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    GENTLEMEN--It is with extreme regret that, in consequence of the state of my health, and other circumstances beyond my control, I am under the necessity of declining your polite invitation to be present at the public dinner tendered to Captain Lamerick and his company of volunteers, who, by their energy, perseverance and gallantry, have so speedily and successfully terminated the hostilities in which we were recently engaged with the warlike and wily savages of this valley. And although I cannot be present, permit me to assure you, and through Capt. Lamerick and his brave companions in arms, of my sympathy with patriotism and valor wherever exhibited.
    And allow me to propose the following sentiment.
    The citizens and miners of Rogue River Valley--Quick to discover, and prompt to repel, danger. Worthy descendants of the heroes and patriots of '76.
            Very respectfully,
                your ob't. serv't.
                    A. A. Skinner.
Messrs. Fowler, Kinney and Miller, committee, &c.
    That the true sons of Ireland may never be wanting in courage and strength to protect the citizens of this great republic, and to oppose all savages and tyrants, who would oppose her constitution and laws.
Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, August 14, 1852, page 1


    LATE FROM THE MINES.--Capt. Lamerick, who has just arrived from the mines, informs us that the miners are doing extremely well where there is water. Immigrants are continually arriving from California. The Indians are remarkably friendly since the late drubbing administered to them under the command of Capt. Lamerick, an account of which we published two weeks since.
Oregonian, Portland, August 21, 1852, page 2




    The bill to authorize J. K. Lamerick and others to build a road through the canyon was read a second time and referred to a select committee.
"Proceedings of Oregon Legislative Assembly," Oregonian, Portland, March 5, 1853, page 1


    NOTICE is hereby given that the firms known as J. K. Lamerick & Co. and Con. A. Hillman & Co. have this day dissolved by mutual consent.
Jacksonville, O.T., June 8, 1853.
The Mountain Herald, Yreka, June 18, 1853, page 3


    The Statesman has the following:--
    Gens. Lane and Alden--Gentlemen,--The undersigned, on the point of being discharged from the service, cannot permit the occasion to pass without taking this public manner of expressing our warmest thanks and profound obligations, for the sympathy and forbearance that you have manifested towards us on all occasions while under your commands; also for the prompt and efficient aid that you rendered us and the citizens of Rogue River Valley, generally, during our late Indian war. May your wounds, honorably gained in the front of the fight, speedily heal, your health restored, and live long to enjoy the society of your families and numerous friends.
    Most affectionately yours, &c.,
        Capt. J. K. Lamerick
            And Company.
    At a meeting of the "Mounted Rangers," at Jacksonville, Sept. 10th, 1853, a copy of the above letter was unanimously voted should be presented to Gens. Lane and Alden, respectively.
    Gens J. Lane and B. R. Alden--Dear Sirs,--In common with the troops who have so nobly aided us, and the citizens, without exception, permit me to gladly add my hearty concurrence in the above sentiments.
    Respectfully your friend,
        Edward Sheil, M.D.
Oregon Weekly Times, Portland, October 1, 1853, page 2


    When the massacre commenced [in 1853] Captain Alden was one hundred miles off. . . .  All the people, or nearly all in Rogue River Valley, capable of bearing arms, were organized into companies, two under Captains Miller and Lamerick for active service, and one under Captain Fowler, for the protection of the town of Jacksonville. The two companies under Captains Miller and Lamerick were organized into a battalion, and placed under the command of Colonel Ross.
Joseph Lane, "Thirty-Third Congress," Daily Globe, Washington, D.C., May 6, 1854, page 4


To Genl. E. M. Barnum
    Respt. Sir--Enclosed you will find a letter from Capt. Gordon, the commander of the Douglas County volunteers. By the politeness of his orderly I am enabled to forward to you this copy. You will perceive from this the condition of this country; you will also see I am unable to muster some of the companies into the service before they take the field. For this reason I am unable to forward to you the muster rolls at present. Last night there was considerable excitement--some of the citizens from below Winchester came to this place with the news thus--some forty to fifty Indians encamped on the reserve 15 miles below Winchester were about to break out. By request of the citizens I took the responsibility to order thirty men from the Linn County company to proceed immediately to this place to protect the families and if possible bring the Indians to this place. I am happy to inform you they have acted promptly & well. They returned about three o'clock this evening bringing with them ten warriors, leaving all the old men, children & w. at that camp. Those prisoners were promptly turned over to Capt. Martin, the Indian agent at this place, who has taken proper care of them, & they are now under guard in the courthouse of this place. Both the Lane County companies as well as the Linn County company have arrived at this place. Capt. Bailey's company are now at the Canyon or perhaps on the other side. The Douglas County company was at the Canyon this morning. You will see by the enclosed communication the condition of things on the other side. At daylight tomorrow one hundred men well armed will start from this place to the relief of Major Fitzgerald. The troops here are short of ammunition. Genl. McCarver is making every exertion to procure a sufficient to supply all the troops possible. He is a very energetic officer. I am most anx. to receive more blank muster rolls; at present I have only one for each company called out by the Governor's proclamation. I also am informed there is at this time nine companies in the service in Jackson County. What is to be done with more than four of them I do not know. Please give me information on this subject.
    The Umpqua County company have not reported themselves yet, but are to do it tomorrow or next day. The citizens down on the Umpqua River say that the Indians down as far as Scottsburg are showing signs of war & that the company will be required to protect the citizens in that part of Oregon. From appearances the war is likely to be a longer one than a good many think for, and I think it would be well enough to post the officers up as to the extent of their duties as I am Damned Sure some of them would not be set back any by a few general rules by way of enlightening them in their duties.
Oregon State Archives, Yakima and Rogue River War, Document File B, Reel 2, Document 526.


