he
Oregon Spectator for a while, was first assistant commissary-general
under General Joel Palmer, audited the claims of the Cayuse War,
went to the legislature and became the first chief-justice of the su
preme court of Oregon as a state. "Early in the seventies his voice
failed him for public speaking."
He related many anecdotes and
reminiscences, among them the following dialogue that took place
between him and Dr. John McLoughlin when the two were alone
in the judge's office at Oregon City:
Judge Wait, playfully: "Doctor, they say when you were
governor of the Hudson's Bay Company at Vancouver,
those who approached you were expected to do so with
their heads uncovered. How is that?"
Dr. McLoughlin, taken aback and reddening somewhat:
"The French! the French! A very polite people, a very
polite people!
Judge Wait: "Of course, Doctor, but
"
Dr. McLoughlin, more vehemently than ever: "The French!
Very polite, very polite."
Soon recovering himself,
however. "I was the head of the Hudson's Bay Com
pany in this country. When I came there were many
Indians here. The success of the company depended on
the manner in which the Indians were treated and con
trolled. The lives of all the servants and employes,
and the property of the company, were in my keeping.
I knew enough of Indian character to know that, if
those around me respected and deferred to me, the
Indians would do the same."
7
"You Poor, Miserable Sinner, You!"
By Reverend Joab Powell
Reverend Joab Powell —
"Uncle Joab"
—
was the most famous of
the early Baptist preachers. He came to Oregon in 1852 and settled
at the Forks of Santiam River, where between his sermons and bap-
tisings he made his home until his death in 1873. He has been vividly
described in C. H. Mattoon's Baptist Annals of Oregon: "He trav
eled all over the Territory, and was well known everywhere, and
whenever it was announced that he was to preach, he was sure of
