2006-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/31/2006
John Daniel Boon[e] (1817-1864. Boon was a direct descendant of Squire Boone, and great-nephew of frontiersman Daniel Boone. He emigrated to Oregon Territory in 1845 in one of three divisions of a 223 wagon company. He settled in Salem where he became a store merchant and last territorial (1851-55) and first State Treasurer (1856-59). The J. D. Boon Building (Boon’s Treasury) is the oldest standing brick structure in Salem. Manuscript account book, 1852-1860 (primarily 1853-55), 6.25” x 7.75”, ink, approximately 300pp. with two-thirds used (mostly filled pages), signed and noted in various places, “J. D. Boon” and Salem. The volume was maintained for a variety of uses. The first appx. 60pp., 1852-1854, is comprised of general store accounts. Other pages pertain to rentals (housing, blacksmith shop and store), lumber and pasturing, and more. In addition, 15pp., 1859-1860, headed, “State Warrants Not Paid to the Penitentiary”, with a few hundred names and amounts. Content and excerpts: “Feb the 8 1854 - This day George Terault commenced boarding at five dollars and fifty cts per week. W. G. Terault*…”paid black women for washing”…“by 13 weeks boarding” [*Note: This is possibly Capt. William G. T’Vault (1806-69) who led one of the 1845 emigrant company divisions (initial two weeks) and was First Attorney General of the Northwest Territory.]; “Mrs. Penny rented the tavern stand Sept the 23/53 at five dollars per month and she has the use of the ten pairs of my blankets 6 pair blue and four pair drab marked J.B. Also five bedstids”; “Squaw House rented Nov the 14 1853 at five dollars per month.”; “Sept the 4 1854...Mr Latt. Ellis rented my house at three dollars per month…Ellis has left my house…and is owing six dollars and refuses to pay the son of a bitch.”[Below is one of the pencil notations added to the volume at an unknown date. It reads, “Old Latt was a wagon maker and played the violins at dances and in saloons.”]; Feb 8 [1852] - Levin English [purchase of gloves and cravat] - “Not worth a snap”. [Pencil note: “Son of Capt. English”]; April 25 [1853] “Boon Dr to Raymond sold one saddle 25.00, sold one pair gold scales 3.00”. ; “Boon paid on bridge for 1855 as follows - to John Ford for 700 feet lumber - for nails….nailing down plank…$21.73”; “Salem July the 16/53 Rev Mr Baggley to one box tea 90...Give away for Sin.” [account unpaid]; “Salem March the first 1854 Old Man Chitwood rented my house opposite the Mills at eight dollars per month. “ [Chitwood built a fence and hauled wood for Boon.]; “Bonhams School commenced March the 12/54.”; “Oct the 4 1854 This day E.D. Reed rented my 3 rooms in the Island House being the lower rooms in the North East corner of said house for eight dollars per month in advance.”; “Salem June the 22/53 J. D. Boon recd ten thousand and fifty lbs of flour belonging to Hamilton Caswell [?] & B. R. Biddle to sell for them on comission. J. D. Boon.”; “Names of persons that J. D. Boon wishes to have in case of his having to go to law with J. B. McLane about the North Salem land claim.” [A dozen+ persons named, including Wm Howell of Howell Prairie and Isaac Zumwalt.”] Other names in the volume include: Judge Walden; Preacher Chapman; Samuel Emay; A. J. Doak; Mrs. Hoffman; Doc Weatherford; Alanson Beers; Joe Foss; Frederick Waymire; “Mr Barns the Doorkeeper”; and Judge Olney. Condition: Marble paper covered boards with binding poor. Both covers and a dozen or so pages loose, but present. Covers chipped and worn. Tape repair to spine. Internally good condition, with overall soiling and wear, but no tears. A worthwhile record of a Western pioneer.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.