Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1912-09-20
: employment and several married prom
inent citizens soon afterward.

, employment and several married prom
inent citizens soon afterward.
In March. 1865, Mercer was again
on his way east on the same errand
that had engaged his attention the
first trip This was just at the close
of the war, when thousands of depend
ents of those who had given up their
lives for the nation were looking SO
eagerly for means of existence and
were turning their eyes with longing
to the opportunities for employment
held out by the Far West. Mr.. Mercer
saw an opportunity for transportation,
possibly, in the hundreds of govern
ment vessels lying idle with thousands
of seamen still on the payroll, and
bunkers filled with coal, and he
thought that with his perfect knowl-
edge of Mr.. Lincoln's kindness of
heart, he might obtain the use of
vessel for. such a worthy object by
simply furnishing the food equipment
for the voyage. The suggestion met
with immediate favor and endorse
ment of the president. The Continen-
tai was detailed for this remarkable
service, on the fateful day that cast
pail over the whole nation by his as
sassination. Mr.. Mercer reached q
hotel in New York about o'clock the
next morning to find the Grape that
announced his death on all sides. This,
of course, cast a shadow and stiffness
over everything and everybody. After
somewhat prolonged lull, Mr.. Mer-
Ger went to Governor Andrew Of Mas
sachusetts. and detailed his object and
plans, and success so far and its ap-
parent interruption by the death Of
the president. The governor took
hold in earnest, and introduced him
to Edward Everett Hale, who likewise
rendered efficient aid. It required,
however. several months of continu-
Gus labor to render feasible that which
| would have been doubtless unchal-
lenged the directions of Mr.. Lincoln.
All the federal heads of departments,
from johnson down, approved the plan,
but all hesitated to give his personal or
official support, until he reached Gen.
Grant, who having spent number OF
years on Puget Sound, knew the con-
ditions were not over stated, and gave
the suggestions his cordial support,
and after a consultation with the pres
ident, at a meeting of the cabinet, he
was successful in meeting with full en-
dorsement, if he (Gen. Grant) would
give the order, which he did, upon the
proper officer after steamship had
been found.
Here is where Mr.. Mercer blundered.
Instead of having the vessel imme-
diately assigned, he went out and be"
gan gathering the women to make the
trip, issuing over 500 tickets to pros
pective voyagers. When he returned
to Washington to have the vessel Sc
lected-the Continental-turned over
to him, his troubles began. Accom-
panied by Senator Williams of Oregon.
he called upon Quartermaster General
Meigs, with Gen. Grants order. I'm
fortunately, the first in line ahead of
him was a man who had furnished a
horse to our country's soldiers and
taken receipt for the same. He had
been paid twice for his animal already
and Gen. Meigs recognized him. He
flew into a terrible passion and his
mouth became an emphatic volcano in
vituperation. Presenting the order at
this time was fatal. 1t crushed out
all the noble impulses Of the man for
the time being, at least. He glanced
at the order and then said, There is
no law justifying the order and l will
not honor It," Meigs was stubborn
| Continued on page 81