are several small creeks which flow directly to the Snake, never mingling their waters with the currents of these major streams. The largest valley in the county is that of Powder river, which is approximately thirty miles in length and up to twenty in width. It was the first to be blessed by the permanent presence of white men, for the mines which attracted settlement to the county were dis- covered within its confines. The valley is for the most part a level, sage covered area, not beautiful in itself, but surrounded by majes- tic mountain uplifts, always varying in sympa- thy with the seasons and faithfully reflecting the changing climatic conditions of the upper air into which their crests extend, yet ever re- taining their own characteristic beauty, grandeur and granitic ruggedness. The valley below might take on all the beauty it could desire, might clothe itself in garments of deep- est verdure bejewelled with the most brilliant of gems, were the elements of its soil but fer- tilized by the one element lacking to give them vitality, nature's universal solvent — water. The rainfall is not sufficient for this purpose. The currents which course through the valley on their way to 1 the bosom of the ocean are not strong enough during the growing season to accomplish it. Art must come to their assist- ance and store the flood waters of winter and spring if all the dry ground of Powder river valley is to be made to blossom as the rose. This storage of water for irrigation is deemed feasible by engineers and the initial steps have been taken in the past looking toward the com- plete reclamation of the valley in this way, but as yet no- such project has been carried to a successful issue. It must not be assumed, however, that Pow- der river valley is entirely a desert at this time. Streams have been halted in their courses and made to transform sagebrush plains into fertile farms, which pour into' the garners of the husbandman an abundant reward for well directed toil. Bonanza farming is not in vogue in the valley. Most of the agriculturalists are devotees of diversified industry, raising hay, grain, fruit, cattle, hogs and horses. The nat- ural fertility of the soil enables them to secure crops of wheat averaging sometimes as high as fifty bushels per acre, perhaps even higher, and of oats up to 105 bushels. The usual crop is, of course, far below this. Climatic and other conditions are favorable to the live stock industry. Loss from disease is inconsiderable. Horses have the strength of limb, spirit and soundness of constitution so much desired by breeders. Cattle produce a juicy, palatable and wholesome beef, and the sheep of the country are noted for their large production of superior wool and for the excel- lence of the mutton they yield. On the line of the Sumpter Valley rail- road, about twelve miles up Powder river from Baker City, one enters a beautiful elevated val- ley, which takes its name from the thriving mining town of Sumpter at its upper end. The valley does not attain a great width in any part of its extent and in places is very narrow. Its soil is a rich alluvium, capable of producing any of the farm products in great abundance, but owing to its elevation of 4,000 feet it is unsuited to fruit raising or horticulture. At present its chief product is hay, which is fed to cattle or shipped to 1 Sumpter and sold to the mining companies and freighters. The valley lands are surrounded by gentle sloping, forested benches, whose wealth of timber, in part, induced the building of the Sumpter Val- ley railroad. From Sumpter this road climbs 720 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES over Powder River mountain, passing through forests all the way, until it reaches the small valley in which the terminal town of Whitney is situated. Southeast of Whitney, down the north fork of Burnt river, is the Upper Burnt river val- ley, the lowest elevation of which is given by Lindgren as 4,100. It is nearly circular in shape, having a diameter of about five miles, and surrounding it are gently sloping ridges rising to an elevation of 6,000 feet. The tim- ber surrounding it is excellent yellow pine. In the valley is a considerable settlement of farm- ers and stockmen. After passing through a narrow canyon fifteen miles long the river emerges' upon a remarkable valley about twenty miles in length, having an elevation at its upper end of 3,900 feet and at its lower of 500 feet less. This lower Burnt river valley is very narrow in places and is perhaps not much over a mile wide anywhere. The soil is alluvial nearest the river and is covered with meadows of alfalfa and other grasses. Here- ford is the principal settlement of the upper end of the valley and Bridgeport of the lower. To these villages the latest United States cen- sus ascribes populations of 32 and 18, respec- tively. The valley is so sheltered as to form a huge natural hot house, in which all the more delicate fruits of the temperate zone, such as peaches, grapes, etc., and such tender vegeta- bles as cantaloupes and water melons may be produced in great perfection. Much attention is given also to the culture of apples, pears, plums, prunes and berries, and the valley, al- ready noted locally as a fruit region, will ex- perience in future such a development in the industry as will win it a much wider fame. Stock raising and general farming are not neglected and many thousand head of sheep are owned by the residents. Rye valley in southeastern Baker county is noted more for its rich placers and promising quartz claims than for farming, though there is in it a small area of alluvial soil, exceedingly fertile, upon which some comfortable homes have been established. Some of the most beautiful and productive of the valleys of Baker county are in the Pan- handle country, recently annexed. Eagle val- ley, in this neighborhood, lies fifteen miles south of the Eagle mountains and perhaps thirty-six miles in an air line from Baker City. It is traversed in its southern end by Powder river and through its entire length passes Eagle creek, which rises in the Eagle moun- tains. The valley proper is perhaps four by seven miles in area, but with the benches wat- ered by irrigating ditches, it is much larger, possibly ten miles long by up to ten miles wide. It is a very beautiful valley, surrounded by rolling foothills furnishing an abundance of range for stock. Water for irrgation purposes is plentiful; the climate is mild owing to the sheltering foothills and mountain ranges sur- rounding; the soil is as fertile as a garden and all conditions combine to' make it a pleasant place in which to live and an easy place in which to accumulate a competence or even a small fortune. Three heavy crops of lucerne may be raised annually. The hay crops are mostly utilized in the rearing of sheep, cattle and horses. All the other products of the farm, orchard and garden find a ready market among the miners in the neighboring moun- tains and plateaus. Peaches, apples, apricots, prunes, grapes, plums, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries, cur- rants and all garden vegetables, as well as the cereals, are produced here in abundance and perfection. The mild climate of the valley, said to be the best in eastern Oregon, gives it special adaptation to fruit raising. Its prod- ucts carried away seventeen premiums out of thirty-two at the World's Fair. Favored in- deed are the people who* have found homes in Eagle valley, but they have in their isolation one great drawback to contend with. Should the proposed Oregon & Idaho* Central railroad be built, this diffVcultv will be overcome. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 721 Twelve miles northeast of Eagle is Pine valley, situated at the base of the Powder Riv- er mountains. It is similar to. the region last described in many respects, but is somewhat larger and has an elevation greater by 300 ■feet. Its soil is a rich clay loam, producing from twenty-five to thirty bushels of wheat per acre, It is a fine grain raising section, but is also noted for its fruit of all kinds. Its peaches possess a delicacy and richness of flavor not found in the products of other sections less favored in soil and climate. Stock raising re- ceives much attention here also. The valley and creek were named from the heavy pine forests which abound in the vicinity. The vil- lages of the valley are Pine, Halfway and Car- son. The above described valleys constitute the principal agricultural districts of the county. Their aggregate area is small compared with that of the entire county, but it must not be assumed that the non-tillable lands are a waste. They produce annually a wealth o both classes unpar- alleled inducements and almost limitless ter- ritory in which to conduct operations. Cali- fornia on the south is too dry and too' warm to be an ideal country. Washing-ton on the north has an atmosphere too cool and damp. The desirable medium of conditions is to be found in Oregon and especially in the eastern part. It has a climate unsurpassed ; valleys of productiveness and beauty watered by clear- est rivers and streams ; mountains among the grandest on the face of the earth, whose min- eral deposits are rich and inexhaustible. It is a country that has rarely disappointed. Miany a pioneer recalls his emotion, when, his tire- some journey ended, he reached a summit on the eastern boundary and gazed westward over grassy plains and wooded hillsides. Forgot- ten were the terrors of the desert; with hope revived and courage strengthened, he pressed forward with renewed energies and, wherever he pitched his tent, the water, the sunshine, and the soil combined to crown his every effort with success. Grant county was not invaded under the inspiration of the rallying cry — Westward, Ho! Some of her pioneers had visited the Pacific coast of California and others, leaving Grant far to the south on their western pil- grimage, and journeyed to the Willamette val- ley and the extreme western part of Oregon. But in the farther west the spirit of unrest had not left them nor had their toilsome efforts met with satisfying reward. Turning their faces eastward fortune's star became their guide. It led them a torturous way, but proved a faith- ful guide, directing their footsteps at length into the beautiful valley of the John Day river. The incidents associated with the settle- ment of this valley having been related in another chapter, we proceed with its descrip- tion. On a grander scale Grant county has been fashioned like the old Roman amphi- theatre, the John Day valley representing the arena. This valley is rapidly becoming the field of action where will be expended the en- ergies of future generations in furthering the progress of the county. The John Day river rises on the eastern side of the county, some of its minor sources in the Strawberry range and, others in a spur of the Blue mountains, along the summit of which is traced the eastern boundary line. The course of the river is almost due west for ninety miles, when it makes a sharp curve to the north, crossing the county line in a northwesterly direction at a point twenty-five miles south of the county's northern limits. Here its waters are joined by those of the North Fork. While numerous creeks and small streams join the John Day in its course down the valley, the most important of which are Dixie creek from the north and' Canyon creek from the south, the first stream of considerable size to effect a junction with the main river is the South Fork, which enters its channel about fifty miles below the town of John Day. The northwest is famed for its beautiful valleys, and among the most charming is that of the John Day. It is about seventy miles long and varies in width from one to six miles. The elevation in the upper portion is 3,500 feet and in the extreme lower end slightly over 2,000 feet. On either side are foothills and moun- tain ranges towering to elevations of from five to seven thousand feet. On the north these higher altitudes are painted with the green of the pine, fir and tamarack ; on the south the hills are barren and rocky. The undulating lands of the valley are arable throughout its entire length and well adapted to agriculture, while the slopes and bench-lands on its bor- ders are the natural homes of the fruit and for- est tree. There are more than two hundred square 724 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES miles of tillable land in this valley, making it vastly the most important in the county, but a number of others are worthy of mention. The South Fork rises on the west slope of the Strawberry mountains, its general course be- ing directly north. In its central portion is a fertile valley some fifteen miles in length and averaging one and a half miles in width. In elevation it is slightly higher than its larger neighbor, but it is similar in its adaptations. There is an extensive valley region on the north side of the county, where, although the altitude is greater, the climate is milder than elsewhere and the winters less rigorous. Along the Middle Fork, whose headwaters are near those of the main river, there are several small valleys whose combined areas would make a tract of considerable extent. The course of the stream is northwest across the county and in length it is fully sixty miles. It empties into the North Fork near the north county line. Its main tributary is Liong creek, which courses for forty miles in the same direction between low ranges of mountains in the north central portion of the county. The valley of this stream 1 is six by seven miles in extent and is occupied by prosperous ranchers and agricul- turists. Fox valley is fifteen miles north of Canyon City and is drained by Fox creek, a small tributary which flows west into the John Day river. It is one of the most fertile val- leys in the county and contains eight square miles. Haystack and Corncob are miniature valleys on the Middle Fork in the north, noted for picturesque surroundings and warm cli- mate. One of the sources of Crooked river, a Crook county stream, is in the extreme south- west corner of Grant, on the divide between North Fork and some of the Harney county streams. Silvies river, which empties into Malheur lake in Harney county, rises on the south side of the Strawberry mountains and for fifteen miles flows through Grant county territory. The valley of this river is twenty-five by ten miles in area, a small portion of it lying within the limits of this county. It is occupied prin- cipally by stock ranches. Bear valley is twenty miles south of Canyon City, near the source of Silvies river. This valley extends for twen- ty-five miles along the Strawberry mountains and has a width averaging eight miles. The altitude here is more than 4,000 feet, making it 'almost exclusiely a stock region. It is abundantly supplied with water by numerous streams and wild grasses grow luxuriantly. Soda Springs, flowing water impregnated with medicinal properties, is located at the upper end of this valley. Farther west, along Mur- derer's creek (a tributary of South Fork), is a valley twelve miles long and half as wide, occupied almost exclusively by stockmen, its elevation unfitting it for the production of oth- er than forage grasses. Besides these named there are several other valleys in various parts of the county which, although not occupying any considerable extent of territory, are abund- antly watered from surrounding mountains and are very productive, cereal grains and fruits yielding rich harvests. There are no extensive plains in Grant county. It is a region of lofty mountain rang- es dwindling into foothills which cast their shadows across fertile valleys below. Straw- berry Butte, in the southeast, has an elevation of 8,600 feet ; Greenhorn peak, in the northeast, an elevation of 8,100 feet; Dixie Butte, on the east side, an elevation of 7,700 feet. Olive lake, in the northeast part of the county, is at an altitude of 5,950 feet. In its course around the county the boundary line, on the east, north and south, remains at an altitude but little be- low 5,000 feet at any point. At some points the elevation is over 7,000 feet. On the west side in the valley of the John Day, the altitude is slightly over 2,000 feet. But, even on the west, except for a short distance on either side of the river, the boundary line traverses high altitudes. The county is practically hedged in by the bordering mountain ranges. HISTORY OF BARER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 725 No railroad has as yet crossed its borders. The physical barriers interposed are many and they are not easily surmountable. But this is, perhaps, not the only cause for the absence of the railroad and the consequent isolation of the region. In its present stage of development the county does not offer inducements suffi- ciently great to warrant its invasion. Its need of railroads is, however, very great; in fact, its future development will depend largely upon its success in securing easy means of transportation to outside markets. Several stag'e lines cross the county and all points are thus connected. There is a daily stage service between Whitney and Canyon City. Six times each week the stage runs from Can- yon City to Heppner ; three times each week from Canyon City to Burns. The mining re- gions about Susanville and in the Greenhorn districts have direct stage connections with Whitney and with points west and south. Other lines reach outlying postoffices of lesser im- portance, and stages visit these places at reg- ular intervals. All settlements of importance are connected, and have communication with the outside world by telephone. A ride over the stage lines of Grant coun- ty is a most interesting and delightful experi- ence. There are but few easy grades. The routes cross directly over the successive rang- es of mountains, and wind through interve- ning valleys or canyons. From the mountain summits many of the views are matchless in beauty and grandeur. On leaving the John Day valley at Prairie City enroute to Whitney the road climbs over steep grades to> the sum- mit of a spur of the Blue mountains, a dis<- tance of nine miles. Progress is necessarily slow and the summit goal seems to> recede rather than to advance. At the start it is ap- parently just ahead — half an hour's drive. But distances are proverbially deceptive in the mountains as well as on the plains. When the first stage in the journey is accomplished and the elevation of the foothills is reached, the mountain heights have seemingly been lifted to greater altitudes and removed still farther from our immediate presence. In front and to the left the ranges expand in broken outline, revealing dark reaches of wooded knobs that stretch away in dim outline to the northwest until they are blended with the mists of the horizon. Bald and rocky summits are here and there projected above the timber line; cas- tellated promontories frown at us from dis- tant heights, while on every hand are dark mysterious alcoves in which haze and shadow lie engulfed. Dixie Butte and Greenhorn peak lift their barren rocky crowns in bold pro- file against the sky, thousands of feet above their neighbors. While our thoughts have been engrossed with the beauty and magnificence of the view before us, the region behind has ar- ranged its wonders for our inspection. The peaceful valley lies if'ar below us, its upper por- tion rounded against the dark hills, its lower portion narrowed into canyon confines. There are ranches outlined by rows of tall poplars, squares of crimsoning orchard and shade trees and fields of green and gold with their charm of color, of light and shade. The river winds, at times, close to the bordering hills under the shadow of the pines. Again it crosses the val- ley or follows an irregular course in its midst, finally disappearing in the gorge at the lower end. To the south of the valley the foothills and the Strawberry range form a receding ter- race which culminates forty miles away in an altitude of 8,600 feet on the summit of Straw- berry Butte. The mountain range is outlined in jagged profile in the distant south. Its massive ridges rise majesically above the in- tervening hills, streaked and columned with snow, broken and serrated with projecting rocks. Shadowy canyons zigzag among the hills and through the further range. The scene is one of weird mystery and wild beauty. The scenery throughout the John Day valley is much the same and yet there is nothing like monotony. The valley itself widens and nar- 726 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES rows many times as -the hills recede from the river or crowd close upon its channel. There are always hills in the foreground and always mountains in the background. But there is endless variety in form and color and the riv- er pursues a wayward course in harmony with the ever changing contour on either side. But while the valley of the John Day river is one oi the most beautiful in eastern Oregon, Grant county furnishes many other views of rare beauty and attractiveness. These may be found along any of the stage lines which trail through its hill and mountain regions. These stage roads pass over some of the highest ridg- es in the county. They traverse the valleys and wind up the canyons, sometimes close by the waters of a rushing mountain stream and again high up on the mountain side. Each turn in the road brings some change of scene; now a village miles away and thousands of feet below, the houses huddled together be- tween the precipitous walls of a canyon or scattered about on a gentle slope at the head of a valley; now tremendous uplifts of stratified rocks, bent and crumpled under prodigious pressure, curiously weathered, broken and worn until they are only colossal fragments of the original upheaval; or again, buildings and stacks of the prosperous ranchmen, clustered in a miniature valley — a gem of beauty rough- set in nature's mightier works. Although the greater portion of the county is extremely rough and mountainous, the level, tillable areas are comparatively small, yet it is by no means a desert waste. In another chapter will be found reference to the products of its mines. Everywhere its mountains are abundantly stored with minerals. In the Can- yon City region development work has pro- ceeded for many years and enormous values have been taken from the surrounding mines. Canyon mountain is called locally "Gold Moun- tain" because of the immense quantities of the precious metal that have been taken from it and that are believed to be still stored in it. Other -regions -famous for gold deposits are what is known as the Prairie Diggings, a few miles east of Canyon City; the Ouartzburg district, at the head of Dixie creek; the Dixie creek region ; Spanish Gulch, a few miles east ; along Ruby creek, a tributary of Middle Fork.; the Susanville district on Middle Fork; the Greenhorn mountain district ; the country about Granite, in the northeast and the bed of the John Day river below the city of John Day. A map of the gold belt of eastern Oregon, re- cently published by the United States Geolog- ical survey, includes all of the eastern half of Granite, in tire northeast and the bed of the the Strawberry mountains. The John Day valley is famous for the ge- ological records contained in its rock forma- tions and in its bed of fossil remains. Of these Doctor Condon, of the State University, says : There are many residents of the Pacific slope who will remember having journeyed from The Dalles, on the Columbia river, to Canyon City, among the Blue mountains. For sixty miles or more the road passes over volcanic materials which have drifted there from the Cascade range. Twenty miles further and this outflow thins out into a mere capping of basalt on the hilltops. The hills themselves, and the foundations on which they stand, are here found to be sedimentary rock, wonderfully filled with the abundant records of former animal and vegetable life. Oldest of all in sight is the old ocean bed of the Cretaceous period, with its teeming thousands of marine shells, as perfect to-day in their rocky bed as those of our recent sea .shores, their cavities often filled with calcareous spar or chal- cedony as if to compensate for the loss of their own proper marine hues. Next in ascending order come the fresh water deposits of the earlier Tertiaries, so full of the leaf prints of the grand old tropical forests which during that age of semi-tropical climate covered those lake shores. The marine rocks form the outer rim or shore-line of what was in those early times a lake of irregular outline, extending from Kern Creek hill on the west to Canyon City on the east, and from the hills north of the John Day river to the Crooked river valley on the south. Within this lake depression, whose former muddy sediment is now elevated into chalky hills, so despised for their alkaline waters and unproductive soils, the geologist feels at home. How strangely out of place a score of palm trees, a hundred yew trees, or even a bank of ferns, would seem here now, and yet here these once lived and died and were buried, and beautiful beyond description are their fossil remains even now as they are unburied. HISTORY OF BAKER. GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 727 Seen from the summit of Kern Creek hill, its west-, ern border, this vast ampitheatre of lesser hills pre- sents a wild, wonderful grouping of varied outlines and colors. A spur of the Blue mountains — its nearest point forty miles away — covered with a dense forest, forms the dark 'background of the view. The varying shades of brown that characterize the older marine rocks rise in vast border masses, almost treeless and shrubless, in an inner, irregular circle, while the lighter shades that fill the deeper depressions of the central portion mark the later sedimentary deposits ; and then, like vast ink blots on a