Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 26.djvu/61

Rh himself a competency in his declining years and old age. He lived beyond the Biblical period, being at his death eighty years. He was filled with the milk of human kindness. His legal and business ability enabled the poor printer boy to obtain a standing in the northwest that is a pleasure for his friends to note and a fine example for the young men and women to follow, who are striving for success in the various walks of life.

My close acquaintance with Judge Stratton, for over fifty years from my early boyhood to the time of his death, prompts me to say that he is worthy of any eulogy that can be offered for one of sterling integrity and honorable endeavor.

Judge Stratton belonged to the romantic and chivalric days of the Oregon country. Was familiar with the struggles and vicissitudes the pioneers were compelled to encounter. In his high and noble qualities, love of justice and right, he represented the best type of men and women who blazed the way that we might enjoy the refinement and culture that we now possess.

From out the mysteries of life and the great silence of the unknown I think I could hear the friend of olden time say: