Page:History of Oregon volume 1.djvu/89

38 The fop of the Columbia district was John Lee Lewes, an old Northwester, who, after having been many years at the several northern posts, was placed in charge of the district of McKenzie River, and afterward at Fort Colville. He was a man of fine personal appearance, and possessed many good qualities. He had the misfortune to lose his right hand by the accidental discharge of a gun. When he retired from the service in 1846 he proceeded to Australia with the intention of remaining there; but habit was too strong upon him, and he returned and took up his abode at Red River. A son of Mr Lewes was the first representative from Vancouver county when Oregon territory was organized.

John Dunn, who wrote a book on Oregon made up partly from his own observations but more largely from those of others, was in charge of Fort McLoughlin, on Milbank Sound, in 1830; but later he was at Fort George on the Columbia, where he remained till about 1840. Dunn was one of two young naval apprentices sent out in the ship Ganymede in 1830. George B. Roberts of Cathlamet was the other. This latter gentleman was for many years clerk at Fort Vancouver, being cognizant of a long series of interesting events. His Recollections in manuscript, from which I have made so many extracts, has proved very valuable to me.