STEEP TRAILS^ 



Resolved, 1st. — That we deem it expedient for 

 the community to take immediate measures for 

 the destruction of all wolves, panthers and bears, 

 and such other animals as are known to be destruc- 

 tive to cattle, horses, sheep and hogs. 



2d. — That a bounty of fifty cents be paid for 

 the destruction of a small wolf, $3.00 for a large 

 wolf, $1.50 for a lynx, $2.00 for a bear and $5.00 

 for a panther. 



This center of destruction was in the Wil- 

 lamette Valley. But for many years prior to 

 the beginning of the operations of the "Wolf 

 Organization" the Hudson's Bay Company 

 had established forts and trading-stations over 

 all the country, wherever fur-gathering In- 

 dians could be found, and vast numbers of 

 these animals were killed. Their destruction 

 has since gone on at an accelerated rate from 

 year to year as the settlements have been ex- 

 tended, so that in some cases it is difficult to 

 obtain specimens enough for the use of nat- 

 uralists. But even before any of these settle- 

 ments were made, and before the coming of 

 the Hudson's Bay Company, there was very- 

 little danger to be met in passing through this 

 wilderness as far as animals were concerned, 

 and but little of any kind as compared with 

 the dangers encountered in crowded houses 

 and streets. 



When Lewis and Clark made their famous 



314 