painting, one sees, here and there, a pro- truding mass of dark colored trap. Through the heart of this wild region winds the John Day river, running westward until it passes the middle ground of the pic- ture, and then turning northward to join the Columbia. This stream, so insignificant in appearance, has done wonderful work among these hills. The river itself was in the olden times merely a series of connecting links between a chain of lakes that extended from the Blue mountains to the Cascades of the Columbia. It has for unnumbered ages gone on excavating vast gorges and canyons as all other streams in central Oregon have done, till lake after lake was drained off and their beds changed to a treeless desert. The deep excava- tions that resulted could hardly fail to lay bare im- portant records of the past, cutting as they do through the whole extent of the Tertiary period. In a deep canyon, through which runs a branch of Kern creek, may be found the remains of a beautiful fern, a gem of its kind, which no thoughtful mind can see without wonder and admiration. In another ravine are seen in great numbers the remains of a yew, or yew-like tree, that sheds annually not its leaflets but its branchlets ; for in this form they are found of almost uniform length and structure imbedded in the rocks. This tree was evidently abundant upon those ancient shores, for it can be found at almost every spot where a little stream washed its miniature delta into the lake. Oaks, too, and occasionally a fine impression of an acorn, or acorn-cup, are found at intervals from this place to the Blue mountains. But the great geological importance of that old lake depression does not arise from the fossil remains of its -forests, beautiful, varied and abundant as they are, but from its finely preserved fossil bones. Two species of rhinoceros lived their quiet, indolent lives among the reeds that line the old lake shore. A little beyond the southern spur of that distant mountain there evidently emptied a stream of some size, for its delta is strewn with fragments of silicified bones. Among these the 'bones of the rhinoceros are frequent, but the remains of an extinct animal, allied in some respects to the camel, in others to the tapir family, are most abundant. Mute historians are they of the far distant past, uniting with hundreds of others to tell strange stories of the wonderful wealth of forest, field and lake shore of that period. A tapir-like animal to which the name of Lophiodon has been given lived here too. His remains indicate an animal the size of the living tapir. Not far from the last were found some bones of a fossil peccary of large size. Another of the denizens of these ancient lake shores bore some resemblance to the horse. The remains of this animal, the Anchither- ium, were first discovered in the Tertiary rocks of France a few years ago ; more recently they were found in the "bad lands" of Nebraska, and later in the John Day valley. But the richest chapters in the history of the horse in Oregon are not from those rocks of the lower valley, for another and a later record in the upper part, of the valley contains these. Doubtless both portions of the valley were once continuous and formed one lake, but a stream of lava from the Blue mountains seems to have run into it near the present site of Camp Watson, dividing it into an upper and a lower lake. The lower one seems to have drained off first, the upper one remaining a lake into the later Tertiary period, and receiving into its archives the remains of the animal types of a later age. The river was apparently turned northward by that outpouring of volcanic materials, and cutting for itself a new channel in the deep canyon thirty miles or more away formed a great bend, and excavated an immense basin in these nearer and lighter colored Tertiary rocks. Above that bend, that canyon and that volcanic out- flow, the valley opens again, and there, extending from Cottonwood creek to Canyon City, are the remains of the upper lake depression of the John Day valley. This later lake depression received into its sediment a larger amount of volcanic ashes and cinders than the lower one did. Several of its strata are pure volcanic ashes, rough to the touch as ground pumice stone, which must have fallen on that lake in vast quantities. The purest was evidently that which had fallen directly into the lake, the less pure that which, first falling on the surrounding hills, had subsequently drifted from them by the action of the winds and waters and had become part of the lake -sediment. Upon the hills that overlooked these lake shores there lived three or four different species of the horse family. Their remains are easily distinguished, for the teeth are well preserved and the teeth of the horse are well marked. Almost as well marked as these equine remains were some teeth that apparently represented a member of the camel family found there, too. in a fine specimen of a lower jaw silicified completely and in solid rock. Fossil remains of other species also giving a wide range of life record were found. But the most remarkable thing about this upper lake record is that which reveals the way in which its history of this period was brought to a close. The last rock of the series fills the place of a cover to the vol- ume. Never was cover better defined nor more dis- tinctly separated from the well written and well illus- trated pages it serves to protect. The cover itself, too, has a history worth reading. It extends for miles, 728 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES varying but slightly in thickness, which amounts to twenty or twenty-five feet, and is throughout so entirely volcanic as to leave no room for mistake. Its materials are volcanic ashes and cinders, the cinders ranging from an inch across downward to the minuteness of the ashes. Volcanic showers fell here certainly over hundreds of square miles and in such vast bulk that, pressed by the hydraulic force of later masses above it into a solid plate of rock, it now in this form measures from twenty to twenty-five feet through. No wonder it closed one of the finest life records of that remote period, and with the record that volume, becoming at once the proximate cause of the changes that followed, and the upper cover of the volume it sealed. Mineral and warm springs are numerous over the county, Soda Springs, on the south of Strawberry mountains, have been mentioned. In the mountains on the north side of the coun- ty are several hot springs, all possesing, to a greater or less degree, medicinal properties. The most noted warm springs are near Reyn- old creek, a tributary of the John Day, about twenty-five miles east of Canyon City. The location has become the summer resort of the county. Bath houses have been constructed for the use of visitors. It sis an ideal camping ground, the surroundings are picturesque, the streams afford good fishing and the mountains on the south abound in game. The forests of Grant county are extensive on the east and north. Fir, pine and tamarack are the leading lumber varieties of timber. Saw mills are scattered here and there over the country, supplying the local demand for lum- ber. Citizens of Grant county are now peti- tioning the President in opposition to a pro- posed forest reserve which would include over half of its territory and all of its timbered areas. The future development of the county will depend largely upon the settlement of the forest reserve question, which is now pending. Mining, stock raising and agriculture are the principal industries of Grant. Stock rais- ing has been in the past and must continue to be a leading pursuit. At one time the stock- man's investments were almost entirely in cat- tle, but in recent years the range has not fur- nished grass in quantity and quality suited to the highest development of this industry, and the cattle herds have given way to sheep. In 1897 there were about 200,000 sheep in the county, valued at $300,000. The annual wool sales return over $200,000 to the producers. The soil of the arable lands of Grant coun- ty is rich and highly productive. It is a black silt deposit from the waters of the prehistoric lake that covered the entire surface of eastern Oregon. For ages it has been washing down from the mountain sides and accumulating in the valleys and it has been wrought by the alchemy of time into a soil of rare productive qualities. It is well suited to the production of all the cereals, but no effort has been made to excel in the quantities produced, only the local demand for wheat, oats, barley and rye being given consideration. In 1897 30,000 bushels of wheat were raised in the upper John Day valley. Alfalfa and other hay grasses grow luxuriantly and there is each year a larg- er acreage sown to these than to any other ranch product. In the warmer valleys in the northern part of the county, some corn is raised, but it is not a leading product, elevation and consequent cool nights interfering ma- terially with the proper maturing of the grain. Considerable attention has been given to fruit raising, apples, pears, cherries and plums doing exceedingly well. Berries of all kinds are easily raised. During the early mining da)'S vegetables were raised by a few. It was many years before the supply was equal to the demand and the pioneer miners were glad to get potatoes at 33 1-3 cents per pound. A' bunch of three or four green onions brought fifty cents and other vegetables sold for pro- portionately high prices. Fruit growing re- ceived no attention until about the year 1865. Joaquin Miller,— "the "Poet of the Sierras,"— who at that time resided in Canyon City, is credited with being the first to experiment with fruit trees. It was purely an experiment, but was in all respects a success. An orchard of HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 729 apple, plum, pear and cherry trees was set out about his home in 1865. By the year 1872 every tree was in full bearing, the yield was abundant and the flavor of the fruit excellent. This orchard demonstrated the fact that hor- ticulture might easily be made a leading indus- try in Grant county. Although Mr. Miller's orchard has of late year been neglected, many of the trees are yet living and yielding their yearly crop. For several years after the first settlements were made, fruits were freighted to Canyon City over the mountainous road from The Dalles, a distance of two hundred miles. Ap- ples sold for five dollars a box, or, by retail for twenty-five cents per pound. But these conditions were doomed to> radical and speedy change. Climatic and soil conditions were pe- culiarly favorable for the production of fruit. During the years 1867 and 1868 large orchards were planted by B. C. Trowbridge, Fisk and Rhinehart, J. J. Cozart and Luce Brothers. These were the pioneer horticulturists. Fol- lowing them, each year has witnessed a mate- rial growth of the industry, until now every farmer or ranchman in the county has an or- chard of greater or less extent. The home market can not consume the supply, a portion of which finds its way over rough mountain roads to the cities and towns of bordering coun- ties. D. B. Rhinehart's orchard, containing forty acres, is the largest orchard in the coun- ty and is a credit both to the possibilities of the soil and to the energy and industry of its owner. The full development of this indus- try only awaits the coming of the railroad. The mining, agricultural and horticultural possibilities of Grant county can not be accu- rately estimated until transportation agencies afford the proper incentives to full develop- ment of all her resources. Hler boundaries en- close an area of 4,560 square miles. Her nat- ural advantages are equal to those of any and superior to those of some of her neighboring counties. Union, Umatilla and Morrow coun- ties form her northern boundary ; Wheeler and Crook counties are on the west ; H|arney is on the south ; Malheur and Baker are on the east. In many particulars her interests will in time become successful competitors with those of her bordering counties. The mercury ranges between seventy and one hundred degrees from June 1st to October 1st, rarely passing the one hundred mark. The atmosphere is light and dry during these months and nights are invariably cool. The winters are not severe. It is seldom that the mercury falls below ten degrees and sometimes rises to seventy-five degrees in January. Snow fall in the higher altitudes in sufficient quan- tities to furnish an abundance of water through out the year for stock and for irrigation on the table lands and in the valleys. Every plateau and every valley is webbed with ditches and water is everywhere to be had for the beautify- ing and fructifying of the land. Many of the streams over the county and some of the irri- gating ditches flow sufficient quantities of wat- er and have sufficient fall to operate mills and factories, and these are building up in response to a demand that is growing as all other inter- ests advance. In a great many ways Grant county is fast becoming a desirable location for the business man in any commercial pursuit. Despite its isolation it has made progress after its own fashion, and in the face of great difficulties has achieved a prosperity, of which many re- gions of more fortunate opportunities may well be envious. In lighter mood it has a charm all its own. The touch with nature is close, and to those who love the soughing of the for- est, and the solitudes of its shadows; to those to whom the rush of clear waters and the mel- ody of their song are gladness ; to all who find joy in the larger moods of nature, here is a land of abounding and perpetual charm. MALHEUR COUNTY. It may be said without extravagance that 730 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Malheur county is a term applied to south eas- ern Oregon. The eastern boundary of Ore- gon is about 290 miles in extent and of this distance Malheur county occupies 174 miles, or about two^-thirds. The county is about fifty- seven miles in width, and is credited with an area of 9,784 square miles. The total area of the state is 94,560 square miles. Over one- tenth of this area, then, is included within Mal- heur's boundaries. As there are thirty-three counties in the state, it will be readily seen that Malheur has the lion's share of the territory. Baker county is on the north, Grant and Har- ney are on the west, Nevada is on the south, and Idahoi and the Snake river are on the east. The north and northwest boundaries pass over the Burnt River mountains region. The Hivide between Malheur and Baker counties is at an elevation of 5,ooO' feet. Between Mal- heur and Grant counties it reaches an altitude of 7,000 feet. There is a gradual slope from this region east and south to the basins of the Malheur and Snake rivers. The western boun- dairy traverses the slope in the higher altitudes of which are the headwaters of the Malheur riv- er, and in the extreme south the sources of some of the western tributaries of the Owyhee river. The summit of the divide from, which these waters come is farther west in Harney county. Along the western side the elevation varies from 7,000 feet in the north and in the extreme south, to about 3,000 feet in the central portion. The surface in this region has four distinct slopes. Beginning at the north, there is a downward slope following the north and middle forks of Malheur river, which take a southeasterly course toward the main stream. From the point where the boun- dary line crosses the Malheur river there is a southern upward slope to the summit of the divide between Crooked creek in Malheur and Dunder and Blitzen river in Harney county. From here the country falls again toward the south and the waters of Crooked creek, and from this stream rises to> the higher elevations on the southern state' boundary. Along the southern boundary is an elevated region in which are the numerous sources of the Owyhee river and of some small streams that enter the state of Nevada. About three-fourths of the eastern boundary line runs along the divide between the Snake and the Owyhee rivers. The elevation drops from 7,000 feet in the ex- treme south to 4,000 feet at Jordan valley, and to about 2,500 feet at the mouth of the Owyhee river, where the line enters' the Snake river. The slope of this entire section is northwest, following the course of the streams tributary to the Owyhee. On the northeast the county line centers the waters of Snake river, and this portion of the county has very gradual slopes toward the valleys of that river and of the Malheur. Elevations along the Snake river are as follows : Huntington, in Baker county, has an elevation of 2,ii0' feet; Weiser, Idaho, 2,123 feet; Payette, Idaho. 2,150 feet; and On- tario!, Malheur county, 2,157 feet, showing a fall of but forty-seven feet from Ontario to Huntington, a distance of forty miles. The Malheur county side of the Burnt riv- er divide, in the north end of the county, is drained by Willow creek, a stream that heads in the Ironsides mountains. Willow creek is about seventy-five miles in length and pursues a southeasterly course, emptying into Malheur river a few miles below Vale and about fifteen miles above the rivers' mouth. In the upper Willow creek region the stream flows down narrow gulches and canyons. There are no lowlands along its banks and its waters aire used by prospectors and miners on the adjacent hillsides. Farther down the creek the valley widens, and hay and grain ranches have been located at intervals along its course. Both hill and valley lands are covered with a heavy growth of sage brush. There is but little tim- ber here and the sharp contrasts in color from the gray of the sage brush; plain to the green hay fields and groves on the ranches and the matny-huied ♦ rocks and slags of the mountain HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 7131 sides make a picture that is impressed indelibly upon the memory. Six miles southeast of Mal- heur City and about the same distance south of the north county line, is situated what is known as Cow valley. Its altitude is 6,000 feet. It is. ai level tract of land but little below the mountain tops, several miles in extent and about two miles wide. No; stream courses this valley except in the spring and early summer, when the snow melts into torrents. Wild grass grows here abundantly and the valley forms an immense pasture where cattle and sheep range the summer through. Both this valley and the lower Willow creek valley are deeply rutted by the spring floods from the mountains. At this season the volume of water and the mo- mentum it attains in its downward course are so" great that these gulches have been washed out in places fifteen to twenty feet deep. When the flood is on they are as impassable as are the deep, broad rivers of the lower valleys. Ten miles west of Willow creek valley is that of Bully creek. The sources of this stream are on the east slope of the Ironsides moun- tains. Its tributaries are Cottonwood, Clover and Indian creeks. Bully creek joins the Mal- heur river ai short distance above Vale. These streams flow through a broken stock range country, but in many places along their banks are small tracts of irrigable land which are occupied by ranchmen and sown to grain and grasses. Across the northern part of the county, trending slightly north of east, flows the Mal- heur river, emptying into the Snake about two miles below Ontario. It courses through a valley of varying width, nowhere exceeding- two miles. This, stream has 1 quite a number of tributaries, the largest of which is Willow creek, which we have just described. The south and middle forks; form a junction near the western line of the county, while the north fork enters the main stream about ten miles below this junction. This latter tributary re- ceives the water from Warm Springs creek, which heads on the south slope of the Iron 1 sides mountains. The middle fork is fed by Otis creek and Round Valley creek, which rise in the old Malheur Indian reservation, in northeast Harney county. Tributaries, of the south fork are Coyote creek, Carman creek, Crane creek' and Camp creek, all Hajmey streams. The forks of Malheur river and their numerous feeders drain a. timbered region along the west side of the county. This is the only timbered section in the county, and the area within its boundaries is comparatively small, the greater portion of the belt lying across the line in Harney. The growth includes pine, fir, tamarack and juniper. The only sawmill in the county is at Ironsides, in the extreme north- west corner. It supplies a limited local de- mand for lumber. On the south the lower Malheur valley rises almost imperceptibly to the level of the central plains of the county. In the lower valley on the north is an extensive level tract known as Dead Ox Flat. Farther up the ascent from water level Is more ab- rupt to the high divide between Willow creek and Snake river. This divide apparently terminates in what is known as Malheur Butte. It is also called Kennedy Butte, in honor of a pioneer of that name whose homestead was at its base. It is the most prominent landmark in the county and is located about seven, miles west of On- tario. It is set down in the midst of a per- fectly level plain and has the appearance of an immense dump of refuse or screenings from a coal mine, although the volcanic scoria which forms its exterior distinguishes it from; coal slack by the varied colors which are reflected from its slopes. It rises at am acute angle to a height of a thousand feet and immense, rag- ged multi formed rocks project from its apex and at intervals from its sides. Both from the east and from the west it is visible for many miles, and altogether it is one of the most won- derful formations in the northwest. The northern half of the county is drained 732 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES by the Owyhee river and its numerous tribu- taries. Jordan creek is the most important of these feeders. Of the others we may name Soldier creek, the North, Middle and South forks of the Owyhee, Antelope and Rattle- snake creeks, Crooked creek and Twelve Mile creek. Cow creek rises in Idaho* and flows into* Jordan creek at a point about fifteen miles west of the state line. Jordan creek rises in Idaho, but for twenty-five miles its course lies westward through Malheur 1 county. The three forks of the Owyhee also rise in Idaho. The main stream of the Owyhee forms a junction with the Snake river about fifteen miles south of Ontario, on the state line. This portion of the county has an elevation of from four to seven thousand feet. It is exceedingly rough and mountainous. In their upper regions the streams flow (precipitately 'down wild, deep canyons. The general character of this section is rough and broken, an irregular tableland, which extends across the county from east to west. In the lower portions of Jordan creek and of Owyhee river there is considerable val- ley land suited to the growth of grain, hay and vegetables, but the hill country further south is strictly a stock raising region. Along Jordan creek there are three valleys at different alti- tudes and separated by a narrowing of the can- yon. Every available tract of land is occupied by a ranch, the most extensive being Ruby ranch in the middle valley, in which there are 3,000 acres. Along lower Owyhee river are lo^ cated some of the finest ranches in the county. There is much in this portion of Malheur that is of interest. There is a fascination about life in a region so remote from the active centers of the west. There are no extensive forests, but the hills and mountains are bold and picturesque and the valleys are beautiful in their contrasting characteristics. The streams are abundantly stocked with fish and in the hills is plenty of game. The stockman will search in vain for a country better adapted toi the business of his life. Near Jordan valley along the creek are extensive fossil beds. Here are found the fos- sil remains of many extinct species of the ani- mal and reptile kingdoms, as well as those of fishes and vegetable growths, which geologists have classed with the deposits of the pliocene period. Near these fossil beds are evidences that this was once the home of a prehistoric people. These evidences consist of numerous ruins along the rocky hillsides, smooth-hewed caverns and pillars, where are found scrolls, figures, pictures and hieroglyphics cut into the stone. Scientific research has not yet reached this section and conjecture is a poor substitute, hence we will not attempt to enlighten, the reader concerning the character, customs and civilization of this ancient folk, who have left naught toi tell of their life work but the un- intelligible scroll on the broken door post or the cavern wall. There is interesting and ex- haustive work here for the student, and the field will no doubt engage his attention at no distant day. For about fifty miles the Snake river courses along the northeast line of the county. At this point the Snake is a broad, deep stream with but little fall, and consequently with a comparatively slow current. The fall from Nyssa to Huntington is less than ninety feet. But this is of course sufficient for purposes of irrigation, the surface outline of this portion of the county sloping as the river runs, to the north, The lands adjacent to this stream on the Oregon side are very rich. The elevation is but little above 2,100 feet and the whole area is well adapted to' the production of all farm crops, vegetables, fruits, berries, etc. Here the rolling sage brush plains are unrelieved by hill or mountain except in distant outline. In its wild state the country possesses no engag- ing features, but "at the magic touch of water" trees and grasses flourish in wanton luxuriance and there is everywhere the "mute, mute com- fort of the green things growing." Water