text: Oh Tim, if only history were so black and white!  As someone who also taught social history at the UO I'd say your remarks, while humorous, reflect quite a one sided view of a man who had a huge impact, good and bad, on Oregon history.  Yes, General Joseph Lane fought in the Mexican War, fought  Indians, supported slavery for a time, was a fanatic supporter of states rights, supported the South's right to Secession, and ran as a VP candidate in the breakaway Southern Democrat party.  Whew.  He was also known as honest, hard working, a great leader in developing Oregon's government , courageous,   so respected by the Takelma (Rogue) Indians that one took the name Chief Joe.
  
  Following the disgrace of his pro-South political debacle he lived in the hills almost as a hermit with only Peter Waldo, a young black man, as company once Polly died.  In his old age he apologized for his youthful extremism, moved to Roseburg and was honored by Republican's from Douglas County to Eugene's OSJ.