WPA Interviews

Githens, Nellie (Morgan)

(Mrs. Nellie Morgan Githens, the wife of George E. Githens who gave the proceeding interview, also gave me the following concerning her family history.)

My Grandfather was named Miller Morgan. He was a pioneer of Linn County at a very early day, in 1846(?) I believe. He settled in the country east of Shedd, near the Calapooia River. His brother, John Morgan lived near "Savage Butte" just east of the old town of Boston. He is buried in the cemetery on that little butte.

When the Morgans first settled there it was necessary to take all wheat for grinding to Oregon City. There were Indians camped all along the Calapooia river there, but grandfather would tell a certain Indian man whom he trusted that he was going away and that man would move his family, and all his trustworthy friends and have them form a circle about the cabin and keep mischievous or dangerous Indians away.

The Indians had a sweat-house right on the bank of the stream near the house and would take their sweat baths there. When they had the measles they would use the sweat treatment just the same as for anything else, and many would died, some almost at once.

I can remember my grandfather running bullets in his old bullet mold for his muzzle-loading rifle. I would give a great deal to have that old mold, but it is gone. At one time my grandfather had a terrible toothache. A neighbor came to see him and grandfather begged him to pull the tooth. The man answered that he had not any forceps to do it with. Grandfather took his bullet molds, went to his shop and heated them up and pounded them to change their shape and with them as forceps had the tooth pulled.

My people here in Oregon in the early days often used the camas as it was prepared by the Indians. They also used many of the Indian roots and herbs for medicines.

If you wish a full history of the Morgan family, see Miss Lottie Morgan of Albany. She has all data. She is a teacher in the Albany Schools.

Copyright © 2000 Patricia Dunn. All rights reserved. This transcription may not be reproduced in any media without the express written permission by the author. Permission has been given by the Transcriber to publish on the LGS web site.