Page:Centennial History of Oregon 1811-1912, Volume 1.djvu/612



not be restrained, and plunged into the woods in every direction, while the howitzers sent grape after the retreating red skins. The soldiers were soon at our store, and we, I think I maj' say, experienced quite a feeling of relief on opening our doors. During this time we had not heard from below. A com- pany of dragoons under Colonel Steptoe went on down. Dan went with them. The block-house at the middle Cascades still held out. Allen's house was burned, and every other one below. George W. Johnson's, S. M. Hamilton's, P. A. Chenoweth's, The wharf boat at Cascades — all gone up. Next in order comes the attack on the Mary. She lay in Mill Creek, no fires, and wind hard ashore. Jim Thompson, John Woodard and Jim Herman, were just going up to the boat from our store and had nearly reached her as they were flred upon. Her- man asked if they had any guns. No. He went on up to Inman's house, the rest staying to help get the steamer out. Capt. Dan Baughman and Thompson were ashore on the upper side of the creek hauling on lines, when the firing from the Indians became so hot they ran for the woods, passed Inman's house- The firemen, James Lindsaj*, was shot through the shoulder. Engineer, Buckminster shot an Indian with his revolver on the gang-plank, and little Johnny Chance went climbing up on the hurricane deck with an old dragoon pistol, killed his In- dian; but he was shot through the leg in doing so. Dick Turpin, half crazy, probably, taking the only gain on the steamboat, jumped into a flat boat lying along side, was shot, and jumped overboard and was drowned. Fires were soon started under the boiler and steam was raising. About this time, Jesse Kempton, shot while driving an oxteara from the saw-mill, got on board ; also a half-breed named "Bourbon," who was shot through the body. After sufficient steam to move was I'aised, Hardin Chenoweth ran up into the pilot house, and, lying on the floor, turned the wheel as he was directed from the lower deck. It is almost needless to say that the pilot house was a target for the Indians. After the steamer was fairly backed out and turned around, he did toot that whistle at them good. Toot ! Toot ! Toot ! it was music in our ears. The steamer picked up Herman on the bank above. Inman's family, Sheppard, and Vanderpool all got across the river in skiffs, and boarding the Mary went to The Dalles.

"Colonel George Wright and the Ninth Regiment, Second Dragoons, and Third Artillery, had started for Walla AValla, and were out five miles, camped. They received news of the attack at 11 P. M., and by daylight were l3ack at The Dalles. Starting down, they only reached Wind Mountain that night, as the Mary's boiler was in bad order, because of a new fireman the day before. They reached us the next morning at 6 o'clock.

"Now for below. George Johnson Avas about to get a boat's crew of Indians when Indian Jack came running to him, saying the Yakimas had attacked the block house. He did not believe it, although he heard the cannon. He went up to the Indian village on the sand bar to get his crew; saM' some of the Cascade Indians, who said they thought the Yakimas had come, and George, now hearing the muskets ran for home. E. W. Baughman was with him. Bill Murphy had left the block-house early for the Indian camp, and had nearly returned before he saw the Indians or was shot at. He returned, two others with him, and ran for George Johnson's, about thirty Indians in chase. After reaching Johnson's, Murphy continued on and gave Hamilton and all below warning, and the families embarked in small boats for Vancouver. The men would have barricaded in the