JOHH D. DALY. BIOGRAPHICAL.

JOHN D. DALY.—It is with pleasure that clothing, furnishings, boots and shoes, crock- we are permitted to write concerning the tal- ery, groceries, and feed to lumber, hardware, ented and enterprising" business man whose and machinery and implements. In addition name appears above, since he is one of those to this fine business, Mr. Daly and his partner men of honor and stability who form the real are among the leading financiers of the sec- strength of any community, and since he is tion, being largely interested in the First Na- numbered as one of the leading business men tional Bank of Ontario, and the First National of the county of Harney, and has here and else- Bank at Burns, Oregon. Our subject is the where achieved a success which is very grati- president of both of these institutions and they fying both in the results to him individually are in a flourishing condition and well estab- and in the general business world of eastern lished. The firm also handles a sawmill, Oregon, where he has operated. twenty-two miles north from Drewsey, and Mr. Daly was born in Canyon City, Ore- Mr. Daly has about one-half dozen ranches of gon, on May 13, 1866, being the son of Eugene value in various parts of the country, and he and Mary A. (Donohoe) Daly. His parents manages this large amount of business with were natives of County Cork, Ireland, and marked wisdom and discretion, putting into came to the United States in 1862, locating in the entire lines energy and vigor which are Boston, whence in 1863 they came via Pana- characteristic of his own personality. ma, to California, and in 1864 came on to Mr. Daly was married on Mav 5, 1894, to Canyon City. His father died in 1881 and Daisy O., daughter of Joseph and Emeline the mother died in 1897. Our subject grew (McAfee) Robertson, and three children have up in Canyon City, gaining a good education been born to them, as follows : Mary E., born from the schools there and at the age of six- June 18, 1895 ; Eunice M., born July 25, 1897; teen years started on a course of teaching, Abner R., born September 10, 1899. Mr. wherein he made a commendable record. He Robertson was a native of Scotland, came to gained sufficient money by this labor to pay Illinois, and thence in i860 to Jackson county, his way at college, and he attended at Santa Oregon, crossing the plains with ox teams. Clara, California. In the fall of 1890, he They were six months making the trip having came to Drewsey and in partnership with Ab- to fight the Indians considerably. In 1863 he ner Robbins started a general merchandise es- came to Grant county and to Harney in 1889. tablishment, which has since been one of the Mrs. Daly was born near Canyon City, Ore-

'leading business houses of the county and is gon, on February 5, 1875. operated under the firm name of Daly & Rob- Fraternally Mr. Daly is affiliated with the bins. They commenced with a small stock of A. F. & A. M., Burns Lodge, No. 97, and the goods, labored hard and have built up a fine A. O. U. W., Drewsey Lodge, No. 119. He trade, because of their wise methods and be- dwells in a fine modern residence of nine cause of the manifestation of integrity and up- rooms, over which his estimable wife presides rightness in all their ways. They have a large with a graciousness and dignity that are be- stock of all kinds of goods from dry goods, coming. :

660 . HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

JOSEPH P. RECTOR.—Among those stands well throughout the county. He has who have gained a remarkable success in Har- always kept within the realm of the celibate, ney county we are constrained to mention the and chooses rather the quiet and comfort of gentleman whose name initiates this para- that life to the cares of connubiality. 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 MARY A. MILLER, familiarly known by this section. This is more to his credit when all as "Grandma Miller," is one of the lovable it is mentioned that he came to the county elderly ladies of our county and it is especially with no means and has gained his entire prop- gratifying to have the opportunity to append erty by his thrift and wise management since an epitome of her career in this the abiding his advent. chronicles of Harney county. She & a woman Joseph P. was born in Schenectady county, of many virtues and graces and has done a New York, on August 28, 1844, being the son noble part in the life of the pioneer and she has of Matthew H. and Ruth Rector. He grew up many friends who admire her real worth of on a farm and gained his education from the character, her faithful life, and her own rare adjacent schools. In 1869 he came west as qualities of intrinsic worth. She is now mak- far as the railroad ran and then took wagon ing her home with her daughter, Mrs. Jane transportation to the terminus of the Central Poujade, who is the wife of one of the leading Pacific and came to> San Francisco. Hje soon stockmen of Harney county and whose com- located in Humboldt county and for several fortable and commodious residence is six miles years engaged in farming and dairying. Then east from Harney, on what is known as Cow he transferred his residence to Palisade, Ne- creek ranch. vada, and engaged in raising stock. In 1880 Mrs. Miller was born in Richland county, he came to Harney valley and worked for Ohio, on September 29, 1827, and at the age wages for a time and then located his present of eleven went with her parents to Henry coun- place, fifteen miles northeast from Lawen and ty, Iowa. There she married Mr. Isaac H. as many miles southeast from Harney. He Jones, on October 26, 1845. They removed to devoted his attention to raising stock, cattle Boone county, Iowa, where Mr. Jones died and horses, and he has been attended with fine on June 27, i860. In 1862 Mr. Jones mar- success. He now has one thousand acres of ried William Miller and in 1863, with five chil- fine land, all fenced and well improved. He dren, they started across the plains with ox has a fine grove, excellent orchard and devotes teams for the Pacific coast. The arduous and much of his land to raising hay. His industry trying journey was completed when they land- and thrift account for the success that he en- ed in Salem. There Mr. Miller engaged in joys. His ranch is known all over the country raising stock for three years and then removed as the Crow Camp ranch. The reason for this to the Rogue river valley, where he continued is that in the early days a Mr. Rankin Crow, in raising stock and farming until the time of who was herding stock for Todhunter & De- his death, which sad event occurred on June vine, discovered the excellent springs located 6, 1886. Since that time, Mrs. Miller sold the at this point and also the abundance of good property and has come to reside with her grass all about, which resulted from; the fertil- daughter, as mentioned above. ity of the soil and the generous supply of pure By her first husband there were born to water free from alkali, and he made it his Mrs. Miller, five children, named as follows headquarters for a long time. Then the sol- Albert J., deceased ; Mrs. Elizabeth J. Lu, of diers from Camp Harney took their stock to Baker City; Mrs. Amy A. Mclntyre, deceased; this place. Since that time it has been known George W., near Portland; Charles W., de- as the Crow Camp ranch and it one of the ceased. By her second marriage she had four finest stock ranches in this portion of the state. children, Mrs. Mary Savage, of Burns; Mrs. Mr. Rector manifested his excellent judgment Jane Poujade, near Harney ; John C, deceased; in securing it and making it a permanent lo- Frank S., near Burns. Mrs. Miller has al- cation. Mr. Rector is esteemed by all and 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 On January 28, 1864, Mr. Smith married into the wilds of the various frontier regions. Miss Mary E. Kennedy, in Yuba county, and She is hearty and well now, and remarks that two children were born to them, Othniel, de- she loves to dwell in a new country, thus show- ceased ; Izora, wife of Scott Hayes, near ing' the admirable pluck, courage, and spirit of Lawen. In August, 1867, at Marysville, Mr. which she is possessed. She is beloved by all, Smith was called toi mourn the death of his and her pilgrim years have been crowded with wife. On Thanksgiving clay, 1876, Mr. Smith good deeds and now she is enjoying the golden married Sarah (Linn) Gorman in Butte coun- years of life in comfort and happiness. 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. MARTIN V. SMITH.—A veritable pio- It is of note that Mr. Smith was one of the neer of the pioneers is Mr. Smith, having come delegates to the war convention in California, to the Pacific coast in the early fifties and con- from Yuba county and the times were exciting tinned here in worthy labors in various lines as many were for the south. Mr. Smith was since that time, ever displaying the same cour- a stanch Union man. In religious persuasion, age, capabilities, tenacity of purpose, and in- Mr. Smith is allied with the Universalists. In tegrity, that have made the pioneers such a 1900 he was appointed as census enumerator noble class of people. Mr. Smith was born in in Harney county. He is a man of good stand- Kennebec county, Maine, on January 10, 1833, ing, and now is passing the days of the golden being the son of James and Hannah Smith, years of his life in the enjoyment of his por- natives also of Maine, the father being born tion in peace, being beloved and esteemed by near Portland. His death also' occurred in that his associates and acquaintances. 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 ISADORE L. POUJADE.—This promi- Nicaragua, whence he went to> San Francisco nent citizen and leading stockman of Harney and soon we see him in the mines delving with county is one of the men who deserves to be the vigor and strength of young manhood for accorded space in the history of the county the hidden gold. Five years he labored there because of his worth, because of his upright- and then went to Yuba county and took up ness, integrity and probity, and because of the farming and stock raising. The hard winter excellent work that he has accomplished in the of 1861-62 killed all his stock and he went to upbuilding and progress of the county. freighting from Marysville to various points Mr. Poujade was born in Marion county, in California and Nevada. In 1873 he went Oregon, on December 8, 1857, being the son of to Bntte county and settled on one of Judge O. Andrew and Matilda (dinger) Poujade. At C. Pratt's grants and went to farming. His the age of fifteen he went to- Jackson county landlord was the first territorial governor of with his parents, with whom he resided until California. Mr. Smith was successful in this 1880. He gained his education in these places venture and continued until 1880, when he and also a wealth of excellent training in the went to the foot hills in Butte county and en- practical walks of life and in raising stock and gaged in gardening and fruit raising until in farming. In 1880 he came to* Harney val- 1884. Then he freighted until 1886 and came ley and engaged as. foreman for Todhunter & overland to Silver creek, Harney county. He Devine. Six years were spent in this responsi- entered land and took up stock raising until ble position, and then he engaged in partner- 1892, then traded his ranch for his present ship with Charles W. Jones, in the stock busi- home place, two miles south from Lawen, ness. They purchased what is known as the which consists of one quarter of fine hay land Cow Creek ranch. This estate consists of and is well improved. He handles cattle eight hundred acres of fine meadow land, six mostly. 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, thirty-five cents per pound and flour ten cents. barns, corralls, fences and all implements for Mr. Fenwick put up the first barbed wire fence handling a first-class stock and hay ranch. in the valley, the year being 1884 when this After the death of Mr. Jones Mr. Poujade pur- was done. chased all the stock, but owns the ranch in part- The marriage of Mr. Fenwick and Miss nership with Mrs. Jones, the widow of his late Jennie, daughter of Arthur and Mary Wallace, partner. Mr. Poujade is one of the prosperous who were natives of Kentucky and came to stockmen of the county, and has demonstrated Oregon in 1876, was solemnized on September his ability to so conduct the affairs of business 22, 1889. In political matters Mr. Fenwick was that a crowning success is his to enjoy. allied with the Democratic party, but at the On May 20, 1888, Mr. Poujade married time of McKinley's election he voted for Miss Jane Miller, and to them have been born that worthy man and has since cast his vote five children: Lulu Ivy, Verna Lee, Mary with the Republican party. In 1872 and 1873 Matilda, Floy Willina and Amy Girtrude. Mr. Mr. Fenwick enlisted to assist in quelling the Poujade stands well among his fellows, has Modocs, he being in Captain Roger's Company earned the prestige that he enjoys and Harney E, of Oregon militia. Mr. Fenwick has quitted county is favored to- have domiciled within her himself in all the various relations of the fron- borders such men of talent, integrity and faith- tiersman in a commendable manner and he fulness. stands high among his fellows to-day and is a worthy citizen of our county. It is not right to close this article without MELVIN FENWICK.—A true pioneer, a a special mention of one item that has had man of exemplary standing and life, possessed much bearing on the general history of the of capabilities and qualities of worth, the esti- county of Harney and in which Mr. Fenwick mable gentleman of whom we now speak, is took a leading part, though it cost him much entitled to representation in the volume of effort and money to do so. Early in 1887 fifty- Harney county's history. His parents, Alex- eight of the small farmers of the county band- ander and Nancy (Long) Fenwick, were na- ed together and formed a corporation known tives of Kentucky, and his father crossed the as the Harney Valley Dam and Ditch and Ir- plains to California in 1849. He was a black- rigation Company. The purpose was to divert smith and carried his tools on a pack horse the water from the Silvies river to irrigate and wrought at his trade, shoeing horses, and their barren lands. Labor and money were so forth, all the way. In 185 1 he returned via freely expended by all these hard working Panama, and with his wife and seven children men until the dam and ditches were all com- he came in 1852 to Amador county, California. pleted. At that juncture W. B. Todhunter, There our subject was born on May 18, 1855, one of the cattle kings of Harney county, com- being the ninth child. The family removed to menced suit against this company and secured Napa county in 1858, and in August, 1865, injunctions stopping proceedings of their work came thence to Lane county, Oregon. There and project. The shareholders were poor peo- the father remained until his death in 1883. It ple and fifty of the fifty-eight threw up their was in February of that year that Melvin came shares and quit the field. Some men's mettle to the Harney valley. He entered land at his is shown only .the better when in the face of present home place four miles north from desperate opposition, and so in this case. Mr. Burns, and has engaged in farming and rais- Fenwick saw the crisis, the wonderful amount ing stock there since that time, being favored depending on the issue and so threw himself with abundant success on account of his in- into the breach and fought, supported by the dustry and perseverance. He now owns five other seven, with such desperate and telling- hundred acres of land, well improved and skill- force and manifestation of right and demand fully tilled. He formerly handled hogs, but for justice that after three years of severely is now devoting his attention to cattle mostly. contested litigation, Todhunter threw up his When Mr. Fenwick came here there was but case and victory was gained for the common one house where Burns now stands, and settlers people once more. Twelve thousand dollars were very few in the country. Bacon cost and more were spent in the fight of this un- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 663

reasonable opposition to proper improvement, Frank. Mr. Riggs was an early pioneer of and it is with great pleasure that we can chron- Oregon and died in Burns in 1895, while his icle this that move and worthy stand on Mr. widow still lives there. Fenwick's part was entirely successful, and it Mr. Baker has, unaided, and by his own has materially changed the history of Harney efforts of industry and skill, gained a fine prop- county, and it is the entering of the wedge that. erty holding and bids fair to be one of the will allow Harney 'county to become one of the leading property owners in the county. Fie leading political divisions of the west, for the has always manifested with these fine quali- sullen and avaricious heel of monopoly can ties mentioned a becoming stability and integ- not and shall not forever stay the way of the rity and he is counted by all as a reliable, up- chariot of progress and development. Mr. right and stanch young man. 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- WILLIAM L. CLARK.—Among the suc- ment. cessful business men of Harney county is to be mentioned the gentleman named above, whose well known establishment of general merchan- This native young FRANK BAKER.— dise at Lawen, where he has done business ful- Oregonian has demonstrated what pluck and some time, is one of the prosperous business perseverance can do when manipulated with houses of the county; and in addition to hand- wise management irr the things of the financial ling this, Mr. Clark has a hay farm of one world, as conditions obtained in this country, hundred and sixty acres, which he attends to having made a brilliant success, as will be noted and also raises cattle, and also he has been a from the following. mail contractor of the interior of Oregon. Mr. Baker was born in Lane county, Ore- William L. was born in Carroll county, In- gon, on June 20, 1870, being the son of George diana, on April 3, 1845, being the son of and Mary (Watson) Baker. His mother died Thomas and Ann (Davidson) Clark. In the in that county and the father with his children spring of 1853, the father started across the removed to Washington county in 1874. In plains with his family in an ox train from Car- the fall of 1878 he came with his family to roll county, Indiana, They made the trip suc- Harney valley, settling where the town of cessfully, but the last six weeks they had to live Burns is now located. The children were three on the flesh of the oxen they killed, without boys and two girls. The father went to even the luxury of salt. Fresh meat with freighting and soon died, thus leaving the little water for six weeks is not so pleasant as might group orphans in a frontier region. Our sub- be imagined. They came through the Harney ject had but little opportunity to gain an edu- valley and settled in Lane county, near Eu- cation from schools, but made the best of what gene. The remaining oxen ate poison weeds he did have and also by careful and diligent re- in the -valley and all died. The father look a search qualified himself for the battle of life. donation claim, and, being a miller, wrought He soon went to riding the range for wages at his trade in Eugene as well as handled his and continued diligently at this occupation un- farm. He died in Eugene in December, [896, April til 1894, when he started in for himself, hand- and the mother died in [899. Oin 6, ling stock. He gained steadily and in 1898 1865, William L. enlisted in Company EC, First he purchased his present place of one hundred Oregon Volunteers, under Captain A. B. tngra- and sixty acres three miles northeast from ham, to fight the Piutes and the Snake In- in battle the middle f< wrk Burns, which is a well improved ranch, pro- dians. He was one on ducing abundant crops of hay for his stock, of the Malheur and one on the south fork of service for one which consists mostly of cattle. the John Day. He was in the le The marriage of Mr. Baker and Miss year and did scout duty .most of the time. 1 eastern Oregon Grace, daughter of Milton and Eliza Riggs, covered the entire portion of valuable work. Being honorably dis- was solemnized on December 15, 1896, and two and did of the conflict, he went children have been born to them, Lulu and charged at the close 664 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT. MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

home, and there on February 12, 1867, he Tout, were attacked by Indians, seventeen in

married Nancy E., daughter of William1 and number, and all of the whites fled but Stubble- Irene Ogle. The father was a soldier in the field and Tout and two companions, and thev

Union army and is living in, Missouri. Mrs. fought the savages to a finish, completely Clark came across the plains with an uncle in whipping them. Mr. Stubblefield was in many 1864. Mr. Clark learned the wagonmaker's a battle and skirmish with the treacherous sav- trade at Springfield and wrought at that after age and always came out victorious. In 1868 his marriage. In 1880 he went to Eagle Point he went to Carroll county, Arkansas, and in the Rogue river valley and worked at his bought a farm and settled down until 1885, trade and then returned toi Lane county, where when he came to Walla Walla, thence to- Port- he did the same labor. It was in 1885 that he land, then to Lagrande and finally to the Im- came to Harney valley and entered a home- naha country, where he raised stock. In 1896 stead near Lawen. He has it well improved he sold his property and moved to Enterprise and handles stock and raises hay. In 1898 he and started a livery stable, where he is doing a took the contract of carrying the mail from good business at the present time. He is Burns to Crane, which ended on July 1,1902. eighty-six years of age, well preserved and In 1900 he engaged in the general merchan- hearty. In his younger days he shouldered and dise business in Lawen, and owns a block of carried five hundred and sixty pounds of iron lots with his store buildings and alsoi a residence on a bet of twenty-five dollars. He was always there. He does a good business and is fast a quiet man but never found any one who could working up a first class patronage. withstand him in a struggle. During his life To Mr. and Mrs. Clark there have been Mr. Stubblefield married six times, each wife

born six children, named as follows : Mrs. dying a natural death, the last one passing Irena A. Way, of Klamath county, Oregon; away on the Imnaha. He is the father of Mrs. Bertha A. Johnson, near Lawen; Mrs. twenty-six children, fourteen of whom are liv-

Viola Page, of ing, named as follows : Mrs. Mickle, J. Coos county, Oregon ; George Martha

W., Ira B., Thomas R. 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 IRA STUBBLEFIELD.—A man of great on Clear creek, Blanco county, Texas, on Janu-

"adaptability, with vigor to carry him 1 through ary 22, 1864, being a full sister of our subject; his various undertakings, and wisdom to gnide Ira, the subject of this sketch, now in Harney

him in the safe path, and, withal, possessed of county ; William and Mickle, in Wallowa coun- executive force to manipulate enterprises with ty; Mrs. Eliza Newell, of Burns; Haymon, of success, the subject of this article is a man to Wallowa county; Mrs. Lydda Rowley, of whom we gladly accord representation in this Union county; Fancho, Newell and Breman, volume of Harney county history. He was in Wallowa county. born in Blanco county, Texas, on April 28, Returning more particularly to our subject, 1866, being the son of W. K. and Eliza (Lu- we note that he came to Wallowa county in mas) Stubblefield. The father of our subject 1886 and to Burns in 1888, where he bought was born in Tennessee, October 30, 181 6, and and sold stock, taking a band to the Willa- •at the age of fourteen went to Bolivar, Mis- mette valley. On September 23, 1890, Mr. souri, and in his twentieth year lie went to Stubblefield married Miss Ettie, daughter of Texas and lived in twenty-three different coun- Jefferson and Emily (Smith) Byerly. The fa- ties in that state. He was on the frontier all ther came across the plains in 1846, from Illi- of the time and did miuch hunting and scouting nois, and settled in the Willamette valley, so and fought the Indians continually. He was Mrs. Stubblefield is a native-born Oregonian. with the noted cattle king-, Bob Tout, and the Mr. Stubblefield took his young wife to Chico, two doubtless slew more Indians when the sav- California, thence to Lagrande, Enterprise, ages were on the murderous raids than any The Dalles, Prineville and Burns, arriving other men of the country. At one time eigM here in 1892. In 1893 he went to Newport, white men, including Mr. Stubblefield and Bob Oregon, and in 1894 to Garfield county, Wash- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 665

ington, thence to Whitman county, then to Oregon. There he farmed until 1888. and then Wallowa county, and in June, 1899, he re- migrated to Crook county, and in 1889 came turned to Burns, having been trading and buy- near to Lawen. He entered a homestead on the ing and selling stock, etc., on all these trips, in Malheur lake and took up raising stock. He which he did well. He bought a place near has gained title to the land mentioned above in Burns and the spring of 1902 he sold and and he has a fine band of stock. He resides at bought his present home place, six miles north- Lawen and is a worthy and progressive citizen. east from Burns, where he has a, quarter sec- Mr. Dickenson is a member of the Stock Asso- tion of good land, well improved, and gives his ciation of Harney Valley. To Mr. and Mrs. attention to tilling it and raising stock. He Dickenson there have been born three children, also owns another quarter near by. To Mr. Mrs. Effie M. Syrne, of Burns; Guy E., at Mrs. Stubblefield and there have been born four Lawen ; Mrs. Rosa C. Kern, of Lawen. 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. 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- JAMES P. DICKENSON has gained a tion in its history, being a man greatly re- good success in material things in Harney spected and worthy of the high esteem given county since his advent here and is one ®i the to him. He was born in the city of New York, substantial and leading stockmen and farmers on May 11, 1833, being the son of Patrick H. to-day. He and his family have two good hay and Mary (Ford) Howard. The father was farms near the Narrows and also three near an engineer, operating a stationary engine. Lawen. These fine tracts of land return him Thomas grew to manhood, gaining a good edu- annually large amounts of hay and give him cation meanwhile, and part of the time work- opportunity to handle many head of stock. ing in the markets, where he learned the butcher James P. was born in Grayson county, Vir- trade. In the memorable 'forty-nine he was ginia, on February 18, 1842. being the son of one of the gold seekers, going from. New York John and Rosa (Hale) Dickenson. He grew on a steamer to> Panama and thence to San up on the farm and g-ained his education from Francisco on a sailing vessel. The trip was the common schools, and in the spring of 1861 hot and tedious, being two months from Pana- he enlisted in Company C, Forty-fifth Virginia, ma to the Golden Gate. He mined for a time as second lieutenant under General John B. and then went at his trade in Marysville and Floyd. He was in the battles of Wytheville, other places in the state. It was in 1859 that Parisburg, Big Sewell Mountain and Carnifax he went to Carson and Virginia Cities, Nevada, Ferry, besides many skirmishes. At the end and there operated at his trade, and also of the year for which he enlisted he retired wrought in Esmeraldo. In the spring of 1862 from the army and went home and was chosen Mr. Howard was hired at a wage of one hun- tax collector for Gra3^son county. Eighteen dred dollars per month to accompany a herd of months later he enlisted in the Twenty-second cattle belonging to Job Dye to Florence, Idahi >. Virginia Cavalry and took part in the battles The water around Harney lake being so high of Lynchburg and Luray valley, at which last that it was impossible to make headway, they place his horse was shot from under him and were turned aside, not knowing the route they Tie was captured. He languished in the war were taking, and came where Canyon City n< w prison at Point Lookout, Maryland, until the stands. They discovered the first gold on the the first close of the war, July, 1865. The treatment creek and their band of cattle were was severe in the prison. He returned to Gray- cattle that were driven into this section. The son county, and in February, 1866, he married first gold that they discovered on Canyon creek

I tow- Miss Laura A. Milton. He engaged in farm- went as high as one dollar per pan. Mr. ing and stockraising until 1872, then came via ard butchered the. first beef in Canyon country, .San Francisco and Portland to Linn county. 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 success and making for himself a name and on Powder river and there part of them were standing which are enviable. butchered and the balance driven to Boise. In Madison Canaday was born in Hillsboro, 1864 Mr. Howard was nominated for sheriff Highland county, Ohio, on October 21, 1831, of Wasco countv on the Democratic ticket, but and when a boy went with his parents to Illi- was defeated. However, he carried his portion nois and thence to Iowa, whence they crossed of the county by a large majority. While the plains with ox teams in 1852. They settled stumping the county he was on his way to in Douglas county, Oregon, the parents taking

Rock creek with two 1 men who were going to a donation claim. Later they removed to Yam The Dalles. They had the express, about ten Hill county. Miss Sarah E. Abbott was born thousand dollars of dust, and Mr. Howard had near Springfield, Missouri, in 1842, and started two hundred ounces of dust with him. They across the plains with ox teams in 1852, having were attacked by Indians, who shot his horse traveled to Texas and returned to Missouri in • and headed off the express men, who; were run- 1844. The train was a large one and the ning away with the mules. All the saddles, dreaded cholera attacked them and her father canteens, purses, etc., were taken, but the dust was the first victim to succumb to that terrible was left, the Indians not seeming to know 1 its disease, passing away on June 9. Before the value. They were shot at a number of times, journey was completed the mother died also, but -the savages seemed poor marksmen. Mr. the date being September 30, and she sleeps Howard got a party of men to go back with near where Baker City now stands. Thus him and he secured nearly all of his gold. from the happy eastern home this child was After Grant county was cut off from left an orphan on the dreary plains. She came Wasco Mr. Howard was elected in 1866 sheriff on to Yam Hill county, Oregon. There she met on the Democratic ticket, being the first incum- and married Madison Canaday, the date of this bent of that office in the county, serving six happy wedding being 1857. In i860 they years, and was nominated for the fourth time went toi Douglas county, and in 1862 to Lane but removed from the county before the elec- county, where our subject was born on May tion. 26, 1863. They still live in that county, near The marriage of Mr. Howard and Mrs. the old homestead place, and are honored and Shinn, a native of Illinois, was celebrated on respected citizens. William; H. was reared in April 18, 1865. Mrs. Shinn had been a pioneer Eugene, in Lane county, and there received his of 1 86 1. After leaving Grant county Mr. education. He also learned sawmilling and Howard traveled to various places and then re- became head sawyer. In 1883 he went to turned to that county, and in 1883 he came to Weston, Umatilla county, and there learned his present place, four and one-half miles west the art of the photographer. He bought the from Drewsey. He entered land and went to gallery later and removed it to Heppner, the commendable labor of improving and he where he did business for a time and then re- has been numbered with the leading men of turned to Lane county. He worked at his trade the county since his advent here. Mr. Howard and in a sawmill there for a time. In 1887 he now has a fine estate of one section, and plenty came to Longcreek, in Grant county, and of water for irrigating purposes. there did business in a gallery, after which he This worthy couple have one son, Edward came to Drewsey. He built a gallery there and then came to Burns, where he opened the first J., who' lives at home. 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- WILLIAM HENRY CANADAY.—It is tered land, and later sold it, and also has op- fitting that in a work that purports to accord erated at the saw milling business some. to the leading citizens of Harney county rep- On December 22, 1897, in Portland, Mr. resentation there should be special mention of Canaday married Miss Mary C, daughter of the well known business man whose name Silas W. and Elizabeth McMurphy, natives of heads this article and who has labored in our Canada and Ohio and born July 6, 1836, and midst for a number of years, gaining a good 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 now handling- a general horse and mule market they to came Harney valley, where they now in addition to their livery business. They live. Mrs. Canaday was born in California, handle more stock than any company in the on January 26, 1872. To Mr. and Mrs. Cana- county and are leaders in their line. They own day children two have been born, Ambrose W., fine stables and a full quota of rigs and good born July 4, 1899; Sylvester M., born June 3, stock. 1901. Mr. Canaday is past in grand the I. O. Fraternally Mr. McClain is affiliated with O. F., Harney Lodge No, jj, of Burns, while the W. of W., being council commander of he and his wife belong to the Rebekahs. 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 WALLACE McCLAIN. — This well- Umatilla county and was one of twelve invited known and representative business man and to see the hanging of a noted criminal, "Zoon," patriotic citizen of Harney county is one of the in Pendleton. Mr. McClain is well known firm of McClain & Biggs, liverymen and deal- throughout the county and is respected by all ers in horses and mules in Burns, where their and stands high both in business circles and in stables are, being also* owners of a fine stock the social realm. 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 N. E. DUNCAN.—It is with pleasure that the battle of Pea Ridge lost his right arm. He we are enabled to write concerning the es- served under Price. In 1866 the family re- timable gentleman whose name is at the head moved to Schuyler county and our subject was of this article, since he has been one of the educated in these two localities and he remained potent factors in the development of Harney with his parents until 1875, when he went to county, has 'manifested wisdom and enterprise Waterloo, Iowa, and took up the grocery busi- in all his ways here, has labored as a true ness. In 1877 he went to Elk City, Kansas, pioneer in many other sections of the country and the next year he came to San Francisco, and has always manifested the same unswerv- and thence by steamer, George M. Elder, to ing integrity, moral uprightness and sound Portland and soon he was in Linn county. He principles, having sustained a reputation as an was engaged in a flouring mill until 1881 and exceptionally reliable man, and ever arraigned then came to> Summerville, Union county, and on the side of rig-ht. freighted from Umatilla 'to Idaho. It was Mr. Duncan was born in Williamson coun- 1883 when he came to the Silvies valley, en- ty, Illinois, on March 27, 1838, being the son gaging with Lux & Miller, stockmen. He took of Dudley W. and Elizabeth Duncan. On a train of twenty-one cars of cattle to Chicago April 16, 1859, Mr. Duncan started to New and another to Omaha and. was foreman of the Orleans on the Panama route to California. company until he met with an accident of fall- He had an adventurous spirit and was ready ing under a wagon, which unfitted him for the to grapple with the hard problems of pioneer arduous labors of a stock foreman. This was life and has since proved himself of the right 1886, and he went into business in Drewsey kind of stuff. He 'stopped five days on the and in 1889 Mr. McClain married Mrs. Eva way, at Havana, and then landed in San Fran- (Robertson) Whittle and then moved to Uma- cisco on May 16. He worked for wages un- tilla county. He took up the business of mak- til the 'fall of 1861, then went by steamer to ing and selling ties, took land, operated a store Portland, Oregon. On April 16, 1863, he and butcher shop, also ran a butcher shop in started to Auburn, Baker county, arriving Pasco, Washington, continuing in these lines there on the 16th of May, and for fifteen years until 1897, when he sold out and came to he was numbered with the hardy and worthy Burns. He opened a hotel and livery stable miners of that vicinity. It was 1878 that he and in 1900 he sold the hotel and entered into came to> upper Willow creek and took up ranch- partnership with John W. Biggs, and they are 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 JAMES T. SIMMONS.—Among the ar- stock raising'. He took raw land, two hun- rivals in Harney county who have come from dred and forty acres, and made of it a fine native places to identify themselves with this farm, and was successful in raising stock. progressive region, we must not fail to men- Later he sold the farm and neat stock and tion the gentleman whose name is at the head handled sheep' and horses exclusively. In of this article and who has wrought here with 1899 he sold his entire property holdings in untiring energy and unflagging zeal in the line this section and retired for a time from active of stock raising, and in addition now handles business. He is at present continuing this re- the mail and stage line from Diamond to An- tired life. Fraternally he is affiliated with the drews. Mr. Simmons was born in Berryville, I. O. O. F., Drewsey Lodge, No. 147. Mr. Arkansas, on March 22, 1862, being the son Duncan was nominated for county commis- of Isaac and Sarah Simmons. "He grew up sioner on the Republican ticket, and notwith- on a farm and received his education from the standing his protests he was elected, but re- public schools and in 1877 went to Millville, fused to qualify. Mr. Duncan has never ven- California, afterward returning to Arkansas. tured on the matrimonial sea, but is enjoying It was in 1888 that he came to the Harney the quieter placidity of the celebate. He is valley, and here at the Narrows, on January a man of unquestioned integrity and stands 1, 1893, ne married Mrs. Mary A. Burneson, high in the estimation of the people. 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- GEORGE W. PAGE.—Among the lead- riage Mrs. Simmons had two children, Charles ing stockmen of the country, the subject of Albert and Ira D. P. Mr. Simmons engaged this article also stands with the prominent and in raising stock and handles the stage line in substantial citizens of the county of Harney addition. His father was a captain in the and is one of the real pioneers of this section, Union army and died soon after the war was

being also 1 a westerner by birth. He owns over. Sonoma county, California, as his native place Mr. Simmons is a man of sound principles and February 13, 1858, is the date thereof. His and has won friends in his walk, being well parents were Joseph W. and Nancy (Johnson) known and respected by all. 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 ALBERT HEMBREE.—It is indeed very stock. In 1884 our subject came to Harney gratifying to be allowed to> epitomize the ca- county and operated a saw mill. After this he reer of this esteemed pioneer, being, as he roved about in Idaho, Washington, and Ore- is, one of the earliest pilgrims who ever gon and in 1893 came to Harney county and crossed the dreary plains and rugged moun- engaged in the sheep business, entering into tains toward the setting sun; and since that' partnership with G W. Bartlett. Later he early date he has been identified with the sold out and then went into partnership with progress and development of the great west, James Campbell. They divided up in 1901 having ever done a worthy share where his lot and Mr. Page sold one-third interest to his has been cast. It will be of interest to chron- brother, Edward N., and his nephew, Claud icle some of the more definite details of this Hendricks. They own several thousand head life and we note first that Mr. Hembree was of sheep and are prosperous in this business, born in Tennessee on April 23, 1833, being being skilled in handling them. Mr. Page is a the son of Joel J. and Sarah Hembree. While member of the I. O. O. F., Drewsey Lodge, a child he came with his parents to> Dade No. 147. He is a man of public spirit, has al- county, Missouri, remaining there until the ways labored for the advancement of the coun- spring of 1843. ln that spring they joined the ty and is one of the promoters of substantial famous train of four hundred wagons led by progress. Captain and Jesse Applegate, and guided HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 669

by the noted and beloved Dr. Whitman, the ranch on Poison creek. Mr. Hembree kept which wound its way across the plains to the the postoffice for six years at the Narrows. latter's home near Walla Walla. No roads To Mr. and Mrs. Hembree have been born were built "the and work had to be done as nine children, as follows : Mrs. Mary A. Sim- they progressed. incident of An the journey mons ; Mrs. Annie L. Hamilton ; Mrs. Emma illustrates the nature and courage of the man D. Moomaw ; Mrs. Minnie E. Wooley; Eugene to whom, more than to any other single indi- F. John L., of Portland; Guy L., a merchant ; vidual, we owe the opening of this vast terri- at Silver Creek; Mrs. Rose E. McGrath; tory, Dr. Whitman. While crossing the Loren C. Mr. Hembree's uncle, Abraham Platte our subject's mother and some other Hembree, was a captain in the Indian war of women were in one wagon and the teams be- 1855-6. Mr. Hembree and his estimable wife came tangled up. Dr. Whitman saw the are worthy citizens of this county and have trouble which threatened death to the women earned and enjoy in generous measure the es- and cried out, "Boys, are you going to let teem, confidence, good will and admiration of those women drown?'' He at once sprang all who know them, being good people and into the water and swam to the teams, worthy pioneers. 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 GEORGE M. .STANCLIFT.—Surely the thence to The Dalles and finally to Yam Hill subject of this review has passed the various county. There a donation claim was located stages oi all kinds of pioneer work, with its and the worthy pioneers settled to develop hardships, deprivations and dangers, while he the country. The father operated a store at has met each point with a calm determination Lafayette and later at McMinnville, where he to overcome and make his way through it all, died in 1867. The mother died in 1854. The which he has done in a most commendable father started across the plains with nine chil- manner, being now one of the stanch and up- dren ; one died en route and one was born on right men of Harney and one O'f its well-to-do the way. Our subject grew up on the farm citizens, having his home on one of the finest and in the store and acquired a good educa- pieces of soil in central Oregon, the same be- tion and then went to teaching school. On ing one hundred and fifty-three acres, one mile December 28, 1854, he married Miss" Mary,' north from' Burns, which forms the family daughter of Calvin P. and Mary (Aladine) home and is a good dividend producer. Pell. Mr. and Mrs. Pell were married in Mr. Standi ft was born in Erie comity,

1 Holmes county, Ohio , where Mrs. Hembree New York, on April 25, 1837, being the son of was born on April 8, 1839. Mr. Pell moved Reuben and Elvira (Adams) Stanclift. At to Missouri in 1840, and in 1852 came across the age of fifteen he went with the family to the plains with a large ox train direct to' the Cass county, Michigan, and thence to Berrien Willamette valley. Mr. Pell had two brothers, county, where his mother died. In February, Gilbert and John, and their father, Nathaniel 1855, he came via New York and Panama to

Pell, 1 served in the Revolution. They descend- San Francisco , crossing the Isthmus with the ed from English lords. first through passenger train. On the sea they In 1856 Mr. Hembree removed to Lane encountered great storms that made the pas- county and went to farming and raising stock. sage unpleasant. Upon landing in California In 1886 he brought a band of stock to Harney he went to the Poor creek country, and thence county, settling on Poison creek. In 1891 he to Plumas county and mined. Yuba coun- came to the Narrows and took a homestead ty he later took up mining and dairying to- and sold his cattle and engaged in mercantile gether and in the spring oi i860 he went to business. In 1899 the store was burned, en- the vicinity of Virginia City. But the second tailing a great loss. Since that time Mr. Hem- winter there his partner was killed by the In- bree has been operating a hotel and livery dians, and all the stock driven off by them, en- stable and handling his farm. He also owns 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 there and grew up on a farm, developing both again and on January 8, 1867, he married his mental and physical powers in a becoming Miss Mary C, daughter of Gabriel and Kitty manner to> a western born son. In 18&5 he A. Stephens, who were natives of Kentucky, came to Baker county, near North Powder and their daughter also being born there ; and they on June 8, of that year, he married Miss Leo- had removed to Missouri, where they died. rah, daughter of Jason -and Margaret Wyatt, Mrs. Stanclift came across the plains with an who were pioneers from the state of Indiana elder brother in 1853, the trip being exception- to Baker county in 1876. Mrs. Martin was ally tedious. After his marriage Mr. Stan- born in Indiana. They removed to Walla ch ft came by wagon to Douglas county, Ore- Walla county and thence in 1891 to Harney gon, and took up stock raising, the year being county. He at once engaged in farming here 1 87 1. In 1876 he came to Harney valley and was one oBannock war. He was exposed to much place, gaining title by purchase. danger and hardship, there being but eight To Mr. and Mrs. Martin, five children have families in the valley. He settled on his pres- been born, named as follows : Earl L, Oran, ent place, and soon he sold his cattle and Christine, deceased, Agnes and Ester, twins. bought sheep and later sold them and confined Mr. Martin's parents are living in Walla Walla himself to farming alone. To Mr. and Mrs. and are among the prosperous and wealthy

Stanclift have been born three children : Mrs. residents of that city. 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- DAVID CARY.—The stockmen and farm- ington's army at Valley Forge. ers are the ones who have made Harney county what she is at this time, and it is they who have wrought out the wealth here that gives the county a standing among her sisters and to W. D. MARTIN.—One half mile south- them is due the credit of opening the country east from Harney is one of the finest small and developing its resources in a commendable grain farms in the county. It consists of eighty manner. One of this worthy class is named at acres of choice land and is well under cultiva- the head of this article and it is with pleasure tion. The improvements are of a quality and that we grant him consideration in this volume kind quite fitting such an estate and its owner of his county's annals. is the subject of this article. Mr. Martin was Mr. Cary was born in Jackson county, Mis- about the first man to try raising grain in this souri, on January 16, 1836, being the son of locality and he has made a marked success in Armenious and Anna Cary. David grew up this direction. He raised in 1901 the largest on a farm in the native country, gaining an crop of any one man in Harney county and he education from the primitive schools held in is classed as one of the leading agriculturists the log cabins. It was 1852 when the father of middle Oregon. provided the ox team conveyances and under- W. D. Martin was born in Walla Walla took the long journey across the plains to the county, Washington, on February 13, 1865, Pacific coast. Six months were consumed on being the son of John and Nancy (Owens) the trip and our subject drove an ox team the Martin. The parents came from the state of entire -distance. They arrived at Oregon City Iowa overland with ox teams direct to> Walla on October 22, and settlement was made in Walla and the father took a ranch that joined Linn county. The train with which these peo- Oregon, and within one hundred yards of the ple came was composed of twenty wagons and state line our subject was born. Soon after some deaths occurred from cholera, the grand- that event, the family removed to the Oregon mother and uncle of our subject being among side and dwelt in Umatilla county until 1885. those who perished. In 1854, David went to W. D. was educated in the common schools California and engaged in mining and the fol- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 671 lowing year he returned to Oregon, and then where he took up the business of general mer- enlisted in Captain Keeney's company to fight chandising, and in 1866 he returned to San the Indians and he participated in the struggle Francisco and there operated at the clothing until the savages were repulsed and then re- business until 1883, at which time he sold out turned to California and in i860 came again his entire business there and came to Burns. to Oregon. Thence he went to Idaho and It was 1884 when he entered into' business wrought in Oro Fino>, Florence, Warren, and here, taking his two sons, Benjamin and Leon

1 other camps until 1865, when we see him again M ., as partners. They began in a small way in Linn county and on December 26, of that and by careful attention to business and defer- year he married Miss Rebecca A., daughter of ential treatment of their patrons have increased Jesse and Anna Barr, pioneers from Iowa in their trade until it is at present of far reaching 1853, having made the trip with the ox teams and generous proportions, and success in a of the day. Our subject took up farming, and very brilliant form is theirs to enjoy. In 1896 also operated at general merchandising and in they erected a large two-story structure, which 1883 he sold out and removed to Harney val- they occupy at this time, the upper story being ley. Here he gave his undivided attention to rented to the I. O. O. F. lodge of Burns, and stock raising. His present home is six miles the United States land office. They carry a northwest from Crane postoffice and he owns large stock of merchandise and are favorably one thousand six hundred acres of good graz- known all through the country. In addi- ing and meadow land. Mr. Cary pays atten- tion to the merchandise the firm owns several tion to cattle mostly and has a goodly band. tracts of land in the county, mostly improved He was one of the first settlers and has always hay and grain land, which is rented. Mr. wrought on the frontier and while he started Brown has a wife and two married daughters the battle with nothing, he has now a com- and the two sons mentioned, all of whom re- mendable holding and is one of the substantial side in San Francisco*. Mr. Brown is a man men of the valley. He is road supervisor, and of excellent capabilities and has won success, always active in the advancement of the inter- while he is highly esteemed by all, and is a ests of the country. The following children man of mg integrity and intrinsic have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cary: Ma- worth of character halie A., wife of George Shelly, ex-sheriff of Harney county; Mrs. Malinda A. Stenffer;

Clarence T. L. ; Gracie. Mr. Cary has ; John always so conducted himself that he has main- GEORGE W. CAWLFIELD.—This tained an untarnished reputation, and he stands worthy gentleman is to- be numbered with the high among his fellows. 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 NATHAN BROWN.—The worthy pi- bestowed labors of the past. George W. was oneer and capable business man of whom we born in Johnson county, Kansas, on October the son of David A. and Abi- now have the privilege of speaking is one of 21, 1870, being the leaders in the business realm of Burns, be- gil ( Evans ^ Cawlfield. The father was a na- ing senior member of the firm of N. Brown & tive of Tennessee, and went across the plains Sons, general merchants, who have one of the to California in an early day and then returned for largest stocks in the county and do a mam- via Panama, after which some time he acted freighter frontiers moth business, being well established and high- as government on the and finally settled in Kansas. In the family ly esteemed by all. 1874 Mr. Brown was born in Germany, in Jan- came overland to Pueblo county, Colorado, and followed stock raising. In uary, 1835, and at the age of thirteen years there the father came to America. In 1852 he came via Cape 1888 the father, with his wife and ten chil- Horn to San Francisco, and thence to Oregon dren, came by covered wagons to. Harney and flat, east from Burns, City, where he engaged in business for a few settled on Rye Grass and raising stock. years. We next see him in Walla Walla. there engaged in Our subject 672 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

attended school in the various places of his resi- and it is but right that such giants of achieve- dence, and in 1891 he went to Portland and ment, whose labors have wrought such advan- acted as express messenger and baggageman tage to all, should be granted a position which to different points on the O. R. & N. This their sagacious conduct rightly marks as their continued for two. years, and he returned to own. Harney county, and there, on November 24, Reverting more particularly to the person- 1897, he married Miss Hlattie, daughter of al history of our subject, we note, which ac- Jesse O. and Emma Bunyard. To them have counts for his indefatigable energy and the been born two children—Gladys R., born Feb- boundless resources of his personality, which ruary 3, 1899, and Edna, born July 1, 1901. demonstrate him equal to any emergency, that In 1898 Mr. Cawlfield located a homestead he comes from stanch Irish blood, his parents twelve miles north from the Narrows, where being natives of the Emerald Isle. He, him- he lives now. This he has improved in good self, was born on April 29, 1855, in Syracuse, shape, having a good six-room house, barns, New York, to Patrick and Catherine Mahon, outbuildings, corralls and all necessary. conven- who had come hither while young. James F. iences for a first-class stock ranch. In 1899 was reared on a farm, gaining his education he formed a partnership with his father, in the from the schools of his vicinity, and early he stock business, and they are succeeding well. manifested the precocity which later produced His parents live with him now. The father the success winning talents which have charac- also owns a ranch of one-half section on Cram terized him in his entire walk. At the budding creek. Our subject started in with no> capital age of nineteen, James F. started out for him- and now has a large band of cattle, a good home self, and soon we see him in the far west in and is prospering well. He has labored faith- the vicinity of Stockton, California. He en- fully and managed his business interests with gaged on the farm of Jacob Grundike, as a excellent wisdom and practical judgment, all laborer. The estate of this worthy gentle- of which combine to. make him, the competence man consisted of two thousand five hundred which he now enjoys. 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 JAMES F. MAHON.—It is especially in his employee, he had a man of no ordinary gratifying to be enabled to chronicle in this ability and trustworthiness, and he did the wise volume of the history of Harney county the thing both for himself and our subject,—he salient points in the career of the estimable placed him in the position of superintendent gentleman whose name appears at the head of of the entire estate, which was a very responsi- this sketch, since he has done so much for the ble incumbency. For tAvo years in that capac- development and advancement of this county, ity and also as renter of the entire property for has demonstrated his ability as a financier and five years, Mr. Mahon remained with Mr. to handle successfully large interests, Grundike; and the only outcome that could of which he is happily possessed at resolve itself to- the skill, energy, industry, and the present time, being doubtless the larg- excellent judgment of Mr. Mahon was the un- est grain farmer in the county and also bounded success that attended his efforts, both a leader in raising fine horses and mules ; while to his own and Mr. Grundike' s financial ad- individually, Mr. Mahon is a man of marked vantage. During these years, Mr. Mahon's fa- ability and integrity, always dominated by ther had come to join his son and in 1879 they sound principles and possessed of an executive disposed of their interests in California and force and practical judgment that array him on came thence to central Oregon, settling in Har- the side of success, and' his moral virtues and ney valley. Let it be said to. the honor of the untarnished reputation for honor and upright- kind benefactor of Mr. Mahon, Mr. Grundike, ness are commensurate with his other qualifi- that he willingly placed to the credit of our cations of high order. Tjhe account, there- subject the financial backing necessary to start' fore, of Mr. Mahon's operations in this county this young man on a career that has won a would form an important parts of its history, 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 gressive, dominated by wisdom of a high or- Oregon to the present, hut a brief summary der, and he has made a name and place for of the present will manifest plainly the talent himself among men that is worthy of emula- with which Mr. Mahon has wrought. For tion, and the prestige which he now enjoys is a time his father remained in partnership with the result of his intrinsic worth wrought into him and then the son bought his interest and crowning achievements. Mr. Mahon is tak- now he is one of the heaviest property owners ing great pains and sparing no expense to in the state. Coming early, and being a prac- grant his children all opportunity to gain a tical farmer, Mr. Mahon secured the choicest first class educational training. He has re- farms to- be had in Harney county. has cently He given his son, Ira J., an interest in the five different well improved ranches in the business. The young' man is proving his abil- county. Two of them, aggregating two thou- ity and mettle by making a success which is sand five hundred acres, make the finest grain a credit to himself and his father. 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, JACKSON A. BARTLETT.—This well from the fact that he' handles so many of these known and representative business man of the animals. Mr. Mahon makes a specialty of town of Drewsey has a fine hotel,, where he raising horses and mules and is the largest does a thriving business and also 1 a large livery owner of these quadrupeds in the county. On and feed stable, being a man of excellent capa- his home place he has twenty-six miles of bilities and one of the prominent figures in this fencing and utilizes it as the breeding ranch part of Harney county. He was born in Owen for his entire stock. His horses are all well county, Indiana, on August 31, 1847, the son bred black Percherons and he owns a Dexter of James and Sarah (Alexander) Bartlett. Prince stallion, Thomas H., which paces in He was reared on a farm and gained his edu- two-fourteen, and many other horses of fine cation from the public schools of the vicinity blood, as Clydesdale, and so forth. Mr. Ma- and when he heard the call for troops in the hon is a noted nimrod and has some fine ani- times of fratricidal strife he enlisted in the mals for the chase consisting of Chesapeake One Hundred and Forty-ninth Indiana Volun- hounds and Blue Dane; and many exciting- teer Infantry, Company B. He was largely on chases he participates in. post puty, being in Louisville, Kentucky; The marriage of Mr. Mahon occurred in Nashville, Tennessee; and Decatur, Alabama. 1881 and his wife died in 1886. He con- The date of his enlistment was February 14, tracted a second marriage and has four chil- 1865, and his honorable discharge occurred in dren by this union, Emily F., a graduate of October, 1865. He at once returned to his in to Oxford; Tva J., attending school California; home in Indiana. In 1868 he migrated Pearl R., and Stella M., deceased. Fraternally Scotland county, Missouri, and there on he is well connected, being a member of the December 25, 1870, occurred his marriage

Masons, the Elks, the I. O. O. F., the K. of P., with Miss Arminta J., daughter of Will- the A. O. U. W., and the M. W. of A. Po- iam and Margaret Myers. He followed litically he is allied with the Democratic party farming there until 1887, and then with and is active in the interests of good govern- his family of wife and seven children he

4 ment. Mr Mahon is a fine exper " with horses made the trip across the country to Union and an admirer of that beautiful animal. He county, Oregon. The following year he is a leading man in the county, and has done came to the agency, in the vicinity of Beu- much for the advancement of its interests. lah, Malheur county, entered a homestead, im- From the time his faithful labors attracted proved it and settled to raising stock. It was the kindly notice of his worthy employer, Mr. in 1896. that he came to- Drewsey and bought Grundike, who promptly placed him on the road a hotel and embarked in that business. He to brilliant success, which he has achieved, Mr. did a good business from the start, but in Mahon has always been faithful, upright, pro- 1899 the entire property was destroyed by 43 674 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

fire. He immediately rebuilt a fine twostory in 1886 he came overland to Harney valley. structure, fifty-six feet front and forty-four He lived near Burns on a rented farm and feet deep. He has a nice large office, parlors, did freighting until 1888, when he came to dining room, kitchen and twenty sleeping his present place, which is well improved with apartments. In 1890 he sold his ranch and good house, orchard, shrubbery, and SO' forth. stock and devoted his entire attention to the He handles stock, mostly horses. hotel and feed stable. To Mr. and Mrs. McKinnon there have The following children have been born to been born eleven children, James Edward, of Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett: Jesse, near Long- Cornucopia, Baker county; Mrs. Ida M. Mc- creek, Grant county C, who was elect- Campbell, of Shasta county, California; Robert ; James ed in the 1900, on Democratic ticket, as super- J., near Burns; Andrew J., of Santa Rosa, Cal- intendent of the schools of Harney county; ifornia, who was sheriff of this county from Mrs. Grace Arnold, of Pine creek; Hattie, 1896 to 1900, being elected both times on the

Hettie, Hugh, triplets, Hugh being deceased; Democratic ticket; Mrs. Lucy J. Baird, of Carl and Stella V. 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.

