Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 9.djvu/121



In the month of November, 1869, at Lewiston, Idaho, occurred the death and burial of Robert Newell, familiarly known as Doc. or Doctor Newell, a very early pioneer in the Oregon Country and a man of more than usual force, character and influence, and whose name is associated with some of the events that took place in the Walla Walla Valley during its early history. His warm friend and brother Mason, Alvin B. Roberts, then living in Walla, thought to permanently connect that name with our local history by attaching it to one of the principal residence streets, when laying out and platting Robert's Addition to the City of Walla Walla, January 20, 1871. But by ordinance dated March 21, 1899, signed by Jacob Betz, mayor, the City Fathers ordained that "that certain street in the City of Walla Walla named and called 'Dr. Newell Street,' shall hereafter be named and called 'Newell Street,' and be so designated on all official maps, plats and other documents and instruments of said City." As there were other men by the name of Newell residing in Walla Walla during the sixties, it has to the writer seemed well to gather together and record some of the facts and incidents of the life and career of "Doctor Newell." And we may find in the recital much genuine proof of that