Folklore: Masters no. 18

Contents include writings, poems, and newspaper articles, transcribed by various W.P.A workers for the Writer's Project pertaining to Oregon and Oregon country folklore. Documents that are included:

Anecdotes Of Joe Meek Extracts from "Anecdotes of Early Days" by Samuel A. Clarke. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 6, 1940. Two pages. Documents include tales of Joseph Meeks. With comedic behavior surrounding notable figures; John McLoughlin and Orville C. Pratt.

The Land Of Red Apples And Rain By O.P. Mason. Transcribed by Eugene Woods, November 28, 1940. Three Pages. Poetry on the serenity and landscape of Oregon.

Caravan Slackers From the Oregon Historical Quarterly, September, 1900. Transcribed by Eugene Woods, December 15, 1940. One page.

Editorial Exchange From the Oregon Statesman, August 12, 1856. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, November 28, 1940. One page.

"Dew Tell" Correspondence From the Oregon Statesman, July 16, 1866. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, November 19, 1940. One page. A male's perspective and outrage over women's fashion trends in winter.

Scripts And Grindstones From the Oregon Historical Quarterly, September, 1901. Transcribed by Eugene Woods, December 15, 1940. One page.

Harding In Effigy From the Oregon Statesman, August 26, 1856. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, November 28, 1940. One page. The contested accounts of Corvallis citizens being accused of protesting and hanging a fake Governor Harding in effigy to protests the proclamation of the canvass of the territory for government.

Ice Baseball From the Salem Weekly Record, January 20, 1868. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, November 19, 1940. One page.

Look Out For Your "Tale" From the West Shore, September, 1879. Transcribed by Eugene Woods, December 2, 1940. One page. A Synopsis of a notice posted on the road leading to Vancouver from a disgruntled citizen over unattended cows or oxen.

Saucing From the Oregon Historical Quarterly, September, 1900. By H.S. Lyman from the Reminiscences of Hugh Cosgrove. Transcribed by Eugene Woods, December 15, 1940. One page.

One Editorial To Another From the Oregon Statesman, July 3, 1875. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, November 19, 1940. One page.

Vagabond Oregonian From the Harper's, with a handwritten June-November, 1882. Transcribed by Eugene Woods. One page.

Plague Of Gnats From the Oregon Weekly Statesman, October 24, 1879. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, November 19, 1940. One page.

The Stampede To Red Dog From the Oregon Native Son, by W.W. Fidler. No date identified for the document. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 5, 1940. One page.

Sunset On The Ocean From the Oregon Statesman, September 20, 1864. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, November 19, 1940. One page. Poetry on the setting sun over Oregon, with descriptions of the landscape.

The Oregon Rain From the West Shore, February, 1880. Transcribed by Eugene Woods, November 2, 1940. One page. Poetry by H.B.L., on the privilege of being an Oregonian.

The Judge And The Sherriff From the Oregon Native Son, taken from court in Yamhill, 1846. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 2, 1940. One page.

Stories Of Old Oregon By R.A. Waggoner, with a written inscription of being recorded in 1904 and published in 1905. Four pages. Pages include the following: The accolades on the role oxen carried for pioneer's and homesteader's in Oregon. Recounts of pioneers and their experiences in emigration, survival, and lay of the land.

The Klamath From the Oregon Native Son, April, 1900. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 3, 1940. Two pages. Poem written by O.C. Applegate

The Press From the Oregon Native Son, June, 1900. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 3, 1940. One page. Poem by the Oregon Free Press, October 7, 1848.

Oregon From the Oregon Native Son, October, 1899. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 3, 1940. Two pages. Poem by Theo. J. Eckerson.

Nesmith VS. Jones From the Oregon Native Son, October, 1899. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 3, 1940. Three pages. A report from a prank amongst two friends travelling.

Jargon Letter From the Oregon Native Son, September, 1900. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 3, 1940. One page. Oregon Pine From the Oregon Native Son, September, 1900. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 3, 1940. One page. Poem by Nellie Evans.