To E. M. Barnum
    Adjt. Genl.
        Portland
           Respt. sir
                Enclosed I send you a copy of two orders issued by Col. Ross, the tenor & inconsistency of which I leave you to form your own opinion. I am informed this has [been] secretly circulated amongst those who wish to remain at home and protect their own interest and get Uncle Sam to pay for it. The quantity of men now in the field is quite sufft. to kill all of the Indians in this Territory providing they are properly managed, which under the present organization will be done. I have the fullest confidence in him (Maj. Bruce) being actuated by the proper motives that of patriotism he has issued his orders yesterday, a copy of which I will forward lest his should be mislaid or lost.
To
    Genl. E. M. Barnum
Oregon State Archives, Yakima and Rogue River War, Document File B, Reel 2, Document 522.



    SIR--I saw an article in the Oregonian of last week headed "the biography of Brigadier General Lamerick." The writer of that is ignorant of the facts. I don't know who he is, nor do I want to know, but I know John K. Lamerick, and of his official acts as captain of our company in the Rogue River war of 1853. He was a first-rate captain then, and done his duty to his fellow soldiers, and is a gentleman of integrity and truth. He said that Capt. Lamerick left Oregon in disgust last fall, which I don't believe. Lamerick has been in Oregon since 1852; he was captain of a company in 1852, and corralled old Sam's band of Indians behind Table Rock, and there had a dead thing on them, but for one Whig Indian agent that was out south then, and the Indians calling for quarter, a treaty was effected. In 1853, Lamerick was again elected captain, unanimously, and done southern Oregon good service again; he kept his company on the march night and day until he drove the Indians out of the settlements, so that the people could get their effects together, and save their property and their lives. No women and children were murdered then either, nor was his men Drewed out of all their pay when Maj. Alvord went to pay them, for Capt. Lamerick happened to have a retained muster roll, which was correct, and he stood by his men and saw that they had their rights, and I think that he will look out for the soldiers and see that there is no more Drewin'  going on in the war of 1856. Now, my friend, whoever you are, you would sign no name in the Oregonian, so that I think you are small fry, and not hardly worth notice, you had better Dryer up your little member, and not utter such untruths again. You and the Oregonian have shot your gun too high, so that you have hurt nobody, which is the case with the Oregonian man up this way. They have no respect for bell-crown beavers, no more than they have out at Jacksonville. Know-Nothingism won't win up here. So there is no use of your trying to put down Brig. Gen. Lamerick, for he has proved himself worthy of the position he occupies in the service of the Territory.
Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, March 25, 1856, page 1


    Gen. J. K. Lamerick has changed the name of the winning horse, "Gabriel," to "Salem Clique."--Herald.
    The General understands the appropriateness of names. We will "go our bottom dollar" on the "bottom" of his "Salem Clique." All the distanced horses should be called "National-Democratic-Black-Republican."
Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, March 25, 1856, page 1


    IN SOUTHERN OREGON.--A dispatch from Gen .Lamerick says:--Old John's Indians have gone to the Meadows, their stronghold. I have ordered Lieut. Col. Chapman and Maj. Brace to move with the entire strength of the Southern Battalion. They will leave with tools and provisions sufficient to besiege the Indians in their fortress, if it should be necessary. The troops take with them twenty-five days' rations. They are in fine health and under good discipline. I am now making preparations to move with the Northern Battalion, to meet the Southern Battalion at the Meadows. The Southern Battalion will go down on the south side of Rogue River. The Northern Battalion will march by way of Hungry Hill and Whisky Creek. I will accompany this battalion myself. I do not intend to come back until we can completely conquer the enemy, or until we have to return for provisions or supplies. Everything seems to bid fair for a successful campaign. I have good reason to believe that General Wool has issued orders to the U.S. troops to act in concert with the volunteers. The officers at Fort Lane told me they would, wherever they met, most cordially cooperate with any volunteers I had command of. There is now under command of Col. Kelsay sixty men scouring the country form Hungry Hill to the Meadows. There is also a detachment of thirty men, under command of Capt. Sheffield, scouring the country from Hungry Hill to the Big Bend of Cow Creek.
San Francisco Bulletin, May 5, 1856, page 3




