Of f«CTAND
WRITER*' PROJECT
An Oregon
Almanac
for
1940
WRITTEN AND COMPILED BY THE
OREGON WRITERS' PROJECT
WORK PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION State of Oregon
Sponsored by
Joaquin Miller Associates,
Dr. Ralph I. Shadduck, Chairman
1939
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOB 194O
OREGON CROSSING
By Verne Bright
By steep American trails from a country of strong winds We have come into a valley of cool meadows Between dark hills; we traveled a secret journey Under the trees' shadows.
Wearied of ancient ways, of all old things,
Of men who walk with slow feet gritting the sand,
We set our seeking hearts toward the endless mountains —
New life in a new land.
We heard faint voices calling us in our dreaming: Ox-bells westward, the small cries of birds, And rivers of alluring name, Umpqua, Wallamet, Tualatin, bright with words.
We will go, we said, from these high stony pastures, These dusty acres of denuded earth: Pale in the mist we left the burdened waters, The fields of dearth.
We traced strange stars beyond the bitter deserte; We climbed by thorny ridges and sky-peaks thinned Of trees, to the channeled gorges and the cragged passes In the harsh wind.
And we came down by slow slopes through the fir forests To a land of fierce-eyed men: We took the land: Though we died they died and the land is ours: Forted, we stand.
Full-uddered, our cattte graze in the deep grass pastures;
We have planted our corn by the groves where the seawind sings;
By the plangent rivers, white in the moonlight, our cities;
Our homes by the watersprings.
No memory is here of death and the old sorrow, Of flesh and heart gone warped as storm-struck trees: Sleep is on our eyes and th« still night fatting * * * We have found peace.
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
1
v A miff A 1>\7 New Year's greetings by the score,
I A Nil AKY Headaches from the night before;
Resolutions blithely spoken,
Kept a fortnight and then broken!
MONDAY Happy New Year***But it wasn't for Willamette Valley pioneers as the river rampaged, lS53***or for U. S. District Att. J. H. Hall, removed by President McKinley in famous land fraud case 1900 ***nor for Oregon dipsomaniacs as all state's saloons closed, 1916 (In Feb. 1915. Oregon Legislature passed law prohibiting advertis- ing or sale of intoxicating liquors within the state, effective Jan. 1, '16. Result: National publications had to remove offensive ads with scissors; later published special editions omitting liquor lay outs) This day, 1920, Harvard footballers ACTUALLY beat Oregon U. 7-6, at Pasadena, Cal.***Jchn Ball opened first school in N. W. Jan. 1, 1833, at Ft. Vancouver.
TUESDAY The Oregonian devoted entire issue to "glorious dis- play" of Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1905***Fern Hobbs, Secretary to Governor Oswald West, left for Copperfield, Oregon, for the purpose of closing disorderly saloons, 1915. She was accompanied by pen- itentiary Supt. Lawson and five coast artillerymen, who, we may presume, in a pinch might have shelled the schooners in the dis graceful dramshops.
WEDNESDAY The unusual weather was unusually unusual as Port- land dug out of a snow storm, first bad cno i.: five years, 1930***1851, Vox Populi, newspaper, first published at Salem.
THURSDAY King Boreas clamped a headlock en all Oregon, im- peding traffic throughout the state, 1910***This day, 1912, The Dalles council renewed liquor licenses of 22 dealers, assuring plenty potent potations for pothouse patrons among the city's 4,880 inhabitants*** 1917, mob raided Madras courthouse, carried off records in row over county seat location.
FRIDAY 1806, Captain Will am Rogers Clark (of Lewis' and Clark's) took the Indian woman, Sacajawea, to Tillamook Head to see a dead whale, no lsss***1905, Mayer George H. Williams of Portland was indicted for malfeasance. Grand jury returned true bills against eleven other officials also***but no rival politician thought to call them the "Dirty Dozen."
HOUDINI COULDN'T COME BACK EITHER
"P. S. Dunning* **is the leading undertaker of this city. He has a full line of coffins, caskets, etc., at a1! prices. He is accommodating, courteous, and gentlemenly. No one who has used this gentle- man's goods has ever been known to complain of them." Oregon State Directory, 1881.
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOB 194O
DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND
In 1853 the first "moonshine" whiskey in Oregon was made. -AND
that year the Oregon Temperance Society was formed. (Anyway, so said the Oregon City Enterprose August 18, '37.)
SATURDAY This day, 1839, the first Catholic mass in the Will- amette Valley was celebrated by a missionary priest at French
Prairie*** 1875, Marshfield Town Council exempted from taxation
during his natural life one Johnny Sprague, a dog whi had saved a human life***In 1897 the Portland City Council, the rascals, ordered
street lights extinguished on moonlit nights.
SUNDAY This day, 1852, Douglas County was created out of terri- tory sliced from Umpqua County, and named for Senator Stephen A. Douglas of m***1855, a M. E. Church was dedicated at Jackson- ville, first in Rogue River Valley ***Kehr Singh, a Hindu who died in Portland, 1909, of typhoid, was cremated, two cords of wood being consumed along with Kehr***1928, huge snow drifts closed the Columbia River Highway, blocking the road, ch lling the hearts of Chamber of Commerce members.
8
MONDAY Everything was probably grist for Joel Palmer's mill at Dayton except flood waters which on this day, 1853, washed Brother Palmer's wheel and stones into the Willamette***! 892, an ad. that ran continuously in the Oregonian for forty years was discontinued; a customer at long last*** And, we nearly forgot to mention, the Cala- pooya post office was established this day, 1850, with H. H. Spalding as master.
TUESDAY 1852, Judge Pratt rendered decision designating Sal^m as Oregon's capital***1899, T. T. Geer became governor of Oregon***This day, 1858, the College of Sublimity was organized by the United Breth- ern, and its first teacher was Milton Wright, father of Orville and Wilbur Wright, who, though they may not have thought deeper, cer- tainly flew h:gher than the"ir papa*** 19 18, Portland street car fare upped from five to six centimes.
BRAVE NEW WORLD
(From the Portland Weekly Times, Sept. 25, 1851)
A correspondent — points out many advantages, comforts; and luxuries the ladies will enjoy when they adopt the bloomer cos- tume of short dresses and trousers ***Among others is the fact that they can perch their feet on high back chairs, railings, mantle pieces and window sills without hindrance — in short, they can sprawl about promiscuously, mis- cellaneously, masculinely and gen- erally. There is evidently a good time coming for the ladies.
6
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
10
11
12 13
14
15
16
WEDNESDAY This day, 1858, the legislature granted charter to "The Baptist College at McMinnville," now Linfield College* **and, five years later, Harvey Scott, later the lion of Alder Street, emerged from Pacific University as the first grad frc-m the institution***!. L. Patter- son became governor, 1927.
THURSDAY This day, 1854, Wasco County was created, named after a small Indian nation, and embracing, at that time, all of Oregon east of the Cascades*** 19 12, The Dalles Optimist turned pessimist to report weather conditions in which temperatures plummeted from 19 above zero to 23 below, freezing all water mains in the city, and doubtless boosting business for those aforementioned 22 dealers in distilled dynamite***Oz West became governor, 1911, at age of 38.
FRIDAY Portland Club women band together to war on risque' films, Jan. 12, 1920***1863, the full text of President Lincoln's Em- ancipation Proclamation was printed on the Oregonian's front page.
SATURDAY 1878, The Daily Astorian was certain this almanac would be set by hand, fo'r they commented: "When you can invent a piece of machinery with a thinking attachment, you may talk about a success- ful typesetting machine. Never before."*** And on this day 1887, the first freight train ever to enter Albany, entered* **Ten years earlier, if you violated the town laws in Hillsboro, and couldn't pay fcr the privilege, a new ordinance instructed the marshal to "let" you work out your fine — on the streets.
SUNDAY This day, 1895, by the grace of God and a plurality, William Paine Lord became governor of Oregon *** 1887, theMilton Eagle was first published at Milton * * * Old files of the Oregonian declare that a wild deer bounded down Washington Street on this day, 1865; and some time around that date was born Chas. H. Martin, affectionately known as "Old Tin Pants," who, on Jan. 14, 1935, became governor of Oregon. v? ^
MONDAY George E. Chamberlain assumed office of governor, 1903 ***Thirty-five years later, Jan. 15, 1938, The Oregonian, The Journal, and The News-Telegram were forced to suspend publication at 1 p. m., due to a strike of Multnomah Typographical Union, A. F. L. Some union members, however, ironically printed the CIO's Labor Newdealer, which functioned as a daily of sorts, until the walkout ended.
TUESDAY Oregon's peripateti^ territorial capital was removed from Salem to Corvallis, 1855* **A year earlier, this day, Columbia County was created, named, as you may have possibly suspected, from the large river that skirts its shores***It had orginally been a part of Washing- ton County, the old "Tuality" county of pre-territorial days.
DIETARY NOTE
Jeans, Joans, Gwens, and Sybils,
Bschew those winter snacks and nibbles,
Else springtide come, and find your stream-lines
Turned to super-dreadnaught beam-lines.
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOB 194O
17
18
19
SUPERIOR EQUIPMENT
Two faced Janus,
The god of portals
(He whom they named this hyar month after)
Had it all over us
Lesser mortals:
One mouth for complaining,
Another for laughter!
Not to mention the way he could whiz
A double fizz into his double phiz!
WEDNESDAY This day, 1839, Missionary Jason Lee wrote Caleb Gushing of Massachussetts, estimating the population of the Oregon Country at a total of 157 whites, including "20 new settlers, and 45 old settlers." ***Three years later, same month, Lee held a meeting in his home in Salem. Purpose: The establishment of a school for white children***In 1873, Captain Jack and his Modoc tribesmen were doing their best to increase the Aryan death-rate as they fought white troop- ers in the Battle of the Lava Beds.
THURSDAY There was hard water in the Willamette, 1862, and Port- landers went a-skating***It is probable that Multnomah County em- ployees took some time off to watch them, the river being visible from the "Court House," which was on the second floor of the Robinson Building on Front Street, where it had been established this same day, 1 8 5 5 * * *FAMOUS FIRSTS DEPARTMENT : John Jacob Astor organ- ized the Pacific Fur Company, 1811.
FRIDAY War-time Portland was eating ten horses per week, said the Oregonian, this day 1918***1927, the poet of the prairies, Carl Sand- burg, regaled an audience of college students, faculty members, and townies at Corvallis with recitations of his own verse, as well as stories, most of which we might reprint here, had we the space.
20
SATURDAY Hold on here, we're going back into lang syne, for ac- cording to some historians, Sebastian Vizcaino, a Spanish navigator, discovered and named Cape Sebastian this day, 1603*** And though we don't know who rode in it, it is almost certain that the first saddle ever manufactured in Portland was completed and ready to be forked on this same day, 1862.
In 1897 Section 17, Oregon City Ordinances declared: "It shall be unlawful for any persons to wil- fully remain standing, lying or sit- ting down upon any of the side- walks in this city in such manner as to obstruct the free passage of foot passengers, or any PORTION OF THESE SAME, or to wilfully remain standing, lying or sitting thereon in said manner after be- ing requested to move on by any peace officer."
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
21
22
Even the Emperor. Hammarius
Felt the influence of Aquarius,
And left off wine, and took on water,
And quit doing things he hadn't oughter,
Like feeding wives named Naomi or Marium
To the tiger-fish in his aquarium.
SUNDAY This day, 1938, Multnomah Typographical Union's strike ended, and thousands of persons, waiting with bated breath to find out what had happened to Lil Abner and the Gumps," now knew the worst ***1881, Tillamook Lighthouse was first displayed to an admiring public.
MONDAY This day, 1856, Josephine County was formed of land pared from Jackson County and named after Josephine Rollins, daughter of an early argonaut*** 188 8, Portland citizens hit the toboggan! — along a half mile stretch that began on Seventh Street (Broadway) and carried sportive youths, at great risk of life and limb, to the very edge of the Willamette shore.
23
24
TUESDAY 1891, the town of Ellensburg, in Curry County was re- ramed Gold Beach by act of the legislature and Gov. Sylvester Penn- oyer, who, we presume, acted for the best***The natives of lower Columbia River settlements finished a minature fleet week this day,- 1796, as the British merchanm,an Ruby, Captain Charles Bisliop com- manding, upped anchor and stood for the open sea. The Ruby had come ;for trade, and the old chroniclers declare that her crew became "very friendly with the natives. "***1851, Portland incorporated.
WEDNESDAY 1863, believe it or not, the Portland post office ran out of stamps! ***Wm. P. Thonnassen of Kentucky, who represented that state in Congress in the forties, can scarcely be regarded as an early Oregon booster. Quoth he, in the House, this day 1844, "It (Oregon) mig.it be a land of promise — it might be a perfect Canaan, U-L n. so it is contrary to all accounts I have ever received from Oregon. It in- variably has been described to me as consisting of waste sand bogs in part, and th^ remainder mountains, and covered with volcanic re- mainsi"
Unusual rocks, including hugs agates, g odes, "thunder eggs" and obsidian, as well as stony fragments of primeval trees, are used in the porch, foundation and fireplace of Mrs. John Matson's home at Bend.
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOB 194O
25 26 27
28
29
30 31
THURSDAY This day, 1821, Representative Floyd of Virginia intro- duced what was probably the first bill in Congress dealing directly with Oregon. It authorized the President to "occupy the territory," extinguish the Indian title, and provide a government. (Well, it was done, in 1849.)
FRIDAY 1863, Wells-Fargo shipped $20,000 in gold dust from Ore- gon mines* **Six years earlier, the charter bill to incorporate The Dalles as a city passed the territorial legisature***1870, the lily was gilded as the Portland Library Association obtained a rain gauge, of all things, from the Smithsonian Institute.
SATURDAY 1903, storms prevented members of the Oregon Legis- lature from proceeding to Salem for the purpose of electing a United States Senator* **The United States Geographical Survey, this day, 1913, decided that Sucker Lake .should henceforth be known as Lake Oswego, and doubtless were rewarded by the eternal gratitude of divers gentlemen with lots to sell.
SUNDAY This day, 1851, Lane County was organized, named for Indian-fighter, Gen. Jos. Lane*** 18 5 2, Steamer Gen. Warren wrecked on Clatsop Spit*** 1888, citizens of bauvies Island reported that a large cougar had crossed on the ice, and was living in the woods on the island*** 19 13, the Divine Sarah Bernhardt played Portlai d on another one of those farewell tours.
MONDAY 1858, Salem was incorporated, named after the Massa- chussets City, in preference to Chemeketa, the Indian name***1904, a man was hanged in the Oregon Penetentiary for the first time — which was sufficient. (Counties had previously conducted their own ex- ecutions.)
TUESDAY Roosevelt's 58th Birthday***1863, Portland was disturb- ed by roistering Indians, encamped outside the town***Then, in 1866, a bill for one powder puff box., valued at $2.50, was rendered by a LaGrande firm against the estate of one Julian Hazard.
WEDNESDAY Corvallis College founded this day, 1855***1888 Sauvies Island citizens, well fortified, went forth to hunt that cougar, failed to find him. Following the hunt, party held shooting match, aiming at snag in river. None hit the snag, only one hit the river.
EXIT LINE
January gets off here, and few the proletarians
Will shed a single parting tear — especially Hesperians!
OR, WJIY NOT RIDE A HORSE? From the AMERICAN ENCYCLOPEDIA
published 1897: Knock-knees, to cure: An authority says: "I com- menced the practice of placing a small book between my knees, and tying a handkerchief tight around my ankles*** When I first com- menced this practice, I was as badly knock-kneed as possible, but sub- sequently became as straight as anyone***'"
With Gone With the Wind, he might even have become bow-legged!
10
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1040
ODE OF SLIGHT AFFECTION FOR A MONTH THAT WE COULD DO WITHOUT NICELY
° February, bird thou never wert. Or, if I am in error, and thou art, Be g00d enough, cold zany, to assert A restless avate nature, and depart. Nor stand upon the order of thy going. Think me -a cad, precisely that I am — A cad who caddot stob his dose from blowing, And so, in genteel manner I say: "Scram!" Get on thy way, intemperate performer! Give us mad March, Ides, sleet, and windy squall, And when you come again, come fair and warmer; Or better still, come not again at all!
THURSDAY This date has been a history-maker for Oregon City, for it was there .that the first spelling book published in Oregon was print- ed in 1847; it was there that the plat of the city of San Francisco was filed and recorded in 1850; and it was thence that the Capitol of the state was removed in 1851. That isn't all. Other things have happened there, but these stand out.
FRIDAY Besides being Groundhog day (have you had your sausage?) this is the 97th anniversary of the first "Wolf meeting", which was the beginning of the first successful attempt to organize a government in Oregon, leading indirectly to the meeting of the State Women Suff- lage Society at Salem in 1876, at which the extension of the privileges (sic) of citizenship to women was demanded* **Keeping chickens and calves in the kitchen is not grounds for divorce according to the de- cree of an Oregon court this date in 1917.
SATURDAY At anchor in the Columbia River, H. B. M. ship Modeste became the theatre in which the first theatrical performance in Ore- gon was presented, in 1846, to the elite of the elite***In 1914 Port- land provided a wcoclyard for indigent re.-idenls and voyagers, and like the headless end of a horse, there by hangs a tail***Oregon ratified the eighteenth amendment this date in 1917, when the gover- nor affixed his signature to the Bone-Dry law, the event being wit- nessed and celebrated by a group of delegates from the W. C. T. U.
HEALTH NOTE
Frcm the American Encyclopedia, 1897***The Tongue: "The Tongue, though not wont to make frequent appearance before the public, demands no less care for the proper performance of its private station. Upon its surface there is apt to gather a fur which is not easily re- moved by the rinsing of the mou h. There is an instrument of silver, called a tongue-scraper, which was never absent from the toilet-cases of our grand-mothers***"
ATTIC MURMUR
Dame, do not weep because the snow Has wilted the lettuce on your bonnet; For that inconsequent chapeau I'll write for you a golden sonnet. And will it sell for actual cash? Toots, what is cash unto a poet? You should have married Ogden Nash — And don't tell me how well you know it!
11
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOB 194U
8
SUNDAY Seventy-nine years ago the Oregonian became a daily, on which date Hillsboro was eleven years old*** In 1861 the first district school, in Portland, had 227 pupils, girls having a majority of 21*** In 1914 occurred the death of Francis Xavier Matthieu, the last sur- vivor of the founders of the provisional government. He was 96 years old and had served in the state legislature from 1874 to 1878.
MONDAY This date in 1846 the first newspaper published west of the Missouri River was issued at Oregon City under the editorship of Wm. S. T'Vault. During that year of fluctuating fortune its three successive editors succeeded in getting out twenty-five issues, as and when they had the paper on which to print it. The second of the three editors, G. L. Curry, later became Governor ofthe state*** Members of the Masonic fraternity in Oregon were asked to meet and apply for charter, notice of the meeting being published in the above paper, called the Oregon Spectator.
TUESDAY It was reported this date in 1863 that there was room for a couple of thousand more miners at Canyon City, seven miles of Can- yon Creek having yielded prospectors an unusual harvest of gold*** In 1875 the supply of postage stamps at Marshfield and Empire City was entirely exhausted, probably thoroughly licked***In 1886 an item in the Daily Astorian mentioned that salt swan was in the market, 'th the supply fully equal to the demand*** 1925, Vale suffered a heavy loss when the city was flooded.
WEDNESDAY The Civil War was financed by the sale at auction at various places throughout the country of "war scrip." On this date in 1861 at Corvallis, about $13,000 worth brought thirteen cents on the dollar. Apples, 3,200 boxes of them, were on the way from Port- land to San Francisco, together with several tons of flour, bac^n and lard***In 1865 a bill was pending in Congress to donate land to assist in building a railroad between Oregon and California, which was the great enterprise of the time.
THURSDAY This date in 1854, the first prisoner at the Oregon peni- tentiary was received, in the person of one Cornelius Sharp (in name only), from Clackamas County * * * Steamboats, in 1866, were carry- ing passengers from Portland to Salem for 50 cents, including meals and berths. The steamboat lines starved themselves to death trying to starve their competitors * * * In 1881 the largest and finest steam- boat on the upper Columbia was badly damaged in being taken over Tumwater Rapids.
FRIDAY Joseph, who was called "Meek," but wasn't was born this date in 1810. It was he who, at Champoeg, heaped tj his feet, shout- ing, "Divide, who's for a divide? All in favor of the American flag, Fol'iow me". Enough were, and did, to save Oregon for the United States * * * Being the second Friday in the month, this is Arbor Day in all Oregon counties west of the Cascades, just nine weeks ahead of eastern Oregon. In 1917, Portland Chinese enjoyed a three-for- a- quarter war, three tongs participating in the firing of twenty-five shots.
^
SECOND ONLY TO THE AJLDERMANIC FOLLIES!!
Said the Salem correspondent of the Oregonian on February 4, 1861: "The grandest farce ever exhibited, OUR ENERGETIC COUN- CIL ALWAYS EXCEPTED, was a troupe of San Francisco Minstrels, which recently passed through town***"
12
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
10
11
12
13
14
EPITAPH FOR A SCARCELY UXORIOUS MALE
Over my lowly bed let iyy creep,
Tears cannot bring me back: Therefore weep!
SATURDAY This date is particularly noteworthy in Oregon's history as the birthday of two excellent newspapers. The Hollywood Press was first published in 19 28^, but in 1932 became the Capital Press published in Salem. In 1938 began the publication of the Halsey Review * * * It is reported than an Oregon child, born this date in 1940 is destined to become an outstanding figure in the future of the country. We don't know yet who it is, but time will tell, time will tell.
SUNDAY Anthony Euwer, one of Oregon's far-famed poets and artists, was born this date in 1877. He is one of the state's most prolific authors * * * Wallowa County was established in 1887, and named for the Wallowa River, whose Indian designation means a tripod of poles upon which fishing nets are hung to dry * * * Dr. Thomas Condon, famed Oregon geologist, discoverer of the fossil three-toed horse and author of Oregon Geology and other books and articles, died this date in 1907.
MONDAY A novel situation was reported from Union County this date in 1876. It w ,s shortage of money — but that was a long time ago. It seems that they couldn't de the things they wanted to do and knew that they should have done because theydidn't have something that nobody could eat nor drink nor wear nor use for a shelter from the storm. Weren't they crazy, in 1876?
TUESDAY At The Dalles, this date in 1865, material was being col- lected for the compilation of a city directory, although many of the population had gone to Celilo to dig quartz or sell guarts * * * In 1891 the state adopted the Australian Ballot system for the purification of politics, but in 1915 the legislature restored capital punishment, and passed a so-called "safe and sane" anti-cigarette bill in 1917, making it a misdemeanor to sell cigarettes to minors, since which time kids haven't smoked (oh yeah).
WEDNESDAY The birthday olf the state, although it required more than a month for Gregorian^ to find it out * * * In 1859, Joseph Lane took the oath as Senator from Oregon. Five years later the East was telegraphically connected with Oregon as far as Eugene * * * In 1865 steps were taken toward the organization of Philomath College by the United Brethren * * * Jack Dempsey, the Nonpareil, this date in 1892, became the general manager of the Pastime Club in Port- land. Portland-Vancouver bridge opened.
"The odious sky-scraper bonnet, says a bachelor Editor down east, has given place to one of moderate dimensions, a perfect 'duck' of a bonnet, minus the bunch of asserted vegetables which formerly rested on top of the wearer's head, causing her to resemble the portable advertisement of a green grocer's shop/' Oregonian, 1865.
13
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOB 194O
15
16
17
18
19
20
THURSDAY The death of the first actual settler in the Willamette valley, Ewing Young, occurred this date in 1841. No means existed a; the time to settle his extensive estate, which emphasized to the settlers the imperative need for a government, and led to its organiza- tion * * * This date in 1917 Portland was singing — Suey sing-ing and Hip Sing-ing, as the Chinese tongs of these names made fractious peace with each other.
FRIDAY Beaver coins in five and ten dollar denominations were minted by the Oregon Exchange Company at Oregon City, this date in 1849. Coinage of gold was continued until September in order to stabilize values and provide a medium of exchange in a realm- where coined money was very scarce * * * Monnt St. Helens erupted this date in 1844 * * * In 1885 Morrow County was cut off from Umatilla County and given the name of an early settler.
SATURDAY Oregon was feeding California in 1886, shipping potatoes for which the growers received two bits per ton * * * In 1887 Malheur County was amputated from Baker County and named for the Malheur River, a French name signifying misfortune * * * The organizers of Wheeler County, in 1899, bit of chunks off Crook, Grant and Gilliam Counties and gave the new corporation the name of an early settler * * * Joaquin, alias Cincinnatus Hiner Miller, died this date in 1913, in the Piedmont Hills.
SUNDAY Organized government in Oregon took its second faltering footstep this day in 1841, when a committee, .under Rev. David Leslie as chairman, was chosen by the settlers to meet in St. Paul on June 1st to consider plans for forming a government in Oregon. At the same time Ira L. Babcock was elected Supreme Judge, with probate powers, in order, specifically, to settle the estate of Ewing Young * * * In 1917 the Highway bill, appropriating six million dollars for high- way construction in the state, was passed.
