Comment Archives: stories: Feature: Best Of
Re: “Best Badass in Oregon History”
Did the Merc steal the lesson plan of a 4th grade Social Studies teacher to write this?
Anyone who went to fourth grade in Oregon learned about John McLoughlin long ago, maybe even went to his house, and possibly the interpretive center that looks like a giant wagon and closed some time ago, I think. Some of us even recall playing the Oregon Trail computer game on old school Apple IIEs... now giving us a history lesson about that game would be a story. (especially a friend of mine from Maine also played that in the 4th grade back in the 80s).
Re: “Best Badass in Oregon History”
For those interested, a biography about Nimrod O'Kelly
http://www.powells.com/biblio/61-978087422…
Re: “Best Badass in Oregon History”
I have to agree with the first poster. As one of the "nerds" derided in the article, there are tons of people in Oregon history who make John McLoughlin look like a pussy.
How about Nimrod O'Kelly, Revolutionary War Veteran, who WALKED to Oregon at 70 years old. He shot another man for jumping his land claim, turned himself in. Waited for almost two years before trial was finalized. Ended up walking to jail in Portland because his Sheriff escort got drunk the night before. And then, once he got out of jail, he walked to Washington D.C. and back to Oregon TWICE more in an attempt to finally settle his land claims.
Or the unknown sailor who jumped ship at Sauvies Island and settled down twenty years before any other white settlers (including McLoughlin) were even thinking of living here.
Or the group of guys who faced 300 indians at Battle Rock snuck away during the night, and were pursued for ten days as they traveled north to civilization.
Or how about Joseph Meek. The Mountain Man's Mountain Man. Colonel in the Oregon Militia during the Rouge Indian Wars. Trapper, Farmer, Settler.
McLoughlin was important yes, but his only real contributions to Oregon was to wipe out the Beaver population on 90% of the rivers here, and giving supplies to settlers on the first few wagon trains. - Settlers who later ended up shopping at his store in Oregon City because it was the only one around.
Re: “Best Badass in Oregon History”
ahhh christ. **in oregon.
Re: “Best Badass in Oregon History”
did anyone on the mercury grow up on oregon? anyone?
Re: “Oregon City vs. West Linn Which Is Most Superior?”
Ahem. That should be "Oregon City vs. West Linn Which Is MORE Superior?" Christ, who edits this thing?
You are right about one thing: Oregon City is superiorer than West Linn.
Re: “Best Badass in Oregon History”
Best feature article since The Estacada Roadtrip ( Hwy 30 wasn't too bad either).
I have a bit of thing for the 'old man' and have made many a Pilgrimage to either Fort Vancouver or Oregon City. In fact while on Tour of the his house that was moved up the hill my friend and I heard another tour group upstairs (a woman talking).... when we went upstairs no one was there!
Also it must be known, no need to get to Oregon City by car or 99 -- Dude one of the Best rides ever by bicycle. Bike out of Sellwood past the 'Bins' and past the pioneer cemetery, through Milwaukie -- ride the path along the river (that goes to Elk Rock), then take River Road most of the way to Oregon City. You can always take the bus back.
Re: “Oregon City vs. West Linn Which Is Most Superior?”
Oh, and West Linn is clearly superior in the oldest high school football rivalry west of the Mississippi. I guess spoiled rich kids are good for something...
Hear that, Mercury? WHAT'S WITH NO MENTION OF THE OLDEST FOOTBALL RIVALRY WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI?!?! YOU'RE BURYING THE LEAD!!!!
Re: “The Best of Oregon City”
My favorite memory of Oregon City - walking over from West Linn in the late 80's while skipping school to hang out in various buttrock bandrooms. Boy did grunge ruin that vibe in downtown OC. Fortunately it took them the better part of a decade to get the memo.
Re: “The Best of Oregon City”
There are hipsters in Oregon City? NOOOOO!Why are these asexual losers spreading around the country? Is this the result of some terrible '70's experiment gone horribly wrong?
Re: “The Best of Oregon City”
Those are'nt just geese, that's our Airforce!
signed
Canadians
Re: “The Best of Oregon City”
Oregon City will be the first against the wall when the revolution happens.
And cock shards.
Re: “Oregon City vs. West Linn Which Is Most Superior?”
Onetime state capital or not, Oregon City has always been and will always be the Shelbyville to West Linn's Springfield.
Re: “The Best of Oregon City”
This is the worst publication in history considering its complete bias views towards the WONERLAND known as West Linn, eat your shit cock shards
Re: “The Best of Oregon City”
Go fuck yourself, WL is notorious and you are a cum dumpster bitch
Re: “Oregon City vs. West Linn Which Is Most Superior?”
Haha, yeah, they feature the best, don't you know?
Re: “Oregon City vs. West Linn Which Is Most Superior?”
This is a 'feature'?
Re: “Oregon City vs. West Linn Which Is Most Superior?”
Really, this is a good example of comedy failure.
Re: “Best Badass in Oregon History”
"John's Face" is right. This article smacks of ignorance in a style very uncharacteristic of the Merc.
Also, McLoughlin wasn't THAT benevolent. He did make a killing as the territory's rep for the Hudson Bay Company. That's why he came out here: to make money.
It should probably be noted, too, that he was pretty much widely shunned by the end of his days and by the time we became a state. "We don't need you, old man!"
RSSGoing to Seattle?
Re: “The Best of Oregon City”
This is the greatest piece of literature ever published in the Merc, THANK YOU!
And WLM - thanks for the confirmation!