In the 1920's and 30's, Fred Lockley realized that if someone didn't collect the memories and experiences of the men and women who came west to Oregon in the last century, they would soon be beyond our reach. He published many of these in the Oregon Journal. This is the collection of various men's memories and their experiences pioneering in a new land.

It is humbling to read of the difficulties endured, loved ones lost on the way and the very hard work everyone simply took for granted. It is also horrifying to read of the way many of them thought of and treated the native men and women, yet there were kind and good men as well. Some saw the evil, but were either too afraid to stand up for right, or simply overburdened trying to survive themselves. There is humor here and wisdom of the ages, too.

This book doesn't try to justify or condemn, It simply states what was, letting each man speak for himself. In the words of Fred Lockley, "After all is said and done, people are just folks, and if you feel a real and sincere interest in them, and if you are a good asker and a good listener, you will be rewarded by getting good human interest stories."

There is another book which is a collection of the interviews with the women who came west. I wish I had that one as well. ( )

OR/Oregon - History/Oregon - Frontier and pioneer life/Pioneers - Oregon - Biography