MONDAY The Salem City council held its first meeting this date in 1857, but its transactions were routine rather than extraordinary * * * Four years later, Corvallis celebrated the dedication of a new Catholic church, Archbishop Blanchet, assisted by Rev. M. O'Reilly, officiating ***In 1901 Portland hotel keepers were up in arms in protest of a new regulation closing barber shops cii Sunday. Some declared traveling men call it a "hick town" and some a "jay town," but all agreed that it would be bad for business.
TUESDAY This is the 88th birthday of Charles Erskine Scott Wood, American satirist and poet, referred to by many as "the American Bernard Shaw." His literary work is voluminous and thought-pro- voking * * * This date in 1893, Lincoln County was created out of territory cut from Benton and Polk counties and given the name of the late martyred president ***Inl901 Homer Davenport, cartoonist, a home-town boy who made good, revisited Silverton, where he was born.
A HIT AT WEB FEET
From the Morning Oregonian, July 28, 1865: "A case of im- ported boots recently landed on the wharf in this city, bears the stencil mark of the manufacturer on the outside, and these words: 'Manu- factured expressly for the Oregon market.' Extra wide instep?"
14
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
The tiger-shark or barracuda
In waters off Florida, or Bermuda
Occasionally chop into hors d'ouevres
Great ladies out of the rotogravures.
While, on the other hand, the guppy
Is amiable as an Ayershire puppy.
Which proves, no doubt, that the difference
Twixt fish and us is not immense;
And from nrighty whales to tiny basses,
Fish behave like the human masses.
Our hopes and fears and peccadillos
Are echoed deep beneath the billows,
And wishes fathering your thoughts are maybe daddies
Of ideas spawned by finnan haddies!
21
22
23
WEDNESDAY This date in 1846, seven Master Masons met -in Ore- gon City and signed a petition for a charter * * * The whipping post was abolished as a means of punishment in the Oregon penitentiary by a bill which passed the legislature in 1911. The man who beat his wife once laid himself liable to an official horsewhipping, but now she can't even divorce him for it.
THURSDAY Senator Lewis F. Linn, whose name is commemorated in that of Linn County, this date in 1839, after introducing in Con^ gress a bill to provide for the protection of settlers on the Columbia River, voiced a demand for action on the part of the United States 'in claiming the region * * * The legislature, in 1905, passed ,;i bill pro- viding a whipping post and a maximum penalty of twenty lashes as a punishment for wife-beaters. For six years afterward, until the re- peal of the law, Oregon wives were-s'afe (sic).
FRIDAY This date, in London, England, Edward Dickinson Baker was born, to have his name perpetuated in that of Baker County and Baker City, Oregon. He became the tliird senator elected from the state, but was killed in battle after seven months of senatorial re- sponsibility * * * Portland's City council in 1910 appropriate^ $100,- 000 for the construction of a garbage crematory***Ih^l917, Salem was host to 1,000 delegates at a convention of the Oregon Christian Endeavor Union,
BIGGER AND BETTER NUPTIALS
From The Oregonian, August 11, 1874:
A large' wedding is about to take place at Unior. Groom, 5 feet, 8 inches, Girth, 7 feet; Bride, 6 feet, 2 inches, weight, 240 pounds.
15
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOB 1940
24 25
26
27
28 29
SATURDAY The Forest Grove Indian Institute, now Chemawa In- dian School, opened this date in 1880. It is one of the largest Indian schools in the United States* **Gilliam County was created this date in 1885 and named for Cornelius Gilliam, while Harney and Sher- man date from 1889.
SUNDAY Noteworthy events in Oregon carefully sidestepped this date until, in 1910, when the twentieth century was celebrating its de- cennium, Mme. Schumann-Heinck gave a concert in Portland * * * In 1913, the Navy Department recommended the scrapping of the battle- ship Oregon, alleging that at twenty years of age she was s"iow and inefficient, with guns which were good for only three miles. The storm of protest which arose at this suggestion may have influenced the gift of the old ship to the state and her ultimate impounding the Willamette River at Portland. A ship with her glorious history should be in Crater Lake, at least.
MONDAY A war was on, and six hundred troops were constantly drill- ing on Governor's Island, this date in 1861, in preparation for the active service to which they expected momentarily to be called * * * One of the most beautiful places in Oregon, in 1917, was the scene of serious but not fatal rioting, inmates of the State Hospital proving tnat they were crazy.
TUESDAY Portland was the arena for a forensic tilt when, this date in 1917, Dr. J. H. Boyd, a noted minister, took issue with David Starr Jordan on the subject of war, one contending that "wars in no way accomplish a^ y Virtuous end," and that "war does not bring about the aims a nation strives for," a stand which the other vociferously opposed. And so the baUle waged, not even their war determining the answer, nor accomplishing any virtuous end, nor bringing about the end they strove for.
WEDNESDAY This date in 1856 occurred the massacre at Gold Beach in which Ben Wright was killed. The Indians cooked and ate his heart in hope that thereby they might absorb a measure of his courage. At least, that is one story.
THURSDAY This date in 1872 Minnie Myrtle Miller, talented wife of Joaquin Miller, lectured in Portland on "Man, his past, present and future." Her husband was not present * * * In 1888 sweet potatoes were being txperlmented with as a commercial crop near Medford and in pajts of the Willamette Valley.
AID IN THE CARE AND FEEDING OF PIONEERS
(Recipe published in the Oivgonian, Feb. 28, 1861)
"Eloctii'ii Cake. Four pounds of fl ur, two pounds of butter and two of sugar. Stir butter and sugar together thoroughly, then mix ha'if of it with the flour, together with a tumleifull of good home-made yeast and one quart of warm mil; . Beat it and pat it with hands until the ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Then let it stand in a warm place until it is 'light, say five or six hours. Then add the remainder of the butter and sugar, two pounds of raisins and a small quantity of pulverized mace. This may stand over night and put into pans, for baking early in the morning. It should rise in the pans, and then bake an hour in a slow oven. This cake requires no eggs, and is used by economical housekeepers in winter, when eggs are dear. The loaves, nicely frosted, will be preserved moist for a long time."
16
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
Daffodils, crocuses, in the bud Shove bright heads from Oregon mud. Winds are blowing — so are noses, Red with colds as Oregon roses.
FRIDAY Telegraphic connections were completed from Sacramento as far north as Roseburg this date in 1864*** The most striking event of the date was in 1888 when the painters were on strike for ten hours' pay for nine hours' work * * * In 1892 The Dalles was re- covering from an attack of seismic ague, rebuilding fallen chimneys and replacing broke*! glass, experienced early in the morning of the day before ***Inl917a thousand teachers, voting on the ten best virtues, failed to make 'chastity' even so much as an 'also ran'! ! !
SATURDAY This date in 1849 Jos. Lane and Joseph Meek brought to Oregon City the important news of the territorial status of Oregon ***In 1870 the Odd Pe'ilows hall in Portland was dedicated with impressive ceremonies which were witnessed by visiting members of the order from near and far * * * At a mass meeting of three thousand legionnaires a vociferous demand for a cash bonus went up, and the first trial 'under the new criminal syndicalism law began this date in 1920.
SUNDAY By Presidental appointment, Gen. Joseph Lane became the first territorial governor of Oregon this date in 1849, with Kintzing Pritchett as appointive Secretary of State. One of Lane's first acts as Governor was to appoint Joseph Meek as Oregon's first United States marshal. This date in 1859, John Whiteaker became the first governor of the new state. On the birthday of the territory and state in 1911 occurred the publication of the Gresham Outlook * * * In 1906 Dr. Thos. Condon celebrated his 84th and 'iast natal day.
MONDAY In 1844 this date was marked by the murder of George W. LeBreton, first secretary of the Provisional Government, at Oregon City. He was killed in the defense of the settlement from a raid by the Molalla Indians * * * In 1883 the body of Victor Trevitt, who lived and worked among the Indians, was taken to Memaloose Island to rest among the bones of the friends whom he loved and trusted. In his frequently expressed request, he stated that Indians were "more honest than the whites, and 'live 'up to the light they have."
TUESDAY The first telegraph message received in Portland was on this date in 1864, over the r ewly-constructed line from Sacra- mento. News was received of the victory of the Union forces at Richmond, and an Oregon extra printed yesterday's eastern news today * * *-The first airplane flight over Portland was made in 1910 at the Rose City race track by C. H. Hamilton, flying a Curti bi- p'lane, the first in Portland.
SOLILOQUY
I 'iove my boss. My boss loves me. That's the way things ought to be. I love his dough, his car, the cut Of clothes he wears. He loves me, but He loves my fawning nod, my "yes." That's why he's paying me, I guess.
17
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR *94O
8
10
11
WEDNESDAY This date in 1843 occurred the second of the "Wolf meetings," the first attempts to establish a social organization in the Oregon country* * * In 1865 the voters of Union County choose La Grande as the county seat.
THURSDAY It was in 1778 that Capt. James Cook, on a voyage of exploration of the western coast, named Capes Foulweather aid Per- petua, both in Lincoln County, although he did not know it at the time. Cape Perpetua was so named because it was discovered on St. Perpetua's Day, that lady having been beheaded or something 1507 years earlier * * * Grants Pass was chartered this date in 1887 ***In 1913, the Molalla Pioneer, the best paper in Molalla, com- menced publication.
FRIDAY The first man to desecrate the virgin soil of Oregon by plowing a furrow in it, Etienne Lucier, died this date in 1853, and was buried in St. Paul's cemetery * * * In 1867, near Silverton, Homer Davenport, cartoonist, author and lecturer, was born * * * In 1925 Dr. Cook, who claimed to have discovered the North Pole, was found living in penniless obscurity in Portland, experiencing a colder re- ception than he had at the upper end of the earth.
SATURDAY The United States government gets in on the celebra- tion of this date, as the first post office west of the Rockies was opened in Astoria in 1847, and has functioned uninterruptedly ever since * * * but the monotony of Portland's monotonous existence was interrupted again in 1917 by the outbreak of another of her mono- tonous tong wars, in which only one Chinese was killed, the excite- ment in Josephine and Jackson counties where five men were arrest- ed on land fraud charges, after two years.
SUNDAY This date in 1829 the bark William and Mary was wrec - ed on the Columbia River bar and her crew of 26 men were all lost ***Inl864 the city of Portland, Maine, throiugh her mayor, greet- ed the city of Portland, Oregon, in celebration of the opening of the te'iegraph line, "The floods clap their hands, the hills shout for for joy. Let the sun * * witness * * as we keep the gates of the re- public."
MONDAY Portland's Council, this date in 1892, provided for re- numbering Portland houses, which were renumbered in 1933 ***A convention of about 300 highway enthusiasts met in Eugene In 1917 rallying around the $6,000,000 bond issue voted by the state legis- lature three weeks earlier * * * Oregonians were all excited over the news that Germany had offered all of the Urited States lying west of the Rockies to Japan for her active help in winning the World War, a proposition it seems which Japan, perhaps wisely, declined.
DESPERATE DILEMMA DEPARTMENT
* * ' Should a Lady Hold up her drers in the Street? — "A very grave and difficult question. In the first place a lady should never be seen in the streets in rainy or muddy weather Then, to lift a skirt gracefully, is a great art, and dor.e ungracefully, makes a woman ridi- culous; but if she could, when she comes to a puddle just gather the flowing skirts in one hand, revealing nothing beyond the top of a well-laced boot, and then spring over; we should opine that it wer more graceful than to dabble with mud both boot and stocking. S;ill to lift the robe in public is a dangerous experiment." — The Morning Oregomian, Feb. 28, 1852. . .
18
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
12 13
14
15
16
I'LL HAVE A COROT FOR ROASTING, MR. WATKINS, AND YOU MIGHT THROW IN A BONHEUR FOR MY DOG
From the Oregon State Directory, 1881: "The butchering of animals and the display of meats are not usually associated with fino arts, but 'Watkins the Butcher,' at No. 54 Morrison Street demon- strates in his meat stall an aesthetic taste in pictures, statuary and trimming that gives a sense of delicious flavor to his goods as they come smoking on the table."
TUESDAY In 1860, all swamp 'lands became the property of the state, later to become the subject of the historic lard-fraud cases ***In 1875, with prayer meetings nightly at most of Portland's churches, her 70 sa'loons were doing a thriving business * * * In 1925, vets' hospital granted Portland to cost nearly a mil'Iion and a half.
WEDNESDAY Joaquin Miller, the poet of the Sierras, lectured in Portland this date in 1900 * * * In 1917, the socialist John Spargo addressed a Portland audience * * * The same day in 1938 ii was announced that an initiative measure known as an anti picket law would be placed on the ballot in the state. The anti-picket law was passed in 1938, over the protests of a large section of organized labor.
THURSDAY The stork traveled new air-lanes this date in 1837 wh^n he brought Alice Clarissa, the first white child born in the Oregon Country, to Dr. and Mrs. Marcus Whitman at the "mission," not far from where Walla Walla now stands, and where Whitman Colleg3 bears the name of the pioneer father, killed in the Whitman mass- acre about ten years later * * * Prineville, this date in 1875, boasted a population of 117 people, two of whom were lawyers, whom they needed, but they had no doctor.
FRIDAY Bearing important news for the people of Oregon, the steamer Brother Jonathan from San Francisco docked at Portland this date in 1859. A horde of waiting ard eager ears heard for the first time that Oregon had, on February 14th, been admitted to the 33rd place among the states. All of the various modes of cele- bration common to ar.d customary on such occasion were brought into play for this one * * * This day 1862 the ice was out of the Columbia, enabling steamboats to go almost to The Dalles.
SATURDAY The Oregon Committee, this date in 1838 and again in 1839, petitioned Congress for protection for themselves and their families, set forth their resources and conditions and emphasized the importance to the United States of the Oregon Country * * * The Oregon Herald was first issued in 1866*** In 1903 the City Engineer of Portland stated that Portland would need three more stprinkling wagons during the coming summer to keep the streets from drying up ard blowing away.
Now the shy violets begin to peep
(For some obscure reason, worse or better)
And trite as it sounds, I will defy
All men to state they are not shy —
Shy of common sense to wake from sleep
On a morning wet as the ocean deep
And cold as a finance company letter.
19
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
17
18 19
20
SUNDAY It was St. Patrick's Day in 1829 when Joseph Meek left St. Louis for the Oregon Country, and when, 32 years later, the Hibernian Benevolent Society of Vancouver joined with the Hiber- nian Society of Portland for a parade and a picnic and a dance * * * It was sti'il St. Patrick's Day when, in Baker, Henry Rust raised the Stars and Stripes beneath a green flag, and refused to change it. Result: Baker got a new flag pole.
POINTS TO REMEMBER ON ST. PAT'S MORNING
In Brooklyn, men may find life drear Who sing "The British Grenadier". And gentlemen named Mike and Jose Should lay aside their green chapeaux Whlie men who wear bright orange ties Will find them hard uipon their eyes!
MONDAY Oregon's history did not pick up this date unti 1917, when a spectacular waterfront blaze in Portland attracted thousands of spectators, who didn't help any. They called out the fireboats and everything, and made a really festive occasion for the on'iookers.
TUESDAY The first steamer entered the Columbia River this date in 1836 — the Hudson's Bay Co.'s Beaver. This was the first Euro- pean steamer to cross the Atlantic, the first steamer to enter the Pacific and the first steamer to cross the. equator * * * In 1871, Fred Lockley, Oregon journalist and historian, was borr. in Kansas * * * The Portland Mazama Club of mountain climbers was named this date in 1894 by Louis P. Akin, an Oregon artist. Mazama is taken from the Chirock Indian language and means, "We climb high."
WEDNESDAY This date in 1917, prisoners in the Multnomah County jail were having a swe'il time — with an epidemic of mumps. The guards were worried, but not over escapes. At the state pen- itentiary the warden was planning military training for convicts. One of the largesL mining transactio s in the history was consumated in Medford in the sa'ie of the Bliue Ledge Mire for three-quarters of a million dollars.
Under this zodiac sign, the Ram
Exerts his influence unduly
And you and I are, or am
By the gentleman genus ovis tru'.y
Dominated, and King and poet
And even superior traffic cops
Are pushe.l about, though they may not know it,
By an out-size order of mutton chops!
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
21
22 23
24
THURSDAY Senator Lewis A. Linn of Missouri, this date in 1840, reported a recommendation to the Senate that the protection of the Urited States be extended to the citizens of Oregon and their pro- perty * * * In 1925 the will of John T. Vestal, of Portland, conveyed $200,000 to the school district. His name is perpetuated in that of the Vestal School.
FRIDAY The long-neglected territory between the Rockies and
the Cascades was penetrated by the influence of Methodism this date in 1838, when Wascopam Mission was established by Rev Daniel Lee and Rev. H. K. Perkins at what is now The Dalles * * * In 1888, five townships, including Crater Lake, were included in a grant to the state for a public park.
SATURDAY Perhaps no more dramatic moment has occurred in the- history of Oregon than when, this date in 1806 the members of the Lewis & Clark exposition turned their backs to the waters of the blue Pacific and their faces toward the possible perils of the long and de- vious trail to home. Five years later the Tonquin arrive! at the mouth of the Columbia river bringing the first specimens of Sus scrcfa which you probably call hogs.
SUNDAY They lost eight men trying to get the Touquin past the bar at the mouth of the Columbia, but they saved the hogs, which they unloaded carefully this date in 1811 * * * In 1893 Judge Mat. hew Pa 1 Deady passed to judgment. He was judge of the territorial Supreme Court from 1853 to 1859 and U. S. District Judge in Oregon from her statehood until his death.
25
MONDAY This date in 1861 the Port'iard papers announced that Coos Bay was to be surveyed; but it required until 1917 for them to dis- cover, as they headlined, that "Motor cars are here for keeps," which perhaps had no connections with the fact that the First Congregational Church in Portland was the first one in the city to hang the Stars and Stripes in frort, and the Armory was too small to hold the number of Portlanders who turned out to drill in spite of the well-attended meeting of the Oregon Patriotic Service League.
26
TUESDAY George H. Williams, who became Chief Justice of the Territory of Oregon in 1853, was born this date in 1823. H was U. S. Senator from Oregon in 1864, and accompanied the body of the martyred Lincoln to Springfield * * * The first dried peaches from local origins appeared on the Oregon market in 1861 * * * In 1917, with the Tnird Regiment of Ortgon Infantry called to the colcrs, the governor proclaimed Patriotic week.
Early-day merchants strove for artistic effects in presenting their
wares.
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOB 194O
27
28
29
30 31
Millican, in Deschutes County, has a population of one person, who is postmaster, storekeeper, and service station operator.
WEDNESDAY This date in 1851 there were sixty voters reported at The Dalles, but no steps had been taken to organize a voting precinct. Perhaps for that reason ten years later, when the governor received four brass cannons from the government, he sent one to Salem, one to Jacksonville and one to Eugene * * * In Warrenton a campaign was begun in 1923 to reach a 25,000 population level in five years, which was accomplished in part.
THURSDAY In 1851 was commenced the publication of one of the most persistent newspapers in Oregon. The Oregon Statesman was issued at Oregon City, at that time the capital, removing to Salem in 1853, Corvallis in 1855, then back to Salem, always being publ shed in the capital * * * The first hydrant was set up at First and Washing- ton streets in 1864, and the first telephones were demonstrated in Portland this date in 1878*** The Hillsboro Argus was first pub- lished in 1894.
FRIDAY Sa'iem's first bank opened for business this date in 1869 by Ladd & Bush * * * 'In 1917 eight students at Sumpter were expelled from school for refusing to salute the flag. The mayors of Portland, Astoria and The Dalles served notice on the Chinese that their tong wars must cease.
SATURDAY John M. Shively, this date in 1847, was appointed post- master at Astoria, the first postmaster of the first post office west of the Rockies ***In 1879, Thomas J. Dryer, who established the Oregonian and was its first editor and proprietor and later U. S. Minister to the Hawaiian Islands, died in Portland.
SUNDAY The first mail to come by steamship from the Atlantic states arrived this date in 1849 on the Oregon which was the second American steamship to round the Horn * * * At 2 a. m., this date in 1918, daylight saving time became effective nationwide.
March, you leonine, blustering bully
Here you go now into limbo;
Unmourned as a (finished and a fully
Graceful and cantankerous bimbo.
Though you turned out woolly and white
We trust you little; we'd even bet us
That the 'iamb you turned into would rather bite
A hunk of meat than a head of lettuce.
ADD PECULIAR PENOLOGY
Pioneer Herman Everman was convited of complicity in a murder in 1852, sentenced to 3 years in the penitentiary. There being no penitentiary, Herman was auctioned off to Theodore Prather, his "owner" being responsible for him for three years. Herman was given a horse and saddle, and twenty dollars. After serving his "sentence," Everman went to Douglas County, where he married and became a respected citizen. — The Weekly Standard (Portland) 1878.
22
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
1
Boy, page poets, including Keats. Here's April; it needs a lyrical
^ f-vf^ff Treatment beyond our own satirical
AMlcl Talents: when a Lambkin bleats
AjLl lYIi-J We feel no urge to out-do Shelly,
For Lamb, to us means something sparsely
Decorated with fresh green parsley,
And served with oodles of cold mint jelly!
MONDAY No weather today* Who cares We never saw a
variety of it that we couldn't get along without * * * 1871, Baker County schools closed for lack of funds. Ah! Them was the days!
* * * 1861, Overland mail stage — Sacramento to Overland in seven days. Overland mail to East starts soon — letter postage, ten cents
* * * 1863, one hundred twenty-seven persons left Portland for the eastern Oregon mines. * April fool! Weather will be between that of yesterday and that of tomorrow, which see.
TUESDAY 1862, arrived by steamer a fine engine for the railroad being built from The Dalles to Deschutes * * * 1887, from Exchange Hotel adv., in Lebanon Express, "No extra charge for men with white rhirts and grip sacks." * * * 1909, the sheriff of Wasco County re- ceived a money order from Thomas Semple, in Glasgow, Scotland, in payment of his taxes on Wasco County property, amounting to a few shillings. The accompanying note requested, characteristically, "If r.ny surplus, apply to future taxes."
WEDNESDAY 1885, Grant's Pass Courier established. (They used the apostrophe ther. ) * * * 1906, monument to Oregon volunteers in the Spanish American was was raised in Portland Park block *
1851, Dr. McLaughlin was candidate for mayor of Oregon City * * *
1852, Adams & Co. established a bank in Portland.
THURSDAY 1851, The Light House bill makes an appropriation for the erection of a lighthouse on the Umpqua Head * * * 1851 over 140 men left Portland for the mines * * * 1863, the court upheld the state's refusal to accept greenbacks for county taxes. * * * 1888, tele- graph messengers struck for increase from $15.00 to $18>00 per month
* * * 1899, miners were returning from the Klondike.
FRIDAY While you are snugly ensconced in bed there are a dozen ni|en driving as many forr-horse teams on the road from Sacramento to Portland. In the dreary watches of the night they are coming and ^•oing — The mail must come through — must come in seven days, rain or shine. It may kill man and horse; it may take the $90,000 a '/ear — take twice that sum, but the mail must come; must go. A;nd thus all the year around the ur tiring energy of man and beast carries Uncle Sam's mail — -Oregcmian, April 5, 1861.
SATURDAY 1851, City of Portland chartered * * * 1855, opera- tion of ferry between East Portland and Vancouver licensed (no more swimming necessary) * * * 1863,s-x hundred sixty-nine votes cast in Portland city elections * * * 1881, telephones installed for MUitnomah county clerk and sheriff at $2.50 per month each; and the Oregoni&n (St. Helens) stated that Portland had "no future" * * * 1921, thirty- six Oregon soldiers received disingtuished service cross for excep- tional bravery in the World War.
23
AN OREGON AL.MANA© FOB 1940
8
10
11
12
SUNDAY 1851, Portland's first municipal election, H. D. O'Bryar.t chosen mayor; Oregon City elected Dr. McLaughlin * * * 1865, Ore- gon celebrated the fall of Richmond and the Confederacy and was all "lit up" * * * 1890, grand opening of the Portland Hotel, of which Standford White was the architect.
MONDAY 1861, a pile driver in action gave Portlanders something to look at * * * The Oregonian denied allegation of the Philadelphia Enquirer that it cost $15,000 in messenger mileage to send the Ore- gon electoral votes to Washington * * * Oregon Oddity: 1874, there were enough republicans in the state to hold a state convention at Salem * * * 1892, fire swept Klamath Falls ***1906, E. Henry Wem- me, of Portlard, bought what is reported to be the first automobile owned in Portland.
TUESDAY 1861, the Oregonian printed this letter from a man who had gone to the Nez Perce mining district: "Cler Water, Ness Pussy Country, 24 Marc'1., 18 sicksty, — Deer Dick, i am up here on the Clerwater, an were havin a mity time, i tell u. gold is plentier here than any place i no. when i com 'up i hed one thirty-2gallons bust- hed, an ive tuck in 8 hundred gold dollars fur it in as purty merican gold as you ever seed. Come rite on, an brirg all the minny-riffle stuff u Kin get."
WEDNESDAY 1839, witnessed the arrival in Oregon of E. O. Hall, the first printer in the state * * * 1848, Col. H. A. G. Lee succeeded Col. Cornelius Gilliam, killed in the Cayuse wars * * * The census of 1851, published today, gives Oregon a population of 13,322 perso s * * * 1861, a cargo of apples and poultry arrived in Portland on board a home-made raft, from somewhere up the Clackamas.
