South By Northwest; Blacks in the Pacific Northwest

I am. I am. In the early 1840s. Letters diaries and reports of the early trappers and missionaries in the Oregon country began to feel good about attracting the attention of the American people. The Pacific Northwest. That's the United States became more interested in the West Coast. So do the interest of roving pioneers in the Oregon country.

A journey of approximately two thousand miles. The westward movement was prompted by several known factors the pending bill by the legislators which proposed to give each immigrant six hundred and forty acres of land. With an additional one hundred sixty acres for each child in the family was an important factor. American patriotism also served as a lure to the new land. This feeling of winning Oregon for the United States was expressed by many of the early in the Grants and often worded in strong fighting terms. I have to hold very still the. By the late 1970s reconstruction had ended and the rights of free blacks were again handed over to the former slave masters for safe keeping.

During this decade blacks from Virginia to Louisiana to Texas met to discuss where they should go and. What they must do. The solution was slow in developing passing through several preliminary stages. A committee of five hundred blacks was formed between 1870 and 1910. The total black population more than doubled. But in the Pacific states Washington Oregon and California it increased. Eight. Times. The pioneers had many reasons for heading east. Some were driven by a restless and venturous spirit and a sense that they were taking part in the great historical migration. But for blacks like George Bush and his family. There was also the hope that in that remote corner of the west they might become true free citizens of America. His stubborn hope for greater freedom for himself his wife and his

five sons made them the first known black family to settle in the Pacific Northwest. According to history Bush bought six Conestoga wagons equipped with enough provisions for you. And assisted several other families in making the trip to Oregon. Bush reportedly built a false bottom in his way. He had over 100 pounds of silver is worth about $2000. In the interest of safety the huge wagon train was broken up into smaller groups which traveled close enough to one another to give aid in times of trouble. In 1844 the Bush party traveled to Oregon the Oregon territory consisted of the land which later became the states of Washington Oregon and Idaho. In 1945 the Bush party moved north of the Columbia River into the area that is now the state of Washington and founded the first American settlement. You know you're like yes would you. Like.

Bill. You must. Not. Make their. First colorful OK ever next. Yes they're. Going down in the morning going to London. George you think you're going to need any help to get that wrong. No I think we can manage with you as soon as we get. That's great I gotta like the bag and get in the Soda Springs by tonight. We'll see you later bye. Many of the blacks who came to homestead in the Northwest Territory. Did not find the full citizenship play hope. For. Some western territories refused to let them enter and passed laws to exclude them. Which were known as the black law. Yes it is true that the Westerners took a firm stand against the arrival of slavery in the States. But they also took a firm stand against the arrival of free blacks in race I'd like you to meet Mr. George Isabelle Mr. Dan Marie. Then you know. How to be downright on it if you gentlemen would

stand out. And I never knew John. Thank you George and steal whatever dance the church smells good man. I struck the road again in advance of my friend. It was inside however George Washington whose temp table recently received the hospitalities and the. Journey and we went home to the spring. Bush was a Negro but had me and also a white woman for a wife and a family of five children. Not many men of color left the slave states so well-to-do and so general respect. But it was not in the nature of things that he should be permitted to forget his collar. As we went along together. The riding horse and I on. It led the conversation to the subject. He told me he should

watch and when we got to Oregon it was awarded to people of color and if he cannot have a free man's rights he would seek the protection of the Mexican government in California. He said there were few in that train he would say as much to me. I told him I understood the conversation enabled me afterwards to understand the chief reason for curdle him injured. And questioned Jones determining to settle north of the river. You're still at least four Bs to get to Oregon. And yeah they were all American and they would take no real treating George Washington. And it. Is. The one thing which. Most of the homesteaders could share was the opportunity to. Wire.

The government one of the West's several. So in 1862 the homestead according to this set of laws a man could lay claim to one hundred sixty acres of an appropriate. Paying only $2 to file his claim as a government. To make his claim do it and own the land. He then had to either. Live on the land. Or cultivate the land for five. Years. This was called homestead. Something a lot of folks didn't know. I mean we've been traveling days when you could travel you coffee and water. And you.

