♦^ *.^i^'- ^v. ^"^ '^ K V. ' * «? "^j o^ * ^^ '^S •^ ''bv* ^^^ 4p >':";%% «''\*;^'\ ^-^^ V-S' 'vP<^- .• /"\ ■•.^^- ^■^'^ '-^m^' /"^ °"^^-" **'"^- VV 'rPC,- /.c:^.*°o %.** The Souvenir of Western Women Edited by MARY OSBORN DOUTHIT PORTLAND, OREGON 1905 LIBRARY af OOlSGStSS JUN 8 lyOb COPY B. t Copyright, l^lOS, by Mary Osborn Douthit Presses of Anderson & Duniway Coa\pany Portland, Oregon PREFACE HE SOUVENIR OF WESTP^RN WO.MEN bears upon its pa^jes a complex picture of the works and pioneer experiences of the v.'omen in the Pacific Northwest — the "Old Oregon" countrj^ — frojii the time ol woman's first appearance in these unexplored wilds to tlie present day. The purpose of this book is to record woman's part in working out the plan of our Western civilization; no other civilization, perhaps, bearing so con- spicuously the imprint of her hand and her brain. In coming to this country through all the perils, privations, and hardships of the longest journey ever made by a migrator}- people in search of homes, she marched side by side with man. Upon arriving here she could acquire equally with him a part of the public domain (the first instance of the kind on record). In patience, courage, and endurance, woman proved man's eipial. In her ability to cope with strenuous conditions, she was again his recognized peer. The powers thus engendered within her must perforce have left an indelible impression on the body politic. Their dominance is apparent in our colleges and universities, all of which are builded upon co-education as a corner-stone, and all of which also accept women as co-members of the faculty. From the beginning of statehood in all the states carved out of the "Old Oregon" country, women have been admitted to the practice of the pro- fessions on an equality with men. In the legislative halls woman's voice has been heard, and some of our most salutary laws owe their origin to her thought. In property rights woman enjoys far greater privileges here than in the older portions of our country. These Northwestern States are among the few in the nation that make the mother a legal custodian of her children, and entrust her with the property of minor heirs. From a national i)oint of view greater yet is the outcome of woman's presence here. To the pioneer woman — without whom permanent settlement could not have been made — the nation owes the very possession of this great Western territory. Captain Gray made the discovery of the Columbia River (1792), and this discovery laid claim to the vast tract drained by it and its tributaries. Lewis and Clark, led by the "Birdwoman," marked the way to it across the con- tinent (1805). The good missionaries brought to its wild native peoples, thirty years later, the "White Man's Book of Heaven," the forerunner of civ- ilization ; but the combined effort of all these could not have held this aountry for the United States had it not been for the pioneer American women, who. PREFACE. hcuviug all dangers and hardships, caiiic with man to build homes aiiy (Jaihcrinc Saf/cr Pringle 17 Mrs. Wliitraan's Diary "... 19 The Lewis and Clark Exposition — By Jefferson Myers 23 The Oregon Grape — By Eunice IT. Luckey 24 Roman Catholic Women of the Nortliwest — Contributed 25 Reminiscences of a Trip Across the Plains — By Mrs. Burnett 27 A Brave Life and a Useful One 28 Wannetta (a story) — By Julia C. La Barre 29 Moriah Maldon Crain 34 Susan B. Anthony's Visits to Oregon — By Abigail Scott Duniway 36 Life of Mrs. W. H. Gray 38 Pioneer Women of Methodism in the J^orthwest — By Mabel Haseltine 41 Abigail Scott Dmiiwav, Mother and Home Builder 43 Charlotte ^loffett Cartwright 44 Sketch from Life of a Pioneer Minister — By Rev. J. A. Hanna 47 Eliza Spalding Warren 49 A Pioneer Country Physician — By Dr. Rovia E. Alexander 51 St. Mary's Academy, Jacksonville, Or 53 Babies of the Pioneers (Poem) — By Eunice IT. LucJcey 54 Some Early Oregon Schools — By Marianne Hunsaker D'Arcy 55 Ijif e Sketch of Mrs. Mary A. Denny 59 The Dawn of the Sea Wind (a story) — By Miriam Van Waters 61 St. Mar3'^'s Academy and College 65 Ezra and Lucy Taft Fisher — By Sarah Fisher Henderson 66 Dame Nature's IMonument 69 The Two Islands 69 Sealth and Angeline — By Miss E. I. Denny 70 The Allen Preparatory School 71 Pioneering in Legislative Halls 72 Home Life of Eva Emery Dye 74 In the Very Early Days of Oregon 75 St. Helen's Hall .76 Bishop B. Wistar Morris— % Mrs. Belle J. Sellwood 77 Oregon Conservatory of Music 78 Woman's Work Among the Friends or Quakers — By Mrs. E. A . T. White 79 Mrs. Emiline Himes — By George H. Himes 81 Julia (West) Lindsley — By Meldon 83 Wasliingion Women's Cluljs— i?i/ Jenette S. Moore 84 Behnke- Walker Business College 85 St. Peter's Church and Its Ivy-Clad Tower — By Elizabeth McCarver Harris. . 80 My Mother's Flower Garden — By Charlotte Matheny Kii'kwood 88 Nomenclature of Northwest Mountains — By George H. Himes 89 A Grandmother's Story of Early Days in Washington — Author unknown 91 Hill Military Academy, Portland, Oregon 94 Early Portland Schools — By Alice P. Cornwall 95 Woman Workers of the Episcopal Church — By Louisa A. Nash 99 Helen P. Spalding — By Mrs. Catherine A. Coburn .- 103 Woman Suffrage in Washington Territory — By John Miller Murphy 104 CONTENTS— Continued Page Academy of The Holy Names, Seattle, Wash 108 Baptist Women in the racifie Northwest — By Ellen Scott Lntourettc 109 Scenic Attractions of the 1905 Exposition — By WilUaitt, Bittle Wells 113 Eaising the Flag Over a Northwest Schoolhouse — By Dr. N. J. A. Simons. . . .115 Woman SuH'rage in Idalio — By William Balderston 117 The Ladies' Relief Society 119 Illustrative Shorthand 120 Women's Cluh Work in Idalio 121 Scenes About the Home of My Childhood — By Mary Osborn Doulliit 123 Frances Fuller Victor — By Edna Isabel Protzmun 125 Seattle Seminary 127 The Oregon Women's Flax Industr}' — By Mrs. W. F. Lord, Salem, Or 128 Pine Needle Industry— 5^ Mrs. Wl P. Lord 131 St. Teresa's Academy, Boise, Idaho 132 Pioneer Davs of Mrs. Matilda Frost 133 The Mercer" Girls— % C. B. Bagley, Seattle, Wash 135 The Portland Woman's Union — By Ellzaheih Story llnmilton 137 The College Girl (Poem) — By Eva Em.ery Dye 139 In Memory of Narcissa White Ivinney — By Mrs. Henrietta Broiru ■. 140 Addison Crandall Gibbs, Oregon's War Governor — By Mrs. A. C. (rihhx 142 Ontario Then and Now — By Miss Mary Locey - 143 Grant County, the Place for Homeseekers 145 Portland Academy 147 Gillespie School of Expression 148 Women in Medicine — By Annice Jeffreys Myers. AI. D 149 Work of Unitarian Women in the Northwest: — By Kate Stevens Bingham 153 The Baby Home— % Mrs. Charles E. Siiton 157 The Woman's Christian Temperance Union — By Lucia H. Faxon Additon. . . .159 The Woman's Emergency Corps — By Mrs. Henry E. Jones 161 What Christianity Has Done for the Indian Woman — By Miss Helen Claii-. . . .163 Woman's Chibs in Oregon — By Jennie C. Prilchard 165 Council of Jewish Women — By Mrs. Blanclie Blamaaer 167 A Scrap From an Old Diary— % Mrs. E. M. Wilson 168 The Woman on the Farm — By Mrs. Clara Humason Wahlo 169 The Woman's Relief Corps — By Mrs. Julia A. Kemp Lawton 172 Mrs. Catherine A. Coburn — By Miss Helen F. Spalding 173 Tlie Homeward March of the Old Pioneers (Poem) — By June McMillen Ordway.174: James Harrison and Lueza Osborn Douthit 175 Judge Pratt in Bedticking 1 79 Domestic Science — By Mrs. Mary E. Young ISl Hoafls and Railways — p]arly History — By J. (Insloit IS,"! Mineral Springs, Nature's Health Reservoirs — % Wallis Nasli ISli The Visiting Nurse Association — liy Mrs. I'. If. 'rraiiihull 1^7 The Newill Riverview Academy 1 ■'^■'^ Sacajawea, the Birdwoman 1 ■'~*9 The Spirit of the Pioneer Mother — By ficorge //. /limes liH Women on Public Boards— B?/ Mae tl. Carilwell, M. D 19v! Home Life of Chinese Women in the W(^fii—By Mrs. W. S. Holt 193 The Young Women's Christian Association — By Mrs. Jessie M. l/oifynian . . .194: Kindergarten in the Northwest 195 Art in the Northwest — Extracts from Fine Arts Journal 196 Life in a Mining Camp — By Mrs. J. L. Goodyear 197 Some Things About the Pacific Monthly 199 Honor Where Honor Is Due 200 ILLUSTRATIONS Page Crater Lake (in colors) Frontispiece Abigail Scott Duniwav (half-tone) ' '•• Indian Woman of the Umatilla Tribe t<> Forestry Building — Lewis and Clai-k Exposition -^ Jefferson Myers --^ Esplanade and Terraces — Nortlierii Aj)proach io Exhibit Palaces of Lewis and Clark Fair 24 Indians of tlje Plains - <» Portland-on-the-Willamette — A seapcn-t 1 10 miles inland ;^'5 Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Gray (half-tone) 39 Taylor-Street M. E. Church 41 Mrs. C. M. Cartwright and Grandson 44 First House in Portland 45 Eev. J. A. Hanna (photographed at eighty) ^ 46 Dr. W. F. Alexander (photographed at eighty) 50 The jSTatatorium, Boise, Idaho 58 Specimen Lumber Tree of the Oregon-Washington Forests 60 St. Mary's Academy and College 65 Dame Nature's Monument . 