The Meadow Lark From the Oregon Native Son, September, 1899. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 3, 1940. Two pages. Poem by Ella Higginson

The Stolen Loaf From the Oregon Native Son, June, 1899. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 3, 1940. Five pages. Written by Thomas H. Rogers. A retelling of events taken place in 1852, surrounding Sydney Cook and his journey during the Westward Expansion. The writing details Sydney's experience in the Umpqua Valley, scraping by through stealing and the redemption he later dealt with repaying the victim in payment restitution with his earnings while mining. Pioneer Bread From the Oregon Native Son, November, 1900. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 3, 1940. One page. A pioneers unconventional way of baking bread.

Virginia Meek From the Oregon Native Son, May, 1900. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 4, 1940. One page. An obituary about Virginia Meek, princess and daughter to Chief Kowesota of the Nez Perce, as well as the last wife of Joseph Meek.

Home Of Moonshine From the Oregon Native Son, October, 1899. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 4, 1940. One page. A brief summary of a moonshine order and whiskey called "Blue Ruin" from Swan Island, Oregon.

Buried Treasure From the West Shore, November, 1884. Transcribed by Eugene Woods, November 3, 1940. Three pages. Written by Harvey L. Wells, writing includes thievery of discovered wealth of the mines, how miners would disperse of justice through forms of tribunals, the circumstantial evidence used to convict crimes and execute criminals. Finally, how in most circumstances the crimes were often misplaced or neglected treasures the accusers would potentially discover later.

A Good Eye Water From the Salem Weekly Record, February 3, 1868. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, November 19, 1940. One page. A folk remedy for cleaning eyes using grape root steeped water.

Windmill And Graveyard From the Oregon Statesman, no date identified. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, November 19, 1940. One page. Story about a strawberry and ice cream festival in Corvallis in celebration of a recent windmill constructed in a graveyard.

The Noisy Nine From the Oregon Statesman, March 9, 1858. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, November 28, 1940. Three pages. Excerpts includes a disparaging poem about the nine National Democrats and their address they provided to the National Democracy of Oregon, from a contributor to the newspaper.

Couldn't Work For A Chinaman From the Oregonian, August 13, 1885. Transcribed by Eugene Woods, November 19, 1940. One page. A passage detailing a situation where a jobless servent refused to work for a Chinese household. Article touches on the hostilities and racial bias Eastern Asian households faced during the 1800s in Oregon.

Trouble From the Oregon Native Son, no date identified. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 2, 1940. Two pages. A poem submission to the newspaper by Governor George L. Curry.

Mark Of Good Friendship From the Oregon Native Son, December, 1900. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 6, 1940. One page. Article contributed by F.H. Saylor.

Let The Old Log Cabin Molder From the West Shore, 1877. Transcribed by Eugene Woods, November 29, 1940. Two pages. A poem written as a tribute to Andrew Wells.

Jefferson Institute Founder From the General History of Oregon, by Carey, no date identified. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 12, 1940. One page.

Grasshopper's Beg 'Chaw' From the Oregon Statesman, November 11, 1856. One page. A satirical article on the persistent pests found in tobacco fields.

Jefferson Institute From the Oregon Historical Quarterly, handwritten is the date of 1915. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 12, 1940. One page. Selection goes into detail of the institute's origins.

Wooden Farm Implements From the West Shore, 1876. Transcribed by Eugene Woods, November 28, 1940. One page. Extract on farming technology used by early homesteaders and pioneers.

When Elk Was Jackass From the Pacific Monthly, 1904. Transcribed by Eugene Woods, December 11, 1940. One page. Article which details Colonel Nesmith mistaking key words in native sign language mistakenly eating mule instead of elk.

Days Gone By From the West Shore, 1877. Transcribed by Eugene Woods, November 28, 1940. One page. Pioneer poetry.

Instead Of A Cock, I Think You A Hen From the East Oregonian, October 16, 1883. Transcribed by Sophia Robertson. Two pages. Transcribed copy of the Newspaper article on an altercation between a proprietress and a street commissioner.

