Show HE SAVED THREE STATES result of a stormy meeting in oregon territory in 1843 A few words ot of hurried coave conversation between two tao french settlers had an important part in deciding the question whether the tar far northwest ern territory from which the states of 0 washing ton oregon and idaho were for formed med should belong to great britain or the united states A monument at champoeg Champo eg on the willamette Wll lamette river now marks the spot where this interesting epi ept sode took place theodore T geer formerly governor of oregon tells about it in his book fifty years in egon and quotes from the story of r x matthieu who saved the day for the united states says the youth s companion on a cloudy may day in 1843 settlers and hudson bay day trappers coming from near and tar far crowded into a log building at champoeg Champo eg and held a stormy meeting the americans stood tor for an organized government and acquisition of the territory by the united states the hudson bay men stood as firmly opposed and when a vote was taken it was hard to tell which had won since a good many on both sides were crowded about the doors unable to push their way inside A d vilon was nas called for and to make this possible the men rushed out to the little halt half acre field in front of the building there every body began gesticulating frantically and discus sing the situation with great excitement all in favor of the organization follow me shouted joe meek the famous pioneer and hunter striding to one side the americans followed to a man A count disclosed the fact that there were 50 men with me meek ek and 50 opposed with two men both french men between the opposing forces not taking sides and engaged in a very earnest conversation one of these etienne I 1 ucler had been led to be lieve that hea heavy v taxes would be levied on all property it if the americans organized a government the tax on a single pane of glass he had heard would be 25 cents the other P F X Matthie ii w who ho is still living in oregon was in favor of organization anyway he be said to his countryman you know you have no window glass in your house yet and wont won t have for a long time most of the settlers used skins in place of glass I 1 what difference will it make and it isn t so anyway the suspense lasted but a few moments then the two men turned and took their places with the americans while hats were flying in the air and handshaking hand shaking was going on the defeated hudson bay men mounted their horses and rode away leaving the other party to organize a gov and later to establish in that wide ter three great states of the american union |