The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-19
AFTER A VERY BRIEF ILLNESS.
a Pioneer Of Puget Sound and a Mil
Iionaire Lumberman.
Close oY Life Of over Three Score and
Ten-Hfs Last Hours Were Peaceful
story OF Remarkable Career and
the Building Up OF a stupendons In
dustry Memorials of His Noble
Character.

week illness, OF peTiLDHAls. his husdic-
Ing age gave premonition of the close Of his
life. but his rugged constitution seemed to
bid defiance to the rayages of time. His
end was very peaceful. and even so late as
the morning Of the last day he was in con-
sultation, although confined to his bed.
with Captain Frank Smith, of the Polly.
end other heads of his extensive business.
Since the death Of his wife, Mrs. Sarah
III. Renton. year ago last May. the old
homestead has been torn down, and pend
ing the completion of q new house he was
living with Mrs. John A. Campbell, .
sister. whose husband holds responsible
position in the firm. He was attended
during his last illness by his family ply
stefan, DR.. e. L. Smith. assisted by Drs.
Eagieson and Rufus Smith. At the time
of his death Mrs. John A. Campbell and
Mrs. William Cameron were with him.
The news OF his death was Immediately
teIegraphed TO Seattle. and the Polly, the
tug which has been for eight years the
property of the mill, was dispatched to
the city to convey the immediate relatives
OF the family aud the undertaken, who
LEFT soon after midnight for Port Blakeley.
With the death of the famous old pioneer
one of the most conspicuous figures in the
commerce OF the Sound has passed away
from the scene Of an activity extending
over thirty years. lie came to Puget
sound as mate of ship, of which the
captain soon died. leaving a widow, whom
Captain Renton afterward married.
Seattle vas then a mere mill site, such
- two or three other places were along
the Sound Captain Rcnton's little log
cabin stood upon the outer line of Kitsap
county For miles and miles there was no
settlement; no nearer ncighbor than the
next camp, and that far OLA mere speck
np0n the shore linz. Here he put up a
sawmilI, and took his companions, with
their axes and chains, telling and hauling
the pick Of the forest Kings OF giant
height and huge proportions were pros
trased, beheaded aud enchanted. Year in
and year out the hardy gangs cut their
way, seldom seeing strange face, and
hearing no sound bat the ring of the az,
the shout of the overseer and the cras.a of
the falling masts.
They were busy, weary days for the man
whose fortune depended upon the sale of
the products, whose money was paid out
long before return could come. The dull
routine of the life proved too much for
many and they sought an artificial exhil-
aration which kept many poor fellow
upon the ragged edge of necessity.
There were others, however, and this old
vailor among them, who had pluck to
"stay with it, to use m old backwoods
expression. They toiled away with untir-
Ing vigor, took comfort in the coffee and
plain, even rough fare. which was often
their lot, slept soundIy in their one
foomed cabin and counted up the certain
ties of the future
The shrewd skipper saw away ahead.
His mill of 10000 feet day at Port Orch
ard. which had at first often been idle be-
cause of its too ready output, soon became
too small for his business, and he went
AWAY to more productive fields. The life
" one logger is much the same as another,
md it is both convenient and pleasant in
accounting the lumber. industry in Wash
lngton to typify it in the person of the old
skipper. because he represents all over the
world the best and nobIest specimen of the
lumbernan who cut his way by honest
methods and untiagging industry. despite
misfortunes and losses, 10 an honored old
sgo and a comfortable independence. Fol-
lowing his fortunes. then. he drifted to sn
Island on the Sound. better known in later
days as Bainbridge island. There part.
ner joined him, and passing years saw an
extensive business grow.
Not one cam p, but many, contribute ia
It's gormandizing mills Collecting from
The riney depths of old Skookum and
Etillaguamish, The ancient chiefs Of pin,
and fir, huge RATS are brought down b,
tughoats-those tough, little, putting
Bnorting, busy water males-and drawn
into the snug receSses OF Port Blakeley
Over three hundred men are busy ut These
outlying camps. for this mill alone which
founded by Captain William Renton. anc
subsequently Incorporated as the Blakele,
Mill Company, became well known unde
the firm name of Renton, Holmes & Co
As Captain Renton stood typical of IN,
successful logger, so his arm and his mil
stand representative of the lumber indus
try of this Coast.
Captain Renton was about "A years old
although il was diffcul; to believe that tn,
stalwart figure which reminded one of tn,
great timhers he hewed. had passed three
score. Strong. clear features. set of will
steel gray hair and whiskers. told of th,
indamitsble will, and the strength of hi
advanced years was the reward he earne,
for n life of strict regard FOR natures law
ALFRED in his cardigan Jacket, with
round siouch hat, he attended a
strictly to business TO the last hon
as he did when struggling be
rinner. An accident deprived him som
wears ago of his sight, but his bushes
ieenness. added - a most marvelou
memory, enabled him to keep track o
every detail of his vast business. lie live,
In a modest house upon the island, wher
he was not only the employer of over -
hands. but the friend of every man. woma,
md child. Childless himself. he had
,arre-hearted sympathy for all. and al
though he maintaIne that every mar
oncht to make his eva ay, his hand OF
Ten stole silently into is peeket To bell
...v. .>e,sia~nt.}fx ~ 3 life
Since the death . companion Q
many years. he hae s,ap ID his mode Q
life. Although so A9a at he could d,