To Genl. Jos. Lane
    My Dear Genl.
The news has just reached here of the rejection of the Kansas Bill in the House. By the adoption of the Crittenden Amendment, every true Democrat here feels a just depression on the account of it; not only as it places the administration in an awkward position, but it prevents other business from engaging the attention in Congress. Still, I think the President  will yet turn out like Jackson and ride the storm triumphantly. So mote it be. Amen.
    We also see by the papers that the Committee on Territories has at last reported on the Oregon Constitution and by this time I doubt not will have acted upon it. Some men, enemies to Oregon and not friends of yours, would like to see it rejected, as also the defeat of the bill to defray the expenses of our war, but in both cases, I feel confident they will be disappointed.
    The Democrats of this county held their convention last Saturday and nominated their ticket, which on the main I think is very good, the convention instructed for you for Senator. The resolutions I drew myself. They are also some of them privately pledged to the Hon. D. Smith as the Senator north of the Calipooia Mountain.
    My opinion is there will be enough of good Democrats elected at this coming election to elect you and whoever they conclude to send with you upon the first ballot, but should the Nationals carry one or two counties and, with the Blacks, hold the balance of power in joint ballots, then their cupidity might be made to answer a good account and made to serve honest men. As the Bible says, "The wrath of man shall praise the Lord and the remainder of his wrath shall be restrained." Should there not be a majority on joint ballots of good old line friends of yours, would your presence not be of some service; you will have time enough as soon as you hear the returns of the election to come and be at the organization of the Legislature. I merely suggest this to your better understanding. You know what Shakespeare says, "The presence of the King is a host within itself." By the time this reaches you, Oregon will I hope be admitted as a State and your bill to pay the expenses of the war passed. As I have bored you with a long, foolish letter, I will conclude by subscribing myself, as ever, your friend,
   
I forgot to thank you for public docs., which if not too much trouble, please continue and I in return for your good service will send a long letter of nonsense.
Joseph Lane Letters

We have rec'd. the news last Saturday of the admission of the Lecompton constitution which caused the hearts of many to rejoice I can assure you
To Gen. Jos. Lane
Washington City D.C.
Joseph Lane Letters


    On Saturday last the closing race of a half mile was well contested by Gen. Lamerick's b.g. [bay gelding] "Salem Clique," known as "Gabriel," and Mr. Whitman's gray filly.
"The Jacksonville Races," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 26, 1858, page 2


    Gen. J. K. Lamerick has changed the name of the winning horse, "Gabriel," to "Salem Clique."--Herald.
    The General understands the appropriateness of names. We will "go our bottom dollar" on the "bottom" of his "Salem Clique." All the distanced horses should be called "National-Democratic-Black-Republican."
Oregon Statesman, Salem, July 20, 1858, page 2


    A committee was appointed to report delegates to the National Convention, and instructions for them; the committee reported Jo Lane, Lansing Stout and M. P. Deady as delegates, and John K. Lamerick, John F. Miller and John Adair as alternates, with instructions to use all means in their power to secure the nomination of Jo Lane for the Presidency. . . .
"Oregon Democratic State Convention," Sacramento Daily Union, December 1, 1859, page 2


    SHOOTING AFFAIR AT JACKSONVILLE.--A telegram from Yreka mentions that Gen. J. K. Lamerick was shot by a Mr. Berry, a gunsmith at Jacksonville, Oregon, on Sunday, 5th February. It appears that there had been an old quarrel between the parties. Lamerick went to the house of Berry, and, it is said, insulted Mrs. Berry. She immediately sent for her husband, who, upon entering the house, fired upon Lamerick. The ball entered below the left eye, and passed out at the right ear. Berry was arrested, and gave bail in the sum of $2,000. Lamerick was armed with a Deringer pistol, but did not draw. At last accounts he was sensible, conversing with his friends, and did not wish to have Berry prosecuted. No hopes were entertained of the recovery of Lamerick.
San Francisco Bulletin, February 10, 1860, page 2


    Gen. Lamerick was shot in the face at Jacksonville by W. J. Berry on the 3rd inst., in a drinking house. The wound is severe but not mortal.
Oregonian, Portland, February 18, 1860, page 2


    A dispatch from Jacksonville, Oregon, dated Feb. 7, says that General J. K. Lamerick, a prominent politician in that state, was mortally wounded by a man named Berry, a gunsmith. It appears that there had been an old quarrel between the parties. Lamerick went to the house of Berry, and, it is said, insulted Mrs. Berry. She immediately sent for her husband, who, upon entering the house, fired upon Lamerick. The ball entered below the left eye and passed out at the right ear. Berry was arrested, and gave bail in the sum of $2,000. Lamerick was armed with a Deringer pistol, but did not draw. At last accounts he was sensible, conversing with his friends, and did not wish to have Berry prosecuted. No hopes are entertained of the recovery of Lamerick.
New York Herald, March 10, 1860, page 2