68 Home of Eva Emery Dye. 74 St. Helen's Hall . .' 76 Bishop B. Wistar Morris (half-tone) 77 Miss Mary B. Eodney (half-tone) 77 Block Houses and Pioneer Printing Oflfice at Lapwai 80 St. Peter's Church, Tacoma 86 The Three Sisters— View of Forth and Middle Peaks 87 Mount Eainier (in colors) 89 Hill Military Academy, Portland, Or 94 Portland High School. 97 Trinity Episcopal Church, Portland, Or. . 98 Miss Helen F. Spalding (half-tone) 103 Academy of the Holy Names, Seattle, Wash 108 First Baptist Church (the Wliite Temple) 109 First Baptist Church West of the Pocky Mountains 110 Mount Hood I^i-ont Covor and 112 Mount Adams 113 Koberts Brothers' Department Store 116 Shoshone Falls of Snake Eiver — 60 Feet Higher than Niagara 122 Frances Fuller Victor (half-tone) '. T 125 Yakutat Indian Basketry 126 Seattle Seminary ". 127 Midwinter Scene in Southern Oregon : 130 St. Teresa's Academy, Boise, Idaho 132 Eva Emery Dye (half-tone) 138 Narcissa White ICinney (half-tone) 140 Sheep-Shearing — Eanch of James Small (|)hot()gra plied hy lleruiaii rutzicn) . . 14.'') Hydraulic Mining — Pipeman and a Giant Stream 14 H Mrs. Emma Wilson Gillespie 148 The North Pacific Sanatorium 152 Eev. T. L. Eliot (half-tone) 154 First Unitarian Churcli 155 I LLUSTR ATIONS -Continued Page The Baby Homo 158 Song of the Klootchman 163 The'Pillars of Hercules .171 Mrs. Catherine A. Cobiirn ( half-tone) 173 James Harrison and Lneza Osborn Douthit 175 James Harrison Douthit (from rlagiierreotvpe ) 176 The Washington. Seattle, Wash ' 180 The Cr3^stal Springs Sanitarium 182 The ISTewill Eiverview Academy 188 Chinese Mother and Children. T'ortland. Or 193 Sacajawea Monument Back Cover SOUVENIR OF WESTERN WOMEN A Few Recolledions of a Busy Life By ABIGAIL SCOTT DUNIWAY J^ LTHOUGH the writer hereof began to see in the early '50s the need of a radical innovation in governmental affairs which should recognize the legal existence of wives and mothers, she did not, for a long time, comprehend the fundamental principle of equal rights, as embodied in the law-making power itself. In the Territorial days, prior to the year 1859, the States of Washington and Idaho, with a large slice of Montana, comprised a compo- nent part of the great original Oregon domain. Settlements of white people were few and far between. Women were rela- tively scarce, especially on the ranches ; and bronzed and rug- ged bachelors, froui far and near, sought frequent relief from their o"\vn household la- bors by mobilizing themselves at the border cabins, where mothers of young children wres- tled, as best they could, with the crude surroundings of their scant environments, to provide for the daily needs of their own rapidly increasing families and the added requirements of a free hotel. With the border woman's mental vision continually ex- panding under the inspirations afforded by the virgin opportu- nities with which the new country was teeming, she found herself handicapped by a chronic condition of financial nonentity, to which no amount of laudation by the said bachelors could reconcile h^r reasoning faculties. i\s I had been l)lessed with a more than usually harmonious marriage, and enjoyed the natural ability to express my ideas on paper in a^ somewhat ABIGAIL SCOTT DUNIWAY. 10 SOUVENIR OF WESTERN WOMEN marked degree, it devolved upon me to voice the opinions of many women wlio were too timid, or were not allowed by their husbands to speak for themselves. Like the man or woman of ante-bellum days who was ready at all times to assist a runaway slave to gain his freedom, but failed to comprehend the causes underlying his predicament, I for many years contented myself with the bestowal of unstinted sympathy upon women who were not in a position to speak in their own defense. But as the years went on, and I grew in wisdom, I could not help realizing that the women whose husbands would sell our butter and eggs, pigs, chickens and dried berries, to assist in the payment of taxes, in the distribution of which we had no voice, were being "taxed without representation and governed without consent." After leaving the farm and becoming a school teacher — a change made necessary by an accident that befell my good husband in the early '60s — we settled in the towTi of Lafayette, where for three consecutive years (or until I became a tolerable scholar myself) I gave up the double occu]iation of teacher and boarding-house keeper, and we removed to Albany-on-the-Willamette. Here, after another year only of teaching (without the boarders'! I embarked in trade. Prior to that time I had been brought into contact with the women of the farms. As it was during the six strenuous years that I spent in trade that I learned the absolute need of woman's full and free enfranchisement, I will, by way of illustration, relate as brietly as possible a few of the incidents that gradually awakened my understanding. One day, late in the '60s, while I was busy in the work-room of my little store, engaged in making some fashionable millinery for an estimable wonuni, who, having married or inherited a competence, thought all other women ought to be content with their lot, a faded little over- worked mother of half a dozen children came to me in sore distress, sa.ying that her husband had sold their household stutf and departed for parts unknown. Then she told me of a family about to leave the town who would sell her a lot of furniture and rent her their house at a reasonable figure. "If I could borrow the money in a lump sum," she said, "I could repay it in installments." "Then," she added, between sobs, "I could keep my children together, with the aid of a few boarders." After she had left the store, and while I was inwardly fuming over m.y inability to assist her, a well-to-do and charitable man dropped in on a little errand, to whom I related her story. "I'll loan her the money," he said, heartily. "Slie can give me a chattel mortgage on the furniture." T gladly arranged a meeting between the parties: the exchange was made, and all was going well with the weary woniiin, Avhen, one day, the husband returned as suddenly as he had departed, and, by repudiating the wife's note and mortgage, the sovereign citizen and law-making husband nullified the transaction and maintained the majesty of the law. The family SOUVENIR OF WESTERN WOMEN 11 was lirokeu up and the Imshand and wife were soon fijiurin<^- in the divorce court. It is needless to add that my philanthropic friend lost his money and became a forceful advocate of equal rights for women. Another and later case was that of a woman in another county, whom I had long supplied with millinery and notions, on sixty days' credit, to support a little shop, in which she managed to earn an honorable livelihood for her growing family. Her husliand, a well-meaning but irresponsible fellow, noted chiefly for poverty and children, was only one of the "unhicky" heads o» families everybody knows, whose wife must make the living — if there is any. One springtime, after I had concluded that this man's faithful and thrifty spouse had become sufficiently established to warrant the risk, I sold her a tine stock of millinery on credit. Her business o])ened with unusual promise, when, one day a stranger to her, who held a judgment against her husband on an old note (given prior to their marriage without her knowledge and renew'i'd annually), came into the tOAvn, employed an attorney, attached her stock and closed her business. That was more than thirty-three years ago, and I still hold the woman's note for that stock of millinery. Prior to the year 1872 there was no married Avoman in all the great domain of the Pacific Northwest (except the comparatively few who held chiims under the brief existence of the Donation T^and Law^) who possessed a riglit, after marriage, even to the bridal trousseau liei- father had given her as a dot. As the laws recognized the husband and wife as "one," and the iiusbancl was that "one," the Avife was legally "dead," and was supposed, as a nuitter of coui'se, to have no further need for clothes. For the foregoing reasons, and many others for which the limits of this chapter have no space, I was at last aroused to the necessity of demanding the ballot for woman; and, although at this A\Titing the final victory remains to be Avon, so many concessions ha\'e been made, all trending in one difection, toAvard the objective goal, that it Avould be indeed an obtuse man or woman AA'ho Avould doubt our ultimate and complete success. The first laAv enacted by the Oregon State Legislature recognizing the legal existence of married Avomen, called "The ^larried Woman's Sole Trader's Bill," was passed in the year 1872. This laAV enabled women needing its pro- visions to register themselves as "sole traders'' in the office of their county clerk, thus protecting their personal