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<big>Oh, that is so distressful. I just checked out this book as was suggested.
In the chapter describing the 1855 Rogue River Indian War, the author identifies
the young volunteer soldier who was killed at the Battle of Hungry Hill as
being "John Gillespie, the SON of Rev. Jacob Gillespie." In fact, he was
the NEPHEW of my husband's ancestor, Rev. Gillespie. <br>
<br>
Apparently the problem was that young John Gillespie came from Missouri in
the wagon train with his uncle and cousins (six female cousins and one 7-year-old
boy cousin) and many people at the time probably assumed they were father
and son. He would have been the correct age and gender to be of more use
to Rev. Gillespie, who was the wagon train leader. It was probably a pretty
close relationship, nonetheless. <br>
<br>
After the Battle of Hungry Hill, the Oregon Statesman newspaper of the day
also reported this father-son relationship as "fact." Perhaps this is where
the author got this idea and it has been perpetuated over the years.<br>
<br>
</big><big>Rev. Gillespie was a well-known community leader of Eugene.</big><big>
However, after John Gillespie died, the Rev. was executor of his nephew's
Lane County estate. In those legal documents, he identifies himself as John
Gillespie's uncle and further states that John Gillespie's father "is George
Gillespie, who resides in Missouri." Family genealogical charts confirm
the correct relationship.<br>
<br>
My point is that the author claims that his father drove to Eugene to inform
the Gillespie family of their son's death. If this were true, they would
have known the correct relationship.<br>
<br>
Just goes to show.... I guess.<br>
<br>
Jan Gillespie</big><br>
<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:MMDSchwartz@cs.com">MMDSchwartz@cs.com</a> wrote:<br>
<blockquote type="cite" cite="mid53.de37271.2df79f05@cs.com"><font
face="arial,helvetica"><font size="2" ptsize="10" family="SANSSERIF"
face="Arial" lang="0">I just came across a wonderful book on-line about
Oregon history. I thought some of you might enjoy it, also:<br>
<br>
</font><font color="#000000" back="#ffffff"
style="background-color: rgb(255,255,255);" size="5" ptsize="18"
family="SANSSERIF" face="Arial" lang="0"><b>Reminiscences of a Pioneer -
Colonel William Thompson</b></font><font color="#000000" back="#ffffff"
style="background-color: rgb(255,255,255);" size="3" ptsize="12"
family="SANSSERIF" face="Arial" lang="0"> <br>
<br>
<br>
</font><font color="#000000" back="#ffffff"
style="background-color: rgb(255,255,255);" size="4" ptsize="14"
family="SANSSERIF" face="Arial" lang="0"><b>Introduction:</b></font><font
color="#000000" back="#ffffff"
style="background-color: rgb(255,255,255);" size="3" ptsize="12"
family="SANSSERIF" face="Arial" lang="0"> <br>
The author immigrated to Oregon in 1852, and writes about the trip, gold
mining in Washington and Oregon states, the Indian wars, and vigilante actions.
<br>
</font><font color="#000000" back="#ffffff"
style="background-color: rgb(255,255,255);" size="2" ptsize="10"
family="SANSSERIF" face="Arial" lang="0"><br>
Located at:<br>
<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.books-about-california.com/Pages/Reminiscences_of_a_Pioneer/Reminiscences_main.html">http://www.books-about-california.com/Pages/Reminiscences_of_a_Pioneer/Reminiscences_main.html</a><br>
<br>
Marilyn Schwartz</font></font></blockquote>
<br>
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