THURSDAY 1861, miner's wages in southern Oregon were about $10 per day, and gold was washed from the east bank of the Willam- ette, near Portland * * * 1873, Gen. Canby, Modoc War commissioner, was treacherously murdered at a peace parley called by Captain Jack, Modoc chieftian, where the Lava Beds National Monument now stands, south of Klamath Falls * * * 1874, fire swept La Grande in spite if heroic efforts of bucket brigade.
FRIDAY Arbor Day in all Oregon counties easT cf the Cascades * * * 1811, Astoria fourded by John Jacob Astor's Pacific Fur Company, whose ship, Tonquiii, had but recently reached this point * * * 1899, Portland Chamber of Commerce began considering plans to advertise to the rest of the wor'id, leaving final details to the WPA Writing Program, which will * * * 1904, work began or Celilo canal and locks, 26 1-2 years after being approved by the Secretary of War.
The Unicorn above all does revere A virgin maid; when April wilclb rds sing And in the woodgroves bells of laughter ring, He comes to her hand's fondling without fear, And he will linger at her cottage door , . . But if a tarnished maiden chance to pass He vanishes like mist along the grass: — Unicorns do not live here any more.
24
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOB 1940
13
14 15
16
17 18
SATURDAY 1861, "Oregon ought to have at least one thoroughfare through it over which travelers may pass at any season of the year." — Eugene correspondent of the Oregonian * * *1865, George, a Kanaka, climbed the flagstaff in fro nt of Eugene House No. 1, and rove the halliards, — most daring accomplishment, as he reached the height of one hundred and seventy-five feet * * * 1910, L. B. Ely, of Portland, took his first and most unexpected airplane ride. Alone in the plane with the propeller doing; 1,200 R, P. M., the chocks let go and the plane zoomed skyward. Without experience of instruc- tion, his resourcefulness was greater than his consternation; He experimented with the unfamiliar controls and, call it a miracle, brought the nvachine safely to the ground.
SUNDAY 1851, Portland City Council decided to appoint "a com- petent and discreet person to act as Marshal." They had them to spare * * * 1877, rubber angleworms for fishing were offered for sale; they could "be bitten in two without unpleasantness."
MONDAY 1865, Oregon City celebrated the_recent victories at arms of the Union forces by burning candles, torches and innumerable lamps, and being otherwise "lit nip." Some remembering the method, though having forgotten the occasion, continue to celebrate; peddlers' wagons, carrying an assortment of kitchenware and notions, first started in Oregon * * * 1868, ground broke:; for the first railroad from Portland.
TUESDAY 18&2, Postoffice and Customs in Astoria destroyed by fire * * * 1861, Portland Pioneer Regatta Club celebrated the receipt of its first boat * * * 1881, first train left The Dalles for Wa'Ila Walla
* * * 1899, John L. Sullivan, (the John L.) and L. E. Selig indicted in Astoria for operating a theatre on Sunday. Sullivan skipped, case dropped.
WEDNESDAY 1852, "All persons are cautioned against * * * cuttirg wood or timber west of Park Street. Those who have * * * wood now cut * * will be allowed to take it off." — Oregonian adv * * * 1861, fifteen tons of bacon arrived in Portland from Salem * * * 1865, Ore- gon sorrowed with the nation over the death of Abraham Lincoln.
THURSDAY 1859, Portland Daily News, the first daily newspaper published in Oregon, made its first appearance * * * 1874, the Oregon City brass band was organized 'under the leadership of Professor Bray
* * * 1918, at The Dalles the Need'iecraft Club held a soap shower, the soap collected to be used for the benefit of Belgian babies who had had a dirty deal.
CAUTION
Sunlight's warm, Lanes are muddy. Trees are burgeoning and buddy. 'Tis then the poet 'Ellish bent On greatness really should absent Himself from spots where barmen, ruddy, Draw glasses filled with fluid suddy.
"Hyas Kloshe Yahkwa spose wake snass"*** which in Chinook dialect, means: "It is very pleasant when it does not rain." (And, may we add, it is very unusual, too, west of the Cascades, in winter.)
25
AN OREGON ALMANAC F.OB 194O
19
20
21
22
FRIDAY 1861, the aromatic exhalations from surface sewers and cellars aroused the Portland marshal to discover that he couldn't do anything about it.
This is the sign of mighty Taurus,
Who subtly influenced Senor Bizet
To write his Carmen, verse and chorus.
And so, no matter how awfully dizzy
You may consider this quadruped,
Or how you dislike his disposition,
Don't hate him; but tender him, instead
A proper amount of recognition.
Without him the madcap Carmen's fate
Might have gone unnoted, and gone for nuttin' —
We might have had to take Wagner, straight —
AND NOT TO MENTION MERELY MUTTON!
SATURDAY 1861, improvements in Portland's housing conditions demanded the replacement with new structures of several old build- ings on First Street which were consequently demolished. Improve- ments were also being urged for the public square, the mayor stating that "we never shall have a pleasant promenade about our city until the public square is improved." (It has been improved) * * * 1921, the earth cast its shadow all over the moon and the use of rouge and lipstick was forbidden to members of the Girl's Home Service Corps.
SUNDAY 1855, the name of the Oregon Spectator was change1 to Oregon Argus * * * In 1899, traffic at Third and Morrison streets in Portland las tied up, blocked by a crowd of people watching a cock fight.
MONDAY In 1906, athletes from the University of Oregon carried off chief honors at Columbia University track meet in New York City * * * In 1931, the State Bridge tournament opened at the M'ultnomah Hotel in Portland. This was probably the most important confer- ence of bridge engineers and builders of the decade. Bridge players will agree.
TUESDAY At this time in 1874, Oregon had forty-four newspapers, ten of which were published in Portland, four in Salem, three in Eugene, three in Albany, two each in Corvallis, Jacksonville and Baker City * * * In 1881 Portland bought a pair of white horses to draw the hook and ladder truck to and from her frequent fires ***in 1906, diggers in an old cellar near Pilot Rock uncovered a treasure of $11,000, more or less, which was supposed to have been buried there by outlaws about forty years before * * * 1852, Edwin Markham born at Oregon City.
26
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
24 25
26
27 28
29
30
WEDNESDAY 1814, Jane Barnes, the first white woman to set fooi on Oregon soil, arrived at Astoria aboard the Isaac Todd. She had been a barmaid in Portsmouth, England, and came to America as th3 mistress of Donald McTavish. Portland Daily Evening Journal first issued, 1875.
THURSDAY 1851, Oregon City was incorporated * * * 1861, a rail- road between Oregon City and Canemah was projected * * * 1889, Burns had built a church, engaged a pastor, closed her saloons on Sunday and invited the entire valley to worship, but Piute Charlie, a well-known Indian character, spent Sunday selling "sage-hen eggs on the streets at two-bits per 12 * * * 1935, fire destroyed the State Capitol building 'n Salem with the loss of the portraits in oil of all of Oregon's previous governors.
FRIDAY 1905, cattle thieves from Vancouver invaded Woodlawn, in the northeast Portland, drove a placid bossy into the woods and proceeded to butcher her * * * 1910, Douglas County's epidemic of romantic suicides claimed its fourth victim in two weeks when a 16-year-old girl took strychnine. The event was unnoticed because nearly everybody was tanking, in tones of fear or wonder, awe or constarnation, about the approach of Halley's comet, which was just appearing.
SATURDAY 1894. t1 e Oregon regiment of Coxey's army of the un- employed appropriated a train of eleven cars belonging to the O. R. & N. Co., at Troutda'ie. They rode it on the way to Washington, D.' C. as far as Arlington, where it was recaptured * * * 1921, Multnomah County Commissioners declared that spooning in automobiles must stop.
SUNDAY 1903, Mis^> Bertha Smith scaled Beacon Rock, — the first woman to accomplish the feat * * * 1907, an ordinance passed this day made it "unlawful for any persons within the city of Portland to conduct himself as a scandalmonger without first ob- taining a license," and fixing fees at $20.00 for one month, $150.00 per year * * * 1928, Congregatio Beth Isreal dedicated its new syn- agogue in Portland. 1938, a WPA crew, repairing Portland's sewers, found a wheelbarrow in a three- fort drain, where it had been left ten years earlier.
MONDAY 1910, Halley's Com t was visible to citizens forturate enough to own telescopes * * * 1921, a near panic was occasioned in Marshfield by a discove-y of a c?se of leprosy in one Aggelos M'tro. He was later committed to the leper co'io'ny in Louisiana * * * And this day, forty-seve yenrs ago, Primiv ,.e and Tv'eS't Ministrel snow finished a week's run in Portland — doubtless trying out seTcral gags and skits that are now the regular radio fare of the populace.
TUESDAY 18 n 4, the Portland Park blocks were grabbed by jump- ers who fenced off spaces and prepared to build on them, being dispossessed by irate citizens with alleged prior rights * * * It; 1866, Oregon's first furniture factory was opened in Portland, and a year later, Oregon C ty had a barrel factory, no less * * * 1910, an auto- mobile stage line began operating between Condon and Fossil, where they were still removing palecntologlcal debris from Ore- gon's worst uphavel — in the Cretaceous age.
27
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOB 1940
1
MAY
Today's the day that sundry folk eschew Red flannels and dance sprightly in the dew In furbelows and laces
With bright and morning faces Around the festive Maypole * * Ah — ka — choo!
WEDNESDAY 1865, Effective this day, "If any person shall keep open any store, shop, grocery, bail alley, billiard room, tippling house, or any place of amusement; or shall do any secular business or labor, other than works of necessity or mercy, on the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday, or the Lord's day,such per- son, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by fine not less than five or more than fifty dollars." — Oregon Criminal Code * * * 1887, the ship County of Merioneth saved its charter and $3,000 by arriving in Portland but five minutes to spare before a deadline on which each would be lost * * * 1907, S. P. & S. bridge completed across the Willamette.
THURSDAY 1843, at the historic meeting of Oregon pioneers at Champoeg, the first American government was established on the Pacific coast, with Dr. Ira L. Babcock as Supreme Judge * * * Three years later, in 1846, The Spectator, the first newspaper to be pub- lished west of the Rocky Mountains, was issued at Oregon City * * * 1918, Champoeg Memorial bui'iding was dedicated to the memory of the pior.eers who made Champoeg famous.
FRIDAY 1893, * * * Governor Pennoyer wired the Secretary of State, "I will attend to my business. Let the President attend to his." * * * 1908, the Rock Island Country Club opened near Port- land * * * 1912, Homer Davenport, best known as a cartoonist but also noted as author and lecturer, died at 45. He was born near Si'iverton.
SATURDAY 1861, Medorem Crawford was in the nation's capital, arranging for Federal protection for the overlar.d migrants to Ore- gon. In Portland, the sympathies of the settlers being sharply divided between the North and the South, a patriotic mass-meeting was held at which resolutions were adopted, pledging the loyalties of Portland to the Corstitution and the Stars and Stripes. Salem will have three watchmen during the session of the Legis- lature The increase is unpleasantly significant. — Weekly Stan- dard, 1879.
SPRING SONG
By now the lamb-'like Dizzy Deans .Are gamboling on baseball greens, Chewing their plug tobacco freely, And getting large money for it really. Where, hereabouts, more learned gentry, Sit yawning over the double entry, And wonder, over the printed sum, Why the college c'urricu'ium Did not include Pitching, magnum cum laude Or a course in catching by Cochrane or Gowdy.
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
SUNDAY 1869, the Portland Public Library was moved to the new Ladd and Tilton Bank building* * * In 1915, the Celilo locks and canal were completed after 11 years of labor and the expen- diture of $5,000,000. This project was first approved by the Secretary of War. Oct. 12, 1877, work fina'ily commencing April 12, 1904 * * * 1926, Portland City council established an airport for the city.
MONDAY This c*ay in 1865, the people of Portland were apprized,
through the Oregonian, that Front Street was to be paved with
cobblestones and macadam. Some of the original cobblestones are
still in place and in use * * * In
1878 the Portland District Tele-
phone Company was incorporated,
'later becoming the American Dis-
trict Telephone Co., familiarily,
the A. D. T. * * * In 1906, 3,000
wild horses were taken in a hug-;
roundup in order to reclaim the
Oregon range for farming.
TUESDAY 1875, a shipment of
flax seed arrived in Portland,
coming all the way from Rotter- dam. This was the beginning
of the commierc''al flax industry
in/the state ***Inl915, Oregon
lost none of her citizens in the
sinking of the Lusita ia. Dorothy Connor of Medford, was a sur- vivor * * * 1921, Edwin Markham came back to where he started, visiting his birthplace in Oregon City.
8
WEDNESDAY 1865, by steamboat to Ross Island, several hundred children of the Portland Academy and Female Seminary ard the Methodist Sunday School picnicked at ball and grace hoops * * * In 1893 an infant cyclone wandered into Portland and down one of her streets. No damage done except to maiden modesties * * * 1899, workmen began construction of a bicycle path between Pcrt- and and Oregon City * * * In 1906, Oregonians had contributed $248,- 300.85 to a relief fund for the aid of stricken San Francisco, destroy- ed by an earthquake on April 18.
THURSDAY This day in 1881 Meade Post of the Grand Army of the Republic was organ'zed ir Oregon City, and four thousand persons attended a convention of the Order of Railway Conductors in Portland * * * in 1910 Coquille elected J. E. Quick, a socialist, as mayor. ^
10
FRIDAY In 1865 it was considered to be ar outstanding exploit and worthy of mention in the newspapers that a fisherman in Astoria caught a two-hundred pound sturgeon * * * In 1909, Mischa Elman, Russian violinist, delighted Portland with his artistry * ** In 1923 a jury acquitted one Capt. Edmondstone, who was accused by the U. S. government of shooting a legally-protected aix spoma. * Th^ gov- ernment was widely ridiculed by the press and public for spending $500.00 in the prosecution. *Wood duck, to you.
29
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOB 194O
11
12
13
14
15
16
SATURDAY 1792, Captain Robert Gray sailed the Columbia into the long-conjectured "'River of the Wes '," to which he gave the name of his ship, calling it "Columbia's River." This ship was the first to carry the Stars and Stripes around the world, thu flag allegedly being the orginal one which was so carefully and lovirg'Iy made by Betsy Ross. Seventy three years later, in 1865, tho town trustees in Astoria established a cemetery and the Commissioners of Clatsop County let a contract for the building of a jail. L. 1910, the Port- land Women's Exchange served "brazed tongue," according to their ad * * * In 1917, Mayor Harley, was fined $40.00 for fighting on the street.
SUNDAY In 1832, Capt. Wm. L. Subleltc agreed to join Nathaniel J. Wyeth in extending the Missouri fur trade to the Columbia * * * 1834, Matthew P. Deady was born * * * In 1910, Portland's Chief of Police declared war on vice, as usual, and as usual, was short of ammunition and poor of aim * * * 1915, Simon Benson, Portland phil- anthropist, withdrew his offer to the city of $250,000 for the con- struction of three technical high schools because the city council pass- ed an ordinance providing a minimum of $3.00 per day as wages on public works.
MONDAY Someone in Oregon City having failed to discriminate "maum" and "teum" when they built a new wharf there in 1881, they not only filled it with rock but they bolted it down ***Inl882. when Portlanders complained about sv/ill wagons on the street iii the daytime, they probably meant that they preferred to smell 'em a: night * * * 1937, Illinois Valley News published at Cave City.
TUESDAY 1873, six':y feet down in his mine shaft in Rye Valley, Baker County, Charles Gr?en discovered the fossilized remains of a mammoth * * * In 1892, the United States cruisers Baltimo and Charleston were the first ships of the navy to enter the Willamette dock at Portland. It was Portland's first "fleet week." * * * In 1901 Ernest Seton Thompson lectured in Portland * * * jn 1916 Geraldine Farrar delighted Portlanders with her gift of sor.g.
WEDNESDAY In 1865, the Oregonian told its readers how to ex- tinguish a kerosene lamp without danger of an explosion poop'.e evidently supposing that kero- sene lamps were something to blow about * * * In 1868 Port- landers were indigna. t about cows that roamed the streets * * * 1913 Seufert Brothers, of The Dalles, made the largest catch of Royal Chinook Salmon on record — twen- ty-five tons in two hours — in f'sh- wheel No. 6. above Five Mile Rapids.
ATH AND BLOW AGAINST FL-A HAND THUS EXTINGUtSHIN
THURSDAY The first printing press in the Oregon Territory was set up at the Lapwai mission, 1839, and the first book printed in the West was a translation of the Bible into the language of the
Nez Perce Indians * * * 1886, a million shad arrived from the Bast and were placed in Oregon streams * * * In 1910, scientists were try- ing, more or less in vain, to make the people believe that contact with Halley's comet would not harm earth dwellers.
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
17
FRIDAY 1878, the City Seal of Portland arrived on the steamer Oregon from San Francisco * * * 1911, a modern, four-room, cement bungalow was completed on top of the Yeon building, 15 stories high, Portland's first pent-house * * * In 1914, Oregon Norwegians cele- brated the centennial of their national independence, established by Bids wold.
18
SATURDAY This date in 1844, George H. Himes, curator of the Ore- gon Historical Society, early-day printer and publisher long identi- fied with Oregon history, was born in Massachusetts *** 1851, Trinity Parish in Portland organized * * * 1883, cornerstone of Odd Fellows Orphanage laid in Portland * * * 1910, the earth successfully passed through the tail of Halley's comet, much to the relief of millions of frightened people whose terror had not driven them to suicide or insan'ty.
19
SUNDAY 1792, Capt. Robert Gray changed the name of Cape Dis- appointment to Cape Hancock and called the south point of the Col- umbia River entrance Point Adams. Capt. John Meares had failed to find the River of the West after Heceta had announced it, and called the point of land which barred his entrance Cape Disappoint- ment, declaring that there was no river there ***In 1825 the Hud- son's Bay Company established northwestern headquarters at Fort Vancouver* * * 1841, a fifty-three foot boat, the first vessel to be built of wood in the Pacific northwest, and called the Star of Oregon, was launched at Swan Island * * * In 1871 appeared the first issue of the Oregon Churchman.
20
MONDAY 1792, the Columbia, Capt. Gray commanding, at 5 P. M. cleared the bar and sailed northward, 'leaving her name to stand while the river lasts to prove that she was here * * * In 1879, Joaquin Miller, the song-bird of the Sierras, visited Portland * * * In 1885, A. Peratto was arrested in Astoria for being out after 10 P. M., and a week later for being out after nine * * * In 190.3, President Theo- dore Roosevelt became the third president of the United States to visit Oregon.
And now come the Gemini, heavenly twins
Who hang by their toes and their fingers and chins —
Pleasing the Mi'iky Way's Misses and Madams,
And also the mundane Evangeline Adams —
In tights jewelled with stars, they flit through the breezes,
Two daring young men on their stellar trapezes.
31
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 194O
21
22
23
24
TUESDAY On this date in 1864 arrived a new bell weighing over half a ton, a surprise gift from Mrs. H. W. Corbett to the Presby- terian Church in Portland *** In 1905 the Portland Art Associa- tion found itself at home in the first museum established in the North- west * * * 1911, Mary Garden gave a magnificent performance in Port- land, and Elijah Bristow, first settler in Lane County and father of fifteen children, died, which events were not related as to cause and consequence.
WEDNESDAY The Ruby, this date in 1795, entered (he mouth of th Columbia River * * * 1814, Donald McTavish, roistering partner of the Northwest Fur Company, drowned in the Columbia River near Astoria, and was buried "in a handsome spot behind the northeast bastion of Fort George" beneath "a small monument tolerably well engraved," the first white man to be buried in Oregor. The monu- ment still stands on the lawn of the Astoria City Hall * * * In 1903, the president of the United States became mason for an hour while he laid the correrstone of the Lewis and Clark monument * * * This date in 1911 the first aeroplane flew over the residence district of Portland, dodging chimneys and spires, eliciting much favorable and some fearful comment.
THURSDAY Samuel K. Barlow, in 1846, contracted to build the Barlow Road from Oregon City to the foot of the Cascade Mountains * * * In 1868, Indians killed all of the occupants of a stage coach near Inskip * * * In 1889, a flock of songbirds, im- ported from Germany at great expense, was released in the the most expensive cat 'food on a large scale in history.
FRIDAY This day in 1851
concluded a week of most ex^-
traordinary thunder storms
which invaded western Oregon,
where thunder is seldom heard
* * * In 1879, I. O. O. F. dedicated a new temple at Albany * * * In
1910, Mabel Lake, of Hood River, was under arrest for refusing to
tell her age to census enumerators. That night, a total eclips of
the moon in one direction and Halley's comet receding in another
made a celestial spectacle unprecedented and perhaps n, v r to be
repeated.
TRANSPORTATION NOTE
Sardines are packed within the can Ditto asapargus-es, And also toiling sons of man Who ride on Portland busses.
There was once a fellow named Adam Who caught .politicians and had 'em
Locked into a cage
Where united they rage Over how to get something to pad 'em.
32
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 194O
25
26
27 28
29
SATURDAY Every year on record this has been the day after the 24th. The time maker never seems to get them switched * * * In 1844, at West Union, the first Baptist church west of the Roci<y Mountains was organized * * * In 1870, telegraphic service between Portland and Walla ditto was established * * * In 1904, the sheriff was ordered to collect $1.50 from each person found riding a bicycle without the current license tag.
Mr. J. Winkler saw a deer swimming across the bay near North Ber.d and captured it by tying a rope around its horns and towing it ashore. — Weekly Standard.
SUXDAY On this date in 1810, the Albatross, a trading vessel under Captain Winship, entered the Co'iumbia River ***in ig68, Brovert Captain Harris ordered eight men and a guide to pursue the Indians who massacred tlie passengers of a stage near Inskip on the 23rd * * * In 19%18, Camp Lewis, the largest military training camp in the United State's, was inspected. It was learned that, of the camp's 76,000 acres, the most popular one was the acre on which the Y. W. C. A. hostess house stood!
MONDAY In 1868, the soldiers who had been ordered to pursue the Indians who captured a stage near Inskip picked up the trail * * * Fire, this date in 1882, swept the Portland block bounded by Second and Third avenues, Everett and Flanders streets with $75,000 loss.
TUESDAY Oregon's history may not have commerced as early as some, but it will undoubtedly continue as far into the future. In fact, there are those who explain this to us, and why it may be ex- pected to outlast many older portions * * * Be that as it may, oa this date in 1853, Ladd and Co., Portland's enterprising merchants, began the erection of a fireproof brick building on Front Street, and Mr. Jacobs advertised ica for sale * * * In 1878 occurred a disastrous fire in the American Exchange Hotel with great loss of life reported, principally Cliinex lectularius * * * Two years, two months an i four days ahead of Seattle, the people of Portland first saw the electric arc light when the passenger steamer, -State of California, docked hero in 1879 * *'* In 1897, a Portland street car went into the river and twenty feet .of water, killing four and injuring twenty people.
WEDNESDAY Rogue River Ind'ans xast stand at Big Meadows, 1856
* * * In 1868, with great and commendable promptness and alacrity, the detachment of soldiers deputed to capture the murderous band of Indians who, less than a week before, had slain the passengers of a coach which they waylaid near Inskip, attacked the Indians in their camp, wiping out the entire band cf 34 * * * In 1882, Eli Perkins, the great humorist, lectured in Portland on "The Philosophy of Fun"
* * * The battle-hip, Oregon, joi'.ed the fleet in Cuban waters in 1898.
MOTOR FASHION NOTE
That the family car costs nearly twice as much per year as the family wardrobe was revealed by a study of 948 farm families in three counties in Oregon and Washington, reporied Feb. 22, 1938.
33
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOB 1940
Off-hand, I think it fine of you to be direct and frank;
But when you differ with my view you're just another crank!
30
THURSDAY MEMORIAL DAY — tomorrow the florists will eat. Many prospective June brides will not be, because of accidents today, the reckless not being wreckless. In 1851, the completion of an 'academy' in Linn Courty, open for the reception of pupils, was announced by Rev. Blain. In 1866, in Portland, Oro Fino Hall was dedicated and the Baseball Club organized. In 186<8 a Port- lander stated that he had invented an egg preserver wiiich would keep eggs fresh ten months — but the hens wouldn't eat it * * * In 1904, Mrs. Mary Ramsey Wood, of
Hillsboro, celebrated her 117th birthday. She died Jan. 1, 1908, aged 120 years. Her mother died at the age of 110 years.
31
FRIDAY Countless flowers wither on countless graves and, having used the grassy roofs above their narrow homes for display, we are satisfied. The dead care not for this, nor wno outdoes his neighbor, for they, being dead, are not neurotic ***Inl865a great ball, with a brass as well as a string for music, celebrated the completion of a new factory building in Oregon City ***In 1892 the National Edi- tors' Assn. met in Portland, 400 strong * * * In 1901, Multnomah County appointed ten men at $75.00 a month to collect taxes on bicycle paths * * * Ir 1908, Base Line Road was used as a speedway for auto races, which was described as ihe greatest i vent en the coast * * * This date in 1824 marked the completion of the first rou; d trip from Portland to Mexico City and return by automobile, tLe trip taking three months.
Okey, Bartender, shave me a sidi©-car, and cut the ice down the sides! ***From the OREGON STATE DIRECTORY, 1881. (The Dalles section.) "In the Unnatilla Hotel Building, may be found one of the finest shaving saloons on this coast***"
THE FLEA
The flea irks men, 'tis said, and irks him sore;
He eludes the hand of peril elfinly.