earnings, outside of the mutual living expenses of the family, from dissipation by the husband's creditors. A laAv enabling AVomen to A^ote for school trustees and for funds and ap- propriations for public school purposes, "if they have property in the dis- trict on which they or their husbands pay a tax," Avas enacted in 1878. They were also empowered to fill the offices of state and county superintendents of schools, but the laAV Aras contested in 1896 by a defeated candidate and de- clared unconstitutional V)y the Supreme Court. Pul)lic sentiment noAV encourages the employment of Avomen as court stenographers, as clerks in both houses of the Legislature, on Legislati\'e com- mittees, and in various other subordinate offices. They may serve as notaries 12 SOUVENIR OF WESTERN WOMEN public, and no profession or occupation is legally forbidden to them. All the large non-sectarian institutions of learning are open alike to both sexes. If either the husband or wife die intestate and there are no descendants living, all of the real and personal property goes to the survivor. If there are children living, the widow receives one-half of the husband's real estate and one-half of his personal property; but the widower takes a life interest in all of the wife's real estate, whether there are children or not, and all of the personal property absolutely, if there are no living descendants — half if there be any. All laws have been repealed which recognize civil disabilities against the wife which are not recognized against the husband except the fundamental right of voting and helping to make the laws which she is taxed to maintain, and to which, equally with man, she is held amenable. Of the growth of public sentiment regarding the ultimate extension of this right to women, it is significant to note that when a constitutional amend- ment to enfranchise woman was taken in 1884, the vote was, ayes, 11,223 ; noes, 28,176. And, although the population was more than doubled when the amendment was resubmitted in 1900, the vote throughout the state stood, ayes, 26,265; noes, 28,402. It will thus be seen that although the "no" vote was only augmented in 16 years by 226, the affirmative vote was increased by 15,042. One county gave a majority for the amendment in 1884. The vote in 1900 gave us two-thirds of the counties of the state. One county was lost by a tie, one by a majority of one, and one by a majority of thirty-one. As the right of suffrage — the foundation of all enduring rights — is the only right that can be withheld from women by the votes of all classes and condi- tions of men, it is the only right ever demanded by women which must come through a change in constitutional law. "Therefore," as Miss Anthony well says in her able and comprehensive summary of the state and national situation, "this most valuable of all rights — the one that if possessed by women at the beginning would have brought all the others without a strug- gle—is placed absolutely in the hands of men, to be granted or withheld at will from women." (See History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. IV.) And yet, with all these odds against women, four of our Western States have already granted equal political rights to the wives and mothers of men. Wyoming came first, in 1869. Colorado followed by popular vote in 1893 ; and, in 1896, Utah and Idaho wheeled into line. The writer hereof has in hand enough of unimi)eachable testimonials indorsing this movement from the best, ablest and most prominent men and women of each of these states to fill a volume. The women of Oregon are hopefully awaiting a third effort to secure their own full and complete enfranchisement, for which their friends, the best and foremost men of the state, are preparing to submit a vote at the June election of 1906. SOUVENIR OF WESTERN WOMEN 13 Crater Lake By WILL, a. STEEL. RATER LAKE is located in the summit of the Cascade Range of mountains in Southern Oregon, sixty miles north of California. It rests in the crater of Mount Mazama, which was originally one of the greatest mountains on the continent. However, it was wrecked by a volcano, at which time all that portion of the mountain above 8000 feet elevation disappeared, leaving a ragged shell, or cauldron, four thousand feet deep and five and one-half miles in diameter. In the course of time 2000 feet of water collected, forming a lake that is unique in the world's history. It is one of the greatest natural wonders of the earth, and in many ways is remarkable. It is 6239 feet above sea level. The water is remarkably clear, but when undisturbed is the deepest blue possible to im- agine. From the surrounding rim this blue is intense, and is equally so when seen from a boat, but is then of a more brilliant hue. One who has never seen it can not comprehend the intensity of color. To the southwest is Wizard island, a round cinder cone 845 feet high, in the top of which is an extinct crater 500 feet in diameter and 100 feet deep. After the first great eruption the mountain fell within itself, and for a time existed as a turbulent sea of lava. Here and there little cones were formed by the lava bursting up, overflowing and cooling, and Wizard island was the last of such miniature volcanoes. About a mile north of it, however, is a similar formation 1200 feet high, the summit of which is 600 feet below the lake's surface. I first visited the lake in 1885, at which time it was only known to a comparatively few residents of Oregon. At that time I started a move to secure a national park, and after seventeen years was rewarded by getting President Roosevelt interested. With his characteristic energy he took hold of the matter, and Hon. Thomas H. Tongue's bill was immediately passed by Congress and signed by the President. In 1886 it was my pleasure to sound the lake for the general government, at which time boats were built in Portland and were taken to Ashland, 343 miles south, where the running gear of a wagon was used to carry the largest one, the Cleetwood, one hundred miles into the mountains. It was then, with two skiffs, launched over the lake's walls one thousand feet to the water, where they all arrived in perfect condition and were used to sound and sur- vey the lake. The deepest sounding was 1996 feet, but for several square miles in the northerly portion every sounding was over 1900 feet. A Legend of Crater Lake Wi-ma-wi-ta was the pride of his family and tribe, the -Shastas. He could kill the grizzly bear, and his prowess in the fight was renowned even 14 SOUVENIR OF WESTERN WOMEN among those fierce braves who controlled the entrance to the Lake of the Big Medicme, where the black obsidian arrowheads are found. But the chase no. longer had pleasure for him, and he wandered far up the slopes of the Shasta, where the elk and deer abound. From this great height Wi-ma-wi-ta gazed upon the lodges far below, and then suddenly descending, disappeared in the forest, advancing to the east, where springs the great, gushing sawulj the source of the Win-i-mim.** There in a little hut dwelt old Win-ni- shu-ya.f "Tell me, mother," he. cried, "what can I do to regain the love of Teul-u-cul?* She laughs at me, and the dog TsileuJ wanders with her over the snowclad mountain." " 'Tis well; Tcul-u,-cul still loves you, but since your brave deeds among the Klamaths, your thoughts are far away, and you long for further peril, to chant your great exploits in the councils of the brave. Tcul-u-cul has noticed your neglect. AVhy, Wi-ma-wi-ta, do you not seek for greater glory "? Know you not of the great lake, far away and deep do^^^l in the mountain to]i. The way is long and difficult, and but few reach its rocky slopes. If you have the strength and courage to climb down and bathe in its crystal waters, you will acquire great and marvelous wisdom. Tcul-u-cul will look upon you with favor, and none will equal you among your people. The Lalos (children of the Great Spirit) guard the lake, and far in the past one of our own tribe reached it, but not propitiating the spirits, they killed him, and his body was sunk in the depths of the blue waters." As she spoke the old woman's strength increased. Wi-ma-Avi-ta. listening, caught her energy. " 'Tis well, my mother; to-morrow, while all sleep, will I start upon this journey to the river where the Klamaths dwell. Then will I find the way to the wondrous lake and bathe in the deep water." While speaking, he noted not the parting of the l)rush, where Tcul-u-cul was concealed, and who in her fright almost betrayed her presence. Nor was Tsileu visible behind the granite rocks near by, eagerly watching and hearing all that happened. At dawn the following day, when even the dogs were still, Wi-ma-wi-ta stole quietly away. Close behind him, clad in the raiment of a young brave, followed Tcul-u-cul, and after a short interval, gliding stealthily