Child Attacked By Eagle From the West Shore, 1876. Transcribed by Eugene Woods, November 28, 1940. One page. An article surrounding the events of an eagle attack around Grosse Tete.

First Billiard Table From the Pacific Monthly, 1904. Transcribed by Eugene Woods, December 11, 1940. One page.

The Chinook Wind From Scott's History of the Oregon Country, January 31, 1909. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 9, 1940. One page.

By Columbia's Mighty River From the Passing with the Sun in the Pacific Monthly. Transcribed by Eugene Woods, December 10, 1940. Two pages. Poem about the Columbia river.

Profane Address From the Oregon Statesman, June 23, 1855. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 9, 1940. One page.

Joab Powell: Homespun Missionary By M. Leona Nichols. Thirteen pages. Handwritten notes indicates this would be based around their adventures in the 1850's. Contents include autobiography excerpts on the homesteader, emphasizing her vital role in manning the farming while educating the family in religious study.

"Firsts" In Portland From the Oregon Native Son, December, 1900. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 6, 1940. One page. An article which accounts for the different types of business firsts in the Oregon Country.

"Blue Ruin" Whiskey and Wet Goods From the Oregon Native Son, December, 1900. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 6, 1940. One page. Extract on Ross Island's previous stint as a former still, which conflates the established beliefs of McCrary's distillery.

"Wild Man" Story From the Oregon Statesman, June 9, 1857. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, November 28, 1940. Four pages. A Grimm folk story over one young boy's kidnapping and escape.

A Brave Pioneer Girl By J.A. Buchanan, 1901. Transcribed by Eugene Woods, December 10, 1940. Three pages. Extracts of a young girls survival during a wagon attack.

Another Mossman Stay From the Oregon Native Son, no date identified. Transcribed by Lydia Littell. One page.

Speech Of Almer Gunderson Provided by Joe Mclaughlin, June 1, 1939. From Yachats, Oregon. One page.

First Minstrel Troupe In Pacific Northwest From the Oregon Native Son, December 1900. Transcribed by Lydia Littell. One page. A passage detailing the performance and creation of a minstrel group made up of pioneers.

First Theatre Building From the Oregon Native Son, December 1900. Transcribed by Lydia Littell. Two pages. Extracted from article that delves into Portland's history with interest in the landmark of the first theatre within the city. Additionally, an interest in the rotation of actors and public demonstrations that was found within the structure.

Oregon's First Theatre From the West Shore, May, 1879. Transcribed by Eugene Woods, December 2, 1940. Two pages.

Geraniums For Wounds From the Salem Weekly Record, January 20, 1868. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, November 19, 1940. One page. Extracts about botanical remedies for healing.

Foot And Mouth Disease From the Salem Weekly Record, no date identified. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, November 19, 1940. One page. Passage pertaining to incidents of an infection among horses during the mid 1800s.

Governor Pennoyer's Swallow-Tail Coat From the Oregon Native Son, October, 1899. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 2, 1940. One page. Passage discusses the conflicting nature of fashion trends versus necessity as a pioneer

Ice From the Oregon Statesman, February 23, 1858. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, November 28, 1940. One page. Extract which notifies of a ships transportation to Sitka, Russia for a fresh shipment of ice for residents in the summer.

Apples and Deacons From the Oregon Statesman, August 26,, 1856. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, November 28, 1940. One page.

Fern Pie From Stories of Old Oregon, by George A. Wagoner, 1861. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 12, 1940. One page.

The Pioneer's Daughter And Kansas Ben From the Pacific Monthly, August, 1901. Transcribed by Eugene Woods, December 12, 1940. Four pages. Song or poem by M.L. Fulkerson from Lebanon, Oregon. The recital for the verses were performed at the Pioneers Reunion at Brownville, Oregon, May 24, 1901.

Mrs. Goin, A Waldport Pioneer From the Waldport Tribune, January 10, 1939. Three pages. Selection recognizes the contributions of Mrs. S.G. Goin who travelled during the Western Expansion with her husband and six children. Writing following extracts of her travel and their settlement within Waldport.