is the crying need of the Snake river valley, and HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 7^3 when, by the ingenuity of man, it shall be drawn from the river bed and spread over the land this will become a region of rare beauty and unequaled productiveness. The soil of the cultivable areas of Malheur county is of recent formation, speaking geolog- ically. It is the light alluvial soil common to all arid districts. The top layer varies in depth from six inches to eight feet. Underlying this layer is a stratum of hard-pan, from three to fifteen inches in thickness. Beneath the hard- pan is a gravelly loam, rich in plant food, but not available by reason of the fact that plant and tree roots do not penetrate the stratum above. The most successful horticulturists have in recent years adopted the plan of dyna- miting the hard-pan below the trees, thus en- abling their roots to> reach the rich loam. Con- cerning the alkali soils of the west, W. S. Harwood, writing in the June issue of Scriib- ner's magazine, says: "Investigations at the United States agricultural experiment station of California demonstrated that the salts of the soils of alkali lands, injurious to grains, grasses, fruits and forests, bear no relation to the salt of the sea, the alkali land being wholly different from coast marsh lands deriving their salts from the ocean waters ; that the salts of the alkali lands are native to the soil, their presence being largely due toi the absence of rainfall (the salts staying in the soil because they are not leached out and carried away by the rain) ; that the salts rise to the surface after heavy rainfalls, as oil rises in the wick of a lamp ; that when the land is flooded with water by sudden rainfall or by over-irrigation, so that the salts rise to the surface and destroy vege- tation, it is only necessary to resort to< under- drainage, a reversal of the usual process ; that the salts in the soil have a way of running up and down in the upper four or five feet of soil, following the movement of moisture. It was proven, alsoi, that the evil in the soil called black alkali — stretches of dark, barren regions unfit for agriculture — may be neutralized by spreading over the black earth a, coating of gypsum." As is well known, alluvial soils are of vir- gin character and are composed of disintegrated rocks, volcanic ash, and similar elements. These soils, being fresh from nature, have nev- er been exhausted by the varied processes of vegetable life and are hence much more endur- ing and fruitful than the soils of earlier geolog- ical periods. There are rarely more than three or four weeks of real winter, and during this short season the thermometer seldom falls lower than ten or twelve degrees, below zero. Even when the zero mark is reached the dry atmosphere tempers the severity of the weather. Farm work frquently continues through every month in the year. The heat of the summer is not oppress- ive, the nights are always cool, and altogether the climate is conducive to physical health and to the rapid and perfect maturing of all vege- table life. Canal building is practically in its infancy in Malheur county, although a number of ditches have been constructed, others are under contemplation and a great deal of capital is al- ready invested in the work. Necessity has long been recognized as the mother of invention ; but while she may be cred- ited with much of the wonderful progress of recent years in mechanics, as well as in other fields of action, it should also be remembered that the civilization and development of new territories have many times resulted from dis- coveries made in the effort to: meet the de- mands or supply the necessities of the hour with elements and conditions new and untried. It was with the greatest difficulty that the densely populated mining camps of the 'sixties were supplied with some of the necessities, of life. Points of supplies were many miles away and during the greater part of the year the trails were next to impassable. Such conditions led to experiments in the raising of vegetables and other products of the soil. It was not, how- 734 HISTORY OF BAKES? , GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES ever, until 1874 that any determined effort was made to farm the soil oif Malheur county, although there were vegetable gardens in Jor- dan valley as early as 1864. In 1874 J. L. Cole and Alfred Loiftin began the cultivation of grains and vegetables near the mining camps on Willow creek. They were very successful and were soon followed by others. In some lo- cations irrigation from ditches was necessary, but in many places sub-irrigation from the creek and from surrounding hills and moun- tains was sufficient to produce excellent crops. But it is upon her vast sage brush plains that Malheur county must ever depend for prosperity. These desolate looking plains are fast disappearing and in their stead may now be seen in many parts of the county fields of grains and grasses, groves of trees, extensive orchards and gardens of small fruits, flowers and vegetables. The reclamation of the sage brush lands has been gradual since the year 1879. About this time a few families located along the larger streams, grazed stock in ad- jacent territory and incidentally cultivated patches of land near the water. In 1881 or 1882 it became evident that a line of railroad would be built down the Snake river, and con- sequently numerous claims were taken along the streams. From Nevada and from other sections where crops are raised by irrigation came a large number of families who' under- stood this method of cultivating arid lands. The Nevada families located on Malheur river, about ten miles above its. junction with the Snake. Going five miles farther up the river, they commenced the construction) of a ditch which was intended to convey water toi their ranches. This ditoh was completed in 1884. It accomplished all for the farmers that was ex- pected of it, and in the territory watered are now many beautiful and highly productive farms. This is known as the Nevada ditch. It has first right to 2,000 inches of water from Malheur river, measured under six inches pres- sure. It was incorporated! in 1887, and the stock, valued at $40,000, is all owned by farm- ers directly benefited by the ditch. When the results of experimental farming on Willow creek, and of the more extensive operations under the Nevada ditch became known ditch building and farming in Malheur began in earnest. What is known as- the Owyhee ditch was the next to engage the energies of the farmers. Construction work commenced in 1883, and it reached completion in 1896. The estimated cost was $150,000. About 30,000 acres of land are under this ditch, although but ten thousand acres are at present under cultiva- tion. It was opened on the Owyhee river about ten miles from the river's mouth and has first right to. 30,000 inches of water. For the first twelve miles it is twenty feet wide on the bottom, tapering afterward to an eight-foot ditch. It is tweny-six miles long, with a fall of twenty inches per mile, running from the Owyhee river to. the Malheur, into which it empties a short distance above Ontario. The ditch was started as a private canal by A. Matheson, C. O. Wilson, M. H. Dryden, D. T. Rigs'by, Perry Kriss, T. C. Fletcher, J. A. Ward, Otto* and Gustav Schweiser. Articles of incorporation were taken out in 1888. In order to complete it, bonds to' the amount of $50,000 were issued at the time of incorpora- tion. The stock of the company is at present valued at $250,000. The officers are: F. W. Metcalf, president; C. E. Hunt, vice-president, and G. L. King, secretary. The Malheur Farmers Irrigating Ditch Com- pany has constructed an, eight-foot canal seven miles long, starting from the Malheur river at the head of the lower valley and carrying 3,000 inches of water. This ditch was com- plete! in 1885 an d was promoted by W. G. Thompson, E. R. Gruwell and T. W. Pierce. The Pacific Live Stock Company has a twelve- foot ditch carrying 1,000 inches of water, which has been taken from Warm Springs creek in the upper Malheur country. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 735 It is used exclusively to water the company's immense ranch on the old Malheur Indian reservation. A short distance above Vale another eight- foot ditch leaves the Malheur river, carrying 1,000 inches of water. It was built by Giller- man and Froman. The Wilson ditch was. taken from the Snake river a few miles above Ontarioi in 1894. It is ten feet wide and thirteen miles long, enter- ing the Malheur below the mouth of Owyhee ditch. It carries 1,000 inches of water and was constructed by David Wilson at a cost of $8,000. • Sand Hollow ditch, taken from the MaJ- heur, is six feet wide and carries 500 inches of water. The McLaughlin ditch, from the same stream,, is five feet wide and flows 400 inches of water. Besides these named there are numerous small ditches in Jordan valley and along Willow creek, which water small tracts of hay, grain and garden land. The latest ditching enterprise has in con- templation a high ditch from the upper Owy- hee river to the Halliday place on the Malheur river, a distance of about forty miles. C. M. Foster has completed a survey which provides for a dam and twoi large reservoirs in the Owyhee canyon. The route courses along high slopes in the Cedar mountain region and when completed the canal will be at a considerable el- evation above the plain level of the country. Land that cannot be reached by water from any of the ditches now constructed could be easily watered from this one. One of the main objects in the construction of this high ditch is to flume water across the Malheur onto what is known as Dead Ox Flat, an extensive plain north of this river. The local promoters of the enterprise are E. H. Test, William Miller and Thomas Jones. The cost of canal, dam and reservoirs is estimated at $280,000 and an effort is now being made to interest capitalists in the work. Stimulated bv the construction of these necessary adjuncts to successful farming in Malheur county, agriculture and horticulture have made wonderful strides in the last decade. The ditches have also both directly and indi- rectly advanced the stock interests. In many localities they furnish water for stock, but what is of greater importance, they have made possi- ble the production of vast quantities of alfalfa and other hay grasses, upon which the stock- man must depend for winter feeding. That the reader may have accurate knowl- edge of the extent of the various industries, of the county, we give below the output sales of 1897. In bushels there were produced that year, of wheat, 10,000, oats 20,000, barley 40,- 000, corn 3,000, potatoes 20,000, apples 1,000, prunes and plums 100, wool 800,000 pounds, butter and cheese, 20,000, fish 5,000, sheep sold 50,000, cattle 20,000, horses 5,000, hogs 500, lumber 500,000 feet, gold mined $100,000, tons of hay 35,000. The assessment summary for 1901 shows values of stock then in the county as follows: Horses and mules $80,975, cattle $312,605, sheep $201,870, hogs $970. In 1886 there were 673 cars of live stock shipped from Ontario*, and two train loads of wool. In 1896 were shipped 1,039 cars °f uve stock, valued at $750,000. In 1897 1,982 cars were forwarded. In 1899, during a period of six weeks, $1,500,000 worth of cat- tle alone went forward from Ontario. These comparative figures show the rapid growth of the stock industry. Fanning has kept pace with stock raising and the culture of fruit and berries is every year receiving more attention. The lower Snake river valley is especially suited to the culture of fruits. All the varieties are grown here, and in size and flavor the ripe fruit is unsurpassed. In another chapter considerable space has been devoted to a description of the Arcadia farm, which is an object lesson on fruit culture in this valley. The annual wool sales' day is one of the im- portant events in the calendar of the Malheur county sheep man. ' On this day he learns ex- 736 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES act]y what his income for the year is to be. lie collects his money, pays his indebtedness, esti- mates his expenses for the coming year, de- posits his surplus in the bank and looks up opportunities for further investment in sheep. All sheep men do not wait for the annual sales' day, but small sales are for various reasons often consummated earlier in, the season. In 1902 there were but few early sales. The big strike down east in the mills of the American Woolen Company, where is consumed half the wool product of the United States, kept prices low and the May wool market very quiet. There were but few buyers on the market and May sales were considerably below the aver- age. The regular annual wool sales for 1902 were made at Ontario, Monday, June 23rd. By this date circumstances had grown favorable both to buyers and sellers and all were fairly well satisfied. The sheep men received from ten to twelve and a half cents per pound for their clips. June 30th there had been received at and shipped from Ontario about 1,000,000 pounds and it was estimated that this was about two-thirds of the clip for the year. Reports of the discovery of coal in various parts oi the county have been made at intervals during the past few years, but investigation has proven that as yet no- coal beds of real commercial value have been found. On Sucker creek in 1897 quite an extensive deposit was lo- cated, which it was thought at first would prove to be valuable fuel coal. In this, however, the discoverers were doomed to disappointment. Some of the more important elemental sub- stances found in first class fuel coal were ab^- sent. It was not solid and heavy, but very light and porous, resembling charcoal in these par- ticulars. It was not deficient in oils and gases, lighting readily and burning rapidly. These latter qualities condemned it, as, it was con- sumed so rapidly that it was found to be impos- sible to maintain with it a, lasting and intense fire. No effort has thus far been made to de- velop these mines and the coal has been put to no practical use. In October, 1899, while boring for artesian water at Mosquite, in the northeastern part of the county, at a depth of 1,024 f eet the drill en- tered a cavity charged with gas. The flow was considerable for a time and created a great deal of excitement. Again in November, 1901, while drilling for artesian water at Ontario, Ed. Ashley, of Weiser, working under con- tract with the city authorities of Ontario, struck oil and gas at a depth of 1,100 feet. The pur- pose for which the well was drilled was not accomplished and no effort has been made by the city to develop the oil and gas prospects. The well was abandoned, but, although there are over a thousand feet of water and debris in the pipe, the gas makes its way to. the surface and burns when lighted. It is believed by those experienced in gas prospecting that practical use could be made of the gas from both these wells if they were properly cleaned and piped. An inexhaustible supply of natural gas would be of inestimable value to the people of this section, where there are neither coal deposits nor timbered areas and where in many localities reliance is placed by the poorer classes upon the sage brush of the plains for fuel. A great many are firmly of the belief that portions of Malheur county are underlaid with stores of coal,, oil, and gas. In 190 1, Hope Brothers and Keady and Moore, of Vale, in connection with a number of Portland capital- ists, located about 12,000 acres of oil land twenty miles northwest of Vale. The land has been tested and found to be perfect in all its in- dications of oil. Another company has also made locations in the same vicinity. While some preliminary prospecting has. been done, the actual work of developing has not yet com- menced. Should the field prove to be as rich in oil and gas as indications promise, the building of a railroad across the county will be assured and, together, the oil fieMs and railroad will HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 737 speedily solve many troublesome problems for the people of Malheur. At present the O. S. L. is the only railroad that touches the county. All points are con- nected by stage and freight lines. There is also goO'd connection by telephone between the more important towns and outside localities. The history oi the gold mines in the Mal- heur and Mormon Basin district has been writ- ten in another chapter of this work. It is es- timated that at least a million dollars have been taken from this section and it is believed that there are other millions yet to be mined. In i860 men hurried along the lonely trails of Malheur county loathe to tarry even for a day in the midst of her seeming- desolation. She afforded no rest for the weary emigrant, offered no hand of welcome to the traveler, held out no promise of better things to the homeseeker. It was indeed a country of mal heur (misfortune). But, during the forty- two- years that have elapsed since i860, what won- derful tran formations have taken place ! Now there is promise in every sunrise and hope in every sunset. Grains grow and fruits ripen and roses bloom where once stretched arid plains — "Then, desert land — now, gardens of delight." HARNEY COUNTY. The Harney country is one of the few large, rich regions in the United States still unpenetrated by the iron horse. Strange it may seem that in a section so progressive as the northwest, so inviting a field should re- main this long open, but such is the fact, nev- ertheless, and if we would explore this won- drous region we must enter it by stage or pri- vate conveyance. There are two routes from the railroad by which ingress may be had, the Canyon City route and the Ontario-Burns route. He who takes the former must trav- erse the Sumpter Valley line from its begin- ning in Baker City to its terminus at Whit- 47 ney. going thence by stage, forty-five miles to Canyon City, and thence by a second stage line over another spur of the Blue mountains to his destination. The visitor who chooses the other alternative leaves the O. R. & N. at On- tario. A ride continued day and night with- out intermission for thirty-six hours will bring him to Burns, the county seat and me- tropolis of Harney county. Except for the first few miles the journey is dreary enough. Sand, sagebrush and alkali dust there are in great abundance. The farmers who have homes in the country through which the route leads us are remote from the road, and only at long intervals can human habitations be- seem The view which greets one when, after many hours of such cheerless travel, he emerges upon the outskirts of Harney valley, is therefore all the more impressive. The most striking characteristic of the scene is its won- derful expansiveness, for the visitor is behold- ing the second largest valley in Oregon. To the superficial observer it seems level as the floor, and in vain does he attempt to catch a glimpse of its utmost bounds. Its magnitude may be judged from the fact that it contains about 2,500 square miles, an area greater than that of some of the smaller eastern states. Add to it the small valleys and the mountain areas which are included in Harney county and we have an empire larger than Massachusetts by 1,671 square miles. When we first enter this mammoth do- main, we are still in the sagebrush. The ex- perienced eye will perceive, however, that this desert shrub is here a. healthy plant, showing that its mother earth is rich in nutritive pow- ers, a fact further evidenced by the blackness of the surface soil. The visitor is likely to experience a feeling of genuine regret that a land so abundantly capable as this evidently is, so level and convenient for the agriculturist, is lying almost totally idle. The reason is found in the lack of capital wherewith to bring into use the needed water for irrigation pur- 738 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES poses. Water in unlimited quantities is found a few feet below the surface, proving that the country must be especially well adapted for the raising of alfalfa, could a system of surface ir- rigation be installed which would enable the grass, to live and thrive until its roots could sink clown and bathe themselves in this under- ground reservoir. Let the waters of the ad- joining mountains be stored and applied to the irrigation of these broad stretches of level land and the beauty and verdure of the growing lucerne will speedily replace the unsightly sage- brush. A few miles further and we enter one of the finest meadows of natural grass to be found anywhere. The numerous large stacks of hay which dot its surface give us an idea of its productiveness and an insight into the occupation of the people who have found homes upon it. Travel over the valley in almost any direction during the fall season and you will see large stacks of wild hay in great profusion. This is natural enough when we remember that the great master industry of the valley is stock raising, that the wondrous expanse of level land in which we are, is more than 4,000 feet above the sea, hence has some of the cli- matic characteristics of great elevations, and that during the winter months hundreds of tons per day must be fed to the immense herds, which at other seasons find sustenance in the succulent bunchgrass that constitutes nature's richest gift to the inhabitants of eastern Ore- gon. Here and there are to be seen fields of golden grain. The area devoted to this in- dustry is relatively small. It must needs be so, for wheat will not pay the cost of trans- portation to the railroad, hence its production must be limited by local demand, but the health and luxuriance of the crops give prophecy of great things to be accomplished in the devel- opment of this industry, when the modern gladiators of commerce shall have pushed their way into this last unoccupied field in the west- ern states. 1 However much the magnitude of the scene may impress one upon his first entrance into Harney valley, the largeness of things in the region will grow upon him as he becomes bet- ter acquainted with existing conditions. Catch- ing the spirit of their surroundings, some of the earliest settlers of the country embarked in their chosen pursuits on a mammoth scale, laying the foundations of the immense cattle farms which now form the distinguishing characteristic of Harney county. It has been claimed that Harney county contains the larg- est single ranch and the largest combination of ranches in the world; that the Pacific Live Stock Company's combination of ranches is the greatest on the face of the earth and the French-Glenn the most extensive single ranch. This may be an exaggeration, but certainly these and other farms in the section are em- pire-like in their extent. They are empire- like also in many of their appointments and in the completeness and system of their govern- ment and operation. On its various farms the Pacific Live Stock Company employs a large number of men, who are managed with as much system as are the employes of a well reg- ulated railway company. There are general managers, assistant general managers, local managers and assistants, foremen for the dif- ferent departments, and subordinates of va- rious grades down to the common haymaker and cook's assistant. "When the head super- intendent comes," writes a newspaper corre- spondent, "there is awe among the underlings for fear that everything will not please, and when the owner comes it is like the coming of a king." The center of this system of ranches is the White Horse ranch, so called because the superintendents ride and drive white horses. It contains about thirty thousand acres. The French-Glenn ranch is said to cover more than 120,000 acres under fence. It is situated at the base of Stein's mountain. Upon its are many thousand head of cattle, horses HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 739 and mules, and from its meadows are cut from 8,000 to 10,000 tons of hay per annum. "It is an empire within itself — fine buildings, fish streams, broad meadows, groves of timber, deer and elk and everything that is wild and grand." Besides these there are the Alvord ranch of John Devine, upon which are a number of elk and large herds of deer ; the Riley ranch, con- taining between 12,000 and 15,000 acres; the Shirk ranch, in Catlow valley, containing 5,- 000 to 6,000 acres, noted as being one of the prettiest places in the county ; the Sissen ranch of 12,000 acres deeded land, and hundreds of others smaller than those mentioned, but still large enough to elicit surprise and wonder, if situated in a locality less habituated to the gigantic. The manner of stacking hay on both the larger and the smaller farms is worthy of pass- ing notice. Hayracks, wagons and pitchforks are dispensed with in the field, being replaced by a labor saving implement known as a "buck." This is a. huge rake borne upon wheels, SO' designed as to gather the bunches of hay when drawn through the field. A load secured, the teamster heads for the stack, and upon reaching it, he deposits his load upon a net, which is hoisted by derrick to the desired place. The meadows furnish fall pasture for the herds that are gathered at that season from the surrounding ranges and the hay is fed to them during the winter months. While wool growing is secondary in im- portance to cattle raising, it is nevertheless an industry of great wealth producing power. Wool is the only product of the county, aside from live stock that is exported, and the rev- enue derived from it and from the sale of sheep and lambs adds very materially to the enormous annual income which makes its way into the pockets of the farmers and the stock- men. As already noted, the production of wheat, fruit, potatoes and vegetables of all kinds must needs be limited to the capacity of