, 1884-01-03
The Days of Yore.
HOw Capt. Chase Became "Gor
ernOr Chase"
\ PORT TOWNSEND "REMINISCENCES OF THE
DAYS OF GOVERNOR PICKERING,
IN 1863.
BY James G. Swami

BY James G. Swami
During the reign of one of our
celebrated governors, popularly cali
ed William the Heads,rong. other
wise named Pickering, an event of iii
terest occurred, which was OCCASION
ed by the Governor having accepted
an invitation kindly extended to him
by Hon. T. a Wilson, Collector of
Customs, and Hon. Henry 4. Web
ster, Indian Agent, to partake of the
festivities OF Port Townsend. Those
gentlemen had secured a fine cham
Der in the Pioneer hotel, kept at that
time by Mr.. and Mrs Habbot. The
same house, under a new dress and
a new name. is now kept by that ven
cradle and popular landlord known
by the endearing title of Odd Hunt"
addressed to HIM in the same way
that sailors call the Captain the ''OId
Man." because he is the captain, and
to j. j. because he keeps the oldest
hotel; therefore lie must be old Hunt.
Mr.. Habbot had prepared couch
for the Governor by placing three
feather beds on top of each other and
fitting the room with everything
clean, neat and comfortable. The
Governor was expected to arrive about
supper time from up-Sound, and as
there was plenty of leisure, Fred
and Harry went to Chimacum creek
and procured Il fine mess of trout for
his Excellency. From some cause
the Governor was delayed, and did
not arrive till between two and three
o'clock the next morning, when no
one was up but the landlord, who pa
tiently awaited his coming. Habbot
had never seen the Governor, and, as
he said, did not know him from Il
crow" but he waited patiently though
sleeplly, for the great man TO come
The Governor was accompanied
by his friend Captain Chase. the
master and owner of lumber vessel
loading, think, at Balch q Webber's
mill IN Steilacoom, but am not pos
tive on that point; but at all events,
Gov. Pickering had picked up his
friend Capt. Chase somewhere on the
Sound, and they were coming togeth-
er; but the fact was not known here.
as there was no telegraph in those
days; and his ExcelIency and his
friend cam in Sam Alexander plum.
ger.
Both the Governor and Capt. Chase
were poItly men, but differed mate
rally IN personal appearance. Capt.
Chase was very neat in his dress, and
always looked and acted the gentle
man.
Gov. Pickering, on the contrary,
was very negligent of his apparel; he
had sort of snuffy appearance, and
IN every respect more closely resem-
bled the typical bull pancheI" of a
logging camp than a high public
functionary.
Capt. Chase was genial, facetious
gentleman, ready at all times for a
good laugh, and particularly happy
if he could get Joke on his friend
the Governor
When the plunger arrived, and the
Governor, wearied with his long voy-
age had landed, he proceeded at once
to the hotel and asked for a bed;
Chase remaining behind to look after
the baggage. Old Habbot, half
asleep. looked at Pickering when he
asked for a bed, and regarding him
as hard looking subject, which he
certainly was, remarked. well, boss,
our house IS entirely full, and all / (
can do for you Is 10 give you a shake (
down under the caves OF the house in
the attic. The Governor thought
this rough reception frorh the