Frontier and pioneer life -- Oregon Territory

Henry Baldwin wrote historical sketches for a Marshfield, Oregon (now known as Coos Bay) newspaper, in 1879, that were based on a journal by L.L. Williams, which contained an account of an 1850 exploration party's encounter with "Indians" of Southern Oregon. The collection (1938) contains photocopies of the historical sketches, and a historical write-up by Sheldon Sackett about William's journal, the exploration party, and the Marshfield, Oregon newspaper, Weekly Coast Mail.

Elijah Lafayette Bristow (1832-1887) is the son of Elijah Bristow (1788-1872), the first white settler within the present day boundary lines of Lane county. Collection contains 1 copy of Bristow's manuscript of " Rencounters with Indians, Highwaymen and Outlaws." He comments on his father's experiences in the upper Willamette Valley; Indian tribes; impact of the California gold discovery; and his own experiences in the mines in northern California in 1853.

William B. Davis was a pioneer and settler. The collection consists of a single letter written by Davis.

John Jacob Handsanker was a Christian Church minister, organizer of Portland Community Chest, director of Armenian and Syrian relief, and Northwest secretary of the National Council for Prevention of War. Collection includes a typed autobiography, notebooks of recollections, typed family history, and several typed family letters.

Sam "Uncle Sam" Handsaker was an Oregon pioneer and veteran of the Rogue River Indian Wars. The collection consists of a typed copy of "Across the Plains," which is a transcription of a section of Handsaker's journal (1853).

John Webster Perit Huntington (1831-1869), publisher, lawyer, teacher, farmer and Superintendent of Indian Affairs in Oregon. In 1857 Huntington met and married Mary Applegate (1834-1878), daughter of Charles Applegate. Collections include copies of 9 letters addressed to "Ma" and "Pa." These letters are both written by John and his wife Mary to their parents between 1855 and 1860.

Samuel A. Snowden came to Forest Grove, Oregon in 1853. Correspondence includes letter to his son Samuel D. Snowden about Oregon politics, government, and social life.

J. Q. Thornton (1810-1888) was a lawyer, Oregon pioneer, judge and lobbyist. Collection includes one, fifteen paged copy of "Oregon History" written by Thornton; one, eleven paged letter to Thornton concerning the Indian Delegation that went to St. Louis to inquire about the Bible; and one, six paged autobiography of Thornton.

Established in 1837, the Willamette Cattle Company was formed with the expressed purpose of purchasing cattle in California and bringing it to the Oregon Territory. The collection consists of letters and receipts.