August 16, 2018 Episode.
The story of how Oregon became a United States territory and then achieved its statehood in 1859 is one that we Oregonians hear in age-appropriate degrees throughout our public school years. From the fur trappers and "fatherly" Dr. John McLoughlin, the infamous interactions between various missionaries and our indigenous peoples, on down through the pioneers emigrating over the Oregon Trail, these stories weave a tale of adventure, opportunity, and gritty determination. In her book, The Salem Clique: Oregon's Founding Brothers, local author Barbara S. Mahoney delves into this often contentious time in our history leading up to statehood, and offers a unique perspective on the characters who played such integral parts in its formation.
The story of how Oregon became a United States territory and then achieved its statehood in 1859 is one that we Oregonians hear in age-appropriate degrees throughout our public school years. From the fur trappers and "fatherly" Dr. John McLoughlin, the infamous interactions between various missionaries and our indigenous peoples, on down through the pioneers emigrating over the Oregon Trail, these stories weave a tale of adventure, opportunity, and gritty determination. In her book, The Salem Clique: Oregon's Founding Brothers, local author Barbara S. Mahoney delves into this often contentious time in our history leading up to statehood, and offers a unique perspective on the characters who played such integral parts in its formation.
Clique Members: (L. to R.) Asahel Bush, Lafayette Grover, Reuben Boise, and Delazon Smith [Photos: Bush House Museum; Oregon Historical Society Research Library]
The Oregon Territory was a tempting place in the 1840s and 1850s, offering wide opportunity for those who could embrace its challenges. The land was rich with resources and the climate was good for agriculture, and the times ripe for politics. Following the contentious period to secure ownership, the federal government wanted to strengthen its hold on the territory and many back east were pushing for its statehood. Of course, the political parties of the time--the Democrats, supported by the farmers, and the Whigs, supported by businessmen--also desired to stake their dominance in the new region.
The group of men who became known as the Salem Clique were often painted with a broad brush. Newspapers of the time were mostly editorial organs for their owners, rather than reporters of newsworthy events and community information. Depending on the political bent of the ownership, the newspapers painted either glorified or vilified portraits of these young, educated men, mostly in their thirties. They were recruited by political leaders to leave their homes and families "back east" in order to advance the hold of the political parties, as well as advancing their own careers, in this new territory. Many were lawyers who supported their families by farming. Based on all the research she conducted, including reading reams of personal correspondence and very old newspapers on microfiche, Barbara concludes that these men were allies and rivals, very honest, and completely faithful to the Union. They formed close relationships that remained through statehood and far beyond, many becoming very powerful leaders in Oregon.
The group of men who became known as the Salem Clique were often painted with a broad brush. Newspapers of the time were mostly editorial organs for their owners, rather than reporters of newsworthy events and community information. Depending on the political bent of the ownership, the newspapers painted either glorified or vilified portraits of these young, educated men, mostly in their thirties. They were recruited by political leaders to leave their homes and families "back east" in order to advance the hold of the political parties, as well as advancing their own careers, in this new territory. Many were lawyers who supported their families by farming. Based on all the research she conducted, including reading reams of personal correspondence and very old newspapers on microfiche, Barbara concludes that these men were allies and rivals, very honest, and completely faithful to the Union. They formed close relationships that remained through statehood and far beyond, many becoming very powerful leaders in Oregon.
Clique Members: (L. to R.) Benjamin Harding, Matthew Deady, George Curry, and James Nesmith [Photos: Oregon Historical Society Research Library]
While reading this book, I truly enjoyed the realistic perspective Barbara maintains of these men whose names we've all heard in our history lessons. Many are often portrayed in textbooks and promotional documents as "founding fathers" and "fathers of industry," altruistic to the utmost degree. It's very refreshing to see them as young men, full of emotion and temperament, just trying to do the best for their families and neighbors in the times in which they lived.
Barbara has written another book, Dispatches & Dictators, in which she tells the story of Ralph Barnes, a graduate of Willamette University who served as the foreign correspondent in Europe and Russia for the New York Herald Tribune newspaper. He reported on Fascism, Communism, Nazism, and the events leading to World War II. Stalin confined Barnes to Moscow for disclosing that millions were dying during the Soviet collectivization of agriculture, and Hitler expelled him from Germany for predicting the Nazi attack on the Soviet Union.
Another "unsung hero" of our history--another facet of our rich heritage. Guess I'll be placing another book order soon.
Barbara's books are available at the usual local outlets, including the Gift Shop at the Capitol, as well as online. She's happy to communicate with you via email: tb.mahoney@frontier.com.
Another "unsung hero" of our history--another facet of our rich heritage. Guess I'll be placing another book order soon.
Barbara's books are available at the usual local outlets, including the Gift Shop at the Capitol, as well as online. She's happy to communicate with you via email: tb.mahoney@frontier.com.
~~Posted by Deb Meaghers
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