Page:Centennial History of Oregon 1811-1912, Volume 1.djvu/434

 cades. The characteristics of these three great men were entirely dissimilar. Their work, careers, and influences in Oregon and in saving Oregon has been the subject of a great controversy for a quarter of a century. Books have been written, each covering four hundred or more pages, proclaiming the good work of these men for Oregon. And that the work of each of them may be fully and justly presented, and preserved in this history, it has been deemed best to have their careers sketched by friends who have made a special study of their lives. And in pursuance of that arrangement, Mr. Frederick V. Holman, has prepared the monograph on Dr. John McLoughlin; Joseph R. Wilson, D. D., has rendered a like service for Dr. Whitman, while Mr. John Gill has given us the career of Jason Lee. These sketches will be found at the end of this chapter.

If the publisher had given more space it would have been a pleasant duty to have noticed at length such men as W. H. Gray, John S. Griffin, Robert Newell, Robert Shortess, James W. Nesmith, Peter H. Burnett, John Minto and others, all of whom did valiant and effective work in saving Oregon to the United States. Gray was practically the lieutenant of Whitman. Ener- getic, omnipresent and courageous to the limit, he lost no opportunity in his determined purpose to do all and say all that could be done or said for Protest- antism and the provisional government. And besides this, Gray's work lives after him in a history of Oregon which contains many facts and phases of life in pioneer times that cannot be found in any other work on Oregon. Peter H. Burnett, one of the judges of the provisional government, did useful work for the new state, attained prominence here, and going to California was made the first governor of that state. James W. Nesmith was also one of the judges of the provisional government, colonel in the Indian wars, and United States senator. John S. GriiSn (Father Griffin) was for many years a pioneer preacher of usefulness, giving his services freely to all, and living to the hon- ored old age of 92. Robert Newell was the wit and philosopher of the whole community, and the peace-maker in all petty contentions for office or prece- dence. He was the diplomat that could "sooth the savage beast" and bend the red men to his will. What "Doc. Bob Newell" could not plan, and success- fully carry out to promote the public welfare and peace of the community sixty-five years ago, is not worth mentioning.

But heroes and heroines, all of them, all gone but one, and we will never see their like again. Peace to their ashes and honor forevermore.

Father of American Oregon (Scott) ; Founder of American Institutions and Civilization on the Pacific Coast (Bancroft.) By John Gill.