It would be difficult, indeed, to find anything new to say of
pioneering or pioneers, and useless to trace the pioneers along their
journey across the Plains. We will pass over an interval of eight
months and introduce our loved fathers and mothers on their arrival at
where Portland now stands.
On the first of November, 1845, after a journey of eight months of
inconceivable hardships, a small party of those pioneers first stepped
on the banks of the grand Willamette River, near where Morrison Street
is now located. The rays of the setting sun casting their light and
shade o'er the beautiful landscape, impressed the beholders with a
deep feeling of thankfulness that they were permitted to reach the new
land, and stand on the shore of the wonderful river of the west. The
wind murmuring through the branches of the stately fir bade them
welcome, and the old trees served as shelter for the next two months.
With the aid of flint, steel, and powder, a large camp fire was soon
burning brightly, casting a rich glow o'er the magnificent wall of
forest trees. It was a picturesque scene. The soft moonlight, the
sparkle of the water, the lurid light from the resinous fire, formed a
scene worthy of a painter's skill. They sat around the fire for hours
reveling in the luxury of rest; and they arrived destitute in all save
character, determination, and self-reliance. With such sterling
qualities failure was impossible.
The little company did not retire early, as they were forming plans
for their future work. At a late hour buffalo robes and blankets were
spread on the ground, and soon all were lost in sleep. The only sound
that broke the silence was the yelp of the prowling coyote.
With the first rosy blushes of the dawn the men began to rise, and
before the sun was fairly over the horizon the sound and echoes of
their axes brought cheer to our mothers' hearts, for they knew ere
long homes would shelter them from the winter's storms. Weeks of hard
labor were required to fell the trees, and clear away the brush, and
prepare the site on which to build. Trees were cut the proper length,
one side of the log hewed smooth with a broadax, and fitted so they
would join at the corners and lie compact. It was no easy task, but
our loved pioneers, with only a saw, auger and ax, broadaxe and adze
would put to shame some of the more modern workmen. Logs for the
puncheon floors were split and smoothed with an adze, and fitted close
together, making a warm and solid floor. The structure raised to a
proper height, poles were used for rafters; some of the logs were cut
three feet in length, from which shakes were made and used in place of
shingles. The fireplace and chimney was built with sticks and
plastered inside and out with a thick coating of clay. Some had a
stout iron bar securely fastened on one side of the large fireplace;
on this bar, which was called a crane, iron hooks were placed, on
which the teakettle and other cooking utensils were hung; all cooking
and baking was done before the open fire and broad clay hearth.
Windows were a sort of sliding door in the wall, without glass. The
furniture was extremely simple, being split out of fir or cedar trees,
and, if not elegant, was substantial; doors were also made of shakes,
and hung on wooden hinges. Wooden pegs were used in place of nails.
Rough bedsteads were placed in one corner of the large room, the
trundle bed pushed under it during the day, and at night drawn out
ready for the little ones. For one to see the number of sweet faces
and bright eyes of the many children lying in their beds, the scene
would put the old woman who lived in her shoe far in the minority.
Large quantities of moss stripped from the trees made good mattresses;
with buffalo robes and blankets they had comfortable beds. Their
primitive cabins completed ready for occupancy, with heartfelt
thankfulness they left the shelter of the trees for their first Oregon
home.
The latchstring, like a welcome hand, bade them enter. A bright fire
greeted them with her golden rays and warmth, and the sound of the
teakettle, cheerily singing, they catch the glad refrain and quickly
joined with--
"Home! Home! sweet, sweet home!
Be it ever so humble,
There's no place like home."
How well they realized the true meaning of home, as no roof had
sheltered them for the past ten months. As the family gathered around
the ruddy light of the cheerful fire, which was their only light,
plans were made to visit Oregon City for supplies of food and
clothing. Indians, with their canoes, conveyed them to their
destination. Soon wheat, bolts of flannel, with other necessary
articles, were purchased and shipped; fathers stepped on board, and
the trusty Indian with a stroke of the paddle sent the frail craft
swiftly gliding o'er limpid water. Ere long they were rushing over the
Clackamas rapids, which in hurried haste, flows on and yet is never
gone. As the sun was sinking behind the hills, they reached home,
where the anxious mother, blinded by tears of gladness, thanked God
for the much needed supply of clothing and wheat, which was their only
bread. Deer and other game were plentiful, and easily brought down by
their trusty rifle. Salmon was bought of the Indians. Ducks, geese,
and swan were numerous. All winter mothers were kept busy cutting and
making clothing for the entire household; also teaching their
daughters how to sew, knit, and attend to general housework; and if
mothers were sick they did the work with willing hands. The canoe and
bateaux were their only means of transportation. Neighbors would
surprise the family by bringing their violins, and spending the
evening talking and dancing. The large room would be cleared of all
furniture, which was placed in the loft where the small children were
put to bed; soon the merry sound of tripping feet were keeping time to
Money Musk, and other old time music, the old men talked over the
possibilities of Oregon. One thought bridges would span the
Willamette; others shook their heads, saying not while we live. Our
children may live to see one. Others thought railroads would be built
across the continent; all looked at the speaker and echoed "A
railroad! Never, over those mountains. Why, man, no one in God's world
will live to see that day. Steamers and ships will come, but no
railroad."
