The Idaho Republican., 1914-01-09

pointee at least seeing the territory
as Thomas M. Bowen, appointed in
April, 1871, actually came to Idaho,
but after staying less than a week,
shook the dust of the territory from
his feet and greatly to the satisfac-
tion of our people left, never to re-
turn.
During all this time Secretary Cur
tbs acted as governor and 1lled the
office so acceptably that everyone
wished he could have the title and
draw the salary as we'll as do the
work. Governor Bennett came late
in the fall of 1871 and for the next
three and on-half years, Mr.. Curtis
simply ran the secretary's office.
D. P. Thompson supposedly took
the office of governor in March 1875,
and drew the attendant salary until
Governor Brayman came in July or
August, 1876 but after qualifying
spent practically none of his time
here, and again did Mr.. Curtis act as
chief executive.
In August, 1878, John P. Hoyv,
another name entirely unknown to
fame in Idaho, was appointed as Gov
ernor Brayman's successor, but he,
like SO many of his illustrious prede-
cessors, also failed to put in his ap-
pearance, but Mr.. Curtis, whose Sec
ond term had expired, had been sue
ceeded by Secretary R. A. Sidebotham
who, of course, acted as governor in
place of the delinquent Hoyt.
Edward L. Curtis, son of Governor
Curtis, was appointed secretary in the
early spring of 1888 and served until
the summer of 1884 giving way to D.
P. B. Pride, Alphabetical Pride as
he was often called, who filled the
office until February, 1885, when
Governor Curtis came into his own
and was again appointed and reh
mained territorial secretary until
statehood came in 1891, serving as
governor much of the time by reason
of the continued absence of those ap-
pointed to the position. His fitness
for the position is shown by the fact
that he served throughout Mr.. Cleve-
lands first administration, Congress
man HALEY insisting that such course
would be more agreeable to the peo-
pie of Idaho than would the appoint
ment of an eastern Democrat who
had been promised the position when
ever the change was made.
Governor" Curtis as we always
called him, was an able lawyer and
made a magnificent officer. An old
timer of the Pacific coast, he was
known in every part of it and univer-
sally liked. Jovial and good natured,
with a pleasant greeting for all, /
don't believe he had an enemy. The
world is better and brighter because
of men like him having lived in it;
the whole state mourned when he
died shortly after statehood.
Governor Curtis had all the virtues
and but few of the besetting vices of
the pioneers. OF one thing only did
l ever hear complaint made in refer
ence to his acts. His memory was
extremely uncertain with reference
to current events or even promises
made. The whole territory, all of us
knowing his popularity, laughed over
an incident occurring. during the win
ter of 10 and I'll while Curtis was
acting as governor. Some of the Boise
ladies were preparing a set of tab
leaux as an incident of a church fes-
tIval. Among othei things it was
f2tended to represent scene from
the career of Gorge Washington, ana
ths question was who 10 select to rep
resent the central figure. One of the
ladies' suggestel Governor Curtis by
rctscn of his strong resemblance 70
the Father OF lis Country, but little
Etre. Il Immediately smoke I'D
AMI said: "Oh, no, that Will never
do; George Washington never told a |
lie you know"
Governor C' rtis was not only a |
ne st lovable man in every respect
ani extremely popular wherever hs
vent but was an orator of no mean
ability as was we'll illustrated in his
Oregon career. Coming up from Cal
ifornia intending to go to the Will
lamette valley in 1856, he stopped |
over at Jacksonville in southern Or
egon for a day. A Democratic con-.
vention was being held there and
Curtis dropping into the hall where
some one with whom he had become
acquainted called upon him for a |
speech. Nothing 10th, he complied
and so electrified the convention that
although nonresident, and really
in politics, he was nomi-
natnd for tho 1aoiclof,,ro Sfonnod o.,on