Rebounding vengeance; an Indian romance, and the evolution of Newport, Oregon

Preface

"Why was this book written ?"

The author, Theresa (Ketcheson-Boldrick) Roper, who was born and lived for a number of years in Hastings Co., Ontario, Canada, when reading of the far West longed— but never dreamed that she would — see the mighty Pacific Ocean, that washed the western shores of the continent of North America.

She first visited these shores in 1902, and a few years later she, with her family, took up her abode in picturesque Newport.

Purchasing a beautiful view lot they proceeded at once to erect their home, "Highland Castle," which, when being built, was found to cover a portion of the old "coast-wise Indian trail."

After taking up her residence here Mrs. Rope^r would so often ask for bits of the early history of Newport, and was surprised to learn that no records had been kept of the past, and that all the knowledge to be gained about her present and future home was from word of mouth of a few of the old pioneers that helped to build this extreme western city.

And so the thought came to her that she would secure and write down the most important events in the evolution of the town of her adoption.

But, who knows? Maybe, as she sits idly dreaming on the bit of the "old trail" that she so jealously preserves, she sees the shades of the old feather-bedecked warriors as they go galloping by on their phantom steeds, and it may be that they stop and tell her of the days that have "long passed by," be that as it may — the events related on the following pages are all founded on facts. 1919.

Printed and Copyrighted in 1919 By Theresa (Ketcheson-Boldriek) Roper

C ON T E N T S

Page

Chapter I. — 1825

GHZ'

Silence, save for the muffled splashing of the breakers on the rocks seventy or eighty feet below the point of land that projected a couple of hundred feet out from the main land, which was in after years to be known as "Jump-Off-Joe," at Newport, Oregon.

The point was nearly four hundred feet in width, with banks almost perpendicular. It was dotted here and there on top with wild huckleberry bushes, while the ground was thickly carpeted with "kinnikinic," a beautiful evergreen vine loaded with bright red berries. In the midst of this a young Indian maiden stood, or rather, partly bent, in the task of picking the luscious fruit. When the unfamiliar sound reached her ear, her hand was stayed half way on its journey to deposit its load of berries in the conical shaped basket that was strapped to her back by a band passing around her forehead, which also bound back her jet-black hair that fell in two loosely braided strands, one on either side of her red-brown face. About her shoulders was draped a cleverly woven grass mat. A short buckskin skirt, which was fringed at the lower edge, extended below the knees, and beneath which her two small, shapely, naked feet could be seen.

"Ugh!"

Again that sound. Slowly she arose to her full height, and turning around she faced the main land. She confronted a hedge-like growth of jack pine, that marked the shore line all along the bluff. At first she saw nothing, then slowly a dark brown hand reached out and parted the green branches, and her quick eye caught the gleam of two shining orbs looking straight at her.

Slowly the bushes separated, and as they did so, revealed the tall, straight form of a young brave.

His scanty clothing was torn and dirty. A band about his straight, short, black hair, bound in place at the back of his head, two dilapidated eagle feathers. His shoulders bore the remnants of a once beautiful otter skin robe, and his almost, naked legs, were marked with many scars. His feet were bound about with what were once a handsomely embroidered pair of moccasins, but they, too, showed the marks of rough usage.

As these two young people stood facing each other — perfect in their youth — not more than twenty feet apart, they appeared to be reading the innermost soul of each other, and,- apparently satisfied with what they saw, he advanced a few steps, and she did not run away, or even move, but waited for him to speak first.

lU Kla howya, six."

The maiden's black eyes sparkled, and a half smile parted the full red lips, but she did not say a word or make a move.

Embolded by her looks, he took a few more steps forward, then he looked all around, up and down the beach on either side of his lofty position, which enabled him to see plainly from where he stood. Apparently satisfied that no one else was near he said :

2 "Chuck?"

3 "Wake; mika chach co till?" for the maiden saw the look of utter fatigue in his face.

4 "Wake."

5 "Ik-tah mika tikah?"

6 "Mika o-lo."

7 "Yahkwa mitlita mika muck-a-muck," and turning quickly, she beckoned him to follow, and she led the way to the very outer edge of the bluff where there were a few feet of green grass overhanging the almost-perpendicular rock.

Here she swung the basket from her shoulders, and dived deep among the berries, while the young brave threw himself — face downward — in the long grass, and lay at full length.

She brought forth strips of dried meat, and fish, and laid them before him. He lifted his head and looked at the food thus provided, then raised his eyes to her face, and, gave it one searching look, after which he proceeded to devour what she had placed before him.

