NESIKA WAWA. For many years a feeling has prevailed throughout the original Oregon that some sort of united effort should be made to collect and systematically classify information as to the early history of this region, but, for one reason or another, such efforts have not met with the hearty support they deserved, and nothing in the way of fully united endeavor seemed to be accomplished. The pioneers, as an organization, have worked faithfully on this line, and, through the energetic efforts of their secretary, Mr. George H. Himes, a great deal of good has been accomplished, and a vast amount of documents and miscellaneous information collected. However, the pioneers have been continually hampered by lack of funds, and it has been almost entirely due to the indomitable will and perseverance of Mr. Himes that so much has been accomplished. The unique place of Oregon in history, the peculiarly instructive character of its history, and the comparative neglect of its sources, afforded an historical opportunity which was appreciated at the State University. Professor F. G. Young began the copying, editing and distributing of the "sources." He hoped in this way to inspire a movement with resources adequate for the nature of the work waiting to be done. His efforts led directly to the formation of the Oregon Historical Society, which has been incorporated under the laws of the state, and it bids fair to become just such an institution as is desired. Of course, the bone and sinew of Oregon history clusters about the Pioneer Association, which, however, is not so much a history collector as a history maker. This is largely true also of the Indian War Veterans, among whom Mr. T. A. Wood has labored unceasingly and wisely, gathering priceless trasures of historical value. A vast amount of valuable information has been lost forever by the death of pioneers, whose narratives should have been, but were not, preserved. It is not too late, even now, to render valuable service in this line, and who is there interested in the work equal to the children of those gone before? Such are the Native Sons, who are proud to take up the work and preserve a record of their fathers. All these institutions work in harmony, and, like the matches, the kindling and coal, neither one is all in all, but all necessary to the fire. It shall be the aim of The Native Son to act as a medium between all interests, and make itself invaluable to every one. To accomplish this we want your individual support, and your co-operation in securing the assistance of your neighbor. A magazine cannot be maintained on good will alone, but it must have cash, in exchange for which will be given the magazine itself and advertising. It shall be our aim to maintain a high standard for accuracy, and in no manner to mix politics or religion with history. The makeup and general mechanical appearance shall be as fine as the patronage will permit. The publishing of a periodical is strictly a matter of business, and it depends on the residents of the original Oregon as to whether or not this one shall be a success. We rely with the utmost confidence on such support, and want you to realize that hope. All of the gentlemen named are upon our editorial staff, and the public can rest assured that all that can be done to bring out the unpublished pioneer history of Oregon will be done. It is our intention to give the names and date of institutions of the several cabins now organized, together with their first officers. As space will not permit for listing of them all in one issue of The Native Son, we will of necessity be obliged to give a resume of only one at a time. The first to be organized was on August 29, 1898, and was given the name of ABERNETHY'S CABIN, And was named after Governor George Abernethy, the only provisional governor Oregon ever had. It was numbered "1," and from its beginning rapidly increased in membership, until now the large hall used for council purpose will hardly accommodate the membership. Its first officers were: Junior past president, Rev. C. A. Wooddy. President, Hon. John M. Gearin. First vice-president, Professor A. P. Armstrong. Second vice-president, James P. Moffett. Third vice-president, Lansing Stout. Trustees, Charles T. Kamm, Marcus Fleischner, F. C. Geer. Inner sentinel, Wm. N. Barnhart. At the present time, Professor A. P. Armstrong is the president and Frank M. DeWitt is the recording secretary. Councils are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. Meeting-place, Elks' hall in the Marquam Grand theater. For several years the fairs held at the Exposition building have been conducted for the benefit of the business interests of the city. As these interests were the ones which guaranteed the expenses, it was just that they should reap whatever reward the fairs brought about. There is no doubt but what the city and state in general was benefited through the work, but a much greater benefit, and a permanent one, might be secured to the city of Portland and its business interests if the ideas for holding these fairs were enlarged upon. This could be accomplished if the promoters would advertise, second, the surplus, if any, to be set aside in short: First, the expenses to be paid; as the nucleus of a fund for the gathering of and caring for historical relics and objects of interest for a museum. Advertise the undertaking as a pioneer and native son and daughter move, and the business men need not want for assistance and patronage. The time has come when the history, relics, mementoes, etc., connected with the building up of the city and state should be collected and placed on exhibit where all could see them. With these have samples of our woods, grasses, grains, fruits, minerals, etc., and every one will take pride in showing what Oregon was, is, and can become. There has never been a surplus but once, and that was donated to the charitable institutions of the city. Get the patronage of the pioneers, the gratu itous assistance of their descendants, and, combined with the interests of our business men, there will be a surplus this year, and it will not be long before the museum we should have will be established, and all will wonder how easily it was brought about. In our next issue we will publish a sketch of