in the tracks of the others, came Tsileu. Thus they marched for several long and weary days, over the prairies of Shasta and the dreary lava fields of IModoc, until Wi-ma-MH-ta reached the great river of the Klamaths. Then Tcul-u-cul came forth and accosted him. "Whither goest thou, Wi-ma-wi-ta, and why are you alone in this desolate place?" "I seek the great lake in the top of the mountain, to bathe in its limpid waters. ' ' "There would I also go and share your perils." Large spring. ** McCloud Kiver. f Forotliought. * The lark, t Red Flicker. SOUVENIR OF WESTERN WOMEN 15 " 'Tis well, and I will reward your faith in nie." Tsileu, inwardly raging, cast a look of hate upon them, and sped north- ward through the land of the Klamaths. The next day Wi-ma-wit-a and Tcul-u-cul journeyed up the river. On the west high mountains rose up precipitously, while here and there a snow- clad peak towered in the sky. " 'Tis there," said Wi-ma-wi-ta. "where we must seek for the deep moun- tain l;ike." At hist, after m;iny weMry days, they reached the lake and made camp close to the precipice. All night Wi-ma-wi-ta chanted his song, and when the sun was just lighting u}) the circular wall across the lake, he clambered down the steep and rocky walls, and plunged into the deep, clear water. His spirit seemed to soar from him; but it required all his strength to climb back to the rim of the crater. Next day he bathed again, and on returning said, "Once more only. Tcul-u-cul, will I have to bathe in the crystal water, then wisdom and strength will be mine, our tribe will be the grandest in the land, and you Avill be the greatest squaw of all. Thus will your faith and help to me be rewarded." On the third moi-ning he started, but, just as he reached the last descent, he beheld Tsileu. "Dog of Wi-nici-wi-ta, we will here find who is the greater man." Like two great whirlwinds they came together, then struggled on the edge of the cliff, advancing, retreating, swaying far out over the dizzy height, watched by Tcul-u-cul from above, powerless to aid. Suddenly Wi-ma-wi-ta slipped on the mossy rock, and Tsileu, exerting all his strength, raised and hurled hun far out mto the lake. Then the Llaos arose in their wrath, tore Tsileu 's body in pieces and cast them on the lake As they disappeared the waters parted and lava burst out with a mighty noise. The island of Llao Nous* arose as the gasp of a dying crater, and here it is said dAvells the spirit of Wi-ma-wi-ta, the brave, and Tcul-u-cul, the lark. MARK BRICKELL KERR in Pacific Monthly. * Wizard Tslaiul. The State of Idaho may well be proud of her showing at the St. Louis Exposition, having carried off the grand prize in the agriculture exhibit, and second prize for her state building. The latter was designed by J. Flood Walker, the Boise architect, and is being copied all over the United States. The Densmore Typewriter has been represented in Portland for the last ten years, the last four years by Mr. J. B. Huxley, now located at No. 82 Fourth street. Three years ago the Densmore Company put the new model on the market, which contains, among other valuable improvements, a back spacer, a simple little attachment, yet one that saves the operator more time and labor than any other one feature ever put on a writing machine. The Densmore is noted for its lightness of touch and great speed, which is accounted for in part by the fact that it is a full ball-bearing machine, and is the only typewriter con- taining ball-bearing typebars. The "Densmore Doesmore ' ' is the company's slogan, and this truism is attested by the many friends and users of the Densmore in this vicinity. INDIAN WOMAN OF THE UMATILLA TRIBE (Eastern Oregon). COURTESY OF PACIFIC MONTHLY SOUVENIR OF WESTERN WOMEN 17 Narcissa Prentiss Whitman Hy MRS. CA'PIIKRINK SAGRR PRINGI^E. JIP] sul)je(,'t of this sketch was born in PlHttsburg, N. Y., March 14, 1808. Ilei- i)ar(Mits were Presbyterians. They trained their ten children with a strictness of discipline which accorded with the extreme orthodoxy of that time, but which is unknown in this day. Her father, Judge Prentiss, was a fine singer, and instructed his children in this accomplishment. Narcissa being the eldest, was the object of special training, and developed a voice of great compass and sweetness. She was also skilled in houscAvifely arts. At the age of 10 she was con- verted ; at 11 years she was received into membership in the church, and ever after remained faithful to her church vows. Early in life Narcissa reatl the history of Harriette Boardman, a mis- sionary to India. Through this book she w^as inspired to become a missionary. Dr. Whitman also jjossessed the missionary spirit, and when the Indians of the West made a call for the "White ]\Ian's Book of Heaven" and for teach- . ers, he was among the first to respond. Miss Prentiss had been mentioned to him as a suitable life companion, and he sought to cultivate her acquaint- ance. Upon his first visit to the home of Judge Prentiss she was absent, and he was nmch attracted toward her sister Jane. Later, however, he met Narcissa in a neighboring town, where she was taking part in a revival meeting. A. mutual attachment was formed, which led to an engagement between them; but before their marriage day arrived, the wife of a man who Avas to accompany them to theii- distant field of labor died, and as it was not thought best for one woman alone to go to that unknown country, the wedding- was postponed, and it was decided that Dr. Whitman should go in company with Dr. Samuel Parker on an exploring trip. Accordingly they started in the spring of 1835, and proceeded in company as far as Green river, the rendezvous of the American Fur Company. At this point they met the prin- cipal tribes of natives. Here it was decided that Dr. Whitman should return East to secure other helpers, and come out the following season. Dr. Parker was to go on to Oregon, and return to the East by way of the Sandwich Islands. Two Nez Perce chiefs each entrusted a son to Dr. Whitman as surety of his return. Arriving at home late Saturday night. Dr. Whitman surprised the con- gregation the next morning when he walked into the church accompanied by his Indian boys. His old mother was so much startled at his appearance that she called right out in meeting, "Why, there's Marcus." Every one supposed him to be thousands of miles away. In February, 1836, Dr. Whitman and Miss Prentiss were married. She was a refined, educated woman, and one of deep piety, who could enter fully 18 SOUVENIR OF WESTERN WOMEN into the sentiments and sympathies of her husband. With a devotion and courage never excelled, she journeyed with him to his distant field of labor. Dr. Whitman found a suitable location on the banks of the Walla Walla river, named by the Indians Wie-lat-pu, or Wail-lat-pu, where he erected his cabin. Early in November, 1836, Mrs. Whitman took possession of her new home. She was much pleased to find so comfortable a place, though but a log cabin. Now began her missionary life with its peculiar hardships. One trial was the absence of those of her own sex. She was thousands of miles from her friends and kindred, hearing from them at intervals of two and three years, living upon meager diet, even to the flesh of horses, and sur- rounded continually by natives. To comprehend her isolation is impossible. March 14, 1837 (her birthday) little Alice came to them. i\faternal anguish was not soothed by the presence of a loving mother or kind friends of her own race. Her husband and an Indian woman performed the neces- sary service. The Indians cordially welcomed the new baby, and called it ^'Little White Cayuse. " Much land was promised little Alice. For a little more than two years she was the light and joy of her parents. Then the cruel waters claimed her, and left their home desolate. Going alone to the stream near by, she fell in, and when her body was recovered life was gone. The loss of her owti little one opened the mother's heart to all children. No child appealed to her in vain. Her home was theirs so long as its shelter was needed. In the fall of '42 Dr. Whitman decided to attempt a winter trip across the mountains, Washington and Boston being the objective points. When he took leave of his wife she felt that it was a last adieu. Desolate as was her home, she bravely determined to remain at her post. However, her friends at the Hudson's Bay Company fort sent for her and insisted upon her quitting the mission during the doctor's absence. With reluctance she consented. Owing to her failing health she went to Fort Vancouver for medical treatment. Later she spent some time visiting among the women of the Methodist mission. It finally became necessary for her to go back to her own mission for a time. When Dr. Whitman returned, after a year's absence, he found his wife at The Dalles, very ill, and for months