The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1913-03-28
REMARKABLE TRIBUTE

The death of Albert Edward Mead,
fifth governor of Washington, which
occurred at his home in Bellingham
Wednesday afternoon of last week, has
brought forth sincerest expressions of
sorrow from thousands of warm, ad-
miring friends throughout the state
and the ntire northwest. The demon
STATIONS of respect and sorrow in his
home town, Bellingham, and in Olym-
pia, the two communities in this state
where he was more intimately known
and consequently more affectionately
regarded and highly esteemed, formed
the most remarkable tribute ever paid
in honor Of any public man in the en-
tire west
In the capital city of the state flags
were flown at half staff from the time
news of his death was received until
the day of his funeral, and in his home
city Of Bellingham, flags were flown at
half staff for five days in accordance
with a special resolution of respect
and coincidence passed by the city
council. Resolutions of respect in
honor of the man were passed by the
Bellingham Chamber of Commerce, Of
which Governor Mead was president
at the time of his death, and the What
com county Bar Association also
passed resolutions in his honor. The
entire citizenry of Bellingham was
shocked on receipt of the news of the
death Of their loved and honored fell
low townsman, and united in giving
expression to their regard and esteem
for the man whom they loved and who
had done so much to advance the in
terests of their community.
The following story quoted from the
Bellingham Herald of Thursday, March
20. shows how keenly the people OF
Bellingham feel the loss of their friend
and fellow citizen, former Governor
Albert e. Mead, and how general were
the expressions of sorrow and sympa.
thy throughout the state:
The passing away of Governor Mead
caused profound sorrow throughout
Bellingham last evening when the
news was circulated. With incredible
swiftness the sad tidings we're spread
throughout the city. So great was the
acquaintanceship Of Governor Mead
and so high did he stand in public es.
TEEN that within a few hours .after. his
mourning.
Governor Meads standing in the
community and in the whole state
which he served faithfully and well
for four years as it's chief executive
could not be more strikingly shown
than in the manner in which the news
OF his death affected his fellow citi.
zens. Scores of messages of condo
fence have been received today by his
widow and family and almost the en-.
tire citizenry-from the man in the
highest walk of life to the man in the
lowest-has paused to give the tribute
of kind word.
NO man was more keenly interested
in the city's welfare than he; none
took more unselfish part in promot
ing the interests of his home town. As
president of the Chamber of Com
merce, as head of the Whatcom County
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. league, as an active
worker in the Young Mems Christian
association, Governor Mead labored
. untiringly and without hope or expec-
tation of personal profit.
Until within few moments of his
death Governor Mead considered and
discussed plans for the progress and
upbuilding of the organization which
he loved best of all and which he
served with such great ability-the
Bellingham Chamber of Commerce.
In an incredibly short space of time
after the death of former Governor
Mead hundreds had learned of his 60
ing and the expressions of regret and
sorrow many accompanied by
tear even from the strongest of per-
sons, bore mute testimony of the place
Governor Mead held in the esteem and
affection of the people of the city
which has been his home since he left
the governors Office in 1909. Men,
bers Of the Chamber Of Commerce, the
trustees and business and professional
men especially we're srieved and
shocked u the news OF his death, ow-
Tag to tho active place he had taken
- the a6airD Of the city ana communi.
y IN the way II IL commercial vel
fare. 49, 81"
Il. Mono tho less expresaiye were the
words Of regret heasd from scores Of
others who had come IN contact with
him In nurAlX a aocial yax Takiaa