The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-01-29

an empire in Central America. And as the
little American vessel nesred Fort San Carlos
the NicaraEuans fred upon It, inturinE TIVE
or three women and children. Under thess
circumstances Il was that Captain Howard
accompanied BY eleven indignant compGn-
ions, went to Walker on landing and offered
TO Join his forces in an attack on the fort
CCT SHALL never forget the first time j
i saw william Walker. see him a.
clearly as II it were only yesterday-a man
Of medium height, very square and erect. BE
wor. a broad white hat, perhaps Of beaver.
There was a stolid character about his
features, and he looked at US directly with
ont the slightest change Of oppression. Still
h. showed keenness-ah, yes, unquestionAbly
Walker was q man Of considerable ability.
History calls him the Ersy-eyed man Of
destiny. but his eyes must have been blush
<rsy. for / recall a certain steel-like quality.
81 served with Walker hardly a fortnight
W. soon took the fort from the natives. No.
certainly did not wish to join his cause.
Furthermore, l was going to visit my
mother, who was alone"
walker was wrong. He had been in sew
eral other flibusterinE schemes and had been
warned BY the Government to keep out Of the
sHsirs Of Central America. For a time be
succeeded in Nicaragua, but becoming In
volyed in his relations with the two rival
TRANSPORTATION companies, be incurred the
enmi.y Of the Vanderbilt interests and
thereof cut of his only avenue for receiving
supplies or re endorsements When he was
finally captured by the natives, the United
States left him to his fate and be was exc
cuted."
To follow the career Of Captain Howard
is TO know the listory of California. For
he has sat in her legislatures and held almost
every county Office from justice Of the peace
and sheriff TO that of prosecuting attorney.
Intuition coupled with keen observation and
clever deduction seems TO ! We made him
almost indispensable in handing the cases Of
horse thieves and murderers in pioneer days
When It became necessary TO remedy the
defects Of the constitution Of 1S49. be was
one Of the one hundred and fifty two dele
gates chosen TO sit in the convention that
made the constitution which was finally
accepted in 1879.
To-day Captain Howard spends his days
very quietly, far from all the scenes be has
ever known. He lives in Portland. Oregon.
with a daughter who induced him. a few
years ago. 10 leave his lonely ranch HON.
near Msriposa. California. He writes
good many letters, but as few Of his asso-
Cistes arc left, these are mostly IN scholars
who frequently refer to him for information
reGa riding doubtful points in the early his,or,
Of California. lie reads the newspspers with
interest. including the New York World
which he has taken from the time Of r.,
foundation, almost sixty years ago. 1t seems
natural. in view Of the past, that be enjoys
fiction with plenty of action, particularly
detective stories
As l sat with Captain Howard that LAT,
October afternoon. ] realized suddenly ,b,,
the sun was low in the West and III. AZ,
was chill. 10th of us had fallen silent.
Was he thinking Of the Ra1Eers-tbe men
Who, though firm of heart and stronf Of
hand, in skirmish, march or foray." bsr.
all passed on: In 1888, the heart of william
Howard pulsed to the song, Give a mar ,
horse be can ride" but now he has sold m,
last of that famous line Of runners,
"Do YOU like OrerOnI'' I asked aim.
~ lessly, TO break the silence.
Not as well as California. I-Io-.
California. How could a man ,n.w.,
otherwise who had lived through those s-,,
golden gorgeous tumultuous days and had
helped make and maintain the Justice ~ r.
laws' IL we love what we serve. then h,
that token he would love Califorpi,
Yes, there must be some faith tb..
enables Captain Howard to bridge IN. rrc,t
gulf between the old age Of simplicity and
this latter day Of extreme cOmpIeIity.
To an eager listener. he responds ,-;,L
ready story of the past. but thor. ., -
plant about the good old day. 10 :.
memory he sees the ields Of the Arro,,r,,
and longs for the strains Of the mad Sr,,i,s
waltz in the fSndango. he sars no word p,
has hung up his spurs. saddle and bridI.
for the last time, but be is still a soldier
Of fortune who believes ferveutIy in tn,
destiny Of AmericN