Know. This is me. So used to working with us at the missions. We all enjoy Mary's visit. Unmarried females. Me and my conjecture. If we expect the ladies in these. Country. I carried a mailer still in Montana about 10 years. I am mighty glad to see if I was there. I know you'll stay on my way to California to be in Montana and you

know it's getting around these parts. Lots of free land. What ya mean freedom a day. You mean people giving away land of money. All you gotta do is just own stated and restated on the table. Understatement. But thanks to you. OK. Thank you Mary. G. MR. Yes. Yes he would and you know me.

By 1850 more than 13000 settlers had followed the trail was blazed by the mountain into the Oregon territory. During the Civil War migration tapered off because those seeking opportunity would to work in the industrial towns. The boom and when men were busy manufacturing weapons for the war. During the period of reconstruction that followed the civil war many of the newly freed slaves came to the Oregon territory to build a new life for both themselves and their families. This is God's country and mine

is rich land. We can build a house ready. There is going to be a row eroding. There's gold ME ME ME ME. Anyone here. We don't do it. We don't do it. You'll be free to use these go have a nice go be free to Jeannine you go down and speak to you know your son Mr Boss Man nobody can for nothing you know. Just don't think I could take it another day. I still have hope until. We meet

mine and it will be the way we've been on the table and a whole lot of love. Here we. Go. I know that.

The other was love.

The will's later had two boys in the wills household became a legendary stopper for many a weary traveler. Having two boys in addition a cruise missile acquired John Wells then worked as a blacksmith and later raised thoroughbred horses. Joe Wells died in one thousand twenty five. Part of his original homestead was then sold. The remainder was sold in 1955. Joe Wells was a very proud man with tools and the like

and felt that he was just as free as any white man. After all he was born a Native American. And was now recognized as a landowner citizen immigrants and other foreigners cannot get called a citizen. OK legal fish. It's madness not to get everything in place as well. As you. And me. You like human things don't you. Let me tell you. It's important to have something that. Anythings gives you freedom. Freedom to do things that you get. All the way. You used to say.

More important. Than the decision belongs to you just what you're going to do things which kill. Me. I just get a. Feeling out of things. Is that why we always travel. Make you feel bad. You will. Be all right. But it does get kind of crowded. Well.

It. Let me. Oh no. We got to get off. Seeing as I am the boss I'm about as round as I want to be I think.

I mean you own this place. Yeah this place Landon house over there. My name is Joe will likely be my wife. And my son. Chuck your rock. I mean I'm sorry I came up about a year ago. Randy's bad. I'm out of work. I got no trade but I'd be willing to do anything to help here. But I did barely keep myself busy morning. You feel I'd like you to meet a friend of mine ever slow you know. Yeah what brings you into this big city this morning you want to return you so I can live here alone. You know he's the only man in these parts who has what a felony was because I'm the only white

man in this bloody he'll area. I know. Just give me all I can. Eat. But you know everybody. Here is feeling

better than when they. Meet. How come you don't feel. Good. I mean I don't think there's anything I could say. That could. Make things that help make any sense.

It. Was said in spite of things that was once right. Here. So. Still love. And all the. Rest of my life my joy to him. And. That's what I feel like doing. The Americans will endure a long challenging journey to the northwest. With a very special breed.

They face terrible dangers and hardships they claim to a paradise of natural beauty. That was rich in minerals and with. The missionaries ventured north to Christianize the Indians. But those people who followed came to claim the land for America and for themselves. They wanted a new life a new opportunity. They wanted freedom and they dared to venture forth to seek it. Even though the black laws were made to exclude blacks from these opportunities they felt the land was large enough a new enough for them to try and escape the restrictive institutions of. Some homesteaders like Jo wells or like George Washington Bush founded the city of Centralia Washington the William King whose descendants eventually own the entire fourteen hundred acre Valley. For John and Matty Belle Castillo. Who acquired a spread of 2000 acres. Reaped a fool and a. Prosperous life.

Others like Millie Wingle. Who was born a slave and later became a miner lived out their lives in obscurity not the thriving. Only enduring. Survivor. But all. Were part of one of mankind's greatest adventures. The settling. Of the Pacific. Northwest.