Homer Davenport, written by his father, Hon. T. W. Davenport. It will not only be unique in its character, but the only article ever published which gives a full resume of the life of this celebrated native son of Oregon. It shall be the policy of The Native Son to speak from time to time of the luscious fruits, the blue skies, the rich mines, the fields of golden grain, the speckled beauties, the moaning tide and the grand old mountains in this "land of red apples and rain," where crops never fail, and the heart of the farmer is made glad by bounteous harvests and the presence in our harbors of merchantmen from the uttermost parts of the earth. All these blessings cannot be enumerated in a single issue, much less expatiated on at length, but every month such reference will be made to them as space will permit. Inducing various industries to locate here is for the best. If a bonus is required, raise it. After they are established, encourage and patronize them. The Union Meat Company, the Zimmerman Packing Company, Capen & Co., the pottery industries, manufacturers of the Mount Hood shirts, and other firms, employ from 25 to 300 employes each. Their salaries are spent at home. This money keeps circulating. Increase the industries and times will be prosperous as long as the public buys the articles. placed on the market. Oregon is proud of the leading position which Homer Davenport occupies, and the world will not often furnish his equal in caricature, unless his competitor for high honors comes from his own state. Even then rivalry may not be adImitted, still Oregon has three other native sons, who are not yet 14 years of age, in whose brains are conceived, and whose ready hands can portray, some very creditable illustrations. We expected to publish some matter illustrated by them in this issue, but space would not permit. In our next our readers may look for it, however. Our contributors as well as ourselves may not agree with others in estimate of the efforts of some of our early pioneers or in detail of events which took place as statehood was being carried forward. Still, while opinions may differ, and errors be unwittingly made, we trust that our pages will be read with the idea in view that it is our purpose to publish as much history as possible, and that all are depended upon to help along the good cause. The benefit of several opinions would in no wise be harmful, an article or statement in reference to past incidents, from varied standpoints, interesting, and mention of unpublished happenings a contribution to history to all most acceptable. We therefore invite all who have any knowledge of pioneer times to favor us with the benefit of such. Pioneers are mortal, and if they delay too long in giving their reminiscences, the time will come when the voice is stilled, and it will then be too late to add to what all desire to be aware of-of all that will contribute towards a full and complete history of Oregon. Our pages are free to all who see fit to lend their aid in this matter, provided that the politics of the present or future are not made the subject upon which they write, or relig÷ ious opinions dwelt upon. The Native Sons are making preparation for their annual meeting, to be held in June next. Committees have been appointed for service in various ways in the matter. The Grand Cabin has taken up the question of "Pioneer Day" with a will, and the venerable state founders, who are in Portland on the 15th of June, can rest assured that their descendants will make the occasion a pleasant one if such be possible. BIOGRAPHICAL. no RD. JOHN M'LOUGHLIN. Father McLoughlin has been termed and well called the first real governor of Oregon. As chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Company west of the Rockies, he was more than thishe was autocrat. He was of the great in many ways--large physically, broad of mind and in ideas, and, above all, there was estimate of his tenderness and goodness of heart. He was nearly 40 years among us, and during that time was the peer of all others here. The Indians called him the "whiteheaded eagle," and the whites went to him as a father in their troubles. In a pathetic manuscript found among his papers published after his death, he calls himself the father of Oregon; and the greater the lapse of time from its writing the greater has become the idea that his claim was right and just. The circumstances of his life may be briefly told. He was born in Canada in 1784, of Scotch parents, although his mother, by some, is said to have been French. He was employed in early manhood as a physician by the Northwest Fur Company, and was stationed for a time at their posts in Canada. On the consolidation of this company with that of the Hudson's Bay Company he was selected to come West and take full charge of the interests of this great corporation. In 1824, together with his family and a retinue of the company's servants, he came overland to his post. On his arrival at Astoria, and on looking around the country he concluded that the site where Vancouver, Wash., now stands would be a better location than Astoria for a post, and to such place he removed and established himself, making it the headquarters of the company west of the Rockies. During all the years of his administration as chief factor of the company he served his employers with marked fidelity, ability and an accurate and broad appreciation of his duties as a Christian. His conduct to the early American settlers was admirably humane, and showed that the claims of humanity outweighed mere business considerations of every degree. It may be well enough imagined that the efforts and scenes through which he passed from 1840 to 1847 were exceedingly harassing. Then began the decline of his personal control over this country, which, during the long time, he had made exclusive. The Americans first broke the arch of his authority, and his humane and benevolent treatment of these Americans, who could brook no government except their own, soon drew upon him the censure of the English, and he was rebuked by his employers for his toleration and kindness, when he resigned the trust he had so faithfully, honestly and capably administered. After severing his connection therewith he moved to the falls of the