[or-roots] Joe Meek ( Into the Eye of the Setting Sun)

[DAVIESW739 at aol.com]

Although the Indian trouble throughout the Northwest seemed to center about  
the various Missions, there was a general unrest brewing everywhere. So it was 
 decided to send someone to Washington to ask the Government to send troops 
to  us.
Joe Meek was finally chosen to go. He was said to be a cousin  of President 
Polk. He had been in the country a long while even when we came. He  had an 
Indian wife and a family of half-cast children. He was a typical soldier  of 
fortune, tall, handsome and well educated. Shortly after his return, he came  to 
our house. I remember hearing him tell about his trip and his visit to his  
cousin, the President. He told of a dinner given in his honor. There were many  
distinguished guests present. He told us that they asked him to carve the  
turkey. He asked "Will you have a backwoods carve" of course they would. So he  
took the big bird in his hands and tore it apart. I listened and laughed with  
the rest, I was only a little girl, but it shocked me and I did not think as  
well of him. I have a feeling now, that it was probably not altogether 
true.When  I first saw Mrs. Whitman, she was on her way to the Mission at Walla Walla 
and  had Joe Meek's little daughter, Helen, with her. Helen was later sent 
east to be  eucated. She was unusually gifted and her Father was always very 
proud of  her.
General Joe Lane was sent to Oregon as a result of Joe Meek's  journey. This 
was the same General Lane, who captured Santa Anna's wooden leg.  He was a 
fine, dignified old gentlemen. I remember him very well when he visited  at our 
house. Father was a democrat and so was General Lane.
Walt  Davies
Cooper Hollow Farm
Monmouth, OR 97361
503 623-0460 

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