From Lane Co Oregon

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M.L. Wilmot
Personal Identity
Occupation
Birthplace	possibly Hillsborough, Illinois
Birthdate	May 10, 1834
Death
Place of Burial
Family	Mary M. Eckel Wilmot (wife)
Personality & Physical nature
Education
Hobbies & Interests
Religion
Gender	Male
Heritage
Physical Characteristics
Social information
Affiliation
Residence	Lane County

[edit] History

M. L. WILMOT

The subject of this sketch, a view of whose residence will be found in this work, was born May 10, 1834. In 1852, long to be remembered as the year when so many emigrants succumbed to cholera, their bones being left on the plains to mark the way, our subject proceeded from Hillsborough, Montgomery county, Illinois, for the mines in California, where he remained until 1854. On September thirtieth of that year Mr. Wilmot took passage per "Yankee Blade," but the day after, the vessel ran upon a rock situated about three miles off Point Conception, causing her to become a total loss. This dreadful shipwreck will long be remembered by many an old resident. No less than three hundred lives were lost on the occasion, while the survivors endured hardships enough to make the stoutest heart quake. Having been rescued by the steamer "Goliath," she afterwards conveyed the rescued ones to San Francisco, bereft of money and clothing. Mr. Wilmot now returned to try his luck once more in the mines, but not finding a claim that would pay he went back to San Francisco, and shipped on board the "Westward Ho" bound for the China sea. After making a voyage in this vessel he found himself in Baltimore, and for some time moved about through different parts of the country. In November, 1858, he married Miss Mary M. Eckel, and in the following spring emigrated to Kansas, whence, in 1861, he volunteered into the Sixth regiment of Kansas Volunteers. In 1864 Mr. Wilmot once more crossed the plains with ox teams, on this occasion to Oregon, a journey that was not unattended with adventures. On the twelfth of July, when some forty miles from Fort Laramie, the Indians succeeded in stampeding and making off with twenty-one head of mules and horses. Chase was given on the day following, but it was not until dark, and while a terrific storm raged, that they were overtaken. A skirmish then took place with the loss to the natives of one of their number, and the re-capture of some of the animals. The pursuit was continued at the next dawn, the United States troops stationed at Deer creek refusing to give aid, and in the forenoon came up with them. They numbered from eighty to a hundred warriors. Mr. Wilmot and his party were but eight. The Indians led the attack, and though thus outnumbered a hand to hand fight was maintained, in which three of the little band of whites were slain, our subject himself receiving ten arrow wounds, yet, although thus perforated, he continued to wage the uneven conflict. and ultimately drove the enemy in great disorder from the field. Mr. Wilmot now made his escape, on a wounded mule, from the battle field, and being taken in was cared for by a train of six wagons that he encountered. Here he was tended with solicitous and unceasing attention by Mrs. Brozan (if he remembers the name correctly) and her daughters, to whom he pays the following earnest and honest tribute: "Such brave and true hearts as those ladies', belong to the mothers, wives and daughters of the pioneers of Oregon, and if they be still living and should see these lines, they will know by whom they were penned -- and I say, God bless them all!" On his arrival in Union county, Oregon, he was placed under the medical care of Dr. William Ousley, who extracted from his left hip an Indiana arrow-point four and a quarter inches in length. On recovery he crossed the Blue and Cascade mountains and settled in Lane county, where he has since resided, and where, to use his own words; "I expect to die, in sight of perpetual snow."

"Illustrated History of Lane County, Oregon." Portland, Oregon: A. G. Walling, publisher, 1884. pg. 486.