    Lamerick is thought to be recovering; if he gets well, I think the affair will pass by without much noise.
Letter dated February 26, 1860, Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, March 27, 1860, page 1


    General J. K. Lamerick, of Oregon, a delegate to the Charleston Convention, has arrived at Yreka, on his way to the Atlantic States.
San Joaquin Republican, March 17, 1860, page 4


Hon Joseph Lane
    Washington
        Dear Sir
            The following is a copy of a dispatch from Oregon in the New York Herald of the 10th inst. [see above]
    "Gen. J. K. Lamerick a prominent politician in this state was mortally wounded by a man named Berry on the 7th Feby. There had been an old quarrel between the parties. Berry shot Lamerick, the ball entering under the left eye & passing out the right ear. Berry was held in $2000 bail although Lamerick did not wish him to be prosecuted Lamerick was armed with a Deringer pistol but did not draw. At last accounts Lamerick was sensible, conversing with his friends, but no hopes are entertained of his recovery."
    My object in trespassing upon you is to know if you have any later news from Oregon & if my poor brother is still alive. I looked for him to be on at [sic] meeting of the Charleston convention. We have not met for twenty-four years.
    I recd. two papers from him dated Jacksonville Feby. 4th three days before the sad occurrence. I would also like to know if my brother had any property in Oregon, or held any of the war scrip &c &c. This may seem primitive on my part, but my intention is to leave for Oregon should I not hear from him by next mail or the one after.
    I am the only brother he has in the U.S. & the only one he ever corresponded with. I had always 4 papers from him by every mail & looked forward to our meeting in April with a pleasure that only long parted brothers can feel. Any information you can give me will at this sad juncture be gratefully remembered by me. You were kind enough to answer a letter addressed some two years ago by me, to you. Hoping you will be no less kind on this sad occasion as I know my poor brother was your political friend. Awaiting your reply with much anxiety I am, dear sir, very truly


    Gen. J. K. Lamerick, Democratic delegate from Oregon, goes to New York with this steamer [the Sonora], as also Joel Burlingame, Esq., the father of Anson G. Burlingame, member of Congress from Massachusetts.
"Our Aspinwall Correspondence," New York Herald, April 11, 1860, page 4


OREGON.
Lansing Stout, Washington, D.C.
J. K. Lamerick, Jacksonville.
Isaac I. Stevens, Washington, D.C.
Justus Steinberger, Washington, D.C.
R. B. Metcalfe, Independence, Texas.
A. P. Dennison, The Dalles, Oregon.
"List of Delegates to the National Democratic Convention," The Charleston Daily Courier, Charleston, South Carolina, April 30, 1860, page 6


    FROM THE HERMITAGE.--By last States mail we received a letter from General J. K. Lamerick, one of the delegates from Oregon to the Charleston Convention, dated at New Orleans, May 18th. The many friends of this gentleman will be glad to learn that he was gradually improving in health--that he was in fine spirits, and resolved to return to Oregon at an early day. In his travels through the South, since the adjournment of the national convention, among other places, he paid a visit to the Hermitage, where reposes all that is mortal of the great Democratic chief, the patriot and hero--Andrew Jackson. He tarried at this revered resting place for a day, and did true homage to the memory of the illustrious dead. He plucked from near the tomb of the mighty departed some leaves and flowers of the honeysuckle, which were kindly sent to us. They reached us safely. We have them in excellent preservation, and [as] well as the art of man through life can stay the waste of time upon these tender, precious gifts, they shall be preserved. Were they imperishable as the glorious memory and pure fame of him whose body rests beneath the sacred sod from which they sprung, and eternity ours, through all they should be preserved. With heartfelt emotions we thank General Lamerick for sending them to us.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 23, 1860, page 2




    ACCESSION TO JEFF DAVIS' ARMY FROM OREGON.--John K. Lamerick (Gov. Curry's Brigadier-General) is now a Commissary in Jeff Davis' army. Adolphus Hanna, late Marshal of the State, it is said, has gone in the same direction. J. B. Sykes, late Indian Agent, has seceded for the same point. Never a word has been uttered by Gov. Curry against these movements of his political friends. We shall not be surprised at any morning to hear that he has gone to join his old companions with a major-general's commission in his pocket.--Oregonian, September 14th.
San Francisco Bulletin, September 21, 1861, page 3


    John K. Lamerick, of Jacksonville, one of the Lane faction delegates in the Charleston convention from Oregon, is commissary of a Louisiana rebel regiment. In June last he was in Washington endeavoring to get his [Indian war] scrip paid, professing great loyalty but opposed to "coercion." We thought then the government ought to have been advised of his proclivities and his bonds withheld. He pretended he was coming to Oregon when he got his money. Sykes is quartermaster of a Virginia regiment, and the diminutive little Hoff Hannah is a lieutenant or captain in the rebel army. John Lane is somewhere in North Carolina, a lieutenant. Bob Metcalfe is in Texas. The commissions of all these worthies were issued on the Pacific Coast by an agent authorized by Jeff Davis. It is worthy of notice that every "peace" man who has sneaked out of Oregon has joined the rebel army--Sykes, Metcalfe, Hannah, Lamerick and Lane. That exquisitely Democratic and eminently "peace" ticket which the Oregon traitors will run in June loses just five votes by the sloping of these beauties.--Statesman.
Oregonian, January 31, 1862, quoted in "Half a Century Ago," Oregonian, Portland, January 21, 1912, page 10


