The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-19
WIVES OF PIONEERS.
They Are Granted Good PEN
sions by Congress.
THEIR HUSBANDS KNOWN HERE.
Hen Famous In The Early History Of
Washington Territory Indian Fight
ers and Clergyman.

The Congregational Record Of Z recent date con-
tains the accounts Of the debates in the House
Of Representatives over the passage OF private
pension bills for the widows Of General David
p McKibbin and Rev. James O. Rayner, two
women well known in the early history Of this
state.
Tho McKibbin bin was a. follow:
snsa e aessd &c, Thst the secretary Of the
directed TO place upon the pension roll. subject
70 tho provisions and limitations of the pension
1 1s the name q Marion Mckibbin, widow of
David =. McKibbfn, late colonel OF the Ono
Hundred and Fifty Eighth and the Two Hun
dred aud Fourteenth regiments Pennsylvania
infantry, and brcyet brigadier general United
81 800 per month from the date Of her hus-
bands death, November 9, 1890 !"
The COMMITTEES reported on II q follows:
bin, widow 81 the late : Major and
Brevet Brigadier General David B. Me-
kibhins United States army, Ct the rate
lady Of high culture and refinement, but COM
ptefely broken down In health and unable to do
snythtng for her own support. This condition
extent brought on by nursing her late husband,
who was for many years prior TO his death q
great sufferer from rheumatism contracted dur
Ing the war. Her husbands relatives are in no
condition to render her assistance. aud she has
no direct relatives to whom she can turn for aid,
and she il practically without . dollar in the
aMx McKibbin has given two husbands to
the country. Her first, Mr.. Herring, a young
man OF great promise, responded to the first call
killed nj the head OF his command In one OF the
early battles OF the late war. Her second hus-
band, General Mckibbin, commenced his active
Sc Msa a. he oL
a . lieutenant in 1856, was captain Fourteenth
infantry, May IL 1861; colonel One Hundred
and Fifty-cighth Pennsylvania volunteers No
no a. mr. mt ma nolof Mt
expiration Of term August Il, 1868, re-
snming his place rs captain Four
IS sodn sngI as af he wn Mas
captured and taken to Libby prison, where he
contracted scurvy. from the effects of which he
never recovered, aud which finally resulted in
cancer aud death. After he was exchanged he
became colonel OF the Two Hundred and Four
tecnth regiment Pennsylvania volunteers, in
Mnicn ne served until q september y ls6., when
Infantry. He was repeatedly breyefed and hon.
orably mentioned III field orders for gailantry in
hattie.
ssNow, 1t is believed that as the disease of
which ne died in 1850 was contracted while he
WAS captain, after he had been mustered out
- = colonel. his widow will only receive the
pension OF = captains widow, so per month, I'M
der the general law, while nearly all his service
during the war was with the rank of colonel,
and much q the time with the command of a
This is surely an unusual case. one Of great
merit and hards Mrs McKibbin will prob
ably nevers see another well day, and in view OF
The services OF her two husbands and her own
eu6orings and sacrifices incident 10 their serv-
ices, and her present helpless condition, the
country should not allow her to suffer for means
Your committee recommend the bill be
passed With an amendment striking out .onc
hundred and inserting thirty"
The amendment recommended by the commit
tee was adopted and the bill passed
After the Mexican war General then second
leutenant) McKibbin was detailed for service
ksp AHnR -
his work near Seattle in King county, for dur
ing the indian war OF 1866 he had charge of the
Nukieshoot territory, about the White. Stuck
and Green rivers. He did famous service and
captured between 400 and 500 Indians lIa at one
time, 10 at another, and also smaller bands
His reputation went far on account of his Sc
we're punishment OF the Indians, for he hung
many Of the bucks
For four years after that war he served on the
boundary commission at Semiahmoo. and then
coom When the civil war broke out he en-
ltsted, and rose through the grades of captain,
colonel, etc, to brigadier general.
About Two Year. ago ne made svist to Seattle,
older settlers, including Henry i. Yesler, Hill
lory Butler. Charles Prosch and Thomas w.
The other pensioner is Mrs. Sarah J. Rayner,
widow of Rev. J. o. Rayner, who for some years
was a Methodist minister at Vancouver. He was
congress, but was defeated by e. Z. Cole, of
Walla Walla. who was afterward governor Of the
territory and also postmaster ut Portland.
Mr. Rayner was made chaplain in the army.
and lived at Steilacoom until 1867, when he
went to California.
The congressional report on the bill declares:
1.-THE husband Of the claimant, Rev. James q.
Rayner, was elected chaplain by post council of
administrations (act July s. 1859 and appointed
pest chaplain United States army April 5, 1867,
and served continuously as chaplain United
states army until retired, February 10, 1887, by
operation of law. He died at his home, San
Mateo, Cal, June Is, 1855. His widow, the
claimant Is pensioner at the rate of so per
month.
Sshe applies for increase to $50 per month, de-
ciaring that she has no property to afford her
any income, and that she is in very helpless
condition, unable to walk or use her hands,
from the effects Of rheumatism; that she is UNI
able to earn living or to take care OF or dress
herself. This throws the burden OF support
upon her pension, which is insufficient to meet
her necessary wants.
sMajor General J. NJ. Schofeld, United States
army, IN an Endorsement, submitting under
date of December %, 1859, a communication re-
war, states;
Mr.. Rayner was very worthy and faithful
chaplain in the army. He was stationed at
Angel island, California. several years. In adj
dftion 10 bis duties at that post he very cheer
fully and zealously fulfilled my wishes by min
1stcring to the prisoners at Alcatraz island Ii
appears that his widow is now left helpless and
destitute, except for her pension oil SO per
month, barely enough to pay the hire OF a ser
want trust Mrs. Rayners pension may be in
creased SO as to provide her absolut necessities
during the short remainder of her life.''