The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-01-02


. later the bark passed through terrible
storm, and il seemed y miracle that STE
did not 90 down. The vessel was 80 sea
ali the time aud IL was act Until long
time af.erss-d TIA. the extent Of the
storm became known While Of. the coast
/ Of Patagonia the Saraael and Thomas
spok. \ passing Tessei aad got lof Of old
papers. in which ~ss printed the SeSs
that in the storm. through which tbe bark
passed, nfnefy-sve vessels vent dewn With
All ca board. Years aftersara on the
Sound, Mr.. Damon was one day swap
ping" experiences with Capt. William
Rsntos. when is came out the captain had
seaihered tas same storm ia merchant
vessel in the West Indies.
After RAISING through the storm the
bark sailed south ard put into Rio de
janssro, where Mr.. Damon vas much sur
prissi 20 fnd some Of his friends from
Boston who had Joined the expedition TO
California Col. Stevenson xas there with
bis regiment, AMI his vessel vas under
convoy Of the United states sloop Com
TBodofe Pre5is. They we're going 10 Cali
fornia VIA CAGE Horn. While in RIO de
Janelro one Of the lieutensnis on the
United States sioop got into Eight with
TIE fish market gang and was thrown tn
Jail. and the commander Of the sloop Was
unable 10 secure his release. A few days
after. on November ~. issi. the city was
70 celebrate the twenty-arst birthday of
Emperor Dom Pedro. The warships of
ell nations IN the harbor we're invited 10
fire a salute ia hoEor Of The emperor, but
owing 10 the arrest Of the American lieu
tenant the cam mander Of the Commodore
Frebie sent word 10 the authorities that II
he saluted a. ali lie would fire IL from the
ship baxsed up and with shotted guns
All the other vessels except the American
saiuted the emperor.
Mr.. Damon returned TO Boston from
his whaling cruise in the spring of isis,
having been twenty-three months at sea,
and in the spring of 80 he left for Cali
fornia in the brig Charlotte. of Nsvbary-
port. arriving In San Francisco after voy-
age Of six monthly duration. In California
ar. Damon worked seventeen months in
the mines and thea secured EN- ployment a.
printer on the AHn California. In the
winter Of 1850 the cholera scourge visited
San Francisco and Mr.. Damon woke up
one morning and fouud that he vas one OF
the afflicted. After FIVE days of suffering
he went out TO find work. He was broke,
hungry, 1900 miles from home and very
weak. He walked along the docks and
prevailed upon gruif sea captain TO give
him job sacking potatoes. He worked
half day. when the captain came around
and Mr.. Damon gave him some money
which he had received an hour or SO be-
fore from a man who had bought some of
the potatoes. The captain took the money
and put Mr.. Damon through a severe
course of questioning concerning the sale
before he could be convinced that all was
correct. Some time later the same captain
hustled into the Office of the San Jose
Weetty Visitor and inquired for the editor.
Mr. Damon was quietly writing at his
esK. and looking up replied:
IN at your service. sir
The captain was surprised, and after
some hesitation rubbed his eyes and
asked:
I'll Haven't seen you beforef"
Yes; you're the fellow who thought
couldn't count. sacked potatoes for you
ten months ago in the hold of your yes-
sci" replied Mr.. Damon, extending his
hand
We'll, WELT What won't California dor'
exclaimed the grutf seaman in surprise.
and dead broker" replied Mr.. Damon with
a laugh.
The seaman was Capt II. X. Holmes, af-
terward member of the Fort Blakeley firm
of Renton. Holmes 4 90. Until the time
Of his death Capt. Ham. of the same firm,
was one of Mr.. Damon's warmest friends
In 1851 Mr.. Damon went TO San Diego,
where ne was elected Justice of the peace.
lao ali n
Herald
la ls5S he went M the Fraser river as
corresp oudeat of the Victoria Ga-ette. and
returned in time TO act in the same
capacity during the final dispute between
England and the United State. over the
Canal de Haro. In istD Mr.. Damon es-
,ablished the Weekly Northeast at Port
Townsend. and after running il until 1854
sold out. On May 2s 1853, he was mar
ried. near where Tenino now stands. to
the daughter of q. s. Yantis. who has
ever since been his faithful companion. In
isSi Mr. Damon went TO Portland and
was employed By Henry l.. ristock as
city editor Of the Daily Oreqoniaa. He
held this position until Emory Holbrook
resigned as editor-in-chief, and he was
then appointed by Mr.. Pittoek TO take
{
1884 Mr.. Damon was taken seriously i'll.
and Harvey w. Scott was employed as
editor OF the Oycgoaiaa
Upon Mr.. Dsmon's recovery from lin.
gering illness he entered the ministry, and
for six months was pastor of the Congre-
/ gsttonai church in Portland. He was
then called to Albany and remained there
4 until iSsis. when he came 10 Seattle and
( has lived here ever since. In is,se he or
I ganized the Plymouth congregational
/ church, but after = short pastorate i'll
; health compelled him to resign, since
/ which time he has hSd no regular charge.
/ pfeierrne TO he free. doing what best
/ pleased him and endeavorinC in nj! things
I 70 SOW seeds of goodness and glad tidings.
/ Immediately upon his arrival ia this
! city Mr.. Damon bought cottage and sew
T eFal lots At the corner OF Fifth and Marion
/ streets. and he still owns the property.
/ Is the years rolled around slightly dwell
+ ings were built all about him. but the littl q
/ weather beaten cottage. with as sides over
grown with vines and its roof thick with
{ moss. remained SIS reminder OF early
+ days until few years ago. Now the cot.
I tage IS gone aud in its place stands a row
/ ot handsome dwellings. one Of which is
occupied by Mr.. Damon aud his family.
IL has come tn be fashionable among
marrying folk 20 have Nj Damon tie the
uartlal knot. Without dssrac,jnr from
; TIE appropriate solemnjty al the ceremony
; Mr. Damon invariably speaks words o.
/ advice - the contracting couple and a..
+ WAYS kisses the bride. sometimes .zies !.
! she be good looking,
: o.