afterward her reco^'ery was almost despaired of. At this time she had in charge three half-breed children, and her husband brought a nephew with him, aged 13. In the fall of '44 a family of seven children, whose parents had died on the plains, were brought to her. Her heart opened to the little orphans. A home for the winter was all that was asked, but they were all adopted. Added to this family of eleven children were others from surrounding mis- sions who were sent there to attend school. The year of '47 the emigrants brought the measles into the country, and the disease soon spread among the Indians. Owing to their method of treat- ment it proved fatal in many cases. This, with other causes, made the In- dians restless, and they began to murmur against their teachers. The storm SOUVENIR OF WESTERN WOMEN l9 of their wrath broke in fury on the 29th of November, when Dr. and Mrs. Whitman and many others fell victims to their fiendish hands. Thus ended the life work of Narcissa Prentiss Whitman. Mrs. Whitman's Diary Extracts from a copy of the original journal kept by Mrs'. Whitman on her trip across the plains in 1836. Preserved by her niece, Miss < 'ornelia Jackson, of Oberlin, Ohio. August 1. Dearest Mother: We commenced our journey to Walla Walla July 18, 1836, under the protection of Mr. McLeod. The Flathead and Nez Perce Indians and some lodges of the Snake tribe accompany us to Fort Hall. Have traveled two months. Have lived on fresh meat for two months exclusively. Our ride to-day has been so fatiguing. Felt a calm and peaceful state of mind all day. In the morning had a season of prayer for ni}^ dear parents. We have plenty of dry buffalo meat. I can scarcely eat it, it appears so filthy, but it will keep us alive, and we ought to be thankful. Do not think I regret coming. No, far from it. I would not go back for the world; am contented and happy. Feel to pity the poor Indian women. Am making some progress in their language ; long to be able to converse with them about the Savior. August 3. Came to Fort Hall this morning. Was much cheered with a view of the fort. Anything that looks like a house makes us glad. Were hospitably entertained by Captain King, who keeps the fort. It was built by Captain Wyeth from Boston, whom we saw at the Rendezvous, on his way to the East. Our dinner consisted of dry buffalo meat, turnips and fried bread, which was a luxury. Mountain bread is simply coarse flour mixed with water and fried or roasted in buffalo grease. To one who has had noth- ing but meat for a long time, this relishes very well. August 4. Enjoyed the cool retreat of an upper room this morning while writing. Was there ever a journey like this? performed when the sustain- ing hand of God has been so manifest every moment. Surely the children of Israel could not have been more sensible of the "Pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night" than we have been of that hand that has led us thus safely on. August 12. Came to salmon fishing ; obtained some fish and boiled for breakfast; find it good eating. They are preparing to cross Snake river. I can cross the most difficult streams without the least fear. There is one manner of crossing husband has tried, but I have not. Take an elk skin and stretch is over you, spreading yourself out as much as possible, then let the Indian women carefully put you in the water and with a cord in the mouth they will swim and drag you over. August 19. Arrived at Snake fort about noon. Left wagon at this fort. 20 SOUVENIR OF WESTERN WOMEN August 29. We are now on the west side of the Blue mountains. Crossed them in a day and a half. Dearest mother, let me tell you how I am sus- tained of the Lord in all this journey. For two or three days past I have been weak and restless and scarcely able to sit on my horse, but I have been diverted by the scenery and carried out of myself. This morning my feelings were a little peculiar. I felt remarkably well and strong ; so much so as to mention it, but could not se(^ any reason why I should be any more rested than on the iiioi'iiinii- previous. When I began to see what a day's ride was before us I understood it. If 1 had had no better health to-day than yester- day, I should have fainted imder it. Then the promise appeared in lull view, "As the day is so shall thy strength be," and my soul rejoiced in the Lord and testified to the truth of another evidently manifest, "Lo, I am with you always.'' September 1. Arrived at Fort Walla Walla. You may better imagine our feelings this morning than 1 can describe them. When it was announced we were near, Mr. McLeod, Mr. Pambrun, the gentleman of the house, and Mr. Townsend sallied forth to meet us. After the usual introduction, we entered the fort. They were just eating breakfast when we rode up, and soon we were at the table, treated to fresh salmon, potatoes, tea, bread and butter. After breakfast we were shown the novelties. We were shown to the room Mr. Pambrun had prepared for us, on hearing of our approach. It was the west bastion in the fort, full of port holes in the sides, but no windows, and was filled with firearms. A large cannon, always loaded, stood behind the door by one of the holes. These things did not move me. At 4 we were called to dinner. It consisted of pork, potatoes, beets, cab- bage, turnips, tea, bread and butter. I am thus particular in my description of eatables, so that you may be assured we find something to eat beyond the Rocky mountains. I have not introduced you to the lady of the house. She is a native born from a tribe east of the mountains. She appears well; does not speak English, but her native tongue and French. Mr. Pambrun is from Canada; is very agreeable and much of gentleman in appearance. About noon Mr. and Mrs. Spalding arrived with their company. September 7. We set sail from Walla Walla to Vancouver yesterday. Our boat is an open one, manned with six oarsmen and the steersman. I enjoy it much. The Columbia is beautiful. September 12. We are now in Vancouver, the New York of the Pacific Coast. Before we reached the house of the chief factor, Dr. McLoughlin, were met by several gentlemen who came to give us welcome. Mr. Douglas, Dr. Tolrnie and Dr. McLoughlin of the Hudson's Bay Company, who invited us in and seated us on the sofa. Soon after we were introduced to Mrs. Mc- Loughlin and Mrs. Douglas, both natives of the country (half-breeds). We were invited to walk in the garden. Here we found fruit of every description. I must mention the origin of the apples and grapes. A gentleman twelve SOUVENIR OF WESTERN WOMEN 21 years ago, while at a party in London, p^^t the seeds of the apples and grapes he ate into his vest pocket, and soon after took a voyage to this country and left them here. Now they are greatly miTltiplied. Returning from the garden we were met by Mrs. Copendel, a lady from England, and Miss Mari;i. daughter of Dr. McLoughlin, quite an interesting young lady. September 13. This morning visited the school to hear the children sing. It consists of about fifty scholars, children who have French fathers and In- dian mothers, and many orphans. No person could have received a more hearty welcome or be treated with greater kindness- than we have since our arrival. September 22. Dr. McLoughlin has put his daughter in my care, and wishes me to hear her recitations. I sing with the children also, which is considered a favor. We are invited to ride as often as once a week; To-day Mrs. McLoughlin rode with us. She prefers the old habit of riding gentleman fashion. I sing about an hour every evening with the children, teaching them new tunes, at the request of Dr. McLoughlin. Mrs. McLoughlin has a fine ear for music, and is greatly delighted. She is one of the kindest women in the world. Speaks a little French, but mostly loves her native language. She wishes to go and live with me; her daughter and Mrs. Douglas also. The Lord reward them for their love and kindness to us. The doctor urges me to stay all winter. He is a very sympathetic man; is afraid we will suffer. Husband is so filled with business that he writes but little. He is far- away now, poor darling, three hundred miles. I intended to have written this so plainly that father and mother conld read it. Adieu, NARCISSA WHITMAN. The Columbia Maternal Association was organized September 3, 1838, at Dr. Whitman's. The preamble reads: "Sensible of the evils that beset the young mind in a heathen land, and confident that no arm but God's can secure our children or those committed to our care from the dangers that surround them and bring them early into the fold of Christ and fit them for usefulness here and glory hereafter, we, the subscribers, agree to form our- selves into an association for the purpose of adopting such rules as are best calculated to assist us in the right performance of our maternal duties." The last Wednesday