The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-01
VISITED MAGNOLIA BLUFF.
The Assistant Secretary of
War, George d. Meiklejohn.
ON A TOUR OF INSPECTION.
Accompa by His Chief Clerk. j.
&. ScoHeId, Capt. Chase, Military
Attache. and other Army Officers
Ii Pleased With the Location
Has Approved the Fortifieatious
TO BE Placed On the Ridge.

Assistant Secretary of War George ID.
MeikIejohn, with party consisting of his
chief clerk. j. c. Scofield. Capt. Chase. OF
the Third cavalry military attache. ana
other army officers. arrived in the city yes
terday, and in the afternoon visited the
site OF the Magnolia bIuff army post.
Upon his return to the Rainier-Grand
hotel. where he was stopping. Mr.. Meikie-
john was met by a reporter of the Post
Intelligencer. TO whom he gave an inter
view. II am on tour Of inspection" said
he 1--WE left jefferson barracks. at ST.
Louis, two weeks ago tonight and went
from there TO Fort Ieavenworth, depart
ment OF the Missouri. We then visited
Fort Crook. department of the Platte,
Omaha department offices of Dakota at
ST. Paul and Fort Smelling. Forts Custer
and Keogh department Of Montana; Fort
Yellowstone and Yellowstone Park, Fort
Harrison. Helena and then 10 Seattle. To-
day we visited. in company with Capt
Robinson. assistant quartermaster. the
site Of the Magnolia bluff Notifications
and I can say that | am very much pleased
and impressed with the location | have
approved the location OF the fortifications
on the ridge hack from the edge of the
bluff and work will start as soon as the
title has been passed upon by the attorney
general. in whose hands the report now is.
From here we shall go to Vancouver and
inspect the department OF the Columbia
and then to San Francisco. We expect
10 return East from San Francisco via
New Mexico. Arizona and Texas"
Assistant Secretary OF War Meiklejohn
was appointed April .. shortly after the
conclusion of his second term in congress.
He has been a conspicuous figure In Re
publican politics in Nebraska. having
served two terms in the state senate. He
was elected lieutenant governor and served
out his term during the occupancy OF the
chief position by Gov. Thayer Mr.. Meikle-
John. when asked last night concerning
Secretary Ayers reservation for military
purposes at St. Michael. Of a large tract
Of land. stated that he knew nothing OF Il
beyond the fact that he had read in the
papers of such an order. The reservation
was made subsequent 20 his leaving Wash
ingtou. He knew OF the work of Capt
Randall and Capt Ray. In the north but
did not know what steps the war depart
ment viii take 10 relieve the food short
age IN the Upper Yukon districts. He had
understood that Messrs. Wesre and Cuda-
hy. % the North American Transportation
and Trading Company. had called upon
Secretary Alger In Washington and repre-
senfed that there was small danger OF
famine. This. however. Was before the
news reached Seattle % the failure OF the
two commercial companies steamers to
reach Dawson City. Mr.. MeIkle3ohn asked
many questions regarding the reported
food shortage and seemed much impressed
with the gravity Of the situation
The party VIII leave this morning for
Portland