Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 15.djvu/220



JESSE APPLEGATE

NEW LIGHT THROWN UPON His EARLY LIFE BY A LETTER FROM J. M. PECK TO GEN. JOSEPH LANE, DELEGATE IN CONGRESS FROM OREGON.

"Rock Spring (Shiloh P. O.), Illinois, March 19, 1852. "Hon. Joseph Lane, Delegate from Oregon Territory,

Washington, D. C, "Sir:

"Apologies take up a gentleman's time and do no good. I write to make some special inquiries about one of your constit- uents, Jesse Applegate, esq., whose name I see in your com- munication to the President of December 12, 1851, as having done much to open up a new route for emigrants, explore the country, etc. My object is to learn what I can about his cir- cumstances, his family, his habits, and his pursuits in life. The following brief sketch will explain my motives, and the reasons why I take this interest in his welfare. In 1827, 'Rock Spring Seminary' (from which subsequently originated Shurtleff Col- lege) was opened at this spot, and Mr. Applegate, then about 16 or 17 years of age, one of its first pupils. It is no disparage- ment to him, or any American, to state he was then a poor boy, had but a single dollar in his pocket, which he paid for entrance fee, and clothing barely sufficient for the winter. His chance for education had been poor nothing superior to a 'back-woods' log-cabin, and a little instruction in the elements of an English common school education. He soon discovered unwearied industry, incessant application, and an inclination to learn beyond all ordinary students. One of the teachers was the late John Messenger, esq., an old surveyor, a most expert and self-taught mathematician, & a singular mechanical genius. He devoted extra attention to Applegate at night, and he made such proficiency that in the spring of 1828, the trustees made him a tutor, while he continued his lessons. On leaving the institution, after a period of some 12 or 15 months, he had paid all his expenses, procured clothing, and had some $8.00 or $10.00 left for pocket money. He then taught school in the interior of St. Louis county, and pursued his mathematical