Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1909-05-29
HON. BILL GRIMES OF OKLAHOMA, NOW OF COOS BAY

HON. BILL GRIMES OF UkLAHUMA, NuW VT UVo0 on
He was plain citizen of Nebraska who to be sheriff
He went into Oklahoma with the rush that was composed
of about equal parts OF public officials criminals anu ueCe'
When things got too tropical to hold the latter and ordinary
tImd people we're leaving the territory Bill Grimes was maze
He and his deputies cleaned up the Dalton gang and made
the country too hot to hold the rest Of the deSperadOeS
As John Brown and his men hunted dqWn tne poSddVgb ad b
neht-ders of Bloody Kansas days, so Bill Grimes ana ms
men restored order and his deputies and the men they hunted
were not always accounted Tor.
Grimes was made secretary OF state by Roosevelt served
Two terms and became acting governor OF the territory
When the state admitted into the Unon things 9ot 100
settled and Grimes decided to move to Oregon
He had been out to the Lewis and Clark ta al Portland ana
liked the countyS appearance,
He had also heard Of Coos Bay and liked the sound Of the
in 1908 when Taft wanted delegation from Oklahoma there
was Just one man who could get II tor hn -,
Bill Grimes Of Oregon went back and took charge OF the
roundup.
Taft had been there and opposed adoption Of the new con-
biz bunch of the original Rough Riders we're on the ground
early 10 stampede the state tor eddy
The Taft brand went on the delegation all the same.
Ever since he has been at Mahted there has been some
thing doing.
At the first meeting he acted on committee on resolutions
that endorsed diStriCt-buIt railroads.
That congress also appointed commlSSlon-thTough doV-
ernor Chamberainto draft general port commission act
When the U s. congress aled S to appropriate $IoOOO 10
10 raise the money and work the dredger anyhow.
Next the railroad amendment had to be put through to the
Oregon legislature.
II was there Bill Grimes met Bill Hanley Pat Macarthur and
Governor Benson and result the bill went through both
houses
Then the Pot Of Coos Bay commission act had to be put
through and commission named who could not be grated
and would not graft
To protect all interests and keep the communities from
ilghtng Bl wanted commission OF two from North Bend
two from MarShted and one from up Coos River
he commercial bodies named theml Governor Benson ap-
pointed them and the port commission stands,
Grimes came out with committee, met Hartman at Rose
burg rode down to Portland with him.
He studied the little Napoleon who beStddes the American
continent and made up his mind to 90 home and build rail-
road himself
Hartman sent him pair of bear hounds and Bill went Out
and tracked them over the trails of the new railroad
Not waiting for Hartman 10 build into Coos Bay, nor for
the people TO amend the Oregon constitution Bill went TO work.
In the past sixty days the Coos Bay Central Oregon and
Boise Railroad has been Incorporated organized survey
started dgh-otway secured officers named and stock sub
scnptonS opened.
practical railroad man is in charge and there will be no
Grimes ouuht the same battle in Oklahoma and cot results
The territory had 10000 people and two railroads that
refused to build any extensions
The people had little means and capital but they forced
new line through the heart OF the territory and all the big
trunk lines followed.
Grimes will do the same thing in Oregon,
His motto Is: Keep on raising hell"
Men Ike B Crimes are the best antdote for the knocker
me knocker kicks the most hOerS the cudest does the
least and never contributes cent