And I've heard tell he sings full gloriously,
Albeit wondrous low; strong men, to snore,
He can constrain; with nightly winnowing wings
He fans the midnight; blood is his desire;
And if he cannot find a plowboy's sire,
He e'en will deign to bite o'f queens and kings.
Oregon Indian athletes, long before the coming of the white man, held their own "Olympic Games."
34
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
1
JUNE
I will agree with the late lamented James R. Lowell and his poetic
thesis: Most months compare to the month of June as might a cow-barn to
the temple of Ephesus;
June days are rarer than planes in the eighties; Rarer than cold lemonade stands in Hades — Days when sour politicoes beam at fat ladies As though they were stars fallen 'from the Pleiades; And kiss all the babies, and perhaps, if necessary, the Pekineses, And give each man a cigar and really mean it when they say they
hope his tribe increases — To elect them, the politicians, governors or mayors, or even in a
pinch, at least, justice-of-the-peaces!
SATURDAY The last missionary vessel to reach Oregon, the Lausanne, arrived at Ft. Vancouver this date in 1840, bringing 13 families of 60 people for Jason Lee's mission at The Dalles * * * In 1844, Jason Lee was superseded by Rev. George Gary who reached Oregon City this date * * * The Lewis and Clark Cente nial Exposi- tion opened in 1905 to 39,577 paid admissions * * * In 1927 the school children of the state chose the meadowlark as the official state bird.
SUNDAY Portland streets were first lighted by electricity this date in 1889, receiving the current from the falls at Oregon City * * * Peo- p'ie of Oregon adopted a co institutional amendment providing for the Initiative and Referendum, 1892 * * * In 1903, O. P. Huff was elected Oregon's first labor Commissioner * * * The Waldport Tribune pub- lished its first issue this date in 1925.
MONDAY George Abernethy, this date in 1845, became the first provisional governor of Oregon, having received 228 votes * * * Five years later, the first legal execution in Oregon ended the lives of five Cayuse Indian chiefs at Oregon City. They had taken part in the Whitman Massacre at Waiilatpu * * * 1891, Frederic Homer Batch, author of The Bridge of the Gods, died * * * In 1905 was celebrated the completion of The Dalles-Celilo portage railway.
TUESDAY This date in 1824, Asahel Bush, who played a prominent part in Oregon history, was born in Massachusetts. In 1853 he was editor of the Oregon Statesman and 'later became the owner of a Salem bank ***In 1869 the comerston of the Zion Methodist Epis- copal Church was laid in Portland, said to be the first colored church in the West * * * In 1916 the Portland City Council decided that the color scheme of all city-owned automobiles should be store grey and black, except those of the Fire Department, which should be red.
WEDNESDAY On this date in 1795, the Ruby sailed out of the Columbia River. The crew had cleared a small island and planted vegetable seeds, peach stones and potatoes, the first garden to be planted in the Northwest ***In 1811 the Tonquin cleare t the Col- umbia bar on her ill-fated voyage* * * In 1852 President Pierce recommended that Congress declare a seat of government in Oregon * * * This was a year after Portland's first hotel, th Columbian, opened, in 1851 * * * In 1877, the Donald Macleay mausoleum ar.d chapel were built in Lone Fir Cemetery in Portland.
35
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 194O
THURSDAY History picks .up this date in 1878, when the corner- stone of the Bishop Scott grammar school was laid, then skips to 1906 to see Portland purchase a pair of bloodhounds for the police depart- ment; then, in 1909, a new six-cylinder "Briar C'iiff" which was brought to Portland was the fastest automobile yet seen in the Pacific Northwest. We don't know how fast it went, but it has gone * * * In 1915, Reed College grafted 44 degrees to th^ members of i!s first graduating class * * * 75,000 Portlanders, in 1917, responded to ihe draft call.
8
FRIDAY This date in 1894 Port- landers as far west as Broadway could cast fish lines from their windows in hopes of catching something. The river was so high that steamboats went where street cars go now, and there was much traffic congestion caused by barges in the streets * * * Miss Kittle W. Harbord, in 1903, became the firs woman to be appointed on the State Board of Pharmacy.
SATURDAY This date in 1865, Co^burn Barrell was offering for sale to "individual or associa- tions," "ten acres of la d," beau- tifully located and entirely clear- ed, so that purchasers can readily and at slight expense, make it
, a fitting p. ace for The Home of the Dead." This land became the present Lone Fir Cemetery now surrounded by Portland's east side residential district * * * In 1928 began the publication of The Sius-
law Oar, at Florence.
9
SUNDAY On this date in 1879 occurred the dedication of the Church of our Father (Unitarian) at Portland * * * A hundred thousand dollar fire destroyed the power plant of the Union Power company in 1896*** In 1915 a fire destroyed the Standard Box Factory in Portland, with a loss of $300,000.
10
MONDAY In Portland, this date in 1878, the cornerstone of the Willamette Engine Company's new fire static r. was laid between Second and Third on Morrison Street, where the o d building sti'Il stands * * * In 1894, Portland was the center of f.r-flung attrac- tion, and excursions were run from the outside cf the inside to see the flood and go boat riding in the streets. • The Chinese held a regatta, staged with considerable skill and much splendor * * * In 1896, Susan B. Anthony attended a convention of the Oregon Congress of Women in Portland *** In 1902 the Supreme Lodge of the A. C. U. W. convened in Portland.
WEATHER NOTE***
If the sunlight's hot, the beauteous maid Who rides ti roughout the rose parade May home at n ght a sadder sister — A Princess turned into a blister.
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOB 1940
11
12
13 14
15
16
TUESDAY In 1874 this date was marked by the organization in Portland of the first Hebrew Ladies Benevolent Society in the state, then, with one of those leaps which enable us to narrate a lot of history in a little space, we hit the peak in 1912, when Silas Christofferson, the 23-year-old Portland aviator, flew his Curtiss Biplane from the roof of the Mu'itnomah Hotel. Most of the 50,000 gating onlookers, gathered for the Rose Festival, expected to see Mm dashed to death but the young flier fooled them a: d carried the stunt off perfectly.
WEDNESDAY On this date in 1862, the Willamette was full again, and, in drunken fashion, floundered down to the Columbia * * * Willamette Rowing Club was organized in 1878, with no lack of water for the purpo^e ***In 1918 the Foundation shipyard com- pleted the Captaine Benny for the French government, doing the work so well that the ship passed all tests.
THTJBSDAY This date in 1867, Dr. Kinsey of St. Helers dis- covered rich copper beds at the mouth of the Lewis River * * * In 1878, the Handel and Haydn Musical Society was organized in Portland ***In 1909 occurred the death of Francis Revenne, who built the first bridge across the Sar.dy River. He was 95 years old.
PBIDAY Portland began putting on metropolitan airs when, this date in 1878, the medical department of the Willamette Univer- sity was moved to the city ***In 1881, the first sleeping cars west of the Rockies arrived in Portland for use on the Oregon Rail- way and Navigation lines * * * It was discovered that people live longer in Oregon, so the cornerstone for the Patten Home for old fo'iks was laid in 1891. They still do, as the hcme is still in use, although Sam L. Simpson, often called Oregon's poet laureate, died while still young in 1899 * * * In 1903 more than 200 lost their lives when a flood swept down Willow Creek canyon and inundated Heppner.
SATUBDAY Perhaps the most important arbitration in history to the Oregonian was consummated this date in 1846, when the American and British govern- ments settled the famous "54 • 40' or fight" boundry dispute with- out a battle. It required three days less than five months for news of the agreement to reach Oregon, when the Toulan arrive : from the Sandwich Islands * * * The first Christian Church was de- dicated this date in 1902***A year later there were only 36 gra- duates from the U. of O., half men, and the other half women.
SUNDAY Long projected wor : on a railroad around the falls at Oregon City began this date in 1862 * * * In 1883 the W. C. T. U.
convened in Portland ***In 1896 the National Electrical conven- tion was held in Portland, and the cannery burned at Salem, but not from defective wiring. Also, the governor called out the militia, but neither the governor nor the militia can remember why * * *
37
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
17
MONDAY This date in 1851 the Indians gathered at Table Rock were first attacked by American forces under Major Phil Kearney, which aided in the establishment of a white majority in the popula- tion of the state, which in 1839 had only 65 white adults * * * Then, in 1878, other Indians started an outbreak along the eastern border of the state, which was quelled ***In 1910 Jay Bower- man, then president of the senate, became acting governor.
18
TUESDAY The resignation of Gov. Lane having become effective this date in 1850, Kintzing Pritchett, who had been secretary under the regime, became ex-officio governor of the state and held the office for sixty days. In 1863 the Statesman had completed its removal from Oregon City to Salem in its race to keep up with the capital; and one year later Appleton's new American Cyclopedia made its first appearance in Portland. After that, people knew more, and, this date in 1867, discovered coal at the mouth of the Columbia, and good cement rock close by. Nothing like a good cyclopedia, even if net everybody can use it*** In 1899 the first Presbyterian Church in Portland was dedicated on this date, and in 1904 Trinity Church, also in Portland, celebrated its fifteenth anniversary and laid the cornerstone of a new church.
19
WEDNESDAY Portlanders were entertained this date in 1852 by the wonderful voice of Madame Otto Goldschmidt, better known to the world as Jenny Lind, the "Swedish Nightingale;" but it was not until 1867 that the first organ harminiumB appeared in the state * * * The Dalles Optimist, published at The Dalles, appeared this date in 1906*** Margaret Sanger, in 1916, lectured in Port- land on birth control and was placed under arrest, charged with circulating obscene literature in the sale of her book, Family Limitations.
Consider now the hard-shelled crab; its Manners are not etiquettish. Of rankly anti-social habits, It makes of truculence a fetish. Yet, it has virtue; while we royster, And merely wish for great success, The Crab declares the world's its oyster, And eals the world each day, no less.
38
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
20
21
22
23
24 25
THURSDAY There may be no one left at The Dalles to remember, but this date in 1862 all business was at a standstill there as high water washed out Main Street with great destruction of property
* * * In 1871, Portland was dunked in Willamette water, Front Street being flooded as far north as Stark Street, but in those days Willamette was not as yet fata'i to life, so Portland grew in spite of her foot bath * * * On this date in 1881, Portland's mayor, Thompson, and his opponent, Joseph Simon, candidates for the mayor's office at the n^unicipal election, each received 1783 votes, which was very unsatisfactory to botn. Later, Thompson resigned.
FRIDAY This date in 1851 the Oregonian reported that doctors were complaining about the excellent state of health in Portland, and that quinine was "a drugi on the market," so to speak, because the people would not even shake with ague. Everybody thrived except the doctor and the undertaker. People were so boisterous that the council resolved to build a jail forthwith * * * In 1880, the eyes of Portlander were dazzled by the first sight of the steamer Columbia all aglow with electric incandescent lamps, and that was sixty years ago.
SATURDAY This date in 1844, C'latsop County was created and named for an Ir.dian nation which lived in the section * * * In 1874, Wm. E. Howe, of Albany, secured a patent on a pencil sharpener
* * * In 1920, the Shrine convention of 75,000 began in Portland, concurrent with the Rose Festival, and there were ninety bands in the parade. What a day! What a night'!
SUNDAY This date in 1851 occurred the battle of Table Rock * * * In 1874 the government authorized the construction of Cascade Locks * * * In 1877 the Oregon Furniture Factory in Portand was burned * * * Pacific College at Newberg was incorporated this date in 1891*** In 1908 Hood River County was created and named for the Hood River; and even without this almanac you would know that it is summer.
MONDAY This date in 1844 the first prohibition law in the Union was enacted in Oregon * * * The first Masonic meeting in Portland was held this date in 1850*** The development of the iron mUes at St. Helens was commenced in 1865 * * * In 1868, the Masonic Lodge at Lebanon was organized.
TUESDAY In 1844, this date brought about the passage, by the provisional government of Oregon, of the first taxi law in the terri- tory, by which a tax was placed on "all merchandise brought into this country for sale," improvements, livestock, etc. There was no penalty for non-payment except loss of franchise. It fixed a head or poll tax on each male citizen over 21, but no tax on land. Any person refusing to pay the tax was denied the privileges and advantages of citizenship and the benefits of the law.
Geographers, we herewith warn ya —
Crater Lake ain't in California!
Cease and desist, or we'll claim the Atlantic —
And drive all the Rands and McNally's frantic!
39
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
26
27
28
29 30
rr
WEDNESDAY The weight of 557 tons of salt piled on a doc : en the Portland waterfront precipitated the dock, salt and all, irto the Willamette, enabling Portlanders to hook salt fish right out of the brine at their back doors. The loss, about $10,000, which was not compensated by the gain, took place in 1882 * * * In 1904, exite- ment was at its height concerning the recent gold strike at Gray- back mountain, in Josephine County, reports having it as rich as the Klondike * * * This date in 1911 brought death to Dav d Camp- bell, Portland fireman, killed in line of duty by explosion of oil. His name is commemorated in one of Portland's fire boats, but to many the greater interest hinges upon his celebrated fight with the non-pareil Jack Dempsey on a barge in the Willamette River.
THURSDAY In 1868, this date marked the begi-ning of con- struction of a new white brick block on Front and Morrison streets in Portland, and was that an event? * * * In 1896, fire damaged the plant of the Willamette Steam M'll Lumber and Manufacturing Company, in Portland, with a loss of abo^t $15\000 * * * In 1904, <frost damaged gardens in the district south of Eugene severely and unprecedentedly.
FRIDAY Progress on the ccnstrnction of the Oregon Cen'rr.l M'li tary Road from Eugene to Owyhee was reported this datj in 1865, the road being completed for 26 miles from Eugene, and over 375 yet to go* * * Portland was busy v;atchi: g a g^ng of men improv- ing Front Street south pf Morrison, determine 1 that the cUy should have "one passable street." * * * In 1908 Reed College was incor- porated * * * In 1924, Rainier suffered a fire loss of about $200,000.
SATURDAY This date in 1870 marked the end of hopes and ihe beginning of disappointment for many people wlun the government ordered the cessation of all work on the mint at The Dalles, which had just been completed at a cost of $100,000. The mi t never operated, due to the diminishing supply of gold.
SUNDAY The discovery of a fossil tooth in a creek near Rainier this date in 1871 was made by Dean Blanchard and created much interest. Later explorations have revealed that Oregon has some of the richest fossil fields krown in the world, and represents the oldest land on the globe. In 1897 Portland welcomed the naval monitors, Monterey and Monaclnock * * * Elisha Hiram Lewis, pio- neer and founder of Union, Oregon, died, this date in 1908.
THOUGHT VERY VERY EARLY ON A JUNE MORNING
I would I were writing lyrics in which June right ; hymed, by coin- cidence no
Matter how awful, with moon-light,
And selling such atrocities to song publishers who would pay me Enough so that I could, when so moved, lay me Between the sheets each A. M. until noon-light.
40
AX OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
JULY
Take comfort What goes up
In the hot month of July Temperatures go soaring high, But while the mercury rockets
in the sweltering town,
must come down —
Though probably not so 'far as my spirits or my pockets.
1
MONDAY "No law shall be passed restraining the free expression of opinion, or restricting the right to speak, write or print freely on any subject whatever." — Oregon Bill of Rights * * * Th:s date in 1918 a Heppner ordinance made it "unlawful for ary male person, physically fit to perform some useful service, to remain idle during the period of the war." And then the war ended.
TUESDAY Two carriers commenced delivery of mail in Salem this date in 1887, and on the same day the Telephone, called the fastest stern wheeler in the world, went from Portland to AsLtria in four hours, thirty-four and one-half minutes, which did not prevent it from burning a few months later.
WEDNESDAY This date in 1850 the Columbia the first steamboat built in Oregon, made its trial trip ***Inl898 the battleship Ore- gon participated in the battle of Santiago * * * For a brief time in 1923 the capital of the U. S. was on the summit of the Blue Moun- tains near Meacham where 20,000 people witnessed the dedication of the Oregon Trail Monument at Emigrant Springs by President Harding.
years old when Oregon first cele- in 1846 * * * Patriotism was
THURSDAY The Nation was 70 brated the anniversary at Oregon City the order of the day and the theme of the festivities. No fat- alities were reported ***Inl909 Bend served 3,500 barbecued trout to celebrants, which was approved by all except the trout, who were saucy about the whole affair.
FRIDAY On this date in 1843, at a meeting of the pioneers held at Champoeg, a provisional gov- ernment was organized aid a code of laws chosen for that purpose, was adopted. Oregon was divid- ed into four districts, later chang- ed to counties. They were Clack- amas, Yamhill, Champoeg and
Tuality. An executive committee of three men having the powers of governor was chosen. These were Joseph Gale, David Hill and Alanson Beers. Girls were allowed to marry at 14, boys at 16 years.
OWED TO JULY FOUR
This day the patriotic cit. Wil'i celebrate in noisy manner Our rev. against Geo. Ill and Brit. And under many a starry banner Unfurled upon the sultry wind. Great orators, both Rep. and Dem. Praise those who auth'ed the Dec. of Ind. Including the Adams, Jno. and Sm.
41
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 194O
8
10
11
SATURDAY Captain John Hears in .the Felice, off the coast oppo- site the mouth of the Columbia this date in 1788, hesitated on account of unfavorable weather to go close enough to the land to make the discovery which would probably have sealed the Oregon Country to Great Britain. He r.amed Cape Disappointment, but the mouth of the river he called Deception Bay, stating as his opinion that the St. Roc, as the Spanish called the Columbia did not exist.
SUNDAY In no respect are Oregon newspapers second to those of other States. This date in 1893 it was reported that a poor man with one suit of clothes, and those shabby, went into the rewspaper business with such success that within a year he had actually ac cumulated seven more suits as well as adding to the shabbiness of the original one. The seven suits were for libel, and probab'ly some of them were rather shabby, too * * * 1877, Weekly Astorian: — .-"We are glad to learn that the post office department have ^ot it through their wool at last that Astoria is a city of some conse- quence. The office at this place will in a short time be greatly enlarged and provided with an increase in lock-boxes, with a sep- arate delivery window for ladies."
MONDAY The first vessel built on the Columbia, the schooner Vancouver, sailed this date in 1830 for a trading voyage to the Fraser River ***In 1850 the first steamer visited Portland harbor It was the Columbia, then but recently launched at Astoria * * * In 1834 Ewing Young brought horses from California to the Willam- ette Valley, the ponies o^f the Indians not being satisfactory for draft animals for faim purposes.
TUESDAY A date noteworthy in navigation for the wreck on Dux- bury Reef of the Western Shore in 1878. The vessel was launched at Coos Bay in 1874, the largest sailing vessel yet constructed on the Pacific Coast, and established a speed record by sailing from Portland to Liverpool in 101 days * * * Also, this date in 1938, the Charles L. Wheeler the first deep-sea freighter to reach Tha Dalles, took a cargo of wheat there.
WEDNESDAY This date in 1824, Dr. John McLaughlin was ap- pointed Chief Factor of the Hudson's Bay Company by the British Governor, George Simpson, a position w.ach he filled until 1846 * * * In 1927 Oregon was host to over 150 soil experts from 30 coun- tries, none of whom had anything in the way of soil over one small boy of our acquaintance.
THURSDAY Disaster overtook the Morning Star this date in 1849, when it was wrecked in Baker's Bay, with the loss of one man, but the cargo was saved * * * The/ editor of an Oregon paper, in!882, informed his readers that "We have acumulated, since we have been in Oregon, one ton of gold" * * * In 1912 the Governor pro- claimed the day a state holiday! The Elks held a parade in Port- land.
LAMENT OF A DELAYED PAY-DAY
Where to so this week-end? Ponders thus my Peaches!
No where; we've no dough to spend; Unless the eagle screeches.
42
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
12
FRIDAY One of Oregon's early educational institutions, the La Creole Academic Institution, was established on the present site of Dallas this date in 1855 * * * In 1878 the Marion County Court was considering the Goddess of Liberty on the Court House could get along without a man — the night watchman who had been employ- ed to protect her.
13 14
15
16
SATURDAY The shipyard at St. Helens had turned out an excep- tional job in the shape of the new motorship, City of Portland,
recently launched and equipped and ready 'for her trial trip which she took this date in 1916 as far as Portland without untoward incident.
SUNDAY Terrific Collision— "On last Friday night, July 14, 188T. the steamship Brother Jonathan, S. I. DeWolf, commander, bound down, and the barkentine Jane A. Falkinburg, Capt. Wasa, bound up, ran together in the Columbia river a short distance beicw St. Helens * *-* The Falkinburg was passirg land at the rate of three miles per hour, against a current of three knots, under a strong breeze * * * The damage to the vessel is about $2,000' — Morning Oregonian, Vol. 5, No. 138, p. 1, col. 3, p. 6 * * * Samuel Kimbrough Barlow, who built the Baricw road, died at Canemah. H.J was born Jan. 24, 1795.
MONDAY The historic Liberty Bell, en route to Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco, spent five hours in Portland this date in 1915. It was taken to the Court House yard where it was viewed by a throng of people estimated at 60,000 i number * * * In 1926 Ezra Meeker traveled in an automobile over the identical Old Oregon Trail which he had followed with an ox team in 1852.
TUESDAY A doub'ie wedding was the event of the date in 1837, and it was the first all white wedding in the Oregon country.. Jason Lee and Anna Maria Pitman took their mutual vows while Cyrus Shep- herd and Susan Downing gave the affirmative answers to the well- known questions, Rev. Daniel Lee officiating for both ceremonies. The ceremony was intended as an example for the Indians, to whom the whites had come as missionaries.
WEDNESDAY Eva Emery Dye, Oregon historical writer, perhaps best known as the author of McLaughlin and Old Oregon, was born this date in 1855 * * * In 1865 the Street Commissioner in Portland asked permission to construct surface sewers through which sewage might flow into the river, where it still flows, to the great detriment of the fish.
The "Humaniphone" was a popu- lar musical (?) instrument in Oregon in the 60's.
43
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 194O
18
THURSDAY This date in 1841 witnessed the wreck of the United States sloop of war, Peacock, on the sand spit at the mouth of the Columbia River. The spit took its name from this event and ever since then the people of the neighborhood have been able to see a Peacock spit any clear day. Dowager Queen Marie, of Roumania, who visited Oregon in 1926, died this date in 1938.
19
FRIDAY An Indian tried in Circuit Court on a charge of steali g a mare and colt worth $10.00 was convicted and sentence-1 to serv^ t- re years in the penitentiary. This happened in Wasco County in 1865 ***Inl895a fish way was planned for the Clackamas River dam — a six-foot gap from top to bottom, to avoid scraping the scaljs off the fish as they passed through.
20 21
SATURDAY Tbjs date in 1858 the county court of Jackson County allowed a bill of $8.00 a day fo"r taking care of one pauper, and $200.00 a month for six months for the care of another pauper, and no remarks from the gallery, please.
SUNDAY The Pioneer, the first locomotive for the new Yamhill rail- road, was shipped by steamer McMinnville to Dayton this date in 1878 * * * In 1905, it was a great day for Rainier, seeing the publication of the first issue of the Rainier Review * * * In 1912, the -first train crossed the new bridge built at Portland for the Oregon, Washington Railroad & Navigation Company.
LEO, THE LION
Lions are shot at in the jungle, And Lions, dead, are forced to pungle Their hides and manes up to the Tax- idermist, without any pax Vobiscum said for their leave-taking, No wonder Lions' hearts are breaking. Although he may be fierce, and wily A Lion leads no life of Riley; And though they'll maybe eat you, grinning, They are more skinned against than skinning.
An ounce of gold frequently was used to buy an ounce of salt in the go2d rush days (1852). Wheat was as high as $24 per bushel. Salt was worth about $16 per ounce.
44
AN OREGON AI : IAN AC FOR 1940
22
23
24 25
26 27
MONDAY Perhaps they were more plentiful by this time, bu i - 1859 Mu'-tnomah County co.i.racted for the "keep," "care" and "furnish" of its paupers "wirh comfortable board, lodging, washing, and nec- es.-j:.ry medical attendance for the sum of seventy-two cents each per day." * * * In 1851. the Oregon Statesman mentioned that a carding machine was in operation in the Santiam settlement, the first in the territory.
TUESDAY Charles H. Dexter became the first postmaster at Seaside upo ! h establishment of the postoffice at that place in 1873 * * * In 18 9 o the killing and packing of horses for food was comme ced in the abattoir at Linnton, when they began daubin' old Dobbin all over the place. The meat was intended principally :for export but the residue for home consumption — as fertilizer.
WEDNESDAY An insane Portlander, whose name doesn't make any difference anyway, committed suicide this date in 1895 by thrusting his throat av^iinst a revolving circular saw, which was just as effective as it he hnd been sa^ne.
THURSDAY After discovering and naming the Columbia River, Cap- tain Gray, on his ship, the Columbia, arrived back in Bosto : this date in 1793, the first American to circumnavigate the globe * * * Provi- sional government became effective in 1845 * * * In 1865 an explosion L Portland created considerable excitement, especially after it was discovered that it was a cask of currants which had "worked," and b'.'own up.
FRIDAY One year and ten days after her marriage to Jason Lee, this date in 1838, Anna Maria Pitman Lee died, leaving an infant daughter * * * In 1852, Governor Gaines called a special session of the state legislature, which after convening, remained in session for four days and finally adjourned, having in that time accomplish- ed exactly nothing.
