A Book Report: With Man and Beast on the Oregon Trail The Original 1853 Diary of John Fothergill Presented by Rex Morgan, 1993, Runciman Press, Manly, Australia. John Fothergill left his home in Chepstow, Monmouthshire, Wales in 1852 to seek his fortune as a gentleman farmer. He filed his intention to become a citizen in Winnebago, Iowa in September 1852. He first settled in Oshkosh, Wisconsin where he farmed with a group of friends from Wales, some of them cousins, then lived in Glasgow, Missouri for several months. He set off for Oregon Territory on May 3, 1853. His diary is owned by Rex Morgan and his family, and is presented in this publication, along with notes made during Morgan's re-tracing of Fothergill's route. Notably, Fothergill records graves and dead animals he saw each day. He comments on the accuracy of Jones' Guide. John Fothergill died in Lane County, OR about 1855. Names mentioned in his diary, beginning May 3, 1853 at Duncan's Ferry, near St. Joseph, MO follow: J. Powell [John Powell who inherited Fothergill's land claim] Thomas Spence Hy Miles J.D. Griffiths A. Lewis Wm. Williams who died July 10 Lewis Bevan and wife Thomas Roberts, Junr One of Swanborough's sons Ashman [Bevan, Roberts, Swanborough and Ashman were bound for California] Carson; Mrs. Carson [Grave of Mrs. Chilvers, 25] R. W. Lewis Miss Meek who d of cholera July 13 Mr. Grant Earl Fitzwilliam Mr. J.K. Jones Connor Moffat Dr. Caldwell Mrs. Sache Lewis Sache Cyrus B. Hubert Mr. Chitash ferryman at Fort Boise Wilson, shot by Jessey Varner Jessey Varner Thomson Barlow's gate. In a letter home from Oregon City on September 30, 1853 Fothergill mentioned people in his company: Merlin Bell Lister Mrs. W. Philip. Visit the National-Award-Winning Sherman County Historical Museum Moro, Oregon www.shermanmuseum.org/ May through October Daily 10-5 [email protected] USGenWeb - www.rootsweb.com/~orsherma/index.htm

A NEW CHARGE to FIND the WAY The legislature adjourned later in January, 1852, and about two months passed before the citizens decided to take matters into their own hands. On March 31, a meeting was called in Lane County and open to all cutoff supporters. The resulting discussion brought out the feeling that the legislature could not be counted on to complete the task of finding a cutoff route, and so a call for volunteers to scout a new route to the Willamette Valley went out. There were seven young men that responded to the call: William M. Macy, William Tandy, Alexander King, Joseph Meadow, W.T. Walker, John Diamond, and J. Clark. Macy was elected leader and spokesman for the search party, probably because he was an educated, articulate man. A collection was taken to raise funds for the party¹s expenses. Each man would provide his own pack animals and riding horse. As it was late March, it was too early to cross the Cascades, and each of the seven returned home to await word of several preliminary explorations and to work on their farms until such time as it was safe for the whole group to traverse the mountains. The first of these preliminary explorations was relatively unproductive; but in mid July, William Macy and John Diamond succeeded in ascending the mountain now named Diamond Peak to a pass and were able to get their first look at eastern Oregon. These two preliminary sojourns, it turns out, while not ultimately successful, did save the full expedition a good deal of time by allowing them to circumvent unappeasable areas, and proceed directly up the Middle Fork of the Willamette to the new pass when they finally set out on August 20, 1852. This, as previously stated, was the first publicly financed attempt to find a route from the Willamette Valley, east and north to The Oregon Trail. [Information compiled from my own research with portions extracted from "The Oregon Historical Quarterly," articles by Leah Collins Menefee, 1976-1978; and "The Tibbetts Family 1635-1940" compiled by Mrs. May (Tibbetts) Jarvis, New England Historic Genealogical Society Resident Member. ]

