East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1917-03-31

In a letter to his boyhood friend A
Despair, Richard NJ. Turner, former
Pendleton boy and son of ]. H. Tur-
Her. pioneer local lawyer and editor
OF the East Oregonian. gives some
Interesting facts about FL Paso where
he now lives. The letter is here re-
produced in fun for the benefit OF
many who win be interested:
Ell Paso, Texas. March Is.
My dear Al;
Your favor of 9th inst. came to me
here today and in shame l admit my
neglect of YOU and all things Pen
dleton. 1 sold out my interests in
Chandler soon after last writing you
and finally came back to this coun-
try, where most of my life has been
passed since leaving the good olo
state OF Oregon. Have renewed the
practice at an age that most or many
men are supposed to be 0slerized, but
start with as much confidence in my
ability TO succeed as l ever had in
my youth
You viii wonder at the Richard
Another r. NJ. Turner was here when
/ last lived in Ell Paso, and he was a
source Of great annoyance to me, and
50 when / returned 1 began the use
OF Richard to distinguish me from
Ralph-a ritter right"
Ny firm now is Turner and Smith,
and we are doing nice business and
it is growing rapidly. You know i
proved a very successful lawyer in
New Mexico. before 1 first came TO
EI Paso. and overwork put me out
of the profession and later into the
IIax lots nj
money in this country, and have lost
lots of it.
Have been in rather poor health
for past three months but am i'm
proving slowly now. Am only doing
such work as seems necessary Ny
partner is a hard worker and relieves
me OF much of the details of the Of
flee.
I saw the La Dows in Stockton,
California. several years ago and did
not know that they had returned to
Pendleton. and regret to hear that
dear Mrs. La Dow is dead. 1t must
have been a pleasure for her TO spend
her declining years in the old home.
Being again in the harness il seems
impossible for me to get back to my
old friends at present. and it is hard
u even a -
will be possible.
The border here at Ell Paso has
been full of excitement for several
battles in Mexico.
1 intend to go into Mexico. perhaps,
if peace is ever restored there. 1t is
a land of many possibilities and
varied natural industries and possi-
nF frfandg hayra
lived there, they are now refugees to
this country. and hoping for the time
to come when they may return.
Let me tell you a bit about our city
OF El Paso-The Pass-so called be-
cause it was and is the pass leading
from Mexico into this country. Lo-
Gated in the Rio Grande Valley, it is
a railroad center of great import
ance. and the supply point for most
Of Mexico-all of the Northern part
Of that republic.
Our population is approximately
rs. 900, and at least half thereof are
Mexican or Mexican descendent.
The international bridge spans the
river here into the city of Juarez, in
Mexico. where. in ante-bellum days
We occasionally witnessed a bull
bition and one that is never witnessed
a second time by most of US. True
tc nature. we will try anything once.
Juarez has been captured and re-
captured so often that we no longer
evince surprise no matter what hap
pens over there.
Our city is thriving and is always
aglow with enterprise and 'go.''
We have had about $4,000 soldiers
quartered here for nearly a year;
they are now being returned to their
homes. and the permanent garrison
at Fort Bliss will carry about 10000
men permanently. or SO long as dis
turbances continue on our south
We, down here, wish to subjugate
Mexico, and feel that we understand
the Mexican character better than
our beloved president. or any other
man. and resent his attitude which
brands all men in sight of the border
as liars and thieves.
But, If war comes. we are with him
to a man. Not because it is Wilson
but because he is the President and
cur country is assaiIed.
II seems strange to have you tell
me that Berns' daughter is to be mar
ried, and reminds me that time is
truly going and that We are not so
young as We were one hundred years
ago.
look at my boys, one Of them "a
and the OtheG 20 and no longer deny
the good old days-"all days. when
old. are good" when you and I went
fishing together on Mckay. and gen
orally did those things which we
should not have done and left undone
those things which we shOul have
done, are a long time in the past
We idled away much time then
which we have had TO make up since;
and yet. living again. would not
have IL otherwise than IL was For
during the moments which are rare.
when I indulge in retrospection. IL Is
all OF life. and ever my thoughts
dwell upon you first Of all Of those
who then lived In our world. and then
perhaps Frank LaDow. We three
travelled long road together; care
nA Al