Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1904-10-24
NOTABLE EVENT
TWO MONUMENTS ON SAN JUAN
ISLAND UNVEILED.
COmmemOratiOn of Joint Occupation
During Dispute over Boundary
Participated in by Representa-
tiveS of the United States and
Great Britain.


zion of the settlement of the first case
of arbitration of ii disputed question
between the United States and Great
Britain, two marble monuments were
unveiled on San Juan island Fri
day. They were erected by the Wash
lngton University State Historical So
ciety, of which Prof. Edmond s. Meany
is secretary and leading spirit.
Appropriate ceremonies accompa-
MED the unveiling of the two shafts.
The U. S. S. Wyoming had been or
dered to the scene and fired national
salute. The repenue cutters Grant and
Arcata We're also present as we'll as
ship representing the British fleet from
Esquimalt.
AS principal speaker for the occa-
sion, Prof. Meany, acting for the his
torical society, invited Mayor Will
liams, of Portland. Mayor Williams
was chosen because of the fact that he
is, so far as Prot. Meany can ascer-
tain, the only survivor of the men who
drew up the treaty fixing upon Emper
or William as arbitrator
Mayor Williams could not be pres
ent in person, but he prepared an adj
dress, which was read
Emperor william Made Decision.
Emperor William of Germany, who
had then just been crowned, made the
decision which gave the United States
clear title to the islands. For twelve
years company of United States sol
diers and company Of British sol
diers occupied the island, and upon
ments are erected. The United States
camp was overlooking Griffin bay, at
the southern end of the island, and
the British camp overlooked Garrison
bay, about fifteen miles distant.
The history of events leading up to
the occasion to be commemorated by
the unwilling of the monuments dates
back to several years before the civil
war According to the best data
which can be obtained there were,
about the year 1855, humble of army
officers who had decidedly Southern
tendencies stationed in the Northwest.
They saw that war was inevitable be-
tween the North and the South over
the question of the freedom of the
slaves. 1t was the intention to stir up
a difference with England ON this coast
which would divert the attention of
the people of the East from the slave
question.
Rumors of possible trouble reached
Washington, ID. c., and orders were
sent to the governor of the then terri
tory of Washington, to do nothing
which would disturb the relations be-
tween the United States and England
Famous Officers Involved.
In 1859 General W. S. Harvey, then
in command of the department of Ore
gon, sent orders to Capt. Picket, who
was stationed at Fort Bellingham, tell
ing him to take his company of the
Ninth infantry from the fort and land
on San Juan island and hold it.
The British resented the occupation
of the island, and, to adjust the diff
Guilty, Gen. Winfield Scott, then COM
mander- in chief of the United States
army, was sent to the scene of the
trouble. He was on toard the little
steamer Massachusetts, which was
then the only representative of the
United States navy in this part of the
country, and from her decks conducted
negotiations with Governor Douglas of
Vancouver island. AS a result joint
United States troops were left on the
island and a company of British troops
also sent to occupy it.
For twelve years matters remained
in this state, the two camps being
about fifteen miles apart.
Captain Pickett, on the outbreak of
the civil war, resigned his command
and joined the confederates. His
charge at Gettysburg made his name
famous throughout the country. Gen
Harvey had also been removed from
his command and went to Missouri
In 1870 the question of absolute
ownership was again raised and ii COM
mission was appointed. A treaty was
drawn up and the matter left to EN-
peror william to arbitrate. He decid-
ed that the island belonged properly to
the United States, handing down his
decision on October 2l, 1872, and of
shat event Friday is the anniversary.
Washington POStOffiCe Receipts.
Washington Oct. l9.-The aggregate
receipts of the presidential postoffices
of the state of Washington showed an
increase of %l34,347 for the fiscal year
ended June 30, 1904, over the preced-
ing fiscal year. Among the more not
able gains are: Seattle from 1910, 1857
to 1851, 372; Spokane from $l37, Alb to
1851, 4O1; Tacoma, from $9S,77S to
T113. 235; Aberdeen, North Yakima
and Everett gained about $4,000 each
and Whatcom is put down for approx
mately 5000 gain.
WeinSeimer Is Found Guilty.
New ork, Oct. 19.-The jury in
the case of Philip Weinseimer, former
president of the Building Trades ALI
,,1 f0, nvtn v-fin of lp6