The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-05-05
George Il. Hines Says He Did
Not Swipe the Monument Of
Pioneer McTavish.
ANGRY WITH JAMES W. WEIGH
Says the Monument Was Sent ia
Him by an Astorian and Feels
That lie Has Been Sian.
dered In the Matter.

George II. Hines. assistant secre-
tary and general manager OF the af-
fairs OF the oregon Historical Society
did not swipe or steal or carry off the
monument OF the pioneer McTavish,
the British subject who was drowned
of Fort Astoria about 100 years ago,
And he wants 1t distinctly understood
that he did not pilfer. He explains
that the monument was sent to him
by an Astorian. and he thinks It's
better of up In the great city OF Port
land. where II win call attention 10
the existence OF Astoria. than down
here by the sad sea waves. Mr.Himes
writes the following letter 10 The AS
torian.
Portland. May S,-(To the Editor)--
Returning to this city at a late hour
today discovered in your paper a
statement to the effect that came
along and swiped" the McTavish mon
ument, Permit me to deny most em-
phatlcally the accusation and to brand
the author. Mr.. James w. welch, or
any other man, as guilty OF making
false statement. My relations with
Mr.. Welch. for whom / have always
had a high regard, believing him to
be gentleman, as well az every 9TH
er citizens OF Astoria, have invariably
been exec adingly pleasant; and why
such a foul charge should be uttered
against me without first taking pains
to ascertain the facts ! am at q loss
to determine
True the monument Is in my Gus
tody, and has been for nearly two
years-in trust for the state OF Ore
gon-and has been seen by $4,000 peo-
pie, who were thereby made acquaint-
ed with its historic associations and
its relations to Astoria: and through
this means Astoria has come to be
known to thousands OF people who.
aside from this circumstance, never
would have heard OF II.
AS to whether 1t is wiser for II 10
thus remain in my custody, properly
cared for and constantly exposed TO
public view, or to be returned to the
place where II is supposed TO have lain
for l do not know how many years. |
'overed with weeds, absolutely hidden
and wholly inaccessible to the aver.
age passer-by in what Is, for the sake
Of euphony, called cemetery but
really Is scarcely more than a COM
non field, through which stock can
'un at will-at least, that was the
ase when l visited the so-called GEM
'tery some four years ago for the last
ime-remains to be seen.
The gentleman who shipped II to
ne, resident of Astoria for a number
4 years, and very well known there.
vidently believed that by so doing
le was performing a public duty, and
'reventing some ghoul from carrying
off and afterwards endeavoring to
ecure a ransom for its return.
If the people of Astoria want the
monument in question and will pro-
ide means for safely taking care of
+ l am sure the Oregon Historical
ociety, duly incorporated under the
lws of the state-with 800 of the best
itizens of Oregon among it's member
hip "a goodly number from Astoria,
ut Mr.. Welch not among the number
regret to say; neither is the gentle-
ian who shipped the monument to
le)-will have no objection to return
lg it. GEORGE II. HINES,
-ssistant Secretary Oregon Histori-
cal Society.