This email and the next one I reply to should both be re-sent to the correct email address for our MailList on the OREGON TRAIL. You sent it to the wrong one: ([email protected]). The correct one is: [email protected] Please do re-send them, the subscribers I know would like to tsee them. Rose Terry @>,--'--- Stephen Clark wrote: > > The Family of Rev. Jonathan Snow Tibbetts of Manchester, Dearborn Co., > Indiana, Oakland, and Portland, Oregon > > Rev. Jonathan S. Tibbetts of Manchester township, Dearborn Co., Indiana, and > of Oakland, Oregon, (1852) later of Portland, Oregon, was a pioneer > Methodist minister, born 17Apr.1804, in Penobscot Co., Maine, some 17 mi. > west of Bangor, died 23Jun188, in East Portland, buried in Lone Fir > Cemetery. Rev. Tibbetts was the son of Benjamin and Hannah (Snow) Tibbetts. > He married Mary Redding of Versailles, Ripley Co., Indiana, in 1830. Rev. > Tibbetts, when about 30 years of age, was ordained at Whitewater, Indiana, > by Bishop Cavanaugh of Kentucky, as a minister of the Methodist Episcopal > Church. He preached for many years in Indiana. > > The following account of trek to Oregon was given by his daughter Sarah > (Tibbetts) Gouldin and is posted here by his descendent Stephen Clark. > > ³In 1851 he removed with his family from Manchester, Indiana, spending the > winter in Oquawka, Illinois, and, in March, 1852, starting from Fort > Madison, Iowa, he commenced the long, tedious overland journey to Oregon > with his wife and eight children. He commanded the wagon train in which > the trip was made across the plains. They traveled in a caravan, with > ox-teams, enduring many hardships and being eight months on the way before > they reached Portland. Among other traveling companions were the families > of John Tucker Scott and Dr. Justin Millard. > > Crossing the desert, they journeyed by night, owing to the intense heat. > They never traveled on the Sabbath Day. On that day Rev. Jonathan Tibbetts > held services morning and evening, and preached to hundreds of pilgrims > journeying on the same mission as themselves; to make a home in the far > west. He made many converts on his way across the continent. > > Upon reaching the Snake River, where most of the caravans crossed, his > party, of 17 wagons and about 25 men, chose a shorter route > and, by so doing, encountered the village of the Snake River Indians, who > were by no means willing to allow them to continue on their way unmolested. > > There were about eight hundred Indians, men, women, and children, and they > were determined to rob the travelers of their animals, provisions, etc., and > did everything they could to make the little party start a fight. Their > Chief understood English, and Rev. Tibbetts stood on the wagon-tongue for > three hours or more, preaching to the Indians and holding them at bay, the > Chief translating to his tribe, telling them that they (the Pioneers) > positively refused to have any trouble ... that he was a missionary > preacher, and if they gave any trouble, the Government would punish them... > that Fort Boise, Idaho, government barracks was only fifty miles away, and > was sending out soldiers to meet them ... the courier had passed them the > day before with an appeal from the emigrants, to the commander of the Fort, > to send soldiers and provisions. The Indians followed them for miles, > taunting them and doing everything they could to hinder their journey, until > two or three hours before the appearance of the soldiers. Their scouts > (the Indians) gave the signal and they disappeared. > > Rev.Jonathan S. Tibbetts and family spent a part of the year, 1852, in > Portland, and then moved to the Umpq ua Valley, settling near Oakland on > the Calapooia, the Rev. buying a farm from an Indian. Here he took up his > missionary work, he being the only minister in fifty miles, the first in the > Umpqua Valley Circuit. > > He had a large district to cover, the population being so scattered; among > them Indians, French, and half-breeds. He often rode horseback twenty > miles Sunday morning to preach, returning at night. On these trips he was > accompanied by his twelve-year-old daughter, Sarah, who taught Sabbath > School and learned the Chinook jargon in order to teach the Indians. After > the Indian War of 1855 the country settled very rapidly and a better class > of people came to that locality. He is said to have made more converts > than anyone in that part of the state. > > Rev. Jonathan S. Tibbetts was closely associated, in southern Oregon, with > such interesting personages as Rev. Robert Booth, I.D. Driver, and Elder > Wilbur, with whom he helped to build the first collage (Wilbur Seminary) in > that part of the state. He spent the last years of his life in Portland, > where he died at the age of eighty-one, having been in the work of the > ministry forty-five years, and preaching until within two years of his > death. His wife was a great help and inspiration to him in his work. She > was a woman of strength and good health and had a great magnetic influence. > Her home was open house to the weary traveler and she entertained all who > came that way. > > Rev. Jonathan S. and Mary (Redding) Tibbetts had ten children, all but the > last two being born in Manchester township, Dearborn Co., Indiana. > > i. Elizabeth Jane, b. 16Dec.1832 > ii. Mary Eliza, b. 16Feb.1835 > iii. Francis Marion, b. 2Nov.1837 > iv. Sarah Emily, b. 28Feb.1840 > v. Sophia Ellen, b. 16Jun.1842 > vi. Albert Thomas, b. 16Dec.1844 > vii. Flora Ann, b. 23Oct.1847 > viii. Lois V., b. 19Sept.1850 > ix. Oregon Andrew, b. 25Dec.1853 > x. Jonathan Edward, b. 11Nov.1856 -- \\\|/// \\ ~ ~ // Give your children these two things - One is roots, ( @ @ ) the other, wings. -oOOo-(_)-oOOo- Rose CAUDLE TERRY, Washington state @>,--'--- BILYEU, WORKMAN & OREGON TRAIL Listmom (genealogical) Proud RootsWeb Sponsor [email protected] http://www.genealogy.bilyeu.com/ Current publications available at: http://cgi3.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewListedItems&userid=rosess Use Paypal for your Auction purchases (credit card), sign up and get $5 in your account! Check it out and see for yourself: https://secure.paypal.com/refer/pal=RMTerry%40prodigy.net