the county for home consumption. The few who are en- gaged in the cultivation of the cereals must realize large profits from their business, as the yield is as great as in the most favored por- tions of the state, while the price is two or three times as high as is secured in railroad points. But this is an elevated region and wheat is sometimes so injured by frost as to be rendered unfit for milling purposes. The testimony given by residents as to the feasibil- ity of raising fruits, vegetables, garden pro- duce and the like is not altogether harmoni- ous. That those products are raised is too palpably true to be disputed. It is maintained, however, that even the hardier vegetables can not be successfully cultivated in all parts of the different valleys and that fruit raising is prac- tical only in favored spots. Some succeed in raising enough for their own use by building fires in their orchards during the dangerous seasons, a scheme which obviously has its lim- itations. Extensive in their combined areas as are the numerous valleys within the confines of Harney county, Harney, Diamond, Catlow, Dunder-und-Blitzen, Sage Hen, Happy, Warm Springs, etc., etc., a large part of the county is made up of mountain ranges and the foot- hills extending away from their bases. Besides the wealth of pasturage which these produce, they are known to possess much wealth of timber and give great promise of proving rich, also, in wealth of buried treasure. Many years will doubtless pass before the buzz of the saw- mill will be heard in the more remote forests of the Blue mountains of Harney county. The action of our government in creating the Blue- mountain forest reserve, if the temporary with- drawal proves permanent, will delay develop- ments in this direction indefinitely. The lack of transportation has rendered the sawmiill- ing industry totally dependent upon the local demand, and the business is still limited in its possibilities of development by the circum- 740 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES scribed character of the field to be supplied. There are, however, five sawmills in the coun- ty ranging in per diem capacity from six or eight thousand feet to twenty-five thousand feet. Lumber and shingles from these mills are utilized in the construction of buildings as many as a hundred miles away, notwithstand- ing the fact that they must be transported by wagon over the entire distance. It is said that the best equipped shingle mill in the coun- ty is that in connection with the saw mill of E. H. King. There the shingles arrive at the mill in logs which are cut out by the lumber saw into- what are called "cants." These pass on to the cut-off saw., which converts them into bolts, and these in turn, by the operation of two shingle saws, are converted into the fin- ished product. Although Harney county has been known for many years to contain precious metals, comparatively little attention has been paid to mining-, owing largely to the fact that the peo- ple have been too deeply interested in the surer pursuits of agriculture and stock raising. In two regions, however, considerable progress has been made in the development of prom- ising mines. These are the Trout creek, or Idol City, and the Pueblo camps, the former twenty miles northeast of Burns, and the lat- ter not far from the Nevada line. The Trout creek camp has been one of slow development, but thanks to the persever- ance and unwavering faith of Charles Ingra- ham, Samuel Roach, O. J. Darst and others, work has progressed steadily. While the pros- pecting period is not yet passed, developments thus far have encouraged the hope and expec- tation that time and labor spent and to be spent will eventually find an abundant reward. The Pueblo region, in the southern part of Harney county, is likewise too superficially developed to furnish any producing mines, but it ranks among the most promising undevel- oped districts of eastern Oregon. Unless in- dications and the result of work already done are altogether unreliable and misleading, it must some day become a large producer of rich gold, silver, copper and nickel ores. It is stated that the existence of mineral wealth in the Pueblo region has been known for many years, but the first white men who in- vaded the country were driven out by hostile Indians, resulting in the abandonment of op- erations. The region then lay undisturbed by the pick of the miner until a few years ago, when C. P. Rutherford and Maurice Fitz Ger- ald, both of Burns, took claims in two distinct portions of the district, some ten miles apart. In the Fitz Gerald country, W. H. Welcome, Thornton Williams, William Wylie, Frank Hindman, Ben Brown, H. C. Levens, J. C. Welcome and several others have taken claims. In the vicinity of Mr. Rutherford's camp, Ben Brown, John Cupid, Thomas Davidson, Rich- mond L. Neill, Thomas Dunphy, William Da- vidson, Joseph E. Reed, J. W. Biggs and others have found prospects sufficiently promising to induce them to locate claims. It is claimed by Mr. Fitz Gerald, who has watched the returns from assays closely, that Pueblo ore averages 10 to 40 per cent, copper. While briefly treating the mining interests of the county we must not overlook the borax industry, which has been developed by the Rose Valley Borax Company. Their plant is situated about twenty-five miles south of Burns, where the Trout Creek and Wild Horse valleys merge into each other. Several hot springs boil up in this region and as their wat- ers run through the valleys along their natural courses, they deposit a white substance. For years the residents in the vicinity and travel- ers supposed this to be alkali, but a few years ago a borax expert discovered the mistake. He made known his find to certain capitalists, who took advantage of its owners' ignorance of its value to purchase the property for a reputed sum of $7,000. The company instituted a costly plant and in due time began operations. They gather and refine from 80,000 to 100,- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 741 ooo pounds of the white mineral every year, which is transported by mule teams to Winne- mucca, Nevada, and sold for more than double the cost of production. From the foregoing review of the developed and undeveloped resources of Harney county, brief and incomplete though it be, the reader may gain some idea of what has been accom- plished and form some conception oif the great things the future most certainly has in store. The men who, in company with those who have already planted here their vine and fig tree, are to work out this development will find this country by no means lacking in those ulterior attractions which add so much to the pleasure of living. The climate is not ideal, but it is healthful and generally pleasant. It is said that in some places high winds are oi common occurrence, though cyclones and tor- nadoes are unknown here, as elsewhere in the west. The springs' are frequently rather dreary and backward. The summers and falls are grand, the heat of midday never being op>- pressive and the nights being invariably cool and conducive to refreshing slumber. Some stormy weather in winter there certainly is. Sometimes the thermometer indicator plays around a point far below the zero mark, but severe cold is of short duration, owing toi the influence of the balmy chinook, which seldom delays its coming long. In its topographical features the country is varied and pleasing. Even the sage brush plains have an attraction of their own, and a few hours ride will bring him whoi has grown tired of the stretches of arid, semi-arid, or marshy prairies, toi regions where the tall mountain peaks rear their crests far skyward, where the dark forests give forth gentle music in response to the technique of the breezes, the crystal streams sing mournful lullabies and the calm, clear lakes mirror their beautiful environs with vividness and fidelity. While no attempt can be made to describe the topography of the country ini detail, some special features are deserving of a passing notice. Two large lakes, Harney and Malheur, cover an area in Harney valley aggregating about 150 square miles. They are connected by a channel some twenty yards wide and two hundred long. It cannot with truth be said that these lakes are beautiful, for there is nothing especially attractive about either their brackish, shallow waters or the country stretching away in any direction from their shores. They are, however, the delight oi thousands of clucks, geese, swans and numer- ous other varieties of water fowl, and hence the delight of the sportsman. The country in their vicinity, though not favored with topo- graphical beauty, is rendered attractive by the fact that there Nature frequently vouchsafes to manifest one of her strangest and least un- derstood phenomena, The hour of sunrise, al- ways possessed of a sweet, inexplicable charm, is usually attended during the summer 1 months by a delightful mirage. Towns, houses, moun- tain peaks., herds of peacefully grazing cattle or sheep rise up from the ground by magic and are pictured on the atmosphere with great distinctness of outline. It is said that distant objects are soi vividly mirrored that persons several miles from home have identified with- out difficulty the different members of their families as they went about their work. Mir- ages are not confined to the lake region, but are also seen, though less frequently, in other parts of the Harney country. One of the greatest natural attractions of this region is what is known as Malheur Cave, situated on a sage brush plain about a mile from the place where the south fork of the Mal- heur river heads. G. C. Duncan, to whom we believe the honor of being its first explorer be- longs, has described this marvel in the follow- ing language: "The cave is twenty feet wide and six feet hig"h at its entrance, and has an incline downward for the first two> hundred feet. It then turns to the northeast and runs very near- ly straight to the water, a distance of one-half 742 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT. MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES mile from its mouth. It will average fifty feet wide and twenty feet high and is very uniform in its structure the walls running up about six feet on either side, and then commencing to arch over, forming certainly the finest arch ever discovered in the whole family of caves. "It is grand almost beyond description, and rivals the great Mammoth Cave in its smooth- ness of character and uniformity. For the first 250 yards the bottom is as smooth as a floor ; then are found piles of rubbish of debris that have accumulated by falling from the ceil- ing above, one hundred yards or so apart, the last one being something over one hundred yards from the water. ''There is no difficulty in reaching the water; it runs back on either side in a trough from the main pool, a distance of 100 feet, settling down on either side leaving the floor crowning. "The water is remarkably clear; one cam see the sand in the bottom at a depth of four feet, and it appears to have no outlet, as it is perfectly still and quiet; it is good drinking water. "This wonderful curiosity has to be seen to be appreciated. It is truly of basalt formation and is quarternary. The walls are honey- combed in many places. The wall on the south side sits on a horizontal basement of eruptive rocks. "This magnificent cave has evidently been used in time by the Indians as a fortification ; the entrance has been walled up with stone, and tbere are also two- walls or breastworks on the inside, running from each corner of the entrance diagonally near the center some fifty feet long; this was for the second defense in case they were driven back from the moutb. Around and about the mouth of the cave there are considerable fine chippings, where the abor- igines have sharpened their stone implements, made of obsidian or volcanic glasis. "I think that water exists in the end of the cave, but cannot tell without further ex- ploring. I was informed by two parties that fisb have been caught in the cave that were of blue color and eyeless." O'f still greater interest, especially to* thoise who take pleasure in the study of antiquities or prehistoric man, are the curious caves de- scribed as existing in the southeastern part of Harney county. As far as the writer knows, the only person who has given them any atten- tion is O. M. Rosendale, a mining engineer, who> about two years ago described them and the circumstances attending their discovery in a Portland newspaper as follows : "I had occasion to- visit Harney county last week and have every reason to« believe that I discovered traces of cliff dwellers. I was alone on horseback, traveling through the southeastern portion of Harney county, when I made the discovery. "The spot was a peculiar one. Cliffs of black basaltic formation, without a vestige of vegetation, rose abruptly from the desert and formed a narrow defile. After passing through the defile and leading my wornout horse, I proceeded to> scale a hill for the purpose of getting my bearings, as I had evidently lost them for the past six hours. Turning on one point of the hillside, which was half filled with sand-blown crevices, a strange sight was. pre- sented to me. There before me were about sixty-five cliff dwellers' habitations, deserted, of course, but in a fair state of preservation. The clear and unclouded sky was looking upon a picture of queer and very strangely formed small buildings, roofless, bound together with no material whatsoever, but hewn with all the skill of the ancient craftsmen. "In the middle of the place was an upright stone, resembling the famous altar stones of the ancient Aztecs of old Mexico. Most proba- bly on this stone the bloody rites of human sacrifice were once performed by an extinct race. As I was already much delayed in my journey, time did not permit a thorough ex- amination of the locality, nor an exploration of the caves ; yet I am thoroughly convinced HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 743 that the caves served at one time as the habi- tations of what are commonly known as cliff dwellers. "In 1893 I had the honor to be one of a party of Smithsonians sent into the almost in- accessible regions of New Mexico, the Goronda del MuertO', or, translated, the Journey of Death, for the purpose of examining the ex- tensive cliff dwellers' ruins in that country. We were also- to obtain measurements for the reproduction of the habitations of the cliff dwellers to exhibit at the World's Fair. The caves were reproduced at the fair, and are now a part of the Field museum in Chicago. Out- side the fact that the trip of last week was in Oregon, one might have felt himself trans- ferred to the wilds of New Mexico again. "The interior of southeastern Oregon af- fords a great field for the mineralogist, the ex- plorer, the entomologist and the admirer of grand and weird scenery. "These are the first traces of cliff dwellers that have been found above the 42nd degree." So isolated is the Harney country of Ore- gon from all the usual courses of travel, and so non-communicative have 'been the stockmen and prospectors who alone have penetrated to its most remote regions, that its topography, its mineral wealth and its scientific wonders are comparatively unknown to the general pub- lic. The day is already dawning when ignor- ance shall be completely dispelled. Knowledge and the building of railroads will bring an influx of people to take advantage of its natur- al resources, and the result will be development alonjg many different lines, such as few even dimly foresee. CHAPTER II. THE INDIAN WAR OF 1878. The most exciting event in the history of eastern Oregon since its settlement by the whites was the Bannock and Piute war of 1878. Nearly every county of eastern Ore- gon was embraced in the field of operations, and every section was affected either directly or indirectly. While the results of this final struggle of the Indians for supremacy in the northwest were not as serious as they might have been had the plans of the leaders been car- ried out, the results were serious enough. The war caused the death of hundreds of settlers and the destruction of thousands of dollars worth of property, besides seriously disturbing the existing prosperity of the country. Set- tlers coming from the east had just begun to appreciate the advantages offered by this re- gion to homeseekers and after the news of this war had been heralded abroad this influx was almost stopped for a time. Western Oregon took advantage of this misfortune to decry the eastern portion of the state and it was many years before this region fully recovered from the effects of this influence alone. Speaking of the causes of this war. Col. William Parsons, of Pendleton, says nothing could be further from the fact than Gilbert's surmise when he says in his history : "Buffalo Horn was a celebrated warrior, who had the year before aided the government against Chief Joseph and his hostile band of Nez Perces. His reward for such service was 744 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES not ■ in keeping with his estimate of its value and importance. He saw Chief Joseph hon- ored and made the recipient of presents and flattering attentions, while the great Buffalo Horn was practically ignored. His philosophi- cal mind at once led him to' the conclusion that more favors could be wrung from the govern- ment by hostility than in fighting its battles." "With the exception of the Utes," says Col- onel Parsons, "the Bannocks are the meanest, most treacherous, most savage and most blood- thirsty of all the Indians west of the Missis- sippi river. From time immemorial they have been the hereditary enemies of the Oregon and Idaho Indians, including the Cayuses, Uma- tillas, Walla Wallas and Nez Perces, and more than once they crossed the Blue mountains and inflicted bitter injuries upon the Cayuses and their allies'. Therefore, when Chief .Joseph and his band of non-treaty Nez Perces, took up arms in 1877, rather than surrender the Wallowa county to the whites, and began their famous retreat through the Lolo pass and the Yellowstone park to the British possessions, the Bannocks, under command of Captain Samuel G. Fisher, a white man, furnished nearly a hundred warriors to harrass the flee- ing Nez Perces. They saw the whole of that remarkable campaign; they saw Joseph, with less than four hundred warriors, and encum- bered with one thousand women and children, carry on a running fight for one thousand and four hundred miles, defeating General How- ard again and again, recapturing his camp at Big Hole Basin from General Gibbon and pur- suing the latter so fiercely that nothing but his reserve artillery saved his force from annihila- tion, and finally surrendering with the honors of war to General Miles at Bear Paw moun- tain, near the British line; he saw Joseph cap- tured, but not disgraced, and he became jealous of the Nez Perces. chieftain's military fame; he also realized, when it was too late, that he had made a serious mistake in joining his forces to that of the whites in the pursuit and capture of the brave Nez Perces, and that in gratifying a tribal grudge he had dealt a deadly blow at the Indian race; he saw the whites crowding into Montana and Idaho, his people ordered within the confines of the Fort Hall reservation, and it finally dawned upon his benighted mind that the same chains which had been fastened to the ankles of Joseph were already forged for his, and were about to be riveted on them. Buffalo Horn was something of a statesman, but no general: Joseph was, in the opinion of Gen- eral Miles, the ablest strategist and general of the Indian race, from the time of King Phil- ip to the present. Buffalo Horn came to- the conclusion that if he could unite all the Indians west of the Missouri into a confederacy, the whites could be whipped out. Thereupon, he visited the various bands of the Utes, the Sho- shones, the Umatillas, Cayuses and AValla Wallas, and sent runners to the Columbias, Spokanes, Chief Moses and other northern In- dians, requesting them to unite with him in a final effort to drive the whites out of the In- land Empire. His overtures -were received with favor. "The plan was to move west and north from Pocatello', past Boise, until a junction could be formed with the Umatillas, Cayuses, Walla Wallas and Columbias, on the Umatilla reservation, then, devastating the country, to move north, uniting with the Spokanes and other Indians in northern Washington, there to make a stand. If too hard pressed the In- dians were then to retire across the line within the limits of British Columbia. The plan was well conceived and could have easily been exe- cuted had the Indians been possessed of a gen- eral with the ability of Chief Joseph of the Nez Perces." During the latter part of May the execu- tion of the plan outlined above was begun by the Bannocks, starting from the Fort Hall un- der the leadership of Chief Buffalo Horn. The Indians numbered about two hundred braves, besides their squaws and children. After the HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 745 attempted slaughter of two white men on Big Camas prairie, Idaho, who fortunately es- caped with their lives in time to warn the set- tlers of the outbreak, the Indians encamped in the lava beds between the Big Camas prairie and Snake river and from there com- menced their murderous and pillaging expe- ditions. Two weeks previously Buffalo Horn had ridden into Boise one day with a small escort and, under the guise of being friendly and loyal to the whites, had finally obtained an or- der from Governor Brayman authorizing the sale of firearms and ammunition to him. This was in plain violation of a standing order from the President, forbidding the gift or sale of ammunition and firearms to Indians. So, well sunulied with the means of carry- ing on warfare, Buffalo Horn immediately placed himself at the head of his formidable band and proceeded to his bloody work. He told the settlers that they must leave the prairie or be killed, then without much delay, com- menced the work of massacring the whites and destroying property. Payne's ferry, near Rat- tlesnake station, was their first objective point, and there they killed a man and a woman, pil- laged houses and stole several head of stock. The first force sent against them was entirely too small, consisting of ninety mounted troop- ers under command of Major Collins, so prac- tically unresisted the Indians pushed their way westward and northward. But the redskins had overlooked one very important point in this campaign — the tele- graph — for hardly had they started from Fort Hall before the news was communicated to all important military stations in the northwest. Troops were hurried from Salt Lake City, Camp Harney; Camp Halleck, California ; Car- son City, Nevada; Corrine, Utah; Portland, Boise and other points. The Indians crossed into Oregon near Sil- ver City, Idaho, and then proceeded in a north- westerly direction, meeting the Piutes under Chief Egan, on the Warm Spring reservation in what is now Malheur county, or it may be in Barren valley. During the trip of the Ban- nocks through the southern portion of Baker county a few depredations were committed by the Indians, but only one or two lives were lost and the property loss was very small. In Bar- ren valley, on the present Malheur-Harney county line, the first habitation of white men in Grant (now Harney) county was visited. Green Crowley and James, his son, lived here. Old Chief Winnemucca, uncle of the noted Sarah Winnemucca, and Natchez, her broth- er, were friendly Indians. They interceded with the hostiles to spare these men and with success, for the Indians left them unharmed. When the redskins had passed out of sight Winnemucca and Natchez returned and ad- vised the Crowleys to leave. They mounted fleet ho«rses and at once started for the Alvord ranch, which they reached, going thence to the White Horse ranch. A small band of red- skins pursued them some distance but could not overtake them. At White Horse ranch the settlers had constructed a small fort, built of juniper posts, and were prepared to' defend themselves. The Indians did not molest them, however, but they did return to the Crowley place and burned the inside of the house and roof, leaving nothing but bare stone walls standing. From Barren valley the hostiles advanced in a northwesterly direction up Indian creek and through Anderson valley, on the northern slope of Stein mountain. Here they burned G. W. Anderson's house. From Anderson valley the Indians passed on to Happy valley, where, about the middle of June, they at- tacked George C. Smith and his son, John, who took refuge in the home of the father. There the white men made a stand and for a day and a half successfully resisted the In- dians, but they were finally overpowered and killed. The house with the bodies was burned, as also the barn. The redskins also burned the 746 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES house of John Smith, situated within a mile and a half of the place in which he and his fa- ther were massacred, and that of Stilley Rid- dle. About this time Sylvester (Coon) Smith was journeying to Happy valley on his way from the Willamette, and arriving at the top of the divide between Diamond and Happy valleys, he saw Indians and horses below him and suspected that something was wrong. He returned to Diamond, but there was laughed at for his fear. Thus spurred on he again started for Happy valley. This time the In- dians caught sight of him and chased him to the ranch where Messrs. French and Robie, assisted by sixteen men, were rounding up horses. When French saw them coming he gathered his men around him and with only one rifle and sixteen rounds of ammunition, the company charged the Indians. The In- dians waited until the