“Pioneer Days in Malheur County” by Jacob Ray Gregg is a comprehensive historical account that seeks to perpetuate the memory of prominent pioneers and preserve an authentic history of Malheur County, Oregon. This privately printed volume, published in 1950 by L. L. Morrison in Los Angeles, spans 442 pages and measures 24 cm in height.
The book provides a detailed narrative of the region’s history, covering significant events and developments from the mid-19th century onwards. Key locations discussed include Ontario, Vale, Nyssa, Westfall, Harper, Juntura, Ironside, Brogan, and Jamieson. The work also delves into critical historical topics such as the Bannock War and the Overland Trail, alongside accounts of early pioneer life.
Gregg’s interest in documenting Malheur County’s history began in 1918, during his tenure as postmaster of Ontario. Influenced by the stories of early settlers and the encouragement of local pioneers, he embarked on this extensive project. His personal knowledge, combined with contributions from notable residents like G. W. Brinnon, A. H. McGregor, and R. S. Rutherford, has culminated in this detailed chronicle.
This volume also acknowledges the input of various historical sources, including H. H. Bancroft’s “History of Oregon,” Washington Irvine’s “Astoria,” and Harvey Scott’s “History of the Oregon Country.” These references provide a broader context to the local events and figures that shaped Malheur County’s development.
In this book, readers will find an array of topics and biographical sketches, offering insights into the lives of pioneering families such as the Carliles, Clements, Drapers, Ehrgoods, Elms, Johnsons, Kings, Lawrences, Pierces, Purcells, and Tests. The work captures the spirit of the county’s formative years and serves as a informative resource for both current and future generations interested in the region’s rich history and genealogy.
Table of Contents
- Introduction, p. 1
- The Overland Trail, p. 5
- What’s in a Name? p. 11
- The Overland Immigration, p. 20
- Guarding the Trail, p. 28
- The River of Time, p. 37
- Three Snake River Massacres, p. 42
- The Lost Blue Bucket Mine, p. 65
- Vigilantes Preserved the Peace in Mining Towns, p. 72
- First Settlements in Malheur County, p. 84
- Some of the First Malheur County Pioneers, p. 94
- Isle of the Long Ago, p. 123
- The Bannock-Puite Indian War of 1878, p. 131
- The Road Lands, p. 148
- Sanke River Ferries, p. 157
- Some of the Pioneer Citizens, p. 168
- Advent of the Railroad, p. 190
- Early Settlements in Malheur County, p. 206
- Ontario Becomes Stock Shipping Center, p. 216
- Biographical Sketches, p. 224
John E. Johnson, J. Edwin Johnson, George W. Pierce, James F. Pierce, William Scott Lawrence, James E. Lawrence, Henry C. Elms, James K. Carlile, Morgan C. Carlile, James T. Clement, Roswell W. Clement, J. Buell Clement, Harry Buell Clement, Daniel R. Ehrgood, Gilbert L. King, Edgar H. Test, Daniel B. Purcell, John A. Draper. - Ontario, the Metropolis, p. 236
- Ontario and Vicinity, p. 252
- Pioneers of Later Years, p. 277
- Vale, the County Seat, p. 303
- Nyssa, the Gate City, p. 319
- Westfall, Harper and Juntura, p. 328
- Ironside, Brogan and Jamieson, p. 345
- Mighty River Running over Sands of Gold, p. 351
- Pioneer School Districts, p. 354
- Malheur County Newspapers, p. 365
- Organization of Malheur County, p. 379
- Political History of Malheur County, p. 386
- Owyhee and Vale Government Irrigation Projects, p. 413
- Early-Day Social Events, p. 426
- The Knitting of the Clans, p. 435
Source
Gregg, Jacob Ray, Pioneer Days in Malheur County, perpetuating the memory of prominent pioneers and preserving an authentic history of the county, Los Angeles : Priv. print. by L. L. Morrison, 1950.