Page:Oregon, her history, her great men, her literature.djvu/261

 red fire that burned at night was seen in the Willamette Valley in spite of the prevailing storm. Tar was burned on some of the lower points of the mountain and three carrier pigeons were released bearing messages.

Because the Rocky Mountain Goat, or Mazama, is regarded as the surest footed mountain climber of the animal creation, the name "Mazama" suggested by Mr. Louis B. Aiken, of Portland, was adopted as appropriate for the organization. None but real mountain climbers are eligible for membership. Its efforts have beeen largely contributory to a more general knowledge of the topography of our beautiful mountains and forests. Each year it selects some mountain for its annual trip. Its explorations include the states of Washington and California as well as our

home state.

Dr. William C. McKay.

Among the notable deaths in 1893 was that of Dr. William C. McKay, of Pendleton, Oregon. He was bom at Fort George, now within the city limits of Astoria, March 18, 1824. His grandfather, Alexander McKay, a partner of John Jacob Astor, was lost in the "Tonquin" disaster north of Cape Flattery in 1811. His grandmother, who was a descendant of the Chipewa tribe, became the wife of DocDE. WILLIAM c. McKAY tor John McLoughlin, early in

1816. His father was Thomas McKay, and his mother was a daughter of Chief Comcomly of the Clatsop Indians. He was a pupil of John Ball at Fort Vancouver, in November, 1632. In 1838 he entered Fairfield College, Herkimer