cowboys were close and then dropped off their horses in the sagebrush for cover. French called a retreat back to the ranch buildings. As the Indians rounded a point, he mounted a board fence, fired one shot and missed. The Indians returned the fire, one of the bullets striking the post astride of which French stood. Meanwhile the horses had been turned loose and French now ordered a retreat to the "P" ranch. A running fight ensued. The Chinese cook was riding bare- back and fell behind in the race up the rimrock. Finally he jumped off and attempted to hide under a little bridge, crossing a gully. The Indians dragged him out and killed him. "Coon" Smith tried to catch the Chinaman's horse and narrowly escaped being shot. An Indian aimed at him but was too slow, as French, who had gained the summit of the hill on the north side of McCoy creek, shot and killed the redskin before the latter could fire at Smith. Meanwhile John Wetzel, one of the party, had gained the same hill and dis- mounted to cinch his saddle. As he remount- ed, a rifle ball struck him in the thigh, wound- ing the horse, also. The faithful animal car- ried Wetzel half a mile and then fell dead. On the hillside, also, was a friendly Rogue River Indian, who had camped at the Diamond ranch. A ball struck the stock of his rifle, splintering it and driving a large splinter into one of his hands, making a very painful wound. The rest of the party escaped uninjured. Wetzel rode behind another man to Krumbo. From Krum- bo all went to the "P" ranch, twenty-five miles further, where fresh horses were obtained and the party rode to Camp Harney, arriving the next afternoon about two o'clock. A man named Dixon and an employe came to Harney, also, but later returned to Krumbo, where they had abandoned their wagons in their hasty flight for safety. While on the return trip Dixon and his companion were killed by the Piutes. While these events were transpiring, How- ard's command was pursuing the Indians, and on Silver creek the first battle took place. Col- onel Bernard, with four companies oif cavalry, his own, Whipple's, McGregor's and Perry's, under Bomus, aided by the scouts under Col- onel Robbins, were in the van of the army, and on Sunday, June 23d, overtook the Indians and surprised and charged their camp. A sec- ond charge was made, but the hostiles, who greatly outnumbered the troops, rallied and the soldiers were compelled to withdraw. The redskins then strongly entrenched themselves and the troops withdrew to await reinforce- ments. This fight occurred near Curry creek, forty-five miles from Harney. In this battle Buffalo Horn was killed, during one of the charges. Colonel Robbins and Chief Egan fought a personal duel, in which Egan was twice shot, his left arm being crippled and his well known buckskin war horse captured. Egan was dragged from the field by his young warriors and the severe wound he received in this action made his subsequent capture easy. Colonel Robbins had his horse shot from under him and was rescued by Peter French, who HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 747 look him on his horse. Two soldiers were killed on the battlefield, also a scout, named Myers. Another trooper was mortally wound- ed. After the escape of French and Rohie from the ranch near Happy valley, and their subsequent ride to Camp Harney, they went to the front with Bernard's command and partic- ipated in the Silver creek fight. From here Robie took dispatches from Colonel Bernard to Camp Harney and upon his arrival there, volunteered to carry dispatches to Boise, which was his home. This gallant old pioneer never recovered from the effects of the long, arduous trip, and shortly after he reached home, passed away. This fight is graphically described by a correspondent of the Baker City Bedrock Democrat at the time, as follows : "At midnight, June 2'ist, Colonel Bernard's First cavalry, with four companies and 168 scouts, left Camp Harney to attack the hos- tile Indians, who- were known to be in large force in the vicinity of Silver creek. The com- mand camped at a burnt ranch the following night. Scouts sent out reported Indians close at hand, but large trails, which plainly indi- cated between 1,200 and 1,500 warriors on the rampage. "'Early the next morning the advance scouts under Colonel Robbins sighted the In- dians on a creek known as Silver creek, about sixty miles south of Camp Harney. It was ev- ident that the red men were unaware of the ap- proach of the troops, for their stock was un- guarded. "Colonel Bernard quickly formed his men in line, as follows : Company F in advance un- der Lieutenant Bomus ; Company G next, un- der Lieutenant Ward ; Company A in the rear, under Captain McGregor; and Company L to guard the supplies, under Colonel Whipple. "Then after a speech by the Colonel encour- aging the men to do their best, the little com- pany of troops singing, 'Scouts to the Front,' and determined on either victory or death. rode on an enemy at least six times their num- ber. When within about 600 yards the charge was sounded and with a yell, the men dug in their spurs and charged. The Indians left their village and took to a fortified position on the bluffs to the left and in front where it was impossible for the cavalry to follow. The vil- lage was situated on the creek, which was cov- ered with dense willows. The battle raged fiercely for a time, two charges being made. Personal encounters were numerous. One of especial interest was that between Sergeant - George H. Richards, of McGregor's company, and Bear Skin, a noted Bannock chief. A good shot finally ended the struggle, leaving the Indian stretched out on the ground. When it was found that nothing could be gained from charging the positions on the bluff, the com- mand withdrew temporarily. "Companies A and G coming up, the at- tack was renewed with the old vigor, Com- pany L being deployed as skirmishers on a small hill to- the left of that held by Colo- nel Bernard, to prevent a flank movement. The fighting, at times fierce and again desultory, was kept up on both sides until far into the night, great gallantry being displayed by our troopers. Between midnight and two o'clock, however, the hostiles left, closely pursued by Colonel Bernard for a distance of ten miles, when the Indians rallied and made another stand. Troops then awaited the arrival of General Howard. "Much property in the Indian camp was destroyed, also considerable money and am- munition was captured." After the fight on Silver creek and the sub- sequent retreat of the hostiles up this creek, the redskins crossed the Strawberry range and went down Murderer's creek to the south fork of the John Day river and thence down into and across the John Day valley, ravaging and pillaging farms and ranches whenever in their path and occasionally killing herders and ranchmen. While descending into the valley 748 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the redskins were met by a small scouting party under command of James N. Clark, an old pioneer freighter. This company was or- ganized at Canyon City for the purpose of keeping watch of the movements of the In- dians. The little company was immediately attacked and defended itself with great hero- ism. A young man named Aldrich was killed and Clark's horse was shot under him, falling upon his leg. Another member of the com- pany named Burnham pulled the horse off and he and Clark escaped to the willows fringing the bank of the South Fork, from which they finally found their way in safety to the settle- ments. One of the party received a bullet in the heel of his boot. Another squad of citi- zens left John Day a little later, among them being Emil Schutz. This expedition was also organized for the purpose of scouting. At the Cummings ranch, twenty miles west of Canyon City, the Indians fell upon this little company, wounding Schutz and driving them back to the settlements. At Canyon City preparations were made for the defense of the town. Many stockmen and ranchmen living in outlying districts came into the place with their families and during the period of greatest danger, when the Indians were crossing the mountains several miles south of the town, the abandoned mining tun- nels west of town were converted into tem- porary places of refuge and were occupied by many. Had there been any real danger, the citizens of the town were prepared to resist to their utmost, but the redskins were wise enough to make a wide circuit of the place and cross the valley where it was less thickly settled, so that'the citizens of Canyon City and John Day were spared the necessity of shedding blood. At Prairie City a volunteer company was organized with J. W. Mack as captain. This company never saw service, however. Considerable property in the John Day valley was destroyed by the Indians while crossing it and two nephews of James Small were killed while herding sheep. Pursued by Bernard the fleeing redskins then took a northeastward course through Fox valley and across Long creek to the Middle Fork of the John Day river. At Long Creek a small log fort had been built and in this the settlers were congre- gated in force, ready to protect their families and themselves in case the Indians attacked them. The Indians sent a small party to the fort under the protection of a flag of truce and this party sought to entice the defenders out- side for a conference, intending to fall upon them and massacre them and those inside the fort. The Indians pretended that they were friendly and sought in several ways to gain entrance. But the settlers were too experi- enced and cautious to be so easily deceived and finally the Indians gave up their plan and went by within six hundred yards of the stockade. In this region the Bannocks and Piutes were joined by a large number of renegades known as Columbia river Indians, strasrsflers from tribes recognizing no reservation as home. These Indians were formerly from Priest Rap- ids. Many Umatillas also joined the war party about this time. Crossing the Middle and North Forks the Indians went down Birch creek toward the Umatilla reservation. In the territory now embraced in Baker county there were no hostilities. The proxi- mity of the hostiles during their march to the Columbia river was sufficient, however, to arouse the inhabitants of this section to a sense of their danger and precautions were taken to insure the safety of all. Those living in out- lying districts left their homes and ranches and congregated in Baker City for defense. Re- ports coming in from nearby points to- the ef- fect that the Indians were approaching, gave a martial stir and bustle to the town and several contingents of troops going" to the front stopped there. For a time, in July, Baker City was division headquarters for the army and thus became an important military station, though HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 749 no actual hostilities occurred within the con- fines of the present county. Preparations were made to repel the Indians should they appear, but fortunately they did not, and Baker county was saved from the ravages of an Indian raid. The story of the war in Umatilla county, the battles of Willow Springs, of Birch and Butter creeks, of the defense of Pendleton and the subsequent defeat and dispersal of the red- skins is told by Col. Parsons in one oi the pub- lisher's former works, and believing that this account will enhance the value of this narrative, the substance of it is given herewith. The first definite information received at Pendleton of the approach of the Indians was brought in by Narcisse A. Cornoyer on the second of July, who reported that while out on the John Day river Avith a hunting party, he had struck the hostiles. The consternation can hardly be described. In wagons, on horse- back and on foot, the settlers hastened to the nearest towns for protection. Pendleton, Uma- tilla, Wallula, Weston, Milton and Walla Walla were crowded with refugees. [Homes were abandoned so hastily that neither provis- ions nor extra clothing were provided. All settlements within reach of a warning voice were deserted in a day. Cattle and sheepmen in the mountains were in a precarious situation, and many were killed before they could reach places of safety. Major Cornoyer, the Indian agent, gathered in all the Indians possible, in- cluding the non-combatant Columbia river and Warm Spring Indians, amounting to about two thousand, the loyalty of many of whom was seriously doubted. But while most of the settlers escaped to the towns, it must not be forgotten that the towns themselves were scarcely able to> make any de- fense. Pendleton had not more than one hun- dred and fifty inhabitants, but with the refugees it had perhaps three hundred, of whom per- haps seventy-five were capable of bearing arms. Heppner, Wallula, Weston and Milton were mere hamlets. They were widely separated — too far for support — and fifteen hundred sav- age warriors were supposed to be about to fall upon them. Pendleton was to- receive the first assault. That the result would be the complete destruction of Pendleton and its outlying set- tlements was believed by many, while the most sanguine felt but little confidence. Buffalo Horn, the Bannock leader, having been killed the command of the allied forces of Snakes and Piutes devolved upon Egan, who was totally unfit for so heavy a responsibility, and was also incapacitated in a measure from wounds. His army arrived in and had possession of Camas prairie on July 4th, and if he had marched at once upon Pendleton, he would have met no effective resistence, could have followed the Umatilla down to the Columbia, and in spite of the two or three armed steam- boats patroling the river, made a successful crossing. That accomplished, he could have gathered up the northern Indians, and with augmented forces, could fight or retreat across the British line, .as seemed most advisable ; but he hesitated, and delay was fatal to his enter- prise. Compare Egan's imbecility with Chief Joseph's masterly strategy when he emerged from the Lolo trail near Missoula, Montana, the previous year, and found himself con- fronted with a strong force, behind an impreg- nable fortification of logs, while General How- ard was thundering in his rear. Joseph called for a parley with the whites in his front and tried to get permission to pass, under promise to commit no depredations. Failing in that, he notified the enemy that he would force a passage the next morning ; and then he opened fire on the disputed passage with a thin line of skirmishers, and while the whites were thus oc- cupied, he led his whole party of nearly fifteen hundred people, mostly non-combatants, by a devious route through the timber and almost impassible canyons, to the rear of the fort, effecting his escape without the loss of a man. It was fortunate for the people of eastern Oregon that they did not have a man of Jo- 750 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES seph's ability as a commanding officer to cope with on that momentous fourth day of July, 1878, but only a blunderer like Egan. Instead of striking a decisive blow and falling upon Pendleton before the troops from Walla Walla, and the volunteers from Weston, Milton and other points, could concentrate, he frittered away the time in killing a few straggling sheep- herders and skirmishing with Captain Wilson's handful of thirty men, which had met the In- dians near Alba, and finding that the enemy was in force, had retreated to Pendelton with considerable alacrity. So small was the force of the whites at Pendleton, and so badly was it provided with arms and competent officers, to say nothing of its utter demoralization through rumors and reports of the overwhelming strength of the Indians, that men who were present affirm that if one hundred Indians had made a sharp attack, either on the 4th, 5th or 6th of July, the town would have fallen. If Egan's whole force of five hundred warriors bad made the assault upon either of those days no effective resistance could have been made, and the valley of the Umatilla from' the Blue mountains to the Columbia would have been swept clear of the whites. The Umatilla reserv- ation Indians would have been forced to unite with the hostiles, the Columbian and Washing- ton Indians would have followed the example, and Buffalo Horn's confederacy would have been consummated, to the enormous damage of white interests throughout the whole Inland Empire. Fortunately, it was Egan, not Jo- seph, who led the hostiles. Pendleton consisted of about thirty or forty houses, mostly one-story shacks, scattered along Court and Main streets from the Golden Rule hotel to the Pendleton Savings Bank building. Besides the courthouse, there was in the town a three-story frame mill, where the main building of Byers' splendid frame mill now stands, but it was away out of the then town. The houses were in a sort of quad- rangle, by no means compact. The first de- fense erected by the panic stricken inhabitants of Pendleton was a row of wagons stretched across Main street from the Savings Bank building to where the Odd Fellows' building now stands. The women and children were hustled into Byers' mill, and a number of the men went there to guard them. Frank Vincent was made captain of the company organized for the defense of the town. At Umatilla City similar precautions were taken. J. H. Kunzie was appointed assistant adjutant general by Governor Stephen F. Chad- wick and made his headquarters there. That point was selected because it had the nearest telegraph office, and because supplies for troops and volunteers were landed there. Vol- unteers were organized and armed by Kunzie, and the town was closely guarded. It had a population of about one hundred and fifty at that time. The stone warehouse of J. R. Fos- ter & Company was fitted up for a fort, in which a final stand could be made in case of an attack. Like preparations were made at Hepp- ner, Weston, Milton and other places which were supposed to be in danger. As soon as Captain Wilson's company had straggled in from Camas prairie with the in- formation that the hostiles were in force in that region, and that some of their number and some sheep-herders had been killed, another company was organized by Sheriff J. L. Sper- ry, which started July 5th for the front, with a company from Weston under Dr. W. W. Og- lesby and another under M. Kirk. At Pilot Rock they received recruits and were then con- solidated into a single company. The next morning they marched from Pilot Rock for Camas prairie, but stopped at Willow Springs for dinner. Willow Springs consisted O'f a house, a shed and a sheep corral. While ait their dinner the volunteers were attacked in force by the Indians, who drove in the pickets so rapidly that it was a close race between the ' pursuers and the pursued as to which should first announce the assault. At the first alarm. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 751 thirteen of the volunteers sprang onto their horses and struck out for Pendleton. The others made a virtue of necessity, tied their horses in the sheep corral, and took refuge in the shed. The position was absolutely indefen- sible, being commanded by the surrounding hills and rocks. It had one advantage — there was water — but the water was- not exactly available so' long as the spring was outside the shed and commanded by the rifles o abandon their position dur- ing the night and try to escape to Pendleton. Loading their wounded upon a wagon (it was a curious thing that all of them were shot in the leg) they started for Pendleton, the men being instructed to fall prostrate the instant a gun was fired. They had gone but a few hun- dred yards when the flash of a gun caused them to throw themselves upon the ground just in time to escape a destructive volley from the hostiles, Harrison Hale, too slow in falling prostrate, was shot dead. The rest of them re- turned the fire and the Indians gave way after discharging a few scattering shots. The re- treat began at midnight and before daylight the fugitives were attacked four times. The return of this shattered company ad- ded to the demoralization of the defenders of Pendleton, and they were in very bad case for a fight had the Indians followed up their ad- vantage. Luckily the defeat of Sperry's com- pany was covered by the arrival from Walla Walla of Major Throckmorton's regulars on the eveninig of the 6th, and the next day other troops arrived from Lapwai, making Throck- morton's force one hundred and fifty men. Upon the arrival at Pendleton of the thirteen men who had fled from Willow Springs at the beginning of the action, Throckmorton instantly started to the relief o-f the party under Sheriff Sperry, and they met the retreating volunteers, soon after daylight, about four miles north of Pilot Rock. They escorted them back to Pendleton, where that remnant of an unfortunate company all arrived in safety. And now the real defense of Pendleton be- gan. A line, of rifle pits was constructed from Foster's mill down to the mouth of Tutawilla, and manned by the regulars, and all the sol- diers were fully supplied with ammunition. Captain Vincent's company of volunteers had general charge of the northern defenses of the town, but even then the line was not well main- tained. The women and children were con- centrated in Byers' mill, but there were no out- posts to protect it, and the line along the Uma- tilla river to the north was without any ade- quate defense. At this stage of affairs, James H. Turner, a lawyer, suggested the idea that the noncombatants in the mill were at the mercy of the Indians if the latter should attempt to fire that building. Thereupon Lot Liver- more, Turner and James Drake, who had seen service in the Civil war, organized a company of twelve men, who under Drake as captain, took possessions of a fence east of Byers' mill, determined to hold it. The line along the river north of Court street was held by Captain Will- iam Martin and a dozen other volunteers, so that no Indians could cross the river from the 752 HISTORY OF BAKER. GRANT. MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES north. In this shape Pendleton was defended until July 7th, when General Howard and Ma- jor Throckmorton formed a junction of their forces at Pilot Rock, and proceeded to make an attack, in force, on the Indians, who were re- ported to be encamped at the head of Butter and Birch creeks. The situation in Pendle- ton during these fateful days was terrifying, and yet very amusing, to one who* looks back upon the excitement in the light O'f subsequent events. Sunday, July 7th, Howard's forces, coming from the east, united with Throckmorton's regulars at Pilot Rock, and the next morning assailed the Indian camp at the head of Butter and Birch creeks. The forces thus combined were much more than a match for the Indians and Egan's chances of victory were gone. Ac- cording to Gilbert. The command moved in two columns, two com- panies of artillery, one of infantry and a few volun- teers under Throckmorton, seven companies of cavalry and twenty of Robbins' scouts, under Captain Bernard, accompanied by Howard in person. The Indians were encountered and driven with considerable loss from their strong positions, and finally fled in the direction of Grande Ronde valley. Meanwhile events were happening along the Colum- bia. Governor Ferry hastened to Walla Walla on the 7th and raised a company of forty volunteers under Captain W. C. Painter, that proceeded to Wallula and embarked the next morning on the steamer Spokane under command of Major Kress. Captain Wilkinson had the Northwest with twelve soldiers and twenty volunteers. These boats, armed with howitzers and Gatling guns, patroled the river. This was the day that Floward drove the Indians back into the mountains, thus heading them off if they had any designs of crossing- the river. There were several hundred Indians that had never lived on the reservation and they were considered non- treaty Indians. They belonged chiefly to the Umatilla and Walla Walla tribes, lived in the vicinity of Wallula and Umatilla and were known as the Columbia River Indians. When Major Cornoyer gathered in the scat- tered bands, many of these refused to go and were looked upon as sympathizing with the hostiles and were supposed to have joined them. The morning of the day Howard had his fight on Butter and Birch creeks a number of these attempted to cross the river with a quantity of stock. They were intercepted at three points by the Spokane, and, being fired upon, several Indians and a few horses were wounded and killed. All canoes from Celilo to Wallula were destroyed. Captain Wilkinson on the Northwest fired into a small party in the act of crossing a few miles above Uma- tilla. Two braves and a squaw were killed. The death of State Senator C. L. Jewell was ascribed to Columbias by many. He had a large band of sheep in Camas prairie, and went there with Mor- risey to look after them. They encountered a number of Indians but succeeded in eluding them and reaching the herders' cabin in safety. Leaving Morrisey there, he returned to Pendleton to secure arms for his men, • who had decided to remain and defend themselves. The morning of the 5th he left Pendleton with several needle guns, contrary to the advice of many friends. He was expected at the hut that night but did not come. The 8th Morrisey started to see if he could be found. Near Nelson's he met Captain Frank Maddock with a company of volunteers from Heppner, who in- formed him that two men had been killed there. A search revealed the bodies of Nelson and N. Scully. Morrisey went around Nelson's house, when he saw a piece of shake sticking up in the road, upon which was written the information that Jewell was lying wounded in the brush. Morrisey called out, "Charley !" He received a faint response, and the injured man was found with a severe wound in his left side and his left arm broken. When Jewell had approached Nelson's place on the night of the 5th he had been fired upon and fell from his horse, but, while the Indians were killing those at the house, he had crawled into the bushes. In the morning he worked his way out into the road, wrote his notice on the shake and crawled back again. For three days he had lain there without food and unable to help himself, when he was found by Morrisey. He was conveyed to Pendleton and carefully nursed, ibut he died the next Friday. Meanwhile all was confusion at Pendleton and the agency. The citizens were suspicious of the reservation Indians, fearing they intended to unite with the hostiles. Consequently volunteers would not go to the agency to defend it. Forty families of Columbias slipped out and went into the enemies' camp, and a few young Uma- tillas started off without permission, probably with a similar intention. Two of these saw George Coggan, Fred Foster and Al Bunker coming down from Cayuse Station on a course that took them in dangerous proximity to the hostiles. They rode toward the men with the intention of warning them, so they said afterward, and at the same time a third Indian rode up from another direc- tion. The men had seen some deserted wagons a few miles back, where Olney J. P. McCoy. Charles Mc- Laughlin, Thomas Smith and James Myers had been killed. They had also passed a band of Columbias on their way to the hostile camp. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 75S When they saw the Indians dashing toward them from different directions they supposed them to be the ones they had passed, and, concluding that their time had come, began firing at them. The Umatillas sud- denly changed their pacific intentions and commenced shooting. Coggan was killed and Bunker wounded. Foster, who had every reason to believe that he was assailed by at least a score of savages, took the wounded man upon his horse and carried him two miles, when Bunker could go no farther. Foster was then com- pelled to leave him and hastened to Pendleton, where his arrival created a panic. 'Besides killing the teamsters, the Indians burned Cayuse Station that day. At this time news was received that Colonel Miles had been informed of Egan's movements, and had de- termined to take the responsibility of marching to the agency for its protection. To the exertions of Major Cornoyer and those accompanying him that night is due the fact that Colonel Miles arrived in time to defend the agency and avert the evils that would have followed its capture, including the murder of many people and a possible union of reservation Indians with the hos- tiles. The troops, upon reaching their destination, pro- ceeded at once to eat breakfast, but before they were through, the Snakes, Bannocks and Piutes, four hun- dred strong, were seen riding down from their camp. A line was quickly formed across the flat and up the hill, and before the soldiers were all in position the Indians began to fire upon them. Nearly all day a bat- tle was maintained with the soldiers lying in holes they had scooped in the ground to protect themselves. Finally Miles decided to charge his assailants, although he had but one company of cavalry and would not be able to pursue them. The Cayuses requested per- mission to join in the fight, and were allowed to do so on condition that they would keep with the soldiers and not get in advance of them. The command to charge was given, and the soldiers sprang from their rifle pits and rushed upon the enemy, vying with their Cayuse allies in the onslaught. The hostiles, fleeing to the mountains, returned no -more, and that night found them eighteen miles from the agency, after having fin- ished the destruction of Cayuse Station by burning the barn, and the soldiers returned and went into camp. There were no casualties on the side of the troops and the volunteers. Before the fight Umapine started out to do a little work on his own account. His father had been killed years before by Egan, who was in command of the hos- tiles, and he wanted revenge. When the battle was over he told Egan the Cayuses would join him, and per- suaded that chief to accompany him the next night to a point twelve miles from the agency to meet the Cayuse chiefs and arrange matters. He then sent word to 'Major Cornoyer to have forty soldiers stationed at the appointed place to capture or kill Egan when he appeared. 48 Colonel Miles held the same opinion of Umapine's loyalty that the citizens did and refused to send soldiers on such an errand. The Cayuses expressed their dis- appointment to the agent, and complained of these sus- picions. He told them the best way to convince the whites of their loyalty was to go out themselves and capture Egan. Whirlwind, chief of the Cayuses, acted on this suggestion, and picking out a party of about forty men repaired to the rendezvous, which was between Mleacham and Cayuse sta- tion. Umapine and Five Crows visited Egan at his camp and asked him to accompany them to a conference with the Umatilla chiefs, near Cayuse station. Egan fell into the trap, and went with them. All were on horseback. When they arrived near the rendezvous Egan began to grow suspicious, sprang off his horse and closed with Five Crows, who was leading his horse. A desperate struggle ensued, but as Egan was crippled in one arm, as a result of the fight with Colonel Robbins a few days pre- vious, he soon fell, shot through the head by Five Crows. Five Crows scalped Egan, and! as Egan's sub-chief started to ride off, Uma- pine shot him also. The firing brought a num- ber of Piute warriors and women to the scene, and a very lively skirmish followed. The Cay- uses were supported by the Umatillas, who were in ambush, and the Piutes rallied to the support of Egan. When the battle was over, the Cayuses, with nine scalps and eighteen women and children prisoners, returned in triumph to the agency. The hostiles retired toward Meacham. A triumphal procession of all Indians orr the reservation was formed and passed in re- view before the troops that were drawn up in line by General Wheaton, that officer having arrived from Walla Walla and taken command. Yatinouits, a sub-chief of the Cayuses, bearing the scalp of Egan on a pole, arrived in front of the commanding officer, and pointing to Iris bloody trophy, said: "Egan, Egan, we give you." "No, no, keep it, you brave man!" ex- claimed the disgusted officer. 754 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES [Although it was generally stated that the Indians who captured Egan were responsible for his decapitation, W. W. Johnson, of Burns, who was a blacksmith at the Malheur Indian agency at the time of the outbreak and who> subsequently joined the army in that capacity, says the Indians did not commit this outrage, but that an army surgeon cut off Egan's head ;and a portion of Egan's wounded arm. These ■two ghastly relics Mr. Johnson believes are now preserved in alcohol in a San Francisco mu- seum. In a conversation with the writer a short time ago. Whirlwind, who was in charge of the Cayuse party that killed Egan, denied that the Indians ever decapitated Egan, claim- ing that it was done by army surgeons.] Defeat on the reservation, the death of their leader, the return of the cavalry and the knowl- edge that the Columbia river could not be crossed, so disheartened the hostiles that they began to break up and return to their own country. Chief Homeli, with eighty picked warriors of the Umatillas, Cayuses and Walla Wallas, joined the troops in pursuit and kept the hostiles constantly on the move. Homeli reached their front the 17th on Camas creek, and when the retreating bands came along, charged into their midst, killing thirty of them "without losing a man. He also captured twen- ty-seven women and children and a number of horses. After their disastrous defeat on the Uma- tilla reservation and their retreat into the Blue mountains, the hostiles, being without leaders, broke up into small parties and scattered in every direction, except to the north. Howard, with ten small columns, pursued them energeti- cally, overtook them and finally cornered them in Harney county, forced their surrender and marched the Piutes across to Yakima, where they were placed under charge of Father Wil- "bur, supported by a strong garrison of troops from Fort Simco-. The effect of the war upon eastern Oregon generally was very bad. Farmers left their homes at a moment's notice, and in some in- stances were gone for weeks. Stock broke into their fields and damaged the crops. Many of them had their houses and barns burned, and their stock destroyed or driven away. Large bands of sheep and cattle were dispersed in the mountains, where great numbers perished. Set- tlers that owned nothing but a little stock and a cabin had the one killed or driven off and the other burned. Citizens of Portland sub- scribed eighteen hundred dollars, which was distributed in small amounts among the desti- tute to enable them to live until they could get work again. Many stock thieves took advan- tage of the confused condition of affairs to gather up scattered horses and cattle and run them off. The 1 8th of July, Governor Chadwick ad- dressed a letter to Sheriff Sperry, instructing him to arrest all Indians guilty of murder or robbery, to be tried by civil authorities. This was a matter of great difficulty because of lack of witnesses. By appointment a great council was held on the reservation August 26th, at which General Howard, Governor Chadwick and others were present. The chiefs were made to understand that the only way to clear themselves and their tribes from blame was to surrender all that had been guilty of wrongful acts, and hostages were taken to insure their doing so. Some of the Columbia river In- dians were arrested, but were afterward re- leased for want of evidence. By the persistent investigation of Major Cornoyer, the murderers of George Coggan were discovered. Four young Umatillas were arrested trial in November and was White Owl, Quit-a-Tumps and Aps were con- victed and sentenced to be hanged. The first two were executed in the jail yard at Pendle- ton, January 10, 1879, a company of cavalry and one of militia being present as a guard. A week later Aps was hanged at the same place. One of them gave evidence at the discharged. CHAPTER III. THE GOLD FIELDS OF EASTERN OREGON. No full history of mining in the counties with which our volume is concerned can be at- tempted here. While such a work would con- tain much that has the fascination of romance, and many illustrations of the fact that truth is stranger than fiction; while it might do some- thing toward rescuing from complete oblivion the names of many whose heroism and self- sacrifice should be given the credit for mater- ial additions to the world's wealth, yet it could not be prepared without many months of ardu- ous investigation, and when prepared, it would fill a volume of no small size. Some of the early history of mining in parts of eastern Or- egon is to be found in previous chapters. Later developments have often received incidental mention, but nowhere has the industry been ac- corded such comprehensive treatment as its importance merits. Neither will it be possible in this chapter to treat the subject comprehen- sively, but the purpose of the work would fail of its full accomplishment, were not some more complete outline of this industry incorporated herein. It has not been the writer's privilege to visit all the mining districts, to say nothing of individual mines, and even had it been pos- sible for him to do so, he is not a mining ex- pert and could not trust his own observations. He will therefore be pardoned, perhaps, if he makes Professor Waldemar Lindgren's geo- logical report, prepared under the auspices of the United States government, the basis of this chapter. Besides the mining region under consider- ation, there are at least four gold bearing areas in Oregon. Of these the gold fields of the Blue mountains are by far the most im- portant, though they were not discovered until about ten years later than those in the south- western part of the state. The beginnings of placer mining have been already adverted to. After the first few years the industry rapidly declined though the out- put o sold it in 1898 for a reputed sum of $500,000, to a Pittsburg cor- poration. It was estimated by Lindgren in 1900 that the production of precious metals ~up to that time must have approximated a million dollars. Extensive developments have been made and capacious and costly machinery is • being used in its ore development. It is. the only producer in the district but contigu- ous to it are several mines and prospects of promise, among them the Richmond, the Key- stone Belle and the White Elephant. Much placer mining was done in the district during the early days and a production of placer gold is still maintained. It is said that in the Hind- man placers a small quantity of platinum is found and that this is the only occurrence of this metal in the Blue mountans. Susanville mining district on the Middle Fork of the John Day river, twenty-two miles from Austin's stage station, has a great deal of historic as well as present interest. The placer mines of Elk creek, discovered in 1864, "were very rich and those of Deep, Onion and Big creeks, though less favored with mineral wealth also contributed not a little to the fame of the district. According to Raymond's re- port for 1870, the production of gold during the first four years after discovery was not less than $80,000, and the total production is thought to be in the neighborhood of $600,- 000. Placer mining is being carried on by Chinese even at the present time. The gold is coarse and of a fineness of 865. Prof. Lindgren states that a nugget worth $480 was found on Elk creek, another worth $625 on Deep creek, and one worth $800 in Buck gulch. Prospecting for quartz, it is stated, began in 1869, and at an early date ore from the Mon- umental vein was worked in Mr. Cabel's pan- amalgamation mill. For many years after- ward little was done, but recently prospecting has been renewed. One condition greatly against the development of the regioin is its inaccessibility, which causes shipping expenses to be excessive. The Badger mine is the most important of the district. It is on a very old ledge, one that was discovered and worked some as early as 1869. A ten-stamp mill with concentrators was once installed but failed to handle the quality of ore satisfactorily, and only the richest ore is now handled. This is shipped to a smelter. Other claims in the vi- cinity are the Stockton, the Bull of the Woods group, of which the Otter is one of the prin- cipal claims, the Gem vein, etc. The Dixie creek placers of the Quartzburg district were among the earliest discoveries. They are said to have been very rich at first but early in the 'seventies they were turned over to Chinese miners. At present nothing in the way of placer mining is being done there. Spanish Diggings is another worked out placer mine of the district, but the old placers of Happy camp and Ruby creek are still worked by Chinese or whites and Chinese. The Present Need, located about twelve years ago, is the leading gold quartz mine of the dis- trict. It has been worked on a small scale ever since its discovery. The ore is calcined and then treated with an arrastre. A little to the north is the old Keystone and above this is the Colorado. The Standard copper mine, an ancient discovery, and the Copperopolis, of more recent location, promise well, though they have not been developed sufficiently to establish beyond a doubt their value. The history of early placer mining in the Canyon district has been already treated of in this work. That the Canyon placer deposits were the richest in Oregon admits of no doubt, but their exact production during early days is not known. Estimates vary from three to five millions. Raymond estimated that in 1865 the output was $22,000 per week and in 1870 the HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 761 product had fallen to $300,000 per year. The total production probably exceeds $15,000,000. At present the Humboldt mine is being worked with giants, and operations are being carried on on a small scale in the vicinity of Marys- ville. Among the departures in experimental min- ing in eastern Oregon, or in the entire north- west for that matter, none is more interesting that the great Pomeroy mining dredger, now at work washing the sands of the John Day for the auriferous deposits therein contained. The boat is at work in the main John Day river, jqst ,below the mouth of Canyon creek and about a mile from the town of John Day. For ages this mountain stream has been washing down fine golden sands from its headwaters and despositing them along its course. When the best ground had been worked by the old placer miners, the river bed was abandoned and this the dredger owners are content to' work for what gold there is still left in it. Although the project is still in its experimental stage, the results attained thus far have been emi- nently satisfactory. This immense machine was constructed during the past summer by Portland capitalists, chief among whom are the Pomeroy broth- ers, and cost over $100,000, all the equipment having been hauled in over forty miles of rough mountain roads. In building the hull alone over 175,000 feet of lumber was used, while ten tons of holts were utilized in fasten- ing it together. The entire weight of the dredger is stated as 750 tons. Though so rich in placers, the Canyon dis- trict is strangely lacking in quartz mines. Canyon peak, just above the town, is celebrated for its rich pocket veins, but has no steady producers. The discovery of the Great North- ern mine in 1898 by Isaac Guker and the con- sequent excitement have been adverted to pre- viously. The mine's rich pockets have been emptied of thousands of dollars. Mr. Guker Iiopes that further developments will prove the Great Northern a mine not only rich but perm- anent; though thus far values have been very irregular. A few miles east of Canyon City and John Day are the rich Prairie Diggings mines, now owned and operated by the Hoosier Boy Mines Company, Limited. Last season a new twenty- five stamp mill was installed by this company, which has recently purchased the mine, and considerable development work has since been done. Six concentrators are in use. The product of this mine is chiefly free gold and gold bearing concentrates. When in full op- eration between thirty-five and forty men are employed and under the present careful and en- ergetic management this, the only producing quartz mine in the Canyon district, gives prom- ise of a bright future. South of Prairie City and high up on Strawberry butte a large number of claims have been located, principal among which is the Oregon Wonder. It is claimed that the ledge taking its name from this prospect prom- ises to prove indeed a wonder. It is miles in length and in places hundreds of feet wide. The ore is low grade on the surface but if values increase with depth, the ledge may prove as marvelous as its name would imply. Coming back to Baker City from our brief review of the principal mining districts to the west, let us take a bird's eye view of those to north and east. A trip of seven miles will bring- us to the western border of the Virtue district, one of the oldest quartz districts in eastern Oregon. The veins of auriferous ore are numerous and the gold free and of a high degree o>f purity. The leading mine of the district, the Virtue, has long been one of the largest producers in entire Blue mountain re- gion. The details of its discovery have been spoken of heretofore. Developed to a consid- erable extent in early days, it was worked al- most continuously from 1871 to 1878, when it was sold to Grayson & Company, of San Fran- cisco, who operated it intermittently until 762 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 1884. From that time until 1893, the mine was idle. Then work was resumed and con- tinued until 1898, when it became the prop- erty of a Montreal company. The mine is now being operated, though only a small force is at work. The total production of this mine is estimated at $2,189,000. In the immediate vicinity of the Virture are numerous claims and prospects, none of which have as yet be- come producers. The Flagstaff, six miles northeast of Baker City, has been quite exten- sively developed, and ore froim its interior, worked in a ten-stamp mill, has yielded good returns. Three miles southeast of the Virtue is the White Swan mine. It has been worked for more than twelve years and was credited by Lindgren in 1900 with a total production of not less than $200,000. According to the mint reports, its product in 1891 was $72,000 and in 1892, $72, 642. At present the mine is being operated with a force of fifteen or twen- ty men. The Brazos, two miles south of the White Swan, is a mine of recent development. A ten-stamp mill was erected during the year 1900 for the reduction of its ore. There are numerous prospects and partly developed claims in various parts of the Virtue district. Little placer mining has been done in recent years. Passing over the promising district in the Farley hills in the vicinity of North Powder and the old, rich Copper Butte district, we come to the consideration of the famous properties of the Panhandle, recently made a part of Ba- ker county. The placers in the gulches of the Sparta district were early traced to well de- fined quartz veins, many of which were worked in primitive fashion at a very early date. These operations were gradually discontinued and the production declined correspondingly until the late 'eighties, when a revival took place, resulting in a jump of the Union county gold production in 1889 to $576,000, a con- siderable portion of which was to be credited to the quartz mines of Sparta. Various con- ditions have been operative since to< cause a decline. In 1900 according to Prof. Lindgren only the Gem mine was being worked on a larger scale than formerly. The placers in the vicinity of Sparta were known to be rich in an early day, but owing to scarcity of water noth- ing could be done until the completion of the- Sparta ditch in 1873, the length of which was twenty-two miles and the capacity 3,000 min- er's inches. Great activity followed the ad- vent of the water, but production declined af- ter a few years and at present is inconsider- able. Northwest of the Sparta district is the Sanger mine, a noted producer. In its vicinity was the old placer camp of Hog 'Em, credited with a production of $500,000. The Summit lode of this mine was discovered in 1870, pro- duced $60,000 in 1874, began to increase its production in 1889, and from that year to 1892 produced $813,000, according to mint reports. It is in operation at present. In the vicinity of Sanger and in the Eagle creek district are the Basin claims, small pro- ducers, the Snowstorm, the Lily White, the Dolly Varden, Miller & Lane, and other claims some of which have produced considerable sums. Placer gold was mined in the district in early days and a small production is still maintained. In the Eagle Creek range, not far from the head of Pine valley, is Cornucopia, the center of the prosperous and promising mining dis- trict of the same name. It occupies the upper end of the famed Pine valley. The mines are of comparatively recent development but in the early eighties began a small and intermittent production. In 1889, however, the district is said to have produced $74,000, the begin- ning of a steady and continuous output. "The camp has passed through many vicissitudes," says Lindgren, "and much money has been un- wisely spent. Even at the present time the in- dustry is not established upon as firm a basis HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 76? as it ought, for without doubt it is a district of great promise and should yield good returns from capital judiciously invested. "The producing veins are all situated from two to three miles east to north o was thereafter for a short time associated in its pub- lication with D. C. Boyd. On May 15, 1899,. Mr. Wilmarth bought his partner out and the plant is now owned and operated by him and Mina Wilmarth, his wife. To them person- ally and to the files of their paper we must like- wise offer acknowledgement for much held ren- dered in the preparation of this volume. The paper is a bright, ably edited, eight page, four column weekly, all home print. It is Republi- can in politics. HARNEY VALLEY ITEMS. To this journal we are also indebted for valuable assistance in the use of files. It, too, is Republican in its political faith and alle- giance and to that party it has constantly ad- hered for a number of years, though it was non- partisan at first. Its initial number appeared July, 1885, so that to it belongs the honor of pioneership in Harney county journalism. This pioneer journal was printed upon a Wash- ington hand press and the name at the head of its editorial columns was Horace Dillard. Af- ter nearly two years of successful newspaper work Mr. Dillard retired, his successor being J. M. Vaughn, who was its editor and pub- lisher for the ensuing three years. Mr. Dil- lard then repurchased the plant and again as- sumed editorial charge of it. For more than a year it was in his hands, but in the falll of 1 89 1 W. Y. King purchased it. In the spring HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 775 of J 893 a local publishing company bought the plant and gave the editorial management to its former editor, Mr. Dillard. That fall Charles Newell took the paper. It has undergone sev- eral changes of ownership and been in the hands of several different editors since, its present ed- itorial head being C. N. Cochrane. MALHEUR GAZETTE. The Malheur Gazette, published at Vale, is the pioneer newspaper of Malheur county, having been established in 1888. The Gazette was founded at Vale, where it has since remained, by S. H. Shepherd, who continued to act as its publisher and editor for several years, finally disposing of his interests to the Gazette Publishing Company. This company owned and conducted the property until the first of this year, when the present management assumed charge. The Gazette is a seven column folio journal of neat typograph- ical appearance and fully alive to the best in- terests of Vale and the county in general. The Gazette supports the Republican party now, though it was founded as a Democratic paper. THE ONTARIO ARGUS. is the leading newspaper of Malheur county and one of the neatest printed and best edited weeklies: in eastern Oregon. The Argus owns the) building it occupies in Ontario and is pub- lished in a well equipped office, including a newspaper cylinder press, a job press, a com- plete assortment of modern display and body type, a new Chandler & Price paper cutter and other auxiliaries usually found in an up-to-date establishment. Six pages are issued and their well filled advertising and news columns be- token the liberal patronage of an interested reading public. The Argus is Republican in politics. Five years ago this journal first appeared, being then known as the District Silver Advo- cate, and published at Vale. As the name im- plies, the newspaper was established to advance the interests of the silver party in this judicial district. Burt Venable was the first proprietor and John E. Roberts the editor. The initial number appeared January 6, 1897. Subse- quently Mr. Venable transferred his interests in the enterprise to E. R. Murray, and during the latter part of 1897 the paper appeared for a short time as a daily. A year later John E. Roberts secured sole control of the newspaper and moved the plant to Ontario, from which place it has since been issued. On November 28, 1900, the Advocate was purchased by Don Carlos Boyd, who changed the journal's name to the "Ontario Argus" and transferred its po- litical allegiance to the Republican party. Ex- Judge J. T. Clement became associated in bus- iness with Mr. Boyd about a year ago, and tinder this joint ownership and management,, the Argus is at present published. THE ONTARIO DEMOCRAT is alsO ! one of 'Malheur county's progressive weekly journals and is owned and edited by Will R. King, one of the best known politi- cians in Oregon, having been the Fusionist party's candidate for governor in 1898. The Democrat was first published at Vale as the Malheur County Herald, by William Ugholl and was established in 1898. Subse- quently William Plughoff acquired possession of the property and retained it until March, 1 90 1, when Aimer G. King and Paul Delaney purchased the plant. They moved it to On- tario in February, 1902. W. R. King was the next to try his fortune in steering the paper through the narrow and treacherous channels which lie in the course of journalism, he hav- ing assumed charge May 19th last. Thus far he has succeeded admirably. The Democrat office is equipped with modern necessities and conveniences and the four page paper issued bears evidence of excellent workmanship in both the mechanical and editorial departments. 