Reminiscences of a pioneer
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| Colonel William Thompson |
Forward
So rapidly is the Far West changing character, our pioneers should feel duty bound to preserve all they can of its early history. Many of them are giving relics of frontier days to museums and historical societies.
And they do well. Yet such collections are unfortunately accessible to only a few. Hence they do better when preserving the living narratives of their times. For however unpretentious from the cold aspect of literary art, these narratives breathe of courage and fortitude amid hardships and perils and tell as nothing else can of the hopes and dreams of the hardy pathfinders, and of the compensations and pleasures found in their sacrifices. It is with this end in view, to preserve the life of the old days in its many colours, that these recollections are penned.
There was more to this life than has been touched by the parlour romancers or makers of moving-picture films. Perhaps someday these memories may serve to illumine the historian delving into the human records of the past. And perhaps, also, and this is the author's dearest wish, they may inspire young readers to hold to the hardy traditions of the 'Fifties and to keep this spirit alive in a country destined soon to be densely peopled with newcomers from the long-settled parts of the world.
Contents:
I Farewell to the Old Southern Home 1
II First Winter in the Willamette Valley 11
III Indian Outbreak of 1855 19
IV In Which Various Experiences Are Discussed... 30
V Taking Revenge on Marauding Snakes 48
V Taking Revenge on Marauding Snakes 48
VI One Sad Tale From Canyon City History 59
VII Col. Thompson's First Newspaper Venture 70
VIII History of the Modoc Indians 75
IX The Ben Wright Massacre 80
X Treaty With the Modocs Made 84
XI Battle in the Lava Beds 94
XII The Peace Commission's Work 109
XIII Three Days Battle in the Lava Beds 115
XIV Trailing the Fugitives 124
XV The Great Bannock War 132
XVI Snake Uprising in Eastern Oregon 144
XVII Bannocks Double on Their Tracks 149
XVIII Another Attack That Miscarried 159
XIX Reign of the Vigilantes 167
XX Passing of the Morgans 175
XXI The Lookout Lynching 178
