Julia Veazie Glen

“ On the way to Oregon were Felix Scott, his wife, Ellen, three daughters, Ellen, Harriet and Juliet, and the sons, Felix, Junior, Marion, Nimrod and Rodney. The father was a Virginian by birth but was driven by tireless energy to seek adventure. Felix, Junior, and Marion like their father became known in pioneer days for generous initiative and intrepid spirits. In 1850 Felix, & lad in the early twenties, was sent by his father from Oregon across the plains with bags of gold dust from the California mines with which to purchase horses and cattle of good stock in Missouri. ”

“ They used the log cabin that Mitchell Gilliam had erected and added to it as need demanded, bedrooms, a dining room, porches.
An agent for "Luellings Traveling Nursery" came by and Lyle took a number of fruit trees. That they flourished is evidenced by an entry in an old ledger used by W. C. Brown in his pioneer store. The entry is dated October 25, 1856. John Lyle is credited with three bushels of apples at $24.00.
The aged trees today blossom bravely and in the spring the old orchard is sweet with the fragrance of the flowering cherry, the plum, the pear and the apple. ”

“ The old Academy was not so fortunate in an architect. It follows no tradition. It is merely a belfried school house.
In '59 the Lyles were happily settled in the new house, the young trees were growing and flowers blossomed beneath the windows. The older children attended La Creole Academy. Seven children had come to John and Ellen: Harriet, Joan, Alonzo, Alfred, Felix Scott, William and Julia. Alonzo, Felix Scott and Julia died in infancy. John Lyle sent the herds of cattle to winter in eastern Oregon. ”

“ It seems incredible that the women of the valley who had lived in daily dread since the Whitman massacre should consent to have the men leave, for any amount of gold. But they did. Many claims were held by women and young boys and little children. John Lyle was gone a few months and brought back $1000 in gold. ”

“ Chair made in 1846, by Felix Scott, from an ox bow and yoke used in crossing the plains.
It was during these years that John Lyle knew a spiritual temptation—perhaps a new impulse stirred by Jesse Applegate's convincing logic, perhaps a fruition of those impulses that had primarily led him to Oregon. There is evidence that Oregon held for many minds a mystic attraction as a land of social regeneration. ”

“ House at Lyle farm, Dallas, Polk County, Oregon studies and the Languages." July 6, 1857, the trustees donated a square to the county upon which in 1859 a court house was erected. At this time John Lyle began to see within his reach the house of his dream, the spacious home which should adorn a sightly spot on the highland back from the creek. Little by little he and Ellen had saved toward it but now the herds were large and thriving and the top drawer in the mahogany chest of drawers was almost full of gold coin. They had spent happy years in the log cabin and it was a cosy place. ”

“ In 1859 a new court house was erected on the square donated by the trustees of the Academy and Dallas was entrenched as a county seat.
The contract was let to William Pitman, the price fixed at $7,400. Upon completion the new edifice was regarded as one of the finest buildings in the state. In architecture it is interesting. ”

“ Scholars from a distance can be accomodated with boarding in the neighborhood.
Terms of tuition, $8.00 per scholar.
Little wagon which John Lyle had made for his children in 1858. In payment he gave a cow. The stone is a part of doorstep of the log cabin. The iron kettle was used in housekeeping. The name "Jefferson Institute" would lead us to believe that the intention was to establish a permanent school of high grade. An interesting point—a real joker—is the use of "Rickreall" in a notice signed by John Lyle for he soon became convinced that "La Creole" was the original and correct form. ”

“ The beautiful little valley charmed travel worn settlers and claims were early located along the banks of the creek from the foothills of the Coast Mountains to the Willamette. On one side of Nathaniel Ford, Carey Embree had located, on the other side was David Goff, beyond him Joshua Shaw. ”

“ Lyl'e records are a clearly written and plain exposition of the court proceedings. He was clerk "pro tem" both of the provisional court and the later district court —"pro tem" for John Lyle was a Whig in a county of Democrats and voted the Whig ticket, it is said, when but one other man in the county voted it with him.
In June '46 Felix Scott and family came with pack and saddle horses through southern Oregon from Sutters Fort in California. They came saddened by the recent death of Harriet. They went to the Joseph Watt home near Amity. ”