ROBERT J. McKINNON.—This worthy Emma Alice Clark, near Burns ; William L., pioneer is a man of energy, ability and stir- who was killed in Burns in 1898; Mrs. Elsie ring qualities of worth, having wrought with Alvie Cleveland of this county; Mrs. Essie a ready hand and willing heart in the noble Geneva Smith, of Burns. Mr. McKinnon work of developing the western wilds and he owns a half interest in a good mining property is now one of the well-todo and respected in the Virtue district in Baker county. He stockmen and farmers of Harney county, re- also took a trip to' Alaska in 1900, and also siding about nine miles northwest from Burns, went the next year, prospecting and mining, on Curry Garden creek. and made the trip in 1902. He has a good

Robert J. was born in Hancock county, farm of one-quarter section. 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 UBALD J. COTE.—This enterprising were borne by subscription. In 1853 ne re_ gentleman is one of the worthy citizens of moved to Des Moines county, Iowa, and in Harney county and is a man who. has demon- 1857 the family went to Page county and there strated his excellent qualities in the estimable on November 7, 1858, our subject married success which he has wrought out here in our Miss Emily H., daughter of Daniel and Eliza- midst, as is evidenced by the fact that when he beth Long, who had resided in Indiana, where came to this country he tells us that he was our subject was born, and these young people somewhat in debt, but now he has a fine es- had been raised together. In 1861 our sub- tate of six hundred and eighty acres of hay ject and his wife removed to Keokuk county, and grazing land, all fenced, a good six-room Iowa, and thence to Des Moines county, and house, barns and outbuildings, a good black- in 1863 he came via Panama to California, smith shop, a band of stock and is well-to-do then to- Virginia City, Nevada, and took up and prosperous. Mr. Cote is also a man of in- mining and lumbering and in 1864 he went tegrity and sound morals and is esteemed by to Downing, California, and there did the all. He was born on August 4, 1866, in same work until 1865, when he came back to Champlain county. Canada, being the son of his Iowa home. In 1869 he removed to Jack- Antoine and Marie Cote, natives of France. son county, Missouri, and in 1875, returned to In 187 1 the family came to Lowell, Massa- Page county, Iowa, whence he journeyed to chusetts, and there he attended common school. California, settling in Shasta county. He en- worked in the cotton factories and at fourteen tered government land and also did freighting. entered as apprentice to a blacksmith, where In the fall of 1S81 he went to Red Bluff, and 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- where he mined for two' years. On April 10, ing this time he took three different trips to 1874, he was in Canyon City again and mar- Canada and in the date mentioned he came ried on that date to Miss Mattie Harper. Four to Winnemucca by train and thence by stage children were born to this union, Clifford, to Burns. He went to work for wages, herd- Frank M., Maggie, and Agnes. In 1880 Mr. ing sheep for a number of years, and gained Rann went to Butte, Montana, thence to Fort some stock of his own, and in 1895 he entered Benton and Walla Walla and in 1882 he set- a homestead where he now lives, about half tled in Srague, Washington, where he went way between Riley and the Narrows, in Warm into business until 1886. Then he came to Springs valley. He also took a desert claim Canyon City remaining until 1890. From that and commenced to raise cattle. He has im- date until 1900 he was in various places in Id- proved in good shape and is a man of influ- aho, Nevada, Arizona, California, Washing- ence and integrity, which is recognized by all. ton, and Oregon, prospectinig and mining.

The marriage of Mr. Cote and Miss Annie, On August 8, 1 901, Mr. Rann married a daughter of John and Emma Bankofier, was second time, the lady then becoming his wife solemnized on June 22, 1902. Mr. Bankofier was Mrs. lone (Whiting) Baker. At present was a native of Germany and his wife of Mr. Rann has a good building in Harney California, to which state he was an early pio^ where he operates a retail liquor store, carry- neer. Mrs. Cote was born in Nevada county, ing a choice stock of wines, liquors, tobaccos California, and her father died there in 1882, and so forth. He is doing a thriving business. but heir mother, Mrs. John McNulty, lives He also owns a good residence in the town. there still. Mrs. Cote came up from Cali- Mr. Rann stands well among the business men fornia in 1893 and has followed teaching and is one of the energetic workers for the school in Harney county since that time, be- welfare of the county. 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 WILLIAM B. JOHNSON.—Among the of the I. O. O. F., Harney Lodge, No. JJ, of enterprisiing citizens of Harney county we Burns. should mentioin the gentleman whose name in- itiates this paragraph, and who has labored here faithfully and continuously for a long CHARLES W. RANN is well known in time, being at the present time one of the in- Harney county, and he has been a great travel- fluential men of his section, Mr. Johnson ler and consequently -has gained much experi- was born in Crawford county, Arkansas, on ence that gives him prestige and enables him September 24, 1852, being the son of John The to gain a good success in his labors. He was L. and Frances J. (Elliott) Johnson. born in San Francisco on December 14, 1848, father was an orderly sergeant in the Confed- being the son of Caleb and Lucinda Rann. erate army and died in service. The widow He was among the very first white children was left with four children and the improve- born in that place. The father was a native of* ments of the plantation were all destroyed by Nova Scotia and came to.' Maine and thence the ravages of war. Bravely she stood with around Cape Horn to San Francisco in 1846. her little flock and kept them together. Our The mother crossed the plains in 1847 with subject received a primary education from the ox teams from Tennessee. Thev were mar- schools of his native place and in the spring of assist- ried in Santa Clara and removed to' San Fran- 1868 came with an uncle to California, cisco. The parents removed to various places ing to bring a band of cattle. They landed in the state and finally settled in Peach Tree in Merced county and he worked with stock valley where the home was until 1864. Then for a time and then attended school for two they came to Canyon City region and the par- years, one of which was at the San Joaquin ents went to raising stock while our subject college at Stockton. In 1874 he went to Mo- in went to mining and followed it until 1871. We doc county and there engaged farming, next see him in White Pine county, Nevada, 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 he was married to Miss Sadie E., daughter stock north to Silver Creek, Harney county, of Shelby and Darlutha (Daugherty) Sim- and in 1884 he sold his California property, mons. Mr. and Mrs. Simmons were pioneers and the year following his family joined him from Arkansas to that county in 1850, crossing in the Oregon home. They settled first near the plains with ox teams. It was 1888 that our their present home, but later removed to the subject came to Roekford, in Harney county,, place where the^ now reside, five miles north- and engaged in the stock business. Later, he west from Riley postoffice. Mr. Johnson has went to The Narrows and then to the warm two' hundred and forty acres of fine land, well springs on the west side of Harney lake. There improved with good house, barn and outbuild- he entered government land and improved it in

ings, orchard and plenty of water. His stock good shape. This continued to> be the family consists mostly of cattle and he is one of the home until 1900, when he sold out and came thrifty men of his section. Politically, Mr. to his present place, twenty-four miles west Johnson is allied with the Democratic party from Drewsey. He has a half section of good and is active in that realm, being now central land all fenced and improved in an excellent committeeman for his county, while in educa- manner, with fine house, barns, orchard, and tional matters he is zealous for advancement plenty of water for irrigating purposes. He and betterment of school facilities. raises hay for his stock principally. On August 3, 1873, Mr. Johnson married To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born

Miss Mary E., daughter of John and Martha the following children : Amanda B., Emmett A. Street, of Merced county, California, and S., Sadie D., Elbert C. Mr. Johnson has al- they have become the parents of eight children, ways evinced great interest in the betterment

Francis A., deceased ; Mrs. Martha Dibble, of of school facilities and labors wisely and zeal-

Silver creek; Alfred J.; Mrs. Elizabeth Gar- ously for this worthy end, while also he takes rett, deceased ; Lulah ; Roxana ; Mary E. ; Clar- the part of the intelligent citizen in general issa, deceased. politics. Mr. Johnson's mother died in Arkansas February 27, 1868. Mrs. Johnson's father died on August 31, 1883, but her mother still JASPER DAVIS.—In the work of devel- resides in California. 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 CHARLES S. JOHNSON.—This capa- sections. He is a man possessed of those qual- ble and enterprising stockman and agriculturist ities so much admired in the pioneer, has al- of Harney county is one of the substantial ways shown himself upright, courageous, and men who have labored for the upbuilding and active in the affairs of life. And to-day he is- material progress of this section of central Or- one of the substantial citizens of Harney egon for many years, and now holds prominent county and has gained and retains the confi- places as leading citizens. Our subject was dence of the people. born in Winneshiek county, Iowa,, on October Mr. Davis was born in Van Buren county, 20, 1854, being the son of John andPermelia Iowa, on April 5, 1840, being the son of David Johnson. In 1864 the family came across the T. and Laurinda (Baker) Davis, natives of plains with the "prairie schooner" of the day Kentucky. Our subject was reared on a farm to Honey Lake valley, California, where they and gained his education in the various places stopped for a short time and then made their where the family resided. He commenced way to Butte county. Our subject received school at the age of twelve and continued until his education there from the primitive schools nineteen, being familiar with the log cabin of that pioneer day. His parents were pio- schoolhouses of his day. The family came to neers in Iowa and also in California and so the Davis county, Iowa, while he was young and education of our subject was gained with mea- there on July 31, 1862, he married Miss Mary ger advantages. He grew to manhood in E.. daughter of Adam and Mary A. (Lasley) Butte county and there on September 18, 1883, 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. ous condition. James A. was born in Fannin Mr. Davis was elected sheriff of that county county, Texas, on August 12, 1870, the son in 1867. In 1876 he removed to Stafford of Jesse C. and Frances (Williams) Weath- county and entered government land. In 1879 erly. In 1877 the family came across the he was elected justice of the peace. In 1880 plains with mule teams, coming direct to the he prepared mule teams and with his family Grande Ronde valley, having a tedious jour- of wife and six children started on May 10, ney of nine months. Two> years were spent in for the west. On July 31 they arrived at the Grande Ronde and then another move was Union, Union county, Oregon. In 1884 they made to Wallowa county. There the father went to Spokane and he mined some in the took up stock raising and lives at the present Coeur d'Alene country. The same year he time, the. mother having passed away on May came to Camp Harney and soon thereafter 22, 1882. Our subject received his education came to Harney, where he engaged in mercan- from the common schools and remained with tile business until 1891, then sold out. The his father until 1890, when he came to central next year he bought his present place, one- Oregon and went to riding the range for the fourth of a mile south from Harney. He has Pacific Live Stock Company. He was one of a good farm and a comfortable home. Mr. the foreman during the last six years of his Davis was the first justice of the peace ap- service and was an efficient stockman. On ac- pointed when the county was set off and he count of his health failing, he was obliged to has filled that office most of the time since, retire from the more active duties of handling being at present the incumbent. In political stock and accordingly he opened a wine and li- matters, Mr. Davis is a Democrat. To- him quor store in Drewsey where he is at the pres- and his estimable wife there were born ten ent time. He carries a choice stock of liquors children, named as follows : Mrs. Laura M. and tobaccos. He owns his own building in

Boyd, of Coos county ; Laurinda, deceased the center of town and has it well furnished. Jasper F., of Harney; Emily Ann, deceased; He affiliates with the I. O. O. F., Drewsey David P., of Baker City; Alma, at home; Pe- Lodge, No*. 174. He is a man of good stand- ter, oi Baker City ; Charles H., Ira, and Dottie ing among his fellows and has done his share Lee, at home. On February 14, 1894, Mrs. for the development of the country. 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 PLEASANT M. CHENEY.—Although of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and was born in Arkansas, still the subject of this sketch always laboring for its advancement. She is practically a product of the west since his took especial pains to rear her children care- birth occurred on February 26, 1856, and the fully and in a Christian manner. She was spring following his parents came overland born on the frontier in Iowa and was always with ox teams, settling in Sonoma county, Cal- on the frontier and did much hard and self- ifornia. The parents, William W. and Mar- sacrificing labor. tha (Meek) Cheney, soon went to Lake coun- On June 22. 1900, Mr. Davis married Miss ty, thence to San Louis Obispo county, and Lucy B., daughter of John W. and Nancy W. raised stock and later removed to San Bernar- Coleman. Mrs. Davis is from Decatur, Illi- dino county, and in 1880 went to the vicinity of nois. Mr. Davis and his wife are interested Los Angeles and engaged in fruit raising and in church work and they are highly respected farming there until the death of the father in members of society having displayed real worth 1899. The mother died in 1901 and she and of character and sound principles. 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- JAMES A. WEATHERLY.—The sub- gaged in riding the range and visited Carson ject of this article is one of the men whose la- City, Nevada, also went to Texas. He rode bors have been instrumental in building up the after stock on the frontier of Texas and on country and bringing it to its present prosper- 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 having also had experience in the cotton fac- and mined there and in thee different states in tory and Hunt's ax factory and machine shop, Mexico and Lower California, returning home he came in 1852 to Linn county Iowa, and the after an absence of four years. He was at next year started across the plains. He was Tombstone, Arizona, when nine thousand peo- nearly drowned in the Platte and at the sink ple were there before a house was built, and of the Humboldt, he started a foot toward Cal- in his stay in Texas he saw much fighting- be- ifornia, while the train went another way. He tween the Texas rangers and the Mexicans. It was beset with thirst and hunger and great was 1883 that he came to Lake county, Ore- hardship in this journey on foot, going fifty gon. He worked on the range for Cox & miles once through a desert. He also met the Clark then went to Crook county and rode for noted Jim Beckwith, a leader of Indians. He Logan & Son for three years and then we find finally landed with his companion in Plumas him in the Harney valley in 1887, where he county and went to mining, then repaired to worked for Riley & Hardin foi: four years, the Gibbonville and worked in a hotel, afterwards last three being in the capacity of foreman. going to Hopkinville, where he saw the first In 1 891 he entered a homestead on upper Sil- woman that came to the camp. He mined un- ver creek and engaged in stock raising. He til the spring of 1855 and then with twelve now owns eight hundred acres of hay and hundred dollars in his pocket he went via the grazing land all fenced and improved with isthmus to his home in Massachusetts. He en- comfortable house, outbuildings, and orchard gaged in the merchandise business until the and he has a goodly band of cattle. His es- father removed to Rockford, Illinois, and then tate is located twenty-five miles southeast from he bought a stock o

Iowa. There he married Miss Lyda J. Fletch- er, in 1857, she being a native of Maine. In JAMES M. PARKER.—To detail the ac- May, 1862, with his family of wife and two tive career and stirring adventures of the sub- children, his own parents, his wife's parents, ject of this sketch would require a volume, so and others, he started across the plains. One incessantly has he labored and travelled ; but child died at the Platte from scarlet fever. space forbids, however much we may wish to They went to Lassen county, California, and give more, that we chronicle more than a re- ranched until 1870, then went to various locali- view, but it demonstrates the vigor, the true ties and in the spring of 1876 he came from pioneer spirit, the ability and the stirring qual- Honey lake country to Clarke county, Wash- ities of our subject when we note how he has ington, and in 1878 went to The Dalles. Leav- wrought and gained success. ing his family there until after the Indian war James Parker comes from a good stock of of 1878 was over, he then, in June, 1881, came patriots, his maternal grandfather fighting in to Harney valley. There were but eleven fam- the Revolution, his uncle Zelock Darling, being ilies in the entire valley then. Later Mr. Par- in the war of 1812, and his father a captain in ker went to Sage Hen valley and in the fall of the regular army. James M. was born on 1882 returned to Honey lake and one year later January 24, 1833, in Douglas, Worcester coun- came back to Silver creek. Then again he ty, Massachusetts, to Abel and Sarah (Dar- went to Sage Hen valley, entering land and ling) Parker. He was educated and stayed taking up stock raising until 1892 when he on the old homestead until nineteen, and then, sold and went to' Fall River lake, California. ;

HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 679

thence to Chico, Reel Bluff, and back to Har- Clarke county, Washington, later moving to ney, on a visit. In June, 1893, he bought his The Dalles, and are now living on the Mal- his present place of one hundred and twenty- heur river in Harney county. The wedding six acres, hay land with good house, barn and of our subject occurred in Grant county and other improvements. The farm is eight miles there he engaged in the cattle business on the northwest from Burns. middle fork of the John Day river. At the To Mr. and Mrs. Parker, thirteen children time of the Indian trouble, he was a scout for have been born : Estella, Everett E., Prince the settlers. Then he went to Umatilla coun- A., deceased; Walter B., at Warm Springs; ty and sold his cattle and bought sheep, being

Mrs. Adaline I. Mace, near Burns ; Mrs. Au- thus engaged until 1887. That was the year gusta Terrill, near Burns; John N., in Sage when he came to Harney county, settling on Hen valley; Mrs. Plattie M. Tyler, of Warm the Malheur river where he remained until

Springs; Chester R., deceased; Carlton E., at 1899. He had also 1 bought his present place home; Lute A., near Burns; Mrs. Rosa Thorn- of one hundred and twenty acres, one mile near Burns M., near Burns. north from Burns. It burg, ; James was well improved, has. good water, and is a valuable ranch. Mr. Rutherford had also' been in the hotel business in Drewsey for a time. In 1894 the Populists JUDGE CHARLES P. RUTHERFORD. nominated Mr. Rutherford for county judge, —All over Harney county the name of Judge and his popularity was so great that although Rutherford is well and favorably known and his party was far in the minority, still he was he stands high with all, being a man of sterl- elected by a handsome majority. For four ing qualities of worth and having demonstrated years we find him filling the responsible posi- his ability not only in the business operations tion of the judicial bench and it is to be said of his hands but also in the capacity of public to his credit that in no case did he fail to mete officer, having been judge of the county far out impartial justice, being a man of integ- four years with manifestation of impartiality rity. He was renominated but as party lines and sagacity and faithfulness that have com- were drawn SO' tight by leaders, his popularity mended him to the intelligent and order loving could not gain the day. people. To Judge Rutherford and his estimable

Charles P. was born in Calhoun county, wife there have been born eight children : Mrs.

Illinois, on November 29, 1847, being the son Clara E. Masterson, of Malheur county ; Mrs. Rutherford. The of Robert and Mary (Bolter) Mary J. Robertson, or Drewsey ; William R., father died on November 29, 1848, and the attending school at Monmouth in preparation mother died in 1852, thus the orphan boy was for the medical profession; Olive and Rose, forced to find his home with relatives. In teaching school ; Frances, attending school

1853 w i tn his uncle, George Bolter, he came Archibald P., and Arland. The Judge is a across the prairies with two teams and a small member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. yy, band of cows. They settled in Polk county also of the Encampment and the Pioneers of and had provisions enough to last a year, while the Pacific Coast, the latter at Pendelton. the trip was so favorable that they did not Judge Rutherford is a man of uprightness, stand guard one night and the stock were all sound principles, and has done in a commend- in good condition when they reached their des- able manner the labor which he has performed. tination. Our subject remained with his un- cle until 1863 and then went to the Boise basin and mined, and in 1866 came to Umatilla county and took up stock raising. In 1868 we JOSEPH ROBERTSON.—A real pio- find him nacking to the mines and in 1872 he neer in every sense oi that significant word, sold his outfit. Then on August 20, 1873, and one, too-, who has never shirked the re- Mr. Rutherford married Miss Malinda F., sponsibilities of that arduous and dangerous daughter of W. F. and Nancy J. (Stice) Mof- position, being also a man whose capabilities fet. Mr. and Mrs. Moffet were pioneers from and enterprise entitle him to be ranked with Missouri and settled on a donation claim in the leading men of Harney county, and who €80 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

has made a record in the various frontier re- on the frontier, having ever conducted himself gions where he has wrought which is replete in a becoming manner to a manly man and pa- with wise and good acts and display of bravery triotic citizen. and courage,—the subject of this article is en- The marriage of Mr. Robertson and Miss titled to especial distinction in the history of Drucilla E. McAfee, who crossed the plains in Harney county. an ox train in 1853, was solemnized on May Joseph Robertson was born in Renfroshire, 9, 1859, and they have seven children: John

Scotland, on August 31, 1833, being" the son A. ; Mrs. Eva McClain, of Burns ; Mrs. Eunice of Joseph and Mary (McDonald) Robertson. L. Thompson, of Barns ; William A. ; Mrs. He was educated in the public schools of his Daisy Daly, of Drewsey; Lena, and Gussie. native land and there also served an appren- Mr. Robertson is a member of the A. F. & A. ticeship at the tailor's trade. In 1848 he was M., Royal Arch chapter in Canyon City. stirred with a strong desire to travel and see the world, and accordingly embarked on a sail- ing vessel for New Orleans. Landing there he made his way to Cincinnati and there CHARLES A. HAINES.—A brief out- worked at his trade until the spring of 185 1, line of the career of this stirring business man when he migrated to Lee county, Iowa, re- will establish the fact beyond a doubt that he maining there until 1853, at which time he is one of the leading men of Harney county acted as laborer in a train of teams and and has ability and has achieved a success that loose cattle which came to Jackson county, Or- will compare favorably with any in the state, egon, consuming six months in the trip. He considering the material of circumstances, labored at various, callings in the Rogue river country, inaccessibility, and so forth with valley for a number of years, and then went to which he has worked and contended. He is raising cattle on his own resources. The hard a man of fine executive ability, keen percep- winter of 186 1-2 swept all his cattle off but tion, and sterling worth, having the entire con- thirteen head, which he traded for milk cows. fidence of the populace. In the spring of 1862 he went on a trip to the Mr. Haines was born in Riplev county, In- Salmon river mines but turned aside at Can- diana, near New Marion, on October 6, 1870, yon City, because of the reports which they being the son of John A. and Eliza W. (Jen- received at Shields bridge. After a short time nings) Haines. He grew up on a farm,

there he returned and brought his family and gained .-a good education, and in the spring of settled at Mount Vernon, naming the post- 1892 he came by rail to Ontario, thence to office. He at once took up the stock business Burns and clerked in his brother's store until and prospered. It was 1878 that he re- July 6, of the same year. The date of his ar- moved his stock to Malheur valley, bringing rival was March 10. His next move was to his family in 1888, making settlement on Otis look up the country adjacent to the Narrows creek, where he now lives, six miles northeast and he decided to locate there. He put up the from Drewsey. That country was then In- first building there, a small store building, and dian reservation and as soon as it was opened brought a small stock of goods. He went at he filed on his present home. He now has six the matter in a business way, laid his plans hundred acres of fine land, w.ell watered, em- well ahead and commenced at the bottom. It bellished with fine house and commodious was soon discovered that no commonplace man barn, and provided with all the necessaries for had established himself at this point, for the a first class stock ranch and farm, and he is trade that used to go elsewhere was now be- one of the most prosperous men of the county. ginning to be diverted to his store. He was a Mr. Robertson fought in the Rogue river war fine salesman, quick to perceive what goods and also in the Indian outbreak in 1878. At were needed and as quick to provide them in one time he was with Joaquin Miller and some the quantities called for, and back of it all and soldiers for eighteen clays, under Lieutenant pervading his entire dealings there was a man- Waymeyer, on an Indian raid in 1864 and one ifestation of uprightness and integrity that citizen was killed and four soldiers, and Mr. won the confidence of the people and his trade Robertson has seen much hardship and danger was in a short time pouring in at r. rapid rate CHARLES A. HAIHES.

HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 681

He now has a fine store building, 22 by 55, a to Gilliam county, in which latter place our fine stone warehouse, fire proof, about the same subject engaged with his father in the horse size, and a basement, all of which room is business. This was about 1889, ar>d later we well packed with a skillfully selected stock of find our subject in Heppner, operating the goods of all kinds that are needed in his trade. stage from that city to Monument. The next He carries everything that is used in this sec- move was to Longcreek, Grant county, where tion, from all classes of furnishing goods, gro- he was engaged in operating a hotel for two ceries, hardware, housefurnishinsrs. to vehic- years and then we find the active Edward C. les, farm implements, and supplies for the large Keeney in Umatilla county, on Camas prairie, ranches. His trade is very large. In addition handling stock and tilling the soil. It was to this, he does a general banking business and from that place in 1895 that he came to his acts as justice of the peace, being held in this present abode, twenty-three miles west from latter position by the votes of the people. Since Drewsey. He has a farm of one hundred and

July 3, 1897, he has been postmaster and dis- fifty acres, well improved, having comfortable charges these duties with strict faithfulness residence and plenty of water for irrigating. and efficiency. Mr. Haines was instrumental He devotes his time arid attention principally in getting the telephone to the Narrows from to raising cattle. Burns, subscribing liberally himself and invit- The marriage of Mr. Keeney and Miss ing others to assist. Politically, he is with the Mary May Vilott, was solemnized on January Republicans, is active and acts as central com- 1, 1893, at lone. They have the following mitteeman for his precinct. children: Juanita B., Chauncey W., Gladys On Februarv 22, 1896, Mr. Haines mar- P. Mrs. Keeney's father, Isaac Vilott, was ried Miss Annie, daughter of Nimrod and Sir- one of the very first settlers of the north fork ilda Comegys, and they have two children, of the John Day river. Mr. Keeney is a mem- Hazel, born April 10, 1897; Wilbur E., born ber of the A. O. U. W., Lodge No. 119, of April 23, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Comegys were Drewsey. He has served for two years as early pioneers of the Willamette valley and justice of the peace and his efforts in this line have lived in this county for twenty years. Mr. have been with acceptability to the people. Haines owns a good residence in the Narrows, a quarter section of fertile hay land adjoining the town and is a man of broad public spirit and labors for the upbuilding of the country, JOHN E. LOGGAN.—Among the young being progresive and enterprising. 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- EDWARD C. KEENEY.—Although the ty assessor by the people in the June election in subject of this sketch has not been so long 1902, we are constrained to> mention the genial domiciled in Harney county as some of the pio- and capable gentleman whose name initiates neers, still he has spent a greater portion of his this paragraph. life in the adjacent territories and thus is just- John E. was born in Cass county, Nebras- ly entitled to< a place among the pioneers, hav- ka, on August 8, 1870, being the son of John ing been engaged in labors incident to< that H. and Emily D. Loggan. The parents re- worthy life for many years. Edward C. was moved to Washington county, Kansas, when born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on May 6, 1868, this son was small and in 1879 they came being the son of Joseph B. and Frances M. across the plains with teams to Union coun- (White) Keeney. His father was an opera- ty, Oregon. John E. attended school there tor in the stage business and did service over until 1885, when another move was made, many portions of the west. From Salt Lake this time to Harney valley, and soon there- City they went to Kelton, Utah, thence to after to Harney, where the father engaged Boise, Idaho, and from there to- Walla Walla, in the hardware business. In 1888 our Washington. Thence a move was made to subject went to Philomath College, in Ben- Weston, Oregon, then to Pendleton, later on ton county, this state, and graduated from 682 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the same in 1891. He came home and end of the war. He was through much hard entered his father's store where he labored service, and was taken prisoner at the battle of faithfully until 1898 at which time, in company Williamsburg. The Confederates demanded with his uncle, D. M. Loggan, he enlisted in from him the oath of allegiance or he would Troop A, First Nevada Volunteer Cavalry, to be shot. Hall calmly replied, "Shoot." He go> to> the Philippines. These two were the was released and rejoined the army. He was only ones who> went from Harney county. He under Generals Sherman and McClellan. was in San Francisco' a short time and then Our subject was educated in the common went to the seat of war at Manila. He served schools and in Freehold Academy, then served under General Lawton and had his share of four years in the Burdon iron works in Brook- the peculiar hardships which the soldiers there lyn, learning there the machinist's trade. He were called to endure. He was honorably also acted as locomotive engineer for eight discharged in the fall of 1899, as corporal, hav- years. In 1881 he went west over the first ing had part in numerous skirmishes and the through train on the Atchison and Topeka

1 battles that were fought. He returned home line from Deming, New Mexico , to> San Fran- after the war, and took up the stock business, cisco. Enroute, they were robbed and the bri- having a quarter section on Rock creek, this gands stole Mr. Hall's boots, so 1 he was forced county. As stated above, in the June election, to go into San Francisco barefooted. He 1902, he was chosen on the Republican ticket went thence to Jackson county, Oregon, and tO' act as assessor for the county and is dis- worked for wages and was taken sick and charging the duties incumbent upon him there when he left that county for Harney he was with dispatch and efficiency. owing the doctor three hundred dollars. One On November 28, 1901, Mr. Loggan mar- year after landing in Harney he had the doc- ried Miss Ella Howser, daughter of Andrew tor paid up and a good start. He worked nine W. and Hannah (Kuster) Howser, near Har- years for the V cattle company and during ney. Mr. Loggan is a young man of great this time purchased his present home place, promise, has displayed stanch integrity and in- which consists of five hundred and sixty acres trinsic worth of character, and he has hosts of and lies on Peaceful flat, twelve miles south- friends throughout the county. 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 NEWELL HALL.—Among those who has a good band. He is a member and past have gained a well earned success in Harney grand of the I. O. O. F., Paola Lodge, No. county and have turned all opportunities and 102 Miami county, Kansas, and also he be- resources to advantage, must be mentioned the longs to the Order of Washington, in Port- gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph, land. Mr. Hall is a man of considerable prop- being a man of boundless energy and courage erty, has displayed good energy and ability and withal a man whose life has been well with uprightness and integrity in his labors spent in various kinds of labor. When Mc- here and stands well to-day, being prominent Kinley was assassinated, the governor of New among - his fellows. 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 ANDREW W. HOWSER.—It has been assistance which elicited a hearty response of many years since this worthy pioneer settled in gratitude from the governor. the territory that is now Harney county, and Newell Hall was born near Freehold, Mon- many years before that he was a pioneer to the mouth county, New Jersey, on August 29, Pacific coast, and it is very fitting in a volume 1849, being the son of Gordon and Susan that has to do' with the old pioneers, that we Hall. The father was educated for a physi- should grant an epitome of his life, having al- cian but never practiced. At the time of the ways been a man whose conduct commends him Civil war he was four years above the limit of to the esteem and confidence of his fellows, age but enlisted nevertheless, and served the and having done much hard labor to advance term and then re-enlisted and served to the 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 as the years of the golden time of their lives for better school facilities and deeper educa- are dawning, it is with great pleasure that we tion of the people. can add that they are comfortably established Andrew W. Howser was born in Warsaw, in their own home one mile southwest from Benton county, Missouri, on October 19, 1837, Harney, where they own two hundred and being the son of Stephen A. and Sallie P. How- forty acres of good land and have a fine band ser. He was the first boy born in Warsaw, and of cattle. And also it is gratifying to have it seems to have been his lot since to be among the pleasure of placing their names on the pages the first ones to open the country in various of history that will be read with interest by the localities. The father was a farmer but lived .succeeding generations. It was in 1882 that in town and in 1850 he started to go to Cali- Mr. Howser moved to his present place. To

fornia the land of gold ; but fate decreed oth- this worthy couple, eight children have been erwise and in the vicinity of Carson City, Ne- born, named as follows : Lola, wife of Lewis vada, he died and was there laid to rest be- Stenger, of Whatcom, Washington; Mary F., side the weary trail that led but to his death, wife of Thomas J. Vickers near Harney ; Sar- and a lone grave on the wide expanse of plains. ah L., wife of C. C. Kilburn, foreman on the In 1853 the mother with her five children un- Harper ranch in Malheur county; Emma E., dertook the same dreary journey and in due wife of D. R. Meyers, of Toledo, Ohio; Thorn" time they halted their ox teams in Yuba coun- as G., married to Rose Loggan, near Harney ty, California. While all this was occurring Stephen R., at home; Susan B., deceased; Ella, another line of history was forming, which wife of John E. Loggan, near Harney. Mr. began with the birth of a girl amid the rugged Howser is a stanch supporter of the Jefferson- scenes of Switzerland. She was cherished by ian principles of Democracy and he has been loving parents and came across the Atlantic a zealous advocate of educational facilities and with them and their home was in Ohio until good schools, and his efforts have resulted in 1852, when they came across the wide expanse much good for the schools of Harney county. 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- in ing Miss Hannah Krister. They remained JUDGE THOMAS J. SHIELDS.—To Yuba county raising stock until 1876, and then this eminent and well known citizen O'f Har- they took up the course of the pioneer again ney county it is very fitting that especial men- and wended their way to- near where Burns tion should be made in his county's history, now stands. Less than one hundred citizens, since he has been prominent here, has ever some estimate it was sixty-five, were then dom- been forward in develpoment andadvanoement, iciled in the vast territory that is now em- and has manifested himself as an upright and braced in Harney county. Few houses were capable man, true to all trusts imposed, and in the country and one must know that many faithful and upright in all relations. hardships were the lot of those brave and Thomas J. Shields was born in Andrew hardy ones who with families would penetrate county, Missouri, on August 17, 1849, being into this lonely region. Mr. and Mrs. Howser the son of James and Matilda (Crowley) were not of the fainthearted kind and vigor- Shields. His father was captain of the state ously they went to work to make a home and militia for a number of years until 1852, when establish themselves. They took a homestead he came to the Pacific coast with his family of and went to- raising stock and from that time wife and five children. Our subject's uncle, their lives have been identified with Harney G. W. Crowley, was captain of the train, a county, or the territory that is now embraced large one, and pulled by oxen, and they had in this county. They have seen the growth, some difficulty with the Indians, losing some have experienced the hardships, have endured stock. They came direct to Linn county, and the privations, have fought off the savages, settled on a donation claim and there the fa- and have remained steadfast to the one purpose ther remained until his death in 1890. He was of making this the abode of civilization. Hand treasurer of Linn county. for a number of terms in hand they have trodden the journey and now 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 By way of reminiscence, it is fitting to note that framed the constitution. He was also that Mr. Shields was lieutenant of a company justice of the peace for many terms. The raised to fight the Indians in Modoc county, mother of our subject was a daughter of Judge California, but he did not get into' the field Crowley of Andrew county, Missouri. Thomas with his men on account of the ending of the J. grew up on the old donation claim, attended war. the common schools and finished his education in the academy at Lebanon. In 1865, he went to Douglas county and took up sheep raising. WILLIAM ALTNOW.—The worthy pio- Later, he sold out and returned to Linn county, neer whose name appears above is one of the attended school and then acted as salesman in intrepid and sturdy men who fought the bat- a general store. In 1871 he went to Siskiyou tles of the country in the Civil war and has county, California, now Modoc county. He done a lion's share in developing the west in .assisted to erect the first house in Dorr is various frontier regions, having been also one Bridge, now Alturas, the county seat of Mo- of the very first settlers in the region where he -doc county. He followed the calling of the is now living, seven and one-half miles north- educator most of the time until 1871, then set- east of Drewsey, Harney county. It is, tled on land and the creek received his name. therefore, very fitting that consideration be Later, he went to Lake county, taught school, granted him in this volume, which devotes did carpenter work and painted the first house space to the leading and prominent citizens of in Lakeview, the county seat of Lake county. this and adjacent counties. In 1882 Mr. Shields returned to Modoc coun- Mr. Altnow was born in Moxfelde, Ger- ty and soon came thence to Harney county, many, on June 16, 1835, and there was reared, bringing a band of cattle. He settled on Sil- attending school for eight years without a va- ver creek near his present home and engaged cation and finally graduating from the high in the dairy business, taking his butter to Can- school. In 1855, he bade the fatherland fare- yon City. He entered a homestead in 1884 well with friends and home and sought the which is the present family home, two miles new world for the fortunes that might smile southeast from Riley. He has a good estate upon his honest endeavors. He landed in of hay and grain land and pays attention to New York after a five weeks' voyage on a raising cattle and horses. When Harney coun sailing vessel. Thence he went to Watertown, ty was organized, Mr. Shields was chosen the Wisconsin, and from there to Sibley county, first county judge and he discharged those im- Minnesota. There in June, 1864, he enlisted portant duties in a becoming manner and to- the in Company H, Second Minnesota Volunteers. satisfaction of all concerned. Judge Shields He first served in Tennessee, then was under brought to bear in his official work not only a Sherman in Georgia and went on the famous fund of great experience among men, but also march to the sea. He fought in the battles of sterling qualities of integrity, ' impartiality, Jonesborough and Bentonville, and many skir- justice, and keen perception, which rendered mishes and had but one sick day in the entire his regime one of excellent administration of service. He was mustered out at Louisville, justice. Kentucky, at the end of the war, having made

On October 5, 1880, Mr. Shields married a fine military record. From Kentucky he Miss Julia A., daughter of John C, and Nancy returned to his home and there on October 28, E. Garrett, of Okanogan county, Washington, 1866, he was married to Miss Matilda Mat- and to them have been born six children : Myra thia, a native of Germany. In October, 1868, E., wife of Joseph W. Vanderpool; James E. he started with wife and child via New York Elmer F., deceased; Ruby M., Virgil E., Ma- and Panama, to California, getting to San rie, Judge Shields is a member of Lake Lodge, Francisco in twenty-two' days. He went

No. 63, I. O. O. F., of Lakeview ; also a mem- thence to Salem, Oregon, coming to that town ber of the Pioneers of the Pacific; and En- on December 11, 1868, whence in the follow- campment, No. 71, being worthy commander ing year he removed to Antelope, in Wasco of the latter. Politically, he is affiliated with county. But few people were then settled there, the Democrats. 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- 1889 came to Burns. Returning to his native out moving, he and had remained until Wheel- place he worked the father's farm until 1894, er was cut off it would have been three. He then came to Burns and tended bar for Mr. was occupied in raising stock and he has al- Trisch, who is now his partner. They own a ways made a success of his business. It was fine corner in Burns, with a good building and in 1 88 1 that he located his present place. He operate a good orderly saloon, carrying a fine- moved the family first to Canyon City and stock of wines and liquors. Mr. Donegan is thence in 1884 to* the present home. He has a member of the Native Sons of Oregon, at fine a estate of four hundred acres, all fenced Burns, having been its first president. He is and well improved with orchards and build- also a member of the K. of P., Inland Lodge, ings, having very large two barns and one of No. 70. The former lodge is No. 33, since the finest residences in the entire country, it be- Oregon was the thirty-third state admitted to ing an eleven room house of modern architec- the Union. Mr. Donegan was chairman of tural design and provided with all conven- the Republican county central committee from iences. In 1890 the people called Mr. Altnow 1896 to 1898 and at the same time he was a to act as the first county commissioner of Har- member of the state and congressional com- ney after it was a separate political division. mittee. He was also a stockholder and sec- He discharged the responsible duties that de- retary of the Citizens Bank of Burns which was volved upon him in that incumbency with cred- sold to the First National Bank in June, 1902. it to> himself and satisfaction to all concerned. He is also interested in mining in the Pueblo Mr. Altnow has steadily and wisely labored for district and has a fine six-room modern dwell- the upbuilding of the entire country and has ing in Burns and is counted one of the pro- done much for Harney county. He came here gressive and capable business men of the town. when the nearest neighbors were forty-five On August 30, 1896, Mr. Donegan married miles distant and he has endured much hard- Miss Margaret, daughter of John and Marga-

ship and deprivation to i help build up the ret Smyth, pioneers of Harney county, from country and has always shown the true spirit Douglas county, Oregon. Mr. Smyth was a of the pioneer. The following children have settler in Diamond valley, this county, and was

been born to' Mr. and Mrs. Altnow : Emma, killed by the Indians in the Bannock war of deceased; Willie J., Mrs. Lillie Glen, of Vale; 1878. Mrs. Smyth is married again and lives Albert and Mrs. Ina Brittingham. 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. 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 ABRAHAM L. VANDERPOOL.—This world over in the march which the sturdy enterprising stockman is a native son of Ore- Irish race has made to every clime and region gon, and his life has been such that his state in the interests of civilization. Patrick Don- may take commendable pride in him. He was egan came from western Ireland to New York born in Benton county on October 29, 1855, be- in 1852, and two* years later he went thence via ing- the son of C. M. and Eliza J. Vanderpool. Panama to- San Francisco, and then to Jack- The father crossed the plains from Missouri in son county, Oregon. He returned soon to Ire- 1858. The mother came from Illinois about land and married Margaret Lynch and brought the same time. The father has followed farm- his bride to Jackson county. In that place, ing and raising stock in Benton county ever on August 29, 1872, our subject was born to since his settlement there. He fought in the them. The mother died in 1874. The father Indian war for two> years and was in many bat- was a blacksmith and mechanical engineer, and tles and many skirmishes, being on duty ac- our subject was brought up in Jacksonville, tively for the entire two. years. Our subject where the father labored. He was a gradu- attended the common schools until eighteen ate from the Jacksonville high school and in and then started out for himself. He went to HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES the Yakima country, thence to Prineville, work- In i860, our subject and his wife removed to ing with stock in the latter place, and in 1889 Cass county, Iowa. When the call came for he went with a band of horses overland men to defend the country, Mr. Stewart was to Colorado. It was in 1890 that he came to quick to respond and in 1862 he enlisted in the vicinity of his present place. He worked Company I, Twenty-third Volunteer Infantry for wages a while and then entered land and of Iowa. He was under Sherman and Grant took up stock raising. Here he has three hun- and fought through the entire war. He did dred and sixty acres, well improved, a good service at the siege of Vicksburg, fought at band of cattle, and also some horses. Champion Hill, and Jackson, and in many oth- On November 6, 1892, Mr. Vanderpool er battles. He went to New Orleans and up married Miss Arlu E., daughter of J. C. and the Rio Grande and fought in Texas and Nancy A. Garrett, of Okanogan county, Wash served throughout without a gun wound, but ington. To' this union there have been born had his leg broken at New Orleans. He was four children : Jessie C, Maggie C, Agnes mustered out at that city in May, 1865, having A., Delia L. Mr. Vanderpool is a member of seen much of the hard life of the soldier under the Native Sons of Oregon, at Burns. 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 SAMUEL B. STEWART.—The pio- spring of 1880, when he fitted out covered neer's life is one that demands a strong body, wagons and made the trip across the plains resourceful mind and courageous heart, and to Walla Walla. We see him next in Jack- we are pleased to state that the subject of this son county, Oregon, whence in 1883 he came sketch is happily possessed of all the requisites to near where he now resides and in 1887 he of a true pioneer and in the years that have settled on the present home place. He has two gone by he has demonstrated repeatedly his hundred acres in this farm and also* has an un- capabilities and faithfulness in this line, for in divided half interest with his son in a quar- Iowa, Kansas, and in Harney county, he has ter section on the north fork of Malheur river. wrought on the frontier and has done a lion's Mr. Stewart is one of the substantial men of share in the development of the country. At the community and expresses his desire to re- present Mr. Stewart is dwelling three miles main in his favored spot until his pilgrim ca- east from Drewsey, on Otis creek, and has a reer is done. fine farm and well watered with a ditch, and To Mr. and Mrs. Stewart there have been improved in a becoming manner. He handles born four children : Mrs. Seraphine Gittings, cattle and horses and raises hay, and is con- Charles C, Mrs. Lillie E. Gibler of Ontario; sidered one of the prominent men of his sec- Rolla F. tion. Mr. Stewart was born in Otsego county, New York, sixteen miles from Cooperstown SETH BOWER.—This well known busi- lake, on February 15, 1830, being the son of ness man and stockman is one of the success- Leeman and Susan Stewart. He grew up ful men of Harney county, having gained that with his parents and went with them to Kala- enviable distinction both in the stock business mazoo county, Michigan, where they both died, and in the mercantile line, both of which, with the mother passing away in 1863, and the fa- the assistance of his capable and genial wife, ther in his eighty-third year. The father had he is carrying on at the present time. been a prominent man in New York, having Mr. Bower was born in Trumbull county, held the judgeship of the county for. twelve Ohio, on September 10, 1840, being the son of years. Also he taught school for a number of Joel and Belsy (Kaler) Bower. He was edu- years and his son was well educated. In Mich- cated and grew to' manhood in his native place igan on December 25, 1854, our subject mar- and when the war clouds burst on this fair ried Miss Rebecca L. Forrester. Her parents land he was quick to respond, and enlisted in were natives of Pennsylvania and she was born the Fifteenth Ohio Heavy Artillery. He in Erie county, that state, on March 18, 1829. 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 been bestowed here with wisdom and vigor. end of the struggle and saw the last rag of de- James P. was born in Howard county, Mis- fiance pulled down and the last gun silenced. souri, on October 14, 1844, the son of John M. He was in hard service, participated in numer- and Catherine (Brown) Gearhart. His ous battles and skirmishes and was with Sher- mother died in 185 1, and the following year man on that memorable march to the sea. He the father came, with the balance of the fam- received his honorable discharge at the close of ily, across the plains with ox teams to Benton the war and on December 3, 1865, he married county. The trip was made in the company Miss Mary E., daughter of Elijah and Wealthy of a large train, and the end reached in safety. (Lamb) Weston. Mrs. Bower was born in In 1858 the family removed to Josephine coun- Geauga county, Ohio, on October 5, 1844. In ty, and in 1862 our subject came to the terri- 1868 Mr. Bower and his family removed to tory now embraced in Grant county. He Mason county, then to Peoria, and later to Lo~ landed at Canyon City in the time of the rush, gan county. In 1871 he went to Crawford and mined there until 1866, then journeyed to county, Kansas, thence to Butler county, Kan- Humboldt county, California, and engaged in sas, where they remained ona farm until 1881. the cattle business. We find him there until In that year they crossed the plains with teams 1873, when he came with a bunch of cattle to landing in the Grande Ronde valley, which the Goose lake country, in southern Oregon, was their home until 1884. Then another where he remained until 1882, then came to move was made and they settled south from the Malheur valley, near his present place. He Burns where they took a homestead. They assisted to build the first house erected west continued there in the stock business until 1897 of the agency in the Malheur valley, and in when Mr. Bower sold his ranch and removed 1883 he located at his present place, which is his family to Harney. He at once entered in twenty-two 1 miles west from Drewsey. He to the general merchandise business, and he now owns three hundred and twenty acres of has a good trade now. He carries a good as- land, all fenced and well improved. He has sortment of all kinds of general merchandise a comfortable home, good orchard and plenty and is known as one or the reliable men of the of water for irrigating purposes. He raises county. In addition, Mr. Bower owns a ranch cattle principally. and some stock to which he devotes consider- The marriage of Mr. Gearhart and Miss able of his personal attention, while Mrs. Bow Margaret A. Davis was solemnized in 1873, er attends to the store. In addition to the and they have become the parents of five chil- store, Mrs. Bower has charge of the stage of- dren—Mrs. Cora A. Capps, James W., John fice, and the telephone office. They own their F., Bessie and Jessie. Mr. Gearhart is a mem- store building, their residence and considrable ber of the I. O. O. F., Drewsey Lodge, other property in Haney, in addition to farm No. 147. land and cattle. + »» Tlo Mr. and Mrs. Bower there have been born two children : Herbert S. married Mag- FRED HAINES' success is a fine ex- gie Loggan, and he operates a blacksmith shop emplification of what the thrifty, sagacious in Harney; Alma L., who keeps books in the and industrious man can do in Harney county. store. Mr. and Mrs. Bower are reliable and He came here, to> use his own words, "with highly esteemed people of the county and they nothing," and now he is one of the heavy prop- enjoy the confidence of all, being worthy of the erty owners of the county, he is a leading busi- same. ness man of eastern Oregon, and he has gained a real prominence in the political field, and withal, he has maintained an untarnished repu- JAMES P. GEARHART.—The wealth tation, enjoys an enviable prestige, and is one and prosperity of Harney county are largely of the builders and prominent men of the due to the enterprising stockmen of its pre- county. cincts, and prominent among those on the north Fred Haines was born in Ripley county, Malheur is the gentleman whose name is at Indiana, on November 20, 1864, being the son the head of this article, and whose labors have 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- and capable business man, and a loyal friend, cation from the public schools. In 1885 Mr. and he justly deserves the position of trust and Haines came to Linn county, Oregon, and went the place of honor and prestige that is accord- to work for wages on a farm. In 1886 he ed to him bv his fellows. 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 I. N. HUGHET was born in Linn county, a general merchandise store, and so commenced Oregon, on February 15, 1857, being the son business. His genial and affable ways soon of Milton and Sarah E. (McMillan) Hughet. drew him customers, which his fair and upright The father came across the plains in an early dealing have always kept, and it was not long day and settled in Linn county. His father, until the people perceived that they could rely Robert R. Hughet, fought in the war of 18 12 on Mr. Haines, both as to his ability to select and took a donation claim in Linn county, goods and as to his honesty and integrity in where he lived until the time of his death in treating them right, and the result was that 1887. Milton Hughet died in Canyon City in the trade increased in a most thriving manner. 1862. The mother of I. N. came across the At the present time Mr. Haines has a fine plains with an ox train and is now living in store building thirty-six by seventy feet, filled Harney county. When this son was seven with a choice selection of all classes of goods years old he went with his mother to Humboldt needed in his trade, including groceries, gents' county, California, and there he received his furnishings and clothing, crockery, hardware, education. He milked cows and broke horses dry goods, harness, and in fact everything that to earn sufficient for his board and clothes is required in this section of the country. In while he was studying. And later he invested addition, he has all kinds of farm machinery his earning in calves, which gave him a fine and vehicles. He has a large stone fireproof start in the stock business. We wish to men- warehouse, twenty-four by sixty-five, packed tion one of the hard labors and trying under- full of choice stock. Mr. Haines has a branch takings that our subject did when he was but store in Burns, owns a saloon building in Har- a boy in California. It was carrying mail ney, a fine farm of two- hundred acres, five from Petrolia to the upper Mattole valley over miles east of Harney, a good band of cat- the mountains. Three times a week he made tle, besides other property. He has a the journey and many times it was necessary brother' in the general merchandise busi- to swim the streams. However, for three years- ness in the Narrows, who is also mak- he steadily did this labor and in 1884, he sold ing a good success. Mr. Haines is now his stock and came to Harney county. He serving his third term as mayor of Harney, first located on road land, but later gave this which is done to the general satisfaction of the up, as he was not sure of winning in the litiga- people. He is an active Republican, and is tion. In 1886 he went to Rockford, about frequently in the county conventioin, although ten miles southeast from The Narrows, and not striving for personal preferment, and on preempted one hundred and sixty acres, which three different occasions he has been delegate he sold in 1889. Then he removed to Warm to the state convention. He was appointed Springs, where he now lives and since that postmaster on April 15, 1897, and was the f time he has been occupied in raisin? stock, and postmaster appointed in Oregon under McKin- handling his large estate of about twelve hun- ley's administration. derd acres.

