The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1914-07-09
EX-sHERIFF WRITES PRAISE.

Editor Gazette-Times;
have Just returned from a sane
celebration held at lone, and have
finished reading the last two issues
of the daily Oregonian, containing
accounts of the train hold-up beyond
Pendleton a few nights ago and of
the brilliant work of Deputy Sheriff
George McDuffee therein. My heart
is therefore filled with regenerated
patriotism, and | would like through
your valuable columns to get some
of it out of my system.
We Americans never weary OF the
reading of the Declaration of lnde-
pendence, nor the old, old story of
George Washington, Abraham Lin
coin, General Grant, and the numer-
Gus other true heroes who are the
authors of the liberty and freedom
which we are now enjoying. But the
thing that rejuvinates the latent
patriotism of local citizens on this
4th of July, 1914, is the fact that the
spirit of heroism and loyalty to duty
are not things of the past, but that
we have, even in Morrow county,
man who possesses the same lofty
courage, the same brave, heroic
spirit that dominated the patriots of
former days.
l refer to Deputy Sheriff George
McDuffee. AS an humble farmer,
rejoice with all other law-abiding cit
liens that it is Morrow county's good
fortune and proud distinction to
claim this true modern hero, George
McDuffee. Unsummoned and un-
urged, George saw his duty and did
it. Unpleasant as it must be to take
human life, George did the right
thing at the right time, and no re-
morse should ever haunt his con-
science. Rather should he enjoy the
peace of conscience which comes to
one who has done his full duty and
has performed it we'll. The least his
neighbors and fellow citizens can do
is to accord to him the full measure
of high honor and appreciation which
he has so richly earned. In the an
nails of Morrow county history George
McDuffee must be given first place
as its bravest and most heroic citi-
zen.
His killing of a murderous train
robber and the frustrating of their
hellish scheme will have far-reach-
ing influence for good throughout the
entire country. Train robbers and
other murderers we'll know that the
average peace officer, even though he
be armed, is dead easy picking, and
that the law prohibits the carrying
of concealed weapons by plain citi-
zens. The Williams have therefore
every advantage, and they are scarce
ly ever molested in carrying out their
Internal work. 1t is for this reason
that George McDuffee's brave act
stands out in such glorious relief
If a few more such officers were
sprinkled around over the state the
thug element would soon be placed
on the retired list.
McDuffee was not actuated be mere
physical courage alone. There was
deep and loyal principal back of tha
old trusty gun of his. He had al
acute sense of justice accompanied
with the physical and moral courage
to execute it. George no doubt ha
a spirit which grows weary of thu
laws sickening delay, the average
jury's reluctance, the Governor
stupid, old-womanly practice of par
doning criminals, and the other loop
holes through which the great ma
jority of our law breakers escape jus
tice. George McDuffee doesn't be
lieve in temporizing with crime no
with criminals, but he has set an eX
ample refreshing for good citizen
to read about and for other peac
officers to emulate.
Again l say, all honor to Deput
Sheriff George McDuffee, true her
and modern patriot. May his bril-
liant piece of work strike terror t
the hearts of wrong-doers and in
spire good citizens with new hope an
faith in our peace officers and tn
laws of our country.
E. NJ. SHUT.