Hi Maxine, I have ancestors (Thomas Edward Brown & family) who traveled from Texas to Oregon about 1868-69 and I've been trying to determine the route. Since Tom Brown had itchy feet, traveling from Tennessee to Arkansas, to Georgia, to Texas, I haven't a clue from whereabouts in Texas they started from but would be interested in hearing of the route your ancestors traveled. Thanks, Colleen BROWN, PORTER, COFFEY.

GETTING to the PROMISED LAND And so the "Great Migration" had begun. "Oregon Fever" it was called, and by the late 1840's, early 1850's, hundreds of pioneers had succumbed to the lure of the far blue mountains. As wagon trains reached the end of the Oregon Trail, individual families moved out on their own. Taking the Barlow Road or rafting down the Columbia, they made tracks to their "Promised Land," with the tales of each train's crossing making the way east to those who would follow. The days were slow and long, and more often than not completed at the expense of food and water or adequate sleep. Therefore, ways to decrease the miles traveled became ultimately important. Many "cutoffs" [shortcuts] became a part of the Oregon Trail. Some prevailed and others passed into history. The trail we will concentrate on here was called The Free Emigrant Road or The Elliott Cutoff. In December 1851, as a way of enticing more settlers to the fertile Willamette Valley, the residents of the area arranged to have a bill introduced in the territorial legislature to provide "the funds necessary" to explore a route from the main trail, through east central Oregon, over the Cascades, and into the valley of the Willamette [House Bill #16]. This is thought by many to be the first attempt to get the governing body of the Territory to take responsibility for finding a shortcut. The bill was first read December 17, 1851, before the House and read secondly the next day. It was then referred to the committee of the whole and returned to the House, with amendments, on January 5, 1852. Passed by the Council on January 12, the law provided for the commissioners and other "hands" to be paid $3.00 a day out of any monies in the Territorial Treasury, not to exceed six hundred dollars. In subsequent days other "bills" were introduced but seemed "somewhat redundant," and for a time nothing was done about the new trail. One thought, as to the reason for the lack of action, is that the four men appointed to survey the new trail [Felix Scott Jr., Luther White, Jonathan Keeney, and Solomon Tetherow] came from Lane, Linn and Benton counties and may have been unable to reach agreement as to just where to begin their search, as each wanted the trail's end to be near their community. Information compiled from my own research with portions extracted from "The Oregon Historical Quarterly," articles by Leah Collins Menefee, 1976-1978; and "The Tibbetts Family 1635-1940" compiled by Mrs. May (Tibbetts) Jarvis, New England Historic Genealogical Society Resident Member.

