The Oregon Journal, Feb 22, 1925 - Portland Library, Oregon.
HISTORIC EVENT PORTRAYED BY ARTIST
FAMOUS PAINTING OF PIONEERS NOW HANGS IN HOUSE
Historical scene at Champoeg, Where Oregon born, Shown on canvas by Gegoux.
By Winifred Pickering Salem Feb. 21. - An historical event of more than ordinary interest, which occurred about 82 years ago, is vividly depicted in oil on a canvas 7 by 11 feet, entitled "The Inception of the Birth of Oregon" by Theodore Gegoux, and was placed back of the speaker's desk in the Hall of Representatives this week that members of the legislature might inspect it and decide whether or not it should be purshased by the state. The stage is set at Champoeg, the date is May 2, 1843, and the most prominent figure is that of Joseph L. Meek, in the middle foreground a small group of Indians, with native curiosity, are watching the "pale faces" and wondering what the "heap big" pow-wow is all about. In the furthur distance the eyes follow the peaceful and beautiful Willamette, a purple haze hanging above it, which gradually blends into a pink mist.
OREGON WINS On the right bank of the river a number of tepees are discernable, over which, dimly outlined, the smoke rises from their campfires. The eyes again rest upon Meek, who has just stepped out of the Hudson's Bay warehouse, and with hat up lifted in one hand, is calling for a vote on the organization of a civil government. Grouped closely about him are a number of men of both parties, eagerly and expectantly awaiting the result of the vote which, if favorable to the Americans, would mark the birth of an empire in the truest meaning of the word, others are idly standing in the shade of trees. There were 102 voters and after the votes were counted there were 52 on the American side and 50 on the British, showing that Oregon country cast its lot with the United States by a majority of two votes. This was the first civil government organized west of the Rocky mountains.
FACES RECOGNIZED Mr. Gegoux begin this picture in the spring of 1916, and finished it about four and a half years later. The frame which required six months to complete, is 14 inches wide, light gray, all hand carved, the decorations being bought out in gold, and representing the four states which comprised the original territory; the Oregon grape for Oregon, rhododendron for Washington, bitterroot for Montana, and the syringa for Idaho. It was no small task after a lapse of 60 odd years to obtain likenesses of the men who composed this memorable gathering. The artist began by closely studing the topography of the country, then he has fortunate in having access to photographs of some of the conspicuous characters which had been collected by the Oregon Pioneer association, supplemented by such additional information as could be had from descendents of those actually present. He was only able to secure 24, and these were mostly from daguereotypes and tintypes, but these same descendants, as well as other pioneers, can today recognize familiar faces on the canvas.
PAINTS MANY MAYORS The names of these 24 voters are: Etienne Lucier, W.H. Gray, Dr. W.H. Wilson, Rev. J.L. Parrish, T.J. Hubbard, Solomon Smith, Joseph L. Meek, Rev. J.S. Griffin, William Cannon, Sidney Smith ("Blubber Mouth"), Dr. Robert Newell, Rev. Gustaves Himes, George Gay, George W. Ebberts, Rev. David Leslie, Charles McKay, Reuben Lewis, Medoren Crawford, and J.R. Robb, who were for civil government. Although born in Montreal, Mr. Gegoux lived and pursued his chosen profession in the state of New York before coming to Portland in 1909. He has painted portraits of 29 ex-mayors of Portland, beginning with that of Hugh D. O'Bryant, first incumbent of that office, who has elected April 11, 1851,
when the total number of voters was less than 200. Before the dedication of the memorial building at Champoeg, in 1918, where his painting was completed, and while it remained there, authority was granted to Judge P.N. D'Arcy of Salem, past president of the Oregon Pioneers association, to George H. Himes, curator and assistant secretary of the Oregon Historical society, Portland, and the state board of control, to appoint a caretaker for this building. They selected Mr. Gegoux and gave him permission to collect a stipulated fee from all who wished to view his painting. The canvas was removed to the state capitol on January 3, where it was unveiled two days later, and where it has since remained in
the governor's office until it was placed in the Hall of Representatives by the enactment of house resolution No. 13 of the present legislative session.
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