This was found in the Sept. 1, 1911 issue of The Olympia Daily Recorder.
The Diogenes Club
Thursday, November 28, 2013
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.
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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.
Gertrude Backstrom: Hoquiam's Modern Annie Oakley, 1958
From the magazine section of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Feb. 9, 1958
Army of Motorists at Pacific Beach, 1913
An article from the Seattle Sunday Times, August 10, 1913,
written in the days when long-distance automobile travel was a novel
thing. This is a fascinating piece about early day motor vehicle travel
from Seattle to the Coast almost a century ago. Note that the trip took
all day.
The Ramrods, McCleary's Early Rock Group
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Phone photo 3023
Charlie got some kind of fight wound on his side which required a cone on his head for two days and nights plus a hideous scar and abcess stent. He was a pretty good sport about it.
His brother Dreamer just sort accepted Charlie's condition with an attitude like, "OK, what have you gotten yourself into now, Brother?" But the classics, Buster and Hettie, regarded Charlie as the Robot Monster and hissed and hid.
I'm happy to report Charlie has healed quickly and life is returning to normal in the House of Morty.
Legal Marijuana in Washington State: a Case Study
The ol' wacky tobacky is now legal in the Soviet of Washington since we spoke as a people in a popular vote initiative in 2012. But, along with Colorado, being groundbreakers we are experiencing some tribulations. All the local governments are now forced to grapple with this issue. Personally, I figure it'll be a great economic shot in the arm for our ailing state.
Here in McCleary, population around 1600, where a wooden bear sits on top of City Hall, our local officials are discussing this topic. Needless to say they are predictably cautious and status quo. Morty the Dog reporter Sarah has supplied us with some interesting recent public documents regarding this issue:
http://www.cityofmccleary.com/vertical/sites/%7B6900A7D9-59CE-4612-823A-FA3E5F25F431%7D/uploads/Council_Packet_11-20-13_merge.pdf
It seems to me a really bold and visionary municipal government would take this opportunity to run and be first in line to collect the enormous revenue that will be realized from this endeavor. But McCleary does not have bold and visionary leadership at this time. Instead, we have the same old sick and tired, play-it-close-to-the-vest, paternalistic, good ol' boy pattern that is killing us. You can hear crickets in the heart of our business district. The bank is gone. The only tavern is gone. The pizza place is gone. The pharmacy is gone. The hospital is gone. The veterinarian is gone (which I really miss). This town has no active public phone. We are dead.
The legal marijuana thing provides McCleary with an enormous economic opportunity but I have to accept the fact that my town is presently led by timid people. In the past McCleary had real visionary and inspirational leadership, I even made a video about it. Those days are long gone.
Favorite Movie Quotes: Jakob the Liar
"Until the last line is spoken, the curtain cannot come down."
Postcard - Dover, Kent
"Dover Castle, Kent. View from north-west with Keep and Constable's Gate."
1966
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