Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-12-13
Wasllingtun Standard
A Sad Casualty.

A Sad Casualty.
The whole community suitaincd a
severe shock early this week, by the
report that party OF prominent citi-
zens of Seattle, consisting of DIR. Mi
nor, q. NJ. Haller and Lewis Cox, had
probably been drowned while on a
hunting expedition near Whidby's
Island. The party had been at Stan
wood several days, when, on the after
noon OF the Sd inst, it was determined
to cross to the island, a distance OF
about twelve miles, over q part of the
Sound which is at this season of the
year dangerous from heavy winds and
tide-rips. They were to have made the
passage in canoes, and the last seen OF
them was by the landlord of the hotel
at Stanwood, about 2 o'clock, as they
rounded Camano Island, on entering
Saratoga passage. 1t is supposed that
night set in before they had completed
their journey, and that they were
caught in one OF those terrible tide
rips which frequently rise without
warning and that the frail barks were
instantly swamped.
1t was not till several days after this
catastrophe probably occurred, that
any uneasiness was felt for the party
Cox was to have been in Seattle to
meet his father from the East on Sat.
urday, and his failure to arrive at that
time led to the first apprehensions Of
disaster. A confirmation of these
fears was the finding of Cox's canoe
on Snakeland point, on Tuesday morn
ing, the 10th, a week after the party
had left Stanwood. Wednesday the
other canoe was found on Marshall's
Point. Searching parties have been
out ever since the disaster was known,
and have obtained various other Incl
dental evidences confirming the belief
that the canoes were swamped and
the men drowned while in the middle
of the channel between Stanwood and
Brann's Point. The current there is
very peculiar. 1t runs in q northwes-
terly direction from Stanwood for a
considerable distance and there di-
vides, one-half setting on towards De-
ception pass and the other half sweep
ing around lSnakeland point. 1t is
well known that at times, with a
southerly wind, tide-rips make it haz-
ardous for small boats to navigate this
stretch of water.
It was reported from Seattle yester-
day that the body of Cox had been
found, but it was subsequently con-
tradicted. This would, if true, of
course, have settled all question as to
the fate of the hunters; but even with
out such confirmatory proof all hope Of
their survival has been well nigh
abandoned.
The following biographical sketches
of the missing men are taken from the
Seattle papers:
DR.. Thomas Taylor Minor was one
of the best known men in Washington,
and his name was q synonym OF hon.
honesty, big-heartedness and loyalty.
He was Mayor Of the city of Port
Townsend several times and held
other positions of trust. besides being
Post Health Officer. In 1883 he went
to Seattle, and has occupied . promi-
nent place in politics in the city and
State, He was Mayor one term, has
been member of the school board, and
was elected last May by . big majority
. delegate to the Constitutional Con-
vention, where he stood among the
leaders in debate and made an enyia-
BE reputation. He was since talked
of for United States Senator. He was
interested in . great many schemes Of
Importance to Seattle, being foremost
in getting the railroads there. He was
= director of the Seattle, Lake Shore &
Eastern railroad, and one Of its origi-
majors, and owned 9 controlling inter-
est in the Puget Sound Telegraph Com
pany.
Dr.. Minor WAS born in 1874, on the
island of Ceylon in the East Indies,
whore his father was . missionary.
Shortly after his parents came back TO
their native country and settled in
Connectieut, where young Minor was
given . common school education.
When quite young man he studied
medicine and later graduated in tho
medical department Of Yale University,
Directly after the war broke out he
enlisted - private, but was shortly
promoted to Surgeon, which position
he held to the close Of the war. When
peace was declared he went on IN ex-
psoeing expedition to Alaska, ~ .
member Of the party sent ont by the
Government in the interest of the
0mfthsonian Institute. He then set
tled 1t Port Townsend and practiced
his profession. He lived there for fif-
teen years, during which time he was
Mayor and held other Offices.
He was married in 1874 in Olympia
TO 6al1ie Montgomery, . sister Of J. B.
Montgomery, Of Portland, and two
daughters are the issue Of the mar
Eiage. He leaves . fortune to them.
He was prominent In Masonry, having
been Grand Master Of Washington
was = member Of the G. A. r., the
Loyal Legion, the militia and many
other orders. He was . member Of
the National Republican Committee
for Warrington eight years, and was q
delegate to the Republican National
Conventions that nominated Garfield
Blaine and Harrison. = :,
q. NORRIS HALLER.
Mr.. G. Morris Halter was . pioneer
on Puget Sound and one OF Seattle's
most energetic and progressive citi.
Gems, 81 years of age, having been
born at York, Pa, in 1852. His faith.
er, Granville o. Haller, was one oil
General Grants personal friends dur.
ing the Mexican war, in which they
were brother officers. He came to
Washington with his regiment in the
early 5Os, commanding one or two
expeditions during the Indian war in