Again she dived to the bottom of the basket and brought forth several dark round balls, and held them toward him.

8 "Wapato."

He reached up and took them from her, and in so doing, his fingers closed over hers, and their eyes met.

A dark deep flush overspread her face, while a smile of pleasure played about his strong, thin, lips and his bright eyes grew brighter still. Not a word was spoken and he ate in silence, all she had given him, then, rising to his feet he told her he must go.

"Where was he going, and why so soon?"

For a few moments he did not answer but stood gazing out over the blue waters of the ocean as it sparkled

-"Good morning, friend." 2 — "Water." 8 — "No, are you tired?" "No." 5 — "What do you want?" 6 — "I'm hungry." 7 — "I something to eat." 8 — "Potatoes."

Here is at his feet.

His face, upon which the morning sun was shining its brightest, showing fully the high cheek bones, the long, straight, thin nose, the straight, firm mouth which was partly open, revealing the white, perfect teeth beneath. Every line of his well built body was perfect, and, with the exception of a tired droop to his broad shoulders, there was nothing lacking to mark him as being a chosen one of the gods.

At last lowering his gaze to the level of her eyes he said:

"I'll tell you. I'm going to my mother's people, the 'Chinooks,' who live on the 2< Sket-sot-wa'."

She gazed over his person. He carried no provisions, and he carried no weapons with which to kill, and her quick thought was, that he would die of hunger, and she said:

"Come with me to my father's lodge and he will give you plenty to eat, for the distance is far — two, maybe three, suns away."

But he shook his head.

"I go ; and no one must know. I go in secret."

A cautious glance from her eyes convinced him that he must tell her more, and after a moment's hesitation, he told her that he was fleeing from vengeance.

Again she started, and that frightened look, — but — lie told her, to fear not, — for the crime he was accused of, he had never committed. lie was innocent.

He told her he did not wish anyone to know he had passed that way, so, if his pursuers did trace him, no one could say they saw him. Once with his mother's people he would be safe: then, might he come back to her? If he brought many skins and much riches to her father, would he let her go with him as wife?

-"Lower Columbia River.

For a few moments she sat in silence, then said :

"Let it be so/'

He dropped upon one knee in front of her, and taking her two plump berry stained hands in his own powerful brown palms, he looked straight, and long, into her half -closed eyes, then he said:

lU 0-koke wa Kan-num tik-eh."

Then he told her he had never loved one before, although many maidens had been offered him; his grandmother had taught that the "Great Spirit" would be angry with him if he took to wife aught but the one He had created in love for him.

Just then two snow white sea gulls — that had been resting on the rocks far below, were disturbed by the foaming crest of a huge breaker, and soaring far overhead, gave a graceful dip of their outspread pinions, and passed but a few feet above the heads of the two young lovers. As the shadow of their bodies passed over them, the young brave looked up, then he dropped his eyes to her face again, as he said :

2 "Tkope Miski; ni-ka Miski."

He told her that he would always think of her as his "Miski" and that his name was "Joseph," a name that had come down through the ages from the long ago. "Joseph" meant "the chosen of God," "God" was the "Great Spirit" who lived in the "great beyond" so the white chief had told his 4 "Chape's Chape."

Miski looked at him inquiringly, then said:

5 "Wa-wa ni-ka okoke eh-kah-nam."

For a few moments Joseph appeared not to hear, then, sitting down upon his feet, and clasping his arms about his knees, he gazed long out over the laughing waters, toward the noon-day sun.

l — "It is with God's love." 2 — "White sea gull — my sea gull." 8 — "Yes. 1 4 — ("Grandmother's grandmother." 5 — "Tell me the story."

The red-brown-green foliage of the large huckleberry bush, that sheltered them from any that might pass along the trail on the bluff, served as a rich background for the two reclining figures on the edge of the cliff.

At last he spoke :

His mother had died when his sister, ^Chee Chee," was born, some fourteen snows ago, and his grandmother and grandfather Chief 2 "Shah-Shuh-Gar," chief of the Umpquas, who lived in the valley of the 3 "Yon Calla," and had no other children, cared for him and his little sister, as though they were their own ; and sitting in the door of his grandmother's wigwam, or under the tall trees of the forest that surrounded their camping ground, she, 4 "Shontay Kul-lakul-la," told him all that had come down to her.

