The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-08-12

: DAYTON. Ohio. where a great
airplane anniversary was being
celebrated. Meeker and the
Oregon Trail shared In the
publicity.
There was still another trip to
"a made over the historic trail, this
tine by automobile. with the
prairie schooner mounted on a
chassis. donated by Henry Ford.
That proved TO be Ezra Meekers
last journey on this earth
In the meantime things had
been happening. After his
airplane trip over the on team
trail Meeker went Ia Wash
ington To make good his prom
ise that congress would pro-
vide money To mark the Ore
gon Trail.
One by one he called on the
United States senators 20 support
"a bill authorizing the secretary OF
the treasury 10 issue $4,000. 900
worth Of Oregon Trail souvenir
half dollars. Knowing that An
drew Mellon, then secretary OF the
treasury was opposed to the bill,
some of them were reluctant to
promise, but Meeker kept after
them.
One Of the hardest nuts To
crack was the late senator
Borah, of Idaho. Borah at
first refused Ia see Meeker.
hut he sent word that he would
sit or the front steps Of
Borah's home until he did.
Meeker started 10 make his
promise good when Borsh
called him In and was sold on
the project.
When the bill was introduced
and referred TO a committee the
chairman said Secretary Mellon
Lad just sent word that the bill
must not pass. and usually the
word of the secretary of the trea-
sury was law on those matters.
Then first one member Of the com
mittee said he had promised Meek
er to vote for the bill. That left
nothing to DO but send il 10 the
senate whore. with every pledge
kept, the Dill passed unanimously.
The rest was easy.
Final passage Of the bill brought
u to President Coolidge and with
it a message from Secretary Mel
len telling linn TO be sure to veto
that fool Oregon Trail bill. Presi-
dent Collidge sent for Mellon.
Il cant veto that BILL" said
he. Mr.. Meeker called on me
several weeks ago. He con-
WINGED me of the soundness and
sincerity nf his purpose and
promised To sign the bill II
II came la me-"
That was that Several thou
sand Of the souvenir half dollars
were mintod. They sold from
seventy-five cents to dollar. and
later the price went to $50. That
financed the Oregon Trail project.
In the meantime Ezra MeekeI
was getting old. In his ninety
eighth year, on a promotion trip In
New England. ne met Henry Ford
at the Old Wayside Inn, Sudbury.
Mass Mr.. Ford looked over the
outfit and told Mecker 4 he would
stop at Dearborn on his way home
he would have some shock alb
sofbers pvt on the truck that would
make riding easier. Two weeks
later he was in Dearborn seriously
H. Henry Ford heard Of il and sent
him 70 the Dearborn hospital For
Gays he lowered between life and
death but the indomitable spirt
tuumphed. he wanted 10 make
enc more journey over the tran
but friends persuaded him to 60
home by TIN
Though he Travelled In
Pullman state room with
every comfort that could he
provided. he arrived home
badly spent. He never left
his room, and on the morning
Of Dec. .. 1928, less than
month from his ninety eighth
birthday, he passed away.
Ezra Aeeker has gone but MS
work for the oregon Tran lives
Al the END n TINS week those VINO
took Up his work viii gather A.
Denver for he annual meeting Of
the American Trails association
successor u the Oregon Tran
Memorial association The name
v As changei because = Dill passed
~ congress = fen years ago PROFIT
o-ted he making Of any souvenir
coins. Deprived q that source u
revenue i Vas necessary 70 en-
-arge the scope o. the association
&c take IN ali the historic trails 10
order 70 get support.
Though the name Of the organi-
ration Is changed, the name Of
Fra Aeeker will be honored when