Giles Quimby, Slayer of John Tornow, Given Gold Medal

Those of you familiar with the case of John Tornow might find this interesting. Ran across this bit of trivia in the July 26, 1913 Grays Harbor Post. The text didn't reproduce too well, so I transcribed it:

Quimby Given Gold Medal

COUNCILMAN JAMES EMPEY OF THE 5TH WARD, RAISES FUND IN ABERDEEN TO PURCHASE GOLD BADGE FOR TORNOW'S SLAYER.

PRESENTED WEDNESDAY NIGHT

"From Citizens of Aberdeen to Show Appreciation of Services Rendered Chehalis County, April 16"

Wednesday evening at the city council Chamber, Giles Quimby, slayer of Tornow, the terror of the Oxbow country, who killed six men before he fell in front of the rifle of Quimby, was presented by the citizens of Aberdeen with a gold badge inscribed on the face:

"GILES QUIMBY

Deputy Sheriff Chehalis County,

Washington."

On the back of the medal was inscribed:
"From Citizens of Aberdeen to Show Appreciation of Services Rendered Chehalis County, April 16"

The medal is two and three-fourths inches high and two inches wide, made of solid 14K gold. The fund for the purchase of this medal was raised by Councilman James Empey and was entirely secured from citizens of Aberdeen. Mr. Empey, because of his life as a cruiser in the woods, realized fully the services rendered by Deputy Quimby in ridding the Oxbow country of the menace that had made travel unsafe in that region for many months.

[photo caption]: Cut of Gold Medal Which Citizens of Aberdeen Presented to Giles Quimby at the City Council Chamber Last Wednesday Night.

The presentation of the medal to Mr. Quimby was simple. By invitation Sheriff Mathews, Deputy Quimby and other members of the sheriff's office appeared in the city council chamber Wednesday evening. During a lull in the business of the council, Mr. Empey arose and asked if Mr. Quimby were in the room. Mr. Quimby responded and Mr. Empey, stepping forward handed him the medal with the inscription telling the story. The gift came as a surprise to Deputy Quimby. Chairman W.J. Egerer made a few remarks praising Mr. Quimby's work as a service to the county. This closed the presentation.

The history of the hunt for Tornow is known to the readers of the Post. His tragic death in that last battle on the Oxbow, after trappers Blair and Lathrop had fallen before Tornow's rifle, himself to fall before that of Quimby, was one of the remarkable tragedies of this western coast. That Aberdeen appreciates this service was shown by the incident of Wednesday night.

 

Last summer, while researching the life another Grays Harbor lawman, William Henry Bush, I happened to encounter the burial place of Giles Quimby in the cemetery at Montesano.