Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1906-03-03
Communicated.
To the Editor Of the HERALD


1t seems only the other day that
we mourned the death of uncle
"Bob" Strothers, and old "Pat"
Hockett, then Major Barnes, "Dave"
Mclaughlin, Dick Fry, "Bill" Aims
lee, "Joe" Beeler, and but yester-
day the sad cortage followed the
remains of DR.. Bishop to their final
rest, and now Hank" Carlton has
gone the way of all flesh. Each of
these men made local history and
each should be remembered for the
part he played, each did his share
of pioneer service and the death of
each deprived the town and COM
munity of an interesting and in
iuential personality.
Will you permit me a word of
tribute to the last in this obituary
list? IL. l.. Carlton had faults.
yet after all, they were such only
as the liberal judgments of trail
blazing days are apt to encourage.
The heart was about right. Early
social conditions are tolerant of
things latter day restrictions seal
with condemnation. Hank Carl
ton, like SO many other rugged,
fearless, uncontrolled characters,
did not always regard approved
forms, but it was pretty safe to re-
gard him as aiming to do the fair
thing. He will be talked about by
the older settlers OF the Ferry for
many, many years.
Two characteristics must always
be ascribed to him, namely, fear
lessness and sincerity. These are
good traits in any man. Carlton
had them well developed. If he
failed in his official duty it was
not because courage was wanting.
His store of physical courage was
ample.
| never knew him to pretend to
be better than he was. lie was not
demagogue. If he failed to reach
the high standards he made no eff
forts to cover up the deficiencies.
In this he was perfectly honest.
tbs example in this particular
might well be followed by all our
executive officers. He had the good
sense and the regard for public in
telligence never to claim for the
conduct of his office results which
clearly had no foundation. 1t was
my observation that he came as
near doing his duty as any local
peace officer we ever had.
The criticisms which his intens-
ity of character might have oppos-
ed him to, confess, were quite lost
in my sight by reason of his friend
ship at very critical time when
the disposition to upraid- me was
more common than to praise.
refer to the early days of the Occur
d'Alene riots when many thought
the measures adopted by the state
were too strenuous for the occasion.
Here is letter | received from
him which | valued at that time
very much:
Boomers Ferry, May 8, 1899.
Friend Bartlett:
Allow me to congratulate you on
the good work done there by you
and associates. If there is anything
that p eases me, it is to see such
matters pushed to a finish. 1t
makes me feel as though | would
like to take a hand in it myself;
and | may have trouble here soon
myself unless there is something
done to prevent the employment
of Jap labor here. Men are COM
planning every day who have been
turned out to make places for the
Japs. There is considerable grumb-
ling and many threats are made of
violence. If there is nothing done
soon l fear a riot here to equal the
one there and perhaps to exceed 1t
in regard to human life. You know
the situation up the river where
the extra gangs are at work, and
how easy it would be for few men
on the hills to anihilate the gang
below. Bartlett this is serious.
Respectfully yours,
III. l.. CARLTON.
"Hank" Carlton had many friends
here who join his neighbors in sill
ent tears TO his memory.
BARTLETT SINCLAIR.
Rathdrum, Ida, Feb. 25, 1906.