"Now, in Oregon, where people reside ten miles apart, and call a man a neighbor who lives half a days journey away, it is not so easy to make up a fashionable party, for sundry reasons, as Fifth Avenue, or any other of the "close settlements" of New York. If a hop is to take place, weeks must be givin to prepare in; the "store clothes" taken out, aired and brushed, old bonnets furbished up, horses driven in from distant pasture, and saddles made ready. Then the nearest settlement must be applied to for a proper amount of wiskey and sugar, raisins and flour. But on the occasion above alluded to (Christmas), great efforts were made to have matters go off with e'clat. Deacon L----, residing on the ocean beach, about twenty miles to the southward of Coo's Bay,and known as the most liberal, warmhearted old gentleman of Southern Oregon, had appropriated, some time in advance, the right to give the Christmas ball. It was to last two days and two nights. Oceans of whisky, hills of venison and beef, no end of pies and "sech like." The ladies of Coo's County were to be there, and a fiddler from the distant point of Port Orford itself engaged. To this feast did all hands look forward with secret longing and hope.
....And on Christmas eve the ball commenced. There were gay roystering blades from Port Orford, gallents from Coo's Bay, select men and distinguished individuals from all over the country, and belles from every where. Such a recherche' affair had not occurred since the settlement of the Territory. For two nights and days festivities continued; and after all the dancing, riding, drinking, singing, and laughing-and all this without sleeping, and with determination to "never give up"- there were buxom forms and brilliant eyes that dared us to another breakdown!
I snap my fingers at all the civilized Miss Nancys henceforth and forever. Give me, for the essence of fun and the physical ability to carry it out, a corn fed, rosey cheeked, bouncing Oregon lass, with eyes bright as the rivers that sparkle merrily on their way to the sea from the snow-clad mountains, and hearts light as the fresh breezes of that northern climate!"
William V. Wells
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The 24th of December of that same year had found this little troop in what is present day Salida, Colorado. Snow was deep and food was scarce, cold and lonesome however, were in great abundance and served up equally to all.
It was not unusual for these men to have gone days at a time without food, starvation was always stood in the shadows, so it was with great relief and joy that they took the news that the hunting party had shot 8 buffalo.
The following is an exerpt from Pike's journal:
December 24
"We now again find ourselves all assembled together on Christmas Eve. and appeared generally to be content, although all the refreshment we had to celebrate the holiday with was buffalo meat, without any salt, or any other thing whatever."
Christmas day was stormy and bone freezing cold. The men sat huddled together, coaxing warmth from small fires and recounting many a Christmas past spent with sorely missed friends and loved ones ....and feast.
Pike's journal:
December 25
"Here I must take the liberty of observing that this situation, the hardships and privations we underwent, were on this day brought more fully to our mind. Having been accustomed in the past to some degree of relaxation; but here 800 miles from the frontiers of our country, in the most inclement season of the year; not one person clothed for the winter, many without blankets (having cut them up for socks, etc.) and now laying down at night on the snow or wet ground; one side burning whilst the other was peirced with the cold wind; this was in part the situation of the party whilst some were endeavoring to make a miserable substitute of raw buffalo hide for shoes. I will not speak of diet, as I conceive that to be benieth (sic) the serious consideration of a man on a voyage of such nature. We spent the day as agreeably as could be expected from men in our situation."
***Note: Be thankful always! Things could always be worse. Next time your boss comes up with a really stupid idea remember the blanket socks, and buffalo shoes. Maybe Pike should have thought about winter before leaving home.
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Letter from Nettie Bailey to Thomas Family
Nebraska - January 1886
Well we have been having some weather & this has been one of the cold days--to cold to go to church. This morning it was thirty two degrees below zero & this evening it is 16 below & promises to be a cold night. It comenced turning cold last friday. Yesterday & last night it was cold & the wind blowing which made it fearful to be out. We have some snow at last & lots of it. Last sunday night & monday there was two feet of snow fell & it drifted terribly. I have heard several persons say they never saw so much snow fall in so short a time. Stright worked all one day shoveling snow for paths & off of the sidewalk. Christmas day was a beautiful day here so bright & clear & not very cold. It was a very sad day to a number of people here. Mrs Cap't Wilson & Mrs Grover were buried that day. Father it is the Mr Grovers wife that had the store. They were both women that will be greatly missed. There has been considerable sickness here during the last few weeks. We think it was caused by the warm damp weather & every one was wishing for colder weather & we have got it now but it is most too cold. Of course we are never satisfied.