On September 7, 1890, Mr. Haines mar- About the time of the county seat fight, ried Miss Julia, daughter of Robert and Per- Mr. Hughet was the leader in securing the melia Ann Ferguson, early pioneers of Baker road from Rockford to intersect with the county, where Mrs. Haines was born. To this Burns-Silver creek road via The Narrows. happy union one child was born June 10. 1891. Mr. Hughet named the road. The enterprise named Ethel Lee. Mr. Haines is a worthy was opposed by Peter French and others, but man, a public-minded citizen, who has done through the skillful management of Mr. Hugh- much for the welfare of the county, a thorough 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 showing, and in 1901 he sold that property and excellent has an bunch of cattle, numbering bought his present home place. It is a quarter over one hundred and twenty. He has com- section of excellent hay land, well improved and modious and substantial barns, good house and produces fine returns annually. Mr. Will-

" all other improvements needed on his ranch iams has about one hundred head of cattle, and and is one of the leading citizens of the coun- devotes considerable attention to this depart- ty. Mr. Hughet has always been of a pub- ment, being one of the successful and substan- lic mind, has labored well for the advancement tial stockmen of this stock country. of the country, and the cause of progression In social life Mr. Williams is genial and and upbuilding always finds a champion in affable and always has a hearty welcome for him. While he was at Rockford, he was in all, while he has hosts of warm and loyal

partnership with his brother, who came from friends. is 1 He a member of the I. O . O. F., California with him, and this arrangement Lodge No. 147, of Drewsey. Mr. Williams continued until 1891. Some time since, Mr. has never seen fit to embark on the matrimonial Hughet unearthed the skeleton of a buffalo, sea and is one of the quiet participants in the which demonstrates that these noble creatures peaceful joys of the celibatarian's life. 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 AMBROSE M. DIBBLE, deceased.— this union there have been born the following Harney county lost a fine citizen and his fam- issue: Glen N., Esther, Mildred, Louis M., ily a devoted father and husband when the Albert, Lee, and an infant unnamed. Mr. subject of this memorial passed away. He Hughet is a member of the Native Sons of was a sturdy pioneer all the days of his life, Oregon, A. H. Rubie Camp', of Burns. He and did very much for the upbuilding of the

came to this county with limited means, but has various sections where he wrought, and he is gained a large holding by his wisdom, his in- deservedly ranked with the leading men of dustry, and his fine business ability. 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 SAMUEL N. WILLIAMS.—This pros- served seven years in the Revolution under perous and well known citizen of Harney coun- Captain Roberts, in Washington's army. In ty lives on a fine ranch about fourteen miles 1835 our subject went to Hillsdale county, west from Drewsey, where he does a general Michigan, and there assisted to- survey much of farming business and raises' stock. He is a that section. In 1849 he crossed the plains man of good principles, and has done a noble with the train known as the Fayette Rovers, part in the development of Harney county and which was accompanied for six weeks in the other portions in the west. most dangerous parts by Kit Carson as scout. Samuel N. was born in Henry county, At Salt Lake they experienced some trouble Illinois, on October 9, 1853, and at nine years with the Mormons, who stole their stock. Mr. of age his mother died, and the father passed Dibble visited most oi the important camps of away three years later. As an orphan he knew the state of California, and finally went to rais- the hardships of life, and was early thrown on ing stock. During the Indian troubles of his own resources. At the age of fifteen he 1852-53 he lost about twelve thousand dollars went to Iowa and there worked for wages until worth of stock. He fought the savages under 1874. Then he determined to try the west, the noted Captain Lawton, and experienced and accordingly came to Grant county, this some thrilling times in this service. Following state. In that county he did faithful labor for this Indian war Mr. Dibble went to' farming, a decade, and then came to' Harney county. and in 1854 returned via Panama to' Hillsdale He located near where he now lives, taking county, Michigan, where, on June 19, 1855, government land and devoting himself to* its he married Miss Clarrissa, daughter of Aaron improvement. He prospered and made a good and Martha Spencer, natives of the state of 44 690 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

New York. To this union there were born comfortable home, and is one of the prominent

four children—-N. Adelbert, born March 5, stockmen of his vicinity, handling cattle prin- 1856, and married to Rosetta Penick; Herbert cipally. A., born October 12, 1858, in Michigan; Car- The marriage of Mr. Davis and Miss rie A., deceased; Frank C, born February 19, Bertha E. Wintermeief was solemnized on July 1 87 1, in California, married to> Martha A. 16, 1893, and they have become the parents

Johnson. Mr. Spencer was the first white child of the following named children : William B.,

born in Canandaigua county, New York, and born February 5, 1894; Ethel B., born Sep- his daughter, Clarissa, was born there also, on tember 4, 1895; Charles W., born May 6, January 13, 1832. In 1835 Mr. Spencer re- 1898. On September 22, 1899, Mr. Davis moved his family to Hillsdale county, Michi- was called upon to' mourn the death of his wife. gan. In i860 Mr. Dibble and his wife crossed He started in this section with no money, and the plains with ox teams to Butte county, Cali- has labored along with care and enterprise, fornia, and there engaged in farming until and now he is in a very prosperous condition 1883, then came overland to Lewis county, and has the privilege of enjoying the recom- Washington, and in May, 1884, came to Sil- pense of his faithful toil, having been blessed ver creek, Harney county. They live here at with success in his business ventures. the present time, and are engaged in raising Mr. Davis has taken to himself a second stock, being prosperous, and the sons own land wife, and the date of this hapoy marriage was in addition to that of the mother. On Sep- June 8, 1902. The lady then becoming Mrs. tember 6, 1886, came the summons for Mr. Davis was Louisa May Landing, a native of Dibble to depart this realm, and, sincerely Oregon. 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- ROBERT J. WILLIAMS.—Three miles ducted her affairs with commendable wisdom, east from Riley postoffice, on Silver creek, we and is one of the highly respected residents of come to the estate of the subject of this sketch. the county. It consists of one thousand acres of fine hay and grazing land, fenced and skillfully hand- led, while its improvements are all that are JESSE C. DAVIS.—The enterprising and called for on a modern stock ranch, as Mr. genial gentleman whose life's career it is now Williams handles a goodly bunch of cattle. our pleasant privilege to outline is one of the He is the son of Frederick and Mary (Davis) substantial men of the Malheur river valley, Williams, and was born in Sevier county, Ar- and has wrought here with an energy and sa- kansas, on July 21, 1861. The father was a gacity that have rendered him one of the pros- soldier in the Confederate army, and was taken perous and well-to^-dO' stockmen of that section. prisoner, and as he was never heard of after Jesse C. Davis was born in Carroll county, that it is supposed that he died in prison. Missouri, on December 2, 1862, the son of In 1865 Robert J. was taken by his mother to Archibald and Elizabeth Davis. The father Madison county, Arkansas, and he remained was killed in an accident on the railroad while there until 1879, at which time he came to the son was a child. In 1874 the mother came Modoc county, California. He worked for with her children to Reno', Nevada, on the wages for a time and then went to raising train, and thence by wagon to Lake county, stock, continuing the same until 1882. At Oregon. In 1882 our subject came to Mal- this last date he came with a band of cattle to heur valley, near his present place, and soon Silver creek and located his present home after went to lower Willow creek, and there place. He has continued here in the stock engaged in the stock business for a time. He business since that time with good success, and .returned, however, to the Malheur valley, near he is numbered with the substantial and capa- his former settlement, and entered land, the ble and prosperous men in the county, being same beins: twenty-one miles west from Drew- also a popular man among his fellows, for in sey. He has a half section, well improved 1900 he was elected, on the Democratic ticket. and partly in meadow grasses. He has a 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- tom." Danger of all going to the bottom was cality, and he knows the hardships of the pi- imminent, but the ludicrousness of the scene oneer, and has clone excellent work in the de- and words combined was too much, and hearty velopment of the county and bringing- out its laughter greeted this ebullition of intercessory resources. zeal. In due time, however, Mrs. McClintock On January 2, 1884, in Modoc county, Cal- reached San Francisco, and went thence to ifornia, Mr. Williams married Miss Emma, Tumales bay, and then to Placer county, where daughter of J. C. and Nancy E. Garrett, now she opened a laundry for a time, and then rent- of Okanogan county, Washington, and to them ed a hotel. After her marriage with Mr. have been born six children—Ella, deceased Haskell they removed to Alta, and Mr. Haskell John Lester; Robert Frederick; James Lee; engaged to drive fast freight to Cisco, In

Harry Amos ; William Edgar. Mr. Williams 1867 Mrs. Haskell bought a hotel on the in- is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Burns stallment plan, and was successful in the ven- Lodge, No. 97, and is alsoi a member of the ture. Then she operated the Tule hotel in Pioneers of the Pacific, at Pendleton. Mr. Winnemucca, Nevada, and in 1869 she was in Williams is a man of ability and integrity, and the same business in Carlin, Nevada, also op- his fellows have confidence in him, since he has orating a restaurant. Then a move was made always so conducted himself that he is above to Long valley, California, and they went to reproach and has maintained an unsullied ranching. In March, 1882, Mr. Haskell had reputation and possesses a stanch character of his feet frozen, and it was necessary to cut off intrinsic worth. his toes, but as no surgeon was to be had Mrs. Haskell was forced to do it with the shears. 4 »» All on one foot and one on the other foot were sacrificed. This shows the stern realities of

THOMAS HASKELL, deceased.—In living on the frontier. On June 5, 1882, Mrs. outlining the career of this doughty and capa- Haskell, with her crippled husband, started ble frontiersman it is becoming also that es- overland with a team for Burns, whither pecial mention should be made of his worthy her children had preceded her. The first wife, who is still living, and is one of the day an axle was broken, and this heroic highly respected citizens of Burns. woman unloaded the wagon, took it back Thomas Haskell was born in Auburn, for repairs and then came on. One week Maine, in February, 1826, being the son of of the journey was spent without seeing Thomas and Ruth Haskell. He grew to man- a house. Having divided their rations with hood in his native place, and then came via some starving pilgrims met on the way, New York and Cape Horn to' San Francisco, it caused our subjects to run short, and in 1855. He went to Placer county and mined, the last of the journey was spent without food. and there, on February 7, 1863, he married Upon arriving in Burns, there being but a Mrs. Sarah (Broadhead) McClintock, widow house or two-, our subjects took a homestead of John McClintock, who died in Iowa in 1861. and went to work, their capital being three Mrs. McClintock was born on November 21, horses and ten dollars. Mrs. Haskell put up 1823, and by her first husband has four chil- a tent and cooked for the men who were build- dren—Thomas; Mrs. lone Whiting, near ing the first hotel in Burns, then she went to

Burns ; Mrs. May Dalton, deceased ; Frank, of Egan and cooked there. (Egan was a town Burns. After the death of her first husband now extinct.) Then Mrs. Haskell operated Mrs. McClintock started, with her youngest the hotel there. Mr. Haskell was engaged in child, via New York and Panama, to San raising stock, but soon a cancer developed in Francisco. On account oi the intoxication of his mouth and he had toi go to San Francisco the captain and crew the ship was nearly to be doctored, and there he died in! 1889. wrecked, and amid the commotion one fright- Since the death of her husband Mrs. ened Irish woman was heard in fervent prayer, Haskell has struggled on alone, and has man-

and amid other things she exclaimed : "Oh, aged her own affairs, and is now the happy Lord, if you will only put me on shore, I don't possessor of a good residence in Burns, a well care a d—n if the old ship does go to the bot- 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 being about seven hundred acres, six miles to run apace. She is seventy-nine years old, from town. In addition to these ranches, the and has good health and is highly respected by fine hotel and lots, they have a good seven- all, being a noble and true woman of sterling room residence and considerable other prop- worth and many virtues. erty. To this worthy couple there have been born

four children, named as follows : Adelord, Wilfrid, Eugenia and Dolaress. The boys are LOUIS RACINE.—This worthy gentle- graduates from the Portland Commercial Col- man and his estimable wife have the true spirit lege. The girls are now in the New England of the pioneer, and have manifested it in a very Conservatory of Music, at Boston. Miss Ra- becoming manner since coming to Harney cine has finished a classical course and is now county, as they have by dint of hard labor, devoting her whole attention to the art of .wise management and careful handling of the music, while Miss Dolaress is pursuing the resources of the country, come to< be among classical studies in connection with the musical the leaders in the business realm and in stock work. They both have displayed great talent raising, being also people of integrity, worth in their various studies and are accomplished and uprightness. and gracious ladies. Mr. Racine has his sons Mr. Racine was born in November, 1854, with him on the ranch, and they are much in- at St. Hiacinth City, Canada. He grew to terested in raising fine stock. When Mr. Ra- manhood there, went to Montreal, and there cine and his wife came here they determined married Miss Mathilde Giguere on June 24^ to start a French colony, and so paid the way 1877, she being a native of that city and born of a number of immigrants here, but they be- March 22, 1861. Mr. Racine was a baker, and came dissatisfied with the country and re- operated a store of general merchandise and turned without paying their transportation, ex- a bakery, Mrs. Racine managing the store while cept one who; staid and went to work and is now he baked. In 1882 they removed to Lowell, a well-to-do citizen. Mr. Racine and his es- Massachusetts, and started a grocery and bak- timable wife are talented business people, and ery, and in 1886 sold this and came to Burns. they are both handling the affairs under their They landed here with four small children and charge with commendable wisdom and skill, but little capital. Mr. Racine could speak and they stand high in the esteem of the people, English, but his wife knew the French only. having many friends wherever they are known. 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 GEORGE SHELLEY.—Honest industry, high price of meals offset it, and they made uprightness and integrity with capabilities have money. Soon they purchased a house and lot placed the subject of this article in an enviable on the installment plan, and from that time to position among his fellows, and it is with this they have been steadily adding to their pleasure that we are permitted to grant a re- property. They now have a fine hotel of view of his life's career. His parents, Jere- twenty-five sleeping apartments and other miah and Martha (Williams) Shelley, were rooms, while the care that is maintained for natives of Kentucky, and at Louisville, in that the comfort of the guests and to make the cui- state, they were married, and there, on Septem- sine the best that skill can do has given the ber 23, 1855, George was born. They went French hotel a very enviable reputation with to Daviess county, Missouri, and the father the traveling public. Mrs. Racine manages removed them later to> Texas, where he was in this while her husband attends to a large stock the stock business. He had previosly been a ranch which they own, about twenty-five miles soldier in the Mexican war. This son stayed from Burns. This ranch is supplied with all with his father in the stock business until the necessary improvements and supports a fine latter' death, and then he came toi Colorado band of cattle. Also they have a good ranch Springs, and here attended school. Later he of one hundred and sixty acres, the other ranch 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 Canyon City. The following year they came time, in 1875, he came overland to Boise, to Harney valley, but returned to Canyon where he engaged to ride after stock until City and operated a hotel there for a time, 1877. In that year he went with a band of and then came to Harney valley again. He cattle to Wyoming and accompanied the train located first on Poison creek and engaged to Chicago. In the spring of 1878 he was in in raising .stock. It was in 1896 that he the Leadville excitement, and in July of that bought his present place of four hundred year he enlisted under Captain Maxim to fight and eighty acres, four and a half miles east the Indians, and he did scout work over east- from Burns. The estate is well fenced, ern Oregon and in Idaho. He was in the bat- mostly cultivated, provided with good house tle of Monday Ferry, where one man was and outbuildings and a fine young orchard. killed. He fought until all was done, and Mr. Shaw also owns the one hundred and then went to the Grande Ronde valley and twenty on Poison creek, which is also well worked at his trade there until 1884. He improved. He does considerable gardening next opened a shop in Campi Harney, and in in addition to general farming and raising 1887 went to Crane creek, where he operated stock. a shop until 1895, when he came to Burns, The marriage of Mr. Shaw and Miss Maud, where he has been since. In 1897 Mr. Shelley daughter of David and Alice Martin, of De-

entered into partnership with J. C. Foley, and catur, Illinois, was salemnized on February 25, since that time they have worked together. 1900. Mr. Shaw's mother lived with him un-

In 1900 the people called Mr. Shelley to act as til the time of her death, which occurred on sheriff of Harney county, being elected on the January 18, 1901. She was a noble and good Democratic ticket. He rendered good service woman, and had wrought faithfully in life's for his entire term, satisfying the people and battle. Mr. Shaw is considered one of the

leaving a commendable record. On July 1, substantial and leading citizens of his section, 1902, he retired from 1 the office and again went and is esteemed and stands well among his to the forge, and is working there at the present fellows. time. Mr. Shelley is a member of the K. of P., Inland Lodge, No. 70. On October 23, 1886, Mr. Shelley married TOM ALLEN.—In the history of Harney Miss Hallie. daughter of David and Rebecca county the name of Tom Allen is inseparably Carey, of Crane, and to them have been born connected with the stock industries, while also two children—Frankie and Lenora. 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^ GEORGE W. SHAW.—A successful till- pie have entrusted him with the important of- er of the soil in Harney county, a man of sta- fice of sheriff, having been elected in the June bility and uprightness, while also he is a patri- election, in 1902, on the Republican ticket. otic citizen, the subject of this article is de- Mr. Allen was born in Benton county, Oregon, serving of conspicuous mention in his county's on May 9, 1854, being the son of Jacob and history, which we are ^ratified to accord to Cynthia A. Allen. The father was a native of him. Mr. Shaw was born in Oswego county. Indiana, and came across the plains in 1850 New York, on December 28, 1847, being the with the ox teams of that day, settling in Ben- 'son of Parley and Elizabeth Shaw. When he ton county. The mother was a native of Ken- was eight years old he went to Wapello coun- tucky, and in 185 1 came from Missouri across ty, Iowa, with his parents, thence to Kane the plains with ox teams, landing in Benton county, Illinois, and then to DeKalb county, county. In 1853 they were married, and our Illinois, and in 1863 they removed to Kankakee subject is their first child. In 1864 the family county. The father died in 1866, and in 1874 removed to Walla Walla, and two years later our subject came to Lincoln county, Kansas. returned to Benton count}-. Our subject was His mother accompanied him and they dwelt reared on a farm and received his education there until 1883, when they came west to 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 gan, then went to the Baptist University at ride for stock with Cecil Brothers. Four Hillsdale, afterward graduating from the law years were spent with them, and he then ac- department of the State University of Michi- cepted the foremanship for Hardin & Riley for gan at Ann Arbor. This was i860. He com- four years. Then he went to Crook county menced the practice of law in Sturgis, Michi- and engaged in raising horses for himself, gan, and was admitted to the supreme court which he retired from a few years- later and of the state and the United States courts. Upon took the foremanship for Hardin & Riley again the re-organization of the Eleventh Michigan for three years. Then he was cattle foreman Infantry he enlisted as private in Company A,

for the Pacific Live Stock Company ; then held in March, 1865, and was soon after appointed the same position for William Hanley, and sergeant major of the regiment. He wT as then for the French-Glen Company, where he afterward given the position of second lieu- continued until the first day of July, 1902, tenant of Company A, in this regiment. He when he took the oath of office as sheriff of went as far south as Tennessee, southern part, the county of Harney. Mr. Allen is well and was commander on detail duty at Chatta- known, and it is no experiment to place the re- nooga until the close of the war. Then he sponsibilities of this office in his hands. He returned home, and in 1866 he married and is at present master of Lodge No. 97, of the practiced until 1867, when he came via New A. F. & A. M. York, Panama, San Franciseo> and Crescent On December 23, 1888, Mr. Allen married City to Jacksonville. He practiced law and Miss Ada. daughter of Isaac and Mariah took up mining also-. In the outbreak of the Thornburg, and they have one child, Fred Modoc Indians in 1872 he organized a com- Bither, born July 26, 1898. Mr. Thornburg pany and was commissioned captain by Gov- died in 1894, but his widow lives with Mr. ernor L. F. Govern. He was in the thickest Allen. In his labors Mr. Allen has been faith- of the fight, with his men, and in the Lava bed ful, vigorous and capable; in his walk he has battle one of his men was killed beside him, been upright, and always manifests stanch in- and about fifty killed and wounded in this bat-

tegrity ; while as a man, a neighbor and an tle, being every fourth man of the entire com- associate he has the confidence, the approba- mand. The captain was shot at many times, tion and admiration of the people. but was not seriously hurt. He manifested It is of note that Mr. Allen's father fought great bravery, courage and coolness, and this in the Mexican war under General Scott, and may truly be said of him in all of his military participated in the battle of Buena Vista and career. After the struggle he returned to his also did some skirmishing. 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- CAPTAIN HARRISON KELLEY— ing to the practice of law, and in 1896 he One of the legal fraternity of the state of Ore- was elected to. the county clerkship on the Re- gon, the subject of this sketch, is now allied publican ticket, and it may be said that the with the interests of Burns, having been domi- Captain is a Republican through and through, ciled here for a number of years, in which time having voted for Abraham Lincoln and the he has won hosts of friends in all parts of the ticket straight since, and he hurrahed for Fre- county and has shown himself an upright and mont. He was the first mayor of Burns and faithful man, a patriotic citizen and a good has always been active in politics. While business man, being one of the foremost prac- practicing in Jacksonville he was editor of the titioners of the eastern part of the state. old Oregon Sentinel, one of the oldest papers Mr. Kelley was born in St. Joseph county, in the state. He built the first house on the Michigan, on November 2, 1838, being the son hill in Burns and dug the first well there, hav- of Harrison and Nancy (Edgar) Kelley, na- ing now a very fine place and a good farm six tives, respectively, of Virginia and Kentucky. miles south from town, which is mostly hay His great grandfather fought in the Revolu- land. Mr. Kelley gives considerable atten- tion. Our subject attended school in Michi- 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 H., of Burns. Mr. and Mrs. Culp have been child, Phoeba L., now in charge of the tele- married for forty years, and all of this time phone office in Burns. She graduated from they have been treading in the narrow way, the Commercial College in Portland and has being pilgrims of the Christian faith. They taught, having also been on the board for ex- are zealous in this cause, as is evidenced in the amining teachers for eight years. The Captain fact that they have opened their dwelling for has a good practice, is an upright and honorable the organization of the Christian church of man of ability and stands high in the com- Harney county, and for several years services munity. 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 WILLIAM H. CULP.—This well known the county, and he is esteemed by all as an up- and good man has been successful in at least right, capable and good man. 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 FRANK O. JACKSON.—This young- miles northeast from Burns, where he has a man is one of the substantial residents and citi- good body of land, well improved and handled zens of Burns, having displayed here the happy in a skillful manner. and worthy capabilities possessed by him, both William PL Culp was born in Pickaway in an untarnished life of uprightness and in a count)", Ohio, on June 15, 1837, his parents successful career in the business world, being being David and Catherine (Cach) Culp. of enviable standing and highly respected. While he was young his parents removed to Mr. Jackson was born in Sauk county, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, but soon re- Wisconsin, on March 14, 1876, being the son of turned to Ohio, and thence went to Clark coun- Stephen and Annie Jackson. The parents ty, Illinois. In 1855 they removed to Taze- came to Wheeler county, Nebraska, while their well county, Illinois, and then to Woodford son was a child, and in 1882 they came across county, Illinois. Our subject grew up on a the plains to Warm Springs, Malheur county. farm and gained his education from the schools The father was engaged in ranching and rais- of the various places: where he lived. On June ing stock, and our subject studied at home, 18, 1862, he married Miss Rebecca, daughter there being no schools near. In 1893 Mr. Jack- of John and Sarah A. Culp, then removed to son came to Burns and spent some time in the McLean county, Illinois. Mr. Culp had schools here and in the business college. He previously mastered the painter's art, and he worked for wages while not in school, and in wrought at this for a few years, and then re- 1896 he went into the wood business. He was moved to Linn county, Iowa, continuing his very successful from the start, also doing farm- trade there until 1887. In that year he came ing. He now owns his wood business, handles direct to Harney county, and for four years his farm;, owns three good residences in Burns wrought at his trade in Burns. He then deter- and forty good lots for residence purposes, mined to engage in stock raising and farm- while he devotes the major part of his time to ing, so took a homestead, later trying the busi- clerking in the establishment of Lundberg & ness on a rented farm, which is now his own. Dalton. Mr. Jackson is a member and past He has a fine herd of milk cows, his farm is grand of the I. O. O. F., Burns Lodge No. jj; provided with good buildings, and he is com- also of the K. of P., Lodge No. 70; and of the fortably and prosperously settled. In Iowa Encampment; and the Rebekahs. He is also Mr. Culp used frequently to act as justice of one of the councilmen of Burns. the peace, being elected often, and also did the On September 5, 1885, a stranger came to duties of road supervisor for the people. the home of our subject's father and asked to Toi Mr. Culp and his estimable wife there stay all night. He was granted the favor, have been born four children : Lloyd, near and about one o'clock the next morning he Burns; Mrs. Florence M. Schock, in San went to a haystack, where Frank O. and a of Harney county Frenchman were sleeping, and killed the Francisco ; Austin W., ; John 696 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

Frencman with an axe and set fire to the stack. brated on December 9, 1894. Mrs. Drake He then went to the house, shot Mr. Jackson came west with her parents in 1886. They in the head, killing him instantly, and also shot were Christopher and Susie Selle, natives of Mrs. Jackson, but she recovered. The fire Germany, but both dead now. Mr. Drake is was burning the clothes of our subject when one of the upright and capable stockmen of his he awoke. The supposed object of the murder vicinity, and has always made a record that has was money. This will be more fully detailed commended him to his fellows, in whose es- in another portion of this volume. Mrs. Jack- teem and confidence he stands high. 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, CYRUS HAYES, deceased.—The mem- being now one of the recognized business lead- bers of the noble band of pioneers who wended ers and in every way respected and esteemed. 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 RANSOM DRAKE.—This estimable gen- Harney countv the salient points in the life of tleman and patriotic citizen of Harney county one worthy man, Cyrus Hayes, that his mem- has long been one of the enterprising stockmen ory may be handed down to succeeding gener- and real developers of the country, manifest- ations, since he was a real builder in the great ing the worthy qualities of which he is richly west and a good man. possessed in the labors that he has accom- Cyrus Hayes was' born in Guernsey county, plished. He was born in Michigan on March Ohio, October 4, 1818, being the son of Bailey 24, 1859, the son of Francis and Julia (Wil- and Mary Hayes. He grew to manhood in son) Drake. From the native state they mi- his native place and then went to> Marion coun- grated to Green county, Wisconsin. There the ty, Iowa. There, on February 15, 1855, ne father enlisted in Company E, Thirtieth Wis- married Miss Julia A., daughter of W. S. and consin Infantry, the date being August, 1864, Catherine Duncan. Mr. Duncan was a native and he served on detached duty until the close of Robinson county, Tennessee, came to Illi- of the war, being mustered out the last of June, nois when it was a territory, acted as sheriff 1865. He returned to his Wisconsin home, of Franklin county for two terms, and also and in 1872 went thence to California, and the was a member of the legislature for one term year following the mother and our subject fol- while the territory of Illinois existed. Mrs. lowed. Settlement was made in Santa Bar- Duncan was born in Caldwell county, Ken- bara county, and our subject remained there tucky, and was married in Franklin county, and in Ventura county until 1877, at which Illinois, where Mrs. Hayes was born on April date he came to Prineville, this state, it then 12, 1832. They removed to Iowa, and later being in Wasco county. He worked for a were in Warren county, that state. In 1862 brother of Joaquin Miller for a time, and then Mr. Hayes with his wife and three children came to Harney county, the date of this last started across the plains with ox teams. move being 1879. He settled on the Malheur The train consisted of one hundred and fifty river, taking up land as soon as it was opened wagons and some trouble was experienced with for settlement, and turning bis attention to the Indians. Mrs. Hayes drove the oxen much raising horses. He was one of the first set- of the way, which necessitated walking, and tlers in this vicinity. He is living at the pres- she has done very much hard labor which falls ent time about six miles southeast from Van to the lot of the pioneer. They wintered in postoffice, on a rented farm, and he devotes his Auburn, Baker county, then went to Boise ba- entire attention to handling stock. His own sin and in the fall following, their arrival they ranch of one quarter section lies on the Silvies went to Lane county. Mr. Hayes entered river, and is a good place, well improved. land and engaged in farming until 1874, when The marriage of Mr. Drake and Miss the family came to Lake county. In this latter Bertha Selle, a native of Minnesota, was cele- 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, mouth of the Klamath, packing for the gov-

1887. Mr. Hayes died of heart disease while ernment. In 1 86 1 he came to Walla Walla on the desert with his son, Marcellus B. His and packed to British Columbia to the Car- remains were buried at Paisley until I90i,when iboo mines ; then in 1862 he went to The Dal- they were removed and now rest in the Silver les and packed to Canyon City, Elk City, Lew- Lake cemetery. The son, Scott, had come to iston and other points and mines. He was at Harney county and soon after the death of her the falls of Spokane river when there was not husband, the mother came hither also and en- a house in the vicinity. tered land where she now lives, three and one- On January 14, 1868, Mr. Dixon married half miles northwest from Lawen. She has Miss Mary E. Demeris, who crossed the plains a; half section of fine hay land and owns some with her parents from Iowa to Walla Walla cattle. To Mr. and Mrs. Hayes there were with oxen in T863. Mr. Dixon made his home T born five children: Mary C, wife of William' in W alla Walla until 1873, then went to Cali-

T. Hill, near Lawen ; George W., married to fornia and later came to Prineville, and finally Annie Alberson, at Burns; Scott, married to in 1863 he came to his present place and set- Mrs. Izora (Smith) Buck and they have one tled. He has a fine farm of one hundred and child, Ora Scott, and live near Lawen ; Mar- sixty acres, well improved, and lying one mile cellus B., married to Belle Claypool, near northeast from Burns. Also he owns two LaWen; Linley Bailey, married to Edith Clay- hundred and eighty acres twenty miles north pool, near Lawen. Mrs. Hayes has nobly from Burns. He has stock, cattle and horses, borne the burdens of life since her husband and is one of the substantial men and property was called hence and she is one of the highly owners of the county. esteemed residents of the county, and is be- To Mr. and Mrs. Dixon there have been loved by all. born two children, Mrs. Susan S. Whiting, and Mrs. Sarah E. Baker.

By way of reminiscence it is interesting to HARVEY DIXON.—Rightly Mr. Dixon note some of the adventurers of Mr. Dixon. belongs in the list of reliable and sturdy pio- On one occasion, he was prospecting" in British neers of the west, for he has been on the fron- Columbia and in company with his partner tier for fifty years, laboring in various capac- he made a raft and they attempted to go down ities as is needed in frontier life, and now be- the Finlev river. The raft was destroyed, ing one of the real builders and leading men their chattels lost, their camp equippage was of Harney county. He was born in Illinois all lost and they were obliged to ride one hun- on December 25, 1838, being the son of Raph- dred and fiftv miles bareheaded, with only ael Dixon. While an infant he was taken with their underclothes for protection against the the family to Andrew county, Missouri, where weather. Thev subsisted on Sands berries. the mother died soon after. In 1852 he came At the time o

Charles W. Jones was born in Jasper coun- tion of the eastern part of the state and was ty, Iowa, on January 28, 1858, being the son respected by all, and his friends were numbered of Isaac H. and Mary (Garrison) Jones. by legion. He was laid to rest in the Burns They crossed the plains in 1863 to the Willam- cemetery and all knew that a good man had ette valley, and afterwards lived in Jackson passed away. county. Mr. Jones was reared on a farm and Mrs. Miller, Mr. Jones' mother, is living was always marked by his force of character, with the widow. Mrs. Jones has continued vigor and excellent qualities. He was edu- the operations of the stock ranches of her hus- cated in the common schools, and in 1878 he band, handling them in connection with her came to- the Harney valley and engaged to ride partner. She has shown great fortitude, and after stock for Peter French. He volunteered has borne nobly the stroke that left her a wid-

to 1 fight the Indians soon after coming here, ow, and she is recognized as one of the leading and was in one brush in Diamond valley, when business women of the county and is held in one Chinaman was killed and one white man high esteem by all. wounded. After that he went to his labors again, and his worth soon became apparent. It was in 1881 that he was; engaged by Tod- hunter & Devine to have charge of their entire JOHN ROBINSO'N.—When the land herds. The}' were the largest stock owners where Burns now stands was unbroken sod in this country. Afterwards they were known Mr. Robinson camie here and, in company with as the L. F. Company. In 1879 he had been W. W. Johnson, erected a two-story house, appointed as superintendent of the entire hold- which was known as the Burns hotel. In ings of the L. F. Company in eastern Oregon, many lines, as well as this, Mr. Robinson has and in this capacity he continued until 1895. been a leader, and has been in pioneer work He was noted for his wisdom in handling almost all of his life and he is deserving of stock, for his vigor in accomplishing the hard especial mention in the volume that would tasks incident to stock raising on the range, chronicle his county's history. He was born and he was equally well known for his execu- in Placer county, California, on April 20, 1856, tive force and practical judgment in handling being the son of John and Bicldie (Waren) men and manipulating large interests. Dur- Robinson, natives, respectively, of North Cum- ing this long service he, in company with I. L. berland and Cornwall, England. They were Poujade, bought the Cow Creek ranch, a fine married at Mineral Point, Wisconsin. The property of eight hundred acres of valuable father had been a seaman in England, and land. He operated with his partner in hand- came to California during' the gold excitement ling much stock, and they were wealthy stock of 1849, an( l tne mother came west in 1853. owners. In addition to this fine property, Mr. While a child our subject was taken to Ne- Jones had several ranches in his own individual vada county, California, where he remained right throughout the county. The date of the with his father on the stock farm until thir- purchase of the Cow Creek ranch was 1885. teen, and then went out into the world for him- This property has a fine twelve-room house, a self. He rode the range and freighted in the good blacksmith shop, barns, co-rails and other coast range and saved money and then at- improvements necessary for a first-class stock tended the Healds business college in San ranch. Francisco for one year. Then he farmed in

On August 3, 1882, Mr. Jones married Colusa county, and later farmed and built Miss Jennie, daughter of George H. and Mary levees on the Sacramento river. It was in A. Baker. To this happy union there have 1880 that he came to Harney county and been born two children—Frankie C, wife of engaged in raising horses. Eighteen hun- J. C. Welcome, Jr., a druggist of Burns, and dred and eighty-two was the year that he they have one child, Charles W.. Hi;- the other erected the first building in Burns, and also he child of Mr. and Mrs. Jones being Thomas built for others. He conducted the Burns ho-

Allen. On October 29, 1896, came the sum- tel with a, bar until 1888, during which time mons for Mr. Jones to depart the scenes of this he built the first race track in the county and life. He was well known over the entire por- kept some fast horses. In 1883 he was ap- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 699

pointed as deputy sheriff under A. C. Dore, family removed to Winston county, Missis- having the southern part of Grant county, sippi ; when he was ten they returned toi Marion which embraces all of Harney. The territory county, Alabama, and soon after went to De- was large and sparsely settled, and he did much soto', Mississippi, and in 1846 came to Red riding over this vast territory. During the River county, Texas. Our subject was reared last of this service the county seat was at Har- on a farm and received his education from the ney, where he made his headquarters. He primitive schools in log cabins. In the fall of opened the first barber shop' there, and when 1847 ne enlisted in Company A, First Texas the county seat came to Burns he came hither Violunteers, under Captain Henry E. McCull- and opened the barber shop, which he has con- ough, and in General Wool's brigade. He was tinuously operated since. He owns the Robin- on the frontier all the time, was in several bat- son building, which is rented, a good residence tles and skirmishes and was wounded in the of seven rooms;, being the first building on the leg. in the back and in the finger. In the hill, his shop, and various other property. Mr. spring of 1848, at a skirmish near Eagle Pass, Robinson is a member of the A. O. U. W. he received a bullet in his left side, just above On February 15, 1886, occurred the mar- the heart, that lodged in his back and is there riage of Mr. Robinson and Miss Olive, daugh- yet. For twelve months he languished in bed, ter of Henry McDonald and Mary E. (Beck- being honorably discharged, and then recov- with) Bland. Mr. and Mrs. Bland were pio^- ered, but the effect of that bullet is still felt by neers from the east in the early fifties, settling Mr. Hudspeath. After the war he teamed for in Douglas county, where Mrs. Robinson was the government," when the soldiers were sta- born on December 22, 1866. The father died tioned on the border. He had his headquar- in 1874. and the mother still lives in Grant's ters at El Paso and served until 1852. Then Pass. To Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have been he went to Independence, Missouri, and car- City, born five children, named as follows : John ried the mail from that point to Salt Lake Wesley, born November 20, 1887; Jennie Lee, handling- six horses and a passenger coach. born April 13, 1889, being the first white child One year was spent at this work and he had born in Harney county after its organization many a brush with the redskins. On November as a separate county; George B., born June 15, 5, 1855, Mr. Hudspeath married Miss Julia A. 1896, and died March 5, 1897; George Dew- Brady, a native of Ireland, the wedding oc- ey, born April 13, 1898; William. Nicholas, curring in Independence, Missouri. Our sub- born September 25, 1900. Mr. Robinson has ject continued at that place until the fall of always been in the lead in the line of advance- 1862, when he enlisted in the state militia un- ment for the countv or for the town, and he der Captain W. W. Sage and was attached to has done much to assist in progress and build- the Second Colorado, under the command of ing up. He is one of the prominent men of Colonel Ford. He was skirmishing against the county, well known and universally liked, Price and fought all the way through Missouri and he is an enterprising, public-minded citi- and Kansas ; and in skirmishes with bush- zen. whackers, battles and scouting duty, he was constantly in the harness and in hardships more than can be mentioned until the close of the GREEN HUDSPEATH.—Few men have war. Then he went home, and in 1869 he came seen more of the real life both of hardship on to Miami countv, Kansas, and engaged in the frontier and arduous service in the military fanning there until 1880. He made many of the United States than the worthy subject of trips on the plains to hunt buffalo and many a this article. Surely such a veteran is emi- fine specimen of that noble beast fell before his nently deserving O'f especial mention in this rifle. It was in the spring oi 1880 that he volume, and with pleasure we attempt to chron- came with his family across the plains to Baker icle the salient points of his stirring career. City, and in 1885 came thence to Harney val- Green Hudspeath was born in Pickens ley. He entered land about five miles south county, Alabama, on March 20, 1827, being the from Burns and went to improving it and rais- son of Strickland and Arroda Hudspeath, na- ing stock. He has done well at this work and tives also of Alabama, While a child the is now retired from the farm and living in 700 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

Burns, where he owns a good five-room resi- government horses and accompanied the sol- dence and a block of lots. He removed to diers in' the expeditions. He witnessed some Burns in July, 1901. To Mr. Hudspeath and fighting, especially at Castle Rock. Follow- his faithful wife there have been born eight ing the war he was engaged as post blacksmith

children, named as follows : 'John, in San at Camp Harney until that was abandoned in Francisco; Robert N., in this county; Thomas 1882, and then he remained with the buildings H., of Baker City; Julia A., wife of Oscar until 1883. It was in this year that, in com- Hindman, of Baker county; William G. pany with John Robinson, Mr. Johnson built ; Jo-

seph, deceased ; Sarah A., wife of James Mc- the first house in Burns. It was located where Divett, of Decora, Idaho; Susan E., deceased. the Burns hotel now stands, and was a hotel Mr. Hudspeath came to Harney with but little and bar room. Since that date Mr. Johnson property of this world's goods and now has a has been identified with the town of Burns and band of cattle, his farm, his residence in Burns, the county of Harney. He is now operating and is prosperous. 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. WILLIAM W. JOHNSON.—Hirarn A. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson there have been Johnson was born in 1819, and his wife, Eliza- born seven children—Mrs. Ada M. Mothers-

beth J., was born in the same year. In the head, near Seattle, Washington; Charles W., spring of 1847 tneY started from Illinois across Lloyd L., Eldon E, and Mrs. Hester E. Good- the plains, and near the site of Fort Hall oc- man, all of this county; Lulu J. and Leon M., curred the birth of their son, the subject of this at home. Mr. Johnson has a good residence sketch. This birth was in the covered wagon, in Burns, and he is respected and stands well in and oh May 20, 1847. They came on to the community, being a man of energy, ability Marion county, Oregon, and the father selected and uprightness. a donation claim near Jefferson. That was the scene of William's childhood, and there he was educated and at the age of eighteen appren- ticed to Benjamin VanBuren to learn the THOMAS BAKER.—We are pleased to blacksmith trade. Mrs. Johnson died in 1897, append the following review of the salient and her husband passed away in 1896. They points of the career of this esteemed and ex-

had removed from1 the farm to Salem in 1872, cellent young citizen of Harney county, both and lived in that city at the time of their death. because of his intrinsic qualities of worth and At Jefferson, on February 25, 1869, "Will- because of the good achievements he has ac- iam W. married Miss Caroline, daughter of complished in this county, having been beset David and Hester Harris. Mr. Harris died with adverse circumstances, yet manifesting a at Sweet Home, Oregon, in 1897, and his purpose and fortitude that have enabled him to widow is living in Burns now. Our subject conquer all to the forwarding of his own brill- worked at his trade in Jefferson until 1873, tnen iant success. came with a band of his own cattle to the vi- Thomas Baker was born in Lane county, cinity of Mitchell, Wheeler county. He Oregon, on October 22, 1868, being the son of named the town for ex-Senator Mitchell. Mr. early pioneers, George and Mary (Watson) Johnson operated a blacksmith shop and han- Baker. The mother died in Lane county, leav- dled his cattle until 1875, then sold out and re- ing five children. The father, a contractor, turned to; Marion county. He next accepted removed in the fall of 1878 to Harney valley, a position as agency blacksmith on the Malheur and there, in January, 1879, ne was called reservation, remaining until 1878. This year away by death, being one of the first ones marked the outbreak, of the Bannocks and buried in Burns cemetery. The little group of Piutes, and Mr. Johnson took his family to orphans were cared for by the kind neighbors,

Canyon City, but upon his return to> the agency there being' no property left to them, and at the all had fled. He returned to Canyon City and age of thirteen our subject commenced to' work

accepted a position as blacksmith to' shoe the 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 grants were killed and some stock lost. He sufficient to purchase a place, and a part of his engaged in farming and in 1864 came thence present home place was then bought, and he to Silver City, Idaho, and there followed team- added since that time until he has now four ing, contracting, and mining. He handled and hundred and eighty acres of fine grain and hay raised stock and was very successful in his la- land, six miles east from Burns. He has a bors. He took part in all the Indian fights that good house, barn and outbuildings, and a fine occurred in the various sections where he lived young orchard, and his estate shows great and it is truthfully said of him that he was a skill, industry and thrift. Mr. Baker, from the man who- never knew fear. At one time he first opportunity, went to' acquiring a bunch of was one of thirty-six white men pitted against stock, and he has been successful in that line two thousand Indians, and when they were re- also, and he is the owner of much of that valu- inforced, they had but two> rounds of ammuni- able property now. His place is admirably tion left. He pioneered in Owyhee county, situated, having plenty of water for irrigating Idaho, and then in 1872 took his stock to Har- and alsoi springs in abundance for stock ana ney county, then Grant county. He entered a domestic purposes. valley that was named Catlow valley to this On December 15, 1892, Mr. Baker took a day from him and there he established himself wife, Miss Ettie, daughter of Harvey and ini the stock business. He owned large tracts Sarah Dixon, of the vicinity of Burns. Three of land, always was interested in the affairs of children have been born to them—Mary Ida, the county and labored to assist the early set- Alvin Douglas and Mabel. There is much cred- tlers. it due Mr. Baker for the excellent success that The marriage of Mr. Catlow and Miss Mar- his sagacity and labors have wrought out, and garet Finn, who came around Cape Horn from he is one of the most substantial men of the Boston to San Francisco', occurred in Silver county, being recognized by all as an upright, City, and they became the parents of three capable and good citizen, and a fine man of children : Edwin J., Joseph J., and Mrs. Sar- ability. 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 JOHN CATLOW, deceased.—Who shall world beyond. By his request hisi remains ever tell the hardships endured, the labors were buried on the home place, which is in wrought, the dangers encountered, the thrill- Pueblo valley, where the widow now resides. ing struggles with savages, the vigils of weary Mr. Catlow was a Mason for many years and nights and the wearing watchfulness of the his labors in this and adjacent counties have pioneer's life in its fullness? In recounting dona much for the development and advance- some of the salient points of the career of the ment of them. Being always a public spirited esteemed gentleman of whom we now have the and generous man and ready to assist his fel- pleasure to speak, and to whom we accord this lows, he left a pleasant memory behind and memorial, we tread the sacred ground of the many over a large region mourned sincerely worthy pioneers in the fullest sense of the when the good man passed away. 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 HIRAM M. HILL.—Much of the life of sixteen his adventurous spirit broke the bounds the subject of this sketch has been passed in of the civilized east and overleaped the barriers the west, and most of this in the state of Ore- and plunged into the scenes of the west. He gon, where he has labored faithfully in the landed in New York, went thence to> Boston, various callings that came to his hand, and he labored until he had sufficient means to start is an upright man of sound principles, and is west and in 1861 we find him threading the respected by all. He was born in Whiteside dreary plains with an ox train to< Modoc coun- county, Illinois, in January, 1855, being the ty, California. Several skirmishes were son of Zachariah and Lyda Ann (Boyer) Hill. fought with the Indians, some of the immi- 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 and sixty acres and devotes his attention to father. In 1864 the family came across the raising stock and general farming. plains to Lane county, Oregon. They used In Lane county, Oregon, on October 13, mule teams in the journey and had some 1872, Mr. Hill married Miss Mary C, a trouble with the Indians. In one battle one of daughter of Cyrus and Julia Hayes, and a na- their number was wounded. The spring fol- tive of Warren county, Iowa. To this happy lowing their arrival they went to Yuba coun- union there have been born six children ty, California, and in 1866 came back to Lane George T., Harriett L., Emory, Ora W., Effie county, which continued to be the home until A. and Julia A. 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 JOSEPH A. WILLIAMS.—A man of North Carolina and the mother was born in activity in the labors of the pioneer, the sub- Pennsylvania, on June 9, 1832. The stepfather ject of this article is one of whom Harney coun- died at Prineville in 1887. The father was an ty may well be proud, on account of the faith- early settler in Illinois and in the time of the ful labors that he has bestowed here for the gold excitement in California he went thither general development and advancement, while and returned in 1852, when he got married. he has prosecuted his own business enterprises The children by this marriage were: Cerilda; with a vigor and sagacity that have given him W. T., near Lawen; Mrs. Mary Maxwell, of the emoluments of good success. He is a na- Eugene; Hiram M., our subject. By the sec- tive of Oregon, having been born in Lane

ond marriage four children were born : Mrs. county, on January 13, 1861, the son of Elias Elzora Brown, of Linn county; Eliza, de- P. and Almira (Russell) Williams. The par-

ceased ; Charles E. ; and Albert, of Prineville. ents crossed the plains with ox teams from the Our subject has labored at raising stock and state of Ohio, in 1853, settling on the old home farming much of the time in this section of place in Lane county. The mother died soon the west and is a man of much experience in after our subject was born, but the father is these lines. He carries a three-thousand-dollar still living on the old homestead which he set- policy in the Woodmen of the World, Camp tled upon over forty years ago. Joseph A. No. 215, of Dufur, Oregon. Mr. Hiram M. received his education in the schools of his vi- Hill married Miss Martha Connery, and to cinity and remained with his father on the farm them was born one child, Mrs. Minnie E. until 1882, when he came to the western part Richardson. Mrs. Hill was called hence by of Harney county, then Grant county. He death and her remains lie buried at Silver Lake worked for a salary for a time, and then went cemetery. Mr. Hill contracted a second mar- to raising horses, later changing to cattle, which riage, the nuptials taking place in Illinois, at stock he still handles. He entered land and which time Sarah Endsley became his wife. improved it, puchasing some also. He re- One child was born to them, Phlorie, now de- mained there until 1900, when he purchased ceased. his present place of four hundred and eighty

It is fitting here to note some of the de- acres, sixteen miles west from Drewsey. The tails of the life of the brother of the sub- year following he sold his estate in the western ject of this article. William T. Hill was part oi the county and now devotes' his whole born in Whiteside county, Illinois, and in attention to handling his stock and caring for 1864 he crossed the plains with his par- the present home place. The farm is well ents to> Lane county, Oregon. In 1865 improved, with house and other outbuildings they went to California and returned to* Ore- and orchard, and is well watered with four gon in 1866. In 1874 a move was made to ditches, both from creeks and the Malheur Lake county and there he engaged in raising river.

stock and farming-, i In 1880 he moved to The marriage of Mr. Williams and Miss Harney county and in 1900 he located where Ruth A., daughter of Samson McConnel, a he is now living, seven miles southeast from pioneer of Lane county in 1852, was solemn- Harney. He has a fine farm of four hundred 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 that is handled in the trade, the firm has one M. Mr. Williams is a member of the M. W. of the finest tin and repair shops in the entire A. and of the I. O. O. F., of Drewsey, and community. Mr. Voegtly has also valuable while he was in the western part of the county town property in addition to his holdings men- he was justice of the peace for six years. He tioned. has always manifested great zeal and interest The marriage of Mr. Voegtly and Miss in the advancement of educational interests and Mary A. Tupker was solemnized on Decem- labors unceasingly in this worthy cause. 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- CHARLES H. VOEGTLY.—The sub- ruary 27, 1900. Mrs. Voegtly died on March ject of this sketch is a first class representative 1, 1900, and on March 21, 1901, Mr. Vogtly of what skill, pluck, and enterprise can do in married Miss Luella, daughter of M. F. Will- the business world, for in October, 1891. he iams, and one son, Charles Raymond, was born started into the hardware business in Burns to them, January 11, 1902. Fraternally, Mr. with a very limited stock of goods, in a small Voegtly is affiliated with A. F. & A. M. Lodge wooden building, and by careful attention to No. 97, of Burns, also' with the Royal Arch business, deferential treatment of customers, chapter, Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 7, of Can- wise buying, and untiring care of every detail, yon City. He is a charter member of the he has grown toi be one of the largest dealers in Eastern Star, and his wife also' belongs to that the county, has a stock of all kinds of goods order. Mr. Voegtly is one of the substantial that are handled in the hardware trade, and a and leading men of the county and has gained fine two-story brick building, twenty-six by the enviable position that he owns by reason of ninety, and also some warehouses which he his real worth and the excellence of his achieve- utilizes in his very extensive trade. The new ments. 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- WILLIAM H. GEARHART.—This ner in this business, Charles E. Kenyon, and sturdy and intrepid pioneer, whose labors have they operate under the firm name of Voegtly been instrumental in bringing about the de- & Kenyon, being the leading hardware dealers velopment of the country where he now lives in the county. Mr. Voegtly still owns the as well as various other portions of Oregon, is building personally, which he rents to the firm. worthy of representation in any volume that

Reverting more particularly to 1 the personal has to doi with the history of central and east- history of our subject, we note that he was ern Oregon. William H. was born in How- born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, on January ard county, Missouri, on February 12, 1847, 8, 1861, being the son of Nicholas H. and the son of John W. and Catherine (Brown) Mary S. Voegtly, natives also of the Keystone Gearhart. The mother died soon! after his State. Our subject was reared there, learned birth and the father started across the plains the machinist trade, and gained his education with the balance of his family in 1852, making from the public schools and the Western Uni- the way to Benton county with ox teams, versity of Pittsburg. On April 13, 1886, he whence soon after they went to' Josephine was stirred to see the west and accordingly, county, where they remained until 1861. The came to^ San Francisco, thence to Portland, fathe'r followed farming and raising stock, Oregon, and soon he was in The Dalles. Sep- but at the date last mentioned sold out and tember of the same year found him in Burns went to' California, there taking up the same and engaged in the stock business. He now business. In 1872 he came back to Oregon, has an interest in two> hundred and forty acres this time to Klamath county, and soon after of good hay land and also a bunch of stock. our subject and his brother, James P., en- And we desire to mention that in addition to gaged in partnership in the stock business and he complete stock of hardware, paints, oils, then came on to the Malheur river, near where stoves, doors, windows, sash, tinware and all 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 In 1883 he came thence to California, Nevada built the first house erected west from the agen- county, and entered into the stock business. In cy, making it of juniper logs. Mr. Gearhart the fall of the same year he brought a bunch of now owns four hundred and eighty acres of cattle to Harnev county, bought land, and lo- land in one body fenced and half cultivated to cated. He now has four hundred acres of meadow and grain. He handles cattle princi- good land, well watered and improved with pally. His place has been comfortably fitted house, barn, and all necessary conveniences for as a home with good improvements. handling stock and farming. For a time, Mr. The marriage of Mr. Gearhart and Miss Foley retired from his trace and was foreman Agnes Durkee was celebrated on May 6, 1883, for the Pacific Live Stock Company, and made and they were the parents of two children, some of 1 the principal improvements on their Hannah M., deceased, and William L., de- ranches in various parts of the state. He trav- ceased. Mr. Gearhart married a second time, elled all over the state for eight years in the Mrs. Eliza E. (Davis) Metcalf, becoming his service of this company, also handling stock wife on October 29, 1894. Mrs. Gearhart is for himself. Mr. Foley has been on the fron- a native of Carroll county, Missouri, and em- tier all of his life and is well acquainted with igrated to Oregon in 1874. She had by her its rigorous service and hardships and dan-

former husband the following children : George gers and he has wrought with a firm hand, and W., deceased; John A., deceased; Mrs. Mary wisdom, and has made a brilliant success of

E. Holebos ; Mrs. Dora E Cranmer ; Emma his labors as is evident by his fine holdings. In wife of William Newell S. E. the political realm, our subject is always active, J., O. ; James Ida M. Mr. Gearhart is a member of the being a firm Democrat. His name appeared I. O. O. F., Drewsey Lodge No. 147. He is on that ticket for county judge in 1902, but a prominent man of his section and has always although he made a stirring race he was manifested great sagacity and enterprise in his beaten.

endeavors. , 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 JOHN C. FOLEY.—This well-known and and on April 11, of that year, they were mar- enterprising gentleman is one of Harney coun- ried. Two children have been born to them ty's leading citizens and is a potent factor in Charles B., and Agnes J. Mr. Foley and his the development of the country, having wife are devout members of the Catholic wrought here in two distinct lines, being the church and he is one of the substantial and substantial stockman and agriculturist and also highly esteemed men of the county. In his at the present time handling in partnership shop he does a good business, being a fine with ex-Sheriff George Shelly, one of the lead- workman and his affability and skill have ing blacksmith shops of the county. John C. brought him patronage from all directions. was born in Marquette county, Wisconsin, on He has a fine residence in Burns in addition to January 8, 1858, to James and Mary (McNul- the other property mentioned. 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 HON. ALBERT! W. GOWAN is a man and new and the nearest railroad was at Chi- well known over the entire state of Oregon cago. The father followed farming and re- and has made a record with which the people mained on the old homestead, where he is liv- are familiar and nothing that we could say ing to-day. The mother died there in 1894. would add to this or to the success that he Our subject grew up on the farm, received his has achieved, which are justly his own by education from the district schools, and served reason of his worth and excellent achievements. his apprenticeship in the blacksmith shop. In Mr. Gowan was born in Allegheny coun- 1879 he went to Alexandria, Dakota, and there ty, New York, on May 1 6, 1 846, being the son opened the first shop of the place. Two years of Nathaniel and Rhoda (Putnam) Gowan. later he sold out and returned to Wisconsin. 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 joint state senator for Morrow, Grant, and with George Washington at the crossing of Harney counties. In 1898 he was defeated the Delaware. The mother of our subject was for the same position by a small majority. Dur- a descendant of General Israel Putnam, famous ing this time Mr. Gowan had been in partner- as an Indian nVhter and revolutionary soldier. ship with A. W. Waters, ex-United States While a child, Albert W. went to Crawford marshal for Oregon. In 1900 this relation county, Pennsylvania, was educated there and was dissolved and Judge N. A. Cornish was in the fall of 1863 enlisted for three years in partner of Mr. Gowan under the firm Light Battery M, First United States Artillery, name of Gowan & Cornish. April 30, and took part in all the manoeuvers of the 1902, this partnership was dissolved and armies of the James and Potomac, under Ben- Mr. Gowan is now enjoying a large and jamin F. Butler, except when he was absent lucrative practice alone. While in the leg- with his command quelling the election riots islature Mr. Gowan served as chairman of the in New York City in 1864. He fought in committee on railwavs and transportation, also Petersburg and Richmond and all the way on the committee on public lands and intro- along until the surrender at Appomattox duced the farmers artesian well bill, which court house. In June, 1865, he was sent to passed both houses without opposition, but was Texas under General Steele, and served seven vetoed by the governor. While senator, he months on the Rio Grande; and also he was was on the committee on military affairs, that with his command to' quell the Fenian raids at of railroads, and that of the judiciary, and in Buffalo, Ogdensburg, New York, and so forth. 1897 was also chairman of the latter commit- Upon the expiration of his term of enlistment tee, besides serving on other important com- he was honorably discharged and returned at mittees. Mr. Gowan was admitted to' the bar once to Cambridge, Pennsylvania, and estab1 of the supreme court of his state in 1888, and lished himself in the grocery business, and on to the United States district and circuit courts,

July 14, 1868, was married to Miss Delnora J. in 1 90 1. He has valuable property in Burns, Pitcher, whose parents were earlv pioneers of and is a man of enviable standing. The fol- Wisconsin. In 1871 a move was made to lowing children have been born to him and his.

