Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 1.djvu/921



sawi this little army approaching her castle, she was very indignant. She felt she had suffered from British cruelty long enough and was determined not to bear this tyranny longer. So just as Fi Ceatte put his hands upon the topmost rail and began to wrench it from its place, by a deft swing of her arm, she struck him with the palm of her hand a stinging blow across the cheek. Before he realized it, the astonished trader was lying on the greensward at his conqueror's feet."

He then retreated to the fort, where he recounted the incident to Governor Peter Ogden. The governor had a hearty laugh at Fi Ceatte's expense, and then remarked :

'T guess we had better give it up ; we can never hope to win against such women as that."

Fi Ceatte resided at Vancouver for many years, and in 1902 when the story was written, was still there at the age of eighty-five years.

It has been suggested that a monument be placed in the city park which was donated to the city by Esther Short, as a suitable memorial to this brave-hearted woman.

Memorials are being placed in all parts of the northwest commemorating some brave deed of our pioneer men, but — "why should men do all the deeds upon which the heart of a patriot feeds?"

One of the first two postoffices, north of the Columbia river, was established in 1850 and called Vancouver, in Vancouver County, as all the territory north of the Columbia was then called. After Clarke. County was organized, it was changed to Vancouver, Clarke County. This name, however, was soon changed to Columbia City, Clarke County, and- remained that until 1855, when the name was changed permanently to Vancouver, Clarke County.

Moses Kellogg was appointed first -postmaster and was succeeded by R. H. Lansdale.

The age-worn records in the auditor's office at Vancouver, show that in 1850 at the July session of the probate court, R. Lansdale, clerk of probate, in Clarke County, Oregon territory, was appointed county agent to take possession of the land claim of the company for the purpose of a county seat, and to lay out a certain portion into town lots for the use of the county. He, therefore, proceeded to lay out said portion of land into town lots, to which was given the name of Columbia City.

The description of the plat begins thus :

"Beginning at a balm of Gilead tree, marked A. M. S. on north bank of Co- lumbia, river, etc."

This old tree which stood at the foot of Main street has become famous as the "Old Witness Tree." It was the starting point from which many surveys were made, and from beneath its branches have embarked Indians, Hudson's bay trappers and explorers. It has been said that it was here that Lewis and Clark moored their canoes in 1905. This may have been so, as history shows that they stopped at a place on their return voyage near where Vancouver is.

During the high water in the summer of 1909, this old tree, was undermined, and toppled over into the Columbia river.

Realizing the predicament the old tree was in, the high school pupils started a fund for building a breakwater in front of it to protect it, but its danger was realized too late.

When the Fourth Infantry arrived here in 1852, there was one store, and lots sold for ($25.00) twenty-five dollars per block.

During the Yakima uprising in 1855, a company of volunteers was organized at Vancouver under Captain William Strong to aid the regulars. It was also during this time that an interesting little episode took place near Vancouver

The friendly Klickitats on the Lewis river, who it was feared would join the hostiles, were brought to the fort where they could be watched. As the regulars were away fighting, the garrison was left in charge of the voluntee