Willamette, and there settled upon a claim, founding Oregon City thereon, and some 300 of its lots were by him donated to schools, churches and private parties. He also became an Amer ican citizen, but the change of affairs did not bring cessation of trouble. He was persecuted by men claiming the knowledge of Christian experience, defamed by designing politicians and knowingly misrepresented at Washington as a British intriguer, until he was unjustly deprived of the greater portion of his land claim. Subsequent examination into the true status of the case brought conclusive proof that he had been wronged, and to the credit of the state the wrong done was, in part, righted before his death. The wreck of his former influence, the unjust condemnation passed upon him and false accusations made concerning him, the loss of his fortune and the ingratitude of those he had befriended in hours of starvation and need, embittered his declining years. After a sorrowful experience of man's ingratitude to man, he closed his eyes in death on the 3d of September, 1857, aged 73. Beneath the morning shadow of the old gray cliffs that overlook the pioneer town of the Anglo-American on the Pacific. which he himself founded-Oregon City-he lies at rest and peace within the ever-moaning sound of the mighty cataract of the Willamette. Dr. McLoughlin was a grand old man, the father of Oregon. His depth of discernment, force of will, strict integrity and his abounding sense of humanity and gentleness gave him a touch of greatness. Oregon has most fittingly placed in the statehouse along with its various governors an oil painting of him, and should monuments ever be erected to the memory of its dead, the first to be raised should be in his honor. The wife of the doctor was the widow of Alexander McKay, who lost his life on the ill-fated Tonquin, the loss of which being due to Indian treachery and lust for greed. By this union three sons and one daughter were born, the latter, Mrs. Eloise McLoughlin Rae, being the mother of Mrs. Theodore Wygant and Mrs. Joseph Myrick, of Portland. trous, where he resided until his death, which occurred in May, 1877. He was married in New York city January 15, 1830, to Miss Ann Pope, who died in New York April 30, 1884. He left a family consisting of a son, William, and a daughter, Anne. The former married a daughter of William H. Gray, a pioneer of 1836, and the latter became the wife of Colonel Henry Hodges, U. S. A. GEORGE ABERNETHY. Oregon's first governor was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1807. The family moved to the United States soon after, and the future executive spent the first 32 years of his life in New York. In 1839 Rev. Jason Lee was in the East after recruits for the Methodist mission established in the Willamette valley, and Mr. Abernethy joined the expedition as a lay member. It came in the ship Lausanne, which arrived at Vancouver June 1, 1840. Mr. Abernethy was placed in charge of the mission store at Willamette Falls, now Oregon City. What interest he took in the formation of a government by the settlers was of a negative or indifferent nature until it was conceded to have become firmly established. In 1843 the executive powers of the commonwealth were vested in a committee of three; in 1845 it was determined to change this and elect one, a governor, instead. There were several conflicting interests, which put up several candidates for the honor. Mr. Abernethy was absent in the Sandwich islands on business at the time, but his supporters succeeded in electing him to the position by a small majority. At the close of his term he was re-elected, and before the end of his second term Oregon became by action of the government a territory of the United States. This gave him the honor of being the only provisional governor Oregon ever had. Governor Abernethy was a wise executive, and all unite in saying that his administration was economical, clean and beneficial. He was instrumental in the starting of various enterprises in Oregon City, the then metropolis of Oregon. In some of his speculations he was unfortunate. Others, however, paid him handsome revenues. In 1861 he was considered well-to-do, when the great flood of that year swept away his buildings and effects, and in these vanished the savings of his active life. With but a small remnant of his fortune he removed to Portland in that year so disas JOSEPH LANE. General Lane was born in North Carolina December 14, 1801. At an early age his father moved to Henderson county, Kentucky, where he lived until the age of twenty. At this early period of life he married Miss Polly Hart, and they moved to Vanderburgh county, Indiana, where for some twenty-five years he led the life of a farmer. Being an active participant in all matters of enterprise that would bring the greatest good to the county, his abilities were soon recognized and he was sent as its representative to the legislature, remaining a member of it until the breaking out of the Mexican war, when he resigned as state senator to accept the colonelcy of the Second regiment, Indiana volunteers. He was badly wounded in the shoulder at the battle of Buena Vista, where he commanded the left wing of the army, but, nothing daunted, he refused to leave the field until victory was assured. Subsequently, while in command of a corps destined to the relief of General Scott, he defeated the Mexicans in several engagements. After joining General Scott, he was actively engaged very prominently in the war until peace was restored. From the rank of colonel he rose through merit and bravery to brigadier-general and major-general of volunteers. No sooner had the sun of military life seen its setting than that of political dawned again, for on his return from the battle-field he found himself commissioned governor of Oregon territory. He immediately set out for the scene of his new duties, coming via Mexico and Arizona, accompanied by a military escort to San Francisco, where he took passage on a sailing vessel for Oregon City, the then seat of government. On the 3d of March, 1849, he issued his proclamation as governor. In 1851 he was chosen delegate to congress, and served in that capacity until Oregon was admitted in 1859 as a state, when he was elected one of its first |