PREFACE

BLAZING THE WAY.

In the early days when a hunter, explorer or settler essayed to tread the mysterious depths of the unknown forest of Puget Sound, he took care to “blaze the way.” At brief intervals he stopped to cut with his sharp woodman’s ax a generous chip from the rough bark of fir, hemlock or cedar tree, leaving the yellow inner bark or wood exposed, thereby providing a perfect guide by which he retraced his steps to the canoe or cabin. As the initial stroke it may well be emblematical of the beginnings of things in the great Northwest.

I do not feel moved to apologize for this book; I have gathered the fragments within my reach; such or similar works are needed to set forth the life, character and movement of the early days on Puget Sound. The importance of the service of the Pioneers is as yet dimly perceived; what the Pilgrim Fathers were to New England, the Pioneers were to the Pacific Coast, to the “nations yet to be,” who, following in their footsteps, shall people the wilds with teeming cities, a “human sea,” bearing on its bosom argosies of priceless worth.

It does contain some items and incidents not generally known or heretofore published. I hope others may be provoked to record their pioneer experiences.

I have had exceptional opportunities in listening to the thrice-told tales of parents and friends who had crossed the plains, as well as personal recollections of experiences and observation during a residence of over fifty years in the Northwest, acknowledging also the good fortune of having been one of the first white children born on Puget Sound.

Every old pioneer has a store of memories of adventures and narrow escapes, hardships bravely endured, fresh pleasures enjoyed, rude but genial merrymakings, of all the fascinating incidents that made up the wonder-life of long ago.

Chronology is only a row of hooks to hang the garments of the past upon, else they may fall together in a confused heap.

Not having a full line of such supports on which to hang the weaving of my thoughts—I simply overturn my Indian basket of chips picked up after “Blazing the Way,” they being merely bits of beginnings in the Northwest.

E. I. DENNY.

Note—The poem referred to on page 144 will appear in another work.—Author.

INDEX

PART I—THE GREAT MARCH

CHAPTERpage

I.Crossing the Plains17

II.Down the Columbia in ’5134

III.The Settlement at Alki41

IV.Founding of Seattle and Indian War63

V.The Murder of McCormick96

VI.Killing Cougars105

VII.Pioneer Child Life113

VIII.Marching Experiences of Esther Chambers151

IX.An Olympia Woman’s Trip Across the Plains in 1851168

X.Captain Henry Roeder on the Trail177

PART II—MEN, WOMEN AND ADVENTURES

I.Song of the Pioneers182

II.Biographical Notes and Sketches, John Denny, Sarah Latimer Denny186

III.David Thomas Denny203

IV.The First Wedding on Elliot Bay257

V.Louisa Boren Denny 272

Va. Madge Decatur Denny288

Vb. Anna Louisa Denny294

Vc. William Richard Boren300

VI.Arthur A. Denny, Mary A. Denny305

VII.Henry Van Asselt of Duwamish320

VIII.Thomas Mercer329

IX.Dr. Henry A. Smith, the Brilliant Writer344

X.Famous Indian Chiefs358

PART III—INDIAN LIFE AND SETTLERS’ BEGINNINGS

I.Savage Deeds of Savage Men391

II.Pioneer Jokes and Anecdotes415

III.Trails of Commerce436

IV.Building of the Territorial University452

V.A Chehalis Letter, Penned in ’52467

VI.Some Pioneers of Port Townsend479

VII.Personnel of the Pioneer Army489

SYNOPSIS OF INCIDENTS.

Part I.

Page

Chapter I—Crossing the Plains—Names of the Denny Company20

Attacked by Indians at American Falls27

Chapter II—A Narrow Escape from Going Over the Cascades36

About to Sink in the Cold Waters of the Columbia38

Chapter III—Tramping a Long Trail42

Landing of J. N. Low, D. T. Denny and Lee Terry at Sgwudux (West Seattle)43

Exploring the Duwampsh River44

Names of Party from "Exact"50

Chapter IV—A Visit from Wolves66

A Flight to Fort Decatur 76

Battle of Seattle 80

Story of John I. King’s Capture 91

Chapter V—A Tragedy of the Trail98

Chapter VI—A Hair-raising Hunt for a Cougar107

Chapter VII—Seeking the Dead Among the Living121

The Strawberry of Memory 126

Three Little Girls and a Pioneer "Fourth" 131

A Rescue from Drowning138

Chapter VIII—Frontier Experiences151

Chapter IX—Placating Indians on the Plains171

Chapter X—Capt. Roeder’s Meeting with the Bandit Joaquin180

Part II.

Chapter I—Poem—Song of the Pioneers182

Chapter II—A Notable Pioneer Reformer, John Denny188

Chapter III—A Tireless Foundation Builder, David Thomas Denny 203

Threats from Anti-Chinese Agitators211

His Own Account of Arrival on Elliott Bay214

Surrounded by Indians243

Trials and Triumph256

Chapter IV—A Lively Celebration of the First Wedding on Elliott Bay258

Story of a Bear Hunt 268

Chapter V—Indian Courtship275

On the Day of Battle276

Chapter VI—Discovery of Shilshole or Salmon Bay 310

An Escape from Murderous Savages 313

Defense with a Hatchet316

Chapter VII—Immune Because of Indian Superstition323

Chapter VIII—Saving an Auburn-haired Girl 341

Chapter IX—A Grand Description of a Vast Forest Fire350

Poem—"The Mortgage"352

Poem—"Pacific’s Pioneers"354

Chapter X—Hanging of Leschi370

Poem—"The Chief’s Reply" 388

Part III.

Chapter I—Shooting of Lachuse392

The Fight at Fort Nesqually 395

Abbie Casto’s Fate409

Chapter II—How the Old Shell Blew Up a Stump and Cautioned Mr. Horton423

Mr. Beaty and the Cheese425

Chapter III—Poem—"The Beaver’s Requiem" 436

Chapter IV—Poem—"The Voice of the Old University Bell" 459

Chapter V—Charming Description of Early Days on the Chehalis467

Chapter VI—Founding of Port Townsend481

Chapter VII—A Number of Noted Names489

Poem—"Hail, and Farewell"503

ILLUSTRATIONS

I.Fort Decatur, Jan. 26, 1856 Frontispiece

II.Chips Picked UpFacingpage17

III.Bargaining with Indians at Alki""49

IV.Indian Canoes Sailing with North Wind""81

V.Log Cabin in the Swale""105

VI.Where We Wandered Long Ago""113

VII.A Visit from Our Tillicum""145

VIII.Sarah, John and Loretta Denny""193

IX.David Thomas Denny""209

X.Sons of L. B. and D. T. Denny""241

XI.Louisa B. Denny""257

XII.A Flower Garden Planted by L. B. Denny""273

XIII.Daughters of D. T. and L. B. Denny""289

XIV.Erythronium of Lake Union""337

XV.Types of Indian Houses""369

XVI.Last Voyage of the Lumei""385

XVII.A Few Artifacts of P. S. Indians""401

XVIII.Ship Belle Isle""481

XIX.Rev. Blaine, C. D. and Wm. R. Boren""489

XX.Mrs. L. C. Low""493