"Almeta," Joseph's grandmother's grandmother, was born far to the north on the great river. Her father was chief of the "Chinooks," who were very rich, having many canoes. They were great hunters and had very many beautiful furs of the wolf, deer and seal.

All was peaceful among them; life was sweet, and all were happy. One day little Almeta and her mother went down to the river, which was not far from the village, where they had come to get their winter's supply of 5 "pish," and taking a canoe paddled down the river, close to the banks, until they came to a small inlet, which terminated in a mud flat.

Here the 6 "wapatoes" grew in great profusion, their lily-like blooms covering the surface of the water, which here was about two feet deep.

Then Almeta' s mother slipped out of the canoe, and wading about to the patches, or clumps, she worked the

1 — "Small Bird." 2 — "Blue Heron." 3 — "Umpqua River." 4 — "Singing Bird." 6 — "Wild potatoes."

roots loose from the mud with her toes, and when they arose to the surface Almeta, — who was too small for that labor, — would gather them from the water into the canoe.

Great flocks of water fowl were flying around, or swimming about on the surface of the sluggish water, while here and there, great white swans were wading about. With their powerful legs and feet, they would dig loose the root far down in the mud, and ducking their heads under the dirty water, their long necks would enable them to reach the root, which they would free from the mud, and it would float to the surface, but when they raised their heads to look for the bulbs — the ducks had often devoured them.

Almeta had been so interested in watching the manners of the birds, and her mother so busy with her tasks, that the long day was beginning to draw to a close, before they started for home. They did not notice until they had gained the river and gotten away from the high shores, that had protected them all day, that a heavy gale of wind was sweeping up the river, making the waters roll, and toss, about in wild fury, for it was very wide here — almost like an inland sea. They hugged the banks close, skimming along under the overhanging trees, when, as they rounded a sharp point, they came into full view of — what Almeta at first thought to be — a huge bird, with many wings spread.

It was driving ahead, and coming straight toward the point they were striving so hard to navigate in their frail craft.

Fear seized both, and they headed the canoe straight to the shore, where they climbed out, and pulled hard at their heavily laden boat, until they had it well up from the angry waves. Then, hastily clambering up the steep bank, they ran with all their might to the village, which was not far distant.

"'White Eagle," Almeta's father, with many others, was lying around a smouldering camp fire, when the woman and the girl burst upon their tranquility, with the news of their wonderful discovery!

In a moment the camp was alive!

Women and children flocked from the nearby wigwams, while the men, old, and young, seized their weapons, and all started in great confusion toward the spot where the wonderful sight had been seen.

Sure enough, there was the strange object, but it had drifted to the shore, and had stuck in the sand, and the waves, — driven with the fury of the wind, — were fast breaking the craft to pieces. The white sails were being torn to shreds, and the on-lookers from the high bank above, could see beings like themselves, clinging to the wreckage. Some were already in the water battling with the waves, and would soon land.

"What were they to do?"

This huge, strange-shaped canoe, with its load of pale faces; were they coming to make war on them?

Quickly a council was held. It would never do to let them land, for once on shore, what power did they possess? What weapons did they have? What their strength ?

No, they must be stopped and at once. So, gathering in a compact body, they dropped one by one over the bank, and concealed themselves among the willows that grew low over the water, until all had descended, then, forming in a semicircle, they advanced to the spot where the white men were landing.

Slowly the circle narrowed, until within a few yards of the half -drowned men, then with a fierce war-whoop, they closed around them.

The struggle did not last long, and to the waiting women on the bank above, a yell of triumph from the warriors, told them of their perfect victory.

Around the campfire that night, a great dance was held. Had they not a reason to rejoice? The "Great Spirit" had given them strength to subdue this new unknown foe.

When the dance was at its highest, Almeta's mother came and took her by the hand, and led her away from the boisterous throng; led her to the forest behind the village, far from the sound of revelry, and there beneath the tall trees, whose tops swayed in the strong, heavy wind — which still blew so bitterly, — the older woman with a shudder, told the child at her feet how the scene that had been enacted that night, had cut her to the heart, for once before, when she was a little girl like Almeta, and lived with her people down where the ocean and the river meet, she had beheld the same sight that they had just witnessed. Had she known it would have terminated as it did, she never would have told her husband, Chief White Eagle.