SATURDAY This date in 1834, Rev. Jason Lee, the first Metho- dist missionary in Oregon, delivered the first sermon preached west of the Rocky Mountains, to an audience made up of Indians speak- ing- many languages, French trappers and others whose interests was better than their understanding * * * In 1883 an Astorian was fined $50 ^nd costs for "keeping a restaurant open" after midnight.
Oregon women were responsible for their men coming out of the bush.
45
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 194O
28
29
30 31
SUNDAY In 1839 the British naval survey ship Sulphur, Captain Sir Edward Belcher, commanding, and accompanied by the sloop Starling, anchored off the site of Port George, and reported that "not a vestige of the original trading post remained." * * * In 1866 Congress repealed the law which authorized a mint at The Dalles. The mint was built but never operated. The building still sta: ds.
MONDAY The exporting phase of Oregon's far-famed salmon in- dustry began this date in 1830 when the brig Owyhee, under com- mand of Capt. Dominis, left the Columbia River with a load of salmon ***in 1900 an ambitious forest fire on the north side of Mt. Jefferson threw sparks into fields many miles away on the Warm Springs Indian reservation, burning several hundred arces of hay.
TUESDAY Overloaded with passengers and freight and taken to sea under protest of her captain, the steamer Brother Jonathan was wrecked on a hidden reef near Crescent City, Calif., and only 19 out of nearly 200 on board were saved This was in 1865 * * * In 1900 the steamer Frederick K. Billings was wrecked in the Columbia River a few miles above Celilo.
WEDNESDAY This date in 1854 the resignation of Ulysses S. Grant from liis arn. j commission as Assistant Quartermaster at Fort Vancouver became effective ***in 1858 the Carrie Ladd was launched below the falls at Oregon City ***in 1895 the Portland Sun, a daily newspaper, ceased publication because of financial dif- ficulties.
ADOIS, MES DE JULIO
Farewell, oh month of brave vacations. Next week we'l'i live on shorter rations, Recalling, with nostalgic sighing Sweet blisses of this month that's dying: The fish that would not bite, though bid By costly lures; the bugs that did, The flaming suns by which we fried, The pallid moons by which we lied To maidens who, each shallow chit, Would not believe one word of it!
THE LAW IS THE LAW IS THE LAW IS THE LAW, WE HOPE
A Lexington. Oregon, town ordinance, passi d In eariy days, decreed that in dancing "there must be six inches between a man and wo- man at all times except their hands." The ordinance was repealed in 1921.
A Boardman, Oregon, ordinance passed i:: 1921, required all dwell- ings and business places to face the north, south, or west, in Blocks Number 1 and 10.
On July 5, 1880, the Keystone restaurant, First and Salmon streets served beefsteak, potatoes, bread and butter and a cup of tha "best coffee in Portland" all for fifteen cents.
46
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
AUGUST
August really is a cinch for the weather forecasters; Any time, in a pinch, they can prove they're fasters, And just by doing r.aught, 'for, at their very naughtest, They safely bet it will be hot — if not hotter or hottest.
1
THURSDAY On this date in 1770, William Clark was born. He became a soldier, explorer, engineer and statesman, and accomp- anied Meriwether Lewis on the expedition to the Pacific to which they gave their names. It is rumored that they called him "Bill' because he came on the first of the month.
FRIDAY The first freight was carried on the Columbia River this date in 1811 when/ a party from the Astor Fur Company's settle- ment at Astoria took a shipment of supplies and traders' goods as far up the river as the Celilo portage * * * The name "Dallas" was given to the town of Cynthian, in 1851, and it stuck * * * In 1873, fire in Portland destroyed 22 blocks of homes and business build- ings with a loss of $1,500,000.
SATURDAY The steel bridge across the Willamette at Portland was opened to the public this date in 1895 * * * In 1906 the first daily paper ir Klamath Falls was published under the name of the Evening HeraTd under which it still continues **»In 1906, Day- ton suffered a $30,000 fire in the business section.
In Territorial Days, prisoners were auctioned off to work for the highest bidders.
TOO SLUG MALONC E>
SUNDAY Mount Hoed was first climbed, according to the Oregonian,
this date in 1854 by a party led by Capt. Barlow * * * Eight years later the first postage stamps arrived in the state * * * In 1914, John \V. Logan was sentenced to 20 mouths on McNeil's Island because of land frauds.
The name La Grande was suggested by Dause, a French-Canadian, in recognition of the beauty o-f the Grande Itande valley in Union county. The city grew Up around the house of Ben Brown which had^ been converted into a tavern, and was first called Brown Town and Brownsville. Upon establishment of a post office in 1863, the rame was changed to La Grande as there was another Brownsville in the state.
47
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 194O
MONDAY The earliest endorsement of the principle of the referen- dum was on this date in 1846 when the Legislative Committee of the Provisional Government adopted a resolution offered by Jesse Apple- gate to the effect that the people of Oregon were not bound by acts not expressly authorized by the Organic Act of 1843 * * * In 1846 President Polk signed a treaty with the English government, under the terms oFwhich Oregon became a part of the United States.
TUESDAY This date in 1827 marked the ratification of the treaty by which the United States and Great Britian agreed to joint oc upa- tion of the Oregon territory * * * In 1850 the mouth of the Umpqua River was discovered by gold hunters from Calif orria * * * In 1854, the chances of being stung in Oregon were greatly increased by the arrival of the first honey-bees to be brought across the plains * * * In 1914 a Portlander lighted a match to find a gas leak in his basemert, with the to-have-been-expected results. The noise was heard seven miles away, and nothing has been exactly the same since.
WEDNESDAY In 1865 a fine of $5.00 and costs was assessed against one Capt. DeWitt who rode his horse on the sidewalk. Horsemen of the time were afraid that the cobble pavement would split the hoofs of their unshod horses and preferred to be fined rather than to use them * * * The first moving picture was shown in Portland this date in 1897 — -the inauguration of President McKinley.
8
THURSDAY A group of Snake Indians suffered defeat this date in 18GO, at the hands of an expedition of U. S. troops under command of Major E. Steen, who met them near the top of the mountains which now bears his name, Steen's Mountains ***Inl914, the only American flag in Portland harbor which was not flown at half mast in respect for the wife of Presi- dent Wilson who had died two days earlier was that on the U. S. Cruiser, Boston.
FRIDAY The Lady Washington under Capt. Robt. Gray, touched at Alsea Bay this date in 1788 * * In 1839 Capt. Sir Edward Belcher, of the British naval ship Sulphur, at Vancouver, foretold the Ameri- can settlement of Oregon * * * In 1879 the Portland and Tualatin Water Co. was incorporated, to supply Portland with "good, wholesome water."
The Dalles in Wasco county was first called Wascopam, Indian name significant of the bowl-like arrangement of the canyon wafts sur- rounding the city.
The present name of the city originated with French voyageurs of the Hudson's Bay Company who found a resemblance between the flat basaltic rocks hemming in the narrow channel of the Columbia aid the flagstones (les dalles) of their native village streets.
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
10
11 12
SATURDAY Portlandcrs were serenaded with a cow-bell chorus this date in 1865, when a herd of cattle was driven through the city, each one wearing a bell ***In 1912, the first U. S. mail w?,s carried out of Oregon by plane, when a packet of 25 Ibs. was taken from Portland to Vancouver in 13 minutes * * * Philip Snowden, M. P., English political leader, and his wife, visited in Oregon in 1914; and the N. E. A. erected a memorial in Oregon City to the Spectator, the first newspaper west of the Rockies.
SUNDAY A grasshopper invasion is a rare event in Oregon, but it happened in 1855 and again in 1939*** The first hydraulic ram in the state was installed this date in 1860 in Jacksonville * * * In 1913, a murderer was pardoned for 20 years' good conduct.
MONDAY Capt. Robt. Gray anchored the Lady Washington off the Oregon Coast this date in 1788; the first white foot stood on Oregon soil when, near Devil's Lake, the crew took wood * * * Seventeen years later the Lewis & Clark party crossed the summit of the Rockies into the Oregon Courtry * * * Four eventful decades passed, and in 1845 the provisional legislature, to save the work in- cident to the making of new laws, adopted tne Iowa statutes entire for Oregon.
X U lliSJ
1 O fcr|s,i
[,5 »»-*
^^m ^*^^ -I- r\T\T\r\cc\
14
15
TUESDAY This date in 1844 the Oregon Institute opened its doors .u^ents ***in 1848, Oregon became a territory after a fiery lit session of the Senate, at which southern senators bitterly " opposed the passage of the bill, which expressly prohibited slavery * * * Just one year later the first session of the U. S. District Court was held at Saiem * * * In 1898, it was an Oregonian, G. W. Povey, who raised the American flag over Manila.
WEDNESDAY This date ir 1850, the U. S. sloop-of-war Falmouth arrived at Astoria, completing a nine-month journey around Cape Horn, and bringing Oregon's newly appointed governor, John P. Gaines, and the new territorial secretary, Edward Hamilton * * * In 1845 a committee of the provisional legislature wrote to Dr. Mc- Lough'iin, askirg whether Hudson's Bay Co. employes might partic- ipate in the government of Oregon.
^THURSDAY Dr. McLouglilin replied to the communication of the previous day, this date in 1845, to the effect that H. B. Co. employes were free to participate in the provisional government *** Mount Hood was first ascended from the North in 1887 by a party of three led by Newton Clark, for whom Clark glacier is named * * * "Bobbie" Silverton collie, was ost in Indiana this date (See Nov. 30.)
Early explorers, pioneers, rnd settlers were severely taxed to find suitable names for the thousands of rivers, creeks, lakes, marshes, mountains, buttes and meadows 'found in Oregon. Some of thes names— Hardscrobble, Lickskiliet, Duckegg and Shoo-fly sef m fan- tastic or odd to us today, but they meant something to the ones who bestowed them.
Hoquarton was the first name of the city now known as Tillamook. This was a derivative of the Indian "tower quatton." Later it was changed to Lincoln. Tillamook is named for a tribe of In- dians, the Killamucks, or Kilamox. There were numerous other spel'iings, but the present Tillamook is the Anglicized phonetic spelling of the Indian name.
49
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 194O
16
FRIDAY An adopted son of Elijah White was drowned on horse- back this date in 1839, which should be a lesson to somebody * * * In 1853 the "Lost Train" of immigrants, led by A. J. Babb, sought a short route across the Cascades to the Willamette Valley and almost perished after Babb deserted them.
17
18
SATURDAY This date in 1775, Heceta, the Spanish explorer, looked into the mouth of the Col- umbia River but supposed it to be merely a Sarge bay * * * In 1857 the Constitutional Conven- tion was opened in Salem by Judge M. P. Deady ***In 1888 Summerville was practically de- stroyed by fire * * * The Long Creek Ranger was born, 1900.
SUNDAY This date in 1774 Me- riwether Lewis was born. He became the private secretary to President Jefferson, who chose him as the leader of the expedi- tion to which he and his close
friend, William Clark, who shared his leadership, gave their names * * * The first white honeymooners in Oregon, Jason Lee and Cyrus Shepard and their wives, started a trip to the Lincoln County beach. They were four days going, four days there and four days coming back * * * In 1850, the newly-appointed Governor of Oregon Territory, John P. Gaines, took his seat ***Inl913 Franklyn K. Lane, Secre- tary of the Interior, visited Portland and the Oregon country.
19
MONDAY In 1818, Captain James Biddle made this date noteworthy to historians by taking official possession of the Columbia River and its basin in the name of the United States * * * In 1853, Mt. St. Helens, which, believe it or not, was at that time in Orego.. , was first as- cended.
20
TUESDAY 1856, Republican party in Oregon organized at Albany and adopted a platform declaring for "free speech, free labor, a free press, and Fremont." * * * A trip for the purpose of explor ng the Coast Range as far as Alsea Bay was undertaken this date in 1849 by Lt. Theodore Talbot, of the Artillery * * *In 1856, Col. Steptoe issued a proclamation forbidding settlers to occupy lands which had been reserved for the Indians. Disobedience of this order on the part of the settlers gave rise to much trouble with the Indians.
The name Sweet Home on a map brings to mind a peaceful little town in a peaceful valley. The town however was first called Buck Head after the Buck Head saloon, scene of heavy drinking which fre- quently caused trouble. Once a quarrel between neighbors over a trivial matter ended in two killings. One man was carried to the saloon steps where he died. Several other men were killed at this frontier village in what is now Linn county.
50
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
21
WEDNESDAY Portland received her second postmaster this date in 1850 in the person of E. B. Comfort. As he had no stamps to sell nor carriers to control, his name was quite appropriate ***In 1883 Portland and Henry Ward Beecher entertained each other * * * Seven years later work commenced on the Union Depot, to be completed by and by.
Mother may I go out to swim?
Yes, my darling daughter —
At any beach in Portland,
Or the green Pacific water
At half a hundred 6each resorts
Where the yellow sands are fretted
By summer winds — and the sun is high
And goodly, sums are betted
That the maid whose skin is white at noon,
Will find, in a pale moonrise,
Herself turned redder than a rose,
Or the blushing sunset skies.
22
23
THURSDAY The influx of Americans to Oregon, following the settlement of the boundry dispute began with the arrival at The Da^es, this date in 1847, of the first immigrants* * * In 1879 the Willamette channel was marked by buoys, increasing tSe safety of river transportation ***Inl929 the Farragut, U. S. Destroyer, was the first ocean-going vessel to dock at Portland's new sea-wall * * * In 1934 the dirigible Macon sai'ied majestically over Oregon on her way to her southern base.
FRIDAY A party of Shasta Indians under chief Sam attacked settlers on upper Grave Creek, killing two and wounding four. Having no owrership of land, the Indians were unable to understand and re- sented the white man's idea of exclusive possession. This was one of tho events which led to the Rogue River Indian War.
Hardman in Morrow county, called so today for the man who was the town's first postmaster, was once officially Dairyville, but commo ly known as Rawdog. Later having united with its former rival village, Yaller Dog, a mile away, it was called Dogtown.
On hot and sticky August days, The boiling sun's actinic rays In Portland filter through the haze Of smoke from many a forest blaze.
51
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 194O
24
25
26 27
28
SATURDAY Wm. T' Vault, with a party of 23 men explored the in- terior back of Port Orford in 1851. Ambushed by Indians, on'iy ore of the party, with T'Vault, escaped * * * In 1875 Portland1 had a popu- lation of 11,500 * * * In 1879 the Vindicator, an East Portland news- paper, appeared * * * The Willamina Times was first published in 1909 * * * In 1929 a tablet set in the wall of the Vista House at Ciown Point was dedicated to the memory of Lt. Wm. Broughton, the first white man to explore the Columbia as far as the Point, and the dis- coverer of Mt. Hood. The ceremony was participated in by British ard U. S. troops as well as sailors and marines.
SUNDAY Had not Sacajawea done her good deed like a good scout this day in 1805 the Lewis & Clark expedition had been stranded, far from the haunts of men. She overheard that the Indian porters accompanying the expedition were planning to take the horses and go for a buffalo hunt, which would have left the party without means of transportation. Capt. Lewis was able to use the i formation and avert the disaster.
MONDAY This date in 1906 died Milo M. Cushing, wlio built the first steamboat on the Columbia east of Cascade Locks * * * Work commenced on the construction of the Multnomah County courthouse in 1909 * * * The Hood River Co. Sun first issued i 1936.
TUESDAY The schooner Star of Oregon, was launched at Swan Island, in the Willamette River, this date in 1841. Built by farm- ers, she was sailed to California and traded for cattle, horses and mules, much needed in the Willamette valley * * * The cornerstone of the Portland Turn Verein was laid in 1874.
WEDNESDAY This date in 1852 a stage line between Salem and Champoeg was inaugurated * * * In 1878 the Columbia was becoming so important to navigation by ocean-going vessels that a Federal dredge opened the channel to 19 feet through St. Helens bar * * * Ac Lena, in Morrow County. J. C. Franklin announced the invention of a rotary augur which would bore a square hole, perhaps with the idea of providing for all of the square pegs in 1880 * * * In 1909 the Y. M. C. A. in Portland removed to its new home at Sixth and Taylor Streets.
In early years in order to load river craft along the Columbia between The Dalles and the Deschutes river, it was necessary to let the freight wagon bodies down from the steep, perpendicular cliffs by means of ropes. Near the present site of Celilo there is a narrow cleft in the row of rimrock and this chute formed a natural track for the loaded vans.
The natty straw you bought last May That looked so trim and chic, By now is very much passe And will lose you many a trick.
52
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
29
30
THURSDAY This date in 184) the American flag was first ui?- furlert over the Star of Oregon-, launched two days before at Swan Island ***Inl868 the manufac- ture of plows was undertaken in Portland * * * The phonograph was first shown in Oregon, 1878.
FRIDAY The first Baptist Church in Portland is eighty years old to- day; and seventy years ago the Congregational Church started a new edifice in the city. Sixty years ago the Oregon Humane Society was incorporated. Sub- tract to find the dates.
31
SATURDAY The Rotarians organized this date In Portland in 1910 * * * In 1914, Mayor W. F. Matlock of Pendleton died * * * In 1875 a great reception was given to Gen. Phil Sheridan on his return to Oregon on board t.ie Orlflame.
WANTED 500 CATS — IN GOOD CONDITION
For which the highest price will be paid in goods, if delivered by the 10th day of May. Not le.ss than Ten Cats taken from any ono person. Dement & Winston., Oregon City — From the Oregon Statesman, 1851.
From the Spectator, 1846: "Plow! Plow! for every one to atter.d to his own business.
Plow! — $10.00 Reward
The subscriber begs leave to inform the public at large, that he has (stnb'ished himself in tho blar ksmithing in general, in Oregon City, whc-rj he will keep on hand an assortment of Plows, wh ch cannot be r.u pass' I in :he States. Persons wishing to purchase plows can be accommo ated with them, finished or unfinished. Also, Patent Pitch Fc ks, Hoes, Axes, ard all kinds of mechanic tools. As the subscriber has had 'long experience in machinery, he feels himself com- petent to exscute all kinds of the best approved patents.
Gentlemen wishing to purchase any of the above articles, will do well to call and examine for themselves on Main street, Oregon City.
C. C. Ingles."
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 194O
1
SEPTEMBER
Went to bed in August; slept. Rose from repose; it was Sept. Morning bright and fresh and dewy T.hought while bathing: Life is screwy. August's bills just coming due, After all its 'fun is through; Why can't we reverse the log — Sleep, and wake up back in Aug?
SUNDAY 1811, the Pacific Fur Company established a fort at Okanagan * * * Thirty years later, on this date, Sir George Simp- son, Governor of Hudson Bay Company territory visited Oregon country * * * 1849, Beaver Coins ordered discontinued: $6.000 In $5.00, and $2850 in $10 * * * 1892, City Cable Company incorpor- ated.
MONDAY A-TEN-SHUN! 1849, General Persifer F. Smith in com- mand of Pacific division arrives to select sites for additional army posts * * * 1852, this day saw the arrival of a most capable young lady whosw success was unparalleled in handling the successful exponents of the arts of bean blowing and throwing spit balls — Abigail M. Clarke, one of the first feminine teachers in Portland public schools * * * The same day the last conference of the Meth- odist Oregon and California Mission ended * * * 1888, The Dalles saw two business blocks burn * * * In 1917 the 3rd Oregon In- fantry and N. G. Units incorporated into the Sunset Division of the Army.
A. F. L. and C. I. O.
On this morning, peaceful, go
Parading forth in mightly bliss Armies vast, in armistice. John L. Lewis' brows relax Messers Frey and Woll shout "Pax," And Wm. Green holds back a barb he Fashioned for the N. L. R. B.
TUESDAY 1851, Methodist Mission conference appointed a c-om- mittee of five; J. H. Wilbur, C. S. Kingsley, N. Doane, F. S. Hoyt. William Roberts to secure from Oregon territory and legislature incorporation of Oregon Institute and University-*-*-*-! 8 61, fire practically destroyed Kerbyville, now shortened to Kerby * * * Dr. John McLoughlin, 'F'ather of Oregon" and friend of early day settlers, died in 1857.
WEDNESDAY 1850, at the recent meeting of the Oregon Insti- tute Rev. F. S. Hoyt and Rev. Nehemiah appointed teachers. Both were noted religious leaders of their day * * * 1851, John Mc- Loughlin and John S. Howard took the oath of naturalizatior as citizens of the United States*** 18 77, Taylor's bridga across the Tua- latin boughtby Washington county for $400, ard now, my friends, 'tis free.
54
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
5
THURSDAY 1849, the first school bill was passed, and irreducible school fund created * * * Ministers met in Oregon Institute in Salem to organize the Oregon and California Mission Conference * * * 1853, Jackson County opened its first court with Hon. M. P. Deady as pre- siding judge * * * 1850, Rev. Wilson Blain, early editor of Oregon's first newspaper, the Spectator, resigned * * * 1857McMinnville Col- lege established.
FRKAY 1865, remains of some of the victims of the sunken Brother Jonathan arrived today * * * 1870, Bishop Scott Grammar and Divirity school opened * * * 1889, fire destroyed entire business section of Linkville, two years 'later named Klamath Falls. 1915, Labor Day celebrated by thousands — bricklayers by throwing the hod at an athletic contest.
SATURDAY 1866, residents of the upper John Day Valley, includ- ing Strawberry and Dixie Creek, ask that U. S. Troops be stationed in that section as protection against hostile Indians * * * 1865, local paper warns Portlanders that the "light 'fingered gentry are again on the rounds;" same day a valuable load of much needed timber arrived on the steamer John H. Couch * * * 1915, Benson park was dedicated to the common people.
8
SUNDAY 1810, W. H. Gray, fa- mous early Oregon surgeon, born. Performed first skull operation in Oregon * * * 1851, last meeting of Masonic Lodge under jurisdiction of Grand Lod'ge of California "took place" * * * 1853, Indians sel'l Rogue River Valley for $60,- 000.
MONDAY 1849, school districts were formulate.! * * * 1851, epo- chal day for Albany — their first steamship the Multnomah, arrived * * * 1885, Friends Pacific College established at Newberg * * * 1891, this day saw street cars to Will- amette heights for first time.
10
TUESDAY In 1846, Salem recorded the first sale of property * * * The U. S. Schooner Shark wrecked ou Clatsop spit, a part of the deck bearing three cannons washed ashore. The beach has since been ca'iied Cannon Beach * * * 1853, Peace Treaty made with In- dians on Rogue River at Fort Lane by General Joseph Lane * * * 18T,G, the Board adopted a constitution for Willamette University.
CONSTANCY
My August love, now it's September, Still burns, a bright undying flame. I'd write her. if I could remember The zany's address, or her name.
55
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 194O
11
12
13 14
15 16
17
WEDNESDAY School days — if you're forty, ah! Nostalgia! If you're ten, ah! Naseum! * * * Historically speaking, in 1848 a charter, granted to Multnomah Lodge No. 84 at Oregon City, was finally delivered to Joseph Hull, and the 'iog store oif Wm. Dough- erty became the first Masoric Lodge Hall in the Pacific Coast terri- tory * * * 1862, Benjamin F. Harding appointed U. S. Senator from Oregon * * * 1882, first transcontinental train arrives in Portland, bearing Henry Villard, President of the Northern Pacific Railroad, General Grant, and scores of distinguished men from Europe and Eastern states.
THURSDAY^ 1836, the Whitmans arrived at Vancouver * * * 1856, the Baptists organized at Corvallis to aid in establishment of a school of high order for the denomination and to solidify the two factions on the slavery question * * * 1871, ordinance passed in Port- land prohibiting swine, geese, sheep, goats, and ducks from running at large in the streets, alleys, parks, and public places.
FRIDAY 1845, Jason Lee's young daughter sai'is from Vancouver for the East to visit her father. He had been dead six months before she sailed but due to the mails word had not been received in Oregon * * * 1877, Indians battled General Sturgis near the mouth of Clark's river.
SATURDAY 1863, I. and A. Warren pleaded with Mr. Foster, who owned the toll gate on the Barlow road, to let the Callahan boys thru free of charge. The Callahan boys had been driven out of Missouri by the Abolitionists* * * 1865, Portia' ders wcr^ jubilant because the postmaster had made arrangements for a ship to take the mail to San Fjranciseo * * * 1915, Linnton residents alarmed by rioting of "Anti-Americans" at meeting. One rioter was killed and many more were placed in jail. Same day Albany College celebrated its 50th anniversary.
SUNDAY 1855, The Dalles formed — held its first town meeting
* * * 1915, the town of Alsea received $3000 for its crop of wild blackberries * * * 1926, citizens thrilled with the first flight of the Pacific Coast air mail.
MONDAY 1792, the ship Columbia crossed the bar — the Columbia river was named after this vessel * * * 1843, Captain Couch sailed from Boston * * * 1848 — 31 wagons and ten horses paid toll to Barlow road on this date * * * 1874, Oregon Central Pac fie rail- road incorporated.
TUESDAY 1788, Captain Robert Gray arrives at Noctka Sound; 1838, Lee's reach Vancouver * * * This day in 1852 a vita' pr nciple of organization was settled by the ministers of the Presbyterian Church. This settlement of a notable controversy resulted in the United Presbyterian Church of Oregon, the 'first one in the world
* * * 1866, Pendleton farmers note — wheat in 1866 sold for 56 cents a bushil and oats for 35 cents * * * 1908, Thomas Edison at
The Dalles foretold a great future for industry when the water power of the Columbia basin was utilized.
