The Portland daily press., 1875-10-13
The Lite Major John s. Walker.
Discovery of His Remains.

Major Walker was a native of Fryeburg,
where he fitted for college, pursued the study
of law and was married to his first wife,
During the late war he was appointed pay
masters clerk, subsequently paymaster, and at
the close of the war was transferred to the reg
ular army. For short time he was stationed
at the south, but finally was ordered to Port.
land. Oregon, the place of his residence at the
time of his decease. On his return from Alas
ka, where he had been sent to pay off the
troops, he embarked in company with his wife
IA Southern woman) on board the steamer
George S. Wright bound for Portland, January
1873. Nothing has ever been heard of the
steamer, and although many reports were for
q time in circulation, the fate Of the passen-
gers and crew has remained mystery.
Two years and half after the supposed loss
of the vessel and all on board, the remains of
Maj Walker were found on the shore of an
island about an eighth of mile in circumfer-
ference and mostly covered with trees, about
two miles from the entrance to Bazan Bay, and
twelve west of Cape Cygane. the southwest
point of Alaska. Two Hydah Indians named
Edenso and Klimnagar, were hunting and
trapping otter and mink in that region, when
they saw strange object on the shore, and on
landing they found the larger portion of the
remains with life preserver around them,
while other parts were somewhat scattered
A few yards from the body they discovered two
punches of keys, sleeve button, and about
forty dollars in gold coin. The property the
Indians divided; and the remains they covered
with some six inches of gravel and then with
rocks, retaining also the cuffs of the coat
sleeve. They saw no relics of the steamer
Wright.
Subsequently visiting the trading-post at
Shikan, they informed Messrs. Sherreck & Co.
of their discovery, who at once apprized Capt.
G. M. Scammon of the Revenue steamer Oliver
Walcott. Taking Mr.. Turk member of the
above firm with him, Capt. Scammon steamed
to Howkan, thence sent canoe TO the Indian
village which brought back Edenso who guided
them to the place of interment. The remains
were disinterred, taken on board, and after
ward carried from Sitka to Portland; and on
the second of August, were committed to the
earth in the cemetery at Fort Vancouver By
special order of Gen. O.. o. Howard Command
ing the Department of the Columbia, the
funeral ceremonies were attended by the Off
GERS of all the departments at his head quarters
and at Fort Vancouver-the escort aud attend
ants comprising the entire body of troops at the
Fort.
Gen. 81. in his official report to Washington
asks for authority to direct the necessary tram
portation to be furnished in case the friends of
the deceased desire the remains sent East"
He adds, 'from personal examination of some
portions of the clothing, and from all the in.
formation furnished 1 am satisfied the remains
are those of Major Walker" We omitted to
mention that the keys and buttons which were
restored by the Indian established the identity
of their former owner.
We are indebted to the courtesy of the rela-
tivesof this esteemed officer for an inspection of
the official documents giving this account which
were transmitted to them last month from the
Paymaster Generals office at Washington.
We express the wish of large circle of
friends in saying that we trust that his remains
may yet find peaceful rest in the quiet cemetery
at Fryeburg, by the side of the wife who was
worthy of his love-