The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-17
Elk GOV. LAUGHTON DEAD.
A WELL-KNOWN NEVADA AND
WASHINGTON POLITICIAN
DIES AT TACOMA.
He FIDDLED HIS WAY INTO OFFICE
IN THE NORTHERN
STATE.

TACOMA, Wash, March 16.-Charles E.
Laughton, the fiddling Governor" and ex-
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS of Washington and
Nevada, died at 500 tonight at the b.
hemian Club of heart failure caused by a
complication of diseases
He came here last Saturday from Olym-
pia, where he had been during the legisla-
tive session. He became sick suddenly,
and Tuesday his son Ray was telegraphed
for.
AT $40 this evening he felt better and
was moved to the parlor of the club. Ten
minutes later he complained of the room
being too warm. His son Ray went to
open a window when he exclaimed, "Oh,
my God" and expired, sinking in his
chair. The book he was reading, "The
Sunny Side of Politics." fell in his lap.
The funeral arrangements are not made
Mrs. Laughton and her two daughters are
in San Francisco.
Charles e. Laughton was born in Ban
gor, Me-, where his father still lives, and
was 49 years old. He was an Elk, a thirty
third degree Mason and Mystic Shriner
Laughton was married in 1871 at Sacra-
mento, and the same year became con-
nected with the Virginia and Truckee
Railroad of which he was appointed
auditor in 1875. He held this position
until elected Lieutenant Governor of
Nevada in 1882
AT the expiration of his term he moved
to Okanegon County, mountainous min
ing district, where he was engaged in min
ing and milling operations, as he had been
in Nevada. He was known as the best
amateur violinist on the Pacific Coast, and
his friends say that he tiddled his way into
office in both Nevada and Washington.
He won the hearts of the rough silver min
ers of Okanagon County by fiddling in
their camps after their days work was
ended. A dozen of them would gather
around smoking their pipes as the Gov
ernor poured forth tuneful melodies.
As result the miners elected him to the
Territorial Legislature, and at the first
State convention held the next summer at
Walla Walla, Laughton was nominated for
ACKNOWLEDGMENT to the surprise of al
most the entire convention. The miners
demanded representation on the State
ticket for their favorite, and by shrewd
work Laughton secured the second place.
The next year Governor Ferry had to go
to California for his health, and for six
months Laughton, as acting Governor, car
ried things with a high hand. He secured
the passage of law creating the office of
State Geologist, and promptly appointed
one of his Nevada friends to fill it. After
the Legislature adjourned he vetoed sew
eral bills aimed to reduce railroad rates
and otherwise regulate corporations. The
farmers protested in vain.
For two years he had spent most of his
time in California, but promptly appeared
at the opening of the Legislature in Janu-
airy and was the chief organizer of the
lobby.
One Hundred Thousand Dollar Club.
TACOMA, Wash, March 16.-At an en-
thusiastic meeting held to-day the Tacoma
Chamber OF Commerce and Commercial
Club voted to consolidate, forming a
Chamber of Commerce composed of 500
| active members and professional men.
The Chamber has taken for its motto
Tacoma, a Hundred Thousand People in
1900" which means that an organized eff
fort will be made to secure that population
for this city in five years. The State will
be extensively advertised in the East.