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The Klickitat County News, Goldendale, WA., July 25, 1935, page 4

INTERESTING PIONEER INTERVIEWS

Mrs. Ella (Short) Shell, well known pioneer of this the city, and now residing at Boardman, Oregon, was a recent visitor here and during her stay attended a meeting of the Klickitat Valley Pioneer Association. In an interview with Mrs. Shell, she said:
"My mother (Louisa Anderson Short) crossed the plains to Oregon in an immigrant train of covered wagons in 1846, when nine years of age. The train she came in was headed by Captain Ben Simpson, my mother's uncle. Her maiden name was Louisa Anderson. Her mother, Eleanor Simpson, married James Anderson. To their union was born nine children, five boys and four girls, namely: John, Harvey, Thomas, and Milton and one boy that died when in early manhood. The girls were Mary, Louisa, Nancy and Hannah. None of the latter are now living.
Ben Simpson, who was the captain of the train my mother was with, was a remarkable character in many respects. He was quite financier and it seemed perfectly natural for him to make money as he made and lost several fortunes during his lifetime and held many responsible positions after coming to Oregon and attained the advanced age of 95. He had three boys and two girls. The boys' names were John, William, (both lawyers) and Samuel Simpson, the poet. He was called "Oregon's Beloved Poet." He was the author of many beautiful poems, among them being "Beautiful Willamette" which poem many of those who may chance to see this will recall.
"I remember of hearing my mother tell of their experiences while crossing the plains. In those days, the Indians were quite dangerous and many immigrants had been killed both before and after the year in which she made the previous journey. Their train was composed of many wagons drawn by ox teams.
"At one time they received a great scare as they saw in the distance a band of Indians on horseback coming at great speed towards them. The captain, as well as the rest, perceived the danger but he was cool-headed and of great nerve and proceeded at once to order the men of his company. He told them to put all of the women and children in a group in the center and surround them with the wagons and the men would defend them the best that they could. His orders were rapidly put into execution and all was ready when the Indians arrived.
"The Indians they saw in the distance did not overtake them at once but kept at a safe distance of the wagons and followed the wagons for three days and when they finally overtook them the captain of the train demanded of the chief an explanation of why they are following them, when the chief replied that they wanted permission to dance for them and also wanted a dinner (which was soon prepared by the women of the train) they were also told that they might dance after which they rode away not molesting the immigrants in any way.
"At another time they saw a large number of Indians coming in every direction which sent terror to every heart as they expected to be surrounded and murdered but to their great surprise and relief, they found that it was not them they were after but a huge band of Buffalo which was quickly surrounded and slaughtered as they were all well armed.
"Another instance that she told of that the children becoming tired of riding so long were permitted to get out of the wagon and walk awhile. However, they played and loitered alone until the wagon train got out of sight. And they, becoming confused, got on to a by-trail which led them away from the main road and they believed themselves lost.
"The immigrants, in the train ahead, looked back and could see nothing of them so some of the man on horseback went back to look for them. They soon found them, much frightened, and they accompanied the horsemen to the wagons, a wiser bunch of youngsters for their experience, for they had no desire to loiter behind out of sight of the train after that.
"Mother's father, with the family, settled in the Willamette valley where he took up a claim and resided the remainder of his life. Captain Ben Simpson also settled in some part of Oregon, the latter part of his life being spent in Portland. Will Simpson practiced law in Portland a number of years as did John in Sheridan, Oregon.
"The two Simpson girls married wealthy men. One married Mr. Killingsworth of Portland and the other married Mr. Berney of Portland, also. Their son, Ben Berney, was also a lawyer. My mother was married to Merle Short June 16, 1859. He was a young school teacher at that time, teaching in the neighborhood at Silverton, Oregon. To their union was born nine children, six boys and three girls."