The Duncan & Coe History Show - Episode Summary: "Black Pioneer, White Frontier"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Duncan & Coe History Show
• Hosts: Mike Duncan and Alexis Coe
• Episode: Black Pioneer, White Frontier
• Release Date: January 22, 2025

Introduction

In the inaugural episode of "The Duncan & Coe History Show," hosts Mike Duncan and Alexis Coe delve into a lesser-known chapter of American westward expansion. Focusing on the story of George Bush—a pioneering Black settler in the Oregon Territory—they explore themes of colonialism, race relations, and the intersection of personal resilience with broader historical forces.

George Bush: An Obscure Pioneer

Mike Duncan introduces George Bush, a Black man whose early life remains largely undocumented. Born free, likely in Philadelphia around the late 18th century, Bush emerges in historical records in 1828 as a prosperous landowner in Clay County, Missouri.

Mike Duncan [03:19]: "George Bush is born free of an Irish mother and a black father and probably got some kind of decent education growing up."

Bush marries Isabella James in 1830, a white woman from Tennessee, and together they raise a family of nine children in a region where such a mixed marriage was uncommon and socially challenging.

The Oregon Trail and the Bush Party

Driven by exclusionary laws in the Oregon Territory that barred Black individuals from entering or owning property, Bush decides to lead his family and a group of white families westward. In May 1844, the Bush party—comprising five families—embarks on the Oregon Trail from Missouri, aiming to establish a new life in the Pacific Northwest.

Alexis Ko [02:24]: "This is why we need west coast stories. These stories are so much fun."

Despite the hardships faced during the journey, the party remains united, showcasing Bush's leadership and generosity. They decide to diverge from the main trail upon learning of anti-Black sentiments in Oregon, opting instead to settle north of the Columbia River.

Settlement in Puget Sound

In November 1845, the Bush family establishes New Market (modern-day Tumwater) and Bush's Prairie near what would become Olympia, Washington. Here, Bush successfully cultivates the land, producing wheat, rye, oats, hops, and raising livestock. His prosperity attracts more settlers, with Bush earning a reputation as a benefactor.

Mike Duncan [25:09]: "But in the 1840s and early 1850s, there's very little the Oregon Territorial legislature can do to project power north of the Columbia River."

Bush's harmonious relationships with both British traders and the Nisqually Native American tribe, led by Leshai, highlight his unique position in the region.

Relations with Native Americans

Bush and his family cultivate strong ties with the Nisqually people, learning their language and establishing mutual respect. However, the influx of American settlers places increasing pressure on indigenous communities, setting the stage for future conflict.

Alexis Ko [21:46]: "But he's going to have to go through one more ordeal because the British and Americans are about to resolve their ambiguous boundaries in the Pacific Northwest."

Oregon Treaty and Increased Settler Influx

The Oregon Treaty of 1846 settles the boundary disputes between the United States and Britain at the 49th parallel, officially placing Bush's settlement under American jurisdiction. Despite Oregon's exclusionary laws against Black residents, Bush secures his land through a Special Act in 1855, granting him and his wife 640 acres each under the Donation Land Act.

Mike Duncan [28:43]: "The claim of George Bush to 640 acres of land in Thurston County, Washington territory... is hereby confirmed."

Bush's success encourages approximately 13,000 additional settlers to move north by 1850, further embedding him as a prominent and respected figure in the community.

Formation of Washington Territory and Conflict with Governor Stevens

In 1853, the Washington Territory is officially established, reducing Bush's direct conflict with Oregon's anti-Black laws. However, the appointment of Governor Isaac Stevens marks a turning point. Stevens, known for his aggressive policies towards Native Americans, enacts the Treaty of Medicine Creek in 1854, forcibly relocating Nisqually tribes and undermining Bush's harmonious relations.

Mike Duncan [30:11]: "Isaac Stevens becomes known for his horrible treatment of the local native peoples."

Puget Sound War and Leschi's Tragic End

The Treaty of Medicine Creek incites the Puget Sound War (1855-1856), led by Leschi of the Nisqually tribe. Bush and his family, steadfast in their alliances with the Nisqually, openly oppose Governor Stevens' actions, further straining community relations.

Leschi is unjustly charged with murder and executed in 1856, deepening the divide between settlers and Native Americans and leaving a lasting scar on the community.

Alexis Ko [31:26]: "This enrages them, but it also inexorably changes their lives."

Conclusion and Legacy

By 1860, the Bush family had amassed 880 acres and remained pillars of the Washington community. George Bush passed away in 1863, followed by Isabella in 1866, but their legacy endured through their descendants and the prosperity they fostered in the region.

Mike Duncan [36:23]: "This is how the United States expanded, right? It is explicit racism inside the system that is expanding, and then as that system expands, it's brutal purges of anybody outside the system."

The episode underscores the complex interplay of race, land, and power during America's expansion, highlighting George Bush's remarkable resilience and the enduring impact of his story.

Notable Quotes

• Alexis Ko [02:24]: "This is why we need west coast stories. These stories are so much fun."
• Mike Duncan [03:19]: "George Bush is born free of an Irish mother and a black father and probably got some kind of decent education growing up."
• Mike Duncan [25:09]: "But in the 1840s and early 1850s, there's very little the Oregon Territorial legislature can do to project power north of the Columbia River."
• Mike Duncan [28:43]: "The claim of George Bush to 640 acres of land in Thurston County, Washington territory... is hereby confirmed."
• Alexis Ko [31:26]: "This enrages them, but it also inexorably changes their lives."
• Mike Duncan [36:23]: "This is how the United States expanded... brutal purges of anybody outside the system."

Final Thoughts

"Black Pioneer, White Frontier" offers a poignant exploration of George Bush's journey, reflecting broader narratives of exclusion, resilience, and community-building in American history. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Duncan and Coe shed light on a pivotal figure whose legacy challenges conventional historical narratives.