Adam alone in the Garden
In freedom went his way;
And Eve was the end of the freedom
As Eve was the end of the day.
56
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
THE FLYWHEEL
I hate revolving doors, you know. Because they always rush me so. It isn't being rushed I mind So much as getting whammed behind.
18
19
20 21
WEDNESDAY 1852, James Failing, noted pioneer, presided over a meeting in the city of Portland to raise money for destitute immi- grants ***1866, a stagecoach carrying freight of apples and $150
held up by Indians while enroute to Canyon City from The Dalles * * * Page Eve! 1853, the first wedding in The Dalles was perform- ed •* * * 1854, Charity LamD, first woman prisoner in the Oregon
penitentiary, was received from Clackamas County. Charity bc- ga:. at home by killing her husband.
THURSDAY 1846, the ' Presbyterian ChurCh was organized at the home of Dr. William H. Gray of Clatsop Plains * * * 1847, William Porter paid in place of cash or.e quilt for toll to travel the Barlow road * * * 1859, Samuel Harris, colored boy, two years old, bound *"o William Logan to September 19, 1878. In return the boy was to receive medical care, and be taught to read, write'n figger. The Wasco county court did that.
FRIDAY 1833, John Ball got rolling and left for the east. He was Oregon's first schoolteacher * * * 1844, Dr. McLoughlin, due to low food supply, rationed immigrants * * * 185)2, Fourth Infantry takes over control and command of Vancouver * * * 1858, Jefferson Institute announced that the strictest of morals would be enforced.
SATURDAY 1848, Tualatin Academy founded *** 1851, first pub- lic school organized under school law at West Union in Wash- ington Co. * * * 1865, "Alas! the frailty of human calculations! Our pleasant days were badly interrupted by a visitation from the clouds of heavy drops of rain." * * * 1915, Harry K. Thaw visits Portland — stays in Portland hotel, for which Stanford White, the man Thaw afterwards killed, had drawn the plans.
LIBRA — THE BALANCE
This is the sign of Libra, the balance.
Under it, tradesmen with great talents
For weighing hands with meat or mush
Will now presumably all blush
And 'til October twenty-third
Wear thumbs as light as wings of birds.
57
AN OREGON ALMANAC F0R 1940
22
SUNDAY 1851, The dedication of the Hall of the SONS OF TEM- PERANCE in COFFINS block took place. The cnorus executed
several pieces, while the audience knitted snake traps for D. T. sufferers." * * * 1862, Baker county was organized and named in
honor — that's right; my, how quick you are! * * * 1865, The Ore- gonian apologized for no news dispatches because telegraph line was not working — how time does what it does! Now they say,
"OFF FISHING" — no apologies needed.
23
JVfONDAY 1806, Lewis and Clark expedition returned to St. Louis * * * 1851, the postmaster was peeved because immigrants packed mail to California, thereby cheating the government of its due — immigrants warned that they wou'ld henceforth and hereinafter be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law unless they stopped. Grandma's voluminous petticoats must have aided in the smuggling.
24
TUESDAY 1854, important religious date; Trinity Church in Portland was consecrated on this day just one year before the Cor- vallis Presbyterians organized * * * 1850, the Oregon donation land law passed. This piece of pioneer legislation brought about the
bankruptcy of Dr. McLaughlin * * * 1871, City of Albany purchased 12 iron street lamp posts. Them there durn whittlers ain't goin' to whittle these 'uns away.
25
WEDNESDAY 1851, local citizens excited over progress of trans- portation methods. The new steam-propelled Gray Eagle com- menced running between Portland and Oregon City * * * In 1805 on this day Chief Twisted Hair was getting the laurels for aiding Lewis and Clark ***1926, a real tragedy for game lovers occurred this day when the report came lhat Malheur Lake had dried up, leaving thousands of birds dead.
26
27
THURSDAY 1862, W. Good was born on this day. Fulfilling his mother's hope that some day he would be President, he became president of the Lewis a^tf Clark fair held in Portland in 1905 * * * 1915, W. C. T, U. convention convened in Portland, decrying the conviviality of spirituous concoctions and class- |d tobacco smokers as users of narcotics * * * Same day Y. M. C. A. boys started a 90 mile hike, visiting 12 mountain peaks.
.*!RIDtAY 1849, Abraham Lin- coln refused appointment as
Governor of Oregon territory * * * 1851, a plank road was constructed to the Tua'Iatin Valley — a big barbecue was held in celebration of this event * * * 1862, Umatilla County was organized * * * 1880, a resolu- tion proposing a new article to the constitution, granting women suff- rage rights was introduced; bill postponed and later defeated*** 1911, the Portland Police employed three chauffeurs.
58
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
28
29
30
SATURDAY 1834, Jason Lee delivered a sermon, but found great difficulty in holding the attention of his audience because cf the mix- ture of races. French and Indian predominated, and Jason's lin- guistic ability was confined to English * * * 1844, the British minister reported to his government that America would not accept the Colum- bia river as a frontier border * * * 1854, the Presbyterians arranged for a conversion at Oregon City. Only two peonle, however, were able to get there. Since three were required to "make a quorum, the two took a boat 15 mi'ies down the river, then walked 15 miles more to a farm to get the third person * * * Timberline Lodge dedicated, 1937, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
SUNDAY 1834, Methodist Episcopal Mission school opened across Willamette from Wheatland * * * 1860, Oregon steam Navigation Com- pany Incorporated at The Dalles * * * 1870, a local paper described the new railroad cars installed on the Portland to Salem run as of "eleg. nt design with seats upholstered in crimson plush" * * * 1877, Astorian reports shooting elk while elk was trying to swim in front of a boat making its way -u-p the river * * * 1880, Rutherford B. Hayes visited Oregon — the first presidential visit in the history of the state * * * In 1910 the Pendleton roundup started its row historic annual pageant.
MONDAY 1845, General Joel Palmer's immigrant party held up at The Dalles because of exorbitant prices demanded for an i scarcity of river boats * * * 1851, Reverend D. R. Williams made preceptor ot Tualatin Academy * * * 1865, Spencer Hall, collegiate institution at Milwaukie, began its 13th year * * * 1865, the Mountaineer, newspaper at The Dalles, was sold* * * 1890, at an Exposition the eminent W. M. Killingsworth criticized the art exhibition as vulgar.
1852: "The Streets — Mud is on the increase. 'Horrors or. horror's head accumulate.' If it keeps on at this rate our 'oldest and most respectable inhabitants' will have to betake themselves to stilts — or be, as the poet says, 'Numbered with the puppies in the mud.' Would that our city fathers could afford to plank down the requisite funds to furnish wooden streets."
"FOR SALE AT THE BRICK STORE, OREGON CITY.
KENTUCKY JEANS: Garbrooms; B'iue Strip; brown and bleached Cottons; Bonnet Silks; Sewing Silk; Suspenders; Overcoat, suspender and coat Buttons Men's and Boy's Hats and silk & Cotton Glazed Caps; Ladies' Bonnets; double and single Plane Irons; Braces and Bitts; Chissels; Gouges; Compasses; Carpenter's Pincers; Rules; Augers; Hooks and Hinges; Strapv Hirges; brace and iron Butts; brass and iron Chest and Till Locks; Bolts; Spokeshaves; Hammers; Hoes; Hand Axes; Iron Squares; Coopers Adze; Fi'ies; Mill saws; Buck saws; vices Ladles; Strainers; Tin Plates; Shoe Punches; Mincing Knives; and Log Chairs; Cast and German Steel; Cast Plows; Sad Irons; Wagon Boxes; brass and wood Clocks:"
Oregon statutes still include a "lazy husband" law, by which males may be forced to support their wives.
59
AN OREGON ALMANAC FQR 194O
OCTOBER
Now Autumn's brush is splendid on the glade, In hues r.o Rembrandt ever could prepare, And solid men forsake the marts of trade To breathe October's wine-and-honey air — Diluted with vast smells of gin ar.d rum, Tobacco smoke, and grease, and gaso'line, Perfume, and fuzzy thatched chrysanthemum. Around the crowded stadiums' clipped green, While Czschologsky kicks to Wochiwieez And Schmusklkaza laterals to Pffountz, The thousands roar autumnal rhapsodies Cheering great names nobody can pronounce.
TUESDAY Quite as usual, October slips in between September and November with her flamboyant promises of comestible largess for the feasting season just ahead. But the first train of pioreers who, this day in 1845, were led from The Dalles by Sam K. Barlow toward the Cascades instead of down the Columbia gorge where previous p oneers had come, looked forward to a winter of privation in a land of potential plenty. No train had previously crossed the range to Oregon City * * * In 1852 Ezra Meeker reached Portland by the old Oregon Trail, and followed the old trai'i by plane exactly 72 years later, to Dayton, Ohio. ,
WEDNESDAY The first fair in Multnomah County opered this date in 1860, at Portland. It was a great event * * * It was reported, in 1865, that the Portland Academy and Female Seminary was "filling up encouragingly with students," an item which denotes the progress of education in the infant state ***in 1874, Baker City was incor- porated by legislative act.
THURSDAY Dr. Marcus Whitman, this date in 1842, began his 150- days' journey back East, on a mission on the purpose of which histor- ians have failed1 to agree ***in 1873, Captain Jack of the Mod cs, with his companions Black Jim, Boston Charley and Peter Schonshin, leaders in the Modoc war, convicted for the treacherous murder of Gen. Canby, were thoroughly executed at Old Fort Klamath * * * The electric company hung an arc light at the iiitf rsectic n of two streets in Corvallis in 1896, and people came from miles around to see the wonder ***in 1915 Newberg had its f rst experience of a Sunday theatrical performance, biiteny protest^ d by some.
FRIDAY In 1858, Astoria city fathers decided that thry d'dn't want and more sheep running loose in the streets, and ordained against it, although a fair calf would cause more excitement tha.: many sheep ***In 1859 Jacksonville staged its first agricultural fair, featur- ing the Gloria Mundi apple, wh ch sold at $2.50 per apple, and not enough apples to supply the de- mand* * * The first printing press made on the coast, .hewn from na- tive oak, was used on the Oregon Free Press in 1862 * * * In 1937 a Collie dog named Stubby entered his master's blazing home near Medford, dragged two-year old Shirley Mansfield to safety, only to have the window slam shut in front of him prisoning him in the flames where he perished.
60
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
8
10
SATURDAY In spite of a provision in the State Constitution provid- ing that "no person arrested or co fined in jail shall be treated with unnecessary rigor," the Grand Jury in Yamhi'il County in 1882 recom- mended for the jail at LaFayette "a partition across the hall to separ- ate male and female prisoners." * * * Pendleton, in 1816, got burned up to the extent of about $100,000 * * * In 1918, Oregon took pride in leading all the Coast states in subscriptions to the 4th Liberty Loan.
SUNDAY Astoria changed its theme song from "God Save the King" to "America" this date in 1818, when England gave the town back to the United States * * * In 1835, Sam Parker surveyed the state as a possible field for missions ***Inl866a charter was granted to the Oregon Centra'! Railroad, which was the first railroad to connect with the world outside.
MONDAY The first agricultural fair held in the state opened its gates this date 1854 in Yamhill County at LaPayette * * * In 1910, the Oregoniaii complained that Portland was growing so fast that letter carriers couldn't reach all of the people.
TUESDAY Where Portland stands stood Herman Terwilliger in 1845 and on this very date. A boulevard bears his name * * * A two-day session of Oregon Pioneers began at Salem, at which the Oregon pion- eer Society was organized, in 1867. The same year an ordinance was passed in Astoria allowing the marshal to col'iect one dollar for each arrest and conviction. Nobody knows if they had to call off the mar- shal after that in order to have enough on the outside to feed those on the inside * * * Adam Wimple was hanged in 1852 for the murder of a young girl whom he had married in order to secure an additional 320 acres of homestead land * * * In 1873 the cornerstone of the first Capitol bui'iding was laid at Salem.
WEDNESDAY Reinforcements for the Methodist mission at French Prairie sailed from New York on the Lausanne this date in 1839 * * * In 1852, a ton of flour, half of it donated by Dr. John McLoughlin, was sent to hungry immigrants * * * Senator Lane, in 1913, was plan- ning to introduce a bill to construct a power dam across the Columbia River at Celilo.
SONG FOR WED.
This is the day that fruga'i wives Endang3r patient husbands' lives By feedirg them, in wondrous stews, Food left from Sun. and Mon. and Tues.
THURSDAY The flower of Oregon's annual poet crop for the year 1845 was born on this date, in the person of Sam L. Simpson, who, somewhat later, graduated from Willamette University, and still later, wrote "Beautiful Willamette." * * * Portland Lumber mil'ls turned out 500,000 feet of lumber in the month ending this date. 1868 * * * In 1934 the hotel at Biggs collapsed from the weight of sand which had drifted into the attic.
61
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 194O
1
FRIDAY Two deaths of makers of Oregon history mark this date, though separated by 106 years. Meriwether Lewis, who led the Lewis & Clark expedition, 1809, and Abilgail Scott Duniway, suffrage advocate, 1915.
It is said that the myrtle, whose wood is famous for its beauty of grain and susceptibility to fine finishing1 processes, grows in only o e place in the world outside Oregon.
12
SATURDAY Early explorations of Mt. Hood took place on this date in 1845, when Gen. Joel Palmer and Sam K. Barlow, who knew that there was another side to it. were trying to find the way across, which they did ***Inl877 the Secretary of War approved the construction of the locks and canal at Celilo, a fait accompli in 1906.
13
SUNDAY A British ship-of-war, the Raccoon, entered the Columb;a River this date in 1813 * * * The first of a long series of Benton County fairs was opened in 1859 * * * In 1904 the banks were selling gold dollars at two dollars each — but they were especially minted souvenirs of the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition ***In 1915 Portland entertained Mayor Thompson, of Chicago, ar.d other windy citizens.
14 15
MONDAY This date in 1864, Mother Oregon had twins, Grant and Union Counties * * * In 1865 the erection of a five story buildi' g was the cause of much comment and many dire predictions ***in 1893 the last carload of steel for the Burnside Bridge arrived * * * In 190.) the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition closed its gates, the first World's Fair in history to pay its way and make a profit for backers.
TUESDAY For the benefit of the unemployed who had no W. P. A., nor anything, vaudeville entertainment was staged at the Marquam, in Portland, this date in 1893, realizing about $1,000.
Tobacco being least provoking
To those, alas, who do the smoking,
Won't some good Power please compel 'em
To smell themselves as others smell 'em.
AMEN! ! ! !
Yes;
Oregon too had her brilliant ordinances.
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
16
17
18
19
20 21
New Yorkers are wise guys and .dames; But any way, in my land We build resorts with srnarter names Than their old Corny island.
WEDNESDAY Astoriars dug out their monocles and began drop- ping their "aitches" this date in 1813 when the place became British property and was renamed Ft. George * * * Seventy years later, when it was Astoria again, one Alfred Shepardson was in court for driving a horse more than four mi'ies an hour, in violation of an ordinance. When he told the judge, "Why, she can't do more than three," he was dismissed.
THURSDAY The Louisiana Purchase, which took place this date in 1803, left but an imaginary line between the United States and Oregon and strengthened the American claim and opportunity * * * In 1882, Klamath County was cut off from Lake County and set up its own existence.
FRIDAY This date in 1795, the Ruby, Captain Bishop commanding, put into the mouth of the Columbia, where the Indians brought them "quantities of cranberries and dried salmon." They spent the winter there, adding to their bill-of-fare by shooting wild birds while they put the vessel in condition for the next voyage * * * In 1892 Wm. W. Chapman, one of the original proprietors and founders of Portland, died at 84 * * * Clarence Darrow spoke in Portland, in 1910 ***In 1915, Portlanders were told by Sherman's son that General Sherman did say that "War is He'll," in spite of rumors to the con- trary.
SATURDAY In 1792, Lt. Wm. Broughton entered the Columbia in the Chatham and explored about 100 miles of the river in the name of? the British government * * * Thirteen years later, Lewifc and Clark, on their way down the river, sighted Mt. Hood, just where Broughton left it * * * In 1834, Jason Lee organized the first Metho- dist mission * * * John Reed of Portland died in Moscow this date in 1920, and was buried in the Kremlin.
SUNDAY In 1819, this date marked the beginning of the joint occupation of the Oregon Territory, south of the 49th parallel, by the United Statos ar.d Great Britain * * * The merging of two Pres- byterian Church factions was ac omplished in 1852 by Rev. Wilson Blain at Union Point, and the lirst United Presbyterian Church in the world was established.
MONDAY Edward Dickinson Baker, U. S. Senator from Oregon, was kil'ied this date in 1861 * * * Ir. 1870 the Oregon State Agricul- tural college was located at Corvallis. Henry Albers, Portland miller, was held on Pro-German charges, whi'le 16 died in Portland of war influenza in 1919. It \vas caLed "Spanish 'flu' " at the time.
Apples and peaches grown in the orchards of Gov. Briggs in the Rogue River valley sold in va'iley towns at 'one dollar each in 1859- 60. It is said that High Cost of Living was born in Oregon — and raised everywhere.
63
AN OREGON ALMANAC FQR 194O
The Scorpion stands for secrets; lie Goes at his business quietly, His own mute judge, and silent jury, He fights his foes in soundless fury, And smites them with a deadly nail Slung, javelin-wise, upon his tail Which, landing, is no secret, and Elicits noise to beat the band.
22 23
24
TUESDAY This date in 1834 was born a child of destiny, destined to become a mother of destiny, in the person of Abigail Scott, who, as Abilgail Scott Duniway, took a most important part in establish!! g the right of Oregon women to use the ballot * * * John Reed was born in Portland this date in 1887.
WEDNESDAY In 1883 the State Hospital was occupied by a part of the state's insane population. "The ship Great Britain was towed down to sea, from St. Helens, by the steamer L/ot Whitcomb, on Wednesday last. She is the largest ship that has ascended the Columbia river. Her cargo consists of large spars for the China Market." — The Weekly Oregonian, Oct. 23, 1852.
THURSDAY Lake and Crook Counties celebrate their birthdays to- day, although Lake was established in 1874 and Crook in 1882 * * * By 1893 the telephone service was extended to connect Portland with all points in eastern Oregon * * * The Dalles, in 1908, entertained Richmond Pearson Hobson, the hero of Havana, who lectured there.
25
FRIDAY A bill of sale for Fort Astoria was signed this date, 1814, by Duncan McDouga1! * * * A deed for the sale of a let in Portland was made in 1849, to become the first document to be recorded in Washington County * * * Simeon Francis, first editor of the Daily Oregonian, died at 76 in 1872*** In 1877 unemployment neared its zenith, wages their nadir, white men underbidding Chinese on odd jobs.
From the 'factory of Samuel Hicks at Newberg, Oregon, woodenware for kitchen and table use served Admiral Richard E. Byrd and the men who accompanied him in the South Pole expedition of a few years ago. Utensils of metal are impractical for use at extreme temperatures.
64
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
26
27
SATURDAY The battleship Ore- gon, now permanently berthed in Portland harbor, was launched at Ban Francisco this date in 1893. The initial cost $6,280,000 * * * Topping the top of the hop mar- ket so pleased a Dalles hop-raiser, W. C. Brown, that he directed his pmployes to throw a hundred doll- prs in nickels to the pickers' child- ren.
SUNDAY An island in the Colum- bia, this date in 1792, was given the name o;f the surgeon of the good ship ChanTam, and has ever
since been known as "Walker's Island." * * * In 1878 fire did con- siderable damage at The Dalles * * * A pavement of six-by-six-inch planks was completed on Grand Avenue in Portland, between Stark and Clay Streets, in 1894 * * * In 1915 Oregon livestock rated top honors at the San Francisco Exposition.
28
MONDAY One of the most talked-about subjects in the state this date in 1872 was the organization and incorporation of a $3,000,000 company for the purpose of exploiting the iron deposits of the Tualatin Valley, under the name of Oregon Iron & Steel Co., part of whose plant at Oswego still stands.
29
TUESDAY Lt. Broughton of the Chatham explored the Columbia to Crown Point, and named Mt. Hood after a friend, Viscount Samuel Hood. He also named the River now called Sandy, Baring's River, but it was renamed Quicksand River by Lewis and ClarK", and later shortened to Sandy ***In 1805, Hood River was discovered by Lewis & Clark and called by them Labische, honoring one of their men * * * In 1832, Nathaniel J. Wyeth and his party arrived at Fort Vancouver from Boston. Some of his men refused to return with him, remaining to become a part of Oregon's early settlers.
30
WEDNESDAY Church collections in Portland this date in 185>2 were applied to a hospital for the relief of destitution among the immigrants * * * In 1855 occurred the battle of Grave Creek, of the Rogue River Indian wars ***In 1915 Thomas Lynch, noted news- paper man*visiti g in Portland, gave the city nation-wide publicity by his portrayal of th } grandeur of the western scenery.
31
L
THURSDAYr Silas Christofferson was kil'ied in an airplane crash 1915. He was a Portlander who built and flew his own plane at the age of 20, ard took off from the roof of the Multnomah hotel before a tremendous Rose-Festival crowd in 1912. He established the world's a'ititude record in 1914 by climbing nearly 20,000 feet. The first apple tree was planted in Oregon, according to historians, by Rev. Gustavus Hines in 1844, in the yard of his home at Oregon City. The tree is reported to have been a yardling seedling, sprout- ed from a seed left in a dried apple from an unrecorded source. It was cut down about fifty years later and its wood converted into canes and sold for the benefit of ;the church.
65
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 194O
1
November mornings stir the red corpuscle — A tonic such as Pinkham never dreamed of; But me of meagre will, un-mighty muscle Arising in the cold get slightly steamed up- To find no steam-heat makes its soothing bustle — And janitors are slain by men who seemed up 'Til then as loath to fight as Bertrand Russell.
NOVEMBER 1, 1893
"I do hereby appoint the fourth Thursday of the present month as a day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the blessings He has bestowed upon this commonwealth during the present year.
"God has indeed been most beneficent to our state and nation, and yet unjust and ill-advised congressional legislation, having made gold alone full legal tender money, has so dwarfed and paralyzed business that the bounties of Providence are now denied to hundreds of thousands of people within the national domain who are not only without employment, but are also without the means of procur- ing food, raiment or shelter. While, therefore, the people of Ore- gon return thanks to God for His goodness, I do most earnestly rec- ommend that they should devoutly implore Him to dispose the President and Congress of the United States to secure the restora- tion of silver as a full legal tender money, in accordance with the policy of the fathers of the republic, whereby our industries may be revived, and the honest toilers of the land may procure their daily bread, not as alms, but as a reward for their labor.
"Done at the capitol, Salem, Oregon.
Sylvester Pennoyer, Governor."
NOVEMBER 1, 1894
"I hereby appoint the last Thursday of this month a Thanks- giving holiday. 'In the day of prosperity by joyful, but in the day of adversity consider.' Eccl. vii: 14.
Sylvester Pennoyer, Governor."
FRIDAY This date in 1893, eight people lost their lives in a street ear which crashed through a gate on the Madison St, Bridge into the Willamette River. Same year ths governor of the state proclaimed a Thanksgiving Day different from that proclaimed by the President * * * * 1895, John E. Dempsey (the nonpariel) ex-world's champion middle weight pugilist, died in Portland after a ring career wihch in- cluded 69 victories in 71 matches.
SATURDAY On this date in 1805, Lewis & Clark with their ex- pedition entered tide waters of the Columbia River, and members of their party killed eighteen geese and brant * * * Thirty-nine years later, in 1846, Mary Ann Smith was the first Oregon1 woman to obtain a divorce, the decree being given in the Provisional Court and restoring to her "all the rights and immunities of a state of celibacy." * * * In 1862 occurred the hanging of "The Frenchman," a notorious gambler of Eastern Oregon who poisoned his p-j.r.ners. As a last gesture he entertained the sheriff and deputies and a few other im- portant citizens at an oyster supper, then rode to the gallows sitting on his coffin.
The first railroad track was laid in Oregon in 1863, from the lower to the upper Cascades in tho Columbia River. Its rails were of one-half inch iron, one and three-quarters inches wide and were spiked to the ties. A section of this road is in the Oregon Historical Museum in Portland.
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 194Q
8
SUNDAY This date in 1894 Mrs. Sarah Tyler, in Portland, was given judgment in the sum of $3,000 for false arrest and imprison- ment, having been confined in the county jail for 9 hours * * * Queen Marie, of Roumania, accompanied by her daughter, Princess Ileana, and son, Prince Nicholas, visited in Portland in 1926. It was generally agreed that Marie was queenly, Ileana gracious, but that Nicky merely served to fill up space.
MONDAY On this date in 1896, Cascade Locks were completed * * * Because he called her a hyprocrite when she asked a blessing upon her mea'i, in 1895, Harriet Smith sued her husband for a divorce * * * On the same day, a farmer drove so close to the curb that he wrecked a bicycle, but was exonerated on the allegation that he was asleep at the time; and a Portland ex-fire lieutenant was convicted of arson.
