The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-01-28
FAITHFUL TO THE.
LAST
CAPTAIN WILLIAM LARKINS
DIES SUDDENLY WHILE ON
DUTY IN. PILOT HOUSE ON
THE LURLINE YESTERDAY.

A feeling Of sadness peryaded the
city yesterday when II became known
that the Astorian had received a
special dispatch from Portland stat
ing that the ever popular, Captain
William Larkin, Of the Lurline, had
died suddenly at Portland. The news
spread rapidly along the streets and
many inquiries were made as 10 the
truth Of the rimor, until II was learn
cd that the Astorian had received the
news by wire, and from an undoubtcd
source.
Captain Larkin met his death at his
post Of duty, a post he had filled sue
ccssful1y for many years When the
Lurline left her dock, at Portland,
yesterday morning, he was at the
wheel, and a dense fog covered the
river. Pilot Mccully and the mate
were on the lookout After whistling
for the opening of the Burnside street
bridge daw Captain Larkin called the
pilot, who fastened to the captains
side, finding him on his knees, to
which he had fallen, but with the rul-
ing passion strong in death he still
graspcd the steering lever. Others
who came to his assistance placed him
in chair while Pilot McCully
worked his way slowly through the
fog until he finally succeeded in dock
ing the boat at the Ainsworth dock,
from which point physician was
hastily summoned. 1t was too late.
however, as the captain had passed
away, almost with the stroke that
ended his life. His body was taken
TO Finlay's undertaking parlors where
il will remain until the funeral ar
rangements are made.
The deceased leaves a wife, who is
at Nome, seven-year-old daughter,
attending school at Beaverton, three
sisters and brother, who reside at
Portland.
For some time past Captain Larkin
has been suffering from heart trouble
and has had several attacks, one SER
ious one being about one year ago,
from which his recovery was slow. 1t
is thought that the strain upon him, in
guiding the boat through the open
draw, in dense fog, was too much
for him with his weak heart, and he
succumbed.
Captain I.arkin was one of the
most popular steamboat men on the
Columbia and Willamette rivers and
was known, and liked, at every land
ing place, and in other parts OF both
states His CHEEKY, pleasant manner,
and his kind consideration for those
with whom his duties brought him in |
contact, made for him many lasting
friends To meet Captain Will Lar
kin was to know a whole souled,
straightforward and upright speci-
men Of manhood. Captain Zumwaldt
brought down the Lurline last night
and has been placed in command of /
her.
Born and reared in Oregon, and
having attained an age OF 81 years,
Captain Larkin had an extensive ac-
quaintance. Since a lad OF Is he has
been on the river in various capaci-
ties. II is said OF him that he never
had an enemy and was the most popu-
lar skipper, making Portland his
headquarters.
For the past IL years he has been
captain of the steamer Lurline, at
whose wheel he died. She belonged
10 Jacob Kamm and has been running
regularly between Portland and AS
toria, leaving there at 7o'clock in
he mornings and returning at about
daylight the following day
Prior to the acceptance Of his posi-
ion on the Lurline he was master Of |,
The old steamer Telephone, running
out OF Portland, which was said to be
the speediest sternwheeler, in the
world She was owned by Captain u.
B. Scott, who now has the Telegraph