The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1917-03-08
COL. TUCKER Is.
63 YEARS Old

In celebration of Col. fuckers births
day, Col. and Mrs. w. F. Tucker, who
returned Wednesday of last week from
a visit to Manila, on Thursday enter
tanned at luncheon party of friends
at the Mt. Hood Hotel. Col. Tucker,
u. S. A., retired, was formerly pay
master of the Island Department and
was stationed at Manila. Later he
filed like position at Vancouver Bar
racks and at the time of his retire
ment Col. Tucker was stationed at
Chicago, paymaster of the Lakes De-
partment. In 1903 Col. Tucker was
honored with the commission of assis-
tant paymaster general of the United
States Army. AS momento of his
active army days. the commission,
after she had had it placed in hand
some frame, was again presented to
Col. Tucker Thursday by his wife.
The voyage of Col. and Mrs. Tucker
from Manila was made aboard the
U. S. Army Transport Sheridan. A
military party of IS had been expected
to embark on the transport at Homo
lulu, and since Col Tucker was not
sailing under orders, it was expected
that he and Mrs. Tucker would remain
at Honolulu for the arrival Of the next
American bound transport.
Just as we were making ready for
entrance to the harbor at Honolulu, !"
says Col. Tucker, I'VE received word
of the diplomatic break with Germany.
Almost simultaneous with our arrival
the crews of German boats interned in
the harbor fired their vessel, and with
in an hour the town was under martial
law. The commanding general came
aboard the transport the next morning,
and in my conversation with him I
confirmed the news that no accommo-
dations would be available for Mrs.
Tucker and myself. After offering my
services to the General, if | were
needed, | proceeded to get comfortable
quarters at the Young Hotel. Imag.
inc the pleasantness of my surprise
within a very short time on receiving
an orderly from the General with a
message that a naval officer, who had
received orders transferring him to a
Honolulu post, and his wife would
vacate the Sheridan. The place, the
message stated, would be held for
Mrs. Tucker and me, if we wanted it,
and you may be sure we did.
Col. Tucker was retired in 1909 be-
cause of very poor health. He came
to Hood River a very i'll man. But
today, despite his SO years, he carries
himself with an erectness of bearing
that might put to shame many men
far younger.
1t was particularly gratifying to
me-" says Col. Tucpker, TO meet so
many of my old associates on our, re-
cent journey and to have them COM
pliment me on my good health. Many
of them, when they last saw me, ex-
pected soon to hear that had crossed
over. told them what in my opinion
had worked cure for me-plenty of |
outdoor exercise in the healthful air |
of Oregon. You ought to then have
seen a number of them asking me to |
pick out a location for them here in |
the Hood River Valley. | could be
busy for the next few months filling |
commissions and taking options on real
estate, but declined the responsible |
ity. You may be sure did not falter
in my recommendations of the Oregon
country for its healthfulness, but ad-
vised my friends to come and look for
themselves, and then they will
locate"
Col Tucker, who with his wife left |
Thursday afternoon for their Upper
Valley ranch home, Ell Corregidor,
named for the famed fortress guarding
the entrance to Manila harbor, paid
high tribute to the late General
Funston.
For two years at Vnacouver," said
Col. Tucker, 81 was on General Funs-
TONS staff. News of his sudden death
illed me with q sincere grief. He
was one of our greatest military men
and the country will feel his loss.