Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1906-04-27

ever wrapped in a hide" ventured too
near the edge of a bluff. The loose
earth gave way and down the long
slope rolled poor Tom. Father thought
it was long walk for him as he
watched him, first mule then camp
outfit on top. Landing at the bottom,
greatly to fathers surprise, the mule
picked himself up. looked all around,
and catching sight of him he gave the
most unearthly and prolonged ye.haw
those mountains had ever heard. The
camp fixtures were little the worse
lor wear, but the mule had not re-
ceived scratch.
We have some OF fathers letters in
the house now, describing the scenes
and incidents of that lonely trip.
While practicing law in Seattle he
met G. A. Meigs. of the Port Madison
Mill Co. A friendship sprang up be.
tween them and he was employed as
their attorney until he went on the
bench. l have heard, many times,
that he was employed as . workman
by this company. That was not true.
He was their attorney for many years,
a paying place, and much coveted.
Father did we'll in Seattle until the
breaking out of the Indian war. He
raised a company, armed and equipped
them at his own expense and took the
field. The government is owing for
that outlay to-day. The first service
that he and his men rendered was
to bury the White River settlers who
had been massacred. He would never
speak of that if he could avoid it.
During the Civil war, President Lin.
coin gave him pass to 60 over into
Virginia and see his relatives. Like
many other families, ours was divided,
part were iu the northern army, part
in the southern. While visiting among
bis people, he saw the wounded from
many battles. I have heard him speak
Of the battle Of the Wilderness, more
than the others. He went with the
Christian Commission, to help and
relieve as far as he could. He saw,
too, the exchange of prisoners from
Andersonville and Libby, but nothing
he had ever seen in his life affected
him ~ the sight of the dead at White
River, and he saw thirty thousand of
the wounded at City Point at one
time. He had passed through Q
cholera epidemic where he and three
others were all there were to care for
the living or bury the dead. l have
written all 1 can remember hearing
father tell Of the Indian war for .
number who are writing the history Of
the State, it is q very meager account
in comparison to what he could have
told. So I will not speak of it here.
There is one incident in his life l
would like TO speak OF, and that is his
part in the Steilacoom riots. Trouble
had been brewing for q long time in
Pierce county. Cattle had. been stolen,
claims jumped, horses shot in pas.
lures and cattle maimed. Finally
suits were brought and the cases were
to be tried. Hilroy Butler drove
father down to Steilacoom. When
they arrived, the mob had possession
OF the main street and were drunk and
ugly. Mr.. Butler was told to turn
round and drive like to Olympia
for there would be no court held in
Steilacoom that day. Mr.. Butler
urged father to get back into the car.
riage aud come home. His answer
was, You can 60 if you want to, but
it will be alone" The mob then
turned on him, gave him his choice
to leave or they would shoot him in
his tracks. Like q panther father
leaped among them, calling out
"Shoot, you towards; shoot, if you
dare! Shoot an unarmed man, a
United States officer in the discharge
of his duty, but if you do, shoe,
straight, or court will convene at nine
o'clock" He stood with hat off, his
snow-white hair making him q fine
target, but not q gun was raised or q
shot fired. A lady, who was then q
little girl in Steilacoom, and watching
the same from her chamber window
told me she would never forget him al
he stood, and that his words would
ring in her ears till her dying day. In
the temporary lull that followed, the
citizens and lawyers surrounded father
and got him to Frank Clark's house
argued, entreated and tried to persuade
him to leave town, telling him thai
not his life alone but many other,
would pay the penalty; that after the
mob had sobered up, he could return
and try the cases. To this he woulc
not agree apd started for the court
house, avoiding the mob by taking {
foot-path. The members Of the bal
sent for Mr.. Butler to meet them a.
the home of Col. William Wallace
When they reached his house, father
was enticed in, the doors were locked
and he informed that he would leav'
the town, if they tied him hand ant
foot. So making . virtue of necessity
| he was escorted to the carriage anG
Mr.. Butler was told to drive for thei
lives. Hearing they had left town, 4
few Of tho mob mounted and followed
. few shots were fired but they finally
turned back. I believe only one mar
was killed, but over his dying bod,
the drunken men stood, refusing t
allow the Priest to give q cup of cole
water, or . Sister Of Charity to place I
pillow for his head. The lady VIII
gave me this account of the darkes
day old Steilacoom ever saw, will Civ
far better one some time, ii he
book is ever published.
I have heard that father came from
. vo,v ,ooy and humble family. Nc
his people were among the best fam
lilies of the Empire State, the Nor
saDs, the Livingstones, the Whites
the Washburns, the Montigues. an
many others as we'll known, were hi
immediate relations, and bis own fam
ily numbered statesmen, doctors, Law
yers and inventors. Peter Coope
Hewitt may be the best, but is not tn
first inventor among them.
| As . Judge, hardly need speak