STATE OF LOUISIANA, TOWN OF MONROE
    I, John W. Lamerick, born in Bedford County in the state of Tennessee, aged thirty-nine years, and by occupation a mechanic, do hereby acknowledge to have voluntarily enlisted this [left blank] day of [left blank] 1862, as a soldier in the Army of the Confederate States of America, for the period of twelve months, unless sooner discharged by proper authority; do also agree to accept such bounty, pay, rations and clothing as are, or may be, established by law. And I, John K. Lamerick, do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Confederate States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whomsoever; and that I will observe and obey the orders of the President of the Confederate States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the rules and articles of war.
    Sworn and subscribed to at Monroe, La., this 6th day of April 1862, before [illegible signature].
    I CERTIFY, ON HONOR, that I have carefully examined the above named soldier and that in my opinion he is free from all bodily defects and mental infirmity, which would in any way disqualify him from performing the duties of a soldier.
    [same illegible signature], Examining Surgeon.
    I CERTIFY, ON HONOR, that I have minutely inspected the soldier, [John K. Lamerick], previously to his enlistment, and that he was entirely sober when enlisted; that to the best of my judgment and belief he is of lawful age; and that in accepting him as duly qualified to perform the duties of an able-bodied soldier I have strictly observed the regulations which govern the recruiting service.
    The soldier has blue eyes, gray hair, dark complexion, is five feet 6½ inches high.
    [same illegible signature], Recruiting Officer.
    RECEIVED OF [left blank] of the Confederate States Army, this [left blank] day of [left blank] 1862, FIFTY DOLLARS, being by way of bounty for enlisting in the army of the Confederate States for THE WAR.
Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Louisiana

Lamerick, J. K.
Co. C, 6 Louisiana Cavalry (Confederate)
Private
Reference Slip, Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Louisiana


    John K. Lamerick of Jacksonville, one of the Lane faction delegates to the Charleston convention from Oregon, is commissary of a Louisiana rebel regiment. In June last he was in Washington endeavoring to get his scrip paid, professing great loyalty, but opposed to "coercion." We thought then the government ought to have been apprised of his proclivities, and his bond withheld. He pretended he was coming to Oregon when he got his money.
Oregon Statesman, quoted in "The Oregon 'Peace' Men in Dixie," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, February 15, 1862, page 2


"The Central Democratic Club," The South-western, Shreveport, Louisiana, March 4, 1868, page 2




    We acknowledge the receipt of an invitation to be present at the dedication of the new synagogue, on Friday next, and shall certainly avail ourselves of the opportunity, so kindly proffered, of witnessing the interesting ceremony. As we have before said, this building is a credit to the architects, to our Israelitish citizens and to the town. George Cole and J. K. Lamerick had the contract, and certainly have carried it out to the satisfaction of the building committee.
The South-western, Shreveport, Louisiana, May 25, 1870, page 2


Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana:
J. K. Lamerick, 49, carpenter, born in Ireland, owns $800 worth of real estate
United States Census, enumerated June 3, 1870


    The Daily Gazette, of yesterday, furnishes an abstract of a scene in [Judge Crowell's] court, in which Gen. Lamerick was the hero. I give it to you as a law example. By the way, as we are not acquainted with the General, will you oblige us to look in your dictionary of "Distinguished American Citizens," or Harper's catalogue of "Self-Made Men of Our Times," and let us know who Lamerick is, and how he came. The General was up for disorderly conduct, says the Gazette, and fined for the breach with costs. In default of paying, he was to go down. The General said he preferred settling, so he approached the seat of justice, drew a Deringer, and presented it, cocked, in the face of the Recorder. The court adjourned, took a recess, went in, and Lamerick, as he was much agitated, went down, supported on either side by our brass-fronted gens d'armes.
Letter from Shreveport signed "P.A.G.," The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, October 16, 1870, page 15