Oregonians From Overland titled 'Oregonian Characteristics' by Alfred Holman, February, 1895. Transcribed by Eugene Woods. Two pages. Extracts for Holman's writing, with the designated page numbers and quotations.

In A Boy's Life From the Oregon Native Son, no date identified. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 2, 1940. Three pages. Excerpts include a look into early homesteading school life.

Cooper & Rivers Of New York. From the Oregon Native Son, no date identified. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 2, 1940. One page. Brief passage on the first circus around Oregon.

Pioneer Life In Camas Valley, 1848 By L.M. Lowell, 1936. Eight pages. A personal writing narrative on Camas Valley with the perspective of homesteading, daily life, settlement building, and history of the area from the narrators perspective.

Old Yamhill From the Overland Monthly, March, 1870. Transcribed by Eugene Woods, December, 1940. One page. Extract of a personal recount of what Oregonians consider Oregon's true borders and territory west of the Cascades.

Origin Of Chinook From the Oregonian, by P.W. Gillette, January 17, 1890. Two pages. Passage details the origin of the title of Chinook. Contents include how the name originally was for the group north of the Columbia river, but was later used by the Hudson Bay Company with descriptions of the summer wind. More About Chinook Wind From the Morning Oregonian, February 17, 1890. Two pages.

Quartzville No author(s) or interviewer(s) identified. With a handwritten inscription of dating around 1902. Two pages. Selection details the ore discoveries around 1859 and 1860 which resulted in the creation of the mining town.

Hunting Superstitions Of Cow Creek From the Journal of American Folklore, by Kimball Young and Thomas D. Cutsforth, April to June, 1928. Transcribed by Eugene Woods, December 13, 1940. Three pages.

Platinum In Oregon From the Oregon Statesman, March 16, 1858. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, November 28, 1949. One page. Extracts over the news of gold and platinum being discovered and the details of their worth in 1858.

False Alarm Of Siwash From the Pacific Monthly, no date(s) identified. Two pages. First page of document has been altered to adjust for typos with a sampling adhesive over the top of the original. Passage includes miners being confronted by a group of Natives which were hunting and berry picking from the Warm Springs Agency. Important note: Siwash was often a derogatory term towards Native groups or individuals, stemming from the French term for Savage.

Hunting Superstition s Of Cow Creek From the Journal of American Folklore, by Kimball Young and Thomas D. Cutsforth, June, 1928. Transcribed by Eugene Woods, December 13, 1940. Three pages. Excerpts of the superstitions by indigenous, French-Canadian, and Border Stats both negative and positive. Important to note, only the indigenous superstitions were labeled as negative. Writing goes into detail on the rules and responsibilities for division of spoils for the Hudson's Bay group.

Reminiscences Of A Native Son From the Oregon Native Son, October, 1900. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 6, 1940. Two pages. Extracts on the tales of Louis Labonte or LeBonte, born around 1818 including hunting practices and events Louis experienced around Oregon as a hunter.

Rural Rhymes Of Olden Times From Joab Powell: Homespun Missionary, by Nichols, no date identified for the text. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 12, 1940. One page. Passage includes quoted verses on Joab Powell who preached around Oregon country in the 1850s.

Joab Powell's Favorite Hymn From Joab Powell: Homespun Missionary, by Nichols, no date identified for the text. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 12, 1940. One page. Poetry includes Powell's favorite verses.

More Mossman Reminiscences From "Crossing The Plains" From the Oregon Native Son, December, 1940. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 5, 1940. Two pages. Contents focus around the surveyorship in Umatilla Valley and Mossman's responsibilities for keeping boarders fed, with observations on events which stood out including the infestation of rattlesnakes, and magpie's around their camp.

Court Held Under Oak Tree From the Oregon Native Son, June, 1900. Transcribed by Lydia Littell, December 5, 1940. One page. Document includes a grand jury court case taken up under an oak tree in Yamhill county.

Apples 18" Circumference From the Oregon Statesman, by A.D. Barnard, November 18, 1856. One page. Exerpts include an inquiry to a Mr. Bush disputing the claims California fruit produces larger quality apples.