TUESDAY Corvallis had too much water this date in 1881, the river being so high that the ferry boat could not operate and all of the small boats available were bringing passengers to town * * * In 1890, Portland Lodge of the B. P. O. B. was organized * * * In 1912, Mrs. S. Munson, a survivor of the Whitman massacre in 1847, was the first woman to cast a ballot in Oregon * * * Mrs. Sarah Todd, a sister-in-law of President Abraham Lincoln and 103 years old, who lived in Eugene at the time, in 1913 cast her first ballot to aid the University of Oregon appropriation bill.
WEDNESDAY At The Dalles this date in 1868 was held a torch- light parade to promote the candidacy of Grant and Co'ifax for president and vice ***In 1894 the Supreme Court decided against the proprietors of the Sunday Mercury, a Portland scandal sheet, for publishing statements libeling C. E. S. Wood * * * Billy Sunday, the noted evangelist, whose home at Hood River was one of Ore- gon's sliow places, died in 1935 and is supposed to have gone to the place which he spent so much time and energy te'Hing others about.
THURSDAY It was on this date in 1805 that members of the Lewis and Clark expedition first heard the roar of the Pacific Ocean and exclaimed, "Ocian in View. Oh, the Joy!" * * *Fifty-one years later, fire destroyed Columbia College at Eugene * * * In 1876, A. H. Porter of Perdleton was fined fifty dollars for selling a bottle of bitters on election day * * * In 1915, the largest pile- driver in the world was driving piling for the Interstate bridge be- tween Portland and Vancouver. The Pacific Ocean near Tfilamook was takii-g huge bites out of the shore.
FRIDAY It was this date in 1819 that postoffices were opened in Salem and in Portland * * * in 1869 the first locomotive arrived in Portland on the bark Webfoot * * * In 1871, Portlanders contri- buted $10,000 to Chicago fire suf ferers * * * E. L. Corner, of Mc- Minnville, shot at a hawk while he was driving and made both his horses deaf in 1878*** In 1901 the Oregon fruit exhibit at the Exposition at Buffalo, N. Y., captured 80 medals * * * In 1907, this date marked the opening of Portland's first horse show, wherein the human and equine aristocrats looked at each other, the equine aris- tocrats having a little the best of the deal, not being charged for admission.
Holiday gourmet, heed this word, Eat not too much of sauce and bird, Spoil not the appetite, my darby, And spare the sodium bicarby.
67
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 191O
10
SATURDAY Eighty-two years ago today, Oregon voted the adop- tion of its constitution ***in 1876, the New York Tribune, com- menting on the Oregon fruit display at the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia, said, "Oregon displays 12 varieties of apples, 13 of plums and prunes and 13 of pears. The quality is excellent. Ore- gon is unexcelled, even by California, for raising good fruit, and its apples are superior."
SUNDAY Portland's new'iy-organized Committee of One Hundred, this date in 1894, opened war on gambling, but, those with the gam- bling urge could buy smelt on the market at 50 cents per pound — neither a record high nor a record low, but a gamble * * * in 1906, an angry bull chased James D. Cole, assistant United States Attor ey. The bul'i, it was said, enjoyed himself immensely.
11
MONDAY On this date in 1842 a little school opened in a log cabin on Tualatin Plains. It was conducted by Harvey CHr1: and A^vri Smith and was the first educational institution in al'i this section. Gradually, as it grew, its power and influence increased urtil it be- came Pacific University * * * In 1915, in his office at Eug~ne, Ben- jamin Dorris died. He had lived at Eugene nearly fifty years, and was 86 years old when he died. He had been twice mayor of Eu- gene, long president of the city council, 22 years cUy recorder, and for many years active on the Board of Regents of the University f Oregon * * * 1918, the war was over. The armistice was signed. The world was safe for democracy. Voila!
12
13
TUESDAY This date in 1846, the word reached Oregon of the sign- ing tf a treaty, June 15, between the United Stotes rnd Great. Br:- tain, which made Oregon a part of the United States * * * The Marion County Court House, where Oregon's constitutional convention v, u,s held in 1857, torn down in 1903 * * * Ir 1915, Portland saw the largest straight "wind-jammer" ever to visit the rort. She ws the Norwegian sailing ship Bell, the first German vessel captured by the British in the World War, .and sold by prize court to Norwegian registry.
WEDNESDAY It was estimated in 1852 that te~ to fifteen thou- s^and people had immigrated to Oregm that year * * * A San Fran- c'isco newspaper said of Oregon fruit that th y "c^rtp'n'iy excee 1 any- thing of the kind ever seen in our young stats." * * * "n 1904, Alfr?d Luelling, who brought the first grafted trees to the state and found- ed the fruit industry, died * * * In 1915, Alexander Berkman, the celebrated anarchist, lectured in Portland.
14
THURSDAY All gambling in Portland was entirely stopped, ex- cept that the restaurants still were serving hash-and-oysters, with the rare chance of a pearl, 1894. Ore- gon's apple display at the Panama- Pacific Exposition lost the first prize to Washington because the judges discovered a worm which had allegedly crawled over from the Washington display to the Oregon display, looking for an apple to eat.
68
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
15
16
17
18 19
FRIDAY This date in 1906, Oregon was all wet. All railroads in the state were tied up, and the state was inundated. All communi- cation and transportation was interrupted by landslides and washouts. Much of the state was in darknuc,: because of wires down and power plants deluged. J. Pluvius Vulcan's order to "soak 'em," and Oregon was not a bed left in the house * * * In 1915, Oregon City's water supply was cut off by the Pegging of the intake in Clackamas Can- yon. A new steel bridge under construction at Lebanon was wash- ed out by the accumulat.on of driftwood against the falsework, ducked. Oregon reeded its "webfeet" then.
SATURDAY Chief Joseph of the Nez Perces, whose feats of gener- alship and military strategy astounded the country, visited Portland this date in 1 889 * * * In 1906 the superintendent of the state port- age road at Celilo was removed from office on charges of grafting. He probably had to swim out because of the floods which isolated every place from every other place * * * In 1912, Mrs. Abilgail Dur- iway was honored at a banquet in Portland for her success in win- ning the suffrage fight in Oregon * * * Oregon City suffered a $100,000 fire in 1919.
SUNDAY The children of the Oregon country, 107 years ago, had had nothing to play hookey from until this date in 1832, when the first school was opened, at Fort Vancouver, and taught by John Ball * * * St. John's Presbyterian Church was organized in 18b3 ***In 1906 a plan to do away with the whipping post as a means of punishment in the Oregon Penitentiary was prepared for presan- tation at the next session of the legislature, but it took until 1911 to get through. The people of the Alblna section of Portland were being terrorized by an epidemic of holdups.
MONDAY In Portland in 1869 this date marked the dedication of a synagogue and school for Jewish children ***in 1906, so many people had applied to the county poor-farm for shelter that there
TUESDAY This date in 1877, occurred the death of John E. Pick- eruell. It' this doesn't mean anything to you, remember that some- one reported that it was believed that the decedent was alleged to be the first white man to pay tf1x s in Oregon, thus starting some- thing * * * In 1891, Portland cel- ebrated the removal of toll char- ges from the Madison Street bridge * * * Out at Kelly Butte, the Multuomah County rock pile, in 1906, a toothless prisoner com- plained that he couldn't eat the food without teeth and demanded that the county supp y him with the necessary grinders. The com- missioners allowed that a man in his position should have some- thing to gnash, and had a dentist supp'iy the missing molars.
RHYME IN PRAISE OF LOVE AND STEAM-HEAT
A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and thou
Beside me singing in the wilderness. The idea's a wow,
But would be wower if this simple bumpkin
Ha:l rot observed the frost's upon the pumpkin.
Ah, wilderness! Ah, no, my artful Omar,
Until the weather's warm again, I'll stick to Homer.
C9
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOB 194O
20
WEDNESDAY In 1864, the demand for medical training had be- come so great in Oregon that the Medical Institute was established as a branch of Pacific University * * * St. Francis Church was found- ed in 1876 * * * In 1879, Congress authorized the construction of a lighthouse on Tillamook Rock * * * In 1914 the Roosevelt Hotel opened in Portland * * * Just a year later, the death of John F. Steele, Sr., of Toledo, of grief, followed by exactly a week the death of John Franklin, Jr. of appendicitis.
21
THURSDAY This date in 1850 the Milwaukie Star made its appear- ance, established by Lot Whitcomb with John Waterman as editor. In 1851 it was moved to Portland and renamed the Times* * * In 1863 Count Castiglione took 9 live elk from Oregon to Italy * * * The Wells Fargo Co. bought the Portland-Northern Mines for $3,000 * * * In 1882, on the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company'r; lines, the first train left Portland for the east.
22
FRIDAY Tri 1892 the city council issued an order forbidding cattle to wear bells within the city limits ***in 1893 the Oregonian was constrained to say, "Times are too hard now for us to return thanks for any good thing of a material sort in this world," but those who didn't take the Oregoiiiaii were still permitted to be thankful * * * The Panama-Pacific Exposition, which was held in San Francisco in 1915, is best remembered by many for the long list of prizes awarded to Oregon exhibitors for poultry a;'d horticultural displays — 157 prizes besides honorable mentions.
23
SATURDAY The first theatre built in Oregon had its opening night this date in 1858, presenting the comedy Honeymoon and the farce Betsy Baketr to an enthusiastic) audience * * * The Pacific Oe -'ii swallowed up the Bar View Hotel and several cottages near TiKa- mook. The hotel had been raised from its foundations prepara- tory to being moved to higher ground.
SAGITTARIUS
Mythologists had viewpoints narrow. They made the noble Sagittarius Eke out a livelihood precarious Hunting things with a bow and arrow When just imagine the great shock he Might have given the bookies at the track, Carrying himself on his own back, An amalgam of horse and jockey!
70
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
24
25 26
27
28
29 30
SUNDAY The Table Rock Sentinel, the first newspaper south of the Umpqua Valley, made its appearance in Jacksonville this date in 1855 * * * In 1860 an earthquake sho.ok The Dalles and its vicinity stampeding cattle and throwing dishes from the shelves * * * In 1915, Mrs. Addison Gibbs, Oregon pioneer and wife of the first governor, died in Portland.
MONDAY In 1875, the sinking of the schooner Sunbeam on Cape Disappointment cost the lives of nearly all on board * * * The Y. M. C. A. completed and dedicated its new home in Portland in 1901.
TUESDAY It was forty-four years ago tonight that people on the streets in downtown Portland first witnessed the strange spectacle of a word being spelled out, letter by 'letter, in electric lights. The word was "Cordray's" and was in front of the theatre of that name.
WEDNESDAY On this date in 1852, the Oregonian commented, "The result of the presidential election (held Nov. 2) will probably be known here about the 10th of December;" and on the same day, "As we cannot depend with any certainty upon the mail, we shall in future send a private mail bag from this office." * * * In 1875 Judge Matthew Deady handed! down an elaborate opinion deciding the spelling of the Willamette as that and not WiHamet.
THURSDAY Old Turk was but a dog, but on this date in 1862 he died, with a history which he had helped to make for himself and for the state. With his master he came to the valley of the Rogue River in '51, and when his master dug for gold he scratched for food and fun, not understanding what the yellow stuff was for. When the Indians stole up toward the little camp, Turk fought as vali- antly as any of the rest; but when his master died he held a lo..e- some vigil over the body, guarding it in death as loved it in life, until he was 'iassoed and tied in order that his master might be buried
FRIDAY A bloody date was this in 1847, when Indians massacred Dr. Marcus Whitman and his wife, Narcissa, with twelve other white people, at the Whitman Mission at Waiilatpu, capturing fifty-three women and children and holding them captive until they were rescu- ed by Peter Skene Ogden ***In 1875 the Gussie Telfair was wreck- ed near the mouth of the Columbia.
SATURDAY The Modoc war broke out this date in 1872*** In 1884 the Portland city council passed an ordinance forbidding steam- boats to whistle in the morning * * * In 1893, the Oregonian de- clared the Oregon City Fal'ls "the largest available water power in the United States." "Bobbie," a collie, arrived at his home in Sil- verton after trave ing nearly 3,000 miles from the place in Indiana where his touring owner first missed him. Wearily, on scarred and bleeding feet, he found his way unguided to his home.
DICTATION TO DICTATORS
Goosesteppir.g sons of atavism,
Recite your dreadful catechism;
Splenetic shout, and baneful mutter;
Bombs and cannon instead of butter,
And an "M-day" every Saturday morning.
Yet, heed while you march, this word of warning:
One day the world will wake up, tired,
That day you'll all be surely fired,
And the goosestep, by your inferiors,
App'lied to your martial posteriors.
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 194O
1
DECEMBER The iandwidges °f
Now comes the month of Old Kris Kringle,
St. Nicholas, or Santa Klaus,
Which are the same, but different 'cause
Imprudent men, who pennies jingle, And buy fine gifts for all in-laws, Ere you have spent your last pence, pause Forget not good old Tom and Jerry!
SUNDAY It was this date in 1846 when governor Abernethy sert the first message to a legislature west of the Rocky Mountains * * * In 1877 a slight earthquake tickled the feet of Portland, with no damage * * * In 1903 occurred the death of Capt. Joseph Kellog. He was a pioneer, and erected a flour mill, a sawmill, and built the first 'large steamer, the Lot Whitcomb, to be constructed on the Will- amette River. It was he who brought the first Masonic charter to Oregon, to Multnomah Lodge, No. 1, at Oregon City.
MONDAY This date in 1853, John W. Davis became governor of the territory of Oregon, under appointment by President Pierce * * * In 1875, the telegraph line was completed as far as La Grande * * * In 1896 the first of the Union Pacific trains which had been snow- bound near Bonneville for three days arrived in Portland with 65 passengers and mail from the East.
TUESDAY The first peddler's license in Marion County was issued this date in 1855*** In 1872, the first printer on the Spectator. John Fleming, died * * * In 1873 the railway from East Portland to Roseburg was completed *** In 1875, two students were expelled from Willamette University for dancing * * * Capital punishment was abolished this date in 1914, and reestablished in 1920 * * * Ezra Meeker blazed his last trail to the beyond, 1928.
WEDNESDAY The Oregonian made its first appearance this date In 1850. It has been published continuously since and is perhaps the most widely-known and influential paper in the West ***ln 1895 the Salem Consolidated Street Railway Company passed into the hands of a receiver *** At Arlington, in 1896, occurred the death of E. B. Comfort at 82. He crossed the plains with oxen in 1846 and settled in the Willamette Valley * * * The Portland team lost the baseball game of the season to Oakland in 1905 by a score of 3 to 1 * * * In 1915 the first span of the Interstate Bridge between Port- land and Vancouver was floated into place.
THURSDAY This date in 1859 the Multnomah Agricultural Society, one of the first in the state, was organized * * * In 1863 a Portland firm exhibited a spool of thread containing 20,000 yards, which at- tracted a great deal of attention ***in 1905 it was seriously sug- gested that Portland harbor be enlarged by removing Swan Island and dumping the dirt into Guild's lake * * * 1915, the Fcrd peace ship sailed for Europe, to carry peace to the trei ches. It w s to be met in Norway by Lamar Tooze, of Portland, Oregon's represer ta- tive on the trip, who received his passpcr^ too late to catch the peace boat at New York.
FRIDAY Notice of the organization of the Portland Lyceum was published this date in 1851. F. Tilford was made president, and announced the first lecture at the Methodist Church on the 9th, "at early candle-light." ***in 1852 the first Odd Fellows Lodge in Oregon was organized * * * Unemployment was already a problem in the territory in 1878, with the Board of Commissioners of Immigra- tion advertising far and wide to find jobs for the newcomers.
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOB 1940
8
10
11
12 13
SATURDAY Captain S. R. Smith in command, with Alonzo Vickers as engineer, drove the St. Claire, a side-wheel steamer 80 feet long, over the Willamette Falls at Oregon City, a feat which has never been repeated. An epidemic of smallpox swept the eastern part of the state and Washington in 1881*** As long ago as 1901, the Portland Library reported 354 full members and a student affil- iation of 502, which was considered quite something for the time.
SUNDAY This date in 1865 the price off kerosence went up from 85 cents to one dollar a gallon * * * In 1870 Albany celebrated the completion of a neVir railroad depot fit and suitable for the brand new railroad which it had * * * In 1903 the contract for the con- struction of the new Morrison Bridge was signed, work to be com- pleted in 408 days * * * In 1905, U. S. Senator John H. Mitchell died in Portland * * * The big fire broke out at Astoria at 2 o'clock in the morning, this date in 1922, destroying more than twenty-four blocks in the business section before it could be stopped.
MONDAY It was this date in 1865 that the Portland City Council appropriated $100 in cash for the temporary repair of impassable streets * * * In 1903 it was announced that 100 miles of railroad would be built from Shaniko to Bend. The big news of the day was of the forfeit by O. A. C. of a football game with Multnomah Club in protest against the referee's decision.
TUESDAY On this date every year the advertisements in all the newspapers tell you that there are "only twelve more shoppii g days before Christmas," but, aside from this, nothing of great consequence has ever happened in Oregon on 12-10. A few people have been born, which was important to them, and some have died whose heirs were much concerned. There have been some weddings and a few divorces. Probably something will happen next year.
WEDNESDAY With flour at $25 per barrel this date in 1849, many Oregonians were eating other things * * * In 1865 a new publication appeared in Salem, called Laph and Gro Phat. The name sounds as if the journal were devoted to food conservation, but perhaps it wasn't * * * The hotel at Meacham was destroyed by fire on this date iiVl885 * * * In 1905, Johr. H. Mitchell, U. S. Senator from Oregon, who died on the 8th, was buried in Portland.
THURSDAY This date in 1845 the first bill was introduced into the first legislative assembly west of the Rocky Mountains, to pro- vide for the education of all children by the common public school. The bil'l was prepared by W. H. Gray, pioneer missionary and edu- cator.
FRIDAY This date in 1813 the flag of the United States was re- placed by the British flag at Astoria, which became Fort George by the process, which remained so nearly five years ***In 1850 a group of pioneers organized a minstrel troupe and toured the state, giving the first performance witnessed wherever it went. They finished he season 75 cents ahead of expenses, but had and gave a lot of good times ***In 1855 the state capitol was finally located at Salem * * * In 1885, Dr. Chapman, twice mayor of Portland, died at 65 years of age.
73
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 194O
14
SATURDAY This date in 1861, Frederic H. Balch was born near Lebanon * * * In 1877, there were 530 votes polled at the city elec- tion at Astoria * * * David P. Thomson, an Oregon pioneer and one of the leading citizens, died in 1901*** In 190 2, Ernest Thomp- son, a private in the army, at- tempted to burn Fort Stevens and was sentenced to twenty years in Federal penitentiary.
15
SUNDAY Joseph Lane was born this date in 1801 in N'rth Car- olina,— one of the few who lived up to what was expected of them. He was the first, also the fourth Territorial Gover or of Gfregon.. He took a -prominent part in the -Mexican war, and made his home in Roseburg. Lane County perpetuates his name * * * Tn 3853 Tillamook Courty was created from parts of Clat- sop. Yamhill and Polk counties, taking its name from an Indian ration * * * In 1864, Eugene Skinner, who founded the city of Eugene, died there * * * In 1890 the first issue of The Dallas Chronicle appeared * * * In 1906, much rioting was associated with the strike which tied up all Portland street car lines.
16
MONDAY This date in 1844, the territorial treasurer made the first report on the condition of the treasury * * * In 1845 a bill was introduced providing for post offices and post roads * * * In 1865 the Oregonian commented on the practice of unscrupulous dealers of adding water to kerosene, which was used for 'light- ing and commonly called "coal-oil."
17
TUESDAY Dr. James McBride died this date in 1875, a pioneer of 1848. He was the father of Hon. John B. GVTcBrid'e, who was sent as Oregon's representative in Congress in 186!3, and as Commis- sioner to the Hawaiian Islands by Pres. Lincoln ***in 1896 con- struction recommenced on the railroad between Astoria and Goble.
18
WEDNESDAY This date in 1855 'Cu.rry County was organized and named for Gov. George L. Curry. Willie Raymond, who at ten had been sentenced to the penitentiary for stealing candy, was paroled * * * In 1884 a passenger train was stalled in the snow be- tween Hood River and Cascade, not being released until Jan. 7. in spite of the efforts of a thousand men.
19
THURSDAY The first speech espousing the Oregon cause in Con- gress was made by Representative Floyd of Virginia this date in 1830 * * * Twenty-five years later Wm. G. T'Vault was elected Postmaster General of Oregon/ He was editor o'f the Oregon Spectator.
74
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
20
21
FRIDAY This date in 1844, it being reported that Dr. John Mc- Loughlin had offered to donate a lot in Oregon City for the pur- pose, an act of the legislature provided for the building of Ore- gon's first official jail * * * In the Nation's capital it was reported in '1900 that the River and Harbor bill for Oregon improvements had totaled $2,340,500, but that was to make an impression instead of to remedy a depression * * * A proclamation by Governor White- aker, this date in 1859, set apart the 29th of December as Thanks- giving day.
SATURDAY The county seat of Benton County was called Marysvilie until they forgot which Mary was meant, then, this date in 1853, they changed the rame to "Corvallis," meaning*- "the heart of the valley."
22
SUNDAY This date in 1845 Polk County was carved from the original Yamhill district and named for the President, James K. Polk * * * In 1853, Coos County was established from parts of Umpqua and Jackson Counties * * * Multnomah County was created in 1854 and given the' name of an Indian Nation * * * In 1865, with uncanny prescience, a Portland paper commented, "It becomes man, woman or child who are not so fortunate as to have a sleigh to ride in, or a fast horse to draw it, to look out for those who have. A cer- tain recklessness * * * spares nothing for the convenience of ped- estrians."
23
MONDAY In 1847 Benton County was established on this date, extending from Polk County to the California state line, and was named for Senator Thos. H. Benton, of Missouri, who early ad- vocated the American colonization of Oregpn * * * In 1887 the .Orej. and Cal. '.railroad was completed * * * Asahel Bush, Salpm banker, died in 1913. He was prominently known as editor of the Oregon Statesman.
I would not give a single groat
To ever own a single goat.
Although astrologers impute
Much virtue to this whiskered brute,
I state, in manner quite dogmatic,
I like my pets less aromatic.
Before I'd own this ruminant,
I'd sooner nurse an elephant,
Meglatharium, or pterodactyl.
I never liked goats, and I always will1.
75
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 194O
24
25
TUESDAY In 1844 Oregon City became the first incorporated town on the Pacific coast; it still is the only town chartered by the pro- visional government * * * What was probably the largest cigar ever made in Portland was com- pleted this date in 1906, being 18 inches long and two inches in dia- meter at the center, as well as being full of the real Christmas flavor. It was priced at two dollars but times were still hard.
WEDNESDAY Merry Christmas! It was a merry Christmas, indeed.
for the Barlow immigrant party, who arrived at Oregon City after al- most nine morths spent on the road from Illinois in 1845. And it was a merry Christmas for Oregon when the Lot Whitcomb, Willamette River steamer, was launched at Milwaukie in 1850; and when, in 1867, the first linseed oil was made in Oregon, as well as when, in 1868, the first twenty-mile section of railroad from East Portland was completed, it was a merry Christmas.
Socks for Uncle Andrew, comma, And a warm fur coat for MAMA, For Aunt Bessie, mittens woolen, For MAMA diamonds; semi-colon. Suspenders foir you^s truly — dash — Because MAMA must make a splash, E'ise her Noel might prove a dud, And then I'd catch it. Period.
26
27
THURSDAY The day after Christmas, and the doctors who are able to be on duty are all busy. Oh. what a headache! What a night, and what a morning! * * * It was not so easy to celebrate — in the same way — in 1860, with turkeys at $30. A 'jug of joy' cost less, and many made themselves poorer by buying that which made them feel richer ***ln 1877 there was freezing weather in Lake County — very un- usual * * * Elsewhere, the kiddies are having lots of fun (?) watching daddy play with their trains and fire-engines. Never mind, boys, you will be daddies some day, and then you win have a chance to play with the children's toys.
FRIDAY This date in every year has been very quiet, perhaps for ex- cellent reasons, but in 1851, Rev. J. H. Wilbur protested in the public prints against a too vigorous Charivari when the bride's ex-boy friends became too boisterous * * * Frederick Warde, the famous actor, this date in 1900, presented Richelieu in Portland, with Douglas Fairbanks in the cast * * * In 1902 Charles W. Scriber, a pioneer, died at the ag3 of 80, after living eighty years.
76
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
28
29
30 31
There little gifty,
Don't you cry,
No one bought you —
But some nice guy
Who's sensibly thrifty
Will, bye and bye;
When you've come down from the ten-buck state,
To a basement aisle at one ninety-eight.
SATURDAY This date in 1847, Linn County, named in honor of Dr. Lewis P. Linn, U. S. Senator from Missouri, was established from "all territory lying south of Champoeg and east of Benton." Captain Felix Scott, of Lane County, was killed by Pitt River Indians in 1858, Con- stable Walters of Burns took possession on Sunday of property which he had attached on Saturday, paying $57.55 for his mistake * * * In 1889 James J. Corbett fought to a draw with David Campbell, of Port- land. The bout was witnessed by about 3.000 people at Portland. Campbell was Portland's best-known fireman, losing his life on duty and leaving his name to a Portland fireboat * * * This date in 1917, an emergency existing, the United States government took caargs of all railroads as a war measure.
