, 1875-12-02
JeHHoweil.


..Tkerc Is NO terror, Cassius. in your threats
For asa armedso strong in honesty
That they do pass me by rs tho lille wind"
julius CESAR.
Scarcely had I reached home. ere it
becomes my painful duty to pay part
ing tribute to the memory Of one who
was nearer brother to NE. in kindness
and all that most enobles friendship,
than any other living man. The awful
calamity by which over two hundred be-
ings were swept away into eternity on
the ill-fated Pacific. calls forth vail Of
mourning from every house on the coast.
and the eyes of the beautiful are still
wet for tho unretnrning brave. And Of
all who perished in that scene of woe
and misery, there was none moro dearly
loved than the brave and youthful COM
mander. Capt. jefferson D. Howell was
q native of Mississippi and entered the
Confederate navy during the rebellion.
Wren the war was over he accepted the
issue in good faith end. weht North.
Instead of mourning oyerthe Lost Cause.
he went manfully to work and shipped
as third mate, on ship bound for Chi
M, from whence he came to San Fran
cisco. Since his arri7al here, some sew
en- years ago, he has served as first Off
Ger on the steamers John l.. Stephens,
Ajax and Orifamme. His first command
was the Idaho, of the IIolladay line,
from whence he took charge successfully
of the steam ers Moses Taylor, Pelican.
California, Nevada, Los Angeles and
lastly, tie ill-starred Pacific. After sew
enty hours of exposure on raft, tor
tured by the pangs of thirst and starva-
ton, his brave and gentle spirit return
ed to the God who gave it. And when
his lamp of life was quenched on Earth,
the Intimate kindIed new star above.
His worth was eqaalled only by his
modesty, yet he had fhe pride of a doz-
en- Caesars. Owing to some disagree
ment between himself and Ben Holla-
day, jr., he resigned command of the
Pelican about two years ago. He was
offered several positions as chief mate,
but could not obtain a captaincy. Rath-
er than go backward in his profession,
he actually went up to Napa Valley, and
hired as common farm laborer at S35
per month. There he remained till Jan.
uary last, when Goodall, Nelson g. Per-
kins sent for him to visit Puget Sound,
with q view to putting on an extra
steamer. He went up rs a passenger
on the Los Angeles, and the steamer
broke her propeller shaft. At Howell's
request Captain Sholl landed him on
the beach above Tillamook, and he walk.
ed to Astoria to obtain tug which came
down and towed the disabled vessel in
to port.
Last Summe RI was passenger with
him from San Francisco to Victovis. In
the steerage was a passenger who was
nearly gone with pulmonary consump-
ton. Howell had him removed to the
cabin, and visited him ALMOST every
hour. The sick man was from Massa-
chusetts, and had been q sailing>master
in the Federal navy during the war. On
my remarking the intimacy that had
sprung up between them, two former
enemies, he gave me look that shall
never forget, and answered, "Misfor-
tune has no politics. Though by no
means handsome man. Captain How
ell was one of those who.attracted every
body to him.. Avoiding all foppery in
dress. he appeared SO plain that he won
all who love modest meu. His was an
Anglo-Saxon face Of the highest type,
with hign brow, fair hair, and laughing
blue eyes. He combined the tenderness
of a woman with the courage of man,
His little room was hung about with
portraits of his friends, and in the cen.
ter was an ivory miniature Of his dead
mother, whom he adored. Rest, heart
of oak, the bottom of the SEQ is as neal
heaven as the summit Of the highest
mountain. And in the last day. wher
the Great Commander shall summon
about him all who have ''gone down al
sea in ships" there will be room on the
quarterback for you, dear Jeff--room
for you
The pilot who stood OF tho helm Of our bark,
In the midst of the tempest's conmoti0n,
Was swept from the deck In the storm and thf
dark.
And sank in tho depths of tho ocean.
What heeds he of riches? What recks he Of fame
Or word decked in grandeur or beauty?
II the marble shall speak that bears his deal
name,
'He died at his post doing duty"
II. B. MERRY in Coos Bay Ne,os.