The next morning, the wind having abated, the water had calmed down, and the outgoing tide had left the strange craft high and dry on the white sands. Great was the rejoicing in the camp, for many of the young braves had clambered aboard, and the strange and wonderful things they had found, made them wild with delight. Wonderful and delicious things they had found to eat, clothes and garments they knew not how to wear, masses of cloth, beads, and baubles of all kinds, which the women of the tribe at once took possession of, and later — many were the fantastic garments — constructed out of the treasures of that ship.

All day long the pillage went on. At length a queer thing was found. It looked like a stick but was very heavy and one end was much larger than the other.

"Of what use could it be?"

"Should they take it?"

"Yes, everything must go." But one young brave — more inquisitive than the rest — thought he would make a thorough investigation. How it happened none could tell, but there was a deafening roar, a flash of lightninglike fire, and the young warrior dropped face downward, blood gushing in streams from his head.

It was but the work of a moment for all to leave this strange craft, Over each other they tumbled in their haste to get as far away as they could from this mysterious spirit. From a distance they discussed the strange happening. They waited long, and the water arose higher and higher around the wreck. Why did not the a "Kas-kass" come out before it was too late?

While they were discussing the situation his mother arrived from the village, and upon learning all, at once made for the wreck. In vain they told her to return, that the now-partly floating boat might go to pieces, and she be drowned in the angry waves. But she heeded them not, and after much labor she at last gained the deck, and disappeared from view. Not long was she (gone, when those on shore beheld her clambering over the side of the hull, drop into the water, and swim with haste toward the beach, where she arrived half dead from her battle with the waves, which were now lashing angrily the rocks that bordered the river's shore. When she could speak, she told them in awe, that she had found him — her man-child — lying face downward where he had fallen, and when she had turned him over he was stiff in death, and then she saw he had no face. Horror stricken, the natives fled to the village and rolling themselves in their robes, or hiding in their wigwams, they remained as quiet as death for they feared the gods would pursue them and serve them the same way.

The next morning some of the bolder ones ventured to the water's edge, but nothing of the mysterious craft could be seen.

l — "Boy."

Chapter II

NE snow passed by and the following Spring found the same band encamped on the old grounds again, engaged in the same operations — that of laying in their winter's supply of ^'wapatoes and pish."

The weather was beautiful, and the sun was shining so brightly over the ripling waters of the River of the West. The women were busy; some weaving baskets of the rushes that grew close to the water's edge, some were engaged in making skirts of long fringe, twisted and braided from the inner bark of the cedar — a beautiful silky strong fibre — -which they would dye many colors, others again, were busy sewing together hides, and skins of the bear, and moose, with strings and strips of the hides for new wigwams.

Many of the men were in canoes along the river spearing fish with a pronged stick, or a long lance made out of horn, while others were making nets out of small fibrous roots, to catch the £ "ool-kum" which came in jgreat quantities, after the snows left the mountains, and the waters of the river were high.

The children were happy playing their many games, and all was tranquil. Almeta had strayed from the others to the high bank above the river, where she sat with her basket work. She could see far down the river, and she dreamed of a visit her mother had promised her, she could make to her mother's people, who lived down where the 3 "we-co-ma" and the 4 "chuck" meet, when the young bucks and braves, went down to the ocean to get their winter's supply of 5 "e-co-la" and 6 "ol-hi-yu," the oil of

Potatoes and fish." 2 — "Smelt." S — "Ocean." l — "Hirer.' 5 — "Whale." 6 — "Seal."

which they dearly loved.

Suddenly, she let her work fall to the ground, and springing to her feet, she shaded her eyes from the fierce glare of the sun on the water, she beheld far in the distance, a 6 "kanem" like the one that had come ashore in the gale the year before.

Her first thought was to fly and warn the tribe, then the thought of what she had witnessed before, flashed before her, and going quietly to the camp, she told her mother secretly of what she had seen, and the two went back to the point of observation, and watched the beautiful sight of the stately ship, with its white wings spread, coming slowly along in the gentle breeze.

Soon it was close up to the point, and rounding it, came into full view of the fishermen, who, upon seeing it, made for the shore, and rushing up to the village, procured their arms and ran back to the river edge, prepared to do to the new comers what they had done to those that had dared to visit their shores before.

In the meantime, the ship had come to a full stop. The watchers on the shore could see those on board heave some heavy object over, which fell with a splash into the water, then they proceeded to lower its white wings, and soon it stood still, save for a gentle rocking caused by the outgoing tide. Those on board then hoisted a large canoe -like object over the side, and many of them climbed down into it, and began pulling for the shore.

