The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-04
SAN JUAN CONTEST.
Paul K. Hubbs Describes the
Part He Witnessed.
He DlsAcReEs WITH HALLER.
Thinks tho Fire Eating Pickett and
Harvey Saved tho Islsnds to Us
Tho British Didn't Seek War.

SiSlohiA, JUNO 1.-1uc HlctoIy va viz
San Juan contest written by Major Hal
Ter and published in your issue OF April
"a is the most correct statement OF the
affair yet written. and with every senti-
ment OF respect to that gentleman, would
mention some facts which he has omitted
for want of information on the subject.
After the resignation of Mr.. Henry
Weber and Oscar Olney. the writer was
appointed, on tle 18th day OF April, 1857,
to ELL the position mentioned by the
major, in which capacity he continued I'M
til the election of Mr.. Lincoln. when he
received written notice that his services
were no longer required, and the office was
abolished. Until the fall of 1858 no Amer
lean settlers had ventured to locate claim
on San Juan, owing to the existing dam
gers OF Indians, and on the night men
toned of the Indians firing on the writer,
two helpless white men were murdered
and mangled on the beach 200 yards be-
low our station. Joe Foster lost man In
Hubbs' bay, on Orcas. in night fight
against four Northern war canoes, and
was rescued by the writer the next day.
Many bodies were picked up on the
beaches and in drifting boats.
Subsequent to the advent of the United
States officials. and in the year 1858, the
writer was visited by John MacKay and
John Mills. who took ranches adjoining
on the rolling open ground half mile
west from Port Don Fare" or HelPs
Gate. MacKay was from Glasgow, Scot
land, survivor of the wrecked Albion, of
which he used to sing with the melody
that gave impulse to a throbbing heart in
the pictured scene of the great and turbu-
lent waters. He left the island in the year
1850 for New Zealand to claim silver
ledge which he is said to have discovered
while travelling with the natives of that
place. John Mills was killed by the In
dians. After MacKay came John Witty,
William Smith, Lyman Cutler. Oaks Mac
Cay and fifteen other settlers, up to the
coming of the troops, whose occupation of
San Juan filled the island under their fos-
tering protection with less courageous ad-
ventures.
On the Fourth of July, 1859, these
twenty pioneer settlers, inspired with
patriotism and loyalty, had erected flag
pole, and at an altitude of fifty-five feet
hoisted the ensign of their beloved coun-
try. That was the first time the Ameri-
can flag had famed natures balmy breeze
to the passing sun as q welcome to our
fellow-citizens who now enjoy the lux
urles of those contesting times. The flag
went to the masthead with shouts of ap-
plause amidst showers of bullets, and not
withstanding its ducking and lodging
was struck in its starry tight, but 'got
there all the same"
On the 9th of July, five days afterward,
the Massachusetts, was watched for and
sighted at II M, with Brigadier General
William S. Harvey on board, when the
flag again was hoisted. And we welcomed
his advent about 1 p. m. the same day.
The writer met the general and staff at
the Hudson Bay wharf. We walked to
the top of the hill, but on sighting the
Hudson Bay Company's station the gen.
cral refused to go any further in that di-
rection, notwithstanding my pressing in
vitation to pass his opinion of inspection
on our quarterly reports, and enjoy the
refreshments of a log cabin. But he said
the flag must be saluted as soon as he got
on board, which was done. Here the gen.
eral dismissed his staff officers, and in
private communications the arrangements
were made which led to the occupation of
the island by United States troops and
FASTENED the long-delaved question of SOW
ereignty which took a Jackson or q Harvey
to consummate.
On the 18th of July petition was drawn
by the writer and signed by every Ameri-
can settler on the island. This petition
was claim for protection from Harvey
against the incursions of marauding In
dams, so much needed to advance the in
terest of the United States government.
Not one word was mentioned of the carcass
of dilapidated hog or Cutler holding
British war vessel at bay, but the lives of
United States officials were of so little con.
sequence that Governor Stevens, weeks
after Pickett's arrival, sent for and got the
dispositions of Paul K. Hubs and Lyman
Cutler to stimulate the government to
patriotism and justify the action of Gen.
eral Harvey.
On the strength of the petition, and on
the night of the Goth of July, the writer
was aroused by William Smith, Picketts
first sergeant, to announce the company's
arrival on the beach to the left of the old
Hudson Bay Company wharf, where
they camped until the frown-
ing guns of the British feet in
the harbor intimated that a second battle
of Bunker Hill must inevitably follow if
Pickett did not surrender. Pickett was
not the man to surrender. He never could
surrender. The storming column of the
center division which he led in the Get
tysburg fight, with hat and sword in hand,
and the rally of his scattered forces till
he fell with shot in the right side amid
piles of his dead and dying comrades, pro-
claiming his refusal to be borne from the
field, is all the evidence we require of the
courage of that good and gallant officer.
Some time IN the month of August
Pickett and myself were enjoying a smoke
together in his tent. 1t was about D. m,
and the sun was throwing its spendor
from the canopy above, when to our sur
prise black sea monster in the shape of a
British war vessel steamed as near to our
camp as it could get without grounding,
and, lying broadside. with open-mouthed
guns. whistled down her boats. She
proved to be the Tribune, of her majesty's
navy, Captain, now Admiral Horribly, in
command. The Satellite and PIpmper
were also in close range.
Pickett was no more concerned than an
ordinary visit from British officer would
have made him. Captain" said the
writer, this looks uncomfortable. "Not
in the least" was Pickett's reply. "Stay
here while speak TO my men" At this
moment boat landed several Brit
ish officers. The most prominent was
Captain Horribly, who advanced to the
tent and asked for the commanding officer.
Half minute later appeared in his front
the hero OF Gettysburg, cool and courteous
as French dancing master. and never did
an officer appear to greater advantage, for
ne was now about TO be in the element of