, 1890-09-18
MAJOR JOHN A. SIMMS
A Man Whose Long Career in the
Northwest Is History in
Itself.
He Was One of the Noblest of All
the Pioneers--InterestinE
History.

Or all the pioneers who have
assisted in the development of the re.
sources of the great Northwest,
Major John A. Simms, who died In
In this city few days ago, was per-
haps the most prominent His ca
reer was ali eventful one and he es-
tablshed successful enterprises
enough to have made him million
aire many times over had 1t not
been for his noble traits of generos-
ity. Always ready to share the
misfortunes of others and rem
der financial aid to the needy,
he never accumulated riches, but he
was rich in good deeds and In the
high esteem of all who knew him.
During the many years of his busi-
ness career he was known every
where as man Of unquestioned
honor and integrity. He was true
to himself, true to his friends, and
his heart always went out TO the
suffering and distressed.
or the pioneers In this ection who
knew Major Simms none perhaps
knew him better than ID. Nj. Drum
heller, of this city.
A REVIEW representative called
upon Mr.. Drumheller mt the Trad.
ers' National bank yesterday and
asked him If he could give a brief
history of Major Slmms career In
the Northwest.
"There are n great many things
which 1 can not now recall to
mind" said Mr.. Drumheller, "but
i can give you n brief outline
nf hi In
came to California in lS49, round
the Horn, arriving in 1850. He
mined on the American river, where
he had u rich claim, but had to
abandon 1t on account of hostile In
dams. He then went by sailing
ship to Oregon, and landed at
Oregon City In January, 1851. Here
lie accepted n position with the Hud-
son Bay Company. Shortly after this
he, with Others, put the steamer
Multnomah on the Willamette river,
which was the first steamer on that
river, and became purser He was
engaged In different pursuits from
that time until he moved to The
Dalles, Or, In 1854. He settled
on farm near The Dalles,
and was successfully engaged in
farming and stockraising. AT this
time the whole country, from The
Dalles, Or, to the Rocky mountains
was, metaphorically speaking,
bowling wilderness.
"For the next several years he
was the originator of nearly all the
enterprises of any consequence that
tended toward the early develop
ment of Eastern Oregon and Wash
ington, among which | will men,
ton the following: He put in the
first ferry on the Descb utes river, on
the old emigrant road from The
Dalles, Or, to Walla Walla, Wash
He operated line of flat-boats on
the Columbia from Cello to Wallula.
lie first conceived the idea, which
was carried into effect, of running
steamboats, above The Dalles, and
the first steamer was In successful
operation In 1859. - .....
"On the establishment of "a United
States fort in Walla Walla in 1858
he moved there and took up a ranch
with Mr.. Jesse Drumheller, where
he went into farming extensively.
lr 1859 he introduced the first little
club wheat. for 800 bushels of W hich
he paid $40 bushel. He distrib-
uted this wheat among the early
settlers upon the basis of their Civ
ing him two bushels for one after
harvest. Ho brought the first
reaper and threshing machine in-
to the Walla Walla valley.
He built the first Touring mill In
Eastern Washington, two miles
south of the city OF Walla Walla.
He had the distinguished honor OF
being the first justice of the peace
elected In Eastern Washington, and
WAS also the first territorial cou neil
man elected to represent what is
now Eastern Washington and the
states of Idaho and Montana.
"His Southwestern spirit Of ad-
venture carried him in 1865 to Mon
tana, where he again became en-
gagged in the milling business, and
IA few years later he took up his res
idence in Washington city, ID. c.,
and remained there until 1872.
when President Grant, who
was personal friend of his,
appointed him Indian agent at
the Colville agency, which place he
filled with eminent satisfaction to
the government, citizens and In
dians. Owing to his failing health,
GUS duties in those early days, he
which time he has been actively en-
gagged in mining, milling, farming,
etc.
"The starting point of his charac-
ter was his magnificent generosity
to his fellow man. No one ever
asked John A. Simns for help, pc
cuniary or otherwise, but what they
got 1t, not nlggardly, but lavishly.
His assistance to poor emigrants and
his proverbial hospitality and
generosity to all men who
formed the advance guard of
civilization In four magnificent
states of the American Union, Is
known and appreciated by his COM
panions from Astoria to Eastern
Montana. And when the history
OF those states Is written, John A.
Simms' name will stand out like
shining light, as the star of Bethle.
hem shone to the wise men of the
East. No history will bear sem-
olance of completeness unless he
and his achievements bear the
prominent part his good actions and
life demand"