Osborne county, Kansas, and Mr. Gowan took estimable wife : Mrs. Cora Shafer, of Hoxie, up farming until 1882 when he came across the Kansas; Winfield A., of Burns; Mrs, Lotta.

plains with a large train, being captain and Harpers, of the Narrows ; Mrs. Nora Kester-

going direct to Union county. He settled in son, of Burns ; Mable E, ; Frank, clerk in the Wallowa valley and the following year Burns; Genet. Mr. Gowan was a member of went to Joseph, where he took up in earnest the the Oregon National Guards being first lieuten- study of law, having also been studying it be- ant of Company I, Third Regiment, and re- fore. He was connected with C. H. Finn, now signed in 1890. Then he was captain Of Troop of Lagrande, Oregon, and later formed a part- A, Burns, serving until June, 1898. He is a enrship with W. G. Piper, who had formerly past master Mason of Joseph Lodge, No. 81, been chancery judge in Indiana and district at- and also affiliates with Lodge 97, of Burns, torney of the third judicial district of Oregon. having served both lodges in prominent capac- This partnershio was dissolved in 1888 and ities. He is active in G. A. R. circles and two years later, our subject left Joseph and was judge advocate for Oregon in 1895. Judge came to Burns. He was in 1890 appointed Gowan is prominent and well liked and main- special agent for the abstractor of census and tains a high sense of honor, being of untarn- travelled over the entire state and later received nished reputation and established character the appointment as clerk in the United States Tightness and integrity, while his ability is rec- land office at Burns, which he held until 1892. ognized by all. 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 JAMES SMITH.—Among those who chosen representative for Grant and Harney came to this country in an early day, we place counties to the legislature. He "was elected on the name of James Smith, and feel assured the Republican ticket and in 1894 was chosen that he has worthily performed the labors of 45 706 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

the pioneer and is deserving of the esteem and JAMES W. SHOWN.—There are no respect which is generously accorded him and words of introduction that we could utter that also a place among the real builders of Harney would make the subject of this sketch better county, and his labors have always been for known to the people of Harney county than development and progress, while personally he is the case already. He is not only well known, is a gentleman of unswerving integrity and in- but he is very favorably known and highly re- trinsic worth. spected by all, having always been stanch and Mr. Smith was born in Hampton, Geauga upright in the walks of life, has maintained county, Ohio-, on August 13, 1857, being the a reputation untarnished, has arrayed himself son of Robert and Elizabeth (Yearger) Smith. on the side of morality and good government, The father was a native of Ohio, and the moth- and his example has been most favorable. er of Pennsylvania. The father gave his ser- James W. was born in Johnson county, Ten- vices at the beginning of the Civil war and nessee, on March 26, 1851, being the son of -fought through to the end. He was in the bat- Peter L. and Mary Shown. He was reared tle of Gettysburg and in many other battles and on a farm and gained a good education and as also many skirmishes. He was wounded in the well was thoroughly trained in the school of knee and was a cripple on account of it until hardship, as he was in the path of the awful the day of his death, which occurred in 1894. Civil war that swept with besom the fair During the war the mother and the children country for many miles in the south. His fa- went to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and thence ther lost all of his property and was terribly to Williamsburg. While our subject was abused in the war and soon thereafter died growing up, he was educated in the common from the exposures and hardships sustained. schools and learned the shoemaker trade from The mother died when James was a small his father. In 1876 he left home and went to child. He continued to reside in Tennessee Clay county, Missouri, thence to New Orleans until 1884, then left the scenes of childhood the next vear, then went to New Mexico;, Ari- for the regions of the west. He landed at zona, Colorado, and the Black Hills, and final- Mitchell, then in Grant county, Oregon, and ly on to the John Day country. He arrived here thence in June, 1886, he came to- Harney. He at the time of the Indian trouble in 1878, and worked for wages for a time and then took the same year, he went to Cheyenne, Wyoming, a pre-emption in August, 1886, near Harney. through Camas prairie, with a band of cattle to When the town of Harney was platted he se- ship to Chicago. He returned to Baker City cured some lots and put up a house, barn, on horseback and in the spring of 1879, he and made other improvements. He now owns went to the mines of Granite and then to The eighty acres adjoining the lots and also* the Dalles. In the spring of 1881 we find Mr. pre-emption and a good ranch on the island. Smith driving a band of cattle to Eagle creek," The eighty is farmed to grain and the other Idaho, and two years later he came again to the ranches are used to raise hay. John Day country. It was 1884 that he came to Mr. Shown has always taken an active part Burns and entered land and engaged in the in politics and also- in the welfare of Harney. stock business. The hard winter of 1889 and He has served as councilman and mayor and 1890 caused him to turn to farming, but in he has also been active in the educational af- 1895 he shipped three car loads of his horses fairs of the town. He taught the first school to Georgia. After selling the horses he went and he has constantly befriended the cause of to Pennsylvania and visited with his mother education. Mr. Shown is a past grand in the for one year. He then returned to Burns and I. O. O. F., Pandora Lodge, No. 74, of Pan- after a time turned his attention to* his trade. dora, Tennessee. In 1899 he had the joy of He now owns and runs a shop for the manu- making a trip to the home place and visited facture of foot wear and the general repair of there for six months. He has one sister, Mary the same and is now favored with a good trade. L. Goodwin, in Tennessee, and three brothers, Mr. Smith has never embarked on the matri- Landen, Caleb and Peter, all three in Ten- monial sea, always preferring the quieter joys nessee. Mr. Shown has never ventured on of single life. He is esteemed by all and the matrimonial sea, and he is now one of maintains a good standing in the community. 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 emnized on July 20, 1898, and they have two it may be that the charm of this life may be children, Eunice M. and Dolores M. Mr. broken by the invasion of some southern Catlow is a prominent citizen of his section, belle. has a fine ranch and a large bunch of cattle By way of reminiscence it is veil to note and is one of the substantial men of the coun- that during the troublesome times of the Civil ty, well known and highly esteemed. 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. JUDGE HENRY C. LEVENS.—Emi- saw James and quickly recognized the danger nent among his fellows as a man of ability and and began a parley with the captain, whom he intrinsic worth of character and integrity, a cajoled into tapping the bell to learn the sound worthy successor to the office of county judge, and the result was a timely warning. Another to which the people called him on the Republi- time a soldier stole the lad's cap, and, boy can ticket in 1902, a leading property owner though he was, he fought the intruder to a and stock raiser and agriculturist in Harney finish. But the cap was demolished. Mr. county, the subject of this article is especially Shown is a strong supporter of good govern- worthy of a place in his county's history. ment and zealous for the prevailing of the Henry C. Levens was born in Galesville, right. He is interested in seeing the gospel Douglas county, Oregon, on July 10, 1861, preached and supports it liberally. 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 EDWIN J. CATLOW.—The subject of from Scottsburg to Yreka in the time of the this sketch is one of Harney county's younger Rogue river Indian war and was among the men, who are coming forward as the old and very first settlers in Douglas county. He had worthy pioneers drop, one by one, from the a fort at his stage station which was known posts which they filled' with such credit to as Fort Levens. His station was also called themselves and advantage to the country. Ed- Levens station, and there he remained until

win J. Catlow was born in San Francisco on the time of his death, October 25, 1889. The May 14, 1870, being the son of John and Mar- mother crossed the plains from Michigan to

garet (Finn) Catlow, the father one of the Douglas county in 185 1, and there married leading pioneers of this coast and especially Mr. Levens and remained on the old home of southern Idaho and central Oregon. Our place till her death on December 26, 1894. subject remained in San Francisco and there Our subject was reared there and gained his gained an education while his. father was education in the common schools and in the handling stock on the range. He attended the business college in Portland, from which he common schools and then graduated from the graduated in 1883. He engaged in mercantile Sacred Heart College, after which he studied business in Canyonville and other places until in a law school for a time. He also did book- 1886, then removed to Burns, there being but keeping and acted as salesman for a number a few houses here at that time. Previous to of years and then, in 1895, he came with his this time Mr. Levens had been engaged in the mother to- their present home in Pueblo val- stock business, and had driven into this valley ley, ten miles north from Denio'. He there in 1878, 1880 and in 1882. He made a per- engaged in the stock business with his father manent location here in 1886. He bought land close to town and engaged in the stock and brother, Joseph J., and he has prosecuted the same business with vigor and wisdom since business. He now has about nine hundred that time. He has always taken an active and sixty acres of good land and much stock. part in political matters and has served as jus- He rents as much land as he owns and cuts tice of the neace for a number of years. about one thousand tons of hay each year, be- The marriage of Mr. Catlow and Miss sides raising about three thousand bushels of Julia Allen, of Silver City, Idaho, was sol- grain. He has his estate well improved with 708 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

buildings, orchard and so forth and handles county and in 1884 was re-elected on the many cattle, horses and hogs. Democratic ticket, receiving a handsome ma- The marriage of Mr. Levens and Miss jority at both elections. In addition to this Maggie M., daughter of Jacob C. and Leona public service, faithfully rendered, he followed Welcome, who were pioneers from Illinois to mining and kept a hotel. It was 1887 when California and then to this country in 1888, he came to Harney county, and he at once was solemnized on June 11, 1889. Frater- engaged in the sawmilling business. He has nally Mr. Levens is affiliated with the A. F. & a fine plant located twenty miles northeast A. M., Burns Lodge, No. 97, while he and his from Burns and about eight hundred acres of wife are members of the Eastern Star, his fine timber land. In the spring of 1889 Mr. wife being past worthy matron of that order. McKinney entered into partnership with Judge On the Republican ticket, June 2, 1902, Hen- Sparrow, and together they carried on the ry C. Levens was elected as county judge and lumber business until 1898, when Mr. Spar- it is without doubt that he will conserve the row was elected judge of the county, then Mr. interests of justice and equity in the service McKinney bought his interest. Mr. McKin- that he will render to 1 his county. ney is interested in various lines in addition to It is also' to be mentioned that Mr. Levens the mill business, and he has one of the finest has a butcher shop on one of the best business houses in Burns that is in Harney county, and corners in Burns, while he has a residence also in fact in eastern Oregon, It is a modern, in that town. twelve-room structure, of beautiful architect- ural design and suitably located. At the time Harney was the county seat our subject and CHARLES F. McKINNEY.—There are his partner erected a fine county court house, few men in Harney county that do not know which they rented to' the county, and when the Charles F. McKinney, and to know him is to county seat went to Burns Mr. McKinney was be his friend, for he is one of the enterpris- at his mill and his buildings all took fire and ing, upright, capable, affable and successful burned up in Harney, without insurance. men who have done much to build up the coun- The marriage of Mr. McKinney and Miss try and develop its resources, being at the Emma Wilson, a native of Iowa, was sol- present time not only a heavy land owner, but emnized on February 21, 1867, and they have also an operator of a good sawmill and a dealer two children : Cora, wife of E. E. Puning- in timber goods. ton, of Pendleton; William M. Mr. McKin- Charles F. was born in Fayette county, ney was made a Mason in 1869, in Iowa, and Ohio, on October 15, 1847, being the son of now: belongs to the Burns Lodge, No. 97, and William S. and Sarah (Adams) McKinney. also belongs to the Royal Arch Chapter in The mother was a great-granddaughter of Bodie, California, and is a member of the John Cjuincy Adams. In 1849 the family came commandery there and of the K. of P., Inland to Marion county, Iowa, and there our subject Lodge, No. 70, of Burns. 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 WILLIAM C. BYRD'.—The power of Keokuk. The mother died at the old home- adaptability which has enabled the subject of stead in the fall of 1901. Until 1872 Charles this article to engage his abilities to the most F. remained with his mother, and then came advantageous way in the affairs of life that to Silver City, Idaho, where he mined and have came to his hand is a happy talent and wrought at the lumber business. In 1875 he is quite commensurate with his excellent capa- went to- Benton, Mono county, California, and bilities in the business, literary and educa- thence to Bodie, a thriving mining camp at tional world, wherein he has wrought with that time. On account of there being SO' many abundant success in each line, and therefore bad characters gathered there the phrase orig- it is with pleasure that we grant him repre- inated, "The bad man from Bodie.'' In 1882 sentation in the list of leading men of Harney Mr. McKinney was elected sheriff of thai county. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT. MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 709

Mr. Byrd was born in Highland county, S. Leonard, Mrs. Edith M. Hunter. Frater- Virginia, on May 10, 1843, being the son of nally Mr. Byrd is a member of the I. O. O. F., James Hi and Alice Byrd. He received a the K. of P., the Encampment and the Re- good education in the schools of his vicinity bekahs, being past grand of the first order. and then attended the law school at Charlottes- ville, Albermarle county. In April, 1861, when the demon of strife was stirred in our BYRON TERRILL.—As an upright fair land, he enlisted promptly where his in- man, a patriotic and public minded citizen and terests and lay, home being enrolled in the a successful and enterprising stock man and Thirty-first Virginia Infantry, Company B. business man the subject of this sketch is men- He entered as corporal, was promoted to a tioned in this connection, and he is personally second lieutenancy and fought under the dis- an affable and genial gentleman who stands tinguished Stonewall Jackson. He participat- well with his fellows, and has wrought with a ed in the battles of Phillippi, McDowell, Win- true pioneer's spirit and hand in the upbuild- chester, Sharpsburg, Cedar Mountain, Peters- ing of the country. Mr. Terrill was born in burg, Gettysburg, and in numerous other en- Monroe county, Iowa, on March 31, 1856, gagements, being wounded twice. He fought being the son of Horace J. and Lucy A. (Wil- to the end and then returned home and in cox) Terrill. In 1867 the family came across May, 1866, he married Miss Amanda R. Bird. the plains with mule teams in four months, The next year he went to Pettis county, Mis- making settlement in Linn county. The train souri, and in 1883 he migrated to near where with which they journeyed was commanded Burns now stands, took government land and by Captain Cook and consisted of about thirty set to the improvement of it and teaching wagons. In October, 1868, the father went to school. To this latter calling he h*d devoted Jackson county and bought a donation claim. considerable time while in the east. Mr. Byrd He devoted his attention to farming and stock also operated a livery stable for a number of raising and the subject of this sketch assisted, years. In 1889 he purchased the Times-Her- also attended school. In 1879 ne left the pa- ald and was immediately installed as editor. rental roof and came through Harney county He made the paper one of distinct merit and on his way to Fort Hall, Idaho. He went

vitality and it has since been a power in the 1 from that place to San Francisco , thence by county. Of later years Mr. Byrd's son has steamer to- Portland and then to' Jackson coun- taken immediate charge of the paper, and our ty again. In the spring of 1881 Mr. Terrill subject has turned his attention to handling again passed through this country to Boise, furniture and house furnishing goods, having Idaho, and in the fall returned here and ; the largest store of the kind in the county and worked for wages and then took up' merchan- carrying a complete line of goods and being dising at Silver Creek. Then he located a favored with an excellent patronage. This ranch about eight miles southeast from Burns last venture was taken up in February, 1901, and on January 1, 1885, he married Miss Au- and his son, Julian, who edits the Times-Her- gusta, daughter of James M. and Lydia ald, is interested in merchandising. Politically Parker, early pioneers of California and Ore- Mr. Byrd has always been active and has filled gon. Our subject took a homestead about many offices of trust. In the recent election eight miles south from Burns and that was Mr. Byrd was defeated on the Democratic the family home for a time and then a move ticket for county judge, but only by a very was made to' Burns, where they resided until fewi votes. He has filled the office of justice April, 1902, when M. Terrill purchased his of the peace for many years and in 1896 he present ranch of one hundred and eighty-four was elected county superintendent of schools acres of land. This is located seven miles and re-elected in 1898, and has made a very north from Burns and is a very valuable for excellent record in this office. In Missouri hay. During most of his time in this county Mr. Byrd was city clerk for many years. Six Mr. Tjerrill has devoted his attention to rais- children have been born to him and his es- ing stock and he has some nice bands at the timable wife, namely: Charles A., Julian C, present time. He has also a valuable residence Ambrose M., Mrs. Alice King, Mrs. Madge in Burns. 710 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

To Mr. Terrill and his worthy wife there cattle, horses and mules, and in this he has have been born five children : Effie A., Nora been very successful, with the exception of the

Blanche, Ina D., Vella V., deceased, and Vio- winter of 1889 anc^ l &9°> when he lost heavily. let. Mr. Terrill is a member of the W. of He now has several hundred acres of land, W. and of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 77, of good buildings and is considered one of the Burns, and he and his wife are members of leading stockmen of the county. the Rebekahs. Of the I. O. O. F. Mr. Terrill On October 12, 1867, occurred the mar- is a past grand. During all his life our sub- riage of Mr. McKenzie and Miss Alice Blue, a ject has been on the frontier and he has served native of Salem, Oregon, and to them have faithfully in the development of the country, been born six children, Charles, William, Mrs. and there is much credit due him for these Olive Cummins, Marshall, Josephine L. and worthy labors. For to bring a land from the Julia, twins. It is of note that in 1862 Mr. wilds of savagery to civilization is a herculean McKenzie volunteered to fight the Indians in task and demands courage, endurance, tenac- Nevada, being under Captain Armsby, with a ity and stanch principles, in all of which Mr. company of one hundred and forty-six men. Terrill excels. Mr. Terrill' s parents are still He was in one fight near Reno, where all the dwelling in Jackson county. 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 ALEXANDER McKENZIE.—This in- months he was unable for active service, then trepid and doughty pioneer and successful fought under General Crooks at Pyramid lake, stockman is one of the prominent property when they killed fifteen hundred of the sav- holders of Harney county and a leading citi- ages, which practically ended the war. These zen, living at the present time one and one- were the Piutes. Mr. McZenzie is a substan- half miles north from the Narrows postoffice, tial man and possessed of unswerving integrity where he has a fine tract of land and is engaged and uprightness. 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 HENRY C. RICHARDSON.—No com- was educated in a log cabin, remained at home pilation that has to do with the leading men until fifteen and then started out for himself. of Harney county would be complete were He went to Ray county, Missouri, and in there failure to mention the esteemed gentle- 1859 went across the plains to Fort Laramie, man and public minded citizen whose name driving a band of cattle for Frank Saner. initiates this paragraph, since he has labored The next year thev went to Santa Clara coun- long and faithfully and successfully here for ty, California, and for two. years subsequent to the upbuiding of the county's interests and this time acted as foreman for Mr. Saner un- has always maintained an untarnished reputa- til that unfortunate man was murdered for his tion, being a man of excellent capabilities and money. Then Mr. McKenzie went to Sonoma keen and practical business judgment. county, bought a farm and after working it Mr. Richardson was born in Benton coun- for a time he went to Idaho City, Idaho, op- ty, Oregon, on October 8, 1869, being the son erating a pack train. In 1866 he went to of Madison G. and Savanah (Cox) Richard- Salem and for a time ran a dray and express son. The father was born in Lane county, outfit, then went into the butcher business un- Oregon, in 1847, anc^ ms mother came across til 1875, when he went to Staten for a short the plains from the state of Missouri in 1863. time, in the same business. He then went to with her parents, in an ox train. Our subject Douglas county, bought a ranch and raised went with bis parents to Silver City, Idaho, sheep, which he closed out later and migrated in 1S74 and thence to Malheur City, Baker to the Narrows, where he lives now. This county, in 1877. Then they went to Weiser, was in 1888, and he was the first settler that Idaho, where Henry C. finished his education. took land in that vicinity. Fie went to raising 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 Harney valley and the next year sold out and business for three years, then operated the returned to Lane county. There he farmed Burns hotel from 1892 to 1898, owning the until 1882, when he repaired to Paisley, in same which is the largest and best one in the Lake county, and engaged again in the sheep county. The structure contains twenty-four industry, and in 1885 he removed from that sleeping apartments upstairs and two below, location to the Steins mountain country, then besides the office, barroom, kitchen and dining in Grant county. He prosecuted his labors apartments below. Mr. Richardson still owns with success, adding cattle to the sheep raising, a one-half interest in the hotel, which is rented and in 1900 he sold his sheep and came to In 1898 the people called Mr.. Richardson to Burns. He has a fine residence here and still act as county clerk and two years later they re- owns his farm of about six hundred acres of elected him to the same position, thus demon- hay land in the Steins mountain country with strating their approval of his faithful services. his cattle, which his two sons are handling, be- Mr. Richardson owns about five hundred acres ing in partnership with him. At the time Mr. of hay land twenty-five miles southwest from Cummins came hither, he entered into part- Burns, which is well improved with buildings nership with I. S. Geer, cousin of ex-governor and necessary corralls and he handles a band of Geer, and they started a hardware store. They cattle. In Burns, he had a modern seven-room have a fine two-story structure built of stone house in a desirable locality and a half block and brick and carry the largest stock of hard- of lots. ware in the county. In addition to hardware, The marriage of Mr. Richardson and Mliss they have crockery, glassware, farm imple- Nora, daughter of William K. Goodman, a ments, and so forth. They have a fine patron- pioneer to this county in 1882, from Kansas, age and the goods from their shelves find their Was solemnized on January 17, 1893, and two way all over the interior of Oregon. children have been born to them, James T. and The marriage of Mir. Cummins and Miss Henrietta. Fraternally, Mr. Richardson is Margaret A., daughter of George C. and Mar- affiliated with the K. of P., Lodge No. 70, garet Smith, was solemnized on November 9, and also with the Native Sons of Oregon. Mr. 1866, and they have become the parents of

Richardson is a man of honor, capable in busi- four children, Horace, deceased ; Dora, wife ness, faithful in trusts, affable and genial, and of I. Bubbington, of this county ; George "VV\ has hosts of friends in all parts of the county. 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 CHAUNCEY CUMMINS.—In at least in Lane county. Mr. Cummins is affiliated two lines of human endeavor the subject of with the A. F. & A. M., Lodge No. 97, at this article has gained distinction and he stands Burns, and in political matters he is with the to-day one of the leading business men of cen- Republicans and in March, 1902, the people tral Oregon, being of the firm of Cummins & chose him as chief executive of the town of Geer, hardware merchants and implement Burns. dealers of Burns, Oregon, where their mam- moth store is situated. Chauncey was born in Steuben county, Indiana, on January 20, 1844, SAMUEL T. MOTHERSHEAD.— being the son of William and Almira (Clark) While there are some who have been residents Cummins, who brought their family across the of Harney county longer than the subject of plains in 1853, coming with ox teams and con- this sketch, still he stands among the leaders suming six months in the journey. Settle- in the county to-day and is a young man of ment Was made in Lane county and there our untarnished reputation and good ability, and subject grew to manhood, assisting on the has gained a place in the esteem and confidence farm and gaining his education from the com- of the people that is enviable and of which he mon schools. In 1870 he went to Douglas is worthy on account of his uprightness and county and there engaged in raising sheep, and sound principles. Samuel T. was born in Jef- two years later he removed his stock to the ferson county, Missouri, on September 23, 712 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT. MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

1872, being the son of Willis T. and Malissa treasures of that land. In 1854 the mother (Wiley) Mothershead. They were natives of with her six children, three boys and three Kentucky and came to Jefferson county in an girls, crossed the plains to Lane county, Ore- early day. The mother died there but the fa- gon, where the father joined them from Cali- ther is still living on the old homestead and has fornia. The trip across the plains with ox always taken an active part in politics with the teams for this little family was a serious un- Democratic party. Our subject grew up on dertaking and they suffered much on the road. the farm and attended school, graduating from For three weeks they were without flour and the Desoto high school in 1890. The next were forced to kill one of the oxen for food. year he came to Burns and worked for one and In the spring of 1854 they all went to Jackson one-half years on the Items newspaper, having county and the father took land near where charge of the same. In 1895, in company with Ashland now stands. They were pioneers of Ben Brown, he started the Burns Times which the county and labored faithfully to make a they sold one year later to the East Oregon good home and open a farm. The mother died Herald, which is now the Times Herald. Sub- in 1863 and the father died in 1886. Our sub- sequently to this, Mr. Mothershead accepted a ject gained his education in the little log school position with the sheriff as deputy, serving house, grew up on a farm and in 1866 came to four years under A. J. McKinnan and for two Walla Walla with nine yokes of oxen and years under George Shelly. Mr. Mothershead wintered on Wildhorse creek. He sold his lias always been active in politics, being a firm cattle the following spring and went to Silver Democrat. City and engaged in freighting from Uma- On September 26, 1897, occurred the mar- tilla landing. Later he sold his outfit and went riage of Mr. Mothershead and Miss Ella, to mining and in 1868 he was in Eldorado, daughter of A. S. and Elizabeth Swain, early and acted as foreman on the rock work of the pioneers to the Grande Ronde valley, from Eldorado ditch. After this he went to Lane Iowa, and coming to this county in 1889, where county and farmed and there on July 24, 1870, they settled at Lawen. To Mr. and Mrs. he married Miss Emma, daughter of G. C. and Mothershead has been born one child, Mildred. Louisa Duncan, who crossed the plains in 1854

Our subject is a member of the I. O. O t . F., from Iowa to Lane county. In 1874 Mr. Harney Ledge, No. yy, a charter member of Bunyard removed to Jackson county and the K. oi P., Inland Lodge, No. 70, and he worked his fathers farm for a time, then came and his wife are members of the Rebekahs. to Silver Lake valley in 1876. His youngest He has repTesented his lodge in the grand lodge son was the first white child born ther and Mr. and is past chancellor. Mr. Mothershead has Bunyard sowed the first grain in that favored a fine six room house on one of the fine corners spot. In 1866 he sold there and came to this of the town which was biult in 1897, being county, settling in the Cow creek country. He the first plastered house in Burns. 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 JESSE O. BUNYARD.—A noble portion land, seven miles northeast from Harney. He of the pioneer's work has been done by the es- has good buildings, a fine orchard and handles timable gentleman and patriotic citizen, whose many cattle and horses. To Mr. and Mrs. life's career it is now our pleasant privilege to Bunyard there have been born six children. outline, since he has spent most of his days on Mrs. Arvilla Thrash, of West Virginia ; Frank the frontier and has always been in the harness M., of Harney county; Elva, deceased; Mrs. for advancement, and progress, while the try- Hattie Cawlfield, LeRoy, and James B., all of ing scenes incident to a pioneer's life have all Harney county. Mr. Bunyard has been in been undergone by him. many fights with the Indians and his prowess Mr. Bunyard is a native of Mercer county, as a marksman has saved his life in different Missouri, being born on October 2, 1843, tne encounters with them. He has worthily filled son of James B. and Eliza Bunyard. In 1849 his position as frontiersman and real pioneer the father crossed the dreary plains with ox and builder of this county and is highly es- teams to California in search of the mining teemed by his fellows. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 113

HON. S. IRWIN GEER.—As one of the Geer is a man of good standing, is always substantial and capable citizens of Harney active for the interests of his county, is up- county, whose life has always been allied on right and stable, and has the confidence of all. 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 PETER CLEMENS.—The well known he has been active and rewarded by the people gentleman whose name heads this article is with the highest honors they have to give, we one of the prominent men of Harney county, a are pleased to accord to Mr. Geer representa- heavy property owner, a leading stockman, and tion in this volume of his county's history as withal a gentleman of ability, and who has both a pioneer and a prominent and distin- wrought out his present large holding by rea- guished man. son of his industry, thrift, and wise manage- A native of the Occident, Mr. Geer was ment in the affairs of business. Mr. Clemens born on February 28, 1864, Marion county be- was born in Loraine, France, on July 5, 1850, ing the spot. His parents, Cal and Ellen S. being the son of Nicholas and Margaret Clem- Geer, came across the plains in and I 2 1847 &5 > ens. In 1855 the family came to America and respectively, both making the journey with located in Canada, then moved to Menominee ox teams. Our subject was reared on the farm county, Michigan. It was 1865, that our sub- and received a common-school education, fin- ject came via Chicago, New York, and Cape ishing the same with a course in the business Horn to San Francisco, making the ocean trip college at Portland. It was 1890, that he in a trading vessel, which was a very tedious started for himself, coming direct to Burns journey. In California he labored at various where he opened a hardware store, starting on callings and learned the brick mason's trade. a small scale and increasing as the trade de- In 1869, he went to British Columbia and manded until he has become the largest dealer Alaska and mined successfully for three years. in these goods in the county of Harney. In Next we see him in Seattle and in 1872 he 1900 he took as partner, C. Cummins, and went to Manataron, South America, and went they have a mammoth trade extending many into the employ of his uncle, who operated a miles in every direction. They handle a full bakery. The next year he came back to San line of hardware, sporting goods, crockery, Francisco, and the following year went to stoves and tinware with farm implements and Seattle and there built the Wharton and Dex- tools. In 1892, Mr. Geer was in partnership ter bank. In the spring of 1875 he was in the with his brother, R. C. Geer, and they erected Black Hills, Dakota, where he mined a year a fine large two-story brick and stone structure, and then went to Tuscarora and in 1877 to which is the store to-day. Eureka, Nevada. In this latter place he fol- Politically Mr. Geer is among the leaders, lowed freighting to White Pine. The next having the confidence of the people both as to year he went to Paradise valley to build a Tiis ability and integrity. In 1900 he was stamp mill and in 1879 Mr. Clemens came to elected as representative of Malheur and Har- Steins mountain, in Harney county. He had ney counties, and did good service in the house. a pack and saddle horse and went to work for

In 189 1 he was selected as city treasurer and wages. He built the large store on the White in 1892 he was called to be treasurer of the Horse ranch and did various other work in the county, being re-elected in 1894. He ran on country and in the fall of 1882 he located on the Republican ticket each time. Fraternally his present place, six miles north from Burns. Mr. Geer is affiliated with the K. of P. and the He pre-empted and then homesteacled and went I. O. O. F., Lodge No. yy, of Burns; and also to raising stock. He has been eminently suc- with the Masons, being both past grand chan- cessful, for at the present time he has fifteen

cellor and past grand ; and he is a member of hundred acres of fine land, a good house, barn, the encampment. The marriage of Mr. Geer corralls, and all the improvements needed on and Miss Belle Erb was solemnized on August a first class stock and hay ranch, besides large 4, 1889. and they have four children, Juanita bunches of cattle and horses. He has some A., Waldo Gv, Henry C, and Ellen M. Mr. fine specimens of thoroughbred Durham cattle. ;:

714 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

The marriage of Mr. Clemens was cele- county, Oregon, being pioneers from Missouri brated on December 7, 1882, M'rs. Jennie to Oregon in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Sweek Thomas then becoming his wife, and they have then came to Prairie City, Grant county, and three children, Thomas, Peter Clay, and Glen. there they taught school for a time and in Mr. Clemens is a member of the A. F. & A. the spring of 1881 he commenced the practice M., at Burns. He is general road master for of law in Canyon City. He was admitted to the county of Harney. 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, CYRUS A. SWEEK.—To the leading and here Mr. Sweek has practiced since with and capable attorneys of a county and state the gratifying success of gaining a large pat- very much credit is due for the [excellent in- ronage from the county, and he now has one stitutions that are brought out as the result of the finest residences in Burns and three of salutary and wise laws which they have hundred acres of fertile meadow land adjoin- framed and caused to be placed on the books. ing the town of Burns, besides other prop- As one of the worthy gentlemen of that im- erty. Mr. Sweek is a charter member and portant profession we mention the patriotic was the first master of the A. F. & A. M., and public minded citizen, mentioned above, Burns Lodge, No. 97, joining the order in who is now at the head of his profession in Canyon City in 1885. To Mr. Sweek and his Harney county, being a man of broad and noble wife there have been born ten children impartial comprehensive views, given to an John M. ; Earl L., attending the Co'rvallis judgment of matters, with a well stored mind College; Agnes, also attending the same in-

perception and dominated with an ; ; ; ; Lois and a keen stitution ; Alice Ella Dorcas Cyrus A. unswerving integrity that controls his acts and Esther and Alexander D. Mrs. Sweek is a places him as one of the most reliable and descendant of General Gage of Revolution- substantial men of the country. ary fame. Mr. Sweek is one of the leading Mr. Sweek was born in Washington coun- citizens of the county and has many warm ty, Oregon, on August 5, 1853, being the son friends in all parts, being a man of real worth of John and Maria (Beard) Sweek. His par- and his walk has always been with dignity and ents were married on February 29, 1852, and uprightness. the same spring they came across the plains with ox teams to Oregon, from St. Genevieve county, Missouri. The father had started ANDREW SPANGENBERG — The across in 1849, but at the Rockies he heard well known and respected gentleman of whom of the death of his parents and returned and we now have the pleasure of speaking is one came as stated. He was one of the very first of the well-to-do stockmen of Harney county settlers in Washington county, took a dona- and is worthy of especial mention because of tion claim and there wrought until his death his pioneer labors and the manner in which he on February 26, 1890. The mother is still has always wrought for the advancement of living at the old home place. They raised the country and its substantial progress. He a family of six children, all living, of whom was bom in Denmark, whence come so many our subject is the eldest. Cyrus A. grew up of our most substantial and thrifty citizens, on the farm and learned his primary lessons in the date of his advent into life being Febru- the primitive country school and then attended ary 14, 1838. He grew up there and received the Pacific University at Forest Grove, and a common school education and at the age of immediately after his course there he went into twenty-one was married to Miss Kate Wolfe, the study of the law with W. Lair Hill, of and the fruit of the union was two' children, Portland. For three years Mr. Sweek pur- Peter and Adolph. Mr. Spangeiiberg was sued this course and on January 7, 1880, he called to mourn the death of his wife and then was admitted to the bar, and on January 1 1, he determined to leave the native land and 1880, he married Miss Ella S., daughter of accordingly came thence to the United States John P. and Missouri A. Gage, of Clackamas 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, public schools, and completed the training at

and in 1875 went to 1 Modoc county, California, an academy at Homer, New York, and at La- thence to Chico, and finally in 1883 he made fayette College. In 1871 he went to work for his way to Harney county. He settled in Cat- the Northern Pacific in the civil engineer low valley, thirty miles west from Andrew corps and also spent some time as a salesman postoffice, on the south side of the valley. and clerk, and in 1879 he laid aside all these From that time to the present he has steadily various employments and gave himself to< the pursued the way of the stockman, and he has study of medicine, at the Willamette Univer- been well prospered. He has now) a fine estate sity at Portland, graduating from that insti- of eight hundred acres of land and a fine band tution in 1883. H e immediately began the of cattle. He was one of the early pioneers practice at Halsey, Oregon, and three years- of the valley and has done the work of the later went to the Polyclinic school at New frontiersman in a commendable manner. Fra- York City, taking a post-graduate course and ternally Mr. Spangenberg is affiliated with the then returned to Hasley, remaining there until Red Men at Perm and he is popular in the 1894. Then he located at Harrisburg and later social realm, as in all of his ways he is highly was at Junction City and in August, 1899, he esteemed, being a man governed by sagacity, made his advent in Burns. He immediately en- integrity and sound principles, and highly hon- tered partnership with Dr. Marsden, the firm ored bv all who know him. being known as Marsden & Geary. Fraternally the Doctor is affiliated with the A. F. & A. M., Lodge No. 97, at Burns, and JOHN W. GEARY, M. D.—It is a matter with the L O. O. F., at (Junction City, being of congratulation that Harney county is so both past master and past grand. Also belongs well provided with professional talent, as that to the Encampment at Harrisburg, Oregon, fraternity is well to the front; one of the the W. of W. and the A. O. U. iW. Doctor leaders of this distinguished class of men is Geary stands well with his colleagues, being the subject of this sketch, being a man of un- recognized as a talented practitioner and a very sullied reputation, with a strong personality, skillful physician. He is a member of the characterized by stanch qualities of worth and Oregon State Medical Society and the Amer- firmness, possessed of excellent capabilities, ican Medical Association. The Doctor is which have been exceptionally well trained in highly esteemed by all who know him and has the medical lore, Dr. Geary is calculated to a very extensive practice. stand high in his profession and we are not -4~«~*- disappointed at the prestige that he enjoys and the high regard in which he is held by the people. JOSIEPH W. BUCHANAN is one of John W. Geary was born in Fredericks- Harney county's reliable and enterprising cit- burgh, Ohio, on November 16, 1850, being the izens. He is a man of energy and has labored son of Edward R., P. iD., and Nancy M. with assiduity and sagacity in the improve- (Woodbridge) Geary. About the time of his ment of his fine estate of six hundred acres birth his parents came via New York, Pana- of good land on Rock creek, thirteen miles ma and San Francisco to Portland and on to east from Harney, while also he conserves the Yam Hill county, Oregon, settling- at La Fay- interest of the county in his faithful service served ette, and in 1857 removing thence to Linn in the assessor's office, where he has county. The father was a clergyman in the for nearly one term. Mr. Buchanan was born Presbyterian church and was one of the found- in Tama county, Iowa, on April 19, i860, ers of the Collegiate Institute at Albany, being being the son of William D. and Helen J. the moving spirit in it and teaching there for (Cullen) Buchanan. The parents are now a number of years. He removed to Eugene both in their seventy-fourth year, being mar- later and was one of the regents of the state ried when they were twenty. They live at university there until the time of his death, in their pleasant homestead, twelve miles east with being the 1887, having been there fourteen years. Our from Burns, and are accredited subject received his primary education in 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 and so forth. It was in 1898 that Mr. Buchan- Iowa to Lagrande. They fought frequently an was elected county assessor on the Demo- with the savages, but did not lose any of their cratic ticket, being re-elected in 1900. Fra- number. Five months of this weary journey- ternally Mr. Buchanan is a member of the I. ing brought them to their destination and the O. O. 'F., Harney Lodge, No. jj. To our father took land and engaged in farming. subject and his worthy wife there have been

Union county was the scene of our subject's born four children : Warren, deceased ; Eliza

childhood, and there he received his educa- E. ; Albert Leo and William Monroe. tion. There also, on May 12, 1884, he mar- Mr. Buchanan successfully handles his line ried Miss Hattie E,, daughter of William P. of business, as he has shown his capabilities and Eliza A. Gates, pioneers from Vernon to judiciously and in a becoming manner dis- county, Missouri, to Union county in 1879. charge the public duties entrusted to him by Our subject came to' Harney county in 1885 the franchises of his fellows. In addition to and selected a homestead where his home es- the other property mentioned, Mr. Buchanan tate is now located. He .gave his attention has a modern six-room residence in one of the industriously to raising stock and improving best portions of Burns. his place and he has a good residence, barns DESCRIPTIVE AND GENERAL

CHAPTER I.

TOPOGRAPHY, RESOURCES, ETC., OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES.

"No menace, now, the desert's mood of sand; dry river beds, its savage beasts and its equal- Still westward lies a green and golden land." ly savage men, excited intense interest in the credulous eastern mind. And these stories "For, at the magic touch of water, blooms The wilderness, and where of yore the yoke were not overdrawn. The most imaginative Tortured the toilers into dateless tombs, and sensational writer could scarcely have pic-

Lo ! brightsome fruits to feed a mighty folk." tured in too vivid language the gloomy grand- eur and utter desolation of this arid empire. "After all there is no desert," says a recent Withal it was not without beauty of a start- writer, after quoting Emerson's well known ling barbaric sort. In its midst was the great aphorism, "To science there is no poison; to dividing wall of the Rocky mountains and the botany no> weed; to chemistry no dirt." Cer- gray sands of the plains were relieved by the tainly to the present generation there are no browns of the mountain slopes and the snows "waste places" in the severe sense of the term. of the mountain peaks. There is beauty in But many are living to-day in youth were who majesty and the desert was majestic in its por- in of Ameri- schooled a knowledge the "Great trayal of the titanic forces of nature. There can Desert" west of the Mississippi. The bor- is beauty in grandeur and the desert was grand

ders of this vast wilderness were not definitely in its passion of storm and flood. But it was outlined either on the maps or in the minds of no less a desert and for many years only stout those who had undertaken its exploration, but hearts and fearless souls dared venture into it was believed to include large portions of what its midst or attempt to traverse its cheerless are now Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, wastes.

New Mexico, Arizona, California, Colorado, But stout hearts came; at first, in bands of Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and Oregon, two or three, later in companies of a score or

an almost illimitable territory. Descriptions more and, later still, in armies a thousand that found their way into print, telling of its strong. Forty years ago these armies began

vastness, its repellent visage, its blazing heat, their encroachments ; the "Great Desert"

its deadly simoon, its sun scorched plains and boundaries became, year by year, less and less

its dark canyons, its rushing torrents and its 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 willing to afford, and though the valley was sturdy pioneer who weathered its rigors in much less favorable to agriculture in 1862 than those old heroic days. it is in 1902, the earliest efforts to court the Much of the territory of eastern Oregon favor of Ceres were by no means unavailing. was once classed with the desert lands of the We have mentioned these first experiments in west, but at last the miner, the stockman and former chapters. Their success and the de- the agriculturist forged into the region. They mand for farm produce incident to the opera- subdued the savage and drove him within the tion of the placer mines soon resulted in a reservation confines. They braved the frown considerable development of the agricultural of nature and forced ajar the door of her treas- resources of the county and the work of home ure house. Nature, with all her powerful forces, building and soil subjugation has progressed was arrayed against them, but they were men steadily, if somewhat slowly, ever since. As of mental vigor as well as men of might, and if to reward the farmer for his faith and per- they marched on to victory. Now, lo!— severance, the climate of Baker county and eastern Oregon generally has become much Where once was sombre gray, are richest shades of more mild and equable than it Was when the green,

And yellow gold of ripening grain on plain and vale is region was first visited by white men; frosts seen. are less frequent and severe and the rainfall has shown a tendency to increase with the And on the mountains' slope and by the river's flow ) tilling soil. Where savage Piutes' council fire blazed forth in angry of the glow, To the proper appreciation of the agricul- tural and other resources of Baker county, a There roam a thousand flocks and herds, in wood and general understanding of its topography, ele- wold, O'er countless miles of bunchgrass range—"Oregon's vation, etc., is necessary. The area of the check for gold." county is given by Rand, McNally & Com- pany's maps as 2,275 square miles, but the Far up the rocky gulch where lair of beast was laid, Are spread the tents of miners' camps. With pick and Panhandle of Union county has since been pan and spade added, SO' that the present area would be ex- pressed by figures considerably larger than Now delves the miner deep in rock and sand and soil these. Its western boundary follows for the And gathers stores of shining gold—reward for patient toil. most part the summit of the axis of the Blue

mountain range ; its northern boundary may be And over all the land—once sombre-hued and gray,— said to be formed by the Powder River moun- Is spread the sky of light and peace, undimmed the livelong day. tains and from these spurs are sent out ex- tending far into its interior. The ranges re- BAKER COUNTY. ferred to reach a maximum altitude of nearly 9,000 feet above the sea and are from 4,000 In the transformation from desert plain to 6,000 feet higher than the general level of to farm, orchard and garden, with their ver- the valleys. "Snow remains on the highest dure and beauty and bloom, with their wealth peaks throughout the year, and, with the ex- of comfort for man and beast, Baker county ception of a short period during the heated has had a goodly share. The black sage brush season, these mighty monuments are dressed soil of its valleys was early found to be pro- in the white liveries of angels and point in ductive, when supplied with a greater abund- marble-like majesty to heaven's azure vault ance of water than parsimonious Nature was 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 plete reclamation of the valley in this way, be thankful for the privilege of enjoying a life but as yet no- such project has been carried to well worth living in one of the most resource- a successful issue. ful, fertile and healthful counties to be found It must not be assumed, however, that Pow- anywhere in all our peerless republic." The der river valley is entirely a desert at this eastern boundary is formed by the swift and time. Streams have been halted in their courses treacherous Snake river, into which all the and made to transform sagebrush plains into drainage of the county eventually makes its fertile farms, which pour into' the garners of way. The principal water courses are Burnt the husbandman an abundant reward for well and Powder rivers, though there are several directed toil. Bonanza farming is not in vogue small creeks which flow directly to the Snake, in the valley. Most of the agriculturalists are never mingling their waters with the currents devotees of diversified industry, raising hay, of these major streams. grain, fruit, cattle, hogs and horses. The nat-

The largest valley in the county is that of ural fertility of the soil enables them to secure

Powder river, which is approximately thirty crops of wheat averaging sometimes as high miles in length and up to twenty in width. It as fifty bushels per acre, perhaps even higher, was the first to be blessed by the permanent and of oats up to 105 bushels. The usual crop presence of white men, for the mines which is, of course, far below this. attracted settlement to the county were dis- Climatic and other conditions are favorable covered within its confines. The valley is for to the live stock industry. Loss from disease the most part a level, sage covered area, not is inconsiderable. Horses have the strength beautiful in itself, but surrounded by majes- of limb, spirit and soundness of constitution tic mountain uplifts, always varying in sympa- so much desired by breeders. Cattle produce a thy with the seasons and faithfully reflecting juicy, palatable and wholesome beef, and the the changing climatic conditions of the upper sheep of the country are noted for their large air into which their crests extend, yet ever re- production of superior wool and for the excel- taining their own characteristic beauty, lence of the mutton they yield. grandeur and granitic ruggedness. The valley On the line of the Sumpter Valley rail- below might take on all the beauty it could road, about twelve miles up Powder river from desire, might clothe itself in garments of deep- Baker City, one enters a beautiful elevated val- est verdure bejewelled with the most brilliant ley, which takes its name from the thriving of gems, were the elements of its soil but fer- mining town of Sumpter at its upper end. The tilized by the one element lacking to give them valley does not attain a great width in any part vitality, nature's universal solvent—water. of its extent and in places is very narrow. Its

The rainfall is not sufficient for this purpose. soil is a rich alluvium, capable of producing The currents which course through the valley any of the farm products in great abundance, on their way to 1 the bosom of the ocean are not but owing to its elevation of 4,000 feet it is strong enough during the growing season to unsuited to fruit raising or horticulture. At accomplish it. Art must come to their assist- present its chief product is hay, which is fed ance and store the flood waters of winter and to cattle or shipped to 1 Sumpter and sold to spring if all the dry ground of Powder river the mining companies and freighters. The valley is to be made to blossom as the rose. valley lands are surrounded by gentle sloping, This storage of water for irrigation is deemed forested benches, whose wealth of timber, in feasible by engineers and the initial steps have part, induced the building of the Sumpter Val- been taken in the past looking toward the com- ley railroad. From Sumpter this road climbs 720 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

over Powder River mountain, passing through fertile, upon which some comfortable homes

forests all the way, until it reaches the small have been established. valley in which the terminal town of Whitney Some of the most beautiful and productive is situated. of the valleys of Baker county are in the Pan- Southeast of Whitney, down the north fork handle country, recently annexed. Eagle val- of Burnt river, is the Upper Burnt river val- ley, in this neighborhood, lies fifteen miles ley, the lowest elevation of which is given by south of the Eagle mountains and perhaps

Lindgren as 4,100. It is nearly circular in thirty-six miles in an air line from Baker City. shape, having a diameter of about five miles, It is traversed in its southern end by Powder and surrounding it are gently sloping ridges river and through its entire length passes rising to an elevation of 6,000 feet. The tim- Eagle creek, which rises in the Eagle moun- ber surrounding it is excellent yellow pine. In tains. The valley proper is perhaps four by the valley is a considerable settlement of farm- seven miles in area, but with the benches wat-

ers and stockmen. After passing through a ered by irrigating ditches, it is much larger, narrow canyon fifteen miles long the river possibly ten miles long by up to ten miles wide. emerges' upon a remarkable valley about twenty It is a very beautiful valley, surrounded by miles in length, having an elevation at its rolling foothills furnishing an abundance of upper end of 3,900 feet and at its lower of range for stock. Water for irrgation purposes 500 feet less. This lower Burnt river valley is plentiful; the climate is mild owing to the is very narrow in places and is perhaps not sheltering foothills and mountain ranges sur- much over a mile wide anywhere. The soil is rounding; the soil is as fertile as a garden and alluvial nearest the river and is covered with all conditions combine to' make it a pleasant meadows of alfalfa and other grasses. Here- place in which to live and an easy place in ford is the principal settlement of the upper which to accumulate a competence or even a end of the valley and Bridgeport of the lower. small fortune. Three heavy crops of lucerne To these villages the latest United States cen- may be raised annually. The hay crops are sus ascribes populations of 32 and 18, respec- mostly utilized in the rearing of sheep, cattle tively. The valley is so sheltered as to form and horses. All the other products of the a huge natural hot house, in which all the more farm, orchard and garden find a ready market delicate fruits of the temperate zone, such as among the miners in the neighboring moun- peaches, grapes, etc., and such tender vegeta- tains and plateaus. Peaches, apples, apricots, bles as cantaloupes and water melons may be prunes, grapes, plums, cherries, strawberries, produced in great perfection. Much attention raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries, cur- is given also to the culture of apples, pears, rants and all garden vegetables, as well as the plums, prunes and berries, and the valley, al- cereals, are produced here in abundance and ready noted locally as a fruit region, will ex- perfection. The mild climate of the valley, perience in future such a development in the said to be the best in eastern Oregon, gives it industry as will win it a much wider fame. special adaptation to fruit raising. Its prod- Stock raising and general farming are not ucts carried away seventeen premiums out of neglected and many thousand head of sheep are thirty-two at the World's Fair. Favored in- owned by the residents. deed are the people who* have found homes in Rye valley in southeastern Baker county is Eagle valley, but they have in their isolation noted more for its rich placers and promising one great drawback to contend with. Should quartz claims than for farming, though there the proposed Oregon & Idaho* Central railroad is in it a small area of alluvial soil, exceedingly be built, this diffVcultv will be overcome. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 721