in the month was observed as a season of prayer for their children. Mrs. Eells was chosen president of this first organized body of women on the Pacific Slope. At the time of the Whitman massacre an Indian, who held one of the captive women as his wife, was careful to have morning and evening prayers, and to read a portion of Scripture. Mrs. Whitman's last words, "Tell mother that I died at my post. IffTOT SOUVENIR OF WESTERN WOMEN 23 The Lewis and Clark Exposition By JEFFERSON MYERS President Lewis and Clark State Commission IIP] Lewis and Clark Exposition (u-ijiinated about three years ago with the Oregon Historical Society. TJie purpose is to com- memorate the one hundredth anniversary of the expedition of Captain INIeriwether Lewis and Captain William Clark. The ob- ject in celebrating this historical event at this time is to demon- strate to the commercial world and to the citizens of the United States the great possibilities of this Western country. The citizens of Oregon subscribed most liberally to meet the expenses of this Exposition, and the state appropriated one of the largest sums ever granted by any state for a similar purpose, according to its wealth and population. The general government made an appropriation next in pro- portion to the World's Fair at Chicago and the St. Louis Exposition, its sole pur])()se being to demonstrate to the world the importance of this great Western country and the commercial possibilities across the Pacific Oopan. The State of Oregon is possessed of a large amount of undeveloped resources and a vast area of government land Avhich is open to settlement un- der the homestead laAv. In addition to the Expo- sition the scenic beauty of this country will present a wonderful panorama to the visitors. The Pacific Coast is the SAvitzerland of America, with streams j.of clear, sparkling water, its snow-capped mountains and its magnificent forests. A country full of beau- tiful wild flowers and sweet song birds. There is an opportunity in this country for the miner; for the agriculturist in every department; for the horticulturist ; for the livestock producer ; for the deep sea fisher and for the fisherman who w^ould jefferson myers find the wealth that abounds in the Columbia River, the Royal Chinook. The Lewis and Clark Exposition will cover an area of about four hun- dred acres, in the center of which there is a natural lake. The cost of this Exposition is estimated at about jf'5,000,000. It will be participated in by nearly every foreign government of importance, by the government of the United States, and nearly every state and territory within the Union, and in addition a great number of large private exhibits by manufacturers and other individual interests. It is the purpose of the management to secure at the close of the Ex- position a very large collection of these exhibits for a commercial museum 24 SOUVENIR OF WESTERN WOMEN within the City of Portland, in order that information may be obtained there- after in reference to all the states and countries that exhibit. It is desired that all visitors to onr Exposition feel free to request any information or attention that the citizens of the NorthAvest may l)e able to give. True "Western hospitality, snch as prevailed among the pioneers who crossed the plains many years ago, will be cordially extended to all our guests at this the ero\^^ling event in the national life of this land of Lewis and Clark, "Where Rolls the Oregon." ESPLANADE AND TERRACES— NORTHERN APPROACH TO EXHIBIT PALACES OF LEWIS AND CLARK FAIR. THE OREGON GRAPE Type of the sturdy, invincible West, Lifting her head with the bravest and best, Grows the wild holly — our Oregon queen — Shining in raiment of gold and of green. Brightly she blossoms and crowns our fair hills, Bearing her beauty wherever God wills. Emblem of statehood — her flowers unfold. Loyal forever in green and in gold. — Eunice W. Luckey SOUVENIR OF WESTERN WOMEN 25 Roman Catholic Women of the Northwe^ (Contributed.) ^ ROM early pioneer days in the Northwest, the women of the Roman Catholic Church have taken an active part in the care of the sick and in assisting the needy. In a particular manner do the re- ligious orders of Catholic women claim the esteem and affection of the people of the far West; for these women of self-sacrificing lives have done more than any others in the unwearied tending of the sick, in the care of the orphan, and the Christian education of youth. The first nuns to make the perilous journey to the Northwest were the Sisters of Notre Dame, from France. These nuns came to Oregon at a very early date, and remained for some time at St. Paul, where they labored for the civilization of the Indians. The distinction of being the founders of the first organized body of Christian workers in the "Land of Lewis and Clark" belongs to the Sisters of Charity of Providence, who came to Washington from Montreal in 1856, landing at Vancouver December 8. This order is devoted to charity and education. Thus the work of the women of the Roman Catholic Church began amidst great privations. Very vew whites peopled the territory at that time. A boarding school and two orphanages, one for girls: the other for boys, were established. In these institutions, with comparatively little aid, the nuns have nurtured and educated hundreds of unfortunate children. The next order that came to the rugged West was that of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. They, too, came from Montreal, by the way of Cape Horn in 1859. These Sisters have the credit of being the first congregation of women to establish a permanent work in the cause of education in Oregon. Although dedicated to this cause, this band of women hesitated not to do all the work their hands found to do. In the absence of others to do it, they looked after the sick and needy poor, often watching all night by the bedside of some sufferer, cheerfully ministering to her wants, and yet filling their places in the school room without an hoiir's intervening repose. • Large and efficient societies organized for philanthropic work are con- ducted by the lay women of the church, through which much suffering is al- leviated and the wants of the needy ministered to without regard to creed or nationality. SOUVENIR OF WESTERN WOMEN 27 Reminiscences of a Trip Across the Plains in '45 By MRS. BITRNKTT (nee I.TCY JANIO HA1.I>) Y FATHER, Lawrence IFall, was elected captain of our train, and we started on onr way with thirty wajions and about fifty men. A wedding- occurred in our company. The bride's cake was made with turtle eg'gs found in the creek. The event was cele- brated by a dance on the grass under the stars. Near Ft. Boise the Indians made an attempt to attack our train and stampede the stock, but failed through the prompt action of my father, who ordered the teams unhitched and the wagons formed in a circle with the tongues of each run under the wagon just forward, making a strong barricade. The oxen were put inside, each driver standing by his OAvn team. The women and children were also inside by the wagons. All the available men were outside standing with guns drawn. The captain walked out alone toward the Indians with his gun in one hand and a white flag in the other. He motioned the Indians not to come any nearer or his men v,^ould fire upon them. The Indians turned and ran away as fast as their horses could go. They had fiiu^ horses. The men were nude and painted. Our most serious troubles l)egan when we took the Stephen Meek cut- off'. He represented that this route was much shorter than the other, and that there was no danger from the Indians, as this way did not lead through the Snake River Indians' territory. By vote it was decided to follow I\Ir. Aleek. A contract was signed to pay him for his services, and he agreed to pilot the company safely through in thirty days, or, as was written in his own words, give his head for a football. All were to take turns hauling his goods. He and his wife were on horseback. One day, after three weeks' travel on our new route, our guide suddenly and excitedly exclaimed, "My God, we are lost." Alarmed, but not dis- mayed, we moved on till night. There was neither grass nor water to be found. All night the men sat by the dim camp fires listening for reports from those who had gone in search of water. If any was found a signal of three shots was to be fired in quick succession; if not three shots at intervals. At sunrise no sound had been heard. The train was soon moving on through sage brush and across dry creek beds which mocked our thirst. So we journeyed till noon, when hark ! a shot, but not the three in quick succession, but at intervals; like a death knell they sounded. The men stood in groups talking over the situation, the mothers, pale and haggard, sat in the wagons with their little ones around them. With a determination that