The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-09-02
AFTER FIFTY YEARS.

AFTER FIFTY YEARS.
In the early days of September, 1891
q man whose name was a synonym OF
power. integrity and benevolence
throughout the wide and sparsely set
fled regions of the North Pacific coast,
Law upon his couch Of passing, rather
than of bodily suffering, in oregon
City. Faithful hearts and gentle hahuS
ministered unto the needs of the still
stalWart body. while the ministrauons
of the religious faith, in which he had
lived afforded spiritual comfort. IN
the home he loved, and thus attended
DR.. John Mclaughlin closed career
OF remarkable incident and usefulness
and of lasting honor on the third day
of the month and year above named
at the age of seventy three years. Half
a century has passed away since his
death, and each succeeding year has
added q measure Of understanding ana
appreciation to the sum of his LIES
achievement. until now, among the
large body Of persons who are we'll IN
formed in regard to the facts Of the
early history of the Oregon country,
the name Of Or. Mclaughlin is held in
grateful reverence.
In visible token &C this feet, q ecu
- cational institute is n0W nearing COM
rletion At Oregon City, which will bear
his name and be dedicated to hi
memory with appropriate ceremonies
on September 30 While this institu-
ton will be conducted under the aus
pices and authority of the Catholic
church. in the faith of which he lived
and died. its influence and endeavOr
will be ar-reaching in the secular life
of the state.
The incidents of DR.. McLoughlins
life arc familiar to our people, Vet
their brief recital is still read with
interest. - listened to With respect
fui attention by thCgc Who are loyal to
the state and were in at its beginnings
He was born at Quebec in 1884, of
Irish parentage. He was well en-
dowed for the duties and responsible
ties that devolved upon him later in
life, by a sturdy physique and COM
manding presence. To these. nature
added an endowment Of courage and
benevolence and a strong sense of
justice. His education equipment was
excellent and we'll suited to his du-
ties. He became chief factor of the
Hudson's Bay company in 1921 and in
1924 was transferred to the Columbia,
with headquarters at Fort Vancouver.
The description of Fort Vancouver
during what may justly be termed the
reign of DR.. Mclaughlin accords With
that of a medieval castle, fortified
against attack from without and gov
erned within on lines of military pre-
Cision, Courtly Difference unQuestioning
obedience and unquestioned power.
Dim. but real. is this shadowy picture
of old Fort Vancouver. With Dr.
Mclaughlin as its central figure. large
Of stature, erect, white haired, benign
of MISUNDERSTANDING monarch of
wide realm of which Vancouver was
the capital From 1921 he had been
really governor or the entire Pacific
slope. from Russian America (now
Alaska) to the California line. This
rule, always firm. was unsullied by
abuse of power and WAS dominated
throughout by loyalty to his country
and his employers.
Jesse Applegate in letter written
in 1865 to Frances Fuller Victor. now
deceased, thus described DR. Me
loughlin in 1913: He was at that time
sixty years of age; his head was
crowned by long hair of snowy white
ness: his stature was large and com
handing; his countenance open ahd
benevolent; his manner cordial and in
Viting confidence. \ plilanthropist in
the strongest sense he did not stop to
inquire to what race. country. or re-
ligion the sufferer, for whom appeal
was made belonged. Enough that ne
was in need. His needs Were supplied
without prodigality or ostentation, but
with prudence, so as to make the re-