Page:History of Oregon volume 1.djvu/620

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THE APPLEGATES.
569

shortened to Yoncalla, on the head waters of Elk Creek, near which a railroad now passes. His brother Charles settled near him; and Lindsey Applegate

    bacon to those in the train who were in want, until, when he entered the Umpqua cañon on Oct. 28th, he was reduced to two pieces of the latter and ten pounds of the former. They were five days struggling through this then almost impassable gorge. Much of the way they toiled over and along the bed of the cold, rocky stream with the rain pouring down on them steadily. The two eldest children were lying sick and helpless in he jotting wagon, with a babe that came on the journey only a few weeks before. Soon after they got through the cañon they met some of the Applegate party, with supplies, from whom Mr Henderson and Mr Collins bought a beef weighing about 700 pounds for $60 in cash. This left Mr Henderson with $2 and one ox-team and wagon to begin life with anew. He settled on the South Yamhill, where in due time he obtained a grant of a section of land under the donation act, which he still owns, and where he and his three sons have made the handsomest farm in Oregon. Mr and Mrs Henderson are still living, surrounded by their descendants to the third generation, and honored and beloved by all who know them. They have eight surviving children, who are all married, and among the most respectable people of the country. Their oldest child, Lucy Henderson, was married to Matthew P. Deady, since United States district judge, on June 24, 1852.

    Elijah Bristow migrated from Ky. to Ill. after the war of 1811–12, in which he was a soldier, fighting under Johnson at Talladega, and afterward in Tenn. He came to Cal. in 1845, wintering at Sutter's Fort. In 1846 he removed to Oregon, and took a land claim at Pleasant Hill, in Lane Co., being the first settler in that co. He was a liberal and just man, respected by all. He died Sept. 1872, aged 73. P. C. Advocate, Oct. 3, 1872.

    Reason B. Hall, born in Ga., 1794, removed to Ky., 1802, to Ind., 1811, and to Oregon in 1846, settling where Buena Vista now stands, of which town he was proprietor. He died Dec. 13, 1869, Salem Statesman, Jan. 29, 1870.

    John Williamson settled in West Chehalem, Yamhill County. Mrs Williamson was a daughter of Nathaniel M. and Mary Martin, and was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, Aug. 29, 1825. She removed with her parents to Indiana, and from there to Missouri while still a child. She was married April 30, 1846, and started soon after for Oregon. She died May 18, 1872. Id., May 39, 1872.

    F. R. Smith, born in Rochester, New York, in 1819, went to Oregon in 1846, and settled near Salem. He was a vigorous man physically and mentally; and was a member of the state legislature in 1876. Salem Statesman, Oct. 14, 1876.

    Smith Collins settled near the Luckiamute River, in Polk County, and died in 1870. Mrs Collins, who was a daughter of Douglas Wyatt, an early settler in Missouri, was born near Mount Sterling, Kentucky, January 12, 1812, and removed to Missouri at the age of 12. She married Dec. 24, 1830, and with her husband went to Oregon in 1846. Excessive grief over his loss hastened her death, which occurred April 29, 1872. She was the mother of 12 children, 10 surviving her, 8 of whom were sons. It is mentioned as an instance of filial affection that all these children agreed in not opening their father's will during the life-time of their mother, lest they should deprive her of the use of a part of the estate. The eldest son was J. L. Collins of Polk County. Portland Advocate, May 16, 1872; Dalles Republican, May 11, 1872. Smith Collins was born in Virginia in December 1804, emigrated to Missouri in 1828, and to Oregon in 1846. Dalles Republican, March 26, 1870. J. L. Collins, eldest son of Smith Collins, was 15 years of age when he came to Oregon. In 1855 he was employed as reporter in the legislature of the state. He belonged to the regiment of Colonel Cornelius in the Yakima war of 1856. In 1859 he was admitted to the practice of law at the Dalles. He was chief clerk of the house of representatives in 1864. Salem Statesman, May 7, 1866.