knows not defeat the party moved on. About night in quick succession shots were heard, which proclaimed that water had been found. All pushed forward with renewed energy. When in sight of the water the thirsty oxen broke 28 SOUVENIR OF WESTERN WOMEN into a run and rushed into the water and drank iintil they had to be driven out. "We are saved, we are saved! Thank God!" cried Stephen Meek, "for now I know the way." He could locate the trail to The Dalles from this stream. Men, women and children were laug:hing and crying in turn. The teams were in such a bad condition that we had to lay by here three weeks. Many were sick and some died and were laid to rest in this camp. Mr. Meek would certainly have given his head for a football, had not he and his wife made their timely escape. When we reached the Deschutes the Indians there made us understand that a man and woman liad crossed the river a short time before. The man swam the river, leading his horse, and an Indian swam over with the v/oman on his back. Other Indians tied her clothes on their heads and swam across. We did not hear of the Meeks for more than a year after this. We were lost in the mountains six weeks. The way was rough beyond description. The women and children walked most of the way. On reaching The Dalles ]\Ieek told the missionaries there that a party of emigrants were in the mountains. A white man and two Indians were at once sent in search of our company. When found we people Avere on the verge of starvation. But for the provisions brought by the scouts many, if not all, would have perished, as it took a week more to reach The Dalles when guided by these men. A Brave Life and a Useful One THE LATE MRS. JOHN MINTO The announcement of the death of Martha Morrison, wife of Hon. John Minto, will be heard with regret by those who have known, loved and hon- ored her from the early settlement of Oregon doA\ai to the present time. Martha ]\Iorrison came to the Pacific Coast with her parents in 1844, by the slow and primitive means of conveyance in those times. She was then a girl of but 13 years, and three years later became the wife of John ^Nlinto, from whom, after fifty-seven years of happy and helpful wifehood, she has now been separated by death. An exemplary housewife, a wise and kind mother, a helpful neighbor, a sympathetic friend, she left no duty unfulfilled. Martha Morrison represented an intelligent, capable womanhood in its truest, because its most helpful and tenderest sense is honoi-ed by such life. In circles which for many years she has stood for the typical ])i()neer woman — fearless, cheerful, capable, willing, resourceful — she will be greatly missed. As for the rest, it may be told in the words of the wise man: "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." SOUVENIR OF WESTERN WOMEN 29 The Story of Wannetta By JULIA C. LA BARRE NE September morning in 1844, the sturdy figure of a young Eng- lishman might have been seen swinging along over the dim trail blazed out by Dr. Marcus Whitman and his devoted band of pathfinders. His bronzed face, untrimmed hair and beard, and travel-worn apparel, showing the ravages of time and weather, proved him a successful follower of far-seeing, loyal Whitman; and his strong, manly face, clear, honest eyes and cheery whistle, all testified to the pluck and enterprise that alone achieved the impossible. A powder horn hung on one side and a bullet pouch made of untanned fawn skin hung on the other. He carried a gun of modern English manufacture over his shoulder and a knife thrust into a rude sheath hung at his belt. As the sun drew near the meridian he stoi)ped, looked from the sun, high in the heavens, back over the trail he had come, as if to calculate the length of nooning he might indulge in. His conclusions seemed to be satisfactory, for he stood his gun against a tree and threw himself on the green sward beside it, deep in the shadow of a cluster of trees. He was hungry, but a tempting dinner hung alluringly from some bushes, bending with their weight of luscious fruit, and the trickling of a little mountain stream told him he might drink like a lord. It was one of those hazy days, late in summer, when the mountains and the woods seem so far, far away; when the marvelous mirage enchants the vision and the very clouds mischievously enlist in the ranks of the unreal and reality is a myth. The young Englishman, John Minto, who possessed a poetic soul, yielded to the fascinations of the day and lost himself in dreams of his own conjuring. Prominent in these drqams figured the owner of a pair of soft brown eyes that had looked so saucily into his that very morning as he begged her to be serious just once, and answer truly before he left her. Evidently the look in the bright face belied the ''no" the lips had spoken, for the lover's dreams seemed pleasant ones. Suddenly the sound of approaching horses aroused the young man, and he sprang to his feet and caught up his gun just as the lithe figure of a mounted Indian swept into view followed by a loose pony. Minto admired the fearless grace of the rider and the beauty of his mount, while he pre- pared to receive friend or foe, whichever came. On came the rider with immobile face and averted eyes, as if utterl}^ unconscious of the white man's presence: but, just as he came opposite Minto, he swung off his horse without checking his pace, and saluted. Minto returned the salutation and motioned to the newcomer to be seated. The Indian gravely declined the courtesy and went doAvn to the bank of the stream. Stationing himself in position to 30 SOUVENIR OF WESTERN WOMEN coramand all approach, lie laid down liis i^nii. Plunging his slender brown hands into the water he washed his face vigorously and wiped it on the corner of a gayly-eolored blanket. He then took out a small comb and tiny mirror, such as the Hudson's Bay Company were finding in great deinand in their traffic among the Indians, and proceeded to complete a toilet w^orthy of Beau Brummel, nuich to the anuisement of Minto. The latter was surprised to find such indications of refinement in an Indian. His surprise rapidly developed into admiration when the young brave canue into view again. The Indian was a magnificent specimen of the Nez Perces — tall, straight and fair of face. He wore leggings, moccasins and a sort of shirt or tunic of the same shade of soft buckskin, heavily beaded in bright colors. From a beaded belt, which was a piece of real art, hung a sheathed knife, and he carried a gun which, when he rode, rested on the pony in front of him. A gay blanket, hung over one shoulder, completed this picturesque dress. That these physical graces were supplemented by fine qualities was evident in the expression of an intellectual face and an unconscious dignity of bear- ing, and Minto gave involuntary homage to this specimen of Nature's noble- men by rising as he approached. He had picked up some English by asso- ciation with the fur traders and missionaries, and they could converse enough to~ understand each other. It came about that they both were en route to the Nez Perces encampment, Avliere Minto expected to be joined by Daniel Clarke before proceeding on to the Willamette Valley. Minto offered his gun for the trail pony. The offer was declined, but he was invited to ride it while they traveled together, a courtesy gladly accepted. They ate heartily of a dinner furnished by the Indian, of dried fish, kouse, or camas bread, a kind of cake made of sweet anise root, sup- plemented by a dessert drawn from Nature's bountiful resources about them, and they washed it down with copious draughts of the ale of primitive Adam. They resumed their journey early in the afternoon and reached the camp while the sun was still high. Here the Indian stopped and Minto dis- mounted, acknowledging his thanks for courtesies received. His companion bowed gravely and disappeared into a tepee. Minto threw himself on the grass to await Clarke's coming before proceeding on his journey. As he lay there, watching these grave, silent people, an Indian girl emerged from the tepee which his erstwhile friend had entered and offered him some ripe blue berries in a curiously w^oven basket. The striking beauty of the girl filled him with admiring wonder. He had seen pretty Indian girls, as Indians go, but this rare beauty of face and figure was enhanced by a sweet modesty that seemed out of harmony with her surroundings. Minto felt that he had found the Juliet that prompted the young Romeo's unusual adorning. 