You're right about the gold migrating to the bottom, Walt. As a recreational miner, I look for the deepest holes and cracks in the rock. Fools Gold (mica or iron pyrite) is light in weight and will always stay on top of the heavier sand. Gotta admit, it does look real under water. When you squeeze or crush it between your finger nails it breaks into little pieces. George Patterson Lincoln, CA

4 May 2000 St. Monica Dear Cecil, Yes! Please post the Brownsville Obits. Very helpful to many who have extended families of descendants there. Yours faithfully, Margaret Robe Summitt Everett, WA

I know it is a lot to ask of all you fine folks, but could you please change the subject line. Thank you Kathy Katherine Jerman ([email protected]) Jerman, Wagner, Turner, Hilton, Hinkle, Adams, Swartslander, Crull Isaman, Armstrong, Researching for the future, Honoring the past.

Maxine: I never thought about it until now. My wife's, Mother's family [KROLL] came to the Colfax area from Ukraine, Russia via Yank Town, SD. This is the only family link I have gotten info about from Across The Sea. [email protected] ROGER SCOTT ADDY,WA. Researching: SCOTT GAMBLE ROBINSON HITCHCOCK SATTERWHITE MERRELL KNOX WILKINSON KROLL BLACKWELL OCHOCINSKI ESSEX & more Researching for the future, AND Honoring the Past

It would help if I had remembered to include the URL for the obits: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~cchouk/obits/ Burton, Margaret S. [Wright] November 24, 1912 - April 9, 2000 (4-26-00) dau of William and Agnes (Nelson) Wright married Alexander Grant Burton on May 22, 1936 who d. June 1987 I have three years of THE TIMES. Should I post and keep those issues which contain area obits? Or toss the lot? Cecil -- Cecil Houk, ET1 USN Ret., AG6I San Diego CA 92154-3654 mailto:[email protected] ANDERSON-BLAKELY-EGGERS-FORD-HOUK-KIMSEY-MONTGOMERY-RULAFORD-SIMPSON Searchable GEDCOM: http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=cchouk See also: http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=doughouk My Web page menu: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~cchouk/rulaford/menu.htm

Burton, Margaret S. [Wright] November 24, 1912 - April 9, 2000 (4-26-00) dau of William and Agnes (Nelson) Wright married Alexander Grant Burton on May 22, 1936 who d. June 1987 I have three years of THE TIMES. Should I post and keep those issues which contain area obits? Or toss the lot? Cecil -- Cecil Houk, ET1 USN Ret., AG6I San Diego CA 92154-3654 mailto:[email protected] ANDERSON-BLAKELY-EGGERS-FORD-HOUK-KIMSEY-MONTGOMERY-RULAFORD-SIMPSON Searchable GEDCOM: http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=cchouk See also: http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=doughouk My Web page menu: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~cchouk/rulaford/menu.htm

Carroll, I grew up in Norhern Ca. in the gold country, there was a great deal of small shiny bits of MICA in the soil and it was mistaken by many a greenhorn minor for gold. He who laughs, well you know. Walt Davies

I would be interested I am trying to get any info on the Lost Wagon Train also. [email protected] irma