Twelve miles northeast of Eagle is Pine The vast treasures of timber wealth in the valley, situated at the base of the Powder Riv- county bring in hundreds of thousands of er mountains. It is similar to. the region last dollars annually and there are many millions described in many respects, but is somewhat of feet which can not yet be utilized on account larger and has an elevation greater by 300 of the lack of transportation facilities. It is feet. Its soil is a rich clay loam, producing from said by the promoters of the Oregon & Idaho twenty-five to thirty bushels of wheat per acre, Central railroad that from their proposed line

It is a fine grain raising section, but is also through the Goose creek farming country it is noted for its fruit of all kinds. Its peaches intended to build a branch to tap a timber belt possess a delicacy and richness of flavor not estimated to contain one billion, two hundred found in the products of other sections less and fifty million feet of lumber, which has sel- favored in soil and climate. Stock raising re- dom echoed back the sound of an axe. A great ceives much attention here also. The valley impetus was given to lumbering by the con- and creek were named from the heavy pine struction of the Sumpter Valley railway, which forests which abound in the vicinity. The vil- has been pushing farther and farther into the lages of the valley are Pine, Halfway and Car- timber belt to the west and southwest of Baker son. City. The Oregon Lumber Company, whose The above described valleys constitute the stockholders are in reality the owners of the principal agricultural districts of the county. railroad, have a large mill just outside the

Their aggregate area is small compared with limits of Baker City, the daily capacity of

that of the entire county, but it must not be which is 80,000 feet. Among the other lum- assumed that the non-tillable lands are a waste. bering firms of the county, the Stoddard

They produce annually a wealth o

$1,700,000 and $2,000,000, figures which show 1 "An epic quest it was of elder years, that the cattle and sheep industries in this Through strange, scarred hills, for good red gold, section are still of great importance. The trail men strove in iron days of old." 46 : '

722 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

While this description has to do chiefly only by heat enough to change the materials

with conditions as we find them to-day, it is without melting them- 1 Oregon's geological

an appropriate place for brief retrospection. history had its origin in just such a violent

Doctor Thomas Condon, Professor of Geology crumpling of its ancient sea bed, and when the in the state university at Eugene, has recently disturbance that caused this ceased, and quiet

written a book which he has entitled "The was restored to the region, there was left, as a Two Islands and What Came of Them." No result, two islands off the western coast of more fascinating story was ever told than that North America. It was these two; islands that related by Doctor Condon of the physical life grew into Oregon. Of these islands, one occu-

of the present state of Oregon. In his own pied the eastern portion of what is now the Blue

words let us read the history of the first forma- mountain region, the other extending over tive epoch what is now the southwest corner of the state "The geological history of the Pacific coast of Oregon, together with a portion of north-

consists chiefly in the description of the low ern California, occupying what is now the Sis- elevation of successive belts, of the bed of the kiyou mountain region." ocean into dry land, and the jjrogressive addi- Doctor Condon states that these islands tion of these to the western border of North were set in the ancient Pacific, three hundred America. These belts of ocean bed have not miles apart, with the waters of the ocean flow- only been elevated into dry land, but in vary- ing between. The western he has designated ing degrees hardened into rock, though retain- as the Siskiyou Island, and the eastern as the ing through all these changes the clearest evi- Shoshone Island. At a later period a colos- dence of their former sea-bed condition. The sal sea dyke slowly arose from the bed of the floor of the sea from which these beds were ocean, midway between the islands. In pro- lifted, was in favored places strewn then, as cess of time this dyke, with the sea bed on eith- such places are strewn to-day, with shells, er side, reached an altitude above that of the

fragments of corals, or of bones, all bearing two islands and the waters receding, left lofty record of the life of the period in which they mountain barriers between what afterward be- were covered by the ocean sediment. came "Siskiyou Region" and "Shoshone Re- "So carefully have the results of geological gion." studies been formulated that it is entirely prac- Geologically speaking, eastern Oregon is ticable to tell what portion of any country were in the Shoshone Island region. In a work of

first above the seas, and often to trace the suc- this character, it is not possible to enter min-

cessive additions to the land until its outline utely into the results of geological research. is recognized as the present continent. Follow- This region has had a wonderful history, which

ing this method in deciphering the geological is intensely interesting in its details, but, hav-

history of Oregon, one is carried back to a ing recited the bare facts of the first period of

time when this region, which we now call our its physical life, we must leave to the student home, was covered by the ocean. the search of minutiae and proceed to the de- "In the natural world the evident results scription of superficial areas in which the pres-

of violent upthrusts of portions of the earth ent generation is more directly concerned. crust are now accepted as among the trust- In the 'fifties and 'sixties men came to east- worthy records of many lands. These dis- ern Oregon from the agricultural districts of turbances were sometimes accompanied by the east, influenced chiefly by the desire to ac- great heat, often by violent earthquakes and cumulate wealth. Some came in quest of new- the outflow of melted rock, and sometimes er, better lands on which former pursuits might HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 72H

be followed under more propitious skies, and another chapter, we proceed with its descrip- others came with but' one purpose—to pos- tion. On a grander scale Grant county has sess themselves of the gold in the mountains. been fashioned like the old Roman amphi- This state, which has been termed the "Key- theatre, the John Day valley representing the

stone State of the Pacific coast and the fairest arena. This valley is rapidly becoming the

of all lands," offered to> both classes unpar- field of action where will be expended the en- alleled inducements and almost limitless ter- ergies of future generations in furthering the ritory in which to conduct operations. Cali- progress of the county.

fornia on the south is too dry and too' warm The John Day river rises on the eastern

to be an ideal country. Washing-ton on the side of the county, some of its minor sources in north has an atmosphere too cool and damp. the Strawberry range and, others in a spur of

The desirable medium of conditions is to be the Blue mountains, along the summit of which found in Oregon and especially in the eastern is traced the eastern boundary line. The course

part. It has a climate unsurpassed ; valleys of of the river is almost due west for ninety miles,

productiveness and beauty watered by clear- when it makes a sharp curve to the north,

est rivers and streams ; mountains among the crossing the county line in a northwesterly grandest on the face of the earth, whose min- direction at a point twenty-five miles south of

eral deposits are rich and inexhaustible. It is the county's northern limits. Here its waters a country that has rarely disappointed. Miany are joined by those of the North Fork. While a pioneer recalls his emotion, when, his tire- numerous creeks and small streams join the some journey ended, he reached a summit on John Day in its course down the valley, the the eastern boundary and gazed westward over most important of which are Dixie creek grassy plains and wooded hillsides. Forgot- from the north and' Canyon creek from the ten were the terrors of the desert; with hope south, the first stream of considerable size to revived and courage strengthened, he pressed effect a junction with the main river is the forward with renewed energies and, wherever South Fork, which enters its channel about he pitched his tent, the water, the sunshine, and fifty miles below the town of John Day. The

the soil combined to crown his every effort northwest is famed for its beautiful valleys, with success. and among the most charming is that of the Grant county was not invaded under the John Day. It is about seventy miles long and inspiration of the rallying cry—Westward, varies in width from one to six miles. The Ho! Some of her pioneers had visited the elevation in the upper portion is 3,500 feet and Pacific coast of California and others, leaving in the extreme lower end slightly over 2,000 Grant far to the south on their western pil- feet. On either side are foothills and moun- grimage, and journeyed to the Willamette val- tain ranges towering to elevations of from five ley and the extreme western part of Oregon. to seven thousand feet. On the north these But in the farther west the spirit of unrest had higher altitudes are painted with the green not left them nor had their toilsome efforts met of the pine, fir and tamarack ; on the south the with satisfying reward. Turning their faces hills are barren and rocky. The undulating eastward fortune's star became their guide. It lands of the valley are arable throughout its led them a torturous way, but proved a faith- entire length and well adapted to agriculture, ful guide, directing their footsteps at length while the slopes and bench-lands on its bor- into the beautiful valley of the John Day river. ders are the natural homes of the fruit and for- The incidents associated with the settle- est tree. ment of this valley having been related in 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 miles in area, a small portion of it lying within vastly the most important in the county, but the limits of this county. It is occupied prin- a number of others are worthy of mention. cipally by stock ranches. Bear valley is twenty The South Fork rises on the west slope of the miles south of Canyon City, near the source

Strawberry mountains, its general course be- of Silvies river. This valley extends for twen- ing directly north. In its central portion is a ty-five miles along the Strawberry mountains fertile valley some fifteen miles in length and and has a width averaging eight miles. The averaging one and a half miles in width. In altitude here is more than 4,000 feet, making elevation it is slightly higher than its larger it 'almost exclusiely a stock region. It is neighbor, but it is similar in its adaptations. abundantly supplied with water by numerous

There is an extensive valley region on the streams and wild grasses grow luxuriantly. north side of the county, where, although the Soda Springs, flowing water impregnated with altitude is greater, the climate is milder than medicinal properties, is located at the upper elsewhere and the winters less rigorous. Along end of this valley. Farther west, along Mur- the Middle Fork, whose headwaters are near derer's creek (a tributary of South Fork), is those of the main river, there are several small a valley twelve miles long and half as wide, valleys whose combined areas would make a occupied almost exclusively by stockmen, its tract of considerable extent. The course of elevation unfitting it for the production of oth- the stream is northwest across the county and er than forage grasses. Besides these named in length it is fully sixty miles. It empties there are several other valleys in various parts into the North Fork near the north county of the county which, although not occupying line. Its main tributary is Liong creek, which any considerable extent of territory, are abund- courses for forty miles in the same direction antly watered from surrounding mountains and between low ranges of mountains in the north are very productive, cereal grains and fruits central portion of the county. The valley of yielding rich harvests. this stream 1 is six by seven miles in extent and There are no extensive plains in Grant is occupied by prosperous ranchers and agricul- county. It is a region of lofty mountain rang- turists. Fox valley is fifteen miles north of es dwindling into foothills which cast their

Canyon City and is drained by Fox creek, a shadows across fertile valleys below. Straw- small tributary which flows west into the John berry Butte, in the southeast, has an elevation

Day river. It is one of the most fertile val- of 8,600 feet ; Greenhorn peak, in the northeast, leys in the county and contains eight square an elevation of 8,100 feet; Dixie Butte, on the miles. Haystack and Corncob are miniature east side, an elevation of 7,700 feet. Olive valleys on the Middle Fork in the north, noted lake, in the northeast part of the county, is at for picturesque surroundings and warm cli- an altitude of 5,950 feet. In its course around mate. One of the sources of Crooked river, the county the boundary line, on the east, north a Crook county stream, is in the extreme south- and south, remains at an altitude but little be- west corner of Grant, on the divide between low 5,000 feet at any point. At some points

North Fork and some of the Harney county the elevation is over 7,000 feet. On the west streams. side in the valley of the John Day, the altitude

Silvies river, which empties into Malheur is slightly over 2,000 feet. But, even on the lake in Harney county, rises on the south side west, except for a short distance on either side of the Strawberry mountains and for fifteen of the river, the boundary line traverses high miles flows through Grant county territory. altitudes. The county is practically hedged

The valley of this river is twenty-five by ten in by the bordering mountain ranges. HISTORY OF BARER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 725

No railroad has as yet crossed its borders. mountain heights have seemingly been lifted

The physical barriers interposed are many and to greater altitudes and removed still farther they are not easily surmountable. But this is, from our immediate presence. In front and perhaps, not the only cause for the absence of to the left the ranges expand in broken outline, the railroad and the consequent isolation of the revealing dark reaches of wooded knobs that region. In its present stage of development stretch away in dim outline to the northwest the county does not offer inducements suffi- until they are blended with the mists of the

ciently great to warrant its invasion. Its need horizon. Bald and rocky summits are here

of railroads is, however, very great; in fact, and there projected above the timber line; cas-

its future development will depend largely tellated promontories frown at us from dis- upon its success in securing easy means of tant heights, while on every hand are dark transportation to outside markets. mysterious alcoves in which haze and shadow Several stag'e lines cross the county and all lie engulfed. Dixie Butte and Greenhorn

points are thus connected. There is a daily stage peak lift their barren rocky crowns in bold pro- service between Whitney and Canyon City. file against the sky, thousands of feet above Six times each week the stage runs from Can- their neighbors. While our thoughts have been

yon City to Heppner ; three times each week engrossed with the beauty and magnificence of from Canyon City to Burns. The mining re- the view before us, the region behind has ar- gions about Susanville and in the Greenhorn ranged its wonders for our inspection. The

districts have direct stage connections with peaceful valley lies if'ar below us, its upper por-

Whitney and with points west and south. Other tion rounded against the dark hills, its lower lines reach outlying postoffices of lesser im- portion narrowed into canyon confines. There

portance, and stages visit these places at reg- are ranches outlined by rows of tall poplars, ular intervals. All settlements of importance squares of crimsoning orchard and shade trees are connected, and have communication with and fields of green and gold with their charm the outside world by telephone. of color, of light and shade. The river winds, A ride over the stage lines of Grant coun- at times, close to the bordering hills under the ty is a most interesting and delightful experi- shadow of the pines. Again it crosses the val-

ence. There are but few easy grades. The ley or follows an irregular course in its midst, routes cross directly over the successive rang- finally disappearing in the gorge at the lower es of mountains, and wind through interve- end. To the south of the valley the foothills ning valleys or canyons. From the mountain and the Strawberry range form a receding ter- summits many of the views are matchless in race which culminates forty miles away in an beauty and grandeur. On leaving the John altitude of 8,600 feet on the summit of Straw-

Day valley at Prairie City enroute to Whitney berry Butte. The mountain range is outlined the road climbs over steep grades to> the sum- in jagged profile in the distant south. Its mit of a spur of the Blue mountains, a dis<- massive ridges rise majesically above the in- tance of nine miles. Progress is necessarily tervening hills, streaked and columned with slow and the summit goal seems to> recede snow, broken and serrated with projecting rather than to advance. At the start it is ap- rocks. Shadowy canyons zigzag among the parently just ahead—half an hour's drive. But hills and through the further range. The scene distances are proverbially deceptive in the is one of weird mystery and wild beauty. The mountains as well as on the plains. When the scenery throughout the John Day valley is first stage in the journey is accomplished and much the same and yet there is nothing like the elevation of the foothills is reached, the 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 Other -regions -famous for gold deposits are

river or crowd close upon its channel. There what is known as the Prairie Diggings, a few are always hills in the foreground and always miles east of Canyon City; the Ouartzburg

mountains in the background. But there is district, at the head of Dixie creek; the Dixie

endless variety in form and color and the riv- creek region ; Spanish Gulch, a few miles east er pursues a wayward course in harmony with along Ruby creek, a tributary of Middle Fork.; the ever changing contour on either side. the Susanville district on Middle Fork; the

But while the valley of the John Day river Greenhorn mountain district ; the country about

is one oi the most beautiful in eastern Oregon, Granite, in the northeast and the bed of the Grant county furnishes many other views of John Day river below the city of John Day. rare beauty and attractiveness. These may be A map of the gold belt of eastern Oregon, re- found along any of the stage lines which trail cently published by the United States Geolog-

through its hill and mountain regions. These ical survey, includes all of the eastern half of stage roads pass over some of the highest ridg- Granite, in tire northeast and the bed of the es in the county. They traverse the valleys the Strawberry mountains. and wind up the canyons, sometimes close by The John Day valley is famous for the ge- the waters of a rushing mountain stream and ological records contained in its rock forma- again high up on the mountain side. Each tions and in its bed of fossil remains. Of these Doctor Condon, of the State turn in the road brings some change of scene; University, says : There are many residents of the now a village miles away and thousands of Pacific slope who will remember having journeyed from The Dalles, on feet below, the houses huddled together be- the Columbia river, to Canyon City, among the Blue tween the precipitous walls of a canyon or mountains. For sixty miles or more the road passes over volcanic scattered about on a gentle slope at the head of materials which have drifted there from the Cascade range. Twenty miles further and this a valley; now tremendous uplifts of stratified outflow thins out into a mere capping of basalt on the rocks, bent and crumpled under prodigious hilltops. The hills themselves, and the foundations on pressure, curiously weathered, broken and worn which they stand, are here found to be sedimentary rock, wonderfully filled with the abundant records of until they are only colossal fragments of the former animal and vegetable life. Oldest of all in sight original upheaval; or again, buildings and is the old ocean bed of the Cretaceous period, with its stacks of the prosperous ranchmen, clustered teeming thousands of marine shells, as perfect to-day in their rocky bed as those of our in a miniature valley—a gem of beauty rough- recent sea .shores, their cavities often filled with calcareous spar or chal- set in nature's mightier works. cedony as if to compensate for the loss of their own Although the greater portion of the county proper marine hues. Next in ascending order come the fresh water deposits of the earlier Tertiaries, is extremely rough and mountainous, the level, so full of the leaf prints of the grand old tropical forests tillable areas are comparatively small, yet it which during that age of semi-tropical climate covered is by no means a desert waste. In another those lake shores. The marine rocks form the outer chapter will be found reference to the products rim or shore-line of what was in those early times a lake of irregular outline, extending from Kern Creek of its mines. Everywhere its mountains are hill on the west to Canyon City on the east, and from abundantly stored with minerals. In the Can- the hills north of the John Day river to the Crooked yon City region development work has pro- river valley on the south. Within this lake depression,

whose former muddy is ceeded for many years and enormous values sediment now elevated into chalky hills, so despised for their alkaline waters and have been taken from the surrounding mines. unproductive soils, the geologist feels at home. How Canyon mountain is called locally "Gold Moun- strangely out of place a score of palm trees, a hundred tain" because of the immense quantities of the yew trees, or even a bank of ferns, would seem here now, and yet here these once lived and died and were precious metal that have been taken from it buried, and beautiful beyond description are their fossil and that are believed to be still stored in it. 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-, the name of Lophiodon has been given lived here too. ern border, this vast ampitheatre of lesser hills pre- His remains indicate an animal the size of the living sents a wild, wonderful grouping of varied outlines and tapir. Not far from the last were found some bones of colors. A spur of the Blue mountains—its nearest point a fossil peccary of large size. Another of the denizens forty miles away—covered with a dense forest, forms of these ancient lake shores bore some resemblance to the dark 'background of the view. The varying shades the horse. The remains of this animal, the Anchither- of brown that characterize the older marine rocks rise ium, were first discovered in the Tertiary rocks of in vast border masses, almost treeless and shrubless, in France a few years ago ; more recently they were found an inner, irregular circle, while the lighter shades that in the "bad lands" of Nebraska, and later in the John fill the deeper depressions of the central portion mark Day valley. But the richest chapters in the history of

the later sedimentary deposits ; and then, like vast ink the horse in Oregon are not from those rocks of the blots on a painting, one sees, here and there, a pro- lower valley, for another and a later record in the truding mass of dark colored trap. Through the heart upper part, of the valley contains these. of this wild region winds the John Day river, running Doubtless both portions of the valley were once westward until it passes the middle ground of the pic- continuous and formed one lake, but a stream of lava

ture, and then turning northward to join the Columbia. from the Blue mountains seems to have run into it

This stream, so insignificant in appearance, has done near the present site of Camp Watson, dividing it into wonderful work among these hills. The river itself an upper and a lower lake. The lower one seems to was in the olden times merely a series of connecting have drained off first, the upper one remaining a lake

links between a chain of lakes that extended from the into the later Tertiary period, and receiving into its Blue mountains to the Cascades of the Columbia. It archives the remains of the animal types of a later age. has for unnumbered ages gone on excavating vast gorges The river was apparently turned northward by that and canyons as all other streams in central Oregon have outpouring of volcanic materials, and cutting for itself done, till lake after lake was drained off and their a new channel in the deep canyon thirty miles or more beds changed to a treeless desert. The deep excava- away formed a great bend, and excavated an immense tions that resulted could hardly fail to lay bare im- basin in these nearer and lighter colored Tertiary rocks. portant records of the past, cutting as they do through Above that bend, that canyon and that volcanic out- the whole extent of the Tertiary period. In a deep flow, the valley opens again, and there, extending from canyon, through which runs a branch of Kern creek, Cottonwood creek to Canyon City, are the remains of may be found the remains of a beautiful fern, a gem of the upper lake depression of the John Day valley. This its kind, which no thoughtful mind can see without later lake depression received into its sediment a larger wonder and admiration. In another ravine are seen in amount of volcanic ashes and cinders than the lower great numbers the remains of a yew, or yew-like tree, one did. Several of its strata are pure volcanic ashes, that sheds annually not its leaflets but its branchlets rough to the touch as ground pumice stone, which for in this form they are found of almost uniform must have fallen on that lake in vast quantities. The length and structure imbedded in the rocks. This tree purest was evidently that which had fallen directly into was evidently abundant upon those ancient shores, for the lake, the less pure that which, first falling on the it can be found at almost every spot where a little surrounding hills, had subsequently drifted from them stream washed its miniature delta into the lake. Oaks, by the action of the winds and waters and had become too, and occasionally a fine impression of an acorn, or part of the lake -sediment. acorn-cup, are found at intervals from this place to the Upon the hills that overlooked these lake shores Blue mountains. there lived three or four different species of the horse But the great geological importance of that old family. Their remains are easily distinguished, for the lake depression does not arise from the fossil remains teeth are well preserved and the teeth of the horse are of its -forests, beautiful, varied and abundant as they well marked. Almost as well marked as these equine are, but from its finely preserved fossil bones. Two remains were some teeth that apparently represented a species of rhinoceros lived their quiet, indolent lives member of the camel family found there, too. in a fine among the reeds that line the old lake shore. A little specimen of a lower jaw silicified completely and in beyond the southern spur of that distant mountain there solid rock. Fossil remains of other species also giving evidently emptied a stream of some size, for its delta a wide range of life record were found. is strewn with fragments of silicified bones. Among But the most remarkable thing about this upper these the 'bones of the rhinoceros are frequent, but the lake record is that which reveals the way in which its remains of an extinct animal, allied in some respects history of this period was brought to a close. The last to the camel, in others to the tapir family, are most rock of the series fills the place of a cover to the vol- abundant. Mute historians are they of the far distant ume. Never was cover better defined nor more dis- past, uniting with hundreds of others to tell strange tinctly separated from the well written and well illus- stories of the wonderful wealth of forest, field and trated pages it serves to protect. The cover itself, too, lake shore of that period. A tapir-like animal to which 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 nished grass in quantity and quality suited to twenty or twenty-five feet, and is throughout so entirely the highest development of this industry, and volcanic as to leave no room for mistake. Its materials are volcanic ashes and cinders, the cinders ranging from the cattle herds have given way to sheep. In an inch across downward to the minuteness of the ashes. 1897 there were about 200,000 sheep in the Volcanic showers fell here certainly over hundreds of county, valued at $300,000. The annual wool square miles and in such vast bulk that, pressed by the sales return over $200,000 to the producers. hydraulic force of later masses above it into a solid soil plate of rock, it now in this form measures from twenty The of the arable lands of Grant coun- to twenty-five feet through. No wonder it closed one ty is rich and highly productive. It is a black of the finest life records of that remote period, and with silt deposit from the waters of the prehistoric the record that volume, becoming at once the proximate lake that covered the entire surface of eastern cause of the changes that followed, and the upper cover of the volume it sealed. Oregon. For ages it has been washing down from the mountain sides and accumulating in

Mineral and warm springs are numerous the valleys and it has been wrought by the over the county, Soda Springs, on the south of alchemy of time into a soil of rare productive

Strawberry mountains, have been mentioned. qualities. It is well suited to the production In the mountains on the north side of the coun- of all the cereals, but no effort has been made ty are several hot springs, all possesing, to a to excel in the quantities produced, only the greater or less degree, medicinal properties. local demand for wheat, oats, barley and rye The most noted warm springs are near Reyn- being given consideration. In 1897 30,000 old creek, a tributary of the John Day, about bushels of wheat were raised in the upper John twenty-five miles east of Canyon City. The Day valley. Alfalfa and other hay grasses location has become the summer resort of the grow luxuriantly and there is each year a larg- county. Bath houses have been constructed er acreage sown to these than to any other for the use of visitors. It sis an ideal camping ranch product. In the warmer valleys in the ground, the surroundings are picturesque, the northern part of the county, some corn is streams afford good fishing and the mountains raised, but it is not a leading product, elevation on the south abound in game. and consequent cool nights interfering ma- The forests of Grant county are extensive terially with the proper maturing of the grain. on the east and north. Fir, pine and tamarack Considerable attention has been given to are the leading lumber varieties of timber. Saw fruit raising, apples, pears, cherries and plums mills are scattered here and there over the doing exceedingly well. Berries of all kinds country, supplying the local demand for lum- are easily raised. During the early mining ber. Citizens of Grant county are now peti- da)'S vegetables were raised by a few. It was tioning the President in opposition to a pro- many years before the supply was equal to the posed forest reserve which would include over demand and the pioneer miners were glad to half of its territory and all of its timbered get potatoes at 33 1-3 cents per pound. A' areas. The future development of the county bunch of three or four green onions brought will depend largely upon the settlement of the fifty cents and other vegetables sold for pro- forest reserve question, which is now pending. portionately high prices. Fruit growing re- Mining, stock raising and agriculture are ceived no attention until about the year 1865. the principal industries of Grant. Stock rais- Joaquin Miller,—"the "Poet of the Sierras,"— ing has been in the past and must continue to who at that time resided in Canyon City, is be a leading pursuit. At one time the stock- credited with being the first to experiment with man's investments were almost entirely in cat- fruit trees. It was purely an experiment, but tle, but in recent years the range has not fur- 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 ties form her northern boundary ; Wheeler and about his home in 1865. the year By 1872 Crook counties are on the west ; H|arney is on every tree was in full bearing, the yield was the south ; Malheur and Baker are on the east. abundant and the flavor of the fruit excellent. In many particulars her interests will in time This orchard demonstrated the fact that hor- become successful competitors with those of ticulture might easily be made a leading indus- her bordering counties. try in Grant county. Although Mr. Miller's The mercury ranges between seventy and orchard has of late year been neglected, many one hundred degrees from June 1st to October of the trees are yet living and yielding their 1st, rarely passing the one hundred mark. The

yearly crop. atmosphere is light and dry during these For several years after the first settlements months and nights are invariably cool. The

were made, fruits were freighted to Canyon winters are not severe. It is seldom that the

City over the mountainous road from The mercury falls below ten degrees and sometimes Dalles, a distance of two hundred miles. Ap- rises to seventy-five degrees in January. Snow ples sold for five dollars a box, or, by retail fall in the higher altitudes in sufficient quan- for twenty-five cents per pound. But these tities to furnish an abundance of water through conditions were doomed to> radical and speedy out the year for stock and for irrigation on the change. Climatic and soil conditions were pe- table lands and in the valleys. Every plateau

culiarly favorable for the production of fruit. and every valley is webbed with ditches and

During the years 1867 and 1868 large orchards water is everywhere to be had for the beautify- were planted by B. C. Trowbridge, Fisk and ing and fructifying of the land. Many of the

Rhinehart, J. J. Cozart and Luce Brothers. streams over the county and some of the irri- These were the pioneer horticulturists. Fol- gating ditches flow sufficient quantities of wat-

lowing them, each year has witnessed a mate- er and have sufficient fall to operate mills and rial growth of the industry, until now every factories, and these are building up in response

farmer or ranchman in the county has an or- to a demand that is growing as all other inter- chard of greater or less extent. The home ests advance.

market can not consume the supply, a portion In a great many ways Grant county is fast

of which finds its way over rough mountain becoming a desirable location for the business roads to the cities and towns of bordering coun- man in any commercial pursuit. Despite its

ties. D. B. Rhinehart's orchard, containing isolation it has made progress after its own forty acres, is the largest orchard in the coun- fashion, and in the face of great difficulties ty and is a credit both to the possibilities of has achieved a prosperity, of which many re-

the soil and to the energy and industry of its gions of more fortunate opportunities may well

owner. The full development of this indus- be envious. In lighter mood it has a charm

try only awaits the coming of the railroad. all its own. The touch with nature is close, The mining, agricultural and horticultural and to those who love the soughing of the for- possibilities of Grant county can not be accu- est, and the solitudes of its shadows; to those rately estimated until transportation agencies to whom the rush of clear waters and the mel-

afford the proper incentives to full develop- ody of their song are gladness ; to all who find ment of all her resources. Hler boundaries en- joy in the larger moods of nature, here is a close an area of 4,560 square miles. Her nat- land of abounding and perpetual charm. ural advantages are equal to those of any and MALHEUR COUNTY. superior to those of some of her neighboring counties. Union, Umatilla and Morrow coun- It may be said without extravagance that 730 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

Malheur county is a term applied to southeas- on the southern state' boundary. Along the ern Oregon. The eastern boundary of Ore- southern boundary is an elevated region in gon is about 290 miles in extent and of this which are the numerous sources of the Owyhee distance Malheur county occupies 174 miles, river and of some small streams that enter or about two^-thirds. The county is about fifty- the state of Nevada. About three-fourths of seven miles in width, and is credited with an the eastern boundary line runs along the divide area of 9,784 square miles. The total area between the Snake and the Owyhee rivers. of the state is 94,560 square miles. Over one- The elevation drops from 7,000 feet in the ex- tenth of this area, then, is included within Mal- treme south to 4,000 feet at Jordan valley, and heur's boundaries. As there are thirty-three to about 2,500 feet at the mouth of the Owyhee counties in the state, it will be readily seen that river, where the line enters' the Snake river.

Malheur has the lion's share of the territory. The slope of this entire section is northwest,

Baker county is on the north, Grant and Har- following the course of the streams tributary ney are on the west, Nevada is on the south, to the Owyhee. On the northeast the county and Idahoi and the Snake river are on the east. line centers the waters of Snake river, and this The north and northwest boundaries pass portion of the county has very gradual slopes over the Burnt River mountains region. The toward the valleys of that river and of the

Hivide between Malheur and Baker counties is Malheur. Elevations along the Snake river are

at an elevation of 5,ooO' feet. Between Mal- as follows : Huntington, in Baker county, has heur and Grant counties it reaches an altitude an elevation of 2,ii0' feet; Weiser, Idaho, of 7,000 feet. There is a gradual slope from 2,123 feet; Payette, Idaho. 2,150 feet; and On- this region east and south to the basins of the tario!, Malheur county, 2,157 feet, showing a Malheur and Snake rivers. The western boun- fall of but forty-seven feet from Ontario to dairy traverses the slope in the higher altitudes Huntington, a distance of forty miles. of which are the headwaters of the Malheur riv- The Malheur county side of the Burnt riv- er, and in the extreme south the sources of er divide, in the north end of the county, is some of the western tributaries of the Owyhee drained by Willow creek, a stream that heads river. The summit of the divide from, which in the Ironsides mountains. Willow creek is these waters come is farther west in Harney about seventy-five miles in length and pursues county. Along the western side the elevation a southeasterly course, emptying into Malheur varies from 7,000 feet in the north and in river a few miles below Vale and about fifteen the extreme south, to about 3,000 feet in the miles above the rivers' mouth. In the upper central portion. The surface in this region Willow creek region the stream flows down has four distinct slopes. Beginning at the narrow gulches and canyons. There are no north, there is a downward slope following the lowlands along its banks and its waters aire north and middle forks of Malheur river, used by prospectors and miners on the adjacent which take a southeasterly course toward the hillsides. Farther down the creek the valley main stream. From the point where the boun- widens, and hay and grain ranches have been dary line crosses the Malheur river there is a located at intervals along its course. Both southern upward slope to the summit of the hill and valley lands are covered with a heavy divide between Crooked creek in Malheur and growth of sage brush. There is but little tim- Dunder and Blitzen river in Harney county. ber here and the sharp contrasts in color from

From here the country falls again toward the the gray of the sage brush; plain to the green south and the waters of Crooked creek, and hay fields and groves on the ranches and the from this stream rises to> the higher elevations 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 which heads on the south slope of the Iron1 upon the memory. Six miles southeast of Mal- sides mountains. The middle fork is fed by heur City and about the same distance south Otis creek and Round Valley creek, which of the north county line, is situated what is rise in the old Malheur Indian reservation, in known as Cow valley. Its altitude is 6,000 northeast Harney county. Tributaries, of the feet. It is. ai level tract of land but little below south fork are Coyote creek, Carman creek, the mountain tops, several miles in extent and Crane creek' and Camp creek, all Hajmey about two miles wide. No; stream courses this streams. The forks of Malheur river and their valley except in the spring and early summer, numerous feeders drain a. timbered region along when the snow melts into torrents. Wild grass the west side of the county. This is the only grows here abundantly and the valley forms timbered section in the county, and the area an immense pasture where cattle and sheep within its boundaries is comparatively small, range the summer through. Both this valley the greater portion of the belt lying across the and the lower Willow creek valley are deeply line in Harney. The growth includes pine, fir, rutted by the spring floods from the mountains. tamarack and juniper. The only sawmill in At this season the volume of water and the mo- the county is at Ironsides, in the extreme north- mentum it attains in its downward course are west corner. It supplies a limited local de- so" great that these gulches have been washed mand for lumber. On the south the lower out in places fifteen to twenty feet deep. When Malheur valley rises almost imperceptibly to the flood is on they are as impassable as are the level of the central plains of the county. In the deep, broad rivers of the lower valleys. the lower valley on the north is an extensive Ten miles west of Willow creek valley is level tract known as Dead Ox Flat. Farther that of Bully creek. The sources of this stream up the ascent from water level Is more ab- are on the east slope of the Ironsides moun- rupt to the high divide between Willow creek tains. Its tributaries are Cottonwood, Clover and Snake river. and Indian creeks. Bully creek joins the Mal- This divide apparently terminates in what is called heur river ai short distance above Vale. These is known as Malheur Butte. It also streams flow through a broken stock range Kennedy Butte, in honor of a pioneer of that country, but in many places along their banks name whose homestead was at its base. It is are small tracts of irrigable land which are the most prominent landmark in the county occupied by ranchmen and sown to grain and and is located about seven, miles west of On- grasses. tario. It is set down in the midst of a per- Across the northern part of the county, fectly level plain and has the appearance of trending slightly north of east, flows the Mal- an immense dump of refuse or screenings from heur river, emptying into the Snake about two a coal mine, although the volcanic scoria which miles below Ontario. It courses through a forms its exterior distinguishes it from; coal valley of varying width, nowhere exceeding- slack by the varied colors which are reflected two miles. This, stream has 1 quite a number of from its slopes. It rises at am acute angle to tributaries, the largest of which is Willow a height of a thousand feet and immense, rag- project its apex creek, which we have just described. The ged multi formed rocks from the south and middle forks; form a junction near and at intervals from its sides. Both from the western line of the county, while the north east and from the west it is visible for many fork enters the main stream about ten miles miles, and altogether it is one of the most won- northwest. below this junction. This latter tributary re- derful formations in the the is drained ceives the water from Warm Springs creek, The northern half of county 732 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

by the Owyhee river and its numerous tribu- Near Jordan valley along the creek are taries. Jordan creek is the most important extensive fossil beds. Here are found the fos- of these feeders. Of the others we may name sil remains of many extinct species of the ani- Soldier creek, the North, Middle and South mal and reptile kingdoms, as well as those of forks of the Owyhee, Antelope and Rattle- fishes and vegetable growths, which geologists snake creeks, Crooked creek and Twelve Mile have classed with the deposits of the pliocene creek. Cow creek rises in Idaho* and flows period. Near these fossil beds are evidences into* Jordan creek at a point about fifteen miles that this was once the home of a prehistoric west of the state line. Jordan creek rises in people. These evidences consist of numerous Idaho, but for twenty-five miles its course lies ruins along the rocky hillsides, smooth-hewed westward through Malheur 1 county. The three caverns and pillars, where are found scrolls, forks of the Owyhee also rise in Idaho. The figures, pictures and hieroglyphics cut into the main stream of the Owyhee forms a junction stone. Scientific research has not yet reached with the Snake river about fifteen miles south this section and conjecture is a poor substitute, of Ontario, on the state line. This portion of hence we will not attempt to enlighten, the the county has an elevation of from four to reader concerning the character, customs and seven thousand feet. It is exceedingly rough civilization of this ancient folk, who have left and mountainous. In their upper regions the naught toi tell of their life work but the un- streams flow (precipitately 'down wild, deep intelligible scroll on the broken door post or canyons. The general character of this section the cavern wall. There is interesting and ex-

is rough and broken, an irregular tableland, haustive work here for the student, and the which extends across the county from east to field will no doubt engage his attention at no west. In the lower portions of Jordan creek distant day. and of Owyhee river there is considerable val- For about fifty miles the Snake river ley land suited to the growth of grain, hay and courses along the northeast line of the county. vegetables, but the hill country further south At this point the Snake is a broad, deep stream

is strictly a stock raising region. Along Jordan with but little fall, and consequently with a

creek there are three valleys at different alti- comparatively slow current. The fall from

tudes and separated by a narrowing of the can- Nyssa to Huntington is less than ninety feet.

yon. Every available tract of land is occupied But this is of course sufficient for purposes of by a ranch, the most extensive being Ruby irrigation, the surface outline of this portion ranch in the middle valley, in which there are of the county sloping as the river runs, to the 3,000 acres. Along lower Owyhee river are lo^ north, The lands adjacent to this stream on cated some of the finest ranches in the county. the Oregon side are very rich. The elevation

There is much in this portion of Malheur that is but little above 2,100 feet and the whole area

is of interest. There is a fascination about life is well adapted to' the production of all farm

in a region so remote from the active centers of crops, vegetables, fruits, berries, etc. Here the west. There are no extensive forests, but the the rolling sage brush plains are unrelieved by hills and mountains are bold and picturesque hill or mountain except in distant outline. In and the valleys are beautiful in their contrasting its wild state the country possesses no engag- characteristics. The streams are abundantly ing features, but "at the magic touch of water"

stocked with fish and in the hills is plenty trees and grasses flourish in wanton luxuriance of game. The stockman will search in vain and there is everywhere the "mute, mute com-

for a country better adapted toi the business fort of the green things growing." Water is of his life. the crying need of the Snake river valley, and HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 7^3

when, by the ingenuity of it shall man, be spreading over the black earth a, coating of drawn from the river bed and spread over the gypsum." land this will become a region of rare beauty As is well known, alluvial soils are of vir- and unequaled productiveness. gin character and are composed of disintegrated The soil of the cultivable areas of Malheur rocks, volcanic ash, and similar elements. county is of recent formation, speaking geolog- These soils, being fresh from nature, have nev- ically. It is the light alluvial soil common to er been exhausted by the varied processes of all arid districts. The top layer varies in depth vegetable life and are hence much more endur- from six inches to eight feet. Underlying this ing and fruitful than the soils of earlier geolog- layer is a stratum of hard-pan, from three to ical periods. fifteen inches in thickness. Beneath the hard- There are rarely more than three or four pan is a gravelly loam, rich in plant food, but weeks of real winter, and during this short not available by reason of the fact that plant season the thermometer seldom falls lower than and tree roots do not penetrate the stratum ten or twelve degrees, below zero. Even when above. The most successful horticulturists the zero mark is reached the dry atmosphere have in recent years adopted the plan of dyna- tempers the severity of the weather. Farm work miting the hard-pan below the trees, thus en- frquently continues through every month in the abling their roots to> reach the rich loam. Con- year. The heat of the summer is not oppress- cerning the alkali soils of the west, W. S. ive, the nights are always cool, and altogether Harwood, writing in the June issue of Scriib- the climate is conducive to physical health and ner's magazine, says: "Investigations at the to the rapid and perfect maturing of all vege-

United States agricultural experiment station table life. of California demonstrated that the salts of the Canal building is practically in its infancy soils of alkali lands, injurious to grains, in Malheur county, although a number of grasses, fruits and forests, bear no relation to ditches have been constructed, others are under the salt of the sea, the alkali land being wholly contemplation and a great deal of capital is al- different from coast marsh lands deriving their ready invested in the work. salts from the ocean waters ; that the salts of Necessity has long been recognized as the the alkali lands are native to the soil, their mother of invention ; but while she may be cred- presence being largely due toi the absence of ited with much of the wonderful progress of rainfall (the salts staying in the soil because recent years in mechanics, as well as in other they are not leached out and carried away by fields of action, it should also be remembered the rain) that the salts rise to the surface after that the civilization and development of new ; heavy rainfalls, as oil rises in the wick of a territories have many times resulted from dis-

lamp ; that when the land is flooded with water coveries made in the effort to: meet the de- by sudden rainfall or by over-irrigation, so that mands or supply the necessities of the hour the salts rise to the surface and destroy vege- with elements and conditions new and untried. tation, it is only necessary to resort to< under- It was with the greatest difficulty that the drainage, a reversal of the usual process ; that densely populated mining camps of the 'sixties the salts in the soil have a way of running up were supplied with some of the necessities, of and down in the upper four or five feet of soil, life. Points of supplies were many miles away following the movement of moisture. It was and during the greater part of the year the trails proven, alsoi, that the evil in the soil called were next to impassable. Such conditions led black alkali—stretches of dark, barren regions to experiments in the raising of vegetables and unfit for agriculture—may be neutralized by 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 stock, valued at $40,000, is all owned by farm- was made to farm the soil oif Malheur county, ers directly benefited by the ditch. although there were vegetable gardens in Jor- When the results of experimental farming dan valley as early as 1864. In 1874 J. L. on Willow creek, and of the more extensive Cole and Alfred Loiftin began the cultivation operations under the Nevada ditch became of grains and vegetables near the mining camps known ditch building and farming in Malheur on Willow creek. They were very successful began in earnest. and were soon followed by others. In some lo- What is known as- the Owyhee ditch was cations irrigation from ditches was necessary, the next to engage the energies of the farmers. but in many places sub-irrigation from the Construction work commenced in 1883, and it creek and from surrounding hills and moun- reached completion in 1896. The estimated tains was sufficient to produce excellent crops. cost was $150,000. About 30,000 acres of

But it is upon her vast sage brush plains land are under this ditch, although but ten that Malheur county must ever depend for thousand acres are at present under cultiva- prosperity. These desolate looking plains are tion. It was opened on the Owyhee river fast disappearing and in their stead may now about ten miles from the river's mouth and has be seen in many parts of the county fields of first right to. 30,000 inches of water. For the grains and grasses, groves of trees, extensive first twelve miles it is twenty feet wide on the orchards and gardens of small fruits, flowers bottom, tapering afterward to an eight-foot and vegetables. The reclamation of the sage ditch. It is tweny-six miles long, with a fall brush lands has been gradual since the year of twenty inches per mile, running from the

1879. About this time a few families located Owyhee river to. the Malheur, into which it along the larger streams, grazed stock in ad- empties a short distance above Ontario. The jacent territory and incidentally cultivated ditch was started as a private canal by A. patches of land near the water. In 1881 or Matheson, C. O. Wilson, M. H. Dryden, D. T.

1882 it became evident that a line of railroad Rigs'by, Perry Kriss, T. C. Fletcher, J. A. would be built down the Snake river, and con- Ward, Otto* and Gustav Schweiser. Articles sequently numerous claims were taken along of incorporation were taken out in 1888. In the streams. From Nevada and from other order to complete it, bonds to' the amount of sections where crops are raised by irrigation $50,000 were issued at the time of incorpora- came a large number of families who' under- tion. The stock of the company is at present stood this method of cultivating arid lands. valued at $250,000. The officers are: F. W. The Nevada families located on Malheur river, Metcalf, president; C. E. Hunt, vice-president, about ten miles above its. junction with the and G. L. King, secretary. Snake. Going five miles farther up the river, The Malheur Farmers Irrigating Ditch Com- they commenced the construction) of a ditch pany has constructed an, eight-foot canal seven which was intended to convey water toi their miles long, starting from the Malheur river ranches. This ditoh was completed in 1884. at the head of the lower valley and carrying

It accomplished all for the farmers that was ex- 3,000 inches of water. This ditch was com- pected of it, and in the territory watered are plete! in 1885 and was promoted by W. G. now many beautiful and highly productive Thompson, E. R. Gruwell and T. W. Pierce. farms. This is known as the Nevada ditch. The Pacific Live Stock Company has a

It has first right to 2,000 inches of water from twelve- foot ditch carrying 1,000 inches of Malheur river, measured under six inches pres- water, which has been taken from Warm sure. It was incorporated! in 1887, and the 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 necessary adjuncts to successful farming in immense ranch on the old Malheur Indian Malheur county, agriculture and horticulture reservation. have made wonderful strides in the last decade. A short distance above Vale another eight- The ditches have also both directly and indi- foot ditch leaves the Malheur river, carrying rectly advanced the stock interests. In many 1,000 inches of water. It was built by Giller- localities they furnish water for stock, but what man and Froman. is of greater importance, they have made possi- The Wilson ditch was. taken from the Snake ble the production of vast quantities of alfalfa river a few miles above Ontarioi in 1894. It and other hay grasses, upon which the stock- is ten feet wide and thirteen miles long, enter- man must depend for winter feeding. ing the Malheur below the mouth of Owyhee That the reader may have accurate knowl- ditch. It carries 1,000 inches of water and was edge of the extent of the various industries, of constructed by David Wilson at a cost of the county, we give below the output sales of $8,000. 1897. In bushels there were produced that

• Sand Hollow ditch, taken from the MaJ- year, of wheat, 10,000, oats 20,000, barley 40,- heur, is six feet wide and carries 500 inches 000, corn 3,000, potatoes 20,000, apples 1,000, of water. The McLaughlin ditch, from the prunes and plums 100, wool 800,000 pounds, same stream,, is five feet wide and flows 400 butter and cheese, 20,000, fish 5,000, sheep sold inches of water. Besides these named there 50,000, cattle 20,000, horses 5,000, hogs 500, are numerous small ditches in Jordan valley lumber 500,000 feet, gold mined $100,000, tons and along Willow creek, which water small of hay 35,000. The assessment summary for tracts of hay, grain and garden land. 1901 shows values of stock then in the county The latest ditching enterprise has in con- as follows: Horses and mules $80,975, cattle templation a high ditch from the upper Owy- $312,605, sheep $201,870, hogs $970. hee river to the Halliday place on the Malheur In 1886 there were 673 cars of live stock river, a distance of about forty miles. C. M. shipped from Ontario*, and two train loads of Foster has completed a survey which provides wool. In 1896 were shipped 1,039 cars °f uve for a dam and twoi large reservoirs in the stock, valued at $750,000. In 1897 1,982 cars Owyhee canyon. The route courses along high were forwarded. In 1899, during a period of slopes in the Cedar mountain region and when six weeks, $1,500,000 worth of cat- completed the canal will be at a considerable el- tle alone went forward from Ontario. evation above the plain level of the country. These comparative figures show the Land that cannot be reached by water from rapid growth of the stock industry. Fanning any of the ditches now constructed could be has kept pace with stock raising and the culture easily watered from this one. One of the of fruit and berries is every year receiving more main objects in the construction of this high attention. The lower Snake river valley is

ditch is to flume water across the Malheur onto especially suited to the culture of fruits. All what is known as Dead Ox Flat, an extensive the varieties are grown here, and in size and plain north of this river. The local promoters flavor the ripe fruit is unsurpassed. In another of the enterprise are E. H. Test, William chapter considerable space has been devoted to Miller and Thomas Jones. The cost of canal, a description of the Arcadia farm, which is an dam and reservoirs is estimated at $280,000 object lesson on fruit culture in this valley. and an effort is now being made to interest The annual wool sales' day is one of the im- capitalists in the work. portant events in the calendar of the Malheur Stimulated bv the construction of these 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 velop these mines and the coal has been put collects his money, pays his indebtedness, esti- to no practical use. mates his expenses for the coming year, de- In October, 1899, while boring for artesian posits his surplus in the bank and looks up water at Mosquite, in the northeastern part of opportunities for further investment in sheep. the county, at a depth of 1,024 f eet the drill en- All sheep men do not wait for the annual sales' tered a cavity charged with gas. The flow was day, but small sales are for various reasons considerable for a time and created a great deal often consummated earlier in, the season. In of excitement. Again in November, 1901, 1902 there were but few early sales. The big while drilling for artesian water at Ontario, strike down east in the mills of the American Ed. Ashley, of Weiser, working under con-

Woolen Company, where is consumed half the tract with the city authorities of Ontario, struck wool product of the United States, kept prices oil and gas at a depth of 1,100 feet. The pur- low and the May wool market very quiet. pose for which the well was drilled was not There were but few buyers on the market and accomplished and no effort has been made by May sales were considerably below the aver- the city to develop the oil and gas prospects. age. The regular annual wool sales for 1902 The well was abandoned, but, although there were made at Ontario, Monday, June 23rd. are over a thousand feet of water and debris

By this date circumstances had grown favorable in the pipe, the gas makes its way to. the surface both to buyers and sellers and all were fairly and burns when lighted. It is believed by those well satisfied. The sheep men received from experienced in gas prospecting that practical ten to twelve and a half cents per pound for use could be made of the gas from both these their clips. June 30th there had been received wells if they were properly cleaned and piped. at and shipped from Ontario about 1,000,000 An inexhaustible supply of natural gas would pounds and it was estimated that this was about be of inestimable value to the people of this two-thirds of the clip for the year. section, where there are neither coal deposits Reports of the discovery of coal in various nor timbered areas and where in many localities parts oi the county have been made at intervals reliance is placed by the poorer classes upon the during the past few years, but investigation sage brush of the plains for fuel. has proven that as yet no- coal beds of real A great many are firmly of the belief that commercial value have been found. On Sucker portions of Malheur county are underlaid with creek in 1897 quite an extensive deposit was lo- stores of coal,, oil, and gas. In 190 1, Hope cated, which it was thought at first would prove Brothers and Keady and Moore, of Vale, in to be valuable fuel coal. In this, however, the connection with a number of Portland capital- discoverers were doomed to disappointment. ists, located about 12,000 acres of oil land Some of the more important elemental sub- twenty miles northwest of Vale. The land has stances found in first class fuel coal were ab^- been tested and found to be perfect in all its in- sent. It was not solid and heavy, but very light dications of oil. Another company has also and porous, resembling charcoal in these par- made locations in the same vicinity. While ticulars. It was not deficient in oils and gases, some preliminary prospecting has. been done, lighting readily and burning rapidly. These the actual work of developing has not yet com- latter qualities condemned it, as, it was con- menced. Should the field prove to be as rich in sumed so rapidly that it was found to be impos- oil and gas as indications promise, the building sible to maintain with it a, lasting and intense of a railroad across the county will be assured fire. No effort has thus far been made to de- and, together, the oil fieMs and railroad will —

HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 737

speedily solve many troublesome problems for ney. going thence by stage, forty-five miles to the people of Malheur. Canyon City, and thence by a second stage line At present the O. S. L. is the only railroad over another spur of the Blue mountains to that touches the county. All points are con- his destination. The visitor who chooses the nected by stage and freight lines. There is other alternative leaves the O. R. & N. at On- also goO'd connection by telephone between the tario. A ride continued day and night with- more important towns and outside localities. out intermission for thirty-six hours will The history oi the gold mines in the Mal- bring him to Burns, the county seat and me- heur and Mormon Basin district has been writ- tropolis of Harney county. Except for the

ten in another chapter of this work. It is es- first few miles the journey is dreary enough. timated that at least a million dollars have been Sand, sagebrush and alkali dust there are in

taken from this section and it is believed that great abundance. The farmers who have there are other millions yet to be mined. homes in the country through which the route In i860 men hurried along the lonely trails leads us are remote from the road, and only of Malheur county loathe to tarry even for a at long intervals can human habitations be- day in the midst of her seeming- desolation. seem The view which greets one when, after She afforded no rest for the weary emigrant, many hours of such cheerless travel, he offered no hand of welcome to the traveler, emerges upon the outskirts of Harney valley,

held out no promise of better things to the is therefore all the more impressive. The most

homeseeker. It was indeed a country of mal striking characteristic of the scene is its won-

heur (misfortune). But, during the forty-two- derful expansiveness, for the visitor is behold- years that have elapsed since i860, what won- ing the second largest valley in Oregon. To

derful tran formations have taken place ! Now the superficial observer it seems level as the there is promise in every sunrise and hope in floor, and in vain does he attempt to catch a every sunset. Grains grow and fruits ripen glimpse of its utmost bounds. Its magnitude and roses bloom where once stretched arid may be judged from the fact that it contains plains about 2,500 square miles, an area greater than "Then, desert land—now, gardens of delight." that of some of the smaller eastern states. Add to it the small valleys and the mountain areas HARNEY COUNTY. which are included in Harney county and we have an empire larger than Massachusetts by

The Harney country is one of the few 1,671 square miles. large, rich regions in the United States still When we first enter this mammoth do- unpenetrated by the iron horse. Strange it main, we are still in the sagebrush. The ex- may seem that in a section so progressive as perienced eye will perceive, however, that this the northwest, so inviting a field should re- desert shrub is here a. healthy plant, showing main this long open, but such is the fact, nev- that its mother earth is rich in nutritive pow- ertheless, and if we would explore this won- ers, a fact further evidenced by the blackness drous region we must enter it by stage or pri- of the surface soil. The visitor is likely to vate conveyance. There are two routes from experience a feeling of genuine regret that a the railroad by which ingress may be had, the land so abundantly capable as this evidently Canyon City route and the Ontario-Burns is, so level and convenient for the agriculturist, route. He who takes the former must trav- is lying almost totally idle. The reason is erse the Sumpter Valley line from its begin- found in the lack of capital wherewith to bring ning in Baker City to its terminus at Whit- into use the needed water for irrigation pur- 47 738 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

poses. Water in unlimited quantities is found However much the magnitude of the scene a few feet below the surface, proving that the may impress one upon his first entrance into country must be especially well adapted for the Harney valley, the largeness of things in the raising of alfalfa, could a system of surface ir- region will grow upon him as he becomes bet- rigation be installed which would enable the ter acquainted with existing conditions. Catch- grass, to live and thrive until its roots could ing the spirit of their surroundings, some of sink clown and bathe themselves in this under- the earliest settlers of the country embarked ground reservoir. Let the waters of the ad- in their chosen pursuits on a mammoth scale, joining mountains be stored and applied to the laying the foundations of the immense cattle irrigation of these broad stretches of level land farms which now form the distinguishing and the beauty and verdure of the growing characteristic of Harney county. It has been lucerne will speedily replace the unsightly sage- claimed that Harney county contains the larg- brush. est single ranch and the largest combination of A few miles further and we enter one of ranches in the world; that the Pacific Live the finest meadows of natural grass to be Stock Company's combination of ranches is the found anywhere. The numerous large stacks greatest on the face of the earth and the of hay which dot its surface give us an idea French-Glenn the most extensive single ranch. of its productiveness and an insight into the This may be an exaggeration, but certainly occupation of the people who have found homes these and other farms in the section are em- upon it. Travel over the valley in almost any pire-like in their extent. They are empire- direction during the fall season and you will like also in many of their appointments and in see large stacks of wild hay in great profusion. the completeness and system of their govern-

This is natural enough when we remember that ment and operation. On its various farms the the great master industry of the valley is Pacific Live Stock Company employs a large stock raising, that the wondrous expanse of number of men, who are managed with as level land in which we are, is more than 4,000 much system as are the employes of a well reg- feet above the sea, hence has some of the cli- ulated railway company. There are general matic characteristics of great elevations, and managers, assistant general managers, local that during the winter months hundreds of managers and assistants, foremen for the dif- tons per day must be fed to the immense herds, ferent departments, and subordinates of va- which at other seasons find sustenance in the rious grades down to the common haymaker succulent bunchgrass that constitutes nature's and cook's assistant. "When the head super- richest gift to the inhabitants of eastern Ore- intendent comes," writes a newspaper corre- gon. Here and there are to be seen fields of spondent, "there is awe among the underlings golden grain. The area devoted to this in- for fear that everything will not please, and dustry is relatively small. It must needs be when the owner comes it is like the coming of so, for wheat will not pay the cost of trans- a king." The center of this system of ranches portation to the railroad, hence its production is the White Horse ranch, so called because must be limited by local demand, but the health the superintendents ride and drive white and luxuriance of the crops give prophecy of horses. It contains about thirty thousand great things to be accomplished in the devel- acres. opment of this industry, when the modern The French-Glenn ranch is said to cover gladiators of commerce shall have pushed their more than 120,000 acres under fence. It is way into this last unoccupied field in the west- situated at the base of Stein's mountain. Upon ern states. 1 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 needs be limited to the capacity of the county 8,000 to 10,000 tons of hay per annum. "It for home consumption. The few who are en- is an empire within itself—fine buildings, fish gaged in the cultivation of the cereals must streams, broad meadows, groves of timber, realize large profits from their business, as the deer and elk and everything that is wild and yield is as great as in the most favored por- grand." tions of the state, while the price is two or

Besides these there are the Alvord ranch of three times as high as is secured in railroad

John Devine, upon which are a number of elk points. But this is an elevated region and and large herds of deer ; the Riley ranch, con- wheat is sometimes so injured by frost as to taining between 12,000 and 15,000 acres; the be rendered unfit for milling purposes. The

Shirk ranch, in Catlow valley, containing 5,- testimony given by residents as to the feasibil- 000 to 6,000 acres, noted as being one of the ity of raising fruits, vegetables, garden pro-

prettiest places in the county ; the Sissen ranch duce and the like is not altogether harmoni-

of 12,000 acres deeded land, and hundreds of ous. That those products are raised is too others smaller than those mentioned, but still palpably true to be disputed. It is maintained,

large enough to elicit surprise and wonder, if however, that even the hardier vegetables can

situated in a locality less habituated to the not be successfully cultivated in all parts of the

gigantic. different valleys and that fruit raising is prac- The manner of stacking hay on both the tical only in favored spots. Some succeed in larger and the smaller farms is worthy of pass- raising enough for their own use by building ing notice. Hayracks, wagons and pitchforks fires in their orchards during the dangerous

are dispensed with in the field, being replaced seasons, a scheme which obviously has its lim- by a labor saving implement known as a itations.