SUNDAY Ezra Meeker was born this date in 1830. He was only three months past his 21st birthday when he started across the plains to Oregon. Later in his life retracing the old Oregon trail five times, twice by ox-team and twice by automobile, and the last time by aero- plane * * * In 1847, for a ransom of about $400 worth of merchandise, the Indians delivered the survivors of the Whitman Massacre to Peter Skene Ogden ***Inl859 this date was the State's first Thanksgiving day, sandwiched between Christmas and New Year's by proclamation of Governor Whiteaker.
MONDAY This date in 1811 the first native Oregon child in which the blood of the white race flowed was born to the Indian wife of Pierre Dorion, probab'iy in what is now Baker County. The child lived but a few days, and for well over a century and a quarter its body has rested in some unmarked spot in eastern Oregon.
TUESDAY Not that it makes much difference now, but it is said that the first poker game in Oregon wound up with a bang this date in some early year which, with the names of the players, has now been forgot- ten. One of the players didn't hear the bang — and didn't play any more poker * * * The first Lyceum in Portland met, of all times, on New Year's Eve in 1851, and went home in 1852 * * " *** This date in 1915 focu-ses Oregon's purchasing power on liquids, with prohibition" becoming effective at midnight * * * So ends the year. Happy New Year.
L'ENVOI
Reader, for three hundred and sixty four days,
We've insulted your intellect in one or more ways
Now on this last a flag of truce
Let's hoist aloft, cause what the deuce,
There must be something good about you
AND HOW'D WE EVER'VE GOT READ WITHOUT YOU,
77
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOB 194o
WHERE TO GO IN OREGON AND HOW TO GET THERE
PORTLAND
Cradle of Portland's Fame as the Rose City — International Rose Test Gardens, Washington Park. Arlington Heights car.
Indian Councils and Signal Fires gave name to Council Crest, circular view-poirt above Portland. Council Crest car.
World's Largest Log Cabin — Forestry Building, erected for Lewis & Clark Exposition, 1905. Willamette. Heights car.
To the Mothers cf the World — Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother and Grotto. Administered by the Servite Fathers. Sandy Blvd. bus to NE 83d Avenue.
Speaking of Explosive Headllners, Portland has the only volcanic crater vertical section in municipal captivity. Mt. Tabor car to SE 70th.
For That Yule Spirit! Strong's Holly Orchard, west of Gresham, out Powell Val'ley Road 12 miles east from Portland. REST OF THE STATE
ASTORIA COLUMN — hollow concrete monolith 125 feet high, 700 feet above Columbia river. Designed by Electus G. Litchfield, done by Attilio Puusteria. Gift of Vincent Astor. On Coxcomb Hill, Astoria. From Portland, 105 miles west on Highway 30.
OREGON REACHES — from Fort Stevens at Columbia river mouth to the southern border. Water sports, fishing, riding,' agate-hunt- ing, prehistoric remains, folklore, legend, fauna ar.d flora ti delight the eye and thrill the senses. From Portland, 499 miles on Highways 30 and 101.
THEIR BEARDED DIGNITY will remind you of justices and pluto- crats and what-nots. But they're not; they're sea-liors, in their rookery at Sea Lions Caves under Sea Lien Point, below Cave Creek sou'h cf Heceta Head on Highway 101, from Portland about 155 miles.
THE RHODODENRON grows in su-ch profusion on the Oregon Coast that we have a State Park (1930) named for a' d preserving it. From Winchester Bay, S 8 miles on Highway 101. From Port- land, 208 miles on Highways 99W . 36 a:«d 101.
UP THE ROARING ROGUE — thrilling boat trip up this virile stream through picturesque landscape to Agness in a primitive area. Take boat at Go'id Beach, which is from Portland 325 miles on High- ways 99, 36 and 101.
OREGON'S REDWOODS — oh yes the)re are! America's farthest north native sequoia semtwirens, a grove up Emi ' Creek, tr - butary of Cheico river. Seven other groves on Winchuck and Little Emily Creek. About 30 miles from Harbor. From Port- land, 392 miles on Highways 99, 36 and 101.
SUBTERRANEAN LAKE: in under grou'-d passage a mile long; fish born b'iind. Source of South Fork Malheur river. Malheur Cave, on edge of Virginia valley, from Princeton E 15 miles on country roads. From Po t rnd, 384 miles en Highways 50, 97, 54 and 78 and rural roads.
78
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
LAND OP SISKIYOU RECREATIONAL AREA — Mount Baldy's slopes, rich in flora indigeneous to the region South of Grants Pass. From Portland, 277 mi'ies on Highway 99.
OREGON CAVJES — the Marble Halls of Oregon, in the Mountains of Elijah. Discovered by Elijah Davidson, August 1874, while trail- ing or trailed by a bear. Limestone formations; electrically lighted. Cejiter of a game refuge. Haunt of Oregon Cave- men. Caves Chateau. From Grants Pass, SW 50 miles on High- ways 199 and 46. From Portland. 327 miles on Highways 99, 199 and 46.
HOUSE OP MYSTERY — even your favorite minister could not be up- right here. Gives you a new and disturbing slant — about 45 degrees. W from Gold Hill, up Sardine Creek 3 miles. From Portland, S on Highway 99 and side road, 297 miles.
JACKSONVILLE: early roaring gold mining center. Has oldest
Methodist Church still standing west of the Rockies; built with
funds from gaming tab'ies. Many famous Oregon Firsts here.
From Medford, W 5 miles on Highway 238. From Portland,
314 miles on Highway 99.
THEY MUST HAVE BEEN ORGANIZED: ancient Mount Mult- nomah, Oregon's greatest prehistoric mountain, blew its top about the same time and for the same reasons as Mount Mazama. Re- mains called the Three Sisters — three witches crouching over an exploded caldera. From Bend, 37 miles on Highways 54 and 28. From Portland, 179 miles on Highways 50, 97 and 28.
HEAT MAKES ICE: Nature's refrigerators on typical Oregon scale. Ice Caves in the Klamath Falls — Bend vulcanized region. From Portland, to Bend 197 miles and to Klamath Falls 340 miles, on Highways 50 and 97.
CRATER LAKE: so incomparable that even California claims it. Remains of Mount Mazama, which became excited subterraneanly and blew its top, quite literally. And is it blue! 2,000 feet deep and six miles across, 1,000 feet from rim to water. Lots of animals (mustn't touch) and fish (no license required). En- trance from Medford 74 miles on Highway 62; from Klamath Fa'Ils 56 miles on Highways 97 and 62; «rom Chemult 40 miles on Highways 97, 230 and 209. From Portland 308 miles on Highways 50, 97, 230 rnd 2^9.
BOILED TROUT AU NATUREL: Living in hot borax- water-fed spring lake — 130 degrees F. Are their faces red! Borax Lake, from Fields SE 5 miles on side road and E 1-4 mile. From Port- land, 430 miles on Highways 50, 97, and 54 and rural roads,
WORLD'S MOST PERFECT EXAMPLE OF A GLACIAL LAKE — Wallowa Lake in the Wallowa Range. Home of the Nez Perce Indians and Old Chief Joseph. From La Grande, 72 miles on Highway 82. From Portland, 350 miles on Highways 30 and 82.
DEEPEST CANYON IN THE UNITED STATES — this is it: Grand Canyon of the Snake river. From Joseph, 54 miles over moun- tain road to Hat Point. From Portlard, 404 miles on Highways 30 and 82 and mountain road.
LARGEST GOLD AND SILVER MINES ? Oregon, in this r.gion Cornucopia, 72 miles NE from Baker. From Portland, 405 miles on Highways 30 and 86 and side road.
HIDE 'EM COWBOY: Famous to; its annual Round Up, Pendleton offers the West's greatest outdoor show. From Portland, 227 miles on Highway 30.
YOU REVERT TO THE PRIMATIVE? Game is hunted with bow and arrow only on Canyon Creek Archery Game Refuge. S from Canyon City 15 miles on Highway 395. From Portland, 324 miles on Highways 30, 19, 28 and 395.
79
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 194O
TYPICAL FLORA OF OREGON
Wake robin; trillium ovatum; white flowers turning rose; Ciackrmas, Willamette, Rogue River; Spring.
Camas; Quamasia guamash (Camassig esculenta) ; blue flowers on stem rising from two slender leaves; throughout state, Pacific and Dalles-California Highways; Summer.
Violet; Viola-several species; blue, yellow, white; Coast Mountains damp places, in woods; Spring and early summer.
Monkey flower; mimulus; yellow-orange specked with brown, snap- dragon-shaped flowers; Highways en damp banks and slopes, western Oregon; Late spring, summer.
Columbine; aquilegia; drooping scarlet flowers, leaves lobed; scat- tered; Late spring, summer.
Larkspur; delphinium calif ornicum ; blue to purple tint in sparse rac- emes, low; scattered; Late spring, summer.
Pitcher plant; Spuaw bonnet; darliiigtonia calif ornica; leaves snake- like, erect; distinctive green; Open marshes, near O'Brien, Eight Dottar Mountain, along Coast; July.
Ladysllpper cyprldium calif ornicum ; white or rose, spotted with brown; greer.ish-yellow twisted ovary ;Siskiyou Mountains; July.
Butter cup; ramiculns ; yellow, 6-12 in. tall, divided leaves, scattered in meadows and open woods; Eearly spring.
A FEW OREGON SHRUBS
Rhododendron; rhododendron calif ornicum; cascade range to Coast, Oregon. Caves.
Azalea; rhododendron albiflorum; Coast area and near Portland.
Scotch broom; cytisus scoparius; Coast area and near Portland.
Wild lilac; ceanothus thyrsif lorus ; Coast Range, vicinity Powers.
Syringa (mock orange); philadelphus lewisii; Coast Highway.
Scotch caps (thimble berry) rubus nutkanus'; Plentiful on Coast Highway.
Oregon Grape (State1 Flower) ; berberis aquifolium; Generally in Douglas fir forests.
Salal; gauitheria shallom; Generally in Douglas fir forest.
Red flowering currant; ribes sanguineum; Common in Western Ore- gon, Hayes Hill.
Evergreen huckeberry; vaccimiim cvatuin; Abundant in Coast region.
Wild roses; rasa gymnocarpa; Many Oregon highways.
Ivlanzanita; arctostaphylos maiizani a; Souther;: Oregon, Redwood and Pacific Highways.
SOME TREES THAT GROW IN OREGON
Douglas fir; pseudotsuga taxlfolia; Most aburdant and widely distri- buted tree in state. An all-purpose wood.
Ponderosa pine; piiias ponck'rosa; Central, southern and eastern Ore- gon and Willamette Valley. All-purpose.
Port Orford cedar; chamaccyparis lawsoniaiia; Southwestern Oregon. Over 100 uses.
Weeping spruce; picea bre.ver ana; Rare, in Sisk you and Coast Range.
Sitka spruce; p'cea sitchen^is ; West of Coast Range. Airplare timber.
Oregon myrtle; uaibrellulu. ~u caliiornica ; Rare, southwestern Oregon. Furniture and novelties.
Dogwood; cornus mittallii; Cascade Range, west to Coast.
P-tcitic yew; tax us brevifolia; West slopes Blue Mountains, Coast Mour tains. Our best bow timber.
80
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1040
GEMS OF OREGON
Oregon selected as her State Stone the Agate, many varieties of which are found within our borders. Oregon beaches, where the Pac- ific rolls colorful pebbles in the gleaming sands, reward the searcher with many fine gem specimens, Moss Agates, with interesting scenic designs and fantastic figures as inclusions, abound here. Many of the finest of this type are found about Central Point in southwestern Oregon. Moonstone, having opalescent reflections of light, and En- hydro, a rare variety containing a bubble or more of water hermeti- cally sealed within it, are yields of the beaches and also of the gravel bars along the Willamette and Columbia rivers. Showing all the colors of the spectrum in exquisite shimmering effect, the unusual Iris Agate has been found in the gravels and on the open plains of Jack- son and Josephine counties as well as other places in southwestern Oregon. Banded, fortification, polka-dot, eye and other agates await the earnest enthusiast.
Occurring in every county, Jasper is one of the most common min- erals of Oregon, while Bloodstone, the gem variety, found in Lincoln county beaches, is readily identified by its dark green matrix spatter- ed with "blood drops" of red Jasper. Organite, an odd and attrac- tive type of Jasper showing circular markings, is mined commercially near Grants Pass.
Opal, with its living sunset colors, is of the same composition as agate except for a greater percentage of water, and appears mainly in the eastern part of Oregon in the Columbia river which cover the greater part of the state east of the Cascades. Finest gem Fire Opal occurs in Baker county, where it is often encountered accidentally. Near the Petrified Forest in Jefferson county, nodules, hard clay- stone balls filled with rare types of colored Moss Opal, are found.
Amethyst is found at several localities and especially near Mad- ras. An unusual variety of colored Hyaline Opal has been found in Malheur county. Lapis Lazuli exists in Jackson county. At Glass Buttes in Lake county occurs Iridescent Obsidian, rarely found else- where in the world. Chrysoprase is found ia the nickel deposits of Douglas county. The rare Star Garnet is found in Wallowa county, with Almandine Garnets of the region.
81
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 194U
WESTERLY SPEAKING
Being a slight glossary of western terms, with a few al- ternate definitions which may be used at the reader's risk.
ARKIE: A native of Arkansas. (See Okie.)
BATHS: A device whereby the wily eastern means to confound the simple western.
BRONCO BUSTER: A hero, etc. (Your compiler has never seen o; e who didn't ca.ll himself a "horse trainer.")
BUCKAROO: A cowhand, in some places an Irdian cowhand.
BULL DOGGING: The act of throwing a bull to the grou d by alighting on his neck and twisting the bull's neck in a man. er that causes him to fall to the ground — not to be" contused with the bull throwing of Western town promoters.
CARROr EATER: A Latter-Day Saint, or Mormon.
CATTLE BARON: (1) To the low'iy foreign investors a cattle rust- ier. (2) A man who beat the rustler by twenty years.
CHAPS: An outer cover of the pants worn while riding horseback, made of outer sheepskin I;; the north, of leather in the south.
CLOTH and PAPER HOUSE: An early style of western building consisting of rough boards covered with cloth and then papered.
CRICK: (See River) 1. Anyone who designates a stream of water as a crick instead of a river is not a true son of the old west.
DRY FARMER, (1) A person who farms Without irrigation in areas wita insufficient rainfa'll. (2) An uncouth person, e. g. "You talk like a big dry farmer." (4) An incurable optimist.
DRY GULCH: The act of ambushing; ar.yone who performs this act several times is said to be a desperado and his name goes down in the "Western Magazine." If tlie act fs performed against detective.
FLUNKY: A waiter in a logging camp.
FORTY AND FOUND: The standard wage of a cowha: d is $40 and board and room a month. Forty is purely for the sake of euphony. Thirty is more nearly right.
FOUND: See Forty and Found.
GALOOT: An ignormus, a bumpkin.
GERRYRADO: Mexican sheepherder.
GREASELi: A Mexican, native of Mekico; prima-facie evidence that lily-whites are not confined to the north.
GUN MAN: Gun Slinger — a hanger-en around western saloons who could be hired for any low labor. In legend he was supposed to be fast on the draw; in fact he usually met his deatn when some settler grew weary of fooling around and un'limbered his trusty shot-gun.
GYPO (LOGGER): (1) An owner operating on a shoe-string. (2) A logger working by the piece.
HIGH GRADER: A miner who stole high grade ore from his em- ployer. (2) An embryo mining magnate.
HOOSIER UP (LOGGER): To become inexpert deliberately.
"INJUN": The only goo'd one is a dead one or one who nas oeen thoroughly robbed and now sits dejected in his squalor.
JACK MORMON: A LaHer-Day ?aint who has strayed from tli3 faith.
JUNGLE UP: (HOBO) To make camp.
LEVI: A brand of denim pants. Any denim pants
LUCERNE: The Latter-Day Saints' name for a'ifalfa.
MAVERICK: (1) An u Irandcd cr.ttcr. (2) A calf that rustlers haven't yet found.
MEAT-EATERS: (logging) A toady, one who boot-licks the -boss.
MILK and HONEY ROUTE: (Hobo) The Utah Northern Ry., i. e. where begging was easy.
82
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
MOUNTAIN OYSTERS: A meat delicacy in season at lambing time.
OKIE: A derisive term for a native of Oklahoma, arising from the fact that natives of this state immigrate north and west period- ically where they provide strenuous economic competition. Also Arkie and Texie.
PIONEER: (1) A hero (2) (Eastern) Someone run out of town. (3) (Indians) A massacrer.
RANGE WAR: (1) A drive against small-time rustlers. (2) A massacre of he-pless homesteaders.
RIM ROCKER: A good cowhand.
RIVER: (1) Any stream of water. (2) A gulch which somebody remembers was once filled by a cloudburst.
ROUND-UP: A semi-annual event where (1) cattle over a given area are collected in a group and then divided among their respecive owners (2) An event where Honest John Rancher gathers to claim his calves.
RUSTLERS: A cattle baron who arrived on the scene ten years after the person who used this term.
SAGEBRUSH: An uncouth feller.
SHEEPHERDER: An uncouth person.
SIWASH: (1) An Indian tribe. (2) A community nuisance.
SKIDROAD: (Logger) 1. An especially prepared roadway down wiiich logs were brought to a mill, railroad or body of water. 2. The street in any logging town especially prepared to part the logger and his earnings.
SOMBRERO: (From the Mexican) A high crowned broad brim- med hat.
SQUATTER: (1) A homesteader. (2) A rustler. (3) A cattle baron 20 years too late.
SQUAW MAN: (1) Anyone of another nationality who has marri- ed an Indian. (2) A person who has grown weary of earning his own living, not to be confused with financiers, etc., who have reached the same state of mind.
STETSON: (1) A brand of hat. (2) Any broad brimmed hat.
STUMP JUMPER: (1) One who farms cut-over land. (2) A person who is mentally unsound. (3) A low fellow.
TEXIE: A native of Texas: Also see Okie.
VAMOOSE: (From the Mexican) Leave. It has left.
WADDY: Cowhand.
HOLD YD MOSS'S
V DOC Vl/
AiNT'CARVlW ON OLD
(CHRIS EVAMS
83
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 194O
PAUL BUNYAN IN OREGON
The hyperbolic biographers maintain that Paul Bunyan was born, aged forty years and somewhat larger than Gargantua at birth, in the hardwood forests of Maine. Be that as it may, the giant woods- man was at least a mytholgical foster child of Oregon, a striding im- migrant whose jourrey changed the physical attributes of half the North American continent, and found, in Oregon, a state particularly suited to his prodigious talents.
The commonwealth was. moreover, peculiarly adapted to the retelling and the elaborating of his fabulous exploits, for of all the mendacious rascals who pushed redoes t'le v/osterr frontier along with the more veracious pioneers, Oregon seems to have attracted some of the most magnificent, the most indefatigable liars. Nearly every logging camp had a skald who could add to the Bunyan legend first-hand; the smoke of cooking-fires and bunk-house stoves wafted myths aloft that were taller than any c.f the eastern sagas. Thus, it was a western historiographer who recounted Paul's tipsy march across Idaho wHh a beer barrel upon his shoulders, which mafk'eu the origin of the Snake River. It was likewise an Oregon romanti- cist who fashioned the tale of Paul's sawmill, which, put together backwards by a contrary Englishman, produced whole logs from saw- dust. Bunyan's "Day Stretcher" (invented by him for the laudable purpose cf getting more work done) is an Oregon irvention, still reit in these parts, especial y before pay-days. The stuff of superior Bun- yan legends was spun in endless reams by men whose looms of pre- varication worked apparently as effortlessly as Paul's blue ox, Babe, but one doubts Whether the high-water mark of Oregon mendacity was reached in describing the adventures of the brodbingnagian Paul. The plain and unadulterated truth cf the matter seems to be that early-day Oregon Ananiasesx were at their heroic best when lying about themselves.
There was, for splendid example, the pioneer who declared that cottonwood logs, sawed into 'lumber by him and dried in the sun, warped themselves a mile down the road. There was John Fitzhugh, southwestern Oregon miner, who followed the prints of his own bare *eet for an entire day, mistaking them for grizzly tracks, and who later worried over wh^t might have happened had Ii3 Gvj..ak..i him- self, since, as he said, he was "a mighty good shot at the time." Fitzhugh and any or.o of a dczen contemporaries might have domin- ated a Liar's Convent'on with ease, but none cf them ever neared the spectcular heights reached by a, Mexican cowboy, known as "Tebo," who came all the way f om So:c:a to ride for the eastern Origin cattle baron, Pete French.
Tebo, whose real name appears to have been Oretega rapidly achieved a reputation as The undisputed free-style truth bull-dozer
84
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOR 1940
of the Pacific Northwest. It was his custom to perforate his more in- credible tales by declaring, "and if Pete French was here, I'd prove it!" But Pete French, alas, was deader than Hector's pup, shot down by a nester in a cattlemen's war, and Tebo's most altitudinous yarns were told without benefit of substantiation from his late em- ployer. A Baron Munchausen IK boots and 'Frisco jeans, Tebo de- lighted audiences with his account of the fish which, tamed by him, followed him about like a puppy until the unfortunate creature, having developed feet instead of fins, fell into a creek and met a tragic death by drowning. His story of the monstrous trout which he caught with a large iron hook baited with beefsteak might have been the primal matrix from which all piscatorial ambiguites were struck; for the trout not only broke the hook, and the las'so that held it, but knocked Tebo flat with a flip of its tail, and actually killed his horse.
The horse was the hero of what perha"ps Tebo's most fabulous exploit. In an effort to pull a mired wagon free from the eastern Ore- gon mud, the Mexican knotted one end of a lariat to the tail of his noble steed, the other to the wagon. The horse with a mighty effort, pulled himself entirely out of his hide, and Tebo was unable to replace the skin upon the denuded animal. But he proved equal to the occasion, fashioning a covering of sheep pelts. The following spring, Tebo sheared 500 pounds of virgin wool from his mount, and received for it the top prices paid in that season's market. "And if Pet/3 French were here, I'd prove it!"
Tebo, according to, our informants, died of natural causes in 1937, a nonogenarian. But were the Mexican able, he might refute such an assertion as the baldest sort of understatement. For there are still old-timers in the valley who will tell you that Tebo was two hundred and twenty-six years old when he died, and that he met his end while engaged in a game of leap-frog with his grandfather.
**3
T&m
m*^
FOR THE OREGON WRITERS' PROJECT OF THE WORK PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION'S ARTS PROGAM
Hob \Vilmot, Chief Almanacker and Jongleur Doctor Ernest Pierce, Assistant C. A. and J.
Writers and Researchers: Richard Clancy Gertrude Balch Ingalls William Haight Linda Farah Andrew C. Sherbert Cartoonist, Bob Lemiuex
Contributors:
Verne Bright Charles Auburn Swope Claire Warner Churchill Charles Emerson Charlotte Mish Joseph McLoughlin
85
AN OREGON ALMANAC FOB 194O
|
A940 CALENDAR |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
1 JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
I 7 14 21 28 |
IM.T 1 2 89 1516 2221 2930 |
If 3 10 IV 24 31 |
T 4 11 18 25 |
r 5 12 19 26 |
A 13 20 27 |
JL |
M |
T |
If |
T 1 |
r a |
* |
1. |
M |
1 |
~ |
T |
I 1 IS 12 29 |
1 9 16 13 30 |
|
|
11 18 25 |
12 19 26 |
13 20 27 |
14 It 28 |
IS 22 29 |
16 13 |
17 14 |
10 11? 24 |
11 18 as |
11 19 26 |
13 ao 17 |
14 21 28 |
|||||||||
|
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
||||||||||||||||||
|
71 98 |
IM 1 8 15 22 29 |
• a 9 16 23 30 |
3 10 17 24 |
4 11 18 |
5 S » |
6 13 20 17 |
1 5 « 3'* 11131415 19201112 16171829 |
9 1011 a 16 17 18 9 a3 24 25 16 5031 13 30 |
1 |
|||||||||||
|
10 17 14 |
11 18 25 |
12 19 16 |
13 s |
14 11 18 |
15 12 29 |
|||||||||||||||
|
JULY |
AUGUST ! SEPTEMBER |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
1 7 14 21 28 |
M 1 15 22 29 |
T a 9 16 23 30 |
If 3 10 17 24 31 |
T 4 11 18 25 |
r 5 S * |
S 6 13 20 27 |
JL 4 11 18 25 |
s |
T 6 13 20 27 |
7 14 11 28 |
T 1 8 IS 12 29 |
r a 9 16 as 30 |
S 3 10 17 14 31 |
1 8 15 22 29 T 9 » |
9 16 13 36 "T- - |
T. 10 17 24 |
If 4 11 18 25 in |
T 5 11 'fO <j^ |
r 6 13 10 H |
7 34 a* *8 S 7 34 11 18 |
|
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
CC rT |
N»ER |
|||||||||||||||||
|
S '* |
N |
I? 8 9 1516 1323 >» |
T 5 If M * |
Tit tt'tt 'ft |
A S 10 IT 14 |
JM_T 45 1112 1819 IS 16 |
6 35 a» at |
T |
r |
S |
4 11 18 IS |
T S 11 19 16 |
6 IS 10 27 |
|||||||
|
^ £ |
7 14 SI a |
i 8 45 at |
1 9 » |
1 9 13 |
10 17 24 |
|||||||||||||||
f
.
BLB
•
w
*• „ •
'.^Ri» :aB»,
'
m