Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-04-13


plane and saw, and in 1S43 he
Joined the Applegate party. In the
Ilong hours of that toilsome ride over
the prairies, several members of the
train who belonged to the legal fra
ternity started a mock trial. Nesmith
took part in the exercise and dis
played such an amazing amount Of
genius in his Interpretation of JUS
tice that he was advised to join the
legal profession. Arriving at Ore
gon City he put his talents to a
practical test, and two years later
served as a judge under the Provis-
ional Government. Shortly after, the
attractions of Miss Pauline Coff OF
Polk county enchained the attention
Of the young advocate, and the re.
suit was a happy wedding, after
which young Nesmith took his bride
to live on the banks of the Rickreall,
in Polk county, where they took up
donation land claim which is still
owned by the Nesmiths.
The murder of Whitman was a
sad blow to Nesmith, his intimate
friend Among the first to strike
for Cayous country to avenge the
foul deed was the lawyer-pioneer.
In 1855 the Rogue River and Yalli-
ma wars called for the full play of
Nesmith's military powers, and the
fine services which he rendered won
for him the epaulets of colonel.
Two years more elapsed and the
colonel was placed in charge of In-
dian affairs, a responsible work cog-
ering a territory embracing Oregon,
Washington and Idaho Meanwhile
Colonel Nesmith had been digging
gold in California, unearthing suf-
ficient treasurer to pay back debt
of $1,000 to Dr. Mclaughlin, who
had loaned him a herd of COWS at
the time of his marriage in 1916, as
wedding compliment.
About this time the news that
Fort Sumpter had been fired upon
startled the country into wild alarm.
The story of how Colonel Nesmith
remained steadfast to the principles
of the Union is matter of national
history. In September 1860 Mes
mith had been elected to a seat in
the United States Senate, and in that
stormy period the one thought of
complete confidence which the peo
pie reposed in the new senator was
based on the known fact that his
fidelity to the Union was unchange-
able, his faith incorruptable, and
whatever should come to pass that
the fate of the nation would be ef-
fected by his vote, they knew he
would serve his country we'll. He
was sworn in as a Senator on March
4, 1861. President Lincoln took the
colonel into his confidence, and the
varied military observations of the
hardy Oregonian, picked up in from
tier combats, were now employed in
the conduct of the Civil War.
At the close of the war The Colonel
became opposed to Republican re.
construction and joined the Demo-
cratic forces. His term as a senator
expired on March 3, 1867. Colonel
Nesmith has a glorious character
Honest, open-hearted and courage
Gus, no danger nor unexpected event
could shake his firmness or disturb
HIS presence of mind. OF vigorous
mental power, humane disposition
and liberal opinions, he was verify
natures nobleman. In his mastery
eulogles upon the powerful oppon-
ents of his, Charles Summer ana
General Lane. he revealed a depth
OF feeling and broad-mindednes in
his treatment of their characters
that evoked national applause, Diff
rering entirely from their views on
public questions Of the hour Colonel
Nesmith. nevertheless, showed in
the sympathetic tone of those ora
lions the enternal chord of humani-
tartan regard which neither war nor
politics could sever.
His was a patriotism without
hlemish, statesmanship without
guile, leadership of armies with
out fatal ambition, magisuucy
without severity, yet inflexible IL
uprightness. lie was a citizen ey-
emplary in the discharge of every
duty, man who had modesty with
,ut diffidence, courage without rash"
ness. In 1850 he died,
Colonel Nesmith held the follow
ing civil offices;
Judge under the Provisional Gov
ernment 1S45-46.
Member of Provisional l'egisla-