"buck." This is a. huge rake borne upon Extensive in their combined areas as are

wheels, SO' designed as to gather the bunches the numerous valleys within the confines of

of hay when drawn through the field. A load Harney county, Harney, Diamond, Catlow, secured, the teamster heads for the stack, and Dunder-und-Blitzen, Sage Hen, Happy, Warm

upon reaching it, he deposits his load upon a Springs, etc., etc., a large part of the county

net, which is hoisted by derrick to the desired is made up of mountain ranges and the foot- place. The meadows furnish fall pasture for hills extending away from their bases. Besides the herds that are gathered at that season from the wealth of pasturage which these produce,

the surrounding ranges and the hay is fed they are known to possess much wealth of to them during the winter months. timber and give great promise of proving rich,

While wool growing is secondary in im- also, in wealth of buried treasure. Many years

portance to cattle raising, it is nevertheless an will doubtless pass before the buzz of the saw- industry of great wealth producing power. mill will be heard in the more remote forests

Wool is the only product of the county, aside of the Blue mountains of Harney county. The

from live stock that is exported, and the rev- action of our government in creating the Blue-

enue derived from it and from the sale of mountain forest reserve, if the temporary with- sheep and lambs adds very materially to the drawal proves permanent, will delay develop- enormous annual income which makes its way ments in this direction indefinitely. The lack into the pockets of the farmers and the stock- of transportation has rendered the sawmiill- men. ing industry totally dependent upon the local

As already noted, the production of wheat, demand, and the business is still limited in its

fruit, potatoes and vegetables of all kinds must possibilities of development by the circum- 740 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

scribed character of the field to be supplied. are altogether unreliable and misleading, it There are, however, five sawmills in the coun- must some day become a large producer of six or rich gold, silver, copper and nickel ores. ty ranging in per diem capacity from eight thousand feet to twenty-five thousand It is stated that the existence of mineral feet. Lumber and shingles from these mills wealth in the Pueblo region has been known are utilized in the construction of buildings as for many years, but the first white men who in- many as a hundred miles away, notwithstand- vaded the country were driven out by hostile ing the fact that they must be transported by Indians, resulting in the abandonment of op- wagon over the entire distance. It is said erations. The region then lay undisturbed by that the best equipped shingle mill in the coun- the pick of the miner until a few years ago, ty is that in connection with the saw mill of when C. P. Rutherford and Maurice Fitz Ger- E. H. King. There the shingles arrive at the ald, both of Burns, took claims in two distinct mill in logs which are cut out by the lumber portions of the district, some ten miles apart. saw into- what are called "cants." These pass In the Fitz Gerald country, W. H. Welcome, on to the cut-off saw., which converts them into Thornton Williams, William Wylie, Frank bolts, and these in turn, by the operation of Hindman, Ben Brown, H. C. Levens, J. C. two shingle saws, are converted into the fin- Welcome and several others have taken claims. ished product. In the vicinity of Mr. Rutherford's camp, Ben Although Harney county has been known Brown, John Cupid, Thomas Davidson, Rich- for many years to contain precious metals, mond L. Neill, Thomas Dunphy, William Da- comparatively little attention has been paid to vidson, Joseph E. Reed, J. W. Biggs and others mining-, owing largely to the fact that the peo- have found prospects sufficiently promising to ple have been too deeply interested in the surer induce them to locate claims. It is claimed by pursuits of agriculture and stock raising. In Mr. Fitz Gerald, who has watched the returns two regions, however, considerable progress from assays closely, that Pueblo ore averages has been made in the development of prom- 10 to 40 per cent, copper. ising mines. These are the Trout creek, or While briefly treating the mining interests Idol City, and the Pueblo camps, the former of the county we must not overlook the borax twenty miles northeast of Burns, and the lat- industry, which has been developed by the ter not far from the Nevada line. Rose Valley Borax Company. Their plant is The Trout creek camp has been one of situated about twenty-five miles south of slow development, but thanks to the persever- Burns, where the Trout Creek and Wild Horse ance and unwavering faith of Charles Ingra- valleys merge into each other. Several hot springs boil up in this region and as their wat- ham, Samuel Roach, O. J. Darst and others, work has progressed steadily. While the pros- ers run through the valleys along their natural pecting period is not yet passed, developments courses, they deposit a white substance. For thus far have encouraged the hope and expec- years the residents in the vicinity and travel- tation that time and labor spent and to be spent ers supposed this to be alkali, but a few years will eventually find an abundant reward. ago a borax expert discovered the mistake. He The Pueblo region, in the southern part made known his find to certain capitalists, who of Harney county, is likewise too superficially took advantage of its owners' ignorance of its developed to furnish any producing mines, but value to purchase the property for a reputed it ranks among the most promising undevel- sum of $7,000. The company instituted a oped districts of eastern Oregon. Unless in- costly plant and in due time began operations. dications and the result of work already done 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, notice. Two large lakes, Harney and Malheur, which is transported by mule teams to Winne- cover an area in Harney valley aggregating mucca, Nevada, and sold for more than double about 150 square miles. They are connected the cost of production. by a channel some twenty yards wide and From the foregoing review of the developed two hundred long. It cannot with truth be and undeveloped resources of Harney county, said that these lakes are beautiful, for there brief and incomplete though it be, the reader is nothing especially attractive about either may gain some idea of what has been accom- their brackish, shallow waters or the country plished and form some conception oif the great stretching away in any direction from their things the future most certainly has in store. shores. They are, however, the delight oi The men who, in company with those who thousands of clucks, geese, swans and numer- have already planted here their vine and fig ous other varieties of water fowl, and hence tree, are to work out this development will the delight of the sportsman. The country in find this country by no means lacking in those their vicinity, though not favored with topo- ulterior attractions which add so much to the graphical beauty, is rendered attractive by the pleasure of living. The climate is not ideal, fact that there Nature frequently vouchsafes but it is healthful and generally pleasant. It to manifest one of her strangest and least un- is said that in some places high winds are oi derstood phenomena, The hour of sunrise, al- common occurrence, though cyclones and tor- ways possessed of a sweet, inexplicable charm, nadoes are unknown here, as elsewhere in the is usually attended during the summer 1 months west. The springs' are frequently rather by a delightful mirage. Towns, houses, moun- dreary and backward. The summers and falls tain peaks., herds of peacefully grazing cattle are grand, the heat of midday never being op>- or sheep rise up from the ground by magic pressive and the nights being invariably cool and are pictured on the atmosphere with great and conducive to refreshing slumber. Some distinctness of outline. It is said that distant stormy weather in winter there certainly is. objects are soi vividly mirrored that persons Sometimes the thermometer indicator plays several miles from home have identified with- around a point far below the zero mark, but out difficulty the different members of their severe cold is of short duration, owing toi the families as they went about their work. Mir- influence of the balmy chinook, which seldom ages are not confined to the lake region, but are delays its coming long. In its topographical also seen, though less frequently, in other parts features the country is varied and pleasing. of the Harney country. Even the sage brush plains have an attraction One of the greatest natural attractions of of their own, and a few hours ride will bring this region is what is known as Malheur Cave, him whoi has grown tired of the stretches of situated on a sage brush plain about a mile arid, semi-arid, or marshy prairies, toi regions from the place where the south fork of the Mal- where the tall mountain peaks rear their crests heur river heads. G. C. Duncan, to whom we far skyward, where the dark forests give forth believe the honor of being its first explorer be- gentle music in response to the technique of longs, has described this marvel in the follow- the breezes, the crystal streams sing mournful ing language: lullabies and the calm, clear lakes mirror their "The cave is twenty feet wide and six beautiful environs with vividness and fidelity. feet hig"h at its entrance, and has an incline While no attempt can be made to describe downward for the first two> hundred feet. It the topography of the country ini detail, some then turns to the northeast and runs very near- special features are deserving of a passing 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 fisb have been caught in the cave that were of

wide and twenty feet high and is very uniform blue color and eyeless."

in its structure the walls running up about O'f still greater interest, especially to* thoise six feet on either side, and then commencing who take pleasure in the study of antiquities to arch over, forming certainly the finest arch or prehistoric man, are the curious caves de- ever discovered in the whole family of caves. scribed as existing in the southeastern part of

"It is grand almost beyond description, and Harney county. As far as the writer knows, rivals the great Mammoth Cave in its smooth- the only person who has given them any atten- ness of character and uniformity. For the tion is O. M. Rosendale, a mining engineer,

first 250 yards the bottom is as smooth as a who> about two years ago described them and their in floor ; then are found piles of rubbish of debris the circumstances attending discovery that have accumulated by falling from the ceil- a Portland newspaper as follows ing above, one hundred yards or so apart, the "I had occasion to- visit Harney county last one being something over one hundred last week and have every reason to« believe that yards from the water. I discovered traces of cliff dwellers. I was

''There is no difficulty in reaching the water; alone on horseback, traveling through the

it runs back on either side in a trough from southeastern portion of Harney county, when the main pool, a distance of 100 feet, settling I made the discovery. down on either side leaving the floor crowning. "The spot was a peculiar one. Cliffs of

"The water is remarkably clear; one cam black basaltic formation, without a vestige of see the sand in the bottom at a depth of four vegetation, rose abruptly from the desert and defile. feet, and it appears to have no outlet, as it is formed a narrow After passing through

perfectly still and quiet; it is good drinking the defile and leading my wornout horse, I water. proceeded to> scale a hill for the purpose of "This wonderful curiosity has to be seen to getting my bearings, as I had evidently lost

be appreciated. It is truly of basalt formation them for the past six hours. Turning on one point hillside, and is quarternary. The walls are honey- of the which was half filled with combed in many places. The wall on the south sand-blown crevices, a strange sight was. pre-

side sits on a horizontal basement of eruptive sented to me. There before me were about rocks. sixty-five cliff dwellers' habitations, deserted, "This magnificent cave has evidently been of course, but in a fair state of preservation. The clear and unclouded sky used in time by the Indians as a fortification ; was looking upon the entrance has been walled up with stone, a picture of queer and very strangely formed and tbere are also two- walls or breastworks on small buildings, roofless, bound together with the inside, running from each corner of the no material whatsoever, but hewn with all the entrance diagonally near the center some fifty skill of the ancient craftsmen. feet long; this was for the second defense in "In the middle of the place was an upright case they were driven back from the moutb. stone, resembling the famous altar stones of Around and about the mouth of the cave there the ancient Aztecs of old Mexico. Most proba- are considerable fine chippings, where the abor- bly on this stone the bloody rites of human igines have sharpened their stone implements, sacrifice were once performed by an extinct made of obsidian or volcanic glasis. race. As I was already much delayed in my "I think that water exists in the end of journey, time did not permit a thorough ex-

the cave, but cannot tell without further ex- amination of the locality, nor an exploration parties that of the caves yet I am thoroughly convinced ploring. I was informed by two ; :

HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 743 that the caves served at one time as the habi- plorer, the entomologist and the admirer of tations of what are commonly known as cliff grand and weird scenery. dwellers. "These are the first traces of cliff dwellers "In 1893 I had the honor to be one of a that have been found above the 42nd degree." party of Smithsonians sent into the almost in- So isolated is the Harney country of Ore- accessible regions of New Mexico, the Goronda gon from all the usual courses of travel, and del MuertO', or, translated, the Journey of so non-communicative have 'been the stockmen Death, for the purpose of examining the ex- and prospectors who alone have penetrated to tensive cliff dwellers' ruins in that country. its most remote regions, that its topography,

We were also- to obtain measurements for the its mineral wealth and its scientific wonders reproduction of the habitations of the cliff are comparatively unknown to the general pub- dwellers to exhibit at the World's Fair. The lic. The day is already dawning when ignor- caves were reproduced at the fair, and are now ance shall be completely dispelled. Knowledge a part of the Field museum in Chicago. Out- and the building of railroads will bring an side the fact that the trip of last week was in influx of people to take advantage of its natur- Oregon, one might have felt himself trans- al resources, and the result will be development ferred to the wilds of New Mexico again. alonjg many different lines, such as few even "The interior of southeastern Oregon af- dimly foresee. fords a great field for the mineralogist, the ex-

CHAPTER II.

THE INDIAN WAR OF 1878.

The most exciting event in the history of appreciate the advantages offered by this re- eastern Oregon since its settlement by the gion to homeseekers and after the news of this whites was the Bannock and Piute war of war had been heralded abroad this influx was 1878. Nearly every county of eastern Ore- almost stopped for a time. Western Oregon gon was embraced in the field of operations, took advantage of this misfortune to decry the and every section was affected either directly eastern portion of the state and it was many or indirectly. While the results of this final years before this region fully recovered from struggle of the Indians for supremacy in the the effects of this influence alone. northwest were not as serious as they might Speaking of the causes of this war. Col. have been had the plans of the leaders been car- William Parsons, of Pendleton, says nothing ried out, the results were serious enough. The could be further from the fact than Gilbert's war caused the death of hundreds of settlers surmise when he says in his history and the destruction of thousands of dollars "Buffalo Horn was a celebrated warrior, worth of property, besides seriously disturbing who had the year before aided the government the existing prosperity of the country. Set- against Chief Joseph and his hostile band of Perces. tlers coming from the east had just begun to Nez His reward for such service was 744 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

not in keeping with his estimate of its value the brave Nez Perces, and that in gratifying a and importance. He saw Chief Joseph hon- tribal grudge he had dealt a deadly blow at the ored and made the recipient of presents and Indian race; he saw the whites crowding into flattering attentions, while the great Buffalo Montana and Idaho, his people ordered within Horn was practically ignored. His philosophi- the confines of the Fort Hall reservation, and

cal mind at once led him to' the conclusion that it finally dawned upon his benighted mind that more favors could be wrung from the govern- the same chains which had been fastened to the

ment by hostility than in fighting its battles." ankles of Joseph were already forged for his, "With the exception of the Utes," says Col- and were about to be riveted on them. Buffalo onel Parsons, "the Bannocks are the meanest, Horn was something of a statesman, but no most treacherous, most savage and most blood- general: Joseph was, in the opinion of Gen-

thirsty of all the Indians west of the Missis- eral Miles, the ablest strategist and general sippi river. From time immemorial they have of the Indian race, from the time of King Phil- been the hereditary enemies of the Oregon and ip to the present. Buffalo Horn came to- the

Idaho Indians, including the Cayuses, Uma- conclusion that if he could unite all the Indians tillas, Walla Wallas and Nez Perces, and more west of the Missouri into a confederacy, the than once they crossed the Blue mountains and whites could be whipped out. Thereupon, he inflicted bitter injuries upon the Cayuses and visited the various bands of the Utes, the Sho-

their allies'. Therefore, when Chief .Joseph shones, the Umatillas, Cayuses and AValla and his band of non-treaty Nez Perces, took Wallas, and sent runners to the Columbias, up arms in 1877, rather than surrender the Spokanes, Chief Moses and other northern In- Wallowa county to the whites, and began their dians, requesting them to unite with him in a famous retreat through the Lolo pass and the final effort to drive the whites out of the In- Yellowstone park to the British possessions, land Empire. His overtures -were received the Bannocks, under command of Captain with favor. Samuel G. Fisher, a white man, furnished "The plan was to move west and north nearly a hundred warriors to harrass the flee- from Pocatello', past Boise, until a junction ing Nez Perces. They saw the whole of that could be formed with the Umatillas, Cayuses, remarkable campaign; they saw Joseph, with Walla Wallas and Columbias, on the Umatilla less than four hundred warriors, and encum- reservation, then, devastating the country, to bered with one thousand women and children, move north, uniting with the Spokanes and carry on a running fight for one thousand and other Indians in northern Washington, there four hundred miles, defeating General How- to make a stand. If too hard pressed the In- ard again and again, recapturing his camp at dians were then to retire across the line within Big Hole Basin from General Gibbon and pur- the limits of British Columbia. The plan was suing the latter so fiercely that nothing but his well conceived and could have easily been exe- reserve artillery saved his force from annihila- cuted had the Indians been possessed of a gen- tion, and finally surrendering with the honors eral with the ability of Chief Joseph of the of war to General Miles at Bear Paw moun- Nez Perces." tain, near the British line; he saw Joseph cap- During the latter part of May the execu- tured, but not disgraced, and he became jealous tion of the plan outlined above was begun by of the Nez Perces. chieftain's military fame; he the Bannocks, starting from the Fort Hall un- also realized, when it was too late, that he had der the leadership of Chief Buffalo Horn. The made a serious mistake in joining his forces to Indians numbered about two hundred braves, that of the whites in the pursuit and capture of besides their squaws and children. After the HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 745 attempted slaughter of two white men on Big Chief Egan, on the Warm Spring reservation

Camas prairie, Idaho, who fortunately es- in what is now Malheur county, or it may be caped with their lives in time to warn the set- in Barren valley. During the trip of the Ban- tlers of the outbreak, the Indians encamped nocks through the southern portion of Baker in the lava beds between the Big Camas county a few depredations were committed by prairie and Snake river and from there com- the Indians, but only one or two lives were lost menced their murderous and pillaging expe- and the property loss was very small. In Bar- ditions. ren valley, on the present Malheur-Harney Two weeks previously Buffalo Horn had county line, the first habitation of white men ridden into Boise one day with a small escort in Grant (now Harney) county was visited. and, under the guise of being friendly and Green Crowley and James, his son, lived here. loyal to the whites, had finally obtained an or- Old Chief Winnemucca, uncle of the noted der from Governor Brayman authorizing the Sarah Winnemucca, and Natchez, her broth- sale of firearms and ammunition to him. This er, were friendly Indians. They interceded was in plain violation of a standing order from with the hostiles to spare these men and with the President, forbidding the gift or sale of success, for the Indians left them unharmed. ammunition and firearms to Indians. When the redskins had passed out of sight So, well sunulied with the means of carry- Winnemucca and Natchez returned and ad- ing on warfare, Buffalo Horn immediately vised the Crowleys to leave. They mounted placed himself at the head of his formidable fleet ho«rses and at once started for the Alvord band and proceeded to his bloody work. He ranch, which they reached, going thence to the told the settlers that they must leave the prairie White Horse ranch. A small band of red- or be killed, then without much delay, com- skins pursued them some distance but could menced the work of massacring the whites and not overtake them. At White Horse ranch the destroying property. Payne's ferry, near Rat- settlers had constructed a small fort, built of tlesnake station, was their first objective point, juniper posts, and were prepared to' defend and there they killed a man and a woman, pil- themselves. The Indians did not molest them, laged houses and stole several head of stock. however, but they did return to the Crowley

The first force sent against them was entirely place and burned the inside of the house and too small, consisting of ninety mounted troop- roof, leaving nothing but bare stone walls ers under command of Major Collins, so prac- standing. tically unresisted the Indians pushed their way From Barren valley the hostiles advanced westward and northward. in a northwesterly direction up Indian creek But the redskins had overlooked one very and through Anderson valley, on the northern important point in this campaign—the tele- slope of Stein mountain. Here they burned graph—for hardly had they started from Fort G. W. Anderson's house. From Anderson Hall before the news was communicated to all valley the Indians passed on to Happy valley, important military stations in the northwest. where, about the middle of June, they at- Troops were hurried from Salt Lake City, tacked George C. Smith and his son, John, took refuge in the home of the father. Camp Harney; Camp Halleck, California ; Car- who son City, Nevada; Corrine, Utah; Portland, There the white men made a stand and for a Boise and other points. day and a half successfully resisted the In- The Indians crossed into Oregon near Sil- dians, but they were finally overpowered and ver City, Idaho, and then proceeded in a north- killed. The house with the bodies was burned, westerly direction, meeting the Piutes under 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 ing the horse, also. The faithful animal car- and a half of the place in which he and his fa- ried Wetzel half a mile and then fell dead. On ther were massacred, and that of Stilley Rid- the hillside, also, was a friendly Rogue River dle. Indian, who had camped at the Diamond ranch.

About this time Sylvester (Coon) Smith A ball struck the stock of his rifle, splintering was journeying to Happy valley on his way it and driving a large splinter into one of his from the Willamette, and arriving at the top hands, making a very painful wound. The rest of the divide between Diamond and Happy of the party escaped uninjured. Wetzel rode valleys, he saw Indians and horses below him behind another man to Krumbo. From Krum- and suspected that something was wrong. He bo all went to the "P" ranch, twenty-five miles returned to Diamond, but there was laughed further, where fresh horses were obtained and at for his fear. Thus spurred on he again the party rode to Camp Harney, arriving the started for Happy valley. This time the In- next afternoon about two o'clock. A man dians caught sight of him and chased him to named Dixon and an employe came to Harney, the ranch where Messrs. French and Robie, also, but later returned to Krumbo, where they assisted by sixteen men, were rounding up had abandoned their wagons in their hasty horses. When French saw them coming he flight for safety. While on the return trip gathered his men around him and with only Dixon and his companion were killed by the one rifle and sixteen rounds of ammunition, Piutes. the company charged the Indians. The In- While these events were transpiring, How- dians waited until the cowboys were close and ard's command was pursuing the Indians, and then dropped off their horses in the sagebrush on Silver creek the first battle took place. Col- for cover. French called a retreat back to the onel Bernard, with four companies oif cavalry, ranch buildings. As the Indians rounded a his own, Whipple's, McGregor's and Perry's, point, he mounted a board fence, fired one shot under Bomus, aided by the scouts under Col- and missed. The Indians returned the fire, onel Robbins, were in the van of the army, one of the bullets striking the post astride of and on Sunday, June 23d, overtook the Indians which French stood. Meanwhile the horses and surprised and charged their camp. A sec- had been turned loose and French now ordered ond charge was made, but the hostiles, who a retreat to the "P" ranch. A running fight greatly outnumbered the troops, rallied and ensued. The Chinese cook was riding bare- the soldiers were compelled to withdraw. The back and fell behind in the race up the rimrock. redskins then strongly entrenched themselves Finally he jumped off and attempted to hide and the troops withdrew to await reinforce- under a little bridge, crossing a gully. The ments. This fight occurred near Curry creek, Indians dragged him out and killed him. forty-five miles from Harney. In this battle "Coon" Smith tried to catch the Chinaman's Buffalo Horn was killed, during one of the horse and narrowly escaped being shot. An charges. Colonel Robbins and Chief Egan Indian aimed at him but was too slow, as fought a personal duel, in which Egan was French, who had gained the summit of the twice shot, his left arm being crippled and his hill on the north side of McCoy creek, shot well known buckskin war horse captured. and killed the redskin before the latter could Egan was dragged from the field by his young fire at Smith. Meanwhile John Wetzel, one of warriors and the severe wound he received in the party, had gained the same hill and dis- this action made his subsequent capture easy. mounted to cinch his saddle. As he remount- Colonel Robbins had his horse shot from under ed, a rifle ball struck him in the thigh, wound- 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 rode on an enemy at least six times their num- killed on the battlefield, also a scout, named ber. When within about 600 yards the charge Myers. Another trooper was mortally wound- was sounded and with a yell, the men dug in ed. After the escape of French and Rohie their spurs and charged. The Indians left from the ranch near Happy valley, and their their village and took to a fortified position on

subsequent ride to Camp Harney, they went to the bluffs to the left and in front where it was the front with Bernard's command and partic- impossible for the cavalry to follow. The vil- ipated in the Silver creek fight. From here lage was situated on the creek, which was cov- Robie took dispatches from Colonel Bernard ered with dense willows. The battle raged to Camp Harney and upon his arrival there, fiercely for a time, two charges being made. volunteered to carry dispatches to Boise, which Personal encounters were numerous. One of

was his home. This gallant old pioneer never especial interest was that between Sergeant - recovered from the effects of the long, arduous George H. Richards, of McGregor's company,

trip, and shortly after he reached home, passed and Bear Skin, a noted Bannock chief. A away. good shot finally ended the struggle, leaving

This fight is graphically described by a the Indian stretched out on the ground. When

correspondent of the Baker City Bedrock it was found that nothing could be gained from

Democrat at the time, as follows : charging the positions on the bluff, the com-

"At midnight, June 2'ist, Colonel Bernard's mand withdrew temporarily. First cavalry, with four companies and 168 "Companies A and G coming up, the at- scouts, left Camp Harney to attack the hos- tack was renewed with the old vigor, Com-

tile Indians, who- were known to be in large pany L being deployed as skirmishers on a

force in the vicinity of Silver creek. The com- small hill to- the left of that held by Colo- mand camped at a burnt ranch the following nel Bernard, to prevent a flank movement. The night. Scouts sent out reported Indians close fighting, at times fierce and again desultory,

at hand, but large trails, which plainly indi- was kept up on both sides until far into the cated between 1,200 and 1,500 warriors on the night, great gallantry being displayed by our rampage. troopers. Between midnight and two o'clock, "'Early the next morning the advance however, the hostiles left, closely pursued by scouts under Colonel Robbins sighted the In- Colonel Bernard for a distance of ten miles, dians on a creek known as Silver creek, about when the Indians rallied and made another sixty miles south of Camp Harney. It was ev- stand. Troops then awaited the arrival of ident that the red men were unaware of the ap- General Howard. proach of the troops, for their stock was un- "Much property in the Indian camp was guarded. destroyed, also considerable money and am- "Colonel Bernard quickly formed his men munition was captured." After the fight on Silver creek and the sub- in line, as follows : Company F in advance un- sequent retreat of the hostiles up this creek, der Lieutenant Bomus ; Company G next, un- the redskins crossed the Strawberry range and der Lieutenant Ward ; Company A in the rear, under Captain McGregor; and Company L to went down Murderer's creek to the south guard the supplies, under Colonel Whipple. fork of the John Day river and thence down "Then after a speech by the Colonel encour- into and across the John Day valley, ravaging aging the men to do their best, the little com- and pillaging farms and ranches whenever in pany of troops singing, 'Scouts to the Front,' their path and occasionally killing herders and and determined on either victory or death. ranchmen. While descending into the valley 748 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

the redskins were met by a small scouting were killed while herding sheep. Pursued by party under command of James N. Clark, an Bernard the fleeing redskins then took old pioneer freighter. This company was or- a northeastward course through Fox ganized at Canyon City for the purpose of valley and across Long creek to the keeping watch of the movements of the In- Middle Fork of the John Day river.

dians. The little company was immediately At Long Creek a small log fort had been attacked and defended itself with great hero- built and in this the settlers were congre- ism. A young man named Aldrich was killed gated in force, ready to protect their families and Clark's horse was shot under him, falling and themselves in case the Indians attacked upon his leg. Another member of the com- them. The Indians sent a small party to the pany named Burnham pulled the horse off and fort under the protection of a flag of truce and he and Clark escaped to the willows fringing this party sought to entice the defenders out- the bank of the South Fork, from which they side for a conference, intending to fall upon finally found their way in safety to the settle- them and massacre them and those inside the ments. One of the party received a bullet in fort. The Indians pretended that they were the heel of his boot. Another squad of citi- friendly and sought in several ways to gain zens left John Day a little later, among them entrance. But the settlers were too experi- being Emil Schutz. This expedition was also enced and cautious to be so easily deceived and organized for the purpose of scouting. At the finally the Indians gave up their plan and went Cummings ranch, twenty miles west of Canyon by within six hundred yards of the stockade.

City, the Indians fell upon this little company, In this region the Bannocks and Piutes wounding Schutz and driving them back to the were joined by a large number of renegades

settlements. known as Columbia river Indians, strasrsflers At Canyon City preparations were made for from tribes recognizing no reservation as home. the defense of the town. Many stockmen and These Indians were formerly from Priest Rap- ranchmen living in outlying districts came into ids. Many Umatillas also joined the war the place with their families and during the party about this time. Crossing the Middle period of greatest danger, when the Indians and North Forks the Indians went down Birch were crossing the mountains several miles creek toward the Umatilla reservation. south of the town, the abandoned mining tun- In the territory now embraced in Baker nels west of town were converted into tem- county there were no hostilities. The proxi- porary places of refuge and were occupied by mity of the hostiles during their march to the many. Had there been any real danger, the Columbia river was sufficient, however, to citizens of the town were prepared to resist to arouse the inhabitants of this section to a sense their utmost, but the redskins were wise of their danger and precautions were taken to

enough to make a wide circuit of the place and insure the safety of all. Those living in out- cross the valley where it was less thickly settled, lying districts left their homes and ranches and so that'the citizens of Canyon City and John congregated in Baker City for defense. Re-

Day were spared the necessity of shedding ports coming in from nearby points to- the ef- blood. At Prairie City a volunteer company fect that the Indians were approaching, gave a martial stir was organized with J. W. Mack as captain. and bustle to the town and several This company never saw service, however. contingents of troops going" to the front stopped Considerable property in the John Day there. For a time, in July, Baker City was valley was destroyed by the Indians while division headquarters for the army and thus crossing it and two nephews of James Small became an important military station, though —

HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 749

no actual hostilities occurred within the con- too far for support—and fifteen hundred sav- fines of the present county. Preparations were age warriors were supposed to be about to fall

made to repel the Indians should they appear, upon them. Pendleton was to- receive the first but fortunately they did not, and Baker county assault. That the result would be the complete

was saved from the ravages of an Indian raid. destruction of Pendleton and its outlying set- The story of the war in Umatilla county, tlements was believed by many, while the most the battles of Willow Springs, of Birch and sanguine felt but little confidence. Buffalo Butter creeks, of the defense of Pendleton and Horn, the Bannock leader, having been killed the subsequent defeat and dispersal of the red- the command of the allied forces of Snakes and

skins is told by Col. Parsons in one oi the pub- Piutes devolved upon Egan, who was totally lisher's former works, and believing that this unfit for so heavy a responsibility, and was account will enhance the value of this narrative, also incapacitated in a measure from wounds.

the substance of it is given herewith. His army arrived in and had possession of The first definite information received at Camas prairie on July 4th, and if he had Pendleton of the approach of the Indians was marched at once upon Pendleton, he would brought in by Narcisse A. Cornoyer on the have met no effective resistence, could have second of July, who reported that while out on followed the Umatilla down to the Columbia, the John Day river Avith a hunting party, he and in spite of the two or three armed steam- had struck the hostiles. The consternation can boats patroling the river, made a successful hardly be described. In wagons, on horse- crossing. That accomplished, he could have back and on foot, the settlers hastened to the gathered up the northern Indians, and with nearest towns for protection. Pendleton, Uma- augmented forces, could fight or retreat across

tilla, Wallula, Weston, Milton and Walla the British line, .as seemed most advisable ; but Walla were crowded with refugees. [Homes he hesitated, and delay was fatal to his enter- were abandoned so hastily that neither provis- prise. Compare Egan's imbecility with Chief ions nor extra clothing were provided. All Joseph's masterly strategy when he emerged settlements within reach of a warning voice from the Lolo trail near Missoula, Montana, were deserted in a day. Cattle and sheepmen the previous year, and found himself con- in the mountains were in a precarious situation, fronted with a strong force, behind an impreg- and many were killed before they could reach nable fortification of logs, while General How- places of safety. Major Cornoyer, the Indian ard was thundering in his rear. Joseph called

agent, gathered in all the Indians possible, in- for a parley with the whites in his front and cluding the non-combatant Columbia river and tried to get permission to pass, under promise Warm Spring Indians, amounting to about to commit no depredations. Failing in that, two thousand, the loyalty of many of whom he notified the enemy that he would force a

was seriously doubted. passage the next morning ; and then he opened But while most of the settlers escaped to the fire on the disputed passage with a thin line of

towns, it must not be forgotten that the towns skirmishers, and while the whites were thus oc-

themselves were scarcely able to> make any de- cupied, he led his whole party of nearly fifteen fense. Pendleton had not more than one hun- hundred people, mostly non-combatants, by a dred and fifty inhabitants, but with the refugees devious route through the timber and almost to the rear of the fort, it had perhaps three hundred, of whom per- impassible canyons, haps seventy-five were capable of bearing arms. effecting his escape without the loss of a man. Heppner, Wallula, Weston and Milton were It was fortunate for the people of eastern mere hamlets. They were widely separated 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 fense erected by the panic stricken inhabitants with on that momentous fourth day of July, of Pendleton was a row of wagons stretched 1878, but only a blunderer like Egan. Instead across Main street from the Savings Bank of striking a decisive blow and falling upon building to where the Odd Fellows' building Pendleton before the troops from Walla Walla, now stands. The women and children were and the volunteers from Weston, Milton and hustled into Byers' mill, and a number of the other points, could concentrate, he frittered men went there to guard them. Frank Vincent away the time in killing a few straggling sheep- was made captain of the company organized herders and skirmishing with Captain Wilson's for the defense of the town. handful of thirty men, which had met the In- At Umatilla City similar precautions were

dians near Alba, and finding that the enemy taken. J. H. Kunzie was appointed assistant was in force, had retreated to Pendelton with adjutant general by Governor Stephen F. Chad- considerable alacrity. So small was the force of wick and made his headquarters there. That

the whites at Pendleton, and so badly was it point was selected because it had the nearest provided with arms and competent officers, to telegraph office, and because supplies for

say nothing of its utter demoralization through troops and volunteers were landed there. Vol- rumors and reports of the overwhelming unteers were organized and armed by Kunzie,

strength of the Indians, that men who were and the town was closely guarded. It had a

present affirm that if one hundred Indians had population of about one hundred and fifty at that time. stone made a sharp attack, either on the 4th, 5th or The warehouse of J. R. Fos- 6th of July, the town would have fallen. If ter & Company was fitted up for a fort, in Egan's whole force of five hundred warriors which a final stand could be made in case of an bad made the assault upon either of those days attack. Like preparations were made at Hepp- no effective resistance could have been made, ner, Weston, Milton and other places which and the valley of the Umatilla from' the Blue were supposed to be in danger. mountains to the Columbia would have been As soon as Captain Wilson's company had swept clear of the whites. The Umatilla reserv- straggled in from Camas prairie with the in- ation Indians would have been forced to unite formation that the hostiles were in force in with the hostiles, the Columbian and Washing- that region, and that some of their number and ton Indians would have followed the example, some sheep-herders had been killed, another company organized and Buffalo Horn's confederacy would have was by Sheriff J. L. Sper- been consummated, to the enormous damage of ry, which started July 5th for the front, with white interests throughout the whole Inland a company from Weston under Dr. W. W. Og- Empire. Fortunately, it was Egan, not Jo- lesby and another under M. Kirk. At Pilot seph, who led the hostiles. Rock they received recruits and were then con- Pendleton consisted of about thirty or forty solidated into a single company. houses, mostly one-story shacks, scattered The next morning they marched from Pilot along Court and Main streets from the Golden Rock for Camas prairie, but stopped at Willow Rule hotel to the Pendleton Savings Bank Springs for dinner. Willow Springs consisted building. Besides the courthouse, there was in O'f a house, a shed and a sheep corral. While the town a three-story frame mill, where the ait their dinner the volunteers were attacked in main building of Byers' splendid frame mill force by the Indians, who drove in the pickets now stands, but it was away out of the then so rapidly that it was a close race between the town. The houses were in a sort of quad- ' pursuers and the pursued as to which should rangle, by no means compact. The first de- first announce the assault. At the first alarm. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 751

thirteen of the volunteers sprang onto their The return of this shattered company ad- horses and struck out for Pendleton. The ded to the demoralization of the defenders of others made a virtue of necessity, tied their Pendleton, and they were in very bad case for horses in the sheep corral, and took refuge in a fight had the Indians followed up their ad- the shed. The position was absolutely indefen- vantage. Luckily the defeat of Sperry's com- sible, being commanded by the surrounding pany was covered by the arrival from Walla hills and rocks. It had one advantage—there Walla of Major Throckmorton's regulars on was water—but the water was- not exactly the eveninig of the 6th, and the next day other available so' long as the spring was outside the troops arrived from Lapwai, making Throck- shed and commanded by the rifles o

walked through the zone of Indian fire, filled daylight, about four miles north of Pilot Rock. his pail and returned unscathed to his com- They escorted them back to Pendleton, where

panions. The shed was riddled with bullets, that remnant of an unfortunate company all and several casualties resulted. William arrived in safety. Lamar, a school teacher, who was engaged to And now the real defense of Pendleton be- be married to a daughter of Dr. W. C. McKay, gan. A line, of rifle pits was constructed from

was killed and S. I. Lansdon, A. Crisfield, S. Foster's mill down to the mouth of Tutawilla,

Rothschild afterward a prominent merchant oi and manned by the regulars, and all the sol- Pendleton, G. W. Titsworth, C. R. Hender- diers were fully supplied with ammunition.

son, Frank Hannah, Jacob Frazer, J. W. Salis- Captain Vincent's company of volunteers had bury and H. H. Howell were wounded, Salis- general charge of the northern defenses of the bury twice and Hannah seven times. town, but even then the line was not well main- Realizing that they were in a trap, the vol- tained. The women and children were con- unters decided to> abandon their position dur- centrated in Byers' mill, but there were no out-

ing the night and try to escape to Pendleton. posts to protect it, and the line along the Uma- Loading their wounded upon a wagon (it was tilla river to the north was without any ade- a curious thing that all of them were shot in quate defense. At this stage of affairs, James the leg) they started for Pendleton, the men H. Turner, a lawyer, suggested the idea that being instructed to fall prostrate the instant a the noncombatants in the mill were at the mercy gun was fired. They had gone but a few hun- of the Indians if the latter should attempt dred yards when the flash of a gun caused them to fire that building. Thereupon Lot Liver- to throw themselves upon the ground just in more, Turner and James Drake, who had seen time to escape a destructive volley from the service in the Civil war, organized a company hostiles, Harrison Hale, too slow in falling of twelve men, who under Drake as captain, prostrate, was shot dead. The rest of them re- took possessions of a fence east of Byers' mill, turned the fire and the Indians gave way after determined to hold it. The line along the river discharging a few scattering shots. The re- north of Court street was held by Captain Will- treat began at midnight and before daylight iam Martin and a dozen other volunteers, so the fugitives were attacked four times. 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 Indians and a few horses were wounded and killed. All canoes from Celilo to Wallula were destroyed. until July 7th, when General Howard and Ma- Captain Wilkinson on the Northwest fired into a small jor Throckmorton formed a junction of their party in the act of crossing a few miles above Uma- forces at Pilot Rock, and proceeded to make tilla. Two braves and a squaw were killed. The death of State Senator C. L. Jewell was an attack, in force, on the Indians, who were re- ascribed to Columbias by many. He had a large band ported to be encamped at the of Butter head of sheep in Camas prairie, and went there with Mor- and Birch creeks. The situation in Pendle- risey to look after them. They encountered a number ton during these fateful days was terrifying, of Indians but succeeded in eluding them and reaching the herders' cabin in safety. Leaving Morrisey there, and yet very amusing, to one who* looks back he returned to Pendleton to secure arms for his men, • upon the excitement in the light O'f subsequent who had decided to remain and defend themselves. events. The morning of the 5th he left Pendleton with several needle guns, contrary to the advice of many friends. Sunday, July 7th, Howard's forces, coming He was expected at the hut that night but did not from the east, united with Throckmorton's come. regulars at Pilot Rock, and the next morning The 8th Morrisey started to see if he could be found. Near Nelson's he met Captain Frank Maddock assailed the Indian camp at the head of Butter with a company of volunteers from Heppner, who in- and Birch creeks. forces thus The combined formed him that two men had been killed there. A were much more than a match for the Indians search revealed the bodies of Nelson and N. Scully. and Egan's chances of victory were gone. Ac- Morrisey went around Nelson's house, when he saw a piece of shake sticking up in the road, upon which was cording to Gilbert. written the information that Jewell was lying wounded The command moved in two columns, two com- in the brush. Morrisey called out, "Charley !" He panies of artillery, one of infantry and a few volun- received a faint response, and the injured man was teers under Throckmorton, seven companies of cavalry found with a severe wound in his left side and his left and twenty of Robbins' scouts, under Captain Bernard, arm broken. accompanied by Howard in person. The Indians were When Jewell had approached Nelson's place on the encountered and driven with considerable loss from night of the 5th he had been fired upon and fell from their strong positions, and finally fled in the direction his horse, but, while the Indians were killing those at of Grande Ronde valley. the house, he had crawled into the bushes. In the Meanwhile events were happening along the Colum- morning he worked his way out into the road, wrote bia. Governor Ferry hastened to Walla Walla on the his notice on the shake and crawled back again. For 7th and raised a company of forty volunteers under three days he had lain there without food and unable Captain W. C. Painter, that proceeded to Wallula and to help himself, when he was found by Morrisey. He embarked the next morning on the steamer Spokane was conveyed to Pendleton and carefully nursed, ibut under command of Major Kress. he died the next Friday. Captain Wilkinson had the Northwest with twelve Meanwhile all was confusion at Pendleton and the soldiers and twenty volunteers. These boats, armed agency. The citizens were suspicious of the reservation with howitzers and Gatling guns, patroled the river. Indians, fearing they intended to unite with the hostiles. This was the day that Floward drove the Indians back Consequently volunteers would not go to the agency to into the mountains, thus heading them off if they had defend it. Forty families of Columbias slipped out and any designs of crossing- the river. went into the enemies' camp, and a few young Uma- There were several hundred Indians that had never tillas started off without permission, probably with a lived on the reservation and they were considered non- similar intention. treaty Indians. They belonged chiefly to the Umatilla Two of these saw George Coggan, Fred Foster and and Walla Walla tribes, lived in the vicinity of Wallula Al Bunker coming down from Cayuse Station on a and Umatilla and were known as the Columbia River course that took them in dangerous proximity to the Indians. When Major Cornoyer gathered in the scat- hostiles. They rode toward the men with the intention tered bands, many of these refused to go and were of warning them, so they said afterward, and at the direc- looked upon as sympathizing with the hostiles and were same time a third Indian rode up from another a few supposed to have joined them. The morning of the day tion. The men had seen some deserted wagons Charles Howard had his fight on Butter and Birch creeks a miles back, where Olney J. P. McCoy. Mc- been number of these attempted to cross the river with a Laughlin, Thomas Smith and James Myers had on quantity of stock. They were intercepted at three killed. They had also passed a band of Columbias points by the Spokane, and, being fired upon, several their way to the hostile camp. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 75S

When they saw the Indians dashing toward them Colonel Miles held the same opinion of Umapine's from different directions they supposed them to be the loyalty that the citizens did and refused to send soldiers ones they had passed, and, concluding that their time on such an errand. The Cayuses expressed their dis- had come, began firing at them. The Umatillas sud- appointment to the agent, and complained of these sus- denly changed their pacific intentions and commenced picions. He told them the best way to convince the shooting. Coggan was killed and Bunker wounded. whites of their loyalty was to go out themselves and Foster, who had every reason to believe that he was capture Egan. assailed by at least a score of savages, took the wounded Cayuses, acted on man upon his horse and carried him two miles, when Whirlwind, chief of the Bunker could go no farther. Foster was then com- this suggestion, and picking out a party of pelled to leave him and hastened to Pendleton, where about forty men repaired to the rendezvous, his arrival created a panic. 'Besides killing the which was between Mleacham and Cayuse sta- teamsters, the Indians burned Cayuse Station that day. At this time news was received that Colonel Miles tion. Umapine and Five Crows visited Egan had been informed of Egan's movements, and had de- at his camp and asked him to accompany them termined to take the responsibility of marching to the to a conference with the Umatilla chiefs, near agency for its protection. To the exertions of Major station. fell into the trap, and Cornoyer and those accompanying him that night is due Cayuse Egan the fact that Colonel Miles arrived in time to defend went with them. All were on horseback. the agency and avert the evils that would have followed When they arrived near the rendezvous Egan its capture, including the murder of many people and began to grow suspicious, sprang off his horse a possible union of reservation Indians with the hos- tiles. and closed with Five Crows, who was leading The troops, upon reaching their destination, pro- his horse. A desperate struggle ensued, but ceeded at once to eat breakfast, but before they were as Egan was crippled in one arm, as a result of through, the Snakes, Bannocks and Piutes, four hun- dred strong, were seen riding down from their camp. the fight with Colonel Robbins a few days pre- A line was quickly formed across the flat and up the vious, he soon fell, shot through the head by hill, and before the soldiers were all in position the Five Crows. Five Crows scalped Egan, and! Indians began to fire upon them. Nearly all day a bat- as Egan's sub-chief started to ride off, Uma- tle was maintained with the soldiers lying in holes they had scooped in the ground to protect themselves. pine shot him also. The firing brought a num- Finally Miles decided to charge his assailants, ber of Piute warriors and women to the scene, although he had but one company of cavalry and would and a very lively skirmish followed. The Cay- not be able to pursue them. The Cayuses requested per- mission to join in the fight, and were allowed to do uses were supported by the Umatillas, who so on condition that they would keep with the soldiers were in ambush, and the Piutes rallied to the and not get in advance of them. The command to support of Egan. When the battle was over, charge was given, and the soldiers sprang from their the Cayuses, with nine scalps and eighteen rifle pits and rushed upon the enemy, vying with their Cayuse allies in the onslaught. The hostiles, fleeing to women and children prisoners, returned in the mountains, returned no -more, and that night found triumph to the agency. The hostiles retired them eighteen miles from the agency, after having fin- toward Meacham. ished the destruction of Cayuse Station by burning the barn, and the soldiers returned and went into camp. A triumphal procession of all Indians orr There were no casualties on the side of the troops and the reservation was formed and passed in re- the volunteers. view before the troops that were drawn up in Before the fight Umapine started out to do a little line General that officer having work on his own account. His father had been killed by Wheaton, years before by Egan, who was in command of the hos- arrived from Walla Walla and taken command. tiles, and he wanted revenge. When the battle was over Yatinouits, a sub-chief of the Cayuses, bearing he told Egan the Cayuses would join him, and per- the scalp of Egan on a pole, arrived in front of suaded that chief to accompany him the next night to a point twelve miles from the agency to meet the the commanding officer, and pointing to Iris Cayuse chiefs and arrange matters. He then sent word bloody trophy, said: "Egan, Egan, we give to 'Major Cornoyer to have forty soldiers stationed at you." "No, no, keep it, you brave man!" ex- the appointed place to capture or kill Egan when he appeared. claimed the disgusted officer. 48 754 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

[Although it was generally stated that the homes at a moment's notice, and in some in- Indians who captured Egan were responsible stances were gone for weeks. Stock broke into for his decapitation, W. W. Johnson, of Burns, their fields and damaged the crops. Many of who was a blacksmith at the Malheur Indian them had their houses and barns burned, and agency at the time of the outbreak and who> their stock destroyed or driven away. Large subsequently joined the army in that capacity, bands of sheep and cattle were dispersed in the says the Indians did not commit this outrage, mountains, where great numbers perished. Set-

but that an army surgeon cut off Egan's head tlers that owned nothing but a little stock and ;and a portion of Egan's wounded arm. These a cabin had the one killed or driven off and two ghastly relics Mr. Johnson believes are now the other burned. Citizens of Portland sub- preserved in alcohol in a San Francisco mu- scribed eighteen hundred dollars, which was seum. In a conversation with the writer a distributed in small amounts among the desti- short time ago. Whirlwind, who was in charge tute to enable them to live until they could get of the Cayuse party that killed Egan, denied work again. Many stock thieves took advan- that the Indians ever decapitated Egan, claim- tage of the confused condition of affairs to ing that it was done by army surgeons.] gather up scattered horses and cattle and run

Defeat on the reservation, the death of their them off.

leader, the return of the cavalry and the knowl- The 1 8th of July, Governor Chadwick ad- edge that the Columbia river could not be dressed a letter to Sheriff Sperry, instructing crossed, so disheartened the hostiles that they him to arrest all Indians guilty of murder or began to break up and return to their own robbery, to be tried by civil authorities. This country. Chief Homeli, with eighty picked was a matter of great difficulty because of lack warriors of the Umatillas, Cayuses and Walla of witnesses. By appointment a great council Wallas, joined the troops in pursuit and kept was held on the reservation August 26th, at the hostiles constantly on the move. Homeli which General Howard, Governor Chadwick reached their front the 17th on Camas creek, and others were present. The chiefs were and when the retreating bands came along, made to understand that the only way to clear charged into their midst, killing thirty of them themselves and their tribes from blame was to "without losing a man. He also captured twen- surrender all that had been guilty of wrongful ty-seven women and children and a number of acts, and hostages were taken to insure their horses. doing so. Some of the Columbia river In- After their disastrous defeat on the Uma- dians were arrested, but were afterward re- tilla reservation and their retreat into the Blue leased for want of evidence. mountains, the hostiles, being without leaders, By the persistent investigation of Major broke up into small parties and scattered in Cornoyer, the murderers of George Coggan every direction, except to the north. Howard, were discovered. Four young Umatillas were with ten small columns, pursued them energeti- arrested One of them gave evidence at the cally, overtook them and finally cornered them trial in November and was discharged. in Harney county, forced their surrender and White Owl, Quit-a-Tumps and Aps were con- marched the Piutes across to Yakima, where victed and sentenced to be hanged. The first they were placed under charge of Father Wil- two were executed in the jail yard at Pendle- "bur, supported by a strong garrison of troops ton, January 10, 1879, a company of cavalry from Fort Simco-. and one of militia being present as a guard. The effect of the war upon eastern Oregon A week later Aps was hanged at the same generally was very bad. Farmers left their place. CHAPTER III.