The Family of Rev. Jonathan Snow Tibbetts of Manchester, Dearborn Co., Indiana, Oakland, and Portland, Oregon Rev. Jonathan S. Tibbetts of Manchester township, Dearborn Co., Indiana, and of Oakland, Oregon, (1852) later of Portland, Oregon, was a pioneer Methodist minister, born 17Apr.1804, in Penobscot Co., Maine, some 17 mi. west of Bangor, died 23Jun188, in East Portland, buried in Lone Fir Cemetery. Rev. Tibbetts was the son of Benjamin and Hannah (Snow) Tibbetts. He married Mary Redding of Versailles, Ripley Co., Indiana, in 1830. Rev. Tibbetts, when about 30 years of age, was ordained at Whitewater, Indiana, by Bishop Cavanaugh of Kentucky, as a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He preached for many years in Indiana. The following account of trek to Oregon was given by his daughter Sarah (Tibbetts) Gouldin and is posted here by his descendent Stephen Clark. ³In 1851 he removed with his family from Manchester, Indiana, spending the winter in Oquawka, Illinois, and, in March, 1852, starting from Fort Madison, Iowa, he commenced the long, tedious overland journey to Oregon with his wife and eight children. He commanded the wagon train in which the trip was made across the plains. They traveled in a caravan, with ox-teams, enduring many hardships and being eight months on the way before they reached Portland. Among other traveling companions were the families of John Tucker Scott and Dr. Justin Millard. Crossing the desert, they journeyed by night, owing to the intense heat. They never traveled on the Sabbath Day. On that day Rev. Jonathan Tibbetts held services morning and evening, and preached to hundreds of pilgrims journeying on the same mission as themselves; to make a home in the far west. He made many converts on his way across the continent. Upon reaching the Snake River, where most of the caravans crossed, his party, of 17 wagons and about 25 men, chose a shorter route and, by so doing, encountered the village of the Snake River Indians, who were by no means willing to allow them to continue on their way unmolested. There were about eight hundred Indians, men, women, and children, and they were determined to rob the travelers of their animals, provisions, etc., and did everything they could to make the little party start a fight. Their Chief understood English, and Rev. Tibbetts stood on the wagon-tongue for three hours or more, preaching to the Indians and holding them at bay, the Chief translating to his tribe, telling them that they (the Pioneers) positively refused to have any trouble ... that he was a missionary preacher, and if they gave any trouble, the Government would punish them... that Fort Boise, Idaho, government barracks was only fifty miles away, and was sending out soldiers to meet them ... the courier had passed them the day before with an appeal from the emigrants, to the commander of the Fort, to send soldiers and provisions. The Indians followed them for miles, taunting them and doing everything they could to hinder their journey, until two or three hours before the appearance of the soldiers. Their scouts (the Indians) gave the signal and they disappeared. Rev.Jonathan S. Tibbetts and family spent a part of the year, 1852, in Portland, and then moved to the Umpq ua Valley, settling near Oakland on the Calapooia, the Rev. buying a farm from an Indian. Here he took up his missionary work, he being the only minister in fifty miles, the first in the Umpqua Valley Circuit. He had a large district to cover, the population being so scattered; among them Indians, French, and half-breeds. He often rode horseback twenty miles Sunday morning to preach, returning at night. On these trips he was accompanied by his twelve-year-old daughter, Sarah, who taught Sabbath School and learned the Chinook jargon in order to teach the Indians. After the Indian War of 1855 the country settled very rapidly and a better class of people came to that locality. He is said to have made more converts than anyone in that part of the state. Rev. Jonathan S. Tibbetts was closely associated, in southern Oregon, with such interesting personages as Rev. Robert Booth, I.D. Driver, and Elder Wilbur, with whom he helped to build the first collage (Wilbur Seminary) in that part of the state. He spent the last years of his life in Portland, where he died at the age of eighty-one, having been in the work of the ministry forty-five years, and preaching until within two years of his death. His wife was a great help and inspiration to him in his work. She was a woman of strength and good health and had a great magnetic influence. Her home was open house to the weary traveler and she entertained all who came that way. Rev. Jonathan S. and Mary (Redding) Tibbetts had ten children, all but the last two being born in Manchester township, Dearborn Co., Indiana. i. Elizabeth Jane, b. 16Dec.1832 ii. Mary Eliza, b. 16Feb.1835 iii. Francis Marion, b. 2Nov.1837 iv. Sarah Emily, b. 28Feb.1840 v. Sophia Ellen, b. 16Jun.1842 vi. Albert Thomas, b. 16Dec.1844 vii. Flora Ann, b. 23Oct.1847 viii. Lois V., b. 19Sept.1850 ix. Oregon Andrew, b. 25Dec.1853 x. Jonathan Edward, b. 11Nov.1856

The Elliott Cut Off left the Oregon Trail near present day Vale, Oregon, and > traversed eastern Oregon, went over the Cascades [near Three Sisters], and > ended in Lane County near Cottage Grove. > > If anyone is interested I can submit info. on the how and why of this trail > and the Lost Wagon Train of 1853. My ggg grandfather was a member of this > "lost" train. > > Stephen Clark

1870 Wasco County Census ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/or/wasco/census/1870wd.txt 1860 Wasco County census Fifteen Mile same as above except ... wasco/census/fmile/txt Visit the National-Award-Winning Sherman County Historical Museum Moro, Oregon www.shermanmuseum.org/ May through October Daily 10-5

