gon City and Champoeg, the Mogul and the Ben Franklin. From the fact that the fare was one dollar in orders, and fifty cents in cash, may be seen the estimation in which the paper currency of the time was held. Other similar craft soon followed,[1] and were esteemed important additions to the comfort of travellers, as well as an aid to business. Other transportation than that by water there was none, except the slow-moving ox-wagon.[2] Stephen H. L. Meek advertised to take freight or passengers from Oregon City to Tualatin plains by such a conveyance, the wagon being a covered one, and the team consisting of eight oxen.[3] Medorum Crawford transported goods or passengers around the falls at Oregon City for a number of years with ox-teains.[4]
The men in the valley from the constant habit of being so much on horseback became very good riders. The Canadian young men and women were especially fine equestrians and sat their lively and often vicious Cayuse horses as if part of the animal; and on Sunday, when in gala dress, they made a striking appearance, being handsome in form as well as graceful riders.[5] The Americans also adopted the custom of 'loping' practised by the horsemen of the Pacific coast, which gave the rider so long and easy a swing, and carried him so fast over the ground. They also became skilful in throwing the lasso and catching wild cattle. Indeed, so profitable was cattle-raising, and so
- ↑ Or. Spectator, May 28, 1846. The Great Western ran in opposition to Newell's boats in May; and two other clinker-built boats were launched in the same month to run between Oregon City and Portland. In June following I notice mention of the Salt River Packet, Captain Gray, plying between Oregon and Astoria with passengers. Id., June 11, 1840; Brown's Will. Valley, MS., 30; Bacon's Merc. Life Or. City, MS., 12; Weed's Queen Charlotte I. Exped., MS., 3.
- ↑ Brown, in his Willamette Valley, MS., 6, says that before 1849 there was not a span of horses harnessed to a wagon in the territory; and that the first set of harness he saw was brought from California. On account of the roadless condition of the country at its first settlement, horses were little used in harness, but it is certain that many horse-teams came across the plains whose harnesses may having been hanging unused, or made into gearing for riding-animals or for horses doing farm-work.
- ↑ Or. Spectator, Oct. 29, 1846.
- ↑ Crawford's Missionaries, MS., 13–15.
- ↑ Minto's Early Days, MS., 31.