THE GOLD FIELDS OF EASTERN OREGON.

No full history of mining in the counties Besides the mining region under consider- with which our volume is concerned can be at- ation, there are at least four gold bearing tempted here. While such a work would con- areas in Oregon. Of these the gold fields tain much that has the fascination of romance, of the Blue mountains are by far the most im- and many illustrations of the fact that truth is portant, though they were not discovered until

stranger than fiction; while it might do some- about ten years later than those in the south- thing toward rescuing from complete oblivion western part of the state. the names of many whose heroism and self- The beginnings of placer mining have been

sacrifice should be given the credit for mater- already adverted to. After the first few years

ial additions to the world's wealth, yet it could the industry rapidly declined though the out-

not be prepared without many months of ardu- put o

ous investigation, and when prepared, it would very considerable, perhaps about $200,000 an-

fill a volume of no small size. Some of the nually. The decline in the production of gold early history of mining in parts of eastern Or- dust has, however, been more than compen-

egon is to be found in previous chapters. Later sated for by the development of quartz mining, developments have often received incidental a permanent and comparatively staple indus- mention, but nowhere has the industry been ac- try. "We find records," says Lindgren, "of corded such comprehensive treatment as its quartz mines being worked in Susanville and

importance merits. Neither will it be possible at Mormon Basin in 1865 and 1868. One of in this chapter to treat the subject comprehen- the first mills was built at Susanville in 1869 sively, but the purpose of the work would fail and the process used was pan amalgamation.

of its full accomplishment, were not some more The Vlirtue mine was discovered soon after complete outline of this industry incorporated 1862, and the Connor creek mine in 1872, when herein. the first prospecting in the vicinity of Cable

It has not been the writer's privilege to Cove was begun and La Belleview and Monu-

visit all the mining districts, to say nothing mental mines were worked. The ore was

of individual mines, and even had it been pos- shipped on horseback for hundreds of miles.

sible for him to do so, he is not a mining ex- Under such conditions the development of pert and could not trust his own observations. quartz mining was necessarily slow. Its ac- He will therefore be pardoned, perhaps, if he tive development dates from 1885, when the makes Professor Waldemar Lindgren's geo- country was made accessible by the construc- logical report, prepared under the auspices of tion of the transcontinental railroad now trav-

the United States government, the basis of ersing it. About 1886 valuable discoveries this chapter. were made in the Eagle Creek mountains near 756 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

Cornucopia. From 1889 a rapid increase in very material revival in the placer mining in- the production was noticed. Quartz mines dustry. The distributioin of the placer min- were worked in various parts of the country and ing districts is given by Lindgren as follows 1 some of them produced heavily. A number of "On the east the Snake river bars still con- mines in the Crocker creek district were then, tribute some fine gold. In the Eagle creek for the first time, considered worthy of ex- mountains and at Sparta a small but steady ploitation and soon began to add to the annual production is maintained. Sparta especially production. This quiet development contin- was noted for its rich gulch diggings in early ued until 1899, when public attention was times. The belt extending from Connor drawn to the extremely gratifyinig results ob- creek by Weatherby, Chicken creek, Rye val- tained from the quartz mines in the Sumpter, ley, Humboldt, Clarks creek and Malheur was- Granite and Bonanza districts. The west formerly the most important gold mining re- seemed suddenly to< become aware that the long gion in the state and still maintains a dimin- neglected gold fields of the Blue mountains had ishing production. far greater value than was commonly attri- "The Virtue placers, near Baker City, were buted to them. In 1899 and 1900 a strong in- long ago exhausted. West of Baker City is flux of prospectors and miners from all parts the gold belt of the southern Elkhorn range, of the wr est took place, and under the stimulus with the once celebrated camps of Auburn, of this new immigration and the introduction Pocahontas, and Minersville. The headwat- of modern methods of mining the country has ers of Powder and Burnt rivers, as well as rapidly developed." those of Granite creek, including the districts According to the reports of the director of of Sumpter, Granite, Robinsonville, Bonanza, the mint, Baker county produced $9,542,625 and Gimlet, may be said to form the central worth of the precious metals during the period placer mining region of the Blue mountains. between the beginning of the year 1880 and These placers, while not as extraordinarily the end of the year 1899, while Grant pro- rich as some of the others, have maintained a duced $3,258,197 in the same period. The steady though small production, and seem like- product of Union county for the two decades ly to continue to do- so for many years. Fin- is placed at $5,350,648, much of which was ally, on the western side are found the isolated mined in territory now belonging to Baker districts of Susanville, Dixie creek, and Can- county. yon creek, the latter having the reputation of Of the early placer productions no statis- having been the richest placer camp in the tics of even approximate accuracy are obtain- state. Both at Susanville and at Canyon a able. That they poured many millions into fairly steady production is maintained. Far- the world's treasury, both directly and indi- ther west are the small placers of Fox creek rectly, cannot be doubted. The placer depos- and Spanish gulch, on Crooked river, the lat- its are widely distributed over the entire gold ter locality sixty miles southwest of Canyon." fields, being found from the sands oif the Snake New mining districts are coming into prom- river to the gravels of the John Day. They inence from time to time but among the best were the first discovery of the miner and their known districts are Elkhorn, Pocahontas, effect upon the history of eastern Oregon is Sumpter, Cable Cove, Granite, Alamo, Green- incalculable. While their riches have been horn, Robinsonville, Bonanza, and Upper largely garnered, they are still maintaining a Burnt river, Susanville, Quartzburg, Canyon, small annual production and it is possible that Virtue, Copper Butte, Sparta, Cornucopia, the introduction of dredging may result in a Lower Snake River, Connor Creek, Mineral,. HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 757

Lower Burnt River, Rye Valley and Mormon. said to contain more silver than that found in

As showing how great a variety of mineral the Baisley-Elkhorn district. deposits occur in the Blue mountains we may At the southern end of the Elkhorn range state that the geological survey determined the are the Pocahontas, Minersville and Auburn presence in one or more of the districts of the districts, the last named of which has enjoyed following minerals : gold, silver, platinum, cop- such a prominent place in the history of Baker per, quicksilver, pyrite, marcasite, pyrrhotite, county. Indeed all these districts were more galena, zinc blende, stibmite, cinnabar, argen- important formerly than at present, for the tite, chalcocite, chalcopyrite, cornite, arsenopy- richest placer deposits have long since been rite, tetrahedrite, tetrahedrite mercurial, freib- mined out and no very important quartz veins ergite, pyragyrite, hessite, sylvanite, quartz, have been discovered to keep up their producing zircon, opal, chalcedony, chromite, cuprite, power. The districts, however, maintain specularite, magnetite, ilmenite, pyrolusite, small production to the present and the wealth limonite, garnet, vesuvianite, epidote, tourma- taken from Griffin's gulch, Blue Canyon and line, natrolite, erinite, serpentine, fuchsite or the numerous other creek bottoms since the mariposite, roscoelite, calcite, dolomite, magne- original discovery in 1861 aggregates several site, malachite, calciovolborthite, scheelite, hundred thousand dollars. gypsum and chalcanthite. Some of these, par- Less favored in their wealth of placer gold, ticularly roscoelite, are of rare occurrence. though vastly richer in quartz veins are the Of the principal mining districts of the Blue Sumpter and Cracker Creek districts, situated mountains only brief outlines must here be at- to the west of Baker City. "South of Baker tempted. The Elkhorn district, situated about City," says Prof. Lindgren, "Powder river twelve miles northwest of Baker City in the cuts through the basaltic plateau at the south- Elkhorn range, contains gold, pyrite, zinc ern end of the Elkhorn range in a wide semi- blende and chalcopyrite. Its most promising circle, and for about twelve miles flows in a mine, the Baisley-Elkhorn, was discovered in narrow canyon. Going up the river, the can- 1882. After being worked by arrastre for yon opens, at an elevation of 4,000 feet, into five years and later by a mill, it was sold in the wide Sumpter valley, an alluvial bottom 1897, to the; Eastern Oregon Gold Mining flanked by broad gently sloping, forested Company for $60,000. Its production since benches. Beyond these the snowy summits that date has doubtless aggregated several of the Elkhorn range rise abruptly eastward, times the original price paid for the mine. The while toward the west a heavily timbered ridge

Robbins-Elkhorn is similar in the character of moderate elevation separates the valley of its ore to the Baisley. Credited with a pro- from the Burnt river drainage basin. A lit- duction during its past history of several hun- tle above Sumpter a canyon again begins. The dred thousand dollars, it is believed to pos- river forks into Silver creek, Cracker creek, sess great possibilities of future development. and McCully's fork, all heading among the Other mines and prospects of this district are high ridges leading to Elkhorn range or Mount the Hurdy-Gurdy, the Denny group and the Baldy." Elkhorn Bonanza. The Rock Creek district, The placers of the Sumpter district were two miles west of the Baisley-Elkhorn mine discovered in 1862 and most of the time since gives promise of furnishing several impor- operations have been 'carried on upon them, tant producers. Several mines have been mostly by Chinese, however, who invariably the worked to a considerable extent, particularly decline to give definite information as to the Maxwell and the Chloride. The ore is amount of their product. 758 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

Near the town of Sumpter are many small ers adjacent, which are said to cover two par- veins and indications of minerals, but we must allel veins. The Golconda and the Wide West go seven miles above to find the large vein are located on the North Pole vein. In 1898 a systems. It is thought that there is practically large bromination plant, of a capacity of 100 one continuous vein system from the Baisley- tons a day, was erected but soon found unsuited

Elkhorn mine to Cracker creek. Upon it in to the character of the ore. A twenty-stamp the vicinity of Sumpter are the well known mill and a Bryan roller mill, together with North Pole, E. and E., Columbia, Golconda, eighteen concentrators were substituted, giving Amazon and Bunker Hill mines. The North a total capacity of over 100 tons per day. Pole was discovered in 1887, sold to a London Crushing was begun in January, 1900, and the man in 1888 for $10,000, operated with more mine has consequently not as yet any great or less activity until 1895, then operated with production to its credit. In the fall of 1899 a zeal and earnestness, giving large returns. It rich ore chimney was struck, twenty tons of is equipped with many thousand dollars worth which yielded $10,000 in the mill. Still rich- of machinery, stamp mill, cyniding plant, er ore was shipped to the smelting works. In

Huntington mill with concentrators, etc. It September, 1900, fifteen stamps were running. is one of the leading producers of the district. At present there are 2,500 feet of developments,, The E. and E. mine consists of the Eureka and including a 400-foot double compartment per- Excelsior claims on the North Pole vein. A pendicular shaft and four levels, the opening twenty-stamp pan amalgamation mill was of the fourth having just begun; also a 650- erected in 1889 by its owners, the Eureka and foot tunnel running southwest on the ledge." Excelsior Consolidated Mining Company, but Other important mines of the district, some the mill did not prove suited to the purpose in- of which have a considerable production to tended and the mine did not give expected re- their credit, are the Mountain Belle, the Ibex,, also turns. J. H. Longmaid leased the property in the Bald Mountain, and the Mammoth, 1895, put vanners in the mill and in three years the Amazon, Analulu and Bunker Hill claims. took out and milled ore to the value of more "The Cable Cove district," says Lindgren,. than half a million. Lindgren estimates its "is situated ten miles in an air line north-north- total production at $800,000, or more than any west of Sumpter on the high backbone which other new mine in the Sumpter district. It separates the drainage of Powder river from, has been idle for the past few years and we that of the North Fork of the John Day river. believe still is at this writing. The road from Sumpter is along Silver creek,

The Columbia mine is an important pro- the principal fork of Powder river. For some ducer, developed by extensive excavations and miles above Sumpter the canyon is narrow but supplied with much machinery of different soon widens and assumes the broad U-shaped kinds. It is stated that one car of its ore, con- form characteristic of glaciated valleys. Near )tajining twenty tons, gave returns of about Cable Cove the road emerges from the thick $1,000 per ton. Of the Golconda, Lindgren, timber in the bottom of the valley. The head writing in 1900, says: of the creek appears as a wide amphitheater "This part of the North Pole vein was lo- with steep slopes, sparsely timbered. West- cated as the Golconda claim in 1887 and sold ward the ridges of Bald mountain rise with for a reported sum of $24,000' in 1897, there bare, light gray, glaciated outcrops. East- being at that time only 250 feet of develop- ward a number of sharp and high granite peaks ment. The Golconda Mining Company meet the eye in the continuation of the Elk- at present owns, besides this claim, eight oth- horn range. The elevation at the California HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 75»

mill is 7,000 feet; the high hill back of it at- out attempting to describe the numerous oth- tains 7,900. The gaps east and west of this er mines and claims of the district we may hill are 7,500 feet in elevation. From the enumerate some of the best known of them as summit long ridges extend northward be- follows : May Queen, the Concord group,. tween the heavily timbered valleys of Big Lim- Cougar, South Cougar, Magnolia, Blue Rib- ber creek, Bull creek and the north fork of bon, Buffalo, Monumental and La Belleview. the John Day. The summits of Cable Cove Four miles from the Red Boy mine is the culminate a couple of miles southwesterly in small mining town of Alamo, the center of the Bald mountain (elevation 8,330 feet), so mineral district of the same name. Near Al- prominently visible from Sumpter. It is a amo is the confluence of Clear, Olive and Bea- bare granitic ridge, sloping abruptly north- ver creeks, on all three of which good prospects ward and here enclosing a glacial amphitheater have been found. Their gravels have under- in the center of which is a small lake." gone the washing process, though ordinarily

Although the earliest discoveries in the dis- they have not proved very rich. At present lit trict were made by the Cable brothers in 1872, tie, if any, placer mining is being done. Prob- and some rich ore was shipped, the mines and ably the most extensively developed quartz prospects are not even yet very fully developed. claim is the Quebec, which gives great prom- In 1885 there was quite a revival in the dis- ise. Other claims in the district are Alamo, trict and in recent years still greater activity the Scandia Tunnel and St. Anthony Mining has characterized development work, but the Companies' mines, the Strasburg, the Yellow isolation of the region has been against it. Ore Stone and Van Anda claims, the Little Giant,, must still be hauled fourteen miles to Sumpter etc. for shipment. The Eagle vein is considered In the Greenhorn district are the Inter- the mother lode of the district and the Imper- mountain group, Intrinsic group, or Ordway ial and California are the best developed mines, mines, the Morris, Mountain Consolidated, though there are numerous other promising Potosi, Savage, Ben Harrison, Carbonate, the claims. Ruby, the Chloride, the Tempest and the Orn- The Granite district, above the town of ament. Ore from any of these mines must be Granite in eastern Grant county, has both hauled thirty-five miles over difficult roads, quartz veins and placers. The latter, though nevertheless small shipments have been made worked since 1862, have never been found es- from many of the claims in the district. pecially rich and their operation has been in With the once famous placer camp, Robin* large measure given over to the Chinese. Of sonville, as a center, and contiguous to the the quartz mines and claims of the district, the Greenhorn region, is the historic Robinson- best known and most developed is the Red ville mining district. Its rich, shallow, gold- Boy. Its history is similar to that of many bearing gravels have been pretty well robbed other mines. Slow development at first, inter- of their wealth and only in the McNamee gulch mittent operations and indifferent results, mis- has any placer mining been done during recent takes in the character of machinery installed, years. This gulch once gave up a $14,000 the early the exis- etc. Eventually Taber & Godfrey acquired nugget. Even during days the property, built a Crawford mill and met tence of auriferous quartz in the region was been dis- with excellent success in its operation. A known and many rich chimneys have twenty-stamp mill, built in 1898, also proved covered from time to time. The deposits are steady suitable for the work of ore reduction and the pockety and uncertain, however, and mine became an important producer. With- production has never been maintained. 760 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUXTIES

The leading mine in the Bonanza and Up- amalgamation mill. For many years after- per Burnt river districts is the Bonanza, situ- ward little was done, but recently prospecting ated ten miles west of Sumpter. Located in has been renewed. One condition greatly

1877 it was sold for $350 in 1879 to the Bo- against the development of the regioin is its nanza Mining Company, by them in 1892 to inaccessibility, which causes shipping expenses the Geiser Brothers, who> sold it in 1898 for a to be excessive. The Badger mine is the most reputed sum of $500,000, to a Pittsburg cor- important of the district. It is on a very old poration. It was estimated by Lindgren in ledge, one that was discovered and worked 1900 that the production of precious metals some as early as 1869. A ten-stamp mill with ~up to that time must have approximated a concentrators was once installed but failed to million dollars. Extensive developments have handle the quality of ore satisfactorily, and been made and capacious and costly machinery only the richest ore is now handled. This is

is • being used in its ore development. It is. shipped to a smelter. Other claims in the vi- the only producer in the district but contigu- cinity are the Stockton, the Bull of the Woods ous to it are several mines and prospects of group, of which the Otter is one of the prin- promise, among them the Richmond, the Key- cipal claims, the Gem vein, etc. stone Belle and the White Elephant. Much The Dixie creek placers of the Quartzburg placer mining was done in the district during district were among the earliest discoveries. the early days and a production of placer gold They are said to have been very rich at first is still maintained. It is said that in the Hind- but early in the 'seventies they were turned man placers a small quantity of platinum is over to Chinese miners. At present nothing found and that this is the only occurrence of in the way of placer mining is being done this metal in the Blue mountans. there. Spanish Diggings is another worked Susanville mining district on the Middle out placer mine of the district, but the old Fork of the John Day river, twenty-two miles placers of Happy camp and Ruby creek are from Austin's stage station, has a great deal still worked by Chinese or whites and Chinese. of historic as well as present interest. The The Present Need, located about twelve years placer mines of Elk creek, discovered in 1864, ago, is the leading gold quartz mine of the dis- "were very rich and those of Deep, Onion and trict. It has been worked on a small scale Big creeks, though less favored with mineral ever since its discovery. The ore is calcined wealth also contributed not a little to the fame and then treated with an arrastre. A little to of the district. According to Raymond's re- the north is the old Keystone and above this is port for 1870, the production of gold during the Colorado. The Standard copper mine, an the first four years after discovery was not less ancient discovery, and the Copperopolis, of than $80,000, and the total production is more recent location, promise well, though they thought to be in the neighborhood of $600,- have not been developed sufficiently to establish

000. Placer mining is being carried on by beyond a doubt their value. Chinese even at the present time. The gold The history of early placer mining in the is coarse and of a fineness of 865. Prof. Canyon district has been already treated of in Lindgren states that a nugget worth $480 was this work. That the Canyon placer deposits found on Elk creek, another worth $625 on were the richest in Oregon admits of no doubt, Deep creek, and one worth $800 in Buck gulch. but their exact production during early days is

Prospecting for quartz, it is stated, began in not known. Estimates vary from three to five 1869, and at an early date ore from the Mon- millions. Raymond estimated that in 1865 the umental vein was worked in Mr. Cabel's pan- 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 Great Northern a mine not only rich but perm- total production probably exceeds $15,000,000. anent; though thus far values have been very At present the Humboldt mine is being worked irregular. with giants, and operations are being carried A few miles east of Canyon City and John on on a small scale in the vicinity of Marys- Day are the rich Prairie Diggings mines, now ville. owned and operated by the Hoosier Boy Mines Among the departures in experimental min- Company, Limited. Last season a new twenty- ing in eastern Oregon, or in the entire north- five stamp mill was installed by this company, west for that matter, none is more interesting which has recently purchased the mine, and that the great Pomeroy mining dredger, now considerable development work has since been at work washing the sands of the John Day for done. Six concentrators are in use. The the auriferous deposits therein contained. The product of this mine is chiefly free gold and boat is at work in the main John Day river, gold bearing concentrates. When in full op- jqst ,below the mouth of Canyon creek and eration between thirty-five and forty men are about a mile from the town of John Day. For employed and under the present careful and en- ages this mountain stream has been washing ergetic management this, the only producing down fine golden sands from its headwaters and quartz mine in the Canyon district, gives prom- despositing them along its course. When the ise of a bright future. best ground had been worked by the old placer South of Prairie City and high up on miners, the river bed was abandoned and this Strawberry butte a large number of claims

the dredger owners are content to' work for have been located, principal among which is

what gold there is still left in it. Although the Oregon Wonder. It is claimed that the the project is still in its experimental stage, ledge taking its name from this prospect prom- the results attained thus far have been emi- ises to prove indeed a wonder. It is miles in nently satisfactory. length and in places hundreds of feet wide. The

This immense machine was constructed ore is low grade on the surface but if values during the past summer by Portland capitalists, increase with depth, the ledge may prove as chief among whom are the Pomeroy broth- marvelous as its name would imply. ers, and cost over $100,000, all the equipment Coming back to Baker City from our brief having been hauled in over forty miles of review of the principal mining districts to the

rough mountain roads. In building the hull west, let us take a bird's eye view of those to alone over 175,000 feet of lumber was used, north and east. A trip of seven miles will while ten tons of holts were utilized in fasten- bring- us to the western border of the Virtue

ing it together. The entire weight of the district, one of the oldest quartz districts in

dredger is stated as 750 tons. eastern Oregon. The veins of auriferous ore Though so rich in placers, the Canyon dis- are numerous and the gold free and of a high trict is strangely lacking in quartz mines. degree o>f purity. The leading mine of the

Canyon peak, just above the town, is celebrated district, the Virtue, has long been one of the

for its rich pocket veins, but has no steady largest producers in entire Blue mountain re- producers. The discovery of the Great North- gion. The details of its discovery have been ern mine in 1898 by Isaac Guker and the con- spoken of heretofore. Developed to a consid- sequent excitement have been adverted to pre- erable extent in early days, it was worked al- viously. The mine's rich pockets have been most continuously from 1871 to 1878, when it emptied of thousands of dollars. Mr. Guker was sold to Grayson & Company, of San Fran- Iiopes that further developments will prove the cisco, who operated it intermittently until 762 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

1884. From that time until 1893, the mine to the quartz mines of Sparta. Various con- was idle. Then work was resumed and con- ditions have been operative since to< cause a tinued until 1898, when it became the prop- decline. In 1900 according to Prof. Lindgren erty of a Montreal company. The mine is only the Gem mine was being worked on a now being operated, though only a small force larger scale than formerly. The placers in the is at work. The total production of this mine vicinity of Sparta were known to be rich in an is estimated at $2,189,000. In the immediate early day, but owing to scarcity of water noth- vicinity of the Virture are numerous claims ing could be done until the completion of the- and prospects, none of which have as yet be- Sparta ditch in 1873, the length of which was come producers. The Flagstaff, six miles twenty-two miles and the capacity 3,000 min- northeast of Baker City, has been quite exten- er's inches. Great activity followed the ad- sively developed, and ore froim its interior, vent of the water, but production declined af- worked in a ten-stamp mill, has yielded good ter a few years and at present is inconsider- returns. able.

Three miles southeast of the Virtue is the Northwest of the Sparta district is the

White Swan mine. It has been worked for Sanger mine, a noted producer. In its vicinity more than twelve years and was credited by was the old placer camp of Hog 'Em, credited Lindgren in 1900 with a total production of with a production of $500,000. The Summit not less than $200,000. According to the lode of this mine was discovered in 1870, pro- mint reports, its product in 1891 was $72,000 duced $60,000 in 1874, began to increase its and in 1892, $72, 642. At present the mine is production in 1889, and from that year to 1892 being operated with a force of fifteen or twen- produced $813,000, according to mint reports. ty men. It is in operation at present. The Brazos, two miles south of the White In the vicinity of Sanger and in the Eagle

Swan, is a mine of recent development. A creek district are the Basin claims, small pro- ten-stamp mill was erected during the year ducers, the Snowstorm, the Lily White, the 1900 for the reduction of its ore. There are Dolly Varden, Miller & Lane, and other claims numerous prospects and partly developed claims some of which have produced considerable in various parts of the Virtue district. Little sums. Placer gold was mined in the district placer mining has been done in recent years. in early days and a small production is still Passing over the promising district in the maintained. Farley hills in the vicinity of North Powder In the Eagle Creek range, not far from the and the old, rich Copper Butte district, we come head of Pine valley, is Cornucopia, the center to the consideration of the famous properties of the prosperous and promising mining dis- of the Panhandle, recently made a part of Ba- trict of the same name. It occupies the upper ker county. The placers in the gulches of the end of the famed Pine valley. The mines are Sparta district were early traced to well de- of comparatively recent development but in the fined quartz veins, many of which were worked early eighties began a small and intermittent in primitive fashion at a very early date. production. In 1889, however, the district These operations were gradually discontinued is said to have produced $74,000, the begin- and the production declined correspondingly ning of a steady and continuous output. "The until the late 'eighties, when a revival took camp has passed through many vicissitudes," place, resulting in a jump of the Union county says Lindgren, "and much money has been un- gold production in 1889 to $576,000, a con- wisely spent. Even at the present time the in- siderable portion of which was to be credited 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 menters have usually met with failure, and the of great promise and should yield good returns really successful process is yet to be discov- from capital judiciously invested. ered. In recent years dredging has been at- "The producing veins are all situated from tempted with some success. The Snake river two to three miles east to north o

Cornucopia, but these are not, as yet, much gion in Idaho. It is being developed by the developed. At least five principal veins may Northwest Copper Company, who contemplate be distinguished; one of these is on Simmons building a railroad from Huntington to tap it. mountain, the others west of the creek. The On the Idaho side, half a mile above Ballard's strike is in general north-south, but with di- Landing, is the River Queen deposit. The rections slightly converging northward. The Copper King group is two: miles below Bal- dip on Simmons Mountain is eastward, while lard's Landing on the Oregon side, and numer- the other veins dip west at moderate angles. ous claims have been located around the land- The veins are simple, sharply cut fissure veins, ing on both sides of the river. with a filling of quartz and sulphurets ; the ore In the lower Snake river canyon, four miles is, to 1 a great extent, free milling." above Huntington, is the largest limestone Upon one of the principal veins of the dis- mass in Oregon, convenient to a railroad. Gyp- trict is located the Union-Champion mine, sum is also found near Huntington and is be- which, with the Last Chance and the Red ing utilized by the Oregon Plaster Company.

Jacket, belongs to J. E. Searles. Before the Lower down the Snake river basin on the mine fell into his hands much money was in- stream from which it receives its name is the judiciously spent upon it in inaugurating un- celebrated Connor Creek mine. The vein was suitable machinery. It was found best by Mr. discovered in 1871 by Wood and Edelmann. Searles to send the ore, when partly treated, to It was worked by a five-stamp mill until 1876, the smelter, notwithstanding the heavy freight then by a fifteen-stamp mill. In 1884 it was rates over fifty miles of poor road. The total sold to the Connor Creek Mine and Mill Com- production of the mine runs into the hundreds pany, who instituted a thirty-five stamp milk of thousands. Other primising mines, some The production of this mine has been estimated of them with a small output to their credit, are as high as nine million dollars, but Lindgren the Robert Emmet, Bryan, Last Chance, Queen thinks that its production prior to 1900 prob- of the West, Wild Irishman, etc. ably did not exceed two million. It was un- The Snake river canyon is an interesting doubtedly the source of the placer gold found mining region and merits a more detailed de- in Connor creek. The entire gulch of the scription than be attempted here. The gold in stream has been repeatedly washed, the result the sand bars of the river is fine and occurs in being, it is thought, about $100,000. thin and not very persistent streaks. Many Without pausing to speak of the aurifer- Burnt prospectors and individual miners have sought ous deposits and fine opals of the Lower Durkee, pass to the grub stakes by working these sands in primi- River valley around we placers of this region tive fashion, and inventors of new porcesses Rye valley district. The during the early 'sixties, and for catching fine gold have found here oppor- were discovered continuously since produc- tunity to test their machinery. The experi- have been worked :

764 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

ing perhaps more than $1,000,000. Water is joining counties. Mormon Basin is described

not available at all seasons, but a steady annual as almost circular in shape, about three miles production is nevertheless maintained. Of the in diameter, with its sloping floor covered by quartz mines in the locality, Lindgren says heaps of tailings from placer mines. The gold

"A number O'f quartz veins containing sil- is coarse and it is said that in 1866 a nugget ver have been found on Pedro mountain and worth $640 was found. As the water supply

attracted great attention between 1870 and is somewhat scant the placer miners of the 1880. The Monumental, Green Discovery, early day were not able to exhaust the gold and

Washington, and Rising Sun veins were known not even to this day has all the wealth of the in 1872; all of these were very rich in wire district been garnered. Quartz veins were dis- silver, chloride and silver glance, besides con- covered as early as 1863 and some work has taining a little gold. In 1875 a five-stamp mill been done on a small scale toward the reduc- was erected on the Lafayette, a gold-silver vein tion of their ores at different times since. A and a similar pan-amalgamation plant on the number of promising prospects are being de- Green Discovery. In 1880 the New England veloped intermittently at present, among, them and Oregon Mining Company erected a large The Humboldt group, the Morning Star group, pan-amalgamation mill, spending $50,000 the Calfornia, Royal Arch, Sunday Hill, Eagle on the property, evidently with unfavorable re- Head, the Golden Eagle, the Rising Sun, the sults. All these veins are situated high up on Atlantic, the Asaler and the Blue Jay. Pedro mountain. Green Discovery is said to The placer deposits of Clark's creek were strike northwest and dip seventy degrees south- very rich and have been extensively worked, west. but are now about exhausted. Crossing the "In the canyon of the south fork, leading divide, one finds below the summit a few hun- up to the Mormon Basin, are many quartz dred feet, the ruins of Eldorado camp, where prospects containing both gold and silver, teth- once was a flourishing town. Between this

ahedrite is frequently found in them. Seven and Malheur all the gulches have been quite miles from Rye valley a three-stamp mill has thoroughly worked in years past, producing been erected, but was idle in 1900. It was bountifully. It was for the mining of these built to treat the oxidized sugary quartz of the deposits that the Eldorado ditch was construct-

Golden Gate, a small, flat vein occurring in ed, which takes water from the upper Burnt granite half a mile north of the road. The river, through Shasta gap to the Willow creek contact between granite and metamorphic schist slope. This ditch, 134 miles long, carrying with crystalline limestone is crossed a short 2,400 miner's inches of water, was the great- distance from the wagon road." est achievement of the early days. On ledges It remains to us only to advert briefly to the discovered near Malheur are the Red, White famous placer districts between Willow creek and Blue and the Golden Eagle mines, but and Burnt river in that part of their course neither these nor the numerous other quartz where they most nearly approach each other. claims and prospects of the district have yet On the Burnt river slope of the divide are the gained a place among important producers. Clark's creek and Bridgeport districts and on The reader of the foregoing necessarily the Willow creek side are Mormon Basin, superficial and incomplete outline of the min- Amelia, Malheur and Eldorado districts. All ing industry in the Blue mountain region can- have yielded heavily in placer gold, having not fail to be impressed with the fact that been discovered and worked during the first though forty-one years have elapsed since the period of placer exploration in Baker and ad- first discovery of pay dirt, the mining indus- :

HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 765

try is still in its infancy. The placers have mining properties have marvelously increased in value, and I think it is been quite thoroughly exhausted, except such impossible at this time to foresee the greatness of the mineral development of this section. as can only be worked the process by dredging Yours very respectfully,

which is receiving considerable attention at J. D. Voss, M. £. present, but in place of this unstable species of

mining has come and is coming the scientific Similar requests sent out to George Gordon

treatment of ores from the rich quartz veins, McNamara and J. N. Esselstyn by the Baker an industry incomparably superior in the per- City Chamber of Commerce in 1900 elicited

manence and stability of its wealth production. the following replies The success attending the efforts of the few Baker City, Oregon, March 23, 1900. miners and mining companies who have Hon. O. L. Miller, through cloud and sunshine persistently de- Sec. Chamber of Commerce. veloped their claims and scientifically treated Sir: —Your letter of the 20th inst, requesting my written opinion, as mining engineer, of the different their ores., gives earnest of like success to be mineral districts of Baker and adjoining counties, was- achieved in other instances, and it is but reason- received a day or two ago, and I beg to state in answer able to suppose that the number of producers that I am pleased to be of service to your Chamber, if by so doing I can bring the outside world to know the- in the Blue mountains will be increased many splendid possibilities that eastern Oregon offers to the fold with the flight of future decades. legitimate mining investor. That the opinion of the writer is confirmed Although the mineral country adjacent to Baker City has a great variety of valuable metals and other in the sober judgment of experts and men who products besides gold and silver, viz., nickel, cobalt, this other min- have made a close study of and chromium, copper cinnabar and also sodium and phos- ing regions is attested by numerous utterances phates (the latter in the form of apatite ore), I shall, remarks to briefly outlining the from the lips and pens of such men. In reply however, confine my different gold-bearing zones of this and adjacent dis- to a request for an opinion as to the future of tricts. the district, a well known mining man handed To the east of Baker City the gold-bearing belt com- mences almost at the city limits and extends to the us the following communication : north and east for a distance of from forty to fifty

Baker City, October 3, 1902. miles. In this territory are located, such producers as it Western Historical Publishing Co. the Virtue, Collateral, Flagstaff, Carrol B. ; and also belt as the Copper Gentlemen : —In speaking of the future mining out- includes the copper-bearing known look of Baker county, Oregon, I take pleasure in stating Butte District, which is now giving promise of rivaling that I have been in the mining business, for over fifteen the Lake Superior mines, the ores being of the same years, have been actively engaged in every capacity in nature and character. It is true that many of these- the pursuit of the business in nearly all the leading mines, and also many valuable prospects, are lying idle, camps of the United States, and have given this section but they are only awaiting capital and intelligent man- a five years' attention, canvassing the district closely at agement to be made valuable producers. intervals. To the west of this city lie the mines of the Elk- about During the five years that I have spent here it has horn range. The gold-bearing belt commences south- been my good fortune to see the mining industry grow four miles from Baker City, extending to the twenty from a few mines, eight in number, in 1896, to some east several miles and to the northwest over with an thirty-seven good producing mines at this time. This I miles. This magnificent and picturesque range, ten thousand feet above sea level and call excellent, when it is taken into consideration that altitude of over feet above the surrounding country, Oregon is a long way from the money centers of the some six thousand gulches, east and that comparatively few people are engaged in is creased and furrowed by innumerable many pioneer of business by the side of the more centrally located dis- of which yielded richly in placer gold to the now the bars and tricts of Colorado, Montana and Utah. If the same this section of the country. Even hydraulics. mining region were located in Colorado I sincerely be- hillsides are being worked successfully by quartz near the lieve a hundred good producing mines would now dot The gold-bearing veins of commence mountain and extend to the sum- the various mineral 'belts of Baker county. valley paralleling the Developments on every hand conclusively prove that mit and many miles beyond. The Baisley-Elkhorn, more money for its own- the mines go down in this section. In every instance which has probably produced ; :

766 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

ers than any other mine in .Oregon, is located in these their percentages of copper. Some of the most promi- mountains, as are also the Robbins-Elkhorn, the Baisley nent of the copper ore deposits are to be found to the Gold Mining Company's group, the Sherman group and east along Snake river, where large veins of high grade many other valuable mines and prospects. copper ores have been opened; also at Copper Butte, Near the crest of the mountain, and some five miles twenty-one miles to the northeast of Baker City, and

to the southwest from the Baisley-Elkhorn, is the now another large deposit is being developed about twenty famous Cracker Creek District, in which are located the miles northwest of Baker City, while in the main range North Pole, Columbia, Eureka and Excelsior, Gol- of the Blue mountains, only five miles from Sumpter, a conda and many other valuable properties, several of deposit of copper ore has recently been discovered. which are paying valuable dividends to their owners. Also at Copperopolis, south of the Greenhorn moun- The limited space you awarded me will not permit tains, are many well-defined ledges of copper ore. All me giving any detailed description of the mines near of the above ores are smelting ores, and in the same Sumpter, Granite, Canyon City, Prairie City and Susan- districts are found large deposits of limestone and iron

ville, where are located such divident payers as the ore for fluxing these ores ; all of which points to a Bonanza, Red Boy, Cougar, May Queen, Little Giant, very prosperous future for the smelter.

Golden Eagle and Magnolia and such well known pros- Native copper is found about three miles from Gran-

pects as the Van Anda, Ibex, South Cougar and Maid- ite, along Clear creek; also about eighteen miles north- en's Dream, all of which have been sufficiently de- east of Baker City. This district is of a basaltic forma- veloped to warrant the immediate erection of ma- tion, with zones of amygdaloid, carrying native copper. chinery and are destined to be classed among the pro- These amygdaloidal deposits are the same as the amyg- ducers of this part of eastern Oregon. daloidal deposits of the Lake Superior copper region, The general formation of the above described dis- upon which are located the Quincy, Pewabic, Franklin,

tricts is slate, porphyry and granite, with occasional belts Arnold, Wolverine and many other of the famous cop- of lime schist and phonolite. The ores, as a rule, are per-producing mines of the Lake Superior country. For of the free-milling class, though in many instances they the year 1899 the Quincy mine stamped 559,164 tons of

merge into sulphurets as depth is obtained. However, rock, from which it obtained 25.6 pounds of refined cop- in most instances, when this change takes places the per per ton of rock, or 1.28 per cent. With this pro- gold value of the ore increases very materially. In duction, the Quincy paid $950,000 in dividends to its many cases there are associated with the quartz string- stockholders, and spent over $400,000 in the construc- ers and bunches of tellurium, silvanite and nagvagite. tion of a new stamp mill and other improvements. These last-mentioned ores are in every way similar to The amygdaloidal copper deposits of Baker county the Cripple Creek deposits, and are generally amenable will necessarily have to carry a larger percentage of

"to the cynide treatment. metallic copper than the Lake Superior mines in order

I have found in my general conversation with pros- to make them a paying proposition, on account of the pectors of the above districts that, as a rule, they are higher price of labor, fuel, supplies, water supply, freight willing to give a liberal part of their holdings to parties rates, etc. If the work which is now being carried on having sufficient money to develop their claims. in this great copper belt in Baker county will develop George Gordon McNamara, E. M. an ore body from which can be extracted not less than one thousand tons per day and carrying three per cent,

Baker City, Oregon, March 22, 1900. metallic copper, I believe it can be made to pay large Mr. O. L. Miller, dividends, and Oregon will soon be classed among the Sec'y Baker City Chamber of Commerce. copper-producing states of the country. Dear Sir: —In reply to your favor of recent date, Very truly yours

regarding the mineral resources of the districts tribu- J. N. Esselstyn, E. M. tary to Baker City, would say, that while the country C. Selwyii, late director of tributary to Baker City, and, in fact, the whole of east- Dr. Alfred R. ern Oregon, has for years been locally recognized as a the geological survey of Canada and the geo-

it is only in the past few years great mineral belt, yet logical survey of Australia, says in part that it has attracted the attention of outside capital to eastern Oregon gold fields, I find here and as a result to-day we find paying mines being op- Coming rocks, generally speaking, than exist on the sur- erated in any direction we may choose to go from Baker older Australia. country rock here, almost uni- City. While the gold fields in the vicinity of Baker face in The slate, has been metamorphosed City have attracted the greatest attention, yet we find versally designated as of different composition than the very rich copper deposits, which are attracting more and appears to be the same. and more attention every day. The copper deposits of country rock of Australia, but is substantially find in eastern Oregon one of the most interesting the district are of two distinct classes, namely, copper I of the globe. The forma- ores and native copper. The ores are principally the and hopeful mineral zones timber and water sulphides and oxide of copper, varying somewhat in tion, contour, climate, accessability, HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 767

form a combination which tend to reduce the cost of The mines, I believe, are more promising than those extracting gold to a minimum. And, in addition, I of Rossland or any in British Columbia that I know of. the find ores are less refractory and contain a larger Values are more uniformly distributed here. Ores are free amount of gold, generally speaking, and besides are not so hard and can be treated at less expense, and softer less and expensive to treat. there appears to be more free gold. I find here mines Concerning the quartz ledges, I say unreservedly running ten and twenty stamps which could just as well that I have never been in any mining country which I be operating fifty. They would not be able to exhaust •consider more promising or as having a brighter future the ores during this or the coming generation. than that of eastern Oregon.

CHAPTER IV.

HISTORY OF THE PRESS.

One who has occasion to study, even super- But Baker county's pioneer paper has with- ficially, the history of newspapers in any sec- stood all the storms and vicissitudes of a long tion, can hardly escape the conviction that the career, developing as the country developed, business is an exceedingly precarious one, per- and ever anticipating the wants and the tastes haps more so than any other in which men of the people in such a way as to keep them its commonly engage. Judging from the num- friends. It was most happy in its choice of a ber of ^ambitious sheets that have made their name for perhaps no* two words in the English appearance in eastern Oregan and have disap- language could better describe the character peared after a short and checkered career, in of this doughty pioneer sheet than the words the meantime having undergone, it may be, "Bedrock Democrat." The former gives the several changes of hands, it would seem that idea of strength, sturdiness and solidity, and the path of the newspaper man is a stony and the latter names the political party which the dangerous one, with many pitfalls and with paper has, for thirty-two years, steadfastly sup- few flowers by the roadside. Literary men, ported in every campaign. from Homer to the author of the latest maga- The first issue of this paper bears date May zine article, have almost invariably failed to II, 1870. Abbott and McArthur were the en- realize rewards for their labor in any sense terprising men who gave inception to it, and commensurate with the blessings they have be- their intentions and policy are outlined in their stowed. The newspaper man, whose work is salutatory remarks as follows : allied to that of the more pretentious writer, is "In accordance with a custom as ancient almost as poorly paid. Even where men do as journalism itself, we, after making our bow reap some measure of success in the business, to the generous public, desire to point out our the question remains as to whether the same aims and objects in establishing and issuing energy, the ame executive ability and the same the Democrat. We propose to join in the early and late application would not achieve very general and laudable effort, which is being much greater success in some other walk of put forth by influential citizens in every sec- life. tion of the state, to furnish the reading public 768 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES reliable information concerning Oregon. coming a twenty-eight column paper with the

Whilst others are laying before the world its columns three inches longer than they had peculiar advantages, both as in agricultural been formerly. It then ranked equally in size and manufacturing pursuits, which present with any other paper in eastern Oregon. themselves in the fruitful and almost boundless The Democrat was not long permitted to valley of the Willamette, we shall be assidu- enjoy a journalistic monopoly of Baker county, ously engaged in presenting to our readers all for, in 1872, the Herald was established. matters which may transpire in eastern Oregon, It suspended in 1876, however, and from whose mineral and pastoral resources are to- that date until 1880, the pioneer journal was day unequalled in wealth, fertility or extent. without opposition. But in 1880 M. H. Ab-

We shall endeavor so toi conduct the Democrat bott and sons began publication of the Re- as to make it a welcome visitor to every resi- veille, an independent weekly, of which M. D. dent of this portion of the state and a valuable Abbott became the full proprietor some two vehicle of information to those who reside else- years later. For a few years prior to 1890, where. So 1 far as politics are concerned it is he issued a daily edition. In 1892 he sold his almost needless to say that this paper will be plant to the People's Publishing Company, re- thoroughly and uncompromisingly Democratic. taining, however, the books and the right to It will endeavor to be one of the true expo- the name "Reveille." nents of the Democratic party in Oregon, and On December 15, 1880, the Bedrock Demo- as such strive to- support the party. Enter- crat changed hands, going to J. T. Wisdom. taining the hope that the Democrat will prove a Mr. Shepherd states in his valedictory that success, both politically and financially, we sub- during the eight years of his administration mit it to' the public in whose hands rests the of the paper's affairs, its circulation had in- confirmation of our words." creased from 320 to 800. Mr. Wisdom con-

It is safe to assert that all the objects pro- tinued the former policy of the journal during posed for itself by the Bedrock Democrat have the four months it remained in his hands. The been consistently and energetically pursued. paper was thereafter issued by the Bedrock There certainly can be no doubt that the cause Publishing Company, with S. H. Shepherd and

it of Democracy in Baker county has been greatly J. T. Donnelly as editors. April 1, 1882, "strengthened by the unceasing labors of the underwent at least a partial change of hands, paper during all these years and, what many becoming the property of J. T. Donnelly & men would consider of more importance, that Company, who remained the owners and pub- the country has been builded up and its re- lishers until the 9th of May, 1887. A daily sources widely advertised through this same edition of the Democrat appeared April 1, medium. 1884, but it suspended about a month later. In July, 1870, Mr. L. L. McArthur retired The publishers stated that they thought that from connection with the Bedrock Democrat, in starting it they were supplying a long felt having been elected to a judicial position. The want, but they had now discovered their mis- paper remained in the charge of Mr. Abbott take and would undertake no more dailies until alone until August 1, 1872, when it passed un- sure that the demand existed. For convenience appearance der the control of J. M. Shepherd, who on May in publishing the daily the time of

5, 1875, took into partnership with himself his of the weekly was changed from Wednesday to son, H. C. Shepherd. In 1876 the Bedrock Monday.

Democrat increased its size considerably, be- From Donnelly & Company, in 1884, the HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 769

Democrat passed to Donnelly, Bowen & Com- BAKER CITY HERALD. pany, and in May, 1887, it became the property of Bowen & Small. The prosperous times of 1893 in Baker In the fall of 1883 the Daily Sage Brush City, brought forth a new aspirant for honors was instituted in Baker City, by that veteran in the journalistic field, the Weekly Epigram, journalist, J. M. Shepherd. It was indepen- founded and published by John G. Foster. dent in politics and claimed to be entirely un- This terse, newsy sheet made its first appear- controlled by the Democrat, although it used ance October 3d. The Epigram espoused the the same office and materials. It has been cause of the People's party, just rising into spoken off as a sprightly little sheet and those prominence at this time, and during the cam- who know what a vigorous writer and thinker paign of 1894 a daily edition was published "Old Shep" was will not doubt the accuracy in connection with the weekly. L. C. Bell of the description. purchased a half interest in the property on

A few months before the Bedrock Demo- November 1, 1894, the firm name then being crat passed into the hands of Messrs. Bowen Foster & Bell. These gentlemen continued

& Small, the Sage Brush was absorbed and as owners and publishers until two 1 years later,, the Morning Democrat started. The firm when F. A. Bowen, formerly of the Hunting- name of the owners has continued unchanged ton Herald, became proprietor. Mr. Bowen

from that time to the present, though I. B. guided the Epigram safely through the treach- Bowen succeeded F. A. Bowen as manager in erous shoals which continually beset the course August, 1888. of a newspaper, for nearly three years, dispos-

The Democrat has an excellent plant, sup- ing of the property, March 1st, 1900, to Wes- plied with engine, cylinder press, job presses, ley Andrews. Then, for a time, the paper abundance of type of many varieties, and even was published by H. F. Cassidy, as lessee..

that most important of all modern inventions Meanwhile the name was changed to the Ba- for facilitating the rapid production of news- ker City Herald. Letson Balliet, of the White

papers, the linotype. It is a member of the Swan Mines Company, Limited, purchased the

Associated Press and gives its readers the latest plant for his company on November 12th,

news from off the wires. Indeed the Demo- 1900, and it has since remained the property crat has many of the characteristics of the met- of that well known mining corporation.

ropolitan daily, though it has not yet attempted Mr. Balliet, soon after the paper into' his con- the publication of a large special Sunday edi- trol, determined to publish a daily in connec-

tion, with a magazine supplement, etc. tion with the weekly, and April 15, 1900, the Quite recently the Democrat office was vis- evening Herald made its bow to the Baker City

ited by a fire, damaging the plant to the ex- public. Its political affiliations are with the tent of a thousand dollars or more. The loss Republicans and the Herald has, by its force- incident to this misfortune most especially to ful and vigorous interpretation of the princi-

be regretted, was that of the files, which were ples of that party, gained a place among the partially destroyed. They presented a con- leading and most important Republican journ- tinuous history of the county and of eastern als of Oregon. As a newspaper, it was suc- Oregon generally from May, 1870, to the pres- cessful from the beginning and its well filled ent and were of incalculable value. Not alone columns of local and state news, its energetic

the office but all interested in the past annals and breezy style and clean typographical ap- of this region deplore the fact that the fire pearance have gained recognition fur it reached this priceless treasury of information. throughout the state and speak volumes for the 49 770 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

men who are devoting their whole strength and press ; also another press of the same make, enthusiasm to' its production. Ever alive to eight by twelve; a ten by fifteen universal the best interests of the community, the Herald platen press ; a paper cutter, wire stitcher and is a real aid in advertising the country's ad- largest assortment of job and book type and vantages and focusing public attention upon high grade printing papers to be found between some needed public improvement or existing Portland and Salt Lake City. It is expected evil, thus contributing to the betterment of that a complete stereotyping plant will be in- conditions. It devotes much attention to the augurated forthwith. mines of the surrounding region and its col- The paper is a wide-awake, six column, umns are always replete with news of these eight-page weekly. In national politics it is sources of the country's wealth. Republican, but in local affairs it is strictly in-

Charles W. Hill is at present the publisher dependent. and L. Bush Livermore the editor. The me- chanical equipment at present consists of an THE SUMPTER REPORTER. engine, two modern Cottrell presses, one of which was recently built to order for the special The history of this enterprising daily is use of the Herald, two jobbing presses, type- quite unique. Its founder, J. Nat Hudson, setting machines, together with the latest styles was practicing law at the time of its inception and series of job and news type. and not being burdened with a very extensive and exacting practice, and having a printing THE BLUE MOUNTAIN AMERICAN. outfit on hand, he decided to publish for his own amusement as much as anything, an oc- This Sumpter paper was founded in Febru- casional issue of a small paper. Accordingly on December the first of vol- ary, 1879, by J. Nat Hudson as the Sumpter 5, 1900, number News. It was conducted and edited by that well ume one of the Sumpter Reporter made its known newspaper man until some time in the appearance. It was a four-page sheet in length year 1899, when it passed into the hands of Ed- and width about equal to a duodecimo volume, ward Everett Young, who is the author of its and sold for one cent a copy. The editor change of name. In April, 1901, Charles must have sounded the right chord to suit the Liebenstein succeeded to the editorship and popular ear, for his venture received encour- control of the paper, and under his agement and it was rapidly increased in size efficient management it has become one of until it has become a five-column, four-page the leading periodicals of the county. It daily, giving its readers all the local news and has forged ahead with great rapidity in the cream of the Associated Press dispatches. the matter of accumulating equipment and While the size and value of the paper have now few other papers in a town the size increased, the price for which it sells remains of Sumpter can boast a plant of half the value unchanged, and the people of Sumpter have and completeness. The building is now twenty the advantage of a daily paper for the phenom- by fifty feet, but it is expected that by next enally low price of five cents per week or two fall, it will be twenty-five feet longer and that dollars and a half per year. It is the policy of the addition will be a two-story one, the upper the paper to limit its circulation to six or eight room being devoted to illustrating entirely. Its hundred as more profit will accrue from a bus- equipment at this writing consists of a thirty- iness of that size than if the circulation were three by forty-eight Cranston cylinder press; larger. The equipment consists of a Camp- a twelve by eight Chandler & Gordon platen bell book press, two job presses and a full sup- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 771

ply type, of paper and other requisites of a has been fraught with all the incidents com- progressive periodical. The machinery is op- mon to the establishment of the press in all in- erated by water power procured from the city terior regions of the west. The growth of the water system. press has kept pace with the settlement of the county, but as the valleys here are small and as THE SUMPTER MINER. there is so much mountainous land that has never been or never will be settled, the pro- This important journal was given inception gress of journalism has of course been limited. on the 13th of September, 1899, by Marsh & A newspaper, like any other business, cannot Connella. January 1, 1902, it became the sole thrive without support and the amount of sup-

property of the junior partner, J, W. Connella, port given it determines, in a great measure, who has owned and operated it since. As its the standard of the newspaper issued. There name implies, the Miner is devoted almost are no towns large enough to support a daily

solely to the promotion of the master industry but the county is fortunate in having four ex- of Baker and Grant counties, but it is a mining cellent weeklies, two published at the county newspaper, not a strictly technical journal. In seat, one at Prairie City and one at Longcreek. its special line it is regarded as authority, hav- As the range and immense stock farms are cut

ing acquired a reputation for accuracy and fi- up into smaller tracts and settlements gradu- delity in the portrayal of mining conditions and ally increase, however, Grant county will be the progress of the industry in this region. Its able to support larger and better papers and

plant is valued at $5,000, and that it has an then the owners of the present journals will abundant supply of modern equipment is evi- doubtless be only too glad to make the desired

dent to one who scans, even superficially, its improvements.

twelve neat artistic pages. It is undoubtedly The first newspaper printed in Grant coun-

one of the leading mining journals of Oregon ty, of which we have any record, was the "City

and a credit to the community that supports it, Journal," published at Canyon City by R. H.

as well as to its editor and publishers. J. Comer during the years 1868 and 1869. This pioneer sheet was composed of four pages HUNTINGTON HERALD. each three columns wide and about eleven by eight inches in size. In 1868 Captain George The publication of the Herald of Hunting- B. Fearing was a merchant in Canyon City ton was begun by F. A. Bowen, on the 10th of and, being an enterprising business man, he February, 1891, and on the 1st of November, determined to advertise his business by issu- 1896, passed into the hands of John G. Foster, ing a small bulletin. Accordingly he sent to

who sold it on October 1st of the following Portland for a small army press and type and year to the Herald Publishing Company. Orig- learning that Mr. Comer, a California miner, inally the paper was independent in politics who had come to the Canyon creek mines in

but in 1894 it showed a strong leaning toward 1862, was a printer, he arranged with him to

Populism and in 1896 it gave its hearty sup- take charge of the paper. The printing outfit port to the cause of that party and the Fusion- arrived in due course of time and on Christ-

ists. At present it is Republican. The paper mas day, 1868, the City Journal made its bow at this writing is a seven column folio, patent to the public. The name was so chosen, Edi-

outside, its editor being C. A. Northrup. Its tor Comer tells us, because of the limited sup- plant and equipments are valued at $1,000. ply of large type in the office. The editor an- The history of journalism in Grant county nounced in this issue that the paper would ap- 72 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

pear semi-occasionally and true to- his promise this press is at Idaho City, then at Boise. Later seven numbers were published at intervals of it was removed to Baker City where the Her- several weeks, the last one appearing Septem- ald was printed on it and after that the Bedrock

ber 6, 1869, in which Mr. Comer states his de- Democrat. From Baker City it was removed to. termination to "return to the pick and shovel Canyon City by S. H. Shepherd, who- founded

for a living." During its rather precarious the Grant County News. Here it has since existence the Journal took up the cause of the remained until the past summer, when we pur- settlers against The Dalles Military Road Com- chased a cylinder press and placed the old pio- pany and did much good in fostering a spirit of neer on the retired list."

progress in the community. ' Mr. Comer is still Whether or not this press was the first one.

living and is now a resident of Prairie City. brought to Oregon it is not certain. The Or- Then for several years, Grant county was egon Historical Society claims to have the pio- unrepresented in the journalistic field. But neer press in its collection at Salem, the date the country was growing rapidly and the more of the arrival of this press being 1839. How- stable pursuits of agriculture and stock raising ever, the press by which the News was first

were taking the place of mining, so that the given to the world is one of the very oldest, if field was not left long unoccupied. In 1872 not the oldest, in the state.

the Canyon City Express was founded and J. H. Neal finally came into possession of though at times its existence was most uncer- the Grant County News during the early 'eigh-

tain, still it survived the perils continually be- ties and in 1884 the News Publishing Com-

getting it and seven years later, or in 1879, pany was organized by O. P. Cresap, M. D. S. H. Shepherd purchased the property and Clifford, and W. C. McFadden. This com- established the pany purchased the News in January, 1884.

i The following Editor severed I , July McFadden j , GRANT COUNTY NEWS. his connection with the firm and for a time the business was in the hands of Robert Cresap.