Our pioneer mothers made their dresses with plain skirts; waists were
sewed onto the skirt; sleeves were much like those worn by the women
of to-day. Their hair was combed smooth by their forehead and wound in
a coil high on their head, many wore side combs, a high back comb held
their coil of glossy hair. Hairpins were an unknown luxury. White
handkerchiefs were worn in place of collars, and they looked very
pretty crossed or tied in a bow at the throat. All were deft with the
needle, also weaving; those who have the rare blue and gray
counterpanes, manufactured by their willing hands, possess an heirloom
of great value.
In the spring of 1846 gardens were made by those living on farms, from
which early vegetables were procured, and in the fall many bushels of
potatoes, pease, and other vegetables were stored; of summer fruit
there were wild strawberries, and later raspberries and blackberries,
of which large quantities were picked and dried; also hazel bushes,
producing nuts in abundance, which were gathered and stored for winter
use. There was not much buying and selling, except of wheat, which was
used as currency, as well as for food. Portland was founded in 1845 by
pioneers who were quick to see the magnitude and resources of the
country. J. B. Stephens, who was a cooper, saw the large revenue to be
made by exporting salmon, and soon began making barrels and kegs, from
which he netted a large profit. The first tannery built in Portland
was erected near where the exposition building is located, by D. H.
Lownesdale, who had the honor of introducing a new circulating medium,
which was Oregon tanned leather.
In 1845 the first ferry from the east bank to the west shore was a
canoe.
In 1845 Portland was named.
In 1846 the first blacksmith shop was erected on the northwest corner
of First and Morrison streets.
In 1847 H. Luelling brought the first grafted fruit trees to the
Northwest. His famous nursery was located near Milwaukie.
In 1847 Captain Crosby built the first frame house; others soon
followed. Hotels, stores, and business houses were also erected. At
that time the United States mail arrived yearly.
In 1848 the first Methodist Church was organized in Portland, and a
church building was begun by J. H. Wilbur; doing good for others was
his greatest pleasure. Blessed be his name!
In 1850 the first Congregational Church was erected on the northwest
corner of Second and Jefferson streets. The oldest Congregational
Church in Oregon was organized in 1842 at or near Hillsboro. The
second was organized in 1844 at Oregon City by Harvey Clark, with
three members; he also organized the first Congregational Church in
Forest Grove; his many golden words and good examples are his living
monument.
In 1849 Colonel William King built the first sawmill ever built in
Portland, which was run by water power. Soon after it was finished it
was destroyed by fire.
In 1850 W. P. Abrams and C. A. Reed erected the first steam sawmill in
Oregon on the river bank near where Jefferson Street is located. This
proved a profitable enterprise. Just south of the mill was an Indian
encampment, occupied by different tribes. Their wigwams were
constructed of bark and brush. Squaws sat on mats, weaving their water
tight baskets, often very prettily decorated, while the Indian men
lounged about in scarlet blankets, as if posing for a picture, and
their children sat in their canoes gliding o'er the water with
swanlike grace. Information had been circulated among them that the
mill would be started up on a certain afternoon, and all were curious
to see the working of this new evidence of the white man's
superiority. At the stated time the Indians were in and around the
mill; suddenly the steam whistle sounded its shrill shrieks in a
continuous blood curdling blast, which sent every Indian man, woman
and child fleeing for their lives into the dense woods. It was a long
time before they could be induced to go near the mill.
In 1847, 1848, and 1849 many emigrants arrived who settled in
Portland, adding thrift and push to our small colony. The discovery of
gold in California on the twenty-fourth of January, 1848, caused
Portland to look like a deserted hamlet, as all men and boys caught
the gold fever and started for the golden shores of California, where
many were killed by the Digger Indians; others died of various
diseases, and some returned home broken in health, while others
returned with their hard earned gold. Ships arrived yearly in Oregon
with supplies for the Hudson Bay Company, by way of the Sandwich
Islands.
In 1849 twenty vessels arrived, and quickly loaded with flour, salmon,
pork, shingles, lumber, and other products, which they carried to the
California market. From that time Portland began laying aside her
swaddling clothes. The first mayor of Portland was Hugh D. O'Bryant,
who was elected in 1851. When the city was incorporated it was in
Washington County, and the people from Portland had to go to Hillsboro
to hold court. In 1856 a meeting of the citizens of Portland was
called to organize a volunteer company to protect the people and
property, in case of an Indian outbreak; two hundred names were
enrolled and H. W. Davis was appointed captain.