When within a short distance of the landing, the natives — with a yell of warning — waded far out into the water with their stone axes, and spears uplifted, ready to strike, when suddenly, one of the men stood up in the boat, and raised a strange fearful looking stick — like that which had caused such terror among them before. He pointed it just above their heads and it spoke fire, and smoke, amid a deafening roar.

Quickly, as one man, the Indians turned, and with a cry of fright rushed up the bank, and were soon hidden from view. Women and children likewise took shelter, and when the pale faces reached shore not one was to be seen, save the two figures of Almeta and her mother, far up on the bluff. They could see the strangers plainly, and the first one to step ashore, was a tall black-robed being, with long snow-white hair, and beard, who carried a ^'la-clo-ah," and when he had gained the high shore, he stood it upright in the ground, and while those that came with him knelt at its feet, the black-robed one stood erect, and stretching his hands upward to the 2 "koo-sah" appeared to be addressing some unseen being.

It was plain to the savages that there was to be no fooling with these strange people, and with the mysterious power they possessed with the magic stick.

"Who knew what they might do !"

Two of the men returned to the boat and started back to the ship, the rest stood about the cross, with their backs to it, facing in all directions, while the black-robed one, finding a path, went slowly up the steep hill to where Almeta and her mother stood, unable to hide on its bare surface. Crouching there, he found them quaking with fear, but one look from his kindly eyes, convinced them that he meant no harm. With a smile he said:

8 "Kla-how-ya, six?"

With the sound of his kindly voice, and the knowledge • that he spoke their own language perfectly, the terrible fear that had overcome them, vanished. They arose totheir feet, still holding each other's hands, but said not; a word.

Again the stranger spoke.

He told them he was their friend, that the "Great Spirit" had sent him to their people, to tell them what

l — "Cross." 2 — Sky." 3 — "How are you, friend?"

they must do to please Him, and those who came with him would like to buy furs from them if they had any to sell. They meant no harm, on the contrary, they wished to help them, to do them good.

When White Eagle, — peeping through the bushes where he had hidden himself, with others, — saw his wife and daughter talking to the stranger, he grew bolder, and came slowly up the hill, but still holding his spear tightly in his hand. The new comer saw him and in a low voice he told the chief of what he wanted, and that they would pay them well for what the natives had to give them. Before the sun had set behind the western hills, peace had been declared between them, and a friendly feeling had sprung up.

As day by day went by the "White Chief,' ' — as they called the tall stranger, — told them of many things about the "Great Spirit" whom they so vaguely knew. How they must be kind to one another, not kill, not steal, not envy or in no way injure one another, or anything another possessed. But if one was in trouble, in want or sick, they must help them, and in so doing the "Great Spirit" would smile on them, and takle them to the "Happy Hunting Ground" where they would have all they wished of everything they loved, a place or region far beyond the sun, which was like the door to the "New Home" they would enter when they come to 1 "chah-co men-a-loos."

The White Chief, who was the only one that spoke their language, had to tell his pale face brothers, all the Indians had to say, and, through him many skins and baskets were traded for bright colored beads, and cloths, and many other things which the natives had never seen before until they had taken them from the ship that had been washed upon their shores.

After spending many, many suns with them, and

1— "To die."

procuring all the skins that could be spared from the camp, the ship made ready to sail. The pale faces had taken much dried fish, and venison as food and they said they would surely come again after another snow, and bring many things useful to the Indians from the great world outside, from whence they had come. But in return, the natives must have many skins of the bear, beaver, moose and the elk, deer, wolf and fox.

The hearts of the natives grew sad at the thought of the pale chief leaving them, and little Almeta lay long awake at night in her little bed of spruce boughs out under the stars, and prayed to the " Great Spirit ,, to let the white chief stay with them, for his teachings had touched her heart as it had that of her mother, and not a few of the other women, and some of the men of the tribe.

Crying, she stole quietly to the te-pee of the dear old man they had all learned to love, and calling softly she sank in tears to the ground, and when he came to her, she asked him what they would all do without him should he leave them.

Touched by the heart-hunger of this wild people, he told the departing sailors of his intentions of stopping: where he was until their return. At first they begged him not to do so rash a thing, but the down-hearted looks of the men, the tear stained faces of the women, and most of all, the wild pleadings of Almeta, convinced him that here — in the heart of the wilderness — the remainder of his life work stood. He bade his friends farewell, and stood on the shore surrounded by his dusky followers as the ship weighed anchor, and unfurled her white wings and slowly glided down the placid river toward the unknown sea.