The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-07-05

marks about it the editor of this
paper desires to say that man who
has spent the best years SOf his life
for the benefit of the state and the
government, whose, education by Life
work has been such that 1t qualifies
him for government work and does
not qualify him for commercial en-
terprises 1t seems fitting thing that
his ripper years should be devoted to
advisory work for the benefit OF the
state and nation. We are glad to
remind our readers that some men
in the United States senate have for
various and sundry things accepted
great blocks of wealth for their in
fuence in that body, and Senator
Dubois probably had as many oppor-
tunities to acquire wealth in that
way as the average senator, but not
a whisper has ever been raised
against his record in that respect.
He was a comparatively poor man
when he entered the senate and he
has been a poor man ever since.
Those shaking the hand of wealth
| say that he had opportunities to
make it his own, and it is well known
that he never did and the people OF
Idaho have ample reason to feel
proud of their citizen who faces the
sunset of life without wealth and
with no stain upon his honor.
No matter what differences may
exist or may have existed between
Dubois and other men they have diff
ferences based upon honor and men
are entitled to them. This paper is
glad to see any man enjoy seat on
the Brussels carpet after having
done we'll his part in building reser-
voirs and subduing our sage plains
or taking any honorable part that
corresponds to them i nconquering
The west.
w. N. Shilling
Watson N. Shilling is another
Idaho man, formerly resident OF
Blackfoot, who is enjoying ripe
old age. Mr.. Shilling once owned a
quarter section of land on which the
town of Blackfoot is situated and
from whom Shilling avenue was
named.
He was a telegraph operator and
tender of the stock at the old stage
station at Ross Fork in 1875, and
bears the distinction of having |
a telegram to the war
department and President Grant CIV
ing the first news of the Custer mas
sacre. The message had been sent
by courier northward out of Wyom-
ing, westward and south to Bever
canyon, Idaho then carried by stage
10 Ross Fork to the first telegraph !
instrument; the line between Ross
Fork and Beaver canyon not being
in commission.
Shilling had part in starting the
own of Blackfoot. Later In lie ne
mad a similar experience at the town
If Rupert, and served as postmaster
here until the election of President
Wilson. Mr.. Shilling has retired
from active work and Is now visit
ing among his sons and daughters
IN Idaho and other states. He at
ended the Republican platform con-
yention at Boise last week as dele
gate from the town of Rupert.
Mr.. Shilling began his career in
Idaho with cracker box for his Of
fice chair, and now he enjoys the
comforts of home and office that are
replaced by leather-covered swivel
chairs.
Colonel Hamer
Col. Thomas r. Hamer of st. An |
thony won his title in the Philip |
pines and afterwards in the lower |
house of congress where his brilliant |
intellect and power of oratory ap-
piled to public questions made him
a conspicuous figure. He was de-
feated for reelection by traits of
character that are peculiar to Colonel
Hamer and which he seemed unable
to overcome. He was dignified and
austere to an extent that did not
mix we'll in politics; it did not at
tract and control men; he seemed on
a plane above them. AS an army
officer in the Philippines during the
Spanish-American war he filled his
position with great credit and honor
and yet his men did not love him.
Colonel Hamer felt this and regret
ted it deeply, but it seemed beyond
his power to fathom and to over
come the difficulty.
He unexpectedly and hopelessly
met defeat for reelection and those
few years of business activities that
have followed, coupled with the great
call today that comes as the result
of the war, have brought about a
wonderful change in Colonel Hamer
that is noticeable to his old friends
whenever they meet him. He is no
longer grouchy; he is optimistic;