Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1917-11-09
NEWPORT

The sudden and unexpected
death of Charles B. Crosno at
his home Sunday came as a
shock to the people of Newport.
Within the last two months,
three of Lincoln County's best
known and most prominent pio-
neers have died. Ex-sheriff
James II. Ross, Judge J. F. Stew
art, and Hon. c. B. Crosno.
These had also a state reputa-
tion and made their impression
upon social, moral and progress
sive conditions of the country.
1t seems a kind of strange ia
tality that has taken these men
away when there is much going
on that needs their help and
support. In the important chan
ges that are going on in the
county as well as the state their
influence and support will be
greatly missed. And then the
great world war that is going on
Letween Autocracy and Democ-
racy interests everyone. 1t is a
good time to live. Charles Bar
ton Crosno was born March ID.
lS45 and died at his home in
Ioiedo November 4th, 1917, age
" years, 9 months and 7 DAYS.
Came to Oregon by OK team and
schooner wagons in 1865 and to
Benton County in 1868 and was
a student in Philomath till 1872,
leaving the school short time
prior to his graduation. He
taught school a while in the Bel
nap settlement and afterwards
IN Kings Valley. In 1873, Mr..
Crosno attended the Portland
BUSINESS College, taking a full
business course and a course in
telegraphy. He located in Kings
valley in the fall of 1873 and
carried on a general merchan-
disc store for eight years under
the firm name of Connor &
Crosno. In 1881 he sold out his
interest in, the store and engas-
ed in farming till 1883 when he
received the appointment of
Clerk at the Siletz Indian Reser-
vation under Agent F. NJ. Wads.
worth and held that position un-
ti April 1887 when he resigned
MS position as clerk and moved
70 Toledo when once again he
engaged in the mercantile bust
ness for about two years When
IN the Indian service by hiskind-
ness and just dealings he had the
good will and respect of all the
indians, especially the children
lie devoted much of his time on
sunday acting as superintend-
'ent OF the school or teaching a
CLASS IN the school. He liked
the indian people and took great
interest in their welfare. Mr.
Crosno always seemed TO be NJ
nome when teaching the Indians
some useful lesson or telling
some interesting story. He said
the indian was a keen observer
and natural orator and coulI
tell his friends from his foes. He
never got tired of hearing Tyer
Harney deliver some of his great
orauons on public occasions
when some of the Indian officials
were present from Washington
u. c. Harney had a splendid
form and presence and a thor.
ough knowledge of the iargor
language. At that time the
Sunday School had about so In.
dians big and little in the schoo
taught by white teachers ane
then about 1000 Indians were or
the reservation and every EN-.
ployee had to do his duty and Sc,
a good example before the In.
dians. No bad conduct or i'm.
morality was allowed on tn,
reservation on pain of losin,
your position. Mr.. Crosno wa,
a great factor in helping tC
maintain this kind of disciplin,
on the reservation. The Indian,
often speak of him now as bein,
one of their best friends. Mr.
Crosno was elected to the Stat,
Legislature June 1888 and serv
ed as a member of the House II
the session of 1889 and the fol
lowing year which was prior t.
the division Of the county. h,
was elected State Senator from
Benton county and served on,
term or two sessions of the Sen,
ate. While in the Senate Mr.
Crosno introduced a bill creatinf
Lincoln county and with the as.
sistance of Hon. B. F. Jones ant
Hon. X. A. Bensell the bill was
passed. Mr.. Crosno was great.
ly interested In the educationa
progress of the county and state
and introduced bill in 1891 ant