I had Stewarts folks over here for dinner Christmas day & I tried to have a good dinner. Stright & I & Mandy went to Mrs Grovers funeral in the afternoon. "Old Santa" passed this way & left a few presents. Stright got a pair of cuff buttons. Billie got a tie & scarf pin & I got a very nice work box covered with green plush & lined with Satin (it was a present from Billie) & a wire fruit basket & fancy perfumery bottle filled with perfumery. Will let Orin tell what he got. He thinks "Santa" treated him pretty well much better than he expected. Grandma George is feeling a great deal better but is not very strong yet. She has got over that terrible nervousness. Mrs Rice is still with her. Grandma Catt has not been very well for a few days. The rest of Stewarts folks are well. We are all well at this time. Orin has had a severe time with a large boil on the back of his neck but it is well now. He went around for over a week with holding his head to one side--says he dont want any more such things. Charlie he has a great deal to say about you getting married & tried to plan a great many ways so we could go back home. He wonders what he shall call his new aunt. What do you call her for short anyhow or do you give her the full name. I would like to call her Jennie for that is one of my favorite names. Mr Ladd has come home & reports having a good time hunting & fishing--killed several deer & caught lots of trout. Since he came home he has sold the place where he lives & bought property over by Mr Millss. He sold his horse & everything he had there for $1600. The reason he sold the work & care was too much for Mrs Ladd. Well I will not say any more as Orin wants to write some too. I hope we will hear from you as soon as the wedding is over. Love to all
Nettie E & D. S. B
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Christmas 1864, Sonoma, Ca
W.S. Walker,
…It was then mid-winter, and Christmas morning found us frying the string our bacon had been suspended with. This we washed down with a tin cup full of pepper-wood tea, and then we sat down to reflect on the peculiarity of the situation. All at once Reed started up and said he believed there was a God in Isreal yet, for the day before he had seen the tracks of a mountain hare in the hills above us, and rising to his full length he then and there declared that ere another sun went down, he would have the meat of that hare, or he would have wool. I told him I thought it would be useless for him to attempt to get within reach of any kind of game, as the sigh of as oddly dressed and hungry looking man as he was, would put lightning speed in a snail. But Reed was determined, and went out and borrowed a gun and started forth, while I sat down in the cabin to drop a few lines to Sonoma county friends, ordering parched corn and straight jackets for two miners. I knew we wanted straight jackets, for we were in straightened circumstances. I had been engaged but a short time when a noise startled me. Stepping to the door, I was just in time to see a large hare going through the chapparal like the wind, with its hair reversed, and making terrible leaps at every turn in the trail, as it caught glimpses of its desperate pursuer. Reed having thrown away his gun, was following the animal at a break-neck pace. Seeing it was a race for life, and no funeral of mine, I went back and resumed writing. About half an hour elapsed, when the clatter of worn out boots, falling on the stony ground in rapid succession, fell upon my ears. I went back only to see a continuation of the old chase. This time the hare seemed to be making directly for our cabin, but one glimpse of my half-soled pantaloons and cadaverous looks turned him for the river. Such wild leaps as that animal made, I have never saw equaled; and Reed made some of the most inhuman jumps and plunges that a mortal ever was guilty of, as with scarcely anything on except an old pair of buck-skin suspenders (owing to frequent collisions with the chaparal), he dashed wildly in pursuit. The hare leaped up a rocky point overlooking the river, giving vent to a shriek, apparently of joy, at the prospect of drowning, rather than to fall into the clutches of my wild partner, who was coming down upon him "Like a wolf on the fold," and a moment later the terrified animal sprang into the roaring flood, and sank to rise no more forever--that is, of course, `hardly ever.' Reed rushed up to the cliff and made several unsuccessful attempts to leap into the river, but finally yelled for me to come and pull him back. It is scarcely necessary to add that game of all kinds speedily left the `foot-hills,' no doubt prefering colder latitudes, rather than take the risk of being disturbed by the wild hunter from Sonoma county.