The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1918-08-09

-. ioioh was OF the posi-
i've ana enthusiastic type. There
were no recruiting stations in Nome
so the young man bade good bva to
nls mother and paid his expenses n
seattle. $500 miles away, and. here
ehrsted in the navy as third class
,,el'iah' the lowest rating. His splen-
oid physique was especially adapt-
eu for this arduous work, as he weighs
ieo pounds and stands six feet to a
hair. For six months he stocked roar.
ing furnaces on battleships and ona
day In December his vessel arrived a,
.he Philadelphia Navy Yard. A friend
IN Seattle had given him a let
ter OF introduction to Philapelphian
ana that missive proved the turning
point in his career
Ills ship lay up for repairs a. ,ba
Philadelphia yard for several weeks
and McLain did not waste a second
he presented his letter. and in .
lew days his handsome face and at
tractlVe personality had gained him
numerous friends. Being good yio-
iihlst and music lover he became
an attendant at the opera. He soon
met Caruso, Geraldine Farrar and
Scottl, and became friend of John
mccormick, who manifested unusual
interest In the young sailor.
being also lover Of art he Wis
lted the Academy OF Fine Arts and
familiarized himself with the master
pieces OF the great artists of whom
ne mad often read in far-off Alaska
re met the famous Captain Anthony
>. Drexel Biddle, of the noted Drexe,
ana Blddle families of Philadelnbia
ana other notables and was entertain
ed in many exclusive homes Later
ne visited Washington, D. c., where
ne was the house guest of Major Cen
eral George Barnett, commandant of
the United States Marine CORPS He
Journeyed to Mount Vernon and maid
tribute to the tomb of George WASH
ington, saw the sights of the Capital
CITY and was entertained at dinner
by Miss May Adams, one of the social
leaders of the city, and finally was
presented to Vice President Marshall
naval officers heard of his me-
chanical abilities and Nc Lain was or
dered to Columbia University in New
York City to take special gas engine
course. When he arrived in the
metropolis his experiences multiplied
He had always been an admirer of
the work of Howard Chandler Christy.
One day he met Christy, who declared
MIN to be one of the handsomest men
he had ever seen, and an ideal type
OF American manhood. Christy also
signified his intention of using Nc
Lain as model for his new navy
poster and entertained him in his
studio at several weekend parties.
Then he met other famous people, in
cluding Madame Nazimova, Lady Duff
Gordon, Eleonora de Ctsneros, John
Phillip Sousa, Charles NJ Schwab and
George M. Cohan, who took more than
passing interest in the handsome
young tar.
Meets Mary Garden.
Then came his memorable visit to
Schwab's mansion. One hundred
New Workers, representative of the
financial, professional, artistic and So
cial life of the city, applauded Melba's
sweetest songs. McLain in his dark
blue navy suit was the cynosure of all
eyes and the young women of the
four hundred were not backward in
displaying preference for the stun
ming American sailor. From Schwab's
house he went with Christy and other
guests in the Schwab automobile to
the Metropolitan Opera House and
listened to a grand concert from J.
P. Morgan's private box.
He was introduced to Mary Garden
during a performance of SThais' and
the prima donna was so impressed by
the noble countenance and manly
that she kissed him and gave
him a rose which had been thrown
to her over the footlights. Subse-
quently when Our Mary was called
before the curtain she threw kisses
to the sailor who sat in a box with
her mother and 5000 people arose and
cheered the modest young man in the
United States uniform. The climax
was capped when Lillian Russell, who
everybody acknowledges an authirity
on good looks, being herself one of
the worlds greatest beauties, pro-
claimed him to be "the ideal American
sailor boy"
Other celebrities entertained Nc
Lain. whose head was not turned by
the extraordinary attention lavished
upon him. Instead he studied hard
er than ever and recently was gradu-
ated from Columbia University with
the highest honors. He is now a
first-class machinist mate and is CIV
ing his country the benefit OF his
technical knowledge and patriotic
service at sea. McLain is of the blond
type and possesses features as clearly
cut as cameo.
According to Christy, he mas
neck like a Corinthian column He
is also splendid athlete, being good
long distance swimmer and sprinter.
He is a devout Christian and never
misses an opportunity of attending
divine service and receives commun-
Il ov1x