Suicide.
    J. K. Lamerick, a carpenter of this place and one of the oldest of our citizens, committed suicide sometime Monday afternoon, by cutting his throat in his shop on Fannin Street. A colored woman noticed him lying under his work bench on that evening but could only see his feet projecting from beneath the bench, and supposed he was intoxicated. The horrible truth was not known until yesterday morning, when, upon examination, it was found that he was dead, literally weltering in his own blood. He was lying on his back with both arms raised and stiffened in death. The fatal instrument, an ordinary clasp-knife, was lying by him in a pool of blood, and on further examination it was found that the unfortunate man had cut the right carotid artery, and gashed the side of the neck. How long he had been dead could not, of course, be accurately determined.
    That the act had for some time been meditated was evident from the following letter, which was found among his papers.
To G. W. Leopard:
    Friend George--I am tired of living and wish to quit life. This is to request you to see me buried and to see to the settlement of my affairs, so far as you can. You will take possession of my house and lot and either keep them in your own possession or sell and distribute it as you see fit, to make it pay the expenses. I have been so much deceived that I am disgusted.
    You will see Geo. Cole, and if there is room in the lot where Tom Collins is buried, place me there. However, I have no objections where I am laid.
    Having the above to attend to will put you to some trouble, but I have confidence in your kind generosity, and that you will attend to it. I am thinking my house and lot will bring in enough to pay all expenses. My debts do not amount to much, which I hope you will attend to. To Geo. Zoder I owe six weeks' board, and think I owe John Dillon $15 bar bill. This is about all. May every good wish attend you,
The Times, Shreveport, Louisiana, April 2, 1873, page 2




    My impression is that sometime during 1858, John K. Lamerick, of Jacksonville, had a controversy with some person in that locality, growing out of his (Lamerick's) conduct as commanding officer at the battle of Hungry Hill in the Rogue River war with the Indians; and that a duel came out of it. But whether blood was shed or not, deponent saith not. But one thing is certain, a pair of eight-inch pistols was selected in San Francisco for Lamerick to fight somebody. Perhaps it ended with the coffee.
"Some Notable Duels," Oregonian, Portland, August 13, 1882, page 1


    LIMERICK.--On the 4th of March, 1883, THOS. K. LIMERICK.
"Died," Philadelphia Inquirer, March 7, 1883, page 5


    In 1855 Col. [W. W. ] Chapman lived in Umpqua, having temporarily removed from Portland and taken up his residence in Southern Oregon, where he is engaged in practice of law. It was while Judge Deady was holding court that news was brought to Roseburg of massacre and devastation in Rogue River Valley. A company was immediately raised between Winchester and the mouth of the Umpqua. Winchester was where Wilbur now is. Col. Chapman was chaplain of this company--in fact, raised it--and when a regiment was organized he was elected lieutenant colonel and discharged his military duties with honor to himself under as great disadvantages as could possibly exist, the greatest of which was a mistake made by the territorial legislature in appointing as brigadier general in command a worthless fellow, who was so unfit and incompetent that whatever success was accomplished in the campaign was achieved rather in spite of his pusillanimity and inanity rather than under his direction. As it was, the officers of the regular forces were hindered rather than helped, and such men as Col. John Kelsay, Lieut.-Colonel Chapman and Major James Bruce were made victims of a do-nothing policy that looked more like playing into the hands of speculators on the outside than a practical attempt to quell an Indian uprising. The rank and file of the volunteers were brave men, who raged and fumed at the incompetence of this legislative-made general. They cursed Lamerick in the plainest language for balking their wishes and not letting them get at the Indians. The Indians even made sport of the whites and offered insults to the whole command, well warranted by the misconduct of the war. It is only necessary to say that Col. Chapman incurred the enmity of the commander because he continually proposed to move on the enemy and end the war. But all such misconduct comes to a finality, and after a time the volunteers got a chance at the Indians and in a single battle gave them a quietus. So the war ended, in spite of the inefficiency of a worthless commander.
Samuel A. Clarke, "Pioneer Days: Some Chapters from the Early History of the City of Portland," Oregonian, Portland, May 31, 1885, page 2


