The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-19


very highest credit on his mechanical abii-
ity and his thorough mastery of the bust
ness.
Since his first arrival on Puget sound
Captain Renton has had constant reia-
tons with the Indians. of whom he has
employed large numbers, and, in conse-
quence of the invariable kindness and
justice with which he has treated them,
they have always remained friendly TO
him. Even during the time of the Indian
troubles this was the case. At the date OF
the outbreak Captain Renton was up TO
Olympia in a canoe manned by Indians II
his employ. As they proceeded down the
Sound some of the Indians on the shore
called out to his men that war had
broken out with the whites When this
was repeated to the captain he refused 10
believe it, but the news was subse-
quently confirmed by other Indians,
and he consequently decided to
return to the mill without delay.
He was, proceeding towards home,
and had got about half way up Vashon ISL
and. in the west passage, when they over
heard the clamor of two or three canoes,
full of Indians. who were evidently in a
very excited state. Captain Renton by
this time felt convinced that the news
they had received was true, and that hos
tilities had actually commenced, but he
and his men kept perfectly cool, and as
soon as they got past'the other canoes his
men made the boat fairly fly over the wa
ter until they reached the mill. When the
employees at the mill received the news
they were all much afraid, and with the
exception of the cook, James Ashley,
wanted to go to Seattle for protection, and
inquired of the Captain whether he was
going to abandon the mill. He re-
piled that such was by no means
his intention, and that he was
going to stay right there and defend him.
self and property. A paper was then
made out, and those who were willing TO
stay were requested to sign, and with the
exception of three faint-hearted indiyid-
uals all put their names TO this document.
With the abundant lumber at hand the
building of block house was then the
work of very short time, and, though all
the firearms they possessed were three
small pieces and large bell-mouthed gun,
they stayed there till the war was over. At
this time there were ffty-nlne Indian
bucks at the mills.
Captain d. S. Howard, Captain Renton's
first partner. was killed by being thrown
out of buggy at San Francisco. in 1868,
shortly after they commenced TO build the
Port Blakeley mill In the following year
Mr.. Samuel f. Smith bought an interest
in the business. but in 1872 this gentleman
was also killed in San Francisco. through
falling into the hold of ship. When this
gentleman died Mr.. Holmes was admitted
TO partnership. The latter gentleman is
still member of the company, as well as
the heirs of Captain Ham.
Over half century ago Captain Renton
married Mrs. Sarah NJ. Silvia. who was
the widow of a sea captain of Philadel-
phia. No issue resulted from the mar
riage, but Mrs. Renton's three daughters
by her former husband took the name of
Renton, and il was only after reaching
womanhood that they learned that Capt
ain Renton was not their own father At
the time of the marriage, the lady who is
now Mrs. E. w. Sackman was years old
Another daughter, Josephine, since dead,
lies buried in Lone Mountain cemetery in
San Francisco. while the third, Mrs. Mary
A. Gafney, was baby in arms
Captain Renton leaves two sisters, Mrs.
John 4. Campbell, of Port Blakeley, at
whose home he died, and another Mrs.
Campbell, who still lives in his native
home in Nova Scotia
The captains wife, Mrs Sarah NJ. Rem
| ton, accompanied him on his long voyage
TO this Coast When he left for Puget
sound she stayed for some time in San
Francisco but eventually Joined him at
Port Orchard, in 1856 On May Is, 1890,
this estimable lady, the partner of his joys
and sorrows for so many long years,
passed peacefully away, leaving him to
mourn a loss that is irreparable ON this
side of the grave.
Captain Renton was one of the largest
real estate owners on Puget Sound. Be-
sides the fine timber lands of the company
at Little Skookum bay, Port Orchard and
elsewhere, he was largely interested in
Seattle property. In settling up the estate
| of his wife he disposed of his entire hold
ings in Seattle TO the heirs, with the excep-
| ton of the Renton addition, large por-
| ton of which heretained. Up to the time
! OF this division Captain Renton's holdings
/ In Seattle. exclusive of the Renton addi-
| ton, were valued at about 81 900 900.
About seventeen years ago Captain
Renion lost his eyesight. For years he
worked IN the mill day after day and the
dust and strain gradually ruined his eyes.
| and he once said that one night ne went
to sleep and could see, but he awoke in the
| morning and his sight was gone for ever.
| He never complained and bore up man
| fully under this deep affection. He came
| of hardy, brave and industrious race, and
| the lines of his face indicated that he was
| man of unusual determination and
| energy. In his time he did an immense
amount of work, and he gained his present
enviable position by sheer pluck and
| perseverance. He believed that every man
should dspend upon his own resources,
but at the same time it was seldom in vain
that any worthy or charitable enterprise
| appealed TO him for support. He had the
| greatest faith in the future of Western
Washington, and few have contributed
more largely TO the progress of Puget
sound.
In his work he was great aided by his
right-hand bowers, Messrs. ]. A. and j.
Campbell. The former is the supernten-
dent of the mills, and the latter is the SUI
perintendeut of machinery. Both of these
gentlemen are masters of their calling. and
their shrewdness and practical sense were
of untold service to the captain. Mr..
James oldfeld has been foreman of
the mills for fourteen years past
and Mr.. T. Powell cashier for the
past eight years. To his employees Cap
tain Renton was always kind and consid-
crate, and by all who knew him he was
held in the highest esteem and respect; in
deed, he was in all respects one of the
finest examples of those grand pioneers
who have hewn state out of a wilder
| ness and Dlanted on this northwest coas+