776 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES As elsewhere in the United States the news- paper graveyard in Malheur county is filled with graves of many unsuccessful ventures. Some accomplished their mission during their brief existence; some did not reap such a re- ward. All contributed their ideas and experi- ence toward the enlightenment of mankind so that even of the least successful some good may be said ; none were absolute failures. The Ontario Mattock was founded March 14, 1899, by Edward L. King and after a year's existence was sold to John E. Roberts, who. •consolidated it with the District Silver Advo- cate. The Westfall Independent commenced pub- lication at Westfall in December, 1900, under the management of J. E. Roberts, but survived only a few months. The Ontario News was one of the pioneer journals of the county, having been established during the campaign of 1892, by W. E. Bowen. The News was conducted first as a Democratic paper and later as a Populist journal. The News lived six years, or until 1898, when the plant was removed from the county. The first newspaper published in Malheur county was the Ontario Atlas, established in 1886 by a Mountain Home printer. This pio- neer journal was printed on an army press and was a newsy and interesting, though small, sheet. After a precarious life of three or four months, the paper was revived by W. G. Cud- dy, of Nampa, Idaho, who published it in On- tario until after Vale was chosen as the county seat in 1888, when the plant was taken to that town. CHAPTER V. REMINISCENT. Possibly some ambitious reader of this vol- ume will in the future win fame by making an exhaustive collection of pioneer incidents, pre- senting them in graphic and fascinating form. Could such a work be properly prepared it would be read with profound interest. The long toilsome journeys across the wide, sky- bordered buffalo range of the prairies and over the towering mountains or through the rugged passes were rich in adventures of the most thrilling nature, while the constant menace of the red man, the intrigue, diplomacy and chi- canery resorted to by the immigrants to avoid trouble with them, the frequent forays of these depredators upon cattle, horses and even chil- dren, the hot pursuits and the occasional bat- tles throw around the days when the plains were populated with ever advancing- prairie schooners a rich glamour of romance. But the days* of adventure were not over when the pioneers safely ran the gauntlet of ten thosuand dangers on the plains and in the mountain fastnesses and eventually came to a halt in the far away "westmost west." He was still in the midst of savages, and moreover he was in a new environment and confronted with new conditions, so that it became neces- sary fo'i" him to work out for himself a thou- sand economic problems. It is probable that could all the adventures of the pioneer peoples of this section be collected and set in order a marvelous array of tragedy, pathos and hu- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 777 mor would be the result. The limits and prov- ince of this work and the limitations of its au- thors render an attempt to embody any exten- sive collection of incidents herein decidedly out of the question, but realizing- that a few an- ecdotes mig-ht better preserve the spirit and flavor of early times than pages of descriptive history, we will give a few simple stories of "the brave days of old.'' A REMINISCENCE OF THE INDIAN WAR. O. P. Cresap, one of the earliest pioneers •of Grant county and now an esteemed resident of Canyon City, served as a guide to General Howard's army during the Bannock and Piute war of 1878 and in that capacity witnessed much of this campaign in Grant and Umatilla counties. His account of the adventures in which he participated during this war is inter- esting and is as follows : Tom Meyers and I left Elk creek on the morning of July 2, 1878, bound for Canyon City. We had no particular object in view except to visit the city and did not know there was an Indian war in progress. We arrived at the old Dribblesby ranch, now known as the Smith ranch, about noon, intending to stop there for dinner. I went up and knocked at the door but could get no answer, so went back of the house to see where the family had gone. But I could find no one and going into^ the house discovered that things there were undis- turbed. I concluded that the occupants were away in the hills. We fed our horses and se- cured a cold lunch for ourselves, then rode on. At the next ranch I found no one at home ; like- wise) at the next. Then I became suspicious and the more so because I saw a man scouting near us. So I made bold to inquire of him the reason for this condition of affairs and learned for the first time that the Bannocks and Piutes were on the warpath and that he was one of General Howard's scouts. As he was going to Canyon City, we rode along with him and learned more of the trouble. He said that Howard was south of Canyon City in pur- suit of the Indians, who> were crossing the range and headed toward Long Creek. At Canyon City there was a martial stir in the air and all was excitement. Most of the men of the town were under arms and a por- tion of the women- and children had been re- moved to the mining tunnels west of the town. A shipment of one hundred stands of arms to- gether with ammunition had just been received from The Dalles in response to an appeal from the citizens, who found themselves short of weapons, and every able bodied man and boy in the town was well equipped and ready to give an account of himself, should the redskins appear. As soon as I learned enough of the particulars to convince me that the people at Elk creek were in danger I made preparations for an immediate return. Before midnight I was well on my way accompanied by Tom and two others who joined us. That was one of the darkest nights I have ever seen and we had to walk our horses as soon as we reached the foothills. We reached Elk creek, or Su- sanville, about nine o'clock the next morning and in a short time the six or seven families there, the Blake, Bison, Mael and other fami- lies, had packed what few necessities were re- quired for the trip and with the exception of John Blake, the merchant who offered to stay and keep watch until we could return, the party headed southward. After we were well on our way, John Aus- tin and I left the company with the intention of reconnoitering and if possible, discover the exact whereabouts of the redskins, who were thought to be over toward Fox valley. We took a northeastward course. We saw no signs of Indians that day and camped that night on Long creek, about eight miles above the town of that name. The next morning we descended the creek, soon reaching the open country. We passed Thomas Keeney's place but looked in vain for 778 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the next ranch house. I knew about where the house was situated and could not account for my failure to see it now. As we came a little nearer we noticed that the chickens were out of their yard and huddled together in the branches of a tree. By this time we were close to where the house had stood and looking aigain very closely, we easily solved the mystery of its non-appearance, for there lay a pile of ruins still warm. Although we were aware that the the Indians were probably not a great many miles away, we did not believe they were very close to us and rather ascribed the fire to acci- dental causes than to the redskins. The ruins of the next ranch house were smoldering when we reached it and then it dawned upon that we were probably close to the trail of the red- skins. From that on we proceeded with great caution. The next house was burning and afar off we could see the flames leaping sky- ward and the smoke curling up in great clouds. Here we saw our first Indian, a scout, but evi- dently he thought that we were advance scouts of the army for he quickly rode out of sight. Little did we think we were so close upon the Indians' heels, but in a few minutes we came in sight of the party of Indians which had passed through Long Creek the day previously and which was now headed toward the Middle Fork o molest property. Had the redskins succeeded in gaining an entrance to the fort a massacre of the whites would probably have followed. Of the Indians there were probably between six and seven hundred, mostly Bannocks and Piutes. The old men, women and children formed the van, the fighting men the rear. With the Indians were between two and three thousand head of horses and these were herded and driven by those unable to> fight. The wick- iups>, personal property and plunder were packed on poles which were dragged by the horses. This advance did most of the plun- dering and pillaging. Here at Long Creek we met Colonel Ber- nard, who- was the real fighter of the army. He asked me where I had conie from and what I had seen of the Indians and I told him all I knew. I told him of conditions at Susanville and he very kindly placed a small detachment" of troops at our disposal to guard property at Elk creek. Austin accompanied the soldiers back. With the army were about thirty scouts, recruited mostly from Arizona, and in com- mand of Rube Robbins. While these scouts were well acquainted with Idaho and that por- . tion of Oregon lying near the southern bound- ary, they were unfamiliar with this region and Colonel Bernard was looking for a man who could pilot them northward through the moun- tains. He proposed that I go with them and I accepted his offer to act as guide, though no actual enlistment was required of me. General Howard's plan was to make no- at- tempt to drive the Indians, but rather to follow them closely and keep them headed northward if possible, planning to surround and capture them on the Columbia river. He was afraid that if the Indians were pushed too hard they might make a dash across the Columbia before he could place troops and boats there in suffi- cient numbers to check them while he cut off their retreat. During the whole time the In- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 779 dians were marching northward troops had been gathering along the Columbia river, but their movements were very slow. Up to this time but one battle had been fought in this re- gion, the battle of Silver Creek, in which the Indians held their own and might be said to have been victorious. As to General Howard's ability as an Indian fighter, opinions differ, but that he was sincere in his belief that it would be disastrous policy to push the Indians too hard, there is no doubt in my mind. The Indians did not go very far out of their way to commit depredations, but confined them- selves strictly to their line o>f march, evidently wishing to delay hostilities until they were re- inforced by their hoped for Umatilla allies. Thus the army moved slowly, going from Long Creek north across the Middle Fork of the John Day, thence to the North Fork and down on Camas prairie toward Pendelton. Our route was marked on every hand by evidences of destruction and carnage. Some times we found ranch, buildings razed to' the ground by fire; again simply ransacked, furniture de- stroyed, clothes, carpets, etc., stolen, windows broken and goods scattered about. Occasion- ally we found a white man murdered by the savages. At all the ranches the stock had been driven away or killed, and one had only to 1 noh- tice the dead horses and cattle along the road to know that the Indians had passed that way. At one ranch on Birch creek we found a baby carriage drawn out under the arbor leading to the door of the house and in the carriage was placed a dead colt. At another place, evidently a dairy farm, in Camas prairie, our attention was attracted by a huge pile of butter stacked up near the house. From the appearance of it the little Indians had used it as a toboggan slide. As we approached one place we noticed a high white pyramid. At first we could not make out what it was but as we drew nearer we saw that it was composed of dead sheep, several hundred of them. One of the most pit- iful and frequent sights was that of a dead lamb tied between two posts so that it could not move and under its body the ashes of a small fire showing that it had been burned to death. Around these dead lambs were always- small moccasin tracks, indicating that this was the work of the children; Our scouts had frequent skirmishes with the Indians but none of enough consequence to' be worth relating. The scouts always moved in front and were followed by the cavalry, the infantry, pack train and artillery bringing up the rear. Next in command after General Howard were Colonel Forsythe and Brevet- Colonel Bernard. When we reached the head- waters of the North Fork there were two courses for the Indians to> leave the country, by Butter creek or by the Grande Ronde river. By a little manoeuvering we turned them from the Grande Ronde and they started down But- ter creek. Here we fought a battle. A succession of low hills slopes away west- ward, forming an ideal place for the Indians to make a stand and they did make a stand. When we came up, the hillside was fairly alive with Indians and they commenced heavy firing in our direction. The scouts fell back, the cav- alry was ordered to the front and formed into two' lines and the men were then ordered to dis- mount. Then the gatling gun, the only one with the army, was brought up and in less time than it takes to tell it, was dashing out in front of the army and on its way up the first hill. The redskins were on the second hill, while between the two there was a smaller elevation within two hundred yards of the Indians. Slowly the horses mounted the first hill, reached the summit, and then to the astonish- ment of all, kept on its way to the smaller ele- vation. The Indians could not understand such apparently foolhardy actions and they stood thunderstruck, not even offering to fire. Had they not been overcome by the audacity of the act our men would certainly have met death. As the lead horses reached the summit of the elevation they whirled around ; the carriage 780 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES was unlimbered and in an instant a perfect storm of bullets was carrying death and de- struction to the ranks of the dusky warriors. The redskins scrambled from their hiding places and rushed pell mell over the summit of the highest hill and into the timber. Our "troops came to support the gun, but were not needed. The officers did not allow the sol- diers to take full advantage of this victory and the result was that the Indians were pursued only a short distance. George Smith, a soldier was killed in action and several were wounded, though none mortally. After the battle scores of dead horses covered the ground telling plainly of the deadly work of the bullets. This fight took place between the ioth and 15th of July. The casualties among the I-ndians must have been great, though I never learned just how great. I had followed the gatling gun up the hill and so> saw 'the whole fight very plainly. The defeated braves, closely pursued by the army, pushed northward and as; is well known were defeated in battle by Miles near Pendle- ton. With the death of their chief and leader, Egan, the Indians lost courage, and executing a flank movement commenced to retreat south- ward. We followed and came up' with them a few days later on Lake creek, which empties into the North Fork. Here the Indians made another and final stand and had they possessed the courage which accompanies success they might have made us pay more dearly for vic- tory. This time they chose for their battle ground a high table rock covering several acres and with nearly perpendicular sides. From its top they bade definance to the cavalry and scouts, who were under Colonel Forsythe. The trail over this high plateau led through a small gap which could easily be defended against hun- dreds by a handful of brave men. The scouts, led by Rube Robbins, were ambushed while attempting to gain the summit of this rock through the gap and as a result suffered the loss of one man killed and several wounded, among the latter being Robbins himself. Ken- nedy, the man who was killed, was wounded in the arm and bled to death. I found him on the field and after giving him a drink of water from my canteen, went for the surgeon and in- formed him of Kennedy's condition. Then I went to look after another wounded man named Campbell. When the surgeon found Kennedy he was dead. The cavalry were drawn up in line for a charge when Colonel Bernard came up to me and asked if I knew of any way to. dislodge the redskins without great loss of life. I pointed to a high steep hill to the west, which over- looked the table rock, and told him if he could gain its summit, it would be an easy matter to take the Indians in the rear. The troopers having ascended the hill in safety soon dis- lodged the Indians and forced them to retreat. This last defeat was too much for the In- dians and soon after they divided into two bands, one going south by way of the Green- horn mountains and the other down the Dixie range. The party which returned by way of the Dixie range killed a Frenchman near Rob- insonville and Jimmie Varderman on Elk creek. The Indians kept in the mountains as much as possible, however, and destroyed lit- tle if any property. The war was now at an end and as I could be of no further service to the army I helped to take Campbell, the wounded man, down Burnt river, after which I returned to my home at Susanville. THE HAPPY VALLEY MASSACRE. ' Brief mention has been made in a former chapter of the death of George C. Smyth and his son John, who were residents of Happy Valley, in Harney county, during the Indian war of 187S. The story is graphically told by a correspondent who signs himself, "J. W. E.," to the Baker City Bedrock Democrat. The facts of the case were all learned from the In- dians themselves, as no white men witnessed HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 781- the massacre, though Darius Smyth, brother of John, at one time looked down into the valley from the surrounding foothills. He saw the Indians around his father's house, but saw no signs of hositilities at that time and thought his father and brother had escaped to the hills. J. W. E,'s story follows : Under the smiling skies of a bright June day in 1878 the grass-clad and cliff-ribbed heights of the Stein's mountains in southeastern Oregon's great plateau, stood in ghostly silence. As the sun's dying rays left in purple shadow the pretty vale of Happy valley, wherein a half-dozen hardy pioneer families were conquering out joyous homes from the isolated riches of the wilderness, not a hint was in the peaceful air of the death stalking thitherward with the soulless ferocity of the merciless tiger. Sixty-five miles away the sunset gun at Fort Harney had marked the lowering of freedom's banner in the post garrisoned by two troops of cavalry. Some thirty miles further, at the Malheur agency, the redmen were on the verge of open revolt. Southward from Happy valley, in the state of Nevada the famous warlike Ban- nock Indians, under the fiery war chief Egan, he of the many battle scars, were no longer restrained, nor their northern brethren, by the one-time strong force of 1,200 hated bluecoats at Fort Harney. The sun's level rays bathed in dying splendor the long mounting slopes sweeping above Happy valley. Here and there upon the mountain ramparts were small clusters of juniper and mountain mahogany trees. But the eyes had a practically unbroken sweep for miles to right and left and upward over the weirdly beautiful heights. Far off, up the slopes and near the crowning cliffs some of the settlers saw a moving speck, which, swiftly moving downward, resolved into an evidently expert horseman, spurring his steed as though pursued by a fiend. Approaching the first ranch house, the vacquero, in the terse sentences of the frontiersman, told how since sunrise he had ridden eighty long miles over parched sage brush plains and pathless moun- tains ; that the pitiless Bannock Indians were having their war and death dance and that the settlers must flee to Fort Harney for their lives. Hastily rigging their wagons, through the long summer night, with their wives, young folks and help- less little ones, the pioneer men of Happy valley drove onward in flight to Fort Harney. A father and son named Smyth had left at their deserted ranches about one hundred head of good horses, and, since they hoped the Indians had swung aside from the little settlement, they concluded to return and en- deavor to bring off their horses. With the pioneer's ever firm courage, they had no premonition of their im- pending fate as at the fort they bade what proved their last farewell to their faithful wives and loving children. The father and son reached the deserted homes without having seen a single sign of marauding red warriors. That night they slept unmolested in their cabin. The next day was Sunday. A little Spanish cow- boy returned to the headquarters ranch of the Miller & French Cattle Company, thirty miles from Happy val- ley, with the information that he had seen a great drove of stock coming down the Stein's mountains to invade his company's ranges. "There must have been more than a thousand of them," said he in broken English, "and the rushing beasts raised a great cloud of dust.'' Manager French told the boy that what he had seen were beasts, but that each one had but two legs and that they were more cruel and savage than any four-footed beasts on earth. And the stockman was right. The bright eyes of the Spanish lad had from afar seen the onward march of one thousand Ban- nock Indians, the men, women and children, even, being each and all on murder bent. The dust cloud was from the beating hoofs of the savages' ponies and the trailing lodge poles. The Indians were en route to join their northern brethren in an Oregon raid of murder and destruction. Unknown to the advancing savages, the two doomed whites watched their foes approach. There was abso- lutely no means or way of escape since the treeless foot- hills of the mountains extended for miles around the valley, and, in the direction of the fort, gave way to the level reaches of the great Harney valley, which is about seventy-five by forty miles in extent. Hence, expert riflemen and fearless American pioneers that they were,, the father and son resolved to make the Indians pay dearly for their barbarity. At high noon on that dreamy, peaceful day of that long ago June, the redmen entered the head of the little valley and encircled the first ranch. Finding this de- serted they fired the buildings, and the two Smyths, one-half mile away, saw the flames rising high in the air. In disorganized marching order, the Indians, led by their chiefs and great warriors, streamed onward toward the Smyth home. As they neared the little clus- ter of buildings, but the foremost yet nearly a quarter of a mile distant, two sharp reports followed two little puffs of steam-white smoke from the paleface cabin and' two Indians fell from their horses, one dead and the other sorely wounded. The ranch cabin was quickly surrounded, and from the cover of rocks and juniper trees the savages kept up a constant fire on their prey. But the unequal battle was with heavy loss to the be- siegers. The showing of even so little as a part of a dusky head, a hand or foot seemed to draw an avenging rifle ball. All through the long afternoon the savages played hideous hide-and-seek in trying to down their partly sheltered human game. As the sun dropped low, fully fifteen warriors, one a great chief, were bloody corpses,. 