'Twas but the familiar story so old, yet ever new. Minto awaited the girl's return for the basket, wondering how he should express his appreciation of this un- ostentatious hospitality extended through so charming a messenger. Her bearing forbade the offer of the usual barter, but a happy thought prompted him to lay some fine new trout hooks in the basket, and a flash of pleased SOUVENIR OF WESTERN WOMEN 31 acknowledgement in the eye of this fair young Hagar more than repaid him. That she was a bondwoman, a captive enslaved, he knew by those unmistak- able signs so easily read by the initiated. This tribe had not escaped from the ravages of the dreadful "Coldsticks," a disease that had greatly reduced the tribes of Oregon, not only in numbers, but in aggressive virility. It had consequently proved a potent ally to the Americans who had co)ne to share their country with them, and who were rapidly taking the lion's share. Mourning for the dead and dying was heard on every side. No need of hired mourners here, for all were bereaved alike. ]\Iinto's companion of the morning, the chief's son and heir, had been summoned home because the old chief himself had at last succumbed to this fatal malady. All the great keel-al-lys had been banished amid the curses of their people, for neither their medicines nor their weird machinations could ease the sufferings of the great father, and he was only waiting for the coming of his son before going to the great "Sah-la-tyee." The old chief lay on a bed of skin in his capacious lodge. He might have been thought an old Ronuin hero dying in the midst of his cam}). Not only was the resem- blance in the barbaric grandeur of his surroundings, but in the figure and visage of this old warrior. The cast of the features would have been Roman had they not been Indian. There was a massive grandeur that bespake strength, leadership and greatness of soul. The stalwart figure lay motion- less while the longing eyes were turned toward the entrance. His look brightened as his son entered with bowed head. The attendant squaws retired, leaving the two together with no other presence than the slim figure of an Indian boy, who sat in the corner of the lodge, his great dark eyes fixed in unutterable sadness on the dying chief. It was not all grief at the loss of his master that brought that look of despair on the j^oung face. The boy knew that, if his master died, he, as his favorite slave, must go with him to attend him in his spirit world. The old chief talked in broken uneven tones to his son upon whom was to fall the mantle of his authority, while the young prince sat, his head dropped upon his knees, his proud dignity all gone. The tones grew weaker and soon ceased, but the mourner sat there, the personification of manly grief. At sundown a wail from the squaws out- side the lodge announced to the Indians that their chief was dead. The low chanting wail was taken up and sped on and on until it encircled the entire camp. A slight girlish figure darted from one of the huts and crouched against the wall of the chief's lodge, where sat the silent figure of the slave boy! Softly the girl called, "Talax, are you there?" "Yes, my sister." "Are you afraid?" "No. Talax is the son of a brave warrior and chief of a mighty people; I Avant to live to take ni}^ sister back to our father's lodge, and 'tis hard to die bound and a captive." Sobs betrayed the presence of the listener, but no one molested her. When she could speak again she asked : "Is Swift Eagle there?" "Yes, my sister." The girl rose slowly and stole steadily into the lodge and threw herself in the utter abandon of grief at the feet of the silent mourner. He longed to raise the pros^'ate figure. 32 SOUVENIR OF WESTERN WOMEN for he was a man, and he loved the beautiful girl. But Indian etiquette for- bade such a demonstration of sentiment, and with rare masterfulness he sat as immobile as a bronze god while the sobbing girl poured out an eloquent plea for the life of her brother. "O save my brother! Save him for me! Take another and save him !' ' "I cannot, Wannetta," came in low, decisive tones; "I cannot. Quapama needs Talax. The old chief must have a brave, loving attendant in the land of Sah-la-tyee. He asked for Talax and I cannot keep him. The UrcHt Sah-la- tyee will take care of him." Crushed by failure of the attempt to save her brother, Wannetta drew her abundant hair over her face that others might not see her swollen eyes and returned to her place outside of the wall of skins. The wailing continued through the night, rising sometimes to the shrill tones of the beasts of the forests bereft of their mates. The weird tones of these wild people were like the voices of Nature blended in human cadences. At sunrise canoes were moored to the nearest bank of the river, and the body of the dead chieftain, robed in beautiful furs, was carried tenderly by strong men and laid in his own canoe. With it were placed all his personal belongings, a quantity of food, and finally, the Indian boy. Over all was spread the glossy black skin of his favorite horse, which a bullet had sent to the spirit world when his master's life went out. The other canoes were manned by stalwart braves, and this unique funeral barge was towed down the river to Memaloose Island, where the dead chief was gathered to his fathers. The unhappy captive, securely bound, was placed beside the bier and left to starve that he might still attend his captor whom he had served so faithfully. When the young chief returned to the camp he saw a girlish figure lying prostrate on the turf in swoon-like abandonment. He must remember his dignity as chief now, and smothering the promptings of the lover, he entered his lodge with stately tread and seated himself on a sort of rude throne to receive the homage of his people. At night, when the encampment was wrapped in silence except for the moans of the sick and the movements of the attendant squaws, a slight figure stole to the river bank, loosened a canoe, and with mufiHed oars rowed toward the island of the dead. Wannetta was skilled in handling a boat, but knowing the long, long journey before her, she carefully conserved her strength. As she approached the island her heart sank at the uncanny stillness of this awesome place. She stole like a specter through the shadows until she reached the house of the dead, Avhere she called softly, "Talnx, are you there f" "Yes, my sister." Tluis reassured, the girl crept in and clasped her brother in loving arms. The brave boy, who could face an awful doom with stoic c.oiiiijo.sure, was unnerved by loving sym- pathy aiul sohlx'd aloud. "Here, let me cut these thongs. 'Can you stand.' Now here is food and drink," and she laid before him camas bread and dried venison and a skin containing water. As the half famished boy devoured the food she told him she was going to plead again with Swift Eagle, and if he refused to save the boy she would do it alone. "He loves me, he will SOUVENIR OF WESTERN WOMEN 33 do it. Be brave ! My brother shall not die. ' ' Then she flitted away to re- sume the doubly tiresome journey back up the river. Swift Eagle noticed with pleasure that the girl was less sad. She even smiled when he passed her and he ventured to approach her, as she sat apart, and plead his love. She listened with a far away look in her soft, dreamy eyes, and answered : ' ' Swift Eagle is a mighty chief ; he is strong q^id proud. Wannetta is but a captive maid like a snared bird, but she loves the noble Swift Eagle with a great love. She will be his wife if he will grant one thing." "Swift Eagle is strong to protect his little Wannetta and proud to do what she wills." " 'Tis the promise of a mighty chief, and the heart of Wannetta is very glad. Let my brother go to our father's lodge and where Swift Eagle goes, Wannetta will go and will serve him as long as she lives." The face of the young chieftian did not show displeasure, but a grave wonder. "But I cannot bring back the dead." Then she told him all that she had done with such winning grace that Swift Eagle could not find it in his heart to reprove her, for he was but a man Avith a loving heart. Quietly, at dead of night, with the gentle Wannetta by his side, Swift Eagle rowed to Memaloose. Together they wended their way to the tomb, and there found Talax awake and alert, for his trained ear had detected the stealthy approach of footsteps. As silently they rowed back to shore where they had left a full equipment for the long and dangerous journey the boy must prepare to take. Talax clasped his sister in a long, last embrace, then, putting her hand in that of the young chief, he took his gun and dis- appeared in the shadows of the woods. Wannetta watched him as long as she could discern his figure in the darkness, then turned and followed her lover, though her homesick heart was with the youthful brave speeding to- ward the lodge of their chieftain father. PORTLAND-ON-THE-WILLAMETTE — A SEAPORT 110 MILES INLAND 34 SOUVENIR OF WESTERN WOMEN Moriah Maldon Grain OWN in the heart of Old Kentucky, the Dark and Bloody Ground of history, scone of the exploits of the immortal Daniel Boone, was born, November 13, 1814, the brown-eyed, brown-haired maiden whose name hea