In 1850 the steamer Lot Whitcombe was built at Milwaukie, Oregon. In
1851 the steamers Eagle and Black Hawk were running between Portland
and Oregon City, where those who wished to proceed farther south,
would walk to Canemah and there board the steamer Beaver or Enterprise
which would convey them to any of these points: Butteville, Champoeg,
Mission Bottom, or Salem. Steamers Belle and Fashion were running
between Portland and the Cascades.
In 1853 David Monnastes and H. W. Davis erected a foundry on First
Street. Many other industries were established.
Among the pioneer doctors were Doctors Hawthorne and Lorrea, who
erected the first hospital on Taylor, between First and Second
streets. Soon after they selected a beautiful location in East
Portland, surrounded by forest trees, and erected a home for the
insane.
In 1853 W. S. Ladd built the first brick building in Portland. Others
soon followed, and frame houses were now in evidence, and the log
cabin in which so many happy hours were spent around the great
fireside was fast disappearing, although built from necessity, not
choice--happy memories of it still linger which time can not efface.
In 1850 several families left Portland to reside on their donation
land claims. I will describe one of these homes: A frame house with
large rooms, papered, and woodwork painted, glass windows, sitting
room with a large brick fireplace, with a mantle of oak, easy chairs,
a large mirror, table, and a corner cupboard filled with dishes. The
kitchen was furnished with a cook stove and all other necessary
articles. Feather beds were now in use. This house was erected near
the bank of the ever beautiful Willamette. On the west a creek glided
in sparkling beauty by the kitchen door, supplying the household with
cold mountain water. Memory loves to recall those scenes. In a garden
early vegetables and a variety of flower seeds were growing. A large
frame barn stood on the hill, with pigpen and chicken house close by;
a woodshed filled with wood stood near the back gate. In the fall,
when it was time to garner the wheat, oats, or hay, neighbors,
bringing their scythes and other instruments used to mow the harvest,
would surprise the farmer at early dawn, saying, "Well, neighbor, I
have come to help you with your harvesting;" and they never left until
the bountiful crop had been garnered. The golden rule, do unto others
as you would have them do unto you, was lived and practiced and
represents to us that period in our social system when a neighborhood
was as one great family.
In 1849 a mint was erected in Oregon City to coin five- and ten-dollar
gold pieces, which were known as beaver money.
In the fall of 1849 a party of Oregonians, embarked on a sailing
vessel, left California for Portland. The captain proved to be a most
unkind and brutal master, not only to the sailors but to the
passengers, who were compelled to eat the worst of food. After sailing
for twenty-two days they encountered a violent gale, and were driven
out of their course. As they were nearing the Columbia-river bar the
vessel was drawn into the breakers at North Beach and was deserted by
captain, crew, and passengers, who in their haste to save themselves
forgot their gold. On reaching shore they were exhausted and were
obliged to walk around the entire night to keep from freezing. In the
early morning they saw smoke a short distance up the beach. Each man
hurried to the scene. They found a comfortable house where they were
made to feel at home in true pioneer style by the owner, a Mr.
Johnson, who was, as all Scotchmen are, loyal and hospitable. As they
were in a weakened condition the good man gave them a small quantity
of food at first, which was fish cooked on the point of a stick held
before the fire. All agreed that was the best food they had ever
eaten. Now they related their hardships encountered on the voyage. Mr.
Johnson sent out his Indians with instructions to reach the wreck and
bring everything available ashore. This order seemed scarcely
possible, but the brave Indians went through the breakers, reaching
the vessel, and before night brought all the sacks of gold dust and
many articles of wearing apparel ashore, where each man could claim
his own. The party remained several days with their benefactor, who
kindly conveyed them to Astoria.
In 1854 Thomas Fraser was the first to agitate the public school
question. The following public spirited men were present: Thomas
Fraser, W. S. Ladd, Josiah Failing, H. W. Corbett, P. Raleigh, A. D.
Shelby, T. N. Larkin, A. L. Davis, C. Abrams, L. Limerick. All of
these noble and unselfish men, except one, have passed on to their
higher home--H. W. Corbett, the surviving one, a pioneer of 1851,
loved, honored, and justly called the Father of Portland, is still the
first to give his time and money for the betterment and upbuilding of
the city and state. God grant that he may be spared many, many more
years. No monument need be erected to their memory. The nobility of
their lifework is woven and cemented deeply in the hearts of the
people.
December, 1855, Multnomah County was organized. In January following
L. Limerick was appointed county school superintendent. December 4,
1850, the first weekly _Oregonian_ was published in Portland by T. J.
