loneerkozi.et1ion; - ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University

ANNUAL ADDRESS.
menced locating land on French Prairie, they had made what they termed many
snxsons of profitable hunting and trapping throughoot the extent of this valley
and the bordering mountain ranges. About the time the union between the
Northwest Coirqany and Hudson Bay Cçmpauy was consummated, 5825-2, Gervais
and Lucier, accompanied by their families, as was the custom, were trapping
on Hons-u-cha-chac, which was the Indian name of Pudding river, their
camp being near its junction with the Willamette ; while here they experieciced
severe weather accompanied with a snow storm, which confined them to their
lodges until compelled to go forth in search of game. The little prairie on
Pudding river, where the lower Indian trail crossed the stream, was but a short
distance above their camp. Here they came upon a herd of elks some of which
they succeeded in shooting. The Indian women hearing the firing and suspecting
what was going on, started with their knives and vessels to assist their liege
lords of the chase. They succeeded in saving the blood, which was soon made
into the favorite French dish known as blood pudding, upon which, with their
elk meat, they fared sumptuously every day during the continuance of the inclement
weather. While this memorable feast was being enjoyed, Gervais and
Lucier christened the stream " Rivie,e au Boudain," or Pudding River.
These are substantially the circumstances as given by these old trappers of
of the origin of the white man's name of this sluggish little river. In the time
between the fall of 5827, and the spring of 1830, all the free trappers had selected
locations at French Praire, as had also some of the old retired men of the
Northwest Company. The first men retired from the service of the Hudson
Bay Company by Dr. McLaughlin, commenced settling at French Prairie in
the fall of 1830. I will furnished the Secretary with a complete list of all per.
Sons who settled on French Prairie prior to the provisional organization effected
at Champoeg, May 2, 1843.
By request. Rev. B. Delorme, pastor of St. Paul's church, kindly furnished
me from the parish register a list of names of the early settlers of French Prairie,
with age and date of demise. I will give here a few names
Francis Quesnel, died A. D. 1844, aged 6 years.
Philip Degie, born at Sorel, Canada, in p39, died February 27, 1847, aged
1o8 years. This oldesi inhabitant first crossel the continent with Lewis and
Clark.
Francis Rivet, died September 55, 5852, aged 95; came first to Oregon with
Lewis and Clark in i8o5.
William Cannon, born in Pennsylvania in 1755, died 1854, aged years.
Etienne Lucier, died March 6, 1853.
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