Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-05-09

with an air befitting an emperor,
! and In q fashionable hotel asked
| to be served with antelope steak,
should have attracted considerable
attention. And when this singular
individual called for four pounds
Of beef, which he made away with
speedily, remarking, That's better
meat than the mule / eat out In
the mountains" their interest In
him became noticeable.
The frontiersman was well aware o
the interest he excited, and feelins
it incumbent upon him to enlightel
the rest of the diners as to himsel
and his mission, said to the attendan
waiter, boy, you want TO know wit
I amp"
yah, sab, If you please sab, TO
the sake Of those gentlemen present
'sWell then" replied Meek, drawing
himself up to his full height, Il an
Envoy Extraordinary and Ministei
Plenipotentiary from the Republic o.
Oregon to the Court Of the United
States" And he turned and left the
room, but not alone. Several of the
men who were apprised Of his coming
hurried after him. Among these was
Senator Underwood of Kentucky, who
introduced himself, calling Meek by
name.
Meek intimated that he would like
to see the president at once. Under
wood tactfully inquired If he did not
wish to make his toilet before his
interview. Meek told the senator that
he would attend to that later, as he
then had no money to purchase other
clothes.
At the White House, a mulatto,
whom he recognized as one brought
up in the household Of the Folks, and
with whom he had played as a boy,
ushered Meek into the presence of the
presidents secretary, Knox Walker,
who was related to Meek. The secre-
tary was busy attending to earlier
arrivals, who filled the room and paid
no further attention to the newcomer
than to ask him to be seated.
Didn't Want to Wait
Meek, nothing abashed, and with his
usual self-aSsertiveneSS, did not pur-
pose having his business postponed.
IT should like to see the president
Immediately. Just tell him, If you
please, that there is gentleman from
Oregon waiting to see him on very
important business"
cat the word Oregon" says DR.. Wag-
ner, "the secretary sprang up, dashed
his paper to the floor, and crying out
Uncle Joe, came forward with both
hands extended to greet his long-loStl
relative.
Take care, Knox, don't come too
close said Meek stepping back. I'm
ragged dirty and lOllSv'"
But Walker insisted upon shaking
hands with his uncle, and a brisk
ensued until Meek again
asked to see the president without de-
lay. Word having been brought that
he could see the president at once, he
left Walker, and was welcomed by
Polk, who would receive no other visi-
tors that day.
Polk was also a relative Of Meek's
and their conversation included fam
ly news, as well as Oregon affairs
The president said that Mrs. Polk must
zee him, and presently she arrived,
With Mrs. Walker. This was a severe
iilks rustling in the passage" he adj
nits, II felt more frightened than If
! hundred Blackfeet had whooped In
ny ear. A mist came over my eyes,
ind when Mrs. Polk spoke to me 1
ould think of nothing to say in re-
urn"
1t was not long after this before 1
ur hero became a social leader, was ,
parties and giving them,
nth recklessness OF expense that was
charitable for one who had come pen !
liless to the capital. The question may ]
'e asked: How could he afford to ,
i've these wine suppers and the like?" |
congress, it seems, shortly after Meek !
cached Washington, set aside what {
TaS known as a contingent fund, to /
ay the expenses of Oregon's repre- 7
sntatives who had been sent to Wash /
lgton In her behalf, land to purchase I
resents for such Indian tribes as the J
eace and quiet of the country de- !
landed" and this was the manner in 4
hich this $4,000 was divided. To =
[eek went $7,400, Mr.. Thornton, who '
anne by water, received $1,000, and all 4
the rest (?) went to the Indians
nth this exhibition of generosity, it 6
i'll be seen how ungrateful were the q
ldian recipients Of this unparalleled q
I
Polk once asked Meek, "WeI, what y
} you want now2"
'T want to be frank" I.
How long win $500 last you?" h
ughingly inquired the president.
About as many days as there are L
I reckon, !" was the reply. 3
You are shockingly extravagant, a
eek" said the president. Where do o
u think all this money is coming II
om?" Ii
ut is not my business to know, Mr.. u
resident, but it is the business OF a,
ese United States to pay the ex- :
nses of the messenger from Oregon, al
1T it?" W
Time 4
The next night after this CONVERSE
N, Meek gave a wine supper, and u
that he had overestimated G
e length Of time that $500 would last
N W
Another famous character was IN 81
ashington when Meek was there. 10
lis was Kit Carson, and the two I'll
re old friends. Whenever Carson Y
q short of money, he always applied Cs
Meek for aid, knowing he would be sll
"a ~ v-aoafx1o a. 20 nEnotr hod oww | -