Oregon Historical Quarterly/Volume 35/Review: A Day with the Cow Column in 1843

A Day with the Cow Column in 1843, by JESSE APPLEGATE; Recollections of My Boyhood, by JESSE A. APPLEGATE, with introduction and notes by JOSEPH SCHAFER, printed for the Caxton Club, Chicago, 1934, 201 pages.

By Philip H. PARRISH

THOSE COLLECTORS of Oregoniana who have the good fortune to se cure one of the three hundred copies of this book will find it worth cherishing. "A Day with the Cow Column" and "Recollections of My Boyhood" have appeared together in book form before, but in this case the scrupulously perfect printing, the highly permanent binding, and the introduction by Dr. Schafer, made it something the collector cannot overlook.

As for the works of the two Applegates, they need no advocacy at this late date. Jesse's description of the cow column is without question the best bit of literature left to us by any participant in the pioneer movement, and dealing with that movement. On the other hand, Jesse A.'s recollections recount the adventure from the stand point of a child, and in literary merit they approach the work of the uncle. Dr. Schafer's introduction dissects the two Applegates briefly but with satisfying completeness, and included is considerable valuable biographical material secured from members of the Applegate family still residing in Oregon. The book will be desired by those who want the final and complete record in a form to be kept for all time.