----- Original Message ----- From: "George" <[email protected]> To: "....." <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, May 04, 2000 9:33 AM Subject: Re: Tale of GOld > From the book 'Oregon's Golden Years': > > -----page 6. History in gold was made that day, August 25, 1845, when the > large party of pioneers left the established trail and headed up the Malheur > River where no wagon had traveled before. This group was to suffer > hardships and many deaths before the first tattered remnants started > trickling into The Dalles in October. > They followed the Malheur for about twenty miles, over terrain almost > impassable for wagons. Some broke down, causing delays while repairs were > made. A few wagons were left behind. One diary states, "You could follow > the steps of the weary oxen by the traces of blood in their tracks." > The first person to die was a babe in arms, Emaline McNemee. The > infant was carried three days before a suitable burial place could be found. > The second death was that of Sarah Chambers. She was buried beside the > rocky trail. After each burial the wagons passed over the graves to hide > them from the Indians. No accurate record exists of the number who died; > historians estimate there were at least twenty-three--possibly more. > Many stops were made to rest and to repair equipment. One stop was > supposed to have been made near the headwaters of the Malheur River, on a > clear stream running in a southwesterly direction. One story relates that > the women took the occasion to do some laundry along the banks. Children > playing beside their mothers noticed "shiny golden pebbles" in the water and > in the grass along the water's edge. > Another family believes the location was on Canyon Creek, near > present-day Canyon City. George H. Himes, pioneer and curator of the Oregon > Historical Society, has written that William F. Helm said his father, > mother, five brothers, one sister, and himself were members of the Meek > party. Helm stated that his family's wagons and camp utensils, including > buckets, were painted blue. They were camped on a tributary of the John > Day, Bill Helm said, when the small yellow pebbles were found along the > water's edge. Nobody realized it was gold. James Terwilliger and Thomas R. > Cornelius supported Helm's story that the goldne pebbles were gathered in an > old blue bucket and left behind when the wagon train moved on. This is the > beginning of the oft-told legend of the "Lost Blue Bucket Mine." > > There is good picture of Stephen Meek on page 4 in the book. > > George Gildersleeve, also with ancestors from Colfax, Pampa, Washtucna, > Lacrosse, etc. in Whitman County, Washington > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "....." <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Thursday, May 04, 2000 7:38 AM > Subject: Re: Tale of GOld > > > > That is what some of the old timers said also... > > > > a post script to the article.. > > "Later, at a time when Jack Harryman was U.S. Ranger at Unity, we > discussed > > the possible location of the mine. Using the story told me by the old > > emigrant, plus other known facts, together with our intimate knowledge of > > the country, we diecided that the famous old Blue Bucket mine must have > been > > either Jeff Davis Creek at Prairie City or Canyon Creek at Canyon City. > > Both streams were known by the nuggets found in them by early prospectors > in > > this area"...irma [email protected] >

This could be true if there was only the gold and not any gravel which is very unlikely as there has to be gravel to have gold, of course it could have been planted (salted) Walt Davies

This sounds like the same story, Blue Bucket and all, that is told in "The Terrible Trail" book which was about the 1945 Meek's train. Dallas Carley

I think this might help.. also from "Bunchgrass, Gold and Trees" Clement Cood Blackwell and wife Jane (Jennie) Morris, Parents of the following: Jesse Allman, James Madison, THomas Jefferson twins (who lived shortly), Jeremiah W. (Dick), Samuel P. , RICHARD S, Nancy E, Perneicie Paralee, Joseph R, Henry Y, Mary M, Clement Washingotn, Jane, John L, and Leona E. After coming to Oregon Jesse returned to Oklahoma, Sam left the wagon train in Idaho. His sisters and mother were so concerned, as he took a flour sack with few supplies and walked away from the wagon out through the sage brush. His family descendents now live in Glens Ferry, Idaho. Later, Mary and Clem would move to McCall and Riggins areas. Some of their families are still in these towns, as well as Boise. As recently as October 1990, discoveries about the family are being found. Descendants of Perneiciel and Jesse found the grave of Jane Morris' mother in Cincinnati Arkansas. The stone says Mahala Morris died January 22, 1874, age 84 years, 8 months and 7 days. George Cannon said that the Blackwells nearly starved during the winter of 1875 in Fox. They rode to the top of the mountain and saw a chinook in Long Creek Valley and changed settling places. THe Blackwell boys trapped small blue foxes in that valley and hence the Fox name." irma [email protected]