TO THE EDITOR OF THE OREGONIAN
    Some historical incidents connected with the once-famous Gold Hill mine, situated about two miles from this station, may not be uninteresting to your readers. One morning about 3 o'clock a.m., in the summer of 1853, Col. Wm. Martin, a pioneer of 1845, accompanied by a man named Barnes, rode to the residence of General Joseph Lane, in the Umpqua Valley, near the then-little village of Roseburg and called out "hallo."
    "What is wanted?" replied the General.
    Said Col. Martin: "The Rogue River Indians have broken out, and are murdering women and children, and we want you, general, to go to the rescue
    In twenty minutes the General was on his horse, along with Col. Martin and Barnes, riding rapidly toward the scene of hostilities. The General commanded every old pioneer whom he met to get their guns and pistols at once. The pioneers needed no persuasion; they had all of them surmounted many privations and dangers; they had good stuff in them, nor would they stand back when the lives of women and children were in jeopardy.
    General Lane was soon in command of a volunteer force, together with a few regulars. Nor was he long in ascertaining the whereabouts of the Indians; he traced them to a little creek, now called Battle Creek, that empties into Evans Creek a few miles below the little town of Woodville. He effected a complete surprise upon the wily Indians. The first intimation the chief (old Sam) had of danger was a murderous fusillade poured into them by Lane's forces. The Indians, with remarkable self-possession, seized their guns and returned the fire. For awhile the battle waxed fierce and the bullets flew thick, but it was evident and apparent to old Sam that Lane's men were getting much the best of the fight, and his heart began to fail him. Armstrong, as sure a man as ever breathed, fell, pierced through his noble heart. Gen. Lane was shot through the arm, from which the blood poured profusely. The old chief soon began to beg for quarter. Lane, however, was not inclined to listen to his gibberish. The volunteers, however, noticing that the General was pale and weak from the loss of blood, urged him to treat with the chief. He finally consented. Old Sam ordered the remainder of his warriors to cease firing. Many of his bravest ones had bitten the dust. The two leaders, Lane and Sam, walked out and seated themselves on a log for a powwow. Sam's daughter, a most beautiful young squaw, went with her father as a witness of her father's sincerity. A settlement was soon had, and the two chieftains agreed to meet at Table Rock at a given date to ratify the proceedings or agreement made that day. It was further stipulated that General Lane was to bring along a certain number of friends unarmed, and old Sam was to leave an equal number of warriors unarmed to bear witness to the ratification.
    General Lane selected Colonel Nesmith, Judge Deady, Colonel Martin, Captain Mosher, Bob Metcalfe and a few others. Nesmith did not approve of the plan, and he accordingly said to the General that he did not propose to go unarmed to the place selected, for the Indians were treacherous, and he thought it was folly to place themselves at the mercy of the savages. "Very well," said the General, "if you are afraid to go you can remain in camp." This nettled Nesmith, who replied, "General Lane, I think I have as little fear as you or any man on the earth, and if you put it on that ground I will go."
    When the day arrived Colonel Nesmith and General Lamerick, who was in command of the regulars, held a consultation. Lamerick shared Nesmith's views of the matter. He, too, feared treachery, and accordingly General Lamerick with field glasses went to a commanding mountain overlooking Table Rock, where he could observe the maneuvers of the Indians, who were strung along the ridges a distance of two miles from Table Rock towards Sams Valley. Finding a shade under a large laurel tree, General Lamerick seated himself on a large quartz rock that stood up some three feet out of the ground, and with his field glasses he watched with great anxiety what was going on across the river. Your readers will soon see what the battle of Evans Creek and the war of '53 had to do with the Gold Hill quartz mine.
    It is proper to say that Nesmith was right in his conjectures about the Indians. There was an attempt on the part of the savages to carry out their cowardly, murderous designs, and they were only prevented from doing so by the cool bravery of General Lane, who showed no fear of their treachery. The treaty was completed. And now I will turn to the discovery of the Gold Hill quartz mine. In September of 1859 Dan Fisher went out to kill a deer He wandered about in the mountains until quite late in the evening; finally he came to a high mountain, and noticed a quartz ledge cropping out for a distance of forty or fifty feet. He merely glanced at it, for it was getting quite late. He, however, was somewhat impressed with its appearance, so much so that he concluded to carve his name on the laurel tree that spread its branches over the ledge, and intended to return in a short time and prospect the lead. However, he failed to go back; hence he missed a fortune. In January, 1860, Uncle Tommy Chavner hired a young emigrant, direct from Iowa, to work for him on his ranch. The young man's name wan Hayes. One morning Mr. Chavner directed the young man to go out and look after some horses that had strayed off. The young man, in wandering around in the mountains, sat down to rest  near the top of a high mountain, and he noticed some beautiful quartz rock that lay scattered around. Upon picking up the pieces he noticed that they were literally covered with gold, and accordingly he filled his pockets and returned to Mr. Chavner's and showed him the specimens. Mr. C., with characteristic cunning, said: "Be quiet about this matter. Say nothing about it, and we will go out and look after this business. I will pay you well," said Uncle Tommy, "if you will show me the place where you found those specimens."
    Hayes, however, by this time became excited and could not keep his secret. He sent some of the specimens to Jacksonville. The miners of Jacksonville became intensely excited, and the next day they racked out in every direction to hunt the place where the rich ore had been found. Old George Ish called out to Dan Fisher when he passed Willow Springs, where Fisher was working, "Why ain't you out, Dan, hunting that rich quartz lead?" Fisher replied that he believed he knew where the lead was, and he would tell him right where it was located provided he (Ish) would take him in as a partner. Ish promised he would do so. Mr. Fisher then directed him to the place, and told him that he would find Dan Fisher's name carved on a large laurel tree that stood [with]in a few feet of the lead.
    Ish proceeded to the point described by Fisher and found the famous . There stood the laurel tree with Fisher's name cut on it. Uncle Tommy Chavner and the emigrant were by no means asleep; on the contrary, they were on the spot where young Hayes had found the specimens the day previous. Ish soon let Chavner know that he had found the lead. They at once located the mine. Chavner gave Hayes $5000 for his interest. The boy took the money and struck a bee-line for Iowa.
    About this time General Lamerick had occasion to visit Southern Oregon on business connected with the army. On hearing the fabulous stories about the Gold Hill mine he concluded to visit the lead. General Lamerick was noted for his profanity. When he arrived at the mine he did some genuine swearing. Said he, "I sat right there on that h--l fired ledge in 1853, when General Lane was treating with old Sam. Little did I know that a fortune was within my grasp." He inquired if there was a laurel tree standing at a given place he pointed to. The miners replied there was; then the General did some more cursing. The unkindest cut of all was the fact that Dan Fisher's name was not included with the locators. Uncle Tommy Chavner got away with about $30,000. He is the only man now who can show any money from what was, as long as it lasted, the richest quartz lead ever discovered on this coast.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, June 5, 1885, page 1