The initial number of the News appeared and D. I. Asbury. Then J. T. Donnelly of

Saturday, April 5, 1879, and was printed on Baker City and Mr. Asbury assumed full con- an historic press brought from Baker City by trol and a year later, in 1885, the latter be- Mr. Shepherd. Of this old press, the News came sole proprietor and editor. For twelve-

says in its issue of January 6, 1887: years he guided the News through the mazes "We are prepared to assert that the first of country journalism, ever improving the pa-

press ever brought to the state of Oregon is at per and broadening its field, until the Grant present stored in the junkshop of the Grant County News became one of the strong jour- County News. It was brought to the coast nals of eastern Oregon. However, the News

via Cape Horn sometime during the 'forties was destined 1 to again change hands, for on Oc-

by the Methodist missionaries, when it knocked tober 20, 1898, Perry E. Chandler, formerly around here and there for awhile until the Or- superintendent of the Canyon City schools,

egon Spectator was started with it at Oregon and W. E. Overholt acquired possession of the City. After the suspension of that paper the plant. Mr. Overholt has since retired from

press was taken to Lewiston, Idaho, by the the firm, his interest passing to 1 Robert Glen, American Board of Foreign Missions, where who with Mr. Chandler are the present pro- tracts and pamphlets were printed in the Chi- prietors and editors. Under their painstak- nook language for the Nez Perce Indian school ing and energetic management the News has at Fort Lapwai. The next trace we find of attained to a high reputation among the week- HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR. AND HARNEY COUNTIES

lies of eastern Oregon and bids fair to step still in the 'business, May 20, 1900. The following higher. At present the News is a seven col- August the paper was removed to Canyon City, umn folio, all home print. Its columns teem where it has since been published. Both Mr. with news from all portions of the county and Patterson and Mr. Ward are very genial and state and its advertising columns are well filled, very successful newspaper men.

thereby testifying to its recognized popularity and standing in the community. The office THE PRAIRIE CITY MINER,

is equipped with a cylinder news press, a job press and with all the other auxiliaries neces- a journal devoted especially to the interests of sary to conduct a first-class printing estab- Prairie City and the upper end of the John Day lishment. In politics the News is independent. valley, made its first appearance May 19, 1900,

Both Mr. Chandler and Mr. Glen are possessed published by C. H. Marsh, J. W. Connella and of a genial, courteous personality and these Henry Stuart. It was an eight page, four col- qualities, combined with ability, have much umn newspaper, of clean typographical ap- to do with the success of the Grant County pearance, newsy and bright and well edited,

News. characteristics which it retains to the present day. In the spring of 1901, the Miner Pub- THE BLUE MOUNTAIN EAGLE, lishing Company succeeded to the ownership of the property and again in the summer of the published by Patterson & Ward, at Canyon same year the plant changed hands, this City, is one of the leading weeklies in eastern time being purchased by J. L. Hoffman and C. Oregon and is in every way typical of the best K. Cunningham, who in turn sold to Glen &

there is in country journalism. Its four pages Chandler of the Grant County News, its pres- are ahvays well filled with news of the county ent proprietors. They acquired possession of and state and the business interests of the coun- the property, December 26, 1901. W. W. Wat- ty are well represented in its advertising col- son, a veteran Oregon newspaper man, is the umns. The journal occupies its own building, present editor and manager, having taken a fine two-story frame structure situated on the charge of the journal February 6th last.

main street, and the office is one of the best equipped smaller offices in the state, contain- LONG CREEK RANGER. ing a new Country Campbell news press, a Na- tional jobber, and the latest models and faces The Ranger was established August 17, of type and other necessary equipment. In 1900, by Charles A. Coe, who is its present politics the Eagle is content to be independent, editor and owner. In size the Ranger is a six

serving the interests of no one party but the column folio patent inside, and is issued Fri- people in general. days. The office is equipped with a Wash- The Long Creek Eagle was established at ington hand press, a Chandler & Price Gordon

Long Creek, November 26, 1886, by Ed. C. jobber, and the paper issued is a very neat one.

Allen, who remained its owner and editor until Politically, the Long Creek Ranger is an inde-

September 5, 1889, when Orin L. Patterson, pendent Republican paper. one of the present proprietors, purchased the The John Day Sentinel was founded by W. plant. In February, 1896, Mr. Patterson A. Logue in October, 1896, succeeding the Al- changed the name of the journal to the Blue liance Publishing Company. The Sentinel Mountain Eagle. George F. Ward, the other was conducted as a Populist organ until Janu- member of the firm, purchased a half interest ary 1, 1898, when the Grant County News 774 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES purchased the property. Since then there has HARNEY COUNTY NEWS. been no newspaper at John Day, though there is a probability that one will be established In the year 1892, some time after he had there in the near future. severed his connection with East Oregon Her- ald, D. L. Grace instituted and established a THE TIMES-HERALD. paper known as the Harney County News, in-

dependent in politics. In 1896 it espoused the The East Oregon Herald was the second cause of Populism and became the organ of paper started in Harney county, D. L. Grace the People's party of its home county. Two began its publication in the fall of 1887, his years later it passed into the hands of the Boyd wife, Mrs. Nellie Grace, assisting in the work Brothers and in March, 1899, Mark M. Boyd at least part of the time. In the spring of 1890 sold his interest to F. E. Wilmarth, who> was

W. C. Byrd & Son acquired the property. They thereafter for a short time associated in its pub- began the issue of a four page, five column, lication with D. C. Boyd. On May 15, 1899,. semi-weekly in 1891, and ran the paper as a Mr. Wilmarth bought his partner out and the twice-a-week for a few years, eventually aban- plant is now owned and operated by him and doning the plan and changing the paper to a Mina Wilmarth, his wife. To them person- weekly again. July 22, 1896, it consolidated ally and to the files of their paper we must like- with another paper known as the Times, and wise offer acknowledgement for much held ren- became the Times-Herald, under which name dered in the preparation of this volume. The it has ever since been published. January 6, paper is a bright, ably edited, eight page, four

1897, Byrd Brothers took charge of the Times- column weekly, all home print. It is Republi- Herald, vice the firm of W. C. Byrd & Com- can in politics. pany, and in the spring of the following year Julian Byrd succeeded to the interests of his HARNEY VALLEY ITEMS. brother, becoming sole proprietor. The paper has always shown a progressive spirit and has To this journal we are also indebted for worked faithfully for the upbuilding of its valuable assistance in the use of files. It, too, home town during all the years of its existence. is Republican in its political faith and alle-

Consistently Democratic in politics, it has ever giance and to that party it has constantly ad- been maintaining, however, an independent hered for a number of years, though it was non- and manly spirit, not alone in this, but in all partisan at first. Its initial number appeared things. It has kept a complete file of all its July, 1885, so that to it belongs the honor of papers from the very first number. These pioneership in Harney county journalism. valuable records the editor very kindly placed This pioneer journal was printed upon a Wash- at our disposal and to their pages we have been ington hand press and the name at the head of greatly indebted for valuable material. its editorial columns was Horace Dillard. Af-

At present the paper is a four-page, seven ter nearly two years of successful newspaper column weekly, all home print. It has just work Mr. Dillard retired, his successor being purchased a complete modern plant, including J. M. Vaughn, who was its editor and pub- a big Cottrell press, a typesetting machine, an lisher for the ensuing three years. Mr. Dil- engine, a paper cutter, etc., in all weighing lard then repurchased the plant and again as- something over six. This, with the out- sumed editorial charge of it. For more than fit already in the office, will give the paper the a year it was in his hands, but in the falll of best equipped printing plant in Harney county. 1 89 1 W. Y. King purchased it. In the spring HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 775

of J a local publishing 893 company bought the cate, and published at Vale. As the name im- plant and gave the editorial management to its plies, the newspaper was established to advance former editor, Mr. Dillard. That fall Charles the interests of the silver party in this judicial Newell took the paper. It has undergone sev- district. Burt Venable was the first proprietor eral changes of ownership and been in the hands and John E. Roberts the editor. The initial of several different editors since, its present ed- number appeared January 6, 1897. Subse- itorial head being C. N. Cochrane. quently Mr. Venable transferred his interests in the enterprise to E. R. Murray, and during MALHEUR GAZETTE. the latter part of 1897 the paper appeared for a short time as a daily. A year later John E. The Malheur Gazette, published at Vale, Roberts secured sole control of the newspaper is the pioneer newspaper of Malheur county, and moved the plant to Ontario, from which having been established in 1888. The place it has since been issued. On November Gazette was founded at Vale, where it has 28, 1900, the Advocate was purchased by Don since remained, by S. H. Shepherd, who Carlos Boyd, who changed the journal's name

continued to act as its publisher and editor for to the "Ontario Argus" and transferred its po- several years, finally disposing of his interests litical allegiance to the Republican party. Ex- to the Gazette Publishing This Company. Judge J. T. Clement became associated in bus- company owned and conducted the property iness with Mr. Boyd about a year ago, and until the first of this year, when the present tinder this joint ownership and management,,

management assumed charge. The Gazette is the Argus is at present published. a seven column folio journal of neat typograph- THE ONTARIO DEMOCRAT ical appearance and fully alive to the best in-

terests of Vale and the county in general. The is alsO ! one of 'Malheur county's progressive

Gazette supports the Republican party now, weekly journals and is owned and edited by though it was founded as a Democratic paper. Will R. King, one of the best known politi- cians in Oregon, having been the Fusionist THE ONTARIO ARGUS. party's candidate for governor in 1898.

The Democrat was first published at Vale is the leading newspaper of Malheur county as the Malheur County Herald, by William and one of the neatest printed and best edited Ugholl and was established in 1898. Subse- weeklies: in eastern Oregon. The Argus owns quently William Plughoff acquired possession the) building it occupies in Ontario and is pub- of the property and retained it until March, lished in a well equipped office, including a 1 90 1, when Aimer G. King and Paul Delaney newspaper cylinder press, a job press, a com- purchased the plant. They moved it to On- plete assortment of modern display and body tario in February, 1902. W. R. King was the type, a new Chandler & Price paper cutter and next to try his fortune in steering the paper other auxiliaries usually found in an up-to-date through the narrow and treacherous channels establishment. Six pages are issued and their which lie in the course of journalism, he hav- well filled advertising and news columns be- ing assumed charge May 19th last. Thus far token the liberal patronage of an interested he has succeeded admirably. The Democrat reading public. The Argus is Republican in office is equipped with modern necessities and politics. conveniences and the four page paper issued

Five years ago this journal first appeared, bears evidence of excellent workmanship in being then known as the District Silver Advo- both the mechanical and editorial departments. 776 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

As elsewhere in the United States the news- The Ontario News was one of the pioneer

paper graveyard in Malheur county is filled journals of the county, having been established with graves of many unsuccessful ventures. during the campaign of 1892, by W. E. Bowen. Some accomplished their mission during their The News was conducted first as a Democratic brief existence; some did not reap such a re- paper and later as a Populist journal. The ward. All contributed their ideas and experi- News lived six years, or until 1898, when the ence toward the enlightenment of mankind so plant was removed from the county. that even of the least successful some good The first newspaper published in Malheur may be said ; none were absolute failures. county was the Ontario Atlas, established in The Ontario Mattock was founded March 1886 by a Mountain Home printer. This pio- 14, 1899, by Edward L. King and after a year's neer journal was printed on an army press and existence was sold to John E. Roberts, who. was a newsy and interesting, though small,

•consolidated it with the District Silver Advo- sheet. After a precarious life of three or four cate. months, the paper was revived by W. G. Cud-

The Westfall Independent commenced pub- dy, of Nampa, Idaho, who published it in On- lication at Westfall in December, 1900, under tario until after Vale was chosen as the county the management of J. E. Roberts, but survived seat in 1888, when the plant was taken to that only a few months. town.

CHAPTER V.

REMINISCENT.

Possibly some ambitious reader of this vol- tles throw around the days when the plains ume will in the future win fame by making an were populated with ever advancing- prairie exhaustive collection of pioneer incidents, pre- schooners a rich glamour of romance. senting them in graphic and fascinating form. But the days* of adventure were not over

Could such a work be properly prepared it when the pioneers safely ran the gauntlet of would be read with profound interest. The ten thosuand dangers on the plains and in the long toilsome journeys across the wide, sky- mountain fastnesses and eventually came to a bordered buffalo range of the prairies and over halt in the far away "westmost west." He the towering mountains or through the rugged was still in the midst of savages, and moreover passes were rich in adventures of the most he was in a new environment and confronted thrilling nature, while the constant menace of with new conditions, so that it became neces- the red man, the intrigue, diplomacy and chi- sary fo'i" him to work out for himself a thou- canery resorted to by the immigrants to avoid sand economic problems. It is probable that trouble with them, the frequent forays of these could all the adventures of the pioneer peoples depredators upon cattle, horses and even chil- of this section be collected and set in order a dren, the hot pursuits and the occasional bat- 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- and learned more of the trouble. He said ince of this work and the limitations of its au- that Howard was south of Canyon City in pur- thors render an attempt to embody any exten- suit of the Indians, who> were crossing the sive collection of incidents herein decidedly range and headed toward Long Creek. out of the question, but realizing- that a few an- At Canyon City there was a martial stir in ecdotes mig-ht better preserve the spirit and the air and all was excitement. Most of the flavor of early times than pages of descriptive men of the town were under arms and a por- history, we will give a few simple stories of tion of the women- and children had been re- "the brave days of old.'' moved to the mining tunnels west of the town. A shipment of one hundred stands of arms to- A REMINISCENCE OF THE INDIAN WAR. gether with ammunition had just been received from The Dalles in response to an appeal from O. P. Cresap, one of the earliest pioneers the citizens, who found themselves short of •of Grant county and now an esteemed resident weapons, and every able bodied man and boy of Canyon City, served as a guide to General in the town was well equipped and ready to Howard's army during the Bannock and Piute give an account of himself, should the redskins war of 1878 and in that capacity witnessed appear. As soon as I learned enough of the much of this campaign in Grant and Umatilla particulars to convince me that the people at counties. His account of the adventures in Elk creek were in danger I made preparations which he participated during this war is inter- for an immediate return. Before midnight I

esting and is as follows : was well on my way accompanied by Tom and Tom Meyers and I left Elk creek on the two others who joined us. That was one of morning of July 2, 1878, bound for Canyon the darkest nights I have ever seen and we City. We had no particular object in view had to walk our horses as soon as we reached except to visit the city and did not know there the foothills. We reached Elk creek, or Su- was an Indian war in progress. We arrived sanville, about nine o'clock the next morning at the old Dribblesby ranch, now known as the and in a short time the six or seven families Smith ranch, about noon, intending to stop there, the Blake, Bison, Mael and other fami- there for dinner. I went up and knocked at lies, had packed what few necessities were re- the door but could get no answer, so went back quired for the trip and with the exception of of the house to see where the family had gone. John Blake, the merchant who offered to stay

But I could find no one and going into^ the and keep watch until we could return, the party house discovered that things there were undis- headed southward. turbed. I concluded that the occupants were After we were well on our way, John Aus- away in the hills. We fed our horses and se- tin and I left the company with the intention cured a cold lunch for ourselves, then rode on. of reconnoitering and if possible, discover the of the redskins, were At the next ranch I found no one at home ; like- exact whereabouts who wise) at the next. Then I became suspicious thought to be over toward Fox valley. We and the more so because I saw a man scouting took a northeastward course. We saw no near us. So I made bold to inquire of him signs of Indians that day and camped that the reason for this condition of affairs and night on Long creek, about eight miles above learned for the first time that the Bannocks and the town of that name. Piutes were on the warpath and that he was The next morning we descended the creek, one of General Howard's scouts. As he was soon reaching the open country. We passed going to Canyon City, we rode along with him 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 party passed by within twoi hundred yards of

house was situated and could not account for the fort without offering in any way to> molest

my failure to see it now. As we came a little property. Had the redskins succeeded in nearer we noticed that the chickens were out gaining an entrance to the fort a massacre of of their yard and huddled together in the the whites would probably have followed. branches of a tree. By this time we were close Of the Indians there were probably between to where the house had stood and looking aigain six and seven hundred, mostly Bannocks and

very closely, we easily solved the mystery of its Piutes. The old men, women and children non-appearance, for there lay a pile of ruins formed the van, the fighting men the rear.

still warm. Although we were aware that the With the Indians were between two and three the Indians were probably not a great many thousand head of horses and these were herded

miles away, we did not believe they were very and driven by those unable to> fight. The wick-

close to us and rather ascribed the fire to acci- iups>, personal property and plunder were dental causes than to the redskins. The ruins packed on poles which were dragged by the of the next ranch house were smoldering when horses. This advance did most of the plun-

we reached it and then it dawned upon that we dering and pillaging. were probably close to the trail of the red- Here at Long Creek we met Colonel Ber- skins. From that on we proceeded with great nard, who- was the real fighter of the army. caution. The next house was burning and He asked me where I had conie from and what afar off we could see the flames leaping sky- I had seen of the Indians and I told him all I ward and the smoke curling up in great clouds. knew. I told him of conditions at Susanville Here we saw our first Indian, a scout, but evi- and he very kindly placed a small detachment" dently he thought that we were advance scouts of troops at our disposal to guard property at of the army for he quickly rode out of sight. Elk creek. Austin accompanied the soldiers Little did we think we were so close upon the back. With the army were about thirty scouts, Indians' heels, but in a few minutes we came recruited mostly from Arizona, and in com- in sight of the party of Indians which had mand of Rube Robbins. While these scouts passed through Long Creek the day previously were well acquainted with Idaho and that por- and which was now headed toward the Middle tion of Oregon lying near the southern bound-

Fork of march, evidently Colonel Bernard. When we reached the head- wishing to delay hostilities until they were re- waters of the North Fork there were two inforced by their hoped for Umatilla allies. courses for the Indians to> leave the country, Thus the army moved slowly, going from by Butter creek or by the Grande Ronde river. Long Creek north across the Middle Fork of By a little manoeuvering we turned them from the John Day, thence to the North Fork and the Grande Ronde and they started down But- down on Camas prairie toward Pendelton. Our ter creek. Here we fought a battle. route was marked on every hand by evidences A succession of low hills slopes away west- of destruction and carnage. Some times we ward, forming an ideal place for the Indians to found ranch, buildings razed to' the ground by make a stand and they did make a stand. When fire; again simply ransacked, furniture de- we came up, the hillside was fairly alive with stroyed, clothes, carpets, etc., stolen, windows Indians and they commenced heavy firing in broken and goods scattered about. Occasion- our direction. The scouts fell back, the cav- ally we found a white man murdered by the alry was ordered to the front and formed into savages. At all the ranches the stock had been two' lines and the men were then ordered to dis- driven away or killed, and one had only to 1 noh- mount. Then the gatling gun, the only one tice the dead horses and cattle along the road with the army, was brought up and in less time to know that the Indians had passed that way. than it takes to tell it, was dashing out in front At one ranch on Birch creek we found a baby of the army and on its way up the first hill. carriage drawn out under the arbor leading to The redskins were on the second hill, while the door of the house and in the carriage was between the two there was a smaller elevation placed a dead colt. At another place, evidently within two hundred yards of the Indians. a dairy farm, in Camas prairie, our attention Slowly the horses mounted the first hill, was attracted by a huge pile of butter stacked reached the summit, and then to the astonish- up near the house. From the appearance of it ment of all, kept on its way to the smaller ele- the little Indians had used it as a toboggan vation. The Indians could not understand such slide. As we approached one place we noticed apparently foolhardy actions and they stood a high white pyramid. At first we could not thunderstruck, not even offering to fire. Had make out what it was but as we drew nearer they not been overcome by the audacity of the we saw that it was composed of dead sheep, act our men would certainly have met death. several hundred of them. One of the most pit- As the lead horses reached the summit of the iful and frequent sights was that of a dead elevation they whirled around ; the carriage 780 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

was unlimbered and in an instant a perfect among the latter being Robbins himself. Ken- storm of bullets was carrying death and de- nedy, the man who was killed, was wounded

struction to the ranks of the dusky warriors. in the arm and bled to death. I found him on the The redskins scrambled from their hiding field and after giving him a drink of water places and rushed pell mell over the summit of from my canteen, went for the surgeon and in- the highest hill and into the timber. Our formed him of Kennedy's condition. Then I "troops came to support the gun, but were not went to look after another wounded man needed. The officers did not allow the sol- named Campbell. When the surgeon found diers to take full advantage of this victory and Kennedy he was dead. the result was that the Indians were pursued The cavalry were drawn up in line for a only a short distance. George Smith, a soldier charge when Colonel Bernard came up to me

was killed in action and several were wounded, and asked if I knew of any way to. dislodge the

though none mortally. After the battle scores redskins without great loss of life. I pointed

of dead horses covered the ground telling to a high steep hill to the west, which over-

plainly of the deadly work of the bullets. This looked the table rock, and told him if he could

fight took place between the ioth and 15th of gain its summit, it would be an easy matter to July. The casualties among the I-ndians must take the Indians in the rear. The troopers have been great, though I never learned just having ascended the hill in safety soon dis- how great. I had followed the gatling gun up lodged the Indians and forced them to retreat. the hill and so> saw 'the whole fight very plainly. This last defeat was too much for the In- The defeated braves, closely pursued by the dians and soon after they divided into two army, pushed northward and as; is well known bands, one going south by way of the Green- were defeated in battle by Miles near Pendle- horn mountains and the other down the Dixie ton. With the death of their chief and leader, range. The party which returned by way of Egan, the Indians lost courage, and executing the Dixie range killed a Frenchman near Rob- a flank movement commenced to retreat south- insonville and Jimmie Varderman on Elk ward. We followed and came up' with them creek. The Indians kept in the mountains as

a few days later on Lake creek, which empties much as possible, however, and destroyed lit-

into the North Fork. Here the Indians made tle if any property. The war was now at an

another and final stand and had they possessed end and as I could be of no further service to the courage which accompanies success they the army I helped to take Campbell, the might have made us pay more dearly for vic- wounded man, down Burnt river, after which tory. I returned to my home at Susanville. This time they chose for their battle ground

a high table rock covering several acres and THE HAPPY VALLEY MASSACRE. ' with nearly perpendicular sides. From its top they bade definance to the cavalry and scouts, Brief mention has been made in a former who were under Colonel Forsythe. The trail chapter of the death of George C. Smyth and over this high plateau led through a small gap his son John, who were residents of Happy which could easily be defended against hun- Valley, in Harney county, during the Indian

dreds by a handful of brave men. The war of 187S. The story is graphically told by scouts, led Robbins, were by Rube ambushed a correspondent who signs himself, "J. W. E.," while attempting to gain the summit of this to the Baker City Bedrock Democrat. The

rock through the gap and as a result suffered facts of the case were all learned from the In- the loss of one man killed and several wounded, dians themselves, as no white men witnessed :

HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 781-

the massacre, though Darius Smyth, brother of last farewell to their faithful wives and loving children. The father and John, at one time looked down into the valley son reached the deserted homes without having seen a single sign of marauding red from the surrounding foothills. He saw the warriors. That night they slept unmolested in their Indians around his father's house, but saw no cabin. signs of hositilities at that time and thought his The next day was Sunday. A little Spanish cow- boy returned to the father and brother headquarters ranch of the Miller & had escaped to the hills. J. French Cattle Company, thirty miles from Happy val- E,'s story follows W. ley, with the information that he had seen a great drove of stock coming down the Stein's mountains to Under the smiling skies of a bright June day in invade his company's ranges. "There must have been 1878 the grass-clad and cliff-ribbed heights of the more than a thousand of them," said he in broken Stein's mountains in southeastern Oregon's great English, "and the rushing beasts raised a great cloud plateau, stood in ghostly silence. As the sun's dying of dust.'' Manager French told the boy that what he rays left in purple shadow the pretty vale of Happy had seen were beasts, but that each one had but two valley, wherein a half-dozen hardy pioneer families legs and that they were more cruel and savage than were conquering out joyous homes from the isolated any four-footed beasts on earth. And the stockman riches of the wilderness, not a hint was in the peaceful was right. The bright eyes of the Spanish lad had air of the death stalking thitherward with the soulless from afar seen the onward march of one thousand Ban- ferocity of the merciless tiger. nock Indians, the men, women and children, even, being Sixty-five miles away the sunset gun at Fort Harney each and all on murder bent. The dust cloud was from had marked the lowering of freedom's banner in the the beating hoofs of the savages' ponies and the trailing post garrisoned by two troops of cavalry. Some thirty lodge poles. The Indians were en route to join their miles further, at the Malheur agency, the redmen were northern brethren in an Oregon raid of murder and on the verge of open revolt. Southward from Happy destruction. valley, in the state of Nevada the famous warlike Ban- Unknown to the advancing savages, the two doomed nock Indians, under the fiery war chief Egan, he of whites watched their foes approach. There was abso- the many battle scars, were no longer restrained, nor lutely no means or way of escape since the treeless foot- their northern brethren, by the one-time strong force hills of the mountains extended for miles around the of 1,200 hated bluecoats at Fort Harney. valley, and, in the direction of the fort, gave way to the

The sun's level rays bathed in dying splendor level reaches of the great Harney valley, which is about the long mounting slopes sweeping above Happy valley. seventy-five by forty miles in extent. Hence, expert Here and there upon the mountain ramparts were small riflemen and fearless American pioneers that they were,, clusters of juniper and mountain mahogany trees. But the father and son resolved to make the Indians pay the eyes had a practically unbroken sweep for miles to dearly for their barbarity. right and left and upward over the weirdly beautiful At high noon on that dreamy, peaceful day of that heights. Far off, up the slopes and near the crowning long ago June, the redmen entered the head of the little cliffs some of the settlers saw a moving speck, which, valley and encircled the first ranch. Finding this de- swiftly moving downward, resolved into an evidently serted they fired the buildings, and the two Smyths, expert horseman, spurring his steed as though pursued one-half mile away, saw the flames rising high in the by a fiend. Approaching the first ranch house, the air. In disorganized marching order, the Indians, led vacquero, in the terse sentences of the frontiersman, by their chiefs and great warriors, streamed onward told how since sunrise he had ridden eighty long miles toward the Smyth home. As they neared the little clus- over parched sage brush plains and pathless moun- ter of buildings, but the foremost yet nearly a quarter of a mile distant, two sharp reports followed two little tains ; that the pitiless Bannock Indians were having their war and death dance and that the settlers must puffs of steam-white smoke from the paleface cabin and' flee to Fort Harney for their lives. two Indians fell from their horses, one dead and the Hastily rigging their wagons, through the long other sorely wounded. The ranch cabin was quickly summer night, with their wives, young folks and help- surrounded, and from the cover of rocks and juniper less little ones, the pioneer men of Happy valley drove trees the savages kept up a constant fire on their prey. onward in flight to Fort Harney. But the unequal battle was with heavy loss to the be- A father and son named Smyth had left at their siegers. The showing of even so little as a part of a deserted ranches about one hundred head of good horses, dusky head, a hand or foot seemed to draw an avenging and, since they hoped the Indians had swung aside from rifle ball. the little settlement, they concluded to return and en- All through the long afternoon the savages played partly deavor to bring off their horses. With the pioneer's ever hideous hide-and-seek in trying to down their firm courage, they had no premonition of their im- sheltered human game. As the sun dropped low, fully pending fate as at the fort they bade what proved their 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 much treasure were saved, and yet the govern- less hard hit by the rifle balls speeding from one hundred ment and its officers whom he so faithfully and fifty to two hundred yards. The circle drew near and many crawled, under the sable shades, to within a served have been so forgetful of moral obli- very few yards of the cabin. Some straw shedding near gations that his labors are to-day still unre- the cabin, or leaning against it, was fired, and the pioneer warded. home caught. Then the end came swiftly to the daunt- Journeys over the old stage lines were less whites. Fighting with the Anglo-Saxon's unquench- able, ice-cool courage, the father and son came from fraught with great danger. Many brutal mur- hero their blazing home to their death. The elder had ders were committed by the Indians, but it been horribly shot through the hips. He was partly sometimes happened that they were badly supported by his worthy son. Spartan courage never bore itself more nobly. The fierce firelight shone on worsted in encounters with brave stage drivers a scene worthy the brush of the greatest artist who ever and fearless passengers. The pioneers of Jor- lived. With the world-famed grit of the Yankee at bay, dan valley still residing there tell both laugh- the twain faced their merciless foes. Their rifles spoke able and heartrending stories of the troubles not vainly, until they were beaten down and quickly butchered. that beset the stages in the early days. A few days later the bluecoats of a cavalry troop In one instance the Silver City stage, Na- found the charred bones of the father and son in the than Dixon driving, was surrounded by a ruins of their pioneer cabin home and reverently laid the remains to rest howling band of Snake Indians near Summit Springs. In the stage were fifteen men and SIDELIGHTS ON PIONEER DAYS. one woman. All the men had small arms and several had repeating rifles. One man had with Until after the war of 1878, the Bannock him a brace of bull dogs. The savage yells of and Piute Indians terrorized the settlers in Jor- the Indians struck terror to every man's heart. dan valley almost continuously. For several They fled from the stage and undertook to hide years the government kept troops at Camp in the sage brush. The stage driver at once Three Forks and Camp Lyons and even the opened fire on the savages. The woman passen- large ranches were at times garrisoned, equip- ger seized a rifle from! a frightened male com- ped with stacks of arms, howitzers and other panion, called the bull dogs, and jumped from

defensive weapons. "Sheep Ranch" was for the stage. The dogs obeyed her orders and 1 went several months, in 1866 and 1867, headquarters after the Indians tooth and toenails. She

for a detachment of United States troops under rested the rifle on a wheel of the stage and be- command of Lieutenant Koppinger, a son-in- gan firing. One redskin was killed and anoth- law of James G. Blaine. Sheep Ranch was a er wounded. In the meantime the driver had station on the old Winnemucca stage road and dropped down among his horses and was doing attacks by the Indians on the stages of this line good execution with his revolvers. In ten were of frequent occurrence. During periods minutes the dogs, the woman, and the driver of special aggressiveness on the part of the In- had routed the Indians and sent them out of dians a telegraph station was maintained here, range. The faint hearts hurriedly gathered in the line reaching Boise and Silver City on the from the sage brush retreats and the balance of north and Winnemucca on the south. Ernest the way was pursued in peace and, by the male L. Merrill, a lad of thirteen, who had learned contingent, in silence. They doubtless reflect- the Morse alphabet in California, was at vari- ed that there were more Molly Pitchers than ous times pressed into service by army officers. one in the world. Possibly they changed their His several periods spent at the keyboard minds on the woman's rights question. It is amounted to a continuous service of almost a said that when the hotel at Silver City was year. In perilous times he was indispensable reached they registered under assumed names. to the officers and through him many lives and One day in June, 1878, the stage arrived at HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 78a

Sheep Ranch from Winnemucca. It was well known drivers of those days, who was am- known that the Indians were in strong force bushed and murdered by the Piutes in 1878 in the country north and east. The driver tel- near the Owyhee ferry, while enroute without egraphed to Boise for information concerning passengers between Sheep Ranch and Silver their whereabouts and for instructions, not City. Shortly before his death he and his pas- knowing whether or not it was safe to pro- sengers had an unusual experience with the In- ceed. The line manager at Boise, desiring to dians near Sheep Ranch, while on the down get the mails through regardless of risk to trip. As passengers he had with him Mrs. T. driver and passengers, misrepresented the state C. Fletcher, of Ontario, then a resident of Jor- of affairs and wired back that the Indians were dan Valley, and a lady friend whose name the camped far to the west of the road and that the writer has forgotten. Beside him on the driv- stage should proceed to Boise. George Mc- er's seat was Jack Bowden, Wells Fargo ex- Cutcheon was driving and with him was one press agent. It was just prior to the battle of passenger. When well on their way and far South Mountain and the Indians were making from any point where assistance could be had, their way from the Oregon to the Idaho side of they were attacked by the Indians. McCutch- the Snake river. It is related by Mrs. Fletcher eon laid whip to the horses and a furious race that on entering a narrow canyon near Jordan began. It was soon discovered that the pursu- Valley they suddenly came in sight of a large ers were gaining on them and they realized the band of Indians, a short distance in front. It necessity of loosening the horses, mounting was not possible to turn around, there was no- them and leaving the stage. The passenger thing to do but to drive ahead. The two men was the first on the ground. He had unhooked drew their revolvers and prepared for a fight the traces of one horse and was about to mount while the women resigned themselves to the when McCutcheon said "Don't take that horse, horrible fate which seemed inevitably in store he stumbles." The passenger mounted the for them. As soon as the Indians discovered other horse and McCutcheon mounted the the stage, they halted, an order was given and stumbler. The horses were still fastened to^ they formed in two rows, one on either side gether with lines and neck yokes. As they of the narrow road. Hemmingway drove on. flew madly over the road breast straps and lines As he neared the lines of savages he noted that were cut with their pocket knives and the horses their guns were grounded. He drew the horses were separated. They were now lengthening down to a slow walk and entered the passage the distance between themselves and the In- way. Every Indian stood erect, hideously dians. There was hope of escape. Five minutes daubed with war paint and gazing stoically later McCutcheon's horse stumbled and fell and across the path. Not a move was made nor a looking back, the fleeing passenger saw the In- word uttered. The stage passed slowly down dians circling around him and firing into his the line and when the end was reached the In- prostrate form. The passenger (whose name dians closed ranks and marched away without we have been unable to learn), escaped, reach- a demonstration of any character. Breathing ing Boise in safety. McCutcheon was one of prayers of thankfulness for their safety but the noted and respected stage drivers of the puzzled and bewildered by the strange actions early days and his death was lamented by all of the redskins, the occupants of the stage rode who knew him. His heroic, unselfish act, in on, scarcely daring to break the silence until the himself mounting the untrustworthy horse, protection of the fortified ranch was reached. speaks volumes in praise of his noble character. The only explanation offered of the Indians' William Hemmingway was another of the unusual behavior was that they were massing 784 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES by previous arrangement to attack the whites, were able to make excursions to points any were then on their way to the rendezvous and distance from camp. There was but little game did not want to arouse the people of Jordan to be had and no habitations could be reached, Valley until their plans for concerted action but they managed to exist, and as soon as the were consummated. snow began to go off, they pushed on toward

In 1886 J. P. Merrill secured a hay contract The Dalles, arriving there in March, 1867. from the government. He cut and stacked Mr. Merrill succeeded in exchanging his under this contract two' thousands dollars' scrip for cash, purchased a stock of supplies worth of hay, receiving his pay in government and secured four horses. After a two weeks' scrip. There was but little money in the coun- stay at The Dalles, he started with another try and Mr. Merrill was unable to cash his party of four freighters on the return trip. scrip. Shortly after being paid for the hay his They were attacked two or three times by small horses were stolen by a band of Indians and bands of Indians but had no trouble in beating he could not secure others in the neighborhood. them off, as the attacks were made during the

He must go 1 elsewhere both for cash and horses day. They pursued the same tactics at night and The Dalles was the nearest point where he that Mr. Merrill and his former party had fol- could hope to find either. It was late in the fall, lowed. They were having a comparatively but he borrowed a horse and joined a party of uneventful journey and had reached a point freighters bound for The Dalles. The country on the Malheur river near its junction with the was infested by thieving, murderous bands of Snake. Here they were met by a train of em- Indians, and the party was compelled to keep igrants encamped for a few days' rest. The constantly on guard to escape them. It was freighters decided to camp with them for a their custom to travel each day until sundown, short time as their animals were becoming jad- then make camp as if for the night, eat their ed and worn. Mr. Merrill was anxious con- suppers, roll up in blankets and lie down, and cerning his family, to whom he had expected about eleven o'clock quietly break camp and to return months before. On the morning of move on several miles, secreting themselves as the second day after their stop he endeavored well as they could in some sheltered spot at a to persuade the freighters to move on. Fail- distance from the road, where they would camp ing in this he determined to go ahead alone,, without fires and rest. The Indian habit of and started, against the advice of the campers. making attacks in the early morning hours For two days he traveled without discovering made it possible for the travelers to follow this any signs of Indians and was congratulating- deceiving course successfully. In due time himself on the final, successful termination of they reached the summit of the Blue mountains his journey. He was within half a day's jour- near what is now the boundary between Baker ney of home when night overtook him. He and Grant counties. Here they were overta- followed the usual plan in making camp for the ken by a heavy storm and were effectually night. On the morning of the last day out he- snowed in, the snow falling to a depth of fif- arose, and while preparing breakfast, discov- teen feet. The freighters fortunately had a ered signs of the recent presence of deer near store of supplies. It was not sufficient for the camp. Hastily swallowing his food, he their needs, however, in the event of a long im- took his gun and struck out on the trail of the prisonment and this they were doomed to en- deer. He was near home and, as he thought, dure. They were held in the mountains until safe from Indian attacks. He followed the spring and at times suffered severely from hun- deer tracks for an hour or more, and succeeded ger and cold. It was many weeks before they 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 men had left their rifles at the house and they he reached it, judge of his consternation and thought there was a possible show to reach wrath when he learned that his horses, which them ahead of the Indians. They unhitched he had left securely tied, together with all his the horses and climbing on bareback, forded the packs, were gone. He soon discovered the river and raced for the house. But when they trail and pursued. After following the trail saw that the Indians were going to get there for five or six miles he sighted a band of fifteen first, they swerved to the left and struck up or twenty Indians and in front of them, his Bridge creek, with the enemy in hot pursuit. horses, which were being driven away with all It took but a few miles of hard riding to his supplies. Realizing that he was powerless use up Masterson' s work horse and he told to contend with such a savage horde, he re- Clark to keep on and save himself. Masterson solved to hasten home, secure the assistance jumped from his horse and struck into the O'f soldiers and neighbors and then attempt the brush. He jumped into the creek and, swim- recovery of the animals and supplies, and the ming down stream a little distance, found a punishment of the thieves. He eventually deq) hole overhung with thick brush, where he reached home, after a toilsome journey last- "camped." The Indians chased Clark a few ing six months, poorer than when he started, miles farther and then returned to finish up but gladly welcomed by family and friends, Masterson. But he confined himself to his cov- who had long since given him up as dead. A ered haunt, and after hunting all around him company was at once formed and the pursuit the Indians gave him up and returned to the of the Indians commenced 'but neither Indians house, where they took everything of any value nor horses were found. to- them. Clark kept on to- the nearest ranch,

This is a fair illustration of the trials and eight miles distant, where he found a number of hardships to which the pioneers of eastern Ore- packers, with whom he returned toi the front. gon were subjected. They yelled for Masterson and at last he took chances on their being friends or foes and THE NAMING OF BURNT RANCH. came out of his hole chilled almost to death. The party then went on to the ranch, where

Grant County News, Aug. 6, 1885. they found the house smouldering in its ashes Over in Wasco county, on the main John and the Indians gone. The raiders had cut John Day river and near the mouth of Bridge open feather beds, taken away the ticking and creek, is a ranch and postoffice called Burnt scattering the feathers everywhere. Another

Ranch, and it came to be thus named from the house was built upon the place but ever since following circumstances the premises have borne the name of Burnt In 1866 James Clark was occupying the Ranch. position of a pioneer settler there and had a very comfortable home. Along in the early WHY THE GREENHORNS WERE SO NAMED. fall his wife had departed for the Willamette valley to visit her people. One bright Septem- The following story is told toi account ber morning Jim and his brother-in-law, for the naming of the now famous Greenhorn

George Masterson, forded the John Day river mining camp and mountains : and were cutting up a lot of drift wood on the In the early days an old fellow came out to opposite bars. Suddenly they discovered a the camp of Robinsonville, representing him- band of Indians rushing down the hill from self to be a miner. His experience in mining the direction of the Ochoco country. The had been acquired in digging potatoes in Mis- 50 —

786 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

souri, on" prying a wagon from the abyssmafl life. He has no use for a stove; bakes his depths of mud on the Pike county highways. bread in a long handled frying pan before the He was given employment and sent down a fire, and boils his tea and beans in tin kettles. thirty-foot shaft to put in a blast. After con- A tin plate, butcher's knife and sometimes a siderable time he managed to get a three-cor- large spoon constitute his table service. For nered hole drilled into the rock and the pow- dessert he takes a contenting smoke drawn der securely tamped therein. He was slow of from) the depths of an immense wooden pipe. speech and when everything was ready he sang When night comes ihe lays himself on his gray out that he was ready to be hauled up. He had blankets and peacefully sleqDS without a single been given a fifty foot coil of fuse so that he care on his mind. In questions of national im- could cut off as much as was required. As portance he takes no interest. It is all one to

the boys at the windlass started to haul him up him whether the currency is legal tender or not;

he drawled out : "Haul me up slowly so I the inter-oceanic canal may be cut across the can unwind the fuse." He was going to use isthmus and extended on around the world

it all. This was only one of the long series of without causing a ripple of trouble in his tran- like bright thoughts on his part and the nick- quil mind. name of "greenhorn" was saddled onto him But when the thawing sun begins to shine and finally, as he worked all over the camp, it and the accumulated snows melt and rush out came to be applied to the district and to the through the mountain streams, the sleepy pros- mountains. pector is suddenly transformed into a different THE GOLD HUNTER. being. The faithful cayuse, the companion of his summer wanderings, is brought forth from Among the marked characters in a mining his winter quarters, packed, and off they start country the gold hunter, or as he is more gen- on their hunt for the precious gold. They erally known, the prospector, stands pre-emi- seek no traveled road or ready made track, but nent. To describe him and his life is no easy plunge boldly into the most rugged mountain task for the amateur writer, indeed, the sub- wilds. He seeks the gulches and bars, sinks

ject is worthy the facile pen of a: master. The his "prospect hole" and sometimes he finds prospector may be short or long, fat or lean, gold, but oftener another winter comes on and he cannot conceal his identity from the obser- finds him without a "color." vation of one used to mining life. His gait, The traditional gold hunter seldom be-

"his talk, his every action, become such as are comes wealthy; year after year he travels on peculiar to the class which he represents. In and hunts through new lands for something the early winter he casts about him for a de- rich. If he finds good pay dirt, he sells out for serted cabin in which to "hole up" until the enough to carry him through another year in welcome sunshine comes to dispel the long, the hope of finding something richer; in time dreary winter. Having found such a recepta- he becomes, in truth, the counterpart of the

it cle for his camp outfit, if he is in funds (and gambler ; when he wins a stake, he puts down

he is not always so fortunate), he stores pro- in the hope of doubling it, and all is swept visions for the winter, consisting of a plenti- away. There is nothing left to do- but to' try ful supply of flour, bacon, beans, and tobacco, it again. Men often become so< attached to and settles down to solid comfort. If there this mode of living that they have no desire to Is a crowd in winter quarters together, it will change it and luck is often against them so that

l»e a lively one, for the prospector is no cynic they could not if they would. It is a life and makes the most of his peculiar style of full of hardship and adventure but is made ; —;— ; ; ;

HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES 787

fascinating by the pleasures of hope 'that Oh, many a day, with a weary hand, spring1 eternal in the human heart." Have I tossed in its bed the glittering sand, And dreamed as I leaned on its rotting side, THE COWBOY'S PATROL. And raked the depths of its turbid tide, Of father's gray hair and dear mother's smile And the loved ones at home (Grant County News, May 28, 1885.) who were waiting the while The wanderer's return ; but time sneeringly mocks At the days that I toiled A cowboy rode through the driving rain, at the old sluice box. To hold his herd on a western plain. The rain came down in a blinding sheet, From the moss-grown rock on which I lean Which the frozen earth soon turned to sleet. I gaze down into the sluggish stream, And the face that I see has graver grown, The shivering herd moved with the rain, And the voice, it seems, has a sober tone; Loud crashing lash cannot restrain. And the wanton winds with my hair at play, Toward the swollen stream they madly press, Shows that my locks have all turned gray. But the rider rode with skill address. But I love to think of the days gone by, When my spirits were bright and my hopes were high. The deadly stream, with its floating ice, And again I could welcome the rough, hard knocks Will swallow the herd unless device To -be mining once more with the old sluice box. Can mass them round in solid wheel, Like yarn wound round the spinner's reel.

MY FRIEND JOE. On dash the herd, but the cowboy knows Just where to ride and hurl his blows. They veer, they turn, the leaders find By Ex-Governor Gale. The outpouring herd around them wind.

(Published in the Bedrock Democrat, March 17, 1875.) The angry flood and the ice floe meet The high, steep banks of crystal sleet. Joseph Meek, my friend Joe, when we first knew each But cowboy skill has saved the herd, other,

Till the morrow's dawn—not a hoof has stirred. 'Twas in the winter of 'thirty-two ; 'twas cold and stormy weather. All night he sat in his saddle seat The snow was falling fast, Joe, and the ground was His coat-of-mail the glittering sleet covered o'er,

And the ice-clad herd, he held them there The day we met I'll ne'er forget, now forty years and Till the morrow's sun shone bright and fair. more.

THE OLD SLUICE BOX. 'Twas on that- stormy day, Joe, when we were first ac- quaint By Morris Gregory. ; Our locks were dark and flowing then, our manly brows Where the rocks are gray and the mountains steep, were bent. And the gulch below looks dark and deep But now our brows are wrinkled, Joe, and our locks are Where the gnarled pines in their rugged pride frosted o'er Look gloomily up on either side By toil and care and wear and tear of forty years and

Where the manzanita is crooked and thick; more. Where once was heard the shovel and pick Where the shadows lie heavy upon the rocks, I often sit and think, Joe, of our dangers and our toils, There lies, half buried, the old sluice box. While fighting with wild Indians, or threading dark de-

files, The idle stream through it lazily glides, Or having crossed those mountains, Joe, we o'er the des- Gently washing its mouldering sides ert strayed, Sides that once were muddy and dim With hearts of glee and souls as free as the ^vinds that the yellow dirt that was cast within. From 'round us played. While across the stream on the gravel heaps The agile squirrel, chattering, leaps, are on top the And the crested quail fluttering drops Now, Joseph Meek, my friend Joe, we For its evening drink from the old sluice box. hill ; .

788 HISTORY OF BAKER, GRANT, MALHEUR AND HARNEY COUNTIES

Of trapping and of hunting, Joe, we both have had our TO ELKHORN.

fill;

Fair mountain ! Guardian of the peopled plain, And now we'll hobble down, Joe, come, hand in hand The outline of the pine against thy cone. we'll go, Blending in shadowy whiteness with the blue, As best we may, preparing the way to meet the final Enchains me to the footsteps of thy throne. blow.

A fleeting cloud upon thy lifted brow Now to conclude our song, Joe, we'll cast our eyes up Obscures thee, veil like, from the mourning skies, there The molten glory of the golden west Where you and I have hunted, Joe, in the mountains Makes thee at evening dearer to mine eyes. wild and drear. Great rivers change their courses ; cities grow, lift lightly, to yon calm and Now pause and them Joe, And hide from view some old, historic spot peaceful shore, The wild rose, by the snow-fed streamlet fades, I shall meet in the when our last Where you and sky But thou, O changeless mountain, changest not. hunt shall be o'er. —'02.