782 HISTORY 01- BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES and several dozen others of the reds had been more or less hard hit by the rifle balls speeding from one hundred and fifty to two hundred yards. The circle drew near and many crawled, under the sable shades, to within a very few yards of the cabin. Some straw shedding near the cabin, or leaning against it, was fired, and the pioneer home caught. Then the end came swiftly to the daunt- less whites. Fighting with the Anglo-Saxon's unquench- able, ice-cool courage, the father and son came from their blazing home to their death. The elder hero had been horribly shot through the hips. He was partly supported by his worthy son. Spartan courage never bore itself more nobly. The fierce firelight shone on a scene worthy the brush of the greatest artist who ever lived. With the world-famed grit of the Yankee at bay, the twain faced their merciless foes. Their rifles spoke not vainly, until they were beaten down and quickly butchered. A few days later the bluecoats of a cavalry troop found the charred bones of the father and son in the ruins of their pioneer cabin home and reverently laid the remains to rest SIDELIGHTS ON PIONEER DAYS. Until after the war of 1878, the Bannock and Piute Indians terrorized the settlers in Jor- dan valley almost continuously. For several years the government kept troops at Camp Three Forks and Camp Lyons and even the large ranches were at times garrisoned, equip- ped with stacks of arms, howitzers and other defensive weapons. "Sheep Ranch" was for several months, in 1866 and 1867, headquarters for a detachment of United States troops under command of Lieutenant Koppinger, a son-in- law of James G. Blaine. Sheep Ranch was a station on the old Winnemucca stage road and attacks by the Indians on the stages of this line were of frequent occurrence. During periods of special aggressiveness on the part of the In- dians a telegraph station was maintained here, the line reaching Boise and Silver City on the north and Winnemucca on the south. Ernest L. Merrill, a lad of thirteen, who had learned the Morse alphabet in California, was at vari- ous times pressed into service by army officers. His several periods spent at the keyboard amounted to a continuous service of almost a year. In perilous times he was indispensable to the officers and through him many lives and much treasure were saved, and yet the govern- ment and its officers whom he so faithfully served have been so forgetful of moral obli- gations that his labors are to-day still unre- warded. Journeys over the old stage lines were fraught with great danger. Many brutal mur- ders were committed by the Indians, but it sometimes happened that they were badly worsted in encounters with brave stage drivers and fearless passengers. The pioneers of Jor- dan valley still residing there tell both laugh- able and heartrending stories of the troubles that beset the stages in the early days. In one instance the Silver City stage, Na- than Dixon driving, was surrounded by a howling band of Snake Indians near Summit Springs. In the stage were fifteen men and one woman. All the men had small arms and several had repeating rifles. One man had with him a brace of bull dogs. The savage yells of the Indians struck terror to every man's heart. They fled from the stage and undertook to hide in the sage brush. The stage driver at once opened fire on the savages. The woman passen- ger seized a rifle from! a frightened male com- panion, called the bull dogs, and jumped from the stage. The dogs obeyed her orders and 1 went after the Indians tooth and toenails. She rested the rifle on a wheel of the stage and be- gan firing. One redskin was killed and anoth- er wounded. In the meantime the driver had dropped down among his horses and was doing good execution with his revolvers. In ten minutes the dogs, the woman, and the driver had routed the Indians and sent them out of range. The faint hearts hurriedly gathered in from the sage brush retreats and the balance of the way was pursued in peace and, by the male contingent, in silence. They doubtless reflect- ed that there were more Molly Pitchers than one in the world. Possibly they changed their minds on the woman's rights question. It is said that when the hotel at Silver City was reached they registered under assumed names. One day in June, 1878, the stage arrived at HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 78a Sheep Ranch from Winnemucca. It was known that the Indians were in strong force in the country north and east. The driver tel- egraphed to Boise for information concerning their whereabouts and for instructions, not knowing whether or not it was safe to pro- ceed. The line manager at Boise, desiring to get the mails through regardless of risk to driver and passengers, misrepresented the state of affairs and wired back that the Indians were camped far to the west of the road and that the stage should proceed to Boise. George Mc- Cutcheon was driving and with him was one passenger. When well on their way and far from any point where assistance could be had, they were attacked by the Indians. McCutch- eon laid whip to the horses and a furious race began. It was soon discovered that the pursu- ers were gaining on them and they realized the necessity of loosening the horses, mounting them and leaving the stage. The passenger was the first on the ground. He had unhooked the traces of one horse and was about to mount when McCutcheon said "Don't take that horse, he stumbles." The passenger mounted the other horse and McCutcheon mounted the stumbler. The horses were still fastened to^ gether with lines and neck yokes. As they flew madly over the road breast straps and lines were cut with their pocket knives and the horses were separated. They were now lengthening the distance between themselves and the In- dians. There was hope of escape. Five minutes later McCutcheon's horse stumbled and fell and looking back, the fleeing passenger saw the In- dians circling around him and firing into his prostrate form. The passenger (whose name we have been unable to learn), escaped, reach- ing Boise in safety. McCutcheon was one of the noted and respected stage drivers of the early days and his death was lamented by all who knew him. His heroic, unselfish act, in himself mounting the untrustworthy horse, speaks volumes in praise of his noble character. William Hemmingway was another of the well known drivers of those days, who was am- bushed and murdered by the Piutes in 1878 near the Owyhee ferry, while enroute without passengers between Sheep Ranch and Silver City. Shortly before his death he and his pas- sengers had an unusual experience with the In- dians near Sheep Ranch, while on the down trip. As passengers he had with him Mrs. T. C. Fletcher, of Ontario, then a resident of Jor- dan Valley, and a lady friend whose name the writer has forgotten. Beside him on the driv- er's seat was Jack Bowden, Wells Fargo ex- press agent. It was just prior to the battle of South Mountain and the Indians were making their way from the Oregon to the Idaho side of the Snake river. It is related by Mrs. Fletcher that on entering a narrow canyon near Jordan Valley they suddenly came in sight of a large band of Indians, a short distance in front. It was not possible to turn around, there was no- thing to do but to drive ahead. The two men drew their revolvers and prepared for a fight while the women resigned themselves to the horrible fate which seemed inevitably in store for them. As soon as the Indians discovered the stage, they halted, an order was given and they formed in two rows, one on either side of the narrow road. Hemmingway drove on. As he neared the lines of savages he noted that their guns were grounded. He drew the horses down to a slow walk and entered the passage way. Every Indian stood erect, hideously daubed with war paint and gazing stoically across the path. Not a move was made nor a word uttered. The stage passed slowly down the line and when the end was reached the In- dians closed ranks and marched away without a demonstration of any character. Breathing prayers of thankfulness for their safety but puzzled and bewildered by the strange actions of the redskins, the occupants of the stage rode on, scarcely daring to break the silence until the protection of the fortified ranch was reached. The only explanation offered of the Indians' unusual behavior was that they were massing 784 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES by previous arrangement to attack the whites, were then on their way to the rendezvous and did not want to arouse the people of Jordan Valley until their plans for concerted action were consummated. In 1886 J. P. Merrill secured a hay contract from the government. He cut and stacked under this contract two' thousands dollars' worth of hay, receiving his pay in government scrip. There was but little money in the coun- try and Mr. Merrill was unable to cash his scrip. Shortly after being paid for the hay his horses were stolen by a band of Indians and he could not secure others in the neighborhood. He must go 1 elsewhere both for cash and horses and The Dalles was the nearest point where he could hope to find either. It was late in the fall, but he borrowed a horse and joined a party of freighters bound for The Dalles. The country was infested by thieving, murderous bands of Indians, and the party was compelled to keep constantly on guard to escape them. It was their custom to travel each day until sundown, then make camp as if for the night, eat their suppers, roll up in blankets and lie down, and about eleven o'clock quietly break camp and move on several miles, secreting themselves as well as they could in some sheltered spot at a distance from the road, where they would camp without fires and rest. The Indian habit of making attacks in the early morning hours made it possible for the travelers to follow this deceiving course successfully. In due time they reached the summit of the Blue mountains near what is now the boundary between Baker and Grant counties. Here they were overta- ken by a heavy storm and were effectually snowed in, the snow falling to a depth of fif- teen feet. The freighters fortunately had a store of supplies. It was not sufficient for their needs, however, in the event of a long im- prisonment and this they were doomed to en- dure. They were held in the mountains until spring and at times suffered severely from hun- ger and cold. It was many weeks before they were able to make excursions to points any distance from camp. There was but little game to be had and no habitations could be reached, but they managed to exist, and as soon as the snow began to go off, they pushed on toward The Dalles, arriving there in March, 1867. Mr. Merrill succeeded in exchanging his scrip for cash, purchased a stock of supplies and secured four horses. After a two weeks' stay at The Dalles, he started with another party of four freighters on the return trip. They were attacked two or three times by small bands of Indians but had no trouble in beating them off, as the attacks were made during the day. They pursued the same tactics at night that Mr. Merrill and his former party had fol- lowed. They were having a comparatively uneventful journey and had reached a point on the Malheur river near its junction with the Snake. Here they were met by a train of em- igrants encamped for a few days' rest. The freighters decided to camp with them for a short time as their animals were becoming jad- ed and worn. Mr. Merrill was anxious con- cerning his family, to whom he had expected to return months before. On the morning of the second day after their stop he endeavored to persuade the freighters to move on. Fail- ing in this he determined to go ahead alone,, and started, against the advice of the campers. For two days he traveled without discovering any signs of Indians and was congratulating- himself on the final, successful termination of his journey. He was within half a day's jour- ney of home when night overtook him. He followed the usual plan in making camp for the night. On the morning of the last day out he- arose, and while preparing breakfast, discov- ered signs of the recent presence of deer near the camp. Hastily swallowing his food, he took his gun and struck out on the trail of the deer. He was near home and, as he thought, safe from Indian attacks. He followed the deer tracks for an hour or more, and succeeded in shooting one. It was a small animal and. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 785 shouldering it, he started for the camp. When he reached it, judge of his consternation and wrath when he learned that his horses, which he had left securely tied, together with all his packs, were gone. He soon discovered the trail and pursued. After following the trail for five or six miles he sighted a band of fifteen or twenty Indians and in front of them, his horses, which were being driven away with all his supplies. Realizing that he was powerless to contend with such a savage horde, he re- solved to hasten home, secure the assistance O'f soldiers and neighbors and then attempt the recovery of the animals and supplies, and the punishment of the thieves. He eventually reached home, after a toilsome journey last- ing six months, poorer than when he started, but gladly welcomed by family and friends, who had long since given him up as dead. A company was at once formed and the pursuit of the Indians commenced 'but neither Indians nor horses were found. This is a fair illustration of the trials and hardships to which the pioneers of eastern Ore- gon were subjected. THE NAMING OF BURNT RANCH. Grant County News, Aug. 6, 1885. Over in Wasco county, on the main John John Day river and near the mouth of Bridge creek, is a ranch and postoffice called Burnt Ranch, and it came to be thus named from the following circumstances : In 1866 James Clark was occupying the position of a pioneer settler there and had a very comfortable home. Along in the early fall his wife had departed for the Willamette valley to visit her people. One bright Septem- ber morning Jim and his brother-in-law, George Masterson, forded the John Day river and were cutting up a lot of drift wood on the opposite bars. Suddenly they discovered a band of Indians rushing down the hill from the direction of the Ochoco country. The 50 men had left their rifles at the house and they thought there was a possible show to reach them ahead of the Indians. They unhitched the horses and climbing on bareback, forded the river and raced for the house. But when they saw that the Indians were going to get there first, they swerved to the left and struck up Bridge creek, with the enemy in hot pursuit. It took but a few miles of hard riding to use up Masterson' s work horse and he told Clark to keep on and save himself. Masterson jumped from his horse and struck into the brush. He jumped into the creek and, swim- ming down stream a little distance, found a deq) hole overhung with thick brush, where he "camped." The Indians chased Clark a few miles farther and then returned to finish up Masterson. But he confined himself to his cov- ered haunt, and after hunting all around him the Indians gave him up and returned to the house, where they took everything of any value to- them. Clark kept on to- the nearest ranch, eight miles distant, where he found a number of packers, with whom he returned toi the front. They yelled for Masterson and at last he took chances on their being friends or foes and came out of his hole chilled almost to death. The party then went on to the ranch, where they found the house smouldering in its ashes and the Indians gone. The raiders had cut open feather beds, taken away the ticking and scattering the feathers everywhere. Another house was built upon the place but ever since the premises have borne the name of Burnt Ranch. WHY THE GREENHORNS WERE SO NAMED. The following story is told toi account for the naming of the now famous Greenhorn mining camp and mountains : In the early days an old fellow came out to the camp of Robinsonville, representing him- self to be a miner. His experience in mining had been acquired in digging potatoes in Mis- 786 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES souri, on" prying a wagon from the abyssmafl depths of mud on the Pike county highways. He was given employment and sent down a thirty-foot shaft to put in a blast. After con- siderable time he managed to get a three-cor- nered hole drilled into the rock and the pow- der securely tamped therein. He was slow of speech and when everything was ready he sang out that he was ready to be hauled up. He had been given a fifty foot coil of fuse so that he could cut off as much as was required. As the boys at the windlass started to haul him up he drawled out : "Haul me up slowly so I can unwind the fuse." He was going to use it all. This was only one of the long series of like bright thoughts on his part and the nick- name of "greenhorn" was saddled onto him and finally, as he worked all over the camp, it came to be applied to the district and to the mountains. THE GOLD HUNTER. Among the marked characters in a mining country the gold hunter, or as he is more gen- erally known, the prospector, stands pre-emi- nent. To describe him and his life is no easy task for the amateur writer, indeed, the sub- ject is worthy the facile pen of a: master. The prospector may be short or long, fat or lean, — he cannot conceal his identity from the obser- vation of one used to mining life. His gait, "his talk, his every action, become such as are peculiar to the class which he represents. In the early winter he casts about him for a de- serted cabin in which to "hole up" until the welcome sunshine comes to dispel the long, dreary winter. Having found such a recepta- cle for his camp outfit, if he is in funds (and he is not always so fortunate), he stores pro- visions for the winter, consisting of a plenti- ful supply of flour, bacon, beans, and tobacco, and settles down to solid comfort. If there Is a crowd in winter quarters together, it will l»e a lively one, for the prospector is no cynic and makes the most of his peculiar style of life. He has no use for a stove; bakes his bread in a long handled frying pan before the fire, and boils his tea and beans in tin kettles. A tin plate, butcher's knife and sometimes a large spoon constitute his table service. For dessert he takes a contenting smoke drawn from) the depths of an immense wooden pipe. When night comes ihe lays himself on his gray blankets and peacefully sleqDS without a single care on his mind. In questions of national im- portance he takes no interest. It is all one to him whether the currency is legal tender or not; the inter-oceanic canal may be cut across the isthmus and extended on around the world without causing a ripple of trouble in his tran- quil mind. But when the thawing sun begins to shine and the accumulated snows melt and rush out through the mountain streams, the sleepy pros- pector is suddenly transformed into a different being. The faithful cayuse, the companion of his summer wanderings, is brought forth from his winter quarters, packed, and off they start on their hunt for the precious gold. They seek no traveled road or ready made track, but plunge boldly into the most rugged mountain wilds. He seeks the gulches and bars, sinks his "prospect hole" and sometimes he finds gold, but oftener another winter comes on and finds him without a "color." The traditional gold hunter seldom be- comes wealthy; year after year he travels on and hunts through new lands for something rich. If he finds good pay dirt, he sells out for enough to carry him through another year in the hope of finding something richer; in time he becomes, in truth, the counterpart of the gambler ; when he wins a stake, he puts it down in the hope of doubling it, and all is swept away. There is nothing left to do- but to' try it again. Men often become so< attached to this mode of living that they have no desire to change it and luck is often against them so that they could not if they would. It is a life full of hardship and adventure but is made HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 787 fascinating by the pleasures of hope spring 1 eternal in the human heart." 'that THE COWBOY'S PATROL. (Grant County News, May 28, 1885.) A cowboy rode through the driving rain, To hold his herd on a western plain. The rain came down in a blinding sheet, Which the frozen earth soon turned to sleet. The shivering herd moved with the rain, Loud crashing lash cannot restrain. Toward the swollen stream they madly press, But the rider rode with skill address. The deadly stream, with its floating ice, Will swallow the herd unless device Can mass them round in solid wheel, Like yarn wound round the spinner's reel. On dash the herd, but the cowboy knows Just where to ride and hurl his blows. They veer, they turn, the leaders find The outpouring herd around them wind. The angry flood and the ice floe meet The high, steep banks of crystal sleet. But cowboy skill has saved the herd, Till the morrow's dawn — not a hoof has stirred. All night he sat in his saddle seat — His coat-of-mail the glittering sleet ; And the ice-clad herd, he held them there Till the morrow's sun shone bright and fair. THE OLD SLUICE BOX. By Morris Gregory. Where the rocks are gray and the mountains And the gulch below looks dark and deep ; Where the gnarled pines in their rugged pride Look gloomily up on either side ; Where the manzanita is crooked and thick; Where once was heard the shovel and pick ; Where the shadows lie heavy upon the rocks, There lies, half buried, the old sluice box. The idle stream through it lazily glides, Gently washing its mouldering sides — Sides that once were muddy and dim From the yellow dirt that was cast within. While across the stream on the gravel heaps The agile squirrel, chattering, leaps, And the crested quail fluttering drops For its evening drink from the old sluice box. steep, Oh, many a day, with a weary hand, Have I tossed in its bed the glittering sand, And dreamed as I leaned on its rotting side, And raked the depths of its turbid tide, Of father's gray hair and dear mother's smile And the loved ones at home who were waiting the while The wanderer's return ; but time sneeringly mocks At the days that I toiled at the old sluice box. From the moss-grown rock on which I lean I gaze down into the sluggish stream, And the face that I see has graver grown, And the voice, it seems, has a sober tone; And the wanton winds with my hair at play, Shows that my locks have all turned gray. But I love to think of the days gone by, When my spirits were bright and my hopes were high. And again I could welcome the rough, hard knocks To -be mining once more with the old sluice box. MY FRIEND JOE. By Ex-Governor Gale. (Published in the Bedrock Democrat, March 17, 1875.) Joseph Meek, my friend Joe, when we first knew each other, 'Twas in the winter of 'thirty-two ; 'twas cold and stormy weather. The snow was falling fast, Joe, and the ground was covered o'er, The day we met I'll ne'er forget, now forty years and more. 'Twas on that- stormy day, Joe, when we were first ac- quaint ; Our locks were dark and flowing then, our manly brows were bent. But now our brows are wrinkled, Joe, and our locks are frosted o'er By toil and care and wear and tear of forty years and more. I often sit and think, Joe, of our dangers and our toils, While fighting with wild Indians, or threading dark de- files, Or having crossed those mountains, Joe, we o'er the des- ert strayed, With hearts of glee and souls as free as the ^vinds that 'round us played. Now, Joseph Meek, my friend Joe, we are on top the hill ; 788 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES Of trapping and of hunting, Joe, we both have had our fill; And now we'll hobble down, Joe, come, hand in hand we'll go, As best we may, preparing the way to meet the final blow. Now to conclude our song, Joe, we'll cast our eyes up there Where you and I have hunted, Joe, in the mountains wild and drear. Now pause and lift them lightly, Joe, to yon calm and peaceful shore, Where you and I shall meet in the sky when our last hunt shall be o'er. TO ELKHORN. Fair mountain ! Guardian of the peopled plain, The outline of the pine against thy cone. Blending in shadowy whiteness with the blue, Enchains me to the footsteps of thy throne. A fleeting cloud upon thy lifted brow Obscures thee, veil like, from the mourning skies, The molten glory of the golden west Makes thee at evening dearer to mine eyes. Great rivers change their courses ; cities grow, And hide from view some old, historic spot ; The wild rose, by the snow-fed streamlet fades, But thou, O changeless mountain, changest not. —'02. . LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 017 187 591 2 ■ ■ v» ' ■ M