Page:Centennial History of Oregon 1811-1912, Volume 1.djvu/292



' ■ G. W. Le Breton was chosen to act as clerk of court, or recorder.

'■J. L. Meek was chosen to fill the office of sheriff.

"W. H. Willson was chosen treasurer.

"Moved and carried, that the remainder of the officers be chosen by hand ballot, and nominations from the floor.

"Messrs. David Hill, Robert Shortess, Robert Newell, Alanson Beers, Thomas J. Hubbard, Wm. H. Gray, James 'Neil, Robert Moore, Wm. M. Doughty were chosen to act as the legislative committee.

"Messrs. Burns, Judson and A. T. Smith, were chosen to act as magistrates.

' ' Messrs. Ebbert, Bridges, ajid Lewis, were chosen to act as constables.

"Mr. John Howard was chosen mayor.

" 'Messrs. Wm. McCarty, C. McRoy, and S. Smith, were chosen captains.'

"Moved and carried, that the legislative committee make their report on the 5th day of July next, at Champooick.

"Moved and carried, that the services of the legislative coimnittee be paid for, at $1.25, per day, and that the money be raised by subscription.

' ' Moved and carried, that the mayor and captains be instructed to enlist men to form companies of mounted riflemen.

"Moved and carried, that an additional magistrate and constable be chosen.

"Mr. Gampo was chosen as an additional magistrate.

"Mr. Matthieu was chosen as an additional constable.

"Moved and carried, that the legislative committee shall not sit over six days.

"The meeting was then adjourned.

"The question having arisen, with regard to what time the newly-ajjpointed officers shall commence their duties, the meeting was again called to order, wihen

"It was moved and carried, that the old officers remain in office till the laws are made and accepted, or until the next public meeting.

' ' Attest :

G. W. Le Breton."

The following account of what took place at the time the vote was taken to decide whether there should be an organization or not, was given to the author of this book by Col. Meek himself at the county fair in Washington county in September, 1867, and then in Meek's presence written down in a memorandum book. Says Meek :

"When the ayes and noes were called for adopting the report of the com- mittee, the ayes voted weak and scattering, ahd the noes voted solid and loud, as if trained and prepared. It looked as if we were beaten, but the chairman being an American did not want to decide that way, and said he was not sure how it was, and proposed a division and counting the men. The British all op- posed division, and mixed up with the Americans arguing against any organiza- tion. This confusion continued for fifteen or twenty minutes when Le Breton and Lucier came to me and said, 'Joe, we must do something to get this thing decided; you must lead off and get the men separated.' I then stepped out, clear outside of the crowd, swung my hat in the air, sounded the war whoop and yelled at the top of my voice :