The quarterly of the Oregon Historical Society, Vol. 4, March, 1903-December, 1903Oregon Historical Society
History
The quarterly of the Oregon Historical Society, Vol. 4, March, 1903-December, 1903
Oregon Historical Society
Oregon -- History -- Periodicals
In 1846 a well-to-do neighbor, Edward Trimble, made up a party, in
which an older brother of Anson's, Aaron Cone, was to go. Obtaining
permission of his father, Anson, then but a youth of eighteen,
assisted in helping the train off, and drove with the party for some
distance. When the time arrived for him to return home (his dejected
appearance probably indicating his longing to go on with the
emigrants) Trimble said to him: "Anson, I don't advise or ask you to
go to Oregon; but if you are bound to, you may go with me." "I have no
outfit," said the young man. "I have $1,000," answered Trimble; "and
as long as that lasts you shall have your share of it."
Anson went. His patron, however, never reached Oregon. Trimble was one
of the comparatively few who fell a victim to the treachery of the
Indians. He was killed by the Pawnees, on the Platte River, near the
big island. He had been selected captain of the company of forty-three
wagons which was made up at Saint Joe, where the train crossed the
Missouri, and took the route south of the Platte.
At a point opposite the big island, as then known, the cattle were
stampeded by the Pawnees, and driven away, so that the train was left
entirely without teams. Trimble started out to hunt the animals; but
his wife, seeing that he had no arms, said to him, "Edward, you had
better take your rifle." He answered, "I do not need it; I am only
going to look for the trail." But reaching a knoll and finding the
trail of the lost stock, which led to the river, he and a man named
Harris rode on without stopping, until they discovered the cattle on
the island. Going down to the river side, however, they were suddenly
confronted by a party of armed Pawnees, who had secreted themselves
under the steep bank. Harris then, in his excitement, left his horse,
and Trimble delaying for him was shot by the Indians. His body was not
recovered but arrows stained with blood were found, which had
probably been shot through his body. These were preserved by Mrs.
Trimble, and it is thought that they are still in possession of the
family; a daughter of Trimble, having become Mrs. Pomeroy, of Pomeroy,
Washington.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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