Rogue River Courier, Grants Pass, June 10, 1887, page 1  The name "Higgins" is handwritten in the margin next to this story on the issue microfilmed--the source of the account?


    General Lane and Judge Stout were in Washington and sent to Oregon word that they would attend the convention. Judge Deady declined to go--his judicial duties prevented his going. General Lamerick was his alternate. He had resolved to go. On Saturday afternoon, February 3, in Jacksonville, while seated on a sofa in the room of a dwelling room occupied by a man named Berry and his wife, Lamerick was shot by the infuriated husband, who had suddenly entered the room, pistol in hand, with deadly intent. It was a navy-size Colt's revolver. The ball entered near the inside of Lamerick's left eye, close to the nose, penetrated the head and made exit just behind the lower part of the right ear. It was thought he was killed, but he was living and able to talk. He was taken to a convenient room over John Hillman's saloon and surgeons Brooks and Thompson quickly attended him. His face was terribly powder-burned, but it was found that his sight was not destroyed in either eye. Almost his first words, after the surgeons had dresses the fearful wound, were: "See here; I am going to Charleston to that convention." Dr. Thompson humored him with "Yes, yes," in response. Actually the surgeons expected a fatal result. They feared hemorrhage and that meant death. During the night Lamerick asked for a drink of water. Dr. Brooks said to him water was likely to cause hemorrhage, and intimated to him the probable consequence; it would cause him to cough and coughing would provoke hemorrhage. He was refused the water. Soon he began to slightly cough. The surgeons besought him to cease it if possible. His response was, "You won't give me a drink of water, and I'll cough until I get a drink." The water was given him--a teaspoonful. It had good effect, he coughed no more and no hemorrhage followed. The night was passed better than the surgeons had expected. But the next morning I was called from home by a messenger dispatched in haste by Dr. Brooks. On going to the room he whispered to me that death was imminent, and it would be advisable to speak to Lamerick in relation to the disposition of his property. A cloth saturated with soothing liquid covered his eyes as he rested in bed. I asked: "Do you know me, Lamerick?" Quick and characteristic came the response: "Know you? Hell, yes; you're O'Meara." I spoke cheeringly and encouraging as I could, but went on to remark as to his condition and the probable consequence. He replied: "O, hell, I'm going to the Charleston convention, to be there in time. Now, one thing; I don't want to have Berry put in trouble for shooting me; bear that in mind." He told me of his different pieces of property, in land and lots, in various places, and wished them to go to his brother in Philadelphia in the event of his death, giving the brother's address. Last I asked him with reference to the services of a clergyman, of which denomination, should the worst befall. His response to this was: "Well, come to think that over, the fact is that since I was a boy I've never had much to do with the clergy, and to call them in now would be sort of cowardly and hypocritical; don't you think so?" I made brief reply, and the subject was discontinued. The occasion for a clergyman happily did not occur; Lamerick recovered. The last Saturday of March I rode with him on the outside front seat of the stage, alongside of the driver, from Jacksonville to Yreka; we remained there Sunday, and early Monday morning I saw him off by stage for Sacramento. In a few days I got a letter from him at San Francisco. He had called on Dr. Cooper, a noted surgeon of his time, who expressed his astonishment at Lamerick's recovery from such a wound. Again he wrote to me, from Charleston, April 14. He had reached there in time for the convention sure enough. A few weeks afterward he sent to me, from Nashville, sprigs from the hickory trees of the Hermitage, and a few of the hickory nuts from the favorite trees of the venerated warrior-sage, whose memory Lamerick worshiped. He had made the visit as the devoted Mohammedan makes the pilgrimage to Mecca. General Lamerick joined the Confederate army early in the war, and was killed in one of the desperate engagements.
James O'Meara, "The Pioneer Days," Morning Oregonian, Portland, November 30, 1890, page 16


    Made necessary by an epidemic of yellow fever, the Shreveport Medical and Surgical Infirmary opened late in 1866, in a building which may have been built by the city. The city contracted with Lamerick and Waldron to build a hospital for $27,730 on 4½ acres of land purchased from B. F. Logan.
"Early 'Pest Houses' Gave Way to a Modern Hospital System," The Times, Shreveport, Louisiana, September 16, 1895, page 105




Last revised March 6, 2023