Dryer. In 1851 the first regular monthly mail service began between
Portland and San Francisco, per steamer Columbia.
Before Oregon was admitted to the Union in 1859 the log cabins had
been cleared away, showing the pioneers were progressive.
In 1858 C. Stewart erected the first theatre building in Portland.
_Wilcox School_--The first day school of any kind was opened in
Portland in the fall of 1847, by Dr. Ralph Wilcox. It was conducted in
a house erected by Mr. McNemee at the foot of Taylor Street. It was
properly a private school and continued one quarter. The names of some
of the pupils are given: Frances McNemee (now Mrs. E. J. Northup), her
brothers Moses, Adam, and William; Charlotte Terwilliger (now Mrs. C.
M. Cartwright), Milton Doan's children--Sarah, Mary, Peter and John,
Henry Hill, Helen Hill (now Mrs. Wm. Powell), J. Miller,--Murphy, Lucy
and Charlotte Barnes, Emma and Sarah Ross, Lorenzo Terwilliger, and
John Terwilliger. Doctor Wilcox came to Oregon in 1845.
_Carter School_--In February, 1848, Miss Julia Carter taught school in
a log cabin on the corner of Second and Stark streets. She had thirty
or more pupils. Those who attended Doctor Wilcox's school, also these
additional: John Cullen, Carrie Polk, the Warren girls--one now Mrs.
Richard White, the other Mrs. D. C. Coleman; Milton, John, Albert,
Matilda, and Susan Apperson, were her pupils.
_Hyde School_--In the winter of 1848 and 1849, Aaron J. Hyde taught
school in what was known as the Cooper shop, which was the only public
hall in Portland. It was located on the west side of First Street,
between Morrison and Yamhill streets.
_Lyman School_--Late in December, 1849, Rev. Horace Lyman opened a
school in a frame building, which was built by Col. Wm. King for
church and school purposes. It was located on First Street, second
door north of Oak. On this building was placed a bell, which weighed
about three hundred pounds. Stephen Coffin bought this bell at his own
expense. Rev. Jas. H. Wilbur bought the bell of Mr. Coffin and placed
it on the First Methodist Church. It now hangs in the steeple of the
Taylor-street M. E. Church. He taught three months, had forty pupils.
Among his pupils he recalls the Coffins, Chapmans, Parrishes, Kings,
Hills, Terwilligers, Appersons, Watts, and McNemees.
_Delos Jefferson School_--In August, 1850, Delos Jefferson, now a
farmer of Marion County, opened a school and taught three months.
_Reed School_--In April, 1850, Cyrus A. Reed taught school for three
months. He had an average of sixty pupils. Among his pupils he recalls
the names, Carters, Cullen, Coffin, Hill, Chapman, Terwilliger,
Parrishes, Stephens, McNemee, and Watts. There was no other district
organization.
_Rev. Doane's School_--Following Mr. Jefferson, came Rev. N. Doane,
then and now a minister of the M. E. Church. He taught nine months,
beginning December 1, 1850. To the former lists of pupils he adds
Davises, Crosbys, Lownesdale, and Parrishes.
_Central School_--The Central School occupied the present site of the
Portland Hotel. Monday, May 18, 1858, the first school in the Central
Building was opened by L. L. Terwilliger, principal, with two
assistants, Mrs. Mary J. Hensill and Owen Connelly. From the records I
find that up to July 23, 1858, two hundred and eighty different pupils
had been enrolled. The names of pupils, parents, and residences are on
record. Of all the residences noted, but two were west of Seventh
Street. Those two were F. M. Warren and Wm. H. King. Most of the
residences were on First, Second, Third, and Fourth streets, with
quite a number in Couch's Addition. Mr. Terwilliger was principal of
the Central School for two and a quarter years.
_Bishop Scott's Academy_--Was opened in the spring of 1856, at
Milwaukie.
_Saint Mary's Academy_--The oldest denominational school in Portland,
was founded in 1859 by the Sisters of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and
Mary. The first Catholic Church in Oregon was erected in 1839 at Saint
Paul, Marion County.
In 1849 a Catholic Church was dedicated in Oregon City.
In 1851 the first Catholic Church was erected in Portland, and
dedicated in 1852 by Archbishop Blanchet, who labored with zeal to
better the condition of all. Peace to his memory.
In 1845 George Abernethy, who resided in Oregon City, was chosen to
serve as governor of Oregon. He was a man of sterling qualities and
well qualified for the office, and was a pioneer of 1840. In the fall
of 1851 the academy on Seventh and Jefferson streets was opened with
C. S. Kingsley, teacher. The school was surrounded by large trees and
was a long distance from the village. No streets were improved near
the school. One could follow the cow path that wound around, and the
tinkling of the cow bell could be heard as late as 1861, when a law
was passed prohibiting cattle from roaming on the streets.